Every project has its own clock!
~ Ken Atchity
Most Important Lesson Every Screenwriter Should Learn: Don't Wait
Performentor Shorts: Dr. Ken Atchity on Rejection as an Illusion
Listen to Dr. Ken Atchity reframe rejection as an illusion we can see past, instead of the unmovable barrier. It matters. Find out why.
via @peopleenergyprinciples
Newtown screenwriter creates her own path to success, markets her own work
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Daina Ann Smith, of Newtown, is a screenwriter who got her start right from her kitchen table. Most recently, she had two of her original feature scripts brought into development. Smith also is working as a creative lead at an audio storytelling company. Photographed on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Newtown, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media |
NEWTOWN — When Daina Ann Smith first sat down at her kitchen table nearly a decade ago to work on screenplays, she said she was in “steep student loan debt.”
And now, the first screenplay she completed, called “Student Loans,” is in development to be made into a full-length feature film with the producers of “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “Magic Mike.”
“Student Loans” will hit theaters sometimes in 2026. “It’s been an eight-year-long journey,” said Smith, who works from home as a creative lead at Pocket FM, an audio storytelling company.
In 2018, she began working with “The Meg” producer Kenneth Atchity, who took one of her scripts into development. In 2021, Smith signed a contract for another original feature screenplay.
To get noticed by Hollywood producers, Smith said she looks for those involved in similar types of projects as the one she’s pitching, and emails them her queries.
Over the years, Smith said she has sent out thousands of emails and built an “amazing network.”
Her advice to fellow writers? Don't become obsessed with getting someone to represent your work.
“It’s very hard to get an agent,” Smith said. “You have to have a proven track record of selling work.
“Instead of focusing so much on that, I will continue to write and continue to build relationships," she said. "Don’t think that it can’t be you.”
Georgia O'Keeffe on Being An Artist
“Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant — there is no such thing, making your unknown known is the important thing — and keeping the unknown always beyond you.”
Georgia O’Keeffe counseled Sherwood Anderson in her 1923 letter of advice on being an artist.
Produced BY: Mentoring Matters by Kia Kiso
Mentoring Matters - Developing A Career: Learning To Identify The Story You Want And Go After It |
| By Kia Kiso, |
 When I applied to the 2016 PGA Mentoring Program, I had just walked away from the option on a book into which I had put a lot of time and resources. I was disappointed and wished I could have saved the project. The experience led me to realize that development was an aspect of producing I was less familiar with. I was looking for expert advice on how to assess opportunities, set up a project for success, handle relationships with authors, lawyers and talent, and run a production company. Thankfully the PGA Mentoring Program paired me with producer Ken Atchity. I was thrilled to be matched with Ken for a lot of reasons, among them his industry experience and teaching background. However I admit, I was especially attracted to his philosophy—“I believe in the power of stories to change the world.” Our first connection was an in-person, 90-minute meeting, in which he gave me feedback on a particular project of mine. Ken had some great advice about pitching—if a project tackles potentially controversial or delicate issues, Ken advised weaving some well-researched statistics or facts into the pitch to send the message that the material wouldn’t suggest a problem for the network and lead to a premature no. He wrapped up the meeting saying I could contact him about the project at any time, even after the mentorship ends. Very generous. Since that first meeting, we’ve had a pivotal phone conversation during which he suggested I was in a great position to go after an option I was very excited about, helping me to design a strategy on how to move forward quickly—starting with enhancing my relationship with the rights owner. He’s been ready to answer any questions by email. Even as recently as this morning, we were in touch to discuss a lunch I was preparing for with a writer who wanted to work with me. Ken has been wonderful. He celebrates my triumphs and brainstorms solutions to my challenges. I am very grateful for his willingness to participate in the Mentoring Program and to the Producers Guild for providing it |
Famous Author Mentorships: William Faulkner and Sherwood Anderson
Anderson, an established writer in New Orleans, encouraged Faulkner to focus on novels and write about his native Mississippi region, leading to works like The Sound and the Fury. 
Faulkner reflects on the most important thing Anderson taught him about being a writer:
"I learned that, to be a writer, one has first got to be what he is, what he was born; that to be an American and a writer, one does not necessarily have to pay lip-service to any conventional American image… You had only to remember what you were."
Faulkner reflects on the most important thing Anderson taught him about being a writer:
"I learned that, to be a writer, one has first got to be what he is, what he was born; that to be an American and a writer, one does not necessarily have to pay lip-service to any conventional American image… You had only to remember what you were."
Decades later, Faulkner would remember Anderson as his sole important mentor in a beautiful 1953 piece originally published in The Atlantic as “Sherwood Anderson: An Appreciation.”
Justin Price Wins The One Voice Award!
BIG Congratulations to the talented Justin Allen Price Voice Over WINNER of the One Voice Award for best performance of an audiobook/fiction for his narration of Story Merchant Book's Talmadge Farm by Leo Daughtry - Author - Talmadge Farm!
You can now LISTEN to Talmadge Farm on Audible!
CAT DOOR, 1598, at Exeter Cathedral in Devon, England, UK
This cat door is considered the oldest on record. Installed in 1598, the cat door allowed cats to enter and hunt mice and rats, which were drawn to the lubricated animal fat applied to the mechanics of a large astronomical clock.
Tobe Roberts, Senior Associate Manager at Atchity Productions Joins Kevin Smith's Birthday Bash!
Tobe Roberts joins Kevin Smith's 55th Birthday Bash at his comic book store, Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash in Red Bank, New Jersey.
A comic book writer, author, comedian/raconteur, and internet radio personality, he is best known for his films "Clerks" (1994), "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" (2001), and "Clerks II" (2006) and his character Silent Bob. "Clerks: The Animated Series" (an adult sitcom) aired for a short time on ABC-TV starting in May 2000. (In 2019, "Clerks" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.")
Ancient Stone Cutting
In Japan, ancient quarry sites still preserve fascinating traces of how people once cut and shaped massive stones. At many of these sites, you’ll notice neat rows of small square holes carved into the rock—these are wedge sockets, the result of a technique where workers drove wooden or metal wedges into the stone to split it along a straight line. It was a smart and straightforward method that let them carefully control the break and create smooth, uniform blocks.
There’s also evidence that an even older method might have been used. In this technique, dry wooden wedges were inserted into cracks, then soaked with water. As the wood expanded, it slowly forced the rock apart. This approach was also seen in ancient Egypt and other civilizations.
What’s especially intriguing is that Japan has many of these prehistoric stone-working sites, even though its written history only dates back about 1,600 years. This points to a much older and largely unknown tradition of stone craftsmanship. Some of the remaining stone foundations suggest that impressive structures once stood there—now lost to time, earthquakes, or both
Man 'O War
Man o' War was an American Thoroughbred racehorse widely considered one of the greatest of all time. Born in 1917 at the Nursery Stud in Kentucky, he was sired by Fair Play and out of Mahubah. His early years were marked by natural talent, and it quickly became clear that he was special.
Man o' War's racing career was spectacular. He raced from 1919 to 1920, winning 20 of his 21 races. His only loss came in a race against a horse named Upset, which was considered an unexpected defeat due to Man o' War's dominance up until that point. Despite this loss, Man o' War's achievements were unparalleled.
He won numerous prestigious races, including the Belmont Stakes, where he won by an astounding 20 lengths, and the Preakness Stakes, among others. Man o' War's dominance on the racetrack was not only measured by the number of races he won but also by the way he won them—often in commanding fashion that left fans and critics in awe.
After retiring from racing at the age of three, Man o' War became a successful sire. He produced many notable offspring, including the famous War Admiral, another Triple Crown winner. Man o' War's legacy as a racehorse and a sire has left a lasting impact on the world of horse racing.
Man o' War was retired to stud in 1921 and lived until 1947. Today, he is remembered not only for his speed and victories but also for his lasting influence on the sport of horse racing. His legacy continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest in the history of the sport.
The “Race of the Century""
On Tuesday 1 November 1938, the two racehorses finally met in what was euphorically dubbed the “Race of the Century”. The race, which was to be run over a mile and 3/16, still ranks as one of the greatest sporting events in US history.
Although it was a weekday, an unusually large crowd of 40,000 gathered at the track for the time. So many people wanted to witness this racing event that they even had to open the infield to spectators. Trains had brought spectators from all over the country to the Pimlico Racecourse near Baltimore, Maryland and 40 million people followed the race on the radio. War Admiral was the undisputed favorite for the race; the betting odds at most bookmakers were 1 to 4 in his favor and most sports journalists were also unanimous about the outcome of this race.
When the starting bell rang on 1 November, Seabiscuit took off with such speed that he was already a length ahead of War Admiral after 20 seconds. Seabiscuit was able to maintain this gap for most of the race, but on the back straight War Admiral began to close the gap and draw level with Seabiscuit. George Woolf did not spur Seabiscuit on immediately, but first allowed Seabiscuit to perceive the opposing horse beside him. When he then released the reins, Seabiscuit still had enough power to increase his racing speed once more. War Admiral could not keep up; when Seabiscuit crossed the finish line, he was four lengths ahead of his opponent. On 10 April 1940, it was officially announced that Seabiscuit would run no more races. He returned to Howard’s Ridgewood Ranch .
He left the Turf as the most successful racehorse of his time.
Andrew Irvine and George Mallory
A century after mountaineer Andrew Irvine vanished alongside George Mallory, a National Geographic team may have uncovered vital clues to one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in the history of exploration.
Irvine and Mallory were last seen on June 8, 1924, during their daring attempt to become the first people to summit Mount Everest.
Mallory's body was discovered in 1999, but the discovery didn't definitively answer whether he and Irvine reached the summit.
In 2024, National Geographic reported that a team led by Jimmy Chin found Irvine's partial remains on the Central Rongbuk Glacier.
The discovery of both Mallory and Irvine's remains has provided some clues, but the debate continues about whether they reached the summit before their deaths.
Irvine reportedly carried a camera, and the possibility of finding it (and its film) continues to fuel speculation about their ascent.
Whether they reached the top before disappearing has remained an enduring mystery. If they had succeeded, their achievement would have predated Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s historic 1953 ascent by 29 years.
Photo Credits: (Jimmy Chin/AP/Mount Everest Foundation/Royal Geographical Society via Getty Images)
Medieval tale of Merlin and King Arthur found hiding as a book cover
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Conservator Sally Kilby and Błażej Mikuła photograph inside the folds of a medieval manuscript that was used as the cover for another book later on.
Former Cambridge archivist Sian Collins first spotted the manuscript fragment in 2019 while recataloging estate records from Huntingfield Manor, owned by the Vanneck family of Heveningham, in Suffolk, England. Serving as the cover for an archival property record, the pages previously had been recorded as a 14th century story of Sir Gawain.
But Collins, now the head of special collections and archives at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, noticed that the text was written in Old French, the language used by aristocracy and England’s royal court after the Norman Conquest in 1066. She also saw names like Gawain and Excalibur within the text.
Collins and the other researchers were able to decipher text describing the fight and ultimate victory of Gawain, his brothers and his father King Loth versus the Saxon Kings Dodalis, Moydas, Oriancés, and Brandalus. The other page shared a scene from King Arthur’s court in which Merlin appears disguised as a dashing harpist, according to a translation provided by the researchers.
Tracing the book’s journey
The pages had been torn, folded and sewn, making it impossible to decipher the text or determine when it was written. A team of Cambridge experts came together to conduct a detailed set of analyses.
After analyzing the pages, the researchers believe the manuscript, bearing telltale decorative initials in red and blue, was written between 1275 and 1315 in northern France, then later imported to England.
They think it was a short version of the “Suite Vulgate du Merlin.” Because each copy was individually written by hand by medieval scribes, a process that could take months, there are distinguishing typos, such as “Dorilas” instead of “Dodalis” for one of the Saxon kings’ names.
“Each medieval copy of a text is unique: it presents lots of variations because the written language was much more fluid and less codified than nowadays,” Fabry-Tehranchi said. “Grammatical and spelling rules were established much later.”
But it was common to discard and repurpose old medieval manuscripts by the end of the 16th century as printing became popular and the true value of the pages became their sturdy parchment that could be used for covers, Fabry-Tehranchi said.
“It had probably become harder to decipher and understand Old French, and more up to date English versions of the Arthurian romances, such as (Sir Thomas) Malory’s ‘Morte D’Arthur’ were now available for readers in England,” Fabry-Tehranchi said.
The updated Arthurian texts were edited to be more modern and easier to read, said Dr. Laura Campbell, associate professor in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University in Durham, England, and president of the British branch of The International Arthurian Society. Campbell was not involved in the project, but has previously worked on the discovery of another manuscript known as the Bristol Merlin.
“This suggests that the style and language of these 13th-century French stories were hitting a point where they badly needed an update to appeal to new generations of readers, and this purpose was being fulfilled by in print as opposed to in manuscript form,” Campbell said. “This is something that I think is really important about the Arthurian legend — it has such appeal and longevity because it’s a timeless story that’s open to being constantly updated and adapted to suit the tastes of its readers.” via CNN
Coworkers That Are Genuinely Walking Rays Of Sunshine
Office Fish
This person asked their coworkers to help feed their fish in the office while they were stuck working at home. Not only did one person volunteer, but it looks like the whole office signed up to help! His coworkers, to his delight and amazement, took this seriously and kept track of it in a logbook.
It’s impossible to overestimate the importance of working with intelligent people. The logbook isn’t just cute, but an important safety measure alongside the note on the cup reading, “Please don’t overfeed.” The fish’s owner must have appreciated the level of care their coworkers put into feeding the fish.
Something as simple as a sticky note can make all the difference to someone going through a rough time. The coworker that left this note must have a big heart to recognize when someone isn’t happy but still respects their personal space with a small yet grand gesture.
I’ve Got You Covered
It took us a minute to process this image. Why is a construction worker digging a wholesome gesture? Well, take a look at the umbrella over his head. And, look at how it’s held up. This kind gesture deserves to be recognized.
You might not understand the caption “I’m a nice colleague” if you haven’t properly understood the image. A coworker came up with a way to protect their colleague from the elements while they were digging. We can only assume that the job required only one of them to be laboring outside, for this little setup to occur.
Birthday Work Pass
What could be a better birthday present than a free pass to get away from work whenever you want? Without thinking, we might choose this over a box of cupcakes However, we hope no one asks us to choose between the two, especially if the cupcakes are red velvet.
This is a fantastic concept for anyone who works in a shift-based environment. On your coworker’s birthday, you can give them an access card to use to get away from work. It’s crucial, though, that the receiver understands that the card is only good for the shift you’re willing to cover.
Memes From The Receptionist
This is by far the most amusing thing we’ve ever seen. This 66-year-old receptionist devotes their time and resources to making their coworkers happy. Even if work is chaotic, no one will be able to look at this and not grin. It reminds them that they are all in this together.
However, we’re curious as to what the employer thinks of this and other memes found on their receptionist’s desk. This is a fantastic way to get everyone in the office in a good attitude. We’ll always stroll past the receptionist’s desk just to chuckle if we work somewhere like this.
AI Prediction 30 Years Ago!
Thirty years ago, Isaac Asimov gave his last interview on how Artificial Intelligence will Liberate Humans & their Creativity.
Via https://www.messynessychic.com/
The woman who sold time
Elizabeth Ruth Naomi Belville (5 March 1854 – 7 December 1943), also known as the Greenwich Time Lady, was a businesswoman from London. She, her mother, Maria Elizabeth, and her father, John Henry, sold people the time. They did this by setting Belville's watch to Greenwich Mean Time, as shown by the Greenwich clock, each day and then "selling" people the time by letting them look at the watch and adjust theirs.
Ruth Belville's father, John Henry Belville (1795–1856), created a service for 200 clients in 1836. Each morning, John Henry went to Greenwich Observatory, where he worked, and set his watch to Greenwich Mean Time. He then set off in his buggy and set the clocks correctly for clients subscribed to the service.
John Henry continued in this service until he died in 1856. His widow, Maria, was granted the privilege of carrying on the work as a means of livelihood and continued the business until her retirement in 1892, when she was in her eighties. Ruth Belville then took over the company. She continued the business until 1940. Belville was in her eighties when she retired. At the age of 86, she was still able to journey about twelve miles from her home and attend at the Observatory by 9 am. She died at the age of 89.
Ruth Belville's father, John Henry Belville (1795–1856), created a service for 200 clients in 1836. Each morning, John Henry went to Greenwich Observatory, where he worked, and set his watch to Greenwich Mean Time. He then set off in his buggy and set the clocks correctly for clients subscribed to the service.
John Henry continued in this service until he died in 1856. His widow, Maria, was granted the privilege of carrying on the work as a means of livelihood and continued the business until her retirement in 1892, when she was in her eighties. Ruth Belville then took over the company. She continued the business until 1940. Belville was in her eighties when she retired. At the age of 86, she was still able to journey about twelve miles from her home and attend at the Observatory by 9 am. She died at the age of 89.
4. Painting on Toilet Roll and Kitchen Towel
Artist Helena Minginowicz paints fragility via https://www.messynessychic.com/
The Atlantic wins the ASME 2025 Best Cover Award for our October 2024 issue.
On the cover: The illustrator Justin Metz borrowed the visual language of old Ray Bradbury and Stephen King paperbacks to portray a circus wagon on its ominous approach to a defiled Capitol. Something Wicked This Way Comes, Bradbury’s 1962 masterpiece, was a particular inspiration. Over the course of The Atlantic's 167-year history, only very rarely have we published a cover without a headline or typography.
The Inspiration for Lassie
In the summer of 1923, Frank and Elizabeth Fraser and their two-year-old dog set out from Oregon, Indiana, to visit family. When they stopped for gas at a service station in Indiana, the dog was attacked by other three dogs and fled.They searched everywhere for him, but in the end could not find him. They returned to Oregon heartbroken, believing they would never see their beloved dog again. After losing all hope, one day their daughter saw a skinny and exhausted dog on the street that looked like Bobby. After his joyful reaction, it turned out to be the missing dog Thanks to the people who sheltered him during the journey, they were able to reconstruct the complete route he crossed.
To see his family again, he crossed almost 2500 miles (4,000 kilometers) in six months. He hiked across the Rocky Mountains in the middle of winter and ended up being nicknamed "Bobby the Wonder Dog." He was the inspiration for the movie "Lassie Returns
Awakening Magazine Shines A Light on YGB Mission of Empowerment and Unity in Action!
"Do
your work. If everyone follows their calling and dedicates themselves to it,
the world will be a better place.”
This insightful interview explores
what began as Kayoko Mitsumatsu’s exploration of yoga philosophy and social
entrepreneurship, which has grown into a global movement. As the founder of Yoga
Gives Back, Kayoko transformed a simple idea—redirecting the cost of one
yoga class—into a powerful nonprofit initiative that funds microloans,
education, and empowerment programs for underserved women and children in
India.
Each year, after visiting all of
the Yoga Gives Back organization’s programs throughout India, Kayoko makes a
meaningful visit to Mother Teresa’s Home in Kolkata. From a young age, she
hoped to volunteer at the Home for the Dying. On one occasion, she spoke with a
sister who had worked closely with Mother Teresa. When she expressed her desire
to serve there, the sister responded, reflecting Mother Teresa’s own wisdom:
“Don’t come here! You’ve already found your mission.“ Kayoko strives to stay
focused on the mission itself rather than the outcomes.
With time, Kayoko came to see YGB’s
work as truly divine. Yoga Gives Back continues to attract extraordinary
individuals who arrive when needed most, helping move YGB mission forward. Our
global family of supporters, Ambassadors, partners,
and donors make our mission possible—embodying this year’s Global Gathering for India's mantra, Unity in
Action. Every step we take together helps transform gratitude into action
every day.
A Circle of Impact—Thanks to You
Since 2007, Yoga Gives Back has
supported underserved women and children in India—the birthplace of yoga—by
providing:
- Microloans
for 550 mothers through our Sister Aid program
- Primary
education for 600+ young girls to prevent
child marriage and labor
- Five-year
college scholarships (SHE Program) for over 400 disadvantaged
youths
- Digital literacy
training and internet access for rural women
and girls
- Safe
housing and education for children with no families to
care for them
GET INVOLVED!
- One-Time
Donation
- Monthly
Donation (Gratitude Circle)
- Host an
Event
- Hold an
Online Fundraiser
- Volunteer
- Check out YGB Impact
and Ways to Support
Venice: A City Floating on a Submerged Forest
Since 421 AD, Venice has stood on millions of tree trunks stuck into the clay bottom of the lagoon. Not steel or concrete, but mostly alder, with a few oaks, support the entire city.
In the salt water, these wooden pillars have petrified over time, becoming as hard as stone. St. Mark's Campanile alone stands on 100,000 piles, while the majestic Basilica della Salute required over a million trunks. The ancient builders beat these trees into the seabed, creating a veritable submerged forest.
This unique structure extends up to three meters deep, with piles spaced just half a meter apart. At 1.6 meters below the waterline, this extraordinary feat of medieval engineering continues, after 1,500 years, to support one of the most fascinating cities in the world.
A Woman's Rejected Invention Saved Millions of Lives
In the year 1903, during a snowy trip to New York City, a woman named Mary Anderson watched as drivers struggled with a life-threatening problem. Every few minutes, they'd stop their cars, step into the storm, and wipe their windshields clean. Right then, she envisioned a solution that would revolutionize transportation forever - but automakers laughed in her face.
When she patented her invention in 1903, car companies rejected it as ""a distraction."" They argued:
Prevents millions of accidents annually
Is used on every modern vehicle (even spacecraft!)
Saves more lives than seatbelts or airbags combined
The bitter irony? Mary Anderson never made a penny from her genius. The patent expired before wipers became standard. Yet her legacy lives on every time you drive safely through rain, snow, or storms.
Fun Fact: The first automatic wipers (1923) used vacuum power from the engine - so they slowed down when you accelerated!
via Weird & Wonderful Facts
When she patented her invention in 1903, car companies rejected it as ""a distraction."" They argued:
- Drivers should just pay better attention
- Real drivers don't mind the weather
- This is just a silly woman's gadget
Prevents millions of accidents annually Is used on every modern vehicle (even spacecraft!) Saves more lives than seatbelts or airbags combinedThe bitter irony? Mary Anderson never made a penny from her genius. The patent expired before wipers became standard. Yet her legacy lives on every time you drive safely through rain, snow, or storms.
Fun Fact: The first automatic wipers (1923) used vacuum power from the engine - so they slowed down when you accelerated!
via Weird & Wonderful Facts
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