Thirteen years ago, there was a big-budget summer blockbuster that did something rare: it entertained people AND made them think about important philosophical issues. Its repercussions continue to be felt today. That movie, of course, was Beverly Hills Ninja. No, I kid, it was Contact, starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey. This was 1997, when Jodie Foster still made movies regularly, and when the novelty of Matthew McConaughey hadn’t worn off yet. Robert Zemeckis, who had just won an Oscar for directing Forrest Gump — THAT IS A THING THAT REALLY HAPPENED — was next hired to direct this story, based on a novel by Carl Sagan. Sagan, who died eight months before the film was released, was next to Isaac Asimov and Stephen Hawking in the category of Super-Smart Guys Who Look at the Stars and Know Everything About Them. The stereotype would be that he was therefore an atheist, but Sagan always insisted he was agnostic. “An atheist has to know a lot more than I know,” he said. “An atheist is someone who knows there is no god. By some definitions atheism is very stupid.”

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I just marvel at my atheist friends who are atheists, just because. They put no more research or thought into the subject at hand other than what they were force fed by college professors, peers and so-called “authoritative” figures. Basically taking the word of others, they are either too lazy or too ignorant to invest the time necessary to confirm or deny for themselves.

I’ve spent dozens of hours debating this topic. It is shocking to find how little they actually know, yet are so convinced they are correct. Based on….nothing really. Same goes for “believers”. I’ve had one too many friends try to “save” me, yet, I am usually more familiar with their Bible better than they are!

I tell my atheist and believing friends the same thing: “Don’t tell me you’re an atheist. I don’t care because more than likely you don’t know why you are.” “Don’t tell me you’re a believer because again, most likely you don’t know why you are.”

It has been said, and is the generally accepted belief, that if you write, you are a writer. Whether you wait on tables, repair PCs or milk goats, as long as you write, you are technically a writer. “Then why don’t I feel like one?” you ask? Some are reluctant to say, “I’m a writer.” As if making that statement would be committing the eighth cardinal sin. If asked, they might say, “I write.”

This might be due to the misguided assumption many have, that unless you are a paid writer, you aren’t a real writer.

I visit numerous screenwriting and novel writing blogs and websites and am in awe of the unsigned talent out there. Most of those guys make little to no money for their efforts. They freely share their imagination and brilliance with anyone who would avail themselves of the opportunity to soak it in. Others write for a living. A good living. So whether you are a paid writer or not isn’t the point. Yet!

Another problem might be that you tend to compare your screenplays to those of Woody Allen, Billy Wilder, Francis Ford Coppola or Charlie Kaufman. Or compare your novels to those of the masters of horror, sci-fi, romance, mystery and so on. While it is good to read and learn from the greats, it is not good to compare yourself to them to the point of discouragement and apathy setting in.

Focus on honing your craft. Find your voice. Your style. You may not become a great writer, but you can become a good writer.

Remember, “The professional is the amateur who didn’t quit.” – Richard Bach

Write first for the personal satisfaction of letting your inner child, demon or alter-ego out. If you are only doing it for the money, then you are more likely to be washed away by the numerous waves of rejection and disappointed that will invaribly come your way. At least when starting out. If love of the craft, on the other hand, is your motivational force, you can enjoy your work whether published or not, whether paid or not. Then, down the road if you are noticed and published, then all the better.

Consider the example of J.L. Bourne. He started a blog several years ago, wrote a little bit of his story each day, and in time his compilations became the book entitled Day by Day Armageddon. What is more, its sequel is scheduled for release in July of 2010! “Ah, but he’s a professional writer.” you say. In truth, he was on active duty serving in the U.S. military when he wrote DBDA. He wrote a little bit each day as he had time to do so.

Not everyone will have a similar success story. But his story proves that it is possible if you just keep after it. And if fate delays in calling your number, don’t give up. Blogs are cheap-to-free to set up. There are also fairly cheap self-publishing alternatives out there. So just keep the pen to the paper or fingers to the keys and continue to do what you love most: BE A WRITER! The joy will ALWAYS be there and hey, could be the payday will follow. However, you’ll never know if you give up.

Beautiful poetry is rarely the work of a shallow mind. Poetry has a long-standing connection with what matters most to us—relationships, love, spirituality, nature, and the meaning of life. It should come as no surprise then that poetry is one of the oldest art forms. Comparing poetry with prose one famous poet said that if both described the same thing and were equally well written, “the verse will be read a hundred times where the prose is read once.”

Because of its attributes, poetry is often relatively easy to memorize. The oldest surviving Greek poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, were recited from memory at Greek festivals—quite a feat, given the epic proportions of these works!

The Macquarie Dictionary defines poetry as “the art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts” and as “literary work in metrical form; verse.” Note the two key attributes of poetry—rhythm and meter. Rhythm is part of the world around us. We see it in ocean tides, in seasons, and the beat of our heart. Meter is the pattern of rhythm. Another popular poetic device is rhyme.

Not dependent on rhyme, Japanese haiku is famous for combining beauty of thought with astonishing brevity. It packs its thoughts into just three lines comprising 17 syllables—5 in the first and third lines and 7 in the second. Its beauty and simplicity have made haiku an enjoyable introduction to poetry for many.

Traditionally, poetry is notorious for compressing considerable thought into few words. The World Book Encyclopedia states that poetic words “suggest much more than they say. They stir your imagination . . . The language of poetry is packed under pressure, and the meaning of a single word may trigger the thought, letting the entire poem explode in your imagination.” Of course, you may have to read some poems a few times before they “explode” in your mind, allowing you to grasp their sense.

If you want to write poetry yourself, you would do well to first read a wide range of verse. This will help you to grasp the various principles of composition. Obviously, the best way to learn to write verse is to sit down with pencil and paper and write, or sit at the computer and type.

Why not try putting your thoughts into verse when you send someone a get well or thank you card? Your poetry need not be long or brilliant. Just write a few lines expressing what is in your heart.  Be genuine. You don’t have to be a genius to write poetry, any more than you have to be a great chef to enjoy preparing a meal. Mix equal amounts of desire, imagination, effort, and persistence and the paintings with words that you produce may just surprise you.

Suddenly, it strikes me like a renegade ship mast upon the forehead; THIS MAN IS FUNNY! I burst into uncontrollable laughter. Don Juan my friend, who do you think you’re talking to? I’ll offer to buy her a drink, fix her PC, program her Tivo and if things are going well, offer her my thoughts on why Moby Dick has no business being the subject of academic study, but sweep someone of their feet I doubt. But I tell ya, through this process I learned a couple new things about myself. Entertained myself too. It was fun. I want to write once again. Mission accomplished….