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!!!!

Fantasy Writers Should Read This

Well, this blog post on the link here.

There’s some Great guidelines / information on creating / writing / thinking about Fantasy in a new and different way.

With some great examples of / references to a well known YA writer of werewolves we know and Really like.

Okay, so if you aren’t into playing guessing games - the examples are given using Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver story. [No, I’m not spoiling it, My time’s limited here, isn’t yours?]

Go on over and check out the link - even if you are just not ruling out the possibility of someday perhaps writing fantasy you’ll appreciate the intriguing thoughts and advice.

Thoughts ... and Thanksgiving

So it's that time of year again. The beginning of the mad rush of holiday season. Ho Ho Ho
Given my last post I betcha you are wondering if I have faith in that any more either. I admit there are times it gets to be so hectic and non-pleasurable that it is easier to relate to Scrooge than his nephew, and his nephew's good will.
But the movie I saw keeps coming to mind so I am trying to look for the good, in life, in people.

And how often do we feel like we lead such insular lives that really has no effect on anyone else or anyone else's lives. Yet how many times has an author somehow managed to speak to you somehow through their writing?
Probably a lot more than you realize.

For another perspective on what we say matters --- what we say to others. And just as important what we say to ourselves, even if it's the tiny quiet voice inside that often mocks us, what we do, and what we feel is important.
---- check out Maggie Stiefvater's video of her speech at NASA on her blog post of November 23, Maggie And the Astronauts
http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/184653.html

Maggie still has her funny wit and humor and all - but surprisingly she has a very serious message that you should check out.
Might make you speak kinder to others - and to yourself. Even if just for this holiday season, that's a start.

Since we all can find things to be thankful for. And I want to thank all of you that are reading this. And all the wonderful people that support me. Or at least think kindly of me. And hopefully will speak well of me, and better to me as well as everyone in their lives.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Making Your Writing Life

As mentioned in previous blog post about the book, Making a Literary Life, Advice for Writers and Other Dreamers, by Carolyn See, where she says ‘don’t write what you know, write what you care about.” Which as I mentioned in my post, I’m not sure I, or a lot of writers I know, agree with.

But she does talk about writing 1,000 words a day, every day, 5 days a week, which she says is about 4 pages a day, which is achievable for most people, and pretty easy. So she says. She does caveat that with a few other thoughts, but I’ll leave that to you to read the book. She also talks about writing notes To people too, but you’ll need to read the book and decide on your things yourself.

Basically it’s just getting in the habit of writing. Turning off the awful critic in your head and going with the words that are churning around in there. And probably everywhere else in you if you’re like a lot of writers I know.

Here, Maggie does a great post on it here - http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/172898.html

“ It doesn’t matter what the routine is, just that you make the decision to write, and you do. And then keep it up, even after the flush of that first passion wears off and other insanely better ideas begin waving and offering you skittles. And remember…”

I don’t really like skittles all that much but Maggie does make a great point in what she’s trying to say.

There aren’t too many writers I know that haven’t at some point been lured away from their current amore that they are hard at work writing on, or hopefully hard at work on, to dabble with a new idea or story line. Thinking that this new love is very possibly The one that we should be working on. Instead of that very familiar, possibly stale, one we’ve been living with for awhile, and probably what seems like ages. I think most of us will tell you, don’t fall for it. Don’t fall for the stranger, no matter what candy he’s holding out to you. Maggie’s skittles or not. Didn’t your momma even tell you that?

What seems to work with most of us, again, hopefully, is to jot down that lovely new idea and character thoughts, and then give them a deep meaningful stare and quick kiss, and get back to your long-time, and probably neglected love, hopefully before they know you’ve been gone for any length of time. You’ll be better for it. Perhaps even your story will. And at the very least you don’t have to worry about what you’re going to do when your current love affair with what you are currently writing comes to its inevitable ‘The End’…. You’ll be ready to pick up a new one with that lovely dish that is just waiting in the wings. The waiting makes you both grow stronger you know. Since I know you’ve added thoughts to that file here and there along the way, when you’ve slipped out away from your current. That’s okay as long as you don’t abandon your current for a fling that ends up coming to nothing. Most writers have more than their share of woes there. Stay the course. Finish what you’ve begun. You’ll be glad. Especially since I’m going to give a couple of other things I did like from the book.

Here’s couple of other quotes from the book that I liked - …’Australian Aboriginals say if you don’t “sing your world into being,” no one else will’…. ‘No one else has your information.’

But my favorite from the book – “Roger Simon, a fine mystery writer, once gave a wonderful speech, in which he said: The success of any of your friends is a genuine cause for rejoicing, because it brings you closer to the charmed circle of people who are doing their best work and having a good time.”

That sounds like a good reason for everyone to come and hang out and support all the great people that are James River Writers, doesn’t it?

And if you make plans to do it this Thursday night, August 26^th, at the Children’s Museum of Richmond, you can also learn about how to reach out and touch people on the internet as well. Not a bad way to spend an evening, eh?

Hope to see you there!

Hitching Down the Internet Road

The internet is an amazing thing, isn’t it? Especially for a writer. All that information right there at your tapping fingertips.

Course it’s easy to get sucked into the roaming lifestyle and just keep on truckin’ down that road. Oh look, I must stop there and take in a few of the sites. And then it becomes, oh look they are quoting interesting sites and know such interesting places, perhaps I can take just a slight detour.....

And even while you’re doing it you can hear your mamma in your head going ‘No! No! Stay away from the road! Keep away from that moving fast trucker. Or that beguiling dude in the smart looking vehicle.’ And yet, we are still tempted to take just a little peek. Or just a little minute…..

And next thing you know you’ve been alien abducted and thrown out on your computer chair hours later with no recollection of all the time loss and probably with very little memory left – but hopefully without any actually probe stuff happening. Ick. Unless you are into that sort of thing. And, uh, not that I have a prejudice thing going, but I really don’t think I wanna hear about that okay.

As a writer I have a lot of interests and things that catch my eye. Also being a woman, I am also caught by ‘oooo pretty’ ….whether from www.kirksfolly.com and their whimsically wonderful jewelry and accessories, to the pretty pretty wonderful shades of mineral makeup of Heather at http://www.heatheresque.com/ Go over and be inspired by her new site, and her wonderful colors. They really are Amazing! You won’t believe them when you see in ‘real’ life rather than on the ‘internet road.’ And just the names she gives them will make you grin. *grin* Really [and she’s got an eye shadow clearance going on right now at $1.50 a jar!!! Amazing! I’m tellin’ you!]

If any of you have read any of my blog at all you probably notice I mention Maggie Stiefvater and her blog a whole awful lot. Well, since her recent book ‘Linger’ debuted at #1 on NYT bestseller list! If I can learn anything from her and her blog, which I always do in some form or another, then I figure it’s well spent time.

As for the other travelings ….well, let’s just say I’m trying to stay in camp for awhile and finish the YA [young adult, for those non-writers out there] novel that I am currently working on.

But if you have any great sites to see that I Really should…..then Do let me know! Maybe I can buzz over and pick you up on the way. And if we drive real fast we can maybe be back before anyone misses us…. sitting right in our own little chairs innocently working on our works-in-progress just writing away. If not maybe we’ll pass each other along the way. I’ll probably be the one wildly looking around trying not to miss anything.

Unless I’m lost and just wandering along the road. Then please stop and at least point me in the right direction. I’ve helped you out a few times here on this blog after all. At least I’ve not left you mired in your rut of writing but tried to offer assistance where I could. Turn about’s just fair play right?

See ya around somewhere? ::::hitches pants up and moseys off chewing a toothpick::: ….just kidding, I’m off to post this on my own hitching-post site. Wait, I just went from cars to horses. Figures. No wonder my site’s been in the slow lane. Ah, well, keeps us from all getting whiplash, huh?

So if you can, sit a spell, and tell me where your travels have taken you recently. I can tell you Maggie’s site is always entertaining, and often enlightening about a Lot of things – including ham-sandwich publishing. http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/166676.html

Like I said, the road has all kinds of things.

Let me know what you find out there…..

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....

Maggie Strikes Again - Check it out

Maggie Stiefvater has done it again.

Not only writing another book to come out in July, continuing the story she started in her successful 'Shiver' book, but she of course being Maggie and all, had to create, make, film, as well as create all the music for, And play most of the instruments for, her new trailer for the book! I know. Sheesh.

Now it's easy to understand why people are missing some talents, sure looks like Maggie, and possibly even her family, got most of them all!

If you haven't read 'Shiver' yet then do read it. You have time before the next books comes out. If you hurry.

Well if you hurry and buy it and start reading. Once you start reading I think the writing and story will take you over so you won't have any problem finishing it in time before the next one.

Yes, it's that good. And yes that well written.

You won't be sorry.

And while you are checking out this trailer for Maggie's latest soon-to-be-out book, be sure to also check out the trailer she did for 'Shiver' since it also shows Maggie's talent with scissors and musical instruments and imagination. Yeah, another Sheesh. But you definitely should check them out.

Here, if I done this right, hopefully this will make it easier. If not go over to her Facebook Fan Page, or one of her blogs and check them out. You won't be sorry, there's Lots of great information that Maggie shares.

She shares a Lot of great information on her blogs, she has one on LiveJournal and she has one on BlogSpot. You can get to hers by clicking on the Friends section of my blogs since I have her linked there.

And here is the plain old link:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l59sMzeA_vQ

Contracts and Business, oh my

For writers looking at the business side of writing, and shouldn’t we All be looking at that? Hmmmm? Unless you are just writing for funsies. In which case you might not need this post. But do stay and tell me about your fun. I could stand to live a little vicariously through someone else sometimes, especially when it comes to writing.

For the rest of us, Chip MacGregor has a great blog entry on what to watch out for on Contracts.

And in case you are new to my blog, or somehow just missed my previous scintillating but few posts, no, Chip MacGregor is not my agent. Yet anyway. I am wise enough to never rule much of anything out. Especially these days. But Chip MacGregor is the agent of another JRW member that I have met. Friend of a friend thing. Happens a lot in the writing community, especially in James River Writers. Which is why you should join. Right Katharine? If you are in the Richmond, Virginia area at a time to come to one of JRWs events do come meet Katharine Herndon JRW Membership Chair.

Anyway, back to business of writing business, in particular Contracts. Duh-duh-ta-duh. Don’t know why that I put that there, it just popped into my head as a musical cue. And yeah, okay, I’m the first to admit this isn’t a Maggie blog, she’d have put in the U-Tube link video for you to enjoy. But I also admit that yes, you do indeed need to check out Maggie’s blog. She has great advice on it. Although I don’t think I quite buy one of her recent entries about how even she ‘sucked’ at things. Yeah, not so much that I’ve seen. If that’s her way of sucking then I’m going to do okay.

But back to the point of this post….sheesh, now you guys see why I do a lot of editing.

Maggie has great advice on her blog, and Chip MacGregor has great advice. [and for the newbies to my blog here, that's Maggie Stiefvater, you'll find a link here in several of my previous posts where I talk about her magnificance.] Maggie has writer’s point of view, Successful writer, I should add. And Chip has advice from an agent’s view. Assume he’s successful since he’s still in business as an agent. ;)

So check out his blog. And Also check out the link to another blog he has in his blog entry. It not only links to a blog that has some really interesting writing tips – Denise, you might want to especially look! I don’t really write the romance novel and I found some great tips there! – but it gives a great nod to Kit Wilkinson’s new novel! Congratulations Kit!!!!

Anyway – that’s it. Here’s the summary. Come on, it’s not like you don’t go digging for distractions when you are trying to avoid writing. Hmmmm? Not that I would know anything about that of course…… oh gee, look at the time, I’ve got things to do…..

http://chipmacgregor.typepad.com/

May 04, 2010

The Worst of Contracts

.......By the way, a cool bit of news today... Steeple Hill's Executive Editor, Joan Marlow Golan is being interviewed over at www.seekerville.blogspot.com , and has nice things to say about Kit Wilkinson's new novel, Sabotage...

And for those that really aren’t going to dig….

Here’s Kit’s new novel mention ;)

Yay Kit!!!

And of course she welcomesinnovative stories, such as SABOTAGE by Kit Wilkinson (June 2010), in which the heroine, a horsewoman, is an Olympic hopeful, and the hero, her temporary groom, has actually been hired by her father as a personal bodyguard.

Quick and Dirty Guide

Maggie's Guide to Getting Published

And if you thought something else what are you doing here hmmm? I mean really, should be ashamed of yourself. I'm not going to post anything like That here.
I'm not sure Maggie will either but she's younger and more adventurous than I perhaps. ;) But she does have great writing advice. As most regular or irregular readers here know that I reference her blog site a Lot. So her blog is a good one to check out regularly. [you can check out my Friends list at top here.] But this is on her Facebook fan site, and is too good for any writer to miss. So re-posted here for those that aren't on Facebook or aren't Maggie's friend/fan. And if you aren't, why aren't you? Okay, so if you aren't on Facebook, I understand. I have a page and I'm not there all that much either. But if you aren't a fan of Maggie's.... well, I just don't know about you then. And if her great book 'Shiver' didn't change your mind, maybe this will. Otherwise maybe we do need to talk here. hmmmmm????

Oh and no, fortunately or unfortunately, haven't decided which yet ;), I'm not Maggie. But I am a fan.
And no I don't believe in telling people what to do - I don't Really! - but you should check her out. Or at least her great, and savvy, advice. So here's some of what I'm talking about that Maggie shares.


Maggie Stiefvater (Really, it's me): Quick & Dirty Guide to Getting Published

Maggie Stiefvater (Really, it's me)'s Notes
Quick & Dirty Guide to Getting PublishedShare
Today at 6:32am
I get asked a lot if it's difficult to become an author, so here is my very abbreviated rundown of the process. I'm also going to try to format it prettily so I hope that works.

1. Read. The more you read, the better you'll be as an author. Good novels are your text books. I'm always very suspicious of someone who tells me they want to be a writer but can't tell me five books they've read recently. Read, read, read!

2. Write. A lot. Write all the time. When you're not reading, practice writing. The odds of your first novel being good enough to publish is pretty darn slim. I started writing when I was in my teens and had 30 (horrible) novels written by the time I was in college. But I certainly didn't try to get most of those published. They were just practice and I knew it.

3. Rewrite. The rough draft is just the beginning. No matter how wonderful you think it is, put it down for two weeks -- don't let yourself read it or think of it. Read lots of novels in between. Then come back to it, and slice and dice. Use index cards to write down the scenes, mix them up, see if you need new ones, see if two characters could be made into one to be more efficient, make sure your protagonist is gripping from the beginning. Writing is the fun part. Rewriting is when it becomes a BOOK.

4. Be Honest. With yourself. Are you really ready to be published? You want to make sure that the first novel you send out there is amazing. Don't be discouraged if it's not. As long as you work hard, keep plugging along, keep learning, it's "when" not "if."

5. Google. Be Knowledgeable. Everything you need to know about the publishing process is available online at blogs, websites, and on publisher sites. You'll be competing against writers who have done all their research to make sure everything is formatted properly, so don't be the one that gets tossed aside for looking unprofessional. I have links to sites that I like on my website, on the links page.

4. Query. The next stage is querying. A query is a one page letter describing your novel -- and this is the only thing that you will send agents, who are the people who will represent your novel to publishers. Most of the big publishers will not look at queries from unagented authors. They count on the agents to weed out the ones that aren't ready yet. You can find agents that represent your kind of books at Agent Query. And you can find my recommendations about query letters on my blog here.

5. Be Patient. And keep your spirits up. Be prepared for a lot of "no"s. I have hundreds of them. The fact is, you might not be ready. Or you might not be that agent's cup of tea. You may need to revise more. This part is fun, not stressful. If you're getting a lot of form rejections -- letters back that just say "dear author, not for us" it means you need to revise your query to be more appealing. If you're getting requests for partial manuscripts and then rejections, it means you need to revise your manuscript. Take all requests and suggestions for the wonderful, free advice that they are. And remember, it's a process, it takes a long time, and it's fun. It's also not a gamble -- good novels WILL get requests. It's not whether or not you send it on a Monday or include hershey's kisses with your submission.

6. DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO BE YOUR AGENT OR PUBLISH YOUR BOOK T

There are many, many scam artists out there. Agents should never ask for money up front -- they get their money when they sell your book, and that's it. A publisher that asks you to pay them is called a vanity publisher, and while there are reasons to pay to get ar book published (for example, a cookbook your church is doing for a fundraiser), there is NO reason to pay for your novel, your work of fiction, published. Publishers pay their authors, not the other way around.

New Year's - what's in the air

Maybe it’s the New Year’s air or something but have you noticed all the people around you setting resolutions and goals and all those sort of things?

Or maybe it’s just my people. I know a Lot of this has to do with Maggie Stiefvater and her blog posts. She’s quite the influence, Maggie is. She does have really helpful things to say so it is worth going over and being influenced by her. Not sayin’ they’re bad or good influence, that’s up to you to decide. I think I am still deciding. ;)

So here’s Maggie’s link for you to check out and decide for yourself.

http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/139313.html I do expect you to come back here and tell me if she influenced you though – good or bad. ;)

For another very interesting and helpful look on working on hard things, especially for writers working on the hard business of getting Just the right words, do check out Leslie Pietrzyk’s blog.

I’m so glad I met Leslie at a James River Writers Writing Show this past year. For those that were there at the Writing Show and wondering, she was talking about the writing group she has with fellow author Carolyn Parkhurst who was also on the Writing Show panel [and was at the JRW Conference couple years back. On one of the panels I got to moderate.]

Leslie has a wonderful blog that I discovered after I met her and she always has something interesting on it. She is currently off teaching and is running some of her previous posts, and having discovered her blog fairly recently, I’m very glad she is!

So if you are struggling with something hard to do, go check out her blog entry mentioned below. It’s specially geared toward writers and writing but I think it could apply to any hard thing you had to do. Just be a little open when you read it. But especially if you are a writer I think you’ll be glad you checked it out.

http://workinprogressinprogress.blogspot.com/

Author Leslie Pietrzyk explores the creative process and all things literary.

Oldies but Goodies, 3: In Praise of Discipline

Posted: 06 Jan 2010

And after you read the 06 Jan post, keep scrolling to the 05 Jan and read it. Especially if you’ve been one of those writers in recent months talking to me about knowing when the time is to abandon what you are whacking your head against and leave it as it is where it is, and when it is time to take that discipline talked about in the Discipline post and persevere.

Leslie has some very interesting insights that are definitely worth checking out. On all her blog posts. And if you don’t want to miss those interesting insights sign up for them to be sent to you by email the way I did. So I can save them and bludgeon my unruly inner writer whenever need be. Hold on I need to go do that now.

So you go check out the posts and then come back and let me know what you think. I’m right, yeah?

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’

Come hear my Ballad

Well, not mine actually, since I don’t sing or play music. I’m thinking of a couple of things about Ballads recently.

One of the things that seems to be cropping up is the use of music to inspire writers in their writing. Do you use music to help you work? And how do you choose it?

Maggie Stiefvater talks about her playlists quite a bit on her blog – and how she uses music as she works at her writing. She even picks out her music beforehand. And seems to spend a bit of time and quite a bit of thought doing so, to find just the right feeling of music.

Amazing. I’m not sure what kind of mish-mash of music I’d come up with if I did that. I’m sure that when I get back to the book I have partially written that’s set in Ireland that I’ll be listening to a lot of Celtic music. And will probably be combing Maggie’s playlists to find ones that seem to fit with the mood I want to create.

But normally I don’t listen to a lot of music. Probably because the story I’ve been working on for so long was such a jumbled mess for so long. The music I tried to listen to – hey seems to work for Maggie and can’t argue with her success now can we! ---but the music I tried to listen to that would, you would think anyway, move the story along just really got on my nerves. And let me tell you that didn’t help me with the story writing all that much!

Course Maggie does Everything well! Not that I begrudge her, Lord a-mercy, she sure seems to work hard enough for it! She is a Very accomplished artist, as well as musician, and now accomplished New York Times bestselling author! With books from Two separate publishing companies out at same time for criminy sakes!

Her first book with Scholastic just came out August 1^st – Debuting at #9 on the NYTimes list!

Her second book with Flux Publishing – her third book published in less than a year!!! – called ‘Ballad’ has just been released October 1^st. And the publisher is already having to call for another printing to stock all the bookstores!

Her book ‘Ballad’ is having its launch here in Richmond this Thursday, October 8^th, at Fountain Books.

And if you pre-order/reserve a copy, Maggie’s sweetening the deal with some of her signed artwork – you can check it out here on her website – http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/129487.html

And while you’re there on her site, check out her trailer she did for ‘Ballad’ – it’s right there, just hit play! Yep, showing all her talents - drawing, music, writing. And yep, if she wasn’t so darn nice and generous with her advice she gives on her blog and website for All aspiring writers, she’d be a lot easier to grumble about. But I can’t. Cause she gives Very helpful advice. Check out her blog and see for yourself. And come back here and mention it to me – in case I’ve gotten swamped again with all the things trying to take over my life, and I missed it!!

And come tell me about your Ballad. Maggie’s ‘Ballad’ is terrific! I will warn you, once you start you won’t want to put it down! It’s not ‘Shiver’ so doesn’t have wolves in it, but I did find myself growling at my husband when he was interrupting my reading of ‘Ballad!’ [and luckily I don’t play bagpipes or instruments like James or Dee, since I probably would have been way too tempted to bash him with them. Only Slightly! Only slightly! He is my husband after all. :::love you sweetheart ;) :::]

So when you get your Ballads, come back here and tell me about them. Whether music you’ve discovered, or writing. And especially come back and tell me of any writing helps and hints. I Really want to get this book I’m working on done so I can go on/back to the other stories I have languishing in wait.

Okay so Talk! To me! ;) Tell me all about your Ballads, sung and unsung.

Everybody has them. Don’t they?

Maggie Maggie Maggie

Maybe this is why the music and lyrics keep popping up in my head? No, surely can't be, because they aren't the same as these. At all.

But the prolific and super-multi-talented Maggie Stiefvater has done it again. Writing, music - writing, composing And playing of course - and various art forms. And she just keeps on displaying them - check this one out for her book out in October called 'Ballad'

And no this is Different than the music and art and film she did for her phenomenal book out Now called 'Shiver.' So you Should check that out too.
But here's the one for 'Ballad.' Enjoy.

and if that doesn't work the way it's supposed to - try this. cause it would be a shame for you to miss Maggie's really great creativeness, just because I'm trying to focus on all things writing instead of all things blogging and how to really do it.

And here is the plain old link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooq9ioOgcmY

The Highs and Realities of Writing Life

For those that are keeping track of Maggie Stiefvater’s phenomenal success with her latest book ‘Shiver’ – which debuted at #9 on New York Times bestseller list last week!

It is now #5 !!!

Congratulations Maggie!!!

And don’t forget she’s going to be at the James River Writer’s Conference in October so you all can sign up and come talk to her – before the rates go up on the Conf.!

For those that follow Maggie’s blog, she generously shares writing advice, and other practical things, such as how she manages to fit in writing with everything else she does [don’t forget she’s also an artist And a musician. Which is what I meant in my previous post that she is a bit scary. She’s So darned talented! ‘Shiver’ her latest book is written So darn well!!! And she’s darn cute. And incredibly nice. What’s not to be scared of! ;) ]

And such wonderful ‘real life’ adventures of parenting while finding out from her super-duper editor that her book that Debuted at #9 on the NYT list, is Now at #5 !

It’s too funny not to read for yourself –

http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/121026.html

Funny how reality comes in to keep us all centered and grounded huh? ;-D

Maggie reports that Things have settled down now. And yeah, that is a fun play with Maggie’s words. You’ll have to go over and read her post to get it.

Oh, word of warning, do Not be drinking anything while reading her post. Several comments said beverages were spewed over keyboards over it. Yeah, it’s pretty funny!

Come back here and tell me what you thought. You can type while you’re laughing can’t you?

Advice on How to Write a Novel

Maggie’s advice on how to write a novel - it's not to be missed for any writer -

http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/120688.html

This is also Fabulous Great advice from Maggie, from when she had her art blog [it also has some of her lovely pictures]

It is certainly worth checking out for her pictures, but do Not miss the advice!

http://greywarenart.blogspot.com/2008/07/virtual-sketching-and-butt-kicking.html

Yes she truly is wise beyond her years. [and a bit scary. ;) ]

JRW Conference Has Another NYT Bestseller!!! Maggie Strikes Again!

The oh-so-multi-talented Maggie Stiefvater, hereby just referred to as "Mugnificant Maggie" - oh second thought, maybe just Your Highness, since she has said she wants to be Queen ;) -- and is probably getting pretty close to that!

She's the author of the much acclaimed new book 'Shiver' which has debuted #9 on the NYT Bestseller List!!!

Congratulations Maggie!!



[See yesterday's post for my Blog Interview with Maggie. And previous post for my book review of 'Shiver']

And Yay! James River Writers Conference in October has another NYT Bestselling author!!!! Be sure to come meet her and all the other writers and agents and editors! And me. ;) http://www.jamesriverwriters.org/




Check out Maggie's reaction here: http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/119747.html

Shiver your way through August heat

Take a break from the sweltering August heat and pick up a copy of Maggie Stiefvater’s new book ‘Shiver.’

You won’t regret your reading experience.

From the beginning to the end, Maggie brings you into the world of Grace and Sam. With sight, and sound, texture and feel, Maggie weaves you into the world they inhabit that will satisfy readers whether they normally read fantasy genre or not. For those that do regularly read fantasy there’s enough out-of-normalness to keep you entertained, but for those that don’t read fantasy she keeps it real enough and so plausible to make you want to look around at people and wonder.

Maggie’s first book, “Lament – The Faerie Queen’s Deception” is also a good book along those lines. Yes, it deals with homicidal faeries which I mostly hope we don’t really encounter that much, but Maggie does a good job of keeping it ‘real’ enough to believe it could be possible.

As you read them you will see Maggie’s growth as a writer. And makes you anticipate seeing her new books in both of the series.

As a writer I admired her writing for its vivid use of sight, sound, and feel. As a reader I was caught up in the bittersweet story that had its moments of humor and heart.

As both a reader and a writer it is easy to get caught up in Maggie’s easy flow of words and characters that are so well written that even the secondary characters stand out and make it hard to wait for the next book to tell you what you didn’t find out here. And Isabel will manage to kick you if you don’t agree. She will be peeved that you are ruining her expensive shoes but she won’t be afraid to use them on you. Okay, so obviously you need to read the book to see what I mean. But Isabel also offers the humor needed to give a bit of relief from the taut tension that Maggie seems to effortlessly create.

And since the hard thing about reviews is to talk open and honestly about a story yet not spoil the fun for the new readers, I’ll just say that I think a Lot of people will enjoy this book. Maggie’s expressive taut writing will captivate the writers, her descriptive imagery will captivate the reader. This book will touch the heart of both.

And like this passage in the very early pages of the book demonstrates, it did:

“…. Behind the counter, I slouched on my stool in the sun and sucked in the summer as if I could hold every drop of it inside of me. As the hours crept by, the afternoon sunlight bleached all the books on the shelves to pale, gilded versions of themselves and warmed the paper and ink inside the covers so that the smell of unread words hung in the air.

This is what I loved, when I was human.”

For those intrigued enough to come back tomorrow I will be posting an Interview with Maggie!

So do come back tomorrow and also be sure to visit the James River Writers website and check out the Conference where you can meet and talk with Maggie for yourself in October. And have her sign your very own copy of Shiver. So pick it up and have it help you stay cool until then.

http://jamesriverwriters.org/jrw_programs/conference/

We sure hope to see you there!

Storytellers weave life as a story

Tell me a story.

That’s what people really want to hear. Something beyond their own day to day existence that clicks by without even an audible sound. Would it be easier if the days clicked off like the pieces on a game board with a resounding snap? Even if not a loud sound, would that feel more real somehow than the mind numbing sameness of days flowing by without end? Quicker than what we can grasp and hold in our hands, flowing through our fingers faster than liquid thinner than tears.

I think people want to be transported some way. Out of the humdrum sameness of what they know and live and into someone else’s life, universe, or mind. Not that we actually want to be there, or can even be there. But that’s okay, we can stay safe in our own homes, curled up, comfortable and secure. Or be in a place where we want to escape, need to escape, and the only way is through our dreams, and other people’s dreams, and stories.

Yes, people want to hear stories. Whether told by master storytellers by writing on a page or whispered directly to the ear, the words they use should end up somewhere near the heart. A true storyteller transcends the form and goes directly to the heart, soul, and mind.

Tell me a story. It doesn’t have to be yours. It could be a character that’s shown up and won’t leave. I certainly have plenty of experience of those kind myself, peeking out at me from inner recesses of my brain, they brush their teeth and glare at me because I am taking so long to get to them and the story they want to tell me so I can tell it out. They reluctantly shuffle off muttering balefully at my slowness in getting to them and their reluctance to believe I will eventually get to them, and their marvelously compelling story they began to tell me.

Tell me a story. No, it doesn’t have to be yours. It just has to seem real enough to transport us from where we are, and entertain, amuse, or move us in some way.

A true storyteller does all these things. And there are some Great storytellers in the Richmond area, including a lot that volunteer and keep James River Writers going, such as, to mention just a few, Emyl Jenkins, Gigi Amateau, etc…. And they have new books out so be sure to take a look and immerse yourself – place yourself in their very capable storytelling hands. And then come to the James River Writers Conference this fall and meet them, and other wonderful storytellers, such as area hit, Maggie Stiefvater.

Maggie Stiefvater started her storytelling skills with her first book “Lament” – after honing her well developed art and music skills - and continues in her latest book “Shiver” about Grace and Sam and cold and heat. Of all kinds. Join me this week as I dish my review of her book “Shiver” and post an interview of Questions and Answers and all things Maggie. Okay, so she’s just Way too talented to be confined by that sentence even, so let me just say I’ll be posting a review of her new book ‘Shiver, posting some Maggie Answers, and …well, we’ll have to see what else Maggie shows up, won’t we. Stay tuned.