Hello Fellow Writers!
Below, I have included a quick letter to a magazine publisher friend.
I thought of three ideas (digest sized niche mags) that might help him sell more magazines.
TIP: If you are writing an Inquiry Letter or First Pitch Letter, reveal some personality! And don't be afraid to reveal "the insane idea" as it shows imagination, and publishers appreciate that.
PROFIT: If possible, show the value to the person receiving the letter. In this case, I went ahead and suggested business sectors that could be potential advertisers.
---------------------
Hi XXX,
It was great to see you at Piedmont Park on Sunday. Thanks for
everything you are doing behind the scenes for this Community and
others.
Below are the initial ideas I pitched to you for other niche
publications where people would advertise their various businesses in
other communities. I start with my craziest idea first! LOL
LONESOME ROAD: Have you ever stopped-in a truck shop and had a
meal? A real brotherhood of buying power exists there. They share
stories and have friends from all over the USA. I think there needs
to be a monthly "reader" Trucking magazine where guys can share their
positive stories about the Open Road. Advertisers would include Truck
stops, eateries along the routes, motels repair garages and such.
HEALTHNUT: In Atlanta there are so many different "green" places
that specialize in everything from healing tonics to chiropractic
medicine. Acupuncturists, wellness centers, doctors, and healthy
eating establishments would enjoy advertising in this monthly guide to
"...all things healthy in Atlanta and beyond."
CHEF LIFE: Where do the chefs of Atlanta go to eat? This would
be a monthly magazine directed at high end restaurant clientel, with
cheaper advertising than Jezebel and Piedmont Review. Think of the
big ATL restaurant chains for advertising, who also want their Chefs
to be interviewed by the press: Fifth Group, Metrotainment etc.
Good luck on everything this week!
Pals,
Ray
VP/Page
Showing posts with label Thoughts on Writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thoughts on Writing. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Examiner.com Hello
I'd like to introduce a great resource for you... http://www.examiner.com
On this site you can learn just about everything that a "local" knows about his or her city. There is a list of cities, so if you are going to a new place---consider it a Must Read.
From articles like "Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas for under $20" to "How to add More Fiber to your Diet" each writer gives their best advice, and pulls information from the experts.
I've recently applied to become a columnist for them in their Business Section. Friends, keep pulling for me!
On this site you can learn just about everything that a "local" knows about his or her city. There is a list of cities, so if you are going to a new place---consider it a Must Read.
From articles like "Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas for under $20" to "How to add More Fiber to your Diet" each writer gives their best advice, and pulls information from the experts.
I've recently applied to become a columnist for them in their Business Section. Friends, keep pulling for me!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy 2009 & Thanks
Thanks to everyone who has supported me as I finish my first entire year on concentrated writing.
This year I was able to complete a Blog, Manley with Horns! Networking-the play! and Extravagance-the musical!
I also have completed outlines for The Garden Party and Raise My Town My Love. In the wings I am already working on Sure is Handsome, a thriller.
Thanks to Jennifer and the Atlanta Writers Group, for their encouragement in the Spring of 2008, when I began writing Manley.
Thanks to Judy Bozarth, who encouraged me to "...write about your unique story."
Thanks to Phillip King, who has offered to edit the first book, and shop for potential buyers of Applause for Anger.
Thanks to Kim Davis and Martha Macon, (who are afraid to read my writing at times) for their ardent support.
Thanks to Ron Leathers, who has always supported my creative yearnings.
This year I was able to complete a Blog, Manley with Horns! Networking-the play! and Extravagance-the musical!
I also have completed outlines for The Garden Party and Raise My Town My Love. In the wings I am already working on Sure is Handsome, a thriller.
Thanks to Jennifer and the Atlanta Writers Group, for their encouragement in the Spring of 2008, when I began writing Manley.
Thanks to Judy Bozarth, who encouraged me to "...write about your unique story."
Thanks to Phillip King, who has offered to edit the first book, and shop for potential buyers of Applause for Anger.
Thanks to Kim Davis and Martha Macon, (who are afraid to read my writing at times) for their ardent support.
Thanks to Ron Leathers, who has always supported my creative yearnings.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Editing: Thinking through Extravagance Transitions Part 2
Since the last entry, while explaining a transitional problem with the 2nd Act, I spotted transitional problems in the 1st Act.
The first version is listed here:
Act 1
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
I realized that I should list all musical components including the Prelude.
Also, I want to keep the audience alive, so I need to add a couple more "peppy" numbers. While getting coffee this morning I knew I had to write a song about extravagance, that the main lesson was missing.
Here is the latest:
Act 1
Open: Flight
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
The first version is listed here:
Act 1
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
I realized that I should list all musical components including the Prelude.
Also, I want to keep the audience alive, so I need to add a couple more "peppy" numbers. While getting coffee this morning I knew I had to write a song about extravagance, that the main lesson was missing.
Here is the latest:
Act 1
Open: Flight
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Editing: Thinking through Transitions between Songs in a Musical Play
Perhaps the hardest thing I have ever had to do as a video editor (and now writer) was come to terms with my story transition frustrations. As a matter of observation: most changes in script/story just don't seem natural to me.
There is an advantage in television and screen because in the Editing Room they add some natural sound break which jars the viewer back to the story. I know this because I did it thousands of times for multiple stories. Yes, modern trickery and visual slight of hand older-than-the-book! As editors our thought was: "...it was available and so I used it"
Whereas we share the infinity of sound, and therefore sound effects---in musical theater it is often the musical script-to-numbers which "don't fit the transition"; extracting huge amounts of believability/credibility from the storyline. Imagine the wrong character singing the wrong lamentation and this can ruin the "run of story".
Keeping in mind that the best movies often have the most smart transitions, in Musical Theater we should look to each story as if we can see it on film---at least between scene transitions.
For instance, the last object of focal point on stage should be the actual opening point from the next scene. Fading to black is usually accepted but a modern day cope-out in artistic circles when a clever transition can usually be experimented with during rehearsals.
Now add a musical theater component where---as a rule we "keep hope alive every other act" ---we will easily spot weak points in the script.
I'll use Extravagance Act 2 as an example:
Originally I had these three elements back-to-back:
Act 2
Extravagance
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
Okay so I liked the numbers and I knew they had to come in this particular order. I didn't know where I wanted to go with the transitions. I only knew I had to make it to these three points within the plot line.
Another problem...two of the three songs are bittersweet melodies. How does one "sell" that. They don't, without losing the audience!
As I thought about it I realized the 3 needed to be cushioned with a lot of script and a couple of get up on your feet and dance numbers.
I decided to add some funny song about the odd jobs actors do after their careers fade called No Work for Old Hollywood?
The new play now looks like this:
Act 2
Extravagance
No Work for Old Hollywood?
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
Go Deluxe
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
(...continued)
-------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Extravagance, the Musical by Ray Macon
An island in 1990 is the setting for this, the unofficial new “Cancer Musical of Hope”.
Aging celebrities Margot and David Fontaine think they have it all until Margot “begins to ignore” her breast cancer and their only son runs away to the Persian Gulf War. Not accustomed to failure; how will they make it through war, career layoffs, Hollywood politics and keep their love intact? There’s a surprise at the end which will leave one asking “why do I always doubt myself?”
Songs written for this work include:
Act 1
Prelude: Flight
The Crossing
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
Act 2
Extravagance
No Work for Old Hollywood?
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
Go Deluxe
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
We no Longer have to Fake it
She’s got the Fire to Make It
Reprise “First Act Songs”
This is what it Means to be Alive
Extravagance reprise
The 40th Anniversary Song
Advertisement: Metro sexual Male 2006
Postlude: Land
There is an advantage in television and screen because in the Editing Room they add some natural sound break which jars the viewer back to the story. I know this because I did it thousands of times for multiple stories. Yes, modern trickery and visual slight of hand older-than-the-book! As editors our thought was: "...it was available and so I used it"
Whereas we share the infinity of sound, and therefore sound effects---in musical theater it is often the musical script-to-numbers which "don't fit the transition"; extracting huge amounts of believability/credibility from the storyline. Imagine the wrong character singing the wrong lamentation and this can ruin the "run of story".
Keeping in mind that the best movies often have the most smart transitions, in Musical Theater we should look to each story as if we can see it on film---at least between scene transitions.
For instance, the last object of focal point on stage should be the actual opening point from the next scene. Fading to black is usually accepted but a modern day cope-out in artistic circles when a clever transition can usually be experimented with during rehearsals.
Now add a musical theater component where---as a rule we "keep hope alive every other act" ---we will easily spot weak points in the script.
I'll use Extravagance Act 2 as an example:
Originally I had these three elements back-to-back:
Act 2
Extravagance
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
Okay so I liked the numbers and I knew they had to come in this particular order. I didn't know where I wanted to go with the transitions. I only knew I had to make it to these three points within the plot line.
Another problem...two of the three songs are bittersweet melodies. How does one "sell" that. They don't, without losing the audience!
As I thought about it I realized the 3 needed to be cushioned with a lot of script and a couple of get up on your feet and dance numbers.
I decided to add some funny song about the odd jobs actors do after their careers fade called No Work for Old Hollywood?
The other song choice came from a totally wacky party idea from the mid 90s. The challenge was donning that old outfit under plastic you'd been meaning to wear for years beside your closeted Deluxe Vacuum. The night included drinking out of plastic cups stuffed into antique high heels.
I figured it could actually be a hit if we consider the large amount of crap we carry in our closets. It could also be a transitional song of acceptance (and coming-out) after Danny returns from war.
The new play now looks like this:
Act 2
Extravagance
No Work for Old Hollywood?
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
Go Deluxe
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
(...continued)
-------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Extravagance, the Musical by Ray Macon
An island in 1990 is the setting for this, the unofficial new “Cancer Musical of Hope”.
Aging celebrities Margot and David Fontaine think they have it all until Margot “begins to ignore” her breast cancer and their only son runs away to the Persian Gulf War. Not accustomed to failure; how will they make it through war, career layoffs, Hollywood politics and keep their love intact? There’s a surprise at the end which will leave one asking “why do I always doubt myself?”
Songs written for this work include:
Act 1
Prelude: Flight
The Crossing
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991
Act 2
Extravagance
No Work for Old Hollywood?
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
Go Deluxe
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
We no Longer have to Fake it
She’s got the Fire to Make It
Reprise “First Act Songs”
This is what it Means to be Alive
Extravagance reprise
The 40th Anniversary Song
Advertisement: Metro sexual Male 2006
Postlude: Land
Monday, January 29, 2007
Professional Writing
Q: Do you ever send professional association letters, and how do you go about composing them?
Yes, I send professional letters all the time. A good rule of thumb is to always ask yourself: what is the purpose of the correspondence? Is it to invite attendees? Is the purpose to update members (such as the examples from Cindy and I below) on the association's events or work?
You can be personal but not be too personal. For instance, start with a sincere sentence like:
"Hi (your name here),
I hope everyone in your family is well.
Procede to what you really want:
I just wanted to remind you about our Writing Workshop which we will be holding in the Clubhouse of our Complex this coming Saturday.
End with a sincere tagline and sign-out:
If there are any questions or concerns, please call my cell. I know you mentioned a previous engagement, but you are always welcome to join us!
Sincerely (or better yet---) Your Friend,
RR Macon
Atlanta
---------------
Another good tip is to keep it simple. Cindy keeps her letters more compact than me, but I make up for that by including helpful links.
In the example below Cindy and I wanted our Urban Professionals Network to set-aside certain event dates.
However, always trying to go that extra mile with writing---I also used the letter to compliment members who have business tools our entire group could share.
So it accomplishes both goals:
-----------------------------------
Hi Urban Professionals (UP)!
I just want to commend David Page on his company's growth to an Internet-Based business. Check out this link to his web site: http://www.page-enterprises.cceasy.com/index.cfm.We have seen David's web site grow from being an info-only page to a business where you can receive your own login and customers discounts. You can shop, and browse hundreds of products. David this must have taken a long time and as one of your fellow UP Members, I compliment you.
In the world of mortgage news---have you ever wanted to "watch" a housing market from as far as two states away? The other day Lonnie Schatz and I compared notes and we both are interested in watching the South Florida real estate market. AHM has a great tool which you can use to watch other real estate markets. Locally I use their Home Buyers Marketplace "Scout" to keep my eye of the 30306 area code. If you know ANY realtors, send them Lonnie's way. Believe me, they need this tool more than ever. (To inquire, send Lonnie an email Lonnie Schatz lonnie.schatz@americanhm.com).
Also congratulations to Leah Henderson's son Adam Arcuragi for getting recognized by ABC News. Adam is a very talented musician.
I play Adam's demo CD all the time and I am happy he is getting the recognition he deserves: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/index?section=entertainment&id=4528277
We hope to everyone at the breakfast on February 7th at Huey's (8-9am). UP Members please feel free to bring a guest.
At UP we celebrate small business and the many steps it takes to be successful. And we can be successful. Keep climbing higher everyone! Cindy Caldwell's Monthly email follows...
Your Friend,
Ray Macon
Persily & Associates
"Now a full service law firm!"
404-352-1100
http://www.persilylaw.com/
http://raisemytownmylove.blogspot.com/
-----------------------------------------
Hi everyone...
Please save the dates for our February events!
Wed, Feb 7 from 8 - 9am at Huey's on Peachtree in Midtown--invite guests for coffee, beignets & professional networking! We will do one-minutes and set up our speaker schedule for '07. We encourage you to invite guests to speak for future meetings!
Thursday, Feb 22 - margaritas at El Azteca (close to Huey's on Peachtree) from 6 - 8pm -- casual networking!
An email will be coming from Ray shortly that you can use to invite guests to these events.
--Cindy
Cindy D. Caldwell
Creative Consultant/Business Development
Randstad Creative Talent
"Good to Know You"
http://www.us.randstad.com/
http://www.randstadinsight.com/ (National Employment News)
Yes, I send professional letters all the time. A good rule of thumb is to always ask yourself: what is the purpose of the correspondence? Is it to invite attendees? Is the purpose to update members (such as the examples from Cindy and I below) on the association's events or work?
You can be personal but not be too personal. For instance, start with a sincere sentence like:
"Hi (your name here),
I hope everyone in your family is well.
Procede to what you really want:
I just wanted to remind you about our Writing Workshop which we will be holding in the Clubhouse of our Complex this coming Saturday.
End with a sincere tagline and sign-out:
If there are any questions or concerns, please call my cell. I know you mentioned a previous engagement, but you are always welcome to join us!
Sincerely (or better yet---) Your Friend,
RR Macon
Atlanta
---------------
Another good tip is to keep it simple. Cindy keeps her letters more compact than me, but I make up for that by including helpful links.
In the example below Cindy and I wanted our Urban Professionals Network to set-aside certain event dates.
However, always trying to go that extra mile with writing---I also used the letter to compliment members who have business tools our entire group could share.
So it accomplishes both goals:
-----------------------------------
Hi Urban Professionals (UP)!
I just want to commend David Page on his company's growth to an Internet-Based business. Check out this link to his web site: http://www.page-enterprises.cceasy.com/index.cfm.We have seen David's web site grow from being an info-only page to a business where you can receive your own login and customers discounts. You can shop, and browse hundreds of products. David this must have taken a long time and as one of your fellow UP Members, I compliment you.
In the world of mortgage news---have you ever wanted to "watch" a housing market from as far as two states away? The other day Lonnie Schatz and I compared notes and we both are interested in watching the South Florida real estate market. AHM has a great tool which you can use to watch other real estate markets. Locally I use their Home Buyers Marketplace "Scout" to keep my eye of the 30306 area code. If you know ANY realtors, send them Lonnie's way. Believe me, they need this tool more than ever. (To inquire, send Lonnie an email Lonnie Schatz lonnie.schatz@americanhm.com).
Also congratulations to Leah Henderson's son Adam Arcuragi for getting recognized by ABC News. Adam is a very talented musician.
I play Adam's demo CD all the time and I am happy he is getting the recognition he deserves: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/index?section=entertainment&id=4528277
We hope to everyone at the breakfast on February 7th at Huey's (8-9am). UP Members please feel free to bring a guest.
At UP we celebrate small business and the many steps it takes to be successful. And we can be successful. Keep climbing higher everyone! Cindy Caldwell's Monthly email follows...
Your Friend,
Ray Macon
Persily & Associates
"Now a full service law firm!"
404-352-1100
http://www.persilylaw.com/
http://raisemytownmylove.blogspot.com/
-----------------------------------------
Hi everyone...
Please save the dates for our February events!
Wed, Feb 7 from 8 - 9am at Huey's on Peachtree in Midtown--invite guests for coffee, beignets & professional networking! We will do one-minutes and set up our speaker schedule for '07. We encourage you to invite guests to speak for future meetings!
Thursday, Feb 22 - margaritas at El Azteca (close to Huey's on Peachtree) from 6 - 8pm -- casual networking!
An email will be coming from Ray shortly that you can use to invite guests to these events.
--Cindy
Cindy D. Caldwell
Creative Consultant/Business Development
Randstad Creative Talent
"Good to Know You"
http://www.us.randstad.com/
http://www.randstadinsight.com/ (National Employment News)
Friday, January 26, 2007
Creating an Outline
Sometimes the best way to finish a story is to think through the entire story in one-line sentences. Then, allow each sentence to represent a chapter. If you already know where you are going with the story, simply by knowing what is expected from each small segment can lead your book to finality.
This is a half list of chapters for my RAISE outline. Part of the book takes place in the Present, the other in 1950s. Some of the flashbacks have not been completed by my Co-author.
It's a great example of how to start a story, nonetheless:
Raise My Town My Love
Chapter 1 The Accident
Chapter 2 The Diner
Chapter 3 The Old Man
Chapter 4 David Unwinds
Chapter 5 Chopping Cotton
Chapter 6 Home Life with the Leathers
Chapter 7 David Awakes---Crystal Comes Home
Chapter 8 More Rest and Art Supplies
Chapter 9 Our Big Town
Chapter 10 Tension: Will It Rain Before Harvest?
Chapter 11 Cotton Trailer Line Wait
Chapter 12 Weigh-In of Trailers and Bales are Formed
Chapter 13 Friend Killed Stompin’ Cotton
Chapter 14 Funeral for a Friend
Chapter 15 Hunt Day
Chapter 16 The Hunt
Chapter 17 Christmas at the Leathers
Chapter 18 Modern Day: Hunt Day Goodbyes
Chapter 19 Crystal at the Diner
Chapter 20 David at Home with Trumpet
Chapter 21 Flashback
Chapter 22 Flashback
Chapter 23 Flashback
Chapter 24 David showers and goes for coffee and to see Crystal.
Chapter 25 The Marketing Expert Stranger
Chapter 26 Conversation with a Stranger
Chapter 27 Tour of Town with the Stranger
Chapter 28 Flashback: The death of Stan Leathers
Chapter 29 Flashback: L.E. our new dad?
Chapter 30 Flashback: Life on the farm
Chapter 31 Day Off---Trip to City
Chapter 32 Meet Marketing Expert for Dinner
Chapter 33 Flashback: Children Begin to Leave
Chapter 34 Flashback: Child #2 Leaves
Chapter 35 Flashback: Children 3 & 4 leave…well kind of leave.
Chapter 36 David dreams of a “last wagon train to Hollis.”
Chapter 37 A Walk in the Park with Crystal
Chapter 38 Tour of Dallas with the Marketing Director
Chapter 39 Dull day back at work in Hollis
Chapter 40 Mexican Birthday Party
Chapter 41 Flashback: The Leathers family takes in 5 strangers
Chapter 42 Flashback: Brothers go hunting together with strangers
Chapter 43 Flashback: Oldest Brother Trey becomes a policeman
Chapter 44 Flashback: Davey becomes a policeman
Chapter 45 Flashback: Hard Times Ahead: Pills...and kids to boot.
Chapter 46 Policeman Dave and the Weird Smell by the Bridge
Chapter 47 David in the Library researching American Roadside Attractions
Chapter 48 David meets friend, Douglas, who helps investigate smell.
Chapter 49 David finds the body of a Latina
Chapter 50 Consoles Crystal. Several days of his following her home.
Chapter 51 Flashback:
Chapter 52 Flashback:
Chapter 53 Flashback:
Chapter 54 Clue: "This ole town, people going down."
Chapter 55 David and OBI meet to discuss case.
Chapter 56 David & Deputies beef-up control of town
Chapter 57 Fashion Shoot in Hollis
Chapter 58 Conversations in the Diner
Chapter 59 Missing Model
Chapter 60 Flashback:
Chapter 61 Flashback:
Chapter 62 Flashback:
Chapter 63 Missing Model found dead
Chapter 64 David is questioned by his old boss, the Sheriff
Chapter 65 David is questioned by the press
Chapter 66 David meets a reporter
Chapter 67 David plays trumpet after reading his "bad press", finds clue.
Chapter 68 OBI reveals a connection and warns of a loose "madman".
Chapter 69 David on patrol
Chapter 70 Flashback:
Chapter 71 Flashback:
Chapter 72 Flashback:
Chapter 73 David follows a stranger
Chapter 74 Killer traps Crystal
Chapter 75 David confronts and kills murderer
Chapter 76 David is cleared, consoles Crystal
Chapter 77 David & Crystal spend time together, magazine spread arrives
Chapter 78 Movie company calls for shoot
Chapter 79 Leathers children return to Hollis
Chapter 80 Leathers new:
Chapter 81 Leathers new:
Chapter 82 David asks Crystal's father for her hand in marriage
Chapter 83 David on patrol, reads positive article about town
Chapter 84 Movie studio comes to town, changing city scape and rundown look.
Chapter 85 Crystal & David become engaged
Chapter 86 David becomes Catholic
Chapter 87 David & Crystal speak of moving
Chapter 88 Wedding Town
Chapter 89 Reality & the town today
This is a half list of chapters for my RAISE outline. Part of the book takes place in the Present, the other in 1950s. Some of the flashbacks have not been completed by my Co-author.
It's a great example of how to start a story, nonetheless:
Raise My Town My Love
Chapter 1 The Accident
Chapter 2 The Diner
Chapter 3 The Old Man
Chapter 4 David Unwinds
Chapter 5 Chopping Cotton
Chapter 6 Home Life with the Leathers
Chapter 7 David Awakes---Crystal Comes Home
Chapter 8 More Rest and Art Supplies
Chapter 9 Our Big Town
Chapter 10 Tension: Will It Rain Before Harvest?
Chapter 11 Cotton Trailer Line Wait
Chapter 12 Weigh-In of Trailers and Bales are Formed
Chapter 13 Friend Killed Stompin’ Cotton
Chapter 14 Funeral for a Friend
Chapter 15 Hunt Day
Chapter 16 The Hunt
Chapter 17 Christmas at the Leathers
Chapter 18 Modern Day: Hunt Day Goodbyes
Chapter 19 Crystal at the Diner
Chapter 20 David at Home with Trumpet
Chapter 21 Flashback
Chapter 22 Flashback
Chapter 23 Flashback
Chapter 24 David showers and goes for coffee and to see Crystal.
Chapter 25 The Marketing Expert Stranger
Chapter 26 Conversation with a Stranger
Chapter 27 Tour of Town with the Stranger
Chapter 28 Flashback: The death of Stan Leathers
Chapter 29 Flashback: L.E. our new dad?
Chapter 30 Flashback: Life on the farm
Chapter 31 Day Off---Trip to City
Chapter 32 Meet Marketing Expert for Dinner
Chapter 33 Flashback: Children Begin to Leave
Chapter 34 Flashback: Child #2 Leaves
Chapter 35 Flashback: Children 3 & 4 leave…well kind of leave.
Chapter 36 David dreams of a “last wagon train to Hollis.”
Chapter 37 A Walk in the Park with Crystal
Chapter 38 Tour of Dallas with the Marketing Director
Chapter 39 Dull day back at work in Hollis
Chapter 40 Mexican Birthday Party
Chapter 41 Flashback: The Leathers family takes in 5 strangers
Chapter 42 Flashback: Brothers go hunting together with strangers
Chapter 43 Flashback: Oldest Brother Trey becomes a policeman
Chapter 44 Flashback: Davey becomes a policeman
Chapter 45 Flashback: Hard Times Ahead: Pills...and kids to boot.
Chapter 46 Policeman Dave and the Weird Smell by the Bridge
Chapter 47 David in the Library researching American Roadside Attractions
Chapter 48 David meets friend, Douglas, who helps investigate smell.
Chapter 49 David finds the body of a Latina
Chapter 50 Consoles Crystal. Several days of his following her home.
Chapter 51 Flashback:
Chapter 52 Flashback:
Chapter 53 Flashback:
Chapter 54 Clue: "This ole town, people going down."
Chapter 55 David and OBI meet to discuss case.
Chapter 56 David & Deputies beef-up control of town
Chapter 57 Fashion Shoot in Hollis
Chapter 58 Conversations in the Diner
Chapter 59 Missing Model
Chapter 60 Flashback:
Chapter 61 Flashback:
Chapter 62 Flashback:
Chapter 63 Missing Model found dead
Chapter 64 David is questioned by his old boss, the Sheriff
Chapter 65 David is questioned by the press
Chapter 66 David meets a reporter
Chapter 67 David plays trumpet after reading his "bad press", finds clue.
Chapter 68 OBI reveals a connection and warns of a loose "madman".
Chapter 69 David on patrol
Chapter 70 Flashback:
Chapter 71 Flashback:
Chapter 72 Flashback:
Chapter 73 David follows a stranger
Chapter 74 Killer traps Crystal
Chapter 75 David confronts and kills murderer
Chapter 76 David is cleared, consoles Crystal
Chapter 77 David & Crystal spend time together, magazine spread arrives
Chapter 78 Movie company calls for shoot
Chapter 79 Leathers children return to Hollis
Chapter 80 Leathers new:
Chapter 81 Leathers new:
Chapter 82 David asks Crystal's father for her hand in marriage
Chapter 83 David on patrol, reads positive article about town
Chapter 84 Movie studio comes to town, changing city scape and rundown look.
Chapter 85 Crystal & David become engaged
Chapter 86 David becomes Catholic
Chapter 87 David & Crystal speak of moving
Chapter 88 Wedding Town
Chapter 89 Reality & the town today
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Create an Outline: Raise My Town My Love
Hollis, Oklahoma.
Present Day
Story begins with a Policeman and an accident; where four adults are killed. None of the adults are wearing belts. One baby survives.
In the second chapter we see Policeman David drawing with a piece of charcoal--- while on duty. He's drawn the baby seat from the accident site! An old man interrupts his silence and David follows the old man, a local crazy, back to the man's home.
Q: Why write it this way?
Two juxtaposing situations back-to-back early-on creates empathy and eventual trust for our protagonist, David.
He witnesses something horrible that could have been prevented. As the first on the scene David saves one life, a baby.
In the second scene we witness David's otherwise boring life as a policeman and general good guy.
Might as well go ahead and give him up to the forces of evil: He's one of those---he helps the elderly.
Yet we must suspect David's going to be wounded by this opening scene nonetheless.
Tip: Visualize entire scene from top to bottom. You've already began taking infant steps toward the story. What happens second by second?
If I am driving down a road and start to dodge objects in the road, the road is certainly opening a story for me, ...just ahead?
Present Day
Story begins with a Policeman and an accident; where four adults are killed. None of the adults are wearing belts. One baby survives.
In the second chapter we see Policeman David drawing with a piece of charcoal--- while on duty. He's drawn the baby seat from the accident site! An old man interrupts his silence and David follows the old man, a local crazy, back to the man's home.
Q: Why write it this way?
Two juxtaposing situations back-to-back early-on creates empathy and eventual trust for our protagonist, David.
He witnesses something horrible that could have been prevented. As the first on the scene David saves one life, a baby.
In the second scene we witness David's otherwise boring life as a policeman and general good guy.
Might as well go ahead and give him up to the forces of evil: He's one of those---he helps the elderly.
Yet we must suspect David's going to be wounded by this opening scene nonetheless.
Tip: Visualize entire scene from top to bottom. You've already began taking infant steps toward the story. What happens second by second?
If I am driving down a road and start to dodge objects in the road, the road is certainly opening a story for me, ...just ahead?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Russian Ads for Niche Market
This week I have set a goal to help a colleague produce some advertising collateral to sell legal services to Russian speaking clients.
Thankfully he provided me with copy, which brings a terrific point: sometimes, when you don't know the language of the ad but it is handed to you, remember---if it's the last thing you do---check it. I'm looking for a person who speaks Russian so I can check my own ad!
In the photo: A woman holding a paint roller has painted the floor and ceiling red, pink and mauve. She stands facing the corner, with a few still unpainted steps behind her...
I started with a humorist approach (still attempting to load picture, sorry) to which he had a general freakout. "...I told you I started in Left Field," I said. "She's painted herself into a corner, and has legal needs. Great colors of red."
The colleague shook his head 'no'.
"Well, it's okay. I have more ideas, I like the color red. Everything we normally feature is navy blue." I walked away mumbling"...she's painted herself into a corner and so have I".
As the hour progressed the ad got more conservative. It's funny how the more conservative it gets, the more the ad screams for---at least---some sort of irony.
If I can't have gut wrenching humor God give me irony.
I will publish this interesting creative process by steps later in the week.
Thankfully he provided me with copy, which brings a terrific point: sometimes, when you don't know the language of the ad but it is handed to you, remember---if it's the last thing you do---check it. I'm looking for a person who speaks Russian so I can check my own ad!
In the photo: A woman holding a paint roller has painted the floor and ceiling red, pink and mauve. She stands facing the corner, with a few still unpainted steps behind her...
I started with a humorist approach (still attempting to load picture, sorry) to which he had a general freakout. "...I told you I started in Left Field," I said. "She's painted herself into a corner, and has legal needs. Great colors of red."
The colleague shook his head 'no'.
"Well, it's okay. I have more ideas, I like the color red. Everything we normally feature is navy blue." I walked away mumbling"...she's painted herself into a corner and so have I".
As the hour progressed the ad got more conservative. It's funny how the more conservative it gets, the more the ad screams for---at least---some sort of irony.
If I can't have gut wrenching humor God give me irony.
I will publish this interesting creative process by steps later in the week.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Examples of "Legalese" or "Legislative Writing"
Q: Have you ever done any formal writing for Associations or Organizations which required a specific "tone" or authoritative stance on behalf of the Organization's Bi-Laws or Mission Statement?
Yes. I once had the privilege of serving as the Parliamentarian of a sports club for three years.
Luckily, the national director of the Organization was local and I could ask him advice. He told me "...an Organization's Constitution should stand the test of time and not be frequently changed."
To that end, we went over our local sports organization's documents with a sifter.
We pulled-out any dated materials, references to anything which would be seen as making it old "...if your check bounces..." (I mean who writes a check these days anyway).
Whereas I was not the only writer of the document, I was a major writer and influence on making sure it didn't have to be changed for the next 10 seasons. I am happy to say that it hasn't had more than a few word changes in the past 4 years. That document can be seen here: http://www.hotlantasoftball.org/constitution.php
One of the things I am most proud of is the legalese writing I had to do for that same Organization's Rules of Play.
"...One thing is guaranteed when men get together for sports," the Commissioner said to me on the first week of the volunteer job, "...winning is their only purpose. Given the chance to cheat so they can win, they will look for every possible way to take a short cut to that trophy. Rules exist because men cheat."
In this particular club the male species had to be rated so to keep the better players from wiping out all of the teeth and various hambones of their opponents. It's probably the only sports club in America whose rule of ratings was created-by a drag queen!*
The problem had been that the Executive Council could never get any work done because of the number of ratings meetings they were having to attend!
So the Commissioner tried a "Jury of Peers" approach to solve some bitch fights after the season ended.
Over the winter I wrote the following: legalese we added to the Rules of Play documents, which would in itself "legitimize the Jury of Peers" to keep anyone in their sports club from complaining they didn't get a fair shot or have options.
SECTION 14. JUDICIARY HEARINGS COMMITTEE
A.At the HSL Annual Spring Meeting, the Open Division Council will nominate and vote on a chairman to serve as head of a Judiciary Hearings Committee (JHC).B.This Chairman will preside over a "jury of peers" determined by the Open Division Council which will listen, debate, and decide on requests for ratings reductions and protests. C.The Open Division Council will nominate and then vote to determine two (2) Open Division HSL Members from each division of play and three (3) at-large alternates during the Annual Spring Meeting. Each of these Division Representatives will have one vote during JHC meetings, creating 8 available votes. (Quorum=5 voting members, not including Chairman).D.The Chairman will preside and keep professional order during JHC meetings, but will not vote, unless there is a tie. In the event that the Chairman cannot preside or attend a meeting, a Chairman Pro-Temp from the members of the JHC (including Alternates) may be assigned to act in his absence by the Chairman.E.The Chairman will call a meeting of the JHC and notify the JHC Representatives, the representatives of the team(s) involved in the protest or ratings reduction request at least five (5) days before the meeting as to the date, time, place, and reason for the meeting, including allegations.F.The Chairman will preside over the meeting. In the case of a game protest, a representative of the team filing the protest will present the case for the protest. The team representative of the team being protested will then respond. There will be a maximum of thirty (30) minutes allowed for questions and comments from the JHC. The team representatives will then leave the room for a maximum of thirty (30) minutes to allow for discussion by the JHC. At the end of the discussion by the JHC, the Representatives will vote by secret ballot to decide whether the game protest is upheld or invalid. In the case of a ratings reduction request, a similar hearing process will take place with the exception that there typically will be no presentation against the ratings reduction request. The JHC at its discretion may allow the presentation of evidence against the ratings reduction request.G.A game protest will be upheld if 75% or more of the JHC representatives voting concur with the protest. A ratings reduction request will be granted if a majority of the JHC representative voting concur with the request. In the event of an upheld protest, the effect will be in accordance with ASA rules. H.At the end of the vote tabulation by the Chairman, the Chairman will assemble all persons involved and the decision of the JHC will be presented. I.Once the JHC has reached a decision the decision WILL BE FINAL; unless convincing new evidence is presented within three (3) days of JHC ruling, which would be appealed to the Open Division Executive Council. J.Any person or team who becomes ineligible for play within a division as a result of a JHC decision will remain so until they successfully appeal the JHC decision to the Open Division Executive Council.
*Atlanta Actor and HSL Member Jim Marks. It is estimated that under Marks's direction of the NAGAAA in the 1990s, more than 2 million conversations have since been spawned (and several thousands fights) because of ratings disagreements. However painful it was to endure the original implementation of this system, and until this day---very few people think it's a bad idea!
Yes. I once had the privilege of serving as the Parliamentarian of a sports club for three years.
Luckily, the national director of the Organization was local and I could ask him advice. He told me "...an Organization's Constitution should stand the test of time and not be frequently changed."
To that end, we went over our local sports organization's documents with a sifter.
We pulled-out any dated materials, references to anything which would be seen as making it old "...if your check bounces..." (I mean who writes a check these days anyway).
Whereas I was not the only writer of the document, I was a major writer and influence on making sure it didn't have to be changed for the next 10 seasons. I am happy to say that it hasn't had more than a few word changes in the past 4 years. That document can be seen here: http://www.hotlantasoftball.org/constitution.php
One of the things I am most proud of is the legalese writing I had to do for that same Organization's Rules of Play.
"...One thing is guaranteed when men get together for sports," the Commissioner said to me on the first week of the volunteer job, "...winning is their only purpose. Given the chance to cheat so they can win, they will look for every possible way to take a short cut to that trophy. Rules exist because men cheat."
In this particular club the male species had to be rated so to keep the better players from wiping out all of the teeth and various hambones of their opponents. It's probably the only sports club in America whose rule of ratings was created-by a drag queen!*
The problem had been that the Executive Council could never get any work done because of the number of ratings meetings they were having to attend!
So the Commissioner tried a "Jury of Peers" approach to solve some bitch fights after the season ended.
Over the winter I wrote the following: legalese we added to the Rules of Play documents, which would in itself "legitimize the Jury of Peers" to keep anyone in their sports club from complaining they didn't get a fair shot or have options.
SECTION 14. JUDICIARY HEARINGS COMMITTEE
A.At the HSL Annual Spring Meeting, the Open Division Council will nominate and vote on a chairman to serve as head of a Judiciary Hearings Committee (JHC).B.This Chairman will preside over a "jury of peers" determined by the Open Division Council which will listen, debate, and decide on requests for ratings reductions and protests. C.The Open Division Council will nominate and then vote to determine two (2) Open Division HSL Members from each division of play and three (3) at-large alternates during the Annual Spring Meeting. Each of these Division Representatives will have one vote during JHC meetings, creating 8 available votes. (Quorum=5 voting members, not including Chairman).D.The Chairman will preside and keep professional order during JHC meetings, but will not vote, unless there is a tie. In the event that the Chairman cannot preside or attend a meeting, a Chairman Pro-Temp from the members of the JHC (including Alternates) may be assigned to act in his absence by the Chairman.E.The Chairman will call a meeting of the JHC and notify the JHC Representatives, the representatives of the team(s) involved in the protest or ratings reduction request at least five (5) days before the meeting as to the date, time, place, and reason for the meeting, including allegations.F.The Chairman will preside over the meeting. In the case of a game protest, a representative of the team filing the protest will present the case for the protest. The team representative of the team being protested will then respond. There will be a maximum of thirty (30) minutes allowed for questions and comments from the JHC. The team representatives will then leave the room for a maximum of thirty (30) minutes to allow for discussion by the JHC. At the end of the discussion by the JHC, the Representatives will vote by secret ballot to decide whether the game protest is upheld or invalid. In the case of a ratings reduction request, a similar hearing process will take place with the exception that there typically will be no presentation against the ratings reduction request. The JHC at its discretion may allow the presentation of evidence against the ratings reduction request.G.A game protest will be upheld if 75% or more of the JHC representatives voting concur with the protest. A ratings reduction request will be granted if a majority of the JHC representative voting concur with the request. In the event of an upheld protest, the effect will be in accordance with ASA rules. H.At the end of the vote tabulation by the Chairman, the Chairman will assemble all persons involved and the decision of the JHC will be presented. I.Once the JHC has reached a decision the decision WILL BE FINAL; unless convincing new evidence is presented within three (3) days of JHC ruling, which would be appealed to the Open Division Executive Council. J.Any person or team who becomes ineligible for play within a division as a result of a JHC decision will remain so until they successfully appeal the JHC decision to the Open Division Executive Council.
*Atlanta Actor and HSL Member Jim Marks. It is estimated that under Marks's direction of the NAGAAA in the 1990s, more than 2 million conversations have since been spawned (and several thousands fights) because of ratings disagreements. However painful it was to endure the original implementation of this system, and until this day---very few people think it's a bad idea!
Friday, January 19, 2007
Coming Up With a Working Title
Q: Why are you choosing Ghosts of Baby Lake VS Ghosts of Bayview Lake for the title of the book on Alabama Mines and Steel culture in the 1950s-1970s?
The only story I have ever seen close to some of the tales from the Bayview was from the 1987 movie Matewan. It's a true story of Common Man VS Big Coal Company. Also---the town of Matewan seems to be ruled by local militia thugs, similar to how the KKK once controlled Bayview. Whereas the movie doesn't actually follow historically---it's a fascinating story nonetheless. Read this link:
http://www.umwa.org/history/matewan.shtml
I am contemplating changing the name of the series book to Baby Lake because it has a hint of mystery to it. Also---some of the events are so true and things are so sad that the village of Bayview would not benefit from the attention.
Matewan History (courtesy of UMWA.Org)
In the early spring of 1920, unorganized coal miners in Mingo County, West Virginia began seeking to join the UMWA. The coal operators became alarmed by the organizing activity and locked out the miners. On May 19, 1920, twelve men were killed at Matewan, West Virginia in a gun fight in which the local police and the people of Matewan faced a group of hoodlums hired by the infamous Baldwin Felts Detective Agency at the behest of the coal operators to unlawfully evict miners from their homes.
In the Matewan battle, Albert Felts, wearing a badge as a "deputy sheriff" of Harlan County, Kentucky, fired the first shot but was killed by Matewan Chief of Police Sid Hatfield. Hatfield had warned the thugs that they had no legal warrants to evict the citizens of Matewan and that he would not permit eviction without proper legal procedures. Felts then attempted to forcibly arrest the Chief of Police. Felts had been one of the chief gunmen used by the coal operators in the Ludlow, Colorado massacre in 1914, in which twenty persons were killed, including twelve women and children who were burned alive in their tents.
Sid Hatfield, a hero to West Virginia miners, was himself killed in August of 1921 in Welch, West Virginia by C. E. Lively, a Baldwin Felts gunman. Hatfield's murder was in all likelihood a set-up. He was arrested on July 28 on an allegation that he had shot up the town of Mohawk more than a year before. He was taken from his home town of Matewan to McDowell County, West Virginia, a stronghold of anti-UMWA coal operators. As he entered the court house with Ed Chambers, who had been called as a witness, both were shot down in front of their wives by Lively and two other gunmen. No charges were brought against Lively or the other murderers.
The only story I have ever seen close to some of the tales from the Bayview was from the 1987 movie Matewan. It's a true story of Common Man VS Big Coal Company. Also---the town of Matewan seems to be ruled by local militia thugs, similar to how the KKK once controlled Bayview. Whereas the movie doesn't actually follow historically---it's a fascinating story nonetheless. Read this link:
http://www.umwa.org/history/matewan.shtml
I am contemplating changing the name of the series book to Baby Lake because it has a hint of mystery to it. Also---some of the events are so true and things are so sad that the village of Bayview would not benefit from the attention.
Matewan History (courtesy of UMWA.Org)
In the early spring of 1920, unorganized coal miners in Mingo County, West Virginia began seeking to join the UMWA. The coal operators became alarmed by the organizing activity and locked out the miners. On May 19, 1920, twelve men were killed at Matewan, West Virginia in a gun fight in which the local police and the people of Matewan faced a group of hoodlums hired by the infamous Baldwin Felts Detective Agency at the behest of the coal operators to unlawfully evict miners from their homes.
In the Matewan battle, Albert Felts, wearing a badge as a "deputy sheriff" of Harlan County, Kentucky, fired the first shot but was killed by Matewan Chief of Police Sid Hatfield. Hatfield had warned the thugs that they had no legal warrants to evict the citizens of Matewan and that he would not permit eviction without proper legal procedures. Felts then attempted to forcibly arrest the Chief of Police. Felts had been one of the chief gunmen used by the coal operators in the Ludlow, Colorado massacre in 1914, in which twenty persons were killed, including twelve women and children who were burned alive in their tents.
Sid Hatfield, a hero to West Virginia miners, was himself killed in August of 1921 in Welch, West Virginia by C. E. Lively, a Baldwin Felts gunman. Hatfield's murder was in all likelihood a set-up. He was arrested on July 28 on an allegation that he had shot up the town of Mohawk more than a year before. He was taken from his home town of Matewan to McDowell County, West Virginia, a stronghold of anti-UMWA coal operators. As he entered the court house with Ed Chambers, who had been called as a witness, both were shot down in front of their wives by Lively and two other gunmen. No charges were brought against Lively or the other murderers.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Garden Party Outline
Last night, while watching some lame television, I outlined the first 17 chapters of The Garden Party.
This should be a pretty fun story to write, and must be comedic to work. There are currently not enough "serious" plot points to make it interesting. I figure since comedies vary in plot from being "tight in focus" to being "all over the place" this one is no different.
I have some concerns about Buddy wanting Leland and I to change his character. Buddy will be one of the laugh fodders at this point, but every character will be quirky in their own way.
Outlining the project made me miss those worry-filled "good ole days".
This should be a pretty fun story to write, and must be comedic to work. There are currently not enough "serious" plot points to make it interesting. I figure since comedies vary in plot from being "tight in focus" to being "all over the place" this one is no different.
I have some concerns about Buddy wanting Leland and I to change his character. Buddy will be one of the laugh fodders at this point, but every character will be quirky in their own way.
Outlining the project made me miss those worry-filled "good ole days".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
