Arnold, back when he was simply an ambitious bodybuilder, made it a point of filling his day with things that would advance him toward his goals. He and fellow immigrant bodybuilder Franco Columbu joined forces and did in one day what most of us do in a week. A sample: They'd get up and workout at 5am then go to school to learn English then work at the bricklaying company they put together then do homework and finally, finish their workout for the day. The goals were simple; assimilate into American culture, learn how to run a business and get to the top of their sport (which for Arnold also meant making it to the movies).
I often think of this as I lie there glassy eyed wondering where the time went. Blank pages fill notebooks, this page goes without update, canvases remain white and unpainted, etc. I also think of it when I find myself complaining about my day and my life. My freelance work keeps me on an erratic schedule and the gigs don't come as often as I'd like so my week is either full of holes or packed tight with busy bill-paying work.
Today I took my first real writing class for the purpose of tightening my stuff up and giving me a bit of direction. Three hours once a week for ten weeks of writing on the spot, reading aloud and receiving criticism from my peers. I wrote my nuts off in there and drained myself of any creative mojo I had. Gotta tell ya I got a little sweaty. I haven't done anything like this in at least two years. I thought I'd lose my nut but I felt that old familiar rush of performing for a laugh. I also happened to notice the two huge pit stains under my arms. Nerves.
As far as my screenplay effort goes; I have been in touch with a writer pal who is chasing the Dream in California and he has helped shape my story into something much more watchable. Still writing as we speak.
I wish I had something funny to make you laugh but I really need a nap. I wonder if Arnold and Franco figured in naptimes...
4 comments:
Good luck
you dont have to make us laugh - just leave us wanting more and you have done your job. (which you did)
dude!!!!we are ALL nothing but poor players who strut and fret thier hour on the stage and then is heard no more. but if your gonna be ON IT [ "da stage" we call life. ] . and dance[ or write or act or sing ]. .
DONT SHUFFLE YOUR FEET. if yer gonna dance. DAZZLE em with yer foot work. [ give it your best no matter what area of CREATIVITY]
but do it for YOURSELF. and NO ONE ELSE.
it ALL begins with YOU anyway.
Ive worked for MONTHS on certain works of which ONLY you have heard [ as i sent some to ya]. and i coudlnt care less if the rest of the world heard them or not,. . the point is I CAN STILL CREATE..... yeahhhhhhhh and WHOSE better than ME????
NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!!..
IT dont make a diff if i preform for a 1000 or 1. i can STILL CREATE. ITs the same with you . . when you DO it for yourself. then it becomes MAGIC..
Life gets in the way of life, doesn't it?
Congrats on the writing workshop/classes. I'm hoping once I am finished with grad school to do something of the same. Hell, if time permits, I might try it while I am still in school. I need to get the creative juices flowing on a more regular basis.
You'll get there, I know it.
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