Buzz on the Grapevine with Novelist and Screenwriter Shelia Goss

1. Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Shelia M. Goss. I'm an author and screenwriter. I've had a passion for writing the majority of my life. I penned my first poem as early as 7 years old. I'm an avid reader who reads in multiple genres so I like to write in multiple genres. This year I celebrated my 17th book release, The Joneses. This year I will also see my first screenplay, Thirsty, made into a movie.

2. Do you feel this that you do is a part of your life calling and/or purpose?

I feel that I was given the gift of writing and I'm doing what I was called to do--write. Being an author has given me the opportunity to meet and talk to people all over the world on various topics.

3. Do you think by doing this you are contributing to the betterment of society? How? Why?

My hope is to touch one individual in a positive way so they in turn will do the same and it becomes a dominoe effect.

4. What has been your biggest struggle? If you have overcome it, how did you accomplish that?

One of my biggest struggles has been trying to balance writing with living "in the moment." I've accomplished doing so by limiting my writing to during the week and taking the weekends to do personal things. I had to find some balance because I was creating these fictional worlds, but life was quickly passing me by.  

5. What do you want your unforgettable footprint on society to be?

I trusted in God to sustain me and open up doors, even when the odds were stacked against me.  My faith is what kept me going. 

6. If someone wants to follow your public progress or contributions how might they do that? Website? Blog? Books? Social Media?

The Joneses is my latest book release. Thirsty, a romantic comedy based on my screenplay, is being filmed this spring. To keep up to date on all of my books and what's going on with my film projects, I encourage people to visit my website www.sheliagoss.com or join me on twitter www.twitter.com/sheliamgoss.

7. It has been said, "Without a vision, the people perish." Do you have a vision you wish to share with us?

I envision myself being a successful screenwriter with many more film credits on my writing resume. 

8. Final thoughts?

The path of a writer is not for the faint at heart. If you feel that God gave you the gift of writing, study the craft, do not give up and keep writing.

Buzz on the Grapevine with Filmmaker Sue Vicory

Sue Vicory at the Blue Room on 18th & Vine in Kansas City

Photo Courtesy: Sue Vicory

1. Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Sue Vicory. I live in Southern California but I am a girl from the Midwest. Other than co-running a 115 year old family business for the past 27 years I am also a documentary filmmaker with a not for profit production company called Heartland Films, Inc. My films are produced with the sole purpose of inspiring others in my community. I am happily married to my college sweetheart for the past 36 years. We have raised two extraordinary young ladies who are impacting the communities by which they live in. One daughter is a playwright and the other daughter is a graphic artist.  The three of us have a joint project together authoring a book called "One". It is a companion book to my latest film also entitled "One". I have manifested a fairy tale like life. I live on the ocean. I have happy supportive relationships that surround me. My creative being has been set loose and is busy amazing me every day with new ideas. I have for certain found my destiny.

 

2. Do you feel this that you do is a part of your life calling and/or purpose?

Twelve years ago my passion for film and my life purpose collided. Hence my true destiny showed up. My documentary films have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for good causes, won numerous awards, aired on PBS and continue to inspire me to put good into the world on a daily basis. Unleashing the creative being that I was born to be has offered a formula for life that is undeniable. And there is no turning back. I am grateful for a life well lived and am intentional about inspiring others all the days of my life.

3. Do you think by doing this you are contributing to the betterment of society? How? Why?

My first film "Homelessness and the Power of One" educated and raised awareness to all that viewed the film. It also raised $200,000 for the shelter system. My 2nd film Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future raised money for music programs in schools. It also educated and raised awareness about the musical heritage of Kansas City. I was very proud with both of those films. My latest film 'One' is about global humanity. It answers some basic questions about our individual significance and impact within humanity. It is a personal statement voiced through 25 interviews from around the world. I couldn't be happier. I have also been a Big Sister in the BBBS program for ten years, created a web site for women documentary filmmakers and am getting ready to do a TEDx talk about My Power of One. So, yes I do feel that contributing to humanity is my true calling as is everyone's.

4. What has been your biggest struggle? If you have overcome it, how did you accomplish that?

My biggest struggle has been to focus in on only saying yes to projects I'm aligned with. I have many who come to me with ideas they would like to see in the world. I've learned to check with my gut instinct before saying yes.  It guides me like the North Star. I can not spread myself too thin and still do justice to each creation that I'm trying to accomplish. Spending my resources well is always in check.

5. What do you want your unforgettable footprint on society to be?

I want my unforgettable footprint on society to be my new brand My Power of One that I am launching this year. My Power of One is a social statement with charitable underpinnings. Be the miracle is the underlying implied meaning. I have found that in my life when my passion and purpose collided I became unstoppably empowered to be My Power of One.

6. If someone wants to follow your public progress or contributions how might they do that? Website? Blog? Books? Social Media?

www.suevicory.com

www.mypowerofone.com

www.womendocumentaryfilmmakers.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/SueVicory

7. It has been said, "Without a vision, the people perish." Do you have a vision you wish to share with us?

The vision for my life is to live simply and with clarity. Stay in balance and to remember that every action and every word that I emit becomes my legacy. I am innumerably significant in my world beyond what I can even imagine. I take that seriously and therefore I craft all of my life choices around that.

8. Final thoughts?

Be the miracle in someone's life!