Golden Apple
Happy Friday! You and me made it another week. Whew. Yeah baby! Don’t be tardy for the party. Ooooo Ooooo. About 6 of you will get that. The rest will think I’m cra-a-zy. Please excuse me. How dreadful. LOL.Well, I am happy it’s Friday as you can tell. Last night I had a very un-dreadful night slipping out of Freshchester, as my dear friend calls it, and heading down to the city to celebrate some very fine people in the romance writing industry at my local RWA/NYC chapter’s Golden Apple Awards.The honorees were:Lifetime Achievement: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Author of the Year: Patt Mihailoff-Go Patt!!
Editor of the Year: Brenda Chin(Harlequin)Publisher of the Year:Harlequin
Agent of the Year:Miriam Kriss(The Irene Goodman Literary Agency)Bookseller of the Year: Clove Lake Book Store (Staten Island)Librarian of the Year: Jeanne Sylvester (Nutley Public Library)What a wonderful night for an industry that I love. Big congrats to all the honorees!Best,KwanaConfirmation
What’s Jack up to? He is so needing a bath. It’s all rainy so that’s strike #1 against that bath deal. Also I don’t have the energy so that’s strike #2. And as for strike #3 see #2.
I don’t talking about my writing all that much here, well, maybe I do I don’t know where I am on the narcissistic writer scale but today I’m talking… a bit. It’s part of the story.
There are times when life gives you signs to keep pushing forward. A confirmation of sorts.One of my stories, book, novels whateves that I’m looking to sell is a YA (young adult) in which the heroine takes up gambling in order to save for the college of her dreams and in order to get money for her grandmother’s mounting medical bills when she shows signs of Alzheimer’s.
As a writer (well any type of artist) you put a bit of yourself out there with every submission. And yes. You know it’s all subjective and you keep that in mind but still you can’t help that twist in your gut every time you hit send and with every bit of feedback you get in return. It takes a lot to keep putting yourself out there day after day.
The other day I went to the doctor for a routine visit. Now my doctor has a lot of elderly patients that use his practice. I’m not sure why this is since he’s about 40-ish, but he does. Well, I’m in the waiting room wondering if I’ll get a flu shot, ouch (I did) when an elderly couple comes in along with a younger (about my age) woman. Now the older woman was, this is the only way I can describe it, full of piss and vinegar. She just about cracked me up walking in saying just how I felt about being there.
Lady loudly and not happy: Why do I have to come so far?
Husband: It’s not that far.
Lady: Well too far too me. They should make house calls.
Husband: Nobody makes house calls anymore. You’re not going to find that.
They both sit.
Husband: Well, you don’t have to come back for 3 months.
Lady: I’m not coming back!I’m thinking I hear ya, Lady.
The younger woman comes up after giving their info to the front desk and stands in front of the couple. She has a gentle way and starts to talk about someone calling the lady.
Lady: He doesn’t have to call me every day!
Husband: Shhh… Please don’t be so loud.
Lady: Don’t Shhh me!
Younger woman: Mom I thought you’d just like to see how he is. He’s doing so well and loves to speak with you.
Lady looking up at the younger women: Now softly: Are you my daughter?My heart wretches and I start to blink fast. Must keep back the tears.
Younger woman softly and with so much love: Yes, Mom I’m your daughter.
I think of my book and what the granddaughter does to get the overpriced meds for her grandmother to keep her Alzheimer’s at bay. I’m still submitting and tweaking the story. Anything to make it even better. Anything to get it out there. Health care is so important. Love is so vital. Perseverance is life.Best,
KwanaAge of Excess/Recess
What’s Jack up to? As I write this Jack is curled in a ball asleep on his bed looking like a bit of mop top. He needs a hair cut bad. The poor thing is still out of sorts with the new food. He’s eating it but doesn’t have his usual energy that he did with his old chow. Aww Jack perk up. You’ll get though this soon.Happy Friday!This is a bit of a 2 parter.
There was this article in The New York Times about a trend in chicklit which saw it going towards more recession conscious kinds of stories as opposed to being about excess. Call it Recession lit? Ugh isn’t tagging fiction annoying. I’m so feeling like it is now. The trend makes sense for some books but I’m not fond of blanket statements.Sidebar: For me, chicklit, which I adore and write has never been something that was solely a lifestyle thing. For me it was more a voice thing and a certain kind of coming of age or life/realization story. The fact that it has constantly been tagged as city, latte, excess frivolous fiction always pricked at me a bit and completely oversimplified a very compelling and in many cases well written genre. One that deals with women growing and changing while being entertaining. No easy task.But the reason I’m writing this now is as I was Tweeting and having a fab virtual party over The Real Housewives of Atlanta this occurred to me:
“Oh Dwight! The fact that this is the top show goes so against the recession chick lit talk. http://bit.ly/giZqQ“Part 2.Then I thought and tweeted (what a silly word):“Of course I’m still into reading and writing excess lit. I like my books like I like my TV fun and an escape. Fun!”I had a bit of hesitation typing that one. Crazy huh? But it’s amazing how often I feel I have to apologize, wrong word, justify my taste in books and television. Lately, I seem to spend a lot of time explaining it and why I don’t feel guilty for liking what I like or for taking the time to enjoy the things I enjoy. Dang, it’s like I can’t eat Popeye’s fried chicken and read a fun book in mixed company without folks clutching their pearls!Why is it we feel that so much has to be justified and why do we feel the need to judge others on things like art and entertainment? Does what you watch on TV give any clue to a PhD?Best,KwanaP.S.I also tweeted:Best scene of the night: Nene giving Shree’s friend the gas face. I can’t stop laughing! #rhoaThat scene was too funny. Did you watch. Fess up!The Second Half
So I finally finished my handwritten edits on my summer hot mess manuscript. And I’m happy to report the story isn’t that much of a hot mess. There’s a reason I couldn’t let go of it and wanted to go back and edit it again. The main characters. They are relatable and real and I really care about their story of marital un-bliss. So go me! I hope others will too.
That said there is still plenty of work ahead.Now it’s time for the second half of the game where I get up close and personal with my Dell laptop. As if we aren’t close enough. So back to the Bat Cave. See you as I come up for air.
Best,
Kwana
Bad Writing
Happy Friday!
What’s Jack up to? As I write this (late Thursday night) the Jackster is right under me up under my bed snoring lightly. Poor thing, he’s worked so hard. Trying to sneak into the trash multiple times, but I was up on my game and thwarted him each time. I’m sure today he’ll come for me with extra strength. I’ll be ready. I hope.
What is bad writing?
I find it hard to define, but it’s something you know when you read it. Now being in a book club the subject of bad writing has become an interesting and lively debate.
For me it’s writing that doesn’t flow or hold my attention. It’s definitely writing that I have to go back and read a few times in order to understand or writing that doesn’t ring true and I don’t mean in a fantasy way I mean in an authentic way.
I’m very interested in this documentary Bad Writing with George Saunders and David Sedaris.
So how would you describe Bad Writing? This post maybe? Ouch!
Have a great day.
Best,
KwanaDoubt
“You need to learn to Doubt your Doubts.”
These were the best words that I heard over this weekend. They were spoken by my pastor in church this Sunday. The sermon topic was: “Faith that conquers fear”.Fear. My own dear friend and late night snack companion. Then the question came up: well, what do you do when you have doubts?Doubts. Those insidious little creatures that seep into your head telling you that you: can’t write it, have no talent, it won’t work out, you won’t succeed, all is lost, your looks are gone, your body is shot, you don’t have the smarts, it’s over or whatever else your nasty little creature like to whisper.We all have Doubts. But a good way to deal with doubts is to learn to doubt them.Hmm… Doubt the Doubts. Put them on the defensive (eek I hope I used that term right DH). Break the paralyzing hold they have, making them less effective and faith more powerful. Tell that little creature critic to SHUT UP. Brush it off your shoulder and move on. There is work to do. I’m feeling powerful.Sidebar: Um, friends remind me to give this speech to myself again in about 3 or 4 days when I’ll no Doubt (ha) be needing it again.On another note: I was quoted in The New York Times from my earlier post on Frank McCourt. You can read the Times article here. Thanks to all the new visitors who have stopped by. Welcome. I hope you come on back or better yet follow me. Gasp.
The best parts about being in The Times?
1. Honoring Mr. McCourt
2. It’s not that far a stretch from The Bestseller List.
3. Being called a romance writer without a bit of snark or a ripped bodice. WIN!Best,
KwanaOne Word At A Time
Going on right now is the annual Romance Writers of America conference in Washington DC. No, I’m not there this year I’m here in NY, but keeping up vicariously though twitter. Sigh. Of course this would be the year that they give out the most awesome conference bag ev-ah.
Thanks to Sarah from Smart Bitches for the twitpic of the bags from Harlequin. How cool are these? Like I need another tote, but… Sigh again.
Oh well, that is not what this post is about. This post is all about my love of Nora Roberts/ J.D. Robb. See Nora is a member of RWA too and is always in attendance being most gracious in her fab shoes and giving out very meaningful advice. Here she is at a Washington Post event. Click here to read the full article. Oh, and check out the beginning. Is that my friend Laura there? Hi Laura!!Best,
KwanaP.S.
Shout out to Nana. I promise to make up for the lack of signed a Nora book next year. Love ya!P.P.S.
That muse can kiss my, well, ya know.P.P.P.S
Thanks Twitter and YouTube for the clip.Wordless Wednesday- Found in the Wash
Items found in the DD’s wash.
Lucky the machine didn’t break.Best,
KwanaP.S.
Button says: “think like an artist-concentrate on something challenging for a long period of time.”Write Right
What’s Jack up to? Mr. Pushy has been just that lately. Pushing his luck with the early wake up calls and coming over to my side of the bed giving it a bit of a hard shove. He may look small but that dog is strong. Oh Jack, you know I’m not a morning person. Lord knows you get quite the attitude when folks come around messing with your afternoon naps.Twitter can be the devil, but it can also be a wonderful thing if used correctly. Last week I posted a Friday tweet question.What are your favorite writing books? Please RT.
I’m happy to say I got lots of good responses and some of the books were new to me. Here is the list in pretty pics. Some that got multiple nods: Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, Steven King’s On Writing and Forest For The Trees by Betsy Lerner.
And you thought you could just sit and write. Well, I know I at least hoped.Please share some of your faves that were not on the list or tell me if you’re a writer that just wings it. I have to say, though I have a few of these and reference back to them often I have the hardest time getting through a writing book. Maybe that’s my problem. Hmph!Now if you’re not a writer what sort of tools do you use to hone your craft?Best,KwanaA New POV
So I have a new lover. And shock of all shock, this one isn’t a handbag, but it will fit very nicely inside just about any that I have thankyouverymuch.
It’s the Sony 505. Squeal!!!
I can’t tell you have excited I am over this. I just get all tingly thinking about it. Book upon book upon book all in one slim sexy little device. Just holding it feels positively decadent.Cut to me with the DH sleeping on one side and my 505 on the other. Bliss.So far I have 15 books on my reader. I mean just imagine if I were lugging those 15 books around with me. Not very cute. And the lovely thing about the Sony is I am able to put my own documents on it too so I can read my current work on the go and look it it from a new POV (Point of View).
Could it be that this library lover is a digital girl? I think so.Anything worth you looking at this week from a new POV?Best,Kwana
