This is my first ever blogfest, the deleted scene sponsored by My Literary Jam and Toast. I hope you'll pop by and check out all the entries. My deleted scene is not from any particular of the Sherlock Holmes stories, but a scene of one that might have been written, shall we call it "The Story of the Sad Young Man" ?
Holmes stood by the window motionless, looking outside rather than at our visitor. I watched the young man as he sat awkwardly in his chair, apologizing for this unexpected visit.
My friend stared out the window, his aquiline profile stark and intelligent. "Tell us why you are here," he said. "You have my attention. What is your concern?"
The young man mangled the hat in his lap. "I'm getting married, you see, in just a week." He paused, and I congratulated him. Holmes remained quiet and aloof.
The man continued, "My mother and sister are reclusive, and quite unfortunately addicted to opium, a situation which has caused me untold grief and embarrassment. So much so that I can hardly stand to visit them in their abode."
"Where is this abode?" Holmes asked sharply.
"Near the wharf," the man said with apparent shame that his mother and sister would live so poorly. "They had better lodgings, but the opium..."
I nodded in sympathy, understanding the evils of this pervasive addiction.
"Wanting to invite them to my wedding, I stopped by and spoke to their servant, Douglas, a very kind and attentive man who has been with my mother ever since she began her decline. Douglas assured me that, although my mother was ill and unable to see me, that he would give her the message and make sure she attended the marriage ceremony. I wanted to speak to my sister, at least, but Douglas told me she had just gone out. He suggested I return at a later hour."
"Have you seen or spoken to either your mother or sister since then?" asked Holmes, now restlessly pacing the room.
"No, neither one since then. When I returned, Douglas said they were both quite ill. Not wanting to bother them, I retreated. That was last month, and I have had similar experiences every time I go to visit."
Holmes lit his pipe. "When did you last see your mother and sister?"
Our visitor looked down sheepishly. "Not since they moved to this unpleasant location. It's been quite difficult, as you can understand."
"Have you received letters from them?"
"Only a few. And sometimes a message from Douglas. He is quite concerned about their well-being. And since my mother wants nothing to do with me--"
Holmes interrupted to ask, "What kinds of messages?"
"Notes from Douglas that have put me off visiting, apologizing for my mother's refusal to see me. Or information about my sister-- She is in the country for her health. She is indisposed. She feels better but continues to suffer-- Sometimes the letters are in my mother's hand, sometimes my sister's, sometimes penned by Douglas himself."
"And when you do stop in to see them....?"
"Douglas invites me in, and then retreats to tell them of my visit. Sadly, they will never see me. They are indisposed, or in no mood for visitors, or some such excuse. I have left them quite alone for some time now, since neither seemed interested in my visits, and of course you understand how painful it is to see the degeneration of my family in this way."
Holmes puffed on his pipe for a moment, gazing at the young man. My friend knew only too well the problems of these elements. He kept his own secrets.
At last he spoke. "My dear young man, I insist that you go at once to the home of your mother, no matter how painful it is for you, and do not be put off by the man Douglas."
"But, but, I have tried before--"
Holmes hastily cut him off. "I beg of you! Go at once. The welfare of your mother and sister are at stake. Time is of the essence. Begone now. Watson and I will be meet you there shortly."
The man looked confused, but gathered his hat and cane, leaving with all promptness. Holmes then gestured to me. "Come, Watson, we shall make one stop on our way to the wharf."
Monday, May 10, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
What if?
Reading Mary McDonald's blog post this morning got me thinking. (Her blog's on my sidebar if you want to check it out.) What if you knew there was a publisher waiting to publish you as soon as you got that current wip done and polished? What if there were no agents, no query letters or rejections to worry about?
Imagine this process: the writer creates the story with all his talent and skill, passes it off to the publisher (and I'm NOT talking vanity press here) who welcomes it with eager smiles--then comes editing, typesetting and printing-- to create the masterpiece that is every author's dream. A book.
And what if there were thousands of people eager to read your book? To pay money for it?
We're writers. We are good at imagining and saying what if. So imagine this scenario. Pretend it's real. How does it change you? How would it change your approach to writing? What would you do differently than you're doing now?
Imagine this process: the writer creates the story with all his talent and skill, passes it off to the publisher (and I'm NOT talking vanity press here) who welcomes it with eager smiles--then comes editing, typesetting and printing-- to create the masterpiece that is every author's dream. A book.
And what if there were thousands of people eager to read your book? To pay money for it?
We're writers. We are good at imagining and saying what if. So imagine this scenario. Pretend it's real. How does it change you? How would it change your approach to writing? What would you do differently than you're doing now?
Thursday, May 6, 2010
The Joy of Editing a Brilliant Writer
Last year, my publisher asked me if I would consider taking on a few editing assignments. Well, sure, why not? And lucky me landed one that is probably the easiest editing that could have come my way.
This manuscript was a rewrite and resubmit. It originally was over 100,000 words, with a story line that should have been YA but veered into adult territory. The acquisitions editor wanted to know if the author would rewrite and resubmit it as a YA adventure and get it below 100,000, the ideal being 80,000. The author was willing and eager to do so.
The resubmitted manuscript got passed around and approved, and I was so excited to get to be the editor! It's a fantastic story. I want to talk about it but I can't. I've been editing this week and really getting into this story. He's done an incredible job with his second rewrites. It's down to 80,000 words, the narrative goes at a fast, exciting pace and I just can't wait to see this in a book!
The author lives on the East Coast, so who knows if I'll ever get to meet him. But he's a super-talented guy who deserves every success with his writing career!
This manuscript was a rewrite and resubmit. It originally was over 100,000 words, with a story line that should have been YA but veered into adult territory. The acquisitions editor wanted to know if the author would rewrite and resubmit it as a YA adventure and get it below 100,000, the ideal being 80,000. The author was willing and eager to do so.
The resubmitted manuscript got passed around and approved, and I was so excited to get to be the editor! It's a fantastic story. I want to talk about it but I can't. I've been editing this week and really getting into this story. He's done an incredible job with his second rewrites. It's down to 80,000 words, the narrative goes at a fast, exciting pace and I just can't wait to see this in a book!
The author lives on the East Coast, so who knows if I'll ever get to meet him. But he's a super-talented guy who deserves every success with his writing career!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
I'm no longer 32. Can I still crush it?
The book I ordered came. Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk, the one I post about here.
I've got several questions after reading it. Like, how can such a little book be so loud? I felt like the author was yelling at me the whole time. His photo on the back flap-- dark, intense eyes staring out at the reader-- unnerved me, and I almost took off the cover. But I couldn't, because I always use the flaps as bookmarks. Even though I didn't need a bookmark with this one. It was so short, I read it in one sitting, while Gary stared me down the whole time. Okay, I get it already! Stop yelling at me!
But do I get it? Do I know how to crush it? Do I even want to crush it? His whole philosophy is to build your personal brand through social media so that advertisers will come find you and throw money at you and you will then be rich beyond your wildest dreams.
Like that scene in the movie, Julie and Julia, where she comes home to a zillion messages on her machine from agents, media moguls, Oprah, Walt Disney...pretty much everyone wants to throw money at her because of her cooking blog.
So apparently that can happen to me if I build my personal brand here on this funky giraffe blog. Oh yeah! I want to be rich beyond my wildest dreams! Then I can do stuff I don't do now. Like check into a really cool hotel-- the third floor, Soda Springs-- and write my next novel.
Still, I don't really believe it. I don't believe ad people will throw money at me and agents will leave messages on my phone. I'm not sure I even want that. My blog title "Reclusive Writer" is there for a reason. Because I really am reclusive!
So if I don't believe it, then why am I up blogging at midnight? Isn't that what loud, intense Gary told me to do? Was I hypnotized? Or maybe it was that diet Coke I drank at 9 p.m.
Crush it? I'm not even sure what it is I'm supposed to be crushing. And I still haven't figured out how to brand myself, or tattoo myself, or whatever the heck it is. I'll sleep on it and think about it tomorrow. Peace Out.
I've got several questions after reading it. Like, how can such a little book be so loud? I felt like the author was yelling at me the whole time. His photo on the back flap-- dark, intense eyes staring out at the reader-- unnerved me, and I almost took off the cover. But I couldn't, because I always use the flaps as bookmarks. Even though I didn't need a bookmark with this one. It was so short, I read it in one sitting, while Gary stared me down the whole time. Okay, I get it already! Stop yelling at me!
But do I get it? Do I know how to crush it? Do I even want to crush it? His whole philosophy is to build your personal brand through social media so that advertisers will come find you and throw money at you and you will then be rich beyond your wildest dreams.
Like that scene in the movie, Julie and Julia, where she comes home to a zillion messages on her machine from agents, media moguls, Oprah, Walt Disney...pretty much everyone wants to throw money at her because of her cooking blog.
So apparently that can happen to me if I build my personal brand here on this funky giraffe blog. Oh yeah! I want to be rich beyond my wildest dreams! Then I can do stuff I don't do now. Like check into a really cool hotel-- the third floor, Soda Springs-- and write my next novel.
Still, I don't really believe it. I don't believe ad people will throw money at me and agents will leave messages on my phone. I'm not sure I even want that. My blog title "Reclusive Writer" is there for a reason. Because I really am reclusive!
So if I don't believe it, then why am I up blogging at midnight? Isn't that what loud, intense Gary told me to do? Was I hypnotized? Or maybe it was that diet Coke I drank at 9 p.m.
Crush it? I'm not even sure what it is I'm supposed to be crushing. And I still haven't figured out how to brand myself, or tattoo myself, or whatever the heck it is. I'll sleep on it and think about it tomorrow. Peace Out.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Library Fun & Games
Last night another author (David J. West) and I did a presentation at a local library. It was geared toward families, with me presenting Farm Girl for the kids, Uncut Diamonds for the moms and David presenting his debut novel, Heroes of the Fallen, for the older kids and the dads.
Several families, lots of kids, and a great time. Having raised ten children of my own in an environment of reading, books, writing and telling stories, I loved doing this event. It was the kind of thing my husband and I would have really liked coming to with our own kids.
It wasn't that successful sales-wise, but that didn't matter to me. Sales come and go, you win some you lose some. (Like followers lol, which I have just lost 2 in one week. What's going on with that?) What mattered was sharing the story of the little farm girl and the different life she had, with the country school, the differences in culture between then and now, and all that. What mattered was seeing how attentive these kids were to this story.
When I switched to the mom's part, I shared the story of how the cover of Uncut Diamonds came to be, then I asked how many were Irish? (None.) Raised Catholic? (None. And they're wondering what the heck I'm getting at. Good, I have their attention.) Then I say, "Looks like you're not my demographic. I've learned my demographic is Irish women raised Catholic. So you may not like Uncut Diamonds, but you can try it if you want." (Punchline. A lot of laughs.)
I'm here to tell you that this job (paid or not) can have unexpected rewards. There's more to it besides sales, selling books, money, success, fame, being on Oprah, having tons of followers on your blog (gosh, why did 2 leave me? What did I do? What did I say? Oh, please come back!) Wait-- where was I?
Right..uh...unexpected writerly rewards...and last night I experienced one of them at the community library in American Fork, Utah.
Several families, lots of kids, and a great time. Having raised ten children of my own in an environment of reading, books, writing and telling stories, I loved doing this event. It was the kind of thing my husband and I would have really liked coming to with our own kids.
It wasn't that successful sales-wise, but that didn't matter to me. Sales come and go, you win some you lose some. (Like followers lol, which I have just lost 2 in one week. What's going on with that?) What mattered was sharing the story of the little farm girl and the different life she had, with the country school, the differences in culture between then and now, and all that. What mattered was seeing how attentive these kids were to this story.
When I switched to the mom's part, I shared the story of how the cover of Uncut Diamonds came to be, then I asked how many were Irish? (None.) Raised Catholic? (None. And they're wondering what the heck I'm getting at. Good, I have their attention.) Then I say, "Looks like you're not my demographic. I've learned my demographic is Irish women raised Catholic. So you may not like Uncut Diamonds, but you can try it if you want." (Punchline. A lot of laughs.)
I'm here to tell you that this job (paid or not) can have unexpected rewards. There's more to it besides sales, selling books, money, success, fame, being on Oprah, having tons of followers on your blog (gosh, why did 2 leave me? What did I do? What did I say? Oh, please come back!) Wait-- where was I?
Right..uh...unexpected writerly rewards...and last night I experienced one of them at the community library in American Fork, Utah.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Writer Brain and the Blogger Brain
When I left for the weekend, I thought a retreat from the internet would be a nice break. It was a lovely weekend, but what do I do as soon as I get back home? Catch up on blogs, and write posts. I tried commenting on a few blogs and then stopped when I noticed how lame and weak my comments came across.
I think there's a blogging part of the brain and a writing part, and never the two shall mix. This weekend, in the quaint environment where we stayed, transported me to another world, (I write about it here if you're curious)--my writer brain came alive and my blogging brain went to sleep.
The blogger brain still feels groggy. I'll get back to my regularly scheduled programming soon enough, but meanwhile, I'm going to steep myself in the reading of some great fiction and go to bed early.
Writer's block is when a writer's brain isn't functioning properly. Is it blogger block when your blogger's brain falls asleep? Is this even a problem? Or maybe it's an opportunity?
I think there's a blogging part of the brain and a writing part, and never the two shall mix. This weekend, in the quaint environment where we stayed, transported me to another world, (I write about it here if you're curious)--my writer brain came alive and my blogging brain went to sleep.
The blogger brain still feels groggy. I'll get back to my regularly scheduled programming soon enough, but meanwhile, I'm going to steep myself in the reading of some great fiction and go to bed early.
Writer's block is when a writer's brain isn't functioning properly. Is it blogger block when your blogger's brain falls asleep? Is this even a problem? Or maybe it's an opportunity?
Friday, April 30, 2010
Servant of a Dark God by John Brown --an awesome book by an awesome author!
Here I am in Soda Springs, Idaho and guess what-- hahaha, our room has internet access! So even though I promised my husband I wouldn't blog I just had to write this quick post (and he agreed) to tell you all that we got to hear John Brown (yup that's his real name lol) speak at the library show.
He spoke about how fiction, especially fantasy and sci fi is like a drug to the brain, so that makes the librarians drug dealers. I thought that was LOL funny. Why was I the only one laughing? I don't know, maybe they didn't get the humor but I thought it was hilarious and so so true! Reading a great book, an exciting book can be like a drug to a kid, especially when it's in their genre, which for so many of them now is fantasy and sci fi.
John Brown also spoke about his writing journey which I found fascinating. I won't recap here as I think a lot of that is on his website, but I just hung on every word. Afterward, I spoke to him at his table, and bought a copy of Servant of a Dark God (don't you love that title?) which he autographed for me (of course). He was there for most of the show and I didn't see a crowd buying his book, which surprised me. (There were no crowds buying my books either, so that made us somewhat alike in that aspect lol).
Anyway, this isn't my genre and I wouldn't have bought it otherwise. But because I heard the author speak, then met him and chatted for quite awhile (he also asked about my books which I thought was nice & friendly), I bought his book and was happy to do so. And I most certainly will read it. It will be the first book published by Tor that I have ever read!
Just goes to show, all of you authors and prospective authors out there, it's the personal touch that counts. It's US and OUR personality that sells our books. Crazy, isn't it?
He spoke about how fiction, especially fantasy and sci fi is like a drug to the brain, so that makes the librarians drug dealers. I thought that was LOL funny. Why was I the only one laughing? I don't know, maybe they didn't get the humor but I thought it was hilarious and so so true! Reading a great book, an exciting book can be like a drug to a kid, especially when it's in their genre, which for so many of them now is fantasy and sci fi.
John Brown also spoke about his writing journey which I found fascinating. I won't recap here as I think a lot of that is on his website, but I just hung on every word. Afterward, I spoke to him at his table, and bought a copy of Servant of a Dark God (don't you love that title?) which he autographed for me (of course). He was there for most of the show and I didn't see a crowd buying his book, which surprised me. (There were no crowds buying my books either, so that made us somewhat alike in that aspect lol).
Anyway, this isn't my genre and I wouldn't have bought it otherwise. But because I heard the author speak, then met him and chatted for quite awhile (he also asked about my books which I thought was nice & friendly), I bought his book and was happy to do so. And I most certainly will read it. It will be the first book published by Tor that I have ever read!
Just goes to show, all of you authors and prospective authors out there, it's the personal touch that counts. It's US and OUR personality that sells our books. Crazy, isn't it?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Writing a Novel in Thirty Days
I used to think that NaNoWriMo was a bad idea. Who can write anything of worth in such a short time? Okay, it won't be ready to submit professionally, but there are reasons why a quick start is helpful.
* Writing that fast will help you keep your tone and voice consistent.
* An outline and/or clear structure diagram is a must to stay on track.
* When your mind and pen wanders and drifts, time will force you to rein things in and return to the story.
* The forced discipline will stimulate your imagination.
* In preparation, you'll take time off work, prepare meals ahead, stay home weekends--whatever will free up time for the writing frenzy.
* Once the thing is written-- first draft done, story and characters in there somewhere-- you can take your time revising. All year if necessary.
Robert Penn Warren said, "Some people pour it out and it is fine; some people pour it out and it's awful. And some people grind it out very hard, and it is awful; and some people grind it out very hard, and it's good."
But after the writing, whether you pour it out or grind it out, comes the critical thinking, the analyzing and revising. Not during. After. Then you go back to it, take your time and create something real out of that hectic, mad thirty day rush of awful words strung together. That's when you go back and find the story and the people, like a sculptor with his clay. That's when you create art.
Almost makes you wish for November, doesn't it?
* Writing that fast will help you keep your tone and voice consistent.
* An outline and/or clear structure diagram is a must to stay on track.
* When your mind and pen wanders and drifts, time will force you to rein things in and return to the story.
* The forced discipline will stimulate your imagination.
* In preparation, you'll take time off work, prepare meals ahead, stay home weekends--whatever will free up time for the writing frenzy.
* Once the thing is written-- first draft done, story and characters in there somewhere-- you can take your time revising. All year if necessary.
Robert Penn Warren said, "Some people pour it out and it is fine; some people pour it out and it's awful. And some people grind it out very hard, and it is awful; and some people grind it out very hard, and it's good."
But after the writing, whether you pour it out or grind it out, comes the critical thinking, the analyzing and revising. Not during. After. Then you go back to it, take your time and create something real out of that hectic, mad thirty day rush of awful words strung together. That's when you go back and find the story and the people, like a sculptor with his clay. That's when you create art.
Almost makes you wish for November, doesn't it?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Some sweet, sunshiney, prolific, awesomesauce blogs to crow about!
Time to pass out a few awards I've been hoarding and to share links of some amazing bloggers! Okay, now I can't remember specifically who gave me what when, as I said I've been hoarding these babies, but what I'll do is pass them out and list awardees after and hopefully this covers everything. First is the sweet little bear
And this goes to some sweet bloggers who I hope you will check out and follow if you're not already:
Sweet Glynis is taking time off from her blog to spend more time with her very ill friend.
Faith Hough is so sweet she helped her writer husband set up his blog.
Ann at Inkpots and Quills always seems to write with a smile!
Now for the sunshine award:
Old Kitty always brings sunshine into my life with her posts and her comments.
Melissa J. Cunningham is the sunniest, happiest person ever!
Suz Korb is sunny AND funny!
Alex Fleetwood brightens my day with updates on the goings on in Hampshire. She's another British blogger I love to visit!
Now here's the award I keep getting, cuz maybe I'm a little wordy and over the top in my blog posting lol?
So check out these prolific bloggers because they are so cool!
Jen at unedited blogs a lot AND writes a lot! Full of energy is this girl! Her blog is so fun.
The Alliterative Allomorph has been writing daily A - Z posts that are insightful, interesting and intense (how's that alliteration?) AND she lives in Greece!
Theresa Millstein writes daily about teaching, writing, and so many fascinating topics and always has fantastic quotable quotes to boot.
Fran's posts are fresh, hilarious and did you know she went on vacation to Tenby?
All of you are awesomesauce but I had to force myself to pick and choose, oh so hard to do!
If you haven't checked out Plain Jane's blog yet you must! Because she is a nonwriter (she says) who loves to follow writer blogs. She posts about ordinary things in a funny cute way.
Kimberly Franklin is funny and energetic and funny and cute. And did I say funny?
Mary McDonald's blog is one of my new discoveries and I love it for her refreshing honesty. She even admits to not caring much about shoes!! You gotta respect that!
Barbara Scully's awesomesauce kitchen table is one of my favorite stops in Dublin!
Now for the writer blogs who I think seriously are going to have something to crow about some day because they are incredible writers!! Actually all of you can take this one and crow your heads off because you are amazing, but these are the ones I picked today:
Crystal Cook
Susan Fields
Jayne at A Novice Novelist
Brigid at sort of writing
Amy Saia, and her post on tornadoes is here, if you missed it.
If I missed passing out any awards that were bestowed on me, I apologize. And I apologize for not giving the links of those who gave me the awards, but I get easily confused in my dotage and so thought it would be best to simplify. Go check out these blogs, they are all fantastic!!
And this goes to some sweet bloggers who I hope you will check out and follow if you're not already:
Sweet Glynis is taking time off from her blog to spend more time with her very ill friend.
Faith Hough is so sweet she helped her writer husband set up his blog.
Ann at Inkpots and Quills always seems to write with a smile!
Now for the sunshine award:
Old Kitty always brings sunshine into my life with her posts and her comments.
Melissa J. Cunningham is the sunniest, happiest person ever!
Suz Korb is sunny AND funny!
Alex Fleetwood brightens my day with updates on the goings on in Hampshire. She's another British blogger I love to visit!
Now here's the award I keep getting, cuz maybe I'm a little wordy and over the top in my blog posting lol?
So check out these prolific bloggers because they are so cool!
Jen at unedited blogs a lot AND writes a lot! Full of energy is this girl! Her blog is so fun.
The Alliterative Allomorph has been writing daily A - Z posts that are insightful, interesting and intense (how's that alliteration?) AND she lives in Greece!
Theresa Millstein writes daily about teaching, writing, and so many fascinating topics and always has fantastic quotable quotes to boot.
Fran's posts are fresh, hilarious and did you know she went on vacation to Tenby?
All of you are awesomesauce but I had to force myself to pick and choose, oh so hard to do!
If you haven't checked out Plain Jane's blog yet you must! Because she is a nonwriter (she says) who loves to follow writer blogs. She posts about ordinary things in a funny cute way.
Kimberly Franklin is funny and energetic and funny and cute. And did I say funny?
Mary McDonald's blog is one of my new discoveries and I love it for her refreshing honesty. She even admits to not caring much about shoes!! You gotta respect that!
Barbara Scully's awesomesauce kitchen table is one of my favorite stops in Dublin!
Now for the writer blogs who I think seriously are going to have something to crow about some day because they are incredible writers!! Actually all of you can take this one and crow your heads off because you are amazing, but these are the ones I picked today:
Crystal Cook
Susan Fields
Jayne at A Novice Novelist
Brigid at sort of writing
Amy Saia, and her post on tornadoes is here, if you missed it.
If I missed passing out any awards that were bestowed on me, I apologize. And I apologize for not giving the links of those who gave me the awards, but I get easily confused in my dotage and so thought it would be best to simplify. Go check out these blogs, they are all fantastic!!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Here's what makes it all worthwhile....
So I wake up this morning and see this on my sidebar-- BOOK REVIEW-- UNCUT DIAMONDS. Barbara Scully, my 100th follower who won a copy of my novel, has read and reviewed it and liked it! Not only that but in a comment on one of my previous blog posts, she said that her mom read and loved it as well.
Please go to Barbara's lovely blog, From My Kitchen Table, and tell her thank you from me! (After reading the review of course, lol!)
I'm pretty sure neither of my two books currently out will ever make a bestseller list. (Although Farm Girl was the best selling title for several months in the local Red Cloud, NE book store. Does that count?) I'm pretty sure that I won't be making mortgage payments from my royalty checks. But what matters to me more than money is to hear from a reader like Barbara who says it's the kind of book she can wrap herself in and "I just love the main character Marcie McGill."
This kind of response makes it all worthwhile to me-- all the writing, revising, editing and rewriting, until finally miracle of miracles, I hold a book in my hands that scares me to death. What if people don't like it? What if they don't get it? What if, like one publisher who rejected it said, they think "the Seventies are boring. No one wants to read about them."
And who knew that my demographic would be Irish women lol? Or as Barbara herself said when she chose this as her prize, "I'm a child of the Seventies who loved the Osmonds, so of course Uncut Diamonds is my choice!"
Thanks, Barbara! You made my day!
Please go to Barbara's lovely blog, From My Kitchen Table, and tell her thank you from me! (After reading the review of course, lol!)
I'm pretty sure neither of my two books currently out will ever make a bestseller list. (Although Farm Girl was the best selling title for several months in the local Red Cloud, NE book store. Does that count?) I'm pretty sure that I won't be making mortgage payments from my royalty checks. But what matters to me more than money is to hear from a reader like Barbara who says it's the kind of book she can wrap herself in and "I just love the main character Marcie McGill."
This kind of response makes it all worthwhile to me-- all the writing, revising, editing and rewriting, until finally miracle of miracles, I hold a book in my hands that scares me to death. What if people don't like it? What if they don't get it? What if, like one publisher who rejected it said, they think "the Seventies are boring. No one wants to read about them."
And who knew that my demographic would be Irish women lol? Or as Barbara herself said when she chose this as her prize, "I'm a child of the Seventies who loved the Osmonds, so of course Uncut Diamonds is my choice!"
Thanks, Barbara! You made my day!
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