Masquerade Update 2-20-2016

Hello everyone,

I am back with another update for the Masquerade.

Video Update 2-14-2016

First I would like to say that I finally received my proof order copy of Book 2 (Masquerade: White Diamond Empress. I have been delayed for nearly two weeks as the printing company had made and error (TWICE) on sending me the correct dimension to edit the book.  My plans to release the book in February has been delayed.  All in all, it looks like I will be aiming for a March release.











Next  I would like to announce I have entered the Masquerade (Alicia Story) in the Scriptapalooza Screenplay contest. Wish me luck and pray for me.

Masquerade White Diamond Empress. Coming Soon.

So it have been almost two years since I post the first book for sale. Well I am glad to say that this will be the month hopefully them up so I can post book 2 for sale. the title of the book is called White Diamond Empress, which will be the second installment to my series. I am glad that it's been this long journey that I am finally able to get the second book out. However the books of both of them out sometime next year. I have been published for the first book yes the offer decide to drop it from the publication. That's not a big problem. That means I have my own creative freedom when I publish. So as of now I am working on the final edits to the book so I can be able to present it to you in a timely and fashionable manner.

Hello All,

I would like to welcome all to my revamped blog page. I also like to give myself a welcome back from my absence. A lot has happen such as expanding the book to into a series. I have a lot to share of my experience with the Masquerade project and other adventures in creating a new television series.  For now I will just focus on Masquerade.

Masquerade Book 1 has been revamped with extended details and new book cover design. The book is available at Amazon for hardcover or Kindle.

Masquerade Facebook Page

Reading & Researching

 Reading & Researching

Welcome everybody to another blog session. In this blog I will like to discuss the R&R (Reading and Researching). 

Any writer must go through this process. A good writer (my personal opinion) cannot be a good writer without doing these two. Yeah I understand that you write on experience, personal knowledge, and intelligence; however, you still need to understand that this is an important process. I will give you my opinions why. 1. Learn about subject you are writing about. 2. Grammar improvement.

1. When I was writing Masquerade, which the story had eroticism. I really did not know anything about Masquerade ball room and very little on eroticism. 

I read books and searched the internet for two years studying styles of masquerade ballroom mask, drawing concepts of lingerie/wardrobe of how he characters would be described in the story, and even the personality of the character taking on an alter ego of the persona that they portrayed behind the mask. Also, I looked videos on youtube dealing with masquerade and neo erotic themes.

In addition since I wrote the story to be an erotic noir, I did a lot of research on noir films and novels. 

2. Grammatical errors are one of the major issues that majority of writers have. I don't care if you are a great scholar at a major university. When you write that first draft, there will be mistakes. Reading other people work or just a news paper now and then will improve how you write. The best remedy to kill grammatical errors is to have two tools beside you...A good dictionary and thesaurus. Yes this two simple tools can prevent you from spelling errors, repeat of words, and grammar structure. Some would say "Why don't you use word spell check." I know, I know, it's easy and fast; but I find it a lot of times that Word does not keep up with up to date words so why not learn proper English the old way.....from a book!

Creative Burn out

CREATIVE BURN OUT

Hello, I would like to welcome you to another blog session. Sorry it took so long to bring you another blog session. I have been very busy promoting the book, filming, and taking care of the family. In addition, I have not been inspired to write for the past couple of weeks since I did another masquerade photoshoot (Pics coming soon......maybe!)

The reason why I have not been inspired to write is because I am going through creative burn out. There is not an actual definition for it (If there is I have not seen it yet); but I do know the feelings of creative burn out. Here is the list:

1. I have an idea and you want to put it on paper, but nothing comes out of you head as you hold the pen to the paper.

2. The sense of feeling empty, uninspired, and drained. For the past 6 months I have been going hard writing and correcting my first novel. I guest this one of the main reason why I am feeling this way because I poured all the creative juice into my book Masquerade .

3. Sense of feeling irritable, unconfident, and hopelessness when you cannot get your word to paper. It is depressing to know that you are talented; knowing that you have an idea and you cannot get it out of your head.

So these are only the few factors of what I have been feeling.

SO WHAT IS MY REMEDY!

Well since I cannot write, I have been taking the advice of other is to just relax! Simple, yeah I know but try telling that to the creative engine with creative fuel! So here are a few techniques I have been taking to beat the drought!

Just Write 

Even though I may not be able to write a comprehensive story at the moment, I can at least drop ideas on paper. I normally carry a pen and journal. Even though they are short scribbles of ideas, I can at least document what is in  my head and go back later to expond on details. 

Music

Listening to music has always help me recharged the creative juices. Listening to classical music, opera, and electronica. Such music as these have alway opened the creative flood gates. 

Recreational Reading

For the past few weeks I have been doing some recreational reading. This have helped me alot. As I read other authors works, it have given me a few story ideas I have thought about doing. My friend introduced me to kindle which I downloaded alot of books. I have steered clear of my own works to listen to other author's voices of story telling.

Just relax.

I have just been doing alot of R & R. Going for walks, getting out of the house, and watching movies. Yeah it's basic but it works. I have been kicking back from filming and writing. Doing this I can feel the creative itch returning to me. 

Well this ends the blog; however, before I go I would like to encourage all those who are going through this artist roadblock. We all go through it as a natural process. To get over your creative burn out I encourage to find ways that fit you. 

Purpose of Masqerade

(To tell every a story of financial instability)

Hello and welcome to another blog session. 

First of all I like to apologize for missing Monday and Friday blog session. I had a string appointments was not able t get to a computer. However, I am back, live, and kicking. 

Okay the last time I left off the last blog session was with the topic of why I written Masquerade. I know by the cover there are a lot of speculations that my story is just another over sexualized story. I admit the story has some it's moment of sexual decadence; however, there is more to the story than that. One of the major struggles that the main characters have in the story is financial instability. 

Living in the United States the poverty and the unemployment rate is high. For example; college graduates (like myself) have a hard time finding stable employment in their respected career study. A lot of us are left to take up jobs that are minimum wage which here in the Michigan is $7.45. Now if when you try support yourself trying to buy food, rent, and other necessary utilities is nearly impossible. 

Some people may find positive ways make due; however, there are other people who backs are against the wall and have no other way out but do something illegal and immoral. I am not condoning illegal or immoral activity but we must understand a lot of people have no other presented options. 

I think this book is one of many great ways for how men and women handle their financial struggles  positive and in negative form.

The source of inspiration for Masquerade

MASQUERADE's SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

Anouncements: Masquerade is now available for Kindle. Visit the link.http://www.amazon.com/Masquerade-Dione-Robinson-ebook/dp/B00KHBEGS4/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1402662523&sr=8-1&keywords=Dione+Robinson

Hello fellow readers. I am here with you to deliver another fun and interesting blog. This blog will discuss my inspiration for Masquerade. 

Well the inspiration story came to me in the summer of 2012 (Not long ago huh!). I was listening to one of my favorite music project "Enigma!" I was extremely board so my only escape of entertainment was music and my wild vivid imagination. So here it is I am stuck in a hot, very tiny guard booth playing Enigma through my portable speakers. I can remember the combination of songs from this group further implanted me into my creative mental state. These songs were: Dancing with Mephisto, Hello and Welcome, TNT for the Brain, I love you, I kill you, and last Gravity of love. 

Gravity of Love was the major song catalyst for Masquerade because they have music video  The music video actual had the idea for me to create something with a Masquerade theme.

After the songs on my the playlist ended on my Android phone the rest was history. The concept of the story I wanted to focus not just on the sexual aspect of the story; but more the reason why the main characters chosen the paths while straddling the fence of elegance, morality, and eroticism.

Next Blog Topic

Why is the story Masquerade needs to be told?