I don't usually do book reviews. Why? Well, being in the business as long as I have been, I know too much. I know too many people. I've seen the tiny man behind the great and powerful OZ.
That said, I want to talk about a bio I read. It's "A Little Bit Wicked," by actor Kristin Chenoweth and Joni Rogers. I like to read bios because I like to hear other people's stories. How the people who seem so far away and famous are in fact just like us-struggling to reach their dreams. Kristin's stories are light hearted and fun. She talks about how people complain that she is just "too nice." (Something I get all the time...sigh.) The funny part is the critics only complaint about this book is that she was...yes... "too nice" and didn't get into the dirty gritty details. Please. Some people like to keep some things private. I get that. Anyway, for me this was a fun read. I'm from southern Kansas which is practically Oklahoma. I have friends in Oklahoma. I have friends who are music theater majors with opera masters degrees. For me it was like listening to a girlfriend tell stories of her life.
Why review it here, you ask? Because I want to quote her. Here is the quote I want all writers and would-be writers to hear:
"Cool Aunt Kristin's Advice for Young Actors (writers)
* It's been said a thousand times, and it's true: if there's anything else you could be happy doing, you should do that.
* Run with the big dogs or stay on the porch with the puppies but let your ambition be about WHO you want to be, not what you want to get.
* Awards are on the outside. Rewards are on the inside. That means rewards don't have to be dusted. :)
* Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
* Never, NEVER, forget the FUN factor."
Great advice for writers. Cheers!
That said, I want to talk about a bio I read. It's "A Little Bit Wicked," by actor Kristin Chenoweth and Joni Rogers. I like to read bios because I like to hear other people's stories. How the people who seem so far away and famous are in fact just like us-struggling to reach their dreams. Kristin's stories are light hearted and fun. She talks about how people complain that she is just "too nice." (Something I get all the time...sigh.) The funny part is the critics only complaint about this book is that she was...yes... "too nice" and didn't get into the dirty gritty details. Please. Some people like to keep some things private. I get that. Anyway, for me this was a fun read. I'm from southern Kansas which is practically Oklahoma. I have friends in Oklahoma. I have friends who are music theater majors with opera masters degrees. For me it was like listening to a girlfriend tell stories of her life.
Why review it here, you ask? Because I want to quote her. Here is the quote I want all writers and would-be writers to hear:
"Cool Aunt Kristin's Advice for Young Actors (writers)
* It's been said a thousand times, and it's true: if there's anything else you could be happy doing, you should do that.
* Run with the big dogs or stay on the porch with the puppies but let your ambition be about WHO you want to be, not what you want to get.
* Awards are on the outside. Rewards are on the inside. That means rewards don't have to be dusted. :)
* Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
* Never, NEVER, forget the FUN factor."
Great advice for writers. Cheers!
5 comments:
LOVE this, Nancy!! What she says about letting your ambition reflect "who you want to be, not what you want to get" is SO true...
As for your having seen the "tiny many behind the great and powerful OZ," I'd love to hear more about that (and bk. reviews) when I see you in person!! :-)
" Awards are on the outside. Rewards are on the inside. That means rewards don't have to be dusted."
My mom was a great one for saying something very similar. I do like rules Kristin's rules though. They make perfect sense to me.
I laughed when I read your comment about having seen the "tiny man behind the great and powerful OZ. Good analogy.
I enjoyed your post. Sorry I haven't been around much the past couple of week but with knee surgery and now rehab, I've been doing what I have to do and not much of other things I enjoy doing.
Have a great week! If you get the chance, stop by tomorrow and say hi to Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches.
Wow, nice tips. I really love the one about ambition. So true.
I think the advice applies to old actors (writers) too!:)
Jane Kennedy Sutton
http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/
Fun? I just want to get published. Oops. Rained on your parade (or at least mine).
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