This week, a reader wrote: “I know that John appears to be a big time loser in the movie…” That would be John Max, the subject of last week’s post. Max was a successful photographer whose loss of confidence was documented in a rare film. “…but perhaps after his disintegration there was some sort of [...]
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Pity and fear, Aristotle said…are the great emotional engines for tragedy. ~ from “Hit Lit” by James W. Hall Pity and fear—I’m often surprised when I learn what makes a good movie worth watching. “The Artist”, fired up the twin engines of pity and fear and took off with this year’s Oscar for “best [...]
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As a queen sits down, knowing that a chair will be there, Or a general raises his hand and is given field glasses, Step off assuredly into the blank of your mind. Something will come to you. ~ Richard Wilbur (quoted in an interview with novelist, Anne Tyler, in the guardian) 6:30 a.m. This morning [...]
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Years ago, I won a “24-hour One-Act Play competition”. Later, I wrote a feature screenplay over a long weekend with two buddies. The 3-day novel competition, I’ve survived that twice. Now it’s time for… Inkubate’s first annual LITERARY BLOCKBUSTER CHALLENGE! According to Inkubate, a “literary blockbuster” is a novel that “explores the eternal philosophical questions [...]
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Story Structure To Die For is essential reading for anyone who has ever wondered why readers read and why writers
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A phone call out of the blue sends ROXY on a mercy mission to a Greek island. Her estranged grandfather is dying. When her mother refuses
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The Flight of the Patriot
Yadi Sharifirad, Iranian Top Gun, national hero, and poster boy for the military forces of the Islamic Regime, thought his record spoke for itself. But he underestimated Ayatollah Khomeini’s antipathy for American-trained fighter pilots—all but a few were executed. Sharifi’s luck ran out when one fine day ...more
