“The Legend of the Black Swan,” Setting Arisa Free, and Other Things…

The day has arrived, and we now begin with the journey of another book, another story, and the hopes that you will find it compelling enough to read. Yes, “Legend of the Black Swan” finally dropped today. The changes in the book industry, more about what is being produced and how it’s coming out have made for a reinforcement of my feelings about it.

I write because I love to, and it’s not work. I have not been in the position to make writing and all that goes with it my life and/or business, and it would probably drive me madder than I already am. But let’s first allow Arisa to take flight.

How did this all start? You’re not gonna believe me, but…

The first inkling and inspiration that I had came from a song. Not one of my own, but one by S. J. Tucker, called “Black Swan Blues.” The track became an occasional play on my old blues program. A haunting, retro tune with pagan lyrics that called out from a graphic novel world. S. J. and her partner, Satyris (I hope I spelled it right), came up with an amazing tune.

It stuck as a thematic piece, but I didn’t know what to do with that.

Fast forward to a Studio Ghibli film, When Marnie Was There — really interesting piece on that film that came out in 2014. While I do not believe the Great Miyazaki was in on this one, some strange things happened to me during this movie.

Themes of abandonment, loneliness, health issues, the finding of that strange friend, an abandoned old house, so many things that made this film an Oscar nominee (they should have won, fuck Pixar). If you’ve seen it…think about that strange house that Anna comes across…why, for some strange reason, did I imagine a mysterious band playing in the upstairs, and playing the Doobie Brothers, of all things?

I have no idea how to explain that.

The movie is also impossible for me to watch again. It is so damaging, tragic, and fucking horrid, but to borrow a phrase, “Life can sometimes be that way.” It is amazingly crafted, shot, and voiced. It also offers a grain of hope for Anna, for Marnie, and the rest. When Pandora’s Box was opened, all that was left was hope, and even then, you wonder if that was even enough to be considered.

Then comes a monument of sorts. I live off Maclay Street in Harrisburg, PA, and for years I drove by this strange building that still stands, but has never been occupied in the time I’ve lived here, and likely never will again. A plinth-like row structure, with an old mural on the side, a picture window, a faded black awning.

This place was once an Irish-American social club, according to my friend, Tommy Presite. My author/poet/educator friend Juelz Davenport said it served as something else, a club, possibly. The awning is for a restaurant of some kind, I think. Driving by that at 1 in the morning or in the daytime, it’s a strange, forbidding, and forboding building. It became a scene for me, but again, what?

It is a crucial place, where the bottles break (thank you, John Gorka).

So what is this story? Arisa is a young woman who’s had to grow up far sooner than she should; a musician with talent and drive, but who is plagued by doubt, a solitary nature, despite the best efforts of fellows, friends, and others.

What drives Arisa? Why does Arisa keep such bizarre hours? Where does she go in the off hours, through the back streets of Osaka, and why there?

Well, this story is about a lot of themes we’ve all faced, no matter our age. Growing up, brashness combined with shyness, a certainty plagued by doubt. Everyone has a story; Arisa is surrounded by them, and music. It will take a complete unknown to change her mind and her mindset.

I’ll leave it there.

Also, I’ll introduce you in a semi-backhanded way to Japan’s Power Pop Movement. I write about it in the Intro, but here’s the thing: Japan’s musical talent and influence go beyond the traditional. They listen, learn, adopt, adapt and make things their own, with respect to the originator, but their own spin.

You will get some ideas about what it may be like, and it will take you places.

I always want to take you with me on this ride, and hope you find someone you recognize, make friends with, and maybe get inspired to do your own thing.

Legend of the Black Swan can be found here on Amazon and YouTube. The online platforms are acting out of late, but you can find my works there and on Kindle. I hope you’ll enjoy what I’ve done.

Thank you for reading, and I hope for you to fly right along with Arisa.

Peace, Out.