Gregory G. Allen's Blog, page 40

One Child: One Project Can Change a Life

Something has happened to me the past week that I did not expect. 

When I entered a contest to get my children's book published, I thought it was sort of cool - but I also knew I was busy promoting my novel and I never thought I'd have the time to devote to this story. Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to make it seem as if I didn't care about it - because I always did. It was something my young friend Natalie and I believed in and we both have a huge love for her little brother. Gabe was the entire reason we wrote the story. Watching him, interacting with him, seeing how people react to him when we're out in public: autism awareness became even larger to me than it has been the ten years that little boy has been in my life. (About 8 of those with him being diagnosed.)
But then the MeeGenius Challenge started and I did what I knew to do: tell people on facebook and twitter about it. And then more and more people told their friends. And comments were being added to the bottom of the page where the story resides and I saw how this small story was affecting people...and it's not even a published book! I found by writing to my own friends how many of them know someone with autism or how it has affected them personally. And then it started to consume me. Not my need to win. My need to share this story. To get more people to know about it so they could vote and this book could get published - being available for other kids to know not to fear children with autism.
I've met more and more autism groups and individual people that are touched by it daily and have corresponded with them online. My friends and family are posting it with teachers and autism forums and my godson's mother checks the list all the time to see how the book is doing (I call them all #TeamChickenBoy) and suddenly -  I realize the book must have a life well beyond this contest.
I wanted to blog now because I need my friends and facebook/twitter followers to understand if I come across pushy and sound like a broken record. It's not the same as Greg attempting to get people to buy his book. This is not about buying my book. This is about voting (clicking on a link) to make this story available to children down the road. Allowing it to get to the point that MeeGenius will see they must publish this story so that children and parents will be able to BUY the book and will read it for years to come; learning about autism from the point of view of a little boy who lives with it every day. And like those children that get one thing in their mind and begin to 'script' by saying it over and over...that's what I'm doing as I ask people to read the story and vote. 
I hope beyond hope we are chosen for the next round of finals and the book will be illustrated. And if that happens: please forgive me now when there are three weeks that I will eat/sleep/breathe Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Super Hero With Autism to do all that I can to get the book published. And I know that #TeamChickenBoy feel the exact same way and I appreciate each and everyone of you for all you are doing now...and will do then if needed. :-)
I started this saying something has happened to me. I realize this book/this process is so not about me. It is way larger than anything I could ever do. But it's been an amazing feeling that I've not known previously in my writing, directing, producing or acting life: and I'm so very honored to be experiencing it! 
I end with some wonderful comments coming in from people about the bok: some I know and some that are strangers. If you haven't clicked on the link yet to vote: I really ask that you will.
"I'm an avid reader & researcher of autism and never have I been moved to tears. Never has a children's book touched me so profoundly or clearly explained the very special mind of autism. " - Kentucky"This gives me a new glimpse into the young man who sits in front of me every Sunday in church. I know I will smile a different smile when I see him this next time because of the insights your story tells." - Texas"Thanks for creating a story that will help lesson the fear of someone that may be different." - New York"My 3 year old son was confirmed as being on the Autism Spectrum 2 weeks ago...he too was catching raindrops on his tongue today!" - London"For all the little Chicken Boys out there...I have 2 chicken boys in my life that I love with all my heart!" - New Jersey

Movies Bring Back The Past

Last night I finally got around to seeing the movie Super 8 that so many people have talked about...and I'm so glad that I stayed up to watch it. Not only was I reminded of the great Spielberg movies  (ET, Close Encounters, Goonies) that I loved as a kid (obviously nodded towards with this film) - but I also thought the look of the film mixed with the acting of (especially) the two lead kids was wonderful! (And a great score used at the end!)

I was also taken back to my own childhood. There are many movies out there that capture the joy of being a tween, but this one hit it for me. That feeling of young blooming love. The unwavering friendships you create where you'll do anything for them. And in this case - a gang of creative kids making a movie! Completely made me think of directing the neighborhood kids in my own backyard plays. Early in the movie, the dad says he doesn't want his son wasting his summer doing 'the movie' with his friends. That line hit me and made me be so thankful for my parents. Not once growing up did they ever stifle any creativity I had. I was so lucky to be brought up how I was with parents who believed I could do anything! I thank my mom (and dad in heaven) for bringing me up the way they did. I know that had everything to do with me going for all that I do as an adult with such gusto. 
And for those friends I had as a kid? Many of them are still part of my life thanks to the internet and Facebook and are still doing things for each other even as adults. And that 'young blooming love' ... she's still in my life too and we travel with our spouses all over the world having adventures as adults that we could only dream of as a kid. 
Now how is that for 'super'??

Children's Books Aren't JUST for Children

Many reading this blog do not know of my background in children's theater. I basically got my start doing theater 'for children by children'. I wrote and directed musicals in high school for a group in Texas. I moved to New York and worked with a local children's theater company in New Jersey (both performing and writing music for their shows). And I even got my equity card touring in a children's show that brought well known children's books to life. I think I've always been a grown-up kid and can still enjoy a well told story geared for the young at heart.    


It's wonderful when you meet someone of a like mind that simply cannot be placed into one genre of writing. Arthur Wooten has been doing that for years: everything from novels to plays and now his first children's book. But this book has a long journey.  


"William was first created as a children's book twenty years ago," Wooten told me. "But Hollywood found it and optioned it both as an animated feature and a television series. When neither paths materialized the project was put away until just recently. Now, I'm determined to give it the life it deserves and in the medium it was first intended."


Lucky for readers that Wooten has dusted it off and brought it back to life!


I often tell him he and I seem to have been on very similar paths in our lives moving to NYC as actors and both writing in multiple genres - only I remind him he's further ahead on the path in both age and volume of published books. (See, I'm a snotty kid at heart!)


I was very honored to be able to see an early copy of his book and I'm thrilled to recommend it to all reading my blog. Wise Bear William: A New Beginning is a beautifully illustrated children's book with an even more appealing message. William's name says it all as he gives sage advice to the other toys in the attic - eagerly awaiting to be 'chosen' by children. This story of patience, understanding, a giving spirit, and friendship may be told for the ears of a child, but Wooten has made it a lesson for all to hear. Taken at face value - it is a children's story that is perfect for people to buy as a holiday gift (and I do recommend to grab them up for those under-the-tree-gifts). But I can't help analyze beyond and see dynamics that can be found in circles of friends of many ages.


Wooten has created a vividly imaginative world of talking toys that transports us to another time and place with the luscious illustrations by Bud Santora. I absolutely love that this man that can deliver novels meant strictly for adult eyes can locate his inner child and craft a world of wonder for all to enjoy. (Classification of writers be gone!)  


I hope this 'new beginning' is the start of a wonderful series of adventures for Wise Bear and his friends. You can get more information on the book at Arthur's website or ordering online at createspace marketplace and will be on Amazon and in stores soon!

How Long Will it Take?

It's 2011 and the world is still dealing with HIV and AIDS. Decades have come and gone where doctors and scientist were certain they would have found a cure, yet it hasn't happened. People have gotten to the point of making it a manageable disease and can live with it - but others still die from it. Not everyone can afford the cocktail drugs used to stay alive. Not every country makes it a priority. And not everyone thinks about it. Yet on this day, this World AIDS Day - the news will bring it up again and people will be reminded it's still a part of the fabric of our lives.
It's been on my mind much lately and not just for this day. As an indie writer who has not only written my own book that deals with the 80s and 90s when the epidemic was at the onset, but as a reader it has shown itself in many books. Rick R. Reed has written a moving love story Caregiver where AIDS plays a prominent role in the story set in the 90s.  I'm currently midway through reading author Kergan Edwards-Stout who has chosen that same period for his book Songs for the New Depression  which vividly details what people were going through in the early days of AIDS. I've yet to read his book yet, but Don Carrel (another author I've met on twitter) has written about his own dealing with the disease for over 30 years now as he works to educate everyone about it in My Dream to Trample AIDS . 
It excites me that while none of the writers knew the other was writing about this period in history, the stories were being told for a new generation who may be removed from that 'not-so-distant' past. Reminding people where we have come from in this epidemic. Allowing others of a certain age to relive it once again. And that is not a bad thing. People should be reminded of it from then as well as now. It's not over. A cure has not been found. But we have certainly been able to get to a place of living with and not only dying from.
To commemorate this day, I encourage people to remember those lost. Read one of the books mentioned here or another one you find. Watch a movie such as And The Band Played On or Long Time Companion. Celebrate those that are gone and cherish those that have a constant reminder of it in the form of daily medication. And think about what each of us can still do to be sure it never leaves the minds of those who are working towards awareness, treatment, and a cure. 
I still pray we will see it in this lifetime.

Does It Take Much to Be Nice?

"God Don't Like Ugly!" 
I've always loved when I've heard someone say that to remind people to shape up and be a little nicer. I think we can all use that reminder now and again. I know I go through my 'ugly' phases when everything is bothering me (usually when driving down the road and someone cuts me off). I grew up a fairly religious person and attempt to subscribe to the 'do unto others' motto...not that I'm trying to buy favors from God. Just that I think doing a good deed now and again is a great way to live your life.
What really makes me happy is when something great happens to good people. There are too many examples of bad getting ahead in the world that when a story comes through on the news of the right person winning the lottery - I smile. More importantly, I love when those things happen closer to home. People I know that are amazing at helping others, paying-it-forward, giving back: and then you hear good news from them and I genuinely feel happiness for them. No jealousy of 'why couldn't I get that multi-million book deal' or anything else...glad they have been rewarded in such a way.
The past few days, people have said some amazing sentences to me which truly made me feel humbled, warm, special - and I'm sure it didn't take that much out of them to share a few words.
So I say: take a moment out of your busy day to hold that door an extra moment for the one behind you, let someone get in front of you in your car lane, or just a word of encouragement. Because if you don't wanna think in terms of what God thinks of ugly...there is always another great saying:
"Karma is a bitch."

Children's Book on Autism

Voting has begun! The wonderful eBook publisher MeeGenius (publisher of great children's books) has started their challenge to find the next children's author. I mentioned in a blog two months ago that I had entered "Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Super Hero with Autism" as a tribute to my godson Gabe who was diagnosed with autism when he was very young. His sister Natalie and I formed this story based on Gabe and wanted to share a book for kids - about a kid - told through the perspective of one very special boy that could let people into his 'world' in a different way.
Gabe Watching the CircusNow we need the help of everyone to get the word out about the book. Voting for round 1 will continue until December 18th. Please click HERE and click the LIKE button to vote. (It seems as if you have to be connected to facebook in order to vote.) We can't wait to see what comes of this book and just hope to make it to the Finalist Round with YOUR help! (The finalist round will be January 31-February 21, 2012 and a winner will be announced by March 7.)
Autism is nothing to be afraid of and we hope with this book to encourage other children to not be fearful of that child in their class that may seem a little different than they are. Children with autism are just like every other kid. They want to play. They have incredible imaginations. They enjoy bugs, snakes, the children's museum, the circus, horseback riding, the beach...they just show their enjoyment in a different way. (And my little guy loves to wrestle with Greggy every Wednesday night after we return from our dinner at Friday's: chicken fingers, fries, ketchup and red velvet cake.) 
And they can get to you like no one's business! When Gabe reaches over and grabs my hand to walk into the restaurant - my heart melts!   
Thanks for voting! Natalie and I definitely thank you and I'm sure Gabe would thank you too!

Classifying a Writer

I recently read an interesting blog where a certain author did not want to be called 'indie'. The term brought up thoughts of the Seattle music scene and that authors wanting to be 'edgy' have adopted the term.


I call myself a writer. I'm indie in that I do not have a huge company behind me marketing and promoting my book. While I don't think I'm necessarily 'edgy' - my work has been called raw, truthful, hard to read, gripping, emotional, heartbreaking. 


It got me thinking about who I am as an author. I don't write in any particular genre so I can't easily be classified as an "X" type of writer. I did not go through an MFA in Creative Writing Program so I don't always play by the rules. I realize the importance of an editor because I'm well aware of my own limitations in writing. I also tend to go against the norm in some things that I write - walking to my own beat (if you will).


But those things that make me different make me who I am as a writer. They also push buttons of certain readers and reviewers and can really infuriate people who expect certain things when they open a book. A publisher once fell in love with the first half of a book I had written, but as soon as a twist came in to play - they could not get behind it for fear of alienating their readers. Others have praised my dialogue while some call it stilted and unrealistic. And then there was my non-fiction book about my half brother who died where I told the story through his words. I received both praise and criticism for this unconventional way of story telling.


I love the varied opinions a writer can receive for the same piece of work. It shows that everyone can be touched by the same thing in such different ways. It illustrates the great opinions we all have when we read, watch, visit, partake... And it shows me that I must be doing something right in what I produce as a writer; even when I'm rarely going to give the reader what they expect. There are people out there who enjoy to be challenged and made to think when reading. And I love that I can offer that to people, even when they can't agree on what they think or how it has affected them. But the greatest part is that it has affected them - and that is perfect for this 'indie' author.   

What's Most Important

Today is my husband's birthday. He hates his birthday and any reminder of aging. He really hates when I say we're entering midlife in our 40s (telling me that he plans to live past his 80s so this can't be midlife). But I thought it a great day to blog about him.

To anyone on the outside looking in, this has been 'the year of Greg' with so many things happening in my life from weight loss to book publication. And I know it is never easy to be the wind beneath someone's wings. (Unless Bette Midler is singing to you!) But for me, that's what Ant has been. There is absolutely no way I could have accomplished half of what I did this past year without his love and support...and what support it has been!

When we met eleven and a half years ago, he knew I 'dabbled' in acting - but I also had a full time corporate job. Then I started artistically running a theater company...and he was right there as I directed and produced shows (I even got him ON stage) and showing up to functions with the theater. Then I walked away from the corp job to manage an arts center and he said "okay, if it makes you happy." When I decided to really give the writing a try he would proudly tell friends with each short story published and as the novel came out last month - he traveled on my book tour with me - taking photos and showing major support.

Who does all of that?

Someone who is not selfish and is proud of their spouse and encouraging of that person's creative fulfillment. That's who. Someone who understands that relationships go through changes over the years as people can't remain the same two people that entered the relationship all those years ago. Someone who is confident in themselves, their own abilities, assured of who they are, not easily pushed to the background; someone who can be in a room of strangers and talk about anything and make those people feel important in what they are sharing with him. Someone who does amazing work every day as he administers treatments to the sick (all the time with a joke and a smile) and gets constant praise from patients about how wonderful he is or how he has helped a family member with such dignity in his job. Someone who understands it is okay to have separate interests (okay...his is bowling) and that couples do not need to do every single thing together. Someone who surprised a Texan when the Jersey boy gave him a ring and said he thought they should make it as official as the state of Jersey would allow. Someone who understands that marriage takes work, even when life is keeping you so busy from birthday-to-birthday and now and again you have to stop and 'reboot'. Someone who can roll with the punches and jabs that life throws at us and can communicate about what is bothering them before molehills become mountains that can't be climbed. 

Someone like Anthony, that's who.

It's the day before Thanksgiving and I'm so thankful to have this wonderful man as my partner in life and wish him the happiest birthday (even though he hates for you all to know about it)! LaDear.

Few Tips on Promoting That Book

Authors have a challenge when it comes to getting people interested in their work. It has been said that word-of-mouth sells books (and every author is thrilled when someone recommends their book to a friend), but an author still has to get that 'word' out there. So if you like something you read: tell a few people to give it a try.


Everyone would love to do the traditional book tour, but less and less stores will bring in an author that does not have instant recognition. My book has been out for six weeks and I've loved the small tour I was able to do and appreciate every single indie bookstore that allowed me in to talk about the book. Contact stores directly and offer to promote the event through press releases and social media if they will allow you to do a discussion or signing in their store. You may be surprised by those willing to take a chance on an unknown.


Blog tours have become the new 'black'. Taking to the internet is a great way to put yourself out there in front of strangers who could potentially make a connection to your book. Reviews and interviews on numerous sites gets your name and work in front of many new people. I strongly advise people really do homework before signing with a coordinator for a blog tour. The web is full of people offering this service, but some work harder than others. (My 1st blog tour had me mailing off numerous copies of my book for reviews and yet only one reviewer came through from that tour. Instead it was full of interviews that my coordinator would place all over the web. I'd suggest to cast your net wider by checking that the sites you tour are owned and operated by different people which will insure you hit a varied amount of readers. I obviously didn't do my due diligence and don't believe I got as much bang for my buck had I gone with someone else. Not to say the place I used is not one of the big ones, as it is and I really enjoyed my correspondence with the person who owns it. I think it comes down to the amount of work the coordinator in charge actually does as to how well your tour will go.)  


Book giveaways. So many blogs and other websites such as goodreads.com loves to run a contest to give away a copy of your book. It doesn't cost you as the author much to do it and you can create a buzz around your book. (However, if someone can tell me how to get the 100s of names that signed up for the goodreads or those that have your book marked "To Read" to switch over to "Reading" - please let me know.)


Be prepared to work. And I do mean WORK to get your book known. Follow some other indie authors that you see popping up all over. They are obviously doing something right. Even if you have a publicist and an army of people working with your publisher, in the end - it is still your baby as the author. You need to be that proud parent showing those newborn photos to everyone you meet.

From the Inside Out: Mother & Son

So They Say, byJack A. Urquhart, follows Southern-born Rex Fordham on a five-decades-long searchfor self-acceptance.  The product of1950s conformism and self-repression, Rex sheds a burdensome past to become asuccessful architect, husband, and father; but when a same-sex affair and shatteringfamily loss end his marriage, Rex changes course to pursue life as a gay man—achoice that doesn't sit well with his mother, Baptist-to-the-bone, Inez, as abit of eavesdropping on a weekly telephone chat between mother and son reveals:
Inez (self-righteously indignant): Well, Idon't care what you say.  It's a cryin'shame Alec cain't visit his own Daddy out there in California.  Bad enough he don't pay his agin' Grandmama avisit now an' then.
Rex (seeking an opening):But, Mom, Alec's …
Inez (riding high on the sound of her own voice):He's goin' on twenty-one.  Old 'nuff tobreak free a'his Mama's apron strings. No reason for your ex-wife to hold that boy on a tight leash.  I tell you, it's just …(searching for words suitably harsh) it's plain…
Rex (taking advantage of the pause): He's inschool, Mom.  That's all.  (Quickly,husky-voiced) So, how are things in Florida?  What's new in the neighborhood?  Missus Tuttle still on her high horse?
Inez (harrumphing, ready to charge): RamonaTuttle!  That woman, with her prancin',oddball son's got no business lookin' down her nose on me!  Just 'cause she don't 'prove of how somebodylives they … (a sudden pause; a lightgoing on).  Say!  You reckon Marcia don't let Alec visit you'cause of … (hesitating, cautious)'cause you livin' with (distastefully)your friend?  He ain't…(fearful, vaguely put out) he ain't come down with nuthin'?  Y'all both bein' careful?
Rex (offended; resigned): His name is Rand,Mom.  He's perfectly healthy.  RandOsmond.  And he's much more than a …"
Inez (oblivious, shifting directions again): Beatsme how come you married Marcia in the first place.  She wasn't never no housekeeper, and …
Rex (determined, explicit): Because I loved her, Mom.  Same reason I'm with Ran—
Inez (interrupting, voice dripping sarcasm): Love! Like that's ever been 'nuff to hold two peoples together.  Just look at how …
Rex (peremptory, breaking in decidedly):Well, then!  We're finally agreed onsomething!  Love isn't always enough, isit?  Not nearly enough.
Inez (aggrieved): I declare, son.  Sometimes I think we livin' in 'endtimes'.  Just like the Bible says.
***You can order So They Say on Amazon or learn more at ww.jaurquhart.com.