Had a good time at a reading 6/12/18 at Rochester’s wonderful literary resource, Writers and Books. Thanks to Wanda Schubmehl for hosting the event. The most I had previously read aloud from the novel was the first chapter, about five minutes. It was interesting going beyond that, into chapter 2, and hoping that folks were feeling engaged. Reminds me of discussions I have had with my brother Tim and his long experience as a musician, especially re the power of the audience. Little do they know it, but they become an integral player as well, affecting the overall sense of experience for all who are attending.

The motto of the NYS Lotto for many years was, “hey, you never know.” Same thing with the arts. You never know what someone might be receiving, how they are hearing/reading, and the overall effect this may have. And some responses keep playing on, long afterward.

“Your most recent blog post was October 2016.It’s June 2018, you know.”
“Yes. Sorry.”
“Well you don’t have to apologize.”
“Yes. I almost said ‘sorry’ again.”
“You’re not from Canada are you?”
“Not directly.BTW, that’s getting kind of old. That Canadian image. And if anybody is needing to apologize, I don’t think Canada is first up.”
“Can we skip the politics?”
“If the politics can skip us.”
“So back to the absence of blog posts…?”
“Wrote things on facebook instead.”
“Is that safe?”
“There is the issue of instant gratification. Folks don’t have to work so hard to find what you’re thinking or doing.”
Hesitation. “You could start to put some of those comments here.”
Hesitation. “There’s also something about self doubt. Like who’s going to read anything here?”
“Well, you could, couldn’t you?”
“I am now.”
“Aha, well that’s a start, eh?”
“Wait, are you from Canada?”
“Oh Canada!”