As a self-published author marketing my book becomes an important part of everyday. The book was written knowing millions of cruise travelers see the world each year. Actually in 2009 that estimate was over fifteen million travelers were on cruise ships. Finding that market through the travel sites has been my focus as well as creating placards and brochures for booksellers. The characters in the second book are complete. Two characters from the first book will make an appearance and Lawrence's illness will be revealed. I know this book will be longer and the women who have dates with Lawrence present with more complicated journeys . I am looking into publishing pressed books, essentially a hardback book produced on individual orders. I hope your summer has offered you the time to read and most importantly the time for yourself. Patricia
On June 16, I sat in the front row listening to the articulate, funny voice of Ann Patchett, the author I have followed and read all of her books including, Magician’s Assistant whose storyline speaks to the love in a friendship between a man and woman A friendship, not a future marriage but a solid caring, embracing, protective love of two individuals .Gentleman Companion One evolved from knowing the value of a friendship between a man and woman without any strings of commitment.
On tour for her latest book, State of Wonder she spoke of her research in the Amazon jungles, visualizing a cesarean section and how her ideas became characters and how her visions became her book. I found myself nodding as she shared her journey as a novelist and how her friends were defined as "gifts from a fairy godmother" with their editing contributions. When a participant asked Ann to offer insight into one of the characters, Ann responded with “As a writer I leave room for you the reader by bringing half of the information about a character to you, and you as a reader must bring the other half and move forward." Those words are now pasted on one of my walls, I am proud to say my characters are not all predictable, and through my writing, I ask the readers to seek their own endings . For those of you who have read my book, Ann Patchett is listed on my thank you page as one of the authors who has influenced me. I had written that page months ago, not knowing I would have the opportunity to meet her. To now put a face and voice to her words, my passion to write is strengthened I spent all day on Saturday June 4 attending a writing seminar at Seattle's Hugo House, a gift to anyone who has dreamed of writing, a validation for your passion to write, and a protective cocoon of acceptance of any word spoken or written. I was initially hesitant, how would I fit with other writers? What did they look like? What should I wear? All fears dissolved within the welcoming house.
I chose topics based on my current writing, dialog, descriptions, listening to the spoken word, and interpretation of writings. When we were "prompted" or guided to write by our talented teachers, the room became silent and notebooks became filled with words. At first, I resisted. How could I write in a room of strangers? where was my classical music to play with my thoughts? Amazingly, I found myself writing and even reading my story in front of an open microphone at lunch. Did I have a favorite? Not necessarily but I will always smile and reflect on the class where we were asked to interpret a poem read in Spanish by our teacher Eugenia Toledo-Keyser. What did we hear when she read the words? What do you feel the words are saying to you? Almost like listening to classical music, I found myself effortlessly transformed though a language I did not speak. Evan J. Peterson asked us to indulge "our word tooth" by focusing on sensuous images of hearing, tasting, seeing, touching and smelling. I will share my writing from my experience of wine tasting in Leavenworth, Washington the prior weekend. Do you find the five senses in my words? Grapevines tiny green buds covered the arch above our heads as we sat around his table. Swarms of grosbeaks flew over the fence teasing the pride of thirteen cats that perched on stairs, custom made patio cushions, and offered calf massages to our stilled feet. Our winemaker poured red wine into our wine glasses centered on the turntable. Red streaks drifted slowly down forming a pool of red hue. The aroma met my nose, a whirl on my tongue and the cherry chocolate flavor left me craving a paper wrapped cherry cordial. |
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