Sunday, December 18, 2005

A novel idea

Well, that's not good. Has it really been almost a month since my last posting here?

Tut tut tut.

The last few weeks I've been preoccupied sketching down a rough storyboard for a novel. I can't say too much at the moment, as storyboards are necessarily transient by nature. That's why I refer to it as a "sketch".

But here's a very rough skeletal plot outline as it currently stands for those who need to know:

Protagonist A stands trial for treachery against the combined forces of a subversive organisation at the height of a civil disruption. A protracted battle of words progresses as A first falls, then through various strategies regains some control of the situation (this is the bulk of the text using various plot devices to examine the (in)humanity of opinions, and differences thereof). As the trial ends with no verdict or sentence Protagonist A comes across inside information revealing that the subversive organisation has now attempted to enact in the very way which led to his charges. In the end it should be apparent that the civil conflict is based on no real principles, and could have been resolved years ago with only a little thinking. Protagonist A's fairly minor actions on which he is charged (which are never 100% detailed or explained) have led to an opportunity for resolution of a national conflict, but in a typical act of pseudo- military auto-destruction the opportunity is quickly wasted. What need is there for a subversive organisation if everyone gets along well enough? Futility reigns supreme. The war must go on... and on... and on...

Comparisons with Vonnegut's Mother Night and Heller’s Catch 22 (amongst others) will be forthcoming no doubt. Feel free to lambast me for my unoriginality by replying below.

Belated thanks to Hans for his lonely suggestion re the forthcoming Rhythm Workshop. Initially I was hesitant to take his suggestion on board fearing it was primarily a percussionist's issue, though I quickly realised that his point is valid for rhythmic playing on any instrument. Noted and included. Thanks to you Hans!

Also regarding the Workshop, below is an example of an extract of an original transcription (copyright asserted) drawn using a modified method based upon the principles for the Rhythm Workshop. Barlines are drawn between the staves, rather than within them, to enable easy tying of notes in their relevant phrase/pattern groupings, without the need to fit nicely in the bar. This is particularly handy for using with music in polymetre. It's also very easy to read (once you get used to it) as it uses the standard western transcription methods in virtually every other respect.

So, without any further ado...

CLICK HERE TO VIEW LARGER

Although the musical example above is a bit complex for a workshop situation, it should be a sufficient template.

Elsewhere...

The Point Moot Lighthouse was in chaos the other night when one ship caught alight as it enetered the harbour. For a moment the blaze outshone even the beacon itself. Fortunately nobody was hurt, though much damage was done, with the entire evenings movements thouroughly disrupted.

Outside of "real work" and my Point Moot by the sea Community Music Project dealings many enjoyable distractions have kept me occupied. A highlight of this year, as it is most years, was watching my eldest perform for hundreds at Little Bend's "Dance and Drama" festival. A prouder father there never was... or at least that's how I feel!

And the festive season approches rapidly. A trip away is planned, with much time in the company of in-laws out from the islands. It's always a treat to catch-up with those dear ones from overseas. A brief visit to Point Moot last week will be followed up with some better quality time in the surroundings of common relatives. Also beckoning is a brief visit to Mopsy and Popsy in The Bananarama Valley, and then dog-scaring and gunpowder-wasting in Capital City before The Point beckons us home once more for the new year.

But hopefully I can manage a new report before then!

Charge ye glasses! There's drinking to be done!

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

It seems that the lighthouse keeper is on hiatus and two ships have run aground.
CSC shipping is charging for five sea going tugs for five days to free them..
Update this blog sometime this year please..
Jt

5:43 pm  
Blogger Owen said...

Yes, it is a sad state of affairs. "real" stuff is keeping me from this blog, but rest assured, Mack-Jay o' the Moors, the light-house is doing its job!

An update will happen soon... I hope.

Cheers!

5:48 pm  

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