Happy

Today is a good day. 

I don't know why today is going so well, it could have been a lot worse.  I had a root canal, but it was super easy, it's over, and there is no pain.  I thought my cell phone was broken but I fixed it. (turns out it's my usb port that has problems, but I'll let The Engineer worry about that) My kids were a little crazy but they've calmed down and have given me lots of hugs and kisses.  I did the things on my list that I thought would take all day and now we have all afternoon stress free.  I didn't think I'd have time to write or blog but here I am!  And I've had some good scene ideas for the next two books in the trilogy and some thoughts on fixing my current beginning.

It's a good day and I'm grateful for everything that has gone my way.  What is making your day a good day? Why are you happy?  And, if your day has not been so fortuitous, what would make you happy? 

The Road We Travel

Earlier this week I read this post about the ending of two blogs that greatly influenced the bloggers life.  One of them is the BookEnds Literary Agency blog.  That blog has informed, influenced, and helped me along my writing journey and I'm sad to see it end.  What struck me most about this post, though, was the title: The End of A Beginning.

And I realized that's how I feel. I'm working on what I hope are the final edits before sending off queries.  My query pitch, I think, is ready to go, I'm researching agents, I'm doing all the things I've learned over the last few years.  And that's the point.  I've been working towards this for several years. All my life really. I don't consider myself a completely wet-behind-the-ears noob anymore.  Which isn't to say I don't have a lot to learn because I do. But I've reached the end of the beginning of my journey. 

I'm now comfortably somewhere in the middle. somewhere along this road I hope to get an agent, and get published.  It's nice that there's no end to this journey. As long as I write the road will stretch out before me surrounded by the landscapes of my imagination. 

The end of something can be sad, but really it's only the beginning of something else.  I know what I'm beginning now will have it's own hardships but it will also have it's own rewards, and I'm ready for them both.

Where are you on the journey?

Continued

After I wrote the post yesterday I was reading in Stephen King's ON WRITING. I came to a part where he describes a table covered with a red cloth. On the cloth is a cage holding a rabbit. On the rabbit's back is the number 8 in blue ink.  Then he says

"Do we see the same thing?  We'd have to get together and compare notes to make absolutely sure but I think we do.  There will be necessary variations, of course: some receivers will see a cloth which is turkey red, some will see one that's scarlet....Decorative souls may add a little lace, and welcome--my tablecloth is your tablecloth, knock yourself out." 

I love how casual he is about it.  He then goes on to say those details don't really matter and the important thing is the 8 on the rabbits back.  And everyone will see that, no matter what their tablecloth looks like.  So as long as we get the big stuff right, the important things, we shouldn't sweat whether the reader sees the exact same farm we do.  My mother and I share a favorite book and we often have discussions about it.  Quite often our perceptions and imaginings are similar.  Sometimes they are widely different.  That doesn't detract from either of our enjoyment. 

King then goes on to say speaking of himself and us as the reader,

"We're not even in the same year together, let alone the same room...except we are together. We're close.
We're having a meeting of the minds." 

I loved this because it showed how we CAN meet over time and space.  Not everyone will form a connection with the book or me as an author but for the ones who do it will be amazing. 

Letting Go

We had the opportunity last week to drive past our old house.  It was the first house we bought and we were its first owners.  We loved that house. There were some changes to fit their style and needs but a lot of the yard was the same and I could tell they loved it too because it was very well cared for. 

Someday, when (yes, when) my book is published it will be like this house.  For now my book is mine, my baby, but at that point it will belong to the reader, the person who purchased (or otherwise legally obtained) a copy. I had to wonder what it would be like having my book owned by someone else, someone who may not like it or take care of it.  I didn't mind the people who lived in our house now because I could tell our house, their house, meant a lot to them. Maybe it will be like that for my book too.  I have to hope that the people who find it will love it and treat it well. How do you feel about sharing your book, knowing people will bring their own interpretations and images to what you wrote?  How do you let go?

Interview with Joanne

Today I’d like to introduce Joanne DeMaio.   

 

 She's an amazing author and blogger and is always so supportive and postive.  Her posts are fun and she always has beautiful pictures. She recently released her novel,  Whole Latte Life.

 

A contemporary women’s fiction in which she explores relationships between mothers and daughters, friends, and spouses. 

I love Sara Beth’s name.  It combines my name and my sister’s name so it already creates a positive connection with the character for me.  Are you the type of writer that searches for just the right name, or does the character name themselves then tell you what it is?

I’m definitely a writer who searches for the right name.  One of my goals in writing fiction is to keep the story very real, filled with possibilities and moments that could truly happen in the readers’ lives.  And so I look for names that we hear and say often, and that we connect to in a familiar way, say of a friend, or family member … The way you and your sister have already connected with Sara Beth!

There are a lot of references to art in the book, paintings, brushstrokes and such.  Have you studied art?  Does that affect your writing?

I did research aspects of art for the book, but have not studied Art.  Though I’ve always enjoyed looking at life through the perspective of the camera lens.  It’s a technique I use often, especially on my blog where each post is inspired by an everyday photograph I’ve taken.  I’ve brought that technique to my fiction by having Sara Beth also look at life moments through the lens of art, one of her passions.  It helps her to process and give deep meaning to her experiences.  I guess you could say there is a little bit of me in her character that way.

She really has lovely photos on her blog! 

How did you research for the novel?  Have you spent time in New York or did you do much of it online?

I do live 100 miles outside of Manhattan, and so I’ve visited there often.  My NYC setting comes from a combination of life experience and book/internet research, the research being for the trivia and factual elements of the story.  The other two story settings are inspired purely by life, and isn’t living our lives a form of research too? Addison is a reflection of the two towns I consider my hometowns, and Anchor Beach is inspired by Connecticut’s Point O’ Woods Beach, a gem of a place that has been a special part of each and every one of my summers.

Living is the best research.

Just For Fun … Do you have a favorite season?

Autumn.  I love the change to cooler temps after a hot summer.  There’s the anticipation of the holidays, and turning to the comforts of home during the cold months, and of course Cinnamon Dolce Lattes are an added bonus.

If you had three wishes, no strings attached (I’m not tricky like a genie), what would you wish for?

First, a personal chef.  Cooking is one of my least favorite things to do.  If someone else could cook all the meals, I’d be forever grateful!

Second, I’m wishing for you and your new daughter to have a lifetime of beautiful moments together.

Third … I’m giving away my last wish, to all your readers.  I hope they’ll share their wishes in the comments.

That’s so sweet of you, thank you!

Thanks so much for hosting me today, Sara … It’s been a latte fun!

Thanks Joanne for this great interview. 

You can find her book here and if you want to know more about her or her book her website is here.   

I’m excited to know what your wishes are so go ahead and leave them in the comments!