Cynthia Chapman Willis's Blog, page 18

The Help

A good friend recommended that I read The Help by Kathryn Stockett. As I usually do when someone tells me about a new must read, I explained that I would consider the novel after I worked my way through the pile of YA and middle grade books waiting for me. This time, though, Sue insisted that I check out The Help. Since she is one of those treasured friends who shares my taste in reading, I listened. Wow, am I glad that I did. I loved The Help. Enough to blog about it in the hope of sharing...

Welcome 2010

Hello 2010. Who are you and what will you bring? How will you begin and how will you end? What events will mark you, cause the world to remember you with either a smile or a tear? Of course you will have your share of surprises. And you will be predictable in many ways, too.

Welcome 2010. And what better way to begin our time together than with some wonderful quotes and sayings? Here are some of my favorites:

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each...

Good-bye 2009

It is almost time to say good-bye to 2009. I don't like good-byes. They can feel too final. And I'm not great with final. Handing a manuscript to my editor, knowing I can't fuss with it again before it goes to print is ridiculously difficult for me. But I digress.

Like it or not, 2009 is about to be history. I hope you enjoyed a year of good times and rich memories. I hope you smile as you think back on the last 365 days. I will remember 2009 as the year BUCK FEVER came out into the world...

Resolutions

A new year is fast approaching. I keep hearing people whisper about resolutions. I like resolutions, but putting them off until a new year has never worked for me. There is too much pressure or something like it. And I'm impatient. If I know I need to make a change or adjustment in my life, I'm anxious to make it. Get it over with. Why wait? I do this in my writing, as well. If I am working on a first draft, for example, and pick up on something that isn't working, I tackle the problem right...

On this day before Christmas, I wanted to share one of my...

On this day before Christmas, I wanted to share one of my favorite Christmas poems. A classic. I hope you enjoy it as much as I always have.

The Night Before Christmas

By Clement C. Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,


In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;





The children were nestled all snug in their beds,


While visions of sugar-plums...

Wrap-up

The time has come to wrap presents. Sigh. After years of wrap denial, I've finally come to accept myself as who I am—a horrible wrapper. No, I'm not exaggerating. I don't know what my problem is, but my packages always look like they've gone through the laundry (that would be the washer and the dryer) after I've taken great care to dress them in bright and shiny holiday paper, ribbon, and bows. Unfortunately, I happen to be stubborn enough to keep trying. Every gift-giving occasion.

My...

Favorite Things

While sitting in a cafe yesterday, working on a new novel and sipping a latte, the classic song "My Favorite Things" wafted through hidden speakers and over to my ears. Okay, to be honest, this song is not on my ipod (apologies, Julie Andrews). I, frankly, prefer something more Stevie Ray Vaughn, Southside Johnny (I grew up in New Jersey), or U2. Still, given that I was engaged in two of my favorite things (writing and sipping a latte), plus the fact that I was feeling a wee bit holiday...

A Holiday Story Recommendation

Raise your hand if you have never read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. If you've got your hand in the air, I am here to recommend that you go get yourself a copy of this story. Right this minute. Seriously. It is a classic for more than a few very good reasons. Not only is it a fabulous ghost story, but it is a tale of redemption and second chances. Frankly, by this time of year, I'm all for redemption and second chances.

Also, I've always loved the writing of Charles Dickens. I've...

Thank you, Charlie Brown

I love watching certain holiday shows. They take me back to my kitten-hood. A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of my favorites. Here are some moments I particularly like:

Lucy says to Charlie, with a cartoon leer: "You DO think I'm beautiful, don't you, Charlie Brown"

Poor, foolish Charlie pauses. In that moment, he's dead. We all know it. We all cringe. And yet this is hilarious, because who hasn't been there--paused for a second too long?

Of course Lucy, being Lucy, lets fly: "You didn't...

Nook? Kindle? Bookstore?

My local Barnes and Noble, my home away from home because (a) the B&N Café serves amazing chai latttes (b) wonderful, talented people work in that store and (c) the atmosphere can be perfect for writing. When I'm hit broadside with a mega case of cabin fever and need to get out of my office because I'm about to suffocate or implode, I often trot off to my fave B&N (okay, I don't trot, but you get the idea).

Today "my" Barnes and Noble is putting Nook demos on display. This going to be...