(Or should it be A Writing Allegory? It’s Friday afternoon and it’s all a bit much.)
INT. HOME – EARLY MORNING
I stumble through the FRONT DOOR, chest heaving and soaked through with sweat. THE DOG trots in after me.
Mindful of my appearance, I gingerly give THE GODDESS a hug --
THE GODDESS
How was your run?
ME
Two poos, three wees, one dog and one false alarm.
She then crouches down beside The Dog and asks --
THE GODDESS
And how was it for YOU?
Next time you’re banging your head on a concept or synopsis or treatment, keep in mind that for all the hours and energy and eye-for-detail you’ll pour into your finished product, sometimes your reader just won’t care. And it’s nothing personal: Yes, your pitch was spot-on – but there’s a change of director, and they’ve got some specific visual and script ideas.
Take heart. It’s not you, it’s them: your product is as good as everything that you’ve put into it. You’ll have learned something from describing – planning, even – a project rather than just writing it. The experience will inform you as a writer. Learning and experience make you a better writer.
Now do it again.
And again.
And again….
INT. HOME – CONTINUOUS
I put my hands on my hips --
ME
Oh ha ha.
-- and The Goddess, never one to tell me to calm down or shut up or get over things, gives me a hug anyway and says --
THE GODDESS
Can I make you a cup of coffee?
-- and I hold her and think: I am one lucky sumbitch.