A Soldier's Heart

At the end of a gun barrel
Buried in the burning white sand
Embedded in the bleeding flesh wounds
Left alone in distant lands
Imprinted on the infantry badges
Branded on the Airborne Ranger patch
Peeking through infrared sights
Hiding under every bunker hatch
Soaring about the sky with guided missiles
Lodged into detonated Claymore mines
Flying on the wings of stealth bombers
Leaving trails across enemy lines
Etched on a sniper’s weapon
Bound around war prisoners hands
Curled up under the soldier’s tent
Wrapped around flagpole stands
Engulfed in the flames of tanker battles
Soaked into the sweat of the brave
Dripping from the faces of their families tears
Amongst the soul laid to rest in the graves
Here is where you will find the heart of a soldier


Camouflage

Lena Brown Copyright 2009

Film Festival Love: 48-Hour Film Project

I realize the clapper is not filled out exactly the way it is supposed to, but who cares!  I am part of a brilliant team and very honored to be included in this venture!!

What is the 48-Hour Film Project

The 48-Hour Film Project is a festival that test the creative, resources and efficiency of filmmakers.  How fast would you be able to get a cast and crew together to include locations and props and create a 4 to 7 page script and shoot it in 48 hours?  Could you do it?

For every project that is finished they will be screened at a local movie theater in the team's city.  What??? I don't know about you, but I am overwhelmed with excitement.  A chance to be recognized, a chance to be heard, a chance to make a difference.

I'll keep you all informed!

Writers: Back Away from the Computer

As much as I love writing, the process really takes me away from a lot things that I love and has taken its toll on my health.  Writing is truly the life of someone that is very comfortable being alone for long periods of time.  This will age you quickly though.  Word to the wise, get from behind that computer as often as you possibly can.

I had to learn the hard way; the aches, the pains, the charlie horses and muscle issues, the realigning of my back and such.  Physical therapy is not something I wanted to have to worry about at the ripe young age of 47, but here I am hooked to electrodes and doing exercises 2 to 3 times a day after my hot pack treatment.  It is both annoying and inconvenient.  It is the result of 10 + years of sitting on my butt.

In that 10-year time span, I did yoga, worked out daily at the gym at times, but I was not consistent.  Sedentary was much easier.  Not!  Get up and back away from the computer often and make the most of your time off to walk, exercise, engage in a sport or just getting back to the things you love.  Don't allow yourself to become complacent.  Get up, get out and do something!!!

Project Mayhem

I am so excited and feel as though I can go on for years writing nonstop. The truth is I really can't. It is not humanly possible. With that being said, I have to stop overextending myself.  Writing is so rewarding and fun but I have got to learn to say no. I have projects on hold as I work to put out my first film short Rogue, about military secrets. I have books to edit and a television series to rewrite. Help!!!!

Honestly I would not have it any other way!  This is my life.

All Writers Must Read

All writers must read.

How to Effectively Dodge the Pitfalls of the Filmmaking Industry

My sister gave me the name the Artful Dodger. Immediately I was drawn to the name.  I thought, "Yeah that is me, that fits me perfectly."  My daughter did her research and found that the term is applied to those that dodge responsibilities.  Well, one thing I understand about life is no one can define you, but yourself.  When applied to me, the Artful Dodger is one who dodges obstacles artfully.  Getting out of the way with poise and grace and I have managed to do just that; dodging the pitfalls and wolves of the entertainment industry.

My partners and I have met with so much rejection and shadiness that we should have quit a long time ago, but thankfully we have emerged from each adversity unscaved.  My advice to those who are trying to pursue a writing/filmmaking career is as follows:

KNOW THE CRAFT

• Make sure you are knowledgeable of the industry, the creative and business side.  What good is the talent if you don't practice or research.
  

WORK ON YOUR CREDIBILITY

• Make your presence known online and in the world.  Let people know what you are trying do. Write for some of the online publications. This is a great way to get recognition and be taken seriously. Also, try working on a movie set as an Intern. The best position I have found that doesn't require a degree is Production Assistant (PA).
  

BEWARE OF THE MONEY CHASERS

• Don't trust everyone.  There are so many wolves within the industry and the bottom line is how much money can your story make them. Never compromise your integrity.
  

BE YOUR OWN MOUTHPIECE

• Never allow anyone to speak for you.  It causes confusion and miscommunications.  If you can find someone as passionate as you are about writing and your projects you have tackled half the battle.

I have been writing all my life, but I only started writing professionally about five years ago, writing for online publications. It has been a long road and I have made some mistakes. The best part is I am doing something I love; the obstacles are challenges. Take one at a time, conquer it and keep it moving!

Triond: One of the Best Ways to Earn Money Writing

Have you ever heard of Triond?  If you are a writer trying to make some sort of living online, a great way to do it is to sign up for FREE with www.Triond.com.  You can write just about anything on Triond, but it has to be original.  They have strict policies governing this; so, don't even think about stealing material.  You won't get away with it on Triond.

You don't have to worry about placing your work either.  Triond does it all... All you have to do is come up with creative, original material, write and submit.  Triond is affiliated with many websites where people come to just read such as Beyond Jane, HealthMad, Trifter and Authspot.  If you write poetry your material will be placed on Authspot or if you like to write about health your work will probably show up on HealthMad.  Here is a tip:  Poetry does not get many views, but gamers and health articles get plenty of clicks.  The more content you put up the more you give people to read.  Here is how it works; you write your article/poem, it is placed and people click to read. Those clicks are then transferred into $$$.  It really depends on the quality of the content; if it is something people want to know about they will click.

Also, if you happen to have been working online for as long as I have and understand the value of having a Google Adsense account you will earn even more when someone clicks on the ads (that will be placed on your articles' page by Triond).  If someone clicks and makes a purchase you get a commission.  The best part about Triond is all you have to do is plug in your Google Adsense account number and BOOM you are good!  The sooner you start submitting work, the sooner you will begin to create a residual income.  I have not written an article for Triond in a long time, but I am still making a little bit of money.

Click Right Here and check out my page and join.  IT'S FREE!!!  If you like to write Triond is the place for you.

Life of a Writer/Filmmaker

I think it is important to chronicle one's life whenever possible. It's important for me because I am getting older and I don't ever want to forget what a completely awesome experience it has been writing and making movies.  Yes, I am a writer but I am also a filmmaker and well on my way to making my first feature film along with my partners, Curtis S. Brown and Donald Sanders. Follow us as we give you a close look at what it takes to be a successful writer/filmmaker.  It's not what you think at all. Join us as we artfully dodge the pitfalls of the industry on our way to entertaining and teaching the world through the art of film.