Interview with Beverly Stowe McClure, author of children and teen books

I was intrigued in reading your bio that the time between your first published piece and your second was forty years as you never went after it as a career. You then got into a writing career when others are starting to plan for retirement. What motivated you to take on that new challenge?  

The poem that was published in 8th grade was strictly for an assignment. At that time I had no desire to write. I read only what was necessary for school work. As a teacher, I enjoyed reading to my students especially the great Newberry award winning books. Seeing these books I came to realize that reading could be fun!  

A few years before I retired I decided to try writing. I started with magazine articles, many based on activities we did in class. Then I tried my hand at writing novels. Just because you retire doesn't mean you stop living. I'm now in my second career-writing-and loving it.

Did anyone ever tell you that you were too old to start writing? Have you ever felt that maybe you were out of your league and should just forget about the idea of being a writer?
No one ever told me I was "too old" but I didn't receive a lot of encouragement. I took a writing course that helped guide me in the right direction. I've never considered not writing since I started, even when I sometime want to throw the computer out the window. The next day will usually be better.

You write for beginning readers, tweens and YA. Which is more challenging? Which genre do you feel more comfortable writing?
 I think writing for young children is harder. Every word has to count. I'm more comfortable writing YA.

How often do you write?

I try to write a minimum of two pages a day. More is better, but not always possible.

I love everything Christmas and I see you have a new book out called Tumbleweed Christmas. How did this story evolve? I understand it is nominated for the Cybils Award. Can you explain to my readers what that means?

Tumbleweed Christmas was born when I saw a tumbleweed roll across our pasture. I knew there was a story there. It took me a while to find it, but now it's out for all to read. 

The Cybils Award is to "Reward the children’s and young adult authors (and illustrators) whose books combine the highest literary merit and "kid appeal." It's also to "Foster a sense of community among bloggers who write about children’s and YA literature, and to highlight our best reviewers."

How long did it take for you to get your first book published? How many publishers did you contact? What do you know now about publishing that you wished you had learned earlier?
My first book took about two years to be published. I'd say most of the "big" publishers had a chance. I thought the only way to go was with N Y houses. I went with an ePublisher finally. Now, I love Indie publishers.

I've also learned that entering contests helps get your name out there. And if you're a winner in one or two, it makes all your work more exciting. Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, my YA Historical, is a Finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Awards, Novella Division, and also a Finalist in the eBook Global Awards, Teen Division. These contests have encouraged me.

Can you think of any special event that happened when you were doing either a book signing, reading or other promotion that touched you and made you think – that’s the reason I write?  At my recent signing for Tumbleweed, a 1st grade girl told me she wanted to be an artist. She loved looking at the illustrations in the book. When I showed her the picture of the artist she was so excited. Children (or teens) are the reason I write. If I can help them love books, I've done my job.

What words of advice do you have for starting out writers regardless of their age for encouragement?
Write for yourself, no matter your age. I seldom think about being a grandma when I'm writing. I'm me, a writer. Also, write what you enjoy reading. Never give up, no matter how many times your manuscript is returned with a "no thanks." Keep looking for the right publisher. Study how to write good query letters. Join a critique group to help you make your story the best it can be. And read, read, read. 

What other books do you have in the works?

Currently I'm working on a Tween book, Princess Breeze, the sequel to Just Breeze. Also, a YA Contemporary Novel, Survivors' Club is going through revisions

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Thank you for the great interview, Beverly. If you would like to learn more about her and her writing go to http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com, or http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com...
Her books are also available at Amazon, B&N, BAM,and Powell's (one of my favorite bookstores to visit when I'm in the area)

Having an Attitude of Gratitude

As I sit down to a Thanksgiving meal with friends this year, I am thankful for friends who help me feel at home in my new town. I am thankful for the wonderful home that my husband found for us to live. I am thankful for a husband who is loving and supportive. And I am thankful for a God that watches over us and is always there for us.

Those are just some of the things I am thankful for in my life. Here's some more famous people and their thoughts on giving thanks and being grateful.

“In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Albert Schweitzer

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." Oprah Winfrey

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." Charles Dickens

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." Thornton Wilder

“The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings." Henry Ward Beecher

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." John Fitzgerald Kennedy 

 

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." G.K. Chesterton

"The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!" Henry Ward Beecher

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”  Thornton Wilder

“Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all.” William Faulkner

“Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.” Aldous Huxley

“When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them. “Chinese Proverb

“What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets.  I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?” Erma Bombeck

“Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.” Native American Saying

Nine Special Thanksgiving Memories

As I mentioned earlier in the month, the topic for the blog chain for which I participate monthly is simply “nine.” The other writers have evolved this into memories of being nine but more popularly it has been a list of nine things that had special meaning for the writers. So I will be following suit now with my own neuf / nueve / neun / negen / nove/ nio/ nouâ /nevn / devynì chart.

Being so close to Thanksgiving, I thought it would use it as a great tie in by telling my nine favorite turkey day memories. These are broken down in time frames of remembrances. The first would be having Thanksgiving dinner with my mom’s family. This was a big event with all the cousins, aunts and uncles and of course my grandparents. What I remember most about going there was the fact that there was a candy dish on the coffee table that was always filled with M & M’s. We were even allowed to have a few before the big dinner. In later years when my grandparents were sizing down and giving away there possessions, the candy dish is one of the things I requested as it would always remind me of those great holiday memories.

The next favorite Thanksgiving memory would be going to my grandmother’s house on my father’s side. This was always after the big dinner and we would all pile into the car and head out. There we would have dessert. But it wasn’t the food that I remember it was being able to play with typeset from the print shop where dad’s family worked below where they lived. None of the presses would be running that day but the smell of the presses still hung in the air. We could spell out words in blocks and build walls with the type font and spacers or make buildings. Whenever I smell printing press ink, I will always remember my time at play in that shop.

When I made my first turkey dinner all by me at age 14, it wasn’t Thanksgiving but I felt like it was. My mom had let me take over all the details of planning and cooking the meal. Although I had helped with cooking in bits and pieces growing up, it wasn’t until I started high school and took “home ec” cooking classes that I really fell in love with food preparation. At that point I thought the ideal career would be working in a food manufacturers test kitchen creating new dishes. Today I love watching the cooking shows on TV and wonder what it would be doing that for a living.

My first drive back home of 500 miles from my freshman year in college would be my next favorite memory of a Thanksgiving. Eating at the campus cafeteria or throwing something in the mini microwave that I had in the dorm room didn’t cut it for me. I couldn’t wait to have real home-cooked food. That year being with family was especially memorable as it was the first time in my life I had been away from home for more than a week.

Once I got married and we had our first Thanksgiving dinner together it was also a memorable milestone. We were living half way across the country from both of our families and didn’t have the funds to make it home for the holidays. Even though it was just the two of us, I still made the full deal meal. My husband was grateful that I had learned to cook as a teen as the meal came out picture perfect – even though it overwhelmed our small kitchen table.

A very special day is the one we called our “orphan” Thanksgiving. This was when I was divorced and got together with a group of other single friends who weren’t going home for the holidays. We all made or brought something to the feast. And what an assortment it was as the person who organized it made sure there weren’t duplicates! It was a great day to relax, chat, munch, drink and occasionally watch a bit of football.

Another that was especially memorable was when my husband and I helped serve Thanksgiving dinner for those in need. Our church at that time did a weekly food bank and we had given out all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal with their choice of either a ham or turkey. But our pastor didn’t think that was enough, so we planned to make the full meal for those who didn’t have real kitchens to prepare them. This was a full day event with helpers and eaters coming in and out throughout the day. I was amazed at seeing all the people who came out for the food, but even more amazed at all the people who came out to help, especially whole families.  The camaraderie and love I felt that day was amazing.

My “empty nesters” Thanksgiving is also another favorite. This was a group 10 people who loved to cook but didn’t have the big family to do it for.  This is the first time I had a free range fresh turkey plus we had a leg of lamb for an additional entree. Both were quite tasty as well as all the wonderful appetizers and side dishes that others brought as their pièce de résistance. We also spent time discussing favorite and memorable meals we had in other parts of the world.

This Thanksgiving dinner I expect to be memorable as well. It will be our first one in Texas. I know it will be memorable as we are sharing the meal with our friends who helped us get our feet on the ground here. They let my husband stay with them while he was looking for a new home for us and then again for a few more days when we arrived ahead of the moving van. Their generosity isn’t just in having us over for dinner, but we also be sharing it with some of their neighbors as well for a community get-together. I’m going to be doing my part for the meal and bringing a couple of my favorite side dishes.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I will be grateful for all my wonderful past memories of this holiday. I look forward to more in the future. What are some of the Thanksgiving memories that you have that bring a smile to your face?

One final note...I did a guest blog yesterday. Here's the link if you would like to read it  http://suzanne-hartmann2.blogspot.com/

Time to Celebrate Success

Instead of celebrating another author, today I am taking the time to celebrate my own recent success. To the left you will see the cover of the quarterly devotional called "The Secret Place."  I have two pieces included in this issue.

I love the cover they chose to show a winter theme of relaxing by a fireplace. It's just the right place to snuggle up for a good read. Unfortunately, where I live we are having a bit of a warming spell so there is no desire for a warm fireplace. In my previous home, I loved to be able to curl up on the couch and read as the logs crackled in the fireplace next to me. So for now that wonderful coziness will have to be just a memory.

If you have a fireplace or another favorite cozy place, I hope you'll take the time to relax and read something inspiring. Turn off the TV. Pick up a favorite book and just relax in a good read.

If you are looking for some inspirational thoughts, you might want to consider this quarterly publication. For more details on it go to www.judsonpress.com.

Interview with Yona Zeldis McDonough author of biographies for children

In reading your biography I see you have always been an avid reader –because readers just have to read even if it is the cereal box in front of them at breakfast. All that reading didn’t get you thinking that maybe you could write something like that (stories not notes on cereal boxes. What changed for you to take up the goal to write what you love to do?
For a long time, I was intimidated by the thought of writing.  I had a friend in college, an English major, whose thesis was a collection of short stories. I was so impressed that he could produce this work but it seemed beyond me.  I went to graduate school in art history, which I found I hated.  But I was permitted to take other classes in the university, and on a whim, I signed up for a fiction writing class. That was my aha! moment.

You’ve written a number of children’s books about famous people who are an inspiration and role model to children. How did you get involved in writing those stories

Through my mother, who illustrated a number of them.

 Did you pitch the stories to the publishers or did they come to you with the ideas?
 Both.  For the picture books (w/my mom) we pitched the ideas.  For the Who Was? series, I    was  asked to write to the bios.
 

Since you are an avid reader, does doing research for your biographies come easy? 
Yes, I love reading about people whose work and lives I admire. 

 Is there any one story that really touched you in doing the research that you learned something unique about the person?
So many! Reading about Harriet Tubman’s childhood as a slave: when refused a blanket by the people who “owned” her, she buried her feet in the ashes by the fire to stay warm. She was seven. Or reading about how Helen Keller was so frustrated and angry as a child that she tore apart the cake her mother had baked for her birthday.  Mozart, Louis Armstrong, JFK...there were wonderful, touching, defining moments in each of their stories.  

Your book, Louisa: The Life of Louisa May Alcott, is ranked #16 for children’s literary biographies. Why do you think this book has such a strong appeal?
 It was, I think, a good combination of words and pictures.  I tried to tell Louisa’s story in a very forthright way, not sugarcoating its difficulties.  And the illustrations are exceptional—lush and dreamy. I love them.

I also see that a number of your children’s books were illustrated by your mother. What was that like? Did you have any conflict with what your vision for what the images should be as opposed to hers?

My mother, Malcah Zeldis, is a well-known folk artist.  We work very seamlessly together.  She has lots of ideas and we brainstorm to settle on one that we both feel passionately about.

You don’t limit yourself to biographies for children. You’ve also have two books on American icons namely Marilyn Monroe and Barbie. What intrigues you to write about them? 

I always loved Barbie as a child and wrote an essay about her that was published in the New York Times Magazine in 1998 or so.  The book grew out of that essay.   And the book did well, so I thought of another blonde bombshell who interested me: Marilyn Monroe.

 You seem to have a fascination for dolls as you have also written two children’s books that are about a young girl whose parents own a doll repair shop.
 Yes, I am a doll lover from way back.  Now I collect dolls.  Don’t ask me how many I have because I don’t know!  But it’s a lot.

You say that Brooklyn has been a fertile ground for your writing. Is there anything in this book that touches your earlier life?

I suppose I am drawing on my childhood love of dolls, but also my childhood love for literature that was written long ago.  Even then I had a fascination with the past and loved books set in earlier times: ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, A LITTLE PRINCESS, A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, UNDERSTOOD BETSY.

 Are you planning on this to be a continuing series?

 I’d love to do another if my publisher is interested.

 Did you have the idea for the second book as you wrote the first one? 
No. It was only because the first book did so well that I was able to write the second.





What advice would you give to other writers for encouragement?
 Keep reading, and keep writing, even if it’s only a page a day.  Share your work with someone you respect, be prepared to revise, revise, revise and send your work out as far and wide as you can.  When it gets rejected, send it right back out again—don’t wait!

That's it for today's interview. I hope it has inspired you to read some of her books. If you would like to learn more about Yona and her writing, go to her website at
 www.yonazeldismcdonough.com

Thank You Vets, Both Past and Present

Today is Veterans Day and I am flying a flag at my new home. It came with a flag post and a flag which I am proud to display. Now more than ever before I am aware of just what our military men and women do for this country.

I  live in a town that is one town over from an air force base. A couple of weeks ago the base had an open house air show. While I was awed by the Blue Angels air show and the display of planes both new and old as well as the size of several buses, what really impressed me was the sea of uniforms walking all through the crowds.

In taking time to talk to these service men and women, I learned how proud they are to do what they have chosen to do. We have a fully volunteer service -- it is not required service as it is in some other countries. These individuals choose to put themselves in harm's way. Not all will go into active duty as some will be stationed here in the U.S. or other non-combatant areas. However, that doesn't mean they will be safe from harm as was seen in the massacre at Ft. Hood awhile back. Yet these individuals are proud to serve on our behalf.

But these enlisted people aren't the only ones who are serving their country, so are their families. They have to take over duties when the service person leaves on active duty away from the base. I hate being apart from my husband for a day. I can't imagine what it must be like to be separated for months. So I salute the families as well and say, thank you for a job well done. 

My flag is flying and I am sending out prayers of protection to the men and women who have served, currently serve in the military and also for their families as they await their return.

New Meaning of the Term "Quartered"

Just recently moved into a town where there is a Walmart superstore. I needed something for dinner and decided to get some chicken leg quarters because they were a good price and easy to fix. In the Styrofoam tray they looked like any other chicken. But when I got them out of the package I was in for a surprise. Yes, they were a leg and a thigh combo but they were a shaved version of the normal pair. They looked like flattened road kill. For some reason the butcher sliced off about 25% of the back of the legs and thighs. Instead of the chicken pieces being about 3-4 inches thick they were indeed about 25% less in thickness.

I tried to show it in the pictures. Unfortunately, I don't have 3D HD but I will try to explain. If you look at the bones they are sheered through. I have never had this occur in chicken before. Did they have a new butcher who didn’t understand what he was told when asked to put the leg and thigh into quarters? Did he think you slice both bones horizontally?

Or we have the next question. Is this a new way to sell leg quarters so that they will cook quicker? But then what do they do with the other portion which is mostly bone? Is there a need to buy partial chicken bones like you would buy beef bones for a dog? Or was it simply that the butcher sneezed when he was slicing and it only mis-sliced these few portions of the chicken. Inquiring minds want to know.

Have you ever purchased something that was truly an odd “second’? What’s your story?

Interview with Amy Neftzger, Short Story Writer for Children and Adults

When I was doing research on your writing I did my typical "Google" and found you have an immediate 10 links starting with a Wikipedia listing. What do you do to get such a strong search engine response?
First of all, the publishing company has a part time Marketing Director and that helps out a lot. She has set up press releases and events. Secondly, we've hired a free lance Technical Consultant who has been wonderful in updating the website and doing other things such as "search engine optimization" (SEO) and getting me on Twitter. I actually resisted starting a Twitter account but she convinced me to try it. I now have nearly 6,000 followers. I couldn't have predicted that.

I strongly recommend that authors not attempt to build an internet presence by themselves for a couple of reasons. First of all, the qualities that make you good at your craft are the very ones that make it difficult for you to sell yourself. Having someone else work on this with you helps to give everything a professional look and sound. One of the things I've done is to reserve some of the money from my books to put towards paying these people. I look upon it as an investment.

You apparently love animals as you've now written 3 books about them. Are you a pet owner that adores your pets and fawns over them or is it just another way to tell a story?
I do love animals and animals are often drawn to me. I wrote the children's book with a dog as a main character because children also tend to love animals. The other two books (Bedtime Stories for Dogs and Bedtime Stories for Cats) were an idea I had to help raise money for no-kill animal shelters. Parts of the proceeds are being donated to these shelters.

Let's go back to the first book, Conversations with the Moon. How did that collaboration get started? Why was it translated into Korean? What did you learn from writing that book to help you in your next endeavors?
I had already written two novels that had been repeatedly rejected and decided to try short stories, but I wanted the stories to be connected in some way and not just a random collection. I came up with the idea of the moon as an observer of life on earth and that's how I connected the stories. I really don't have an answer as to why it was translated into Korean other than an agent read it and sold it to a Korean publisher. I don't know how the agent got the book.

Your next book, All the dog Ever Wanted, you collaborated with your husband who is a musician. What made you decide to include music with the book? Any surprises or frustrations come about in adding the CD to the book in price or delivery?
My husband and I were talking about how to get more people interested in jazz. One of our theories is that a lot of people don't like the harmonies because they aren't introduced to them at an early age. Jazz harmonies have a very different sound compared to pop music.

I wrote the story and then the illustrations. The music was done last. The first thing we learned about adding a CD to a book is that it complicates the production and distribution. In addition, it raises the cost of producing the book. The profit margin is very low on a CD/book combination. We're not likely to do that again because it was exponentially more difficult.

Are you a musician?
As for music, I studied classical piano for about 10 years and then studied flute as well as the viola. I started the drums about 2 years ago and I'm currently the drummer for Lucky Munk (see link below). I write the lyrics for all the original tunes.

You also illustrated this book which was not computer generated. Which do you prefer - doing the illustrations or the text? Which is more frustrating?
As for the illustrations, I paint as a hobby so those weren't difficult for me. In fact, the whole book only took me about a month to write and illustrate. Given the choice, I would prefer to write text because words are my natural form of expression. Painting is my hobby and I find it relaxing.

The most frustrating part of books for me is not the creation - that's the most rewarding process. The most frustrating part is the marketing and PR. If I could afford to pay someone full time I would hire someone to do all of that part. And maybe one day my wish will be granted.

Let's move forward to your other animal stories with your current releases of bedtime stories for pets. You've written one for dogs and one for cats. How did these books come about? Did you ever consider doing illustrations for these books?
I love reading fables and mythology and got the concept for the books by thinking about how different cultures have their own versions of mythology and stories. So then I thought about animals having a mythology of their own, such as a belief on how the world was formed. Then I realized that dogs and cats would probably have their own biases (such as cats blaming dogs for evil entering the world and dogs blaming cats for the same thing but in a different way).

Yes, I did consider doing illustrations for these books but could not fit it into my schedule. Perhaps if we do a second edition at some point in the future I can add some...

You've had books done in hardback, paperback and now as e-books. Why the change to e-books? The Kindle books are priced at 99 cents which is an amazing price. How does that make you feel as an author selling at such a discounted price? Do you plan to go back to paperbacks or hardcover books?
I added eBooks because some people now prefer them over paper books. The Kindle books are priced at 99 cents at my request - these are fairly short works and I wanted them to be affordable even for people who are hurting in this economy. I want my work to be accessible.

I also know that the majority of my books being sold are print versions. While everyone is talking about this huge increase in eBook sales, I have yet to see a large demand for my books in this format. It may still be coming, though. I will probably always offer both as long as there is demand.

What is your best selling book to date?
The book of mine that has outsold all the others by a wide margin is Conversations with the Moon. It's been used in high school and college literature classes, so that probably helped with sales. I've gotten more fan mail from this book, also. The people who love it seem to really have a strong attachment to it for some reason.

What do you wish you had known earlier in writing and publishing that you know now?
I had some great success with Conversations with the Moon and I should have put out another book for the same audience within 18 months. My advice: don't wait too long between books because when people discover your writing they want more right away. It helps to build an audience if you can keep them engaged. That also means that you probably shouldn't jump into different genres. Stick to one and do it well.

What's some of the best advice you've heard about writing that you would like to pass on to others?
This answer will probably sound cliche, but the best advice I have has already been said. However, I really believe it's true.

First of all, read - especially the classics. Secondly, rewrite, revise and edit. If there is a passage to which you are particularly attached, that's usually a good sign that it needs to be deleted. Finally, writing a story (whether short story or novel) is a lot like raising children: you provide direction and guidance, but you really don't have complete control at any time. The story has a life of it's own. When you force it to go somewhere it shouldn't, you usually end up killing it.

That’s all for today’s interview. If you would like to learn more about Amy’s writing or music here are some ways to do that…

For Amy’s band click here
Amy’s Blog: http://neftzger.blogspot.com/
For Amy’s author page on Amazon click here
For Amy’s Goodreads Author Profile click here

Here's a link to her technology consultant's (Lisa Johnson) website if anyone would like to contact her: http://pixelpincher.com

Submissions Etiquette

Being a member of SCBWI, I have access to a wealth of information about writing and handling submissions. SCBWI suggests that a writer always adhere to the publisher's guidelines regarding submissions. If they say they do not want multiple submissions, then don't do them. So as a writer, I should then follow the proper etiquette as outlined by the publisher. But what about the publisher? What would Miss Manners or Emily Post suggest their side of the correspondance should be? Or being a publisher are they exempt from showing good manners?

Let me give you two cases in point from my own experience.Awhile back I read a story in Publishers Weekly about a senior editor acquiring two best selling authors who would head up a line of their newly expanded imprint for the company. This was a publishing house that I hoped would also represent me. I did a little research and got a direct email for that acquisitions editor. Armed with that information, I was now able to send her an email to compliment her on her achievement and also pitch a couple of book ideas that might fit into two of their book series that they had been publishing for children by various authors.

I did not hear back from her; however I did get a return email the same day from the editor who handled those book series. After a few more emails over the next couple of days, it appeared that for now they wanted to put a hold on the series until the batch in process were released. This editor then agreed that I could send her two picture book stories for her review. I did another edit on the stories and then sent them to her.

After 60 days I got a decline via email on my stories as they "weren't a match for their needs." I was also told that I could feel free to send other stories for review in the future. All that occured without a direct in-person contact.

Now let's take a similar scenario with a direct contact. I went to a writer's conference and had lunch with a children's book agent. I had researched her in advance and could see she respresented the type of books I was writing. I had even listened to her break-out talk earlier and felt more assured that this would be a good contact for me. Once we finished our lunch the agent took a few minute to chat with the five us at the table. She gave people suggestions for improving their work and listened to each of us and our story pitches.

When I gave my pitch, I explained why I thought my stories would have broad appeal and gave her a short synopsis. She said she liked the ideas and gave me her card with her email address to send her my manuscript. She gave her card to each of us at the table.

Once back home, I re-edited my stories and had some additional critiques of it from other published children's authors. Once they gave me the go, I emailed the stories out to the agent. In my email I recounted how we had met at the conference; why these titles would have broad appeal; and Amazon book stats for similar titles and how mine added a little different twist. I even included a short blurb about both books with a teaser end to picque her interest. The manuscripts were included as attachements - double spaced and properly formatted.

Three months went by and no response. I resent my mail with a note mentioning that perhaps my previous email had gotten deleted or misdirected. I also noted that she had suggested that I send these stories to her when she had first heard the details. Three more months later and still no reply.

Those are the results of both a "warm" contact and a "cold" contact in sales terms. In both cases I didn't sell my stories to either the publisher or agent. However, the publisher treated me with respect whereas the agent just ignored me. Who would I suggest others to contact to promote their writings? It would definitely be the publisher. It's the old adage "what goes around comes around." If you don't treat others with respect, then you won't be respected either. That's why many writers are doing multiple submissions without declaring that info in their introductory letters.

Is it really too much to ask to at least acknowldge the receipt of a manuscript? It could be done with an auto reply or one click of a cut and paste form email. That shouldn't be too hard to do as publishers already have form letters that they just drop in a name and send out.

Where do you stand in respecting others with correspondance? Who do you like to do business with in your work?

Are You Ready for Texas?

That's the question that I wondered when I made the move here last month. I had lived in California for 25 years and moving here felt like I was moving to a foreign country. Even though both are large western states with a strong Hispanic influence, the similarities stop there. In California I could easily get around and knew the short cuts to take when traffic was bad (which it often was). If I was going to someplace new, I could do a quick Mapquest to get a visual idea of where I was going.

That won't work in Texas! The exits off the freeway, that parallel it are one way. They also have what are called turnarounds which are quick ways to do a u-turn and avoiding stop lights by using a curbed side road. Not fun when you were just trying to make a left turn and got into the wrong lane. But let's just talk about the basics of traveling about -- I don't even know where the freeways are and where they go! So my first purchase in my new state was a GPS system. That at least gives me a sliver of confidence in getting around. I may not know where I'm going but at least I'll get there!

Most of my time in my new home is spent in taking classes online so I can get retrained to work in a new job here. For now that means I'm not doing a whole lot of traveling about except on weekends. Then my husband and I share the excitement of finding where things are and what there is to do for fun and sightseeing. We're still not settled in, but we're starting to feel a part of this Southern hospitality.

Here's what we've found that we like about driving around Texas and how it's different from California...

1. There is actually vacant land between the major cities. In California one city just blends into the next. Of course being in Texas means you have to make sure you have enough gas; if not there are gas stations along the way even without any established towns.

2. The highway slogan that says "Texas -- drive friendly." Friendly is not how Californians drive. Try getting on the freeway in CA during rush hour and you'll know what unfriendly is. When I've gotten myself in the wrong lane in Texas, folks have let me make the change I need without lots of honking horns.

3. Subdivisions with traffic signs that show "25 miles per hour" that the locals actually obey. They want to make sure children or adults stay safe if they vere into the street. Part of it is concern, the other part is that if you don't there is a good chance you will get a ticket. I've seen this happen in my subdivision twice since I've been here.

There's more that I like about Texas but I'll leave that for another post. What are the things that you like about where you live?

And The Award Goes To...

One of my favorite fellow bloggers recently presented me with the "One Lovely Blog Award."

The requirements of receiving this award are:

1. To thank the giver and link back to her site. I did that personally, but here it is again: THANK YOU, Carol! Here's the link to her blog: http://fromcarolsquill.blogspot.com

2. Provide 5 random facts that folks may not know about you.

3. Pass this award on to 5 other lovely blog sites. Let them know you're awarding them. Link to their sites.

4. Copy the award logo and paste it onto your own site.

Here are those 5 random facts:

1. As a child I could eat the same sandwich day in and out for 30 days or more. One of my favorites was just bread and butter. Now I can go just two days without getting bored with the same food.

2. I've been to a private reception at the White House and still have the invitation to prove it though I considered trying to sell it on ebay (It was just me and a mere 400 others sipping cocktails)

3. I love to read but I don't hold on to books. There's only one that I have kept since I was a child. It was the book of poems by R.S.L. that were read to my mother as a child and then to me by my mom.

4. While vacationing in the Bahamas I ran into a friend who I played softball with during 6th grade summer. At the time it was 15 years later and 1100 miles away from my home town. I also ran into old friends while I was vacationing 500 miles from home and 200 miles from home proving that it is a small world indeed!

5. I love cruising! One time while I was on a cruise vacation I entered a contest for a free vacation to that port. My husband thought it was a waste of time filling out the form but he changed his thoughts on the subject when we arrived home and found a package showing we had won the trip -- yes, it was legitimate and not a scam.

Here are the five wonderful,lovely and unique sites (awarded in no particular order):

http://allynstotz.blogspot.com
http://pjhoover.blogspot.com
http://amyclipstonbooks.blogspot.com/
http://tinamcho.wordpress.com
http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/

What's the Real Deal on Cooking Times?

I love to cook and rarely use short cuts so I love reviewing recipes online. Last night I went online to search out a recipe using Italian sausage. I actually didn't have Italian sausage but as it was a chicken, feta & spinach sausage I thought it would be easier to find a recipe being more generic. Without too much time spent in perusing, I did come across a recipe that looked quite interesting.

The directions said 10 minutes prep time and 35 minutes to cook. I think those times would have worked if I had cooking assistants, but not on my own. It's like watching Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals. The show is broadcast in 30 minutes, but you don't see the extra cutting, simmering, mixing that goes on during the commercials. If she didn't have a staff I don't the meals could be done in a full 30 minutes.

So I would like to have recipes include not only the level of difficulty but the time frames for that level in real time. It could go something like this...

Chop onions and toss into hot skillet:

expert 2 minutes. Be a speed demon with that chef's knife and saute the onions in a flash on your high BTU stove top.

beginner: 10 minutes. Get out the skillet and turn on the heat. If you have a gas stove it will heat up quickly so you may want to wait until the onions are chopped. If you have an electric range, turn on the heat right away as you have extra time to get the food ready. Now get out a sharp knife cut the onion in quarters, throw it into the mini chopper and let it chop till tiny pieces.

This way you'll know how long it will really take to do the cooking and your family and friends won't be getting grumbly since they're hungry. I didn't want that tonight as both my husband and I would be coming in late and would be famished. To prevent that from happening, I did some pre-cooking in the morning before I went out for my appointments. The pre-cooking involved cutting and chopping onions and bell peppers and sauteing them with the sausage.

I now have an electric stove. There wasn't an option for a gas stove in this house as it is all electric so I am learning to cook in a new way. The bad part about electric stoves is the heat up time is a bit longer. The good part is you can turn it off sooner and it will stay warm. I'm having better luck figuring out the end warming time than the turn on time.

The waiting for the skillet to heat took longer which meant the prep time took longer. I did get it done in time before I left but I still had to do more reheating and then cooking later in the evening. The real start to finish time ended up being about one hour. This wasn't too bad as the evening time only took 25 minutes which gave me some time to decompress as the food was in the simmer stage.

So to all you cookbook writers - how about doing translations for the everyday cook? Provide real times for the cooking of Julia Child, The Joy of Cooking or even any of the Rachel Ray recipes. And while you're at it give some ideas for everyday substitutions that can be used.

Here's a starting example...If you don't have bread crumbs, toast a couple of slices of bread. Then cut or tear them to pieces and run them in mini chopper until they are at a crumb stage. If you don't have a shaker with Italian seasoning, get out a package of dry Italian salad mix and add half to the crumbs. It will make 1 cup at a price that is probably 1/10 the cost of the name brand purchased bread crumbs.

Writing to the Nines

In the Hollywood era from the 1930's to the 1950's many a celebrity would be seen posed in elegant evening dress that just oozed sophistication as can be seen in this photo of Loretta Young in her flowing chiffon evening dress. Now rarely a movie shows style and elegance rather they deal with shock value in either lack of dress, language or dead body count. But before I digress too far into the lack of entertainment available on the silver screen today, let me get to the topic at hand.

The photo is dealing with dressing to the nines. According to wiki.answers the phrase is meant to be simply a reference of scale as "on a scale of one to ten; you are dressed to the nines" Since perfection can never be attained, nine would be the absolute best. Of course in the movie This is Spinal Tap the musicians could play past 10 to 11 -- a feat that is not musically possible unless you are stoned out of your mind.

What does this have to do with my blog post title? It is my way of promoting this month's blog chain tour which you can see to the right of this post. The topic this month is simply NINE. Each blogger will write on the topic to their liking whether it be their top 9 favorite things, pet peeves, blessings or even unique things about them or their writing. It should be a interesting month of blogging. I encourage you to check out each blog daily or whenever you have the time. I know I will be reading each and every one -- just not always on the day posted.

Can You Do 30 Meaningful Blog Posts a Month?

That is the question I hope to answer in the affirmative as I begin the 30 day challenge with NaBloPoMo and post daily. I heard about this writing challenge through another writer who is part of the CW blog chain that I participate in monthly. I will be discussing that monthly blog challenge tomorrow as I start rolling out my new changes in pictures for the month. I don't want my readers to be seeing the same photos day in and out.

If you'd like to be a part of this challenge as well, then you need to do it quickly as the deadline for the blogroll is the 5th. Here's the info if you would like to learn more and participate as either a reader or writer... http://www.blogher.com/nablopomo-youre-right-place.

The beauty of being a part of this blogroll is that you can either create your own daily topics or use one of their daily prompts. Today's topic is what you would request for a last meal. As it wasn't a topic that really interested me except in watching it on TV (The Cooking Channel did a over the top gourmand's view of the topic that I couldn't even try to improve with my own culinary tastes), I chose to use this day to invite you to join me in the blogging instead.

Hope you'll continue to drop by to cheer me on the for month. I know I will be doing the same for others. So until tomorrow...keep on writing and exploring the swirls of your imagination.

Interview with Darian Wilk, author of Love Unfinished

Who doesn't love a good love story that makes you feel sad, happy and encouraged all in the reading.Well you'll discover all those feelings and possibilities with today's author. So let's move forward to learn more about her writing.

You’ve just released this novel which you started writing while you were caring for your mother during her illness. How instrumental was she in getting you to write this book? How did she encourage you in your writing?
My mom was a very, very chatty woman, nonstop talking, but when I came over one morning and said, “Mom, I’m thinking about becoming a writer…” it was her peaceful silence, something in the faint smile and nod that assured me after all my trying and failing at a career choice, I had finally figured it out.

During those first few months I experimented with several ideas, bringing each piece I wrote with me to mom’s house in the mornings to pick her brain about them. Mom understood my passion about making it work as a writer, and her help came not from the “Go get em tiger!” attitude, but from giving me no nonsense feedback. If something didn’t work, she said so, she refused to read with a mother’s heart and read with the eyes of a critic.

After a few months of sifting through possibilities for a novel the idea for Love Unfinished sprung itself on me and took on a life of its own. She never made it to hear the end of the story, but when I felt frustrated or discouraged I would just remember her smile from that morning, and I pressed on.

The title of Love Unfinished can apply to many aspects of relationships with people. Are the any semi autobiographical aspects in this book on your life?
I am a lucky woman, my life is filled with more love than I probably deserve, so when looking for similarities between this book and my life you’re not likely to find many. However, the loss of my mom has left a deep impact, an emptiness that very much carries an ‘unfinished’ heaviness with it. I still have things to learn from her, still have questions, still need her.

One of the beginning scenes, after the bride dies, reflects the unfinished feeling that plagues me. Who she meets is a combination of my mom, and my grandma who passed away from cancer when I was 12. The words, movements, and scent of that person were theirs alone.

What authors/movies inspire you to write in this genre?
When it comes to movies, I am a chic flick girl at heart, I love love. There are a few emotions or feelings in life incomparable to others, and the rush of falling in love is one of those. If any movie offers the chance to feel that, I’ll watch it.

But when it comes to authors, absolutely Anne Tyler, and she is not an author known for gooey love, quite the contrary. I love her style because she brings real life to her stories, that life and love can be messy and not always what you hoped it would be, that what your heart desires is not always what your heart needs. She has an amazing ability to make characters seem so real you begin to feel like they are actual people.

This genre offers me the chance to have what I love about movies and her style; love, challenge, and relatable characters.

Why did you go the self-publish route? Did you try to get published by a traditional publisher or get an agent?
I was amongst the thousands of writers out there, fingers and toes crossed that my query was snazzy enough to pull me out of the slush pile and into the maybe. I played the query, wait, full submission, wait, revise, wait again game. I had the daydream we all did at some point, contract from a big publishing house. That’s what I hoped my future would hold.

Of course, I had read everywhere that self-publishing was on the rise, and fast, but the thought of trying it never crossed my mind until a friend asked me when I would put my work on Kindle. I started doing research, lots of it. I do not like to jump into things without knowing what it’s all about and what needs to be done. I am a woman that likes to be in control, being in charge, I like holding the power of my future in my hands. The more I researched the more I realized self-publishing might be a better fit for me than traditional publishing.

What were your writing credits/ background prior to writing this book?
As far as writing credits, the list is small! When I was a teenager I had some poetry, written under a pen name, published in a few anthologies. Aside from that, my background is that of a writers heart. The insatiable need to write before your head explodes with ideas, and the hope to entertain readers with a good story.

What pitfalls if any did you run into in going the self-publishing route?
The biggest pitfall I have run into thus far is marketing, mostly because I am just not a very good salesman! I am often uncomfortable talking about myself, so finding ways to push my own work usually leaves me feeling awkward and like a cheap door-to-door salesman. But I love a good challenge, so again, this route suits me well.

Did the costs overrun what you expected?
The expenses incurred during this process never overran what I expected, because I planned. If one takes the time to do the homework on ISBN’s, copyrights, the costs of marketing material, cover art, etc, then your costs are minimal, and any unexpected items are minor and in an ‘unexpected items’ budget. If you want someone to do it all for you, then yes you pay considerably more. If you want to have as little start up costs as possible, then do as much of it yourself as possible.

Who were your mentors in getting the book published?
My biggest mentor has been Deb Hanrahan, author of Changing My Wardrobe. She’s a strong woman with an “if they can do it, I can too” attitude and I often pester her for advice.

How do you balance writing and having time for family? When is your most creative time to write?
My family comes first, always. If my daughter has a book report to work on, then my work waits. But I do set aside my own time to work, every day, and that’s when my son is napping. Whatever is on the to-do list waits, whoever can’t find something in the pantry waits for those two hours, that chunk of time is mine. I’ll also work after the kids are in bed for the night if I feel I’m running behind, but I’m hesitant to do that because it cuts into my time with my husband.

My most creative time to write is at night, I think because I’m tired, more relaxed, my thoughts come freely then without the day-to-day duties shushing them. My husband usually is asleep before I am, so I don’t quite feel the guilt, or feel like I’m being selfish for writing then.

What are one or two pieces of advice you’ve received about writing that has helped or encouraged you the most?
One of the best pieces is to work every day, write, marketing, editing, something. Just make sure that at the end of the day you have done something on your to-do list, make your goals a priority in daily life.

The other was a quote, I have it on a sticky note on my laptop for writing and editing, “Write for you, edit for readers.” It helps me because I write best when writing for myself, like singing when you think no one can hear you. I edit best when remembering the writer is not always right, readers have expectations, and only your inner editor can get you there.

What are some of the ways you plan to promote your book?
Word of mouth is key for any writer with their first book, but I also have a marketing plan. Regardless of self or traditional publishing, every author should have a marketing plan. Gone are the days when publishers have publicists who do it all for you, you have to be prepared to put a lot of work into promoting.

I am sending out press releases, contacting smaller, local papers with story pitches that aren’t just a standard release, working with local libraries to get my book added to their catalog and host a ‘meet and greet’, blog tours, interviews, getting reviews, submitting articles to magazines where I might be able to squeeze in a mention of my book; I have a big list!

You’ve got a 2nd book in the works called Reinventing Claire. Where are you in the process right now?
On the brink of finishing the first draft, already running it through critique groups and beta readers as I go. My goal is to have it published in late spring of 2012.

With both your books you say they came about from trying to create stories about people you see in public. Have you done that for years (creating lives of strangers) or is it a new process?
I have always been a curious person. I see people and I wonder what they’re like, how they got to be the person they are, if they’re happy, what thoughts roam through their mind at the end of a day. I have asked questions like that for as long as I can remember.

Do you do that on a regular basis?
I do it daily, I can’t help it. I see someone and I inevitably wonder something about them. But seldom do I let it carry on so far that I’ve lost touch with the conversation I’m in.

Many times I’ll pull my husband into my wandering questions, “Why do you think she’s dressed like that?” He too is inquisitive, a problem solver, it’s something we both do, and many times he is the one who poses the first question.

Do you have any other works in the process right now?
I have several ideas on the back burner for after Reinventing Claire, but they’ll stay there until it’s finished. Because I have such limited time to work every day I like stay focused on current projects so that I’m not spread too thin. Personally, I would rather give my all to one, than give a little to many.

That's it for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Darian and her writing you can go to her website at http://darianwilk.weebly.com or follow her blog at http://crazyladywithapen.blogspot.com. You can also buy her book through Amazon by clicking here