Introductory Comments
Gearing up for summer
It’s hard not to think of summer’s gentle days as we San Diegans peek through out ‘May Gray’ and ‘June Gloom’ to detect patches of blue sky and sunshine. This annual temperature inversion (don’t ask me to explain the science of it; I just know it has something to do with the warmer air temps and the still-chilly water temps converging) causes a ‘Coastal Fog’ in the morning hours, but after seven years in So Cal I can optimistically expect a break in the low clouds, hopefully by afternoon, and be able to depend on weather more typical of what most people expect for our region. All that to say, I anticipate being a bit briefer in the newsletter department over the next couple of months -- but then that’s what I start out thinking every time, and I don’t seem to stop until several pages later. But I digress. I have ‘stuff’ to write … so read on!.
...and as always, send me your feedback
Media Update
A gift that keeps on giving
Travels With My Lovers has been very, very good to me. Since penning the book several years ago, I’ve been able to meet so many wonderful folks -- readers, reviewers and others -- who have restored my faith in the fact that people do read and do enjoy a good ‘mental escape’ when they need one. At least that’s how Angelio A. Davis put it in a surprise review on Amazon recently. I say ‘surprise’ when I consider that people are still reading my novel of self-discovery, even years after its initial publication. You can read the review here.
Thanks to Angelio, wherever you are, for expressing your pleasure for all to see. And speaking of Amazon, I am continually getting Google Alerts on hits from this review.
So it’s all good -- good reviews, good to know people are still curious about my book, good to be reminded my efforts were worthwhile and will continue to give my readers fun and pleasurable armchair or beach or plane travel escapes. And speaking of reminders, now that Memorial Day has officially kicked off the travel season, is there a newly autographed copy of Travels With My Lovers in your immediate future, either for yourself or as a gift for a traveler friend? Send me an email, and I’d be happy to arrange something for you.
Now who would like to find me a publisher for sequels #1 and 2? ...
' Feedback on 'Calling All Authors' Interview
My friend Carolyn Howard-Johnson sent me the following after reading about my interview with Valerie Connelly on ‘Calling All Authors’:
I wanted to tell you and Valerie that I love Valerie, too, and that you two are the best of matches. (-:
Thanks, Carolyn, for sharing your feedback. I had a blast, and am looking forward to our next ‘match’ in the fall! (More from Carolyn -- as usual, below.)
For And About Writers
Articles to upgrade your knowledge
Lots of articles crossed my desk this past month, and I wanted to share a couple of them with you. The first one, on forming your own writing group, is from the NAWW (National Association of Women Writers) Weekly newsletter. President Sheri McConnell was generous enough to offer the use of it for other writers’ ezines, etc. and she asked that I include the following mention:
Sheri McConnell is the President of the National Association of Women Writers. She helps women writers and entrepreneurs discover, create, and profit from their intellectual knowledge! Free reports for writers available with subscription to NAWW Weekly. Sheri lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband Seth and their four children. Contact her at naww@onebox.com or her toll free number at 866-821-5829.
The second, from Carolyn H-J, as mentioned above, from her ‘Review for Riters’ series; her review of a book that can prove extremely helpful for those who want to write, or have already written, a novel or novels. Thank you, Carolyn!
Your First Novel By Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb Writer's Digest ISBN: 9781582973883, 2007 Nonfiction/How-To (Writing) Contact Reviewer: hojoreviews@aol.com Publisher's Site: www.writersdigestbooks.com
Your First Novel Is for All Novelists, from Would-Be to Seasoned
Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of This Is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracing, a chapbook of poetry and the How To Do It Frugally Series of book for authors.
When I teach my writing students, I urge them to keep reading, keep writing, keep taking classes. Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb, the agent and author combination who have cobbled together a definitive first book of reading for novelists, urge writers to do the same thing. Having said that, this may very well be the place for a would-be novelist to start.
It's also a great place for a seasoned writer to refresh, pick up a few new hints, get inspired and get some understanding—some real understanding—of what it is agents do.
The reason this book is so important is that both authors come from a place of experience and both have researched their lesson plans. Not only that, Dennis Lehane's foreword will inspire any writer—any writer!—to dig into their craft and the business of publishing by reading farther.
Whitcomb doesn't just give good advice; she illustrates her points liberally with quotations from the classics and newer writers who have perfected their craft. The visuals she provides for, say, "Accents and Dialect" are as clear as if they had been diagrammed for you by the sternest of English-teaching nuns. Only Whitcomb isn't at all stern. Rather her voice (another subject she discusses) will convince writers of her warmth, that she cares about writing, both her own and that of others.
Rittenberg is equally engaging. The most jaded of novelists will come away from her section of the book (publishing, queries, marketing and more!) with a sense that to know an agent may—after all—be to love one.
This book is one that should be grabbed, read, and kept reference-handy by writers at most any stage in their careers. Okay, I'll exempt Stephen King and Barbara Kingsolver, but you get the idea. ------ Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s first novel, This is the Place, has won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction Harkening, won three. A UCLA Writers' Program instructor, she also is the author of another book essential for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter. www.HowToDoItFrugally.com
Another membership campaign with yours truly
I feel honored to have been asked back by my local classical radio station, XLNC1 FM, to participate in their upcoming membership campaign. As a former musician and lifelong classical musical lover, I feel it my mission to do all I can to ensure that as many people as possible will be able to listen to classical music on the airwaves. This year has seen the demise of two of my favorite classical stations, one in San Diego and one in Los Angeles, and that worries me. Pop music is more lucrative to produce on radio, I’m told, but without classical music the world would be a sad place indeed. So please join me from May 31 to June 6 at 90.7 FM for those of you who are local, and for the rest of the world (thanks to the worldwide web) for a window into the valiant effort of this remarkable 24/7 station to keep classical music on the airwaves 24/7.'From My Readers' / Closing thought(s)
‘Keep those quotes coming’
Lezly Mejia was one of many subscribers who really likes the ‘quotes’ feature of the newsletter and would like to see more.
I was reading your newsletter and I just wanted to tell you I lovvvvvvved the quotes you posted. I can't wait to read more of them.
Well, no problem. I’m continually amazed by the wealth of knowledge out there that has merit for almost everyone, writers and non-writers alike. With the Internet, the access to this info is pretty much limitless, which is why I can’t seem to stop myself from gathering and disseminating these valuable bons mots via my own personal web presence. So here you are, quotes and closing thoughts combined in one feature, and thanks to Lezly and those others who are generous enough to share their feedback.
(Note: the subject of ‘fear’ seemed to be a bit of a theme this month; one of my perennial favorite authors, Erica Jong, even chose to combine that with the subject of writing; I thought, therefore, it would be good to explore this a bit. EM)
"A blank page is God's way of showing you how hard it is to be God."
– Anonymous "
A writer ought to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable."
– Mark Twain
"Whenever you write, whatever you write, never make the mistake of assuming the audience is any less intelligent than you are. "
– Rod Serling
"Every poem, every page of fiction I have written, has been written with anxiety, occasionally panic, always uncertainty about its reception. Every life decision I have made--from changing jobs, to changing partners, to changing homes--has been taken with trepidation. I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me."
- Erica Jong
"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."
- Madame Curie
"To fear is one thing. To let fear grab you around the tail and swing you around is another."
- Katherine Paterson
"The thoughts we choose to think are the tools we use to paint the canvas of our lives."
- Louise Hay
"Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight. When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another."
- Helen Keller
Until next time.
Best regards,
Erica Miner
Like what you've read? Subscribe to my newsletter.
Copyright 2005-2007 Erica Miner. All Rights Reserved
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IN TODAYS' NEWSLETTER
Introductory Comments
Gearing up for summer
Media Update
A gift that keeps on giving
Feedback on 'Calling All Authors' Interview
Another membership campaign with yours truly
For And About Writers
Articles to upgrade your knowledge
'From My Readers'/Closing Thought(s)
‘Keep those quotes coming’
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