Last week, I mentioned that my thesis committee reviewed the first nine chapters of my book. Yesterday, I went through their edits and suggestions and thought about what I would keep in the final version.
A lot of the professors' points were really interesting. Because I am so close to the book, there are a lot of things I didn't consider. I plan to move on to chapter ten as soon as possible, but I might go back and address these questions once I finish the book:
1) What other artists, if any, had similarly risqué album covers during the 1980s? Would it help to point to some of these to support how Prince's album covers were over-the-top even compared to peers/other rock stars?
2) Is it typical to have so many different bands work with a solo artist over the years?
3) As you discuss the release of different albums, and often refer to Prince's changes in different decades, would it be hard to tell us what is going on in the world for historical context?
4) Was there more openness about men having feminine sides? Or can you point to the fact that Prince was ahead of his time here, and that it wouldn't be until later that the press and others would talk about these gender issues more openly?
I'm getting back in the habit of designating certain days of the week to work on my book. I'm looking forward to doing some more revising on Thursday.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
"Teacher, Teacher, What You Say?" - Graduation!
I'm back! I forced myself to start blogging again, and I have good news: I'm graduating! I presented my nine chapters (approximately 300 pages) to my thesis committee at Ohio University back in February. I have been approved to receive my master's degree in journalism!
I should receive my diploma in the mail sometime this summer. I don't plan to walk in the ceremony; I live a few hours away and I'll just be happy to finally have my "piece of paper."
What's next? I have a lot more writing to do before I start sending query letters to agents and publishers. I've finished covering Prince's life from 1958 to 1988. I'd like to continue working until I reach 2004.
I would love to finish the book by December 2015, but deadlines are always changing (at least mine, anyway). Here are the tasks that I hope to complete during the next few weeks:
1) I'm going to organize the many drafts of the book, and determine which one I want to use going forward. I have made a lot of changes to meet the standards of my thesis committee. I probably won't keep all of those changes in the final version.
2) I'm going to revisit my "Interviews" spreadsheet. I need to identify the sources I'd like to pursue before I begin writing chapter ten.
3) I'm going to rewrite the end of chapter nine so that it is more of a transition to chapter ten rather than a conclusion for the book.
4) I'm going to (finally) start researching the Batman era.
My goal is to be back next week!
I should receive my diploma in the mail sometime this summer. I don't plan to walk in the ceremony; I live a few hours away and I'll just be happy to finally have my "piece of paper."
What's next? I have a lot more writing to do before I start sending query letters to agents and publishers. I've finished covering Prince's life from 1958 to 1988. I'd like to continue working until I reach 2004.
I would love to finish the book by December 2015, but deadlines are always changing (at least mine, anyway). Here are the tasks that I hope to complete during the next few weeks:
1) I'm going to organize the many drafts of the book, and determine which one I want to use going forward. I have made a lot of changes to meet the standards of my thesis committee. I probably won't keep all of those changes in the final version.
2) I'm going to revisit my "Interviews" spreadsheet. I need to identify the sources I'd like to pursue before I begin writing chapter ten.
3) I'm going to rewrite the end of chapter nine so that it is more of a transition to chapter ten rather than a conclusion for the book.
4) I'm going to (finally) start researching the Batman era.
My goal is to be back next week!
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
"Tell Me, Am I Qualified?" - Looking for Agents and Publishers
A few weeks ago, I started searching for agents and publishers. I used two terrific resources: the 2015 Writer's Market, and Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents.
I looked for independent and university publishers that specialize in music biographies, as well as religion and popular culture. Many of those publishers don't require agents. I made a list of approximately 10 prospects. I plan to contact them directly with a proposal in the near future.
Similarly, I made a list of 10 potential agents to contact. I targeted agents who had experience publishing books similar to mine. Having an agent will allow me to pursue larger publishers that do not accept unsolicited materials from writers.
I'm excited to see if I gain interest from a publisher, an agent or both! I will keep you posted!
I looked for independent and university publishers that specialize in music biographies, as well as religion and popular culture. Many of those publishers don't require agents. I made a list of approximately 10 prospects. I plan to contact them directly with a proposal in the near future.
Similarly, I made a list of 10 potential agents to contact. I targeted agents who had experience publishing books similar to mine. Having an agent will allow me to pursue larger publishers that do not accept unsolicited materials from writers.
I'm excited to see if I gain interest from a publisher, an agent or both! I will keep you posted!
Friday, January 9, 2015
"What My Drummer Wanna Say" - Sheila E.'s Memoir
I read Sheila E.'s memoir, The Beat of My Own Drum, several months ago. Well, I skimmed a lot of it and focused on the Prince-related portions. Still, I think I was able to get a general impression of the book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Here are three things that stood out to me:
Here are three things that stood out to me:
- Sheila E. is extremely accomplished. I was very impressed with her resume, which includes touring with Marvin Gaye and Lionel Richie.
- She shared some Prince stories that I hadn't heard. When the book was released, the media quickly picked up on her story about getting engaged to Prince. However, there are a few more events that I was able to include my book. I was disappointed by the lack of Prince pictures, but it wouldn't surprise me if she had a difficult time getting clearance from the Purple One.
- She has her own spiritual journey. I knew about her faith from her Usung feature, but it was nice to learn more by reading her book. She is yet another one of Prince's colleagues who went on to embrace religion.
What was your favorite part about Sheila E.'s memoir?
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
"Preacher, Preacher" - Prince and D'Angelo
"Everybody back home thinks that I'm going to take the Al Green route." - D'Angelo
I referenced D'Angelo's spiritual journey in an earlier post. In my opinion, D'Angelo and Prince have faced similar challenges as highly-spiritual secular musicians. At some point in their lives and careers, these artists begin to feel the tension between their beliefs and their music, especially if they've incorporated sexuality into their songs.
Singer Al Green felt this tension, and decided to become a preacher and give up his secular music career (although he still performs his R&B hits from time to time). So, hearing D'Angelo say that some expect him to follow suit, I truly believe that he can relate to Prince and Green's struggle with the sacred and profane.
Marvin Gaye and Little Richard have also experienced that struggle. I'm writing about all of these remarkable and tortured artists in a section of my book. It has been so exciting to research them, and the artists who came before them. Even blues musicians were criticized for playing "the devil's music." African American artists have been conflicted about "good" vs. "evil" music for a long, long time. I love studying this topic!
D'Angelo has been top-of-mind because he recently released his first album in 14 years, Black Messiah. Like Prince, his music is rife with spiritual themes, and his latest record is no different. "Prayer" is the most blatantly spiritual track; he sings about the devil's influence. Prince has tackled the same subject many times in his career.
Compelling music from compelling artists--I live for this stuff!
What is your favorite track on "Black Messiah?"
I referenced D'Angelo's spiritual journey in an earlier post. In my opinion, D'Angelo and Prince have faced similar challenges as highly-spiritual secular musicians. At some point in their lives and careers, these artists begin to feel the tension between their beliefs and their music, especially if they've incorporated sexuality into their songs.
Singer Al Green felt this tension, and decided to become a preacher and give up his secular music career (although he still performs his R&B hits from time to time). So, hearing D'Angelo say that some expect him to follow suit, I truly believe that he can relate to Prince and Green's struggle with the sacred and profane.
Marvin Gaye and Little Richard have also experienced that struggle. I'm writing about all of these remarkable and tortured artists in a section of my book. It has been so exciting to research them, and the artists who came before them. Even blues musicians were criticized for playing "the devil's music." African American artists have been conflicted about "good" vs. "evil" music for a long, long time. I love studying this topic!
D'Angelo has been top-of-mind because he recently released his first album in 14 years, Black Messiah. Like Prince, his music is rife with spiritual themes, and his latest record is no different. "Prayer" is the most blatantly spiritual track; he sings about the devil's influence. Prince has tackled the same subject many times in his career.
Compelling music from compelling artists--I live for this stuff!
What is your favorite track on "Black Messiah?"
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
"Reflection" - Fall 2014
So much has happened during the past three months. Basically, I didn't blog for a whole season. The good news is that I was busy writing and editing. I am finished with chapter nine!
Once my thesis committee reviews and approves my work, I will FINALLY have my master's degree from Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism!
Additionally, while I was gone, Prince released two new albums! I purchased them right away, but I must confess that I haven't spent much time listening to them. It's really difficult to concentrate on present-day Prince when I'm writing about his past. I'm about to start researching the Batman era (1989).
During the fall, I also read Sheila E.'s book. I'll have more on that in a future blog post. Next week's entry will be about the singer D'Angelo, whom I wrote about several months ago. I have been consumed with his new album, Black Messiah. He and Prince have similar spiritual journeys, and there are plenty of religious themes on the album.
Thanks for your patience with me! Happy Holidays!
 |
| Chapter One - Chapter Nine of the Prince Book |
Once my thesis committee reviews and approves my work, I will FINALLY have my master's degree from Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism!
Additionally, while I was gone, Prince released two new albums! I purchased them right away, but I must confess that I haven't spent much time listening to them. It's really difficult to concentrate on present-day Prince when I'm writing about his past. I'm about to start researching the Batman era (1989).
During the fall, I also read Sheila E.'s book. I'll have more on that in a future blog post. Next week's entry will be about the singer D'Angelo, whom I wrote about several months ago. I have been consumed with his new album, Black Messiah. He and Prince have similar spiritual journeys, and there are plenty of religious themes on the album.
Thanks for your patience with me! Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
"Fade to Black" - The Black Album
I turned in chapters seven and eight a couple weeks ago, and I am now writing about The Black Album era. The album is currently out of print, so I ordered a used copy from Amazon.com.
What a scary, disturbing, funky, odd, funny record! I'd heard bits and pieces of it, but it was a really cool experience to sit down and listen to it from beginning to end.
I think it's too early for me to designate any "favorite" tracks, but I can say that "Cindy C.," "Dead On It," "When 2 R In Love," and "Bob George" are prominent in my mind right now.
Good news: I recently completed another interview! I talked to Cheryl "Sonny" Thompson, Prince's production assistant and stagehand during the Rave Un2 the Year 2000 concert. It will be a while before I transcribe that interview because we didn't discuss anything relevant to the 1987-1988 period. Expect to see a blog entry on that later down the road.
What is your favorite track on The Black Album?
What a scary, disturbing, funky, odd, funny record! I'd heard bits and pieces of it, but it was a really cool experience to sit down and listen to it from beginning to end.
I think it's too early for me to designate any "favorite" tracks, but I can say that "Cindy C.," "Dead On It," "When 2 R In Love," and "Bob George" are prominent in my mind right now.
Good news: I recently completed another interview! I talked to Cheryl "Sonny" Thompson, Prince's production assistant and stagehand during the Rave Un2 the Year 2000 concert. It will be a while before I transcribe that interview because we didn't discuss anything relevant to the 1987-1988 period. Expect to see a blog entry on that later down the road.
What is your favorite track on The Black Album?
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