Great Story, Poor Writing

I had to digest/read, My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult for my Marriage and Family class (still not sure of the connection).

While I am not surprised that it was a very popular book, made into a movie, sold millions of copies and floated to the tops of book lists, I had other thoughts…

Was the story different? Yes

Was the story interesting and moving? Yes

Yet the seven different point of views was down right confusing to go back and forth with in each chapter. Half of the time I had to go back to the start of the chapter and see which character we were focused on. There was no real connection to any character because we didn’t spend enough time with them.

Additionally, what we did know showed a lack of differences within each character. They all seemed the same, same voice same emotions, same everything. I’m not sure how this point of view writing made it past editors red pen…

I’m sure the movie was better, but I avoid dramas…too much of THAT in real life.

Sign Here…The Road to My First Book Contract

notes

My journey started in 2005-2006, when the idea for a story (middle grade reader) crept into the empty slots of my mind. I took little notes here and there, on index cards, sticky pads, and torn sheets of notebook paper. The idea soon developed into a story, complex in its own way, and in my thoughts.

Over the first year I worked my writer’s butt off on plot, characters, settings, and dialog. After revision number eight, I sent the draft to an editor, whom I paid sixty-five dollars to make suggestions and line edits. Upon receipt of the newly edited manuscript I went back to work for another period of time working on the edits and coming up with better ideas.

time-line

In May of 2006, I submitted, what I realize now was a sub-par manuscript to an agent, and surprisingly I received a request for the first three chapters, soon hearing a no thanks a month later.

I moved forward, editing it more over the years, submitting it to more agents and publishers. In August of 2006 I got word that my manuscript was one of the top five still be considered with a publisher out of the thousand submissions received.

In the end it was a no thank you.

I moved forward yet again, editing, putting aside, editing some more, taking it to my now no-longer existing writer’s critique group, where the first part of the book was discussed and critiqued. (I owe Dawn, Ken, and Cherie all a big high-five and thank you!) The Husband even took the time to do some editing and word arrangement help! (Thank you!)

In the end I discovered, as I keep a very detailed record of my submissions, that regardless of the handful of personal no thank you(s) from publishers and agents…I racked up 57 rejections!!! 57!!!!!

the setting (floor-plan)

My last submission was a query letter to a publisher (February 2011). I waited only two months before status querying her (and all the writers gasp at the fact that I didn’t wait the standard three months) to double check that she received my query. I quickly received an email back stating that she never received it, and asked that I resent it…so I did…then on May 17, 2011 I received word that the publisher wanted to offer me a book contract.

The contract was in the mail, the publisher told me…and so my ears turned into those of an owl and I heard the mailman’s truck from a mile away…after he left I dashed out in my bathing suit (for those that know me…you know how odd that is of me do such a thing!!) and behold the priority mail envelope literally sung as I opened the mailbox door.

character's family tree

I bolted back inside, carefully ripped it open and began reading, thrusting a copy for The Husband to read as well.

And as it goes…I signed here!

More details to come in the future as I move forward…

April/May Books and Music

It is apparent that I am severely overwhelmed with keeping up to date on my blog…apologies!!

I am currently reading Ashley Judd’s memoir, All That’s Bitter and Sweet, which is riveting and powerful…and a deep read, so it seems to be taking me forever.

Of course Betty White’s memoir, If You Ask Me, looks like a must read. As well as Freedom Riders by Raymond Arsenault…both added to my To Read List.

Music:

Welcome Back, John Grisham!

I am not one to review such a well known author as John Grisham. He gets plenty of press for his books and surely doesn’t need my opinion out there to matter. However, I felt this time, I should speak up, because it has been a while since he has written anything of quality. In fact, the last great book of his I read was, The Last Juror (2004). His last five novels, even the non-fiction one…sucked. He is far more capable of better writing.

When Ford County came out, 2010, his collection of short stories lead me to believe he was on the rise again. The stories showed improvement and a return to his original writing. (I have his YA novel, Theodor Boone: Kid Lawyer on my “to read list” still).

So I gave Mr. Grisham a chance with The Confession (2010).

FINALLY!!!!! Welcome back John Grisham!

The Confession is a mix between A Time to Kill and The Chamber. It had heavy undertones of the reality of the appeals process, death row, and the prison system. It is apparent almost to the point of outright bashing the system in America. This could be because he is on the board in both Mississippi and New York for their Innocent Projects.

He did faultier a bit, or his editor did, as the point of view does seem a bit lost, and many times it reads like a non-fiction rant. But when you agree with what his writes you are okay with the undertones and rants.

So if you are a lost fan of John Grisham, please give The Confession a read, at least I feel, the great writer has returned

Four and a half out of five stars!!!

A Bad Read – (Not Past Chapter 1 Pile)

What do you do with a bad book? A blog friend hit on this a little bit ago, at his blog, Honest Errors.

Much like the first 3 minutes of Bruno, I simply STOP (or in Bruno’s case, turned it off) reading.

I have stumbled over more than I’d like to admit. Many I only get to the first chapter before I decide this is not a book for me, nor maybe for others.

Honestly…I will admit…The Great Gatsby…made the “not past chapter 1 pile.”

Often I will love the books synopsis. But once I start I realize the writing sucks, the writing is not my style, the writing does not hold my interests, or the story was not really what the synopsis entailed.

So I ask…what awful books have you read, or stopped reading?

March Book List/Songs

Adding to my book list:

• History of a Suicide: My Sister’s Unfinished Life by Jill Bialosky

Currently reading:

• A few house restoration magazines I snatched up at 40% off  (since they are closing the stores nearest me) from Border’s.

Current songs:

Their performance at the Grammys was just awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This one is just suck in my head….morning, noon, and night.

Childhood Favorites

A few weeks back I went to a local used book store, in search of a few books in particular, but was unable to find them. In return two great things happened…

First, the place was packed full people, from five-year olds to sixty-year olds. You could not turn around without pumping into someone. People were gobbling up plan ole books!!!

Secondly, I stumbled upon, and purchased, a few of my favorites I had from my childhood, which had somehow disappeared over time. I was like a sugar addict in a candy store. While I wanted to buy half of the shelves…I held firm.

Funny thing was, I was excited to re-read the books I purchased, they were not purely for collection sake. Sure enough I read, quickly through both…

Remember: You are never too old to enjoy a book out of your age range

February’s Book List & What I am Currently Reading

The Pioneer Woman by Ree Drummond

• I recommend you swing by her massively filled website at http://thepioneerwoman.com/

Bloodroot Mountain by Amy Greene

Currently reading:

Besides my textbooks, of course, I am reading Love, Lucy an autobiography by Lucille Ball, which is an absolute wonderful read, especially for writers, actors, or anyone who was told they couldn’t make it doing what they love, dreamt about, or failed because of too many rejections. Of course the book is not a literary gem, it is for the soul, especially right now with the economy and the doubt we all hold, as it was not much different during parts of Lucille Ball’s life.

The Very Late….January Book List

Many of you know I have moved. And because of this, I have changed libraries. Sadly, I was unable to locate my monthly free copy of BookPage for January!!!

I loved picking up a copy once a month, and going through it with a pen, folding corners down, sipping on something warm. But now, much to my dislike, I am forced to read through it via the internet. In the end, I struggled to read most of it. Alas…books added to my Life Book List in January…

• Bitter Legacy by H. Terrell Griffin
• Finding Angela Shelton by Angela Shelton
  
  

P.S. For those of you who noticed I did not post my monthly interview for January…I promise you a wonderful lucky (hint) interview for my lapse for all the book lovers out there. Be sure to check out my blog on Feb. 1st for February’s blog interview

Bookcases…The Last Frontier

Maybe it’s just me, but has everyone gone Kindle, Nook, iPad on us!?

While I am all for technological advances and changes, I still am unable to figure out what was so awful about reading text from a book.

Now those of you who subscribe or read your newspapers online, I get that. THAT makes sense. Simply because the news has to be current for it to matter. That is why those tickers that scroll at the bottom of some channels are important.

Yet, I don’t understand E-books.

To me, these electronic reading devices are similar to watching a movie in wide-screen verses the formatted to fit your TV version. Have you seen the comparisons? Have you noticed the details the director wanted you to see, but were cut off in the formatted version?

BOOKS

#1 a book smells so good! Old or new. It’s like buying a car, old smell or new smell.

#2 some books have those choppy edges, usually it matches the books theme/topic/setting.

#3 the importance of the illustrator or photo on cover. Personally I often find new authors by selecting a cover I find appealing.

I’ve heard the argument that books are hard to travel with and that is what makes Kindle or the Nook valuable. I say, how many books are you possibly taking on vacation?!?! Are you camping out in a tent with a flashlight during a snowstorm? When will you read them all?

Have we become so lazy and weak we cannot handle a three-pound book?

I saw a commercial the other day for one of them and it showed a parent reading to their child from it. Come on?!? Really. Might as well just hand them a Leap Pad at bedtime! (I do find Leap Pad to be useful. But you still should take the time to read your kids).

Books are much like art, and some books are meant for keeping, collecting dust on the bookcase. Hand me down books from parents and grandparents.

Are all the E-book readers handing down their Kindles to their grandchildren? Where is the cherished memory with those?

It is not the writer in me that is questioning these devises, but a concerned person regarding everyone’s eyesight. For the millions of us that use a computer everyday, reading from those devices in addition can become an issue. There is no break. Work – computer. Home – TV. Nighttime – E-book.

So what will happen to all those bookcases? Will one day a bookcase become like that classic car that hides under the cover in the garage?

Like Brick said on The Middle in last night’s episode, “I like to feel paper in my hand.” (Of course he then discovered the internet…)

Personally, I wouldn’t want to examine the germs of those E-readers who make it into the bathroom…then back out…