Ralph Webster's Blog, page 2
September 10, 2016
4th Continent in 4 Weeks
A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other
North America, Australia, Europe, and now, Asia - not a world tour, but a Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other is being noticed worldwide. This week we caught the attention of readers in India. Thank you Sreesha Divakaran and your book blog, Rain and a Book.
A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other
September 2, 2016
Blog Interview
A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other
A shout out and a thank you to UK book blogger Kerry Parsons for posting her interview with me this week in her Chat About Books Blog.
Ralph Webster
August 31, 2016
What Do You Think?
A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other
As a “first time” author there is so much to learn (beginning with calling yourself a “debut” author instead of “first time” because it sounds more impressive.)
I thought writing the book was a difficult journey. Now my focus is on getting it noticed and attracting readers. My joy is when people actually pick it up and read it. For me, the more, the merrier.
Actually, it is pretty easy to keep track of how many people have ordered or downloaded the book. And, with Amazon Unlimited page counts, I can reasonably guess how many have borrowed the book and turned pages.
But, how many people have actually read the book is the question I want to answer. And, what to they think of my "stirring tale?" Yes, writing was a deep personal journey but I really wrote it because I wanted my well crafted story read. That was the point.
And, that brings me to what I really wanted to talk about – reviews. Every author (even us debutees – not really a word!) understands that reviews make a real difference in the publishing world. Having lots of solid reviews makes books stand out among their peers. Reviews are feedback for authors. They mean so much more than ratings. Ratings are important too but take only an instant.. Writing a review takes time, consideration, and care. Reviewers send a message to authors and other readers - hopefully a constructive message.
So here is my point. How many of us have taken the time to post reviews on Amazon or Goodreads? It really is a good thing to do. Readers need authors and authors need readers. Please remember to write a review next time. We all need informed feedback. You don’t have to love your authors. Just tell them what you think!
Ralph Webster
August 19, 2016
Audio Version Underway
A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other
This week ACX studio work began to produce the audio version of a Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other. Audio book should be available by late October at Amazon, ITunes, and Audible. For info on the soft cover and Kindle version, https://www.amazon.com/Smile-One-Eye-...
This week ACX studio work began to produce the audio version of a Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other. Audio book should be available by late October at Amazon, ITunes, and Audible. For info on the soft cover and Kindle version, https://www.amazon.com/Smile-One-Eye-...
August 15, 2016
a Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other
A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other
Normally I would not blog a review by a Goodreads member but this one is special...
"The courage and resilience of individuals to survive one of history’s most horrifying times—the tumultuous violence of the Nazi regime—has been depicted through numerous narratives and films. But stories, recounted by actual family members of those shocking times, oftimes help define one’s self and find meaning in one’s life. So it is with Ralph Webster. He relates the absorbing story of family members in their quest to escape, and survive, a regime that defines them by their Jewish bloodlines.
Employing an epistolary format, Webster compiles his “labor of love” by using two narratives. The first narrator is Gerhard Udo Albert Wobser, the author’s father. In his bildungsroman, Gerhard describes his patriotic German upbringing, his Lutheran religion, and his escape to Scotland and then to the United States. Webster admits to the malleability of memory and that the book may be “flawed with errors and omissions.” However, while there are times where he patches together details from separate events to form a single occurrence, his creative blend of fact and “his interpretation of events” allow him to write a seamless, and meaningful, story.
The second narrator, Ralph Webster, uses journal entries to provide an intimate insight into his thoughts and feelings about his father, and about his family history. By using this form of narrative, Webster not only describes the horrors of a world war, he provides a direct connection to the current state of refugees around the world. In his quest for family history, peopled by memorable family members, and through a strong narrative of joy, pain, fear, depravity, and finally, happiness, Webster looks backwards to provide a bridge into the future for his children and grandchildren.
As Gerhard remarks, “ Always is never the same. Mela tells me that life has a smile in one eye, and a tear in the other. Life does find a way to create a balance somewhere between smiles and tears.” Ralph Webster in this remarkable book, with superb historical context, has found that balance—this literary piece is a captivating experience for his readers."
Ralph Webster
Normally I would not blog a review by a Goodreads member but this one is special...
"The courage and resilience of individuals to survive one of history’s most horrifying times—the tumultuous violence of the Nazi regime—has been depicted through numerous narratives and films. But stories, recounted by actual family members of those shocking times, oftimes help define one’s self and find meaning in one’s life. So it is with Ralph Webster. He relates the absorbing story of family members in their quest to escape, and survive, a regime that defines them by their Jewish bloodlines.
Employing an epistolary format, Webster compiles his “labor of love” by using two narratives. The first narrator is Gerhard Udo Albert Wobser, the author’s father. In his bildungsroman, Gerhard describes his patriotic German upbringing, his Lutheran religion, and his escape to Scotland and then to the United States. Webster admits to the malleability of memory and that the book may be “flawed with errors and omissions.” However, while there are times where he patches together details from separate events to form a single occurrence, his creative blend of fact and “his interpretation of events” allow him to write a seamless, and meaningful, story.
The second narrator, Ralph Webster, uses journal entries to provide an intimate insight into his thoughts and feelings about his father, and about his family history. By using this form of narrative, Webster not only describes the horrors of a world war, he provides a direct connection to the current state of refugees around the world. In his quest for family history, peopled by memorable family members, and through a strong narrative of joy, pain, fear, depravity, and finally, happiness, Webster looks backwards to provide a bridge into the future for his children and grandchildren.
As Gerhard remarks, “ Always is never the same. Mela tells me that life has a smile in one eye, and a tear in the other. Life does find a way to create a balance somewhere between smiles and tears.” Ralph Webster in this remarkable book, with superb historical context, has found that balance—this literary piece is a captivating experience for his readers."
Ralph Webster
