My Oprah Moment

In an earlier blog, I mentioned "my Oprah moment" and said I would explain later. Well, here it is:

My niece (we'll call her Kathy) who lives in the Chicago suburbs had a friend (we'll call her Amy) who knew one of the stage managers at the Oprah show so she asked me to send a couple of books, which I did. So my niece gave the book to her friend, Amy, who gave the book to the stage manager. Many months went by and nothing was heard. Then one day, Amy called my niece, Kathy, and the conversation went something like this:

Amy: I received a thank you note with $5.oo in it. I am going to give you the $5.oo back.
Kathy: What do you mean, you got a thank you note?
Amy: Yes, I got a thank you note from ... who wrote that book?
Kathy: My aunt
Amy: Well, I think she said she was your aunt's mother in the note. It said something like "thank you for getting my daughters book to the Oprah show".
Kathy: That can't be, my aunt's mother, my grandmother, has been dead for over 20 years.
Amy: Yes, yes it was and I want to give your the money back.
Kathy: Did you save the note?
Amy: No, I tossed it.
Kathy: How about the envelope or did you see the postmark?
Amy: I think the postmark was Wisconsin.

My niece, Kathy got chills, her grandmother (my mother) had lived in Wisconsin prior to dying. I got chills as she retold the story and so has everyone else in my family. I can't explain it and don't even try. I just want to believe that somehow my mom is watching and this was her way of helping me. I have missed her these 20 some years.

Well, even though the idea of communication from the beyond is a long shot, I like to think it's possible and maybe, just, maybe Oprah will get a message from the beyond and I will be telling this story on her show someday.

Happy Holidays

Giving Thanks

I got to thinking about family today and about publishing my first novel. The two are intricately woven into my fiber. I'm not sure I can adequately capture the depth of the one and its affect on the other. So many writers talk about how everyone told them they couldn't or that they had no talent. My story is quite the opposite, when at fifty, I told my family I was quitting my day job, to write a novel - all I heard was the sounds of their encouragement. And then after the book came out all I heard was "send me some books to sell to my friends." They didn't even expect "freebies" each member paid me for each book.

My number one fan is and continues to be my wonderful husband, who, from the first time he read my writing encouraged me to make it my career, and the day I picked up the phone to end a 20 year career in research, told me to go for it. Then there is my daughter, who stands by me and cheers me on, selling books to all her friends and coming to all my readings and signings. She read through early versions of the book and made some invaluable comments that helped the book to be even better and she continues to believe in me as I work on my new novel. Next comes all my brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins who have all bought and most of them read, my book. The emails have poured in telling me how much they enjoyed the book and encouraging me to keep putting pen to paper. Friends all over the country have taken the time to leave messages of congrats. Some have even taken the time to write reviews on amazon.com for me. All of this outpouring of support has bolstered me as I learned to navigate the world of publishing which can be quite daunting and darn right soul-crushing at times. On those days, I replay those messages or read the reviews, take a deep breath and keep writing.

So this Thanksgiving, I know what I am most grateful for - each and every one in my cheering section, who with little knowledge of my skill as a writer, encouraged me to write on. I will write on to honor their belief in me and to show appreciation for the incredible gift I've been given. Thank you all.

The Psychology of Book Signings

I have been waiting for my thought on this subject to coalesce prior to launching into a blog but I have decided to venture forth in my confusion. First, I will distinguish the event by separating the famous, well-known authors from the rest of us barely, slightly and moderately known authors. Jenna Bush is on a 25 state book tour and I am guessing she is not having problems with drawing people to her book signings. However, for the rest of us lesser known authors they can be akin to a root canal. Why is that? I have many hours to ponder this questions as I sit at my table in the Barnes and Noble or other bookstore waiting for a human to approach. I have Dove chocolates and a big smile to greet them with but they buzz by my table making a wide berth as though I had a contagious disease. Have we eschewed human contact in favor of virtual relationships as was discussed on NPR today? People blog, join social networking sites and IM in cyberspace but won't approach a real person to talk thoughts and share experiences.

I am just as guilty. I have been in bookstores during book signings for an author I had not heard of and made a point of avoiding the area where he/she sat. I had gone to the bookstore to sip a latte and immerse myself in a book. I was in search of a solitary experience. Plus, it's a bit intimidating to approach someone whose book you have not read and have no idea if you would be interested in it. What if it happens to be a book about the last amoeba standing, how do you politely extricate yourself? I have bought many a book I really didn't want just because I am too polite to say so.

One thing for sure, advertising is key. As is creating an event rather than a static book signing. I held an event in a small town in Colorado and drew a good crowd because I billed it as a discussion around writing and publishing books rather than a book signing. I sold a book to almost everyone present so it works.

So is the day of the book signing coming to an end? I would love to hear from other authors and those who attend or shy away from these events.

Palisade Peaches on Sunday Afternoon

Today I was thinking about simple pleasures as I was eating peach pie ala mode made with the famous Palisade peaches. It's one of the many benefits of living in western Colorado. Not to short change the Colorado National Monument or Olathe sweet corn each a wonder onto itself. Holding on to the wonder past six years old is so hard in today's world. No matter how we shelter our children the world intrudes in ways we could not have imagined when we were six. The world of my childhood included playing unsupervised ten hours a day in the summer with all the other children on the block. Halloween meant hours, even after dark, of ringing doorbells and eating everything in our bags with no xrays. Couples on television slept in separate beds and the biggest problem the Beaver faced was grass stains on his school pants. I know my parents and grandparents, too, watched as the world spun faster and faster and now we seem to have it warp speed. Information flies at us, invisibly, through the air we breathe. How do we stop it, or at least slow it down. There are some old-fashioned ideas still taking place in homes across the country like board game night and Sunday dinner. I think we owe it to our children to slow the world down whenever we can. It's not always easy, and in fact, it usually is met with some resistance like the family camping trip but it is essential to our and our families physical and emotional health. So this coming week make plans to slow down, bake a peach pie, invite the family to the table and sit around after dinner playing Monopoly or Clue.

Validation

Having shifted my brain and career from the left to the right, I am dealing in new territory. Working in research, I pretty much new if I had done something right or wrong. There were always measurements, statistics and outcomes by which to gauge my performance. Not so in the world of creative writing. Grammatically, of course, there is right and wrong but my editor saw to it that I got those things correct. It's the content that is hard to quantify. How do you determine if a story is good except by getting feedback from your audience - subjective feedback. It comes down to what people like and if enough of them like what you write, you have a modicum of success or like J.K. Rowling you roll in it.

I took a risk with my first novel and deviated from the predictable and traditional style of storytelling. My novel "Threads" tells the story of Margaret Mary Casey through the eyes of her "threads", the people who impacted her path and taught her valuable lessons about herself and life. Each chapter starts with a color and it is the color of the thread this person left behind in Maggie's life. The novel combines, storytelling, philosophy and poetry. It chronicles the many lessons we all learn in life and hopefully readers will see their own threads in the pages of this novel. Many people have loved it, some have been a bit confused and some just didn't get it. I wouldn't change my approach to writing. I let the book write the book and the story tell itself. I just try to get out of the way and let the words come pouring out. I will continue this way as it has a zen-like feel and works for me.

So how do I know if "Threads" is any good? Does popularity alone dictate quality? I don't know. I recently found out that "Threads" has been chosen as a finalist in the fiction category for the Colorado Book Awards. Does this validate my abilities as a literary writer? Again, I don't know. No doubt, I was elated at hearing the news.

I am working on a new novel and will just have to trust that this is what I am supposed to be doing and if I stay focused and allow the words from the universe to flow through me onto the page it will be enough. It's that darned ego that gets in the way. Some days, I just need to hear a good word to stoke my engine. Much as I would like to rely solely on self-confidence, a kind word from a reader can send me skyward. I want to thank all of the people who have taken the time to write a review or send me feedback about my book. You have been great and have helped me through some tough days. You have plastered a grin on my face for which I am eternally grateful.

I would love to hear from other writers about the need for validation, the necessary evils of the ego and objectively assessing your talents. Readers too, are welcome - how do you determine if a book is "good"? What criteria do you use?

Happy Thoughts

Patrice St. Onge

Courage

I am doing research on a character for a new novel I'm working on and stumbled on a blog that got me thinking. My character is a paranoid schizophrenic so I went looking for symptoms and treatments in order to make him believable. What I found were tortured and incredibly courageous people sharing their thoughts. After reading a dozen or so blogs, a pattern emerged. People were either having a good day or a bad one. Unfortunately, mental illness works this way. Having been through a few deep depressions in my day, I can attest to the validity of this statement. On a good day, you hope it doesn't end and on a bad day you can't wait until it does. Why is that? Why is life reduced to good days and bad? Cancer patients also describe their lives this way. Why is it that we don't afford the people with mental illness the same respect? It is still something to hide in our society. Just mention a family member with schizophrenia and everyone present gets squeemish. No one says any words of kindness, no one shares stories of friends and family going through the same struggle. I'm guilty of sitting silently, my discomfort visible. Why is this? I think the explanation lies in the fact that we don't know what causes mental illness so there is an unreasonable fear that we could get it. We know more about certain cancers (not necessarily what causes them but what to do to maybe avoid getting it - no guarantees, of course) than we do about the etiology of schizophrenia. If we don't smoke we can reduce our chances of getting lung cancer. What can we do to reduce our chances of being locked up inside our minds? It's a control thing. There is an illusion of control when it comes to cancer, whereas, we have none when it comes to our minds taking an involuntary vacation. I know that stress played a role in my side canyon trek into depression but still occasionally venture close to the abyss due to inability to see the signs. We have all been there, life is that way.

Writing is often said to be therapeutic but as I read those blogs I realized it is not a path out. In fact, it seemed to be a circular event. Like the dog chasing its tail. For some people there is no path out. Their brain chemistry cannot be changed but for others the cycle needs to be broken. Quit writing about good days and bad and get out and do something. Get out of your head and into your body. Take a walk, get a pet, engage in conversation even when you don't want to, take a class and surround yourself with people who are active and involved in life. I also encourage those with mental issues to seek help and enlist an advocate to help you assess options.

Back to respect, for those of you who have avoided the pitfalls of the mind, be compassionate for those less fortunate. I'm not sure how we change our societal views of mental illness. I do know that years ago when I went through it I learned quickly to not disclose it. I don't know how to get it out of the closet. Maybe we can learn from those brave enough to come out of the closet with regards to sexual orientation. Maybe we need a movement, an activist to champion the cause. I welcome suggestions and comments.

Book Clubs

It's always a bit intimidating to meet with a Book Club that has read your book. Last night I had just that experience. Upon arrival, I met with the woman who had invited me and she informed me that this was a church group. I immediately thought about my novel and whether or not I had painted church ladies in a positive light. I think I had been fair in my handling of religion. Although my main character, Maggie, was more Taoist, she did have an experience with a "higher power" that reflected positively on the christian view of God. After introductions, I talked about what it takes to get a novel written and published and how the cover design evolved. I told my Oprah story which involves a message from the beyond (I'll share this in another blog). The evening carried on with conversations running from marketing to what happened to the high school boyfriend - which of course could only be speculated on since he was a fictitious character. The lemon cake was divine (really) and the women kind. All-in-all an enjoyable evening. I will probably do this again in the future and I hope it will have a similar outcome. We writers are sensitive souls so please if you are asked to critique a book in the presence of the author, be kind. Remember, we are human and have risked a great deal to expose what we know of life through our characters. Even if the book is awful, find something kind to say - maybe you really liked the dedication or the author's bio in the back of the book. I'm guessing perfect strangers don't come to your office to critique your work - put yourself in their shoes and as my mother used to say (okay and probably someone famous) - 'if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all". Well, okay, I recommend you find something to say, even if it's about the weather. Book critics will make sure your author knows his or her place in the echelon of writers.

River Rafting and Gnats

So what the heck do river rafting and gnats have to do with writing? A lot. Words are like that, you know. Sometimes they flow at 13,000 cfs and sometimes they hover in the air and bite once in a while. I find each day is new when I pick up my pen. Somedays I get muscle cramps because the words come so quickly I can't hardly keep up and other days I am struggling to pick them out of the air and have them take up residence on the page. What is that all about? Is it hormones, biorhythms, lunar cycles, a bit of undigested beef???? Who knows. It is what it is, so go with the flow so to speak. On days that you are plucking them out of the air like an amateur guitarist, don't get frustrated, just let them come in fits and starts and when they are flowing, well happy days! I believe every book writes itself and so the its rhythm may not be your rhythm, relax and let it happen. Happy days!

Writing Backwards

It's weird to think about aging. Instead of a biological clock ticking it's our lifespan clock taking pieces of us and scattering them to the winds. In my case they are adding to the sandstone of the Colorado National Monument in my backyard. I've read about the insidious nature of time passing but the reality is so much more, well, real. My neck is crinkly, my eyes can barely been seen beneath the droop of the lid, I can't go 24/7 like I used to (this, I think, is a positive), and my feet are trashed. I was a runner, 5ks, 10ks and a couple of short court triathalons - now I'm happy to walk. So what's the point of all this whining, you ask? I can think of a million reasons - seeking wisdom, advising the young to appreciate youth, accepting my aging body, gaining a sense of humor, looking for grace, honoring all women of age but I think really it comes down to mortality. I am and you are - Finite! We, like a good story, have a beginning, a middle and an inevitable end. Stephen Covey said "write your epitaph" if you want to know how to live your life. Start with the end and work backwords. What do you want to be remembered for - this changed my life because I didn't want to be remembered for being a good project manager. So I quit and wrote a book and am working on two more. Think about it - it might just work for authors. Start with your last chapter and write in retrograde like running a movie in rewind.

Happy Writing!

Survival

I am a member of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) and Director of the Western Slope Chapter in western Colorado. Last Saturday we had a panel discussion with bookstore buyers and librarians. It focused on how small press/self-published books can get on the shelf. The panelists were great and had lots of good information for us but the thing that struck me the most was the difficulty independent bookstores have maintaining a stable financial picture. Every book counts and if they are not selling they can't keep them on the shelf - makes sense. Competing with the big box stores is a full time job for these shops. We lost our only independent bookstore in Grand Junction and it was a sad day.

What does the independent bookstore offer? For me they offer a chance to browse shelves in comfort, a friendly and familiar face, and conversation . There is just a different atmosphere. I am far more likely to engage another customer in a small bookstore as opposed to a big box customer - this may be idiosyncratic. I love the smell of books which is missing from corporate stores which have been sanitized. I like the feeling of community that permeates the air. I have also found that as a self-published author, these bookstores are far more welcoming. I had a book signing in Ridgway, Colorado at the Cimarron Bookstore and Coffee House and it was wonderful. Priscilla, the stores owner, is kind and encouraging, and her store is a delight.

I think there are a few things, we as writers, can do. First, don't shop the big boxes either in person or online. I learned that most independent stores now have an online presence and you can order through their website and support their independence. I had not thought of that and have decided that going forward, I will buy books only from independent stores. I encourage all in the book community to do the same. You can also "adopt" an independent store and refer all your book sales to them. One writer is doing this and is refering business to Off the Beaten Path in Steamboat Springs and it is working well. Leslie and Dick Ryan own and run this well-known independent store and were part of the panel previously mentioned. The Tattered Cover in Denver is also a good choice. Whatever store you choose, make it an independent one.

So, I would love to hear other ways in which we can support independent bookstores. Please send your ideas by commenting on this blog.

Hot Salt Sisters

Wow, what a weekend we had. I attended a women's wilderness weekend that included rafting, hiking, writing, painting and relating. The setting was incredible, nestled between Fishers Tower and the Priest and the Nuns formation in Utah. The blues in the sky blossumed above us while the red dust coated our feet and souls. A huge thank you goes out to Sandy Dorr and Martha McCoy - our guides to higher artist achievement. Kellie and Ashley were great boatswomen and cooks - thanks for keeping us on schedule.

An amazing thing happens when women gather, the core of the earth splits open and the truth pours forth, gently, compassionately, humorously, and a plume of hope rises to the wisps of clouds floating over the desert. I want to pay homage to the raw courage of the twenty-two who attended. You are amazing. I carry within me images of woman as survivor, creator, reviver, embracer, jester, singer, wordsmith... Because of you, I find myself rejuvenated. My energy soars in the hot salt sand and searches the horizon for another refueling station. May we meet again to share, sing, laugh, live.

As a writer, we need to refuel often. The bills, children, spouses, health issues, finances, agents, publishers, and our own inner critic all deplete us. It's important to find those opportunities to fill our cups and drink deeply. I recommend any writers workshop conducted by Sandy Dorr. Go online to www.womenswildernesswriting.com. I will also be conducting a writer's workshop in Ridgway, Colorado on June 2, 2007. For more information go to www.redcanyonink.com.

Writing for your Soul

The crud has still got me so I apologize for the gaps in blogs. I heard Russel Simmons on Oprah yesterday (yep, on the couch with the cold watching tv). He has a book out called Do You. The point of it as it was discussed is to find yourself and connect with that universal thread that runs through all of us. This is something I lose site of daily, weeklyl, monthly, yearly, etc. In learning to market my first novel I have become very frustrated because I get caught up in the marketing mind (what a tangled web of stuff). I forget to step back and inhale, look around, tap into that place in me where the truth lies and then act. I keep frantically implementing new "marketing ideas" and getting nowhere. I lose my passion for writing. I need to get back to the source. To that well inside me where wonder happens, where I sense the connectiveness to all things. Most importantly though, I need to give to the world and stop thinking about some marketing goal. I have used this positive approach previously in my life and it is so life-affirming. So today find yourself by giving to others and let the Tao loose in your life.

I'm baaaack

Well, a bit of travel and a whopping cold have left me speechless - literally - I lost my voice. That, of course, does not mean I can't blog but I had to clear my head first. I haven't said much about my book but I want to today. Threads is the story of Maggie Casey and her belief in something better out there only in the end she realizes it is something better in there. When we stop looking for validation from the outside we realize we have what we need within us. It takes a long time for human beings to see their own worth and maybe this is important. Maybe it's what keeps us striving. I am finally at an age where I feel calm and confident but like Maggie, I didn't start out this way, I had to earn this feeling. We all have to do the work - finding ourselves and getting comfortable in our skin is our job not a given. So go do the work. Get out there and test yourself. See what you are made of - take a chance and expand your comfort zone. Learn something about yourself today.

The whole truth and nothing but the truth

When I was a kid the truth was simple - if my mother asked if I had done something the only answers were yes or no. Now as an adult I see things differently. Intent finds its way into the answer. I may have done something with a good intent that unfortunately was perceived in another manner. I have also come to see that what matters is the perception and not the intention. I have had to do a lot of apologizing as an adult because of the gap between intention and perception. A friend once said a good way to evaluate an action or statement is to see it as a headline in a newspaper - if it doesn't look good don't do/say it. I think this is good advice. So my advice for today is to carefully examine your words and deeds and make sure they meet this criteria. However, for writing characters in a novel the lack of an inner monologue might be just the thing - this character would just blurt out what was on his/her mind - some of which would definitely violate the newspaper headline rule. So it's okay for your characters to exhibit poor choices in words and deeds but not for you the author.

Imus's comments

I agree with Al Sharpton, Imus should be fired. His comments were reprehensible. Those words are ugly and show a level of insensitivity unimagined. I grew up at a time when they were used in conversation and even at ten years old I found them disgusting. It is time to delete them from our language. We cannot heal wounds if words continue to reopen them. There is no humor in demeaning words. They are just not funny. Words are my tools and I understand that in using them I have a certain responsibility to use them carefully, like any other tool. Imus needs to learn this lesson.

Slow down and think

It's a strange world we live in, sometimes violent, sometimes kind, and all the time a moving target. In the world I grew up in things seemed different. Day after day brought more of the same. My dad went to work, sometimes my mom worked, we went out to play or to school and the cycle repeated itself. There were few options and people seemed to like it that way. In contrast, our world today, moves quickly and changes in a moments notice. It's like a tornado with little warning. Like the war in Iraq, we woke up one day and our commander in chief had tossed the middle east into chaos on a psychotic whim. No preparation, no forethought - just bam! What happened to careful deliberation? Has the pace of our lives so overrode our ability to make careful judgements? Is our instant gratification world pushing us to ever impulsive behavior? Is the world gone ADD? I think it's time to slowdown and consider our actions whether we are writing a book or invading a country - just slow down and let things happen instead of forcing things to happen. Let your characters reveal who they are rather than arbitrarily shaping them to some preconceived notion. Read the Tao te Ching - it makes sense. Practice "not being". Make no decisions until your mud settles. Retreat 2 steps rather than advance one in anger. Slow down.

Authors and Thick Skin

First off, I heard Anne Lamott read and discuss her latest book, Grace (Eventually) last night at the Tattered Cover in Denver. She was fantastic - very witty, raw and honest just like her books. I drove 4 hours across the mountains to see her. I am indebted to her because without Bird by Bird I would not be a published author. I am glad I did - it was well worth the cost of gas and my nervousness in driving in Denver.

On to thick skin - boy you better develop it if you step foot into the book industry. Having had a successful career in research, I am unaccustomed to rejection but am becoming more and more familiar with it each day. I am trying real hard to not have it reduce me to a puddle on the kitchen floor but some days I lose the battle. I spent most of the 4 hour drive yesterday fighting back tears from having had my book event rejected by a major bookstore. It seems since my book has not sold at this store they do not want to do a promotion to achieve that end. Its a catch 22 - I am just expanding my marketing plans to include this area so that the book will sell however since it hasn't, I can't. My marketing has been local until now due to the fact that I am a small press with limited funds. My book has been well received locally and so I thought it was time to expand - the catch is that since I don't have a regional or national appeal yet, so I can't get anyone interested in hosting an event. But if I don't host events, people won't hear about my book. I guess I will look to new venues to host my events. Anyone with some suggestions is welcome to reply.

Flying a Kite

The downs came for a visit today. Usually, I act like there's a religious affiliated person at my door and duck and cover, pretending I'm not home but today they caught me off guard. I not only answered the door, I invited them in. There they were sitting on my couch, drinking my coffee and reading my newspaper - quite comfy, I might add - too comfy. Had my dog not barked, I might not have noticed their tentacles slipping about my ankles. Just in time, I jumped and dislodged them. I quickly put on my sneakers and hurried out the door just ahead of their grasp. "So where to?" I asked myself. The answer came and I busied myself in the garage. Within ten minutes I was on the road. As I turned into Canyon View Park, I noticed the wind picking up nicely - good, I thought. I parked and opened up the back of my Highlander. I grabbed my spirit attached it to the string and sent it soaring into the rapturous gusts. After a few slams into the ground, a minor adjustment and a piece of torn sheet, I was flying again and this time I stayed up. My kite danced and played amongst the slivered clouds and last falls final leaves. The sun warmed and the wind cooled, such a nice balance and so it was that I was rebalanced. Moral of the story: when the downs come for a visit, go fly a kite.

Tips for overriding the inner critic

I think we are all familiar with the editor/critic lounging on the chaise in our gray matter. Oh, it's all comfy and relaxed until we pick up a pen or seat ourselves at the keyboard and then... Whammy! - it's all fangs and claws ready to rip into our soft underbellies. I am all too familiar with this creature and we have done battle. Here are a few things that I have found which have sent the vulture scurrying for the horizon or ducking behind tangles of neurons.

1. Go to a new location - somehow this confuses it and it cannot get its bearings
2. Make a date with a friend who writes - a little competition might clear your mind
3. Let the torrent of thoughts flow without stopping - don't worry if they don't make sense somewhere in the middle of your ramblings they will and that is what you will use.
4. Natalie Goldberg in Writing Down the Bones recommends you use the phrase "I remember..." and then if you get stuck, start over with a new "I remember..."
5. Write about the creature until you exhaust all its juices - take all your insecurities and lay them all over the page. Then put it away and get on with your story.

I hope some of this is useful. If you have some good tips, please send them my way.
Thanks

Words, words, words

They're just words or are they? A certain grouping of letters results in a word but how it is received and with what power it is imbued is totally dependent on the receiver. What we bring to the gathering of letters is based on our prior experiences, our outlook on life, even our DNA - all of these things bring color and texture to words. Without them it's sort of like the proverbial tree falling in the forest - would they make a sound? The children's game, telegraph, aptly demonstrates this principle - each receiver runs the statement through their editor and what comes out is rarely what went in. So as you go through your day, pay special attention to how you receive and interpret words.

Torn Between Two Covers

Here is my dilemma: I am writing two books; one fiction; one nonfiction. It's hard to decide which one to work on and then to get the pen moving. Not only that but I am trying to figure out marketing ideas for the novel I have already published. Some days I get nothing done flitting about between the three competing energies. I would welcome any suggestions for managing my time. I love writing but sometimes it carries a stress of its own. Some days it's easy because a new idea for one of the books has crept in over night so my direction for the day is taken care of but some days I have no direction. Maybe I should just flip a coin but with three choices I would have to create the coin first. Oh, one more complication; I thought about publishing a book of poetry since I have around 50-60 poems I could use. It would serve as a giveaway - since the marketing gurus recommend having them on your website. So the question is how to prioritize and stay focused.

Did you pursue your dream? I need your story

Hi Folks,

I am writing a book about ways to get off the couch and get moving - physically, mentally and emotionally. So many of us have long given up on our dream but maybe it's time to dust them off and give them another look. Please send your story along - tell me how you took that first step towards a new path. Was there some event that got you started or maybe a person who inspired you. I want to hear it. If you would like to preview my writing style you can go to amazon.com and read a chapter from my novel entitled Threads (author Patrice St. Onge). I hope to hear from you soon.

Research for book - Viet Nam

I am doing research for a new novel and I would like to hear from Viet Nam vets and in particular African-American Viet Nam vets. I would like to know how you were treated - did the Civil Rights movement make any difference? Did you experience prejudice? If yes, what form did it take? Was there a glass ceiling in the command ranks? If you were not African-American what was your attitude towards soldiers of color?

You can comment or email me at redcanyonink@yahoo.com

Thank you

Is there anyone out there with experience in putting together a book tour. Now that my novel, Threads, is published I need to get the word out. I have done a lot of local media but want to branch out now. I have tried mass mailings to little success. The book seems to sell best when I personally promote it. I am getting good reviews - I even have a bookstore in NC that listed it as a "staff recommendation", but now need to parlay that into sales. I started a small press called Red Canyon Ink in order to publish my novels. I am working on a new one that I hope to have done by years end. You can check out my website at www.redcanyonink.com or go to amazon.com.

If you are a writer looking to self-publish I have some experience I would be glad to share.

Need help with blogging

I need help - okay in more than just this item I am going to discuss but that's another blog. How do you blog? I am fairly computer literate but can't seem to understand how you get other people to read your blogs or how to find blogs of others who are discussing topics you are interested in - like writing. Do you have to pay to blog? How do I search for blogs if I don't know anyone in particular? If someone could explain the intricacies of blogging, I would be most grateful.

Feeding your muse

So hears what I'm thinking today ... long pause... that's exactly it - how do you get the words to flow when you sit down at the keyboard or with pen in hand. It's like you just announced that you are serving liver and onions for dinner and all your guests disappear. So how do you call them back to the table? First of all free yourself from a self-imposed menu and give yourself permission to try new foods. That is, write a short piece on something totally new to you - as Natalie Goldberg would say and I'm paraphrasing - have a conversation with a broccoli. Write something farsiful, ludicras, outlandish, silly and you may find in the middle of all the nonsense something that makes so much sense that it startles you. Now take that piece and open your mind to the universe and run with it. Don't edit, don't worry about spelling, just let the pen or your fingers fly.

Do you have a character who you have written into a rut? Take a walk and observe regular people going about their regular day - now add a twist - pretend they are all members of a Broadway cast and see where your mind goes. Now go back to your character and see if a new image hasn't popped into your psyche.

The thing is, is that you have to get out of your left mind and into the right where creative ideas abound. In the past I have used crayons and play dough to move my brain from left to right. Play is good, imaginary activities even better. Go find a three year old to converse with and see life through their eyes. A three year old asked me the other day if I was a "princess", I replied, "No, at my age, I am queen." Just saying it made me think and feel different.

Change your menu, add a twist, play and be the queen/king if you want.

TTFN

New Directions

Almost three years ago, I took a huge step and stepped off the corporate ladder to pursue a dream. Since then I have published a novel entitled Threads and have been learning about the publishing world throughout the process. It's very intimidating. The writing part was incredible. Not that every day the words came but overall I enjoyed putting pen to paper and creating characters. The marketing part has me stumped. I have read all the books and tried most of their suggestions but its slow going. The good part is that it seems to be being well received by readers. I continue to get excellent reviews and reorders from amongst friends, family and strangers. The tough part is reaching more people. If anyone out there has some proven methods for reaching novel readers, please let me know. I have sold over 500 books so far but would like to ratchet that up.

That's the reality of making a 360 degree change in life. I love the freedom my career change has brought; the insecurity is harder to manage. For twenty years a paycheck either landed on my desk or eventually beamed its way to my bank account, now I wait anxiously for the mail person, watch the fax machine and check email for orders. I have tried hard to just trust in the universe as we are told by those promoting books on positive thinking. I have watched The Secret and repeat the laws of attraction but am running out of patience. The only thing I am attracting is flies as I sit at the computer and burn brain sells (deliberate spelling); my decomposition apparent to the insect world.

If you have taken a huge leap into the abyss, I would love to hear from you.