Some people talk about in-fighting. Well, today I want to talk about “script-fighting.” This is when I’m flip-flopping back and forth and I bicker myself to death trying to decide to keep or use a particular scene or character. And it drives me nuts! Why o why do I do this? Is it because I am an indecisive writer? Is it because I am an uber-perfectionist? What is my deal????

I was talking with a fellow writer friend last night over sushi. We went to a dive in Hollyweird that has the most amazing and delicious grilled octopus. Yum. I’m having flashbacks… But anyway, enough of yummy rubber fish grilled to perfection with a drizzle of lemon juice on it. We were talking about the paralysis of analysis and I was getting all worked up and going– that’s me! That’s me!

Sometimes I’m trying so hard to be Polly Perfect or Wonder Writer that I don’t just do tha dang thang. I know it, I’ve known it, and I will know it. Your first draft is always going to be crap. There, I said it. No bones about it.  Ok, now that I’ve made that confession on behalf of all the screenwriters (and novel writers maybe?) on the planet, let me make a disclaimer. I know some of us are Writing Einsteins and I’m not talk about you (Charlie Kaufman and the like).

But most of us feel like we had our wisdom tooth pulled after getting that first draft out. And maybe that’s the point… you only get your wisdom teeth pulled once! And once it’s over, it’s over. Same with a first draft. Once you pop that baby out, you can’t pop it again. So, you can exhale. Shhhhh (that’s the sound of exhaling). Ok, now it’s out there. It’s sitting there. And most of all, IT’S REAL.

You really have script-in-hand. So now comes another hurddle. I finally got out the thing that I loved that was hiding inside me like a baby kagaroo in its mama’s stretchy bottomless pouch. Now, I gotta look at that wet, red, thing covered in embryonic fluid and decide… do I love it? Or better yet, how am I gonna love this thing?… Called my baby… My script.

Now, here is where we (the writer) split into two distinct personalities and to use the analogy of a baby– called the mother and the father. Or, some say the angel and devil on their shoulder. Or, the evil twin and the good twin. Yikes!
Does love conquer all? Or does love always fail? That is something I am pondering as I look at this one scene I am contemplating in my rewrite. Am I an optimist or pessimist? Jennifer Hudson or Mariah Carey? Hopeless romantic or bitter shrew? Farrah Fawcett or Cheryl Ladd? Fried Chicken and Mashed Potatoes or a Weight Watchers frozen meal? The Giants or the Cowboys? Bungee jumper or couch potato? Kobe or Shaq? Aw, don’t bellyache about my choices. Don’t start talking trash to me about Kobe vs. Shaq. You don’t have to agree with my analogies. But, you get the point.

Ok, so after all this deliberating, contemplating, and rambling ruminating there’s two things I know: 1) I think I’m craving fried chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner and 2) the way I handle my “script-figthing” has a lot to do with  where I am in my life. Yes! Ahhhhhh. Aha. Aha. Aha!

That’s it! If I’ve just broken up with some no good scumbag, then love will always fail. If I’m hopelessly and madly in love, then it will endure. So where am I today? Well, I do not have a man, but I’m feeling incredibly good and light. I went for a 3 mile run today. The endorphins got goin’. I had a love-fest meeting with a client. And now I believe I can do anything.

Yes… I think the girl will get the guy. Yes, yes, yes.

Want me to help with your “script-fighting”? Come check out my script services at www.thescriptrighter.com

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Camille Tucker is a graduate of UCLA with a degree in English/Creative Writing.  Her filmmaking career was launched with a wonderful short film, “Sweet Potato Ride,” which was Executive Produced by Bill Duke (PREDATOR, DEEP COVER, SISTER ACT II).  Subsequently, Camille sold 6 screenplays to major studios, working with producers such as Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, John Singleton, Debra Martin Chase and Whitney Houston. Loving writing but fed up with being in “development hell” at the studios, Camille partnered up with her sister, Keta Brown, and they formed Pneuma Entertainment, LLC. Through Pneuma, they produce independent films. Additionally, Camille consults screenwriters through her company, The Script Righter.