Books taking on all comers
Maybe the title of this post/link should be why people still like a good old-fashioned read. It seems that despite the inevitable onward march of technology, people of all ages enjoy a 'real' read. Not everyone wants a digital book; people aren't going to dump their beloved books for something electronic. How many readers love to survey their little kingdom called 'my bookshelves?' From tattered old classics that somehow still haven't found their way to the charity donations box, to recently bought, brand spanking new latest releases, to perhaps even a beloved, dog-eared, and well-thumbed copy of Winnie the Pooh, or any of the great kids' books ... will you throw your collection away?
I love my books. I also have a collection of 'antique' books, with red, green, or brown covers, and lots of curly gold writing on the covers. Old lithographs illustrate these gems of yesteryear. Some of my ancient books are over a hundred years old. It seems amazing they have lasted this long. Recently I repainted the house and reorganized my library. I heaved a great sigh when I decided to get rid of an old set of Encyclopedia Brittanica that had guided me through my final year at school, helped me with my university research, and provided endless hours of delightful sidetracking when I became lost in something other than what I'd originally looked up. Oh, they had to go, I guess, now that I can get lots of information off the Internet. I know they'll find a good home at a school where there is a dearth of real books and absolutely no computers.
I love my 'real' books. I have vowed never to go electronic. However, when I had to wait for someone recently I discovered I'd forgotten my book (my real book). I briefly ... very briefly ... thought that if I had an electronic reader ... Then of course I dismissed the thought and bought a newspaper to pass the time waiting!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Rainbow Child & Her Paper Mom
Anyone who has read some of my articles will know that one of my passions in being a children's author is child literacy. I can't imagine any author not being concerned with literacy. Literacy is a skill that has to be learned, and this simple skill can deliver a child from a life of drudgery to a life filled with opportunity. Living in South Africa, I have become so aware of the deficiencies in our education system. The number of final year scholars not making the grade has become worse than alarming. It all starts at home, where children should grow up surrounded by books, and with parents encouraging them to read and discover the wonderful world of books. That's in an ideal world, of course. The truth is that in South Africa, and indeed in many places around the world, "at home" for thousands of children offers no source of education when their parents are either still illiterate, or simply do not have the skills to assist their children with homework. One fifth of South Africa's population is still illiterate. Poverty also means that food comes before books. When South Africa achieved democracy, Nelson Mandela called this country a "rainbow nation." Sadly, there aren't a large number of pots of gold at the end of the rainbow for some children here. But one little girl, my rainbow child, has found her pot of gold. I was recently asked by a great kids' site in Johannesburg, Jozikids, to write about adopting my foster child, Mabel. Here is the story of the rainbow child and her paper mom. I hope it will inspire others to help children read.
The Rainbow Child and Her Paper Mom
I never ever imagined myself as a mother. Growing up with four brothers, three of them younger than me, meant I had my fair share of bottles, nappies, homework, bedtime stories and all the things big sisters do. My studies and career came first for a long time and the men I dated weren’t interested in having kids. Then the biggest drawback of all: I never felt “grown-up enough” to take on the responsibility of my own child. The year I went overseas with my two nephews, the year that inspired my first children’s book, (The Secret of the Sacred Scarab) I suddenly had this desire to adopt a child. Not give birth, please note, but adopt some little mite who needed a home. Two weeks in Egypt with my nephews aged 10 and 12 were enough to rid me of any maternal feelings and make me decide to just stick to being a good aunt. I had changed my mind about children.
About three months after this trip, I had a visit from a domestic worker who had worked for me a few years back—she had a problem. She arrived with her daughter Mabel, now aged eleven. I remembered Mabel as an enchanting child aged six, all arms and legs and a big smile. But I got married, Josephine left my employ, and we didn’t see each other for another five years. Josephine came straight to the point and asked me to foster Mabel so she could get a better education.
Thinking for the briefest of nano-seconds that “nothing would change,” I said yes. Of course, everything changed. I developed maternal feelings worthy of a lioness guarding her cubs from danger. I also became an expert on the shortcomings of our ever-changing education system, the life-cycle of any insect, reptile, or bird you care to mention, and in anything to help my foster child get an education. Mabel had already failed Grade 2, was advised to repeat Grade 4, and was basically illiterate. How is that possible, I asked myself? I began the slow and often painful task of teaching her all over again, supplemented by many extra lessons.
Mabel baulked at first, having never had to apply her mind or develop motivation. She’d been told so many times she was a failure—what else was there to look forward to? I rose to the challenge, and happily for her, so did Mabel. Eight years later, she is scoring 70-80% in most of her subjects, plans to be a writer (just like me!) and is an amazingly well-adjusted, charming, sunny-tempered young lady with a delightful sense of humour. She is a credit to her mother, Josephine, and to me, her Paper Mom (as she calls me, since I am legally her ‘mom’ on paper). I adopted Mabel in February 2009 at the specific request of both her parents, since they believe that with me she will “have a real life.” Those are her mother’s words, one of the bravest women I have ever known, for who else but a brave and unselfish woman would willingly give her child to someone else for that child’s sake. Mabel has a bright future and I am proud to be part of it.
The Rainbow Child and Her Paper Mom
I never ever imagined myself as a mother. Growing up with four brothers, three of them younger than me, meant I had my fair share of bottles, nappies, homework, bedtime stories and all the things big sisters do. My studies and career came first for a long time and the men I dated weren’t interested in having kids. Then the biggest drawback of all: I never felt “grown-up enough” to take on the responsibility of my own child. The year I went overseas with my two nephews, the year that inspired my first children’s book, (The Secret of the Sacred Scarab) I suddenly had this desire to adopt a child. Not give birth, please note, but adopt some little mite who needed a home. Two weeks in Egypt with my nephews aged 10 and 12 were enough to rid me of any maternal feelings and make me decide to just stick to being a good aunt. I had changed my mind about children.
About three months after this trip, I had a visit from a domestic worker who had worked for me a few years back—she had a problem. She arrived with her daughter Mabel, now aged eleven. I remembered Mabel as an enchanting child aged six, all arms and legs and a big smile. But I got married, Josephine left my employ, and we didn’t see each other for another five years. Josephine came straight to the point and asked me to foster Mabel so she could get a better education.
Thinking for the briefest of nano-seconds that “nothing would change,” I said yes. Of course, everything changed. I developed maternal feelings worthy of a lioness guarding her cubs from danger. I also became an expert on the shortcomings of our ever-changing education system, the life-cycle of any insect, reptile, or bird you care to mention, and in anything to help my foster child get an education. Mabel had already failed Grade 2, was advised to repeat Grade 4, and was basically illiterate. How is that possible, I asked myself? I began the slow and often painful task of teaching her all over again, supplemented by many extra lessons.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Author Nedyne Shorts Nettles & Poison Reality
I’d like to welcome my fifth Virtual Book Tour guest today: Nedyne Shorts Nettles, who’ll be sharing the hows and whys of her first novel Poison Reality with us.
Nedyne grew up in Los Angeles, California, in a family of three children. She attended Cal State Northridge for three years right out of high school. She is currently attending Argosy University where she will finish her bachelor’s in psychology. Nedyne and her husband Kevin reside in San Bernardino, California, where they have lived for ten years. She is a nurse at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. She is very proud to be able to present her novel Poison Reality to the world.
Let's look at Poison Reality.
Vierna Bates, a woman scorned, finds herself staying in a hotel the local newspaper labels “a rape den.” She decides to stop bemoaning her pending divorce and venture downstairs to the hotel's club. As fate would have it, something jams the elevator doors open. As she gets closer, she sees the limbs of a person. Still closer she finds a woman, beaten, bloodied, and barely breathing. Unbeknownst to Vierna, the woman in the elevator is an old classmate named Terry Trainer, who happened to be attending a travel and tourism convention in the same hotel that day. Because of Vierna's discovery, Terry survives her attack but vows to not rest until she finds her attacker. Captain Bill Meays, a handsome investigator, finds himself embroiled in a serial rape case involving several women acquaintances. One woman in particular holds the key to solving the puzzle but time is not on his side. This is a spellbinding, heart-stopping saga with the intertwining lives of many echoing the poison reality of life. Life isn’t always harmonious but it is a symphony of bittersweet.
Nedyne took a few minutes out her busy Virtual Book Tour to share some thoughts with us.
Your book Poison Reality is your first foray into publishing and it's quite a contentious topic (abuse/thriller/detective etc). What inspired you a) to write and b) to write this particular story - where did the idea come from?
I love movies that are suspenseful and real. Lately I have seen remakes of everything and I thought that my novel is different. It places my characters in situations that cannot be figured out. It challenges the reader to continue to read.
Your career as a nurse means you get to deal with many people and experience their hurts and their hopes. Has this influenced or increased your ability to tap into people's emotions better?
At the time this novel was written I wasn’t a nurse, I was a home maker. Nursing has definitely giving me a new perspective and also I majored in psychology which will be seen in novels to come.
How do you manage a career and writing? When do you write? How does your family life fit in with your fiction life?
I write part time. It is pleasant escape. My children are grown and my husband is my biggest supporter. He loves to hear about my characters and give input into what should happen to them.
What inspires you—is it music? Places? Other people's writing? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from life. You never know what you will see or hear about that will give you that creative edge. I am a people watcher and places like the beach, the mall, work, and past relationships all culminate to help me write my stories.
What other writers do you see as role models, or maybe there’s a person in your life who kicked your butt when you thought you couldn't do it—a mentor and guide?
My mom was my kick in the butt. I had learning disabilities growing up that caused me not to be the brightest bulb in the chandelier but my mom always said it took all the bulbs to make the light glow brightly. She made me believe in myself. It wasn’t about winning the race so to speak, but how well I ran in it. I like ‘for real’ books like books written by Tom Wolfe. One in particular, is The Bonfire of the Vanities. Another great book is Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMIllan and Tara Road by Maeve Binchy. Each of these authors paid attention to realism and wrote a very action oriented book that took the imagination to the same heights as an epic movie. My favorite is by Maeve because she writes her books soap opera style as well.
What was your journey from wanna-be writer to published author?
When I was younger I read a lot of books and I wrote a lot of short stories. I never dreamed that I would be called author because it seemed so unattainable, but here I am. So I want to say to others, tell your story someone will listen.
Is there anything you'd like readers and fans to know about you?
My final thought is that we only have one life to live and we should use it to leave an indelible print on the world. Poison Reality: A Symphony of Bittersweet is my mark. By writing I hope I have inspired others to write. When I was little I said my name should be in lights. And having my name on books just goes to show you nothing is impossible. There is a song that said “If you believe it you can achieve it.”
What's next on your writing agenda?
I have begun to write Poison Reality 2 because I feel the world is ready to read about real life situations.
Thank you for stopping by, Nedyne. I am sure your story is inspiring to others who are just thinking about writing or who perhaps don't feel enough confidence in their abilities to begin.
Thanks for having me.
You can find Nedyne's novel Poison Reality: A Smphony of Bittersweet at PublishAmerica. You can also visit Nedyne's website.
Reader Bonus from Virtual Book Tours: For everyone that leaves a comment with each author, they will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light, a free of charge virtual book tour, and one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.
Nedyne grew up in Los Angeles, California, in a family of three children. She attended Cal State Northridge for three years right out of high school. She is currently attending Argosy University where she will finish her bachelor’s in psychology. Nedyne and her husband Kevin reside in San Bernardino, California, where they have lived for ten years. She is a nurse at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. She is very proud to be able to present her novel Poison Reality to the world.
Let's look at Poison Reality.
Nedyne took a few minutes out her busy Virtual Book Tour to share some thoughts with us.
Your book Poison Reality is your first foray into publishing and it's quite a contentious topic (abuse/thriller/detective etc). What inspired you a) to write and b) to write this particular story - where did the idea come from?
I love movies that are suspenseful and real. Lately I have seen remakes of everything and I thought that my novel is different. It places my characters in situations that cannot be figured out. It challenges the reader to continue to read.
Your career as a nurse means you get to deal with many people and experience their hurts and their hopes. Has this influenced or increased your ability to tap into people's emotions better?
At the time this novel was written I wasn’t a nurse, I was a home maker. Nursing has definitely giving me a new perspective and also I majored in psychology which will be seen in novels to come.
How do you manage a career and writing? When do you write? How does your family life fit in with your fiction life?
I write part time. It is pleasant escape. My children are grown and my husband is my biggest supporter. He loves to hear about my characters and give input into what should happen to them.
What inspires you—is it music? Places? Other people's writing? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from life. You never know what you will see or hear about that will give you that creative edge. I am a people watcher and places like the beach, the mall, work, and past relationships all culminate to help me write my stories.
What other writers do you see as role models, or maybe there’s a person in your life who kicked your butt when you thought you couldn't do it—a mentor and guide?
My mom was my kick in the butt. I had learning disabilities growing up that caused me not to be the brightest bulb in the chandelier but my mom always said it took all the bulbs to make the light glow brightly. She made me believe in myself. It wasn’t about winning the race so to speak, but how well I ran in it. I like ‘for real’ books like books written by Tom Wolfe. One in particular, is The Bonfire of the Vanities. Another great book is Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMIllan and Tara Road by Maeve Binchy. Each of these authors paid attention to realism and wrote a very action oriented book that took the imagination to the same heights as an epic movie. My favorite is by Maeve because she writes her books soap opera style as well.
What was your journey from wanna-be writer to published author?
When I was younger I read a lot of books and I wrote a lot of short stories. I never dreamed that I would be called author because it seemed so unattainable, but here I am. So I want to say to others, tell your story someone will listen.
Is there anything you'd like readers and fans to know about you?
My final thought is that we only have one life to live and we should use it to leave an indelible print on the world. Poison Reality: A Symphony of Bittersweet is my mark. By writing I hope I have inspired others to write. When I was little I said my name should be in lights. And having my name on books just goes to show you nothing is impossible. There is a song that said “If you believe it you can achieve it.”
What's next on your writing agenda?
I have begun to write Poison Reality 2 because I feel the world is ready to read about real life situations.
Thank you for stopping by, Nedyne. I am sure your story is inspiring to others who are just thinking about writing or who perhaps don't feel enough confidence in their abilities to begin.
Thanks for having me.
You can find Nedyne's novel Poison Reality: A Smphony of Bittersweet at PublishAmerica. You can also visit Nedyne's website.
Reader Bonus from Virtual Book Tours: For everyone that leaves a comment with each author, they will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light, a free of charge virtual book tour, and one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Do Book Reviews Matter? - The Savvy Book Marketer
Do Book Reviews Matter? - The Savvy Book Marketer
What are your feelings about book reviews? Some people say reviews don't sell more books; some say they do. A few authors feel that a negative review can impact badly on a book; others say no publicity is bad publicity and even a bad review still means your book gets a mention. In this week's guest post on The Savvy Book Marketer, Terry Whalin, the author of numerous books including "Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams," discusses the role of book reviews in publicizing books. He has good advice and some links for finding reviewers. Remember, everything counts when it comes to marketing...
What are your feelings about book reviews? Some people say reviews don't sell more books; some say they do. A few authors feel that a negative review can impact badly on a book; others say no publicity is bad publicity and even a bad review still means your book gets a mention. In this week's guest post on The Savvy Book Marketer, Terry Whalin, the author of numerous books including "Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams," discusses the role of book reviews in publicizing books. He has good advice and some links for finding reviewers. Remember, everything counts when it comes to marketing...
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