Writing is a tempering and testing of the soul, but that will be another blog I think.
I have written 23 some plays now, and usually when I get an idea for a play it just spills out for me and I drink a pot of coffee or two within hour. FOUNDATIONS & MONUMENTS (F&M) battled me for three months and it was a painstaking venture. It was worth it in the end and I still have to edit and reread and edit and reread, but it is done meaning it is written.
Now I am working on BRIDGES and my life is less than sane. Married, wife, kid(s), dog(s), job, bills and life in general while trying to work on artistic projects and trying to get BLACK TENT PRODUCTIONS (BTP) off the ground. There is little to no time left,and I just need to clone myself. But that is just a scary thought in all itself. Ask my wife.
So when I have this idea in my head for a play or artwork... how do you keep it and not lose it with life beating in your skull with all the things you need to do. With a play you have streamline one moment to the next as each players discover themselves and reveals a little more about them and their and the dilemma and lesson that is to be offered to the audience for mental mastication. Maybe you're at work and an idea or situation poses itself so you sketch down on a mental note and grab up a quick scrap of paper so you don't lose it. How do you keep it all together and not lose the savory juicy parts?
I have found a simple thing to do... especially when you have a ten year old boy who has that perfect timing....
Scenario…
Me pounding away at the keyboard the story rattling off in my brain as my fingers desperately tries to keep up with it; Tip-tap, tip-tap, tap, tap, tap… Alfred rushes down the Bat Cave. He has big new and he has to tell the Bat Man! He Just has know! In through the darkness Alfred rushes still perfectly balancing Bruce’s perfectly balanced ‘Karma triple shot Espresso .’ “Master Bruce!” Bat turning around, his brow scowling with thought from last night’s adventures.. “Yes Alfred what is it?!” CRASH!! BANG!! SMASH!!! BOOM!! HOLY BAT MAN!!!.... CUE: little ROWAN…. ‘Daddy can you fix my toy… it’s broken? Is it lunch time yet?’
Right at moment, I am looking at my boy and that pinnacle moment and all visual manifestation of the Bat Cave crashes down around in my Cerebral vortex and escapes out of the secret hatchback door of my brain and it’s gone like the Joker and only his maniacal laughter echoing in recesses in some void of distant thought. And Alfred says to me in my brain… ‘Sir, would like cream with you Karma Espresso?' Alfred knowing all too well that I take it black. I take it all in as my little one looks at me, looking for a moment with dad. That's what happens and it's home and anything can happen. The dishwasher could explode, the phone could ring and I am still left with Alfred asking in the back of my brain, wondering 'If I would like some cream.'
So I have been writing in ink and on paper the little conversation or course event with the questions and thoughts offered in general conversation and general parameters of the conditions. When the house is asleep or I get up at five am or go out I have it there in skeletal form and I only have to add them meat and skin to the beast.
I love my wife and son and family life is a recipe for constant chaos and is a mad free for all and the best plans... well there is no such thing. For some reason women can operate in chaos and keep all their thought processes focus and not lose a beat. We guys, not so much We have to focus on that one thing and hunt it down until it's dead or we manged to climb to top of the hill and shout out 'I am king of the Hill!'
*Shrug* Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus as they say. But this technique has allowed me streamline my thoughts and reduced the frustrations that I endured from F&M. Well back to writing.... after I get my son lunch.
I wish you well and good writing.
Gavion E. Chandler~
'Man is his own devil.'