In an earlier post, I discussed using Thanksgiving as a source of conflict for your script but this time I’d like to approach it from a more hopeful place.
Despite the craziness that often accompanies this holiday, Thanksgiving can also be a comfort to those experiencing a personal upheaval in their own life. Those of us concerned with the uncertainty about the economy, or the war, or the health of a loved one, can enjoy a moment of sanity in the collective rituals that come with this annual event.
For all the stress and drama that comes with this day, there are also moments of clarity that come with just being with friends and family you don’t always see (and don’t always appreciate) or falling asleep in front of the game.
So, this year, instead of freaking out about whether you’ll have enough turkey or stuffing or pie, give yourself permission to take a moment to consider your heart instead of your stomach.
Because what is giving thanks, really, but sharing a happy story with those you love.
Happy Thanksgiving.
A fun exercise for Thanksgiving:
Take a minute to think about which of the Macy’s Day balloons your character would be. Be sure to consider their temperament, as well as their date of origin.
Would they be a classic character like Snoopy, or someone more recent like the Ask Jeeves guy? Would they be heroic like Super Grover or an underdog, like Underdog?
Sometimes we’re so close to our characters that we find it difficult to boil them down to one or two characteristics. This exercise will help.
