music – A Mad Pursuit

Writers. We’re a funny bunch. I fully believe that in order to cope with the general stress and chaos of having many worlds and stories and people in our heads, we impose odd deadlines and limitations on ourselves. We don’t always share these with the masses, and some of them are downright personal. But it... / READ MORE /

April 2, 2013

editing, fiction, music, watcher of the skies, weird, WIP, writing

inspiration, muses, stamina, writing, writing process

Lightning Strikes: From Whence Inspiration?

Sure, sure. You make your own inspiration and all that. You sit, you write, you create. I get that. It’s 90% of the equation. But what about those moments that are unplanned? I know I’m not the only writer out there that’s found profundity in hot showers or strains of music (in fact, most... / READ MORE /

January 9, 2013

music, poetry, Rock Revival, watcher of the skies, WIP, writing

john keats, led zeppelin, music, ode on a grecian urn, stairway to heaven

Perception, Imagination, and Experience: “Stairway to Heaven” and Melodies Unheard

What do John Keats and Led Zeppelin have in common? More than you think, if you're me. / READ MORE /

December 9, 2012

music

john lennon, music, the beatles, writing

Thoughts On John Lennon

Yesterday was the anniversary of John Lennon's death. 32 years have passed since that fateful walk, when the world was forever robbed of a mad, genius, restless, beautiful soul. / READ MORE /

October 22, 2012

editing, music, Rock Revival, WIP, writing

accomplishment, draft zero, elation, life, music

Rock Revival: Draft Zero

I’m very happy at the moment. This weekend I finished the first (zero) draft of Rock Revival. Now, I know, I’ve written books before. I’ve figured out “the method” or whatever of “being a writer” and all that jazz, sure. Except, since having my surgery in 2010 I hadn’t actually finished a novel. Yeah, there... / READ MORE /

October 16, 2012

fiction, music, Rock Revival

music, process, romance, writing, writing process, writing progress

The middle of Octember.

These -ember months do seem to pile up rather quickly, don’t they? Last week I went away to the West Coast, spending some time with family. I don’t know what it is about me, but every single time I make a trip like that I somehow think I’m impervious to jet lag. The truth is,... / READ MORE /

September 20, 2012

music, publication, Rock Revival, WIP, writing

health, time, tips, writing

In the trenches between pain and progress.

So. This is me trying out the new dictation for Mountain Lion. Why am I dictating? That’s a good question. You see, I had a lot of fun in prose. Too much fun. It’s definitely a mixed bag. I’m really excited to be writing again, but it’s been difficult. Just when I started getting in... / READ MORE /

August 3, 2012

blog, fiction, music, social media, television, writing

feminism, rock 'n' roll, rock music, rock revival, women in rock

On Feminism and Women Who Rock

The Spark I was sitting in the bleacher seats in one of the music classrooms at UMass, and sort of staring top-down at the Music 101 professor. She walked around the podium and said, “Now, some of you have been asking why we’re not covering the sections of women composers, the ones listed in the book.... / READ MORE /

July 24, 2012

music, Rock Revival, writing

music, myth, process, revival, writing

You built it up brick by brick…

Well, Rock Revival is officially at the 1/3 mark. 25K isn’t a novel, true, but it’s more than I’ve written in quite some time. In spite of crazy busy baby stuff, job hunting, and a visit to the beach with the husband’s entire clan, I’ve been crawling along. Some days have been painfully busy and writing... / READ MORE /

June 25, 2012

convention, fiction, music, Rock Revival, social media, writing

fran healy, music, Nashville, neko case, pinterest, rock music, rock revival, spotify, travis

I can’t stay here to hold your hand, I’ve been away for so long

That's a Neko Case lyric, from "The Next Time You Say Forever" from Middle Cyclone. It sums up things nicely for where the book is going right now. / READ MORE /