I received some wonderful advice… Here’s the new and improved synopsis:

Who says men own the monopoly on sex fantasies? Pull the sheets off of one stay-at-home-mom’s dirty little secret in “The Fantasy Club.” Frances has just started to discover who she is outside of being a wife and mother. Mothers need to redefine who they are, squeezing their old self into a new role. And as your children grow—needing you less—what can you take back as your own? Are mothers more than their motherhood? These questions haunt Frances. But her life has more pitfalls to it than just raising children. She’s started writing poetry again, poetry inspired by sexual fantasies. Soon she’s face to face with the object of these fantasies and is given the opportunity to make them reality. Will Frances risk her family for her fantasy?

What do you think?

I hate writing synopsis’. Especially for “The Fantasy Club.” I’m not sure if it’s because it’s my first play, or because I’ve written and rewritten them so many times that I’d rather shove sharp objects in my eyes than work on it ever again. But, sigh, I want to get “The Fantasy Club” produced, and an awesome, eye-popping, attention-grabbing synopsis can help with that, and sharp objects will only lead to hospital trips (and that leads to hospital bills). I get why it’s important, especially when it goes off alone with only a sample, and you need the folks on the other end to like it enough that they want the entire script. Maybe it’s that pressure. I’ve yet to send off a 10 page sample and a synopsis and get a request for the whole script. And Marin Theatre Co.’s has some amazing theatre awards coming up that I’m planning on submitting to. And more than anything (well I’d like to win, obviously), I’d like them to request the whole script from me. So that’s where I’m at.

I almost can’t believe I’m about to do this (that’s how embarrassed I am about my synopsis writing skills)… But whatever. Here’s the newest synopsis that I wrote today:

““The Fantasy Club” follows Frances and her quest to discover who she is outside of being a wife and mother. Motherhood has so many more pitfalls to it than raising children. Women have to redefine who they are, and decide what about who they used to be will be left behind in their lives. And as your children grow, and they need you less, what you take back as your own? These are the questions haunting Frances. She’s started writing poetry again, poetry inspired by sexual fantasies. Soon she’s set face to face with the object of these fantasies and is given the opportunity to try them out in real life. Are mothers more than their motherhood? And will Frances risk her family for her fantasy?”

I don’t know if this works or not. Any feedback, tips, tricks, or words of wisdom would be cherished. I might even back you a pie! If you didn’t know, I make a damn tasty cherry pie. Email me any thoughts!

I had an interesting day yesterday…. I saw a movie and a play! Here’s a bit about my experience…

Let’s start out with my experience seeing Eve Ensler’s EMOTIONAL CREATURE at Berkeley Rep. One of the songs they played before the show started was “We Are Young” yes, the very same song that I wrote about before my vacation. You know the one about giving his lover a scar and not wanting to apologize for it? I should call up the Rep’s sound designer. He should seriously start listening to the lyrics of songs, more than just the chorus. Because if EMOTIONAL CREATURE is about anything, it’s about why we shouldn’t be violent to women like ALL of Eve Ensler’s plays. So things as you can see already weren’t going so well…. And then the show started…. Surprise! EMOTIONAL CREATURE is a musical. Yes, I went to a musical by accident. I really must learn to read descriptions of things better. For those of you who don’t know me, there is an undeniable truth to my being…. I hate musicals. Occasionally I’ll see one, I saw LES MISERABLES when my friend did it in college, I saw DRACULA, THE MUSICAL at La Jolla Playhouse and I slept through JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR once…. But I need warning, I need preparation. I do not need to walk into a theatre and get surprised by a musical. Oy vey.

Things got worse quickly. I don’t relate much to the poor me, the popular girls at school don’t like me whine that every story with young people includes. My high school wasn’t like that, it’s obnoxious, and I just want to hit all girls involved in the forehead and tell them to get over it. AND, this problem with juxtaposed with the other issues that teen girls deal with around the world, like sex trafficking in Eastern Europe, cheap factory labor in China, and the massive rape in Africa, makes me feel anger to all teenage girls living in America. Berkeley Rep also included some of the cheesiest graphics I’ve ever seen… At one point a girl was singing a slow song, and behind her there was an image of a window. As the song continued we slowly went through the window to soar through the sky. I almost laughed out loud.

It wasn’t completely terrible though. The acting was spot on, two of the actors in particular really stood out, Joaquina Kalukango was phenomenal, as was Olivia Oguma. And also the idea of the play… I can’t help but like it. The idea that the whole world tells young women to shut up and sit down and this play shows that young women deserve better than that. I agree. I do think that there is a more powerful way to convey this however. Structurally, the play sticks to THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES format, and I think it would be interesting to tell these stories in a different way. Definitely without the singing and the jazz hands. So, if you’re on the fence about seeing the show, I would say that it’s a pass. If you already have tickets, just know it’s only 90 minutes long, and there are some terrific monologues, especially toward the end.

Last night I saw MAGIC MIKE. Before you think it, I know. I know. But I have to say I was ever so slightly impressed, probably my expectations couldn’t have been any lower. Channing Tatum is an excellent stripper, and it’s obvious that he’s the only one of them that’s actually stripped. He’s got the moves. There were some older ladies sitting by my friend and I and they were on the edge of their seat. I was also surprised by the story and the cinematography. There was actually some great shots in the movie and that wasn’t what I was expecting. The story seems completely over done, boy meets exciting new world, gets in over his head, etc. But I was surprised when the boy does get in over his head, the friends who would typically fight for him and make him see that life wasn’t all about blow and sex, leave him. That I liked. I also liked that Joe Manganiello from True Blood was one of the strippers. Matthew McConaughey was downright scary though, just thinking about him gives me the shivers. To wrap things up, not terrible, if you’re up for a silly movie this is a pretty solid choice. I don’t know how enjoyable it would be if you don’t find yourself attracted to men though…

That’s all for now! The next show I’m seeing is The Merchant of Venice on Tuesday at Gough Street Playhouse.

Not sure of the exact date, but we’re close enough so I’m calling it. Happy anniversary to me! I’ve been writing plays for a year now! Not a bad year, here’s what I’ve done:

I’ve written….

2 full length plays 2 one act plays 9 10 minute plays

I’ve had…

1 play published (Bill and Kelly) 1 play produced (Her Special Day) 1 play read in a staged reading series (The Fantasy Club) And 1 play going to be read in a staged reading series (Abomination)

And, my submission count in my first year…

134 total submission!

Not bad, not bad at all. I can’t wait to see what I do in year 2! Stay tuned.

“Mother’s Day” (still a working title) has a finished draft. My next step is to print the whole thing out and take a red pen to it. Not sure why I have to print it, maybe it’s more satisfying, or maybe it’s helpful to see it in a different way (in your hand versus on the computer screen). After I butcher it, and sew it back together I’ll read the whole thing out loud a few times to myself. This one is a bit graphic so I’ll have to save it for preschool hours. I made the mistake of talking about “The Fantasy Club” when my daughter was around, and I was asking out loud is Max, the father/husband character should die. She thought I was talking about her dad. So now I try and keep things separate. After I’ve read it out, and I’m feeling good, I usually guilt friends into reading it with me on Skype. You know who you are. If it goes through all of these hoops without me wanting to rip it to shreds or burn it, scene night is next! And a REAL scene night, not a scene night that I make up in my head (that’s right, last night’s scene night was a figment of my imagination and I learned the hard way to double check websites for Holiday changes). What’s your process like?

I’m pretty excited for tonight. I haven’t been to a scene night in over a month, and tonight I’m heading into the city for a scene night with the Playwright’s Center of SF. Italy was great and all, but it’s time to go back to work! Tonight I’m bringing in the second half of the first scene opening ACT II of “The Fantasy Club.” I’ve reworked nearly all of Act II (I combined Act II and III), and I’m jazzed about where it is now. I’ve mapped out my month in scene nights, going back and forth from PCSF and the Play Cafe and between the two, I can get through all of my new scenes in just three weeks. Scene nights were really the only thing missing from Italy. I thought about making my husband’s family act things out for me, but considering all the crazy sex involved with “The Fantasy Club” I decided not to. My master plan is after these three scene nights I’ll (hopefully) put together one final read through of the entire piece before I start submitting it like crazy.

I’m also in the middle of tinkering with my other full length “My Sister’s Baby.” I had some fresh eyes on it, and I’m hoping to iron out a few trouble spots, but it’s surprisingly in good shape. I’m hoping to submit it to Aurora for their GAP project. And, because one can never do too much, I’m writing something new. It’s tentatively called “Mother’s Day” and it’s an all female cast! I’m hoping to keep it as a one act under thirty pages so I can submit it to BOA this fall, and I hope to have it ready to read for next month’s scene nights.

Curious about these scene nights? Come on down! PCSF’s scene nights are the first and third Thursday of each month from 7:30-10. $10 for non-members, free if you belong. The address is: Theatre 250, 965 Mission, Fl. 2, San Francisco. And for the Play Cafe meetings, you’ll want to come the second Thursday of each month from 7-10. $10 for everyone, and they’re at Berkeley Rep’s rehearsal space, 2055 Center Street, Berkeley.

Even if you aren’t a playwright, I think scene nights are pretty awesome. You get to hear fresh new work, and the actors typically do phenomenal jobs at cold reading the scripts. If you’re around, check it out!

After my daughter was born, everyone recommended that I get her on a schedule as soon as possible. Books, doctors, other parents, friends, strangers, everyone. For some unknown reason, I was completely offended by this notion and I tried to fight back. In the end, nature won, and we settled into a routine, and once we had it down my daughter flourished. To this day it’s still incredible to me the difference in my children that I see when they’re on schedule compared when they’re not. They are hard people to be around when taken too far away from the schedule they know and love. It’s made me realize how important a routine is, especially now that I’m writing.

Everyone is on somewhat of a schedule, even the unpredictable creates a pattern eventually. I had a schedule before my daughter was born, it was just incredibly lame. Wake up, take a shower, go to work, come home, watch tv, sleep, repeat. I was unhappy and bored out of my mind. But, like my kids, I couldn’t just step away from it. I think it took them coming into my life to force me to reach for something greater in my life other than obesity and tv re-runs.

Now that I’m writing, and have two kids to cart around my routine is slightly insane, but I’m also happier than I’ve ever been in life so maybe I’ve stumbled onto something. Here’s a basic run-down:

1. Wake up at the unGodly time of 6:15am.
2. Eat, feed children, and get everyone dressed and out the door.
3. Workout! This is possible the most important step for me, I do a lot of working while working out. I alternate running and yoga.
4. Shower and snack!
5. Check email, facebook, write my blog post for the day, and check the interwebs for submission opportunities.
6. Writing, editing, or submitting.
7. Lunch, typically hunched over a computer.
8. Pick up the kids.
9. Feverishly try to wrap up whatever I was working on before my two tornados were home, while they destroy my house.
10. Play with kids.
11. Reading time! I read plays for Berkeley Rep, I try to get through one a week (I’m far far behind).
12. Dinner, bath for kids, and bedtime (hopefully) for one or both children.
13. My most favorite time to write!
14. Husband comes home, I usually have time to watch one hour of tv before I collapse.

Not bad at all, when it comes right down to it. When I’m really plugging away on something, everything goes out the window to that of course… Oh, and you have to add in cooking, laundry, and cleaning too. And I go to scene nights most weeks, and shows too. It’s one hell of a life I lead, at least I don’t have time to get bored!

I’m not sure I would be able to write as much as I do without my routine. It keeps me creating work, and for that I am grateful. What’s your day like?

Today things have changed. My son who is 2.5 years old started up at preschool. He’ll go in the mornings 5 days a week. I will have 4 hours and 45 minutes to myself M-F now. That’s 1,995 minutes without kids a week. I worry (very slightly) that without having to chase my kids around I’ll have less fire to get work done. Here’s to proving myself wrong!

Next month will kick off The 31 Plays in 31 Days Project and if anything can keep me focused, it’s that.

It’s kinda funny, I’ve been thinking a lot about my son starting school for the past few weeks now. I thought he’d cry, or I’d cry, or we’d all cry… But that didn’t happen (not yet anyway). I have had a great morning, and that makes me feel slightly guilty. Like I should be biting my nails and counting down the minutes until I pick them up. Being a mother is complicated.

Planning on seeing quite a lot of shows in the next couple of months…. Here’s my list so far:

Emotional Creature

from Eve Ensler at Berkeley Rep

Currently running, ends July 15th.

Believers

written by Patricia Milton, produced by Wily West

Runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from August 2nd – 25th. All shows at 8pm at Stage Werx.

Pint Sized Plays III

Runs July 16th, 17th, 23rd, 30th and 31st. Cafe Royale at 8 PM.

Merchant of Venice

by William Shakespeare directed by Stuart Bousel

July 9 – Aug 5; Thurs-Sat 8pm; Sun 7pm at Gough Street Playhouse

It’s All In The Mix

by Barbara Jwanouskos produced by Produced by All Terrain Theater and Go Entertainment

July 25, preview, July 26 – August 11, performances. Shows 8pm, at VAMP music • art • consignment

Project Lohan

from D’Arcy Drollinger

July 26-Aug 19, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8pm and Sunday 7pm. At The Costume Shop

AND

Enron

at The Exit Theatre

July 13th – August 17th.

I’m super excited. What are you seeing?

I am home from my weeks in lovely Italy. I had a wonderful time. And I even got (a very small) bit of playwrighting done! I did some fixing up of “The Fantasy Club” and I’m getting very excited about the ending. Brace yourselves, my protagonist might actually end up learning something! Didn’t know how I was going to work that in, and then on one of my very early mornings (couldn’t sleep because of the time change), I took advantage of my alone time and got to work. I’m very much looking forward to the scene nights this July, I need to hear how everything sounds out loud! It’s almost time for me to find a production I think. I’m very excited about that.

My submission tally is up to 63. I’m still behind, but I’m feeling confident I’ll catch up. I’m planning on attempting the playwrightbinge this September (submitting a play a day). AND after The 31 Plays in 31 Days Project this August I’ll have a bunch of new material to send around.

So, to sum it all up…. I’m very excited to be home and jump back in. And keep tuning in, I have a possible new full length I’ve been stewing over….