 Over the past year I've been hard at work on my Masters Degree in Creative Writing at Kingston University, where I've been experimenting with all things creative writing. From Wicca plays with rotating stages to fairy short stories to prose poetry, it's a whirlwind, taking my writing to new dimensions. A long-time reader of poetry, writing the expressive art-form was a new experience for me- one that I've grown to love. Studying during 2020, has taught me to take risks with my writing and think outside the comfort of my mediums. When Lockdown shut down Theatreland and cancelled festival after festival, the arts world was left with the virtual world to express themselves. This left me bubbling with ideas- I wanted to share my writing in as many ways as possible. After seeing a intriguing tweet from Composer, Melissa Dunphy I joined her networking group on Facebook to explore turning my writing into music, specifically classical music.
I'm thrilled to announce that Helios Opera are adapting my poetry exploring racism, tokenism, self-doubt and fantasy fiction into a ticketed live-streamed opera production. I'm working with Brooklyn-based Composer and Pianist Felix Jarrar and Soprano singer Victoria Davis to bring this my poetry alive. Stardust premieres on 4th December with 10% of all ticket sales will be donated to the organization Color of Change.
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I thought this would have been published a year ago, but life rarely pans out how we predict or would prefer, does it?
Six months ago, I thought my anthology was finished. I was thrilled that my first book was done and dusted, I started looking for an illustrator for the book cover. A week later I was working on my unfinished novel, Basilar and realised Orphic needed a drastic change. So hear we are, heading towards 2019 and I'm only just putting the finishing touches on my short story collection. Taking the time to edit and reflect made me discover my writing goals with some new clarity. From witches to dragons to talking animals, I've embraced the world of fantasy and allowed a smoother transition to my novel. I will be the first to admit I primarly identify as a fiction writer, but in the age of instant everything, the short bursts of words is a freeing form of writing. However, I often create characters and write poetry based on their relationships, hopes, fears and personality. How many poets out there, are soley drawing on their personal experience?
 I think what appeals to me about writing fantasy, is the opportunity to create anew world and walk through new surroundings. It's the same reason I love travel. In all it's forms, travel lets us explore new places, learn new languages and expose ourselves to new culture, completely out of our comfort zone and familiarity.  For me, travel is more than just flying somewhere exotic. I love train, coach and bus journeys just as much, if not more. Who doesn't enjoy people watching and discovering people? My love of travel extends to travel shows, (Damon and Jo anyone?), to travel literature both factual and literature. There was something magical abut the first time I discovered the underwater hotel in Fiji and the Icebar in Finland. Then joining Rita Golden Gelman and Cheryl Strayed in the memoirs of their journeys had me gripped; holding onto every word.  Next up is my film choices. It's no surprise my list of favourite films all take me across the globe- Midnight in Paris, Roman Holiday, An Affair to Remember, Brooklyn, Eat Pray Love and Copenhagen to name a few. At this point it's pretty safe to say the loves of my life are travel and writing. My perfect life would be combining the two of them documenting my journeys while writing my books. So if anyone has any suggestions, i'm all ears!!!!
It's been a while since I wrote a blog post but it's been a busy 6 months for me. Alas, I'm back with some news and writing to show you, so I guess that makes up for it!
If you're on this blog, you're probably already aware that i'm an aspiring novelist, screenwriter and playwright. My first step in that direction was becoming a theatre reviewer. Step 2 was publishing a serialized fantasy book on Channillo. Step 3 was writing my dark fantasy screenplay and actually allowing someone else to feast their eyes on the script, and thankfully they loved it! Step 4 was sharing my writing with the world, on a budget. Living in London, and immersing myself in the creative scene, I'm not exactly short of aspiring actors, wanting material for their reel. I'm not short of material for a reel, so I thought lets kill two birds with one stone? The result? A vlog, called Monday Monologues. Each week a featured actor performs my monologue and the video is uploaded onto my YouTube channel . So far I've found a lot of talented actors to collaborate with; it's made me wonder why haven't i been vloging this whole time! Anyway , the more I looked at YouTube besides to listen to the Wicked the Musical soundtrack and watch authors interviews, I more I realized, YouTube could play a big part in my future as a novelist, screenwriter and playwright. I have some big plans for my YouTube channel, but for now Monday Monologues are my focus. Check out this week's video featuring Katherine Press! Stay tuned for Step 5. Aka my upcoming self published books, writing competitions, my hunt for a literary agent and my journey diving back into education. 2018's is going to be busy!!!!  Spike Lee revisited his first feature film She's Gotta Have It, in the form of a television series, exclusively for Netflix. She's Gotta Have It, tells the story of Nola Darling (DeWanda Wise), a young, artistic pansexual Brooklynite, dating three very different men. Firstly there's Mr Jamie Overstreet (Lyriq Bent), the charming and financially secure investment banker, who has worked his way up the career ladder and lost the spark with his wife. Secondly there's the self obsessed model and photographer, Greer Childs (Cleo Anthony) and thirdly the immature but hilarious Mars Blackmon (Anthony Ramos). Nola is attracted to the best of all of them but won't commit to them.
At first glance Nola appears to be the dream woman. She's all the excitement but none of the responsibility. She asks them for nothing and feels empowered by this, until she is victim to an attack. It's an interested representation of how as a society we associate race with sexuality.  It's no secret that fantasy fiction is my go to area when I'm writing. It's a chance to create your own reality and live without boundaries. That being said (or should I say typed?), there are times when you can't just jump ship into a land full of mythical creatures, you have to stay and face the music. I've always loved writing poetry and most recently what is nicknamed the InstaPoetry. Since my mother passed away It's been my saving grace to cope with the array of emotions coming towards me. To date, I've been sharing my poetry on my Instagram account , but I soon will be publishing it in a book, Heart of a Lion in collaboration with two amazing illustrators I know.
Watch this space for the debut of Heart of a Lion. By now you probably know that WISH UPON A STAR, is my baby and my first round at sharing my writing with the world. It stands to reason that I protect it fiercely and share its happy moments like a stage mom celebrates their little one's first Tony nomination with absolute joy!
Better late than never, Chapter 4 is now live on Channillo. If you get a chance please leave read it and give me some feedback to make chapter 5 as strong as possible. Good Night for now my fellow booknerds :) It's seems a bit of an understatement to call myself MISSING IN ACTION, but you do what you can on a scorching hot Friday afternoon.
So yes, I promised Chapter 4 back in April and I had fully intended to keep this promise but it appears life had other plans for me. Long story short, following a short illness my mother took her place in the sky amongst the stars this summer. Wish Upon A Star is coming back and Chapter 4 is well on it's way! Stay tuned... Yes, it's that time of the month! I mean the other time of the month. The time when the latest chapter of my digital book series Wish Upon A Star, on Channillo is uploaded. It's Chapter 3 now , entitled Enter Ava.
Subscribe to my story and read about what happens at http://channillo.com/series/wish-upon-a-star/ . |
AuthorB.L. Sherrington is an aspiring author, penning a fantasy novel in between short stories and reviews. Archives
October 2020
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