Gregory G. Allen's Blog, page 38

SMASH: The New Competition Show

Iknew I couldn't let a blog posting go by where I didn't talk about the new NBCshow SMASH. I'm not going to give things away that we haven't all seen in thenumerous commercials. Let me go on record as saying as a theater person, I'mthrilled there is a scripted show about New York and all that entails inworking on a musical. They use New York actors. They talk about what's going onin the industry. And Marc Shaiman has created some wonderful originaltunes. It's funny that one of the plot lines is about a song 'leaking' onthe internet and social media. That's exactly what they've done with this show.They've used every aspect of social media in getting this show out there beforeit even started. You could watch it online, on demand, EVERYWHERE before itpremiered. (I'll admit: I watched it Saturday afternoon on demand.) 
I've been a writer ofnew musicals and I really appreciate the sentiment behind the show of creatingsomething "new". (The irony is that Marilyn is now everywhere and notso new. Movies. TV. And several versions of musicals out there...as well as onthe horizon.) I was also in that business as a performer and hated theauditions, competing, and people sizing you up to see if they are better. 
I much prefer theworld of writing where authors (for the most part) are not competing withyou...but supporting you. And telling others to read your books. (Even someauthors I'm up against in some categories for awards this spring. How amazingis that!?) And yet...the next two weeks of my life, I'm back in competitionmode - in the middle of some sort of 'American Idol-esque' vote until you can't vote any more campaign to get my children's book published: complete withthe video montage of the back story, major use of social media and technologyto lead people to it, and good old-fashioned word of mouth.
It makes me wonder ifwe've become a society built around competition because of all of the realityshows. The creators of this show have returned to that premise in this showwith "who will win the lead?" I'm eager to see where SMASH is going to head.From coming attractions, it seems as if it's concentrating on this one aspect.I do hope the fact that it is a scripted show means we'll also get greatcharacter driven moments so we can really begin to care for the people on theshow. As long as it stays going in this direction and doesn't turn intoAmerica calling & voting, I think it'll be a great addition to TV. 
(Scratch that - justread there is a "Be On SMASH" contest starting.)

Guest Blog: Write Hook Packs a Punch

I'm excited to be exchanging blogs this week with a great writer and friend, Scott Morgan - who doesn't hold back. Scott was the first person I met on LinkedIn last year and we instantly started online communication discussing all things writing. I got to meet him face-to-face at a book expo in NYC (where I think I got more out of talking to him than the break-out sessions, but I digress). Check out Scott on his website. Writer, editor, and very interesting blogger! And grab a copy of one of his books from his bookstore. (Character Development... is a MUST for writers and his Short Stack is a great collection of stories.)
And now Scott has something to share that few are afraid to say. Take it away, Scott!
Every family has one person who makes everyone walk on eggshells. We all feel the tension in the room whenever he enters. And we all wish this person would pack up and move to Burma, where he could get a good shave in a nice tiger trap. 
And to this person, this entity making all of our lives less rewarding, what do we say?
Nothing. We just pretend everything's OK because it's easier than dealing with the butt-ugly truth that everyone knows but no one talks about.
So, I hear you ask, how does this relate at all to being an author? Simple: We all know something about marketing our work that no one actually wants to say out loud––Twitter doesn't work.
There. Don't you feel better? Or do you also need to hear this: Facebook doesn't work either.
OK, now you feel better. Or, wait. Do you need to hear this: Blogging doesn't work either.
Whoa! Wow, that took a lot out of you. You look dazed. OK, well, I promise I'm done with the here's-one-more-thing things. But now that someone has said it out loud, doesn't that feel better? To know that you're not alone in how you feel? I know I do.
The thing is, all these strategies that we as indie writers employ––the tweeting and friending and Goodreading (I don't know what else to call it) and blogging and giveaways––are already done. And by done, I mean, it's over. The very benefit of the Internet (that it's free and that anyone with access can put himself out there for the world to see) also is its biggest drawback. There are simply too many people doing the same things––mainly because those things work just often enough to keep the rest of us holding on.
This isn't just me talking. Studies (real ones) have shown that the absolute least effective methods people use to sell books are print ads, Twitter, Facebook, and blogs––in that order, from the bottom.
The reason, at least as far as I can see it, is simple: Indie authors are trying to convince other indie authors to buy their stuff. Now, if we all wrote bibles and took them to the same church, what would be the motivation for anyone but me to pray from mine?
If you've read my blog regularly (and a few have) you've noticed that I'm the type to give steps on how to do something. But here, I can't. Because I don't know what the answer is. The only useful thing I'm doing here is saying "There's an elephant in the room." Because there is. 
A lot of indie writers are frustrated and tired and exasperated with all the shiny promises and bottomless hype, and I'm one of them. And, contrary to popular belief, a lot of us do want to make money as writers. We do want to sell our books. We're not in it for the pure love of writing, because if we were, we wouldn't be trying to convince people that we have awesome things for them to read. We'd just write some things for ourselves and never tell a soul.
My approach from here on is to continue talking to people on Twitter, where I've met some fine peeps (including Greg, who so graciously is hosting this blog). I will continue my blog too. And I will continue writing, because it's what I do. But I won't expect these things to move product for me. I'll do them to stay in touch with a community of good, motivated people who want to be part of the world and share their creative voices.
And maybe for now, that's good enough.

Chicken Boy: The Final Round

Gabe in his
"Bahcaaaaaah" shirt!Four months ago I set off on a new path that I could never have graspedwhere it would take me. Submitting a children's book about my godson with autism to the MeeGeniusAuthor Challenge started a whirlwind of excitement for me like I've neverexperienced. By the end of November, voting began with 400 manuscripts submitted and naturally I assumed the odds were against me.  I'm sopleased to say not only did we get over 2,000 votes (the most of any duringDecember) – but the comments received by voters were amazing! I was overwhelmed by the joy it brought to me as it came to a close, and NOW - our book has been professionally edited. (It was wonderful to workwith the editor – moving pages around, tightening the story.) It was illustratedby the amazing Dennis Culver which was a thrill to see the descriptions I hadwritten down in the fall as a story board come to life on the page from hishead. AND – it is one of 14 books remaining in the final round of voting!! (Yes…itseems to be Greg & the gals in this round as I'm the last guy standing.) And can we mention how smart MeeGenius is…hencetheir name…to make the super hero boy a little older so the book can be enjoyed bychildren of many ages and not just kindergarten?  So this ismy plea to please help us make autism awareness in children's books a realityand get this book published by MeeGenius. Click HERE to vote.
One minuteto read the book, vote and share the link with friends…that's all I'm askingfor.
I'm awarethat some people were confused in the fall during round one and thought thatwas all we had to do. I apologize for the confusion. That was to get the 400manuscripts down to the final 14. The previous year's competition seemed to havejudges in the finals round and we were not certain if the public would bevoting or not this year. So here are few points to share:1)      Voting for the finalslast until February 21…we need people voting and sharing every day so we canclimb up that Rankings list and get those votes!2)     This is an eBookcompany. This is NOT to get the book in print (though trust me, if we win thiscompetition we will do everything in our power to get the book in print as wellso people can hold it in their hands)!3)     The winning book notonly gets published (and the author gets an advance) – but a school gets alibrary of eBooks. In this case, it's Gabe's school in Nutley, NJ. RadcliffeElementary.    So I will try not to be a pest the next 20 days – but I really want tosee this book get as many votes as possible. (Who am I kidding: we want to seeit get MORE than it did before!) 
Thank you for your support. For all of you being a part of  #TeamChickenBoy and for going on this journey with me! It's the final stretch and we can do it!
 "Bahcaaaaaaah!"

Q&A with Author Arthur Wooten

As manypeople know, my blogs (like my life) cover many different topics. I havementioned the children's book ( Wise BearWilliam ) my friend Arthur Wooten has written on here before, but reallywanted him to share what the experience of publishing a children's book hasbeen like. I'm so glad he had the time to give us some insight into this world.  
Welcome back to my blog, Arthur!I know this is your first children's book, but tell us your background inwriting/performing for children.
Arthur WootenWhen Ifirst arrived in NYC in 1975, hoping to make it in show biz and carrying mylittle valise full of all my worldly belongings and a pair of tap shoes (I kidyou not), the first show I landed was a children's musical. It ran at theProvincetown Playhouse on MacDougal Street and it was called Dirtie Ferdie Comes Clean. Ferdie had tofight germs and disease and I was cast as his friend and hero, Lester TheLaundry Bag. Yes, they dressed me as a laundry bag. Actually, it was very cute,ran forever and was my first introduction to children's theatre. Performing forchildren is tough. They are a brutal audience. If they love you, you'll knowit. If they hate you, you'll know it. If they question you, you'll know it. Iremember during the run of the show, a kid sitting in the front row of amatinee performance screamed out to me, "Are you girl or a boy?"
Performing for children is such agreat look into what kids want. So when was William 'born' after that & what has been his journey?
Bud SantoraItwasn't until 1988 that I wrote my first children's story and it was Wise Bear William. Teamed up with myillustrator, Bud Santora, from the very beginning, we created a giant black andwhite dummy book, landed an agent surprisingly quickly and she spent about ayear trying to sell the project to publishing houses. The tone of the book,more classic in storytelling with rich, saturated illustrations, was not theflavor of the year. It wasn't the flavor of the next decade! But Bud and I knewwe had "something". In 1992,Phylicia Rashad discovered the project, fell in love with it and optioned it asan animated feature film with music. It was shopped around Hollywood andended up at Paramount. Ultimately they did a "demographic" of the project andwe discovered once again that it just wasn't the right time for this type ofstory. 1995 atelevision producer entered the picture and optioned Wise Bear William but it never materialized. A coupleof years later, a literary agency discovered "William" and for about two yearsaggressively tried to market it as a book again, but they fell short. In themeantime, Bud and I had gone on to other projects and we put the project tosleep.
One can never say something was born overnight with you! You have really stayed with the project and how wonderful it found a life in 2011.
I'd say it was the success of my novels and with the world in a post 9/11 mindset and theUS in a very tentative state and clearly in a recession, Bud and Isensed this may be "William's" time.It's a story of patience, hope and integrity. It demonstrates that if you holdonto your beliefs and do good in the world, you'll be rewarded. So we publishedWise Bear William: A New Beginning asa children's picture book in December of 2011 and we're both thrilled with theresults.
What were some challenges/differencesin publishing a children's book?
Ithought publishing my novels was a task but creating children's books is a hugechallenge. Creating them to our standards. Bud works in "illustrator" and"photoshop" and has created luscious and intricate illustrations that are, aswe found, tricky to translate to publication, both as a book and eBook.
Tell us about the book version.
Withnovels, you format your manuscript into the required format, create thecover…and that's about it. With a children's picture book there are so manythings that can go awry. Bud could have created a "simpler" version of the bookbut a big part of what really makes the story work, is the way each page isliterally framed and behind the frames is a repeat "wallpaper" that is reallytricky to line up when printing. Color has to be perfect and type and qualityof paper plays a huge factor. Softcover versions, the paper tends to absorbmore of the ink, whereas hardcover is a glossier paper eliminating thatproblem. However, many publishing companies were hesitant to create hardcoverversions of our work because it's a very expensive venture. "Wise Bear William" is available inhardcover – but by specialty order (meaning they can get one by contacting medirectly). The publishing company will not distribute him, I guess, fearingthey may not make their money back. I'm here to prove them wrong.
So many things we never think about in dealing with print. eBooks must be difficult forpicture books as well?
Can youspell "nightmare"? The bottom line is Kindle can't support what we havecreated. Maybe that's why we see so many children's books, in print and eBook,with simple line drawings and little "vignettes". But Bud and I had a visionand we stuck to it. We tried a million different ways but Kindle couldn'thandle it. However iBook could. And "William" looks glorious on iPads, iPhonesand iPods and is fantastic for parents traveling with their children. New specsare out from Kindle enabling viewing of full color children's books with theirnew devices but still, the experience is limited because the Kindle itself isso small. I'm sure they will come up with a solution to compete with iBook.
It sounds as if Bud was always thereworking with you so images were in your head, but did you write the storyfirst?
Yes, Budwas working side-by-side with me on this project from day one. And that's rare.Often, in traditional publishing, the house will pair up a writer with anillustrator and you're stuck with whom you get. Bud and I worked off eachother: his illustrations and ideas influenced the manuscript, my ideas arereflected in the illustrations.
The real Blanket BearBut thestory was there first. In fact, it's based upon a stuffed toy I have calledBlanket Bear. Made from my Scottish grandfather's World War I army blanket, Ioften wondered what memories must be woven into him. It was decided that thecharacter's name would be changed to Wise Bear William but Blanket Bear doesappear in earlier stories of "William". His characters name is changed to OldTeddy Tartan.
Having read the book, I love hearingthe back story on William! What differences do you see in writing forchildren?
It wasvery clear, during the editing and proofing phase, that writing for children isreally a challenge. I scoured the script, word by word, making sure everythingwas perfect. Although "William" is few pages in length, it's a huge story. Andchildren hang onto every word you write. It had to be perfect. One wrong choiceand it could throw the entire tone and message off.
Have you found marketing to bedifferent from those of your adult novels?
It's notreally different than marketing my novels. You just have to find your audience.And one of the most powerful ways of doing that is through "bloggers". Powerfulbloggers. And some "mommies" out there are powerhouses! And with some research,you find the right magazines and publications to approach. But basically, forme, the formula is the same.
Will there be more adventures for WiseBear William?
Thereare ten books in the Wise Bear Williamseries. Wise Bear William: A NewBeginning is the last chapter in the series. The previous chapters lead upto this story and there's the possibility we will start with the beginning one,First Night In The Attic and continuein a linear fashion or we may jump a bit. Bud and I are still meditating on it.
But weare also going to create a Halloween book and possibly some others based aroundholidays. There is a Christmas book already lined up. On my end, themanuscripts are done. For Bud, there is so much work involved. He needs moretime to catch up with me. And we're hoping that Hollywood will come knockingagain. We both believe, and with the help of the success of the books, that themovie version, The Life And Times Of WiseBear William, will become a realization as well.
Such great information from a truly prolefic writer. Check out Arthur at www.arthurwooten.com or follow him on twitter at @ArthurWooten

Silence Full of Laughter

Going to the theater is about escaping our everyday lives and getting lost for a few hours (or in the case of Silence! The Musical 90 minutes). Those that know me can attest to the fact I'm drawn to tragedy and angst on stage. But this weekend, the comedies I saw were just what the doctor ordered. From Priscilla on Saturday to Silence! on Sunday, it was a weekend full of laughs.

Yes, they have created a musical based on the much loved film The Silence of the Lambs...that's right, musical! Doing a parody of a work takes a lot of know-how and control. Like an SNL skit that goes too long, they can get old fast. But the creative team behind this show teetered on that line in a great way - keeping the audience engaged for all 90 minutes of the intermission-less play. 10 people play so many roles, you'll think you're watching an old Carol Burnett show. For those that know the movie well, you will laugh until your sides hurt from the way these actors (many of them from Broadway including David Garrison giving an awesome Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal (that many will remember from Married With Children). One reason this show works so well is the fact the music is catchy (even some great ballads) complete with a dream 'See You Next Tuesday' Ballet! Jon Kaplan & Al Kaplan have written a great score and Hunter Bell (from [title of show] fame) a clever book.
I've spent many weekends seeing those silly 11:30 pm shows that run at a NY cabaret that only cater to a certain clientele. This show surpassed those: yet still perform in an Off-OFF Broadway venue in the East Village, use very limited sets and props (but use them brilliantly), and has a very talented cast of people working their rears off! It truly demonstrates what New York Theater is about: diversity at its best. You can go uptown and spend hundreds of dollars on a flashy Broadway show when you are in the mood or find these wonderful (I'll use the word: "indie") small shows that have won awards (The Fringe Festival in 2005) and are entertaining audiences on a completely different level. 
And sometimes - that's exactly what we want. As a composer who was in the BMI Musical Theater Workshop and spent time attempting to get musicals presented in NY, I applaud these creators who can not only get a show mounted - but then get a full downtown run even seven years after presenting at Fringe. And as an indie writer - I always want to support those people in whatever medium they are presenting in.
Kudos to all involved! I love seeing Deidre Goodwin (who has wowed audiences over and over in Chicago) dressed up like a lamb and giving a nod to that show she played numerous times as well as the lead Jenn Harris (who I've never seen) that had me rolling with every nuance of Jodie Foster that she made.  
I never like to sit on the front row of a show, but this was well worth it: we were in the FBI seats! I say if you want a laugh and you know the movie where you can recite the lines; (and not offended by language in a show or partial nudity) you're going to love it.

Check out the video on their website.   

Response to Equality...getting better?

Recently one can't turn on the television, open a newspaper, or launch a news website without seeing some talk about gay marriage. It seems to be a hot topic on everyone's tongue from activists to conservatives to politicians. I truly feel as if we're in the middle of a huge change in our country that one day we will look back on as a turning point in our history. But to get there, it takes people discussing it, forming views, and hopefully...changing a few as well.

Even reality TV gets in to it with the show "What Would You Do?" They want to see how people in America react to so many different situations and many times, it is something gay-themed. From a gay service man returning from overseas to a man proposing to another. That one (that just aired) really was amazing in that the 15 strangers they 'tested', only ONE showed any annoyance to the gay proposal. Others seemed happy for the couple (taking photos, applauding) or at least stating they have a right to the same happiness.
Today I saw "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" on Broadway again. (I'm happy to report that I enjoyed it even more this time and felt the leads have grown into an incredible ensemble of 'family'.) For those that do not know, it is about three drag queens that head across Australia so that one can go and see his son. (Yes son - this was based on a movie from the 90s when gay and father were not said in the same sentence as much as we hear in 2012.) What really got to me today (especially for a matinee audience which historically is always older people), was the response of the crowd to not only enjoying the show, but the tender moments as well. I actually witnessed an older gentleman across the aisle from me wiping away tears when the father/son had a poignant scene. 
Are we as a society becoming more understanding? Do these moments ring true to people or is it because it's on stage or in a movie that it can affect people? I hope that it really is more people are beginning to see that everyone deserves happiness. Gay or straight: it doesn't matter. Obviously straight people (at least Hollywood) are not showing us that they know how to handle marriage. If its about the sanctity, then perhaps people should not be able to toss marriage aside so lightly. But I hope as the witnesses on ABC's TV show to the gay proposal or the tourists who are taking in Broadway shows see a glimpse into a world they may not know - perhaps they'll see it's really not that different. My civil union partner and I sit on the sofa, watch TV, play Words with Friends on our computers, and live life just like our heterosexual counterparts. 
The Priscilla cast sings it at every show: 
Whatever we deny or embrace for worse or for better,We belong, we belong, we belong together.
So true.  

Kreativ Blogger Award

It seems just at the time when you may be feeling overwhelmed or need a pick me up, the universe will shine down in unusual ways. Today it came via a tweet saying I had been nominated for a Kreativ Blogger award by @write_hook. Otherwise known as Scott Morgan, he is an excellent author, blogger, editor and all around - very cool guy (that I've had the privilege of meeting beyond the virtual world of twitter). I appreciate him thinking of me to honor me with this award...just to know someone finds my blog useful/informative/or good for a laugh is okay by me!


Part of being nominated means there are some things you have to do. 1) Share ten random things readers may not know about you and 2) nominate 6 others for the award.


This is hard for me because my life is such an open book, but here we go with random things:
1) One of my first jobs in NYC was cleaning apartments and office buildings. (The strange part was, someone else was cleaning my own apartment...try and make sense of that one!) 
2) I once spent over two hours stalking Barbra Streisand in Central Park. (It paid off: she had a 30 second conversation with me.)
3) I hate being out of control...for that reason, you'll never find me on a water slide in one of those water parks. (Well, I also hit my head on one back in 1990...so that may have something to do with it as well.)
4) My freshman year of high school, I was one of the few that took the challenge to eat dinner blind-folded to see what Helen Keller went through. (Okay...so I was a kiss-up with the teachers too...but I did want to see what it would be like to be blind.)
5) I've always proudly called myself a PC - from the PC/MAC commercial wars...but Apple has invaded my home through iPhone, iPad (and now the Macbook Pro that I'm typing this on) - not sure I can still say PC.
6) I completely suck at math. It was the bane of my existence through school and I still use my fingers to count. (Is that sharing too much?)
7) I was once attacked by a mob of screaming kids and parents on Easter weekend making me feel like Jesus. (I suppose I should also say I was dressed as a Ninja Turtle, had just completed a show and parents were screaming at their kids to 'touch him!' towards the man in the green suit.)
8) When I was a child, I used to drink the pickle juice out of the jar in the fridge when no one was looking. (Let's call that a precursor to my adult years when I now drink olive juice...mixed with vodka of course for a nice dirty martini.)
9) I hate shopping. (I know, I know - as a gay man I'm supposed to enjoy it: but as my sister says "I didn't get THAT gene or the one that says I'm good at decorating.")
10) I can still recall the stairwell at the World Trade Center in NYC as I walked down 98 floors during the '93 bombing (two weeks after I had started a part-time job there: part time that led to a 13 year career.)


I nominate the following people for this award:
1) Arthur Wooten - @arthurwooten Arthur was one of the first authors I met on twitter (after seeing his name everywhere) whose writing I have devoured. He is so helpful, believes in supporting other authors, and is an amazing writer! (He also came to my debut novel book launch in NYC so we could meet in person!)
2) Traci Ford - @GSand1804 Traci is someone I know in real life and not just online. But what I love about her blogging is that she covers so many different topics and is not afraid to speak her mind.  I so admire that.
3) Carey Parrish @careyparrish Carey is a twitter author I met through a string of others who I instantly took a liking to. Not only is his writing delightful, but his blogs and interviews of other authors are truly eye-opening and informative while making people feel so comfortable. A great guy to follow.
4) Alina Oswald @ANO07 Alina was is a writer and a photographer I met on twitter who I noticed kept re-tweeting my tweets. Eventually we started 'talking' more and I found her to be such a kind, cool, supportive person. (You must read her new biography!)
5) Jack Andrew Urquhart @JackAUrquhart Jack is an incredible storyteller, wonderful supporter on twitter, and a blogger who covers so many subjects. Definitely worth the follow!
6) Kergan Edwards-Stout @EdwardsStout Kergan is the most recent twitter friend I've made, but we made an instant connection through our debut novels'  and then our similarities in life. A very giving person who understands what a platform is and how to use social media. 

Identity Crisis

Do you ever notice those people in your life that you can't quite figure what image they are trying to portray? Don't get me wrong. We all change personas based on who we are with - but those that are trapped in 'college time' (where one is supposed to decide who they are going to be)? Fighting in themselves to create an identity. I see it around us - on television, in the news. Famous people that lose weight but have been known for being big have to completely switch gears. Now their platform is all about weight loss (and I worry for when they gain it back, because this big guy knows it always comes back). Certain TV stations that can't seem to find their identity about who they want to be. Their programming is all over the place and they seem to have issues with finding an audience.
I was recently talking to a writer about how authors need to create an identity when they 'find their voice'. Fiction or non-fiction: they still have that which makes them who they are on the page. It took me a while (and sometimes I still don't see my own), but I can see it in others and people have pointed it out to me. Writers have to decide if they want to be sarcastic, informative, witty, care-free...you can see it in many blogs. (Think of some of your favorites now and you'll notice what pulls you in.) That voice that creates an engaging identity and demands you read them!
I marvel at those who have an "I don't give a flip" attitude and can say whatever they want. (A certain friend of mine can do it in her facebook updates and I literally L.O.L.) I tend to teeter on the edge in my writing. Naturally, writing fiction - my characters can speak however they feel - but Greg has to be sure and get his own voice heard when blogging, writing articles, narrative, etc.
So many people give advice on writing and how to handle themselves. I just give opinion. And that is: decide how you want others to perceive you and work towards enhancing that identity to work fully in your favor. 
You'll be happier not having to be Jekyll and Hyde.  

indie is NOT a bad Word

Like most indie artists, I spend much time attempting to carve out my own tiny parcel of the artistic landscape. Whatever field you may be creating your vision, we all hope for that piece of the pie. Sure, we watch the names that rise to the top of the indie charts and wonder what their secret is. But we can't get lost in trying to be them, because we're not. We are ourselves. 


There are so many things one does to build a platform. From blogging, to engaging in forum discussions, to following other artists in our fields. All with the dream of microscopic expansion. I recently was doing one of those very exercises of "Liking" other author's Facebook pages (in hope they return the love) and what I found was so many people exactly like me. Not one of them is Dan Brown or Jodi Picoult, but each doing (hopefully) what they love. Creating art in their own way and wanting to share it with others. (And finding time to retreat and write their next book while marketing the existing one.)


I heard an amazing radio interview the other morning with indie filmmaker/actor Edward Burns on the Morning Jolt with Larry Flick on Sirius Radio. He spoke of how many in his shoes hope to be discovered and pulled out of the indie world, but he never wanted that. He wanted to be the "Long Island Woody Allen" and make interesting films that showed a splice of his life. He also shared how technology continues to change the playing field. Indie musicians discovered they can do music in the basement and sell their work. Authors have been able to get their books into hands of readers at low cost thanks to eBooks. And filmmakers can shoot a film for much less now and then distribute it using On Demand television instead of praying that a screen in NYC and LA will show their film.


There is so much to be learned from reading how artists are doing what they can to make themselves heard...even if that sound is so small, only a handful are around to enjoy it. But be thankful for that handful. Friends and family talk. Bloggers give honest opinions. And before you know it, strangers are writing to you saying your art has touched them in a profound way.


As Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell said in the hit musical [title of show] - which started as a small indie musical:


"I'd rather be nine people's favorite thingThan a hundred people's ninth favorite thing."  

Where Are You Most Still?

Like most Americans, I have a tough time slowing down. I'm always going (if not physically, than mentally) and moving to the next 'thing'. I love to vacation, but even that takes me a few days to grow accustom to the pace. I've often said the place I feel most at peace is when I cross the bridge going onto Cape Cod and I feel my shoulders relax as I smell the sea air. Something about that place is able to calm me.


This past weekend I attended a book signing of Ilchi Lee for his book The Call of Sedona: Journey of the Heart. Already reading the book, I find myself somewhat jealous of people who can commune with nature and God in such a way they can simply - relax. (It's always seemed to me it's the Hollywood rich folks that can afford to relax.) But as I read his book, I find myself anticipating my spring trip to Sedona more and more. I haven't been there in over 20 years and I was so young at the time, I doubt those rocks were saying anything to me. But I believe this trip to be different. A town that closes down by 9:00 pm, that is truly about finding self and enjoying the beauty of the land - I really think I'm going to enjoy it.


I'm already one that has tried yoga. I believe in acupuncture and know it has helped the headaches I often get...and trust me; my body can scream out to me when it is stressed through headaches, stomach aches, mouth ulcers - you name it: stress punches me from the inside out. So giving myself over to the thought process behind his book shouldn't be too far of a reach for me. 


Something in Lee's book beckons me to find that calmer self in the midst of the chaos. I think all things happen for a reason in our life...at a certain time. Maybe turning 43 in Sedona (yes, we'll be there for my birthday) is what I'm meant to experience. I'm sure there was a reason I set my upcoming book in Arizona (without even knowing why) - a book about a woman's personal journey to patch her life back together as she searches for her 'self' - but perhaps it will all become known to me in a few months.


Now I know what you're thinking: But I'm not going to turn into one of those people who get all out there and start wearing colors based on feelings and setting the furniture in my house a certain way (not that there is anything wrong with that) - but if I can discover a new way of finding peace and sanctuary...I'm all for it.


I look forward to sharing the trip with all when I blog about it in April. And I leave you with this...do you have that place you can retreat to and be still? (And if you don't have to leave your home to find it, my guess is you've already won.)