What motivated you to become a writer?

The first book I read for recreation inspired me to become a writer.  It was by Dick Gregory.  The title was ‘The N-Word’, fully spelled out.  Being African American, I was intrigued and amazed.  His liner notes read, “If you hear that word for now on … They are just advertising my book.”  Wow.  Humor as a shocking but peaceful weapon.  The rest of the book took that approach to a serious situation and I was hooked, at that point I then became a voracious reader.  As I grew older, I decided to try it myself and took every screenwriting course, seminar and workshop that was available.  Since then, I have won awards and even had a script optioned.

Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?

Before I face the blank page, I usually have a well-formed idea.  The topics I choose to write, come from personal experience, history, the news and societal trends that if crafted carefully, can touch hearts, make one laugh, become marketable and inspire us to do much better as people, in the short lives that we lead.

Do you write projects knowing that so many other factors need to happen to get it to screen and does that come into your project creation?

To get others to invest in your project, the business side of the equation must be factored in.  I have worked with indie producers and even had Bill Duke help me with several script rewrites.  The challenge is to have mass appeal while maintaining originality, a unique voice and a story that touches emotions.  Some of my projects were stifled because funding fell through or a network was sold to a different entity.  All that I can control is the story itself and if needed, I am flexible to adapt it to the discretion of those who are more knowledgeable and can actually get it to the screen.

What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?

The project I’d like to showcase is historical fiction with horror elements.  FREDERICK AND MARY DESTROY A MONSTER, is the title.  It involves Frederick Douglass and Mary Shelley as they use their own gifts across ages, to take down one of the ultimate monsters that plague humanity … Slavery.  My dream would be to get a director who can see the vision of the story clearly and can make it seer into audiences on several levels.  Also a production company and distributor who believe in the project and do their best to market it.  As for ancillary revenue, I have ideas for sequels, books and merchandise that could generate funds and lower the risk of investment.

How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?

This latest rewrite has not been shopped to contests yet.   As a member of several writer’s groups, it has been workshopped and gotten great feedback.  Helpful pointers from fellow writers have made the project sharper, more relatable and increased the marketability aspect.

If you could stand in a room full of investor partners looking at many projects what would you like them to know about you and this project?

When this project is finally made, the story will reflect the love of our basic and shared humanity for each other, that is sometimes lost, ignored or forgotten.  It illustrates how important it is to use our skills, what ever it may be, to leave a legacy of understanding, caring, inspiration and bravery … Even against great odds and at risk of personal danger.  I would like audiences to come away with a sense of empowerment and inner commitment to treat each other better.  It’s possible, I believe, but examples like this are needed to remind us of our prime objective in life.  Love one another and have aa good time while you still have — said time.  If the project manifests as I think it will, all investors, producers and directors involved will be inundated with future screenplays that have a similar positive impact and market potential.

Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?

My legal name is Christopher Blair Harmon but I am considering the pen name of Blair Harmony, which is organic to my original name, but also gives a sense of what to expect from my writings.  That is the name of my website.  https://blairharmony.com/

An older version of the script, MARY SHELLEY’S AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, is featured there and will be updated shortly.

REVOLUTION ON THE REZ is about changing the name of the Washington DC football team from the slur, Redskins (recently accomplished in real life) and DELIVER THE WORD is about the first Black Vice-President of America (done and doner in real life).  Maybe my next script should be about winning the Mega-Millions lottery.  Just a thought.