How to Succeed at Homelessness Without Really Trying

Here's the very beginning of my novel, which I hashed out in the SLCC Community Writing Center Scenewriting Mini-Workshop during Utah Arts Festival 2010:

"Mr Evanston wants to see you in his office first thing," the receptionist informed Donald as he walked into the Daily Monitor's offices.

Oh shit, thought Don. Well, I knew I'd be sticking my neck out and stepping on some toes with this one.

His editor's personal office was all the way to the back of the news room. The door was ajar, and Don could see that Mr. Evanston was talking very fervently with whomever was on the other end of the line. His face was scarlet. don attempted a quick turnaround back toward his desk,, but was stopped by a hoarse shout.

"Morton! Get your ass back here!" Evanston turned his attention back to the mystery caller, made apologies, said goodbye and hung up the phone. "Sit down," he ordered, pointing to a very uncomfortable looking chair at the front side of his desk. He took a piece of chewing gum from his desk drawer, removed a stick, rolled it up and popped it into his mouth. "I need a cig. Fucking clean air laws."

Donald squirmed around, trying to get comfortable in the chair, and failing. "You wanted to see me?"

"Damned right I wanted to see you. Do you have any idea who that was on the phone just now?"

"The pope?" Don guessed, trying to lighten the mood.

"No, wise ass. It was the governor. Our governor.

"Oh. How's he doing?"

Evanston rose from his chair, turned his back to Don, facing out the big office window. He took a deep breath and clasped his hands behind his back. "You, young man, have really stepped in the shit."

Don made a big production of checking his shoes for foreign substances and sniffing the air for any foul smell. Evanston saw this reflected in the window pane and turned to face his budding future Pulitzer winning columnist.

"I took a chance on you five years ago because I like you. But this is not alt press. We're a daily. The Daily Monitor. It's in the name. We don't expose people. We don't print anything that doesn't come from an although confidential, a reliable source. And we don't bite hands that feed us. This paper is a prestigious publication, not some rag."

"Yes, sir."

Evanston picked up the morning edition of his newspaper from the desktop. "Whatever possessed you to write this? Whatever made you think I would approve of this being printed in my paper? The mayor is a close friend, and the governor is his close friend. I can't save you on this one. You're fired, Donald. I'm sorry."



Feel free to comment.

your editor

Short Summer Break

I have decided to take a break on this until about the 1st of the month, perhaps even until after Independence Day. I'm about three articles behind in another project , and have a lot of demands in preparation for and participation in the Utah Arts Festival.





On that note, I will be participating in a public reading at SLCC Community Writing Center, on Saturday June 27th at 7:00PM, and volunteering at thier writing booth, "Just Write A Minute!" on Sunday June 28th from 12-3ish, perhaps later. If you're interested in finding out who the guy behind this idea is, and have more questions, drop in.

At this time I am working on getting in touch with people who can help to improve content. Tonight I have a meeting with a group from a local homeless service provider, and I happen to sit on their Consumer Advocacy Board. I have spoken of the idea to the co-facilitator of a writing group for veterans. He also has editorial experience as well.

So things are slowly taking shape, and I hope to soon bring you an improved Rio Grande Report. I may even move it to it's own web site, should I get the content I hope for.

Just to give you a break down:

Page One: National and International street news

Page Two: Local Street News(Salt Lake City & Utah)

Page Three: From The Editor

Page Four: Letters to the Editor

Page Five: Homeless Resources

Page Six: Literarium-Your Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Essays

Page Seven: Galleria-Your Original Art Work

Page Eight: Spotlight On...-News about those involved of the production of this blog (soon to be website). Updates on Rio Grande Report's journey toward publishing in print.

To learn more about street newspapers, go here. In order to submit to The Rio Grande Report, e-mail riograndereport@live.com with the subject line "submission." To "volunteer," put that word in the subject. I realize people's reluctance to donate without a solid corporate structure at this time, but any monetary, supplies, or in -kind gifts are appreciated. All I can give is my word of honor that the help will be used for its intent: the promotion of this paper, and eventually, for the assistance of the print paper's vendors.

Thanks to all,

Safe Journey

your editor