Written Dreams

I've just had a great experience with editor Brittiany Koren of Written Dreams. Brittiany held a contest on the Written Dreams Facebook page and I was one of the winners. Yay! What I won was a 15 page critique, free. Can you say YIPEE! The timing couldn't have been better as I am eager to start shopping my middle-grade fantasy to agents. Brittiany's edits and suggestions were dead on and I am happily revising away. Her years of editing experience are apparent in the way she can sharpen a manuscript. So the point here is, one, don't be afraid to enter those contests, even if your project isn't complete, and two, go check out www.writtendreams.com. Yours, Joanie

Scarlet Whispers

Here are the links for "Scarlet Whispers" Scarlett River Press Book Links Scarlet Whispers print https://www.createspace.com/3825610 Scarlet Whispers Smashwords eBooks https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/160475 Scarlett Whispers Amazon Print and eBook http://www.amazon.com/kindle/dp/B0082Q2H5U/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_eos_detail

A Writer's Path

Well kids, I finally did it, but I'm not sure where to go from here. I've had a short story published. Yay! But what do I do now? Blog about it perhaps. Of course, spread the word! But really, now what? I submitted my middle grade novel to a publisher a few months back and am awaiting to hear news on that front. I've been writing a little, but not nearly as much as I should be. I think maybe the way for me to go is to keep writing short stories and submitting them where ever I can. Something's bound to pan out eventually, right? There's no certainty in that, but for me, maybe it's the best option. I loved, and at times hated, writing my novel and I'm hesitant to continue with book two of the series until I know what's happening with book one. The truth is, I will keep writing, because I can't not write and whatever direction it takes me in, I will follow, pencil in hand. Here are the links to purchase "Scarlet Whispers".

My short story "Adagio" can be found within its pages. It is a horse-themed anthology whose proceeds will benefit Hilltop Haven Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation. Please visit their site as well. "Adagio" was based on a true story. My heartfelt thanks go out to Jo-Anne Russell and Ryan Cady and all of the fine folks at Scarlett River Press. Your comments are always welcome. Yours, Joanie

Interview with author Patty Wiseman

Today I welcome author Patty Wiseman. "An Unlikely Arrangement" is Patty's debut novel and is available now online.  Please visit the link below for more information and to read some of Patty's other work.

Welcome Patty, and thank you for being my guest today.

   For the uninitiated, please describe your genre.

First of all, thank you Joanie for having me!  I guess I would describe my genre as romantic suspense.  I love an old-fashioned romance and I love mystery, so I’ve tried to intertwine the two.

      

 The story is set in  1920’s Detroit. How did you become interested in this time period?

As a child, I was always fascinated by the stories I heard of m y grandparents on my father’s side of the family. Their marriage was arranged. Unfortunately, my grandfather died in a fire when my dad was only 10 months old. My grandmother left the area shortly thereafter and remarried.  They changed my father’s last name without benefit of adoption and so the existence of my grandfather was lost in the shuffle. When my father was grown, an aunt of his told him the real story, and he tried to search for clues about his real identity. My father died before he could find anything out. I took up the search a few years ago and was amazed to find his grave in Detroit. Through other sources I pieced together bits and pieces about his life. There is no one else alive to ask that I’ve been able to find. The story fascinated me, and I felt compelled to weave a story.  .      

Your protagonist, Ruth, is placed in an interesting situation. Her feelings of teenage angst are very relatable. Did you base any of your characters on real people or people you know personally?

Ruth was actually based on my grandmother.  I knew her well before she died, and her personality  coupled with the stories I heard about her as a young woman fashioned the character in my book. She was rebellious and stubborn, and a great beauty. Peter is based on what I hoped my grandfather was like. I have pictures of him now, but heard very little about his personality.

         This is your first book. Please describe what the journey has been like and a little bit about the publishing process.

This has been an incredible journey.  It seems every step I take forward another door opens, and I am ushered into another phase of the process. I love the writing part and can sit down for hours and spin the story. When it comes to the publishing part, I am a novice, but exactly at the right time the exact person I needed for the next step appeared in my life. My publisher  Desert Coyote Productions took me by the hand and led me through the self publishing experience one step at a time.  Typesetting, fonts and formatting, ISBN numbers…kinda not my forte.  Needless to say, I’ve learned quite a bit. Could I do it on my own now? I think not.  I’ve been amazed at the amount of time all of that takes. I just want to be in my office spinning my stories.

          And lastly, how did you get into writing and what advice would you give to aspiring writers?

I’ve always wanted to write, but like so many others, life got in the way. Many years ago, I found myself raising two teenage boys alone. Divorced, working two jobs and spending a lot of time at sports events watching my boys left little time for a personal life. But once a week, a girlfriend of mine and I took advantage of ladies night at different events. We had a lot of fun and many adventures. One day, we mentioned to each other we should write a book and that’s how it started. I went off on my own as I discovered my style and voice and “An Unlikely Arrangement” was born.

Advice to aspiring writers? Keep going! Learn and grow. Read, read, read. You can learn so  much from reading the works of others. Go for your dream. It IS possible!

Thanks for taking the time to talk with me Patty and best of luck with your debut novel "An Unlikely Arrangement".



Author of An Unlikely Arrangement
Author of Short Story Blackbeard Drank Cocoa
Author of If It's Thursday Night, My Name Must Be Lola
http://www.pattywiseman.com/

 

Summer Round-Up

Oh poor blog, I've neglected you so. And yet you are still here, waiting for me to return and bring you back to life. Thank you for being so patient. Let's see- what has happened since last I wrote? The summer is whizzing by for one thing. My goal of finishing revisions on Molly McBean and the Secret Cave has come and gone and still I plug away. Some inspiration is needed. Attended the Pennwriters conference in May and what I learned changed the feel of my story in a very good way.
 My horse was lame for  a month and I have a very sick kitty. These things happen. Good things to look forward to though, a good friend's wedding and the possibility aquiring the elusive literary agent. What possibilities are on the horizon for you? Large or small, please share. Reading "Wither" by Lauren DeStefano. Love it. If YA is your cup of tea, I suggest you add it to your reading list. What else are you reading right now?

What Makes a Good Life?

Let's talk a little about life today. To be more specific, what makes life good for each of us? Is it our spouses? Our careers? How we spend our down time? Our families? I think it's a little of each. We may focus at times on things that seem so important, but in the end, they are not. That's not to say we shouldn't strive to do our best in any given situation, just maybe slow down a little. I know I'm guilty of trying to please everyone but sometimes it's just not possible. I've gotten better at making time for me and boy do I need it! Don't neglect your needs, go after your dreams. Surround yourself with people you love and trust. I'm not saying anything new here, but sometimes we need to hear it again. Here are a few things that make my life good: my husband, my horses, my family and friends, my pets and my writing.  What makes your life good? I would love to hear your input. Done preachin'.

Pick-Up Sticks

You all know the drill: The wind blows, you pick up sticks. And branches and limbs and trees. It's a viscious cycle that never seems to end. It's that time of year for anyone who owns property. It's a thankless job that needs done around every farm when winter is finally done with us. We started to pick up sticks last weekend and it's overwhelming. So many dead branches and limbs litter the pastures. Chain saws greased and revved, rakes at the ready. This year I've decided on a new approach to clean up the property. Bugle Hill will be hosting it's first bonfire-stick party. Come armed with work gloves and rakes. I'll provide the Yuengling and hot dogs and what the heck, I'll throw in the sticks too.