For those of you that have been following along with this blog and the one before it "Get Published or Bust" you know that apart from writing fiction (Stories/Novels) I actually write comics and screenplays. One particular project, a Sci-Fi TV show has been a passion of mine for a while. A couple months ago I was able to travel to Hollywood an meet with a producer (Who I cannot name at this time) and with some great actors (also must remain anonymous for now) about getting the show off the ground. There have been a number of hurdles so far, mostly financial but we're finally ready to commit some of what I created with partner Peter Borreggine on film. This coming weekend we'll be stepping into a sound stage with our fantastic cast and crew. We have make up and effects folks, we have our actors, a director and I'll be there as co-creator of the stuff to make sure it all make sense.

I've been working on various screenplays for the past 20 years. If you read my prior blog, you know I have had some close calls with getting something produced a couple times. This is not a done deal by any stretch but at least I will see something I have created professionally produced for our promo material. The next step is in the hand of our dedicated, talented and beautiful producer. Honestly, I don't know how anyone could say "no" to her. So since I will be on the road next weekend my blog will be late again but I will share as much as I can about our trip when I get back.

Here's hoping we make something magical.

This blog is the place I talk about my life, my career, and my creations. I apologize that there has been almost a month of silence on the blog, but it has been a rough few weeks. Pictured here is my former writing partner Dana E. Sonnie. Together he and I thrashed out many a crazy idea and actually managed to come up with a few good ones during the rough ten years we collaborated. He was a partner in the production company we founded together with our third partner Andy Hercock and he was a good man, and an even better friend.

A week ago today, Dana's life ended when cancer finally took him from us. By all accounts he was a genuine man with a firm opinion about how the world should be. He had a bit of a rocky upbringing and lost his mother, also to cancer, while he was fighting it himself. He'd gone into remission at one point, met a wonderful lady (Mercedes) who became his wife. Found a nice house for them and adopted a couple of great dogs. He had a chance to travel to Arizona(pictured here), which I believe is the furthest he'd ever traveled; and help create some great stories I hope to still see produced in his memory in the future.

 On the eve of his memorial service I'm thinking back about the time we had together as creative partners and friends. Late night runs to Denny's or Clockwork Pirate business meetings at the Wok Inn. He was there when we had our first office at The Maine Studios and instrumental in the zombie commercial post on www.clockworkpirates.com. We wrote Starring: Zack Reilly, Spirit Island, and Murder in Maine together. There are also a half a dozen unfinished projects that we conceived together that still need closure. Dana was an immensely talented and creative individual with a very clear vision of his creations. He could describe some of those creations down to the color of their shoelaces. I will miss our debates on the placement of montages or wet t-shirts in romantic comedies just to recall a couple choice memories. Mostly though I will miss having him as a sounding board. He was someone whose opinion differed from mine often enough to make me re-think my work and opinions.

Tomorrow is the memorial and we will say our formal goodbyes, but I know that through his creations,
Dana E. Sonnie will live on. 

Rest in Peace
Dana E. Sonnie
1972-2014