Eliot - A Writers' Blog

Over the weekend a friend asked me to write a bio/feature on him for a press kit he is taking with him to L.A. to meet with record labels. I felt honored that he would ask me to do this! This is ultimately my dream, to write feature articles on musicians. Along with the help of one of our mutual friends who is amazing in graphics he came up with quite a presentation. I told him if he gets signed I want 10% of the signing bonus - haha. So enough introduction, I thought I would share with everyone my weekend project…

ReMARCable Talent: The Life and Rhymes of M.A.C. 

Standing in the “writing room” of the studio, Black and Mild cigar hanging from his lip, Marc Cox spits out ideas for a hook on a new song with whom he is collaborating with fellow Dirty House Wrecordz artists J-Skeet and Truth. Marc who goes by MAC (his initials) is casually dressed in an Ecko T-shirt and Akademiks jean shorts. The 21 year old rapper begins to reveal to me information that he claims is the basis of his being.

            Born in North St. Louis City on Euclidand Ashland Marc is no stranger to the high crime and low income rate of his neighborhood. He is the baby boy of 5 children born to Margaret Smith and Wendell Cox. He attended city schools until the age of 9, then for 4^th grade was bussed out to South St. Louis Countyto attend Bayless Elementary which is a public county school.

            “Entering interracial public school in the county greatly opened my eyes and my mind to things I never had seen or heard at home.” MAC informs. The influence of his new peers of all races and ethnicity’s was one of Marc’s greatest life experiences.

“It’s made me the man I am today. I never really knew any white people, or Bosnian people, or even any other type of black people.” His introduction and interaction with other children of other races has made him the type of person he is today; one who can get along with anyone. This characteristic shapes MAC’s mission statement as a musician.

“I want all races to listen to my music and I want all kinds of people to relate to my lyrics.”

            MAC’s influences include famous men such as Dr. King, Will Smith, Cedric the Entertainer, and Luther Van Dross. They also include a small array of people whom are not famous but have made a difference in his life.

“My family has played such a huge part in my life but two women who have really influenced me are my Mother and my Big Momma (Grandmother).” Other influences include his high school principal and basketball coach. Musically, MAC’s biggest influence is a long time friend from high school with whom he still raps with today.

“Opie taught me how to rap. He made me want to rap.” Opie more recently known as LB is a young Caucasian rapper who is also an artist under the independent Dirty House Wreckordz label.

            Along with his music MAC spends a lot of his time at school. He attends St. Louis Community College and plans on graduating in a couple years. A famous MAC quote that can be heard more often than not is, “I go to school to make money, I rap because I love that shit.”

MAC is currently working on his first solo mixtape. It has been in production since December of 2007 and it is scheduled to be released fall 2008. In the mean time MAC can be found performing on stages across St. Louis.

Although he loves performing he also loves the time he spends in the studio writing or in the booth recording. MAC is an unsigned artist so that allows him to work with a few independent labels. Presently MAC records with YNP (Young n’ Productions) and HuSTLmo Ent. / Dirty House Wreckordz. He explains his style to be smooth but vocal. The slight crunk sound grabs the attention of his listeners. When asked if a record company came to him today and asked for one single what would he present to them? MAC responded with,

“ ‘Focused’. Although it’s something most of my fans have never heard I think it is a great track with a lot of potential.”

            Fashion is not only a large part of urban musical culture but it plays a large part in MAC’s life as well. As an unsigned rapper one must always look their best because you never know who is watching. “If I was going out to a club I’d have to put on my button up baby blue Christain Dior oxford shirt with LRG light washed jeans. My feet would be dressed in classic, white on white, Nike Air Force One’s. If I was going to perform at a show I’d dress a little more causal with an Ecko T-shirt, Bathing Ape jean shorts, high top Nike Elites, and a New Era St. Louis Cardinals fitted cap. I love the grown and sexy look but I gotta keep it true to the streets as well.”

            In the Future Marc Cox hopes to become a strong and successful solo artist. Not interested in the fame, MAC just wants to be well-known, well-respected, and lyrically established. “Ten years from now I’ll be 31. By then I hope to own my own house here in South St. Louis County and be starting a family. I would love to be the co-founder of a major production label by then as well.”

            MAC’s strong St. Louisroots and life experiences have made him a talented lyricist. Although he has only been rapping since high school MAC is determined to be a hip hop legend and will do whatever it takes to get there. He will use his influences and mentors to grow as a person as well as a rapper. MAC’s heart and soul goes into his music. His words will tell the audience a story while his wittiness will change your average day to day objects and encounters into comical rhymes. If Marc stays focused in life and also on his goals there is no doubt this young man will have great opportunities in the future.

            “Life has taught me that no matter what it might be: family, friends, money, rights, or love, you never really appreciate any of it until it’s gone. So I live everyday like it’s my last and I cherish every moment I have here on Earth doing what I love to do.”         

— I am aware I might be the only fan of hip-hop music that reads these blogs, but let me know what you think about the article itself. Writing about music and artists is my passion and I hope one day to make it my career.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Main Street Books, St. Charles, Missouri Look in the window

It’s a full day and a half later and I’m still trying to wipe the grin off my face. On Friday night, we had the launch party for A REASON FOR DYING at Main Street Books in St. Charles, Missouri. Over eighty people came out which was totally amazing and overwhelming. And a couple of people worked really hard to make it such a special night.

In store display with American Beer books

First, there was our dear friend Laurie Kraft. If you were there, you would have seen the beautiful woman in the tux shirt serving for me. She thought of all the little details that made things special. And despite a bad back, she worked the crowd like a professional and even brought in some people from the street to buy some books. Laurie, you have my sincerest gratitude.

Then there was my beautiful wife, Linda. She is so special to me and none of this would have been possible without her. I’m also thrilled that two of my daughters were able to celebrate with me, Kelly and Kristen. Kaitlin, my youngest, is out celebrating the Lord at bible camp.

Lisa Pavia, my publicist. The long hours leading up to the launch. The push for media and spending the party with her boyfriend Liam taking photographs.

Then there was Vickie Erwin, owner of Main Street Books. All I can say is “WOW!” I arrived to see a dozen or so copies in a window and a wonderful display right in front of the store. She also demonstrated her sense of humor by placing a few books on American Beer on the display. For those of you that don’t know, I work for Anheuser-Busch soon to be owned by the Belgium company Inbev. Of course there was the book scare, when the books didn’t arrive until the day of the party.

My Cake

Now about the night. I actually had a line! People waiting to visit and have my book autographed. I am in awe. As I reflect back, I’m surprised at how it’s hard to remember details. I know I wanted to get up and talk to my friends and family, but I kept getting called to sit back in the comfortable author’s chair to sign some more. In almost three hours, I didn’t get a piece of cake and I only got to drink one beer. My wrist and fingers ached, and even my face hurt from smiling all night. But I wouldn’t change a thing.

My Line

There were a number of authors that turned out to support me; Laura Bradford, Bobbi Smith and John Lutz took time out of their busy schedules. Of course there were family and friends, also members of the St. Louis Writers Guild and Sisters in Crime. There was even a couple from out of state, Bob and Alda that were on vacation and walking by. They came in and bought a book and chatted with me. It was awesome. I know I’m missing somebody.

John Lutz and I

Bobbi Smith and I

Laura Bradford and I

Several of the things I stressed about; books arriving on time, would I spell everyone’s name right, would I spell my own name right (remember, I never use Wilfred), would I be able to come up with good thoughts to write? Practice makes perfect. Yes, I practiced my signature and sayings. I even had a few written out and in my pocket. Someone asked me, how I came up with what to write. I told them I practiced and they laughed. I pulled the piece of paper from my pocket and they laughed hysterically. When is was all over I was exhausted and hungry. I realized I hadn’t eaten since 11 that morning and I was fighting to keep my eyes open. Despite all that, when my head hit the pillow, well after midnight, I just stared at the ceiling and smiled.

Popularity: 4% [?]

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About the Author:

Wilfred Bereswill was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. His first novel, A Reason For Dying is set to be published in the Summer of 2008 by Hilliard & Harris.

Agent Laura Daniels’ career soared when the FBI assigned her to the anthrax letter case after 9/11. But failing to crack the case landed her in the Seattle Field Office, where she feared her life would be relegated to the routine.

While investigating the theft of low-level radiation devices, Daniels is led to the site of Interex Corporation’s controversial oil and gas exploration well just outside Yellowstone National Park, where crucial fossil records lie buried. Arriving at the site, what she encounters is unthinkable — not only have large radiation sources gone missing, but an unidentified virus is killing members of the drilling crew, and shows no signs of stopping.

Now Daniels’ career rides on getting the answers she needs. But as the virus continues its deadly rampage, she discovers the stakes are far higher than she anticipated. And the answer she gets is the last thing on Earth she’d expect.

“A Reason For Dying is an intelligent, heart-thumping thriller that will keep you reading and guessing and reading some more. Bereswill is an author who knows how to engage and hold the reader. His many talents are evident in this strong mix of suspense and action.” — John Lutz, NY Times & USA Today Best Selling Author of Suspense.

I just got wind of the contest listed at http://www.graveyardpublishing.com/id14.html. Here’s what you will find there:

Popularity: 5% [?]

I had the pleasure of attending Harvey Stanbrough’s “Writing the World™ All Day Intensive Workshop: Writing Effective Dialogue and Electric Narrative,” that took place at Chesterfield Arts on Saturday, July 12. I highly doubt anyone left there without a better understanding of effective dialogue and tips for electric narrative. No one would have been the wiser if Harvey didn’t tell us he was in a car accident (his car declared totaled, but no injuries, thank goodness) the day before he arrived in St. Louis (coming from Huachuca, Arizona). Harvey carried on in his cool cowboy character, emphasizing with a “No! No! No!” or a “Never! Never! Never!” when he wanted to drive home a point, throwing in humor making everyone laugh. Harvey’s warm heart filled the room and his generosity proved evident when he encouraged Brad to draw another name, and then another, and one more, for an attendance prize – his book! Or in this case, both his books! (Beyond the Masks and Writing Realistic Dialogue & Flash Fiction)

(How do you like all those exclamation marks? You had to be at the workshop to understand that question.)

The next day a friend asked, “What was the one thing that stood out for you in that workshop that you learned?” That was a tough question since there were many, but I’ll only give one (I recommend you attend Harvey’s next workshop if we are lucky enough to be blessed with his presence again). That is the usage (or non usage in Harvey’s case) of tag lines in dialogue.

If you can’t wait until Harvey comes in again and would like to know his tips for Effective Dialogue and Electric Narrative, then I’d suggest you purchase his book, Writing Realistic Dialogue & Flash Fiction. (As a bonus you learn about Flash Fiction.) The book is definitely worth every cent.

Thanks Harvey, a great workshop!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Remember Jim McKay, the recently deceased expert sports commentator and long-time host of all things Olympics for ABC-TV?  Well, he said something like this every week on his award winning show.  It was a household regular among the Anselm brothers in our Wonder Years.  I will never forget his coverage of the 1972 Munich horror of terrorists killing Israeli athletes.  Yeah, I am that old.  He was and is an idol of mine when it comes to regular-guyism combined with literate work. 

I say all this just to ease into a blatant plug for an article I wrote about golf that has been accepted on EzineArticles.com.  Go to that website, click on Recreation and Sports, and then click Golf, and you can scroll down a few places to find it. 

Now, excuse me while I go out in the back yard and work on my slice.

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and Chesterfield Arts, for your wonderful hospitality before, during and after my Writing the World seminar on dialogue and narrative. Not only did we fill Chesterfield Arts, but we did so as only a fellowship of writers can. We laughed, talked, questioned, studied and learned… all of us. I am a very selfish man. I teach because it gives me an opportunity to learn so much from my “students.” Your questions caused me to reach for answers, your statements stirred my mind to thought, and your smiles and attention warmed my heart. 

Special thanks to Robin Theiss, without whom this seminar would never have happened; Marcel Toussaint, whose photos will remind me of this very special event for years to come; Lynn Obermoeller, whose hospitality is unsurpassed; Julia “Uranium” Gordon-Bramer; Kim Lozano, who knows how to turn a phrase (he should be living life barefoot); Joe the Teacher for his valuable questions; and everyone else who attended and made this a weekend to remember.

But I’ve saved the best for last: Brad Cook, my assigned “shepherd” for this event, went far beyond the requirements of his assignment. Since I was without a vehicle because of the mishap (hit-hap?) on I-270 North, the guy put himself at my disposal pretty much 24/7. He fetched me at the tow yard on Friday, dropped me a the hotel, dined with me that evening, helped me retrieve personal belongings from the tow yard during the lunch break on Saturday, waited patiently in the hotel lobby while I raced upstairs to squeeze St Louis Lake out of my shirt and put on a new one for the afternoon session, drove Rebecca Carron and me to dinner on Saturday night, then picked me up on Sunday morning and drove me to the airport where I finally rented a car and drove myself out of his harried hair. No wait… first he led me to I-70 so I wouldn’t get lost. When we were not physically together, Brad busied himself searching for a new power cable for my laptop, then researching rental car companies and two or three other things, all on my behalf. If your head’s ever rattled and you need to lean on a reliable friend, look around for Brad. He’s the best… well, second best.

Only slightly more than I appreciate Brad, I appreciate his lovely wife. Without her enduring patience with Brad’s absence this weekend, I’d have been one lost, lonely puppy. Thank you, Mrs. Cook, and thanks again, Brad.

Harvey Stanbrough  

Popularity: 6% [?]

So after attending my first SLWG open mic night on Tuesday at Wired Coffee I was inspired to relieve some stress by writing a poem. I used to do this ALL the time, but lately it seems that I don’t have much time for anything besides work and school. But I forced myself to find some time on my lunch break this week to sit down and pour my thoughts out on paper. 

Torn

The difference like satin and sandpaper, or sunshine and rain,

yet the feelings I am feeling are unsure, twisted, and vain

Different rhymes, different reasons causing my pain

But the feelings of hurt are much the same.

It took a long time, or did I figure it out right away?

I still don’t know what I a feeling but I’m alone, today

Here I am living two lives, and even worse two lies

How do I continue to look into their eyes?

Feelings of pride crushed by weakness and lust

Moving on is what I thought was a must

My selfishness leading to  deceitful ways

a glutton for attention, every wanting day

My decision has been made for a while

But continuing to carry on in complete denial

let it go, it’s not the last meal

loneliness, so easy to say but the hardest to feel

TORN, a tattered piece of satin

TORN, a carpenter’s last scrap of sandpaper

Can I please find some sunshine, or will I forever be stuck in this rain?

Popularity: 5% [?]

I just flew back from Vegas, and are my arms sore.

Sorry. Something about Las Vegas makes me want to make tired, old jokes and reminisce about the Rat Pack.

That Frank Sinatra. It was his voice I heard as I watched the water show in front of the Bellagio the sultry evening of July 4, singing about how he hoped “Luck [would] be a Lady tonight.” It was his voice that remained in my head as I watched the smoke and fireworks shooting out of the back of Caesar’s Palace, hoping they didn’t set the joint on fire.

I was in Las Vegas for a classical reason: A wedding.

Not mine. Heaven knows I’ve been there and done that. It would take someone as powerful as Neptune to lure me back into that lobster trap of bliss.

It was my daughter’s wedding. And she’s been there and done that, too, and with the same sweet guy. So, I was in Las Vegas, for my daughter’s second marriage to her one and only husband.

Did I mention that the wedding ceremony itself was in a helicopter? And that I managed to survive the entire trip, without using an air “discomfort” bag. Trust me, there would have been a lot of discomfort involved for everyone if I hadn’t been able to keep hold of my cookies.

So, the wedding, despite having to wear giant headphones over the lovely pearl earrings my daughter bought for me just for the occasion, was lovely. The Las Vegas strip was alive with lights.

Afterward, we walked through the MGM Grand Hotel Casino, in search of Chocolate Martinis. My daughter’s off-the-shoulder gown, racing in front of my hot blistered feet, gave me a great view of her tattoos. I will never forget the sight of her wedding veil, an Ebay bargain, floating over the white kitten demurely dominating her right shoulder blade and the black panther slinking up her left.

We drank together, mine a Coke and hers the aforementioned Chocolate Martini, two generations of wild women. Her dearest friend from 8th grade. Their husbands.

The waiters and waitresses danced, clothed thank you very much, on the bar.

I went back to my hotel and danced alone, with a tribe of women I’ll never see again.

It was the perfect trip.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Rowe Sanctuary in Nebraska

Sandhill Cranes coming in to roost for the evening at Rowe Sanctuary in Nebraska. Taken Sunday, March 30, 2008.

Photo Courtesy of Pete Connolly
Copyright ©2008 Pete Connolly. All Rights Reserved.

SLWG members can submit artistic photos to be featured.
Send photos to Photos.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Okay, I hope I’m not breaking some rule here, but here goes.

I’m sitting here with an ear-to-ear grin plastered on my face. You see, I just received my first shipment of my very first book. Okay, I knew it was a done deal. I knew it was now for sale. I knew what the cover looked like and I’ve read every word in manuscript form.

But there’s nothing like holding the real thing. I actually wrote a book!

Popularity: 12% [?]

————

About the Author:

Wilfred Bereswill was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. His first novel, A Reason For Dying is set to be published in the Summer of 2008 by Hilliard & Harris.

Agent Laura Daniels’ career soared when the FBI assigned her to the anthrax letter case after 9/11. But failing to crack the case landed her in the Seattle Field Office, where she feared her life would be relegated to the routine.

While investigating the theft of low-level radiation devices, Daniels is led to the site of Interex Corporation’s controversial oil and gas exploration well just outside Yellowstone National Park, where crucial fossil records lie buried. Arriving at the site, what she encounters is unthinkable — not only have large radiation sources gone missing, but an unidentified virus is killing members of the drilling crew, and shows no signs of stopping.

Now Daniels’ career rides on getting the answers she needs. But as the virus continues its deadly rampage, she discovers the stakes are far higher than she anticipated. And the answer she gets is the last thing on Earth she’d expect.

“A Reason For Dying is an intelligent, heart-thumping thriller that will keep you reading and guessing and reading some more. Bereswill is an author who knows how to engage and hold the reader. His many talents are evident in this strong mix of suspense and action.” — John Lutz, NY Times & USA Today Best Selling Author of Suspense.