Parts of Books, Handwritten Notes, and Journal Entries

Writers write, but they also read.-- and re-read. In fact, I don't think I do that as often as I'd like. I've had some new and exciting things happen in my life. What else can I pick up on in books I've read a few times that I didn't before?

Then there are the books I hadn't heard of before, like The Reading Life by C.S. Lewis. In the chapter titled How to Know if You Are a True Reader, the first way, according to him, is "Loves to re-read books."

I also read to be further inspired. Before I started writing the screenplay for Strong & Steadfast , before I even gave it any thought, I read Earl Hamner: from Walton's Mountain to Tomorrow: a biography. Many of you know, he was the writer and producer for The Waltons. He also wrote the script for 1973's made-for-TV movie Charlotte's Web. Now that I've been deep in the heart of working on the screenplay and learning about the film business, it was time to re-read this biography.

Hamner's personal "screenwriter's oath of conduct": First, do no harm. 

Although screenwriters need to cut the story and alter its concept, they shouldn't needlessly change the original author's words or meaning. Since I wrote the novel and its screenplay, let me do whatever so-called harm seems good to do. In fact, when I had some peaceful early mornings this past weekend to tweak it, I decided to make some scenes different, the dialogue either longer or shorter, and maybe even deleted some scenes and details. Hamner did that some when he wrote the script for Where the Lilies Bloom. Editing without mercy at its finest.

For some time now, I've been noticing small but no less meaningful words in Bible verses. Some I've been taking notes on are establish, bread, and the name of Jesus. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do with any of that, but I'm in no hurry. 

For many years, I've been reading a chapter a day in Proverbs. The word for this month as I read it is path. Webster's New World Collegiate Dictionary defines path as "a line of movement; course taken; a course or manner of conduct, thought, or procedure." 

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways (Proverbs 4:26, NIV, italics mine). 

Let me close with parts of yesterday's journal entry:

    I wrote a screenplay based on my upcoming novel. That's what I said between mid-November and 2/27/26.

    I wrote a screenplay based on my most recent novel. What I've been saying at times

-or-

    I've been working on a screenplay based on my most recent novel.

    Working on.

    Tweaking.

    And even more tweaking. 

    Also, asking for and receiving feedback, possibly 4 people.

    I have to come to a time when I really need to finish it, to submit it. Get to learn how to write a pitch deck. Pitch deck. What I wrote to look more into this week. It may be so hot I can't easily breathe or concentrate, but I can no longer or stall my progress. Take today off. Enjoy what's left of this glorious 4th of July weekend. A milestone to live in and be as much a part of as possible...

    What do I have to yield to now that I haven't yet? Still, it's interesting how I've amazed those around me. I'm amazed that I easily amaze them. It's not like I've arrived. Let me not do that while I'm here on earth...

    Let Him work within me. Let me quit stalling. Let me stop saying I don't know anyone. I need to stop that.

*Tentative plans for next week: To share with you a writing prompt, which, at this writing, I still haven't done yet. The theme: hiding something.