So Many Books--So Little Time

So many books—so little time or so it seems when I look at the stack growing on my desk. Some deserve immediate attention though. For instance:

Ellen Hopkins' books for the Young Adult audience are written in verse. [Tilt, Perfect, Collateral, Fallout – to name but a few ] A very unique and interesting style, to say the least.  Some pages the occasional words, still part of the verse, but running down one side or the other almost as a side bar, are a sentence themselves when read alone; but, they add meaning when you read the full version in verse including those words. So unique, edgy, but wonderful. She has many books, you'll think --so little time, how can I read them all.  Thank you Autumn for introducing her to our Amberg Writers Group. If you haven't seen her books yet, so a search on Amazon and be prepared to be impressed and pleased, even if you aren't a young adult. These books are good! [Amazon link http://tinyurl.com/8fqksos ]

Ellery Queen—Did you know---I'm embarrassed to say, I didn't—he is not real, he's the pseudonym of two men, Frederick Dannay and Manfred Lee. I picked up a copy of The Finishing Stroke, copyright 1958. It was recommended reading by my instructor, Carolyn Wheat, at The Long Ridge Writers Group School, because my work in progress is about twins who were separated from their brother at birth. It means they were actually triplets—strange premise I thought, perhaps, but—Ms. Wheat's suggestion to read The Finishing Stroke proves, at least to me, there are no new ideas, only new ways authors look at and choose to show them.

Novels in verse, Ellen Hopkins unique perspective, two men writing as one whom we've known forever as Ellery Queen, or even Angela Lansbury's novels written by her Murder She Wrote character, Jessica Fletcher. Creativity-- not trickery, it's uniqueness that counts.

A New Book and a Great Resource for Writers fiction and non-fiction

I just bought a new book, well okay I bought it on June 5, but I've been going through it and I wish I had an affiliate link for this book because I'm going to recommend it every where to every one.  It's called Sell Your Book Like Wildfire The Writer's Guide to Marketing and Publicity, by Rob Eagar...what makes this one different is that he doesn't leave the fiction writer behind - He makes it useful for all of us-- 277 pages of awesome things...like - did you know what to do with Author Connect on Amazon - do you know how it can really help you sell your books for free?

Do you know how to effectively use twitter, facebook, linkedin and the rest?  I took copious notes--and I'm still trying to digest it all. It doesn't make you feel over whelmed but it does give you a head full of what's out there and how to use it.

And each chapter he has an online resource or two on his website you can download for free. I mean this guy gives so much!  I think I paid $16.99 for this book from Writers Digest but it was worth every penny. I am usually pretty skeptical because most times its all for non-fiction -- not this one. One chapter he interviews publishers, agents and others that know what we deal with when we seek publication. It's down to earth. It's a " here's how we see what you submit," kind of stuff straight from the horses mouth, so to speak. This guy just knows what we need.

His website is http://www.bookwildfire.comgo check him out.

I'll post stuff in a couple days that I've learned from here. And another resource that I just got called "Your Daily Success Plan,7-Steps To Starting Every Single Day With The Right Mindset, A Clear Direction, And Unstoppable Energy!" by Dennis Becker...talk about stoked - I'm ready. LOL

Territorial - Responsibility - Secrets

The goddess Ebony misses her beads will they be returned before its too late?

We are, by nature, territorial. Our living space depends on our status which depends on our country, state, town and even the environmental conditions such as weather.

As I watched the bird feeder stations outside my panoramic kitchen window I observed the territorial activity of the early morning feeders, creatures of nature, free from rules--or are they?

A gray squirrel seemed almost frightened about the rabbit while both were engaged in eating the sunflower seeds the birds had pushed out of the other feeders. A huge black crow sauntered down the road bed sorting through and feeding on pedestrian-tossed leftovers. I use the term pedestrians loosely—the walker, jogger, bicyclist and various modes of propelled vehicular transportation populated by humans who, with careless disregard for the rights of others, tossed whatever half-eaten, half-drunk morsels or super sized portions they no longer needed or wanted. 

We have no street cleaners in this small-town, rural community so it is left until home owner/me or the crows, mice, voles, ground squirrels and/or an array of other scavengers see fit to take off with it or dispose of it. I go from enjoying view to my ruffled feathers over other people's lack of concern, or is it responsibility, for my territory – my space. 

Whether it's setting as the background for a fictional story or our own reality we have certain expectations about setting and the things that influence those conditions.

There are countries where you are not allowed to own the land. 

When Native American's were first encountered in America, the concept of owning land was against their beliefs. Some cultures still adhere to that belief. That doesn't give anyone license to use the land and resources irresponsibly. Quite the opposite. It means everyone is responsible for every last inch of space the Universe encompasses, from land to water, and the air one breathes.  Isn't that a better way to look at our territorial rights? 

Could you build a story around a setting with this mind set?  Where universal ownership results in a new kind of manifest destiny—a shared pride in and code of ethics for survival and well being of all?

Of course, there are still territorial issues. Some people are very uncomfortable when another invades their space, their territory, with in-your-face closeness. We are still territorial as are the creatures in nature.

Check out this book it talks of territorial rights in a different way-- anywhere you buy your books even Amazon Kindle HERE

Chapter Seven

The Painted Pony Chapter Seven


Jamie questioned her choice of friends as she drove to the family ranch. Why did she choose those like, Donna, with clairvoyant –seer tendencies? Suppose it was partly because of her own tendency to see—what wasn't visible to most. Donna saw danger for her both from a familiar person and a stranger. She did say a familiar person, not a "familiar," didn't she? There's a world of difference in what she said…Now Jamie questioned herself and her memory. I must learn to listen better and not assume.

Courtney was familiar person and always an explosive link in her life. When she wasn't involved in Jamie's life it was a good thing, but Jamie knew, if she returned to the res and the ranch there would be trouble with Courtney. There always was. That was a given.

More pleasant things crowded out those worry thoughts. Arrogant, but interesting, Ben's Grandson. The fact that he wasn't impressed by Courtney's flirting moved him u a notch in Jamie's book. Well, he was only temporary anyway and he'd probably be gone by the time she got back to the ranch.

Ben confided in her that he worried about some of the goings on at the ranch property, cutting fences was only one of them. The small herd of horses and the few cattle, no one should bother with. They certainly weren't worth rustling, not to someone looking for quick cash. So why cut fences?

Jamie was certain it wasn't rustlers, but what then?

She had a feeling she was about to find out as she pulled in to the ranch to see squad cars, troopers in uniform and some men in suits gathered around the bunk house. Where was Ben? Immediately her mind worried over his safety and well-being.

A deputy approached her truck a she slowed the truck and U-haul trailer to a stop. Ben hadn't indicated there was any trouble when she called him to tell him her plans to come back home.

The officer motioned for her to roll her window down. She obeyed without turning the engine off.

"No one is allowed on the premises, a police matter here." He motioned behind him to the men milling around the bunkhouse.

He was abrupt, a rookie showing his power to control. Jamie smiled. She recognized the rooster strut of new hires. "It's okay. I'm the owner. I'm moving back here." She pointed to the U-haul that had a large percentage of her worldly good in it.

Sheriff Ludwick (Ludy to the locals) Hale approached as she tried to reason with the rookie. Jamie smiled at Ludy. "What's up Lucy? Did Ben rob a bank?"

Sherriff Ludy ticked the brim of his hat as a salutation. "Good to see you Jamie." He waved the rookie away. The rookie laced his fingers into his belt and backed off; he didn't wilt, just stood as if on guard to protect his superior. Jamie found the display amusing, but what brought out this entourage of law concerned her more.

The suits definitely were FBI and that wasn't unusual, reservations were treated like a foreign entity, a sovereign nation when it came to law enforcement. Jamie knew this, but why they were here puzzled her.

Sheriff Hale leaned his elbows on the open window. "Discovered a marijuana grow back there."He indicated a region toward the mountain range that bordered the ranch to the North West.

Jamie glanced in that direction and saw J.C. Cole the tribal police chief headed her way. She pulled on the latch to open the truck door and Sherriff Ludy straightened up pulling the door with him.

"Where's Ben," Jamie directed her question to J.C. She didn't like him. He was the type of man who could be bought and often looked the other way when trouble surfaced.

JC shrugged. "Settin warm and cozy in his livin room I 'magin."

Jamie wanted to reach out and smack him. He never grew up. He was always a bully, all through school and continued to think he could get away with it.

She turned to face Sherriff Hale. "You know Ben would never knowingly allow this to happen."

"Well he did," JC fairly gloated.

She ignored him and waited for Sheriff Hale to respond.

"We have to investigate all angles, but I'm as sure as you are that Ben wouldn't have allowed this."

She studied Ludy Hale's face—he was holding something back. She could sense it, but what? Is Ben somehow implicated?

The Most Important Sentence In Your Book

Remember the old Peanuts Cartoon? Snoopy, a lovable beagle, wanted to be a writer. There was a recurring story line featuring Snoopy atop his dog house with his old manual typewriter, beginning his book. Snoopy never got further than his opening line, “It was a dark and stormy night.”

The first line is the most important sentence of any book, be it fiction or non-fiction. That first sentence has a big job to do. It must capture the interest of the reader and convince her to read the rest of the first page and then the rest of the book.

Today’s reader is increasingly busy, distracted, and in a hurry. He will not spend time with a book that is boring, hard to read, or needs twenty-five pages to get to the point.

So, what can you do to craft a compelling first sentence?

Follow these steps to make your first sentence powerful:

1. Don’t worry about your first sentence until you are in the editing phase of your book project. If you are in writing phase, just begin your book and know that you can come back to your first sentence to polish it during editing. If you try to write the perfect first sentence during the writing phase, you run the risk of never moving past it to the remainder of the book.
2. Pay attention to headlines in news reports, on magazine covers, and on websites. While your first sentence is not a headline, it is the very first experience your reader has of your book so it should be exciting and invite readers to continue. Begin to notice how these headlines are written and see what you can learn from that style of writing.
3. Is your first sentence boring? Read it aloud and listen. Does it sound compelling? If not, it needs revision.
4. Next, look closely at your first sentence and see if it generates curiosity. When a reader is curious, she will want to keep reading.
5. You can elicit curiosity by leading with a surprising fact, a compelling story, a thought-provoking statistic, or by using a metaphor in unusual way.
6. Read your first page. Find the most interesting piece of information on that page and make that point in your first sentence.
7. Pare down the number of words in your first sentence so that each word is crisp, clear, and serves a purpose. Shorter sentences convey more energy.

Continue to work on your opening sentence until you feel satisfied with it. When your book moves into publication, your editor will also review this opening sentence and make additional suggestions if more revisions are needed.

Your first sentence is the prelude to your reader’s experience of your book. Invest time in making that sentence shine and your readers will thank you by continuing to turn every page of your book.

Lynne Klippel is a best-selling author, publisher, and book coach who specializes in helping non-fiction authors write books that build their business and transform the world. For a f.r.e.e. assessment that will help you see your author strengths and opportunities, visit http://www.BusinessBuildingBooks.com

Old Presidents and Old Leather Journals

Zachary Taylor, 12^th President of the United States. The silk bookmark I found in an old leather bound journal indicated he was inaugurated March 5^th, 1849 and died on July 9, 1850. What made this even more eventful for me was I found this bookmark on July 9, 2011. One hundred sixty-one years after his death. The book mark was fading and the ends were frayed, but it was still beautifully preserved.

My mystery writer's mind wondered that he died so soon after he was inaugurated, he was only 66 years old. I suppose that was old for back then, but still. How did he die?  Apparently he had helped dedicate the Washington Monument earlier that hot and humid July. Just like it is today. The heat got the best of him and he retired to his quarters early to eat a bowl of cherries and drink a pitcher of milk.

Much controversy over the slavery issues of the time made him a candidate of much ridicule and argument. Did someone poison Zachary Taylor?  Or was it, as one doctor presumed some intestinal infection that did him in? Will we ever know?  I wonder? 

The bookmark and the leather book came from an estate Sale, my mother and my sister used to do estate sales near Detroit, Michigan many years ago. Upon investigating the book further I see that it was made by The New Departure Manufacturing Company, of Bristol Connecticut.  And it was called a Business Year book.  The cover, raised relief pictured scroll work and the name Mr. A Moorhouse in gold-foil inlay lettering graced the front of the journal, the edges were also gold.  I hesitate to deface the pages with my small successes; you see I had planned to use this as a success journal. I would imagine the empty journal, obviously, being housed in a leather zippered stationery holder, complete with writing surface and ink blotter, places for pens, and seals and perhaps postage of some sort, perhaps a stamp or embrossed signature press , gold –foil embrossed in the name of Albert C Marshall are two separate pieces of two different people's lives that really don't matter to anyone any more.  

 I could use it – If I dared. There are so many interesting features in the back matter of the book – a perpetual calendar 1756-1956, Leap years 1756 – 1952, parcel post zone rates – for example a one pound local package would cost you five cents…out to the 8^th zone it would cost you twelve cents. What can you mail for twelve cents today?

Each page of the journal has a tiny box that you can place a check mark next to the type of weather for that day-- clear, cloudy, rain or snow. There is a place for addresses, Insurance Expiration dates and other particulars about the policy, 

The American Creed by William Taylor Page, Business Laws, points of constitutional Laws, fifteen don'ts in the use of the American Flag and the fourteen errors of life – by Judge Rentoul as told to the Bartholomew Club(I'm not sure what that was.)

The rules as listed:

Remember these are errors:

1.       To expect to set up our own standard of right and wrong and expect everybody to conform to it.

2.       To try to measure the enjoyment of others by our own.

3.       To look for judgment and experience in youth

4.       To endeavor to mold all dispositions alike

5.       To expect uniformity of opinion in this world.

6.       Not to yield in unimportant trifles

7.       To look for perfection in our own actions

8.       To worry ourselves and others over what cannot be remedied.

9.       Not to alleviate if we can all that needs alleviation.

10.   Not to make allowances for the weakness of others

11.   To consider anything impossible that we ourselves cannot perform.

12.   To believe only what our finite minds can grasp

13.   To live as if the moment the time, the day were so important that it would live forever.

14.   To estimate people by some outside quality, for it is that within which makes the man. "London Standard." 

The Journal's forward first paragraph. "Nothing is new except that which has been forgotten," we will regard the passing of the old ear and the coming of the new one as simply a matter of looking at the calendar, for isn't it true that whatever is, functions as a merger of what has been with what is to come.

The ball bearings this company designed, which also designed and, I suppose, presented this business journal to its employees was:

 New Departure Mfg. Co

De Witt Page, President

Bristol, Connecticut

December 26, 1924

How neat, maybe I will make good use of this journal after all. It will house my successes and help me keep my bearings.