6887/19807
I had a good personal training session today, where I lifted loads of weights and my stamina seemed good. My weight continues to go down, but then spring back up again every time I have a cheat day or two - Ernie’s birthday cake and some other treats did for me this week. I’d got down to 82.2kg and then sprung back up to 83kg today. This seems to be a regular cycle. I am happy with 83kg (which might be the problem) so it’s not totally frustrating, but I guess if I am going to push onwards towards being the low weight I was in my 20s then I am going to have to actually make an effort (if running 12 miles a week and the other stuff I am doing is not an effort). It’s hard when in the grip of a writing deadline though. It’s definitely the case that a blast of sugar helps me get into th right frame of mind. Getting close to having a fourth script in almost non-embarrassing state is a relief, but still leaves me with a mountain to climb. I am also having to take into account cast availability, which keeps on changing. Maybe I can just do six monologues from my character and if they’re based around subjects I’ve done stand up shows on then all the better. I am trying to sing the entirety of the Lost Islands opening theme in the episode I am currently writing. I wonder if that will make it through to broadcast.
I have to say, that as painful and slow as this process is, when I can get my arse on the chair I absolutely love writing for Ken and Margaret. I have taken a real life event that happened to mum and dad for episode 5 and reimagined it (and combined it with a couple of other things that have happened to them) with the characters in my sitcom (who certainly share some traits, but are increasingly quite different than my parents) and I love the way that the dialogue comes naturally and realistically and how (luckily) the first crack at it is usually the best, just for its authenticity. How would Ken and Margaret react to this situation? This is how.
So why does it all take so long?
Because, it turns out that you can’t just write some conversations and have to work out everyone’s journey and make it all gel. I’ve already realised the plot inconsistencies in previous episodes that I now need to address to make the whole thing work. If we didn’t actually have to record it at some point then this process would go on forever.
But once again I have to be thankful for cancer. Without that I am not sure I’d have enough to fill this series. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. And my next job, after I’ve squeezed this sitcom out of my brain rectum, is to write a book about it.
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