Light Reading

I've been told that with each film you make you should be thinking about the next one that you want to make. It is like that, too, with screenplays. While I continue to work on Harvest Home, I have a list of ideas for screenplays that I want to write. If only the day were not filled with so many other obligations. I feel for ScriptWeaver when he laments having an 8-5 non-screenwriting job that takes him away from screenwriting activity. I certainly do envy those individuals who have both the time and the dedication to write. Something that I tend to struggle with. Oh well, c'est la vie, n'est ce pas?

Again, I find myself off track... But I always find my way back.

One of the things you'll learn to love about me that hasn't made the list yet is that I am the penultimate multi-tasker. I very rarely find myself doing only one thing. Very rarely. Just as I'm thinking of multiple screenplays at once, I find similar tendencies to be exhibited in my reading patterns. I am usually reading several things at once - a couple novels, magazines and several non-fiction books. Most often, the non-fiction is research of some sort - not always about screenwriting or filmmaking - but lately, that has been the focus.

There are two books that I have lying around the house that my husband must scratch his head and wonder about...

The first is a book called The Bastard on the Couch. It is a collection of essays by men on various topics - being a father, being a son, being a husband, being a man... you get the picture. Anyway, there is an essay in the book that I saw in New York Magazine a couple years back and it struck me as being so honest. That article and this book have inspired some similar topics that are addressed in Harvest Home. But from the woman's perspective. The author's name is Sean Elder, who I find to be a very insightful writer. Last week I was thinking about the article (entitled "The Lock Box") and thought - he seems to be just the type to have a blog. And I was right! See my sidebar for the link.

So, not knowing what the actual book is about, I'm sure my husband sees it lying around and thinks: "Oh great, some feminist rah-rah book. I liked it better when she was reading Our Bodies, Ourselves."

And the other book. I checked it out from the library last week. It was one of those books where you wonder what the librarian is thinking when she passes the bar code under the scanner. I did have two books but put one back after thinking: "I don't want anyone thinking I'm a weirdo." and had it on my bedside table for a few days, wondering if my husband would comment. Nothing.

Last Friday night we were watching some magazine show about some guy who killed his wife and the ensuing mystery (a unique premise for a magazine show, I know). There has also been a lot of coverage about the Internet and the different types of people that frequent it, more specifically Internet predators. I was listening from the other room andcould hear the journalist saying something to the effect of: "then it was discovered that he conducted the following Google search - "how to kill someone and not get caught". I started laughing and said something to my husband like, "Yeah, that's never good." When confronted with the evidence, the accused alleged that he was conducting research.

So a day or two goes by. I'm out in the kitchen doing dishes, getting dinner, feeding the dog. You know, the usual evening routine. My husband comes into the room and looks down at the floor and says: "Um, I have to tell you what a warm fuzzy feeling it gives me to see that my wife is reading a book about female serial killers."

I chuckled and said: "It's research for one of my screenplays." He just shook his head and walked out of the room. How he puts up with me I'll never know.

I know you're wondering now, aren't you? Honestly. Research. And it is very interesting, too. As you will see when I someday sell the screenplay.