Nature / Writing

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White This book was a landmark in my development as a young reader. It was the first time I recognized that if I liked one book by a certain author, I would probably enjoy their other books as well (next up was The Trumpet of the Swan ). It was also the first book I remember reading that prompted me to consider the characters as actual individuals, and not just as character types. (Oh Templeton, are you the reason I love pet rats?) Read about my long-standing error regarding the gender of E.B. White on my blog . Green Grass, Running Water by Tom King Altering the linear nature of a narrative is commonplace in visual media, but in this novel King's method of telling is as playful as the story itself. Engrossing, socially relevant, chock full of cultural references and funny as hell this book is layered like few others. "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" a poem by T.S. Eliot There's something addictive about the rhy...

I marvel at people who can name a single favourite film. Here's just a little bit of the list (in alphabetical order, because that's the only way that seems fair): The Fisher King (1991) This is the movie I will always wish I had written. Damn you Richard LaGravenese! (Who also wrote "The Ref") Legend and myth and fantasy and reality blend together so seamlessly and shamelessly. A monstrous red knight and an awkward attempt at eating chicken balls, together at last. The Fox and the Hound (1981) Yes, I'm a sucker for cute talking animals. Beyond that however, this Disney film is a wonderful example of the simple kind of stories that are getting told less and less often, even for kids. This film didn't have razzle-dazzle, sight gags or sarcasm for the grown-ups because it didn't need it. The story about two friends the world wouldn't let stay together is good enough for all ages as is. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) This and "Run Lo...

Co-written with Evan Dickson, Rob Harding, Peter Kelly, Marc Mayer and Drew Woodley Stage play: Comedy - One act (10min), 5M/1W A squadron of little green army men toys come to life when one of their own is MIA. Really, this was just plain silly. Wonderfully, wonderfully silly. I do wish I had some pictures. Production Information : Comes with Realistic Battle Sounds was produced as part of the Ground Zero student run theatre festival at York University. It was performed by the authors and directed by James Fraser. Patient, patient James.

Stageplay: Drama - one act (10min), 2M "I never tried to help people. I never tried to make the world better. I just sat around making bad jokes and using up the air." After an unfortunate encounter with some woodworking machinery, Alex finds himself on the threshold between life and death, challenged to justify his detached and carefree ways. Ted Lach and Jed Tomlinson; 8-0-8 Productions, 2005 This piece was written especially for 8-0-8 Productions first collaborative show, nigh. Six scenes by six different writers were selected, each depicting an encounter between the recently deceased and a Gatekeeper standing guard over the other side. Production Information : November 2005 at the Birds and Stone Theatre in Calgary, Alberta by 8-0-8 Productions as part of the collaborative show, nigh . Directed by Meg Wilkie, starring Jed Tomlinson as the Gatekeeper and Ted Lach as Alex. [" Theatre Preview: The beginning i...

Stageplay: Drama - Theatre for Young Audiences, One act, 2M/1W A high school student craving internet fame enlists a classmate to illustrate her self-published e-zine. When desperate and disturbing messages begin arriving from a young fan on the other side of the country, the two clash over their responsibilities to someone they'll never meet. The first draft of this work was written with the financial support of the Ontario Arts Council. The grant was through the Theatre Creators' Reserve program on the recommendation of Toronto-based Theatre Direct Canada . An excerpt of the first draft was read as part of Theatre Direct's Seedling Festival of New Works for Young Audiences on June 16th 2007 at the Tarragon Theatre. Status : In revisions. Completed script under no obligations.

Comedy, one act (37 pages), 2M/1W From the Lunchbox Theatre website: You'd think sealing off your front door with a solid wall of hedge would deter people from dropping by uninvited, but as Lance finds out in this heart-warming comedy, there is no force on earth as unstoppable as a bride on her wedding day. This play was developed as part of Lunchbox Theatre's Petro-Canada Stage One play development series. It received two public readings, April 23 rd & 24 th 2007. Status : First option to produce with Lunchbox Theatre, Calgary.