I’ve long been awed by the song, “Feeling Good,” as sung by Nina Simone. It slays me every time I hear it. The lyrics by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse (I don’t know who to credit, exactly) are so simple, yet convey such depth of feeling.
Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin’ on by you know how I feel
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good
Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
Blossom on the tree you know how I feel
(refrain)
Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don’t you know
Butterflies all havin’ fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That’s what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me
Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
And when the horns kick in, oh my.
Anyway, I’ve been writing and re-writing a scene in a new book. So far, it feels like every decision I make is the wrong one. Every path, the wrong one. I try to squeeze some background information into dialogue, it sounds false. I try it with straight exposition, it drags. I’m wrestling with the problem of “set-up,” an issue I’ve faced dozens of times with Jigsaw Jones, and I’m still searching, slashing, deleting, surrendering.
But I did wake up this morning with that song in my head, and I thought about my main character, Samantha, looking up at the clouds — something I wanted her to do, an aspect of her character — and that’s the feeling in her heart. She sees a bird soaring high and she knows how it feels.
Over coffee, I scribbled on a sheet of paper:
Sam was a cloud watcher and a sky dreamer. She looked up to admire a red-tailed hawk soaring through the clouds, and sent a silent message to that bird: You know how I feel.
Will this solve my problem? No, it won’t. Will it make it through the revision and editing process? No idea. But I’m going back in again, this song in my heart, and I’m going to bring that moment with me.
FUN FACT: Newley and Bricusse also composed the original score and songs for “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Which, weirdly enough, inspired aspects of the story I’m currently writing. There’s a Wonka-esque character in it. When coincidence comes together, I often think, “Somebody’s trying to tell me something.” I figure I’m on the right track. Time to grab a shovel and dig in.
Fantastic projects have been keeping me up late at night and, of course, I can't share any of it. But I did remember that I was going to post some pics of a side personal project.
Two years ago I was swept up in the enthusiasm for my kids school play and volunteered to help produce the sets for the next show. The date of the show was approaching and I was essentially out of time but the good folks at Arts Alive had applied for and received some grant money and suddenly we had money for printing-large scale printing! Large scale as in 15 feet high and 30 feet long. I did a bunch of 8 foot square panels as well. Two nights of photoshop painting, a very accommodating large format printing company and ta dah! A show!
The amazing and fearless kids made the show a smash hit. But I look at the backdrops now, a year later, and I think they still look pretty good!
As part of Gef Fox's monster movie marathon week, I have a post over at his blog. Later in the week, you'll find posts from Aaron Polson and Lisa Mannetti. Their posts will not be as inane as mine... I hope.
Okay, time to consume some chocolate, it's been a naff day and I'm still at work (shush, don't tell the boss, I'm here). In the words of Willy Wonka, 'So much time, and so little to do! Strike that, reverse it.' Six days (including today) until NaNoWriMo and counting...
By the time you read this, I will be at Comic Con. Don’t be sad. I’ll take photos. Lots and lots of photos. Lots.
James Franco gets a trans-formation. [Suicide Blonde]
In a mash-up between AC/DC and Ghostbusters, who wins? (Everyone.) [Best Roof Talk Ever]
Kermit the Frog lip-syncing to David Bowie’s “Under Pressure.” [The Daily What]
First adorable Halloween photo of the year. [World War Mike]
The real Willy Wonka: Scientists say three-course meal in a single stick of chewing gum is now a possibility. [Premiere]
French women protest burka ban in niqab and hot pants. [Telegraph]
Jonathan’s Franzen’s glasses were stolen! OMG! Don’t worry. He got them back. [New York Times]
In more blog to book to TV news… [GalleyCat]
There’s now an incredible LED light garden in Jerusalem. [Obvious]
NPR just got themselves a Tumblr. [NPR.tumblr]
The challenge this week on Monday Artday is "Willy Wonka".
"Wangdoodle!"
"Hornswoggler!"
"Snozzwanger!"
"Rotten Vermicious Knid!"
"candy ass!"
There's no earthly way of knowing
Which direction we are going
There's no knowing where we're rowing
Or which way the river's flowing
Is it raining, is it snowing
Is a hurricane a-blowing
Not a speck of light is showing
So the danger must be growing
Are the fires of Hell a-glowing
Is the grisly reaper mowing
Yes, the danger must be growing
For the rowers keep on rowing
And they're certainly not showing
Any signs that they are slowing
music and lyrics by
Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Rendered in colored pencil
Wheather you're inspired by Roald Dahl, Gene Wilder, or Johnny Depp, give us an illustration of the twisted character that runs the world's greatest chocolate factory with Oopma Loompa slaves, glass elevators, and psychedelic trips on chocolate rivers... Willy Wonka!
We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams...
Well, I didn't have Biff to announce it as he did for George McFly in "Back to the Future," but there was indeed a box delivered to my house Thursday with, you guessed it, books! Copies of MY BOOK! The UPS guy must never have rung the doorbell and I only discovered the box when I went out for the mail.
As Mal and the crew of Serenity would say, "Shiny!" (Can you tell we like movies in my house?)
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Maybe just a tad better than the backdrops for my old school plays - a brown curtain.
Thanks for posting these Christopher!
Gorgeous! Those kids are truly blessed to have you around. I hope those backdrops are being preserved and passed along for further use. Simply beautiful.
they look wonderful! What lucky kids. I had no idea you could print that large!