Michael's Musings

September 17, 2012

One of my favorite movies is GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS with Robert Donat, who won an Oscar for his performance.  It's the story of an English school teacher.

On Saturday (22), I will be putting on my own (Texas) "Mr. Chips" guise when I teach my class for the Texas Writer's League, "Creating Effective Characters".  This will be the first time I've taught in several years, so I'm looking forward to doing this again.  Last week, in fact, I had several handouts printed up for the class.

Also, last week, NELSON AND JEANETTE, my two-character stage play about Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, was published in both paperback and Kindle editions.  It's available on Amazon.  You can view the trailer by clicking on this link, or if that doesn't work, just copy this address into your browser and you'll be taken right there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRE9FmwiNWY&list=UUQ6z6vyjJFsiqL33qbiSJSQ&index=1&feature=plcp

I'm now researching my next play, which will be a one-character monologue for THE HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS series.

I also continue to work with actors to turn my plays and books into audio versions.  ORSON WELLES is nearing completion and, hopefully, will become available within the next month or so.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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September 10, 2012

This past week I've been preparing to teach my 3 -hour class, "Creating Effective Characters" on September 22 for the Texas Writer's League at St. Edward's University.

Since I've already got 19 sign-ups, they're expecting a full house (30 students), so I'd better know what I'm going to talk about. 

This week, I'm expecting the proof of my new play, NELSON AND JEANETTE, and once I approve that, the play (about Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy) will be available in paperback and on Kindle from Amazon.

I am also currently researching my next play in THE HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS collection, which will revert to a one-character monologue format.

I continue to work with three narrators on different audio book projects, and it's quite likely that I will contract for 2-3 other of my plays to go the audio route during the next week or two.

On the Best Bets on DVD site, I've posted a review for THE VICTIM, a pretty good thriller, written, directed and starring Michael Biehn.  You can access it via the link in the Introduction section of this page.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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September 3, 2012

I hope that you have all had a pleasant Labor Day weekend.  Mine has certainly been restful...and productive.

I put the final corrections on my new play prior to sending it to the publisher.  They will send me a proof within a week or so, and once I approve that, the play should be available in both paperback and Kindle editions within a very few days.  Certainly, barring something unforeseen, you will be able to purchase it before the end of this month.

Now, for those of you who have not figured out the subject of the play from its title (NELSON AND JEANETTE), I'll end your suffering and tell you that it's a two-character play about Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, America's Singing Sweethearts of the 1930s-40s.  The co-starred together in eight films, including ROSE MARIE, NAUGHTY MARIETTA, MAYTIME and SWEETHEARTS.

I'm proud of the finished work, and I hope you'll enjoy reading it.  Hopefully, some theater producer out there will want to stage it.

Actually, this experience has given me the incentive to write some more plays for THE HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS collection.  The previously written eight plays continue to sell quite well in both paperback and on Kindle, and I do enjoy writing them.

The problem is coming up with a suitable subject for a one or two person play.  Several people with interesting stories to tell would not be somebody that an audience would want to spend  two hours with, and vice versa.

I do know what my next play will be, and I am currently researching another performer who might be a good subject for the following work.

In the meantime, I continue to work with different voice actors on three of my works which will soon become audio books, and I think I am about to sign a deal with a 4th actor to do one of my plays on audio.

Finally, here a link to THE BAZ.  They did an interview with me last week about my book, BASIL RATHBONE: His Life and His Films.  If the link doesn't work, just copy the following address into your browser, and you'll be taken right there.

http://thegreatbaz.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/qa-michael-b-druxman/

You have a creative week.

Michael

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