One Man Show

People have this image of a writer spending his time locked up in his basement typing away.  And while there is a lot of that – personally, sitting at my desk in the corner of my bedroom underneath my “My Little Pony” plushies and my “One Piece” wall scroll – there is a lot more a writer needs to do than, well, just write.

Writers need to be educated on the art of writing (like any other skill), find support, feedback, and make contacts in the publishing and/or television and movie industry.  I was shy when I was little, and while I’m not shy anymore, networking does not come naturally to me.  But I have met so many people that have educated me, inspired me, and encouraged me through the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society and the West Coast Writers Conferences that I would not have met anywhere else.

Both these organizations exist because of Tony Todaro.  And I’m not the only one.  He has helped many other aspiring writers achieve their publishing goals, whether self-published or traditionally published.  I have seen colleagues find editors, agents and get published because of the people they’ve met at these conferences.  And that’s the biggest inspiration.  I know if they’ve made it, my turn is coming.

Tony has put on 34 of these conferences.  From negotiating the hotel space, to amassing the scores of speakers, to promoting, Tony has been the man in charge.   He has help.  I, for one, have volunteered at about twenty of these conferences and untold Special Speaker Events.  And I keep doing it because of the wealth of education and contacts I have made.

Tony has helped many, but now he needs all our help.  Recent events put him in the hospital, and now, in a skilled nursing facility.  For his privacy, I won’t go into the details.  He is being taken care of, but the cost of such care increases daily.  Tony and his wife, Lilly, now need our help.  A GoFundMe campaign has been started for Tony.  If he has helped you in your writing career, please consider returning the favor.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tony-todaro-with-medical-expenses?utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_location=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined

Dennis

168^th blog completed.

Second Steampunk novel: 783 words.

First Steampunk novel:  73,675 words.

Second Steampunk screenplay:  157 pages.

First Steampunk screenplay:  Need to update with notes from the novelization.

Third Steampunk screenplay:  38 pages.

I don’t know…  Do these razors seem joyous to you?