MORE CREATIVE THOUGHTS

"The vitality of thought is an adventure".
---Alfred North Whitehead

"We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda, it is a form of truth".
---John F Kennedy

"Through all the world there goes one long cry from the heart of the artist.  Give me leave to do my utmost".
---Isak Dineson

"Genius is the art of non-habitual thought".
---william James

"Lack of money is no obstacle.  Lack of an idea is an obstacle".
---Ken Hakura

"It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation".
---Herman Melville

"One must have chaos in oneself in order to give birth to a dancing star".
---Friedrich Nietzsche

"It takes courage to be creative.  Just as soon as you have a new idea, you're in a minority of one".
---E Paul Torrance

"Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working".
---Pablo Picasso

Image above, "Parker Family Outing"  by Parker Kaufman, composition collage, cardstock, photos,and computer generated images.  8.5 x 11.

Author Interview with Danielle Taylor

Danielle Taylor

What have you written? 

Captive at Christmas, Intimate Strangers (1&2 of Captive Hearts series), Finding Me (Serial New Adult Novella), Letting Go (Adventures Inc. 1, coming soon)

What is your favorite genre to write? 

Romance. I love the complexity of the human mind and I love love! Combining those things with touches of danger and intrigue, while sifting through the pain of one's past and trying to help the characters overcome their fears is, well, loads of fun!

Favorite food. 

Coffee. I know it's not a food, but I couldn't live without it!

Where would you like to visit?

South Africa

Favorite musical artist.

Arno Carstens

How old were you when you started writing?

I can't remember, so probably pretty young!

Where do you get your inspiration?

It just comes to me. I'll be doing some mundane task and BOOM! I'm hit with a fab idea. I've always got a pen and paper with me, just in case.

What do you do when you get a writer's block?

 I move on to something else. I rarely work on one project at a time. If I'm stuck on one thing, chances are I won't be on another.

Who is your favorite author?

Oh boy. If I have to pick one, I'll say J. R. R. Tolkien.

Best book you ever read.

Lord of the Rings. Hands down. It's the deep and lasting friendships people don't take the time to build nowadays, it's kindness and strength, and finding hope in the most dire of situations. It's changing your point of view.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?

 J.R.R. Tolkien, to be honest. Before the creation of the internet, this man created his own language and wrote a book that, even today, is still regarded as one of the best in fantasy. Ever. He would no doubt have loads to say and I'd want to hear it all!

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer? 

Write. When you're not writing, read. Read and write, then read and write some more. Reading is important for writers, it keeps our minds open and informed. Especially for indie authors, reading gives you the proper format for grammar and spelling. And, two final tips - ALWAYS use a period before an action during speech. For example: ~"I don't understand why you left all this out." He waved his hand around the room, motioning to the mess of DVDs.~ And, when writing, it's best to write out the numbers (unless for something like an F-18 Hornet) like one forty-six for time, or the number seventeen bus, as it is a hell of a lot less jarring for a reader.

Do you have any links to share with us?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Danielle-Taylor/217716295040976

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6646355.Danielle_Taylor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DTaylor_Author

Blog: http://wp.me/3b6pR

Book links:

Captive at Christmas:

US Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFMJDW8
UK Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BFMJDW8
CA Link: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00BFMJDW8

Intimate Strangers (NEW):

US Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DPYBK3O
UK Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DPYBK3O
CA Link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00DPYBK3O

Finding Me (NEW):

US Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DPWVE32

UK Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DPWVE32

CA Link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00DPWVE32

CREATIVE THOUGHTS

"An idea is salvation by imagination".
---Frank Lloyd Wright

"Creativity comes from trust.  Trust your instincts".
---Rita Mae Brown

"Everyone has talent.  What is rare is the courage to follow that talent to the dark place where it leads".
---Erica Jong

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong".
---Joseph Chilton Pearce

"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug".
---Mark Twain

"What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure".
---Samuel Johnson

"I believe that if it were left to artists to choose their own labels, most would choose none".
---Ben Shahn

"If an artist sees nothing within him, then he should also refrain from painting what he sees before him".
---Caspar David Friedrich

"If any man wish to write in a clear style, let him be first clear in his thoughts, and if any would write in a noble style, let him first possess a noble soul".
---Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Only the hand that erases can write the true thing".
---Meister Eckhart

Image above, UNTITLED by Parker Kaufman.  Composition, cardstock, pastels, and computer enanced images, 8.5 x 11 inches.

THE WORLD OF LALIQUE

Rene Lalique was a truly gifted artist, one or the very few whose versatility and ability allowed him to succeed in a variety of fields.  As a master  jeweller he designed some of the most magnificent original pieces ever to be seen.  Later on he shared his talents as an inspiring glass-maker, interior decorator, and exhibition designer.  His works embraced the art nouveau and art deco styles and were acquired by the rich and famous as well as the lesser known in society.

Lalique was born April 6, 1860, in Ay, France, spending most of his childhood in Paris.  In his early teens he showed artistic abilities in the form of paintings of flowers and insects on ivory plaques.  At age 16 he apprenticed with Paris jeweller Louis Aucoc.  Soon after he enrolled in the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs and subsequently studied at Sydenham College in London.

He aspired to become a leading jewellery designer, basing his work on traditional designs and materials.  Lalique began selling his work to noted jewellery houses such as Aucoc, Boucheron, Cartier, and Destape.  His diamond-set pieces were extremely popular with the aristocracy.

Lalique's jewellery was beautiful and of unusual quality, which contrasted with his use of  less expensive metals, glass and semi-precious stones, rivaling pieces made of gold, silver, and precious gems.

By 1890 he was managing a small factory and began experimenting with different materials.  Two years later, famed actress Sarah Bernhardt took note of his work and became one of his most ardent patrons.  This relationship proved to be a valuable commercial asset and garnered him an international reputation.

1905 saw the opening of Lalique's first retail endeavor in Paris, at 24 Place Vendome, enjoying the patronage of royals such as Queen Alexandra.

The immense success of his jewellery allowed him to focus on new things.  He began working more intently with glass. In 1909 he opened his own glass works called Verrerie de Combs la Ville, turning out a large variety of glass articles.  At one point he was designing and manufacturing bottles for perfumer Francois Coty.

Rene Lalique died May 9, 1945 at age 85.  The Lalique tradition was carried on by his son Marc, who introduced a new crystal glass with a brighter, more translucent look.  Marc was joined by his daughter, Marie Claude in 1956.  She continued the tradition of designing and manufacturing fine decorative glass, taking over the company after her father's passing in 1977.  The company maintains  it's fine reputation and continues to be one of the worlds leading glass manufacturers.

Pictured above left is Autumn, a pendant circa 1898 - 1900, 3.75 inches, female face is wreathed in gold plate leaves with enamelled branches and berries.

Pictured above right is Sauterelles,  (grasshoppers)  vase from the 1920's, 10 inches, made in a variety of colors and in both clear and frosted glass.

A wonderful history and pictoral journey into Lalique can be found in the book titled "Lalique"  by Tony L Mortimer.

Author Interview with Stuart R. West

Stuart R. West

Mission, Godforsaken Kansas

What have you written?

I've written "Tex, the Witch Boy," a Young Adult paranormal,

thriller, murder mystery, comedic drama, romance, kitchen-sink

deal.  But it's really about high school bullying.  It's the first of a 

trilogy.  The second one, "Tex and the Gangs of Suburbia" is due

out next month (July) by my publisher, MuseItUp Publishing.  The

third will be out in December.  All are murder mysteries dealing 

topical teen issues.  And, unusual for the genre, told from the male

viewpoint. 

What is your favorite genre to write? 

My favorite genre to write is dark suspense, no matter the age

group.  I've written four YA thrillers and three adult thrillers.

Who is your favorite musical artist?

Can't say I have a fave musical artist, as it changes with the times.

Right now, I'm partial to Arcade of Fire, Florence and the 

Machine, and the whole new alt-folk movement (The Lumineers,

etc.)

When did you start writing?

I started writing in grade school.  Didn't make it the real deal until

late in life.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Inspiration comes from many areas.  My wife, my daughter, 

headlines, other writers, bad genre fils from the 60's and 70's,

current politics (VERY nightmarish).

What do you do when you get writer's block?

Oddly enough, I don't suffer from writer's block.  I'm always 

ready to blather on.  However, my constant friend, 

"procrastination" is another issue entirely.

Who is your favorite author?

My favorite author?  That changes, as well.  Right now, I'm

enjoying Stephen King books I haven't read before.  The Hunger

Games trilogy was impressive.  And I've been delving into John

Farris' backlog.

Best book you ever read.

Probably an antiquated issue of Playboy magazine I stumbled

across when I was twelve.  I studies every inch of that mag (even

the short stories.

That doesn't count!  Try again.

Okay.  Let's try Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird."  It had the

heart, humor, social relevance, and mystery that I strive for in my

tales.

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the

most, and why?

Gah!  SO many people have influenced me, I can't single out one.

In writing, Harper Lee, Stephen King, and Joss Whedon (a strange

unholy trio, I know.)  Personally, my wife, my daughter, and my

late father, probably (and always in retrospect.  I'm kinda' dumb

that way).

If you could sit down and have a conversation with one person, 

living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?

I'd probably like to have a beer with Lee Harvey Oswald.  I'd say,

"Lee, what REALLY happened on that grassy knoll?"  

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

For aspiring writers, I'd tell them the usual cliche'...don't give up.

And don't do it for the cash.  Write because you want to and you

have to (um, was that pretentious?).




Would you like to share your covers with us?

Do you have any links you'd like to share with us?

Tex, The Witch Boy on Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Tex-The-Witch-Boy-ebook/dp/B00B3U5OWU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372437630&sr=1-1

Tex, The Witch Boy at MuseItUp:http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=580&category_id=6&manufacturer_id=277&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Blog (where you can read about dumb stuff that's on my mind like just how large is Mickey Mouse):http://stuartrwest.blogspot.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/stuartrwestwriter?fref=ts

Tex, The Witch Boy Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6YA8yjNVMc

Another excerpt from "The Baslicato"

On her way back to him, Brook stopped at the hospital pharmacy to pick up some things he would need to feel better.  He was dressed and packed when she came back.  He went into the bathroom to comb his hair.

“Nicole!” he screamed.  “Bears a strong resemblance to me?  Who in the hell is the bloke in the mirror?”

“Calm down, Richard.  The man looking back at you is Jason Allessandro Maxwell.”

“I’m… “ he had trouble coming up with the word, “…short!”

“No Honey, you’re not short.  I’m short.  You’re just not six foot two anymore.  You’re about Garrett’s height, about five ten, I guess.”

“And this NOSE!”

“Honey!  Jason Maxwell is half Italian.”

“And all nose!  Wake me up!  I’m tired on this nightmare.  What the hell is going on?  I want to be ME again!  I happen to LIKE my nose.  You like my nose.  You told me.”

“If you don’t calm down and lower your voice, they’ll cancel your discharge and you’ll have to stay here, upstairs, on the observation floor.  Now, finish combing Jason’s hair and let’s get out of here,” she giggled.

“This is not amusing. Nicole.”

“I know, Sweetheart, I know.”

“But he does have nice thick hair though.  I bet he doesn’t worry about going bald.  I wonder… when Jason looks in the mirror, does he see… me?  Where is Jason?  Is he dead?”

“Why do you ask that, Honey?  It’s the second time you’ve asked me if Jason’s dead.”

“Because I don’t feel anybody else in here with me,” he said patting himself here and there.  “No voices, no contradictory opinions, no feelings of inner conflict.”

“This is not amusing,” they both said at the same time, laughing.

“You know, this would be terribly frightening for me if you weren’t right here with me.”

“I know.”  She nodded and hugged him tightly, kissing his nose,  “But I am.”

Author Interview with Kerry Firth

Kerry Firth

London, United Kingdom

What have you written?

The Cocktails & Tattoos series &  up & coming new book Handbags at Dawn, due for release mid-July.

What is your favorite genre to write?

Chick-lit/romance

Favorite food.

Oooh, toughie… Italian!

Where would you like to visit?

Rio!

Favorite musical artist.

I listen to ANYTHING from today’s music to golden oldies. My fav musical artists include Madonna, Ed Sheeran, Rihana, Bon Jovi & many more…

How old were you when you started writing?

I started writing when I was in senior school around the age of 13/14 I think.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Inspiration happens when you least expect it. I could be washing up or driving through a beautiful countryside & wham! All of a sudden I think that can make a good story! My imagination runs wild. I have so many ideas, I think my head will burst.

What do you do when you get a writer's block?

Read. Reading always helps & taking a break.

Who is your favorite author?

Oh, wow, I have so many. Freya North & Kristan Higgins I’d say are my most fav two!

Best book you ever read.

I am struggling here. I have read so many and a few stand out but I can’t pin point any one, sorry.

Who is the one person who has influence your personal life the most and why?

Gotta say my husband and 6 beautiful children. I am who I am because of them. They influence me every day. They share my happiness and sadness and they give me heaps of ideas even if just one of them do something and it makes me think - that could go in my book!

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?

Is it wrong to say my main character Harley from Cocktails & Tattoos? She is fun, funny, loves a drink and a laugh. I would definitely love to hang out with her. Her sexy husband too! 

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?

Do it and never give up! I started writing when I was 13/14 but I didn’t actually publish or let anyone else read my stuff until I was 33! Don’t wait that long. Just follow your dream and do it. I am so glad I did and instead of being scared of what people will think of your work, you’d be surprised at how many people will like it. 


Do you have any links to you would like to share with us?

Facebook page ~ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kerry-Frith-Author/418807201514554

Goodreads ~ http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6888304.Kerry_Frith

Twitter ~ https://twitter.com/barrysbabexx

Amazon links ~

Cocktails & Tattoos book #1 UK link ~ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cocktails-Tattoos-ebook/dp/B009TY89UG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372250358&sr=8-2&keywords=kerry+frith

Book #1 US link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009TY89UG/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0ZMMXE8PQFPR8R8DQPD0&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

Reminder: Random Drawing July 15th

Just a Reminder!

Dear Happy Readers,

     July 15th will be the Three-Month Anniversary of Vision and Verse.  We have had an absolute blast and raked up over three thousand page views.  We've explored many wonderful art methods and some exceptional museums.  We've shared some excerpts of my novels.  And we've hosted great interviews with some of today's most interesting artists and authors.  

     To celebrate we'll be having a  $10 Amazon Gift Card Random Drawing on July 15, 2013.  To be eligible, all you need to do is leave a comment on any of our posts before Tuesday, July 15.  Don't miss out!

Hugs,

Carol

     

July Schedule of Exciting Events...so far!

Good Morning, Happy Readers,

It's hard to believe it's July already! And as wonderful and exciting as June was here on Vision and Verse, Parker and I have even more really great ideas, AND we'll be celebrating our three-month anniversary of July 15th with a $10 Amazon Gift Card Random Drawing.  To be eligible, just leave a comment on any of our posts. Here's a look at what's coming up!

July 1  -  Interview with fantasy author, Eric Deblackmere
July 2  -  Interview with London author, Kerry Firth  
July 4  -  Excerpt from "The Balicato" 
July 5  -  Interview with YA author, Stuart R. West
July 6  -  Excerpt from "Lord of Blakeley"
July 15-  Random $10 Drawing 

Hugs,
Carol  

Author Interview with Eric Deblackmere

Eric Deblackmere

Kingsport, TN

What have you written?

I am currently working on my first full-length fantasy novel, THE HAMMER OF THE GODS. I am planning on making it a trilogy because, as we all know, if you write in the fantasy genre, you must write a trilogy. (Curse you, Tolkien!) The tentative working title for this epic fantasy trilogy is THE RUNE-HAMMER TRILOGY. Fun Fact #1: I actually started the second book of the trilogy, HAMMER INTO ANVIL, before I had even started the first book.

I have written several fantasy short stories, one of which I have re-worked and am using as the essence for the opening chapter of HAMMER OF THE GODS.

As if this all weren't enough, I am also two chapters into an untitled science-fiction novel, the name of which I haven't even dreamed up yet.

What is your favorite genre to write?

Fantasy, obviously, is by far my favorite genre to both read and write; though, science-fiction is very near and dear to me, having grown up during the Great Space Race of the 1960s and the original Star Trek series. I was supposed to grow up to be an astronaut. Science-Fiction at least allows me the luxury of dreaming about it.

Favorite food.

I find it so hard to deal in absolutes! I am very much driven by emotions and they have a heavy influence on my likes and preferences in all things at all times. If forced to choose, though, I keep it simple: Cheeseburgers, onion rings, and a cherry milkshake. Now, if I am sick, it's a different story: my comfort food is a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, a bowl of tomato soup, a dill pickle, and a Coke. I have no idea why but that combination makes me feel so much better when I am feeling so terrible.

Where would you like to visit?

My "bucket list" is get definite on the places I want to visit before I die: First, the United Kingdom, second, Germany, and third, Australia. The U.K. and Germany for their combined history, as well as their cultural, linguistic, and architectural influences on the fantasy genre. And Australia because it is absolutely stunning visually!

Favorite musical artist.

Absolutes! Always with the absolutes! Seriously, though, if I were forced to limit myself to simply one musical artist, it would have to be Vangelis. The man's body of work is simply astounding and amazing. A true creative force and genius.

How old were you when you started writing?

I came to the writing world quite late in life. Specifically, five years ago. I had always liked storytelling but I had bought into the myth that to be a writer, you had to have a string of degrees from "writing schools" to prop you up. It took me until 2008 to realize that all you really needed was a good story and a desire to tell it. Everything else would take care of itself.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Inspiration? Hhhhmmmm...I guess my inspiration comes from reading stories in my favorite genres and saying: "What? You got to be kidding me! That's not the way it should look or sound or feel! This is how it should be!" And then sitting down and showing how it should be on paper.

What do you do when you get a writer's block?

Writer's block? You mean, when the characters stop talking to me? Well, I just put that project aside and switch gears and thought-patterns into another story and work on that one until the other characters get over their attitudes and start talking to me again.

Who is your favorite author?

J.R.R. Tolkien. Enough said.

Best book you ever read.

The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings. There is simply no comparison to this work anywhere. It is the benchmark which we all measure ourselves against in the fantasy genre.

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?

In looking back at almost 50 years of life, I really can not say that any one person influenced my life. I'm not sure if that is good or bad. I guess I have always been my own person and have carved out my own path. I haven't always made the best decisions, but they were mine and mine alone. 

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?

At the risk of sounding "oh-so-politically-correct", I would have to say that I would really love to sit down with Jesus Christ and find out, once and for all, what was the real message. Straight from the original source and no interpretations.

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?

The advice to anyone who wants to be a storyteller is simple: Just write. Oh, and don't listen to anything that anyone tells you. Be your own person and do it for yourself, because you like it. Everything else will fall into place.

Do you have any links you would like to share with us?

Twitter: @morvyn63

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEricDeBlackmere

Blog: http://mysticwriter.wordpress.com/

Eric DeBlackmereabout.me/eric.deblackmere