Creativity Tip No. 26

Screenwriting: Yes or No?

I think there is a little serendipity afoot here. I have never really thought of writing a screenplay, although I could just as easily have tried that form of writing over the years as I did so many others.

But I think the idea is vying for some attention now, and I am not quite sure why.

I saw that our local film school (where I have taken some photography courses) was offering a short class in screenwriting at a local library close to my home.

I seriously thought about doing it -- the price was right, parking was easy, not too much of a gas-guzzling trip -- but held back because

1. I had a conflict on one of the nights the class would meet, and

2. I didn't have an idea for a film that I've been working on for years.

So I forgot about the class until I had a chance to download some free ebooks from the library. Not many titles were available to be downloaded, so I picked one I would probably never have checked out otherwise : Now Write! Screenwriting  by Sherry Ellis and Laurie Lamson.

I let the book sit on my mobile device for a few days and then not having a good book to read, I began reading this expert guide. Now I find myself reading all of the narratives contained in the book plus the tips offered by seasoned screenwriters and teachers. I may not get through the entire book before my subscription runs out in five days, and I realize that will make me very unhappy.

Maybe the time has come to tackle this writing form? Not sure yet, but I do wonder if the universe is trying to tell me something. Guess I will wait for a few more clues before I purchase my Vera Wang for the Oscars.