The Creative Writing Life

Robert People speaks about writing your first book and more!  Find his books and more at robertpeople.com. FROM ROBERT: Hi, everybody! My name is Robert People and you’ve reached People’s Court. I am an author with six self-published books and I am also a poet and an aspiring professional screenwriter. I’ve completed several works and at the moment and I’m still looking for agency representation. Hopefully, I will not be looking for long! I retired from the Army in 2018 after 21 years of service. I am married and we have two children. Some of my hobbies include writing, reading, exercising, traveling and spending time with my family. I also look to encourage those around me whenever I can, so if you don’t mind that, you can expect to see that also. My posts will touch on just about anything. NOTE: If you’re on a mobile device and do not see “Archives” and dates listed on the right side of the page, just scroll to the bottom and click on “View Full Site,” and you should see them there. Thanks for visiting! Blog:https://pplscrt79.wordpress.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeoplesCourt79 Facebook: https://facebook.com/robert.people.9 You can also email me at: Robert.People.79@gmail.com -- Please leave a review and share the word!

In preparation for the #AFF22 panel on Interactive Storytelling, Philip Balli joined us to discuss the Austin Film Festival, Writing Games, and Working in TV. He has a wealth of information to share!  https://austinfilmfestival.com/festival-and-conference-aff/panelists-and-awardees/ About Philip: Philip is a Laredo, TX native with an MFA in screenwriting from the University of Texas at Austin. He has experience serving in various support staff positions in TV writers’ rooms for shows such as Fargo (FX) and Parasite (HBO). Prior to that, he was a research assistant to writer/director Noah Hawley. As an adjunct instructor, Philip has taught an introduction to screenwriting course at Texas A&M International University. Currently, he is a full-time game writer & narrative designer at OrionGames, an all-remote indie studio working on its first title, the action-adventure Arto. When he isn’t writing, Philip is playing video games (mostly story-driven or narrative adventure games), watching Bluey with his daughters, or reading fantasy/sci-fi book series. The AFF panel for 2022 (with Justin Sloan and Ashley Poprik): Interactive Storytelling: The New Frontier Video games have developed from small, linear play-through adventures to massive multiplayer games with open worlds and branching narratives. So how has this evolution led to a growing commitment to story, and how has this interactive medium affected the way we tell and consume stories? Join this conversation on the challenges and opportunities that come with interactive storytelling. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12090996/

This week Collin Lieberg joined Justin and Paul to discuss writing groups such as the Virtual Happy Hour (VHH), the Austin Film Festival, and Creative Development. Enjoy!  https://twitter.com/collinlieberg From Collin: Due to being a nerd (before it was cool), as well as years living abroad and feeling out of place, I write drama and genre stories about outsiders struggling to fit in.  I have a background in academia, management, marketing, and retail that all inform my characters and stories. For two years I have run a monthly #VirtualHappyHour #VHH Zoom mixer to chat and connect with friends old and new.

Isabel Dréan chatted with Justin and Paul about what it's been like for her to write fun screenplays - Christmas and not - and to direct movies. She shared some great advice on not giving away power. Listen to find out what that means!  Check out her movies, to include The Holiday Switch and Christmas on the Rocks.  Her IMDb – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2605838/ ABOUT ISABEL: Originally from Montreal, Canada, Isabel Dréan is an award-winning director/producer. Psychological thriller and suspense are her forte. Isabel's passion for thrillers and horror has pushed her to experiment with various contemporary themes in the genre, her favorites being female revenge, empowerment, #metoo, and women overcoming the impossible. As a director, producer, and screenwriter, she is currently developing a variety of projects, features, shorts, and series with a range of well-established and independent producers. Nothing excites her more than the creative process and the journey. "Every day is a creative adventure!"

Former Marine Mark R. Clifford wrote The Typhoon Coast and joined Justin and Paul to discuss writing historical thrillers and his other endeavors. Enjoy! Website: https://typhooncoast.com/ The book: https://www.amazon.com/Typhoon-Coast-Mark-R-Clifford/dp/B0875ZKL2Y About Mark:  Mark R. Clifford is a proud fourth-generation San Franciscan. He is the second-born in an Irish Catholic family of seven, making him a self-declared expert in the pseudoscience of birth order characteristics. Mark served in the Marine infantry for ten years and as a Police Officer for over a quarter-century. His debut novel, TYPHOON COAST, is about what troubles him. In the Marines, Mark rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received Special Operations training while attached to the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa and was operating in the Philippines in 1991 during the historic eruption of Mount Pinatubo. His law enforcement career was equally eclectic. He rose to the sergeant’s rank and served in many assignments to include SWAT and undercover narcotics. Mark still calls the San Francisco Bay Area home. He and his wife have been married for almost thirty years and have raised three beautiful children. He has written for the San Jose Mercury, Contra Costa Times, Military Experience & The Arts magazine, San Leandro Times, and read his works at the famous Cody’s Books in Berkeley. He is the current Program Chair for the California Writers Club. Mark is passionate about inspiring leaders to turn their stories into service. In his retirement, Mark mentors veterans transitioning to civilian life at musician Zac Brown’s Camp Southern Ground.

James Moorer talks screenwriting as a gift, Roadmap Writers, why we write, and pancakes. He recommends DuPars at The Grove, by the way.  Bio, from James:  I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and from a very early age I loved books and fantastic stories. I wrote my first play in elementary school and performed it along with some of my fellow students. My desire to write went crazy after reading a Truman Capote story in Esquire magazine. I’ve since, had two books published and moved to LA to become a working screenwriter. I am also notoriously known for my love of pancakes and the go to authority on where the best places are in town to find them. Visit his website: https://jamesmoorer.com Learn more about his movies: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3150339 Check out his Hammerjaxxfilms.com And READ HIS BOOK on Amazon :)   Two For The Pain: An Eddie Gideon Mystery

This week we spoke with James Mason about loglines! He's putting together a book on loglines, so be sure to check out the episode and then stay tuned to hear when he publishes.  https://www.facebook.com/screenrioter  Join Justin and Paul in another episode of Creative Writing Life!  Paul's book - GO AHEAD AND ASK - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WRFNMV5 Justin's book - CREATIVE WRITING CAREER - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YR2SHJ4

This week, Justin and Paul spoke with Chad Ayinde about making comics and writing screenplays, moving to Los Angeles, and attending the WGF Veterans Writing Project. Enjoy!  The WGF Veterans Writing Project - https://www.wgfoundation.org/programs/the-veterans-writing-project  Learn more about his comics -- https://www.battlebornecomics.com/battlebornebasics  From Chad: After a college wrestling career, 12-years as an Army Noncommissioned Officer, a brief stint as an Under Armour Director for Tactical Fitness, and a Senior Consultant for Human Performance Analytics... I decided to venture into my passion career. In 2020, I established Battleborne Comics: Creative content forged from combat, a veteran owned comic book studio with a mission of "establishing entertainment industry inroads for aspiring veteran creators". Since then, I've been blessed to write/oversee four comic titles, two Best Screenplay competition wins, and direct my first ever movie short (Chapter & Hearse: The Misadventures of the Mob's Most Mediocre Assassin). An interview with Chad - https://medium.com/authority-magazine/how-chad-ayinde-of-battleborne-comics-is-helping-to-make-the-entertainment-industry-more-diverse-48747ec5898e

Justin Sloan shares his experience with the WGF's Veterans Writing Project - enjoy!

Justin and Paul look back at their writing over the first half of 2022, including screenwriting successes, books published, and more. Also, what's next? Come find out!