L.A.nticipation

I'm a big believer in working and hoping. Working hard (and selling cleverly) and hoping to be the person who gets the surprising break. So I'm writing screenplays. One drama done. One comedy in the early outline stage. So far it's like trying to learn the craft as if it had never been practiced before.

Next week I go to Screenwriters' Expo to mingle with hundreds of other strivers, hope-junkies, delusional types, and some real, skilled - hell, employed - writers. Could change my life. More likely, I'll meet some good company and learn stuff. That's great. And California, I'll be making a small contribution - but only by some measures - to your economy. Throw me a bone, will ya?

My Wildest Dreams: to return from L.A. with a mentor in the person of a known, working writer. Realistic goal: meet a bunch of people more advanced than me who are willing to use the web to keep on meeting and teaching each other through good criticism.

As in an earlier year, Jay Leno and the Tonight Show will tape story pitches by Expo participants (It's "Toy Story" meets "Romeo is Dying"). Word is, the studio audience votes on whether the story is sold or not. And then the sale/no sale is revealed. I'll keep you informed about where and when to see this segment, but do not - I repeat - do not look for this guy on-camera.

In the meantime, it's great to be home. The Woman I Love (TWIL) is even happier than me. Does it have to do with my compulsive tidiness, my cooking skills, my svelte form? Doubtful. She unaccountably likes me; it's the core of her considerable charm.

[Swiped the photo from a Hollywood fan. Click on the title to go to the source. Apologies/thanks.]