Monthly Archives: March 2011

Help Me Cast Rhythms & Muse: The (Hypothetical) Movie

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Ever since I started telling people my 30-second synopsis of Rhythms & Muse, more often than not they respond, “That would make a good movie!”

Image from Salvatore Vuono’s portfolio.

I can envision specific actors portraying my characters (which I’ll share at the end), but I’d love if those of you familiar with the book, or who read through the descriptions below, would suggest actors to play both the teenaged and 40-something roles of the main six characters in the story. Don’t forget a number of them are musical. (You know, of course, I already have  a head start on the soundtrack with the five songs I composed for my CD. Yay!)

Let’s see if we can come to some consensus on who should be in the movie. Who knows, if I sell the story eventually, we might actually be able to pursue the actors you suggest here. So, hit me with your best star!

Add a comment at the end of this post including your casting choices for the teenaged actor and the 40-something actor who could potentially play one or all of my characters. You can use this format when you comment:

Character: [name]
Teen actor: [suggested name]
40-something actor: [suggested name]

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

Alexandra Lauren

  • The heroine
  • In love with Matt
  • Striking/curly light blonde hair/green eyes/slim/5’4”
  • Practical, almost controlling
  • Disbelieving of intuitions at first
  • Driven
  • Talented vocalist
  • Honest
  • Loyal
  • Witty
  • Smart

Matt Roberts

  • Childhood friend of Daniel and Kathy
  • In love with Alex
  • Handsome/honey brown hair/hazel eyes/slim/5’10”
  • Talented composer/pianist
  • Frustrated with home responsibilities forced on him by his parents
  • Dreamer
  • Home-body
  • Loner
  • Loves kids
  • Honest
  • Smart

Daniel Post

  • Matt’s conniving best friend, childhood friend of Kathy
  • In love with Alex
  • Gorgeous/blonde/blue eyes/athletic/6’1”
  • Conniving and manipulative
  • Resourceful
  • Jock/athletic
  • Smart
  • Loves action

Kathy Sampson

  • Daniel and Matt’s childhood friend, former best friend of Suzanne, hates Alex
  • In love with Matt
  • Pretty/brunette/brown eyes/lanky/5’7”
  • Follower, not leader
  • Loves catering and planning parties
  • Smart
  • Loyal
  • Resourceful

Suzanne Briggs

  • Alex’s best friend
  • In love with Brett
  • Plain/brunette/brown eyes/plump/5’6”
  • Hippie-ish
  • Insightful
  • Wise
  • Generous
  • Friendly
  • Funny

Brett Thompkins

  • School friend of Alex’s
  • In love with Suzanne
  • Cute/ginger-haired/hazel eyes/wiry/5’9”
  • Funny
  • Friendly
  • Dorky
  • From Texas

Here are my initial choices:

Alexandra Lauren
Teen: Emma Watson (Hermione in Harry Potter)
40s: Elizabeth Shue (Back to the Future), Jodi Foster, Drew Barrymore
Matt Roberts:
Teen: Nathan Kress (iCarly)
40s: Penn Badgley (John Tucker Must Die, Easy A), Jake Gyllenhaal
Daniel Post
Teen: Tom Felton (Harry Potter)
40s: Joseph Gorden-Levitt (Inception)
Kathy Sampson
Teen: Anna Kendrick (Twilight)
40s: Lauren Graham (Loralei in The Gilmore Girls), Diane Lane
Suzanne Briggs
Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter)
40s: Marissa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny, Crazy Stupid Love), Sandra Bullock
Brett Thompkins
Teen: Jim Phelps (Harry Potter)
40s: Tom Wilson (Biff in Back to the Future)

Do you agree? Who else can you suggest?

Suggestions for Selling Books, etc., at Expos

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I recently staffed a table to sell my Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD at the Arizona CityFest Women’s Luncheon and Expo. Between talking with visitors, I made note of certain tactics effective in drawing people into a booth.

My friend Janet Drez (R) and her daughter Summer (L) at my expo table.

Here are some of the techniques I identified:

  • Register early so you get the best pick of tables considering the traffic flow
  • Wear a name tag
  • Fill your table corners so attendees can’t place purses or other items on them, which block your table visibility
  • Have a focal point on your table that draws the eye, like flowers, a computer monitor, etc.
  • Use good eye contact
  • Ask a compelling question as someone walks past the table
  • Offer special discounts just for that day
  • Offer neat finger foods like cookies, hard candy or licorice
  • If you’re selling from the booth, make sure product prices are prominently, but tastefully, displayed
  • Stand in front of the table to hand out “leave-behind” marketing, like a business card, postcard or flier
  • Remember to bring sufficient change for cash purchases
  • Provide receipts

What else can you suggest?

Coffee CommuniTea: Cupz N’ Crepes, Ahwatukee, AZ

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Pleasant French décor, comfy seating, good food. What's not to like?! ©2011 ANVidean

Today’s Coffee CommuniTea
Cupz N’ Crepes
Coffeehouse and Creperie
Owner: Terri Martinez

The Grounds (location)
4232 E. Chandler Blvd.
Ahwatukee, AZ 85048
480-706-1963
www.cupzncrepes.com

Tea Times (hours)
Mon.–Fri., 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Share a cuppa (the stories)
My associate Kim Cecere of ON Point Communications introduced me to Cupz N’ Crepes a few weeks ago. We had a brunch meeting there to talk about writing. (I tell you, writers always have their Coffee CommmuniTea venues of choice!)

A late-start school day was a good excuse to visit Cupz N' Crepes with my daughter Codi. ©2011 ANVidean

Walking in, I immediately liked the décor and the feeling of the place, especially as a quiet spot for conversations. I ordered a savory crepe with vegetables and feta, which was very tasty. I know some people adore that lightly sweet crepe flavor, but I just have a hard time thoroughly enjoying it with salty foods. So, when I took my daughter Codi to Cupz N’ Crepes for brunch and to take photos, I tried a salad. Deliciously fresh! Next time, I’ll try a sweet crepe like honey, bananas and almonds. Yum!

I can totally picture me sitting here with my writer friends to brainstorm plot lines! ©2011CEVidean

I see why this coffeehouse was voted one of the best new business venues in Ahwatukee, and best for breakfast and customer service.

What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)
• Crepes, both savory and sweet
• Bagels
• Salads
• Coffee drinks
• A few teas

Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)
The vibe at Cupz N’ Crepes, both times, felt energized and positive. A flow of people came in to order to-go drinks, others sat and enjoyed conversations over their cups and crepes. I can imagine a group of writers or musicians sitting on the couches in the back to share creative ideas and lots of laughs. The environment is clean and pleasant. I’ll definitely go back.

Perks (What I really like!)
• The quiet ambience
• Well lit
• Plenty of space between tables
• A comfortable lounging area with couches, a TV and books
• A colorful paint scheme highlighted with lovely reflective triangular mirrors, and ample shelving for tea sets, photographs and other French décor
• Fresh, delicious food

The Grind (what I would change)
• No grounds for not really liking this place. 😀

Yelp rating:
4 stars

……………………

I love connecting people and ideas, so I’ve been creating small villages my entire life. Really, what better places can writers and musicians find to create “village” than independent coffee/tea shops? I wrote most of my Rhythms & Muse novel in coffee/tea venues, so it seemed natural to create this blog. Whether you came here to find a new favorite hangout, or suggest a spot not yet not posted, may you find Coffee CommuniTea exactly to your taste!