Hey all! Nice to 'meet' you. I am a generally kind and personable person, so I welcome networking.
Former Captain in the US Army in Air Defense Artillery and Military Intelligence -- and yes, I saw the script about 'Hey I'm a spy' - whose title made me laugh. Lots of good writers and people here on Stage 32.
I've been a stockbroker with Transamerica, worked construction in day labor, been a baker, traveled the world living in Korea and Romania, have some wonderful friends in the Industry and some people less thrilled with me too. I do believe it takes a village to a writer make and this is one of my villages.
I've written over 20 screenplays over 20 years and, finally, started marketing my work seriously about four years ago and have now become an award-winning writer and have been a Finalist in the WGFs Veterans' Writing Program, Quarterfinalist in Screencraft's Fellowship Program, winner of the Iowa Veterans' Affairs Art festival in the Screenwriting division, and a Quarterfinalist here in Stage 32s Period Pieces contest.
I have one feature film credit with another one coming out soon and am actively looking for representation.
Some additional tidbits about me are that my girlfriend, Sofia, from Romania flies into live with me in May so my world will be changing with her in it. I also love video games, especially strategy and role-playing games, and live above a bicycle shop. I've briefed Three-star Generals, got to meet the US ambassador to Kenya who taught me African history and met Hemingway, and more.
I am currently working on several stories - a family animation story (my first), a tale on the war in Ukraine, and, perhaps, a limited series on the 4th Crusade.
Have fun and I look forward to seeing all your introductions this weekend.
With Respect and Warm Kindness,
Tom
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Hey, L. Tom Deaver. Caitlin Clark was drafted #1.
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Yeah, it was incredible, and it could change woman's sports forever. Hmm. Might make for a good film even from an Iowa writer.
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Definitely, L. Tom Deaver. I'd watch it. I'm sure a lot of people would.
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Always great to meet a fellow sci-fi writer. Nice to meet you L. Tom Deaver . You have quite a story.
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Hi L. Tom Deaver - great to see you here on IYW! you’re background is fascinating. And you met Hemingway! Wow! Does your experience in the military inform your writing or writing process?
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No, I did not meet Hemingway, my professor did though. But I did go to the Soviet Union in 1989 just before the Berlin Wall came down.
Yes, the military informs my writing and writing process. I was a staff planner at Battalion, Brigade, Division, and Army levels and graduated from Combined Arms, Serivices Staff School. How that applies to screenwriting is the collaborative phase in that I have created plans that worked with lawyers, engineers, combat arms, special forces, logistics, and more. So when I write a script, I do have an idea of the cost and process of making it a reality. I tend to write first through fourth drafts all on my own and then "staff" my scripts to readers, who are the audience and commander, to see reactions, to test the story, and eventually after many drafts have a finished script.
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Nice to meet you too, Martin. Thank you for enjoying my life. I have had some horrible experiences in life too like the downfall of my production company, Dragonslayer. But it taught me lessons and my new story "The Monk Who Would Be Spy" shows some of that voyage from loss to forgiveness in an indirect way via the writing and story choices.
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Good to see you L. Tom Deaver as always! What family animation piece are you working on?
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Hey Leonardo! I am working on a story of female ducks telling a tale similar to "Watership Down" but from a female perspective. I am using the working title of "Upon Silver Lake" for it.
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Ok L. Tom Deaver - that sounds really cool. Love it! I like the title too.
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First off thank you for your service L. Tom Deaver, my late father was a Captain as well, having served in Vietnam. He didn't die during the war, just to be clear, he made it all the way until 81 and passed a couple years ago. Your life experience and your writing skill set seem very wide ranging, that's so valuable both as a person and a writer. Sounds like you're on a great path, keep it up! I spent some time in Romania myself, worked on 7 movies there between 2001 - 2003. Welcome!
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Hey Nick, thank you so much for your kind words and I am sad to hear of your father's passing but it sounds like he lived a good life and raised a kind son. My own father passed due to dementia and I still remember him and his goofy, wonderful smile all the time.
But the time you were shooting in Romania was about the time I was living in Romania. However, I was not making films at the time and getting married to my ex-wife. Ce faci? It is a beautiful country and full of rich stories. Several of my stories are set there in Romania or designed to be shot there.
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Nice to meet you Tom! I love history! I bet your background feeds you a lot of amazing story ideas!!!
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Role-playing games are the best! Tabletop RPG's are an AMAZING tool for any writer I think. Do you have a favorite?
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Thank you for taking the time to reintroduce yourself to the community, L. Tom Deaver! Great to see you! =)
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Hey Daniel, yes, I love history! For instance, I liked the original "Kingdom Come: Deliverance" as not perfect history but a very solid story that had loads of fun in it and was happy to see "Kingdom Come 2" be announced today.
And yes, the intricacies of storytelling via games and choose-your-own-adventure books has progressed leaps and bounds. It is ripe and fertile storytelling ground for us writers.
Favorite games are too many to list from over 30 years beginning with the old Commodore 64 but some of my favorites are the old BioWare games, Larian Studios' work, Paradox games, and more.
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Great to see you too, Ashley =) I hope your own work is going well?
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It is, L. Tom Deaver, thank you for asking! =)
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Thanks for sharing and your service.