Technicolor Dreams...by Sheila Claydon

I don't visit the cinema that often, although when I do I thoroughly enjoy it, but I do watch TV box sets back-to-back. I prefer it that way to the old terrestrial 'episode once a week' system. I like to immerse myself in the ongoing story, the main characters, the secondary characters, even the settings.  I also like to think about the storyline and try to work out what is going to happen next. Nothing unusual in that, especially for a writer. It's what happens afterwards that challenges me. You see I like to imagine how my stories would perform on the small screen.

I know exactly how each character would look and behave. I can even take my books apart in my head so that they fit the requirements of a series.  And should I be lucky enough to be asked to advise when my fictional TV producer decides to make an offer, what fun I will have.  To be able to re-visit places I've written about and actually populate them with my imaginary characters would be the journey of a lifetime. Would he/she want the book that's set in London and Florence, or maybe the one set in Moscow would be better, or Florida, or Los Angeles, or the Canary Islands, or the story that takes place on a cruise ship, or the one in London and Paris. And if those would break the budget well there are the less exotic ones set in  country villages, small towns, a country estate, even a riding stables.

I know which one I'd want to start with, and because it is part of a trilogy it would inevitably stretch out to sequels. A box set with series1, 2 and 3. How wonderful. And so many characters to develop. And of course it would be such a success that the producer would be compelled to buy up the options for all my other books and I'd have to advise on those as well.

If only, when even I know that famous writers with best sellers have had books optioned that never ever made it to a film. Having said that, many of the books published by Books We Love would make terrific films, it's just finding that producer...and if we ever do, it's bags me first!

Ah, technicolor dreams. Far fetched maybe, but better than black and white, far, far better.

You can see all Sheila's books at:

http://bookswelove.net/authors/claydon-sheila/

They are available at:

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And if you have time, then stop in and visit her at:

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At the MATSURI Japanese Festival - by Vijaya Schartz

Damsel of the Hawk, standalone in
the Curse of the Lost Isle series
find it HERE

Since 1984, The Arizona Matsuri festival celebrates each winter Japanese culture and heritage, traditional and modern. The two-day event held at Heritage and Science Park in downtown Phoenix features the sights and sounds of Japan, art, crafts, music, dance and much more...

This year, I left my car to avoid parking jams and took the light rail to downtown Phoenix. Since trains are so prominent in Japan, it got me and my friends in the right mood. As if riding the famous Shinkansen minus the speed. Despite its futuristic looks, however, the light rail is no bullet train.

Having lived in Japanese communities in Hawaii and traveled all over Japan, I'm always glad to refresh my memories of the people, the culture, and everything Japanese, including the language.

The crowd came, and we had to make our way through lines of people, especially in front of the food tents.

So many things come from Japan, we tend to forget. From sushi, sake and beer, to anime, cosplay, bonsai trees, kimonos, and martial arts, we have adopted many cultural aspects of Japan. This is what we saw.

Kimonos are always popular. Some of these were real works of art, hand made, in rare silk, and intricately embroidered. Also popular the delicious foods, the tea ceremony, and the big drums. Did you know the ladies used to stick all kinds of implements inside the obi belt of their kimonos. At the festival, I saw many drumsticks sticking out of them.

 
This is a lovely picture of my friend Sue (on the left) with the group of Japanese folk dancers, getting ready for their appearance on stage. Notice the fans sticking out of the obi belts.

And here is yours truly, flanked by two formidable samurai in full armor. The sun and shadows of the overhead lattice and vines make it difficult to see them in all their splendor.

Of course, there was much more to see and do. I attended a storyteller show about the Shinkansen, introducing all the principal cities of Japan with their tourist attractions and culinary specialties. I also attended several martial arts demonstrations of Kendo, Aikido, Karate, and many others.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this special day.

Who knows, maybe someday I'll write a novel set in Japan, or in a Japanese-like futuristic society.

HAPPY READING!

 Vijaya Schartz
 Romance with a Kick
 http://www.vijayaschartz.com
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