It's the Most Wonderful Day of the Year

¹ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:1, 4-14

Holiday stress?

Less than a week until Christmas. Do you have your shopping done? Your cookies baked? Decorating done? Your presents wrapped? And when are the relatives going to descend upon you? But wait. When are you going to get your hair cut? Groceries? This time of year? Who has time for groceries?

Yes, it's that time of year, and Christmas is encroaching quickly with Thanksgiving falling late this year. Less time to fit in all that last minute fun. The planners among us have taken this all into consideration and are all ready, set, go.

Me? Yes, I'm a little behind this season, but I've reached an age where I would rather leave something "undone" than stress about it. I haven't made as many cookies this year as in some years. My tree is up and decorated, but some of the other decorating I normally do isn't done (an no one will notice but me). I have a present for everyone, although they're not wrapped yet. That's on today's agenda. If the holiday season is fraught with stress, it's impossible to enjoy it, and I love Christmas too much to worry about the "little" things. More important is spending time with my family, and the day job has generously offered me four days of holiday in the next two weeks. Time to enjoy the people around me and in the quiet moments, enjoy the things that make me who I am (like writing).

Preparing for my post-Christmas book binge. I already have an uncorrected pre-pub edition of a Jayne Ann Krentz novel and another indie book that I'll be picking up tomorrow to review. Several on my "wish list" that I expect to purchase after Christmas and then I'll curl up in my corner and read for days. It's a post holiday tradition for me, and a definite stress-reliever after all the excitement of the holiday.

As a reminder, Hear for Rent is available until Christmas Day for half off at Smashwords (in case anyone else goes book bingeing for the holiday). Use Coupon Code Code VX35C when you check out at Smashwords.com.

Holiday cheer

First! Let me help you with your Christmas shopping by offering a discount on Heart for Rent, with an Option. This discount is only available until Christmas Day using Coupon Code VX35C at Smashwords.com.

And then let me share some fun with you. I'm taking some time off this week to celebrate the new baby and One Young Son's graduation. Pardon my indulgence in family time this week. 

This author is not keen on having her photo taken! As evidenced by the expression on my face at the Christkindlmarkt (and yes, that is DH laughing behind me and my nephew wondering why I'm making a goofy face). 

And then there are those moments when I don't mind having my picture taken, like when I'm holding this little bundle of love. Congratulations to my DD and son-in-law on the birth of their second precious gift from God. 

It's that time of year - Christkindlmarkt

I'm always surprised when people who have read Mist in the Meadow ask me about Christkindlmarkt. For me, it's a part of living where I do. When my kids were young, their choir sang at a local, scaled down version. In the Big City, the market takes over Daley Plaza every year right around Thanksgiving. 

So what is it? It's a Christmas market. The tradition comes over from Germany and from Norway. For the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas, vendors from around the world set up an outdoor market filled with ethnic Christmas treasures. The prevailing nationality is German, and several booths serve Glűhwein and beer and bratwurst. From handmade ornaments to Sherpa jackets, from cuckoo clocks to imported candies. There's a little bit of everything. Even if you aren't interested in shopping, it's a traditional kick-off to the holiday season. And what did I buy? Helmut's Strudel and hot spiced cider. Yum!

Here are some of the treasures we saw when we went down last weekend.

Looking on from across the street

Traditional beer steins

Hand carved wood

Cuckoo clocks

Original German glass Christmas
ornaments from Ernstthal Germany

Happy Thanksgiving

As we stop to take inventory, there is much to be thankful for. For my part - in no particular order . . .

I am thankful for a new granddaughter who was born this week, and for the health of her mother. Years ago, we couldn't take child bearing for granted, and it still comes with its fair share of risks in modern times.

I am thankful for the men and women who have and continue to defend our country. We may not have a perfect system, but there are other countries where the simple freedoms we take for granted are not available.

I am thankful for a kind and loving husband. There are days I'd like to push him against a wall and get in his face (okay, I'd have to get on a stool to do that), but I couldn't ask for a gentler giant.

I am thankful for my sisters and my parents and my children, all of whom are still a part of my life.

I am thankful for my blonde assistant, who loudly purrs her contentment with how her life turned out.

I'm thankful for the outlet of writing, and for the fans who make it worth my while. You make me want to keep going, and as I continue to hone my skills, I become more comfortable with my own "voice."

I'm thankful for food on the table.

I'm thankful for friends, old and new- near and far, who continue to be a part of my life.

I'm thankful for my faith - it keeps me going when times get tough and provides me with someone to thank when things go well.

I could go on and on, but I am confident I hit the major bullet points.

Wishing you a life rich with blessings to count this Thanksgiving.

Virtual Vacation

As mentioned previously on this blog, I traded my vacation this year for home improvements. Sometimes they don't both fit in the budget, and the aforementioned home improvements were also going to consume time away from work.

I like to use my vacation time to explore new places, see new things, meet new people. Often, these new experiences spark new story ideas for me. Some of them have been usable, others have been duds. One of my favorite vacations was to Bryce Canyon in Utah. The hoodoos had my brain working even before I saw them live and in person. However, the story that came out of that wasn't very compelling. One of the books that will never see the light of day, my friends.

In absence of a seeing a new place this year I have promised myself to do some volunteer work. It isn't necessarily a "new" experience, but it is a new location and will entail meeting new people. I will be scheduling vacation time (waiting for the new grandbaby to be born before I take additional time) during which I hope to make some headway on Cinda's story. Got a good start on it - need some additional research to flesh some parts out. Some of that will involve additional volunteer work which I will do during my time off.

In the meantime . . . I've seen some beautiful pictures of a location I visited last summer (featured in Heart for Rent) and so I am taking a virtual vacation - reliving one of my favorite destinations through the magic of photography. Aix-en-Provence. The picture below is the Cours Mirabeau. We also visited a fabulous outdoor French market where they sold freshly ground spices, along with the usual fare of fresh produce and hand made goods. While we were there, they were running the Iron Man (hence, the rental truck on the street). I took this picture, but unfortunately, we don't have many pictures from Aix. DH lost his memory card from that day. He is a very methodical man and photography is one of his hobbies, so losing those pictures was nothing short of a catastrophe! Fortunately, more pictures can be found at the Aix Facebook page La Belle Aix. Or their internet page. They have a Christmas celebration, with lights hanging from these trees. Looks like a fabulous place to be right now, and until I can visit again, I'm grateful for fabulous photographers who are willing to share their pictures.

Wheat and Chaff - 6 Rules to Consider Before you Choose Independent Publishing

I recently read an interesting stream on indie publishing questions. The comments ranged from "all indie books are terrible" to "there are some real gems out there." The discussion raised some very interesting points, both pro and con.

Some noteable indie books - Fifty Shades of Grey. I've not read the book, but I understand the writing is subpar, although the topic obviously has garnered a ton of interest. Barbara Freethy is a successful indie author. JA Konrath started out with a publisher, but switched to indie when the publisher dropped him.

Konrath is an example I hold up as a model for success. He knows how to market. He's a good schmoozer, shows up for the conferences, stops in the bookstores, writes articles, all the leg work that shores him up. He's a dynamic personality, which works to his benefit.

On the other side of that coin, I have had the misfortune to read some extremely poorly edited novels. The stories might be strong, but without the hard work that goes into them, they are destined to fail. I had one good friend who self-published, and I was anxious to read it -- as she is a friend. At the end of the book, she credited the efforts of her editor. I can only guess that her editor was her best friend and not someone with any qualifications. The typographical errors alone were horrendous. The story was there. It was a good story, but it was soooooo hard to read. It is impossible to write a good review for a book that is poorly written, no matter how good the story might be.

So, as an author, how do you decide if you want to publish independently?

1. Put the work in! Know the rules. Yes, they can occasionally be broken, but you can't throw them out the window in the interest of being unique. It just makes you look like you don't know what you're doing.

2. Know the mechanics. Quick personal story. When my kids got to high school, they were both in advanced English. They went to a private elementary school, public high school. The difference? In the private school, they diagrammed sentences. They knew what a noun and a verb were and how they fit together. The public school kids had no idea. (This is not a reflection on education, folks, just a statement of fact in my particular geographical region.)

3. Know how to spell. Yes, spell check can find your misspelled words, but there are many instances of correctly spelled words used incorrectly. Pulling a recent reference -- "They knew all the sorted details." Yes, it's spelled correctly. However, the correct phrase would be "They knew all the sordid details."

4. Show. Don't Tell.  This is the most common mistake with new writers. Go ahead. "Tell" the story for your first draft. But then you have to go back and "Show" everything you've left out. People want to feel the story. See the story. They don't want you to tell them it was a nice day. They want to see the sun is shining, feel the warmth on their skin. They want to become part of the story, not have you dictate to them what you want them to know.

5. Dialog. Read it out loud. Rules of proper grammar slide on this one. People don't speak perfectly. People speak in contractions (I'll, you'll, we've). Dialog has to sound natural, not forced, and people rarely state the obvious. "Jane, I am going to the store." "Okay, John. I will see you later." "Okay, Jane. Goodbye." Include dialog tags and/or action beats to prevent "talking heads."

6. Call in the pros when you need to. Paying a professional editor to help you can make all the difference between success and failure. I'm a copyeditor at the day job. I proofread for a living. So I should know what I'm doing when I proofread my own work, right? WRONG. I know what it's supposed to say. I can see the story in my head. That doesn't always translate to paper. Even I miss some of the basics. Crutch words that are overused (like just or that). "Flowery" dialog tags that aren't manners of speech (I was famous for that when I started out). Example, "Please, stop!" she emoted.  Honestly. Do you walk up to your friends and say "So I was talking to Susie, and she emoted that she didn't like that guy." Bottom line. Editors have gone to school for this. They know what they're talking about. One of the best investments you'll ever make (assuming you get a competent one, but that's a story for another day).

As a reader, how can you tell the wheat from the chaff? Unfortunately there is no foolproof way, and this is where reviews come in handy. Read the review or, if the story grabs you without having been reviewed, write a review so you can share your experience with the next reader. These days, many reviewers will add a comment that the story was "well written," or "in need of a good editor." And when you find an indie author that you like, spread the word!

The Hump Day Camel

Sometimes I'm impressed with the advertising industry. Granted, that annoying camel is becoming, well, annoying after a period of time, but I still think he's fun. "What day is it??" (and yes, I was employing that phrase all day on Monday, Release Day).

Speaking of which, I assume everyone knows by now that the new novel was released on Monday? Have you purchased your copy yet?

Okay, back on topic. Along with the wealth of "good" commercials, there are also many memorable "bad" commercials. Does anyone really like the Burger King king with the plastic head? Isn't he kind of creepy? If I was to look into an advertising company to promote my business, that would probably not even make the list. But the Geico guys, they got it right. Some of those commercials are better than others (and again, this is my humble opinion), but some of them are pretty funny. One more I'll add to my list of favorite adverts, the State Farm guys, in particular (and this is probably because I'm a cat lover), the "helpful hints" one where the last vignette is kitty litter on a snowy road for traction -- and along come dozens of kitties.

This is all mindless wandering, mind you. Ads are generally more annoying than anything else, which is why when they find a way to entertain you in the process, I find them noteworthy. And my poor, overused Hump Day Camel is probably annoying more people than it's entertaining now.

For authors, advertising is most effective via word of mouth. So for right now, I'm standing over here, jumping up and down, waving my arms hawking my books, and hoping that those of you who have enjoyed them will tell all your friends. Yes, I do more formal advertising as well, and the community of writers bands together to help one another.

So "Release Day" is past (and I'll put that camel to bed for now), but it is still Release Week! Long and Short Reviews is running a contest for one free (ebook) copy of my book at their site, and Goodreads is running a contest to win one of five free copies to celebrate (see the link to the right). Enter to win, tell your friends. Buy a copy. Support independent authors! And after you've read Heart For Rent, I hope you'll leave a review on your favorite book site.

It's Release Day!

Heart for Rent, with an Option 
is now available!

Take this opportunity to enter to win an ebook version at Long and Short Reviews, or enter the Goodreads giveaway to win a paperback version (listed on the right).

Support your favorite struggling authors - buy the book, and tell all your friends!

Does anybody really know what time it is?

Daylight Savings Time. If you ask my parents, they'll tell you the farmers don't need it. And I'm inclined to
take a stand against it on the basis of principle. I mean, if it's five o'clock, it's five o'clock. It doesn't matter where the sun is in the sky.

On the reverse side of that coin, there is something to be said to getting the children off to school during daylight rather than when it is black as midnight outside. I have to go back to look to see when we're on daylight savings time and when we're on central standard time (I live in the middle of the U.S. doncha know). (Daylight Savings Time is coming to an END this weekend, at which time we will be back on Central Standard Time (with no adjustment for daylight hours).

And did you know that Daylight Savings Time is called British Summer Time on the other side of the ocean?  Adding daylight to evenings benefits retailing, sports, and other activities that exploit sunlight after working hours, but can cause problems for evening entertainment and other occupations tied to the sun (such as farming). Although an early goal of DST was to reduce evening use of electricity, modern heating and cooling usage patterns differ greatly, and research about how DST currently affects energy use is limited or contradictory. Overall, it seems that energy consumption is no longer a major factor in the use of Daylight Savings Time.

So why do it?

It's always a shock to the system, "suddenly" coming home from work in the dark. Forget all this nonsense about changing the clocks back and forward and little rhymes to go along with it to help you remember. If it's five o'clock, it's five o'clock. Period.

Seems as if it's time for me to move to Arizona.

Autumn Winds are Blowing

Frost on the ground. Squirrels rototilling my garden. I'm a spring/summer type person. I like warm weather. Anything below 70 degrees F is chilly to me. Autumn, so far, has been fairly mild. I can't complain, but the winds of change have buckled in. Had to turn the heat on last week -- we're hitting the freezing mark. Suddenly. Went from 70's down to 40's. No gradual easing into it this year.

One thing I have to admit - although I like the warmer weather, it is much more comfortable sleeping in the cool weather.



While I was out taking a brisk walk, I came across this gem in our neighborhood. Not only are they sharing their books and promoting literacy, they are even giving you a bench to sit on while you read.

And speaking of books . . . Heart For Rent, with an Option will be available for public consumption on November 4. I still have a limited number of Advanced Reading Copies available for reviewers. If you are interested in a reviewer copy, please shoot me an email (there's an email link on the "About the Author" tab above). I look forward to seeing you at the release party on my Facebook page! Pass the word, invite your friends.
Click to Join the Facebook Launch Party

Cover Reveal!

Drum roll please . . .

I'm finishing up the edits for Heart for Rent, with an option, previously referred to on this blog as "Schumaker" (in various iterations). Fine tuning, rewriting, re-reading. BUT, I am happy to share with you the cover!

Looking for a November 1 release date. As noted last week, I will have a limited number of advanced reading copies for anyone interested in writing a review. If you haven't already contacted me, leave me a note in the comments or drop me an email and I'll get back to you.

And now, although I'd like to write more, I have catching up to do after this week's deadline at the day job, and rewrites that are calling to me to be finished, and other family distractions that require attention.  Stay tuned for more exciting information!

Writing is Rewriting

One of the inescapable truths of writing is that you have to fix what you've written to make it easier to read, sharper - paint a clearer picture. On a first draft, you might write something along the lines of "she walked into the room and sat down." On a second draft, you might put something more like, "With drooping shoulders, she flopped onto the leather sofa and heaved a sigh." Two different pictures, same sentence, eh?

I received comments back from my editor on Heart for Rent. A lot of what she said I already knew (but was hoping no one else would notice, silly me!). Between personal challenges that I've been facing recently and gearing up at the day job for deadline, my attention span (and my tolerance span) have been greatly reduced. People I trust tell me something isn't working and I stick my tongue out at them. (How mature, I know.) That isn't going to make my story better. Now, with a professional opinion to support what I didn't want to hear before, I have to suck it up and clean up the remaining holes in the story.

On the plus side, I've been rumbling this stuff around in my head for the past couple of weeks, so I have a direction to take. Even more of a plus, some of what I was sticking my tongue out about has been validated in my favor. It isn't all drivel. But now the real work begins.  As a very intelligent woman told me, "Revisions are the place for blending and tucking details throughout that tie it all together." The elements are there. My job now is to smear them all together. More foreshadowing in some places, better character response in others. Subtle nuances that give the reader hints of what is to come (and maybe some not-so-subtle).

Time to pull on my big girl pants and stop sticking my tongue out. There is hope for this book as long as I hunker down and get it done! Can't trust myself until after the deadline next week, however. Divided attention makes for lousy writing.

Keeping my fingers crossed for a November 1 release date. Anyone interested in an advance copy for the purpose of reviewing, please let me know - I can hook you up!

Pins and Needles and a Public Service Announcement

The MS is with the editor. I don't always get jittery over these things, but for some reason, I'm nervous about this one! I'm confident in what I've written, am expecting some criticism on parts that I may not have fleshed out to the satisfaction of certain readers (but hoping I've addressed them at least enough that they won't kill the whole story). I have a beautiful cover waiting in the wings (depending on the final title). So why the nerves?  Probably because of the mixed reviews of the beta readers (which includes the critique group). So fingers crossed. Hopefully I've addressed all the deficient areas sufficiently.

Research scheduled this week. For those of you who may not know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This is a topic that will show up in Cinda's novel. My library is doing a series to help people who are involved in - either directly or indirectly - these types of situations, and what to do and how to handle it. Coincidentally, I spent some time at the hospital over the weekend in the surgical waiting room and saw a notice in the restroom that directs people to talk to their physician if they are a victim of domestic abuse, along with a long list of traits of abusers. With that being said, consider this my own personal PSA. It is NOT okay for people to hit other people, especially not okay for men (who are stronger) to hit women. NO ONE should call you stupid and stomp on your self-esteem. These people serve no purpose in your life, but they thrive on people who are willing to fill that need in their life - the need for a punching bag, either physically or emotionally. If you are on the receiving end, please get out and/or get help. Call your clergyman, call a policeman, or call your physician. There is NO JUSTIFICATION to treat ANYONE that way. End of sermon of the day.

I've got a good start on Cinda's story, but will have to take another break from it with an October deadline at the day job and with edits coming back for "Schumaker" (which will likely be titled Heart for Rent, with an Option). I'm in transition, but expecting to jump full into marketing and writing again before the end of the month. Personal setbacks aside, that creative energy is humming. "Pins and needles" includes being anxious to settle back into the writing groove!

The Cover - First Impressions

I'm still preparing "Schumaker" for the editor, and while I go through it, one chapter at a time, for echo words and errors I missed the first ten times, I figured it was time to think about a cover.

Normally I have a concept in mind from the start. This time it's a little harder. I have the photos I swiped for inspiration, the photos I took, and the painting that inspired my main character-female. The setting is a focus in this book, so I'm figuring that will show up on the cover, and for the first time, I want to add people on the cover. The female character is easy, because of the painting, but I needed a strong visual for my male character. Enter Gerard Butler. Found a really yummy picture of him (on my Pinterest page in case anyone's interested) that could pass for my leading man.

With these concepts in mind, I checked in with a cover artist. This will be another first for me - I normally have the vision in mind and, with a little help from my friends on the artwork, I create the covers myself. The cover artist sent me some additional male model pictures (how much fun is it to look at handsome men?) that she proposed (since Gerard's photo is copyrighted, doncha know).

One of my beta readers mentioned to me that the cover is "very important" to her when she selects a book. She agreed that the setting is important in this book, and I told her I wanted to add a "person," too. Now I'm anxious to see what the cover artist throws together for me. Actually, I'm pretty excited about it!

I've also initiated my "Street Team." If you choose to sign up and help me promote (because you love my books, don't you?), you will be first in line to see my new cover reveal.  The Street Team is designed to help spread the word. Share the love. Tell everyone that you read this "really great book" and encourage them to buy a copy, too. To thank you, I will send you treats from time to time and insider information. Sign-up information is in the column to the right.

What makes you buy a book?  Is it the blurb on the back? The picture on the cover? A familiar author?

And totally unrelated - the photo is an update from last week's post. And yes, I got to help. A little. A very little. But I got to help.

Progress September 23

Papa's Always Right

Yes, I'm still in the passage between Schumaker and Cinda, working a little on both and catching up on life in general.  Today I'm taking a departure from the writing life to give you a glimpse into home life.

This year, instead of a vacation, DH and I agreed to put that money into a new deck on the back of the house since the existing deck was getting a little scary to walk on. Like most sensible people, we asked for quotes from several reputable deckbuilders first. Howsomever, DH quickly put his back up. His father was a contractor. The prices the deckbuilders were quoting as overhead did not compute for him (even though they were all in the same ball park).  Solution? He took it upon himself to build said deck. He has the skills, the know-how.

Enter me. I started to cringe. Not that he doesn't know how. He does. But the deckbuilders were quoting two days. I KNOW DH can't complete this project in two days. Not no way, not no how. However, if this is a project he wants to undertake, I will not argue with him. Sometimes we all like to exercise our creative side. Work with our hands. Build something with our own two hands. So I smiled and said "yes, dear." (after much initial discussion, I might add).

In a previous life, I have experience with people starting projects and not finishing them, leaving them either for me to complete or to hire out. I have warned DH that if this project is not finished this year, I will be hiring someone to finish it in the spring. But I'm working very hard not to nag him. Not to ask about his progress. Not to say "are we there yet?" Even though it's killing me. Instead I'm resorting to this very public forum (which I'm sure he'll appreciate greatly).

August 11

August 11

August 18

After the first 10 days, he had to go back to work. Then after another week, he took some more days off. Eager beaver that I am, I asked "so does that mean you're going to start building?" (If looks could kill, I would not be writing this blog post today.) He ever so gently explained to me that he had "inside" prep work that he was doing. Now, I'm not doubting him. I know he did. And it was also three of the hottest days of the year.

In my head, I'm seeing that quote that said two men, two days. I'm now looking at one man, 30 days, no deck. The picture from August 18? Those boards are gone now and there is no "visible" progress on construction.  I'm trying not to hyperventilate. It isn't that I don't think he'll finish, I believe he will. It's my flashbacks to the previous life that give me fits. And it's losing the last beautiful days of summer without being able to carry a book out to the deck. No deck on which to watch the lightning bugs twinkle or to point out constellations from. 

I'm distracted. I want to help. Can I take days off to swing a hammer? Hold a board? Nope. He doesn't want help. The same way I'm used to helping and even finishing projects, he's used to doing them himself. 

It brings to mind a folk tale called "Papa's Always Right." The "Papa" in question made some horrendous decisions, which his wife supported, and in the end, he came out ahead. (you can read the story here) I have faith in my DH. The bigger problem is my own patience level.  So I'm showing him a smile and holding back my "when is this going to be finished" cries. I made a deal. He has until the end of the year before I'm allowed to go berserk.

I have to hold up my end of the bargain.

Warm Fuzzies

I'm gratified to have received new reviews this week. They are especially wonderful because of my state of "in between."

Finishing a novel is often compared to childbirth, and for my part, I believe it to be an accurate analogy. There is period of recovery after you've finished, before you are have the mental energy to start again. Granted, I have taken the preliminary steps with the next one, but I'm "taking it easy." I know Schumaker will need more attention to get it to its marketable form, and some days it feels like its never going to be finished. Feedback helps to keep me motivated. Just when I begin to wonder why I keep writing, when I wonder if starting a new one is a waste if time - that state of between the book I've just finished and the next one I want to write - someone tells me how much they enjoyed the books I've already written and its just that extra burst of oomph that pushes me forward.

Have to also succumb to a higher power. I posted not long ago that I didn't have a friend like Cinda so I had to look up her personality profile. Actually, when I first started Living Canvas, she was based on a friend I had years ago. Recently, I've had the experience of another "friend" to highlight what it is about Cinda that is so disagreeable, which makes me anxious to delve back into her character. Of course the goal here is to redeem Cinda!

Thank you, to my kind readers. I'm continually humbled by your appreciation of my hard work. With that being said, it's time to wake up my sleeping assistant and hunker down. There's work to be done!

Book reviews

Do you ever feel like your brain is empty and you don't know what to talk about? No? Well I do. Normally when it is blog day, I start out with an empty head and an empty computer screen and let my fingers dictate what I'm going to talk about. And sometimes I actually have something I want to share. However, I was born fourth in a family of all girls. That means that I often didn't get my turn to speak. I learned how to not speak. This makes it a challenge some days to speak. (Yes, I outgrew that in time, but there are still days . . .)

Anyway, the point here is that so many authors are looking for book reviews. It occurred to me that I should post an additional day (or two) each week with a book review. That way, even if I am having a "what am I going to pull out of my head today" day, I can still have something to write about.

So . . . {fanfare} announcing Book Reviews! Targeted mainly toward indie authors who deserve a chance to be represented (but not excluding better-known authors who I happen to enjoy reading).

In the meantime, for those of you who are following my writing journey, I've started Cinda's story. Once I got going, it came rushing through. I have some research to do - as is usually the case when writing a new story. In the meantime, the words are pouring out. Thanks to a program at the library, I can do some of my research next month, but that won't stop me from getting started!

Writer's Angst and Trusting Yourself

I love my critique group. Except when I don't. (And when I don't, it's because they've found something I've missed, not because I don't like or appreciate them!)

I have been running the end of Schumaker through them and all those things that I thought were so fun to write and so cool are coming back as "what???"

My critique partners are tough. I don't usually get the "great writing" comments, because we all assume that we know how to write great. What I get from the group are the holes. The "did you realize you used this word four times in five paragraphs?" The mistakes. The "I'm sure you see this in your head, but I'm not seeing it on the page." There are times those comments frustrate the life out of me, but that's what they're there for. To clunk me over the head when I'm not paying attention.

A delicate balance must be achieved when the comments are in contrast to my vision. Here is a very minor point that has been debated - the designation of a croissant. Is it a roll or is it a pastry? My critique group and I have opposing views on this topic, and I'm sorry guys, but I'm sticking with MY definition of a croissant (as opposed to what they think it should be). Ultimately, it isn't going to make a reader love or hate the story because I referred to a croissant one way instead of the other.

During the course of critiques of my work, it is important for me to know when they are making a valid point and when it is a matter of personal preference. Some of those comments can throw me into a fit of writer's angst (or fan the flames of said writer's angst). My group crosses genres, so some of the rules that apply to one genre don't apply to another. When I review critiques of the writing, it's important for ME to know what I want to convey, how I want it to come across and where I'm taking it, regardless of what anybody else thinks. If the group raises questions, it's worth taking a second look and weighing the validity, but that doesn't mean I have to make the change. Ultimately, that's between me and my editor. There comes a point where you have to trust yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks.

I am in agreement that I have not presented everything as clearly or as cleanly as possible, so as I finish editing, I have to determine what needs to be sharpened. We live in a day and age where book critics are tough. They'll tell you an author needs to jump into the action sooner. I had a thread in the story that I was introducing slowly and have heard from various and sundry critics that they want to know that information sooner rather than later (counterbalanced by people who prefer a slower reveal). What's an author to do? Everyone has an opinion.

And that's when you have to trust yourself. If I was reading this book, would I want that information up front? or are bread crumbs enough to lead me to the whole piece of bread? Reading is a very subjective thing. What one person likes, another person hates. So as I go through my final edits, I'm worried that the story is falling apart (that's fairly typical of most authors - that writer's angst part), but before I go changing EVERYTHING, I need to take a step back and remember this is my story to write. The one I want to tell. I can't please everyone (although I hope to please a lot of people!) When a ghost shows up, someone's going to be unhappy because ghosts don't exist. When I throw in a red herring, someone else will be unhappy because they'd rather see that red herring than the plot thread I've chosen.

The takeaway message for me as I struggle with whether a croissant is a roll or a pastry (actually I didn't struggle with that one, but I can't tell you everything about the book. Then why would you read it?) is to weigh the critic comments carefully. To understand when they have a valid point and to know when their comments don't reflect what I'm trying to write.

The only cure for writer's angst is confidence in your work. Easy, right?

Getting to know your characters

This is that awkward phase of finishing the novel in progress, but characters are calling out to me for the next one. "Schumaker" (which title will be improved upon before it is released) is going to the editor the first week of October. I will continue to fix the issues until that point (and yes, there are still issues).  I'll keep you posted.

BUT

While I'm taking that deep breath that says, "I'm almost done, I need to recover from the effort it takes to complete this project," I can't get the new characters to be quiet. Amend that. They aren't all new characters. Returning for the next novel will be Cinda Cooper, Audrey's best friend in Living Canvas. To tie this all together, maybe you didn't know that Greg in Living Canvas is Kira's brother from Touched by the Sun (The Treasure of St. Paul).

Cinda's character was greatly impugned during the reading/writing of Living Canvas and she has been stomping around inside my head telling me she wants her say. She doesn't think people understand her. So I sat down and outlined her story.

There is a psychological personality profile, or enneagram, that helps people - business people, writers, and whoever else has a need to profile personalities - to understand what makes people tick. In anticipation of not missing some of Cinda's finer qualities, I ran an enneagram on her. It's pretty much what I expected, but it helps me to know more about her background and the way she responds under stress or in a positive situation. As I ran it, I realized I'd gone through this process before, when I first started writing Living Canvas years ago.

Most characters are fairly straight "reads." You know them like you know your best friends. You know what makes them tick, what makes them shrink, what makes them grow. Some characters aren't quite so straightforward. Cinda never was.

I read a book recently by Susan Elizabeth Phillips with an alpha female character, one who was so very unlikeable and one the reader has to find a way to like. SEP is very good at writing her characters that way. Make them the most godawful people that ever walked the earth, and make your readers root for them by the end of the novel. Cinda might not be quite that awful, but she ranks up there with disagreeable, manipulative, meddling people. My personality doesn't blend well with that type, so I don't have a "friend" to base her on. Hence, the enneagram. I can tell you that she was much nastier in the original drafts of Living Canvas. Much less likeable than she ended up (much to the amazement of those of you who have voiced your dislike of her as she appeared). During the writing process, I got to know her better. And that's why, when she insisted I show people "the real Cinda," I felt I had no choice.

I'm hoping to take a page out of the SEP writing handbook. A touch of humor helps defend an unlikeable character. Some sympathy for the devil (maybe that's the working title?!).  Hopefully when I'm done, she won't appear quite the devil she seems.

Nominees for Favorite Author

So many to choose from!  This topic came to mind when I saw that one of the authors I favored while growing up died recently.

I discovered Barbara Metz, aka Barbara Michaels, aka Elizabeth Peters via a made for TV movie (The House that Would Not Die). Campy, Aaron Spelling, I believe, but it was a haunted house movie and I loved those! The book was titled Ammie Come Home. Barbara Michaels is a bit of an acquired taste - I like the supernatural infusion into the story, although her romances are a bit bland. Almost nonexistent. Upon her death, I've begun reading some of the Elizabeth Peters novels, which are more centered around Egyptology. Another subject I enjoy. Am I going to stand on my soapbox and proclaim her the best author ever? No. But I do enjoy her books. They'd probably appeal more to a YA audience than a romance audience, and they are dated. Her "romance" subplots are grossly understated (to the point of almost nonexistent).

Another of my favorites is Victoria Holt. Gothic romances that I keep on my shelves to read and reread. But those are the "oldy moldies" among my collection.

In more "modern" times, I've acquired a taste for Teresa Medeiros and Mary Balogh in the romance venue. I also enjoy Dan Brown and John Grisham. Stephen King continues to horrify and delight me.

And then one must take into consideration categories. Classics? Current bestsellers? Old standbys? What makes an author a "favorite?" There are so many choices these days, and my short list doesn't begin to encompass all the books that have touched me in one way or another. The authors I've listed are the "brands" that I know and love and trust.  There are countless books that I've enjoyed, but that wouldn't necessarily put the author on my "favorites" list. To achieve that status, I look for consistency.

The Harry Potter books are consistent. But would I put J.K. Rowling on my favorite author list? I'm not sure. I haven't read her other stories. Likewise, I'm not going to beat a dead horse and discuss another author whose first two books literally changed my life. Made me want to live inside the pages of a book. Sent me off on an adventure to find something that didn't exist. And yet, that author does not rank among my favorites (because of the lack of consistency). I suppose that translates to Favorite Books and Favorite Authors not always in harmony with each other.

When you think of your favorite author, do you think of something you've read more recently, or something that you have on your shelf that you will go to again and again (that might be more "dated")? An author who is still productive today, or who is pushing up daisies? An "old friend" or a recent discovery?

Where do you go for vacation?

Every year, I try to make it a point to "get away from it all" for at least a few hours at a time. Whether it's day trips to local parks and attractions, a day in the "Big City," or a plane ride somewhere far away.  This year, we're doing home improvements. Not much of a vacation, but the budget only covers so much, doncha know.

I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm not going anywhere this year. We had a "big trip" last year, but even DH is wishing for a little getaway while he struggles through demolition stages prior to rebuilding. We'll probably manage a weekend away somewhere - probably within driving distance.

What kind of vacations do you like? Cities? Mountains? Beaches? The desert? National Parks? Museums? We've done all of these, and I have to say that at different times, all of them have their appeal. I enjoy quiet nights, gazing out over the ocean/lake, but I'm done after a day or two at the beach. Cities have their appeal as well, but again, not on the top of my list. Conversely, DH is done after a day or two hiking across the desert or through the mountains, although he enjoys taking pictures at the national parks. We generally try to diversify our trips so that I have my "middle of nowhere" places and he gets his "bustle of the city" places. Last year's trip took us to major cities as well as out of the way villages. Me? I'm writing a story about one of the places we stopped (that small village feel) that made my favorite places list, and him? He wants to go back to the bustling city. So much to see and we didn't get nearly enough time there. I agree, but I'd still go back to my small village first.

It's all about compromise in the end. I did enjoy that bustling city (although I have to say he wasn't as impressed with my little village). Different strokes, and all that sort of thing. DH is an engineer. He has an analytical mind that is stimulated by trying to figure out how things work. Seeing engineering marvels and architectural anomalies. Me? I'm the romantic. I can appreciate his views and find all those things interesting, but I'm more captivated with a perfect setting. Rolling hills, brilliant colors, unusual rock formations, flora and fauna, glittering waterfalls. Things man can't recreate. God's thumbprints from where he's shaped and sculpted the world.

A few years ago, we went to Las Vegas and Utah and Arizona. The first part of the trip was to Bryce Canyon. The colors and the rock formations took my breath away. For me, it was more intimate than the Grand Canyon. I loved it.  DH loved the photo ops, but got tired of it pretty quickly. We went to Page, Arizona, to Antelope Canyon (which is so much of a tourist trap, and yet is so highly unique that I'd still recommend it), and DH was equally impressed with the construction of the bridge across Lake Powell as with the natural landscape. When we left for Vegas, he was anxious to be back to civilization and all the glitter and architecture that makes that city so unique. While I can appreciate the singular appeal, as we drove through the desert, closer to the city, when DH tried to appeal to my sense of "wow," I'd already been wowed by the canyons.  I simply smiled and said to him, "you didn't complain for my part of the trip, so I won't complain for your part." Don't get me wrong, we both enjoyed everything we saw. It's a matter of measure. How many canyons can you see before you go "eh?" and How many casinos can you walk through before you are overwhelmed?  It was a great trip all around.

Where do you go to get away from it all? To the urban jungle? Or to the far reaches of civilization?

The Fine Art of Procrastination

Yes, I've finally typed "The End" on my Schumaker story, but this is where the real work comes in. Cleaning up the mess of hastily scribbled words. Shouldn't be so hard, you say?

My first drafts are generally very scattered and confusing. In my head, they make perfect sense. On paper, a reader would look at some of this and say "where did that come from?" That's what I'm addressing now. Those disconnects. The information that isn't "on the page." And the structural end of it. It's an end to the imagination part and the start of the work part.

This is what a writing day looks like:

Sit down at computer. Power it up. Get something to drink while said computer "wakes up." Sit down again. Open work in progress. Read the previous chapter (or, the spot I've bookmarked to go back to). Switch to Facebook. Check posts. Switch to Twitter. Check Tweets. IM friends.

Oh. WAIT! I'm supposed to be writing. 

Close Facebook. Close Twitter. Give friends the "TTYL."

Re-read work in progress.

Switch to Bejeweled Blitz and achieve the next keystone. Switch to Candy Crush and use up five lives.

WAIT! I'm supposed to be working.

Switch back to work in progress. Oh. It's lunchtime, and I have to go to the grocery store.

Come back from lunch. Sit at computer and open work in progress. Point finger at self and repeat after me, "You will get this done." Focus on work in progress.

I'm on a roll now. New chapters. Crutch words dumped. Useless phrases deleted. Cross reference copyediting done. 

Guess what?  Now it's dinner time. And, believe it or not, I've accomplished something!

Some days, procrastination isn't a problem. Laser-like focus is right there from the minute I sit down. But on those wool-gathering, butterfly chasing days, it takes a little longer to get down to the business of writing. The take-home message here is to get to it. Even if you find yourself wandering off task, it's important to get "something" done. Books don't write themselves.

Some authors set goals for themselves. "X" amount of words per day, or "X" number of hours per day. Goals are a good way to hold yourself accountable. For me, throwing in a work day (and sometimes very unpredictable work days) makes those types of goals a little more challenging. The most important part of writing is writing. Make the time. Limit distractions.

I have to get back to editing now.

I wonder if those airfares have come down so I can plan my vacation yet?

His Royal Babyness

Congratulations to Prince William and Duchess Catherine on the arrival of their new son and heir.

British royalty has been a tradition and a mainstay for centuries, and even now, when the Queen is little more than a figurehead, it is one of the last remnants of a privileged society. The last several decades have had a major impact on the royal family - a positive impact, I believe. There comes a time when tradition has to bow to the times. Always a difficult transition. As a romance author and a reader of historical novels, it is easy to imagine the struggles of the royals even when we have no clue about what really happens behind closed doors.

Prince Charles has led a colorful life. Looking back at the years before he married Diana Spencer, he didn't seem very interested in settling down to live the life of a king. Can't you just imagine HRH Queen Elizabeth wagging her finger at him and threatening him that he'd never be king until he got his act together and did what was expected of him? And so a bride was selected for him. Just like in a romance novel. An arranged marriage, or so it would seem.

I will tell you that I have no idea about the inner workings of the royal family, so my waxing poetic today has no basis in actual fact. I do know that the world fell in love with Lady Diana, and she produced two fine heirs to the throne. That Charles and Diana changed the course of royal history goes without saying. One thinks back to Edward and Wallis Simpson and the scandal of that era, and the changes the world has gone through to where it was now acceptable for the heir to the throne of England to divorce his wife and not lose his line of succession (although that has yet to be determined).

Speculation is that William will step over his father as Charles advances in years and the Queen appears to want to live forever. William has set other precedents. First, he married a "commoner." The pool of "acceptable royalty" has dwindled considerably. The royal family has become more accessible, and now the world watches to ensure the success of the young royals. And then, of course, there is the change in the rules of royal succession (which have been rendered unnecessary in this generation). It is now acceptable for a firstborn daughter to take the throne as queen rather than a secondborn son to ascend before her.

I heard on the radio this morning that if William lived to be 80, his son wouldn't take the throne until 2062 (or some such far distant year). One wonders about the world changes that might alter the course of future events. Will the royalty continue as a British tradition? Or will they be rendered an unnecessary government expense?

In the meantime, a whole new generation of young girls can sing along with "Some Day My Prince Will Come," and actually cling to the possibility that they have a chance with the new Royal. After all, if his father could marry someone outside of his class, it stands to reason the young Prince will follow suit.

It's the stuff romance novels are made of - new doors to open, new possibilities, new dreams, and the hope of happily ever after.

Series Books - Pitfalls and Pratfalls

I'm gleefully editing my "Schumaker" story. Still enjoying it, in spite of the fact that I'm now into the "work" end of it rather than the less structured, creative aspects. In spite of the fact I've read this story a dozen times already.

As I work out the kinks and clean up the sloppy bits, my mind is racing ahead to the next story (although I can only write one at a time). I've been making notes for Cinda's story (from Living Canvas), but I'm also concerned about writing the second Kundigerin story (Wolf's story), and that concern is reinforced by some feedback I received.

The thing about writing a series (Kundigerin is my first "series") is that you have to leave room to expand on a theme. Provide information to the reader to draw them into subsequent books. In Mist on the Meadow, we find out that Wolf has a gift of his own which is unexplained. And there is a scene in the book which the characters don't quite understand (and that is conveyed, they don't know exactly what happened). Consider those points "teasers" for the next book. The plot is resolved, the relationship is resolved, but some of the more ambiguous points remain so, to be addressed in the next book. I'm pleased that people #1) notice these points, and #2) aren't getting hung up on them to the point where they didn't like this story. It's a delicate balance that I'm still learning.


Part of me feels I should continue Wolf's story before I do Cinda's - and this is the problem with an active imagination. So many ideas! So little time. I didn't immediately embark on Wolf's story after finishing Mist on the Meadow because there is a "recovery" period after you write a story. Finishing a book is like childbirth (you may have heard that analogy). I was exhausted with Wolf and Marissa - needed some time away from them. I had Schumaker on my mind, so I delved into it head-on.

I think of Anne Rice and her Vampire books. I remember reading them when they were "new." She annoyed me with her "open" endings. I like my books, even in a series, to have a beginning, a middle and an end. Anne Rice didn't give me an end. I finished The Vampire Lestat with a gasp, and Queen of the Damned had not yet been released. I was angry! I wanted to know what happened! I'm a little worried that some people will feel that way with Mist on the Meadow. It isn't open ended, but some things are unresolved, to be continued. I owe it to my readers to answer their questions!

And yet Cinda is whispering in my ear.

The final decision will come when I finish "Schumaker" - and I'm getting closer! By that time, Cinda may have quieted down and I won't be so conflicted. I do feel a responsibility to Wolf, after all. And I am chomping at the bit to take a tour of the Schwarzwald. The Kundigerin series is still active in my imagination and seeing some of the "old country" will surely help me perpetuate the folklore I've created. Unfortunately, the trip will probably have to wait until I get to Kundigerin 3 (Uncle Balt and Rosalie). Keeping my fingers crossed (and anyone who wants to share their experiences in that region - The Black Forest, I'd love to hear from you!)

Titles - or How to Summarize a Book in Four Words or Less

I am finishing up the first draft of my next novel, which began with an inspiration from the Grimm’s Fairy Tale of “The Shoemaker and the Elves.” Yes, well, it isn’t anything like that story, really, even though my working title is "Schumaker and The Elf Writer."

From the time Michelle’s father left to serve his country and never returned, Michelle has grown used to men leaving her, and her attractive new tenant is no exception. In spite of their initial attraction, she is determined not to become involved with a man she knows up-front will leave her. But her long-lost father has something to say about that . . .

Author Keith Schumaker is renting a home near the hospice where his mother lays dying while he finishes his latest novel. His agent assigns a ghostwriter to him to get him to “the end,” a ghostwriter who, unbeknownst to Keith, is also his landlord.

Michelle Alvere donates an egg to help her sister conceive, but her sister refuses to help Michelle recuperate after complications from the procedure send Michelle into surgery. Michelle rents out her home and runs away to the South of France to visit an aunt until the baby's due date, but the author renting her house back home isn’t ready to vacate. 

If you're wondering where I came up with "The Elf Writer," based on the "Shoemaker and the Elves," I picked Michelle's surname to represent something Elfin. Alvere, in French, translates to Elf Counsel. As a ghostwriter, that's kinda sorta what she does . . .

Any title suggestions?

Happy Fourth of July - and random-ness

©DJL Photography

I don't wish to be remiss in celebrating our Independence! I hope you celebrate the 4th of July safely and take a moment to thank the people who continue to fight for our freedom. My hope is that our government hearkens back to its beginnings and remembers that they are there by the people, for the people, and not for their own interests or the interests of people who are willing to throw some extra money in their direction.

Remember when being the wrong religion was against the law? Remember when black people weren't allowed to vote? Uh huh. This whole issue of gay marriage has been a puzzle to me. The government has no place telling people they don't have equal rights. Well done, Supreme Court, for taking themselves out of it. Maybe my religion doesn't condone gay marriage, but my religion also doesn't shun people. It's God's place to judge, not mine. We are taught to love one another. Period. 

Okay, off my soap box.

Like Spring cleaning, every now and then you have to take some time away from the everyday to update and freshen your space. I’ve finished doing just that with my author website, and I hope you’ll take a minute to stop by and tell me what you think!

I’ve included a page for cookies, since I have never been able to overcome my addiction to them. I’m doing much better, mind you, but it remains a struggle! With so many delectable treats and so many fun pictures on Pinterest, I felt it was my duty to share.

For those souls willing to share their favorite cookie recipes, I will select a winner on August 1, 2013, to receive an electronic copy of one of my novels (your choice).

The cookie page is still under construction – or rather, I view it as a work in progress. Click here to visit the new website!

© DJL Photography

Writing is Work

For those of you following along, you may know that I've been working on a new story. The creative part is fun, letting loose my imagination to create something that I hope will resonate with someone else and give  that someone a few hours of escape into a different place and another person's head.  The hard part is making it readable.

I tend to be a slap/dash kind of writer. I've tried to neaten up my style, to write "cleanly" through the process, but that doesn't work for me. I start with the kernel of an idea and go forward. Usually, that kernel of an idea barely resembles the finished product. To keep with the analogy, think of popcorn - before and after.

When I begin, I can see the story clearly in my mind, but on my first draft, I don't convey everything that needs to be said. This is where my critique group is invaluable. They point out my missing plot points and my character flaws, which I know intuitively, but which I haven't shown to the reader. Let me take this opportunity to thank them, because they stick with my stories through the "what the heck? That doesn't make sense or even remotely work," phase and quite often don't see the finished product.

My writing progress has slowed, largely due to the fact that as I near the end, I have to clean up some of that mess along the way so that the story makes sense. I still have lots of holes to spackle and paint over. That's the point where writing becomes work rather than fun. It also slows down the forward momentum, knowing that once you reach "the end," you have to start over and fix all the sloppy work that brought you to that point. I did revamp some of my beginning chapters while I was stalled out, and I've been procrastinating by  consulting authoritative guidance for some of my plot points. A part of me is anxious to finish so that I can go back and tend to the messy spots, while the common sense part of me knows that once I begin that process, it will be slow and laborious.

The original inspiration of The Shoemaker and the Elves has long since fallen by the wayside, although it did help me to name my characters. I have no concept for a title at the moment, and yet with a little luck, this book  will be finished by the fall. I am anxious to finish, with two story ideas pushing it forward.

Which brings me to my final question. Which story comes next?  Cinda's story (from Living Canvas), or Kundigerin 2 (part 2 of Mist on the Meadow)?

Back to work . . .

When Do You "Not" Leave a Review?

I'm always on the lookout for the next book to read, and there are frequently good reasons to choose the ones that I ultimately select. In this world of highly competitive authors, I'm starting to feel a little like I do when I go shopping: you can't buy anything unless it's on sale. While that might always have been true (or at least close), these days it's much more attractive to take that book that is "free for a limited time," or at an "introductory price." Granted, I will still pay regular price for the books that I know I want to read, authors I know and trust, or recommendations from friends whose opinions I trust.

The last few books that I've read were disappointing. One author I'd read before and thoroughly enjoyed, so expectations were high. Realization was low. Hoping it was a fluke, I've downloaded another book by her with my fingers crossed. Another was by an author I know personally. Those are probably the hardest, because when you like that author as a person, again, you have high hopes. Again, I was disappointed. The story was excellent, but the writing was a struggle. I almost put it down after the first couple of chapters, but I'm a compulsive finisher, and so I finished it.

I have a hard time reading stories in the "omniscient" point of view. Too often it feels like "head hopping" and you lose track of who's saying what or who's doing what. The last book I read also did a lot of "telling" of the story rather than "showing." And not only did it "tell," it repeated itself. The author had some excellent foreshadowing of events that drew me in, some nice characterizations. There was a lot of positive going on in that book. As a reader, I like to be drawn into the plot, though, and not hit over the head with it. Repeatedly.

I guess this is more or less my review of that book, since I don't intend to leave one for her on the book sites. I find it difficult to recommend, and because I like the author on a personal level, I don't want to dis her on a public level. I'm normally not shy about leaving reviews. Authors want them, need them. The good and the bad. A lot of hard work goes into writing a novel, and I always take that into consideration.

As an author, you learn to take the good with the bad. I'm very excited that I'm getting good reviews for Mist on the Meadow! But I don't expect the story to resonate with everyone. I had one review that was 2 of 5 stars, and yet the reviewer said some very kind things that, to my eye, still recommended it. As I was chatting with one of my other author buddies the other day, we joked about fragile egos and shoring ourselves up for that negative review that you know is just moments away from being posted. Books are subjective. You can't please everyone.

My friend wrote/writes a series of books, and she pointed out that someone had left reviews on every one of the series that were basically identical. And negative. Which begs the question, why did they read every book in the series if they didn't like it? As an example, I read the first several Diana Gabaldon books and was enraptured by the first two. From that point, they seemed to go downhill, and my apologies to Ms. Gabaldon, but I will not be reading any more of her books. I stuck with her through her last one, but the last three have been a struggle, and the last one just plain made me angry at having wasted my time. I'm afraid I've lost interest in the characters.

So to the point - when do you not leave a review? For me, the only time is when I know the author personally and that "nice person" part of me doesn't want to bruise a fragile author ego (which we all have). Reading a negative review from a random reader doesn't phase you nearly as much as one from a peer, and in this case, that author had an endorsement from a well-known peer. So maybe I missed something. Maybe it was that subjective part of my brain that didn't engage in her story. The self-important part of me would argue that the well-known peer didn't actually read it, or was given a synopsis.  The humbler side of me argues that the story was good.

My advice to you - always leave a review after reading a book. The next best thing to word of mouth advertising is a review, and in this highly competitive world, we need all the promoting we can get. If you are compelled to leave a negative review, take into consideration whether this book is "not for me" or "a piece of crap." Balance the good with the bad. Be honest, but be constructive, not destructive.

Hasta

Raindrops on Roses...

I'm officially stuck. I have to admit the hardest parts of writing are those moments when my characters are in mortal danger. On the plus side, once I get past this speed bump, it'll be clear sailing to the end. In the meantime, I want to share some of my favorite things, those thing that make me smile when I'm having a tough day. I hope one of these photos makes you smile, too.

Because we should all have our own castle

My assistant

Waiting for a star 

When I see you Smile . . .

Lil' Rae of Sunshine