If I Could Save Time In A Bottle

I believe that's from an old song ... I often rant on this blog about not having enough time to get it all done. For some reason, I subconsciously think that by writing about the time I don't have, a few extra hours will mysteriously appear in my day. Silly me.

Michael and I have come up with a list of priorities ... but just looking at the four pages is daunting because, in fact ... it all needs done. We've been working steadily this week securing a book distributor, setting up our trip to New York in April and D.C. in May ... the BookExpo (Southern Fried Women will be on the New Title Display at the BEA), preparing for the Southeastern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) trade show, among other promotion and publicity things we have set out to do, (touring, speaking, and meeting the public.) Thank God for our publicist. This will be the beginning of ramping up to a good-sized job for her.

I told my layout artist just this week, "You know, I do believe writing it was the easy part." She laughed and agreed with me.

And it really doesn't matter who your publisher is, or whether you’re self-published ... authors must carry most of the burden of publicity on their own shoulders. (I've ranted about that, too.)

When you add up all you do in twenty-four hours that doesn't pertain to writing ... eating, sleeping, showering, driving, etc. etc. how much is left for family, friends, and work?

The slices of pie keep getting smaller.

So if I really could save time in a bottle ... I guess I'd write just for the fun of it, because I'd be rich and would never have to think about paying bills again.

Silly me.

Blessings to you and yours.

A Drop In A Bucket

I think sometimes, we writers feel like that. We're just a drop in a bucket ... an insignficant drop ... like all the rest of the drops made up to fill the bucket of books written for public consumption.

You can overwhelm yourself by looking at all the other drops out there. Where do we all fit in? And are all drops created equal?

I've been consuming blogs the past few days, blogs by authors as well as agents. Some blogs go right over my head. Just like ... whew! Over the top of my understanding. I can pick out sentences and certain paragraphs of interest ... hoping to learn some small nugget of truth that will set my writing world on fire, and then ... I think ... wow, they're way smarter than me. I don't know stuff like that ... they must've taught this stuff on the college level somewhere. For years.

And of course, there's the agents blogs that I ranted about yesterday ... and I'll not go into those again. Just that there are some interesting agents out there with high opinions of what they know ... let's leave it at that.

I begin to feel small, minute, and insignificant in the world of writing and publishing. I realize there are so many in the business that have been at it for decades, and are still waiting for their mountain-top experience. And then there's all the published and well-known bestselling authors that continue to fight to stay on top. (I think that's the most stressful place to be in.)

I go to the book expos and the writing conferences, and everyone is wanting a little piece of the fame and the recognition for their years of work.

.... all of us ... drops in a bucket.

But then, I realize ... I just finished a book, it's going to be published, and if I never do anything else with my writing career ... I'll have something out there that I wrote with my name on it that I'm proud of.

Let's hope this drop makes one hell of splash.

That's what we do it for in the end anyway ... because we have something to say, we want to write what matters to us, to be read. Not because we think we know so much more about writing and want to "prove it."

Besides ... they may have a blog with a thousand hits a day, or teach at writing conferences across the country ... but they're still (when you get down to it) ... just a drop in the bucket.

We all are.

Blessings to you and yours.

My Sister Also Remembers ...

Hi Pam,
Enjoyed your blog. Brings back memories. When I close my eyes and think about Waterloo Road-- I think of lilac bushes, cement, and trees come to my mind. Cement? Yes! All that cement Dad poured throughout the years ... the big block patios in the back where I practiced cheerleading because I could see myself in the basement windows. Remember the sidewalk to the back that we used to run up and down?

The above is just a little snippet from my sister after reading my blog. It's fun to compare memories. I'm sure we would all find something different to add to the memory banks. All things to draw from when writing great stories.

A writer's life is made up of different parts. Parts of their past, present, and their hopes and dreams.

Remembering your past ... talking about it with your family ... you'll be amazed at the stories you'll spawn just recalling the good and the bad.

Remember the blessings.

Humorous?

I'm not sure just how funny I am ... but last night, I'm lying in bed thinking about my life growing up ... and I start laughing and laughing at all the hilarious stuff we did as kids. Growing up in a blue collar, middle-class world - we were sheltered. Poor but sheltered. Hicks from the suburbs.

I should've kept those memories fresh. I could've used them later. During the years (before, during and after) 'the divorce from hell' - I forgot how to laugh. I remember thinking, after several spring times, that it'd been years since really listening to the birds sing. I had traveled a road with lots of potholes and had forgotten that life needs to be laughed at once in a while.

So I'm laying there, thinking about how much fun it was to put things in layaway! My gosh, we couldn't afford to buy crap, but we knew how to use layaway! Just looking at the ticket from time to time, got us excited. It was like saving dimes in a dime book. You knew ... eventually ... the day would come and you would be able to make that last payment at Montgomery Wards, or JCPennys, or K-Mart ... and you could take your forty dollars worth of purchases home. Man-o-man, those were the days. It was Christmas time in the suburbs!

Buying school clothes at my house was first a trip to Goodwill, then maybe K-mart. Occasionally, JCPenny got our business if they had a good sale. But my poor sisters usually got my hand-me-downs. Mom could go to Goodwill and buy a carload of clothes for twenty bucks. She was pretty proud of that.

I just laughed as I thought about living with no toaster, using the oven instead. No such thing as a microwave in my house. Not until years later, when we bought an old model of the Amana Radar Range, remember those? It had to be the biggest, honkin' piece of metal microwave ever invented. Took up the entire countertop next to the stove. Eventually, Daddy installed it over the oven. As far as I know, that thing is probably still in use.

And of course, Mama bought us shoes at the grocery store. She'd make us lie down in the Produce Section, "Here, try these on!" Cheap pieces of plastic, tied together with string. You couldn't try both on at the same time and get up and walk around. Lord, no ... you tripped all over yourself! It was about that time you'd see somebody you knew from school walk past with their Mama and stare. You knew that girl would never buy shoes from the grocery store. Hell no. They wore shiny penny loafers with new pennies in the slot. Bought from Nobles Shoe Store ... right next to Isley Brothers Ice Cream Store where they would be rewarded after buying their new shoes.

Going to the grocery store was a trip. Daddy drove, because my mama didn't have her license. He'd sit in the car and wait. And wait. For hours. And we did too. It was either that, or follow Mama around in the A&P and get yelled at. "Don't ask me for nothin'!" Sometimes, we'd just pray she'd buy a cool cereal. Like Lucky Charms, or Cocoa Puffs. But it was always ... oatmeal and maybe Cheerios. Damn.

Mmm-mmm - But when I think about ice cream, I think about Isley Brothers where I had might have had the privilege of eating there once or twice. Too expensive! Mama would wail. But we were lucky, because Daddy loved ice cream from Stricklands. This famous "soft custard" stands out by the Akron Airport. We'd get our baths and wear our pajamas to Stricklands. Course, Mama would make us all get SMALL cones. But it was the best around. Still is, as far as I know. We'd hang out the car window, drooling. Daddy would walk back with six cones in a cardboard container ... it was heaven. And the first one done had to sit and watch everybody else eat. That was miserable. So you tried to lick your cone slow. But hot August nights, it was a challenge not to let that chocolate cone drip on your clean pajamas ... you could get a whippin' for that.

Remember when McDonald's opened? My mom was in heaven. She could feed the whole fam damily for six bucks. Every Sunday after Sunday School. Just like clockwork. We'd head to McDonalds on Market Street in our blue LTD station wagon. Cheeseburger, fries, and a coke we shared with another sibling. We were rich, we thought.

Ahhh, the list goes on. Drive-in movies ... Playgrounds at the drive-in movies were the best. Walking trips up to the 'store' for candy and bottle of pop. (Pop you bought from hauling a wagon full of empty bottles back for return money.) Playing on the school playground during the summer when nobody was around. Man, it was cool ... you never had wait for your turn on the monkey bars. Fried bologna sandwiches. Butter and sugar sandwiches on white bread. (What did moms of the 60s know about nutrition? NOT MUCH.) PopTARTS! Omigosh ... we ate them raw. (Not toasted.) Just opening the bag and smelling them today, brings back memories.

Cool whip ... when that came out, we thought we died and went to heaven. Mama would bitch and moan because somebody's finger had always made a gouge in the cool whip container. Usually mine. Of course, all our meals were either fried, or made with soup. Casseroles were the things during the late 60s and early 70s.

We had a grape vine in our back yard. And cherry and mulberry trees. Those were the only sweets we got sometimes. And we'd climb those trees and that grape vine and eat until we were sick. Our clothes and shoes would be stained ... and we'd be covered with bug bites, but we didn't care. It was better than sitting in the house. We didn't have computers, or TV games, or videos. No such thing. If you stayed indoors, you better be sick or prepared to work, because my mama would put your lazy ass butt to cleaning floors, scrubbing bathrooms, or ironing piles of clothes. No kidding. (Man, I hated the smell of Comet, Clorox, and Murphy's liquid oil soap. I still do.)

Rolling down the hill, especially before bed, was always fun. Then we'd lie in bed and itch for hours. Did you ever use cardboard to slide down a hill? We did. It was sledding without snow. And if we ever had the good fortune to get a huge box to play with ... the things we didn't do to and in that box would amaze you. Making tents over clotheslines ... hiding from boys ... begging to go swimming at Jindra's Landing. Now there's one for the memory books.

Jindra's Landing was a stinky lake made into a swimming hole. Complete with lifeguards (all of the Jindra kids) and a Concession Stand. It's where I got hooked on Reese's Peanut Butter cups. But every summer, all the way into high school, it was the hang out for kids from school during the summer. You wore your best bathing suit. And that's a story for another day. My religious mother would not let me wear bathing suits below my belly button. Oh no. But then, me being the rebellious teenager, I pulled them down anyway. Then there was the day she caught me. Ha! My ass was grass for a few weeks. (The rest of the summer was devoted to heavy labor and being up to my elbows in Comet and Clorox.)

And of course, those days you were on your period ... how did you explain that to the boys who wondered why you weren't going in the pool (or lake - as it was)? But you were a pretty cool chick if you could dive off the high dive like the boys. Oh man, I remember sitting on beach towels listening to the Beach Boys, the Monkees, and Paul Revere and the Raiders, and catching occasional news reports of the latest casualties from in Vietnam. (I guess that's not humorous ... just a memory.)

I could go on and on, I suppose ... the list is endless. I'm still laughing at some of the stuff we did. I need to think of fried bologna sandwiches next time I get a rejection letter or feel my bones creaking.

I may not be a funny writer, necessarily, but I can sure think of some funny crap we pulled as ignorant hick kids growing up in Portage County, Ohio and weekend trips to West Virginia, or Marietta. Those were the days, my friend.

I believe writers need some humor to draw from ... there's enough pain in ones life to write about.

Blessings to you and yours.

Next Question

Do I seriously need to attend a writing conference? I despise name-dropping, how critical is it to meet important people in the business? How connected do I need to be?

A. Yes.

B. Semi-critical.

C. Depends on how fast you want to be noticed.

How's that for answers? Okay, okay ... it's not as cut and dried as all that. But the first question is a no-brainer. Every writer out there will benefit to one degree or another by attending at least one writing conference a year. And I don't mean three states away. Every state has a Book Festival, or even writing classes available at the local community college. There's really no excuse to not attend a weekend retreat or writing conference. Even if you have no Internet availability, your local writing guild or group should be able to give you information on local conferences in your state.

And if you want to know the benefits of a writing conference, there are numerous blogs on this site, as well as other writing sites, that list them. Networking, honing your craft, networking, open mic opportunities to read your work out loud, networking, meeting agents/editors, networking, finding your niche, networking ... you get the picture. Even if all you want to do is write letters to your grandchildren on a regular basis, taking a class on memoir writing is invaluable to you. So go to a writing conference ... they're everywhere!

Do you need to meet and know people in the business? Well, it doesn't hurt. Just don't be a pest. Meeting an agent at a conference, following up with a 'thank you' email later, and submitting your work to this agent, doesn't guarantee representation. But you become more rounded in your ability to network. The way I figure it, is these people in "the know" are just like you and me. They have dreams, goals, and faults. They put their pants on one leg at a time ... (sorry for the cliché') but damn it, they're just somebody's son, daughter, husband, wife ... they need you too. What they don't need are leaches. But if you're sincere, and you like to meet people, meeting and getting to know a few agents, editors, successful authors, teachers, and booksellers ... it doesn't hurt. Some of them even enjoy the mentoring process. Just be smart about it. Query them, but don't expect them to jump at your work just because you "know" them.

Being connected always helps. It may even get you past a slush pile or two. It can get you a great blurb for your book, or an invitation to joining them for drinks or dinner - where inevitably discussion about your work comes up. Will it get you published any faster? I doubt it. Will it get you noticed? Maybe. Then why do it? Because of the outside chance you DO get published, noticed, and hooked up with the right people. Give yourself every chance you can. There's nothing wrong with that. The competition is tough enough. You need every break you can get. Just be sweet about it. Don't hurt anybody, and be kind and courteous. Don't be a jerk, there's enough of those.

I think really, when it all boils down, the best thing you can do for yourself to get published, noticed, and receive representation, adoration, and validation is one thing.

Write a damn good book.

The rest will take care of itself ...

Blessings to you and yours.

Freaking Out

What do you do after your book is done, at the printer in fact, and you see something on the manuscript you want to change? Nothing glaring, or even blatant. Not a typo or spelling error, or anything like that. My God, after twelve pairs of eyes pouring over these stories, you'd think we would have found everything.

But then you see something minor ... a missed comma, or a word that would make more sense to change to something else. How many times do you go over something before you can say it's finished? I begin to imagine some hot shot editor or agent reading my work and thinking ... What an idiot, she used rural and country in the same sentence! Geesh.

I start to sweat and wonder ... who will notice this? But I remember why I did it. I remember thinking that small towns in the middle of nowhere - to me, are rural. But in my story, I was referring to a rural spot in the country - meaning farmland, countryside, few houses - not a rural spot in a country town.

But, I'm just sure somebody - somewhere will look at this and say, "Yeah, and I'll be she says she writes novels of fiction!"

I wonder if Nora Roberts labors over her work like this? I wonder if Dan Brown spends hours and hours proofreading his work? Somehow, I doubt it. They've already "made it." They have a staff for stuff like this.

It's the little writers like me that sweat the small stuff.

Oh well, there are a few things I'm confident about. The stories are solid in their structure, they hold the reader, and they're full of conflict, twists, turns, and good old-fashioned storytelling. The characters are wonderful, you'll love them and even hate a few. They are great stories, I admit.

So, if they want to point fingers at this word, or that missed comma, they need to put it down and go read the perfect novel ... I'm sure it's out there.

Blessings to you and yours.

Going Forward ...

Blogging has been a weekly struggle as of late ... but I'm hoping now that my book is on its way and out of my hands, finally ... I can move on down the road and get things done.

But I'm tired, I want to crawl back into bed, and sometimes this blogging site moves as slow as dial-up! I just want to lie on a beach somewhere ... hmmm. Whining aside, I'm going to tackle my next question asked to me by writers. They ask it timidly, as if they don't want to hear the answer.

How perfect does my writing really have to be to land a book deal? In just one area or all of them? What kind of help can I really expect from an agent or editor?

The answer is easy for me, and should be a no-brainer to every writer out there. It has to be damn perfect. As perfect as you can get it. You better know your grammar, punctuation, and keep that dictionary close by. But besides that, you need to have a good basic knowledge in the craft of writing. Sure, you can hire an editor, and join a critique group ... but I hear so many people say, "I think I'll write a book." Not that easy, folks. Art is a craft like anything else. As much as one studies painting, or sculpture, or photography ... a writer must study the craft of composing words to create articles, memoirs, novels, short stories ... you get it ... it's a craft. The human mind has been so conditioned to writing for school, or business writing, or letters to Aunt Josephine, that we automatically think we can write a book.

Cracks me up.

It's why people hire ghostwriters. They don't want to take the time, usually, to worry about the structure of their story.

But without knowing the craft, you can submit to agents and editors until you're purple in the face, and you'll get nowhere. Don't expect much help from them either. They haven't the time. It's a different world we live in. You may get constructive criticism if you're lucky, in the form of a carefully crafted letter, or in a class at a writing conference, but all in all - editors and agents are in the business to make money. Not to teach. Bottom line.

So take classes, GO to writing conferences, join a writing group/critique group, network with other writers ... and the best thing to teach you the craft of writing is.... READ.

That's my advice on being perfect in your writing. But as we know, nobody truly is ... perfect. Sometimes, it's a matter of opinion, I think. Ah, but in the end ... it's the public that decides - your readers.

In the meantime ... we keep on trying. Never give up. Not for a second.

Blessings to you and yours.

The Next Step In The Process

It's done. SOUTHERN FRIED WOMEN is done. Well, about 98.5% done. As far as I'm concerned, it's done. All the changes in the final draft went out in Fed-X last night. I made my deadline just shy of an hour. Now it's one more quick overview to make sure the changes were made, (maybe adding one or two more) and then WA-LA, the book will be off to the printer, and I just may have a finished book in my hand by somewhere around April 15th. The last three weeks have been unbelieveable day and night editing, back and forth with my layout artist, and five hours a night of sleep.

But, whew. I must say, it's a beautiful book. It's 256 pages of stories to be proud of. I'm very happy with the way it's turning out ... impressed with my layout artist- beyond description, and the printer seems to know exactly what we're looking for. A kick-ass looking professional piece of fiction (including galley copies.) Mmm-Mmm.

It's been a long ride, from 1985 when I wrote the first story in this collection. The next step in the process? There's so many, I hesitate to think. I'm backed up on so much ... I need to meet with so many people ... my book launch is planned for June 1st, and there's a ton of work that needs done for that.

But, for today, I think I'll go to the next step in the process ... take a shower before noon, put on makeup so my husband doesn't forget what I look like, make my bed, find my desk again, organize my piles, eat out (a novelty) and then maybe ... take a nap. Yeah, that's my next step.

Blessings to you and yours.

In A Perfect World

In a perfect world, I'd have time for coffee every week with friends ...

In a perfect world, Dena and I would meet each week and go over the lists of accomplishments for the week, rather than our "to do" lists ...

In a perfect world, I would have already met with Deborah, and would have our strategy mapped out entirely ... it would cover speaking and selling books in every major city and small town in the South ...

In a perfect world, I would have my talks to book groups and women’s' groups down to a science ...

In a perfect world, I'd be able to make every writing conference, event, and author appearance in my region ...

In a perfect world, I'd get up at 5, work out, get to a networking meeting, have breakfast with my husband, write for five to six hours, and spend a leisurely evening relaxing with my family ...


In a perfect world, I wouldn't be so damn anal and have to rewrite sixteen times ...

In a perfect world, everyone I love would live within an hour of me ...

In a perfect world, I'd live in the mountains with a condo on Fripp Island ...

In a perfect world, the Panthers would win the Super Bowl (I threw that in there for my step-son, Christopher ...)

In a perfect world, Mike and I would be grandparents by now ...

In a perfect world, I'd never have to put anything off, especially thank you cards ...

In a perfect world, my family would be closer ...

In a perfect world, I'd never have to use spell check, a Thesaurus, and my clever mind would not labor over every sentence--it would automatically know the correct sequence of words ...

In a perfect world, I'd write a column, send fabulous articles to a few magazines every month, and have time to spit out a novel every ten months, of which all would hit the bestseller lists ...

In a perfect world ... I am a size 6.

In a perfect world ... I'd never need Botox.

In a perfect world ... I could drink all the margueritas I wanted.

BUT THIS ISN'T A PERFECT WORLD ... and my soul cries for more time ... what I wouldn't give to add an hour or two to every day. But if I had the option for perfection, I'd have to look past all of the above and say because I've had hardships in my life, challenges every step of the way, and because I've struggled ... my imperfections are where the richness of my stories originate ... so in a way ... I guess I don't want a perfect world.

But, a size 6 would be nice.

Blessings to you and yours.

Do You Think I Died?

I'm still up to my armpits and eyeballs in work but I'm afraid if I don't write in my blog, I'll lose my readers! I tune in everyday to my friend Dena's blog, and everyday, she's like a ray of sunshine, writing a clever little blogspot ... one thing about Dena, she's never at a loss for words, and she's always there for her readers ... I aspire to her daily blogging!
www.blogsbydenaharris.squarespace.com.

I have so much to blog about, but no time. Last Thursday night, I spoke on an Author's Panel for my Sisters In Crime Group, I'm going to Chair the Sisters In Crime table at the Southeastern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) convention in Orlando this year, and I spoke at a writing conference in Lincolnton for the International Women's Writing Guild this past Saturday. I've so much to report. It's been crazy busy.

And I'm still working on the final edits of my book.

The deadline is nearly here ... (the Sunday deadline was pushed back) so I apologize for the sparse blogging. I do love to connect with my readers. But hold on, because I'll be back ... with bells on!

Ah, the life of a writer ... I wonder if Capote had these problems. Somehow, I doubt it.

Blessings to you and yours.

My Back's Against The Wall

If you write and publish, you'll understand when I say ... my back's against the wall, my deadline is Sunday, no more time to spend on anything other than having the book ready to be turned in on Sunday to my layout artist.

No more nothing until after this Sunday.

Sunday, Sunday.

Yet, I'm scheduled to speak tonight at my local chapter of Sisters In Crime, and on Saturday in Lincolnton at the International Women's Writing Guild Conference for the Carolinas.

And I'm chomping at the bit to answer all the questions in my previous blog about the writing process and publishing. I've got some great answers.

And I've got to get with my publicist, my speech coaches, plan my launch, etc. etc. etc.

And the list of things to do is as long as my arm and then some.

Whew.

But everything has to wait ... it's all on hold for now. This is the life of a writer, folks.

Now to stop blogging ... get to work. The pay off is a finished first book ... and a hopefully - a great one.

Fingers and toes crossed. And say a little prayer.

Talk to you next week ... if I'm not in the hospital from exhaustion.

Blessings to you and yours.

What's The Real Deal On Self-Publishing?

I'm back home and feeling a bit behind, to put it mildly. "Miles to go before I sleep..."

But as promised, I'm going to answer the questions I've been asked a lot lately. Remember, these are only my opinions ...

I was recently approached and asked the question on the mind of some of my local writer friends. What's the deal on self-publishing? From a writer's point-of-view, self-publishing is a way to avoid rejection and the slush pile. But there's a price to pay. Not too long ago, the stigma of the self-published was pure vanity in the eyes of not only editors, but the public.

According to the agent Kristen who blogs at www.pubrants.com ... and I quote "... I really do look at the glass and see it half-full. There have been many a fabulous story told of an author who self-published and then later had the book picked up by a traditional house. (I think Laurie Notaro and Christopher Paolini come to mind.) Remember, those stories are amazing because they don’t actually happen often ... I do want you to know that I have yet to take on an author via this medium. I didn’t keep exact stats but over the course of 4 years (my agency opened in 2002,) I’ve probably considered about 50 or 60 self-published books. Peanuts really."

It's a crap shoot. Remember that ... if you want to impress an agent or an editor with your self-published work.

However, if you can stay away from Publish on Demand and other self-publishing houses, and do the work yourself, the pay-off in terms of $ to you is fantastic. It's all yours, baby.

Sure, you have the initial outlay costs of someone to convert your manuscript into a PDF file and then the cost of a printer, but Dan Poynter's book, The Self-Publishing Manual, is one of the best to show your next step in the process. He also sites references to contact for printers, etc.

Instead of the publisher grabbing the profit and then you getting your tiny royalty of what ... a dollar or two maybe every time you sell a book ... the profit goes in your pocket.

PROVIDING ... you're willing to work your ass off and get out there and sell it! Non-stop. Which means you don't die on the vine in three months as the typical book usually does. You control how much the public is exposed to you and your work. And there's the problem of finding a distributor. They don't like to take self-published books, so you have GOT TO SELL THEM YOURSELF!

There's the kicker for most folks. Okay, Pam, time to write is one thing, but marketing my work? You're kidding, right?

Nope. Not a bit.

Do you really think your publisher is going to put you in the spotlight? Do you honestly think the traditional publisher with his fancy publicist is going to get behind you 100% and give you all their energy to make you a success? Think again. Those dollars are reserved for Elizabeth Kostova, Dan Brown, Patricia Cornwell, and the rest of the mega sellers ... not you. And especially if you're a first time author ... ain't happenin', my friend.

Unless of course ... you breakout. But that's for another blog.

There are things you can do to insure your success; it's in your hands. You may need a speech coach, a publicist, or someone to edit your work professionally. It takes time, energy, and some money. But in my mind, self-publishing is not a mark of doom--not these days. In fact, you can create quite a platform. And if you write a hell of a story and sell a lot of books ... who knows who just might come knockin' on your door.

Any way you look at it ... self-publishing is not for the faint of heart. It's takes more courage and determination to self-publish than to lay your work at the feet of an editor. The pay off is bigger per book, but the work is endless, and you still have to find time to write your next book.

If you're thinking about it ... do your research and make an intelligent decision. Have a markeing plan. Also, don't rule out the big boys in New York, but as tough as the competition is ... you might have to get in their faces (big shot publishing houses) and sell enough of your own books first to make them sit up and take notice.

Hard to do? You're damn right it is.

Impossible? Not in my mind.

Think about it.

Blessings to you and yours.

Time Out

I took a Time Out. After spending a few days away, I'm on the road again tomorrow ... back to North Carolina ... home. I needed this time to regroup, read my stories, edit and get ready to publish.

I'm confident in SOUTHERN FRIED WOMEN. It reads beautifully, the stories grip the heart, and yet leave the reader satisfied. So says my best reader, Tina. I smile and have to agree. They are quite good. My editor, Beth, was very helpful with the deadline right around the corner.

I'll be back to blogging full-time on Tuesday, after traveling all day on Monday.

My week was full of great food, fun, and time to think. Every writer needs time to think.

See you on Tuesday.

Blessings to you and yours.

Heavy Hitting Subjects For Writers

The following questions weigh heavy on the minds of writers and in the coming weeks, are ones I plan to explore and tackle on this blog ... so stay tuned.

But for now, I'm on my way out of town for the week so this blog may trickle a little for the next several days. Doesn't mean I'm not working ... I'm taking a week to finish my edits on SOUTHERN FRIED WOMEN, network, visit bookstores, and chill a little.

In the meantime ... I'll also be preparing to answer these questions:

1. What's the real deal on self-publishing from an author's point of view?

2. How perfect does my writing really have to be to land a book deal? In just one area or all of them? What kind of help can I really expect from an agent or editor?

3. Do I seriously need to attend a writing conference? I despise name-dropping, how critical is it to meet important people in the business? How connected do I need to be?

4. I loathe public speaking. How do I get around it? How much of my own publicity do I honestly have to do?

5. Do I need to pay attention to all the writer and agent's blogs on the Internet? Are they written for all writers?

6. Do I need a degree? Do I need an MFA degree?

7. I'm on a limited income and budget. How do I self-publish? What's involved? What about the Publish On Demand people, would that be a good route? What's the stigma if you're self-published or better yet, is there one? Should I just risk the slush piles?

8. Do I need to hire an editor, publicist, and do I really have to join toastmasters? And what the hell is a platform?

9. What do I do if I've worked hard on a piece and my critique group thinks it sucks?

10. Is there a point where I should just give up and face the fact that I'm too young to write, too old to write, I can't afford to take the time to write, or I'm just not that good?

Like I said ... stay tuned ... I'll be delivering these answers from a writer's point of view (which may surprise you.)

Blessings to you and yours.

The Writing Process

I hesitate.

I don't think people will believe it. Although I take lots of breaks, sometimes I even do a Wal-Mart run, but basically my writing process is from 8 am to midnight. Seven days a week. Every day is a little different than the one before.

Some writers are so disciplined, they force themselves to write so many words a day, for so many hours at a time, and refuse to be disturbed. They have the exact same pattern for writing, rewriting, and submitting.

Not me. I mix it up a little. I'm anal and I'm organized, but I write constantly, so my days are dictated by my interruptions.

Between my writing, I eat my meals, shower, and talk on the phone. I have meetings with writing friends once or twice a week, attend networking meetings, and I go to book signings, meetings with my publicist, publisher, and I read blogs (sometimes spending too much time on Agent's blogs, like the Snark Agent ... but I learn, process what I want, and store the rest for later.) I study my Writer's Digest and Publishers Weekly. There are also a few projects (writing related, of course) that I'm working on. I do research, and some days I write only this blog. However, 90% of the time, I squeeze all of the above, in between my writing.

I don't squeeze writing in between my appointments.

Writing is my life. It's what I do. It's who I am. I'm not bragging about it. I don't care if anyone thinks I'm crazy. I realized a few years ago, this is what I was meant to do ... all my life. And finally, before I was too old to start, my journey began.

I also take time to read. And I'd love to start exercising more regularly again. In the future, I'm going to be speaking ... a lot. There's a great deal of work to be done selling my book, and I'm fortunate to have people who want to help me do it.

But, in the end, my life revolves around sitting at this computer and putting words on "paper." The stories in my head have to be written down. Just like I have to eat food to survive, I have to write, daily ... to feel alive.

There's no other way around it. So you want to talk about the writing process? There is none. It's not a process for me. It's a way of life.

Blessings to you and yours.

Borders Workshop

I'm volunteering to speak on a panel at Borders (in June) with a few published authors in my writers group. A workshop, if you will, on what books helped us as writers. I like this kind of workshop ... it's fun just to be with other writers and especially when they're your friends and people you care about. And I love to teach and mentor other writers.

All of us write differently. Our genres may not be the same. But the one thing we have in common ... is passion. And with passion comes the study of the craft. To study writing, one must read a lot. All the time, really. We give up many TV shows to read. (That's not hard for me to do.) We've read many books on the craft of writing by professionals in the industry.

For me, (if you've visited my web site,) you'll see I'm a huge fan of Donald Maass and his book, WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL. I've studied and underlined and dog-eared every one of his books. But I also like Noah Lukeman's THE FIRST FIVE PAGES, and a little book by Elaura Niles called, SOME WRITERS DESERVE TO STARVE. What a title. Actually, I have a whole list of books on writing that I've read listed on my web site. Some are more like text books, while others, like Stephen King's ON WRITING, reads like a chapter out of his life.

Everyone has an opinion. And you know the old cliche about opinions ... they're like assholes, everbody's got one ... yeah, yeah, you remember.

In the end, (no pun intended) you have to weed out who you want to aspire to. Orson Scott Card has a fabulous web site and lots of great material for the writer. He's also written several books, one I highly recommend, CHARACTERS & VIEWPOINT. Google Orson Scott Card.

There seems to be no limit to the help established writers give to the novice. And by the far, in my opinion, the best teacher ... is to read. Period. It's by far the best teacher.

I'm looking forward to the panel, I hope (if you live in my area or are traveling to Greensboro in the near future) you'll stop by. The authors on this panel have studied hard, and they have their favorite books, I guarantee it. You might just find a new one. If you're just starting to write, or getting back into it, you'll get tons of ideas.

Sharing the craft of writing ... it's a love affair with words.

Blessings to you and yours.

Gall Bladder Blues

The results are in ... Michael's gall bladder is full of stones and has to be removed.

He's been feeling the twinges lately, nursing this thing for the past 15 years. But lately, he's been uncomfortable. Yesterday, an ultrasound told the true tale.

But do you think the doctor would call him back and refer him to a surgeon? I know doctors are busy, I've worked for them all my life. But to not call back a patient that's in discomfort when he waits by the phone all day? How about a quick call from a nurse or even a receptionist who might be kind enough to say "... sorry the doctor hasn't been able to call you yet, he's busy with patients, but we'll make sure he calls before he goes home." You think they would be kind enough to do that?

Not a chance.

Woe be unto this poor doctor's office in Jamestown. My husband, after waiting a day and half for a phone call, drove over and has parked his butt in their waiting room. "If they won't call, I'll show up in person ... eventually, they'll have to talk to me."

All we need is a referral to a surgeon, and a quick consultation. Not more than five minutes of a doctor's time. Gall bladder pains are nothing to mess with inside the body of an angry patient.

So, today we're singing the blues. The gall bladder blues.

It's not a pretty song.

Especially on Valentines Day. Which, in my opinion is hugely overrated. If you want a great idea for Valentines Day and all the holidays, go to Dena's blog. She and Blair have found the true secret to getting over this kind of commercialism. I love it. (Go to the Feb. 13th post.)
www.blogsbydenaharris.squarespace.com.

Blessings to you and yours.

Going Out In Style

If you write fiction, it's often the end of the story you write first. Not always, but once in a while you see an ending before you have a plot in mind. A writer' style dictates the type of endings he/she uses.

I've experimented with story endings. What I see from readers, people who like the type of dramatic fiction I write, is that they like a twist at or near the end, in addition to inherent conflict, and deep and complex characters they can fall in love with or hate. Readers can even appreciate a message. But I also find they want endings to wrap things up. They may love the book, but if the ending sucks, they'll throw the book in the trash. Pissed off, they stew for days and that kind of word of mouth, a writer doesn't need.

Even if there's a sequel, or the possibility of one, a reader wants to see questions answered, and feel a sense of a good ending. Satisfaction. The good guy doesn't have to win, but there has to be a hint that in the next book or story, he/she will win.

It's as hard to explain, as it is to write. I seldom wrestle with story endings. If I don't already know how I want it to end, then my characters figure it out for me as they go. But once in a while, I debate on different endings. That's when I discuss it with my critique group, or my husband, or my friends who read my work.

In the end ... it's usually one of my character’s who tells me how to wrap it up.

I just want to make sure they go out in style. My style. I think it's the best part of any story.

The End.

Blessings to you and yours.

Getting Ready for Lincolnton

It's just weeks away now, but the March 4th International Women's Writing Guild Conference is weighing heavy on my mind. I'm praying for a total success. A call from an excited Hannelore Hahn (New York City) this morning rubbed off. We've rented a large, comfy room for this first meeting of women writers in the Carolinas. Lunch is included in the $30 price, but the networking and the relationships forged are worth far more than the cost of the event.

We have a nice size group already committed to attending, but we're hoping for more. I know there are women writers out there, especially in the South ... that need this. This isn't a how-to-write conference. We're not going to discuss grammar, contrive plots, or tell you your characters aren't sympathetic enough. This group is far more than that. The IWWG is inspirational. It puts you in touch with your senses and the deep recesses of your memory to dig up ideas and places and times not thought of in years ... perfect nuggets for storytelling or writing that piece of non-fiction you've been laboring on.

This isn't your usual "Jump Start Your Writing" conference. Oh no. This is far more. Sharing and listening to other women talk about their writing, you begin to spin ideas of your own, a fresh perspective comes into view about your own writing. It's an amazing process. No psycho bull, just honest, open conversation and support.

I'm excited. If you're enterested, here's the IWWG web site ... click on Events and scroll to the March 4th Lincolnton, North Carolina event, "Each Life Is Worth The Telling." www.iwwg.org.

Blessings to you and yours.

Are Writers Really Ready For Rocks?

NYT Bestselling author, Tess Gerritsen, writes in her blog: www.tessgerritsen.com/blogs.cfm

If you want to be a writer, get ready for editors telling you your manuscript isn't good enough, critics telling you that your book is lousy, readers whining that they wasted twenty five bucks on your opus, the bloggers saying they're appalled you got nominated for that award. There's no way to avoid it. You'll get rocks thrown at you, and you might as well prepare for it now by hitting your head against the wall a hundred times, just so you get used to the feeling.

I don't know about you, but I don't write to have rocks thrown at me. Tess's blog of 2/2/06 You Can't Be A Wimp is an uncomfortable, albeit true read. I agree with her and salute her for forcing authors to look at the tougher sides of publishing. Tess has umpteen books published and is widely known in her genre and otherwise. For her to write this, she's had to been hurt at some point in her career--been stung by a few rocks.

But then, when you think about it, the most criticized book of all time is the Holy Bible. So, who are we as mere mortals? Why do we think we should escape tribulation when God's own word has suffered much more criticism for thousands of years. Geesh ... I guess if you put it that way, a few rocks ain't so bad.

Makes me wonder though, why anyone would have the audacity to think their opinions are so superior that they have the right to "cast the first stone."

Tess winds up her 2/6 blog by saying -- But if you're a writer, you'll keep writing anyway, even if you disappoint your readers or your editor or your agent. You won't give up, because then you'll disappoint the one person you can't afford to disappoint.

Yourself.

I'm certainly not going to throw rocks at myself.

Blessings to you and yours.