Sitting down to write this article is bittersweet for me. Looking back over the past year, thinking about the memories and special moments that I wanted to share, as always my need for it to be meaningful and insightful in the hopes that it might help someone else; but opening up has always been a struggle for me. Writing is a solitary practice, my creative process I can’t explain even on my best days. My original intention for writing this... Read more
To say I love to read would be an understatement. As a writer, soaking up stories of all kinds is not just a personal pleasure, but also a necessity. But as I’ve talked about before, it wasn’t always easy, and still presents its challenges from time to time. But that’s neither here nor there. These are the books I enjoyed most in 2014. To be perfectly clear, not all of these books were released in 2014, but I read them... Read more
I’ve seen the trailer for the movie, The Interview with Seth Rogan and James Franco. Honestly, it looks craptastic and silly. But I’m upset that it may never make it to the big screen. It was scheduled to release on Christmas Day. However, major theater chains and now Sony Pictures are backing out. Why? Are stupid movies suddenly not the meat and potatoes of Hollywood? If only that were true. Unfortunately, the reason is because they have been receiving 9/11... Read more
The best reviews EVER? Well… yes! Please don’t think I’m trying to be Mr. Fancy for sharing this. But struggling writers and filmmakers like me are locked in mortal combat with movie distribution and publishing industries that have a bigger appetite for dollars than for good stories. We need to remember that if we have something uplifting and interesting to say–the audience is indeed out there. And it is hungry! These are NOT reviews from sales agents (one of whom... Read more
(Melody Evans posting on behalf of new Rogue writer Jennifer Schlameuss-Perry) I like watching cartoons better than almost any other variety of entertainment. In fact, I had kids just so that the amount of time I watch cartoons would seem less weird. Having grown up on the awesomeness that is all things Warner Brothers, Hanna Barbera, Disney and other great franchises, I have a rather a sophisticated palate when it comes to the consumption of cartoons. I need good story... Read more
Every other weekend, I drive from South Bend to St. Louis to be with the Hooligans (my kids). It’s a long drive and I listen to audiobooks to pass the time. A friend let me borrow her Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis and this past weekend I listened to The Magician’s Nephew. The sixth book in Lewis’ series (or the first, depending on which numbering system you prefer) is Narnia’s creation story. The tale shows us how Aslan (Lewis’... Read more
Pixie Perfect (temporary movie poster)- directed by Tom Durham, starring Ali Durham I’m happy to finally announce my magical new movie project… Pixie Perfect. When pondering their next creative project, there are some novelists, filmmakers, and investors out there who ask: What’s an imaginative, fun, highly original, entertaining, USEFUL story? What’s a story that means something and can help people? Well, I’m a stinker in many categories, but I can honestly say that when I develop a new project, this... Read more
Not long ago, I posted an article about my journey as an aspiring writer and the struggle to find inspiration. Time and again I’ve wrung myself out, mentally and emotionally into these imaginary people living in my head, found myself stuck and had to refill my cup of creativity. When I encountered road blocks early on, I tried to plow through them instead of taking a detour. Now I know better. Inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places,... Read more
Pop culture often gets a bad rap, especially from those styling themselves as intellectuals and “real artists”. Some argue that it dulls the senses, doesn’t encourage “higher thoughts” and deadens the cultural tastes. A few critics would go further to say it poisons our minds. They are right in some ways. Popular culture wields a lot of power in defining the music, food, fashions and even the way we talk to others. There is no doubt that pop culture... Read more
A few days ago, officials at Howard R. Yocum Elementary School in Maple Shade Township, New Jersey, took it upon themselves to play doctor and label two incoming students from an Ebola-free country as a potential Ebola risk to their entire student body. Stop and let the absurdity of that statement sink in. It all began when the Yocum Elementary nurse sent a letter to staff members informing them that two new students from Rwanda (a country in East Africa)... Read more
The Rogue
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