Oh, sweet epiphany... Stay!

Being grateful is a good path to follow on the writer's road.  Appreciating everything, and I mean everything is about the only way to keep sane.  At least for me.

It's taking the life lessons when and where they arrive.  The good and the bad.

I know...  So much new age drivel...  But it's true, or at least, it's my truth.  Right now.  For what that's worth.  Love, anger, pain, fear...  It's all processed through the same brain.  (Or maybe not, if you buy the idea that we are continually changing physically and physiologically.)

In the end, I paint the moments of joy and the life lessons with the same brush of epiphany and they all add to my writer's palette.

Is this another one of those moments?  Another epiphany?

Fuck it.  Maybe I'm just getting old.

It's all heart...

Funny story:  Looking for inspiration, I joined a local screenwriter's group before heading out of town for a while.  I've been responding to the meet-up messages, RSVPing "No" since I'm a few hundred miles away.

The last meeting was about adapting novels for the screen.  I responded with a regretful "No" and commented on the fact that I'm currently adapting a novel as a personal screenwriting exercise.

I've also been blogging my re-writes of The Dark Knight in my blog "Sweating Blood".

In both exercises, I've been trying to maintain the "heart" of the story.  After RSVPing, I thought more about the heart of the novel and if I'm truly capturing it.  This stuff becomes so subjective after a certain level of craft, but I wrestled with it and explored.

I mention Dark Knight because I'm not sure I found the heart.  The whole thing is a shell of a story strung together with hollow dialogue.  But the novel...  It's got heart to spare.  I hope I can capture even a glimmer of it.

I'm sure glad I joined that writer's group.

A Toast to the Mighty McGee

Last night I had a celebration.  It was a quiet one.  But one that I had promised myself years ago.

What was cause for celebration?  My writing life.

The promise I'd made myself many, many years ago was this:

When I am successful, I'm going to have a glass of Boodles gin over ice.

It's not about the alcoholic indulgence of a failed writer.  (Or maybe it is...)  But here's my excuse.

It was the favored drink of Travis McGee.

What inspired me to even begin this mostly lonely life was "Cinnamon Skin" by John D. MacDonald.  It was the first novel I fell in love with so many years ago.  Not high-minded literature by any means, but that doesn't matter.  It was a great read and it was my first great read.

After that, I devoured several Travis McGee novels by John D.  I loved each one.  Of the 21 books, I've read at least nine.  I'm not sure why I stopped.  I found other writers maybe.  Other books to be read.  Whatever the case, I was inspired again by the mighty McGee and I'm starting over with the first book The Deep Blue Good-by.

And I'm celebrating my success as a writer.  Not financial.  The money's not rolling in.  I'm marking my success with commitment.  I should say, re-commitment to my writer's life.  It's not so lonely anymore.

So...  Last night I had my Boodles over ice and had a toast to Travis McGee and the late, great John D.

Here's to you, my friend.