Harmony's Voice #1 - Jan, 2014

Article Acknowledgments:

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Website: www.paintingsilove.com/artist/doloresgaskell

somehow linked together and were necessary to each other. Then it was a case of allowing her to breathe and manoeuvre with all that was in place for her.

eBooks Open:

The Prologue of the story entitled "A Purple Reign" presents us with a snapshot of Goldie's life in 1995, but with an opening sequence that wouldn't appear out of place in a James Bond movie! Did your reading of Ian Fleming's books have any influence?

Tony G. Marshall:

Probably. I suppose I'd always wanted to begin the story with a prologue which would act as a kind of pre-credits sequence for a movie. But I wanted to commence things with something a little mixed in irony and surrealism. Therefore a plunge into the East River was the order of the day! But the prologue not only presents us with a snapsot of Goldie's life at the time, it sets in motion some of the elements of her future which obviously continues with Chapter 1 which in turn continues the story three years later and througout the next decade.

eBooks Open:

Why did you decide to begin Goldie's story in 1995 when she was 26-27 years old as opposed to telling the story from her very beginnings in Marin County?

Tony G. Marshall:

Because a lot of it would have been filler. I wanted to introduce those past elements in a more suitable and relevant way to the story. Here was a woman whose life at this point was about to drastically change and I want everyone to be in on that moment of transition - 1995 offers us both elemens of past and present, and then the actual timeline of the story from 1998 to 2008 offers us a ride on the Goldie Johnson 'highways of life.'

eBooks Open:

What influenced the title of the story?

Tony G. Marshall:

I was playing with words, trying to match up two words that were musical sounding. I liked the pairing of 'Harmony' and 'Voice'. Then I did some futher research which led me to discover a photograph or illustration which had been created with the same actual title. It was a black and white picture of a woman playing a harp. But after further research I discovered there hadn't been any form of book or novel concocted by that name so I kept it for Goldie's story and that was back in 2008. In relation to Goldie herself, the title could imply that it's her voice, but eventually making it the 'lead' voice of the story which is heard most prominently. But in 'harmony' with that Goldie discovers there are actually two other voices which she has connections with - and not just in the musical sense...but I can't disclose any more about that!

eBooks Open:

We discover that 'Harmony's Voice' is actually the title of a series of children's books which in turn expands into another major project with the same name. What inspired this clever plot device?

Tony G. Marshall:

First of all it was a good way to introduce two other characters by having them be the authors of the said books, then subsequently combining their business and musical talents by introducing us to another 'Harmony's Voice' project in the story. Furthermore, the projects hold the key elements to Goldie's journey.

eBooks Open:

Writing this story has also presented you with some very

interesting collaborations too, such as "Boneshaker", Madeleine Havell, Carlyle Labuschagne, Bing Satellites and Dolores Gaskell - how important was it to have such artistes on board to assist with developments?

Tony G. Marshall:

In regards to the characters, I was always on the look out to approach their development with a little twist of realism into the process. Therefore, once I'd chosen the people whose images inspired the look of some of the characters it made for a good idea. It's unique because I chose the "Boneshaker" twins - Troy & Roy Alexander - to become the inspiration for ONE character, and actress Madeleine Havell to inspire the image for TWINS! And, best-selling Author Carlyle Labuschagne is the inspiration behind the image for a character too. Bing Satellites had recently recorded an adapted version of John Barry's theme from "The Persuaders!" and I liked his slight variations throughout the theme and thought it a good idea to ask if it could be presented in our promotional posts for the story as a tune called "Family Persuasion" - otherwise known as "Goldie's Theme". Also, I've collaborated with Artist, Dolores Gaskell by modifying one of her lovely paintings specifically to promote the prologue - "A Purple Reign". Originally, Dolores' painting of a purple calla lily was exactly that with a lovely shade of colouring, and that's what I was looking for as the major element to tie-in with a specific promotional piece for the prologue. (You can view the modified version of the painting on pages 8 & 9 of this newsletter).

eBooks Open:

What does the purple lily picture symbolise?

Tony G. Marshall:

The picture is symbolic of growth - the newborn purple lily sprinkling its dew, or tears, in the form of the title of the prologue. These tears attempting to wash away or suppress the loaded gun from being attached to the heart of a talented individual whose life is worth more than just that. The colour goes hand in hand with the Prince song which also evokes memories from the past. Then the photo of Goldie undertaking some kind of T'ai Chi exercise signfying a stretching movement almost like a flower , waking and growing - all symbolic of her own growth and development. The whole picutre symbolising that whole period of change, but very much aware that the gun retains its focal position in the big picutre.

eBooks Open:

We look forward to learning more about the 'big picture' of 'Harmony's Voice' in future newsletters...

Tony G. Marshall:

Thank You, I look forward to developing the story in conjunction with the publication of the newsletters!

Harmony's Voice #1 - Jan, 2014 | Page 7