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Now that my Blog Book Tour Challenge has passed, I sat wondering what to do. What did I learn from the experience? What can you learn from my experience?
I learned that I can form solid productive habits. By posting for 31 consecutive days, I now know that I have the commitment to work smart.
When I posted my 31st Blog last night, I called my husband and told him that I was so fired up, that I wanted to keep the momentum going. I immediately blurted out, "I am going to Blog another month!" I meant it. Then I got really carried away and added that, "I am going to add some marketing to this and every day in September I am going to commit to contacting at least FIVE libraries. Then every night I am going to post the name, city, and state of each of those libraries."
So, with that said, here is the list of the libraries I contacted today Via e-mail.
Congratulations of forming the habit! People are always saying, "Oh, it's easy to stick with something, you just have to form a habit." They never say how hard that will be (unless, of course, it's a bad habit :p)!
Thanks for reminding me I need to set some new goals and daily challenges for myself and career as well. Blogging all month certainly got THAT habit well entrenched - lol
I want to tell you that I am as pleased as punch! If you have been reading my blog, you know that I participated in the Blog Book Tour August Challenge. That means I committed to posting a new blog every day throughout August. Now, to let you in on a secret, I am fairly certain that I have not done anything consistently for 31 days in my life, except maybe breathe. This is my 31st consecutive Blog.
I have created a new habit and it's not one my mother can complain about. WOOHOO!
But, even this pales in contrast to the weekend I have had. Today was the final day of the Decatur Book Festival and we are home, exhausted, and exhilarated. We arrived back at Mary Cunningham's house to find her husband ready to toss a tray of steaks on the grill.
After a quick tally of sales, I am pleased to report that the weekend was a total SUCCESS!
The highpoints are to be applauded. Mary Cunningham and Diana Black were unstoppable with their new WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty book, selling 64 copies on the book's public debut. WOW!
Mary worked doubly hard, trying to sign copies of WOOF while still selling the three books in her Cynthia's Attic fantasy series. In spite of her writer's cramp from WOOF, she also sold and signed 54 copies of her other books. UNBELIEVABLE!
Margot Justes, had to leave us early to fly back to Chicago, but she had a great weekend with new fans and selling 26 copies of A HOTEL IN PARIS. OUTSTANDING!
These women worked so hard and smiled so much I think their faces might have frozen like that, but I could not be more thrilled with the SUCCESS of each of them. You want to learn about selling books at festivals? You talk to my Echelon authors, they ROCK!!
And with all that said, I am just plain tuckered out and am off to dream of life in my own perfect little world. A place we like to call KarenLand.
And for those of you wondering, I think I might just try and blog for another month. Think I can do two in a row? You keep coming back and we'll see.
Probably not what The Beatles were referring to, but here goes…
Echelon at Decatur: Give me an E! Give me a C… Give me a … chair!
My legs ache from 2 days of standing, my voice is 2 octaves deeper from nonstop pitching, but I can’t complain about the bugs on my teeth – they’re from smiling with pure delight.
My first book fest, and I’m so pumped and proud I couldn’t wait to share the news and extend my appreciation.
Thanks to Mary (Cunningham) for being such a great coauthor and to Karen for her publisher presence – pumping us up and polishing us off (uh, I mean, showing us how it’s done, not doing away with us!).
Made new friends, established new contacts, created new selling spins…Not bad for a WOOFer (part of the Women Only Over Fifty pack).
Oh, and did I mention we sold (drum roll please) 64 books?
The Beatles’ reference to 64 is still a bit down the path for me, but I’ve already hit a personal milestone.
You were awesome, and with your schedule! Hooray for you. Yes, do keep it up, and for heaven's sake Twitter about it. I've only been linking over from there, because it's so dang handy! Blog-Twitter, blog-twitter, and you'll get more readers.
Or is it? I'm not sure how to approach this subject, because I tend to have more authors reading my blog than readers. I would like to reach more readers, but am not altogether sure how.
One thing I do is the book festivals. Like this weekend I am in Georgia for the Decatur Book Festival. This is my second year, and last year was great! I tend to do about 6-10 festivals per year.
Authors, do you participate in festivals? Which one is your favorite?
Readers, do you attend book festivals? Does your area have a book festival?
Are book festivals worth the investment for authors?
Well, let's see. Readers go to festivals because they love books. Most of them are willing to buy books at book festivals. Let's say it costs an author $500 for a booth at a book festival. That is not chump change. I get it. How can you make it more affordable? Well, you can co-op with one or two other authors. You share a couple tables and lower your costs considerably. It also gives you company and support throughout the day. Potty breaks and lunch.
Other benefits? Let's say you only sell 10 books, but 2000 people walk by your booth and half of them stop and look at your book and talk to you. Did you smile? Did you thank them for stopping? Did you send them along their merry way with your PROMO ITEMS in their hands? If you did not answer, "yes" to all three. SHAME ON YOU! If you did all those things, you have increased your potential to sell a book. Don't assume a "No" is a final answer.
The biggest mistake authors make with going to festivals is that they ONLY see it as a chance to sell books on the spot. That is always good, and I try like a crazy woman to sell books to everyone, but not everyone reads your "type" of book. Deal with it. But that doesn't mean they can't be a potential customer or lead you to one. You make not make your money back that day, but don't give up, a sale tomorrow is just as good!
Say you have a man who only reads thrillers and you write mystery. Okay, no problem. You hand him your bookmark and say, "Hey, maybe you could give this to you wife/sister/mother/cousin/librarian who might like a mystery." You thank him and suggest a good thriller you might have read about on line. You have done him a favor and this might make him more open to doing one for you. You would be surprised. And don't roll your eyes at me and say, I don't have time for all that. You better MAKE time.
The second best reason to participate in book festivals is to promote and advertise. Every time you hand someone a piece of promo material that you have printed, consider it advertising, one reader at a time. When you hand them a card with your cover you KNOW they are looking at it. Can you say the same about your $30,000 ad in Publishers Weekly? How many of you actually subscribe to or read PW?
What's the benefit for readers? You get to meet authors. You get an opportunity to talk for a few minutes to someone who devotes most, if not all of their time to doing something for YOU! They write books. Authors don't get published just for the heck of it. They write so that you, the reader, can go to the bookstore or the library, or wherever and get books. Readers are committed and devoted to books, and I beg you not to forget where those books come from.
If you are in the Atlanta area this weekend, stop by and see me and several of my authors (Diana Black, Mary Cunningham, Margot Justes at the Decatur Book Festival. We love to meet readers and we promise to be nice and make you smile.
I never realized book festivals were open to the public (somehow I thought they were trade shows that were closed). How cool. I'll have to watch to see if there are ever any in/near Dallas.
Though bookstores are already financially dangerous for me...
I am in the Chicago suburbs. We used to get a lot up this way, lately I have not noticed any, but then again. Maybe I just missed them recently.
Another thing on which to spend money. You should add there is a sense of obligation on the part of the readers. If I go to a festival I feel have to buy something.
It sounds like book festivals (which I've not yet done) are very much like conventions in terms of yes, it's an outlay of cash we can't always afford, but a real opportunity to meet people, network, and reach more readers.
Okay, I have been watching a lot of science fiction lately and and it has got me to thinking.
If a giant meteor came barrelling toward earth and we had only a limited amount of time and space to bring along items, what five books would you bring with you?
Here are my five.
1. Merriem Webster Pocket Dictionary 2. The Betty Crocker Cookbook 3. Bewitching by Jill Barnett (It's signed, like I'd leave it behind) 4. Idiots Guide to Gardening 5. John Maxwell's Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Feel free to ask my reasons on any of these. And before anyone makes judgement on my not bringing a bible, I know many others will and I can borrow one of them in exchange for the gardening book. See, I was thinking.
Blog Book Tour August Challenge #25 (C)Karen L. Syed
10 Comments on Destruction of our World, last added: 8/26/2008
Oh, man, only 5? Okay... 1. The Thurber Carnival 2. Les Miserables 3. Tarzan the Untamed (autographed copy) 4. The Disciples Study Bible 5. The January issue of the Quarter Horse Journal (aka: the big book of studs)
BTW - Where are we going? And can I borrow your cookbook?
1. The Anarchist Cookbook (in case we need weapons and recipes) 2. Nutritional Healing (the BIG book of how to stay healthy if you don't have drugs) 3. 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Science (in case we actually have to survive) 4. The Stand (just for fun) 5. War and Peace (to pass the time. I've never read it, but I assume that wherever we're going, we'll be there awhile.)
1.To Kill A Mockingbird 2.Lord of the Rings Trilogy (3 in 1) 3.My grandmother's 1908 book of bible stories 4.Les Miserables (stealing from gayle) 5.Bloomsbury County Babylon (five yuears of Opus). I'll need the laughs!
Hard to choose.. 1. Salem's Lot (LJ we can trade?) 2. DollsHouse Decor 3. Dutch Painting (We'll need beauty; can trade for a Bible) 4. Food Displays (dollhouse food to keep the mind occupied) 5. Janet Evanovich book (we'll need plenty of laughter)
Gahhh!!! My answer to this would change daily... I'm going to base it partly on what my compatriots are already bringing and just count on everyone sharing. IN no particular order:
1. The WIne Bible 2. Harry Potter series (in ONE big book, which I'll have specially bound to count as one book) 3. Time of the Dark Trilogy by Barbara Hambly 4. Yarrow by Charles De Lint 5. Survival Guide of some sort (how to live off the land)
Are we all going to be together? Got a small library going here already. I'd opt for an unabridged dictionary just for entertainment value. I'd need a good art history book, too. The Merlin Trilogy in one book, by Mary Stewart. John Seymour's The Forgotten Crafts. What else? How about a really good joke book?
1- A prayer book, with a Jewish calendar in the back. 2- A copy of Tanach will all the commentary of Rashi. 3- The Opinionated Knitter 4- The Dragonlance Chronicles Annotated Edition 5- The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns.
Zhadi, put me on the line to borrow the HP uber-volume.
That cat can probably do better than my original editor at the newspaper. Nice woman, I am eternally in her debt for taking me on, but she would actually INTRODUCE typos into my stuff. I'm really a stickler for spelling, so the errors would stick out at me like flashing neon lights.
The second book in Stewart's Hard series follows Lorna back to her hometown after her mother's death. Her only plans are to scatter her mother's ashes and then clean and sell their family home. But as soon as Lorna arrives, a tragedy from her past is dredged up, along with new and even more frightening secrets that nobody in town could have imagined.
When Lorna steps in to help a woman she thinks is being wrongly accused for the crimes, she finds herself part of a select group determined to find the truth and not just a scapegoat.
Mariah Stewart has done an excellent job with bringing these characters to life. Her story is dark and involved, but the personalities of the main characters keep the story from being too deep. Stewart has a great writing style and this one proves her talent, yet again.
My first book, Two Wrongs, also deals with someone wrongfully accused of a murder, but the twist is the innocent guy turns guilty when he's released from prison.
You don't think books signings are worth the effort. You don't think readers pay attention to promotional mailings. You don't have a web site to promote or don't update the one you have. You don't have time to call bookstores to tell them about your book. You don't have time to call libraries to tell them about your book. You don't have time to do speaking engagements. You don't have time to post announcements on the Internet You don't have money to travel to conferences. You don't have money to advertise/market. You don't have copies of your book on hand to sell.
Okay, Karen, most of those things look like laziness or arrogance on the author's part, except for "not enough money to travel..." Any tips for starving yet energetic authors who would like to travel to conferences but don't have the $$? P.S. I'd actually like to be a little bit "starving" - I need to lose a few pounds.
I am doing all of that and still not a best seller. But I will be someday. Gayle, check out JA Konrath's site; he has a section on how to go to a conference on a budget. http://www.jakonrath.com/tips6.html
I agree there's lots to do to get yourself and your books noticed. The more you do, the better.
I also believe that at times it's best to slow down and really concentrate on one particular aspect and learn how to do it well. Right now I'm working on improving my blogging. Morgan Mandel http://morganmandel.blogspot.com www.morganmandel.com
Other than the money issue, I'm happy to say I'm doing okay on the rest of the lsit... I only wish there were MORE speaking opportunities... I loves 'em, I do...
I'm guilty of a couple, mostly as with gayle's case - lack of funds to invest in what I know darn well I should be investing in. Thanks for that article, LJ - got my piggie bank on my desk, see you at a convention next year! lol, but serious.
By no stretch of the imagination should you try to do all these at once. Pick a few that you are confident you can do on a long term basis, and then put 100% into them.
None of them are short term goals. And remember, whatever you choose make sure you will get something in return.
Like conferences. I try to only go to conferences if I am 1. looking for new authors, and 2. can sell books.
I try to pick conferences that have very high attendance rates. Like I will be at Bouchercon World Mystery Conference in October. Surprised at how many of my authors are not going. If you go to the web site you can see that there are many more fans than there are authors. This is a good thing! Higher potential to sell books.
Mailings. You can do just one mailing. You have to do repeat mailings to the same people, otherwise they look, it might be a bad time, and they toss. Once they have seen something a couple times it will stand a better chance of sticking.
You have to be willing to ride the horse down the same road every once in a while and not just keep going in one direction forever.
I do all those things you mentioned except calling book stores.
About conferences though, I will only go if they don't have rules about who publishes you deciding if you can be on a panel or not. Used to always go to Left Coast Crime--no more.
Whether you are on a panel or not you can still network, but your books won't be in the bookstore--and even if they are, without people looking for them you don't have much chance of selling.
How much attention do you, as an author, pay to this aspect of your submission process? Have you ever really thought about the importance of the query letter? Do you ever wonder if editors really read queries? I can't answer for anyone else, but I know I do.
Here are a few quick tips on what "I" think a query letter should be.
1. One page-short and simple. 2. Professional. Don't use fancy papers, fonts, or colors. It is distracting and some editors have called it juvenile. 3. Pristine. It is one page, there is no room for error, so don't rely on spell check. Own your query and ensure that it is the very best it can be before submitting it. As an editor, I won't even look at a manuscript if there are typos and technical errors in the query, it is that first impression you can't take back.
It should include: 1. All of your contact information. 2. A quick paragraph of introduction. 3. A couple of paragraphs summarizing your story; the set up, the conflict, the climax, the resolution. A few simple remarks about each of the key points in your story. 4. A brief summary of your industry accomplishments; writing credits, contest wins, and vision for the submission.
If you aren't sure about your query letter, please feel free to post your questions here and we'll see if we can help.
I completely agree! One page, clean, no errors, intro paragraph that tells me genre and word count, story paragraph or two, and a few marketing ideas, and a bio paragraph. Love it!
Skip the drama and wheedling-type opening "You probably won't like my novel, but I have to ask anyway." I am not going to do a "mercy-read" and I know it sounds snotty, but I don't really care if your friends loved it.
Also, if you try to PEEK my interest, you're dead!
Reading queries (until you find a great one) is pure overhead...you learn to be brutal.
How much bio do you really want? Must a writer drone on if the idea and samples are great? I've read queries with far too much emphasis on the author's laurels, at least (yawn) I thought so. But, maybe you want that.
Get the basics in, make it interesting and an example of your writing ability, keep it simple. When I teach a workshop on the query letter, I tell them: Look, Hook, Book, Cook (in one page). Look -- mention if you have a connection with the agent/editor. Hook -- something interesting to keep them reading. Book -- a bit about your book (mini synopsis). Cook -- your credentials for writing this book.
I remember once when I was a teenager I was sitting at a table across from my best friend Brian and we were demolishing … as only a couple of teenaged boys can … a plate of huge chocolate chip cookies. And when I say, huge, I mean cookies about the size of my credit card debt.
“Bet you can’t get a whole cookie in your mouth,” he challenged.
Ah, a dare. “Oh, yeah?” I retorted, and without thinking I jammed an entire cookie in my mouth.
His eyes widened, in admiration … and hopefully … shock and awe. Then his eyes narrowed, and he duplicated my feat. This is what guys do. Dumbness and dumbness repeated.
So we leveled a look at each other over the table like Clint Eastwood and a bad guy.
Then I tried to bite down on the cookie. But couldn’t. It was wedged too far in my mouth. I tried to break the cookie in half with my tongue. It … the cookie … was too thick. Frantically I tried to poke a finger in my mouth to break the cookie’s clutch.
Nothing. There was no room for my finger. I grabbed a shoehorn … no, I didn’t … but I wish there had been one. I looked up and saw that Brian was having the same problem. His mouth was stretched out like a hammerhead shark with a mouth full of tennis racquet.
Then I started laughing. Not much of a laugh, mind you. More like a choked, gargling sound like what a gum chewing turkey might make. Brian saw me laughing, and then it hit him. He dissolved in silent laughter, tears of mirth leaking from his eyes. Then he crumpled and fell to the floor. I wasn’t far behind.
Laughing, not dying. But if I was going to die, there are worse ways to go than dying while laughing.
Until this moment I had never understood the phrase, ‘rolling on the floor laughing.’ Anyway, when God invented enzymes and acids and stuff to break down foods in our mouths and stomach, I doubt if He did so with figuring it would save me from a killer cookie some day.
When I write, I write what makes me laugh. Snappy dialogue, ridiculous situations, and a frantic pace that barely lets you get your breath. Things that are funny because they are true or funny because they are unexpected.
I draw upon techniques that the great comedians have gleaned over the years. Like the observational humor of the late, great George Carlin, who said, “Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot and anyone driving faster is a maniac?” Or misdirection, a favorite technique of Steven Wright, “I bought some batteries, but they weren’t included. So I had to buy them again.”
My first attempt at writing a book was a horror demon book and my second was a kidnapping book. Neither saw the light of day or of one of those really bright moonlit nights. Then one day I bonked my elbow on something which reminded me that I had a funny bone. What’s more fun to read than fun stuff, things that make you chuckle, laugh, or snort your Dr. Pepper? So I write my first humor fantasy book, The Adventures of Guy … written by a guy (probably), and it sold. So did its sequel. And next year my first vampire/humor book, Fang Face will be out to delight critters everywhere.
If I’m gonna die, it’s going to be by laughing. And until I do, I’m going to write with the same philosophy.
I LOVED this post! Great stuff to start off a day - good laughs. You write humor well. I also like to get humorous with my books. I write in the spiritual/inspirational genre, but what better medicine for the soul than laughter?
Having two sons and having spent most of my life mostly with men, I can completely see that cookie story. And see that it is funny as all get out. I've just figured out that I write funny. I've been writing these dark tomes and I've been decompressing with funny stuff. I'm having way more luck getting editors to look at the funny stuff! I bet you've had milk come out your nose more than once.
I've had lots of things come out my nose ... but let's not go there.
As far as funny stuff, I'm going to give three:
O'Henry wrote many short stories about the south Pacific, and (it's been awhile since I read them) but there was a part in one where someone did something so funny that one of the characters grinned like a shark, and slid to the floor to his favorite laughing spot before dissolving in silent laughter. Just the visualization did it for me, and the fact that the character had such a spot reserved for enjoyment tickled me.
Dave Barry wrote a book called "Big Trouble" and there was a part where some Mafia type dudes were chasing people in a cigarboat, ... no, cigarette boat ... over rough waves. And every time that the boat slammed into waves the guys in the boat would chime, f**k. Barry would go back and forth between scenes and every time he mentioned the boat, they'd have this single dialogue. The repetition and back and forth sequences made it work.
The third is the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a five book trilogy (this alone should tell you something) by Douglas Adams. If you judge the series based on its two very bad movies (the fact that they had two movies should tell you something else), you've missed a treat. The dialogue is hilarious, the scenes ridiculous and Adams is simply my hero. Just fun all the way through. I reread them all the time.
Let's take a moment and do a quick excercise. This is a photo that I took some time ago. When I saw it again it triggered an idea for a story.
On the off chance there are readers out there perusing this Blog, let's give them something to enjoy.
Here is the challenge. I'd like you to write a tiny story about this picture. Any genre, no profanity, nothing sexually explicit. The catch is you only have 300 words. No more!
“Blank – just like my life. Well, maybe not so much. Not as pure – my life is. Too much garbage, too many mistakes. This snow with its absence of muddy tracks, people hurling themselves haphazardly through a life never truly settled into as my own. No slide marks in the perfect snow as I allow others to drag me through my own life as I refused to or was not allowed to make decisions on my own or for myself."
Just snow, as pure and clean as I wished I could be. Snow, burying the mistakes underneath its perfect white façade, what lies beneath will arise as evidence in the spring.”
"Spring, that’s when it all breaks loose for me. But, how would I tell him?"
Ooh, am gonna have to think about this and try when I'm not at work... I'm wretched at shorts so this is no doubt a good exercise for me to try... Dagnabbit...
Wish I had the time to really think about this and give it a try. I like what TL Thomas wrote at the end of her comment. That would be a great opening for a story. Sure intrigued me.
When light flakes turned into a blinding storm, Roger led me off the ski path, saying we’d get down faster by cutting through the trees.
He was gone now. I was alone, lying in the snow. As soon as he was out of sight, I packed ice over the gaping hole in my stomach to stop the blood.
How naïve I’d been to believe Roger when he said we had time for one more trip down. Now, I was slowly bleeding out and freezing to death while Roger was most likely sitting by the fire, drinking his favorite wine, watching his gloves burn – the ones he’d worn when he shot me. I wished I had a glass now. So many times I’d turned it down, worried it would send my blood sugar skyrocketing.
He’d get away with it. No one would notice his blood when there was so much of mine. After he’d shot me, he’d smiled. When he leaned over to kiss my lips, I scratched his face. He’d used a tree limb to break my leg then scraped my fingernails to make sure he got any traces of DNA. But he hadn’t noticed his own blood, dripped on my forearm.
And no one else would either. I eased my hand into my pocket and pulled out the blood sugar meter. His blood was starting to congeal, so I pushed the stick into the tiny pool and let it soak in. Then I emptied the chapstick and driver’s license out of the zip bag and put the stick in. Clutching the sealed evidence in my palm, I stared up at the trees and sky.
So beautiful. So peaceful. I could feel the quiet settling over me, seeping into my bones, my core.
I swear, I did NOT read Helen's before composing this! That was great, Helen! Anyway, here ya go, here's mine.
John lay shivering in the snow, his mangled and bloody foot frozen. It had been three days now, with no food. A solo hunting trip gone bad. Trespassing has its dangers, this property owner sets bear traps. One errant step, one hideous snapping sound, one mighty surge of horrific pain, and suddenly … life is short.
He would not be found, he knew that. No phone, no one knew where he had gone off to. He would die here, amidst all this beauty. Dazzling waves of billions of snowflakes descended their way to the cold soft blankets, joining the lazy drifting banks of frozen water - creating crepuscule flickers of playful light dances to accompany and fascinate his last day, his last few moments on this planet.
It is worth it, he thought. Worth all the pain, all the frustration, all the futility. Just to behold this spectacle, this grand tribute to my God and It’s magnificent creation. I just wish, I wonder … why have I never noticed the splendor to this degree before? Why, when healthy, active and busy, with all my life ahead of me and the world at my command, why was there never beauty to behold such as this?
A sharp stab of pain and a spit up of blood spelled the time is near. Still he focused on the beauty. And he heard a voice, “Because you never really looked. It’s all right. Come on home. I have much, much more to show you.”
June had hesitated as she got off the ski lift, so much so that the chair had almost hit her in the back of the head. One minute she was upright, the next she was eating snow with a large weight on top of her. When she took her face out of the powder she was staring into the deepest greenest eyes she'd ever seen. "You okay?" rumbled from the depths of his broad chest. "More than okay," she answered. cmr
White! Nothing but white as far as she could see. A blank slate. Had she journeyed far enough through time?
That question was answered in a heartbeat. Sensing the blinding light before she saw it, a cold sickness nearly squeezed the breath out of her. He had found her, but how? She’d tried so hard to cover her tracks.
A brief glance over her right shoulder affirmed it. Just as her blazing entrance through the portal had created a blinding snowstorm, so did his. But, even so, his red-hot pupils pierced the blizzard curtain.
Run! She silently screamed. But where? He’d have no trouble following her tracks. She threw up a hand to shield her eyes from the blinding snow and spotted a thick pine grove in the distance. Her only cover for miles. She ran, even though the monster’s huge gait would catch her in a matter of moments...when he spotted her. Still, she ran, the pain in her chest growing with each step.
Ducking under a large branch, she dropped to the frozen earth and nestled under a low-hanging fir, careful not to disturb the branches. She listened. No sound of plodding, angry footsteps. Even more amazing, there was no sign of hers! The smooth, white blanket had remained undisturbed.
SNOW? How long have I been sleeping? And where have I been sleeping, not to mention …with whom?
I’m afraid if I roll out from under his arm, he’ll awaken. And that would not be good. That I do know.
Last I remember Bob and I were having a heated debate when he stopped walking, gathered up a handful of dry leaves and threw them in my face. I took out after him but I was no match for his long stride.
Then…then…I fell. That’s right. I fell off a ledge, but not too far because I landed…and hit my…Yes, my head. I can feel the bump and it, ouch, hurts!
Oh, no…his breathing is… Good. He just snorted a little. Still asleep.
I can’t see his face. It’s really dark in here, except for the light coming through that small opening. Snow…
I suppose if I ever want to see green trees again…
There. I scooted my foot. Now my hip. My other foot. Rolling on my right shoulder. Whoa! Must have injured it as well. Slink out, gurl, so that his arm doesn’t just flop.
Oh, my God. I did it!
Wonder how much trouble it was dragging me in here because this opening is hardly big enough for me to squeeze through.
Oh, thank you, God, I’m out! I’m out!
Wonder which way, other than up, to the lodge?
“Sue! Where are you, Sue?”
“Oh, Tom! Tom! I’m down here! Down here, Tom!!”
Oops, best not to yell. Don’t need him waking cranky…not now.
This is so weird, but I almost wish I’d given him a little goodbye kiss.
But, then, he might have given me a for REAL bear hug.
Not the cloudless night, or a moon like chipped ice wedging the horizon, but the vacuous stare in her pale blue eyes filled Dick Watson with despair.
Ten inches of snow formed a wall around her maltreated corpse. Gusting wind, heralding an approaching storm, dusted her bluish flesh like confectioners' sugar.
Watson squatted to examine the bruises on her slender neck and prominent collarbones, then stood, lifted his hat, and scrubbed his hands through his thinning brown hair.
There was something so brutal about how her remains were disposed as to make him question his decision to join law enforcement in the small upstate farming community forgotten by outsiders.
He had spied a distinct and recently formed footpath through the knee-high snow that was now filling with wind-drifted flakes.
Maybe I'm too damn curious like they say, he thought and turned from the young woman, let the wind claw his back.
The woman had reminded him of his nieces making snow angels, which elicited a deep sense of sorrow. Watson tasted the acid of regret in the back of his mouth, and glanced quickly over his shoulder, eyes filled with a fear of recognition, then relief at the verification that she was indeed a stranger, and finally regret for his selfish response. Using his cellphone, he called in her death.
Forty minutes later, flashing blue and white strobes bounced off the haze of night as two deputies helped an assistant coroner carry her bagged body through the glaring light. Watson waited for them to finish, and then followed their truck in to town, wondering if he'd ever learn who she'd been in life, and if his could ever be the same as before he'd discovered her dumped amongst the trees and the new year's snow.
Freshly dug graves left tell-tale dirt mounds, and there was nothing he could do about that. Peter MacIntosh clapped the dirt off his hands and picked up his shovel, then followed the setting sun back home.
A black car was in the driveway. A few more steps and Pete could see the official insignia on the license plate. Tarnation! How long had they been here? Had they gotten to snooping around?
He set the shovel down underneath an overgrown pine tree and strode to the porch where two gentlemen stood shielding their faces against the sun as they watched him approach.
"Afternoon," one of them said politely.
Pete didn't waste words. "Gotta warrant?"
The two strangers looked at one another, then back at Pete, who glared back at them, his hands itching for his shotgun.
The older one answered carefully, "We didn't think we needed one. We just came to talk."
"Then leave. Now."
They complied, but the younger of the two couldn't resist a parting shot: "We'll be back tomorrow."
And so they would, but in all their weeks and months of watching him, and baiting him, they still hadn't been able to prove a thing. Of course, that meant that they would try harder. The image of the fresh graves came back. He had to admit, this had been a close call, much closer than he liked.
He slept well as he always did, but he'd had a hard time falling asleep. That was unusual. In the gray light of morning, Pete felt troubled. Was this it? The odds said it was. The odds said he'd already gotten away with far too much.
He looked out the window, and saw the snow, the lovely, deep, cleansing, erasing snow.
Peter MacIntosh grinned. Time was once again on his side.
gayle carline said, on 8/18/2008 2:03:00 PM
Here's where my head went:
Gina’s footsteps crunched against the coldness, the dry snow packing under each tread. She took a deep breath and smelled the faint pine odor of the evergreens, dampened under the blanket of white. The cold seeped in through her layers of clothing, stopping at her bones.
She reached down and grabbed a handful of snow with her driving gloves. Wincing, she held it against her cheekbone. The bruise was fresh and the flesh still swollen. She had said the wrong thing again, as usual.
Most people talked about snow as if it was an eraser, making a clean slate of everything it touched. But Gina knew the truth. Underneath the pristine white was dirt. Dirt and mulch, where dogs had peed and animals had died and nature had pulled it all down to its many layers of sleep. It was all still there, just like her bruise would still exist, no matter how much makeup she piled on.
Just like her past would still exist, no matter how high she buttoned her collars, how many hymns she sang, how many AA meetings she attended.
Roger had told her that, many times. She could change her name, run away, get clean, but he knew the real her. He’d find her and tell everyone who she was. She’d never get away from him.
Gina turned around and watched smoke curl from the tailpipe of her dark blue Honda. It had been difficult, but she managed to get two of the tires completely off the road and over the ledge. The car rocked a little in the breeze. Roger sat in the passenger seat, still asleep from the tranquilizer she’d slipped into his coffee.
Tapping another cigarette out of the pack, she waited for him to wake up.
Anonymous said, on 8/18/2008 9:27:00 PM
It's wonderful to be a child and having the day off from school because it's a "snow day." You turn on the TV as soon as you awaken waiting to hear those glorious words - No school today for the following counties - and you wait breathlessly for your school to be announced. Unlike an adult, a teacher perhaps, who hears the same pronouncement and toddles back to bed for some much needed sleep, the child will don heavy snow clothes, gloves, scarf and knitted cap and race out the front door exuberantly waiting to throw snowballs at fellow classmates or inanimate objects or making beautiful, heavenly snow angels.
How wonderful it is to be a child living in a state where winter means snow, not just cold weather but beautiful white stuff that falls lazily and steadily to the ground blanketing everyone and everything in its luxurious delicacy. If you're lucky there will be a lake nearby that has frozen , beckoning all the "wannabe" Olympic skaters to test their mettle and try not to fall, feeling absolutely delirious when a skate around the lake ends triumphantly with nary a bruise to the skin or ego.
They're childhood memories of mine when I cared only for myself and saw the winter snowfall as my big playground. As an adult I now view snow scenes with some sadness, not so much because I regret that those insoucient days are over, but because I now worry about all the little creatures and critters calling these woodlands their home, worrying that their habitat will be destroyed by our ever burgeoning human population and worrying that they won't know comfort and warmth and have full bellies.
Sometimes being an adult is not all it's cracked up to be. But I'll always have my memories.
Not too long ago, L.J. Sellers, author of THE SEX CLUB posted a Blog about Blog etiquette. She questioned whether it is appropriate to leave your name and a link to your site or Blog. Several people seemed offended by the very idea. I have seen on other groups and lists where people call it blatant self-promotion. Well, of course it is!
I would never presume to say why anyone else Blogs. That is a personal choice and no one has to answer to me. I can only tell you why I Blog.
1. Because I have things to say and I want to share my thoughts with others and find out what they think. I am curious by nature.
2. I am promoting my books and my company. No secret there. What kind of businessperson would I be if I didn't.
When people accuse me of blatant self-promotion, or accuse other authors for that matter, I just want to laugh at them. Of course we are self-promoting. We are professionals and we have a job to do. We have written books and if we do not self promote them who will know they even exist. How will you know?
There is a lot of value in self-promotion and the sooner people realize that and stop complaining about it, the better off everyone will be. An author promoting their work is no different than a car dealer promoting their vehicles.
When an author takes on the responsibility of having a book published, they also take on the task of letting readers and the public in general. There is always talk of how an author should be respectful of the readers wishes; don't put useless links on Blogs and posts and such, it is blatant self-promotion.
What about the readers respect for the author? Doesn't the author who toils and sacrifices to write a book deserve the opportunity to promote and share his talent with those he wrote it for? We write so our words can touch readers. How do they do that if they are afraid to self-promote?
We are all readers on some level, and to offer tolerance and understanding to our fellow authors is a small sacrifice. So, I ask you, if you get an announcement from your fellow author, consider the amount of time YOU have put into your last project. If you see a Blog address at the end of a post on your Blog, consider the fact that YOU want more people to read your Blog and the person leaving the address might just lead others back to you. And when you see someone on a list who is mentioning their own book, remember that if YOU mentioned your book instead of complaining about their mention, you might be able to sell another copy.
It's not about right or wrong, or good or bad, it is about giving readers the CHOICE to decide if they want to follow a link, or buy a book that is mentioned. Courtesy and tolerance. Imagine if we each used a little bit each day. The world would be a better place, and not just for blatantly self-promoting authors.
As aspiring "unknown" authors, who's going to promote you if you can't and don't do it yourself? Sheesh, I wouldn't blog, web, twitter, ping, all that networking stuff til I'm blue in the face if I weren't in the business of getting my name and products out there and stirring up business. I suppose some people blog just to spout off opinions. I do that as well, but if a blog offers value and information to the reader, I don't see the harm in letting satisfied readers that you have written books on related subjects they might very well find value it.
I'm never offended or irritated by authors who send me notices about their book (unless they go overboard). But it's good to be reminded that it's also important to follow those links, look at their site, and comment if I can. I have been trying to do more of that. But every time I take on a new avenue of networking, another avenue gets ignored. Never enough time ... Lj http://ljraves.blogspot.com
I think that in this new Information Age, people are used to getting information (including music, videos, and the written word) for free. And once you've gotten something for free, you get a little resentful at the thought of having to pay for it. It's important to remind people that artists have to eat too, and that without art the world would be a very sad place indeed. Gentle, respectful, and entertaining self-promotion can serve as one of those reminders.
I don't mind commenters who leave their URL or authors who email me about their books. I've found some great books that way. It takes a lot of time to visit blogs and leave comments. I appreciate every person who visits my blog and plenty of times I go to someone's blog and read a comment from someone I would like to follow up on, but can't find them. http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com
I'm never offended when someone leaves their link(s) on comments - I love to find new authors and see what they're writing/thinking/etc. It's all about doing it respectfully, me thinks!
The key, of course, is to always leave a little more good stuff than you get. It's not really blatant self-promotion then. It's blatant sharing. Right? The right kind of BS. ;)
Another good post, Karen... Who obviously gives way more than she gets as a way of living.
I believe you are right on target with your comments. I think it's very important that authors, writers, and publishers network more together. Then we all benefit.Thanks for interacting on my book marketing lens. And kindly consider having other authors submit free samples of their work at http://www.bookglutton.com/. Mine is called Positive Life Change Samples. Sincerely, Gary Eby, author and therapist.
I recently discovered a web site called The Quickest Blog Book Tour Guide Ever and from that I joined a really cool Yahoo group (Blog Book Tours) and they have made an huge difference in the way I Blog. Now, as I understand it (I've never researched the history of Blogs) a Blog is something of a personal journal. Okay, I get that. Journaling is very good for the creative spirit. It helps to clear the mind and get the creative juices flowing.
However, like everything else, there are, and should be, exceptions to how much personal information you put up on your Blog. After all, the entire WORLD has access to this information. Do you really want the whole world to know when you have "those kinds of" cramps? I think not. Especially if your Blog in intended for use in a professional capacity.
I have been searching for great Blogs in the publishing/writing industry. I have run across a few, certainly not bad ones. If I like a Blog I add it to my new Blog Roll. I think this is a clever way to network and cross promote. You Roll me and I'll Roll you kinda deal. (What is a Blog Roll?)
One of the Blogs I liketo read on a regular basis is A Newbie's Guide to Publishing by J.A. Konrath. Joe is a pretty out there guy and he speaks his mind no matter what. Joe also has a very powerful personality, but when he posts on his Blog, his words mean something. They offer information, usually in a very entertaining way, and they are relevant to what he is trying to accomplish. Joe offers information to writers. Period. No exclusions, there is information for every level of writer, and he doesn't candy coat. It's a great Blog.
So why is it that I keep running across Author Blogs that are filled with extremely personal info, ranging from bad days to why they are mad at their husbands? Is this relevant to what they are doing?
Okay, let's analyze. Are they personal Blogs or professional Author/Business Blogs? What is the difference?
If you have a Blog and it has your Book cover, your author/business name, and all the other things that you use to promote your books, it is a professional Blog.
If the Blog title indicates that this is a rant Blog and you are using it to speak your mind and let the world know what you think about every little thing, then consider it personal.
I strongly discourage you from combining the two. Why you ask? Simple. Personal preference. If you are Jewish and you are angry about something that the Catholic church has done to a friend and you vent your disgust of the church, you are alienating every single Catholic reader who might have read your cozy mystery that has nothing to do with religion.
If you are homophobic and you complain about gays kissing in public, you will alienate every single gay person who loves to read fantasy novels just like yours!
If you saw a mother breast feeding in the mall and this turned your stomach and you posted that on your Blog, you have just turned a away a HUGE readership of mothers who hoard romance novels just like yours because you are an insensitive dork!
Are you seeing where I am going with this? If your Blog is professional, keep it that way. Talk about why you write, how you write, what you can't write and why. Talk about the books you've read, the books you want to read. Talk about the festivals and conferences you have attended.
Talk about the authors you have met and share your positive thoughts and views on the various aspects of society that relate to your profession. I'm not telling you to be Pollyanna, but I am suggesting that you not be the type of person who no one wants to know or care about.
Readers are sensitive and they deserve to be treated with respect. Pushing your angst off onto them isn't the best way to do that.
Do you have a good Blog? Share your link with us and if I like it, I'll add it to my Blog Roll. Want a FREE Blog critique? I've got an opinion on EVERYTHING. But remember, if you ask, I'll tell you and you can't be mad at me if you don't like what I say.
Blogs started out as personal journals, and still can be, but the business world (startig with newspapers) soon jumped on the bandwagon and discovered blogs were great communication and marketing tools. Now the trend is to get a multi-page blog for your virtual presence and skip a website entirely. The tool is definitely evolving, and so is it's original purpose. All the more reason to think seriously about the practice. More about the whys and wheres later in the week at http://blogbooktours.blogspot.com
I wonder if we suffer from blog overload = ) I have enjoyed your posts every day - you have so much to say and say it so well. Cricket/Billie http://cricketshearth.blogspot.com http://printedwords.blogspot.com
LOVED this post. The comment about 'those kinds of cramps' made me laugh out loud (then I had to read it to my boyfriend).
I think there is definitely a line between interesting personal info that readers will find interesting and entertaining about authors and the darker side of TMI (too much info). I'm becoming more aware of that line now that I have an author blog...although I might have mentioned cramps a while back...
Good post. I'm right now trying to get a solid idea, a central concept, a BRAND, if you will, for my blog. It has been evolving as my career been, and your thoughts and ideas were helpful in sorting out the why and what of a blog's purpose should be.
Marvin D Wilson Blogs at: http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com/ Eye Twitter 2 - http://twitter.com/Paize_Fiddler
Good post. And it's good that you're thinking about who you add to your blog roll.
One of the Twitter tips that I wrote for an article on my website included being aware of what you tweet, especially if you have a "Follow Me on Twitter" widget on your website or blog. If you have a professional blog, then you don't want crazy, personal, tweets showing up on that professional blog!
I find that hard to believe. The key, I think, is to pick your topic and then put your personality spin on it. Even when I write a post that is controversial or heavy, my sense of humor tends to leak in.
Don't be afraid to let your voice and individual style shine in your Blogs, that is the part that entertains. When you have a good topic and you entertain, that is what makes you interesting.
And I know you, Mary Cunningham, you are a VERY interesting person!
LJ, your posts are a great blend! They are entertaining, they are interesting, and you pick good topics. That is important!
I think one of the mistakes Bloggers make is to try and Blog about things they know nothing about. This just makes them come across as dorky.
Blogging is like talking. Yon't want to get up in front of a group of people and talk about Rocket Science if you know nothing about it. Same thing with Blogging. Don't edge your way out onto a really thin limb that is hanging over an alligator pit.
You just never know what something is going to be like until you try it. When one of my authors (Cynthia Polansky, author of Remote Control) sent me an e-mail about a new Arts & Crafts festival, I wasn't sure. She reminded me that it is local and reasonably priced, so I said sure. So I sign up and we are good to go.
So I spent the weekend sitting in the sun selling our books. Now, I do this as the publisher. The only author I had with me was Cindy and that was just today, Saturday.
So was it worth the money we spent? Perhaps, yes I quite think so. I passed out quite a bit of my author's promo materials. I sold 50 or so books (keep in mind I was selling my author's books on their behalf). On top of selling books, I met lots of cool readers who were thrilled that we are a local publisher for them. I got to promote our next local event which will be the Annapolis First Sunday Arts Festival in downtown Annapolis, MD. Our booth sat across from a local photographer who has the most incredible pictures, and I was able to make a deal with her to use of of her photos for an upcoming book cover. To give you a hint on the upcoming release, it will be the fourth book in the Snap Malek Mystery series by Nero Wolfe Award-winning author Robert Goldsborough. I think I might like to use some of her other images for other covers. Her web site is City Shapes Photos.
Best of all, a gal came by purchased two of our mysteries, and then let me know that she handles the book club for one of our MD Barnes & Noble stores and she wants to consider the books for their book club. Woo hoo!
So all in all, is it worth it to try a first time arts & crafts festival to sell books? You bet?
Have you got any great festival stories to share? I'd love to read them!
Hi Karen, it sounds like it was a great day. I never had even thought of doing these kind of events until I joined on the bookblogtour list. I'm really going to have to reconsider some of my marketing tactics. Great inspiration.
Teagan Oliver www.TeaganOliver.com www.TeaganOliver.blogspot.com www.ParanormalMaine.blogspot.com
This event was actually three days. Thrus, Fri, and Sat. I did not do Thursday because I had no help and I can't do these alone anymore since the surgery. So I did Fri & Sat. I was there 7 am - 6:30 pm on Fri. and 8 am - 7 on Saturday.
I love these events because generally speaking we are mixed in with a bunch of crafters, so the folks that stop at our tent are readers and are excited to see books. This event was right next to the Amish Market and we had a good crowd. Not a lot of publicity, so it was drop by visitors. They are hoping to do this several times next year, so something to look forward to.
With these types of festivals, you are usually one of very few authors, so you get a better sell thru. And people who go to craft fairs are used to spending money, so it is nice.
I hope to do more of these during the holiday season, I just have to find them and get signed up!
I attended a childhood literary festival last night in Carrollton, GA, along with another local author. We were asked to participate, and there was no charge. Not a lot of books sold, but I passed out tons of info, promoted good will by donating books to the foundation, and got to listen to three hours of authentic Blue Grass music! (Found myself clogging a couple of times)
I also talked to several media specialists in the area who promised to order the books for their schools.
It was three fun-filled hours out of my weekend promoting my books. What could be better?
Hi Karen, Great going. Craft fairs especially in the fall when people are looking for Christmas gifts and Tourist mementos - Local authors signing a book - a Publisher showing up on unexpected turf - You bet! (our local cafe is like that) I'm so glad it went so well for you and those authors whose books sold. Thanks for taking us along with you! Billie/Cricket www.cricket-sawyer.com
It's all about you. That's what I said. It's time you took a good hard look inside yourself and rediscover who you are and where you are going. It sounds simple, but I promise this will be the hardest thing you do all week.
When I read LJ Sellers blog today, it kind of got me to thinking. LJ wrote about her lists and how they keep her going. I made a joke about goofing off. And immediately felt a rush of guilt. While I read a series of Blog posts, I could have been stuffing envelopes with flyers announcing new books or old books or any of our books. I should have been formatting short stories that need to be going up for sale.
I concluded that I need to get more organized. I don't really have a master life list or whatever it is called. I do have a daily task list, but some days I forget to look at it. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants.
Where do you want to be in ten years? I gave this a little thought this afternoon, but didn't come up with anything solid. I guess it's time to stop putting it off and get to work. Will destiny wait forever?
I have given myself a goal. By next Friday I am going to post a list of my short, mid, and long-term goals: one year, five years, and ten years.
Getting back to my opening line. Do you have goals? Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? Have you really given serious thought to what you need to do to reach those goals?
I am a firm believer that life is all about the journey, but it never hurts to have a map in the glove box, just in case. Don't let others take control of your life, you're important and no one can get you where you want to go better than you. All you have to do is figure out where you want to be.
Hmmm, very profetic and deep for a day that is 08/08/08. I like the last few lines of the blog where you talk about it being about the journey, but having a map in the glovebox. Very much the way I live my life. And you gave me some food for thought for my own blog. Once I'm done visiting all you wonderful people I'm going to pop over to my own blog and do some thinking about my own destiny.
Thank you for the inspiration. Teagan Oliver www.TeaganOliver.com www.TeaganOliver.blogspot.com www.paranormalmaine.blogspot.com
Karen, have enjoyed your posts this week. All have been worthy of comment. Today (drum roll please...) you get mine.
Not more than two minutes before reading your post, I saw an article on goal setting. It's called the "SMART" approach.
S=Specific (define goal in detail) M=Measurable (track your progress) A=Achievable (be able to meet the goal) R=Realistic (challenging yet can be accomplished) T=Time limited (long-term & short-term).
This may not be news to some of us, but I was glad to be reminded. Getting more info on the subject has been for some time, uh, one of my goals :>)
I keep a notepad on my desk to make lists of things to do. It's always rewarding to mark things off, even if they're tiny things. But I can't say I have a list of long-term goals.
You've given me something to think about. I think it would be a good idea to set long term goals and track my progress toward them. If I don't have a destination in mind, how will I get there? And if I do, how will I know I've arrived?
I"m a big short term goal list maker - it helps me stay focused during the day and get more accomplished both at work and home. I like the idea of a 'roadmap' for longer term goals as well.
I usually only make lists when I'm overloaded, like today. I've got to pack for a week's vacation in the mountains, run down to San Diego (2 hr drive) to write a 7-10 minute script for the 48 Hour Film Project (a contest), then come back home, hopefully before 4 a.m., finish packing and hit the road around noonish. It feels like I'm juggling chainsaws and apples, and trying to take a bite out of the right one.
But maybe my goals need to be written down as well... ;-)
Great post, Karen. It reminded me to look at my life-quest list and update my goals. And thanks for the mention. You've inspired me and succeeded quite well with our without lists. Lj
After writing non-fiction on stress, doing years of clinical work and research, I believe this issure--how we get in charge of our own lives--is the most important and the one I focus on with mysteryshrink.com.
We grow up chasing prizes, grades, and relationships to direct us, without learning to use our real powers. I like the idea of the map in the glove box, because on speaking tours I often follow a motivational speaker who leaves out that "wanting" something is not enough. Just "wanting" or being "optimistic" is not enough. It's like when I'm seeing someone in marriage counseling and he says that he really loves his wife and he's very optimistic about the future, but has no plans to change anything he's doing.
I'm working on a full website with a special section for writers, because I love writers and we work alone with plenty of real and imagined criticism.
"Which is more real? The world you can touch, or the world you are responding to?"
It's early morning, you've had those first six cups of coffee, and now it is time to write. The sun isn't even up yet, so why should you be expected to be up and creative no less? Because that is what you picked to be. Creative, I mean, not so much up.
How in the blazes are you going to get any stinking words on that page, when you can't even keep your eyes open? Well, there are a few things you might consider. We're going to take a New Age approach to getting the creative juices flowing.
Let's start with a little bit of Aromatherapy. I won't go into much detail on this because there is just so much to be said. You can check the link for yourself, but I suggest two things. First, I love the smell of cinnamon in the morning. It is crisp and yet subtle. For me, it speaks of all things exciting and exotic and this is a definite stimulant to my brain activity. The second thing I like is lemon. Lemon has an invigorating quality that refreshes and is also a great stimulant. Why do you think there are so many cleansers with lemon smell? It makes it not suck quite as much that we need to use them.
Okay, we've got the smells in place. Let's consider the sounds around us. Some people prefer the quiet when working or relaxing. I, on the other hand, need the noise to keep me grounded. Otherwise I am listening for things that aren't happening. No focus. I try to set my music to my task. If I need to write a love scene, I might listen to John Tesh or Kenny G, music with no words. If I am writing something thrilling or an action scene, I might pop in a soundtrack like The Pirates of the Caribbean. Lots of drums and crescendos. Another thing I often use is music that is in another language. Big fan of Andrea Bocelli and Enya.
Finally, there is your setting. Environment is very important to the creative process or simply to a positive state of mind. Whether you write or not, you need to be surrounded by things that make you happy and things that have positive influences on your thoughts. Art, pictures, colors that speak to you. It is impossible for me to be creative in a sterile white environment. My walls are covered with posters on inspiration and success. I have a wall of success with the awards and certificates I have won over the years. I even have a few framed reviews that were particularly good. Make your space your own. If you have to share space with someone else, find things that you can move in easily while it is your time. Fresh flowers, a special quilt or throw over the chair beside you. A few trinkets to make it your own. I feel good when I look at my fluffy Tinker Bell pen on my desk.
Nothing is too silly when it comes to putting yourself into the right frame of mind to create something. Don't be afraid to think outside the box if it will help you write better, create better, or just feel better. After all, you are the most important thing in your life and you deserve the extra little things to make what you do easier and more enjoyable.
Cinnamon! I have to try that. How about cinnamon toast with coffee?
Another reason cinnamon might work for me is that one of my favorite memories is of my dad's cinnamon toast. He'd make it as a special treat. My dad was also my writing inspiration...so there ya go!
Not sure what happened to my first comment, so here it is again.
Love the music idea for writing climax scenes. I would have never thought of it. The thing that get my juices flowing best is an e-mail from a reader saying she loved THE SEX CLUB and asking when my next novel will be out. Nothing like pressure/expectation to motivate. Lj
I tried the vanilla candles/quiet workspace/mood music route... found that I'm much more prolific if I sit in my hubby's recliner with the laptop on my lap (what else is it for?) and an old movie in the background (almost anything black and white, usually TCM).
I've already finished 1 article that way today, and will soon start another.
On August 2, 2008, I made my second appearance at the Hanover Book Festival. This is what I would call a little itty-bitty book festival in a little itty bitty town called Mechanicsville, VA. Now, why would a big glamorous publisher like me what to go to a little itty-bitty town like that? By golly, I'm gonna tell you!
One, they invited me two times in a row. The first time, curiosity, but the second time, I was honored. Joanne Liggan, who coordinated this festival, is a gem. She has put together a spiffy little festival that I honestly think is going to continue to grow.
In the morning I presented a workshop on "Publishing Green." This was my first time doing this workshop, and it needs some work, but I was pleased. My group was interactive and that helped.
After my workshop, they plunked me down at a table to do editor interviews. Yes, that is right. This little bitty book festival had something for everyone. I did interviews all day and met some delightful and obviously talented writers.
Now, getting back to the point of the blog. Does your town have a book festival? You might consider going to your mayor's office and asking if your writer's group could organize one. Or you could do the easy thing and find other towns around you who have these festivals already and support them.
Just because it is in a small town doesn't mean it doesn't have a huge amount to offer. On top of doing interviews, presenting my workshop, and getting a free lunch with the best chocolate pie I've ever had, I sold books! Yes, folks that's right, I sold books to readers!
I would very much like to know about more hometown festivals where I can sell books and maybe share what I know. So if you your town or another you know of, has a book festival or any other kind of festival that welcomes authors and such, please let me know. Perhaps I can come and see you!
Austin has a huge festival -- the Texas Book Festival -- each year. It takes place on the capital grounds and has spread out from there.
It does welcome authors, publishers, and other vendors, but you have to pay for a booth spot.
It also has author speakers they invite. You can tell them about yourself if you're an author who's been published in the 18 months prior to the festival, but the date has already passed for the best chance of getting invited. I believe that date was about a month and a half ago.
Karen, have you presented at the Women Writing the West annual conference? I think it's in TX this Fall and CA the following year... Los Angeles maybe.
My "new" hometown, Villa Rica (pop. next to nothing), has a Gold Rush Festival every year. The organizers are trying very hard to upgrade the exhibits and vendors to make it more like an arts festival.
Three local authors (myself included) are going to exhibit and sell our books. This will be the first time books have been included, so we'll see how it goes. Also can't hurt to pass out tons of promo material!
The Decatur Book Festival, in Decatur, GA, (just outside Atlanta) is huge. In just a couple of years it boasts of 60,000+ attendees. It's Labor Day weekend, this year the end of August.
http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/2008/index.php
The Atlanta Chapter of Sisters in Crime has had a booth there since the beginning. Come on down and visit us. It's a great festival!
It occurred to me half way through TWILIGHT by Stephanie Meyers that I am kinda thankful I don't have kids. You may be wondering what my personal life has to do with one of the most popular books of the decade. It's simple. I read this book, I am an adult, and the emotional and physical aspects of this book were intense.The physical longing of the two main characters is nothing short of obsessive. Almost frightening. The level of violence was a bit disturbing as well. This book is written for older teens? Thankfully this book had no violence. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book, but as I said, I am an adult.
Let's take it down a decade. A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS by Lemony Snickets. I voted for this one as one of the worst books ever. A children's book? The themes in this book are barely masked by the child characters. We read about substance abuse (alcohol), child abuse, neglect, incest, and slavery. Okay, maybe that one is pushing it, but the children are basically slaves to their uncle. This is a kid's book? These are the things we want to influence our children?
The last one I will bring up is ACCELERATION by Graham McNamee. This is the story of a kid who is working off some time in the lost and found of the subway. He finds a journal that turns out to be that of a serial stalker/potential serial killer. I liked this book, it was well written and kept my attention, but I question the logic in placing a kid in the role of stopping a psychotic killer. This book is very graphic and if I were a kid, I might be inclined to think I could do something like this.
Is there the slightest chance that when writers are working out the plots of their books that they are too concerned with selling books and not concerned enough about how their stories will affect young minds? Don't get lathered up, I am not placing any blame on any author…I am simply asking if there isn't some kind of a line that some authors are crossing over into gray area.
Some will argue that this is what kids want. Okay, I might buy this, but what if we are not giving them enough choices? What if we eliminated some of the sex, toned down the violence, and spent less time writing about ids doing drugs? What's the worse that could happen? We give kids stronger, more focused and versatile role models and things to occupy their time?
If the book industry offered up something that was fun, exciting, interesting, etc. and found a way to pull some of the kids away from the gaming world, got them out from in front of the TV, and reading more? Could this be a bad thing?
Our brains are computers. Garbage in, garbage out. I don't know why people can't connect the dots. Karen, I think one of the greatest gifts we can give children is extended innocence. Do adults even try to protect their children from too much inappropriate knowledge? I think some do. It's probably what fuels the home-schooling movement. But to my way of thinking, a lot more kids need a chance to stay young, and that means much greater media oversight. It's a crisis in our society.
I agree, to a certain extent. Adults (most!) are much better at separating fact from fiction. I haven't read Twilight, but it's hugely popular with teens. As is Lemony Snicket with teens and younger.
Would this be in the same category as some parents protesting to ban Harry Potter because children would be exposed to witchcraft and sorcery?
Maybe I'm missing the point, and perhaps this is exactly why kids grow up so much faster these days. I don't think it's solely because of books, though. Look around at the problems kids are facing these days. It's very different from when I grew up (the ice age)
Q: How does one decide they want to be an author, as opposed to a writer?
A: I don’t think that one decides to be a writer. I’ve been a writer all my life. You’re a writer just like you’re a reader, or a painter, or a knitter. It’s something you do that satisfies you, makes you feel whole. Deciding to become an author, on the other hand, means that you commit to making a living from writing. To do that, you not only have to write (which you already know you enjoy), you also have to edit, network, promote, blog, connect, submit, apply, get rejected, take classes, join forums, and perform research, among other things. These are important to success, but aren’t always as fun as the writing itself, and a lot of effort goes into the process.
Q: When did you first decide you wanted to see your writing published?
A: Ever since I wrote my first real story in the sixth grade (a horror story about a swamp-lizard creature) I’ve fantasized about having my name printed in a book. This fantasy would immediately be followed with a “Yeah, but that will never happen.” My first positive, determined thought that I really did have a chance at getting published came after Karen Syed told me that she would be very disappointed if I gave up on writing. It took that wake up call to get me to commit to my goal.
Q: How long have you been working on this?
A: I’ve been writing fiction on and off for about fourteen years. I’ve been seriously dedicated to getting published for about four months. Wow, now that I think about it, it feels much longer than that!
Q: Are you sorry yet?
A:Some days are better than others. I just found out that one of my idols, Tamora Pierce, will be at my local library in a few weeks. That was a good day. Some days my website hits are up and people are commenting on my blog and accepting my LinkedIn invitations. Other days it seems like the entire world ignores me, and all I can do is beat myself to a pulp. On those days I stare at my blog, turn red with embarrassment, and say bad things about myself. I’m trying to get over that.
Q: What steps have you taken so far to transform your hobby as a writer into the committed (and not to the funny farm) struggles of an author?
A: When you write for fun, you can always give up. You can take a break for a week or a month or ten years, and no one will care. So I decided to make people care. I tell everyone I know that I’m working on a novel, which has given me a degree of accountability. I even went to a networking event for the Stanford School of Engineering with “Emerging Author” as the title on my nametag! Also, I try and write new fiction material for fifteen minutes every single day. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it adds up. And I’m dedicating a lot of thought and time to the networking/marketing side of the equation, so that when I do become published, I’ll have a large market that already knows I exist and is excited to support me.
Q: What would it take to make you give up and quit your quest?
A: My first instinct is to say “Are you crazy? Nothing in the world will make me give up my quest!” However, I have a strong practical streak in addition to my creative streak. If I really, truly, could not find a way to support myself as an author, I would have to find a solution to that issue. I have no desire to be a starving artist. Even if that was the case, I would never truly ‘quit’ my quest – instead, my quest would evolve. I just read a great article titled “The 21st Century Writer” by Patrick Tucker. Patrick says that traditional publishers are publishing fewer and fewer books the old-fashioned way. So maybe I won’t be an author of a novel published using that method. But I’ll always have my blog, and my audience, and my network, so something good is bound to happen to me. I’m not going to tie myself to one particular definition of success.
Q: Where do you find the motivation to keep going?
A: I have this image in my head, based on my own experience. A young child (I’ll make her a girl in this case, but it could just as easily be a boy) lies in her bed with a flashlight, the covers pulled over her head. In front of her is my book, which she’s reading avidly. Her eyes glow and her heart races, and she’s so into the book that she can’t stop reading, even though her parents told her to turn out her lights hours ago. It’s hard being a child, harder than anyone gives her credit for, and the book allows her to live the life of someone besides herself: a warrior, a wizard, a queen. No one can take those things away from her. That vision keeps me going.
Q: Has anyone or anything been particularly inspiring or helpful to you in your journey?
A: All the teachers and professors I’ve had over the past twenty-five years. I’m not going to list them here, for fear of forgetting someone, but each one has had a unique impact on me. Karen Syed, who kicked my butt and showed me that I’m in control of my own destiny. Flylady, who keeps telling me ‘you can do anything for fifteen minutes!’ Jonathan Maberry, who drilled into my head the idea of online promotion. Chellie Campbell, who’s inspirational writings I read daily. And last but certainly not least, my wonderful Dino, who has more faith in me than I could ever wish for.
Q: And because everyone expects this one, what advice would you give other aspiring authors?
A: People are your greatest asset. Get to know as many as you can. Treat them well, care about them, nurture your relationships. There’s this idea of an author as someone who sits in a dark room secluded from the world and writes a masterpiece and makes a huge bundle of money. That happens very, very, rarely, and in the end, do you really want to be that person? The other 99.9% of us can benefit hugely from promoting ourselves, letting people get to know us, building our own brands. Even if you don’t end up as the author of a wildly successful novel, you are bound to find success in one way or another if you prove to the world that you’re valuable and worth knowing. And believe me: you ARE worth knowing!
Emma Larkins is an emerging author who blogs at her Emerging Author site about her journey as a writer seeking her place in the world, detailing along the way her thoughts on writing, publication, and promotion. She has previously published an article on the website Feminine Aspects.
Emma, you seem to be a very intelligent, thoughtful, and sincere artist. Keep going! And thank God for good friends (like Karen) that give us that PUSH along the way, right? Good interview, both of you.
Anonymous said, on 8/1/2008 11:43:00 AM
Emma...I have no doubts that you'll not only get published but do very well. I'm glad to see you're taking my advice to heart about online marketing/networking for writers. It's a crucial tool...and it can be fun if you approach it the right way (which, it seems, you are).
Best Jonathan Maberry Multiple Bram Stoker Award winning author Co-Creator/Consulting Producer ON THE SLAB (ABC Disney) www.jonathanmaberry.com www.myspace.com/jonathan_maberry
Wonderful post! Will Twitter about you and share with the Book-in-a-Week writers. Come join the Blog Book Tours group when you're ready to promote that way. Links galore here:
Thanks everyone for having faith in me! It means a lot. I know that I've got a ton of work ahead of me, but it's not so hard when I know I have people on my side. And thanks for the suggestions, I'll add them to my to-do list!
I love the camp story almost as much as the boarding school story, so imagine my delight when this gem of a graphic novel showed up at work.
Abby is the first girl to show up at camp. She cannot wait to see her friend Rose, who is a cabin assistant this year. Their age difference has never been an issue before, but now, things seem different. Add on the fact that Deni, the girl who claimed the bunk below Abby, does nothing but talk and complain all the time. After listening to Deni all day, Abby is worried that she will never get any sleep. But Deni doesn't talk all night ... she scratches! What is going on?
Before long, Deni goes home and Abby has a new bunk mate named Shasta. Shasta is cool and pretty and she actually likes all of the things that Abby does. The thing is, that none of Abby's other friends like Shasta. Abby is wondering...do they like her? Afterall, she and Shasta are kind of similar.
Hope Larson has penned a graphic novel that rings so true on themes of frienship, identity, first crushes, summertime freedom and the idea of loyalty. The black and white artwork perfectly compliments the story, and readers will be falling in love with Abby before they know it! Chiggers should be in the luggage of every girl heading off for camp this July!
I love Cornelia Funke. This love affair started with The Thief Lord, which I found on a "what to read while waiting for the next Harry Potter book" list and really enjoyed the imagery and imagination. I wanted to be with those kids, hiding from evil aunts, etc. Next came Inkheart which to this day is my favorite book. I've since read all the books that she has published (at least in English), including two picture books. She is one of the few authors that I will buy on site, even if I haven't heard anything about the book.
Igraine the Brave is a book aimed at a slightly younger crowd than Inkheart and Thief Lord, but I found it very enjoyable. Igraine is the 12 year old daughter of a couple of powerful magicians. Her older brother is also training to be a magician, but Igraine wants to be a knight. Not just any knight, but the kind of knight that wins competitions and that people will remember for generations.
Shortly after the story begins, Igraine and her family are warned by a friend that their castle will soon be under attack by an evil nephew of a neighbor. Igraine's parents decide to wait until after Igraine's birthday to worry about him though. Unfortunately,they turn themselves into pigs while finishing Igraine's birthday present. In order to reverse the spell, the magicians need some hair from the head of a giant, which they are all out of. Igraine volunteers to fetch the hairs, and the adventure begins!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found Igraine an engaging heroine. She could really stand on her own and her friends only added to the fun. The addition of the Sorrowful Knight was a great way of including things that all honorable knights should know in an unpretentious manner. Everything just fits well together, and the silliness of the story doesn't necessarily feel silly. Somehow, it just works. Cornelia Funke has a way with words that always makes the the story feel so real for me. Also, I believe she sketched the artwork that appears throughout the book.
Recommended for Readers 10 and up, though it would make a good read aloud for ages 6 and up.
0 Comments on Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke as of 1/1/1900
Ms. Yingling said, on 2/15/2008 1:17:00 PM
This was an amusing book, but my middle schoolers (12-14)thought that it looked way too young for them.
Emily said, on 2/15/2008 2:09:00 PM
Interesting. Thanks for sharing your perspective with us.
Robyn said, on 2/15/2008 7:37:00 PM
I am currently reading this out loud to my 7 and 9 year old. They are enjoying it. It has been a pleasure to find and read your blog.
My review of C.S. Lewis' classic children's book The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is going to be chatty--quite chatty--and there's nothing I can do about it. I first encountered the magic of Narnia in fourth grade when my teacher read it aloud to us. My teacher, Mrs. Watts, was known for many things. She inspired much fear and trembling. Like Aslan, she was not safe, but good. While, other students may remember the discipline or the hard work...I'll always remember my magical introduction to Narnia. Soon after, I added book by book the series to my collection. Most of my copies were used. Most were ugly. But I devoured each one. I seem to remember my sister reading a few of the series at least. But unlike Little House and Ramona and Anne, this series was more me and less her. Narnia belonged to me--the magic, the wonder, the glory of it all. I remember the pure pleasure I experienced each and every time I opened up a book. I remember the book covers, yes. And I definitely have strong opinions on which book covers through the years are 'the best' of the bunch. But more precisely, I fell in love with the proper order of the series. Few things irritate me more than someone who insists on that new-fangled order. Which is why, if you could see me, you'd know how frustrating it is to read my 7-in-1 novel. But some things must be preserved at all costs.
Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. This story is about something that happened to them when they were sent away from London during the war because of the air-raids. (p. 111 in the 7-in-1 edition)
The adventures in and out of the wardrobe that these four experience during the course of the novel is oh-so-magical. The characters--both major and minor--so memorable. The story, familiar yet resilient, even after having read it a dozen times. So many wonderful scenes. Scenes that resonate. In case you haven't read it, let me give you a teaser. Lucy, the youngest of the children, accidentally discovers a magical land of ice and snow while hiding in a wardrobe in the Professor's house. Her three siblings--Peter, Susan, and Edmund--at first don't believe her. They take her tale as a wild, silly, foolish story of a girl whose homesick and wanting attention. Edmund, the brother closest to her in age and thus her biggest tormentor, also wanders into Narnia unexpectedly. But who he meets there, will perhaps undo them all. Narnia is not a land at peace. Not at all. For the land is under a spell--an enchantment--the White Witch--the supposed Queen of the land--has made it always winter and never Christmas. And the lives of the children--all four children--are in grave danger when they're in Narnia. For there is a prophecy that four humans--two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve--will come to rule the land as Kings and Queens and restore peace and order to the kingdom.
And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something which you don't understand but in the dream it feels as if it has some enormous meaning--either a terrifying one which turns the whole dream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that dream again. It was like that now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in its inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer. (141 of 7-in-1 edition)
The children's journey to Narnia, their quest to meet Aslan at the Stone Table, and their battle to save Narnia and their brother from the grasp of the evil and wicked witch....are unforgettable adventures that deserve to be experienced again and again by readers of all ages. You're never too old to experience the magic of Narnia.
0 Comments on The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis as of 1/1/1900
Spitfire has great voice, two great voices actually.
Abigail, who is nearly 13, disguises herself as a boy to fight against the British in 1776. She never was a very good girl, so she set out to see if she would make a better boy. Abigail joined the battle at Lake Champlain in an attempt to find her uncle, her only remaining relative.
During her adventures, she finds friendship in Pascal.
We follow these two young fighters through their battles on the ship, the Spitfire.
The book is well-written and the characters are enjoyable. Spitfire, the name of the book, is also a fitting description for the characters who fight for their country and to prove themselves in a tough world.
Spitfire is a quick, easy read. Excellent for young people learning about history. The way the story is told, it is easy for the reader to put themselves into the battle scenes and imagine life as a young soldier on the Spitfire.
0 Comments on Spitfire by Kate Messner as of 1/1/1900
The story begins with this great opening: “It was my aunt who decided to give me to the dragon. Not that she was evil, or didn’t care for me. It’s just that we were very poor, and she was, as we said in those parts, dumber than two turnips in a rain barrel.”
Creel’s aunt hopes Creel will come away from the dragon with a rich husband. Creel hopes to come away with gold from the dragon’s hoard. What she actually comes away with is something nobody expected…a pair of enchanted slippers.
When she escapes from the dragon’s lair, she can’t return home, so she makes the long journey to the King’s Seat in search of a job as a dressmaker. Of course, things don’t often turn out the way we expect. Many obstacles arise, but in the midst of her struggles, she finds love, courage, friendship, and the strength to pursue her dreams.
As you can probably tell, I highly recommend this novel. It is an original fairy tale full of dragons, princes, adventures, and laughs. Nothing pleases me more than a good fairy tale.
0 Comments on DRAGON SLIPPERS by Jessica Day George as of 1/1/1900
Author Historical Fiction HEALING WATER (Spring 2008) BLUE (2006)-See the review here. BEST FRIENDS FOREVER (1995)
Twelve year-old Livy Two lives a hardscrabble yet gentle existence. It’s gentle, because her large mostly happy family lives in slow-paced, beautiful Maggie Valley, NC. It’s hard, because Daddy doesn’t work a regular job. Daddy is a musician with a song in his pocket, a banjo in hand, and a plan to make it big one day. Since Livy Two writes lyrics also, she believes in her daddy’s dreams. And she has dreams of her own.
“…I want to see the world beyond the Smokies and I aim to bring my guitar with me when I do.
One day, I’d like to stroll along the Great Wall of China, ride me a camel in Egypt , swim in the Ganges River way over in India , and sip a cup of tea with the queen of England .”
Livy also dreams of helping her sister Gentle (whose eyes don’t work right) to learn Braille. Otherwise they might send Gentle to the school for the blind over in Raleigh . So with the help of the lady from the lending library truck, Livy Two gets a Braille book and begins to learn. Keeping the family together is a high priority for her!
But Daddy comes and goes on his quest to make it big. Mama is weary of his search for fame. She just wants him to feed his family. Grandma Horace with her glass eye (actually, a collection of them in different colors which she wears according to her mood) moves in to help out. And she’s is not the kind of grandmother who makes you feel better because she has arrived.
To make things worse Livy’s brother, Emmett gets fed up with daddy’s dreams and takes off for Ghost Town in the Sky to earn some money. Then tragedy strikes at another level, rearranging the family’s future even more dramatically.
And also leaving room for a sequel.
Fortunately, Gentle’s Holler (2005) is just the first in a trilogy that takes place during the 1960’s. Louisiana’s Song (2007) and Jessie’s Mountain (2008) continue the Weem’s family story. Author Kerry Madden infuses her stories with love of family and an at-home feeling for the Smoky Mountains . These books are populated with distinctive and quirky characters, unforgettable names, and much warmth. They are wholesome, funny, and heartwarming!
I know that there was a movie and all, but a Series of Unfortunate Events is my favorite series ever. When I was in fourth grade, I engulfed the books in three weeks. Since then I've had a passion for the books and now own all 13 in hardcover edition. The first book in the series, The Bad Beginning is just the start of wealthy children Violet, Klaus, and Sunny's misfortune. When a horrible fire destroys their home, it also leaves both their parents dead. Mr. Poe, the children's banker, informs them that they cannot collect the massive fortune that their parents left them until Violet is 16. Their parents wishes leave the children with their somehow related Count Olaf. He makes them do horrible work, and treats them like dogs. But not only is he evil, but he is scheming. He has a plan, but what it entails is for you, the reader to find out.
Recommended Age Group: Young Adult
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) sent me an e-mail about a new Arts & Crafts festival, I wasn't sure. She reminded me that it is local and reasonably priced, so I said sure. So I sign up and we are good to go.
by 
How are you deciding which libraries to contact?
My poor library (Placentia, CA) was damaged in July's earthquake. They're hoping to have it open by mid-September.
Congratulations of forming the habit! People are always saying, "Oh, it's easy to stick with something, you just have to form a habit." They never say how hard that will be (unless, of course, it's a bad habit :p)!
Thanks for reminding me I need to set some new goals and daily challenges for myself and career as well. Blogging all month certainly got THAT habit well entrenched - lol