Special congratulations to #RRBC Spotlight Author, Lisa Kirazian! Enjoy the spotlight, as it’s all about you and your stories. My blog is yours, Lisa

The Journey Concludes — or Does It?

Writing Cadenza

Lisa Kirazian

It’s an honor to write this guest post — and to be RRBC’s Spotlight Author for February!

My novel trilogy, The Music We Made, about three generations of the Driscoll family of musicians, concludes with the book Cadenza, recently released. 

Anyone who has poured their heart and soul into a piece of writing know how much it takes out of you — and how much it gives you. Even more so when you reach the end of a series, where you’ve been with the same group of characters for years. It feels bittersweet, like you are saying farewell to them. Even though, our characters, our works, our own dear children like Jane Austen called them, are never really gone, are they?

Does it seem like I’m referring to my characters as real people? Absolutely. Does that seem strange? Not to an avid writer or reader.

The journey of creating the characters has perhaps finished, but the journey of experiencing them has not. Why? Because of the readers. Their experience of the characters becomes part of our continued journey with them, as we see the impact the characters have on others who come in contact with them. It encourages me to no end, when a reader tells me how much they enjoy my stories or relate to my characters. And in the case of this particular series, one of the best compliments I often get is when people say they don’t particular care for classical opera or music, or the “world” of these books — but they still love the books, because of the characters.

Some readers don’t like that style of music, or they can’t understand why someone would spend 12 hours a day practicing an instrument or rehearsing into the night. But they can relate to how these characters want to find love, make a difference in the world, or go after their dreams. They can relate to them trying to make ends meet or facing rejection or loss. In that regard, classical musicians or singers are just like everyone else. And thus, hopefully, these books are for anyone and everyone. And thankfully, the journey never ends!

Thank you for reading, and for all your support. Onward!

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Author Bio

Lisa Kirazian writes fiction, plays, screenplays, and also directs for stage and screen. Her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Performing Arts Magazine, San Diego Union Tribune and many other publications. She is in demand as a speaker and has been a guest on KPBS Public Radio and at various conferences. Lisa is a graduate of Stanford University.

Several of her screenplays have placed in major competitions and festivals. Twelve of her stage plays have been produced across the U.S. and have won numerous awards, including a few publications. She also directed and wrote the adapted screenplay of the short film, “Reflection Day.”

Her novels include BRAVURA, APPASSIONATO, and now CADENZA, the three books of “The Music We Made” series, following three generations in the Driscoll family of musicians and inspired by her experience as a violinist. The series is also being developed for television.

Lisa lives in San Diego with her husband and two daughters and is involved in the Armenian community locally, nationally and abroad.

Book Summary:

In CADENZA, the final book of “The Music We Made” series, the young tenor Brian Martin finds himself on the cusp of superstardom and marriage, until he is compelled to leave behind his distinguished musical family, and his fiancé, in London, to visit the U.S. to see where his famous late grandmother, Maggie Crawford, the only other opera singer in the family, grew up. His journey takes him to Marshall, Minnesota, and Maggie’s hometown high school, where he meets the music teacher, Laura Jones, who helps him with his family history in more ways than he could have imagined.

Twitter: @kirazian and @TheMusicWeMade

Facebook: @TheMusicWeMade

Website: https://www.lisakirazian.com

Blog: https://lisakirazian.wordpress.com/
Instagram: @lisakirazian

Cadenza on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QDLVSKL/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_0RSS8DZMN3R1SYCXG1TQ