Creative Momentum Gathering: What You Need to Know About Publishing.

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Lezlie Laws hosted a creative momentum gathering at Cocina 214, (151 E. Welbourne Ave., Winter Park, FL). The gathering was for authors working on a writing project or dreaming of one. Leslie first emphasized that her goal was to shape the art that we were born to create. No matter where each of us was, on our creative journey, the potential to bloom is always there. She introduced Writing Your Life founder Patricia Charpentier, who helped in each step of the journey, as Leslie self published her book.

Patricia explored the next steps for publishing work. She outlines the publishing model in which it is important to know, who is doing the work, and who is paying. In the traditional model, the publisher does the work and pays. In traditional publishing today, you can’t get to a publisher without an agent. In self publishing, you do the work, and you pay the bills. There is now an indie publishing hybrid in which the publisher does the work, and you pay. Patricia does the hybrid model. If you decide to go the hybrid route, it is important to see samples, get the name and contact info for your project manager, and ask about how editing is done. There is line editing, developmental editing, and some hybrid publishers don’t even read what you submit.

You need to find out if your preferences in design are considered. How are changes made? When do changes start coating you more money? You need to find out about production. Can you approve a digital proof? Can you see a hard copy proof? Are changes allowed after a proof? How many copies of the book should you order? What is a minimum order? You need to get ISBN numbers and register your book for copyright and register the book with the Library of Congress. Do you want to create an e-book? How will you distribute and market the book? This last question is probably the most critical, and most overlooked.

You need to be an informed writer. You need to have a completed manuscript before you consider the publishing options. Finishing the book is often the hardest task. There are authors who nurse, write, and re-write a book for years. What message do you want to convey? The design of the book is critical. Not every graphic designer is a good book designer. You need to make decisions slowly and deliberately. You have to remain open to the magic. The final cost of self publishing a book might run along the lines of the cost of a really nice family vacation. As a hybrid publisher, Patricia might open the door, but it is up to the author to walk through.

Writing Workshop

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Patricia Charpentier had a writing workshop on the beautiful shores of Lake Adar in Orlando. The dozen or so participants scattered along the shores to find their private bucolic spot in which to write. I sketched a woman writing in her yellow legal pad. I liked the fact that she used a simple pencil to write down her thoughts. Other students used laptops. I seldom use and digital devise to sketch since the idea that the battery might die is just too stressful. The last thing I need is to start a sketch and then have the screen go dark before the sketch is done. It has happened enough times to keep me using pen and paper.

The writers gathered together when they were done to share their work. Every story was inspired in some way by the setting. There are thousands of these scenic lakes scattered throughout Central Florida. I spend most of my time trying to find roads that snake around the lakes as I make my way to venues. Once in a while it is nice to stop and linger, especially since it is cold enough up north for snow.

Joe David Bellamy Talk and Book Signing.

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Author and writing your life instructor, Patricia Charpentier, hosted an evening with Joe David Bellamy at the Marks Street Recreational Complex (99 E. Marks Street in Downtown Orlando.) discusses the motivation behind writing, “Kindred Spirits: 400 Years of an American Family“, his approach and how he accomplished this labor of love. Joe is very intrigued by family history and he became a dedicated researcher when he realized that much of what had been written about his family’s history was wrong. He pointed out that we are living in a revolutionary time with the Internet making information easily available and DNA testing making genetic family ties irrefutable. Ninety two percent of the people who lived and died on this planet left no trace of their life.

When he spoke about the actual process of writing, he became animated. He said, “Writing should feel like play. Spontaneity is part of the pleasure of writing.” He stressed that “finding your voice” is the most important part of becoming a writer. He told us the story of how his father met his mother. His father moved to another state and began selling vacuum cleaners to make a living. When he entered one home he was taken with a picture of a young woman on a mantle. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and he said so. He sold the vacuum. Several weeks later he returned to see if the vacuum was working. The woman was in the next room on the phone setting up a date. He walked in and said, “It’s a shame you have a date because I was going to ask you out.” She broke her date. Lightning struck them both.

Joe pointed out that statistically speaking, cousins often end up marrying cousins. He found the same thing happened in his family. Two sisters moved to separate states and each had children. When the children met, not knowing they were related, they were instantly attracted. Just like the mom was attracted to her own son in “Back to the Future.” Joe’s parents were kindred spirits and they never knew it.

United Arts Annual Meeting

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The United Arts Annual Meeting was held at the Orlando Museum of Art. I arrived a little early and tried to enter the auditorium but it was locked. The front gallery was set up for a buffet lunch and there was a podium. I started sketching in there until someone let me know that the meeting was in the main auditorium as I first suspected. On the stage were canvases on easels and painters supplies. Ironically most of the supplies were for house painter’s rather than fine artists. I know very few artists who use a roller to paint with. No wonder it is hard for Central Floridians to pay market value for art. They just want the walls covered.

Cory Warren showed slides from a new M.D. Anderson Cancer Center artist in residence program that he helped spearhead.Funded in part by the Livestrong foundation this program brings working artists into the hospital to help cancer patients express themselves through art. Patricia Charpentier is helping patients write their life stories and Andrea Canny is helping patients create art. Art can inspire, enlighten and be a comfort when faced with so many overwhelming issues of mortality.

Elaine Hinsdales campaign report was funny, light hearted and to the point. Her first slide of Eduard Munch’s “Scream” showed the challenge of raising several million dollars. “Dogs Playing Poker” showed the committee dealing with the hand they had been dwelt. The end result was that they met their goal raising over two million dollars and raising o.8% more than last year.

Several $5000 awards were handed out. One went to the Enzian Theater. They plan to use the money to purchase a new screen for the free outdoor screenings they do on the sloped lawn beside the theater. The second award went to Dario Moore who is the choreographer for “Slave Stories”, and he teaches children the importance of expressing themselves through dance. This was the second time in two weeks that I had watched him accept awards.

LiveStrong

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Patricia Charpentier informed me that she was going to participate in MD Anderson Cancer Center’s new Artists-in-Residence program. Her goal will be to enrich cancer patients lives by showing them the importance of telling their life story. She asked me to go to a press conference at the hospital. Around the podium artists’ works were set up on easels. Dr. Clarence Brown III MD, the President and CEO of MD Anderson, introduced Margot Knight, the CEO and President of United Arts. She spoke about how art enriches our lives. Children sing, dance and create with abandon. In many ways, creativity is as important as breathing. She introduced the five or so artists who are spearheading this brand new program. I was surprised when I saw Andrea Canny, a singer and photographer I had met just the night before at a cabaret. Cory Warren of United Arts had done tireless work to make this new program possible.

The LiveStrong grants were awarded to MD Anderson last fall. The LiveStrong organization was founded by cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. The objective being to serve people affected by cancer by empowering them to take action. The Artists-in-residence program will empower patients by becoming absorbed in their own creativity as they meet the challenges of diagnosis, treatment and survorship.

Wheels 4 Kids Distribution

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The bicycle distribution took place in front of Howard Middle School which is on Robinson just East of North Summerlin Avenue. Coming from another appointment, I arrived late. I wasn’t in the best of moods. I was honestly annoyed and impatient. I didn’t waste a moment. I just leaned against a tree with the full sun warming me as I worked. The wind kept blowing the sketchbook closed till I finally clipped one of my pens on the flapping page to keep it in place. I couldn’t see the Mounted Police horses though I knew they must be around. Children’s names were being called over a megaphone and I heard Santa chuckling in good will. A policeman kept signaling passing cars to slow down. He had to shout at times in annoyance at SUV drivers who were in a mad rush.

Patricia Charpentier walked up to me and said, “I knew I would find you on the periphery here.” I showed her my sketch which only had a light blue sky washed in. She picked up several prints I had done for the LifeSketch project. This particular LifeSketch was going to be about how her parents met. Two young boys were yelling with joy behind me as they tested their new bikes on the school’s running track. Patricia pointed out a little girl who was riding her tiny pink bike with training wheels and a mini child seat for a doll. She was adorable as she tried to keep up with her mothers long strides. My foul mood melted. How could I remain angry when faced with so much goodwill? Firemen posed for a group photo in front of the “Wheels 4 Kids” banner. They shouted out “Merry Christmas!” and the photographer pressed the shutter button. The Mounted Police Horses clomped in front of me. Kelly one of the volunteers riding tapped her butt and asked me if I had sketched her. I was being jokingly reminded that I had let those proportions get a bit wide in a previous sketch. Last year 94 bikes were given away and this year around 64 bikes were distributed. Perhaps people can give less but they still give. I was still sketching as the truck pulled away and people scattered.

Writing Your Life

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I met Patricia Charpentier at a Cajun concert. Her last name definitely has a Cajun ring and she had researched her family history for many generations back. As I sketched at that concert she was looking over my shoulder and after the concert we talked for a while. I found out she teaches a writing workshop so I asked if she would mind if I sketched one of the classes.

Several months later when I arrived at the Marks Street Senior Center, I met Patricia in the parking lot and she showed me the way to the classroom. The Senior Center is a beautiful warm pink stucco building in a Spanish Colonial style.

The classroom quickly filled up and everyone introduced themselves and told a brief story about a unique incident that had happened in their life. Morrie told a harrowing story about living in the depression and not having enough food. He found a pear tree in an alley and returned that night to secretly pick some pears. Morrie’s job was to keep watch while the other boys picked the pears. He realized he might not get any pears if he was just standing watch so he climbed up as well. Suddenly a huge burly man started yelling and all the boys ran for their lives. He got his pants leg caught on a fence post nail and hung upside down helpless. He kept quiet and thankfully that man never saw his legs above the fence. Later some rustling startled him again and it was the boys who came back to help get him down. Morrie has a small book published called “Sundays with Morrie”.

The class was organized much like a sketch class with quick short exercises to begin and then longer writing sessions build upon the ideas discovered in the short exercises. After each writing session people would volunteer to read what they had written. Some of the stories were truly heart wrenching and others filled with joy. It was a wonderful sketching experience and I felt blessed to be able to hear these life stories.

Mary Hill, a late arrival spoke with me after the class. She had treated herself to the workshop because it was her birthday. She explained that she was taking care of her ailing mother. She also talked about the the courses she had taken in California that covered the more mystical side of healing. Doctors in America tend to be pushing drugs as the solution to all problems. Mary feels that the simple act of touch can offer healing. She told me about an instructor who could sense her feelings just with a phone call. The mystical forms of heeling she talked about were outside my understanding but I was intrigued.