Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Just Like That

I don't watch much t.v. - both because it's rarely my choice, and because who has the time when one tries to write on top of having a young family? But last night I watched a couple mindless, entertaining shows with some friends. Through the course of dozens of commercial breaks, we saw lots of movie previews.

One in particular, Last Chance Harvey, with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, struck my fancy. Something in that one-minute clip spoke to me and said, That looks like a really good story.

And it kinda made sense in a new way, this writing of mine.

I want to be the one behind the story. I want to be the one who makes someone say Wow, that's gonna be good. Or Wow, that was so good.

You know what I mean?

24 comments:

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

Won't it be great when you hear someone say about your book, "Wow! That's great! Let's make it into a movie!" I can't imagine how wonderful that will feel!

Write on, girlfriend!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Donna - A movie? Wow, dare to dream! :)

Joshua said...

i can see you getting the Oscar for story/screenplay :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I know exactly what you mean. I feel good about my story and I keep hoping people will really be affected by it. Of course that means it has to be published, but hey, you have to dream, right?

Anonymous said...

You're already the one behind the story. It just needs to be published so we can read and say Wow! That was a good story.
-FringeGirl

Joanne said...

It seems like that one minute clip did the same thing as a great synopsis for agents/pubs. It hooked you! It's nice to be inspired to write when you least expect it - watching tv! Happy writing to you.

Rafael said...

I always imagine my first WIP in the form of a movie. I even have the cast down (except for the lead, yeah, my ego won't allow for anyone else to play Anthony but me). In fact I always conceive my projects in a visual manner.

Excellent post on hooks Janna. Now if I only knew how to write a screenplay!

:-)

Great luck on your project. I'll pat the $9.50 to see it.

Slendarella said...

I totally GET what you're saying and feeling. I've had the same feelings. And...let me say...WOW! WHAT A GREAT GREAT GREAT BLOG!!!

Melissa Amateis said...

I COMPLETELY know what you mean. I thought that the other day when I was thinking about the books that I've read where I can't put them down. I want to do that for my readers - and it does put your writing in a new light.

Anonymous said...

I hardly watch TV either, Janna, and when I do even the commercials tug at me. Yes, wouldn't it be great to hear someone say, I wish I could have wrote like Janna!!!

Keep plugging away, my friend!! hugs

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Rafael's comment reminded me that I recently figured out which actor could play my MC - Diego Luna. Even though he's about ten years too old, I think he'd be perfect!

Jessica Nelson said...

Absolutely! That's why we have to come up with those little blurbs, so someone says, I have to read that. LOL
I haven't heard of that movie. Hope you get to see it. :-)

Janna Leadbetter said...

Josh - Whoa, buddy. ONE dream at a time. ;)

Melanie - But we have to keep dreaming! And I'll have to look Diego Luna up. The name sounds familiar, but I can't picture a face...

FringeGirl - You make a girl feel good. :)

Joanne - I didn't think about it that way, but you're right! It was the hook that made me feel such a way. Cool!

Rafael - *snort* Thanks!

Slendarella - Wowie! Thank you so much! And you have a great username. :)

Melissa - I hoped I'd gotten my point across clearly. (Wrote the post late last night, when sleep was ready to overtake me.) :)

Kimmi - Thank you for your encouragement!

Jessica - I feel like I can say I'm excellent with blurbs... but the longer stuff is so much harder. Anne Lamott said you have to look at it all as little blurbs (paraphrasing here), and focus on little bits at a time - and then add it all together. That helps my way of thinking.

Anonymous said...

I was feeling like that the other day. I even wrote a blog entry about it, but somehow I accidentally deleted it. :( Oh well lol. I noticed that connection with feeling the scope of the story in the film, through writing made me aware of my own creativity, and the fact that I can very well produce something as wonderful as say an adventure childrens movie. (Which is what I was watching) I thought this feels so simple, to actually write about it, and than watch it unfold in a movie. What fascinated me was how the characters, backdrop, and story were sown so well in film, and what made it the most exciting was the words unravelling themselfs in a realistic picture motion. I felt captivating and inspired to create a story as vivid as it would play in the movie, mostly the inspiration came for me to produce a lively story, that would captivate the reader/watcher and make it come to life, like it would do in a movie. I think for me, the ultimate challenge and what got my pulse racing was the creation of producing such a story, to begin with, through the art of language. I have been feeling creative ever since, more so through drawing at the moment than writing. I feel my time will come for writing. I'm activated and I don't want to force on something, purely for the sake of interest. It's great observing these lapses isn't it. Makes us realise that we can do anything. Dream or no dream, you are living it already. :) I've not heard of that film, as like you I don't watch television neither, but it sure sounds like a fascinating trailer nonetheless. :)

Terri Tiffany said...

Yes I do!! And someday you will be!! I know it:)))

Janna Leadbetter said...

Ana - It's a great feeling, knowing we can produce something so deep and meaningful out of mere words.

Terri - I hope your week is going well! And thanks. :)

WendyCinNYC said...

I know what you mean. And you will be, trust me.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Wendy - You too, don'tcha know?

colbymarshall said...

Oh, I defniitely know where you're coming from. Maybe 2009 will be our year :-)

Angie Ledbetter said...

Know exactly what you mean. Our day will come!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Colby and Angie - We're GOING to do it!

Anonymous said...

We have a TV in every room of our house, so we are kind of a TV family. But I totally see everything as the writing. Whether it is a movie or a sitcom, I'm constantly thinking SOMEBODY WROTE THIS.

When I see a great movie, or hear a fantastic clip of dialogue, or even notice interesting body language or facial expressions, I'm thinking how did they put that in words? How did they get across? I see all of it as the written word behind the picture.

And I agree, wouldn't that just feel amazing?

Spy Scribbler said...

I'm not a TV person, either. I like it once in a while, though.

Some people have that "hooking gene," I think. I have trouble finding the hook, myself!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Sharla - I love how you've explained this!