Thursday, April 1, 2010

Scriptfrenzy 2010

Today is the first day of Scriptfrenzy a month long writing contest, one that I signed up to take part in last year. It is similar to Nanowrimo and all those other do-something-creative-in-a-month competitions that internet has helped popularise.
Last year, I signed up at the very last minute (as chronicled here) and enjoyed every moment of the experience. This year, I have another idea for a script that I was looking forward to getting stuck into but unfortunately I won't be at the starting line with all the other writers. The main reason I guess is that I have surveyed the month ahead and that from a work point of view (work of the paid kind) I just won’t have the time to give the attention that it deserves. Marking season will soon be upon me!

From a writing point of view I also feel like I have a number of half-finished ideas that I need to get out of the way first before I undertake another project such as this. Last summer, I started a novel, which at this moment stands half completed. I also lined up at the start of Nanowrimo in November - unfortunately work got in the way again so I’m left with another half finished novel. Added to this is the small matter of the last year’s script, which is still at the first draft stage and has been filed away and has not been read since its completion.

This last week while I have been off work I have been surveying a number of pieces of work that I had written for other workshops of late and some other bits that that I had forgotten I had written. So I think for now I should really be concentrating on clearing the decks and start getting some of my already completed/soon to be completed work out there.

That is why with great reluctance that I won't be lining up with other ScreenFrenzy participants. I wish them every success in what is an interesting, frustrating and ultimately enjoyable experience.