Dreaming Out Loud with U2 Friends U2360GRADI.IT
Date Published: 2/01/2018
Dreaming Out Loud
--------------------------------------------
U2360gradi, from headquarters in Rome, Italy
Q: We have the honour to meet Akasha Lin Garnier, a well-known author, filmmaker and a great fan of U2! She has some exciting news to share with us! Your last book is called Secrets to Shine Through the Noise, I believe?
Abbiamo l'onore di incontrare Akasha Garnier, una nota scrittice americana, sceneggiatrice, regista e grande fan degli U2, che ha una gran voglia di condividere delle notizie interessanti con noi!
Read the original interview in Italian: http://www.u2360gradi.it/2018/01/30/akasha-garnier-davanti-il-mio-libro-e-film-ispirato-dagli-u2
Or continue in English:
Akasha: That’s right! I’m honoured to be here and to continue to share U2 stories with you!
Yes, Secrets to Shine Through the Noise is a journey story inspired by living in Hawaii, and travel during the iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour. I was so excited to be invited to do a live chapter reading we did in Dublin, before the U2 show at “Croker†(the nickname my Irish friend Susan told me they use for Croke Park). Fortunately, the audience said they were really taken in. Have a listen!
“When it’s dark, look for starsâ€
I enjoyed several shows on the 2015 iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour, like many avid U2 fans and friends. While in Los Angeles for the IE shows, I remember hearing that U2 tour manager Dennis Sheehan had passed away in West Hollywood the morning before U2's second night in a five-show run at the Forum in Los Angeles. The band issued a statement saying the concert would proceed with no delay.
I thought it was so amazing that they wanted to perform for us, their fans, and share the experience publically. My book title came to me then: Secrets to #ShineThroughtheNoise.
I also have a “side hustle†for freelance writing/branding projects to pay for travel, for book marketing and good U2 tickets. I was working full time when I wrote my first book…and knew I could do better with my writing. I have been inspired to write a travel thriller series in book and film form as well. When I lived Hawaii, I spent 3 months living in a castle, and surviving a tsunami, so there are certainly thriller elements from that adventure.
"and you can dream, so dream out loud"
-U2, Acrobat
So, I continue to dream out loud! I must also mention that I support Angelo’s request for U2 to play “Acrobat†on Experience + Innocence Tour!! 😊
U2360gradi: Thanks for your kind answers. We know that you will have a special character in your Davanti thriller. Please tell us, we are curious about it.
Akasha: Sure! I have been even more inspired by my first trip to Ireland include U2 in my thriller series!! I had written them in for the opening scene last year. You can ask filmmaker/director Patrick Tutera from Last Hurrah Film on Twitter (https://twitter.com/lasthurrahfilm). We attended an Oscar soiree together in LA. When I talked about the scene and described the yacht party with U2’s appearance, the room went quiet…and those around us leaned in to hear more. Well, that is always a good sign!
I have polished those scenes so the band has more to do that just fly in and play a private yacht gig. Siena’s father is a music producer, so he has connections. We’ll find out what his motives are for flying the band in…
Shine the spotlight on Marina del Rey (California), our heroine "Siena", and Moonshadows, where
she's ready for the birthday soiree and inheritance that secures she'll never have to work a day in her life.
Davanti: A Thriller in Golden Handcuffs
Suddenly, Siena’s limo changes course and takes her to a venue not listed on the invitation. Was this business as usual in the City of Angels? Would Siena have to tip toe away from some kind of Grisham exposé?
Davanti is a riches to rags to discovery story. Think “The Firm†set in a “Devil Wears Prada†world with yachts. A rising socialite loses her inheritance and is forced to take a day job where she discovers her mentor is involved in a security threat just before it goes global.
U2360gradi: Wait? Did we get it right?! Are you talking about having U2 in your thriller? Do you know that this would be a top-news?
Akasha: Yes, that’s correct!! How great would that be, right?! I have been having great fun with writing the scenes and look forward to sharing them, with readers and eventually as a film too.
I’d love to do a soundtrack. I have had some exciting meetings in the last few months.
And speaking of news…my chapter reading and support in Dublin has been so great that I have an announcement: I will be publishing the first novel of the series: Davanti: A Thriller in Golden Handcuffs with the host of my Dublin chapter reading, BooksGoSocial.com! They are Dubliners who have a valuable business and creative perspective. I had a lovely chat with Laurence O'Bryan, Books Go Social’s founder and thriller novelist. I want my first “Davanti†thriller novel to come out sooner rather than later. If I wait for a top 5 U.S. publisher contract it will be more than 1.5 years. The interest and excitement is here now! I’m very grateful! This also helps motivate me to get the screenplay in order as we start 2018.
I am doing cover art for “Davanti†this week, so I will find out about my release date and follow up!
U2360gradi: We really hope U2 will be part of your thriller "Davanti", even if already having them in your book is already marvelous. Can we ask, what are your feelings about U2, how long since you've been a fan of them?
Akasha: Thanks so much! Of course, I love talking about that with fans and friends. I started writing as a senior in high school and would always listen to “The Joshua Treeâ€. I’m from St. Paul, Minnesota (U.S.A.), and when we started taking road trips, we’d listen to and sing along with U2 while driving across the United States. It’s so poetic and cinematic, like the scenes the band used during the tour. “The Joshua Tree†tour was the first time I saw U2 live: my friends and I camped out overnight after seeing a David Bowie concert to get tickets. I started following the band to different cities for concerts when I moved to California in my 20s.
In 2012, I sat in my Irish friend Susan’s sunny office in the U.K, (check out Scala Advance!) We said, “Let’s have an adventure to see U2 in Dublin!†It took me 5 years…but we made it happen! Susan secured our U2 Dublin tickets. I wrote to several hotels in Cork, Galway and Dublin to offer to write about their space (I have an adventure blog, and I’m writing a travel thriller series, so many of them were interested. We had the most amazing hospitality experience with Ashford Castle and The Lodge at Ashford Castle in Cong, Ireland (about 3 hours outside of Dublin). They set up tours of the estate, the castle and nearby island. Of course, U2 stories popped up. Just after we had a lovely time foraging and visiting with Chef Jonathon of Wilde’s restaurant, we had the chance to experience an Island & Live Traditional Music Cruise.
This two-hour cruise brought us to Inchagoill Island, where we explored the lake’s most famous island set on 100 beautiful acres of state owned forest park. We were given a guided tour of St. Patrick's 5th Century Monastic site. Their resident musician (and actor in “The Piano Man†with John Wayne), entertains guests along the way with music, stories and song. Captain Patrick mentioned that he had taken U2 on a private tour of this same island before they recorded “The Joshua Treeâ€! Bono had his harmonica and a notebook and they sat among the same historical sites where we were to gather inspiration. Capt. Patrick mentioned something about Bono having his head in the clouds. Well, I would too with everything brimming before they had finished the album that would change their careers and make musical history!
On another tour with the castle manager Christopher we were taken to other parts of the grounds and shown the general region where U2 has their lake homes. I’m a grand U2 fan, but I never want to stalk them, so I’ll have to wait for my invitation to find to more about that. A signed photo of Bono hangs on the Ashford Castle wall of fame. There were plenty of intriguing helicopter landings during our visit; I know I’d love to continue my thriller series and write about the castle grounds for its own book. (Thanks again to the Ashford Castle, Lodge and Red Carnation hospitality teams for these tours! There’s more on my blog about the gourmet tour and castle visit.)
Susan and I celebrated the success of my chapter reading with my first Guinness in Dublin…and a piano man was playing “Beautiful Day†as we sat down! It was so beautiful. YES, the Dublin show was outstanding and well worth the trip! Susan and I sat by fans from London and Dublin and had met fans from Rome, so I could practice some of my Italian. Our seat mates could not believe that I had flown in from Chicago for the show. Of course, we know that many fans do such a thing. I am so grateful to have an interview here.
I would be happy to host dinner and drinks at my Italian friends’ place Nando Milano in Chicago whenever you come here for a U2 show!
More U2 news and a prize for you:
I’m happy to announce that I have designed special jewelry with Jane of RockYourMessages.com, to share with U2 fans.
Here’s how to get yours:
So...U2 is playing your private super-yacht soiree. (Congrats!!)
What song would you like them to open the show with?
ENTER CONTEST: Answer 1 fun U2 question! https://goo.gl/forms/tcQ5gwnNLTWqOmgJ2
Prizes include a U2 box set of "Songs of Experience", Davanti jewelry designed by Jane of Rock Your Messages and Akasha and an Italian dinner for 2 at Nando Milano in Chicago!
U2360gradi: The last question. Have you ever been in Italy, what's your opinion about our country and our people?
A: I have been to the beautiful area of Siena/Tuscany after sailing The Med from Cannes, France. This is part of what inspired my thriller series, and using Italian names. (Read the rest of my answer: http://www.akashagarnier.com/single-post/2018/01/30/Akasha-Garnier-Davanti-thriller-interview-with-U2360GRADIIT-in-Rome)
Thank you for reading and for your messages each week. We welcome your comments.
Salute & fair winds,
Akasha Lin
Akasha Garnier for The Wishwall
Author, Brand Expert, Filmmaker
http://www.akashagarnier.com
Read more from Future Entrepreneurs: https://thewishwallfoundation.org/future-entrepreneurs
--------------------------------------------
U2360gradi, from headquarters in Rome, Italy
Q: We have the honour to meet Akasha Lin Garnier, a well-known author, filmmaker and a great fan of U2! She has some exciting news to share with us! Your last book is called Secrets to Shine Through the Noise, I believe?
Abbiamo l'onore di incontrare Akasha Garnier, una nota scrittice americana, sceneggiatrice, regista e grande fan degli U2, che ha una gran voglia di condividere delle notizie interessanti con noi!
Read the original interview in Italian: http://www.u2360gradi.it/2018/01/30/akasha-garnier-davanti-il-mio-libro-e-film-ispirato-dagli-u2
Or continue in English:
Akasha: That’s right! I’m honoured to be here and to continue to share U2 stories with you!
Yes, Secrets to Shine Through the Noise is a journey story inspired by living in Hawaii, and travel during the iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour. I was so excited to be invited to do a live chapter reading we did in Dublin, before the U2 show at “Croker†(the nickname my Irish friend Susan told me they use for Croke Park). Fortunately, the audience said they were really taken in. Have a listen!
“When it’s dark, look for starsâ€
I enjoyed several shows on the 2015 iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour, like many avid U2 fans and friends. While in Los Angeles for the IE shows, I remember hearing that U2 tour manager Dennis Sheehan had passed away in West Hollywood the morning before U2's second night in a five-show run at the Forum in Los Angeles. The band issued a statement saying the concert would proceed with no delay.
I thought it was so amazing that they wanted to perform for us, their fans, and share the experience publically. My book title came to me then: Secrets to #ShineThroughtheNoise.
I also have a “side hustle†for freelance writing/branding projects to pay for travel, for book marketing and good U2 tickets. I was working full time when I wrote my first book…and knew I could do better with my writing. I have been inspired to write a travel thriller series in book and film form as well. When I lived Hawaii, I spent 3 months living in a castle, and surviving a tsunami, so there are certainly thriller elements from that adventure.
"and you can dream, so dream out loud"
-U2, Acrobat
So, I continue to dream out loud! I must also mention that I support Angelo’s request for U2 to play “Acrobat†on Experience + Innocence Tour!! 😊
U2360gradi: Thanks for your kind answers. We know that you will have a special character in your Davanti thriller. Please tell us, we are curious about it.
Akasha: Sure! I have been even more inspired by my first trip to Ireland include U2 in my thriller series!! I had written them in for the opening scene last year. You can ask filmmaker/director Patrick Tutera from Last Hurrah Film on Twitter (https://twitter.com/lasthurrahfilm). We attended an Oscar soiree together in LA. When I talked about the scene and described the yacht party with U2’s appearance, the room went quiet…and those around us leaned in to hear more. Well, that is always a good sign!
I have polished those scenes so the band has more to do that just fly in and play a private yacht gig. Siena’s father is a music producer, so he has connections. We’ll find out what his motives are for flying the band in…
Shine the spotlight on Marina del Rey (California), our heroine "Siena", and Moonshadows, where
she's ready for the birthday soiree and inheritance that secures she'll never have to work a day in her life.
Davanti: A Thriller in Golden Handcuffs
Suddenly, Siena’s limo changes course and takes her to a venue not listed on the invitation. Was this business as usual in the City of Angels? Would Siena have to tip toe away from some kind of Grisham exposé?
Davanti is a riches to rags to discovery story. Think “The Firm†set in a “Devil Wears Prada†world with yachts. A rising socialite loses her inheritance and is forced to take a day job where she discovers her mentor is involved in a security threat just before it goes global.
U2360gradi: Wait? Did we get it right?! Are you talking about having U2 in your thriller? Do you know that this would be a top-news?
Akasha: Yes, that’s correct!! How great would that be, right?! I have been having great fun with writing the scenes and look forward to sharing them, with readers and eventually as a film too.
I’d love to do a soundtrack. I have had some exciting meetings in the last few months.
And speaking of news…my chapter reading and support in Dublin has been so great that I have an announcement: I will be publishing the first novel of the series: Davanti: A Thriller in Golden Handcuffs with the host of my Dublin chapter reading, BooksGoSocial.com! They are Dubliners who have a valuable business and creative perspective. I had a lovely chat with Laurence O'Bryan, Books Go Social’s founder and thriller novelist. I want my first “Davanti†thriller novel to come out sooner rather than later. If I wait for a top 5 U.S. publisher contract it will be more than 1.5 years. The interest and excitement is here now! I’m very grateful! This also helps motivate me to get the screenplay in order as we start 2018.
I am doing cover art for “Davanti†this week, so I will find out about my release date and follow up!
U2360gradi: We really hope U2 will be part of your thriller "Davanti", even if already having them in your book is already marvelous. Can we ask, what are your feelings about U2, how long since you've been a fan of them?
Akasha: Thanks so much! Of course, I love talking about that with fans and friends. I started writing as a senior in high school and would always listen to “The Joshua Treeâ€. I’m from St. Paul, Minnesota (U.S.A.), and when we started taking road trips, we’d listen to and sing along with U2 while driving across the United States. It’s so poetic and cinematic, like the scenes the band used during the tour. “The Joshua Tree†tour was the first time I saw U2 live: my friends and I camped out overnight after seeing a David Bowie concert to get tickets. I started following the band to different cities for concerts when I moved to California in my 20s.
In 2012, I sat in my Irish friend Susan’s sunny office in the U.K, (check out Scala Advance!) We said, “Let’s have an adventure to see U2 in Dublin!†It took me 5 years…but we made it happen! Susan secured our U2 Dublin tickets. I wrote to several hotels in Cork, Galway and Dublin to offer to write about their space (I have an adventure blog, and I’m writing a travel thriller series, so many of them were interested. We had the most amazing hospitality experience with Ashford Castle and The Lodge at Ashford Castle in Cong, Ireland (about 3 hours outside of Dublin). They set up tours of the estate, the castle and nearby island. Of course, U2 stories popped up. Just after we had a lovely time foraging and visiting with Chef Jonathon of Wilde’s restaurant, we had the chance to experience an Island & Live Traditional Music Cruise.
This two-hour cruise brought us to Inchagoill Island, where we explored the lake’s most famous island set on 100 beautiful acres of state owned forest park. We were given a guided tour of St. Patrick's 5th Century Monastic site. Their resident musician (and actor in “The Piano Man†with John Wayne), entertains guests along the way with music, stories and song. Captain Patrick mentioned that he had taken U2 on a private tour of this same island before they recorded “The Joshua Treeâ€! Bono had his harmonica and a notebook and they sat among the same historical sites where we were to gather inspiration. Capt. Patrick mentioned something about Bono having his head in the clouds. Well, I would too with everything brimming before they had finished the album that would change their careers and make musical history!
On another tour with the castle manager Christopher we were taken to other parts of the grounds and shown the general region where U2 has their lake homes. I’m a grand U2 fan, but I never want to stalk them, so I’ll have to wait for my invitation to find to more about that. A signed photo of Bono hangs on the Ashford Castle wall of fame. There were plenty of intriguing helicopter landings during our visit; I know I’d love to continue my thriller series and write about the castle grounds for its own book. (Thanks again to the Ashford Castle, Lodge and Red Carnation hospitality teams for these tours! There’s more on my blog about the gourmet tour and castle visit.)
Susan and I celebrated the success of my chapter reading with my first Guinness in Dublin…and a piano man was playing “Beautiful Day†as we sat down! It was so beautiful. YES, the Dublin show was outstanding and well worth the trip! Susan and I sat by fans from London and Dublin and had met fans from Rome, so I could practice some of my Italian. Our seat mates could not believe that I had flown in from Chicago for the show. Of course, we know that many fans do such a thing. I am so grateful to have an interview here.
I would be happy to host dinner and drinks at my Italian friends’ place Nando Milano in Chicago whenever you come here for a U2 show!
More U2 news and a prize for you:
I’m happy to announce that I have designed special jewelry with Jane of RockYourMessages.com, to share with U2 fans.
Here’s how to get yours:
So...U2 is playing your private super-yacht soiree. (Congrats!!)
What song would you like them to open the show with?
ENTER CONTEST: Answer 1 fun U2 question! https://goo.gl/forms/tcQ5gwnNLTWqOmgJ2
Prizes include a U2 box set of "Songs of Experience", Davanti jewelry designed by Jane of Rock Your Messages and Akasha and an Italian dinner for 2 at Nando Milano in Chicago!
U2360gradi: The last question. Have you ever been in Italy, what's your opinion about our country and our people?
A: I have been to the beautiful area of Siena/Tuscany after sailing The Med from Cannes, France. This is part of what inspired my thriller series, and using Italian names. (Read the rest of my answer: http://www.akashagarnier.com/single-post/2018/01/30/Akasha-Garnier-Davanti-thriller-interview-with-U2360GRADIIT-in-Rome)
Thank you for reading and for your messages each week. We welcome your comments.
Salute & fair winds,
Akasha Lin
Akasha Garnier for The Wishwall
Author, Brand Expert, Filmmaker
http://www.akashagarnier.com
Read more from Future Entrepreneurs: https://thewishwallfoundation.org/future-entrepreneurs
