Gratitude

Dear Creators,

In the grand tapestry of life, I’ve always felt drawn to something extraordinary. From my beginnings in tech sales to tech support, it was a journey of building skills without a clear horizon. Dreams, vast and varied, danced before me like distant stars—dazzling but elusive.

I longed to own a tech business that could change lives, always envisioning grand ventures. Yet, despite the whirlwind of ideas, I was often ensnared in analysis paralysis, unable to commit. Exhilarated, but unfulfilled, I wandered through rich narratives in my mind, inspired by the likes of Stan Lee and George Lucas.

But a persistent conscience tugged at me—the glaring absence of black-owned companies in the creative industries I loved. Growing up, such roles seemed distant dreams, reserved for the fortunate few. But adulthood brought awareness of a disparity demanding change.

Determined to start somewhere, I committed to writing. Three lists—Characters, Conflicts, and Worlds—became my creative compass. This exercise, a game born from indecision, evolved into a card game, sparking stories and games. Teaching storytelling at CODE313 and embracing the Apple Developer Academy revealed a profound truth: storytelling is the heart.

With a narrative foundation, I discovered the power of storytelling. All I had to do was tell the story, and the rest fell into place. Using AI, I could effortlessly convert my narratives into various formats—comics, movies, games. Each story became a versatile building block, easily adaptable for different mediums, whether it was a comic panel, a TV episode, or a game level.

Now, on the brink of realizing a dream, I prepare to pitch my startup, FreeWriter, at Demo Day in Tulsa. It's surreal to reflect on life's hurdles—a failed marriage, separation from my son, and even a period of homelessness. Yet, faith and storytelling kept me focused, propelling me forward. These challenges inspired me to design a tool that makes the writing process fun and efficient, especially for those of us with short attention spans.

Through tumultuous years, faith and resilience have been my guiding lights. Releasing fears to God, I trusted the process, transforming dreams into actions. This journey is not an end but a new beginning. While fraught with trials, the opportunity ahead is a testament to perseverance and vision.

As I stand here, tears fill my eyes at the thought of what I've overcome. At the heart of my journey is my son, a bright 6-year-old with an imagination that never ceases to amaze me. We play together, creating fantastic worlds, and his creativity fuels my passion. I'm doing this for him, to provide him with tools to unleash his own imagination and to make him even prouder of his dad. This drive to create stories he can be a fan of, to carve a path for him and others like him, has been my biggest push. Grateful for this journey and those who supported me, I face the future with hope, determination, and the inspiration of my little man's boundless creativity.

To those who have been with me and subscribe to Freewriter, I offer your first month free when we go live. It’s a small token of appreciation for your belief in this venture. Here’s to the stories yet to be told and the worlds waiting to be created. Be ready, for this is just the beginning.