Hi All,
I've been an "absent friend" for which I apologize. My computer came down with a virus and is only now recovering. I'm posting this blog with the utmost of respect for the opportunity to do so.
How many times have we all gotton on the Internet-waves, opining about marketing this and marketing that, which is best to do, which is worse, how many to guarantee for a signing, how many to send promos to, et al. The answer: MANY TIMES. All of us who write, of course, want to sell as many books as we can to as many people as we can. That seems a reasonable expectation, I think you'll agree.
Often when we're in the middle of a project, we're in it for our hero and heroine, for our story, wondering how things will go, and praying they will go well. Not so often do we think about the readers on the other end of things, wondering if they'll like our story beyond the hope they'll buy it. I'm not saying we write without any thought for our readers and their tastes, but what I am saying is that my focus isn't on the reader as much as on my hero and heroine and what I hope for them. I feel the responsibility of writing a good-enough story to get published and satisfy any potential readership.
With regard to my current WIP, I feel a new responsibility ... "to please at least one potential reader" waiting for my story(s). I live in a small community full of friendly, engaging Colorado mountain folk. My friends and neighbors have been so supportive of my writing and are happy about any success I find with any of my books. Recently I ran into an old friend. We talked about our children and then about my books (my friend asked me about my WIP). I didn't hesitate to talk about my planned series set in Civil War, Virginia, THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE, Hearts Divided and Hearts Persuaded. Almost to the end of book one now, I'm happy to talk about how the story is going with any and all who might be interested. While I intended to write my hero and heroine into the story, I hadn't intended on a third protagonist---a little slave girl named Surry Lion. I'm not black. I didn't feel qualified to write in a black character but ... there she appeared ... on page one, the first character to speak in the story! Those of you who write historicals know what I'm talking about. You do a lot of research and it stays with you on most every page you write. Of course, in any story set in Virginia during the Civil War, slavery had to be addressed. I hope and pray I do justice to Surry's character, as well as my other protagonists.
My whole point in mentioning all of this is that my friend has a beautiful black granddaughter, that her daughter adoped two years ago. Both she and her daughter have read my books to date, liked them, and are anxious to get a copy of my Civil War series for little Caitie. They want to surround Caitie with books about her rich heritage.
I'm deeply touched and suddenly feel an overwhelming responsibility to make sure that "if only one little girl reads my book," it will all be worth it.
This one's for you, little Caitie.
Love,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
author@joannesundell.com
www.joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "Let's give `em something to blog about!"
Hi guys,
"Let's give `em something to blog about!" heh heh
Not that I don't think each and every thing that any of us blog isn't `tre importante ... but I do think some blogs are, of course, far more interesting than others. I'm not forgetting, too, that blogs come in all shapes and sizes now: Group Blogs, Individual Blogs, Blogs linked to other Blogs, Blogs representing a specific organization, Blogs about Blogs ... ya da ya da ya da ... and so it goes on the Big Bad Net!
I do think of the old saying when blogging, however, that goes something like," If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to see it, to hear it, did it really fall?" I think of this saying because many blogs go unread, except by their author. Many blogs go unnoticed, likely considered not `tre importante enough for the busy Internet Surfer, hungry for the latest and greatest and most important this and that. Fine and completely understandable and acceptable. Who doesn't want to chime in to the biggest authors, the biggest stars, the best singers, the most noteworthy politicos, et al ... in all the land? We all do, of course. But, and there's always a but in life, isn't there?
But ... there IS another side to blogging, a private side that comes out of each and every unique one of us. There are things we reveal in blogs, half of the time unaware we've even done so, our need to vent our feelings and thoughts outweighing any concern over exactly "what" we might be saying. We might be in the middle of writing a book, coming in and out of a personal trauma, stirred up over something we heard or read on the news, suffering from empty nest syndrome, hating hitting menopause, wishing we were younger and thinner and smarter ... and blogged about it, unaware we'd even done so until we're ready to press "publish."
You know, writing is a solitary endeavor, is it not? And short of going to every conference we can register for, every author "gig" we can sign up for, taking advantage of socially networking with every new "friend" on MySpace, we often find ourselves alone at our computers, in our pj's, the family cat draped over our keyboard, our coffee cup needing constant replenishing, being totally disoriented as to time, place, and person until something interrupts our solitary reverie. At just such moments ... when a noise from the outside world breaks through our psyche ... sometimes at just such moments, when we find ourselves so alone, it's like a breath of much-needed air, to be able to go to our little, individual blog sites, and "talk to all the folks our there in Big Bad Internet Land."
We know there are folks there, however few, even if they don't always comment. We know there are folks there waiting to read, to hear what we're thinking, to connect with us ... waiting for us to cut down our tree and hear it fall, wanting to be there with us as we work. "Let's give `em something to blog about" never rings more true than at this moment ... this connection.
Whether we blog individually or are connected with a hundred other blogs in a hundred different groups, we're connected and that's all that matters. We're not alone in our writing world, but join together with others ... starting with one comment, then two, then more ... linking with the outside world ...
... and oh ... What a Wonderful World!
L,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
"Let's give `em something to blog about!" heh heh
Not that I don't think each and every thing that any of us blog isn't `tre importante ... but I do think some blogs are, of course, far more interesting than others. I'm not forgetting, too, that blogs come in all shapes and sizes now: Group Blogs, Individual Blogs, Blogs linked to other Blogs, Blogs representing a specific organization, Blogs about Blogs ... ya da ya da ya da ... and so it goes on the Big Bad Net!
I do think of the old saying when blogging, however, that goes something like," If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to see it, to hear it, did it really fall?" I think of this saying because many blogs go unread, except by their author. Many blogs go unnoticed, likely considered not `tre importante enough for the busy Internet Surfer, hungry for the latest and greatest and most important this and that. Fine and completely understandable and acceptable. Who doesn't want to chime in to the biggest authors, the biggest stars, the best singers, the most noteworthy politicos, et al ... in all the land? We all do, of course. But, and there's always a but in life, isn't there?
But ... there IS another side to blogging, a private side that comes out of each and every unique one of us. There are things we reveal in blogs, half of the time unaware we've even done so, our need to vent our feelings and thoughts outweighing any concern over exactly "what" we might be saying. We might be in the middle of writing a book, coming in and out of a personal trauma, stirred up over something we heard or read on the news, suffering from empty nest syndrome, hating hitting menopause, wishing we were younger and thinner and smarter ... and blogged about it, unaware we'd even done so until we're ready to press "publish."
You know, writing is a solitary endeavor, is it not? And short of going to every conference we can register for, every author "gig" we can sign up for, taking advantage of socially networking with every new "friend" on MySpace, we often find ourselves alone at our computers, in our pj's, the family cat draped over our keyboard, our coffee cup needing constant replenishing, being totally disoriented as to time, place, and person until something interrupts our solitary reverie. At just such moments ... when a noise from the outside world breaks through our psyche ... sometimes at just such moments, when we find ourselves so alone, it's like a breath of much-needed air, to be able to go to our little, individual blog sites, and "talk to all the folks our there in Big Bad Internet Land."
We know there are folks there, however few, even if they don't always comment. We know there are folks there waiting to read, to hear what we're thinking, to connect with us ... waiting for us to cut down our tree and hear it fall, wanting to be there with us as we work. "Let's give `em something to blog about" never rings more true than at this moment ... this connection.
Whether we blog individually or are connected with a hundred other blogs in a hundred different groups, we're connected and that's all that matters. We're not alone in our writing world, but join together with others ... starting with one comment, then two, then more ... linking with the outside world ...
... and oh ... What a Wonderful World!
L,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
Thursday, July 10, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "Mind Your Writing Manners"
Hi all,
I'ts been my melancholy observation that some of us, most of us writers, do not always "mind our writing manners." Many of us do, yet some do not.
As a writer, any and all communication is important. Now most of our communication seems to be over the Internet, snail-mail reserved only for obligatory messaging. Some of us old fogies have had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to the Net! Ouch! Anyway, once there, most of us have managed to learn the basics and try to respectfully network, ever struggling to transer our "writing manners" from pen and paper to the Net.
I suppose all writers have a touch of narcissim, as this seems to develop over time and comes with the territory. I suppose too, that all writers are pretty much always busy, with little extra time (an oxymoron in our case). I've discovered that there is a wonderful rhythm when communicating with some writers and editors, all busy all of the time. You ask them a question. They answer. They ask you a question. You answer. You need help. They help. They need help. You help. Back and forth ... nice and easy ... like a smooth country western tune.
The bottom line is that everyone takes valuable time out of their writing day to socially network, et al, which often includes answering e-mails, sometimes in great detail, and is often about securing author quotes or how to get a kink worked out in their book or what's the best way to market this and that, etc. I'm amazed when some do not bother to get back, once you've helped them in some way. To me it's sad and very telling.
I'm venting here but it's for a purpose, a good one I can only hope. We, all of us, need to "always" mind our writing manners and never forget, hell or high water, to get back to folks. It's just plain rude if we do not. It's disrespectful. Just like we try not to forget to dot our i's and cross out t's in our manuscripts, we must never forget that there's another person on the other end, waiting for a response.
Thank goodness for the writers and editors and loyal readers (readers always, always get back to us) that make sure and return e-calls and cell calls and everything else. Funny, but it's always the big name writers and important editors that get back to us, that always give us some of their time, no matter how busy. They don't know the meaning of the word "no." It isn't in their vocabulary.
It is these brave few that I hope to emulate. It is to these brave few that I raise my glass of chilled chardonnay on this lovely July evening ... these brave few who ever "mind their writing manners" and ever make us smile and feel light of heart!"
Salute!
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
I'ts been my melancholy observation that some of us, most of us writers, do not always "mind our writing manners." Many of us do, yet some do not.
As a writer, any and all communication is important. Now most of our communication seems to be over the Internet, snail-mail reserved only for obligatory messaging. Some of us old fogies have had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to the Net! Ouch! Anyway, once there, most of us have managed to learn the basics and try to respectfully network, ever struggling to transer our "writing manners" from pen and paper to the Net.
I suppose all writers have a touch of narcissim, as this seems to develop over time and comes with the territory. I suppose too, that all writers are pretty much always busy, with little extra time (an oxymoron in our case). I've discovered that there is a wonderful rhythm when communicating with some writers and editors, all busy all of the time. You ask them a question. They answer. They ask you a question. You answer. You need help. They help. They need help. You help. Back and forth ... nice and easy ... like a smooth country western tune.
The bottom line is that everyone takes valuable time out of their writing day to socially network, et al, which often includes answering e-mails, sometimes in great detail, and is often about securing author quotes or how to get a kink worked out in their book or what's the best way to market this and that, etc. I'm amazed when some do not bother to get back, once you've helped them in some way. To me it's sad and very telling.
I'm venting here but it's for a purpose, a good one I can only hope. We, all of us, need to "always" mind our writing manners and never forget, hell or high water, to get back to folks. It's just plain rude if we do not. It's disrespectful. Just like we try not to forget to dot our i's and cross out t's in our manuscripts, we must never forget that there's another person on the other end, waiting for a response.
Thank goodness for the writers and editors and loyal readers (readers always, always get back to us) that make sure and return e-calls and cell calls and everything else. Funny, but it's always the big name writers and important editors that get back to us, that always give us some of their time, no matter how busy. They don't know the meaning of the word "no." It isn't in their vocabulary.
It is these brave few that I hope to emulate. It is to these brave few that I raise my glass of chilled chardonnay on this lovely July evening ... these brave few who ever "mind their writing manners" and ever make us smile and feel light of heart!"
Salute!
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "Novel Beginnings"
Hi all,
Hope this day, this week, and this year to date ... are treating you nothing short of wonderful!
I'm at a "novel beginning" and am in a mood to "blog" about it. Interesting, isn't it, how we start a book we've thought about for months and months, not to mention collected so much research we can hardly find a seat in our little office chair!
I remember beginnings and endings, in books and poety ... at least of my favorites. I'm mad about Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte`, and Robert Frost, just so you'll know. Of course THE most memorable beginning to me is from Dickins' TALE OF TWO CITIES. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ..." is engrained in all our brains, no matter what we like to read. And of course most fairy tales of old end with "... and they lived happily ever after." Don't you just love "happily ever afters?" I sure do. But not all in life, love, and books has a fairy tale ending. Despite the fact that I write historical romance (usually requiring the wished-for "happily ever after" ending), my stories must be credible. I have to do the history homework and even see if a happy ending is a possibility.
If a writer DOES his/her history homework, there's a lot there from which the protagonists can choose. The characters have credible options, credible roads which they may or may not go down. Maybe it will be possible for the hero and heroine to make a life together ... or maybe not. It's all in the history. We as writers have to find it. Sometimes easily done, and sometimes not so easy.
I say this because my "novel beginnings," with each book I write, take on more and more importance. Yes, I want to hook any potential reader on the story to follow, but because I ever strive to write credible heroines of substance into my historical romances, the opening lines seem to matter more now. I've come up with a theory here. Tell me what you think.
I think it's possible that the first line of a story, long or short, just might be the "first thought" a writer has, albeit subconsciously, that led the writer to well ... write down the story in the first place. Put yourself to the test. Look back at some of your "first lines" and see if they reflect your "first thought" in penning the tale. I know that some of us angst over first lines and some of us just start writing. For me it's the latter, which leads me to think the line was floating around in my subconscience all the while. No matter whether you angst or "just do it" I think it's fascinating, not to mention telling (excuse the pun) to go back and study our Novel Beginnings.
I think we'll all find our beginnings take us right into the action of our stories, and right into that credible place where our story needs to be for readers. We want to hook our readers, but we find that what we really need is to find the pulse of our story and stay with it, eager to discover if there will be a happily ever after ... or not. What we also might discover, too, is that characters are born into our stories that we never planned on. How much fun is that!
"Willa, whaccha think bein' a free man means?"
This is the beginning of my next novel(s), THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE, Hearts Divided, Hearts Persuaded, set in Civil War, Virginia. I'd been researching a long time, planning things (which never stays the same with me) when I opened up my computer to start ??? and this first line came out. Of course, I had to set it down and begin following the story.
Happy Writing and Happy Reading everyone!
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
Hope this day, this week, and this year to date ... are treating you nothing short of wonderful!
I'm at a "novel beginning" and am in a mood to "blog" about it. Interesting, isn't it, how we start a book we've thought about for months and months, not to mention collected so much research we can hardly find a seat in our little office chair!
I remember beginnings and endings, in books and poety ... at least of my favorites. I'm mad about Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte`, and Robert Frost, just so you'll know. Of course THE most memorable beginning to me is from Dickins' TALE OF TWO CITIES. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ..." is engrained in all our brains, no matter what we like to read. And of course most fairy tales of old end with "... and they lived happily ever after." Don't you just love "happily ever afters?" I sure do. But not all in life, love, and books has a fairy tale ending. Despite the fact that I write historical romance (usually requiring the wished-for "happily ever after" ending), my stories must be credible. I have to do the history homework and even see if a happy ending is a possibility.
If a writer DOES his/her history homework, there's a lot there from which the protagonists can choose. The characters have credible options, credible roads which they may or may not go down. Maybe it will be possible for the hero and heroine to make a life together ... or maybe not. It's all in the history. We as writers have to find it. Sometimes easily done, and sometimes not so easy.
I say this because my "novel beginnings," with each book I write, take on more and more importance. Yes, I want to hook any potential reader on the story to follow, but because I ever strive to write credible heroines of substance into my historical romances, the opening lines seem to matter more now. I've come up with a theory here. Tell me what you think.
I think it's possible that the first line of a story, long or short, just might be the "first thought" a writer has, albeit subconsciously, that led the writer to well ... write down the story in the first place. Put yourself to the test. Look back at some of your "first lines" and see if they reflect your "first thought" in penning the tale. I know that some of us angst over first lines and some of us just start writing. For me it's the latter, which leads me to think the line was floating around in my subconscience all the while. No matter whether you angst or "just do it" I think it's fascinating, not to mention telling (excuse the pun) to go back and study our Novel Beginnings.
I think we'll all find our beginnings take us right into the action of our stories, and right into that credible place where our story needs to be for readers. We want to hook our readers, but we find that what we really need is to find the pulse of our story and stay with it, eager to discover if there will be a happily ever after ... or not. What we also might discover, too, is that characters are born into our stories that we never planned on. How much fun is that!
"Willa, whaccha think bein' a free man means?"
This is the beginning of my next novel(s), THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE, Hearts Divided, Hearts Persuaded, set in Civil War, Virginia. I'd been researching a long time, planning things (which never stays the same with me) when I opened up my computer to start ??? and this first line came out. Of course, I had to set it down and begin following the story.
Happy Writing and Happy Reading everyone!
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times."
Dear friends,
One of my "dear friends" passed away this Sunday evening and the world is a lesser place without him. It is the worst of times that he is gone. He was a public figure and will be missed by so many others. He had a good heart. We were mates in junior high and high school and kept up over the years. No matter how famous he got, he never forgot his friends of old. It will be awhile before the sun shines brightly over us all, warming us, healing us, without him.
"The best of times" is to be alive, and to live each day and not let any of our moments pass by, unnoticed. "The best of times" is to know gratitude and to show gratitude, especially in the difficult writing business. It's oftentimes hard and rife with rejection notices. Ouch! It can be good. It can be good, better, "best." I'm so fortunate to have my historical romances published with Five Star-Gale, now a part of Cengage Learning. With them, "it is the best of times." They are ever-kind, ever-caring, ever-talented, and ever-supportive. Their acquisitions agents and editors, art department, et al ... well, you're not going to find any better folks on the planet. It does take a village and I couldn't be more grateful to be in Five Star's.
I bid you g'day and thank you for reading ...
My best,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
One of my "dear friends" passed away this Sunday evening and the world is a lesser place without him. It is the worst of times that he is gone. He was a public figure and will be missed by so many others. He had a good heart. We were mates in junior high and high school and kept up over the years. No matter how famous he got, he never forgot his friends of old. It will be awhile before the sun shines brightly over us all, warming us, healing us, without him.
"The best of times" is to be alive, and to live each day and not let any of our moments pass by, unnoticed. "The best of times" is to know gratitude and to show gratitude, especially in the difficult writing business. It's oftentimes hard and rife with rejection notices. Ouch! It can be good. It can be good, better, "best." I'm so fortunate to have my historical romances published with Five Star-Gale, now a part of Cengage Learning. With them, "it is the best of times." They are ever-kind, ever-caring, ever-talented, and ever-supportive. Their acquisitions agents and editors, art department, et al ... well, you're not going to find any better folks on the planet. It does take a village and I couldn't be more grateful to be in Five Star's.
I bid you g'day and thank you for reading ...
My best,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
Sunday, June 8, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "There and Back Again"
Yep, lifting from Bilbo Baggens, I am! "There and Back Again" BEA style, I am!
I just returned home from my first-ever BookExpo America in beautiful downtoan LA. La de da, la de da, la de da, as Annie Hall would opine. It was a star-studded, information-packed, publisher/writer-packed house to be sure! Being a small town mountain girl, I still feel like Dorothy visiting the Great OZ, returning from the colorful world of books, "There and Back Again," to hearth and home in black and white. I do miss the color.
Signing in the Romance Writers of America booth, with the likes of Diane Pershing and Elizabeth Boyle was a BEA moment for me, indeed. What an honor to be in the company of such writers! Then, to meet romance writers Heather Graham, Iris Johansen, and Linda Lael Miller ... well can you meet any better in the business? I have their latest "signed" books and couldn't be happier. I was happy, too, that all of my "signed" copies of A...My Name's Amelia went out the door quickly.
Only in LA guys would you be at lunch and the ever-handsome George Hamilton walks by, giving you "that smile." I turn around and guess who's sitting right behind me? Dr. Ruth, herself! Very nice. Very tiny. She wanted to know what I thought of GH's tan. At breakfast the next morning, I heard Alec Baldwin, Magic Johnson, Phillipa Gregory, and Andre Dubus, III! I mean, come on. Their comments were insightful and entertaining, not to mention personal. Of course I got a "signed" Phillipa Gregory! I met Garrison Kellior (Evan Handler from Sex&theCity butt line but was very nice in so doing) and William Shatner ... Captain Kirk and Denny Crane couldn't look better. See what I mean? Annie Hall was right: la de da, la de da, la de da!
Every publisher on the planet was there! The Disneyland of the Book World! I did visit the Gale-Cengage Learning Exhibit and had a nice chat with wonderful Ginny Raye and Laurie Taylor from Gale-Cengage. They are THE BEST and couldn't have been nicer. I'm so happy to be published with them!
Another day ... perhaps another BEA ... There and Back Again.
Love you, mean it,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAINS, 7/09
I just returned home from my first-ever BookExpo America in beautiful downtoan LA. La de da, la de da, la de da, as Annie Hall would opine. It was a star-studded, information-packed, publisher/writer-packed house to be sure! Being a small town mountain girl, I still feel like Dorothy visiting the Great OZ, returning from the colorful world of books, "There and Back Again," to hearth and home in black and white. I do miss the color.
Signing in the Romance Writers of America booth, with the likes of Diane Pershing and Elizabeth Boyle was a BEA moment for me, indeed. What an honor to be in the company of such writers! Then, to meet romance writers Heather Graham, Iris Johansen, and Linda Lael Miller ... well can you meet any better in the business? I have their latest "signed" books and couldn't be happier. I was happy, too, that all of my "signed" copies of A...My Name's Amelia went out the door quickly.
Only in LA guys would you be at lunch and the ever-handsome George Hamilton walks by, giving you "that smile." I turn around and guess who's sitting right behind me? Dr. Ruth, herself! Very nice. Very tiny. She wanted to know what I thought of GH's tan. At breakfast the next morning, I heard Alec Baldwin, Magic Johnson, Phillipa Gregory, and Andre Dubus, III! I mean, come on. Their comments were insightful and entertaining, not to mention personal. Of course I got a "signed" Phillipa Gregory! I met Garrison Kellior (Evan Handler from Sex&theCity butt line but was very nice in so doing) and William Shatner ... Captain Kirk and Denny Crane couldn't look better. See what I mean? Annie Hall was right: la de da, la de da, la de da!
Every publisher on the planet was there! The Disneyland of the Book World! I did visit the Gale-Cengage Learning Exhibit and had a nice chat with wonderful Ginny Raye and Laurie Taylor from Gale-Cengage. They are THE BEST and couldn't have been nicer. I'm so happy to be published with them!
Another day ... perhaps another BEA ... There and Back Again.
Love you, mean it,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAINS, 7/09
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ The Battle of the Network ... Romance Genres!
Please note my disclaimor: This is whimsy, only.
Because of course, we "who are about to write in the romance genre," never do battle with each other, heh heh. Really, we don't; not personally anyway. We do, however, do battle against other general fiction genres, but that story is perhaps for another day.
I reference the Battle of the Network Romance Genres because there's ever a ranking (at least in my mind) of which genre in the romance world is on top and which at rock-bottom. Ouch! You've probably guessed where I'm going here: I write historical romance which classically is at the bottom, buried beneath mystery, sci-fi, chick-lit, YA, contemporary, erotica, et al. Well, we "who write historical romance" are in full-battle-armor now so watch out ... romance world!
I happen to write historical romance set in America, which tends to fare worse than historicals set elsewhere; Regency Romances being a good example. I happen to write what I write because it's my interest, my passion, my focus ... for now, that is. I've no idea if I'll ever venture into the present, God forbid! I believe very strongly in A Sense of Place in writing, ie, I write historicals set in America because I can visualize my characters functioning in a speceific time, a specific setting.
Let's face it ... no matter the genre, in romance or otherwise, it's all about writing a darn good book. It's my belief that, at the end of the day, that's how to Win the Day!
Love you, mean it,
Jo(Gregg) Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAINS, 7/09
Because of course, we "who are about to write in the romance genre," never do battle with each other, heh heh. Really, we don't; not personally anyway. We do, however, do battle against other general fiction genres, but that story is perhaps for another day.
I reference the Battle of the Network Romance Genres because there's ever a ranking (at least in my mind) of which genre in the romance world is on top and which at rock-bottom. Ouch! You've probably guessed where I'm going here: I write historical romance which classically is at the bottom, buried beneath mystery, sci-fi, chick-lit, YA, contemporary, erotica, et al. Well, we "who write historical romance" are in full-battle-armor now so watch out ... romance world!
I happen to write historical romance set in America, which tends to fare worse than historicals set elsewhere; Regency Romances being a good example. I happen to write what I write because it's my interest, my passion, my focus ... for now, that is. I've no idea if I'll ever venture into the present, God forbid! I believe very strongly in A Sense of Place in writing, ie, I write historicals set in America because I can visualize my characters functioning in a speceific time, a specific setting.
Let's face it ... no matter the genre, in romance or otherwise, it's all about writing a darn good book. It's my belief that, at the end of the day, that's how to Win the Day!
Love you, mean it,
Jo(Gregg) Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAINS, 7/09
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "The Jane Austen Action Figure!"
Move over Ironman, Terminator, Batman, & Rambo, et al ... JANE'S BACK!
Hi all,
One of my children gave me my very own Jane Austen action figure for Mother's Day. I'm still fanning myself over such a wonderful surprise. Jane comes complete with a quill in one hand and writing journal in the other. A desk with inkwell and more paper comes, detached. When she wants to write, Jane can move her arms and set quill to paper. She can take a few steps when a break is needed from her writing labors.
Don't laugh but ... years ago when I visited Westminster Abbey in London, and passed by the sepulcres of Jane and her sisters, I touched the Abbey brochure to Jane's grave and keep it framed on my desk. Of course, I've set my Jane Austen action figure beside the immortal Westminster Abbey brochure! Lest ye think I don't sit in awe of the Bronte` sisters ... I do. I'm honoring Charlotte by having another Jane---this one Jane Eyre---figure prominantly in my 7/09 release, MEGGIE'S REMAINS~A Romance to Die For.
Besides the Jane Austen action figure, I also received a Jane Austen doll (which I'm having trouble keeping from one of my cats). I'm thinking I just might drag the doll (as Darwin tries to do) to all future book signings. Don't think I could ask for a better companion on such outings!
To the Janes!!! Forever in our hearts,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAIN, 7/09
Hi all,
One of my children gave me my very own Jane Austen action figure for Mother's Day. I'm still fanning myself over such a wonderful surprise. Jane comes complete with a quill in one hand and writing journal in the other. A desk with inkwell and more paper comes, detached. When she wants to write, Jane can move her arms and set quill to paper. She can take a few steps when a break is needed from her writing labors.
Don't laugh but ... years ago when I visited Westminster Abbey in London, and passed by the sepulcres of Jane and her sisters, I touched the Abbey brochure to Jane's grave and keep it framed on my desk. Of course, I've set my Jane Austen action figure beside the immortal Westminster Abbey brochure! Lest ye think I don't sit in awe of the Bronte` sisters ... I do. I'm honoring Charlotte by having another Jane---this one Jane Eyre---figure prominantly in my 7/09 release, MEGGIE'S REMAINS~A Romance to Die For.
Besides the Jane Austen action figure, I also received a Jane Austen doll (which I'm having trouble keeping from one of my cats). I'm thinking I just might drag the doll (as Darwin tries to do) to all future book signings. Don't think I could ask for a better companion on such outings!
To the Janes!!! Forever in our hearts,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAIN, 7/09
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "Comfortable in your writing shoes?"
Hi guys,
We've all heard the expression, "be comfortable in your shoes," more than once I'm certain. If applied to writing, I think this expression is an apt fit.
Let's face it. We're all on different rungs of that Great Writing Ladder to the New York Times Bestseller list, whether or not we admit it. This is only one of the many realities out there waiting for us when we first put finger to key ... to pen the Great American Novel. So what happens in between to encourage us or discourage us from the writing of said novel?
The harsh reality of the writing industry, that's what! The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, I call it. First the Good. We're creating, we're writing, we're following our passion, we're plotting and planning and finding our niche`, we're entering contests and finding our way to critique groups, attending conferences, participating in workshops, and networking with other writers, some of whom are already on "the list." Then, wonder of wonders, we're getting published. Still all good so far, right guys?
Then comes the Bad. We're discovering we're not really the only writer in the room, of course. This is a necessary lesson to learn. We are only one among all the horrible hoardes getting published, getting reviewed, setting up appearances in bookstores and libraries, milking each release for all it's worth, trying to market and get our brand out there. I label this bad since learning to market ourselves is anything but easy. We must morph from that cute little puppy into a pit bull. For some this might be fun. For others ... can we go back to the shelter now, please?
Last, the Ugly. Reviews can be ugly. One man or woman's disagreeable opinion can send you into the corner for weeks, where you're free to put yourself down, call yourself names, and forswear never to write again. While ugly, hopefully this is a short period in our faltering writing careers. The other shoe has to fall when the reviews are not good, and the numbers are not there in sales. Ugly, indeed. Another painful realization can settle into your bones now, rearing it's ugly head: writing can be competitive. Ugh! The "C" word! so, what's the answer? Where's the cure for such a cursed malady?
Like clicking our little red shoes together, we've had the power all along to get out of the Uglies and rid ourselves of creeping competitive feelings. Once we learn to find our writing spot and are comfortable in our writing shoes, then ... we write books that get good reviews and many more readers, bless them! We've learned the dirty little secret in writing (at least in this writer's mind) that we, each one of us, have something unique to offer. No matter what our genre, no matter how many others are writing in the same genre ... no one else can create our heroes and heroines and write our stories. Sometimes we're good, sometimes bad, and sometimes ugly, but we're all the time unique. Once we learn our best fit for the market, we can take our unique little booties to market, and sell, sell, sell. We've found our market at last, large print press or small, and can say with pride that we're comfortable in our writing shoes.
We're not trying to put on anyone's shoes now but our own.
Until next time,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
We've all heard the expression, "be comfortable in your shoes," more than once I'm certain. If applied to writing, I think this expression is an apt fit.
Let's face it. We're all on different rungs of that Great Writing Ladder to the New York Times Bestseller list, whether or not we admit it. This is only one of the many realities out there waiting for us when we first put finger to key ... to pen the Great American Novel. So what happens in between to encourage us or discourage us from the writing of said novel?
The harsh reality of the writing industry, that's what! The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, I call it. First the Good. We're creating, we're writing, we're following our passion, we're plotting and planning and finding our niche`, we're entering contests and finding our way to critique groups, attending conferences, participating in workshops, and networking with other writers, some of whom are already on "the list." Then, wonder of wonders, we're getting published. Still all good so far, right guys?
Then comes the Bad. We're discovering we're not really the only writer in the room, of course. This is a necessary lesson to learn. We are only one among all the horrible hoardes getting published, getting reviewed, setting up appearances in bookstores and libraries, milking each release for all it's worth, trying to market and get our brand out there. I label this bad since learning to market ourselves is anything but easy. We must morph from that cute little puppy into a pit bull. For some this might be fun. For others ... can we go back to the shelter now, please?
Last, the Ugly. Reviews can be ugly. One man or woman's disagreeable opinion can send you into the corner for weeks, where you're free to put yourself down, call yourself names, and forswear never to write again. While ugly, hopefully this is a short period in our faltering writing careers. The other shoe has to fall when the reviews are not good, and the numbers are not there in sales. Ugly, indeed. Another painful realization can settle into your bones now, rearing it's ugly head: writing can be competitive. Ugh! The "C" word! so, what's the answer? Where's the cure for such a cursed malady?
Like clicking our little red shoes together, we've had the power all along to get out of the Uglies and rid ourselves of creeping competitive feelings. Once we learn to find our writing spot and are comfortable in our writing shoes, then ... we write books that get good reviews and many more readers, bless them! We've learned the dirty little secret in writing (at least in this writer's mind) that we, each one of us, have something unique to offer. No matter what our genre, no matter how many others are writing in the same genre ... no one else can create our heroes and heroines and write our stories. Sometimes we're good, sometimes bad, and sometimes ugly, but we're all the time unique. Once we learn our best fit for the market, we can take our unique little booties to market, and sell, sell, sell. We've found our market at last, large print press or small, and can say with pride that we're comfortable in our writing shoes.
We're not trying to put on anyone's shoes now but our own.
Until next time,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Thursday, April 24, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "Heck with the G Spot ... I need the P Spot!"
Hi guys,
P is for Plotting and I'm looking for the P Spot now with my work in progress, THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE. Now that I've begun to organize my research, I've got to map out my plotting. This time I might have a two-book series, which I've never tackled before. Each title must be stand alone, yet be connected. All of this will be a bit tricky for moi`. I'm still a newbie in historical romance writing and darn it ... "I'm trying to get it right."
Unlike other stories I've plotted, this one has more conflicts, particularly external. I mean, it's the Civil War! Ah, but which directions to take amid all the conflicts during the war between the states. Each one might be a sticky wicket indeed, as today some of the same "conflicts" are still raw.
My best tact has to be to follow the love story. Geez, that's why I started this story set in Civil War, Virginia in the first place. In developing the storyline and love story for my hero and heroine, they will dictate what I include or not. By taking this route (instead of trying to re-write stories aready told) the unique experiences of my main characters will tell a new story, one that I hope readers will find heartening. That's what it's always about for me ... from one heart to another ... Heart 2 Heart. This is, after all, romance.
I love historicals, which is why I attempt them in the first place. I just need to find out which external conflicts will be played out in THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE. Understand, I'm not complaining here. I just have a bit of trepidation when it comes to writing about such a time as the Civil War. It's all hallowed ground, for both sides, and for everyone touched by the horrors of such a fight. My cause is to do justice to all.
Thus, I'm looking for the P Spot! Plotting and Planning!
Until next time ...
Jo(annd) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAINS, 7/09
P is for Plotting and I'm looking for the P Spot now with my work in progress, THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE. Now that I've begun to organize my research, I've got to map out my plotting. This time I might have a two-book series, which I've never tackled before. Each title must be stand alone, yet be connected. All of this will be a bit tricky for moi`. I'm still a newbie in historical romance writing and darn it ... "I'm trying to get it right."
Unlike other stories I've plotted, this one has more conflicts, particularly external. I mean, it's the Civil War! Ah, but which directions to take amid all the conflicts during the war between the states. Each one might be a sticky wicket indeed, as today some of the same "conflicts" are still raw.
My best tact has to be to follow the love story. Geez, that's why I started this story set in Civil War, Virginia in the first place. In developing the storyline and love story for my hero and heroine, they will dictate what I include or not. By taking this route (instead of trying to re-write stories aready told) the unique experiences of my main characters will tell a new story, one that I hope readers will find heartening. That's what it's always about for me ... from one heart to another ... Heart 2 Heart. This is, after all, romance.
I love historicals, which is why I attempt them in the first place. I just need to find out which external conflicts will be played out in THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE. Understand, I'm not complaining here. I just have a bit of trepidation when it comes to writing about such a time as the Civil War. It's all hallowed ground, for both sides, and for everyone touched by the horrors of such a fight. My cause is to do justice to all.
Thus, I'm looking for the P Spot! Plotting and Planning!
Until next time ...
Jo(annd) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, LP 8/08
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, 12/08
MEGGIE'S REMAINS, 7/09
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
HEART 2 HEART ~ "If you blog it," will they come?
...not necessairly...
Hi all,
You guessed it. I'm angsting, yet again, over bringing traffic to this, my humble historical-romance-writing blog. I hope you don't mind the departure from my previous series of blogs on researching our novels. Perhaps some of you out there in Internet Land, can relate to what I'm about to say.
Can we talk, Heart 2 Heart?
First off, why blog? For me, a writer, it's imperative in this day and age, I believe. Everyone who writes does their utmost (or gives that impression anyway) to promote their latest project in print, in bookstores, in libraries, and/or on the Net. It's called "networking," I'm told. (heh heh) Sounds like a simple thing, does it not, to just get your website up and running, then link to related sites and authors, then start your blog. Easily done? Uh, NO!
NO, if you're part of the baby boomer generation where computers were not so handy around the house.
NO, if you don't have the computer-savy gene.
NO, if you've already had your career (I'm a nurse), raised your kids, and are supposed to have nothing more serious on your mind than the latest Book Club selection on Oprah.
NO, if the computer, with all of its wonders, scares the daylights out of you.
NO, if you haven't taken a computer class, on-line or off! (my own fault here, I realize)
NO, if many other writers can surf the Net with one hand tied behind their backs, while you wring both of your hands together in utter stress.
NO, if you don't have the luxury of living near a pool of writers' critique groups.
NO, if you're stuck in Computer 101, Linking 101, and Blogging 101!
So ... what to do?
I know that blogging is necessary today, necessary that is, if you want to reach other authors, readers, and well ... someone other than my friends here in the Colorado mountain hinterlands! I love living rural (as opposed to living large), but it doesn't always get me to my Writing Groups on time. I'm blaming this on our wonderful ski weather! But the roads, guys, sometimes they are the Roads Less Travelled, for good reason. (Pardon me, dear Robert Frost ... my FAVORITE POET.)
I have writing buds who have rhetorical blogs, where there's no opportunity to comment back and no expectation that many are visiting anyway. That's all well and good but, I realize now, that just won't do if you're a romance writer and want to invite readers to share what they like and don't like, not just about my writing, but about the romance genre as a whole. What are we without our readers? What are we without writers, editors, agents, and all others interested in the romance-writing industry ... finding our blog? In a room alone, I'd say.
So ... I DO have a blogspot. I DO have a link to it on my website. I DO have a newsletter from my website, inviting folks to visit my blog. I DO have a MySpace page, where I cut and paste my latest blog. I can subscribe to other MySpace blog groups.
What I DON'T have as yet are other groups subscribing to my blog, and good traffic to my existing blog. I DON'T have help in getting my blog advertised out there on the Big Bad Net. I recently discovered BlogBurst and have applied to them, to be a part of their network system. I'm hoping they'll accept my blog and know that if they do ...
"If I blog it," they WILL come!"
Until next time ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
* * * * *
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Hi all,
You guessed it. I'm angsting, yet again, over bringing traffic to this, my humble historical-romance-writing blog. I hope you don't mind the departure from my previous series of blogs on researching our novels. Perhaps some of you out there in Internet Land, can relate to what I'm about to say.
Can we talk, Heart 2 Heart?
First off, why blog? For me, a writer, it's imperative in this day and age, I believe. Everyone who writes does their utmost (or gives that impression anyway) to promote their latest project in print, in bookstores, in libraries, and/or on the Net. It's called "networking," I'm told. (heh heh) Sounds like a simple thing, does it not, to just get your website up and running, then link to related sites and authors, then start your blog. Easily done? Uh, NO!
NO, if you're part of the baby boomer generation where computers were not so handy around the house.
NO, if you don't have the computer-savy gene.
NO, if you've already had your career (I'm a nurse), raised your kids, and are supposed to have nothing more serious on your mind than the latest Book Club selection on Oprah.
NO, if the computer, with all of its wonders, scares the daylights out of you.
NO, if you haven't taken a computer class, on-line or off! (my own fault here, I realize)
NO, if many other writers can surf the Net with one hand tied behind their backs, while you wring both of your hands together in utter stress.
NO, if you don't have the luxury of living near a pool of writers' critique groups.
NO, if you're stuck in Computer 101, Linking 101, and Blogging 101!
So ... what to do?
I know that blogging is necessary today, necessary that is, if you want to reach other authors, readers, and well ... someone other than my friends here in the Colorado mountain hinterlands! I love living rural (as opposed to living large), but it doesn't always get me to my Writing Groups on time. I'm blaming this on our wonderful ski weather! But the roads, guys, sometimes they are the Roads Less Travelled, for good reason. (Pardon me, dear Robert Frost ... my FAVORITE POET.)
I have writing buds who have rhetorical blogs, where there's no opportunity to comment back and no expectation that many are visiting anyway. That's all well and good but, I realize now, that just won't do if you're a romance writer and want to invite readers to share what they like and don't like, not just about my writing, but about the romance genre as a whole. What are we without our readers? What are we without writers, editors, agents, and all others interested in the romance-writing industry ... finding our blog? In a room alone, I'd say.
So ... I DO have a blogspot. I DO have a link to it on my website. I DO have a newsletter from my website, inviting folks to visit my blog. I DO have a MySpace page, where I cut and paste my latest blog. I can subscribe to other MySpace blog groups.
What I DON'T have as yet are other groups subscribing to my blog, and good traffic to my existing blog. I DON'T have help in getting my blog advertised out there on the Big Bad Net. I recently discovered BlogBurst and have applied to them, to be a part of their network system. I'm hoping they'll accept my blog and know that if they do ...
"If I blog it," they WILL come!"
Until next time ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
* * * * *
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Research for our novels - when is enough, enough?"
Hi All,
Hoping to soon RIP (Research In Peace), I'm still at war so to speak, with the amount of research necessary to begin my current Civil War romance, set in Virginia. At times it's overwhelming ... I mean come on ... it's the Civil War! I mentioned before that I grew up in Virginia, at the heart of the war between the states, but I'd no idea of the hallowed ground on which I trod as a youngun`.
I'm finding that "I'd no idea" about a lot of things. Each discovery leads me to yet another one, learning facts key to my story ... key to unlocking the truth of Civil War Virginia ... what happened to Confederates, to Yankees, to African-Americans, both slave and free, to women, to families torn apart ... to make the ground indeed hallow. Getting down to the truth of it all isn't so easy, as some historical accounts have proven inaccurate. Some accounts leave important information out, depending on their opinion of the war I suppose. In any event, I'm having to gather far more information for this novel than any before. I may have to turn this into a two-book affair, as there's so much vital information that I want to put in my story ... to make it real, to make it right.
So, when is enough, enough? Interesting to ponder, is it not? I guess we, each of us, have to answer this for ourselves. Those of us who write historicals, whether romance or general fiction, must come to that point where we know ... we know we have enough information under our belts to allow our characters to walk and talk on credible ground, allowing them choices needed for their story to unfold and come alive on the printed page.
I'd love to know how you research your novels. Please comment if you like. I think it would be fun, not to mention fascinating, to see how we all conduct our research.
Love you, mean it ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.joannesundell.blogspot.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Hoping to soon RIP (Research In Peace), I'm still at war so to speak, with the amount of research necessary to begin my current Civil War romance, set in Virginia. At times it's overwhelming ... I mean come on ... it's the Civil War! I mentioned before that I grew up in Virginia, at the heart of the war between the states, but I'd no idea of the hallowed ground on which I trod as a youngun`.
I'm finding that "I'd no idea" about a lot of things. Each discovery leads me to yet another one, learning facts key to my story ... key to unlocking the truth of Civil War Virginia ... what happened to Confederates, to Yankees, to African-Americans, both slave and free, to women, to families torn apart ... to make the ground indeed hallow. Getting down to the truth of it all isn't so easy, as some historical accounts have proven inaccurate. Some accounts leave important information out, depending on their opinion of the war I suppose. In any event, I'm having to gather far more information for this novel than any before. I may have to turn this into a two-book affair, as there's so much vital information that I want to put in my story ... to make it real, to make it right.
So, when is enough, enough? Interesting to ponder, is it not? I guess we, each of us, have to answer this for ourselves. Those of us who write historicals, whether romance or general fiction, must come to that point where we know ... we know we have enough information under our belts to allow our characters to walk and talk on credible ground, allowing them choices needed for their story to unfold and come alive on the printed page.
I'd love to know how you research your novels. Please comment if you like. I think it would be fun, not to mention fascinating, to see how we all conduct our research.
Love you, mean it ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.joannesundell.blogspot.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Civil War, indeed!"
Hi all,
Can any war be called civil? I'm not questioning reasons for going to war, but the idea of calling any war a civil war.
I'm into research on my WIP, working title ... THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE ... and so, understandably, I'm into research of the Civil War, 1860-65. In particular, I'm interested in what happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This is a far more complicated task than I imagined, but the most interesting thing to date is that I'm learning how much I don't know about the Civil War in the very state where I was born!
The devil is ever in the details, is it not? In historical romance, to me your book stands or falls on the details. So ... the details have to be as close to perfect as you can get! Well, because both the Union and the Confederacy marched their troops back and forth over Virginia soil countless times, and because many Virginians refused to secede and separated into the state of West Virginia ... allegiance is often blurred in matters of war. I'm "here to learn" and so I shall ever try, try, try ... to get it all right.
My head and heart this morning, as I'm reading letters written by Confederate soldiers to their families, et al, are bent on the idea of any war being called a Civil War, much less OUR CIVIL WAR! In reading the pained details of the daily lives of the soldiers ... not just how they tried to survive battle, but how horrific their daily lives actually were ... rife with measles, mumps, sore throats, blisters, hunger, thirst, exposure to elements, et al ... not to mention seeing your friend's arm and shoulder point blown off or passing ill, fallen, lagging-behind soldiers along the roadways ... I'm struck by the reality that the life of a soldier during the Civil War was not at all civil. Their daily lives were a struggle and a hardship, even before the enemy was met. Brother fought against brother in some instances, friend against friend.
While the purpose for which each side fought was often known only to the individual soldier, the frey into which they all marched was the most uncivil time in our nation's still-young history. There was one civil moment ... when Lincoln, for political & economic purpose perhaps ... signed the Emancipation Proclamation ... and later the 13th amendment passed ... marking the official end of slavery. That was a civil act, indeed, in a most uncivil war.
Even now in our country we're engaged in yet another battle where friend disagrees with friend, and brother disagrees with brother. Our country is in a great divide. It is a difficult time. I'm once again reminded that war is anything but civil.
Until next time ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
http://www.joannesundell.com/
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Can any war be called civil? I'm not questioning reasons for going to war, but the idea of calling any war a civil war.
I'm into research on my WIP, working title ... THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE ... and so, understandably, I'm into research of the Civil War, 1860-65. In particular, I'm interested in what happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This is a far more complicated task than I imagined, but the most interesting thing to date is that I'm learning how much I don't know about the Civil War in the very state where I was born!
The devil is ever in the details, is it not? In historical romance, to me your book stands or falls on the details. So ... the details have to be as close to perfect as you can get! Well, because both the Union and the Confederacy marched their troops back and forth over Virginia soil countless times, and because many Virginians refused to secede and separated into the state of West Virginia ... allegiance is often blurred in matters of war. I'm "here to learn" and so I shall ever try, try, try ... to get it all right.
My head and heart this morning, as I'm reading letters written by Confederate soldiers to their families, et al, are bent on the idea of any war being called a Civil War, much less OUR CIVIL WAR! In reading the pained details of the daily lives of the soldiers ... not just how they tried to survive battle, but how horrific their daily lives actually were ... rife with measles, mumps, sore throats, blisters, hunger, thirst, exposure to elements, et al ... not to mention seeing your friend's arm and shoulder point blown off or passing ill, fallen, lagging-behind soldiers along the roadways ... I'm struck by the reality that the life of a soldier during the Civil War was not at all civil. Their daily lives were a struggle and a hardship, even before the enemy was met. Brother fought against brother in some instances, friend against friend.
While the purpose for which each side fought was often known only to the individual soldier, the frey into which they all marched was the most uncivil time in our nation's still-young history. There was one civil moment ... when Lincoln, for political & economic purpose perhaps ... signed the Emancipation Proclamation ... and later the 13th amendment passed ... marking the official end of slavery. That was a civil act, indeed, in a most uncivil war.
Even now in our country we're engaged in yet another battle where friend disagrees with friend, and brother disagrees with brother. Our country is in a great divide. It is a difficult time. I'm once again reminded that war is anything but civil.
Until next time ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
http://www.joannesundell.com/
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wednesdays with Joanne - "March Madness, in more ways than one!"
Hi all,
March Madness, for us Colorado mountain folk, means skiers at every turn on the slopes, at every restaurant in town, and in every car next to you in traffic! Yes, we actually have "traffic" here in the Fraser Valley, come ski-and-fun-in-the-sun season!
March Madness also means that everyone's a bit on edge, mad at the mud all round! That, too, is ... "on the slopes, at every restaurant in town, and in every car next to you in traffic!"
March Madness, to writers ... in particular, moi`... means 2008 is actually here and best make out that "to do" list regarding any books coming out! All of a sudden, nominees are being chosen for this award or that award, editors are sending you your manuscript for a final copy-edit run-through, libraries are setting up their summer appearance schedules, marketing needs to be set in place for bookstore signings, et al! Whew ... March Madness means that once again, I'm in the throws of the MARKETING SWEATS!
On a less anxious note, wonderful writer and editor, Alice Duncan, is mentioned in a new tome on romance, ROMANCE TODAY - AN A-Z GUIDE TO CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN ROMANCE WRITERS, Greenhaven Press, 2007. I've had the good fortune of Alice's editoral guide on all four of my books sold to Five Star-Gale, a part of Cengage Learning. She's the best!
Marching all the way into April,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
March Madness, for us Colorado mountain folk, means skiers at every turn on the slopes, at every restaurant in town, and in every car next to you in traffic! Yes, we actually have "traffic" here in the Fraser Valley, come ski-and-fun-in-the-sun season!
March Madness also means that everyone's a bit on edge, mad at the mud all round! That, too, is ... "on the slopes, at every restaurant in town, and in every car next to you in traffic!"
March Madness, to writers ... in particular, moi`... means 2008 is actually here and best make out that "to do" list regarding any books coming out! All of a sudden, nominees are being chosen for this award or that award, editors are sending you your manuscript for a final copy-edit run-through, libraries are setting up their summer appearance schedules, marketing needs to be set in place for bookstore signings, et al! Whew ... March Madness means that once again, I'm in the throws of the MARKETING SWEATS!
On a less anxious note, wonderful writer and editor, Alice Duncan, is mentioned in a new tome on romance, ROMANCE TODAY - AN A-Z GUIDE TO CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN ROMANCE WRITERS, Greenhaven Press, 2007. I've had the good fortune of Alice's editoral guide on all four of my books sold to Five Star-Gale, a part of Cengage Learning. She's the best!
Marching all the way into April,
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com
A...My Name's Amelia, LP 8/08
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Wednesdays with Joanne - Networking Decisions Made!
Hi All,
Sorry, I've been an "absent blogger" for the past weeks. But hey, "I'm back ..." (geez, not as in Polterguist, I hope!)
Already listed on the prestigious romancingtheblog.com, as a author link, I hope to be a guest blogger one of these days. Now that I have four books from Five Star, maybe they'll give me a listen. We'll see.
In future, I want to become a part of romancejunkies.com, to be listed as one of their authors, and hopefully a featured author, one of these days. We'll see on that one, too.
I'm still not wanting to go on MySpace because of the whole thing where you get a lot of "friends" that you might not want. I know it's a great way to get your name out there, but I'm still pondering this one.
As for being on squidoo.com, I'm still a participant, but I'm not really sure what you need to do to stay an active, high-on-their-involvement-scale participant. Don't know if these folks want to read about you, buy your books, or just chat it up with you re what you do, et al? I do know that you have to stay "active," I'm just not sure how do to that. Best investigate.
I've not blogged on WomenWritingTheWest, but should. This is a great writing organization, as is Colorado Romance Writers, and Romance Writers of America. My first allegiance is to Five Star, an imprint of Gale, a part of Cengage Learning! We're all in the Big Bad Writing Network, somewhere!!!
Back at ya soon ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
A...My Name's Amelia, LP summer/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Sorry, I've been an "absent blogger" for the past weeks. But hey, "I'm back ..." (geez, not as in Polterguist, I hope!)
Already listed on the prestigious romancingtheblog.com, as a author link, I hope to be a guest blogger one of these days. Now that I have four books from Five Star, maybe they'll give me a listen. We'll see.
In future, I want to become a part of romancejunkies.com, to be listed as one of their authors, and hopefully a featured author, one of these days. We'll see on that one, too.
I'm still not wanting to go on MySpace because of the whole thing where you get a lot of "friends" that you might not want. I know it's a great way to get your name out there, but I'm still pondering this one.
As for being on squidoo.com, I'm still a participant, but I'm not really sure what you need to do to stay an active, high-on-their-involvement-scale participant. Don't know if these folks want to read about you, buy your books, or just chat it up with you re what you do, et al? I do know that you have to stay "active," I'm just not sure how do to that. Best investigate.
I've not blogged on WomenWritingTheWest, but should. This is a great writing organization, as is Colorado Romance Writers, and Romance Writers of America. My first allegiance is to Five Star, an imprint of Gale, a part of Cengage Learning! We're all in the Big Bad Writing Network, somewhere!!!
Back at ya soon ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
A...My Name's Amelia, LP summer/08
Meggie's Remains, 7/09
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Wednesdays with Joanne - "The End of the World ... or it's Beginning?"
Hi all,
If any of you ever have the notion or the opportunity to visit the White Continent, you must!
As a reader, writer, romantic-at-heart, naturalist, Audobon Society member, scientist, or otherwise interested party ... Antarctica will change your life; oh, maybe not movement of tectonic plates or anything, but a change nonetheless.
The entryway to Antarctica is via Ushuaia, Argentina, the southern-most city in the world. In fact, this entryway is known as The End of the World, but I believe it is The Beginning. For to visit Antarctica is to go back in time millions of years, before man. You step into a world you couldn't even imagine before and know it is a gift, that you're there. The animals are curious about us red aliens (the parka, you know) but that is all. You wait, you let the penguins ... whether gentoo, adelie, or chinstrap, pass ... you watch as the new-born chicks struggle to survive, hoping the rain will stop since they've no protection from it or from predators ever-waiting to snatch them from their mother ... you sit very still in your zodiac while humpback whales play all around you ... you make no loud noises or threatening moves that might annoy a leopard seal lounging on a floating iceberg, so close you can see her mouth and know how her teeth can tear ... you study the ice, in awe of the greens and blues, the shapes, the sizes, the magic ... you see the albatross and petrals overhead, knowing the great seabirds stay out at sea years at a time ... you marvel at all of the animal life, all of the beauty, all of the secrets of life hidden deep beneath the ice ... hallowed ice, indeed.
Stops at some of the international research stations give evidence to the fact that Antarctica belongs to the world, no one country lays claim to any of it. Scientists and researchers come together from all over the world to help preserve Antarctica and to protect its vital surrounding waters. Krill is the basis for life in Antarctica. To lose the krill will mean the beginning of the food chain will be gone, and all else will follow. This is a tremendous threat to Antarctica now. It's not just illegal fisheries, but others, too, that take the krill to turn into fish meal to sell to fish hatcheries all over the world. I will never buy farm-fed fish again, suffice is to say. The best is always to buy Certified Fish where you can. Be mindful, too, of Chilean seabass, since ... in the catching of the bass ... many petrals and albatross will die going for the baited long-line hooks, never to return home to the waiting chicks, who will now starve and die.
It's in the ice ... the secrets of life ... hidden there ... waiting for discovery ... ways to protect our planet and preserve life for all mankind. I returned from Antarctica aware of problems, yes, but more aware of how strong our planet is, how vast, how intact it is in many ways. Antarctica is bigger than all of us ... chunks of ice are gone ... but I have a feeling that others are forming, just round the next turn of our zodiac. Life is hard and harsh at the South Pole. Endurance and survival is the order of the day, every day.
I returned from the White Continent, believing I am watching The Beginning of Life, and not its End.
Until next time ...
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
If any of you ever have the notion or the opportunity to visit the White Continent, you must!
As a reader, writer, romantic-at-heart, naturalist, Audobon Society member, scientist, or otherwise interested party ... Antarctica will change your life; oh, maybe not movement of tectonic plates or anything, but a change nonetheless.
The entryway to Antarctica is via Ushuaia, Argentina, the southern-most city in the world. In fact, this entryway is known as The End of the World, but I believe it is The Beginning. For to visit Antarctica is to go back in time millions of years, before man. You step into a world you couldn't even imagine before and know it is a gift, that you're there. The animals are curious about us red aliens (the parka, you know) but that is all. You wait, you let the penguins ... whether gentoo, adelie, or chinstrap, pass ... you watch as the new-born chicks struggle to survive, hoping the rain will stop since they've no protection from it or from predators ever-waiting to snatch them from their mother ... you sit very still in your zodiac while humpback whales play all around you ... you make no loud noises or threatening moves that might annoy a leopard seal lounging on a floating iceberg, so close you can see her mouth and know how her teeth can tear ... you study the ice, in awe of the greens and blues, the shapes, the sizes, the magic ... you see the albatross and petrals overhead, knowing the great seabirds stay out at sea years at a time ... you marvel at all of the animal life, all of the beauty, all of the secrets of life hidden deep beneath the ice ... hallowed ice, indeed.
Stops at some of the international research stations give evidence to the fact that Antarctica belongs to the world, no one country lays claim to any of it. Scientists and researchers come together from all over the world to help preserve Antarctica and to protect its vital surrounding waters. Krill is the basis for life in Antarctica. To lose the krill will mean the beginning of the food chain will be gone, and all else will follow. This is a tremendous threat to Antarctica now. It's not just illegal fisheries, but others, too, that take the krill to turn into fish meal to sell to fish hatcheries all over the world. I will never buy farm-fed fish again, suffice is to say. The best is always to buy Certified Fish where you can. Be mindful, too, of Chilean seabass, since ... in the catching of the bass ... many petrals and albatross will die going for the baited long-line hooks, never to return home to the waiting chicks, who will now starve and die.
It's in the ice ... the secrets of life ... hidden there ... waiting for discovery ... ways to protect our planet and preserve life for all mankind. I returned from Antarctica aware of problems, yes, but more aware of how strong our planet is, how vast, how intact it is in many ways. Antarctica is bigger than all of us ... chunks of ice are gone ... but I have a feeling that others are forming, just round the next turn of our zodiac. Life is hard and harsh at the South Pole. Endurance and survival is the order of the day, every day.
I returned from the White Continent, believing I am watching The Beginning of Life, and not its End.
Until next time ...
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Of whales, penguins, and seals!"
Hi guys,
This weekend I'm heading to the South Pole, via South America, then the Drake Passage. I'm very excited about this trip, ever loving all things remote, and more remote! As for the daily temperature in Antarctica in the summer (currently), it's supposed to be around 32 degrees F. As for the daily temperature ... today in the Colorado Rockies ... it's 0 degrees at the moment! Hmmm...at least I'm going from really cold to not so cold. Interesting, is it not?
I'll let you know any and all that I learn about animal life, human and otherwise, on the Antarctic Peninsula upon my return. I'm keen on hearing "up close and personal" exactly what's happening at the pole.
I'm in the middle of research for my next book, set in Civil War, Virginia, but I'm not averse to digging down in the ice and uncovering a new story. Maybe I'll find a long lost couple, stranded centuries ago, buried now, still hand-in-hand, forever bound to the frozen continent.
Until next time ...
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
This weekend I'm heading to the South Pole, via South America, then the Drake Passage. I'm very excited about this trip, ever loving all things remote, and more remote! As for the daily temperature in Antarctica in the summer (currently), it's supposed to be around 32 degrees F. As for the daily temperature ... today in the Colorado Rockies ... it's 0 degrees at the moment! Hmmm...at least I'm going from really cold to not so cold. Interesting, is it not?
I'll let you know any and all that I learn about animal life, human and otherwise, on the Antarctic Peninsula upon my return. I'm keen on hearing "up close and personal" exactly what's happening at the pole.
I'm in the middle of research for my next book, set in Civil War, Virginia, but I'm not averse to digging down in the ice and uncovering a new story. Maybe I'll find a long lost couple, stranded centuries ago, buried now, still hand-in-hand, forever bound to the frozen continent.
Until next time ...
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Country-writing vs City-writing"
Hi all,
I'm a country-writer.
To me there's a big difference between country-writing and city-writing. The difference relates, not to what we write, but to our networking ability. It's hard to "reach out and touch other writers" and have associations and involvements in writing organizations, et al, when you live in the country rather than the city. When I attend writing conferences, I'm quite envious of all the connections other writers have with their critique groups and their chapter groups. Most folks seem to gather on a regular basis and have that comraderie that is so special, so necessary, and so helpful in this tough business. It's great if you can embrace these wonderful associations, but if you cannot ...
I call it the Hermit Crab Syndrome. We all know much of writing is a singular, solitary experience. We climb into our shells and get to work, unfettered by the outside world. Both country-writers and city-writers develop Hermit Crab Syndrome, of course. It's a welcome ailment to say the least. City-writers, however, have the added benefit of other hermit crabs being in the same "hood." Country-writers are often the lone crab on the beach.
Ah, but it's my choice, is it not, to be the lone crab?
I love the mountains and welcome the isolation. Give me a quiet morning walk with my huskies in fresh mountain snow, any day, over a dash to Starbucks before I get a ticket for parking illegally! Give me free reign at my computer in my pj's, coffee "of my own brewing" in hand, my cats lolling about ever watching for what comes next in their purrrfectly wonderful world, my doggies not-so-patiently waiting to go walkies yet again, sighting fresh tracks from fox, deer, coyotes, ptarmington and ??? when we do, most often watching white-tailed deer ... watch us, over the sights and sounds of the city any day. Not that I don't love Denver. I do! It's wonderful to come down over the high mountain passes into the Queen City of the West.
Ah, but it's my choice, is it not, to choose country-writing over city-writing!
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
I'm a country-writer.
To me there's a big difference between country-writing and city-writing. The difference relates, not to what we write, but to our networking ability. It's hard to "reach out and touch other writers" and have associations and involvements in writing organizations, et al, when you live in the country rather than the city. When I attend writing conferences, I'm quite envious of all the connections other writers have with their critique groups and their chapter groups. Most folks seem to gather on a regular basis and have that comraderie that is so special, so necessary, and so helpful in this tough business. It's great if you can embrace these wonderful associations, but if you cannot ...
I call it the Hermit Crab Syndrome. We all know much of writing is a singular, solitary experience. We climb into our shells and get to work, unfettered by the outside world. Both country-writers and city-writers develop Hermit Crab Syndrome, of course. It's a welcome ailment to say the least. City-writers, however, have the added benefit of other hermit crabs being in the same "hood." Country-writers are often the lone crab on the beach.
Ah, but it's my choice, is it not, to be the lone crab?
I love the mountains and welcome the isolation. Give me a quiet morning walk with my huskies in fresh mountain snow, any day, over a dash to Starbucks before I get a ticket for parking illegally! Give me free reign at my computer in my pj's, coffee "of my own brewing" in hand, my cats lolling about ever watching for what comes next in their purrrfectly wonderful world, my doggies not-so-patiently waiting to go walkies yet again, sighting fresh tracks from fox, deer, coyotes, ptarmington and ??? when we do, most often watching white-tailed deer ... watch us, over the sights and sounds of the city any day. Not that I don't love Denver. I do! It's wonderful to come down over the high mountain passes into the Queen City of the West.
Ah, but it's my choice, is it not, to choose country-writing over city-writing!
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Lincoln Logs and Linking Blogs!"
Happy 2008!
It did feel like Lincoln Log cabin days around here this past week in the Colorado mountains. Snow and blowing snow kept most of us shut-in, even from the ski slopes! Of course it was because of avalanche danger and poor driving visibility but ... welcome to Colorado Ski Country!
I did want to raise the issue of Linking Blogs today, having reached the epiphany that you can blog and blog all you want but if you're not linked you're blogging alone. Not that I haven't appreciated it when any of you have answered my blog, it's just that I realize that I need to be "linked" to others to reach a broader readership. I say this because I am very interested, and always am, in what readers have to say about my writing, their writing, or anyone else's!
Without critical feedback, a writer is just a writer. With critical feedback, a writer is a lucky writer, indeed!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Jo(anne)
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
It did feel like Lincoln Log cabin days around here this past week in the Colorado mountains. Snow and blowing snow kept most of us shut-in, even from the ski slopes! Of course it was because of avalanche danger and poor driving visibility but ... welcome to Colorado Ski Country!
I did want to raise the issue of Linking Blogs today, having reached the epiphany that you can blog and blog all you want but if you're not linked you're blogging alone. Not that I haven't appreciated it when any of you have answered my blog, it's just that I realize that I need to be "linked" to others to reach a broader readership. I say this because I am very interested, and always am, in what readers have to say about my writing, their writing, or anyone else's!
Without critical feedback, a writer is just a writer. With critical feedback, a writer is a lucky writer, indeed!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Jo(anne)
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
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