The sense of being on a progression into the unknown where I will discover more of my true self and my part in the greater reality into which we are all flowing. I am optimistic of heading into the ultimate creation power which we call Love.

Honestly, in elementary school I wrote a hybrid of play, film and commercial in the little understanding I had at the time! Looking back, I recognize what I was trying to do. But from then on, writing has been central to my expressing ideas, persuasion, entertainment, and exploration of reality.

A very early one was sometime around second or third grade. It was a spoof of a TV commercial. The last line was "Awk! Awk!" spoken by a large bird.

Stories were given to me from infancy, first in telling, eventually in telling with pictures and finally in reading. The saga of the formation of Israel is very formative in me to this day, from the mysterious Abraham to the upheaval of the Christ followers. From this has sprung a host of culture forming expressions through people like me.

People who help me reach beyond my limits. Right now I am thankful for Richard Rhor, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Daniel Boorstin, Robert McKee, Bernard Grabanier, Louis Catron, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Ursula Le Guin, Thomas Merton, T.S. Eliot. Of course there are many others but if you look at these you'll get some idea of where I am currently.

Every morning I rise at 5:30 am, drink water, and sit in contemplation with accompanying coffee. I contemplate an image of deep space, read scripture in a "lectio divina" way, wait for and commune with God, and read modern contemplative literature. I write ideas, inspirations, poetry, and philosophical/theological thoughts in my journal. After about two hours, I rise and have breakfast with my wife who is my soul mate and has done her own version of the above. We discuss what we have been contemplating and anything that seemed especially significant. Soon I am in my office working on one of my creations, be it a play, poem, book, visual art, film, music composition, or hired work from a client.
When writing, I have grown into the practice of outlining to organize the progression, even if the whole thing is felt inside my mind. Stories require much interior work to discern characters and their relationship, their universe and what it allows. So, I can be seen sitting extremely still and silent for long periods of time before suddenly typing furiously all the life that has gone on inside. As I have grown in experience, I have been able to keep the flow of a piece going through interruptions by means of extensive notes, sometimes typed, sometimes scribbled into a notebook. The first draft is usually equivalent to several drafts of interior formation and so usually ready to get a beta reader's reaction and the re-writing begins.

I have recently adapted the psychological stage play "Ray of Lightning" to novella form. This makes the story more accessible while we wait for theaters to open again. RayAnne started working miracles when she was eight years old. Eddie became a famous film score composer. Their greatest accomplishment awaits their collaboration after they turn ninety.
After launching that one I adapted a previous play "Revival" which is a sci-fi/metaphysical story set hundreds of years in the future. Adapting stage plays and screenplays to the narrative book makes the reading feel immediate, like it is actually happening in the room with you. Now I am considering a book of poetry from the last few years and may match the poems with artwork. My book "Verse and Visions for Advent Christmas and Epiphany" came out as an e-book for Christmas 2019 and I published it in print for the 2020 season. I have just published the e-book version of my first volume of poems back in 2000, "Monthly Stimulants Vol. 1". I will probably publish volume 2 within a year.

I feel no one should have to wait for those in power to approve of them. I, like everyone, have much to contribute to the conversations of the world. Thankfully today there are more ways to contribute than the old traditional publishers and I encourage everyone to make their contribution regardless of approval from the "gatekeepers" of publishing. Indie publishing also has the potential to build a closer relationship with one's readers and I value that more than the chance possibility of "being known" to the masses. My stage and screen plays have an extremely limited potential of reaching audiences, but through adaptation to book form I am able to make the stories and messages accessible to people sooner. This may also be attractive to producers looking for a good story without committing to reading someone's script.

I am making something. Usually a story, poem, visual, film, or music composition. I develop online sites where my visual artwork can be purchased in various forms. I also apply my capacities to making a monthly magazine and maintaining the website for St. James by-the-Sea, La Jolla, California. I direct the non-profit arts organization Horizon Gate Productions which includes a monthly blog post, and Art Conversation Events that can be readings, discussion groups, stage and film productions, exhibitions, workshops and publications. Oh, yeah, with the help of my wife I try to put in time that all indie author/artists have to put in -- driving traffic to our works online.

As a graphic artist I get the dimensions required and make or find a public domain image which is simple enough to allow the title and author to be legible as a thumbnail image. Title and author are the most important elements and must attract the viewer in a split second. Of course, titling the work is a verbal challenge to attract also. The image must support the title in an instant as well. I don't always succeed in these goals and need to go back and rework some of my covers.

Mark Coker, through Smashwords, has opened the door for everyone to contribute to the world conversation by explaining in detail how to publish ebooks and market them. It has opened a tremendous avenue for me to expand my output beyond stage and screen plays which have a very speculative life. Mark's concept that an ebook can have an "eternal launch" is very liberating to promoting my books.

To have anyone pay attention to what I write is priceless. It means I have found the rare kindred spirit who will take the time to consider something I am passionate about and that maybe I can, in turn, serve their quest for growth and enlightenment. It is like finding a comrade on my journey. Even if they do not agree with everything I write, we are listening to one another. More comrades means a broader community of respect which can unite to encourage the world. Ultimately that is Love creating the universe.