The Sundance Kid
By John Vorhaus | February 26, 2015 |
Last month I went to the Sundance Film Festival for the first time ever because, against all odds, I had a film premiering there. The film is a documentary called Misery Loves Comedy, and it basically asks the question, “Do you have to be effed up to do stand-up, or does doing stand-up eff you up?” (Spoiler alert: yes.) I’ll talk in a moment about what it means to “write” a documentary, but first I’d like to tell you how I got the gig to begin with, and why I took it, because it speaks to one of my core values as a writer: flexibility.
Years ago, as some of you know, I wrote a book on writing comedy called The Comic Toolbox. Fewer years ago, as fewer of you know, I became something of an expert in the field of poker (well, “expert” – I wrote many books on the subject). At some point in the dim and distant past, I played poker with a guy who, as it happened, was a fan of The Comic Toolbox, and we stayed in vague touch for many, many years. Eventually he went into the business of producing documentaries, and since my ideas resonated with him, he asked me if I’d like to be part of Misery Loves Comedy.
So, first lesson: You never know what’s going to wash up on your beach. A book I wrote to clarify my own understanding of comedy, plus many books I wrote to exploit a hot market (poker) created the unforeseen opportunity to do something I’d never done before, write a documentary.
What does it mean to write a documentary? In my case, it meant writing a bunch of framing documents that moved the concept from amorphous goo into something more structured, and writing a lot of questions for the director to ask many comedians. When I said yes to the gig, though, I didn’t know the first thing about writing a documentary. I’d never done it before, didn’t know if I could do it, but that didn’t stop me, or even slow me down, because, second lesson: Never leave money lying on the table. If someone wanted me to pay me to write a documentary, I was by gum going to write a documentary, whether I knew how to do it or not.
Did I have to fake it? Somewhat, but it really wasn’t a problem. I’m long practiced at the art of representing myself as an expert at anything. Frankly, it wouldn’t occur to me not to. If I am committed to learning and growing as a writer (and I am) then I must necessarily accept every challenge that comes my way – especially ones that pay – even if they scare me. [pullquote] If I am committed to learning and growing as a writer (and I am) then I must necessarily accept every challenge that comes my way.[/pullquote] So, third lesson: Do it, even if you’re scared. Do it even if you’ve never done it before and even if you’re not sure you can do it. Don’t let fear of failure ever stop you from trying.
I’m looking over my own shoulder as I write these words and I’m thinking, “That’s easy for you to say, JV. All these wonderful opportunities just seem to come your way – wash up on your beach, as you say. What about other writers, struggling writers, who don’t have their fingers in so many comedy-writing and scriptwriting and poker pies as you?” Well, what about them? They know many things that I don’t know, right? They have many skills that I don’t have, yes? And they have a synergy of knowledge and skills that will create all sorts of opportunities just for them; opportunities unique to their experience. Which brings me to lesson four and back to lesson one: flexibility. Go off in all directions at once, you’re bound to arrive somewhere eventually.
One thing my writing life has taught me is that I never know what lies ahead. Incredible gifts have come to me – amazing opportunities to write things I’d never dreamed of writing – just because I let myself be open to them, and because I never said no. I seized every writing gig that came my way, the ones I thought I could master and the ones I was sure I would blow. I just didn’t care. Writing is writing and a gig is a gig, says the guy who once wrote 5,000 questions for Sports Jeopardy Online.
A lot of writers, I think, labor under the misapprehension that “if it’s not my passion, it’s not legit.” Though I clearly understand the difference between my passion projects and my paycheck projects, I don’t look down my nose at the latter, because I know how the paycheck projects sustain the passion ones. The paycheck projects also – always – shed new and unexpected light on how to be a writer; they make me better at my craft. Thus they they create opportunities to extend my passion in new and interesting ways.
Sometimes they bring me to Sundance.
So that’s why I say go off in all directions at once. If there’s a downside to this strategy, I haven’t found it yet. There’s one perceived downside, and that’s that the pursuit of paycheck projects will somehow distract us from the passion projects. This hasn’t been my experience. I’ve learned so much from writing things other than what I “should be writing” that I can’t see anything but benefit. Maybe I’m blind. And maybe I’m a slacker, squandering my gifts on dumb documentaries when I “should” be writing that 800-page philosophical magnum opus that places me in the pantheon. Oh, well. If it’s mean to be, it will be. Meanwhile, I’m going to keep doing what I do (lesson five): Walk down the beach, pick up everything you find, and turn it into a party hat.
What about you? How do you balance the work you do for love with the work you do for money? What strategies do you find particularly effective both in getting paycheck projects and then executing the ones that take you outside your comfort zone?
John Vorhaus has written seven novels, including Lucy in the Sky, The California Roll, The Albuquerque Turkey and The Texas Twist, plus the Killer Poker series and (with Annie Duke) Decide to Play Great Poker. His books on writing include The Comic Toolbox, How to Write Good and Creativity Rules!
I especially like lesson five. ‘Walk down the beach. Pick up everything you find, and turn it into a party hat’. I’ve taken all kinds of jobs down the years to support my habit, none of them writing-related. Except that jobs tend to involve people and so I’ve gotten to study human nature in various exotic settings such as clothing stores, kitchens, restaurants and yes, garbage truck garages (used to be a sign painter). These settings never failed to provide me with material. So I guess they are my party hats! I also like ‘do it even if you’re scared’. I get scared that I’ll fail, or that I’ll succeed, or that my life is flying by as I sit here weaving tales. After today, though, I think I’ll just put a party hat on the fear and send it out for ice cream.
Hooray, John! Thank you for saying so many things that needed to be said! And congrats on picking up everything you find and turning it into a party hat.
The following in particular is an issue that — in my humble opinion — needs airing: “A lot of writers, I think, labor under the misapprehension that “if it’s not my passion, it’s not legit.”
I’ve found that the greatest passion of all is the passion over ‘just going for it:’for new adventures, new experiences, new opportunities to learn and grow. As we speak, I’m working on a project a client asked me to jump in on that has nothing to do with what he initially hired me for, which was book PR. And I’m having a blast! I feel energized and excited and inspired in totally unexpected ways. And yup, there’s a nice paycheck involved.
Which brings me to another issue I’m glad you aired: the paycheck. There are many writers who are fortunate enough not to be driven by the need for a paycheck, or the perceived need for a paycheck. (I say perceived because we all have different notions of what is ‘enough.’) I’m in the ‘driven by the need’ category, and have actually found that to be one of the greatest gifts to my creativity, forcing me to constantly explore new opportunities and not get stuck in the limiting — and, um, pretentious? — rut of saying, “if it’s not my passion it’s not legit.”
Congratulations on having a film at Sundance! Wow! Celebrate!
The ability to learn things as you need them, and apply them as you go, is huge. Why would you downplay that?
It is probable that no one else already had the right combination of talents and abilities he knew you already had – the rest can be learned.
Congratulations John!!! A film at Sundance is definitely something to crow about!!! I’ve noted all your lessons! #3 and #5 resonate deeply.
I do quite a bit of WFH and enjoy it. There’s inspiration everywhere. My first trade came out early this year and it was 10 years in the making. I can’t imagine only doing that (it’s my 45th book) … I’ve learned so much doing all the other projects and it’s been fun and I’ve gotten paid for them and we can afford some of the extras for our family. Do you know how expensive cleats are? Good grief. Even though the pay is sporadic, I’d rather do this from home and be present to my children than teach college chemistry.
That’s #AWEsome. Congrats on being part of Sundance! It shows what is possible when one is simply open to possibilities.
A couple of years ago, one of the women I blog with asked if I might like to write some freelance articles for a regional magazine. She has a regular gig as a copyeditor/writer there. They were short-staffed going into the time of year when many doctors/dentists advertise and they needed writers to interview the medical professionals and write short profiles on them.
I hesitated a bit, not wanting to be pulled away from my manuscript. I had no experience with interviewing anyone other than authors, and I worried that the ability to write a book review or blog post probably wouldn’t help me sell people on the idea that seeing a certain dentist could be a little like spending the morning at the spa.
It was money, though. Money for WRITING. Tangible proof that I had a marketable skill. It seemed ridiculous to have someone wave money at me and not reach out to take it.
So I did, and I’ve learned a lot. Interviewing a doctor who is passionate about what she does is a lot like interviewing an author launching a debut novel. If I ever want to include anything medical in my future novels, I have experts I could approach. The byline is rewarding and so is the paycheck.
Better yet, it has let to periodic other types of writing assignments from the magazine.
Balancing the paid work and the passion work is impossible during the busy times. I end up using the passion work as a reward for getting the paid work done!
John, I love you. Like seriously. I adore that you own it, live it, and smile so very bright. You’re this spitfire I look up to – never change.
“Did I have to fake it? Somewhat, but it really wasn’t a problem. I’m long practiced at the art of representing myself as an expert at anything. Frankly, it wouldn’t occur to me not to. If I am committed to learning and growing as a writer (and I am) then I must necessarily accept every challenge that comes my way – especially ones that pay – even if they scare me.”
So brave! So free! I’m so proud of you. Sundance: what a crazy wonderful achievement. Kudos to you, my friend.
Denise (Dee) Willson
Author of A Keeper’s Truth and GOT
John,
I love your attitude and am in the choir of your Church of Say Yes Now and Figure it Out Later. And it has served me well.
My new mantra: You never know what’s going to wash up on your beach. Thank you for that!
And Sundance?? Awesome (in the real sense of the word, not in the diluted vernacular).
Samantha
That is fantastic news, John. Congratulations!!!
Would you ever consider running a Mastermind Group? Your students would be unstoppable.
I’m here at WU because I galloped north one day when I meant to head south. One of the best decisions in my life because WU has been the source of many party hats, forced me to fake bravery. I’m still working on the paying part of the writing gig, but that will happen.
John. I love your attitude about the crazy range of writing work that’s out there, looking open-mindedly at passion vs paycheck projects, and how all can contribute to writing craft. And how saying “yes” opens doors you didn’t even know were there. More than 20 years ago I was introduced to a woman because she’d told a mutual friend that she wanted to meet someone who wrote the explanatory info on the backs of photo-postcards. Weird request, but weirder still was the fact that I was one of those guys. That job’s long gone, but my girlfriend is still here.
Yesterday a package arrived with some free samples of unusual rums and whiskey from the founding father of craft distilleries in the U.S. That’s because I’d interviewed the master distiller there for an article on the art of distilling for Forbes online. Why? Well, besides being a sozzled old rummy, I’ve long had an interest in the background of boozing and wanted to write about it, and have for a while.
Fiction is my writing true love, but I’ve strayed many times, because the relationship is difficult. I’ll always return, but I’ll always be visiting the nonfiction poker table to see what’s being dealt.
And a round of applause for Sundance!
John-
Oh, I agree. You never know what will come of an opportunity for which you didn’t ask and aren’t ready. What looks like a distraction can turn into a passion.
Two years ago I was asked to be an expert witness in a publishing case in federal court. Never done that before. The pay was good but the time commitment was big. I didn’t really need to do it but decided to anyway for no other reason than it was something new.
As a result, I learned great stuff about contract law and the tort process. I got to be an actor in deposition drama and courtroom theater. I lost respect for the law (which is full of loopholes) but gained respect for lawyers and judges.
Justice is more a game to me now, rewarding winners and punishing losers more than upholding some ideal “right”. Strangely, I feel stronger for knowing that. I know that you can defend yourself against evil men with money, and while at issue are points of law the winning factor is a good story.
Plus I made friends and had some good food in Chicago. BTW, my poker game is developing, John. The game is a great metaphor for life. The cards are neutral. What’s good or bad, virtuous or evil, are players. The game has suspense but the real story is the struggle inside myself.
I was once part of a jury for a trial that concerned a traffic accident. The drivers were headed toward each other, one of them drifted into the other’s lane, and the cars collided. Police photos showed the cars had come to a stop in a way that didn’t indicate which driver had crossed the line. There were no witnesses other than the two drivers who were involved in the accident. Each driver accused the other of causing the accident, so one of them was lying. There was no way for anyone to know who was at fault, so I expected the judge to dismiss the case. To my surprise, he allowed us the jury to decide.
We very quickly and unanimously decided that the male driver was at fault. Why? Because he came to court dressed like he was about to work in his yard, he hadn’t shaved, he slouched in his seat, and he showed disrespect to everyone who spoke to him. The female driver came to court dressed and groomed like she was on her way to church, sat prim and proper in her seat, and showed a great deal of respect to everyone who spoke to her.
That we so easily rendered our verdict, based solely on which person we liked better than the other, was an eye-opening lesson about our judicial system that I will never forget.
Wonder bit of wisdom, Donald. I think there is a lesson here for all kinds of life experiences. What we make of things determines the growth of character.
John–
It’s true: there are passion projects, and there are paycheck projects. But for me, the central life message in your fine post has to do with the inclination to explore versus its opposite: a reflex to conserve and protect. The difference has a lot to do with self-confidence, and it really applies to anyone in just about any area of life. Does the unknown possibility represent a chance for new learning and experience, or is it perceived as a kind of threat to one’s known world, one’s comfort zone?
Congratulations on your triumph! You are the poster boy for Carpe Diem.
Great post and I especially liked “…second lesson: Never leave money lying on the table.” I learned that from Liz Carpenter when I had the pleasure of hosting her for a writers’ conference, and she told me “Never say no to an opportunity.” Same message just different words. It was neat to read about the many connections that led to the film. Good for you.