Thursday, April 26, 2012
An Interview with Steve O'Brien
Is there any special method to your writing?
I’m not sure it is special, but what works for me. I plan and outline for months. Optimally, I try to break the story into four sections. Set up, Reaction, Attack and Resolution. Each section ends with a “turning point.” This is an event or reaction to an event that causes a change in the story or a character’s motivation in response to what has happened. Then I prepare a beat sheet of each scene. Some beat sheets can be very lengthy. Mine is just a word or two about what will happen and I identify the point of view character for the scene. Sometimes scenes will be entire chapters, sometimes multiple scenes will go into a chapter. It all depends upon the pacing I am trying to create. Once the beat sheet is done I start writing. Much will change from my original design and beat sheet as I get into the writing process, but I have a “map” for the story which I follow. Odd as it sounds I go back and completely re-write the first chapter after the initial draft is done. The first chapter is critical and I don’t think it can be written until the whole story is on paper. Then I re-write, re-write and re-write. When I finish that, I re-write some more.
How many hours a day do you spend reading/writing?
My days vary considerably. I would love to be able to say I write every day, but I don’t. I read every day and on days I write, it may be 30 minutes or three hours. I have a personal neurosis that once I envision a scene in my head, I can’t move on until I’ve put it all on paper. That keeps me focused on the current scene or chapter rather than worrying about all that will come after.
What inspires you to continue being a writer?
I love the process. My best days are when I write something that I think is particularly good. The other thing is, like any craft, the more you do, the better you get. That doesn’t make it easier; it just makes it more exciting.
If you could have been the author of any novel, which title would it be and why?
Wow, great question. I’d have to go with To Kill A Mockingbird. It is a brilliant story that incorporates justice, fairness, innocence, righteousness, tension, action, and compassion. I think having the character Scout as the narrator was in itself a stroke of genius.
Do you think you will ever change audiences?
I don’t think I want to change audiences as much as broaden my audience. I think of authors like Richard North Patterson or the late Michael Crichton. Rather than repeating characters with new plots, they specialize in unique one off stories that have extremely diverse settings and themes—to the point that they become almost social commentators. Each book is its own dimension and the topics broaden their audience rather than trying to jump to a new genre completely.
What advice would you give anyone who wants to become a published author?
1) Write because you love it. This is really the only rule that matters. If you don’t love it and love the process of writing, then the work won’t be authentic. If you don’t love writing, do something else with your life.
2) Become a critical reader. Study works by other writers and deconstruct their books. Don’t copy what you find, but learn and apply the discoveries to your work.
3) Opinions about your writing are neither right nor wrong. They are just opinions. Value the ones you think are right and discard the ones that you think are wrong. No book is perfect for every reader/editor/publisher.
4) Your best book is not the one you’re working on. It is the one after that and the one after that and so on. If you believe in number 1) above just keep going. Don’t ever stop.
And do you have a list of favorite books/authors?
The Crossing, Cormac McCarthy (actually anything by Cormac McCarthy)
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Dave Eggers
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Donald Miller
The Mayor of Lexington Avenue, James Sheehan
I also love anything by Greg Iles, James Rollins and Lee Child.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
This Isn't the Sort of Thing That Happens to Someone Like You
Jon McGregor is the author of the critically acclaimed If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things, So Many Ways to Begin and Even the Dogs. He is the winner of the Betty Trask Prize and the Somerset Maugham Award, and has been twice longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. He was runner-up for the BBC National Short Story Award in both 2010 and 2011, with 'If It Keeps on Raining' and 'Wires' respectively. He was born in Bermuda in 1976. He grew up in Norfolk and now lives in Nottingham. www.jonmcgregor.com @jon_mcgregor
Let's Pretend This Never Happened: (A Mostly True Memoir)
For fans of Tina Fey and David Sedaris—Internet star Jenny Lawson, aka The Bloggess, makes her literary debut.
Jenny Lawson realized that the most mortifying moments of our lives—the ones we’d like to pretend never happened—are in fact the ones that define us. In Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor. Chapters include: “Stanley the Magical, Talking Squirrel”; “A Series of Angry Post-It Notes to My Husband”; “My Vagina Is Fine. Thanks for Asking”; “And Then I Snuck a Dead Cuban Alligator on an Airplane.” Pictures with captions (no one would believe these things without proof) accompany the text.
Crime Fiction Academy
The just-opened Crime Fiction Academy, part of The Center for Fiction, 17 E. 47th [5th/Mad], is a program dedicated to crime fiction writing and boasts a very starry faculty roster, including Lawrence Block, Linda Fairstein, Susan Isaacs, Dennis Lehane, Elmore Leonard, Val McDermid, and Joyce Carol Oates.
The 66th anniversary of the Edgar Awards
The 2012 Edgar Banquet will be on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The hotel is located on East 42nd Street at Grand Central Station. Cocktails will be at 6:30 pm, dinner at 7:30 pm. The awards program will begin after dinner and will be emceed by our current president. Order Banquet tickets onlne here.
Dress: Dress to Kill - Black Tie Preferred
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Redemption Day
About the Book:
About the Author:
Redemption Day is a highly paced thriller set in Washington DC. The story is founded upon historical events and documented teachings of the Posse Comitatus. The Posse was an anti-government militia group in the 1980' s that tried to convince farmers that banks could not lawfully foreclose on their properties. Their beliefs led to the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on a date of significance to the group April 19.
About the Author:
Steve O' Brien is an award winning novelist and attorney. Redemption Day is his third novel. His books have received multiple literary awards. He lives in Washington, D.C.
My Opinion:
Since terrorists and the threat of terrorism are currently a hot topic in the United States, this book really peaked my interest. People are intrigued by home grown terrorism and their constant threat in the United States today.
The story starts with a kidnapping of a Supreme Court Justice, Silvio Caprelli on a Washington D.C. parkway. The protagonist, a contracted analyst for the Government, Nick James is fired from his job one day and the next framed for murder. The two stories collide. Nick is a believable character who is drawn into criminal events he is ill prepared to face. He finds himself between a terrorist group and the government. The FBI wants him captured and the terrorists want him dead. Nick must try to figure out who is behind the kidnapping and what they have planned before the terrorists strike and he and everyone else run out of time. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters back stories as the mystery began to unravel.
To say this is a page turner is an understatement. I was literally on the edge of my seat. It turns out that the kidnappers are the Posse Comitatus - the group that Nick has been following for the last three years. He knows they did it he just can't prove it. The Posse Comitatus is a loosely organized far right social movement that opposes the United States federal government and believes in government on a local level only. They refuse to pay taxes or obey government laws. This book is full of action, adventure, torture scenes, and surprises that keeps you guessing until the end.
The historical statements, discussed in the Author’s Note, adds to the thrill of this book. It is action-packed from beginning to end, with something for every reader- politics, suspense and even a hint of romance. In that respect, I feel that Steve O'Brien hit the mark with this book and I look forward to reading more of his work. Redemption Day would be a great book for a book club or reading group. If you enjoy reading suspense and terror, or just enjoy a good mystery this is the right book for you. There is some strong situations etc. so I’d recommend it for older teens and adults.
My Opinion:
Since terrorists and the threat of terrorism are currently a hot topic in the United States, this book really peaked my interest. People are intrigued by home grown terrorism and their constant threat in the United States today.
The story starts with a kidnapping of a Supreme Court Justice, Silvio Caprelli on a Washington D.C. parkway. The protagonist, a contracted analyst for the Government, Nick James is fired from his job one day and the next framed for murder. The two stories collide. Nick is a believable character who is drawn into criminal events he is ill prepared to face. He finds himself between a terrorist group and the government. The FBI wants him captured and the terrorists want him dead. Nick must try to figure out who is behind the kidnapping and what they have planned before the terrorists strike and he and everyone else run out of time. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters back stories as the mystery began to unravel.
To say this is a page turner is an understatement. I was literally on the edge of my seat. It turns out that the kidnappers are the Posse Comitatus - the group that Nick has been following for the last three years. He knows they did it he just can't prove it. The Posse Comitatus is a loosely organized far right social movement that opposes the United States federal government and believes in government on a local level only. They refuse to pay taxes or obey government laws. This book is full of action, adventure, torture scenes, and surprises that keeps you guessing until the end.
The historical statements, discussed in the Author’s Note, adds to the thrill of this book. It is action-packed from beginning to end, with something for every reader- politics, suspense and even a hint of romance. In that respect, I feel that Steve O'Brien hit the mark with this book and I look forward to reading more of his work. Redemption Day would be a great book for a book club or reading group. If you enjoy reading suspense and terror, or just enjoy a good mystery this is the right book for you. There is some strong situations etc. so I’d recommend it for older teens and adults.
You can purchase Redemption Day at Amazon.com
Disclosure: I received a copy of Redemption Day gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Excerpt from Redemption Day by Steve O'Brien
Where the hell is back up?
The man threw him into the side of the van. Caprelli fell to the ground, blood oozing from a cut over his eye from being slammed into the van. A man in a blue T-shirt grabbed the justice's tie and lifted him to his feet.
"What? What are you--?” The assault weapon's butt hit him square in the face, knocking him back into the van. Pain seared through his face, between his eyes. He slid down the side of the vehicle into a seated position. The tie grabber picked him up again.
"Get in," he said, motioning to the open side compartment.
"Hey, the cash," blue T-shirt pleaded.
The vans burned rubber accelerating through the overlook, shooting back onto GW Parkway. Moving at high speed, dodging back and forth in the lanes, they shot past other vehicles.
Terror surged through him like an electrical current. How long before anyone will know I’m gone? How much money do they want? Will Stella be able to get the money together? Stella. Oh God. What’s going on? Blood rolled down his cheek and into his mouth.
He rolled onto his shoulder and pushed himself into a seated position. He was going to confront his captors. He opened his lips, but before sounds could come out, he froze. The sheer terror of the attack was nothing compared to what he saw now.
Does Getting a Graduate Degree Help You Become a Better Writer?
Guest Post: This post was written by professional writer and researcher, Brooke Folliot.
Students traditionally seek to earn a graduate degree in order to ensure career advancement. As the Internet is also offering more and more graduate education, taking online graduate courses can also be a means of obtaining a degree. For writers, though, the educational path is not as clear. Writers improve by practicing their craft. This can be achieved independently, through writers groups, in a formal writing program, or any combination of the three. Is a graduate degree necessary for writers to succeed?
According to college guide Peterson’s, the typical graduate tuition is $50,000 for two years, with programs requiring anywhere from two to seven years to complete. Online programs can be a more economical option. Southern New Hampshire University offers several online creative writing master of arts degrees. Tuition is $1,827 per course (as of Spring 2012), with a total of less than $22,000 for the curriculum.
The University of New Orleans (UNO) offers a low-residency master of fine arts in creative writing. The Huffington Post listed UNO’s graduate writing degree as one of its 25 underrated MFA programs, stating that “there's no reason not to leap” at the low-residency option, especially since many students can get full funding.
Writers enroll in graduate school with the goal of improving their skills as writers. But, are graduate programs designed to accomplish this goal? While any writing-intensive graduate program will strengthen writing skills, a writing program in your desired discipline – either journalism or creative writing - will benefit you in the long run according to some experts.
A writing program can serve as a sort of modern-day writer’s salon, according to the University of Florida’s MFA website. Collaborating and studying with other writers can expose you to ideas and thoughts you might otherwise never consider. Making professional connections can also be a benefit of graduate writing programs.
Some successful authors have proven that an advanced writing degree isn’t essential. Michael Crichton’s medical degree and science background helped him immensely when he wrote Jurassic Park and created the hit TV show ER. Chick Lit author Emily Giffin practiced law for several years before pursuing her writing career. She has gone on to write several popular books such as the Something Borrowed series, which was recently made into a movie and features a lawyer as the protagonist.
Not everyone believes that graduate programs are necessary, however. According to blogger and career coach Penelope Trunk, any non-science graduate degree is a waste of time and money. While her blog post doesn’t discuss writing careers in particular, instead focusing on business degrees, she makes several applicable points, notably that the money and time wasted in graduate school would be better spent gaining life experience.
Forbes contributing writer Frances Bridges echoes many of Trunk’s points in her article “Why You Shouldn’t Go to Grad School”. Bridges bartended for a few years after she earned her undergraduate degree instead of attending graduate school. She writes that “in the same amount of time it would’ve taken me to get a master’s I worked, made money, and now work for publications writers would give fingers to work for.”
The benefits of a graduate program might be worth the costs if you plan on writing in an area that requires in-depth research and analysis, such as the sciences or law. Otherwise, writers might find it more worthwhile to take the money that would be spent on tuition and instead travel or live abroad. It worked for Hemingway.
Students traditionally seek to earn a graduate degree in order to ensure career advancement. As the Internet is also offering more and more graduate education, taking online graduate courses can also be a means of obtaining a degree. For writers, though, the educational path is not as clear. Writers improve by practicing their craft. This can be achieved independently, through writers groups, in a formal writing program, or any combination of the three. Is a graduate degree necessary for writers to succeed?
According to college guide Peterson’s, the typical graduate tuition is $50,000 for two years, with programs requiring anywhere from two to seven years to complete. Online programs can be a more economical option. Southern New Hampshire University offers several online creative writing master of arts degrees. Tuition is $1,827 per course (as of Spring 2012), with a total of less than $22,000 for the curriculum.
The University of New Orleans (UNO) offers a low-residency master of fine arts in creative writing. The Huffington Post listed UNO’s graduate writing degree as one of its 25 underrated MFA programs, stating that “there's no reason not to leap” at the low-residency option, especially since many students can get full funding.
Writers enroll in graduate school with the goal of improving their skills as writers. But, are graduate programs designed to accomplish this goal? While any writing-intensive graduate program will strengthen writing skills, a writing program in your desired discipline – either journalism or creative writing - will benefit you in the long run according to some experts.
A writing program can serve as a sort of modern-day writer’s salon, according to the University of Florida’s MFA website. Collaborating and studying with other writers can expose you to ideas and thoughts you might otherwise never consider. Making professional connections can also be a benefit of graduate writing programs.
Some successful authors have proven that an advanced writing degree isn’t essential. Michael Crichton’s medical degree and science background helped him immensely when he wrote Jurassic Park and created the hit TV show ER. Chick Lit author Emily Giffin practiced law for several years before pursuing her writing career. She has gone on to write several popular books such as the Something Borrowed series, which was recently made into a movie and features a lawyer as the protagonist.
Not everyone believes that graduate programs are necessary, however. According to blogger and career coach Penelope Trunk, any non-science graduate degree is a waste of time and money. While her blog post doesn’t discuss writing careers in particular, instead focusing on business degrees, she makes several applicable points, notably that the money and time wasted in graduate school would be better spent gaining life experience.
Forbes contributing writer Frances Bridges echoes many of Trunk’s points in her article “Why You Shouldn’t Go to Grad School”. Bridges bartended for a few years after she earned her undergraduate degree instead of attending graduate school. She writes that “in the same amount of time it would’ve taken me to get a master’s I worked, made money, and now work for publications writers would give fingers to work for.”
The benefits of a graduate program might be worth the costs if you plan on writing in an area that requires in-depth research and analysis, such as the sciences or law. Otherwise, writers might find it more worthwhile to take the money that would be spent on tuition and instead travel or live abroad. It worked for Hemingway.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
St. Johnsbury World Maple Festival 2012
Book Party!
Join Helen Chantal Pike Saturday, April 28 at 3 p.m. to celebrate the 45th anniversary of "Tall Trees, Tough Men" at Boxcar & Caboose Books & Cafe in St. Johnsbury, VT.
Call to reserve your copy: 802-748-3551.
Josip Novakovich's essay collection, Shopping for a Better Country
|
Praised roundly for his fiction, Novakovich has quietly been writing some of the finest essays on war, sex, death, friendship, and immigration. The New York Times has described his work as having "the crackle of authenticity, like the bite of breaking glass." Novakovich, who is now working at becoming a citizen of his fourth country (Yugoslavia, Croatia, United States, and now Canada), reveals himself to be a master of nearly as many forms (the story, the novel, the essay) as passports that bear his name.
Jac Jemc's My Only Wife
|
story of a husband frozen by his grief, obsessed with the wife who left him suddenly ten years ago, offering him no reason for her disappearance nor a chance to change her mind. Throughout the novel, the narrator's remembrances of his wife alternate between romantic and alarming, his own understanding of their relationship shifting as each brief episode related exposes the mystery behind who the wife was to him, and what he might truly have meant to her. Even better, every page of the book hums with Jac's gorgeous, lyric prose.
Kickstarter Project
|
Dzanc's titles have seen some review action lately:
|
Interview with Monica Leonelle
Is there any special method to your writing?
Yes! I write about it on Prose on Fire. Here's the link about writing 900-1200 words per hour: http://proseonfire.com/post/18618777174/how-i-consistently-write-900-1200-words-per-hour
How many hours a day do you spend reading/writing?
Probably 2-5 hours writing. Reading is a different story... I feel like I'm always reading.
What inspires you to continue being a writer?
I feel like I mostly write because I can't help it. I love to write and that's how I express myself, day in and day out. I can never understand how people want to be writers or authors when they don't write. I always think, "Then why aren't you writing every day?" I organically average at least 2,000 words a day writing. When I'm finishing up a manuscript, I average closer to 5,000 words a day. This is just what I do, so I never believe people who say they're going to write something but just don't have the time.
If you could have been the author of any novel, which title would it be and why?
I would never want to be the author of a different novel because then I wouldn't be able to read and enjoy it!
Do you think you will ever change audiences?
I'm currently outlining a serialized fiction story that features a large cast of all ages (similar to Game of Thrones). But I doubt I'll ever grow out of the young adult genre. I'm 28 and haven't managed to yet!
What advice would you give anyone who wants to become a published author?
Patience! It's not just for would-be authors, but also for authors. And also for myself :). I want to speed things along whenever I can, but books are a slow business.
And do you have a list of favorite books/authors?
I have tons. My favorite book from the last year is Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. It's so romantic and lovely and sweet. It's actually the second book in the Infernal Devices, so start with the first one, Clockwork Angel.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
In Defense of Dancing By Ocean Vuong
Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Ocean Vuong is currently an undergraduate at Brooklyn College, CUNY. He was a semi-finalist for the 2011 Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award and has received an Academy of American Poets award, the Connecticut Poetry Society’s Al Savard Award, as well as four Pushcart Prize nominations. Poems appear in RHINO, diode, Lantern Review, the Collagist, Verse Daily, and PANK, among others. He keeps a blog at www.oceanvuong.blogspot.com
American Poet Launch Party
Join the Academy of American Poets on Poem in Your Pocket Day to celebrate the launch of the newly redesigned American Poet, the Academy's bi-annual journal. Yusef Komunyakaa and other acclaimed poets will read from their work.
Thursday, April 26, 2012Housing Works Bookstore Café126 Crosby Street7:00 PM
What I Know For Sure About Amazement By Jonathan Safran Foer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)