Let's Rock

Music is a big part of my life. I like many different types of music, from classical to classic rock, jazz and blues, to some of the big band era’s greatest performers. Instrumental music with just guitars or piano counts in there as well. I’ve never gotten into country or rap, but a few of those songs crossover into the mainstream and have caught my attention as well.

So I was saddened to hear that one of rock and roll’s greats passed away.  Chuck Berry’s songwriting and guitar skills are legendary. Berry was the inspiration to many successful artists, including Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, Bob Seger, and The Rolling Stones just to name a few.

When I’m writing, music is always with me. Sometimes I’ll choose the genre to set the tempo for the scene I’m working on.  Hard driving rock is good for fast paces scenes.  Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole work well with slower, romantic moments.  Chuck Berry is perfect for injecting humor and lightening the mood when the situations are tense.  He was a true showman, enjoying life, drawing his audience in.  He was still performing in his eighties. Yes, Chuck Berry is gone. But his music, like other greats before him, will live on.  

Rest in peace, Chuck Berry.  Thanks for all the great music.

https://youtu.be/cQGCWf6azHY

An Oscar Moment

Recently there was a great deal of publicity and comment following some confusion with the best picture prize at the Academy Awards ceremony. In some respects, that event drew more attention than the awards themselves. Hey, we’re all human. Mistakes happen. Chances are there will be people linked with those five minutes of ineptitude for years.

So I found it ironic when my own Oscar moment happened this week.  A few months ago, my colleague at Inkspell Publishing, notified a number of us that there was a competition brewing for cover art. If we wanted to submit one of our works, they would coordinate the efforts.  Sounded like a good idea, so I asked that “Fleeing Beauty” be entered.  After all, it’s my personal favorite in the Jamie Richmond series.

The story line of the novel is that Jamie’s late father, who was a successful sculptor, left behind a secret storeroom filled with crates of his work. When it’s discovered, Jamie and her small circle of friends take on the job of opening the crates to inventory the treasure.  Additionally, she finds seven journals in his desk, giving her insight into the man she barely knew.

The cover, which was created by Shades of Rose Media, depicts Jamie with stacks of crates in the background and small tower of journals before her. It’s a cliché, but the first time I saw the artwork, it took my breath away. Still does. It draws you in, giving you little hints at what the story will be about.

So this week I received an email announcing that I was a finalist in the cover art contest for electronic book publishing.  There was a nice little certificate, which I was going to put on my blog and paste it all over Facebook. Until I looked closer.

You see, it made reference to a different book. Not mine. I checked with the committee and they confirmed the message, once again referring to the other book. A quick note to my publisher at Inkspell revealed it was for another writer within the house. Not mine. So close!  

Ah well.  And here I was, rehearsing my speech.  So that’s my Oscar moment.  What’s yours?

https://youtu.be/8KeOxeuiZjs 

Where Was I?

Lately whenever I have a little free time that would normally be used to write, something else pops up that demands my attention.  In the back of my mind, there’s the next project I’ve been working on. It’s grown to about 200 pages in a very rough draft.  That’s promising. The story is developing nicely. A few twists have already appeared. A subplot or two. A little misdirection, which is always good.  But with all these other demands on my time, the book just sits quietly, waiting and waiting for me to return and keep the story going.

Thursday night I had a free hour, so I called up the file and the first thing that hit my mind was ‘where was I?’  How is it possible that I couldn’t recall where I was in the story?  This wasn’t someone else’s tale.  This is mine. How could I forget what was happening? How could I not know what tension was taking place? I felt like a negligent parent who forgot one of the kids sporting events.  How could I not know where I was?

It happens. Some people have the luxury of being able to write on a daily basis.  I’m envious of them. But life has other demands on me. When I can carve some time out to write, and it’s been a while since I’ve responded to the call of my characters, I’ll go back and read where I left off. With any luck at all, that will kick start the ideas. The background music becomes a little sharper, the screen grows brighter and the characters come out to play. And just like good friends, we pick up wherever we left off.  Sometimes they take a chance, do something unexpected and we’re all pleasantly surprised.

As to the unexpected, here’s a little video clip that fits the bill. Hope you enjoy it.

https://youtu.be/Bceuh8c-4kg