CIEL

What Happened to Inspiration?

I watched the Oscars as I do each year. I watch for the emotion, I listen to hear something profound, I take four hours out of my life because movies at their best are great art. But last night something was oddly missing. Of the two Oscars that went to "La Vie En Rose" (Make-up and Best Actress) neither mentioned the inspiration of Edith Piaf. Piaf's phenomenal rise from street beggar to international sensation is a moving, if disturbing story. Piaf was strong, wild and absolutely inspirational. Is everyone so afraid of making a faux-pas that the first person they thank is their agent? On the good side, "Taxi to the Dark Side"brought needed attention to the dark side of American politics, the war and torture. And, with the Coens, was I the only ones who found them smug? And, finally, the indie musicians Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova let the world know that a film made in three weeks for $100,000 can still snag the coveted prize.

Technorati Tags: Authors, creative process, IMDB, oscars, Writers

Conference Highlights

Met lots of interesting people this weekend at the San Francisco Writers Conference and heard some wacky stories - testaments to the writers' gumption, moxy and general chutzpah. Like El Newmark who wrote "Cascadilla Falls." Determined to do the first ever virtual book tour, El promised sponsors 100,000 hits on her website the day of her launch, and her coup was getting Helium.com (who?) to sponsor her with their list of 500,000. The news hit Publishers Weekly, and boom - seven agents (none of whom were talking to her before this stunt) called. She ended up with a two book deal! Voila! (Or, could this be Urban Legend #9,975? I didn't find El Newmark on google, that's all I know for now...) Then there was Ishmael Reed, who inspired poets to sign up at the Jazz School for a 'writing for music' class and Brad and Andy, profs from UC Davis who sold us on the "40 Poems in 40 Days" concept. At night, I assisted Donna Levin, a kick in the pants editor/teacher who went the distance with the late night open mike and gave fabulous commentary and feedback. Much ado about everything writing - about keeping going, reaching for finer levels of craft, overcoming fear and dread of NY and bonding with the home team. Oh yes, and things to be grateful for: The writers strike is over, and one out of four agents was 'very interested' in seeing my manuscript. I'm not naming names or holding my breath, but it's a start...Now, on to my real obsession - the Academy Awards!

Technorati Tags: Authors, creative process, Fiction, jazz, Literary Agents, poetry, puppy, Writers, writers strike

This Writer's Life

Spending the weekend volunteering and attending the San Francisco Writers Conference. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to pitch my collection of short stories to agents. I've spent a good part of the weekend listening to gurus speak on honing the pitch, and subsequently, writing, and re-writing one that I hope will hook an agent. Then, of course, there's the schmooze factor, running into all my WNBA friends and cronies and skipping the occasional session to visit with people like Kevin Smokler, who is engaged in a Studs Terkel like investigation as to whether people really are or aren't reading; Linda Lee, author of Smart People, Stupid Computers, Vicki Weiland, editor extraordinaire, Teresa Le Yung Ryanand other assorted friends and associates including Robert Shepard, Alan Rinzler, Cara Black, Elisa Southard, and April Sinclair, who I used to hang around with in my old Berkeley days and whom, I was very glad to see was the keynote speaker today. And, being a conference, I'm making a point of talking to people I don't know and making new friends. So far, it's been a really great gathering of writers, writer/teachers, editors, mentors, etc. More highlights tomorrow...

Technorati Tags: Authors, creative process, Elisa Southard, Fiction, jazz, Literary Agents, san francisco writers conference, puppy, WNBA, Writers