Yesterday, I’d attended the OCC meeting for the first time since May and it was wonderful to see my friends–Live! In Person!–again. Although, I did attend the conference in San Francisco and had such a great time spending the week with them.
It’s so easy to stay isolated from friends and family when you’re going through some kind of crisis–health, financial, or family. And some times, like in my case, it would just be easier not to respond to the concerned e-mails right away. But I know everyone genuinely cares, just as I care about them, so I certainly do my best to respond. 🙂
Isn’t it wonderful to know that no matter what family health crisis your family is going through, no matter what the state of the world and the global economy… your friends will be there to support and encourage you, as well as give you a swift kick in the “writing arse” when you need it? Thank goodness.
When I joined OCC, I had NO idea I’d discover these incredible friendships.
Thank you for being there for me, you guys!
Do you belong to a writing organization? What do you enjoy most about belonging to it? The support? The friendships? The business advice?
Take Care,
Michele
Michele Cwiertny writes dark paranormal romance. To find out more about her, please visit her website, michelecwiertny.com, or her personal blog, Michele’s Writing Corner.
by Jina Bacarr
My favorite Podcasting rule: Expect the unexpected and make the most of it.
I was hanging out in the downstairs lobby of the San Francisco Marriott during last summer’s RWA conference when I started talking to a gal sitting next to me. When I found out she was Juleigh Start, the author liaison for ARRC (Australian Romance Readers Convention), I convinced her to do a podcast promo with me for her event.
Juleigh was fabulous! We shot this in one take, but I updated it when I put together the podcast. I added a voiceover letting the viewer know Registration for the convention was open. It’s important to put enough information in your video description as well as in the credits so the viewer can find your website, event, etc.
Want to know more about ARRC? Here’s the info from their website:
“Celebrate romance fiction at the inaugural Australian Romance Readers Convention.
Meet your favourite authors, discuss your preferred romance sub-genres, buy books, get them signed and party. The inaugural Australian Romance Readers Convention will be held at the beautiful Jasper Hotel in Melbourne, Australia from February 20 – 22, 2009. Australian Romance Readers Convention is a not-for-profit event and is being organised and run by a group of hard working, dedicated, romance-reading volunteers!”
Visit http://www.australianromancereaders.com.au/
Enjoy the video!
Best,
Jina
Jina Bacarr is the author of The Blonde Geisha , Naughty Paris, Tokyo Rendezvous, a Spice Brief, and Spies, Lies & Naked Thighs, featuring a female Indiana Jones.
Coming in April 2009: Cleopatra’s Perfume
“One whiff and every man was her slave.”
READER COMMENTS – OR THE LACK THEREOF
by Kitty Bucholtz
When my Internet browser opens, I have it set so that several web pages come up at once. Several – like the Slice of Orange here – are industry blogs that I’m keeping up with. I often find myself nodding and agreeing with the writer, or I’ll think of something about the topic I want to share. But I usually don’t have time to read and comment.
That made me think about my own blogs and how few comments there often are. I realized that a lot of times people are probably thinking what I’m thinking – I either don’t have time, or I don’t want to write “I liked that†or “I agree†because the comment seems so inane.
Keep that in mind when you’re writing. I’ve had dozens of magazine articles and devotionals published and – with the exception of my recent RWR article – I’ve only received one note from a reader. (Thank you, friends, for your outpouring of electronic high-fives on that RWR article!) People will like what we write and be nodding their heads, or shaking their heads, or thinking about it for a while, and we’ll never know. While sometimes my words may not affect a single person, a lot of times they will, if only one. We need to keep writing. Don’t stop. It’s worth it.
Kitty Bucholtz writes light urban fantasy novels with a romantic comedy spin. She is a co-founder of Routines For Writers, a new web site to help writers write more. 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.
One of the joys of having kids is introducing them to the delights of reading. All three of my offspring happily immerse themselves in a book for hours at a time (including after lights-out, using a flashlight!), and it warms my heart to see such devotion.
As they get older—my son is 13, and my daughters 12 and 10—I increasingly enjoy reading their books myself. Not because I have to, but because there’s so much quality fiction around for Young Adults. The question becomes one of what’s suitable for what age kids. I’m on the conservative side of that debate, so sometimes I hold on to books for my kids to read in a year or two’s time. Here are some that I’ve read or that are on my TBR pile.
Meg Cabot – I loved How to Be Popular, what a great read! I now have The Princess Diaries on my TBR pile (yes, I know I’m miles behind the rest of the world on this, but better late than never). I also read an excerpt of Ms. Cabot’s new book on her website a few months back, and that looked great.
Stephenie Meyer – I read Twilight, again long after the rest of the world, and thought it was an amazingly written book. Vampire stories aren’t my thing, and I feel it’s too old for my 12-y-o, but hats off to Ms. Meyer for such a compelling story.
Sarah Dessen – I read Lock & Key – a very nice read about a troubled girl who has a happy ending. I’ll probably wait until my 12-y-o turns 13 before I pass it on to her. I have The Truth about Forever on my TBR pile.
Tina Ferraro (sp?) – I gave my 12-y-o Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, and she loved it. I haven’t read it yet myself, but I plan to do so. I have another Ferraro book (blue cover, I don’t remember the title) stashed away for my daughter’s Christmas stocking.
Alyson Noel – I met Alyson as we both left a party at the San Francisco RWA conference. She seemed so nice that I went out and bought one of her books the next day, Kiss and Blog. My daughter really enjoyed it, but again, I haven’t read it yet.
Maureen Johnson – Girl at Sea. I bought this after it was highly recommended, but I haven’t read it yet.
Michael Morpurgo – what a great writer of fiction that appeals equally to boys and girls. You can’t go wrong with his books – try Kensuke’s Kingdom, War Horse, Adolphus Tips, Alone on a Wide Wide Sea, etc, etc.
Jeff Kinney – I recently bought Diary of Wimpy Kid (again, long after everyone else) and all the kids laughed their way through it (as did I). More middle grade than YA, but a lot of fun anyway.
Okay, those are my latest recommendations on the YA front. Anyone got any other ideas?
Abby
We live in an amazing era! I’m definitely a technology dunce, but the stuff I’ve been able to learn is still incredible. For one thing, I’m proficient in using at least part of my computer–for word processing for my writing, and e-mail. I’ve communicated several times with my son via e-mail, learning about where they are and the wonderful sightseeing they¢re doing, as well as getting questions answered about some holiday-related matters for later this year. A few of our return message got through almost instantaneously, even though we weren’t using instant messenger. He also called me on my cell phone–another technological wonder–while I was out for breakfast and he was enjoying the sunset. We talked for quite a while, since he had bought an inexpensive phone card there.
Our younger son is also traveling in Europe, although in different places from the honeymooners. Fred has communicated with him, too, via text messages.
Years ago, if we didn’t hear from a loved one who was traveling, we might be concerned about them but didn’t worry, since we didn’t expect to be in contact. Today, though, our expectations, or at least our hopes, are different. Not hearing back for a while can cause more consternation.
Hmmm. I may use that in a suspense story one of these days…
Linda O. Johnston
www.LindaOJohnston.com
www.KillerHobbies.blogspot.com
Linda O. Johnston is the author of 14 romance novels as well as the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime–and has 2 Silhouette Nocturnes and a Nocturne Bites upcoming!
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If these two don't kill each other, they might fall in love.
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More info →A Slice of Orange is an affiliate with some of the booksellers listed on this website, including Barnes & Nobel, Books A Million, iBooks, Kobo, and Smashwords. This means A Slice of Orange may earn a small advertising fee from sales made through the links used on this website. There are reminders of these affiliate links on the pages for individual books.
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