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Reflections on a “Sh*tty Draft” Writing Weekend

Ugh!

In order to try to actually get my rejection project done, I have blocked off two weekends on my calendar.

Actual footage of me, blocking off my weekends for this.

So here are some reflections from my first writing weekend:

Permission to write a sh*tty draft.

Not to toot my own horn, but I’m a pretty good writer. Usually I know exactly how I want to describe a scene, craft a sentence or build a paragraph. And it is beautiful.

But then there are the other days. Dark Days.

I’ll have a general idea of what I want to say but no real idea of how to write it or even, start it. My usual practice is to just wait until the words settle.

But…..

So I have to go to Plan B. Which is writing a sh*tty draft.

Because I know (I KNOW!) that writing is the only way to get the words out. Poor writing will become good writing if I give myself the permission to just get started.

So. Much. Whining.

I had chosen this. I had specifically chosen to focus on my writing this weekend.

And yet, Saturday morning dawned and I could not keep myself in my chair. I could not keep my writing software open. I simply didn’t want to write.

So I began to whine. Like a lot.

Like..So…Much

While I know that magical elves don’t appear in the middle of night and write my stories, I was definitely expecting to at least be excited about writing, rather than dreading every moment that I was in the chair.

However, I found that you can whine and type at the same time.

And thus some writing did occur. (Accompanied by lots and lots of whining.)

Employers Interrupt-us

As I believe I might have mentioned, I’m working quite a few jobs right now so weekends right now just mean that I’m not at ALL of my jobs, instead of actually truly a day where I’m not working any job.

Some of you can probably already see where this is going but for those who haven’t seen the plot twist yet, yes, I was working during a weekend I had blocked off for writing.

Yep. I am my own worst enemy.

Even with splitting my attention between work and writing, I still managed to unearth some gold and find some plot surprises that even I didn’t know. So cheers to the freakin’ (sh*tty draft) weekend!

Julie and the Phantoms

Let the spirits move you.

Julie lost her passion for music when she lost her mom. But when three ghostly guys appear and lift her spirits, they decide to start a band together!

How I found it: After a weekend of crappy writing (more on that in a few days), I needed a break so I went to Netflix. The Netflix algorithm decided that I needed to see a headline preview of “Julie and the Phantoms” so it started playing before I could even choose a title.

And I was hooked.

Why I love it: I. LOVE. Musicals!

Always have, always will. And I love that studios are taking chances on musical TV shows.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend? Yes, please.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist? Of course!

And now, Julie and the Phantoms. Based on the Brazilian show “Julie e os Fantasmas“, Julie and the Phantoms is a tween musical centered around a high school kid (9th grade at the most) who is trying to find a reason to sing again.

They got everything right from the 90’s music and clothing to the teen drama and grieving. It is such a fun and funny show, while allowing for heart and real emotions.

Also, having a ghost band solves the problem of the “magical piano”.

Oh, you’ve never heard of the “magical piano”? Allow me to direct you to High School Musical.

In High School Musical, they made a point of including a character that composed most of the songs that the students of East High were supposed to sing. She played piano. However, once the songs started, all these other instruments, like drums and horns and strings, could be heard. The only conclusion was that this must be a “magical piano”.

Kenny Ortega, director of High School Musical, must have heard of the legend of the ‘magical piano’ so when he took on Julie and the Phantoms, he must have loved that he could fix the problem with a ghost band.

My favorite episode (so far):

Honestly, all of the episodes (The Sphinx is on episode 3 at the moment) are really strong, but if I had to pick, I would say the first episode is my favorite so far. “Now or Never” perfectly encapsulates the 90’s sound and nonsense lyrics that we all thought were so deep. (I’m not throwing shade. I was as guilty of this as everyone else.) “Wake Up” is a rousing anthem that will get stuck in your head. Madison Reyes’s voice is a delight and totally appropriate for her character. You’ll know after the first episode if you’re in or not.

Related

You’re welcome.
1931 – 2019

Toni Morrison, Superstar Rejection Failure!

Her first novel, The Bluest Eye, was published in 1970 but she felt that it wasn’t being marketed enough, so she took it upon herself to do a better job of selling her story, including convincing college professors to put it on their reading lists. The Bluest Eye ultimately got the attention of an editor at Random House and history was changed forever.

Writing the books she wanted to read and saying what she wanted to say, Ms. Morrison did not let the world dictate her writing. May we all be so bold.

Rest in power, Ms. Morrison.