15
Jun
The second pass of revisions on Red is finished! I’ll probably do one more pass after receiving the rest of the feedback from my Betas and then will start making preparations to send out the first query letters.
As exciting as it is to think Red is nearly ready to start shopping to agents, the querying phase of the process is probably my least favorite. Just the prospect of writing query letters makes my shoulders bunch with tension. And don’t even get me started on writing the dreaded synopsis!
Alas, such is the business of writing… It’ll all be worth it when I finally see my work in print. Stay tuned for additional updates!
1
Jun
Some authors listen to music while writing in order to block out ambient noise and help them focus. I listen to music to immerse myself in a particular emotional state and set the mood for whatever kind of scene I’m preparing to write. (Call it method writing, if you’d like.) As such, my listening queue is often varied and wide-ranging sometimes drifting between such disparate artists as Disturbed and the Chieftains in the same day. However, one group that’s a constant in my writing soundtrack is Finnish symphonic metal band, Apocalyptica.
Their music, if you’re not familiar with them, is a fusion of classical music and heavy metal performed (for the most part) on cellos. Their stirring compositions are sweeping and romantic, and yet these guys definitely know how to rock it hard. No matter what I happen to be working on whether it’s a dramatic love scene or a thrilling battle between the forces of good and evil I know I can bring up Apocalyptica and be good to go. To put it another way: there are numerous performers whose music I enjoy, but there are few whose music moves me.
Recently, in a rather astonishing turn of events, I had the chance to meet my musical muses when I won tickets to a local rock festival and — joy of joys! — a meet-and-greet session with the guys from Apocalyptica.
How cool is that?!
Talk about an amazing opportunity! Not everyone can say she has met her muses in person! Even more incredible — these guys aren’t just exceptionally talented musicians, they’re also extremely nice. No self-absorbed prima donnas here, folks! Oh, and they’re also fantastic huggers. (Just saying.)
I’m looking forward to the release of Apocalyptica’s newest CD, 7th Symphony, which currently is scheduled to drop in August 2010. I guarantee I’ll be purchasing the CD even before I hear a single song as I’m certain this release will be just as moving and inspiring as the rest of their music has been and that their new compositions, like the men who perform them, won’t contain an ounce of the self-important pretension you’d expect to find in rock stars.
Two words, my friends: Wicked. Cool.
