Watch the poetry reading: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/poetry-reading-rust-by-kelly-loraine-stearns

1) What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of this poem is reality, questioning what is real and what is not. What is an illusion and what is mere fiction. We live in a holographic universe that is governed by numbers, and our universe is something like the matrix you could say. We live each life forgetting our previous life, but there are key points and pillars in each life that serve as memories there for us to consciously remember, if we choose. Afterall, we are all energy, everything in this universe is made up of energy and energy never dies so what does that tell us.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I was reflecting on life and memory cells, cells that we have within our body that contain information that is carried on through our mothers dna. Her personality traits, her experiences, pieces and characteristics of her are carried in this dna for up to 15 generations back and they are alive in the next generations to come. So we are literally a walking replica of our grandmother, our great, great, great grandmother, with her cells alive in us in this current moment. They call it biological reincarnation, and it puts a whole new twist to reincarnation and remembering past lives, at least in my interpretation it does.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I have been writing since elementary school but I have been dedicated to writing poetry for the last 8 years.

4) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I won best of new poetry for the year 2024 internationally and wanted to also make it into a movie. Seeing it come to life through film is another way to view the beauty of the written word.

5) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

Yes, I write some philosophical excerpts from time to time when I am in my studying mood, but I mainly stick to poetry. I am starting to delve into the world of copywriting.

6) What is your passion in life?

Helping others. There is no greater joy than being able to help another person, whether it be with advice or with a simple smile or hello, any act of kindness is one of the most beautiful things one can do. That and spreading seeds to help people awaken on their own spiritual journey to enlightenment and ascension. Positivity is key to having a life full of happiness, so it is vital to be positive and kind to all who cross your path.

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?
I tend to write to mood or feeling, sometimes to a thought, but rarely to a theme. This poem was prompted by trips to remote locations in Canada. Picture the lights being out in the camp, a fumbling walk in darkness to the river’s edge so I could no longer hear the generator, and looking up. The stars were indifferent to my awe, but suffered my presence..

2) What motivated you to write this poem?
See above.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

About twelve years. I’ve already ripped apart many of the early efforts, a few remain okay.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
My father died when he was thirty eight and I was ten. His job required extensive travel and my time with him was much too little. I suspect we’d disagree on much and strain to relate, but could still fill in our uncolored images of each other.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?
I like to think that I read my stuff reasonably well, but hearing it performed by a pro is very useful, and the differences in inflections tells me what they got out of the poem.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?
Published so far: a thriller novel, a horror novella, a fairy tale collection, two fantasy collections, two poetry collections, five poetry chapbooks. Currently shopping around a collection of noir stories.

7) What is your passion in life?
At my age, passion has abated, but the significance rests with children and grandchildren. The self satisfaction rests with the eclectic if not inane things I’ve done- naval officer (bomb disarming and diving) reporter (Providence Journal) intelligence operative (Germany and Japan), marathons completed (two) MBA (NYU) international sales exec ( seventy two countries visited) one and only wife ( but we’re both out of warranty) and, of course, the writing.

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

This poem is about the feeling of being torn away from a loved one. There are varying intereprations of what specifically that means, so I’ll leave it at that.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

Past experiences tend to provide excellent source material.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I’ve been “writing” for many years, but honestly, poetry is newer for me. It stemmed from a desire to take what I’d learned drafting persuasive policy and messaging pieces in my previous life in government and harnessing that skillset toward an expression of values and human experience – and also, it’s fun for me!

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

This answer will definitely change next week, and then again in a month and so on and so forth. But right at this very moment, I’d say an ancient Sumerian king. I’ve been reading through some literature on the history of cuneiform and Babylonian culture, and something about speaking with someone from thousands of years ago, as humanity was just starting to come together into cities, just sounds so interesting to me. I’d bet I’d be surprised at both the similarities and differences we share (a paradox, I know – but it reminds me of traveling abroad and witnessing that contradiction first hand).

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

It just sounded like a neat thing to do, honestly. Additionally, as a new artist, I felt this could help promote my work.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I’m working on two books at the moment!

7) What is your passion in life?

Wow, talk about opening Pandora’s Box in a single question! I have a really long answer for this that probably doens’t fit the venue, but I’ll get into the nitty gritty of the idea in both books I’m working to finish.

What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of my poem is survival, resilience, and reclaiming a voice after enduring an abusive relationship. It explores the weight of trauma, the pain of being dismissed or blamed, and the fight to hold onto a sense of self when the world seems to turn away. It’s a deeply personal reflection on the strength it takes to keep going and demand to be heard, even when it feels like no one is listening.

What motivated you to write this poem?

This poem was born from my own experiences and the desire to process emotions that felt too heavy to carry silently. Writing has always been my way of making sense of pain, but this poem in particular felt like an act of defiance—a way of saying, “I’m still here, and my voice matters.” I also wanted to speak for anyone who has ever felt dismissed or silenced, to let them know they’re not alone.

How long have you been writing poetry?

I’ve been writing since I was 10 years old. Writing has always been my escape—a place where I could explore my thoughts and emotions freely. As a child, it was a way to imagine other worlds; as I grew older, it became my outlet for navigating the complexities of life. Poetry, in particular, has been a constant companion, helping me to put words to feelings I didn’t know how to express any other way.

If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Dick Van Dyke. I’ve always been inspired by his infectious energy and his incredible legacy in entertainment. He has such a vibrant spirit, and I think a dinner with him would be unforgettable. We’d talk about everything from his classic performances in Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to his outlook on staying creative and joyful in life. I imagine we’d share plenty of laughs, and his positivity would leave me feeling uplifted and inspired.

What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I’ve always been curious about how my words might sound when spoken by someone else. I wanted to hear my poem come to life through another voice, to see how someone else could embody the emotions I poured into it. It’s also about sharing those feelings with the world in a way that feels bigger than me—letting someone else be the voice that, at times, I felt I didn’t have.

Do you write other works? Scripts? Short Stories? Etc.?

Absolutely. I write short scripts, feature-length screenplays, and short stories, often exploring gothic and horror themes. One of my short scripts was even nominated for a horror award, which was such an exciting moment in my career. I’ve also had the privilege of producing three short films, which was both challenging and rewarding. I love experimenting with different forms of storytelling because each medium offers a unique way to connect with an audience. It’s always a thrill to figure out how best to bring a story to life and make it resonate.

What is your passion in life?

My passion lies in storytelling—whether it’s through writing, filmmaking, or photography. I love delving into the complexities of the human experience, capturing raw emotions, and exploring untold stories. I’m also deeply committed to advocating for gender equality and social justice. Beyond my creative work, I value my family and friends immensely. They are my foundation, and I cherish the authentic connections I’ve built with them. Making everlasting memories with the people I love is something I hold close to my heart. Together, these passions fuel my drive to connect with others on a deeper level and leave a meaningful impact in the world.

1. What is your screenplay about?
‘Ghosting’ follows a young Navajo woman who returns to her hometown in Flagstaff, Arizona, for the three-year anniversary of her cousin’s disappearance. She begins to suspect a connection between a popular dating app and the case.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
It is a no doubt ‘horror’ entry. I really wanted this to feel scary and creepy, and toe the line between police thriller and supernatural tale.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
I wrote it in such a way where I believe in the hands of capable filmmakers it wouldn’t require a ton of production cost. That being said, based on the hot climate of good horror — there is no doubt in my mind this film would crush at the box office. Picture ‘The Ring’ meets ‘Tinder.’ Beyond the hook of the idea, the film is loaded with important themes and examines grief, generational trauma, and violence against Indigenous women.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Unique horror.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
It’s probably a toss up between a few. Go (1999). The Matrix (1999), Fight Club (1999) and Goodfellas (1990).

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I completed the first draft in summer 2023. I’ve done three drafts since then.

7. How many stories have you written?
Too many to count. I’ve got seven features in the vault right now. I’ve also done three tv pilots.

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
That’s a really hard question. I can give you a couple:
Into The Mystic – Van Morrisson.
Ooh La La – The Faces
With Or Without You – U2
Silver Springs – Fleetwood Mac
Allure – Jay-z
NY State Of Mind – Nas
Work – Gangstarr

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Not many. I had been plotting this one out for awhile and I loved the idea so much. It came pretty naturally. I don’t have too many obstacles during the writing process. The creative part has always been fun for me. It’s once you’re done with the piece and have to find a way to get it funded.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Reading, Acting, raising my son Ronan, working out and studying Irish history.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
It’s the standard! Loved it.

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
Feedback was solid. It was nice to take home an award and always feels great when people latch onto a specific piece of your writing and rave about it. The scene they picked out from mine to do the reading of is a really intimate scene and for many folks I’d think it might be a throwaway but for me I loved how close it was.

1.11 is a dystopia that takes place in 2060 when, to curb population growth, an algorithm selects each year, on a random basis, 100 million people around the world to be euthanized.

First 2 pages of script.

Narrator: Hannah Ehman
Mr. O’Toole: Steve Rizzo
Young Male Voice: Shawn Devlin
Arthur: Sean Ballantyne

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

It is a dystopia that takes places in 2060 when, to curb population growth, an algorithm selects each year, on a random basis, 100 million people around the world to be euthanized.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

I would say sci-fi but it is also a coming-of-age story.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Because it was written to be made into a movie and it is potentially very cinegenic.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Compelling page-turner.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

I usually don’t see movies many times but they are some that I have seen more than once such as
– Interstellar by Christopher Nola
– An affair to remember by Leo McCarey
– The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob by Gérard Oury

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

About two years including the different versions.

7. How many stories have you written?

Three feature length screenplays (including 1.11) and one short screenplay (which won the 2020 Manhattan Short Screenplay Award).
I also write poetry, novels, short stories.

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)

It is a tough question because I have a lot of favorite songs. Let’s say Baby Can I hold you by Tracy Chapman (maybe one of the most beautiful love songs ever that tells so much with just a few words).

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Time!

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Watching movies and series, and reading books.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

Very good so far.

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I thought it was well adapted to my screenplay and the initial feedback was very positive and encouraging.