In addition to writing the screenplay for the feature film , here is an update on prequels, sequels, etc. I've made less progress in this area than I envisioned at the start of the year. I'm about 70 pages into the sequel - "Vision Speak: Awakening" along with a vision/roadmap for where I'm taking this one. If interested, I'd be happy to send you a PDF and would love to get your feedback. You can reach out via this forum or contact form or email. Perhaps many of you can relate with this bizarre pandemic life we lead now... I find myself scattered, dabbling in a variety of creative initiatives - evolving my photography offerings on pixels, playing with encaustic, word burning and other art forms. Writing in bits and pieces... Taking a short class right now on drawing and watercolour which is not in my wheelhouse but interesting. FYI, there have been a number of edits/clean-up to the original Vision Speak manuscript based on lessons learned from your feedback during our sessions in early 2021 and in writing the screenplay. These updates are reflected in the version on Amazon. I tried to keep edits to a minimum and the story itself has not changed at all although a couple of minor, unnecessary characters have disappeared..

I finished the Vision Speak "feature film" screenplay. It took a lot longer (months) than I had originally envisioned. I've entered some competitions over the last month. Some provide feedback although most will not provide anything till late summer or fall. I did receive one formal feedback and some input from readers so have already edited it a couple of times since the early entries. I'm feeling better about the current version. Adapting a book into a screenplay is challenging as a feature screenplay should be between 80-125 pages (compared to 300-400 pages of the book). Also, it's all about what you see and hear on screen. If any of you are interested in reading the screenplay, I can send you a pdf. Let me know.. It's 119 pages.

Everyone is familiar with the theory of evolution (first documented in "On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin); however, there are also theories and bodies of work in recent decades on Conscious Evolution and how we, as a species, can evolve our spirits and minds to a next state.  By the end of the book, this is starting to happen and in the sequel, humanity's "Awakening" begins.  Do you believe that if we work together, humanity can connect in non-verbal ways that may lead to a more co-operative spirit?

The original inspiration for Kalesh came from Krishnamurti who was ‘discovered’ by the Theosophical Society, Order of the Star as their future prophet when he was an adolescent.  Groomed to be their World Teacher, Krishnamurti eventually broke his connection to this religious order, and dissolved the worldwide organization.  Ultimately, he claimed allegiance to no nationality, caste, religion, or philosophy, and spent the rest of his life traveling the world as a spiritual leader. How is Kalesh’s story similar?  How is it different?

Must we choose between the physical and metaphysical?  Does living a spiritual life preclude physical longings? Is sacrifice required so that we can evolve and grow as a race? 

Why are all the young people in the book hooking up in public places? Does this contradict the PURE order or perhaps encouraging promiscuity and freedoms in some areas makes it easier to exert control in others..

Recently, democratic versus autocratic regimes have been a source of debate and the US democracy was sorely tested in the 2020 election. In the PURE world order, there is a worldwide governing body, characterized by constitutional laws, some aspects of totalitarian control and manipulation of information. World Governors are elevated or promoted into leadership roles, with some similarities to the corporate world with a ruling board, comprised of regional leaders, as opposed to one leader.

Jung's theory on the “collective unconscious”, expanded on by Joseph Campbell's work on mythology and spirituality and the hero's journey were all influences in the concept of "Vision Speak". Are you familiar with these ideas? Did this differentiate Vision Speak abilities versus mind reading or telepathy (which has been depicted in many fictional works) for you when you were reading the book?

The Cult of Armageddon worships cataclysmic wars from the past when destruction was rained upon the world. In Chapter 17, the cult meets at ground zero of the Great Annihilation and we see them worshipping a bomb image, chanting it will happen again. Based on recent events, reference to past use of biologic weapons triggering a deadly pandemic and significantly reducing the world population may be introduced into the storyline. Do you think our world could end up in a catastrophic end of times scenario for billions of people worldwide? What could happen?

Cults espousing cataclysmic events and the apocalypse as being holy have been around for centuries. A fundamental difference between some of the doomsday cults we’ve heard about in recent times and The Cult of Armageddon is how widespread and popular it became in this futuristic society. Why would this have happened? Does their twisted view of the world remind you of anything else you've seen in our current society?

Stories speculating on the perfect society are a common subject, especially in speculative and science fiction. The term utopia was coined in More's "Utopia" (1516) where the hero discovers an island culture that operates in perfect harmony. Subsequent authors, have written about utopias, dystopias, and anti-utopias as a way to examine current society and future possibilities. Some of the well-known sci-fis of this ilk, in the 20th century were: "Brave New World", "Nineteen Eighty-Four", "The Chrysalids", "The Handmaid's Tale", and many more. Is there anything relating to our current world that you feel this story is reacting to? Are some of the solutions proposed relevant for us now?

In a poll on the site, we asked what genre you like to read. Results are depicted below. Because Vision Speak is set in the future, it is 'science fiction'. There also is a sub-category "Dystopia" where it fits. But when I first wrote this, I was trying to position it more as "New Age" fiction. I can't explain why now but was worried about categorizing it as sci-fi and not getting the right audience. If you have any thoughts or suggestions around this, I'd be interested in hearing as we are going to try and market the book after we finish this inquiry and that will involve targeting the type of people that would enjoy the book..

Would you want to bequeath your 'memories' to anyone?

Specifically, with categorization of spirituality into types, and manipulation of historical documents to prevent conflict? What about the exclusivity clause? If you are someone who follows a religion, are you comfortable with how this was treated?