Hillary DePiano's Blog, page 75

Script Frenzy Advanced Page & Word Count Calculator Widget (now with charts!)

I know that some of you out there are as obsessive as me when it comes to trying to track your progress and work habits during Script Frenzy so I decided to share my personal calculator. It's simple but very powerful. (If you aren't sure why you should be taking such an in depth look into your daily writing habit over the course of Screnzy, I invite you to read this article.)

This calculator will work in Open Office, Microsoft Excel or Google Docs, depending on what you use. But it works best...

With whooping right in the name, you'd think it'd be more fun…

(Photo credit: poisonivyism)

So, remember how I was really sick? I went through all my prescription meds like a good girl and went from "OMG I'm dying!" to "Very Bad Cold" which seemed like a big improvement so I figured I would be better before I knew it.

Except… I didn't get much better than Very Bad Cold. I finished all my meds and, while I was definitely better than I was, I certainly wasn't "better" in any conventional use of the word. I was still coughing all the time and having trouble b...

Meanwhile, on my other blogs… March 25, 2012

Don't read all the sites I blog for? Here's what you missed in the last week outside of HillaryDePiano.com.

E-Commerce & Social Networking Week in Review March 24, 2012Straight from the source, here's what happened in the world of e-commerce, social networking and selling online in the past week: One year of Syrian protests, Japan Earthquake anniversary, Clooney visits Sudan Everyday on the CitizenTube channel (and @CitizenTube on Twitter), along with our curation partners @storyful, we look...

What should I be doing to prepare for writing a script this Script Frenzy?

The advice I'm about to give you really applies anytime you write a script but it especially applies if you're a first time script writer. With Script Frenzy only about a week away, many aspiring script writers are about to dive into the process for the very first time and may wonder what they can do to prepare. I'm not talking about outlining your ideas ahead of time: if your creative process is to map out your ideas ahead or time or write by the seat of your pants, either is just fine...

I *can* picture that: On my Muppet obsession

We need to talk about this:

If you can't watch the video for some reason, it's The Electric Mayhem (the most awesome Muppet rock band since The Riverbottom Nightmare Band and props to you if you know who they are) as the musical guest on Jimmy Kimmel last night. The non-Muppet is from Blink 182. I think his name is Travis or something. He is a very good sport.

Jimmy Kimmel: Friend to the Muppets. I approve of him.

Anyway, I need to talk to you about this little video for a moment. And, yes, I'm ...

When your readers are more attached to your ideas than you are (Killing their darlings)

I'm talking Wife Novel out with Long Suffering Husband:

Me: I'm just not sure if that motivation makes sense anymore.

LSH: It does, because of [describes a scene].

Me: No, that scene isn't in the book anymore.

LSH: OK, but there's still [describes another scene].

Me: I cut that one too.

LSH: Yeah but [character] still…

Me: I actually combined her with [another character] when I changed everyone's ages.

LSH (in great distress): Is anything familiar still in this book?!?!

Me: No! Don't you see? This is ...

Meanwhile, on my other blogs… March 18, 2012

Don't read all the sites I blog for? Here's what you missed in the last week outside of HillaryDePiano.com.

E-Commerce & Social Networking Week in Review March 17, 2012Straight from the source, here's what happened in the world of e-commerce, social networking and selling online in the past week: [INFOGRAPHIC] Factors Driving Mobile Commerce Here at eBay we talk a lot about mobile commerce – with good reason – it's everywhere. The adoption rate of smartphones as well as the billions of apps...

The other other advantage to eBooks…

I'm walking around the house when I drop the book I've been reading. It falls, spine first, and falls open.

I lean down to pick it up and my eyes accidentally fall on some words at random. I don't consciously try to read them but I do anyway and it turns out these few words are somehow a massive and epic spoiler for a part many chapters ahead of the part I'm up to.

I let out a mighty growl of frustration as I snap the book shut.

Husband emerges and I explain what just happened.

"That would never ...

Event: Introduction to Script Writing at the Rockaway Library 3/15 at 7 PM

I know, I know. So many blog posts this week. I'm trying to get all my Screnzy posts up early so that they get shared and retweeted both before and during Script Frenzy. There is a method to my madness, I swear.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know about a talk I'm doing at the Rockaway Library tomorrow evening, March 15th at 7 PM.

Intro to Script Writing and Script Frenzy Interest Meeting

Have you ever wanted to write a script for a movie, TV show, stage play comic book...

Script Frenzy is underfunded: Here's how you can help (even if you have no money)

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Image via Wikipedia

Do you guys smell that? It smells like… coffee… unwashed writers and… popcorn? This can only mean one thing!

Script Frenzy is coming.

But my enthusiastic countdown to Screnzy excitement is tempered by this sad fact: The Office of Letters and Light (the kick-ass non-profit behind NaNoWriMo, Camp NaNoWriMo, the Young Writer's Program, and, of course, Script Frenzy) fell short of their fundraising goals for this year. I want to take a moment to ask for your assistance in...