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Michael Neff Loses it at the Office

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Yes, that's me in my younger days.

But where was this version of Michael Neff? In the AEI Films and Books office in LA? Yes, that's it. I was a development executive then, yes, and holding a workshop there, attempting to talk a few genre writers into analyzing structure in screenplays before rewriting their novels. 

So why did I become crazed? Rejecting a bad manuscript, or maybe a terrible pitch? That must have been it. A pitch too far, and I lost it. I tried to be patient, but it didn't work. The writer was a narcissist, a flipping ego maniac, thus escorting me to the brink, to the point where I actually resembled the Cage man himself!

Look at the Cage man! What is he saying here?

"I'm sorry, Alva, it's just too late. Too late to add a plot line with a cliffhanger. It's all TOO LATE!!!"

To which the now terrified writer replies: "I'm sorry, Mr. Neff, I'll search passionately for a plot, and premise first, yes ... a premise that will sell, and--"

"TOO LATE!  TOOOOOO LATE!"

Michael Neff

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  1. Jamie6:14 PM

    Ohhhh, Neff is on the Writer's EDGE!!!

    Such a teddy bear. Thank you for all you've done for me. I am a published author with a major house, mostly because of you.

    Love,
    J

    ReplyDelete
  2. Taliesin4:18 AM

    Hey Michael,

    You just need a litte Jesus in your life. Bless you my son.

    Liam

    ReplyDelete
  3. Richard Hacker1:50 PM

    LOL. Better get several good bottles of whiskey before you enter the hellish den of back to back power pitch sessions. Of course, you'll probably be mobbed by fans wanting Cage's autograph. By the second day, I doubt anyone will be able to distinguish the difference!

    ReplyDelete
  4. admin1:17 PM

    Neff losing it? Perish the thought. After dealing with an endless line of aspiring authors - each one more confused & crazy than the last - can you blame him for essentially "getting to the point" in his own imicable way? (Yes, Michael, I know that sentence was too long...)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jane Ann Martin2:26 PM

    Michael Neff has done more to help me learn what it takes to become a published author than everyone else I've known put together.

    Thank you Michael!

    Hugs,
    JA

    ReplyDelete

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