One of biggest things about writing fiction is problem solving. How does this event or story item come in to being? Does it make sense being there? Even though the story structure has been laid out fairly thoroughly I find myself having to backtrack a lot and deal with problems that crop up as things take shape.

It's really a sales job. If the writer doesn't buy the story neither will his readers or viewers. Ensuring an airtight plot without spending the entire screenplay on exposition isn't exactly an easy task. No wonder some people just throw in the towel and take the "who cares about plot?" route. It sure would make life a lot easier.

Being committed to walking that fine line of having the story move along smoothly without becoming bogged down in the drudgery of details is something to remind one's self of daily. Many times I've watched a film and said, "I could write something better than that". Trying to put one's money where one's huge mouth helps a braggart to realize why more people don't do it. Its hard work. Did I mention that writing is hard work? Well it is.

Still the hardest part is actually typing that first sentence of the day. Ugh! The old ego doesn't want to do it. If the actually gets finished, all those negative thoughts, especially the "I'll never finish" one will be null and void.

Then what will become of me? Will the world implode?

The smallest, most trivial things are often a distraction:

"What's that? Oh a news item about sardines. Better read that before I start writing today."

"Darn my toenails need clipping. Perhaps dull hedge trimmers would do the job before I start writing. That means going out to the garage, which means getting dressed, which means having to take a shower... which will require... What was it I was going to do?"

You all know what I mean. Don't you? Probably not. I know I'm insane. The men with the butterfly nets are waiting outside. You'll find me hiding in the broom closet with the swiffer in my hand. Ta ta for now.

Another four pages of script today. I'm amazed every day at how much fun I'm having. I thought hard work was supposed to be "hard". I guess its alright that I'm actually enjoying myself. I don't care if its not okay. I'm going to have fun anyway. It seems to get easier every day. I look forward to sitting down in front of the computer and learning about what happens next. Even though I have the story structure worked out from beginning to end it's interesting to see these characters come to life on the page as I add some meat to the bones. Another cool part of writing is what I loved about movies and reading to begin with - escape. I look at art as a peek into real parallel worlds already in existence. Its up to the artist, be it painter, filmmaker or sculptor to tap into that world and report on his or her experience of that world for others to see and enjoy.

I heard from the PM for 49th and Main, the show I applied to be Producer's Assistant on, and they've gone with someone who has more experience with script clearance. Here's a brief article form BBC on clearances and why they're necessary. That's fine. I'm happy that I made the contacts I did. I will definitely use them.

I applied for another of these gigs today. This one is a little more up my alley as it is for that of a Director's Assistant. I've already sent my résumé and a snazzy note expressing my interest in the job. Looks as though there's some travel involved. That could be fun. I'll keep you posted. We could really use the money right now (I'm still waiting for a cheque from Smallville. I called today. Apparently its in the mail. LOL!) and I'd love to gain some experience with an established director.

Oh and apparently someone from Paramount Pictures advertising firm has taken note of my blog and emailed me wanting to send me promotional materials for the upcoming hilarious looking Nacho Libre (doesn't that mean free cheese?) starring the whacky Jack Black and directed by Jared Hess of Napolean Dynamite fame. Cool! I'll take some free stuff and write about it. No problemmo!

Anyhoo, that's it for today. More tomorrow.

Sorry if this seems at all self serving to any of you. Honestly, it is. It helps to keep me working and honest.

Doesn't seem like I did a lot today, only adding one page. However I had a revelation in the shower that strengthened the main character a lot and required the reworking and polishing of a few of the earlier scenes. Reads much tighter now.

I also had to cut my writing day short as I had a job interview for a 6 week gig as a producer's assistant with Dan Schlanger and his ultra-nice production manager Ian Wayne. I'd be working doing clearance and script stuff on a soap being shot at the CBC studios as well as being Dan's right hand. Not sure if I'll get the gig or not, but the interview went well. I'd like the gig as it's only temporary and will give me more experience in producing, not mention a little dough.

Regardless of the outcome I have another contact in the industry. He was interested when I told him I was writing horror movies and told me I seem like the type who needs to be creative. That's a nice compliment from someone in his position. He said he likes to help people especially those breaking in. I think I'll take him up on that.

Another four pages today. It just seems to be coming out of me now. I could just keep going but a part of me wants to take a break every few pages. Kind of like savouring the moment. Or maybe I'm afraid of what will happen after I'm done. I get so far ahead of myself sometimes. Anyway, I'm just doing it.

I've also had some great ideas about marketing the short on the web and other fundraising ideas to help get the full feature made. No Telefilm isn't one of them. There are no french speaking beavers in touques or maple syrup drinking Mounties in canoes in this film. At least not yet. I was think more along the lines of cool merchandising. Stuff like hats, t-shirts, keychains and mousepads. That kind of stuff. I'll explain more as I get closer to launch the site for the short, but that's quite far way right now.

Any words of encouragement are welcome right now. Other people's positivity does help if even just a little. However, I'm realizing that it's only from within and my belief in good orderly direction that I can find the will to action on this one.

I haven't posted in this category for a long time. So I'll refresh you on what it's here for. "Zone 63" is the working title of one of the feature length screenplays that I'm writing. I say one of because lately I've had this bizarre flood of film ideas through which a number of other projects have come into being and required some attention. In other words I got completely distracted by this head, constantly spinning like a blender, that I have. Curse or gift it's all mine so one must make the best of it.

Thankfully, I have a wife who loves me and looks out for me. A few weeks ago Carol bought me a book by The Artist's Way author Julia Cameron who's work she truly enjoys. The book, called Walking in This World, of course, sat unopened on the arm of the sofa for a week. As Carol is reading and doing the exercises in the book herself she came across a chapter that she felt pertinent to my current dilemma. She bookmarked it brought the book into my office and said, "you should read this." I didn't. For a week or so this book sat nagging me on my desk as I felt worse and worse. Yesterday, completely at sea and unable to see any horizon for all the fog in my head I picked it up.