24 Wednesday Jul 2019
Posted in Just For Fun, NEWS, Novels, Writing (film & television)
Tags
agent search, author, author life, author tube, how to find an agent, literary agents, query letters, Writer, writers life, Writing
11 Thursday Jul 2019
23 Tuesday Apr 2019
Tags
author, character, creating characters, fiction, Film, Novels, screenwriting, Television, TV writing, Writing, writing for teens, writing tips, YA fiction
You want to be a writer? Okay then, you need to write. It’s literally that simple.
People always ask me, “how do I become a writer?” I mean people I met on planes, at coffee shops, at the grocery store, while at malls/shopping centers, at events, dinner parties. “Oh, you’re a writer? Cool. I have an idea, how do I do that?”
WRITE, that’s how.
There is no other way to be a writer than to write.
The way you get good at it, write every day. You have to, there is no shortcut on this one. It takes time to learn your craft.
You also need to read-constantly. If you want to be a novelist, you have to read novels. It is best to read in your chosen genre. I met someone recently who said that she was writing YA and I asked her what she had read lately and she said, “Oh I hate books for teens.” I was so confused, why write YA then?
***don’t write to trends
If you want to be the next Cameron Crowe—watch a ton of films, study the characters, dialogue, story and to up this to the next level, get your hands on some shooting scripts. It’s important.
TV writers who don’t watch TV? What?? Yes, they exist. They often brag about how they don’t even own a TV and or waste their time, and then they are writing the next great sitcom or drama. That makes no sense to me.
You need to immerse yourself in whatever it is that you want to do. It’s important.
You can also get many TV scripts online. For TV writing it’s a bit more complicated because of formatting for cable, network, primetime, late night, half hour, single camera, multi-camera—-but first—get your characters and story down, then you will need to learn all the above to start submitting. Also in TV writing you must have spec scripts of existing shows—this is beyond important.
Okay, so what are you going to do today??? WRITE!!
If you don’t know how to start, how about at the beginning–get a blank sheet and just get some words down.
YOU CAN DO IT. I know you can!!!
Story Concierge Signature Course launching this summer. Sign up for my VIP newsletter for a chance for a free spot as I will have scholarships available!
21 Thursday Mar 2019
Posted in Children's books, Just For Fun, NEWS, Novels, Writing (film & television)
My goals are to write, relax and enjoy time with my new hubby–
I know that I’ve been gone awhile but I’ve been working on my new business.. see the logo.
More soon, but I am creating content for you, CREATIVES!!
I will make s separate post for that, in the meantime–time for Thursday goals!!
Happy writing!
03 Tuesday Jan 2012
Posted in Just For Fun
“Even God Couldn’t Sink This Ship.” ~ Cal Hockley, Titanic 1997
And they are saying this new one is “unsinkable”. Didn’t they learn the last time that it isn’t a good thing to say? LOL Also is the course to north for the season? And aren’t there more icebergs floating south than 100 years ago? This is an article that came out yesterday. I guess they are even brining in icebergs? Really? I would think that any normal person would not want to temp fate and or relive what actually happened that night?
Here is the article
******************
CRUISE RECREATING TITANIC VOYAGE SOLD OUT TO SUICIDAL FOOLS
Dublin, Ireland – While there have certainly been worse disasters than the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic, there have been none that have reached the kind of cultural zeitgeist of that ship. The Titanic is for many one of the great tragedies of history, a shining example of incredible hubris, and a compelling story of love and loss.
Part of the reason for that has been a result of the numerous books and movies made about the disaster, including one of the biggest box-office films ever, ensuring that the story of the Titanic will forever remain in people’s memories.
In a few months the world will mark the 100th anniversary of that disaster and a lucky few will be able to actually recreate the voyage itself, though hopefully without all the sinking and death that made the original event so compelling. Nonetheless, it is expected that the majority of people who have signed up for the voyage likely have suicidal tendencies and are hoping for a disaster that is officially not a part of the celebratory tour.
“We’ve heard stories from guests who are having dresses created by top designers especially for the event and requests from musicians who want to audition to be part of the famous string quartet (which played on as it sank,” said Miles Morgan of Titanic Memorial Cruises. “This will be as close to experiencing the actual events of the Titanic voyage without travelling back in time and drowning n frigid waters.”
The trip will follow the exact route of the original vessel, regardless of whether or not there is a giant iceberg in its path.
The ship has been designed with modern technology which the backers believe will make it invulnerable to an iceberg strike.
“I can tell you from working on the ship that it just isn’t ready. There are all kinds of safety issues that the money people are just ignoring. This vessel is not capable of surviving an iceberg hit and there aren’t nearly enough survival boats for all the people who will be onboard. It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” said an insider who 
worked on the project. “It’s incredibly arrogant to think that they will be more successful than the last trip. People will die by the thousands, this is a tragedy just waiting to happen.”
Titanic’s sister vessel the Britannic also sunk a few years later.
“Anyone who gets on this ship is tempting death. Some people will get out safe but the majority of the people will die, just like they did on the original ship. It’s will be a bloodbath, they need to end this madness now,” continued the insider. “I cannot be responsible for so many deaths. If they go through with this the blood is on their hands. I am clean.”
It’s believed screaming and death is exactly what the majority of voyagers are hoping for. The company has contracted a company to tow multiple icebergs into the vicinity for a more authentic experience.
William Ashford, Business Correspondent******************
For me personally, if I have to re-experience anything for the 100th anniversary I will go see Titanic in the theater! I loved the film and I am huge Titanic -well I wouldn’t say fan is the right word because how can anyone be a fan of people dying in that way-but I have always been intrigued by the sinking and have many books on the subject and have seen all the films made about it. I had some issues with Cameron’s version because he left out a few very important things that would have been easy to put in, but then again this was a fictional story based on a real event, so at the end of the day, I put all that aside and just loved the film. I think Walter Lord’s book-which was made into a film-A Night To Remember is a more accurate depiction of what happened as far as the first time S.O.S. was used, and the Californian ignoring the calls for help and the Strausses, but James Cameron’s film is a lot of fun, tears and adventure.
I will be safe and warm (probably around 90 degrees in Los Angeles) this April watching Titanic from inside a theater, not somewhere on the north Atlantic on an “unsinkable” ship where they are bringing in icebergs.
Titanic opens nationwide this April to mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking.
02 Monday Jan 2012
Posted in Just For Fun
Once upon a time I judged a TV show based on what people on my FB and Twitter pages were saying-not sure why I would do that-maybe just being lazy. As well, these are the same people that like The New Girl-which I am sorry-I still am scratching my head at that one-maybe someday it will change for me-anyhow, I digress.
I had recorded all of ABC’s new Sunday night drama Once Upon a Time, but never watched any of it and finally deleted it due to my DVR being almost full. Yesterday, New Year’s Day, ABC ran a marathon and I have to say that I LOVE IT!
It is so much fun. I love the concept-I love the characters-I love the casting-everything about it is great. I am so happily surprised that I had to blog about it today and tell you all that you should be watching this fun, fun, show ABC Sundays!
All of your favorite characters are there and some new ones too! It’s well written and takes you on a romantic journey with a modern day spin on the classics!
With:
Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla,Josh Dallas,Jared Gilmore,Raphael Sbarge & Robert Carlyle to name a few.
Created by Adam Horowitz & Edward Kitsis
12 Monday Dec 2011
Posted in Just For Fun, Novels, Writing (film & television)
A few years ago a friend of mine, fellow novelist approached me about doing the NaNoWriMo, write a novel in a month. Back then it was 70,000 words requirement. Well the two of us set out and did it. My second novel-Love You, Love Your Work, Let’s Do Lunch! was published just a few months later.
This is a fun, silly, chick-lit about writing the TV show in Hollywood.
I write my chick-lit under the nom de plume, Micheline McAllister.
I would love it if you would pick it up. I also have my first novel about being a personal assistant and then an actress in Hollywood, Welcome to My Life, for sale.
Have no idea why I can’t get the link to work, so please go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble and type in the title. 🙂
THANKS
18 Monday Oct 2010
It’s been awhile, sorry about that. I have been writing my daily ghost stories
http://www.25daysofhalloween.blogspot.com
and that has kept my other blog writing down.
I have started a new spec script for spring submissions, and my own pilots are chugging along. I am doing a complete re write to my first pilot because after a lot of people reading it, they seem to want that.
No news on the film sale…any day now.. please…
Ryan Murphy has not hired me onto Glee yet.. geez what is he waiting for?
That’s about it.. I will be posting film reviews and stuff again soon..
Hope all your writing is going well!
06 Wednesday Oct 2010
Posted in Just For Fun
After seeing Wall Street (2), there are about three things I am absolutely positive. First, New York is awesome. Second, there is a part of me, and I don’t know how dominate that part might be, that wishes for a lot of money. And third, if I was 24 I would be unconditionally and irrevocably in love with Shia.
I know, he is super young, but I think in about 10 years, he is going to take over Hollywood. He did a great job as leading man in this film.
I had no idea that Oliver Stone was directing this one as well. I saw the trailer, liked what I saw and went to see it. The first Wall Street was always one of my favorite Stone films and I always like Michael Douglas, so knowing that Gordon Gecko was returning, it seemed like a no brainer.
I thought the film was well written, well shot, well scored and over all well acted. I wasn’t in love with Susan Sarandon’s strange Long Island accent, and didn’t think her character was really needed, but it was okay. I also thought that young Shia would have fallen deeper into depression after losing everything, and I thought they wrapped it a bit too fast.
That said, it was enjoyable. The experience was fun.
Everyone loves a film about money. I would say if you like the first one, you will enjoy this one. And, Bud Fox makes an appearance, so come on. What are you waiting for? Go see it!
28 Tuesday Sep 2010
Posted in Just For Fun
I got this article today from a site I belong to called, 6FigureJobs.com, they have great advice, even if we are in the entertainment industry as writers and the rules are all different, and yet they are the same.
I posted it on my other blog, but I think it is so great that I am posting it here as well.
I believe as writers, especially in the entertainment industry, it is vital to have a mentor to help guide you. I am looking for a great mentor for tv/film writing. I have one girl that was sort of giving me mentoring advice, but without giving too many clues into who she was, the show she was on isn’t on anymore, so she had to step back and focus on her own career-which I totally understand and respect.
In any case, I hope you all find this interesting!
Mentors Pay It Forward
By Anne Cheevers
General Manager, 6FigureJobs
Last week I talked about why it’s important to have one (or three!), the wonderful people who agreed to be mine, and what we all got out of it. Today, I want to focus on why you should become one.
When you become a mentor, you agree to offer that person advice, access and advocacy.
Whether you are mentoring a college student or a professional whose career path is shorter than yours, your experience gives you invaluable perspective that your mentee can use to help them avoid pitfalls and missteps and to supercharge their careers.
I have several people that I mentor. Here are a couple of examples:
The first is someone I worked with 20 years ago that was an AP clerk in the accounting department. He was a very bright, very analytical guy who wanted to “make a lot of money” but didn’t want to put in the time to get his CPA.
My advice? Given his analytical bent, marketing was the career path he should consider.
Access? I helped him transition into the marketing department at my company.
Advocacy? Throughout his career I have helped prospective hiring managers understand his strengths. Today he is a lead marketer for a major advertising agency…making a lot of money.
Another mentee is a former vendor. She worked at a major printing house I used, she was an incredibly smart estimator (meaning she got me great pricing) and we had a great working relationship. At one of our meetings she shared her frustration with me that she felt like she had been dead-ended and that her opportunities at her current company were limited.
My advice? Move to the client side where “purchasing” is less narrowly defined.
Access? I worked with her to identify target companies, and segments, where opportunities might exist.
Advocacy? I’ve helped her get recognition and face time with those companies. We’ve worked together as she has transitioned from “ink on paper”, to online media and today, she is one of the top buyers for a major telecom company.
So what did I get out of all this? I feel a sense of accomplishment, and pride, in seeing the success that my mentees have achieved. Could they have done it without my mentoring? You bet. Could they have achieved their high level of success without having a mentor? I doubt it – at least not as quickly.
As my mentors have done for me, I feel a responsibility to do the same for others. That’s what my mentors have taught me – ask, learn, give back.
Please share your experiences on being a mentor at the 6FigureJobs Blog and pay it forward!
