Tag Archives: reviews

I am writing

I am writing-seven

Today’s creativity and writing has been centred on film making. Specifically having a discussion with Producer Chris about Pink Sari. There has been revisions and amendments to the script and we are still looking at recruiting half of the cast.

Film making has been something of an adventure over the last three years. From learning and teaching myself how to write a script to casting, getting to a set and directing. Producer Chris often tells me that it is rare for Authors to be so closely involved in filming. As such, there are lots of things to negotiate.

Whilst I’ve written stories, there’s a whole developmental process in putting a script together. There’s a casting process, trying to determine who may be the best fit. Getting everyone together and also then having a set in choosing locations. There’s a lot of think about.

The only experience I had of anything Filmy was an AS level in Media Studies nearly 20 years ago. That has been useful to be honest. Also, in making one’s own movie, you watch and listen to movies differently. To seeing scenes unfold, to listening to the sound track. The experience of creativity is different.

I have done this before, the once and that was real eye-opening experience. You will have seen references to Devan Coultrie is Unwell. What was half an idea, a short story in a collection became an eleven minute film that was entered in lots of film festival. The highlight of which was entering and being part of Birmingham film festival. There were a number of awards. For a short film and suprisigly, the music.

That said, I love the Devan Coultrie theme tune and the scene in the gunmakers pub. The piece of music in the pub is called shot gun run way and was perfect for that scene really.

I am currently trying to gain the leading actor and his film wife. In a city of 1.1million people, I need to find two who will fit the bill for this movie. Perhaps then, we shall have a movie!

I am writing

I am writing-four

Good music might move you; inspire, encourage and motivate. Just look at the Chariots of Fire music. Vangelis and Conquest of Paradise is an epic piece of work. Music has meaning and can shape, create so many facets of the human condition.

Most, but not all, of my books have a playlist. Songs that are inspiring, might be a theme tune for a character or evoke something that needs to be titrated into a story. I listen a range of music, and sometimes it hits on something that stirs writing.

Even the Devan Coultrie movie had what felt like an epic soundtrack, Was really useful actually to help the film. Devan has a theme tune, but my favourite is most definitely the sounds in the Gunmaker’s Arms scenes. I only have to hear the theme tune and I am thrown back to memories of filming, of standing next to the real Devan Coultrie. I did have the writing playlist, but in a fit of pique, sadly it was deleted. I tried to recreate it, even had a paper version somewhere.

I think we all feel good music when we watch a show or a film. Just think of the theme tunes that have become iconic over the years. To think that two chords, make us think of a dangerous fish. You know the one! Or the guitar riff for a Spy on Her Majesty’s service.

The image above is an anthology, a work in progress that has been paused for some time. You’ll note that there’s a fair bit of Bollywood on there. There were a lot of movies in my childhood that left deep impressions and have found themselves somehow woven into my stories.

That said, The Beyond Kangana Series has Hallelujah and The Carol of the Bells in it. As does Padmi’s Christmas Carol, I think. One day, perhaps I should pop the songs onto the online song provider outlet thing for readers to enjoy.

Blooms, writing

Chandni Rises: A review

It’s not easy being an Indie Author. The market is huge, there’s a lot of variety. A bit like Arabian Nights, there are 1001 stories that you can sample at any one point. Being an Indie Author, means not having the massive machine of a publisher behind.

As such, when a review comes through, I’m inclined to do a happy dance. A happy dance with a heart gladdened by someone taking a chance, a risk, on my work.

Reviews are very important as an Indie Author. These help to measure success, spread the word and acts as a bench mark to help readers choose their next read. They are however, very elusive to gain.

They have an immense power. To encourage and to crush. I think I have a full set of one to five stars. Not the best of accomplishments to celebrate, but I hope that even traditional, big-hitting authors have their share of these.

We live in a world where social media is huge and growing. I keep seeing the strap lines-tik tok made me buy this, the newest tik tok sensation. That’s a huge movement of bookworms, and book worms are important. The power of books, of writers and their stories shouldn’t be underestimated.

It’s a daft person who underestimates the power of social media. After all, I’m sat here writing this blog. I can be connected with via insta, twitter, FB as well, These are all forums and arenas for communication.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not spouting sour grapes at not being a tik tok sensation. That comes with its own baggage; social media can have both positive and negative impacts.

Being a tik tok sensation is in the same league as:

1.Being a cup winning therapist-I can but dream of the FA cup, and make my way up to Euro and world.

2.Winning an oscar or a bafta; I did write a movie, but these are proper pie in the sky ambitions.

3.Being No 1 author on any given list, never mind USA today. All the way from Brummie land.

Yeah, the chances are slim, aren’t they? But, I celebrate the review. Each and every one. That means someone read my book, thought about it and shared it.