A Writer's Year
A collection of commentaries looking back over Sally's lifetime of events and insights — great and small — that impacted her creativity in poetry, fiction, and dramatic scripting. 365 mini-essays of a motivational-inspirational journey that can challenge any writer to rethink their own creativity… one day at a time.
Available on Amazon
Learn Screenwriting
From Start to Adaptation to Pro Advice. A unique textbook — THREE independent courses in one volume — intended to focus a creative writer of any age on the fundamental skills of cinematic storytelling. Can be used by individuals, writing groups, or in the classroom.
Available on Amazon
Learn Genre Film Secrets
From 11 Genres in 22 Films With 24 Concepts to In-depth Romance. Readers learn what Genre is, how each of 11 genres work, and how film intensifies and satisfies aficionado expectations — plus how to weave elements from one genre into another for broader appeal.
Available on AmazonSelect Articles
Since June 2010, Sally has posted a monthly column on the international Savvy Authors website — A Dramatist's Tale — addressing various issues in the dramatic arts. She has also contributed staff articles to two international film magazines, Screentalk and Moviescope, for over 10 years. The following is a sampling.
"A Mentor for All Seasons"
Sally's interview of Lew Hunter — the iconic screenwriting guru, Chair Emeritus of the Film Department at UCLA, Program Director for NBC 1973–1977, author of 434 (a bible of screenwriting), and a 1981 Emmy nominee for his MOW "Fallen Angel." He includes among his successful students Oscar-winning Alexander Payne.
MOVIESCOPE Magazine, Spring 2007, pp. 54–56
"The Man Who Makes the Whole From Pieces"
Sally's interview of Film Editor Mike Hill, who has worked on every Ron Howard film and won his first Oscar for Apollo 13. Interview noted at IMDb on Mike Hill's résumé.
MOVIESCOPE Magazine, Spring 2008, pp. 60–62
"What Makes a Romantic Movie Script?"
An article about the fundamental concepts of plot, character, and the relationship arc that is the difference between a romance and a love story.
SCREENTALK Magazine, Premier Issue, Dec 1998, pp. 36–37
"Creating Unique Titillation"
Sally's explanation of how to use words, sentences, characters, and scenes in romances that will create memorable experiences for readers.
Greater Dallas Romance Writers of America
"Blurbs Sell Books"
Sally's explanation of how paragraph back-cover copy can be used as a marketing tool to the browsing reader — and, before that, in cover letters to agents and editors.
How to Publish and Promote On-Line, ed. M. J. Rose & Angela Adair-Hoy (St. Martin's: New York, 2001), pp. 93–98. Available at Amazon & Barnes & Noble.
Nursing
Drawing on her years as a Critical Care and Emergency Room nurse, Sally has published articles in professional nursing journals.
"You're Welcome"
The story of the patient who established Sally's philosophy of nursing when she related to him per Matthew 25:40.
Journal of Christian Nursing, Fall 2006, p. 56
"Understanding X-Ray Films"
An explanation of the fundamentals of examining x-rays of the chest, abdomen, extremities, cervical spine, and skull — aimed at the emergency nurse who must make split-second decisions before a doctor's examination and orders.
Journal of Emergency Nursing, Dec–Nov 1983, pp. 315–323