Jonathan Ryan's Blog, page 71

2014 Was Hard for All of Us….but There is Always a Silver Lining…

This year has been a heavy one for a lot of people in my immediate circle and for the world in general. As stories of unrest, bigotry, terrorism and other bad news stream at us through the media, it’s difficult to see the peace on earth or good will toward men. Sometimes, finding hope in [Read More...]

It’s a Post Christmas Run Down, Charlie Brown!

When I was a child, I always looked forward to Christmas with a sense of hope and wonder. Christmas wasn’t just one day in which we gave gifts and celebrated the birth of our Lord. It was two weeks of wonderful family togetherness and tradition thanks to Christmas break from school that coincided with the [Read More...]

Christmas Miracles: The Elf Who Made My Daughter’s Day

Merry Christmas, everyone! Or if that saying bothers you, don’t worry, I understand. But bear with me for a moment because I’d like to tell you a story. A story about how even in the bleakest, ugliest, most selfish corners of our world – like New Jersey – generosity still does exist. This past Sunday, [Read More...]

Not Quite Ten Things I Hate/Love About You

Sitting down to write this article is bittersweet for me. Looking back over the past year, thinking about the memories and special moments that I wanted to share, as always my need for it to be meaningful and insightful in the hopes that it might help someone else; but opening up has always been a [Read More...]

Top 10 Best Books I Read in 2014

To say I love to read would be an understatement. As a writer, soaking up stories of all kinds is not just a personal pleasure, but also a necessity. But as I’ve talked about before, it wasn’t always easy, and still presents its challenges from time to time. But that’s neither here nor there. These [Read More...]

Sony Pictures Bows the Knee to North Korea and Fear

I’ve seen the trailer for the movie, The Interview with Seth Rogan and James Franco. Honestly, it looks craptastic and silly. But I’m upset that it may never make it to the big screen. It was scheduled to release on Christmas Day. However, major theater chains and now Sony Pictures are backing out. Why? Are [Read More...]

A sci-fi for the holidays… with the BEST REVIEWS EVER!!!

The best reviews EVER?  Well… yes! Please don’t think I’m trying to be Mr. Fancy for sharing this. But struggling writers and filmmakers like me are locked in mortal combat with movie distribution and publishing industries that have a bigger appetite for dollars than for good stories. We need to remember that if we have [Read More...]

My Three Favorite Cartoon Episodes of 2014

(Melody Evans posting on behalf of new Rogue writer Jennifer Schlameuss-Perry) I like watching cartoons better than almost any other variety of entertainment. In fact, I had kids just so that the amount of time I watch cartoons would seem less weird. Having grown up on the awesomeness that is all things Warner Brothers, Hanna [Read More...]

Dick Cheney is the White Witch of Narnia (and so is any Christian who agrees with him on torture)

      Every other weekend, I drive from South Bend to St. Louis to be with the Hooligans (my kids). It’s a long drive and I listen to audiobooks to pass the time. A friend let me borrow her Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis and this past weekend I listened to The Magician’s Nephew. The [Read More...]

PIXIE PERFECT – the “wizarding world” meets It’s a Wonderful Life

Pixie Perfect (temporary movie poster)- directed by Tom Durham, starring Ali Durham I’m happy to finally announce my magical new movie project… Pixie Perfect. When pondering their next creative project, there are some novelists, filmmakers, and investors out there who ask: What’s an imaginative, fun, highly original, entertaining, USEFUL story? What’s a story that means [Read More...]