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This is an article I wrote for my high school newsletter, The Cherokee Scout. Cherokee High School’s spring musical, and my last CHS performance, will be Les Miserables.
“Do you hear the people sing?” Do you want to?
Cherokee's esteemed Drama Guild is proud to present this year's musical production of the widely acclaimed musical spectacular, Les Miserables. This stunning, Tony-winning drama follows the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his mesmerizing development from eighteenth century rogue to a saintly nobleman caught in the turmoil of a revolution.
So why see a show you can’t even pronounce? (It’s Lay-Mizz-Err-Ahb, by the way.)
Well, first of all, Valjean’s story has inspired many since its publication in 1862, and has dazzled audiences since the musical opened in 1980. Hounded by wayward hero, Javert, a policeman whose “black-and-white” views obstruct all reason, Valjean is constantly on the run after breaking his parole. En route to freedom, he is saved by a Holy Man who believes Valjean has the power to become a beacon of light in a shadowy world.
Years later, Valjean had shed his criminal past and has become incredibly successful while France’s streets are infected with poverty and despair, thick with prostitutes and thieves. As the years pass, he witnesses the horrors that take place and stands beside the young men who have chosen to fight against the hierarchy which created such misery.
The second reason why you should see Les Miserables? Susan Boyle. That’s Right! The song she sang on Britain’s Got Talent was one of the most famous songs from the musical. Are you convinced now? Filled with captivating music and intricate lyricism, brimming with suspense, blazing with romance, and peppered with comedic charm, Les Miserable is an experience that you simply cannot miss.
Tickets go on sale 4/19/10 for show dates beginning on 5/21/10 for anyone interested.
People Magazine takes a look at Susan Boyle this week, in a cover story that focuses on her struggles with newfound fame.
For a more in-depth examination of Susan Boyle'e life and extraordinary rise to stardom, Alice Montgomery's new biography
Susan Boyle: Dreams Can Come True is essential reading. In the first biography of the inspiring singing star, Montgomery tells the rags to riches story of Susan's humble upbringing to her amazing performances on Britain's Got Talent and her recent trips to America.
The first biography of singing sensation Susan Boyle is now available in bookstores and online booksellers! Susan Boyle: Dreams Can Come True, by Alice Montgomery, chronicles Susan’s amazing rags to riches story.
After stunning judges Piers Morgan and Simon Cowell on "Britain’s Got Talent" and becoming an overnight household name less than a year ago, Susan gave hope to the world that dreams actually can come true — with the help of reality TV. Her album I Dreamed a Dream is the biggest female debut album of all time and has already sold up to 8 million copies.
Susan Boyle: Dreams Can Come True is essential reading for Susan Boyle fans, and an inspirational story of someone who dared to dream!
Publishers Weekly reports on the new Susan Boyle biography, Dreams Can Come True, which is set for release on February 9: "Overlook has acquired the first biography of British reality TV singing sensation Susan Boyle, Dreams Can Come True. Written by Alice Montgomery, the book, which is slated for February 9 and will be simultaneously published in England by Penguin UK, will trace Boyle's arc from a reclusive Scottish spinster to her headline-grabbing appearance singing "I Dreamed A Dream"on the English reality show, Britain's Got Talent. Boyle's debut album, also called "I Dreamed A Dream," has sold more than 5 million copies, making it the biggest-selling female debut album of all time. The acquisition looks to be something of a coup for Overlook, which is going to press for an initial 100,000 copies. Overlook publisher Peter Mayer acquired the book last month at auction."
By:
Samantha Clark,
on 4/22/2009
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Yesterday I wrote about Lynn Viehl’s journey to the New York Times bestseller list and how it reminded me that persistence is one of the most important things to have when pursuing a writing career.
Last night, as I was doing more research on prospective agents, I found two posts that tell anecdotes that prove that persistence really is key.
First up is a guest blog post from literary agent Edward Necarsulmer IV, McIntosh & Otis Inc., on Lyons Literary LLC agent Jonathon Lyons‘ blog. Necarsulmer’s post is from 2007, but it might as well have been from yesterday. He tells the story of a client’s book that he had a hard time selling and how it finally found a home when an editor read it and called it a “gem.” Here’s an excerpt from Necarsulmer’s guest post:
The reason I tell this story is not to encourage Hail Mary submissions to as many editors as possible, but rather as a reminder of what an enormous part perseverance and individual editorial subjectivity play in our business today.
Second is a more recent post from author Toni McGee Causey, who wrote about persistence on the Murderati blog. McGee Causey’s post talks about when to quit (or not; click the link and have a read), using British singing sensation Susan Boyle, who I’m sure you’ve seen on YouTube (the clip made me cry) and author Christie Craig, who, as McGee Causey tells us, showed a room full of conference attendees her thousands of rejection letters. Thousands! (You’ll have to scroll down the blog post to read the story, but it’s worth it.) Here’s an excerpt:
Christie became the definition… of tenacity. Determination. She has talent, and the skill to put it to good use.
Here’s another excerpt, this time about McGee Causey’s own rise to publishing success:
…When I got that phone call about the offer, it was a soaring feeling, like the audience suddenly coming to its feet on that second line of Susan Boyle’s performance. Almost twenty years to the day after I’d first sent out my first non-fiction piece. It wasn’t overnight. I’d worked two jobs, gone back to school, was mom to two boys, helped run a construction company, and wrote in the wee hours of the night when everyone was asleep, because I dreamed a dream. I wanted it. I wanted it enough to not sleep that extra hour, to take the notebook with me to the kids’ practice, to skip out on movies or TV shows.
That’s persistence. That’s what sets apart the successful and the not successful – I truly believe this. Lots of people have talent, but not the drive to see it through. Lots of people can start a novel, but never finish it. Lots of people have dreams, but don’t want to put in the work to make them come true. It is work, and it demands sacrifices. But if you’re persistent, it will happen.
Write On!
The first one:
I've managed to meet the first deadline for this book, which was rough drawings for the whole thing by Friday. Here is what they look like waaaaaaaaaay reduced down and blurred.
I can't show anything since its confidential. But I just had to give a sort of feel for it.
This is 30 pages of illustration, each one being roughly 9 x 11 inches, horizontal. So that makes a spread 9 x 22 or so. And I've lined them up in order, and squished them way down here. (The originals, all together, stretch 6 feet long, 2 columns wide, before they were shrunk.) I know!
Sorry I can't show you more! Really. Its been very fun to draw out. And I did it short of a week. I'm feeling pretty proud of myself.
Now let's hope the client likes them. Maybe I shouldn't be tooting my horn just yet...
All the pieces will be vignetted on the pages, rather than full bleed. There is no time for full bleeds on this one. But also, its for 4 and 5 year olds, so simpler art is actually better. This will be a challenge for me though, since the client likes my colored pencil style, which of course is really really slow. I'm not sure yet how I'm going to pull this off, but I will, somehow.
The second, and far more amazing thing, is this:
Its likely you've seen this already, but in case not, please watch. I've seen it 3 times today and have cried each time.
I hope that when she wins, eventually, and goes to sing for the queen, they don't tart her up too much or do an "extreme makeover" on her. I think she's lovely just as she is.
You may have already seen this YouTube video as it’s been making the rounds, but if you haven’t, take the time to see it. You may find yourself inspired or feeling happy, the way I did, after watching it.
The video of Susan Boyle from Britian’s Got Talent doesn’t have anything to do with writing or reading specifically, but I think it has powerful messages for writers and artists, as well as all of us–to never give up our dreams, to keep trying, and to believe in ourselves, even when it seems that there are circumstances or things against us.
I found this video inspiring, and I hope you do, too.
Because I do not know where my head will be tomorrow (if, indeed, it will be found) and because I am taking a small break from the sort of work overwhelm that leaves me gasping (sometimes crying), I want to post this thought right now, before I lose it, or lose me—whichever happens first.
When my agent, Amy Rennert, today sent me an email with the subject line "this will bring a smile," I thought, Oh dear, what might this be? I opened the email to find a YouTube URL. Nothing more than that.
Well, of course you already know which YouTube clip I'm referring to. The one I and nearly a million of others have already watched as of this writing. Yes, Susan Boyle. Yes, the British singer, 47 years old, in silver shoes and lolling hair, who had the nerve to declare her dream on Britain's Got Talent and then to sing—magnificently—a song so bittersweet that even Simon Cowell was moved to sincerity. She had been jeered at. Disbelieved. The young among the many had rolled their eyes and sneered. A laughing stock, that's what she was, until she began to sing. And then those who had despised her envied her, perhaps a little, for the thing that she had kept within. For the honesty that she brought to a song about being young once, having a dream.
It was her moment. Her standing O. Her redemption. It was her voice, uncaged. What do we write toward, what do we live toward? The chance at that, just once.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Watch Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent. Goosebumps, I tell ya.
First Business of the day:
The Random Drawing Winner of the Comment Your Butt Off Contest is.......
Casey McCormick - Literary rambles!
Congrads! You can email me offline to discuss your "Sur-Prize."
Your dream can come true!
Some of us when we started this dream of ours - to be a published author - may have had doubts, may have been laughed at, may have even been brushed aside.
After seeing this, I truly believe that dreams can happen. And they can happen to anyone. At anytime.
If you have ever given my blog 5 minutes of your time, I ask for it now. If you want to groan, laugh, and even cry, take a few moments and watch this video. It will lift your heart, your hopes, and help you fight for this dream of yours.
I chose this longer version b/c I think the transformation in people, i attitudes, and in spirit is touching. I've watched so many times and still get tears in my eyes.
It will inspire you to never give up on your dream no matter what anyone, any agent, any author, or any editor ever tells you.
It is your dream and you have the right to spend the rest of your life seeking it!
I promise you this video is worth a quick break in your day.
If only to feed your soul after that last rejection, the last review, or your moved publication date.
This gives true meaning to the phrase: NEVER judge a book by its cover! And NEVER give up on your dreams.
So here's to you Susan Boyle!!! May you shine like the new star you are. And may you change perceptions around the world. That no one is what they seem.
Let me know what you think! (They won't let me post the video anymore!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmbJzH93NU
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You are so right. Persistence IS such an important factor to success in any line of work, but especially in careers that are in a subjective field.
You have to be willing to do what others will not, in order to achieve what others will not.
Press on and be willing to do hard things
Absolutely, flandrumhill! We will suceed!