It's NaNoWriMo Time!!!!

November is in full swing, and so are 200,000 novelist wannabes. National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo for short, is an annual, internet-based writing marathon that lasts the 30 days of November. Nanowrimo is in it's twelfth year of existance, and has grown from twenty-one people attempting to write 50,000 words in 30 days in 1999 to well over 200,000 novelists attempting to slam out the words in 2010.

2011 is the fifth attempt I'm taking at going for literary gold and that elusive 50,000 mark. I've succeeded three times, and the third try was actually my first published book, Bingo Barge Murder. (That was after a gazillion rerwrites and a ton of edit work) Back in 2004, I think it was,

I stumbled across this strange internet site that encouraged people to write 50,000 words in a single month. You're kidding me, right? Nope, it was serious. I had just finished a series of books that I adored, and when I'd read the last one, I was crushed. What was happening with my alternate family? People (NOT characters!) I'd come to love!! I decided if I wrote my own book, my characters would never have to end. So after looking at the Nanowrimo site and reading some of the comments by Chris Baty, Nano founder, about writing during the month, I decided to give it a whirl. Here's a few examples from his 2008 Pep Talk:

November 2: Stop writing. Wonder if you should start over. Keep going. Feel better.

November 8: As the first full week of writing comes to a close, you will be at 11,666 words. This is more fiction than most people write in their lifetimes, and you did it in a week. Go, you! This is also Municipal Liaison Appreciation Day, a raucous international holiday that celebrates NaNoWriMo’s volunteer chapter-heads (the folks who organized the write-in you went to last week). Chocolate, flowers, and gifts of expensive electronics are appreciated.

November 13: Nothing really happens on November 13.

November 15: After the second week of writing, you will be at 25,000 words. This is the approximate length of such legendary works of fiction as Animal Farm, Death in Venice, and Gossip Girl: I Like it Like That. You’re halfway to winning! Attend a Midway Party in your town, or come to San Francisco, where the Night of Writing Dangerously Write-a-thon will set records for group noveling and candy consumption.

November 30: By midnight, local time, we will all be the proud owners of 50,000-word novels that we could barely imagine on October 31. Plan to attend your local NaNoWriMo Thank God It’s Over Party, where grins will abound, champagne will flow, fives will be highed, and wrists will be iced.

With a healthy dose of humor, Chris Baty helped propel writer wannabes into full fledged writerdom. Granted a lot of what is put forth during these 30 days is a lot of crap, to put it bluntly, but within the mess there's almost always some golden eggs. The point of writing should be fun, and Nanowrimo made it fun for me. I never expected to have any success at selling a book, and the fact that I did is just icing on the cake.

So As I wind up the first week and enter into the second week of blissful or maybe not so blissful outpourings of words, I'm happy to say this is still a hoot! I just hope I can stay on track to earn this badge again:

A PLAGUE OF SNOW

A little over a week ago on October 29^th, parts of the east coast and New England were hit with a freak snowstorm. Some towns received as much as 19” of snow. The trees here in my neck of New Jersey hadn’t lost their leaves yet. That’s how uncommon snow is in October for us. The result was trees and branches and power lines, laden with heavy, wet snow. A recipe for disaster that turned into disaster as those trees and branches began to snap from all that weight, taking power lines with them. You couldn’t get from here to there because either here, there, or both were blocked and inaccessible.

A branch came down at the end of our block. It hit a power line, sending sparks that ignited the phone, Internet, and cable lines to our street. Another branch dangled precariously over a power line, threatening to fall at any moment and take out our power. One report I heard said that a million people in New Jersey were without power. That's over 10% of the state's population. Two days later, 600,000 still had no power.

Some parts of the country are used to snow before Halloween. Not us. Half the time kids go trick or treating around here without coats covering up their costumes. This year there were few trick or treaters. Too many branches still dangled and threatened to fall on little goblins and ghosts as they tramped from one house to the next.

In the last few months we’ve been hit by an earthquake, another rarity in New Jersey, and massive flooding. Now a freak snowstorm. I’m wondering what’s next, a plague of locusts? Perhaps we need to sacrifice a lamb and mark our doorposts with its blood.

Lois Winston writes the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries series. The first book, Assault With A Deadly Glue Gun, was a January 2011 release and received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Death by Killer Mop Doll will be a January 2012 release. Visit Lois at http://www.loiswinston.com and Anastasia at the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog, http://anastasiapollack.blogspot.com.

Would Your Husband Sign My Book?

By Deborah Sharp

What is it about TV that turns normal folks into idiots?

I showed up to do a book-signing the other day, and I could tell people who'd come hoping to meet the guy on TV were disappointed my husband wasn't in tow.

"Oh, Kerry's not here?'' said one woman, frowning. "I thought you'd bring him.''

"Nope, it's just me. I'm only the author,'' I said.

If she hadn't gotten in for free, I'm sure she would have demanded her money back. People at signings have asked -- often -- if my husband could also autograph their books. "No problem,'' I always say. "Just so long as you remember I'm the one who wrote it.''

Look, I get it. My husband, NBC reporter Kerry Sanders, works on TV. I'm proud of the job he does, covering stories all over the globe. But the fact he appears regularly on that glowing screen in the nation's living rooms, mere channels away from true celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Flavor Flav ... well, it makes people act weird.

I realized how weird early on. Take my normally stolid, down-to-earth Lutheran minister, for example. When Kerry and I went in together 23 years ago to talk to him about performing our marriage, he didn't question us about whether differences in religions or core values might cause problems down the road. No.

"What's it like to be on TV?'' he asked, gazing starry-eyed at my husband-to-be.

"Hello,'' I said. "I'm over here. The bride?''

I only expect the star-struckiness to get worse this week. Kerry's appearing alongside the Today show's popular anchor during the network's heavily promoted feature, Where in the World is Matt Lauer?

In preparation, I'm rehearsing my answers to the non-book related questions I expect to get at my next book-signing:

"Nope, I can't tell you what country Kerry is in. It's Top Secret.'' (Tune in Thursday morning on the Today show, if you're curious. My husband will be the one who isn't Matt Lauer at that day's fabulous location.)

"Nope, I don't know what Matt Lauer is really like. I've only met the man once, briefly. I'm certain he couldn't pick me out of a line-up.''

"Nope, I can't get Matt Lauer to autograph my book for you; but I'd be glad to ask my husband to sign it. Buy two, and he'll pose for a picture.''

How about you? Have you ever met someone from movies or TV? Did you act cool, or giddy? I still remember how nervous I was as a teenager when I met my famous sports star crush, quarterback Joe Namath. I spilled a Coke all over both of us.

Inkspot News - November 5, 2011

To promote the November 8th Midnight Ink re-release of the first book in her Claire Hanover gift basket designer mystery series, A Real Basket Case, Beth Groundwater has scheduled a number of appearances:

On Sunday, November 6th, from 5-7 PM MST, 7-9 PM EST, Beth Groundwater will be a guest at the Writers Chatroom, answering questions from participants. Come and join her with a juicy question of your own!

On Monday, November 7th, all day, Beth Groundwater will respond to questions and comments on her guest article at Killer Crafts and Crafty Killers.

On Wednesday, November 9, all day, Beth Groundwater will respond to questions and comments on her interview at Pat Bertram Introduces....

On Thursday, November 10, all day, Beth Groundwater will respond to questions and comments on her guest article"A Day in the Life of Claire Hanover" at dru's book musings.

On Friday, November 11th, from 6-8 PM, Beth Groundwater will sign copies of her Deadly Currents and A Real Basket Case mysteries at a Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Signing with fellow mystery author Ann Parker at Black Cat Books, 720 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829.

On Saturday, November 12, 4 – 6 PM, there will be a Pikes Peak Writers Fundraiser Signing with Beth Groundwater and Ann Parker at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1565 Briargate Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

I'ma Gonna Be on the Tee-Vee!

I don't like being in the spotlight. I don't like drawing attention to myself, talking about myself, and especially hate praising myself. I learned through the years that fading into the background is far better than having people watching or actually caring about what you're doing. That way they leave you alone so you can do whatever you want with limited judgement or disapproval. So when I had to begin promoting my book, and essentially myself, it was difficult. If you hadn't guessed when I do talk I am pretty outspoken. I tell the truth, hopefully with a side dish of humor and love, like putting arsenic in the sugar. Goes down better that way. So when I was asked to go on television to promote my book my first reaction was hell to the no. I don't even like people taking my picture (I swear I'm much prettier in person and don't have twelve chins) let alone being seen my potentially tens of thousands of people. But I know a good opportunity when it's presented and couldn't turn it down. (Money trumps vanity every time.)

I had to wake up at four AM to do my hair, make-up, descale my back and claws to be even close to camera ready. I left the house around six to make the two hour drive. By the time I hauled my already weary, badly in need of a touch-up in every department body to the studio I was ready to go home. But no, I had five minutes to sell the hell out of my baby and promote the signing the next day. As I walked in a million concerns flew through my mind. What if I get tongue tied? What if I can't remember what F.R.E.A.K.S. stands for? What if I fart? What if I cuss? What if I scare small children with my twelve chins? It's me. Something is bound to go wrong. But I walked in with my head held high and kept a smile on my face the whole time.

I also didn't know what to expect regarding the studio either. Would it be like CNN with people running all over? Would I get to be in the green room? No, and no. Once again Hollywood has lied. I was ushered from a tiny reception area to a bench. A bench. A few of the other guests of "Virginia This Morning" had already assembeled including the "pie ladies" with one of their adorable daughters dressed as Yankee Doodle Dandy to act as Vanna White during their demonstration, and real life ghost hunters the Richmond Investigators of the Paranormal. Those boys and I had an interesting conversation about ghosts. (Yes I am a believer). One even did a mock interview with me to prepare as they had been interviewed several times before though the years. (They even wanted my picture. Such sweet guys).

Finally it was time to go into the studio. Once again nothing like the movies. It was the size of my living room with three sets: a basic news desk with teleprompter for one, two chairs and a coffee table with a giant TV behind, and the weather station which was a desk with a green screen behind. I sat off to the side while the local Alice Cooper cover band, got ready in the corner. I was on after them.

I took my seat. I recited Federal Response to Extra-Sensory and Kindred Supernaturals a dozen times in my head. I prayed no farts or swear words would be uttered. Then the interview began and I WAS ON. All my years in drama class paid off. A switch was flicked and I went from the exhausted Quasimodo to the articulate, funny, smart girl who I let out only on special occasions. The five minutes flew by and I even remembered what F.R.E.A.K.S. stood for. Then I took off my mike and walked out the back. I don't know if I sold any books, but I sure do feel $%#@&^% good about myself. Though I do need to see someone about my chins.

To see my interview on "Virginia This Morning" go to my website www.jenniferharlowbooks.com. And if you're in the DC area this weekend come see me, Alan Orloff, and seventeen other mystery writers at the Sisters in Crime Mystery Author Extravaganza, East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia MD. Hope to see you there!

-TV Star Jennifer Harlow

3 Secrets -- The Alchemy of Inventing Realistic Characters by Guest Blogger A.B. Bourne

Let me introduce you to today’s guest blogger, A.B. Bourne. Just published in September, her first novel, THE FIRST SECRET OF EDWIN HOFF, is a thriller about an elite commando living the unexpectedly public life of a billionaire tech entrepreneur. Like me, Annie has a high tech background and, like me, she is represented by the HSG Agency. She worked at Akamai Technologies on strategic deals with IBM and Oracle, and managed Akamai's initial public offering. She now lives in Massachusetts where she is hard at work on THE SECOND SECRET OF EDWIN HOFF.

Keith

Often - maybe always - real people and real events inspire fiction writers. An author must disguise these sources, and convert their energy into made up characters and scenes that feel authentic. How?

I used several techniques to write my new thriller, THE FIRST SECRET OF EDWIN HOFF, a Batman-meets-Bourne thriller about an elite commando, living the unexpectedly public life of a tech billionaire, until called upon to stop a bio-threat set to release with a 9/11 plane. Edwin saves the world from terror, turning the folks he meets into heroes. Edwin is pure fiction, but believe it or not, he’s inspired by a real man. Danny Lewin started Akamai Technologies, had a unique background, and a profound impact on most people he encountered, including me. Until that terrible Tuesday.

The book is all fiction, but working with Danny was powerful, as was the peak and trough of the dot.com era. Some of the lessons and essences of that time have migrated to this novel - but nowhere obvious. Here’s how I made sure of that:

1) Use “Slivers” from Real Life.

In college, I had the rare opportunity to attend a small seminar led by Toni Morrison, the Nobel and Pulitzer winning author. “How do you start a book?” someone asked. Ms. Morrison said she began with small “slivers” -- a glance exchanged on a pillow, she offered – and then she would layer the rest of the character and plot over that sliver until she had a book. I figure a Nobel/Pulitzer prize winner must know what she’s talking about so I’ve tried to build the psychology of my characters on a memorable blush or hesitation, a prideful boast, or surge of adrenalin. Usually, a single character will end up with attributes from several different real people, and then a few more that just start to make sense as she or he takes shape.

2) Mix it up! Human character strengths and failings do not discriminate.

Surprisingly, a single human attribute fits as easily on a character that is old or young, male or female, of any ethnicity or nationality. If the fierce focus of a young man moves you, see what an old woman would do with that skill. If you sense weakness in a successful middle aged man, make a younger woman wrestle with it. I nearly always change age and gender when working with character traits inspired by real people. No one feels exposed and the demographic changes create space for new plot, dialogue and character development for my truly fictional, but resonant, characters.

It works. Nine months before we published THE FIRST SECRET OF EDWIN HOFF, I gave manuscripts to the top people at Akamai to be sure that truth was not stranger than fiction; offering to change anything that inadvertently had struck too close to home.

“It’s fiction,” one shrugged. “I can’t figure out who any one is.” Later another reader, also a former co-worker, sent me an email: “I’ve spent the first 50 pages projecting our old friends on every new character but I’m over that now.”

3) Work with your character’s psychology, not their CV.

Before beginning a book, some suggest building an elaborate profile for each character – decide where your character was born, where he went to school, his favorite colors, etc.

I don’t do this. First I focus on my character’s fundamental strength; then on his weakness, or his profound yearning; then what caused each. The positive and negative forces of these attributes spin the character’s development like a top - which then turns the plot believably. This storm helps me pull in character history that supports the character’s fundamental dilemma. When an author stays true to the character’s real strengths and forces her to transcend her limitations – or fail because of them -- readers keep turning your pages.

The other night, Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock kept me up until 2:31 a.m. The girl who falls for the killer is train-wreck compelling. We know only that her father lives in a dingy flat, bargains weakly, then sells her to a threatening stranger for 150 quid. We watch her squint to see her new husband. All she sees in a drawer full of switchblades and a stashed can of cash is a husband’s savings, something that should buy his wife a pretty pink dress. This compulsive delusion, and where it leads her, makes us fear for her, blame her, want to protect her and – keep watching her.

Good luck!

Note: You can read more about Annie and her book at www.abbourne.com.

And They Are Easy to Wrap

According to my calendar, it’s November (not quite sure how that happened, but it might have something to do with last month being October). When November arrives, it’s time to start thinking about the holidays. And when I starting thinking about the holidays, I think about cakes pies cookies brownies presents.

And when I think about presents, I think about books (among other things).

As a kid, I’d frequently get books as gifts. For my birthday, for Hanukah, for Arbor Day, even for my Bar Mitzvah (and let me tell you, no 13-year-old wants to get a copy of The Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry. Trust me.).

Most of the books were cool. I remember one great book, The Book of Answers, that had (surprise!) answers to a bunch of very perplexing questions. (I recently revisited that book and discovered that some of the answers were complete hogwash, but I guess that’s a topic for another blog). Every year I got a world almanac, and I spent hours and hours poring over all the statistics: populations of foreign countries, exchange rates of foreign currencies, GNP per capita (okay, I was a little geeky). I also got golf books, football books, baseball books, basketball books, tennis books (anyone see a pattern?), and, yes, even a few novels here and there.

I also got socks for presents, and let me tell you, books were way better.

Now that I’m an adult, I still like to give and receive books as gifts. How about you, do books make it onto your gift lists? And since we’re talking gifts, how about ereaders? Are they a must-have item this year? What say you, people?

Alan

Reviews Rollercoaster

Keith here.

The rubescent glow that Lynn Farris's review of Drop By Drop on Examiner.com left on my cheeks has scarcely begun to fade:

"I found Drop by Drop... to be an exciting political thriller as well as a fascinating philosophical political treatise. While the political thriller part offered the reader an excellent whodunit, the philosophical discussion is what makes it a powerful book to read....

"I love the title Drop by Drop because it serves as a metaphor for so much occurring in the book and perhaps society today. Drop by drop we are giving up our civil liberties. Drop by drop we are losing our principles. Drop by drop, our government officials break the law and others ignore it....

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book and believe that readers of all political persuasions will like it as well. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this as an upcoming movie. Five stars out of five."

Now I understand that Examiner.com is not the New York Times, but I don't care. (Well, maybe a tad, but why the Times doesn't hire Ms. Farris is beyond me.) Any author will tell you the real joy of writing is connecting with that one reader, the one who sends you the laudatory email, the one who leaves you a Facebook message that she is gifting a dozen copies for Xmas. (BTW, I am not a friend of Ms. Farris, except now on Facebook and that doesn't really count, does it?)

Of course, it works the other way, too. Well-known mystery writer and critic Hallie Ephron gave my second book, Smasher, a real put-down in her Boston Globe review a couple of years ago:

"We follow the narrator as he caroms among the story lines.... Too bad, because with so much going on, this novel desperately needs a main character with an emotional core that can hold it all together".

I suspect a few more people read the Globe's reviews than read Examiner.com's. While this less than stellar review might have hurt just a little less than committing hari kari with a butter knife, research shows that Ms. Ephron did me a favor. A study in Marketing Science found that "For books by established authors, a negative review led to a 15% decrease in sales." Well that makes sense. But "for books by relatively unknown (new) authors, however, negative publicity has the opposite effect, increasing sales by 45%." This 45% is roughly the same, if not a little higher, than for positive reviews.

Those of us who are not quite selling as many books as James Patterson, Stephen King, or Dan Brown can take heart. A great review warms our hearts. A bad review increases sales. A win-win!