This anthology is dedicated in memory of Tina Downey, our dearest friend, fellow storyteller and firm believer that life is good…
Welcome toaudiomachine‘s Tree of Life: Branching Out, a cross-industry collaborative writing project featuring 26 authors from across the globe whose collective story is inspired by motion picture advertising music production house, audiomachine’s Tree of Life album.
During the course of 26 consecutive days, each writer contributed a chapter within 24 hours of the previous installment, spinning the tale in whatever direction they chose, resulting in the ultimate collaborative journey of words and music.
The anthology includes a new epilogue, a memorial story I wrote for “T”, entitled, Epitaph.
Contributing Authors (Tree of Lifers) Tina Downey Amy Willoughby-Burle John Wiswell M. Pax Al Diaz Gary Philip Pennick DL Hammons Susan Scott Ruth Long Djinnia Daniel Swensen KC Hunter Shannon Kenoyer Lawrence Beverly Fox Michelle Wallace Mina Lobo Gwen Gardner Angela Brown Lisa Shambrook Sarah Wesson Leighton Williams Elise Fallson Vidya Sury Damyanti Biswas C. Lee McKenzie
I’ve had an affinity for music all my life. Not just any music, mind you. Film scores.
By the time I was ten, I could play entire soundtracks on the 100-year-old upright piano my supportive parents purchased from an Old West saloon in New Mexico. I had a knack for playing by ear and a photographic memory for music, which both infuriated and delighted my music teacher. There was no sheet music for what I wanted to play, so I stopped reading notes and surrendered to the scores of music stored in my head.
Even as a child, films pulled me in, not by the storyline or special effects, but by the power of their music! It was the musical genius of composers that brought movies to life! My imagination thrived on a steady influential diet of Hans Zimmer, John Williams, James Horner, James Newton Howard, Thomas Newman, Alexandre Desplat, Ennio Morricone, Jerry Goldsmith, Howard Shore, John Barry, Rachel Portman and Danny Elfman, to name a few.
Even now, the music of motion pictures stirs my creativity, each line of prose lured by the siren song of instruments whispering stories. Apparently, I’ve acquired a fondness for the sound of ivory keys striking antique strings, since I still play scores by ear, on a 1935 baby grand.
When Alex J. Cavanaugh asked the writing community to recommend their favorite “treasures”, I couldn’t resist sharing a few of my most cherished musical journeys.
“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” ― Shannon L. Alder
A sea of sunflowers bloom in the sprawling fields ofBiltmore Estate. I imagineTinastrolling past the radiant rows of upturned faces…her own spirit outshining their collective smiles. I imagine this is what her heaven must be like…the final glowing streaks of her amazing soul penetrating the sky with a brilliance that echoes a life well-lived…a good life. I imagine her heart is bursting with pride over a family she adores…watching them still, as their future takes shape. I imagine her witty banter as she beams down at us, her friends, while we honor her memory in a myriad of creative ways…our own hearts reaching across the great divide to say farväl min vän…farewell my friend…
In a memorial tribute to Tina, I’m publishing audiomachine‘s groundbreaking TREE OF LIFE: Branching Out collaborative story, featuring 26 authors (including Tina), in ebook format on Amazon, launching this September! Stunning book cover designed by gifted graphic artist and composer, Ryo Ishido.
The Third Daughter of the Queen wants her birthday to arrive so she’ll be free to marry for love, but rumors of a new flying weapon may force her to accept a barbarian prince’s proposal for a peace-brokering marriage. Desperate to marry the charming courtesan she loves, Aniri agrees to the prince’s proposal as a subterfuge in order to spy on him, find the weapon, and hopefully avoid both war and an arranged marriage to a man she does not love.
“You will say yes, won’t you? When I ask?”
He gently pulled her face up to look at him. “When you are free to marry for love, Third Daughter of the Queen, you had better not ask anyone other than me. I’ll have to hang myself from the nearest tree or else die of a broken heart.”
Her shyness was banished in a stroke. “Aren’t courtesans supposed to be the ones breaking hearts?”
“Truly,” he said with mock despair. “There’s nothing more sad than a broken-hearted courtesan. I would have to commit suicide just out of professional courtesy.”
The Future of Storytelling
“The poetry of human experience lies at the heart of every great story.” – Immersive Entertainment
Imagine stepping into the world of your favorite novels, experiencing the story through the eyes of the narrator while being surrounded by a rich landscape painted with words and music! Stay tuned for the next stage in literary evolution with author Susan Kaye Quinn‘s Debt Collector series and The Dharian Affairs trilogy, as Immersive Entertainmentbrings them to life in Virtual Reality.
Susan Kaye Quinn, author of the bestselling Mindjack Trilogy and other speculative fiction. Former rocket scientist. Now she invents mind powers and dabbles in steampunk.The Dharian Affairs trilogy is her excuse to dress up in corsets and fight with swords. She also has a dark-and-gritty SF serial for ages 17+ called The Debt Collector and a middle grade fantasy called Faery Swap.
“We create next-generation Virtual Reality Experiences that represent a new form of entertainment. It bridges the gap between video games and movies, providing a level of immersion, emotional engagement and realism never before seen.”
With plans for a second skyship exposed, Third Daughter Aniri fears her sister, Seledri, will be caught in a war between the three Queendoms. Seledri is the Second Daughter of Dharia, which means she had no choice in her arranged marriage to the First Son of Samir–a country with whom they may soon be at war. As Aniri fights to free her sister from a husband and a country she does not love, she questions her own rushed betrothal to Prince Malik, the noble barbarian who controls the skyship–and whether a love pledged in the heat of adventure can survive the looming threat of war.
Aniri turned to Ash, a thousand questions on her lips, but he met her by sliding his arms around her waist, then devouring her with a kiss.
She was shocked… then consumed. He spun her around and pressed her to the door, crushing his body against hers as if he couldn’t get enough contact between them. Her corset was an effective barrier, and his glittering black formal wear was similarly constraining, but that didn’t stop his hands from roaming or his kiss from deepening. Aniri’s fingers wound into his hair, then clutched at his shoulders, taking the stolen moment for all it was worth. Ash slid his kisses to her jawline and edged toward her neck. The room turned as hot as if the fire had spilled from its place and ignited the walls around them. Aniri gently pushed him away, urging him to stop and sucking in air she had neglected to breathe. His heated breath puffed against her skin as he slowly trailed his lips in a line across her cheek.
“A week feels an impossibly long time to wait to make you my wife.” His voice was deep with the passion of their kiss.
Tina Guo has developed an international multi-faceted performance and recording career as a classical cellist and heavy metal electric cellist, erhuist, and composer known for her distinctive sound and improvisatory style in major motion picture, television, and game scores.
R. Armando Morabito, is an Electronic / World Music Producer, Songwriter and Director. In 2013 after moving to Los Angeles, CA he co-founded MG Music Int’l with his wife, cellist and composer Tina Guo. The production company specializes in epic cinematic music in all genres for TV, Film, Video Games, and Trailers.
A movement of hope has swept across the globe in the most successful charity event in history! Waves of kindness and empathy have raised over $106 million for ALS–funds that will make the difference between life & death for thousands of souls suffering in the deadly grip of this debilitating disease.
The overwhelming worldwide support shows the remarkable potential for humanity to unite for a common good. With this massive collective effort, the possibilities of what we can accomplish are endless. It is my fervent hope that this phenomena will inspire us all to work together in a common call to action! WE can truly be the change we wish to see in the world!
In the video clip below, where I met the frigid end of a wine bucket in Biltmore’s front lawn (the setting for my YA novel series, Echoes of Olympus), I challenged…
Join us on September 8th for a community memorial tribute celebrating the spirit of Tina Downey…
Epic IMAGINE ALS Ice Bucket Challenges
IWSG, a community of brilliant writers led by Alex J. Cavanaugh, meets the first Wednesday of every month. Visit the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website and database! You’ll find everything from writing to marketing, along with encouragement and support!
An EPIC thank you to all those who participated! Congratulations to all IMAGINE event winners! Please send me your contact info to receive your PRIZES!
♫IMAGINE WINNERS♫
#1) Koke Nunez Gomez
#2) Lukas RE
#3) Cynthia Van Steenlandt
♫ TOP 3 winners of audiomachine’s Engineers of Epic Machine Head Challenge will be awarded signed albums. The #1 favorite designer will be featured on their official T-shirt, which the winner will also receive. Winning design will be revealed during the EPIC t-shirt launch!
#1) Muay Thai
#2) Samantha Ku
#3) Joel Apelgren
♫ TOP 3 Winners of TSFH’s Colin Frake book trailer contest will be awarded copies of the Colin Frake ebook & soundtrack, and signed cover art. The #1 favorite video editor will also receive a signed future public album!
#1) Ruth Long
#2) Djinnia AND Alayna Fairman
#3) FlyingMouse
♫ TOP 3 Winners of Epic North’sTHE CONQUERORS flash fiction challenge will be awarded signed ARCADIA album artwork by Koke Núñez Gómez & digital album, Viking Warriors from Outer Space. The #1 favorite author will also receive digital copies of Origin of Iron and Rising Storm AND be featured on Epic North’s website/social media!
#1) Samantha Ku AND Daniel Wójcik
#2) Alex Aigner
♫ TOP 3 Winners ofReally Slow Motion’s OF MIST AND MAGIC title design challengewill be awarded signed copies of the album FIERY THE ANGELS ROSE. The #1 favorite designs will be featured on the album’s public release cover!
The biggest Epic Music event of the year is coming to a close this Saturday, August 9th! In celebration of YouTube powerhouse, EpicMusicVn‘s 2 year anniversary, we gathered leaders of the epic music industry, Two Steps From Hell, audiomachine,Really Slow Motion Music, Epic North Music, & graphic designer, Koke Núñez Gómez, for an unprecedented, global collaboration, where writers, artists, video editors and visionaries have the chance to create something amazing! IMAGINE the possibilities HERE!
It’s been a VERY busy summer, with exciting events and projects coming to a close and many more hovering on the horizon. A major shift in the realm of responsibility happened this week, when my two little girls (1st & 4th graders, previously homeschooled) were accepted into a brand new Charters school, named IMAGINE — I took this as a major sign that we’re traveling down the right path!
Though I’ll miss my kiddos, my days are now FREE for WRITING and freelance film industry projects! I’ve issued a strict final draft deadline this fall for my YA fantasy novel series, Architects of Illusion (Echoes of Olympus, #1). This semester is already booked with collaborations and another round of epic writing, where I’ll mentor gifted teens as they learn to embrace this year’s theme of COURAGE!
First, they conquered Outer Space….
Now, they bring destruction to the promised land…
The Viking Warriors are coming to ARCADIA!
Welcome to THE CONQUERORS, a Steampunk Viking flash fiction challenge for the industry release, ARCADIA (produced & published by Really Slow Motion). Pulling inspiration from the exclusive industry track, “The Song of the World Tree”, by brilliant composer, Tapsa Kuusniemi, and the stunning album cover, by gifted graphic designer & composer, Koke Núñez Gómez, FORGE an epic tale (under 500 words) that conquers the imagination! Submit your entries in the comments section of theContest Pageby August 9th, midnight EST!
Sixteen-year-old Hutchinson McQueen is trapped in a dysfunctional family. Shackled by poor vision and poor reading skills, he squeaks through classes with his talent for eavesdropping and memorizing what he hears. After another suspension from school and suffering through one of his mother’s violent attacks, he escapes to a friend’s house that turns out to be a meth lab. The lab is raided and Hutch lands in juvenile detention. When the court sentences him to six months in a new juvenile program, he meets a teacher with Alzheimer’s who will change his life and hers.
IWSG, a community of brilliant writers led by Alex J. Cavanaugh, meets the first Wednesday of every month. Visit the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website and database! You’ll find everything from writing to marketing, along with encouragement and support!
Welcome to the biggest Epic Music event of the year! In celebration of YouTube powerhouse, EpicMusicVn‘s 2 year anniversary, we’ve gathered leaders of the epic music industry for an unprecedented, global collaboration.
Tap into your imagination and show us how Epic Music inspires YOU! Fans will be rewarded with exclusive signed albums, artwork, t-shirts and worldwide exposure, not to mention the respect and admiration of composers & music fans everywhere!
Try your hand at video editing and blow us away with a book trailer that captures the essence ofTwo Steps From Hell’sColin Frake enhanced iBook—featuring the world’s first live symphony orchestra book soundtrack!
Want audiomachine fans everywhere to wear YOUR t-shirt design? Give it a shot, in theEngineers of Epic Machine Head Challenge!
How about showing your friends a title design you crafted for the cover of Really Slow Motion’s next public release, OF MIST AND MAGIC?
And if spinning a Steampunk tale is up your writerly alley, then channel your inner Viking and enterEpic North’sTHE CONQUERORS flash fiction challenge, inspired by the music and cover art of their film industry release, ARCADIA!
Join EpicMusicVn, official event designer, Koke Núñez Gómez, leaders of the film music industry, and a cool cast of characters, for an unforgettable journey through epic music’s IMAGINE!
Heroes of PHENOMENA is a global, cross-industry collaborative campaign encouraging the next generation of authors, artists & musicians!
Epic motion picture advertising music production house, audiomachine, will make a donation to the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra with every download of the PHENOMENA album companion collection.
A dedicated youth section showcases talented aspiring artists and authors fromElevate’s Life & Art Studios, alongside an amazing cast of inspiring industry professionals and the winning entries of PHENOMENA’s Epic Heroes Event!
I’m thrilled to announce the ebook anthology is FREE on Smashwords & Kobo! Available for $0.99 on Amazon *help us push Amazon to price-match by reporting the FREE listings*. Coming soon to iTunes & B&N!
My Epic Writing students from Elevate Life & Art Studios created a really cool book trailer that blends the music of PHENOMENA with the boundless creativity of the next generation—inspiring their peers in a humorous tribute to authors, musicians, artists and dreamers! Special thanks to Braelyn Whiteside (9th Grade) for her brilliant filming & editing skills!
IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month. A community of brilliant writers led by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Visit the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website and database! You’ll find everything from writing to marketing, along with encouragement and support!
It’s fitting that today is IWSG. Seeing as how Alex has been an unfailing supporter since my online debut back in March of 2013, it’s no surprise that he’s a winner of a Biltmore-themed commenter prize!
And many composer collaborations later, I’ve finally cajoled Alex into joining my latest EPIC event with audiomachine! More details on the PHENOMENA project will be announced this FRIDAY! We’re accepting writing & art entries for audiomachine’s “Epic Heroes” contest through May 15th, so tap into your imaginations and join the fun!
I want to send out my heartfelt thanks to everyone who stopped by during the crazy month that is April’sA to Z Challenge to take a peek at my upcoming Biltmore-inspired YA novel “Architects of Illusion“! This novel series is my biggest, most ambitious project to date. Needless to say, I was anxious to hear feedback. I truly value your comments and the time you spent in my world. The show of encouragement from gracious readers & inspiring composers alike have bolstered my passion for this story and will continue to push me towards achieving my DREAM!
Special thanks to my additional commenting winners–you guys rock! (Shoot me an email with your address to receive your Biltmore-goodies:)
To say April was a busy month would be the understatement of the year. Between novel edits, running an international album promotion for PHENOMENA, teaching an AMAZING group of gifted teens through Elevate Life & Art, planning a big book trailer, in collaboration with audiomachine, for Grammarly’s groundbreaking GrammoWriMo Novel, “The Lonely Wish-Giver” (which I also contributed to), AND juggling commenting/minion duties for the incredible #TeamDamyanti (muwah!)–I was ready to drown myself in a barrel of Biltmore wine!
With well over 2K participants, the Challenge was a huge success! There were so many awesome posts I enjoyed, and many more I didn’t have the chance to read. I hope to catch up on what I missed over the next few months. I loved meeting new folks and exchanging witty fun with familiar “faces”. You’re all welcome here anytime, where the bar, the banter, and the imagination, are always open.
Cover designed by the extraordinary artist and composer, Ryo Ishido!
![A-to-Z Reflection [2014]](https://writerlysam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/a-to-z-reflection-2014.jpg?w=300&h=142)
WriterlySam 