Margo Kelly's Blog, page 19

Interview: Authors on the Air Radio

Today, I had GREAT fun doing an hour-long radio interview with Laura Moe.



We talked about:
* Book Covers
* The DARK SIDE of our psyches
* How reading allows us to experience dangerous things without harming ourselves
* Reading creates empathy for others
* Reading validates us personally
* Youthful fascination with the possibility of anything
* Bringing our own perceptions and filters to a story
* What inspired the story UNLOCKED
* Dangers of hypnosis
* Research process behind UNLOCKED
* Suspending disbelief for the reader
* "7 Things I've Learned So Far" (an article I wrote for Writer's Digest)
* A first manuscript is a learning process and a necessary step on the path to publication
* Editing and revising our own work
* Value of community and synergy
* Writing processes
* The thrilling giddiness of getting published
* How to give a book a boost
* My current work-in-progress
* My advice to aspiring writers: "Write, write, write, and then when you're not writing, read, read, read."

Here's the link to the recording (there's a little blank spot in the middle, but keep listening, it's kind of funny -- then it's crackly for a couple of minutes but it clears up) ...

Authors on the Air Radio: An Interview Margo Kelly

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If you work in television or radio and would like to interview me, simply shoot me an email at margokelly1 @ outlook . com (without the spaces) and we'll set it up. I'm also happy to come and speak with your group in person. For more information, click on the "appearance" tab at the top of this site.

#IWSG: Writing Has Changed My Reading

The first Wednesday of the month is Insecure Writers Support Group day!

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgrou...Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

The question this month is: "How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?"

Being a writer has definitely influenced my reading experience. A book has to be exceptionally well written if I'm to fall completely into the fictive world. If the story contains poor grammar, typos, underdeveloped plot, superficial characters, or overused settings, I analyze instead of enjoy. But I've also come to appreciate the amount of work that goes into publishing a story, and I value that now more than I ever did before becoming a writer myself. Writing is hard, and publishing is even harder. 

I tip my hat to all writers. 

Keep at it.

A FLOOD of Events!

Over the next several weeks, I have exciting events happening. Join me:

February 6, 2017 - 10am-10:45am (PST)
Listen live as it happens: Radio Interview with Laura Moe on "Authors on the Air"

February 11, 2017 - 10am-12:30pm - Boise, Idaho
Idaho Writers Guild Presents: Building Blocks of Storytelling with Margo Kelly & Joshua Bellin
Click here to register!

February 17, 2017 - all day - Corpus Christi, Texas
Cybersafety is Our Shared Responsibility & Who R U Really? Behind the Scenes
Tuloso-Midway High School, Corpus Christi, Texas

February 18, 2017 - 9am-4:30pm - Corpus Christi, Texas
Teen Bookfest by the Bay - Corpus Christi, Texas

and then ...

March 2, 2017, my terrific daughter is marrying a terrific guy. Just a few things happening over the coming weeks. ;)

Book Review: THE WALLS AROUND US by Nova Ren Suma

The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Fabulous. This is the type of book that makes me want to be a better writer. I absolutely loved it. If you like ghosts stories, creepy stories, ballerina stories ... pick this one up and read it. However, consider yourself warned, it is not a cute, light, happy romance story. It is gritty. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was the ending. It left me feeling confused. I *think* I understand what happened, but I wish it had been fleshed out a bit more to make it clear. And I wish the author had clarified which characters within the story understood or knew what had happened in the end.

The story was told in a non-linear fashion, which sometimes confuses me as a reader, but I really enjoyed the format here, because it added to the mystery. While I figured out early on what had happened (maybe it was meant to be obvious) I really enjoyed the journey of the story.

I listened to the audio as well as read the Kindle version. Both were excellent.

Here are a couple of my favorite lines from the book:

"Ori made it wanted. She acted like it was lucky. And forever after, it was." (page 198)

"Home is where the heart is, and where the hell is, and where the hate is, and where the hopelessness is. Which made Aurora Hills pretty much like home." (page 26)



View all my reviews

Snow, Snow, Snow

I'm sitting here in my office next to my window, watching more snow fall.


We've had record-breaking snow accumulation here in southwestern Idaho this year ... the most in 30 years. I love snow. I love watching big giant flakes float through the air. I love watching my dogs play in the backyard, making snow angels. I even enjoy shoveling snow to clear the walkways and driveway (but truth be told, my husband does most of the shoveling).




HOWEVER, after weeks and weeks of snow and more snow ... and the constant preventive maintenance to protect our home from ice dams, snow weight, and flooding ... I'm getting tired. I don't want to dry off the dogs every time they come inside from making snow angels outside. I don't want to only wear my ugly shoes that have the best traction on ice.

In the high mountain desert of Idaho, I'm thankful for the moisture. We need it.

But now ... I'd like to pull out of my driveway without worrying I'll slide into the neighbor's car parked on his side of the street; I'd like to wear my cute Dansko shoes. I'd like to be able to go out and repair the fence to my garden area so my dogs will stop pooping in there.


Until then, I'll use Google to dream of new Dansko shoes like these:

4 Great Quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Some of my favorites:






What is your favorite quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Book Review: BREAKFAST WITH NERUDA by Laura Moe

Breakfast with Neruda by Laura Moe

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A terrific story! I typically read fast-paced thrillers, and so when I come across a contemporary YA book that holds my interest, I'm quite happy! BREAKFAST WITH NERUDA is a well-told story with unique characters trying to find their place in the world. Laura Moe's writing kept me engaged and turning pages. I needed to know what was going to happen and how the story would resolve! I look forward to reading more from Laura Moe in the future.


*** If you'd like a chance to win a signed hardback copy of this book, be sure to sign up for my email newsletter. I will be giving away a copy in the next edition going out in a couple of weeks. ***


View all my reviews

Teen Bookfest by the Bay

I'm excited to a part of the upcoming Teen Bookfest by the Bay over in Texas! Mark your calendars and plan to attend. :)

#IWSG: Writing Rules

... Yes, writing RULES the universe, but rules can ruin writing. When do you follow the rules and when do you break them? Well, that is certainly open for debate.

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgrou...
It's essential to know the rules and to choose consciously when breaking them, but there are SO many rules ... is it even realistic to know them all? No. That's why it's crucial to study and read and revisit the craft of writing as often as possible. The one rule I wish I'd never read is the one about split infinitives. I struggle constantly with them. They plague my writing - not by choice, but by personal blindness to them. Thank heavens for terrific critique partners who catch them for me.

Here are two more writing "rules" --- do you follow these?






<<<< The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer. ... This group is all about connecting! Stop in at the IWSG website to join the group. >>>>

Writing Quotes & Pretty Pictures

My friend, and fellow author, @DavidPurse takes the most amazing pictures! I asked if I could use some. He said yes. ;) And now my goal is to turn some of his pictures into terrific writing-quote memes. Below are the first two. Check back next month for more. Feel free to share, but please always give credit to David Purse for the photos and link back to this site.

Happy writing.

Oh ... and do you have a favorite quote you'd like me to include with a future meme? Let me know either by commenting or messaging.




For more great pictures, be sure to follow David:
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