Monday, July 18, 2011

Change of Theme: Music I listen to while writing

I've been posting so far about my development as a writer. I hope you've enjoyed the ride and - for you new writers - the lessons I've learned. I'll keep on with the overall theme over time, but I thought I'd jump away every now and then to let you inside my head a little more. I listen to jazz music via Pandora while I write. The music is on from the moment I arrive at the office until I leave for home. Here are my favorites, the ones that seeded my personal jazz station.


John Coltrane was, in my opinion, the most talented jazz saxophonist ever. He had a tendency to experiment with his music - a little too much for most people - but I absolutely love his musics's style, range and grace.


Few people will disagree with my assessment of Miles Davis as the best jazz trumpeter ever. Just YouTube him and play his most popular songs and you'll hear why.


Thelonius Monk was unique - a jazz pianist without peer.


My Music Genome is based on the talents of these three men.

Friday, July 15, 2011

The Proof

I received the proof pages yesterday from Bloomsbury. It is the first time I've seen Avery McShane and the Silver Spurs in the format that will be published. It is cool - 210 pages of cool. The pages numbers have little spurs next to them. The chapter headers are great. The only thing that the proof doesn't have is the cover art, which I've already received separately. I think the art is posted on this blog, but you can also find it posted on my website (www.gleighlyons.com), on Avery's blog (www.averymcshane.blogspot.com) and on the new Avery McShane Fan Page on Facebook. I hope you'll join the Fan Page.

The proof page for the map of Campo Mata is still blank, but my editor says that I'll be seeing it soon. I will be sure to post that when it comes out, too. This whole process has been a blast, and one helluva learning curve. When The Pirates of Xingu and Paleopeople find homes, and the same process starts for them, I'll be ready for it.

Bottom-line is that with each passing day I've been feeling more and more like real author. Now I have proof.