| Philosopher, constant observer and interpreter of the cosmic and the mundane, Ron Colone continues to do what he loves most: to write about life as he sees it. His latest book, "There is here with a T in front" is his second published collection of "Perspective" columns from Santa Ynez Valley News, and reflects his continuing evolution and momentum as a writer.
Colone has maintained a unique symbiotic relationship with the Santa Ynez Valley since he moved here ten years ago. "The natural, physical beauty of the Valley seems to set some circuit in my heart to vibrating," he says, "and that comes out in my writing." Far from the stress of city noise, traffic and crowds, Colone feels free to focus on the meaning of his life. "As a writer," he says, "my lifestyle here cuts out some of the static that would get in the way of my creativity."
The goal of Colone's writing is to empower and motivate his readers, and it's important to him that people feel encouraged and uplifted when they read his column. He also tries to make his writing accessible to a diverse readership. "If I can take something that I feel or observe and extrapolate it to the universal, or take something universal and still make it pertinent to my readers, then to me that's an exciting thing."
In a foreword to Colone's book, musician David Crosby writes: "He doesn't lecture, doesn't preach, but he watches life around him closely, and manages to find common ground. He finds things we all share rather than things to separate us. He finds the most amazing stuff right here in our back yard…courage…hope…freedom…dreams."
Gregarious and well-known, Colone has many friends in the Valley and is actively involved with his community. "Making a direct connection with people is what I love," he says, and he's done so by coaching high school football, producing musical events, and in his capacity as Marketing Director at New Frontiers Market. Sterling Price, Colone's longtime friend and editor, thinks his spontaneous enthusiasm about life is infectious. "If you're ever feeling down, just go find Ron," he says, "and he'll pick you up real quick."
Born and raised in Detroit, Colone attended the University of Pennsylvania and Arizona State, where he played football and other sports. He traveled to Europe and easily became acquainted with other travelers and Europeans alike. During his wanderings, he was intrigued by the many people he observed and the different ways they interacted with each other. Stories began to unfold in his mind. Inspired by "relentlessly uplifting and positive" books like Tao Te Ching and Das Energi, and authors Bruce Lee and Herman Hesse, Colone wrote his first book, The Mechanics of Being, while still in college.
In Los Angeles in the early 80's, Colone's writing impressed a group of network TV actors, who provided financial assistance while he wrote and self-published Twelve in a Tank, based on his European odyssey. Shortly thereafter, he was introduced to Stephen Stills, who read Colone's book, and then asked him to accompany Crosby, Stills and Nash on their upcoming concert tour. "So for the next year and a half, I was on the road with big-time rock and roll," Colone says. |
The music world has played a major role in Colone's life. "Music and songwriters have been even more of an inspiration to my writing than literature," he says. He often weaves musical lyrics into his columns, and speaks of rhythm as an important component when he writes. "Sometimes I get going with a piece, and it takes on a life of its own - it's like playing music," he says, "and the words just flow." Often, he takes walks through the Valley and reflects. "I'll see the swaying grasses in the fields, and almost become hypnotized. Then I'll think about how I can get that sway, that rhythm, in my writing."
Colone traveled with his brother's band "Michael on Fire" for six years as manager and performing artist, and his experiences on the road provided a wealth of topics for his later writing. "My mind was bombarded with ideas, and I just had to write about them," he says. Colone's brother Michael has had a tremendous influence on his life. "He's been my primary source of inspiration and information, and has broadened my horizons philosophically and psychologically". After six years, however, the grueling schedule of touring through 40 states for 320 days every year began to take its toll, and the troupe disbanded.
Following his heart, Colone moved to Santa Ynez in 1992 to be with Kelly Elm. They have been together ever since, and now have a three-year-old daughter, Flora. "We're gloriously in love," he says, smiling.
Colone began writing for the Valley News as a sports and education writer in 1994, and two years later, he wrote his first "Perspective" columns. They were very well-received and have been featured in the paper ever since. Many are also syndicated.
This was a pivotal time in his writing career, and he is grateful to the Valley News for giving him a venue for his work. Colone found his true calling when he began writing "Perspective." It gave me a different voice than the one I'd used before, and it was a voice that allowed me to really grow as a writer."
Today, Colone feels he is coming into his own. He's working on a cable TV series, and hopes to continue being involved with music. "Being a writer and being able to express myself more fully is my top priority right now, along with my relationship with my family. I'm ridiculously happy."
Colone's outlook on life is infused with a strong sense of spirituality and belief in a higher being. "It's my center of gravity," he explains. He believes that the world's many religions and traditions share common themes across different cultures and times, and he rejects the notion of labels. He finds it unsettling when people try to categorize him by asking him, for example, if he's a liberal or a conservative. "In my writing, I try to obliterate the distances and divisions between people," he says. Two people in a room may have differing viewpoints, but if you look at them from a distance, they just look like two people. "The differences have ceased to exist," Colone says, "so 'there' is just 'here' with a 't' in front."
It's a good perspective to have. |
