Last night I made the definitive decision that I really need my own personal blog. I have a professional one, updated sporadically for my writer’s association I began this year, but I really need to write daily to strengthen my writing muscle. I can’t write towards my books or scripts daily if I’m still in the research phases, so how do I continually exercise that? By daily writing personal thoughts and stories.
I made this decision last night, which I know this time around will stick. It’s one for those things where I couldn’t wait to get off work to get to my keyboard! My fingers and mind are constantly itching to write, but I have to do the preparation first, so now I have the medium to write, but it doesn’t have to be specifically towards my current projects. I went to bed happy with this decision, then woke up hearing the news that Syd Field has died, so this first blog post is dedicated to him.
Syd Field was a cornerstone in the film industry, specifically screen writing. Any TV or film writer will say that he was their role model.
It was very poetic that I happened to be reading one of his books this week when I learned the news. I’ve read his most popular book Screenplay when I was working on my first screenplay (which is awful, not a testament to his genius). He really helped shape me into the writer I want to become.
A little bit about me…
I’ve spent the better part of 10 years trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. The problem was that I already was grown up with a husband and child, and was nowhere near a career, nor deciding on one for that matter. I knew I had to do something creative, and I wanted to focus on writing, but I couldn’t quite figure out what career would be gratifying to me. I would leave teaching English as my backup–something that I’m very passionate about, but it’s not my dream to be a teacher. I have always loved writing, ever since I could hold a pencil. I used to keep a journal, and by 6th grade I was writing FanFic for my favorite boyband. My grades all the way until college were a testament that writing was just about all I could do. I couldn’t ever figure out how I could make writing a career. I didn’t think I could cut it as a journalist, or that I had any good ideas to be the next J. K. Rowling. Earlier this year, it hit me like a ton of bricks that I could combine my love of film and writing and pursue the career of a screenwriter.
A good friend of mine recently got his script picked up and it was then being produced (Check out “A Mile in His Soul”) and he pointed me in the direction of Syd Field to begin. From the start, I had so many questions, it was a bit overwhelming. I decided to keep those questions and finish the book–a little bit about me, any question or idea I have has to be answered IMMEDIATELY. Chapter by chapter my questions were fewer and fewer. Through his words on paper, Syd Field was my guide through the process of my first script. He made the task less daunting and set me up with good habits to be successful.
Though his influence on me was for a short season, he has influenced thousands, if not millions. His life work will literally live on forever in the hearts and pages of the many writers who look up to him.
Mr. Field, you have changed my life by giving me a clear path to achieve my dream. Your work has changed the industry and the world. You leave behind a footprint that cannot be filled by anyone else’s shoes but your own. Thank you for your words, your teachings and your life’s work.
Fade Out.
My life in letters 