Change? You want Change? Change we can believe in, change we can live with, a little spare change – any and all change, just for something different. There's a great line in “Paint Your Wagon” where the woman is about to be auctioned off to a new husband. One of the women says, “But you don't know what you'll get!” and she replied, “I know what I've got now!” Yes, sometimes any change is better that the existing scene.
But if you really want change, get into the new technologies. Twitter was once something my heart did when certain starlets walked down the red carpet. Now it's something I update regularly and everyone is on it. I have three MySpace sites, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Gather, Naymz, Reunion, Capture Carolina and Inside 919. I've canceled Tagged because it appears to be just a dating site and I married my date. It seems every month, another one jumps up. Once again, if we could just guess as to what would be the “Next Big Thing” we'd be millionaires. Well, not really. One has to have the money to back up such knowledge. Once I got a hot tip but didn't have any money to invest. The tip was regarding Viagra and the fellow who told me made millions. (Heavy sigh!)
In case you don't know, I write books. I enjoy writing books. But that's not all one does when one writes books. Once written you have to market them and that means putting them where people will see them. Having a web site isn't enough. Mine is www.jonbatson.com, incidentally. But no, it's not enough. Now you have to go digital as well.
So now as well as hard copy books, you can also download my books onto your computer as a PDF. That's Portable Document File, for those who don't know about them. That's what your Adobe reader is for. But wait, there's more! Want your book on Amazon as a download? You can, all you have to do is to translate it for Kindle to read. That alone takes an engineer's degree. But then there's MobiPocket – with it's own reader and it's own software and it's own jargon and it's own extensions. Microsoft has it's own reader and so on and so forth. Then there's E-Books, with it's free download reader onto your computer but, of course, they also sell a hand-held. There's special software to make those files.
I'm downloading all the software, learning all the file extensions, converting all the books and keeping track – somehow – of all the places my e-books are listed. Pretty soon, I'll have them on my web site, which means something else will have to come off my site, because there isn't enough room for everything. But you can buy my books in a number of different forms – including in Large Print versions on Lulu.com/jonbatson.
It seemed so simple when I decided to write a book. The daunting part, I thought, was writing the book. I had no idea how my world would change – and continues to change every month.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
That part of life called Death
Or, Hanging by a Chad in Flrida
As of Jan 7th, the plan was to take the 25th thru the 31st and drive to Florida. We would spend some time with my wife's uncle Richard and his wife, Kathy; then some time with my wife's aging and ailing mother and father.
By the 13th, Eileen's mother, Pearl, was hospitalized and Eileen had to drop everything and rush to her side. By the 19th, Pearl had passed away. Eileen asked me to come right down. That night, as I was packing, it snowed in Raleigh. More than 500 accidents clogged the icy roadways the following day, making my leaving highly dangerous. The following day was just as bad, as the roads were now covered with 'black ice,' making they twice as treacherous.
At noon on Wednesday the 21st, the sun had opened a small window of opportunity. I took it and lit out for the south land. Accidents and returning inauguration traffic made it slow going and it was just after 11:00 when I crossed the Florida line, still many hours from Pembroke Pines near Ft. Lauderdale. The Motel 6 was basic and no frills but got me out in the morning. I started out at 6:00 AM.
More than six hours later, I rolled into the cemetery with 20 minutes to spare before the funeral. Eileen was at her wits end having to handle the many details and her father. She was glad to see me.
I tried to remember who was who and was genuinely glad to see most of Eileen's family, though the day was a sad one. When you lose someone so close as a mother, it's hard to put into words how you feel, even when you know it's coming.
Death is part of life. It's the deal: this is Earth, no one's gettin' out alive. So you know that at the end of life, whenever that is, you meet death and that is the end of life as we know it. If it comes early, we are naturally shocked and feel cheated. If it comes after 80 years of living, it's not so much of a surprise.
It's the feeling of loss more than anything else. Certainly those who are left behind feel a loss. Pearl won't be around to make Green Beans with Almonds. Her husband, Len, depended on her. We called to ask how she was getting along. She thanked me for making my latest book in big print for her. She'll be missed.
At the end she was afraid. Talks with Eileen helped, but she was still afraid. It is Pearl's loss that is at issue here. Pearl lost her husband Len when she died. She also lost her daughter, her home, her friends and her body. she lost the sun in the morning and the moon at night, the rain and the breeze, the taste of lunch and the prospect of visiting her brother in Jupiter where he has a house on the beach.
We go berserk when we lose our keys. If we lose our laptop or Blackberry, we go ballistic. If I can't find my guitar pick I am inconsolable, and I have 40 or 50 - why should one send me into a dither? Because we hate the feeling of loss.
So here comes Death, and Death takes it all. You lose your very ability to communicate to those around you, because your body is gone. Your vocal chords, mouth, hands and eyes are no longer available. Your family and friends do not respond. It could well be this anticipation of total loss that creates a feeling of apprehension in those close to death.
There is confusion, too. Do I look for a light? Is there an angel waiting for me? Is Jenifer Love Hewitt there to help me? You may believe in Heaven or Valhalla, but do you have a coin for the boatman?
Eileen and I are rethinking our arrangements for that time to come. We are planning "Do-not-recessitate" orders and instructions for cremation, where to scatter the ashes and what to sing at the wake. I must remember to include a coin for the boatman.
As of Jan 7th, the plan was to take the 25th thru the 31st and drive to Florida. We would spend some time with my wife's uncle Richard and his wife, Kathy; then some time with my wife's aging and ailing mother and father.
By the 13th, Eileen's mother, Pearl, was hospitalized and Eileen had to drop everything and rush to her side. By the 19th, Pearl had passed away. Eileen asked me to come right down. That night, as I was packing, it snowed in Raleigh. More than 500 accidents clogged the icy roadways the following day, making my leaving highly dangerous. The following day was just as bad, as the roads were now covered with 'black ice,' making they twice as treacherous.
At noon on Wednesday the 21st, the sun had opened a small window of opportunity. I took it and lit out for the south land. Accidents and returning inauguration traffic made it slow going and it was just after 11:00 when I crossed the Florida line, still many hours from Pembroke Pines near Ft. Lauderdale. The Motel 6 was basic and no frills but got me out in the morning. I started out at 6:00 AM.
More than six hours later, I rolled into the cemetery with 20 minutes to spare before the funeral. Eileen was at her wits end having to handle the many details and her father. She was glad to see me.
I tried to remember who was who and was genuinely glad to see most of Eileen's family, though the day was a sad one. When you lose someone so close as a mother, it's hard to put into words how you feel, even when you know it's coming.
Death is part of life. It's the deal: this is Earth, no one's gettin' out alive. So you know that at the end of life, whenever that is, you meet death and that is the end of life as we know it. If it comes early, we are naturally shocked and feel cheated. If it comes after 80 years of living, it's not so much of a surprise.
It's the feeling of loss more than anything else. Certainly those who are left behind feel a loss. Pearl won't be around to make Green Beans with Almonds. Her husband, Len, depended on her. We called to ask how she was getting along. She thanked me for making my latest book in big print for her. She'll be missed.
At the end she was afraid. Talks with Eileen helped, but she was still afraid. It is Pearl's loss that is at issue here. Pearl lost her husband Len when she died. She also lost her daughter, her home, her friends and her body. she lost the sun in the morning and the moon at night, the rain and the breeze, the taste of lunch and the prospect of visiting her brother in Jupiter where he has a house on the beach.
We go berserk when we lose our keys. If we lose our laptop or Blackberry, we go ballistic. If I can't find my guitar pick I am inconsolable, and I have 40 or 50 - why should one send me into a dither? Because we hate the feeling of loss.
So here comes Death, and Death takes it all. You lose your very ability to communicate to those around you, because your body is gone. Your vocal chords, mouth, hands and eyes are no longer available. Your family and friends do not respond. It could well be this anticipation of total loss that creates a feeling of apprehension in those close to death.
There is confusion, too. Do I look for a light? Is there an angel waiting for me? Is Jenifer Love Hewitt there to help me? You may believe in Heaven or Valhalla, but do you have a coin for the boatman?
Eileen and I are rethinking our arrangements for that time to come. We are planning "Do-not-recessitate" orders and instructions for cremation, where to scatter the ashes and what to sing at the wake. I must remember to include a coin for the boatman.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
2008 Wrap-up
2008 was one heck of a year at the ol' Casa Batson for singer-songwriter-author-publisher Jon Batson and his “Marketing Maven” wife, Eileen.
Where to begin?? Well, it’s been 4 years since The Batson’s moved to North Carolina from Los Angeles.
Musical Notes
Jon has been and still is performing around the Triangle, Piedmont and coastal Wilmington at a variety of venues including the Festival for the Eno and the Carrboro Music Festival. His covers and original songs are all well received. In addition to performing, he also booked the weekly Summer Showcase at the Gulf Rim Café in Hillsborough, NC. Visit www.JonBatson.com
It seemed the election process would never end and Jon wrote a song in hopes that someone would understand what sort of change the country needs – “The Country Needs a Little Spare Change.” See it on YouTube.com. When the bailout took over the news, Jon couldn't stand the insanity of it all and put up another video – “I’m Movin’ to Wall Street.”
Jon’s monthly songwriting workshop, “The Song Doctor” for the North Carolina Songwriter's Co-op has been pretty popular. Several of the attendees have purchased “The Songwriter's Hook Book,” Jon's journal for songwriters. Both Jon and Eileen were very active in the Co-op’s Annual Songwriting Contest again this year year.
The Book Nook
Jon's Sci-Fi adventure, The Trasaron Chronicles, was completed in early 2008. His longest book thus far (471 pages) has been described by fans of the genre “ …as fast paced as any action thriller! I could scarcely wait to turn the page. Each time I was forced to put it down was pure agony.” This character driven sci-fi novel explores how a band of people survive on an alien world while making plans to recapture earth.
His first novella The Rands Conspiracy continues to be a favorite and is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and at select bookstores. Rands takes the reader on a Bourne-style chase as Josh and his development team run for their lives after creating an “experimental” spyware program for the powerful governmentfunded Rands Group.
Meanwhile, he took Honorable Mention for two stories, “Selfers” and “Smoking Bedpan” in the international Writers of the Future contest. Not bad, considering it receives thousands of submissions annually.
Jon jumped right in and began another novel and finished it in October. Nina Knows the Night, follows the adventures of Nina Richardson, a mild-mannered law school dropout who becomes a kick-butt heroine after innocently acquiring a metal case filled with military-like weapons. Determined to knock out the growing crime in her formerly posh urban, now run-down neighborhood, she discovers her superpowers to be her own inner-strength and purpose. Jon is seeking agent representation for this book, but isn't resting on his laurels.
November was National Novel Writing Month and novelists from around the world undertake to start and complete a novel (more than 50,000 words) in 30 days. Jon was finished by the 18th and took a couple of weeks to edit the finished work. It's called Deadly Research. Unpublished novelist, Jack Richmond, is given an assignment by a publisher: write a book that is relevant to our time. He begins his research for the book, not knowing his task is really an exercise in data gathering. Jack comes to realize the different leads he is following for the research all have a common thread. As the story begins to weave itself together, Jack and his girlfriend Teri find themselves the target of numerous attempts on their lives.
2008 also saw great changes in Jon's publishing company, Midnight Whistler. Once just a sleepy little music publisher handling Jon's CDs and a few songs that have appeared on TV (checks still come in from the song that appeared on Murder She Wrote). Now Midnight Whistler Publishers has expanded to include a nonfiction book, Walking Targets: How Our Psychologized Classrooms are Producing a Nation of Sitting Ducks,
Here's a blurb:
“In her latest book Walking Targets, education's whistleblower and best-selling author, B. K. Eakman points to an agenda that begins with increasing control by government of the childrearing process, luring parents of babies and toddlers back into the workforce with promises of paid day-care.” Visit www.MidnightWhister.com
Gleans from Eileen
No stick-in-the-mud couch potato, Eileen’s had a busy year. For the third year in a row she was on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Songwriters Cooperative (NCSC), Organizer for the NCSC Meetup site and Assistant Organizer of Coffee and Contacts: Power Networking for Women. She has delivered a number of talks in the Triangle area on a variety of subjects: Networking with Social Media, Marketing and PR, The Basics of Effective Communication and more. Her speaking schedule is filling up for 2009. Her business, Batson Group Marketing and PR, has expanded to include clients on both coasts.
They cover a broad spectrum of industries – technology, health care, consumer retail goods and services, non-profits, publishing and literary, music, fitness, and more. She provides newsletters, business cards press releases, book cover designs, social media advice, gift and incentive albums from Amway Global, etc. to help clients to be well known and remembered. In November she helped Suzanne Caplan pull together Celebrating Women 50+ event in Raleigh for the online site WomenEtcetera! Visit her blog at: BatsonGroupMarketingandPR.blogspot.com
Family Doin’s
Thanksgiving was a grand affair at cousin Vicki’s in Wallace, NC. Jon’s dad Clifton came in from DC and we all had a great time. Eatin’, talkin’, visitin’ with the family, horses and dog. Jon's sister, Glenna, got a grant and will be teaching in England. She spent most of 2008 globe trotting after moving her headquarters to Pittsboro with husband Patrick.
Jon’s dad, Cliff Batson is doing great at 84. He is considering selling the house he bought in DC near embassy row in the early 50's and moving down here to be with Jon and Glenna. Stay tuned for next year's changes.
Len and Pearl Drillick are doing well after a couple of close calls. Eileen went down to lend moral support and work a miracle or two. Len is 86 and Pearl's 39 – again. It runs in the family. They have no plans to move; they're happy in Florida. Eileen’s Uncle Richard and Aunt Kathi are enjoying their beautiful 3-story beach-front home in Jupiter and welcomed family for the holidays. They plan to sell the place and start their world travels. So, if you know anyone with a spare few million let ‘em know.
On Human Rights Day, December 10th, Jon had a birthday, asking Eileen, “Will ya still need me, will ya still feed me, when I'm sixty-four?” She said she would despite the hokey Beatles lyric reference. Eileen also had a birthday on the 28th, claiming to be 39 – again.
Jeremy Batson, wife Cathy and the five grandstars: Jacob, Jordan, Mira, Emma and Eli, are all doing well and had a great Christmas this year. They said that we had gone “way over the top” on gifts, but then again, that's the job description for grandparent, isn't it?
We had to say goodbye to Cousin Azalee Sain, who passed on this year. Azalee’s contributions and tireless energy supporting many charities here in Raleigh made her a force to be reckoned with. The write-up in the News & Observer truly captured her heart and was a wonderful tribute to her.
Sadly, Boots the cat also decided it was time to move on. His fans abound from the Freewinds Cruise ship to California to North Carolina. He was an entertaining social icon wherever he lived.
What’s Ahead
Both Jon and Eileen are looking forward to a fantastic 2009, so it's lucky there is one coming up. Keep an eye peeled for Jon's next novels, he has four outlined and plans to finish them all this coming year.
Music-wise, we are adding House Concerts to the schedule and Jon will be performing. See our meetup site at www.meetup.com/The-Raleigh-House-Music-Meetup-Group/
Eileen is resolved to spend more time promoting them, her clients, as well as her own business. Both have decided to visit family, exercise, lose weight, enjoy all that NC has to offer; to flourish and prosper spiritually and materially in 2009.
To paraphrase Grant Cardone, the recession describes an economic condition, not individuals!
Wishing everyone a prosperous year.
Jon and Eileen Batson
“Tomorrow's a play we're writing today. We can say what is to be
For a happier play, my own matinee, I'll Awaken the Dreamer in me”
~ lyric from “Awaken the Dreamer” by Jon Batson
Where to begin?? Well, it’s been 4 years since The Batson’s moved to North Carolina from Los Angeles.
Musical Notes
Jon has been and still is performing around the Triangle, Piedmont and coastal Wilmington at a variety of venues including the Festival for the Eno and the Carrboro Music Festival. His covers and original songs are all well received. In addition to performing, he also booked the weekly Summer Showcase at the Gulf Rim Café in Hillsborough, NC. Visit www.JonBatson.com
It seemed the election process would never end and Jon wrote a song in hopes that someone would understand what sort of change the country needs – “The Country Needs a Little Spare Change.” See it on YouTube.com. When the bailout took over the news, Jon couldn't stand the insanity of it all and put up another video – “I’m Movin’ to Wall Street.”
Jon’s monthly songwriting workshop, “The Song Doctor” for the North Carolina Songwriter's Co-op has been pretty popular. Several of the attendees have purchased “The Songwriter's Hook Book,” Jon's journal for songwriters. Both Jon and Eileen were very active in the Co-op’s Annual Songwriting Contest again this year year.
The Book Nook
Jon's Sci-Fi adventure, The Trasaron Chronicles, was completed in early 2008. His longest book thus far (471 pages) has been described by fans of the genre “ …as fast paced as any action thriller! I could scarcely wait to turn the page. Each time I was forced to put it down was pure agony.” This character driven sci-fi novel explores how a band of people survive on an alien world while making plans to recapture earth.
His first novella The Rands Conspiracy continues to be a favorite and is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and at select bookstores. Rands takes the reader on a Bourne-style chase as Josh and his development team run for their lives after creating an “experimental” spyware program for the powerful governmentfunded Rands Group.
Meanwhile, he took Honorable Mention for two stories, “Selfers” and “Smoking Bedpan” in the international Writers of the Future contest. Not bad, considering it receives thousands of submissions annually.
Jon jumped right in and began another novel and finished it in October. Nina Knows the Night, follows the adventures of Nina Richardson, a mild-mannered law school dropout who becomes a kick-butt heroine after innocently acquiring a metal case filled with military-like weapons. Determined to knock out the growing crime in her formerly posh urban, now run-down neighborhood, she discovers her superpowers to be her own inner-strength and purpose. Jon is seeking agent representation for this book, but isn't resting on his laurels.
November was National Novel Writing Month and novelists from around the world undertake to start and complete a novel (more than 50,000 words) in 30 days. Jon was finished by the 18th and took a couple of weeks to edit the finished work. It's called Deadly Research. Unpublished novelist, Jack Richmond, is given an assignment by a publisher: write a book that is relevant to our time. He begins his research for the book, not knowing his task is really an exercise in data gathering. Jack comes to realize the different leads he is following for the research all have a common thread. As the story begins to weave itself together, Jack and his girlfriend Teri find themselves the target of numerous attempts on their lives.
2008 also saw great changes in Jon's publishing company, Midnight Whistler. Once just a sleepy little music publisher handling Jon's CDs and a few songs that have appeared on TV (checks still come in from the song that appeared on Murder She Wrote). Now Midnight Whistler Publishers has expanded to include a nonfiction book, Walking Targets: How Our Psychologized Classrooms are Producing a Nation of Sitting Ducks,
Here's a blurb:
“In her latest book Walking Targets, education's whistleblower and best-selling author, B. K. Eakman points to an agenda that begins with increasing control by government of the childrearing process, luring parents of babies and toddlers back into the workforce with promises of paid day-care.” Visit www.MidnightWhister.com
Gleans from Eileen
No stick-in-the-mud couch potato, Eileen’s had a busy year. For the third year in a row she was on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Songwriters Cooperative (NCSC), Organizer for the NCSC Meetup site and Assistant Organizer of Coffee and Contacts: Power Networking for Women. She has delivered a number of talks in the Triangle area on a variety of subjects: Networking with Social Media, Marketing and PR, The Basics of Effective Communication and more. Her speaking schedule is filling up for 2009. Her business, Batson Group Marketing and PR, has expanded to include clients on both coasts.
They cover a broad spectrum of industries – technology, health care, consumer retail goods and services, non-profits, publishing and literary, music, fitness, and more. She provides newsletters, business cards press releases, book cover designs, social media advice, gift and incentive albums from Amway Global, etc. to help clients to be well known and remembered. In November she helped Suzanne Caplan pull together Celebrating Women 50+ event in Raleigh for the online site WomenEtcetera! Visit her blog at: BatsonGroupMarketingandPR.blogspot.com
Family Doin’s
Thanksgiving was a grand affair at cousin Vicki’s in Wallace, NC. Jon’s dad Clifton came in from DC and we all had a great time. Eatin’, talkin’, visitin’ with the family, horses and dog. Jon's sister, Glenna, got a grant and will be teaching in England. She spent most of 2008 globe trotting after moving her headquarters to Pittsboro with husband Patrick.
Jon’s dad, Cliff Batson is doing great at 84. He is considering selling the house he bought in DC near embassy row in the early 50's and moving down here to be with Jon and Glenna. Stay tuned for next year's changes.
Len and Pearl Drillick are doing well after a couple of close calls. Eileen went down to lend moral support and work a miracle or two. Len is 86 and Pearl's 39 – again. It runs in the family. They have no plans to move; they're happy in Florida. Eileen’s Uncle Richard and Aunt Kathi are enjoying their beautiful 3-story beach-front home in Jupiter and welcomed family for the holidays. They plan to sell the place and start their world travels. So, if you know anyone with a spare few million let ‘em know.
On Human Rights Day, December 10th, Jon had a birthday, asking Eileen, “Will ya still need me, will ya still feed me, when I'm sixty-four?” She said she would despite the hokey Beatles lyric reference. Eileen also had a birthday on the 28th, claiming to be 39 – again.
Jeremy Batson, wife Cathy and the five grandstars: Jacob, Jordan, Mira, Emma and Eli, are all doing well and had a great Christmas this year. They said that we had gone “way over the top” on gifts, but then again, that's the job description for grandparent, isn't it?
We had to say goodbye to Cousin Azalee Sain, who passed on this year. Azalee’s contributions and tireless energy supporting many charities here in Raleigh made her a force to be reckoned with. The write-up in the News & Observer truly captured her heart and was a wonderful tribute to her.
Sadly, Boots the cat also decided it was time to move on. His fans abound from the Freewinds Cruise ship to California to North Carolina. He was an entertaining social icon wherever he lived.
What’s Ahead
Both Jon and Eileen are looking forward to a fantastic 2009, so it's lucky there is one coming up. Keep an eye peeled for Jon's next novels, he has four outlined and plans to finish them all this coming year.
Music-wise, we are adding House Concerts to the schedule and Jon will be performing. See our meetup site at www.meetup.com/The-Raleigh-House-Music-Meetup-Group/
Eileen is resolved to spend more time promoting them, her clients, as well as her own business. Both have decided to visit family, exercise, lose weight, enjoy all that NC has to offer; to flourish and prosper spiritually and materially in 2009.
To paraphrase Grant Cardone, the recession describes an economic condition, not individuals!
Wishing everyone a prosperous year.
Jon and Eileen Batson
“Tomorrow's a play we're writing today. We can say what is to be
For a happier play, my own matinee, I'll Awaken the Dreamer in me”
~ lyric from “Awaken the Dreamer” by Jon Batson
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year!
This is me wishing all of you a Happy and Safe New Year's Eve Celebration. May 2009 bring significant advances in all of our projects.
Remember the novel I was going to write in a month? (http://www.nanowrimo.org/) I finished it in 18 days. To be truthful, I had a lot of research on my hard drive already, so there wasn't a lot of extra stuff to do, just write and refer to something already found from time to time. What began as “Unfinished Novels” was later renamed as “Deadly Research” and turned out to be an exposé.
CreateSpace made all those who finished their novels a nice offer: a free proof of their book, free ISBN and listing with their page and Amazon. The proof copy looked so good that I took them up on their offer. The result is that my book is now available. See www.jonbatson.com for the link.
Yes, I did do an edit and correct before pulling the lever. Several friends read the book as well and made some observations. The usual errors were found and corrected.
The trick for 2009 is to deal with four novels, three that are print-on-demand needing promotion and one (Nina Knows the Night) that is still seeking representation, while writing the next one. There are four started at this point and deciding which to put attention on next will be my chore for next week.
Incidentally, I am wide open for an agent. I want to pitch my books to the movie industry as well as the publishing industry. POD is one thing, but a bona-fide publisher is a good thing to have. My book made into a box-office-smash is even better.
Happy New Year! May prosperity find you in 2009 and shower you with goodness.
Jon
Remember the novel I was going to write in a month? (http://www.nanowrimo.org/) I finished it in 18 days. To be truthful, I had a lot of research on my hard drive already, so there wasn't a lot of extra stuff to do, just write and refer to something already found from time to time. What began as “Unfinished Novels” was later renamed as “Deadly Research” and turned out to be an exposé.
CreateSpace made all those who finished their novels a nice offer: a free proof of their book, free ISBN and listing with their page and Amazon. The proof copy looked so good that I took them up on their offer. The result is that my book is now available. See www.jonbatson.com for the link.
Yes, I did do an edit and correct before pulling the lever. Several friends read the book as well and made some observations. The usual errors were found and corrected.
The trick for 2009 is to deal with four novels, three that are print-on-demand needing promotion and one (Nina Knows the Night) that is still seeking representation, while writing the next one. There are four started at this point and deciding which to put attention on next will be my chore for next week.
Incidentally, I am wide open for an agent. I want to pitch my books to the movie industry as well as the publishing industry. POD is one thing, but a bona-fide publisher is a good thing to have. My book made into a box-office-smash is even better.
Happy New Year! May prosperity find you in 2009 and shower you with goodness.
Jon
Saturday, November 15, 2008
A New Novel written this month
Currently, I am in the middle of my novel, the one that gets written in a month. I'm at 37556 words out of 50000 so I am ahead of myself. That's pretty normal.
So if I haven't answered your email, or been to your show, that's why. I'm writing chapters as fast as I can just to get everything in that is in my head.
Who would like to see my novel? First chapter?
Jon
So if I haven't answered your email, or been to your show, that's why. I'm writing chapters as fast as I can just to get everything in that is in my head.
Who would like to see my novel? First chapter?
Jon
Monday, October 20, 2008
Novel Month
First of all, let me say that I am in the middle of three novels. I don't know which I want to do next and so I am writing them all as the inspiration hits me. Inspiration comes at me from all angles, so I am also making random notes about future projects. So the natural thing for me to do is to take on more.
There is a site (http://www.nanowrimo.org/) which challenges authors to write a novel in a month, starting November 1 and ending on November 30. The novel is to be in excess of 50,000 words, or roughly 1700 a day. This includes Thanksgiving, which, if done right, would yield about five words before tradition drives one to the television set to watch the big game with loosened trousers. On Thanksgiving, even I am likely to watch the big game. But I digress.
My plan is to put all other writing projects to one side as of October 31st and to focus on a new project, as yet defined, for 30 days. I will probably outline where it is going, as that is my road map, but I will also write with abandon and let the story take me where it will. I will be posting my pages per day on the site, just to see how I am doing. I might post it as I go along as well, for those who would care to read.
December will most likely be “edit month” as I go back and correct all my gaffs, ramblings, misspellings and digressions.
Between now and the end of the month, I will be working on the three incomplete novels, sending out short stories to various people, pushing my recently completed novel, Nina Knows the Night, and promoting Walking Targets, the book I publish by Beverly Eakman.
In my spare time, I will work on my breathing.
There is a site (http://www.nanowrimo.org/) which challenges authors to write a novel in a month, starting November 1 and ending on November 30. The novel is to be in excess of 50,000 words, or roughly 1700 a day. This includes Thanksgiving, which, if done right, would yield about five words before tradition drives one to the television set to watch the big game with loosened trousers. On Thanksgiving, even I am likely to watch the big game. But I digress.
My plan is to put all other writing projects to one side as of October 31st and to focus on a new project, as yet defined, for 30 days. I will probably outline where it is going, as that is my road map, but I will also write with abandon and let the story take me where it will. I will be posting my pages per day on the site, just to see how I am doing. I might post it as I go along as well, for those who would care to read.
December will most likely be “edit month” as I go back and correct all my gaffs, ramblings, misspellings and digressions.
Between now and the end of the month, I will be working on the three incomplete novels, sending out short stories to various people, pushing my recently completed novel, Nina Knows the Night, and promoting Walking Targets, the book I publish by Beverly Eakman.
In my spare time, I will work on my breathing.
Monday, June 30, 2008
No Place to be Lousy
George Burns said it: “These days, there's no place to be lousy.” What did he mean?
Well, let's take a look at George Burns. He grew up in Vaudeville, honed his act in small towns in front of audiences of many or few, and grew into the part. He fell on his face, figuratively and literally, flubbed lines, forgot lyrics, got laughed off - or booed off - the stage and somehow survived. He developed a style that took him through the early days of Radio, performing with Gracie Allen.
Gracie herself was a Vaudeville veteran who developed her perfect air-head style. She was anything but in real life, a highly intelligent woman who was on top of every nuance of their act.
Sid Caesar, Art Carney, Jackie Gleason, Milton Berle, Jack Benny were all cast in that nightly fire.
Many comics, such as Lenny Bruce, Shelly Berman, polished their acts in the Catskills for vacation audiences for many years before they played Vegas.
The Beatles played many small, dingy pubs in England and Europe before they actually played someplace nice or got any recognition. I caught Peter Tork of the Monkeys at a small coffee house in The Village on an open mic night. There were three other people there besides me. I have also open miked with John Sebastian, Fred Niel, Richie Havens and Robby Basho. All of them honed their talents at open mics or pass-the-hat open stages.
But today, where can you go? Where, George, can one go to be lousy? George replies, “There's no place to be lousy.”
Many would-be performers today believe that they are a finished product, ready for stardom. After all, given the opportunity, the big stage, costumed dancers, hot band and lots of money and drugs, they could be a Brittany or Justin. If only the world would recognize their natural talent! It's so unfair!
No, actually, it's totally fair. Outside of the pre-packaged acts that the industry occasionally brings out, most entertainers are years in the making, doing free shows, open mics, songwriter-in-the-round sessions before half-a-dozen drunks week after week, attending workshops and showcasing everywhere they can get a piece of stage for the length of a song.
The thing I hear more than any other complaint boils down to: Nobody's making opportunities for me to show off my natural and completely stage-ready talent. That's right! It ain't happenin'.
Why? Because, “These days, there's no place to be lousy.”
But there are a few places to be lousy, if you have the guts to go and be lousy. There's Open Mics, Songwriter Workshops and Jams.
NC Songwriters Co-op holds a Song Jam on the second Sunday of each month where you can play your song and get adulation, or not, from your fellow performers and songwriters. You might get a critique. But you can take it or leave it. You can go home and cry about it if you like, if you think that will help. We won't be there to hear you, so - don't care. But if you want a place to be lousy, in order to one day be good, the Song Jam is a place to start.
NCSC holds three open mics each month, go to the website, www.ncsongwriters.org, or open the Independent, there are open mics listed there on practically every night of the week. No one's stopping you from going to every one, it's an “open mic.” Sooner or later someone will notice you and make you a star. Probably later, because all your sooner time will be spent being lousy.
The open mic gives you a chance to play your song, watch the audience and see what kind of response you are getting. Taking a simple tape recorder and going over it later is helpful to some. Are you talking too much, laughing at your own jokes, nervously kicking the mic stand (sending booming thumps through the audience) or mumbling your words so that no one can understand your skillfully written song? Is your audience chatting through your set? Did you lose them from the start or in the middle of the second song? Did you spend your first song tuning? Was your song 25 minutes long, and you did four of them, taking the time from all the rest of the performers? Was your song 25 minutes of inner angst and who cares?
All of these things and more can be discovered while being lousy at Open Mic. So what if they say, “He's lousy!” If you keep doing it, in six months time, the same people will be saying, “He's great! I've been a fan since the beginning!”
NCSC also holds a Song Doctor Workshop on the third Sunday of the month at the Royal Bean coffee shop on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. This is a chance to shake your song out in public and get real, positive and useful feedback. Each songwriter brings enough lyrics for the group (10 sheets will usually do) and performs the song unplugged. Just you and your instrument, unadorned, naked before the world. No amp, no effects, no back-up vocals, no chorus line. The others will listen and follow along with the lyric and you will get feedback on the good points of the song and those that would be better after a bit of thoughtful editing.
In a professional town, such as Los Angeles, where I have experience, some artists will bring the same song month after month, sharpening and honing until it is a smash hit and worth of spending the bucks to get a professional demo made. Such people will often bring a new song and knock everyone's socks off first go, because they have now learned how to craft a song.
So, I'm sorry, Mr. Burns, but you're wrong. Here in North Carolina, there are still a few places to be lousy. And like always, the one's you find there being lousy are the best performers around, because you have to go through being lousy to be good.
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