THE GREAT CRITIQUE----NOT!

Well, really I can't call "Aunt Lutie's Blue Moon Cafe" a new book. Haven't we all read about authors who claim they've written a book in six weeks, edited it in two days, and it was in the bookstores within a year? I wish I could write that fast and had that kind of luck with publishing. I don't know if it's such a good sign that I'be been working (off and on) on this book for four years.

I actually wrote the first draft pretty fast. It started with an idea that I decided to share with my critique group. As I wrote the book, I shared it with my fellow writers. I managed to get some fairly good help with that first draft. By the time I completed those corrections, the group had faded away. And my life was in one of those you-gotta-be-kidding busywork runs. So the book went into the file cabinet.

Two friends and I later formed a line-by-line critique group which is still a viable part of my writing life today. I thought it would be great to haul out "Aunt Lutie" and get her in shape so I could seek an agent, publisher, or both. I was so enthusiastic on the next day we met. I listened and critiqued my friends work with enthusiasm. When it was my turn, I began reading the first chapter, with copies in their capable hands.

And bombed!

I can look back at the experience now and smile. Then I was crushed. They didn't get my book at all! Now, I know I was expecting too much of my dear friends--one born and reared in Los Angeles, the other in Hawaii. They were city gals so far removed from the south, the speech patterns, the cultural posturing, there was no way they were going to understand this book in order to critique this. Read it one day, yes, but at that time they were trying to correct everything from the grammar, to the spelling, and the description. It was irritating back them, understandable now. But at the time, I threw it back in the drawer again.

And then my dear editor friend, one who has counseled me along my writing path for years, Regina Williams, "The Storyteller Magazine," started her own publishing company, "Mockingbird Lane Press" (www.mockingbirdpress.com)asked me if I had a book for her to consider. Did I have a book!

Gina is one humorous lady on the other side of that very serious, unique editor. She wants humorous or down right weird Southern tales. So I downloaded the book onto my computer and have been working on edits/rewrites/deletes--I have a few more pages and then will print it off for one last looksee.

And then Gina critiques. YIPES!

HOW DID THEY WRITE

Recently, I was reading about some quirks of writing habits among famous writers. I wondered if I had some--not the same--but ones original only to me. Do I write better in certain places? At certain time of day or night? Do I only write on the computer, or with pen and pad first? Is there a certain color of ink I use to write, or sign my name?

I write most anywhere. If I am meeting a deadline or doing final edits, I am only comfortable in my office at the main computer or on my laptop. If I'm writing off the top of my head, or creating a first draft of a story, I take my Acer mini to Jack's Pond, Discovery Lake, or Starbucks. Or out on the patio.

Once upon a time, I could write into the wee hours of the night. Now, I am into writing in the morning or early afternoon when I feel fresher. If I'm on deadline or editing a story or piece, I can work at night but the creative side of my brain, my imagination, is not as active late in the day as it used to be.

I often don't begin writing on any electronic device. I use a yellow-lined pad and a pen. If writing a story, I begin writing and continue until my first spurt of inspiration is run through. Then I will go to the computer, input it, print off the last page for my next beginning point. When writing an article or essay, I complete the first draft before going to the computer. I believe that by putting my work on the computer at this point, I am editing/rewriting the first draft.

And I do have this one quirk regarding ink. For example, when writing in my journal, I swtich colors of ink with each days entry. I think it gives my journal a more colorul, insightful look to my work. And when I autograph my books at a book signing or to send off through the mail, I create my message and sign my name in purple ink. Maybe it is something to do with the poem --when I grow old, I will wear purple.

Here are a few habits of the famous: John Nichols (The Milagro Bean Fields) writes in the tub beginning at 4 a.m. He writes by longhand on the back olf junk mail.

Tennessee Williams wrote "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" on his favorite writing material--an assortment of hotel stationery.

Robert Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) wrote his book on index cards.

Count Leo Tolstoy and William Burroughs both used scissors and paste to "rearrange" the drafts of stories.

Toni Morrison writes on yellow legal pads with "a nice number two pencil."

John updike wrote with pen or pencil, no computer for him.

Ernest Hemingway wrote standng up.

What are your habits, or quirks?

MY, HOW TIME FLIES

I look at this blog and can't believe how long it has been since I wrote here. I have no excuse except that life and writing responsibilities have eaten up the days and weeks. Ray's healing from surgery has taken more time, and medication, than we thought. I am so happy to announce the surgery was a success, he can see better without glasses than he could with them before (at least in his left eye; the other one needs new glasses and is driving him nuts!), and we are very impressed with the surgeon who performed (with God's direction) this miracle.

I did find time to send out a few contest entries and won a third place in one, had a poem accepted for an annual anthology out of San Diego, and have managed to complete another quilt story for the collection of inspirational stories I am slowly building.

Today I attended the NCAP Book Exposition at Oceanside Library. There were not only author speakers, but college instructors, translators, publishers, agents, and printing company reps. It was an outstanding day of learning and sharing and networking. I also sold five books which certainly helped my ego and boosted my conficence about this book.

I still have to work on a list to mail my letters to offering a lecture or workshop in exchange for the right to sell books. The letters are ready and dated so I must get busy. I also have Press Releases to get out. This publicity/promotion is a lot of work.

Never think word-of-mouth doesn't go a long way. My daughter lives in Florida and went into a Books-a-Million Bookstore to "see if your book was on the shelf", knowing it wouldn't be. She talked up the book so much, the store buyer ordered ten to put on the shelves. That's the way to go, gal.

Tomorrow is Sunday--a day I can leisurely read the Sunday morning paper. Then I have to put away the book signing "stuff" until the next one appears. I'm trying to keep us on a low-carb regime and have found preparation takes quite a lot of time; we blew it today because of my long commitment but tomorrow we will be back on track.
I need to find some time to do that promotion work--after I have a long walk.

Monday is free. Tuesday Ray does a presentation for Veteran's Day ceremony at the Escondido Sr. Center; then I must come home and back a birthday cake for Vici, my neighbor who will turn 92. Wednesday is Veteran's Day ceremony at the wall where Ray's name appears, then home for her birthday celebration at 3. Hope she likes strawberry cake.

I think the rest of the week is free, so maybe I will have time to really write something fun.

COMPARED TO WHO?

The book is with the publisher as I've said before. It's been edited, polished, rewritten--all of those steps we authors take in order to have our books sell. I have no illusions about having written a bestseller. Seldom do short story collections reach those heights--unless written by a novelist who has a name already, or a celebrity who has the name but may not know a noun from a verb. But what if no one buys my book?

Loyal friends will purchase a copy I know. Many of the readers of my previous books will purchase this one. Except for the readers who have expressed disappointment that this book is not another quilt story collection, I can count on them. When I speak of readers in general, I am talking about new readers--ones who come across one of the promotions I will be doing, a book review, or a spot on Amazon. I want them to read me,love me, buy the next one I write.

But who am I, in comparison to an Allison Brennan (super mystery writer), Nora Roberts (prolific best seller), or Margaret Coel (a writer of Southwest/Native American stories). Of course, my writing isn't as deep as some. It's not a comedy, nor a thriller, or a romance. The book may not appeal to every woman reader, and I doubt if many men will want to learn just what women can do if twisted crosswise. The "catchy" title might be over the top for other potential readers.

Why do I do this to myself?

When I go to the bookstore or library, do I choose the same book as you, or my friends, or the stranger standing in line with me? Of course, I don't. Each one of us choose a book for an individual reason, different from the other choices in most cases. If the same book appealed to all, what need would there be for we authors to dream up the worlds and characters we live with as they tell us their stories?

I know there will be readers for my book. I must get beyond this comparison business. Readers of short stories will love the variety of tales; women who have been done wrong by husband or lover will enjoy seeing those creatures get their just desserts, and maybe even pick up an idea or two. And some may buy a copy simply to find out what the heck that quirky title of book and story is all about.

I'll buy one of your books if you'll buy one of mine. Thank you in advance.

VACATIONS CAN PROMOTE IDEAS

It has been too long since I blogged but I have an excuse. I have been working long hours editing, rewriting, and proofing a manuscript for my next book, Pink Poodle Pie (and Other Tales of Women Getting Even). It will be out sometime in the early fall. Of course, I will remind all of you when the release date is decided.

I took two weeks off (yes, my editor knows where I am and what I'm doing-lol), to fly to Florida for our youngest granddaughter's wedding on July 4. Shannon Hall married Richard Hughes on our most patriotic day. Grandma helped decorate, shop, plan some last minutes fun things, and was so proud of the lovely bride (and her choice of husband). Very proud of the job my daughter and son-in-law have done in bringing up three wonderful adults also. It has been a super time with my three great-grandsons too.

And I have gleaned some ideas from the whole process. Weddings and parties and all those characters that show up offer great material. The lush green of Florida, the aligator-clogged ponds, the hardworking, beer-drinking, pickup-truck driving, Crackers or Rebels, or Rednecks of FLorida, and the Cuban influence all make fodder for future stories.

As I have said before, never forget that little notebook when you venture from home. I have been scribbling notes in between events, while sitting on the patio (covered, of course), while listening to the squeals of my great-grandsons in the pool, or feeding ducks in the pond in back of the yard. I may not use the notes any time soon but I have them down.

Happy Writing. See you soon.

TITLES THAT STAY WITH US

Doing research recently for a magazine article I came across some information about titles. Titles are the first thing that grabs a reader--or editor/publisher. They also help writers stay focused on their work; a working title may be the only thing that keeps you on track at the beginning. Make it a title that keeps you interested in writing page after page.

I have been a collector of titles for years. Some catchy phrase, line in a poem, or word in a conversatin may join my list. My list isn't catagorized--essay, article, mainstream, romance, western, inspirtional--but it's usually not hard to figure out which ones would fit best to a certain genre/story. Sometimes even the titles will set your muse off on a story line.

On my bookshelf are several titles that might grab a reader's attention. I've offered the genre after each grouping.

McKinnon's Bride, The Rancher Needs a Wife, or Unexpected Complication (Romance)

Mardi Gras Madness, Burn Out, Nothing But Trouble (Mystery)

The Piano Man, Plain Truth, Dairy Queen Days (Mainstream)

Bouquets of Hope, Keep it Simple, A Cup of Comfort (Inspiratiional)

Write Brain, Finding Your Voice, Make a Scene (Creative Writing)

There are famous titles we will never forget: Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz,
Cat on at Hot Tin Roof, The Shining, etc. The one title I am so glad didn't make the final cut is a book by Tennessee Williams. He titled it "Poker Night." That book became "A Streetcar Named Desire." I can't imagine even removing Poker Night from the shelf to read the back cover.

What do you want your title on a bookstore shelf to convey?

MIRRORED IMAGES

I need to apologize to a dear writer friend, Rosanne Catalano, publisher of "Cat's Meow for Writers & Readers Ezine (www.rosannecatalano.net). If you don't receive this newsletter, you must sign up. It not only offers much needed publishing news and contest information, outstanding fiction, poetry and essays/articles, but it also brings writers the comfort of feeling we are a part of a caring, creative family.

That, however, is not why I owe Rosanne an apology. Some time ago I purchased a copy of her book, "Mirrored Images". This short collection of short stories (you will have to try real hard to decide which are fact or fiction), articles and poetry, both touched my heart and made me smile. I am here to tell you, Rosanne, and my readers, that I am sorry I haven't reviewed this book before. It's a great read!

It touched me because of the love shown for parents, God, and husband. It touched me because I was the kid with glasses who was bullied and picked on and I could feel Rosanne's pain when it happened to her. It touched me because I have lost my parents and her tribute to her father, and mother, brought back all of the good times and love I had with/for my own parents. It touched me because Rosanne, as I feel so many of us are but never put it into words so elequntly, are survivors.

I believe we all have guardian angels and "Mirrored Images" proves it to all who will listen. No one but angels could have saved her from bullies in junior high school, have looked over her until she found the perfect mate, and still guide her to this day in her writing craft. These are stories we should not only want to read, enjoy reading, but they are stories we all need to hear.

I get a glimpse of the love and courage that Rosanne shows, and shares, in her newsletter--and our most welcome online correspondance. She is writing a continuation of her life stories titled "Skeletons from the Past." I can't wait to read that. But first, my readers, you must read "Mirrored Images."

"Mirrored Images" may be purchased at Rosanne's website (www.rosannecatalano.net) or at Lulu Press (www.lulu.com). It is availabe in both e-book and paperback form.

IS FIRST PERSON THE VOICE FOR YOU?

My "Aunt Lutie's Blue Moon Cafe" is written in the voice that seemed to come from the heart of the story--first person. When the muse came to me with this story of a young woman in East Texas inheriting a cafe, it was her voice I heard telling me the story. "I've been hog-tied to Harts Corner, a place I've tried to run away from half of my life." Who could resist her right to tell the story?

Contrary to what many experts tell us, writing in Mary Margaret Butler's voice was easy. Her tone flowed, page after page, until some 400 plus double-spaced pages later, she gave me the exciting, surprising ending. I hadn't attempted to write a novel in first person before this; several award-winning short stories proved I could dodge the pitfalls and so I listened to the voice. This Southern woman, with her soft accent, wanted to tell her story, her way. I let her.

Something I recently read urged writers, such as I, to choose a narrator whose voice will work well in this tense. They say to make sure to choose a character with a rich interior life. What does that mean in MM's (Mary Margaret) case? The character-building brought on by her mother's death and her aunt's love? Having to admit she has the skills to run, profitably, a cafe even though she's longed to live somewhere else for years? Feeling God's presence? Loving others--in this case--a needy child and a gorgeous lawman? MM can show readers all of these qualities through her own voice telling her own story.

Many of those experts, and authors, admit that writing in first-person POV is hard work. For example, it's difficult not to begin each sentence with "I". A writer must create sentence structures so readers are not conscious of this "I", this storyteller. She can't overwhelm the story.

The writer through the narrator cannot forget the description. So often, first-person stories are told so deeply into the person and heart, they don't share what they are seeing--the cafe where she works, the apartment where she lives, the people around her, and the events of the story. I hope, through MM, my readers can see the cafe and its kitchen, observe Bess when MM first saw her when she was a child, and the smell of those catered parties. MM must let the readers see what she sees.

I'm reading this book aloud to a group. I hear them laugh or gasp; I look up and see them smile and nod at appropriate places in the sharing. This tells me that MM's voice is genuine, that people can believe the tale she is sharing.

This woman in the story speaks to me, a Southerner, and I hope to ones who have never lived in a place like Harts Corner. I want them to share that wonderful, simple and complex life and to meet the colorful characters found in those towns.

First-person is the only voice that can tell this story.

REVENGE

"He who seeks revenge should remember to dig two graves."
-Thich Nhat Hanl

I don't think my tales of revenge end up with more than one grave as the quote says. In most instances (there are a few exceptions), no one dies but some of the guys I write about probably wish they were gone before it is over. The women who seek this revenge, come out well in the end--not in a grave.

There are many interesting ways to get even when a man has done you wrong. The most common, of course, is to kick the so-and-so out of your life and discover the new world around you. But, in fiction, you can do them in in any manner you can dream up...poison, gunshot, embarrassment, placement in a psych ward, set him up as the fall guy for a crime--ah, revenge is so sweet.

I've completed my last corrections/rewrites of my collection of these stories of revenge, "Pink Poodle Pie (and Other Tales of Women Getting Even)." I have decided, after more than a few rejections from traditional publishers, to self-publish. That's not as easy as some folks might think.

The companies have to be checked out. You need to find other authors who have used them, see how they handled these writers, the promotion of the book (I do know that most of that is up to you and I these days), and read their contracts very closely. You need to know what the cost is up front, how much each book will cost if you buy 50, 100, 5,000 (good luck, selling that many right off the bat!) and understand how many books you have to sell in order for them to consider publishing another of your masterpieces. Even though you pay for the set-up, a good self-publishing company wants their authors to be successful and, therefore, should be "choosy" about what they put out there.

I've already decided on a promotion plan if this collection is published. . .but that's for another blog.

HAPPENINGS ON THE WAY TO A BEST SELLER

I have just completed a book. "Rejectiion, Romance & Royalties" by Laura Resnick (2007). A seasoned writer of romance and fantasy epicis as she calls them, I enjoyed her honesty, her humor and the many tips she offered writers of all genres and status. One of the most interesting chapters was one where she collected the horrors of what that masterpiece book you've sold to a wonderful publisher can look like when you receive your first copy.

Here are some of the slips:

One author's name was left off the cover of her book. Another had such an awful cover design, bookstores would not put it on the shelves (too risque? too macabre?).

An author received her book and the middle 40 pages was missing. Another had her title and name on cover and title pages, but someone else's book printed inside the cover. Still another had many pages printed upside down. In both of these instances, the author had been sent a galley copy to check for errors--these mistakes were not on the galley copy.

The story I have heard about James Mitchner's book, Texas, was also repeated in this book. His massive book was printed with 64 pages missing. Thousands of copies were sent out; recalls for them were sent out. Not too many were returned. Does that mean they wanted to keep it as a souenier thinking it might be worth a great deal of money one day? Or did they not read the huge tome?

And how steamed would you be if the publisher had accepted your work, signed a contract with you for a certain number of words and then, during the printing process, cut the number of acceptable words--so he just wacked off the last three chapters of your book--leaving your story with no climax, no ending?

One author appeared at a bookstore for a signing and found that the store had ordered copies of a children's book by an author with the same last name. Now, how do you sell your book when there are no copies to be sold? Do you do a quick read of the children's book (okay, you can read fast if it is a picture book) and speak about this other author's great product? Do you cancel the whole thing? Or do you pull out your business cards, hand them out and offer the buyers a discount to order your book at your web site or at your email address?

If any of you writers have ever had a bad experience with the IRS, or whatever the taxing entity in your country is called, you will appreciate the author whose publisher sent to the IRS an outrageous amount of earnings for the author. Can you imagine how long it took her to straighten out that mess?

Some of us who have not often (or ever) been published might welcome some of the problems these authors have just to see our creation on any bookstore shelf and in the hands of readers. However, these kind of missteps cost many authors a readership they would have earned had it not been for the publishers or printers errors. Writers must be as vigilant as possible, joining with the publisher as a partner to get the correct work out, to market that work, and to urge everyone in this loop to do their best work.

TOOTING YOUR OWN HORN

On Saturday I attended a seminar by a local writer who uses her blog as a means to sell her books. She urged all of us to start blogging if we don’t already, and to talk about our books in it. I have spoken of what I am writing on now, the struggles, the rewrites, the additions, even the desire to throw the entire manuscript out of the nearest window. But I haven’t written about the books I have completed and published, the two that are on Amazon.com.

I have been writing since the age of ten, although holding down a full-time job for twenty-six years and raising two children brought it to a trickle for many years. Upon my husband’s retirement, I decided to follow my heart and write. I began with nonfiction, which was not my first love, but where the money was. I was quite successful but I still wrote short stories for my own entertainment. In all those years, I never sent one piece of fiction out for consideration.

In those early retirement years, we traveled a lot and moved around Southern California. When we finally settled in North San Diego County in 1997, I found that my writing had really fallen by the wayside. I heard about a creative writing class at the local Senior Citizens Center taught by a retired college professor. I enrolled. It was the best decision I had made in years for it was in this class that I wrote the stories that make up the collection in “The Quilt Maker.”

There are twenty-two stories in the book; each has the title of a quilt pattern and that quilt appears somewhere in the story. Some of them are based on fact, others are purely figments of my imagination. Many of the stories have been published in magazines or literary publicatiions; others won writing contests. One published story read by Paul Harvey prompted a call from his office to tell me how much he had enjoyed the tale. To my amazement, the book is still being purchased (and I hope enjoyed) by readers five years later.

“Growing up Barefoot in the South” is a collection of personal essays written as a memoir of my childhood in the south (with a few more modern tales thrown in). I began writing these essays because my brother (ten years younger) challenged me. “You’re the writer in the family. I want to know what it was like for you growing up and about some of those kin I really never knew.” I began to write, send him copies, then he sent them to cousins—the feedback caused me to seek publication. It is a book I am very proud of. I’ve had emails/letters from all over the country reminding me that, no matter where we grew up, we all have many of the same memories.

So, I’ve told you all about my books. I have done my duty according to the blogging/author expert. I even hope you’ll buy one of my books—and the next ones that appear on Amazon this year—I hope.