Why We Should Support Our Independents

In Whatever form they take?

But Especially our Independent Bookstores.

Such as Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia.   They do shipping too!   Like they ship Art doodled, Signed Maggie Stiefvater Books!   Like Maggie’s new book in the Raven Boys series coming out Soon!!!

Just saying - the Maggie doodled, signed books are Pretty Nifty looking!!

In the current issue of Shelf Awareness, a great interview with Cynthia Voigt about writing this book.

Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things

by Cynthia Voigt , illust. by Iacopo Bruno

Which the Interview has some great insight -

Max's knowledge of theater overall and of Shakespeare in particular often leads to the solutions he seeks for the dilemmas he's hired to fix. As Max says, "You can't know a lot of plays well, some of them written by William Shakespeare, without getting a good understanding of how and why people do what they do." 

Sounds like a great book.

But also she has some Great information on how she wrote it, in which she has some great interesting tips on things that might help all writers with their writing.

Such as this:

The "Lost Things" apply to things large and small--Max's parents being the large thing--to something as small as the Baroness's spoon, and yet the spoon's significance is large. Did you have fun coming up with what would be lost and how Max would "find" it?

I went about it not directly, because, as I say, I'm not a good plotter. Originally, the first paragraph of the first chapter read, "When Max was 12, he lost his parents." Then I thought about, "What does it mean to be lost?" You lose your mind, you lose your way, your sense of direction, your watch; you lose track, you lose an idea. I thought about the kinds of things you can lose and the variety of ways in which you lose them. Things like the dog that wasn't lost but ran away.

Check out the great full interview here:

Sometimes you think you have the answers, but the answers change as you change.

You need to accept that, too, that the answers change as we go through life. There are so many things that any sentient adult wants to plant with kids, there's no room for them to think for themselves.

We also learn things about pirates.  Or being a pirate.   Or pirating… or, …..okay, your choice in how you write.  *Grin*

Thanks, Kelly, Fountain Bookstore!       @FountainBkstore     

Arghhhh!!!!

Surprises

So, it might not be a big surprise to those who know me, that I’m not a big fan of surprises.   

As there was a discussion today at an author event — A Fabulous Event !!!   At Fountain Bookstore  — Disappointment is the emotion that’s hardest, or mostly impossible, to mask.    

So, don’t try to surprise me.   Fair warning.

But I do like it when Happy things happen spontaneously.  Like today.   Running errands, things to do, happen to go have Great Fish and Chips at our fav. place for that - Sine Irish Pub    [hey, I didn’t realize there was one in Arlington, Va. as well as Richmond!]   [they also have other great food too.]

But since we were down there in that ‘neck’ of Cary, we Had to stop in at Fountain Bookstore.

Uh, yeah.  GREAT Independent Bookstore.   ‘Nuff said.   If you haven’t tried, you absolutely Should!

And Kelly happened to be having an author event with the lovely and lively Deanna Raybourn.

Well, as a ‘writer’ myself, who am I Not to support an author.  Right?   [Yes, I have a Great husband that has been around writers and writer talk so many years he has picked it up also.  :::Evil grin::: ]

I had ‘heard’ of and seen Deanna Raybourn’s books around, I just hadn’t picked up any to read yet.   Yes, I have a great husband but he does give me looks when he sees me around books, especially when they are coming home with me, since home is perhaps a ‘bit’ overcrowded with books.

[and no grief on writer not knowing what was going on with fellow writers and book events, I've been sick for over 2 weeks, said great husband sick over a week, so I'm sure we can manage a few hacking coughs still, in your direction.]

But even he was captivated by the author talk today.   It really was a Great talk.   And even though there was ‘reader’ talk about her books, there was also great writer insight talk as well.  We all sat, enjoyably I think, for couple hours.     And it was Great!       Deanna was great!      She talked about her agent, her editors, publishers, her books, as well as her favorite books.    I was happily reminded of favorite books from my reading past, as well as happily jotting down new books to look at that she particularly liked.

I was surprised by our similar reading lists.

So, yes, no surprise, I bought two of her books.

Had to you know.   Someone that enjoys So many of the same books you do, you have to get theirs to read as well.    That’s just the way it is.

It was a great time of talking about books, and learning of new books and authors.

And I made promises to send couple of my favorites that hadn’t been introduced to her yet.

For all those that I have met recently and wanted the information - 

The Really Great World Building info’ from a JRW Conference panel session I did is in this blog post.

With the Terrific information from authors Malinda Lo, Lana Krumwiede, and Christina Lewis Halpern

The Great post of Terrific historical writer Lucia Robson, and her list of references and resources is here on this post.

And be sure to look at posts couple days around those posts cause I did post other nice information and sources from other panelists!

And because I aspire to write beautifully and descriptively I did a blog post on Patricia A. McKillip’s wonderful writing here.

So, the only thing better on a rainy dark cool day like today than all this, is curling up with one of the new books bought.   :::Grin:::

Working with People Selling Books

No, I’m not talking about some guy accosting you in a raincoat with books in a multitude of pockets.

But hey….  No, No, No, that’s not advocated.   Unless it’s your neighborhood bookseller trying to save their business.  And with the sad fact of the pressure on them these days……

This post is about the James River Writers Writing Show at the end of January:

January 31, 2013

Bookstore Battle Plan:  

                                          How to Get Your Writing into Bookstores

The panel consisted of Katarina Spears, Elizabeth Gleichman, and soon to be published Ginny Pye sitting in for Fountain Bookstore owner Kelly Justice who was so sick she couldn’t make it.   [Kelly, hope you get well Soon!]

Katarina Spears manages the gift shops at the Library of Virginia, the Virginia State Capitol, and an international online store.

Elizabeth Gleichman is an Assistant General Manager at Books-A-Million.

And sitting in for Kelly Justice owner of independent bookstore Fountain Bookstore, www.fountainbookstore.com, was Ginny Pye soon to be published by a small literary press and giving her perspective as an author.

For more detailed information see the JRW website.

And there should be a more detailed posting of the night’s talk on the site, so be sure to check that out.

There was a teaser at the end of the evening of Pet Peeves of Bookstore Owners / Buyers, so hopefully those will be posted there also.  There was some great information given but also a promise of more, so do be sure to check that out.

One of the things mentioned, and those writers that have been writing for awhile will perk up at this -

It was stated that JRW is a great Platform.

So if you’ve been hearing about you Have to Have a great platform, and let’s face it, if you haven’t heard it, you’ve not been working the business end of writing very long.

Then the next thing becomes the catch of as an author you Need a Great Platform, but if you are a nobody how are you going to get one.

Becoming a part of James River Writers can help you with that!

James River Writers is a non-profit that depends on its volunteers, and of course monetary support, so there has to be some way you can help JRW, and in return JRW helps you with knowledge and power on what it is to be a writer, and how to better your writing, and your career path.

So while you are roaming around on the JRW site, and of course, we hope you do, consider clicking and becoming a member.  Or remember to Renew your membership.   So all this knowledge and support can continue.

Now going from the unsponsored message of joining JRW back to the gist of the January Writing Show:

Of course when you bring up anything nowadays, talk will come up at some point about Social Media.  Especially as it pertains to getting word out.  And as authors and writers we are all going to have to do that and deal with that.

It was stated if you do have a book, or when you do, your book should have its own page on Facebook!

Who knew?

I guess it makes sense, I mean your characters and book take on a life and entity on it’s own anyway.   Okay, so perhaps I’m taking that a little far.  *Grin*   But perhaps use it as one of the memory things to remember to create a page for your book.

Wonder if it needs its own Twitter account too?    Too far?  *Grin*

It was mentioned that figuring out the key phrases that get retweeted can help your retweet ratio.  Well, if you include them in your original tweets of course.  

A lot of what was said was commonsense stuff that most mamma’s trained into you from an early age.  Or should have anyway.

Be respectful.   Play nice.   Treat everyone with respect and courtesy.

Treat your bookseller as a professional, I mean they are you know.   Make appointments to approach them to talk about selling your book.

And Don’t think of it as selling your book — or really as you’ve seen people doing, pressuring you to buy, - think of it as making a connection with people.

They might not buy right at that moment, for whatever reason, but that doesn’t mean they won’t buy it later.   And recommend it to all their friends.

You just never know.

Like my own personal tidbit, be careful what you say in Public, you never know who’s at the next table listening.  If it’s complimentary and Good, by all means, go for it.  If it isn’t, first you might want to figure out why it isn’t - you might just find it’s nothing to do with the other person at all, it’s something in you that you have to deal with, that you just don’t recognize and want to deal with.  Yep, you can only change you, you know.  And you remember the first impressions and all that.  Take a long time to change, if ever.

It also seems that giveaways work really well for getting traffic in on your site and buzz about your book.

As well as, whatever you can do to generate interest, flashing lights, rolling trailers, etc….   Uh, maybe not the guy with the trench coat with large pockets.   Just might want to rethink that, all I’m saying.

Oh, and if you have Anyone show up at your book signing, be Grateful!

Don’t grouch and complain.  Also see my rule about talking in public above.

Be grateful and appreciative of what you do have.  If you are at your own book signing that means you’ve made it at least that far.   And there’s a whole lot of us that are out here still working toward that.  So you have much to be thankful for, no matter where you are in your life.   Be Thankful.

*Found in notes -   Educate Yourself about it !

And just found in notes that should be mentioned    -     Educate Yourself!

I would hope you did that with the Writing of your book, you should also do that with the business of Selling your book as well.

Nowadays there's no reason to not be smart about these things.

See what you can find out when you Build Relationships?     With other writers, with readers, with booksellers.....

Lucia’s Ready Reference

To those that missed my great session on research, getting it, organizing it, etc… well, boo. But I understand, there were a Lot of great sessions to go to.

And in the spirit of the writerly sharing that was going on at the JRW Conference, for those that missed the session - and especially for Diann Ducharme…..

Lucia St. Clair Robson

Lucia’s Ready Reference:

Books I keep within arm’s reach:

Webster’s Ninth Collegiate Dictionary (with year of first use).

Rodale’s Synonym Finder

Roget’s Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases

The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations

A 1937 two-volume unabridged Webster’s dictionary

A Spanish dictionary, 1958 edition

A Dictionary of Americanisms

Oxford University Dictionary

Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (2 volumes)

Books that are close but that I have to roll over to in my desk chair:

Amo, Amas, Amat, and More. (Contains useful Latin phrases)

Latin, German, Italian, Japanese, and French Dictionaries

A Bible, a Bible Concordance, and a Bible dictionary

Eleven more quote books

A two-volume book of British poetry and prose, and a text of English literature

Complete works of Shakespeare (from college days. The two volumes cost $3.00, new, which indicates how not-new I am).

Thesaurus of Anecdotes ** I will add note here that Lucia told me this she found most useful

World Treasury of Proverbs

Greek and Roman Mythology

Ultimate Visual Dictionary

What’s What: A Visual Glossary of the Physical World

An Almanac

My father’s old set of Encyclopedia Brittanica

My aunt’s set of The New Funk and Wagnall’s Encyclopedia (1950 edition)

Reference books I have to walk three steps to reach:

Too many to list, but they include books on humor, flora and fauna, clothing, tools, artifacts, furniture, lighting, currency, architecture, inventions, medicine, old technology, transportation, music, poker and other diversions, guns, horses, the military, etc.

For historical details of the colonial period, I recommend anything by Alice Morse Earle.

For language,

Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, (1811 edition),

Shakespeare’s Bawdy by Eric Partridge,

Sut Lovingood by George Harris (a novel written in 19^th century dialect… very vivid expressions),

and

Swearing: a Social History of Foul Language, Oaths and Profanity in English by Geoffrey Hughes.

Shelved above those are books on the current subject, whatever it might be. (Right now I’m on the scout for a Nahuatl dictionary, descriptions of Mexican jails, the effects of dynamite on train tracks, descriptions of old train cars, and examples of Mexican/Zapotec hexes).

The most useful on-line sites I’ve found for buying used and out-of-print books are:

Alibris.com

Bestbookbuys.com

Abebooks.com

Amazon.com (auctions)

I’m sure there are many more, but those are my favorites.

- End of Lucia’s list - but there will be more interesting tid-bits to come. ;)

And since this is my blog I will add a footnote to these, well… because I can. ;) I will put in a buy-local pitch to also check with your local independent booksellers - they are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable lot.

In Richmond we are blessed with:

Fountain Bookstore - has a great new website that needs exploring,

Chop Suey books - that you saw at the Conf.,

Black Swan books that says “We buy and sell fine, unusual and rare books in most fields. We have a diverse stock catering to a variety of interests with particular emphasis in Antiquarian books, Americana, Civil War, History, Scholarly books, Art and Architecture. Additionally, we have an ever-increasing selection of prints, maps, and printed ephemera.”,

and a used book store on Midlothian that I can’t think of the name, and some others that are niggling at the edges of my mind that is still too brain-fried to think clearly anymore.

So Do try those first! If out-of-town, out-of-state, I know at least some of these ship, so send email / call and ask. I will also add a place where I’ve stumbled across out of print books online - Edward R. Hamilton, bookseller. Some I’ve missed by not being quick enough, but I’m often surprised by what I find there while browsing.

Yes, one of these days I will take time to do all the things I'm supposed to - fix this blog, and all that goes with it, change my Twitter from an egg-head, get all the laundry done - again, and oh, yeah, actually do some writing on my books!

And now I have such an urge to go out and search for / find books…. Guess I should rearrange my stacks and bookshelves first. Let me see how many steps…..

Fabulous

Joseph Papa, why yes, the one with the fabulous hair, the same, who also happens to be a publicist for a major New York publisher, gave a fabulous talk at the lovely Library of Virginia the other night, on book he has out that he has written [so yes I guess he does know what it's like to walk in our writer shoes, even if he doesn't know what it's like to have ordinary hair], on Elizabeth Taylor.

•Elizabeth Taylor: A Passion for Life by Joseph Papa

And why yes, you can get it at the Library of Virginia - I watched him sign extra books for them. [they had to run out and bring in extra!]

And also at Richmond's own Fountain Bookstore.

Fabulous!

It really was a fabulously interesting talk.

[and yes, his hair really was fabulous - I believe the fabulous Ellen Brown got a snapshot]

[and since this post is about fabulous, check out Ellen's book on Gone With the Wind.

Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind: A Bestseller's Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood

What an extraordinary woman she was. Elizabeth Taylor. [Ellen Brown is also ...which obviously I must post about sometime....after I get book writing done I think since she's always giving me that stern eye about getting to it, instead of ...well, probably this. But I will get back to them Ellen, after I finish this!]

Elizabeth Taylor was an extraordinary woman.

In more ways than one. Like she not Only had violet eyes, she had a double set of eyelashes. How's that for extraordinary.

Such interesting things about a woman that was extraordinary. And especially for her ability to survive.

You'll just have to pick up Joseph's book to find out more.

It will be even better to go hear him talk when you pick up the book so you can hear all the interesting things he knows that didn't make it to the book. [Yes, Fabulous things.]

Course you can't have a conversation about the fabulous Liz without mentioning her fabulous jewels.

Which are to be auctioned off.

I like this quote attributed to her here -

"Good Morning America" took a look at Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection, reportedly valued at $150 million.

The icon once talked to Barbara Walters about her love for all-things-bling, explaining, "The beauty, the perfection, God's workmanship. They're all from the ground." Her affinity for gemstones began as a child and continued as she counted husbands. Walters asked her if it was awkward for her new men to see their predecessor's presents. "So I've been told," Liz remarked. What did she do about it? "Encourage them to give me more." Naturally.

I like that so much.

Except I have one husband....and there hasn't been a predecessor for a very long time.... hmmmm, wonder how the fabulous Liz would have worked that with jewelry?

Or just worked that one husband thing.....

Is fabulous what we make it? And that was her real extraordinary gift?

• 
  

Another Reason to Support Your Indie Bookstore

Be sure to check out the wonderful blog post by Richmond's own Treasure and independent bookstore and bookstore owner, Fountain Bookstore's Kelly Justice.

And of course I'm sure she, and her great staff, will appreciate you strolling in and buying a book or two from them.

I'm sure they won't object if you even buy more than one or two from them either. Just sayin' .....

What You're Missing

What you missed by not attending last night's charity event and book talk and signing with Connor's Heroes and authors Ellen Brown and Elizabeth Thalhimer Smartt.

And what you miss when you don't attend book talks. You miss out on a Lot!

It was an interesting group and had wonderful questions.

Both authors were warm and sharing, and very very interesting. And shared new information they had just discovered / heard this week.

Am I going to share it with you? .......Nope. Cruel? Perhaps.

I will share this - Elizabeth, who has written the book 'Finding Thalhimers' is a very compelling speaker.

I will confess I had not purchased the book before since I'm not a native Richmonder or even grew up anywhere in the area, I didn't think I would find it very relevant, but she was so compelling in her speaking last night it was my husband lining up to buy her book! And he didn't grow up in Richmond either!

Yes, she's That good!

Of course Ellen Brown is just as savvy and just as compelling. I'd already purchased her book,

Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind: A Bestseller’s Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood

and had my husband grab it before I could even open it!

After hearing Ellen talk we both decided we must read Ellen's book before we tackle 'Gone With the Wind' [before I tackle it again....from long ago. A whole different story.]

But hopefully this will help you decide to go next time you see an event scheduled to hear an author talk.

Checking with your local indie bookseller is a good place to start.

Where ever you are located.

Here in Richmond we still have a few indie booksellers left around. Like the sharp, savvy, and not-hard-on-the-eyes-at-all Kelly Justice of Fountain Bookstore.

Check out the author events. And attend them. Even if you can't always afford to buy the books. Most people understand, and I think most people would rather have you fill an empty chair than not come at all?

As a writer you'll Always learn something.

Hot Descriptions, Maggie Stiefvater and Fountain Bookstore

Got your attention huh.

Okay…so it’s been awhile. Haven’t had a lot of rainy thoughts, just brutally hot days. That have drained the ‘little grey’ cells down to no color at all, from all the glaring hotness out here.

And what few were perhaps hiding in some corner of shade got diluted I think from all the sweat everyone is generating these days.

It’s just hot, people! Forget the fried egg thing, what about our poor little brains!

So I’ve probably written some. But nothing I felt I could post since I depressed poor Denise with my last post she requested something cheerful. I’m not very cheerful when it’s this hot. And I figured no one really wanted to read ‘It’s hot. Damn HOT’ over and over so I have kept myself as still as possible so I wouldn’t be generating more heat. Which meant no typing. You buying that? Sigh. Yeah. So. I’ve been slacking. As far as working a whole bunch on my current YA novel in progress. I’ve written more depressing ‘ditties’ than should be posted. Or ones dealing with all the hot weather. And being depressed about it.

I have written reports and all that kind of stuff though so I haven’t slacked with any of those important duties. Well, mostly. I think I got behind on couple of emails. But they got buried in my inbox. I certainly mean to answer things in timely manner. Did I mention I don’t do all that well in this kind of heat?

I did do a small bit of reading. Yes, totally unlike ‘normal’ me, since I’m usually a ‘rabid reader’ and have to have at least one, or usually more, books going at once. So yes, I have been very affected by the heat.

I picked up a book that Katharine – with an A – recommended, from her favorite author, Patricia McKillip. [yeah, right, she’s got A favorite author like I do. snort. So it’s got to be One of her faves.] and I was taken away by the descriptions…. From Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip –
….at the end of a breathless day when the air seemed so heavy and full of molten light, everyone sweated drops of gold instead of brine…

Sounds a whole lot better than my, It’s hot fool Hot, huh. Well around here I don’t think I’ve even thought of anyone sweating drops of gold instead of brine but it’s a great description to aspire to huh. Writerly or not. Uh, I’m not sure I want to know any more details than that really. But check out the book for some great descriptions. I’ll have to do another post of the great descriptions that caught my eye in the book. And post them for Denise. Since I think that might be as cheerful as I’m going to get right now. Did I mention the heat?

Oh, and if you are looking for a Wonderfully written, almost lyrical, book, do Not skip Maggie Stiefvater’s book Shiver….ooo and a lot of it takes place in winter. I obviously need to read it again. But the 2nd book in that series is now out as well – Very recently. That Maggie was at Fountain Books in Richmond, Va. today personally signing and doodling in for anyone / everyone that want Maggie originals! For those who won’t be able to see the Magnifi’ Maggie in person! Maggie’s official kickoff for Linger, which is name of said 2nd book, next Tuesday the 20th in Williamsburg. But for those that aren’t lucky to see her, definitely order from Fountain Books. Haven’t gotten my copy of Linger quite yet, launch next Tues. remember, altho' I was so tempted by Fountain's Maggie visit and doodling today, so can't vouch for how cool worthy it is in any sense of cool, but I can tell you Shiver is definitely worth it. Especially if you are a writer. And it’s not set in Virginia. In summer. In this kind of miserable heat. I figured by now you know it’s Hot here in central Virginia right?

And because it’s so hot I’m doing work for you, see how nice I am.

Here’s Maggie’s site: http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/

If you are a writer you Should also check out Maggie’s blog, Terrific info’ there!

And here’s Fountain Books: Be sure to tell Kelly ‘Hi’ They are all a great bunch of people in there they are. Not to mention most people think Kelly's hot any time of the year. ;)
http://www.fountainbookstore.com/

Ooooo and I just noticed they are having a buy a book get a couple of galleys free this coming Sat. July 17….. Hmmm, wonder how hot it’s going to be…. Forget that, wonder if I can sneak down there, or talk patient loving husband into vicinity….. he doesn’t mind the heat anyway.

And there's Maggie doodles in books waiting...just waiting..... Uh, her books only I presume. But given her uber talent and skills I'm betting even her doodles are Magnfi' !

hmmmmm, off to plot and scheme...and fan....

Books make Excellent Gifts!

Just sayin’ – there’s some Great books out that would look Great in someone’s hands this season. And this winter season curled up and cozy-like. [and No worries about sizes!]

From cozy mysteries such as Emyl Jenkins latest “The Big Steal” - Where you can also impress your friends with your sudden knowledge of antiques. http://sterlingglassmysteries.com/

To Maggie Stiefvater’s several books, her run-away hit “Shiver” with the different take on werewolves and love, to her latest book with her homicidal faeries, “Ballad” [companion to her debut book last year “Lament”] - http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/

And look at fung shui and your love corner with Joni Davis’ fun book – “Feng Shui Love” [can check it out on Wednesday Dec. 16^th at Fountain Books. http://www.fountainbookstore.com/event/meet-joni-davis-author-feng-shui-love ]

And if you love, or even like horses, or for those that do, be sure to pick up Gigi Amateau’s “Chancey of the Maury River” for them http://www.gigiamateau.com/

These are all local – local-ish writers around Richmond, Virginia. To check out their signings and other great Richmond writers such as Dean King, David Robbins, and many Many others, check out James River Writers calendar. http://www.jamesriverwriters.org/river_city_lit/calendar.htm

And while you’re there join up and join us at one of the many events JRW has around. We’re a pretty friendly crew – even when our writing is going snarly as Christmas ribbon.

And DO Support your local independent bookstore this season. Richmond, Virginia has several still left in town, although this year has seen some give up and go out of business so do consider helping out your local indie. They have cool gifts and cool people – as witnessed by Fountain Bookstore owner Kelly Justice and her cool helpful staff.

Tis the season to buy Books!

Works as a great gift for all the writers and readers you know! Especially if you give them more than one. ;-D

Just sayin’

Writing Show Thrills

Or as somebody said ‘penguin porn?’

For the last Writing Show this year, JRW pulled out an autumnal homage to the celebration of Poe. (No, I don’t think he had anything to do with penguins or penguin porn.) Okay, so not really about Poe, more of a sort-of-nod to the thought that some think Poe created the beginnings of modern mysteries. But it was about writing modern mysteries. So close enough. (yeah, you’re just waiting for that first part now aren’t you?)

JRWs own Board Member and Secretary Emyl Jenkins moderated. She of antique sleuthing mystery fame, with two great books under her belt now, had spent the early part of the day speaking in Williamsburg to an appreciative crowd and then another two hours signing her latest book, The Big Steal, for them! Luckily she has stamina and was able to hold the microphone and bring out a fun informative ending to this last Writing show of 2009. [Be sure to keep an eye on the JRW site, www.jamesriverwriters.org/ for the new Writing Shows in 2010.]

The night of mystery included some new faces to JRW, or at least to me and some. Meredith Cole and Andy Straka were both fun and funny. As well as Donna Andrews, not a new face to JRW, having just been at the recent JRW Conference, as well as the first one, but she’s certainly smart and willing to share her knowledge to other writers.

The discussion ranged from the different sub-genres that comprise the mystery writing field today to the latest fads and how to avoid following them. And to not consider self-publishing with a mystery genre book unless you are willing to spend quite the amount of money to make it a success. And even then to reconsider.

The ooh factor of the evening came from Andy bringing out his wonderful hawk. Yep, real live, and gorgeous. Nope I am not even going to tell you the hawk’s name. I will tell you it’s a Harrier Hawk. And let you conjecture from there. (and yes, I know you’re still waiting. No, I don’t think the hawk had anything to do with the penguins. Although Andy did joke that he and Donna had both taken P.I. courses and had discussed opening an agency called Flamingos and Hawk. Get their books and you'll get it.)

The gross of the evening was the question from audience member about said hawk’s diet when Andy couldn’t take it out hunting. Yes, he takes it out to do its own hunting for food. Normally. Luckily he’d already fed it. At least it didn’t seem to be all that interested in a room full of staring oohing writers. And we didn’t have to have the rest of the gory details. Blechhhh. I’ll just say Emyl mentioned to Andy she had an old microwave in her basement if he wanted to truck it back with him.

There was quite a bit of laughter during the evening, quite a funny panel for it to be so filled with the dastardly thoughts of mystery writing and doing away with people and the ways and means of making that all plausible. Does any other writing genre – other than horror maybe? – have people looking at them a bit strangely and then begin edging slowly away?

Although the most laughter came when Donna gave a requested reading – of a penguin sex scene. Donna Andrews is noted for her humorous mysteries. She has actually written two different mystery series but has the most books [10? 11, now?] in her very popular Meg Langslow mysteries. For those that haven’t read them, you should. They are funny. And when Emyl turned to Donna and asked her to read the penguin sex scene she had written (and said she’d actually witnessed!) in one of her books, well, let’s just say things must have gotten really quiet because Emyl turned back around and said, “you all’s eyes are just bugging” …and of course it was said as only Southern-lady Emyl would say it. [yeah, see what all you missed by not coming!]

You can read it yourself in Donna’s book, The Penguin Who Knew Too Much

And it is one of my favorite books of Donna’s. So far anyway. Certainly has one of my favorite first paragraphs! You’ll just have to go buy it and see for yourself.

Won’t be the same as having Donna read it, with Emyl prodding, but that’s what you get for not getting out and joining the rest of us for the great evening.

Makes you remember favorite writers like Emyl Jenkins and Donna Andrews, and meet new ones you want to read now like Meredith Cole and Andy Straka.

And maybe have your own harrier hawk someday or write a penguin sex scene of your own, and make it as funny as Donna’s. Oh, come on, I Know you want to! And NaNoWriMo is just around the corner you know! So you can!

But if you aren’t interested in writing one at least pick up the great books by the above mentioned authors from your local independent bookstore, in this case, from cool Kelly Justice of Fountain Bookstore fame. Then come and tell us all what you got from her.

And Be Independent!

When you are looking at some of these wonderful authors and books I've mentioned - shop independently, at your local independent book store.

There are several here in Richmond, Virginia. So do check them out.

Like James River Writers is lucky to have cool book store owner Kelly Justice bring her lovelies from Fountain Bookstore to every JRW Writing Show, so we don't even have to go to her store, she comes to us!

And while I'm sure Kelly would say shop independently where ever you are, I'm sure she'd be glad to talk to you about sending you what you are looking for. Like one of the authors and books I've been mentioning perhaps!

Just a suggestion! ;)

And a Good one! ;)

Artistic Minds at Work!

No, I didn't say autistic, artistic, artistic! And I'm not really referring to mine anyway - Of Course it's Maggie's again!!! Is there Someone Else you know that is that freaking talented!!!??? And Multi Talented!!!! I mean Really! It's....it's.... uh, challenging - or intimidating - to a writer that's still looking around for the bushel baskets let alone for the talent that might be hiding under them!!

Anyway, 'Mugnificant' Maggie, shows how she did that amazing trailer for her new book coming out. The work she put in on it!!! .... well, you find yourself being Really Impressed. And a little scared. ;-D Just kidding Maggie!!! But What an undertaking! And no, don't any of you be expecting any of that from me any time soon. or ever.
But here's the link to see the great trailer she did, if you haven’t seen it yet, and the background of how she did it. Including the Really great music she wrote, arranged and played for it!!! I Know! Sheesh!!!! ;) ;)
http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/114434.html

And in Other news, not exactly related to anything Maggie – although I did see the cool chick Kelly Justice owner of Fountain Books tonight….and we did chat about Maggie’s book launch that’s going to be at Fountain Books just a couple days after the James River Writers Conference in October [where don’t forget Maggie’s going to be also!!]

There was a Lot of new people there tonight at Writers Wednesday! Denise is doing Such a good job with keeping Writers Wednesday ‘open’ for the summer! She’s also doing such a good job of remembering everybody’s names!! ;)

Some of the people I was talking to was saying how great it was to be able to mingle and talk to a bunch of writers.

How ‘regular’ people just don’t understand it when we talk about how much characters can sass and give lip about changes we want to make, and resist it all the way. Until we give up and give in to them and what They want. ;) Or how sometimes how just chatting with a character in your story can be very enlightening.

Yes, most writers have learned to not speak of such things to other ‘non’ writer people. Most are scared enough of our mutterings to ourselves trying to get our dialog right. And I won’t even go into the reactions of trying out weapon trajectories and things of that sort!

So it is with thankful heart all the writers in the Richmond area have turned to James River Writers and its great assortment of writers, both published and struggling to get published. And for being able to come to a place where you don’t have to worry about people scurrying away from you in alarm. Well, mostly anyway. ;)

So the next 2^nd Wednesday of Every month come join us! And check out JRW for other events we turn up for also. ;) http://jamesriverwriters.org/

And if you were one of the new writers at Writers Wednesday tonight and have stumbled across this – Ya’ll come back now, ya hear !!!!

Checking out books and all things bookstore

Shoot. No, don't do it literally! Although I should really know better than to go over and read Maggie's blog before I decide to post something here. She's witty and cute, And she has pictures! I'm picture challenged. I hate having my picture taken. So that's why I have no pictures posted anywhere. Just these weird guy looking icon things everywhere. That is disturbing. Maybe I should take time to do a drawing of self. ;)
Course then it'd mean I'd finally have to take time to upload the thing. Uh, that's another reason there's just disturbing weird guy icons representing me places. On line at least. ;) That I know of!
Sigh. Another thing on the to-do list. I Really am trying to focus on writing! Really! Uh, on my novels, not here. In case there should be some clarification or something.

But the piles of the notes for my various to be completed novels - adult, young adult, children, - I am an equal opportunity writer! [There's even poetry thrown in there.]
The stacks were getting so unruly. And I didn't want them mingling with the James River Writers volunteer notes and getting ideas or notions, so I've spent some time trying to tame the 'paper tiger' that I assume all writers have.

But that's not what this post was going to be about! [And people wonder why I have such a hard time sitting down to actually write!]

I was going to write a nice shout-out to Kelly Justice at Fountain Bookstore.
And to her great staff of course!
I've picked up and read things I never would have read if not for them and their recommendations. [no actual arm twisting is involved I swear! even though I would like to claim such to ease my bookshelf-overload-woes.]

Fountain Books brings books to every James River Writing Show each month. Which I really appreciate. Well, mostly. It is a bit of a challenge to show restraint.
But it is nice to have one-stop-convenience. Writing Show provides authors to listen to, and gain wisdom from, and Fountain Books provides books so can have author sign it right there.
Pretty nifty if you ask me.
And if you happen to see Kelly manning the table behind the books, well, she's got to be one of the coolest gals that ever hangs around writers!!
You should definitely come check her out. ;) As well as the books of course. And James River Writing Show. As well as all things James River Writers in Richmond, Virginia.