Wrapping It Up

At the start of every year, I have goals in mind and make every effort to achieve them. At the end of the year, I am often amazed at how 12 months have zipped by. How did things go? I was commissioned to write three young adult novelettes. I was not keen to take on the assignment, but my seven-year run as a screenwriter ended abruptly when the three main people I worked with went off in different directions. So, I jumped into my assignment and put my heart and soul into it, even though it was low-paid. It has taken a year to finish the books, because I honestly didn't know what I was getting involved with. But let's just say I have learned a lot. I took advantage of my screenwriting training and ensured that conflict happened early, that things kept moving, and that there was a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter. By the end of the year, I had fallen in love with most of the characters and have found it difficult to step away. After further discussion with the woman who hired me, we will first try the self-publishing route to get some attention on the books, and see if we can elevate their presence. I believe we can, and that my chances are as good as anyone's. Initially I was trying to fit my writing into what I thought would be appropriate for the market my employer intended to pitch the books to. But as time went on, I realized that I could not be contained or dictated to. I just had to do it my way. My employer was on my side and I was given total creative freedom and paid to write. This is extremely rare. But because I was given this opportunity, the following became clear to me: I can hire myself. I can pay myself a salary. I can be supportive and encouraging. By doing so, I can write the stories or books or screenplays that I want to. It seems quite a simple concept, but it was an eye-opener for me. If a company hires me, they give me a contract. It has milestones that I must reach before I get paid. When someone is paying you, you'd better do the job. Well, right now, no one is hiring me--so I will hire myself. It sounds funny, I know. But this experience has taught me that I could try to write what other people want, or I could write what I enjoy and find a market for it. Like most people, I didn't realize that I could turn things around in my favor and not always have to do what other people said. I don't know that any of these books, or future screenplays, or all of the great new songs I've written, will see the level of success I imagine they could. But I am quite clear that if I do not try with every cell in my body, then there will be no success at all. Finding one's path is a challenge. Staying on it is another challenge. I hope you will join me on the journey forward. I'd love to hear about your creative projects, and I will certainly be sharing mine as they reach completion.