National Novel Writing Month (http://www.nanowrimo.org) is fast approaching and I will be participating in it this year. I hope some of you give it some thought and take the challenge. Even if you don't write 50,000 words in 30 days it is a fun activity and does take your mind off other things. Let your ideas flow. Whether you write in silence or crank up the music like I do, give it a shot.
Speaking of music, the folks at Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation could use some help. They are currently having a fundraiser to help kids across the country have access to music. All kids should have access to music in one form or another. The foundation is doing a lot of different things:
https://www.causes.com/v2actions/1761101-donate-to-keeping-the-blues-alive-foundation-inc
My current piece of writing is coming along at a steady pace. It's hard to write some days after I have put in a full day of work but I write at least two or three pages a night if I can.
I do encourage all of you to pick up a pencil or a pen and write. Even if you only write a sentence, a paragraph, a page, give writing a chance. Writing every day allows new ideas to come forth, solutions to problems and a release of stress. Writing is good for you. Trust me.
Rock on!
-Maynard
Content Warning!
This blog on occasion addresses depression, death, suicide and other sensitive themes. Continue at your own discretion in reading the content.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Special Days
I'll preface this post by saying that autumn-time in Vermont is very beautiful with the changing color of the leaves but it can be a very reflective time of year too.
If you've read my first book October Rain then you understand that the past can call to you as the leaves fall from the trees, the air grows colder for winter will undoubtedly make it's appearance in a short time.
Autumn in Vermont is a time of year when on starts to look back and prepare for what I think is the most peaceful time of year - Winter. Every fall I always feel reflective, sad, quiet and withdraw very much into myself as if I was preparing for a long nap.
This time of year makes me yearn for days of past to see faces of friends I have not seen in over 20 years, one in particular comes to mind.
To everyone who has stopped in to read, take a moment today, tomorrow, this week, month or sometime in the future and celebrate your life and those that matter to you. In nine days I will celebrate my 21st anniversary from a life changing event. An event that changed everything and am forever thankful for my friend, Michael, who helped me claim back my life.
The story that I have been stuck on for two years has started to write itself - finally!! It's coming together nicely and I'm glad that I after two years and six rewrites I have something that is working.
Music is an integral part of my writing as it helps me tap into the deepest parts of myself and bring what lurks down deep to the surface. Music gives me ideas and keeps me in a creative mind frame when I write or do other things.
So today I am going to share another Joe Bonamassa song with you. Thankfully, it's not raining outside otherwise I'd be crying while listening to this.
Take care of yourselves and do a random act of kindness! Someone out there could use a smile or know that someone cares.
Rock on!
~Maynard
If you've read my first book October Rain then you understand that the past can call to you as the leaves fall from the trees, the air grows colder for winter will undoubtedly make it's appearance in a short time.
Autumn in Vermont is a time of year when on starts to look back and prepare for what I think is the most peaceful time of year - Winter. Every fall I always feel reflective, sad, quiet and withdraw very much into myself as if I was preparing for a long nap.
This time of year makes me yearn for days of past to see faces of friends I have not seen in over 20 years, one in particular comes to mind.
To everyone who has stopped in to read, take a moment today, tomorrow, this week, month or sometime in the future and celebrate your life and those that matter to you. In nine days I will celebrate my 21st anniversary from a life changing event. An event that changed everything and am forever thankful for my friend, Michael, who helped me claim back my life.
The story that I have been stuck on for two years has started to write itself - finally!! It's coming together nicely and I'm glad that I after two years and six rewrites I have something that is working.
Music is an integral part of my writing as it helps me tap into the deepest parts of myself and bring what lurks down deep to the surface. Music gives me ideas and keeps me in a creative mind frame when I write or do other things.
So today I am going to share another Joe Bonamassa song with you. Thankfully, it's not raining outside otherwise I'd be crying while listening to this.
Take care of yourselves and do a random act of kindness! Someone out there could use a smile or know that someone cares.
Rock on!
~Maynard
Thursday, August 29, 2013
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.
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
Thursday, August 15, 2013
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
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
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
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.
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.