Brandi J. Clark

STEP ONE: Pick a focus.

So, I dusted off an old middle school manuscript that I started in 2022.

The fiction world is fun. Perhaps, something I need more of in my life. I had my husband read the manuscript, also a writer, specifically comic book writer/illustrator, whose opinion I value greatly.

His verdict, “Loved it!” He has always been my first reader. He stretches my thinking.

According to him, and to which I confirmed, my book is a mixture of 80s-90s-00s influences like The Goonies, The Lost Boys, Goosebumps, Stephen King, Halloweentown, Mr. Boogedy, with a hint of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Percy Jackson. Also, in the mix a bit of Shazam!

He suggested I squeeze in some Wandavision and Agatha All Along influences as well. I am pretty excited about this renewed focus. I can tell you that the story is situated in a small seaside town with a lot of magic and mystery. It involves the discovery of an enchanted household object with further enchantments inside. I’ll keep you guessing for now. More to come!

Stay tuned for updates.

Until Next Time,

Brandi

On Sunday, I decided to rewatch Escape to Witch Mountain (1975). I had an idea for a story and this old movie came to mind. Escape to Witch Mountain has a lot of heart. We follow two adorable kids, looking for answers to their powers, assisted by an initially reluctant older gent. My impression of the second movie, Return to Witch Mountain (1978), was similar. In this film the kids were older, a bit wiser, and assisted mostly by other kids, yet still the heart remained. I would love to see these films get a glow up but not a blow up. Case in point, Race to Witch Mountain (2009).

When I saw the streaming site had one more, Race to Witch Mountain (2009). I thought neat, would this be more modern, a glow up but with heart? No. This one annoyed me. It went grand. World apocalypse grand and I just had to think, why? The kids were not sweet or cute. Apparently in 2009, witches had turned into heartless, extraterrestrial robots. The older gent from the first few movies was now a young Dwayne Johnson. But why? Then I considered, wait but maybe when things reach modern times, they need to escalate to keep with audience expectations. I tried to lean into that idea. Things need to change, I guess?

Then something clarified things for me.

Yesterday, I happened upon the remake to Footloose (1984) called, imagine this, Footloose (2011). And there was my proof – remakes need not escalate. They can be true to the original and keep the heart of things, essentially what made the originals good. They can keep that essence.

So when I hear that they might have another Goonies movie, I think, please keep the heart. Never sacrifice the heart. Modern day can handle it, trust me!

Until Next Time,

The Lit Maven