Feeling B.L.U.E: Bruford Levin Upper Extremities

Here's a photo I dug up from nine years ago. Bill Bruford and Tony Levin holding a signing in Of Sound Mind, in support of their album Bruford Levin Upper Extremities.

For any who are drawing a blank, Bill Bruford is a progressive rock legend, the former drummer of Yes, King Crimson, UK, and National Health as well as his own groups, such as B.L.U.E., Earthworks, and Bruford. After Peter Gabriel left Genesis, he also helped Phil Collins on drums for a tour.

And, of course, Tony Levin has been anywhere and everywhere, from King Crimson to Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (that is, "Yes-East"), to touring with Peter Gabriel, as well as a host of session work. Tony Levin pioneered the use of the stick, a variation of bass guitar that utilizes two handed technique.

That evening, after the signing at Of Sound Mind, they played a great gig at Orion Studios. Bruford Levin Upper Extremities is a good album, mixing the sound of 80's King Crimson with equal parts of jazz, ambient, and experiemental music. David Torn's aggressive guitar looping was a challenge for me originally, however, Chris Botti's smooth trumpet offset and balanced it out. It's an album that can be puzzling at first listen, but it grows on you, and then it becomes addicting.

The Elements of Style

Style is not the only dimension to writing, however, for an aspiring writer, it is just as essential as plot, pacing, setting, and characterization. The good news is: it's not rocket science. One of the best aids is The Elements of Style by Strunk & White. Originally, Strunk wrote the core text in order to teach his English courses, and even though it dates from around World War I, it's been amended--and it is not only easy to follow, but very relevant to modern writing.

Newer writers should, in particular, pay attention to the sections:

• Use the active voice. [as in not in the passive voice]
• Use definite, specific, concrete language.
• Omit needless words.
• Write with nouns and verbs. [as in not with adjectives and adverbs]
• Do not overwrite.
• Do not explain too much.
• Do not construct awkward adverbs.
• Avoid fancy words.
• Be clear.
• Use figures of speech sparingly.
  

Usually I find that I forget the majority of the recommendations, but I think if at least some of it is applied, the writing improves dramatically. And, as with anything, advice can be taken too far, but if taken in context, the recommendations are reasonable.

Realms Of Fantasy : The Envelope Please . . .

After "The Azazel Tree" ended up a non-winning finalist in WOTF, I sent the story to Realms of Fantasy. As with "Foregleamer", I received the The Yellow Form of Promise. Doug Cohen said that he liked the concept and pacing, however the milieu didn't feel fully realized. At last, a clue as to why my story didn't win WOTF!