Screenwriting Workshop Begins May 15

If you have, throughout your divorce process, made your friends say, "oh no he did not," or "are you kidding me??!" more than three times, then maybe you have a good story to tell. Writing can be a low-cost therapeutic way to process your emotions about a difficult time. So, if you think you have enough for a book or a movie -- here's your chance to kick it off:

Screenwriter Beaty Reynolds will be offering a three-week workshop at 6:30 p.m., May 15, 22, and 29 at the Phillip Rush Center and a portion of the proceeds from the classes will be donated to Georgia Equality. The Phillip Rush Center is located at 1530 DeKalb Ave. Atlanta, GA 30307.

Rooted in independent filmmaking, the classes will focus on character-driven story development and tackle the FOUR CRITICAL ISSUES that sabotage the vast majority of screenplays. The seminar will include in-class writing exercises. The cost is $75.00.

During his 20 years in Hollywood, Reynolds wrote screenplays for such producers as actress Diane Keaton, Laura Ziskin ("Pretty Woman," "Spiderman" series), Diana Kerew ("Paris Trout"), Arlene Sellers (Circle of Friends) and Mark Gordon ("Saving Private Ryan"), as well as Paramount, Sony Pictures, Fox, Columbia Studios, NBC, CBS, and HBO. He is the writer of “Puppy Love,” which won best short film at the L.A. Independent Film Festival and stars Grace Zabriskie. An except from his novel JUNKYARD PEOPLE was published in the MID-AMERICAN REVIEW. Reynolds' plays have been performed in New York, New Orleans, and Atlanta.

He is the writer and producer of THE MIGHTY KING OF LOVE, which is currently in post-production in Denver and Los Angeles.

Contact to Sign Up: Beaty Reynolds @ 303-909-8995 or beatyre@msn.com

The Court Order You Will Never Get

In my divorce practice, I sometimes find that my clients have unrealistic expectations about what the law can and cannot do for them. Generally, the law does not favor self-help. This means that even if you get a court order, the court and the police must be the ones to enforce it.

Divorce and custody cases are filed in Georgia in superior court, which is a court of equity. Custody cases are decided based on a "best interest of the child" standard, and in assessing this standard, the courts are permitted to consider factors such as the character of the parents, which is otherwise impermissible under the Federal Rules of Evidence and Georgia law.

That said, however, there's a difference between what is evidence of bad character vs. what is a difference of opinion on parenting style. A person can be a terrible spouse, but an excellent parent.

If you are wanting "justice" (with you doing the defining of what is just), you are not likely to get it from a court. But, just for fun, I've created a fill-in-the-blank form for you to fill out as a venting exercise. Please don't take this to Court -- it would be embarrassing.

Final note if you are looking for help in how to draft a contract: note that for each of the major things the Ex is required to do, there's a consequence if it is not done. These particular consequences are insane, of course (and the examples of bad behavior not all frivolous, and taken from my actual cases over the years), but generally, you want to build in consequences for each action in your contracts.

Link to download: The Order You Will Never Get

Non-Sceney Social Opportunity Post-Break-up: Square Dancing

How do you meet people following a break-up, without the pressure to immediately start dating again? Square dancing! New classes started on August 8 for the Hotlanta Squares, an LGBT square-dancing group that dances each Monday night from 7-9 p.m. at the First Metropolitan Community Church located at I-85/N. Druid Hills Rd in Atlanta. All are welcome (including allies). No special skill required.

Square dancing is a good old-fashioned drug/alcohol-free fun way to meet people, get a little exercise and have a very good time. Dress is utterly casual (most people wear shorts & t-shirts in the summer), and the Squares change up dance positions all night long, so you do not need to bring a partner. (In fact, most people do not come with a partner, so it is a perfect activity for single (or newly-single) people!)

Classes are FREE for the first three weeks of the open house (August 8, 15 & 22) and only $5 each week thereafter.

Playlist: Empowering Break-up Songs

Wallowing in power ballads is never a good idea, post-break-up. Ok, a little wallowing is ok -- but when you are ready to start moving on, you need a kick-butt set of empowering songs on your playlist. What would be on such a playlist though? Here are some of my initial thoughts:

• I WILL SURVIVE by Gloria Gaynor (or Cake)
• F* YOU by Cee-Lo Green
• STRONGER by Sara Evans
• SO WHAT by Pink
• YOU'LL THINK OF ME by Keith Urban
• FIGHTER by Christina Aguilera
• IRREPLACEABLE by Beyoncé
• SINCE U BEEN GONE by Kelly Clarkson
• PICTURE TO BURN by Taylor Swift
• CRY ME A RIVER by Justin Timberlake
• BELIEVE by Cher
• SURVIVOR by Destiny's Child

What else would you add? Feel free to comment.