I have enjoyed my time working under Rebbecca and Brad, they are the greatest! They have been helpful, warm, caring, and often comical! Thanks for that guys! I also really enjoyedthe events I have been able to attend. Especially the open mic nights. If you haven’t had a chance to go to one, I definitely recommend it!

I will keep posting blogs as often as possible. Even though, I have a feeling they might be updates keeping you all informed about how difficult it is finding a job in the journalism/print media field. But hopefully now that school is over I can find the time to write for fun instead of writing for grades.

So until next time, I hope you all have a great week. And if anyone has any leads as to where a fresh-outta-college graduate with a background in feature/editorial and creative writing, some graphic design, and adveritising could send a resume please let me know!

Rock City is an amazing set of ancient rock formations and gardens, located atop Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Although much of Rainbow Hall, seen below, is man-made, unlike most of the other structures in Rock City, the colored window panes create interesting light effects on the natural rock.

Photo Courtesy of James Hulsey
Copyright ©2008 James Hulsey. All Rights Reserved.

SLWG members can submit artistic photos to be featured.
Send photos to Photos.

My first experience proved delightful and informative, facilitated by Dr. Rebecca Carron, SLWG Vice President of Programs and Brad Cook, SLWG Historian. I had met both members before, but I never knew they could be so funny and entertaining. You would think their workshop, “Feed Your Head: What Good Writers Should Read To Become Great Writers” might be a little dry talking about classics. This topic interested me because as much as I hate to admit it, my parents were not readers and as a child I was not exposed to books. I can remember learning to read Dick and Jane, but that’s about the extent of my reading as a child. Anytime I would sit in a writing workshop and the names of books and authors were rattled off, I’d want to hide.

I have since read some of the classics, but I love to read anything that hooks me into the story. Cook had a valid point that one needs to be hooked to get you to read the book. But one person’s hook is another’s sinker. Rather than the author reeling you in, you can drown in the sea of hard-to-understand-the-point words. We found that out when Carron and Cook bantered back and forth in a humorous way. Carron loving one book while Cook wanted to throw it across the room. Or how Cook’s choice turned him around as a writer while Carron dropped a book in the trash to prevent anyone else from the misery. I felt better knowing this when I struggled to read Scarlet Letter. I’m excited to read Dracula - a book I never thought I’d pick up to read.

I scribbled fast and furious writing down titles of books and the names of authors from suggestions of those attending when Carron and Cook passed out a form asking what books stood out for: Setting, Plot, Dialogue, Wordsmithing (a category Cook created), Characters and Symbolism. I’m curious and want to learn from these suggestions.

If you’re like me and haven’t attended an SLWG workshop yet, I suggest you plan to - you’ll be hooked.

Thanks Rebecca and Brad!

Someone referred me to them in the spring but said they didn’t know if they were legit or not. From what I can gather from their website, they pay freelance writers to write on a variety of academic topics. Sounds like it may involve writing essays for students, but they never come out and say that. I tried signing up on their website, but had a number of problems and never could get the form to submit, so I gave up. A week or so later, I got an email from them telling me, oh, so nicely, that they didn’t want me. That was a shock–not that I was rejected, but I didn’t even know I had applied!

This evening I received an email from them. This is what it said:
Dear Mary,

EssayWriters.net

If you read it carefully, it appears to have been written perhaps by someone who speaks English as a second language–not that there’s anything wrong with that. Since I’m “desperately seeking work,” however, I decided to give it another shot.

I tried four times this evening to sign up, and each time ran into a roadblock. And it’s a pain to fill out the form in the first place! “What is plagiarism and how do you avoid it?” “How do you meet deadlines?” Legitimate questions, to be sure, but I answered them FOUR TIMES! The first two times, I received an error message that I hadn’t correctly entered the “magic code” at the bottom of the form (I’m sure I did; they weren’t that tricky). The third time, I got all the way through, they accepted the magic code, I hit SUBMIT, and I got a fatal error message! I don’t give up easily, so I tried one more time. This time when I hit SUBMIT, I got a message that I was already registered and if I forgot my sign-in name or password to go to their Live Chat or call a number.

Heavy Sigh … It gets even better.

I clicked on Live Chat, and got Stacey, who was completely clueless. She had no idea what code I referred to (”Was it a discount code?”) and then … get this … she asked me what website I was on! When I said Essay Writers, she said “one moment” and then never came back!

I finally gave up and called the phone number–twice. Both times, it (I say “it” because I don’t know if there was a live body involved) picked up and then disconnected.

I believe in signs, but sometimes I guess those signs have to knock me over the head.

I think all these signs point to “Run, don’t walk, in the other direction.” What do you think?

ReMARCable Talent: The Life and Rhymes of M.A.C. 

Standing in the “writing room” of the studio, Black and Mild cigar hanging from his lip, Marc Cox spits out ideas for a hook on a new song with whom he is collaborating with fellow Dirty House Wrecordz artists J-Skeet and Truth. Marc who goes by MAC (his initials) is casually dressed in an Ecko T-shirt and Akademiks jean shorts. The 21 year old rapper begins to reveal to me information that he claims is the basis of his being.

            Born in North St. Louis City on Euclidand Ashland Marc is no stranger to the high crime and low income rate of his neighborhood. He is the baby boy of 5 children born to Margaret Smith and Wendell Cox. He attended city schools until the age of 9, then for 4^th grade was bussed out to South St. Louis Countyto attend Bayless Elementary which is a public county school.

            “Entering interracial public school in the county greatly opened my eyes and my mind to things I never had seen or heard at home.” MAC informs. The influence of his new peers of all races and ethnicity’s was one of Marc’s greatest life experiences.

“It’s made me the man I am today. I never really knew any white people, or Bosnian people, or even any other type of black people.” His introduction and interaction with other children of other races has made him the type of person he is today; one who can get along with anyone. This characteristic shapes MAC’s mission statement as a musician.

“I want all races to listen to my music and I want all kinds of people to relate to my lyrics.”

            MAC’s influences include famous men such as Dr. King, Will Smith, Cedric the Entertainer, and Luther Van Dross. They also include a small array of people whom are not famous but have made a difference in his life.

“My family has played such a huge part in my life but two women who have really influenced me are my Mother and my Big Momma (Grandmother).” Other influences include his high school principal and basketball coach. Musically, MAC’s biggest influence is a long time friend from high school with whom he still raps with today.

“Opie taught me how to rap. He made me want to rap.” Opie more recently known as LB is a young Caucasian rapper who is also an artist under the independent Dirty House Wreckordz label.

            Along with his music MAC spends a lot of his time at school. He attends St. Louis Community College and plans on graduating in a couple years. A famous MAC quote that can be heard more often than not is, “I go to school to make money, I rap because I love that shit.”

MAC is currently working on his first solo mixtape. It has been in production since December of 2007 and it is scheduled to be released fall 2008. In the mean time MAC can be found performing on stages across St. Louis.

Although he loves performing he also loves the time he spends in the studio writing or in the booth recording. MAC is an unsigned artist so that allows him to work with a few independent labels. Presently MAC records with YNP (Young n’ Productions) and HuSTLmo Ent. / Dirty House Wreckordz. He explains his style to be smooth but vocal. The slight crunk sound grabs the attention of his listeners. When asked if a record company came to him today and asked for one single what would he present to them? MAC responded with,

“ ‘Focused’. Although it’s something most of my fans have never heard I think it is a great track with a lot of potential.”

            Fashion is not only a large part of urban musical culture but it plays a large part in MAC’s life as well. As an unsigned rapper one must always look their best because you never know who is watching. “If I was going out to a club I’d have to put on my button up baby blue Christain Dior oxford shirt with LRG light washed jeans. My feet would be dressed in classic, white on white, Nike Air Force One’s. If I was going to perform at a show I’d dress a little more causal with an Ecko T-shirt, Bathing Ape jean shorts, high top Nike Elites, and a New Era St. Louis Cardinals fitted cap. I love the grown and sexy look but I gotta keep it true to the streets as well.”

            In the Future Marc Cox hopes to become a strong and successful solo artist. Not interested in the fame, MAC just wants to be well-known, well-respected, and lyrically established. “Ten years from now I’ll be 31. By then I hope to own my own house here in South St. Louis County and be starting a family. I would love to be the co-founder of a major production label by then as well.”

            MAC’s strong St. Louisroots and life experiences have made him a talented lyricist. Although he has only been rapping since high school MAC is determined to be a hip hop legend and will do whatever it takes to get there. He will use his influences and mentors to grow as a person as well as a rapper. MAC’s heart and soul goes into his music. His words will tell the audience a story while his wittiness will change your average day to day objects and encounters into comical rhymes. If Marc stays focused in life and also on his goals there is no doubt this young man will have great opportunities in the future.

            “Life has taught me that no matter what it might be: family, friends, money, rights, or love, you never really appreciate any of it until it’s gone. So I live everyday like it’s my last and I cherish every moment I have here on Earth doing what I love to do.”         

— I am aware I might be the only fan of hip-hop music that reads these blogs, but let me know what you think about the article itself. Writing about music and artists is my passion and I hope one day to make it my career.

It’s a full day and a half later and I’m still trying to wipe the grin off my face. On Friday night, we had the launch party for A REASON FOR DYING at Main Street Books in St. Charles, Missouri. Over eighty people came out which was totally amazing and overwhelming. And a couple of people worked really hard to make it such a special night.

In store display with American Beer books

First, there was our dear friend Laurie Kraft. If you were there, you would have seen the beautiful woman in the tux shirt serving for me. She thought of all the little details that made things special. And despite a bad back, she worked the crowd like a professional and even brought in some people from the street to buy some books. Laurie, you have my sincerest gratitude.

Then there was my beautiful wife, Linda. She is so special to me and none of this would have been possible without her. I’m also thrilled that two of my daughters were able to celebrate with me, Kelly and Kristen. Kaitlin, my youngest, is out celebrating the Lord at bible camp.

Lisa Pavia, my publicist. The long hours leading up to the launch. The push for media and spending the party with her boyfriend Liam taking photographs.

Then there was Vickie Erwin, owner of Main Street Books. All I can say is “WOW!” I arrived to see a dozen or so copies in a window and a wonderful display right in front of the store. She also demonstrated her sense of humor by placing a few books on American Beer on the display. For those of you that don’t know, I work for Anheuser-Busch soon to be owned by the Belgium company Inbev. Of course there was the book scare, when the books didn’t arrive until the day of the party.

My Cake

Now about the night. I actually had a line! People waiting to visit and have my book autographed. I am in awe. As I reflect back, I’m surprised at how it’s hard to remember details. I know I wanted to get up and talk to my friends and family, but I kept getting called to sit back in the comfortable author’s chair to sign some more. In almost three hours, I didn’t get a piece of cake and I only got to drink one beer. My wrist and fingers ached, and even my face hurt from smiling all night. But I wouldn’t change a thing.

My Line

There were a number of authors that turned out to support me; Laura Bradford, Bobbi Smith and John Lutz took time out of their busy schedules. Of course there were family and friends, also members of the St. Louis Writers Guild and Sisters in Crime. There was even a couple from out of state, Bob and Alda that were on vacation and walking by. They came in and bought a book and chatted with me. It was awesome. I know I’m missing somebody.

John Lutz and I

Bobbi Smith and I

Laura Bradford and I

Several of the things I stressed about; books arriving on time, would I spell everyone’s name right, would I spell my own name right (remember, I never use Wilfred), would I be able to come up with good thoughts to write? Practice makes perfect. Yes, I practiced my signature and sayings. I even had a few written out and in my pocket. Someone asked me, how I came up with what to write. I told them I practiced and they laughed. I pulled the piece of paper from my pocket and they laughed hysterically. When is was all over I was exhausted and hungry. I realized I hadn’t eaten since 11 that morning and I was fighting to keep my eyes open. Despite all that, when my head hit the pillow, well after midnight, I just stared at the ceiling and smiled.

(How do you like all those exclamation marks? You had to be at the workshop to understand that question.)

The next day a friend asked, “What was the one thing that stood out for you in that workshop that you learned?” That was a tough question since there were many, but I’ll only give one (I recommend you attend Harvey’s next workshop if we are lucky enough to be blessed with his presence again). That is the usage (or non usage in Harvey’s case) of tag lines in dialogue.

If you can’t wait until Harvey comes in again and would like to know his tips for Effective Dialogue and Electric Narrative, then I’d suggest you purchase his book, Writing Realistic Dialogue & Flash Fiction. (As a bonus you learn about Flash Fiction.) The book is definitely worth every cent.

Thanks Harvey, a great workshop!

I say all this just to ease into a blatant plug for an article I wrote about golf that has been accepted on EzineArticles.com.  Go to that website, click on Recreation and Sports, and then click Golf, and you can scroll down a few places to find it. 

Now, excuse me while I go out in the back yard and work on my slice.