Sometimes You Need a Second Take...

During the month of December I pitched my story to the Creative Writing Masters of Fine Arts (CWMFA) Thesis Committee. They are the ones that say whether your story is a go, or if you need to tweak it, or if you just need to come up with something entirely different.

In other words they were the ones who said if the story was good enough or not.

Unfortunately during the beginning of January I was told my pitch wasn't approved, that it was missing something, but I sort of knew that too.... 

Flashback

After I finally got my bachelor's degree I didn't know what I wanted to do next. Like many other recent graduates I was at a lost, especially in this economy, so I started to focus a lot more on my writing... and the words of of my 5th grade teacher and from one of my English professors came to mind, "You should consider English or writing for a Masters..." and "Eva should just become a writer, she has the potential to do it."

I was hesitant at first. Am I good enough? I asked myself quite often, even though I knew that there were readers out there who liked my storytelling. But like all writers, I wasn't confident...

But when I found out that my sister was getting her Masters in Architecture... well that  made me want to go after one as well. Only that this time it was going to be something I wanted (not like my bachelors), so writing was the first thing that came to mind.

I wanted a Masters in Creative Writing. I wanted to write.

Now I should know that things never go as planned, and that's what happened. I stumbled upon the school I am in right now, but when I asked for information I was informed that this school was for the entertainment business. Sure I was hesitant at first, but I went for it in the end. After all, I wanted to write my own comics someday.

So here was another dilemma, I didn't have an idea for a script in mind... In fact writing for movies, television, games, and even animation had never crossed my mind!

I had entered the UNKNOWN.

But the unknown might be what I'm good at. Well that's what I've noticed recently....

Present

So after finding out my pitch was rejected I started to question myself. I wanted to know what I did wrong. What I didn't understand.

With the help of my instructor I was able to see my mistake(s). You can say I had an AHA moment (one of many actually) and I rewrote my entire story paradigm; I changed my entire idea and created something a bit different. Something I was confident in...

So earlier today I was informed that my pitch was approved. The best news EVER!

This is when I realized that it's not that it's not good enough, it's just that it CAN be better...

So no matter how crazy it is.

 Or how many times you might be rejected. 

Don't give up but find out how it can become what it HAS to be...

Because in the end,  there are times in life when you need a second take.

Till Next Time

What I Went Through This Month

Dear All,

All I can say is that this month has been a wild ride. There was a lot of research, which did get frustrating at one point, and there was also finding an interviewee... boy did that keep me on my toes!

But worst of all...

I was struggling with my story paradigm. The first time I turned it in this month, my instructor said there were a few lose ends, so of course that meant redoing it... worst of all, my pitch and outline were due around the corner... so the pressure was on.

My story paradigm had to match my outline and logline, but you know what the best part was?

 my pitch had to reflect it all!! 


worst part is, it wasn't and so of course I was freaking out! and so I rewrote my story paradigm and I sent it to my instructor and it still wasn't working!

Gah! I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me whole!!!


I was frustrated and started to think that maybe this wasn't for me...
        ... yes, I began to doubt myself, but I kept on going.

Over the weekend, after I read my instructor's additional feedback, I went back to work and worked I did... I didn't come out of my bedroom unless I had to eat... and I had a big mess and I didn't care. In fact I lost my phone somewhere in the chaos...

For the first time I felt like a writer and believe me, I felt like I finally got it... I finally understood their world.  My life this weekend was in peril




Maybe I'm overreacting but that's just how I felt it... and then when I had to record my pitch, everything was going wrong... I was close to tears and then my file was large and wouldn't upload... yeah... I was loosing it!!!


But I made it in time... Thank God! but now I wait...

You see, every pitch will be review by the department, and they will determine if your story is accepted or if it will be fixing or worst of all... redoing everything!

Believe me, I'm anxious... very anxious!

It's like when the writer sends their novel out for approval and they are now waiting and all these ideas come and torture them because they begin to doubt their talents...

GAH!!! It's scary


But whether I receive good or bad news there is one thing that I must keep remembering... If I love to write then I must not quit but continue...


If you stumble, get up for it just makes you stronger...


Dear writers, 


don't give up no matter how grim your future looks... if you love to write then this little obstacle should only reflect the passion you have for this art...




Eva

A Hint of What is to Come

Today I felt that the day took longer to come to a close. Weird.... I actually had a relaxing day in the morning because I knew... I so knew I was going to be busy later on...and I was...

This week we will either choose to write a scene for comics or video games. I love both. I like to play RPG games mostly, especially because of the storyline.

A great storyline = A great game.

But the only problem is that I can't come up with games of my own. :sighs in disappointment: Isn't that sad? I figure if I ever do enter the world of games, then editing and assisting are the jobs for me!

So yup! You guessed it!

I will be making a comic scene. It will have to be no more than 6 pages, one page more than what I had for animation :D. Happy joy!


This brings me to what I did today....

I began to research names for my characters...now keep in mind, I've had this story circling around, tugging my sleeve for what seems forever! But for some reason, I have stalled...and stalled and stalled. Reason: No good name ever came.

What was I expecting? For them to POOF out of nowhere for me....seriously.

Anyways,

I now officially have names and last names, and I have to thank a friend for helping me out. She sort of helped me get on the right path, so thank-you :)

So am I excited about this week?

You bet!

Am I going to be sleep deprived?

I can't quite remember what sleep is to begin with :')

Oh....want to know the best part?

Do you....

.....Are you sure?

Okay, I'll tell you...

I just found out that next month I have to submit a video, pitching the two ideas I am going to consider for my thesis. In the end, out of the two, I will choose one.

Now as I read this so-called Important Note, I only had one reaction, and one reaction only.

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.


Till next time,


Eva