THE IDES And IDEAS OF FEBRUARY

STAGES

The reading of SPIRIT OF THE HOUSE brought me some wonderful feed back and the delight of knowing everyone in the audience agreed it was a good start and wanted to see and hear more and also agreed it needed to be a full length play.  It is now back in the gestation chamber until all the enchanted creature books get into print.

Reading the list of new theatre attractions reminded me most of what is new is old – I saw the originals of so many of these plays!

I grew particularly nostalgic about “Arcadia” which I saw at Lincoln Center as Otis Guernsey’s guest.  I was particularly interested in ir as it had Lord Byron involved…and Lord Byron was involved with my long time favorite poet, Percy B. Shelley.  In fact, I think one of the best plays I ever wrote was about their relationship. It was a musical done back in the days when I lived in Longmeadow, MA and Ed Cerveny was the composer. Nothing ever came of it – and I wonder what ever came of him?

Bad weather and a still aching body from my big flip flop in the snow made me cancel attendance at new play, so no new stages to discuss just now.

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I finally finished reading a novel called Harmony Bay about a small town unlike any I’ve ever lived in or visited.  No back biting, no jealousy, no gossiping. Just nicey nice people with wonderful things happening to them. It’s almost a fairy tale in itself!  While some chapters, especially near the end, have tension and excitement, for the most part the book is just a lovely idyll. Unfortunately, with my tendency towards drama, it is not my flavor of tea – I prefer a bit more tempest in my teapot. Author Tom Gahan eagerly shares all his knowledge of sailor’s knots, reseeding shell fish in endangered areas, and much more.  He has a keen eye, a unique ear and a descriptive flair to emulate. If you want to escape our money grubbing, nasty partisanship and bitterly warlike world, take the trip to Harmony Bay!

Also finished reading Accidental Billionaires which was written like a novel and shows the author's great talent to get inside many people's heads. Didn’t care much for the story line…maybe because how one makes money by using and losing friends is not one of my favorite topics.

My quote re writer’s block can be accessed on http://blog.drshannonreece.com/2011/02/07/50-tips-for-blowing-past-writers-block. I am also quoted in the article about Selling Direct, part 2 in the February issue of IBPA INDEPENDENT. Both of those and $2.50 will get you a local bus ride in NYC! Still, its nice to be noted and quoted! Egoes, too, need feeding.

My books and I popping up all over!

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Friday the llth is reading of my SPIRIT OF THE HOUSE play at the Dramatists Guild and have been doing rewrites and rehearsals during this miserable weather.  If there is another storm Friday, it will all be for nought! Nevertheless, wouldn’t trade life in NYC for anywhere else on earth!

Finished reading Peter Felicia’s Broadway Musicals wrap up of the last fifty years.  Informative and fun, especially when reading about plays which with I was intimately involved. Recommend it to theatre aficionados.

Attended Miro Magloire’s NEW CHAMBER BALLET last night in elegant room at City Center.  Musicians and dancers were quite expert and for me the evening felt as if I had stepped out to today into a more leisurely and lovely time. Will be writing all about it in the March/April print and on line editions of Art Times Journal. 

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And the big news is, PIXIE TALES is now on smashwords and available for e-book purchase.  There may be some tweeking in the weeks ahead, but Maggie Cousin’s terrific illustrations really bring the stories to life. Just hope e-book readers are interested in getting stories to read to their kids. Thought it was perfect for when they travel with easily bored youngsters – such a lightweight way to have a 5 story book on hand.

You can access it and read a bit about it at

 http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/francine1  or
Book page to sample or purchase Pixie Tales: http://smashwords.com/b/40507

Much thanks to those of you who read early version and gave me such dynamite quotes… used some in e-book, will use some in paper version of book, and used others in promo mailings.

Slowly doing rewrites on Elfin Tales, next e book. and Maggie Cousins' first elf is adorable.  Being home after my tip in snow, did a few new chapters for second half of childhood memoir, Confessions of a Dirty Chew Basket.

P.G. Wodehouse’s A Pelican at Blandings was a quick light read, not really my cup of humor. Leslie Ruth Howard’s tribute to her dad, Leslie Howard, was charming and nostalgic for me, having grown up during many of his heyday films. Disagreed with much of David Mamet’s Theater, but still enjoyed reading it. Docks to Downing Street John Prescott’s memoir of his political years was fascinating and a very easy, relaxed read.

My second poetry book, ECHOES OF ETERNITY is a part of grand prize in their upcoming event in early Feb. check it out at http://www.menopausesummit.org//

I have a blog radio talk March 8 about self publishing, will give more info later in month - and on March 9 an article I wrote about writer’s block and other writing problems will be on line  on the Brummet's Conscious Blog: http://www.consciousdiscussions.blogspot.com/