Creatively, the more cards you have in your hand, the better your chances of getting something produced. Writers, no matter how well intentioned, with only one project making the rounds are playing nothing more than a feeble game of Indian poker.
If you play any cards at all, you know damn well that Indian Poker is a card game for drunken frat boys and not professionals. There is only one round of bets and at best only a few laughs.
The more projects you have in circulation, the better your chances of actually getting a phone call informing you that you have piqued someone’s interest. I don’t care what the cards, eh, I mean projects are, novels plays, or screenplays, your luck will improve greatly with the number of polished projects you have on hand.
Notice I said polished. That means finished, proofed and edited. No card should be exposed until you have done all the work. You are lucky enough not to be dealt the cards. You created them. Make sure they are the best you have.
From first draft to last, some projects take months. Others, like musical plays for example, can literally take years. Work on “Wild Space A Go Go” stated four years ago. Rehearsals start next week. Not everything takes that long. Some things take even longer. Novels take years. Screenplays take at least six months and most times more.
It has been hinted at before, but often times you don’t realize that one of the cards you’re holding is shit. Relax. This may not be your fault. It maybe a rewrite that you don’t believe in, or the time may not be right to play it. That still leaves you other projects that are circulating. Do not fold your hand and walk away from the table. Simply work on your next card.
You should always be working. “A writer writes…always.” There should always be a story that is in the back of your mind and can’t be ignored. Don’t just talk about it. There isn’t time. There are plenty of people talking about their stories. Your odds improve greatly if you actually do something about it. Write it, damn it!
Okay, with that said, you are all adjourned to create more cards. I wish you the best of luck. May they all be Aces.
“Wild Space A Go Go” News:
First read-thru this Sunday. Yikes. Nothing can prepare you for the sound of professionals trying to make sense of your work. I do not say this because of any prejudice I may have for actors, but for my own contribution as the librettist. To me, nothing makes me cringe more than the sound of badly written dialogue. The actors are the best and I believe they will do their best. I, for one, will be sitting in the back, pretending to pay attention while wearing headphones and secretly listening to The Pogues. Occasionally, I may have to nod knowingly. We’ll just have to see. Hopefully, no one will notice.
On another note: Even though the show does not open until April 23rd, we have ticket sales. Let me just say this. It’s more than two and less than fifty. Even so, this must make the investors happy. I wouldn’t know, I’m not an investor.
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