Feeding the Writer: April 2007 Edition

Okay so here we go.

Day One: Steamrollers. (Deluxe w/Chicken). A healthy, hearty choice to comfort myself for a week of breaking some story!

Day Two: Shanghai Chinese Bistro (General Tso's Chicken, Handmade Noodle and Dim Sum) The traditional first day lunch spot. The location reminds you of seasons of story-busting past, the exotic flavour lures a new season in new directions)

Day Three: Art Gallery Cafeteria (Portabello Mushroom and Leek Soup, BBQ Chicken Pannini) An old favorite. The short walk from the writers' room brings fresh air to clear the head of the hump-day blues. The place is bustling with people and ideas. It's buckle-down time.

Day Four: Lombardo's (Pizza w/ Prosciutto), Someplace untried. For new perspectives on old favorites... old characters new situations. All India (Chicken Tika, Butter Chicken) A longish walk after a hard day of brain squeezing. It would have been easier to go someplace nearer, we force ourselves. It proves a little extra effort at the end of the day can pay delicious rewards.

Day Five: Azia (Sambal Shrimp, Curry Roti, Kung Pao Chicken), The light at the end of the tunnel. We ditch an old place that none of us really liked but were too polite to say. We find a new place to which everybody is eager to return. Earls (Edamame Beans, and Wonton Encrusted Shrimp with some amazing dipping sauce!!!!) The week is done. There's no talk of beat sheets or act breaks, no plot turns or character arcs. The only stories we talk about are our own. Just beer and wine and Tony Dean Smith and his girly drink.

Lush, Supersition and the Writer

Are any of you superstious? Are you skeptics? Or are you, like me, a sick twisted civil war between Carlos Castaneda and James Randi.

There are rituals. Things you do to honour the process... or use as an excuse to treat yourself. Like how every time I write a script for which I get paid, I buy myself a new pen. A nice one.

But there's also the deeper magic, the heavy mojo that happens. Where I write. How... I mean physically how... I write and... this I hesitate to share this with you. Not because it isn't bullshit but because it's bullshit that works and I'm afraid telling you will totally jinx it.

Fine... what the hell, for you, my brothers, my sisters, I will risk all by telling you: "The Secret of the Shower Gel."

The last five years of my life has been secretly shaped by soap... not just soap but other other hygiene products too. I cannot tell you how but I can tell you it's not the first time.

That was in 2004 and it involved a LUSH product, a body-wash I believe, I was using it one day when it said to me, "I'm almost done here. Start packing you're heading out west in a couple of weeks." Then again with a LUSH shaving cream: "Hey buddy, guess what? I've served you well but I need replacing, you've got a long trip ahead of you."

See that nearly empty tube of L'Occitane Cade travel-size shaving cream? It told me I'd be back in Vancouver by the end of April. And ta-da. Here I am.

But I'm not alone, right? You guys probably have all kinds of writers' supersitions that you're willing to share. Talking clipboards and what-have-you?