I usually pooh-pooh the idea that stories control their own path.
I create my characters, and I decide what happens to them. That’s the way it is.
Usually.
But my latest screenplay actually does seem to have a mind of its own. I wrote it to be light-hearted and humorous, but light-hearted and humorous aren’t working. Not even a little.
I don’t know if it’s the gray skies, the approach of Halloween, or that the story is about ghosts, but this screenplay screams to be dark. Much darker than what I usually write.
And now that it’s time for rewrites I’ve got a decision to make.
Do get out the brightest flashlight I can find and force light-heartedness into a place it doesn’t want to be?
Or do I turn out all the lights and delve into the darkness?
Hmm. I do love to stretch my writing muscles, keep them from getting stiff. A good swim should do it.
But I’m nervous as I prepare to dive into the inky blackness of the Sea of Scary. Will I make it safely across? Or will some ancient monster from its black depths spot me and drag me under?