Sunday, June 22, 2014

Think like a Mystery Writer



 
Write your own caption.
I’ve always liked to tell stories. A few years ago I decided to write a novel. That sounds easy enough, right? I quickly realized that writing was like any other art form. To do it well, you have to study good work, practice continually to improve your craft and join groups that share your passion. In writing, just like in glass, there are rules to follow and formulas for success. Another thing writing and glass have in common, is that dreaded learning curve. I’ve found that the best way to fast forward my skills and learn trade secrets and shortcuts the pros use, is to attend workshops. At first it felt strange to be the hopeful, wide-eyed novice sitting in the audience, instead of the experienced presenter up front. But I got over it when I saw how quickly my work improved.

Earlier this month, I attended the Florida Writers Association mini conference titled, Get the Crime Right. The program was geared toward mystery writers. My novel genre is suspense/paranormal. I attended anyway, because I’ve gotten valuable insight from every presentation I’ve been to, including a racy poetry reading. (But that’s another story…)

You never know what little tidbit you might pick up just by putting yourself out there. In fact, I met a medium who talked to the dead victims of a serial killer. She actually helped the police find the killer and they put him away for life. She’s a great resource when I need an expert to check my paranormal content for accuracy. Finding an experienced, unbiased reader who can explain what’s not working in your story, is a huge benefit.  

The most fascinating part of the conference was the presentation on blood, by a working Miami crime scene investigator. The first thing she said was, “TV has it all wrong; we don’t solve the crime in one hour.” She then showed us how they study blood patterns to reconstruct a crime scene. Did you know blood spray is called spatter, not splatter? And a bloody foot print is technically a contact transfer. Cause of death is a knife to the chest or blunt force trauma to the head, while manor of death is murder, accident, or suicide.

The conference stirred the sleuth in me. Since then, I’ve been more keenly aware of things. I noticed that our trash man goes out of his way for certain neighbors. He always has a wave and friendly smile for me, but he leaves my empty trash can by the curb. For certain other neighbors, about 5 or 6 along my morning walk route, he goes out of his way to roll their empty cans half way up their long driveways. One cold morning, I witnessed one of those privileged neighbors heading to the street. He placed a foil covered plate on top of the lid of his still full trash can just before the driver pulled up to empty it. Heat rose off the foil in waves. I could smell the fresh baked goodies tucked inside. A-ha, the trash man is a sucker for cinnamon buns. No big surprise, who isn’t? Mystery solved; or so I thought.

Something continued to bother me. Later it occurred to me that it was unlikely so many neighbors would leave food for the trash man. We live in a heavily wooded area, crafty critters would be the ones getting fed. So I investigated further. One morning, I came across that same neighbor as he was retrieving his empty trash can from midway up his driveway. I asked him why he got such special treatment. Turned out it wasn’t his baking but his dough. He’d given the trash man a cash gift at the end of the year.

Now, when I take my morning walk I feel differently about the people in those houses with the trash can pushed back from the curb. I feel as though I know a little more about who they are and their character. Who would have thought such a small detail, the location of a trash can, could be so revealing?

That’s why I attend workshops. It’s exciting to be challenged and thrilling to learn new things. By the way, if you walk my street on trash day you’ll now see my emptied trash can won’t be by the curb, but left a lot closer to the house. Because you never know who’s looking.

Be curious,
Lisa



Up Coming Workshops
Painting with Frit, 2-Day, Hands-on, Glass Fusing Workshop
When: Saturday, July 26th - Sunday, July 27th
Where: Warner Stained Glass, Allentown, PA.
Register: Call 800-523-4242 to reserve your spot. Registration Deadline: Friday, July 11.

Fused Vessel Sinks and More, 4-Day, Hands-on Glass Fusing Workshop
When: September, 16-19, 2014
Where: Wesley Chapel, Florida.
Register: www.LisaVogt.net Shop/Classes & Workshops

Fired Up, 2-Day, Hands-on Glass Fusing Workshop
When: Thursday, October 16 – Friday, October 17.
Where: Pacific Art Glass, Gardena, CA.
For more information: www.pacificartglass.com Call (800) 354-5277

Painting with Frit, 2-Day, Hands-on Workshop
When: Saturday, October 18 - Sunday, October 19 
Where: Pacific Art Glass, Gardena, CA.
For more information: www.pacificartglass.com Call (800) 354-5277

News from the Studio. You can now subscribe to my newsletter on my website or on Facebook.
FREE Pattern of the week is now available on my website click artist studio/Pattern of the week

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Summertime = Museums & Reading

 

Sonic Wave from the book FireWorks
Beyond fusing glass in my studio, my other favorite summertime activates are visiting art museums and reading. Summer’s relaxed schedule means more leisure time and I like to spend mine in the company of great artists or wrapped up in a good book. So I’m heating it up right here and sharing a glass museum and glass books with you.    


The Chihuly Collection

Morean Art Center, St Petersburg, FL

http://www.moreanartscenter.org/content.php?id=90

Get your copy of Fire& Ice, Destination Innovation and FireWorks on my website.
 
Fire and Ice, hot techniques for cool projects. Dramatic presentation is what it’s all about!  In this 36 page pattern book you’ll be shown how the use of simple stenciling and embossing techniques, can ramp up your design style. You’ll find inspiration in the 40 trendy designs, 40 color photographs, project layout tips, assembly instructions and firing guides.  

Destination Innovation, Your fast-track to fantastic fusing, casting and sinks!
In this 36 page pattern book, with 46 color photographs, learn how to approach kiln crafting from different directions to make incredibly exciting, often super-easy new projects. In addition to the 46 projects and project specific firing guides, you’ll find detailed instructions for making sinks, drilling holes, making molds and combing glass.

FireWorks! Fun and Festive Fusing! Celebrate glass crafting year round with this flashy assortment of easy-to-make projects for all seasons. This 36 page pattern book with 32 color photographs will spark your imagination and ignite your creativity. This 35 design collection comes complete with assembly instructions, plus detailed fusing and slumping guides.
 
 Up Coming Classes  
 

Painting with Frit, 2-Day, Hands-on, Glass Fusing Workshop

When: Saturday, July 26th - Sunday, July 27th

Where: Warner Stained Glass, Allentown, PA.

Register: Call 800-523-4242 to reserve your spot. Registration Deadline: Friday, July 11.



Fused Vessel Sinks and More, 4-Day, Hands-on Glass Fusing Workshop

When: September, 16-19, 2014

Where: Wesley Chapel, Florida.

Register: www.LisaVogt.net Shop/Classes & Workshops
 


Fired Up, 2-Day, Hands-on Glass Fusing Workshop

When: Thursday, October 16 – Friday, October 17.

Where: Pacific Art Glass, Gardena, CA.


For more information: www.pacificartglass.com Call (800) 354-5277
 
 

 Painting with Frit, 2-Day, Hands-on Workshop

When: Saturday, October 18 - Sunday, October 19 

Where: Pacific Art Glass, Gardena, CA.


For more information: www.pacificartglass.com Call (800) 354-5277

 
Happy Fusing, 
Lisa




More good news!
 

Cast Away check out my article in the May 30 issue of the online magazine                  Fused Glass Projects Magazine, www.fused-glass-projects.com

News from the Studio. You can now subscribe to my newsletter on my website or on Facebook.

FREE Pattern of the week is now available on my website click artist studio/Pattern of the week