True Heroes from A to Z: J

Quickly, I'm guest posting over at Annalisa Crawfords place to help celebrate her reaching the big 40! Pop in and stretch your creative muscles with us.

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

Heroes can be on a large scale, or on a personal and close one. Today I'd like to share one dear to my heart:

ohnson, Sofe Christen Wasden, AKA Great Grandma Johnson. Once or twice a year we'd hop in the van and drive 8 hours to go visit Grandma and Great Grandma. Grandpa passed away when I was 8, and since then, they'd lived together.

The best part about spending time with Grandma Johnson was talking. We'd sit and chat for hours. I remember interviewing her once. She told me about owning only two dresses growing up, and how a Native American stopped into her parent's home and offered to take her away and make her an Indian princess.

She learned to play piano by listening to her older brother's lessons. Her parents could only afford to have one child taught, so she'd wait until he was done practicing, then slip in to the piano and repeat everything she'd heard. It made him so mad.

When she learned about my love for music composition, she gifted me a sheet music notebook with a single inscription on the inside cover: "Music is poetry of the soul."

She passed away when I was 16 (she was 96), and it was a hard death for me. I had seen many loved ones pass away, but I wouldn't get anymore of those quiet conversations. I thought I'd lost her, but I swear Great Grandma Johnson has been my "musical" guardian angel ever since. Her influence is still with me long, long after her passing.

These are some old gems I composed years ago, part of a musical we hope to see on stage in the distant future (and yes, I'm singing the female portions while 5 flippin' months prego):

Listen HERE

Or HERE

The release date for

has been announced! To celebrate, MOONLESS is on sale now for $1.99! (But only for the month of April.) Find out what the big deal is behind Moonless nights.

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.

Alexia must choose safety and an arranged marriage, or true love and being hunted by the Soulless every moonless night.

Do you have anyone who has encouraged you in a budding talent? Your own guardian angel? A relative you adore who has passed away?

How to find Happiness A-Z: W

Image courtesy of www.localvox.com

W is for all the work.

Looking back over the years, I often wonder when was I the happiest. Do you ever pause and ponder that? In my "E" post I talked about education, and how the times I've been learning are the times I'm happiest. That's because I'm working toward a goal.

I've never appreciated my music talents as much as I should. They come easily. But writing? Writing has always been a challenge. I have an abstract brain. What I mean is, I get modern art. Poetry is a cinch. Artsy-fartsy mumbo-jumbo clicks.

Image courtesy of thisisbossi

Suffice it to say, I've had to work hard at writing to make sure all that abstractness fades away. I've dedicated years to this pursuit, feeling I lacked the natural talent many of my peers were blessed with. The other day I read this in How to Write  Damn Good Novel by James N Fray:

"Most of these folks with so much raw talent will not make it as a novelist. Why? Because they lack what's truly necessary: self-discipline, dogged determination, and stick-to-tiveness."

This is my golden prize. This is the next big mountain I've been climbing, and some day I'm going to look back and see the effort has paid off. Regardless, my joy doesn't come from the view at the end, it's a part of every step, every new concept mastered, every page completed, and every head-pounding frustration along the way.

What are you working toward? And do you find joy in your labor?

How to Find Happiness A-Z: M

Is anyone else out there super picky about what they listen to?

I'm a Music snob. No, I don't mean I turn my nose up at different types of music, but it only takes hearing something once for it to be permanently embedded in my brain, like it or not. There are perks to this hyper-sensitivity--such as being able to compose/harmonize/alter melodies on the fly. It also means I can only take so much external sound before going 100% bonkers.

The Johnsons could only afford to teach one child piano. My great grandmother learned how to play from listening to her brother's lessons. She'd sit down after he'd finished, and practice everything he'd just learned--driving him insane. I get my love of music from her. She said, "Music is poetry of the soul." Wise woman, that. I'll add, "Music is the purest form of expression."

In movies, music is used or omitted to create the feel of the scene. My husband and I once owned an audio/visual company, and we were once asked to help with a project made by several young men. Right at the heart of their film, they'd recorded an intense battle scene. You'd expect us to use the most exciting, rage-inducing soundtrack for the scene, but no. My hubby selected a slow, melodramatic piece. The result was amazing. Instead of being a crazy war, the scene became a heart-rending, soul-tweaking fight for survival. Amazing.

Just like that underscore changed the scene's mood, we have the power to change our mood in any scene of our lives. All we have to do is load the right track. If you're longing for more calm in your life, find the music that soothes your soul and plug it in. If you're feeling depressed, find something with some energy. If you're overwhelmed, seek something that communicates simplicity.

I'm over a large children's organization in church, and this is one of the songs we sing regularly:

Is anyone else out there an hyper-sensitive to sound? What is your favorite type of music? Are there any songs you use as a pick-me-up? 

How to Find Happiness A-Z: D

Have you ever found something you wanted so bad, you'd die if you didn't get it?

I wanted to sing. There was always music in my head. Always. Bringing it out, humming to the orchestra inside brought me immense satisfaction. Harmonizing to radio songs left me giddy and gleeful. Every game I played with my friends had a soundtrack. Every story I read was filled with character "themes". Every beautiful sunset possessed its own awe-inspiring opus. There was only one problem:

The brother.

If I opened my mouth, I received a right-old whop to head. He hated my music. He didn't understand. I'd shut myself in my room, seeking freedom from his tyrannical oppression, only to be interrupted, mid-song, by pounding on the floor below me. (How unfortunate his room was right below mine.)

Well, that wasn't going to stop me. I'd show him!

From 10 yrs old on, I participate in choirs. I went to voice lessons and learned to utilize my instrument most effectively. Still, I got the stink eye from him when I opened my mouth in the presence of our parents--where he couldn't act without reprimand. If we were alone, I didn't dare--and it ate me up inside.


When I was 15 he left on a service mission for our church. I took those two years he was away, and flourished. At least once a month I performed in public--often once a week. I received accolades, praise, amazing ratings at competitions, but those weren't the prize I was after.

When my brother returned, I sang at his "homecoming." He confessed afterwards that I had a beautiful voice, but he preferred a different style of singing. I rolled my eyes, stuck out my tongue at his back, and reveled in my success. (We have since come to terms on this matter.)

Stubbornness is Determination turned the wrong direction. That was always my excuse when Mom accused me of being stubborn as a child. It's a term that in scriptural passages might be rendered steadfastness, or continuing on in a steady course--despite opposition.

Happiness stems from overcoming the odds, from persisting despite persecution, from a determination to do what is most important.

What obstacles have you overcome by being determined?

And You thought Your Vacation was Long

Yes, I admit it, I've been vacationing from the blog realm--but I haven't been sitting on some beach sipping a fruity (but non-alcoholic) drink. No, this has been a working vacation.


You know those times when (crazy as it might seem) LIFE becomes more important than blogging? Yup. Welcome to the last three months.

Things accomplished:

--Got my daughter through 6 months worth of school in 2 months
--Attended a writing conference
--Established & started teaching curriculum for 3 kids for a new school year
--Landed some PAID music writing work *happy dance*
--Started planning an updated website/blog
--Revamped a 3 year old manuscript
--AND RECEIVED A FULL MANUSCRIPT REQUEST FROM A PUBLISHER!!!!

So now it's official. I have to be a serious writer...as long as I can take my cheese with me. What have you been up to?

Music VS Writing...Yikes!

Bloggy friends!

I've been MIA for a week. There are several reasons: our last week of freedom before my hubby started a new job, church responsibilities, getting registered for school (for me), prepping a new home school year for the kids...

And as much as I'd like to blame all those, what it really comes down to this one thing: MUSIC.

There is the dark side and the light side to my creativity. I call my writing the dark, and my music the light. That's not to say one is evil and one is good, but they are two opposing sides of the same entity: opposites almost. We all face that battle--which effort deserves priority?

Friday's Song (now lovingly dubbed "Mirror of the Heart") is an unfinished work, but I thought you might like it anyway. This is what happens if I sit down in front of a piano for an hour. (Forgive the performance. Playing piano for people freaks me out.) 

My husband can't decide which career path to push me down, music or writing, but he'd like me to get decisive one way or the other. 

We all deal with opposing forces, so what are yours? And which voice are you listening to today? (Mine are currently arguing for meuntser vs cheddar. Must be lunch time.)

If the song doesn't load hit http://www.crystal-collier.com/media/fridaysong.wav

We've got a PRODUCER!!!

Immortal the Musical officially has representation! 

Let me introduce Fernando Varela, the newest addition to our team, our producer. He's not only a kick-trash get-it-done guy, but an amazing performer as well. He knows both ends of the business, and we have the same taste in music, which makes him the perfect match for the musical. Most importantly, he believes in it as much as we do.  

So what does that mean for the show?

First, let's define "producer". 

Producer to Musical=Agent to Writer

No, this doesn't mean we're going to magically be on Broadway next week, just as landing an agent doesn't automatically equal publication. Now the real work begins. A producer suggests revisions, attracts other industry professionals who are needed, lines up the right talent and rounds up money for production. Finding a producer is the first step.

How did we meet Fernando?

We've been in negotiations with Phat Planet Studios on a new concept CD, and the manager, Ed, likes our show. He's been around a long time. He's seen all kinds of projects, and he had nothing but encouragement and good to say about ours. Good guy, that Ed. On their first meeting, he suggested to my husband that we get in contact with Fernando--because he's a phenomenal tenor. He also sent Fernando to our website. 

We took Ed's suggestion and attended one of Fernando's concerts, and he blew our socks off. 

Ed set up the meeting, and we approached with trepidation. From moment one Fernando pitched himself to us as a producer. Come to find out he produced the concert we attended, and he currently produces shows for Mascioli Entertainment Corporation. He knows his stuff.   

So now what? We have a number of directions would could go from here: the new concept CD, fundraisers, concerts, a musical based reality TV show... All I know is, great things are about to happen.

The First Day of the Rest of Your Life: Deep Thoughts

Life gets so crazy. I find it hard to round up a quiet moment and just sit. When I was a teenager I had a "thinking rock" conveniently located in the back yard. It was large enough to sit on and presented a panoramic view of the rocky mountains, my mountains. I'd go out there when life got too loud, plop down, and wait for the crazy to abate.

It's been years since I've had that opportunity. NYC didn't exactly have any "quiet" places--not even in Central Park. Upstate New York was temperate about one month out of the year, and Florida for the most part has been the same story--but reverse. Too hot to go out. Well, that and I've let myself get busy.

Today I took a moment, a quiet moment while waiting for my son to take a "state" test at the local school. I ran away to a park and sat.

For me, sitting is when inspiration hits. When I'm listening, when I clear the distractions away there are voices. No, I'm not talking the crazy characters in my head. I hear music: choirs, orchestras--incredible melodies, sounds so grand they can't be fully voiced by any mortal experience. They turn my mind to where answers lie.

My husband tells me I'm a bit of an anomaly. I don't believe him. Everyone has access to that channel of inspiration if they can just get still enough to hear it. It may not come through music. Yours might be a path of poetry, or observations, or conversation, but inspiration is out there. It's waiting for all of us in a most personal form. The question is, when will you stop to hear?

A WINNER! And a Bout of Flash Fiction...

One HUGE

 

to everyone who submitted ideas for the Music Video contest. There were so many awesome ideas that we had a difficult time choosing. It came down to a team vote, and our winner is... (*drum roll*)

Kay Em Evans! 

For the picture frame idea. 

And now for the second Crusader Writing Challenge: parameters, 100 words (not including title). 

That Kind of Day 

The goldfish bowl teetered and crashed to the linoleum. Water coursed around my sneakers, orange bodies flopping helplessly through deadly shards.

A gun cocked.

“You can’t kill me.” I stepped around floundering bodies toward the wide-eyed man, hoping he wouldn’t try.

He looked down the barrel of his revolver. “Oh yeah?”

The gun fired.

A bullet smacked me between the eyes. Ouch.

“You can however seriously piss me off.” I speared him through with my scythe and lifted his squirming soul away. “Now I’m going to have to dig that thing out...! Say hello to your fishes, in Hell.”  

(From my short stories collection: Death Goes to Hell. Read more here: http://angiesdiary.com/stories/shortstory/death-goes-to-hell/ )

The Secret Project: Pull Back the Curtain

Eight years ago I wrote a musical about a vampire. For the last 4.5 years we've bouncing between NYC, Upstate NY and Florida in pursuit of this project, including several false starts.

That's not the secret.

INTRODUCING THE SITE: 

www.immortalthemusical.com

Highlights: 

Intro: front page--listen to the opening number...except for the vocals. They will be added shortly...relatively speaking.

1. Story: Read the teaser.

2. Music: Listen to 7 selections of the 34 songs. People who have experienced the entire musical will tell you what you hear represents only a minor dynamic of the show. It is much more varied, and in the next several months we hope to add MANY more numbers (including updated ones of the current features). 

3. Characters: Meet the characters. They have been with us eight years. We love them. You will too.

4. Volunteer: SHARE THE SHOW!!! E-mail a link to everyone! Like it on Facebook. Share it on Facebook. Twitter it! Sign up for a newsletter and receive updates instantly. Donate...if you feel so inclined. In the future there will be more opportunities to get involved. (Contests, events, etc.)

5. Creative Team: Say hello to our AWESOME support group. They totally rock. 

6. BLOGS: A general news blog will keep you up to date, and you can get to know our fabulous team through their own words. BEST OF ALL, get the inside scoop from the characters! They've agreed (though some very reluctantly) to share their story with the world, and you could be the first to learn it.

THE FUTURE HAS ARRIVED (Where you come in): We are not shopping the show through conventional means. We don't have money, and we don't know anyone with clout. SO, the only other method at our disposal is a viral approach. We will be promoting the site through contests, youtube videos, and potentially, through an online reality show. If we have enough fans (because we really deserve them, we hope), then we don't need money or clout. We just need you. AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW!