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There's something almost instinctual that happens when we hear the word 'ego'. We immediately assume the negative. That man is a egotistical jerk. If he just got past his ego, then maybe we'd get some work done. She lashed out because you wounded her ego. Sure, these statements are accurate. I've heard them before. I've probably used some variation of them. Still, ego shouldn't be saddled with this immediate negative connotation. When you google the word ego, the first and only definition is: a person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance. What's wrong with that? Isn't having a good sense of self-esteem a good thing? Don't we always get told to believe in ourselves? If we don't have a high opinion of ourselves, who will? Yes, of course, it's a slippery slope. One can over-indulge when feeding their ego. It's important to have self-confidence in oneself, without also believing you walk on water. There's only one creature I know who can do that — the Common Basilisk. (That's who you were thinking about too, right?) I am, however, unsure of the size of a common basilisk's ego. Having an ego isn't bad. We need ego. All of us. Ego is what separates those who lead and those who do not. Having a healthy ego helps us finish projects, complete assignments and find overall success at our careers. Every great leader has an ego. Anyone in a position of power has an ego. Even the kid serving you candy and popcorn at your local movie theater has an ego. I know. I've worked with them. You have an ego. Feed it! Today, I work primarily in marketing and content creation. A large chunk of my everyday life is around those two functions. Under the umbrella of storytelling, of course. If I didn't have an ego, I'd get nothing done. I'd second guess every decision I make. If I didn't have high self-esteem, I wouldn't be where I am now. It's not a perfect process. Satisfying your ego can lead to some missteps. but ignoring it may cause something far worse. Stagnation.

Everything is a story. How we communicate with each other is a form of storytelling. When you come home from work and talk about your day with your significant other, it's a story. Jokes are a stories. An email to a co-worker is a story. It's innate. You may not think you're a storyteller, but too bad. You are. Good and Bad Storytelling How we tell a story says a lot about who we are as much as the content of the story itself. We all know someone who can tell a great joke. They have the delivery down. They know how to set it up. They know when to deliver a punchline. In that realm, they are great at storytelling. We know other people who cannot send a proper email in a professional setting. ALL CAPS. A multitude of unnecessary exclamation points!!!!!! (The email may start in) the middle of a sentence. A few f***ing crass words in there, almost like they're typing as they talk, you know? Yes. Storytelling. Only not very good. It's possible to be a bad storyteller. But a storyteller, nonetheless. A Skill To Learn and Develop Storytelling is s skill that can be learned, but requires creativity to be enhanced. All those years ago, when our teachers and parents told us that we can be anything that we want, just use your imagination. I invite you to revisit that idea. Just because we're older, doesn't mean our imagination goes away. Once you allow yourself to access that creative side of you, the next step is to think about your audience. The readers. The listeners. The viewers. Whatever the medium, who is your writing intended for. An email to a co-worker, asking for clarification on an email campaign? A listener to your podcast about the latest movie release? An informational how-to video on how to be a storyteller? (Whoa!) Step back and think about these in storytelling terms. How do you present it? What's your tone? Do you know your intended audience personally? How would they respond to your storytelling choices? Why Am I Talking About Storytelling? I'm dealing with these same questions about a potential project of mine. Throughout my storytelling career, I've been writing stories set in and around working at a movie theater. We created the movie Save the Forest back in 2003, about a group of employees trying to save their movie theater from the wrecking ball. We did the web series, Scenes from the Movies, based on true-to-life stories taken from working at a movie theater for so many years. So, so many years. I've written a play — May 19, 1999 — set around customers in line for the opening night of Episode I: The Phantom Menace. There are many other unpublished, unfinished stories that have a connection to a movie theater. But what I think I'm leading toward is a pseudo memoir of my time working at movie theaters. We're talking from 1993-2020. At first I was intent on writing a straight-up memoir about me. That changed to a mix of my experiences and those experiences of other employees, through a series of interviews that I'd pepper throughout the book. Now, I'm thinking of a podcast. I have these stories to tell, but I'm not sure of the medium to use. These are where all those questions about storytelling keep flooding my mind. What's the best way to present my story and the story of others? Reignite that Imagination I think it's important to revisit something I mentioned earlier. When we were kids, we're told to dream big. Use our imagination and shoot for the stars. (Something to that effect) And when we get older, that message fades. We have to grow up! We have to make money! We have responsibilities! Don't get me wrong, I like money, too. I know maturity cannot be avoided. But I refuse to let my imagination die. Dreams change, yes. Some dreams lead to our purpose. People who want to be famous actors may discover a passion in teaching others the craft of acting. Which may lead to a career, professionally coaching of executives who are looking for ways to improve their performance when during speaking engagements. We all still have the capability of being creative. Our imaginations don't die. They just get ignored. All it takes is one tiny spark to reignite our creativity. And stay positive! Have fun! Enjoy it all! You're a storyteller. Just like me.

I run into so many creatives in this storytelling world who talk about building their brand. They know how they want to brand themselves. They know the right choices to make in order to make their name known. But so many have the same hang-up. They don't want to be on camera. They hate the way they look. They hate the way they sound. They hate everything about having to put themselves front and center at the middle for their own branding. And I understand. It was difficult for me, at first, to put myself out there. As soon as you show a piece of yourself on screen, there are people who are ready to pounce and criticize. But that's part of the process and honestly, that says more about them than it says anything about you. It takes a special breed of person who covets the stage lights. That's what makes actors and actresses so special. They bare their souls for the world to see and they're faced with more criticism than praise. It's a tough racket. And yes, that's the world you're entering when you start putting your face as your brand. But it has to happen. No one is going to represent you better than you. How many times do you watch an influencer or wanna-be influencer on social media and think you could do better? How foolish do you think some of these people are? Very, right? But are they? Or have they figured out their brand? In this brave, not-so-new social world where reputation and brand are synonymous, it's imperative to force yourself out of your comfort zone and get in front of those cameras. If you keeping talking about building your brand and you're not putting yourself in front of the camera, then you're not really building your brand. You're just talking about it. If you're curious about that show, check it out here: Now Renting presented by Row8

In my day job, calls to action are often discussed. Any kind of communication to a client or potential client requires a call to action. "Click to learn more!" "Schedule an Appointment!" "Sign Me Up!" That sort of stuff. In writing, your characters are always faced with calls to action. They could be as overt as a villain calling out a superhero. They can be internal, as an inner voice pushing a lead character to ask out the person of their dreams. They can even be another action, like a group of teens beating up another kid and our hero steps in. Calls to action are everywhere. Even in real life. I'm assuming we all look at ourselves as the main character in our own life. If you don't, then maybe there's another issue at play here, but you are. You're the protagonist in your own story that is your life. And when those calls to action come, how easily do you ignore them? Over the last two years, I've been trying to less and less ignore those calls. Instead of hesitating, I'm accepting. Instead of ignoring, I'm speaking up. Instead of saying no, I'm saying yes. When you start doing that, something else happens. You being to notice the silent calls to action. Those moments in your life, when someone may need your help, but they don't tell you. A co-worker struggles with an assignment, and you simply say "How can I help? A family member seems down, and you extend a hand of concern and distraction. A chance to lead is presented and you accept it. I'm aware this seems very over-confident. The idea that you're the one who needs to lead the way and help all these people who really didn't ask for it. In some instances, that's exactly what's needed. Not so much that you're the one that needs to lead, but rather you're the one that needs to show others that it's possible. In this life, just being there and speaking up can help others answer their own call. All I'm suggesting is to be aware of calls to action in your life and maybe answer a few. You never know where it'll take you.

As I write this, I'm not writing the 3rd book and final book in the Adam Parker series. So I guess the point of this post is counterproductive. But I am indeed writing a new Adam Parker book. I've had the outline for the mystery that Adam and the gang find themselves involved in for a couple years now. Life, work and other projects kept pushing back returning to the town of Hilldale. With my new book (KATIE KENNEDY) currently being combed over by an editor, it was time to go back to Adam. If you read Adam Parker and the High School Bully, then you already know that Adam, Kevin and Becky are not on good terms. So this third book finds our detective agency in shambles. Each dealing with their own unhappy lives, they are soon forced to work together to solve a murder while at a destination wedding. If you're looking to catch up or simply enter the Adam Parker Universe, head on over to Amazon and purchase yourself a fairly inexpensive copy. In the small town of Hilldale, kid detective Adam Parker was crime’s worst enemy. With the help of his best friend, Kevin, and the girl next door, Becky, no mystery was too great to tackle. 15 years later, Adam returns to his hometown, but this time playing detective is no longer his passion. Kevin needs his help and what starts out as a favor, quickly turns into a plot to destroy the town. It’s been four months since Adam returned to Hilldale. With the help of his friends, Kevin and Becky, the Parker Detective Agency has solved their fair share of cases in that time. But now, their partnership will be tested as a new threat has emerged. In the neighboring town of Brookville, Adam’s old high school friend is found murdered and a message left behind: Adam Parker is next. ​ A mysterious man from Hilldale’s past threatens to not only kill Adam, but also reveal his true nature to his friends. Kevin is then kidnapped. Adam is forced on a scavenger hunt around town, reliving his past indiscretions and admitting to his friends the truths from his own past that were long forgotten, but once revealed, they threaten to forever destroy Adam’s friendship with Becky and Kevin.

I spent the pandemic and quarantine writing and writing. Paradoxed came out of that. And my, hopefully upcoming novel - Katie Kennedy - was written during that time as well. Now, a new story emerges and this one takes place in the same town of the previous two stories mentioned. All Things Weird: The Jar of Pandora is a young adult story about Duncan Carver and Amanda Copeland and their introduction to the truth behind Brookville. They join forces with All Things Weird shop-owner Grady Olsen to stop an evil figure from unleashing the demons held within the Pandora's Jar. (It was never a box) You can purchase thew paperback or Kindle e-book here: BUY NOW! Soon, it'll be available through Smashwords and I'll update the blog when that happens. If you read the book and like it, please drop a review on Amazon. The more reviews on Amazon and the algorithm is activated, thus making the book seen by more people in their searches. Here are some links to my other stories, available on Amazon as well. Paradoxed Adam Parker and the Radioactive Scout (Adam Parker Mystery Series Book 1) Adam Parker and the High School Bully (Adam Parker Mystery Series Book 2)

I co-host a podcast that highlights movies myself and my partner believe to be forgotten by audiences. There are a variety of ways for a movie to fall out of the regular movie conversation amongst friends and families. Some films may not be that popular to a general audience. A film might be very good, but opened the same weekend as a monster Marvel movie and thus was kicked tenth side and ignored. And other times a movie will come out and then disappear before ever capturing an audience. That was a genesis of Forgotten Cinema. This week we talked the Steven Soderbergh film, Unsane. Here's the brief synopsis from IMDb.com: A young woman (Claire Foy) is involuntarily committed to a mental institution, where she is confronted by her greatest fear - but is it real or a product of her delusion? We go over a variety of topics in this episode, including the fact that this film was primarily shot on an iPhone 7 Plus. When I first saw this film upon its release a few years ago, I made a comment to someone or maybe even on twitter that I had no excuse when it came to shooting movies. If an award winning, world renowned director can shoot a film in 10 days on his phone, then why have I not done this? For aspiring filmmakers and storytellers, check out this Forgotten Cinema episode and be inspired. For links to your favorite podcast portal: https://www.forgottenentertainment.com/forgotten-cinema-links

Noppera-bō was accepted to another festival. Halloweenapalooza out in Ottumwa, Indiana will showcase many horror films, including our little ghost story. If you're in the area, our film will play on the Saturday, Oct. 9th during the 2pm block of films. We're very happy and pleased with our movie's journey. Thanks Halloweenapalooza!

The Fugitive is awesome. It's got great action, a clever mystery to solve and some memorable moments that are often repeated amongst the company of movie aficionados. I've been known to tell people about how they "switched the samples" on multiple occasions. Tommy Lee Jones did something not many people can do and that's steal the show from Harrison Ford. He did such a great job of it that he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role of Sam Gerard. It made sense for Gerard and crew to return for a sequel, trying to capitalize on that success. And that brings us to U.S. Marshals and my co-host's choice for our latest episode of the Forgotten Cinema Podcast.

My Writing Do(s) and Do Not Do Not - Tell people how to write Do - Write - Read Anyone telling you something different is either selling you something, about to sell you something or is looking to use their own experiences as a mirror for your abilities. Just write. Read other people's writing. You'll figure out the rest. You'll meet great people who really want to help you and more importantly, you'll enjoy writing. Also, check out Stephen King's book, "On Writing". It's simple, great and extremely down-to-earth.

This week on the Forgotten Cinema Podcast - where I happen to be a co-host - we covered the 2015 film, "The D Train", a movie starring Jack Black, James Marsden and Kathryn Hahn which I really, really enjoy. I have suggested this film to several people because it takes a standard story that we'v e seen before - Getting everyone back in town for a high school reunion - and stands it on its head. It's just a well-written, well-acted indie film that just never really hit with audiences. We do spoil the movie, as we often do because discussing a film without spoiling it is simply difficult to do and I don't want to do that unless I'm getting paid to write reviews, for which case I will gladly discuss a movie in vague terms.

This week on the Forgotten Cinema Podcast, we covered a movie from 1988 - Running on Empty. While it doesn't feel that long ago, it is actually really long ago. Try...33 years! Holy...you know what. I had seen this film probably somewhere in the 90s, since I was 13 when it was originally released and probably not really interested in a drama about a family running from the law because of something Mom and Dad did back in their protesting days. The movie is great. I highly recommend it to those who have yet to see it. I also, of course, recommend the podcast as Mike and I discuss a lot about the script and the character interactions within the movie. People who have seen and love this film always talk about River Phoenix's performance and deservedly so, but the scene between Annie Pope, played by Christine Lahti, and her father, played by Steven Hill, is one of the strongest moments in the film. There is so much good stuff in that scene, both said and unsaid, it's an education in acting. Law & Order fans should seek it out and see D.A. Adam Schiff acting the heck out of a small role. Check out Forgotten Cinema. And check out Running on Empty.