Diane Chamberlain's Blog, page 42
May 2, 2009
Honey Baby Sweetie, or One of Many Reasons I Love the South
This morning I wrote a scene in which a man and woman, just getting to know each other, are out to dinner in a North Carolina restaurant. The waitress takes their order and calls the woman "sweetie". Once the waitress leaves, the man asks the woman, who happens to be a doctor, if she minds being called sweetie by a total stranger. The woman replies that, when she first moved to North Carolina, she was taken aback by the easy familiarity but now she rather likes it.
Fast forward to lunch today, when I went through the drive-thru at my local Taco Bell (cheese quesadilla; hold the jalapeno sauce). When the woman on the other side of the drive-thru window (a stunning thirtiesh Queen Latifah look-alike) handed me my food, she said "Here you go, baby." I drove away laughing, thinking about the scene I'd written and my character's response.
Unlike my character, I've never minded that sort of familiarity. Maybe living in Virginia for two decades eased me into southern hospitality -- although Northern Virginia is hardly southern. I think it's just that I don't mind being called anything kind. There are much bigger things in life to get upset about. How about you? Would a waitress in your part of the world ever call you "baby"? How would you feel about it?
The contest continues! Win a vacation on Topsail Island and help me celebrate my 20 years as an author by clicking here to learn more. You may enter once a day.
Fast forward to lunch today, when I went through the drive-thru at my local Taco Bell (cheese quesadilla; hold the jalapeno sauce). When the woman on the other side of the drive-thru window (a stunning thirtiesh Queen Latifah look-alike) handed me my food, she said "Here you go, baby." I drove away laughing, thinking about the scene I'd written and my character's response.
Unlike my character, I've never minded that sort of familiarity. Maybe living in Virginia for two decades eased me into southern hospitality -- although Northern Virginia is hardly southern. I think it's just that I don't mind being called anything kind. There are much bigger things in life to get upset about. How about you? Would a waitress in your part of the world ever call you "baby"? How would you feel about it?
The contest continues! Win a vacation on Topsail Island and help me celebrate my 20 years as an author by clicking here to learn more. You may enter once a day.
April 29, 2009
The Videos: An Unexpected Bonus
When I created the new videos about "my writing life" for my website, my plan was simply to answer the questions I'm frequently asked, so that when readers email me with those questions, I can point them to the videos for the answers. I was so pleased to learn that frequent blog commenter Brenda is using them with her students. Now I've learned that she's not the only teacher to find them valuable. I received emails today from three teachers in three different parts of the country who plan to use the videos with their students. I'm thrilled! Here's a bit from one of their emails:
I thought it was time I wrote to tell you how you're helping me teach my high school students. I've been a reader of your books for more than ten years, and when I read Before the Storm, I knew it would be an excellent book for my students to read, not only because it contains teenaged characters but because it deals with serious issues in an engrossing way. I knew my "kids" would be caught up in the story and not even notice that they were learning at the same time. Although I teach creative writing and English, this book has taught them bits and pieces about geography, psychology, health and, above all, values. When I saw the videos you now have on your site, I was over the moon! I'm developing new lesson plans using them, and I just wanted to take this time to thank you for creating them. (I need to add that I had to get parental permission for the students to read your book. It's a little spicy and salty for this age group, but every one of them agreed to let me use it!)
Isn't that cool? A big "hello!" from me to these teachers and all their students. I look forward to hearing from more of you.
http://dianechamberlain.com/blog/2009...
The contest continues! Win a vacation on Topsail Island and help me celebrate my 20 years as an author by clicking here to learn more. You may enter once a day.
I thought it was time I wrote to tell you how you're helping me teach my high school students. I've been a reader of your books for more than ten years, and when I read Before the Storm, I knew it would be an excellent book for my students to read, not only because it contains teenaged characters but because it deals with serious issues in an engrossing way. I knew my "kids" would be caught up in the story and not even notice that they were learning at the same time. Although I teach creative writing and English, this book has taught them bits and pieces about geography, psychology, health and, above all, values. When I saw the videos you now have on your site, I was over the moon! I'm developing new lesson plans using them, and I just wanted to take this time to thank you for creating them. (I need to add that I had to get parental permission for the students to read your book. It's a little spicy and salty for this age group, but every one of them agreed to let me use it!)
Isn't that cool? A big "hello!" from me to these teachers and all their students. I look forward to hearing from more of you.
http://dianechamberlain.com/blog/2009...
The contest continues! Win a vacation on Topsail Island and help me celebrate my 20 years as an author by clicking here to learn more. You may enter once a day.
April 27, 2009
The "Frequently Asked Questions" Videos
The short videos John and I made are now up on the video page of my website. I created these to address the questions I'm most frequently asked by readers as well as by aspiring writers. There are five videos, and they cover my start as a writer, where I "get my ideas" (which has to be the most frequently asked question!), how I create characters, my writing process, and advice for aspiring writers. We had a good time (mostly) putting these together. I hope you enjoy them!
http://www.dianechamberlain.com/chamb...
The contest continues! Win a vacation on Topsail Island and help me celebrate my 20 years as an author by clicking here to learn more. You may enter once a day.
http://topsail-online.com/dianecontest/
http://www.dianechamberlain.com/chamb...
The contest continues! Win a vacation on Topsail Island and help me celebrate my 20 years as an author by clicking here to learn more. You may enter once a day.
http://topsail-online.com/dianecontest/
April 21, 2009
What a Weekend! Part Two....
So, as I mentioned, we checked into our hotel, the Blockade Runner, in Wrightsville Beach. The hotel was hosting the annual convention of the North Carolina chapter of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, and those women were the reason I was there. They'd selected me as the 2009 winner of their annual award for creative writing, the Lucy Bramlette Patterson award. (That's GFWC-NC President Beverly Lassiter on my right). I can't tell you what an honor it is for me to be recognized as a North Carolina writer. As I told the group, I've only lived in North Carolina for four years, but my heart has been here much longer. Those of you who've long read my books know that I've used North Carolina settings almost since the beginning.
I also spoke to the group at their luncheon. The night before, I 'cased the joint' to see where the luncheon would be held so I could decide whether to give a "formal" or "informal" speech. It looked like I'd be speaking in the ballroom, so I thought "Okay. Formal." As it turned out, though, the luncheon was held in a giant tent on the beach and the (many many) officers marched into the tent to the song "Boogie Shoes" blasting from the loudspeakers. Needless to say, I scratched my formal speech! The audience was so much fun and I had a great time. The Two Sisters Bookery brought books to the event, but quickly sold out, so I hope those women who were disappointed are quickly able to find copies of the books they want.
John had been out taking pictures, and when he arrived back at the hotel, we went out to dinner because we hadn't quite eaten enough seafood the night before (that's a joke). I had phenomenal shrimp scampi this time at Southbeach Grill, an amazing hole-in-the-wall looking restaurant that turned out to be anything but. Sunday, we wandered around Wilmington again, with me pestering various people about hurricanes for my research. Then we drove the 2 1/2 hours home to the pups, who were thrilled to see us. Today, I can't snap my jeans. Wonder why?
Thank you, GFWC! I'll never forget this honor or your joyous enthusiasm.
I also spoke to the group at their luncheon. The night before, I 'cased the joint' to see where the luncheon would be held so I could decide whether to give a "formal" or "informal" speech. It looked like I'd be speaking in the ballroom, so I thought "Okay. Formal." As it turned out, though, the luncheon was held in a giant tent on the beach and the (many many) officers marched into the tent to the song "Boogie Shoes" blasting from the loudspeakers. Needless to say, I scratched my formal speech! The audience was so much fun and I had a great time. The Two Sisters Bookery brought books to the event, but quickly sold out, so I hope those women who were disappointed are quickly able to find copies of the books they want.
John had been out taking pictures, and when he arrived back at the hotel, we went out to dinner because we hadn't quite eaten enough seafood the night before (that's a joke). I had phenomenal shrimp scampi this time at Southbeach Grill, an amazing hole-in-the-wall looking restaurant that turned out to be anything but. Sunday, we wandered around Wilmington again, with me pestering various people about hurricanes for my research. Then we drove the 2 1/2 hours home to the pups, who were thrilled to see us. Today, I can't snap my jeans. Wonder why?
Thank you, GFWC! I'll never forget this honor or your joyous enthusiasm.
April 20, 2009
What a Weekend! Part One...
We just returned from a wonderful weekend in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, NC. I'd never been to either place, and since my current work-in-progress is set in that area, I thought it was about time I got down there to explore. Actually, I should say that my current work-in-progress will destroy the area (via a couple of nasty hurricanes), which is really a shame because it's beautiful. Wilmington is a lovely little city full of history--some of it not pretty; the sort that teaches lessons for the future. But the Wilmington of today is a stunner with three of my favorite things--a riverwalk, yummy seafood, and Spanish moss--and it's considered the Hollywood of the east coast, where nearly 200 movies and many TV shows (Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, etc) have been filmed.
The highlight of our visit to Wilmington was meeting my publicists, Tori and Kim, (above) of Clove Marketing. They were spirited and enthusiastic and I feel so lucky to have them in my corner!
Then it was across the bridge to Wrightsville Beach, where our hotel room had a fabulous view of the harbor, where a lobster dinner awaited us, and where our next adventure was about to unfold.
To be continued. . .
The highlight of our visit to Wilmington was meeting my publicists, Tori and Kim, (above) of Clove Marketing. They were spirited and enthusiastic and I feel so lucky to have them in my corner!
Then it was across the bridge to Wrightsville Beach, where our hotel room had a fabulous view of the harbor, where a lobster dinner awaited us, and where our next adventure was about to unfold.
To be continued. . .
April 15, 2009
The Contest: Would You Like a Vacation on Topsail Isand?
I'm thrilled to unveil the contest we've been waiting for! A while back, I asked you, my blog readers, for ways I could celebrate my twenty year anniversary as an author with you. Frequent commenter, Glen Pierce, took the ball and ran with it! Glen lives on Topsail Island, North Carolina, the setting for Before the Storm and Secrets She Left Behind, and he came up with the idea for this fabulous contest.
Just listen: First prize winner will win an off-season vacation on Topsail Island, including accomodations and dinners at the Island's best restaurants. In addition, that first prize winner will receive two invitations to a celebration held in my honor in mid-May. A second place winner will receive a $200 bookstore gift certificate, and ten others will receive autographed copies of my books. I'm so grateful to Glen and to Topsail realtor Sterling Bryson for dreaming this up, as well as to the Topsail Island businesses who are sponsoring it.
How to enter? You can click on the contest link on my home page, or go directly to the contest page. You'll need to answer a few easy questions about Before the Storm, and limit your entry to once a day. Then cross your fingers for good luck!
Just listen: First prize winner will win an off-season vacation on Topsail Island, including accomodations and dinners at the Island's best restaurants. In addition, that first prize winner will receive two invitations to a celebration held in my honor in mid-May. A second place winner will receive a $200 bookstore gift certificate, and ten others will receive autographed copies of my books. I'm so grateful to Glen and to Topsail realtor Sterling Bryson for dreaming this up, as well as to the Topsail Island businesses who are sponsoring it.
How to enter? You can click on the contest link on my home page, or go directly to the contest page. You'll need to answer a few easy questions about Before the Storm, and limit your entry to once a day. Then cross your fingers for good luck!
April 14, 2009
Why We Write About What We Write About
Do you have a favorite author? And if you do, have you noticed how often the same themes emerge in his or her work? Oh, the stories might be very different from one another, but if you stop to think about them, you'll most likely see similarities at the core of each one of them.
In my case, I often write about overcoming fear and coping with loss, as well as about forgiveness and compassion. And always, or very nearly always, my characters come out on top.
If you explore any given author's body of work, you can learn a great deal about him or her, because writers can't help but write about the things they fear and the things they value. On the fear side, they select--usually unconsciously-- situations they long to be able to control. The loss of a loved one is the most extreme example of this. It's unbearable to lose someone you love, but by fictionalizing such a loss, the writer has total control over the emotions and actions of the people left behind. The power that accompanies that control can be both reassuring and enlightening for the author, and by extension, for the reader as well.
When I'd finished writing my second book, Lovers and Strangers, one of my friends mentioned how odd it was that I wrote about a brave woman who traveled to the Amazon Jungle when I was so fearful of physical risk myself. I suddenly understood why I'd created Shawn Ryder: she was the woman I wished I could be. Writing about the scary situations she encountered gave me control over them. And there was an added bonus: as I wrote about Shawn, I actually became braver myself.
Writing about the things we value, though, can be a slippery slope. Writers need to be cautious not to pound the reader over the head with their agendas. The story itself needs to be most important, with any thematic message sneaking in through the back door so quietly that it resgisters in the heart of the reader rather than the head.
If you're a writer, have you thought about why you write what you write? And if you're a reader, how aware are you of themes in the stories of your favorite authors?
In my case, I often write about overcoming fear and coping with loss, as well as about forgiveness and compassion. And always, or very nearly always, my characters come out on top.
If you explore any given author's body of work, you can learn a great deal about him or her, because writers can't help but write about the things they fear and the things they value. On the fear side, they select--usually unconsciously-- situations they long to be able to control. The loss of a loved one is the most extreme example of this. It's unbearable to lose someone you love, but by fictionalizing such a loss, the writer has total control over the emotions and actions of the people left behind. The power that accompanies that control can be both reassuring and enlightening for the author, and by extension, for the reader as well.
When I'd finished writing my second book, Lovers and Strangers, one of my friends mentioned how odd it was that I wrote about a brave woman who traveled to the Amazon Jungle when I was so fearful of physical risk myself. I suddenly understood why I'd created Shawn Ryder: she was the woman I wished I could be. Writing about the scary situations she encountered gave me control over them. And there was an added bonus: as I wrote about Shawn, I actually became braver myself.
Writing about the things we value, though, can be a slippery slope. Writers need to be cautious not to pound the reader over the head with their agendas. The story itself needs to be most important, with any thematic message sneaking in through the back door so quietly that it resgisters in the heart of the reader rather than the head.
If you're a writer, have you thought about why you write what you write? And if you're a reader, how aware are you of themes in the stories of your favorite authors?
April 12, 2009
Happy Holiday!
I wish my readers who celebrate Easter or Passover a joyful time with family and friends.
My California granddaughter, CC, is in town for the festivities. She's now fifteen months old and a smiley little thing. I gave her this little outfit and when we saw how perfectly she matched one of our dogs, Keeper, John had to whisk both of them downstairs to the studio to take their picture.
Easter will be at our house tomorrow with lots of extended family, tons of food, and plastic eggs hidden all over the living room, some of which I'm sure I'll be finding well into the fall. I plan to forget about writing for 24 hours (we'll see how that goes. . . ) and enjoy the day.
Have fun, everyone!
My California granddaughter, CC, is in town for the festivities. She's now fifteen months old and a smiley little thing. I gave her this little outfit and when we saw how perfectly she matched one of our dogs, Keeper, John had to whisk both of them downstairs to the studio to take their picture.
Easter will be at our house tomorrow with lots of extended family, tons of food, and plastic eggs hidden all over the living room, some of which I'm sure I'll be finding well into the fall. I plan to forget about writing for 24 hours (we'll see how that goes. . . ) and enjoy the day.
Have fun, everyone!
April 8, 2009
Patience: To Self Publish or Not?
When it comes to writing and getting published, patience is indeed a virtue.
I know I may make some people angry by writing about this. If you're one of them (or even if you're not!) feel free to jump in with your own thoughts. I'll listen. But my hope in writing about this topic is not to annoy or depress, but to help those of you who want to get published to actually get published--one way or another.
There has been a huge rise in self publishing over the past decade. HUGE! I could get into all the pros and cons of self-publishing, but that would take more space than I have here so I'll simply say that the two major cons are 1) the author generally pays the publisher rather than the other way around and 2) the author does all or nearly all of his or her own promotion and distribution. (That said, I've mentioned lulu before as a self-publisher that does not suck the writer dry, and I still think they're a pretty good company. For an excellent article weighing the pros and cons in detail click here).
Why the rush to self-publish? In my opinion, it has quite a bit to do with patience -- or the lack of it. This topic was discussed recently on one of my published authors' email loops, and it started me thinking. The authors chatted about how we started out. Nearly all of us wrote an entire manuscript, then had others read and comment. Then we revised our manuscripts, often tossing half the original pages away. Then we solicited more comments, revised again, and on and on until we'd created books that were as near to perfection as we could possibly make them. During this process, some of us took classes to learn how to perfect our writing skills or our storytelling ability. Then we began the painstaking search for an agent, sending out twenty, thirty, forty or more carefully crafted query letters at a time. We collected rejection letters and started the cycle all over again until we finally hit the right agent who was intrigued by our particular story and who just happened to get out of bed on the right side that morning. Then--most likely--the cycle of rejection started all over again (this time by the publishing houses) as our agents sent the manuscripts out to various editors. More feedback was collected and we went back to the drawing board--or rather, the computer keyboard--to revise once more.
I can't help feeling that many writers today, anxious to see their manuscript bound and available on Amazon, are rushing the process. My heart goes out to them; it truly does. As someone who started a book in 1981 and didn't see it on the bookstore shelves until 1989, I get it. I may have turned to a self-publishing company myself had they been so easily available back then. But where would I be now? Would I be making a living as a novelist? I doubt it, and frankly, that, along with a yearning to entertain, was part of my goal.
Maybe that's not your goal, however, and that's what you need to figure out. What is it you're hoping to accomplish? If you're on the fence, debating whether or not to go the self publishing route, ask yourself these questions: Have I taken to heart the critique of my friends and mentors and worked and reworked my manuscript to make it the best story I can produce--with the best grammar and punctuation it deserves--and still can't "get published"? Have I queried, through the appropriate channels (educate yourself as to what those channels are!), at least forty agents and listened carefully to their feedback? Is the most important thing to me to make my book available for others to read, regardless of how poor the distribution of that book may be? Am I willing to do the lion's share of promotion myself? If you can answer "yes" to all these questions, then self-publishing may indeed be the right answer for you (and there are indeed writers who have been "discovered" when their self-pubbed books suddenly caught fire. Not easy and not often, but it has happened). But if even one of those questions received a "no," then please, fellow writers, have patience.
I'd love from those of you who have self-published successfully and how you made that decision, as well as from those of you still on the fence. I know that must be a mighty uncomfortable place to be!
I know I may make some people angry by writing about this. If you're one of them (or even if you're not!) feel free to jump in with your own thoughts. I'll listen. But my hope in writing about this topic is not to annoy or depress, but to help those of you who want to get published to actually get published--one way or another.
There has been a huge rise in self publishing over the past decade. HUGE! I could get into all the pros and cons of self-publishing, but that would take more space than I have here so I'll simply say that the two major cons are 1) the author generally pays the publisher rather than the other way around and 2) the author does all or nearly all of his or her own promotion and distribution. (That said, I've mentioned lulu before as a self-publisher that does not suck the writer dry, and I still think they're a pretty good company. For an excellent article weighing the pros and cons in detail click here).
Why the rush to self-publish? In my opinion, it has quite a bit to do with patience -- or the lack of it. This topic was discussed recently on one of my published authors' email loops, and it started me thinking. The authors chatted about how we started out. Nearly all of us wrote an entire manuscript, then had others read and comment. Then we revised our manuscripts, often tossing half the original pages away. Then we solicited more comments, revised again, and on and on until we'd created books that were as near to perfection as we could possibly make them. During this process, some of us took classes to learn how to perfect our writing skills or our storytelling ability. Then we began the painstaking search for an agent, sending out twenty, thirty, forty or more carefully crafted query letters at a time. We collected rejection letters and started the cycle all over again until we finally hit the right agent who was intrigued by our particular story and who just happened to get out of bed on the right side that morning. Then--most likely--the cycle of rejection started all over again (this time by the publishing houses) as our agents sent the manuscripts out to various editors. More feedback was collected and we went back to the drawing board--or rather, the computer keyboard--to revise once more.
I can't help feeling that many writers today, anxious to see their manuscript bound and available on Amazon, are rushing the process. My heart goes out to them; it truly does. As someone who started a book in 1981 and didn't see it on the bookstore shelves until 1989, I get it. I may have turned to a self-publishing company myself had they been so easily available back then. But where would I be now? Would I be making a living as a novelist? I doubt it, and frankly, that, along with a yearning to entertain, was part of my goal.
Maybe that's not your goal, however, and that's what you need to figure out. What is it you're hoping to accomplish? If you're on the fence, debating whether or not to go the self publishing route, ask yourself these questions: Have I taken to heart the critique of my friends and mentors and worked and reworked my manuscript to make it the best story I can produce--with the best grammar and punctuation it deserves--and still can't "get published"? Have I queried, through the appropriate channels (educate yourself as to what those channels are!), at least forty agents and listened carefully to their feedback? Is the most important thing to me to make my book available for others to read, regardless of how poor the distribution of that book may be? Am I willing to do the lion's share of promotion myself? If you can answer "yes" to all these questions, then self-publishing may indeed be the right answer for you (and there are indeed writers who have been "discovered" when their self-pubbed books suddenly caught fire. Not easy and not often, but it has happened). But if even one of those questions received a "no," then please, fellow writers, have patience.
I'd love from those of you who have self-published successfully and how you made that decision, as well as from those of you still on the fence. I know that must be a mighty uncomfortable place to be!
April 5, 2009
Website Update!
My website's had a bit of an update that I want to share with you. The layout is different for the home page, the books page and a few other areas here and there. Secrets She Left Behind , available May 26th, is now the featured book, and you can read Chapter One if you like. SSLB has received a couple of lovely reviews so far, and I look forward to more! The Courage Tree also has its own page now. I've added some new pictures to the gallery , and the book trailers for Secrets She Left Behind and Before the Storm are featured on the new 'video' page.
Check out the events page to see where I'll be appearing -- especially that "Dinner with the Author" on Emerald Isle in July. Any appearance that includes food is always fun for me!
There is now a 'contest' page on the site! At the moment, it's empty, but very soon it will be filled with information about the big '20-year anniversary' contest. I'll be sure to alert you about it here on the blog. Also coming soon to the video page are the mini-interviews John and I created about the writing life. John's putting the finishing touches on them now.
As you peruse the updated site, please do let me know if you notice anything that's not working properly. And when you check out the gallery, you have to tell me what you think of that original cover concept for Keeper of the Light!
Have fun!
Check out the events page to see where I'll be appearing -- especially that "Dinner with the Author" on Emerald Isle in July. Any appearance that includes food is always fun for me!
There is now a 'contest' page on the site! At the moment, it's empty, but very soon it will be filled with information about the big '20-year anniversary' contest. I'll be sure to alert you about it here on the blog. Also coming soon to the video page are the mini-interviews John and I created about the writing life. John's putting the finishing touches on them now.
As you peruse the updated site, please do let me know if you notice anything that's not working properly. And when you check out the gallery, you have to tell me what you think of that original cover concept for Keeper of the Light!
Have fun!
