Between gigs
At the moment, I happen to be between jobs, which is a nice way of saying “unemployed.” This is, unfortunately, a very common state for writers, even those with fairly successful careers. One of the biggest challenges of being a professional writer is learning how to deal with frequent bouts of unemployment without going crazy.
I’m extremely lucky in that I can afford to go without income for a while, thanks to the money I made while working and the residuals my union has fought to preserve. I realize this is a privileged position. So what is this particular writer doing to dig up some work? Writing a new script, for one thing. I considered writing a new spec pilot, but honestly, the TV business is so dismal right now that it’s hard to work up much motivation. Instead, I decided to revive a screenplay I wrote a first draft of a few years ago. The draft didn’t work, but I still love the idea, so I’m taking another stab at it. So far, so good.
I’m also continuing to develop comic book ideas with my buddy Gorf (the editor I worked with at D.C. Comics ages ago). We have occasional pitch meetings, none have which have resulted in a sale so far. But for me, the fun of brainstorming and developing ideas is worthwhile in itself. I really miss that part of being on a writing staff.
Gorf and I are also branching out into web series. I have no idea how to produce a web series, but we’ve hooked up with a producing partner who does. We’re hoping to move forward in the next couple of months. I may be biased, but I think we have a fantastic idea with long-term web series potential. At the very least, I hope to use this a learning experience to figure out how to work in a new medium.
The other project I’m working on came about in the most unexpected way. In my frustration with the TV biz, I decided to try something completely different. I started volunteering with the Red Cross. I found my way into Community Disaster Education, which involves giving presentations to local businesses, school groups, etc, on how to be ready for a disaster. It’s kinda like pitching, with a much more receptive audience. I really enjoy it. And as a bonus, I’m seriously prepared for the next earthquake, fire or tsunami to come my way.
Here’s the funny part: my volunteer supervisor Anna knew I was a writer. She asked for my help in developing some cute animal characters for a preparedness project aimed at kids. I worked up some characters. Then someone else in the office had the bright idea to turn them into a comic book. (I know, I know - why didn’t I think of that?) So now, I’m writing a series of short comic books about fire safety, earthquake safety, etc. for the Red Cross. Which isn’t at all what I had in mind when started volunteering. But I’m having a blast working on it. Even better, they’ll definitely get published. This work is all unpaid, of course, but absolutely worthwhile.
The moral I’m taking from this experience is that you never know where opportunities might come from. When you find yourself between gigs, you should definitely keep writing. But you should also get out of the house. Try new things. Pursue your non-writing interests. At worst, you’ll gather some material for a new spec. At best, you’ll not only enjoy your life a little more, you might find an entirely new door opening in front of you.