Don’t Die With The Music Still In You
[Wipes sweat from brow.] Whew! I did it. OMG, this week was insane. Busy. Busy. Busy. I feel totally drained and exhausted. Apologies for the post-free days. Here’s what’s been going on … This week, my mornings and evenings have been unusually packed. I don’t blog about work, so you’ll read no details about my mornings here. At night, I spent A LOT of time writing. I worked on a “relationships” feature for a national women’s site, and I finished a “lifestyle” piece for a publication that pushes emerging artists in fashion, film and other great arenas. Both articles were spoken for — i.e. I already knew where and (a general idea of) when they’d be published. [Random sidnote: When I relaunch/redesign this site, FBC 4.0, I'll include links to my articles.] Okay, so, those are the things that I’d contracted to write. I’m also working on a piece that I promised my friend Rachel. I swear that woman is going to kill me if I don’t get it to her soon. (Rachel, baby, if you’re reading, don’t kill me!!! It’s coming.)
Now, let’s talk about the “other” writing project.
It’s a personal essay that touches on, among other things, how my childhood shaped my love life. A nod goes out to my writing group for the constructive criticism they gave me. Also, of course, I want to publicly thank Susan Shapiro for all of her wonderful direction and feedback. She’s one of my “gurus”, and I’m reading her book “Only as Good as Your Word” right now. She does a lot of writing about relationships. Her book “Five Men Who Broke My Heart” was optioned for Paramount Pictures film. You’ll see the story on the big screen soon. And, if I ever have a chance to interview Susan for funkybrownchick.com (or Nerve), you’ll see her on your computer screen via the blog.
Okay, folks; that’s all I’ve got for you today. I’ll keep you posted on any developments with the personal essay. I wrote it because I wanted to write it, but I also penned the thing because I really needed to do it. It’s like that “don’t die with the music still in you” quote. If you’ve got something really creative and special living inside of you, it’s important to you. And you HAVE TO get it out during your brief time on earth. So, that’s what I did. I wrote the story. Fingers crossed!
December 7th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Oh wow, I really hope we/I get to read the personal essay. I, too, had childhood factors that really (subconciously, at least for a long time) affected my grown-up relationships. I fully believe that being able to openly admit this and to divulge into the “Ok, fine, but what now?” discussion with yourself is an essential step to moving away from a past that didn’t stop to ask what YOU wanted. I have no doubt this essay will be a rewarding one for you and anyone who is lucky enough to read it. Good luck getting things done!
December 7th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Oh WOW-Congrats on the all the creative writing that you are churning out. It is an awesome thing to get to express yourself and I can’t think of anyone that deserves a chance to be heard (read) more than you. Thanks to the links of the other folks, I had never heard of that book before I am going to have to read it.
December 8th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
@ AmyD: Thanks! I’m really proud of the piece, and we’ll see what happens. I’ll keep y’all updated here on the FBC. :)
@ Felicia: THANKS for the kind words!!! I **LOVE** my readers. And, yeah, def give the book a read.
December 9th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
That sounds really cool, I’m looking forward to reading that:) I think it’s great how you’re doing what you do, and the whole ‘Don’t die with the music still in you’ really strikes a chord.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Thanks!!! :-)