Hello and Happy Monday!!!
I know I usually blog each Friday but didn't get the chance to, so I wanted to get a note in today.
I have been feeling under the weather for the last few days, cold and cough, flu like symptoms but I've been self-medicating and feel tolerable today. Though I haven't felt one-hundred percent it of course hasn't stopped me from doing the things I have to and need to do: taking care of my sons, working (I'm swamped at work) and of course writing. Someone could say 'You don't need to write, put it off until you feel yourself again.' That's a thought, but a passing one for me, whether or not I feel like writing doesn't enter into the occasion, I write anyway, its what I do.
Yesterday, I'm lying on the couch, my fever is blooming, I'm watching I Love Lucy on DVD and hear a name that fills my brain (Yes, it could have just been the fever making talking). I think about the name, change it a little--fine tune it--and reach for my notebook. I write a page filling out this character whom I have pages on but no name; the name adds that something and truly gives this character his flesh and blood.
I write no matter how I'm feeling or what I'm doing because all it all, it makes me feel good. And though I was feverish, I was smiling too as the- character-with-the- new-name filled in my blank page.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me at:matwrite1@aol.com, I’ll love to hear from you.
Until next time God willing,
Lori
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Hello and happy Friday,
Are you writing? I am; here and there and it’s coming out like puzzle pieces, a small section here, a longer section there, sometimes one line. This works best for me, every writer has their way of doing things, of writing,I’m no different though probably slower. I need to write lines, then gather them together in front of me and make something out of it and the good thing about this for me is that I do have a good idea of what that something should be. I guess it’s my writing process. What’s your process?
Not to change the subject but I have to say this, today I listened to two books on tape: one was “When the Women Come Out to Dance by Elmore Leonard; the other “A Killing Night by Jonathon King, man what a difference. I know it’s the author’s unique style that makes the difference so obvious. Listening to Mr. Leonard is like listening to Pavarotti at his prime, on the most beautiful summer night of your life, with the person you love the most in the world sitting beside you holding your hand. Listening to Mr. King is like reading a three hundred page book on tax law, at three in the morning, alone, in an office cubicle with terrible lighting while scratching the bad case of poison ivy crawling all over your body; yes, that bad.
I have a number of goals I want to reach when writing—so do you--and at the top of my list is to someday settle into my own natural style, rhythm and flow that is so easy for readers to recognize, feel comfortable with and most importantly, enjoy, so that when they hear or are reading one of my novels it will always be like listening to Pavarotti on a summer day with the one you love. Getting to this place in my writing takes practice, time and could possibly never happen, yet it’s a goal I’m striving to reach; that sense of professional uniqueness that is on the money every time and stands my writing out from the rest. I want readers to get that same wonderful feeling about by novels I get when I pick up an Elmore Leonard, knowing without a bit of doubt I’m getting something special, funny, surprising, riveting and worthy of my time every time. Who doesn’t want their writing to be in Elmore Leonard’s league? In his league, you are there and it’s not an impossible dream; work at it; I do everyday.
You do it everyday too.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Are you writing? I am; here and there and it’s coming out like puzzle pieces, a small section here, a longer section there, sometimes one line. This works best for me, every writer has their way of doing things, of writing,I’m no different though probably slower. I need to write lines, then gather them together in front of me and make something out of it and the good thing about this for me is that I do have a good idea of what that something should be. I guess it’s my writing process. What’s your process?
Not to change the subject but I have to say this, today I listened to two books on tape: one was “When the Women Come Out to Dance by Elmore Leonard; the other “A Killing Night by Jonathon King, man what a difference. I know it’s the author’s unique style that makes the difference so obvious. Listening to Mr. Leonard is like listening to Pavarotti at his prime, on the most beautiful summer night of your life, with the person you love the most in the world sitting beside you holding your hand. Listening to Mr. King is like reading a three hundred page book on tax law, at three in the morning, alone, in an office cubicle with terrible lighting while scratching the bad case of poison ivy crawling all over your body; yes, that bad.
I have a number of goals I want to reach when writing—so do you--and at the top of my list is to someday settle into my own natural style, rhythm and flow that is so easy for readers to recognize, feel comfortable with and most importantly, enjoy, so that when they hear or are reading one of my novels it will always be like listening to Pavarotti on a summer day with the one you love. Getting to this place in my writing takes practice, time and could possibly never happen, yet it’s a goal I’m striving to reach; that sense of professional uniqueness that is on the money every time and stands my writing out from the rest. I want readers to get that same wonderful feeling about by novels I get when I pick up an Elmore Leonard, knowing without a bit of doubt I’m getting something special, funny, surprising, riveting and worthy of my time every time. Who doesn’t want their writing to be in Elmore Leonard’s league? In his league, you are there and it’s not an impossible dream; work at it; I do everyday.
You do it everyday too.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Friday, January 11, 2008
Hello good morning and good Friday,
Okay, I’ve mentioned this what probably seems like a thousand times and now I’m doing it again, my novel You Don’t Know Me is out in the world, great and so…? So I have to get more folks to realize it and to buy the book; a traumatically hard thing to do—at least for me. I’m following the general guidelines for promotion of the book or self-promotion depending on the way you want to look at it, so I have press kits I’m sending out, encouraging people who have read the book to write a review—good or bad, sending out copies of the book to people with influence in the media to get the word out and still there is more to do and one of those “mores” ( because it smells of self-promotion) I am leery of doing.
Well, my kid’s school is having a PTA sponsored cabaret with a raffle and some of the ways you can help make it successful is to work the cabaret, provide food or even donate an item to the raffle. My first thought was donate a copy of my book; my second thought---that’s self-promotion---but now as I write this, is it self-promotion or selling books? Okay, I’m donating something—they asked for donations—it just happens to be my novel. I would of course let the PTA representative know it’s an adult mystery crime thriller and it’s so entertaining and fast paced the reader won’t be able to put it down and if they can, I’ll give them a sweet treat of their choice. Hey, that doesn’t sound too bad, as a matter of fact its great promotion for the book so I'm doing it.
I've made the call to the PTA rep and offered my book as a raffle prize along with a sweet treat and I feel great about it for a few good reasons: I think I built the novel up pretty well, it’s a way to promote the book to garner more interest in it and I may get more sells a.ka. readers out of it; alright all the way around, yeah.
In the books I’ve read on promoting your book, you’re told to try any means at hand, to be innovative when coming up with ideas, to take chances, don’t let any opportunity to promote your novel pass you by and to keep at it; I figure I’m doing better than I thought or at least I’m keeping at it. I don’t expect my book to catch on overnight, it takes time even years plus other novels following for that to happen ( if it happens at all) but I’m patient and won't worry about it because its something beyond my control, all I can do is take every opportunity to promote my novels, to keep at it, not give up, do the best I can and most important than any of it: keep writing the books I love. You do the same.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Okay, I’ve mentioned this what probably seems like a thousand times and now I’m doing it again, my novel You Don’t Know Me is out in the world, great and so…? So I have to get more folks to realize it and to buy the book; a traumatically hard thing to do—at least for me. I’m following the general guidelines for promotion of the book or self-promotion depending on the way you want to look at it, so I have press kits I’m sending out, encouraging people who have read the book to write a review—good or bad, sending out copies of the book to people with influence in the media to get the word out and still there is more to do and one of those “mores” ( because it smells of self-promotion) I am leery of doing.
Well, my kid’s school is having a PTA sponsored cabaret with a raffle and some of the ways you can help make it successful is to work the cabaret, provide food or even donate an item to the raffle. My first thought was donate a copy of my book; my second thought---that’s self-promotion---but now as I write this, is it self-promotion or selling books? Okay, I’m donating something—they asked for donations—it just happens to be my novel. I would of course let the PTA representative know it’s an adult mystery crime thriller and it’s so entertaining and fast paced the reader won’t be able to put it down and if they can, I’ll give them a sweet treat of their choice. Hey, that doesn’t sound too bad, as a matter of fact its great promotion for the book so I'm doing it.
I've made the call to the PTA rep and offered my book as a raffle prize along with a sweet treat and I feel great about it for a few good reasons: I think I built the novel up pretty well, it’s a way to promote the book to garner more interest in it and I may get more sells a.ka. readers out of it; alright all the way around, yeah.
In the books I’ve read on promoting your book, you’re told to try any means at hand, to be innovative when coming up with ideas, to take chances, don’t let any opportunity to promote your novel pass you by and to keep at it; I figure I’m doing better than I thought or at least I’m keeping at it. I don’t expect my book to catch on overnight, it takes time even years plus other novels following for that to happen ( if it happens at all) but I’m patient and won't worry about it because its something beyond my control, all I can do is take every opportunity to promote my novels, to keep at it, not give up, do the best I can and most important than any of it: keep writing the books I love. You do the same.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Friday, January 04, 2008
Hello and how are you this Friday?
You Don’t Know Me is out in the world (please go get it at Lulu.com) and now is the challenge. You would think the writing is the largest challenge, it is; but I place getting the word out about the novel and getting people to read it runs neck-and-neck with the writing and often times surpasses it. I recently realized how much brainstorming and research must be done to try and figure out how to get the word out about the book; it’s a job in itself and with no guarantee of success.
Despite going in knowing your efforts to get people to buy your book may be a losing battle before you start, it’s not all bad. How can I say this when I lay it on so thick how hard selling your book can be? I say it for three reasons: one, the book's as done as its going to get so that worry is over and you can feel good about it. Two, I’m writing the next book in the trilogy and it feels great to dig into the characters and the new story taking my mind off for a while the business side of writing.
And third, there seems to be a template on how to try and sell your book; it doesn’t guarantee sells of course, but there are certain routes you can follow—most all writers follow I think—that can capture sells, for example: creating press kits introducing your book and yourself that may garner an interview about the book in print media, radio or television and can interest bookstores and libraries. You can do signings or have your novel read by a local book club where you can make an appearance to discuss it if they like. You can give talks about the writing process where your book can be featured; there is an endless number of resources that can help you create the best plan to get your book out to the public. Though I've said there is no guarantee you’ll sell one book (maybe to your mother if she likes you) I believe you can count on your novel selling if it has the right stuff: seamless writing, a great story readers feel they have not come across before and characters that stay with them long after the book is done and who they want to meet again.
Does my novel have this? I think so, but only the readers—I hope millions of readers—can tell me so.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
You Don’t Know Me is out in the world (please go get it at Lulu.com) and now is the challenge. You would think the writing is the largest challenge, it is; but I place getting the word out about the novel and getting people to read it runs neck-and-neck with the writing and often times surpasses it. I recently realized how much brainstorming and research must be done to try and figure out how to get the word out about the book; it’s a job in itself and with no guarantee of success.
Despite going in knowing your efforts to get people to buy your book may be a losing battle before you start, it’s not all bad. How can I say this when I lay it on so thick how hard selling your book can be? I say it for three reasons: one, the book's as done as its going to get so that worry is over and you can feel good about it. Two, I’m writing the next book in the trilogy and it feels great to dig into the characters and the new story taking my mind off for a while the business side of writing.
And third, there seems to be a template on how to try and sell your book; it doesn’t guarantee sells of course, but there are certain routes you can follow—most all writers follow I think—that can capture sells, for example: creating press kits introducing your book and yourself that may garner an interview about the book in print media, radio or television and can interest bookstores and libraries. You can do signings or have your novel read by a local book club where you can make an appearance to discuss it if they like. You can give talks about the writing process where your book can be featured; there is an endless number of resources that can help you create the best plan to get your book out to the public. Though I've said there is no guarantee you’ll sell one book (maybe to your mother if she likes you) I believe you can count on your novel selling if it has the right stuff: seamless writing, a great story readers feel they have not come across before and characters that stay with them long after the book is done and who they want to meet again.
Does my novel have this? I think so, but only the readers—I hope millions of readers—can tell me so.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Hello,
I hope you had a great holiday and will have a wonderful New Year to come. If you get a chance read this blog: http://www.gspitsit.blogspot.com/ its wonderful. Its written beautifully and has a great message regarding priorities, making yourself a priority and not being someone else's
option, its a terrific post and really hits home about the human condition and its failings that usually end up hurting others. The premise of the post is priorities and how our priorities differ from one another and what you may think should be a priority, someone else might not. There are people out in the world who don't think writing is a priority--or should be--for most writers, but is more like a self-indulgence that can be done or not and it's definitely not something should be at the top of anyone's priority list. I of course believe it's wrong, I do list my writing at the top and although it doesn't come near where my children and family stand; its still up there and I pay attention to it, to its details, baby it, agonize over it, rejoice in it and make it work for me when I can by putting in the time and effort just like you would do for anything or anyone you truly love.
So, we all choose our top priorities and writing is one of mine and one of yours too I know, and its a great thing especially when love of it--of doing it--is one of the reasons why and that's a blessing.
Write, keep at it no matter what, keep it at the top.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing.
Lori
I hope you had a great holiday and will have a wonderful New Year to come. If you get a chance read this blog: http://www.gspitsit.blogspot.com/ its wonderful. Its written beautifully and has a great message regarding priorities, making yourself a priority and not being someone else's
option, its a terrific post and really hits home about the human condition and its failings that usually end up hurting others. The premise of the post is priorities and how our priorities differ from one another and what you may think should be a priority, someone else might not. There are people out in the world who don't think writing is a priority--or should be--for most writers, but is more like a self-indulgence that can be done or not and it's definitely not something should be at the top of anyone's priority list. I of course believe it's wrong, I do list my writing at the top and although it doesn't come near where my children and family stand; its still up there and I pay attention to it, to its details, baby it, agonize over it, rejoice in it and make it work for me when I can by putting in the time and effort just like you would do for anything or anyone you truly love.
So, we all choose our top priorities and writing is one of mine and one of yours too I know, and its a great thing especially when love of it--of doing it--is one of the reasons why and that's a blessing.
Write, keep at it no matter what, keep it at the top.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing.
Lori
Friday, December 21, 2007
Hello and Happy Christmas,
The holidays are upon us—sometimes literally--they can be a heavy burden incorporating trying to make sure everyone gets what they've asked for, fighting traffic and pushing through crowds to get to that crowded shopping mall, concerned about overspending or under spending on those you love and worrying if you’d get everything done before the day arrives; it can be way too much.
As a writer, my saving grace is to write through all this and I hope it’s yours too. It may not be true for all writers, but when I can catch a break from all the hoopla and pressure to focus my mind, concentrate on any aspect of my writing; fleshing out a character or a situation the character’s in, doing research to move the story along, working on the story itself and getting a page done or even half a page written, its like taking a mini-vacation in the midst of a storm. I feel good then, as if I’m actually doing something instead of running and getting nowhere like everyone else during this time of year.
So, I’m writing when I can and fortunately it’s pretty often and I feel very blessed this year to be able to do so. I feel blessed for a number of reasons this year ( not just for the writing) the list seems endless and it’s a good one: my sons, my family, my friends, my health, a job I like, publishing my first book, a number of things and I’m going to keep at all of them to make sure next year is not just as good, but great.
Write all you can, it’ll make the season merrier.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
The holidays are upon us—sometimes literally--they can be a heavy burden incorporating trying to make sure everyone gets what they've asked for, fighting traffic and pushing through crowds to get to that crowded shopping mall, concerned about overspending or under spending on those you love and worrying if you’d get everything done before the day arrives; it can be way too much.
As a writer, my saving grace is to write through all this and I hope it’s yours too. It may not be true for all writers, but when I can catch a break from all the hoopla and pressure to focus my mind, concentrate on any aspect of my writing; fleshing out a character or a situation the character’s in, doing research to move the story along, working on the story itself and getting a page done or even half a page written, its like taking a mini-vacation in the midst of a storm. I feel good then, as if I’m actually doing something instead of running and getting nowhere like everyone else during this time of year.
So, I’m writing when I can and fortunately it’s pretty often and I feel very blessed this year to be able to do so. I feel blessed for a number of reasons this year ( not just for the writing) the list seems endless and it’s a good one: my sons, my family, my friends, my health, a job I like, publishing my first book, a number of things and I’m going to keep at all of them to make sure next year is not just as good, but great.
Write all you can, it’ll make the season merrier.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Friday, December 14, 2007
Hello and Happy Friday,
You get anything written today? I hope so because every word helps doesn't it? At least I think so, because sometimes it can be hard to get a few sentences out let alone a page, so the few words you produce that eventually become a sentence, then a paragraph until an entire book is created, its wonderful.
I had my first interview today about the book. The interview was for the Sun Press News Paper and was conducted by this beautiful young woman named Holly and to my surprise I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be, part of it was because the interviewer was easy going, she asked thoughful questions and the interview didn't take to long though the main reason I didn't faint from nerves at the prospect, let alone doing the interview, was because I told myself 'don't you flub up your first (it could be your last) interview so get over the nervousness.' And I got over it because I know, the only way to get my book out there is to promote it as gracefully, as positively, as succintly and as professionally as I could and babbling nervously, not being able to tell the readers about my book and encourage them to go out and read it emphasizing it would be more than worth their while, is not my objective, getting readers for You Don't Know me, is.
I know I'm not the most out going, vivacious person out there; able to sell igloos to eskimos, but one thing I do know, my novel deserves a champion to rally for it positively every chance I get, to be its number one cheerleader, so if I get a chance at another interview I'm going to work hard and put out my best effort so that my novel can have the chance to be found by great readers.
Keeping writing; there are really no excuses not to is it.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
You get anything written today? I hope so because every word helps doesn't it? At least I think so, because sometimes it can be hard to get a few sentences out let alone a page, so the few words you produce that eventually become a sentence, then a paragraph until an entire book is created, its wonderful.
I had my first interview today about the book. The interview was for the Sun Press News Paper and was conducted by this beautiful young woman named Holly and to my surprise I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be, part of it was because the interviewer was easy going, she asked thoughful questions and the interview didn't take to long though the main reason I didn't faint from nerves at the prospect, let alone doing the interview, was because I told myself 'don't you flub up your first (it could be your last) interview so get over the nervousness.' And I got over it because I know, the only way to get my book out there is to promote it as gracefully, as positively, as succintly and as professionally as I could and babbling nervously, not being able to tell the readers about my book and encourage them to go out and read it emphasizing it would be more than worth their while, is not my objective, getting readers for You Don't Know me, is.
I know I'm not the most out going, vivacious person out there; able to sell igloos to eskimos, but one thing I do know, my novel deserves a champion to rally for it positively every chance I get, to be its number one cheerleader, so if I get a chance at another interview I'm going to work hard and put out my best effort so that my novel can have the chance to be found by great readers.
Keeping writing; there are really no excuses not to is it.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Friday, December 07, 2007
************************************************************************************************************
Hello and very Happy Friday to you,
I’m very happy this Friday because finally, finally, my novel You Don’t Know Me has faced the challenges of being self-published and won; its out there now, available on Lulu.com and also on Amazon and soon other places.
I urge you (you knew I would) to get the book, as a paperback copy or download it and let me know what you think. I’m asking for your review, your suggestions, your critique, your comments, whatever you want to give me because I would love to know how readers feel about the characters, the story line and what improvements I can consider for the second book in the Owen Story trilogy.
So, give it a look and let me know by e-mail or with a comment. I would greatly appreciate your feedback and above all else I hope it's a story you'll enjoy.
Keeping writing.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing.
************************************************************************************************************
Hello and very Happy Friday to you,
I’m very happy this Friday because finally, finally, my novel You Don’t Know Me has faced the challenges of being self-published and won; its out there now, available on Lulu.com and also on Amazon and soon other places.
I urge you (you knew I would) to get the book, as a paperback copy or download it and let me know what you think. I’m asking for your review, your suggestions, your critique, your comments, whatever you want to give me because I would love to know how readers feel about the characters, the story line and what improvements I can consider for the second book in the Owen Story trilogy.
So, give it a look and let me know by e-mail or with a comment. I would greatly appreciate your feedback and above all else I hope it's a story you'll enjoy.
Keeping writing.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing.
************************************************************************************************************
Friday, November 30, 2007
Hello,
Are you writing today? I am a few lines here and there that are coming together into a great novel though slowly and surely which is the best way for me. Like you I’m sure; I do a lot of research because I’m not terribly smart( though you probably are) and I need to get what I’m writing, right: I research hard, it’s the blood flowing through my body of work. I was going to write more on this topic; then I read an article about the book and movie, The Diving Bell and The Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death by Jean-Dominique Bauby.
I realized how being able to write is such a gift, no matter how you do it and that there are no obstacles to the determination to write as beautifully exampled by Mr. Bauby who suffered a stroke that left him with a condition called “locked in syndrome”. He was paralyzed except for one eye motion and a few other minor movements. Mr. Bauby’s mind was untouched and was filled with so many things to say, to write, that he; dictating by blinking his left-eye lid, created in fourteen months his novel. What is there to say about the awe-inspiring determination to be heard, to write? We’ll find a way to do it no matter how we are physically or mentally.
I’m proud to be—at least in my mind—a writer like Mr. Bauby who will try and write despite any obstacles though I can’t (wouldn’t want to) come even close to the challenges he had to overcome. I’m just as proud to be a member of the club of writers who had a member like Mr. Bauby who died seventeen months after his new writing life began.
Keeping writing; there are really no excuses not to is it.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Are you writing today? I am a few lines here and there that are coming together into a great novel though slowly and surely which is the best way for me. Like you I’m sure; I do a lot of research because I’m not terribly smart( though you probably are) and I need to get what I’m writing, right: I research hard, it’s the blood flowing through my body of work. I was going to write more on this topic; then I read an article about the book and movie, The Diving Bell and The Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death by Jean-Dominique Bauby.
I realized how being able to write is such a gift, no matter how you do it and that there are no obstacles to the determination to write as beautifully exampled by Mr. Bauby who suffered a stroke that left him with a condition called “locked in syndrome”. He was paralyzed except for one eye motion and a few other minor movements. Mr. Bauby’s mind was untouched and was filled with so many things to say, to write, that he; dictating by blinking his left-eye lid, created in fourteen months his novel. What is there to say about the awe-inspiring determination to be heard, to write? We’ll find a way to do it no matter how we are physically or mentally.
I’m proud to be—at least in my mind—a writer like Mr. Bauby who will try and write despite any obstacles though I can’t (wouldn’t want to) come even close to the challenges he had to overcome. I’m just as proud to be a member of the club of writers who had a member like Mr. Bauby who died seventeen months after his new writing life began.
Keeping writing; there are really no excuses not to is it.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Hello and Happy Thanksgiving,
I just wanted to wish you a happy turkey day for those who celebrate and just a happy day for those who don't.
I will have four days away from my day job, so I'm going to get in as much research for the second Owen Story as I can with some added writing which would be great because I feel I'm getting into the heart of the new novel so I want to keep the momentum going.
I hope first you get a break from your working life and next that you can spend most of it with the people you love as I will, and of course the rest of the time, writing. Talk to you next Friday.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Lori
I just wanted to wish you a happy turkey day for those who celebrate and just a happy day for those who don't.
I will have four days away from my day job, so I'm going to get in as much research for the second Owen Story as I can with some added writing which would be great because I feel I'm getting into the heart of the new novel so I want to keep the momentum going.
I hope first you get a break from your working life and next that you can spend most of it with the people you love as I will, and of course the rest of the time, writing. Talk to you next Friday.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Lori
Monday, November 19, 2007
Hello, how are you this Monday morning?
I'm posting today instead of this past Friday because I had a problem logging on.
I’m reading a book called Fangland and I won’t give you the author’s name because to me the book is not good, not good at all and I was surprised by this though you may wonder why. There are supposedly more bad books out there than good ones and every one knows this, but when you run across a bad book you are nevertheless surprised and I think that’s our fault. You pick up a book, read the storyline, think its going to be really special, you have high hopes for it so you buy it, start reading and is utterly disappointed it turns out not to be anywhere near as great as you wanted it to be. But the question is: why not? Why wasn’t Fangland better?
First, the main characters were not people you cared about, there didn’t seem to be any attribute that adhered me to the characters or their situations, they were not so much plastic but were boring and almost unbelievable. Second, though the story line sounded interesting the crafting of the story was terrible, it jumped so jarringly from one character to another and their thoughts, you could literally hear the transition and that made it worst because I didn't like any of the characters in the first place. And third, the writing got in the way, wordy speed bumps all the way through with some of the descriptions so out of place and strangely florid or ridiculous it made me roll my eyes—I clearly read the trying too hard.
So I didn’t finish the book—couldn’t—it took to much out of me and it made me wonder, could my book be the same? Then I thought, no way, I couldn’t do such a disservice to he folks I want to read my novel. First, I worked to make it readable from page one, no jarring lines that the reader tripped over, using only the words necessary to move the story fast forward, to keep the reader turning the pages. Second, I tried to make each character original and outstanding but human with all the foibles, failings and freshness of anyone. And lastly, storyline, it had to be great with every twist and turn able to catch the reader with glee making them unable to put it down until the story was told.
I had wanted to enjoy Fangland, the name itself led me to believe it would be great, but no such luck, but it did do one thing for me, make me aware of how I don’t want to write, of characters I wouldn’t want to create, of what not to do. I believe those who chose to read any of my work deserve to read something great for taking their chances with me. Keep writing.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
I'm posting today instead of this past Friday because I had a problem logging on.
I’m reading a book called Fangland and I won’t give you the author’s name because to me the book is not good, not good at all and I was surprised by this though you may wonder why. There are supposedly more bad books out there than good ones and every one knows this, but when you run across a bad book you are nevertheless surprised and I think that’s our fault. You pick up a book, read the storyline, think its going to be really special, you have high hopes for it so you buy it, start reading and is utterly disappointed it turns out not to be anywhere near as great as you wanted it to be. But the question is: why not? Why wasn’t Fangland better?
First, the main characters were not people you cared about, there didn’t seem to be any attribute that adhered me to the characters or their situations, they were not so much plastic but were boring and almost unbelievable. Second, though the story line sounded interesting the crafting of the story was terrible, it jumped so jarringly from one character to another and their thoughts, you could literally hear the transition and that made it worst because I didn't like any of the characters in the first place. And third, the writing got in the way, wordy speed bumps all the way through with some of the descriptions so out of place and strangely florid or ridiculous it made me roll my eyes—I clearly read the trying too hard.
So I didn’t finish the book—couldn’t—it took to much out of me and it made me wonder, could my book be the same? Then I thought, no way, I couldn’t do such a disservice to he folks I want to read my novel. First, I worked to make it readable from page one, no jarring lines that the reader tripped over, using only the words necessary to move the story fast forward, to keep the reader turning the pages. Second, I tried to make each character original and outstanding but human with all the foibles, failings and freshness of anyone. And lastly, storyline, it had to be great with every twist and turn able to catch the reader with glee making them unable to put it down until the story was told.
I had wanted to enjoy Fangland, the name itself led me to believe it would be great, but no such luck, but it did do one thing for me, make me aware of how I don’t want to write, of characters I wouldn’t want to create, of what not to do. I believe those who chose to read any of my work deserve to read something great for taking their chances with me. Keep writing.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Friday, November 09, 2007
Hello,
If you check out my blog today I have changed its color, added a note or two and brightened it up a bit with new color, it’s the least I can do and I literally mean it, it’s the least amount of computer work I can do, I have no outstanding computer skills or talents. I look at my friend GiGi’s blog with its pictures and links and know it would take me forever to figure out how to add those touches to my own blog and these aren’t big additions. Those are small examples of my lack of skill, a larger one--that has caused me restless nights of late--was trying to format You Don’t Know Me to submit to Lulu for publishing. Though I read the instructions carefully regarding what I needed to do, I could not manage to format my novel in the exact way needed for it to be uploaded to Lulu; I had to contract the formatting out and at a pretty penny, thinking all along, if I had better skills I could have done it myself. I also wasn’t sure about my ability to successfully complete the uploading of the book to Lulu and not wanting to make a mistake that would set the novel’s debut back further, I contracted this out too.
It’s funny how, as writers, we want to control every aspect of the writing experience and most writers might, I just can’t, specifically regarding the self-publishing route where all the best companies are of course technologically based where the process has been streamlined to hitting a few computer keys though the key is knowing which are the right keys, I just don’t know it and have to seek help.
To be honest, the process is not all that cut and dried like I thought it would be, there are a number of elements that must be in place, must be just right if you want to be successful at submitting a novel to the best self-publishing companies and the least of it is if you have a good story. You want your book cover to be great to capture attention but it has to be formatted correctly (again) or you’ll have trouble submitting it, you need to make sure the novel has the right elements and not story elements but to be written in an acceptable font, some of the pages have to be in a certain order and those pages have requirements such as making sure you have proper gutters—it took me a minute with this one.
It was a lot to take in for me, again maybe not for most writers who are better at computer tasks than I am, for me though I tried, but was not successful at the tasks. I felt badly for about a minute at not being more computer gifted until I realized it didn’t matter because I’ll have the same thing a writer with more computer skills will have: a complete, touchable novel anyone can read and enjoy; this can’t be beat.
Keep writing.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
If you check out my blog today I have changed its color, added a note or two and brightened it up a bit with new color, it’s the least I can do and I literally mean it, it’s the least amount of computer work I can do, I have no outstanding computer skills or talents. I look at my friend GiGi’s blog with its pictures and links and know it would take me forever to figure out how to add those touches to my own blog and these aren’t big additions. Those are small examples of my lack of skill, a larger one--that has caused me restless nights of late--was trying to format You Don’t Know Me to submit to Lulu for publishing. Though I read the instructions carefully regarding what I needed to do, I could not manage to format my novel in the exact way needed for it to be uploaded to Lulu; I had to contract the formatting out and at a pretty penny, thinking all along, if I had better skills I could have done it myself. I also wasn’t sure about my ability to successfully complete the uploading of the book to Lulu and not wanting to make a mistake that would set the novel’s debut back further, I contracted this out too.
It’s funny how, as writers, we want to control every aspect of the writing experience and most writers might, I just can’t, specifically regarding the self-publishing route where all the best companies are of course technologically based where the process has been streamlined to hitting a few computer keys though the key is knowing which are the right keys, I just don’t know it and have to seek help.
To be honest, the process is not all that cut and dried like I thought it would be, there are a number of elements that must be in place, must be just right if you want to be successful at submitting a novel to the best self-publishing companies and the least of it is if you have a good story. You want your book cover to be great to capture attention but it has to be formatted correctly (again) or you’ll have trouble submitting it, you need to make sure the novel has the right elements and not story elements but to be written in an acceptable font, some of the pages have to be in a certain order and those pages have requirements such as making sure you have proper gutters—it took me a minute with this one.
It was a lot to take in for me, again maybe not for most writers who are better at computer tasks than I am, for me though I tried, but was not successful at the tasks. I felt badly for about a minute at not being more computer gifted until I realized it didn’t matter because I’ll have the same thing a writer with more computer skills will have: a complete, touchable novel anyone can read and enjoy; this can’t be beat.
Keep writing.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Friday, November 02, 2007
Hello, how are you?
My truly good friend, Gigi has started her blog it’s: http://gspitsit.blogspot.com/ and its great and I’m not saying this because she’s a great friend but because it’s a terrific blog for the same reasons a really good book or story is good, because it gives you everything you’re looking for and more and gives it to you in a clean, down to earth form and rhythm that glues your attention. I compare the way she writes her blog to the way one of my favorite writers, John Sandford writes his novels, specifically the Prey series. I recently finished Mr. Sandford’s latest, Dark of the Moon, it was wonderful for a number of reasons, most important, the novel’s voice—as I call it-- was original, realistic, compelling and funny, so easy to follow and be drawn into you feel you understand the world these characters live in whether you like it or not.
Gigi’s blog is the same, easy to get into, you understand exactly where she is coming from with the issues she presents—one of the blogs is on Breast Cancer--because she presents them in a non-flowery, no-nonsense real way so the truth of them can’t be ignored. Mr. Sandford’s novels and Gigi’s blog also have in common an ease in which they seem to be able to write words of substance –I envy this—and to be able to get to the point of their story in a minimalist fashion by choosing only the best words, the ones that count and putting them in the perfect order to get their idea across, the story across, it makes what they do seem so easy and like magic when it's not.
Both the blog and the novels are informative too, one of the things I love about reading good work. I always get helpful pieces of information when I read a Sandford novel, in the last one I learned that DEA agents whom don't get much press, do a tough job and are not to be underestimated. From Gigi’s blog I realized how hard hitting breast cancer is to women of color though the face of breast cancer seems to belong to others.
Like I said, both writing forms give me everything a great read should and it’s how I want my writing to affect readers. I know it takes talent, learned or natural, to reach this level but I have faith in myself that if I keep working on it, keep trying, never giving up, I’ll get there and I hope you’ll enjoy my writing enough to come along for the ride. .
Keep writing.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
My truly good friend, Gigi has started her blog it’s: http://gspitsit.blogspot.com/ and its great and I’m not saying this because she’s a great friend but because it’s a terrific blog for the same reasons a really good book or story is good, because it gives you everything you’re looking for and more and gives it to you in a clean, down to earth form and rhythm that glues your attention. I compare the way she writes her blog to the way one of my favorite writers, John Sandford writes his novels, specifically the Prey series. I recently finished Mr. Sandford’s latest, Dark of the Moon, it was wonderful for a number of reasons, most important, the novel’s voice—as I call it-- was original, realistic, compelling and funny, so easy to follow and be drawn into you feel you understand the world these characters live in whether you like it or not.
Gigi’s blog is the same, easy to get into, you understand exactly where she is coming from with the issues she presents—one of the blogs is on Breast Cancer--because she presents them in a non-flowery, no-nonsense real way so the truth of them can’t be ignored. Mr. Sandford’s novels and Gigi’s blog also have in common an ease in which they seem to be able to write words of substance –I envy this—and to be able to get to the point of their story in a minimalist fashion by choosing only the best words, the ones that count and putting them in the perfect order to get their idea across, the story across, it makes what they do seem so easy and like magic when it's not.
Both the blog and the novels are informative too, one of the things I love about reading good work. I always get helpful pieces of information when I read a Sandford novel, in the last one I learned that DEA agents whom don't get much press, do a tough job and are not to be underestimated. From Gigi’s blog I realized how hard hitting breast cancer is to women of color though the face of breast cancer seems to belong to others.
Like I said, both writing forms give me everything a great read should and it’s how I want my writing to affect readers. I know it takes talent, learned or natural, to reach this level but I have faith in myself that if I keep working on it, keep trying, never giving up, I’ll get there and I hope you’ll enjoy my writing enough to come along for the ride. .
Keep writing.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Friday, October 26, 2007
Hello,
You Don’t Know Me, is still in process of getting out there. I wanted it ready for it’s debut on October 19, 2007 but it wasn’t to be and for those looking for it, it will be out soon but the problem was with me, I didn’t format the novel correctly for the upload to Lulu so I have to have their specialist prepare the manuscript to be converted into the pdf then to be uploaded to Lulu and it will take them a few days to get to it. I was disappointed it wasn’t easier for me to follow Lulu’s instructions in formatting the novel, then creating the pdf and finally uploading it; it just wasn’t easy for me, I needed outside expertise, I found it but it still takes time.
I’m shooting for the end of next week to have the novel uploaded to Lulu but it’s really up to the company preparing the manuscript—Integrative Ink--when they’ll have it ready for me. I’m working on patience as I patiently wait and what’s helping is that I’m concentrating on writing the second novel in the Owen Story trilogy and working on ways to get the word out about the first novel, You Don’t Know Me: creating press kits, placing postcards I had made up and researching other avenues of promotion.
Since this is the first time I’m publishing my novel with all its ins and outs I’m putting the experience down to one of learning, a good thing, so that I’ll be more prepared for publishing the next one and will know exactly what to do and can look forward to smoother run when I publish the next novel. Another good thing about this experience: my novel is completed, its done and all is left is to get it out for those to read; that’s more than good, it’s great.
Keep writing, let me know if you have any books out to read and enjoy.
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,
Lori
You Don’t Know Me, is still in process of getting out there. I wanted it ready for it’s debut on October 19, 2007 but it wasn’t to be and for those looking for it, it will be out soon but the problem was with me, I didn’t format the novel correctly for the upload to Lulu so I have to have their specialist prepare the manuscript to be converted into the pdf then to be uploaded to Lulu and it will take them a few days to get to it. I was disappointed it wasn’t easier for me to follow Lulu’s instructions in formatting the novel, then creating the pdf and finally uploading it; it just wasn’t easy for me, I needed outside expertise, I found it but it still takes time.
I’m shooting for the end of next week to have the novel uploaded to Lulu but it’s really up to the company preparing the manuscript—Integrative Ink--when they’ll have it ready for me. I’m working on patience as I patiently wait and what’s helping is that I’m concentrating on writing the second novel in the Owen Story trilogy and working on ways to get the word out about the first novel, You Don’t Know Me: creating press kits, placing postcards I had made up and researching other avenues of promotion.
Since this is the first time I’m publishing my novel with all its ins and outs I’m putting the experience down to one of learning, a good thing, so that I’ll be more prepared for publishing the next one and will know exactly what to do and can look forward to smoother run when I publish the next novel. Another good thing about this experience: my novel is completed, its done and all is left is to get it out for those to read; that’s more than good, it’s great.
Keep writing, let me know if you have any books out to read and enjoy.
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,
Lori
Friday, October 19, 2007
Hello and Happy Friday,
Today was suppose to be the day of the launch of You Don't Know Me and I'm ready for it, eager and I hope you were too but unfortunately there is a delay. The writing is complete but my book cover hasn't arrived yet; one of the most important pieces of the novel. I had to have the cover made up as you know by someone else and there was a delay. I will have it in my hand by the end of business today and get the book out for its presentation on Monday. I can't wait until its complete and you're able to order it from Lulu.com and I tell you it'll be worth it, you'll love the story, if you don't (though I can't imagaine why not--it has everything) let me know, if you do love it still let me know.
Keep writing, I will, the next in the Owen Story trilogy. Go get the book on Monday.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me at:matwrite1@aol.com, I’ll love to hear from you.
Until next time God willing,
Lori
Today was suppose to be the day of the launch of You Don't Know Me and I'm ready for it, eager and I hope you were too but unfortunately there is a delay. The writing is complete but my book cover hasn't arrived yet; one of the most important pieces of the novel. I had to have the cover made up as you know by someone else and there was a delay. I will have it in my hand by the end of business today and get the book out for its presentation on Monday. I can't wait until its complete and you're able to order it from Lulu.com and I tell you it'll be worth it, you'll love the story, if you don't (though I can't imagaine why not--it has everything) let me know, if you do love it still let me know.
Keep writing, I will, the next in the Owen Story trilogy. Go get the book on Monday.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me at:matwrite1@aol.com, I’ll love to hear from you.
Until next time God willing,
Lori
Friday, October 12, 2007
Hello,
I received a very nice e-mail this morning from the Public Relations officer Ms. Soppel at my local library. I wanted to put some of my postcards at the library announcing, You Don’t Know Me but because the library has limited space it has room for mostly educational and non-profit information, good to know, yet she did extend the invitation that as things progress and I move to doing public book talks to contact her because it might fit under educational opportunities. It was nice of her wasn’t it?
I know I’ll get to the point where I must speak in a public forum—to sell books you have to be seen whether you want to or not---its just one of the scariest aspects of getting my book out there. Public speaking is a hard one for a lot of people and especially writers as you know, we like to write the books and not necessarily talk about them in public; think J.K. Rowling, one of the most popular writers ever but is uncomfortable reading and speaking in public.
It’s funny, on the one hand if anyone asks me to come speak about my book I will jump at the opportunity while on the other hand, I will be terrified to do so (I read recently that most people would rather die than speak in public) nevertheless I’ll do it because it’ll mean more people will learn about my novel. So, I’m going to get some books on public speaking that may give me some techniques I can use to tamp down my fear a little or I may even take a public speaking class, I’ll do whatever I need to do to get out there an promote my book because I feel it’s a great story and it'll take me to get out there and let people know 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,
Lori
I received a very nice e-mail this morning from the Public Relations officer Ms. Soppel at my local library. I wanted to put some of my postcards at the library announcing, You Don’t Know Me but because the library has limited space it has room for mostly educational and non-profit information, good to know, yet she did extend the invitation that as things progress and I move to doing public book talks to contact her because it might fit under educational opportunities. It was nice of her wasn’t it?
I know I’ll get to the point where I must speak in a public forum—to sell books you have to be seen whether you want to or not---its just one of the scariest aspects of getting my book out there. Public speaking is a hard one for a lot of people and especially writers as you know, we like to write the books and not necessarily talk about them in public; think J.K. Rowling, one of the most popular writers ever but is uncomfortable reading and speaking in public.
It’s funny, on the one hand if anyone asks me to come speak about my book I will jump at the opportunity while on the other hand, I will be terrified to do so (I read recently that most people would rather die than speak in public) nevertheless I’ll do it because it’ll mean more people will learn about my novel. So, I’m going to get some books on public speaking that may give me some techniques I can use to tamp down my fear a little or I may even take a public speaking class, I’ll do whatever I need to do to get out there an promote my book because I feel it’s a great story and it'll take me to get out there and let people know 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,
Lori
Friday, October 05, 2007
Hello,
I hope you’re doing well this Friday,
I’ve been listening to a number of books on tape lately some good, some not so good and I was thinking how I would love to have my book done in audio form. My friend Gigi said it’s not hugely expensive and I could probably find someone with a great voice at a good price; I'd love to do so I'm working on it; as a matter of fact, to hear or see my book anywhere is something I'm always working on.
I believe—and I know you do to—getting your book out in as many good or positive forms as you can is a win: books—on—tape, excerpts in magazines and news papers, excerpts on line in websites and blogs, video excerpts, short readings at libraries, readings at book clubs, e-books; any and all the great venues you can come up with to get your work known and loved is the key to success even if only five people become enamored with your work.
I dream about having a book signing at one of the major book stores and only the five show, they’re five strangers of course—not my mother or best friends—who love my novel, love Owen, who have a thousand questions about him and his story lines, who just can’t wait for the next Owen Story novel to become available. We sit around at a table and chat about the book and writing. Would my dream be better if hundreds showed up wanting the latest Owen Story novel? Maybe, but the thought of having five enthusiastic readers—even one--who can’t get enough of Owen Story --to me--that’s what its all about.
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,
Lori
I hope you’re doing well this Friday,
I’ve been listening to a number of books on tape lately some good, some not so good and I was thinking how I would love to have my book done in audio form. My friend Gigi said it’s not hugely expensive and I could probably find someone with a great voice at a good price; I'd love to do so I'm working on it; as a matter of fact, to hear or see my book anywhere is something I'm always working on.
I believe—and I know you do to—getting your book out in as many good or positive forms as you can is a win: books—on—tape, excerpts in magazines and news papers, excerpts on line in websites and blogs, video excerpts, short readings at libraries, readings at book clubs, e-books; any and all the great venues you can come up with to get your work known and loved is the key to success even if only five people become enamored with your work.
I dream about having a book signing at one of the major book stores and only the five show, they’re five strangers of course—not my mother or best friends—who love my novel, love Owen, who have a thousand questions about him and his story lines, who just can’t wait for the next Owen Story novel to become available. We sit around at a table and chat about the book and writing. Would my dream be better if hundreds showed up wanting the latest Owen Story novel? Maybe, but the thought of having five enthusiastic readers—even one--who can’t get enough of Owen Story --to me--that’s what its all about.
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,
Lori
Monday, October 01, 2007
Hello and Happy Monday,
I know I usually blog on Friday but didn't get the chance to so I wanted to make sure I at least dropped a note to you today.
I hope you've been writing, I have but not as much as I would like to so I'm going to treat myself to a writing day. I'm on the right track with my second Owen Story novel and to keep that momentum going I want to take a day off--far to little time really--to get into the nitty gritty of the story and get all the storylines down on paper as my blue print. I want to put more speed behind the writing of the next book for a number of reasons: one, I believe I have a better handle on how the scenes in this novel will play out so that I can write it faster; two, I have learned to write better--Yeah!!!--which gives me more confidence as I write so that I don't agonize over every line, every word which has made me a hesitant writer meaning it takes me twice as long to get my book done; third, the first Owen Story novel will be available in approximately two weeks and because I believe in it, believe readers will enjoy it I know they'll be looking for the second in the trilogy and I want to be able to give it to them sooner rather than later.
In light of all this I will soon be taking my writing day to get fully into the second Owen Story novel and I'm looking forward to it because those kinds of days make me feel such a writer and its the day I can concentrate on making my story the best it can be, where I can read passages over again to delight in them, where I get rid of the bad writing, find the holes in my story, flesh out the characters and move the novel to the next level; so many wonderful things to do that my writing day can't come soon enough and I wish it could be days instead of only one. I hope you get a chance to find a writing day, two, three or more if you're lucky.
Until next time God willing,
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Lori
I know I usually blog on Friday but didn't get the chance to so I wanted to make sure I at least dropped a note to you today.
I hope you've been writing, I have but not as much as I would like to so I'm going to treat myself to a writing day. I'm on the right track with my second Owen Story novel and to keep that momentum going I want to take a day off--far to little time really--to get into the nitty gritty of the story and get all the storylines down on paper as my blue print. I want to put more speed behind the writing of the next book for a number of reasons: one, I believe I have a better handle on how the scenes in this novel will play out so that I can write it faster; two, I have learned to write better--Yeah!!!--which gives me more confidence as I write so that I don't agonize over every line, every word which has made me a hesitant writer meaning it takes me twice as long to get my book done; third, the first Owen Story novel will be available in approximately two weeks and because I believe in it, believe readers will enjoy it I know they'll be looking for the second in the trilogy and I want to be able to give it to them sooner rather than later.
In light of all this I will soon be taking my writing day to get fully into the second Owen Story novel and I'm looking forward to it because those kinds of days make me feel such a writer and its the day I can concentrate on making my story the best it can be, where I can read passages over again to delight in them, where I get rid of the bad writing, find the holes in my story, flesh out the characters and move the novel to the next level; so many wonderful things to do that my writing day can't come soon enough and I wish it could be days instead of only one. I hope you get a chance to find a writing day, two, three or more if you're lucky.
Until next time God willing,
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Lori
Friday, September 21, 2007
Hello,
You all know I’m getting the first Owen Story novel out so it’s a number of things I have to do to make sure its successful. I want to do all the right things: get the word out by mentioning it on the blog, distributing postcards that give a little taste of the book hoping people will want more and I’m doing press kits; you know informational packets about the book and a little about myself. Doing these things is great; I have only one--not problem--but issue I’ll have to deal with in the first week of October; its regarding the press kits. Inside the kit, I have to also include a photo of myself and even though it's something I need to do, it still leaves me cold. I’ve read all the information I can on making a proper press kit and unfortunately not one has said a photograph of the author is not necessary. So the other day I set up an appointment with a photographer who appears to be a very good one in the hope he can make me look—I don’t know—better? More intelligent? The type of person you can trust who writes terrific novels you just have to read? All of this of course.
I hope my photographer is a magician and that he can get a good photograph out of me to add to my press kit and though I’m making a slight joke out of this because I --like a number of people—hate taking pictures, I will take my session seriously and do the best I can because bottom line: its for the good of the novel. I need the picture as part of a nice press kit introducing us (the novel and myself) to garner interviews to promote You Don’t Know Me; it’s all I’m after. So if I have to smile from here to kingdom come while someone snaps away then so be it, my press kits will be done and sent out, the postcards announcing the books arrival on every doorstep then the book sent to Lulu for publishing and then we’ll see. Write something good.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Lori
You all know I’m getting the first Owen Story novel out so it’s a number of things I have to do to make sure its successful. I want to do all the right things: get the word out by mentioning it on the blog, distributing postcards that give a little taste of the book hoping people will want more and I’m doing press kits; you know informational packets about the book and a little about myself. Doing these things is great; I have only one--not problem--but issue I’ll have to deal with in the first week of October; its regarding the press kits. Inside the kit, I have to also include a photo of myself and even though it's something I need to do, it still leaves me cold. I’ve read all the information I can on making a proper press kit and unfortunately not one has said a photograph of the author is not necessary. So the other day I set up an appointment with a photographer who appears to be a very good one in the hope he can make me look—I don’t know—better? More intelligent? The type of person you can trust who writes terrific novels you just have to read? All of this of course.
I hope my photographer is a magician and that he can get a good photograph out of me to add to my press kit and though I’m making a slight joke out of this because I --like a number of people—hate taking pictures, I will take my session seriously and do the best I can because bottom line: its for the good of the novel. I need the picture as part of a nice press kit introducing us (the novel and myself) to garner interviews to promote You Don’t Know Me; it’s all I’m after. So if I have to smile from here to kingdom come while someone snaps away then so be it, my press kits will be done and sent out, the postcards announcing the books arrival on every doorstep then the book sent to Lulu for publishing and then we’ll see. Write something good.
If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com
Until next time, God willing,
Lori
Friday, September 14, 2007
Hello,
I’m on the home stretch with the first Owen Story novel and I do feel a little sad I’m done with it but on the other side of the coin and a wonderful thing too; is that I feel exhilarated in moving on to the next book though I thought I’d feel the opposite. But for some reason finishing--I mean completing the first; totally completing it --has just opened up so many new ideas and story lines for the second that I know I’ll be all right writing it and the ‘fear of the next novel’ has turned to joy. Can I make it as good as the first—no—better? Well, I have to; the second novel has to be better than the first at least in a number of substantial ways if it’s going to hold together as a trilogy. Take for example the Lord of the Rings. I liked The Fellowship because it was a good story line and it placed the characters; The Two Towers, loved it. I was familiar with who the characters were and their roles but the storyline ramped it up for me, it was surprising, intense, unforgettable so that I couldn’t wait for the last movie. The Return of the King was good and I wouldn’t have missed it because it connected the previous movies to a successful end. The movies were a truly satisfying trilogy and its how I want the Owen Story novels to be.
I know I have a long road a head in writing the next book but I’m looking forward to the process with a greater enthusiasm than I thought I every would. I welcome the challenge of getting deeply into the second novel and making it great; then completing the trilogy with the third; this will definitely be tinged with sadness yet the fact I would’ve gotten there and its up to me to create a wonderful ending for the series will be a dream come true.
If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail me at my new address: shabazzl@adasbcc.org.
Until next time, God willing,
Lori
I’m on the home stretch with the first Owen Story novel and I do feel a little sad I’m done with it but on the other side of the coin and a wonderful thing too; is that I feel exhilarated in moving on to the next book though I thought I’d feel the opposite. But for some reason finishing--I mean completing the first; totally completing it --has just opened up so many new ideas and story lines for the second that I know I’ll be all right writing it and the ‘fear of the next novel’ has turned to joy. Can I make it as good as the first—no—better? Well, I have to; the second novel has to be better than the first at least in a number of substantial ways if it’s going to hold together as a trilogy. Take for example the Lord of the Rings. I liked The Fellowship because it was a good story line and it placed the characters; The Two Towers, loved it. I was familiar with who the characters were and their roles but the storyline ramped it up for me, it was surprising, intense, unforgettable so that I couldn’t wait for the last movie. The Return of the King was good and I wouldn’t have missed it because it connected the previous movies to a successful end. The movies were a truly satisfying trilogy and its how I want the Owen Story novels to be.
I know I have a long road a head in writing the next book but I’m looking forward to the process with a greater enthusiasm than I thought I every would. I welcome the challenge of getting deeply into the second novel and making it great; then completing the trilogy with the third; this will definitely be tinged with sadness yet the fact I would’ve gotten there and its up to me to create a wonderful ending for the series will be a dream come true.
If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail me at my new address: shabazzl@adasbcc.org.
Until next time, God willing,
Lori
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