Earl Yorke

This has been a rocky year for my family and I. I haven’t exactly been the best person to be around as various things have blown up in my face, and other truths that I had ignored have demanded my attention. I have no idea where my screenplay or books may be going, nor do I have a clue as to when I’m actually going to settle into a job that truly is for me. But for the first time in what seems like an eternity I’m okay with it all.

This year I am thankful that I finally have begun to discipline myself in the area of patience. Although my wife would argue that I am still a shaky freak when it comes to waiting for her to pick out clothes in a department store, as far as the big picture is concerned I have come to realize that it is stupid for me to believe that I am going to get my work out there quickly. I’m okay with that.

I will be patient; balance my writing and my family time… with a little World of Warcraft mixed in from time to time! Hehehe.

I hope that you all have a great Thanksgiving. Take this day to appreciate what you have, and love the family you are breaking bread with. Sometimes in this crazy world we lose sight of what is truly important… most important. Family. I would be nothing without mine.

Feel free to post any comments about what you are thankful for this year.

November… already. It’s been over a month since I last posted here, and I am sorry. I’ve been very busy with my new job at Canbury Homes, or as I prefer to call it: The Stress Pool. I’ve also been working on the screenplay, but I’m not making as much progress as before. I suppose it might have something to do with the strange hours I’m putting in at Canbury, and I’ll admit that I’ve been very distracted with the graphic novel that Jeff Fitzgerald and I are working on (I’m actually meeting with him tonight to go over the outline I have come up with for the story). It is a nice distraction, but there are so many things I want to be working on right now that it’s frustrating that I can’t get to it all. Oh well.

I meant to put up a post during Halloween and show everyone how cute my son was, dressed up as a scuba-diver. I’m still laughing about it. How many three year-old kids want to be a scuba-diver for Halloween? When I was young I always wanted to be something scary… like a vampire (but who didn’t see that coming). Anyway, look for a picture or two of the Yorke kids at Halloween at some point over the next few days. Better late than never.

I’ll also be reviving what has become an annual post for me, “What I’m Thankful For.” Look for that one to hit on Thanksgiving day, and if you wanna get lame about it feel free to post what you are thankful for in the comment section of that post.

Anyway, back to work for me… I’m lucky to have found the time here today to get this one up!

Since I have been working on The Dominance Flush screenplay I have been going through other screenplays in my downtime (and by “downtime” I mean the periods of time at the Oarweed when I have absolutely nothing to do, which at this time in the season is pretty much all the time). I have found, through my reading, that most screenwriters have a specific — and different — method of structuring their work. They all follow the same basic guidelines, but utilize their own creative license to make it fit their writing style. I don’t think that I need to say this, but I will anyway: I like it!

Anybody who has read my work will know that I like to put my own spin on everything, and that goes double for structure. I’ll be honest that, up until now, I have felt as though I don’t know enough about screenwriting to adapt The Flush… this coming after I read the screenplay, “Storm of the Century” by Stephen King. That guy really has a way of making me angry (though he is probably my greatest writing influence). Before reading that screenplay I thought that I had an excellent knowledge of how to write such things, and King’s… different approach threw me off a bit. No disrespect to him, but he does it in a completely different manner than all others I have read since. I now know that I should have followed my original instincts, rather than attempt to duplicate Stephen’s own structuring.

So, that said, work on The Dominance Flush screenplay is still going quite well. I am a good thirty pages into it, and am happy with the way I have handled its adaptation. I will have it to Jeff on time (thankfully!) if I keep up at my current pace. I intend to spend this next week reading other screenplays as I have become quite addicted to them. I have, of course, factored this into my work toward the approaching deadline… and it’s all good. It will all work out fine if I keep going at my current pace. I just finished Charlie Kaufman’s script for “Adaptation”, a film that I have loved for a long time. The screenplay is great! Next I will move on to “Capote,” another favorite of mine.

As I mentioned in a previous post, fall is a time of great inspiration and hard work for me. I don’t know why things work out that way (even through my depression), but I embrace it nonetheless. I have put up more posts this month than any other month this year. I am happy for that, and hope to continue this way. I will say this though… I don’t suspect I will put up any others (aside from dream journal entries) until a week or two into October. I have alot of hard work ahead of me, and if I do my best all will finally work out the way I want it to. My dream will become a reality.

…almost there.

Thanks to all of my fans for your supportive emails. You know who you are!

You all may or may not remember a post that I put up in August of 2005 titled, “A Graphic Novel?”. Well, when last winter came around and I had not heard from my collaborator, Jeff Fitzgerald, on the whole thing, I just gave up on the idea all together. Now, however, it seems as though the whole project will likely take off after all… though with a different story all together.

I won’t say anything about the story, but I will let you know that we intend to start working on the whole thing almost RELIGIOUSLY after Columbus Day, and hope to have the entire project completed by Spring. From there we’ll see where things go. It helps that Jeff knows Kevin Eastman, creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles… perhaps he’ll put in a good word for us, though based on what we have come up with thus far I doubt we’ll need it. Hehehe.

Enough for now. I have to get back to work at the Oarweed. Look for more updates on this project and The Dominance Flush screenplay over the next couple of weeks.

Here is a bit of it… the entire opening scene. I hope that you all like it, and I welcome all comments.

Here we go:

Part 1
The Circle of Souls

Act 1

FADE IN ON:
1 EXTERIOR: THE PINE HILL WOODS, COLONIAL CAPE NEDDICK, ME (HELICOPTER SHOT) – DAY.

THE CAMERA follows the treetops of the DENSE PINE FOREST in a short helicopter shot, moving slowly until the trees open up to a MEDIUM-SIZED FIELD. THE CAMERA begins to slowly DESCEND toward the field. THE WIND WHISTLES, and a flock of SEAGULS enter and exit the shot.

2 EXTERIOR: EDGE OF THE FIELD

A man of about 50 or 60 years-old in TATTERED CLOTHING breaks through the trees, HIS BACK to THE CAMERA. This man is WILLIAM RYSHER. RYSHER’S LONG, MATTED, GRAY HAIR flies about wildly in the wind as his dash changes to a MARCH of sorts as he realizes that he has EXITED THE FOREST. THE CAMERA moves forward, following RYSHER as he makes his way toward the LARGE ROCK at the edge of the field where the PINE tree-line picks back up.

3 EXTERIOR: FIELD

As THE CAMERA comes within five feet of RYSHER, it immediately focuses on the IRREGULAR PISTOL that he is carrying in his LEFT HAND. His march SUGGESTS that he is DELIGHTED ABOUT SOMETHING, KICKING HIS FEET out and SWINGING HIS RIGHT ARM to and fro. The only limb that DOES NOT MOVE is his LEFT ARM AND HAND… they remain MOTIONLESS throughout his MARCH. He noticeably TIGHTENS HIS GRIP ON THE PISTOL.

WILLIAM RYSHER speaks with a heavy Irish accent as he marches along. His VOICE is SCRATCHY, giving the impression that he had gone for quite some time without water. THE CAMERA remains focused on THE PISTOL, we do not see RYSHER’S face as he speaks… not yet.

WILLIAM RYSHER
(sings)

As I was goin’ over the far-famed Kerry Mountains, I saw Captain Ferrell as money he was counting. I first produced me pistol, I then produced me rapier. I said stand and deliver o’ the devil he… the devil…

THE CAMERA rapidly moves upward from THE PISTOL in a 360 DEGREE SPIRAL around RYSHER’S body, settling on his face. Patches of DIRT appear on his cheeks and chin, and VEINS OF OTHER FILTH run across his face along the lines of his WRINKLES. Just as THE CAMERA stops GREAT FEAR spreads across RYSHER’S FACE.

THE CAMERA shakes violently to simulate the MENTAL STRAIN that RYSHER is feeling as a PHANTOM VOICE finishes the song in his head.

PHANTOM VOICE
(voiceover)

Or the devil he may take ya!

RYSHER screams, violently POUNDING on his head with his RIGHT FIST. His LEFT HAND remains motionless, still clenching THE PISTOL. He falls to the ground, sitting INDIAN-STYLE with his LEGS CROSSED. He continues pounding on his head. His fit doesn’t last long before the sound of WAVES BREAKING in the distance reaches his ears. His eyes begin to dart all around the clearing, searching for the beach, but it cannot be seen through the trees that surround him.

PHANTOM VOICE
(voiceover)

Just keep going… only a bit further along now. Do you hear it… the ocean? I have a jolly idea! Why don’t you just march on down to that harbor and throw yourself into the sea? Perhaps you’ll find Molly under those crashing waves… what’s left of her anyway!

WILLIAM RYSHER
(woefully calm)

Please, demon… please don’t speak o’ Molly!

RYSHER remains completely still, TEARS beginning to cascade down his cheeks, collecting FILTH from his DIRTY SKIN. The liquid turns DARK, like running mascara. He is trapped in this moment until –

4 EXTERIOR: TREE-LINE WHERE RYSHER EXITED THE WOODS

THE CAMERA sees RYSHER from a SHORT DISTANCE, STARTLED at the sudden ¬SNAP OF A TWIG. He is NOT ALONE.

5 EXTERIOR: FIELD

PANIC spreads across RYSHER’S face. His head moves WILDLY around, SEARCHING for the source of the sound as he isn’t entirely sure WHERE it came from. All he knows is that he HEARD SOMETHING. His head stops moving, and he hastily stands up. He SPRINTS toward the opposite edge of the forest atop the LARGE ROCK at the end of the field.

6 EXTERIOR: FORREST EDGE

RYSHER THRASHES through the branches of several pine trees and enters the woods. The field that he had just crossed can be seen from atop the LARGE ROCK. There is NO SIGN of his pursuer.

7 EXTERIOR: FORREST

THE CAMERA follows RYSHER in an action shot as he dashes through the woods. He DUCKS beneath several PINE, MAPLE, and OAK branches. He LEAPS over numerous JUNIPER BUSHES, and avoids tripping over ROOTS until suddenly –

In a CLOSE UP shot of RYSHER’S feet, his LEFT FOOT becomes temporarily caught beneath a tree root that is ARCHED slightly, leaving space between itself and the ground. RYSHER’S momentum leaves him unable to stop, and in a sickening CRACK he falls into an entanglement of JUNIPER BUSHES.

WILLIAM RYSHER
(screaming in intense pain)

Yeeeeeeeeeeoooooooooooooow!

PHANTOM VOICE
(voiceover – singing)

Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da, whack fall the daddy-o!

RYSHER rolls around, not seeming to acknowledge the PRICKLY GREEN THORNS of the juniper bushes that he has fallen into. Despite the intensity of the pain he is in, he still clenches the PISTOL tightly in his LEFT HAND.

RYSHER composes himself a bit, and attempts to sit up. He carefully lifts his RIGHT LEG, bringing his foot away from the ROOT that it had been caught in. His RIGHT FOOT is TWISTED in a way that is quite obviously NOT NORMAL. He sighs, a look of utter DESPERATION sweeping over his face. His JAW begins to QUIVER, and the TEARS return again. It doesn’t take long, however, for RYSHER’S dismay to quickly turn into FEAR.

THE CAMERA slowly moves BACKWARD from where it was focused on RYSHER’S FRIGHTENED face. It continues until it focuses on a VERY MUSCULAR, HUMAN LEG with a DARK, COPPER-COLORED TAN. The buttocks of this person are covered by a RAGGED ANIMAL HYDE. JET BLACK HAIR extends down to the man’s waist. He is quite obviously a NATIVE AMERICAN. His FACE is not seen.

8 EXTERIOR: JUNIPER BUSHES – RYSHER

THE CAMERA rushes toward RYSHER’S FACE, stopping in a close-up shot that makes his UNBEARABLE FEAR quite easily noted in his facial expressions.

PHANTOM VOICE
(voiceover)

It’s a… savage!

9 EXTERIOR: FOREST – NATIVE

THE NATIVE slowly raises BOTH HANDS, indicating that he means RYSHER NO HARM. THE CAMERA is still BEHIND HIM. His FACE is not seen.

10 EXTERIOR: JUNIPER BUSHES – RYSHER

PHANTOM VOICE
(voiceover)

Kill him! Kill him, Timothy! Quick, before he kills us!

RYSHER looks to the PISTOL in his LEFT HAND, then back to the NATIVE. He looks back to the PISTOL, then back to the NATIVE again. He repeats this several times until –

Well, it’s not officially Fall yet, but anyone living in New England will certainly agree with me that it feels like Summer is over. I love/hate it. Spring and Summer are undoubtedly my favorite seasons. That warm feeling of re-birth that I feel when the trees begin to bud and leaves slowly begin to cover them is what makes it worth suffering through the Winter (and my seasonal effectiveness disorder… I don’t write much in the Winter). Fall is just a bridge that we all cross that gives way to Winter… the time of year when everything green just seems to die. Ironically, as much as I hate the winter and how it hinders my work, the writing bug always seems to bite me harder at the first sign of Fall (despite how depressed the season makes me). It’s as if I am at the end of a race and kick into a sprint to finish faster… as if I subconsciously know that I need to work harder to make up for an almost certain lack of progress the following season.

…I’m weird.

On to news on The Dominance Flush screenplay. THINGS ARE GOING GREAT!!! I’ve been staying up a bit later than my wife each night and have slowly but surely been moving along with the project. My reason for this whole post is that today I saw a single tree on Route 1 covered in red leaves… it is the first sign of Fall (aside from the weather) that I have seen. It reminded me of what first inspired me to write The Dominance Flush; dead trees. Just look at the top of this site, just below my name… what do you see? A seemingly dead forest. It was as my eyes settled upon that tree that divine inspiration hit me again! I now know where I will be going next with the screenplay, but I will not share it publicly yet. For those of you who are interested though, and are disappointed that I haven’t yet posted a bit of the screenplay, your wait will soon be over. It will happen this week!

Nervous breakdown approaching…

I suppose I may have been a bit shaken-up that night. I still do not regret my previous post. Sometimes things just go bad… darkness descends upon the mind of a man who no longer feels any self-worth. The sun in my head has long been eclipsed by this… pessimism… but I have escaped it before by purging my demons on paper. I will do so again soon… not with the screenplay, although I continue to work on it… I need something new on the side.

I had another dream last night. I’ve been dreaming alot lately… and I do intend to share it all.

To Dina and Tina,

Thank you for your support. You have made most of the difference here with me. I’m going to get mushy… I love you guys.

*tears running down cheeks*

What the hell am I doing here? Was I placed on this earth to be a talented, under-appreciated writer, or am I here to be a under-appreciated human being who is going nowhere with his life?

The last few days have been hell for me… no, hell is an understatement, and I have no better-fitting word to place in its spot. It’s been so much worse than I can even drescribe. I feel like I am accomplishing nothing at my main place of work (Dirigo), and at the same time I am going above and beyond what I should be accomplishing at my “temporary” place of work (Oarweed). Incidentally, the Oarweed is only open for another month and a half. FUCK!

…and then there are the family issues. While I am having no problems with Dina and the kids, I am still surrounded by the rest of my family who all live on the same street as I do. Mother, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins… none of whom really seem to like me anymore (with the exception of my Grandparents… I think), and all of whom see me as a hopeless dreamer who will never go anywhere. Who could blame them? I only got fucked hard on a publishing deal that I may as well have made up in my head those four years ago.

Am I being paranoid? Let’s see how many of them actually visit this site and read what I write here. I’ll not hold my breath while waiting for comments from any of them. I am a ghost who is easily ignored and only remembered after death for the bad things I did. There is no forgiveness, and I still have no idea exactly what I did to deserve all of this. There is no unconditional love, and certainly no special attention, even when there is nothing that can prove that I don’t deserve it. I could go into details, but I’m not about to turn this site into my own place to vent my jealousy… I’m already pushing it with this post, but it feels good so I don’t care.

…enough said. Comment if you CARE! I’ll email a link to this post to everyone after exactly one month… that’s a generous amount of time. Let’s see who stumbles upon it before I have a chance to click “send.”

« Previous entries Next entries »