Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 324

Interview with Nigel Bird

Briefly describe your journey in writing your story.  It was a long journey to a short story, the tale of meeting a woman then falling in love with her when I realized she didn't leave anything behind as she ate an apple.  And Reader, I married her.

What genre are your books?  Do you write in more than one genre?My preoccupation of late has been writing under the umbrella of crime fiction.  If the umbrella's crime, the wellington boots are soft noir; at least the left one is.  The right boot has its toe pointing towards poetry and a more literary place.

If you write in more than one genre, do you use a pen name?I don't have a pen name, but I guess I'd enjoy playing about with the idea.  Nigel Pig; Two Jacks; Hey Garland; Hickory-Dickory-Trickery?  If you ever see anything by any of those guys, you can reckon on it being me.

What factors influenced your decision to sign with Untreed Reads?My initial reason for submitting to Untreed Reads was an interview put up by Jay Hartman at the excellent blog Death By Killing.  He asked for submissions on a holiday theme and I sent in this piece about New Year's Eve.  When I heard back that I'd be in a series called 'The Lab', it seemed a neat home for this particular work of existential romance.

I was drawn to the way Jay spoke of the change in the industry and the way the author was respected.  So far, I haven't been disappointed.

How involved are you during the creative process for your book's cover design?In this case, I was sent a cover and asked my opinion.  I took to it immediately and agreed to it by return of email.  It speaks of the slightly off-line, making it a good match for Into Thin Air.

Do you plan to self-publish any other books or will you stay with Untreed Reads?I've done quite a bit of self-publishing, have been involved with a range of projects with other publishers and will be returning to Untreed Reads when another story of mine is put out as part of 'Grim Tales', a collection of fairytale crime stories.

I'm comfortable in each of these areas.

'Beat On The Brat' and 'Into Thin Air' are collections I'm very proud of and feel would grace any short story list.  'Beat On The Brat' was also published recently as a tree-book over at the very exciting Kuboa Publications.

'Busted Flat', 'Where The Wild Things Were' and 'The Day My Coat Stuck On My Head' are poetry collections put out when my right boot had control of things.

'Pulp Ink' is an amazing collection I co-edited with the wonderful Chris Rhatigan.  It has 24 stories written by some of the biggest talents around, themed upon the soundtrack of Pulp Fiction.

'Speedloader' was the debut from Snubnose Press and I have a story in there.  I'm very proud to be associated with such a fine team of visionaries. 

'Grim Tales' will be something everyone should own, too.  Look out for that one in October.

I'll also be in a couple of anthologies due out before the end of the year, 'Brit Grit Too' (the follow-up to Paul D Brazill's debut collection) and 'Off The Record' which is to be put out by the writer Luca Veste.

What kinds of social media are you involved with trying to garner attention for your book?

I'm a bird and birds tweet. I also blog and Facebook.  It's partly to do with selling books, but I was doing them before there was anything to sell, so the importance to me is more to do with community and friendship.  It's also a great way to find out about what's happening and a fine way to learn about aspects of the writing craft.

How do you feel about the world of digital publishing?  Do you think it will replace traditional publishing one day?Love it and yes.

Do you have any advice for new authors?There have been many times when it's been exciting to be an author and this is certainly one of them.

I'd suggest for anyone wishing to take this all seriously that they don't rush to put out a collection or a novel like this is a sprint with a finish line. 

Take your time.  Work out your style.  Send to magazines and to peer-review groups and listen to the feedback.  Think about sending work in to publishers and see what they say; if they're all brick walls, there might just be a reason for that.  Write because you love it and because it's what you do – anything else (readership, acknowledgement, money, status, friendship) is a bonus.

What's next for you?I'd dearly like to have a novel worthy of publishing.  I've just finished a draft of 'In Loco Parentis' that I'm calling teacher noir.  I really like it, but I've liked two novels before this and they've not seen the light of day.  It will only become available publicly if I feel it's worthy of the name and once I've collected enough feedback that says it's rubber stamped.  Fingers crossed I can pull it off one day.



Into Thin Air -  http://store.untreedreads.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_7_122_123&products_id=131

Untreed Reads Store: http://store.untreedreads.com/

Spotlight: CRAP CHRONICLES by Diana Estill

Book Blurb: Award-winning humorist Diana Estill shares her family's funniest colon calamities: a marathon race cut short by "bubble gut," a snorkel trip ruined by a Caribbean buffet, and a "hell burger" that defended its title against her normally demure daughter-in-law, and more. Stranded without wipes when only a fire hose could do the job, each victim gains more than renewed appreciation for indoor plumbing.



Anyone who's ever suffered a case of "traveler's trots" or been brought to his knees by the lack of porcelain will relate to these tales of digestive disasters.



An IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) sufferer, Estill courageously comes out of the bushes and ventures past the bounds of "too much information" to confess some of life's most embarrassing--yet funniest--moments.



Length: 9,000 words

Buy Links: Amazon Kindle, Nook, iTunes, Smashwords

[image error] Author Bio:  Diana Estill is the author of three humor books and one collection of short stories: Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road, Deedee Divine's Totally Skewed Guide to Life, a ForeWord Book of the Year Finalist and an International Book Awards winner in humor, Stilettos No More, and Crap Chronicles.

Prior to becoming an author, Diana worked for many years as a journalist and humor columnist. Her columns have appeared in The Dallas Morning News, Washington Post, The Miami Herald, Road & Travel, and other publications. She has been featured in First Magazine and has appeared on a variety of TV shows and radio programs.

I have a mini-sampler of reprinted essays from several of my books available now for free from Smashwords and Apple's iTunes. I'm still trying to make the eBook free on Kindle, where it's currently priced at 99 cents. Here are the freebie links to  You Can't Change Crazy : Smashwords, iTunes.

Website:  www.TotallySkewed.com

 

Blog: www.Totallyskewed.wordpress.com

Review: STAKED by Sandra Edwards

4 of 5 stars

[image error] Ava Valentine is a 29th-century bounty hunter who time travels back to modern day New York City to apprehend a criminal from her century. She's been here before, but this time she's meeting a new contact. Ava hates new contacts and from the first moment she meets Dexter Stone, the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Stone is a tall, dark and handsome biker who wears trouble with a capital T with an air of nonchalance. Exactly the kind of contact Ava should stay away from, but what fun would that be? When a rival bounty hunter swoops in and steal's Ava's mark, she's not sure if Stone set her up and if he was the one betrayed? The two are forced into an uneasy alliance. Ava needs to find her mark and Stone needs to help her if he wants to get paid.



The story is inventive and creative and moves along at a fast pace. For as many questions as are answered, a slew of new ones pop up. I found myself intrigued with Ava and her heritage. I definitely want to know more about her, but it was Stone who raised the most questions. I would have liked to have more revealed about this hunky soldier of fortune, but I guess I'll have to wait for the next volume to come out. If you like paranormal stories that are smart and entertaining, you'll definitely want to pick up STAKED. Recommended.

Sponsorship: BRAINRUSH: A THRILLER by Richard Bard

Richard Bard is offering a special promotion. He will send you 2 best-selling novels from a list on his website when you purchase BRAINRUSH. It's a win-win situation. You get 3 books for the price of 1. Click here for all the details: http://richardbard.com/promo/





Book Blurb:When terminally ill combat pilot Jake Bronson emerges from an MRI with extraordinary cognitive powers, everyone wants a piece of his talent—including Battista, one of the world's most dangerous terrorists.  To save his love and her autistic child, Jake is thrust into a deadly chase that leads from the canals of Venice through Monte Carlo and finally to an ancient cavern in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan—where Jake discovers that his newfound talents carry a hidden price that threatens the entire human race.

An all-out, unrelenting thrill ride that will leave you breathless, Richard Bard's debut novel is a spine tingling adventure marrying the political thriller with science fiction to extraordinary effect. An original weave of current events bound by colorful locations and cutting-edge technology, it is a must-read for fans of Michael Crichton, James Rollins, Clive Cussler, and Brad Thor. The dynamic mix of fast-paced action and thought provoking soul challenges the reader to keep pace with every sharp turn and shocking twist. Acclaimed by fans of action, sci-fi, and political thrillers alike, Brainrush is one of the most innovative and entertaining books of the year.

Reviewer Comments:"Brainrush explores the bonds of friendship while pushing the boundaries of science, creating a compelling, action-packed thriller with a climax that's a knock-out!" –CJ Lyons, New York Times bestselling author

 "A terrifically entertaining thriller with three finely executed set pieces strung together with nice characterization and a story that culminates in a particularly outrageous and fitting conclusion.  Especially successful is Bronson, an amiable, low-key tough guy able to rescue his princess, survive brutality, and retain a sense of humor." – Publishers Weekly

"If this startling debut doesn't have you turning pages at breakneck speed, then you're not paying attention. Rich characters, crackling dialogue, and a climactic sequence that is stunning, enervating, and innovative all at once, Richard Bard is a voice to be reckoned with." – Rebecca Forster, USA Today bestselling author

"An inventive and compelling hybrid of science fiction, adventure, and political thriller.  Rather than end the novel with a simple rescue operation, however, this author provides a far more intriguing and unexpected conclusion." – Publishers Weekly (Second Review)

Buy links:·       Amazon Kindle:  http://goo.gl/Gyi8b·       Amazon Paperback:  http://goo.gl/V3ECN·       Nook:  goo.gl/7fqV8·       Smashwords:  goo.gl/WmrnH·       "FEEL THE RUSH" promo:  http://www.richardbard.com/promo  





Author Bio:As a young Air Force pilot, Richard was diagnosed with cancer and learned that he had only a few months to live.  But he beat the odds.  He earned a management degree from the University of Notre Dame and after leaving the Air Force he ran three successful companies involving advanced security products and hi-tech displays used by US embassies and government facilities worldwide. He was an active member of the California Crime Prevention Officer's Association and has been published with cover stories in Security magazine and ASIS Security Management magazine.



      Cancer killed Richard Bard's career as a USAF pilot.  But it didn't kill him.  Thirty-six years later he's still going strong.  Now he writes about second chances in the BRAINRUSH thriller series.  When asked what he hopes to achieve as a writer, he said, "The dream for me is to be walking through an airport and notice someone with her head buried in the book. Many readers have said they found it impossible to put down. For me, that's the ultimate compliment."  Bard currently resides with his wonderful wife in Redondo Beach, California, where he remains in excellent health.  Book Two of the series is scheduled for release in December, 2011.       Website:  www.RichardBard.com      Twitter: @Richard_Bard      Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/BRAINRUSHthebook

      Excerpt:




                    http://www.amazon.com/BRAINRUSH-Thriller-Book-One-ebook/dp/B005EA02MM

Interview with Dawn Leslie Lenz

Briefly describe your journey in writing your book.  I read about a contest where you were supposed to write about the last SOMETHING on earth.  Once I read that, I immediately had the tiny seed of an idea about what something I wanted to write about.  My writing ideas are funny that way; they always start with a spark and once I give them the space to grow, they just take off.  I wrote my short story, Zephyr of Ashes, in three days because I just couldn't get it out of my mind and had to keep going until it was all out on paper! 

What genre are your books?  Do you write in more than one genre?I write fantasy mostly now, but also have some literary work in my repertoire.

If you write in more than one genre, do you use a pen name?I have never wanted a pen name.  Ever since I was a little girl, I've wanted to be a writer and have always wanted to use my whole name for my writing.

What factors influenced your decision to sign with Untreed Reads?I saw the editor speak at a workshop on publishing in San Francisco and I immediately liked Jay Hartman.  I decided to send him my fantasy story since I had not placed it elsewhere (i.e., traditional publishing in a journal or magazine).  Then, when I received Jay's response to my query, I was overjoyed.  I had not had anything published as an e-book before and looked forward to getting to know the medium.

Do you plan to self-publish any other books or will you stay with Untreed Reads?I have a novel, Winged Victory, for which I am currently seeking an agent to represent me.

What kinds of social media [twitter, facebook, webpage, blog, writing forums] are you involved with trying to garner attention for your book(s)?I use Twitter (dawnleslielenz) and Facebook to get the word out about my writing.  I'm currently working on a webpage that will keep readers up to date on my progress as a writer at dawnleslielenz.com.  This site is still in the process of being developed.

How do you feel about the world of digital publishing?  Do you think it will replace traditional publishing one day?I think it is a great medium for getting people reading as voraciously as possible.  Perhaps it is because this is such a new technology that I am still holding out for traditional publishing to stay around for the foreseeable future.  There is just something special about holding a real book with paper pages.  I cherish the time I spend with books.  I just read an article yesterday about the downside to e-readers and the enormous carbon footprint of these devices worries me.  However, I still want one, so I have to try to reconcile those feelings of worry with the desire to stay current and on top of the market.

What is the biggest thing you've learned during your journey as an author?Keep writing, no matter what.  I run into so many people who tell me they are writers, or were writers, but now they just don't write anymore.  Their reasons vary, but I say to never stop that creative outlet flowing in your life.  If you are a writer, in whatever capacity, writing is essential to your well-being.

Do you have any advice for new authors?A professor in graduate school told me to write every day and I have always tried to uphold that advice.  Writing every day allows us to practice, to hone our craft, and to explore our ideas on a consistent basis.  But most of all, writing every day allows us to practice.  You can only improve your writing ability if you are challenged by practicing.  I make it my goal to write every day, even if it is simply a journal entry.  Additionally, I would say to read blogs on writing, read books on writing, but above those things, read everything you can get your hands on because, guess what, you write what you read.  It is true.

What's next for you?I'm shopping around my novel, Winged Victory, to agents.  It is an urban fantasy dealing with art and Greek mythology.  The novel is about a young Greek-American photographer, Nicola Solakis, who sets out to unlock the secrets behind her newfound unearthly abilities.  Mysteriously connected with the Greek goddess statue, the Winged Nike, Nicola is catapulted into a dangerous quest, at which she must succeed before she loses her life.

I'm currently working on two projects.  The first is a sequel to my novel, Winged Victory.  The second is a sequel to my short story, Zephyr of Ashes with Untreed Reads.  I feel as though Chava Logan's story is not quite finished being told.

http://www.untreedreads.com/

Zephyr of Ashes http://store.untreedreads.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_7_49_52&products_id=188

GRAMMAR GIRL Tips

When to Capitalize Seasons:



Fall officially began last week, and you might recall that the new season coincided with the time of the Autumn Equinox. But you might be wondering what "equinox" means and how the Autumn Equinox and the Spring Equinox compare to the Winter Solstice and the Summer Solstice. In this episode we'll discuss the distinctions and also address the difference between the words "autumn" and "fall" and when to capitalize those and other seasonal words.EquinoxAn equinox, which literally means an "equal night," occurs when the sun's path crosses the plane of the earth's equator, making day and night of about equal length throughout the earth. This happens twice a year — about March 21 (for the Spring Equinox) and about September 23 (for the Autumn Equinox); those are the dates for the Northern Hemisphere; they're switched for the Southern Hemisphere. (A helpful visual guide can be accessed athttp://www.athropolis.com/sunrise/def-sol2.htm.) The equinoxes are also called the Vernal Equinox and the Autumnal or Fall Equinox (1).SolsticeThe word "solstice" means "sun standing" (2).  There are two solstices: the Summer Solstice (on about June 21) and the Winter Solstice (on about December 21). The solstices refer to the times in the year when the sun's rays reach their southernmost point on the planet (the Tropic of Capricorn) and their northernmost point on the planet (the Tropic of Cancer) (3). Lowercase seasons unless they're part of a proper name.Another way to look at it is that, in the Northern Hemisphere, "the Summer Solstice occurs at the point in the earth's orbit where the earth's axis of rotation points most TOWARD the sun, and the Winter Solstice occurs at the point in the earth's orbit where the earth's axis of rotation points most AWAY from the sun" (4). *What most people in the Northern Hemisphere probably associate with solstices is that the Summer Solstice is the day of the year with the most daylight and the Winter Solstice is the day each year with the least daylight; the opposite is the case for those living in the Southern Hemisphere.Season Names: Autumn and Fall [image error] While we've been on the subject of seasons, you might have wondered about the word "autumn" compared to "fall." In the British Isles, the term "autumn" has been used since the 1300s, and the phrase "the fall of the leaf" or just "the fall" was used from the 1500s until about 1800. After that time, "autumn" became the common seasonal term in Britain. According to The New Fowler's Modern English Usage, "whereas 'the fall of the leaf' (less frequently 'the fall of the year') and then 'fall' by itself gradually became standard in America from the late 17th century onwards" (5).  However, one exception for American usage of "autumn," instead of "fall," is with the Autumn Equinox.Capitalizing Seasons — or NotLet's conclude with one more seasonal-related topic that you might be wondering about: when to lowercase and when to capitalize the seasons of the year. Here's the rule: Lowercase "fall," "autumn," "winter," "spring," and "summer" unless the word is part of a proper name. For example:Winter Olympics is capitalized because it's the formal name of an event.

winter sports is lowercase because it's simply descriptive.

Fall Semester 2011 is capitalized because it's the formal name of a semester.

fall schedule is lowercase because it's simply descriptive.And, you may have noticed from earlier in this article that you would capitalize "Spring Equinox" and "Summer Solstice."Now you know the difference between the words "equinox" and "solstice," "autumn" and "fall," and when to capitalize or lowercase seasonal names.*Note: "Summer Solstice" and "Winter Solstice" are incorrectly lowercase in the original quotation.http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/

New #ROMANCE release: SAVING KATYA by Sandra Edwards

Book Blurb:

Olympic Gold Medalists Kate Peterson (U.S.) and Alexei Petrova (Russia) haven't seen each other in eight years--not since their teenage affair ended after Alexei was forced back to Russia. But in the here and now, they're about to be reunited at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California. 



Kate's agreed to participate in the Torch Lighting Ceremony because she's on the verge of losing her eyesight to a mysterious illness, and she can't afford the experimental surgery that could restore her vision. With a little luck she just might land an endorsement deal at the Olympics--her only shot at funding the surgery.



Alexei's living in the States now, where he's made a fortune selling "himself". He's also made enemies with a U.S. senator who wants him deported. But his plight becomes secondary after he runs into Kate at the Olympics. Clearly, she's hiding something, and he's shocked when he finds out what. 



Once Alexei learns of Kate's illness, saving her becomes his top priority--but will he save her only to be forced, once again, from her life? 



Buy Links:

US Kindle -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005P9FURY



UK Kindle - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005P9FURY



BN: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Saving-Katya/Sandra-Edwards/e/2940013399006

Interview with Jeffrey VandeZande

Briefly describe your journey in writing your book.Threatened Species, the novella, started as a flash fiction piece, which is now the first chapter. For whatever reason, I kept thinking about these characters and decided to push forward with them. I held myself, however, to writing chapters of 750 words or less. In a way, that kind of restriction actually made it easier to write the book. Each night, I could write a chapter, and they usually ended up being quite tight. 

What genre are your books?  Do you write in more than one genre? I would say that my genre in my novels is literary realism. I also write poetry and screenplays. In fact I wrote a short film screenplay based on the opening chapter of Threatened Species. Filmmaker Michael Randolph shot it, and I had the pleasure of starring in it with my son. Even my wife got in on the act. The film can be viewed here: http://vimeo.com/25540653

Did you query agents and traditional publishers?  Did you receive an offer of representation or a book contract?  I did not go through an agent. I'd heard that the well-established Whistling Shade magazine was starting a press. The editor had published an excerpt from Threatened Species in the magazine, so I queried him about the possibility of the press publishing the novella. He read and like the novella, and the rest is history.

What factors influenced your decision to sign with Untreed Reads?Whistling Shade Press only does traditional print publishing, and the editor was open to me pursuing another press for the e-rights to the book. I was familiar with Untreed Reads because I'd had a story in their anthology Discount Noir. I liked Untreed Reads' marketing approach, and I liked Jay Hartman's down-to-earth and humorous demeanor. He was great to work with as we prepared for Threatened Species' e-release. 

How involved are you during the creative process for your book's cover design? Joel Van Valin at Whistling Shade Press designed the cover. I was involved to the extent that he would send me possible covers ideas, and I could say yes or no.

Do you plan to self-publish any other books or will you stay with Untreed Reads? I don't think I'll ever self publish. I probably will always be a small press writer, though. I did like Untreed Reads and might very well send them another manuscript.

What kinds of social media [twitter, facebook, webpage, blog, writing forums] are you involved with trying to garner attention for your book(s)? That's the part I really don't like and yet I know I have to do it. I do have a blog (www.jeffvandezande.com), and I have a Facebook page. I have had some luck contacting local book clubs. Because Threatened Species has so much fly fishing in it, I was able to get a few fly fishing magazines and blogs to review it. I'm still learning the marketing thing. It's a fine line between saying too little or sounding like you're ALWAYS talking about your book, which looks a little pathetic if nobody else is talking about it.

How do you feel about the world of digital publishing?  Do you think it will replace traditional publishing one day? Experts I'm reading seem to think that the days of the print book are numbered. I hope not. I'm open to digital publishing, but I grew up holding books, and I still like that, too.

What is the biggest thing you've learned during your journey as an author? Getting a book into the hands of readers (or the memory cards of e-readers) is the hard part. By comparison, writing the book is a relative joy.

Do you have any advice for new authors? Love the writing. If you don't love the writing, but you're writing because you think there's big money in writing. Well… go ahead; I won't spoil the ending for you.

What's next for you? I just finished a new novel that I will probably be revising for the next year or so.



Buy Threatened Species 

Review: IN MEMORY OF GREED by Al Boudreau

3.5 of 5 stars

Murhkin Mocado, an ex-Navy Seal, can't seem to catch a break. He was dishonorably discharged from the Navy and is now trying to put his life back in order, but nothing is ever simple. Framed for a crime he did not commit, Murhkin is the perfect pawn by some unsavory characters and he finds himself caught up in a global conspiracy, corporate greed and an ecological disaster in the making. The race is on and Murhkin must unravel the mystery of who is pulling the strings in time to save thousands of innocent lives.



The author weaves an intriguing story from Murhkin's abduction from a hospital bed in California to a flight to Ireland and finally to Kenya, Africa. The global manhunt for Murhkin is on. Never having been to Africa, I was transported to the plains with breath-taking descriptions. It is here that the action is racheted up another notch.  I was routing for Murhkin with every passing heart-pounding chapter. The cast of characters are well-fleshed out especially Murhkin, although I did find Stuart Roth, the CEO of ModAgro, a little over-the-top.



I would have liked to rank this book higher because I did enjoy the fast-paced and intriguing storyline, but the ending of the book is a bit jumbled and tied up in a neat bow without resolving some of the very issues that Murhkin faced in the opening pages of the book. I would have liked more explanation in the epilogue. Despite this, In Memory of Greed is a very good read. Fans of political intrigue and thrillers will enjoy this one.

Rebecca Writes: THINGS MY MOTHER TOLD ME

By Rebecca Forster

http://www.rebeccaforster.com





My parents made a pact to stand on every continent in the world. When my dad passed away, my mother went to the Antarctic for both of them. That's when I figured there was a lot I didn't know about mom.

When she returned with a bright orange jacket that she got 'for free' (don't count the cost of the cruise), she had lots of stories to tell. Yet, when the excitement of the trip wore off, we both had the sense that we were still standing on a pitching deck with no way to sail to calm seas. A big piece of the puzzle – my dad – was missing.

"Write your memoir," I said.

"My life wasn't interesting," she answered.

But the idea must have taken hold. Not long after this conversation, she called. She was done with her memoir.

"Impressive," I mused.

 It takes me months to write one novel and she finished hers in a week. When I saw her manuscript, I understood why.  It was five pages long and she was eighty-five years old. There had to be more.

So began a year of weekend sleep-overs as we poured over photographs for inspiration. She had twenty beautifully documented photo albums, a box filled with pictures taken when cameras were still new fangled things.

There was mom in waist-length braids and Mary Jane shoes standing in the German village she called home.

She was a teenager in the U.S. while war raged in Europe, threatening the grandmother she had lived with, cousins and friends.

Here was mom, posing in a swimsuit she bought with the dollar she found on the street.

Mom in her twenty-five dollar bridal gown perched in the back of a hay wagon beside my father, a skinny, wide-eyed farm boy who would become a doctor.

Mom with one child. Two. Three. Five. Six of us all together. Dark haired and big eyed, we were her clones dressed in beautiful, homemade clothes. I remember going to sleep to the sound of her sewing machine.

And there were words!  I bribed my mother with promises of Taco Bell feasts if she gave me details. Funny, what came to her mind.

 To keep body and soul together when my father was in med school, he was a professional mourner and bussed tables for a wealthy fraternity. My mom worked in a medical lab where the unchecked radiation caused her to lose her first baby. They ate lab rabbits that had given their all for pregnancy tests.  They were in love and happy and didn't know they were poor. But St. Louis was cold, she remembered, and they couldn't afford winter coats. Still, she insisted, they weren't poor.

 She typed, I edited; I typed, she talked. My youngest brother almost died when he was 10. She didn't cry for a long while; not until she knew he would live.  The captain of the ship that took her back to Germany was kind.  She dreamed of becoming a missionary doctor. In 1954, she had two toddlers (me and my brother) and another baby on the way when she and dad drove to Fairbanks, Alaska where he would serve his residency at the pleasure of the U.S. Air Force. Her favorite outfit was a suit with a white collar. She loved her long hair rolled at her neck in the forties.  In the fifties she made a black dress with rhinestone straps and her hair was bobbed. In the sixties she made palazzo pants and sported a short bouffant.  She looked like a movie star in her homemade clothes. I wanted to grow up to be as glamorous as she was. She still thought she wasn't interesting.

Mom wrote the forward to her memoir herself. It began:

A great sense of loneliness fills the house as twilight approaches. In the silence, I can almost hear the voices of my grown children as they recall their childhood years, the laughter of grandchildren and the quiet conversations of friends who have gathered here in years past, echoing through the empty rooms.

You see, she really had no need of my help as a writer.

We had seven copies printed. On the cover was a beautiful picture of a sunset. She called her book In The Twilight of My Life and would not be swayed to change it. Mom thought it perfect and not the least depressing. It was, she laughed, the truth. It was her laugh that made it right. She gave my brothers and sisters a copy for Christmas. My older brother had tears in his eyes. Everyone exclaimed: "I never knew that".

Now I have a book more treasured than any I have written. I learned a lot about my mom and I realized why I create fictional women of courage and conviction, strength and curiosity, intelligence and, most of all, spirit. It's because, all this time, I've been writing about my mother.