A 75 year black man living his final days in a not-so-nice retirement home and a 23 year-old white woman with a chip on her shoulder, form an unlikely bond over their shared loneliness and loss which leads them to the banks of the Mississippi River.
This above description is the scenario of my new screenplay – a script I’ve been working on since the beginning of March. It is a story of losing someone we love and how it can have a devastating effect on those left behind particularly when there are unanswered questions surrounding their death. Themes of courage, letting go, taking leaps of faith, finding a deeper peace in our collective losses and ultimately moving on, are all delved into in this new script. The ideas of love and loss and their effect on our lives are universal themes that I think will resonate to the broader audience.
This latest script was not an easy one to chisel out. It took a good 6 weeks of throwing ideas around before I was able to get a handle on the actual story. Once I plotted out the entire story, the script itself was written in 10 days as it was all laid out for me and I knew exactly where I was going. I am in the process of typing the script out from my handwritten copy and once complete I will send it out to get critiqued and then begin re-writes.
Sometimes as a writer, I can get very obsessed about what I am doing to the point where I kind of isolate myself. This is not necessarily a good thing; it’s something I need to work on. It’s important to have a passion in life…to love what you do…But you shouldn’t be overwhelmed by it; have other loves in your life. Seek balance.
I am a huge hockey fan. I especially love the New York Rangers. I’ve been following that team all my life, since I could remember. I’m passionate about hockey and it’s something that helps me get away from the writing when it becomes all-consuming. I also love gardening…love to see things grow. With the summer months coming, I’m about to plant vegetables.
Below is a photo of the path that leads into my garden.
When 2016 began, it became clear early on that my goal this year would be to write and re-write at least 3 screenplays. It’s not always fun to be under that kind of pressure to produce works. And so, I’m reminded today to find balance. What gives me hope is to one day share my work to a wider audience, to be able to uplift others in the face of life’s harsh realities. This is my mission and knowing what your mission is helps to create that balance in life we all desperately seek.
Love the Thomas Kinkade quote, Romeo. To me, the pathway in your garden picture leads mysteriously into the beyond. Where does it go? What is at the end of it? As we make our way down the path, we are learning from our experiences – good and bad. This helps us find our strengths and how we can use them in a positive way to bless others and also find fulfilment in our own lives.
The only thing that would make that garden view even better is a cup of tea and a homemade cookie. Happy writing Rome.
Keep at it Romeo. You never know what will flow from the end of your pen. Having other diversions gives you balance in your life and makes the writing crisper and more in tune with reality. Looking for some wonderful happy endings in your stories.