THE CONDUIT COMPOSER

Saturday, 5 January 2013

Final pages!

Just putting the finishing touches to my little A6 Dragon Tree children's book before it goes off to the printers. Andrew Lewis is the Graphic Designer I work with in getting it all ship shape. We have been working on my books together for over 10 years. This will be my 33rd book! So by now, he totally gets me!
 
Usually they are community books where I support other people to tell and publish their story but this time, it's my book, my story. And I can't tell you how excited I am about it!
 
I figure if there were ever a good time to launch my book, it is with the films and songs and arts installation. I am pushing myself right before deadline getting it done, but hey ho! Who needs sleep anyway! LOL!
 
The book will be available for sale on my website when it is ready so keep an eye on my merchandise page: http://www.cherylbeer.co.uk/merchandise.php
 

Wednesday, 2 January 2013

Editing Queen

 
 
A thousand thank you's to my lovely chum Jacqueline Anderson who has very kinldy offered to help with my grammar!!! I have finished my story book to accompany the production, but, to be honest, I'm getting a bit tied up in knots by the grammar ... ,;.':::...;;;;..... """"") (.....:::'''',,,,?!

I find it quite easy to edit other people's work, but it's a nightmare doing my own! I'm too close to it.

Jacquie is a grammar whizz! It's one of her many strengths. We grew up together, me and Jac. She lived opposite me, and me opposite her. Actually, Jacuqie is gifted in many creative ways. She can sing and act and dance and write poetry ... I always thought she would be famous! She's also very funny!

Life takes many twists and turns and Jacquie hasn't followed her creative path as yet.
 
2 years ago I was approached by a writer as part of a community project called Celtic Women, where I was Creative Director. Grethe Gillman asked me to help her publish her series of 7 books. I advised her to publish one book at a time and gave her all the contact details of how to go about making it so.
 
Grethe was 90 at the time. Whilst she was putting the 1st book together, she asked me if I knew anyone that could edit. As luck would have it, Jacquie had just told me that she faniced editing books, so I paired up my 2 friends.

I thought I'd write to Jacquie on facebook and see if she would do a grammar edit of The Dragon Tree for me. She very kindly, didn't hesitate. Thanks chum xx

I'm hoping that in editing my book and seeing how bad my grammar is, after reading my little story, Jacquie will be inspired to write the things that have been waiting to fall out of her for years!
 
I leave this video clip from Youtube here for Jacquie because, when we were 10 years old, singing into our hairbrushes, following these dance moves, Rock Follies is who we thought we would be ...
 


Sunday, 30 December 2012

Radio Dates





Catch me chatting about The Dragon Tree on Radio Oystermouth with Michael Kennedy at 6.00pm on Monday 7th January 2013.
 


 
The the Acoutic Show with Stuart Loosemore at Radio Tircoed at 8.00pm on Friday 11th January http://tunein.com/radio/Radio-Tircoed-1065-s86703/




15th January I'll be live with Alison Lennihan on her Women's Bits show at Radio Tircoed

http://tunein.com/radio/Radio-Tircoed-1065-s86703/


Sunday 3rd Feb between 11am and 12pm I'll be with Andrew Cross and Pratik Barman at Radio BRfm


I'll also be with Radio Pembrokeshire but we haven't confirmed the date yet ...


Saturday, 29 December 2012

Life is a funny old thing!


 
Funny old thing, life. Fragile in fact.
 
Christmas day, a member of my family had a stroke and our plans to spend Christmas editing and finishing were scuppered!
 
When someone you love has an encounter with a serious illness, it can put things into perspective.
 
Fusion Inspire has been my life this year and I have loved every minute of it but nothing is more important than caring for those whom you love.
 
So here I am, back at home on my jack jones, editing the credits for the film and going to bed with another edit read through ... when actually, I should be out dancing with the moon and thanking the powers that be that one of my loved ones is home and on the mend.



 
Next month the tour starts. I had been quite stressed about it, but now I embrace it.
 
What a joyous thing to be able to do; to bring a year's worth of creative journey and share it in wonderfully beautiful places.
 
See YOU there my friends!