Posted August 01, 2010 at 15:59 (General)
Welcome to the heat of August! 99 degrees today here in NW FL and the heat index is over 110!!!! The perfect day for hibernating in my air-conditioned home office and blogging, writing, etc.
My first order of business is to give credit where credit is due - and that is to my wonderful cousin Bob K. Not only is Bob a terrific friend and cousin he is the guy who snapped the photo that is on the cover of my book: Oak Cliff. The photo is of the actual, real-life Oak Cliff Cemetery in Derby, CT. Yes, there truly is such a place and it has been there since the Civil War. It can be such a peaceful place during the day but becomes a whole other world after dark. Just sort of spooky and creepy, you know? Bob has taken many photos of places for me when I've needed a visual reminder of what someplace or something looks like and without his kind assistance I would be hard-pressed to describe some things in a manner that makes sense. So a great big THANK YOU to Bob for all of his photographic skills and well as his PR skills - this guy always mentions my books when in and around the Naugatuck/Housatonic Valley. If you're out and about in The Valley, please give Bob a shout-out.
Next on my list is my upcoming book launch party. Believe me, I would love to invite each and every one of you but, space and funds prevent me from doing that. So, at the end of August a select few friends will join me in the 'official' launch of Oak Cliff. I hope to be joined by a couple of other authors, some very supportive neighbors and friends, and none other than the man who inspired Chef Jacques! We're just doing a couple of hours of socializing. I've invited the local press (I hope you attend Navarre Press). I promise to take photos and hope they turn out well enough to post. I've got a couple of new hors d'oeuvres recipes that I'm going to try - Chili-Rubbed Shrimp, and Wrapped Asparagus. They both sound delightful and easy to make in this hot weather.
Work is progressing on Book #4 -Follow The Sun. Our main characters Millie and Mona are having a few minor adventures as they begin their adjustment to retirement. Believe me, I'm having quite a few laughs with these two.
That's all for the moment. Please remember to enter my contest for a signed copy of Oak Cliff - rules are on my Facebook Page.
Till the next time, Sunshine & Hugs!
Posted by Marion at 15:59 2010-08-01 | Trackbacks (0) | Comments (0)
Vamps, Weres, Supes, and Things That go Bump
Posted June 16, 2010 at 10:44 (General)
Have you read the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris? You haven't? Well, if you're into the Twilight Saga or watch TrueBlood on HBO then you really need to read all of the Sookie Stackhouse novels. And read them in the order they were written please.
I just completed the entire ten book series - from Dead Until Dark to Dead in the Family. I must say that this series of books is one of the most delightful reading events that I've had since Alexander McCall Smith's #1 Ladies Detective Agency.
To give you some insight, Sookie Stackhouse is a barmaid in a place called Merlotte's (sounds like Merlot wine). She is a telepath who doesn't date because she can 'hear' what others think and that makes for a really uncomfortable situation. But when Bill Compton walks into the bar she is immediately drawn to him because his mind is like a black hole - no noise. That's because Bill is a vampire.
Throughout the series there is much to be learned about the supernaturals we share this planet with. In addition to vampires, there are wereanimals (not just werewolves), shapeshifters, witches, telepaths, and a few other creatures to become acquainted. Who knew we weren't alone?
This series contains everything: romance, adventure, crime, forensics, business lessons, and a good dose of humor liberally sprinkled throughout. A true mix of several genres. I thoroughly enjoyed this series of books and anticipate the next one in the series. Kudos to Charlaine Harris for providing us with such great entertainment.
Posted by Marion at 10:44 2010-06-16 | Trackbacks (0) | Comments (0)
Point of View
Posted May 02, 2010 at 17:04 (General)
The general concensus among novelists is to be a storyteller. By that I mean, to tell a story as a narrator seeing all aspects of an event or story. My dad was the best storyteller during my childhood. He would sit me down and start off with, "Do you know the story of....?" When I'd shake my head in a negative manner he would proceed with "Then let me tell you about..." That is what a storyteller does. That is what comes easily to almost everyone.
In order to tell a story you don't need to be a very creative person or an eloquent one. You just need to be able to relate events in a reasonable order and work your way to the end. There really is no need to hold a degree in English or Literature or anything like that. Seriously, when you were telling bedtime stories to your children did you stop to think how you were phrasing your sentences or if your grammar was correct? I didn't think so.
Well, I'm definitely someone who goes against the trends. That's why I've chosen to write my stories using the first person point of view. Yes, it's a bit more difficult since the story is only told according to one person (or place, or thing) but once I got down the basics it wasn't really all that difficult. It simply becomes a matter of thinking as the narrator or becoming one with your character.
This is so simple that it shouldn't need to be explained. Think back to a time when you were asked by someone, a parent perhaps, to explain something you did. Didn't your answers go something like this: I took my bike and rode over to Johnny's house. After he got his bike we rode to the park and played ball. We saw a few squirrels and threw acorns at them then got on our bikes and rode back to Johnny's house. You see? That wasn't difficult at all. In fact every time a witness to a crime is asked to give their accounting of what happened they are being asked to tell the story using the first person point of view - what he or she saw and did. That and only that.
Why then, is it so difficult for some editors to say that they simply get confused by first person point of view and would rather read a novel told from the narrator (third person) point of view? This brings me to my question of you, dear readers:
Which do you prefer - reading a story from the narrator or third person point of view or from the first person (crime scene witness) point of view? I would love to hear your comments.
Posted by Marion at 17:04 2010-05-02 | Trackbacks (0) | Comments (0)
The Telling of a Story - Part 8
Posted April 04, 2010 at 16:19 (General)
There hasn't been much activity on Book #4 these past two weeks as Oak Cliff has become the center of my attention once again. The manuscript has returned from an editorial evaluation and is now in developental editing. This means that there are a couple of spots that are weaker than the rest of the story and I'll need to address those. So for the next couple of weeks or so this will be the main thrust of my efforts. Overall though the manuscript for Oak Cliff is receiving editorial praise and this makes me happy.
Happy Easter - Happy Spring!
Posted by Marion at 16:19 2010-04-04 | Trackbacks (0) | Comments (0)
The Telling of a Story - Weeks 4.5 through 7
Posted March 18, 2010 at 18:46 (General)
Okay, so I've been away from this blog for a while but lots of things have been happing. Oak Cliff (book #3) has been through my final edit before going off to the publisher. Lots of work getting that package ready but now it is in the hands of the professionals and I only need wait to see what happens next (book cover design, proof work, etc).
Book #4 though hasn't been out of my thoughts or development process. I've decided that my mellow-voiced crooner to front for the Saturday night band at my dance hall will be named Mason "Sonny" Banks. The band is Richie Marks and the Marktones (I know it sounds kind of corny) but the band name may yet change.
I've decided that Sonny shouldn't be the only one singing so I've decided to run a contest where the band will audition for a female singer. Maybe try out one new girl each week. I put out the feeler for name suggestions and was pleasantly surprised when one of my Facebook fans gave me not only one but the entire group of ladies who would be vying for that coveted singer spot - looks like we'll have five beautiful, spirited young ladies giving old Sonny a bit of competition.
Since I've put Oak Cliff to bed I'll be starting the actual writing of Book #4. I'm anxious to get this one going because I've had an inspiration for Book #5. Yes the ideas keep coming and my notebook is filling up with ideas. Some I'll use in Book #4, others to be used in later books.
I'll try to be more conscientious about blogging but please bear with me. As my hubby as been known to say, "Caution, author thinking".
Posted by Marion at 18:46 2010-03-18 | Trackbacks (0) | Comments (0)
