Q and A

2 Comments

1. sherry white
   Posted January 6, 2012 at 4:11 PM | Permalink

   I just finished reading Dance of the Electric Hummingbird. First off I loved the book. Second, I have been writing a novel for the past three years that is similar in ways, Here is a brief synopsis of my novel.. My birth name was Sarah and I was born a slave in New Orleans in 1819. I was sold into prostitution at the age of eleven. I was given the name of Sunflower. I died in New York City in 1869.. In my novel I write about her lifetime and how in this my present life,I have been given litterly hundreds of messages sent to me through sychronictic coincedences, readings, meditation, prayers, past life hypnotic regression,music, and spiritual photographs that helped me to realize my former life. My Spirit Guide is John Ono Lennon. I also believe he was one of my twin sons. I am also a very loyal fan of Eric Burdon. I adore the man his life and times. He has also, contributed to my beliefs ,although Unlike Sammy he is very difficult to communicate with. Eric is a very private person. I have seen Eric in concert to many times to count. Like Pat I have felt that invisible magic between the perfomer and the artist. As Eric once described in an interview, it is a special mystical place that exsists and comes about while on stage through music. For many reasons. I desperatly need advise because I want to get my book out. Like Dance ot the Electric Hummingbird, I know I have some important messages to convey to humanity. A message of hope, peace and continuence of life. I guess I’m hoping that Sammy knows Eric and can maybe be of some help. I have no problem with letting Eric read my manusript. I will honor him in every way.
   Please write me back. In peace and in hope for a great 2021 Sherry White.

   PS although Pat is prettier than I am, we look alike. I think I’m a bit older though. I am turning 60 in a couple of weeks. I have a face book page in which I think Patricia will find the tee shirt I am wearing interesting. This photo was taken in September of 2012.

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   • Baja Rock Pat
     Posted January 18, 2012 at 8:06 PM | Permalink

     Thank you for your kind words, Sherry! I’m so very glad you liked my book. And yours sounds fascinating as well. I can’t wait to read it.

     I’m not really sure what you’re asking me, but if you’re asking for advice on how to contact Mr. Burdon, I would say that if he is as difficult to communicate with as you say, I would assume that he wants it that way, and no matter how altruistic and sincere our intentions, since you and I are not part of the celebrity’s inner circle, we must respect their right to privacy. (This is not to say that it can’t happen. Please keep reading…)

     I’m not part of Sammy’s inner circle either—I’m kind of on the periphery. I figure if he wanted to invite me in further, he would, but I’m fine with where I am too—our worlds are so very different. The only time I talk to him is in passing or through letters. I’ve never sat down with him and discussed the meaning of life over a margarita, although I’d sure like to! But then, so would thousands of other people. I’ve also had quite a few people ask me to ask Sammy to do stuff for them, and even if I did have that ability, which I don’t, it would be impossible for him to accommodate everyone. As it is, he does the best he can, which is often more than a lot of celebrities do.

     From a writer’s standpoint then, when you’re dealing with famous people, as you know, it’s a whole different ballgame, not as easy as talking to your next-door neighbor over the fence. As you may recall, I addressed this issue in my book. It’s immensely frustrating to be sure, but here’s what I discovered; here’s the secret: all you and I can do in a situation like this is to take the focus off the celebrity and put it on ourselves and the message we want to convey to the world (where it really belongs anyway because it’s YOUR story or MY story—not Eric’s or Sammy’s—they have their own stories). And if and when his physical role manifests in your life, it will only serve to enhance what YOU have accomplished with the help of his music and his spirit and the way it transformed you. Does this make sense? I understand how badly you want to share this with him; it was the same for me with Sammy. And yet when I sent Sammy that first letter, I told myself that he probably wouldn’t even see it much less read it, and I accepted that. But I’m also a firm believer in “if you put it out there and start taking steps in the direction your life is meant to go, things will automatically fall into place.” And that’s precisely what happened to me.

     Although it may seem like a contradiction, I had to learn to let go in order to gain “control” of my life. So that would be my advice to you as well, since you asked—let your story, your book, your writing, your passion—that mystical place you described that you feel in the music—take you where you’re meant to go. Trust me, it will. And it will be even more wonderful than you ever could have dreamed of! New opportunities will open up for you because of it. And who knows? Maybe Mr. Burdon will “magically” appear in your life because of it. It’s very likely because the intention is already set in motion. Hope that makes sense.

     As a side note, when I read your letter, I couldn’t help but think that I should recommend Jewelle St. James’ book “All You Need is Love,” about her past life with John Lennon. I interviewed her on my blog about a year ago. You can read it here on my website. Good stuff.

     As far as the actual publishing of your book, assuming this is your first book, my recommendation would be to write it to the best of your ability (or as I mentioned above, let it write itself!), get someone to edit it for you and then start sending out query letters to agents and publishers, attend writer’s conferences and pitch your book to agents there. Or you could self-publish. In Colorado there’s a wonderful organization called CIPA (Colorado Independent Publishers Association) that offers lots of resources to self-published authors—from shaping your story to finding the best printer and/or distributor for your needs. I bet your state has something similar, or you could contact CIPA at http://www.cipacatalog.com and ask them to recommend a similar organization near you.

     In any case, I wish you all the best with your book. Just let the spirit of Eric’s music (and your Higher Self and the spirit of John Lennon) guide you and you can’t go wrong. And please don’t ever give up on your dream! (I sense an urgency in your voice and believe me, I get it–send me a PM by clicking “Contact Me” on the bottom of the home page if you want.) I look forward to reading your book. Please let me know when it’s published, and thanks again for writing! Hope I’ve been of some help.

     Kindest regards,
     Baja Rock Pat

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