Here's a sample from my soon-to-be released novel, St. Anne's Day. Enjoy!
“Why did you invite her anyway? You say she’s just an employee. Oh, I know, you invited her so she could change water into wine for you!” Claudia said.
In the other room, Peg slapped her knee, laughing silently.
The argument continued for a while. Everyone at the party sat staring, their ears straining to hear more.
The Morning Star Is Now Available!
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Monday, October 31, 2011
Escape from the Island of Misfit Books
Branded, libeled, I write words that are found in the Bible
I’ve been reading a lot about branding these days.
No, I haven’t been watching reruns of Bonanza or haven’t purchased a herd of steer.
Branding is a marketing buzzword, which, according to the American Marketing Association, means to establish “a name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers.”
In order to successfully publish and sell my novels, I have learned it is necessary to “brand” myself. I don't even want a tattoo, so why would I want a brand? This goes against all that society has been harping on us about for the last few decades—that it isn’t nice to categorize or stereotype people. Branding oneself is not an easy or painless task. It requires really knowing who you are as writer and what you feel passionate enough about to put into words.
But I guess I’m not really not branding myself; it is my books--their subjects and my style of writing--that I’m trying to fix in the reader’s mind. But another marketing source states that I must also be the brand and says that if you write, oh let's say, sassy, sizzling Westerns, you may want to wear red cowboy boots with your bustier! Glad I’m not writing Westerns! (Believe me, you should be glad too.)
I Want to Be a Dentist!
I’m slowly coming around to defining what I write, and I think for now I’d term it romance--whether comedic or suspenseful--that appeals to the mind, heart and soul. One of the reasons, I’ve decided to go indie is that my books don’t really fit in anywhere. Like Hermey the Elf in Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, who wanted to be a dentist, I don’t fit in with the major publishers. I’ve been marooned on the island of misfit books!
I’ve tried marketing them to the inspirational publishers, and I've come very close to getting picked up by one of them. But most of those are evangelical Christian houses, and I’m Catholic. My books are filled with Catholic influences so that wasn’t quite a perfect fit. Also, I’ve found the writing guidelines for the inspirational publishers to be very restrictive. By no means are my books filled with obscenities and graphic sex, but some of those publishers even frown on the characters dancing, having a drink or saying the words: gosh, darn and cripes because they are derivatives of God, damn, and Christ. Unfortunately, there seems to be a dearth of Catholic publishing houses that feature fiction. But from the feedback I've received from women who have stumbled upon my sample chapter of St. Anne's Day, which I'm in the process of publishing, I believe there's an market for what I write. Do you think there is? (Warning--Even if you say no, I'm still going to publish. The genie is out of the bottle!)
That Didn't Hurt a Bit!
I believe there's a market out there for contemporary fiction that is witty, warm, and wise. Witty? Warm? Wise? Wait! I think I just branded myself. Wow, and it didn't hurt a bit! (Still not getting a tattoo, though.)
I’ve been reading a lot about branding these days.
No, I haven’t been watching reruns of Bonanza or haven’t purchased a herd of steer.
Branding is a marketing buzzword, which, according to the American Marketing Association, means to establish “a name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers.”
In order to successfully publish and sell my novels, I have learned it is necessary to “brand” myself. I don't even want a tattoo, so why would I want a brand? This goes against all that society has been harping on us about for the last few decades—that it isn’t nice to categorize or stereotype people. Branding oneself is not an easy or painless task. It requires really knowing who you are as writer and what you feel passionate enough about to put into words.
But I guess I’m not really not branding myself; it is my books--their subjects and my style of writing--that I’m trying to fix in the reader’s mind. But another marketing source states that I must also be the brand and says that if you write, oh let's say, sassy, sizzling Westerns, you may want to wear red cowboy boots with your bustier! Glad I’m not writing Westerns! (Believe me, you should be glad too.)
I Want to Be a Dentist!
I’m slowly coming around to defining what I write, and I think for now I’d term it romance--whether comedic or suspenseful--that appeals to the mind, heart and soul. One of the reasons, I’ve decided to go indie is that my books don’t really fit in anywhere. Like Hermey the Elf in Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, who wanted to be a dentist, I don’t fit in with the major publishers. I’ve been marooned on the island of misfit books!
I’ve tried marketing them to the inspirational publishers, and I've come very close to getting picked up by one of them. But most of those are evangelical Christian houses, and I’m Catholic. My books are filled with Catholic influences so that wasn’t quite a perfect fit. Also, I’ve found the writing guidelines for the inspirational publishers to be very restrictive. By no means are my books filled with obscenities and graphic sex, but some of those publishers even frown on the characters dancing, having a drink or saying the words: gosh, darn and cripes because they are derivatives of God, damn, and Christ. Unfortunately, there seems to be a dearth of Catholic publishing houses that feature fiction. But from the feedback I've received from women who have stumbled upon my sample chapter of St. Anne's Day, which I'm in the process of publishing, I believe there's an market for what I write. Do you think there is? (Warning--Even if you say no, I'm still going to publish. The genie is out of the bottle!)
That Didn't Hurt a Bit!
I believe there's a market out there for contemporary fiction that is witty, warm, and wise. Witty? Warm? Wise? Wait! I think I just branded myself. Wow, and it didn't hurt a bit! (Still not getting a tattoo, though.)
Friday, July 15, 2011
I've Been a Bad Blogger
Well, it's been a while since I last blogged. I've promised myself to be a more faithful poster in the future, but being a writer has certainly become more complicated the past few years. In addition to putting pen to paper, you must now stay visible by blogging, tweeting, Facebooking and perusing LinkedIn. I like social media, but it does cut into actual writing time.
From the articles I've read on effective blogging, the cardinal sin most often committed by bloggers is failing to post. I confess, I'm guilty. I hope to go and sin no more.
From the articles I've read on effective blogging, the cardinal sin most often committed by bloggers is failing to post. I confess, I'm guilty. I hope to go and sin no more.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Here's to Heroes
Did you see the recent story about the NYC subway slasher who went on a violent spree killing several people He set out to create more carnage, but he ran into Joe Lozito, a regular commuter from Philly. When the slasher threatened him, Lozito knew he would most likely die if he didn't do something. Drawing on the moves he'd seen while watching mixed martial arts matches, Lozito fought back, saving his life and possibly the lives of others on the train. Afterward, Lozito was very humble, brushing off any credit.
In 1996, a Penn State University student opened fire on her fellow classmates, killing one and wounding another. As she stopped to reload, student Brendon Malovrh ran over and tackled her. During the struggle, she pulled a knife on Malovrh, but she inadvertently slashed her own leg. Malovrh used his belt as a tourniquet to save her life. I remember watching Malovrh while reporters interviewed him. He was very low-key, humble and seemed to shrink from the attention.
In this day when so many are clamoring for attention (i.e. Lady Gaga), it's refreshing and heartwarming to know that humble heroes still exist.
Heroes have always been a staple of literature; readers can't resist them. Perhaps we love them so much because they appeal to our higher nature. We look upon them and hope that in the same circumstances we would perform as admirably.
One of my favorite fictional heroes is Jamie Fraser from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. Fraser is honorable, brave, and self-sacrificing.
Who are some of your favorite fiction heroes? What makes them stand out in your mind?
In 1996, a Penn State University student opened fire on her fellow classmates, killing one and wounding another. As she stopped to reload, student Brendon Malovrh ran over and tackled her. During the struggle, she pulled a knife on Malovrh, but she inadvertently slashed her own leg. Malovrh used his belt as a tourniquet to save her life. I remember watching Malovrh while reporters interviewed him. He was very low-key, humble and seemed to shrink from the attention.
In this day when so many are clamoring for attention (i.e. Lady Gaga), it's refreshing and heartwarming to know that humble heroes still exist.
Heroes have always been a staple of literature; readers can't resist them. Perhaps we love them so much because they appeal to our higher nature. We look upon them and hope that in the same circumstances we would perform as admirably.
One of my favorite fictional heroes is Jamie Fraser from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. Fraser is honorable, brave, and self-sacrificing.
Who are some of your favorite fiction heroes? What makes them stand out in your mind?
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