Welcome to Anhedonia

Anhedonia is where you can end up when your journey becomes miserable. I think I've been on the outskirts for a while now and my ardent attempts to find the proverbial interstate have finally landed me in the middle of downtown.I still enjoy writing well enough, but screenwriting isn't remotely fun anymore. I'm sure I'd like it just fine if I'd become remotely successful as a screenwriter. I'd

Summertime

People have been asking me if I've heard from the producer I wrote about in my last article. Yes, I have.The upshot: SCRATCH is a pass but I have an open invite to pitch anew.Here's a bit of what she had to say:First, I think you are a very talented young writer, which is why it's no surprise that you have a manager and/or additional representation. Your presentation is professional and

Notes from the edge of irony

Enduring Readers of this wee-blog have seen the notes I've received from Biz folken--the few left in Town who still write them. I always appreciate receiving them and even when they're not even close to glowing. I'm a writer, so I appreciate someone taking the time to write me notes.I received an email from one of my Pitch Fest contacts. I didn't pitch this exec in person. I emailed her my 3

The ultimate f-word

I stumbled upon it by accident. It's a word unlike any other and orders of magnitude more powerful than any f-word you've thought of all ready. The amazing thing is it's a word you know.But this word is like a gun. We know what a gun is, and some of us have handled and fired them. But the vast-vast majority of us have never used a gun to terrify someone. But you know a word that can terrify a

After action report: The Great American Pitch Fest 4

Link: The Great American Pitch Fest 4I didn't plan on going. I got email Wednesday night asking for volunteers starting Friday to help over the weekend. I'm still not sure why I agreed to volunteer. I'm not one who jumps at chances to volunteer and especially not to assist a for-profit convention in Universal City.Curiosity was a big factor. I felt like I had to get off my numb ass and at least

Ranting on writers

I've been trying to think of a good example of a writer-as-role-model. So far, not so good. I can think of various writers I like and none of them are good role models. I wouldn't want a child of mine emulating the attitudes or lifestyles of any of the writers on my short list:1) Ernest "Papa" HemingwayA boozing womanizer with no visible means of support. And why the nickname? He never had kids.