My review of The Preacher's Bride!

The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. This book kept me up all night. Every chapter ended in the most 'annoying' cliffhanger. 'Annoying' is probably the wrong word because I mean it in a totally positive way! :o

Its tone reminded me greatly of Margaret Atwood's 'Alias Grace'. And I LOVE Margaret Atwood, and I LOVED Alias Grace. Its perfectly crafted. I couldn't find a single error. And I don't mean copy error (although it is clean of those too), I mean in structure and plot, etc. Remarkable writing, kept me on my toes (or with my head slightly lifted, rather, because I read it in bed!), hungry for more with every page I turned. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if this ends up being a bestseller.

I haven't read many novels based on historical events and I'm so pleased that this was one of the few I have read. It's given me a hankering for more! So, Jody, when's your next book coming out? ;o)

(For those who missed yesterday's post. Have a read. I expressed my excitement about this book a little more. This review is from goodreads so I thought I'd better be a little more civilised!)

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I fight with myself before I sleep. Do you?

Ok. Let's get one thing straight. I read at night. Before I sleep. In bed. Snuggled in my yummy duvet. Ideal time and place to read. Or perhaps not quite ideal when you read a book that requires copious amounts of talking yourself into putting it down.

Every night since reading this book, I've had to struggle with my droopy eyelids and desperate need to keep reading. I've had give myself a minor therapy session in order to convince myself that 'It's ok if you stop reading and continue tomorrow night. The words on the remaining pages are not going to run away. They'll be there tomorrow. I promise."

This is the conversation I have with myself:

"Sleep. You're tired."
"But I can't! I have to know what happens next."
"It'll still be there tomorrow. Go to sleep."
"But, but, I won't be able to sleep if I don't know what happens next!"
"Ok, just read one more chapter. Then promise me you'll sleep."
"Ok. I promise."

 ... reads one more chapter ...

"Oh no! Another cliff-hanger! I need to read another chapter."
"No, you don't. You need to sleep."
"Please? Just one more chapter?"
"Oh for God's sake get a grip of yourself you dipshit! Close. Eyes. Now!"
"No! I refuse to give into your coniving plans for me to miss out on the goods. I'm reading another chapter."

... reads one more chapter ...

"Oh no! Another cliff-hanger! I need to read another chapter."

Um, ok, you see my problem? I may need to put some 'day' time away for this book.

So who wants to know what the book is? I'll give you a clue. Click here for it. I should have finished the book by the weekend and I'll be sure to post a review! :o)

I'm sure this happens to you when you read a good book. I'm sleep deprived. Do you get sleep deprived over a good read?

Publishing novel excerpts in journals: Bright idea or ... not?

Yesterday I posted a question on Facebook which triggered a few very detailed responses and thought I'd share them with you all here today. I definitely think it worth an extended discussion as I'm sure many of you writers out there could benefit from the answers too. So what was my question?

The current novel I'm writing is written from the perspectives of various characters. They each have their own story. I had an idea to extract particular perspectives and adapt them into short stories to submit to literary magazines. Do you think this is a bad idea, or do you think it a good way to draw attention to my novel?

Some responses I got were:

Roslyn Ross Any idea which broadens your scope for opportunity is a good one. More to the point, turning each character into their own short story is a brilliant way to develop your characters. Multi-functional I would have thought. Go for it. ...

Mark Levy I agree with Roslyn, Jessica...if a pub or agent loves your story so much even in fractured form, having gone the route you are thinking seems like a really good idea!

Jessica Hill I agree wtih Roslyn, getting pub credits is so important these days, so get them when and where you can. I certainly don't think it will hurt anything if you do this. The short stories would also probably allow you to work with the characters more, and develop their individual stories. I'd say go for it!

Colleen Walsh Fong

Could it lead to property ownership problems later? Why not write short stories using the proposed characters that would not appear in the novel to peak readers interest? Kindle has announced they'll be looking for 10,000 word pieces. That's one way to prove the characters can sell.

Hart Johnson Jessica-I have a friend who ended up with a book contract that way, though admittedly her genre is erotica, so there is feasibly more tolerance of alternate routes, but as long as you either stick to only a couple shorts to titilate, or else part of the story that ISN'T really in the book, I think you're okay. They just don't want to print a novel that is pretty much already out there--it sounds like you are going from a different enough angle. ... One thing to be careful of though, is the rights of the journals PUBLISHING. I don't think the book publisher would have a problem, but read the fine print on the journal rules and make sure you aren't signing away any printing of it--maybe let them know ahead of time what your plans are if they want it.

Janice Phelps Williams ‎2 cents: I think developing the characters and having short stories published in journals and magazines would not be considered detrimental by the publisher, but a sign of your pro-active approach to work, your desire to constantly improve your craft, and the proof that others in the field and readers want to read what you write.

Leigh Talbert Moore no clue here, but it would seem if you develop a following for your writing and your story that way, it could only be viewed as positive, yes?

Rebecca Emin Hi, thanks for the friend add, I was desperate to comment on this! I think the idea of submitting adaptations is perfect - for a start it's not an *exact* copy of what is in the novel so it's effectively not been published already. I would seek out publications that let you retain your rights. The rights issue is the tricky part... Others have already said that publishers will be pleased that you have been gaining interest for your work. Good luck.

So what do you think?

PS: Janice is the publisher considering my novel Dead in the Corner of my Bedroom ... positive thoughts my way please!

Grief Comparison: Female vs Male

FEMALE GRIEF

 She looks at herself sideways in the mirror, pulling her stomach in and out. Ugh. She pulls her hair into a pony tail, then lets it loose. Fuck it. Let the customers complain. She looks at her jeans, sports bra, and orange mohair sweater hanging over the chair against the wall. She has worn those for four days in a row. She puts them on. She looks at herself in the mirror again. Stares for a few minutes, seeing straight through her reflection toward emptiness, then sits on the edge of her bed and hangs her head in her lap. I suppose I had better put some make-up on. She bursts into tears.

MALE GRIEF 

Sunday morning. Naked. Cold. Heater taking too long to work. Grabs quilt from couch. Wraps himself in it. Prickly on skin. Especially penis. Itchy scrotum, nostril, big toe. Goes to bedroom. Puts on boxers. The red ones covered in giraffes. Drags toe along carpet. Itch relieved. Wraps himself back in quilt. Returns to kitchen. Scratches bum crack through prickly quilt. Not comfortable. Get’s angry at quilt. Throws quilt at couch. Goes back into bedroom. Puts on tracksuit. Goes back to kitchen. Coffee made. Can’t remember turning machine on. Smells nice, triggers grief. Farts. Wimp. Hangs head.

How did I do? Got anything to add?

It's difficult to write about the truth, isn't it?

As many of you know I'm trying to write a memoir. Not very successfully I might add. These are the problems I'm facing:

One: I embellish a truth so much that it ends up turning into fiction.

Two: I can't distinguish between the truth and my 'idea' of the truth.

Three: I cry out of frustration, grief, and memories that I thought I had gotten over, and then stop writing because it hurts. If this keeps happening I'll never get it written.

Four: I have a vague memory of some things but the details are so blurry I can't possibly write about them truthfully, but have to in order to tell my story properly.

Five: Are my opinions of the past valid? Or are they overreactions?

Six: Are some of my memories made-up memories that I created in order to overcome things as a child? Such as believing something someone did was more horrible than it actually was so that I was allowed to 'hate' them?

Seven: I am so used to making things shine in fiction, that I don't know how to use the same skills with the truth and they come out dry and bland.

So. There are my seven deadly memoir sins. Has anyone ever experienced the same thing? Very interested to hear opinions from Karen Gowen and Karen Walker here as they too have written memoirs.

PS: The Stray Branch, a literary journal, has just accepted my poem EMPTY for its bi-annual print publication in 2012, the Fall/Winter issue #10 Vol 7. Yikes! What a wait. But certainly very pleased! :o)

PPS: Um, I think I'm losing track of followers. I've also got a terrible feeling that I've neglected some of you - as in NEVER stopped by your blog to leave a comment. If that's the case, I'm SO SO SO SORRY! Also, if that is the case, please please please feel free to leave me a comment and tell me. Tell me to get my butt into gear and make my way over, ya hear? I want interactive blogging here, so neglecting people is just not my intention. So please speak up if I've lost touch! Thanks *curtsy*.

Self-published book a pleasant surprise!

Promise by Kristie Cook

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I began reading this book out of curiosity, to see if a self-published book lived up to the quality of a traditionally published one. And you know what? It didn't just 'live up to' the standard, but soared beyond it.

It is told from the perspective of Alexis, an eighteen-year old protagonist, so when you begin reading, it seems like Young Adult fiction (though the content definitely is not). This threw me a little because I don't read YA. But once I got over the 'young' voice, and started focusing primarily on the story, I was pleasantly surprised. It had me up late at night to 'just read another chapter', until I couldn't hold my head up any longer. When books do this to me, it's a success.

I'm a really fussy reader. I don't have any inclination to pick up a paranormal fantasy novel. So for a paranormal fanatasy novel, that reads like YA to hook me, the writer has to be good. And Kristie Cook is GOOD!

If you're looking for delicate elitist literary prose, then this book isn't for you. But if you're looking for an entertaining story to transport you into another world, to forget your woes, routine or monotony of the everyday, then pick this up. You won't be disappointed! I thoroughly enjoyed something that I thought I never would. So thank you, Kristie, for the wonderful experience!

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Candy *Hearts* Joy Like BR80 2

I've been struggling with the flu this week, so apologies for not getting to any of your blogs. I have a couple of days work-free so I'm going to utilize my time wisely (WIP, of course!). I'm taking the rest of the week off from blog land. My foggy brain, snotty nose, and muscle aches just can't cope with everything I'm used to doing!

But before I do say farewell for the weekend, I'd like to take a minute to drill something very important into your brains! Go and give a little to the I *Heart* Joy Like BR80 2: Use your cushion monies to change the frickin' world fundraiser being held over at Candyland's joint. I've donated my bit, now it's your turn! Just click the banner at the bottom of this post.

Here's the deal:

•If every one of you can dig up enough loose change to equal $1, Candy will have raised $357 for women, children and families in need.

•If every one of you gives up one meal out this week to equal $5, Candy will have raised $1785 for women, children and families in need.

•If every one of you can spare $10, Candy will have raised $3570 for women, children and families in need.

Her goal $357, because she truly believes if we work together, $1 turns into a brand new beginning for the women, children and families of Ghana, West Africa.

 

Don't think. Just DO!

 

See you all on Monday! MWAH!