From Birth, to Nurturing, to Releasing to the World...

So... this series I'm working on, this limited series. It's occurred to me there is much in how a story is formed. First, there's the rough draft (the skeleton). You have to connect the bones to give it a base. Then comes the nurturing, where the story grows into a more skin and muscle area, and you begin to see it take shape. But there's also the soul aspect of the story, the nurturing. You need to really get the plot-holes plugged up, the rough edges fine-tuned. I'm still in the skeleton stage. I want to go in and get the nurturing part done NOW! But... I can't. I have to get that skeleton formed and connected first. It is very much like nurturing a child, helping to develop it's theme, it's soul, guiding it to its future.

All this before you can send it out into the world to fly and land where it will. 

My story is good, even if I do say so myself. It's been developed since 2003 and it's where I want it to be at this time in its existence. Working a full-time job gave me the time I needed to really focus on it, take it where I wanted to take it. Now I'm retired to focus on exactly what I'm doing with it now. Creating the script version of it. Much needs to be cut out, but so much of it needs to be in there, too. The question is... rewriting it to cover those areas without using too many pages. Script writing limits your story, but... it also challenges you to see beyond what you have developed to this point. How can you rewrite the content to fit a script page count? I'm working towards that stage in this series' creation. I can't wait to see the final product. 😊 

It's aching to be released. I have to make sure it's prepared.

Hugs,

-Janalyn

Some Personal Insights....

My mind has always been 'out of synch' with the rest of the world. I've always loved solitude more than parties. Always loved quiet more than jibber-jabber, always loved the rain more than sunshine. How I view things is far different than how others view things. I see things in many ways that leave me thinking: "Is there something wrong with me? I can't see what others see. I never have." My answers in class were kept quiet because I knew I'd get the answer 'wrong'. Only because I saw things from strange angles and perspectives outside the normal thought processes. I've always felt that my being a loner is the result of not being able to 'fit in'. Now, I'm realizing it's because I'm unique unto myself. And that's actually a very, very happy revelation. 😊

I also have to take this into consideration when writing my scripts. I need to actually go in and dig deeper into what I would like the viewers to see. What I see may not have enough 'umph' behind it to thrill an audience. My vision is one way... the audience's vision may be totally the opposite. I need to 'fit in' as much as I'm willing to allow myself to, without losing that which makes me who I am. Talk about looking for the middle-ground. Not as easy as it sounds, but looking at it as another challenge to conquer. 

Don't give up. No matter what others say. It's your vision. Bend it if need-be, but don't break it. 
Hugs,
-Janalyn

Tired, But Excited!

Two days and three 1-hour scripts later....

Yup, I tired! But it's a good tired. A pleasant tired. A tired that thrills the soul. The scripts will need to be revised (these are first drafts), but they are falling into place and I'm halfway finished with the story-line. Total so far finished -- 5. Began the 6th this morning after finishing #5. How many will there be? Possibly 8 1-hour eps, or 4 2-hour eps, depending on the flow of the plot line and time constraints.

(For TV eps, they have to be around 43-45 pages for a 1-hour network ep.; 80-90 pages for a 2-hour network ep.) Unless, of course, we get picked up by Cable or Streaming channels, then... there could be some room to add a few more pages. I'm open to it, and am ready to finish the first drafts in order to go in and put them together to see how the mind's eye can see them. 

Mind you, I'm just learning the ropes here, so I'm not professional... YET. 😉 This journal is to share the journey with anyone interested. The ups and downs of inspirational waves, the ins and outs of procedures, the aggravation of rewrites (no one is immune to those), and the gaining of knowledge on how this thing works... from start to finish. 

I may even learn enough to maybe... produce someday? 😲 Who... MEEEE?????

(Looking in mirror) Yes... YOU!!!!!

Ever onward and upward!

Hugs,

-Janalyn 

Opportunity!

My script reviewer posted her newsletter indicating that many studios are looking for what they call 'Limited Series'. Similar to mini-series, but from when I grew up, mini-series were two-hour long eps done in 3-4, sometimes 6 parts. I asked her if these were for 2-hour long eps (six acts with a teaser/epilogue) or 1-hour (4 acts and a teaser/epilogue.) She replied either/or!

Well, it turns out I've been working on just such a series for a year now!! I've got some scripts to complete and get reviewed, plus a bible to write and they do require all scripts FINISHED. I will be working on this one first, instead of my fantasy series, because it's exactly within the specifications. 

I worked on it today and finished 2 scripts. I need to edit them, but the rough drafts are DONE! Onto the other rough drafts, possibly 6 1 hour eps or 3 two-hour. OMGoddess! I've been hoping for this opportunity and here it is!! 

THIS is why I retired, folks. And... on the heels of my questioning my focus and purpose the other day, I'm taking this insight as some damn fine confirmation on my decision to go full throttle on my script journey!

Lights! Camera...! Action!

Hugs,

-Janalyn

Pics!!!

So overjoyed!!! 
I found two pics for Thaddeus and Stephen's main props that will be used in the series, not exactly these designs, but close enough! 😃

Feast your eyes on the type of blade that will make up Thaddeus' cursed sword....

The hilt and pommel will be designed differently, but the basic idea is in the length and color of the blade here. Why red? You'll have to watch the series to find out. There is, indeed, a back story!

And now... some background on my intense joy of finding a harp for Thaddeus' beloved charge, Prince Stephen: It's taken me YEARS to find just the right size of harp for his character to carry with him on his journeys throughout the world. I didn't want something so large and clumsy as to make it an unbelievable burden, but I didn't want a lyre-type either. I wanted something where actual MUSIC could be plucked from the strings. This morning I finally discovered what is known as a Chant Harp. There are various numbers of strings for these, so I chose the 19-string size. It will look something similar to this....

This is a HUGE breakthrough for me for visual aids, and it will also be presented to whatever studio/producers who wish to tackle this production. Onward to find the right instrument for my antagonist now. What instrument would that be, you ask? Welllll, once I find it, you'll be the first to know! 

Blessed Be!

-Janalyn

 

Have Coffee, Will Script....

Not me. Grabbed image off Internet. 

And the journey resumes. Did a bit of cleaning this morning, then pulled out one of the pads of paper my cousin, aunt, and their family sent me for retirement. 

The coffee is next to me, piping hot and GOOD! And the pen is flowing. Working on the first TV pilot's bible. Today, I focus on

character bios. I have to try and see if I can get them down to 4-5 lines each. Not easy with a fantasy story. Lots of information needs to be trimmed down to fit into it. Many will say they've seen series' bibles that are like 1/2 to 1 1/2 pages long for character bios, but from what I was told, those are written by people already entrenched in the business. I'm a newbie. No one knows me from Eve, so I have to do all I can to get these series at least skimmed over to hopefully entice those who can 'see' my vision. 🙏 

I also have a NaNoWriMo Thank God It's Over party to attend this afternoon, not to mention more cleaning. My day is full, and it's just getting started. 

Aaaaaannnnnd WE'RE OFF! 

Hugs,

-Janalyn