Where Do Ideas Come From?

Every story came from an idea. But where do ideas come from? What rattles around in your brain, rolling around, worried about like a bit of sand in an oyster shell until it becomes a beautiful pearl? (Or as is my case most of the time, a weird looking lump?)

Last night we were watching Jim Gaffigan's new stand up special "King Baby". If you have never heard Jim Gaffigan do comedy, you should really take a listen. He is so funny, my cheeks hurt from laughing so much. I've seen him both on TV and live, and he is truly gifted. His timing is awesome, his jokes are funny and he works clean. I actually watched the show twice (bless Comedy central for running it back to back), the first time with my mom where we just laughed our butts off (don't I wish that were actually possible) and the second time to analyze. (When I first started doing comedy I would be analyzing other comics constantly, but that took a little joy out of it so now I make myself watch it first to enjoy then analyze later.) He has his routine down cold, like when the microphone should be in his left hand to make a joke work, when to drop inflection, when to stop, when to start. It's amazingly well crafted and I only wish I could be half that good.

Here is part of his routine from last night about bacon.


Too funny. But while watching his show I heard a joke that started the wheels turning in my head. The idea for a new short film. I know there is a lot of filming going on in the future but maybe we could wedge this one in too. I don't want to give it away while I'm working on it but the title is "Spare Way to Heaven".

So that's how the genesis of this film began. A joke that made me think of something else that led me to this script. My first script, "Arnie Johnson's Big Break" was based on the "what if" scenario, in that case "what if a comic picked the wrong audience member to insult?". "Supermodels" is based on the idea that if you are a 'supermodel' instead of just a regular model that you have super powers. Ideas that germinate, then actually grow into something.

Anyway, I am excited about this new short and I have to get it all finished so I'm going to go write now. And I'm glad because it's taken me slightly away from my cookie obsession (yes, I am going ahead with the cookie favor business, so you get to see that from the beginning too, Loyal Readers. I am getting ready for the photo shoot of the cookies and I'm getting my web designer to start the project.)

So, where do your ideas come from? And once you get one, what do YOU do with it?

The Writing

I once had a French teacher who told me that once you start dreaming in French, you'll know that you are mastering the language. I never dreamed in French (unless you count the occasional dream starring Gerard Depardieu) or any language other than English but I do dream my writing.

Last night I had dreams about Vegas Shmegas, which begins principal photography November first so there is still a lot of pre-production stuff to be accomplished. I also dreamed about my novel, which is as yet untitled so I'm calling it "Shelby 1" (and hoping that someday there is a "Shelby 2"). Obviously both projects are heavily in my mind, which is a nice distraction from all the other stuff going on.

The writing on this is going well, much better than I had expected. It's written in first person (like the Stephanie Plum novels) and I've heard that's typical in 'chick lit' - so you were right Dyann! (Hmmm, do they call novels written about and by guys "dick lit"?) The thing is, because it's written from Shelby's perspective, I'm hearing her voice in my head constantly.

For my fellow writers, a question please. Do your characters speak to you? I mean literally. Mine do. Oh, I know, it's just my brain, working out the logistics and story, but my characters actually say and do things I didn't expect. Shelby speaks Chinese, did you know that? I didn't, at least not until she told me. She speaks several languages actually and it's in a unique way that she learned each of them. Of course, this may present a problem as I don't speak a foreign language so there's more research I need to do. Thanks a lot, Shel.

There is a character in "Arnie Johnson's Big Break" who has a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. Shocked me. But it was perfect and got me out of a writing corner, so to speak. I had been fussing and worrying about how to resolve the situation when the character stepped forward and revealed the situation. It was a relief and a surprise.

So the writing goes on. If you see me mumbling to myself while I walk through the grocery store, I'm not crazy, just talking to Shelby. Oh, and ladies, Evan is way hotter than I ever imagined. Whew. You're gonna love their love story! I'm blushing just thinking about it. Shelby isn't some stick thin supermodel (few couch potatoes are) and Evan likes curvy girls. (Of course, it doesn't hurt that Shelby's curves are in the right places whereas mine seem to be more like an abstract painting.) Evan is the perfect guy, so of course he's fiction. I'M KIDDING, I know there are great guys out there, it's just that they're already taken. But if you know one that isn't, send him my way. I could use the 'practice' for my love scenes!

Writing Update

So, for those of you checking in on the 'year of writing dangerously', here is an update on how the writing is going.

Novel - The love story of Miss Gemma Merryvale and Lord Simon Farrow is progressing nicely. No bodice ripping yet, but they are definitely interested in one another.

Screenplay #1 - "Imaginary Boyfriend" - Screenplay started and opening scenes written.

Screenplay #2 - I'm re-writing "Arnie Johnson's Big Break". For those Arnie fans out there don't worry. I'm just making the film a little more noir, but the basic story isn't changing. Just tweaking and polishing, making it a little more edgy, like "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang". I had the idea for the re-writes and since I hadn't looked at Arnie in a while I re-read the script. Honestly, it wasn't half bad for a first script. I even made myself laugh at a few scenes. I'm just freshening Arnie up, he could use a new pair of shoes. My goal is to get him ready for the Nicholl competition, deadline is May 1st.

Smidigits - I hope some of you are checking out the work I've been doing at www.smidgits.com If you haven't checked it out, may I suggest "The Sign" or any of my "We're Cookin' Now" episodes. I have been writing and directing a new series called "The Jerseynaut" which will premiere soo but I think the trailers for the show available right now.

Thanks to everyone who has been checking out the blogs (this one and www.gourmand-girl.blogspot.com) and if you keep reading, I'll keep writing!