Writing To Music

I've been writing bits and pieces to a story I started two years ago.  I'm on vacation from my full-time job so that has allowed me some time to do outlines and flesh out characters. 

While writing, I have been listening to Joe Bonamassa's new album (Driving Towards the Daylight)and have put one song in particular on repeat.  It happens to me often where I get a song stuck in my head and thankfully I like Joe's music a lot so I don't feel I'm being tortured. HA!  Thought I would share with you.  Here's the album version of Driving Towards the Daylight.

 

 

As an added bonus I'm including the version found on the An Acoustic Night at the Vienna Opera House CD.  This is the version of the song I heard first and made me love this song.

 



 

I often listen to music while I'm writing. To some, music is a distraction but music is so embedded in my life that I actually write easier and more freely with music in the background.  So for now, Joe Bonamassa is providing a nice music landscape while I write and thought I'd share his music with you.

 

Rock On!

-Maynard

 

 



Writing Update

Hi Everyone,

The writing process continues on...

I have been working on a particular story for the past two years but it has not been working out as planned.  After several attempts to rewrite it and improve on it I think I have come up with a new idea. Same story but different approach which I think  will make it easier to digest. 

In the past few months I have backed two short film projects. One about suicide and the other about the life of a woman who grew up during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

When they come out I'll be sure to update everyone about where or how you can catch these short films.

I continue to work on my writing when life allows and am looking forward to National Novel Writing Month coming this November.  I really do encourage everyone to give it a shot if you haven't before. It is quite fun and crazy - the best parts!

Take care and write on!
-Maynard

Give Joe The Bird

There are lots of crazy things on the Internet that make me laugh but when one can roll laughter and raising money for good causes together then I'm totally in.  I normally don't plug stuff but this is something that I couldn't resist spreading the word about.

If you've never been to Fark.com it's a great site to get twisted headlines of real events around the world. A number of Fark's loyal readers decided to take something fake and turn it into something real.

To buy Vice-President Joe Biden a Trans Am!!
http://www.givejoethebird.com

Donations will be used to purchase the car and auction it off for charity. All proceeds will be distributed to the Biden Breast Health Initiative, Doctors Without Borders, the Wounded Warrior Project and GLAAD.  Please visit the website for full details and all the laughter that goes with it.

While I'm at it I'm going to draw attention to the Leary Firefighters Foundation.
http://www.learyfirefighters.org/

After recently hearing stories about my grandfather who passed away before I was born and the things he did as a firefighter and as Chief made me appreciate firefighters even more.  I can only imagine what it was like when my grandfather went to go see the departments first fire engine built. There was the story of  him devising the first alarm system for the firefighters and the time he carried a young girl in his arms to the nearest hospital during a blizzard because the truck couldn't get through.

Every day firefighters are doing amazing things and sadly some departments don't have the resources they need to do their jobs.  Please read more about the Leary Firefighters Foundation at the link above or check out more about your own local Fire Department.

Please know that I'm just bringing attention to the things and making a simple suggestion to check them out. I am in no way asking you to donate.  I leave that decision up to you.

Video by Zenne

My friend Zenne does a lot of wonderful things.  When she has a moment between her creative endeavours she makes her own dance/music videos.  This is one of my favorites.

Rambling, Random Thoughts

My full-time job is keeping me rather busy these day.  I come home dead tired and find I don't have any energy to turn on my laptop and edit a piece of writing I've been working on.  I am still journal writing so at least I'm doing something.

I don't splurge much these days - who can?  I did break down and buy a Kindle Fire.  The verdict is still out on it. I've read two books so far! It's not a bad gizmo and has been a nice thing to have while wandering around the house. It does come in handy when you're describing something to someone and they have no idea what you're talking about.  I can show a photo, a news story or share a piece of music. It sure beats firing up the laptop!

I'm actually thinking of buying one for my parents, both of whom do not own a computer but the Fire is simple to use.  I had my father who admittedly prefers DOS over Windows, play around with my Kindle for 30 minutes.  He didn't struggle with it at all once I showed him how it worked.  He has an easier time using the Kindle than the cell phone I bought him.

I have not had time to explore music which is something I enjoy as most of you know.  I have recently bought a CD by Sunstorm: Emotional Fire which is project of singer Joe Lynn Turner.

A friend thought I should give it a try.  Thankfully, the music reviews of Classic Rock and Metal Hammer magazine keep me updated.

Speaking of music, I hope that Dave Mustaine of Megadeth is doing okay after being allegedly hit by a rock at a music festival in Croatia. Reports are mixed on whether he was hit in the head or if he was hit in the left hand.   I sincerely hope he and the rest of the band are well.  What happened is unfortunate and I feel bad for the Megadeth fans who could not enjoy a full set of great music.

Take care-
Maynard