tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16016190567702913712024-03-27T09:15:08.611-06:00David-Matthew BarnesWRITER + FILM PRODUCER + ARTISTIC DIRECTORBlog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-11840861861081098042024-03-23T01:05:00.001-06:002024-03-25T14:41:05.656-06:00Welcome<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tJWgc_dTYPZ6Sa7MEX9sp-O60TdSeH14kLDQf4jZBdHswCE9El2qWzCtWZT3FbavVc3H5aRheoHXxxSaAVD-57fGcT0NGd2K6y3xpp1yDG8WgM49uYpJa2Oy2ZfpShq953_L88L5r2g/s2048/sebastien-gabriel-gyUVNafCIG8-unsplash+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tJWgc_dTYPZ6Sa7MEX9sp-O60TdSeH14kLDQf4jZBdHswCE9El2qWzCtWZT3FbavVc3H5aRheoHXxxSaAVD-57fGcT0NGd2K6y3xpp1yDG8WgM49uYpJa2Oy2ZfpShq953_L88L5r2g/s320/sebastien-gabriel-gyUVNafCIG8-unsplash+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />Hello. Thank you for stopping by. I'm happy you're here.</div><p></p><p>My name is David-Matthew Barnes. I'm a writer and film producer. I write in multiple genres, primarily young adult, romance, thriller, and horror.</p><p>If you'd like to learn more about me and my life, the <b><a href="http://dmbarnes.blogspot.com/p/about.html" target="_blank">About</a></b> section offers more details. If you'd like a more intimate connection, I invite you to my free <b><a href="https://www.onlyfans.com/dmatthewbarnes" target="_blank">OnlyFans</a></b> page <i>(adults only)</i>.</p><p>If you're looking for something particular I've written, please visit the <b><a href="http://dmbarnes.blogspot.com/p/s.html" target="_blank">Library</a></b> section. This is a comprehensive list of my published and produced titles. If it's available, it's listed there. </p><p>All of my stage plays published by <b><a href="http://www.bluedasherpress.com" target="_blank">Blue Dasher Press</a></b> can be produced royalty-free. There is never a cost to produce one of my scripts published by them. I believe theatre is for everyone. I invite you to visit their <b><a href="https://payhip.com/bluedasher" target="_blank">online digital store</a></b>, where you can purchase printable PDF's of most of my stage plays at a pay-what-you-want rate. </p><p>If you're an actor, I encourage you to check out the <b><a href="http://dmbarnes.blogspot.com/p/monologues.html" target="_blank">Monologues</a></b> section, especially if you're looking for a contemporary audition piece. . </p><p>I recommend checking out my <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/David-Matthew-Barnes/e/B003YJ87IG" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a></b>. There you'll find a list of all of my titles available via Amazon (including lots of Kindle Unlimited titles to choose from).</p><p>I've been very fortunate to write eight screenplays that have been produced. As a film producer, I have helped bring fifty films to the screen including many independent films, horror movies, and international films. My <b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1498491/" target="_blank">IMDb</a></b> page is a great resource for information about my film and television projects.</p><p>My novels are published by <b><a href="http://www.bluedasherpress.com" target="_blank">Blue Dasher Press</a></b> and <b><a href="https://cayellepublishing.com/" target="_blank">Cayélle Publishing</a></b>. </p><p>My most recent book is the horror novel <b><a href="https://a.co/d/0YLBCT8" target="_blank">Dummy</a></b>.</p><p>The <b><a href="http://dmbarnes.blogspot.com/p/links.html" target="_blank">Links</a></b> page is a great list of writing resources, organizations I love and support, and links to the individual webpages of the members of my collective creative team. There, you will also find links to articles, reviews, interviews, podcasts, and radio shows related to my work.</p><p>Please send all professional inquiries via the contact form. A member of my creative team will be happy to help you. </p><p>Again, thank you for being here. As always, thank you for your support!🖤</p>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-80025092140174922952024-02-29T12:30:00.001-07:002024-02-29T12:30:20.861-07:00Monthly Update: February 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTQ-Nfs-VDwKObLrSYbFX4yYKhVI1jSlAX5DHP5LB5cUd9JPpztlG5AM7ezY5LU7oOBFcpXd8Y76YBbqM6bnlVSYPsqJXnad-LH_xL6ZXnpiM1hdcu-sXyB-vOVXuF3q_zDKeix16g6PgEs1LaBXi_FccKxKhSPGcg059w8dwFGkZ1RONbdxswy2cuvI/s2048/blossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTQ-Nfs-VDwKObLrSYbFX4yYKhVI1jSlAX5DHP5LB5cUd9JPpztlG5AM7ezY5LU7oOBFcpXd8Y76YBbqM6bnlVSYPsqJXnad-LH_xL6ZXnpiM1hdcu-sXyB-vOVXuF3q_zDKeix16g6PgEs1LaBXi_FccKxKhSPGcg059w8dwFGkZ1RONbdxswy2cuvI/s320/blossoms.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>February has been a ROUGH month. No joke. No lie. R-O-U-G-H. Where I live in Sacramento, we experienced some really intense rain storms at the start of the month. We lost power for two days. No internet for almost a week. And my car was damaged beyond repair after I drove over debris on my way home from the hospital where my mother-in-law had been taken by ambulance (she's home and is doing much better - thank you for the kind thoughts and prayers). During (because of) this, I got terribly sick and was stuck in bed for a few days with a mean cold. With March on the near horizon, I can't help but feel optimistic that March will be better (at this point, it has to be). <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveyDfAvHFQY2QOaoXW03f18FgzYituVJ3nhrqreTw6IXEBjRtZ5so54ZuAYiCKaVrgNfKDWxU9o6e_4v-85l2oZASVbFmGrCKLs2b0Bd208eB33nX6nXje4u4iRvcIFkghUJf6OY49CnNHRUeQjGrufBV0cyAsa_9-zc3gytt0Evebh1U5Tvnc4ou8Gg/s1080/Crystal-Lewis-Proof.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveyDfAvHFQY2QOaoXW03f18FgzYituVJ3nhrqreTw6IXEBjRtZ5so54ZuAYiCKaVrgNfKDWxU9o6e_4v-85l2oZASVbFmGrCKLs2b0Bd208eB33nX6nXje4u4iRvcIFkghUJf6OY49CnNHRUeQjGrufBV0cyAsa_9-zc3gytt0Evebh1U5Tvnc4ou8Gg/s320/Crystal-Lewis-Proof.png" width="320" /></a></div>We're kicking off March with a much-needed weekend getaway to Newport Beach. We have tickets to see the very talented <b><a href="https://www.crystallewis.com/" target="_blank">Crystal Lewis</a></b> perform in a big band show at Campus Jax. For any <i>Frozen Stars </i>fans, Crystal's version of <b><i><a href="https://youtu.be/tQphA-4siww?si=Kh8oS6MHWTnhr8pT" target="_blank">Cuan Grande es El</a></i></b> is featured in the film and on the soundtrack. It's hard to believe but this will be my first time seeing Crystal perform live, after being a fan of hers for almost three decades.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaLRNrE73YgBUHtlMkcMxoCijZ2XPxfRlp0E8hugOa3WuS-Wa_0LCeU8N9aA5pqxexj4Fu9cjNDbUISvvosNkGV2iznOmvdfUvZ2ZvX00UH8p4Py56XlSOUfNqxLI5sGAkHtywJmPINpqUuI1nzCe_zzlEPdCJSnTVMA4ney0xXd8q-kyKni3X7AS_YM/s2880/F-CgPRtW4AAPoXb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaLRNrE73YgBUHtlMkcMxoCijZ2XPxfRlp0E8hugOa3WuS-Wa_0LCeU8N9aA5pqxexj4Fu9cjNDbUISvvosNkGV2iznOmvdfUvZ2ZvX00UH8p4Py56XlSOUfNqxLI5sGAkHtywJmPINpqUuI1nzCe_zzlEPdCJSnTVMA4ney0xXd8q-kyKni3X7AS_YM/s320/F-CgPRtW4AAPoXb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Very excited to share with you the short horror film <b><i><a href="https://youtu.be/WcEUc7iNniU?si=wG4B4eZEW3cBvk4k" target="_blank">Marbles</a></i></b>, written and directed by the very talented Robert Hamilton. This one is super spooky and includes onscreen violence. The cinematography is fantastic (high fives to Michael Patti). This creepy, terrifying film stars Audrey Venable, BJ Mezek, and R. David King. I'm a very proud Associate Producer (I'm in the closing credits - <i>woo hoo!</i>). They’ve been winning lots of awards at film festivals with this one. <i>Enjoy! </i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjtRWQNiq7dgX7E23bU9rkKMGD3xDmDqEcOn6UxlSSW_VijNckOWXr3sUsGXW4cldY_VC_lXhij1aH15T3oV7Ai4rmBUz2Y52nlWPLt6dyV2SMlCuwuZPr7a7tn-u7qgVOe0CMF8JRywnuEiyMRGuYg17zQwTmg5covSRVg6_3FSJvm_zsPjS8fyEzdE/s1107/429541783_2357579424437588_8781052575154551550_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1107" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjtRWQNiq7dgX7E23bU9rkKMGD3xDmDqEcOn6UxlSSW_VijNckOWXr3sUsGXW4cldY_VC_lXhij1aH15T3oV7Ai4rmBUz2Y52nlWPLt6dyV2SMlCuwuZPr7a7tn-u7qgVOe0CMF8JRywnuEiyMRGuYg17zQwTmg5covSRVg6_3FSJvm_zsPjS8fyEzdE/s320/429541783_2357579424437588_8781052575154551550_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was excited to attend an open conversation with acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair. It was a wonderful and very inspiring afternoon. I'm a huge fan of her beautiful films. Thank you, Sundance!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr40xtyKDaQMfv20ox7GnIMCLTYkhMqPBJpHzOr-IB3VZddPpxvdi0s0YQ5vg42WVv9z1yrDMxx_6QcR9n8Y7d9af-LKNXBl9Ki5ftbHZni_Po4WYnCUYypoYjOheYAadnH3WRg2ZgUBmuLxLjJomgbARWeDmWAdZwF3t1wCg_vFeH37f3ZV5U8ymPao/s1622/429507747_2356985954496935_1072118476100968080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1622" data-original-width="1179" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr40xtyKDaQMfv20ox7GnIMCLTYkhMqPBJpHzOr-IB3VZddPpxvdi0s0YQ5vg42WVv9z1yrDMxx_6QcR9n8Y7d9af-LKNXBl9Ki5ftbHZni_Po4WYnCUYypoYjOheYAadnH3WRg2ZgUBmuLxLjJomgbARWeDmWAdZwF3t1wCg_vFeH37f3ZV5U8ymPao/s320/429507747_2356985954496935_1072118476100968080_n.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>Here’s the official poster for the upcoming horror film <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28212637/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Grind</a>, written and directed by the very talented Mark Cantu. Every time I see my name on a movie poster it feels very surreal in a cool pinch-me-I’m-dreaming kinda way. Thrilled to be a part of this awesome indie horror project as a producer. The film will be out next year!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gBO-xI1WowiP6_xdm8lkrDW0F_SNQUSpFeIzREp9uzr8u8JEs8mHEDY8zAG2n-HZmIkAEfKVgkEToZcJNZeNFtxQdG6M1MUJ3ia5w5QMsJWMh27lG3-Fas7CIDlsFc7abIL6-3tBDn5FsWySiUnuaYMEovFl7uwBuOQ5RoH0bB_yFeQ5iGvFd85tvxo/s1118/424775760_2340700829458781_5232959301956122573_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1118" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gBO-xI1WowiP6_xdm8lkrDW0F_SNQUSpFeIzREp9uzr8u8JEs8mHEDY8zAG2n-HZmIkAEfKVgkEToZcJNZeNFtxQdG6M1MUJ3ia5w5QMsJWMh27lG3-Fas7CIDlsFc7abIL6-3tBDn5FsWySiUnuaYMEovFl7uwBuOQ5RoH0bB_yFeQ5iGvFd85tvxo/s320/424775760_2340700829458781_5232959301956122573_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My unproduced short horror film script <b><a href="https://filmfreeway.com/projects/2975906" target="_blank">Mary Go Round</a></b> has been doing very well in screenwriting competitions at film festivals. It was nominated in the category of Best Screenplay for the Scream Queen Shockathon, nominated for Best Screenplay at Venice Shorts in Los Angeles, and nominated for Best Short Script at the Tokyo International Short Film Festival. Very grateful for this recognition of my work as a horror screenwriter. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MCzzjPEgwAzIJEk5yBN-Xan50F-Zm75KUZxAIWGmH4-qvLBtPBmzWDdWnXLT6ZB37MiEBbpnm1Y32BJ6pMdfJYeFPy_m851RfLRNwv4toWlLgG1lpr1gDxsTrHTUuGwfVKeW1lbb7Z725BlubUuzbxxhXzcc5xNGW7mG4Z4ccBRmkYsJEbYOubf5YUU/s2048/424678712_2340959749432889_9002368698139800707_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MCzzjPEgwAzIJEk5yBN-Xan50F-Zm75KUZxAIWGmH4-qvLBtPBmzWDdWnXLT6ZB37MiEBbpnm1Y32BJ6pMdfJYeFPy_m851RfLRNwv4toWlLgG1lpr1gDxsTrHTUuGwfVKeW1lbb7Z725BlubUuzbxxhXzcc5xNGW7mG4Z4ccBRmkYsJEbYOubf5YUU/s320/424678712_2340959749432889_9002368698139800707_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>I’m incredibly proud of this remarkable man. Edward just finished the application process for a doctorate program. If accepted, he will start working towards earning a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership this fall. <i>SO proud of him!</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I hope February has been a blessing for you. </div><div><br /></div><div>Onward and upward.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>David-Matthew</i></div></div>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-19043030281378391122024-01-25T11:21:00.002-07:002024-03-04T17:44:28.587-07:00Monthly Update: January 2024<p><b><i>Hello and Happy New Year! </i></b>I hope 2024 is treating you well. </p><p>I've hit the ground running this year.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_q6lt3wwDdVJ2zfP66eHN44FKZIJ3_iKc3476uJ6P5de66wlCHaL4VIGRKlyFchjSfYVKJgFOx7_KjPRfE8ZZIfdQLUpWTR0qqntqlo5vb_gbF7CrwY0o4XPYXMc6PuRKSYg2zWGzshFHh0QMOuIghWA3lQihMoeP3HbUvu1BXNYGMnN2GmOf7Sm2N1Q/s2048/I%20Bet%20She%20Has%20a%20Party%20to%20Go%20To%20-%20Original%20Cast.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_q6lt3wwDdVJ2zfP66eHN44FKZIJ3_iKc3476uJ6P5de66wlCHaL4VIGRKlyFchjSfYVKJgFOx7_KjPRfE8ZZIfdQLUpWTR0qqntqlo5vb_gbF7CrwY0o4XPYXMc6PuRKSYg2zWGzshFHh0QMOuIghWA3lQihMoeP3HbUvu1BXNYGMnN2GmOf7Sm2N1Q/s320/I%20Bet%20She%20Has%20a%20Party%20to%20Go%20To%20-%20Original%20Cast.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've partnered with a wonderful organization in Sacramento (where I live) called <b><a href="https://www.futures-explored.org/" target="_blank">Futures Explored Film Studio</a></b>. They will be producing a collection of my one-act plays under the collective title <b><i>Some of Us Are Brave.</i></b> I'm excited to be directing the show. The cast is wonderful and the production team is stellar. Included in the lineup (each piece will be presented at each performance) are my plays <b><i><a href="https://payhip.com/b/o4Kg" target="_blank">Hot Rates to Omaha</a></i></b> (world premiere), <b><i><a href="https://payhip.com/b/ITHu" target="_blank">Number 76</a></i></b>, <b><i><a href="https://payhip.com/b/1Zdb" target="_blank">Before Harmony Sleeps with Jeff</a></i></b>, and <b><i><a href="https://payhip.com/b/LZJbR" target="_blank">I Bet She Has a Party to Go To</a></i></b> (world premiere). If you're in the area and would like to see the show, <b><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/some-of-us-are-brave-a-series-of-one-acts-tickets-800064272777" target="_blank">tickets are available here</a></b>. The show opens February 2. <b><i>Some of Us Are Brave</i></b> was featured in an article published in <b><a href="https://www.broadwayworld.com/sacramento/article/Mike-Infante-Stars-in-SOME-OF-US-ARE-BRAVE-in-BEFORE-HARMONY-SLEEPS-WITH-JEFF-Produced-by-Futures-Explored-20240123" target="_blank">Broadway World</a></b>. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiH-LlY2C87oUWMSf9XfdYn-KBLZ1CddcDnkEL-Z7tMMWqgguAYiuD1_nsxDbt4npsA7GFvFNPV5S7DZvexTUSU2mtQwcdyBIu9xo9b0dcENfPj_xbDwC_DqEIMMQhLM8kYCK-Jbrn7UhcQfRrnmdyu4OOX-LnaxQ_etMCICP1cHbxM5vDhFdPE5pF7M/s660/628720.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="660" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiH-LlY2C87oUWMSf9XfdYn-KBLZ1CddcDnkEL-Z7tMMWqgguAYiuD1_nsxDbt4npsA7GFvFNPV5S7DZvexTUSU2mtQwcdyBIu9xo9b0dcENfPj_xbDwC_DqEIMMQhLM8kYCK-Jbrn7UhcQfRrnmdyu4OOX-LnaxQ_etMCICP1cHbxM5vDhFdPE5pF7M/s320/628720.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I was very sad to hear of the recent passing of singer <b><a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/19/1225771790/mary-weiss-shangri-las-death" target="_blank">Mary Weiss</a></b>. Known worldwide as the lead singer of the 1960's girl group The Shangri-La's (my favorite girl group), her vocals have been featured on many iconic songs including <b><i><a href="https://youtu.be/t5vFOpVGjVc?si=I-9B6kMrKIEcq4QW" target="_blank">Leader of the Pack</a></i></b> and <b><i><a href="https://youtu.be/E1GiqcQ3aoQ?si=3j94mhmgirIVcA7d" target="_blank">Remember (Walking in the Sand)</a></i></b>. To say she will be missed is an understatement. I have loved this group for many years. I'm working on a screenplay about the impact of their music. More on this soon!<p></p><p>Huge thanks to <b>The Review Geek</b> for including my horror novel <b><i><a href="https://a.co/d/2V3QwZu" target="_blank">Dummy</a></i></b> on their list of <b><a href="https://www.thereviewgeek.com/10-books-that-should-be-adapted/" target="_blank">10 Books That Should Be Adapted</a></b>. The article was published this month and because of it there's a lot of interest in adapting the book into a film. I hope to have more details to share soon. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIDokk10Pl3xtgvG8di4m7cl6spnX9Te2rJ1Tz5ldqKQdINSyiGQqfploHGd1Y9hR1RA3V9WogESTkV6KzmmDbgrTW9CgvInms8jmTAneJC5nkA9rSBI8SbKqpRnsXZJA306rkEoAoSkwVzo2reL8Z63nmrMhLIkVykyUurvHotrs4w6IDzp4Wk7h_so/s2048/recovery.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="2048" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIDokk10Pl3xtgvG8di4m7cl6spnX9Te2rJ1Tz5ldqKQdINSyiGQqfploHGd1Y9hR1RA3V9WogESTkV6KzmmDbgrTW9CgvInms8jmTAneJC5nkA9rSBI8SbKqpRnsXZJA306rkEoAoSkwVzo2reL8Z63nmrMhLIkVykyUurvHotrs4w6IDzp4Wk7h_so/s320/recovery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Regarding my health: it’s been a long few months. At my last physical my doctor was a concerned about a lab result. 15 (yes fifteen) tests later (I’m a human pin cushion) and I finally had surgery earlier this month, which was scary but a success. I was on bed rest for two days (not an easy thing for me to do). These were my two at-home nurses. I was in great hands. My family (chosen and biological) have been wonderful and supportive. God is good.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjWHQeteLgt3V7UQhqsN21JZbFgTUNZCa8QIBXwqYX3GMVD8Bj2U1TCtEjCi55KIM2Z-0EW8kDqQqKGpVFCH4D3ft0K3rvOy6ys5e8PdOdJlzWhYPfpA9xUe2N4p8Nfjw_I6tiM54VrB4rFBc15I9WaXEw7pb4cockTr-upcOnPinLeYWChx9iORRZts/s2048/estelle.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjWHQeteLgt3V7UQhqsN21JZbFgTUNZCa8QIBXwqYX3GMVD8Bj2U1TCtEjCi55KIM2Z-0EW8kDqQqKGpVFCH4D3ft0K3rvOy6ys5e8PdOdJlzWhYPfpA9xUe2N4p8Nfjw_I6tiM54VrB4rFBc15I9WaXEw7pb4cockTr-upcOnPinLeYWChx9iORRZts/s320/estelle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Earlier this month we got to have a lovely brunch/lunch at <b><a href="https://estellebakery.com/" target="_blank">Estelle Bakery & Pâtisserie</a></b>. Such a beautiful place. Good times (and pastries) were had.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2zxd-n4Sc65jNX0YeQqIGOqwz6DAn9tzgItU3Rx6-7sOeDiP5bumApdh_sgrDSJbK0gD3_2zb1PXnfYmTVrvpvLf5LeIrPwP96Xe2p9Lt7e4oUcjnEJNrjR8yd5sVgO5DIRR9PbGK8RJ1b47yFCT0fquDF4G4F_0Na4g_y_9YWTXZxU5QzEWI5NGI6E/s1024/mlk.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2zxd-n4Sc65jNX0YeQqIGOqwz6DAn9tzgItU3Rx6-7sOeDiP5bumApdh_sgrDSJbK0gD3_2zb1PXnfYmTVrvpvLf5LeIrPwP96Xe2p9Lt7e4oUcjnEJNrjR8yd5sVgO5DIRR9PbGK8RJ1b47yFCT0fquDF4G4F_0Na4g_y_9YWTXZxU5QzEWI5NGI6E/s320/mlk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I can't let the month end without paying tribute to an extraordinary man and his forever legacy: <b><a href="https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/martin-luther-king-jr/" target="_blank">Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr</a></b>. His influence on my life has been tremendous. In closing, I am sharing a poem of mine with you titled <b><i>Subway Stations, Atlanta</i></b>. It was originally published in <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dreamers-Anthology-Writing-Inspired-Martin/dp/109219682X" target="_blank">The Dreamers Anthology </a></i></b>by <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulCadaverProjectPgh/" target="_blank">Beautiful Cadaver Project Pittsburgh</a></b>. <p></p><p>There's a reference in the poem to the song <b><i><a href="https://youtu.be/tFgpmCHQHk8?si=bGzMRU2ut1IODFI6" target="_blank">Dreams Come True (Stand Up and Take It) </a></i></b>by the band <b><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lone-justice-mn0000280960" target="_blank">Lone Justice</a></b> (<b><a href="https://mariamckee.org/" target="_blank">Maria McKee</a></b>). </p><p>I hope January has been a blessing for you. </p><p>Onward and upward.</p><p><i>David-Matthew</i></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Subway Stations, Atlanta</b><br />by David-Matthew Barnes </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>S7</b><br />Here, luggage bangs against the legs<br />of travelers like orphaned children, starved<br />for a destination. Unknown, Georgia meets <br />many with fast-tracked trains. Silver cars steal <br />strangers, natives, flight attendants upon arrival, <br />takes and feeds them to jutted glass teeth. They grin <br />in the hazy distance. Northbound,<br />we rattle to the city we call ATL, others<br />call their arrival spot, Hotlanta, home.<br />In the far corner of the blue terminal, red <br />digital numbers pulse and glow: the next time<br />another one will leave, lift off.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>W1</b><br />The centrifugal center of all things<br />tourist. Cameras, digital and pocket,<br />click and flash at CNN, where Nancy<br />Grace hangs above the crowd. Fish<br />bubble and squeak behind glass. Hawks<br />shoot and dribble down courts. Falcons<br />swoop across the dome, another sweet<br />victory. Olympic torches touch the hot<br />summer sky, frozen against the sky-<br />rocket’s Southern glare. The faithful<br />convene for motivation, gospel, paradise<br />at the world center, west of the sinful city.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>E2</b><br />Dreams come true. Stand up and take it. So<br />sings a muse named Maria. Like Martin,<br />she knows heartache, ghosts like the citizens<br />of Oakland Cemetery. We are still haunted<br />by memories, damaged and sweet. Heat<br />boils down the boulevards of Grant, <br />Decatur. On the corners, the edges <br />of the broken sidewalk still scream.<br />You will hear babies cry, mothers crashing<br />against their attempts to make a life<br />better than the one their mothers had. <br />Hope fuels this train that slides, glides,<br />cuts the jazzy air, piercing the heart.</div><div><br /></div>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-53465617154004602122023-07-17T17:19:00.004-06:002023-07-17T17:19:20.897-06:00I Am a Storyteller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3JNhNZYceBAAEAIbUQV-qPEajLjxcjwsCQfrJzrFCAc3sQQ-Bw8IiAdXMFqrmDXYX8TeQ1umVziPktujmW_UfE3bnzpIMlExioRUSqy7uSwkTds8bMoJBRsCZ1SiiRaoqTig4yp4B7UsFs3VFBGlZ2ZSpKFwwRGr-9sWIX7OmJ5H_7oJeMmr1vS1uuo/s5194/Storyteller%20David-Matthew%20Barnes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5194" data-original-width="3597" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3JNhNZYceBAAEAIbUQV-qPEajLjxcjwsCQfrJzrFCAc3sQQ-Bw8IiAdXMFqrmDXYX8TeQ1umVziPktujmW_UfE3bnzpIMlExioRUSqy7uSwkTds8bMoJBRsCZ1SiiRaoqTig4yp4B7UsFs3VFBGlZ2ZSpKFwwRGr-9sWIX7OmJ5H_7oJeMmr1vS1uuo/w278-h400/Storyteller%20David-Matthew%20Barnes.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><p>I am a storyteller.</p><p>I have been a storyteller since I was 7. </p><p>I published my first short story when I was 15. </p><p>Since then I’ve written a total of 102 novels, short stories, screenplays, and stage plays and 157 poems. </p><p>I have 42 projects currently planned over the next five years (half of these are already in development).</p><p>I have had some form of a day job since I was 13, most of which were full time positions for the last three decades. </p><p>I have earned two college degrees, including a masters, both while working up to three jobs. </p><p>I have also been an arts educator for 18 years. </p><p>I do not make a living as a storyteller. </p><p>I do not make enough money as a storyteller to support myself and my family. </p><p>I am a storyteller. </p><p>I am constantly struggling to find ways to fit storytelling into my schedule, my life, my day - sometimes only in 15 minute sessions/marathons. Sometimes late at night. And often early in the morning. </p><p>The strikes that are happening right now in the entertainment industry are addressing the value that storytellers bring to our collective culture. </p><p>I often wonder how much storytellers are valued. </p><p>Is there still a place for us in this crowded, loud room where the books seem to keep disappearing? Or getting burned. </p><p>Does anyone want stories anymore? </p><p>The truth?</p><p>I am a storyteller. </p><p>I can only shout so loud. </p><p>For many of us, storytelling is not only the very thing we love most to do, it is also a gift bestowed upon us that compels us to use our imaginations to bring truth to light, give spoken words to characters you can relate to, and speak to the things that are difficult for most to say. </p><p>I am a storyteller because I believe there is immense power in the written and spoken word. Because I want to tell the stories I needed to read and see when I was a young person. Because I believe art and culture are supposed to challenge us, change us, comfort us, and ultimately define us.</p><p>I am a storyteller.</p><p><i>David-Matthew Barnes</i></p>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-36507043446280856272023-04-14T12:12:00.001-06:002023-07-05T16:02:26.185-06:00Update: April 14, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicwTKNT_V_4wePqzfq9Guts6Q6ZeyMubYDIcImwalEGD2Fnz9g4Vd0CS-lGFkCjCO9LvXoZxnKEppGNM1OhorJ6AHQrqte-jUgKG1dSqwAuwN9OkTQ3qDJIzK6glAdFauKaFMy6aEiyEXWIbEtFQmkGah8fx7miqwbwzdB4CplzNn9o9IAu1ilbL4/s2048/Update%20Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicwTKNT_V_4wePqzfq9Guts6Q6ZeyMubYDIcImwalEGD2Fnz9g4Vd0CS-lGFkCjCO9LvXoZxnKEppGNM1OhorJ6AHQrqte-jUgKG1dSqwAuwN9OkTQ3qDJIzK6glAdFauKaFMy6aEiyEXWIbEtFQmkGah8fx7miqwbwzdB4CplzNn9o9IAu1ilbL4/w400-h266/Update%20Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The word of the week is <i>busy</i>. Not busy in a pretentious <i>I'm so important</i> way. But legitimately busy. While I don't mind bursts of busy, I'm ready for a breather. We have a few weekend getaways planned in the upcoming months and I can't wait. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXnxmTrKHH11_AJRnWut9C9_tsXImmVhO-GTrSXZNGW9gds3AI7q_Y9C7q9ZHZV2cx46AaifPv59NJUSYm1GSfTUp31rnUSoc_1QINBveeUzCZIQq1DgIpSQaUXUdOFhAl2d0PYD0iMWdxUtJH75EUyD2ft6xhE3OFTMZQW3G9jAfux2CWTJQJ4RV/s640/shredded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXnxmTrKHH11_AJRnWut9C9_tsXImmVhO-GTrSXZNGW9gds3AI7q_Y9C7q9ZHZV2cx46AaifPv59NJUSYm1GSfTUp31rnUSoc_1QINBveeUzCZIQq1DgIpSQaUXUdOFhAl2d0PYD0iMWdxUtJH75EUyD2ft6xhE3OFTMZQW3G9jAfux2CWTJQJ4RV/w200-h200/shredded.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Lots happening in the creative part of my life. I'm serving as a producer on many upcoming films, including several horror movies and some international films. It's a strange but exciting new venture for me, as I never really thought of myself as a producer before. But this is a good fit for me, so I'm going with it. <p></p><p>I'm also writing new poetry, working on a few screenplays, and line editing the new edition of my young adult novel <i>Fifty Yards and Holding</i>, which we're hoping to release this fall. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYe7SJ1Ive16lnZKgkp8UenXugQ0vh4OEt-nTo1qzlsRWO_RNdKArY8dHGwDb5_6TC1HdDcdACWD_uwMW1dKl8Bl3TFmhXO1S4pjVUX4IC3NYFEgx4opXLyPufAL1QuxFREiv172NYz_sY6R4g4EfavgEkeHsXr6kKh3w-IFzGui6N1-wsVEYZanXB/s2700/Pitchout%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYe7SJ1Ive16lnZKgkp8UenXugQ0vh4OEt-nTo1qzlsRWO_RNdKArY8dHGwDb5_6TC1HdDcdACWD_uwMW1dKl8Bl3TFmhXO1S4pjVUX4IC3NYFEgx4opXLyPufAL1QuxFREiv172NYz_sY6R4g4EfavgEkeHsXr6kKh3w-IFzGui6N1-wsVEYZanXB/w133-h200/Pitchout%20Cover.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>My baseball-themed gay romance novel <i>Pitchout</i> will be released in paperback and eBook on June 6th. I can't wait to share this story with you. It was a lot of fun to write, including the many hours spent researching American minor league baseball. <a href="https://www.cayellepublishing.com/product/pitchout-paperback/" target="_blank">You can pre-order the novel here.</a> <p></p><p>I was recently a guest on <i>The Jacked Up Review Show</i>. <a href="https://youtu.be/dUR7rXdvFtw" target="_blank">You can listen to the interview here.</a> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOc7TTTFU7GnH1LTdSD423l2-nhXqpFZW8LucKW-r8esIuoiI45qIDuD5RicPz5yvjrn0pgkDarnffLONv6bvZhPf_kU3aXpIg0uYY6faM_Uqf8YV1MSj_BgrWcXSLrK_12eXguLJ-6PeHuKHNNOVYxhJD3MXeF96SrOCFr30KgBUrPzvzm2sV67Y/s1457/Dungeons%20and%20Dragons%20Movie%20Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOc7TTTFU7GnH1LTdSD423l2-nhXqpFZW8LucKW-r8esIuoiI45qIDuD5RicPz5yvjrn0pgkDarnffLONv6bvZhPf_kU3aXpIg0uYY6faM_Uqf8YV1MSj_BgrWcXSLrK_12eXguLJ-6PeHuKHNNOVYxhJD3MXeF96SrOCFr30KgBUrPzvzm2sV67Y/w138-h200/Dungeons%20and%20Dragons%20Movie%20Poster.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>I got to attend a sneak preview of the new movie <i>Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves</i>. It's a fantastic film. The cast is terrific. It's action-packed and hilarious. I highly recommend it. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg8ioQ1ez1HjHBkvNGwzhrlCNutOIVPtvN8hIjLbbUmsn7VwLKaiY0Hs5xAByXNyM9l-05zgARfVpZaNB5rBhPcSspYJax1r83h73v6b9bZNYar9M4S39dDZH-gdPxwjNwCZCPxwgJZqhRrgvxj6evfs5RyR6Ye2SwLkSBQFH37wV0vCQC6Oc9aRS/s1000/blog+-+Cardin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1000" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg8ioQ1ez1HjHBkvNGwzhrlCNutOIVPtvN8hIjLbbUmsn7VwLKaiY0Hs5xAByXNyM9l-05zgARfVpZaNB5rBhPcSspYJax1r83h73v6b9bZNYar9M4S39dDZH-gdPxwjNwCZCPxwgJZqhRrgvxj6evfs5RyR6Ye2SwLkSBQFH37wV0vCQC6Oc9aRS/w200-h128/blog+-+Cardin.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>My musical artist of the week is Charlotte Cardin. I recently discovered her music and it's wonderful. She's a very talented songwriter. I am in awe of her lyrics. Check out the video for her song <a href="https://youtu.be/NiISrhCsTfA" target="_blank">Meaningless</a>. <p></p><p>Until next time...</p><p>Onward and upward.</p><p>"Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it." - <i>Ralph Waldo Emerson</i></p><p><br /></p>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-4600124692703216282023-02-22T12:16:00.002-07:002023-02-22T12:16:28.864-07:00Flower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD-Eu3UdLLGLAqpf8mqLHXOLktu_hRq2km_O141m1ANl0ySwPuqk1TQGghqgdwRvFIcwdqrkil5i5dyak-vp5COWJSjSrKKz-6fxPPtvrpJBuH8MoNtS1obyMoWryJQEPsWtRo6CwMCaFdzDmbMGSA_n8DvyYTIplxGgNgjXy2q-oHUXqWCK0s_un/s2483/IMG_3498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2483" data-original-width="2483" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD-Eu3UdLLGLAqpf8mqLHXOLktu_hRq2km_O141m1ANl0ySwPuqk1TQGghqgdwRvFIcwdqrkil5i5dyak-vp5COWJSjSrKKz-6fxPPtvrpJBuH8MoNtS1obyMoWryJQEPsWtRo6CwMCaFdzDmbMGSA_n8DvyYTIplxGgNgjXy2q-oHUXqWCK0s_un/w400-h400/IMG_3498.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The phone call came late at night. I answered, concerned. A friend of mine was reaching out about a stray cat who was in "pretty bad shape and really needs a home." I quizzed my friend for more details only to discover that the injured cat was female, Siamese, declawed, and scared. She’d been found almost unconscious, in someone’s backyard. Without hesitation I said, "Bring her to me." It wasn't until a week later that I met my new cat. She'd spent the last seven days being nursed back to stable health by a kind vet. </p><p>Upon the moment we made eye contact, the connection was instant. Within a few minutes of being in her new home, she found her way into my arms and fell asleep for hours. The next morning, my friend called to check on her and asked, "What did you name her?" </p><p>I looked down into her beautiful blue eyes and said impulsively, "Her name is Flower." </p><p>"Flower?" my friend repeated. "That's a strange name for a cat." </p><p>"No," I said. "It's perfect for her. She's a little damaged, but she's adorable. All she needs is a little love." </p><p>Flower became very attached very quickly. She didn't want to leave my side. She wanted to be next to me constantly. I became worried that she was suffering separation anxiety when we were apart. I took Flower to my vet for a checkup and to get some advice. There, the vet shared with me just how bad Flower had been treated. She had burn scars on all four paws, her tail had been broken twice, and some of her teeth had been knocked out. I was overwhelmed with emotion, angered by the cruelty my sweet cat had endured but sad that, most likely, Flower had not yet known the love of a human. </p><p>"This is why she's so attached to you," the vet explained. "Many Siamese bond with one human in their lifetime and for them, the bond is quite intense. Given that you rescued her and are taking care of her, she might be afraid of losing you." The vet gave me some techniques to try and lessen Flower's anxiety, most of which worked over time. </p><p>Before Flower and I found each other, I had allowed my life to become pretty hectic, putting work above everything else and never really taking the time to stop long enough to enjoy the world around me. It seemed impossible for me to be present in the moment. Yet, I soon found myself anxious to get home and sit with Flower on the sofa. No longer was busyness appealing. I wanted to spend time with my cat who wanted to spend time with me. </p><p>Thinking about the horrible experiences Flower went through before she was mine and her renewed willingness to trust and love, I couldn’t help but be impressed and inspired by her resilience for life. A survivor in the truest sense of the word, I wondered if Flower had somehow forgiven those who caused her so much pain. </p><p>I soon realized how affectionate Flower was. She loved to cuddle, rub noses, and insisted on being kissed on the top of her head, whenever the need struck her. I discovered what food and treats she preferred, what toys she loved, and the quirky traits that made her unique. In other words, Flower and I became best friends. </p><p>Now, a year later, Flower has taught me the importance of slowing down and taking the time to enjoy every moment. No longer am I rushing from place to place, completing endless tasks, or speed walking through life. Instead, I’m enjoying quiet moments with my beautiful Siamese Flower, who has taught me the importance of stillness and love. </p><p><i>David-Matthew Barnes</i></p><p><i>Update: Sadly, Flower passed away on January 28, 2022. She is greatly missed.</i></p><p>This essay originally appeared in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Soup-Soul-Lessons-Friendship/dp/161159989X" target="_blank">Chicken Soup for the Soul: Life Lessons from the Cat: 101 Tales of Family, Friendship and Fun </a>(Simon & Schuster, May 14, 2019; edited by Amy Newmark)</p>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-59502665780242254572023-02-15T01:05:00.003-07:002023-07-05T16:02:35.691-06:00Update: February 15, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqvVBygoDMK5U8JIsv_ZDwCDasrHb77wraIHoFlBBfod9R9HKnV52hwseP0c_36A8XDdclUK1O5BByI5Qw3oQIPoktPcr1o-6jkMlpOz44V8qTPG5FZqB2643iU0IE5AZtK5KR-8lV2sG4utxz4VsHRnluSx7G8AbeU5RljU_hGkslBmNjy-cbIZk/s2048/Update%20Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqvVBygoDMK5U8JIsv_ZDwCDasrHb77wraIHoFlBBfod9R9HKnV52hwseP0c_36A8XDdclUK1O5BByI5Qw3oQIPoktPcr1o-6jkMlpOz44V8qTPG5FZqB2643iU0IE5AZtK5KR-8lV2sG4utxz4VsHRnluSx7G8AbeU5RljU_hGkslBmNjy-cbIZk/w400-h266/Update%20Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>This might sound like a strange topic (especially since I’m writing and posting this on Valentine’s Day), but let’s talk about rejection. As a writer, my work is rejected constantly. In fact, this week I received four rejections in forty-five minutes. I’ve become so accustomed to my work being rejected that I no longer call it rejection. Instead, I call it selection. Sometimes my work is selected and other times it’s not. It’s all very subjective. It’s all about the person who is reading and selecting my work. What I know to be true is this: my work is not for everyone. And that’s okay. I’m sharing this because the focus is often on the successes. While I love celebrating those with you, it’s fair to say there were and are many rejections - I mean, selections - in between. And I learn from both. About myself and who I am (and want to be) as a writer. They’re both good for the soul. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lhNtpdTwrDGvGezTh9vQii_5jzH7L6RWPPKXjKUdH3tVNxeFigd0_QRQJ2J7CuHS1UFea2ehGR_3QxRT2KTvI7k1ZJhWqhEbHNzF16wOSV-KAD6QdviTFL6cgK7UMakn6mgdQLmWn8l0vYlHs7cGa27OQuyRCB3uP91P9cduTTeKDZJr1RIPhzQA/s1200/Wonder%20Land%20Promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lhNtpdTwrDGvGezTh9vQii_5jzH7L6RWPPKXjKUdH3tVNxeFigd0_QRQJ2J7CuHS1UFea2ehGR_3QxRT2KTvI7k1ZJhWqhEbHNzF16wOSV-KAD6QdviTFL6cgK7UMakn6mgdQLmWn8l0vYlHs7cGa27OQuyRCB3uP91P9cduTTeKDZJr1RIPhzQA/w200-h200/Wonder%20Land%20Promo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Today, my young adult supernatural romance novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVDZ55JQ" target="_blank">Wonder Land</a> is being set free into the world, where I hope it finds many readers who love this story as much as I loved writing it. I hope you get a chance to read it or share the book with a young reader in your life. Many years of hard work went into writing it. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrKD5sk_UftkHtrWEnVsqOIjVaqvNfMjtuoUd3O4zllUfa4wLhXDElorCMFH0NsT0gpYpP5OxLS4l2bdQ6D141MnZbdrilhN03Khl5zoq6E7OjMBrBJaEAVDtdP8GMbvkf2nhNTf59UwVgait4sobHr6EewxthXOlW4NBHVmmVo8BTqd6cC5L-KDP/s1270/Everything%20Everywhere%20All%20at%20Once.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="850" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrKD5sk_UftkHtrWEnVsqOIjVaqvNfMjtuoUd3O4zllUfa4wLhXDElorCMFH0NsT0gpYpP5OxLS4l2bdQ6D141MnZbdrilhN03Khl5zoq6E7OjMBrBJaEAVDtdP8GMbvkf2nhNTf59UwVgait4sobHr6EewxthXOlW4NBHVmmVo8BTqd6cC5L-KDP/w134-h200/Everything%20Everywhere%20All%20at%20Once.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>I’ve been fighting off a cold, so I’ve had more downtime than usual. Because of this I got to watch many wonderful films this week including the mind-blowing <i>Everything Everywhere All at Once</i>, the creepy horror film <i>Ma</i> starring the always-brilliant Octavia Spencer, the Disney classic <i>Sleeping Beauty</i>, the classic comedy <i>The Palm Beach Story</i> starring Claudette Colbert (one of my favorite actresses), the quirky and funny Cate Blanchett film <i>Where’d You Go, Bernadette?</i>, and I re-watched one of my childhood favorites, <i>Superman</i>, starring Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9CBcNODlJDhe7faI-OjBSqbyJ93itN-BoXTeFEd7v9TyiIGtxJyrn9vfXWBCYNv2C2K_chnBW7rroCFuXXD_Y5-KRd5meiCgpcVdLTSf1Fcx59fXsS4xogGTWpzOBopN0ccKCZboKxJl5yZ2rgGA6wtSqlhV91YRCoIFPK5JbCKfNP3RkRyI79co/s959/Jane%20Jensen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="957" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9CBcNODlJDhe7faI-OjBSqbyJ93itN-BoXTeFEd7v9TyiIGtxJyrn9vfXWBCYNv2C2K_chnBW7rroCFuXXD_Y5-KRd5meiCgpcVdLTSf1Fcx59fXsS4xogGTWpzOBopN0ccKCZboKxJl5yZ2rgGA6wtSqlhV91YRCoIFPK5JbCKfNP3RkRyI79co/w199-h200/Jane%20Jensen.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>My music artist of the week is Jane Jensen. I first discovered Jane’s music when I was the host of a college radio show in Chicago. Her debut album <i>Comic Book Whore</i> had just been released and I fell in love with it (and her) on my first listen. Her second album, <i>Burner</i>, features one of my all-time favorite tunes called <a href="https://youtu.be/UpAyygdO3lg" target="_blank">Fast Girl U.S.A</a>. It’s an awesome track. I’ve always dreamed of directing a music video for it. It’s a very cinematic song. I hope you get a chance to check out Jane’s fantastic music. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt-GS4Km6u_klBndC1OlbPCbsvGqqxaX53tHyLoUBcl7R4xjJkabTw6ov0HvJiP7qUADXYaaa8iDPA8f0p2FZQ4n9KmR7S8ONtF0fTI--BL4ze3a37cNgUfhlUi6UFtw_aSTCodiQKUNmJHndUCiodt9kpl2ZFKdT-Io82FtqRKrufrJGKYcukpY6/s421/JeanetteWinterson4web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt-GS4Km6u_klBndC1OlbPCbsvGqqxaX53tHyLoUBcl7R4xjJkabTw6ov0HvJiP7qUADXYaaa8iDPA8f0p2FZQ4n9KmR7S8ONtF0fTI--BL4ze3a37cNgUfhlUi6UFtw_aSTCodiQKUNmJHndUCiodt9kpl2ZFKdT-Io82FtqRKrufrJGKYcukpY6/w190-h200/JeanetteWinterson4web.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><br />Until next week…<p></p><p>Onward and upward. </p><div style="text-align: left;">“I spin worlds where we could be together. I dream you. For me, imagination and desire are very close.”<br />- <i>Jeanette Winterson</i></div>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-29211697198784402052023-02-08T01:05:00.002-07:002023-07-05T16:02:45.198-06:00Update: February 8, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqFb4MfnExumXXUJxs-DhWz8JlIW3XL0SEw0_E0Y4LJCXcIAd-J3cUc0ah2rBa86yHfAZMoPnqK-FOW8ETAnuFbCgBD8dLrC8GZGI6Lzyx-2BrA4I-oJpVRMsT7b_zGxbv7gWeJHznOpd2W5wV_judUdAp03BtUngFifztRjRYN32Cq6orMnTjH9d/s2048/Update%20Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqFb4MfnExumXXUJxs-DhWz8JlIW3XL0SEw0_E0Y4LJCXcIAd-J3cUc0ah2rBa86yHfAZMoPnqK-FOW8ETAnuFbCgBD8dLrC8GZGI6Lzyx-2BrA4I-oJpVRMsT7b_zGxbv7gWeJHznOpd2W5wV_judUdAp03BtUngFifztRjRYN32Cq6orMnTjH9d/s320/Update%20Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I don’t know if anyone else goes through this, but lately all I want to do is read. It doesn’t help that I’m currently reading three novels and they’re all fantastic. When I was a child, reading was my favorite thing to do. Now, it’s a challenge to find enough reading time. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFMToNU2erC-qTDu6VySNGBfj5r1izJkZwhWub7WsQm_zxEByNdvxgSVneVModXf68AAfTXUaLDWqO8EmtAdI43J8ff2nltDfPt0H3Teq5RKEokMntKCvsMo4nbOfzP9B00IlFXznp5-z1yesJLjsc7wKvMRdJED8KhmJPn0AFzSJ93sH_1ksQdAd/s1600/now%20voyager.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1288" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFMToNU2erC-qTDu6VySNGBfj5r1izJkZwhWub7WsQm_zxEByNdvxgSVneVModXf68AAfTXUaLDWqO8EmtAdI43J8ff2nltDfPt0H3Teq5RKEokMntKCvsMo4nbOfzP9B00IlFXznp5-z1yesJLjsc7wKvMRdJED8KhmJPn0AFzSJ93sH_1ksQdAd/w161-h200/now%20voyager.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>This week I was reminded of the brilliance of Bette Davis. I re-watched the film <i>Now, Voyager</i> and she’s fantastic in it. Years ago I took a college class about women in film and my professor introduced to me this film and I’ve been obsessed with Bette Davis ever since. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEhovBF6BuJ5uvrZOiUZnIG3e5cNjU96sP8eN35ApDUuczath9BlcJjzjbYDFj86ou_NziaWSe0NHGdyS3ArpS3yMljh0YyGy77N5p4CoJlH3K9JZaYpDb-B9qerWbV5LCk74xbQlIaL4UTMDMXh2JgYIZS2Z3LCcrcFib7iuxNzBVQd_J5veWyon/s2048/raun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEhovBF6BuJ5uvrZOiUZnIG3e5cNjU96sP8eN35ApDUuczath9BlcJjzjbYDFj86ou_NziaWSe0NHGdyS3ArpS3yMljh0YyGy77N5p4CoJlH3K9JZaYpDb-B9qerWbV5LCk74xbQlIaL4UTMDMXh2JgYIZS2Z3LCcrcFib7iuxNzBVQd_J5veWyon/w150-h200/raun.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>This week I also watched the 90th Anniversary edition of the film <i>Rain</i>, starring Joan Crawford. It’s an early performance in her career but terrific all the same. I can’t imagine making a film and 90 years later people are still watching it. That’s power. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk_d6_Z3rshXur3bnlBTMsPsSz9_FNFbJWm6PeF6XpYOCixa1tvn74yJpB8M7OXQA1jlTGqSZTKmpHft5TlboxjTzY2JfyuCUwJvFMqyEFNPz_tH2cemeg_jmSHYfoNGhkzKvqVbKCESPu5AiOvwhWAX5RDeokKqODSXdVqITgsfHSBTTunCgee_9/s1500/reckless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="965" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk_d6_Z3rshXur3bnlBTMsPsSz9_FNFbJWm6PeF6XpYOCixa1tvn74yJpB8M7OXQA1jlTGqSZTKmpHft5TlboxjTzY2JfyuCUwJvFMqyEFNPz_tH2cemeg_jmSHYfoNGhkzKvqVbKCESPu5AiOvwhWAX5RDeokKqODSXdVqITgsfHSBTTunCgee_9/w129-h200/reckless.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>Speaking of, there’s a wonderful scene in the 80’s classic film <i>Reckless</i> starring Aidan Quinn and Daryl Hannah that makes my soul smile every time I see it. It’s a scene at a high school dance in which Aidan Quinn’s character takes over the awful music being played and replaces it with <a href="https://youtu.be/UkrzWjr99e0" target="_blank">Romeo Void’s ‘Never Say Never.’</a> I remember seeing this film when I was in the eighth grade and that moment and that song have stayed with me ever since. <p></p><p>I also watched the underrated and often overlooked Disney classic <i>The Black Cauldron</i>, the Sally Field ghost comedy <i>Kiss Me Goodbye</i>, and <i>The Ring</i> - a now iconic horror film that should’ve won every award possible, but because it’s a horror film, it didn’t. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJeZnz9rKSR2PD2IYwiViQCzKx0KdQADfMylkaR4zubrvGqKMPTllyoNcclzHmOLbcoq6pSsV1ynnj1YWBK8nPdYGO-SSBQSJ-gCvr6-uIepUYAxDYJGDbjqiOdU3au_RLAuoBmr-He3Y8Tlxkj963pCbBnjYvvc3HaXsF61z9akQqtRQKL96PRkf/s2048/wolf%20hollow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1364" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJeZnz9rKSR2PD2IYwiViQCzKx0KdQADfMylkaR4zubrvGqKMPTllyoNcclzHmOLbcoq6pSsV1ynnj1YWBK8nPdYGO-SSBQSJ-gCvr6-uIepUYAxDYJGDbjqiOdU3au_RLAuoBmr-He3Y8Tlxkj963pCbBnjYvvc3HaXsF61z9akQqtRQKL96PRkf/w133-h200/wolf%20hollow.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>On the horror film note, I’m happy to tell you I’m one of the producers of the upcoming film <i>Wolf Hollow</i>. I hope you get a chance to check out the <a href="https://youtu.be/sxulU8xyqoc" target="_blank">official trailer</a> for the movie. It’s good stuff. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KJNw5YkGxQcFfWGyrATctRj8_uxtU8UYflJitmlPQ7dbtuItrUHShfEx0EStY87ZizhvuDu4PRaKv0LWJs0IZJebCzq_o0_gMkB_bR62U6HRlpcCYUSRatpUwD0cvOC5qkHm_ONSvWLdHFvoN07rEAkmesSEaAtLL0Rb2kRkHKPeQQnzNmq5s1Wz/s2048/baby%20cindy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KJNw5YkGxQcFfWGyrATctRj8_uxtU8UYflJitmlPQ7dbtuItrUHShfEx0EStY87ZizhvuDu4PRaKv0LWJs0IZJebCzq_o0_gMkB_bR62U6HRlpcCYUSRatpUwD0cvOC5qkHm_ONSvWLdHFvoN07rEAkmesSEaAtLL0Rb2kRkHKPeQQnzNmq5s1Wz/w125-h200/baby%20cindy.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>I’ve also just finished a new feature length version of my horror script <i>Baby Cindy</i>. This project was originally a short film but I’m happy to say I went back to the project and built upon the original concept and the finished result is a terrifying story I’m very proud of. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenLpbOPisY8hIJ_0avqrYrxAFQi_rK6oSvlqTiE6DXaAhbLq7_DS-DuGgGpB1HDMVxtwzpH6SAbRhGJsdHHdHkn_IbFUE0hmcDy5MJgXb16RLA32E-JjMrzadRvp7Ufk8SrBXHIXWV8LI4NEuaeIrFmZosFNfMx8dHU9zM4bcRYSMS1VefrDEpEGc/s820/blossom%20dearie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="820" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenLpbOPisY8hIJ_0avqrYrxAFQi_rK6oSvlqTiE6DXaAhbLq7_DS-DuGgGpB1HDMVxtwzpH6SAbRhGJsdHHdHkn_IbFUE0hmcDy5MJgXb16RLA32E-JjMrzadRvp7Ufk8SrBXHIXWV8LI4NEuaeIrFmZosFNfMx8dHU9zM4bcRYSMS1VefrDEpEGc/w200-h200/blossom%20dearie.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>My music artist of the week is American jazz singer Blossom Dearie who died on February 7 in 2009. Her distinctive voice is unforgettable. <a href="https://youtu.be/OIpltw7UtNc" target="_blank">Her version of <i>Manhattan</i> is one of my favorite songs.</a> <p></p><p>There were many wonderful moments this week including German class, podcast interviews, and lunch at a restaurant on the Sacramento River with wonderful friends. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhyO3pF4TVXgBaFzFzsZhVhU1Kf7izN0yxqvOCYAqrE53ghCFz_VrzaHhoY3LmRiLU0lumt2n4SmbEoccLO1oAyrJUDHRA97Vhnuce-nPZB4doofLE60aoXWmvIYnxT6-5WQHZ5XNcmWlTiHT7_5PBZxL6NaohjafXF69G3v8TJdSo3MHjkpxsDol/s2048/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhyO3pF4TVXgBaFzFzsZhVhU1Kf7izN0yxqvOCYAqrE53ghCFz_VrzaHhoY3LmRiLU0lumt2n4SmbEoccLO1oAyrJUDHRA97Vhnuce-nPZB4doofLE60aoXWmvIYnxT6-5WQHZ5XNcmWlTiHT7_5PBZxL6NaohjafXF69G3v8TJdSo3MHjkpxsDol/w200-h200/friends.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Until next week…<p></p><p>Onward and upward. </p><p>“Yes: I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.”</p><p>– <i>Oscar Wilde</i></p>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-74278245517562535372023-02-01T01:05:00.008-07:002023-07-05T16:02:58.238-06:00Update: February 1, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49aFcfErqnb8E25fWhGmpK_icxiLR-vbqtfQN_V0mGNB3gZSnnwp1PftudD5LvbYIUEmDQQASksXY0UMlMjPCaEFIchoPTmBR8yI_L5Z4KtEq9QdP6iq16c8M8k5Pp_-um2afW5K6TuM4-1LSKY0Woogb4oQ0xNsTDb9uda3m2OoVSRPyqm0GGGZq/s2048/Update%20Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49aFcfErqnb8E25fWhGmpK_icxiLR-vbqtfQN_V0mGNB3gZSnnwp1PftudD5LvbYIUEmDQQASksXY0UMlMjPCaEFIchoPTmBR8yI_L5Z4KtEq9QdP6iq16c8M8k5Pp_-um2afW5K6TuM4-1LSKY0Woogb4oQ0xNsTDb9uda3m2OoVSRPyqm0GGGZq/w400-h266/Update%20Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I’ve been sharing these weekly updates for a month now and the response to them has been very positive and encouraging. I’m glad you’re enjoying them! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY0-bKKkipnvl4y9EWan6yWQUOb7iV6nt5r-Pz4VOlKxXp7hQsdpWzEU76f72tJHZklLSMCW4co-HqGEWjOl5wrbet9lvalQL6qi1B1ph_oXM6tT1ORKyvAZuJtAhpKW2G_gDbg2xgTwtbWsg98Icgqo2AyNhWB4xp7c34vn1L3BPqxO0SQQttpH2/s2048/HBD%20Miss%20Connie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY0-bKKkipnvl4y9EWan6yWQUOb7iV6nt5r-Pz4VOlKxXp7hQsdpWzEU76f72tJHZklLSMCW4co-HqGEWjOl5wrbet9lvalQL6qi1B1ph_oXM6tT1ORKyvAZuJtAhpKW2G_gDbg2xgTwtbWsg98Icgqo2AyNhWB4xp7c34vn1L3BPqxO0SQQttpH2/w200-h200/HBD%20Miss%20Connie.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I’m very blessed to have a wonderful mother-in-law. Her name is Connie. This week we got to spoil her with a two-day birthday celebration. <i>Happy birthday, Miss Connie!</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJeaIQHQcViTq8MT67G-5GIUN_qUTsITKEGx7351lxRoq5bms1dXoQBolhsJmQa_fQvACCGXkFUlUNomN9WNBMTIslrcHtFBVovYwDOtmfuISRudaOJ-pr6D7zg_PAMNx1VYOm9dnzJ5ytyKNuCytfbI6z6YOpHnZSk6CW6IUzEtm-HfBgckXBCW-/s2048/Don't%20Say%20Bad%20Things%20About%20Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1364" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJeaIQHQcViTq8MT67G-5GIUN_qUTsITKEGx7351lxRoq5bms1dXoQBolhsJmQa_fQvACCGXkFUlUNomN9WNBMTIslrcHtFBVovYwDOtmfuISRudaOJ-pr6D7zg_PAMNx1VYOm9dnzJ5ytyKNuCytfbI6z6YOpHnZSk6CW6IUzEtm-HfBgckXBCW-/w133-h200/Don't%20Say%20Bad%20Things%20About%20Me.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>What an incredible week I had as a writer. I sold the film rights to my script <i>Don’t Say Bad Things About Me</i> to a wonderful producer at Golden Horizon Pictures who found me through InkTip. The film goes into production this year. This will be my seventh produced screenplay. More details soon!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFmMPZEiGyvDqGu78k1T8TR8SgbucQqAfWdaFUoiogjAJD9gM3-KObWT5lycLULmWfQArr2CSTy_0n1OoeQ4mxV5WHjazEowzlCp8_cNUMJmJPcG5I3VPd0Zay9eMmUwOr1NOeumeFDmqrEhTb97KWcvi_SNpPQXCR6UVrdTZT3wN3i1eYcY6JDN4/s2048/NFE%20Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1364" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFmMPZEiGyvDqGu78k1T8TR8SgbucQqAfWdaFUoiogjAJD9gM3-KObWT5lycLULmWfQArr2CSTy_0n1OoeQ4mxV5WHjazEowzlCp8_cNUMJmJPcG5I3VPd0Zay9eMmUwOr1NOeumeFDmqrEhTb97KWcvi_SNpPQXCR6UVrdTZT3wN3i1eYcY6JDN4/w133-h200/NFE%20Poster.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>This week I also became an executive producer of the upcoming horror film <i>New Fears Eve</i> starring horror icon Felissa Rose. The film is being produced by Blood Moon Pictures. I’ll definitely keep you updated on this project. <p></p><p>As of this morning, I’ve also signed on to serve as a producer on five other horror film projects. More about those movies in the next couple of weeks. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFXadCCsPK1_3snG1_zs6Pv7jhgNCWZVY34UR01rXJo5BiKn6tCZs3N1-Gn41YZDM9tWzoj46XIuYQFNc2NaeZaTh7unpZ_4__uyGH7JqZ1qajqmqtSz0UtgTZBBdkS32tQnmdN1p2MMDc59JzitVrf1aQZzvU3Tg3ILz5hTxrd041qVYxl-QH2s8/s1476/Tumbleweeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFXadCCsPK1_3snG1_zs6Pv7jhgNCWZVY34UR01rXJo5BiKn6tCZs3N1-Gn41YZDM9tWzoj46XIuYQFNc2NaeZaTh7unpZ_4__uyGH7JqZ1qajqmqtSz0UtgTZBBdkS32tQnmdN1p2MMDc59JzitVrf1aQZzvU3Tg3ILz5hTxrd041qVYxl-QH2s8/w136-h200/Tumbleweeds.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>Speaking of movies! Every week I share with you the films I watch. I do so in case you’re looking for new and classic films to add to your watchlist. This week I re-watched a beautiful film called <i>Tumbleweeds</i>. It’s an indie film from 1999. If you missed it, I highly recommend it. I also watched the sci-fi classic <i>The Angry Red Planet</i>, the Judy Garland and Gene Kelly war-themed musical <i>For Me and My Gal</i>, the Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable classic <i>It Happened One Night</i>, the film noir <i>Murder, My Sweet,</i> and the Disney classic <i>Bedknobs and Broomsticks</i> - a film I’ve loved since I was a child.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEioUJ0c_PXVe6KeaF5UgGoeyL8nUtb09OxhHrCBXygSBVusSDJAcM_-cRb0BS2V7Qf4Kggnd52dbNHUHewBB-Ozh6BF7Zij5Lwk-by_K1IvAm9PvxXMmOl0wzmm2SsAknEpWcmAnGdvH1LfcnmAWVCPVIlkGfq--cVbdiZUE5g1WKxhCRk1XVrzg/s2048/Secrets%20of%20Sulphur%20Springs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEioUJ0c_PXVe6KeaF5UgGoeyL8nUtb09OxhHrCBXygSBVusSDJAcM_-cRb0BS2V7Qf4Kggnd52dbNHUHewBB-Ozh6BF7Zij5Lwk-by_K1IvAm9PvxXMmOl0wzmm2SsAknEpWcmAnGdvH1LfcnmAWVCPVIlkGfq--cVbdiZUE5g1WKxhCRk1XVrzg/w150-h200/Secrets%20of%20Sulphur%20Springs.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Speaking of Disney! I finished the second season of <i>Secrets of Sulphur Springs</i>. This is a fun time traveling show on Disney Plus. <p></p><p>I’m constantly studying my craft as a writer. This week, I started a new television writing workshop with the team at Save the Cat. It’s a three week course. I’m already learning a lot!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZwjHC63slC2vtYB6qhqZoLVDBhr7sUOVcL3xQV9-FeK8yG9PZiUe2I1pIQwzjHObpVseB5IJID-P-AP3PP0qG_a5_OtsLJC7XGEcI9dvJej3s58v1Pdq_Ur9QjCpuHAuqlCZBFfm8eOCxt_klSV-I5ZMTeJx4Wwmv9HEMULY0qWHKCbm6-nfwnHd/s1365/Danielle%20Ponder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1365" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZwjHC63slC2vtYB6qhqZoLVDBhr7sUOVcL3xQV9-FeK8yG9PZiUe2I1pIQwzjHObpVseB5IJID-P-AP3PP0qG_a5_OtsLJC7XGEcI9dvJej3s58v1Pdq_Ur9QjCpuHAuqlCZBFfm8eOCxt_klSV-I5ZMTeJx4Wwmv9HEMULY0qWHKCbm6-nfwnHd/w200-h200/Danielle%20Ponder.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>My music artist of the week is Danielle Ponder. Her debut album is called <i>Some of Us Are Brave</i> and its a masterpiece. I can’t recommend it enough. <p></p><p>Until next week…</p><p>Onward and upward. </p><div style="text-align: left;">“Writing is a job, a talent, but it’s also the place to go in your head. It is the imaginary friend you drink your tea with in the afternoon.”<br /><i>Ann Patchett</i></div>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-24022729402001648432023-01-25T01:05:00.003-07:002023-07-05T16:03:06.933-06:00Update: January 25, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKCzwoKBMy_sJMDf_C1mgVt_Cn_y7W2Hya1Rb_C8cldAIszZvnNjRsPaWMYVI6PD3OWTxAf91jLYr42pER9NcRRRfWTUjsHQ_1nP8y-qTQsdeVzLcOtiN5wFs_fKGOFGviQrTqpV0zPHFvI4fbufyZvidD6jYOjFVnmpe3AUmzNV65hjB7poEcbTT/s2048/Update%20Logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKCzwoKBMy_sJMDf_C1mgVt_Cn_y7W2Hya1Rb_C8cldAIszZvnNjRsPaWMYVI6PD3OWTxAf91jLYr42pER9NcRRRfWTUjsHQ_1nP8y-qTQsdeVzLcOtiN5wFs_fKGOFGviQrTqpV0zPHFvI4fbufyZvidD6jYOjFVnmpe3AUmzNV65hjB7poEcbTT/w400-h266/Update%20Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Despite being sick for a couple of days, I had a great week. I watched some fantastic films, got a lot of writing done, had brunch with my best friends, celebrated Lunar New Year, and I got a new pair of glasses. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5yn_hDuVY0wSzxgcXYov9AQqCSoZDA19kJjNdDvLWyGGASRBpNjI9F7eT8ivRjfhpp-eZWkqUv_aaYh19wglwYP_PAMupxyEannVXNvc8KZTGC56UnSU3gbSdOfbBzyHvAtlzqP8CFYfh13J2pvxpoHaX-D7GqFTLv2W2XY2X7xA_BD95047Cgtl/s1388/let%20me%20say%20this.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="919" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5yn_hDuVY0wSzxgcXYov9AQqCSoZDA19kJjNdDvLWyGGASRBpNjI9F7eT8ivRjfhpp-eZWkqUv_aaYh19wglwYP_PAMupxyEannVXNvc8KZTGC56UnSU3gbSdOfbBzyHvAtlzqP8CFYfh13J2pvxpoHaX-D7GqFTLv2W2XY2X7xA_BD95047Cgtl/s320/let%20me%20say%20this.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>I’m so honored to have my poem <i>Walking to Kmart to Buy a Dolly Parton Album</i> included in the wonderful new collection <i>Let Me Say This: A Dolly Parton Poetry Anthology</i>. Many thanks to the editors for giving this poem such a great literary home. You can purchase a copy of the book from <a href="https://madvillepublishing.com/product/dolly-parton-poetry/" target="_blank">Madville Publishing</a>.<p></p><p>I’m working on a lot of new projects - new screenplays, new stage plays, and new television scripts. I’ll have a lot more to share with you very soon. For now I’m in a lot of meetings and I’m pitching my projects almost every day to producers and networks. I’m more determined than ever to see my stories through. </p><p>Some of the great films I watched this week include the sci-fi B movie classic <i>Creature from the Black Lagoon</i>, the Joan Crawford thriller <i>Female on the Beach</i>, the 1978 version of <i>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</i>, the bad girl Barbara Stanwyck film <i>Ladies They Talk About</i>, and the brilliant biopic<i> What’s Love Got to Do With It</i> (I still say Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne were robbed of Oscars for their performances). This week, I was in awe (once again as I am every year I watch them) by Gloria Grahame in the film <i>In a Lonely Place</i> and Audrey Totter in <i>The Set-Up</i>. They are two of the best actresses in film noir. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANRmR0L2ioWq53x6R2O0YFfobwtNAVExiV_Zg5xGfvYOR0TUoUxizsHwzB4Btmh_y2Q8-5-8J3zyH-OXyF8RVdET5ggANllwOGDV6l1KIsqWyQVTxdDZagITNsk40JPwdz2P1rg7JP2z68f1OhBME0i3C0poMiCklmzs0UaR05CtpFCkJpaDgUqMH/s524/female%20on%20the%20beach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="524" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANRmR0L2ioWq53x6R2O0YFfobwtNAVExiV_Zg5xGfvYOR0TUoUxizsHwzB4Btmh_y2Q8-5-8J3zyH-OXyF8RVdET5ggANllwOGDV6l1KIsqWyQVTxdDZagITNsk40JPwdz2P1rg7JP2z68f1OhBME0i3C0poMiCklmzs0UaR05CtpFCkJpaDgUqMH/s320/female%20on%20the%20beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>You can read my review of the sci-fi action comedy <i>The Adam Project</i> at the official <a href="https://filtinsel.blogspot.com/2023/01/film-review-adam-project-2022.html">Filtinsel</a> website.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdDSiDT75fzCKrlM1xjRWvuVbH5nPuERjCaSvve5wGg_xG_Vv7Tby-XlU98dp5qyxOSkeXVy-zvVMGI3XFxBBcbJSxCRWPtGF_6youe_Fy6p2k56_CUkmTnaUceQ9rIhKoDZJyCJUsvhDvK2bpCd_-HwxYDM4QqA4Zri8xsG1nG1K9LiGOoKCfI5g/s2048/lunar%20new%20year.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdDSiDT75fzCKrlM1xjRWvuVbH5nPuERjCaSvve5wGg_xG_Vv7Tby-XlU98dp5qyxOSkeXVy-zvVMGI3XFxBBcbJSxCRWPtGF_6youe_Fy6p2k56_CUkmTnaUceQ9rIhKoDZJyCJUsvhDvK2bpCd_-HwxYDM4QqA4Zri8xsG1nG1K9LiGOoKCfI5g/w150-h200/lunar%20new%20year.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>I’m very fortunate to have a sister-in-law who is very generous in sharing her Chinese and Thai traditions and cultures with me. I learn a lot from her. This week we got to celebrate the Lunar New Year together and it was a beautiful family experience for us. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls3ch2uypyb6oLzPeR6yYG00Y7tG1tonC6vRkiOoL92VQcLs3PamvwqRDyLSa4sPlelktjW3DYH0jN7_PRt-sPwbp60vgxjoxPg86UuLkG93s7nKIBvltWJaBRgdMGqMbYaxIptgiTQVd9VknBqcWPrnItPWmg7nbYyZLZNKgG16-fBjvEUsN5aPb/s800/donna%20summer.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls3ch2uypyb6oLzPeR6yYG00Y7tG1tonC6vRkiOoL92VQcLs3PamvwqRDyLSa4sPlelktjW3DYH0jN7_PRt-sPwbp60vgxjoxPg86UuLkG93s7nKIBvltWJaBRgdMGqMbYaxIptgiTQVd9VknBqcWPrnItPWmg7nbYyZLZNKgG16-fBjvEUsN5aPb/w200-h133/donna%20summer.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>My musical artist of the week is Donna Summer. Growing up, I was obsessed with Donna’s music, especially her version of <a href=" https://youtu.be/GWFHVBnR7G0" target="_blank">MacArthur Park</a>, one of my all-time favorite tunes. One of my few regrets in life was never getting to see her perform live.<p></p><p>I feel very lucky to be living in a new golden era of television. This week we finished the second season of <i>Bridgerton</i>, a very fun show to watch. We also finished the second season of <i>Hacks</i>, which is one of the best TV shows ever made. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkg-Zd2UmR4rD0yRrCgoXShv-r6e5XE4bytvK-vtrMQgkjx6pVk6XNuKhXCkGI2001uE1O_UPRP0TPVNGPdJ92taekURxpOcxVLm40G5an7FYIQp7Kifnb22MVkDM2lNVyzRdypglsnDHiBX_pfH_4ymYBBp17QiOV2zGjWFufCUU01ekIcHbtiAg/s1200/wonder%20land.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkg-Zd2UmR4rD0yRrCgoXShv-r6e5XE4bytvK-vtrMQgkjx6pVk6XNuKhXCkGI2001uE1O_UPRP0TPVNGPdJ92taekURxpOcxVLm40G5an7FYIQp7Kifnb22MVkDM2lNVyzRdypglsnDHiBX_pfH_4ymYBBp17QiOV2zGjWFufCUU01ekIcHbtiAg/s320/wonder%20land.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>In closing, I’m thrilled to tell you the new edition of my young adult supernatural romance novel <i>Wonder Land</i> will be available in paperback and eBook on Valentine’s Day.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQA1cSmHz4lVf6VyFTzoWVeT_uX49UCBo0MnZ9syXBfiYUAvMqSATIg1y67RTFoGihnHCXd6tvi32Y8cZfHJ5cskUE-xJRIM_w_73ivDm3Vj0pV_7E8m0xQTX-RbHqxQwInwvQEvqfv50A0iYm8Dc1LqYpL3AuZjtorglnYNFpPd0WbYr6yQUtpxJ/s2048/dmb%20new%20glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQA1cSmHz4lVf6VyFTzoWVeT_uX49UCBo0MnZ9syXBfiYUAvMqSATIg1y67RTFoGihnHCXd6tvi32Y8cZfHJ5cskUE-xJRIM_w_73ivDm3Vj0pV_7E8m0xQTX-RbHqxQwInwvQEvqfv50A0iYm8Dc1LqYpL3AuZjtorglnYNFpPd0WbYr6yQUtpxJ/w150-h200/dmb%20new%20glasses.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Until next week…<p></p><p>Onward and upward.</p><div style="text-align: left;">“Everything you can imagine is real.”<br />- Pablo Picasso </div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-10416686779717943492023-01-18T01:05:00.014-07:002023-07-05T16:03:14.854-06:00Update: January 18, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeBS1mUCwHo4xZcIVuJvql5YDq4_bHAgZhdAXeXknz-BNP4ry679OipU_l5HzYDh4aCviN3e3vg29GzfQMzJ-6EosiUZFSvRkh6DHx1OB6oKSNQnIGfEudPfmrrbK1Fm8m-CtsiOFXXjczBPC-8YU0Y1nYPY8lT1eue_t105EMuUEMykTZzHvxI1p/s2048/Update%20Logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeBS1mUCwHo4xZcIVuJvql5YDq4_bHAgZhdAXeXknz-BNP4ry679OipU_l5HzYDh4aCviN3e3vg29GzfQMzJ-6EosiUZFSvRkh6DHx1OB6oKSNQnIGfEudPfmrrbK1Fm8m-CtsiOFXXjczBPC-8YU0Y1nYPY8lT1eue_t105EMuUEMykTZzHvxI1p/w400-h266/Update%20Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>It’s was an intense week. Yes, we had more rain. But I also watched some great films, became a student again, had some extraordinary experiences as a writer, and lost a wonderful friend. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKE6fDnWJ7GgLdVHUY_XKRnJKxfqGA8hJlNfJsC9OpBtpYCT1LVMhx4y-OjC9EHzFi2Frw7DmkvJuRRmxWIXWJOd9vy1tSQp_CAKZ3Wgv_qX473UMT-WIb2myQJY0pMlpKofm3M2S0XtZh8vnQ_xdD14ej8mvRId2j8Ivzsq6yF0_OFzFTMPBMSqZ/s2048/sacramento%20turn%20verein.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKE6fDnWJ7GgLdVHUY_XKRnJKxfqGA8hJlNfJsC9OpBtpYCT1LVMhx4y-OjC9EHzFi2Frw7DmkvJuRRmxWIXWJOd9vy1tSQp_CAKZ3Wgv_qX473UMT-WIb2myQJY0pMlpKofm3M2S0XtZh8vnQ_xdD14ej8mvRId2j8Ivzsq6yF0_OFzFTMPBMSqZ/w200-h200/sacramento%20turn%20verein.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I’m a lifelong learner. I love being a student. Last week I attended my first German class. It’s a language I have always loved so I decided it was finally time to study it formally. And I get to take the class in a beautiful old building. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGak9gVvxINQOBLKigMxOHgJg3EJ7YrUr0UBUFs9Je50qEFqFxYMRLQFXGBsZNb5IQbR-zvJ_bb_rTe8lyuuA5jRVUjWNITTQ8MA-r-IpuBx5psfIgWXfBpg88RPVVMFALK7N8w2UlgcR3hMhxZUTB9GGf_ldizX2000d5AqWBWOPoYUi5NfUmhfuE/s2048/Master.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1390" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGak9gVvxINQOBLKigMxOHgJg3EJ7YrUr0UBUFs9Je50qEFqFxYMRLQFXGBsZNb5IQbR-zvJ_bb_rTe8lyuuA5jRVUjWNITTQ8MA-r-IpuBx5psfIgWXfBpg88RPVVMFALK7N8w2UlgcR3hMhxZUTB9GGf_ldizX2000d5AqWBWOPoYUi5NfUmhfuE/w136-h200/Master.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>I was also very fortunate to take a three day intensive and learn more about writing horror for film and television from accomplished filmmakers in a Sundance Collab workshop (including the brilliant Mariama Diallo who wrote and directed a fantastic film called <i>Master</i>; if you’ve ever worked in higher education, you should see it; it’s on Amazon Prime and Regina Hall and Zoe Renee are fantastic in it). I also got to attend a fantastic advisor series - also through Sundance - with Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams. And I participated in a wonderful workshop called Seven Steps to Mindfulness for Creatives with Maria Baltazzi who’s an Emmy Award winning Executive Producer. I feel very honored to be learning from industry experts. <p></p><p>I was deeply saddened by the news that Lisa Marie Presley passed away. I was a fan of her music, which I’m thankful I have to remember her by. </p><p>Sadly, I lost a wonderful friend this week: a remarkable woman named Ann. We met as co-workers years ago in Pennsylvania and had remained friends ever since. She was kind and compassionate and she really loved animals. She will be greatly missed. </p><p>Movies are always a highlight of my week. I’ve watched some terrific films including the awesome sci-fi B movie classic <i>Monster on the Campus</i>, the British thriller <i>Eyewitness</i>, one of my favorite Disney films: <i>The Aristocats</i>, the Barbara Stanwyck and Errol Flynn mystery <i>Cry Wolf</i>, the slasher classic <i>The Prowler</i>, and <i>The Silence of the Lambs</i> for the umpteenth time. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoWdCdMJzX3iOSaVBNKQhmdTCkd4IU8EZQ6vF4aUrPbO6vYsJw59h7UpIWgIv7AfZVKTrjhshnc_tHNU-2iBMha2Ws1c9aRK_pACzL6C1ONLo2anNOUxHs-wim7URLVoFK9mdqGEQ2axreeDJpqzPE-DzuKryt7ap7588alB3s4vgfa5NN9xa2v6q/s600/berlin%20metro.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoWdCdMJzX3iOSaVBNKQhmdTCkd4IU8EZQ6vF4aUrPbO6vYsJw59h7UpIWgIv7AfZVKTrjhshnc_tHNU-2iBMha2Ws1c9aRK_pACzL6C1ONLo2anNOUxHs-wim7URLVoFK9mdqGEQ2axreeDJpqzPE-DzuKryt7ap7588alB3s4vgfa5NN9xa2v6q/w200-h200/berlin%20metro.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>You can read my review of the teen angst drama <i>The Young Stranger</i> (1957) at the official Filtinsel website <a href="https://filtinsel.blogspot.com/2023/01/film-review-young-stranger-1957.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<p></p><p>My musical artist of the week is Berlin, a band I have loved for many years since I first heard their iconic album <i>Pleasure Victim</i> when I was 12. Their song <i><a href="https://youtu.be/2Dml84cg-qQ" target="_blank">The Metro</a></i> is one of my all-time favorite tunes. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFJD0E5ILNcrQBLpFL2tfIZEN55IJU7pyu1MSd5yH5sf5cAZy8HvyO2onolQTk9OL2YSu-k1QNIncrlqi4flYw40GpFfwhGw7pmcxdw-StjqL493LS5GXvJm6b1XHfeQZyi_XW9AF90_JaAS4DnXk9qHWZKjaQuO3o4IA7uVZ1ZqeqE-6fiHeRcXU/s2048/mesmerized.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFJD0E5ILNcrQBLpFL2tfIZEN55IJU7pyu1MSd5yH5sf5cAZy8HvyO2onolQTk9OL2YSu-k1QNIncrlqi4flYw40GpFfwhGw7pmcxdw-StjqL493LS5GXvJm6b1XHfeQZyi_XW9AF90_JaAS4DnXk9qHWZKjaQuO3o4IA7uVZ1ZqeqE-6fiHeRcXU/w125-h200/mesmerized.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>In closing, I am thrilled to tell you that my young adult novel <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mesmerized-David-Matthew-Barnes/dp/B09BDXC3B8" target="_blank">Mesmerized</a></i> was named a Quarterfinalist in the 2023 ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Writing Competition. Semi finalists will be announced soon. I’m very grateful for this incredible honor. <p></p><p>Until next week…</p><p>Onward and upward. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHooPgmlrl8XJcJ9kRCYaFXpbK3SzAUePMDodqH9o_7Fvlr_KdOfmwMnZb_xgi_IGWDhp2rRf2ZxzcHu-P8E134kEgLw-T4YNAfj2atJedhe5yj7M_4bRJ5kPAtNat3vWYoYI87nXHKhs2qWR5uYTUHp5OSF_R76XC7krB9O_WOIns9K01NUSj1Rd/s1800/dmb%20new%20photo.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHooPgmlrl8XJcJ9kRCYaFXpbK3SzAUePMDodqH9o_7Fvlr_KdOfmwMnZb_xgi_IGWDhp2rRf2ZxzcHu-P8E134kEgLw-T4YNAfj2atJedhe5yj7M_4bRJ5kPAtNat3vWYoYI87nXHKhs2qWR5uYTUHp5OSF_R76XC7krB9O_WOIns9K01NUSj1Rd/w160-h200/dmb%20new%20photo.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">“No person has the right to rain on your dreams.”<br /><i>- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.</i></div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-47743724987289537632023-01-11T10:29:00.005-07:002023-07-05T16:03:22.982-06:00Update: January 11, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6uju3tuh7u7SiYY-bkWF6B_6oXYZnfKyd_zxkeLlinzTKHyiXjlRYNsNiEfPYNp5HqgGpU_CWKZEQQWnXiX77csG7Q0OhoE0FLzh-vhNVZ0xTT58enMi7ReNFTAh3iM_4HI2H_PC2qo_0sdBBqUuVub0Yi0OGMupYsJWzImnOx-5y0NKYUa-RtHq/s2048/Update%20Logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6uju3tuh7u7SiYY-bkWF6B_6oXYZnfKyd_zxkeLlinzTKHyiXjlRYNsNiEfPYNp5HqgGpU_CWKZEQQWnXiX77csG7Q0OhoE0FLzh-vhNVZ0xTT58enMi7ReNFTAh3iM_4HI2H_PC2qo_0sdBBqUuVub0Yi0OGMupYsJWzImnOx-5y0NKYUa-RtHq/w400-h266/Update%20Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The word of the week is WEATHER. Since NYE, we’ve made it through three additional storms including more power outages, a ton of debris, and some leaks in our ceiling. We can’t wait for some sunshine. Please send some this way.☀️</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZOSAXyMAX4uk0dQ7hjmuZjnwAZdXmN4nMIInM_87DnYdPkVFAGX7udo6aBdStmqJhr9gFb_A4Rr3LDBvLoPIvC1WzARpnwOfb5o-So4-XXSD2nP0bpm_avQq5J3o8iPHYitb7fgcFYbUjpnyYXYZEsUrkQ2P0iiAuLhg0WRcvZ1zq0skI02VHWQ5/s1080/detour%20caged%20gardenia.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZOSAXyMAX4uk0dQ7hjmuZjnwAZdXmN4nMIInM_87DnYdPkVFAGX7udo6aBdStmqJhr9gFb_A4Rr3LDBvLoPIvC1WzARpnwOfb5o-So4-XXSD2nP0bpm_avQq5J3o8iPHYitb7fgcFYbUjpnyYXYZEsUrkQ2P0iiAuLhg0WRcvZ1zq0skI02VHWQ5/w200-h200/detour%20caged%20gardenia.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Despite the weather I’ve watched many great films this week including <i>Tarantula</i>, <i>Alice in Wonderland</i>, and three of my personal favorites: <i>Detour</i>, <i>Caged!</i>, and <i>The Blue Gardenia</i>. Each of these three fantastic films feature brilliant performances by women. Watching Ann Savage devour every scene in <i>Detour</i> is a must. And mysteries don’t get better than <i>The Blue Gardenia</i>. I also watched <i>Airport 1975</i> with the the wonderful Karen Black as a fearless flight attendant who has to land a damaged passenger jet. Good stuff!<p></p><p>You can read my review of <i>Caged</i> at the <a href="https://filtinsel.blogspot.com/2023/01/film-review-caged-1950.html" target="_blank">official Filtinsel website</a>. It’s a film noir women-in-prison movie from 1950 and it’s terrific.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgajK4wqTH7GPReeoZo5UfTYFD7cpCIt-R4xQjDns4Uz9OwynJSXH6QkaIvp30sZsPExVBwnckyLrDFZ9f6u0AoLxfHcjXsA1_m_ZbXW2H4dLFboL16kJuLb1pvxEkAlG5I6enRDc6_rjOxTGEi8gO-cTmRERLngVE0OXFo_874uSgfRKj2DatZw4/s542/home%20before%20dark.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="360" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgajK4wqTH7GPReeoZo5UfTYFD7cpCIt-R4xQjDns4Uz9OwynJSXH6QkaIvp30sZsPExVBwnckyLrDFZ9f6u0AoLxfHcjXsA1_m_ZbXW2H4dLFboL16kJuLb1pvxEkAlG5I6enRDc6_rjOxTGEi8gO-cTmRERLngVE0OXFo_874uSgfRKj2DatZw4/w133-h200/home%20before%20dark.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>To bring some laughter into our lives, we’re re-watching the classic British sitcom <i>Absolutely Fabulous</i> - and we’re loving every minute of it. We just finished the first season. We also finished the first season of <i>Shadow and Bone</i> (a great show on Netflix). I’m in love with the series <i>Home Before Dark</i>. It’s on Apple TV and I can’t recommend it enough. Along with the entire excellent cast, Abby Miller (one of my favorite actresses who I secretly dream will stare in many projects I write) gives a terrific performance. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXlTC7UEQB6cwOjFIEinPCwv0bGqz8QwvYemV3zyZ6ziBZNLaQKE6x9QwQbmh8Mg83tdi742vOrrckvqgqwJL9WR8ZhiCw-ssLvoxbr9ZggZqTWVI-WUCDFVSjhSrenz_Z4B0ofR-HOPEXxfGDR1zYZAArIPl0Zh-qDKkXAMRQ_scq0UL_cfJ0kTO/s1080/jane%20austen%20society.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="710" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXlTC7UEQB6cwOjFIEinPCwv0bGqz8QwvYemV3zyZ6ziBZNLaQKE6x9QwQbmh8Mg83tdi742vOrrckvqgqwJL9WR8ZhiCw-ssLvoxbr9ZggZqTWVI-WUCDFVSjhSrenz_Z4B0ofR-HOPEXxfGDR1zYZAArIPl0Zh-qDKkXAMRQ_scq0UL_cfJ0kTO/w131-h200/jane%20austen%20society.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>I’m currently reading <i>The Jane Austen Society</i> by Natalie Jenner and I’m really enjoying it. <p></p><p>The musical artist of the week is 10,000 Maniacs (during the era when Natalie Merchant was the lead singer). Their album <i>In My Tribe</i> is one of my favorites. It includes the fantastic track <i><a href="https://youtu.be/te7bbWBXusk" target="_blank">Like the Weather</a></i>, my theme song of the week.</p><p>Despite thunder storms and 60 mph winds, I managed to pitch my TV series <i>Cups and Saucers</i> to a major network. It went well. I should hear something back soon. After the script reached an almost point (in terms of going into production) twice, I’ve spent the last three months reworking the pilot script by applying all of the great notes I’ve received from industry experts. I’m in love with the end result. But who doesn’t love a sci-fi adventure about four young people who discover an underground world inhabited by alien life? The universe will decide what happens next with this project. I’m just the satellite who wrote it. </p><p>I’m putting the finishing touches on a new stage play titled <i>Bitter and Sweet</i> and a new screenplay called <i>Whirl</i>. I’m also prepping for some upcoming pitch meetings related to the TV adaptation of my all-female stage play <i>Sky Lines</i>. </p><p>I get asked a lot about my creative process. This year I’m writing two hours a day (one hour session in the morning, one at night) and editing two hours on Saturdays. I’m no longer writing or editing on Sundays: it’s become a true day off. This will be the first time I’ve not written seven days a week in about twenty years. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpf19pns7HCnaUX6MyydpMfb3VdAnXU3qsC6UgMvA1ItXXXnkX2PfjQO_qZJsO4XVJ3VlAOI_y6AFoyUisaeOJDQK45LXz-npRNmSjBxozcw9e-oYpGsOsQQgw6xjbWmdNyF4jG6PIcC-KNo6hcP2ibTditwUKQscD1rx3Lxzl78J-TEgsceu66m7/s2048/kody%20and%20phronsie%20photo%20collage.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpf19pns7HCnaUX6MyydpMfb3VdAnXU3qsC6UgMvA1ItXXXnkX2PfjQO_qZJsO4XVJ3VlAOI_y6AFoyUisaeOJDQK45LXz-npRNmSjBxozcw9e-oYpGsOsQQgw6xjbWmdNyF4jG6PIcC-KNo6hcP2ibTditwUKQscD1rx3Lxzl78J-TEgsceu66m7/s320/kody%20and%20phronsie%20photo%20collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt4mTt78fDe-2NNscPNQhmBqX10cRWeEljf0kvwtu-HKL8OSAqWyGjCNu08LQuBgbi8V_CbBGHhJ5NIkZNErU9BrtXEPBEgPCKveIzOAPNg2dBHEblm2GSPRWSfICBvKINTMUm8e7bwvDibyfMBIhVEn0kolXkdDDzVp2Rfp8iq0d9UvoGoR58gxj/s1080/studio%20blue%20salon.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt4mTt78fDe-2NNscPNQhmBqX10cRWeEljf0kvwtu-HKL8OSAqWyGjCNu08LQuBgbi8V_CbBGHhJ5NIkZNErU9BrtXEPBEgPCKveIzOAPNg2dBHEblm2GSPRWSfICBvKINTMUm8e7bwvDibyfMBIhVEn0kolXkdDDzVp2Rfp8iq0d9UvoGoR58gxj/w150-h200/studio%20blue%20salon.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>This week, I’m including some fun photos: our dog Kody and his new favorite toy (it was a Christmas gift from Grandma), Kody and his feline sister Phronsie (I’m sure they’re plotting against us; this photo is proof), and me at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/studiobluesalonfairoaks" target="_blank">Studio Blue Salon</a> where my wonderful friend Jodi worked her usual hair magic. <p></p><p>Until next week… </p><p>Onward and upward.</p><p>“Your imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” </p><p>– Albert Einstein</p><p>P.S. You can watch the video versions of my weekly updates on my TikTok account. You can find me there at davidmatthewbarnes.</p>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-69337743207501892592023-01-04T13:26:00.002-07:002023-07-05T16:03:34.049-06:00Update: January 4, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF05Wp6HuFVRmZ6ad6lXCM-wtMZCu9xo8lgKw4-g2LvJ8_4dfGGGUiKgjuv22bn8NKCOYTgt5-1yuYqueXpz9FxHBHKDi7nx2Urj9eKpPdeZXHTV44E-PxPAxtlbUufhy1ifrC3uavAR14UZXK5Nx3MQZxNZg_YxLUMtkMRCxWZDEUsZxVh_V6Mwv/s2048/Update%20Logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF05Wp6HuFVRmZ6ad6lXCM-wtMZCu9xo8lgKw4-g2LvJ8_4dfGGGUiKgjuv22bn8NKCOYTgt5-1yuYqueXpz9FxHBHKDi7nx2Urj9eKpPdeZXHTV44E-PxPAxtlbUufhy1ifrC3uavAR14UZXK5Nx3MQZxNZg_YxLUMtkMRCxWZDEUsZxVh_V6Mwv/s320/Update%20Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>2023 came in like a wild storm - literally. Sacramento was hit with an atmospheric river storm that left us without power on NYE. Definitely a memorable start to the new year. And there’s more bad weather on the way. Yikes. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqNsOnSinHhbxXt56V6OSeGc53ICGXSd9cgXwgVVhFJX-UrDolqxlo1_L4CST8Wdm8LnJGReCLiQsxlb66wQlsirHX6h3P-hg-ib8CBgMl4myTXIrRt85BCdllN2qYNgGTHdER4nADJJNxJVLDvfXDbQXhoE4cA1pCqb8UBI9_3PUTCxgkInEFi5s/s2048/Rudolph's%20Shiny%20New%20Year.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="2048" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqNsOnSinHhbxXt56V6OSeGc53ICGXSd9cgXwgVVhFJX-UrDolqxlo1_L4CST8Wdm8LnJGReCLiQsxlb66wQlsirHX6h3P-hg-ib8CBgMl4myTXIrRt85BCdllN2qYNgGTHdER4nADJJNxJVLDvfXDbQXhoE4cA1pCqb8UBI9_3PUTCxgkInEFi5s/w200-h132/Rudolph's%20Shiny%20New%20Year.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Despite the weather I managed to watch my usual NYE selection of personal classics including <i>Untamed Heart</i>, <i>Horton Hears a Who!</i> (the original), <i>Happy New Year, Charlie Brown</i>, and the most bizarre holiday special: <i>Rudolph’s Shiny New Year</i>. I also fell in love all over again with the films <i>Peggy Sue Got Married</i> and <i>Xanadu</i>. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTbAYQwLEc0QYXXlyYX2zaOkT_mjHI95VV_IS_mamy54bOA8fFxYOH5rxTgr-Uzo6yjQNROPWNQLUwJqREkigejUdndF6mVUxsjk2Gw82ByR1wfzX-Ye_BcJy1X_13g230hLy1JoIRiRk4MblkPjgkbFWwvIw8Jelk7vfi7_DG3Wz98246F5J6WWj/s750/Cold%20Case.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTbAYQwLEc0QYXXlyYX2zaOkT_mjHI95VV_IS_mamy54bOA8fFxYOH5rxTgr-Uzo6yjQNROPWNQLUwJqREkigejUdndF6mVUxsjk2Gw82ByR1wfzX-Ye_BcJy1X_13g230hLy1JoIRiRk4MblkPjgkbFWwvIw8Jelk7vfi7_DG3Wz98246F5J6WWj/w133-h200/Cold%20Case.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>I’ve recently rediscovered one of the best TV shows ever made: <i>Cold Case</i>. All seven seasons are on HBO Max in case you love a fantastic crime solving show. <p></p><p>I’m getting new glasses! I’m long overdue for a new pair. I already got fitted for them. They arrive soon. Expect a new look!</p><p>I’m reading <i>Villette</i> by Charlotte Brontë and I’m loving every beautiful word of it. </p><p>The musical artist of the week is Janet Jackson because I’ve always loved her and because I recently heard her music randomly three times in one day. </p><p>As for my writing career, 2023 is (already) on fire. Seriously, I’ve never had a year start as promising and fantastic as this one. So much to share!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47OD-TqF_pRehRPgnqQkzsakDn1RiMe16vmwj-U5V5Qe4yzVacuzlkSHMYAyVDx189nhKiiEnyDwvNEP5tqQISfZ3ES2bi3NgUMWR0rP7wGxc9kFhXMEB4RJNJOBYMvVqe4Ciqm7Hgwd9Tjf75Ewb8uM_V80IFQNkKxItzL9FkoJwa2L2eOvEw-uU/s2048/Hot%20Rates%20Barnstorm.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1465" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47OD-TqF_pRehRPgnqQkzsakDn1RiMe16vmwj-U5V5Qe4yzVacuzlkSHMYAyVDx189nhKiiEnyDwvNEP5tqQISfZ3ES2bi3NgUMWR0rP7wGxc9kFhXMEB4RJNJOBYMvVqe4Ciqm7Hgwd9Tjf75Ewb8uM_V80IFQNkKxItzL9FkoJwa2L2eOvEw-uU/w143-h200/Hot%20Rates%20Barnstorm.jpg" width="143" /></a></div>Just minutes before midnight on NYE I got word that my short film screenplay <i>Hot Rates to Omaha</i> was selected for The Short List of Pilots and Shorts by the wonderful team at Barnstorm Fest (it’s on a level of award prestige I’m just now starting to experience 37 years into this long writing career of mine). So thankful for this honor!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaaOUaLwi2kxxC6G_2h0s0w_0NRJlPbZxyC0oCK-WTUMhIB-GWoOvu70xNMuV-IPYThNmoCz70gb8r7ZZdykfLm9AkNisOYu_5nL9zVKnzz8oYS24-5OIlxqXELrDJ2haL9FDJlSjvza54ENy_Tx6-xecUYoKfGEH7yL-LoDydgI-xPb8jD2VZ-lr/s1125/Red%20List%20Coverfly.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1125" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaaOUaLwi2kxxC6G_2h0s0w_0NRJlPbZxyC0oCK-WTUMhIB-GWoOvu70xNMuV-IPYThNmoCz70gb8r7ZZdykfLm9AkNisOYu_5nL9zVKnzz8oYS24-5OIlxqXELrDJ2haL9FDJlSjvza54ENy_Tx6-xecUYoKfGEH7yL-LoDydgI-xPb8jD2VZ-lr/w200-h199/Red%20List%20Coverfly.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>My short film screenplay <i>Hot Rates to Omaha</i> has placed at #14 on The Red List at Coverfly. I’ve been working to get on this list since 2018. Very exciting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_A-4I-c61YAGutPL_W_qEPD_WdoSZnYXv3TodIm-SIrW3JfIlFZk_QaheR5vCB4h9khtx6f7NNiXOqqdiUk8wQ8cnCT2UWGomxo6vhR0JL9a1_Tdk2P3TaVFIOWwbW7YJYlQOHdqq7ZK6k7A02IyiZV9gZsvjLbd2C9K8iNJOQ9HNv2-KimQ15SD/s2048/Willa%20Cather%20OFF.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_A-4I-c61YAGutPL_W_qEPD_WdoSZnYXv3TodIm-SIrW3JfIlFZk_QaheR5vCB4h9khtx6f7NNiXOqqdiUk8wQ8cnCT2UWGomxo6vhR0JL9a1_Tdk2P3TaVFIOWwbW7YJYlQOHdqq7ZK6k7A02IyiZV9gZsvjLbd2C9K8iNJOQ9HNv2-KimQ15SD/w200-h200/Willa%20Cather%20OFF.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>My feature film screenplay <i>Willa Cather Would Not Approve</i> has been named an official selection for the 2023 Omaha Film Festival. I’m over the moon about this for many reasons, but especially because the script is set in Nebraska. I really, really, really hope this female-centric story finds the right director or producer soon. Universe, are you listening?<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLx4bCzbzl5wz6WSQuqvDyuTf5oSGLiZJxVqKTechFOfGCZhkF92xmfFCz61gQn3CGGMOKYsksk0S6_AOLRRxlNKw3xDtQkSWKDHFFzPaBtRaRjGpqIfJm-u1KPQEr-oiH_ie7BEfJyOi7Ev2GyA8Aehg20-ZBBlqxnvnZ_MHyvZY4VL-yNpaUcCe/s2048/Skiptown%20Everlasting%20Gift.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLx4bCzbzl5wz6WSQuqvDyuTf5oSGLiZJxVqKTechFOfGCZhkF92xmfFCz61gQn3CGGMOKYsksk0S6_AOLRRxlNKw3xDtQkSWKDHFFzPaBtRaRjGpqIfJm-u1KPQEr-oiH_ie7BEfJyOi7Ev2GyA8Aehg20-ZBBlqxnvnZ_MHyvZY4VL-yNpaUcCe/w200-h200/Skiptown%20Everlasting%20Gift.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Also of note: the script adaptation of my holiday romance novel <i>The Everlasting Gift</i> received the award for Best Feature Film Screenplay at the Skiptown Playhouse International Film Festival in Los Angeles on January 1. I’m very grateful for this wonderful recognition of my work as a screenwriter. <p></p><p>Onward and upward.</p><p>Until next week… </p><p>“Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” - <i>Gloria Steinem </i></p><p><b>Related Links</b></p><p><a href="https://writers.coverfly.com/the-red-list?genre=Drama&format=Short&range=month" target="_blank">The Red List (Coverfly)</a></p><p><a href="https://www.barnstormfest.com/short-list-2022">The Short List (Barnstorm Fest)</a></p><p><a href="https://www.skiptownplayhouse.com/2022winners" target="_blank">Best Feature Film Screenplay (Skiptown Playhouse)</a></p><p><a href="https://omahafilmfestival.org/" target="_blank">Omaha Film Festival Selected Scripts</a></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601619056770291371.post-84228560233647521022022-12-20T13:05:00.013-07:002023-01-04T13:29:33.995-07:002022: A Transformative Year<p><span face="Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzJNZIPOYsOs8UO_1Mm106qW_KKZFgrT-Tgn7mS-5UcCox0eoGwyv5_WB-49Rniq5RPf6MsQvp-VjaQOB_6gxWnvH3dTxKBECI3E6eNSRctjzFUCc60_A7bhOP4JRzg2iYzW0heNz8LHSGE8sTMPPQw-kI59OlK_BXgjNudHWBTXidMuur97UV4Kq/s2048/davidmatthewbarnes.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzJNZIPOYsOs8UO_1Mm106qW_KKZFgrT-Tgn7mS-5UcCox0eoGwyv5_WB-49Rniq5RPf6MsQvp-VjaQOB_6gxWnvH3dTxKBECI3E6eNSRctjzFUCc60_A7bhOP4JRzg2iYzW0heNz8LHSGE8sTMPPQw-kI59OlK_BXgjNudHWBTXidMuur97UV4Kq/s320/davidmatthewbarnes.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;">This was a transformative year; a time of many changes. From leaving Denver after living there for a decade to (re)starting a new life (and job) in Sacramento to reconnecting with lifelong friends and a beautiful family. Days often felt like they were flying by at full throttle, a beautiful momentum leading to a much needed metamorphosis: I feel alive again. I’m leaving so much behind as the new year begins. And I’m embracing all the new, the larger than life moments yet to unfold. There are many new memories to be made. Today and everyday, I am filled with immense gratitude. A heartfelt thank you to the readers, the podcast hosts, the publishers, the reviewers, the librarians, and the booksellers who helped me have a record year as an author. To the actors, directors, producers, and college and community theaters who brought my words to many stages. To my fantastic church family for providing a safe space for all and for helping me keep the faith. To my extraordinary husband and best friend, Edward, for being my beautiful partner in all things. To the haters for making me work harder despite the spite. And to my ride or dies (they know who they are) for keeping it real and (always) having my back. You all made this year what it was. There is so much waiting in the wings right now - projects and chances and sweet opportunities that already promise to make 2023 an extraordinary year. I can’t wait to be present each and every day in this exciting next journey. Thank you for being a part of my level up before it begins (I’m ready; I’ve been ready even when I didn’t feel worthy). It’s time - and that’s all we really have (even if it’s an illusion). Onward and upward. Grateful and blessed, always. Breathe.</span><p></p>Blog Updatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445921027904828606noreply@blogger.com0