Sprung Past Us

As I go through life in Littleton one topic never seems to dull for us–the weather.  And this year, with a crazy long winter, the warmer temperatures that have suddenly sprung up have everyone focused on the environment again.  In Littleton, in 2013, it seems we have had no spring.

But give us fifteen minutes . . .

Where have all the tulips gone? Snow got ‘em!

Colorado, like so many locations in the States, boldly asks for the short patience of another day to see dramatic change.  It was just a couple of weeks ago we Littletonians were moaning about another snow dump. I mean, really.  In May? Snow? But there it was, throughout both April and May in surprise dump after surprise dump.

And then this week, our temperatures have climbed into the 80s (Fahrenheit) so we’re sweltering.  Snow jackets sit next to shorts in the closet and doing that final wash-the-winter-things-and-put-them-away has been pushed back to heaven only knows when.

Sara’s garden — pink was her favorite color.

But, with the heat, we’re making our way outside again.  A quick survey of the damage our non-existent spring has done is little more than a lack of tulips and daffodils.  Everything else is bursting forth with its usual brilliance.

Where I live in the Denver area, spring seems to be the best of all seasons.  We get a little rain (or in this year’s case, snow) to moisten the land, and the flowers pop up beautifully on their own before we hook up our sprinkler systems and stress the water company that has told us that our two-year drought is continuing, and to watch our watering.

The confusing thing is that up in the mountains, a main source for water for Denverites, we had up to eighteen inches of snowfall on May first.  The gossip is that one of the ski resorts had nearly eight feet of snowfall this year.  Don’t believe it, say the experts.  We’re still far short of our normal snowpack.

Proph helps in my freshly planted veggie garden

As a person who loves going outside and digging in the dirt, I’m cautiously optimistic.  In the past couple of weeks I’ve been planting seed in my veggie garden, and cleaning flower beds.  Things are looking great.  Now if only the weather will cooperate.

Inside, I have to wonder if its my special time of life or the weather that leaves me too cold one day and gasping for cool are the next.  I think my body is the thing that is missing spring the most.  No chance to adjust to warmer temperatures in general.  Restaurants are already turning on the obnoxious air conditioning that leaves you feeling like you’re eating in a refrigerator.

I would love to go on about global stewardship and our need to help nature right itself, but I have no expertise — just the feeling that I blinked and missed spring this year.

Candytuft- better late than never!

What about you in your part of the world?  Is weather high on your attention span, or are things running along like a well-oiled–er–like normal?

 

 

Murder By Semi-Colon – A Quick Fiction

Last week, in my critique group, someone had the audacity to slip a colon into his pages for the week.  Can you believe it? A colon?  Wow.

It is said that an author is allowed one semi-colon in the course of writing a commercial length novel in today’s publishing world.  The colon seems to have no place at all.  The colon is used for business letters, immediately before a list of product features or reasons to buy something.

The Merriam Webster’s Secretarial Handbook has succinct descriptions of both, and how they are best used.  And if it’s Merriam Webster, it must be so, right?

There is no need for either colon or semi-colon mark in a story, even in a novel-length work.  This takes me immediately into the wonderful world of how-did-that-come-to-be? And what-if? From there, my imagination takes a leap, and I see the following scene:

Matt slumped back to his copy writer’s desk, his beloved manuscript in hand.  It was a story he’d worked on for years, click-clacking away in the wee hours on his Imperial typewriter; a good story with drama, character, and a great story arc.

It had taken another two months to work up the courage to take this offering to his editor, Tom Eliot. Eliot took another few weeks to agree to read the manuscript, “on condition,” said the venerable editor, “that if I don’t like the thing, you’ll never bother me with another.” Eliot had been published multiple times, and with every publication of his work came another onslaught of would-be writers looking for suggestions, criticisms, even publication. Matt understood how the great man was plagued by others and agreed to his boss’s condition. Mr. Eliot took the manuscript home.

A few weeks later, Eliot called Matt into his office. Matt eyed the kindly editor with hope in his heart and a tentative smile hovering about his mouth.  Surely Mr. Eliot had seen that he, Matt, was a young man with big talent.  The great war had stolen Matt’s right leg, but left him with a spirit that was strong, a mind as sharp as any in the great Faber and Faber publishing house, and a hunger for publication with his own name behind the words.

“Madison,” said Eliot, “I’m going to do you a big favor. I’m going to immediately cut off your desire to write. This is the kindest thing to do.”

Matt’s jaw dropped.  He’d worked so hard and long on this project!  In the trenches of those rat-infested holes in Europe’s main land, he’d scribbled the plight of the world.  When the other soldiers were writing to girlfriends and mothers, Matt had kept a journal of worldly observations.  Why would Mr. Eliot want him to stop writing?

“Your prose is decent enough, son, but your total lack of talent with the semi-colon is repugnant.  A semi-colon is not a period, though to be sure, the semi will end a thought.  It is not a comma, or the indication that one should take a breath on the thought that preceded it.  A semi is a precious mark that bridges two separate thoughts that are yet, somehow related.  The semi allows your reader to know what you think, and that there’s more.  If I had a nickel for every young whippersnapper who peppered his prose with improper semi-colons, I’d be a rich man indeed.”

“But the story, sir?” said Matt, hope fading even as he voiced his question.

“Blasé at best,” said the older man. “Reminds me of Canterbury Tales; bunch of people sitting around with nothing in common but their need to tell a story.  And you end on such a happy note!  This needs a hopeless ending.”

“If I rewrite the ending, sir?”

“Ending, schmending. The world wants happy these days.  It’s the twenties after all.  War is over; time to prosper. So your “book” would probably sell, but I’m not the editor to go through and correct your use of colons and semi-colons.  One rule for you and every new writer I speak to will be, ONE SEMI-COLON PER NOVEL, from now on.”

Matt went home, devastated by the great T.S. Eliot’s words.  Shortly he died.  Some say gangrene crept up the sawed-off-leg. Others who knew him better said Matt succumbed to a broken heart.  Personally, I think he was murdered for the poor use of semi-colons.

And in 1922, a year after Matt’s death, T.S. Eliot published The Waste Land.

DAISY NOTE:  Hi Reading Friends.  Just wanted to let you know I’ve added a new page to this website.  Looking Forward To Seeing You is listed under the Press Kit & Public Relations tab. It tells where I’ll be doing book signings and giving speeches.  Hope to meet you face-to-face soon.  Have a great reading or writing day–with or without semi-colons.

Author Platform Building with a Speech & Book Signing

Good morning Daisy Friends,

Today, just wanted to let you know about the work beyond the work of writing a novel.  Perhaps I’ve mentioned some of this before, but as we get closer to launch of Faith on the Rocks, I have needed to focus more on building what’s called an “author platform,” or what I think of as the ol’ high school popularity contest.

Don’t get me wrong.  I think marketing oneself is an important part of every working person’s skill set.  In today’s world of job-jumping to the top, a strong personal presence in the minds of those in your industry is important.  We do this with updated resumes, personal contacts, and yes, even Facebook friendships.  Social Media is as much about business as about sharing our favorite recipes.

As a writer, this platform building includes developing a recognition among readers of all kinds.  I find myself trying to talk with total strangers wherever I go.  I produced business cards and a mini-brochure that fit easily into my purse, because you never know… This is not a natural thing for someone who would rather be home reading or writing, but writers need to add social skills to their repertoire if their books are going to sell.

One of the ways to build this platform is by setting up book signings.  Book signings are no longer arranged by publishers and publicists.  Gone are the days when book tours were part of the budget for launches (I think too, publishers probably found out that most of us authors are less impressive in person than our words on paper may make us seem).  Today, authors set these things up in brick-and-mortar bookstores–or other places that may carry our work, by ourselves.  No free travel perks as part of the job anymore.  Darn!

Luckily for me, I have a couple of local places that are being generous with their floor space and will have me in to do book signings:

• Who Else! Books – is a small place on Broadway in Denver run by a terrific couple, Nina and Ron.  Who Else! is part of the Broadway Book Mall, and they will be hosting my very first book signing on Saturday, July 13th.  I’ll be there with Mike Befeler of the Paul Jacobson Geezer-Lit Mystery Series. What a thrill for me!
• Natural Surroundings Three Chimney’s is a gift store where I shop for unusual and pretty items for friends and family. Right at the intersection of Santa Fe and Bowles (the main entry to old town Littleton), this place is like a big Welcome Home sign for anyone entering Littleton from the west. Owner Terri is an enthusiastic reader and will carry my book when it comes out.  She’s also talking with me about a book signing later in the summer or early fall.
• I have one or two other “leads,” but want to let you know about them as something more solid happens.  If any of you are in the Detroit area, and know of a place that might be interested (book clubs, libraries,or pet stores) please let me know.  I’d love to kick-off something in my home-town area. I’ll be visiting over the Fourth of July holiday, and my book will be officially launched by then.

And on to the next adventure …

I have started working in earnest on a speech I’ll be giving to Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers members on June 8th.  I don’t have location or time details, but when that is set, I’ll post the information on this site.  The topic is on Writing More in Less Time, and will address the idea that most of us need to squeeze our writing in between raising kids, caring for elderly relatives, jobs, and other obligations.  In order to produce a novel in something under 100 years, we need to be organized, enthusiastic, confident and … what was it?  Oh yeah, CREATIVE!

I’m looking forward to the adventure both with excitement and trepidation.  Who am I to talk about organization?  My sisters all have me beat there.  And producing more?  I know several people who write massive amounts of words, even before their first books are accepted.  And public speaking?  Did you know most people fear death less than they do public speaking?  Luckily for me, I’m not one of them.  But I’m no Jay Leno or President Obama.

So, I’ve fleshed out my outline, and think the topic is good.  I’m harvesting quotes and anecdotes galore. I’m dreaming up little exercises that will keep people engaged.  Now I just need to mash them all together, brew the stuff in my brain, and hope the cake that comes out isn’t a flop. Eek!

Are you into public speaking?  Are you a Toastmasters champion?  If you want to send me your tips, I’d be happy to hear from you.

Who knew there was so much more to authoring than just writing a book?  Building an author platform is exciting and time-consuming.  Hopefully, this blog, the signings, the public speaking, and the business cards will pay off.  Fingers crossed.

Side note: It is snowing, yes snowing! in Littleton this morning.  Just the kind of day that’s great for cuddling up with a good book.

Happy reading day to you.