wednes | My impending fame, or however that works out.

Whelp, the new book is out. Oooooouuuuutttt!!!

The proper link is not yet up at Amazon. Not sure what's up with that, but I'll surely harass my publisher about it if it isn't fixed pretty soon. I'm not exactly sure what he can do about it--but I'm not going to let that uncertainty stop me from complaining.

My bro came over for dinner tonight. It's always nice to see him. We played Scene It! and I made a nice meal. A variation on chicken cordon bleu made with ground chicken, ham, and swiss; roasted cauliflower with peppers; and rice with sauteed crimini's. For dessert, pumpkin pecan bars. Mmmmm. I really should hang with him at his place next time. He has a pool table now.

Have tomorrow off from work for some reason. Only 3 days on this week. Nice for now, but will be sad when paycheck time comes. I'll get extra H time and hopefully some time to make my music playlist for the signing, and decide for sure which chaps I'm going to read and practice up on them. I'm also gonna use my H2 to record the reading and Q&A. That will be cool, because then I can podcast it for people who live too far away to come.

A fellow novelist I know is very active on Gather. In fact, he's Peter Joseph Swanson, who writes outrageous fiction that people really dig. He is also the artist who did the cover of my second novel:

Peter was kind enough to interview me for his Gather fans. Having read it over, I must say that he makes me sound articulate and deep. Give it a read, if you're so inclined.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well...tomorrow is presidents day, maybe that is why you have it off...? Maybe?? My kids are out of school, but the hubby has to work. Just a thought.

Never picked up the cat's apprentice ~ maybe I will grab both when my paycheck comes in.

My workplace is open today (Monday) and two of our three carriers are shipping as usual. I wonder if they're just expecting us to be slow. Seems unlikely though because lots of people will call up to ask why they aren't getting their packages today.

Really.

People who had a hard time getting into Sadie, for the most part, enjoy Cat's Apprentice much more. I'm concerned that this new book will make me seem even more like a nut-job than my first book. It's just so dark and so many awful things happen. We shall see...

yeah I had a hard time latching onto Sadie...and honestly am still trying to finish it. But I promised you I would, so I will.

I pre-read cats for you...and am excited to see what changes you made! I am excited about the new book, it sounds intriguing to me, I'm just waiting on money, cuz now that I have resigned from my job, that will be few and far between now so I am going to buy them while I can.

If I ever have a second edition of Sadie, I will label that every other chapter is in the present and in between chaps are flashbacks. I thought people would get that but I think because it's all first-person POV, that it didn't come across as clearly as I'd expected.

Ultimately Cats turned out pretty well, it just doesn't feel as "truthy" to me as the other two. And the italics were missing from the final galley for some reason, so that is a drag IMO since there's so much internal dialogue happening.

Yeah I think that is the hardest thing for me to grasp, but knowing that might help with the finishing of the reading it. Good to know. What do you mean by truthy? *just curious* Yeah I think the italics were really good for the internal dialogue, so I will have to see how that works out when I get it.

Well, Stephen King says that "fiction is the truth inside the lie." Basically it means that even though a fictional novel involves making a bunch of shit up--it still has to have the kind of authenticity that a reader can relate too.

I think the reason a book like Sadie works is that through what initially feels like a jumble of flashbacks and disturbing stories, you gradually feel closer and closer to the main character. Even though she does things that most people would never do, we understand where she's coming from because we see that her thought process makes sense to her--even if it isn't how we might react in the same circumstances.

I guess Cat's Apprentice doesn't resonate with me like the other two books do. I've never lost a child, my husband is never shitty to me, and I can't turn into a cat. With that in mind, it's more difficult for me to relay these things truthfully because I just don't have enough information. Ultimately, I think that book is lacking a certain authenticity because of that. People have told me though, that the story is entertaining enough that they still found the book a good read. I don't want to just write good reads, I want to write things that helps the reader see perspectives they wouldn't normally--and that increases their understanding of things that they haven't personally experienced.

This is true, if you can't hook your reader with something they can relate to....might as well have saved your time and stress. And I have heard that to write well, you have to write what you know. Couldn't tell you who said that...but I have heard it repeated to me somewhere. Granted it would be awesome to be able to turn into a cat, but I see where you are coming from.

Entertaining is a good thing every now and then. ;)

I have your review written, but Amazon is being a pain this morning. I'll try again after I get to work.

Cool interview!

Review posted on Amazon! Where else do you want it?

Edited 2010-02-15 17:56 (UTC)

Thanks! I'm very pleased with the way that interview turned out.

Amazon is getting on my last nerve anymore. I love it as a buyer, but as a book seller it's really chapping my ass. I do look forward to reading your thoughts.

Sweet! Barnes and Noble and maybe that book reading app on FB are both great places if you get over there!

Thanks man, I'll go read it toot sweet [sic].

I've posted the review at Barnes and Noble. Having trouble finding the book reading app (or anything at all for that matter) on FB. Its search feature used to actually work. WTF?

Well you know, however that works. You might want to Email me your good snail mailing addy so I can send you a book once I have them.

If I can figure it out, I'll definitely post. Hey! What about on your fan page. Everyone writing reviews could post over there, maybe? Or would that be odd?

On the way. : )

People don't post to the wall much, so it's always nice when they do. If you'd like to post it over there, I'd be most appreciative.

Done. : )

Whoa, just read it.
I'm blushing--that's a great review!

Thanks, man.

I trust that you saw your name in the "Gratitude" section? I also mention Voltaire, so you're in great company. ;-]

It's all true. : )

Yes, I did! Thanks. : )

My impending fame, or however that works out.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject