Lori Ann Stephens's Blog, page 2
August 30, 2014
How is it even POSSIBLE to be bluesy in Paris? But it is. And then whammo--a surprise.
Here's the scoop.
This morning, my mom packed up her bags and kissed me goodbye and flew back to Texas.
Officially off vacation, I speed around the house like Rosie the Jetson maid, whipping everything into pristine-clean writing condition (because who can write with a messy house staring at you?). And then I hear the "ping" of my Google notifications. I look at my phone: "Some Act of Vision." Could it be a new review? My heart thunks in delight. But then I open gmail and click on the link, and this is what I get:
source: http://observatoriodearte.com/gb/?id=...
Great.
Thanks, "impact0r." If you couldn't read that tiny writing here's a close-up:
I'm not clueless. I know that there are a lot of people out there who are tight on money and don't have easy access to a local library or inter-library loan, or perhaps their moral compass got out of whack by standing next to some magnetically-charged, morally bereft cheapskate. Or perhaps they are truly on a heartfelt mission to make all information free to the masses, which I get. I really do.
Really.
But here's the problem. I don't get paid a cent when people share pdfs or pirated copies. Some Act of Vision just won the National Readers' Choice Award (Young Adult 2013 fiction) by the OK-Romance Writers of America, so I think that it must be a decent book. I have a very small publisher who can't chase every piracy site and send a cease-and-desist warning. And so, while I'm grateful that people want to read my books, my heart gets wrinkled or kerfluffled...and sometimes irate...when I think about the fact that neither my publisher nor I are getting our one or two bucks profit because someone wants to read my books--which take years to write and publish, folks, years--for free. Come on, Readers.
Here's a whole conversation about the difficulties writers are experiencing with piracy.
Dang. I'm sitting here, all Down and Out in Paris, and now everything's changed.
Not five minutes ago, I logged on Goodreads, and saw an unread message in my box. I rarely log on to Goodreads because, as most writers will tell you, it's not emotionally healthy to get wrapped up in reading reviews of your work. But this email got me right in the heart. I had to sit back from the computer and cover my eyes for a minute. Tears. It was a beautiful letter from someone who'd read my first novel, Song of the Orange Moons, last month. He wrote to thank me and said some very kind words. Those words just melted all the anger away. So now I'm sitting here, not angry anymore.
I'm not happy.
But I'm not longer angry. I'm grateful.
I'm deeply grateful that my story (written so long ago) has found its way into someone's heart, and that my version of human experience enriched someone else's soul for a short while.
That's a powerful thing. I don't even care if that gentleman paid for the book or not.
It's a complex thing to understand, and clearly I'm trying to wrap my head around it.
Back to writing...
I'm in Paris, after all.
Any folks (especially writers) who want to weigh in are welcome...
This morning, my mom packed up her bags and kissed me goodbye and flew back to Texas.
Officially off vacation, I speed around the house like Rosie the Jetson maid, whipping everything into pristine-clean writing condition (because who can write with a messy house staring at you?). And then I hear the "ping" of my Google notifications. I look at my phone: "Some Act of Vision." Could it be a new review? My heart thunks in delight. But then I open gmail and click on the link, and this is what I get:
source: http://observatoriodearte.com/gb/?id=...Great.
Thanks, "impact0r." If you couldn't read that tiny writing here's a close-up:
I'm not clueless. I know that there are a lot of people out there who are tight on money and don't have easy access to a local library or inter-library loan, or perhaps their moral compass got out of whack by standing next to some magnetically-charged, morally bereft cheapskate. Or perhaps they are truly on a heartfelt mission to make all information free to the masses, which I get. I really do.
Really.
But here's the problem. I don't get paid a cent when people share pdfs or pirated copies. Some Act of Vision just won the National Readers' Choice Award (Young Adult 2013 fiction) by the OK-Romance Writers of America, so I think that it must be a decent book. I have a very small publisher who can't chase every piracy site and send a cease-and-desist warning. And so, while I'm grateful that people want to read my books, my heart gets wrinkled or kerfluffled...and sometimes irate...when I think about the fact that neither my publisher nor I are getting our one or two bucks profit because someone wants to read my books--which take years to write and publish, folks, years--for free. Come on, Readers.
Here's a whole conversation about the difficulties writers are experiencing with piracy.
Dang. I'm sitting here, all Down and Out in Paris, and now everything's changed.
Not five minutes ago, I logged on Goodreads, and saw an unread message in my box. I rarely log on to Goodreads because, as most writers will tell you, it's not emotionally healthy to get wrapped up in reading reviews of your work. But this email got me right in the heart. I had to sit back from the computer and cover my eyes for a minute. Tears. It was a beautiful letter from someone who'd read my first novel, Song of the Orange Moons, last month. He wrote to thank me and said some very kind words. Those words just melted all the anger away. So now I'm sitting here, not angry anymore.
I'm not happy.
But I'm not longer angry. I'm grateful.
I'm deeply grateful that my story (written so long ago) has found its way into someone's heart, and that my version of human experience enriched someone else's soul for a short while.
That's a powerful thing. I don't even care if that gentleman paid for the book or not.
It's a complex thing to understand, and clearly I'm trying to wrap my head around it.
Back to writing...
I'm in Paris, after all.
Any folks (especially writers) who want to weigh in are welcome...
August 22, 2014
On Being Home in Paris
I'm home.
In Paris.
I'm here for a little over five months to get some creative projects completed and to immerse Julien in a French public school. Thanks to my brilliant, compassionate man with the kajillion frequent flyer miles, Mother has joined us for the first two weeks. Here we are walking through the Jardin du Luxembourg.
I've brought along an electric violin to keep up my progress, but mostly in the evening Mother and I play Scrabble. Our bellies full of wine and cheese and pain campagne and other delightful French food.
Here is my agenda for this extended trip, which frankly will be a magnificent feat if I can swing it:
1. Write an opera libretto built upon the previous aria I wrote for Charlie McCarron (Rubie's Aria).
2. Write a sequel for SOME ACT OF VISION.
3. Revise a mess of a manuscript--an adult literary novel.
4. Write the sequel for my middle-grade manuscript, based on Julien's experiences here in Paris.
You guys: four genres. I'm insane. It's a good thing I'm in Paris. The scenery alone will give me strength, right?
I have one more week of vacation with Mother until things get serious.
bisoux from Paris!
In Paris.
I'm here for a little over five months to get some creative projects completed and to immerse Julien in a French public school. Thanks to my brilliant, compassionate man with the kajillion frequent flyer miles, Mother has joined us for the first two weeks. Here we are walking through the Jardin du Luxembourg.
I've brought along an electric violin to keep up my progress, but mostly in the evening Mother and I play Scrabble. Our bellies full of wine and cheese and pain campagne and other delightful French food.
Here is my agenda for this extended trip, which frankly will be a magnificent feat if I can swing it:
1. Write an opera libretto built upon the previous aria I wrote for Charlie McCarron (Rubie's Aria).
2. Write a sequel for SOME ACT OF VISION.
3. Revise a mess of a manuscript--an adult literary novel.
4. Write the sequel for my middle-grade manuscript, based on Julien's experiences here in Paris.
You guys: four genres. I'm insane. It's a good thing I'm in Paris. The scenery alone will give me strength, right?
I have one more week of vacation with Mother until things get serious.
bisoux from Paris!
July 25, 2014
On Jumping-Up-and-Down News!
AHHHHHHH!
I'm in the middle of heavy manuscript revisions, but I have to poke my head into the internet-zone and say "WOOOO-HOOOOOO!"
I'm thrilled to announce--and I've just gotten this news--that Some Act of Vision has WON the OK Romance Writers of America NATIONAL READERS 'CHOICE AWARD!
I'm dancing in my chair and making typos. I'm so honored!
Wow.
And now let me pout for a few seconds because I had to cancel my trip to San Antonio for the RWA awards ceremony because I had to arrange a last-minute French Consulate Visa appointment in Houston for our 5-month trip to Paris.
I so wish I could have been in San Antonio today. Thank you, OK RWA!
Thank you, thank you! I hope Jordan's adventures made you smile!
I'm in the middle of heavy manuscript revisions, but I have to poke my head into the internet-zone and say "WOOOO-HOOOOOO!"
I'm thrilled to announce--and I've just gotten this news--that Some Act of Vision has WON the OK Romance Writers of America NATIONAL READERS 'CHOICE AWARD!
I'm dancing in my chair and making typos. I'm so honored!
Wow.
And now let me pout for a few seconds because I had to cancel my trip to San Antonio for the RWA awards ceremony because I had to arrange a last-minute French Consulate Visa appointment in Houston for our 5-month trip to Paris.
I so wish I could have been in San Antonio today. Thank you, OK RWA!
Thank you, thank you! I hope Jordan's adventures made you smile!
June 24, 2014
Announcement!
Between teaching summer classes and preparing for the big move to Paris, I've hardly had time to make a big announcement about my dear friend, Samantha Mabry.
Are you ready?
Here's her celebratory dance:
And here's the news: Algonquin Press has acquired Samantha's debut Young Adult novel, LEAVES (release 2015).
I'm thrilled for her. So thrilled. How many glasses of wine did we drink, talking about writing and the business, and trying not to talk about writing and the business in order not to jinx things? Because I think we both believe a little bit in omens and jinxes and other ghostly things that play tricks on us.
Anyway, Samantha, my dear Samantha: congratulations on this huge accomplishment! I believe in your storytelling, and I'm so happy that an excellent press has recognized your talent for the word.
Let's drink and toast and gab and talk.
If you'd like to hop over to her website or twitter accounts and congratulate her, please do! And keep a lookout for her book.
Are you ready?
Here's her celebratory dance:
And here's the news: Algonquin Press has acquired Samantha's debut Young Adult novel, LEAVES (release 2015).I'm thrilled for her. So thrilled. How many glasses of wine did we drink, talking about writing and the business, and trying not to talk about writing and the business in order not to jinx things? Because I think we both believe a little bit in omens and jinxes and other ghostly things that play tricks on us.
Anyway, Samantha, my dear Samantha: congratulations on this huge accomplishment! I believe in your storytelling, and I'm so happy that an excellent press has recognized your talent for the word.
Let's drink and toast and gab and talk.
If you'd like to hop over to her website or twitter accounts and congratulate her, please do! And keep a lookout for her book.
June 11, 2014
On Moody Artists
As much as I hate to admit it, the old adage is true. Artists are moody. We're up. We're down.One minute we're geniuses, the next we suck. We just know we suck.Because we didn't win that thing. (Whatever it is.)Or get the approval of that person.Because we’re not Sherman Alexie or Leonard Bernstein or Banksy.Damn, if we’d only thought of being Banksy before Banksy...
As much as I try to be thankful all the time,to be grateful for all the good in my life—and there is so much goodness, folks—I slip and start evaluating my life’s work, and nothing is more damning than that Critical Eye.
I think I understand how easily artists slip into depression. I’m not depressed—far from it—but I do spend a hell of a lot of time in front of the computer, crafting words and worlds in my head. I think, hey, this is important stuff. Or hey, this is funny stuff.Or hey, this is pretty original. And the really sad thing about art is that if it’s not shared and appreciated fairly consistently, you begin to wonder if you’re wasting your life on words/music/painting/fillintheblank.
I know: aren't artists supposed to write and compose and paint for the sake of art? They don’t really need an audience because Art is a personal and higher calling! Yeah yeah yeah. Bullocks. A painter can only support herself as an artist if there are buyers. A writer can only support herself as an artist if there are readers... who are buyers.A composer can only support himself as an artist...you get the picture.
I am fortunate. I’ve gotten the attention of a traditional press. I’ve won awards—international awards—for writing. I love the quietness and solitude of writing.
But in spite of my happiness, in spite of being surrounded by love and support, I doubt myself. And it’s a damning doubt.
I was lingering in that state of doubt yesterday—and folks, this is the crazy part: I recently found out my new manuscript chapter won this, so I had no excuse for self-flagellation. And then I opened an email by a composer in London, Helgi Ingvarsson, with whom I’ve been collaborating. I wrote the libretto for Évariste, an opera about an 18th c mathematician, and Helgi is composing the score. We began doing some back-and-forth brainstorming about the piece, and quite suddenly, I realized that I wasn’t sad or doubtful or critical. I was exhilarated.
photo by Helgi IngvarssonThere’s something regenerative about collaboration in the creative process. Learning from other artists, feeding each other inspiration. You have to trust each other completely—trust in their talent, their independence, their respect for art—and that doesn’t happen among all artists. But when it does, man! An injection of Ispirado right in the heart.
As much as I try to be thankful all the time,to be grateful for all the good in my life—and there is so much goodness, folks—I slip and start evaluating my life’s work, and nothing is more damning than that Critical Eye.
I think I understand how easily artists slip into depression. I’m not depressed—far from it—but I do spend a hell of a lot of time in front of the computer, crafting words and worlds in my head. I think, hey, this is important stuff. Or hey, this is funny stuff.Or hey, this is pretty original. And the really sad thing about art is that if it’s not shared and appreciated fairly consistently, you begin to wonder if you’re wasting your life on words/music/painting/fillintheblank.
I know: aren't artists supposed to write and compose and paint for the sake of art? They don’t really need an audience because Art is a personal and higher calling! Yeah yeah yeah. Bullocks. A painter can only support herself as an artist if there are buyers. A writer can only support herself as an artist if there are readers... who are buyers.A composer can only support himself as an artist...you get the picture.
I am fortunate. I’ve gotten the attention of a traditional press. I’ve won awards—international awards—for writing. I love the quietness and solitude of writing.
But in spite of my happiness, in spite of being surrounded by love and support, I doubt myself. And it’s a damning doubt.
I was lingering in that state of doubt yesterday—and folks, this is the crazy part: I recently found out my new manuscript chapter won this, so I had no excuse for self-flagellation. And then I opened an email by a composer in London, Helgi Ingvarsson, with whom I’ve been collaborating. I wrote the libretto for Évariste, an opera about an 18th c mathematician, and Helgi is composing the score. We began doing some back-and-forth brainstorming about the piece, and quite suddenly, I realized that I wasn’t sad or doubtful or critical. I was exhilarated.
photo by Helgi IngvarssonThere’s something regenerative about collaboration in the creative process. Learning from other artists, feeding each other inspiration. You have to trust each other completely—trust in their talent, their independence, their respect for art—and that doesn’t happen among all artists. But when it does, man! An injection of Ispirado right in the heart.
May 22, 2014
Jordan likes the Sierra Club, too
Hop over to
Sierra Magazine
, where the wonderful Maren Hunsberger wrote an article about teen reads with an environmental twist. She describes Some Act of Vision as full of "political and environmental intrigue, teen drama, vivid characters, and a splash of romance."
Mayah's Lot, also covered in the article, was a nice discovery, too. It's described as an "environmental justice comic book," and not only is the pdf available for download, but there's a video for kids on the website. What a great inspiration for other middle-school classes.
Mayah's Lot, also covered in the article, was a nice discovery, too. It's described as an "environmental justice comic book," and not only is the pdf available for download, but there's a video for kids on the website. What a great inspiration for other middle-school classes.
May 19, 2014
EcoWatch suggests you fracking read!
This review on Some Act of Vision this morning on Ecowatch.com!
What is EcoWatch? From their website:
"EcoWatch is a leading environmental website reporting on environmental news, green living and sustainable business. We educate and motivate people to protect human health and the environment through our News, Living, Business, University and Insights verticals, and online store of thousands of green products.
EcoWatch is a dedicated platform for environmental news that helps transform the ability of individuals to learn about environmental issues and take action. EcoWatch provides timely access to relevant information that motivates individuals to become engaged in their community, adopt sustainable practices and support strong environmental policy."If you've read the novel, you'll remember the pivotal role fracking plays in the story...and even though there's a very small chance that fracking will cause you to turn invisible (really quite small, people), there are significant reasons why you should find out the real dangers related to hydraulic fracturing.
What is EcoWatch? From their website:
"EcoWatch is a leading environmental website reporting on environmental news, green living and sustainable business. We educate and motivate people to protect human health and the environment through our News, Living, Business, University and Insights verticals, and online store of thousands of green products.
EcoWatch is a dedicated platform for environmental news that helps transform the ability of individuals to learn about environmental issues and take action. EcoWatch provides timely access to relevant information that motivates individuals to become engaged in their community, adopt sustainable practices and support strong environmental policy."If you've read the novel, you'll remember the pivotal role fracking plays in the story...and even though there's a very small chance that fracking will cause you to turn invisible (really quite small, people), there are significant reasons why you should find out the real dangers related to hydraulic fracturing.
April 28, 2014
Finalist!
I'm dazed and amazed to announce that my first Young Adult novel, SOME ACT OF VISION, has been named a finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards, sponsored by the OK-RWA (Romance Writers of America). Whaaaaat?!
Here's my book:
Here's me all day Sunday:
Actually, I was outside in the back garden, hanging gutters for my patio cover. Glistening with sweat and telling myself that yes, I did get that email. I wasn't dreaming.
I think of SOME ACT OF VISION as "the little book that could." It still has a long hill to climb, but it has a lot of heart. And a bit of sweet romance.
What should I do to celebrate? Perhaps my publisher will arrange a sale in celebration of the news?
Here's my book:
Here's me all day Sunday:
Actually, I was outside in the back garden, hanging gutters for my patio cover. Glistening with sweat and telling myself that yes, I did get that email. I wasn't dreaming.
I think of SOME ACT OF VISION as "the little book that could." It still has a long hill to climb, but it has a lot of heart. And a bit of sweet romance.
What should I do to celebrate? Perhaps my publisher will arrange a sale in celebration of the news?
April 25, 2014
Under the spell
I just got home, and I'm still feeling a little ker-fluffled.
My heart's all a-twitter, and everything--the sky, the trees, the pavement--has a glittery sheen.
I've just returned from watching the opera singers at SMU, and I probably shouldn't even be writing because I'm all discombobulated still. One of the performances was "Mobile Home," my collaboration with composer Charlie McCarron. It was magic--the entire hour.
I don't have pictures of the performance--not a one.
I didn't use my iPhone to record the performance, but that's okay, too. I think I would have wrecked the unadulterated joy of watching the spectacle.
But the performances were videotaped by professionals who know about those things, and "pictures were taken"--I'll get my hand on those and post them here soon.
I suppose I just want to record this moment. How do I describe it? Translate it? To hear my story, my words, my characters who once lived only on my head, there on the stage...sung so perfectly by Kristen and Arielle. It's breathtaking. It made me cry.
Thank you, Hank Hammet, for giving breathe to my libretto. Amazing.
April 22, 2014
Charlie Does Dallas
Nothing kinky here. Just a cool Minneapolis composer named Charlie McCarron who asked me to write a libretto last year for an Opera on Tap performance. I fell in love with his sweet-little anniversary song here. Our collaboration produced a lovely mini-opera called "Mobile Home."
This Friday, SMU's Opera folks will have another Opera Free For All, and my collaboration with Charlie will breathe again, this time in my home state of Texas. Yay!
Last November's Opera Free For All
"Mobile Home" is a scene of a young mother, trapped by poverty and dreaming of love. She sings a lullaby to her infant and tries to ignore her own mother's warning about the bittersweet temptations of hope.
Looking forward to the talented singers and poets on Friday!
This Friday, SMU's Opera folks will have another Opera Free For All, and my collaboration with Charlie will breathe again, this time in my home state of Texas. Yay!
Last November's Opera Free For All"Mobile Home" is a scene of a young mother, trapped by poverty and dreaming of love. She sings a lullaby to her infant and tries to ignore her own mother's warning about the bittersweet temptations of hope.
Looking forward to the talented singers and poets on Friday!
