Check this out! S. K. Nicholls is having a Goodreads Book Giveaway to celebrate the paperback version of her book Red Clay and Roses!
Giveaway ends March 03, 2014.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Issue Seven, an Apology and a Thank You..
OK, this is not a proper reblog but I have to share the news that Issue 7 of the Paperbook Collective is OUT and available for your reading pleasure. It includes writing by yours truly (big smile) and the very talented John W. Howell (bigger smile). Click your way to the issue via the link in this post and READ!
I’ve been a little busy lately. First, responsibilities and obligations at my day job have increased since my bureau chief retired, and another coworker has been working less than half-time due to medical problems, and we still have a vacant position. As my supervisor noted, she and I are “doing the work of five people.” It’s temporary; we hope to fill the vacant position soon, but for now … I’m busy.
But it hasn’t been all work and no play. It’s just that the playing of late hasn’t included writing (at least, not much). What do I do when I’m not working, writing, or practicing yoga? Yup, I’m knitting. And since there are babies waiting to be born, I’m knitting small.
You may say that this sweater is cute, even lovely. It was definitely fun to knit. I love knitting cables.
But my coworker might hate me because the yarn is a blend of mink and wool and, thus, must be handwashed :) But it is small and it’s an outer sweater and it’s a camel color so if the baby spits up now and then, the spit might just blend in :) But what do I know? I’ve never had kids and aside from having to babysit my nephews many, many years ago, I’ve managed to avoid baby spit, baby puke, and dirty diapers.
And so I’m busy, but I write in my head as much as I can. Sometimes I get inspired and push out a bit of a story, surprising myself, but also reminding myself that the words are there. It’s just that I’m busy right now.
After careful consideration and discussions with a panel of experts (we hear voices), we are implementing some not so drastic changes. In the spirit of keeping this a fair and fun community for everyone, we have rearranged some privileges, made some editorial changes, and adjusted our guidelines. Some of you who had free posting privileges prior to our closure may now find that you are restricted and need an editor’s approval before posting. After a history of consistent quality posts, you may regain privileges to post without editor approval. This is not anything personal or a judgment against your writing or talent, but we are striving to take the CSB in a more positive direction. To do so, we need to establish more quality control.
Going forward, we ask that people remember that this website is about feedback. The ‘C’ stands for Community and we mean it. Even if you dislike a piece, please feel free to comment on it with respect and integrity. Consistently coming to the editors with an issue about works that are represented on the blog does not help the author in question learn and grow. If discussions do get heated and cross the line of civility, the editors will step in and there will be the risk of removal of offending party(ies).
Without further ado, here are the New Guidelines!
We hope everyone has a good time here and shares in the joy of reading and writing–Thank you, the editorial team.
Keep a look out for a post about coming events such as an artist contest and the bi-monthly theme, which will be replacing the weekly prompts.
Here is the 31st installment of Ten Top Lists of What Not to Do by Marie Ann Bailey of 1WriteWay at http://1writeway.com and John W. Howell of Fiction Favorites at http://johnwhowell.com. These lists are simu-published on our blogs each Monday. We hope you enjoy.
10. When writing a novel, do not try to explain to anyone what you are doing. If you do, at best they will walk away shaking their head. At worst, you might find yourself as a recipient of an intervention by well-meaning friends and family which you didn’t know was being filmed until you see it on Dr. Phil.
9. When writing a novel, do not assume everyone in the world is waiting for it to be finished. If you do, at best you may get used to the sound of crickets when it’s done. At worst, people might start avoiding you on purpose without trying to hide the fact that they are.
8. When writing a novel, do not ask your spouse to read parts and provide an opinion on how they like it. If you do, at best you might end up in an argument over whether you really only used your imagination in writing those sex scenes. At worst, you both might end up paying a lot of money to a divorce lawyer.
7. When writing a novel, do not ask your children to be quiet while you write. If you do, at best they will make even more noise and you will have to find a way to soundproof your room. At worst, you might just be investigated by child protective services at the request of neighbors who are tired of the screaming and crying (mainly from you).
6. When writing a novel, do not think you need a rest by playing a video game or knitting the sleeve of a sweater. If you do, at best you’ll lose your focus on your plot. At worst, you will finish the sweater and reach the god level in the game, but never finish the book.
5. When writing a novel, do not try to make a decision on whether you should plan the book or just write it. If you do, at best you may get stalled on starting the novel and have to adjust your publication deadline. At worst, you may end up having an argument with yourself and end up not on speaking terms, which would totally blow your deadline.
4. When writing a novel, do not keep your own counsel on word usage or grammar. If you do, at best you may get lucky and have only a few mistakes. At worst, you will need to leave town and change your name to avoid the laughter from your peers.
3. When writing a novel, do not do your own editing. If you do, at best you may be surprised by the number of problems in your book. At worst, you may want to book a trip to a country with no extradition treaty with the US.
2. When writing a novel, do not avoid rich characterizations. If you do, at best you will have a book filled with pounds of boring material that not even you will want to read. At worst, you will need to find a decent disguise when meeting other authors and readers to avoid being called out by your characterizations of them.
1. When writing a novel, do not skimp on the plot thinking your literary style will pull you through. If you do, at best you might have a book you love, but no one else does. At worst, you might win the Worst Literary Book of the Year Award in recognition of your achievement.
I should admit right here that I’ve never read any of James Joyce’s work. And yet I find these facts immensely interesting. Read on!
1. James Joyce was born in the same year as another notable modernist writer, Virginia Woolf. But the similarities don’t end there. Both were born in 1882, but both writers also died in the same year, 1941. Both wrote landmark modernist novels, published in the 1920s, whose principal action takes place over just one day in mid-June (the novels in question are Ulysses and Mrs Dalloway). Both pioneered the stream of consciousness technique associated with modernist writing.
2. James Joyce was scared of thunder and lightning. Joyce’s fear of thunder and lightning – the technical name for which is astraphobia – stems from his childhood, when his fervently Catholic governess told him that thunderstorms were God manifesting his anger. This fear stayed with Joyce into adulthood. It even probably helped to inspire a 100-letter word which Joyce coined in his final novel, Finnegans Wake (1939), Bababadalgharaghtakamminapronnkonnbronntonnepronntuonnthunntrovarrhounawnskawntoohoohoordeenenthurnuk, which appears on the first…
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I love vampires and I love cats so I love this post by Kate Shrewsday and must reblog!
It is interesting to note that even in a house packed with baffling personalities, Little Mil stands out like a sore thumb.
At 6am, every weekday morning, Phil and I lie in the darkness, waiting for the dawn, and his alarm goes off.
A more grating melody I have yet to find; harsh, it makes no compromises in volume, subtlety or artistry. It blares.It is like a bawling sergeant major, all expectation and no sodding compromise. It and I are sworn enemies.
And is it easily switched off, just a short reach from the warm, all-consuming duvet?
It is not.
My husband leaves it at the bottom of the stairs. A whole floor away. This, I tell him, is a mistake. Not just because the walls there are paper thin, and our poor unsuspecting bachelor neighbour must have a blue fit every time it goosesteps into action at a very…
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Charles Yallowitz’s Beginning of a Hero, the first in the Legends of Windemere series, will be ONE YEAR OLD on February 27. To celebrate, Charles is throwing a month-long party, or Giveaway, through Rafflecopter. Visit Charles’ blog for details!
On February 27th, Legends of Windemere: Beginning of a Hero will be 1 year old. To celebrate, I’m running a month long Giveaway through Rafflecopter. Honestly, Danielle Taylor put it together because I’m so lost on here.
There are over 20 prizes to win, which range from a free book to a $10 Amazon gift card to a set of Legends of Windemere INCLUDING Family of the Tri-Rune when it’s released. The contest goes from today to February 28th and all you have to do is click on the link below to see what you have to do.
It’s rather simple really. There is a list of actions you can take to gain entry points, which increase your chance of winning. For example, you can go to this page and get points for following the Facebook page and Twitter feed of the participating authors. It’s very easy…
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A few interesting facts about Edith Wharton, one of my favorite authors. While she is best known for Age of Innocence and House of Mirth, my particular favorite will always be Ethan Frome.
By Viola van de Sandt
Edith Wharton’s most famous novels – among them The House of Mirth (1905), Ethan Frome (1911), and The Age of Innocence (1920) – have earned her a steadfast place within the modern-day canon of American literature. Yet some of the most interesting and provocative instances of her writing are also to be found in her letters, notes, and memoirs.
1. Wharton noted down every witty statement that came to her mind in a book of epigrams, some of which eventually found their way into her novels or short stories. Among them are classic quotes such as ‘For always getting what she wants in the long run, commend me to a nasty woman,’ and ‘Mr and Mrs Wetherall’s circle was so large that God was included in their visiting-list.’
2. The House of Mirth caused a huge scandal at the time of its serial publication between…
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Get your copy of Yesterday Road before it goes up to $3.99 and costs almost as much as a Venti Skinny Vanilla Latte!
It only took three months, but the Sony Reader Store is now offering Yesterday Road. Purchase it ry-chere.
Oh, and by the way, don’t forget that the price is going up to $3.99 on or around Feb.1, so if you need that dollar for something else, be sure to grab your copy today!
Marie at 1 Write Way 