Chicago, Humor, John Hughes, Music, Screenplay

Screenplays and Books and Regrets

Writer McWriterson
This has been sitting in the bottom drawer of my desk since 2018

I was thrilled to learn that someone connected to the late John Hughes was reading my screenplay.

But here’s the thing about my screenplay: it’s terrible.

I’ve fallen madly in love with Kate, Regina, and Val over the last five years. I can see them, hear them, and even see what they would wear. I’ve been working on them for so long that I’ve developed a bond with them, and I believe most authors can relate to this.

But the screenplay itself needs work.

Posing in the style of Ferris Bueller on a busy Saturday in the middle of a Chicago-area IKEA. Photo courtesy Natasha Nicholes.

After finishing my screenplay a few years ago, I read an essay by Molly Ringwald that completely changed my perspective on John Hughes.

So I went back and tore out scenes from my screenplay.

I added a subplot, and then I had an idea: I created a completely new character, Nancy Hughes, John Hughes’ wife.

Nancy Hughes, inspiration and wife of filmmaker John Hughes, has ...
Courtesy/Chicago Sun-Times

Years ago, I read an article about John Hughes in which he stated that his wife was the driving force behind all of his films, and that he would not be the powerhouse he was without her.

I discovered that Nancy was a recurring theme in the majority of his interviews.

I’d heard his movie, She’s Having a Baby, was a love letter to her. So, one afternoon, I rented it from Amazon and re-watched it, but this time I studied it.

I fell in love with their love story. It was very moving to watch the film from this new perspective. Why hadn’t I noticed this before?

I wanted to abandon my screenplay and write about their love story, but I was in the throes of menopause, and my mind was painfully foggy.

Instead, I was feverishly writing about Nancy saving Kate, Val, and Regina and getting them the money for the museum, then finding all of the museum materials, movie artifacts, and everything else. Which, when you think about it, makes complete sense! Why would Nancy not have all of that stuff in her basement?

This will make no sense if you have never read the screenplay.

I recall writing for six hours straight one day and being so ridiculously happy about all that I was creating. I had heard The Thompson Twins song If You Were Here and KNEW it would be perfect for a scene I had written.

The song would play as Nancy was wandering through the museum the night before they presented it to the public. She was traversing the corridors, admiring all the movie posters, the screenplays with his writings in the margins, directors’ chairs, touching portraits and museum items, and absorbing all of her husband’s life via his work. The music is playing, and Molly and Kate are watching this unfolding and realizing this was Nancy’s life, Nancy’s doing, and Nancy’s labor of love.

That his is her museum too.

End scene and sob.

When the song, If You Were Here randomly came on Pandora while I was writing this scene, I cried. It was such a great moment. I was typing, crying and laughing all at once. It felt like John was in the room with me while I was writing it.

I breathed a sign of relief when I finished it and submitted it to Script Revolution. If the Universe wants it to be made, then so be it.

Sadly, Nancy died in September, and when I found out about it, I wept for her in more ways than one.

When she died, so did my screenplay.

I didn’t want to proceed.

Then COVID came to town.

Then migraines came to town.

Then Josh Gad did that incredible Ferris Bueller YouTube reunion.

Then, a few weeks ago, my friend Ani sent me a Cameo video in which she mentioned to Anthony Michael Hall that I had written a screenplay. Which he stated he would read once his busy summer was over.

So, over the course of three days, I tore my screenplay apart, removing two entire scenes, an entire character (may she rest in peace), and adding three extra characters and a completely new crime-based plot.

I did a thing.

I’m usually great at working under pressure, but this is the first time I’ve done it with no estrogen in my system and also while our country was in a “not my circus, not my monkeys” scenario/pandemic shitshow situation.

So I was working on a curve.

And now I’m having serious regrets about it.

I’m in love with this new graphic I made. Maybe instead of screenplays, I should just make screenplay graphics? 

I was hasty in sending him my screenplay. I should have sent the Nancy ending instead.

This leads nicely into my “vision” for the screenplay, which I don’t have.

I mean, I have a vision, but not in the way you might think. I’m not looking for creative control; I just like the idea of three women working together to bring a John Hughes museum to Chicago.

Those three women saved my soul during a difficult period of my perimenopausal journey. When things got tough over the last five years, I knew I could turn to those women for solace and laughter.

I simply desired the creation of a John Hughes museum. That was the whole point of writing the script in the first place.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off premiered when I was in high school.

In fact, I was the same age as Ferris Bueller when the film was released in theaters

I remember watching this scene from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off one day early in my perimenopause journey.

I wrote the screenplay to get away from my daily life. I also fell in love with movies from my adolescence, appreciating my youth at a time when my life seemed hopeless.

I don’t know how else to describe it.

It was a time.

My daughter in 2016

I don’t want to be famous.

I am boring as fuck.

Proof part one- a paper version of myself made it to Las Vegas before an actual version of myself made it there. Photo courtesy of Jackie Vatistas

On a Saturday night, I like sitting in my suburban Chicago house with my husband, trying to solve 48 Hours mysteries while eating Haagen Daaz and, if I’m really feeling silly, adding the expensive hot fudge from Whole Foods.

But I love the city and suburbs of Chicago. I love this area that John Hughes loved so much; I love the people who inhabit it, the food, the culture, the big lake, the accents, and everything else about it.

It is my home; it was his home.

That’s all.

32 thoughts on “Screenplays and Books and Regrets”

  1. Your posts always make me smile. I wish you had bought the hat!! (I do that crap all the time)

    CHICAGO!! On my list of places I want ti visit since before I met you. Meeting you placed it on my list of places I will visit. Gotta meet the real life you.

    Just think. Your museum could be up and running by the time travel is doable again.

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    1. I’m so glad I can make you smile. That is what I had in mind this morning when I hit publish. So much in the world right now, we need light hearted every once and again.

      I would love for you to come visit here when you can travel! Chicago had another rough night last night. Please pray for the city I so love. Just one thing after another.

      We just need something to look forward to. 💕

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  2. I think you should send a link to this post to Anthony Michael Hall.
    This is amazing.
    I love the idea of Nancy and I had tears in my eyes as I was reading the idea. That would make an amazing story.

    I agree that there should be some sort of a museum to John Hughes in Chicago. He is a huge part of movie history for that city. I’m kind of surprised that they don’t have anything.

    I read about the looting in Chicago this morning. 😢
    Sending you and the city you love a hug.

    But seriously think about sending this to Anthony.

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    1. My husband said the same thing. I might do that in September when I said to him in the email that I would “circle back”. Look at me saying big girl words.
      I loved that storyline so much and when she died, I was so sad that the storyline died too.

      I wondered all those years if it was a matter of him being such a private person and his family just honoring his wishes. Maybe he wouldn’t have wanted this because his family is private all these years later as well.

      Yeah, it’s just so sad because Chicago is such an amazing city. I love the mayor and I feel for the police here because they are trying to control the situation. I can just hear the people of privilege AND the people who don’t even live near Chicago whispering about this and that is what pisses me off. This year SUCKS.

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  3. I love this! You haven’t written about John Hughes in a while and I missed it. In this crappy time, I think we needed it. I’m glad you shared this today. Your happy place, I’m sure. Thank you for sharing it with us. ❤️

    Oh and I love the Nancy Hughes plot SO MUCH.

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    1. I actually missed it too. I cannot thank Ani enough for rekindling my John Hughes flame again.
      We really did need it, I needed it for sure. It is a crappy, rainy, dreary, Monday here. I have been headachy again and we are getting a huge storm this afternoon. GAHHHH.

      NANCY AND JOHN, SAVE US.

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  4. Can’t you keep the storyline even though Nancy is dead? Like a tribute? The whole thing is so amazing. I can relate to writing something and then deciding to go in another direction or questioning what direction works best. Not easy. When I write parts of my memoir I see it evolving like a John Hughes movie . . . with the underdog prevailing. Dare to dream that it ends up becoming SOMETHING. At this point I want it published so it is real. I feel like we are on TBE same page there. Get it, page?

    I think telling him you are gonna circle back is brilliant. You gave yourself an extra step there. A reason to connect again.

    I have met the real you and read your blog, both awesome. Can’t wait to hear what happens next.

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    1. I really want to because I love it so much. One of their sons is a writer in Chicago and I get the feeling he wouldn’t like it. So that’s why I never push it. I just get that vibe. Not sure why.

      A reason to connect again, yes, I love that.

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  6. I love so much about this story. Maybe the story isn’t about John Hughes or Nancy or even Chicago, but about this (hardly) boring as fuck and regular woman who is struggling with menopause and migraine and a country wrecked by a demon spawn president who writes a screenplay that is an homage to her city and her youth and her dream (the exact nature of which is not entirely clear to me) comes true?

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  7. I remember that essay by Molly Ringwald. I didn’t hate her for writing it, just felt sad that another little piece of what I thought I knew for sure, wasn’t. I like that you’ve morphed from one type of writer into another. I’ve never contemplated writing a book, so I give you big props for doing so. Ever onward, eh?

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  9. Oh Kari, I can tell how happy John Hughes makes you! I think you’re right that MANY of his movies were love letters to Chicago – Ferris Bueller especially.

    I hope you get it made. And your museum.

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  10. Your original screenplay did NOT suck. And I’m not just saying that ’cause I’m your friend. Brian and I used to read your screenplay together, every time you’d post another scene (or whatever you call it…can I blame it on menopause brain?). Brian loved it and he doesn’t even know you. He actually *wanted* to read it each time you’d post another scene.

    I’m in awe of you for having such lofty goals and actually doing something about it. Most people (myself included) merely daydream about stuff like this and never get around to applying ourselves. You are amazing.

    xoxo

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  11. You need that damn overpriced hat!! Also, there is nothing boring or basic about you my friend.
    I love this post. I LOVE that you have the balls to write AND send a screenplay to anyone.

    I love your idea about the museum and the whole Nancy part. Also, I love that John Hughs was such a good family man. Right? It doesn’t get much better than that.

    I loved that clip from FB when they were in the museum; certainly, it was all a love letter to Chicago.

    Can I say I LOVE anymore???

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    2. I DO NEED THAT HAT! I have regretted not buying that hat for two years. Sigh.

      I mean, you can kind of tell that from the central theme in his movies but I do love that too.

      I love that you said love so much. ❤️

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  12. I am here, but don’t really know what to say. I loved that screenplay in its infancy and was rooting for it so hard. Now I am mourning for a version I didnt get to read, but realizing it is just YOU I need to root for!

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  13. I just told this story again over the weekend. I shared the story with my brother when I first sent it and your reaction video, which makes me so damn happy. He came over this weekend and I told him the follow up with the email you sent him, and he was like damn what a badass. I know right?! My fucking hero!

    Then we talked about how AMH recently had to apologize for yelling at some people by a pool. He sounded a big unhinged, but then he also sounded sincerely sorry for his behavior. I can’t really blame the guy for being on edge, I’m three second away from yelling at everyone I see wearing their mask under their nose. How is this a thing anyone can possibly think is acceptable? It’s like wearing your boobs outside of your bra, or your balls outside of your jock strap. Ugh, we are never getting out of this pandemic.

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    1. Aww, I love that your brother thinks I’m a badass. Can I be part of your family?

      I am always five seconds from yelling at people. Because I’m blonde, I also look like a Karen. But I swear I’m the farthest from one. I also hate calling myself that because one of my dear friend’s mom’s name was Karen and she passed last year. She was a beautiful soul. But I think she’d get a chuckle out of her name being used like this. But we are all unhinged. It’s day to day.

      The visual of balls outside of a jockstrap will be what gets me through the rest of the week. This is why I’m so glad you’re my friend, Ani. ❤️

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