Topical Content

A Plus Size Production

2009-11-06T10:46:00.000-06:00

40 Minutes with a Chicago Playwright

2009-11-06T10:37:00.000-06:00

Initially I met Elizabeth Nonie, Chicago Playwright and Actress, at a networking group in early October. She’s one of those people instantly recognizable as full of life. Elizabeth has a personality that instantly shares her joy and enthusiasm for life, without even trying. She’s contagious. In a good way.

On Friday October 30th, I had a chance to spend about 40 minutes on a phone interview with Liz. She shared a little more about herself, her production company and her new play. Rich Man Poor Man (not at all associated with the 1976 film).

Rich Man Poor Man is an exclusive event held at the Laugh Out Loud Theater Streets of Woodfield. So exclusive in fact that it has a single run date. You’ll only be able to catch it on Sunday November 15th at 6pm.

About the play…
Peter: Tell me about Rich Man Poor Man. What sparked the idea for this play?
Liz:
All my plays are Christian based. Not preachy. Just…, inspired. I’ve always been a student of the Bible and love proverbs. Rich Man Poor Man is based on Proverbs 22:2; the rich and poor meet together. The Lord is maker of them all.

Peter: Would you share a few sentences about the story line?
Liz:
Well… I won’t give it away… I got the idea for the setting from the Schaumburg Public Library. The play takes place in a fictitious city called Proverbial, Illinois. It’s about how people who think they have nothing in common, no connection, then discover that’s not the case at all. Without regard to wealth or poverty, they wind up coming together in very unique ways.

Peter: As the writer, director and producer, who’s your favorite character?
Liz:
Oh, my favorite character is Beijing. She’s been given the name of one of the most beautiful, wonderful cities of the world. Yet… She’s a very poor single mother of 7. Despite her poverty and having so many children you never see her stress. She volunteers at the library. She’s so sweet, so humble. I just love her!

Peter: What do you hope the audience takes away from the play? What message do you most want to convey?
Liz:
That whether rich or poor we all have something in common. That commonality is that we should take time to care about someone else. Take time to help someone else. We’re all here. Together…

About Elizabeth Nonie…
“Call me Liz”…

Let me share, the sound of Liz’s laughter and the rise and fall of her melodic voice. She’s so much fun to talk with!

“I’ve always been dramatic. As a child I learned to cry on queue! [trilling chuckle]… My brothers and sisters would send me in to Mama when we wanted to go outside. I’d start the tears and soon enough, Mama would send us outside.”

I asked Liz what inspired her to become a playwright. Talk about a competitive field.

“I’ve always written. I wrote an article an article when I was employed by the government that was published in their corporate newsletter for that agency. I also wrote an article when I was in high school that was published way back then. I was never happy working a 9 to 5 job. While doing hair for 1 of my clients, yes… I’m also a hair dresser and bake cakes too! Where was I…? Yes. 1 of my clients urged me to write down the jokes I would tell. Then, on a dare, I began to write plays. I was always happy at church, with my friends and family. Back in 1999 I asked my minister if I could start a drama ministry. I’ve been writing plays ever since!”

Liz also told me a little about how she finds the voices of the characters in her plays.

“In June of 2007 I was inspired, after praying. My message from God – whom I give all the glory for my plays, was to write, act in and produce 1 play a month. I’m on my 17th now! I start each play by reading the Bible, praying and then listening. Then I create an outline. I need that structure. I already know the entire play before I start writing it. The dialogue just comes to me. As I write it I read it, I act it out. I laugh, cry, and shout – I really feel it. Sometimes my sister will holler at me to keep it down! [laughing].

The characters, their voices, mannerisms, come from people I know or see. Snippets of personalities get infused. The pieces and parts of different people become the whole of my characters. I draw from everywhere. Like there was a time, a long time ago, that I saw a father scolding his son when I was down town. I was on Wabash Ave.

The little boy had thrown a piece of paper to the ground. The father said, “Pick that paper up boy. You’re down town!” As if it mattered that he wasn’t out in the country some where. Just that little incident created the idea of a family that lived out in the country and that it was a big deal to come to the city and to act appropriately when here. I laughed to myself as I walked on. “You’re down town!” How funny!”

About Plus Size Productions
Liz, in addition to being a playwright, also founded Plus Size Productions in June of 2007.

Peter: Where did that name come from? Plus Size Productions?
Liz:
Me, being plus size. Every time I’d go to an audition I’d be given, be cast in stereotypical roles. The plus size side kick. I saw a need for leading roles for plus size actresses. My friend, Pleshette Davis suggested the name, I loved the idea and it stuck. I thought it was a very cute name. It could mean so many things. Going Plus Size all the way!

Peter: Tell about the staff members of Plus Size Productions.
Liz:
Well… there’s me. My sister, Stormy Sanders manages all the box office coordination. But the actors, actresses, stage managers and prop masters… They all change with every play. Plus Size Productions is open to anyone. All they have to do is bring the character. I keep auditions open and welcome any race, size, age… As long as you can bring the character that you’re auditioning for, you’re welcome.

Liz also says she likes to keep Plus Size Productions void of permanent staff members so that opportunities are always available. There are actors and actresses she works with often. However, even when there’s not a part available, there is experience to be earned as a stage manager, prop master, costume manager. Plus Size Productions is truly a revolving as well as evolving company. From what I’ve learned from Liz, it’s a company with a conscience.

To learn more about Elizabeth Nonie, Chicago Playwright, and Plus Size Productions or to catch the exclusive 1 day presentation of Rich Man Poor Man, call their box office at 773.939.1194. You can also send email to elizabethnonie@aol.com Or, just visit them at http://www.chicagoplaywrightelizabeth.com/ I have a feeling you’ll be glad you did!

Peter Gault for Topical Content © 2009

The Words you Need for the Results you Want!

2009-11-02T17:29:00.002-06:00

So Many Have Asked. So Here are the Answers...

2009-10-20T10:20:00.000-05:00

...To the question... "What is Topical Content"...

Topical Content is a Sales-Copy/Copywriting services firm.
Our services include...
• Newsletter Content

• Social Media Content

• Video Scripting/Story Boarding

• Trade/Industry Articles

• Sales Letters

• Press Releases

• Brochure/Direct Mail

• Copy review, revisioning & editing

Your Story. Your Growth.
Providing Sales Copy/Copywriting that tells your story is what we do. When you’re not sure what to write, we help. Even great writers sometimes get a little writers block or just simply don’t have the time.

Anything and everything that tells the story of your business is Sales Copy. From your business card to your newsletter. From your web site to your blog. From your video to your press releases. It’s all about driving sales results. Telling your story creates growth.

Experience. Proven Track Record.
With a career that includes more than 20 years of sales copy and copywriting, Peter Gault, owner of Topical Content has already driven Millions of $ in sales for others. His unique, forward writing style blended with your message creates results based sales copy.

Years of creative and business writing for sales and marketing, interviewing and researching saves you the headaches of trial and error. Peter’s experience has created a proven track record that will work for you.

WIIFM... “What’s in it for Me”?
Sales Copy, copywriting projects of any type take time. Time for planning, research, resource verification, interviewing, writing, proofing, editing.

When is the last time your monthly e-newsletter went out… on time? When was your last blog post? Have you completed your script and story board for your website video? What? You’re going to ‘wing it’… Really?

What’s in it for you? Protect your time. Add $ales $ to your bottom line. Your projects are getting done. Relax with peace of mind..

Tell us what you want. We’ll help you get it.

Specialties Include assistance with...

 Business Development

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Now you know what Topical Content is and what we do. To tell Peter why he should be helping you rather than your best competitor, send a note to topicalcontent@gmail.com today!

Video Tweet - Instant History

2009-09-28T15:55:00.002-05:00

Video Tweet - Emotional Intelligence

2009-09-23T07:11:00.000-05:00

Ain’t Emotional Intelligence such a cool thing?

2009-09-21T21:20:00.000-05:00

I had a very personal example of recognizing a moment that required Emotional Intelligence today. I caught it and recognized it so suddenly that I decided to scrap an already completed article and write on this subject.

My experience today was quite timely. Last Thursday at the Stateline SHRM meeting, Chris Johnston – Leadership Development Consultant with Good Shepherd Hospital, gave a presentation on Emotional Intelligence and how it ties in leadership. It was a great topic.

Emotional Intelligence is by no means a new school of thought. As far back as 1990 with the publication of S.R. Covey’s book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People [Simon & Schuster], you can see the culmination of social skills/responsibility, interpersonal relationship and self-awareness management begin to cultivate into what’s now known as Emotional Intelligence. Even more to the point is D. Goleman’s book Emotional Intelligence [1995 Bantam Books]. If you haven’t already, check them out. Both are great reads.

So… yah… Emotional Intelligence has been floating around as this ‘thing’ for nearly 20 years. Everyone has it to some degree. And, probably like everyone out there, I love to think I have a very high EiQ … Emotional Intelligence Quotient.

And then there are days like today that knock my EiQ down a point or 2. … or 3 … or 4 … ok, fine … 5.

What happened…

I recently created a promotional video for Assured Staffing. Nothing special, just short quick and to the point. Part of the marketing plan for getting the message out included a written post with a link to the video via groups on LinkedIn. The LinkedIn portion of the marketing project started a few days ago.

Almost immediately I began receiving positive feedback. Cool. My ego was being stroked. I was receiving excellent validation that I had done a very good thing. 2 gold stars for me!

Today, I received an email that notified me of a response was attached to 1 of the group posts that was just down right negative. OMG! WTH! How dare he be critical of my gold star achievement!?!

For the 1st few seconds after reading it, I had the EiQ of a Soggy Tater-Tot!

Then a little switch in my head flicked on and made me ask, “why is this what he experienced when so many others experienced the opposite”. Why indeed.

I took a moment to re-read what he’d posted and then to look at it through the picture his words created. I got it. I understood where he was coming from.

Now I had an opportunity to share where I was trying to come from, and provide a little more clarification for him. I had the opportunity to accept and reflect his feelings from my own point of view. This could be a cool thing.

Via LinkedIn I shot him a private note in return and also posted a public response under the discussion thread just below his. I took ownership of his feelings about my original post, and frankly, agreed with him. Through his eyes, he was right.

I then explained why I did what I did and shared where I was coming from, giving him a little more clarification on my original post.

He responded in a most positive way via a public post. He was very appreciative of the fact that I was trying to use creativity, that I accepted his feelings and that I faced his post head on without becoming defensive. After a few more exchanges, he sent me an invitation to join his LinkedIn network.

For those of you not familiar with LinkedIn, it’s sort of a professional version of FaceBook where you network with other professionals. Invitations to become part of a network (sort of like a ‘friend’ on FaceBook) is generally something you earn via quality exchanges through group discussion forums.

In the end, as a result of my Emotional Intelligence switch flipping on, I earned turned a negative into a strong positive and earned a new connection resource.

Ain’t Emotional Intelligence such a cool thing?

Richmond Spring Grove Home & Business Expo

2009-09-13T12:35:00.000-05:00

Finally! A lazy Sunday morning. Just what I’ve been needing after such a busy week that ended with the Home and Business Expo on Saturday Sept 12th. The Expo is produced by the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce, www.rsgchamber.com, and is hosted by the Richmond Burton High School, www.rbchs.com, in Richmond IL.

My wife and I manned the Pawprints of Richmond table for owner Maureen M. Murphy. Well, my wife manned the table while I wandered around and took pictures and talked with a lot of interesting people. I did manage to tend the table, located just outside the front door, long enough to earn a bright red sun burn across my face 

I quickly learned that almost everyone that walked in and out of the Expo that day had already been a customer of Maureen’s having visited Pawprints at one time or another. Maureen is a big believer in and provider of holistic and homeopathic pet foods and pet health products. If you haven’t been in to see her lately, drop Maureen a note at pawprint@charter.net. Ask to be placed on her newsletter which includes current in-store specials as well as special events like her open house coming up on September

Unfortunately I couldn’t find an attendance roster of all the businesses that were there. I was however able to have a few great conversations with some quality folks. They were all very interesting…

****

Tim Boutin, Super-Hero (a.k.a owner ) of Hot Shot Graphix was kind enough to spend a few minutes telling me about his business. 1st and foremost, Tim’s goal is for Hot shot Graphix to be your Super-Hero in marketing and advertising success! “I love this business and enjoy helping others succeed” says Tim.

Hot Shot Graphix,s specialty is short-run custom high-quality printing that we design, create, and assemble or install on-site at our facility.

Check Tim and Hot Shot Graphix out at www.hotshotgraphix.com or shoot him a note at tim@hotshotgrpahix.com

****

I met Dorothy Vetrovec of Natures’ Feed. She was manning the booth while her husband TJ was home recovering from knee surgery. Get well soon TJ!

Dorothy took some time to tell me a little about Nature’s Feed. She explained that after 15 years in the software industry, she was a little disenchanted, bored. She and her husband really wanted to do something that incorporated their love of animals which includes their own family of yellow labs. Thus, Nature’s Feed was born. Need feed for your horses and other four legged friends, give Dorothy a shout at info@naturesfeed.net or visit www.naturesfeed.net

****

Master Bonnie J. Thiel, Head Instructor of Spring Grove Flying Dragons Martial Arts Academy & W.I.S.E (Women Initiating Safe Environments) was a pleasure to meet. I am familiar with martial arts having studied Shotokan in my younger days but wasn’t familiar with Kyuki-Do. Master Thiel gave me their business card explaining Kyuki-Do

It’s a martial art which combines Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Hapki-Do, the skills of Modern Wrestling and Boxing and the use of ancient weapon techniques.

After visiting their website, www.sgflyingdragons.com, I learned that Master Thiel is 1 of only 3 women to hold a 4th degree black belt within the American Kyuki-Do Federation and that she was awarded “Black Belt Woman of the Year” for her work with Women’s Self Defense. You can contact Bonnie or other members of the Spring Grove Flying Dragons at dragons@imaxx.net

****

I also talked with Carla Tammen of Fur The Love of Dogs. This unique dog daycare and grooming service provides full service grooming, self dog wash, obedience training, dog park/open play days and of course, daycare. If ever there was an animal lover (more so than my wife who just collected another cat), it’s Carla.

After a quick run down of her company’s services, she told me a little about Vest-a-Dog and Save-a-Vet. Vest-a-Dog is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the lives of K-9 police dogs through the purchase and donation of bullet and stab resistant vests. Save-a-Vet.org is dedicated to opening a facility in every state that provides both military and law enforcement the ability to retire their K-9 partners. These facilities will feature plenty of land for them to exercise with room and board. They will hire on retired, injured and disabled military and law enforcement veterans to work at each facility.

Fur The Love of Dogs supports both of these organizations and you can learn more about them at their web site, www.furtheloveofdogs.com Carla can be reached directly at clh199@hotmail.com
****

Wow – have you stuck with this and read all the way to the bottom of this blog post? I’m impressed! This was a long one.

I didn’t even tell you about Operation Click, the Richmond Police Citizens’ Police Academy, Gansters & Gin Joints, the Richmond Township Senior Transportation Program, the Senior Citizen Howloween Costume Hayride… This list could get as long as this post… So…. I’ll cover all of those things under different posts over the next few days. Thanks for reading!

Peter Gault for Topical Content © 2009

Video Tweet - Customer Retention

2009-09-09T22:10:00.002-05:00

Topical Content Video Tweet - Share Your Best Job Hunting Tip

2009-09-04T12:31:00.000-05:00

Video Tweet - Latent Energy

2009-09-03T19:58:00.000-05:00

Richmond Days - Richmond IL

2009-08-29T14:06:00.005-05:00

Today and tomorrow it's the celebration of Richmond IL here @ Richmond days. There are some games, lots of food, an extremely short parade (but it's still fun) and a blues music/bike fest down at the creek by Doyle's Pub and Eatery.

Richmond, like any small town has its share of problems. We're feeling the tightness of the economy, too many houses up for sale causing the value of other homes to drop. Many residents unemployed or under employed. But... But...

It's still a fun place to be, great to visit and folks are as friendly as anywhere else. The old buildings of our tiny downtown lend to an atmosphere that lets the late 1800's linger with little effort. Plenty of antiques, boutiques and other unique shops, great food, smiles and laughter are around every corner. It's a cool place to be.

Richmond IL is a nice quiet little town where you know your neighbors, your kids run and play and you can take a walk to town on a cool breezy day. I've lived here for 6 yrs and kind of dig it. :-)

Pawprints of Richmond Invites You All!

2009-08-21T17:10:00.001-05:00

Open House...& "Raw Knowledge"
Monday August 31st 4 - 8 pm

Free Food!Goodie Bags!Prizes!

Feature Event ~ Raw Knowledge Seminar

Susan Serowicki of RFG Distributing and formerly of Nature's Variety shares her wealth of knowledge on the health benefits of a Raw Food diet for your dogs & cats. Susan will explain what to look for when buying your pet food and the differences between commercial raw food diets. Don't miss this opportunity! Take advantage of Susan's knowledge, some great deals on raw food and, at the same time, improve the health of your pets!

SORRY, BUT DUE TO LIMITED SPACE, OUR "BOUNCER," DUNCAN, AND OUR OTHER FURRY EMPLOYEES, PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR PETS...

Richmond Days Are Comin'

2009-08-21T17:02:00.002-05:00

On August 29th & 30th the place to be is Richmond IL for Richmond Days!

Have fun wondering the streets and shops of historic downtown. Catch the Parade on Saturday morning and enjoy music, food, games and much more all weekend long!

You also won't want to miss this...

The 5th Annual Creekside Blues & Bike Fest!
August 28th, 29th & 30th
Hosted by Doyle's Irish Pub & Eatery - Yum!

When Good Lighting Goes Bad

2009-08-19T12:28:00.001-05:00

Excerpt from…
"When Good Lighting Goes Bad" © 2009 by Peter Gault

Motion sensors are great lighting tools when used in the right place. Outside your home, garages, business entry areas, are all great spots for motion sensor lighting. In the restroom, not so much.

It’s a delicate subject, I know. So without painting too much of a picture, consider this before installing motion sensors in your restroom…

I don’t know about others but I don’t do a lot of moving around, jumping up and down or arm waving while I’m doing God’s work. The topic has never come up. Aren’t you glad I’m taking care of that now?

The restroom fluorescent lighting was doing its job, eliminating every shadow. I was whistling a quite tune to pass the time. It was a calm moment. Suddenly I was in darkness – black as pitch!

Since I’d been so still and calm, the motion sensor for the restroom light decided I’d left the room. Frantically I began waving my arms, stamping my feet. No good. Maybe if I clap, snap, make some sort of noise. I know it was a motion sensor. Hey, I was in a vulnerable position and was trying everything I could think of.

Turns out that particular sensor required some amount of light so it could register shadow movement. There was no laser. No infrared beam. Luckily I discovered (after awkwardly feeling around the wall), a push button at the bottom of the switch. Never have I been so thankful for piercing light of fluorescent tubes.

Installing motion sensors on your light is all well and good – in the right places. Be mindful of invited guests and their need to see in a well-lit restroom.

Kierkegaard...

2009-08-14T13:53:00.002-05:00

"Subjectivity is Truth and Truth is Subjectivity" ... Per Kierkegaard's existential point of view, the way people relate themselves to objective truths, today I was an Avon Man.

What's Your Story? Who Knows It? Who Cares?

2009-08-10T19:55:00.003-05:00

Topical Content

What’s your story? Who knows it? Who cares?

When was the last time your business newsletter went out? Who wrote it? What stories did you feature?

Spreading the word of your business, services and products is what we do. We write content. We write the articles, ads, press releases, stories for your business newsletters.

We take your story, write it so others know it and deliver it to your clients and customers, the people who care about you.

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