Christa Avampato's Blog, page 56
July 20, 2019
Joy today: I received a TopShelf Magazine 2020 Book Award Nomination
[image error]I don’t know what lovely person made my day on Saturday, but they sure did. I found out that my book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was nominated for a TopShelf Magazine 2020 Book Award. I received an email with the happy news last night and I’d really like to thank the person who nominated me. If it was you, please let me know! For now, I’m just tossing copious amounts of gratitude and joy into the universe.
Joy today: Happy 50th birthday to the moon landing
Happy 50th birthday to the moon landing! If you are anywhere near NYC before Sept 22nd, I highly recommend seeing The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York‘s exhibit Apollo’s Muse: The Moon in the Age of Photography, a beautiful combo of science, art, & dreams.
Among my favorite pieces there:
Images from and of the refracting telescope at Lick Observatory (1870s and 1880s)
The first book entirely dedicated to the moon (from 1647)
Images from the lunar atlas created at the Lick Observatory (1897)
Venice by the light of the moon (a trick of photography by Carlo Naya – 1875)
A light-refracting telescope similar in technology to the one used by Galileo (1800)
July 17, 2019
Joy today: Writing feedback is a gift
I wrote my first TV pilot script this month—an adaptation of my young adult novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters. I’ve entered it in a few screenwriting competitions. One of those allowed the option to pay a bit more to get personalized feedback on the script. I jumped at the chance to get feedback from experts in the industry. Feedback is such a gift and so important, especially since I’m just learning how to write for this medium.
I just got the feedback and it’s 3 full pages of insights and suggestions on how to make the script stronger, specifically for TV. Immensely helpful! It scored 7.6/10 which I think is pretty good for my first TV script. I did a little dance, tossed up some sincere wishes of gratitude, and am now getting back to editing and refining.
July 14, 2019
Joy today: Moulin Rouge on Broadway
The Broadway show Moulin Rouge The Musical is opulent and spectacular. An event. A party. A love story. The raw manifestation of truth, beauty, freedom, and love. A love letter to bohemian Paris set in one of the most storied theaters in New York. The cast is spectacular, especially Karen Olivo and Aaron Tveit!
July 11, 2019
Joy today: Going to Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2020
Sharing some wonderful news today: I’ve been asked to direct a play at the 2020 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and accepted. More details soon. For now I’m just filled with excitement to take part in Scotland‘s legendary theater festival that I’ve dreamed of going to for years! https://www.edfringe.com/
Joy today: Going to Edinburgh International Festival 2020
Sharing some wonderful news today: I’ve been asked to direct a play at the 2020 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and accepted. More details soon. For now I’m just filled with excitement to take part in Scotland‘s legendary theater festival that I’ve dreamed of going to for years! https://www.edfringe.com/
July 9, 2019
Joy today: Shout about what you love
The greatest gift life offers us is the ability to build with our hands what’s in our hearts. I can promise you this: if you consistently shout about what you love, let people know what you want to do, possibilities start to show up. At your doorstep, over coffee, in your inboxes. Some you hope for and some you never even imagined existed. They come from close friends, people you’ve just met, and people you knew a lifetime ago. So please, don’t wait. You don’t have any time to waste. None of us do. Seek our opportunities to do what you love. And if you don’t find them, then make them. Manifest. Raise your voice. Move your feet. Find your pack. Rise, and lift others on your way up. Choose joy.
July 8, 2019
Joy today: Make sure time is on your side
Time is our most precious resource.
We can make more money.
We can’t make more time.
We have to do what we’re most passionate about,
What lights us up,
What brings us joy,
Today and every day.
Get out there.
Live and tell your story.
July 5, 2019
Joy today: Berlin, here I come!
And just like that I started making plans to visit Berlin, a city I’ve wanted to go to for years. There, I’ll be doing plenty of nerdy museum, science, history, art, and culture research. Plus visiting old and new friends who live there. Why have I waited so long to make this trip? Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, I can’t wait to see you. Have you been to Berlin? Give me all your tips and recommendations!
Joy today: The power of storytelling
We have only so much time and the stories that mean the most to us are the ones we need to take the time to tell. What I love best about storytelling is its urgency, how a good story won’t you leave you alone until you tell it. It will follow you around, tap you on the shoulder, and whisper in your ear. The longer you ignore it, the louder it becomes, until you just have to bring it to life.
Most of the time my tenacity is a real blessing. Sometimes, it causes me to take a path that I make harder for myself when it doesn’t have to be difficult at all. All I have to do is change my mind. (Haha – easier said than done!) All I have to do is decide that right now in this moment I have everything I need to tell the stories I want to tell, the way I want to tell them. (Also easier said than done but I’m getting better at this bit.)
The universe often has to give me the same lesson multiple times, especially if it’s a lesson I don’t want!, until I learn it and don’t have to go through it anymore. Maybe this is true for you, too. Maybe this perspective helps, and if it does, I also hope it helps you know you’re not alone. I’m right there with you and I believe in you. I believe in us. And I believe in the power of stories and storytellers to bring a better world into existence. So let’s just do that, okay?
