An excerpt from the book I am currently writing:

He yanked her ponytail, and pulled her to the floor with his hand still gripping her hair.  He dragged her on the carpet, causing the phone receiver to slip from her grasp.  Little did Eddie know, Rebekah was quick on her feet.  Just before Eddie snatched her away from the phone, she dialed 9-1-1 expeditiously in hopes of the operator hearing the commotion in the background.  

EDDIE

Go in your damn room!

REBEKAH

I wanna call my mom.

EDDIE

What the hell did I tell you?

Rebekah manages to escape from his grip and stands up on her feet.  Eddie immediately takes both his hands and wraps them around her neck.  He begins choking her, forcing her to fall on the couch.  Eddie uses all his strength to suffocate her as Rebekah's head is jammed up against the sofa.

Moments later, loud knocks are being heard at the front door.  Eddie looks at the door with sweat beading on his forehead and veins popping from his neck.  The loud knocking is now replaced with banging, causing Eddie to release his hold from Rebekah.  Rebekah runs to the corner of a wall and slides her back on it until she is sitting on the floor.

VOICE OUTSIDE THE DOOR

Police! Open the door!

Eddie furrows his eyebrows as he glares at Rebekah.  He walks to the front door and reluctantly opens it.  Two police officers  barge in and one notices Rebekah crouched over against the wall.

POLICE OFFICER #1

There was an emergency call made.  Ma'am is everything okay?

Rebekah looks over at Eddie who is standing by the other officer.

POLICE OFFICER

Ma'am, you don't have to be afraid to speak.  We're here to protect you.

Eddie scowls at Rebekah as she slowly opens her mouth to speak.

REBEKAH

I, uh-

(TO BE CONTINUED...)

Just wanted to give you a little taste on one of the things I am working on.  I do plan on publishing this book once it's finished, so be on the lookout.  In addition to that, I am working on an outdoor stage play that will take place in October at an amphitheater in Los Angeles.  I am the Head Writer and I'm super excited to be a part of the project!  More details coming soon.  

I am still making time to help other writers.  So keep your requests coming!  I truly do feel blessed to be able to do what I love while assisting others with their stories and ideas!  Everyday I receive inspirational phone notifications and daily devotionals... and just the other day one read, "Your imagination brings great joy to those around you."  I took that as a confirmation that I am definitely doing what I was called to do! 💓

HELPING WRITERS WRITE RIGHT 

Screenwriting 101 Workshop in LA!

I’m really excited about this.  Teaching Screenwriting is a blessing, but teaching it in LA is blessings on top of blessings!  My first workshop (a couple years ago) was in Atlanta and I was able to help out a lot of writers out there.  The industry is still growing in Georgia and I saw a need to use my skill to help inspiring or discouraged writers.  Since then, I have moved back to my hometown, Cali, and have continued my focus on helping other writers.  My plan wasn’t to do workshops out here, because I felt it was a challenge since most writers in LA have honed their skills.  But I continued editing and proofreading scripts.

Suddenly out of nowhere, referrals from LA started contacting me again to help flesh out scripts and write their synopsis.  That’s when I knew that I had been holding myself back since my return to Cali.

... Of course I should have continued instructing workshops... Not only has my knowledge and passion for Screenwriting benefited many writers that have used my services, but I have a strong background to back that up as well.  I have been fortunate to receive reviews from clients that remind me why I started my writing services in the first place.  I am also blessed to have had USC and UCLA professors and alumni educate me during graduate school at California State University, Northridge.  Without a doubt, this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing.  I thank God he has opened up this door for me to hold my workshops in LA, and I'm excited to meet new writers!

If you are interested or know anyone who may benefit from my services, click on the following link:

Screenwriting Workshop Registration

P.S.  Be on the lookout for info about a stage-play I am writing that will be held at an amphitheater in Los Angeles.  Great things happening! 

"Blessed are the vulnerable, they make good writers." - Karen Stiller

A couple of days before I left to work at Sundance Film Festival '18, I went to an amazing meditation event for entrepreneurs.  It challenged me to open up my heart and tear down walls... so I decided to start here on my blog, where I am the most vulnerable.

Some people have quoted that I am one of those strong independent women, that beneath me "lies a broken little girl who had to learn how to get back up and to never depend on anyone."  People who don't know me would never know that, because of either my infectious laugh or my ability to move on so fast.  But that is what makes me such a good writer.  Writing is my escape.  It is how I have opened up my heart without feeling vulnerable.  It is how I heal my scars and my wounds.

"The Story Lives In You"- Sundance 2018

A lot of the people who have hired me to write for them have asked me: how long did it take for me to be such a good writer/storyteller.  I usually say, "I don't know,  I just write from the heart."  But what I really want to say to them is... the many battles I've fought (that my loved ones don't even know about), have made me the writer that I am today.  But my wall has always prevented me from expressing any of that.

So for those people who have asked me, here you go...

"I write about pain because my self-protection stops me from telling mine.  I write about trust because the emotional wall I've built stops me from displaying it.  I write about revenge because Lord knows I'd wreak havoc if I did it myself.  I write about faith because it's what's kept me strong through all the turmoil and pain.  I write about love so I can live vicariously through the characters I create.  And I still write after 23 years, because writing is what saved my life from being in a negative state." - D. Patrice

Now that I've gotten that out, I am ready to start LIVING LESS OUT OF HABIT AND MORE OUT OF INTENT.  As any GREAT WRITER/ENTREPRENEUR should.  It's time to start allowing more doors to open up for me as I tear down those irritating walls.  But make no mistakes; I still won't tolerate any mess! 😉