It’s actually only three days into Camp NaNoWriMo since July 1 was on Tuesday. But still, this is technically Week One. And here’s your Week One update on my script writing progress. As of this moment, I’m up to 1805 words out of my 10,000 word goal. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Trying to write a script definitely has its challenges. For starters, it’s hard to let go of all my flowery description. Script writing is stark compared to novel writing. I can’t extrapolate about what the characters are thinking. I can only really show the “doing.” So if there’s a reason behind an action, I have to make it obvious. But not so obvious that I’m spoon feeding the audience.

For example, if a person needs to be shot in the face at point blank range, I have to make sure that I show why he/she deserved it. Or why the other character with the shot gun decided to do it. Even if the reason is just insanity. I can’t explain the behavior by what’s going through the character’s mind in the moment like I could in a novel. Though I could use a flashback sequence to bring up a bit of history between the character that resolves itself with the shotgun in the face. That is nice.

So far I’m seeing great stuff from my virtual cabin mates AKA The Cool Cabin. We’ve got a Black Queen, a Pickle Lady, and a woman with a spine of steel as some amazing characters coming out of our collective creativity. Reading what they are putting out daily is super rewarding, and it gives me a kick in the pants when I don’t feel like writing.

Speaking of writing, here’s an excerpt of what I’ve been up to this week at camp!

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EXT. DESOLATE DESERT LANDSCAPE- DAWN
The sound of wind is heard for a moment until it is broken by the sound of a motorcycle changing gears off camera. NAOMI TRUTH materializes over the horizon on the motorcycle heading directly toward the camera at great speed. Seconds after her lone figure is visible, we see she is being pursued by THE GANG.

NAOMI TRUTH
Looks behind her to see THE GANG coming closer. She twists the accelerator harder, one hand coming to her stomach in a protective gesture.

THE GANG
Taunts NAOMI TRUTH as she tries to pull away. They speed up to surround her.

SUDDENLY, NAOMI TRUTH
Swings the motorcycle into a slide, stopping the bike and facing her pursuers.

GANG MEMBER #1
(condescending)
Well, well. Looks like you’ve come to your senses.

THE GANG
Laughs and jeers

NAOMI TRUTH
Fingers something under her poncho behind her back keeping her eyes on all the GANG MEMBERS at once.

GANG MEMBER #1
Grab her, Sparks. You won’t be causing any more trouble now, will you?

NAOMI TRUTH
Appears docile but continues to play with something under her military poncho.

SPARKS
Leaps off his motorcycle, jostling a young, scared looking teenage boy, JACOB, who had been sitting behind him.

JACOB
Squeaks in fear of falling off the motorcycle.

SPARKS
Smacks JACOB on the back of the head for making noise.

JACOB
Bows head in fear of another painful blow.

SPARKS
Approaches NAOMI TRUTH with suggestive pelvic thrusts as he steps closer.

NAOMI TRUTH
Narrows her eyes, the first sign of resistance.

SPARKS
(suggestively)
Come on, baby. You used to like me. A LOT!

NAOMI TRUTH
(defiantly)
That was a long time ago, Sparks. Things have … changed.

SPARKS
Moves closer to NAOMI TRUTH reaching out with one hand as if approaching a wild animal.

SPARKS
You better come with me if you know what’s good for you.

NAOMI TRUTH
You don’t own me anymore.

THE GANG
Laughs and mocks

SPARKS
Lunges toward NAOMI TRUTH almost grabbing her wrist.

NAOMI TRUTH
Reveals the sawed off shot gun she had under her poncho and blows SPARKS away.

THE GANG
Goes quiet as SPARKS falls to the ground.

NAOMI TRUTH
Takes advantage of THE GANG’S shock to blow away GANG MEMBER #1.

GANG MEMBER #2
Screams in fear and turns his bike back the way he came.

GANG MEMBER #3
You fucking pussy! Get back here!

NAOMI TRUTH
I’d say he’s the smart one. You should follow him unless you want to die now.

GANG MEMBER #3
Bitch, you don’t scare of me. And now you’re out of ammo. What are you going to do one on one?

GANG MEMBER #3
Brandishes gritty bowie knife

NAOMI TRUTH
Reveals her second sawed off shot gun and uses one hand to pump it demonstrating that it is loaded.

GANG MEMBER #3
Ah, shit.

NAOMI TRUTH
Pulls the trigger, killing GANG MEMBER #3 on his motorcycle.

GANG MEMBER #3
Slumps to the desert floor with massive chest wound pouring blood onto the white sand

NAOMI TRUTH
Swings the gun around to point at JACOB.

JACOB
Squeaks and cowers

NAOMI TRUTH
Do you want to go back to that life?

JACOB
Shakes his head vehemently and shivers.

NAOMI TRUTH
I’m going to take their fuel from the tanks. Check the bodies for anything useable. And grab the weapons. We may need them.

JACOB
Rushes to do as he’s told.