Hello All!
It has been a couple of months since my last post and in that time I've completed editing the first draft of my new manuscript and am in the midst of going through the second draft. The process of editing has been tricky as I still have sections that don't seem to work as well as I would like. It probably doesn't help that I come up with new ideas, new twists and new ways to mess with some of my characters.
Character development is key and during the first draft my characters were very hollow. I knew what I wanted them to be in the way of their personalities and appearances but it never came through in the first draft. Now that I'm on my second draft the characters are more developed and evolved enough I believe to make someone want to care about them. I have plenty more to write in order to develop them and give them more depth. Honestly, if the characters in my book were on a movie screen I'd have one good looking cast. The appearance and traits of my characters are influenced by various actors and roles they have played. Even musicians influence my cast of characters.
As I trudge along with my new story I am of course expanding my musical horizons. My ears have been introduced to Leaves' Eyes, Vanden Plas, Visions of Atlantis and Sirenia over the past few weeks. I like it! I love discovering new music. I sometimes think I should open up a record store.
Even as Spring arrives here in Vermont the birds and other woodland creatures that show up around my house have initiated their typical nature orchestra. It is nice to hear all the sounds of nature and sure wish I could find a way to drown out the Domino's pizza delivery guy who zooms by the house continually night after night or the awful air conditioning unit from the office building next door. Someone seriously needs to fix that thing.
-Maynard
Content Warning!
This blog on occasion addresses depression, death, suicide and other sensitive themes. Continue at your own discretion in reading the content.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Ramblings
Hello All,
As winter rolls along her in Vermont, I have been enjoying the outdoors by X-C Skiing. Yesterday, I finally fell for the first time. OUCH! I wasn't expecting the fall at all so I had to make sure to do it again. HA HA. My wrist and ankle are killing me a bit today but I didn't break anything which is good.
On the writing front, I'm slowly trucking along on my new manuscript. I will admit I have been absolutely lazy in making changes to my electronic file. I have my notes but have been buried in books on the conflict in Northern Ireland and how Ireland became a Republic. I find it all very interesting. Then again, I've always felt that part of the world is home.
I hope that many of you have been finding the Journal Corner section of my website to be helpful as you start your own journal. There are many books that are so regimented when it comes to journaling that I find it takes all the fun out of such things.
As always, if you have questions for me just drop me a line.
Take care!
~Maynard
As winter rolls along her in Vermont, I have been enjoying the outdoors by X-C Skiing. Yesterday, I finally fell for the first time. OUCH! I wasn't expecting the fall at all so I had to make sure to do it again. HA HA. My wrist and ankle are killing me a bit today but I didn't break anything which is good.
On the writing front, I'm slowly trucking along on my new manuscript. I will admit I have been absolutely lazy in making changes to my electronic file. I have my notes but have been buried in books on the conflict in Northern Ireland and how Ireland became a Republic. I find it all very interesting. Then again, I've always felt that part of the world is home.
I hope that many of you have been finding the Journal Corner section of my website to be helpful as you start your own journal. There are many books that are so regimented when it comes to journaling that I find it takes all the fun out of such things.
As always, if you have questions for me just drop me a line.
Take care!
~Maynard
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Busy Little Bee
Happy Sunday!
Hope all of you are well. I have finished marking up the first draft of my new story which I now admit has been sitting untouched for several days. I have been wrapped up in movies, books and music as of late.
On the music front I'm enjoying the sounds of Gary Moore, Peter Frampton and Cathie Ryan. I nearly fell into shock earlier in the week when I met someone who had never heard of Peter Frampton. I could understand not knowing Gary Moore but not knowing Peter Frampton? How absured. However, I was shocked even more moments later when the same person admitted of having never heard of Jimmy Page or Led Zeppelin. The person is question is older than I am by about 20 years so it was a shock to me. At least they had heard of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.
I recently watched "Michael Collins" which I have to say had an incredible cast. Liam Neeson is awesome. While I did enjoy the movie it is the one I watched after it I liked even more. At the recommendation of my friend and co-worker Teresa, I watched "In The Name of the Father" starring Daniel Day Lewis about the Guildford Four. Amazing movie and am glad I sat down to watch it. As with most movies based on books, they aren't exactly the same so I've purchased the book because the movie was so good.
My pile of books to read continues to grow as always but I have one less in the pile as I just finished "Ten Men Dead" by David Beresford. It was an interesting read about the 1981 Irish hunger strike.
The Snow God has answered my prayer by dumping sixteen inches of the white powdery stuff on us. I can finally go cross-country skiing! I'm still getting adjusted to the whole thing and after four trips out I have yet to fall on my butt. YEAH!
Hope all of you are doing well.
-Maynard
Hope all of you are well. I have finished marking up the first draft of my new story which I now admit has been sitting untouched for several days. I have been wrapped up in movies, books and music as of late.
On the music front I'm enjoying the sounds of Gary Moore, Peter Frampton and Cathie Ryan. I nearly fell into shock earlier in the week when I met someone who had never heard of Peter Frampton. I could understand not knowing Gary Moore but not knowing Peter Frampton? How absured. However, I was shocked even more moments later when the same person admitted of having never heard of Jimmy Page or Led Zeppelin. The person is question is older than I am by about 20 years so it was a shock to me. At least they had heard of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.
I recently watched "Michael Collins" which I have to say had an incredible cast. Liam Neeson is awesome. While I did enjoy the movie it is the one I watched after it I liked even more. At the recommendation of my friend and co-worker Teresa, I watched "In The Name of the Father" starring Daniel Day Lewis about the Guildford Four. Amazing movie and am glad I sat down to watch it. As with most movies based on books, they aren't exactly the same so I've purchased the book because the movie was so good.
My pile of books to read continues to grow as always but I have one less in the pile as I just finished "Ten Men Dead" by David Beresford. It was an interesting read about the 1981 Irish hunger strike.
The Snow God has answered my prayer by dumping sixteen inches of the white powdery stuff on us. I can finally go cross-country skiing! I'm still getting adjusted to the whole thing and after four trips out I have yet to fall on my butt. YEAH!
Hope all of you are doing well.
-Maynard
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Writing, Reading, Snow & Steve Clark
Hi All,
A new year is here and I am busily working on a story that I started in November. It's a very complex story, the type of story I have never tried to write before and I find it very challenging at this point. Whether or not I publish this story is far from my mind right now as I write sections over and reorganize the story.
I have found comfort reading the Harry Potter series (I decided I needed to figure out what all the roar what about). Let's face it, it's a complicated story. How JK Rowling kept track of timelines, characters, places and the list of spells boggles my mind as I find myself in this very situation which drives me batty. If only I could pick her brain to find out how she organized herself to keep it all straight!
I don't wish to reveal too much of what I'm working on now but I've got a small town with thirty families to keep track off. There is a main character of course with nine others in supporting roles. I have several plot lines going on at once and at one point my timeline was out of whack but thankfully I've fixed that issue. I'm not sure how to describe this story. I think it's too early to say what genre it is besides fiction. I'm in no rush to get this story done so I'm going to take my time with it.
Speaking of time, I wish it was time for a snowstorm! Yes my friends as I sit here in Vermont the January thaw has swept in and melted all the snow. Normally I would be happy with such an event in the middle of winter but I went out and bought a pair of XC skis before the thaw and have yet to go skiing. It is Vermont so you just wait five mintues and the weather will change. Thankfully, there is snow in the forecast. I just hope it's enough for me to go out and play.
I apologize for the lack of updates to the site over the past month but writers need to take a break too! HA HA HA. Never fear new features will be coming soon to my little space here on the net.
As I wind this post down my mind fills with an image of Steve Clark as January 8th marked the 17th anniversary of his death. There are others like me who took a moment to celebrate his life this week knowing full well that he touched so many of us without knowing it. Little does he know that he still keeps touching people with his music so many years after his death. What we heard from Steve yesterday can still be heard today and we'll hear it again tomorrow. Music is the perfect gift. It keeps on giving.
-Maynard
A new year is here and I am busily working on a story that I started in November. It's a very complex story, the type of story I have never tried to write before and I find it very challenging at this point. Whether or not I publish this story is far from my mind right now as I write sections over and reorganize the story.
I have found comfort reading the Harry Potter series (I decided I needed to figure out what all the roar what about). Let's face it, it's a complicated story. How JK Rowling kept track of timelines, characters, places and the list of spells boggles my mind as I find myself in this very situation which drives me batty. If only I could pick her brain to find out how she organized herself to keep it all straight!
I don't wish to reveal too much of what I'm working on now but I've got a small town with thirty families to keep track off. There is a main character of course with nine others in supporting roles. I have several plot lines going on at once and at one point my timeline was out of whack but thankfully I've fixed that issue. I'm not sure how to describe this story. I think it's too early to say what genre it is besides fiction. I'm in no rush to get this story done so I'm going to take my time with it.
Speaking of time, I wish it was time for a snowstorm! Yes my friends as I sit here in Vermont the January thaw has swept in and melted all the snow. Normally I would be happy with such an event in the middle of winter but I went out and bought a pair of XC skis before the thaw and have yet to go skiing. It is Vermont so you just wait five mintues and the weather will change. Thankfully, there is snow in the forecast. I just hope it's enough for me to go out and play.
I apologize for the lack of updates to the site over the past month but writers need to take a break too! HA HA HA. Never fear new features will be coming soon to my little space here on the net.
As I wind this post down my mind fills with an image of Steve Clark as January 8th marked the 17th anniversary of his death. There are others like me who took a moment to celebrate his life this week knowing full well that he touched so many of us without knowing it. Little does he know that he still keeps touching people with his music so many years after his death. What we heard from Steve yesterday can still be heard today and we'll hear it again tomorrow. Music is the perfect gift. It keeps on giving.
-Maynard
Saturday, December 8, 2007
The Musical Shopping List
As promised, here is the list of Cd's I picked up during my latest shopping spree.
From CD Baby (cdbaby.com):
Chris Poland: Return to Metropolis Live
Elias Viljanen: Leadstar (Guitarist from Sonata Arctica)
Mysteria: Out of the Blue EP
Perpetual Fire: Endless World
Streif: Nordic Winter
Tsuumi Sound System: Hotas
From Amazon:
Sonata Arctica: Takatalvi (Contains interesting version of "Still Loving You" by the Scorpions and Metallica's "Fade to Black")
Korpiklaani: Tervaskanto
Gary Moore: Wild Frontier
It's an interesting list. I enjoy listening to music I might not normally buy. I like the experimentation of diving into a band I may not be completely aware of or have only heard snip its of music. That's how it was with Korpikaani (from Finland). I heard a snip it of music and decided I wanted to check them out more. With Gary Moore, he has such a reputation for his guitar work and of course you all know me. I'm a sucker for guitar players so I had to check this album out.
Speaking of guitar players, I discovered a blues/rocker yesterday by the name of Walter Trout. I had never heard of him before but thanks to Internet radio I heard one of his songs on Planet Rock out of London. They play a really REALLY good mix of classic rock music. Better than any station around here. So I've done a bit of checking around on this Walter Trout guy and will be purchasing a CD of his shortly. I'm not familiar with the blues/rock genre of music very much and even a friend of mine who is, didn't know who Walter Trout was.
That's how I am with music I stumble upon stuff by accident. Some times those accidental discoveries lead to the best musical gems.
Rock On!
Happy Holidays to all my fellow Droogies and Lepp fans out there.
-Maynard
From CD Baby (cdbaby.com):
Chris Poland: Return to Metropolis Live
Elias Viljanen: Leadstar (Guitarist from Sonata Arctica)
Mysteria: Out of the Blue EP
Perpetual Fire: Endless World
Streif: Nordic Winter
Tsuumi Sound System: Hotas
From Amazon:
Sonata Arctica: Takatalvi (Contains interesting version of "Still Loving You" by the Scorpions and Metallica's "Fade to Black")
Korpiklaani: Tervaskanto
Gary Moore: Wild Frontier
It's an interesting list. I enjoy listening to music I might not normally buy. I like the experimentation of diving into a band I may not be completely aware of or have only heard snip its of music. That's how it was with Korpikaani (from Finland). I heard a snip it of music and decided I wanted to check them out more. With Gary Moore, he has such a reputation for his guitar work and of course you all know me. I'm a sucker for guitar players so I had to check this album out.
Speaking of guitar players, I discovered a blues/rocker yesterday by the name of Walter Trout. I had never heard of him before but thanks to Internet radio I heard one of his songs on Planet Rock out of London. They play a really REALLY good mix of classic rock music. Better than any station around here. So I've done a bit of checking around on this Walter Trout guy and will be purchasing a CD of his shortly. I'm not familiar with the blues/rock genre of music very much and even a friend of mine who is, didn't know who Walter Trout was.
That's how I am with music I stumble upon stuff by accident. Some times those accidental discoveries lead to the best musical gems.
Rock On!
Happy Holidays to all my fellow Droogies and Lepp fans out there.
-Maynard