March 1, 2013

my story, so far

[This is the third and final portion of my pictorial mini-autobiography. The first part is here, and the second part is there.]

During the 1980s, as a Sheridan Media Arts grad, I worked in the budding Canadian film and television industry. At the same time, I was writing “spec scripts” to submit to potential television series. This paid off with my first script sale, and the realization of my dream of writing professionally.

taking a break from television writing; with Gabrielle St. George, Zuzanna Vallis, Peter Mohan and an unidentified extra in the Night Heat holding cell

Taking a break from television writing, with Gabrielle St. George, Zuzanna Vallis, Peter Mohan and an extra in the “Night Heat” holding cell (1987)

Three Generations (circa 1992)

Holding my newborn, with my Dad, Lynn Russwurm.

shooting home video (circa 1990s)

Catching my reflection in a warplane canopy at the Tiger Boys Fly-In (2012)

During my family hiatus, I worked at developing my photography, blogging and social networking, developing digital skills, learning to hand code websites, restore photographs and create digital art.

Laurel L. Russwurm, self publishing novelist, author of “Inconstant Moon” (2010)

These days I’ve reclaimed my dream, and so I’m writing and self publishing my own novels. My debut novel, “Inconstant Moon,” is serialized online, and I’m currently at work finishing me second novel, “The Girl In The Blue Flame Cafe.”

I'm reflected in the shiny netbook that's set up on a table on the deck, my harnessed cat nick sits nearby on the railing.

Working on my second novel, “The Girl In The Blue Flame Cafe” (2012)

Posted in biography and tagged digital art, digital imaging, Gabrielle St. George, IMDB, Inconstant Moon, Laurel L. Russwurm, Lynn Russwurm, Night Heat, Peter Mohan, photo restoration, photography, self publishing, The Girl In The Blue Flame Cafe, Zuzanna Vallis
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March 1, 2013

the early years

[This is the first of a three part pictorial mini-autobiography, you’ll find the next here and the final chapter there.]

According to family legend, my mother Laura Gaede, an aspiring young country singer, advertised for a back-up band. My father, Lynn Russwurm, answered the ad. His band was the Pine River Troubadors, so my folks became The Pine River Sweethearts.

The Pine River Sweethearts (circa 1950s)

My parents were country music entertainers, so they both sang and played musical instruments. My Dad also wrote songs, and Mom could draw well enough to have made a living as a professional artist, but music and family were her two main loves. Dad is still making music.

Lynda, Laurel and Lance (1960)

I’m about 8 months old in this rare colour snapshot, pictured here with my older sister, Lynda Russwurm Glendenning Pearson, and my older brother, Lance Russwurm.

Standing at the open door of the stove, which holds my birthday cake.

My first birthday. (1960)

I had fun transforming a black and white photo into this sepia toned and colour tinted image. The beauty of digital image manipulation is that you work with copies, so if you make a mistake, the original is no worse off than it was when you began. This is one of my first attempts at photo tinting.

Wearing a bunny snow suit with my mother, out doors in springtime

(circa 1960)

With my mom, Laura Gaede Russwurm, in the front yard of my childhood home, at 88 Columbia Street in Waterloo.

Probably about four, sitting at my toy piano at Christmas

I was a one finger pianist (circa 1960s)

An enthusiastic audience, my inclination is to listen to music, not play it. It’s easier to type a novel with one finger than it is to play a symphony, so it’s a good thing I wanted to be a writer. All my novels are written to music.

Sitting on the concrete front porch, my three year old sister, Liana lays her head in my lap, our sister 5 year old sister Luane sits beside

Laurel, Liana and Luane (circa 1960s)

With a few more of my sisters, Liana Russwurm and Luane Russwurm.

with Larry (1969)

A good deal of my childhood was spent playing with and entertaining younger siblings, like my little brother, Larry Russwurm. The Marx Brothers had vaudeville, I had a captive audience 🙂