Month: February 2013

For my giveaway this month, I asked readers to share their favorite orchestral or Broadway pieces, since Connor shares some of his in Social Skills. Going through their suggestions reminded me of old favorites, and introduced me to some new works as well.

I compiled a Reader’s Favorites list on Grooveshark, if anyone else is interested in giving these pieces a listen.

Beethoven’s 7th Symphony (Tim)- I’ve played it before, and loved it. It’s also pretty popular in movies, so even if you don’t think you’ve “heard of it”, you probably have. It starts out a little somber, builds into something brighter, and then tiptoes into the ending.

Concerto for Orchestra by Bela Bartok (Geoff)- This is one of those works where you can imagine a whole epic storyline going on behind it.

Beethoven’s Sonata Pathétique (Madison)- A beautiful, mostly gentle piece that is popular even outside the classical music world (although it has its angstier moments). Found it on lots of good-for-your-baby CDs when compiling the playlist. ☺

Wagner’s Siegfried’s Death and Funeral March (Steve)- The title probably gives you an idea of the “tone” of this one (tone used in the non-musical sense here :P).

Rossini’s La Gazza Ladra (Steve)- A little sad after the Funeral March? Need something bright and energizing? Here you go. ☺

Hikari written by Yoko Shimamura and arranged by Kaoru Wada (Nathan)- I’d never heard this one before, but it’s a grand, uplifting piece, and I enjoyed listening to it.

“Move On” and “Sunday” from Sunday in the Park with George (Richard)- Some Broadway for a change of pace. I’ll confess I hadn’t heard of this musical before. “Move on” was a really nice song.

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (Jill)- Some more super-popular classical music. I’ve played Autumn and Spring in an orchestra (the ones everyone has heard before). The other day my brother and I were wondering if kids would still learn as much classical music without those old cartoons…I’m pretty sure they gave me my first exposure to the Four Seasons.

Barber’s Adagio for Strings (Phantasmagoria)- This one also makes an appearance in movies and TV shows to tug at people’s heartstrings. Oh, and in Social Skills, too 😛 Played it in high school and it definitely left an impact.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your musical favorites! If I haven’t bored you to death with music, a Music from Social Skills playlist is coming soon. ☺

By the magic of the random number generator, the winners are:

Winner 1: Paperback and album of choice—Steve

Winner 2: Album of choice—Richard

Winners have been contacted by email.

Thanks to everyone who participated! Reader’s Favorites and Music from Social Skills playlists coming soon. ☺

This past weekend I attended a NOH8 photo shoot in San Diego.

Being in a hot, crowded conference room with people I don’t know would usually be far outside my comfort zone, and something I’d avoid. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, or that I suddenly became the world’s most outgoing person and formed lifelong friendships in the hour I waited for my photo. But I did meet individuals, couples, and families whose smiles made my day a little brighter. And even with those I didn’t really meet, just the simple exchange of eye contact with that depth behind it—we support this—meant something special.

I moved to California seven years ago from a…more conservative state. I hadn’t come to expect a lot from my state in the years I’d lived there (I am a member of a minority group or two). But California, now, California was the birthplace of cool. Surely a state such as this would be on the cutting edge of civil liberties, equal rights, and the freedom to marry. Right?

Guess you could say I was young and naïve. When Prop 8 was introduced, there was not a doubt in my mind that it would be defeated. I’d been living in LA for a couple of years, but I was still star-struck by how different life was in the city than in a rural southern town. So on November 4^th, 2008, I—along with many Californians, and Americans—was shocked and deeply disappointed.

Then came a guilt phase, where I realized my assumption that all Californians thought like me had led me to take a passive role. So these days I am a little less naïve, and I try to be more involved. Participating in the NOH8 event was just another small way to take a stand, for my friends, for my future kids, for my students, and for a better California.

When I was writing Social Skills, I spent hours and hours sifting through songs to find just the right piece for each musical reference. Some pieces came to me quickly; others changed several times before I was satisfied. Why did I spend so much time thinking of music no one would be able to hear? Especially when most of it got little more than a passing mention as it bounced through Connor’s head?

Um. I’ll get back to you on that.

Anyhow, there are two pieces that hold more significance than the rest. The first is Scheherazade, featuring a gorgeous melody that I think can convert even a non-orchestral-music listener (worked on Jared, at least). The second is “So in Love” from Kiss Me, Kate. I have a personal relationship with this one as I was lucky enough to play it once, and I was so intent on having Connor experience it that I’m paying for the use of the lyrics in the novel.

This is probably a lame prize, but if anyone was interested in hearing these pieces, now’s your chance to win them!

Winner 1: Winner will receive a paperback of Social Skills (signed, if you like, though I should warn you I have sloppy handwriting) and an electronic album or an old-fashioned CD (wow, CDs are old-fashioned now!).  Winner’s choice of either the Kiss Me, Kate album or Rimsky-Korsakav’s Scheherazade.

Winner 2: Winner will receive an electronic album or CD. Winner’s choice of either the Kiss Me, Kate album or Rimsky-Korsakav’s Scheherazade.

*Electronic albums will be gifted through Amazon or iTunes.

Rules/Entry Info

~To enter, leave a comment with your favorite piece of orchestral music and/or Broadway song.

~Entries will be accepted from now until 9pm PST on Thursday, February 21st.

~Winners will be selected by random drawing and announced on Friday, February 22nd.

~Must be 18 or over to enter.

Thanks for reading 🙂

Fourteen days ago, I drank a big glass of Sorel (because I’m not sophisticated enough to like wine) and released Social Skills. I didn’t know what to expect then, and I still don’t know exactly where the journey will take me, but I am so grateful to be on this road of author.

Sorry for the sap, but I have to thank all the readers who encouraged me in my early days, and those who took a chance on an unknown in the last two weeks. I am floored by your support and can only say that I hope to be able to continue to entertain you in the future.

With that in mind, I’d like to give back! I’ll be posting details on a giveaway in the next day or so. Prizes will involve music. 🙂