"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2



Showing posts with label Do you over think your craft?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Do you over think your craft?. Show all posts

Monday, June 4, 2012

Do You Over Think Your Craft?


"Latte, please." Photo by Eric Huebner


Hi everyone! I’m back from a 3 week blog break where I was NOT on vacation, but held a captive in the revision cave. I thank all of you who sent chocolate, coffee, and blueberry scones. I have finished with the revisions, but just need to do the final read through. ANYHOO….good to be back!

Have you seen that AT&T commercial where the young woman, Alex, just got a part in a commercial as the number 4 coffee patron? I just love this commercial. It gives us a 30 second view of how we go from 0 to 55 in the matter of a few seconds, AND over think our craft.

This commercial is about Alex.

Alex is a normal every day person – waitress, dog walker, flyer hander-outer, and an aspiring actress, following her dream. “But mostly an actress.”

She lands a job in a commercial and calls her mom. “Hi mom! I got it!”

In less than 30 seconds we see Alex talking on the phone to everyone about her role. We see her dreams grow in her eyes.

Alex has one line in the commercial. “Latte, please.”

Next we see Alex wondering if she should play the role as a French woman. She speaks her line with a heavy French accent. “Latte, pleeze.

We wade through a barrage of images showing Alex excitedly talking on the phone about here new part. I’m so excited for her!

The last scene, we see Alex in bed, talking on the phone and she says, “I know I have to say, latte, but I feel my character would drink tea.”

BAM! I love this. I think at one time or another we over think our craft. Sometimes we just need to leave it and let it flow.

As a writer, I know I’m over thinking when Eric tells me to quit talking to my characters, or carrying on their conversations. Someone will think you’re crazy! Sometimes I talk about what it would be like to have a book signing…you know, dream a little. I’m not even close yet. We know it means the world to us, we get excited.

I adore Alex and root for her dream of becoming an actress to come true. There is so much truth in this 30 second commercial. I know. I’ve been there…over thinking. Do you sometimes over think your craft?

I would love to hear from you.

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree

If you haven’t seen this commercial, watch the YouTube of it below.






By the way, I learned a new portmanteau word –SPRICKET—Google it to see one. It’s like a cross between a spider and a cricket. Apparently, they have these all over southern Indiana. I saw one down at Indiana University in Bloomington. They are creepy! Ever seen a spricket?