![](https://www.stage32.com/sites/stage32.com/files/imagecache/1000_x/photos/3329243831597017410_16907419919066.jpg)
Hello, Fellow Scribes. I had written a bio-feature script back in 2018 called, "James Dean: Crossing the Finish Line" (Best Feature Screenplay; 2021 Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards). I'm also a columnist for the magazine, "DEANZINE," which is a periodical devoted to the 1950s film icon. I find it quite refreshing, every now and then, to abandon the average 110-page script for a 2-page news article. I'm currently working on a series of critiques, "Anatomy of a Scene," that focuses on one pivotal scene from each of Mr. Dean's three films.
Question: Does anyone else stray from scripts to indulge in other writing interests? I can't be the ONLY one. If so, do share. : )
4 people like this
If all goes well, my first history book will be published on August 29th in Quebec. For those who are interested (it's in French though, so be warned): https://www.amazon.ca/Cuba-Chili-Qu%C3%A9bec-Consolidation-anti-imp%C3%A...
4 people like this
I'm also a part-time radio show host at my local university. Besides that and my dayjob that looks like a swinging pendulum right now (too much instability at the moment), nothing else on the horizon for now.
3 people like this
I also write commercials and skits, Bill Brock.
4 people like this
I have written some books (non fiction). I wrote a book that needs a massive edit. So I am think of recording each chapter as a podcast.
3 people like this
I have written three novels and have published a few articles in newspapers and magazines under my pen name Lara Reznik. I'm enjoying getting back to screenwriting.
3 people like this
Marcel Nault Jr. Good job, Marcel. I, too, was a radio personality throughout my college years and went professional for a year after. Decided not to stick with it as a career. Such a lonely profession. You, a mic, and a room. Best of luck with the day job.
3 people like this
Maurice Vaughan Very cool, Maurice! Writing skits can be such a blast! During my early years as an actor in Richmond, VA, I was a member of a comedy sketch group called "Richmond: Out of Stock." We wrote our own sketches throughout the week, then performed every Saturday night from 11:30 pm to 1 am (It was my city's version of SNL). Nothing beats writing scripts during the week and earning laughs by Saturday night! Our theater was a stage at the "Cinema & Draft House." Ah! The young life of a local celebrity!
2 people like this
Craig D Griffiths Sounds AWESOME, Craig! WOW! I don't think I have the guts to write an entire book! Nice work, and good luck on the edit! A podcast sounds like a great idea!
3 people like this
Lara Reznik Three novels??? NO WAY! Very impressive! I don't have the brains to write a coloring book, let alone a NOVEL!! Super Congrats! You even have your own COOL pen name! Now I'm totally jealous. You've inspired ME to create my own pen name! From this day forward, boring, plain, vanilla Bill Brock is gone, replaced by the Oh-So-Flashy......
BILLIP BROCKU !!!!
Ooooh-La-La! Sounds so European !!!
3 people like this
Here's the cover of the latest DEANZINE. I believe the article appears on p. 10.
3 people like this
I am also a n author. I like to write Young Adult fantasy novels.
4 people like this
Great article and love the breakdown of that scene. Would love to read the bio feature you wrote. James Dean deserves his craft depicted in a beautiful way. One of my favorites
3 people like this
I write comic books, but I'm also writing my first movie script and my first novel too
5 people like this
Yeah, writing skits is fun, Bill Brock. I use them as writing samples.
Real cool! I lived in Richmond when I was young. Was why the group named "Richmond: Out of Stock"?
7 people like this
For a living, and as a former book publisher, I ghostwrite and author non-fiction books, mostly history and true crime. And I teach non-fiction book development in a series of online courses. Currently trying to balance that with my creative projects which range from TV pilots to musical movie to features.
4 people like this
Well, Bill...I've got something called "Boston's Blog." (Feel free to check it out at https://bostonsblogtoo.blogspot.com.)
5 people like this
That's cool Bill Brock. I'm a fellow Dean historian, haha. I had the honor of interviewing Dean's best friend, Lew Bracker, last year and heard so many amazing stories about their friendship and his life on the set of the films. :)
5 people like this
I am a full-time corporate video producer. So I write lots of corporate scripts.
2 people like this
Maurice Vaughan Good question about the group name. Never questioned it, so I have no idea. Just a young, dumb, 20-something kid at the time. : )
2 people like this
Hey, everybody! I usually hit this lounge every couple of weeks, so don't take it personally if I don't reply right away. Looking forward to answering my fan mail today! : )
2 people like this
Suzanne Paschall BRAVO, Suzanne. Sounds like you've got a pretty good mix working there.
4 people like this
Ransom notes.
2 people like this
Thanks, Tyler. What makes my script different from the other films based on Dean is that I chose to focus on the last 22 hours of his life. Here's the logline:
On the night before his death, an inevitable Hollywood film icon, struggling with fond memories of a long-deceased mother, and current battles with an emotionally distant father, questions his fate through a powerful series of triumphs, challenges, and haunting nightmares.
2 people like this
HA! Good one, Dan!!
3 people like this
Hey, Dustin Richardson. Met Lew a few times at the Annual JAMES DEAN FESTIVAL in Fairmount, Indiana, Jimmy's childhood home town.
3 people like this
I strayed to write a children's book and self-published it. Very disappointing experience.
3 people like this
Most of my writing these days is in the form of articles on topics like medicine, disability access, sexual health and education, and socio-political current events. I was a freelance creative and technical writer for 10+ years before I went back to school in 2018 - but only got through Associates and part of Bachelors before health issues screwed that up. When I was young I was all about being a screenwriter, and it's never something I'll be willing to give up entirely, but I realized many years ago that my interests in writing were going to be much broader than that, and I had to allow for my focus to flow as my life and desires dictated. That's also when I got into the habit of defining myself as a storyteller more than a writer, because I realized the ability to tell a good story plays a role in so many forms of writing beyond for the screen.
I've also been a highly rated author on Literotica for many years, which is the one place where almost all of my work is in short-story form - though I have been working on a mid-apocalyptic speculative-fiction script that is heavily influenced by my erotic-fiction work. I even took a freelance erotica writing gig once, but it didn't go well - dude had a very specific fetish he wanted content created for, and was so happy with the first completed story that didn't take "no, thanks" very well to an ongoing gig, even when I explained that I just didn't really want to keep writing content on kinks I didn't personally find find alluring or inspiring. I ending up reading this "Dear Collector" letter by Anais Nin just a few weeks later and it made me feel so much better about my choice, because that's exactly how I'd felt during the whole experience. https://lettersofnote.com/2012/06/29/sex-does-not-thrive-on-monotony/
2 people like this
Why was it a disappointing experience, Antonio M.?