Carlene Havel's Blog: Carlene, page 13

Book Cover

What's the old saying? You can't judge a book by its cover? But we do. One quick glance at the cover--whether on a bookshelf or staring back from the screen of a digital device--is a visual representation of a book's contents. While a picture is supposed to be worth a thousand words, it won't stretch to reveal the 60,000 or so contained in most full length novels. Nevertheless, the picture on the front is the first make-or-break decision point for most of us who read. Say the book cover has a dagger dripping blood, or a couple of naked human bodies. I already know to move on because the picture has communicated an image that does not match my personal tastes. On the other hand, a woman in Elizabethan dress? Etruscan Art? Hmmm, let me check this out. My co author and I just spent a couple of days in discussions with our publisher, Prism Book Group--wonderful people to work with--fine-tuning the cover of our upcoming release "Daughter of the King" We pored over images, colors, fonts, placement, every detail. That's because I've learned from some unpleasant past experiences the cover tells its own story. If it isn't true to the essence of the book behind the cover, nothing works. I hope readers will be captivated by the face we finally all agreed IS Princess Michal, looking out regally at the world with the Tower of David in the background. This particular princess could not be represented by a cartoon or a homely face; that's just not her. How do I know? I've lived with this character in my head and flowing onto paper for some time now. After a while, you just know. Enjoy, dear reader. "Daughter of the King" is coming soon.

Writing

Among the things my mom taught me is this: writers write. There's a lot of wisdom wrapped up in those two words. Yes, it's important to "get your name out there" in whatever form possible short of the police blotter. But the key is to write. Even when I'm not in the mood, I don't feel inspired, I'm too busy with other things. Just keep writing, every day. Maybe the results won't be my best effort. But it's infinitely easier to polish up than to write a perfect gem on the first try. If a day's verbiage has to be tossed out, oh well, I learned what doesn't work. I've lost track of how many books Mom has published, but it's more than twenty novels, plus four books of poetry. Just like in the grocery store so many years ago, I'm going to have to run hard to keep up with Mom.

Home

If you were fortunate enough to have a happy childhood spent in one place, a visit to the old home place can fire up a constellation of wonderful memories. Home can mean that physical place, but for others home is a dream of the place you'd like it to be. As my dad sinks deeper into Alzheimer's dementia, he longs to go home. Sitting securely in the place where he lives surrounded by kindness, he often asks, "When can I go home?" Occationally he gets up in the middle of the night and starts packing, preparing to go to that unknown destination. It's comforting to realize someday he will go to that eternal Heaven where finally he will be at rest. When he walks through that door of no return, he will again know who he is, where he is, and that he is home at last.

The Character Lives

There's a short period of awkwardness for me at the beginning of a new book. I have a clear idea of how I want to develop the main characters, but they aren't yet "alive" in my imagination. A few chapters later, the characters take on a form of reality. I can "feel" what the heroine would or would not say, and how she will react in a situation. This is always exciting because the added dimention of understanding helps to guide the remaining character development. It keeps me honest. I must say, as enjoyable as writing can be, it does detract from the pleasure of reading. That sharpened sense of character integrity spotlights any behavior or dialogue that puts a hero at odds with who he has so-far been.

Rain

Rain, one of the many essentials we need, want, and cannot buy. How comforting it sounds, dripping outside my bedroom window. How refreshed the whole landscape will be tomorrow after this soaking. The rain brings coolness in its wake, the first hint of approaching autumn. Now the hellish heat has lost its grip. The drought is broken. This evening, I am sereneded by the lullaby of the raindrops falling from the night sky. Thank You, Father.

Food of Antiquity

Co-author Sharon Faucheux and I spent some time this morning fact-checking the novel we're writing. I stand in awe of her knowledge. Probably sounds strange, but we had an interesting discussion on the birds we can safely say were eaten in ancient times. Sorry, no fried chicken on the menu, and no smoked turkey either. How about a nice fat pigeon? Doesn't that sound delicious?

Great Cities of the World

I think every city, maybe every town, has a collective personality. Some are mean, tough, hard-boiled. Others are warm and friendly. I would love to visit all of the great cities on this globe, but probably will never reach that goal. Have checked off quite a few, however. It's no more possible to choose a favorite than to look at a classroom full of first-graders and decide which one is the cutest. Answer: all of them, each in a different way. Where have I not been but would love to go? In no particular order: Bejing, New Delhi, Calcutta, Nairobi, Tokyo, Nagasaki, St. Petersburg, Cairo, Beirut, Mowcow, Sarajevo, Geneva, Jerusalem, Crakow, Niagara Falls, Helsinki, and many others. Places I highly recommend? Off the top of my head--knowing I'll omit mentioning some gems: New York, Rome, Istanbul, Prague, San Antonio, Munich, Paris, London, Singapore, Naples, San Francisco,Dallas, Athens, Charleston. Had I but world enough and time--not to mention airfare.

Friends

Friends are people I enjoy talking with. A good friend is one with whom I can talk about anything. The best friend? We can talk about anything, or nothing. And the silence is as comfortable as the conversation.

Trivia Answers

What is the best known artificial international language? Esperanto

What city's name is Spanish for white house? Casablanca

What country would you be in ifyou were playing a didjeridoo in Wagga Wagga? Australia

How do you say goodbye in Orkan? Nanoo-nanoo

What does a "Cooper" make? Barrels

Trivia Questions

Answers on Monday!
1. What is the best known artificial international language?

2. What city's name is Spanish for "white house"?

3. What country would you be in if you were playing a didjeridoo in Wagga Wagga?

4. How do you say goodbye in Orkan?

5. What does a "cooper" make?