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Songwriting 

4/11/2017

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Well, I still don't have any news to report about my novels. 65 rejections seem like a lot, but when other authors tell me about their journeys to traditional publishing, some of them receiving hundreds (yes, plural) of rejections, my plight doesn't seem so bad. So I trudge on. Meanwhile, I have 7 short stories out to publishers and contests. Hopefully I'll have good news to share about those,soon. I'm also embarking on a new adventure.

Several of my buddies in the music industry have suggested that I take up songwriting. They say I'll be a natural at it. I don't know about that, but I'm finally giving it a try. In two days I will attend a workshop hosted by an award-winning songwriter from Nashville. It sounds fun, and a little intimidating. But hey, if I can persevere against publishing agents and editors I can handle this. Even though I'm as green as anyone can be in this field. And I'm sure I'll be surrounded by accomplished professionals. So there will be a wealth of information to absorb. That's a good thing.

Who knows? This workshop may lead to some worthwhile connections. And may be the beginning of a hit song or two.



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October 12th, 2016

10/12/2016

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Inspiration can come from lots of different sources. For me, and I would suppose many writers, people watching is one of the best ways to gather information for character descriptions, both external and internal. And this comes from being in any public place.

For instance, I recently needed a line, just one line, for a query letter that best described what my main characters were feeling. It is their "A-ha" moment. I was struggling with it until I saw someone run through a park during a festival. The girl was with one friend, left that friend, ran back to someone who called to her and began to talk to them. She waved the first friend away, but the girl stayed put and waited on the friend who had left her to return. That simple act was what I needed to see. My character had left his wife to fight in a war, came home broken inside and was distant, even abusive. To the wife's credit, she didn't run away, even though her husband was basically waving her away. She waited for him to want to return to her.

Presto! Problem solved.

I also went to a concert to see some friends perform. Since I've seen them several times, I know their set list about as well as they do. I know they saw me in the audience (we made eye contact and smiled), and so they may have noticed that I did not pay strict attention to them during their show. I was looking to the right and left, making mental notes about the physical appearances of men, women and children in the audience. How they walked, talked, and reacted to certain songs and comments. Describing these traits will come in handy later in future stories. In fact, I wore a T-shirt that read: "Be careful or you will end up in my novel". After the concert, while talking to my friends, they laughed at the shirt and said they were going to make up shirts that read: "Be careful or you will end up in my song".

So watch out. You've been warned.
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Fair on the Square  

5/1/2016

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It was a lot of fun seeing old friends, and meeting new ones, when I went back to my old stomping grounds for a festival in Jacksonville, AL. The weather was nice and so was the crowd. That's all you can ask for as a vendor. Those two ingredients, plus quality work offered at a reasonable price, equal good sales. Actually, I sold more books than I had anticipated. Thanks to everyone who came out to see me!

It was extra special to reminisce with people I hadn't seen in a while. A friend I graduated from high school with stopped by and we chatted for two hours. It was the first time we had seen each other since graduation night, and 30 years between hugs is far too long. My gosh! I've been out of high school for 30 years? I must be getting old. But it seems like it was just yesterday. 

I'm excited about the prospects with new business contacts. I was invited to speak to a writers' group and also place my books in an independent bookstore with the promise to be given opportunities to have signings. Those are always fun.

And, I have several more appearances scheduled for May. The next one is in Glencoe, AL (please visit the Events & Appearances page for details). My buddies, Sweet Tea Trio, will be performing from 2:30 - 4:00 in the afternoon. They sing country music, and they are spectacular. If you haven't heard this all-female band yet, you are in for a treat. If you have, then you know what I mean when I say they will certainly be stars in the near future. In fact, we have a little contest going to see who among us will reach #1 first. I'm pulling just as hard for them as I am for myself. Hopefully, we will all meet at the top very soon! Come out and see us if you can.  

Thanks again to everyone who purchased books in Jacksonville. Hope everyone is enjoying them. I'm looking forward to lots more meet and greets this summer.   
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Making A Good First Impression  

7/19/2015

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Back on the second day of July, I went to see a new country group, a trio of girls who call themselves Sweet Tea Trio. I had never heard of them before a full page ad ran in the Fort Payne Times-Journal announcing their upcoming appearance as part of the Independence Day celebration. Well, about two songs into their set, I was hooked. These young ladies are all 18 years old, sing, write their own songs and play instruments. They are very talented, and are working on original songs to record for a forthcoming EP. They plan to pitch their album to major record labels in Nashville in hopes of securing a major recording contract. I wish them the best of luck. I pray their dreams come true. I've since been to another of their concerts, and was even more blown away. Needless to say, they made a lasting first impression.  

I got to meet them after both shows. In Fort Payne, I was first in line at the meet and greet. I mentioned that I was a writer and had two books of ghost stories. They seemed interested, so I sent them a link to my website. Last night, after their show, I again went by to say hello, and they all recognized me. One of them even said she had checked out my stories. I guess I made a good first impression. All right. How cool would it be if they made it big in the music business and remembered me and my work? Very special! Last night we talked as if we were friends. Know what? That's exactly what we are.  

I'm tickled when anyone buys my books, reads my articles or attends my speaking engagements. My goal is to leave a lasting impression. Any customer, especially repeat customers, are special. But to have people remember you, you first have to make a good first impression.    
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Learning From The Best  

4/20/2015

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I like to be entertained by the best. Whether it's sports, music, movies/TV or books, I want to see/hear/read the efforts of people who are at the top of their class. Okay, not everyone achieves superstar status, and there are very talented people who create wonderful works even though they are not well known. I enjoy their efforts as well. The point I'm making here is that there is much to be learned, and I love learning from the best.  

Case in point: last week I saw Celtic Woman in concert. For those not familiar, they are a group of beautiful and talented ladies from Ireland. The girls have fantastic voices and great stage presence. The musicians behind them are stellar. But here's what sets them apart from others in their genre: arrangements. Musical director David Downes is a genius. His arrangements and compositions are out of this world. Whether it's a new song or an old standard, when he works his magic on it, it becomes uniquely Celtic Woman. It's the way the melody flows, where the vocals begin and end and style and selection of the lead instruments. It's really quite something. I recommend taking a listen to them. The emotion will grab and pull you in, transport you to a happy place. You'll be amazed. 

I play five instruments, and often listen to their recordings to try and pick up little tidbits that will make me better. I also do this with other singers and pickers who perform rock, folk, gospel and country music. It's fun to hit a lick or phrase a song like someone who has entertained millions. I do the same thing with writing. Let me clarify: I do not copy the way my favorite writers craft their stories. I have found my own voice. Rather, I look at their style and incorporate it into my work.

I've read many how-to books on learning the basics of composition. Once those were grasped, I began reading, not just for fun, but to critique what my favorites were doing that made them bestsellers. I've learned so much just be reading. It's amazing how the most profound statements can seem so simple. One sentence, two sentences, can have a huge impact on the story. Words are powerful. When strung together properly, they literally sing from the pages. They also have the ability to grab you emotionally and transport you to a special place. And that's the point. We want the reader to feel something. We want them to remember the story after they've completed reading it. Much like a fantastic concert will stick in our minds long after the last note is played.          
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Hitting All The Right Notes  

3/16/2015

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I play the guitar and dobro.  I can also find a few chords and play lead on the mandolin, banjo, harmonica and keyboard.  But, my best instrument, and the one I play most of the time, is the guitar.  I'm most familiar, and most comfortable, with it.  So much so that I play in front of audiences: at church, at speaking appearances and just jamming with friends and fellow musicians.  But in order to stay sharp, I have to constantly practice.  When I let a week go by without playing, it shows.  I miss notes, sometimes play the wrong chords, have my timing off - something's not right.  To sound pretty takes repetition.  That's why I love to get together with fellow pickers and work out all the kinks.  It's work, but it's also lots of fun.  Just last night, I had the opportunity to play with a good friend.  We are working on our version of a popular song, in preparation for playing for a group of people who are looking forward to hearing us sing and play.  It was rough sounding at first, until we got in sync with one another.  The more we practiced, the better we sounded.  By the end of our session we sounded pretty good.  A couple more times together and we'll have it polished and ready to be released - in this case, for a specific audience.  

It's the same with writing.  Practice is key.  To hit all the right notes takes time and patience.  Rough drafts are exactly that - rough.  They are a foundation to build on.  The more one works at it, the better the story sounds (reads).  With vocals, it's all about flow.  Same with writing.  Nothing needs to be too wordy.  If it is, edit until it's right.  Honing your craft isn't a singular task.  Get together with fellow writers and listen to their tips, implement them into your writing and work together with them.  This doesn't mean collaborating with someone on a book or article, although some partnerships can be very rewarding, but have critique partners in your favorite genre you can trust, and bounce ideas off one another.  Get in tune with your characters and plot, polish them until they flow easily, edit away any unnecessary stuff and then you'll be ready to release your product to your audience.  It will be good, and folks will like it.  

Lastly, even though you may be alright with writing in multiple genres, I believe it's best to stick primarily with the one you're most comfortable with.  Your readers will expect you to do that.  There's nothing wrong with branching out, you'll pick up more readers, but don't lose the ones who expect a certain product from you.  Also, keep practicing (polishing) your craft.  Stay at the high level you've worked hard to reach.   Writing, like music, is an art.  When done well, it is appreciated by many. 
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Music Makes The World Go Round   

9/21/2014

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I want to take a break from talking about writing and history, and post this week about music.  We just celebrated our Boom Days heritage here in Fort Payne.  As part of the week-long festival, there was a special screening of the movie Muscle Shoals.  The Muscle Shoals Sound is known worldwide, and a couple of the original "swampers" - the session players - were on hand.  Getting to meet them was awesome!  They recorded with many best-selling artists, including Cher, Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones.  During the main festival day a friend commented that no matter where we walked we could hear music.  Country, folk, rock, gospel, you name it.  We decided that we needed to practice, and maybe be a part of the lineup next year. 

For me personally, I like to sing and play stuff from gospel hymns to the country music of The Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and George Strait, to a little folk and period music, to the rockabilly sound of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Elvis to rock 'n' roll by Billy Joel, Bob Seger and Bon Jovi.  I've played the guitar for more than 30 years, and can fake my way to sounding decent on the banjo, mandolin and keyboard.  I've recently taken up the harmonica, and the first song I learned was Piano Man.  I tell you though, the sweetest sounds I've ever heard are from Celtic Woman.  I've also recently discovered a fantastic classical crossover duo from Great Britain named Eden.  I've even connected to classical and opera singers on social media! 

Lisa Lambe, of Celtic Woman, once commented that she couldn't imagine a world without music.  Neither can I.  If I couldn't jam or relax to some tunes, what would be the point of being around?  Music makes the world go round.    
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    Author

    Greg is a writer of fiction and non-fiction.  He has penned articles for newspapers and magazines and authored two books to date.  

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