July 20, 2006

A VISIT FROM THE BLAZE FAERIE!!

They exist. Book faeries. Truly.

Some time ago I humbly confessed in cyberspace that I’d not yet read a Blaze novel. And while I hung my head in shame, some fine soul took it upon themselves to rectify this sorry state affairs. And to kick off the education of Loreth — look what arrived in the mail today!!!!!!!!!!

And to all the Blaze authors out there … you are honored to have an ambassador like this.

Thank you friend … because if you can’t call an overwhelmingly generous cyber soul like this a ‘friend’, who can you??? And watch out — ’cause your karma is gonna get you!!

July 19, 2006

ROCKY ROAD TO WAIKIKI …

I ran my favorite off-road trail today, an hour over rocky and steep terrain — the woods quiet, the air close, brooding, hot. The rivers silent and swift. And it struck me that the kind of focus it takes to negotiate these trails at any speed at all — without breaking an ankle and ending the season right there — is the same state of mind I need to reach if I want to experience that writing in “the zone” sensation.

If you focus too hard on any one particular rock – or writing ‘rule’ – your feet will hit the next rock before your eyes can even register it, or your brain assess the hazard, or the best landing aspect. You have to be “in the now” in the most Zen of ways – with part of your mind constantly on the end-goal, almost subconsciously assessing the rest of the trail ahead, and just trusting your neurological reactions and reflexes to do the rest. And your body has to be fluid, moving easily to accommodate the roll of a rock, the slip of gravel. Because if you’re tense, or think too hard, or lose that Zen focus for an instant – the moment is broken and you will stumble.

And like being in the writing zone, time seems stretched, suspended. When you stop, you almost have to blink and figure which reality you’re in.

Or am I just plain weird? Okay, don’t answer that one

And what does this all have to do with Waikiki anyway?

You will note the glimpse of one of the Hawaiian flowers on my shorts. I bought these shorts with a secret dream to run the Honolulu Marathon – a dream I’ve had for a long, long time, for a number of reasons — and if all goes according to plan this year, and barring further injury or acts of God, I will be running up Diamond Head come December … and along the famous shores of Waikiki at sunrise…

… and just maybe I’ll spot my December book on a shelf in Honolulu

July 16, 2006

ROAD TRIP

This is where I’ll be heading tomorrow. Got some errands to run in the ‘Big Smoke’ down south … athough there’s not much smoke about this city — real pretty for the most part.

That big lump of green is Stanley Park, and the buildings to the left of it, along the ocean-front, is the area my sister lives – as well as writing buddy  Kate Austin who just sold ANOTHER book to Harlequin’s NEXT line!!!! Congrats, Kate .

Those snowcapped mountains to the north-east of the photo is where you’ll find my home, and those giant white sails in the forefront are where international liners bound for Alaska dock … it’s also where many of the ceremonies for the winter Olympics  will be held in 2010.

I have in mind two books I’d like to set in Vancouver…. mostly in the not-so-pretty parts of town. So some visual research is also in order — as is a visit to the BIG library. Oh heaven .

I’ll post again probably on Wednesday. Until then ….

July 15, 2006

THE AIR IS THIN UP THERE …

 Black Tusk seen from Whistler Mountain

What have I learned about the making of a bestseller after my reading binge this week?

Authors have approached the Everest of publishing from as many angles as there are personalities … but there is one outstanding thing they ALL have in common: An incredible dedication and work ethic – many rising at 5 a.m. and working throughout the day until evening, even when they’re hitting the TIMES list year after year, after year.

And the pressure is on. Never more so. To stay at the top.

Among the other common traits … a constant and informed eye on the market, a drive to keep challenging themselves and growing –- improving craft — and a willingness to listen to and accept guidance from professionals at their publishing house.

Oh …  and flat out patience and stamina.

Debate ranges widely around the importance and impact of things like reviews, promotion, and public appearances, with agents seeming to put more emphasis on that end of things … But one consistent is that the ’giants’ interviewed all professed a deep respect for their fan base — because those readers are the undisputed kingmakers — and they can leave you in an instant.

There also seems to be general consensus that a web presence with dynamic content is a must.

So no real surprises to come out THE MAKING OF A BESTSELLER by Brain Hill and Dee Power – a series of interviews with agents, editors, publishers, bestselling authors and publicists written in a brief and pacey Q and A format  … from which you need to come up for air every now and then. If you’re going to read this book, do it this year or next, because I suspect it’s going to feel somewhat dated beyond that, given the way this business morphs.

And I found some delightful anecdotes in  BESTSELLERS — Top Writers tell How. Older interviews, but the names are still at the top of their game … and the stories of how they got there remain the same.

Overall, it’s agreed that the odds of summiting that Publishing Everest have never been more daunting. You’re either going to read the numbers and give up … or you’re going to stare them down … inspired … and fired

July 14, 2006

TESTING

Sorry about the missing photos, people. I’ve been importing them from my Blogger site because they upload faster that way. Now I’m not sure if it’s Wordpress or Blogger that’s misbehaving — or me …. I’m going to fiddle a bit so things might go wonky ….

Can you see it now?

July 13, 2006

SMELLING ‘ROSES’ …

Pardon me while I enjoy the wildflowers. They’re here for such a short while. Got me thinking how different my home will look in another three months or so … when my book comes out . Nothing like the seasons to remind one how transient things are. Yet how consistent … Oy … .stop me! There I go again!

I’m still deep into my reading pile — trying some wonderful authors for the first time. Among them: Harlan Coben, Peter Straub, John Sandford. What? No romance, you say aghast!!?? No, but these guys can really move their readers — make ‘em scared, make ‘em feel … and apart from pleasure, it helps to study the bestselling masters, no? Well, that’s my story. And I’m sticking to it.

Oh … and a quick thank-you to Nicole Burnham for introducing my youngest to romance. Thanks to ‘Niki’s’ pacey, fun YA romances, DD#2 — a dark fantasy and science fiction junkie — has expanded her scope and lovin’ it! And she’s probably hooked for life. You’ve done your bit for our genre, Nicole. Good on you!!!