• Here’s the Story

    I wrote a book called The Forest for the Trees and it’s an advice book for writers. This blog hopes to continue in the spirit of the book, answering basic questions such as how to write an effective query letter to more complex issues involving writers' personalities, especially but not limited to their self-destructive proclivities. But mostly, it’s a place to regularly vent about publishing.
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L.A. Confidential – Day 1

As some of you may know, I was “invited to leave” NYU’s Film School after my freshman year. I had some issues including sleeping through movies, but far worse apparently was my predilection for 180 degree pans in my end of year film, a biopic of my boyfriend.

As a result, I was shuttled into Washington Square College of Arts & Science. I still remember the parting words of my professor, “Why don’t you go away and read some books. Come back in twenty years and make your movies.”

It’s 31 years later and….Good morning Los Angeles! I’m here to try and sell book projects for film. Bringing a smile to my face are huge billboards everywhere of the HBO movie of Temple Grandin’s life. If I had a camera, I’d spin completely around so you could see everything. Tomorrow a.m. meeting on the Warner Lot with BDP (Big Deal Producer). FMD.

Star meter: 0

12 Responses

  1. Good luck from a snowed in Washington DC! Bring us some good news.

  2. Absolutely loved the movie. I kiss Temple’s hem. What a woman.

    Good luck with your pitches.

  3. Have total faith in you. And NYU didn’t know what it was missing. (Just as the Girl Scouts didn’t when they booted me out when I was ten.) Kick some ass.

  4. Wishing you great luck in LA, Betsy. I was also shuffled around at NYU, by my own choice, though. Absolutely loving JUST KIDS. Can’t put it down. Is it my imagination, or do I sometimes hear your voice in it? Beautifully written.

  5. Jewel: I was so nervous about playing Madison Square Garden with Neil Young. I told him I didn’t know what to do. He said, “Jewel, it’s just another hash house on the road to success. Show it no respect.”

  6. Hopefully you’ll have the deserved gratification of having the BDPs fawning over your Patti Smith book, if that’s one you’ve brought. Let them line up. Tell them the movie will have to include several 180 degree pans.

  7. Ms. Grandin is simply awe inspiring. I can’t tell you how many copies of Animals in Translation I have given away. I keep buying replacement copies for myself. Can’t wait to see the movie.

    Rock on.

  8. Good luck. I have a good feeling about this for you.

  9. Understand so well the desire for a 180 spin, especially on a failed relationship—hindsight what it is and all.

    Kicked out cred– priceless.

  10. It comes around.

    I was kicked out of Sunday School. For humming.

    Too bad I never made it big as a Christian rock singer.

  11. Man, I love stories like that! Suck it NYU!

  12. How exciting! Enjoy your time. Oh to be a fly on the wall…

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