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SCRIPT WRITING: KNOW WHEN TO END, Part 3

A script writing master class produced an original piece of work that’s still in progress. I took the class after buying and reading books about script writing and beating the odds in Hollywood. Part 3 follows Part 2.

ANTICIPATION ANXIETY, OR “HOW BAD CAN THIS BE?”

New beginnings around here start with anticipation anxiety, sleepless nights, and carefully moving forward. Does that sound like your standard operating procedure, your SOP? It’s one thing when it’s on the job, another when it’s just you and you’re got an idea you want to figure out. Instead of the trusted steps of 1, 2, […]

STARTING OVER? HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT TAKE A WRITER

Looking back, I’ve been starting over every day with a fresh, clean, screen and filling it up, just like today. But, as much as that feels like a new start, it doesn’t have the travel element. In my twenties starting over meant a road trip from one side of the country to the other. Have […]

WHY WRITE A PERSONAL BLOG? WHO ELSE WOULD DO IT INSTEAD

Why write a personal blog? Or anything? If you do write, keep going. Taking time off to stop and think about it might be the end. If you’re looking for a reason to quit, it’s right there. However, if you’re looking for things to keep going, keep reading.

THE GREAT LEAP FOR SPORTS DREAMS IN PORTLAND

The Great Leap is on stage in downtown Portland, Oregon. It’s a solid jumper, a score for the home team. Who would have guessed four actors could show history so well? And do a basketball game without players and made it feel as real as any last second drama. No fouls called on this play.

WHY LEGITIMATE POLITICAL DISCOURSE NEEDS SOME SCHOOLING

Since I’m an expert on political discourse I’ll tell you how I became such an expert After reading this, see if the same criteria applies to others who claim expertise in legitimate political discourse. For me, it all started in second grade. Experts, believable experts, need early references.

PAIN WRITERS: GUIDELINES FOR A PAINFUL STORY

Pain writers draw inspiration from two sources: Their own pain. Someone else’s pain. The source of pain is a standard feature. Pain writers want you to feel it. For example:

SPORTS WRITING FOR THE WIN WITH HORSHACK

Sports writing is more than sports stories and sporty personalities. Sports betting is another story. Those guys care about sports and personalities, winning and losing, but care more about the point spread. We’ll stick to sports writing in regard to sports and personalities, about the underdogs, not the underbelly.

CLIMATE WRITING: IS IT HOT IN HERE OR JUST ME?

Climate writing, climate change writing, global warming writing, are all stories to tell. The problem is those telling aren’t doing a very good job. Could I do better? Me? Hell, no. But maybe you could. Maybe you could tell it so it gets under the thick skin of big decision makers? I have ideas to […]

WHY WRITE IT DOWN, WE’LL REMEMBER

‘Why write?’ I ask myself while trolling Costco with a legible list, a battle plan against over-shopping. After sweating it out over a hot keyboard all morning I pick up ‘the list’, the most important writing of the current era. “Do not write so as to be understood. Write in order to understand.” The real […]