I am in the UK today, here to do a book signing at Foyles bookstore at Charing Cross (how cool is that?) and to teach a workshop this weekend — and I am thrilled. I love what I do! I have a passion for telling stories, and helping other writers tell theirs.
And as I travel the world talking about Save the Cat! I must pause here on Thanksgiving to think about how grateful I am for what has happened this year. I am grateful for all the new friends I’ve made, and the old friends whom I am closer to than ever. But the thing that I am most grateful for is the bigness of the possibilities available to us.
It literally takes my breath away.
In the first Save the Cat! I talk about how it is written for those who want to “swing for the fence,” and that still holds true. The many ways we can be fulfilled as writers and creative individuals are truly amazing. Traveling around the world reminds me of the global market that is available to us, and the many means by which we can communicate and have our vision turned into reality. I grew up with a Dad in the business, who, as an Emmy-winning TV producer still had to deal every day with a marketplace that was quite limited. He had three places to sell to: CBS, NBC, and ABC. If he had a bad meeting with Fred Silverman at CBS, Dad was down to two networks. And that was it.
Compare and contrast to now and we truly can be thankful that there are literally thousands of ways to tell our tales, and more being realized every day.
It’s a big part of what the WGA strike is about. The sharing of Internet profits that is the key sticking point will be resolved. And I am hopeful that new talks planned for next week will settle the issue sooner than later.
But as we take a time out, it’s a good moment to reflect on where we are in the bigness of our own dreams. Let’s take a moment to assess where we are, and what we need to do to get where we’re going. I remind myself too of the importance of dreaming big. Big old world out here, lots and lots of opportunities, nothing but possibilities.
So have some turkey for me back in the states, dream big, and imagine the home run you are going to hit in 2008.
Can’t wait to cheer you on!
Blake Snyder
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Thanks for your Thanksgiving blog, Blake! Enjoy London, and I’ll see you in LA next month.
Best, Brian
Like Sushi? go to Zuma in Knightsbridge, excellent!
Or J Sheeky’s near theater district and get the Dover Sole. Or for the best Italian, go to Zaffarano near Knightsbridge…and get the Barrato Cheese salad with roasted eggplant!!!! one of the best meals I ever had.
And I am thankful for you! “Quality Time” is coming along nicely, by the way. Thanks for your advice on that. Can’t wait to write the gator-wrestling scene!
Amy
Hey, Blake. Just thought I’d write here to thank you for a quality course in screenwriting. It truly was a transforming experience. I learnt that structure is vital, all movies are about change and that London is actually just as cold as the North of England. Didn’t manage to get my hands of STC: Goes to the Movies though but I think I’ll order one here.
Thanks!
James.
Blake, too bad I heard about this after the fact — I too spent the Thanksgiving holiday in London, and I would have come by to say hello had I known you were there. (I met you at the NYC book signing evening before your workshop a few weeks back.) Cheers!
Hey Blake – great new website! You look FANTASTIC in blue, though I do have to say the shirt reminds me of a waiter job I once had in Chicago.
I just read the entire second book in one night! I left out the films I haven’t seen, which were few. And I must say, I am loving your parenthetical comments. Keep ’em coming! My neighbors might have heard me laughing out loud at 3:00 am at the comment in the Legally Blonde section about the bend and snap routine: “That I still wish someone would explain to me.” ME too! You have used one of my favorite movies and many others as supreme examples of just exactly what you have been talking about and trying to get into our stubborn little writer skulls (ie: But my idea IS original! It’s Ordinary People meets Waterworld! No one has EVER done that!)
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm. Now I am ready to continue tackling my first draft of the quirky comedy turned musical.