Introduce Yourself : The Other Side of the Camera by Tom Holowach

Aloha, you guys. I am a theatre person who has been performing other writers' work for 40 years. In the process of researching my actual birth family (I was adopted), not only did I find 11 new half-siblings, but I also stumbled upon the true story of a girl who should have been adopted, but instead, was put in a mental institution and lived her entire life there 81 years. As an adoptee, I sympathize with her, and she led me to an incredible script that only just starts with her, and leads to very complex situations in U.S. History. I have written plenty of non-fiction articles before, but this is the first time I have ever attempted writing dialogue.

When I would direct a play, I'd close my eyes and see the characters performing a movie in my mind, and take notes, which helped me with blocking and interpretation. Now I am watching that same kind of movie, but this time I am listening to them have conversations and just writing them down. It's an amazing thing... I feel like I am channeling what they want to say.

I started writing in December, and discovered Stage 32, and have already learned so much with the Webinars and chats and The Writer's Room. I did my first on-camera Skype pitch this morning, and I am very happy with how I did. It made me feel like I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing at this point in my life.

I hope to get to know a bunch of you. I am a bit isolated in Hawaii, but online stuff is the way everything is happening now, and that gives me more of a level playing field.

Mahalo and aloha! Tom Holowach