Finished...again...and still writing

A few months ago, I decided to re-write my book in 1st person from Jack's perspective. I've finished it. My mom read it, so far, and she passed it on to a couple of British friends of hers, whose native perspective I really need.  But since they received it, I haven't heard a word from them. Of all the people I've sent my book to for feedback, only my mom and my best friend Aileen have actually read it.

So now I'm working on the 2nd book. That's being re-written in first person from Lizzie's perspective. I'm only about 55 pages in so far, but I've always felt more confident about this book, so I think it'll be good.

Here's a little snippet from the 2nd book:

When my dad, David Hennessey, arrived at Jack’s apartment, I greeted him at the door and thought he looked a bit tired. His hair was gray at the temples, which I never saw on him before. I suppose he always dyed his dark, curly hair (just like mine) and had recently been neglectful, but I’m surprised my mom let him go gray. He was wearing a dark-green tweed jacket, white button-down shirt and jeans. He was also wearing his glasses, which he usually didn’t do. I had been on the verge of dread about the evening, but now that he arrived, I felt happy to see him. He seemed less edgy than usual. Perhaps it was because he wasn’t with mom tonight. He was always more guarded around her.

      “How’s my baby girl? It’s been too long since I’ve seen you,” he told me warmly. “I was so disappointed when you didn’t come for Christmas.”

      “Sorry.” But I didn’t regret that at all; I was with Jack in England.

      I led him into the kitchen, where Jack had his head in the oven. He took off his oven mitts and shook Dad’s hand with a big smile on his face. “Jack Franklin. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

      “Very nice place, Jack,” Dad commented in the midst of surveying the place. He was duly impressed.

      “Thank you,” Jack replied. I knew he was quite proud of his place, and with good reason. It was a two-bedroom, two-story townhouse with an office/den, full kitchen, two bathrooms, dining room, two balconies, a fireplace, underground parking and fantastic acoustics for playing violin or cello.

      “You’re English?”

      “Yeah,” Jack responded.

      “Liz didn’t tell me that.” Dad smiled, looking at me. “How long have you been here?”

      “It’ll be four years in July. I came for school. Can I offer you a drink? I have Merlot, Chardonnay, Sam Adams, Corona, soda, water…and I make a great Mojito.”

      “I’ll have a Mojito, thanks.”

      I leaned against the counter with my arms folded. I watched them as they studied each other, determined to decipher as many of their thoughts as possible. I didn’t anticipate Jack and Dad having any problems getting along; they were both perfectly amiable men. I retrieved a beer from the fridge, perhaps to numb myself to the topic of conversation that would inevitably arise; my mother. Jack was far too curious about her after I’d avoided the topic so many times not to ask Dad about her. And I knew Dad wouldn’t be remiss in talking about her to Jack.

Been a long time!

I'm still alive, yes. Apparently, I've had nothing to say since February.

Spring instrumental recital was April 10th and it was the best recital we've ever had. There are 26 video clips from the day on my youtube channel or you can link there from my website. Vocal recital is this Saturday night.

Need more students. I lost several in January and February, kicked one out for skipping the recital and hopefully will have some referrals come when school lets out. I'm raising my rates July 1, which I didn't think I'd do, but I've been researching what other teachers who go to students' houses earn, and I'm pretty far below the belt, plus many of them have far less experience than I do. The elementary school behind my house has early dismissal on Mondays and I'm going to put up flyers there to get some kids to come over for lessons.

My geeky Brit-obsession did, of course, prompt me to get up at 2am and watch the royal wedding. I find it quite serendipitous that I was at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2010. Yes, exactly 1 year to the day before the wedding. Hmmmm...wonder what the universe is trying to tell me there. Anyhow, I have quite the crush on Wills now. I think he is very much his mother's son - he has a huge heart and is quite intelligent. Kate's pretty cool too - damn, that dress! It was perfect! They're both so down-to-earth and just seem like very genuinely nice people who are truly in love.

My little Pasadena pad is cool as ever. And I mean that in more than one way - it's been in the 90s the last couple of days and my house stays pretty cool without a/c.

I quit drinking Coca-cola and eating anything sweet or snacky. It's day 3. I had a momentary lapse of sense and joined Weight Watchers on Sunday, but have decided that you must be obsessive-compulsive to follow that complicated point system they have and after reading through all of their materials, I am going back for a refund today. In the past, the only periods of weight-loss success I have had were not obtained through a diet plan. It's always been from winging it. So my plan is to eat as many fruits and veggies as possible, no desserts - ever, and stop drinking coke and to exercise 30-60 minutes every day. And no food in the car, except water.

So, the book! The main reason I haven't blogged is because I've had writer's block since Feb. I started rewriting book 1 on one path, but I didn't like where it was going, so I stopped. I read a bunch of books (fiction, and 1 book about writing). Now, I've figured out a new path, so in the last 4 days, I've written about 18,000 words and I like how it's going. I'm writing it in first person from Jack's point of view and I'm really discovering Jack and learning things about him I didn't know before.  I think the second book will be written from Lizzie's point of view.

My mom was going to bring my nephew out for a visit in June for his 13th birthday, and initially, my brother gave his permission, but now he has retracted it and I'm VERY PISSED OFF about it.

BTW, apparently Osama was born in Hawaii. Who knew? ;-)

Moving forward

First of all, congratulations to my bff, Colby, who has a great new job and new place to live! I'm very proud of you, Colby!








Projects:
Rewrite my whole first book from the other main character's perspective.
After lots of hemming and hawing and soul searching, I have discovered that the power in the first book is from Jack's point of view. He has much more drama about their relationship than Lizzie does. Her power is in the second book, which is still about 1/2 finished.
I went to a very informative workshop on Jan 29th at PCC, given by Bobbie Christensen. She's self-published 11 (I think) books.
Here are some things I learned:
- 80% of all books published today are self-published
- You only earn 3-4% profit when you are published traditionally, as opposed to 45% self-published
- It only costs about $3,000 to self-publish and you can earn most of those costs before your book comes out
- It's very easy to organize a book-signing and sell 20-30 books at every signing
- Only 7% of all book sales are e-books

In the 20 or so years, she has NEVER met somebody who has been published through a literary agent for fiction or non-fiction (screenplays, yes, but not books). Cool thing - if you attend her class (see her website above) you get free consulting with her.

Next project:
Advertising through homeschool networks to pick up daytime students. I have found 3 and am working on ads for those, but if you know of any organizations or individuals, please send them my way!

Next project:

Spring recital, Sunday April 10th 4&6 at Altadena Community Church. Getting the kids ready. The singers will be on their own separate recital (date tba) due to scheduling conflicts.

Next project:
Gotta get back to London!

A new year to ponder (and time to reflect)

My new year sees me with a successful business, a nice little place to live, family and friends are healthy, (I'm okay too).  2010 was a good year for me and I hope 2011 is equal or better. 

My mom is into this bucket list idea, so I made one last year when I was on the way home from London. I was excited by the idea because to that date in 2010, I had already crossed 5 items off my bucket list (the trip to London encompassing 3 of them). For the year, I managed 6 of them. 
          1- Be fully self-employed
          2 - Go to London
          3 - Obtain a passport and use it
          4 - Meet Matthew Macfadyen
          5 - Play in a studio orchestra
          6 - Move to Pasadena

I had a great Christmas. Mom came to catch her ship for about 3 days and left on Dec 23. She was excited to see how my house has evolved. I spent Christmas Day with close friends, helped them cook a ton of food for 15 people and had a really lovely time.  From my mom, I got a Sony eReader, from my brother and his family a little video camera. My dad sent a check. He's not a gifty-shopping kind of guy, which is fine. I used that $100 to get a blu-ray player.

On New Year's I didn't do anything. It was quite boring. Didn't even go to the Rose Parade, 6 blocks away. I did watch all the traffic on my street for about 2 hours after the parade ended. Whoop-de-do.

So my goal for 2011 is to get my books published (this is also a bucket list item). I'm going to a couple of workshops on January 29 at PCC on publishing and marketing. I am working to complete the 2nd book, which is about halfway through the edit now, but I'm a little stuck at the moment.

Teaching is good. I sent out a New Year's e-mail on January 1st that contained some strong words about practicing. I am determined to be a teacher who does not allow students to not practice and I've set out to become much more adamant about this. I have about 6 kids who I am considering dropping at the end of January if they don't turn things around, and lo and behold 4 of them quit already. I will miss them, of course, but it really is the best thing for them. It is a waste of time and money to take lessons without no expectation of progress. I am so thankful that most of my students (and especially their parents) understand this and do their best to complete their assignments. If a student makes a good effort and doesn't quite finish, I am always willing to work with that, but if somebody doesn't practice at all, it's just not worth it. I understand people have busy schedules, but in 7 days if you honestly cannot find any time to practice, don't bother taking lessons.

I am going to give the South Pasadena YMCA another try. It's dark and dingy, but it's close and the class itself was ok. Either way, I've got to get some exercise going. I've been going over to NoHo a couple times a month to see my friends there and do the water pilates class, but it isn't enough, of course. Back on the wagon for me!