Tell us about a momentous first day, why it was so important, and if it was as wonderful/horrible as you anticipated.
I’d have to point to my first day of college, but there is so much to say about it.
First, we had an orientation where I found half a dozen new friends in about five minutes, and these were people who were like me. I was there about five minutes when I met Jocelyn, who has to be one of the most dynamic and entertaining people I’ve ever met. That encounter changed my life. She pushed a fledgling love of writing into a long-term obsession.
Yes, I wrote as a child. I was also pushed into WEDGE (Writing Every Day Generates Energy) ever year in Junior High School. I was pushed through a writing program in high school, but after I graduated high school, I was invited to participate in the Summer High School Art Institute and Writer’s Colony. Technically, I didn’t qualify (I wasn’t a high school student) but there were more spots paid for than there were students interested in signing up that year. I went with the writing group and that really kick-started my love of writing. It would have died there if not for Jocelyn. She is an excellent writer. Her stories are always creative, funny, and richly imagined. She is also powerfully inspiring. We traded manuscripts and ideas and she helped me find a true love of writing that would drive my life from that point forward. It is a gift I will never be able to repay.
College classes were so much better than high school. It was a new world for me. Suddenly we weren’t regurgitating some text book (a totally pointless exercise suited only for parrots) we were analyzing information, coming to our own conclusions that we then needed to defend, and building on the material in our own ways. I would hold that K-12 prepares a student for true learning by offering the rote skills, like reading and math, and the background information in fields like history and science, but real learning starts in college, and ideally lasts a lifetime. A desire for lifelong learning was born in me by the excellent teachers at Brooklyn College.
If I could choose my own Heaven, it would look a lot like Brooklyn College, with the excellent classes, club hour (which was supposed to last for two hours and which we extended for five or six), fabulous people, and aura of bright creativity. We’d just skip the seven hour line for registration.
Other stops on the tour:
http://meganeileen2005.typepad.com/ twinkletoes
http://thatsloanegirl.blogspot.com/ CathyF
http://wryexchange.com/ Wry Exchange
http://www.absentmindedhousewife.com/ beckygoesape
http://verycontrary.wordpress.com/ Contrary
http://amandagorby.blogspot.com/ amanda_tg
http://whatsmylife.blogspot.com/ grinningcomb
http://nolechica.livejournal.com nolechica
http://addierambles.blogspot.com andra
http://la-eme.livejournal.com MsMoonbunny
http://philangelus.wordpress.com/ Tabris
http://mischief0617.wordpress.com/ CrowGirl
http://www.housewife2000.blogspot.com housewife2k
http://fatgirlartist.blogspot.com/ Amy Rose
http://lulupop.wordpress.com Lulupop
http://robandkrista.blogspot.com/ CelticGemini
http://anime-coroner.livejournal.com/. AllyKat
http://www.drunkenhousewife.com/ The Drunken Housewife
http://ladyj3000.blogspot.com/ LadyJ3000
http://heartstart.livejournal.com Heartstar1
http://deltatangosgbs.blogspot.com/ afbluebelle
http://sarahesperanza.wordpress.com/ SquishyMooMoo
http://sinkingtent.blogspot.com/ ladiedeathe
http://divine-misse.livejournal.com Shotochick (only readable by those that have a livejournal account)
http://rainhaville.blogspot.com RainhaDoTexugo
http://kimberlysstories.wordpress.com Kherbert05
http://sisterlilbunnythecorpseflinger.wordpress.com/ Lil Bunny
http://whatweareuptonow.blogspot.com/ Andi
I’d like to wish everyone a wonderful Rosh Hashannah. May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life for a sweet year. L’Shanah Tovah.
I won’t be online for the holiday, but I have pre-blogged entries for both days.
September 29th, 2008
What’s the worst diet food you’ve ever eaten or been served?
I’ve never been served a bad meal in my entire adult life, for which I feel incredibly blessed. For this question, I have to dip into my childhood.
I was about twelve the first time we spent the woods in Pennsylvania. We’d gone to visit some friends of my parents in their new home. Let me set up the situation. The friends had 5 children. The middle child, the oldest boy, was the “special” kid. He was the one who could sit with the adults for dinner, who could stay up late, who could do no wrong. The first two, both girls, were treated as if they were “practice” kids who came along before they got the whole breeding thing right and got the kid they wanted and the one’s who came after, both boys, were treated like the parents hoped to recreate the magic of the special one and never quite got it perfect again. I think it little wonder that his eldest sister ended up in jail and on drugs and the second-born ended up so inept as a parent that she had her own child taken away. I don’t know the fate of the last two.
In any case, we’re there from Friday night to Sunday night and in that time I was expected not to join the adults for meals, not to go into the refrigerator myself for food, and not to bother the adults for anything. I pointed out why this wasn’t going to work and got hit.
In other words, the worst diet food I was ever served was a three-day fast.Instead, I stole food. I snuck into the refrigerator when no one was looking and took whatever I could find that they might think some other child had taken. Any time we went after that I brought cerial bars and bags of trail mix in my suitcase.
Other stops on the tour:
http://meganeileen2005.typepad.com/ twinkletoes
http://thatsloanegirl.blogspot.com/ CathyF
http://wryexchange.com/ Wry Exchange
http://www.absentmindedhousewife.com/ beckygoesape
http://verycontrary.wordpress.com/ Contrary
http://amandagorby.blogspot.com/ amanda_tg
http://whatsmylife.blogspot.com/ grinningcomb
http://nolechica.livejournal.com nolechica
http://addierambles.blogspot.com andra
http://la-eme.livejournal.com MsMoonbunny
http://philangelus.wordpress.com/ Tabris
http://mischief0617.wordpress.com/ CrowGirl
http://www.housewife2000.blogspot.com housewife2k
http://fatgirlartist.blogspot.com/ Amy Rose
http://lulupop.wordpress.com Lulupop
http://robandkrista.blogspot.com/ CelticGemini
http://anime-coroner.livejournal.com/. AllyKat
http://www.drunkenhousewife.com/ The Drunken Housewife
http://ladyj3000.blogspot.com/ LadyJ3000
http://heartstart.livejournal.com Heartstar1
http://deltatangosgbs.blogspot.com/ afbluebelle
http://sarahesperanza.wordpress.com/ SquishyMooMoo
http://sinkingtent.blogspot.com/ ladiedeathe
http://divine-misse.livejournal.com Shotochick (only readable by those that have a livejournal account)
http://rainhaville.blogspot.com RainhaDoTexugo
http://kimberlysstories.wordpress.com Kherbert05
http://sisterlilbunnythecorpseflinger.wordpress.com/ Lil Bunny
http://whatweareuptonow.blogspot.com/ Andi
September 23rd, 2008
I have wanted to interview an author for this blog for a very long time and I was very lucky to get Anthony Barnett to agree. He is a charming, talented writer with a great sense of humor, and I can’t wait to read more of his work. Without further ado, I give you an interview with Anthony Barnett.
Tell me about yourself.
Well my background was in process control engineering, so I guess writing was my escape from reality. I had my first short story published way back in 1994 and have been lucky enough to be accepted regularly ever since. I’ve had my stories published in magazines, international competitions, summer specials, and international newspapers, broadcast on radio and recorded for ‘Talking Newspapers’.
Tell me about your book.
WITHOUT REPROACH, is about deception, and self-torment, the battle between the self-importance of man and the inner strength of woman. It’s a story of forbidden emotions and murky secrets. It started as a mystery, but because it explores relationships, the media have hi-jacked it and called it a ’steamy novel’.
Jenny, a young English woman inherits a half-share in a hacienda and riding school from Spanish artist, Juan García, a man she has never met, never heard of, and to whom she is not related. The other beneficiary, Juan’s half-brother, Eduardo, believes her to be gold-digger. Jenny’s problems escalate when she arrives at the hacienda only to discover the villa is strangely familiar even though she is sure she has never been there. The story hinges on her ordeal of discovering what has gone on and why, and of fighting off Eduardo who wants the inheritance for himself.
What inspired you to write this story?
Someone I knew received an unexpected inheritance, which I found fascinating. It set me wondering what might happen if it were stretched to the limit.
Your book is geographically sweeping. How did you research it?
As with all things, Ivy, it’s better to write about what you know. I’ve lived in the places I’ve written about, so research was minimal, only amounting to checking facts.
Your plot is very rich. What went into structuring it and writing it?
I’m one of those authors who plan stories before beginning to write. I make detailed notes on each character’s physical and mental attributes. I even cut pictures from magazines, to become main characters – that way I don’t forget what they’re supposed to look like.
On the same tack, I also cut out dress and clothing details from adverts and catalogues, to make sure descriptions and materials are correct.
There is a lot of delayed information that builds reader curiosity, but how did you plan when to reveal what information?
I suppose the experience writing for magazines honed my writing. I’ve always been an advocate of revealing things in dribs and drabs. I trickle facts and secrets instead of letting it all out of the bag in one lump. Once again, I think because I plan the novel, it helps me to know at what point information should be released.
What helped you most in learning the craft?
In the early days, I read numerous books on creative writing. I believe you have to get to grips with techniques before letting rip with words. It’s one of the things I preach on my blog ‘Tell Me a Story’, and on Yahoo Answers. Artists, actors, dancers, all study for years if they are serious, why should writers be different. I also think writing short stories for magazines, was important to my learning curve.
What did you learn from the process of writing and selling a book?
Not to be impatient. It’s a slow process and easy for a writer to become disheartened. I think it comes as a surprise to most writers to find they need to become a promotion agent once the book is in print. Most publishers have no publicity budget for new writers. You have to get off your seat and do it yourself. It can be painful, very time consuming. Author, Steve Weber, tell us that out of 150,000 books released each year, 100,000 will sell less than 100 copies. The author has to actively promote in order to become successful.
What advice do you have for new authors just starting out?
Don’t let rejection slips discourage you, it’s par for the course. I think it’s encapsulated quite neatly in the saying, “What do you call a writer who won’t give up – published.”
What is the biggest pitfall you see for someone breaking into print?
The competition. There are so many good writers out there; it’s difficult getting your work recognized. It’s no use being as good as your favourite published author; you have to be better. You have to establish your own voice, be different.
What are your plans now? Do you have another book in the works?
I certainly do. I’m partway through a sequel to WITHOUT REPROACH, and have another two novels in rough draft. However, I’m quite busy with promotion, so writing is on back burner. Readers keep pressing me though, so I guess I ought to get around to finishing the sequel soon.
You can find out more about Anthony at http://anthonyjamesbarnett.co.uk.
September 20th, 2008
I am embarrassed that I know…..
…the words to the Star Trek theme song. Not the monologue Shatner recited. You know “Space, the Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Her five year mission: to explore strange new worlds. To see out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before.” Everyone knows that. I mean the lyrics set to the tune of the music. They were never meant to be sung. This was a trick Roddenberry used to make some extra money off the production, since even he didn’t think Star Trek would be a financial success.
The lyrics are nothing shy of awful and I always feel I’m flying my geek flag a bit too high when I sing along with the opening credits.
Get that ooo OOOOO ooooooo opening into your head and then picture these words to that tune.
Beyond the rim of the star-light
My love is wandering in star-flight.
I know he’ll find in star-clustered reaches
Love, strange love a star woman teaches.
I know his journey ends never.
His star trek will go on forever.
But tell him while he wanders his starry sea,
Remember, remember me.
_____
Other stops on the tour:
http://meganeileen2005.typepad.com/ twinkletoes
http://thatsloanegirl.blogspot.com/ CathyF
http://wryexchange.com/ Wry Exchange
http://www.absentmindedhousewife.com/ beckygoesape
http://verycontrary.wordpress.com/ Contrary
http://amandagorby.blogspot.com/ amanda_tg
http://whatsmylife.blogspot.com/ grinningcomb
http://nolechica.livejournal.com nolechica
http://addierambles.blogspot.com andra
http://la-eme.livejournal.com MsMoonbunny
http://philangelus.wordpress.com/ Tabris
http://mischief0617.wordpress.com/ CrowGirl
http://www.housewife2000.blogspot.com housewife2k
http://fatgirlartist.blogspot.com/ Amy Rose
http://lulupop.wordpress.com Lulupop
http://robandkrista.blogspot.com/ CelticGemini
http://anime-coroner.livejournal.com/. AllyKat
http://www.drunkenhousewife.com/ The Drunken Housewife
http://ladyj3000.blogspot.com/ LadyJ3000
http://heartstart.livejournal.com Heartstar1
http://deltatangosgbs.blogspot.com/ afbluebelle
http://sarahesperanza.wordpress.com/ SquishyMooMoo
http://sinkingtent.blogspot.com/ ladiedeathe
http://divine-misse.livejournal.com Shotochick (only readable by those that have a livejournal account)
http://mrsbart.blogspot.com/ MrsBart
http://rainhaville.blogspot.com RainhaDoTexugo
http://kimberlysstories.wordpress.com Kherbert05
http://sisterlilbunnythecorpseflinger.wordpress.com/ Lil Bunny
http://whatweareuptonow.blogspot.com/ Andi
September 16th, 2008
What is the biggest faux pas you’ve ever committed? What happened? Did you ever correct the mistake? What did you learn from the experience?
I’m a walking faux pas, so this one is hard for me.
When I was a child, I didn’t exactly understand ethnic slurs. I understood nicknames and alternate names and titles, and figured it was fine to call someone all sorts of things. William was also “Bill” and “Mr. Miller” and “the guy at the bakery” and “Joan’s dad”. Mike was “Speedy” and “Mr. Florida”. If I said, “Hey, Mr. Florida, want to play a game of checkers?” I wasn’t corrected. Venue didn’t matter. Even at a fancy restaurant, if I said, “Joan’s dad just bought a new car.” it was fine.
My great-aunt had gone on vacation to Florida and had come home with an impressive tan. My parents started to call her “Niggy”. I started calling her “Niggy” in the house, and no one told me not to. Then one day, at a popular local restaurant, my mother told me to go call my aunt, who was conversing with some neighbors. At the top of my lungs I yelled, “Niggy! Mom wants you!” And the restaurant went dead silent. My mother turned bright red, my aunt went pale, and I learned about racial slurs that very day.
—http://meganeileen2005.typepad.com/ twinkletoes
http://thatsloanegirl.blogspot.com/ CathyF
http://wryexchange.com/ Wry Exchange
http://www.absentmindedhousewife.com/ beckygoesape
http://verycontrary.wordpress.com/ Contrary
http://amandagorby.blogspot.com/ amanda_tg
http://whatsmylife.blogspot.com/ grinningcomb
http://nolechica.livejournal.com nolechica
http://addierambles.blogspot.com andra
http://la-eme.livejournal.com MsMoonbunny
http://philangelus.wordpress.com/ Tabris
http://mischief0617.wordpress.com/ CrowGirl
http://www.housewife2000.blogspot.com housewife2k
http://fatgirlartist.blogspot.com/ Amy Rose
http://lulupop.wordpress.com Lulupop
http://chrisnada.livejournal.com/ Cnada
http://robandkrista.blogspot.com/ CelticGemini
http://anime-coroner.livejournal.com/. AllyKat
http://www.drunkenhousewife.com/ The Drunken Housewife
http://ladyj3000.blogspot.com/ LadyJ3000
http://heartstart.livejournal.com Heartstar1
http://hijinksshenanigans.blogspot.com/ Hijinks’s Shenanigans
http://deltatangosgbs.blogspot.com/ afbluebelle
http://sarahesperanza.wordpress.com/ SquishyMooMoo
http://www.dutifuldanielle.blogspot.com/ dpbenson
http://sinkingtent.blogspot.com/ ladiedeathe
http://divine-misse.livejournal.com Shotochick (only readable by those that have a livejournal account)
http://mrsbart.blogspot.com/ MrsBart
http://rainhaville.blogspot.com RainhaDoTexugo
http://kimberlysstories.wordpress.com Kherbert05
http://sisterlilbunnythecorpseflinger.wordpress.com/ Lil Bunny
http://whatweareuptonow.blogspot.com/ Andi
September 13th, 2008