My Introduction To Screenplays: Sink or Swim

11 Feb

You know that person who says they learned how to swim when their asshole dad threw them into the river/lake/pond/ocean? Or maybe you are that person. It was a terrifying experience, one that left the traumatized flounder-er seeking professional help in the form of therapy (and maybe swimming lessons at the local Y) for years to come. But what is important to remember is that this person survived, or their harrowing tale would have never seen the light of day.

This is what writing screenplays is like for me. It seems easy at first. I put my pinky toe in, testing the waters. In an instant, my toe testing becomes a belly flop of doom into the dark abyss of screenplay writing. I flounder at my keyboard as I try to adhere to the correct format, treading long enough to catch my breath before the script swallows my head again.

Somehow, I manage to throw myself onto the beach of a deserted island, gasping for breath, thankful for what I was able to accomplish, though I certainly won’t be winning any medals. I did it. My ideas are on paper, somewhat in the correct format, and I am still breathing.

However, the only way to get off this island is to keep swimming. The only way to finish this script is to keep writing. Is it painful? Yes. Is it embarrassing? Absolutely. Will I swim or let my script and my great ideas sink to the bottom of my psyche to never surface again? I am gonna doggy paddle my ass off.

Even if my screenplay doesn’t succeed and I never learn the right way to write one, it will still make one hell of an awesome story.

C. L. Parson

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9 Responses to “My Introduction To Screenplays: Sink or Swim”

  1. slepsnor February 11, 2013 at 12:53 pm #

    Screenplays scare me. You’re a lot braver than me.

    • C. L. Parson February 11, 2013 at 2:09 pm #

      Nah, I just pretend to be brave. 🙂

      • slepsnor February 11, 2013 at 2:17 pm #

        Then good acting ability.

      • C. L. Parson February 11, 2013 at 3:57 pm #

        Thank you! 😀

  2. N.G. Davis February 11, 2013 at 10:10 pm #

    I still feel that terror with every new project! Just keep at it. You’ll be fine.

    Also, don’t sweat the formatting too much. You can tweak that and fix it when you finish. Story trumps everything, so let that be your primary focus for now.

    • C. L. Parson February 12, 2013 at 9:55 am #

      Thank you for the encouragement. It is nice to know I am not alone. Happy writing!

  3. markmanning2008 February 14, 2013 at 2:11 pm #

    Hmmm….You’ve the right idea ….JUST DO IT !,if you finish it ,that’s an achievement in itself dont’cha think C.L.P 🙂 ?

    Love from Ireland
    Mark

  4. markmanning2008 February 14, 2013 at 2:19 pm #

    You Boot it’s Ass Girl !…..You can Do It C.L.P ,Even your initials are a good sign.
    CLiP …(Movie Clip) ….Anyhu FINISH IT! that’ll be an achievement in itself ,Dont’cha think? 🙂
    Love from Ireland
    Mark

    • C. L. Parson February 15, 2013 at 10:27 am #

      Thank you for the encouragement! I will keep truckin’. Happy writing!

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