Margo Candela's Blog, page 2
December 8, 2022
Watch & Read: She Said
As a fiction writer, I’m regularly asked what novels I’m reading. While I have my favorite authors (
Anne Tyler
,
Max Barry
) and books that I not only recommend, but have reread several times (
The Good Men
by Charmaine Craig and
The Historian
by Elizabeth Kostova), what I mainly read for fun is non-fiction and long form journalism, and both are what I exclusively read when I’m working on a manuscript.
There are a few reasons why I don’t read fiction while writing. For one, I need to stay connected to the real world, especially when I’m spending so much time in my own head and giving myself over to my imagination. I also don’t want my writing to be influenced by someone else’s narrative style, which means not immersing myself in the lives of fictional characters that aren’t of my own making.
Another writing quirk of mine (besides engaging in what I call therapeutic vacuuming when I need to step away from a manuscript for a few minutes), is ducking out for a midweek movie matinee. Now that theaters are open again, I’ve been giving myself a welcome break from staring at my computer monitor by taking myself to the movies to stare at a much bigger screen.
I’d read several movie reviews for She Said, staring Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan as New York Times investigative reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, who chased down an incredibly complex story (while balancing their own lives) to expose movie producer Harvey Weinstein’s many crimes against women. Not to mention, the system that for decades helped him get away with his criminal behavior. When a She Said showing lined up perfectly with my designated procrastination block of time, I put off running random errands (and, ahem, that outline) for a trip to the movies instead.
Kantor and Twohey’s Pulitzer Prize winning reporting was also detailed in the book, She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement , which the movie is based on, and has been on my to-read list for a while. I’m still going to read it especially after seeing the movie, which reminded me how all-consuming, stressful and, yes, exciting, chasing a story can be. While I never covered anything nearly as consequential as that, watching She Said renewed my appreciation for the people who do this vital work. Twohey and Kantor, along with the brave women who came forward, helped shape the #MeToo movement, and their experiences remind us of the importance of supporting the telling of these types of stories in any way we can.
Want to read more? Subscribe to my newsletter .
There are a few reasons why I don’t read fiction while writing. For one, I need to stay connected to the real world, especially when I’m spending so much time in my own head and giving myself over to my imagination. I also don’t want my writing to be influenced by someone else’s narrative style, which means not immersing myself in the lives of fictional characters that aren’t of my own making.
Another writing quirk of mine (besides engaging in what I call therapeutic vacuuming when I need to step away from a manuscript for a few minutes), is ducking out for a midweek movie matinee. Now that theaters are open again, I’ve been giving myself a welcome break from staring at my computer monitor by taking myself to the movies to stare at a much bigger screen.
I’d read several movie reviews for She Said, staring Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan as New York Times investigative reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, who chased down an incredibly complex story (while balancing their own lives) to expose movie producer Harvey Weinstein’s many crimes against women. Not to mention, the system that for decades helped him get away with his criminal behavior. When a She Said showing lined up perfectly with my designated procrastination block of time, I put off running random errands (and, ahem, that outline) for a trip to the movies instead.
Kantor and Twohey’s Pulitzer Prize winning reporting was also detailed in the book, She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement , which the movie is based on, and has been on my to-read list for a while. I’m still going to read it especially after seeing the movie, which reminded me how all-consuming, stressful and, yes, exciting, chasing a story can be. While I never covered anything nearly as consequential as that, watching She Said renewed my appreciation for the people who do this vital work. Twohey and Kantor, along with the brave women who came forward, helped shape the #MeToo movement, and their experiences remind us of the importance of supporting the telling of these types of stories in any way we can.
Want to read more? Subscribe to my newsletter .
July 8, 2022
In The Mood To Review?
After more than a decade of work and waiting, there are only about 32 days until The Neapolitan Sisters is finally published.
While funny, The Neapolitan Sisters isn't necessarily just a “fun" book. My goal as a writer is not only to entertain readers with a good story, but also spark conversations about things we don’t talk about. The novel explores some serious topics while being, at its core, a story about the strong bonds of sisterhood.
Even though this is my fifth novel, I'm basically starting over again after a long break from writing. I'm very grateful for this opportunity and want to make the most of it. This is why I’m reaching out for help in spreading the word about The Neapolitan Sisters. I have a limited amount of review PDFs (ePub in the works) of The Neapolitan Sisters available for an even more limited amount of time. Please feel free to message me if you’re interested in reading and reviewing and thank you for your support!
While funny, The Neapolitan Sisters isn't necessarily just a “fun" book. My goal as a writer is not only to entertain readers with a good story, but also spark conversations about things we don’t talk about. The novel explores some serious topics while being, at its core, a story about the strong bonds of sisterhood.
Even though this is my fifth novel, I'm basically starting over again after a long break from writing. I'm very grateful for this opportunity and want to make the most of it. This is why I’m reaching out for help in spreading the word about The Neapolitan Sisters. I have a limited amount of review PDFs (ePub in the works) of The Neapolitan Sisters available for an even more limited amount of time. Please feel free to message me if you’re interested in reading and reviewing and thank you for your support!
June 30, 2022
News and Letters
There was a time when I could twirl a baton and do cartwheels while chewing a huge wad of Bubblicious. Walking in step was the least of my talents. Now I'm mining that skill set to put out a monthly newsletter.
Sign-up
and you’ll get an immediate free gift. It’s not gum, but there’s plenty to chew on.
April 26, 2022
Front Page Exposure
Just found out NetGalley is featuring
The Neapolitan Sisters
on its front page!
If you’re not already a member, sign-up today if you’re a book advocate or industry professional (reviewer, blogger, librarian, bookseller, educator, etc.,) and click on the The Neapolitan Sisters cover, read an Advance Reader Copy for FREE, and review.
I mean, only if you want to. I've been told I can be a bit bossy…
If you’re not already a member, sign-up today if you’re a book advocate or industry professional (reviewer, blogger, librarian, bookseller, educator, etc.,) and click on the The Neapolitan Sisters cover, read an Advance Reader Copy for FREE, and review.
I mean, only if you want to. I've been told I can be a bit bossy…
April 23, 2022
A Day for Books
My small part of this world is infinitely better because of books. Happy
World Book Day
to readers, writers, librarians and, especially, to all the hardworking folks in publishing!
April 7, 2022
Sneak Peek of The Neapolitan Sisters
Over on Twitter @AlcovePress hosting a The Neapolitan Sisters #galleychat. Download a free excerpt of The Neapolitan Sisters via Net Galley.
Join in and enjoy!
Join in and enjoy!
April 2, 2022
Books and the Kid
Happy #InternationalChildrensBookDay! The one motherly manipulation I will fully own up to is turning the Kid into a voracious #reader. Hundreds of #books, countless hours, and thousands of #words later, it paid off with this…
Reader Writer Son
Reader Writer Son
