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This week's Answer: That
Sickening Feeling of Success I
know what you mean, Anne, when you refer to that
"sickening feeling." I recommend that you
drink Malox or "Pepto Abysmal" when reading such
announcements about other screenwriters' successes.
Or, better yet, don't read them at all. It'll give
you a sickening feeling. Or... if you must read
them, pretend that all the names of the screenwriters who
are the "chosen ones" are all your own aliases,
that they're really all you. You've taken on many
nom de plumes because you don't want a lot of attention as
the accolades pour in for your phenomenal screenwriting
achievements (or because you just like French
words). Or, here's another way to approach the
problem: Read the announcements upside down.
Then they won't make any sense (which they often don't,
anyway). I'm sure you can do a headstand on your
desk chair if need be (unless your monitor is upside down,
which would then not make it necessary for you to do the
headstand). Of
course, I could reiterate some "think positive"
platitudes about it being best to think the best for
everybody else, including successful screenwriters.
But I won't. Not because I don't agree with the
idea, but just because sometimes I need to say to myself
(and anybody else around me who will listen), "Why
did they get all that money and recognition for their
screenplays, when mine is a thousand times better!?
When mine is the ultimate, quintessential,
ground-breaking, edge-of-your-seat, spine-tingling,
plot-twisting, character-driven, dialogue-rich, piece de
resistance?!" (It's always impressive to throw
in a French word once in a while to give the impression of
being cultured and knowing what you're talking about...
even while you're complaining). Ranting and raving
can be good for the soul. Not to mention whining (of
course, wining and dining is even better). It always
helps to have a good meal after that sickening
feeling.
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