My Plug for Splitcell Entertainment

Good writing takes many forms in many genres. If I had to name a talented up-and-coming writer who’s both a master of the art of filmmaking and screenwriting that would easily be Jeffrey Kent of Splitcell Entertainment. With a wide assortment of abilities and interests, Jeff has established a creative and successful line of short films that he has both written and directed. What I really love about Jeff’s work is that he’s not pretentious. He makes no judgments on whether something is so called “high-art” or “low-art.” He straddles every genre of filmmaking he can manufacture, he develops his stories with honest and upfront approaches, and he never tries to showoff how smart and talented he actually is within his films. He simply shows you what he’s got and lets the rest speak for itself.

But don’t take my word for it. See for yourself at Spiltcell Entertainment. His impeccable stylistic attention to detail on the set of “Detective Voss” shows his television skills complete with “CSI lighting” techniques. Comedic favorites include “Lemons,” “A Neighbor Like Frank,” and “The Robber and the Truck Driver.” For those more interested in historical pieces, he has a wonderful short about World War II entitled “Hurtgenwald.” I’ve added Jeff’s work as a link under my newly created author’s section on the right-hand side of this page, labeled “Fellow California Writers.” I’ve added other authors and bloggers to this list as well and will discuss in the coming weeks some of the projects fellow writers in the community are working on.

This week my spotlight has been on Jeffery Kent and his screenwriting and directing career. To his credit are also notable projects such as working on the full length film “Only the Brave,” directed, written, and produced by Lane Nishikawa. A harrowing tale about the 442 Divison of Japanese-American troops who fought in Europe during the Second World War, the film tackles crucial elements of American history as well as ethical struggles of characters that deal and debate with racism, patriotism, duty, and love in a world turned upside-down.

For further information on any of Jeff’s work, checkout his site or ping him directly. He is generous and attentive with fans, and is also just a really great guy. I’ve known him a long time and have enjoyed watching his career continue to grow both in depth and success as it will doubtlessly continue to do in the next few years to come.

My Celtic Novel: Between Two Fires

Learn more about another novel I have written, Between Two Fires.

Loosely based on an ancient medieval Irish romance, Between Two Fires is the story of a young girl named Deirdre who grows up in obscurity, raised by a strange druid in the wilderness, only to find out that she is pledged to wed the warrior king of Northern Ireland. Her marriage to King Konchovar, however, is troubled before it begins. Young, beautiful, and in the first years of maidenhood, Deirdre gradually grows more distant from her future husband, who is older, stern, and brutal. She instead falls in love with one of the king’s own nephews, a knight called Noyshu.

Set against the backdrop of warring tribes and kingdoms, political intrigues and betrayals, Deirdre risks everything to be with her lover Noyshu. The two elope together the night before Deirdre is officially to be wed to Konchovar. The king and his knights pursue them mercilessly, but time and again they evade capture in the wilderness.

I wrote this actually more than a year ago, but have been contemplating revamping the original manuscript. I believe it certainly has potential, but have found it difficult to find representation for it due to its unusual nature. In truth, this novel straddles multiple genres, combining everything from historical, fantasy, romance, and literary fictions into a blend that I prefer to term as “mythological” fiction. Anyone familiar with the ancient/medieval sources that I draw inspiration from will also notice that I have anglicized many of the Gaelic names in order to make them more pronounceable to readers unfamiliar with the intriguing, but often baffling ancient Irish nomenclature characteristic of these legends.

In creating this story I have also drawn from a wide variety of experiences and research. I have visited many of the ancient ruins in Ireland where these stories are fabled to have taken place. In addition, I have read as many translations of the ancient Irish manuscripts concerning the subject as possible, ranging from the Táin to other tales of the Ulster Cycle to myths of the Tuath de Danann just to name a few. I have also enjoyed earlier versions of this much cherished Irish legend as imagined by Stephens, Yeats, Synge, and Woods in both drama and novelizations. For more information on my novel or to actually give it a read, please contact me and I can provide you with the entire manuscript.