tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45841361468337928972024-03-11T03:51:00.566-04:00The Susquehanna WritersCate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.comBlogger354125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-36725857750461805772016-01-15T14:58:00.000-05:002016-01-15T14:58:30.945-05:00The Power of a Reader<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Tgjq1npfNEPHbiUXZpE8_5RvdLATgBDUoukuIFQ3QFnjQxqLwL_69gxzh1CKidRpkgFXTmHIleyCkvgTLnKlw-hLlBUHjf4OcjZvSgZpcvx7cjsykoiChyG0i208Fdxk0KG5cZS8xys/s1600/Lisa+Hess+final+cover+CSC+rgb+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Tgjq1npfNEPHbiUXZpE8_5RvdLATgBDUoukuIFQ3QFnjQxqLwL_69gxzh1CKidRpkgFXTmHIleyCkvgTLnKlw-hLlBUHjf4OcjZvSgZpcvx7cjsykoiChyG0i208Fdxk0KG5cZS8xys/s320/Lisa+Hess+final+cover+CSC+rgb+2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
When I finished <i>Casting the First Stone, </i>I thought I was finished with those characters. I'd told their story, and though their lives went on, I wasn't planning on sharing any more about them. They could live happily ever after...off-screen.<br />
<br />
My readers had other ideas.<br />
<br />
The first couple of times someone asked if I was writing a sequel, I laughed. After the next couple of times, it got less funny, until finally, I responded, "Well, <i>now</i> I am!"<br />
<br />
And I'm so glad I did. We writers get attached to our characters, and it really does require very little to convince us (well, <i>me,</i> anyway) to tell you more about them.<br />
<br />
Now, a few people have asked me about a third book.<br />
<br />
I'm not even going to pretend I'm not interested.Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-56267182764958956822015-09-28T10:41:00.003-04:002015-09-28T10:41:33.488-04:00Brewing up a special treat for you!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEavyWBotDZgp3XO7ijYghkSGH-BFyCFltWgacLUoanTZ2e52wB4MXEAZEo0lImc_i9cZV76JGXUiwjlDZBHvcdmWAjHq0XTSEgLpPa15MR2YgG6K0JXF0IdhwPAXH8p9-z1eWc3OII0/s1600/Halloween-invite-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEavyWBotDZgp3XO7ijYghkSGH-BFyCFltWgacLUoanTZ2e52wB4MXEAZEo0lImc_i9cZV76JGXUiwjlDZBHvcdmWAjHq0XTSEgLpPa15MR2YgG6K0JXF0IdhwPAXH8p9-z1eWc3OII0/s320/Halloween-invite-sm.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
October's going to be extra sweet again this year! I'm holding my annual Halloween bash on my blog at <a href="http://catemasters.blogspot.com/">catemasters.blogspot.com</a>,
and you're invited. There'll be plenty of goodies for everyone - tasty
recipes, authors sharing chilling tales of spooky moments they can't
forget, and best of all, books.<br />
<br />
Visit every day for new posts. Many authors are offering giveaways, so don't miss out.<br />
<br />
And
if you're an author and would like to participate, I still have a few
dates open. Email me at cate.masters AT gmail.com and I'll set you up.Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-62310816894712890192015-09-18T08:27:00.002-04:002015-09-18T08:27:19.382-04:00The importance of researchI've said many times that I'm a research nut. When digging up
information for a story, I can get lost in the process. Only a small
amount of what I find actually makes it into the story, usually, but
that's okay. It still adds to the foundation. Because the last thing you
want is a rocky foundation.<br />
<br />
But stories aren't the
only reason authors should research. After spending such a long time
writing, revising, and polishing up the story, authors should put every
bit as much effort into researching publishers before submitting.<br />
<br />
2008
was a crazy year for me. I'd amassed a backlog of stories I'd written
over many years. Some, I'd subbed to literary magazines and was elated
when they were published.<br />
<br />
Then, one of my critique
partners at the time suggested I try an online publisher. At that time,
e-presses were fairly new, or at least unknown to me. So I began
browsing, and targeted a few publishers, depending on their submission
guidelines, because a few stories were paranormal, speculative and
mainstream, and a few were romance.<br />
<br />
With so many
stories already written, I subbed quite a few. And was over the moon
when I had about 14 acceptances. Needless to say, 2009 was a crazy year
with whirlwind promo.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to 2015, when the
contracts have reached their term. Many of the publishers I've worked
with since those early times have been wonderful -- The Wild Rose Press,
Wild Child/Freya's, Lyrical Press have all been more than professional
and generous. Since signing with Decadent Publishing, they've been
amazingly professional, friendly and helpful, going above and beyond
what other pubs do.<br />
<br />
Another publisher, not so much.
Beginning in about March of this year, I began emailing them regarding
the rights for two stories. The contracts for both expired in July and
August, and I wanted them back. Except for one, the email addresses
listed on their web site are all invalid, so I tried sending tweets
inquiring about who to contact, and had my virtual fingers slapped.<br />
<br />
The female publisher is a "friend" on Facebook, so I messaged her several times. No response.<br />
<br />
Frustrated,
I resorted to the certified letter. When the USPS tracking site
confirmed the letter had been claimed from the PO box, I did a screen
shot and sent that through FB to the publisher.<br />
<br />
No response.<br />
<br />
One editor actually answered me, but said she couldn't help.<br />
<br />
So
I tried the publicity person. She said rights reversions were done in
batches, and was sure mine would be included in the next batch. That was
Sept. 2.<br />
<br />
As of today, <a href="http://www.eternalpress.biz/people.php?author=240">my author page is still up and Eternal Press</a>
is still selling my books through their site and through affiliate
sites such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. Worse, recently both books
have had sales.<br />
<br />
I appear to be stuck in this rights limbo. According to <a href="http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2011/06/getting-out-of-your-book-contract-maybe.html">Writer Beware</a>,
there aren't a lot of options unless I choose to file a legal suit. At
this time, I'm still hoping to avoid any ugliness, though it wouldn't be
the first time this publisher had encountered legal difficulties. <a href="http://www.writers.net/forum/showthread.php?101712-WARNING-ABOUT-DAMNATION-BOOKS-ETERNAL-PRESS">One author was slapped with ridiculous "kill" fees for contract termination after requesting a change in the book cover</a>. <a href="http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2013/08/more-publisher-storm-warnings.html">Writer Beware listed other problems in this post</a>.<br />
<br />
I did, however, file a complaint with Preditors and Editors. Wish I'd checked there to begin with - <a href="http://pred-ed.com/pebe.ht">Eternal Press is listed as Not Recommended</a>. I second that.<br />
<br />
The takeaway is this - do your research. There are plenty of resources online to guide you. <a href="http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/small/">Here's one</a>
with a fantastic list of links. Check it out before signing any
contract, and always, always read through every line of a contract
before agreeing to the terms. If it doesn't feel right, don't sign.
There are plenty of great publishers out there, so just keep looking.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-89004225018997688372015-06-10T07:35:00.003-04:002015-06-10T07:35:35.417-04:00The summer of yes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjDzFzEAj2_N6MqHmv0Om-4Y3n66VaQQJ3SAvoRf08gz2ZGRpUlcr7sXNzi9eVrgmtAY7o44on1o1gmC9_YTu1y40vEeog2mchu2mnNS-rRiazdI3IvShaxa40108uLjpa1BmNslzCPg/s1600/DeathIsABitch2015_MED.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjDzFzEAj2_N6MqHmv0Om-4Y3n66VaQQJ3SAvoRf08gz2ZGRpUlcr7sXNzi9eVrgmtAY7o44on1o1gmC9_YTu1y40vEeog2mchu2mnNS-rRiazdI3IvShaxa40108uLjpa1BmNslzCPg/s400/DeathIsABitch2015_MED.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
I
was out and about, and a window ad with this little saying hit me. What
a great idea! I can't remember the store (so please don't sue me), but
the ad inspired me. I'm going to make this a summer of yes.<br />
<br />
I can't work on my stories as much as I'd like, but I *will* work on them.<br />
<br />
I'm
actually not falling too far behind. Next month, the rights to Death Is
A Bitch will return to me, and I've been gearing up for that. I've made
this new cover, which I'm pretty happy with.<br />
<br />
And I've
taken the story from 33k to 48k - 15,000 words of greater detail and
depth and "feels." I'm really excited about it! I can't wait to
re-release it, though I'll have to wait a few months.<br />
<br />
In
the meantime, I've started work on my first steampunk. I hesitated
before because I hadn't read any stories, only seen amazing movies like
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or Wild, Wild West or Sherlock
Holmes or Around the World in 80 Days (if you've never seen the last movie, it's a
very fun flick, and Jackie Chan is always amazing to watch. YouTube has
the entire movie online:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YY2iXWs92ZM" width="540"></iframe> <br />
<br />
<br />
I've been reading up on steampunk, and have a better sense of the
worldbuilding that's needed. The actual story's about 2k as of
yesterday, but the background work is pretty well fleshed out, and
that's every bit as important.<br />
<br />
So, I'm making the most of the time with my grandboys, and making the most of whatever writing time I can squeeze in.<br />
<br />
How's your summer so far? <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
</div>
Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-4731295322675126552015-02-11T13:25:00.000-05:002015-02-11T13:25:14.991-05:00Looking for Romance?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoqpg70biAFIlORs6sY9aGLkhK1_G3OEB1ZxIvSdAlZiRjhFVgHEjh_Ko3hEhhcRplF0FGmKTOiccmTGkuVTGi9aCywIR-BpfgdjnD085EM3jnftH9V8M0xggwkAHOyA0ndug3nf6o9w/s1600/Casting+the+First+Stone+Cover.1231+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoqpg70biAFIlORs6sY9aGLkhK1_G3OEB1ZxIvSdAlZiRjhFVgHEjh_Ko3hEhhcRplF0FGmKTOiccmTGkuVTGi9aCywIR-BpfgdjnD085EM3jnftH9V8M0xggwkAHOyA0ndug3nf6o9w/s1600/Casting+the+First+Stone+Cover.1231+copy.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></div>
I celebrated my novel's first birthday last month. It was a fun year, full of events and celebrations -- much more fanfare than I'd given either of my non-fiction books, which lived a quiet life tucked in the pages of catalogs geared to educators.<br />
<br />
Typical of the youngest of the progeny, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Casting-First-Stone-Lisa-Lawmaster/dp/1938499662/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423678598&sr=8-1&keywords=Casting+the+first+hess">Casting the First Stone</a></i> had gotten the most attention, and while it probably didn't know the difference, I'd gotten used to it. So what to do in year two?<br />
<br />
Keep celebrating, of course! This <b>Saturday, February 14</b>, I'll be celebrating with 20 other writers (including fellow Susquehanna Writers bloggers <a href="http://catemasters.blogspot.com/">Cate Masters</a> and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168">Susan Gourley/Kelley</a>) at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/926662257377998/?ref=22"><b>"Love is in the Air"</b></a> at <b>Aschcombe Farm and Greenhouse</b> in Mechanicsburg. If there's anything better than a book celebration, it's a multi-author book celebration!<br />
<br />
So if you're in the mood for a dose of romance or a dose of spring (or both), stop in <b>between noon and three</b> on Saturday. We'll have prizes and book swag and while we'll certainly have books on hand, we're also happy when you just stop by and talk to us.Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-44194180481351791922014-12-01T02:30:00.000-05:002014-12-01T02:30:00.658-05:00IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SrS7ZgPPi5XYOZP0Naes-O_pMhpheITyi0Ll-cUp5K-g-X69smIfbNUntlrc1pDp8XCC3fmO8JJyiitjRITsb4GQL_G3ClocgQkG3pQVECXTQUxNq9Fw9lBjxmRMJltTEKKz8KzjGvBi/s1600/Insecure_Cover%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SrS7ZgPPi5XYOZP0Naes-O_pMhpheITyi0Ll-cUp5K-g-X69smIfbNUntlrc1pDp8XCC3fmO8JJyiitjRITsb4GQL_G3ClocgQkG3pQVECXTQUxNq9Fw9lBjxmRMJltTEKKz8KzjGvBi/s1600/Insecure_Cover%5B2%5D.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Is there anything better than a book filled with inspiration and wisdom about writing? Yes. A FREE book with contributions from more than 100 writers in all stages of their careers. Put together by the administrators of the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">IWSG blog hop</a>, the IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, if filled with everything that has to do with writing and publishing.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><i>Tapping into the expertise of over a hundred talented authors from around the globe, The IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond contains something for every writer. Whether you are starting out and need tips on the craft of writing, looking for encouragement as an already established author, taking the plunge into self-publishing, or seeking innovative ways to market and promote your work, this guide is a useful tool. Compiled into three key areas of writing, publishing, and marketing, this valuable resource offers inspirational articles, helpful anecdotes, and excellent advice on dos and don'ts that we all wish we knew when we first started out on this writing journey.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><i><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-insecure-writers-support-group-guide-to-publishing-and-beyond-insecure-writers-support-group/1120795468?ean=2940046408027" target="_blank">B&N</a></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><i><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/492628" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><i><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-insecure-writer-s-support-group-guide-to-publishing-and-beyond" target="_blank">Kobo</a></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Insecure-Writers-Support-Publishing-Beyond-ebook/dp/B00PM98I08/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1416424821&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=the+insecure+writer%27s+support+grouop" target="_blank">Amazon</a></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">IWSG</a> is the brainchild of <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a>. This amazing writers' group posts on the first Wednesday of every month for more than three years without fail. This year, Alex came up with the idea to put everyone's best advice together in this free guide. As one of the administrators of<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank"> IWSG</a> blog, I'm thrilled to have been part of this endeavor and proud of the finished product.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Even the most experienced writer can find something of value in this free book. I hope you'll check it out and perhaps add it on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/new/23556637-the-insecure-writer-s-support-group-guide-to-publishing-and-beyond" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Are you familiar with this group? Don't you love free books?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Susan Gourley is the author of two epic fantasy series and is a bestselling author of science fiction romance writing as Susan Kelley. Find her at <a href="http://susangourley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Susan Says</a>.</span></div>
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Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-73210290648167299082014-10-20T09:57:00.001-04:002014-10-20T09:58:22.972-04:00Disposing of Buried Treasure<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HEBRYAgDTuHkPcZ9ElxDVaIx74zawCOE-gTEWkvE_SQ1prsk212m8jW8zY8295G6pH_TIs2pK8xsuJ5zzL9ON-IacoeOx9rOjVZ8z5rXCGc6y4uXmyYrODVTEPP_Ke4ssUMIRqFBuFs/s1600/autumn-leaves-close-up-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HEBRYAgDTuHkPcZ9ElxDVaIx74zawCOE-gTEWkvE_SQ1prsk212m8jW8zY8295G6pH_TIs2pK8xsuJ5zzL9ON-IacoeOx9rOjVZ8z5rXCGc6y4uXmyYrODVTEPP_Ke4ssUMIRqFBuFs/s1600/autumn-leaves-close-up-600x400.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photos-public-domain.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is something about fall that inspires me to organize. Maybe it's a lingering habit tied to back-to-school preparation. Maybe it's the crisp weather (once it finally arrives).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Maybe it's the piles of <a href="http://l2hess.blogspot.com/2014/10/piles-collections-and-i-need-to-see-it.htm">"collections"</a> that are slowly taking over my house.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yesterday, I spent a little time in my office, tackling a few of my <a href="http://l2hess.blogspot.com/2014/10/conducting-orchestra-of-collections.html">"</a><a href="http://l2hess.blogspot.com/2014/10/conducting-orchestra-of-collections.html">how long has <i>that</i> been there?" piles</a>. I was thrilled to discover that a bin full of papers was not, after all, entirely full of disparate papers. A large chunk of the bin was occupied by various drafts of the manuscript for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Casting-First-Stone-Lisa-Lawmaster/dp/1938499662/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413813344&sr=8-1&keywords=casting+the+first+hess">my first novel</a>, published last January. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Suddenly, the time necessary for sorting and purging that bin was cut by two thirds; aside from the manuscript, there was only a handful of clipped articles to sort through. Success! Except...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibbCMrFFcbcZb-iQ5xaJygQtLKokKRNGFzfmaEU_CqKZfOEYk2TCNysCn34PSzTu283dx_WJJ2z7A0cLGQZLP4iS8nkzRIS7RCXK79RK_OS6D9fkBqMtwtx9Car9hcFl7L_lP8_PhS5c/s1600/wooden-box_21097235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibbCMrFFcbcZb-iQ5xaJygQtLKokKRNGFzfmaEU_CqKZfOEYk2TCNysCn34PSzTu283dx_WJJ2z7A0cLGQZLP4iS8nkzRIS7RCXK79RK_OS6D9fkBqMtwtx9Car9hcFl7L_lP8_PhS5c/s1600/wooden-box_21097235.jpg" height="167" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">freepik.co</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
...what should I do with the copy store box full of my own words in various incarnations?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Option 1: It's paper, so it's recyclable. </div>
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<div>
Option 2: Though the finished product is intended for public consumption, the in-progress work was...not. Shred?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Option 3: Someday, I might be a world famous author, and this could be auctioned off, earning some money for my family (since I assume I'll be dead by then). Keep it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While option 3 was easily dismissed, the first two options wrangled back and forth in my head. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What's an author to do with a box of blood, sweat and tears?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Had my husband not spent several hours clearing similar detritus from the basement, I'd have gone for Option 4: Stash it in the basement until you decide what to do with it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
As of this writing, the bin is gone, but the box still sits on the floor of my office, awaiting judgment. I shredded some late drafts yesterday afternoon, and it was pretty painless, so Option 2 is still a contender. The recycling gets picked up tomorrow, so theoretically, I can still exercise Option 1 and get the box out of there in the next 24 hours. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
What do you think? Keep it? Toss it? Shred it?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sentimental authors want to know.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYecJtk4egYK2mhz4faeZ7c-misLcQL0u5bLu6Qull7PTe3YqPZbdau8tQxMYtgbA4NnnbrZjDGVFiKXRFT9j3larA-1BPh_QQOnw2agzhRoNHxAWRYe8kbHi_O8hh6bYUO88xAIBb-A/s1600/1924323_842908895721676_7921154784110060089_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></div>
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Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-34933951690393939102014-10-13T03:00:00.000-04:002014-10-13T03:00:01.625-04:00Science Fiction and RomanceThe past few years have seen a plethora of female writers moving into the forefront of the science fiction genre. There's been so controversy surrounding the trend. Many female writers have experienced the displeasure of male writers of the genre as the women invade a field they felt belonged exclusively to those with the Y chromosome. This is one<b><i><a href="http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/sfwa-sexism-sci-fi-nebulas-mary-kowal/" target="_blank"> link to reports</a></i></b> of female writers having to fight a battle to be treated as equals in the science fiction field. Take note that the harassment comes from male writers and other industry professionals, not readers. There are many, many links on this issue if you want to read more.<br />
<br />
I once dreamed of joining SFWA but no longer care if I can ever enter their exclusive club. Exclusion being a key descriptor. But I've had a number of science fiction romances and have received some great reviews from male readers. They appreciated the science and enjoyed the personal stories along with it. Women love science, too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA5Om_RQwyfWyMmaa3__BOdwRuNowviin_PJMGEfN-TKMfxlShr-gSdllDi651St-ooCYJV5_M8IludfLMoFnBv3WWF0TUIdxtT_ZoG4am8t9JGhrqJv-yQFu7wF3Q87MCRYp2kTCng6e/s1600/WarriorandtheBiologistSM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA5Om_RQwyfWyMmaa3__BOdwRuNowviin_PJMGEfN-TKMfxlShr-gSdllDi651St-ooCYJV5_M8IludfLMoFnBv3WWF0TUIdxtT_ZoG4am8t9JGhrqJv-yQFu7wF3Q87MCRYp2kTCng6e/s1600/WarriorandtheBiologistSM.jpg" height="200" width="120" /></a></div>
<br />
My latest science fiction romance is hitting the charts on Amazon as did my previous books. Check out <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Biologist-Susan-Gourley-ebook/dp/B00O9DCC82/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413157870&sr=8-1&keywords=the+warrior+and+the+biologist" target="_blank">The Warrior and The Biologis</a></b>t and support women writing science fiction. And that's an alien on the cover, not a terrorist!<br />
<br />
Have you heard about the harassment of female science fiction writers? Do you prefer to read male or female authors or doesn't it matter?<br />
<br />Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-32165622756620676592014-08-07T15:48:00.000-04:002014-08-07T15:52:10.515-04:00Feminist or goddess – why must women choose?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A funny thing happened during the release party for Goddess, Awakened.
At first, we were having fun, discussing mythological goddesses and favorite
authors and books.</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then someone asked if my book promoted feminism. The question confused
me at the time. Here was my answer: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Not at all. The theme encourages women to empower themselves by
accepting who they truly are and strengthening their unique talents. All things
positive.”</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtKyWHvYUmFVMcj4f9aVG6LdiR5gQ1eSdpqcMaoosVdPvXMaz3IeHDx7Pp6lz-cjE5dafUkXXSAWvb4NMVQsVS9rRcPBuEAfebiDvuh8_FavG57d-gYfPz4ZiDAlnVFWciKjG5Lwc510/s1600/Goddess-Awakened-SM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtKyWHvYUmFVMcj4f9aVG6LdiR5gQ1eSdpqcMaoosVdPvXMaz3IeHDx7Pp6lz-cjE5dafUkXXSAWvb4NMVQsVS9rRcPBuEAfebiDvuh8_FavG57d-gYfPz4ZiDAlnVFWciKjG5Lwc510/s1600/Goddess-Awakened-SM.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe I should explain why I began writing this series, The Goddess
Connection, which will all be paranormals/fantasies based in mythology, all
stand-alones, each based on a different goddess.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love empowering women. Celebrating their uniqueness. Each of us have
talents or skills we might view as quirks, and maybe we even dislike ourselves
because of them. Or maybe we simply ignore them to fit into a more standardized
life where we go through the motions but don’t really feel fulfilled.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In each of these books, the heroine will have lifelong quirks that she
sees as detrimental, but by the end, she’ll learn that these quirks are
actually strengths. They help define her as an individual, and that’s not a bad
thing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So it saddened me that, when I read the answers to one of the questions
I posed at the party, “Do you think women should be treated like goddesses?”
and some said no. Some argued women shouldn’t be put on a pedestal – and I
agreed: </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“that’s definitely not the message I want to send. As I mentioned
above, the idea is *not* to put women on a pedestal or treat them as divas, but
to value who they are in all their flaws, unique beauty, and talents. The theme
of the Goddess Connection is for women to nurture that in themselves, too, and
not let others devalue us. I hope that makes sense.”</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then I saw this article on <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/07/14/women-against-feminism-tumblr-facebook-_n_5585163.html">HuffPost: “Women Against Feminism is athing. And We’re Confused.”</a></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m definitely confused too. Obviously, these young women have the
wrong idea about feminism. Maybe they picture a militant society where females
are barely distinguishable from males, some sci-fi interpretation that skews
the real meaning. To me, feminism honors the struggle and hardships women
endured to receive basic rights that should be afforded any human. To vote. To
have an education. To choose for themselves how to live their lives. To better
themselves in whatever way that appeals to them.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lately, I’ve been seeing the term thrown around pretty freely, and it’s
disturbing. Another article claimed the Starz series based on Diana Gabaldon’s
work was the “feminist” answer to Game of Thrones. Why do journalists feel the
need to pit one show against another? One gender against another? (Yes, I know –
to boost ratings)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The HuffPost article put the question about a feminist label for my
books in perspective, and if someone asks again, I’ll have to better qualify my
answer.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, to be a goddess means to embrace your best self. The only way to
do that is by freeing yourself from restraints, either from outside or
originating in yourself.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In my mind, the same definition applies to feminism.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And if you’re interested in The Goddess Connection, the first book is
now available from Kensington Publishing’s Lyrical Press imprint.</span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Goddess,
Awakened</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The
Goddess Connection, Book 1</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Fantasy/paranormal
romance novel</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">About
89,700 words</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Goddess-Awakened-The-Connection-ebook/dp/B00KH7ZJRK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1400768571&sr=8-7&keywords=goddess%2C+awakened"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Amazon</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> | </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/goddess-awakened-cate-masters/1119584970?ean=9781616506308"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Barnes & Noble</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> |<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-goddessawakened-1522489-237.html"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">All Romance eBooks</span></b></a></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">| </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/30452"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Kensington</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></div>
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</span>Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-7881420513716422132014-06-05T18:39:00.002-04:002014-06-05T18:41:05.806-04:00Exploring the Feminine Heroic<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I haven’t yet written
about <a href="http://www.daramarks.com/workshop.php">Engaging the Feminine Heroic</a>, the workshop I attended recently. This was intentional.
I find it somewhat difficult to describe in words, and I’m still processing all
that took place.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8nNwXZ_XqjImo4qcGxKD_HEDDL0BBhukdyzYDpa3b82NwKFF9SZphJOlLpnUWPM09brCxP7_Q-L5j_Thwjmhid51OcsK0gKOJhEFL1NHry_LC7QJMlWV-3B-xHC6wbL2911ep_pxb5U/s1600/feminineheroic.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8nNwXZ_XqjImo4qcGxKD_HEDDL0BBhukdyzYDpa3b82NwKFF9SZphJOlLpnUWPM09brCxP7_Q-L5j_Thwjmhid51OcsK0gKOJhEFL1NHry_LC7QJMlWV-3B-xHC6wbL2911ep_pxb5U/s1600/feminineheroic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dara Marks and Deb
Norton are an extraordinary team of teachers. They guided us on a journey not
only of writing but of interior exploration, into our darkest places where we
hold long-forgotten experiences and emotions. Our personal Underworld. A truly
transformational experience. It would have been a frightening place had we not
shared the experience. In a safe and sacred space, we supported and encouraged
one another and continue to do so.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wish I could have
tapped into the deep well of creativity within my psyche that some of the
others reached. I have never been good at timed writing practice because
frankly, I’m a slow study. Once I get an idea, I can run with it, but it takes
me longer than most people. (I thought of a great one on the drive home.) The
stories these women pulled from their personal experience and crafted into
fiction were nothing short of astonishing. I felt like an amateur in their
midst. I’m still in awe.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">But now that I’ve
learned some of the tricks of going deeper into characters, I will practice
them and hopefully enrich my stories.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have long had a few
ideas about really strong feminine characters, but now feel better equipped to
explore them. I’m also excited to have learned some details about Persephone I
hadn’t known before. Someday I will incorporate them into the revised version of
my Goddess Connection story related to Persephone.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you don’t get the
chance to take the workshop, I encourage you to read <a href="http://www.daramarks.com/inside.php">Dara Marks’ Inside Story</a>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can also follow <a href="http://partwild.wordpress.com/">DebNorton on her Part Wild site</a>. Check out the left side for specific
writing posts, a virtual mine of writing richness.</span></span></div>
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</span></span>Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-50147892713194371672014-05-22T10:25:00.000-04:002014-05-22T10:25:40.388-04:00Writers and Editors and Agents, Oh My!I spent last weekend at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pennwriters-Annual-Conference/189724234458235">Pennwriters Conference</a>, something I've been writing about quite a bit in <a href="http://www.l2hess.blogspot.com/">my blog</a> over the past week. It was a great weekend, with an amazing number of workshops and multiple opportunities to engage with one of the thirteen agents and editors in attendance.<br />
<br />
I've engaged in some interesting conversations this week about whether or not writing conferences should include access to editors and agents. It could be easily argued that many writers are just not ready for pitch sessions -- which is the opportunity most conferences afford, and for which an additional fee is sometimes charged -- and when that is the case, they do more harm than good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">psmag.com</td></tr>
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I like going to conferences where editors and agents are present. As the gatekeepers of the traditional <br />
publishing industry, they possess a certain mystique that can intimidate -- or perhaps even terrify -- authors who've poured their heart out onto the page. And conferences can help de-mystify these all-too-human people, rendering them mere mortals who love reading and books as much as writers do.<br />
<br />
But on the flip side, I can't imagine listening to pitch session after pitch session, going back to work reading pitches all week and then the next weekend, traveling to another conference in another city, listening to more writers peddle their wares.<br />
<br />
And so I don't think agents and editors should be required to receive pitches when they attend a conference. One of the best workshops I attended all weekend was the agent panel. Ten of the industry professionals not receiving pitches in that time slot introduced themselves, shared what they were hoping to find and fielded questions from attendees. And we, in return, got a sense of who they were and what their personalities were like. I left that workshop with a short list of three people I wanted to meet (two of whom I'd already short-listed when I read the conference literature before attending). By the end of the conference, I'd met all three of them through appropriate channels (which do not include cornering them in the elevator or the bathroom or bending their ear about the value of your latest project every time you see them).<br />
<br />
Not surprisingly, these were normal (well, at least as normal as writers) people. Most were generous with their time and advice as well. I had not intended to pitch, and so when appointments arose, I offered modified, impromptu versions of an unplanned presentation, spurred on by the panel's agreement that they preferred conversations to hard core pitches.<br />
<br />
The best part? I'm not afraid-a-no agents. Well, at least not these agents. When I'm ready to craft a query, I'll start with these human beings, who are no longer frightening, and, by virtue of their willingness to listen to modified, impromptu conversational pitches, at the top of my list.<br />
<br />
What do you think? Does having editors and/or agents at a conference increase your interest in the event?Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-68372892975843104222014-05-08T17:55:00.001-04:002014-05-09T13:18:28.825-04:00The Muse Wore Flip Flops<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ_wG_K_3CsR0xqe4bgE2qBLU0yb64JseZmr2TODsbTxD9ICY3CIEa2e4mp2UypZlxrvNiOWTeme6cIz4t6QlWmwvOlCV9fjcXQE6zGEXUhjrhiPjD-RhLXCGSBSAa85iDffa_YAv3sY/s1600/orange-and-yellow-stripe-flip-flops-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ_wG_K_3CsR0xqe4bgE2qBLU0yb64JseZmr2TODsbTxD9ICY3CIEa2e4mp2UypZlxrvNiOWTeme6cIz4t6QlWmwvOlCV9fjcXQE6zGEXUhjrhiPjD-RhLXCGSBSAa85iDffa_YAv3sY/s1600/orange-and-yellow-stripe-flip-flops-1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">publicdomainpictures.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday, I wrote a <a href="http://l2hess.blogspot.com/2014/05/on-cusp.html">blog post</a> about how excited I was to flip flop my schedule (summer pun intended) and put writing first. My schedule has been cooperating, too -- April and May have offered up writing events including my critique group's semi-annual writing retreat and <a href="http://lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #7c4417; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Lancaster Christian Writers' Super Saturday</a>,<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">and the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; line-height: 18px;"> </span><a href="http://www.pennwriters.org/prod/" style="background-color: white; color: #7c4417; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Pennwriters conference </a>is just around the corner, promising workshops, socializing and a weekend where writing takes center stage. Earlier this week, I created and sent out my first ever author newsletter, complete with giveaway. Summer writing time is indeed in the air. </span><br />
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We writers are a diverse bunch. There are those who live for silence and solitude, unable to work anywhere noisier than the library. Others depend on active social lives to get the neurons firing; without feedback from the outside world, there can be no new ideas, no story lines, no dialogue. </div>
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For many of us, the writing life is a tenuous balance between <a href="http://l2hess.blogspot.com/2014/04/extroverts-and-word-count-wednesday.html">extroversion</a> and <a href="http://l2hess.blogspot.com/2014/04/marvelous-monday.html">introversion</a>, with one providing inspiration and the other providing time to realize it. Sometimes the opportunities to exercise extroversion occur by choice; other times they come in disguised as day jobs and family obligations, perhaps even masquerading as roadblocks. Some writers seek solitude; others find it, unbidden.</div>
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Under ideal circumstances, each writer achieves his or her own balance, but sometimes circumstances weight the scales for us. <a href="http://thesusquehannawriters.blogspot.com/2014/03/dealing-with-writing-deadlines.html">Deadlines</a> and job responsibilities tip the scales -- and not always in the way we'd like -- as do procrastination and exhaustion. Sometimes finishing a writing project is more like climbing a mountain than a date with the muse.</div>
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Yet we keep climbing. Whether we've chosen writing, or it has chosen us, it keeps showing up on our to-do lists, often at odd hours of the day. The longer we pursue it, the more likely it is to drag along companions of its own -- social media, promotional activities and platform building -- forcing us to open the door a little wider and grant them admittance, hoping they bring their colleagues acceptance and royalties to the party as well.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2yqnHB0cntjMHx5bb4GgifccJPYoFb8mArJSvgOH4wRRWLHjVKlNdmt4Toz96UPtoEwT7HM3cKMJ62cebfdfanFX8_kjety1yPbohIHcqmEOWfKM6G4EjKuOYGT7VDjZVmz0NCrCELM/s1600/purple-polka-dot-flip-flops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2yqnHB0cntjMHx5bb4GgifccJPYoFb8mArJSvgOH4wRRWLHjVKlNdmt4Toz96UPtoEwT7HM3cKMJ62cebfdfanFX8_kjety1yPbohIHcqmEOWfKM6G4EjKuOYGT7VDjZVmz0NCrCELM/s1600/purple-polka-dot-flip-flops.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">publicdomainpictures.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
But somehow, no matter how crowded or boring or monotonous the party gets, a serious writer keeps coming back. She joins the crowd, or finds a quiet corner or like-minded colleague and tips the scales in favor of productivity. She refills her water jug at the junction of conference and conversation and returns to her work because nothing is quite as satisfying as a writing day well-spent.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Except perhaps a good review and a royalty check.</div>
<div>
<div>
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Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-81357453774236732392014-04-11T09:58:00.003-04:002014-04-11T09:58:54.623-04:00Celebrating Strong Women<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’ve been remiss. March was <a href="http://womenshistorymonth.gov/">Women’s History Month</a>, and there are so many
amazing women. Inspiring. So many to remember and celebrate, worthy of teaching our
daughters about their accomplishments.</span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKsZoNQU8zkFq3u38Zk5ScTfyZRAaXojvN8Sse7O401ae0rT7zKc2S_la6IBj0b5pMebSpKlivTMbdLLvfgzJSke-_ycMbLVuB-aGqiqk5PeQ1wLZ68q9pC4UKWtAqEzgpnhIJnImeK4/s1600/CatsyPlayhouse.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKsZoNQU8zkFq3u38Zk5ScTfyZRAaXojvN8Sse7O401ae0rT7zKc2S_la6IBj0b5pMebSpKlivTMbdLLvfgzJSke-_ycMbLVuB-aGqiqk5PeQ1wLZ68q9pC4UKWtAqEzgpnhIJnImeK4/s1600/CatsyPlayhouse.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
Celebration - and recognition - begins at home.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
My mom had seven kids, me the
youngest. These days, an unimaginable feat (the cost alone is
staggering) but when I was growing up, not a huge deal. Other families
in our town outnumbered ours by at least twice as many kids.</span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mom was a pioneer in her own right, a frustrated artist too dedicated
to her family to put herself first. In her youth, she drew some wonderful
illustrations, but never did anything with them. Decades before composting was
a popular “green” activity, she practiced it. I can still recall the vivid
colors in her flower garden.</span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I didn’t learn until the day of her funeral that she was also a writer.
My dad often wrote – sometimes town history, sometimes little essays, but most
often for his duties as a deacon in our church. But I had no idea my Mom won an
honorable mention for a story she’d submitted to a national contest.</span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2BYBOacR0pzcJdj9pAZOOQnGN3MsZcn8qDVdbrInxd_pxNFtW5GVqVieeDRorChJFdvajduvNLrJrsnTimFaWGCRXT-R2vLXzT-Mzy15msPuWXGwrt27Sal2wDIRl-5N8X1RPzZtDCM/s1600/mrsmasterson2.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2BYBOacR0pzcJdj9pAZOOQnGN3MsZcn8qDVdbrInxd_pxNFtW5GVqVieeDRorChJFdvajduvNLrJrsnTimFaWGCRXT-R2vLXzT-Mzy15msPuWXGwrt27Sal2wDIRl-5N8X1RPzZtDCM/s1600/mrsmasterson2.gif" height="320" width="233" /></a></span></div>
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Her love of the piano
was unfailing. She took on sheet music like </span><span lang="EN" style="font-weight: normal;">Malagueña, a complicated piece. When she
played, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLuPi_rknfk">it didn’t sound like this</a>.
But she played it because she loved it. And she inspired me to teach myself
piano. I wish I’d kept at it.</span></span></span></h1>
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wish, too, that she’d taken more time for herself. Channeled her creativity
into the things she loved. Instead, she sewed clothes for us. And for herself,
when she wasn’t filling a bag at the second-hand store. She was a whiz at
stretching a buck. And she put together fantastic outfits. Her shoe collection
rivaled that of Imelda Marcos’.</span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">She may have even made the <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/kerouac-cobain-and-the-photos-that-define-american-cool/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=pbsofficial&utm_campaign=newshour">PBS list of people who define cool</a>. Some of her outfits were
downright bohemian for the times.</span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO4FrUhbip9jgb8EOu6WqTb15dmF72W5AhPlTsETQHJC2S5alBA45n8Y7Xzbn7IcoLcqFwGqs0UX2MQ_sdr29Aq554AYP-rWHpAiOSSZE1qCymiP7WoN13gDX_0t_EaQJYIXyRYantWc/s1600/MomsBday99.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO4FrUhbip9jgb8EOu6WqTb15dmF72W5AhPlTsETQHJC2S5alBA45n8Y7Xzbn7IcoLcqFwGqs0UX2MQ_sdr29Aq554AYP-rWHpAiOSSZE1qCymiP7WoN13gDX_0t_EaQJYIXyRYantWc/s1600/MomsBday99.jpg" height="191" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">But she was not one who sought fame. She was a wife and mother, first
and foremost. Not a saint, but none of us are.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">So many women are deserving of recognition and accolades for all they
do, and most do it as a matter of course. </span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kudos to you, Mom, for all of your achievements. You were one of the
strongest females I knew. My earliest inspiration for my fictional heroines, determined,
fierce and a force to reckon with.</span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">And <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/kerouac-cobain-and-the-photos-that-define-american-cool/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=pbsofficial&utm_campaign=newshour">PBS, I take issue with the fact that only 24 women appear on your Top100 list</a>. I read the standards:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">“an originality of artistic vision as established through a signature
style, which is to say their artistic vision cannot be separate from their personality.
Second, that in a given historical moment, they were perceived as a cultural
rebel. Third, that they have high profile recognition. Fourth, that they have a
recognized cultural legacy.”</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Something tells me you didn’t look hard enough to balance out that list.
Thank goodness Georgia O’Keefe made the list. Patti Smith and Bonnie Raitt?
Excellent. Joan Didion and Lauren Bacall. Wonderful.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">But where’s Frida Kahlo?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Helen Mirren?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Katharine Hepburn?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tina Fey?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maya Angelou?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Diane Arbus?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gloria Steinem?</span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">You done our gender wrong. All you had to do was thumb through a copy
of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Historys-Greatest-Trailblazers-Winners-Mavericks/dp/1435120256/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395587488&sr=1-7&keywords=%22ladies+first%22">Ladies First</a>. Easily enough women to make a separate top 100 list.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you’re unfamiliar with the book, I highly recommend it. Full of amazing
tales of female pioneers and groundbreakers from every walk of life.</span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy (belated) Women’s History Month. I hope you celebrate the women who’ve made
an impact in your life.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-82300783072453128102014-03-15T11:11:00.000-04:002014-03-15T11:11:00.213-04:00Dealing with Writing Deadlines<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lje1.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/cyber_self_defense.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cyber Self Defense book cover" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2068" src="http://lje1.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/cyber_self_defense.jpg?w=206" height="300" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> ISBN: 978-1-4930-0569-7<br />
Release Date: October 7, 2014<br />
Globe Pequot/Lyons Press</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The publisher gave us a choice of three awesome covers. It was a difficult decision, but we went with this one. <br />
<br />
Now all I have to do is get the book written. The book sold on a proposal, which was the exciting part. So was getting the first part of the advance. But the proposal only had one of the sixteen chapters, so I'm still writing the others. That's the hard part. So is the tight deadline. <br />
<br />
We wanted an October release to coincide with Domestic Violence Month, because many of the scenarios in the book are about relationships gone bad. Relationships that move from love to hate, or from friends to enemies. And when those relationships end, people can do all kinds of cruel things to get revenge. There are other scenarios in there too: teen bullies, coworker sabotage, and even cyber danger from strangers.<br />
<br />
But to make an October release meant only a few months to write the book. And even worse, I had two other book deadlines between January and March. So I've been writing and writing and writing. That's the not-so-glamorous part of being an author. Working when you'd rather be playing. Editing when you'd rather be reading. Researching when you'd rather be sleeping.<br />
<br />
So many people dream of being authors. They think it would be exciting to see their name on the cover of a book. And it certainly is. But most people don't think about the long hours of learning the craft, or of forcing yourself to write to make an approaching deadline, or of learning to take criticism so you can improve.<br />
<br />
I belong to an online group of writers who all hope to be published someday. Some have succeeded, but others are newbies or working hard to get there. In December when I mentioned a tight deadline for some articles I was writing, one wanna-be author wrote: "I could never write anything under that kind of pressure."<br />
<br />
I was tempted to write back that she should quit now, because if she reached her goal of getting an agent or editor, she'd find her whole life revolving around deadlines. Submission deadlines, editing deadlines, marketing deadlines... And if she sold more than one book, those deadlines might even overlap. Agents and editors don't want a one-book wonder. They want authors who will keep writing. Many authors sign a 2- or 3-book contract, which means even more deadlines, because usually book two is being written as book one is edited. Meanwhile book three is in the planning/outline stage. Once your book is accepted, there's no getting away from deadlines. So be sure that you really want to be published.<br />
<br />
If you can't handle deadlines and pressure, you can still write. Write for yourself, for your family, for magazines that take completed articles. Write blogs, write for pleasure, write when the muse strikes. All of these are valid ways to enjoy your passion.<br />
<br />
But when you long to see your byline on a book cover, be sure you understand the reality of getting to that point. Long hours of work and dedication to your craft. Participation in critique groups, attending writers conferences, submitting and getting rejected. And deadlines, deadlines, deadlines.<br />
<br />
If you're willing to endure all of that, then you have what it takes to succeed. You will get there.<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
Laurie J. Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09108412827598288909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-28398224639260416282014-02-19T09:57:00.001-05:002014-02-19T09:57:46.788-05:00The lesson of the boot printOne
morning this winter, I came in the house after some mundane chore and
bent to remove my boots. Afterward, this was what was left on the floor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQT_XndAI8cglRB55x41QpUACMlbEkHZZW62lMogneV9WEXUyuiLqxVNiWKHZFIBkIi2Pd7-Ig1fTZgIAGr1fer12636QPRR9IMfT6f9q3iuc1O8hbATquMxiuqFA083dUEIFyg9E3zc/s1600/2014SnowDeer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQT_XndAI8cglRB55x41QpUACMlbEkHZZW62lMogneV9WEXUyuiLqxVNiWKHZFIBkIi2Pd7-Ig1fTZgIAGr1fer12636QPRR9IMfT6f9q3iuc1O8hbATquMxiuqFA083dUEIFyg9E3zc/s1600/2014SnowDeer.jpg" height="400" width="368" /></a></div>
<br />
An antlered deer! Or maybe a chupacabra? With a saddle? (Don't ask me what that ball-shaped thing is behind him, lol)<br />
<br />
In any event, I thought it looked pretty cool. So I grabbed my camera because I knew it wouldn't last long.<br />
<br />
Sometimes
like story ideas. They flash through my head. Sometimes, I'll write
them down while they're fresh and capture them. Other times (if I'm
somewhere I can't jot notes), I'll keep repeating it in my head in hopes
I don't lose it.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, though, like the deer/chupacabra, it melts away. *poof* Gone, and once that happens, it can be gone for good.<br />
<br />
Another lesson to apply to writing - get it down while it's fresh, and the image is clear.<br />
<br />
A
deeper lesson is to stop and look in the first place. There's so much
we miss on a daily basis because we rush, rush, rush. It's worthwhile to
stand still and look around. Take in all those details that might
otherwise be a blur, or fade before we can admire them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
</div>
Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-46514944381775517172014-02-05T09:48:00.000-05:002014-02-05T10:03:26.552-05:00Winter blahs got you down?<br />
<a href="http://www.ashcombe.com/">Ashcombe</a>'s has the cure! On Saturday, Feb. 8, join 14 local authors at Ashcombe's from noon to 3:00 p.m.<br />
<br />
All the authors are putting together a special gift basket to give away. Ashcombe's will give away a gift card, too! And you don't want to miss their lunch special - buy one, get one half price. Mm, and chocolate covered strawberries, and heart-shaped sugar cookies.<br />
<br />
And, of course, tempting offerings from the 14 authors! Say 'no way' to Old Man Winter and cozy up with a heart-warming read. There's nothing better to cure those winter blahs. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RLMm-iCZsKZbMDGOB2A8W7iHFAVopPvapnhz5gK-mo39X5SyXV926APca9A-NCRltx83NBaKWIGYfR5YJ2yiI6OWePfWPlaQocwdw2OpuABGwxYtlofSFEoSjIXVR1so2PDSw0U7go4/s1600/2-Love-is-in-the-Air3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RLMm-iCZsKZbMDGOB2A8W7iHFAVopPvapnhz5gK-mo39X5SyXV926APca9A-NCRltx83NBaKWIGYfR5YJ2yiI6OWePfWPlaQocwdw2OpuABGwxYtlofSFEoSjIXVR1so2PDSw0U7go4/s1600/2-Love-is-in-the-Air3.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Find the <a href="http://www.ashcombe.com/romance.htm">complete list of participating authors here</a>.<br />
<br />
Find <a href="http://www.ashcombe.com/contact2014.htm">directions here</a>.<br />
<br />
Hope to see you there!Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-2594417452813649192014-01-31T07:00:00.000-05:002014-01-31T07:00:10.000-05:00It's BothEight or nine or years ago a few 'book' people predicted the eventual demise of traditional books. They expected in a few short years that everyone would do all their reading on an eReader or a computer. No one would be buying paper books.<br />
<br />
During a few years from 2008 onward, it seemed it might actually come true. With the introduction of such devices as the Kindle and the Nook, ebook sales shot upward but not quite to infinity and beyond. Those sales did cut into the sales of physical books but they didn't push them into extinction. Predictions now are that they probably never will. <br />
<br />
Like many authors in today's world, I sell many more ebooks than I do print books. My publishers pay me a higher percentage of the profits for ebooks also since their overhead is less. I'm glad ebooks are having their time in the sun. But as a long time lover of books, I'm also thrilled that traditional book formats are still among us.<br />
<br />
According to this <strong><em><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bea/article/57390-bea-2013-the-e-book-boom-years.html" target="_blank">2013 report from BEA</a></em></strong> and shared in Publisher's Weekly, traditional books and ebooks can coexist but what share of the market each will share is still and evolving numbers game. <br />
<br />
I still like having book signings and spend many hours in bookstores shopping, but how long will that last? I'm amongst the group of readers who still enjoy some paper books but also do lots of digital reading. My children in college have classes and textbooks online. My one son, a voracious reader, does most of his reading on his Kindle. As the generations who grew up reading traditional books ages and slowly disappear, will books become all digital? Will that pleasant, slightly dusty scent of paper books be gone forever?<br />
<br />
Do you think the ebook versus traditional book competition has evened out? Are any members of your family in school and using digital textbooks? Do you still feel the same away about ebooks as you did a few years ago?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx69lg8khErKyPbynIBZjuWZFoO8w_MnxW-sgP0gzLsIZeoxnYcJp91vAVSPsBUfhMmRX3Ao5ILhbXuwo6mx0LdBAks1rKyPJ79dh00uNHvSA9OLAO9u_dat6W_lhoz0yYlrzoUvDA1A2/s1600/Marine's+Heiress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx69lg8khErKyPbynIBZjuWZFoO8w_MnxW-sgP0gzLsIZeoxnYcJp91vAVSPsBUfhMmRX3Ao5ILhbXuwo6mx0LdBAks1rKyPJ79dh00uNHvSA9OLAO9u_dat6W_lhoz0yYlrzoUvDA1A2/s1600/Marine's+Heiress.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Please check out my latest ebook release, <strong><em><a href="http://newconceptspublishing.myshopify.com/products/recon-marines-ii-marine-s-heiress-the" target="_blank">The Marine's Heiress</a></em></strong>, now available at a very reasonable price from <strong><em><a href="http://newconceptspublishing.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">New Concepts Publishing</a></em></strong>. It's formatted for any digital device.<br />
<br />
Susan Gourley writes romance as Susan Kelley. You can find her at <strong><em><a href="http://susangourley.com/" target="_blank">her blog, Susan Says</a></em></strong>.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-39296626755229793112014-01-20T10:41:00.002-05:002014-01-20T10:41:12.864-05:00The lesson of the sled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWZxnz8MuVye45MvMfvdLN9_rYEKqhocz_JSrUzRSc1m1lZ77LF3wPHzPuvSoM0HtWbb6Rd7GOdMtf9W2Y1qr8FO59h8XHOnOiZKjtsAyHf0BdZWogBRuOZBYJ_Jc0H2M6hMVwX20lLw/s1600/2014Sled.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWZxnz8MuVye45MvMfvdLN9_rYEKqhocz_JSrUzRSc1m1lZ77LF3wPHzPuvSoM0HtWbb6Rd7GOdMtf9W2Y1qr8FO59h8XHOnOiZKjtsAyHf0BdZWogBRuOZBYJ_Jc0H2M6hMVwX20lLw/s1600/2014Sled.jpg" height="400" width="247" /></a></div>
This is my sled. Sure, it's a holiday decoration *now*. When I was a kid, it was my ticket to ride. To fly.<br />
<br />
My
sisters and brothers and I would drag our sleds about a quarter mile
from our house to sled down a steep hill. Mini-mountain might better
describe it. Sometimes at the bottom, we'd build a snow ramp so we'd
catch some air (though we didn't call it that in those days, the term
wouldn't be invented for decades to come).<br />
<br />
We'd sled
for HOURS. Pull the sled uphill, legs burning, until we reached the top.
Take a moment to survey the slope, then position ourselves on the sled
and *whoosh*. Down in much less time than it took to climb that hill.<br />
<br />
But
we kept doing it over and over and over. Because view from the top was
so spectacular, made even better because we knew the thrill was coming.
The trip down gave us such a rush. We didn't complain about the hill
being too steep because that was the point of it - the higher the hill,
the better the ride.<br />
<br />
Nor did we complain about our
sleds being too heavy - about 25 pounds by my husband's estimate. It
must have been taller than I was. It stands up to my shoulder now. These
days when I pull it out of the basement to set it outside, I always
think 'Wow, this is heavy. How the heck did I manage to use it when I
was a girl?'<br />
<br />
For one, in the Sixties, the Flexible
Flyer sled was probably state of the art, lol. And because when we're
kids, there's a clearer goal ahead - the fun. Words like "impossible"
held no place in our worlds because we challenged everything and turned
impossible on its head.<br />
<br />
And it was so worth it.<br />
<br />
I
admit, at some point years later, we traded in these heavy runner sleds
for the plastic saucer-type. But it wasn't quite the same. Maybe I'd
outgrown the whole thing, or thought I did.<br />
<br />
Not hard to
guess how this applies to writing. Just do the work for the prize at
the end, and because you love it - ups and downs alike. <br />
<br />
I put the sled back in the basement until next winter, but I'll try to keep the lesson fresh all year.<br />
<br />
The best part is, I'll never stop writing.<br />
<br />
How about you?<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
</div>
Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-31777353364675258832014-01-12T00:07:00.000-05:002014-01-12T00:08:09.865-05:00Coming Soon....Earlier this week, I read about <a href="http://catemasters.blogspot.com/">Cate Masters'</a> launch day jitters and wondered if that was what I had to look forward to. I'm in the final countdown (15 days!!) for the launch of my first novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Casting-First-Stone-Lisa-Lawmaster/dp/1938499662/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389455327&sr=1-1&keywords=lisa+lawmaster+hess"><i>Casting the First Stone</i></a>, and I feel as though everything else in my life is simply an obstacle I need to clear before I get back to focusing on this large event that is occupying the center of my universe. A bit self-centered?<br />
<br />
Perhaps a tad.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ahNOw-QUIoXOKKthZcYmraknEmGdE1ry6mdCQf-8J6gsCeArosTEfNjF55L3cQzqtFAd_1gGzQ-UQ1HBEQDLGBh29FiVwaPn0PinCB3_cAYSrl7gp9qDoXXSwLwYSDZ1GIwXN1Jk9Hg/s1600/Casting+the+First+Stone+Cover.1231+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ahNOw-QUIoXOKKthZcYmraknEmGdE1ry6mdCQf-8J6gsCeArosTEfNjF55L3cQzqtFAd_1gGzQ-UQ1HBEQDLGBh29FiVwaPn0PinCB3_cAYSrl7gp9qDoXXSwLwYSDZ1GIwXN1Jk9Hg/s1600/Casting+the+First+Stone+Cover.1231+copy.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a>The thing is, unless an author is famous (and sometimes, even if she is), the bulk of the promoting and cheerleading lands squarely in her lap. So, just in case the writing and editing and proof-reading and cover selection and all the other events that seem to pick up speed as we careen toward launch day aren't enough to make a writer feel as though world events are merely a backdrop, the crush of promotional stuff seals the deal.<br />
<br />
But I'm having fun. It came as a surprise to me, but there are parts of the promotional process that I enjoy. Writing blogs, for example and finding fun places to have parties and sign books -- places that matter to me for reasons besides the fact that they'll let me bring my book and have a party. The Starbucks where I wrote many chapters. The library I've patronized for over a decade. The restaurant where my family and I have dinner at least once a month.<br />
<br />
So, as I move toward this milestone that is both personal and professional, I hope you'll join me. Come to my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/246072105553345/?notif_t=plan_user_joined">Facebook Book Launch Party</a> on January 27. Read about my characters and upcoming events on my <a href="http://www.l2hess.blogspot.com/">blog</a>. Take a peek at my book on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Casting-First-Stone-Lisa-Lawmaster/dp/1938499662/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389455327&sr=1-1&keywords=lisa+lawmaster+hess">Amazon</a> and see if it's something you might want to read. (While you're there, check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Blue-Moon-Cafe-ebook/dp/B00HQSO4YW/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1389502838&sr=8-9&keywords=cate+masters">Cate's</a> too).<br />
<br />
We Susquehanna Writers are a diverse group. While you're here, take a moment to check out our covers or our blogs to see what we have to offer. I think I can safely say we've got something for everyone who likes to read.Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-5636153515822125902013-12-17T10:13:00.001-05:002013-12-17T10:13:04.142-05:00Writing judges neededThe South Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Writing Awards needs judges for The Scholastic Writing Awards, the nation’s largest, longest running
and most prestigious recognition program for creative teenagers. This
opportunity is opened to students in grades 7th through 12th living in
Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lebanon, Perry, and York.<br />
<br />
Judging will take place from <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_733419882" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">January 8th</span></span>
until the end of the 27th. The process will be quite flexible as the
judging is done online and can be completed as your schedule allows.<br />
<br />By participating as a judge, you will be enriching the lives of hundreds
of ambitious young writers from South Central Pennsylvania.<br />
<br />
If you're interested or have questions, please contact Brock Shelley, Affiliate Director of the South Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Writing Awards, at <a href="mailto:bshelley@connectionsacademy.com">bshelley@connectionsacademy.<wbr></wbr>com</a>Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-57410414502855205902013-11-06T13:11:00.000-05:002013-11-17T18:15:33.387-05:00"River Path," a short story by T. M. Crone<a href="http://phobosmagazine.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvcZFpajbfQCn50vNcuf-HMWhJAdVMNHPuZ7TieZ9oqelCb7VCyBYYEmH9JDlxlJX5Slc2i4QwhTbtJPKkPT6M172k-kSdPRDsFxG4vWMaQrYbcm7HeqmDsEc9ygnB-mnusdG8O-OX8j9/s200/phobos.jpg" width="144" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Announcing the publication of my short story<a href="http://tinacrone.blogspot.com/"> "River Path."</a></span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">What do all avid bike riders have in common? The love of the road and the solitude that comes along with the long miles. Nothing is better than the feel of the wind caressing your face, or the smooth shift of the gears during a downhill run. And every once and a while you find the perfect path.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Ah, solitude. But sometimes the path is more than you bargain for and you have trouble finding your way home. That's what happens to Hanna Blake. Twenty years and counting and her husband James is still waiting for her.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"River Path" can be found in the inaugural issue of Phobos Magazine, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Phobos-Magazine-Issue-One-Zugzwang-ebook/dp/B00GOJT1PG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384561868&sr=8-1&keywords=phobos+magazine">Phobos One: Zugzwang, at amazon.com</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Phobos-Magazine-Issue-One-Zugzwang-ebook/dp/B00GOJT1PG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384561868&sr=8-1&keywords=phobos+magazine"> </a> edited by Robert Corry, Luke St. Germaine, and Adam Guy Halterman. It is currently available in Kindle format at a special price with book form coming out soon!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tf0-9MT5OSB8FD-CGkachVG7fVb4pbRs_gahm_pic7uR9tbNyH1znB3iaKRxCSeDPSOGQR4jfmDGH4LRuS2zvG5XCWIUID6NvBUnaHVGoJ0zlEYAErIevwIhMzCnbQ7XSc3Q6H1UgwMM/s1600/1012519_589982494387406_321435046_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tf0-9MT5OSB8FD-CGkachVG7fVb4pbRs_gahm_pic7uR9tbNyH1znB3iaKRxCSeDPSOGQR4jfmDGH4LRuS2zvG5XCWIUID6NvBUnaHVGoJ0zlEYAErIevwIhMzCnbQ7XSc3Q6H1UgwMM/s200/1012519_589982494387406_321435046_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />T. M. Cronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05338638211913479462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-12472930919065451772013-10-28T08:58:00.000-04:002013-10-28T08:58:14.875-04:00Goldilocks Goes to the Library<br />
I retired a year and a half ago, but it didn't stick. Although I never expected to be fully retired quite this early, the speed at which new pursuits have taken over my life has left me a little breathless. I thought I'd have lots of time to write -- to revive my freelancing, work on all those works-in-progress that had become stalled for lack of time and attention -- but many days, I find myself back in the "too much to write, not enough time" boat that was sinking when I worked full-time.<br />
<br />
This new version of an old state of affairs sometimes relegates writing to the nooks and crannies of my day. Fortunately, I learned how to use that approach successfully over the last decade, so although it's disappointing, it's not unworkable.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM-GIP595xCrKef8NW4izcLV1MNpvf29z1rokOVxasnVY02Dd5TjghNatOKIavtv5NCL0VU2yk12aVqwnzcgUtNSVoAmDeX9mayHt8gXXjPExQZGOFynK5gpdVIJY1P3PrSX211XPXwo/s1600/library_book_cart.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM-GIP595xCrKef8NW4izcLV1MNpvf29z1rokOVxasnVY02Dd5TjghNatOKIavtv5NCL0VU2yk12aVqwnzcgUtNSVoAmDeX9mayHt8gXXjPExQZGOFynK5gpdVIJY1P3PrSX211XPXwo/s320/library_book_cart.png" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clipartpal.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And so it was that I found myself in the college library on Friday morning. I had made plans to meet a student and after our business was complete, I had about an hour before my next appointment. Anticipating this (as all good writers on the run do), I had tucked hard copies of the chapters I was working on into my bag. Now all that remained was to find a place to work.<br />
<br />
I love settling into a comfy chair and digging into the pages, but on Friday, I felt a little like Goldilocks. The same chairs that were typically unoccupied when I stopped in after class on Tuesdays and Thursdays were occupied by students -- some alone, some in groups and one asleep, stretched out on a sofa on the second floor. There were still chairs available in these groupings, and while I wouldn't have hesitated to sit right down if I'd been at Starbucks, I felt a little creepy doing so as a fifty-two-year old adjunct in a library full of college students. These chairs were too full, so I moved on.<br />
<br />
There were chairs available in the lobby, but in addition to the noise factor (minimal though it was in a library), these chairs were placed beside heating vents pumping out warm air. After spending 30 minutes or so traipsing around campus, the last thing this middle-aged woman needed was hot air blowing down her neck. These chairs were too hot, so I moved on.<br />
<br />
I finally landed at a study carrel in the quiet zone. Wait. There was a quiet zone? Well, of course there was -- I was in a library! Although I hadn't used a study carrel in more than 30 years, I needed a quiet place to work, and this was what was available, so I took it. Oddly enough, this chair was just right.<br />
<br />
I'd like to conclude by saying that I got a pile of work done, but between the time it took to settle into a work space, my upcoming appointment and the fact that my daughter and I ended up in a text discussion (with my phone on silent, of course -- I was in the quiet zone after all), there was more ambiance than work involved in my trip to the library.<br />
<br />
But I've discovered a new work space, one that a friend in my writers' group swears by. And I think perhaps it's time I took better advantage of it.<br />
Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-42454301045937861742013-10-15T10:56:00.003-04:002013-10-15T10:58:53.469-04:00Celebrate the Book this Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZxJclL6kFio1AbmXwun2pKcXuqe6JG-xZ6cauWgOShLGPTiL3lqqKco3mDAzDNFygEk5D096CerxIG_6fJFSAWn9bh9Nsj_D_RLKYyxg7udGm45ep3L8myApddoQgjQWcr8Arksi9Vs/s1600/Celebratethebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZxJclL6kFio1AbmXwun2pKcXuqe6JG-xZ6cauWgOShLGPTiL3lqqKco3mDAzDNFygEk5D096CerxIG_6fJFSAWn9bh9Nsj_D_RLKYyxg7udGm45ep3L8myApddoQgjQWcr8Arksi9Vs/s400/Celebratethebook.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On Saturday, Oct. 19th, I'll be one of many authors participating in the Celebrate the Book event in Carlisle, sponsored by Bosler Library.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwWBWqRvhTlvyjFbzlgTpxkmap5zYgCehvgx-AUmtrz5SS9CVmPMIo2qYwkRUyaKM1Uhkra1uU9ZAKG2lps4V7TCcIRD8ZzwEpGZGJn71IaNpwnDjABMVoJd4_qccWU6K8oNoyoIFHCQ/s1600/WL_fc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwWBWqRvhTlvyjFbzlgTpxkmap5zYgCehvgx-AUmtrz5SS9CVmPMIo2qYwkRUyaKM1Uhkra1uU9ZAKG2lps4V7TCcIRD8ZzwEpGZGJn71IaNpwnDjABMVoJd4_qccWU6K8oNoyoIFHCQ/s320/WL_fc.jpg" width="205" /></a>This year the venue has changed to St. Patrick's School at 85 Marsh Drive, in Carlisle, and is a one-day event from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=85+Marsh+Drive,+Carlisle,+PA&hl=en&sll=39.745207,-104.98956&sspn=0.024385,0.045447&oq=85+marsh+drive,+carli&t=h&hnear=85+Marsh+Dr,+Carlisle,+Pennsylvania+17015&z=16&iwloc=r0" target="_blank">Click here</a> for directions. <br />
<br />
Bestselling authors Maria V. Snyder and Jennifer Armentrout are scheduled to attend, with Dr. Eben Alexander as this year's featured author. Sunbury Press, which this summer released my collection of short stories, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Life-C-Masterson/dp/1620062623/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374795124&sr=1-1">Wild Life</a>, is among attending publishers. You can <a href="http://www.celebratethebook.org/downloads/2013_book_festival_bios.pdf">view the entire list here</a>. And <a href="http://www.celebratethebook.org/">check out the schedule and more at Celebrate the Book's site</a>.<br />
<br />
I hope to see you there!Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-70624364679420744052013-09-29T15:07:00.001-04:002013-09-29T15:07:23.659-04:00Writing Cross-TrainingI got to write yesterday. That shouldn't sound like a big deal since I am, after all, a <i>writer</i>, but since I began the new adventure known as college level teaching, I've been so immersed in planning and teaching lessons that I've been lucky to post a blog, let alone work on a writing project.<br />
<br />
But yesterday, I got to focus my attention on writing. Granted, it was the business end (queries and proposals), but I was struck by how easy they were to do after so much time away.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIcltrhD0QsfpeFOt5DG-QeJFli1DbrSsmyN0TCnoOFju21fNrSR5dLkuBIJeyHoYZMaw6FyO4Fy_BwusteHdJbJn23r4hf4tELrogeBXs56Jcyv0vGWNzGHt79i7oOoURh31dThCBc0/s1600/quill_pen_ink_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIcltrhD0QsfpeFOt5DG-QeJFli1DbrSsmyN0TCnoOFju21fNrSR5dLkuBIJeyHoYZMaw6FyO4Fy_BwusteHdJbJn23r4hf4tELrogeBXs56Jcyv0vGWNzGHt79i7oOoURh31dThCBc0/s320/quill_pen_ink_2.png" width="152" /></a>But how could this be? I haven't been writing.<br />
<br />
In adult education classes, I teach beginning writers that any writing counts. Although it's a stretch to consider a grocery list a writing project, getting any thought out of your head and onto the page is good practice. Even though I haven't been working on the writing projects I'd like to be concentrating on, I have been blogging and critiquing and creating lessons and assignments. Apparently, that has kept my writing muscles better toned than I believed it could.<br />
<br />
When non-bloggers ask me the inevitable time management question ("Doesn't blogging take time away from your writing time?"), I respond that that's indeed a down side. But blogging also keeps me writing regularly, forces me to string together coherent thoughts, helps me toss aside perfectionism and enables me to put thousands of words on the screen that might otherwise have remained trapped in my head -- a dark and scary place if ever there was one.<br />
<br />
And apparently, all of that non-writing writing makes it easier to access the necessary skills when I need them for the real business of writing. A wonderful sense of possibility flooded from that small beginning yesterday, igniting enthusiasm for these projects that I hope will nudge me into finding small pockets of time to keep at it, so I don't allow other responsibilities to keep me away from my writing for so long. Even better, the enthusiasm overrode any lingering doubts that too much time away from writing would mean that my skills had begun to atrophy, and that I wouldn't remember how to do it any more.<br />
<br />
Apparently it's like riding a bike. And I don't even have to go outside to do it.<br />
<br />Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-13927711650467453532013-08-16T14:17:00.000-04:002013-08-16T14:18:20.762-04:00Real-life heroes and heroines<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
husband’s addiction to The History Channel can be a good or bad thing. Bad when
it’s a seeming replay of war and all its related weapons (in much too much gory
detail) but good when it sparks a story idea. Some time ago, a feature about
the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco caught both our attentions.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Like
most story ideas, it gelled in my brain awhile, niggling at me to learn more.
Being the research addict I am, I trolled the Web and found a treasure trove of
stories waiting to be told. Stories of real-life heroes and heroines who
overcame immense odds to rebuild the city after its worst tragedy to date.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before
the great quake, San Francisco was one hot city. The ninth largest in the U.S.,
it was home to 400,000 people, and rife with crime, prostitution, opium dives
and most any vice you can imagine, mostly concentrated in the Barbary District.
There, the city’s Vice Squad – for a price, of course – turned a blind eye to
the scandalous dance halls, peep shows and whorehouses. More tame fun awaited
at the Chutes and Zoo, an amusement park, or the Golden Gate Donkey Rides,
where children could ride in goat carts or on donkeys. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ragtime
music was in its heyday, and Enrico Caruso enjoyed immense popularity – he was
actually in town during the quake, having performed the night before at the
Grand Operahouse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While
Enrico survived the earthquake, not much else in the city did. The Richter
Scale had not yet been invented, but geologists estimate the quake to be equal
to 7.8, and more than 270 miles of the San Andreas Fault ruptured. More than
3000 people lost their lives, either during the quake or in the resulting fires
that destroyed what the quake had left.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Golden Gate Bridge had not yet been constructed, so residents used the ferry to
get back and forth to outlying islands. Trying to crowd onto that ferry to
escape the devasation, more lost their lives.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How the
survivors managed to carry on, I don’t know. But they did, in an incredible,
roll-up-your-sleeves and get-down-to-business way. After President Teddy
Roosevelt sent the military with wagonloads of rations, people set up tent
cities, food lines and began cleanup efforts. Businesses reopened within days,
as shopkeepers were determined to rebuild. Again, every single story told of
actual heroes, many who never found recognition for their amazing courage.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In real
life, such disaster is heartwrenching. In fiction, it’s fodder for a great
story, especially when it has such a hopeful aftermath. I loved placing my
heroine and hero in these circumstances. Already down and out, Norah Hawkins
and Gerard “Mac” MacKenzie are looking for a better life in San Francisco. Do
they find it? Well, you’ll have to read the story to find out. :)</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And as
of today, you can! It's release day for my historical novella Betting It All!
Woot! :)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here’s
the blurb:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Norah Hawkins wants a
new life as far from her old one as possible, but where can she ever find that
chance? When a letter arrives promising her the deed to property in San
Francisco, Norah packs her bags and flees the broken shards of her troubled
past.</span></div>
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anything-goes atmosphere, 1906 San Francisco suits Irishman Gerard MacKenzie
just fine. He loves tending bar in Norah’s saloon, and verbally sparring with
the shrewd businesswoman for more privileges and work. Her beauty, wit and sass
make his blood boil with need.</span></div>
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a terrible earthquake buries their dreams and threatens to shatter their
future. Norah and Mac must rebuild their lives from the ruins and they’ll need
each other more than ever, but can their ties to each other save them or tear
them apart? </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Available from:</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Decadent
Publishing: <a href="http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=823&osCsid=hdmana51khc0lq5rr15a5sl3i5">http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=823&osCsid=hdmana51khc0lq5rr15a5sl3i5</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Amazon:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Betting-it-All-ebook/dp/B00EJQDMHY/ref=sr_1_34?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376520296&sr=1-3">http://www.amazon.com/Betting-it-All-ebook/dp/B00EJQDMHY/ref=sr_1_34?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376520296&sr=1-3</a>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All
Romance <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-bettingitall-1268390-340.html">https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-bettingitall-1268390-340.html</a>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Barnes
and Noble:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116477095?ean=2940148442585">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116477095?ean=2940148442585</a>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">About Cate</span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cate Masters has made beautiful central
Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. When not
spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her lair, concocting a
magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with
her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at <a href="http://catemasters.blogspot.com/">http://catemasters.blogspot.com</a> and
in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cate loves to hear from readers! Email her
at: <a href="mailto:cate.masters@gmail.com">cate.masters@gmail.com</a> </span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Catch up to Cate</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://catemasters.blogspot.com/">Blog</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cate-Masters/89969413736?ref=ts">Facebook</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2944596.Cate_Masters">Goodreads</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cate-Masters/e/B002OBQ98A/ref=sr_tc_ep?qid=1331753999">Amazon</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">To receive extras exclusive to subscribers, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">sign up for Cate's newsletter through her blog </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">at <a href="http://catemasters.blogspot.com/">http://catemasters.blogspot.com</a>
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Cate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com3