E-book Publishing--the Way of the Future?

The is a great article about Larry Kirshbaum, the new head of Amazon’s Trade Publishing division. Source is Bloomberg’s Business Week magazine and here is the link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/amazons-hit-man-01252012.html

It has really made me rethink the ebook route and research the future of the publishing business. The more we are open to new ways of getting our stories to readers, the better.

Happy writing!

The Beauty of Writers Groups

Last night's writers group meeting brought with it the revelation that so many of us writers shy away from stories buried deep inside our hearts, because we made the mistake of pitching it to a friend or family member who yawned, rolled their eyes or made a face, saying it wasn't marketable. As a sensitive writer, it is sometimes hard to evaluate this kind of rejection--it could be that our pitch was off, that we didn't relay the story in a way that matched what is in our mind, or that the story hasn't been adequately "fleshed out." Or maybe that special someone doesn't like romance, regardless of how well written, and you adore romance stories and can only imagine yourself writing romance. When faced with rejection, no matter how slight, do we give up on our passion stories, or do we follow our heart and see it through, all the way to THE END on the last page?

One of the beauties of a writers group is to test your creative direction and see if it resonates with other writers, especially those who are like-minded. I've been in groups where there was a spirit of hostility present, which destroys everyone's confidence. But now I am in a group where we are all supportive and kind, yet loving enough to give suggestions for clarity and improvement of plot, story, and character development. And most importantly, it is a safe place to pitch that special story and see if it truly has legs. With love, respect, and confidentiality, writers can encourage each other, hold each other accountable, and help birth a best seller. I am reminded of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien who were in a writers group in Oxford, England, that met in a local pub. Wouldn't it have been great to be a fly on the wall and hear their comments and suggestions?

Pray that God bring like-minded writers in your path (like Lewis and Tolkien) who will build you up, encourage you, and motivate you to live out the dream the Lord has planned for your life. The hard work of writing is done alone in front of a laptop or legal pad, but the ideas, stories, and characters can come from productive, healthy writers groups where the collective talent of other writers helps bring a hidden story into the hands of millions of readers.

Being Southern

Yesterday I got a revelation about myself: I'm a Southern belle. Now I have been called a Southern belle for years but scoffed at such a notion and was even insulted in my early days as a lawyer in Chicago when bright, intelligent people (even educated at Harvard) actually believed I was raised in a house that looked like Tara and was clothed and fed by my own, personal mammy. While my family did have a "maid" during the 70s (not anything like what was displayed in The Help) I was not raised on anything that remotely resembled a plantation. No, it was simply a middle class Eastern North Carolina neighborhood in a relatively poor military town where my dad was considered more affluent than most of his peers. A good sized ranch home with white columns was upgraded to a modern, architecturally designed two story with a basement when I entered high school.

I have to confess that for most of my life I was embarrassed that I was Southern--perhaps this came from an unnamed family member who fantasized about us being secretly connected to royalty or great wealth like the Vanderbilts. Basically, I was ashamed of our heritage and cringed at the horrible twang in our voices, lack of sophistication in our culture, learning, and intellect (which I later realized was due to plain ole ignorance) and the slow pace of life that doesn't sit well with a type A personality. But now, after moving back to the South after an extended absence, writing stories about the South, and learning about the rich history of the South (excluding the darkness of slavery), I can see that I was wrong. I have come to realize that being Southern is kind of cool.

I first got a glimmer of that when I lived in London for five years in the mid 90s. The Brits loved my accent and when my more twangy mother crossed the pond, they delighted in hearing her lilting drawl. That was a welcome respite after the chastisement and teasing from my Chicago days.

Just yesterday I read in Southern Living magazine that being Southern was "in," especially cultured Southerners who listen to symphony and opera and read classical literature only to step outside their farmhouse door and gather a basketful of organic eggs or harvest a bushel of fresh-grown peaches. That may sound extreme, and it is, since most of us "belles" live in suburban neighborhoods and firmly believe in Kroger and Publix. We're just normal people, really, who happen to talk a little funny, move a little slower, and can handle heat and high humidity in the dead of summer.

As I have grown in maturity and wisdom, I now recognize that being a modern-day Scarlet O'Hara is a real compliment, especially since she is one of the most beloved literary characters in the world. Beauty, strength, tenacity, perseverance, and resilience are all characteristics to be admired. So be proud of your heritage, whatever it is. And if you're a Southerner like me, be proud of your cheese grits, sausage gravy, and twang. Ain't that right, y'all?

Art Ministry

Last night, the Kingdom Principles Writers' Group met at Veronica's to have a night of creativity with the Lord. We had no idea how it would go, we just knew we wanted to get together and do something creative, other than write. Veronica loves art, as do the rest of us, so our idea was to eat and have some fellowship while working on art projects. Veronica's condo is like a mini Michael's, so there was much to choose from. We had a great time talking about the Word, listening to wonderful praise and worship music, and being creative. This is what I created, and I was very pleased! I haven't done anything on canvas since my middle school days, so I was glad I was in a safe environment where I could be free to allow the Spirit to move. Veronica found this necklace for me in the Bahamas, so it became the focal point of the picture. Brooke was my model, and I ended up with a lovely woman who is basking in the wonderful, glorious glow of her loving Savior. We had such a great time that we plan on inviting others and doing it at least once a month. Veronica tells me it is a ministry calling for her, and I would certainly agree. Art ministry - you should try it.

Kingdom Principles Writers Group

I'm thrilled that God has answered my prayers and brought two wonderful writers to start a writers' group in East Cobb. They are both so talented--Brooke Harris, who is a novelist and short story writer, and Veronica Delgado, who is a Holy Spirit inspired poet. Can't wait for y'all (yes, I'm Southern) to read their stuff very soon. We plan on being beloved, best selling writers very soon!