Well as 2010 leaves us let’s do a quick year in review.
ACTING FRONT
-Booked 2 SAG commercials and got my first taste of residual income. Whoever created residuals needs to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom!
-Continued working at the Mouse and being thankful for that good theme park money during these strenuous financial times for our country.
-Attended workshops with the top casting directors in the Southeast and learned more and more about auditioning.
WRITING FRONT
-Continued writing and networking with children’s poets and editors from across the country.
-Was asked by children’s poets Georgia Heard and Lee Bennett Hopkins to contribute to their upcoming anthologies. I sent my poems to Georgia and am still working on the one for Lee.
-Applied for the HIGHLIGHTS FOUNDATION retreat with Rebecca Kai Dotlich. It’s a weeklong retreat where writers get one-on-one interaction with Rebecca as they work on their latest manuscript. Also applied for their scholarship to help defray the costs of lodging and round trip airfare.
-Sent in my manuscript for the NEW VOICES AWARD for minority writers sponsored by the NYC publishing house Lee and Low.
-Attended the NCTE (National Council for Teachers of English) conference held at Walt Disney World. Made MANY new friends and set up a dinner at CAFÉ D’ANTONIO in downtown Celebration, FL for the top children’s poets and bloggers in the country, among them Lee Bennett Hopkins, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Marilyn Singer, Janet Wong, Tricia Stohr-Hunt, Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, Elaine Magliaro and Sylvia Verdell. The next few days I then met other children’s poets such as David L. Harrison, Carole Boston Weatherford, Arnold Adoff and Joyce Sidman and in the evening dined with Heidi Mordhorst. For a person like me to finally meet the poets whose work I performed with POETRY ALIVE for 3 years was very humbling. To have a chance converse with them was even more so.
PERSONAL FRONT
-Lost over 25 inches in my body (so far) thanks to a personal training/nutrition curriculum designed by Jeremy Brassard with additional nutrition information courtesy of Isabel Garcia.
-Signed up for the RUGGED MANIAC 5K event in late February. It’s a Navy Seal designed obstacle course and is going to be a good barometer to how in shape I am.
What’s most exciting about 2011 is I have a slew of projects that I can’t wait to get too such as an acting reel, performing/recording my poems, manuscript ideas, a revamped website and better health among them. So thank you 2010 for everything and let’s get keep the forward momentum in 2011. Carpe diem!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
CONTINUATION
Well heck time just seems to fly by. It’s been a good long while since I’ve updated the blog so let’s play some catch up.
-Continuing to put in consistent hours at the Mouse with IDOL, INDY and once and awhile WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS.
-The same goes for SLEUTHS which I portray the wacky security guard at least once a week.
-Submitted my children’s poetry manuscript for the Lee and Low NEW VOICES AWARD. It was lots of hard work putting it together but I feel like I improved as a writer from the effort it took. I can’t thank Lee Bennett Hopkins enough for suggesting that I submit to them which gave me the opportunity to put something together that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. Also a huge shout out to my meta-readers Isabel Garcia and Jan Eldredge for their thoughtful and honest critiques of every draft I sent them. No matter if I win or not (and forgive me if this to comes off as corny) I’ve learned so much from the process. Especially about listening to critiques and deciding what makes sense to me and what doesn’t, in other words finding my voice. Plus I truly believe that one day it will be published SOMEWHERE.
-Booked my 3rd on camera acting gig this year. This one for Publix supermarket chain where I play a Publix employee who helps a customer find what she needs in the store. So besides pocketing some money for myself and my diligent agent I get another commercial to add to my acting reel which is being put together soon. If you want to act on camera having a reel is a must and thank goodness I have just enough material for Isabel to work her magic and put it together.
-Read some darn good children’s poetry books in the past couple of months during Read-a-thon which I created for myself and would love to one day share with the world. Think of Oprah’s Book Club except for children’s poetry and (as of right now) with FAR less people. Some of the books I’ve flipped over since August include BRICKYARD SUMMER by Paul B. Janeczko, BRONZEVILLE BOYS AND GIRLS by Gwendolyn Brooks and AMAZING FACES edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Currently I’m reading a book called THE BALLPARK BOOK by Ron Smith because I’ve been asked to write a poem about a famous baseball stadium. I’m not sure I can reveal more than that right now but I’m very excited about it. The important thing for me at this moment is research, doodling and more research until it comes to me (or I go to it) which in any event takes time.
-Continuing to workout with my trainer and now great friend Jeremy Brassard. In the past 9 weeks I’ve gone down 7 ½ inches in my waist, 2 inches in my chest and have gained 2 inches of muscle in my biceps. I haven’t felt this good psychically in years! I also eat so much better. I wouldn’t even call if a diet. It’s basically a plant based way of eating with lots of smoothies thrown in. It’s very filling and I eat tasty (mostly organic) meals made by Isabel. Oh and once or twice a week I use my Jack La lanne juicer which means (along with my smoothies) I drink my fruits and veggies instead of eating them which come to think of it is something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a child.
With Halloween coming up in a couple weeks I thought it’d be a good idea to leave this blog posting with a poem celebrating that day of disguise. Enjoy!
MY DOORBELL RINGS
My doorbell rings, what a surprise
Boys and girls dressed in disguise;
Pirates, Monsters, Beauty Queens
Each shout, “Happy Halloween.”
Bags are open … Anticipation
All across our grateful nation,
Pop Rocks, Pixie Sticks, Jujubes,
All of them scream, “We want more please.”
© Charles Waters 2010
-Continuing to put in consistent hours at the Mouse with IDOL, INDY and once and awhile WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS.
-The same goes for SLEUTHS which I portray the wacky security guard at least once a week.
-Submitted my children’s poetry manuscript for the Lee and Low NEW VOICES AWARD. It was lots of hard work putting it together but I feel like I improved as a writer from the effort it took. I can’t thank Lee Bennett Hopkins enough for suggesting that I submit to them which gave me the opportunity to put something together that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. Also a huge shout out to my meta-readers Isabel Garcia and Jan Eldredge for their thoughtful and honest critiques of every draft I sent them. No matter if I win or not (and forgive me if this to comes off as corny) I’ve learned so much from the process. Especially about listening to critiques and deciding what makes sense to me and what doesn’t, in other words finding my voice. Plus I truly believe that one day it will be published SOMEWHERE.
-Booked my 3rd on camera acting gig this year. This one for Publix supermarket chain where I play a Publix employee who helps a customer find what she needs in the store. So besides pocketing some money for myself and my diligent agent I get another commercial to add to my acting reel which is being put together soon. If you want to act on camera having a reel is a must and thank goodness I have just enough material for Isabel to work her magic and put it together.
-Read some darn good children’s poetry books in the past couple of months during Read-a-thon which I created for myself and would love to one day share with the world. Think of Oprah’s Book Club except for children’s poetry and (as of right now) with FAR less people. Some of the books I’ve flipped over since August include BRICKYARD SUMMER by Paul B. Janeczko, BRONZEVILLE BOYS AND GIRLS by Gwendolyn Brooks and AMAZING FACES edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Currently I’m reading a book called THE BALLPARK BOOK by Ron Smith because I’ve been asked to write a poem about a famous baseball stadium. I’m not sure I can reveal more than that right now but I’m very excited about it. The important thing for me at this moment is research, doodling and more research until it comes to me (or I go to it) which in any event takes time.
-Continuing to workout with my trainer and now great friend Jeremy Brassard. In the past 9 weeks I’ve gone down 7 ½ inches in my waist, 2 inches in my chest and have gained 2 inches of muscle in my biceps. I haven’t felt this good psychically in years! I also eat so much better. I wouldn’t even call if a diet. It’s basically a plant based way of eating with lots of smoothies thrown in. It’s very filling and I eat tasty (mostly organic) meals made by Isabel. Oh and once or twice a week I use my Jack La lanne juicer which means (along with my smoothies) I drink my fruits and veggies instead of eating them which come to think of it is something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a child.
With Halloween coming up in a couple weeks I thought it’d be a good idea to leave this blog posting with a poem celebrating that day of disguise. Enjoy!
MY DOORBELL RINGS
My doorbell rings, what a surprise
Boys and girls dressed in disguise;
Pirates, Monsters, Beauty Queens
Each shout, “Happy Halloween.”
Bags are open … Anticipation
All across our grateful nation,
Pop Rocks, Pixie Sticks, Jujubes,
All of them scream, “We want more please.”
© Charles Waters 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
PROGRESSION
I (as I'm sure you might agree) cannot believe that we're 8 1/2 months done in 2010. It's been a year of continuing to learn, work hard and prosper. Here's what I've up to since the last update in June.
- Got another poem published in a blog. This one courtesy of David L. Harrison who has the distinction of being the only (as far as I know) living children's poet to have a school named after him. You can check my poem out by copy/pasting here:
http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/charles-waters-today/
- Was on the receiving end of my first poetry interview. Also courtesy of Mr. Harrison. You can check out my interview by copy/pasting here:
http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/charles-waters-today-2/
- Finished up sending the last of my Found Poems to writer Georgia Heard for her next poetry anthology. At final count I was able to send her around 35 poems. While she will not be able to choose all or most of them for that matter I feel I have a solid shot on something making the cut. Thanks again for asking me to be a part of it Georgia! The experience was challenging and enjoyable.
- Working on a children's poetry manuscript for THE NEW VOICES AWARD sponsored by LEE AND LOW books. This contest is for writers of color to submit their work in the hopes that their manuscript will be published. There's also a cash prize thrown in as well that ain't too shabby. Lee Bennett Hopkins, a legendary figure in children's poetry, encouraged me to take a shot at it so who am I to turn him down? So far it's coming along well I'm proud of the progress being made. I'll give you more information on it after the deadline for submission is over on September 30th.
- I hired a personal trainer! His name is Jeremy Brussard and he's putting me through my paces. I started working out a week ago because, well, I've been lazy about my health. Diabetes and heart disease are in my genes so it was time to get serious about living as long a life as I can. I have HUGE goals and dreams and it would be a shame they were all cut short because I didn't take care of myself. I've also been eating a whole lot better since going organic with my eating habits. My Jack Lalanne Power Juicer is in the mail (my first infomercial purchase ever) so I really feel I'm taking positive steps in making better choices in my life.
- Still doing the Disney thing at IDOL, INDY and WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS.
-Received my first residual checks from a SAG commercial I did for Verizon. Wow has that been a lovely thing to happen to me. May I get residual checks from now to the end of time!
- Looking forward to taking a seminar with Lori Wyman on Saturday. Lori is one of the most respected Casting Directors in the southeast. She's casted everything from MIAMI VICE to RECOUNT to THE GLADES as well as over 1,000 commercials. I've been sending my headshot/resume to her for months and am thrilled to not only meet her but learn how to be a better actor on camera.
I don't know if anyone reads these blog postings of mine but I do feel it's important to chart your progression. Let's continue to take charge of our lives and be thankful for the blessings we've received. I'd like to leave this post with a poem of mine. Enjoy.
THIS IS HOW I SEE THE WORLD
This is how I see the world,
I see a lot of pain
Filled with bitter compromise
We can barely maintain.
This is how I see the world,
I see a helping hand
To prop you up when you are down
Across this grateful land.
This is how I see the world,
I see innocence lost
Thanks to greedy egocentrics
Who don’t care of the cost.
This is how I see the world,
I see a steady rise
Of people giving of themselves,
Our world is very wise.
(C) Charles Waters 2010
- Got another poem published in a blog. This one courtesy of David L. Harrison who has the distinction of being the only (as far as I know) living children's poet to have a school named after him. You can check my poem out by copy/pasting here:
http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/charles-waters-today/
- Was on the receiving end of my first poetry interview. Also courtesy of Mr. Harrison. You can check out my interview by copy/pasting here:
http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/charles-waters-today-2/
- Finished up sending the last of my Found Poems to writer Georgia Heard for her next poetry anthology. At final count I was able to send her around 35 poems. While she will not be able to choose all or most of them for that matter I feel I have a solid shot on something making the cut. Thanks again for asking me to be a part of it Georgia! The experience was challenging and enjoyable.
- Working on a children's poetry manuscript for THE NEW VOICES AWARD sponsored by LEE AND LOW books. This contest is for writers of color to submit their work in the hopes that their manuscript will be published. There's also a cash prize thrown in as well that ain't too shabby. Lee Bennett Hopkins, a legendary figure in children's poetry, encouraged me to take a shot at it so who am I to turn him down? So far it's coming along well I'm proud of the progress being made. I'll give you more information on it after the deadline for submission is over on September 30th.
- I hired a personal trainer! His name is Jeremy Brussard and he's putting me through my paces. I started working out a week ago because, well, I've been lazy about my health. Diabetes and heart disease are in my genes so it was time to get serious about living as long a life as I can. I have HUGE goals and dreams and it would be a shame they were all cut short because I didn't take care of myself. I've also been eating a whole lot better since going organic with my eating habits. My Jack Lalanne Power Juicer is in the mail (my first infomercial purchase ever) so I really feel I'm taking positive steps in making better choices in my life.
- Still doing the Disney thing at IDOL, INDY and WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS.
-Received my first residual checks from a SAG commercial I did for Verizon. Wow has that been a lovely thing to happen to me. May I get residual checks from now to the end of time!
- Looking forward to taking a seminar with Lori Wyman on Saturday. Lori is one of the most respected Casting Directors in the southeast. She's casted everything from MIAMI VICE to RECOUNT to THE GLADES as well as over 1,000 commercials. I've been sending my headshot/resume to her for months and am thrilled to not only meet her but learn how to be a better actor on camera.
I don't know if anyone reads these blog postings of mine but I do feel it's important to chart your progression. Let's continue to take charge of our lives and be thankful for the blessings we've received. I'd like to leave this post with a poem of mine. Enjoy.
THIS IS HOW I SEE THE WORLD
This is how I see the world,
I see a lot of pain
Filled with bitter compromise
We can barely maintain.
This is how I see the world,
I see a helping hand
To prop you up when you are down
Across this grateful land.
This is how I see the world,
I see innocence lost
Thanks to greedy egocentrics
Who don’t care of the cost.
This is how I see the world,
I see a steady rise
Of people giving of themselves,
Our world is very wise.
(C) Charles Waters 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Consistancy
Well in the almost 2 and a half months since I blogged things have been busy so let’s play catch up.
ON THE POETRY FRONT
-Got a great response from teachers and poetry lovers for my poem I LOVE BEING ME which was featured on Greg Pincus’ 30 Poets/30 Days blog.
-While on the Greg Pincus thread I had the pleasure of picking him up at the airport when he came here to Orlando for the SCBWI Conference. I took his marketing seminar and learned lots of neat stuff including the fact that I need to start learning by heart more of my poems, perform them on video and post them to my website. I plan on tackling that by the end of the summer as I have other matter to attend to like:
- Putting together a poetry manuscript for the LEE AND LOW book contest. LEE AND LOW is a publishing house that specializes in works about or written by people of color. They’re having a contest at the end of the summer where minority writers submit their work and if selected get a book contract!
-Got an invitation from Georgia Heard one of most respected children’s poets in the country to be part of her upcoming anthology on found poems. Found poems (according to Wikipedia) are a type of poetry created by taking words, phrases, and sometimes whole passages from other sources and reframing them as poetry by making changes in spacing and/or lines (and consequently meaning), or by altering the text by additions and/or deletions.
The book will be published by the New York publishing house Roaring Book. What an amazing opportunity this is for me! Once again my poetry mentor Rebecca Kai Dotlich put in a good word for me. Georgia told me to send her as many found poems as I want so I’ve sent her at least 25 poems so far (and still counting). She won’t use them all but the more I send the better I feel my chances are of getting in her book.
ON THE ACTING FRONT
-Booked another commercial, this one for Verizon, where I play a Bright House cable service consumer who is complaining about my cable service provider. This was my 2nd SAG (Screen Actors Guild) commercial is 3 months so things are starting to pay of that field. Soon as I get a DVD copy of it I will finally put together my reel (various clips of me acting) that is a MUST in the acting field especially if you (like me) wants to branch out into film, TV, industrials and commercials.
-Continue working at IDOL, INDY, ESPN and SLEUTHS. Those jobs have been good to me and I continue to be thankful for the money I make, most of which I save because in this economy saving your money should be everyone’s middle name.
There is some potential good news on both acting and poetry fronts that I can’t reveal now but will once I hear word. In the meantime be well, work hard and make every day and good one. Peace.
ON THE POETRY FRONT
-Got a great response from teachers and poetry lovers for my poem I LOVE BEING ME which was featured on Greg Pincus’ 30 Poets/30 Days blog.
-While on the Greg Pincus thread I had the pleasure of picking him up at the airport when he came here to Orlando for the SCBWI Conference. I took his marketing seminar and learned lots of neat stuff including the fact that I need to start learning by heart more of my poems, perform them on video and post them to my website. I plan on tackling that by the end of the summer as I have other matter to attend to like:
- Putting together a poetry manuscript for the LEE AND LOW book contest. LEE AND LOW is a publishing house that specializes in works about or written by people of color. They’re having a contest at the end of the summer where minority writers submit their work and if selected get a book contract!
-Got an invitation from Georgia Heard one of most respected children’s poets in the country to be part of her upcoming anthology on found poems. Found poems (according to Wikipedia) are a type of poetry created by taking words, phrases, and sometimes whole passages from other sources and reframing them as poetry by making changes in spacing and/or lines (and consequently meaning), or by altering the text by additions and/or deletions.
The book will be published by the New York publishing house Roaring Book. What an amazing opportunity this is for me! Once again my poetry mentor Rebecca Kai Dotlich put in a good word for me. Georgia told me to send her as many found poems as I want so I’ve sent her at least 25 poems so far (and still counting). She won’t use them all but the more I send the better I feel my chances are of getting in her book.
ON THE ACTING FRONT
-Booked another commercial, this one for Verizon, where I play a Bright House cable service consumer who is complaining about my cable service provider. This was my 2nd SAG (Screen Actors Guild) commercial is 3 months so things are starting to pay of that field. Soon as I get a DVD copy of it I will finally put together my reel (various clips of me acting) that is a MUST in the acting field especially if you (like me) wants to branch out into film, TV, industrials and commercials.
-Continue working at IDOL, INDY, ESPN and SLEUTHS. Those jobs have been good to me and I continue to be thankful for the money I make, most of which I save because in this economy saving your money should be everyone’s middle name.
There is some potential good news on both acting and poetry fronts that I can’t reveal now but will once I hear word. In the meantime be well, work hard and make every day and good one. Peace.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Elevation
There’s that old adage, “No news is good news,” and well shucks that’s proved true for me since the last posting ... until recently, so let’s play a little catch up.
-Booked my first commercial (actually my first with an actual speaking role). It was for Friendly’s Restaurant where I am partaking in their excellent cuisine with my “wife”.
-Continuing to work at IDOL, INDIANA JONES and ESPN WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS where I hosted part of the rebranding ceremony of WWS and met the Governor of Florida Charlie Crist in the process.
-Having the great fortune of award-winning poet extraordinaire Rebecca Kai Dotlich (who has become in many ways my poetry mentor) recommend me to poet Greg Pincus who in turn invited me to submit a poem for The 2010 Edition of 30 Poets/30 Days! During National Poetry Month in April, some 80,000 people visit his blog to read a poem submitted specifically for the event by poets from all over the world. http://gottabook.blogspot.com/2010/03/announcing-2010-edition-of-30-poets30.html. The poem I submitted is called I LOVE BEING ME and it pretty much encapsulates how I feel about the importance of self-esteem.
I cannot possibly overstate what a big deal this is to me. Since 2004 I’ve spent so many mornings, afternoons and evenings (including weekends) reading and writing children’s poetry, making contacts, submitting my work, attending conferences and going to writers group meetings that I’m thankfully gob smacked it’s starting to pay off. The late two-time Academy Award winning actor Jack Lemmon once told another two-time winner Kevin Spacey (who was his protégé) that when you reach the top of the elevator you always send it back down to help more people make their way up. It sure feels like Rebecca saw me in the lower lobby and decided to give me a lift.
-Booked my first commercial (actually my first with an actual speaking role). It was for Friendly’s Restaurant where I am partaking in their excellent cuisine with my “wife”.
-Continuing to work at IDOL, INDIANA JONES and ESPN WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS where I hosted part of the rebranding ceremony of WWS and met the Governor of Florida Charlie Crist in the process.
-Having the great fortune of award-winning poet extraordinaire Rebecca Kai Dotlich (who has become in many ways my poetry mentor) recommend me to poet Greg Pincus who in turn invited me to submit a poem for The 2010 Edition of 30 Poets/30 Days! During National Poetry Month in April, some 80,000 people visit his blog to read a poem submitted specifically for the event by poets from all over the world. http://gottabook.blogspot.com/2010/03/announcing-2010-edition-of-30-poets30.html. The poem I submitted is called I LOVE BEING ME and it pretty much encapsulates how I feel about the importance of self-esteem.
I cannot possibly overstate what a big deal this is to me. Since 2004 I’ve spent so many mornings, afternoons and evenings (including weekends) reading and writing children’s poetry, making contacts, submitting my work, attending conferences and going to writers group meetings that I’m thankfully gob smacked it’s starting to pay off. The late two-time Academy Award winning actor Jack Lemmon once told another two-time winner Kevin Spacey (who was his protégé) that when you reach the top of the elevator you always send it back down to help more people make their way up. It sure feels like Rebecca saw me in the lower lobby and decided to give me a lift.
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