My roommate has been using the same towel all year and has never washed it. She says it’s okay because if she only uses it to dry her body once it’s clean, but still, right? —Mopey About Mold
If your story were a movie I was adapting, the main conflict would be between you and your roommate. Now, who would win? It’s hard for me to say. You see, what drew me most to novelizing movies was the fact that I have a brain disorder that leaves me unable to write anything more imaginative than a transcription of what is playing on the television in front of me. So, yeah, I don’t know what to tell you.
I don’t like to admit it, but I’m nervous about life after graduation. Any tips for getting over the anxiety of entering the real world? —Livin La Vida Copa
The future is difficult to plan for, even if your brain is capable of imagination. But I’m reminded that uncertainty is what makes life worth living when I think of the words Doc Brown said in my novelization of Back to the Future: “We don’t need roads in that place where we’re going.” A smart man, indeed.
I haven’t been thrilled with how my Sociology professor has been grading my papers. Should I bring this up with her or try to learn from her comments? —Struggling in SOCI 001
Professors can be great, influential people. Read my novelization of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull for a wonderful example of one such archaeology professor. But that doesn’t mean they’re always right. When I was an undergrad, I was always butting heads with my writing teacher, who gave me an F for my final piece, which was a transcription of a scene from the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She said it lacked creativity and originality but I think all those involved with that classic film would disagree.
I’m an English major, but my parents want me to go Pre-Law. How can I convince them that following my passion is the right move? —Frustrated In Fisher Bennett
Tell them my story and you’ll win them over. I got my degree in Biology but after a year spent in a boring lab, I quit and never looked back. That’s when I started writing novelizations of my favorite movies. It’s been a fulfilling career, even if I’ve never actually sold one of my novelizations. I guess, usually, the publisher will ask you to write it before the movie comes out so it can coincide with the movie’s release, but how am I supposed to see a movie before it comes out? It doesn’t add up.
