FILM, FICTION, AND OTHER STORIES
I have dozens of notebooks scrawled with story ideas, character notes, bar-stool observations, and eavesdropped conversations — many with flowers from my travels pressed between the paper, too. Here are some stories that made it out of those notebook pages, and into the world.
FILM
LUNA
When Mat and Grant’s son brings an unexpected guest home for the weekend, the broken couple are suddenly confronted with the decades-old death of a woman they both loved. What really happened to Luna?
Feature Film, Drama, Mystery
Runner-up in Age Inclusion in Media’s Silver Bullet competition (2021)
Semifinalist in Gender Equity in Media Society’s competition (2023)
Quarterfinalist in The Writers Lab (2024)
Director attached. Currently seeking production and financing partners.
THE ONLY ONE
A woman, saddened by her non-existent love life, finds refuge in an old-fashioned dive bar. A mysterious man leaves her questioning reality.
Short Film, Drama
One of 10 finalists in Soho House’s Script House competition (2018)
Quarterfinalist in ScreenCraft’s Short Film Competition (2019)
A NOTE: This was written for Soho House’s Script House competition in collaboration with IWC Schaffhausen, and intended to be a brand film for the company.
FICTION
THERE’S A STORY HERE
I’ve been obsessed with vintage clothing since I was a teenager.
A) Vintage has more style than today’s fashions (IMHO), and B) it’s generally better quality than contemporary clothing, and C) it’s got stories.
I have a brilliant blue winter coat with a tag labeled: “Made in West Germany”. What was the wearer’s life like back then? Did she see the wall come down?
My favourite chambray shirt has an ink stain on the pocket where someone’s pen leaked. What did they write with that pen?
In 2008, before *everyone* was buying designer vintage, I found an Yves Saint Laurent clutch in Paris for only 80 euros and a Chanel blazer in London for just 90 pounds. What events did that purse and blazer attend? What conversations did they listen in on?
There are more questions than answers, which gives my imagination free rein.
This love for vintage sparked an idea — I wanted to write stories (a couple true-ish, most fiction) to spread the magic of vintage.
I pitched the idea to my friend Christina Florencio who, at the time, owned Revival, a vintage shop on Main Street. She was game. And A Vintage Story very quickly came together.
We selected a few vintage items from Christina’s racks, and I wrote a story to loop around their hangers.
The intention of this project was to spread some delight with stories, give visitors a reason to slow down and be present while shopping, illustrate how storytelling can be used as an immersive experience and a powerful marketing device for brands and businesses, and show that stories are all around.
PRESS
“A mistress of the quip and a markswoman of the bon mot.”
— Shinan Govani , Vancouver Worthy 30, National Post
OTHER STORIES
I’ve also written editorial stories and poetic prose.
A selection follows.
EDITORIAL
Deighton Cup amuses all the senses, Vancouver Sun: read
“People are their truest selves when at the crest of a rollercoaster as the wind hits the back of the throat; that moment immediately after orgasm as the body tingles with paralysis; and when their money is riding along with a horse, clinging to the jockey’s back, eager to dash across the finish line first.”
Diner en Blanc: Succumb to something special, Vancouver Sun: read
“There are naysayers, grumblers, bellyachers, troublemakers who swirl up a tornado of discontent at any and all opportunity. Whether it’s under the breath or across the internet, most of us, a lot of us, gain sick pleasure from complaining. And like many sicknesses, it’s contagious.”
The Curves of Creativity, Haute RE: read
“Life isn’t predictable. There’s no telling where our years will take us — no matter how resolute our dreams or plans. But when we stand still and look back, we can see exactly how and why our journeys twisted and turned the way they did. Such is the case for Michelle Grimm, a Vancouver creative and artist.”
POETIC PROSE
