Many might say melancholy stains your psyche blue. Others may swear it's more of a sepia-toned emotion. I'm not altogether sure, for I picture the setting sun on what has been my life until now, and it glows a rosy mauve.
At this very moment I sit in an old office chair given to me by my dear father the day he resigned from the Press Enterprise. The leather conforms nicely; my aged backside nestles securely, as if cupped in a loving, worn hand. It still hints of my father's pipe. Although he's been gone for over two decades now, I smell his presence.
I've no more fight left in me.
So it has come to this; a letter from the Board of County Supervisors, signed by thee Chairman of the Board, labeling the accolades of the Neighborhood Initiative Grant of 2010. And that, as they say, is that.
I reminisce the day my husband and I purchased this cottage I've called home for the past 42 years. I was 25, he a tad older. Together the two of us started out on this adventure called life, naive and resolute. We had little in our pockets and not much more collateral than hungry aspirations and a strong belief in each other.
It's a fairly small house in comparison to its neighbors. Two bedrooms, one and a half baths, a small sitting room, an eat-in kitchen and what Cliff lovingly called our library, which was no more than a family room belching with old books and reference manuals. The old, roll-top desk Cliff sat at for years writing his books and taking plethera notes is where I'm planted now, seated in this old leather chair of Dad's.
No, our home isn't much on the inside. But Cliff and I, we made it ours. Over thirty years ago we extended the porch, stretching every penny until we could add a nice private sitting area back there. A glass French door opens itself into a place, in my opinion, rivals even thee Garden of Eden.
We'd placed some water elements, complete with a waterfall and a trellis, which is currently the home of beautifully fragrant honeysuckle vines. Oh, how we loved to sit back there; Cliff with his tinkering, me harassing my plants, just enjoying each other's company. So beautiful. So peaceful. So missed.
How many times these past thirteen years have I found respite in our garden? The day after Clifton died I moved the small patio table to just under the Black Locust he planted on our 10th wedding anniversary; his gift to me. The tree continues to reward and comfort me every May on our Anniversary when it covers my life in white, fragrant blooms. For months I sat at that small, white cast-iron table, day after day mourning his calm presence I'd never feel again. Looking back I realize it's at that time I began drinking mint tea. It had been Cliff's favorite. I had so much of it in the cupboard after, it seemed somewhat unnatural to waste it. Felt a bit like a slight to his memory. The warm aroma is reminiscent of his soft breath as his lips would brush mine. Mint tea has since become my daily staple.
He and I never had children. That particular chapter was omitted from our story. Therefore, we never outgrew this home.
It seems this changing city has outgrown me. I no longer recognize the town in which I've lived for a substantial slice of my life.
The letter in my hand states our home is being sold to a land reclamation project. Eminent Domain, they call it. I will be handsomely reimbursed, they say. My home will be razed, they report. Something will be built in its place, I hear. All the memories of Cliff and I in our garden paradise will be lost forever when I cease to exist.
I've had a good life. This home has been all I had ever hoped for, and more. I suppose it's time to move on; take my ball and go home. I wonder where that will be? Where shall I move? Riverside has lost all meaning for me now. They're stealing my home out from under my leather desk chair to build a home or center for humans unwilling to work for one. No, Riverside is lost to those less fortunate than me. I need to find a place where memories of Cliff and the life we held together won't soon be uprooted; a place a new garden may thrive and these older bones can settle without the threat of upheaval. Cliff always spoke of living in New Mexico. I wonder if I'll find myself there someday.
Time to do some research. If one has any suggestions as to where I my replant these gnarly old roots, please share. I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks for stopping by.
H
Friday, September 25, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Where Was I?
When you've decided you want to pursue writing as more than just a hobby or pastime, it's important you get training for your craft. There are many avenues to take in your pursuit. I'll discuss just one today.
Some find herding together like cattle and patting each other on the back instills in them some kind of power to move on. If that's your dress for success, by all means join a local writers' group.
My experiences with writing groups (all over this great country) have been ghastly similar. They are usually run by one person - the individual who started the group in the first place. This person is more than likely a "Poet" who starts off the meeting with some original poetry or asking someone else to share their own. Then, s/he passes out a page or two from a published work and they take turns reading it out loud. They dissect each word or phrase and exclaim how the author has picked the exact perfect word for that particular stanza (usually a poem or two are tossed in for the perfect salad). If time permits, one of the other members passes out copies of their own in-works project for the other participants to critique.
This is all good and fine.
What I've found is:
1. Although I do so enjoy dabbling in poetry, it's not my personal cup of mint tea - but if it's your forte you'll enjoy these social gatherings immensely.
2. Chances are, no one in the group is ever going to give you quality critiquing if they ever do get to your manuscript. For buried deep in their insecure sub-conscious, they don't want a real critique on their own works. They want you to gush over (as Stephen King labels them) their babies. They seek validation. Nothing more. (Although there's nothing wrong with seeking validation from your peers, which is something we all secretly desire, if it's your ultimate goal you're just wasting time - everyone's, including your own.)
3. It's usually a monumental waste of time - like "Book Club Gone Wild" - nothing more than a social gathering where people of like hobbies join together and pretend to be pursuing their passion. The ones who are really passionate about their craft tend to go to one or two of these things and then stop.
I'm reminded of support groups here. Writer's groups are, in my opinion, nothing more than support groups for people who are too afraid to finish and submit their works to a publishing house where the critique or rejection they get back will be of more use to them than a neighbor wanly smiling and cheering them on for their perfect word choice.
We'll cover other options next time. In the meantime write, read and study.
Thanks for stopping by,
H
Some find herding together like cattle and patting each other on the back instills in them some kind of power to move on. If that's your dress for success, by all means join a local writers' group.
My experiences with writing groups (all over this great country) have been ghastly similar. They are usually run by one person - the individual who started the group in the first place. This person is more than likely a "Poet" who starts off the meeting with some original poetry or asking someone else to share their own. Then, s/he passes out a page or two from a published work and they take turns reading it out loud. They dissect each word or phrase and exclaim how the author has picked the exact perfect word for that particular stanza (usually a poem or two are tossed in for the perfect salad). If time permits, one of the other members passes out copies of their own in-works project for the other participants to critique.
This is all good and fine.
What I've found is:
1. Although I do so enjoy dabbling in poetry, it's not my personal cup of mint tea - but if it's your forte you'll enjoy these social gatherings immensely.
2. Chances are, no one in the group is ever going to give you quality critiquing if they ever do get to your manuscript. For buried deep in their insecure sub-conscious, they don't want a real critique on their own works. They want you to gush over (as Stephen King labels them) their babies. They seek validation. Nothing more. (Although there's nothing wrong with seeking validation from your peers, which is something we all secretly desire, if it's your ultimate goal you're just wasting time - everyone's, including your own.)
3. It's usually a monumental waste of time - like "Book Club Gone Wild" - nothing more than a social gathering where people of like hobbies join together and pretend to be pursuing their passion. The ones who are really passionate about their craft tend to go to one or two of these things and then stop.
I'm reminded of support groups here. Writer's groups are, in my opinion, nothing more than support groups for people who are too afraid to finish and submit their works to a publishing house where the critique or rejection they get back will be of more use to them than a neighbor wanly smiling and cheering them on for their perfect word choice.
We'll cover other options next time. In the meantime write, read and study.
Thanks for stopping by,
H
Sunday, September 6, 2009
So You Want To Be a Writer
More power to you.
Seriously, though, you need to ask yourself why you want to be a writer and what being a writer means to you. Once you have those two questions answered sufficiently enough for your own gratification, the next step is to ask yourself what it is you've done to prepare for being a writer.
I don't mean practicing your autograph. I'm speaking to your education as a writer. Not necessarily formal education, but I'm not discounting that either. Life experiences work for me.
I noticed a poster at a fellow writer's house which stated quite simply:
"What have you done to achieve your goals today?"
She said her daughters believed it to be for them as they trudged their lives through high school. Teenagers tend to be self-absorbed. The truth is she made it for herself, to keep herself on track and striving for that elusive publishing contract.
How do you prepare to become a writer?
Ask any one of us and we'll all probably say the same thing: First off ~ read. Read, read, read and then read some more. Secondly, learn. Learn how to put novels together so people will want to continue to read them. Take online courses or classes at the local college. Get to your local library and check out some of the helpful books out there written by the likes of Sol Stein. You'll glean some useful information and it'll hone your skill. Practice. Write as much as you can every day. Keep in mind your words can always be changed later, so don't focus so much on how they sound today.
When you go to a doctor you naturally assume they did actually work at becoming a doctor than just wanting to be one, right? You hope their diploma on the wall isn't just a photo-shop job, but actual proof of their tenacity. As with any profession, being a writer takes work and dedication.
The next question is, do you want to be a published writer? Or just an angst-y one read only by a few friends and family members? If your dream is to become the former, check back tomorrow and I'll give you some useful information to help you achieve that goal. In the meantime, I have to do some actual writing myself so I can truthfully answer the poster my friend has on her wall.
After all, the best way to achieve your goal is ...to achieve it.
Thanks for stopping by.
H
Seriously, though, you need to ask yourself why you want to be a writer and what being a writer means to you. Once you have those two questions answered sufficiently enough for your own gratification, the next step is to ask yourself what it is you've done to prepare for being a writer.
I don't mean practicing your autograph. I'm speaking to your education as a writer. Not necessarily formal education, but I'm not discounting that either. Life experiences work for me.
I noticed a poster at a fellow writer's house which stated quite simply:
"What have you done to achieve your goals today?"
She said her daughters believed it to be for them as they trudged their lives through high school. Teenagers tend to be self-absorbed. The truth is she made it for herself, to keep herself on track and striving for that elusive publishing contract.
How do you prepare to become a writer?
Ask any one of us and we'll all probably say the same thing: First off ~ read. Read, read, read and then read some more. Secondly, learn. Learn how to put novels together so people will want to continue to read them. Take online courses or classes at the local college. Get to your local library and check out some of the helpful books out there written by the likes of Sol Stein. You'll glean some useful information and it'll hone your skill. Practice. Write as much as you can every day. Keep in mind your words can always be changed later, so don't focus so much on how they sound today.
When you go to a doctor you naturally assume they did actually work at becoming a doctor than just wanting to be one, right? You hope their diploma on the wall isn't just a photo-shop job, but actual proof of their tenacity. As with any profession, being a writer takes work and dedication.
The next question is, do you want to be a published writer? Or just an angst-y one read only by a few friends and family members? If your dream is to become the former, check back tomorrow and I'll give you some useful information to help you achieve that goal. In the meantime, I have to do some actual writing myself so I can truthfully answer the poster my friend has on her wall.
After all, the best way to achieve your goal is ...to achieve it.
Thanks for stopping by.
H
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Can't See The Orchard
...for all of the rotten apples?
As a writer, the need to research fully depends on what you're writing. Pure fiction, of course, needs only a little research if any, whereas other fiction books like fact-based fiction or historical fiction, even science fiction require much more.
The worse thing an author can do is internet research only. It's a great place to start - but stay far away from "agenda driven" sites. For instance, if you wanted to discover the entire list of contraindications regarding a certain drug additive, it wouldn't be wise to go to that pharmaceutical's website for truth in advertising. Much like a Realtor describes a pile of rubble as a "fixer-upper," agenda-driven reports will feed you the same tripe.
When deciding whether or not to sign with a publisher, one must be diligent and do research on the company, other than the company's own website. This is paramount to a pleasant publishing experience.
I know of a writer whom after over a decade of honing her craft, attending schools and conferences, winning awards for some of her picture book manuscripts, and submitting to plethora houses for publication finally received the one letter which didn't start out: "We regret..."
Understandably she was ecstatic. She read and reread her contract. It looked almost too good to be true but believable just the same. She had her lawyer peruse the document who found no glaring defects. She thought all of her hard work had finally paid off in spades.
She signed with the company back in the Fall of 2006 with a production promise from them of 12 months.
It is now the Fall of 2009 and my acquaintance has yet to see even a rough draft of her book.
Eventually she did some research on the company. Too little, too late unfortunately. They've declared consolidation bankruptcy more than once, requiring a name change both times. The company calls itself an "Independent Press" ~ but in order to claim that moniker a book publishing house must print books from eight different authors a year. The two owners and one of their two children account for three of their authors ~ the owners, of course using a pseudonym for publication, but their adolescent child "writes" under his given name. Their employees "are required" to have books published through their house, giving the house a total of at least six authors, maybe more. Therefore, in this writer's humble opinion, the house must contract with one or two desperate authors a year, making them eligible to advertise as an "Independent Press" publishing house. I doubt very much they are unique in this practice.
I don't believe these types of IPs are doing anything wrong or illegal, only highly disingenuous. Especially to their contracted authors whom all believe their contracts (and talent) to be legit.
Upon further research you may discovered these types of IP houses are no more than a print-on-demand publishers, which is a house who publishes books only as they are ordered, a smidge of a step up from self-publishing. They promise an author shelf and major outlet availability, but more than likely this claim is no more than out-and-out fabrication. Don't expect any books to be printed unless ordered by you, the author. Do expect to have to order in bulk and wait up to six months, maybe more, for your books to arrive on your porch.
My advice - there are great discussion forums on the web which address publishing houses and their authenticity. Absolute Write Water Cooler is one example. Use these sites to your fullest advantage. Post a question about the house which has offered to print you. Find other authors who've signed through them and ask their opinion of how they were treated or used. Search public financial records on the company through their home state. Try to order from a major outlet, distributor or warehouse a book they've recently published. If it's unavailable or no longer in print, a waving red flag should appear in your face.
Moral of the story? There are more publishing houses in the orchard than there are apple trees. Don't give up the good fight. If your book is better than just good you'll eventually find it a home.
Speaking of apples, the autumn harvest is in and my niece brought down some lovely Kerry Irish Pippins and a few Bartlett Pears when she came to visit this old curmudgeon last. The freshest of fruits are locally grown near her home in Santa Rosa at the Philo Apple Farm. I stayed there once during a lengthy visit with my niece and her sweet family. It was a beautiful respite from my noisy life. I highly recommend the place.
If we're done here, I believe I'll bake myself a Kerry Irish Pippin Pie for tonight's dessert.
Thanks for stopping by.
H
As a writer, the need to research fully depends on what you're writing. Pure fiction, of course, needs only a little research if any, whereas other fiction books like fact-based fiction or historical fiction, even science fiction require much more.
The worse thing an author can do is internet research only. It's a great place to start - but stay far away from "agenda driven" sites. For instance, if you wanted to discover the entire list of contraindications regarding a certain drug additive, it wouldn't be wise to go to that pharmaceutical's website for truth in advertising. Much like a Realtor describes a pile of rubble as a "fixer-upper," agenda-driven reports will feed you the same tripe.
When deciding whether or not to sign with a publisher, one must be diligent and do research on the company, other than the company's own website. This is paramount to a pleasant publishing experience.
I know of a writer whom after over a decade of honing her craft, attending schools and conferences, winning awards for some of her picture book manuscripts, and submitting to plethora houses for publication finally received the one letter which didn't start out: "We regret..."
Understandably she was ecstatic. She read and reread her contract. It looked almost too good to be true but believable just the same. She had her lawyer peruse the document who found no glaring defects. She thought all of her hard work had finally paid off in spades.
She signed with the company back in the Fall of 2006 with a production promise from them of 12 months.
It is now the Fall of 2009 and my acquaintance has yet to see even a rough draft of her book.
Eventually she did some research on the company. Too little, too late unfortunately. They've declared consolidation bankruptcy more than once, requiring a name change both times. The company calls itself an "Independent Press" ~ but in order to claim that moniker a book publishing house must print books from eight different authors a year. The two owners and one of their two children account for three of their authors ~ the owners, of course using a pseudonym for publication, but their adolescent child "writes" under his given name. Their employees "are required" to have books published through their house, giving the house a total of at least six authors, maybe more. Therefore, in this writer's humble opinion, the house must contract with one or two desperate authors a year, making them eligible to advertise as an "Independent Press" publishing house. I doubt very much they are unique in this practice.
I don't believe these types of IPs are doing anything wrong or illegal, only highly disingenuous. Especially to their contracted authors whom all believe their contracts (and talent) to be legit.
Upon further research you may discovered these types of IP houses are no more than a print-on-demand publishers, which is a house who publishes books only as they are ordered, a smidge of a step up from self-publishing. They promise an author shelf and major outlet availability, but more than likely this claim is no more than out-and-out fabrication. Don't expect any books to be printed unless ordered by you, the author. Do expect to have to order in bulk and wait up to six months, maybe more, for your books to arrive on your porch.
My advice - there are great discussion forums on the web which address publishing houses and their authenticity. Absolute Write Water Cooler is one example. Use these sites to your fullest advantage. Post a question about the house which has offered to print you. Find other authors who've signed through them and ask their opinion of how they were treated or used. Search public financial records on the company through their home state. Try to order from a major outlet, distributor or warehouse a book they've recently published. If it's unavailable or no longer in print, a waving red flag should appear in your face.
Moral of the story? There are more publishing houses in the orchard than there are apple trees. Don't give up the good fight. If your book is better than just good you'll eventually find it a home.
Speaking of apples, the autumn harvest is in and my niece brought down some lovely Kerry Irish Pippins and a few Bartlett Pears when she came to visit this old curmudgeon last. The freshest of fruits are locally grown near her home in Santa Rosa at the Philo Apple Farm. I stayed there once during a lengthy visit with my niece and her sweet family. It was a beautiful respite from my noisy life. I highly recommend the place.
If we're done here, I believe I'll bake myself a Kerry Irish Pippin Pie for tonight's dessert.
Thanks for stopping by.
H
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Day Two
I find myself wishing I had more time to write. It seems when I settle down in front of this old machine with a cup of fresh mint tea, the phone rings or someone begins knocking incessantly at my door.
The smoke from the LA fires is burning my nose and throat.
The noise from the busy Interstate down the road drones a consistent and magnificent hum until I believe I may go mad.
However, once I'm in the frame of mind to start placing words on screen in such a way it boggles even my mind, these annoyances seem to fade into the whitespaces of my life.
Yes, day two of this blog. It will be a short entry today as I adjust and try to get the hang of yet another new-fangled fad. That, and my publisher is anxious to see another chapter of my book. Maybe tomorrow I'll try to explain the importance of researching a publisher before you submit your work, and maybe some horror stories to share when I didn't follow my own advice.
Thanks for stopping by.
H
The smoke from the LA fires is burning my nose and throat.
The noise from the busy Interstate down the road drones a consistent and magnificent hum until I believe I may go mad.
However, once I'm in the frame of mind to start placing words on screen in such a way it boggles even my mind, these annoyances seem to fade into the whitespaces of my life.
Yes, day two of this blog. It will be a short entry today as I adjust and try to get the hang of yet another new-fangled fad. That, and my publisher is anxious to see another chapter of my book. Maybe tomorrow I'll try to explain the importance of researching a publisher before you submit your work, and maybe some horror stories to share when I didn't follow my own advice.
Thanks for stopping by.
H
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