Musings from the Slush Pile

This weekend was made of awesome. Stuffed with books and wrapped in fun. Like my last post pointed out, making arrangements took a little effort, but once we secured babysitting for the three smaller members of my circus, Hubsy & I were on our way to Columbus, Ohio for the Ohioana Book Festival. Best getaway weekend this year.

This was no amateur show. The Ohioana had volunteers and staff flowing from the ground and walls, possible parachuting in from the sky. They were *whispers* everywhere. It was amazing. And they had answers! Which is the schiz-nit because you know I had questions. It was, afterall, my first rodeo. I felt like I needed a neon pink tee announcing “New girl here!” But they had me covered. There were a trillion signs directing traffic, happy workers assisting the signs, a line up of local food trucks scenting the air with Oh-My-YUM! The tables were set, gift bags in place, name tags secured. Despite the size of the building, all rooms were clearly marked, the schedule was maintained. I mean, I seriously wanted to blow a whistle, line up those mega-hundred workers and volunteers for a personal hug at he end of the day. *Amazing*

I traded a ton of emails preceding the event with Beth Poley, who with the help of (holy cow! fierce and fabulous Harper Teen,YA author of A Touch Mortal, and A Touch Morbid, Leah Clifford) I got to meet at the reception. Yes. As if the event wasn’t enough. During the event itself, they catered in Starbucks, and breakfast and lunch fpr the authors. Serious. There was no end. Then, the governor’s mansion hosted the authors at a reception following the event. Right? *shakes head* Amazing. And I found Beth to tell her, she deserves a total spa day for all that effort. Authors and patrons noticed. I drooled. *Swings giant foam finger* I’m her new biggest fan *creepy whisper* For real. She rocks. Like a lot. A. Lot.

Also, I was introduced to my new obsession, Jeni’s Ice Cream. I even got to meet Jeni. She’s like a local celebrity there. Her ice cream is the talk of the town, everyone in Columbus knew who I meant if I dropped the name “Jeni.” It was fun. I tried it more than once. They always knew. After the reception, Hubsy and I walked down to High Street in the Short North District where we stayed at a beautiful B&B. There was a line up the side road where we walked and all the way around the corner at 10pm-ish. Club opening? Fancy black tie restaurant? Nope. Jeni’s. We walked for what felt like miles around the district talking and taking pics. Then, wound up at Jeni’s. I tweeted. It was delicious. Twitter knows Jeni, too. You can follow her @jenisicecreams

All in all, big praises to the in-laws for an incredible weekend with Hubsy. It was *perfect* on all counts. I gained 5 pounds without a doubt. Met people I will never forget and a few I didn’t think I ever would in person. Example: Imagine my surprise when my favorite YA author/blogger/mommy/tweeter/girlfriend showed up and introduced herself? Yeah. Shock and bliss ensued. Mindy McGinnis and her gorgeous daughter gave me yet another *squee*. If you don’t know Mindy, she’s the mastermind behind Writer Writer Pants on Fire Blog. You must meet her. She’s as beautiful in person as you imagine. Genuine, kind, witty and fun. Meet her immediately. You will thank me.

Yeah. I was starstruck this weekend. In awe. Humbled. Amazed.

I even got to participate in a panel discussion on suspense & mystery writing with one of my favorite cozy writers, Amanda Flower. She was seated next to me all day and answered my 1,001 questions on publishing, murder and more. I get to see her again soon, as I will be attending Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention in October. *Clapping wildly*

In conclusion, *coughs* If you live near a book festival, GO. I encourage you. Ohioana was free and open to the public. There were childrens’ authors, a giant character roaming around, Kent State University students and facutly had a room for the kids to get hands-on in some fun activities and hear readings from the children’s authors. Kids had a blast. Parent’s were thrilled. What a great family day out. Definitely don’t miss the one headed to your area. If it’s half as delightful as this one, you’ll be sorry.

Does your town have a book festival?

Last night I had the opportunity to visit a local library and speak about my life, writing, book love and other randomness. The Friends of the Library advertised, baked and decorated. They filled the room to capacity. I mean. Really. There were late-comers seated on the floor. My bestie picked me up from home, drove me, hauled books, kept me from puking because I am a nervous speaker, and collected money among many other things. A friend from years past made a special trip to the town to see me. My in laws watched three kids until Hubsy could get home and take over.

This was just one small, 1 hour event. And look at all the support and involvement I needed and received.

Before any contract is ever signed, at least one beta reader gives me honest feedback. Beta readers should be hugged. They volunteer their precious time to read a manuscript that may never be published – likely one by an author like me who no one has ever heard of. Then, my critique group combs over the words some more seeking rogue commas, plot holes and general writing no-nos. Then my agent reads it and edits it again, sometimes more than once.

After the contract is in place, my international online family rallies to support my accomplishment, allowing me to guest blog for them, tweeting about the success, posting the book trailer…the list goes on and on and on.

I am daily humbled, encouraged and utterly overwhelmed at the incredible people in my life. If you’re reading this post -that means you too. If you don’t have a writer-support group, find one. Get in touch with those who understand you, will lift you up when the rejections roll in, help edit your hate letter to the meaner agents, then convince you never to send it once you’ve gotten that out of your system. We need each other. Writing is no longer a solitary endeavor. Success takes a village.

Who’s in your village?

Today’s amazing author comes to us courtesy of the Wow! Women on Writing as part of her Blog Tour. Karen writer historical fiction and she graciously agreed to talk to us about finding inspiration for novels. Take it away Karen!

Karen Kondazian’s life dream was to be a CIA spy…until she turned eight and she was invited to appear on Art Linkletter’s “Kids Say the Darndest Things”. After several days of missing school to tape the show Karen realized that acting was indeed her truecalling. Karen has an extensive list of both theatre and television roles she’s played and also teaches at the Lee Strasberg School of Theatre and Film in Hollywood. Karen’s first foray into writing also stayed in the acting realm: The Actor’s Encyclopedia of Casting Directors. But now she’s branched out into historical fiction with a main character that any actress would love to play!

The Whip by Karen Kondazian

Life can be tough! Imagine falling in love with a runaway slave and having his child. Or tracking a killer who destroyed your family. Living your life as a man, making your living as a stagecoach driver, or killing a famous outlaw. Any one of those things would qualify as a tough life but what if they ALL happened to you? They did to Charley Parkhurst and The Whip is the story of her incredible life in the Wild West of the 1860s.

Just Thought You Should Know:

The Whip is inspired by the true story of a woman, Charlotte “Charley” Parkhurst, a Rhode Island woman who lived her life in the West as a man.

Find Karen Online:

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheWhipNovel

Twitter @thewhipnovel

Website http://www.thewhipnovel.com/

Blog http://www.thewhipnovel.com/blog/

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/TheWhipNovel#g/u

It’s been said a bazillion times, “Write what you know.” My friends think this means I should write about raising small children, or homeschooling or being a domestic failure….but to me writing is an escape. I don’t want to rehash the perils of my day and I don’t know why anyone would want to read about them to the tune of 80,000 words. Yikes. So, I write what I want, but I pepper in my favorite details.

Details can make the story.

How many times have I reread a sentence, put the book on my lap, looked into the air and said ,”Yes!” A lot. I do it a lot and I love that moment where an author has masterfully detailed something dear to me. Or even something simple which I’d never given thought before. Words are powerful. Words will change the way you see things. Words will change the world. But enough of that for right now.

Details can help or hinder. So, be sure you get them right. I did a beta read for a friend in another country a couple years ago and her MC woke in LA, pulled back the blinds of her loft apartment to take in the stellar views of the park outside. Central Park. Oops. I’ve seen writers describe the Amish community as if it were a commune. Obvi they haven’t ever been to an Amish populated town. I could go on, but you get he drift. If you aren’t absolutely certain, don’t say it. Google it, phone a friend, or skip it.

But if you DO know it, describe it with abandon. What makes the details truly spectacular is the author’s unique perception of the thing they describe. Chances are, I don’t see it the way you do…until you tell me, then I have a whole new appreciation. Something I considered commonplace is now mysterious, comical or beautiful. Then, as a reader, I officially love you. Or, you describe it as I’ve always imagined it and then we are kindred spirits. So, it’s a win-win really.

Yes, dialogue is important to keep your story moving forward.

Yes, too much purple prose will kill your novel dead by way of strangulation.

All the more reason to make the details you offer up matter. Make them strong, visual images that last long after your reader has finished reading for the night. Make them dream of your creation.

Do you have a favorite author or book where the words pulled you onto the pages, right into the world they created? Please share!

I’m in between WIPs. This hasn’t happened in three years. It’s not a good place for me. I don’t know how to act. I have mad amounts of unfocused energy and I’m developing a twitch. Writing keeps the crazy-pants at bay. However, my family is headed to the ocean in about three weeks and I want to make memories there. I don’t want photos of my torso and the back of a laptop screen in place of my head.

I am painfully OCD and if I’m in the middle of something, it feels like a guillotine hanging over my head until it’s finished. So, when I begin to write a story, I’m *compelled* to see it through – quickly. I cannot start a new story until after vacation. *chews nails*

I cannot begin a new story. It’s killing me. I’ve typed a 12 page outline for my next project. But, I draw the line at beginning the writing.

To harness some of the loose energy, I started cleaning. I decided on Monday to clean one room a day. Top to bottom. Dust ceilings and light fixtures, sweep, use the attachment thingy to get in corners and around baseboards. I moved all the furniture, retrieved lots of change and lost toys, swept the couch cushions, dusted art and pictures. Tuesday I scrubbed the guest bath in the same fashion but instead of a sweeper, I used a bleachy-cleanser to wipe every inch of the space, refold guest towels, etc. Then I started on my kitchen and made two trips to donate all the crap shoved in the back of my cupboards. Good Grief. It took two long days to scrub every inch of the kitchen. I gave away THIRTY placemats. Who on earth has THIRTY placemats? I don’t even use placemats.

When my husband came home I opened all the drawers and cabinets to show off..”How does it look????” I beamed, eyes swirling to reveal the extent of my freak out. He raised a worried eyebrow and told me it looked like Sleeping with the Enemy.

Hey, that’s how I roll. 110% All day.

So, I may not make it three more weeks without writing. My poor family has grown too comfortable with laptop-head mommy. I don’t want to keep frightening them. All the cleaning has everyone concerned for my well-being. It seems the kind thing would be to go back to writing. *Looks over shoulder* Yeah, that’s the ticket. It’s all for the sake of my dear family. *nervous giggling*

What do you do when you aren’t writing??