A Writing Journey

New Project is Making Me Laugh!

I've always been told mostly by wise people that is you believe in something and take a moment to step out of your comfort zone you will might amaze your self. And that's what I've done.

Most of my spec have been drama base like typical love stories some serious and others crazy with deep plots and shocking endings. That was my genre, which I still love today. But as writers we all search for a niche. Something we are good at. For example, Stephen King writes Horror and M. Night Shyamalan writes psychological thrillers. You have Eddie Murphy writing hard slap stick comedy with a few milder than others. The point I am making is that we as writers usually find a niche with sticks with you and resonates with your writing. Since most of my specs have been drama based with extreme subject matter that's what I wrote because it was what I knew. I didn't want to write anything I didn't know about. But wait a minute there were other things I could write about and it was funny.

So I had this conversation with my manager/husband about my writing style and he suggested for me to write a main stream story. "What? Are you serious?" I asked. He said, "Yes, you won't know if you have it until you write it, besides your a funny person and your always making people laugh!" Now of course I had to think about what he was saying, which was true. I was always the comic relief of some party and saying something that people always would see as hilarious. But I wasn't a comedian, even though some say I should be. I had never attempted to step out my comfort zone and write a main stream comedy. Honestly, I didn't think it could be done. It was a challenge for me only because I was stubborn to stick with my urban dramas and psychological thrillers, which have been rated as outstanding.

So I decided to take my husbands advice and write a comedy. I started with a treatment and outline and went from there. I started writing the spec and got to about 21 pages and couldn't stop laughing. Now I don't know if it was just me, so I gave the 21 pages to others to read and I was flabbergasted by the response. They said it was very funny! Wow, who would've know that I could actually write some that was funny.

So during the writing process of this particular script I started fumbling through some files on my computer and came across a draft (Another Story) I had started one year ago. I had started reading it and realized how dear this story was for me and with out any hesitation I just started writing 'Action lines and Dialogue" and before I knew it I had finished the story. I wasn't suppose to be writing on that project and since I felt confident that I could write comedy I just finished it. And now this new project has made me laugh, laugh, and laugh. The story turned out to be one of my best works to date. A romantic comedy, who would have every thought. Unfortunately, the other comedy got temporary pushed to the side and this project has consumed me completely.

Even though I felt it was good I needed feed back. Remind you writing anything funny wasn't my niche. So I decided to have several reading parties locally with friends and strangers. I wanted people who didn't know me be honest about the story line and content. It was amazing how much feedback I've received from this project.

The Story: Something to Remember
Logline:A Broadway dancer finds herself torn when the celebrity she's always been infatuated with takes a liking to her at the same time her close friend and dancer partner begins to make his move.

In-Brief Synopsis:
Something to Remember is a sassy rendition of any woman's fantasy. Funny thing in this story is it actually comes true for main character Alexandrea "Alex" Cole. The story is set in New York City, where "Alex" tries to headline as a dancer in a Broadway production, but finds herself in an ongoing flirtation with her dance partner Shawn Cognac who happens to be in love with her. But when Alex meet's her favorite "Hollywood Celebrity" Drake Washington who takes a liking to her. She is caught in a lover's triangle with extraordinary entertainment that will have you on the edge of your seat.

The story is very fun and entertaining with lots of dancing that is sure to keep anyone entertained. Locally the feedback on this story was so overwhelming that I've had request for a book version as well as a staged production, which is schedule for Summer of 2010. In the meantime I am seeking executive producers and key talent for the film.

Never say never, but put your mind to what you believe in the most and do it! Because I just did!

For more information on this project and reviews go to: www.shomaz.com

Thank for Reading,

Alecia Smith
www.Twitter.com/aleciasmith

Jul 10, 2009 9:02 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

An Urban Spec Available!

As a Black American screenwriter, I feel that its time for writers and actors alike to start pushing the limit towards their talent and not settling for the minimal. I am always seeking new ways to capture our audience in ways that's not expected. I feel it's time to focuses on that issue, and that's just what I've done in my recent full featured script.

This spec is an urban love story that turns psychotic and deadly, it also defines all the barriers of emotions. Each of these emotions is heart felt for the characters as well as the audience. It's truly a moving story. It's as real as it gets. I've taken a chance in writing a compelling story that I feel should be produced. So If you think you can help me in making these character's come to life. Contact me! Synopsis and Script is available.

Alecia

Mar 9, 2009 4:10 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

Oh, What a Pain!

Greeting!

I'm not much of a blog writer or really into talking about what's going on in my world. But for the sake of Story Link I will bilge a moments of written time to explain my endeavors.

It was just a month ago I had just finished with typing the words, "THE END" on my latest spec, when a sharp pain intruded my left arm leaving me with numbness in my last three fingers. Not knowing that too much typing can cause strain on the hands and limbs, let along carpel tunnel syndrome, in which was a diagnoses my doctor gave me just a few months prior to completing my story. Now he states, "It's a nerve compression, a simple nerve replacement surgery will fix it." That was ten days ago! So for the last few days, I've been taking it easy and since my script final words was complete. So I made the choice to have it critique. That's a script critique. I'm patiently waiting for the results and I'm sure there is more to work on, I'm open to that.

In the mean time, I really can't do much writing due to the 5 inch cut on my elbow and another 3 inch on a tendon near my thumb. Is it painful? YES! So I'm currently typing with one hand, trying to work on another re-write (Another spec), and do other things like run my business. It's hard but somebody got to do it.

Oh,What a Pain!

Alecia Smith

Feb 26, 2009 12:30 PM | Link | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Report Content

Another Bright Idea

Greeting Inklings,

Happy New Year to all the paper, ink, pencils, notepad, computers, and printers; but most diffently to all the writer's out there working hard to make 2009 the best year possible.

So what's the bright idea? Just another idea of a great story! For me I love creating or just thinking of new ideas that will either be a great story or a possible block buster movie. I am sure we all have done it before, where we think, we ponder and say, "Hey that's a great idea!" Quickly looking for a notepad and pencil to jot down some quick notes of the "Big Bright Idea". After a few notes, we either suffle it in a pile next to other bright ideas, or a box that says, "The Money Box", or file it away on our computers hard drives under "New Treatments(I do this)." But then what do you do when the idea is so complex and so good, then you wonder..."Has it been done before?" You have to ask that question, then become disappointed with you see another movie with similarities to your story.

So how do you handle your "Big Ideas?" I would love to know.

Jan 6, 2009 7:09 PM | Link | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Report Content

Greetings Creative Inklings

I do hope that the writing process is going well and all are being as creative as possible with their works.

For me, I have taken on a great task hoping it will pay off in the end. What is this great task? An actual Collaboration! A really good one I might add. The funny thing that has made me chuckle here and there, is the way most collaborations work. When I was introduced to a few people in the pass who wanted to do a "so-called collaboration", it was mostly about their works, their stories. I've said it before and I will said it again. "I want to to a untouched collaboration!" Something that has never been though of, something fresh and new. The story is orignal, new, raw, and has been created by the collaborator in the process of the story. We pick a genre and go from there. It's that simple. We do all of the creative process together.

That's just what we did! In my writing class I met a student with the same interest of writing scripts. The only thing is he has never attempted to write a script before. The more we talk about a collaboration, an un-touched, orignal, new, screenplay.

We have pick a genre.
We have created our main characters.
We have started our treatment.
We have started our storyforming
We have created our plot squences,and so much more.

Here is the catch! When you write a story as a collaboration, there are so many ideas that takes the story in different directions, as if the story is forming itself. The great thing about this collaboration, it we may actually have something pretty big. Now I am not just saying that, because most writers think all of their storys are pretty big, but when I say big, I mean BIG! This story is not like anything I've written before, and most diffently has surpass any previous works I've written. The story will be written in three different scripts, creating a more "Epic" story.

Our goal is to complete the story and do a possible pitch. It's just that simple. So my point is...it's okay to do a collaboration, however, the best collaborations are the ones you create together...Raw, untouch, new and orignal.

Maybe you should give it a try...Inklings!

Take Care,
Alecia
alecia@storyditto.com

May 14, 2008 4:05 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content