Last January when I restarted this blog, I also signed up to take WRI 418: Screenwriting: What Makes a Good Movie through Continuing Education at the University of Calgary. Writing itself is something that has always come easily to me, and in fact remains the medium through which I am able to best express my thoughts and feelings. Together, blogging and this course gave me the chance to write in two very different styles and with different goals. In turn this was such an important approach to me working on one of my goals for 2021 – the act of inviting more writing and creativity into my life.

More on this idea of inviting what we want/want more of into our lives in a moment, but first I want to share the opening scene from the script I am working on.

Working Title: Storytelling Love

FADE IN:

EXT. BOW RIVER PATHWAY, CALGARY/PRESENT DAY – EARLY AFTERNOON

The afternoon sun is shining brightly on the canopy of trees, the vibrancy of their autumnal foliage – red, yellow and orange leaves - blowing softly in the breeze. Behind the trees, an aqua marine river’s mirror surface reflects back the colors of the leaves. Across the river, a rocky escarpment, covered in both pine trees, and regular trees with their Fall canopy rise several hundred feet towards the sky.

BEN, a West Highland Terrier (2 years old) bounds by the base of one of the trees, sending a shower of leaves into the air, his blue harness standing out in contrast to the Fall colors. Ben rolls onto his back, his legs and paws stretched upwards, leaves crackling under his fur.

ARTHUR CRAIG (35), exuding warmth and positivity, the type of guy everyone likes, with short brown hair, a medium build and wearing a copper-colored sweater, blue jeans and brown running shoes, and JANE LACY (34), intelligent, sassy and mischievous with shoulder length auburn curls, slender, a teal sweater, blue jeans and black flats quickly follows Ben. Arthur kneels down to pick up Ben, brushing the leaves out of Ben’s fur as he stands. With a giant grin, Arthur looks at Ben -

ARTHUR
Well Ben, guess who’s having a bath tonight?

JANE
At least he actually walks now. Remember when you first brought him home?

ARTHUR
Who could forget? Walk, stop, repeat.

Arthur and Jane both laugh. Not wanting to miss the moment, Ben lets out a small bark.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)
Yes, we are talking about you!

So, why did I make this my first blog of 2022?

As we start a new year, and especially one that follows everything that has happened over the last two, we’re likely thinking about what we want this year to look like. Whether you call them resolutions, goals, what we’re inviting in, etc., I wanted to include part of my script and this blog as a reminder that you absolutely can do the thing you’re thinking about, the goal you want to reach, and/or that change you want to make in your life. Now, go into 2022 and rock it!