I’m sharing today two short blog writing-trails I’ve been down recently. As always, my hope is there’s something in my meanderings that might send you down helpful writing paths of your own.
My first little wandering, was instigated by a recent Paul D. Marks post[i] (Thanks, Paul…I think.(smile))
Paul posed the question to his readers of what would you do if you weren’t a writer. It was an intriguing question, and in thinking about my answer, my thoughts–after several professional considerations–led me BACK to writing. And you guessed it, ending up with ideas on how to improve my current writing. Here’s how the thinking trail went… 
Knowing what I know about my myself and where I am writing-wise——answering Paul’s question, I did arrive at being a Movie/TV Show Producer and/or Director (admittedly based only on outsider-knowledge of the professions). I do love movies and TV, and in my mind, producers and directors do all the great things in putting together a compelling story, like picking the setting, lighting, color pallet, sequence of scenes, casting…
Then of course, it hit me—in my rewrites, editing, endless agonizing reviews—I could improve my WIPs with a heightened producer/director perspective. A couple posts ago I talked about BBC radio dramas that I listen to on audio-books, and what I learned from them. Well, I’m thinking carrying that learning experience forward to the big and little screen, should broaden my writing reviews.
I should backtrack a bit, and point out my prevailing approach and perspective on writing comes from reading. And especially from the golden age. Updated by P.D. James, of course! So, adding radio and movie profession perspectives, though it may be obvious to some, was not such a straight line for me.
So, in my “backup” career as a Producer/Director, I’m in the process of adding some touches to my latest WIP to expand my movie production “Vision.”[ii]
My second Little thing–is weighing egoism, good sense, advice taking, and the shortness of life. Items/thoughts which are a continuing balancing act for me–especially during the editing process.
With foolish bravado the other day, I decided to pull out some boxes from my writing dark-ages with the point to toss or save. This impulsive housework-like behavior lasted about an hour before I said “the heck with this” and pushed them back out of sight into the closet. But in that hour of attempted work, I found several short stories I supposedly wrote in the 80s. I say supposedly, because my name (actually pseudonym at the time MM LaCour is on them with submittal envelopes attached)—but I just don’t remember them. Whoever(smile) wrote them, evidently thought they should write however they wanted, convention be damned. Egoism, front and center.
Fortunately since then, I’ve been exposed to marvelous advice on writing. Indeed, so much about writing can be learned at conferences, seminars, from books, (plug) and especially here at “Writers in Residence.” Good Sense and Advice taking.
Paul’s post and the pulling out that box path-meanderings, have brought me here. All this “stuff” is excellent for thinking about, and to use for “how to.” But all important, is keeping in mind tomorrow is not promised. And all these thoughts and paths mean nothing–if I/you don’t write. Which has led me to the main thought I would like to pass on from these two little combined posts—–write as much, and as often as you can. AND most importantly, Enjoy the journey!
Definitely interested in hearing your thoughts on Paul’s question(which I’m still thinking about), and what “perspectives” you might be using for your writing reviews. And here’s hoping, my ziggy/zaggy comments will help you make your next work “a stellar production.”
[i] I Write Therefore I Am by Paul D. Marks. https://www.sleuthsayers.org/2020/08/i-write-therefore-i-am.html?fbclid=IwAR2Bd1kSxrMyvgkFVS8AO3GcmU4ElEcYINye_-W8lOp84TJTim9emcmFoYY
[ii] Still working on a novella “Never Forgotten,” and in this period of having plenty of time, it’s much slower going than it should be. 
The Writers in Residence 
It’s interesting to see how people respond to this, Madeline. Good luck in your career as a movie director 🙂 . And thanks for the shout out.
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Your post was such a “make you think” article, and I’m still pondering. I haven’t come up with any other career path I would want to go down, so yes, I’ll be directing now…my writing!
And yes, like you, looking forward to what others are thinking. “Lights, camera, action…”
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Boy, did your post get me to thinking. And thanks, Paul, your question about what would I have been had I not been a writer was eye-opening, mainly because I never wanted to be anything else since I was twelve and have never had another thought in mind. But when Mad mentioned wanting to be a producer/director I immediately thought about what we writers do after that first or even fifth draft… We edit. That’s what a director or producer does. He looks at the pieces, adds here, takes away there, polishes and forms that idea into a much clearer picture. He enhances it and makes sure all the pieces fit. That’s what hopefully we do when editing our work, so I guess one of our other jobs besides being a writer is producing the best product we can. Great article, guys. I learned a lot.
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Yes, wasn’t Paul’s question thought provoking? And knowing how much you love writing, and the expertise you have–as I would expect, you were quick to recognize the connections between directing/producing and writing. I had to meander a bit(smile). So glad you found this post thought provoking. I couldn’t ask for more.
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Definitely a thought-provoking post, Mad. My first thought about what I’d do if I stopped being a writer was that I’d go back to my other profession as a lawyer–but since I’ve been inactive for so long, that would definitely be a challenge. And one of the things I liked a lot about being a lawyer was the writing involved. Contracts, and not fiction… although I’ve always said that contracts are just another form of fiction!
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Love your line, Linda, “although I’ve always said that contracts are just another form of fiction!” I’ve also had earlier professions, but for me, I liked what I did (mostly!,) but there wasn’t the “love” I have for writing.
With all your books and successes, I can’t imagine you not being a writer. There’s another line of pondering there…when in someone’s life, and under what circumstances determines very much how you think of them…
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Hmm. What profession would I chose if I weren’t a writer? Honestly, I’ve wanted to write (and publish) ever since I was a little girl. Oh, I went through the usual “When I grow up, I want to be a detective, air line stewardess. . . .” But none of those lasted very long. Wanting to be an author did.
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Yeah, writing clearly was “it!” for you. And I’m sooooo glad it is. I have “Out of the Woods…” and waiting for the perfect day to read. I love your writing.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Patricia.
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Mad – you did strike a nerve! I really feel alive when I am writing, but realize that I don’t allow myself the ‘luxury’ of doing what I really love, because I don’t feel entitled or that I deserve to do what I really want to do. If someone around me has a problem (like the Woman’s Club being robbed by dastardly crooks) I feel I have to help others first. But that’s my own excuse… maybe I am really afraid that readers would find my writing rubbish. Goodness, this is turning into a therapy session! Two things I would love to have tried – to be a ballerina or to be a detective!
And I realize I do write all the time in snippets – backs of envelopes or receipts. Does that count?
Thanks, Mad, for a great post!
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Rosemary, what a fun short story or novella that title would make!!! “Dastardly Crooks Rob the Women’s Club.” Okay, would there also be a murder? What was taken other than money (a treasured, irreplaceable object from the 20’s), who would be the detective, the main villain, how would they “almost” get away with it? What clue surfaces that finally points the detective in the right direction, but nearly kills him before he succeeds??????????????
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Paul’s question certainly has led to some very thoughtful considerations for a lot of us. I’m still pondering–especially on “fooling myself” on several fronts. Thank goodness we don’t have to pay Paul shrink rates for time spent thinking about his question(smile)! Yes, I can definitely see you as a ballerina, and now I can’t get the picture of you twirling around on your toes out of my brain….
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You found me out, Madeline, I’m a shrink in my spare time. You can send payment in the form of Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts 🙂 .
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Oooh, good question, Mad. Like many who commented here, I’ve had a list of other occupations throughout my life, including TV news producer, travel agent and (wannabe) fashion designer – still have my portfolio of original designs from the sixties – attention Hollywood : ). In most of my previous positions I had to write, so I never strayed far from the field.
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So, you’ve always been bringing various perspectives to your writing. Great! And hopefully Hollywood IS listening…or visiting our blog (smile)!
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Paul, I love Krispy Kreme, plain glazed! Unfortunately none out here, but if I ever see one again–you’re do for several dozen! (smile)
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