Hello,

Just wanted to say Hi and hope you have gotten the chance to write this week. I've written--rewritten-- a little but have to do much more to get the book out. So keep writing whatever you need to. Talk to you on Friday, God willing.

Lori

Hello and Happy Friday,

I hope this e-mail finds you well and like always writing. I'm reading this story called Fugitive by the terrific writer Phillip Margolin. He writes about this character named Charlie Marsh who had a very successful novel in the world before bad things happened to him. This is the second writer I've read about recently, the first was in the novel Small Town by one of my favorites, Lawrence Block. Both writers are successful despite themselves. What always strikes me as funny and slightly horrifying as I read about these writers, both suspected murderers, is that I can be envious of their imaginary success. Both writers/suspected murderers, got book deals of seven figures or more, book tours and acclaim, I say again--murderers, yet I revealed in their fictional writing success. As a writer seeking her own, when I hear about someonelse's real or unreal, I sigh with envy and longing and I willingly admit it.

I don't feel this way too often thank goodness, a couple of reasons I don't are because it depends at the time on my idea of success. I can read about a writers three book deal and be glad for him instead of battered by the green-eyed demon, because I know for most writers its a long hard road to get there and it can sometimes depend on just plain luck you don't see coming until that success hits you in the face. Just writing and getting a project done is a success. When you've written something and just one person (besides yourself) enjoys it, this is a success. When you're happy as you write, going at it like gangbusters, finding the right words to describe a scene, loving that character you created, its all a success.

So I guess it's true success is relative and should never get in the way of your writing. Write for yourself, love it, make it the best it can be and success will follow or maybe not, it depends on your definition of success and in the end, it doesn't matter. We are the blessed ones because we can write, make it enough.

"Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer." Ray Bradbury

If you have any comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to e-mail me, I would appreciate it: mathewsla@hotmail.com.

Until next time, God willing,

Lori

Hello and Happy Friday and so glad to talk to you,

It has been a couple of weeks since I last posted because of my technical issues which have been somewhat resolved. I'm very happy to be able to write to you today. How are you? I hope doing just fine and writing to beat the band. I'm okay, writing too and job hunting like millions of Americans though hopefully I will find a good position soon. In the meantime, I'm finishing up--aren't I always?--the 2nd Owen Story novel and it's coming together just as I'd hoped. It's more adventurous than the first; more ambitious, so I've had to venture out of my comfort zone into unknown territory I had to deeply research and it seems to have paid off story wise. Yet, when I think about it, isn't this one of the most important tenants of wanting to write? To challenge yourself, your intelligence, your wits, your imagination and take the chance of creating work that is beyond yourself? Those are definitely the reasons why I write, to do more and be more through my characters and their lives from the safety of my real everyday.

I cannot imagine today--not pun intended--of writing a memoir; so boring it would be sickening and that been-there-done-that feeling would just make the experience tedious but writing about an imagined life on Mars for instance...to add to my point: I heard the plug for an upcoming story today on NPR about a man who wants to send scientist permanently to Mars. Can you imagine that as a story, a novel? Why would a scientist volunteer? What would he be running from? The thought of never returning to earth..the possibilities for a novel are endless and that is the key to me for writing; the questions, the what if's, the possibilities that test my abilities, my imagination. I know its one of the reasons why you keep at it too, because of those what if's that can mean anything you want them too once you get pen to paper.

So keep pen to paper, fingers to computer keys, voice to recorders whatever means you choose, just keep at it. Write well.

If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com

Until next time, God willing.