writing – DENISE MARSA

My secret editor

I think she means…no wait, that makes no sense.

As I run a small boutique PR & marketing firm, @KeyMediaGroupPR (plug ha!) one of my favorite tasks is writing press releases. I have been complimented on my writing and being a songwriter I understand how to write stories and how to create an arc.

I have recently been working with a friend who is now my unofficial editor. And she is brutally honest with me, and I am so pleased she is. She kicks my butt everytime I send her a new release. And I write more and I learn and I change and it all makes better sense. I am writing even better releases since she stepped in to help.

So what if I carry on with my daily life, as if I am my own editor. What if we all do that? Living a day, really editing what we say, do, think, making each day a piece to be “thoughtful” about. What would I leave out, what would I change? What would each day look like, having a well intended arc, a beginning, a middle, an end. We are all our own editors, afterall.

Writing Remembering

At any given moment, we may write what we think and feel. We put it down, we proclaim, we spit it out, we share with whatever our intentions were/are at the time we write. Saying something is one thing, however writing it down is another. Perhaps we write things down in order to not forget, or in order to remember. Words.

Here is my recently published story about THE PASS, a musical. http://theaterlife.com/the-pass/

The Stillness of Reading, Writing & Sitting at Desks & Pianos

I’ve always had an obsession with wanting to read more. Reading for me is all about keeping my interest and keeping me still enough, not to do, or move or get. That’s why I love desks and pianos. They keep me still. Having just read (at my desk) and really enjoyed it: NY Times “Jonathan Franzen is Fine With All of It.” by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, it was enlightening to read an article, about an author that kept me reading. Threads of interest. Facts about leaving NYC for Cali, seabirds, and TV production. Like the end of projects when projects do not go to fruition, and how the bigger it gets… maybe the more challenging it gets to keep the author’s original intention? And how a successful author, takes it all in. Change. It’s always about change, in any given moment, hour or day. Maybe that’s why I love familiar and items that have stood the test of time. Like my car, FLO. Familiar vs change.

I often times think when a writer is really successful, they don’t have to juggle disappointments with royalties and licensing fees. How uplifting to better understand success as I marinate in my own recent success and experiences in London launching my one woman show THE PASS. There were so many in’s and out’s, so much to handle before, during and after. And wow have I learned.

I suggest reading the article, mentioned above, it’s really good. And good content these days, well written, well, let’s just say the market is bursting with so much (_________) (you fill in the word), Go on write it in! You have a voice.

Which brings me to my new song YOUR VOICE. Stand back, it’s a really good one. More to follow…

And when I looked for an image to go with the article, look what showed up. Happy birthday Nelly Sachs. Pretty cool.

Let’s Give Thanks for First Times

gretchen-denise-brendan-10-15-16

Giving thanks in a very profound way this Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday after all. This year I am grateful for so much including all the support I have received for my new project THE PASS.

When I do anything for the first time, it’s a big deal. There’s the initial idea, the process of putting it together and the emotions that go with attempting something new. Then there’s the Euphoria once I do it… I actually did it! Next up, what’s next?

THE PASS had its first run through last night at Gretchen Cryer’s house with Brendan Littlefield at the piano and yours truly singing and reading the 16 vignettes created to tell my story. I was in a very numb state of mind before and after the run through. I was pushing myself so hard to get it done and then realized it had taken me less than a year to put it together. I am so very excited to keep polishing the show and share it!

Here’s a photo of myself with Gretchen Cryer, my teacher and director and pianist Brendan Littlefield just after we did the run through. It was the first time we all met and first time since I finished the script and added the songs in order, and it went thanksgivingly well.

Thick Skin

As I am new to blogging – it is often times hard to decide what is worth a read and why. There are so many blogs out there and so many people looking for an audience.

This blog was originally created to help generate some interest in THE PASS, the show I am diligently working on while I run my PR side of my life and mentor and manage NICOLE BERKE. I am happily devoted to the pursuit of Nicole’s success as a recording artist and songwriter. Her career and well-being matter to me. That has been an important part of my career in music, mentoring and managing new young artists. It has shifted so many ideas and concepts I had formed over the years about the music industry and the process of being an artist. I have the chance to step into another artist’s shoes and it is pretty cool. I learn so much everyday.

This morning I had an epiphany after a somewhat interesting experience with a fellow blogger yesterday and an associate that helps me with my work. I tried to fix something and did what I thought was best and it backfired. No big deal, right?

It did remind me of something. Having thick skin is important if you are going to create art, music, a blog, cooking and the list goes on. Doing something that comes from your heart and soul and sharing it and then letting it go. Only you know your intention on any given day. The idea is do what you do and if people like it great and if not so what? Will you stop doing it? Why give others the key to your safe?

My intentions are usually good.