A fun filled day

So today was a wonderfully fun filled day. This morning I went to my friend Darcey Stubblefield's house to record an audio track for my children's story "Squeak the Mouse." Darcey is the lead singer of the band Blind Ruby. (CD available on cdbaby.com.) That was a lot of fun. I hadn't been in a studio for awhile so it was a good feeling to be back in front of the mic, with the headphones on. And then while we were recording the track for Squeak the Mouse, Nancy Villere was filming us with the video camera to get all the behind the scenes hi-jinx. Thank you so much Darcey and Nancy. And also thank you James Stubblefield for adding your own touch to Squeak the Mouse!



So, now I have the audio for it. I would like to add some sound effects and then have it composed. This will make a nice compliment for the children's book once it is illustrated and then they can be sold together as a package.

Then after the recording of "Squeak the Mouse." I drove back up into Los Angeles from the OC and attended the West Hollywood Book Faire.



I walked around the book faire for about two hours before I went on stage. I received a lot of good info about writing groups in the local area....but I was mostly intrigued by how many writers were there selling their books. Naturally, I was there to read from mine but I was hoping to sell a few copies, you know? Or at least create a little buzz. But then you get there and realize that everyone is doing the exact same thing. Of course, I had an advantage, I was reading from mine so people could hear my words, listen to me as I recited my poetic verses. And it's great to meet the writers and then receive an autographed copy. (Lord knows, I have several in my library.) But it must be hard to sit at a table and have people stand there, judging you while they hold your book contemplating whether or not they want it to sit on their book shelf for all their friends and family to see. Yep, being a writer is hard. But I do truly believe that the rewards outweigh the tribulations.

But then it was time for me to head on stage. I was nervous. But then as my friends started to show up, I began to feel more at ease. I've been performing since I was 5. i can do this!

This was my first book faire and it was a complete success. One of my best readings, I think. And just a blast over all. Thank you to all of my friends who showed up: Regan, Veronica, Steven, DJ & Brittany (and their friends), and Jorge, Eddie, and Javiar & Steven, and my dear friend Steven Reigns. Also, I saw Glen walk by once or twice in the background while i was reading. And then poor Brad who desperately tried to make it from Venice but called me and told me he got there just as the festival closed. Next time Brad.

I look forward to being a part of the festival next year. It really was a lot of fun and the audience was amazing (since it was made of practically ALL of my friends!) But truly, they are amazing to keep supporting me even though some of them have heard my poems like a hundred times! Thank you all.

Relaxing Weekend

One of the most important things about writing is being able to take some time off. Not that my mind ever stops working. I'm always composing in my head...and I do carry a notebook should I be struck with brilliance in the middle of the night (or while I'm on the crapper.) But one good thing every writer does, at least in my opinion, is take some time away to unwind and rest his mind.

So, I had my time to unwind this weekend when I went to go visit a good friend in Phoenix, AZ. I actually love Phoenix. I went in February for my birthday and seem to go back every other month or so. I honestly don't know what it is. I just enjoy it. I always have fun out there and will, on occasion, go with my best friend Mario.

So, I went this past weekend and now when I go I try to find locations where I could sell my book. Coffee shop/book stores, local haunts like that. However, my favorite watering hole there is The Teeter House.
This is a great spot. It's quaint, charming, the people there are nice. The food is excellent and the tea is brewed fresh every day (and throughout the day). Every time I go to Phoenix I have to have lunch there. I'm drawn to it.

My friend and I decided to have lunch one day at a pizza joint in downtown Phoenix. Unbeknownst to us it was closed for lunch; however, the Teeter House across the street was open. We were hungry, it was nice day outside...and so we sat down, had lunch, and fell in love with the place. I will talk to them about having my book there. And why not? They support the arts. Jazz nights on the weekends. I have saw a local poet with his book there. Oh, and they have free wi fi....so I'm definitely going to have to go and get some writing done there.

But now that I'm back, and refreshed I can begin writing. I've spent half the day yesterday working on my screenplay. it's very close to being done...and I'm excited about that. It's my first full length feature screenplay.....

Robert Litton

I met with composer Robert Litton today. We've conversed here and there for over a year and today was the first time we actually met. He's a fun and charming man. I first heard his music a year ago when his CD was given to me at the LA Shorts Festival that was happening at the AMC Burbank theaters. I find his music inspiring and I always listened to the CD while writing.

We met today just as friends but I'm hoping he might be able to write a theme song for Squeak the Mouse. I'm supposed to go into my friend's studio at the end of the month and record an audio version of it....and I think his music will fit nicely with it. What a great little package it would be!