A Time To Write

Filmodus Operandi

Recently I interviewed my cousin, Cameron Malott, scriptwriter and director of the movie Filmodus Operandi.  If you love to write, are into filmmaking or like to dream big, then read on!

 Q: How long have you been in film making?  What first got you interested?
My first video was of my brother Taylor’s birthday celebration, shot on my mom’s digital camera and edited in Windows Movie Maker, in September 2005. My first film was several months later, after seeing a one some friends of mine had made. I liked it so much that I ripped it off and made my own version. Later that year we got together with them and made Use The Force, a spoof on Star Wars. I made many silly short films after that, but as the Holy Spirit worked in my life I became more and more passionate about using film to bring glory to God.

 Q:  Describe the process of the script-writing for Filmodus Operandi?
Fun for the first thirty minutes. While I knew the lesson I wanted the main character to learn and the setting for that to take place, it took me a long time to even come up with the story skeleton. I had a lot of directions in which to take the story, and had to decide which would best convey the message I wanted to teach. Then, once I got it all written, there was a lot of fluff to get rid of. I did this by purging some scenes, and incorporating the important dialogue into others. It’s tempting to make your film as long as possible, but it will be much more effective if it is short and sweet. I then worked on making the dialogue and circumstances as natural and believable as possible. A few script consultants helped me to make the finishing touches. By the time it was all said and done, it had been three months. You can read more about the writing of the script here.

Q: Why did you choose your theme?
It is something I feel strongly about, and one I think many people need to hear. Christian films are not a rarity, but films that teach about sin and the Gospel are. As Christians, we have more to offer the world than character qualities; they can get those from Hallmark. I hope and pray that we will see an increase in Gospel-Centered films as the industry grows and matures.

Q: What was your favorite scene to shoot for Filmodus Operandi?
Scene 1. Being the opening scene of the film, it needed to give a good first impression. I told everyone long before we shot it, “I want this scene to look epic.” We lit the whole scene with a single LED flashlight, giving it a mysterious, almost eerie feel. A little echo on the narrator’s voice and a beautiful music track and the scene is, well, epic.

Q: Tell us about your cast.
It starts with Jared, a filmmaker passionate about changing lives through film. But as the film progresses, he comes to realize that, while he may be able to teach people to change their actions, only God can change their hearts. This causes him to radically change his filmmaking philosophy (which he calls his “Filmodus Operandi”). Brandon is Jared’s good friend who has helped him make movies for years, but  isn’t so convinced about his new philosophy. Jenna is Jared’s faithful and willing sister, whose practicality helps to balance out his visionary ideas.  And Pastor Bruce is the one who awakens Jared to his flawed approach to filmmaking, and suggests to him a higher goal.

Q: Do you have another project in view?
At this point, no. While I would love to make another film, there are other things in my life to which I need to give priority. Making a film is a stressful and demanding project, and while the benefits can be well worth it, it can take away from other, more important things if not kept in perspective.

Q: What advice would you give to other young script writers and filmmakers?
A film is 90% script, 7% acting, and 3% music. You can spend all the time you want achieving beautiful lighting, smooth camerawork, and interesting sets, but without a good story to put them in it will all be worthless. Pour yourself into the writing of the script; it’s the element that will make or break your film. Re-write until each word in the script either reveals more about the characters or drives the story forward, in a manner that is concise and consistent everything else you’ve written. Here’s a hint: if you’re not tired of writing, you’re not done yet; probably not even close.
When it comes time to shoot and edit, don’t expect to have fun. If you pay any attention to your lighting, audio, and acting it will be work, hard work. But if your script is well written, and your message is original and relevant, it will be worth the effort it takes to transfer it to film.
Above all, whatever your message, ultimately champion Jesus Christ, His Gospel, and the salvation only He can provide.

Cameron Malott
Filmodus Operandi

Back-to-School Discount

In a world of abbreviations, texting and lazy instant messages — quality communication is needed more than ever before.  A writing coach can apply a helpful eye to your student’s work, and teach the habits of good writing skills.  As your students return to school, consider enrolling them with A Time 2 Write, where our ultimate goal is to help them communicate in a solid, logical and creative way.

If you would like to try the accountability of a writing coach this school year, we are offering a back-to-school discount.  Sign up your student(s) by the end of this month (August 31, 2011) to receive a trial semester for $28 per month per student.

Feel free to leave questions or comments in the contact form below.

One Writer’s Booklist

Faith in the Fury

Jana Busenitz is the author of Faith in the Fury.  She also coaches with A Time 2 Write.  Jana is busy planning her upcoming wedding, but also enjoys working with her writing students, and  hopes to help them publish their own books like she did.  Faith in the Fury  is now available on Amazon for purchase! 

She faced the fury of the storm. But can she survive the test of her faith?

13-year old Abby Nelson is home alone babysitting her five younger siblings when a tornado hits her home. 

Facing danger at every turn, Abby must find a way to free her trapped siblings and find her parents, who she fears might not have survived.

But for Abby, the greatest storm of all is within. She struggles to understand why God would allow so many bad things to happen to her. Will Abby learn to trust God in the midst of life’s storms, or will her faith be destroyed like her home?

To purchase this book, click here

To read an interview with the author, click here

Crazy English

I received a business memo the other day inviting me to the company’s annual Christmas dinner. The invitation assured that the meat and table service would be provided, but employees were asked to bring a side dish or a . . . desert. Hmm. I have some red sand upstairs in the craft box. Maybe I could mix it with sugar and sprinkle it on top of a yellow cake.

I don’t blame my boss for his mistake. English can be such a ridiculous language sometimes. Many generations of students have cried over all the silly rhymes they must learn to remember all the exceptions to the rules. And spelling? Let’s just not even go in to that.

Sometimes it’s better to laugh instead of cry when not even spell check will catch all the mistakes because it’s technically spelled right even when it’s not the right word. I ran across these “Reasons Why the English Language is Hard to Learn” today. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

The bandage was wound around the wound.

The farm was used to produce produce.

The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

We must polish the Polish furniture.

He could lead if he would get the lead out.

The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

I did not object to the object.

The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

They were too close to the door to close it.

The buck does funny things when the does are present.

A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

After a number of injections my jaw got number.

Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

I was proven right that I had the right of way.

It gets even worse. Take these examples for example:

There is no egg in eggplant.

There is no ham in hamburger.

There is neither apple nor pine in pineapple.

English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France.

Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.

Quicksand can work slowly.

Boxing rings are square.

A guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

Why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?

If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth?

Or, one goose, 2 geese? So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices?

In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?

If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

How can you ship by truck and send cargo by ship?

Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

When the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

You can make amends but not one amend.

Your house can burn up as it burns down.

You fill in a form by filling it out.

An alarm goes off by going on.

English truly reflects the creativity of the human race (which, of course, isn't a race at all).

After all that, I’m more thankful than ever that God promises not even one verse of His word will ever change or pass away!

“The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”

The Silver Locket

 Set in New Orleans during 1857, the Silver Locket is a story of faith and hope even when  circumstances are dire. Sixteen-year-old Isabella Wiley has one heart cry — to find her older  half-sister, Ester. But a shopkeeper who claims to have known Ester says she died of scarlet fever three years earlier. Will Isabella survive the slums, unpaid rent, and the blame of a stolen horse to find out if this is truth or rumor? As the story progresses, Isabella finds herself mixed up in more than she ever bargained for. Will she choose to follow God and allow Him to strengthen her through trials? Or will she become bitter and shut Him out?

To purchase this book, order on amazon today!

To read an interview with the author Ashlyn Briscoe, click here.

Interview

Jana Busenitz is the author of Faith in the Fury.  She also coaches with A Time 2 Write.  Jana is busy planning her upcoming wedding, but also enjoys working with her writing students, and  hopes to help them publish their own books like she did. Faith in the Fury is now available for purchase!

She faced the fury of the storm. But can she survive the test of her faith?

13-year old Abby Nelson is home alone babysitting her five younger siblings when a tornado hits her home. 

Facing danger at every turn, Abby must find a way to free her trapped siblings and find her parents, who she fears might not have survived.

But for Abby, the greatest storm of all is within. She struggles to understand why God would allow so many bad things to happen to her. Will Abby learn to trust God in the midst of life’s storms, or will her faith be destroyed like her home?

Q:  When did you write Faith in the Fury?

Jana: I started writing when I was about 13. Since part of my goal for writing a story was to learn to type, it was a project that ended up taking several years to fully complete!:) At the time, we only had one family computer and 6 younger kids running around. So I wrote a few minutes here, an hour there, early in the morning, late at night, or wherever else I could find a free moment between school, chores, and helping my Mom.

Q: What first gave you the idea and inspiration?

Jana: My grandparents’ home was destroyed by one of the May 3, 1999 tornados that devastated many parts of Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. As a 12-year old, I vividly remember the stories my grandparents told about how they survived that day. As my family helped them clean up after the storm, I couldn’t help but imagine what it would have been like if it had been me instead of my grandparents. I decided to write down my grandparents’ experience from my perspective, and Faith in the Fury was born.  

Q: Do the characters resemble people in real life?

Jana: This question made me laugh when I first read it! When I read my story now, I shake my head at my lack of imagination when it came to coming up with original characters! I wrote Abby to resemble me, but I decided to give her red hair so people wouldn’t think she was me:) Each of Abby’s siblings represent one of my siblings. Eventually though, I realized I better change my characters just a little bit. Otherwise, I knew my siblings would get mad at me when they read my story and say, “Hey, that’s not me!”

Q: Why did you choose to publish with CreateSpace?

Jana: It’s so simple and it’s free. I’ve always wanted to publish a book, but I didn’t have the time to pursue getting published traditionally. I didn’t care if I never ended up being a bestseller; I just wanted to see my book on my shelf and be able to give it to my siblings, friends, and maybe even my own kids someday to read. CreateSpace allowed me to do that.

Q:  What writing resources helped you to become who you are as a writer?  

Jana: I studied with writing coach Jonathon Friesen for awhile, and he helped me so much! Other than that, though, most of my writing has not come from resources so much as just hard work and self-study. Even though I’m busy, I try to always keep reading and studying good fiction. I research people, places, and little tidbits of information I pick up here and there that cause my imagination to soar, and then write down the ideas for stories that gel. I talk to other writers whenever I can get the chance. I let other people read and critique my work. No one method has transformed me into a great author, but as I am patient and work hard, I have begun to see my writing get better and better.

Q: What was your favorite scene to write in Faith in the Fury?  Which one was the hardest? 

Jana: My favorite scenes to write were the ones where the siblings were all arguing or things were chaotic. These scenes just wrote themselves because at the time that was so much a part of my life that the words just flowed:) I don’t really remember what the hardest scene was to write, but I remember developing and maintaining a purpose and theme throughout the story being difficult for me.

Q: What is the theme for Faith in the Fury?

Jana: Believing that God is good all the time, no matter what happens. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people, but Abby learns that God always has a plan and is sovereign. Our responsibility is to simply trust Him and thank Him for being faithful in our storm, even when we don’t feel like He is.

Q: What is your next writing project?

Jana: Another long-range project that has already spanned a few years:) Tara O’Reilly is a spunky Irish orphan who discovers that she will never be truly home until her heart comes home to Jesus. I’m excited about seeing it to completion as well – my goal is by the end of 2011, but we’ll see how that goes.

Q: What advice would you give to other young writers?  

Jana: First, read! You can’t expect to become a good writer if you don’t read. Second, write! You can’t become a good writer unless you write consistently – even when it’s horrible and you want to quit. Third, get a writing coach or find a friend or mentor who has the time and ability to give you constructive criticism on your writing. You won’t regret it!

One Writer’s Journey to Self-Publishing

Have you ever wanted to publish your own book, but had no idea where to start? Have you ever tried to research self-publishing, only to become so overwhelmed and overloaded by all the information out there that you feel like giving up?

Take heart! Your dream can become a reality, and perhaps more easily than you think. There are those who have successfully pioneered the way!

Homeschool graduate Natalie Wickham is the author of the self-published book Pajama School. In her beautiful, inspiring book, Natalie shares stories from her life as she made the transition into homeschooling in 4^th grade and continued through college.

Now, Natalie explains the process of self-publishing a book from start to finish on her new CD, Journey to Self Publishing. Topics covered include types of publishing, the four components of every great book, setting up your own publishing company, endorsing, marketing, distributing, and more!

Natalie’s candid interview-style CD is a great place for any aspiring author or publisher to begin their own successful journey to self-publishing. Journey to Self-Publishing can be purchased on Amazon and is also available for downloaded as an mp3 here.

Start your own Journey to Self-Publishing today!

What Is A Writing Coach?

If you’re a mom with your hands full, and would like someone else to take over the area of writing . . . we can help.  So how would a writing coach help that problem? 

  
Why do you need a piano teacher?  Why do you need a football coach?  You pay for these services because the guidance and encouragement of another person who is experienced in the field improves and helps your student.  This is what a writing coach does, but instead of having sport practices or piano lessons, our program is completely online.    

Our writing students find that the accountability of a writing coach is the best tool of all.  I’ve read many writing books with assignments at the end of the chapter.  I love writing, but I never did them.  There was no one to read it, no pressure, no deadline, and no accountability.  When I got a writing coach, everything changed.  His assignments just for me were suddenly top priority, and my writing improved.  I could get more done in less time, and I strived to do my best.  This wasn’t my teacher (Mom), or a book telling me what to do – it was my writing coach!  And he would probably wonder what on earth happened to me, if my completed assignment wasn’t sitting in his inbox by Friday night. 

There is no requirement you have to meet to be a writing student.  Each person is at a different writing level, has a different writing voice, and has different goals in mind.  It doesn’t matter if your child struggles with basic spelling, or if he wants to be a best-seller author.  Hate writing, love writing – we write their assignments according to his/her abilities, goals, and progress.  We work with students on everything from punctuation, characterization, essay skills, and can help them enter contests, and get self-published.  All the time they’re having fun.  For some of them, it’s the first time they’ve ever experienced the creative writing world.

 
Each week the assignment includes detailed instruction and teaching on the concept introduced.  At the end, we include what is required for your student to complete that week.  When we receive the completed assignment, we read through it, edit it, note any areas of needed improvement, and encourage the student on what they did well.  All of this is wrapped up into the next assignment designed just for them. 
 

How do you sign up?  Simply send us the names and ages of your students you would like to enroll, and the date you would like to begin.  Your new coach will then contact you with payment information, and the first assignment.

  
We believe that there is a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1) writing included.  We desire to honor God with this skill, and help other students do the same.  If you would like to give a writing coach a try, then sign up today! 

Interview with Author Ashlyn Briscoe

Ashlyn Briscoe is a close friend to writing coaches, Jana and Abigail. She recently finished her first novel, The Silver Locket.  It is now available on amazon.

Q:  How long have you worked on The Silver Locket?

A: I have been working on The Silver Locket for four years…

A: I got my hands on whatever I could–Creative Writing by Ruth E. McDaniel was a good start. Elements of Style, a small little gray pocket book by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White, really gave me some tips.  The 3 main things that helped me were:

1) Get a writing coach!

2) Read books with a similar style to yours–don't read books that don't reflect what you need…and beware of movies! They are not books. I have watched a few where a character just jumped off the screen at me and I was like "that's him! that's just how I want him to act!" But beware;-)

3) Also get writing friends who will read your work ALOUD to you and give you ideas in person. It's amazing how that will help–even if it's a bit embarrassing;-) Thanks, Abi and Jana! 

A: My favorite scenes are pretty much any with Paul in them. If I had Paul in a scene I rarely had to even edit it;-) He just sort of wrote himself, and was a good compliment to Isa. The hardest scene was where Isa goes for Parnell's help at the hotel–I lost count how many times I rewrote that scene. I think I could still rewrite it;-)   

A: If I had stuck with the original plot outline and then compared it to the book now–I would have two completely different stories. It changed DRAMATICALLY. The key is to ask yourself  "do I like this the way it is? Am I REALLY happy with it?" If the answer is "I guess"–write it again. Even change the plot to create what you're wanting. Write and rewrite and rewrite.  My writing coach, Jonathan Friesen, was quite shocked a few times when I would completely reorganize the whole story with new characters, different plot, different heart cry….until I was happy with it–even outside of what I was asked to do in an assignment. I remember him saying once "Wow–Okay, this works too. Whatever you think." If I began to get too many characters I would double some up and use them for two things–always keep your core group of characters small. Work your story over. Make it what you want it to be. I was originally going to use the southern 1800's theme without going into slavery at all…but i just couldn't do it…next thing I knew it was almost the main theme. Jess's original name was Lilah. It didn't fit. Levi was added later when I needed some "men" for the slave scenes. Paul jumped in to help free the slaves. Originally he didn't know a thing about it.  

A: I graduated from highschool in 2009. I considered college, and even sent in two applications to different ones. God holds us in His hand and He is Sovereign. He had other plans for me. I still dream that I went to college, but I am so excited about where God has me right now. I am involved with ministry at my church and enjoy serving my family–helping teach homeschool to my 4 yr. old brother Jeremiah and all the other things that need doing–cooking, cleaning house and being available. On November 8th, 2009, Brandon Busenitz asked to court me. Someday and Lord willing, I will be his wife and help him take over the farm that he was raised on. For now he is off to Bible college for this year, but he has promised to come back for me. While he is away my goals are to finish writing Charlotte's Hope, finish reading through the Bible, teach Sunday School, help other homeschool families, and many other things! Every now and then I slip outside to ride my mare, Wendy, barefoot and bareback down Kansas country roads…just to let the breeze catch my hair.