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art, Business, Facebook, fine arts america, ideas, inventions, Montreal, Performing Arts, plan of execution, plans, plays, social media, stage 32, Stage play, tenacity, theatre, websites
An idea without a plan of execution is like a balloon with no helium. I read this status update on FaceBook where I have been dipping in and out of for a few weeks now.
This particular phrase runs pretty deep with me. It takes me back to my father and his abilities and dreams that he never had time to fulfill. I remember very clearly the advent of the Tent Trailer happening. My dad, upon hearing of it shared with me his drawings (he was a design draughtsman). Sure enough he had invented the Tent Trailer eight years prior. I was so distraught at the unfairness of it all. “Dad, you did this eight years ago!! What happened? This new way of camping should have your name on it!” He just shook his head. “Well, I thought of it first but it’s too late now.” Hence, my need to follow through on at least 30% of my ideas. While I keep a list of inventions, it is doubtful I will have enough time in my life to see any through either. I get it now …
and so – having a working plan of execution that may or may not be completely fulfilled remains important to me. No need to make lists that I will never get through. I just pick a couple or four things at a time to make it all semi-manageable.
For the most part I am working on a plan of execution for my stage play that several generous people here on WordPress gave feedback on. Wonderful advice and insight. Thank you!
Now giving it legs and wings is another undertaking. The easy part (for me) is over and the difficult part of the journey begins. Shopping it out.
The choices are:
- Publish it on Amazon at a ridiculously high price. Say 15,000$ and hope that someone not only buys it and all of the rights but that I become known at the same time for doing something so cheeky that I manage to get ‘brilliant – outside-the-box thinker’ attached to my name. HERE is a fine example of a writer, Sheridan Simove, who made something out of absolutely nothing and garnered press about it (albeit self generated).
- Shoot from the hip (which is my usual MO)
- Open a discussion on Stage 32 which is a social networking site for screen play, theatre, film and acting. Ask what they may think.
- Hit the road. Door to door locally as there are only five English language theatres here in Montreal. This is the scariest of all to me as I have no resume to back me up. I picture the response – Who are You? What have you done in Theatre? Why would we even consider a newby to the Business?
- Find a competition or two to enter. My problem with this is the vast amount of competitions and of course validity. There is more research to do here …
How about a show of hands? I have never incorporated a Poll into a post before 🙂
Apart from actually just thinking I have also been exceeding my own expectations of doing.
- While making a minor change to my website at LesleyFletcher.com, I managed to lose the template, a couple of photos, a couple of pages and as a result re-did the entire site.
- Started a new book ‘The Journey of the Gypsy’ because I still have more to say on the matter. This is a smarter book than the last as I will not incorporate any of my art and I will keep the format standard – 6 x’s 9 inch. No squares, no glossies, no visual panache. Just me and the words. I have a cover planned but it is very preliminary.
- Opened an account with Fine Arts America and uploaded 80 pieces to sell as reproductions.
- Find myself writing more and more Content for others to buy. I know I should take this further as my payment for service is quite tiny but I just don’t have the energy or time to spread my wings any further than they are.
- I have been reading many posts but not stopping to comment too much and for that I apologise.
My Plan of Execution following my Initial Plan of Execution which I started four years ago is still in its infancy but indeed it is a Sound Plan of Execution!
Thanks for coming by. Have a wonderful rest of the week. Lesley xx
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- Social Media Strategy: “I don’t think my audience is using social media.” (digitalsurgeons.com)
- Activity 10 argumentative outline by Janaea Coleman (practicefreedomeng.wordpress.com)
http://aaronline.org/
Lesley–^^^^ the above is a great resource for authors of all genres. It’s called the Association of Authors representatives–and it’s an intuitive guide to all literary agents.
Also: Poets & Writer’s database of Literary Journals—http://www.pw.org/literary_magazines
Also–duotrope weekly newswire of submission calls–https://duotrope.com/
Also–crwroppes–weekly newsletter of submission calls—http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crwropps-b/
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YOU are an amazing resource too. Thanks so much for your critique. I just downloaded it now. I know I will have some work so waiting until I have a couple of hours straight 🙂
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YOU made my day…and please, don’t hesitate to e mail vis a vis critique if need be. I hope I helped and I liked all your characters personalities. Like “real people” liked, especially unexpectedly cool Nana!!
I am off to chef it up, & shop too, ugghh…
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I hit shoot from the hip, which isn’t really a sensible option in this instance, Lesley. I don’t even really know what it might involve, but it does seem to me that you are working mighty hard, and with direction and determination. That’s a lot going for you. And using your blog both as resume and to seek advice is pretty good too. Best of luck. 🙂
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Merci beaucoup 🙂 – I knew you were a dangerous woman!
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Competitions, play festivals, often good places to start, I hear.. Down here, I’m often drawn to short play festivals, only because one gets to watch a bunch of diverse plays over a day, a night, or a weekend. Like this one.
http://www.shortandsweet.org/
Longer plays are good too, just time stops me from getting to them as much as I’d like too.
It’s breaking into the world of theatre that takes time, start building yourself a network, show an interest in local productions, how they’re put together, and their collectives (people). The old world word of mouth is still often the one which will open more doors to possibilities, while digital aspects can free up distribution, marketing, and presence.
Time may be the biggest issue being a diverse artist, but most certainly worth building the connections. All the best with each endeavour, Lesley…
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So true Sean. Time is my biggest issue. Having been a late starter has not helped either. To actually go face to face into any one group is a huge undertaking and commitment not to mention the potential of politics :). That is why I left it off the list.
Jack of all trades and Master of none makes for a long road. Thanks for the link and your wishes.
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Hi Again Sean – I just submitted to Short and Sweet. Thanks again for suggestion and link.
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You have a few short plays around the place, or have you just written a new one.. I’ve been following the festival locally for a few years now, much fun to watch the diversity.
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I only submitted the one short that was properly formatted. The rest are not complete for submission. The problem is I was writing them in word when I should have been using a software for plays and screenplays. At $20 per submission I can’t afford to have any tossed because of technical errors. The competition is too tough 🙂
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Good luck 🙂
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oooo these are all good ideas Les! Somehow I must bookmark this and check it out for self ..thank you.
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😀 haha Susan. So happy you are feeling better!
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I say enter competitions (my choice in the poll) to get your feet wet and then delve further as you gain confidence.
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Gaining confidence does happen over time and experience. Will be working on my pitch. Synopsis is done. Thanks Christy
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I hope you find what you seek. You are so talented and deserve a break into what your heart desires. I wish you peace, personal satisfaction and happiness in your endeavors. Enjoy the journey.
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Thanks Mary, those are such kind words – I figure if I don’t actually try – it truly won’t happen.
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I think you should Hit the Road and Submit works for Competitions. As for your resume . . . wordpress it your resume and with a steady following and positive feedback you could show anyone that your words have the power to touch people.
– Jae Lei Nyght
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BTW, I love your theme . . . lol.
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Thanks Jae Lei 🙂 so do I. Can’t change it because the same will happen as did with my website!
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I wondered about using my posts. Good thing to consider. I appreciate your input very much.
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