Happy Monday, all!

“Slumdog Millionaire” took best picture (along with many other awards) last night at the Oscars. For those of you who haven’t seen this yet, GO. It does have some disturbing scenes (just a warning for those who are somewhat squeamish) but this is one of the best films I’ve seen recently.

Why?

* The storytelling method is incredible. I would encourage writers of any kind to go see this film on that fact alone. This could have been told in several ways, and it would have made the film entirely different. It’s the WAY the story is told which thrilled me. Begin thinking of that when you’re writing a scene for your screenplay, novel, or short story. Are you telling the story in the best way possible? What other options could you try? Is there a way to increase the stakes by doing something just a bit different?

* Because it’s a great story of a little Indie film which almost went directly to video, but instead got distribution in tough times. Now it’s won Best Picture 2008 along with many other awards which I can’t remember this early in the morning. We all love underdog stories; the film’s storyline is an underdog story, but so is the filmmaking process for this movie. Go see it!

I also loved “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and was pleased to see it won some awards. The one thing I remember saying at the closing credits of “Slumdog Millionaire” is that, “Wow. That was an incredible way to take information and tell a story.”

Check it out!

Hey all,

Yep, I’m excited about this one! The Doors documentary (When You’re Strange) website is up and running. There’s the preview, Q&A links, etc.

View the When You’re Strange web site.

Back to writing…

Elaine

I’m learning not to fight the muse…though I seem to be having many arguments with inanimate objects recently. Typing this stings a bit, as my right ring finger got stuck in a grocery cart 2 days ago, right before the guy loading it yanked it forward. OUCH! It’s black and blue.

Months ago during a cleaning frenzy–an attempt to keep my mind occupied after submitting my third book to editors–the window blinds in my living room attempted to eat me. (Yes, you read that correctly. And while it may be difficult to picture, I assure you those things looked like they had mini jaws attacking me.)

These things make me wonder if I’m losing more battles than I’m winning. But one thing is clear…you have to roll with the punches when it comes to creativity. You can’t force it, you can’t ignore it. You’re either excited about what you’re creating/doing, or you’re not. That’s not to say that you should stop putting the time/effort into it, or that you should start a new book idea every time your current manuscript starts to taste a bit dull.

BUT…if your current work in progress is not going anywhere, and all various attempts to rekindle it are not working (write a new, upbeat scene with tension; jump into some dialogue to freshen things up, kill a character, etc.) then it’s not that bad of an idea to take a break. Listen to some music. Read a great book. Explore all different ways of storytelling, even ones you wouldn’t normally use yourself.

Anyone a film buff out there? I’d suggest you go see “Slumdog Millionaire” when you get a chance. It’s disturbing in some ways, but I will say this: It’s an incredibly unique way to *tell* the story; that’s what impressed me the most.

I began a 4th manuscript last August, then put it down and started another one in October. Now I’ve put that one down and am returning to the original one, but changing several things. It’s not that I’m ADD…it’s more of going where I feel pulled to go. There was no excitement left in what I was working on, and I’m changing gears, still moving forward, and will eventually return to it and try to rekindle something. But that excitement has to be there. It’s what gets us through the lonely long days.

And yes, sometimes my muse still shows up wearing that silly purple hat.

Looks like Johnny Depp is going to be the narrator for the Doors documentary, When You’re Strange, that I’ve been plugging. Adding Depp’s incredible voice and star status to this film is going to make it soar. I couldn’t be happier for writer/director Tom DiCillo.

Read the Johnny Depp announcement.

The film also got a worldwide distributor in Berlin; the Berlin film fest is happening now. Now I just have to wonder how long it takes to get into a USA theatre in the South…cuz when it does, I’ll be the first in line to buy a ticket!

Happy weekend all!

Greetings from arctic Atlanta! Yes, it’s the South. If you don’t like the weather here, just wait 5 minutes. Been in the 20s this week and supposed to be in the high 60s this weekend.

Onto today’s topic…I always find it fascinating to learn more about the artists in our midst, be they authors, musicians, filmmakers, painters. Anytime they’re generous enough to do an interview or a Q&A with others, it helps people get to know them a bit better. My monthly writers group knows this fact and has incorporated it into every meeting. The “Ask a Published Author” segment, no matter how many times an author may speak, is always valuable and gives us some extra insight into what keeps them going.

I love the TV show on Bravo, Inside the Actors Studio, for this very reason. Actors talk about their background, how they entered the acting profession, etc. It’s a chance to not only learn more about some favorite actors/actresses, but I like the opportunity to see who they are as real people. You can learn a great deal by watching or reading an interview; this tells us who the person is, what art means to them, and how willing they are to encourage others.

Those who’ve been following my blog for awhile know that I’m a huge Tom DiCillo fan. He’s one of the few writer/directors whose films always touch my soul. I’ve purchased all his films on DVD and also have his 2 books. I read somewhere that he wrote a play while studying at NYU. If I could get my hands on it, I’d purchase that too.

Below is a link to a recent interview he gave regarding his newest film about The Doors, When You’re Strange. The film premiered at Sundance last month, is currently being shown at the Berlin Film Festival, and will play at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in Austin, TX in March.

Read the interview.

We all have our favorite artists, those who have a particular way of storytelling which reaches into our heart or excites some quirky spirit in us–we can’t help but love everything they create. For filmmakers, my list includes Tom DiCillo and the Coen Brothers, Joel and Ethan.

In terms of books, Dennis Lehane and Jodi Picoult are my top two. Lehane has a conversational yet brutally honest Boston voice. I must have read the 3 opening pages to Gone, Baby, Gone at least 50 times. The words almost sway in the breeze, those pages are written so well. Picoult takes current events and sagas, then uses them as a backdrop to her rich fiction characters. I read about her in an airplane magazine (yes, it was an interview, so always read interviews when you get the chance!) and decided to buy one of her books. I did and have since bought everything she’s done.

Remember when your artistic creations get out into the world, give interviews or Q&As. It’s a great way for your audience to learn a bit more about you, the artist who’s behind the art.

Y’all have a great weekend!