In How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead, Ariel Gore offers some amusing and useful thoughts on the successful launch party for a book. Instead of a stuffy event, make the launch a real celebration with food, fun and a friendly atmosphere. Last night the celebration of the publication of Love is the Thread included plenty of food and fun to go around, with old friends and new rounding out the crowd.
Pushcart Prize nominated poet Sheri Wright and I played a spirited hand of Rock, Paper, Scissors for the right to be the first to take the stage at the Bard's Town, 1801 Bardstown Road. While the crowd enjoyed the locally owned eatery's witty menu, clever descriptions and food, I suppose it should come as no surprise that, as writers, Sheri and I both went for "paper" first! Sheri won the tie breaker and opened the evening with a selection of her insightful, incisive poetry. (I was happy to leave with a signed copy of one of her books, Contains Scenes of Indigenous Nudity tucked under my arm.)
Writers aren't rock stars, as Sheri herself has said, but I loved sharing excerpts from my newly published book. The stage lights dazzled me almost as much as the sounds of laughter from the audience during the funny moments in one chapter, and the not-so-muffled sobs during "The Ebony Needles." Every writer dreams of moving readers. Thanks to everyone who came out on a chilly December evening to celebrate the launch my first book into the world!
I believe characters live in one layer of reality and readers in another. It is my job as an author to build a bridge between the two. I strive to share writing struggles and triumphs. Inspired by Jo in Little Women, I began writing at age nine and submitted my first story for publication at seventeen. I haven't looked back since; words, pens and paper, and the keyboard have been my constant companions ever since.
Showing posts with label the writing life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the writing life. Show all posts
2.12.11
3.10.11
Mental health and sick days
A good friend of mine who has a daughter in her early teens allows her child one or two "mental health days" per school year. She allows herself a few of those herself, as well. Both she and the daughter always return to their daily routine refreshed and better prepared.
I've been needing a mental health day for quite a while, and not taking it. Today my mind and body rebelled and staked their claim. I woke up with a fever and a scratchy throat.
I sat down in front of the computer anyway. (Obviously I'm here again.) I have gone back and forth off and on all day. A little time at the keyboard, with mixed or minimal results. A little time with a cup of hot tea. (Ginseng and peppermint. Ginger and peppermint. Green tea with goji berry.) Another stint at the keyboard. A brief lie down, until my dog Gizmo jumped on the bed and licked my chin.
Finally I succumbed (or am succumbing) to the need for a mental if not a physical health day. I'm shutting down the computer, making another cup of tea and taking it to bed with me. This time I'm pulling the covers over my head so Giz can't kiss me.
Tomorrow we'll find out what has blossomed from this day in the dark, the quiet. Greater health all around, I hope, physical, mental and creative.
I've been needing a mental health day for quite a while, and not taking it. Today my mind and body rebelled and staked their claim. I woke up with a fever and a scratchy throat.
I sat down in front of the computer anyway. (Obviously I'm here again.) I have gone back and forth off and on all day. A little time at the keyboard, with mixed or minimal results. A little time with a cup of hot tea. (Ginseng and peppermint. Ginger and peppermint. Green tea with goji berry.) Another stint at the keyboard. A brief lie down, until my dog Gizmo jumped on the bed and licked my chin.
Finally I succumbed (or am succumbing) to the need for a mental if not a physical health day. I'm shutting down the computer, making another cup of tea and taking it to bed with me. This time I'm pulling the covers over my head so Giz can't kiss me.
Tomorrow we'll find out what has blossomed from this day in the dark, the quiet. Greater health all around, I hope, physical, mental and creative.
Labels:
sick days,
the writing life
27.9.11
What's next?
When asked, "What's next? What will your next manuscript be?"
"I'll find a home for Selkie Song." I started that YA novel a number of years ago. It has undergone many perumutations, including a shift from one protagonist to another, point of view change, and in fact was originally an adult novel, not a young adult story at all. (Or so I thought.)
"Yes, but that's not the same as writing. What will you do once Selkie's off into the world?"
This time I gave my friend's question such a long stretch of thought, he asked if I was still there. "Oh, I"m here. I'm just turning over possibilities. There's the Fairy Gate (another YA I started before Judith grabbed me and would not let go) . . . but it's tempting to go back and really revise one of the children's stories I wrote when I was in my thirties."
The Forest Witch actually came to me in a series of dreams. I've always loved Kierka, the witch who lives in a tree. And the main character in another tale, Maura, discovers a young dragon lost in the woods behind her house . . .
Yes, it's good to start turning over which characters, what conflict I'll focus on, live and dream in once Judith is complete. Once Selkie is on her way through the publishing pipeline, and Love is the Thread launched and out in the world. In some ways writing and gardening share this key similarity. Before the writer or the gardener begins, we need to turn over the ground.
But what's next for right now, for today, is Judith. My heroine waits for me right now, with a whole day to survive at the center of an Assyrian military camp.
"I'll find a home for Selkie Song." I started that YA novel a number of years ago. It has undergone many perumutations, including a shift from one protagonist to another, point of view change, and in fact was originally an adult novel, not a young adult story at all. (Or so I thought.)
"Yes, but that's not the same as writing. What will you do once Selkie's off into the world?"
This time I gave my friend's question such a long stretch of thought, he asked if I was still there. "Oh, I"m here. I'm just turning over possibilities. There's the Fairy Gate (another YA I started before Judith grabbed me and would not let go) . . . but it's tempting to go back and really revise one of the children's stories I wrote when I was in my thirties."
The Forest Witch actually came to me in a series of dreams. I've always loved Kierka, the witch who lives in a tree. And the main character in another tale, Maura, discovers a young dragon lost in the woods behind her house . . .
Yes, it's good to start turning over which characters, what conflict I'll focus on, live and dream in once Judith is complete. Once Selkie is on her way through the publishing pipeline, and Love is the Thread launched and out in the world. In some ways writing and gardening share this key similarity. Before the writer or the gardener begins, we need to turn over the ground.
But what's next for right now, for today, is Judith. My heroine waits for me right now, with a whole day to survive at the center of an Assyrian military camp.
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