The Raindancer, The Write Life

Life’s Not About Waiting for the Storms to Pass

richwillis Five years ago today Rich Willis went home to be with the Lord after his battle with cancer. This family man, inspiring friend, and all-around good guy leaves a legacy of unwavering faith, positive attitude, indomitable sense of humor, and compassion for others that is lived out daily through his family and friends.

Their stories will present the world in a whole new light and give you the courage to dance in the midst of life’s storms.

(Trust me, Gene Kelly’s got nothing on this guy.)

The Raindancer, The Write Life

Newsflash!

Newsflash

The first third of the second draft of The Raindancer is done! I hope to have a completed second draft by the end of July. Keep your fingers crossed.

Now I’m recruiting a few readers to take a peek at the first half before too long. I also need a couple of pairs of eyes to read the whole thing in its entirety, once I’ve completed the second draft. And even a couple more to read something a lot more polished. But there’s a catch: you’ll only get to read one version. Why? Because it’s tough for anyone to give a first impression of a second reading. So choose wisely.

Thanks, y’all!

(It’s amazing what a couple of large servings of home-brewed iced coffee and do. Now, about these jitters…)

The Write Life

What I’ve Really Been Up To for the Past 9 Months

Welcome back! (I intended that as much for myself as you.) Yes, it has been a while. I haven’t posted anything to this blog in a while because I’ve been a bit preoccupied over the last nine months.

After nine months of finagling, haggling, sleepless nights, and almost backing out of the whole process (well, not really), I am happy to announce the birth of the completed first draft of my second book. Mind you, the thing may as well be written in Sanskrit for anyone else’s purposes, but it’s here!

I also felt compelled to let you know that as I sit here moving passages of text around into what will hopefully become coherent passages, tears well in my eyes—and not from vainglory, eye strain, or labor pains. I weep because the truth in the source material (notes from a dear friend and transcripts of interviews) is so simple, so profound that it still moves me. And I’ve been poring over this stuff for months.

So I guess I should say that I’m happy knowing that The Raindancer will help many of you see yourself and the world in a different way.

The Bigger Picture

Valentines Day: Straight, No Chaser

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I have a friend named Gracie who revealed, in light of the annual recognition of all things love, her anguish over a failed relationship from six years ago. The last thing Gracie wanted or needed from me was cursory “get over it” or “you should be happy for him.” I put on my tuffy pants and we had a chat about fear, pain, and a few other messy topics.

I told Gracie that for whatever reason, the feelings of bliss she and Sir Douche shared came to an end. And that kind of rejection hurts. Deeply. From where I stood, it looked like she had been holding on to rose-colored memories of the way she thought things were; feelings of resentment, angst, and agita; which resulted in her keeping their heart closed to potential opportunities because she was afraid of being rejected. Over the years, Gracie mixed in fears of never finding someone who would love her the way she thought her ex did. How could she grab on to something new while holding on to something old. 

Gracie warmed up to the idea that when faced with the option of living in a new (or potentially uncomfortable) emotional space, she might be reliving previous hurts not because it felt good, but because it was familiar. The majority of people would much rather stay in what’s familiar—even if it’s painful—than tread the deep waters of the unfamiliar regardless of how beneficial the end result might be.

This is where I thought my head was going to pop off. Gracie’s wasted eight years of her life on someone who has moved on and hasn’t looked back. Gracie lives in Chicago. There are dozens, if not hundreds of available men out there who would be more than happy to go out with her, if she gave them a chance. Those are pretty good odds, when you consider that all she needs is one man. But you know what? Gracie can’t meet them because she’s comfortable wallowing in the “that was the only man who’ll ever love me” stew.

This was difficult conversation to have with Gracie, but sometimes a good friend is the only one who’ll give it to you straight, with no chaser.

You see, Gracie has so much going for her. She’s smart, funny, personable, has the biggest heart for people, and she doesn’t bullshit people. When she gives her word, people know that Gracie will take care of it. This woman has character, and I don’t mean that in any theatrical sense. She’s got backbone, the intangible “it” scores of people pretend to have. And when she wants to, Gracie can look like a million bucks. 

Gracie doesn’t get that the aforementioned qualities are gifts from God. Not every man is looking for a woman with character. And that’s okay, because any man who’s less than her equal doesn’t deserve her. What’s most frustrating is that she doesn’t see all that she is and all that she’s been given. She doesn’t see what it is we who know and love her admire about her.

To Gracie, and anyone else out there looking to make a change in their life, it’s not as hard as you’re imagining it to be. You want to talk about hard choices? I know people—who have faced cancer, the loss of a loved one, have shed some serious weight, battled drug addiction and/or alcohol, and dealt with the loss of a child—I’ll put you in touch with them. There’s no magic pill or frontal lobotomy that gets you through it. Change is a process and it’s done minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. It’s a choice. Yes, it’s work to move from what’s comfortable into the unknown, but think of it this way: you’re not putting yourself “out there,” you’re putting yourself back into yourself.

Little by little, anyone can do it. Sometimes we can treat ourselves worse than anyone else on the planet. And in those instances, we’re the only ones who can change that. A little confidence goes a long way.

If you’ve got a word or two of encouragement for Gracie, please feel free to leave your thoughts as a comment on this post. I’m sure she’d relish reading them. Thanks.

The Bigger Picture

2013—What the Hell Was That All About?

2013

Looking back, my 2013 consisted of more year-round coursework at the School of Hard Knocks. Here’s a review of the ups, downs, and in-betweens of my studies.

Winter Quarter

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January  After completing my twelfth and (unbeknownst to me at the time) final season with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, I returned to Orlando, slept for a few days and began reading the source material for my next book “The Raindancer.”

February marked the beginning of a three-year commitment to serve as a lector (someone who reads scripture) at the cathedral. The dean (the head priest at a cathedral appointed by the bishop) was eager to have me onboard and made arrangements for the construction of a custom step unit which is virtually invisible from any pew to aid me in reaching the podium’s microphone. You might think the transition to ecclesiastical podium from stage facile given my years of experience in live theater, but it proved to be more nerve-wracking than even I expected. My training included an intensive orientation to lector protocol, choreography, and for three different services. Granted no genuflecting is involved, but there’s enough formalities to make a professional understudy nervous.

Spring Quarter

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Yes, this is a Christmas photo. I don’t have one from Easter on hand … yet.

March  The highlight: serving as the lector for the 8:00 a.m. service on Easter Sunday. Ah-mazing!

April 2013 marked my mother’s eightieth birthday. My plan was to send my mother on a week-long cruise, but after the Carnival Cruise Lines mishap in the Gulf of Mexico, a lot of hemming and hawing on my mom’s part, and one remaining day for me to get a 100% refund for the cruise, I finally got it out of her that relaxing on the high seas was the last thing she wanted to do. What did she want? A quiet dinner with her family. So much for my easy “get-her-to-the-ship-on-time” solution, hello Plan B: dinner party for twenty. And if you’ve ever thrown a dinner party, you know how easy that is. (The previous sentence was abject sarcasm.) Despite minimal support from my siblings, mom’s birthday dinner was a success.

Lesson learned: expressions of gratitude are not about the gift, it’s about the recipient and their wishes.

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Also in April, I made my annual pilgrimage to New York to audition for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. While there, I took in a show (“Motown the Musical”), saw a couple of friends, and had a fabulous meal with an old friend from the Christmas Spectacular at Tremont.

Summer Quarter
Early June
  No contract offer to participate in the 2013 Christmas Spectacular. The most bitter aspect of that jagged little pill: missing friends I’d made over the years and the culture shock of being in Orlando for the holidays.

Lesson learned: being a friend is no guarantee that the gesture will be returned in kind.

Late June  At the gracious invitation of the aforementioned Tremont friend from the Christmas show and his fiancée, my dog Jack and I got to see how the other half summers when we took a much anticipated vacation in the Hamptons. The week was glorious. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so lauded, chauffeured, and well-fed. Needless to say, a deeper friendship has been forged.

Lesson learned: go where you’re celebrated, not where you’re tolerated.

depression

August ushered in a hellish bout of depression. I’m sure getting cock-blocked for the third time by the same person at a Disney interview had a lot to do with it. I also have to make note of one beneficent friend who went to great lengths to brighten my disposition. Great lengths. Thanks, Greg.

Lesson learned: when God closes a door, more often than not, that mo-fo ain’t re-opening for a long time so don’t waste your time trying to open it.

Fall Quarter
September
 For roughly five months, I pored over notes, interviews, photos, and the like, and wrote the book proposal for my second book, and received the greenlight to begin writing the first draft. Despite, downturns in just about every other aspect of my life; preparations for this book went smashingly well.

And I must give kudos to friends (old and new) who have been generous with their time in sharing their deeply personal stories and others who shared professional knowledge with me.

Lesson learned: leave the locked door alone and go for the window, especially when there are people willing to help.

Early October  I sold quite a few copies of my book once I got over the fear of becoming that guy who’s always saying, “buy my book, buy my book, buy my book.”

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October through November  I threw myself headlong into writing the first draft of “The Raindancer.” I hoped to have the entire first draft completed by the end of the year, but amidst Christmas withdrawals, Facebook updates about Christmas in New York, and conducting more interviews and research for the book than anticipated, I only got through the first quarter of it.

Winter Quarter
December  Writing this book is both a personal and professional challenge. I have a vision for where it should go and what I think God wants it to be. He’s supplying the resources to get it written, but in all honesty . . . I’m a little afraid of the task that lies before me. I shipped off copies of what I have of the first draft to key people for feedback. In my heart of hearts I wanted them all to say that it was beyond my abilities, just plain awful, or that the family wanted to put a stop to the project.

Well.

You’ll be glad to know that God has no intention of stopping my involvement with the project and I have no intention of sabotaging this work He’s begun. The family wants to forge on, the medical advisors like it, and I have nothing to take up my time otherwise.

Lesson in the process of learning: I don’t know. Do what’s in front you? Answer the call?

You know, my intention is not to sound whiny, but this year has been tough. Very tough. But it’s also been gloriously rich with blessings. First and foremost, I still have my mother, who is in fantastic health. I’m in good health and of sound mind (despite what many of you might say). And there’s a small circle of friends who encourage and inspire me to be and do better. I hope in some way that I return the favor in kind.

Anyway . . . as for 2013, I don’t think I’ve ever been so glad to leave a year in the past, but I’ll try to bring the lessons learned with me into 2014. I do hate do-overs. But when considering the alternative, I’ve very happy to have been around for every day of the year known as 2013. I’m also very grateful for God’s mercies. I’m also thankful for you. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Friends, I wish you peace, love, contentment, good health, prosperity, and the fullness of God’s blessings now and throughout the new year!

Christmas

Merry Christmas—a Recipe from Me to You!

My version of Tyler Florence's Banana Bread.
My version of Tyler Florence’s Banana Bread.

A few weeks ago I uploaded the above picture of a banana bread loaf I made on Facebook. Who knew so many of you liked banana bread? Since I can’t get a loaf of banana bread to each and every one of you, what I can do is share this recipe with you! (I wish I could take credit for the recipe, but it’s celebrity chef Tyler Florence’s recipe.)

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 overripe bananas
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions
Preheat over to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

Mash 2 of the bananas with a fork in a small bowl so they still have a bit of texture. With an electric mixer fitted with a wire whisk, whip the remaining bananas and sugar together for a good 3 minutes; you want a light and fluffy banana cream. Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla; beat well and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix in the dry ingredients just until incorporated; no need to overly blend. Fold in the nuts and the mashed bananas with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Give the pan a good rap on the counter to get any air bubbles out.

Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Don’t get nervous if the banana bread develops a crack down the center of the loaf; that’s no mistake, it’s typical. Rotate the pan periodically to ensure even browning.

Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes or so, and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Toast the slices of banana bread, dust with confectioner’s sugar, and serve.

Enjoy and merry Christmas!

And if you’re really bad with recipes, here’s a link to a video with Tyler making this very banana bread!

Christmas, The Raindancer, The Write Life

All I Want For Christmas Is My New … First Draft

Turkey-carcassNow that two major events of the fall have passed (Thanksgiving and the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree), I can say that the holidays are in full swing. Unfortunately, I’m unable to say the same about the total number of written blog posts for this time of year. Nothing’s swinging there, no movement at all. One reason for my sedentary post numbers is that I’m not in New York this fall. The other is that I’ve been toiling over a hot MacBook Pro working on my next book, The Raindancer.

rock-treeThe writing style for this book is a departure from my usual cheeky regaling of firsthand experiences. Just about everything you’ve read of mine so far has been non-fiction. The Raindancer, an inspired by real events tome, requires that I take the essence of real-life situations and populate them with fictitious characters in imagined settings and still have them read as plausible to the reader.

How am I doing that?

I’ve completed a basic outline and book proposal (a more in-depth outline) that covers, themes, characters and their development, conflicts, blah, blah, blah. Next comes—

christmas-typewriterThe First Draft

As Ernest Hemingway so eloquently put it, “the first draft of anything is shit.” That’s because the first draft is a the phase when the writer put his thoughts on paper, real or virtual. Writers are encouraged to write with wild abandon since writing is rewriting and rewriting and rewriting again.

I sat at my keyboard ready to let the thoughts in my head flow freely from my fingertips to my keyboard and. . .nada. Nix. Ne rien. This wasn’t like telling about the time I stood waiting on a subway platform at 2:00 a.m. with one of New York’s seedier denizens lurking around. I had to put my main character in a specific place and time and have him realistically experience things in a fictional setting.

That’s my challenge. I have to create as opposed to recall events.

This isn’t so bad, as sometimes I can swap out an interest in marching band with an interest in theater (since I know about that and it won’t change the direction of the story). The real fun comes in when I have to write about I have no experience with, like motorcycles. I can’t fake my way through that because anyone familiar with motorcycles will see right through my writing. I can’t swap out that hobby with something about which I have a working knowledge, like knitting. It won’t fly. Everything I know about motorcycles can fit on the head of a pin.

So in instances like that, I have to interview people, people who have a working knowledge and appreciation of motorcycles. Pity I don’t like talking one on one to people, right?

The Interview

Typically, I prepare my questions in advance, thinking of the entire book and what specific information will I need to glean from the interviewee(s). We get together, I tell them exactly what the book is about so that there’s no misinterpretation as to what’s going on, and we start in. It’s like being Arsenio Hall with a celebrity guest, but without the set, the audience, the lights, the band, and the big check. It is however way more fun than Mr. Hall’s job, I’m sure.

I have a personal relationship with 90% of the people I’ve interviewed thus far, so that gives us both a certain level of trust which puts us both at ease. Each and everyone of my subjects has answered every question asked of them, but they’ve also given me a lot of background on what else was going on in their lives at that time. And more often than not it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. It’s the nitty-gritty parts of life. It’s been the writers dream of getting for character development.

In the beginning, I thought I could conduct these interviews and rely on taking notes during the session to catch all the relevant information.

Wrong.

Because these people are friends of mine, they’re sharing things with me that are personal. Things I’ve never known, so of course, I’m going to be engrossed in what they’re telling me. Can you imagine taking notes while catching up with someone you haven’t seen in a few years? Yeah, it doesn’t make for total recall.

Thank you, Steve Jobs, for putting a voice recorder into every iPhone. Now I whip out my iPhone and record the interviews.

Storyweaving

After a couple of days I listen the recording and cherry-pick all the stuff I need for the book. Then I mull over where all this raw information is going to go and how I’ll disguise it as fiction, and finally start weaving it loosely into the first draft.

Easy, huh? (That was abject sarcasm at its finest.)

I never thought it’d be easy, but it’s more challenging than I thought. Ergo, the delayed timeline. The cool thing is that every step of the way, the people I’ve needed to to interview have popped up at exactly the right time I’ve needed them. And they’ve all been more than eager to help out.

I hoped to have the first draft done by the end of the year, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. And that’s okay. I’m dedicated to this project and believe that this book has the potential to change a lot of people’s lives for the better. I’m sure of it.

So while my butt is in Orlando and a part of my heart is still in New York; I’m pouring the rest of myself into this book and spending long-awaited quality time with my family and friends.