Freestyle Gargoyles 4...2016 Halloween Special

If you access this link: HERE, you can check out a unique experience. Authors, musicians, friends, and neighbors gathered in the upstairs studio of Gangrene Productions located above a small-town main street on a busy Friday night.

We gathered for many reasons, some to support loved ones, some to share their talents, but all to feel the music and hear the words of six authors, six different stories perfect for Halloween.

The authors, (in order of appearance...) James Wymore, myself, Eric Wincentsen, Patrick Murphy, Nathan Shumate, and David West, read an original story. The musicians, Craig Nybo, Keith Moon, Dan Nobles, Lary Nybo, Oz-Aaron Ozminski, Rick Nef, Brandon Tucker, and conductor Rob Griffin, backed us up, creating a musical tapestry the surrounded our words, taken them to destinations the audible voice could not alone reach.

I haven't listened to all the readers--the YouTube video just dropped today, but I look forward to hearing each story, appreciating the musicality of the players, and re-living what an amazing time I had that night just a few weeks ago. My story begins at 16 minutes in and ends just after the 28 minute mark, but I'd recommend you hear all the stories. There's some great stuff there.

Even though I'm relatively new to the writing world, I've already had some amazing experiences--being on conference writing panels at Salt Lake Comic Con, LUTE, and Salt City Steamfest, having people come up and buy something I wrote at these events and other places. But participating in the Freestyle Gargoyles event, that was definitely a highlight for me.

If you'd like something new for this Halloween, click on the link: HERE. I'm sure you'll see and hear something new.

I'm A Freestyle Gargoyle...At Last!

I did it!

I've never done anything like it before, and tonight I read something I wrote in front of an audience. It's a first for me. It was a blast!

Freestyle Gargoyles is, I believe, the brainchild of the incredibly talented Craig Nybo. The advertiser, author, musician, and comedian created the event. Basically, authors read a short story (1500 - 2000 words...) while his band backs them up. They create a free-form soundtrack to the words being spoken--completely made-up on the fly. As they announced at the beginning, sometimes it's magic, sometimes not so much. But each creation is completely new, completely never before heard.

Here's some pictures of the event. It's hard to capture the feeling in the room with just pictures. I believe our stories are put on YouTube at sometime down the road. When they are, I'll blog about it.

Thanks Craig and the band for an amazing time!

I did it!

It was great!

Freestyle Gargoyles Halloween Special...And I'm Going!

In one week I will take part in a cultural event and I'm totally excited for it! It's called Freestyle Gargoyles Halloween Special. 

Since "Halloween Special" is in the title, that means that there have been previous "Freestyle Gargoyles" events in the past. Basically, Freestyle Gargoyles is where authors and musicians come together to create art. Authors read original works while a rockin' band backs them up with music. At least, that's what I've been told happens. I've not participated before.

When I found out a new event was coming up I was asked to share something I've written--so cool to be asked to read! I worried I wasn't able to attend because of my new p/t job that I picked up until the end of October. However, thanks to my employer allowing me the night off, I get to go!

Now, the story...

I need to come up with a story, between 1500 and 2000 words that fits well with the theme of: scary. I began a new story--I'm only a couple of hundred words in. I'll need to finish that story if I decide to use it. I've got until the 14th if that's what I choose to do. Or, I could use an existing story I've already written. I might end up doing that, even though I don't (or haven't...) written a lot of horror. I've got the weekend to decide and/or write a new story, and because Monday is a federal holiday (Thanks, Columbus!), I have all day Monday to finish up. I'd better have everything worked out by Monday or I'll be in trouble.

It's a real honor to be asked to help out. I have met some amazing people, such generous people and next week I get to hang with them and do something cool. I can't wait!