A Professional Writer In Japan or America?

I wrote a play for a church in Japan. They wanted to do it this Christmas originally but they realized they just didn't have the administrative ability to pull it off. I was disappointed. I spent a few months writing the thing. It's the first full length three act play that I have ever written. There may be a way to see it through if I am willing to stay in Japan for another four months past our intended stay. The rest of my family would go back to the States in August and I would join them to help them transition but I would come back and direct the play that would go up at Christmas time.


It's daunting for me. I can't get a commitment out of the pastor. I do desire to get the story of The Nativity in front of a Japanese audience. All they seem to get is Ho! Ho! Ho! commercialism without the hope of the Christ child. I share that vision with the pastors, but I am also now called upon to stir up the troops and get them (the Japanese Christians) excited about supporting such a project.

I know that it won't pay money, but that's not the point. If I got it up on its feet I could get it published afterwards.

I'm praying about it. I think this will be an interesting experience. I've directed a few productions, but never in a foreign language.

Fruits of Advertising

I got one! I got one! I got my second official sale on Melodramerica! Over 10,000 ad impressions later, someone bit and bought a short drama for $10. It's all electronic so I can't exactly frame it and put it on the wall. But it's neat and I feel this impetus to update the site and write some more Christmas dramas now that the season is upon us. I know, it's only ten bucks, but it is kind of exciting. The last twenty-five I made was more of a negotiated donation than it actually was a purchase and I learned the hard way that if I don't value my work then nobody else will either.

So between my drama income on this purchase and Adsense, I've broken even with AdWords.

My New Toy

My screenwriting software, Movie Magic Screenwriter. came in the other day. It's a neat toy, I can't wait to use it.

Time Management

I am trying to get a hold of my schedule. I spent a few hours over the last few days really trying to figure out how much time I have to work with and how much I can juggle between learning Japanese, my teaching job, writing (!!) and trying to take care of my family (emotionally, physically and spiritually.)
I did that thing where you write down on paper how many hours there are in a week and then subtract the amounts for all the mandatory items like sleep, eating, going to work and such.





Trying to make time for writing is time consuming in itself. I think I would look forward to a time when I don't have all the added responsibilities that I do now, but how much more efficient will a be when that time comes if I can get a handle on things in this set of circumstances.

Google AdWords

I decided to advertise Melodramerica! using Google AdWords. We'll see what happens.

Drama, it's what I like to do!

I got an e-mail from a friend back home:

"I'm on an women's outreach creative team. The leader asked me to write a sketch.........because of all my CYT experience. You and I both know what a laugh that is. People of great faith and prayer.........or on the flip-side great ignorance and needing a slap up-side the head ask things like that. But, I've been here before . . . My platform of recovery and breaking forth is to never go back. Going back is beige and comfortable, boring and without change. I loved all your dramas because they were real and in-your-face. I can't do anything that won't at least provoke thought.

I have the message I'm suppose to bring and some thoughts. Do you have any interest in doing this project, or the time? I hope I've left enough info, but if not, just ask."

I want to do it. I have an assignment with Christian Writer's Guild that involves writing drama anyway so why not? I felt weird of course because I have my drama website going and I am trying to make money at this. If I agree to do this I don't want to charge her money because she has helped me out on a number of occasions and never charged me a fee. Besides it is again an opportunity to write what I love writing the most...drama.

Also, I have been praying about what God would have me do with my time. Blogging and the management thereof can be so addictive. You might not know it from this site, but I have a few others that have more posts.

I love her line about beige and comfortable.