Pamela King Cable's Blog, page 7

Why Should A Writer Bleed On The Page? Isn’t It Time To Open A Vein?

 



… continuing part III of What Do You As A Writer Bring To
The Page?


Picture of my parents above ... winter of 1954, my father was leaving that day. He's a Korean War veteran. My mother was not happy. You can see it in her face here.




Until I met my husband, pursuing the passion and dream of
writing was something I did alone. He afforded me the time to devote to my
craft, which I soon realized was not enough.



As storytellers, surviving life’s heartaches and hardships
leave the residue of so much conflict to write about. Without the struggle, we
do not possess the understanding and compassion, the inward fortitude to pursue
our dreams that often seem so out of reach.



And for all of this, you need to put a smile on your face
today. My purpose for this
post is to offer encouragement. To help you separate the sheep from the
goats. The wheat from the tares. The bland, “so-what” writing of telling and
not showing. It’s time to pull emotional appeal out of your gut, from your
heart, and raise the stakes. Time to create an original and unique voice that
will live long after you are gone. Time to bleed on the page.



“The question isn’t  who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand



Be a fearless writer. Make the decision you’re going to do
whatever it takes. Sometimes ... you just got to open that vein.



What are the events in your life, or in others lives with
which you are intimate, that possess powerful magic to influence the stories
you create?



I wrote Southern Fried Women during different eras of my
life. Growing up in a Pentecostal fundamental congregation, I experienced a
world reaching from the backwoods and hollers of West Virginia into the great
and grand cathedrals of several high-tech megachurches. Living through my own
dark days in televangelism, it inspired me to weave religion, spirituality, and
the unexplained into my stories … stories that hint to an ancient bridge where
the real and the supernatural meet. The biblical kind of supernatural that
exists in all deep-rooted religious families.



In the beginning, I wanted to inform and enlighten the minds
of my readers, but I learned something about myself in the process of writing
my stories. I learned that what I wanted even more was to kick-start their
hearts. For me, faith and spirituality have a way of doing that like nothing
else.



My point is that as I look back, the horrific darkness I
went through gave me a keen insight into the mind and life of struggling and
desperate women. Women that I began to write about. The sparks of passion to
develop my stories became a burning and all-consuming flame. As I wrote, the
blinders lifted off my eyes and my ears became unplugged. I heard myself
laughing, crying out, screaming and whispering secrets through the characters I
created.



It seems no matter what I write, I draw from those times of
tragedy and of triumph. Of horrific and hilariously funny times when all I
could do was cry or laugh.



I strongly suggest you draw from your past, from the dark
places you don’t want to think about anymore, of love lost and of love sought
and found. From those desperate times you will find the words needed to fully
develop the characters you were meant to create.



Nobody’s life has been a bowl of soft rose petals spread
upon a fine, feather mattress. Somewhere you have experienced pain. The rain
falls on the just and the unjust. It comes to us all. So use it. Draw from your
own well. Your stories will deepen, strengthen, and yes—matter! At the lowest
point in my life, my faith and the ability to write it down became my life
preserver. It changed me, as woman, and as a writer.



Draw from your darkest hours and your fondest memories. Life
is too short for too many regrets. If you want to be a successful writer, grab
it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it.  I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I can promise it’ll be worth
it.


Blessings to you and yours.

What Is Raw, Honest Writing?

… continuing part II of What Do You As A Writer Bring To
The Page?



Are you able to bring your heartbreak to the page? The pain
of loss, rejection, abandonment, can you write about it? Can you pull from your
most horrific memories, as well as your most joyous? What I’m talking about has
nothing to do with your writing degree or your awards. Although commendable,
and certainly admirable, that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m asking, what do
you--as a living, breathing, human being--bring to the page?



Dorothy Allison’s words at the Maui Writer’s Conference year
ago were piercing. Delivered with pastoral fire and an urgency she said, “I’m here to
deliver black coffee, I’m here to leaven your experience. I’m here to tell you
part of why I’m a writer is that it’s one of the professions where you can be a
fat girl and make it! Writers come to the page for many, many reasons. In fact,
many of us DO come in the hope of justice, we DO come in the hope of balance,
we DO come with an agenda of love, but I’m TELLING YOU NOW, lots of us start
with a desire for genuine REVENGE.”



Do you bring revenge to your written pages? Anger? Truth?



“Lighten up,” you say? Okay. Sure.



You don’t need some deep, dark reason to write. You can
definitely write for fun. Many do. Except that in my honest and humble opinion,
the writing that lasts for generations is gathered from the cobwebbed corners
of a writer’s mind. Those basements and attics where most writers fear to
tread, but some go anyway.



“But,” you say, “I write humor.”



Ah, yes.  Well,
dissect that funny stuff. Where does it come from? Most of it comes from pain.
You know that old cliché, usually spoken in the midst of fear or anger. “We’re
going to laugh about this later.” Laughter through tears ... is it not a
powerful emotion? Many believe the angrier you are, the funnier you need to be.
Take that to the page.



So don’t just write what you know. Write what you care
about, what you feel deep in your gut. What you’ve seen. The heart-wrenching
moments that cut deep into your mind and heart. Write about that. Write about
the scars. Who gave them to you, and how you healed, or how you still suffer
from those scars. Those hurts that won't heal. Give your character a piece of your life story you want to
share with the world. Dig out the best and worst of your memories, and include
them in your stories. It’s called raw, honest writing.



Write not just what you know, but what matters most to you. What has
brought you out of a deep, dark spot? What makes you uncomfortable? Write your
passions, your desires, what moves you. Write that.



Those are the guts of a good story. Bring that to the page.



In the late ‘nineties, I clawed my way out of a long, bleak
period in my life. It not only developed an edge in my writing, but throughout
those years, what kept me sane was journaling and reading every piece of
fiction I could get my hands on.



I had secretly studied the craft of writing. When my friends
and family found out about it, they adamantly let me know that writing was a
big waste of my time. That because of my circumstances I needed to put my nose
to the grindstone, and continue to collect that paycheck. “Don’t be a fool, Pam
… few make it as writers … you’ll never write a book … are you crazy?”



I’m here to tell you, if it hasn’t happened already, someone
along the way will question your commitment. Your work will continue to be
rejected by not only those you know, but the publishing community. On your way
to publishing, you will question your ability, your purpose, and
your sanity. Even after you're published, you're still bombarded with the same mental anguish. I’m telling you so when it hits, you’ll recognize it for what it
is. It’s part of the job. 



Writing is a profession where you pour your guts out on the
page, bleed over every chapter, spend years writing the best story your mind, heart, and fingers can
produce, labor days and nights on perfecting work that may or may never be seen
... and somebody is always waiting in the wings to tell you how bad you suck.



Sometimes, after reading over your work for the millionth
time, you will still find mistakes. You cry, pound your fist on the keyboard,
run your hand through your hair and think -- they’re right. I suck. Which is how I felt when the above picture was taken. I was at that Southern restaurant, Sticky Fingers, talking about how bad I sucked as a writer and had one too many cold ones.

 

Anway, you get my point. You begin
to understand that perfection can only be born out of rejection and mentors
pointing out the obvious. Obvious to everyone but you. And yet, even then, the
perfect manuscript does not exist.



Rejection is not only part of becoming a bonifide writer,
it’s crucial that it happens. And often. Each “Thanks but no thanks” – each
“NO” is a brick upon which we build our tower to Publishing Glory. A writer who
has not experienced the critical reviews of their peers, the public, and those
within the industry is missing something special. They’re missing the chance to
experience the rush of adrenaline that fuels the fire inside to never give up.
It’s a writer’s high. A necessary surge of energy to survive in this business.



Come back again soon … there’s more to come in this series …
What Do You Bring To The Page?



Blessings to you and yours.

What Do You As A Writer Bring To The Page?

I write fiction steeped in religion, mystery, and the
paranormal. I write memoir, and thrillers, and offbeat quirky women’s fiction.
And, God help me, I write Christian fiction mixed with horror. But I also write
romance. A hopeless romantic, I have discovered sparks of love and lust in
the whitest of ashes, the darkest of night skies, and within the deepest oceans
of despair--and lived to write about it. Romance is the buttery, rich frosting
inside my novel, Televenge .



I find most writers cross genres at some point. We do
ourselves a great injustice to pigeonhole our writing into one solitary
category, and yet … it is for the love of romance that I find myself driven to
write this particular series of posts.



“It is not merely enough to love literature if one wishes to
spend one’s life as a writer. It is a dangerous undertaking on the most
primitive level. For, it seems to me, the act of writing with serious intent
involves enormous personal risk. It entails the ongoing courage for
self-discovery. It means one will walk forever on the tightrope, with each new
step presenting the possibility of learning a truth about oneself that is too
terrible to bear.” Harlan Ellison.



The all-too-often question asked of many of us is this. “Why
do you write?” I’m sure you’ve got your standard answer. One that will satisfy
your listener. But I’m going to ask you a different question. “What do your
bring to the page?”



As a writer, I've often wondered what do I offer my readers?
What do I have to say that anybody wants to hear?



Some write lofty volumes of prose, delivering profound
messages, soothing to the ears. Some keep you spellbound with intrigue or
humor. And then some carefully perfect the craft of curling the hair on our
neck as we quickly turn the page to discover the killer. There are writers who
can transport us to exotic places we’ve never seen, and hold us there.



Is there a writer who you have read recently, or years ago,
that you remember vividly? A writer who created characters that still linger
and come to your mind at the strangest times. A writer whose novels haunt you
for days, weeks, years? A writer who consistently moves you like few others?
What in their voice gives them the edge? What common thread weaves their
unforgettable stories to the cloak of your memory? How do they do it?



Besides constantly polishing your writing craft and striving
for the title of great storyteller, I'm finding there's another element to this
writing thing we do.



How do you share knowledge, life experiences, and
enlightenment within the context of a story?

 

How do you make it matter to your
readers?



I’m going to talk more about this in the coming days … be
prepared to think.


Blessings to  you and yours.

What!? A Christian In A Honky-Tonk?

Marshall Chapman sang at the Bluebird Cafe ... I didn't get a ticket, but I hovered in spirit. Do you know there are just 100 seats in that place? They're sold out every night, obviously, but the essence of American Country Music runs so thick in and around Nashville you can cut it with your fork. It's everywhere. Not just at the Bluebird. Men and women walk the streets with guitars slung over their shoulders in the shadows of the Ryman Auditorium, the home church of the Grand Ol' Opry. It' a sight to behold.







The Author's Reception was only a few blocks from "honky tonk row". After running into Julie Cantrell and Susan Cushman, and talking like friends who had known each other forever, we walked outside to the sound of music floating up the street, drawing us like dry rub on a pork butt. At each place we stopped, you could watch some country star wanna-be through the window, crooning their heart out. I loved it. The people loved it.



A sea of cowboy boots, short skirts, Dolly Parton hairdos, and glittery shirts. To sit and people watch, it was a gift ... and this ol' pentecostal-raised gal felt not one drop of condemnation.






 



The Southern Festival of the Book took over downtown Nashville again this year, with authors, readings, signings, and tents filled with everything "book".

 



 

New Voices in Women's Fiction. I sat with Kimberly Babb Brock and Ginger Moran, discussing our work, our new books, and the industry as we saw it. The room was full, which was great for an early Saturday morning panel. But something strange happened. Reading from Televenge  I suddenly saw myself as if from a dream. I experienced a true deja vu moment and I almost stopped mid-sentence. It spooked me, but I kept reading ... I had never felt something quite like it during a reading of my work, and I've read to hundreds of groups. I know. I know. What can I say? It simply runs through the women in my mother's family. I can't explain it. I stopped trying long ago.

 




More on the book tour tomorrow ... every day something exciting happens!



Blessings to you and yours.






What's Next On The Book Promotion Horizon?

The story has captivated its first round of readers in the past few days. The emails, tweets, and facebook posts are coming in faster than I can keep up with them. The blog tour started today with WOW, Women on writing. http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/ Here you can join post comments and win a free copy of the novel.



For the past few days, I've been thinking about social media and the overwhelming work it takes to get your book noticed by potential readers. I think one of the best ways is with a quality book trailer. Book trailers appeal to the masses because of the visual aspect. My first trailer was with Misty Taggart and Trailer to the Stars. She's fantastic and great to work with, and did a super job. I highly recommend Misty and her company. http://www.trailertothestars.com/



My niece, Lindy Bonin, a graduate of Lee University, worked with me on creating a new video for Televenge. Televenge, The Story. This video is a synopsis of the novel, set to music and pictures. It's a little longer than most book trailers, 7 minutes, but it's really good. I believe the music along with the story holds you until the end.



I wrote the script and recorded it into an Audacity file, then uploaded it to Lindy. Both of us worked on gathering just the right pictures for the script. The pictures were purchased from an Internet site specializing in stock photos. Lindy used music from her own collection. Lindy, like myself, is from a church background. She and her two sisters, Ashlie and Melissa, all graduated from Lee University and have become pastors or are in pastoral service.



The voice of my protagonist, Andie Oliver at the beginning, middle, and end of the video is Lindy's voice. Although a native of Ohio, she spent a great deal of time in Tennessee at Lee and then worked for her church organization in the Cleveland, TN area. I was quite surprised when I first heard it. I had no idea who it was. She does a great job as a steel magnolia, don't you think?



It took a few drafts and a little time, but in the end I think we've created something very special. I'm proud of Lindy and of the video. If you've got some time, take a look. And then hop on over to Amazon or Barnes & Noble ... where you can purchase the entire novel!



When it comes to writers promoting their work, I think we're going to find more book trailers in the future. It's the cherry on top of the sundae.




http://tinyurl.com/Televenge-TheStory


The video can be found on You Tube and across all social media sites. Enjoy!









Blessings to you and yours.

How To Have A Great Time At A Book Store

Next stop on the TELEVENGE Book Tour ... Park Roads Books in Charlotte, North Carolina!







My table was covered with books, both Televenge and Southern Fried Women .



Sunday - a rainy Carolina afternoon with Panthers football in town ... I didn't anticipate a crowd. But as folks strolled into the store, they couldn't miss my table and most picked up the book to read the cover and ask questions. As it turned out, friends from Greensboro who attended the launch made their way south to Charlotte. Talk about love and support!







Rhea and Diane purchased their books at the launch and three days later, Diane finally came up for air. I had to laugh when she said all she got done as she read my book was feed and walk her dog. Knowing I was appearing at Park Road Books, they both skipped church and headed to Charlotte with a head full of questions. And then Alle Wells and her dear friend, Sara, arrived. Alle and I met on Goodreads.







But that's when the magic happened. We gathered our chairs in a circle and had a wonderful time together, all of us, talking writing, publishing, and of course, Televenge . Alle and Diane are both writers, and the time flew!










I think Diane testified to every patron who walked through the door. I had never met Diane until the night of my book launch, but I do believe I've made a lifelong friend.







My point is this ... it doesn't matter how small the crowd. To sit in a great book store, converse with those who came specifically to meet you and talk about your book, the ripple effect can be huge. Our chatter and laughter drew onlookers who will remember Televenge as the word spreads. I signed the store's stock of Televenge, and told them I'd be happy to return in the future.



Although book stores are not typically a venue where an author will sign the most books, it's still good to support your independent book stores (we came bearing gifts of fresh cookies for the staff) meet and greet folks strolling inside, and just breathe in the scent of all those books. It's like walking through a department store as a kid, smelling the popcorn and hot cashews, the perfume counter, and the hamburgers wafting out from the grille. Book stores have that special scent. It puts a smile on my face every time I walk inside one.



Thanks to Park Road Books for letting me stay extra today. I'm sure I'll be back someday. And who knows, we might have to rent a bigger venue next time!



Special thanks to those who came today and stayed and stayed, I hope you had as much fun as I did!



Blessings to you and yours.

What A Fantastic Book Launch!

A magical night to launch a book. TELEVENGE , my debut novel, shot into the stratosphere as the room filled with friends and those who came to buy their signed copy. I was thrilled, honored and moved as they filed in to hug my neck. The line formed and I think my eyes were filled with tears on more than occasion. Maybe it's a southern thing, but these folks brought buckets of love with them to The Harmon House in Kernersville, NC.







A beautiful venue to launch my novel, the evening was warm and the air full of electricity. And cake, we had a cake!







It's been quite a journey, and it's just begun. I discovered today that Fiction Addiction in Greenville, SC, is selling tickets to my event on the 26th. The word is getting out, and I'm hearing from so many on a daily basis. Friends, family, colleagues, and the media! Thoughts of love, best wishes, and support ... I'm so blessed. When I arrived in High Point, I was shocked to see a FULL PAGE write up on the book by award-winning reporter, Jimmy Tomlin.



If you missed last night's launch, just stay tuned. There is much in store for this old gal and her big book. God knows, I'm excited to start this tour! It's been a labor of love. My tragedy has turned into my triumph. At least for this one night.



Many blessings to you and yours. And many thanks.

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

The COUNTDOWN begins!



This week I head to North Carolina to launch my novel, Televenge ! I find I'm so nervous, I can't sit still, eat a bite, or hold a thought in my head. But what a beautiful time of the year to head to the Blue Ridge. One of my favorite spots in the world, Pilot Mountain, looms in the distance as we near Winston-Salem. Like an old friend, I can't wait to see it again.



Today, I have two radio interviews and plethora of work to be done before I can even begin to pack. Last week I was a guest on a radio show, two blogs, and ... well, go to www.pamelakingcable.com and there you'll see all my previous appearances and links to the shows and blogs. It's been crazy busy and it's about to kick into HIGH GEAR.



Below is my personal invitation to YOU. If you are anywhere close to Kernersville, North Carolina, this week, come to the Televenge launch party!








 A FREE EVENT!




Thursday, October 3, 2012, 7:00 p.m.

Harmon House, 149 South Main St.

Kernersville, NC 27284

Cake & Refreshments

 



Andie Oliver is faithful-to God, to husband Joe, and to televangelist Calvin Artury, a Godfather in a Mafia of holy men. Debauchery follows when her husband is lured into employment on the megachurch ministry team. Uncovering long-hidden truths, Andie confronts the very definition of sin and shakes the Christian evangelical world to its core as she battles the dark side of televangelism.

 



A message from Pamela: "Ten years ago I started a journey. A journey that ended with a powerful message of faith and deliverance and strength of the human spirit.



Televenge is a tale of unconditional love. A vivid portrayal of heartbreaking loss, an invincible spirit, and incredible courage.



The novel contains a lifetime worth of wisdom. Its beginnings were mired in tragedy, but has since become my triumph.



I hope it will pierce your heart as it has mine. Please come celebrate with me!"



 

www.pamelakingcable.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedwomen

Twitter @pamelakingcable

Book Trailer: http://www.televenge.com/trailer.html



TELEVENGE is available at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and everywhere fine books are sold. Also available in all e-book formats.



To book Pamela to speak at your next event, meeting, or workshop, see pamelakingcable.com for information.

 





Advance Praise For TELEVENGE

Televenge is " ... an emotional rollercoaster that ends as intensely as it begins . . . those who commit to Cable's tome will find themselves captivated and deeply devoted to Andie. Fans of Fannie Flagg and Janet Evanovich will be hooked on this saga of religion, romance, and crime."

Library Journal Editor's Pick BookExpo America 2012

Shannon Marie Robinson, Library Journal

 



"A captivating, beautifully rendered, unforgettable look at a world so few of us understand. Ms. Cable has courageously opened the door...and my eyes."

Lesley Kagen, NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling Author of Good Graces

 



"Pamela King Cable's debut novel breathes good and evil, frost and fire. You can finish it, but it won't let you go."

Jacquelyn Mitchard, NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling Author of The Deep End of the Ocean


 

 



Why Do Writers Need Blog Tours?

 






Last night, around midnight, I completed the last of my submissions for my first blog tour. I have another blog tour coming up but it felt good to get this one done, although I find I rather enjoy the process.



When I attended the BookExpo in New York this past June, I met many bloggers. These folks are serious about what they do. Blogging with a passion, some are writers, some combine it with their day jobs, and some are stay-at-home moms and dads who simply love books. But book bloggers number into the thousands these days. Each one has a unique interest and you as a writer, need to understand that in your approach.



Think of it as if you're standing on somebody's front porch, and knocking on their door. Wouldn't you feel more comfortable if you knew the person opening the door? You need to know a bit about the blogger before you go knocking on their door. As you would be a guest in their home, you're a GUEST on their blog. Familiarize yourself with their blog. What are their passions, their pursuits, what do they care about? What kind of books do they read and review? And if they "invite you in" be kind, courteous, and meet their deadline.



What do you notice about their website? What is their appeal? To readers or writers or both? On the day your post appears, be sure to visit the site regularly throughout the next few days to respond to comments. Post your appearance throughout your social media sites and your web site.



Does the public buy books from book reviews? There are differences of opinion when answering that question. There are many factors that play into why readers buy certain books. But the one thing almost everyone agrees on is that we have grown to trust the book blogger. Their honesty, their appeal has driven the book-buying public to reading their favorite blogger on a daily basis.



Your obligation as a writer, is to utilize this service. You can pay for a blog tour that is set up for you, or you can take the time to research the bloggers on your own. Some blog tours offer wonderful additions to their services, like contests and giveaways. But whatever you decide, you must remember that word of mouth is paramount when it comes to selling your book. And to sell you book, a blog tour can reach thousands of readers.



As you write the next bestseller, keep this in the back of your mind. Either you or someone willing to help you must take the time to set up a blog tour. Besides getting out there and meeting your readers up close and personal, blog tours are your best bet to successfully marketing your work.



Blessings to you and yours.

When You Can't Find Your Courage



 

To me, the hardest jobs in the world are … coal miners, deep
sea divers, living on a submarine, painting high bridges, skyscraper builders
and window washers, prison guards, firefighters, policemen, garbage men,
working with the mentally challenged, roofers, emergency room nurses, street
pavers, brain surgeons, and farmers.



The physical stamina required for these positions is near
god-like. It's tough to find the words needed to describe the
courage that must be found to wake up every day and face these jobs.


It doesn’t take much physical stamina to sit at a desk and
type all day. I don’t want to be a brain surgeon, or even a coal miner.




I just want to write great literature.



But I have to wake up … every day … and find my courage. Just like the brain surgeon.


The next time you can't find the courage to face your day, think about the iron men teetering on that steel I-beam 70 stories in the air. Those New York City skyscrapers don't build themselves. Think about the coal miner dropped miles underground to dig coal in the dark, cold earth. Think about the emergency room nurse fighting to save the next car accident victim.



We writers may not put our lives on the line, but we put them on the page. And that, my friend, still takes courage. Writers can do without a lot of things. Courage isn't one of them.



Remember that.




Blessings to you and yours.