Tag: inspiration

“The Dream” came true – a Professional’s Confessional

Fireworks illuminating a city skyline

As of this month, I became a professional screenwriter. In short, I am now under contract to write my first paid screenplay for a producer. It is based on a book by a veteran, and it stands a good chance at being produced –… Continue Reading ““The Dream” came true – a Professional’s Confessional”

Ready or not, here goes something

It’s here: the finished, revised, pitch-ready screenplay for my first feature film. Next week, I have three pitch meetings scheduled with different producers at the international NRB convention in Dallas. This is where media professionals from all over the world gather to share ideas,… Continue Reading “Ready or not, here goes something”

The Pawn Shop: a short film

My short film The Pawn Shop is now available to watch! It was January of 2023 when I first – and last – wrote to you about this project, just after it had finished filming. The premise of the short film: In an unusual… Continue Reading “The Pawn Shop: a short film”

Exciting isn’t always Epic: ask eHarmony

As writers, we often dream of our own lives unfolding like one of the epic stories we either admire or are working on. Do you ever look at someone else’s life story and think, “Wow, what an exciting, adventurous life that person has had.… Continue Reading “Exciting isn’t always Epic: ask eHarmony”

A knife and two rings

black and gray knife with box

Life doesn’t stop moving even when we do. The last time I wrote to you, it was sharing my journey through the diagnosis process, through chronic pain, and overseas to Norway. Some of us feel locked up because our minds won’t work. Others because… Continue Reading “A knife and two rings”

Wheelchairs, wings, and world travels

I never thought I would see Norway from a wheelchair. Meaning, I always wanted to see the country, but never imagined that I would experience it in a wheelchair. If you have read my blog for any amount of time, you know that these… Continue Reading “Wheelchairs, wings, and world travels”

Outlining and Bacon

person writing on white paper

Outlining will not save your bacon—it will just help you make the bacon in the first place. Every form of writing will have its own outlining standard (novels, articles, dissertations, screenplays, etc.). And within each category of writing, every writer will have his or… Continue Reading “Outlining and Bacon”

Overcoming the Research Roadblock

red stop sign

Research can either make or break a story, so we writers have to get it right. Time periods, cultures, social/government systems, technology—anything in your story that ranges beyond your area of expertise is going to require some intensive research. I learned this the hard… Continue Reading “Overcoming the Research Roadblock”

A Blogging Milestone: the 100th Post

person standing on hand rails with arms wide open facing the mountains and clouds

Two years ago, the term “blogging milestone” seemed ridiculous—even pretentious. The last blogging milestone I made a post about was the 30th one, in February of 2020, which was more like an announcement of The Inquisitive Inkpot’s identity shift. I don’t think even after… Continue Reading “A Blogging Milestone: the 100th Post”

Remembering on Memorial Day

Last Memorial Day gave me an experience I will never forget. It all began with a story I had recorded prior to Memorial Day for the national radio program Our American Stories. The piece featured my boss, an ex-marine, telling the incredible story of… Continue Reading “Remembering on Memorial Day”