Writing & Editing Samples
-
Horror Comedy Screenplay: Púcas for Dummies
Púcas for Dummies is a coming-of-age supernatural comedy set in the small Irish village of Toornabookee in 1985. The scenes below are a showcase for what I love most about writing– characters who feel real and alive, dialogue that crackles, and they demonstrate my ear for dialect and regional voice as well. (Also, it includes a six-year-old with a very impressive potty mouth.)
-
Taiji Qigong Shibashi book
This excerpt is from a book-in-progress I have the privilege of co-writing with a clinician who specializes in qigong, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Drawing on his direct training with the founder of Taiji Qigong Shibashi, the book explores both the practical applications and deeper philosophy of this healing art. My role has been to translate complex scientific, anatomical, and cultural concepts into accessible, heartfelt language that honors the depth of the tradition.(Shared here with permission.) ~ ~ ~ Liver/Wood/Anger The next layer associated with the emotions is the liver, and this is the organ in which anger can get activated. This occurs especially if fear is already operating in…
-
Historical Epic Drama Screenplay: Heretic
This excerpt is from my original screenplay, Heretic, about the controversial 18th Dynasty pharaoh, Akhenaten. It demonstrates my work in character-driven storytelling, sharp dialogue, and visual scene construction — as well as my ability to bring historical worlds to life with specificity and dramatic momentum.
-
Lighthearted Dramedy Screenplay: The Edwards Fortune
This excerpt is from my original screenplay, The Edwards Fortune—a lighthearted, emotionally rich family dramedy inspired by an actual legend in my family. It showcases my work in character-driven storytelling, dialogue, and tone.
-
Narrative Nonfiction: The Undoing
This excerpt is from a narrative nonfiction that explores one woman’s journey through mental illness, spiritual transformation, and healing. I’ve been honored to serve as both developmental editor and copyeditor on this deeply moving, beautifully written project. The book is a powerful testament to personal growth, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit. (This excerpt is shared with the author’s permission.) ~ ~ ~ By early 1975, Richard was attending computer classes at the University of Alaska, which were paid for by Workers’ Compensation, while I went to work as a secretary in the university’s personnel office. I woke at six o’clock in the morning five days a week,…
-
Self-Help Book in Revision: The Missing Peace(s)
This is an excerpt from a self-help manuscript of my own that I’m currently revising. The book draws on lived experience, spiritual philosophy, and intuitive guidance, much of it gathered from interviews I conducted with a wide range of people. The goal is to help readers reconnect with their own inner wisdom and reclaim a sense of meaning, peace, and clarity in their lives and create it in the world around them, especially during times of chaos and confusion.(Excerpted from an unpublished manuscript.) ~ ~ ~ I was going 90 miles an hour and missed clipping him by a mere five or six inches. I was heading south in the…
-
Psychological Thriller Screenplay: Radio
This is an excerpt from my feature-length screenplay entitled Radio, which is still in progress. It tells the story of a corrupt corporate radio exec who starts hallucinating after suffering a brain injury in a plane crash.
-
The Tao of Entropy
This personal essay explores how disorder, uncertainty, and collapse can be part of nature’s deeper intelligence. Drawing from Taoist philosophy and lived experience, I reflect on the hidden wisdom in letting life come undone—and the evolutionary growth that can emerge from it. 👉 Read the full piece on Vocal »