It’s the New Year – the one day that hangs suspended between the events of 2011 and what is to come in 2012. Since the last year was monumental in my life, with getting published, I thought I would interview my favorite author. This person influenced me to pick up the pen. But the interview will have a bit of a twist -  because it’s coming from the grave.

Sidney Sheldon holds a very special place in my heart. Besides writing one of my all-time favorite books, “Master of the Game” (wicked novel about revenge!) he also penned a number of television series which I enjoyed.  And although he eventually became a multi-millionaire from his efforts, his path was just as difficult for him as it is for the rest of us now. So, put your séance cap on, clear our mind and enjoy the read. Oh, and don’t get too freaked out if you hear odd noises.

Pat: You grew up during the Depression. What was some of the difficult parts of your upbringing? 

Sidney: Because steady work was hard to find, my father would get deals that at times would pay around $1,000 a week, so we would move from a little apartment to a lavish apartment. Then when the job was finished we would move to a little apartment again. This also meant I was in different schools as a child.

Pat: Besides being a novelist, screenwriter and playwriter, you also composed songs, Tell us about that.

Sidney: I was working at the Bismark Hotel in Chicago, hanging hats and coats, and I wrote both words and music to a song called “My Silent Self” and I gave it to our band leader who played in the ballroom in the hotel. He liked it and created it into an orchestration. So, as I was working I would hear my song being played around the corner in the ballroom. From there I went to New York to be a songwriter but no one would buy my music because I wasn’t published. 

Pat:  Did you become a novelist then?

Sidney: I actually wrote screenplays first. While I was in New York and working as an usher at the theatre, I would see the movies with all the lavish backgrounds and glamour and knew I didn’t want to be in New York. So I went to Hollywood with a time limit of six weeks or else I’d have to return home to Chicago. But no one in the movie industry would even look at me, so I go a job as a reader, a person who creates synopsis stories for busy producers. The first studio I worked for got bought out and I, along with all the rest of the staff, got fired but I was fortunate enough to get hired by another studio. During that time I wrote a number of screenplays which were all rejected but eventually one of the studios did buy my work. And things grew from there.

Pat: You were very determined. Not even a war could diminish your dream.

Sidney: I wanted to enlist and become a pilot, however when I went through training I wore glasses so was unable to fly combat. I went back to New York to wait for secondary school for Air Training or Air Transport. While there I landed a job writing the Broadway play ”The Merry Widow“, which led me to two more plays. By the time I was 25 I had three Broadway plays running simultaneously. Once I was discharged from the Corps, I went back to Hollywood and ended up writing “The Bachelor and the Bobbysoxer” for which I received an Oscar.

Pat: When in your life did you novel come into fruition?

Sidney: Intermixed with the screenwriting and television series, my first novel, “The Naked Face” was published in 1970. It later became a movie in 1983.

Pat: I’ve heard that you write your novels a bit uncharacteristically than other writers. Can you talk a bit more about that?

Sidney: First off I create a character and that’s where I take it from. I don’t have a plot, I don’t have a setting and I don’t have an outline – no beginning, no middle or end. In a sense, I am the reader. It’s not something I recommend to people starting out (chuckle.) I also dictated my novels orally to my secretary who would then type them out.

Pat: Of the eighteen novels you’ve written, is there one that stands out and why?

Sidney: My favorite is “If Tomorrow Comes” which is a story about a woman who becomes a con artist because she’s forced to.  I also liked the books ”The Best Laid Plans” and “The Sky is Falling”

Pat: You have a bit of a superstitious tradition when it comes to your writing, what is it?

Sidney: It started with my first novel, “The Naked Face“. I was positive it wouldn’t sell even a single copy and to make sure that didn’t happen I went into a book store and bought a copy, so at least the record would show that one copy of my book got sold. Since then, I have bought one copy of each of my novels.

Pat: You almost didn’t become a novel writer. What happened?

Sidney: It actually never occurred to me to write a novel. I got this idea for “The Naked Face” that was so introspective you had to get into the character’s head. I didn’t know how to do that in the dramatic form instead of the narrative form, where you tell the reader what the character is thinking. I almost dropped the idea. If I had dropped the idea I would never have become a novelist. But the novel’s idea was so intriguing, I wrote it.

Pat: Did this first novel change your current Hollywood path?

Sidney: Yes. When writing “The Naked Face“, I felt liberated, free from having to mould the story around budget cuts, actors who wanted to change lines, etc. As a novelist, you are the entire cast, the director. You make music with the words instead of the instruments. Its was a heady feeling. I set down to write another novel, not expecting it to do any better. It was “The Other Side of Midnight” and it changed my life.

Pat: Do you believe your creativity comes from within?

Sidney: Definitely. It’s a gift. It is given to you. I don’t think you can take any credit for it. You can take credit for the work you put into it, but it is given to us. Whether it’s painting, or music or writing, it’s a gift and we should be grateful for it.

That seems like a good place to stop but I could go on and on. The above material was collected from various television and radio interviews from the late Sidney Sheldon that are posted on YouTube. I encourage anyone who thinks writing is all glamour and instant fame and recognition to watch and listen to a Master of his Game relate his life story. You won’t be disappointed.

My fondest wish was to meet Sidney Sheldon. Unfortunately, it will not be in this lifetime. But there is always the next.

List of Sidney Sheldon’s books: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/sidney-sheldon/

“Do I look fat in this?”

To men, there are no more frightening words than those, except for the dreaded “We need to talk” but that’s for another post. For women, answering the question honestly puts us into a quandary that parallels how you should discipline your children because you KNOW the resulting diatribe will make you reach for another glass of wine.

I’m sure Cosmo has polled the vast majority of the female populace about the above question and I’m guessing the answer was to say “no.” I’ve often wondered why people feel the need to lie just to appease someone’s feelings. And it doesn’t have to be about a fashion faux pas – like how Uncle Minty’s sports jacket makes him look like a throwback from a 1960′s traveling road-side show. It can be about anything, from a newly created painting that’s just one brush stroke away from a dead-body chalk outline to the new shed you spent the last three weekends constructing but looks like it belongs to Cousin Itt of the Adams Family. Why do we praise the result (if it be horrid) rather than the effort?

If people don’t want to know the truth, why do they ask for our opinion in the first place? For verification or does the questioner just want to have their ego stroked? And most importantly, why are we afraid of revealing what is so glaringly obvious?

One of the traits of those born under the sign of Sagittarius is honesty. To me it is THE most important thing in any type of relationship, be it between spouses, family, friends or even a simple business transaction. My respect for a person, and I don’t care who it is, plummets when I’ve been lied to. Because it shows lack of respect for one’s intelligence.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend Sgt. Wilson’s Army Show, a touring cast touting the songs of the 1940′s and 50′s. I adore this type of music and have a considerable amount of it at home, but was looking forward to hearing their rendition of the Andrew Sisters, Rosemary Clooney, Vera Lynn and many others. After reading the poster, hearing the ad on local radio, visiting the company’s website and having a listen on YouTube, I purchased my tickets with coveted expectation. I couldn’t have been more disappointed. Oh, I got to hear the music, all right, along with watching the antics of Sgt. Wilson and his drill team consisting of three women. Only problem was, none of these people actually sang – they lip-synched to the music. At first their pitch and harmony enthralled me, until the third song when I noticed their voices changed - considerably. Especially the male. I knew the jig was up. What really infuriated me was I actually went over the poster and the website with a fine tooth comb to see if these would be recordings or actual singing before I bought my tickets. While the rest of the crowd clapped their appreciation, I smouldered in my seat thinking I could have saved the $45 and sat at home in my easy chair, sipping a glass of wine and listen to the same music on my stereo. I had been duped and I was not amused.

I approached the organization in charge of booking the entertainment (only after cooling off for a few days) and inquired if he knew the cast would not be singing. He told me he was assured by the promoter that only 30% of the evening’s entertainment would not be original. Sorry, but it was likely the other way around, that 70% would not be original. I can’t speak for myself because we left at intermission, although I desperately wanted to vacate during the first act but that would have been very rude. I did speak to others who stayed until the end and they verified the 70% non-original quotient.

Which brings me to the whole crux of this blog. The promoter lied to the organization because he obviously assumed they wouldn’t have been hired. And the general public was lied to because the promoter and/or the local organization figured no one would have come out. So the motive for the fabrication – money. Had the truth been told from the beginning, the local organization would probably still have booked the group because a) they were on their way through for a Canada tour anyway and b) lip-synching is a past-time for this community. And as far as I am concerned, I would likely have gone, knowing what to expect, because the Legion held it as a fundraiser and they are a good cause. Only it should have been given the choice between truth or false.

Whether people lie for money, to escape punishment, or to avoid  embarrassment it still says “I don’t appreciate you enough to tell you the truth.”

So the next time someone asks you how they look in the hideous monstrosity that makes them look pregnant, are you going to take the high ground and give them the truth? If the repercussion seems too great, then just smile, say the color suits them and walk away.

Little lies – Fleetwood Mac

Over-indulgence. No boundaries. Limitless opportunities. My, how we do love to go nuts. Who can blame us. We are a society that is NEVER satisfied. Gotta have more. It doesn’t matter what it is – clothes, money, alcohol, chocolate, sex, shoes (the people who know me will get a kick out of that one. I couldn’t tell if a pair of Prada’s kicked me in the butt!)

Before I became published I would dream about what I’d do or get once that dream became reality. And now that it has, I find myself falling into the same proverbial trap as everyone else. First there was the framed poster of the cover of my book. Then it was the “I have to have my own office” so I went out and got paint to decorate the spare bedroom and change it into something I’d feel motivated to write in. After that it was the special piece of jewelry. Then the skydiving, a tattoo…and on and on until I thought what the hell am I doing? These items or actions aren’t going to replay the happiness of getting published. The joy is already there – it just got run over by the drive for more. 

Where do we draw the line and why is it so hard? Does the excessive debauchery fill an emptiness we cannot seem to satisfy? Seems that society has become so brainwashed in achieving and accumulating more, that we can’t be sated.

I’m sure you’ve heard the adage the bigger the house the more stuff you’ll buy to fill it. Or the more money you make the more things you’ll spend it on. Maybe it’s because we have a hard time distinguishing the difference between need and want. There are few basic needs in life: food, water, shelter, clothes and most importantly health. The rest is want.

I blame the advertising people. Every single item finds a way to be marketed into a must have. These people are brilliant. Lethal. Relentless. Yet brilliant. But this Goliath can be taken down very easily by a simple word. NO. We have the power to stop the insane merry-go-round of consumerism. Change the channel on the TV, turn off the radio, flip over the page in the magazine. It doesn’t have to be material items that have you in their vise. Whatever the weakness, take control and reprogram your brain to say ENOUGH.

The Christmas season is fast approaching and you all know how easy it is to get taken along with the rest of the tide in spending. Don’t forget side B on this worn out record – wanting. Personally, the saddest day of the year for me is Christmas Day. I love the month leading up to it. The excitement. The joy. The good wishes from friends and even strangers. But when the morning of December 25th arrives, it’s like someone hits the switch and the balloon bursts. Not because I didn’t get what I wanted but because there is nothing to look forward to. Nothing to dream about. Society breathes a huge sigh of relief that it’s over. How sad is that.

The best thing about Christmas is not the presents but the excitement of the season. Too bad those marketing people aren’t smart enough to bottle that. Every single person on the planet would be rich. 

Enough is enough – April Wine

Well, this blog IS about looking at a different perspective and what better way then to “judge a book by it’s cover!”

We are guided by what we see – ooohh gotta have those great shoes, or hmmm, I think those earrings would look awesome with my new dress. Or even, wow, who’s the hot-looking guy (my apologies to the men reading this as coming off biased and only relating to the one gender, but hello, I am female). Anyway if something catches our eye, the brain pretty much demands we take another look. 

No matter what you read, when you’re scanning the shelves at your local book store, online at Amazon, or at your library, if what’s on the cover piques your interest you will pick up the tome and see what it’s all about. And because of this basic human nature, a great book cover needs a great artist.

I have the delight of interviewing the artist who helped me create the cover of my book, plus many others at my publishing house, Crescent Moon Press.

Ash Arceneaux lives in central Florida, surrounded by creepy swamps and sunny beaches. A former pre-school teacher, she is now a full time professional photographer and graphic artist. She specializes in illustrations, cover art, and many types of handicrafts and fabric work. In addition to being an artist, Ash is a published author with Damnation Books.

Pat: Welcome Ash. So glad you could sit and chat for a bit. First off, let me say thanks for the beautiful cover of Destiny’s Past! 

Ash: Thanks for having me and I’m glad you are happy with your cover.

Pat: In all the types of artwork that you do, what is your favorite medium to work in?

Ash: Hmmm…I’d have to say digital. I mainly use Photoshop to enhance and edit any traditional artworks I create. I love pastels and graphite, but it’s hard to find time between cover art projects, day jobs and kids to sit down and create. I’m one of those people that has to do it all in one shot!

Pat: How long have you been actively providing cover art for books?

Ash: About four years now. A friend of mine is a cover artist, and I caught the bug from her. I love being able to help an author ‘see’ their story.

Pat: How long does it take (on average) to complete a piece for a cover?

Ash: Anywhere from an hour to a couple of weeks. It depends on how complex the story and the author’s ideas are. While I try to give the author exactly what they want, sometimes it’s hard to get fifteen different plot elements on one book cover!

Pat: Is any of your work available to the general public and if so, where?

Ash: I have a lot of work available for customization/commission, as well as outright sale on my online portfolio. Anything I do if for sale…I have that whole starving artist thing going on! I also make various hand-crafted items, like purses made from hardback books (editorial comment – cool!) tulle tutus, purses and bags, and laptop/netbook cases.

Pat: Do you have background noise (music, tv, etc) when you draw or do you need silence?

Ash: Music generally. It all depends on the cover. Since I mainly work for horror publishers, my playlists include a lot of Silent Hill video game soundtracks, movie soundtracks, and moody music. I love Apocalyptica, E.S. Posthumous, and other instrumental artists like those.

Pat: Would you consider creating outside your current field and if so, what would it be?

Ash: I do create outside my field. I am a professional photographer and I hold a degree in studio arts. I’m also a published author. I have my hands in all sorts of creative outlets. I am a freelance designer as well. 

Pat: Well, now that we know a bit about the person behind the ’brush’ where can we see more or contact you?

Ash:  
Website: www.asharceneaux.deviantart.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/ashleyauthor
Creations for sale: http//www.etsy.com/shop/ashngeoff
Book: http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615724055

Pat: Thanks for taking the time to tell us more about yourself. I look forward to working with you on the next couple of books.

Ash: Thanks Pat, it’s been fun.

Toasting. People do it all the time to celebrate or in commemoration of a special event. 

Canadian Thanksgiving was last weekend. Celebrations like that are a time for raising a glass and being thankful for what we have. Health. Prosperity. Happiness. We toast with friends and family in acknowledgment and sharing of good fortune.

There is also one day that myself and my husband raise a glass in each other’s company. A bittersweet time of remembrance to friends who are no longer able to share our expression of goodwill. These are our ‘absent friends’. They have passed away but will forever be remembered and honored. This one day for me is October 1st.

I picked that day because it was the birthday of a very dear friend. It was also the day she died years later.

On the first anniversary of my friend’s death, I set out alone to start this ritual. It was very painful. I thought I was doing it for me. Looking back, I realize I was doing it for her. And now I do it for them – the people no longer here who have graced me with their presence. They helped formed who I have become. They shared their ‘walk’ and I can’t think of a greater gift. 

Unfortunately, the list of absent friends grows. Or more appropriately, the ‘honor roll’ lengthens. With each added name, I carry with me their wisdom, their beauty, and a piece of their soul. I mourn their passing and feel regret for those who were unable to meet these special people. But more importantly,  I celebrate the spirit of my friends and pay tribute to their life.

It’s such a simple thing; raising a glass, taking a moment. Giving thanks. It fills my heart with joy and peace.

And it heals.

Raise your glass – Pink