Last night at writers group we did notes on Nice Girls Don't Kill. I got some amazing suggestions. When I wrote the first draft I dialed it back a bit, trying to keep it PG 13 and keep my protagonist likable. The main note last night was to stop it. This is can be a lot like Grosse Pointe Blank if I let myself go.
I really enjoy cussing, I really enjoy quirky people doing ridiculous things as if they were perfectly normal things, and I really enjoy humorous violence. Last night the group pointed out to me that I muted all that in this script and the best thing I could do for this thing is to let myself loose. Unchain. Go nuts.
I'm keeping most of act one with a few adjustments, but after that I have to rewrite the entire thing. I don't care. I spent a few days working on a comedy of errors that made me terribly proud, and this new version will wipe all that. I have some awesome lines of dialogue I'll have to lose now. I don't care, because I have faith that what I will replace it with will be even better. I'm turning off my filter.
I can't think of a note I'd rather hear than to have more fun being more me. It will be a lot of work, but it will be awesome work.
My current script can be described loosley as Goonies aboard a UFO.
ReplyDeleteI am struggling to keep the cussing down to a managable PG-13 but in reality when a massively armed alien is bearing down on you what else is there to say but SHIT!
The problem really came into focus on my third rewrite where I am polishing it into first draft form. I had to draw a line in the sand (R vs PG(13)) and really work the dialogue to still bring out my brand of humor and thoughts in a churchy kind of way.
I guess that's why we get paid the big bucks. Eventually, some day... maybe.
I think I understand what you're saying Emily. Be true to yourself with writing?
ReplyDeleteWith my limited experience I've noticed I also try to keep the dialogue toned down initially but then I want to ramp it up when the scene calls for it - more like real life.
I read that family movies seem to be selling better than dramas and supposedly are more marketable.
Trouble is I don't know if I can write like that. I don't think most people don't say gosh and darn in real life - or do they?