Vocal Expressions

Okay, I’m not proposing that you do anything illegal here. What I’m proposing is that if you’re an author or an unpublished writer you should consider attending writer’s conferences or cons as us authors like to call them as a path to success.  Cons provide a wealth of information that writers find very useful: how to start a novel, how to plot story lines, how to develop strong characters, how to promote and market through social media and the list goes on.  It gives you a platform to be visible as a panelist to “strut” your stuff, to act as a moderator – showing that you can manage the authors and the audience and if you’re not quite comfortable doing either, you can always be a volunteer. Regardless, it affords you the opportunity to meet, mix and mingle with like-minded individuals and who knows you may run into your “writing” hero. When I decided to become serious about my writing, I quickly joined the Maryland Writers’ Association and was eager to attend my first co...

On Monday, August 26, 2013 I had an interview with Cyrus Webb, host of Conversations LIVE. Conversations LIVE! is an interactive way for those in entertainment and the arts to come together to discuss whatever unites them in life. I had a great time talking about my novel, Gotta Let It Go and the writing process. You can c atch the podcast of my interview here:  http://tobtr.com/s/5327787 .

This past week I checked out Lee Daniels; "The Butler" and thoroughly enjoyed it. Well written script and the juxtaposition of the civil rights movement involving the son while the father was in the White House as a butler and occasional ear to the various presidents was very well done. The characters were very well fleshed out and the butlers, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Lenny Kravitz and especially Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines did an excellent job in portraying their roles realistically. It was good to see Forest in this role because he has that quiet quality that the role called for and that subtle anger when it did. At the end of the day, this was a man who came from nothing, made something of himself and loved his family fiercely...well, except for the strained relationship he had with this son. But, as his eyes opened up as to what was going on around him, he made things right between the two of them. Oprah, well what can I say...except she played the heck out of her role...

It's always great to support a worthy cause. On Thursday, August 1, 2013 I attended the Art, Wine & Design event presented by Sherry Burton Ways of Kreative Ways and Solutions, LLC and Sharon Burton of The Artinista Art Advisory. Proceeds from the event went to benefit the Unity Health Care Foundation to enhance the literary skills for youths ages 2-14 who visit the health centers in medically underserved communities in Washington, D.C. The event was held at the Room and Board Furnishings located at 1840 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC. When I walked into this venue, I was instantly drawn to the modern furniture and the accessories on display - very chic! Needless to say this venue was perfect for the event as all of us mingled throughout the store especially on the rooftop as it was a pleasant evening. I met some of the artists and others who supported the event and enjoyed what Shawn Yancey of Washington, DC's Fox-5 News had to say about her art display - very nice piec...