What is it about ages with zeroes at the end that make us crazy? My 10 year old has been giving me hell for 6 months. Now, as I approach the end of yet another decade in my life and the beginning of another, I feel myself freaking out a little. Okay, I’m freaking out a lot.
You would too if you had less than two months to accomplish everything you dreamed you would do over the past 10 years. I’m going to be very busy until my September 17th birthday living up to my unfulfilled dreams.
First, I have to write a phenomenally groundbreaking novel that Oprah immediately declares her favorite book of all time. Then I must quickly turn it into a blockbuster screenplay that, of course, sells for undisclosed millions and stars Will Smith, a sober Shia LaBeouf, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Brangelina and the twins. It will also feature a 20-minute fight scene between Jet Li, Jason Statham and Matt Damon, doing a cameo as Jason Bourne.
Then I have to hurry up and win an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay before Shonda Rhimes- my new writing partner and best buddy- produces a dramatic television series based on the movie with a cast led by Taye Diggs and that guy who played Denny that she killed off of Grey’s Anatomy. On second thought, Taye hasn't had the best of luck keeping a series afloat. I'd have to have a serious talk with Shonda about that casting decision. I'm sure we can work the kinks out just in time to win an Emmy for the show.
Now, I'm not totally naive about show business. There are a few obstacles to realizing my dreams. First, besides writing my kick-a$$ acceptance speeches and this blog, I haven't worked much on the three novels or four screenplays that I have been writing for the past 10 years. Even if I do manage to finish one of them by, say, the end of this week, it would be cutting it pretty close.
I also completely realize that it takes more than two months to sell, cast, shoot, edit, market and premiere a movie that is not a porno. In addition, I strongly suspect that the Academy or Emmy officials will be reluctant to move their events up to September just to keep me from feeling suicidal the day after my birthday - even if I ask really, really nicely.
Seriously, what have I been doing for the past 10 years? It seems like I started off with all of these big dreams and obtainable goals. But now, all I remember is an impulsive trip to the Bahamas to celebrate followed by a whole lot of working; punctuated by moments of parenting, cooking and cleaning; interspersed with occasional laughing and loving; sprinkled with a few trips to the movies and then more work; finished off with an unexpected layoff which triggered some moping, bitching and moaning tempered by bursts of optimism. Then I had a few freelance writing gigs supplemented by this blog which has all led up to now: the beginnings of a full-blown panic attack. Whew, I guess I have been busy.
So what happened? I don’t know….life, I guess. Or have I really been living? I guess I’d have to renew my subscription to “O” Magazine to figure that out.
One thing the past 10 years has given me is the wisdom to realize that I probably won’t accomplish all the things I had dreamed I would before September. So, I found myself making a new list for the upcoming decade of my life. This time I decided to keep it short.
1. Less dreaming.
2. More doing.
You would too if you had less than two months to accomplish everything you dreamed you would do over the past 10 years. I’m going to be very busy until my September 17th birthday living up to my unfulfilled dreams.
First, I have to write a phenomenally groundbreaking novel that Oprah immediately declares her favorite book of all time. Then I must quickly turn it into a blockbuster screenplay that, of course, sells for undisclosed millions and stars Will Smith, a sober Shia LaBeouf, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Brangelina and the twins. It will also feature a 20-minute fight scene between Jet Li, Jason Statham and Matt Damon, doing a cameo as Jason Bourne.
Then I have to hurry up and win an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay before Shonda Rhimes- my new writing partner and best buddy- produces a dramatic television series based on the movie with a cast led by Taye Diggs and that guy who played Denny that she killed off of Grey’s Anatomy. On second thought, Taye hasn't had the best of luck keeping a series afloat. I'd have to have a serious talk with Shonda about that casting decision. I'm sure we can work the kinks out just in time to win an Emmy for the show.
Now, I'm not totally naive about show business. There are a few obstacles to realizing my dreams. First, besides writing my kick-a$$ acceptance speeches and this blog, I haven't worked much on the three novels or four screenplays that I have been writing for the past 10 years. Even if I do manage to finish one of them by, say, the end of this week, it would be cutting it pretty close.
I also completely realize that it takes more than two months to sell, cast, shoot, edit, market and premiere a movie that is not a porno. In addition, I strongly suspect that the Academy or Emmy officials will be reluctant to move their events up to September just to keep me from feeling suicidal the day after my birthday - even if I ask really, really nicely.
Seriously, what have I been doing for the past 10 years? It seems like I started off with all of these big dreams and obtainable goals. But now, all I remember is an impulsive trip to the Bahamas to celebrate followed by a whole lot of working; punctuated by moments of parenting, cooking and cleaning; interspersed with occasional laughing and loving; sprinkled with a few trips to the movies and then more work; finished off with an unexpected layoff which triggered some moping, bitching and moaning tempered by bursts of optimism. Then I had a few freelance writing gigs supplemented by this blog which has all led up to now: the beginnings of a full-blown panic attack. Whew, I guess I have been busy.
So what happened? I don’t know….life, I guess. Or have I really been living? I guess I’d have to renew my subscription to “O” Magazine to figure that out.
One thing the past 10 years has given me is the wisdom to realize that I probably won’t accomplish all the things I had dreamed I would before September. So, I found myself making a new list for the upcoming decade of my life. This time I decided to keep it short.
1. Less dreaming.
2. More doing.
3 comments:
From what i have seen in your blogs, your on your way to being a very successful writer/Author. Just hang in there patience is a virtue.
Sportsnut 2008
u got me thinking about the end of this decade i am currently in. i've got about 8 years before it ends, and i've got a looot of work to do. lol
Good luck on reaching your goals. I hit the big 4+0 in May and discovered that ending in an 0 really doesn't bother me any more.
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