Just Back from a Zombie Apocalypse…

Posted in Diary of a Directrix
January 16th, 2010 by Devi Snively (The Directrix)

still+brian+brains smzombieshitchhike sm….and boy do my brains hurt!  Actually they’re quite happy.  I just faded out on this zombie feature I’ve been writing for my director friend Joe.  Yay!  It feels so good to be creating new worlds once more.

This is one of 2 screenplays I’m writing for other people so far this year.  I’m very excited about the other one, too.  I can’t share details, but a dear producer friend merely pitched the idea to me and I had tears streaming down my cheeks from laughing so hard.  I can already tell it’s going to “write itself.”  ‘Writing for hire’  is a whole new realm for me, but one I definitely recommend to any director who also enjoys writing.

devi revises schedule sm It’s a very educational experience writing when you know there is no chance you will direct.  It changes one’s priorities and frees her up to a degree.  It’s quite liberating.  All the fun and passion with no strings attached, score!

It’s also highly rewarding to write a script knowing it’s actually going to be made (and in this case, quite soon it would seem.)  How exciting to know that these characters whose words and feelings have poured out of me, will soon be living, breathing and larger than life on screens in front of audiences….in front of me!  And what a luxury that I need not lift a finger to make that happen.  I need but write, which has always been the easy part for me.

It’s been a long time since I’ve considered myself ‘just a writer” and it feels good to get back to my roots.  I write every day now – 2-3 hours every morning minimum and it’s made waking up in the morning such a joy.  With each new morning comes a new adventure – zombies, devils, romance gone right, then horribly wrong, and so forth.  The rest of the day my mind is teeming with ideas about this new world I’m creating.  I feel so alive, fulfilled – could there be anything better?

elidevicu smOnly, it looks like I might be back in my director’s hat surprisingly soon I’ve just learned.  And I’m thrilled, I think.  It’s been too long since I’ve been on set and this sounds like a super exciting opportunity if I decide to accept it.  I must decide by weekend’s end.

deviaxestairs smBut admittedly I have mixed feelings.  When I’m writing, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.  When I’m on set directing, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.  When I’m editing, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.  But I’m truly living the “writer’s life” right now and  my muse is thriving, showering me with nonstop ideas and inspiration.   Am I ready to give that up for a while to go back out on set?  I’ll let you know on Monday.

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