Book Update

 

Hi All,

 

I have recently completed six chapters of formatting my book. I have a ways to go as it's a mess and I need to tidy it up before I hand it over to my editor in a week or so.  While I have been working on the book my mind has come up with new ideas for other stories.  My mind just doesn't quit.  I have been writing down notes so that when I'm ready to begin writing a new story I'll be ready to do.

 

I spent a good hour or two listening to music at Amazon as my mind went on a trip down musical memory lane.  I couldn't believe I found the song "On The Loose" by SAGA.  I loved that song when I was teenager but now not so much.  It was fun to listen to it though and it then triggered me to think of the song "Cry" by Godley and Creme.  I loved that song!  I then thought of Kajagoogoo - remember them? Then came thoughts of Kim Wilde and OMD. 

 

While I did enjoy pop music as a kid, I do have a rocker in me and started rolling back the other way looking up songs but then I started listening to music by people I don't have in my music collection.  I enjoy discovering music and following the thread of one artist leading to another.  So I listened to Spirit, Audra Mae, Albert Lee, Alvin Lee, Great Big Sea, James House, Jane Child, Marshall Crenshaw and Rickie Lee Jones.  Some of these people I've heard of but don't own anything by them but that changed today.  I splurged a little.

 

I'm glad I have a musical brain in that if I think about one artist I am reminded of another.  Today's little music treat is nothing too old but something fun.  So enjoy the guitar playing of Lee Ritenour, Joe Bonamassa and Steve Lukather.

 

Rock on!

~Maynard

 

 

 

Tough Times

Hi All,

Your music treat today is the musical styling of Gerry O'Connor.

I am still hoping to release my book this fall but I am experiencing more set backs. The set backs aren't too bad. I'm managing them and doing the best I can to stay on my schedule. I have some wiggle room so we will see.

For those that have been following me from the beginning you know that I have swings of depression from time to time.  I continue to function and go to work doing all the things I'm supposed to do. I typically get hit hard when fall comes around but it seems to have set in for a summer session this year.   Music helps me in managing it as it speaks to me on so many levels and aids me in releasing pain that I have not fully shed from my younger years when I was suicidal.  You can't get rid of depression like a cold.  It just doesn't work that way.

When the hard times hit, what song are you listening to to? It could be more than one but what is the first song you reach for when things go to pieces?  Please share your song in the comments section.
There are so many great songs out there so lets share! 

Rock on!
~Maynard

 

Black Country Communion "An Ordinary Son"

Today's video is from Black Country Communion.  When I am writing I usually have music playing in the background.  This is one of the songs that sometimes plays.  It's a great song and I hope you like it.

Kalani Peace

This video was put together by my friend Zenne who is having a grand time in Hawaii. She's in a place called Kalani and it's absolutely beautiful.

Writer's Crisis

Hi All,

I have done my last edits for now on my book and need to hand it off to an official editor soon.

I am still struggling with writing my book blurb which I shouldn't be surprised about since I've been working on this book since 2011. This book has gone through six incarnations and has had at least 30 different titles.  It has been a struggle since day one to get this book to come together in a way that truly worked.

I have also been looking through photos to use as my cover but nothing has jumped out at me. Thankfully, I have an idea I just need to make it come to life.

That is where I currently stand with my book. Hopefully, I will have it out by the end of the year. I was aiming for end of summer but I doubt I'll get there but you never know.

Music is and has always been a huge part of my life and I decided after all this time that I should take acoustic guitar lessons.  There is something about the guitar and the sounds it makes that speaks to me. Mind you it's the electric guitar that speaks to me but for myself I'm just not ready to crank the knobs to 11 and secondly, I just don't have the room for an electric.

I did meet with a potential teacher but decided not to go with him.  I was fine with him not knowing who Joe Bonamassa is - the running joke amongst Joe and his fans is that someone will always say - Bona Who?  So I let that fly with this potential teacher.  I then mentioned Steve Clark of Def Leppard.  He was not familiar with Steve Clark or had heard of Def Leppard.  I mentioned Peter Frampton and he lit up like a kid at Christmas so there was some hope. I mentioned Dave Mustaine of Megadeth and he seemed to know who Dave was, he wasn't sure if he knew Rory Gallagher or Vince Gill and admitted flat out he did not know who Richie Sambora is.  When I said I wasn't a fan of Clapton he gave me a sad face.

Let me clarify, I like Clapton's music it's just that his guitar playing does nothing for me.  It doesn't speak to me on any level at all.

It was a good learning experience for me but for him to not know who Def Leppard is kind of irked me. I realize there are artists I don't know but I didn't mention anyone to obscure on my list of favorite guitar players. I left there very puzzled and a little deflated.  Seriously, how can you not know who Def Leppard is or Richie Sambora for that matter? 

The guy was nice and was more than happy to teach me Fleetwood Mac's Landslide which is a good song but there was nothing that made me want to take a class with this guy.  I'm still looking for a teacher and perhaps I may just go the route that so many of my guitar greats have gone and teach myself.

For now, guitar lessons are on the back burner as I really do need to finish my book.

Today, I will leave you with the video of my favorite Def Leppard song so you can tell all your friends you've heard of them.

Rock on!
~Maynard