Last Year Was a Start. Now...

When I wasn't working on or around the house, and when I wasn't selling on Ebay or planning and participating in parties, I was reading and writing - my two favorite pastimes.  As you may well know, I loved reading as a kid.  Writing came a little later, but I really got into that as well.

I found some old poems that I'd worked on when I was younger, some short stories with illustrations, and even a book I'd begun.  It's funny to look back at what I did then with new eyes, more educated eyes, and see things that I could have done better.  Thinking about it though, I wouldn't want to touch it. Why?  Because that world was seen through younger, more innocent eyes and it's interesting to see how much I've grown.  Granted, I'm what I considered ancient at that age, but if there had been zero growth, that would be a very scary thing.

Reading

I did do a lot of reading through the months in 2013, though it wasn't as much as I'd wanted.  People will call me crazy for saying that, because I actually read thirty-six books from cover to cover.  I also began four books and then set them aside - they may or may not be picked up again.  Three books a month is a good average to be sure, especially considering how life did tend to interrupt my chance at adventure through the written word.  I just wish that I'd been able to read more.

I hate finishing a book that I've immersed myself in so much so that I can visualize every detail.  Those stories are both good and bad for me.  When it's so good that I've lost track of the pages and then it ends, I feel a bit bereft.  Like I've lost a friend to talk to. 

When it's a series, I immediately move on to the next book, praying that I am not let down by the author's next decision. At times, I find that it isn't a complete series and I must wait in agony with other lovers of the series.  We agonize and want to question the author every single day.  Some do.  It's annoying; don't do it.



Then, there's the disappointments - the books that I saw countless others cheer about and praise.  You know who you are, and millions of you know exactly what I am talking about.  The book series which shall not be named, at least not by me or those that adore me.  Those people who don't know any better who cheered and praised said that they'd never read anything so good. Really?

I kept reading because I thought that I must have been missing something, but by the time it ended, I was lost as to why I even bothered to continue. I sat back in my chair and wondered what kind of reading these people could have possibly done in the past that this was the best thing they'd ever read.  Honestly, did they live in a place that had no library?

On a happier note, I did get to read draft after draft of a friend's new book series, gave my two cents worth, and prayed that she didn't dislike what I had to say.  She wrote it, allowed me to read through it and comment, and then - being the brave soul that she is - sent it out to a publisher. I am happy to say that she is going to be a published author early on in 2014 and I can not wait!  I will be telling everyone about her story, so stay tuned.

Now if only I could be that brave.

Writing

I wrote quite a bit in 2013.  I started working on my own series in June and got about eight chapters into the first book - with snippets of information for books two and three - when it all went quiet.

I was not at all happy with that turn of events until I heard a few new voices and decided to take notes. Those notes turned into structured sentences which then turned into chapters for a new book.  Thirty-two days later, I had twenty-three chapters and the beginnings for two other books.  Of course, if you've read the blog, you already know about the book.  How it's turning into a series, I haven't the foggiest except to say that the characters are speaking to me.  I enjoy them immensely!

What you don't know is that I began writing another book at that exact same time.  It was much darker and led down a road that I'm not too sure I want to go down.  It began to drain me emotionally, and I didn't know that I was ready for that yet, so it too went on a back burner. 

If you recall, November was National Novel Writing Month and I achieved the goal of 50,000 words to begin a new book.  Yes, that's right, begin.  It has its bones, but it needs to be revisited, cleaned up, and added to.  Those words didn't come easily, so I'm going to give it some breathing room and touch it again later in 2014.

Moving on to 2014

What I need to do, is revisit the book that I wrote in August and finalize it.  I need to write its synopsis, write a query letter, and get it out to indie publishers and see who bites.  Hopefully, someone bites.  The reason I am going for the small publishing houses is because I don't know that I want to worry about trying to find a literary agent to shop my book for me.  If this venture goes well, I may consider one in the future, but for now, I'm going to sit and bite my nails down to the nubs  wait patiently to see if someone wants to take on my characters.

I woke up one morning a couple of weeks ago and went about my normal routine when I got the sudden urge to sit down and begin writing.  Before I knew it, I had a brief rundown of a story, the preamble, and a few paragraphs in my main character's voice. 

This year is going to be a good year for writing.  I have plots down "on paper" and waiting for me to let the rest of the words flow.  I can't wait to see what happens to these new characters once their given life.

I hope that your year is a productive one in that you produce much joy and happiness in your own life. 

Read more to adventure more!  It's the ultimate staycation!

 
   

Books That Have Left a Mark

Recently, someone posted a little chain on Facebook about the ten books that have affected you.  Y'all it was so very difficult to choose just ten!  Do you know how many books I've read?  Well, of course you don't, but I certainly do, and it's no small number!  It's not in the hundreds, it's in the thousands, maybe passing into the tens of thousands.

I have always been a reader.  As soon as I could read, I was all over the printed word.  It didn't matter if it was paperback, hardcover, newspaper, or pamphlet, I read everything.  I LOVE reading!

When it came down to it, I did what I was told to do and chose ten.  The first ten books that popped into my mind when down in my post.  Some were more recent reads than others, but there were a couple that dated back to elementary school.  That's how profound an effect they had on me.

So my list went a little something like this:

Six Months to Live by Lurlene McDaniel was a difficult read for me at such a young age.  I believe I was ten when I first picked it up and the book was teenage angst, mixed with an illness that, back then, was a death sentence.  I laughed and cried more reading that book than any other since.  I can't tell you how many times I read it, because it was a go-to anytime I needed a good cry.  I still have that book, but recently loaned it to my fifteen year old niece.  I can't wait to see how it's affected her.  I only just found out that the author actually wrote four more books about the same character.  I will have to take the time to catch up.

Nancy Drew Mysteries by Carolyn Keene was my favorite checkout in the school and public libraries.  I always imagined myself partnering with Nancy Drew to solve a case.  I find myself wanting to go back and reread every single one of them, but I have since matured in age - in other words, I'm old! - to read the works of Tess Gerritsen, John Grisham, and James Patterson.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott was a good coming of age story.  I loved Jo!  I thought she was bright, daring, and fun.  I felt her pain, her confusion, and want.  I only wished I could be just like her.

Persuasion by Jane Austen taught me that love transcends time.  Mister Right Now may not be what I'd want in the present, but he could one day be what I both wanted and needed.  Everything happens for a reason, even if that reason creates anxiety, pain, and wonder.

The Fish Book by Stephen C. Lundin, John Christensen, and Harry Paul was a lesson in work ethic and etiquette.  It showed how my own attitude at work could affect those around me and create a toxic environment.  It was why I tried to keep a positive outlook no matter how bad a day I had or how rudely I'd been treated in a given day.  It probably saved my ass more times than not while I worked retail.  A sales manager that I'd worked for at Incredible Universe (gah, I'm old!), introduced me to the book and took me to a conference where the authors were speaking.  It was the one of the great experiences I'd had as a twenty-something adult.

Cubicles by Camika Spencer was given to me to read by a district manager of mine.  I adored that woman not only because she supported me, but she understood me.  This book makes you question how far you'd be willing to go to get ahead.  Some do it with integrity and dignity, while others lie, cheat, and steal their way to the top.  It was a good read and I identified with the book because of my own experience in corporate America.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert was an awakening on a personal level.  I had created my own toxic environment in denying myself my own happiness.  I'd found love, married the love of my life in 2002, but had been poisoning our lives with doubt and self-loathing.  I had to fix myself in order to save what was precious to me.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and yes it was made into a movie, but I read the book first and loved it!  The book didn't translate as well to the screen because you missed out on a lot of Jacob's antics.  The struggles that young man went through and the cantankerous antics of the elder version of him were enough to warm any heart.  I often laughed at his inner thoughts in dealing with his nurse and adored him all the more.  The elder Jankowski reminded me so much of my own grandfather.

Ellis Island Interviews by Peter Coan was eye-opening.  To read the stories of what many of our ancestors went through to get to America.  Why these people left their homelands was, in some cases, terrifying.  I am the great-great granddaughter of Irish immigrants and was doing genealogical research when I found this book.  It drew me in and I wondered if any of my immigrant ancestors had similar stories that had been lost over the years.

Geoducks are for Lovers by Daisy Prescott was so much fun to read.  I've read it twice so far and have enjoyed it both times.  It's a good read for those of us whom have long left our college years and may be going through life a little differently than we'd originally planned.  I easily identified with the main character who made me laugh with all her little anxieties though she tried to keep an outward appearance of calm.

A picture from a small section of one of my bookshelves.
Yes, I am a book hoarder and damn proud of it.

If you haven't read a few of these, or any of these, I certainly would recommend them all to you.

The Art of Writing

Is it an art?

I believe so and I'm not alone.

It takes an artist to be able to put into words, what they see in their mind, and then make you visualize it.  The picture they've painted on the wall that is your brain, is so deliciously perfect that you want to reach out and touch it.  The funny thing about that is that most times, the resulting image is different for everyone.  

For example, if a writer were to describe a handsome white male, with short, unruly brown hair, a jaw that bore stubble to make any woman giggle at the feel of it against her cheek, and pink lips so kissable that it was hard to keep away from him, who would you picture?  

Someone had to come to mind.  Maybe an actor you've seen and dreamt of.  (The moment I typed "unruly hair", I know who some of you chose, but I'd be willing to bet, that he's not the one I was imagining.)  Or was it the guy down the street that always smiles and waves at you as you pass each other?  What about that guy at work who looks like he could easily be on the cover of GQ?

You see the writer did the same thing that you did, but in reverse.  They had someone in mind when they were describing your new fictional boyfriend or girlfriend or best friend, only the description is just vague enough that you can place anyone you want as that character.  Why?  Because it makes them more real, drawing you deeper into the story.  Even though the love interest may not look like you, you want to be them.  Why?  Because unlike most of the guys you've come across, he's romantic, he's chivalrous, he knows how to protect you, and he knows how to turn you on.  

Yes, I went there and you know why.  

If you don't know why...keep reading.

If a writer describes a hard-nosed, voluptuous woman, with long, flowing brown hair, pouty red lips, and looked like she could drop you on your rear in a split second, who do you think of then?

They could have been describing the barista at Starbucks, the girl across the way who's always giving you the evil eye, or an actress who's known for kicking tail.  Everyone conjures up a different image.

Again, you were drawn into the story, because you could picture this person.  You know them.  If this individual just happens to be someone you know and dislike, what happens to that story that you promised you'd read because it had been on your TBR list for months?  For some of you, you put that story away. You give it one to two stars and then sell the book or even donate it.  

The moment you put a face with that character they may have become too real and seemed bitchier or more of a jerk because of it.  But if you were able to picture your ideal for that character, your flipping through pages as if your life depended on the outcome of the book.  Before you know it, it's morning and you have to work or go to school or get the kids ready or make breakfast for your spouse in three hours.

You could go to bed, but your mind is racing.  Will there be a sequel?  There has to be because you want to know more about what happened to your new friend, right?  You begin searching for the author's blog to see if there has been a sequel announced or if your character is going to make an appearance in a book related to a series the author is writing.

When nothing shows up, you want to hunt down the author and demand to know what happened and tell them that they just have to write more.  If there is an announcement you hound them or stalk every page you can find about them, waiting to hear about the next installment of that character's life.

Am I close?  

- A fellow tortured reader and future author you could have a love/hate relationship with