Musings from a Writer: The Mango Tree Cafe

Showing posts with label The Mango Tree Cafe. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The Co-Author Heard 'Round the World

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you will recall that I wrote a novel with Alan Solomon. The kick is, we've never met each other. We met online and never spoke on the telephone. Why you ask? Because at the time, he was located in Beijing, China and I was in Nashville, TN.

Alan is a native New Zealander, more commonly known as "kiwi". He owned a restaurant in Chiang Mai, Thailand called, "The Mango Tree Cafe." After owning this restaurant, he had a story to tell and that is where I came into the picture. He wanted someone to help with his novel by the same name of his eatery. After learning about the story and being told that it sat upon the most mystical road in the world, I was hooked. They say once you walk Loi Kroh Road, you are forever changed. I normally didn't accept book jobs such as these in my writing days, but something told me this was special. And, indeed it was.

So, Alan and I have been keeping up with each other since 2007. We published the book (see the column to the right under "Amazon Offerings"), received alot of media coverage about it and my eyes were filled with the world's mysteries and unspoken charms.

I hadn't heard from Alan for awhile. He had mentioned that he was going to leave Beijing this past December and relocate to New Zealand. We've instant messaged each other, sent emails and the like as we've done in the past; our mode of communication. We had tossed the idea around of writing another novel together...who knows? It might be in the cards.

Yet, I don't know. He dropped me a line a few weeks ago and mentioned he was going to Japan to work on a project for a friend. Of course, he has other things going on in New Zealand too. He's a very energetic guy. But, something inside of me whispered that our paths may not cross again. I could be wrong of course, it's just a niggling I have.

Then again, I have walked Loi Kroh Road in spirit and I am forever changed.

More Musings Later-

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

You'd think I'd be used to this...

but, I'm not. What am I talking about? DISCRIMINATION.

I applied for a writing job not too long ago and the recruiter called me and was thrilled with my qualifications. Great! Offer coming soon, right?

WRONG. The editor of this publishing company wanted a spouse to write a book on "Loving a Man with XYZ condition". When I revealed that my partner had this condition, she cautiously asked, You ARE married to a MAN, correct? When I said, "No" and explained the situation, - Boom. I didn't get the job.

Why? Cause I'm gay. That's it. If I had submitted a writing sample and she didn't like it, okay. I understand that.

Folks, we are smack dab in the latter part of 2008. Can we please move on into the 20th century? Harumph.

On to a lighter note....The Olympics are over (and man! weren't they exciting!) and my best bro, Alan Solomon survived it! If you remember, he and I co-wrote the book, "The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road" (it's an award winner by the way!) Anyway, Alan lives in Beijing, China and assisted the Chinese police with security.

Our book, "The Mango Tree Cafe', Loi Kroh Road"

Here he is enjoying some bar-b-que in Beijing (Company picnic).

Alan chowing down on BBQ

By the way, A Message to the Editor: "To Thine Own Self Be True" allow others to follow it.
More Musings Later-

Sunday, August 24, 2008

I've Discovered that I'm a World Traveler

It's true. I began thinking about places I had been when I was watching the closing ceremonies of the Olympics. I also thought about it the last several nights in the wee hour of the mornings as my insomnia is particularly bad. It probably accounts for my pensive and somewhat blue mood.

I would have to say that thinking about it, not only make watching the infomercials more palatable at night, but caused me to reflect again how lucky I am. Of course, I'm from Texas, so I have been to all the big cities of Texas including Houston, Dallas and Austin, not to mention Fort Worth and every small town in between including the proud township of Fred, Texas. Salute! Once I made it out of Texas, I've visited virtually every state in these United States.

More of the noteworthy experiences have been where I've stepped in snow drifts up to my hip in Stowe, Vermont. Traveling to Bar Harbor, Maine to meet a woman I worked with long distance, but never met. She was battling cancer at the time and knew it was one of her last trips. A screenplay was born. It should be a book, but that is something I have on my "to do" list.

I've auditioned at the Juilliard School in New York City...was I ready? Hell no. But I did it. I also visited Studio 54, went to the Duplex and partied at Henrietta's (a Sandra Bernhardt and Madonna former haunt). I walked upon the eerily familiar cobblestone streets near NYU and drank beer in taverns and martinis at Sardi's.

I've also traveled to Turks and Caicos islands and stayed at an all-inclusive resort, I swam in the British West Indies ocean and snorkled. I saw some of the most incredible sunsets and matured that trip as fast as I was living it. I went almost to South America and revelled in the glorious weather of Aruba. I also drank Cabernet at a quaint Italian eatery near our hotel where the wine bottles were nestled in wicker holders and the bread was plentiful and crusty with a healthy dose of olive oil, cracked pepper and parmesean cheese floating nearby.

Once the airplane trips were done, I traveled overseas, all by the magic of my laptop seeing such exotic places as London, Paris, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Thailand and more. I saw where the elephants walked with elegance and grace with eyes that are saturated with wisdom that is still unrecognizable to most who gaze upon their countenance.

I've sat at a popular night spot on Loi Kroh Road and watched the crowds of people pass by unaware they are drowning in their own lonliness. I also saw a man who walked that road and caused my life to change from the silent observations he noted.

Once I came back from Thailand, it was difficult to let the memories go and travel somewhere else...but I did. I visited the deep south in America once more. Which led to the intrigue and mystique of Las Vegas. Suddenly, my travels are taking me to other Asian countries again; Manila, and Hong Kong to the fortune tellers.

The last couple of trips were courtesy of ghostwriting for clients. The dust is still settling upon my feet and the stars are still in my eyes. Everyone should try traveling, even if you never step outside of your home.

More Musings Later-

Sunday, May 18, 2008

"The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road" Wins Award!

Well, Kids; I can now say that Alan Solomon and I have written an Award Winning Book!

So, I am proud to announce that "The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road" has WON in the following category: Best Online Marketing. As a result, I will be receiving a gold medal and the book will be categorized as a winning novel, along with the info below:

Finalists and Winners will also receive:A listing in the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Catalog which will be distributed to book buyers, media, and others! Exposure for a full year at http://www.indiebookawards.com/ as a Winner.

PLUS, the top 70 books will be reviewed by New York literary agent Marilyn Allen of Allen O'Shea Literary Agency or one of Ms. Allen's co-agents for possible representation in areas such as distribution, foreign rights, film rights, and other rights.

Ms. Allen has over 25 years of sales and marketing experience, including serving as Senior Vice President, Associate Publisher, and Director of Marketing for Harper Collins and directing sales and marketing teams for Simon & Schuster, Penguin Books and Avon Books.

Ms. Allen has had the pleasure of working with many best-selling authors including Stephen King, Ken Follett, Barbara Kingsolver, John Gray, Mary Higgins Clark, and many more.

Alan and I wish to thank YOU for being an important part of this award!

Cheers!

More Musings Later-

Friday, December 28, 2007

The Bucket List

Loi Kroh Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The most mystical road in the world.

I've already walked it in my dreams, but would love to experience it in person.

The other day I saw an advertisement for a movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman's latest movie, entitled: "The Bucket List". Apparently, each of them are ill and want to experience adventures before they "Kick the Bucket". Hence, "The Bucket List."

It got me to thinking about my own Bucket List. I haven't really made one, but I have thoughts and ideas tucked away of things I would love to do and accomplish. So, without further adieu:

My Bucket List

1. Win the Pulitzer Prize for Best Fiction

for "The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road"

2. Write a One Woman Show for Broadway
Subject is in my mind, but yet to put pen to paper.

3. Create an Invention, Patent it and Sell it.

In progress (beginning stages)

4. Play in the World Poker Tour

In progress (beginning stages)

5. Travel to Thailand to actually walk Loi Kroh Road

We'll see, not sure I could fly for that long.

6. Create a Creative Writing Camp for Kids

Would love to take those "odd ducks" and have them realize how unique they are.

7. Have "The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road" made into a film.

Anyone know how to contact Sir Anthony Hopkins?

8. Learn how to fly an airplane

I think that would be so cool!

9. Be Invited to Oprah's show to discuss "The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road"

C'mon, you knew that was coming didn't you?

10. Tour Ernest Hemingway's home in Key West, Florida.
I want to see his 6 toed cats too!

11. Last but certainly not least, Before I die, I want to belly laugh.

Really laugh where the tears come and you are holding your stomach.

I want to appreciate the greatest of gifts as well as the smallest.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

The COMPLETE Publishing Package

If you're anything like millions of people all over the globe, you're feeling the pangs of desire to write a novel. Whether it be memoirs, fiction, non-fiction or perhaps a children's book, it is that desire to put thought to paper and have it become a book that is available at all the major online book retailers. Am I right?

My company is offering a new type of service for those aspiring to be the next JK Rowling or John Grisham!

Imagine hiring one company to :

Ghostwrite your novel
Self-Publish the novel in your name
Take care of all the details such as uploading the book to the publisher,
Securing an ISBN #, uploading the book cover with a simple design, and taking care that Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com are carrying YOUR book on their websites.
What about someone who will create a blog for you?
Maintain posts on a monthly basis to create interest
Write Press Releases for the book?
Create a Book Trailer for You Tube

If you have ever had to do all of these duties yourself, you know exactly just how time consuming and frustrating it can be.

Toss the worries and frustration aside. I can do this for you!

Want to see some samples of my work?

Take a look at the last book I co-wrote with Alan Solomon:

Writing (or co-writing in this instance) of the Book