Gregory G. Allen's Blog, page 26

Awareness AND Acceptance

This year we are hearing so much about changing the word Autism "Awareness" to Autism "Acceptance". Personally - I'm all about saying that just because someone is different (whatever that difference may be) - be aware of that difference, accept them for who they are, and celebrate how different ALL of us are! 
It has been a year since my book Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Superhero with Autism has been out and what an amazing year it has been. No, I have not become a millionaire because of a book…was never the intention. I think what has happened has been just as wonderful. I have been able to be a small part of a much larger movement to make the lives of those living with autism visible to others.
And I do mean SMALL part. I realize what I do is nothing in comparison to the countless hours of what others do, but I'm pleased for what I do get to be involved with around this time of year.

My book is one of the many items up for auction at a fundraiser for autism in Minnesota. It is being read by a group of PACE (after school program) kids in Richardson, Texas and my publisher made a donation to help get those kids shirts. It received an amazing review from a young boy with autism today. And it is part of a giveaway on another blog. An abundance of richest in one week!
Last week, I was the guest speaker at a kick-off for autism awareness at a middle school in New Jersey. And today, I spent the day at three different elementary schools in New York talking about the book, signing copies and sharing the message to 'not be afraid'.
The past year has been an incredible personal journey for me and I'm so happy to meet each new person I come in contact with that has autism in their lives on a daily basis. I learn new stories. I see smiling faces. I feel I am part of awareness and acceptance. And at times, I can't keep quiet about how I feel and take to my blog on Huffington Post to share my views.
April 2nd - awareness day. Whatever that may mean to you. It has meant the world to me and I'm proud to be a part of it. 
BTW - I hear from people that I should contact their school and speak there. I am more than willing to travel around the Tri-State area (NY/NJ/CT) to talk about the book. But it's because of amazing parents in the school that bring the book to the attention of the school that gets me in there. Would love to do more!

Back Up on a SoapBox

Social Media can be confusing. So is building a platform if you are a writer. I've been doing it for almost two years now and if I were to look back at the amount of time I've spent on it, I probably could have written several other books during that time.
We all look for ways to connect to other people. Many people do it so much they don't leave the computer and simply try and do it virtually. For a writer, you not only want to connect - you want to cultivate readers for your books.
Spoiler alert: The next section may seem contrary to my 'pay-it-forward' attitude I have - so if you don't want to view my practical side, stop reading now.
Enter businesses aimed at 'indie authors' looking to help them build their list of followers or likes. (Yes, there are a few out there and if you are an indie author, I'm sure you've been approached and know them.)
I'll admit, I got pulled into these during my writing career and would spend the 3rd Friday of every month with the letter Y in the title going through their lists and following their rules to LIKE someone's page so they will LIKE me back. You must type X. You can't be logged in as your author page because it must COUNT. (Twitter has rules that your followers to follow ratio has to stay in proportion or they don't allow you to follow anymore. Facebook doesn't count PAGES that like your page, but many people don't want to use their personal account to LIKE another page - which is all that 'counts': case in point, I have another 175 PAGES that have 'liked' my author page on FB, but show in no counts).
My honest thoughts on this: it does nothing for you. Building numbers doesn't make you a better writer. LIKING a page of a book you'll never read doesn't help the author. If you took the time to read about that author, you may find you have nothing in common, don't agree with their philosophy and would probably not even be friends in the real world.
I have purchased so many indie books during the past two years to support many of those writers. I thought it was the 'right thing to do'. Some (I'll admit) did not grab my attention and I stopped reading, but many I have read, reviewed and shared. (That's my pay-it-forward mentality...see, it is still there.) But I'll be completely honest in this blog and say I have not always seen that reciprocated. I know the authors are most grateful when they see a tweet that says "I just bought X BOOK by Z" (and I always put their twitter account in place of Z) - I'm sure that makes them happy. But it doesn't always cause a writer to think in terms of checking out something I have written.
(Ouch...that last paragraph sounds like sour grapes and it is so not my intent. Just want to share with others indies the reality of it all.)
If it is about connecting to anyone and everyone - I say do it! Follow as many writers as possible. (Writers are readers after all.) Click 'Like' on every author page (even if you don't agree with 'pregnant wicca who only eat tofu'). And build up those total followers.  You never know what networking may do for you. (I actually love the site www.stage32.com for connecting to others in the entertainment industry.) 
But if it is about finding readers for your work, make real connections. Talk about things other than your book on your site and tweets. Engage people in conversation. Absolutely share what is happening with your writing career, but you want people following you that have a passion for your subjects and themes and just might tell someone else about your work. Like the old commercial "they told two friends and so on, and so on, and so on...".
Those are the people I want to engage with in social media. Not just someone that will add another 'count' to my likes.

Civility on Social Media

So the U.S. went through two days of what could be historical marriage equality cases in the supreme court. Now we sit and wait to see what decisions have been made. Everyone has their own personal opinions around the topic (and I think we all know where I stand on the issues). However, I just have to say this:

It was amazing to see social media light up the way that it did and not see major political discussions taking place.

Perhaps I was in a vacuum in my social world, but I never saw any heated discussions happening (as I had last November prior to elections). There was a beautiful out pouring of support or quiet protest: whichever it was - I found it inspiring. People rallied and shared photos and painted Facebook red and for those that do not agree with it (at least those in my news feed), they kept those opinions to themselves.




I did hear and read of a few people here and there that lost 'friends' due to their opinions on the case and I'm sorry that it came to that for those people.

But as for me and my house...it was great to see such love. 

Thank  you to those I follow and that follow me. Support is a wonderful thing. Kindness is a gift. And perhaps someday...well, we'll just leave it at that for now.

Peace & Love.

Guest Blog: This Poet Doesn't Stop

Today I welcome Travis Laurence Naught to my blog to guest blog. If you have read his book or follow him on twitter or Facebook, you'll notice he is someone that doesn't hold back when he speaks: raw and truthful words come from the mouth of this man; words that make one stop and think.  He has a new book coming out and I wanted to be a part of his blog hop.

Take it away, Travis!
**
Before we get going, I would like to thank Gregory for posting a guest blog by me!

The Virgin Journals is the reason that I am friends with fellow ASD Publishing author Gregory G. Allen. He took time out of his life to review my unpolished poetry memoir and make recommendations to a new friend he had met on-line! That is one of the foundational things about being an author today ... connecting with other authors. It used to be that we writers were the most private of sort. The click of a mouse and  Starbucks on every other corner culture has changed that in to a major social scene. You found this site on the internet. That means you are socializing electronically. 
For years and years, I had been treating writing as my own form of personal therapy. "Vent that s*%t or your brain is going to explode!" Nearly 150 poems or pieces of narrative nonfiction were sitting on my computer, so I decided I wanted to release them as a book. Gregory was my director. He helped me find a perfect fit for a bunch of unrefined thought. 
Not necessarily unrefined. Thoughts that everybody has were rolling through my brain on a near constant level and my physical disability provided me with the opportunity to take note of them. Now, I would love to be out working as a part of the work force, but since my body will not allow physical labor because I am a wheelchair user, I took to writing full time in order to make a contribution on the world. 
People have always told me to write a memoir of sort. They are amazed by the guy in a wheelchair who doesn't let his disability stand in his away. I have one very obvious shortcoming that made me believe nobody really cared ... my less than desired celibacy. Poetry was the natural outlet for my frustrations surrounding that particular topic. Writing is what people wanted from me. I took the chance and combined the two for public viewing. 
That is where the Virgin in my book title came from. Here is my introduction to the world of writing! It also has the very apparent double entendre with a nod toward my sexuality. The second reason for the word Virgin comes into play regarding the title of my second collection: Still Journaling . 
I still am! Since becoming a fully stamped and certified "author", my poetry has become  tighter (not necessarily shorter) but no less honest and personal. Taking the time to write as a job means I am allowed to explore life more fully and take notes on different subjects. Subjects that I might not ever be able to partake in. One of the poems from Still Journaling is about jumping out of helicopters to ski! Here's Adrenaline Rush from my new e-book:
Mountainside submariners
Dive in up to their knees
Porpoising in and out
Of white powder snow

Jumping off cliffside high rises
Wings strapped to their feet
Flying ice covered inches
Over Earth's ground floor

Forever freedom racing by
Speeding, swerving, twisting, turning
Between the rocks and by the trees
Seen by goggle covered eyes

An experience beginning close to God
Ends with emotional self applause
Another reason that I've enjoyed this new-found writer lifestyle is for the necessity to stretch my comfort zone. Doing this mostly means asking for help from others. I need a lot of help, as a quadriplegic, so I generally try not to ask for more than is required to keep me healthy. Writing keeps me healthy! I know that now, and have learned to ask people for help writing lines or even complete poems down for me as I am out and about. My words on the following page were written by people who are not me ... it is a very intimate experience to have someone encounter my first draft words, but Technically Jesus proved my need to have another write for me, as a refined version of it made the cut for Still Journaling!


To sum up; writers need one another, my writing has proved that physical ability does nothing toward changing natural thoughts, exploring all of life is a benefit that every author gets to try on, other people have helped me explore life more now than ever before! Hopefully I was able to curb my selfish focus and you were all able to take something from this article ... even if it is just the urge to spend $5 on your favorite e-reader and purchase Still Journaling!
Blog: http://naughtapoet.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TravisLaurenceNaught
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NaughtaPoet
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SharkFisher13

How Great & Powerful IS Oz?

Perhaps a few weeks late from its opening, but I finally saw the film "Oz The Great and Powerful". I had tried to stay away from comments about it online, but already had heard the rumblings of it not being 'so great'. Well, I take a slightly different view on it.

First, let me say that director Sam Raimi and his team have paid a beautiful homage to "The Wizard of Oz" for which his film is a prequel. Set 20 years prior to Dorothy dropping her house on a witch (presumably in case the team wanted to create yet another film prior to the iconic one), in many ways they have stayed very true to what we all remember and love from the original. Unlike what happened with the Star Wars prequels, I felt this could have been the same team if the 1939 MGM team had been whisked away in a tornado to 2013. The black and white opening in Kansas stays in tact. We meet actors that will appear later in Oz. And when we get there, the colors and CGI effects are vibrant and beautifully just as technicolor was to an audience of days gone by. I also want to give a huge shout out to Danny Elfman for an original score that evokes the 1939 film.
When the now classic film first appeared, it wasn't a well-recieved movie. That is hard for us to fathom now, but it took years for it to become the classic  that we know. I'm not saying this movie is headed in that same direction, but I think that should be remembered when people start out reviews by bashing the movie on the screen today.
Though L. Frank Baum never wrote a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz" (he wrote many sequels), writers Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire have taken on the task and stayed true to the tone of what Baum had done. We all know the Wizard was nothing but a fake at the end of the original film, but what got him there? What was his wants and desires? And what would cause a man to stay in this land? Enter a womanizing fake of a magician to answer those questions for us. While I appreciate the backstory of Oz (known as Oscar Diggs), James Franco didn't quite get there for me in the film. I've heard that Robert Downey Jr. and Johnny Depp were the first choices and I can only imagine what each of them could have brought to the role. Don't get me wrong: I enjoy James Franco in movies. I just never felt his plight in this one. 
I did however enjoy the secondary characters and thought Zach Braff and Joey King were wonderful sidekicks. While others have complained about the casting of the three witches, I actually found this film in a way to be more about the power of these women and less about the great and powerful Oz. The women are all sitting around waiting for a man to save them and yet they seem they could get by on their own without any man. With just a few script changes and we have a great female empowerment tale. (Just saying.) Michele Williams, Mila Kunis, and Rachel Weisz give there own take on witches we've met before and some we never knew. (Don't forget: Dorothy's house fell on one of them.)
Wicked The MusicalI think the hardest part of this movie for some theater people to take is how to settle in their mind how "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire fits into the equation. Many people love the musical based on that book and because the stage version did such a great job at combing Maguire's book with the original movie, we have it in our heads that is the backstory. Just like the writers of "Oz the Great and Powerful", Maguire had created his own prequel to tell this well known children's tale (and rumor has it his version may soon be on the big screen too).
For me, I took this movie for what it was and allowed it to take me on the twister of emotions that can at times thrill, pull at the heart string, and occasionally have me looking at my watch.

American Idols Take Broadway

Can we just talk about American Idol for a moment? You know, the show that has been on for what feels like forever where they churn out performers on a conveyor belt of popularity and ride them until the next comes along.
One of the biggest things that always confused me was when Simon would say “you are too Broadway” – as if that is a bad thing. And this year, Randy has turned into the one telling the men they are too theatrical.
Let’s just look at the amount of previous American Idol people that went on to do theater, shall we? It seems to be like Idol was a direct line to working professionally in the theater. (And I know this is not a complete list that I came up with.)
Clay Aiken: SpamelotFantasia Barrino: The Color PurpleJordin Sparks: In the HeightsTaylor Hicks: GreaseAce Young: Grease, HairCounstatine Maroulis: The Wedding Singer, Rock of Ages, The Toxic Avenger, Jekyll & HydeCrystal Bowersox: Always Patsy ClineDiana DeGarmo: The Toxic Avenger, Hair, Hairspray, Brooklyn: The Musical, 9 to 5Anthony Fedorov: The Fantasticks, RentFrenchie Davis: Dreamgirls, Ain’t Misbehavin’Justin Guarini: American Idiot, Women on the Verge of a Nervous BreakdownTamyra Gray: Rent, Bombay DreamsRuben Studdard: Ain’t Misbehavin’Trenyce: Ain’t Misbehavin’LaToya London: The Color PurpleLaKisha Jones: The Color PurpleSyesha Mercado: Once on This Island at Papermill PlayhouseBo Bice: Was scheduled to do Pump Boys & Dinettes, but it was cancelledKatherine McPhee: Smash (which is a Broadway themed show)
And even Carrie Underwood is going to be playing Maria in the new Sound of Music for television.
Evidently, American Idol and musicals go together like America and apple pie.

Vacation from Life

View from BalconyAnyone who reads my blog knows I love to travel.

Sometimes, we just need to stop the world and 'get off' to forget about everything else going on. That was the kind of trip I had last week while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was a time to unwind, escape the cold of the northeast and simply relax. Nothing planned. Just me, good friends, a loaded up kindle full of books and the sun.

Naturally, being a writer I can't help but notice people and my surroundings. And occasionally  I take notes of something that may end up in a book at some point. What I found interesting was no matter the age around the pool (and many were older people), everyone seemed to have a reading device. I saw more kindles on this trip than ever before. Very few actual books. And if not a kindle, then an iPad or a smart phone where people were deep into something to pass the time. 

I guess we all love to escape when on vacation, but it seems people are talking less and 'escaping' more.

Puerto Vallarta had amazing restaurants and my friends knew all the great places to go. From eating on a mountain side to awesome places at the water's edge, we hit so many.

I also got to see a fellow author visiting from Canada and it was great to see him again after a year. David Hallman seems to make that his home for several weeks each winter (and I can see why). (I told him I wanted to be him when I grow up!)

We ended the trip with another love of mine. Going to the theater. While I usually enjoy theater that makes me feel something full of angst, sometimes I just want to laugh. And I did. Del Shores' "Sordid Lives" is a play that became a movie and then a television series. I've never seen it on stage and it was a hoot for this Texan to see this play that pokes such fun at my home state. And then to meet Mr. Shores afterward the show (whom I sent a copy of Well With My Soul to when it first came out) was a real treat as this man shares so much of my Southern Baptist upbringing and Texas history.

All in all, what a great vacation it was. Being back to reality is hard, but at least I got a chance to recharge during the cold winter months and enjoy the beauty of nature.  

What Makes An Author Smile

I said it before and I'll say it again: writing is lonely.

You are stuck inside your own mind for so long with nothing but your characters to talk to you. You create their world, their wants and desires, and their obstacles. Once the book is out there and people finally get a chance to read it, many times you've moved on to another project.

But I beg my fellow writers: stop and listen to your readers.

I know, I know...write for yourself. But why not enjoy the fruits of your labor once in a while. Nothing makes me happier than to hear from a reader how much my characters speak to them. To get in a dialogue with someone deep into the book and they talk about MY people like they are real. 

It literally makes it all worth while.

And let's face it. As an indie author, I'm not topping the charts of the NY Times or selling thousands of copies to readers around the world. It's touching individuals who relate to my situations and feel the need to write that in a review or in a private message to me. That I've touched a life? ..... Gold.  

This too should be repeated....the writers behind the little musical that could [title of show] knew of what they spoke when they wrote the lyric:

I’d rather be nine people’s favorite thing
Than a hundred people’s ninth favorite thing.

I love my 'nine people'. They make me smile each time I write a new book and they can't wait to tell me their thoughts.

A Writer Who Tells it Like It Is

There are writers we are drawn to for one reason or another. We like their style, the voice they write in, the way they make us smack ourselves in stupidity.

Scott Morgan is one of those writers for me.

I've talked about him before on my blog as one of the first people I ever met on social media. And then we met face-to-face at a conference in New York and we really hit it off. He comes off in person as quiet and reserved, but the man takes a no-holds-barred approach to the books that he writes on the art of writing. Scott has been a writer for years, started his own business that offers many services for this field, and shares his knowledge with those that connect with him. There are so many 'how to' books on the market and many times we have to weed through them to see what makes the most sense to us. I've read many of them and honestly at times - I get bored.

But Scott actually has me laughing as I read his work. From his Character Development book to his latest How to be a Whiny Beeyotch , he makes us view the writing world through his fresh eyes. Those dark, demented eyes! :-) His style isn't for the squeamish or those that have a problem with cursing. This isn't your grandmother holding your hand through the process of writing: this is a no-nonsense approach to letting go of those excuses of why you SHOULDN'T be writing! With a good back-hand to accompany the lesson. Through his humor and awesome style, he cuts through the crap and tells you to WRITE!

Scott is Rock star that curses like a ball player and makes you say "Duh, why didn't I think of that?" He has 71 writing excuses (I'm egotistical enough to think I'm the person he speaks of in #44) and many are things you've either heard others say or have used yourself as an excuse not to write. I honestly can't recommend this book enough! After being verbally berated by this best selling author and self made writing guru, you may just walk away writing the best book of your own budding career. 

How to be a Whiny Beeyotch - 71 Writing Excuses Meet The Back of My Hand is available in eBook and print. See more information here. 





  

The Other Place is a Place to Be

I experienced the most extreme 75 minutes when seeing the Broadway production of "The Other Place". Talk about compact writing that utilizes every moment to push the story along. Playwright Sharr White has an extensive bio of 'other places' she has worked on her art, but this is her Broadway debut and how lucky for her to have the director and cast that she has to tell her unique story.

I found the piece to be extremely powerful and beautiful. A truly thought-provoking contemporary drama full of mystery and...pain. I went into it not knowing much: a woman who thinks she's suffering from brain cancer...or is she? But the journey we go on that plays with time in such a unique way: I for one loved it.
It's always difficult when you read reviews of shows because so many times it seems reviewers are telling the show they'd prefer to see instead of what they saw. Simply look at the way the NY Times reviewed the show first off-Broadway and then the transfer to on Broadway: same show ending and yet they didn't tear it apart on Broadway as they had off. (BTW - I love the last scene that he complains about - maybe I go for the touching, weepy Lifetime movie.)
I think Joe Mantello is such a wonderful director. I first saw him as an actor on Broadway, but he quickly became one of the leading directors with so many credits under his belt (working with Bette Midler next on her return to Broadway). He keeps this show moving along so quickly and yet gives amazing jolts to the audiences that causes us to feel a punch from how he has directed his cast.
What a cast it is. Laurie Metcalf deserves all the praise she has received for this show. She never leaves the stage (even starts out on stage prior to the rest of the cast) and gives a tour-de-force performance. To watch a woman unravel in the way she portrays it is brilliance at work. And to work with her real life daughter Zoe Perry as a scene partner (playing multiple roles) - I really loved their scenes together. Ms. Perry is a great talent in her on right. I saw Bill Pullman's first performance and I can't imagine coming into this well-oiled machine when he did. He gave a fine performance and I know he'll only get better (and a little louder for the stage). John Schiappa rounds out the cast and I only wish he had a little more to do since this seems like a four person ensemble piece, but really has the other three shine much more.
I must also give kudos to the design teams because everything worked so wonderful together in this piece. Eugene Lee and Edwards Pierce for their abstract scenic design, Justin Townsend's stark and evocative lighting, Fitz Patton for the haunting original music and sound design, and William Cusick for video and projection design which truly aided to the power of this show.
The intermission-less show has become more and more popular on Broadway. It allows people to see a show without taking up an entire evening, but sometimes it leaves you wanting more. Strangely enough, this felt complete to me. Even at 75 minutes. I completely understood this woman, her life, her fears - it was all there unfolding in front of our eyes with flashbacks and monologues. And from the amount of people that simply could not get out of their seats at show's end; had to sit and take it all in - I was not alone. 
Thank you, Manhattan Theatre Club for offering unique pieces such as "The Other Place" for audiences. It runs one more month! My recommendation is to get there.
And lastly, Mr. Mantello - please call me. Have I got a script for you to tackle!