Emily Jones

Emily Jones is a multi-instrumentalist originally from the California San Francisco Bay Area, now living in the Endless Mountain region of northeastern Pennsylvania USA. She has played with many musicians around the globe and has appeared as a guest and collaborative artist on several albums. Emily has released two professional solo albums herself, most recently "Chimerical Illusion" in June of 2009 with a third expected late 2011/early 2012. She also performs on Fujara, Native American flute, and Didgeridoo for The Gathering Mist, a project of composer/percussionist Jeff Willet.

Emily's strengths lie in her vocal training (particularly harmonies), the ability to play and learn many instruments, and musical arrangement. She has composed, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered her own music and music for others for the past seven years in her own studio. Emily plays acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, Chinese Yueqin, African djembe, Irish bodhran, piano, and several wind instruments: fujara (or "futujara" - a modern version of the Slovak upright overtone flute), the Australian didgeridoo (arguably a rhythm instrument as well), the Native American flute, the Japanese Kokin and a replica of an Ice Age flute. She has aims to continually expand her instrument repertoire and push her own imagination to the beyond with the music she creates.

Emily's music is eclectic and beautiful, her lush vocals weave in and around her creative instrumental harmonies and earthy rhythms creating a musical landscape. She has a particular knack for creating music that is hard to place in a genre, but it is clear that she is versed in and influenced by many styles of music - notably: world, fusion, rock, acoustic, ambient, progressive, and folk.

And now, without further ado...

6 Questions with Emily Jones:

1. What are your favorite and your least favorite words?

  "Favorite: Compassion / Least Favorite: Impossible."

2. What turns you on creatively, spiritually, emotionally?

  "Everything."

3. What turns you off creatively, spiritually, emotionally?

  "Nothing."

4. What is the closest you have ever come to giving up your craft? 

  "I wouldn't even consider this."

5. What is the strangest thing you have ever done while creating?

  "Creation is already strange in and of itself." 

6. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God (or Allah or Yahweh or Odin. Generally the Supreme Being of your choice.) say when you arrive at the pearly gates? 

  "Upon my eventual demise I look forward to waltzing with the wind. In the meantime, and more importantly, I've much life and music to experience."

Thanks again to Emily for taking the time to join us! If you'd like to know more about Ms Jones and her amazing music surf over to http://www.emilyjonesmusic.com

Thanks for reading and I'll see you next time!

Denise Vasquez

Denise Vasquez is an artist who creates because it is a part of her being! Her talents run the gamut from being an Award winning singer/songwriter/guitarist, activist and founder of “Wo+Men 4 A Cause”, to being an actress, illustrator, custom toy designer, freelance journalist, co-author of “Sketch Card Mania” and more! Denise Vasquez has been performing onstage since the age of 4! She studied acting in New York City at the “Lee Strasberg Theater Institute” and the “Puerto Rican Traveling Theater Training Unit” and is currently preparing to be a part of the theatrical production of the Pink Floyd Project “Dark Side Of The Moon”, and she’s also enjoying being a member of “The LA Connection Comedy Theater” in Sherman Oaks, CA doing Improv! Over the years, Denise has been featured in theatrical productions, Feature films, TV, music videos, Improv shows, industrials and educational films. Denise proudly endorses & enjoys working with Sakura USA, HK Holbein, Daisy Rock Guitars, Audix Microphones, AFTRA & ASCAP. Denise has lived in New York City, Scotland, London, US Virgin Islands, and is currently residing in Hollywood California. As a singer, songwriter, guitarist, Denise has produced 3 albums (“Frame Of Mind”, “Live In One Take”, “Fighting Darkness”, available thru her website or on itunes), featuring her voice, her songwriting skills & guitar playing! She has won many nominations and awards, and has traveled extensively for over twenty years, performing her music in some of the most legendary venues worldwide! Her favorite gig to date was performing at the legendary “Cavern Club” home of the “Beatles” in Liverpool!  Denise has designed and illustrated music posters, CD covers, logos, mixed media 3D art, custom vinyl figures, sketch cards, has also sold many of her original works of art on canvas, glass, and clothing. Two vinyl dolls (Conan O'brien & his horny Teddy & The Flaming C) designed & created by Denise Vasquez are being featured in the "Museum of Conan Art" COCO MoCA! Denise is currently creating custom vinyl toys for “Bean Pot Toiz”, and has done work for Impact Books/F&W Media, DKE Toys, Topps,  Breygent Marketing, Sadlittles, 5Finity Productions & more! Feel free to browse her website to learn more about Denise Vasquez  http://www.denisevasquez.com

Now... what shall we talk about?

6 Questions with Denise Vasquez

1. What are your favorite and your least favorite words?

  "My favorite words are: “truth, respect, peace, love, art, soul, theater, music, inspire, motivate, elevate, create, dream, live, laugh, be, unique, honest, trust, kismet, luck, joy, happiness, compassion, moment, toys, be, free, hope, equality, community, thank you and I’m sorry…

My least favorite words are negative, hate, jealousy, racial slurs, lies, gossip, entitlement, and HISPANIC…As a latin woman, I don’t like being referred to as anyone’s panic!"

 2. What turns you on creatively, spiritually, emotionally?

  "I totally get turned on by working with the people who I love & who inspire me most! I have the pleasure of working with my man Randy Martinez on many projects! We wrote an amazing book together called “Sketch Card Mania” (Published by IMPACT BOOKS/F&W Media), and we’re getting ready for a gallery show that opens August 20th at “Hold Up Art” Gallery http://www/holdupart.com downtown LA featuring some of our “Star Wars” Art!  Life inspires me creatively, emotionally & spiritually. Nature inspires me. The people I’ve met on my path inspire me. Everything I see, smell, taste, touch, hear, and experience inspires me. "Life is my canvas, experience is my palette, my heart, soul and imagination are my tools" ~Denise Vasquez"

3. What is the closest you have ever come to giving up art?

  "Giving up art would be the death of me! 'I am an artist who creates because it is a part of my being!' ~Denise Vasquez"

 4. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

  "I’ve never wanted to do or be anything other than who I am…an artist. Every time I’ve attempted other professions, I’ve been miserable! So I do what I love, and love what I do and I’m the happiest I could ever be! 'When you do what you love & truly love what you do, your passion will shine through your being and all you create' ~Denise Vasquez"

5. What is the strangest thing you have ever done while painting?

  "This is not strange to me, but probably strange to others…On the 4th of July, I made the choice to stay in & paint all day while there was a HUGE BBQ party happening right outside my studio window. I was totally in a zone & did not stop! I painted for like 12 hours straight! When I’m connected & my creativity is flowing, my muse is talking and I listen! I heard Tom Petty once say “Never ignore your muse” I totally agree! I will go with creating any time, anywhere & some people just don’t understand that!"

6. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God (or Allah or Yahweh or Odin. Generally the Supreme Being of your choice.) say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

  “You did great! Welcome Home  (^.^)"

I would like to thank Denise again for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer my questions. If you would like to know more about this renaissance woman surf any one of the following links:

Official Website: http://www.denisevasquez.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/denisevasquez

Tumblr: http://denisevasquez.tumblr.com

Facebook Artist fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDeniseVasquez

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBuzzz4U

Imdb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3499195

K.M. Weiland

K.M. Weiland is the author of the historical western A Man Called Outlaw and the medieval epic Behold the Dawn. She enjoys mentoring other authors through her writing tips, editing services, and her instructional CD Conquering Writer’s Block and Summoning Inspiration.

And now ladies and gentlemen, the dining room proudly presents... your dinner.

5 Questions with K.M. Weiland:

1. What are your favorite and your least favorite words?

"Favorites: blood, juxtaposition, whiskey, Uzbekistan, verisimilitude, umber, moiré. 
Least favorites: very, just, Adam’s apple, lips, mustache."

2. What turns you on creatively, spiritually, emotionally?

"Creatively, little details, like dust motes, water droplets, or spider webs, always spark my imagination. Music, movies, and books are also an endless creative well. Honestly, what sparks my creativity also drives me spiritually and emotionally; they’re very connected. Studying the Bible and spending time in prayer are, of course, endless spiritual catalysts."

3. What is the closest you have ever come to giving up writing?

"When I was writing my second (published) book Behold the Dawn, a historical set in the Middle Ages, I seriously questioned whether writing was what God wanted me to do with my life. I tried to quit, but couldn’t stay away from it. I took that as a sign that I should get back to it pronto. Behold the Dawn ended up being one of the stories I’m most proud of."

4. What is the strangest thing you have ever done while writing?

"Probably choreographing sword fights with a butter knife and running back and forth across the room, pretending to be both characters."

5. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God (or Allah or Yahweh or Odin. Generally the Supreme Being of your choice.) say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

I would like to thank Ms Wieland again for graciously offering her time to do this. If you would like to know more about the author or her works surf over to http://www.kmweiland.com.

And thanks to you for reading! See you next time!

J.C. Hutchins

J.C. Hutchins is an award-winning fiction writer best known for using multimedia narratives, emerging fiction trends and participatory storytelling techniques to entertain online audiences. He is a published novelist, screenwriter, and experienced transmedia storyteller.

He is also much loved by his fans and was kind enough to be the first to contribute to this blog. For that I am eternally grateful.

5 Questions with J.C. Hutchins:

1. What is your least favorite word?

"Literally," as it is often misused in conversation.

2. What turns you on creatively, spiritually, emotionally?

I love brainstorming and collaborating with others. There's nothing better than a couple of creatives playing "what if?" and teasing out an idea.

3. What is the closest you have ever come to giving up writing?

I've never considered quitting writing. Not even close.

4. What is the strangest thing you have ever done while writing?

I probably make strange faces as I search for words, but I can't think of anything strange. Sorry.

5. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God (or Allah or Yahweh or Odin. Generally the Supreme Being of your choice.) say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

"There goes the neighborhood."

Thanks again to Mr. Hutchins for taking the time to answer these questions. If you would like to know more about J.C. and his work surf over to http://JCHutchins.net.

Thank you for reading and I'll see you again next time!

Here we go!

And my first "official" post is to follow.

 squee.

I have a taker!

Questions have been submitted to a short but growing list of authors... and one has already said yes! No eta on his answers but as soon as I receive them I will make my first "official" post!

If you have an author you would like me to approach or know an author you think would like to participate please drop me a line at w.edwardwoodwardiii@gmail.com!

Thanks and I'll see you soon!

In the beginning...

Well, in the beginning there was nothing, but in the next few months I will be populating this space with interviews with your favorite authors! Stay tuned!