Moving Right Along

Been a fun week despite the snow.

• Saw Wicked . Awesome! Acting was superb. Singing was phenomenal. Only problem was that I had read the book and the play is sooooo different than the book. I had read the book over a year ago so I didn't remember what was in the book and what wasn't. The whole time I was like, "Did that happen in the book? Who is that character? Where is so and so?" I should've taken it as a totally separate story and not tried to compare. Would've enjoyed the story much better. However, Victoria Matlock (Elphaba) and Christina DeCicco (Glinda) totally rocked. They had wonderful voices and really gave life to the characters.
• Saw Dreamgirls. Loved it! Jennifer Hudson is absolutely amazing. Stole the whole movie. And to think that she had no prior movie experience before this is just astonishing. Her voice, attitude, and look reminded me of a young Aretha Franklin. (I grew up listening to Motown as a child and love all those old singers. They had so much soul.) Music was awesome. I kept wanting to jump up and dance in the theater. I'm buying the soundtrack this week. Hudson deserves the Oscar nomination. This movie pulled me in from the beginning and really showed how great characters can drive a story. Go see it!!!!
  
• Got the last of my first chapter edits done from my hubby. Yeah! Passed on the story to Sybir to begin reading in between the bazillion other projects she has going on. I am printing copies now to send to the Copyright office and my other critique partner in New York. Then I will send out a few other copies to some other critiquers who are interested in giving my story the old read through (and probably bloody it up a little in the process -- ugh!).
  
• Met with Sybir and Melena, who is an event planner (corporate and private). We had a great discussion about how best to market our businesses. Learned so much. Awesome to be around such business-minded, kick-butt women! Very inspiring!
  
• Going to begin work on new story. Have the first chapter down pat but not sure where it's heading. I'm going to read over my books on myths and folklore to plan what will happen.
• Started using a small black book that Sybir had given me years ago for Christmas. I've been collecting thoughts, inspirations, and dreams in it to help cultivate writing ideas. I've been taking it everywhere I go. I can't tell you how many times I've been out and had a great idea but didn't write it down in time. Ugh!
• Check out Claws in Creativity which Sybir has spearheaded. It is a site dedicated to all things creative: music, writing, art, and a slew of other articles to get your creative energies flowing. She's done a wonderful job pulling this site together and I'm happy to be a contributor. Yippee!!!

Now, back to writing!