Revisions, Revisions, Revisions...

Well, I imagine the title explains what I've been doing all week! And yes, I am (again) almost all done; naturally, I want and need the feedback of my group as well as the luxury of hearing some parts aloud to truly be finished. BUT, in the big scheme of things, I am beginning to feel like I have a finished product close at hand. My website is starting to look like a real entity, and I am almost ready to put the scenes--all six of them--on said website in their respective homes. And no fear, they are all next-door neighbors. I do need a few more photos for my character list--hoping they don't get camera-shy and run for the hills as I want their actual faces to place in the spots I have open and waiting for them. Also, I held off on my About page as I need to really give that more thought; I would like to write something about myself, as the author of this lunacy. But, I would also feel it necessary to mention the place I work which prompted the unusual adaptation I chose to write for my thesis project. The role of women, and minorities in my workplace--as well as the general acceptance of this mentality--together provided my impetus for writing this piece. Because it is such a commonplace attitude in blue-collar labor, for certain people to project authority (and automatically receive respect) while other equally competent employees become (or remain) the solid, reliable workhorses, humor is generally the best, if not the only way to get through any "work day."

It is an equally effective tool for re-imagining Aristophanes comical plea for peace between Athens and Sparta into a plea for a non-stress-filled work environment where women and minorities can--and do--know how to effectively take charge. Now, all that I just sputtered about needs to be worded cleverly--but with some punch and then included in my "About" page; I need to put on my smart hat and get that down on paper very soon...In the meantime, I may start putting the scenes I am pretty solid with into their new homes. That way I can see how they look and if they will need any tweaking after they move in. I am still finding weirdness I missed while proofreading before, and will try to remedy all such things, but am rather enjoying my project as I try and build the website. It still makes my head hurt when I try to switch things that should be easier to do, but I am getting more used to the Wix system--limitations and oddities included. Most importantly, I feel more confident when I am trying to move things around on there and for me, that is priceless. So, for now, that's all guys. Hope everyone is getting lots done on their projects and cannot wait to see you all soon!

Website Building gives me a headache...by Debbie Bagnato

Yes, I have said it--website creations are super when they're finished BUT while in progress, they give me a headache! I am pleased that I seem to be making headway; I finally "get" the how to's I was previously missing. That is why I am staying with Wix--my aggravation earlier on is paying off now as I figure out the numerous quirks. And my initial work was actually quite extensive so staying put makes more sense than starting over. The tips Dr. Z gave me, and the fact that Colin is also using Wix made my mind up for me so I now have several pages completed and work on other new ones each night. My revisions are happening as I put things on the website and I rather like it that way. I rearrange a lot and am not sure exactly how I will organize this when I have all the pages finished but the game plan is in action and the alternative layout seems to take form as I progress. I will want the feedback of my group and especially Dr. Z so am trying to get as far along as time will allow. The more I have completed the easier it wll be to show them and get their suggestions and opinions. The revisions will continue for the main piece in Docs for the time being but the companion pieces such as the real character list, casting suggestions, and my About page are all workable as I put them on this website. The backgrounds and other appealing features are also becoming fun to utilize with the addition of my words--hopefully the finished product will look polished and inviting. But I find that I spend an exorbitant amount of time working on what seems to be such a small amount of work; perhaps I just am too meticulous or --horrors-- just too absorbed to recognize how longgggg I am taking... Probably the latter. But, in my defense, I am writing, fighting with the Wix quirkiness as well as my own, and trying to use the numerous pictures I have taken of the real people in the script. These need to be included but in a manner that makes sense and is relevant to any reader as they check out the website and the play as well as the reasons behind this unusual adaptation choice. (And I wonder why I have a headache?) Well, the progress is moving along albeit at a snails pace but  at least it has begun--and it is sort of exciting with every page I complete.

 Still a long way to go, plenty of little details to be attended to, and revisions probably right up until May, but I feel excited to be putting my very special project "onstage" so to speak. One day I would love to put this on a proscenium stage but for now this is a great forum to showcase my blood, sweat, and tears. I will go back to my Wix page shortly and continue with my "real characters" and their real photos and try to complete a few more pages so that part will be done. Then its time to work on my About page--oh boy, I have much to do! But we all are singing that song...keep writing everyone--we're almost there.

Finally I will see my People! by Debbie Bagnato

Despite my ability and often preference to work alone endlessly on a piece before I want to share it with anyone, I am so excited and actually relieved to be meeting with my group later today! I have spent an endless amount of time on this piece, editing, revising, loving, hating and--in some scenes-- almost destroying my writing completely. The result is that I recognize my profound need for their input! I did follow my own instructions from last week and stayed away from this piece, in an effort to not destroy it through unnecessary revisions and/ or deletes. I will be reading todays chosen piece almost as my colleagues are because I only skimmed the scenes opening and closing lines to know where I might start and finish--class-time provided. There may be a bit more then we can read in each "script" but we will see how the time works and decide together. Then I can return to the revising mode with a fresh outlook and some strong ideas, perspectives and suggestions (and not destroy what is perceived as the good stuff)...I have a store full of co-workers who are excited about this story being told--and their personalities being enjoyed, laughed about, or identified with by others.

As for the website, I hope to gain much knowlege from my worthy colleagues so that I can comfortably and confidently move forward with this piece of the puzzle. We all know that I am not the strongest in this area so will need the tips and clever clues (?) of my colleagues in order to complete this challenge with ease. I do not want to be weeping over my inability to get the scenes to show up by clicking on a link or--worse still--realize that I have deleted my entire project after working on it for days by accidentally hitting a wrong key--and yes, I am fully capable of such malfunctions...Despite all my true efforts alone, I need the help of my peeps!

Other than that, working on my other piece has been an entirely different type of mindset but I am having fun as I go. It seems I can revise my earlier scenes--but not to excess--and then continue with my tale in my changing voice. This is also a sort of creative nonfictional piece as well--the scenes are based on true happenings OR are a recap of events, modified for the purpose of performance and/or  reading enjoyment. It seems to be a similar voice to my thesis project but there are different underlying concerns beneath the humor in these two pieces. For now, I am just trying to get the rest of my outline--in the remaining scenes--on paper in a humorous yet true-to-these-character fashion. The break from my multi-character piece to this "two-fer" was strange but allows for more one-on-one interaction. After pages of thinking of the endless, multi-layered conversations in front of Courtesy and trying to capture that momentum, this is equally trying as I attempt to bring the conversations, heart, and humor down to the simple reality of my sister and I. Our back-and-forth banter, fueled by jet-lag, mom-worry and poor Italian usage when visiting our brother, is a different but equally enjoyable type of emotion that I am trying to recreate. My hope is that each project will benefit the other and I will find my voice in both pieces, and be glad to hear it. Happy writing guys!

Giving my Revisions a Break Before I edit out all the fun...

Well, it seems I have become somewhat addicted to revising and admit that I am, quite possibly, editing out more than necessary. Also, at present time, I have bronchitis, am quite sick, and feel like I am taking stupid pills along with the antibiotics, so--to protect my piece (from myself) I am not letting myself near it until I feel normal again. Instead, I have begun dabbling with my website just to find a model and feel comfortable with what I have chosen. Because of my inexperience with website building (and the stupid pills) this is also temporarily on hold but the daily photographs of my co-workers and set (ie. my version of the "Acropolis") are in full swing. This has become a regular occurrence and the "cast members" as well as all the employees are excited about having a story--a play--about us and what we do. They are all turning out to be wonderful, terrible hams. I also think I need a break from the story as I have become too involved in it to be able to recognize its strengths and weaknesses. More importantly, I need the input of my marvelous group--next Thursday--and their opinions and reactions will help me to proceed--cautiously--with my revisions. So, despite being done with the writing, I know that there is still much to do and have tried to create a tentative "game plan" for the entire project.

The website (yes, me trying to create my own) was beginning to make sense, as I changed backgrounds and tried to add/ delete some simple components but then--as I feared--my questions about the best way to present my thesis came into focus. That and my unwise attempt at inputting too many photos in the gallery---thank God they do not save unless you hit that little button...So now, after learning a few of the different ways I can set up my site,  I am preparing a list of things I would like included in it. And of course, to present said list to my group so they can express their opinions on and suggestions for. I do not want to invest any more time on things that just do not seem to be going the way I had intended, so my exploration slows down--for now. Also I value the opinions of my group immensely--especially Dr. Z, who creates her own websites. I so want this to be something I am proud of when it is completed, so I will proceed very carefully with this next part of Lysistrata Revisited. Hopefully, I can make the progress needed with both revisions and websites with ease...
Other than that, I am free-writing--for my other project--to keep my mind somewhat focused; the first four scenes I had written easily only after free-writing and brainstorming. Once this new play is heading in the direction I have outlined, I believe my focus and ability to finish my revisions will improve for the thesis project. It has overtaken my time, thoughts, and conversations, and the insane enthusiasm of my co-workers ("Hey Debbie come on in the meat room and get a picture of us all!") adds to the excitement. Not that my total submersion is bad, but I do need to be more objective and that requires some small distance. Truthfully, I feel like I miss my characters when I am not working on this--but I see them all every day. Only they are not in the same circumstances that my play (and Aristophanes) created. In retrospect,  I was grateful for my inability to work at the computer on this play--each day after work--when Frank was hospitalized. I would make slight revisions using "Docs" on my phone while at the hospital and when I was finally able to devote quality time to my work, could actually enjoy the good parts. It also enabled me to confidently recognize the weak sections and then really make revisions. So, in that hope, I am giving myself these few days away from it, during which (hopefully) I will get better, and then can return with a fresh and open mind. Wish me luck guys, as I do all of you. And can't wait to see my group next week and what they're up to--not to mention that I really need your input! But for now, time for more unpleasant prescriptions...

It's Really almost done--AGAIN...by Debbie Bagnato

Alas kiddies, once again I have finished my wonderful/ horrible play and felt quite satisfied with all my changes, edits, and corrections only to realize that I left something out. Every day it's the same thing but I am getting closer (I think) to actually having everything I hoped for in there. The cast has grown in order to represent the volume and constant movement of the store--I have also started to compile a list of two-part roles that should be cast as such, giving actors the chance to exercise their character acting skills. Many of the quick exchanges needed in certain scenes truly add flavor to the overall picture but would leave an actor rather bored if that were their only scene, hence the "two-part" roles will be listed in the script. As much as I add (on a regular basis) there seems to be an equal amount I take away. Often I give the characters too much to say--nobody would listen to them in my store, trust me. But when I go back in (that's right, I'm goin' in) to read and try out the lines, I quickly remove the excess; sometimes I change the entire thing. Often I am surprised that I gave certain characters so very much to say and quickly delete a large portion. This mission needs to be completed sometime soon so I can attempt to create a website and put the finished product on it.

On that note, I have been busy taking pictures of my crazy co-workers (i.e. the cast of my version of this old play). Most of these characters are really characters and almost everyone is quite excited to be a part of my thesis project. I have many photographs to use besides the individual photos I set out to take as "head shots" and present next to each character's description. This enthusiasm is a boost to my writing as I see the people I am writing about in a flattering, and very personal light. The website--if I ever am able to create it, will include a collage of the group pics they all insisted I take and that are really a great lot of fun. The point of the play itself and its relevance to our store I have broken down to the simplest terms for their benefit and they all think its a hoot--so the only "characters" left to photograph are the few supervisors in the script. Three of them will be no problem but the one fellow--the antagonist of the play--might  present me with a challenge. I will keep you all aprised of the outcome--might need to employ great flattery for him...The run-time of the play is the next thing on the agenda--once I am comfortable with the existing script. It is currently seventy-four pages long but there are a great many stage directions in there--I have read way too much of Tennesee Williams work through the years. However, those stage directions paint the scene for the reader, actor, or potential director so I find them a very necessary ingredient for a good play. As I mentioned earlier, there are a few more changes/ additions that are needed tonight but they should not increase the length of the play too much. I am hoping to look up and test out websites tomorrow so perhaps I will find something more suitable than what I have seen so far. If not, I will continue to create the sections with my website in mind, and hopefully my group will have suggestions/ advice for me that will help me get started on a good track. Till then, happy writing/ research/ creating to all and cannot wait to see everybody again.

"The Play, It Keeps a 'Changin'" by Debbie Bagnato

So now that I have completed my play I realize how dreadfully far I am from being done. Every night after work, dinner, and chores, I sit down to do some small amount of editing/ revising and get lost in the world of my play. This is good, and usually very productive but when I look at the clock, it is quite past the time I imagined and that is when I realize all the other places in the various scenes that need to be addressed. Happy with my small progress but concerned with the remaining revisions, I go to bed mulling over wonderful changes I absolutely must make to this scene or that character. Sometimes I remember them in the morning and write them down on--you guessed it--more post-it notes, which get stuck to the huge Worthen book of plays. Then I go to work where I see, and hear and imagine even more details that will benefit my story--including the addition of vital characters who will enhance and make the tale more believable. Of course, I then get caught up in the world of "work": the very frustrations, favoritism and stressful environment that I am writing about.

Often, I go home almost as frustrated as my characters. Then, after venting to anyone who might listen, I get involved in the world of home, dinner, my grown kids and their problems or concerns, checking Facebook for a laugh or updates from friends or cousins I communicate with through this medium, all as I cook, clean up and both check and respond to texts and calls of importance. After all these dreadfully distracting diversions (love the letter "d") I return to my computer and go straight to my Lysistrata Revisited and start all over again. Yes, I am fueled by the events of that new day but therein lies the source of my discontent as I need to keep changing or tweaking snippets that are just not quite right.The hope is that I will eventually reach a place where I am comfortable with the scenes, characters and lines; the reality is that this feeling of euphoria may never fully happen. I do need to begin working on a website and we all know I am not the quickest with that type of project. My concern is that I will settle for less overall by devoting time to both of these ventures. The play and its completion--to my satisfaction--is the first priority. However, I really like the idea of creating a digital place that can be visited, including the usual backgroung info on the (insane) writer, the blogs which outline the progression of this project, and the very early proposal that began this unusual thesis. More importantly, I love the idea of having each "scene" accessible by a simple link as well as photos of the actual store and characters with the "cast" descriptions in a complimentary link. The particulars will be ironed out but I know how long these little decisions can take--and my ability to put this all together smoothly is a concern. Also, I had planned to sketch a stage set and present it next to a photograph of the true Courtesy desk (in my workplace) to easily illustrate the value of this setting for my version--it's not the Acropolis but it serves the purpose in a delightful manner. We have our class tonight so I will bounce ideas off my wonderful colleagues--the guys and Dr. Z usually have the greatest advice so I think this will help me immensely. Despite knowing that I have done a great deal so far, there is this shadowy feeling of worry that I will not be able to accomplish what I set out to do in the time frame I have. Work and family does consume most of my time and energy but I know there is always some force from within that pushes me to do what is needed and on time--really hoping that force is with me now (Star Wars anyone?). Oh well, I hope everyone else is moving along at a wonderful pace with their projects and not suffering from these same worries. I believe that we will all pull this off and in a manner to make us all proud to be in this wonderful class together with our great leader, Dr. Z! Let's all keep writing and cannot wait to see what we all come up with.

Glad to be Back! by Debbie Bagnato

During our delightful hiatus from school, and food-fun-filled holidays with family and friends, I found it difficult to focus on my writing due to the family obligations and a lack of time. Luckily, I managed to remain in my own store--the basis for my thesis--but had to readjust to my old department and slightly different schedule. That was the easy part and actually allows me more time with the women in my play who "mind the fort" so to speak by staying in my version of the Acropolis--our Customer Service office. I found myself finishing each section then returning to change things around throughout the entire piece--every day. It felt as if I was avoiding the ending--as if I would have a brilliant idea for an even better denouement than Aristophanes. Obviously, that was not going to happen, and eventually I went forward with the proposed ending based on the traditional one written by this ancient Greek playwright. Perhaps I hated to finish the piece? Or was hoping to have a flash of brilliance that would astonish even myself? Whatever the reason, I realized how desperately I needed the feedback of my little group of Omar, Colin and Dr. Z. The reactions and suggestions help me to shape what I am doing and from those gems of wisdom and honesty I am able to better work towards my goal. Also, I enjoy watching their pieces move forward and so much of the advice and suggestions from Dr. Z as well as the guys help me brainstorm as I rewrite something from so very long ago and make it relevant today. It needs to remain a comedy so it cannot get too heavy or angry yet there are valid points that I want to make--either blatantly or subtly. When these guys read with me a new scene I can depend on honest feedback and then try to apply their suggestions or work with ideas that come as a result of our time together. Really need that as an extra source of motivation I guess!
The other thing I am painfully aware of is my need for time limits; I tend to procrastinate when I should be writing. Often I wait until the time is quite short to actually do the writing, but take several days jotting down ideas, re-reading sections of the original, reviewing other modern day situation comedies--all to prepare for the writing which is already in my head! Then I spend an eternity--without realizing how long I am sitting at the computer--to actually write the play as planned. This is my process, and it usually works rather well, but I do need to move it a bit faster. Which is why I need to set time limits for myself--if I want to finish my editing and revisions (by May)...
The next step is to create a website--that is a big step for me so I want to start soon. I will be revising--with the feedback and opinions of my very special group--constantly, as although the basic play is finished I am nowhere near done. First, I need to tweak some basic things like my character list, and take photos for the website of my "real-life" characters. My plan is to include photos or sketches of the basic costumes and a photograph of the "Acropolis" in my version (the Courtesy/ customer service office) as well as a sketch of the stage-set. These are many fun yet important details that must be attended to and will be integral to include in the website. So in keeping with the time limits theory, I am hoping to start with the website after we meet up again and for now, I plan on taking a few photos each day. And of course, keep writing and revising. Thanks for listening, now back to work.