Several years ago I attended the SCBWI summer conference and one of the wonderful people I met was Rachel Marks. Super talented as both a writer and an artist, she had an incredible joy for life, due in part to being a cancer survivor. Rachel was rooming with Paige Britt and both of them had […]
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Blog: Write About Now (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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I had the chance to add more than 1,000 followers to my Twitter account last week. It was tempting. I mean let’s be honest – who doesn’t want to believe that there are thousands of people who want to hear what you think about I had the chance to add more than 1,000 followers to my Twitter account last week. It was tempting. I mean let’s be honest – who doesn’t want to believe that there are thousands of people who want to hear what you think about books and writing and more?
The only thing that held me back? The cost.
And I don’t mean the $25 charge for adding their Twitter handles to my account.
One of the things I love about Twitter – about the internet in general – is the way it allows us to connect with other people. Last week Andrew Smith favorited and retweeted one of my tweets. And yes, I had a major fangirl moment ☺ I live in a tiny town in California with a population of less than a thousand people. And yet, I shared mini conversations with people in Canada, Florida, New England – even a guy in Africa. How cool is that?
I wouldn’t have had these conversations with people I bought from a list, people who may not even know their name was on the list. We had these conversations because we share a common interest. And finding those people to connect with – people who like books and reading, writing and publishing, movies and music – that’s half the fun. Finding and making those connections. Not buying them.
I may not have as many followers as some of the people who’ve been doing it longer. But I’m content to find those people over time. So that when we do find and follow each other, we’ll share a real connection. Maybe even have a memorable conversation.
That’s worth more to me. That’s priceless.?
The only thing that held me back? The cost.
And I don’t mean the $25 charge for adding their Twitter handles to my account.
One of the things I love about Twitter – about the internet in general – is the way it allows us to connect with other people. Last week Andrew Smith favorited and retweeted one of my tweets. And yes, I had a major fangirl moment ☺ I live in a tiny town in California with a population of less than a thousand people. And yet, I shared mini conversations with people in Canada, Florida, New England – even a guy in Africa. How cool is that?
I wouldn’t have had these conversations with people I bought from a list, people who may not even know their name was on the list. We had these conversations because we share a common interest. And finding those people to connect with – people who like books and reading, writing and publishing, movies and music – that’s half the fun. Finding and making those connections. Not buying them.
I may not have as many followers as some of the people who’ve been doing it longer. But I’m content to find those people over time. So that when we do find and follow each other, we’ll share a real connection. Maybe even have a memorable conversation.
That’s worth more to me. That’s priceless.
Blog: Write About Now (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Today I have a treat here on the blog – best selling author Samuel Park. I “met” Sam through blogging, shared his excitement when his book sold, gave my opinion when he chose his author photo. It's so much fun to see blogging friends do well!
His novel, This Burns my Heart, was recently released in paperback and he has generously offered to give away a copy to one lucky blog reader. Isn’t it a gorgeous new cover? Even more evocative than the original.
Sam, I’m so happy to have you here!
Thank you so much for having me on your blog. I remember when my book became an Amazon Best of the Month, you were one of the first people to email me and congratulate me, and I really loved that.
Oh, well, I’m kinda nerdy that way. I get ridiculously excited when I see press about people I know. (See my blog post on Friday for proof!)
I don’t read a lot of books for grownups, but I have to tell you that I loved This Burns my Heart. There was one scene near the end, where they’re in the park listening to street musicians – omigosh, the longing, the covert thing with the hands – I don’t want to give away too much, but it was so beautifully written. Did it take a long time, getting the prose just the way you wanted it?
I think it's a tricky balance. On the one hand, you have to hold the reader's attention through beautiful language, almost like poetry. And I think this is particularly true nowadays, with all the competition from other mediums, and the availability of so much other (often free) entertainment--beautiful language is the only thing fiction can offer that other mediums can't. But I also believe that in order for the reading to become an immersive experience, the reader shouldn't even notice the language, and just become engulfed by the story.
I suppose in a way I just described the difference between literary and commercial fiction. The goal for me, then, is to find scenes where it feels organic to pause and engage in some beautiful language. Like the scene you're talking about--the descriptions of the musicians and the song involve lyrical language, but they're also embedded within the plot, since that's what the characters are listening to in that very moment. You look for moments where those two things can overlap, or where the fast moving plot can discreetly cede way, for a moment, for a beautiful reflection, or a metaphor.
English is not your native language, and yet you have a doctorate and you’re a professor of English. I know you decided as soon as you could read that you wanted to be a writer. What made you want to be a teacher?
I think it started when I was six years old and I would put mine and my sister's teddy bears and dolls in front of me and pretend that I was giving them a lecture. I don't remember what I would teach them, but it must've been pretty engrossing, since they would never move. Also, growing up, I always loved teachers. I was a classic teacher's pet, you know, the one the teacher would put in charge whi
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Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Yes--I'm back! BURIED from being gone for 5 days. But back! And OMG you guys--I had SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun at ALA.
It was hot. And exhausting. And I almost missed my flight there thanks to some major traffic (had to sprint through the airport and everything). But it was SO worth it because LOOK AT ALL THE COOL PEOPLE I MET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Far, far too many cool peeps in this picture. How many do you recognize?
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Considering how crazy-insane-hectic my March is (and it's only the second day--AHHHHHHH!!!!) I have a feeling I'm not going to have time for a proper San Francisco Writer's Conference post. But they say a picture is worth a thousand words, right? So here ya go. 11,000 words on the highlights of my San Francisco trip!
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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There's an old cliche that says it takes a village to raise a child. And I'm not a mom, so I don't know if that's true--though it does seem to be that most moms could use more help than they have. At least a couple of extra eyes or arms, even though that might make them look like an alien...
*imagines a bunch of women running around with additional appendages*
Um...what was I trying to say?
Oh! Right. Sorry, my brain's a little loopy today--but I do have a point, I swear. And it's that I don't know if it takes a village to raise a child, but I do know that it DEFINITELY takes a village to write a book.
The whole 'reclusive writer' thing is wrong. I'm sure there's a FEW exceptions, but most of the time--even when I look at history--I see writers flocking around each other. Just look at neighborhoods like Saint-Germain-des-Pres in Paris. They had Les Duex Magots:
Now we have the Blogosphere. It's where I found all the awesome people I now lean on extensively--and I would be lost without my backup. LOST!!!!!
So I thought I'd take a minute to give them a shout out, and to show the world (or, well, the few thousand of you) just how much help this silly blonde girl needs to make a book happen.
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A very wise author gave me some advice last year.
"Surround yourself by what you want to become," she told me.
I wasn't really sure how I was supposed to do that. Stalk other children's writers? Randomly call them up and introduce myself?
She recommended that I join SCBWI, so I did. I also started to blog and took a writing class. I finished editing my novel, started querying and found an editor in New York who requested the full manuscript. I attended critiquenics and writer's day events. I entered a contest and won third place.
And now I realize that I've done it. I've surrounded myself by an amazing group of people I didn't know a year ago. I've met some wonderful authors, both in person and through the internet. And I've pushed myself closer to my goal, so close that I can smell the ink on the presses!
I may not have a published book yet, but I honestly believe it's only a matter of time.
Thank you, Mary. I'll keep you posted :^)
What a great story. And it sounds like an amazing book. I love stories with that poetic edge to them. And that is so cool about the Today show! Congrats!
I remember advising about Sam's author photo, too. :) The new cover is beautiful and I'd love to win a copy!!
Congratulations on all your success, Sam! I'm so happy for you, and you inspire all of us.
Would definitely love to win a copy. And I loooved this interview! He just has such a grounded, humble, positive energy about him. (And a way with words, obviously.)
This in particular spoke to me:
"I think it's a tricky balance. On the one hand, you have to hold the reader's attention through beautiful language, almost like poetry. ... beautiful language is the only thing fiction can offer that other mediums can't. But I also believe that in order for the reading to become an immersive experience, the reader shouldn't even notice the language, and just become engulfed by the story."
Thanks to both of you.
well, this interview warms my heart. :D
I also remember before Samuel sold the book and how wonderful it was when he did, but all these fantastic following events are extra fine.
I particularly loved reading how he weaves lyrical writing in so it is natural to the storytelling. Excellent advice.
Sounds like a great book. I also found his take on cover design very refreshing, although I don't know if I could maintain that level of detachment. I would love to win this book.
Congratulations, Samuel! It's so good to hear how supportive S & S have been. It seems like more and more is being left up to the author.
Sounds like a fascinating book. The interview was terrific. Thanks for that and for running the give-away.
Laura: It IS an amazing book. And can you imagine having people on the Today Show talk about your novel? Very cool.
Faith: Isn't it funny that we were both there to advise on the photo and now it's in the hands of thousands of people? Inspiring for sure!
Kristan: Sam does have an amazing way with words and an incredibly positive energy. I'm so glad you loved the interview. I loved doing it!
Tricia: Isn't wonderful to see someone you know do well? It warms my heart too. His writing is quite lyrical and beautiful but still readable and page turning. Such a good story.
Ivanova: I agree -- it would be hard for me to stay detached about the cover! Although he wound up with a fabulous hard cover and a gorgeous paperback, so maybe there's something to that!
Sharon: I liked hearing how supportive S&S was, too. I've heard so many people saying that authors need to do so much themselves. It's good to know that publishers DO still support debut books and authors.
Rosi: Glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for stopping by!
I loved Sam's book, and yes, especially that scene you mention in this post. He is such an eloquent, elegant writer.
Great interview, you two!
I didn't realize Samuel's book has been out that long. For some reason I thought it had just been released.
The best part about having stuffies for students is that they don't talk back. Unlike some of my classmates back when I used to play teacher with my dolls.
That must have been amazing to see that the book was on the Today show. Wow, I would have literally asked someone to pinch me!