Cynthia Chapman Willis's Blog, page 17
February 5, 2010
Puppy Love
Anyone who has read DOG GONE has probably figured out that I love dogs. At least I hope this is obvious.
Anyway, the other day, I was settled in my favorite bookstore café, working on a new novel, totally immersed in my writing. Until this beautiful black Labrador Retriever and her person came strolling down an aisle beside me. Like most labs, this girl was grinning with her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth, loving life. Adorable. The bright yellow doggie vest draped over her back...
February 1, 2010
Dreamy Plots
I recently read about an author who said that his story arrived in a dream. Wow. Is it me, or is this amazing? This is not the first time that I've read or heard of a plot for a novel arriving, in total, via a dream. I suppose about the only thing that would stun me more is if a full-grown plot arrived on a writer's doorstep, already typed and copyedited.
At this point I'd like to say, for the record, that I enjoy the process of spending months digging for a story, mining for the pieces...
January 27, 2010
What Did You Want to Be?
What did you want to be when you "grew up"? Or, what do you want to be? I love this question, either version. It says something about a person, don't you think? In fact, I sometimes ask my characters, as I'm getting to know them, what they want to be—in case you were wondering.
Anyway. . .
At a recent gathering, a few friends and yours-truly started talking about what we once wanted to be and how things turned out. Some talked about what they still want to be when they grow up (probably...
January 25, 2010
Fainting Goats
It's an overcast, rainy Monday in my part of the world. Which somehow makes fainting goats even more hilarious than usual. Or, maybe I've downed too many cold pills (as in enough to medicate the free world).
Anyway, here's a clip that I find hilarious. To kick off your week. Oh, and a big "thank you" to my wacky nephews who enlightened me to the wonder of fainting goats. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK7eUzbcyRo
P.S. Is it me, or should fainting goats be incorporated into a story...
January 21, 2010
Perseverance
I'm willing to bet that most writers will tell you that writing and the pursuit of having a book or books published can sometimes be grueling. Blood, sweat, tears. . . the works. A friend of mine, for example, has been working very hard for double digit years honing her writing and storytelling skills, striving for publishing success—her dream. She's been discouraged, she's been beaten down, she's been sucked under by doubts thicker than the worst kind of quicksand. Yesterday, though, she...
January 18, 2010
MLK
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. day, a couple inspiring, thought provoking quotes. Enjoy.
"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15, 2010
The Adoration of Jenna Fox
I know, I know—only a week ago I wrote about a fabulous novel, The Help. But apparently the gods of great books are smiling on me in these early days of 2010, because I picked up another wonderful novel--The Adoration of Jenna Fox. I have to share.
by Mary E. Pearson, seventeen-year-old Jenna Fox has just awakened from a coma caused by a horrific accident. She remembers almost nothing. As part of her recovery, Jenna watches home movies of herself...
January 13, 2010
Opinions
Opinions: They come in all shapes and sizes, right? Book reviews are really someone's opinions, no matter how thrilling or frustrating. Or confusing. Have you ever read a review of a book that you have adored only to wonder if you and the reviewer read the same novel?
Happily, Buck Fever has received lovely reviews. Except for this: "…its rural Pennsylvania hunting-community milieu sets it apart—just don't expect kids who hunt to want to read it, because it's not for them." What? Okay...
January 11, 2010
Research and Bull Riding
past weekend, hubby and I went into Madison Square Garden, NY, for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Invitational. What a blast!Now, if you know anything about me, you know that I am ever concerned about the treatment and care of our furry friends. I don't blink watching a quarterback get slammed to the turf by a linebacker during a football game, but before heading into Madison Square Garden, I wanted to be sure the 2,000-pound bucking...
January 8, 2010
An Interview: Maryann Macdonald
Today I am happy to be sharing an interview with the talented and wonderful Maryann Macdonald, author of The Costume Copycat, Hedgehog Bakes a Cake, and Rabbit's Birthday Kite, just to name a few. Little Piano Girl, released only a few weeks ago, is Maryann's latest picture book.
Congratulations on Little Piano Girl: The Story of Mary Lou Williams, Jazz Legend. What inspired you to write this book? Can you tell us a bit about the process of writing with another author?
Little Piano Girl
