Michael's Musings

July 8, 2013

So, my medical procedure went okay.  The prep is actually worse than the event on these things, but now I don't have to worry about it for another five years.

I've decided to publish another one of my older screenplays.  It's called RIDE ALONG, and it deals with a tough conservative police woman, sort of a "Dirty Harriet," who is forced to partner with an ultra liberal district attorney.  It's a fun romantic action comedy script and it should be available in paperback and on Kindle before the end of this month.  I will let you know when.

I'm still working on my new screenplay, but I'm sure that won't be finished for quite some time.  On the front burner these days is the publication of my 2nd memoir, LIFE, LIBERTY & THE PURSUIT OF HOLLYWOOD and the audio recording of HAIL ON THE CHIEF!, which has now been pushed back to August.  One of the actors we want to use won't be available until then.

This week, I have a meeting with some folks about teaching a writing class late this summer.  I enjoy teaching, so that will be fun.

I've posted a new review on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  It's from a pretty good thriller, DEAD MAN DOWN starring Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace, the original GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.  She is terrific.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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July 1, 2013

Last week turned out to be fairly busy. 

On Tuesday, I had a meeting with a fellow who may be able to help me get THE OLD COOT made into a short movie, and as I was on my way home. I noticed that the engine caution light on my dashboard had come on.  So, I took my 2000 Honda Accord (with 38K miles on it) over to my mechanic and left it overnight.

Next morning, he called me to let me know that his computer couldn't read the codes for my car, which meant I now had to take it over to the local Honda dealer, and he told me that it needed a new air sensor...whatever that is.  Unfortunately, they did not have the part in stock, so I had to leave the car again overnight.  I finally got it back on Thursday.

Also around that time, the book designer for my forthcoming 2nd memoir, LIFE, LIBERTY & THE PURSUIT OF HOLLYWOOD, sent me a first pass on the book's cover.  It was a basic concept that surprised me, but that I liked.  However, it does need some modifying, which will probably happen this coming week.

Correction: Last week, I believe, I told you that I was going to turn a half finished screenplay that had been sitting on my shelf for years into a novel.  That may still happen, but I've decided to finish the screenplay version of this story first.

Finally, today (Monday) I will be prepping for a medical procedure that I have to undergo tomorrow and every five years.  I'll be "out" for the procedure, but the prep is a bitch.  Those of you who have gone through this will know what I'm talking about.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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June 24, 2013

During the past few days, I have decided what my next writing project will be.

It's going to be a novel, based on an unfinished screenplay that I put on the shelf well over ten years ago and, virtually, forgot.  I guess other projects that came up pushed it out of the way.

Actually, it's an idea that I had carried around in my head for many, many years, but when I finally sat down to write it, my agent had died and most of my work was being done for Roger Corman.  The story, essentially a "fish out of water" comedy, was not a good fit for him.  So, my motivation to finish it was not strong.

Now, I've decided to abandon the screenplay and turn this story into a novel because, frankly, these days it's easier to get a novel published than a screenplay produced. 

On the other hand, whereas it would probably take me 6-8 weeks to complete the screenplay (I already have 40+ pages), I figure that the novel will take the better part of a year to finish.

Oh, well.  It's something to do.

On Tuesday, I have a meeting with a fellow about the possibility of turning my short story, THE OLD COOT, into a short movie.  Fingers crossed.

Not much else on the schedule for this week.  I do hope to have a conversation with the fellow who is designing the cover of my forthcoming second memoir, LIFE, LIBERTY & THE PURSUIT OF HOLLYWOOD, which is due out near the end of the year.  Once we have the cover, I can start working on the publicity materials.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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