Here I am with happy producer, good writing material, and lots of enthusiasm for adapting the book to screen. There's only one problem. The movie rights belong to someone else. Friend Producer's job was to acquire the rights. July. She's gonna write a letter. Yep. Any day now. August. That letter's in the pipeline, just not quite finished. September. I'll get around to it.

And so on and so one. Now, I'm very fond of Friend Producer, but also pragmatic. No option, no work. I'm not going to take the risk that someone else has the rights to the movie, and is already working on someone, leaving me with just enthusiasm.

Friend Producer moves positions, and out of my department. We keep in touch. Still gonna write that letter, yesireebob. I'm still ready to work on treatment and screenplay, once the rights are secured. October. Still waiting. November. Still waiting.

December. We're all still enthusiastic, but still no option. But you know, that's OK. I've learned to wait without being burned, and without burning any bridges. Friend Producer is still a Friend (which will be important later as this adventure unfolds), and still enthusiastic.

But I'm not holding my breath. I'll file my notes away and continue with the other projects I've been writing since then.

And then along comes January. But more about that later.