Tag Archives | Blog

Here’s a list of some excellent writing tips from successful entrepreneur/writer, Paul Graham.

Several of them, you already know, but it’s handy to have them in a list form.

One that jumped out at me is, “Imitate writers you like.”

Whether you’re writing stories, or a novel, or songs … this still applies. I know that John Braheny has taught a class “Anatomy of a Hit” where students would bring in their favorite hit songs.

John and the class would pick them apart (the songs, not the students) to learn what specifically helped to make this song successful and how structure, dynamics, lyric content, etc., contributed.

If you’re playing in a cover band, you’ll absorb some of these things just by learning and playing these songs over and over. So, it becomes a process of osmosis, rather than deliberate learning. Learn while you earn. (smile)

Enjoy the list of tips!

Last weekend (June 9) was the first in a series of competition concerts hosted by the WineryMusicAwards.com. The next ones are: July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 15, and Oct. 7th (2007).

John Braheny was one of the (highly esteemed!) judges and remarked that it was a tough call, as each of the performers did so well.

It’s a terrific event … and you can attend any of the shows, as they are open to the public. Included in the price is a “flight” of wine tastings, a delicious catered dinner plus the music, of course!

Tickets for each elimination round are $40 person. For the final competition and awards presentation, tickets are $60 person.

Sorry to say, if you want to enter the competition, you’ll have to wait until 2008, as the entry deadline for ’07 was a month ago.

Each event is held at a different winery/vineyard in the Central California area of Palo Robles. Several notable sponsors participate to make each event the best it can be.

Put it on your schedule … we hope to see you there!

Hooray for another marvelous online archive! You’ll bookmark this site and visit often…

Folkstreams.net is described as:

“A National Preserve of Documentary Films about American Roots Cultures, streamed with essays about the traditions and filmmaking. The site includes transcriptions, study and teaching guides, suggested readings, and links to related websites.”

If you’re into folk music, or the blues, this one’s a keeper.

[Photo of John Braheny’s well-loved guitar that has traveled with him since college.]

Many people ask me about journal writing. And I’ve posted about this subject before. I’m a huge fan of keeping a journal, and usually respond to them enthusiastically with “Yes, just do it.”

I recall starting my own recounting of daily activities, with brief hand-scrawled notes. It was my 10th birthday … a new era.

Someone with insight (can’t recall who, most likely my mom) gifted me with one of those small but thick blank books. Each lined page had a date printed on it, imposing itself on me not to be left blank.

I can’t recall if it was leather or leatherette (?) but it was dark apple red with gold embossed letters, announcing “My Diary.” It had an attached flap with a lock and little gold key dangling from a red string. The lock was supremely welcomed as I had (still have) two older brothers. And you know how snoopy those can be.

Anyway, I’d have to dig deep in our garage today to see if, in fact, I still have that diary (haven’t seen it in so long) but the point is that it is what got me started … or should I say addicted.

From there, I fell in love with letter writing … and figured if I spent the time (well, it took longer back then) to write to my dear friends or relatives about what was happening in my life and how I felt about it all, I may as well keep copies. So I did. And those are in boxes in the garage for sure.

What’s funny is that I’m just now, lo these years later, taking the time to go back through some of those early writings … and I’ve learned a few things. What an understatement.

In fact, what I’ve learned about myself just recently, is how much more skilled I am in handling whatever life throws at me … good or bad. I’m teetering on the brink of saying that I actually feel I’ve gained some wisdom! So, for me, the idea of journal keeping, and/or letter writing (if you tell the truth in your letters, that is) is definitely a “Yes, just do it.” There’s no better way to assess your personal journey, for better or worse, whether you keep a daily diary, or a periodic correspondence, or just a collection of your written impressions …

And if you want some help getting started … check out this site, Writing the Journey which is chock full of diving boards to help you jump into the pool.

[My photo: Two kids giggling at their funny reflection in a mirrored ball, Butchart Gardens, near Victoria, British Columbia, 2006]

Enjoy!

Artists, Musicians, Writers:

I just read
River People vs. Goal People, an exceptional article by Chuck Frey (InnovationTools.com).

He describes a major difference in how we maneuver through our lives.

He offers an image of “goal” people, as those who envision goal posts in a football game. Some people set those up for themselves and remain focused specifically on them … which is how they accomplish things … and how they know what they’ve accomplished. It works for them. Solid markers.

But others are “river” people … those who seem to step into a flow (some of them dive in) and expect the river to take them places, toward their goals, that they never before imagined. They also value the info learned along the trip. River people often find themselves much further along their path than they ever could have ever predicted.

Which one are you?

Enjoy!

[I took this photo: River in Olympic National Park, Washington State, 2006]

I know, I know, I know … I should alert you to these events before they happen, but heck, I’ve been too busy going to them, and forgot to post them! Darn. This one happens again in October…so set your calendar.

[If you live in the Los Angeles area, and want to subscribe to a wonderful e-mail list, check out Doug Welch’s WelchEvents. He tends to highlight events that are ‘free-to-cheap’ including nature hikes, kids events, and arts/crafts festivals.
Just click: “Join this group” at this link: http://groups.google.com/group/WelchEvents?hl=en]

We hadn’t attended this art show in the past couple years (we were out of town a lot) but it’s definitely one of our favorite local events: The Beverly Hills Affaire in the Gardens Art Show.

We’re always impressed with the variety of sculpture made from new materials (resin? plastic? melted glass?) and also award-winning presentations ranging from classical-style paintings (landscapes, bowls of fruit) to “ultra high design” (i.e., modern impressionists), plus amazing jewelry and wooden crafts (handmade furniture) of all types. The craftsmanship is jaw-droppingly good. If you are interested in buying, do bring your entire bank account. (OK, it’s not THAT bad, but still pretty pricey.)

The outdoor show covers 3 blocks of the park alongside Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Heck, if you still need more stimulation, you can always visit the chic boutiques along adjacent world-famous Rodeo Drive, where Elizabeth Taylor buys her diamonds, or used to.

Oh, and the dogs people have with them…a show all unto itself.

Enjoy!

Thanks to our good friend (in blue), Katerina Eriksson, the Head Gardener of Perennials at the Huntington Botanical Gardens (San Marino, California), I had the chance to volunteer at their annual Spring Plant Sale.

I took this as yet another opportunity to exercise my creativity in a totally different way, photographing the astounding array of flowering plants … and to be around people who really know their stuff!

I like cactus … so I took a few shots of the most exotic looking ones.

Personally, I find that when I get out of my regular routine it’s a chance to churn up all kinds of new ideas, whether they are about art, writing or just taking a needed break. Highly recommended!

This is one of our favorite events … the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, held on the campus of UCLA. This one was April 28-29, 2007.

Aside from spending time going from one booth to the next, with about 100,000 people, you have the opportunity to hear world renown authors speak in classrooms there — and it’s FREE (except for parking). If you’re a writer, you should add this event to your “must do” list.

As we strolled around, we saw Hector Elizondo, promoting his current work in the theatre, starring in the Los Angeles hit production of “Twelve Angry Men.” I just had to take his photo and tell him how much I love his work.

Also, took a moment to stop and listen to author, Greg Palast, (seen here in similar baldness and blue shirt, but that was just a coincidence, I swear!) one of our favorite political writers. Wearing headsets, he is being interviewed on KPFK radio, broadcasting live from the Book Festival.

It’s an author’s paradise … certainly a reader’s too. Put it on your calendar for late April 2008. Highly recommended!

Thought you’d like to see what I’ve been up to lately. I am reminded, by the way, that anything we do (well, ALMOST anything) stimulates our creativity. Especially when you do something for the first time…

This was my first time to do anything like this…
I walked in the Annual Revlon 5K Run/Walk (about 3 miles) for Women, a fundraiser to fight cancer.

Photo above, taken of me at the Finish Line, by my good friend Ruth Rivin.

Pat Benatar and band were playing in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as we returned from the walk …very cool. I heard that Gladys Knight, Kenny Loggins, and others played in years past, but the organizers never reveal in advance who’s going to be playing … so it’s always a surprise reward!

(“The Nanny”) Fran Drescher, singer Sheryl Crow (both had cancer) were there along with Michael Chiklis (“The Shield”) and other actors/celebs, models spoke, posed for photos and signed autographs, etc.

Each runner/walker wore a sign on his/her back denoting in whose honor or memory we were running/walking. I chose my dear friend, Bernadette M. Smith, who was a music business attorney I worked with in Atlanta, Georgia, and who died much-too-young, a couple years ago from cancer. Some people had several names on their lists. Some were “in support of” for cancer survivors … and there were lots of those participating in the walk, thankfully.

Biggest moment for me was when we walked through the tunnels, crowded into a river of about 50,000 people, coming out of the dark & cool and into the sunshine again, entering the “floor” of the Coliseum with people cheering, in the stands, just like we were in the Olympics!

Each participant was presented with a gold medal (shiny-gold colored, heavy, not plastic…maybe lead?) on a red ribbon that volunteer firemen/women placed around our necks, hugged us, posed for photos, just like real ‘winners.’ Very cool.

It was a relatively easy walk (except for lack of sleep! We got there at 7 a.m.), certainly because I was enjoying my visit with Ruth. I’m still energized, having recovered from the almost-blisters on the soles of my feet. Besides, I finally got to satisfy my “Inner Gladiator.”

The whole thing was really very touching…and inspirational. And fun.

If you ever have the chance to enter a ‘walk’ or ‘run’ for a good cause … go for it.

As promised, here are two links — use either one — for Doug Welch’s HOT audio interview (Career Opportunities podcast) with John Braheny, about “A Career in Music.”

Archived here from the live online stream last night (5/8/07), it runs about 60 min., and it’s free!

Link to Doug’s blog post, with all the details:

http://welchwrite.com/dewelch/ce/2007/05/career-in-music-interview-with-author.asp

Link to just the MP3 file itself:

http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-7338/TS-20296.mp3

Enjoy!!