Press Pause Moments (published last September) is a collection of tales written by women that reflect upon change, adversity and celebration. My contribution, "The Great Motorcycle Spirit," is a sometimes funny, sometimes wistful look at the transitions in my life, as seen from the vantage point of riding a motorcycle.
Now Press Pause has been awarded the 2011 Clarion Award from the Association for Women in Communications in the category of best books & CD-ROMs/DVDs.
The Clarion awards is a renowned competition named for the medieval trumpet known for its clarity, and symbolizes excellence in clear, concise communications. This year's competition drew entries from 30 states, three countries, and 90 Clarion awards have been awarded. We hear the competition was tough!
Congrats to the other 34 contributors and to Anne Witkavitch, publisher and driving force behind the book!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
A Pair of Biker Novels
Since many of my readers know I am a biker chick, I am often asked if I'm going to write about motorcycling. (And, in fact, I have published two essays about life lessons learned from riding a motorcycle.)
I have to admit, it seems a bit daunting. I mean, how can you write 50,000 words about motorcycling - and have it be interesting and compelling? What kind of plot and characters would I need to work it around (since my novels tend to be about how a character changes over the course of some major event in his/her life)?
In recent weeks, I've picked up a couple of "Biker Novels" to see what other writers have done with the idea of motorcycling + fiction.
I have to say, both books were disappointing. Both books were geared toward African Americans and featured black (or mixed racial) characters. I have no problem with that, except that I don't get all the lingo, and it makes it harder for me to follow the story.
Both were liberal with the sex and vulgarity. Not that I'm against that in fiction, either, but when it gets in the way of the story ... well, what's the point then? I can read that stuff anywhere. I don't need to read swear words on every page, nor do I buy that every chick in the story is a ho and hey, they enjoy it!
The first book was published by a small press that caters to African-Americans (from what I can tell; their About Us page is blank). The main character in the book had a believable 'voice' and personality (some fire and some weakness) that I liked – at first. I expected the point of the story to be how she changed based on what she went through; but I couldn't really see much change in the end. I felt a little cheated that I'd spent all that time with a character I thought would learn something and become a better person.
The second novel was an example of why self-published authors get a bad reputation.
The book was full of typos, misspellings, and jumping from one character's point to view to another (often from one paragraph to another). There were places the wrong character name was used, characters with more than one name (confusing!) and even a character with different last names (I assume that was an error). I couldn't tell who was speaking half the time. A simple read-through by someone with a little editorial sense would have caught much of it. I don’t think that's too much to ask.
The plot should have been compelling, but there was so much confusion over who was doing what, and so much bragging about how "fine" he or she was (or certain parts of the body, or rough or flat-out violent sexual acts), that I almost quit reading.
And then there was the ending. It was building up, the mystery was unraveling, and then the climax (a character getting killed) and ... THE END. There was no resolution; everything was left in the air. It felt like the author got tired of the book and just decided to stop at page 307.
This book was published in 2008, and I see the author has a sequel out now. Even if you knew you were going to write a sequel, you need to wrap up some of the aspects of the story, or leave off at a logical point. There was just no reader satisfaction whatsoever (and no, I don't plan to read the sequel).
So, was I looking in the wrong places? Is there intelligent fiction that just happens to have a motorcycle-riding character at its center? Do I have to write it? (And I'm back to the daunting thing again…)
I have to admit, it seems a bit daunting. I mean, how can you write 50,000 words about motorcycling - and have it be interesting and compelling? What kind of plot and characters would I need to work it around (since my novels tend to be about how a character changes over the course of some major event in his/her life)?
In recent weeks, I've picked up a couple of "Biker Novels" to see what other writers have done with the idea of motorcycling + fiction.
I have to say, both books were disappointing. Both books were geared toward African Americans and featured black (or mixed racial) characters. I have no problem with that, except that I don't get all the lingo, and it makes it harder for me to follow the story.
Both were liberal with the sex and vulgarity. Not that I'm against that in fiction, either, but when it gets in the way of the story ... well, what's the point then? I can read that stuff anywhere. I don't need to read swear words on every page, nor do I buy that every chick in the story is a ho and hey, they enjoy it!
The first book was published by a small press that caters to African-Americans (from what I can tell; their About Us page is blank). The main character in the book had a believable 'voice' and personality (some fire and some weakness) that I liked – at first. I expected the point of the story to be how she changed based on what she went through; but I couldn't really see much change in the end. I felt a little cheated that I'd spent all that time with a character I thought would learn something and become a better person.
The second novel was an example of why self-published authors get a bad reputation.
The book was full of typos, misspellings, and jumping from one character's point to view to another (often from one paragraph to another). There were places the wrong character name was used, characters with more than one name (confusing!) and even a character with different last names (I assume that was an error). I couldn't tell who was speaking half the time. A simple read-through by someone with a little editorial sense would have caught much of it. I don’t think that's too much to ask.
The plot should have been compelling, but there was so much confusion over who was doing what, and so much bragging about how "fine" he or she was (or certain parts of the body, or rough or flat-out violent sexual acts), that I almost quit reading.
And then there was the ending. It was building up, the mystery was unraveling, and then the climax (a character getting killed) and ... THE END. There was no resolution; everything was left in the air. It felt like the author got tired of the book and just decided to stop at page 307.
This book was published in 2008, and I see the author has a sequel out now. Even if you knew you were going to write a sequel, you need to wrap up some of the aspects of the story, or leave off at a logical point. There was just no reader satisfaction whatsoever (and no, I don't plan to read the sequel).
So, was I looking in the wrong places? Is there intelligent fiction that just happens to have a motorcycle-riding character at its center? Do I have to write it? (And I'm back to the daunting thing again…)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Book Review: Pearl Maker
I can't remember how I heard about Pearl Maker by C.C. Wharton. But somehow I came to own a copy, which has been on my nightstand for several months.
I spent this past weekend on vacation at my dad's lake place, and took the book with me. I finished it in three days. Here are some of my thoughts.
The premise of Pearl Maker is excellent: a high-school English teacher is kidnapped (along with two of her students) and raped by the low-life assigned to guard them. During an escape attempt, the teacher is forced to make a split-second decision: it's her or her captor. The aftermath of her decision throws her into a quest for moral clarity whilst going through a murder trial.
There is a strong Christian overtone to the book (which I happened to like), and I got to root for the heroine as she struggled with herself. I love that in a book (especially when it ends on a positive note).
Now for the problems. The first is one I see beginning writers make all the time, which is to have too many points of view. At times, the point of view changed paragraph by paragraph. I would have to re-read to find out whose head I was in now.
Closely related to that: to much telling. Don't tell me what the character's feeling: SHOW me with the character's actions.
I felt there were too many "extemporaneous" characters - ones that don't really impact the direction of the story or the character's development (the teacher's Senator uncle comes to mind). They clutter up the pages and make the 'real' story harder to follow. And (again closely related): it makes it harder to really flesh out the main characters. Consequently, I felt the characters were somewhat stilted and a bit too stereotypical. (The teacher's minister friend comes to mind - he seemed to have NO bad habits or weaknesses - too good to be true.)
Would I read another book by this author? Yes. Because I think she'll get better!
I spent this past weekend on vacation at my dad's lake place, and took the book with me. I finished it in three days. Here are some of my thoughts.
The premise of Pearl Maker is excellent: a high-school English teacher is kidnapped (along with two of her students) and raped by the low-life assigned to guard them. During an escape attempt, the teacher is forced to make a split-second decision: it's her or her captor. The aftermath of her decision throws her into a quest for moral clarity whilst going through a murder trial.
There is a strong Christian overtone to the book (which I happened to like), and I got to root for the heroine as she struggled with herself. I love that in a book (especially when it ends on a positive note).
Now for the problems. The first is one I see beginning writers make all the time, which is to have too many points of view. At times, the point of view changed paragraph by paragraph. I would have to re-read to find out whose head I was in now.
Closely related to that: to much telling. Don't tell me what the character's feeling: SHOW me with the character's actions.
I felt there were too many "extemporaneous" characters - ones that don't really impact the direction of the story or the character's development (the teacher's Senator uncle comes to mind). They clutter up the pages and make the 'real' story harder to follow. And (again closely related): it makes it harder to really flesh out the main characters. Consequently, I felt the characters were somewhat stilted and a bit too stereotypical. (The teacher's minister friend comes to mind - he seemed to have NO bad habits or weaknesses - too good to be true.)
Would I read another book by this author? Yes. Because I think she'll get better!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
What's in a Title?
I recently sent my proposed book title to my writer's group, and asked them to chime in with any thoughts or mental images the title inferred to them.
I purposely did not provide them any visual images (that is, the proposed cover of the book).
Responses were pretty much across the 'romance' related spectrum, from historical to erotic to inspirational. (Of course, they may also have been influenced by the fact that they know me and in some cases, have read my work.)
What was NOT mentioned was any sort of military theme. So what should I glean from that?
Everyone knows a book's cover is VERY important. It may have more of an impact on compelling a reader to buy the book than the title. So my cover art really needs to impart that 'side' of the story - that the main character is a military officer. (And if possible, to communicate the multiple meanings behind the word 'surrender' in the title.)
To that end, I took a fresh look at the proposed cover (done back in January) and am pleased with what I see. It does not have as much color as I tend to prefer, but the more I look at it, the more I like it. It says what I need it to say.
I purposely did not provide them any visual images (that is, the proposed cover of the book).
Responses were pretty much across the 'romance' related spectrum, from historical to erotic to inspirational. (Of course, they may also have been influenced by the fact that they know me and in some cases, have read my work.)
What was NOT mentioned was any sort of military theme. So what should I glean from that?
Everyone knows a book's cover is VERY important. It may have more of an impact on compelling a reader to buy the book than the title. So my cover art really needs to impart that 'side' of the story - that the main character is a military officer. (And if possible, to communicate the multiple meanings behind the word 'surrender' in the title.)
To that end, I took a fresh look at the proposed cover (done back in January) and am pleased with what I see. It does not have as much color as I tend to prefer, but the more I look at it, the more I like it. It says what I need it to say.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Virtual Assistant?
Whether a publisher picks up True Surrender, or I self-publish, marketing is largely up to me. For almost two years now I've thought I would find more time, but our family business has continued to grow (and in fact, experienced some growing pains, requiring my time and energy).
And so have my kids! :-)
I wasn't able to be consistent in markting Last Chance Rescue, and I'm sure that hurt sales. But perhaps more to the point, the entire book-buying experience is different than it was three years ago. Back then there was no Kindle, no SmashWords, no iPhone Apps ... and Barnes & Noble didn't "consider" self-published books (huh).
And though it's not like I have any sort of budget for this, I'm seriously considering hiring a "virtual assistant" to help me market my books. That is probably the only way I'd ever be able to market AND continue to write...
And so have my kids! :-)
I wasn't able to be consistent in markting Last Chance Rescue, and I'm sure that hurt sales. But perhaps more to the point, the entire book-buying experience is different than it was three years ago. Back then there was no Kindle, no SmashWords, no iPhone Apps ... and Barnes & Noble didn't "consider" self-published books (huh).
And though it's not like I have any sort of budget for this, I'm seriously considering hiring a "virtual assistant" to help me market my books. That is probably the only way I'd ever be able to market AND continue to write...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Music MP3 "Samples" Are Live
It was fun to work on Mark's new album (Built to Bust), but it's even more fun to hear it complete!
The official "release date" is July 1, but since I've got the inside track, I've got them already. You can hear "samples" of four songs on my web site!
The official "release date" is July 1, but since I've got the inside track, I've got them already. You can hear "samples" of four songs on my web site!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Developing as a Writer
Lately I've found myself somewhat uninspired. True Surrender is still at the publisher (which means it's "done" unless they say they want it and ask for changes). And nothing has really jumped out at me in recent weeks saying "work on me, work on me!"
So today I opened a rather OLD writing file - some of my very early writing from 2002-2003. I was curious if any of it was decent.
The verdict is still out on that ... this piece has a lot of bouncing from one head to another (one of the big issues I had to work on when I got serious about writing) that would need to be re-flowed. Some of the scenes have merit but the plot would need a whole lot of revision (which may render the scenes moot), and in fact, might not be as plausible as I'd prefer. (It IS fiction, but I do like a certain level of believeability - it's why I've done things like air medical ride-alongs and interviewing search-and-rescue personnel.)
What I did like: the characters (although a bit stereotypical and stilted at times). And that might just be what resurrects this piece some day. Or, I may "borrow" a a character (or two) and place them in another story. Or "break it up" and use parts of it differently.
At any rate, it was an interesting exercise!
So today I opened a rather OLD writing file - some of my very early writing from 2002-2003. I was curious if any of it was decent.
The verdict is still out on that ... this piece has a lot of bouncing from one head to another (one of the big issues I had to work on when I got serious about writing) that would need to be re-flowed. Some of the scenes have merit but the plot would need a whole lot of revision (which may render the scenes moot), and in fact, might not be as plausible as I'd prefer. (It IS fiction, but I do like a certain level of believeability - it's why I've done things like air medical ride-alongs and interviewing search-and-rescue personnel.)
What I did like: the characters (although a bit stereotypical and stilted at times). And that might just be what resurrects this piece some day. Or, I may "borrow" a a character (or two) and place them in another story. Or "break it up" and use parts of it differently.
At any rate, it was an interesting exercise!
Monday, June 6, 2011
My Real Name Is...
I don't do much writing this time of year (too busy with the motorcycle biz and summer activities), but I did sit down tonight and jot out some ideas that have been floating around in my head for a week or so.
The heroine isn't who she seems to be. She's got a big secret. When he falls for her, he thinks he knows her ... but he can't possibly. Hmm, the possibilities!
The heroine isn't who she seems to be. She's got a big secret. When he falls for her, he thinks he knows her ... but he can't possibly. Hmm, the possibilities!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Singing Gig this Weekend
I'll be singing with the Mark Cameron Band on Friday, May 27 (starting at 9pm) at Neumann's (2531 East 7th Avenue in N. St. Paul). This will be my second appearance with the band and should be a good show. Hope you can come out!
BTW, Mark's second album (which I sang back-up vocals on), titled "Built to Bust," is finished and will be available soon. I will put some snippets on my music page when I get 'em!
BTW, Mark's second album (which I sang back-up vocals on), titled "Built to Bust," is finished and will be available soon. I will put some snippets on my music page when I get 'em!
Monday, May 2, 2011
The Rose (Surrender Version) - Music MP3 Completed!
This is something I have wanted to do for nearly three years - ever since I went back to the music studio with my friend's band in April 2008. We finally completed one of MY songs: an upbeat and slightly bluesy take on "The Rose."
It has inspired my husband (whose did the harmony/duet parts) to look into getting our own mixing software - especially since he plays guitar.
Special thanks to Mark Cameron and Scott Lundberg for their help with the song. "The Rose (Surrender Version)" is dedicated to my friends Paul and John, who believed in my ability even when I didn't, and to my husband Tim, who believes in everything about me.
Listen to The Rose (Surrender Version)
It has inspired my husband (whose did the harmony/duet parts) to look into getting our own mixing software - especially since he plays guitar.
Special thanks to Mark Cameron and Scott Lundberg for their help with the song. "The Rose (Surrender Version)" is dedicated to my friends Paul and John, who believed in my ability even when I didn't, and to my husband Tim, who believes in everything about me.
Listen to The Rose (Surrender Version)
Friday, April 22, 2011
Ex FBI Analyst Becomes my Newest SME (Subject Matter Expert)
This week I had lunch with an ex FBI analyst. It was fascinating, and I confess that the phrase "truth is stranger than fiction" applied to some of our topics. On a personal level, I found it difficult to imagine working in that environment (I think it would depress me!).
After an hour and a half of hashing through some of the finer points of "True Surrender," I was gratified to realize that my creative self had not been too far off the mark. Only a few minor edits were required (which have now been completed). Special thanks to my new SME ("Subject Matter Expert") Tina.
What does FBI stuff have to do with "True Surrender," you ask? Well, I don't want to tell you so much that it ruins the story. Suffice it to say that Major Aaron Bricewick has a job change during the course of the novel that takes him into new territory...for the rest, you'll have to read the book!
After an hour and a half of hashing through some of the finer points of "True Surrender," I was gratified to realize that my creative self had not been too far off the mark. Only a few minor edits were required (which have now been completed). Special thanks to my new SME ("Subject Matter Expert") Tina.
What does FBI stuff have to do with "True Surrender," you ask? Well, I don't want to tell you so much that it ruins the story. Suffice it to say that Major Aaron Bricewick has a job change during the course of the novel that takes him into new territory...for the rest, you'll have to read the book!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Rejection Letters
I suppose rejection letters should bother me more. Maybe I'm just too busy to think about it. (Maybe I don't WANT to think about it!) Or maybe it's because people in my life - people I am close to - are going through really crappy stuff, and this is such small potatoes compared to that.
Maybe I'm arrogant ... or just a control freak ... but why wait around for other people to "approve of" my writing? Especially when things have changed so much in the book publishing and selling world. Time is slipping through my fingers so fast it makes me light-headed. And True Surrender is a GREAT story. What should I do?
Maybe I'm arrogant ... or just a control freak ... but why wait around for other people to "approve of" my writing? Especially when things have changed so much in the book publishing and selling world. Time is slipping through my fingers so fast it makes me light-headed. And True Surrender is a GREAT story. What should I do?
Sunday, March 20, 2011
The Damn Synopsis ... Again
When I 'extended' the True Surrender story in late January, it meant that I now had to re-write (or, more precisely, 'update') the synopsis.
Which is definitely NOT my favorite type of writing!
So I might have put it off just a little.
But now the synopsis has been 'done' (again) and I'm reading it out loud to myself (sometimes that helps, sometimes it doesn't), and I think ... "what a great story this is!"
It's very nice to read something after you've let it sit awhile, and realize that, by God, it's quite good. It gives me warm fuzzies.
So why isn't it in the hands of agents yet? The answer: it's the damn synopsis. It's so crucial and I'm so perfectionistic, and I think I'm just going to have to let it go. They'll either like it or they won't ... right?
Which is definitely NOT my favorite type of writing!
So I might have put it off just a little.
But now the synopsis has been 'done' (again) and I'm reading it out loud to myself (sometimes that helps, sometimes it doesn't), and I think ... "what a great story this is!"
It's very nice to read something after you've let it sit awhile, and realize that, by God, it's quite good. It gives me warm fuzzies.
So why isn't it in the hands of agents yet? The answer: it's the damn synopsis. It's so crucial and I'm so perfectionistic, and I think I'm just going to have to let it go. They'll either like it or they won't ... right?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
A True Surrender Exerpt
Below are just a few of the 6000+ words I wrote during my writing 'marathon' on late January. I thought you might like a little teaser...And if you're not already on my email list, please join!
Aaron wasn't sure what good his presence was. He sat in Cheryl's home, in her living room, and listened as the police officers recounted the details of her suicide.
She had overdosed on pills and pot.
The irony was not lost on him, and he felt physically ill.
There was apparently a note, but he wasn’t privy to the contents.
Cheryl's mom, June, sat in a chair in the corner and cried intermittently. Cheryl's younger brother (only 17 years old, he learned) sat in stony silence, as if he were numb. Which he probably was.
Only part of him registered the scene, as if from a distance. Robert took charge, of course, extracting each person's experience of the night before and that morning. Aaron recognized that he was trying to tie them together, to get a complete picture of what had gone so wrong.
Why a young woman was dead.
Robert turned to June last. "Mrs. Young," he said. "Did anything out of the ordinary happen yesterday or even the day before?"
Mrs. Young shook her head. "She went to work, she walked the dog, she watched TV..."
"Any change in her routine?" Robert said. "Any upsets with her friends?"
"Friends?" June's brow furrowed in concentration. "There was one thing. Unusual, I guess you'd say...an Army friend came to visit with her."
Aaron felt Scott stiffen beside him.
"I thought it was odd it wasn't one of you,” June continued. "But she still has friends in the Army and it's her business who she associates with..."
"June." It was unlike Scott to interrupt, and it set Aaron's nerves on edge. "Do you remember the soldier's name?"
She shook her head. "I'm not good with names," she said, "and you all look alike to me, especially with those camouflage things you wear."
Robert pulled a file folder from his briefcase and extracted a photo. "Mrs. Young, is this the man who was here?"
She took the picture with shaky hands, and dabbed her eyes with a tissue for the hundredth time. "The clothes are different," she said, "but this certainly looks like him."
Aaron saw Robert take the photo from her as if in slow motion. Somehow, he knew. He knew before Robert tilted the photo unobtrusively toward them.
Jared's head shot.
Aaron wasn't sure what good his presence was. He sat in Cheryl's home, in her living room, and listened as the police officers recounted the details of her suicide.
She had overdosed on pills and pot.
The irony was not lost on him, and he felt physically ill.
There was apparently a note, but he wasn’t privy to the contents.
Cheryl's mom, June, sat in a chair in the corner and cried intermittently. Cheryl's younger brother (only 17 years old, he learned) sat in stony silence, as if he were numb. Which he probably was.
Only part of him registered the scene, as if from a distance. Robert took charge, of course, extracting each person's experience of the night before and that morning. Aaron recognized that he was trying to tie them together, to get a complete picture of what had gone so wrong.
Why a young woman was dead.
Robert turned to June last. "Mrs. Young," he said. "Did anything out of the ordinary happen yesterday or even the day before?"
Mrs. Young shook her head. "She went to work, she walked the dog, she watched TV..."
"Any change in her routine?" Robert said. "Any upsets with her friends?"
"Friends?" June's brow furrowed in concentration. "There was one thing. Unusual, I guess you'd say...an Army friend came to visit with her."
Aaron felt Scott stiffen beside him.
"I thought it was odd it wasn't one of you,” June continued. "But she still has friends in the Army and it's her business who she associates with..."
"June." It was unlike Scott to interrupt, and it set Aaron's nerves on edge. "Do you remember the soldier's name?"
She shook her head. "I'm not good with names," she said, "and you all look alike to me, especially with those camouflage things you wear."
Robert pulled a file folder from his briefcase and extracted a photo. "Mrs. Young, is this the man who was here?"
She took the picture with shaky hands, and dabbed her eyes with a tissue for the hundredth time. "The clothes are different," she said, "but this certainly looks like him."
Aaron saw Robert take the photo from her as if in slow motion. Somehow, he knew. He knew before Robert tilted the photo unobtrusively toward them.
Jared's head shot.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
One Helluva January
Winter in Minnesota is supposed to be slow. Quiet.
Bor-ing.
But in the past month, I spent a miserable week trying to fight off a virus only to finally succumb and spend two days in bed. My kids got sick and being the mom, that meant I had some nights with very little sleep.
I ordered a keyboard (the musical kind!) and went into the music studio to record backup vocals for the Mark Cameron band.
I took extra taiko drumming classes because I thought I'd have the time.
I joined the Romance Writers Association and attended my first local meeting, where I was invited to join a critique group - something I have wanted and needed for a while.
The final 10 days in January found me writing intensely and purposefully every free minute I had. I worked on a new section of True Surrender - a section I added after getting feedback from several of my readers. The real fire under me was (big surprise) a deadline: the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award opened for submissions on January 24 and would accept "only" 5000 entries before it closed. I wanted True Surrender to be one of those entries! On February 1, I met that goal.
I didn't have time to celebrate, because I had a new product launch event for work on February 4 - and timing was so tight, I was picking up the final parts that morning.
And now a new adventure: the first live band gig I've done in EIGHTEEN YEARS. Yep, I'm singing with the band on February 19 (Rafters Bar in Stillwater). My kids are starting to sing along since I've been "studying" whilst driving them to/from school etc. Next week we'll rehearse and try to wrap up the recording work.
And then ... I think I'll need a 3-day nap!
Bor-ing.
But in the past month, I spent a miserable week trying to fight off a virus only to finally succumb and spend two days in bed. My kids got sick and being the mom, that meant I had some nights with very little sleep.
I ordered a keyboard (the musical kind!) and went into the music studio to record backup vocals for the Mark Cameron band.
I took extra taiko drumming classes because I thought I'd have the time.
I joined the Romance Writers Association and attended my first local meeting, where I was invited to join a critique group - something I have wanted and needed for a while.
The final 10 days in January found me writing intensely and purposefully every free minute I had. I worked on a new section of True Surrender - a section I added after getting feedback from several of my readers. The real fire under me was (big surprise) a deadline: the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award opened for submissions on January 24 and would accept "only" 5000 entries before it closed. I wanted True Surrender to be one of those entries! On February 1, I met that goal.
I didn't have time to celebrate, because I had a new product launch event for work on February 4 - and timing was so tight, I was picking up the final parts that morning.
And now a new adventure: the first live band gig I've done in EIGHTEEN YEARS. Yep, I'm singing with the band on February 19 (Rafters Bar in Stillwater). My kids are starting to sing along since I've been "studying" whilst driving them to/from school etc. Next week we'll rehearse and try to wrap up the recording work.
And then ... I think I'll need a 3-day nap!
Monday, January 10, 2011
A Little Writing, a Little Music...
Eighteen months ago I was asked to lay some backup vocal tracks with some musicians I sang with way back. I hadn't expected to do more than that, even though that band is now actively gigging around town - and one of the songs I sang on was getting radio play in France.
But something was re-awakened, and I found myself drawn back to music in a way I hadn't expected. Because of my busy schedule, being a permanent band member and gigging regularly isn't an option right now ... but I became open to doing 'projects.'
This past week I've been listening (and re-listening) to my friend's new tracks in preparation of recording vocals next week. And I'm starting to think about building a singing 'portfolio' for the day when I DO want to re-join a band.
When I gave my web site a face lift, I added two MP3 files on the MUSIC page (you can listen now).
There's also a link to a video of one of our taiko drumming pieces. It's not professional by any means (and it's of rehearsal, not performance), but it's fun - I'm playing the big "odaiko" drum on back right.
Speaking of odaiko, I just started an 'intensive' class on how to play that particular instrument more effectively. My son and I are also taking a 4-week taiko class together (along with my regular practice).
You might ask when I have time to write around all this. And that would be a fair question. But remarkably, the novel is progressing and I'm waking with new ideas more often than usual. I suspect creativity is like any other exercise: the more you do it, the more it comes to you!
But something was re-awakened, and I found myself drawn back to music in a way I hadn't expected. Because of my busy schedule, being a permanent band member and gigging regularly isn't an option right now ... but I became open to doing 'projects.'
This past week I've been listening (and re-listening) to my friend's new tracks in preparation of recording vocals next week. And I'm starting to think about building a singing 'portfolio' for the day when I DO want to re-join a band.
When I gave my web site a face lift, I added two MP3 files on the MUSIC page (you can listen now).
There's also a link to a video of one of our taiko drumming pieces. It's not professional by any means (and it's of rehearsal, not performance), but it's fun - I'm playing the big "odaiko" drum on back right.
Speaking of odaiko, I just started an 'intensive' class on how to play that particular instrument more effectively. My son and I are also taking a 4-week taiko class together (along with my regular practice).
You might ask when I have time to write around all this. And that would be a fair question. But remarkably, the novel is progressing and I'm waking with new ideas more often than usual. I suspect creativity is like any other exercise: the more you do it, the more it comes to you!
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