The OFFICIAL Unofficial Achewood Message Board
Trivial Pursuits => Wild Card => Topic started by: side_show on June 27, 2007, 05:22:55 pm
-
Things have been going swimmingly for me artistically. Unfortunately, I'm currently faced with a dilemma. I have several very wonderful opportunities on the table that all happen over the month and a half span. While it would be possible to take on all the opportunities, if I did, I'd be so stressed out that I'd not enjoy any of them. So I basically need to cut out something. It's killing me though.
Here is what is up:
1) The theatre company that is producing my play has invited me to come down to workshop another play I've just written as part of a festival. There is a lot of work involved in the preparation, but this could lead to this new script also getting picked up by them to do, and no matter what will foster my relationship with the company quite positively.
2) Out of the blue the artistic director of an important theatre company called me and told me he was reading a script and had me in mind for a particular role. The role is pretty interesting, and I've really, really wanted to foster a relationship with this company. The script itself is not that fantastic. However, the amount of time learning lines, rehearsing etc. would mean I'd need to take a leave of absence from opportunity #3, and that I'd be taking on opportunity 1 at the same time as opportunity 2. Also, in some ways I'm sort of done with acting, and in others I sort of feel like I want one last hurrah.
3) The children's theatre has asked me back to my regular gig there running workshops. I love working there, it's a 10 month gig that provides me with financial stability, and it's just a nice place to be. The job does very little for me artistically, but the environment is wonderful. If I take opportunity 1, I'd likely only need to take a little time off. If I take opportunity 2 or a combination of 1&2 I'd need to take a month to a month and a half off during the busyest time of the program. While they're willing to let me take whatever time I need, I know I would be leaving them in a lurch and that things would likely go to shit while I was away.
I know myself well enough to know I'd be miserable doing all three at once. It's too much, and I'd crumble. If they weren't all happening within the same month I'd be overjoyed to have these three gigs on my plate for the year.
-
I second Ash on this and add my observation that the "one last hurrah in something you are done with" thing... it's easy to underestimate how much work it is going to be and to overestimate how worthwhile it's going to seem. Because your perspective on the amount of effort it used to take is colored by the fact that back when you used to do this thing, you were working on building that career - all the work that went into any one project was groundwork for the future. When that's no longer true, you're no longer getting the same value out of the time you're putting into this one project.
Does that make any sense? I am sure that it does, but I am having a hard time explaining it.
-
If the script was better, I'd be more inclined to see your #2 as something worth your time. Otherwise "For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday."
-
You're a writer now, take the writing gig. That's a given. Take the steady gig, you gotta get paid. The only real question I see is do I really want to take this acting gig?
-
I went down to the office of the acting gig, fully planning to back out. Then the artistic director was so lovely and brilliant that I started to feel doubt. But since she was so lovely and brilliant, I just came out with it and told her I was having schedule conflicts, and she responded that nothing was set in stone on the company's end in regard to the schedule, and that I should go ahead with things all round and see what happens. I think I unintentionally have them in a bit of a corner. I am basically the only trained actor of my age and race around, and the play calls for an actor of my age and race. They could, of course, cast someone who looks Metis/Aboriginal, but that's a very political point in a city with such a high Aboriginal population.
So I've decided I'll take the role if it gets rescheduled, but not if it stays the same. It's an absolute "no" if it's at the same time as the writting gig. I've got a reading with everyone tomorrow.
The artistic director and the director are both brilliant people I want to work with, and as my career grows, I'd like to have them put on my play and/or direct something for their company. I'm just on the cusp of being the type of artists they'd consider producing, so fostering a relationship with them is a really good thing. If it comes to pass that I have to turn them down, I'm hoping to leave them wanting more.
Hooray for talking honestly with people about your concerns!
-
Hooray for talking honestly with people about your concerns!
Isn't it amazing how often and well that works?
-
Hooray for Smells. And you know, even if you end up not being able to do the acting gig, I think this still counts as starting the relationship that you want to have with them. Reasonable people don't resent you for saying no for a good reason. And, the unreasonable part of people is probably made to feel that you are even more desirable if you say no, of course.
So, speaking of literary career news, I just had an agent offer to represent the mystery that I wrote. The real reason though that this fits in this thread is - there is also another agent who is still reading it, so I have to email that one and see what's up. The other one is a bigger deal agent I think - but I am kind of hoping she just says no promptly, because otherwise I will have one of those Too Many Opportunities dilemmas where I can't say yes to more than one. And then I have exactly a fifty percent chance of making totally the wrong choice. AIIIEEEE.
-
Wombat, when it gets published will you read an excerpt at Olsson's?
-
So, speaking of literary career news, I just had an agent offer to represent the mystery that I wrote. The real reason though that this fits in this thread is - there is also another agent who is still reading it, so I have to email that one and see what's up. The other one is a bigger deal agent I think - but I am kind of hoping she just says no promptly, because otherwise I will have one of those Too Many Opportunities dilemmas where I can't say yes to more than one. And then I have exactly a fifty percent chance of making totally the wrong choice. AIIIEEEE.
Hooray for Wombat!
-
Wombat: Whichever one can best represent your work to the widest range of potential publishers, backed by industry experience along with a professional commitment to your project is the winner.
But how will I knoooowww....
But, it's too soon to worry. The second one will probably say no - most of the others have, after all.
And as far as whether Olsson's will have me for an author appearance... it's still IF it gets published at this point, so we'll maybe cross that bridge much much later on if very lucky.
-
A letter arrived at my house addressed to a certain ms Rebecca (Lastname which is what you get if you took my mom's last name, and changed one letter to make it italian instead of spanish). This girl is from my high school-- nice, unbelievably gorgeous, etc. I sent her an email telling her I got her mail, and that I will bring it over.
So. I guess there isn't really a paradox-- I am going to bring it over, say hi, chitchat, and then leave. It'll be awesome.
I suppose the alternative is that her dad answers the door or something.
-
Or she tackles you and drags you to the couch for long repressed maximum cuddles. In which case we expect an appropriately circumspect update.
-
oh, goodness.
Option three: "oh, that's funny, I haven't lived in that part of Charlotte in years. What is it, just junk mail or whatever? just recycle it, I don't want you to go to any trouble. How was your year?"
-
As long as it's non-creepy I'm sure you'll be fine.
I interned for an architectural firm when I was in college. They hired one of the world's smarmiest bastards as a designer. Guy was a total douche. He found a girl's University ID card. Rather than turn it in to the university, he emailed her and asked her to meet him to pick it up. (!!!) Surprise surprise, he never heard from her.
Anyway... on topic. Congratulations to side_show and Wombat... I know that the choices are agonizing but I'm happy that you have so many opportunities vying for your attentions.
-
wow.
I found so many ID cards. It never occurred to me to keep them as a way to meet the girl on them. I turned both ID cards and the credit card I found into the police station.
I guess my Game is not up to that level.
(and oh, by option three, I meant "this is what actually happened, she told me to recycle it.")
-
wow.
I found so many ID cards. It never occurred to me to keep them as a way to meet the girl on them. I turned both ID cards and the credit card I found into the police station.
I guess my Game is not up to that level.
(and oh, by option three, I meant "this is what actually happened, she told me to recycle it.")
No, you did the right thing.
I don't know what you guys think, but I feel that what the smarmy bastard did was creepy as hell. "Heyyy, I've got your photo ID and your real name, why don't you come meet me for drinks and I'll think about giving it back." NOT COOL.
-
A month or so ago I tried to do the right thing with a credit card that ended up in my possession.
I was checking into my hotel, after an all day concert festival. We gave the desk clerk our card, and she put it into a prehistory card machine. The machine jammed. She was flustered, so I started trying to figure out how to open the machines steel jaws. It turns out there was another card already in there. About a half and hour later, I extracted both the cards. The card that was in there was pretty chewed up, but still serviceable.
I decided that I would be an upright citizen and destroy the credit card. I folded it in half a couple times. The clerk stared at me, mouth agape.
"Why did you DO that?!"
"I...well... I figured this guy was down the road, and he probably reported it lost, and the card was turned off."
"No. He's upstairs sleeping!"
"oh...I... sorry."
-
No, you did the right thing.
I don't know what you guys think, but I feel that what the smarmy bastard did was creepy as hell. "Heyyy, I've got your photo ID and your real name, why don't you come meet me for drinks and I'll think about giving it back." NOT COOL.
Blindingly creepy.
-
Wombat,
This is great news!
When it comes to an agent, remember you are hiring them and not the other way around. If they're both open to representing you, it is completely legit to 1) let each of them know this, and 2) ask them for a couple references of other authors they represent and to then call these folks to gage their general satisfaction. If they balk at this, they're either messed up ego-wise or have something to hide, and that should be a flashing red light. It would also be useful to ask each of them which publishers they'll be targeting with your book (then look into these publishers to ensure you like what they do too), their track record of getting work published with said publishers, and any info they can share about their overall success rate with getting work published. Other than that, you'll want to check into what sort of cut they'll be taking and if it is standard. You likely have a local writers collective of some sort, and if so you should join if you haven't already - they will likely be able to advise you as to this and also provide additional support. Also, they'll likely have the inside goods on these agents and may have had experiences with them that authors provided as reference wouldn't likely share.
-
oh, I forgot this one:
I found a credit card, consulted the guy who was at the next gas pump, and ended up calling the credit card company. The guy on the other end basically cried with joy that I had not spent any money on the card. He was so happy about me not stealing any money.
so. This is the part where suddenly it clicks that wombat is talking to agents about a book. that she wrote.
Good job. You know, on the being awesome thing. The thing you do where... you're awesome.
-
One time I found a lady's driver's license in the street. Since her address was right there, I mailed it back to her. She sent me a nice thank you card. Other times I've dropped things off at police stations. I found a guy's wallet with a couple hundred bucks in it (in 20's). I gave that one to the cops, as I didn't want to deal with him if there had been, like, a thousand in there when he'd lost it.
Yes it was a struggle not to take a finder's fee. I left contact info in case the guy either didn't pick it up or wanted to reward me in some way. No dice either way. I got a nice smile from the desk sergeant though.
-
Ha, of course I don't belong to a writer's group because I am a socially inept geek who spends all her time on internet messageboards. But of course if I do need to ask for advice about the agents, I know where to ask on an internet messageboard.
And there is also a famous author in the neighborhood who I could ask if I had the nerve to move our relationship past the dog-stalking phase...
But, really, probably the second agent will say no. It is statistically likely.
-
I decided that I would be an upright citizen and destroy the credit card. I folded it in half a couple times. The clerk stared at me, mouth agape.
"Why did you DO that?!"
"I...well... I figured this guy was down the road, and he probably reported it lost, and the card was turned off."
"No. He's upstairs sleeping!"
"oh...I... sorry."
Good times. Congratulations all 'round, folks.
-
noooooo.... BOTH agents want me. And they both seem really nice....
Someone on the writer's messageboard said "We all wish we had this problem." But seriously, this is so miserable. I don't want to make the wrong choice. I don't want to reject someone really nice who loved my book and who I had a lovely conversation about tapirs with.
I have to call the first one again - I didn't ask her enough business questions because I was assuming I didn't have another choice - but I think I have to sleep on it and wait till tomorrow. My brain hurts.
-
Good luck, Wombles - I'm pulling for everything to work well for you!
-
If they are the sexy intellectual type, I suggest you have them oil wrestle for it. This is what all literary agents should do.
-
That's a hard choice, wombat, and not one I envy you, but I know whatever happens, you'll get a great agent out of it. Good luck.
-
If they are the sexy intellectual type, I suggest you have them oil wrestle for it. This is what all literary agents should do.
I was trying to think what would be the Iron Chef equivalent for literary agents. But all I could think of was stuff that writers could do - you get one ingredient of a plot and have to finish a story in an hour, and such.
The Technical Staff pointed out that I should not complicate matters by feeling so horrible about having to reject one when they both seem so nice, since basically what agents do is sit at their desk all day and reject 99% of the people whose stuff they read. I am trying to take this to heart.
-
Great news W. But yeah, don't sweat their feelings too much, I am sure they are professionals.
Miss Snark (http://misssnark.blogspot.com/) is a pretty good blog written by a literary agent that might give you some ideas for questions to ask. It's inactive now but trawling the archives is entertaining enough for me as someone who has never had any literary aspirations so you might find something to like in there.
This one (http://misssnark.blogspot.com/2005/09/it-aint-easy-being-greeeeeen.html) for instance is quite similar to the advice already given by SS.
-
Oh, I know about Miss Snark - I didn't know she quit the blog - how unfortunate.
Hmm, Miss Snark would certainly sneer at the idea of feeling so personally bad about rejecting one of these agents, I think. But perhaps instead of working I should search the archives to see if she discusses this specifically...
-
Hire 'em both.
-
Hire 'em both.
If only it worked that way!