In case you haven’t missed me,

I’ve been buried this summer deep in the writing of the screenplay for the Impact Factor Feature Narrative Film. A three time Academy Award Winning Writer and Producer offered to help me and I have to admit, it took my thinking to a whole new level.

It wasn’t an easy process. First, I’m a slow writer. Second, I’m an opinionated one. Opinionated, questioning and slow. Now, that’s a combination.

I know that my mentor didn’t always appreciate my constant questioning. After all, if you have one Academy Award it could be pure luck, but repeat it three times and you must have something special on the ball.

We argued about almost everything.

I haven’t always had my successes by following the crowd. In fact, thinking back on it every big success has been a result of going against the prevailing thinking.

That thought probably doesn’t thrill my mentor.

However, I’ve been blessed many times with mentors who stuck with me when I was ignorant and tried so hard to make something better out of me.

In my music career, I always think of Dr.William L. Belan who took me from not knowing the names of the notes on a bass clef all the way to a Masters Degree. That took some patience, I’m pretty certain. It was a special blessing that he stuck with me.

Or Dr. Byong-Kon Kim who taught me about freedom in music and the challenges of taking on a big project.

The Impact Factor Trilogy of movies (short film, documentary feature film and narrative feature film) is a BIG project and so many times it’s easy to wonder what the heck I’ve bitten off.

Sometimes you think you are in this all alone. Other times, the most wonderful of friends lift you up when you need it most.

My mentor decided to take on the challenge. Little did she know what she was getting into.

So at the end of the long hot summer, it’s great to get to a milestone.

No the screenplay isn’t finished, but today I got to the end of the story.

What does that mean?

There are lots of things to work out, polish, refine, throw out and completely redo, but I like the editing process. I love building layers of paint and feeling the bare structure come to life.

The devil is in the details and there is much work to be done, but today for the first time I got to the end of the story.

That’s a rare thing, because so many times we start to tell a story never to finish it.

Next comes the really bloody part — the gutting, the cutting out your heart and soul, but at least you know where you are going.

The goal is now in sight. I just want to make it better.

No matter how many people see it or how bad it may be, the story was told at least once. And that’s important. It can only get better from here – well unless I cut so deep I kill it.

That’s what mentors are for …

To keep you from killing yourself.

That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.

Hope your mentors are as amazing as mine have been.

Special thanks to Jana Sue Memel, William L. Belan and so many more for sticking with me when I had just a hint of promise and a LONG way to go.

All the best,