The Writer's Life 10/26 - Cream

RIP Jack Bruce, 71, musical vagabond best known for his work with Cream in the 60’s. He played bass and composed and sang lead on most of the songs, with Eric Clapton singing backup and playing lead guitar, and Ginger Baker on drums. Bruce, who left Scotland at 16, and who was classically trained as a cellist, considered himself a jazz musician. He collaborated with artists across the music spectrum, including Manfred Mann, John Mayall, Ringo Starr, Larry Coryell, Vernon Reid and Robin Trower, a stunning legacy, although his days with Cream were his only major success commercially. Like many artists, especially of the rock world, he had a problem with substance abuse. He survived a near fatal liver transplant in 2003, and was in recovery for more than a year before returning to the music world. Heaven knows how many people have sung along to White Room. Well done, sir. (Facts culled from Wiki)

In today’s NY Post, Kyle Smith writes about a new book by the creator of the Dilbert comic, Scott Adams: How to Fail at Everything and Still Win Big. Adams believes passion is over-rated. He  claims: “Success causes passion more than passion causes success.” I definitely relate to that in my single-minded zeal to promote my writing, which has produced paltry book sales and threatens to sap my will. He believes success is a “combination of desire, luck, hard work, determination, brains and appetite for risk.” I’m glad he included that last part. I hate politicians who try to equalize success among the populace by handing out goodies. I want to earn mine, and if I continue to fail, so be it. Here's Dilbert:

Reason for optimism: In the battle against Isis, Iraqi forces have retaken four towns, and the Kurds are holding their own in the Syrian border town of Khobani.

There was no cream for the floating book shop today. Maybe tomorrow.

Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/