Novel Trails presents:

More Novel adventures at The Year of Writing Dangerously

2011-06-12T17:04:00.000-07:00

We're sorry, but the blog you have reached has been ---well, not disconnected, but re-directed.
But the new one's still cool.
Cooler, even .
Promise.
And hey, if you leave a comment and tell me that you came here from Novel Trails [and obviously leave your e-mail addy] I'll give you a coupon for one of my books. Free. Seriously. No catch.
Go to :
The Year of Writing Dangerously

FREE Sample Sunday

2011-03-05T08:25:00.001-08:00

Hey,

As a part of FREE Sample Sunday--a new Twitter promotion I'm working on--- if you want to read a free chapter from "Saint Jude," skip on over to Carraway Bay Press at http://www.carrawaybaypress.com/ . BTW, the book is on sale for a limited time for 99 cents.

I'm interviewed by David Wisehart

2010-11-06T16:24:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to David for interviewing me. He asked some wonderfully thoughtful questions.

Here's a link to the interview:

Kindle Author Interviews by David Wisehart

And National Novel Writing Month? It's going slowly, but I'm usually slow right out of the gate. Here's hoping for a stronger finish. First week and I'm only hovering at 3k. All in good fun, though.

New posts at The Year of Writing Dangerously

2010-03-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

Yep, I'm not here anymore...though in all honesty, it was questionable if I was ever here to begin with....

New post at:

dawn-theyearofwritingdangerously.blogspot.com

God is good, even you when you don't feel great

2010-02-28T06:24:00.001-08:00

So, my writing weekend with C was kind of a wash, but that's okay. We have both been under the weather, she with a sinus infection, me with a cold from you know where, and while we are still at the gorgeous island of Nags Head, NC, we have also been coughing up stuff that is every color of the rainbow.
But what has been so awesome through all of this, is gorgeous the sunsets, the breathtaking sunrises, the comforting ebb and flow of the ocean---and all of this given freely to us by a mighty God. There are so many dangerous things in the world, so many disasters (Chile, Haiti, Hawaii, list goes on ad infinitum, and our hearts and prayers go out to all those folks) that we were just overwhelmed by an incredible sense of gratitude for everything--even deceptively 'simple' things like being able to stop by the local Walgreens for sinus medication, and being able to afford the sinus medication [and a few York peppermint patties to boost.] And we also include into that the fact that we're fighting sinus issues and not cancer or brain tumors. (I have other brain issues, but that's another post.)
My point is, even though this is not an intensely religious blog per se, I think gratitude is intrinsic to artistry. That's my opinion anyway, so even though I didn't get as much 'accomplished' this weekend, I have had a renewal in another way, a reminder, a thankfulness. Very appropriate during Lenten season.
Killer moonrise over the beach.
Does this count as writing dangerously? You better believe it.

New posts at The Year of Writing Dangerously

2010-02-24T18:35:00.001-08:00

I'm blogging over there. Come visit if you want to see cool stuff. You're welcome to stay here, too...I'm just saying....

Y'all need to read this

2010-02-15T17:22:00.001-08:00

Guys, check this out---
http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/

Interested to know your comments.

And folks, be aware that most of my blog has moved to :
dawn-theyearofwritingdangerously.blogspot.com

Meet my new blog...

2010-02-14T18:54:00.000-08:00

I've started a new blog called The Year of Writing Dangerously.
I will keep up with some Novel Trails, but mostly, I'll be blogging there.
The Year of Writing Dangerously will offer the following:
--Comments from my Snarky Muse
--My Snarky Muse will also deliver some daily writing butt-kickings if you need / want them. She'll even be glad to leave those PG-13 comments on your blog.
--How to encourage you to Write Dangerously
--What is writing dangerously anyway? (and the clip art people to explain it to you.)

Come visit over there...I think you'll love it.
Here's the link---
http://www.dawn-theyearofwritingdangerously.blogspot.com/

What is The Year of Writing Dangerously?

2010-02-08T17:11:00.000-08:00

It's time.

Time to, as Barbara Kingslover so eloquently states, step out into the glorious debris. I have personally cut back on my "over-involvement" to let my writing move closer to the top of my priority list. With Kindle, Nook, and all the other options that are soon becoming available [has 'self-publishing come back en vogue? Discuss.'] it's time to be more proactive.
It's time to write dangerously.
With reckless abandon.
To remind ourselves of why we did this to begin with....

What I promise:
-Regular updates [I promise]
-FREE reads of stuff I've written [whether good or bad]
- Updates on what I'm calling my personal Kindle experiment...
- Word antics [not sure what that entails? You'll see]

What I want from you?
- Follow my blog and get weekly 'Muse Butt-kickings" --- comments from my snarky Muse who has agreed to let me place her 'on loan' to give you doses of inspiration...
--TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PROJECTS! Let's make this the year of writing dangerously. Encourage each other.
-- I'm also looking for guest bloggers. Tell me about why you love writing. What are you going to do to write dangerously this year....

FREE Writer Resource o' the Week

2009-10-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, if not maybe of the week then maybe of the month or whatever time it is....

This one is Media Bistro:

www.mediabistro.com

This site contains a great job marketplace not only for freelance writers, but for those looking for jobs in public relations, journalism, marketing, editing, publishing and web design.

Check it out....

Update

2009-10-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm taking a vacation from work and polishing up the Big Tom proposal and a collection of short stories to start shopping around....I'll keep you posted.

Hey, has anyone ever been to Iceland? I'm thinking of applying for a study abroad thing there...

Video of My Reading at the Cape Fear Poetry Fesvital

2009-09-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

NC Literary Festival at UNC-Chapel Hill

2009-09-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

Kudos to all those who worked to present the NC Literary Festival. I went and had a blast (like it's possible to NOT have a blast at UNC). In addition to enjoying the typical kicking around the college campus, my niece got to fulfill one of her dreams in meeting RL Stine, who signed two of her books and posed with pictures.

I also hopped over and caught part of the session of author's talking about the challenges adapting books to film and plays, etc. etc. It had Allan Gurganus ("Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All") and Daniel Wallace ("Big Fish"). Both works are awesome,but I was particularly interested in Wallace, because "Big Fish" doesn't follow the "typical" story format and is told in a very interesting way, and it translated so well to screen, although initial impressions were that the book wouldn't translate to screen easily. Both are great, btw.

I especially loved what Wallace said about just going forward with your next work. He said that many folks ask him or interviews etc. present him with a lot of opportunities to relive his older work. He said he believes in just going forward. I found that kind of inspirational, and good advice, because I learned (at least personally) if I wait until the book /story / article is perfect, then it will simply never leave my house. Sometimes, like kids, you just have to kick them out after a while. I had kind of felt guilty about not revisiting stuff (especially since many asked about a sequel to "Saint Jude") and this was good confirmation for just forging ahead.

Of course, the highlight of the day was when my niece met RL Stine. (You can see pictures of myself and my niece in photos with him. What can I say? The man is a rock star.)My niece has been reading RL Stine books for several years (I think she started when she was 6). RL Stine really fueled a love of reading in many young people. A year ago, my niece said it was her dream to meet RL Stine and I promised her if he was within a 500 mile radius, I'd take her to see him. Viola.

And let me just say, for the record, that RL Stine was a super nice guy. You never know what you're going to get when you meet a famous writer, as writers can behave like, well, like WRITERS (and since I am a writer, I should know, because I place myself in that category too), and sometimes you just have to hold your breath.

I can honestly say, that RL Stine could not have been nicer, especially for the two of us who logged in a lot of hours on the road to see him. He really showed a genuine appreciation for his fans, and I think that is a wonderful quality that is sadly lacking in many celebrities today.

I have to admit that I felt he was being very genuine--that it wasn't just a nice act he was putting on, but that he generally was a cool guy.

Thank you RL Stine for helping me create a moment that my niece will remember for the rest of her life.

We also got a special treat as he read an excerpt from his new Goosebumps series "Horrorland." He gave a "world premiere" of a section he read from the book---meaning that we were the first group of kids (of all ages) in the world to hear it. That made us feel really special.

Though totally off subject, if you're at UNC-Chapel Hill (and any time is a good time to visit the old alma mater) may I suggest the restaurant Top of the Hill--esp. the crab dip and the shrimp and grits cake. Exceptionally good food.

And of course, I couldn't make the trip without stopping by the old stomping grounds of the J-School, which had consumed a large portion of my undergraduate life (and sanity). They have moved it to a bigger (and nicer) building than Howell Hall (aka Howell Hell as some of my friends called it) and it was very nice. Congrats to the J-school, which is now celebrating its 100th year.

Between the Lines Chapbook Release Party

2009-09-02T19:21:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful, rewarding time at the Cape Fear Poetry Society's chapbook release party in Wilmington last weekend. Two of my poems were chosen for selection in their chapbook, "Between the Lines." There was a reception at Bottega gallery on Front Street (a wonderful art gallery / wine bar) and the poets in the chapbook did readings, talked about poetry, we had a few "word antics" and as they say, a good time was had by all...

Special thanks to all those who made this event possible. It was wonderful to enjoy historic downtown Wilmington.

I met some wonderful people and I was so incredibly impressed with how the Wilmington arts community embraced the literary arts...truly is a great case of artists supporting one another.

Here are my poems that were selected for the collection...

Jesus of Macon Avenue

Jesus of Macon Avenue sits in front of the Starbucks,

four blocks down from the Asheville country club

rocking contentedly in front of his black

guitar case, kicked back, keeping in tune

to a soundtrack of angels only he sees.

The autumn breeze furrows his long tresses

with ease into a halo, adn as soon as the traffic light

changes, I lose sight of him among the seas of

worthless, trite, gray-flannel.

Sans Utero

a cinquain

The scar:

puckered pink flesh--

surgical precision's

river---guarding my bikini.

Fading.

Writer Resource o' the Week

2009-08-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

Need a rhyming dictionary? (chances are that you do, even if you don’t realize it yet.)

Then check out the Rhyme Zone.

Rhyme Zone

www.rhymezone.com

This is incredibly useful and extremely easy to use, and can also be handy with the thesaurus application. I found it an incredibly valuable resource when I was writing a villanelle poem about Abraham Lincoln (don’t ask. The only thing I got from that experience is that I’m obviously not very good at writing villanelles.)

Cape Fear Poetry Festival

2009-08-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

I'll be reading at the Cape Fear Poetry Festival in Wilmington on Saturday, August 29.
One of my poems has been selected to be published in their chapbook, and I'll be on hand for the Q and A session, reading and open mic night. I'm also planning to sell some copies of my books-"Saint Jude" (about a teenager dealing with bipolar disorder) and "Leaving the Comfort Cafe" (about a redneck chick who gave up an Ivy League Scholarship).
Where: Bottega Gallery
When: August 29
Tentative Schedule:

Schedule of events.

6:00pm Informal poetry workshop with local writers: bring your poems!

7:00pm Poets on Poetry: a Q&A with poets/meet & greet with other chapbook poets

8:00pm Chapbook poets live readings

10:00pm Open Mic Poetry. All ages. All genres.

If you're in the Wilmington area, swing by. Mention that you saw it Noveltrails and I'll treat you to a coffee-type beverage of your choice. Honest.

Novel Trails Hits the Radio

2009-07-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

http://www.globaltalkradio.com/shows/publicaccessradio and click on “Stream” to the left of my show "Novel trails"

Novel Trails on Talk Radio

2009-07-23T17:52:00.000-07:00

I will be hosting a radio show on Global Talk Radio (www.globaltalkradio.com) on Friday at 6 p.m. ET.

Novel Trails: start your novel now! Will give practical advice on starting and completing your novel, with emphasis on characterization. I'll also be listing a lot of great resources for writers, and (as always) using the opportunity to do some shameless self promotion of my book.

Anyone who wants to call in with a question can call the listener line 310-328-9300 and talk to me on the air....

Guest blog exchange?

2009-07-07T19:38:00.001-07:00

If anyone would like to write a guest blog for Noveltrails, just let me know. Right now I'm looking for entries that provide good resources for writers, the craft of writing, and any tips or techniques that you feel may benefit new writers. Just get in touch with me via this blog or my website at www.dawnwilson.net

Writer Resource o' the Week

2009-07-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

The free writer resource o' the week is:

querytracker.net

I confess, this one I found through the grapevine, and though I haven't used it, I'm going to sign up for it soon. Looks good. And free. Mmm! Mmmm!

And the winner is...Marianne Evans

2009-06-30T18:51:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Marianne Evans for winning a copy of my book! The names were randomly drawn from those who left comments by completely objective third parties.

Marianne, I will be e-mailing you for your snail mail address. However, if you'd rather download an electronic copy, let me know and we'll take care of it....

...everyone else, thanks for playing, you will get a consolation prize of a year's supply of Ramen Noodles and the Jeopardy home edition game...just kidding, you don't get anything but my love and gratitude, which many consider only slightly better than the Ramen noodles...

Seriously though, I really do appreciate your taking the time to visit my blog. I welcome any
Wild Rose Press authors who would like to do guest columns, and for all the readers, keep tuning in for the free writer resource o' the week and other goodies.

Take care, and thanks for stopping to smell the roses!
Dawn

STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES -- Wild Rose Press Author Blog Event

2009-06-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

Relax. Take off your coat. Stay a while. Have a cup of coffee. Well, okay, there's no coffee, but there are some wonderful literary musings awaiting you as a part of the Stop and Smell the Roses event.

Here's how the event works. Several authors from The Wild Rose Press will post excerpts on their blogs on June 29 as a part of an all day blog event. Some authors may offer a chance to win prizes for the participants who leave comments.

What am I offering? If you leave a comment at any of my blog entries related to Leaving the Comfort Cafe, I will enter your name in a drawing for a chance to win a printed copy of my book.
One important note: On June 29, the day this event is scheduled, I will be on a volunteer project, and may have sporadic access to e-mail (which is why I'm posting this earlier). But I WILL post the winner on this blog the next day, and I WILL get in contact and respond to comments that day---though perhaps not in as timely a fashion as I normally would.

I called my blog Novel Trails because my blog is FUNCTIONAL --- this is much more than about what's going on with me (though you'll no doubt find some information on that) but my blog has information and resources that will be of interest to readers and provide some useful resources for writers or anyone who wants to improve his or her writing. If you're not into writing, that's fine, you'll find information on great reads, reader loops---and of course, all the insight into the quirky world of a Southern writer. So take time to wander throughout my blog. Heck, go ahead and follow it. I promise I don't write down every minute thing I do. I won't post blogs on going to Wal-Mart or getting my tires rotated...unless of course, a story happens to spring forth from those events (and in the South, that frequently, frequently, happens).

I have two pieces with the Wild Rose Press -- my novella, Leaving the Comfort Cafe (which is the main thrust of this blog) and a short story called "Cousin of the Bride." I'm also working on a Christian romance short story to submit to the Wild Rose Press that has the working title "Make it So" (I know, I'm not crazy over that title, either). You may also find links to some of my other short stories that have been published online on the left.

There is also a link to The Wild Rose Press if you want to order my book (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

If you are interested in writing a guest column for this blog, just contact me through this blog, or visit my website at www.dawnwilson.net

Below you will find:
1) An excerpt from Leaving the Comfort Cafe
2) A video of a live reading featuring a different excerpt from Leaving the Comfort Cafe (and please note, I don't charge extra for the Eastern North Carolina accent. I'm glad to throw that in for free)
3) Links to the other great, great, blogs and writers with The Wild Rose Press. Enjoy!

So relax. Please keep all hands and feet inside the ride at all times. I hope you enjoy reading about Blythe as much as I have enjoyed writing about her.

Excerpt from "Leaving the Comfort Cafe"

2009-06-27T19:39:00.000-07:00

Leaving the Comfort Cafe centers around the adventures of Blythe Shelley, a redneck who has had one curly perm too many, who earned 1600 on her SAT, a full scholarship to Cornell, but never went. Instead, she decided to wait tables at the Comfort Cafe, a small "mom and pop" restaurant in Eastern North Carolina. Austin, the fresh-out-school, newly hired town manager, is determined to learn why Blythe turned down her scholarship and gave up on her dreams.

--Following is a scene where Austin first meets Blythe while she's waiting tables at the Comfort Cafe...

“Mercy, children!” A frizzled, bright red perm slathered into sight, connected to a young woman with bright blue eye shadow and even brighter blue fingernails. With a smooth, almost disturbing movement of her wrist, she slammed a huge tray of food directly in front of him. She shook her head, shut her eyes and let out a low groan.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, hon. It’s just my stomach. I’m on my period.”

“Oh.” Austin tried not to stare. Dear God, please don’t let this be my waitress.

“Here you go, sir,” she said. “One plate eggs over easy with the decorative parsley carefully stacked to the side and not touching the food. Grits and hash browns, bacon and a side of sausage. Don’t you love places that serve breakfast all day? They were out of fresh blueberries for the pancakes, but we do have some of the canned stuff, though grandma over there won’t tell you it’s canned, so I wanted to hold off because I know the canned stuff makes you irregular. Here’s your

check. Comes to five seventy-five and I took the liberty of already adding in my tip—since you obviously never do—and an extra fifty cents for a pretty smile.”

Her bright pink lips parted to reveal well-kept, surprisingly straight, teeth.

“Now, if there’s nothing else you’ll be needing, I’ll take that whenever you’re—”

“Uh, miss...I’m sorry, but this is not my order.”

“Whadaya mean it’s not…” Her pale fingers darted into her apron pocket, pulled out a small, black notebook, and scurried through the pages, searching for the culprit. “Then if this isn’t yours, you must have ordered the tenderloin steak?”

“No.”

“The ham hocks?”

“No.”

“Barbecue? Caesar salad?”

“No and no. I ordered—”

“You ordered the fifth of vodka.”

“I wha—”

“Just foolin’. I remember now. Grandma over there told me. One slice of pecan pie. Coffee.”

“Decaf.” Austin gently reminded her.

“Decaf coffee. That’s like saying ‘I want to spend the night with you, I just don’t want to have sex.’”

“Excuse me?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to say ‘sex’ before two o’ clock.”

Austin wondered why the time made any difference.

“And I guess this delectable feast was for…ooo….” Her eyes curved into narrow slits, looking through the window and pulverizing the mayor with what Austin could assume would be a felony assault. “I always thought that man would skip out on his bill one day. I don’t care who he is. I don’t care if his grandfather fought in the such-and-such war. I don’t care if his ancestry dates back to Stonewall Jackson. I don’t care if he helped tie up the Mayflower when they put it in dry dock. I even don’t care if he’s related to Jesus. That man is not skipping out on his bill.”

“I think he’s just outside talking to some folks. He’ll probably come right back.”

“That sonofabitch.” She hauled the overloaded tray up on her shoulder as if she were burping a baby and darted out the front door.

Austin couldn’t hear the conversation that followed, but he could tell by the mayor’s startled expression and the animated bobbing of the waitress’s head that the discussion was definitely, and enthusiastically, one-sided. She pushed the entire tray into the mayor’s arms. As he struggled to balance the tray, a few biscuits tumbled onto the pavement where a constituent’s beagle was more than happy to help himself to a free sample. The waitress then reached into the mayor’s back pocket, pulled out his wallet and removed funds to pay the bill.

She returned into the café casually, confidently, totally unaware of the stares and whispers beginning to sizzle from the background. Some country music station was playing on the kitchen radio, and she seemed to walk in easy rhythm to the music.

“Sorry about that, dear. I always knew he was going to slip out on me.”

“I think that was actually my fault.” Austin was almost afraid to volunteer who he was. “You see, I’m the new town manager and I don’t think he was pleased with—”

“Town manager?” Her bosom was uncomfortably close to Austin’s eye level. “I didn’t know we had a town manager. I thought the town just managed itself.”

“Believe me, I wish it did.”

She brought out a cup and poured his coffee.

Austin noticed the handle on the coffeepot was black, not the bright orange that signified decaf. She also brought him the pie a la mode, though he didn’t ask for it that way. But after seeing what she did to the mayor, he decided not to argue

LIVE -- author presentation of Leaving the Comfort Cafe

2009-06-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

Why simply read an excerpt from Leaving the Comfort Cafe when you can hear it with an Eastern North Carolina accent?

I love doing readings. Maybe it's because I'm a bit of a "drama queen" but I enjoy the sound and rhythm of words, phrases, and the regional dialogue quirks that make things particularly lively (especially if the story takes place in the South).

If you'd like me to give a reading at your book club, etc., just let me know. I absolutely love interacting with readers. I'm even willing to travel and incorporate it as a "working vacation"---but point me in the direction of the nearest Holiday Inn and I'm set....

Other Wild Rose Press Author Blogs

2009-06-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

The Wild Rose Press is a traditional electronic and print publisher of romance stories. Let me just say the folks there are awesome to work with--they did such a great job with Leaving the Comfort Cafe. Please take time to visit the other Wild Rose Press author blogs during this Stop and Smell the Roses event.

Here are the links to the blogs....enjoy!

www.amberleighwilliams.blogspot.com

www.authorsstudio.blogspot.com

www.bettyhanawa.blogspot.com

www.christineclemet son.blogspot.com

www.findagreatroman ce.blogspot.com

www.freewebs.com/lesmora

www.freewebs.com/teriwilson/ apps/blog/

www.grgiall.blogspot.com

www.hywelalyn blogspot.com

www.jennfrancesca.blogspot.com

www.joycemoorehistoricalfiction.blogspot.com

www.lianalaverentz.blogspot.com

www.LindaHopeLee.blogspot.com

www.lje1.wordpress.com

www.plotsandthoughts.blogspot. com

www.tanyahanson.blogspot.com

www.tinagayle.blogspot.com

www.traveltheages.blogspot.com

www.willtravelforromance.blogspot. com

Blog-o-rama and a chance to win!

2009-06-24T20:05:00.001-07:00

On June 29, myself and other authors with the Wild Rose Press will be participating in our publisher's all day blogging event. Several WRP authors (including myself) will be posting excerpts from their books, blogging items about writing, etc. A link to all the authors participating will be available on each blog.

Now, the part you've been waiting for----leave a comment and your name is put in a hat for a drawing to win a FREE copy of my novel Leaving the Comfort Cafe. But you have to leave a comment...

What I like about "The River"

2009-06-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

There is something about Flannery O'Connor's "The River" that gives you the same sinking feeling you get when you crest the highest hill of a roller coaster---you see the twisted mangled mass of tracks out before you, and you know that you're going to dive headfirst into it, and there' s nothing you can do to stop it; you are at the mercy of the laws of physics.

For me, "The River" is something like that. I refuse to post any spoilers on this blog, but what I will say, is that Flannery sets us up so well for the ending, that we're not 100 percent sure we even see it coming. We're still enjoying the few little dips and turns of the gentle roller coaster weaving as it prepares for the big climb. When I got a hint of what was to come, I felt so helpless, I so wanted to dive into the story and among the characters to effect a change, but I felt like I was at the top of the roller coaster, and I got that same sinking feeling in my stomach.

Powerful stuff. Read it.

Writer Resource of the Week---IT'S BACK

2009-06-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

After a long hiatus, welcome back the writer resource of the week. This week's resource is:

The Association of Authors' Representatives

www.aaronline.org

Need an agent? Don't know where to start? Just what's up with this agent thing anyway? Check it out, particularly the FAQ section.

Life, interrupted

2009-06-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

Strange how things can transform dramatically and then as soon as they start they are resolved, leaving you relieved but at the same time kind of wondering what just happened.

I went for my first mammogram and got the dreaded "call back" meaning they found something that was an "area of interest." An ultrasound revealed a mass that had some suspicious qualities. Long story short, a biopsy revealed a benign (thank you, Jesus) tumor. The tumor, a fibroademona for any of those of you who would like to look it up on wikipedia, can just hang out indefinitely because they do not become cancer---sometimes these things do grow, but that's not usually the case (once again, based on my "professional-no-medical-training-whatsoever opinion.")

I wanted to thank all of those friends of mine who prayed for me. I can't imagine the intense emotional and physical struggle for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, but I can say that being called back for a biopsy was scary enough...

However, this whole experience reminded me of something cool that St. Paul said in the book of Romans, that nothing--nothing in heaven, or in earth or seen or unseen---can separate us from the love of God.

Short stories that have influenced me as a writer

2009-06-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Ever so often we read a short story and we are like, man, I wish I had thought of that, or we are so bowled over by the writer who has such a distinct command of the craft, or ...well, you get the point.

Following are ten of the short stories that have influenced me as a writer. I've picked these because I felt that I've learned something fairly profound as a writer from each one. These aren't necessarily my favorite short stories, but something about them resonated with me. Over the next couple of days, I'll be deconstructing these stories, and examining what makes it work, and what influenced me.

I'd love to hear from my writer friends, old and new, about this. Please feel free to post in the comments section, and I really, really will respond. Seriously.

In addition, if I can find online links to the stories, I would love to post them and maybe even have a commentary / discussion on them through the comments section.

Here they are, in no particular order:

"The River" by: Flannery O'Connor

"Happy Endings" by: Margaret Atwood

"The Veldt" by: Ray Bradbury

"Bigfoot Stole My Wife" by: Ron Carlson

"The Birthmark" by: Nathaniel Hawthorne

"Scrabble With God" by: John M. Ford

"Fat" by: Raymond Carver

"Hills Like White Elephants" by: Ernest Hemingway

"The School" by: Donald Barthelme

"It Had Wings" by: Alan Gurganus (from Rocky Mount, btw. I got to meet him. Cool guy. Great writer. Gorgeous voice.)

"Charles" by: Shirley Jackson (of course, "The Lottery" is up there too, but because you always see that listed, I'm listing this one....)

"Nipple" by: Wendy Brenner

BONUS: This next one is a bonus because it is a recent "aha"moment I had as a writer. My friend Nathan Ballingrud won the Shirley Jackson Award for his short story, "The Monsters of Heaven." Knowing Nathan since seventh grade (geez, Nathan, has it been that long?) I've always known he could write, but ---dang! I'm not just putting this up here because he's my friend, but because I seriously, seriously, learned something about the craft from this short story, which we can discuss with later comments these upcoming weeks.

Cool writing article

2009-06-05T06:26:00.001-07:00

Check this out from Writer's Digest --the link is below.

I thought it was really interesting...

Michael Crichton's Top 5 Writing Lessons.

http://www.writersdigest.com/article/michael-crichton-top-5-writing-lessons

Did I ever understand how this blog thing worked anyway?

2009-06-05T06:23:00.000-07:00

It’s good to at least try to get back into the blog writing thing.
I’ve found that I’ve been so obsessed with trying to get things out, that I’ve neglected a few of my short stories that I’ve been meaning to rewrite and polish.

It’s strange, but I seem to have the opposite problem of many other writers; many are hesitant or rarely send things out---they would rather just write. I seem to be getting a little OCD about sending things out. If I don’t have at least 5 short stories circulating around, I feel like I’m really backing myself into a corner and missing out on something.

Blog event and chance to win a prize

2009-05-24T13:38:00.001-07:00

I'm participating in an all-day blogging event with my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, in mid-June (June 22 if I remember correctly. I'll post more information as the event approaches.)The anyone who comments on my blog that day has a chance to win a FREE prize...not sure what that will be, but most likely a hard copy or electronic copy of my novel, "Leaving the Comfort Cafe." Essentially, I just take the names, put them in a hat, and get a third party to draw it out...sorry I can't bring it in the envelope with security guards like they do on American Idol....
I'll also be giving a writing seminar in July. A limited number of participants will be able to have their questions answered about how to get published, how to finally start that novel, etc. This will (hopefully)be the first in a series of lectures / seminars. Though it has no formal name, I'm thinking of calling it the "Shut up and write!" series.

Upcoming Events and Writing Seminars

2009-05-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

After a long hiatus, I am finally back. It has been wonderful to have the opportunity to teach English 114 (technical and professional communication) but that on top of a full time job has been exhausting (though given the present economic conditions, I am very grateful to be gainfully employed. The exhaustion isn't a complaint. Let's face it, I'm pretty much exhausted anyway.)

I love the quote from Ursula Le Guinn, though I haven't read any of her work in a long time. I definitely need to revisit it. The last book I read was the "Tombs of Autaun"(spelling?). I really loved it.

Now that I'm back 'on the wagon' of writing blog posts, let me know what you'd like to see, any advice about writing, etc. etc.

I'm bringing back the FREE writer resource o' the week. Hopefully I'll be doing a writing seminar pretty shortly...I'll keep you posted.

How to Create a Beach Writing Retreat

2009-03-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

First, take a condo or a place with indoor pools that is running one of those $50 or $60 a night specials.
Second, take a really cool writing buddy who inspires you and gives great feedback (thank you, Carole)
Third, take some really loud rednecks in the floor above you that keep yelling "Hey! I can't hear anything you're saying!!!" off the balcony to someone down on the beach (who obviously can't hear a word they're saying).
Fourth, yell back "Woooo yeah!!!!" from your balcony back at the rednecks.
Fifth, steps three and four are optional.
Most importantly,
Take your laptop, pack a lot of magazines, (trade magazines, of course) and bring something to work on during your time there.
Sixth, remember that all work and no play does make Jack a dull boy...(no, I'm not channeling the "Shining" here...) go to the indoor pool. Go to the beach. Wrap up in a towel on the beach because even though weatherman said it is going to be 70+ degrees the wind is cold and you don't believe it is really the 68 degrees weather dot com says it is...
Seventh, wonder if the cute guy who hit on you at the pool knows that you're a writer, you haven't been hit on since the Clinton administration, and you are going to mention him in this blog.
Eighth...
work on stuff and set up a designated time for "critiques and coffee" (or cocktails, or whatever...) READ IT OUT LOUD to each other. Be kind. This is not the time to be persnickety...unless the author tells you it is, in which case, go for it. This is just a --yes, right direction or --whoa, don't go that way, buddy....
More to come...
What happens when two writers take a long weekend to work on some stuff...we'll you'll find out....

Weymouth Chronicles part two - "Searching for Cannoli"

2009-02-07T15:36:00.001-08:00

If you missed my earlier "Cannoli" remark, scroll down and read the earlier posts.

Below is the stable area near Weymouth. Southern Pines is very big horse country. One of my friends and fellow writer, Billie Hinton (great writer, check out her stuff on www.billiehinton.com) is also an accomplished rider. She says that horses will tend to easily pick up on any type of "baggage" you may be carrying, and more often than not, the horse's behavior is an outward reflection of the rider's inner personalities or struggles.

There is a ghost in the house, and I have had some curious and interesting "encounters" with him (we are convinced the ghost is a he). Nothing too X-files, just random doors slammed when no one is around and shoes and smaller items in your room rearranged, cell phone charger cords gently tied into several knots, things like that.

At right is one of my favorite rooms in the house. It's just a small alcove, and I don't think it is "officially" a room in the house. I call it the "Jo Marsh Room" because it just reminds me of Jo's garret from Little Women, where she would pen her stories. I like to write in it sometimes to get a change of scenery. This place truly is a blessing and I am humbled and honored to have been selected. (and yes, that's my stuff on the bed there)

I have really gotten a breakthrough in writing the opening chapter of my Big Tom Wilson book that I'm going to send to agents, hopefully within the next couple of weeks. I've just really had to get together a book proposal, and to be quite frank, I think the proposal is harder to write than the book! I used some of my time here to get through the "nitty gritty" of it (marketing plan, etc. etc. ) and then, strangely enough, I got an inspiration for a new opening that would balance the old and the new...I feel pretty good about it.

Chronicles of Weymouth - Part One: "Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli"

2009-02-01T09:28:00.000-08:00

Weymouth Chronicles

My reflections on the writing residency at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities

Days 1-3

“Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli”

I love that line from “The Godfather,” and it seems that it sums up the way my fellow writers and I pack to go to Weymouth. It’s not a matter that we bring too much stuff, it’s a matter of WHAT we bring. Granted, the environment here is so wonderfully casual, but I find that my clothes and toiletries make up a scant ¼ of what I bring. The rest? Books. Books on writing, copies of Writer’s Digest, notes about places to submit things, books of notes that I’ve taken for future books, printed out copies of books that I want to edit. And of course, the laptop and printer. I'd forget a washcloth before I'd forget that (in fact, I did ).

Also---though I rarely buy books at retail price---I always have one impulse buy of a book at the Country Bookstore, an independent bookstore here. Sometimes it’s a writing journal or bookplates. It’s my little treat for myself and a way to support local businesses [this is an AWESOME bookstore --support your local bookstores!!!!]

Below: the gorgeous view from my bedroom window of the Weymouth grounds.

ASIDE—if anyone is interested, this time that book is “The Reader” which was made into a movie with Kate Winslet. I didn’t want to see the movie before I read the book. I confess, it was the back of the book jacket that intrigued me; a teenager is rescued by a woman twice his age, and they become lovers. Then she disappears. The next time he sees her, she’s on trial for a terrible crime. It’s hard for me to say what really pulled me into that story (all “Mrs. Robinson” comments aside) but it was simply a fascinating read. Be forewarned, it is also kind of dark , but a very, very compelling story [and to my friends who may be more easily offended than I—the first part of the book has some R-rated material].

One day when I was here with my writer friends, we discussed how ironic it was that for female writers, (well, at least for the three of us) “over packing for Weymouth” didn’t mean 8 pairs of shoes, but rather 8 books stuffed into a duffel bag. We were perfectly content to arrive with no makeup, only one “dressy” outfit (in case an opportunity for a “first lady function” arose) and yet we would have to make an Office Depot run if we didn’t arrive with our favorite type of pen. (As any writer can tell you, we are very obsessive compulsive when it comes to the type of pens we deem "favorites." These are the ones we hide in our desk drawer and don't let anyone borrow. For the record, mine is the Pilot Precise V7--NO BALL POINT PENS. )

The things that were “important” took on a new meaning. It was then that I joked, “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” I don’t know if it made sense in that context, (it’s been a long time since I’ve seen “The Godfather”) but my friends were nice enough to laugh.

The site administrators here (and at every residency I’ve been to, including Wildacres) have been more than kind and absolutely wonderful and professional. There is no TV at Weymouth, and while I mainly use my TV at home for “white noise,” it is so nice to be able to train myself to be comfortable with silence. But to be comfortable with silence, you have to be comfortable with yourself…which is maybe why we have to have so much noise in our lives.

I’ve scattered some pics of Weymouth around my blog. If there’s something that needs explanation, I'll place a cutline.

And speaking of cutlines... below is a photograph of the house from the back. My window is the second from the right. It's one of the two lights you see burning in the window. >>>>>>>>>

“Things I’m working on…aka the big cannoli”

* I’m trying to get a group of short stories together for a fiction collection---but those are notoriously hard to sell. It’s easier to get them all published in different literary magazines and then get a collection (or so I’m told)

* I’ve already proofed (with thanks to my cool daddy friend) a short story and sent it off for the Doris Betts Fiction Prize. (Doris was my creative writing prof at UNC by the way, and she is amazing!) It is so much easier to get editing done here when a million things do not conspire to get in your way.

* I need to do some nitty-gritty stuff (update my website, send out some writing PRS, call places about book signings.

* I wrote (and am now rewriting) a short short “flash fiction” story for a magazine. Flash fiction is a genre (or maybe form is the better word) I’m relatively new to it, so I cant’ tell if I’m any good at it or not. To fit the theme of the magazine (which is “glass rooster”) I needed to write a story no more than 300 words with a glass rooster. Some writers finds that this stifles their creativity, but I think it actually kind of stretches my writing muscles---like running the 100 meter dash when you’re used to running cross country. In the end, trying new things is almost always good. My cool daddy writing buddies from ECU are going to exchange manuscripts with me (shout out to Will and Stuart)

* Finish the book proposal for my non fiction book---and send some query letters out to agents.

* I’d like to get a lest a few more chapters done in novel #3…but it’s nowhere near the querying stage right now….

* And then of course, one category that I simply call “being open to the universe”---at the risk of it sounding “New Age” this just means if we open ourselves up to the unexpected, I think it helps opening up the channels for God to show us new things. As CS Lewis so eloquently put it, “Our problem with God is not that we expect too much, but that we expect too little---we are like a child making mudpies in the slum because we cannot comprehend a holiday at the beach.”

Back at Weymouth

2009-01-28T20:46:00.000-08:00

Once again, I am so blessed to be able to return to the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines for a writing residency. It is amazing how productive you can be when there is no laundry, TV, housework or telephone calling you (although for the record, I have to admit I'm pretty good at ignoring the laundry and housework.)

This week I'm working on four main things:
1) Polishing up some short stories to try to get them ready for a collection.
2) Getting a short story "The Shangri-La Chamber of Commerce Welcomes You" ready to send to two contests.
3) Finishing up a book proposal for my non-fiction book, "Big Tom, a Man to Match the Mountains"
4) Getting some cover letters, etc. ready to send off....and maybe some information on some other residencies...

Thus far, things have been very productive. Planning to take a break Friday night and see a local band that is playing at a coffeeshop---I met one of their members (a writer too, btw) when I was at the coffeeshop earlier- [the story behind that is that CP&L was working on something in our area of the neighborhood, so we had no power for a good part of the morning. After the battery in my laptop ran out, I headed down there to plug up. And get some coffee. It was noon and I had yet to have my morning cup of coffee. It's amazing I didn't kill someone.

Dawn's Christmas Letter for Family, Friends and Random People Who Have Stumbled Upon This Blog

2008-12-06T14:08:00.000-08:00

Wow.

2008 has been a year of a lot of transformations for me (and oddly, a lot of traveling). I’m very excited about next year and what it may bring. Below is the reader’s digest version of the highlights of my year (and feel free to peruse the previous blog entries ). Feel free to leave comments. I would love to hear from you.

After the stress, etc. of juggling work and graduate school (I got my MA in Dec. 07) I decided it was long past time to take better care of myself. Joining our company’s “Biggest Loser” contest, not only did my team win, but I ended up losing 20+ pounds (and counting.) I’ve actually even started to develop (gasp) muscle tone. I know. I'm amazed, too.

I've still been very blessed to get some things published. In February, The Wild Rose Press published my second novel, “Leaving the Comfort Café.” This is NOT a vanity press (meaning you pay to have it printed or published) but it is a small royalty-paying press specializing in romance books (insert irony here) For the record, I really consider this book more Southern fiction than romance. It’s sold well, but not enough to quit my day job. You can get it on Amazon, special order through bookstores or at the Wild Rose Press Website.
And it makes a nice Christmas gift (wink, wink, nod, nod).

I've had a few readings (if you look at the March and April entries on the left, I think you'll find the video of the readings.)

I’m still completely addicted to kayaking, and my friends and I (weather permitting) generally paddle about six miles (give or take) each week during the spring and summer Through our paddles, we’ve discovered some gorgeous areas. We've seen a BALD EAGLE NEST (We call him “Sam.” ), multiple blue herons (you have no idea how huge they are until you get close to them). We have even run across a random goat and peacock on our paddles, in addition to more geese, turtles, and cranes than you can shake a stick at. (By the way, the beavers and muskrats on the Tar River are bleepin' HUGE).

We've even experienced the random unwanted company-- six water moccasins along the waterway with us. Fortunately, they don’t seem to want to be around us any more than we want to be around them (at least, that’s what we keep telling ourselves). Inspired by these events, I wrote a short story that will be published in early 09 by Glass Fire Magazine called "Things Seen While Kayaking." I'll send you a link when it's online.

My niece came up for a wonderful visit (she's becoming quite the oboe player, btw) and we went to the Duke Primate Center to visit the lemurs. I’ve always loved lemurs because they look so stressed out---so much like me. I also took her to see the large gothic cathedral at that School that Shall Not Be Named and then disinfected ourselves by spending a great evening at the UNC Planetarium.

In September, I did a reading and participated in an arts festival in Augusta , GA. I had never been to Augusta before and really enjoyed it. While there, I got to meet LOUISE SILVERS—the world-renowned writer who wrote “Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail” which was later made in to the movie “Summer Heat.”

Also in September, I was blessed to be selected for a writer’s residency at the “Wildacres” retreat in Little Switzerland, NC. You can see photos and information on the book I was working on there on the links at the left called “blogging from the mountain.” It was truly a great experience (shout out to Mike, Catherine and Teva, the poodle caboodle). I stayed in a gorgeous cabin WAY WAY WAY back in the woods. It was then that I discovered that small, baby black snakes look exactly like cell phone charger cords. I was also greeted several mornings by wild turkeys in my driveway. (no, not people, but actual turkeys).

Mom and Dad and I enjoyed the official opening of the UNC basketball season with "Late Night with Roy," which was a blast.

I am hoping that some day, I will be able to relocate closer to Mom and Dad and my niece and sister (who are still in Asheville.) Charlotte and Greensboro and Winston seem to hold a particular appeal for me...I am dedicating these items to prayer and trying to remember that it is not my time schedule, but God's that is most important.

However, I found myself oddly falling in love with the wide expanses and flat farm fields that seemed to stretch forever. I had never seen cotton grow and bloom and it was amazing to me how it looks like long fields of snow. I did a double take when I first saw the HUGE bales of cotton like giant white plastic boxes. I've made some of the most amazing friends that I will cherish throughout my entire life. I have been "adopted" by not just one, but several different families in the area.

Other new things I've been doing this year?
I've learned to play the didgeridoo (albeit, not very well).

This fall, I have been teaching two nights a week at the local community college-Composition Strategies ("strategery" as I call it. ) I've really enjoyed it. I'm going to teach another class in the spring--Technical Writing.

I'm also learning to play the guitar (thus far, I have only mastered "Smelly Cat"---I'll be coming to a coffeeshop near you.)

In wishing you a Merry Christmas---

Peace,

Dawn

Novel Writing Month Drags on --and I'm still behind

2008-11-16T19:49:00.001-08:00

Well, I'm still waaaaaay behind where I need to be on National Novel Writing Month. I'm only at 6,000 words and I should be well on my way to 15K by now. Like my friend Joy who is a freakin' writing MACHINE (Hi Joy! leave a comment). Any other NANO writers out there?

So how to catch up? Someone with NANO said that to catch up, go to a library, set aside a solid hour and just type like crazy... I might try that some time tomorrow. We'll see.

Hey, any of my friends have any blogs out there they want to link to over here? let me know.
Any NANO's want to contribute on how you're hacking it through the month?

Here's hoping I'll have something to post by the end of next week....

SHORT STORY ACCEPTED

2008-11-16T19:46:00.000-08:00

Woo hoo! and Praise the Lord! My short story, "Things I've Seen While Kayaking" has been accepted by Glass Fire Magazine. It's an on-line literary magazine, and I'm sooooo psyched about getting the short story accepted (I'll even get paid as well!)

Keep watching this blog for updates, a link and maybe even a teaser for the story....Hmmmm....

The Crud Virus Vs. NANO--who wins?

2008-11-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

Yep, I'm still here and kicking and trying to get my National Novel Writing Month story off to a decent start, though that nasty cold virus and a raging ear infection have put me out of commission for a while, and thus behind.

It's really easy to think "Oh sure, I'll take a day off to recover, and that will also give me the opportunity to do some writing." Riiiiiiight. I was on cough medicine that kind of put me in la-la-land but at the same time, made me hyper. 2 a.m. in the morning and I'm like a squirrel on speed....

...bottom line, I'm hoping to boost up my word count---right now I'm only at 3,500 and I'm not too please with what I've written, but as I've said, this is an exercise is just having fun at wild literary abandon, so I'm trying to take my own advice and just chill out for a while.

And on a totally non-related matter, here is a picture of my backyard....I thought it was cool...

One Month=One Novel

2008-10-10T16:58:00.000-07:00

What? Are you crazy?

Well, maybe. It's definitely been suggested.
am joining the November National Novel Writing Month at www.nanowrimo.org.
It's when a bunch of nuts, I mean, writers, each write 50,000 words between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30
Of course, when you're cranking out that much stuff, 80 percent of what you write is crap, but it does get the creative juices flowing because you don't have time to "second guess" things.
It's free, and just a month of ridiculous literary abandon (and an excuse to celebrate).

Join or not, or check out the 80 percent crap / 20 percent halfway decent stuff I'm going to try to crank out.
My user name is ECUDawn.

For those of you with kids under age 12, they have a young writer's version of it that works with local schools, etc.

Wow. Just writing that makes it sound like I have no life....
But any of you NanoWrimo folks in Eastern NC, let's network.

D
PS--for research for my novel, I'd like to hear from anyone who has had any major or minor paranormal experiences. I promise--no names will be mentioned....

Blogging from the Mountain

2008-09-13T09:14:00.000-07:00

Short excerpt from what I am working on...
...Below is a SHORT, FIRST DRAFT section of what I've been working on. Yes, this is a draft, so no one jump my case for tense shifts (I'm still not sure how to structure this) just look at this as a little more polished than just general free writing or stream of consciousness.

Oh yeah, and this is copyrighted, blah, blah, blah, insert legal jargon here....

Big Tom Wilson

If you were exploring the Black Mountains of North Carolina in the late 1890s, and had the need for rest, nourishment, and a decent night sleep safety away from the elements, you might stop at a a small farm near Pensacola, around the Cane River. You would be greeted by frenzied barking from blue tick and black and tan hounds, while chicken and livestock wandered around the grounds next to small plots of corn and other crops. You might hear a worried bray from the sheep’s pen, its residents debating which one would be the next to end up as mutton, and smoke would be slowly curling from the chimney of a cabin that was covered with bear skins. As you walk toward the porch you catch the scent of something delicious cooking on the stove---though your scenes can’t quite identify what was cooking. In block letters on the side of the cabin, someone has painted “Big Tom,” as if no other explanation or detail were necessary.

If you were expected ---and even if you weren’t expected---a tall, lean and lank figure with a snowy beard and dancing eyes would invite you inside to rest a spell and have some of the vittles that Mother had been cooking. As he ushers you through the front door, and you marvel at the collection of fishing rods, hunting traps and guns that seem to decorate every nook and rafter of the three room home. After miles of hiking, the cozy cabin melts the dank moisture from your feet. If you wanted to sample some homemade apple pie while you were there, that could be arranged, and you may even be given a snack to take with you on the rest of your trip. If you needed a reliable hunting guide and trailblazer for the rest of your journey, that could be arranged as well, for you were in the company of one of the best the Appalachians had ever produced.

And if you wanted to simply sit back in front of the fireplace and listen to backcountry mountain tales, that could be arranged --and often was --- without even having to ask.

It’s quite possible that Big Tom’s life could have continued simply unnoticed like many of his fellow Scots-Irish mountain breathern who farmed and made a living on the mountains. But one event thrust him from the face of the mountain into the front page of newspapers, and from newspapers to history, and from history to legend. It was one of the most sensational events of the 1850s---the search for Dr. Elisha Mitchell, university professor and scientist, who had traveled to the Black Mountains to confirm the highest peak of the Appalachians, and was missing for more than a week........

.....Big Tom loved to tell stories. I don’t know if this trait can be genetically linked to a chromosome in my family’s DNA, but if there were a link, I’m sure you’d find a stream of storytellers not just in my family, but in every family that roamed these hills through the decades.

It is not my job to play as judge and jury as to which stories have merit and which ones do not. I’m not a historian. I am a storyteller. And I believe Big Tom would be okay with that.

After all, he was a storyteller, too.

Blogging from the Mountain

2008-09-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Saying Goodbye to Wildacres

I have heard so many good things about this place and I can see why.
It is only just now that the fog has lifted so that I can see the mountains (or see ten feet in front of me for that matter). But it doesn't bother me---I am very familiar with the mountains, and I actually like the way the fog curls off of them. But the sun is shining and I've gone for a few short hikes, so it's been good.

In addition to getting a lot of work done, and meeting some of the way cool people here at Wildacres (Mike, Kathy, Chris, Dana, Brian, and of course, Keeva the poodle caboodle). Here are some of the things I have learned:

I am usually not comfortable with quiet. I even have to have a noise machine to help me sleep. While the quiet at first intimidated me, I realized it was not quiet--it was just different music. The hum of crickets, woodpeckers, and one really, really, teed off squirrel were a wonderful symphony. Are these things around us all the time and we're just too busy to hear them? Things that make you go hmmmmm....
I have lived alone for a long time, so I didn't view being in a cabin in the woods with any apprehension. However, there is something exhilarating about being totally, totally alone. We find it intimidating because we are never alone. Even if we live by ourselves, there's always the neighbor down the street or the days full of work that we welcome what we think is being by ourselves. You get to know yourself a lot better (okay, that sounded dirty, but I didn't mean it to). It has really helped me hear God better.
It's okay if the interior of your cabin looks like the room Johnny Depp had in "Secret Window." As long as you don't start writing "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy..." you're okay.
Scripture has power when it is read aloud. I've read the Psalms but never aloud when I was by myself. Truly power in the word of God read ALOUD. Maybe it was my imagination, but when I read it on my porch this morning, all the birds and critters started chattering more enthusiastically.
Small, black, ringneck snakes look a lot like cell phone charger cords.
Lightning storms can be thrilling. Don't worry, the cabin will protect you. Enjoy the light and flashing without fear. That loud popping and fizzing was just the transformer.
Wild turkeys are everywhere. Sometimes unexpectedly, when you go around the corner.
The food here is really good (okay, that wasn't a lesson, just a point)
We get so obsessed with where God wants us to be that we fail to realize if we walk with Him, the place we need to be will natural cross our path.
I have been extremely humbled by reading about all the adventures of the other artists who have lived here. There are three journals that we are invited to contribute to, and I have read about artists who have battled breast cancer, searched for family history, came from as far away as Texas and New York. It is very humbling to know you are one in a long chain of Owl's Nest (that's what they call the cabin) who have loved this place.
For some reason, day 5 here is always magical. I was fairly pleased with my progress, but for some reason on Day 5 it was like lightning coming off my fingers, and I was so wired that at 1:30 a.m. I finally had to take an Ambien to help me sleep. I've found similar things in the journals, and it always seems to happen around day 5.

Blogging from the Mountain

2008-09-12T06:27:00.001-07:00

Some photos from the mountain--

* My "Johnny Depp" Owl's Nest Cabin:
I confess, I was not used to being so far back in the woods, even when I stayed at Brevard Music Center or went to visit my Grandma in Yancey County. Although the lightning storm of the first night was beautiful / unnerving / wonderful / scary -- it made me realize that this little Owl's Nest cabin would hold fast and take care of me this entire week. Since then, I've been okay with it.

And of course, I have to say that everyone here at Wildacres has been fantastic. I've also enjoyed reading the journal logs left from the other writers that have been here before me....
Look at the beautiful woods that surround this cabin.

Blogging from the Mountain

2008-09-12T06:02:00.000-07:00

In Search of Big Tom Wilson

Days 3-4

For some reason Wed. night, I was strangely much more tired than usual. I finished a lot of things, and was hoping to get in some more, but for some reason I was afraid I had a sore throat coming on, so I did my nose spray and went to bed. The rain sounds wonderful on the tin roof. The squirrels dropping acorns on it, sound like machine gun fire.

I dictated a lot of tape material I gathered from Mt. Michell earlier. When the rain subsided, I was even able to take the cabin trail from my cabin to the rest of the Wildacres campus (about 15-20 minutes each way). It is really beautiful.

No critters Wed.---except for a squirrel outside my cabin that is very agitated. He keeps making "angry squirrel noises" --- kind of sounds like a cat.

<<<<<>

I ended up calling it an early night.

I am really only just now starting to get adjusted to living on the side of a mountain in nowhere.

On Thursday afternoon, after finishing up the into to Big Tom's bear stories, I went into Little Switzerland and went into one of the best bookstores I have ever seen. I then went on to Spruce Pine to the Large Chain Store that Shall Not Be Named and picked up a few things---milk, a chill pad for my laptop, and some Dramamine because I had been experiencing some vertigo. I think it may be sinus / driving around all these sharp turns related. Those of you who know me realize I can get car sick at the drop of a hat---even if I'm driving.

Saw three wild turkeys on my way down the mountain today. Evidently, there's a family/ flock of them that hang around. here.

On Friday, I go back to Mt. Mitchell again for a short period to go through the remaining bits of the files. The folks there have been so nice to let me look through their archive,s and I've even made some copies of some of the items I've found viamy family to pass long to them. I'm even thinking this book can come with a small children's companion piece "Big Tom's Bear Tales" that will tell about his adventures.

There is a really,really, dense fog around here. I haven't been able to see most of the mountains. It's made for slow driving, but as you can see in these pictures, I think it is really beautiful when the mists are around the mountain.

Since I'll be close to Asheville when I'm on Mt. Mitchell (well, I won't be close, but Mt. Mitchell isn't really that close to anything....) I'm a going to try to connect with Mom and Dad and have an early supper....

I had originally thought if I had become "bored" with the "nuts and bolts" of research that I could return to completing my short story collection. But I've found that the more I research, the more I write, and I've become incredibly fascinated by the entire thing...

I did "cheat" a little bit--- I brought two movies with me-- "Eternal Sunshine" and "The Hours" (or as I like to call it, "The Bipolar Family Christmas Special.") I may actually watch Eternal Sunshine tonight (on my computer.) The Hours is great, but just a little too depressing to watch while alone in the woods.

All the best!

I am planning on leaving here on Sunday morning, early, early, probably leaving just after breakfast at 8.

Enjoy these cool photos of Wildacres. It's been rainy and foggy most of the time, so I've not been able to get very many great photos. But that's okay.

Dawn

PS-- Despite the fact that the layout of this cabin reminds me of Johnny Depp's house in "Secret Window" (a movie about a writer who goes nuts) I've found that I really like the layout of it a lot....

Mists rolling off of the Black Mountains...

Blogging from the Mountain

2008-09-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

In Search of Big Tom
Day two

Last night, there was, without question, the BIGGEST lightning storm I have ever experienced. Lightning was all around the “Owl’s Nest” cabin---cracking and thundering…and needless to say, every loud pop made me think of every Stephen King movie I have seen in the last five years. The rain poured on the tin roof---which is fine with me because I love the sound of rainstorms.
After an Ambien-induced, blissful couple of hours, I awoke around 1 a.m. to an INCREDIBLY loud clap, a blinding spark and a long, loud “fizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.” Evidently, lightning struck a transformer just above the cabin I was staying…part of my power was out for a while (not a big deal) but it did really jolt me awake. I think that is the closest I have ever been to a lightning strike in my life (and of course, it sounded as if it were right on top of the roof---and I thought for a minute lightning had struck the roof itself. ) I then heard what I thought was the outside glass light fixture shatter (there was the loud sound of breaking glass) but upon not finding anything in the morning, I wrote it off to imagination.

Today I went to Mt. Mitchell and went through the museum display that features my great great grandfather (I learned it was two “greats”--I had erroneously reported three earlier). There was a life size wood carving. The rangers allowed me to go through the Mt. Mitchell archives for a while. They were incredibly nice and professional.

I had a little hang time, hooked up with a nice couple from Waynesville, and went about one hour into the Balsam nature trail. About halfway in, it started to rain, then pour and then really pour, and by the time I got back to my car, I was pretty soaked.

Animal count: 7 wild turkeys in my driveway this morning 6 wild turkeys met on the parkway (clarification--I’m not talking about people, these were actual turkeys.)

I got back just in time for supper (food here is fantastic!) and went back to my cabin to settle in for the evening. I’m starting to feel overwhelmed because the information I got today was complete sensory overload, and for the first time in ??? I haven’t checked my e-mail all day….I’m sure that’s good for me and character building and all that jazz.

BTW---I highly recommend the restaurant on Mt. Mitchell, along with the cool Balsam gift shop there. It is a great place to get small gifts for people who are generous enough to help out with work so you can take the week off (wink, wink, nod, nod).

Enjoy these photos: of me with a woodcarving of Big Tom on Mt. Mitchell---

Blogging from the Mountain

2008-09-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

Wildacres Writing Residency -- Blogging from the mountain-- Little Switzerland, NC

Part 1

I am so blessed to have been selected for a writing residency at Wildacres (www.wildacres.org). I will be working on a non-fiction book about my great, great, great grandfather, "Big Tom" Wilson, whose claim to fame was finding Dr. Mitchell's body on Mt. Mitchell. This residency is very competitive, so I feel very, very, blessed to be here. It is a beautiful area and I encourage you to visit.

Little Switzerland is gorgeous, and it isn't exactly at the end of the earth, but you can see it from here.

The Owl's Nest cabin is lovely, but I have to confess, the interor of it reminds me of the cabin that Johnny Depp had in the movie "Secret Window" (about a writer who goes crazy.) So while it is beautiful, I do sometimes find myself finding it just slightly intimidating.

Tomorrow I head to Mt. Mitchell, where I have an interview with some rangers. I was hoping that someone would take me to the waterfall where Mitchell's body was found, but that is on private property, so I need to find out who owns it and get permission, etc.

They have a whole display on Big Tom at the museum on top of Mt. Mitchell. This should be very interesing. I am hoping to get a book proposal completed by the end of this week to start shopping it around to agents...

Here is a photo of Big Tom.

Long story short, Big Tom was a bear hunter (he had killed over 100) and trapper in the mountains. There is a nature preserve named after him. Dr. Elisha Mitchell had determined that Mt. Mitchell was the highest peak east of the Mississippi and was confirming his findings when he went missing. After many failed attempts to find him, they sent for Big Tom, who found him at the bottom of a waterfall.

Day three--- short story breakthrough

2008-07-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

After a VERY relaxing day of Weymouth and getting all the work-related stress out of my system, I worked on a short story that fought me all night. It was a rewrite of a story I did several years ago, and it has potential, just needs to be rewritten. The story started going in crazy directions.
Then I slept on it.
In the morning, that short story still didn't go anywhere.
But I pulled up another one---only about four pages or so, that I wrote 4 years ago. I had never finished it.
Then all of a sudden, the story took off and I was just hanging on for the ride. First think I knew, this snobby sister showed up in the story, then a mother who swore that "the Russians are just going to nuclear us all to Kingdom Come." (story takes place in the 80s). Then there was this disgusting beach and...all of a sudden I realized this story was running me.
has anyone out there had any interesting things like this happened---a story that was DOA you suddenly revived and it started going all different places? Let me know.

Writer Resource o' the Week #5

2008-07-18T18:27:00.002-07:00

Hello, hello....
Checking in with a writer resource of the week---this one is:

Absolute Write

www.absolutewrite.com

Free newsletters? Market information? Cool stuff? Dang! where do I sign up?
Oh, that's right, at Absolute Write.

Chatting with Manic Readers

2008-07-18T18:27:00.001-07:00

I will be chatting with manic readers online with their Yahoo group on July 23.
Woo hoo!

Writing retreat--part 1---BEES!

2008-07-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

Hi all...I am writing from a wonderful writer's retreat. How great to get a chance to relax and enjoy.
What I'm working on?
Finishing up a collection of short stories (rewriting, polishing)
Pounding out a draft of novel #3 (as much as I can get done)
Working on a short non-fiction piece

Just arrived in town and found out that the place where we stay has bees living in the wall. Oh my! They've had to partition off one room, because bees were coming in through the vents....not a lot, I mean, not like a Stephen King movie or something...but we're okay. They're trying to save the bees and coax them out because there's a shortage of bees or something or other...
...and I've run into someone who seems to collect plastic bags. I find that very interesting....
more to come....

I'll keep you posted!

conspiracy of the teeth

2008-07-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, I lied.
I did not blog.
I didn't write.
I have spent my time worrying about things like---possible work layoffs, my inability to find a date since the Reagan administration, and what the @#$@#$@# my wisdom teeth are doing. [yes, I'm 37, and I still have my wisdom teeth. They've decided to make an appearance. A painful one]

AT least, that's my excuse for not being more regular about writing. Julia Cameron in "The Artist's Way" has a good deal to say about the psychological happiness of creativity for creativity's sake--
..but I was a slacker.

Therefore, I've set my goal to revise a collection of my short stories and start shopping it around by the end of this year.

Oh, and here's my "the dog ate my homework" drama about my lack of blog entries."

Okay, so spare me the lectures about how I should have had that rite of passage--wisdom teeth removal-- when I was 17 or 21 and the roots of these buggers were no where near my facial nerve, which they are now...
...bottom line, they're still here. The doc says there's more of a risk taking them out then leaving them in...and since the pain has subsided, probably best to do the watchful waiting thing.

So that's my story---I was minding my own business, getting ready to get caught up on my blog, when all of a sudden---the teeth started their own conspiracy:

Wisdom #1 = "No you don't. No writing weekends for you at your super cool friend's place in Georgia. I want to give you pain. NOW! While you're driving! Lots of pain! Go to the ER--ha, ha, ha, ha!"

Wisdom #2 = "An ER in Charlotte at 9 p.m? She won't go. Oh hey, I want more of that Tylenol."

Wisdom #3 = "I just wanna... I mean (hiccup) I went over... I mean...what-what are we doing anyway? (wisdom tooth #3 is something of a lush)

Wisdom #1 = "Come on guys, this is our time to take over the mouth."

Wisdom #2 = "But there's no room!"

Wisdom #1 = "Oh, her mouth is big enough. Trust me."

Wisdom #3 = "You know... I love you guys... I really do... you are my best (hic) friends in the (hic) world... I just...hey...where am I again? What-what are we doing."

Wisdom #1 = "Fools. Fools."

Wisdom #2 = "She's playing Creedence again."

Wisdom #1 = "How did I get stuck with you guys. #4 was the lucky one. She got him out early."

Wisdom #3 = (singing) "Doot doo doo Looking out my back door" (hic)

I'll be back with more regularity.
But first, answer this---does anyone have any favorite movies about writers? Tell me.
D

Where have I been?

2008-06-10T15:08:00.001-07:00

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. I'm one of those pathetic blogger writers who doesn't blog every five minutes. Actually, I've been on the road a good bit of the time and have been sick with sinus crap--and on some high-powered antibiotics since I got bitten by a few deer ticks. So I've been feeling very puny, but puny beats Lyme disease anyday.

Since last time I posted some words I like, I'm posting some words I hate....

Condiment
Yes, I know, (insert third grade snicker here). I just hate the way it sounds like something it shouldn't when all you want to know is if they've finished filling up the ketchup bottles.

Plethora
I can't seem to ever pronounce this one right.

Aubergine
That's eggplant. Or a shade of purple. I have trouble remembering that one as well.

And the word I seem to dislike most of all (and the one that I try at all costs to avoid using in public) exacerbate.

Words I Think Are Totally Cool

2008-05-23T16:34:00.000-07:00

Hey guys.
To increase my dorkiness factor (as if it couldn't be increased any more...)
I thought I'd provide a list of words that I think are really cool.
As writers, we need to, and should, have a love for the language in which we write---or just an appreciation for languages in general.

These are some words that I really think are neat. I love the way they sound, and I love the way they feel on your lips when you say them. These are my top ten:

kiosk
facetious
pathetic
thousand

reminisce

epitome

kayak
quaint
queue
phosphorescence

You'll notice, for whatever reason, I seem to like the hard "k" and the "qu" sounds. Also a lot of the "f" sound. Go figure...
Next week---words I dont' like.

Got any of your favs? Post them! I'd love to take a survey of some of my writer buddies favorite words.

Yes, I'm still kicking

2008-05-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm a terrible, doofy, inhuman being because I'm ashamed to say that I've not been keeping up on this blog like I should have.
Oh well, always time for a new leaf. Things have been kind of stressful with me as of late, but I'm trying to stay very zen about things, remember God is in charge, and not delve into binge-related "stress eating" ----

And now it's time for (drumroll) -- the long awaited
WRITERS RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
(back after a hiatus)

This one is the Association of Authors Representatives.
It's a good place to find an agent. Also, check out their code of ethics.
If I remember correctly, there is no regulatory body for agents---though most reputable agents are a member of some professional organization (but they don't have to be. Dang, a confusing business.)

Scheduled Writer Chats

2008-04-29T16:49:00.000-07:00

Anyone who wants to stop by and chat with writers and readers, I'll be at the following Yahoo groups:

---Romance Bistro After Dark on May 7
* FYI-- This is their hot/ erotic line. Though you don't have to be a writer of erotica to participate (case in point, me)

----Coffee Time Romance loop --- May 16

All of these are on the Yahoo groups if you want to sign up.

Hopefully I'll see you there!

Writer Resource o' the Week -- #4

2008-04-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

This is #4, isn't it? Sorry, liberal arts major. You know we never learned how to count. If we did we'd all be working at NASA or something.

This writing advice resource is actually from the publisher of my second novel, "Leaving the Comfort Cafe." They have a Writer's Toolbox with links to all kinds of useful articles, including pitching, querying, etc.

This week's writer resource is:
The Wild Rose Press
Writer's toolbox

URL is: www.thewildrosepress.com
Then click on "In the Greenhouse" and then "Writer's Tools."

Oh, and buy my book while you're there :)

Chatting with Yahoo Groups

2008-04-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

Today I had a brief yet uplifting "posting" / "chat" with a Yahoo group comprised of romance writers / readers, etc. Authors are invited to post excerpts from their novels.

I posted the scene where Blythe meets Austin at the Comfort Cafe (you can hear this excerpt under the ECU reading post)

I was very encouraged because someone posted that they were "roaring with laughter" and that I "made their coffee break" and they were putting this on their to buy list asap.

Wow. How great is that?

Happy Birthday William Shakespeare

2008-04-23T16:46:00.000-07:00

Yep. Big Bill the Bard was born on this day 1564, (well, give or take a day--records are actually fairly inconclusive) and died on this day in 1616.

I know it's a side trip from the contents of this blog, but as a writer, I can think of no greater compliment than for some of your writing to actually be considered a part of the English language. One reason why Billy Shakes just simply rocks. Whenever you hear "quick as a wink" the "devil incarnate" or "burning the candle at both ends"--you have Big Bill to thank. (Granted, many of these are now considered cliche, and probably wouldn't be the best to use in your writing...but that's neither here or there right now.)

I was blessed to go to Holy Trinity Church last year and see where Shakespeare was buried. It was amazing. You can see why Stratford and the beautiful Avon River inspired him so. When I ran into a Brit walking along the river trail, I couldn't contain my excitement about being in Stratford. I told him it was, for me, a dream came true.

"Really, luv?" he raised his eyebrows. "I just come here to feed the swans."

Happy birthday Shakespeare!

Hey, anyone want to tell me about your favorite Shakespeare plays?
Here are my favs:
"King Lear" (all time favorite)
"Measure for Measure"
---"That Scottish Play About the King that is a Bad Omen for Artists and Must not Be Named."
"Much Ado About Nothing" (esp. the film version with Kenneth Branaugh and Robert Sean Leonard. Hubba, hubba, hubba.)

And though it is so stereotypical to say you love Hamlet, well, I love Hamlet.

Writer Resource o' the Week #3--FREE RICE

2008-04-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

For the Writer Resource of the Week, let's try something different...let's try using a writing resource to help feed the world. The resource is:

Free Rice
at the URL
www.freerice.com

The site asks you a series of words, and you select their meaning from the multiple choices given. Each time you get a word correct, 10 grains of rice are donated to a UN project. Then, you're given a more difficult word, and so on, until you get one wrong.

I've checked this one out on truth or fiction dot com, and this is not a hoax or one of those crazy e-mail forwards that never seem to have a source.

From what I understand, the money for the rice comes from the paid advertisers on the site. And while 10 grains may not seem like much, multiply that by the millions who have played this game and you'll see how it can add up.

So expand your word power and give some free rice!

Writer Resource o' the Week

2008-04-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

This website does such a good job of scouting out literary scams that they are actually getting SUED for it! (by whom, or what the 4-1-1 is, I don't know.) Regardless, you can get information on them at this wonderful website:

PREDITORS AND EDITORS

URL: www.anotherrealm.comprededitors

Check it out, and keep posted on the Warnings. You won't regret it.

Meanwhile....

As for me, I'm gearing up for my FREE how to get published seminar / book signing / dog and pony show that is gearing up at the Cooley Library in Nashville, NC. Plus, the gift shop at the place where I work is having an author book signing (featuring me, which is kind of embarrassing because I grew up with the philosophy that one was not supposed to brag on oneself.)

I'll post photos from the even when its over.
Take care!

FREE How to get Published Seminar

2008-04-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

I'll be giving a FREE seminar on how to get published at the Cooley Library in Nashville, NC on April 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Yep, I'll also be signing copies of my books there. I'll try to post some video or at least some photos if possible.

Since I work with a smaller publisher and they have contracted with LuLu to publish books the length of mine, my novel is not listed on Baker and Taylor or Ingrams or other major distributors, which can make it difficult to try to get it into mainstream bookstores (although from what I understand, it's hard to get anything other than something from a major publisher into them. Am I wrong? Comment and tell me.

So to try to get my foot in the door, I'm taking this dog and pony show on the road. Even if the "show" doesn't net any sales, I get to leave my card and hopefully get some free publicity. And then there's the whole thing about giving back to the community libraries.

More to come....

WHAT will be the FREE WRITER RESOURCE O'THE WEEK....we'll see.... posting comes on Sunday or Monday. Probably Sunday...

8@8 -- Reading at East Carolina University

2008-04-07T17:43:00.000-07:00

This is from my reading at East Carolina University.
It was a celebration of the MA graduate students from the creative writing department at East Carolina University.

WRITER RESOURCE OF THE WEEK

2008-04-07T17:24:00.000-07:00

Ah, yes, it's been a while since I got back to my blog.
Sorry for the delay, but you can count that I'm going to be posting more regularly.

I'd also like to introduce a new feature-- the FREE WRITER RESOURCE OF THE WEEK---this is just a resource I've found useful or helpful for my writing, and I think you can as well. Many of these can be found under my links page on my website at www.dawnwilson.net

Anyway, let's get things started:

FREE WRITER RESOURCE O' THE WEEK

Duotrope at www.duotrope.com

It has some interesting markets and wonderful resources. Mostly for fiction, but I think there may be some essay entries. It also provides a submission tracker, and of course, the best part
is it's free. They run on donations, but I just wanted to say, God bless ya to the Duotrope folks.

Definitely worth the surf!

Who is the Snake Lady? Find out on this video

2008-03-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

Find out in this video of a reading of my second novel, "Leaving the Comfort Cafe." Recorded LIVE--at Via Cappuccino in Rocky Mount.
This video should play on Windows media player. I'm kind of new to the video upload, so forgive me if there are any problems.

Newspaper Article

2008-03-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

Wow! seeing myself in the Telegram. Yee ha!
Hopefully this will generate some buzz about the booksigning. Y'all come!
Below is a link to the story.

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/marquee/content/marquee/stories/08/03/27/Dawn.html

And yep, that's my grandmother's chair I'm sitting on. Isn't that cool? That chair is at lest 50 years old.
I've found that it's very important to indicate to reporters, etc. that you emphasize that it is not a "vanity" press. Evidently, I'm sure there are a lot of good self-published books out there---I'm just saying that I'm sure there are even more that are not. One editor actually told me that with print on demand publishing "getting published really isn't the big deal that used to be..." Well...maybe not if you pay someone to publish it with print on demand technology.
But it is still tough to get into a traditional publisher---large, small or otherwise.
I have the rejections to prove it. BUt as I stated in the article, persistence is 80 percent of the game...

Postcards and chatting

2008-03-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

Hoping to get my postcards out in time for my reading on Sat. March 29 at Via Cappuccino in Rocky Mount. I'm trying to go with a retro theme with comic book characters (Since one of the main characters in the story aspires to be a comic book writer!)

ON THE NOVEL TRAIL
I'll be logging in tomorrow afternoon at Talking Two Lips to discuss my novel. Thanks to the folks at the Wild Rose Press for setting up all these loop events.
I'll be giving you some feedback on how the event goes and maybe some hints for participating in a loop chat? OR maybe you can give me advice, as I'm kind of new to all this.

And right now I'm....
Haning out at the coffeeshop slowly realizing that I am becoming sooooooo addicted to wi-fi. And Hugh Laurie. But anyway, now some random guy is bringing in equipment to give us some live music and all I'm thinking about is how I've really, really, got to get caught up on housework. I read somewhere that women with finished novels rarely have clean houses. That's my story andI'm sticking with it.

Reading at Alma Mater

2008-03-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

I've been invited to go back to East Carolina University and read as a part of a graduate students /creative writing thing. I'm torn between reading from my novel and reading from a short story that lends itself more to being read aloud.

Hey, do any of you read your short stories out loud as you edit? Would you edit something out just because it doesn't sound good on your ears? I would.

ever on vacation?

2008-03-07T15:05:00.001-08:00

As writers, are we ever on vacation? Do you take your laptop everywhere? Folks can't believe that sitting on the balcony and cranking up the laptop is my idea of a good time.
I'm on vacation right now in ASheville. So many stories so little time.

Any thoughts out there on this?
D

Reading at ECU

2008-03-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

I'll be participating in a creative writing reading at East Carolina University with other MA English students. I graduated from ECU in Dec. with a master's in English and a concentration in creative writing. Once a year, they have all the MA creative writing students read from some of their work. I may or may not be reading from "Cafe." we'll see...

It will be on a Thursday night in March---the Thursday before Good Friday---at 7:30 p.m. in the Bate Building at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.

First Reading Dates Set

2008-03-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

The first comments from folks on my novel have been very positive---though most of these folks are my friends, so I doubt they'd simply say "it stinks"--still, very good to have some positive feedback.

I will have a reading from my novel on March 29 at 9 am. at Via Cappuccino in Rocky Mount, NC. I know it's early---esp. for a Saturday, but fortuneately, they have coffee there :)
Mom and Dad will probably be making the trek from Asheville to go to the reading.

I'm also going to give a free seminar on how to get published at the Cooley Library in Nashville, NC, right outside of Rocky Mount. Details forthcoming.

Hopefully, I'll be able to add a video of some of these readings and post them here.

Also, I'm a guest blogger on Mystic-lit. Check it out. It's a great blog of some great writers.

California Dreaming

2008-02-26T17:02:00.002-08:00

I might, might, might, get to promote my book at a book fair in California.
Time will tell.
Fingers are crossed.

Naked Novelist

2008-02-26T16:57:00.000-08:00

You have strange things happen when you have a novel out...I had a dream that my mom read the novel and said she especially loved the part about the flamingo. Only there isn't any flamingo in the book.

The piont is, once the novel is "out," there is a particular vulnerability out there. You feel, not really naked, but like a China doll that can be easily broken.

<<<

Note the shirt--READ!!!

Novel Trails...one author, one novel, a gazillion publishing adventures

2008-02-18T15:17:00.001-08:00

Welcome to Novel Trails...
...who am I and why should you care?

Well, I guess you shouldn't. Unless of course, you want to follow a wonderful, whacky, writer on her adventures promoting her second (non-vanity press) novel from a small publisher.

Let's face it---if you aren't the Stephen Kings or John Grishams, you don't have a promotions budget of millions of dollars, and a lot of promotion is...well, is left up to the writer.

So if you want to follow my journey, get a few laughs, enjoy a good cup of Joe, and along the way learn some promotions lessons as well as some good tips on writing, join me. I'll be posting regularly.

For more info on me, visit my website at www.dawnwilson.net

Novel Trails presents:

More Novel adventures at The Year of Writing Dangerously

FREE Sample Sunday

I'm interviewed by David Wisehart

New posts at The Year of Writing Dangerously

God is good, even you when you don't feel great

New posts at The Year of Writing Dangerously

Y'all need to read this

Meet my new blog...

What is The Year of Writing Dangerously?

FREE Writer Resource o' the Week

Update

Video of My Reading at the Cape Fear Poetry Fesvital

NC Literary Festival at UNC-Chapel Hill

Between the Lines Chapbook Release Party

Writer Resource o' the Week

Cape Fear Poetry Festival

Novel Trails Hits the Radio

Novel Trails on Talk Radio

Guest blog exchange?

Writer Resource o' the Week

And the winner is...Marianne Evans

STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES -- Wild Rose Press Author Blog Event

Excerpt from "Leaving the Comfort Cafe"

LIVE -- author presentation of Leaving the Comfort Cafe

Other Wild Rose Press Author Blogs

Blog-o-rama and a chance to win!

What I like about "The River"

Writer Resource of the Week---IT'S BACK

Life, interrupted

Short stories that have influenced me as a writer

Cool writing article

Did I ever understand how this blog thing worked anyway?

Blog event and chance to win a prize

Upcoming Events and Writing Seminars

How to Create a Beach Writing Retreat

Weymouth Chronicles part two - "Searching for Cannoli"

Chronicles of Weymouth - Part One: "Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli"

Back at Weymouth

Dawn's Christmas Letter for Family, Friends and Random People Who Have Stumbled Upon This Blog

Novel Writing Month Drags on --and I'm still behind

SHORT STORY ACCEPTED

The Crud Virus Vs. NANO--who wins?

One Month=One Novel

Blogging from the Mountain

Blogging from the Mountain

Blogging from the Mountain

Blogging from the Mountain

Blogging from the Mountain

Blogging from the Mountain

Day three--- short story breakthrough

Writer Resource o' the Week #5

Chatting with Manic Readers

Writing retreat--part 1---BEES!

conspiracy of the teeth

Where have I been?

Words I Think Are Totally Cool

Yes, I'm still kicking

Scheduled Writer Chats

Writer Resource o' the Week -- #4

Chatting with Yahoo Groups

Happy Birthday William Shakespeare

Writer Resource o' the Week #3--FREE RICE

Writer Resource o' the Week

FREE How to get Published Seminar

8@8 -- Reading at East Carolina University

WRITER RESOURCE OF THE WEEK

Who is the Snake Lady? Find out on this video

Newspaper Article

Top questions for writers--Question #1

Postcards and chatting

Reading at Alma Mater

ever on vacation?

Reading at ECU

First Reading Dates Set

California Dreaming

Naked Novelist

Novel Trails...one author, one novel, a gazillion publishing adventures