Fictional Skies

For the last two weeks I've had a welcomed break from writing. Specifically, script and development work. At first, I wasn't sure how it would go but soon realised it was what I needed. It's said that you should write everyday in some capacity and we should. However, I have learnt that every once in a while it's nice to step back and have a short time out. For me, the greatest pressure in my life are the expectations I place on myself. This isn't ideal. It pays to know when you're being unreasonable but it's also healthy to push yourself at times. Like anything, it's about balance. Only now am I realising the importance on easing up and taking breaks. A valid reason to take a short break is to catch up on the things that have been piling up while you've been focused on writing. Like a cluttered space things soon stack up and can pollute your mind. It's a great way to refresh, de-clutter and recharge the batteries. During the sho...

I look at my read/write/watch routine on a weekly basis and often identify a common thread: I write more than I watch and watch more than I read.  Writing overshadows them both by some way which I think it should. But have felt that reading less than watching could be a weakness and imbalance in my routine. Should we be reading more than we watch?  Balanced Reading  I often read a script on my day off which is two days a week, but note, I do say 'often' because other things can get in the way and sometimes I miss the chance to get one script in a week. My desk and writing environment with two whiteboards chock-full with notes screams " Writing! Writing! Writing! " whenever I am there or nearby. But not so much " Reading! Reading! Reading! " Of course, if we are to write well - we must read. However, not to the extent that if you wanted to impress a producer - instead of doing so with your excellent script you reveal that you've read 2...

Two and a half months in and things are progressing nicely. Project Spacebound has a first draft and soon-to-be-announced Project Nightingale has an outline for its pilot episode. I found myself working on the first draft of Project Spacebound for three days during the week. Then at weekends developing and doing the prep work for Project Nightingale. I prefer prep work at the weekends because it's more relaxed and there's more time to give. Plus the prep work should be developing quicker than the script draft. So it worked out nicely. Adapting to Change  As previously mentioned , I have three projects set aside for the year and two of those have already begun. But I've decided not to bring the third one into the mix just yet. Again, like discovering the stacking projects method at the last moment, this decision was much the same. I'm comfortable with two projects going at once and really enjoy it. But feel I need to gain experience with two projects and see...