Love this: “It looks like structure that snarls. Language that licks its wounds. Chapters that bleed into one another or erupt into song. It’s storytelling that resists decorum. That howls. That knows sometimes the only way forward… is sideways, upside-down, or through the fire.”
Flashbacks were always a big NO in screenwriting until— the limited TV series. Sometimes they’re well done sometimes it’s a cop out— back story that could have been inserted in one line of dialogue.
The mind bending multiple image video started to turn my mind into multiple mush. I think my eyes were spinning with it so i couldn't get to the end and believe I could stand upright. I have experienced most writing get fat in the middle in search of its end. This is what annoys me. I'm a believer in the skinny middle in pursuit of an end. glory be less words
I love this!! That psychedelic cat is awesome. What a cover - and the book sounds terrific.
I’m currently writing a screenplay for television and have purposely not started with the chaos/messy middle only to flashback (like you said, an overused way of hooking the viewer in). I’m starting at the beginning and building the story to its dramatic crescendo later. Will it sell? Who knows, but thanks for the reminder that there will never be another me (or you!) 🤍
Oh, I love that you're writing a screenplay! It's so tricky! Another method we'd use was to write the epic denouement first--with all the explosive revelations, and repercussions. Then, go back and reverse-engineer every narrative thread, and Easter egg, and misdirect toward that crescendo. I love working this way--it's like playing Bananagrams Writing/shooting dinner parties was always the hardest thing for me. Nothing loses energy faster. The trick is to keep people talking over each other and interrupting until a key moment of tension. Would LOVE to read your script when it's done :) And yes... so excited for Lockwood's psychedelic cat book. She captures these small, human interior moments so beautifully. 🤍🤍
I'm writing a messy, weird and determined post-menopausal women novel. And lots of poetry of course, as you know.
I hope your saggy middle gets to its marvellous ending, Alisa. I'm still waiting for your book to arrive, it must have gone around the world six times by now. Spain isn't that remote, so WTH?!
HA! The Animal House treatment would have been so welcome! I love artful flashbacks. In writing comedy for TV, we often cut away to swift flashbacks that allow for economic, impactful exposition--those little pieces of the puzzle--but there's always resistance from the senior-most execs and editors. They're so risk-averse. I love it when you get an editor who's willing to test approaches with you.
Hey Alisa, saw you nodded at my story this morning, and so I said let me check Alisa out and see what she gets up to. Swinging. I don't usually go for writer talk but that was way readable. Also I'm sucker for anyone named Jones.
Hey Tommy, Heard you chatting the other day with my dear friend Eleanor. Thanks for the look-see. :) I don't usually write about writing, or do pep talks. I mostly write about my insane days in New York, or my even more insane family in northern California, and their bear Gwyneth Paltrow. And yes, a name like Jones is so wonderfully bland... You can pretty much go anywhere with it. You're going to be on someone's list. 😂
The "Jones" love is a junkie thing and also the name of so many of my black childhood heroes. Anything but bland-- and yeah you can go anywhere with it, but I go to 1940s Harlem. Saw you followed me but I don't post on notes, so just check me out when you can. I'll do the same. I really like how you blow. The shit moves without sacrificing meaning. In fact, the movement makes the meaning shine.
I am often mistaken for a sister until they see that I am really a foul-mouthed blonde lady. You are reminding me that one of my other favorite songs is this: https://youtu.be/F79W9y80aas?si=mUGq64QDhQTR22bX
I sang it to my ex right before he dumped me. Cranky old fart. Thank goodness he's out of the picture. I LOVE this song. 😂 But thanks for the kind words. They mean everything right now.
Glorious, the owl stole my heart, thank you again Alisa, a jolt of joy. I am writing a poem about a boy who was ready for a world of quicksand, dynamite, cliffs and bad guys with mean mustaches and wicked laughter. He is unsure how to proceed. I am well past mid life but I got the saggy part down. 😉
Wasn't the owl such a boost of dopamine? I've been meaning to respond all week, btw--I've never read BIRDY, but it's going on my TBR list. We are having such a rainy summer already--I can see myself getting through a load of books. And it sounds like your poetic boy was ready for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Can't wait to read. :)
Did you know that my son-in-law has nicknamed me "the snowy owl"? I think it suits me though I hope not to get shot down.
Love this: “It looks like structure that snarls. Language that licks its wounds. Chapters that bleed into one another or erupt into song. It’s storytelling that resists decorum. That howls. That knows sometimes the only way forward… is sideways, upside-down, or through the fire.”
Go you! Bravo!!
Flashbacks were always a big NO in screenwriting until— the limited TV series. Sometimes they’re well done sometimes it’s a cop out— back story that could have been inserted in one line of dialogue.
❤️❤️❤️ And yep another writer who gets It.
yep
The mind bending multiple image video started to turn my mind into multiple mush. I think my eyes were spinning with it so i couldn't get to the end and believe I could stand upright. I have experienced most writing get fat in the middle in search of its end. This is what annoys me. I'm a believer in the skinny middle in pursuit of an end. glory be less words
"Most writing gets fat in the middle in search of its end." So true. It's why I love writing the ending first.
Thank you for this cornucopia of cool things to look into...I love it...I am feral and appreciate views from a like minded beast. Thank you.
Meanwhile...that poor dog. He's next, for sho.
I know right? Such a sweetie! 😂
PS - I hope Bebe's concert was wonderful!
it was really the bees knees...powerful, feminine and yearning. Bebe Stockwell's songs get the romantic in us going...I'll post some on Insta...
I love a mom with a battle cry!
The video about the snowy owl and the music video... spellbinding. Thank you for brightening my Tuesday morning!✨
Wonderful
I love this!! That psychedelic cat is awesome. What a cover - and the book sounds terrific.
I’m currently writing a screenplay for television and have purposely not started with the chaos/messy middle only to flashback (like you said, an overused way of hooking the viewer in). I’m starting at the beginning and building the story to its dramatic crescendo later. Will it sell? Who knows, but thanks for the reminder that there will never be another me (or you!) 🤍
Oh, I love that you're writing a screenplay! It's so tricky! Another method we'd use was to write the epic denouement first--with all the explosive revelations, and repercussions. Then, go back and reverse-engineer every narrative thread, and Easter egg, and misdirect toward that crescendo. I love working this way--it's like playing Bananagrams Writing/shooting dinner parties was always the hardest thing for me. Nothing loses energy faster. The trick is to keep people talking over each other and interrupting until a key moment of tension. Would LOVE to read your script when it's done :) And yes... so excited for Lockwood's psychedelic cat book. She captures these small, human interior moments so beautifully. 🤍🤍
Thank you, Alisa! I would love for you to read it! Looking forward to seeing you in NYC soon. 🤍
I'm writing a messy, weird and determined post-menopausal women novel. And lots of poetry of course, as you know.
I hope your saggy middle gets to its marvellous ending, Alisa. I'm still waiting for your book to arrive, it must have gone around the world six times by now. Spain isn't that remote, so WTH?!
Damn that ridiculous, exorbitant Trump parade.
I love a good flashback that reveals something you didn't know, that fills in.a piece of the puzzle. Hamlet has a flashback delivered by the ghost!
As for Trump's parade, in my fantasy world, this is what would have happened.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9_L2hf7Sf8
HA! The Animal House treatment would have been so welcome! I love artful flashbacks. In writing comedy for TV, we often cut away to swift flashbacks that allow for economic, impactful exposition--those little pieces of the puzzle--but there's always resistance from the senior-most execs and editors. They're so risk-averse. I love it when you get an editor who's willing to test approaches with you.
“She’s wild, wounded, midlife, and dangerously close to biting someone.” This line made my day 😍😂 Thank you, Alisa!!!! 💘
Hey Alisa, saw you nodded at my story this morning, and so I said let me check Alisa out and see what she gets up to. Swinging. I don't usually go for writer talk but that was way readable. Also I'm sucker for anyone named Jones.
Hey Tommy, Heard you chatting the other day with my dear friend Eleanor. Thanks for the look-see. :) I don't usually write about writing, or do pep talks. I mostly write about my insane days in New York, or my even more insane family in northern California, and their bear Gwyneth Paltrow. And yes, a name like Jones is so wonderfully bland... You can pretty much go anywhere with it. You're going to be on someone's list. 😂
(It's just *what* list 😬)
The "Jones" love is a junkie thing and also the name of so many of my black childhood heroes. Anything but bland-- and yeah you can go anywhere with it, but I go to 1940s Harlem. Saw you followed me but I don't post on notes, so just check me out when you can. I'll do the same. I really like how you blow. The shit moves without sacrificing meaning. In fact, the movement makes the meaning shine.
Ah, yes. The junkie thing. I get that. One of my fave songs by cult LA band TheJaneDoe's captures the feeling dead-on: https://youtu.be/pPdqrh2CQx8?si=9P00wJeRPB2P8wW6
I am often mistaken for a sister until they see that I am really a foul-mouthed blonde lady. You are reminding me that one of my other favorite songs is this: https://youtu.be/F79W9y80aas?si=mUGq64QDhQTR22bX
I sang it to my ex right before he dumped me. Cranky old fart. Thank goodness he's out of the picture. I LOVE this song. 😂 But thanks for the kind words. They mean everything right now.
To women who shape-shift and misbehave and grieve. To showing up weird and wounded and ready to share!
Love your work, Alisa!
Oh my, but you made me feel seen with this one, Alisa. Messy, menopausal middle and all. Ferally yours....
❤️❤️🐺😂
Glorious, the owl stole my heart, thank you again Alisa, a jolt of joy. I am writing a poem about a boy who was ready for a world of quicksand, dynamite, cliffs and bad guys with mean mustaches and wicked laughter. He is unsure how to proceed. I am well past mid life but I got the saggy part down. 😉
Wasn't the owl such a boost of dopamine? I've been meaning to respond all week, btw--I've never read BIRDY, but it's going on my TBR list. We are having such a rainy summer already--I can see myself getting through a load of books. And it sounds like your poetic boy was ready for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Can't wait to read. :)