It’s Worth It
November 9, 2008 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as It's Worth ItGRATEFUL TO GOD FOR MY FAMILY
by Kitty Bucholtz
‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. – Alfred Lord Tennyson
There will always be disagreement about the truth of that statement. The same person might even change their mind about whether they hold that belief depending on where they are in their lives. It’s much harder to believe when you’re in the midst of loss.
When I went to Australia three years ago, I knew I’d be gone at least three months because of my husband’s job. Three months turned into thirteen, and we definitely felt the loss of our friends, our church, and for me, my OCC family.
I just returned from the chapter meeting and I’m feeling euphoric and nostalgic and full of gratitude even though I know I’ll be feeling a deep sense of loss this time next year when I’m back in Australia. Shannon Donnelly’s presentation on writing a synopsis was exceptional – the most pages of notes I’ve taken since Michael Hauge was here. Sue Grimshaw gave an excellent presentation about the Borders book buying process and what authors can do to promote themselves. Not sure if it was because she’s from Michigan (Go Wolverines!) or because she’s such a nice person with a great presentation, but I felt really inspired to keep going afterward even though I’m still unpublished.
But it’s not the professional information that makes OCC my family. I spent the day teasing friends and getting teased back. Several friends encouraged me to not give up on the kind of writing I want to do regardless of whether I’ve seen anything like it in the bookstore. A lot of people shared my excitement in moving back to Australia and listened with saint-like patience as I extolled the virtues of life there. One friend told me I would be missed and filled my heart when she said she would start missing me now. Aw! (Guys, it’s a girl thing. 😉 )
So what do I think? Is it better to have made friends and poured time and energy into them and found they became another family? Networked and shook hands and passed out business cards to strangers for years? And then up and leave for who knows how many years?
Yup. No question.
It’s worth it.
Kitty Bucholtz is a co-founder of Routines For Writers, a new web site to help writers write more. She writes light urban fantasy novels with a romantic comedy spin – and loves every minute of it! Read her article ORANGE YOU GLAD YOU THOUGHT OF THAT? in September’s RWR magazine. Even though she loves talking about, writing about, and teaching about writing, she’s pretty sure she knows at least three people who aren’t writers.
The last shall be first…
November 8, 2008 by A Slice of Orange in category ArchivesWhen my first book, Whose Lie Is It Anyway?, was published, one of the earliest recipients of a newly minted copy was Karina Bliss, fellow-Superromance author and a wonderful friend of mine. I phoned her on the day I guessed she would receive the book I’d sent. You know, just to say, hi, how are you, anything interesting in the post today?
“I got your book,†she said.
“Oh, really?†Quiet pride bloomed within me.
“I loved the last line,†she said. “Absolutely loved it.â€
Wow! Not only did I write a book, but it was so good, Karina had already finished it! “Thanks,†I said modestly.
“I can’t wait to read the rest,†she continued.
“Uh…excuse me?â€
Yes, dear reader, it turned out that my friend had flipped to the last page of the book and read the last line first.
I have one word to say on the subject: Why???
Since then, I’ve met quite a few people – lots, almost – who automatically read the last page of a book before the first. As a writer, this causes me anguish. I slave over each book for months, and the last page is a culmination of the story that hopefully pulls together the story theme, the events, and the characters in a way that’s satisfying to the reader. How can said reader possibly get that satisfaction without reading the book?
As a reader, the last-page-first philosophy bemuses me. Doesn’t knowing the end ruin the story? Sure, when you read a romance novel you know there’ll be a happy ending that involves the hero and heroine getting together. But it’s the how and why that make the story unique. I don’t want any clues to that before I read it on the page. I like to finish the book on an “aaah†note of satisfaction. I don’t think I could do that if I’d already read the end before I started.
Am I in a minority here? Do millions of readers prefer to read the last page first? Let me know where you stand on this important question!
Abby
THINGS THAT MAKE ME GO MMMRUH!
November 7, 2008 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as Things That Make Me Go Mmmruh
October 29, 2008 – my world premiere! I play Darla in the film Daryl From OnCar. You’ll love this 9-minute flick on the web because it’s all about COC! Mmmruh…COC. Creator Owned Content.
Let me clarify. Daryl From OnCar isn’t exactly about COC. It’s a comedy about what happens when an ordinary man becomes too dependent on an overly obliging customer service rep. But while the movie isn’t about COC, it is a shining example of some of the greatest COC out there. Mmmruh.
Last winter I blogged about the Writer’s Guild of America’s strike. Screenwriters were fighting for more rights, more money and more credit for the sale and distribution of their work. The WGA ended up getting much of what they demanded from the studios, but the strike resulted in more than Internet rights, DVD royalties, and an un-cancelled Oscars show. Out of the ashes of the strike rose Strike TV.
Founded by WGA writers who met on the picket lines, Strike TV is a website that features original short films and episodic shows produced directly for the Internet. Some of the WGA’s most talented writers used their off-picket line strike time to produce comedy and drama unedited by networks, unchanged by studios or unaffected by corporate agendas. The site premieres new shows and films every week and the writers are producing more and more COC for their bombarded website.
The Revolution has just begun. Strike TV is creating a world in which writers break free from studio notes and network mandates. You can see this audacious new world if you try – it’s a world where writers no longer have to put up with non-writers telling them how to write.
This world is just around the corner, at Strike TV.
Though she makes her film debut in Daryl From OnCar, our winsome blogger likes the movie Can’t Buy Me Love even better. When not watching eighties movies or Giants football, Miss Ruane co-hosts the radio show Better Times After 50 on AdviceRadio.com. Her short story “Jane Austen Meets the New York Giants†is published in the New York Times Bestselling anthology The Right Words at the Right Time, Volume 2.
Writing Inspiration
November 6, 2008 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturne
http://www.lindaojohnston.com/
http://www.killerhobbies.blogspot.com/
November 8, 2008 Meeting Information
November 4, 2008 by Marianne H. Donley in category ArchivesMeetings are held the second Saturday of the month at the Brea Community Center, 695 E. Madison Way, Brea, CA. 92821.
For a map and directions, click here.
Meeting fees are $10 for Members and $20 for Non-Members.
Meeting Schedule for Saturday, November 8, 2008
9:30 am: Doors Open / Ask an Author
10:30 – 10:50 am: Announcements
10:50 – 11:50: Morning Speaker Shannon Donnelly – The Short Synopsis
11:50: Lunch Break (Lunch Orders available)
12:30 – 1:00 pm: Booksignings
1:00 – 1:30 pm: General Meeting and Achievements1:30 – 3:00 pm: Afternoon Speaker: Sue Grimshaw, Buyer for Borders Books
Ask An Author
Do you have a question that a published author can answer? If so, plan to come to the meeting a little bit early. Each month two different authors host an informal round table discussion group. Ask An Author meets from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in the main meeting room.
Volunteer Ask an Author for November: Charlene Sands
Critique of the Month
Don’t forget our monthly critique drawings!
Volunteer Critique Author for November: Meryl Sawyer
Just print out the FIRST chapter and bring it to the monthly meeting! Then add your name to the list of critique hopefuls, located at the membership table.
Best of all — it’s free for meeting attendees!
