Mysterious is Not Necessarily From a Mystery Writer

Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) Born in Dublin Ireland

Irish Playwright and essayist was a flamboyant and sharp witted writer who exposed the hypocrisies of Victorian society. He was a firm believer in art for art sake.  His colorful personal life, and eccentricities as well as his effected demeanor drew much attention to him even before he became an acclaimed literary genius. His printed words live on.

Most of his works were written in the 1890’s. His first book, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) was not as well received as his plays. His barbed comedy aimed at the attitudes and habits of the affluent of British society. “An Ideal Husband (1895) was about a blackmail attempt on a public official. It would seem that play or at least it’s morale repeats itself every year or so, only the venue changes.

While not a mystery writer, per se, Oscar Wilde reveals the flaws in societies fabric. As the rich and famous so often find, with fame they no longer own their life. Homosexuality was not taken lightly back then and after two years of hard labor, his sentence for exercising his sexual preference, he died a penniless pauper in 1900. The imprisonment did not dull the importance of his life’s work, however.

“America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between” Oscar Wilde 1882 a comment he made when he was on a tour in the US

Information gleaned from: The Intellectual Devotional, Revise your mind, complete your education, and roam confidently with the cultured class. David S. Kidder & Noah D. Oppenheim ©2006 Rodale

Do You Garden? Do You have Garden Gnomes?

You might ask, "What does this have to do with the Printed Word?" I just read a very compact book you should know about. Look below before it's too late.

How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack: Defend Yourself When the Lawn Warriors Strike (And They Will)
By Chuck Sambuchino  
Ten Speed Press 
ISBN 978-1-58008-463-5 
Reviewed by Billie A Williams 

“Keep reading if you want to live.” Talk about a hook. If that doesn’t get you, nothing will. Am I reading Tess Gerritsen or Stephen King? Neither.  I’m reading How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack by Chuck Sambuchino. 

 I have three of these little Garden Gnome predators but they decided not to come out this year to sit in the Keebler Elves type doorway created by a major branch breaking off our willow tree.  When another one quarter of this willow tree toppled in a windstorm this summer, I realized how very clever these Garden Gnomes are. Sambuchino verifies my observation. 

A delightful tongue in cheek, but clever look at thwarting an eventual takeover awaits the reader. Garden Gnomes do seem to multiply. They come in various sizes and colors to fit any landscape or indoor décor. 

Tidbits of ‘Gnomenclature’ (coined by Chuck Sambuchino) impart knowledge and a question in the reader’s mind –truth or Sambuchinoed—you might ask. 

An interesting trip through some natural world wonders, complete with photographs, impart wisdom and exploration and do a great job of raising the curiosity level of the reader. This book is a delightful treatise on our penchant for collecting. It’s an innocuous, harmless habit – or is it? 

Would you worry about reaching into your mailbox if you knew that, perhaps, a gnome waited there to attack that hand?  Would you opt for a Post Office Box even though it cost you time, travel and money to retrieve your mail every day? See page 45. It’s scary. 

Do you know how to make quick sand? See page 36, it’s for your own defense. 

You know about crop circles don’t you? Do you know how they are formed? See Page 22 for insider information. 

On every page there is a footer, footers  marked by a pointed, little red, gnome cap. There is no escape! 

You’ll laugh. You’ll question the sanity of the message. You will look with new eyes on that garden gnome you thought was a mere, sweet little elfin garden ornament. 

I found myself wondering as I finished this marvelous small book; when will How to survive a Pink Flamingo Attack, be released? 

I highly recommend this book to gnome lovers/owners everywhere. Even if you are not a gnome owner, but a gardener or have a neighbor who gardens—you need to read this book for your own protection or for a laugh a minute if you prefer humor.
Billie A Williams
http://www.billiewilliams.com
http://writingwide.com
Money Isn't Everything, Best Seller
Mystery Suspense, Wings Press
 

Barbara Edwards - Interview

INTERVIEW WITH BARBARA EDWARDS
Hi Barbara,
I’m so delighted to have this opportunity to chat with you. Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa your favorite beverage and let’s sit on the deck and enjoy the cooler fall evening as we explore everything we can about you and your writing.
Iced green tea and home-made almond cookies for me! I’ll try not to talk with my mouth full.
First off – I know every one will want to know who is Barbara Edwards when she is not the intriguing romance writer for some historical or contemporary tale? What do you do on your days when you put the pen down and the keyboard away for a bit?
Barbara Edwards is a married lady with a family and a very big dog. I have several pastimes. One is Civil War reenacting; the other is gardening. I love portraying a woman mourning her fallen soldier and describing life in the South during and before the Conflict. Gardening is more work, but I’m planting Antique roses as I find them. They are wonderful flowers with delightful aromas.
How long have you been writing and when did you think you’d like to become a published author?
I’ve been writing since I was a teenager. I started off with poetry, tried short stories but found they grew too big. I didn’t expect to be published then. It was a way to let out all that emotion. After I joined RWA, I realized writing was more than a hobby. It was important to me and I wanted the recognition of being published.
What is your favorite genre to write – Judging from your website and the books you have published so far I’m going with historical romance but I know that isn’t all you are writing. What genre haven’t you written in that you would like to explore and what genre can you never see yourself writing?
I love historical romance and have a couple bubbling on the back burner. To my surprise, my most recent novel turned into a paranormal. It started as a romance, but the characters went off on a strange journey and I went along for the ride. I can’t write inspirational, to my disappointment. It’s very popular, but I find myself slipping into sensual.
I admire anyone who can write believable historical novels. In my opinion getting the language and customs right is only one of the problems of writing in that genre, whether it’s romance, adventure, mystery or whatever. You need a really good ear and eye, or a really good editor that can catch inconsistencies or errors in wording etc., in my opinion. How do you manage this?
The secret is not a secret: its lots of research. I’ve always loved history so it’s not a chore. I even read historical non-fiction for fun.
You are a member of the Romance Writers of America, how does belonging to this group enhance your writing career? What benefits do you feel belonging to an organization of this proportion give you?
RWA is a great organization with access to editors and agents that you can’t find elsewhere. I’ve belonged long enough to see major changes, big squabbles and wonderful solutions. I’ve learned so much I would need an encyclopedia to list it all. The biggest benefit is the friends I’ve found. I can go anywhere in the country and have lunch with someone I know from RWA.
Teaching Romance writing is another one of your career threads – I’ve heard that when you teach you learn twice – do you feel that teaching the subject has enhanced your own writing, if so how? Have you heard from any of your students that they have sold a romance novel, or published a book?
I love teaching writing romance. The students always ask things I’d forgotten I knew. It helps to be reminded of the basics. Several students joined the local chapters and I know one who has submitted.
Can you tell us about Ancient Awakening your latest book due to be released by Wild Rose Press?
Ancient Awakening is a paranormal set in a small New England town. Police Officer ‘Mel’ Petersen investigates a death only she believes is murder. By disobeying direct orders from the Rhodes End Chief, she risks her career to follow clues that twist in circles to her backyard and lead the killer to her.
Her neighbor Stephen Zoriak is a prime suspect. Steve worked for a major pharmaceutical company where he discovered a weapon so dangerous he destroys the research. He is exposed to the dangerous organism. He suspects he is the killer and agrees to help her find the truth.
Say I’m an aspiring author, if you were to give me some advice on writing what would that be?
Write. Write every day. Write. Finish the book. Write. Learn how to make it better. Write.

You hear that writing romance is easy, and that the readers are all women with dreamy ideas about romance and happily every after. I know and you know romance readers are very selective, intelligent and discriminating readers — what would your answer be to someone who says writing romance like Harlequin books is fluff, not real writing?
I’d say the person was an illiterate know-nothing. And if they knew how to read, they’d recognize that romance authors are the best writers in the world.
What is the hardest part of writing in the Romance genre for you?
I believe in love being the strongest emotion, and I have to make my conflict reflect that.
What next for you? What are you working on now?
I’m working on a sequel to Ancient Awakening. Also, I have the outline for another historical romance, a humorous contemporary and the beginning of a romantic suspense. It’s like choosing chocolates from a box. Which one is next?

Where can my readers find out more about you and your work. Do you have a website, a blog, are you on any of the social networks such as Ning, LinkedIn, facebook, and the like?
I don’t have much social time, but belong to a number of writing loops.
Barbara Edwards
Coming soon from The Wild Rose Press: Ancient Awakening, a Black Rose
www.barbaraedwards.net
http://barbaraedwards.net/blog/blog.asp for Barb'Ed Comments
www.Wings-press.com for Annie's Heart, Another Love, Rachel's Rescue
Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us and do plan to come back again soon.