Book Launch

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOn December 10, 2013, I was thrilled to be part of a book launch at Towne Center Books in Pleasanton, CA. Four authors, including me, joined in reading excerpts from our books. Julaina Kleist-Corwin and I read from our true Christmas romance stories, which appear in an anthology, A Kiss Under the Mistletoe by Jennifer Basye Sander. This book was published by Harlequin and released on October 29, 2013, in time for the holiday season. It is available on www.amazon.com in paperback or Kindle formats. It is also on Nook. Jordan Bernal’s novel, The Keepers of Eire, is set in Ireland. It’s an adult fantasy book that takes you into the world of dragons and magic. You can order it on Kindle or from Jordan’s website: www.jordanbernal.com. Elaine Schmitz’s cookbook, Recipes and Recollections of My Greek American Family contains entertaining tales and delectable recipes, which range from easy to gourmet. To order: www.elaineschmitz-writer.com.

Our warm, welcoming audience had the chance to purchase books and we were privileged to autograph them. We basked in the glow of the evening as our audience laughed and applauded. We enjoyed our fifteen minutes of fame and look forward to more chances to promote our work in our progression of being published.

Any success in publishing I receive also goes to my critique group and my writing teacher, Julaina Kleist-Corwin, who encouraged me to enter this contest. My learning curve has been steep, and the practice of my craft is important. Previous credits were in local anthologies, which was a good start. Now, I desire to continue writing and entering other contests for short essays, stories and poems. This should help me build a better following, which will aid in sales of my novel when that day comes.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of the support of my fellow writers who cheer me to go forward and also critique my writing, as well as the family and friends who encourage me to write. I appreciate everyone who has purchased this book. Your support has been a source of encouragement to me.

The Awful Rough Draft

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cropped-P8190838.jpgOnce I wrote the rough draft of my novel, I allowed myself to subscribe to Writers’ Digest magazine to supplement what I learned at writers’ club. Why? Because I wrote a book. And with fear of the unknown I joined a novel writers’ critique group. People were kind but honest in their opinions. I revised and revised, and wondered if I had the ability to write. Stubborn like my dad, I forged ahead.

At writers’ club I heard a book editor speak and decided to hire her to proof my manuscript. I didn’t know how to proceed with my novel. She responded with a written appraisal, suggested edits and ways to improve. I followed her advice and continued to submit a chapter at a time to the critique group. More revisions needed. Oh, dear.
About two-thirds of the way through a major re-write, I seemed to finally understand the necessary ingredients to make a book successful. My critique group became excited about what I wrote and encouraged me to continue to work on my novel. I needed that.

I decided to take a writing class, which one of my writer friends suggested. She said it was low key, but good. People took turns reading portions of their writing aloud, and then comments from the class were given on how to improve. One day, I finally decided to read the first three pages of my novel. Comments and suggestions were given, and I gave my teacher a copy. At the next class, she suggested I change the beginning. It needed more tension and she gave me an idea about what to do. I liked it. Another major re-write ensued.

The urge to be done with this tome waxes and wanes. Sometimes I want to quit and start a new novel. But I’ve invested so much time and energy in this book, I will continue to edit it until it’s as perfect as possible.
To keep me motivated, I submit essays, poetry and short stories to contests. I’ve had a few successes, which build my confidence.

Determined to Write

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About seven years ago a good friend invited me to attend the California Writers’ Club, Tri-valley branch. I attended the meetings once a month and heard published authors speak about how to build a story. Sometimes the enormity of what I wanted to do overwhelmed me. However, I joined a short story critique group and to my dismay realized I had much to learn. Determined, I continued.

Approximately six years ago, I learned about NaNoWriMo  – National Novel Writers’ Month, held in November every year. Suddenly, I felt inspired to write the challenge of a 50,000 word novel in one month. If you’re a writer, you know that’s a daunting task. I thought of a vague storyline, but something was missing.

In a dream my mother said, “You need a plot.” My mother had died in mid-October and this message seemed surreal. She didn’t know I wanted to write a novel. I traveled to our vacation home on the coast and started the journey on November 1st.  With my hands poised on the keys of my laptop I was ready to start. What to say? A few words came, and then more. As I wrote, inspiration struck me and the plot came to mind.

About mid-way through the writing of the novel, my laptop died. Frantic, I called my husband. I thought he might know how to revive my computer or at least advise me to get a new one. I couldn’t reach him. I left a voicemail message and waited a while. Time passed and I decided to take the plunge.  I drove to the nearest COSTCO about eighty miles away and purchased another laptop.

After I returned, I realized I didn’t have a copy of what I wrote previously. However, I had emailed one copy to my husband, and he sent that back to me. I also learned a lesson – have a back-up plan.

When I didn’t know what to write next, I paced the floor or looked out the window at the ocean or took a walk. I’d return to my computer and continue. Even though we observed the Thanksgiving holiday, I finished the first draft of my novel. I uploaded it to the NaNoWriMo site two days ahead of time and received my certificate. Excitement filled me. I decided to call myself a writer.

Inspiration to Write

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Unlike other writers who know at an early age they want to write books, the desire to tell a story occurred in my early thirties. An ad for a children’s correspondence writing course caught my eye. I checked out the reputation of the company and decided to commit to the program. My husband encouraged me, and promised to help with more household chores and the care of our son since I also worked full-time. I completed the requirements, which included writing exercises and two short stories. I gained a sense of what it’s like to write but realized my heart was in adult literature.

 Time went by and my father, at age seventy-nine, began to write a memoir by hand. It covered his life from age thirteen to nineteen. He and his dad were hunters and trappers in the panhandle of Oklahoma and northeastern New Mexico, and made their living that way. With the help of his oldest granddaughter, he self-published his book, On the Banks of the Cimarron. As I read, I could smell the coffee he perked over a campfire and my mouth watered over the pinto beans he cooked while out on the trail with his horse. He shipped his furs to a company in St. Louis.

 The small town of Kenton, Oklahoma, arranged a book signing/barbecue for him over Memorial Day weekend. One couple drove a hundred miles to get their copy of his book. People of the region loved his homey stories, which brought back memories for the older generation.

 My husband and I took my parents to this event and I have to say I was proud of him. Due to family circumstances he had not even completed middle school, let alone attended writers’ conferences, read books on writing, and all that we writers do to learn the craft. I entered his book in a Writers’ Digest contest for self-published books. He didn’t win, but received a couple of comments from them about improvements. They graded his book and gave him ninety-three per cent.  I thought, if he can sit down and write a book, why can’t I?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe ocean helps me absorb sorrow and complex problems. The waves are rough today and they remind me of the life we all live. Joy and sorrow abide together. In the tragedies that exist – both personal and national – hope renews when, among the rubble, life is found.

This truth became real in my own life as the ‘stuff’ of life hit like a ton of bricks. I find joy by writing a gratitue journal. Joy, I say. Not happiness. For me, these words have different meanings. Joy exists in the things that matter – family, friends, spirituality and freedom of my spirit from toxic entanglements. Happiness equates to winning the lottery. It’s temporary, not eternal.