Printed Words and Musical Scores

Reading Margaret Atwood's Negotiating with the Dead, A Writer on Writing I've come across some amazing thoughts. She says the printed word and musical scores have many similarities. It's not the words on the page that make the tale remembered it's how the author played them...as a musician would play an instrument. They both find the song hidden in the notes or the story hidden in the words. So true.

Someone once said, and I paraphrase here,  it's not the musical notes played that make the tune, it's the spaces between those notes, the pauses, and my step father was quick to say it's not the printed word but what is written between the lines that we need to read.  The author crafts his tale the way he hears them in his head using words as his musical notes, his song in 3/4 time or 4/4 beat.

Elsewhere, Atwood, when speaking of duplicity as she claims all writers are - two different people, "Wanting to meet the author because you like his work is like wanting to meet a duck because you like pate." The person is not the author and vice versa. I tend to agree with that somewhat, my characters come from my mind but they are not necessarily about me personally. I didn't rob a bank to write about robbery, I didn't murder someone to write about murder...I didn't own an antique store as my current accidental sleuth does, or a cafe as the sleuth in another of my books does...I was never a rodeo clown or bronc rider, yet all of these are a part of the me on the page. Duplicity, a slippery eel, not even identical twins but more like Siamese twins I'm afraid. Joined together but not the same, nor do they necessarily think the same or look the same.

There is more to ponder on this, but I'm so enjoying Margaret Atwood, I wonder why I haven't found her before.

Another Author on Tour

Tomorrow we will have another author here to give you more food for thought over the printed word. Her name is Lacresha Hayes
I hope you will join us as we find out more about this lovely lady and her books. Her book Rape of Innocence is getting noticed everywhere. Just to whet your appetite here is an interview with her and Joyce Anthony author of the critically acclaimed Storm

The person:

1. What three words do you think describe you as a human being?

Intelligent, decisive and friendly

2. How do you think others would describe you?

Most people describe me as sweet or kind. I wish I was as sweet as people thought I was. I’m getting there though.

3. Please tell us what you are most passionate about outside of writing.

My relationship with God is the most important thing in the world to me. Everything else is just an arm of that relationship.

4. Do you have any pets? If so, introduce us to them.

2 German shepherds: Blay, the huge boy who is spoiled and selfish when it comes to food and water; and Dakota, the smaller girl who is loud and busy and very independent.

5. What is your most precious memory?

That’s a tough one… the one that comes to mind first is the day my son was born. He was beautiful to me.

6. What is your most embarrassing memory?

Well, look at it this way: It’s too embarrassing to tell the world. LOL! Here’s one I will share. Once, my husband had gotten a Best Buy credit card. Because we had a Basic, Your Best Buy, I don’t know what I was thinking, but I went there and picked out my refrigerator and was ready to pay. Then the guy said, “Ma’am, we don’t take this card here.” I said, “Why not? It’s your card.” He said, “No. We’re Basic, YOUR best buy, but we are not Best Buy.” I could have fallen straight through the floor.

7. If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing with your life?

I’d still be a minister and business owner. I don’t suppose that would change much of anything for me.

8. In two paragraphs or less write your obituary.

Geez. You guys play no games with the questions. Here goes: Lacresha was a very sweet woman who spent the latter part of her life helping others. She was a great listener and she was a fighter. When she loved, so loved deeply. When she hated, she hated passionately. She was a woman with no gray, a woman of extremes. Yet, somehow she made that work to her benefit. She served God in deeds and not word only!

The writer:

9. Can you describe the time you realized you were indeed a “real” writer?

I’ll let you know when it happens. My last manuscript had so much red when I got it back. I was almost convinced I wasn’t a real writer. LOL! My editor does not play games.

10. What is going on with your writing these days?

I’m writing 3 of the hardest books I’ve written to date. I didn’t think it got much harder than writing about the sexual abuse in my past. It does though. For the most part, though, I’m so busy doing various other things in the business that I don’t write as much as I used to. Time is now a rare commodity.

11. What are your future goals for your writing?

I need to finish Full Exposure, Mistakes Parents Make and Poetic Inspirations.

12. Can you describe a typical writing day for you?

When I get a day of writing, usually, I sit down at the computer and just flow according to whatever is on my heart. After an hour or so, my thoughts take some form and I begin to organize what I’ve written.

13. Why do you write?

For the sake of furthering the Kingdom of God, to spread awareness, and to provide clean entertainment

14. What writer most inspires you? Why?

I’d say it was Paul of the Bible. He was straight up and honest. I appreciate honesty.

15. How do you define your writing?

I categorize it as Christian. I define it as being an extension of me: my life experiences and views filtered through the Word of God.

16. In one sentence—what do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years?

Lacresha wrote the words that inspired a generation of people to question their views and to truly see God as a loving Father.

The details:

17. Can you tell us where to find more information on you? Website? Blog?

http://lacreshahayes.weebly.com; www.myspace.com/lacresha75, http://debbietodd.blogspot.com, http://ericanewton.blogspot.com. I’m also on Shoutlife, Yahoo 360 and Author’s Den

18. Is there a place where readers can reach you?

They can write me directly at preacha1975@yahoo.com

19. Can you list all your book titles so people can look for them?

The Rape of Innocence: Taking Captivity Captive, Becoming: My Personal Memoirs and Introducing the Culpeppers (soon to be released)

20. For new readers—what can they expect when they read your book(s)?

In conclusion:

21. Take as much space as necessary to speak to our readers—what would you like them to know about you and your writing?

I suppose I’d want people to know how important my faith is to me. I’d want people to know that I am passionate about spreading awareness of sexual abuse, domestic violence and God’s love and healing.