C. Leigh Purtill's Blog, page 4
June 12, 2012
Something Wicked This Ray Comes...
When Ray Bradbury passed away last week, the internet poured out its collective heart and soul into beautiful posts about the impact the author had on so many lives. His influence on writers, readers, television watchers, moviegoers, and theater audiences was tremendous.
I loved his "The Illustrated Man," a collection of short stories including the insanely-good "The Veldt" and of course, the amazing "The Illustrated Man." His novels "Something Wicked This Way Comes" and "Dandelion Wine" always spoke to me on a child-like level. Although our upbringings were so very different, I still felt like I could relate to his Iowa-cornfields-on-a-late-summer-night sentiments.
When I think of Bradbury's work, I feel it in my bones. I feel the longing for something beyond us, the playfulness of never-ending childhood, the wonder of the universe. But although he believed in the ultimate good of humanity, he never forgot how razor-thin the line was between good and evil. In his short stories and novels, his villains might have been vanquished - or not. They might have been us. In many instances, such as "Fahrenheit 451" we were our own worst enemy.
I can't overstate his influence on how I write or read. The very first novel I began writing (which remains unfinished) had its beginnings in his work. I have re-read more of his stories than I have of any other author. When I need a strong shot of good stuff to inspire me or comfort me, I'll pick up "The Martian Chronicles."
Not long after I moved to LA, I was fortunate to meet Bradbury for the first time at a bookstore signing - for someone else's book! It was a collection of his covers, put together by Jerry Wiest, who was there for the signing. Bradbury came too. He did speak but kept his part short; he was gracious about leaving the floor to Wiest since it was his show, not Bradbury's.
I soon learned that Bradbury was - despite his age and increasing inability to get around well without assistance - incredibly generous with his time. He appeared at the same tiny book fair I did when my first novel was published. He spoke - lovingly, passionately - about writing, about doing what you love with little regard for fame or fortune or public acceptance. He was the embodiment of that belief. He wrote what he wanted when he wanted. He did TV and movies and he wrote shorts and novels - and refused to be classified as a science fiction author. He was a fantastist, a writer of fantasy. That he loved space and wondered about our place in the universe was secondary.
The final time I met him was at another book fair, this time in West Hollywood. Lines, lines, lines - everyone wanted to see Ray. I didn't get as much time with him as I did at the previous smaller fair because so many people were waiting but I did tell him what a major influence he was on my books. I told him I was at the fair because of him, because what I'd written had been published. He smiled and told me he was glad he could help me fulfill my dream "in some small way." Small? Hardly. A dream? Definitely. A dream inspired by him and his writing.
Read Bradbury if you haven't already. Find a story, a novel, a play, a movie, an episode of The Twilight Zone. I dare you not to be inspired.
I loved his "The Illustrated Man," a collection of short stories including the insanely-good "The Veldt" and of course, the amazing "The Illustrated Man." His novels "Something Wicked This Way Comes" and "Dandelion Wine" always spoke to me on a child-like level. Although our upbringings were so very different, I still felt like I could relate to his Iowa-cornfields-on-a-late-summer-night sentiments.
When I think of Bradbury's work, I feel it in my bones. I feel the longing for something beyond us, the playfulness of never-ending childhood, the wonder of the universe. But although he believed in the ultimate good of humanity, he never forgot how razor-thin the line was between good and evil. In his short stories and novels, his villains might have been vanquished - or not. They might have been us. In many instances, such as "Fahrenheit 451" we were our own worst enemy.I can't overstate his influence on how I write or read. The very first novel I began writing (which remains unfinished) had its beginnings in his work. I have re-read more of his stories than I have of any other author. When I need a strong shot of good stuff to inspire me or comfort me, I'll pick up "The Martian Chronicles."
Not long after I moved to LA, I was fortunate to meet Bradbury for the first time at a bookstore signing - for someone else's book! It was a collection of his covers, put together by Jerry Wiest, who was there for the signing. Bradbury came too. He did speak but kept his part short; he was gracious about leaving the floor to Wiest since it was his show, not Bradbury's.
I soon learned that Bradbury was - despite his age and increasing inability to get around well without assistance - incredibly generous with his time. He appeared at the same tiny book fair I did when my first novel was published. He spoke - lovingly, passionately - about writing, about doing what you love with little regard for fame or fortune or public acceptance. He was the embodiment of that belief. He wrote what he wanted when he wanted. He did TV and movies and he wrote shorts and novels - and refused to be classified as a science fiction author. He was a fantastist, a writer of fantasy. That he loved space and wondered about our place in the universe was secondary.
The final time I met him was at another book fair, this time in West Hollywood. Lines, lines, lines - everyone wanted to see Ray. I didn't get as much time with him as I did at the previous smaller fair because so many people were waiting but I did tell him what a major influence he was on my books. I told him I was at the fair because of him, because what I'd written had been published. He smiled and told me he was glad he could help me fulfill my dream "in some small way." Small? Hardly. A dream? Definitely. A dream inspired by him and his writing.
Read Bradbury if you haven't already. Find a story, a novel, a play, a movie, an episode of The Twilight Zone. I dare you not to be inspired.
June 1, 2012
Why re-release an OOP book?
First of all, my novel, JENNIFER ANISTON IS MY BEST FRIEND, is now available on Kindle and soon will be on Nook. Yay! It's got a cool cover and everything.
It was originally published as LOVE, MEG back in 2007. It went out of print (OOP in pub-speak) in late 2009 and the rights reverted back to me a few months later when I requested them from the publisher.
So why I am re-releasing it now? And in fact, why would anyone re-release a book that has gone out of print?
Well, for one thing, not many people have seen it. Clearly! Or else the book might not have gone out of print in the first place. Every year, thousands of books are released by the Big Six publishers and thousands more by small and independent presses. It's just a fact of publishing life that not every author will get a share of the marketing pie. There are only so many spots on that Barnes & Noble table, after all. I don't believe MEG got the push it needed to get into readers' hands.
Secondly, more people have e-readers than ever before and they are always hungry for new material to read (I know I am!). Because I am publishing this independently, I have the ability to price the book at a more-than-reasonable 99 cents. How's that for a deal? Seriously, I'm not trying to get over on anyone. I know the book was previously released so I think a buck is a decent price. Anything to get more people reading it.
For a third reason, I never liked the title it came out with. It was okay but it didn't really convey what the book was about. Way too many people commented that it sounded like a romance (and then they were disappointed it wasn't!) or that it was too generic and bland. I understand that. Which is why I wanted to go back to my original title, JENNIFER ANISTON IS MY BEST FRIEND, in much the same way I reverted to FAT GIRLS IN LA for the VEE novel. The titles are eye-catching and thought-provoking and they make you want to pick them up for a look-see.
And finally...yeah, I like this story. I like FAT GIRLS too. I want other people to see them and get to know them. I felt bad for my books when they went OOP. They were like my children who got rejected from a good college. I kept thinking, "No, give them a chance! They're hard workers and funny and sweet. They may be smaller than the other kids but they're just as smart."
You never want to see your kids rejected. So now I have the opportunity to send them off to school in my own way.
It was originally published as LOVE, MEG back in 2007. It went out of print (OOP in pub-speak) in late 2009 and the rights reverted back to me a few months later when I requested them from the publisher.
So why I am re-releasing it now? And in fact, why would anyone re-release a book that has gone out of print?
Well, for one thing, not many people have seen it. Clearly! Or else the book might not have gone out of print in the first place. Every year, thousands of books are released by the Big Six publishers and thousands more by small and independent presses. It's just a fact of publishing life that not every author will get a share of the marketing pie. There are only so many spots on that Barnes & Noble table, after all. I don't believe MEG got the push it needed to get into readers' hands.
Secondly, more people have e-readers than ever before and they are always hungry for new material to read (I know I am!). Because I am publishing this independently, I have the ability to price the book at a more-than-reasonable 99 cents. How's that for a deal? Seriously, I'm not trying to get over on anyone. I know the book was previously released so I think a buck is a decent price. Anything to get more people reading it.
For a third reason, I never liked the title it came out with. It was okay but it didn't really convey what the book was about. Way too many people commented that it sounded like a romance (and then they were disappointed it wasn't!) or that it was too generic and bland. I understand that. Which is why I wanted to go back to my original title, JENNIFER ANISTON IS MY BEST FRIEND, in much the same way I reverted to FAT GIRLS IN LA for the VEE novel. The titles are eye-catching and thought-provoking and they make you want to pick them up for a look-see.
And finally...yeah, I like this story. I like FAT GIRLS too. I want other people to see them and get to know them. I felt bad for my books when they went OOP. They were like my children who got rejected from a good college. I kept thinking, "No, give them a chance! They're hard workers and funny and sweet. They may be smaller than the other kids but they're just as smart."
You never want to see your kids rejected. So now I have the opportunity to send them off to school in my own way.
May 11, 2012
Will the real Leigh Purtill please stand up?
I grew up reading everything. As a girl, I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" series and all the Betsy-Tacy books. Not to mention all the Ramona stories. When I was a pre-teen I read whatever I could find on my parents' bookshelf - nothing racy but certainly scary. I can remember Thomas Tryon's books as well as true crime novels like "In Cold Blood." And as a teen, I just took out whatever struck my fancy while I was wandering the stacks.
Fitzgerald's Pat Hobby stories. Joseph Wambaugh. Aldous Huxley. Octavia Butler. Douglas Adams. Ray Bradbury. Stephen King. Peter Benchley. Robert Heinlein. Isaac Asimov. Frank Herbert. And on and on.
When I began writing, of course I started with some of the more fanciful stories because - hello? look at that list of names! Naturally, I loved fantasy and science fiction and horror. It never occurred to me to write in a genre. I only wanted to write what I liked reading.
But people don't like that - publishers, editors, agents. They want to know: what do you write? What kind of stories do you tell?
Um, the kind people like to read?
What a silly question. I hate being put in a box. I don't ever want to do/write/be just one thing. Readers want good stories with good writing and good characters. Good. Fun. Thought-provoking. Entertaining. Heartbreaking. Provocative. Keep-me-up-at-night.
Right now, I'm working on the third book in the Fat Girls in LA trilogy. Next I'll tackle my paranormal thingy again and after that, the steampunk-time-travel thingy. Maybe a detective story in the middle. I don't know. But whatever it is, I want it to be good.
Fitzgerald's Pat Hobby stories. Joseph Wambaugh. Aldous Huxley. Octavia Butler. Douglas Adams. Ray Bradbury. Stephen King. Peter Benchley. Robert Heinlein. Isaac Asimov. Frank Herbert. And on and on.
When I began writing, of course I started with some of the more fanciful stories because - hello? look at that list of names! Naturally, I loved fantasy and science fiction and horror. It never occurred to me to write in a genre. I only wanted to write what I liked reading.
But people don't like that - publishers, editors, agents. They want to know: what do you write? What kind of stories do you tell?
Um, the kind people like to read?
What a silly question. I hate being put in a box. I don't ever want to do/write/be just one thing. Readers want good stories with good writing and good characters. Good. Fun. Thought-provoking. Entertaining. Heartbreaking. Provocative. Keep-me-up-at-night.
Right now, I'm working on the third book in the Fat Girls in LA trilogy. Next I'll tackle my paranormal thingy again and after that, the steampunk-time-travel thingy. Maybe a detective story in the middle. I don't know. But whatever it is, I want it to be good.
April 13, 2012
How fast can you read on an e-reader?
Take this fun interactive test from Staples...and see how long it will take you to read "Harry Potter" or "War of the Worlds" from start to finish.
Source: Staples eReader Department
Source: Staples eReader Department
April 6, 2012
New book + Free short story = Happy Spring!
To celebrate the release of my new novel, CHASING THE FALLS, I am giving away the Kindle version of my short story, "I Brake For Whales." FREE!!
Starting tonight, Friday April 6 at midnight PST, all through the weekend until Sunday April 8 at midnight PST, you can download my horror short for free at Amazon at its Kindle store! FREE!!
Here's the link but remember, it will be free at midnight and no sooner! Enjoy~
Starting tonight, Friday April 6 at midnight PST, all through the weekend until Sunday April 8 at midnight PST, you can download my horror short for free at Amazon at its Kindle store! FREE!!
Here's the link but remember, it will be free at midnight and no sooner! Enjoy~
April 3, 2012
New book: CHASING THE FALLS!
And book number 3 is out - CHASING THE FALLS is my first new release since ALL ABOUT VEE in 2008. Last year I released FAT GIRLS IN LA but that was not new. This is completely brand new material that no one has seen yet. Well, except for editor, agent, manager, and a friend...but other than that, you all will be the first! If you buy it...
It's available as e-book only right now. Here is the link to the Amazon Kindle version. Still waiting for Barnes & Noble to put it up on their Nook store but when I get that link, I'll share it too. It's only $2.99, a reasonable price, I think, for an e-book. I'd love to get feedback so if you have a Goodreads or Amazon account, I hope you'll consider posting a review somewhere.
Thanks and happy reading!
It's available as e-book only right now. Here is the link to the Amazon Kindle version. Still waiting for Barnes & Noble to put it up on their Nook store but when I get that link, I'll share it too. It's only $2.99, a reasonable price, I think, for an e-book. I'd love to get feedback so if you have a Goodreads or Amazon account, I hope you'll consider posting a review somewhere.Thanks and happy reading!
March 28, 2012
Coming in April: my new book featured on Ultimate YA Reading Group!
Hey everyone! The release sequence of my novels has gotten a little rearranged due to work commitments and illness but the second e-book (my third published novel) is being released April 2 on Kindle and Nook, for starters. Print editions will come later.
I'll post more in a couple of days but for now, here are a couple of teasers...
--The title is "Chasing the Falls."
--It's a contemporary young adult novel, set in Los Angeles.
Now, a bit of more cool news...
--I'm the April author for Ultimate YA Reading Group! They'll be posting interviews 'n stuff with me throughout the month, including info about the new book. So stay tuned to their tumblr and Facebook page!
I'll reveal the fab cover very soon, along with a blurb of the book, and more links - more, more, more!
I'll post more in a couple of days but for now, here are a couple of teasers...
--The title is "Chasing the Falls."
--It's a contemporary young adult novel, set in Los Angeles.
Now, a bit of more cool news...
--I'm the April author for Ultimate YA Reading Group! They'll be posting interviews 'n stuff with me throughout the month, including info about the new book. So stay tuned to their tumblr and Facebook page!
I'll reveal the fab cover very soon, along with a blurb of the book, and more links - more, more, more!
March 8, 2012
My own Hunger Game
And I don't mean dystopian YA fiction (although I do totally dig that and am looking forward to the movie!).
My version of this is the hunger I need to attack my rewrite. When you have a great idea the first go 'round, you have to let it sit in your brain for a while until you are so excited you have to write it. A similar thing exists when you do a rewrite.
What I typically do is outline the first draft of the book so I can see where all the problems are and jot some ideas down about the possible changes I can make. Then I mull it over. I let it sit in my mental passenger seat when I'm out driving or teaching or walking.
With a new outline, I have the advantage of having it all laid out before me. It's like seeing into the future. I can experiment with changes before I actually write it. If I have multiple options I can see how they play out before I commit to them.
Then I wait.
Til I'm really, really hungry.
Then I bite...
My version of this is the hunger I need to attack my rewrite. When you have a great idea the first go 'round, you have to let it sit in your brain for a while until you are so excited you have to write it. A similar thing exists when you do a rewrite.
What I typically do is outline the first draft of the book so I can see where all the problems are and jot some ideas down about the possible changes I can make. Then I mull it over. I let it sit in my mental passenger seat when I'm out driving or teaching or walking.
With a new outline, I have the advantage of having it all laid out before me. It's like seeing into the future. I can experiment with changes before I actually write it. If I have multiple options I can see how they play out before I commit to them.
Then I wait.
Til I'm really, really hungry.
Then I bite...
March 6, 2012
Guesting at ADR3NALIN3 Blog!
Today, I'm guest posting for my friend and fellow author, Carol Tanzman at the writing blog, ADR3NALIN3. She is a regular contributor to the blog, which is a fun and inspiring resource for readers and writers. The authors involved specialize in mysteries and thrillers but their posts address all kinds of issues that most writers face: writer's block, world-building, character development, and so on.
Carol has a new YA novel, "dancergirl," which is currently out from Harlequin Teen. It's a fast-paced thriller about a dancer whose online life attracts a real-life stalker! Check it out at your local store or here at Amazon: dancergirl. Her next book will be out in July, another YA thriller titled, "Circle of Silence."
My post is about turning off the internet and turning on your focus. Thanks, Carol, for asking me to guest post for you!
So here is it - my post about writing and the internet: I'm not addicted. I can quit anytime I want to.
Carol has a new YA novel, "dancergirl," which is currently out from Harlequin Teen. It's a fast-paced thriller about a dancer whose online life attracts a real-life stalker! Check it out at your local store or here at Amazon: dancergirl. Her next book will be out in July, another YA thriller titled, "Circle of Silence."
My post is about turning off the internet and turning on your focus. Thanks, Carol, for asking me to guest post for you!
So here is it - my post about writing and the internet: I'm not addicted. I can quit anytime I want to.
February 24, 2012
Building a writer's toolbox
I'm calling this my Toolbox Post #2 because I recently wrote about a dancer's toolbox on my ballet blog and it made me think about writers and how they have toolboxes too. While most of a dancer's resources come from classes they take and corrections given to them by teachers, how do writers get theirs? I can think of 3 ways:
1. High school and college courses: This is where a writer gets her flashlight and her hammer. You know, the basics of craft, such as -
--Three act structure.
--Grammar.
--Literary devices like metaphor and simile.
2. Writing workshops: This is where a writer will get her needle-nose pliers and snake, items that are more specialized for different uses. It could be during a one-day or week-long course that addresses a specific issue, such as -
--Writing in genre.
--Publishing and agenting.
--Rewriting.
3. Reading: This is where a writer will find her tubing benders and pipe extractors. What are tubing benders and pipe extractors, you say? "I didn't even know they existed!" Exactly! That's the reaction you have when you read books by authors who approach storytelling in new and exciting ways. That's the moment when you say, "I didn't know I could do that!" Such as -
--Unreliable narrators.
--Multiple POVs.
--World-building.
As I said in my ballet post, when you have a leaky faucet, you get out your toolbox and you fix it. And when you have a book that's got plot issues or pacing or structure problems, you do the same thing. Diagnose the problem and fix it. No wringing of hands, no pouting or running away. A plumber doesn't get upset when the pipe is broken and neither should you.
1. High school and college courses: This is where a writer gets her flashlight and her hammer. You know, the basics of craft, such as -
--Three act structure.
--Grammar.
--Literary devices like metaphor and simile.
2. Writing workshops: This is where a writer will get her needle-nose pliers and snake, items that are more specialized for different uses. It could be during a one-day or week-long course that addresses a specific issue, such as -
--Writing in genre.
--Publishing and agenting.
--Rewriting.
3. Reading: This is where a writer will find her tubing benders and pipe extractors. What are tubing benders and pipe extractors, you say? "I didn't even know they existed!" Exactly! That's the reaction you have when you read books by authors who approach storytelling in new and exciting ways. That's the moment when you say, "I didn't know I could do that!" Such as -
--Unreliable narrators.
--Multiple POVs.
--World-building.
As I said in my ballet post, when you have a leaky faucet, you get out your toolbox and you fix it. And when you have a book that's got plot issues or pacing or structure problems, you do the same thing. Diagnose the problem and fix it. No wringing of hands, no pouting or running away. A plumber doesn't get upset when the pipe is broken and neither should you.
