The Importance of Career Day

I love Career Day events at high schools. I love the idea of telling students about the kinds of jobs they might not know exist. Of course, becoming a doctor, or lawyer or fire fighter are all admirable jobs, but when a professional describes that she is a plastic surgeon or that he is an entertainment attorney or that he investigates how a fire starts, it's a far more interesting and rewarding event for the students to hear.

On Friday, I attended Career Day at a local high school.  We had limited time and I wanted to tell the students of the various careers I've had: United States Navy  Sailor, Federal Correctional Officer in a federal prison, Security Guard on the Sony movie studio lot, Screenwriter, Poet, Author, Director, Lecturer, College Professor.  I wanted to tell them that all the jobs a person can have trains them for the job they will eventually have.  As a writer, I use all the experiences I have and save them for things I may write about.  When I am writing a particularly sad story, I draw from my youth.  When I am writing about a joyful time, I draw from my days in the Navy and the great feelings I get from the family I have now.

I pay attention to the things that others say to me and I use their emotions and characteristics as well.  All all the things I write help me with lectures and directing actors.  I've learned about safety and firefighting from the Navy and I learned to plan events and cut hair, as I did while a barber in the Navy. I loved sharing all of this with the students.

I encourage everyone to share what they do with others.  So many young people are trying to figure out what is available to them.  The world is changing and jobs are changing.  Help young people discover how they can create a rewarding career for themselves.

Networking

After relaxing wonderfully in the sun and on the beach during the Memorial Day weekend, I remembered that one of the most important things a writer can do isn't writing; it's networking to make sure the writer's work is being read by someone who can move the project forward.  I had two really good meetings this week regarding three projects and it was the idea of sitting down for coffee and talking with one person and taking a walk with another that gives me the comfort of knowing the working is moving forward.

We can all have great ideas and we can all possibly write an interesting story, but if no one knows about it, the work will not be produced.

So, write notes, email, invite people to coffee (or tea), share articles and stories, meet people at the gym.  Do whatever it takes to get your work into the right hands.

Needing Inspiration

Usually, I am working on more than one project at a time with the hope that at least one of the projects might get produced.  Currently, I am writing something that I think is really good, but it's the kind of story you can't pitch because far too often, people can't see the vision of the story unless it's already written.  Fair enough, so I just keep writing.  I've hit a block in the road and I need a bit of inspiration.  When I have a hard time writing, I turn to many a muse, but today's inspiration comes from good writing.  I turned to the pages of James Baldwin, a master of description and character development, and I read his words and found my way.  Thank you, Mr. Baldwin and his compelling story, If Beale Street Could Talk.

On Raising a Teenaged Daughter

The most interesting thing about having a teenage daughter is teaching her all the things I never had a chance to learn as a teen.  My daughter, Indigo, loves wearing oxford shoes.  She has a few colors and she wears one of the pairs every day.  In order to keep the shoes looking nice, I had to explain to Indigo about getting taps placed on her shoes because she started to wear down the heel.  Then, I had to teach her how to shine her shoes.  I wish someone had done the same for me when I was young, but I had to learn in the Navy.  Watching Indigo buff and shine her shoes brings the biggest smile to my face.

Art Imitates Life

I had a little bit of writer's block today.  When it happens, I do whatever it takes to get my mind going.  Today, I decided to cut the lawn and clear my head.  One of the neighbors came by and we started talking and out of that conversation, the rest of my writing flowed.  It's really important to keep your mind focused on the writing, even if you move on to a different task to help you think.  Be inspired.

Malcolm David Kelly

I so pleased to announce that Malcolm David Kelly will reprise his role as Antwone Fisher in the new production of Antwone Fisher:  A Play.  Malcolm played a young Antwone in the film, but will play the adult Antwone in the stage production.  I couldn't be any happier.

Finally felt like spring

Los Angeles finally felt like spring today. It was perfection.  I walked for exercise and inspiration, smelling earth and flowers along the trail.  The sky was clear and the sun, warm.  When I returned to write, I felt alive and the words flowed freely. I love living in Los Angeles.