| Michael Jodoin Interview |
Michael is one of the busiest wordsmiths I’ve come across lately. Not only is he a
novelist, he is also involved in writing scripts and has a production company at
Mido Entertainment. Although new, his production company has generated a lot of
excitement, and the “hit counts” at his website keeps growing.
Besides his interest in producing film and scripts, he has an e-book called “Holy
Hell.” The review for “Holy Hell” is in this issue of Liquid Imagination, so look for
the review because you won’t believe what the book is about! The e-book is
available through Sonar4 Publications but you can find information about it there.
Michael, besides your production company and your e-book “Holy Hell,” what other
projects have you completed?
I have several completed scripts, including the screenplay adaptation of “Holy Hell”
and the script for a spec cable pilot set to begin production this fall through another
production company. I’m currently working on a number of projects, including a
documentary for my production company that is in post and the sequel to “Holy
Hell.”
If possible, could you step outside yourself now, and look at who and what you are
through the eyes of others—your wife, your friends, professional contacts and
fellow businessmen—and tell us: Who is Michael Jodoin?
novelist, he is also involved in writing scripts and has a production company at
Mido Entertainment. Although new, his production company has generated a lot of
excitement, and the “hit counts” at his website keeps growing.
Besides his interest in producing film and scripts, he has an e-book called “Holy
Hell.” The review for “Holy Hell” is in this issue of Liquid Imagination, so look for
the review because you won’t believe what the book is about! The e-book is
available through Sonar4 Publications but you can find information about it there.
Michael, besides your production company and your e-book “Holy Hell,” what other
projects have you completed?
I have several completed scripts, including the screenplay adaptation of “Holy Hell”
and the script for a spec cable pilot set to begin production this fall through another
production company. I’m currently working on a number of projects, including a
documentary for my production company that is in post and the sequel to “Holy
Hell.”
If possible, could you step outside yourself now, and look at who and what you are
through the eyes of others—your wife, your friends, professional contacts and
fellow businessmen—and tell us: Who is Michael Jodoin?
That’s a lot of Michaels. I’d have to say that my wife
is probably the only one that sees all of them. Who I
am at any given time—or should I say in any
situation—depends not only who I’m dealing with, but
if I’m writing something at the time. I have a
tendency to take on certain characteristics of the
characters I’m writing and sometimes that bleeds
is probably the only one that sees all of them. Who I
am at any given time—or should I say in any
situation—depends not only who I’m dealing with, but
if I’m writing something at the time. I have a
tendency to take on certain characteristics of the
characters I’m writing and sometimes that bleeds
through into real time.
I do try to be honorable in my business dealings, loyal to my friends and business
associates, and if I say I’ll do something, I do it. On the other hand I can be
arrogant, controlling, and obsessive, mostly when I’m in the middle of writing.
I think at the end of the day I’m just a writer who lives in a very small town, on a
small farm, and wears a lot of hats. I’m a creative writer when I’m at the
computer, a carpenter when we need something built, a plumber when the pipes
leak, a filmmaker when we’re shooting something…a lot of hats and a lot of
Michaels.
Who will Michael Jodoin be in the future? Will he change, and if so why?
Who I am is who I’ll be in the future. I spent a lot of time and energy building the
dysfunction that is me and I’d hate to see that go to waste by changing at this late
stage of the game. Besides, I think who I am now is what shapes my writing.
At Liquid Imagination, we attempt to blend artwork with stories, with the end
result (hopefully) a new art form. We believe every story is art, even horror
stories. We believe the traditional artists who depicted Hell did what horror
writers today do. To us, the only difference between the two artists is painters use
paint and canvas, and wordsmiths use the readers’ imagination.
That said, lets talk a little bit about YOUR creativity, about YOUR art. When a
story idea first hits you, what does it feel like? Describe it in detail: how do you
know it’s a story that NEEDS to be told? What is the process of getting it from an
idea t the paper, and from a rough draft to the final polished revision, and
ultimately published. Art has many stages—tell us about the stages from
beginning to end of YOUR art. How do you get it on canvas—or, in your case, how
do you get it published from beginning to end?
When a story idea first ‘hits’ me it’s just a thought sometimes. Usually a very brief
moment when I see something I hadn’t noticed before. Other times it happens in
the middle of the night. The spec script for the cable pilot that I wrote started out
as a weird food-combination induced dream.
However it starts, the process is pretty much the same. I sit down with a pad and
pen and start scrawling notes and thoughts. The notes turn into a rough outline
that eventually turns into a more detailed outline. At that point, if need be, I do
research, make any needed corrections and write the first draft.
Once I have a complete first draft I hand it to my wife to read. She’s a great
reader in every way, from continuity to believability of the story and characters.
After that it’s just re-writes until I’m happy with it.
I do try to be honorable in my business dealings, loyal to my friends and business
associates, and if I say I’ll do something, I do it. On the other hand I can be
arrogant, controlling, and obsessive, mostly when I’m in the middle of writing.
I think at the end of the day I’m just a writer who lives in a very small town, on a
small farm, and wears a lot of hats. I’m a creative writer when I’m at the
computer, a carpenter when we need something built, a plumber when the pipes
leak, a filmmaker when we’re shooting something…a lot of hats and a lot of
Michaels.
Who will Michael Jodoin be in the future? Will he change, and if so why?
Who I am is who I’ll be in the future. I spent a lot of time and energy building the
dysfunction that is me and I’d hate to see that go to waste by changing at this late
stage of the game. Besides, I think who I am now is what shapes my writing.
At Liquid Imagination, we attempt to blend artwork with stories, with the end
result (hopefully) a new art form. We believe every story is art, even horror
stories. We believe the traditional artists who depicted Hell did what horror
writers today do. To us, the only difference between the two artists is painters use
paint and canvas, and wordsmiths use the readers’ imagination.
That said, lets talk a little bit about YOUR creativity, about YOUR art. When a
story idea first hits you, what does it feel like? Describe it in detail: how do you
know it’s a story that NEEDS to be told? What is the process of getting it from an
idea t the paper, and from a rough draft to the final polished revision, and
ultimately published. Art has many stages—tell us about the stages from
beginning to end of YOUR art. How do you get it on canvas—or, in your case, how
do you get it published from beginning to end?
When a story idea first ‘hits’ me it’s just a thought sometimes. Usually a very brief
moment when I see something I hadn’t noticed before. Other times it happens in
the middle of the night. The spec script for the cable pilot that I wrote started out
as a weird food-combination induced dream.
However it starts, the process is pretty much the same. I sit down with a pad and
pen and start scrawling notes and thoughts. The notes turn into a rough outline
that eventually turns into a more detailed outline. At that point, if need be, I do
research, make any needed corrections and write the first draft.
Once I have a complete first draft I hand it to my wife to read. She’s a great
reader in every way, from continuity to believability of the story and characters.
After that it’s just re-writes until I’m happy with it.
“Holy Hell” is the most unique book I’ve read in
a long time. You brazenly tackled characters
and concepts I haven’t seen addressed since,
perhaps, Pierce Anthony wrote about Death and
Time in his “Incarnations of Immortality” series,
or when master-wordsmith James Morrow
penned “Towing Jehovah.” What is “Holy Hell”
about?
a long time. You brazenly tackled characters
and concepts I haven’t seen addressed since,
perhaps, Pierce Anthony wrote about Death and
Time in his “Incarnations of Immortality” series,
or when master-wordsmith James Morrow
penned “Towing Jehovah.” What is “Holy Hell”
about?
“Holy Hell” is about redemption, a person’s ability to change, and forgiveness. It’s
not necessarily about spiritual redemption, but redemption on a personal level. It’s
about a person’s ability to change and the need for others to let them change. It’s
tough to see past what was and see what is. Finally it’s about forgiveness, and
forgiveness is a bitch. We all need it on some level or another, we all want it, but
giving it ain’t that easy sometimes.
In “America 2009” you address social issues? Do you feel “Holy Hell” is more of a
novel addressing social issues or spiritual issues?
It does address spiritual issues and questions that have long plagued some people,
but it is just as much about social issues.
Why do you write the stories you write?
I asked my wife that question once. She says it’s because I’m just not right. I tend
to believe it’s because I like to think outside the box.
What books and scripts do you enjoy reading?
I’m a horror freak, but I don’t read that much anymore. I write scripts for the
most part and I enjoy watching horror movies. It also takes less time out of my
schedule and it gives me a break from what I’m doing. I do have to say that
Stephen King’s “The Talisman” was one of my favorite books. My favorite book of
all time—and this is weird because it wasn’t horror—was Douglas Adams
“Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” I love his writing style. “Holy Hell” has, in the
past, been described as “The DaVinci Code” meets “Hitchhiker’s Guide…”
Your book “Holy Hell” was published by Sonar4 Publications. What made you
choose THAT particular company? Would you suggest this company to other
writers? Why or why not?
I met Shells Walters, the editor of Sonar4, on the American Zoetrope site. I sent
her a query about “Holy Hell,” she responded, read it and decided to publish it.
Yes I would suggest Sonar4 to other writers. Shells works tirelessly to promote her
writers and their work.
Would you consider working with another author/script writer? Why or why not?
Also, Stephen King worked with Peter Straub twice, and he may be working with
him again in a year or two (according to an interview in Writer’s Digest). If writers
are artists as we boldly claim at Liquid Imagination, then a collaboration between
two artists is like two painters using the same canvas. Is this feasible and/or
practical?
I have worked with a couple other writers. My first experience was with W Todd
Banks on a screenplay based on a short story he had written. The screenplay is
entitled “From the Darkness” and is a zombie western set in the late 1800’s. It
turned out to be one of my favorite screenplays as well as one of the most
enjoyable times I’ve had writing. It was also the fastest that I’ve ever seen a
screenplay come together once we had everything in order.
The trick to writing together is to talk…a lot. Make sure you’re both on the same
page with the same vision for the project. Be honest with each other as you
progress along with the work. Todd and I talked every morning before we started
writing for the day about the scenes we were doing and where we thought they
needed to go.
It can be a great experience when you collaborate with another writer. You can
also learn a lot more than you’d think along the way.
Who is Tracy Parks and how have you collaborated with her?
Tracey Parks is a very talented local musician who has written a song called “Stuck
in Between” inspired by “Holy Hell.” She brought different incarnations of the song
to me and discussed where she and I saw it going. It was a lot like collaborating
with Todd in some ways.
Will you be doing more music videos in the future?
Absolutely. We’re working on another for a new southern rock band called
“Soulgrass.”
Since some of our readers are involved in film, this question begs asking: Will you
be hiring people for your production company soon? Or do you like to have full
control over all aspects of producing film?
Sure, we’ll hire people to work on our productions. In fact we already have an EP,
a DP and sound engineer for the horror film we have in pre-production.
All writers and script writers experience rejection. Even film producers experience
rejection when—after addressing potential investors—they find their proposals
rejected leading to lack of funding. How do you deal with rejection?
Take it with a grain of salt. A couple years ago my stepson’s teacher asked me to
speak to one of her classes about writing. The question was asked, “Do you have
any advice for someone wanting to be a writer?” My response was, “Hang out with
people that don’t like you much and are bound to criticize you. Then date people
who you know will dump you and crush your feelings. When that doesn’t bother
you anymore you’re ready to be a writer.”
Rejection just comes with the territory. It’s nothing personal.
What projects are you currently working on?
The horror movie we have in pre-production is taking up a good deal of our time,
but I am writing a new screenplay and working on the sequel to “Holy Hell”
entitled “Holy Hell – Repercussions.”
Michael, it has been a privilege and an honor to interview someone so multi-
faceted and talented!
not necessarily about spiritual redemption, but redemption on a personal level. It’s
about a person’s ability to change and the need for others to let them change. It’s
tough to see past what was and see what is. Finally it’s about forgiveness, and
forgiveness is a bitch. We all need it on some level or another, we all want it, but
giving it ain’t that easy sometimes.
In “America 2009” you address social issues? Do you feel “Holy Hell” is more of a
novel addressing social issues or spiritual issues?
It does address spiritual issues and questions that have long plagued some people,
but it is just as much about social issues.
Why do you write the stories you write?
I asked my wife that question once. She says it’s because I’m just not right. I tend
to believe it’s because I like to think outside the box.
What books and scripts do you enjoy reading?
I’m a horror freak, but I don’t read that much anymore. I write scripts for the
most part and I enjoy watching horror movies. It also takes less time out of my
schedule and it gives me a break from what I’m doing. I do have to say that
Stephen King’s “The Talisman” was one of my favorite books. My favorite book of
all time—and this is weird because it wasn’t horror—was Douglas Adams
“Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” I love his writing style. “Holy Hell” has, in the
past, been described as “The DaVinci Code” meets “Hitchhiker’s Guide…”
Your book “Holy Hell” was published by Sonar4 Publications. What made you
choose THAT particular company? Would you suggest this company to other
writers? Why or why not?
I met Shells Walters, the editor of Sonar4, on the American Zoetrope site. I sent
her a query about “Holy Hell,” she responded, read it and decided to publish it.
Yes I would suggest Sonar4 to other writers. Shells works tirelessly to promote her
writers and their work.
Would you consider working with another author/script writer? Why or why not?
Also, Stephen King worked with Peter Straub twice, and he may be working with
him again in a year or two (according to an interview in Writer’s Digest). If writers
are artists as we boldly claim at Liquid Imagination, then a collaboration between
two artists is like two painters using the same canvas. Is this feasible and/or
practical?
I have worked with a couple other writers. My first experience was with W Todd
Banks on a screenplay based on a short story he had written. The screenplay is
entitled “From the Darkness” and is a zombie western set in the late 1800’s. It
turned out to be one of my favorite screenplays as well as one of the most
enjoyable times I’ve had writing. It was also the fastest that I’ve ever seen a
screenplay come together once we had everything in order.
The trick to writing together is to talk…a lot. Make sure you’re both on the same
page with the same vision for the project. Be honest with each other as you
progress along with the work. Todd and I talked every morning before we started
writing for the day about the scenes we were doing and where we thought they
needed to go.
It can be a great experience when you collaborate with another writer. You can
also learn a lot more than you’d think along the way.
Who is Tracy Parks and how have you collaborated with her?
Tracey Parks is a very talented local musician who has written a song called “Stuck
in Between” inspired by “Holy Hell.” She brought different incarnations of the song
to me and discussed where she and I saw it going. It was a lot like collaborating
with Todd in some ways.
Will you be doing more music videos in the future?
Absolutely. We’re working on another for a new southern rock band called
“Soulgrass.”
Since some of our readers are involved in film, this question begs asking: Will you
be hiring people for your production company soon? Or do you like to have full
control over all aspects of producing film?
Sure, we’ll hire people to work on our productions. In fact we already have an EP,
a DP and sound engineer for the horror film we have in pre-production.
All writers and script writers experience rejection. Even film producers experience
rejection when—after addressing potential investors—they find their proposals
rejected leading to lack of funding. How do you deal with rejection?
Take it with a grain of salt. A couple years ago my stepson’s teacher asked me to
speak to one of her classes about writing. The question was asked, “Do you have
any advice for someone wanting to be a writer?” My response was, “Hang out with
people that don’t like you much and are bound to criticize you. Then date people
who you know will dump you and crush your feelings. When that doesn’t bother
you anymore you’re ready to be a writer.”
Rejection just comes with the territory. It’s nothing personal.
What projects are you currently working on?
The horror movie we have in pre-production is taking up a good deal of our time,
but I am writing a new screenplay and working on the sequel to “Holy Hell”
entitled “Holy Hell – Repercussions.”
Michael, it has been a privilege and an honor to interview someone so multi-
faceted and talented!
