Writing and Distractions ~ by Jacquolyn McMurray

In a world where multitasking is the order of the day and distractions are abundant, I’m determined to organize my life into chunks of time so I can concentrate on a single task. This takes planning and a promise to myself I won’t get too anal if my plans don’t pan out. 
  
I’ve been on this mission for about three months and have discovered a few tricks that help me carve out dedicated time for writing.  Fortunately, my plan works at least part of the time. 

A common topic among authors is how much time to spend on social media. My schedule is different from day to day, but I typically start my morning with a hot cup of coffee with plenty of cream, thank you, and a scroll through my email, lest I miss the email proclaiming my latest submission to be extraordinary.

Later in the day, often with a bowl of ice cream between me and my keyboard, I scan Facebook/Pinterest/blog posts. My latest obsession is following the Amazon rankings on the recent release of a boxed set I’m in—Christmas Cookie Kisses. I allow myself three visits a day. I only cheat occasionally.


I tend to get antsy if I sit too long, so I build in a few household/farm chores as breaks in my writing time. At least once an hour, I spring to my feet and start a load of laundry, chop vegetables, or feed the chickens and steal their eggs. 

My brain stays mostly in my story, unless I stumble across some fascinating distraction... like stubborn stains on my favorite shirt, unidentifiable food in my refrigerator, or baby chicks. 

Instead of my old system of using scratch paper to jot down things to remember and hoping the slips of paper don't blow away in a gust of wind, I keep a spiral notebook at my side while I’m writing.  When a random thought interrupts me, I jot it down and go right back to what I’m doing, except when the idea demands immediate exploration... like how many years Phantom of the Opera has performed on Broadway. 

Be assured, sometime later in the week after I’ve memorized every song from Phantom, and explored all other musicals scored by Andrew Lloyd Webber, I’m right back at my WIP.

courtesy: YouTube

Like many of us who work in a home office or studio, keeping distractions at bay is akin to fighting off mosquitos. They may not land and bite us, but they’ll buzz in our ears and get trapped under our bifocals until all we can think about is how to get rid of the pesky insects. 

Gotta’ go. Our daughter just texted photos of the grandsons. 

Celtic Fusion Illusion--Celtic Rock Band from Alberta Canada #OriginalitybyDesign

          By Grace Augustine

photo: Pinterest

     
     I met guitar player, Rocco Macri, in the Blues and Roots Radio Facebook members' chat room. Rocco is also an award winning photographer and owns Macri Photography.     When I heard their version of "Copperhead Road", I instantly fell in love with their Celtic Rock music. Here is a bit about the band and one of their songs.

       Celtic Fusion Illusion takes audiences by storm! Founded in traditional CELTIC and solid ROCK roots, the band has developed a unique style and repertoire, including numerous original songs and arrangements that appeal to a wide audience.
     The band has been performing since 2005. A contemporary CELTIC ROCK band with nine members, their rock-solid rhythm section powers the groove for bagpipes together with electric guitars, keyboards, and powerful vocals providing a fun night of energetic and very danceable music.

courtesy YouTube

      The band is based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and past venues speak to the wide appeal of their sound. Celtic Fusion Illusion has played at large Highland Festivals, in theatres such as the Winspear Centre, Festival Place, in the amphitheatre at William Hawrelak Park and many other venues. The band has recently released their first studio recorded album; “Walk the Tweed" and is working on their second studio album.
     Band Members include: Cam Prowse (bagpipes), Cody Forsberg (drums), Dave Trew (bagpipes), Dennis Meneely (keyboards), Gary Ferguson (bagpipes), Mark Lepine (vocals), Percy Marshall (guitar), Randy Forsberg (bass guitar), Rocco Macri (guitar) and Sarah Knutsen (vocals).

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It Truly Does Take a Village by Kristine Raymond

I’m not referring to child-rearing in the above statement, though I’ve heard it applies.  I’m talking about the not-so-enviable task of promoting our craft, whether our medium is words, notes, paint, clay, stone, flowers, metal, wood – whatever we implement to give life to our works.  While the process of creating is most often solitary rather than collaborative, when the time comes to reveal our masterpiece to the world it helps to have friends beside us spreading the word.

I love promoting other authors, much more so than I do promoting myself.  I think it stems from growing up in a time when it was frowned upon to ‘toot your own horn’ lest it sound like bragging.  To make matters worse, I had little confidence in myself or my accomplishments; a personality trait that’s taken me decades to overcome.  But since taking the giant, scary step of putting my words out there for all the world to read, I’ve learned to conquer that doubt and embrace the process rather than run from it.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  That doesn’t mean I’m suddenly taking out billboards to announce a new release, but I’ve discovered I’m not alone in how I feel.  I’m surrounded by people who love the creating and despise the promoting, which presents an incredible opportunity for all of us.  Rather than tout our own masterpieces; we willingly, lovingly, enthusiastically share everyone else’s!  A win all around! 

That’s why I’m honored to be among this talented group of authors, songwriters, and artists in Originality by Design.  We’re a group of like-minded folks who may be a little shy about plugging our own stuff, but celebrate our friends’ accomplishments.  One voice alone can reach one person, but ten or twenty or one hundred voices reach so many more. 

It’s our little village – and the welcome mat is always out.

The UK Music Industry and the Volunteer Revolution #OriginalitybyDesign

     By Guest, Brian Player

photo: socialindiemusicians.com

Here in the UK we are facing huge changes in areas where people have worked to earn a living…being paid for their efforts on a scale that reflects their skill and the demand for what they do. If one is particularly skilled and there is a high demand for those premium skill levels, monetary reward could be achieved, it isn’t so much that way today.

The music industry is a prime example of this. Large sums of money could be commanded by the most popular, and selling products, such as records or CDs, helped artists sell their efforts across a wide audience.

So, what has changed to reduce the amount of money changing hands? What has changed the impact of the reward enjoyed by those working in music?

Technology has revolutionised the recording, production, and distribution of music. Never has it been easier, or cheaper, for a working musician to produce a professional standard product and distribute it to those that will help he or she become better known. Whilst this is a great positive for those with talent and ability, it is also a negative because we are seeing an explosion of artists coming onto the scene, all trying to gain a piece of the action.

Secondly, the range of further education courses offering aspiring musicians the chance to learn and hone their skills in music has never been higher or more popular.

The result here is a huge increase in the number of talented graduates attempting to find a place in the industry or going out on the road.

The third area is those who, whilst practicing a career in some other industry, use early retirement or work part-time as an opportunity to indulge in their musical passion.

Some other indirect areas are also experiencing change:

There has been a significant increase in the number of venues and events where musicians can showcase their talent. These places are run by enthusiastic volunteers who see putting on a show as an opportunity to share talent they have discovered with others. These promoters are very often also part-time or retirees who are taking the opportunity to indulge in a passion.

While offering more opportunities for musicians, the very high number of events has meant that audience numbers cannot be relied upon and so entry charges have declined, or in many cases, event entry is free.

The overall effect of these factors is less money being generated and many in or associated with the industry providing service for free.

Areas not affected by these changes are artistic development and experimentation. The more the merrier and those who like to try new things are very well served by technology and opportunity.

The area affected most is for those hoping to generate an income and make a living. There are still high-ticket priced events attracting thousands of attendees but much less money changing hands at the lower end in clubs and small events were playing for free is rapidly becoming the norm.

Maybe, as has always been the case, our musicians need to find a path to the very top if they are to achieve commercial success. So, perhaps overall, things aren’t so very different. Music has always been a struggle. It’s just the challenges are that different.
                  ---Brian Player October 2018

Brian Player is a well-known radio show host of The Acoustic Café on Wey Valley Radio in Alton, UK. He is devoted to sharing the talents of the independent musician/singer/songwriter.

Escape Into Fiction! ~ by Kim Hornsby

I believe in entertainment as a means of escape. I believe in art as a way to bring beauty in one’s life. I believe that reading a book can take a person to another land, another life and provide escape.

When the world looks grim, having something to laugh at and enjoy, is worthy and necessary. 

I used to sing for a living. That felt like I was giving people a moment of pleasure, maybe even helping some forget their troubles for a brief time. Now I write novels. My audience can be entertained whenever it suits them, picking up my books at their convenience.

For years, I haven't admitted that I write romance novels. And some would say my books are light on the romance. I don't write formulaic romance where the hero is introduced on page 3 and the first kiss happens by page 10, etc. I write stories where the romance creeps in, almost organically.

I want readers to know that the world is full of love too. And not just romantic love but familial love, neighborly love, even stranger love. I don't mean a one-night stand. Yesterday I had a conversation with a stranger in a store. We found common ground quickly and exchanged information that may make life better for a family member of mine. It was ten minutes of sharing information, out of nowhere, in which both the stranger and I ended tearing up. These moments are everywhere when you remain open to listening and taking time.

For that reason, I write a romantic story line in every book. No woman in need of good love is left behind. She gets her happily ever after when I'm in charge. And there are no shades of grey in my books, just plain grey. And no hiding behind fetishes and calling it love. No degrading college girls with torture. I want my readers to feel pampered, lovely, not frightened. I want to show empowerment and possibilities. Hope.

This Christmas season, I put together a box set of ten books, all with happy endings, and filled with the spirit of the season. The books are written by USA Today Bestselling Authors, Award-Winning Authors, women who know how to pull at heartstrings and give a satisfying conclusion. Some write mystery, some write family stories, some write romance. My contribution is a Christmas story first, and a romance second, written originally as a screenplay to be considered by the Hallmark Channel.

I hope you can support our cause. If you do, I guarantee you will escape into other lives, worlds, and loves.

For more information visit Kim's page