Dispatch #1
It’s been a fun week. On Tuesday, Amy and I went to see the new Darren Aronofsky film, Caught Stealing, based on the novel by Charlie Huston. Charlie wrote the screenplay, too, and the movie, starring Austin Butler, is a lot of fun. It’s wild, chaotic, violent, and sweet. And there’s a badass cat in it, as well! Also - IDLES did the kick-ass score. Really cool movie.
On Wednesday, I joined a friend to see three bands at Get Tight Lounge here in Richmond: Babe Lewis (who I believe are from Richmond), Golomb (from Ohio), and Merce Lemon (from Pittsburgh). Man, what a treat! From shoegazy jams to thunderous guitar riffs to soulful indie songs, I was really wowed each band’s unique energy. It was my first time seeing a show at Get Tight and I really dig the venue. There might have been fifty people there, total, and the vibe that night reminded me of the kind of house shows I would go to in the Fan during my college years at VCU. This is the one of the things I love about Richmond, you’ve got spots like The National and Brown’s Island (where I’m seeing Sierra Ferrell in a few days and Turnstile later this month) and then you’ve got more intimate spots like Get Tight. Good times!
On the writing front, I’m revising a screenplay treatment before I pass it on to a few friends to read. I really like what I have so far and I’m determined to get the details right, for character and setting. One of the main characters in the story is a former inmate and since the story is set in Virginia, I wanted to talk to someone involved in probation in the state of VA. I found a number for the local Henrico County probation office, but my calls weren’t answered and no one responded to the voicemail I left.
So, on Thursday, armed with my spanking new business cards!, I cold-called the office with an impromptu visit. I made it clear to the person behind the check-in desk that I’m not a journalist and I’m not looking for information on anyone in particular, that I’m just an author working on a personal project. And man, the folks who answered my questions and gave me a tour couldn’t have been nicer! I got some great information and detail for my character; I got an inside view of a working probation office, for visual reference; and in just a few hours, I’m talking to a soon-to-be-released inmate currently out on work-release. So, yeah for research! You’ll never know what you can do until you try. Get out there and knock on some doors!
Every few weeks, I get a sign from the universe that my two novels are out there in the world and folks are giving them a shot. Full disclosure - I don’t sell a lot of books, at least not right now. But yesterday, I got an email from the distribution service I use that let me know I sold 5 paperback copies of River City Blues last month. This is great! It’s also unusual. Instinctually, I wondered if the wonderful folks at Carytown’s Shelf Life Books re-stocked a few copies. After emailing them with an inquiry, turns out I was right! Writing can feel like a long and lonely road, so it’s nice to get a sign from the universe that my previous efforts have been worthwhile.
I’m not sure that Shine A Light has captured anyone’s attention the way I would have liked, but I’m still happy it’s out in the world. I do think I could have worked harder to craft a more compelling front cover, tbh. In any case, it’s out there and I’m delighted that folks can check it out from the Henrico County Public Library.
My son and I are getting chopped cheese sandwiches later and watching Blade Runner 2049. This weekend, I’m also reading, playing guitar, and mowing the lawn. Life is good. Until next time, as always, The Ward Abides.