“Topping the Willow by Lori Closter is a beautiful, profound novel with practical themes for its intended audience.
It sensitively tackles many challenges that teenagers face. Highly recommended.”~ Readers’ Favorite
“At its best, storytelling will reach into your chest with both hands and grab your heart.
It says, ‘I want you to listen to my pain, my sorrow, and my hope.’
Topping the Willow does that. Lori Closter pulls no punches
to tell you a story that is raw, real, and hard to put down.”~ Bethany C, Screenwriter
“Lori Closter opens a world to us in which anyone familiar with the follies and frailties of humanity will be able to relate
and also feel understood. Through the realistic turmoil of an angry, jaded teen, we are reminded of ourselves
and relearn the way from anger and jealousy, to how to grow from our haunted hearts into hopeful and faith-filled lives.”~ Katy J.
“A beautifully crafted novel with insight and compassion packed into every page. Unforgettable!” ~ Susan D, Writer
NOVEL & SCREENPLAY AWARDS
NOVEL
SCREENPLAY
BLOG POSTS
Winston Churchill Was Right
I was not a creative child, but I longed to be. Throughout grammar school, I panicked whenever we had to write a poem (somehow it was never a story) and one year, avoided my teacher’s [...]
Favorite Christmas Read-alouds
I cannot resist. We’re not even to Thanksgiving, but for those who know and love little ones, here are three wonderful Christmas picture books to buy as gifts or check out from the libe: Mr. [...]
Favorite Books from Childhood, Part 6: Books I WISH I’d Read in Childhood – and Your Favorites
As my five-installment “Favorite Books from Childhood” list wound to a close, I was careful only to list books I read and loved. Probably my all-time favorite, because I identified with it the most, was [...]
NEWS
And the Winner is… BREAKING JOY!
August 2025 – BREAKING JOY just won Best Script at the Purpose Film and Media Festival in Corydon, Indiana! And at least one producer has expressed strong interest in producing it, likely at a lower budget than previously anticipated as the economic film climate is changing fast. Lori and Gary Closter were extremely blessed to be part of this remarkable gathering hosted by Tyler Sansom and his amazing filmmaking team at First Capital Church, see old friends and make new ones, and meet some iconic figures in the faith-based film arena. (First Capital made I CAN, a true story about a one-armed softball player who made All-American and watch for LEARNING YOU). Onward, with all glory to God.
More Awards … and a New Website
July 2025 – TOPPING THE WILLOW won a Gold Medal at the 2024 Nashville International Christian Film Festival for Best Feature Screenplay! Now retitled BREAKING JOY, the screenplay was also Runner-up for the Faith and Family Filmmakers Teen Audience award (Winter 2025), an official Selection at the 3rd Annual Hard Faith Film Festival in Hollywood, and an Official Nominee at the upcoming Purpose Film and Video Festival in Indiana, which Lori is planning to attend. Hoping to meet producers, distributors, maybe even an investor or two. To reflect the broadened scope to include film producing, Lori Closter’s author website has been revised and is now officially www.narrowgatemedia.com. Watch for updates!