How could a writer spend several years growing a book (or half a lifetime) and not hope the critics will bring it to the attention of the world? I entertained those ideas a time or two as I put MR together. That my story might in someway touch thousands of others was a thought almost too grand to contemplate.
Since its publication in 2000, I've lowered my expectations. Our local bookstore didn't even send a press release when I was there to sign books. The book critic on our NPR station, who knows me by name, ignored it. The Sacramento Bee book critic, whom I'd cultivated with newsy notes before publication, ignored it. Alright, it's a one-of-a-kind book, written in a quirky way that reviewers don't like. They want a REAL memoir, in first person, that bares all: sex, drugs and rock and roll.
Well, I am unique, and can only fulfill life-missions in my own unique way. The result, while not profitable, has been deeply gratifying. Readers tell me, "I didn't want to put it down." "I was fascinated!" "It brought back so many memories." "Your writing is amazing. I can just feel myself in it." It's comments like these that remind me to keep writing, and marketing.
My grand nephew is in the business of marketing right now. He's an awesome and very handsome young man with determination and intelligence. He wants to help set up another layer of social networking for MR, which pleases me. AND, I need to discipline myself to tackle Barnes and Noble's Nook template again, which treated me very poorly last time! I've sold four books locally this past week. Every dollar goes into the "book fund" to reorder MR's for me to sell, or eventually to publish again.
I'm pleased to be working on a new book, one that doesn't resemble memoir at all. and quite excited as it develops, sometimes in twisty ways I didn't predict. So that's an update, beginning in January 2012, two years after I first had MR in my hands with a copyright, a cover and a head full of dreams!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Sunday, October 23, 2011
KINDLE VERSION AVAILABLE
Just a note that the new Kindle version of MEDICINE ROCK is available now. It can be downloaded on line for $8.00. Quite a savings. The Nook version should be up in a week or so!
Friday, October 7, 2011
GOT THE DIGITAL
It was a long process...not because of the process itself, but because of my own ignorance and proscrastination. BUT, readers can contact me and I can send them a digital copy of MEDICINE ROCK for $8.
And while I'm at it, I'd recommend Booknook as an excellent recourse for this process. Soon I'll be uploading to websites, so the book is more available there!
Thanks for checking in!
And while I'm at it, I'd recommend Booknook as an excellent recourse for this process. Soon I'll be uploading to websites, so the book is more available there!
Thanks for checking in!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
GOIN' ELECTRONIC
I've started the process to make MEDICINE ROCK available in e-format. There are many advantages to finally taking this step including more profit per sale for me, but more importantly, a cheaper way for readers to access it.
Next book will be e-format almost instantly! The world of publishing is changing so rapidly that I'd be wary to invest in any hard-copy publisher! iUniverse isn't offering eformatting at this point. When they did, briefly, they were overwhelmed with the result!
I've been adoring Isabel Allende's writings...passionate, historical, human. Also reading Confessions of an Igloo Dweller, by James Houston, an account of living with Inuits in Northern Canada in the 1940's. Fascinating.
One result of this amazing journey of writing a book is my expanded knowledge of writing styles, and of books in general (65,000 a year published in the U.S. alone). This beautiful spring I'm having a challenging time choosing between gardening and reading and writing. Lovely to have such exciting choices! May your life contain wonderful choices as well!
Next book will be e-format almost instantly! The world of publishing is changing so rapidly that I'd be wary to invest in any hard-copy publisher! iUniverse isn't offering eformatting at this point. When they did, briefly, they were overwhelmed with the result!
I've been adoring Isabel Allende's writings...passionate, historical, human. Also reading Confessions of an Igloo Dweller, by James Houston, an account of living with Inuits in Northern Canada in the 1940's. Fascinating.
One result of this amazing journey of writing a book is my expanded knowledge of writing styles, and of books in general (65,000 a year published in the U.S. alone). This beautiful spring I'm having a challenging time choosing between gardening and reading and writing. Lovely to have such exciting choices! May your life contain wonderful choices as well!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
VIGOROUS SEEDS
A few weeks ago I received a lovely letter from a woman whose son died 45 years ago. She found my book on the web and wanted to buy a copy. Bless her heart, and the heart of her husband, who partnered her in that tragedy, whatever it was. Her note echoes the knowing that the children are never forgotten; our memories of them keep their energy circulating in some magical way while we remain on the planet.
I am reading Paula, by Isabelle Allende. Every page I devour, wondering how I'd missed Isabelle's wonderful passion, memory and imagination. I am so thrilled she has written so many books, sharing her extravagant heart with all of us. Then I found her website: it was like returning to a luscious restaurant I'd come to love.
She has inspired me in a period of dimished imagination. One of the impressions she shared in this morning's reading was how Paula, her daughter who is so slowly dying in the book, planted vigorous seeds while passing through others' lives. I would like to think that is my mission as well: planting fertility through my writing and being. This is not only a humble hope, but a prayer in gratitude for the seeds I have received and nurtured from others.
Isabelle writes 9 hours a day once she has begun a book. She always begins a new book on January 8. She describes going into her space, lighting incense and candles, and inviting the spirits to gather and offer their energies to her efforts. I found this so affirming of my own process with Medicine Rock, and also quite revealing about my current dry spell. My writing room is continuously cluttered, now a shared room with my dear husband's desk, bureau, fliers, guitars, etc., and my own bureau, dirty clothes hamper, and "business" clutter of day to day life flung out on my desk. This space arose out of need for a family member to have a bedroom, and we at first hoped it would be adequate. And it is, for business, or busy-ness, but not really for inspiration. So I'll be developing a space in another part of our little compound that feels serene, private and encouraging.
She also describes a wonderful ritual to bring in new energy (p. 269) that involves washing the space with a peculiar, odorous solution, beginning from the back of the area to the door, and out the door, then washing again from the entry back into the rest of the space. These seemingly innocuous rituals, done in good faith, can work wonders in our lives. I know this from years of embracing them. And I suggest them on this page to encourage others. Writing is not only personal, not only mechanical, but transpersonal.
Remembering this has freed my creative fires. We writers are working magic; don't forget. We touch even strangers, transforming raw materials of life to Divine Light.
I am reading Paula, by Isabelle Allende. Every page I devour, wondering how I'd missed Isabelle's wonderful passion, memory and imagination. I am so thrilled she has written so many books, sharing her extravagant heart with all of us. Then I found her website: it was like returning to a luscious restaurant I'd come to love.
She has inspired me in a period of dimished imagination. One of the impressions she shared in this morning's reading was how Paula, her daughter who is so slowly dying in the book, planted vigorous seeds while passing through others' lives. I would like to think that is my mission as well: planting fertility through my writing and being. This is not only a humble hope, but a prayer in gratitude for the seeds I have received and nurtured from others.
Isabelle writes 9 hours a day once she has begun a book. She always begins a new book on January 8. She describes going into her space, lighting incense and candles, and inviting the spirits to gather and offer their energies to her efforts. I found this so affirming of my own process with Medicine Rock, and also quite revealing about my current dry spell. My writing room is continuously cluttered, now a shared room with my dear husband's desk, bureau, fliers, guitars, etc., and my own bureau, dirty clothes hamper, and "business" clutter of day to day life flung out on my desk. This space arose out of need for a family member to have a bedroom, and we at first hoped it would be adequate. And it is, for business, or busy-ness, but not really for inspiration. So I'll be developing a space in another part of our little compound that feels serene, private and encouraging.
She also describes a wonderful ritual to bring in new energy (p. 269) that involves washing the space with a peculiar, odorous solution, beginning from the back of the area to the door, and out the door, then washing again from the entry back into the rest of the space. These seemingly innocuous rituals, done in good faith, can work wonders in our lives. I know this from years of embracing them. And I suggest them on this page to encourage others. Writing is not only personal, not only mechanical, but transpersonal.
Remembering this has freed my creative fires. We writers are working magic; don't forget. We touch even strangers, transforming raw materials of life to Divine Light.
Monday, February 7, 2011
IUNIVERSE SENDS ITS BEST
Padding softly in new snow to the mailbox I didn't expect an envelope from IUniverse. It wasn't an advertising sized envelop, but a money-sized envelope, the kind that you tear the perforation and voila, there's a check.
I saved it till last as I tore apart the other correspondence. What was I expecting? Not a thing. What was I hoping? That somehow, someone had purchased a hundred books, and this was my quarterly royalty statement. And what was it? Well, it was a statement, for the IRS, declaring my earnings of $28 and some odd cents.
What does that represent? About twelve books! I chuckled, gently acknowledging my grandoise self and gratefully accepting what was declared.
In the meantime I'm sending out a couple of freebies to people who are great blessings on the planet. One is Bette LaDuke, Sun Bear's first wife, and mother of Winona. Bette is an amazing artist whose focus has been earth healing and the celebration of women throughout her long career. I can always spot one of her posters: bright colors, strong people, or wonderful animals pulsing with life.
The second one going in the mail today is to Medicine Story, whom I met many many years ago in a meadow in the Trinity Alps. He was playing piano on an old upright standing in the weeds! It was a glorious afternoon, capped off by a little fire and storytelling for the many children gathered at that lodge. He is currently working to have Leonard Peltier freed from prison, after 35 years. Leonard is suffering from cancer and needs to return home before he passes.
Both of these folks received my inquiries with graciousness, and welcomed the book. I am thrilled to share it with them. I'll also donate a copy to the silent auction at a retreat I'll be attending later this month to raise money for a scholarship fund.
In the meantime, I've enrolled in a writing class at the University to keep nudging my awareness as I put fingers to keyboard and mind to ether to create new poems, short stories, and to continue pieces of the next book!
I saved it till last as I tore apart the other correspondence. What was I expecting? Not a thing. What was I hoping? That somehow, someone had purchased a hundred books, and this was my quarterly royalty statement. And what was it? Well, it was a statement, for the IRS, declaring my earnings of $28 and some odd cents.
What does that represent? About twelve books! I chuckled, gently acknowledging my grandoise self and gratefully accepting what was declared.
In the meantime I'm sending out a couple of freebies to people who are great blessings on the planet. One is Bette LaDuke, Sun Bear's first wife, and mother of Winona. Bette is an amazing artist whose focus has been earth healing and the celebration of women throughout her long career. I can always spot one of her posters: bright colors, strong people, or wonderful animals pulsing with life.
The second one going in the mail today is to Medicine Story, whom I met many many years ago in a meadow in the Trinity Alps. He was playing piano on an old upright standing in the weeds! It was a glorious afternoon, capped off by a little fire and storytelling for the many children gathered at that lodge. He is currently working to have Leonard Peltier freed from prison, after 35 years. Leonard is suffering from cancer and needs to return home before he passes.
Both of these folks received my inquiries with graciousness, and welcomed the book. I am thrilled to share it with them. I'll also donate a copy to the silent auction at a retreat I'll be attending later this month to raise money for a scholarship fund.
In the meantime, I've enrolled in a writing class at the University to keep nudging my awareness as I put fingers to keyboard and mind to ether to create new poems, short stories, and to continue pieces of the next book!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
BREWING
I was heartened recently to read a comment by Maya Angelou that her book "Only a Caged Bird Sings" took six years to write, and three of them passed before putting fingers to keyboard. I resonated with this because as I press the keys to begin another book, I find the jungle of my mind too present, and the characters' voices somewhat distant, like distant relatives I've never met.
At this point I have opening paragraphs in first person, one in omniscient voice, and two in third person, as I feel out the flavor of this new plot. MEDICINE ROCK was relatively easy to know who-what-where-why and when: my life, my time frame, a sequential journal to follow, etc. But the new one is pure fiction, multiple layered, and there's a lot to "flesh out," as they say (horrible phrase, must have come from drawing).
To keep open and surrendered to the process, I've enrolled in a non-fiction course at the University of Montana. The text is "The Elements of Story: Field Notes on Nonfiction Writing," by Francis Flaherty (an editor at the NY Times). I haven't begun the class, but the book has been nudging my sleeping metaphors and raking through similes. For example, a character that is essentially passive needs to talk that way! Now in my galloping style of writing, that might have happened just because I can empathize with victims who hate making decisions and thrive on others' directions for their lives. But bringing this device to consciousness will ensure I make this a point, instead of a random act of dialogue.
I bought the book, used, through Amazon. I enjoyed leafing through it briefly to see it was in great shape. But later I ran into highlighting right where I would have underlined, so I guess the book's previous owner and I are "on the same page!" On a closer leafing through I note no more yellow lines; she must have given up, and just started writing!
A "purely fiction" class wasn't available, but so much is transferable that I'm impatient to start the first class. In the meantime I'm being reminded that my point of view is unique, that my sense of timing, choice of words, and how the plot is ultimately fashioned will lead to a reading adventure no one else could possibly write, but many others can deeply appreciate.
Publication date? 2017? Well, truth be known, I've already chewed on this bunch of characters, the setting and the plot for more than a year. But really, who's counting? Not them. Not me. Maybe my readers; but they'll have other great books from other artful writers in the meantime!
At this point I have opening paragraphs in first person, one in omniscient voice, and two in third person, as I feel out the flavor of this new plot. MEDICINE ROCK was relatively easy to know who-what-where-why and when: my life, my time frame, a sequential journal to follow, etc. But the new one is pure fiction, multiple layered, and there's a lot to "flesh out," as they say (horrible phrase, must have come from drawing).
To keep open and surrendered to the process, I've enrolled in a non-fiction course at the University of Montana. The text is "The Elements of Story: Field Notes on Nonfiction Writing," by Francis Flaherty (an editor at the NY Times). I haven't begun the class, but the book has been nudging my sleeping metaphors and raking through similes. For example, a character that is essentially passive needs to talk that way! Now in my galloping style of writing, that might have happened just because I can empathize with victims who hate making decisions and thrive on others' directions for their lives. But bringing this device to consciousness will ensure I make this a point, instead of a random act of dialogue.
I bought the book, used, through Amazon. I enjoyed leafing through it briefly to see it was in great shape. But later I ran into highlighting right where I would have underlined, so I guess the book's previous owner and I are "on the same page!" On a closer leafing through I note no more yellow lines; she must have given up, and just started writing!
A "purely fiction" class wasn't available, but so much is transferable that I'm impatient to start the first class. In the meantime I'm being reminded that my point of view is unique, that my sense of timing, choice of words, and how the plot is ultimately fashioned will lead to a reading adventure no one else could possibly write, but many others can deeply appreciate.
Publication date? 2017? Well, truth be known, I've already chewed on this bunch of characters, the setting and the plot for more than a year. But really, who's counting? Not them. Not me. Maybe my readers; but they'll have other great books from other artful writers in the meantime!
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