Out of the Silent Planet  begins C. S. Lewis’s acclaimed Space Trilogy.  I purchased this book at a science fiction convention called Confluence here in the Pittsburgh area.  One thing I have always appreciated about the writing of C. S. Lewis is that his prose is very crisp, there is never an idle or wasted word.  Lewis, along with H. G. Wells and J. R. R. Tolkien, were certainly the grandfathers of sciene fiction and fantasy genres as we know them today. 

The main character, Dr. Ranson, has been kidnapped from earth by human captors and flown by a man-made ship to the world of Malacandra.  His abductors intend to turn him over to the sorns, one of three sentient creatures on the planet, to serve as a human sacrifice. 

An allegorical tale with an engaging, thoughful storyline, it is a testament to human strength and the fight for survival.  I am looking forward to picking up the rest of the trilogy.

If you have read it or buy it now, please let me know what you thought!

Janette

I’ve Been Tagged!

I got tagged from TenTwelve.  I’m supposed to name five fictional characters that I would want to have sex with.  Hmm…interesting tag, but I suppose it gets the creative juices flowing. 

1.  I am lumping three together as the first selection since they are all from the same Vampire series by Anne Rice:  Lestat because he is so bratty and so pretty; Louis because he is wounded and beautiful; and Michael Curry because he a big hunk of Irish studliness with a broken heart.

2.  Aragorn, son of Arathorn, from Lord of the Rings:  Strong and wise, he’s the perfect combination of brains and brawn.

3.  Fox Mulder from X-Files:  There is something about a tortured, intelligent, fine-looking man that just does me in every time.

4.  Arthur Dent from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy:  He’s a confused, likeable, befuddled English fop cruising the universe in his bathrobe.  To me, there is something adorable about that.

5.  Luke Skywalker from Star Wars:  Some crushes never die.  

Since I don’t know very many people on this site, and the people I do know have most certainly already been tagged, I’m not sure if I should take the chance of offending anyone.  However, I did sign up for this blogring, so maybe I’ll just randomly pick a few people and see what happens…

More updates on that later.

Janette

PS:  Upon reviewing my list, I just realized what an absolute total sci-fi geek I am. 

Not Music/Theater/Writing Related, but Cool Nonetheless…

As some of you may or may not know, during the day I masquerade as a banker for Citizens Bank.  Well, I won a contest for having the highest loan sales, and I get a VIP pass to the Pittsburgh Steeler’s training camp!!  Monday afternoon, I get a paid 1/2 off so that I can go to St. Vincent’s college in Latrobe (one of the places where the Steelers train).  While there, I get to meet the players, toss the pigskin around (even though I’ll throw like a girl), and in the evening, dine in a pavillion tent on the fifty yard line with the team.  How cool is that????!!!!!!????

Anyway, as you can imagine, I think its brilliant!

Here we go Steelers, Here We Go!

Janette

You Win Some, You Lose Some…

Sigh…I received some bad news today.  The murder mystery I was going to be this August has been canceled due to low reservations.  But since I was supposed to be at rehearsal tonight, I am going to leave the house anyway and go some place quiet and cozy and work on my budding story.

If you read an earlier posting, you would know that my characters were Ellie and Bobby.  I’ve decided that those names are a little too mundane, at least for this story.  Let me tell you a little bit about these two and maybe you’ll have some suggestions.

The-Character-Formerly-Known-As-Ellie:  She’s very wounded from a traumatic childhood and a tortured, abusive relationship.  She is a concert pianist, extremely intelligent, and as of my last scribblings, she is foreign and while somewhat plain, has a an exotic air.  As for which country, probably Ireland or Spain (as I am half-Irish, half-Spanish so a bit partial, yes I know.)  The name does not necessarily need to be of those origins as here parents were cosmopolitan.

The-Character-Formerly-Known-As-Bobby:  He is tough, philosophical, owns his own plumbing business.  He used to play piano, but failed at his attempts to make a living at it, a suffering artist.  He is very educated, a masters degree in Theology.  His first wife committed suicide and he has never really recovered.  He has one child, a son named Lark (hippy name from his dead mother) who plays guitar and knows The-Character-Formerly-Known-As-Ellie from college.  Lark is who brings the two main characters into each other’s lives.  I’m thinking now that Bobby is a little too cutesy for the type of man he is.

I am tossing a few names around.  Got any suggestions?  Post them here or send me an email.

Thanks,

Janette

Anticipation…

I feel like the Heinz ketchup bottle tipped on its side, waiting for the goodness to pour out while Carly Simon sings in the background.  I’ve been thinking about my characters all day, wondering who they are, how they will turn out.  I’m thinking Ellie and Bobby though will be undergo a name change. 

Something I need to remember to do is carry my notebook or palm pilot with me.  I’ve been thinking of words, phrases, chapter endings, scenes and I don’t want to lose any of them.  My characters are taking shape in my mind and but I still know so little about them.  I know where they are headed, I just don’t know yet how they have gotten to where they are presently. 

Usually ending a story for me is the hard part.  In this case, I think I know where it will end.  I’m getting tied up at the beginning. 

Waiting and Wanting,

Janette

Teaching An Old Dog New Tricks

An idea for a story had been ruminating in my brain for a few days.  After I thought I had mentally laid the foundation, I attempted to begin writing.  It just wasn’t flowing.  I knew what I wanted to say, but couldn’t figure out how to begin.

Robert Louis Stevenson used to refer to the drive to write as “The Demon.”  Usually, that is how I prefer to write.  I’ll come up with a thought, idea, or come across a poetic form that I want to try and let the imagination possess me.  If “the demon” does not show his face, I’ll lay down my pen and notebook and revisit it another time.

In this instance though, I felt I wanted to capture some of what I wanted to say even though I wasn’t sure how it would ultimately piece together.  One word of advice that I remembered from a writer’s conference I attended earlier this July was to create an outline.  I had heard those words before, but usually scoffed at them.  I wanted to let my words and emotions flow.  This time I tried something new.

I outlined certain personality traits I wanted to infuse my characters with.  Then I mapped out the major points of conflict and the emotional focus of the story.  Now perhaps “the demon” will take over and lead my characters, Ellie and Bobby, down a different path.  I do not know which road these two will take, but at least I have surveyed the land.

Until later,

Janette

All The World’s a Stage…

I have been performing in concerts, plays, operas, and musicals almost my entire life.  Unfortunately, I have not seen as many plays as I have been in.  I am looking to change that.  It is so important to support live theater.

This weekend, I saw two terrific shows; The Who’s “Tommy” and “The Rainmaker.”  The music in Tommy is outstanding, the concept is unique, and with crisp technical effects, well-executed choreography, and in-your-face rock and roll, it makes for a fun night. 

“The Rainmaker” is a beautiful story of finding love in the unlikeliest way.  Katherine Hepburn played the role of Lizzie in the movie version.  Her performance was breathtaking and her portrayal of Lizzie as self-sufficient and tragic showed Kate’s acting chops and helped make her a household name.  The young lady in The Summer Company’s performance was a little edgier, but still very effective.  The ensemble was flawless although I admit to a little prejudice (my father-in-law Ray was the Sherriff.) 

Next weekend, I am going to watch my husband play the Narrator/Mysterious Man in “Into the Woods.”  This play is a modern classic based on the fairy tales most children grow up knowing.  The musical is also a favorite of mine.

I am adding to my Resolutions in July list (see my previous post) to see less Hollywood and more live theater.  By the way, if you’d like to do the same, in August I’ll be playing Sandy Sterling in “It’s My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To!” at the Funny Bone in Station Square.  Its a mystery/comedy and very fun.  Email me for dates and times if you’d like to see it.

Goodnight,

Janette

Christmas in July

I want to start a new tradition for myself.  If malls and furniture stores can have Christmas in July, than I am going to start Resolutions in July. 

Every January, I start the year off with a list of habits to break or make.  During this process, I tend to focus on things that I don’t like about myself.  Sometimes I am able to stay to task, other times the resolve withers before it has had a chance to take root.  I have decided for the July edition that I will focus on fostering and nurturing my strengths instead of fretting about my weaknesses.

I feel this is important because of the large amount of time spent on “have to” projects versus “want to” projects.  Now of course, the “have to’s” are necessary: bills do not pay themselves, dishes that stay in the sink too long attract flies and since public nudism is still illegal, laundry must be done.  But the “want to’s” are what get me out of bed every morning.  They are the activities that bring sustenance and meaning to my life.

These are my July Resolutions:

1.  I will write something creatively every day.  I often spare five minutes for meaningless activity.  I will take out time for myself and my writing.

2.  I started yoga this June and fell in love with it.  I will continue my practice at least once a week to help build a strong body and a serene mind.

3.  I will make music.  I will lift my voice, turn on my keyboard, or pick up my clarinet for at least a few moments daily.

4.  I will try do something nice for a loved one or a stranger at least once a week.  I will try not to get caught.

5.  I will pick up each one of my cats and scritch them before I go to sleep. 

6.  I will read at least one book for pleasure and one book for learning before the summer is over.

If you have decided to make a resolution for July, I would love to hear about it.  I am grateful for the chance to share with you.

Warmest Regards,

Janette

Greetings,

My name is Janette Patterson Schafer.  For lack of a better word, my blog “mission statement” is to update interested parties on upcoming events of interest, to give my loyal readers a chance to view and comment on my latest writings, and to share my thoughts, musings, and opinions with those who would take the time to look.  I hope you find these snippets of my life and work interesting, newsy, emotionally satisfying, thought-provoking, and fun.

Now, to end my first posting, and set the tone for what this site should be about, I’d like to include a few lines from a favorite song, “No One Is Alone,” from the musical “Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim:

“Sometimes people leave you.
Halfway through the wood.
Others may deceive you.
You decide whats good.
You decide alone.
But no one is alone.”

I look forward to our journey together.

Very truly yours,

Janette Patterson Schafer