A year ago I wrapped up three months living and working in the mountains. With a full draft of my first book project under my arm, I bid a fond farewell to life in the high country. Now this is home again: west of Steamboat, where my twin passions of snow and writing can frolic together every week.

Making a home in a new place is an exercise in learning and adaptation. One common thread between my life's last chapter and this new one is my friend the written word. Which word? Oh, it changes, but there's always at least one. Right now it would seem my word of 2010 is scripts. In my last newsletter I mentioned that last year's TV screenplay for Warren Miller sparked several more screenwriting assignments – and perhaps with good reason. That '09 show won a top Telly award this year.

Here, then, is another installment in the life and times of a wordsmith. Thank you all for supporting my craft, reading my stuff, and tolerating my intros. Cheers,


Action! Directing The Movement
My script has turned into a wild season of filming, grant applications, and the magic of movie financing. In a couple weeks I'll be on the slopes of Aspen directing a shoot for our project, The Movement. For a hint, visit producer Kurt Miller's MakeAHero.org to learn how people with disabilities can find freedom in the mountains.

Chasing Warren Miller to Both Poles
Once again I scripted this year's behind-the-scenes tale of intrepid crews delivering yet another ski epic, Wintervention. Cameramen and athletes trekked from the Arctic to the Antarctic: view the 22-minute show.

60 Years of Maine Loafing
I teamed up with WebEye Group (producer of the snowboard segment at the Vancouver games' opening ceremonies) on this short film celebrating Sugarloaf Mountain. My research and interviews delved into stories of local Loafers like 2-time Olympic boardercross champ Seth Wescott.

Just Published: Weather, Gear & Parties at the Ends of the Earth
Appearing in the current issue of SnoWorld, this is an expose of the often sordid affair that ski movies can become:

Ball Corp's Can-do Attitude
Better known for its aerospace division, it's actually Ball's packaging group that brings in 90% of their revenues. I interviewed the top dogs to learn the business (and rocket science) behind the humble pop can.

Spreading Rumors of Cannibalism and Penguin Abuse
I knew I'd be writing this Waren Miller assignment for the editors of SKI magazine, so I figured I'd better dig deep for a juicy story. I tracked down a film crew in New Zealand, the wild-haired editor, a harried director deep in post-production, and a couple tell-all assistants.