I'm Falling in Love

I do not know if any of my followers are still around. 

It has been a drought

of thought

that's for sure.

But . . .

My life has taken a turn -

and has driven,

flown,

and

blown

its way to

Minnesota.

I know right!

So I've come home after almost 40 years.

The good news is,

part of the reason for the return is so I can write full time.

I'm feeling blessed by this change

and the leaves on the trees have changed color

putting on their most fabulous dresses

as if for the coming home party of the year. 

So beautiful!

So lovely!

So . . .

much to do.

But I'll be back

again soon,

I promise!

Quirky? Yep!

Interview with Bridget Straub

I'm so intrigued by Bridget Straub's characters. Read on and you'll be too.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I have a very vivid imagination that helps to pass the quieter times of my day and I love to draw and paint, although that is clearly not my expertise. I have three beautiful children, and live in Los Angeles where great weather and inspiration abound.

What genre do you write in?

I write in the here and now. I guess it could be called contemporary fiction or chick lit, or even women’s fiction, but I find those to be limiting terms. I mean guys have read my books and found themselves caught up in the stories just the same as women, and chick lit sounds like fluff to me.

Do your books have a central theme?

Overall, I think they do. Family is a strong subject, as is the struggle to make sense of the relationships and situations we find ourselves in. I try to tap into the humor that exists even when things seem bleak because I think our sanity is maintained in those funny moments.

What books have you published?

“Searching for My Wand”   Glenda was named (incorrectly) after Glinda the Good Witch and therefore, subconsciously, has spent her entire life trying to live up to the reputation of a fictional character.

 “On a Hot August Afternoon”   Stacey is an artist with a rock star husband, Pete, whom she loves with all of her heart. With two young children, and the financial security to pursue her career only when it suits her to do so, she and the kids are about to join her in-laws at the family compound in beautiful South Lake Tahoe for her sister in-law’s wedding. There, she’ll be reunited with Pete, who has been out on the road with his band for several weeks. However, she is blindsided when she goes to her mailbox and discovers an envelope of photographs, explicit photographs of her husband and another woman. Suddenly, she’s left questioning everything she thought she knew about the man she never meant to fall in love with.

Have you published traditionally or are you self-published?

I have chosen to self-publish. I considered going the traditional route, but after much research concluded that with the amount of material I have, this was the way to get my work seen sooner rather than later.

What has been the biggest challenge in self-publishing?

Without a doubt it has been marketing. I have been blessed with really great reviews, but getting the word out when you have little to no budget has been difficult. It requires hours and hours of work and a fair amount of patience. Patience is not something that comes easily to me.

What is next for you?

I am in the process of preparing my next novel, “The Salacious Marny Ottwiler” for publication, and I am also trying to come up with the best way to raise funds to mount a production of my musical “Room to Grow”.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Don’t be discouraged by the current state of the publishing industry. It takes a relentless determination to get published regardless of which route you take, but the rewards can be exhilarating.

____________________________

Spring is here!

Writer's prompt: I love looking at photos and telling a story. This one is for you.

From the amazing collection of Ann McDermott

Hello all,

I'm so excited!

Several years ago I started to read the work of Ann McDermott. Her amazing collection of writing is incredible and, until now, has remained unpublished. You see she writes what others consider "fables" and "no one reads fables." I have to tell you, though, her stories are wonderful peeks into the natural world. Some may think they resemble a fable, I just know I enjoy them immensely.

Kudos to Mused, BellaOnline Literary Review and Lisa Shea for recognizes Ann and publishing one of her stories in their spring issue. I, for one, can't wait to see more from her.

                                    http://www.bellaonline.com/review/issues/spring2010/

Critique Groups

For as long as I can remember, I have asked others to read my writing. I had always known I was a writer, and as such, I needed readers. It wasn't until about twenty years ago, though, that my writing ramped-up. I became more consistent and took it a great deal more seriously. I attended writer's conferences and there I learned of the Writer's Critique Group. A small gathering of people who wrote, read and then decorated your work with beautiful red marks, which hopefully helped to make you a better writer.

For more than fifteen years now, I've belonged to the same group. People come and go, but I consider them all accomplices in my writing life. This last week, a published author asked to read and critique my work. I was ecstatic. "Yes! I'm honored to have you read and critique something I've written." She came back with her ideas and started out with this paragraph: "Some writers only want to know they are brilliant. That their baby is perfect as is. If this is you, do not read any further."

I laughed. I guess I'm so far away from believing my 'baby' is perfect that the mere thought caused me to smile. You see, I'm hoping, yes, hoping that I shall gain insight by reading the beautiful little red marks that decorate the paper. I'm yearning for success and each mark, I believe, brings me closer.

The Muse

The muse came to visit me this week. I wasn't ready for her, but she cares not. She came to me in the early morning hours and whispered an idea in my ear. Truthfully, she's a bit late, but it matters not.

Each year for Christmas I write my grandchildren a story. The book is always illustrated by me as well. Sometimes the pictures are drawn, sometimes scrap-booked or photographed. For the holiday season 2009 the muse had deserted me. But here we are in 2010 and she's found her way to my side.

In fairness, perhaps my muse always visits me in February. Perhaps she thinks she's cupid. I don't know. All I know is that I've the kernel of an idea. It is formed and it grows day by day and keeps me awake each night. Blasted muse does not keep normal hours. But Muse - thank you for coming.