I am currently working on my new novel, working title The Sleep. I am in the process of finding an agent and publisher for The Ghosts of Lower Eden, a speculative fiction novel set in the West Hills of Portland.
In my blog, I share everything I've learned on my journey to being published. You can find information about getting an agent, pitching and getting organized to write your own novel as you follow me along the way. If you are interested in trading a link in your blog, please contact me! Thanks for visiting. Please come back soon and spread the word about this site to your friends, news lists and blogs!
You probably wouldn't guess that I'm a trained vocalist. Yes, they actually make a degree for singing, and I happen to have one. I've sung with many professional groups over years. But right now I am cutting back my performing to concentrate on writing pretty much full time. This coming year, I will only sing with one group, the Oregon Repertory Singers (ORS), though I will still perform jazz with a trio whenever I can.
This is a recording of me singing with the ORS and the Seattle Jazz Repertory Singers. It is called "Heaven," and is part of the Duke Ellington Sacred Service.
I've always felt that when you find your bliss, go with it! There are two things I have found in my life that are like that. Writing and singing. When I write, it is as if the story takes over, and I become lost in the rhythm of my fingers against the keys, and the story just writes itself. I am drawn back to the computer time after time, simply because I want - no, need - to know what happens next in the story I'm working on. Singing is a lot like that for me, when I'm soloing anyway (and often with I'm singing with the choir). When it's right, the energy of the music just flows through me. I don't think about what comes, it just does. (OK, there is a certain amount of thinking ahead. But you have to know your stuff well enough to just let it happen.)
There are lots of other things I could tell you about me. I'm a very spiritual person. Guess I'd have to be to write about ghosts and the paranormal. I have liberal beliefs, and I write a lot of meditations for the small fellowship I attend. As for some other things, well, I guess a lot of "me" will come out in my blog. I can't wait for you to read my novels, and some of my other stuff as well. As this site develops, I'll add more music, and writing. Until then, thanks for visiting and come back soon, ya hear?
Marti Mendenhall.com
