Editing... it can be hard to take.
While on my flight last Thursday, I had a stimulating conversation with the guy on my row. After the opening niceties, he explained why he was having trouble with his hand movements. He said that he was recovering from an accident and a stroke.
Of course, I was interested in letting him tell his story --- at least all he wanted to tell. When he said that he was also trying to recover his singing voice, I mentioned how that was something I could relate to. I had also had an accident and was trying to retrain my voice. That was just the opener to other things that we found we had in common.
While on my flight last Thursday, I had a stimulating conversation with the guy on my row. After the opening niceties, he explained why he was having trouble with his hand movements. He said that he was recovering from an accident and a stroke.
Of course, I was interested in letting him tell his story --- at least all he wanted to tell. When he said that he was also trying to recover his singing voice, I mentioned how that was something I could relate to. I had also had an accident and was trying to retrain my voice. That was just the opener to other things that we found we had in common.
Come to find out, he had been working in Los Angeles in the film industry. But he was having trouble getting back up to speed after his accident, so he changed the subject and asked me what projects I was working on. I told him I was in the process of writing a children's picture book. I said that I had sketches with me, but they were in no state to be shown to people. However, I happened to have a copy of the book I finished last year. He said he'd love to see it.
Justin carefully studied each page and gave me meaningful comments about what was good or could be better on each page. The most encouraging critique he gave was that he could see everything in the storybook CINEMATICALLY. He praised my storytelling and said how he thought he would really have liked my aunt "Janie Thompson: The Girl from Nowhere Who Went Everywhere."
Most of what he told me was positive, but he did have a few criticisms that were a little tough to hear. It sure would have been nice to have a good editor to help me create that book in the first place.
Justin carefully studied each page and gave me meaningful comments about what was good or could be better on each page. The most encouraging critique he gave was that he could see everything in the storybook CINEMATICALLY. He praised my storytelling and said how he thought he would really have liked my aunt "Janie Thompson: The Girl from Nowhere Who Went Everywhere."
Most of what he told me was positive, but he did have a few criticisms that were a little tough to hear. It sure would have been nice to have a good editor to help me create that book in the first place.
Cruel Stepmother and Ugly Stepsisters When I arrived at my daughter's house in Washington, it was time to go see the show she was performing in. The local community theater was doing Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella." Carolyn was playing the cruel stepmother. (She did a marvelous job, too, I may say.)
I had never seen this particular production. It had many additions to the script that I was unfamiliar with. It also included some songs that kind of threw me. It seemed that they didn't really fit.
One of those songs was "Boys and Girls Like You and Me." This song had been written years ago for the precursor show that became "Oklahoma." It was pulled from that show because it just didn't fit. Then it was sold to be used in the movie "Meet Me in St. Louis." It was cut from that show, too. Apparently it had been tried in several more shows including "State Fair," and was cut from them too. (I guess a lot of brutal editing goes into the professional productions, too.)
Finally, for one of the several rewritten scripts for the Rodgers and Hammerstein "Cinderella," they jerry-rigged a scene where it could possibly fit. It is a scene written for the King and Queen in their dressing room. This song is supposed to show their tender romantic relationship.
It was still awkward. No wonder that song/scene is really only included in a couple of the currently available "Cinderella" scripts. I had never seen it before.
Criticism and editing can be hard to take as a writer. I understand how a song can be as special as one of your own beloved children. This cast did the best they could with the song, but if it doesn't fit, it ought to go.
One of those songs was "Boys and Girls Like You and Me." This song had been written years ago for the precursor show that became "Oklahoma." It was pulled from that show because it just didn't fit. Then it was sold to be used in the movie "Meet Me in St. Louis." It was cut from that show, too. Apparently it had been tried in several more shows including "State Fair," and was cut from them too. (I guess a lot of brutal editing goes into the professional productions, too.)
Finally, for one of the several rewritten scripts for the Rodgers and Hammerstein "Cinderella," they jerry-rigged a scene where it could possibly fit. It is a scene written for the King and Queen in their dressing room. This song is supposed to show their tender romantic relationship.
It was still awkward. No wonder that song/scene is really only included in a couple of the currently available "Cinderella" scripts. I had never seen it before.
Criticism and editing can be hard to take as a writer. I understand how a song can be as special as one of your own beloved children. This cast did the best they could with the song, but if it doesn't fit, it ought to go.
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