Back To The Future


When it came to deciding what movie, I would review or even just talk about. It came to a classic that has great memories for me. It comes into a trilogy of great movies, with great actors and great music. Back to the Future is the sweet musical. When I was younger, my dad went to record the first Back to the Future, but the funny thing is the power went out, and we missed the first ten minutes. The second great memory was when two came out in theaters I went with a good friend and on the way home his dad was pulled over. His speedometer didn’t work so he was caught speeding.

When you come to the realization writing movies is your dream you try to analyze and think why does this movie bring those great memories and why can I see it on repeat? Now if you’ve never seen them, you’re missing out on something magical. Yes, there are some inconsistencies, but what great movie doesn’t.

You’ve probably have read many reviews and seen many clips seen the cartoon series or the recent game. However, these are my thoughts. And my (hoping) writing will have some wisdom that I can give.

When we think about structure, story, dialogue, and overall script to screen. We think of a great script and writer, but when you read the earlier draft, you can see how far it came before it became a classic. Back to the Future was such a good movie that they used what Marty was wearing in another movie called Zapped Again.

The story of a crazy scientist inventing a time machine is great. It builds excitement and makes you stand up in hopes Marty doesn’t get caught and or get stranded in the past. The use of a futuristic car the Delorean. This not only made it visually stunning, but fueled a fire to bring the car back 20 years later. Within dialogue, there are some good speeches, but a few great lines that stay with you. “Great Scott, this is heavy!”

When you read the first drafts from 1981 and later or watch the behind the scenes, and the ending that they planned. You thank the script Gods that it ended the way it did. You also see how much work it takes to make a nearly perfect flick.

This has shown me that even though I’ve worked on my scripts for years that it may take many more before I see my scripts come to screen (unless I make them myself). I hope this has given you a short insight into the struggle that it takes, and how long you may have to wait before your dreams come into the real world.

Out of 5 Stars
Story ****
Dialogue *****
Structure *****
Plot *****
Script to Screen *****
Few Inconsistencies ****
Total 4.7 our out of 5

Getting Noticed

Many of us writers write for the love of writing. Others do it because they can and get paid well to do so. I write because I have many ideas that I want others to read them. I write my blog the same way for ideas I have things to say, and I end up just get one or a few people who ever read it. So how can I make an impact? What do I need to do? I sent my “mentor” this email with my script attached. He has yet to respond. Really, I don’t know if I have a “mentor.” Or did my email get put in spam?

“I know it’s been a while since my last email. I’m still working on new ideas and always going back to Ring of Wishes. I think I’m going to learn with your help in which I will know how to modify my new ideas and make them the best as I make Ring of Wishes perfect. Again, I know my success resides with me, and you can help only so far. I just keep dreaming and hoping, but that is not work and just an idea of future life when I should only think of the present. I hope and sometimes pray that your help paves a way for me, and I reach the success I so badly want.

I hope you are having a great Holiday Season thus far.”

Now I can pay money to Stage32 and pitch to managers, agents, and others, but I did this last year and the only thing it did was put me in debt and a couple of requests. Nevertheless, here I am a year later, still in debt and no help from a manager or other.

I want to write and be a success, but we all need a little help. I know if I got some, I would pay it forward, but until then I can’t do anything when my hands are tied.

My mother read my letter to Ellen, and I don’t know who else. I don’t get any comments, so I don’t know if anyone other than her reads my blog entries or even glances at them.

How can I contribute to my family financially? It is by get a script sold, or a writing job of some kind. Maybe I should just sell my body on the side of the road?

Sleep Apnea Can Cause Mental Illness

With bipolar disorder cropping up from celebrities to politicians, you may be wondering what truly affects these individuals. Yes, a mental illness is typically a misfire of chemical and electrical waves within the brain. Nevertheless, is there another, underlying cause? One cause can point to a varying disorder called sleep apnea, a condition that can create a mental abnormality. Does the lack of oxygen to the brain due to lack of sleep cause a mental illness?

If you snore, the two greater factors of blame are pointed to either, obstructive sleep apnea or obesity. The lack of oxygen to the brain can cause one to be tired during the day, inciting drastic mood swings. In most cases, individuals suffer from depression and inconsistent sleep schedules, resulting in lying awake at night. Sleep is imperative to the overall general health of an individual. Finding the serenity of slumber should be natural, without one becoming dependent on sleep aids.

If you are prescribed a muscle relaxant, your lack of sleep can actually become worse; especially, sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea. It’s not advised to have certain muscle relaxants including medications, such as: Valium, Ativan and Klonopin. These prescriptions can cause the surrounding airway muscles to collapse- causing sleep depravity, resulting in mood changes and chemical imbalances.

Medication for many, is imperative to live a functionally, normal life, but many contemplate what can be done to lessen the side-effects they feel? The first suggestion is moderate exercise and changing your diet. For some, it is not that simple and many should look into acquiring a prescribed CPAP. This machine produces the air that individuals need when the body is having complications during sleeping. This machine has been used on individuals who have undergone a sleep study and suffer from conditions that require its use. Speak to your doctor who will determine the machine type, they will also determine the air pressure that you need to stay consistently asleep. Once sleep is obtained normally, the mental balance can once again become stabilized.

Sleep deprivation is a condition millions of Americans suffer from. Psych Central advises individuals can suffer from memory loss, a disorientation of rationalization, resulting in severe mood swings. When your body is tired, it becomes dehydrated and this combination can be a deadly mix to your mental stability. Some individuals with a deeper severity of sleep loss had reported hallucinations and slurred speech. Dr. Yasinski of Yasinski Psychiatry states,

“Without adequate oxygen to your brain, the ability of psychiatric medications, exercise and healthy living to improve depression or bipolar disorder is decreased and thus many patients present as ‘treatment resistant’ when in reality they are resistant only due to a co-morbid sleep apnea disorder that has gone unrecognized.”

A sleep study is highly recommended for individuals who suffer from sleep disruption and mental disorders like bipolar. This painless test can gauge the level of severity from children to adults. If sleep apnea is the cause of the mental illness, treatment can be recommended and prescribed by a doctor, leading to stability of sleep, mind and life.

Forrest L. Rawls
http://www.yasinskipsychiatry.com/sleep-apnea-worsens-depression-and-bipolar-disorder/
http://www.psycheducation.org/BipolarMechanism/3ClockRole.htm
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/02/13/8-effects-of-sleep-deprivation-on-your-health/

Getting Back To Work

This has been a couple of months coming. I’ve well, given up in writing and just felt sorry for myself, but things are changing.

A couple of months ago:

I thought for a month now that I could do a short film about me. It might be viewed more than my blog because I’m not writing so no errors can be pointed out other than how crazy I look on film. I thought about trying to fund my own shorts to be noticed for my writing that way since my scripts aren’t to the level that is what people don’t shoe you away for. I know my writing sucks, and I know people are done with me having a pity party for myself and to move on. People say that would be noticed more if you did more work and showed progression throughout that work. However, it’s hard to get back in the saddle and in the mode of nonstop writing and working. I’m confused on what I should work on should I reedit Ring of Wishes? Should I work on my adaption of The Legacy or should I work on a faith and family hopeful script The Love of One?

I’m trying not to have a negative attitude about life and financial needs. I’ve tried to start a donation on my blog then with a GoFundMe as well as the Facebook plugin app FundRazr, and now a Fundly. No, I’ve raised nothing and the first two I set up for issue 2 of The Legacy comic book, but no takers. Why? Well, it’s not for an illness or my dogs (which I’m maxed out there Care Credit to fix some teeth and old lady issues (Sweetie). I don’t have the family that gives, okay well, that is not the truth it’s certain family members. Moreover, we all have our problems, and we all have our hopes and dreams. However, are they worth dreaming and hoping about anymore? Should, I just give up?

I did decide I needed to bring some money into this house and help out. That was a joke; the jobs I applied for came back with an email saying I’m not what they’re looking for. I answered all their questions. I know I’ve been out of work for a while now. However, they didn’t want me. So who does? I don’t have the greatest writing and motivation, but come on I know I will when I get paid for normal labor, so I’m motivated more. So, come on man?!

We all have dreams of what we would do with lots of money, but why don’t those who have the money want to know how we would use it and end up giving it to us? I don’t know.

Now:

Well, reading this, I still feel the same way. I feel that I don’t contribute enough, and I don’t write enough. I want so many things “If it’s to be it’s up to me” but I don’t seem to be doing anything. I’ve decided to do a podcast, but would people listen and judge me on my verbal English grammar. Will I have anything to contribute to someone’s life or give him or her tips on dreams?

With the recent suicide of Robin Williams, I’ve noticed that my life hasn’t had bad news as in his case. And I’ve never thought of suicide (where I took action) a lot. One’s bad news or life is not bad or worse than the next it’s how you deal with the news that tells if your life is terrible. Such as, I give up on writing because family says to, and no money is being made. Should I write or should I not? Like the quote before “If it’s to be it’s up to me.” I need to put the effort into it. Moreover, with my new mentor he said for no fee he would help me but I’ve done nothing for a month since we last spoke.

COME ON ME! GET TO WORK!

Passion

When
people talk about passion, it is an yearning for something that one puts their
whole heart into. They just can’t get enough of that something or someone.
Well, this I thought I had about writing spending the past 20 years reading and
learning, but another class and another editor says I have a long way to go.
What the hell have I been doing these 20 years just wishing I was a writer and
sitting on my hands? No! I just read and write. Why am I not better at what I
thought I loved or was passionate about? Why, do I keep getting told I have a
long way to go? People reading this those very few might see that this what I’m
writing now had errors in it. Such as grammar, punctuation, spelling and
others. Why can’t I get the help my cousin Wilson Rawls did?

You may have read some of my other posts, and if you have you may read a lot of
me bitching and moaning about things. You might be sick of it well I’m sorry.
I’m here to shed light on my life no matter how boring it might be. I have
wanted to be an actor, a script writer. I wanted to be a great artist. Why did
God allow me to live when my appendix ruptured? I wanted to do something more
than guy bagging groceries, but lately I think that is where my life is
heading. I wanted to do YouTube videos, but they disabled my account because
someone clicked repeatedly on a video and of course, when I disputed this, I
didn’t write it well enough for them to reactivate it.

When I was in high school, I wanted to play football that didn’t work. I played
baseball as a kid who went nowhere. I wanted to sing and be in a rock group,
that didn’t work. I think I’m smart, but am I? I can’t dance. I can’t is so my
word these last few days. I wanted to do voice-over work but living in Idaho,
there is no school or help of any kind and no money you can’t move to a place
that can help.

So, my passion for what I want to be and do is gone, and I don’t know where my
life will go. I know my faith is so small an ant is too big.

So what do I do? Where do I go from here? I’ve done the college thing ran out
of loans and no degree to show for it. Those friends with their own businesses
won’t hire me because I live to far, but the main thing is I have no education.
I’m not fit I’m not hot I’m not female, so there are many things against me.
So, please tell me what to do? My passion is gone. People say others have it
worse, but why do I feel I’m living in the worst? (This I wrote off my meds.
Still trying to get them.)

Halloween

I haven’t blogged on here much because I have had thoughts of doubt and of failure. You might think by the title I will be talking about Halloween, but to your disappointment, I will not. I will be talking about my writing. Yes, I write more than for school and blogs. I write comic books. I write with grammar errors and structure issues. I write stories, but my issue is showing a story and not just telling. You might ask why I have trouble. Well, I don’t know, really I don’t know. Okay, I lied I do know I just have an issue with descriptions. Yep, I have stories in my head, but I have issues putting them in a detailed descriptive manner. So, my goal before the end of the year is to be more descriptive.

Becomeing a comic book writer


The video that I watched had
some good steps and thoughts that I actually never took into my own thoughts
about. Now when you want to be a comic book writer that I need to do them all
the time, and I need to write and write, and also to read a lot of comics This
I knew. However, I never thought of becoming friends or keeping up with the
editor of the comics. Moreover, to write about a character that is known, but
not necessarily a franchise character for that comic book company.
If you can get your writing
out and become a name somewhere else this will help in the comic book writing,
and so I’m going to write and try to get my name out there in any way I can.

Brad Thor Facebook Review and Other Information

cf296 bradthor.jpg



When looking at Facebook and social media it makes one think of who, what, where and when. This you may ask yourself, WHAT?! Well let me explain with whom it can be who your audience is or who are you and what are you trying to get across to people (fans) that will keep them posted on what you’re doing and what you’re working on. It allows you to show where you’re going with an idea and where you have been physically if you post check ins. Then it comes to when, when will your work be complete? When will you be at this or that location?

When looking at Brad Thor’s Facebook page you see when he created it, 06/09/09. Now you may ask ha HE didn’t create it someone else did for him. Well looking at his about section you get a Welcome message this makes it sound like someone else created the page. Then you go down to Biography, and then you see “me” and “I” being used. Yes, someone else could be writing this information too and act like the main man himself, but I feel that it’s Brad himself. Then we get to some personal information. It describes his education where he worked and his other novels. Then you get to his personal interests where there are quotes that HE (or someone who thinks that HE/SHE is HE):
“If you can dream it, you can do it” – Goethe
“A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government.” – Thomas Jefferson
baa21 bradthorblacklist.jpg“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” – Ronald Reagan
All over the place, you see links to his website to get even further information about him. Brad posts political information that is close to one of his books, or he posts something that has to do with the military because well, his books all work around some sort of military operative or person. He reposts things that he has read or seen online. He has a wealth of information on his page, and if you follow him (LIKE) on Facebook then you get the most up to date information that he is reading, watching and well writing too. I have also seen him post comments to things that others have posted to his wall.
When it comes to Brad Thor’s Facebook page and others, I’ve seen they network with their fans, and some make sure to comment to them as well no matter how popular they are. Which I think is a great thing and something I look forward to doing.
Blah Blah Blah: Some other information about Facebook and how to keep your fans.
Well, you’re at the end of my blah blah blah. However, this was done as part of an assignment for a class that I’m taking at Southern New Hampshire Online. You may be wondering if there is more to this review, and I can say yes. I have researched the following about Facebook for writers, and I’m here to give you some of the main points and some of my thoughts.
It is a good practice to write in plain none complicated English. Don’t use big words that people have to go to a dictionary to find out about especially for those who are checking via their mobile phone. They don’t have the time or space to look things up.
Write compelling but clear headlines, don’t get cute. Headlines are the first thing that people see, and if it’s not clear nor short then you have a problem.
Write in the active voice, get to the point.
Online writing is visual, long, dense paragraphs turn off online readers. Create white space in your copy by keeping paragraphs short and using bulleted lists when appropriate. Use bold text to accent key information and use block or pull quotes to draw readers into the copy.
One main idea per sentence, keep sentences on point.
No sentence without a fact: Every line you write needs to move the story forward. If a sentence doesn’t have a fact, cut it.
For every 1,000 or so words that you write in an online article or blog post, be sure to include:
  •       Three subheads: Subheads are bold, one-line headlines that break up long chunks of text and organize information. Keep the same headline-writing rules in mind when you write subheads.
  •       Two links: Links offer additional information for readers who want to go deeper, and they also give your post authenticity and transparency about where you information came from without getting into long, narrative attributions.
  •       One graphical element: A photo, a chart or anything else visual helps readers. Whatever you use, make sure it advances the story: don’t just put a photo in the post for the sake of posting a photo.
Strategies for Effective Facebook Wall Posts
  •        Posts made between 8 PM and 7 AM receive 20% more user engagement.
  •        On Wednesdays, fan engagement is 8% above average.
  •        Posting one to two times per day produces 40% higher user engagement.
  •        Posting one to four times per week produces 71% higher user engagement.
  •        Posts with 80 characters or less receive 66% higher engagement. Very concise posts – those between one and 40 characters – generate highest engagement. Only 5% of all retail brand Wall Posts are less than 40 characters in length, even though these receive 86% higher fan engagement.
  •       Ask questions to spark dialogue – “question” Posts generate Comment rates double that of “non-question” Posts.
  •       Fill in the blank Posts receive 9 times more Comments than other Posts.
  •       Offer fans “$ off” and coupons. Posts containing these offer-related keywords receive the highest engagement.
  •        “$ OFF” offers receive twice the engagement of “% OFF” offers.
  •       Avoid complicated Wall Posts. Status-only Posts receive 94% higher than average engagement
 References
Brad Thor’s Facebook Page
Best Practices For Writing For Online Readers. (n.d.). ReadWriteWeb – Web Apps, Web Technology Trends, Social Networking and Social Media. Retrieved October 13, 2012, from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/best_practices_for_writing_for_online_readers.php
 Tracker., E. (n.d.). Writing Effective Facebook Posts | Social Media Today. Social media news, strategy, tools, and techniques | Social Media Today. Retrieved October 13, 2012, from http://socialmediatoday.com/bigsea/370308/writing-effective-facebook-posts