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Posted on February 21, 2019 by Ann Videan

Looking for details on faerie portals and Faeries’ Tales?
Visit our Absolutely Wild! web page.

The Latest…
(updated 5/3/2023)

The next roundtable gathering of the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors, & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) writers’ collective, will take place at: 11:30 a.m., Thurs., June 8, 2023, at Mimi’s restaurant in Chandler, AZ. Our established authors will meet in-person to discuss writing topics and support one another.

Avatar for Book Shepherd Ann Narcisian Videan

Come on in!
I’m so glad you’ve found our little online community! Here, we share ideas to create and market better writing, music, and “village.”
Throw in a few “Coffee CommuniTea” coffee and tea-shop reviews, and we’re golden, right? What better places for writing, enjoying music, and creating community?
Our goal is to generate success together, using fresh tactics to get the ‘verse buzzing about cool creative endeavors. Come in and join us…
—Ann

………..

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish

P.S. Learn more about my novels on my Amazon Author Central page.

Find me elsewhere online.

Ann Videan’s Phoenix-area writing events this spring:

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Ann Videan

Ann with her books at the Tempe Public Library

You may benefit from these writing events…

Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors, and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS)

Meet in-person with the ALWAYS writers’ tribe of established authors to discuss writing and support one another. In March, we’re talking about the structure of the ALWAYS group and how to better interact with and support one another. I hope you can join us! (We meet the second Thursday of each month in Gilbert, except for the first Thursday of each quarter when we meet in Phoenix.)
Romeo’s Euro Cafe, downtown Gilbert, AZ
11:30 a.m., Thurs., March 14, 2019

My Words Jump Off The Page!
[A presentation at the Society of Southwestern Authors—Valley of the Sun Chapter.]

Authors, learn a handful of writing and editing techniques to help you discover ways to build visual imagery and emotion, and subconsciously compel readers into your story. I’ll share my thirty years of marketing experience to show you how to make your story “jump off the page” for readers and publishers. In this two-hour hands-on session, explore:

The edits I make most often as an editor
What to look for when hiring an editor
Leveraging the scene question to develop a compelling plot line
Writing with active voice, and deep point-of-view
More effective editing tips using MS Word

Tempe Public Library
2:30–4:40 p.m., Sunday, April 28, 2019

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth strategy

P.S. Learn more about my novels on my Amazon Author Central page.

Will this video shatter you, too?

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Ann Videan

You may have seen this video, since it released in 2014, but I only ran across it a couple of days ago. I love its visuals, the music, the concept…

Lindsey Stirling is an amazing violinist, composer and dancer, and performance artist. So creative!

Combined with Lzzy Hale’s powerful vocals—best known in her lead singing/rhythm guitar role for the hard rock band Halestorm—’tis, well… shattering!

Can you suggest another cool video to share with us?

Book or movie? Choose your poison – ALWAYS.

Posted on June 11, 2018 by Ann Videan

The party tree—where Bilbo celebrated his eleventieth birthday—on the Alexander Farm film set in New Zealand. Is the tree described better by Tolkien, or more poignant in the screenplay/on screen in the Lord of the Rings movies? Come share your opinion. And, bring your own favorite adaptions to discuss. Hobbiton photo: ©2008 ANVidean.

Lord of the Rings: Tolkein vs. Jackson, which do you prefer?
Twilight saga: Book series or film adaptations?
Bridges of Madison County: Read or watch?

For something a bit different to discuss at our June meeting, let’s compare the writing and stories in book(s) versus movie(s).
Should there even be a debate? Join us for the roundtable discussion in our June 2018 gathering in Gilbert, AZ.

Here’s the usual agenda:
11:30 introductions with writing tips
11:50 order lunch
11:55 writing discussion/sharing
1 p.m. pay individual bills and adjourn (to go write!)

Next gathering:
Thursday, June 14, 2018
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS typically meets on the second Thursday of the month.)

Where:
Romeo’s Euro Cafe
207 N Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 962-4224

Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Going” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan, ann@annvidean.com

If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!
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ABOUT ALWAYS

Are you an established writer who:
• Needs contacts to help your writing?
• Wants advice about your writing?
• Likes to hang with other cool writers?

If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.

Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.

Cryptid, heartfelt music debuts from The Darling Sounds

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Ann Videan

The Darling Sounds’ “Haunt” debuts Nov. 11, 2016.
The content may deal with creatures of dubious existence,
but the band’s video gets real with a sense of humor about it.

Tomorrow is the day! The Darling Sounds release their album “Haunt,” an indie pop rock collection of nine songs, on Bandcamp and Spotify. Woot!

Grace, Zach, and Cutter put their hearts and souls into these casually spooky, yet playful, tunes. Each track investigates cryptids—yeah, I had to look it up, too: aliens, werewolves, The Invisible Man, and lots of ghosts.

Don’t be scared, you’re gonna love it… not to mention these liner notes!

Liner notes may also give you a giggle.

Sleep to dream… Listen to my son’s dreams.

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Ann Videan

Five-song demo release, week of Feb. 10–15.
© 2014 Cutter Videan

I like to support young creatives, especially when it involves music… and, even more so, when it’s my son’s compositions.

Check out Cutter Videan’s five-song demo releasing this week, one song per day, on tumblr and bandcamp.

The first 200 downloads are free!

Music connects leaders to success

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Ann Videan

I just ran across a New York Times Sunday Review article asking, “Is Music the Key to Success?” It inspired me in this time of decline in music education in the United States.

My daughter Codi singing in the Arizona Regional choir last year. Photo: ©2013 ANVidean

The Oct. 12, 2013, article by Joanne Lipman, interviewed a number of highly successful people, who all made a connection between their music training and their professional achievements beyond the math-music association.

Like whom? How about:

Paul Allen (billionaire co-founder of Microsoft), guitar
Woody Allen, clarinet
Alan Greenspan (former Federal Reserve chairman), clarinet and saxophone
Bruce Kovner (hedge fund billionaire), piano
Andrea Mitchell (NBC), violinist
Larry Page, (co-founder of Google), saxophone
Condoleeza Rice, piano
Chuck Todd (NBC chief White House correspondent), French horn
Paula Zahn, cello

“Many high achievers told me music opened up the pathways to creative thinking. And their experiences suggest that music training sharpens other qualities: Collaboration. The ability to listen. A way of thinking that weaves together disparate ideas. The power to focus on the present and the future simultaneously,” the article said.

The article included a funny quote or two from Woody Allen, and some very cool connections between music and real life. If is definitely worth a read.

What other information have you run across that proves the importance of music in our country’s educational programs?

……………..

Play on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

New music to enlighten and inspire

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Ann Videan

I’m so thrilled for my dear friend Andrea Beaulieu, who just released this heartfelt song, “One Heart, One Mind” with Richard Palalay. Andrea wrote the lyrics and sings the lovely melody within the arrangement composed by Richard.

Honestly, this beautiful song will lighten your day. You can get it from Andrea, Amazon, or through the iTunes store.

Peter Gabriel, even more “spacey” than usual

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Ann Videan

Three people living somewhere up there, higher than the blue, spoke with Peter Gabriel this month. "Howard, CO sky" ©2008 ANVidean

I just could not resist sharing this video of three astronauts on the space station quite literally “hanging” around, talking and sharing music with Peter Gabriel and his family at NASA.

The English singer, musician, and songwriter (Genesis), remains one of my all-time favorite lyricists, creative thinkers and humanitarians.

A YouTube video gem. You’re welcome. 😀

P.S. Share a link to a unique video about your favorite musician.

Coffee CommuniTea Debut

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Ann Videan

Coffee and tea shops attract villages of like-minded people. But, not just coffee and tea lovers or people seeking community, relaxation and entertainment. Business folk hold meetings in these watering holes. Artists display work. Writers meet with their book clubs and critique partners. Music lovers come to relax and hear local acts. What a perfect environment to complement my goal to support all things Words•Music•Village?

Join us on this journey to discover indie coffee and tea shops, starting in the Phoenix metro area. You’re expected to be an integral part of the conversation, adding your own hot spots and providing commentary on what’s posted. Consider this blog as our own online village to capture the cool, the hot, the fun, and the funky in this Coffee CommuniTea.

So, ready to join me for a cuppa?

Ann Narcisian Videan: Book Shepherd/Editor/Author

A cyber village connecting writers, music lovers and creative folk.

Tag Archives: music