The Final Countdown!

Duhduhduhduhhhhhduhduhduhduhduhduhhhh... It's pretty much impossible to convey that song without music. Here.



I didn't realize this had a music video. 80's music... *shudders* Will you just look at their hair!?!?!? What were they thinking!? Still, the song works.

It is, indeed, THE FINAL COUNTDOWN, as we approach the fabled Script Frenzy. I'm kind of terrified because I still only have a beginning and an end. Usually I only have a middle. But I promised y'all an overview of the main characters, so for the good of the order, here 'tis. I can't guarantee they won't change by the end of the script, or that you'll be able to recognize them, or that their names won't change or they won't dye their hair or just magically drop off the face of the planet. It's all tentative, my dears. Tentative.

Enter James or "Jamie". He's numero uno in this story, like it or not, and yes, he's the gent with the flowers. Grown-up Jamie is sort of serious looking. In fact, he's scowling right now. Ah yes, even with those marvelous flowers in hand, he's frowning. I promise you he wasn't always so dowry. In fact, he was once a daydreamer. He could have made a career out of it! Jamie used to be sort of on the scrawny side. Knobby knees, red from the scrapes, and sharp elbows, rough from playing outdoors. His clothes were always a little loose and his face was a bit sunken in. But he had these huge blue eyes... A charming child, really. Very creative. Quite the imagination, and a heart as deep as the ocean. But things have changed. His heart is hard now. But if I were to tell you WHY, then there would be no STORY, now WOULD THERE?

On to Peter. I can't help it - he's a favorite of mine. I know the viewer's sympathies are going to lie with Jamie, but I can't help but love him. Peter's rather oblivious, you see, and can be a little insensitive. He's got a good heart, I promise! He's rather handsome, I might add. It takes a little bit of willpower not to get too wrapped up in writing him. If you were to pass him on the street, he'd probably offer a good-natured smile, a tip of that hat if he happened to wearing one, and perhaps a grand bow if he really felt like getting your attention (if you're a pretty gal, that is). As a child, he was troublesome - always pulling Jamie into things, always talking out of turn and missing the point whenever possible. But he is still very clueless... You have to be rather blunt with him, and Jamie's more the hide-my-feelings-until-I-implode type...

(Now this is the part where you understand the name of the movie.) Meet Elizabeth. Goodness, is she pretty. Fair in every sense of the word, I might add. Nowadays she's rather soft-spoken, but as a child, she always had something to say. She was bossy and controlling, but sweet in a very quiet way. There was this ethereal quality about her - she was so light and elven-like. And she was practically addicted to books. It didn't matter what they were about - math, science, far off kingdoms - just so long as there were plenty of words. She spent so much time looking for adventure... I wonder if she ever found it.

... I think she might be French. We'll see once the writing process actually begins.

So there you are, a brief overview. Rather mysterious, eh? That's because they're all still "mysteries" to me. I can't wait to explore their character! I'll try and post a brief synopsis some time before the Frenzy begins. Until then, farewell.

A Glimpse of the World of "The Elizabethan Era"

This is the part of the writing process where I do nothing, except daydream. This step can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few years. I'm one of those people that has to let my ideas ferment/simmer/etc. before I can even think about dealing with them.

I can't offer you a plot overview of my screenplay, seeing as I haven't written it yet, but I can give you the basic premise. The movie begins with a single young man, getting off of a train, flowers in hand. They're a very specific type of flower. What type of flower, I have yet to decide. But trust me, it matters!!! As he makes his way towards his destination, we get to peer into his past through a series of flashbacks that weave together his story throughout time, all of which leads up to the train, the flowers, and the final conclusion. Oh, and it's set in mid-1900's England... I think... It won't be the most historically accurate film ever, which normally would irk me, but I can't see the story in any other time period.

I promise an overview of the main characters as soon as possible. Until then, I would like to get you in the mooooood. So here it is, the song that inspired the ENTIRE story. Close your eyes and see where it takes you. Leave a comment on what you think might happen in the story. Seeing as I have told you barely anything, there should be plenty of room for imagination. Or, as my literary twin Anne of Green Gables might call it, scope for imagination.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFoP8QKal_g

I have no idea how to make it show up in this window. Technologically challenged... What can I say?

The next few weeks...

... will be pure insanity.

No, really. I don't know when I'm going to sleep. First, there's school. Then, I have to practice for debate. I have a state competition tomorrow, and I'm unbelievably nervous. And then I have to go to uber long drama rehearsals for South Pacific! (Ensign Janet MacGregor, reporting for duty!)

So where does writing fit into all of this?

That's just it. It doesn't.

Thing is, as of April 1st, it has to. Because I am going to be competing in SCRIPT FRENZY!!! Ladies and gents, I have never conquered a screenplay before. I have zero experience and no qualifications. Just a whole lot of willpower and (hopefully) potential. After editing my Script Frenzy profile about 20 times, I have decided on adapting a short story of mine for the big screen. I had been planning on expanding the story anyhow, and I think it will make for a nice film. The tentative title is (*drumroll*) The Elizabethan Era!!!

Quit wagging your fingers and shaking your heads! The screenplay isn't actually about the Elizabethan era, my pretties! My Summer of Stories companions might recall my little story about a pair of troublesome young boys and their mysterious new friend? The one titled Elizabeth? That's the one! Well, that's where my story shall begin. Brace yourselves for a beautiful story of tragedy, glory, joy, and woe. I will elaborate on the plot in the near future, but for now, the plot remains as much a mystery to me as it does to you. But I know the ending, and it's a real doozy!

I return to the world of writing on April 1st. Fasten your seatbelt, because I can guarantee a bumpy ride.