Music

Presenting my idea of the 'musical' edition of 'Sorrysorrysorry' to my editor at class tomorrow. Not sure what she'll think about the idea. I've lost my recorder in the packing and unpacking. Hoping to find it soon. Well, actually, I've got two. I haven't seen either. I hope they were packed!

Had Skyline Writers' Group on Saturday. I didn't present but we had a great discussion about another author's fantasy work. She's already published one book and is working on her second. A pretty good one called, 'Island of Tory.'

Afterwards came the real gem. One of my favorite authors from the group and I stood outside and chatted for awhile. She's writing two books. One is a thriller, cityscape fantasy. It's incredibly chilling. The other is an agrarian fantasy set in some type of medieval time. Not sure if it is this world or another. Doesn't matter.

It's always fun to get together with authors of your same genre. It's like you speak English but with a different twist to it. You understand each other. You don't have to explain things.

We talked about epic tales and numerous characters and how these tales had fallen out of 'favor' awhile back. She felt that the mood was changing and that these were coming back into style.

I remarked that I saw an ad on TV for 'Downton Abbey' where they prided themselves on the fact that there were thirty-three characters introduced in the first installment.

So - the fifty characters in my first book aren't too bad. *g*

Life is delightful.

Music And Books

Though I only have a few moments every day to get onto a computer, the mind never stops. I am getting terribly antsy about writing. I know I could do it with my trusty rusty yellow pad, but at the moment, I want my computer.

I haven't even thought much about 'Blue' lately, but the mind has been churning and getting excited about looking again at sending out 'Sorrysorrysorry.' However, I took the little one to an event at the local library and it's given me some thoughts.

A troupe from a local school put on a concert based upon a book. Sadly, I don't remember the book, the concert was such fun to watch. Sixth graders brought a busload of instruments. Drums, all different sizes of xylophones, maracas, and other percussion instruments, along with recorders.

Now, I learned music through a recorder and enjoyed it. My little one played with the instruments afterwards. It seemed a great way to 'expand' a book.

My thoughts. Why not write music to go along with the giraffe story? I know I could do it. I've got three songs that are published and used internationally. The music would have to be simple so that grade school orchestras/bands could do it as this group did.

I think I'll talk to my editor. Not sure if the music should be on each individual page or at the back of the book. We'll see. Exciting!

BTW -- I see that some ebooks have music along with them now. Darn those ebooks. Trying to corner the market.... *g*

As for 'Blue' -- darn it all. I've got to get back to that god-forsaken valley and get my heroine out of there.

Life is disconcerting.

PS -- thanks to my readers who have been loyal through this computer debacle.

Lost

I think that's what happens sometimes as I'm writing. It's not that I'm terrified (well, sometimes I am) about where the story is going. It's not that I don't have the time (who does???). It's about being lost in the story and wondering where on earth (or why) the Muse has decided to go off on some gallivant.

If you use an outline, you probably don't have this problem. Though it would seem to me that, if the Muse decided to veer off, you'd still be lost. Love my Muse!

I've got my heroes running around in this horrid volcanic valley trying to find a mist-enshrouded castle. And yet, I want to write a bit more about the area, have another crisis moment, and then go on. The Muse wants to get right to the castle. Of course, I'll obey her. She's got a 99% correct track record.

Shees! I'm a control freak, but writing doesn't allow me that pleasure.

A quick 'push' -- my pitch for Sorrysorrysorry is up at the blog site below. If you like my pitch, would you please cursor down and click on 'Sharron' and vote for it. The winner gets her pitch sent off to an editor. Bless you!  http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2012/03/pitch-pick-6-and-oh-susanna-how-does-pb.html

Life is joy-filled.

PS - still no computer, but I'm trying!

Emotional Moment

Though I have not been able to get onto a computer (except for here at the library), I have been thinking about writing and also attending my meetings. Thank God for those!

Yesterday, I went to my Writers' Ink group (the WA group). Usually, we share about our lives and the impact writing has on them. Also, we share our ups and downs as far as writing is concerned.

We had a different goal set for us this time. We were supposed to bring a piece that we had written awhile ago. A piece that we found surprisingly good. You know those pieces that hide in a folder on the computer or on a shelf in our offices, forgotten.

I brought one called, "Blame It On The Women." It's a tongue-in-cheek humorous little piece that encompasses four vignettes about the women followers of Jesus on the night of the Last Supper. In fact, the scenes each take place after Jesus and his apostles leave the Upper Room. A serious subject, but I knew there had to be some humor -- what with the myriad personalities present -- Joanna, Ruth, Magdalene, Mary and Martha Cleophas, etc.

I only read one. Didn't want to hog the meeting. As I read the last line, I started to tear up. It was a total surprise. When I finished, I looked up and discovered that our intrepid leader was weeping. I was stunned. She's used to editing lots of stuff, so I felt honored that it touched her so much.

One of our other members came late. Our leader insisted I read the piece again. At the end, the tears threatened, to my surprise. I looked up and found our leader copiously crying. I got chills.

I think I best try to find a place to get this published.

Life is surprising.

PS - I still see giraffes every day!