Even though the Valentino manuscript has now been edited, there are still some passages that I wanted to revise. I am nearing the end of that now and I think I will be able to turn in the manuscript today, as planned. [My tiny frail voice says, "yay!" and one of my weak, trembling hands waves a happy flag!]

Then it's: hit the ground running again with that French/English screenplay translation thingie that I actually love doing but it is very hard work. That neurosurgery kind of feeling; you know, such intense, tightly-focused concentration or the whole house of cards collapses.

(Honestly, do you know anyone who mixes metaphors with the same aplomb that I do? Neurosurgery and a house of cards...???)

Anyway.

I also really need to type up all these story notes. (My assistant  --yay!-- won't be arriving until July, so I think it would behoove me to get a good grip on this madness before then, otherwise, it really will be madness by July!) I think this happens to a lot of writers. Once you're focused on a writing project that makes you feel really happy & creative, suddenly a ton of other story ideas start pouring in. I think maybe this happens b/c when we're creative & happy & focusing in such a positive way, it opens a certain area inside us that's like a conduit or something. It attracts a lot more of the same kind of thing. (That law of attraction thing.)

I still thank the Universe everyday for Jerry -- my writing partner. What a feeling, to work with someone who is so positive and so willing to work and so honest & upfront. We don't always agree on everything, but it's so great to have someone who stays creative and keeps on moving ahead even after we've spent, like, an hour and a half "discussing" some tiny detail until we're losing our minds...

Plus it's so great to have a partner who is so open & giving & non-competitive about resources or contacts or ideas. He's not one of those people who holds his most important card close to his vest, you know? It seems like everyone is like that -- whether it was in the music industry, or in publishing, and now this screenplay world. I understand part of why people are like that. No one wants to be too free-wheeling with their own important contacts or professional relationships. But if you are among the hundreds of people who have worked with me over the last 30 years, you know I have never been like that. I don't see the point. If I see how people I know can be of help to each other, I want to bring them together, try to help it happen. I don't mean give out someone's home phone number, etc., but get people in touch with each other, or make a phone call to tell someone they should check out  someone else's work.

Honestly, over the years I have had a number of different business partners who did not have that open approach. They don't want to bring everything to the table; they're always holding back something that they think they have to keep safe-guarded from some "thing" -- I don't know what. I used to just overlook that stuff and take the approach, "Well, if that's your weird deal, then that's your weird deal." But now I know that if you're trying to partner with someone who is safe-guarding some intangible "thing," your partnership is going to fail. Or at the very least, it won't ever feel 100% gratifying. There will always be that feeling of a lack of trust underscoring everything.

I am so grateful to no longer be working with those types of people. Not only Jerry, but certainly my girlfriend in Paris. My friend in Hawaii who's willing to fly all the way over here just to help me get organized (!!). And several other people that I don't really blog about but they are very actively contributing great stuff to my world. It frees life up all across the board. Their energy is right there with you. It makes you feel like you can do anything.

If you know me personally, then you know that I am one of those people who believes that anything can happen. I don't believe that just for myself; I believe that for all of us. Say "yes" first, then see where it takes you. And I'm also usually very eager about saying yes -- it's that part of me that remains 5 years old. When I reach my destination, it doesn't always feel how I thought it was going to feel. And sometimes it feels utterly heartbreaking -- which I never anticipate. 2010 was more heartbreaking than I care to remember, but I will never forget it. And at least I went on the journey and it always leads to other journeys, right?

Well, I guess I'm just sharing my gratitude and also putting it out there in case any of you are sitting on the fence about something or someone. If you feel like that person isn't shouting "Yes!" to you and jumping in with both feet, pass on it. I mean it. Keep yourself available for that situation that will be all about "Yes!" It's going to come. And nothing beats that feeling.

Okay. Done with the green tea; the little pot is empty. Now I'm going to go put some coffee on, which means the workday starts rockin' & rollin'!! Yippee ki yi yay. By the next time you hear from me, the Valentino novel will be all turned in. The rest, I leave up to destiny, gang!! Have a great Sunday and thanks for visiting!