Writers and Grass

You like that eye-grabbing title? Now, if I could only keep the content as compelling. You see, that’s the job of a writer!

That’s not really where I wanted to go with this. See, I spent time this weekend thinking about the nature and nurture of this new mantle I have donned  as a “writer” or author, novelist, scribe. For the last ten plus years, I’ve been scribbling stories to entertain myself and the fact is, with the exception of one about a nurse, every story entertains me. I reassure myself regularly if that if I decide not publish my work I’d still be happy and I think I would. However, working as a published writer has provided some unexpected perks. Of course, I’m thrilled my work is selling and even happier that people like it.

I’ve met hundreds other readers and writers with whom to share stories and ideas. Even after two years, I’m tickled every time I get an e-mail or comment from a reader saying they just picked up one of my books and liked the story, or the characters, or the scenery, or whatever. I know it sounds silly, but it still surprises me. I have been especially touched by the people who have written to say that my story resonated on a very deep level because of personal experience or that of a loved one. Those are the ones that mean the most.

So, it isn’t just about entertainment. The deeper we go as writers the closer we get to our readers. I can think of a half dozen books right now that touched me so deeply that I can still feel the impact even if at this moment, I can’t describe why or how it touched me. It’s an uncanny connection we form between the writer and the reader.

Here’s another surprising I’ve learned. I’m not the only introvert who writes books!               I Know, shocking.                                                                                                               First, I want to be clear: Introverts are not necessarily shy, they may be very outgoing. Conversely: Extroverted individuals may be very shy. Introversion/extroversion has to do with “energy” not shyness. I’m a pretty enthusiastic person and I love talking to people and having a good time, frequently I’m the last one to leave the party. However… It absolutely exhausts me! A Daylong event or long evening will put me on the couch for an entire day. Seriously. I can’t speak to the reaction of other introverts but I can say that an amazing number of very talented writers are either introverts or very shy. Trust me.

Why is this important? Because as an author, it falls to me to promote not only my books but myself in order to reach more people who may be interested in my work. Even the effort of blogging, or actively participating in other social media such as: Goodreads, Face Book, Twitter, list serves, professional organizations, or even local groups demands an exhausting number of hours of interacting. Need.More.Sleep. More quiet, more “down time”.

With that amount of exposure and interaction, it seems like we’re all one big happy family. And, in a sense, we are. Here’s the sticky wicket: “virtual” friends and family provide a wonderful community but are not the same as hands on in person relationships. Some of us are very private people and most of us are very protective of our personal lives. I respect the privacy of my peers, many of whom I consider good friends. I also respect the privacy of my readers who may have shared personal information with me. I consider this nothing more or less than Good Manners.                                      

(if this picture was anyone but GB, I would consider it a Boundary Issue)

Virtual anonymity provides access we are not privy to in real life. It works, only if we all respect those boundaries. Physical boundaries are easier to understand in the context of face-to-face meetings. How close do you stand to perfect strangers when you’re speaking to them, 2 feet?  3 feet or more? And just what kind of questions would you be comfortable answering? Just some food for thought…

Now the teasingly tauntingly topic of “grass” < snickering>  I was quite literally referring to grass. Blue grass, fescue, crab, or prairie. Since the wind driven hailstorm 10 days ago strafed the high desert around my house (and the roof, fascia boards, and windows) I’m once again looking at green grass budding.  

When I lived in the Midwest, it was a big deal to thatch the lawn every year to get rid of the dry dead undergrowth so new grass could grow. Well, that’s exactly what all those little ice crystals did. Giant weed whacker. Cleared away the old growth so that new little blades of grass could grow. It’s thrilling. If we continue to get little more rain, there will be new flora for the bugs, the birds, and all the other critters.

Sorry for the ramble  <g>

If you’d like something much funnier and even craftier, get yourself a copy of  “Sidecar” by Ann McMan or AMFA               (‘zat okay?)

Thanks for stopping by hope you have a good week.

 

For my friend, Georgia…

As a tribute and an acknowledgement to Georgia Beers, who has been and inspiration to me and many others, I’d like to invite you to read an interview we did many months ago.

http://wordsofbarrett.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/without-further-ado-georgia-beers/

If you haven’ yet read her latest novel 96 Hours, please put it on you list.

Condolences to Georgia and her family.

Without further ado, Georgia Beers.

 3/12 (Ed: The Winner of the random drawing for Georgia’s latest, 96 Hours will be announced at noon Friday 3/3. There’s still time…)

 

I don’t’ think I need to provide much more of an introduction. If you are one of the three people unfamiliar with this talented writer, feel free to check out  Georgia Beers site for ‘everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask’. Her blog will also feature my responses to questions and a giveaway to a random commentor.

As I have mentioned before, publicly, my very tall friend Georgia has been instrumental in the launch of my fledgling career and I’m very grateful for her advice.

~If you had the chance to do it over with one book, what changes would you make and which book would you choose?

That’s a tough one. Though I don’t go back and read my older stuff because there would inevitably be things I wish I’d done differently, I think I’d prefer to leave them all alone. Each one is a step in my growth as a writer and if I hadn’t written each of them exactly the way I did, I wouldn’t have evolved into the writer I am now.

~From the publication of your first manuscript to the recent release of 96 hours, can you pick three of your proudest moments?

Well, the first one is definitely holding my very first book in my hands. There’s no bigger thrill for a writer, in my opinion. Number two would be winning the Lambda Literary Award for Fresh Tracks in 2007. Third would be having Starting from Scratch short-listed for a Lammy, something I didn’t think would happen because I went a different publishing route than most. That was utter validation of my career.  [ed note: it went on to win 2 Goldies]

~What are you working on now?

My next book is a new venture for me. It’s a collection of short stories, each of which is connected to the next in some way. So far, I’m really enjoying it. As a bonus, I will have a dozen or more characters to choose from if I want to expand on any of their stories, so that’s a fun aspect as well.

~What inspired you to write your first book?

My soon-to-be wife, Bonnie. I was reading a not-very-good lesbian novel and when I finished it, I said with irritation, “I could have written a better book than that.” And Bonnie looked at me and said, “What’s the difference between you and that author?” I gave her a sheepish grin and replied, “She actually took the time to write hers?” So I took the challenge and wrote Turning the Page.

~Do you purposely try to some kind of message or lesson with your books?

Purposely? No. I just do my best to make my characters realistic and relatable. If they end up doing or feeling something that projects some sort of message or lesson, that’s like icing on the cake. But the only goal I have when I begin is to write a compelling, touching story about two women that any of my readers might know (or be).

~What do you find challenging about writing?

How long do you have? LOL. I find it challenging because I don’t always know where things are going. I have an idea, but oftentimes, my idea is a mere suggestion and things go in a completely different direction. That’s challenging as well as thrilling. I also find it challenging to do the actual writing because the creative side of my brain doesn’t always want to function when I have the time. I have never done a marathon writing session, as so many writers do. I just don’t think my brain works that way and I wish it did. I’d be much more prolific, that’s for sure.

~Do you have any advice for writers?

My best, simplest advice is to just do it. Keep writing. Always continue to learn. You will never plateau. You will never learn all there is to learn about your craft. Keep writing and keep learning. Always.

Thanks, Georgia! …and my unsolicited advice for you, Keep writing, Please.

As promised, a random commentor will receive a signed copy of Georgia’s latest book “96 Hours” or go to Bywater Books

Her other books are listed on her site.

Some good memories and a whole lot of gratitude

The past year has been quite a little roller-coaster ride… in my humble opinion. I’d like to briefly hit some of the high points to pave the way for the gratitude piece of our show.

After the requisite rejections, I sold my manuscript “Damaged in Service” to  Affinity eBooks, NZ, Ltd. In April, began the edits in May and released the E book in July.

A month later, the print version was available and nine days after that I was offered a contract for the remaining three books in the series along with a spectacular review. I also attended my first book signing which was scary and fun.

September locked me into the serious business of revising the second book in the series to be in line with the changes I made to the first book. I received some wonderful feedback from people who bought the book and enjoyed it. I was equally grateful for the suggestions I received.

October provided a most wonderful opportunity to do my first-ever reading alongside my wonderful Life Coach, Diane Gaidry and two wonderfully supportive writers who had encouraged me for the past year, Georgia Beers and Rachel Spangler. We were joined by  S. Alexander Smith and Laurie Salzler. Later in the month, I did a reading for “The Bar Rag”  Face Book show.

In November, while still doing revisions, and decided to go ahead and participate in my seventh annual NaNoWriMo.

The story idea was one that I had played with as collaboration with another author. Those two projects kept me at the computer all month. I also polished up the first chapter of the new book so that my publisher could post it as a free offering December 1^st.

The frosting on the cake was a blog swap just after Thanksgiving with the celebrated author of “The Girls Club”, Sally Bellerose. It was a first for both of us and turned out to be fun and successful.

The distractions meant that December has been a pedal to the metal race to complete one more pass through “Defying Gravity”, the second book and the Damaged Series, which is set for release in March 2012. Yesterday, I sent the final version off to the publisher to begin edits. Once those are complete, I will start the major overhaul of book three, which promises to be much more of a thriller. But I did take a quick break to guest review Ruth Perkinson’s “Piper’s Someday” for The Rainbow Reader.

In January, I’ll be doing another blog spot with another incredible (surprise) author…TBA.

As well as writing a piece for the “2012 Lesbian Fiction Appreciation Event at Babbling About Books, And More”.  

In February, yet another fabulous author will swap blogs with me. (Can’t wait!)

March 1^st “Defying Gravity” should be ready for prime time. And at the end of the month, I will be traveling to Austin Texas, to present for “The Lone Star LesFic festival.”  

So that’s all the news that’s fit to print.

I would like to close this year out by thanking everyone who has helped me attain my lofty dream. I sincerely appreciate every note, suggestion, and comment you have provided. It is with your continued support, I will improve my craft. When I started writing seriously five years ago, I had no thought of publishing and today my story has reached out to so many. It truly has been a dream come true. And for everyone who has asked, there are least four or five books in a holding pattern waiting for revisions and submission.

For 2012, I wish everyone love, health, happiness, peace and prosperity .

The New York Connection

I recounted the epic journey elsewhere (catching up with the peeps..) on the importance of the trip. There were other incentives for traveling to Western New York in October. First and foremost, was the wedding of two good friends on Saturday the first. Second, was the opportunity to meet my life coach, without whom there would have been no book signing. And then, the opportunity to spend time with friends I normally see only once a year.

First stop Buffalo, New York. After quick check in, Laurie and Linda invited me over and I had the opportunity to visit the Coyote Crossing Farm in person.(I ‘ve seen dozens of pictures and heard so many stories in the past two years.) But best of all, I got to meet their five fabulous canines! Cedar, Cagney, Echo, Sadie, and the incredible Leika (the captivating Vizla).

Friday morning I drove into Buffalo to meet Diane Gaidry. Almost two years earlier, she and I spent weeks Skyping about my writing career. And meeting her in person, was like reconnecting with an old friend. I can’t say enough good things about this extremely talented and gentle human being. We would meet later after her performance at the Torn Space Theater production of “Procession”.

Before the show, I met with Rachel Spangler and we joined other guests in a pre wedding barbecue thrown by Laurie and Linda. If it was a crisp fall day and the pulled- pork entrees were perfect. We had to dash in order to get to the theater, where Rach and I enjoyed a thought provoking, avant garde performance in an old German church space.

Saturday’s weather threatened with dark clouds, wind, and cooler temps. None of it affected the warmth and love that abounded in the protective tent that covered all of us.  We shared in the official marriage of two very special people celebrating 30 years together. It was one of the most personal and touching ceremonies I have ever had the privilege to attend.

Sunday I got word that my best friend fron 4th grade was coming down from Toronto to spend a couple of days with me. I had only seen her once in the past 40 years and was ecstatic to think we would have the chance to catch up. Of course, I had no way of knowing that it might be a big deal to find Aurora, NY. In fact, it was huge. I wandered around Western New York for over an hour, getting more and more lost, until I finally called a friend who kindly looked it up and guided me, patiently, to the correct location in East Aurora. Whoops.

Lil and I talked and talked and laughed, all while reminiscing some ridiculous escapades from our youth. I introduced her to the newlyweds, who graciously invited us for dinner and on Tuesday, drove her to Rochester to have lunch with the gracious and extremely talented, Georgia beers.

Wednesday we managed a circuitous route to the Buffalo bus station where Lil departed for Toronto. I had time to change before I picked up Laurie and drove to Fredonia to watch Professor Rachel teach a class on romance writing (we were the visiting celebrities, snicker.)

Finally Thursday arrived. A day I had dreamed of and dreaded. My first public reading. Months in the planning, The Pride Center of Western New York was presenting an Evening with the Artists, including: Georgia Beers, Rachel Spangler, S. Alexander Smith, Laurie Salzler, Diane Gaidry and me.

We met for dinner beforehand at a terrific restaurant called La Tee Da. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to meet and become more familiar over a delicious meal. We caravaned over to the Pride Center and found that the space was filled to capacity and they needed to find a larger room. Well that was great news!

We each took turns reading a small sample of our work and then answered questions from the audience. There were many good questions that provoked a lively discussion, lively enough that the moderator had to invite us to leave. We adjourned to another area for wine and cheese and a chance for us to answer questions one on one.

It was a thrilling opportunity for me to share the stage with other writers who have been working 10 or more years in the field. Their insights, suggestions, and encouragement provided me with even greater enthusiasm and hope for the path I’ve chosen. Writing can be a lonely pursuit and every once in awhile we have the opportunity to connect with one another. For those of us just starting out, it’s an enormous gift to share the path these women have forged for us. Laurie and I were the two newly published authors given the opportunity to join the ranks.

The bonus for me was to have my coach sitting on one side and Georgia Beers on the other, it’s a moment I’ll always remember and Cherish. Thank you, ladies.

Friday was my final day filled with packing and traveling. I came home with a suitcase filled with memories and laundry. Maybe we’ll have a reunion and reading again next year?