Writers in Heels

Grandma vs. the Flagstone

2008-05-16T19:09:09+00:00

Contestant #1: Grandma

Contestant #2: Flagstone

It was a fight to the finish. Grandma, on her mission, determined to serve the Lord. Flagstone, covered in moss, determined to protect the walkway. Both with a job to do. Both with wills of iron. Both determined to succeed at all costs.

Round One: Flagstones make their move. They throw Grandma down, causing her to land on her hip. X-rays show nothing broken, but her back won't get better. She's sent home from her mission in England to recoup at Tristi's house.

What will Round Two bring? Will Grandma arise triumphant? Or will the flagstones keep her down?

Stay tuned for the next exciting installment in this Battle of Gladiators!

P.S. I should have clarified - this is my mother, not my grandmother. We call her Grandma because that's what my kids call her. So, commenters, thank you for sharing your concern over my grandma . . . but I'll have you shift that to my mom. Sorry I wasn't more clear.

Wordless Wednesday (It’s still Wednesday Right?)

2008-05-15T06:02:13+00:00

And yeah right . . . a writer without words . . .

I took this photo in Hawaii in a rain forest (don’t ask which one . . . That whole week was one blur of bliss and zen) I’ve come to really enjoy the concept of paths with turns that disappear behind trees or whatever. A path with turns, twists and the insecurity of not knowing what waits around the corner.

Life is a path like that. I feel like I’m there right now, standing at the turn, insecure in not knowing what waits for me, wondering if I dare take the step that will put me face to face with something new . . .

Does anyone have a good path story, where they got around the corner and found a surprise, good or bad, waiting? I’d love to hear it while I stand here contemplating my own bend in the road.

Three Songs for the Price of One

2008-05-15T00:21:44+00:00

The American Idol semi-finalists each sang three songs tonight. David Cook did a great job on all three of his. David Archuletta did his first song well, he did sorta so-so on his second, and while the judges didn't like his third choice, I did--"Longer Than" has always been one of my favorites, gooey or not. Syesha did well on her first song, I liked "Fever," (but then, I've always wanted to be a torch singer and do that song) but I really disliked her third song.

After hemming and hawing about it for a while, I've decided that the two Davids are going through and Syesha will be going home. The judges did give David A. a harder time than they did Syesha for the third song, but she's been in trouble before and David A. never, ever has been in the bottom three. I think he's safe.

So them's my predictions.

As far as Dancing with the Stars goes, Marissa went home tonight. I think that's how it should be. I've loved seeing her dance and cheered her on (us plus-sized women need to stick together) but the other dancers do have an edge on her and deserve to be in the finals more than she does.

And . . . as a fun treat, head over to Girl in a Whirl. She's holding a contest. I would also like to remind you to be sure to visit the blogs involved in my virtual book tour, listed just to the right here. Show them some love and appreciation!

After the results:

Wow -- I actually called one right. I'm sure I did another time, too, but it's been so long, it's all starting to fade from my memory. So we will be having a battle of the Davids. This is going to be interesting. I like David A, but David C is more of an Idol. You bet I'll be watching next week, like, way.

Fantasia's performance tonight was just beyond anything we should have been forced to endure. I even would have taken that awful rendition of "This Little Light of Mine" we were subjected to a while back over what we saw tonight. I have to say, when they showed Simon's face and he was sitting there with that look of shock, I laughed right out loud. He was demonstrating what I know I was thinking. I don't think he'd be a very good poker player, with facial expressions like that.

Sisters, Sisters, There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters . . .

2008-05-15T00:18:02+00:00

Well, I'm sure there were (how can they really make such an absolute statement? Do they know all the sisters in the world?) but that's how the song goes, so we'll run with it.

Last weekend, I had my three sisters over for Thursday, Friday, and half of Saturday. We get together every two years and have a Sisters Reunion. I wasn't able to participate for the first couple of years -- they were held out of state and we were poorer than poor, but for the last couple of years, I've been able to join in the fun.

Thursday night we saw the play "The Miracle Worker" at the Hale Center Theater in Orem. They did a great job with the production. Friday we went up to Salt Lake and saw the Joseph Smith movie and toured the Beehive House, after first spending the day having our hair done by my sister Ruthe, who's a stylist and a pretty darned talented one. Saturday we went over to my dad's. Here we are, left to right - Leigh, Daira, Dad, Ruthe, and me.

And here we are again, just us four girls:
It was a fun weekend. We stayed up way too late and I had to take a long nap on Saturday afternoon, but hey, who doesn't love a good reason to take a nap.

Now, remember how I told you about doing my niece's wedding flowers, and how I promised to post pictures, and how I never did? I'm about to make it all up to you now.
This is my niece in her beeyootiful dress.
This is the groom--notice his boutonniere and also the flowers on the stand next to him.
And, the lovely bouquet. I also did corsages and all sorts of other stuff, but that gives you an idea. Now, aren't those pretty?

Googling Together

2008-05-14T16:45:00+00:00

Why is the sky blue?

How can a whole tree come from a seed?

Where does rain come from?

Those are normal questions young children ask. They are also questions I can readily answer. Apparently, I don't have normal children—which, to be honest, is rather fun. I never know what my youngest will come up with.

She's asked me all kinds of odd things that I never would have thought to wonder about myself, like the etymology of various words (okay, so she didn't use "etymology," but that was the gist). I often don't know why we call something what we do, but it's great to say, "Let's find out when we get home," and then to boot up my trusty OED on CD and read about it.

She's wondered why the Earth is round when it's flat when you look at it. She's tried to figure out why water stays on the ground instead of flying off into space. (I'm not sure why she doesn't ask the same question about people. Apparently water is different?) I managed to field that one with a basic lesson on gravity.

Just the other day, she came up with her latest original query:

What do snails eat?

That one stumped me at first. What DO snails eat? Do they even have mouths? If folklore is to believed, salt will kill snails. And of course the French eat them. But I'd never given a moment's thought to what snails dine on.

I told her we'd go online soon and find out together, so yesterday she climbed on my lap by my computer, and we Googled her question.

Turns out that my guess was pretty close: they eat live and decaying plants. But they also eat other, more obscure things, like algae.

I almost closed the window, when she touched my mouse hand to stop me.

"Where do snails live?"

The site we were on answered that question, too. She insisted we read the entire web page, which told how long snails live, how big they grow, who are their predators, how they protect themselves, and all kinds of other fun things. (I didn't read her the part about how snails are hermaphrodites. That's a can of worms that would take a lot of explanation.)

At the bottom was a diagram of a snail's insides. We had to look at that, too. The mouth. The eyes (which are on the ends of their tentacles), the foot, the radula, and so on.

Then she posed her next question, asked with all the seriousness her little face could muster:

Where do snails go poop and pee?

If she were a boy, she'd have asked the question and giggled hysterically. And then maybe farted or burped for good measure. But no. She was genuinely curious. She wanted to know.

I had to study the diagram a bit closer. "Ah. There. Right there," I told her, pointing at "anus."

She tracked the process. "So here's the mouth. The food goes to the stomach, and then it comes out there. Right by the place the slime comes out." She was quite pleased with herself. A moment later she hopped off my lap, satisfied.

I love how curious she is about the world. It makes me wonder what her next question will be about. And then I start asking questions about new and exciting things that pique my curiosity. I look them up for myself. For all I know, I'll use some of my Googled questions in my writing some day.

A preschooler is a wonderful thing.

Snails? Not so much.

A Story Problem (for all you math experts out there)

2008-05-13T10:51:34+00:00

Problem: A two-liter bottle of Shasta Creme Soda is purchased in Nephi, Utah, and is placed on the floor of a pick-up truck. It rolls around on the floor of the truck during the drive to Orem, Utah. Upon arrival in Orem, the bottle is placed on a picnic table where it sits for ten minutes. Measuring from the top of the bottle to the top of the liquid, how many inches will spray out when it's opened?

I never was very good at story problems, but I do know the answer to this one.

Answer: Six inches.

Last week, my critique group met at Keith Fisher's house where he had prepared a fabulous Dutch oven meal for us. I'm particularly fond of Dutch oven potatoes, so he humored me and made them (to die for). He also did chicken, pork roast, vegetables, and a cobbler. It was so delicious, I badly wanted to go back for seconds, but I had no more room at all. Thanks again, Keith!! It was awesome.

This picture isn't of the meal Keith made for us (I forgot my camera) but I stole it from his blog about another group he fed. They're still Keith's ovens, so it counts, right?

I really enjoy getting together with my critique group. They give me a boost every week, keep me pumped up to keep going, and point out things I didn't see. I highly recommend getting with a critique group if you're a writer. If nothing else, you'll be associating with people who understand you when you say you have voices in your head.

And as for the creme soda, yes, that really did happen. All over me. Up in the air, down my arm, all over the table . . . it was thrilling. I must have looked pretty darned silly, standing there screaming.

However, despite the fact that my plate was sitting right next to the drinks, my potatoes did not get wet. I was truly blessed.

Postscript:
Picture of critique group, compliments of Keith. Kim, me, Heather, and Nichole. We're missing Keith (who was taking the picture) and Candace.

Mothers' Day card/ cleaning fairy

2008-05-13T01:30:10+00:00

I have a saying which I use frequently with my children. It is: "Hey, the cleaning fairy doesn't live here. Pick up your stuff." Sometimes we even have entire conversations along the same lines.

Child: I don't want to do the dishes.
Me: Well, neither do I, but the cleaning fairy stopped making rounds at our house.
Repeat both responses indefinitely.

So a while ago my daughter drew a picture of the cleaning fairy. I added the phrase, "Where is the" to the top and taped it to the kitchen wall.

Since then, my daughter has been trying to convince me that I am indeed the cleaning fairy. Here are two more of her drawings.

Here you see I also have antennas and tiny wings--apparently my fairy status is similar to a lady bug.

Anyway, so here was my dear daughter's picture on the back of my Mothers' Day card. I think she was making the point that I'm angelic (so true).
As you may have noticed, I'm ascending to heaven with a Windex bottle in hand. Apparently I don't get to stop cleaning even when I die. See, it really does never end. I figured as much.

Author Interview with Tristi Pinkston~Season of Sacrifice

2008-05-12T07:16:07+00:00

Shortly after joining LDStorymakers some six or so years ago, I met a spunky new writer by the name of Tristi Pinkston. She was a very young mom of three, with ambition, optimism, and enthusiasm in spades. Since that first introduction is has been my absolute pleasure to get to know her. We have not always seen eye to eye on every issue--both of us editing each others work and giving back less-than-stellar feedback that irked us--however, we have also both admitted to being better writers because of the honesty of one another.
A few years ago, Tristi had a project that seized her by both wrists and would not let her go. She put all her other projects aside and dove head first into this story--a true life story from her family history about the hole-in-the-rock pioneers that settled San Juan county in southern Utah. Until reading her account I had NO idea that it took such an amazing feat of engineering to get those wagons through the hole-in-the-rock. Not only is the story about this incredible event, but amid this piece of church history, is also the story of people--people with an amazing faith that is truly inspiring.
With that introduction in place, here is my interview with Tristi:

1) Of the characters in this book, which one was the most fun for you to either learn about or write about?

I enjoyed each of them, but I'd have to say the one I enjoyed the most was Ben. He had a sense of humor that really appealed to me. He was a little rough around the edges -- he swore when the situation called for it, but his faith and dedication to the Lord was incredible. He was very human.

2) How long did this book take to write?

This is the only book I actually timed, and I only timed it because people ask me how long it takes me to write a book. (See, I came prepared!) This book took eighty hours of research and eighty hours to write. No, that's not typical for me. This book practically wrote itself.

3) I know the publishing houses aren't accepting books on polygamy, and you considered removing the polygamy from this story. You chose to keep the story intact. Can you explain to us your reasons for your decision?

There are a few factors that led me to my decision.

First, the faith and obedience that saw these pioneers through the Hole also saw them through their trial with polygamy. To tell one part of their story, and not the other, would deny them the recognition they deserve for the things they did.

Second, I don't feel we have to be ashamed of our polygamous past. I could never do it myself, but when I read accounts of faithful men and women who practiced it righteously, I'm so inspired by their stories.

Third, I can't tell the story of me without including the polygamy. I come through the second wife. It's a part of my heritage.

And fourth, I feel my best writing ever is included in the last section of the book. The message was so powerful, it picked me up and swept me along with it, and I was just there for the ride.

It wasn't an easy choice to make. I really agonized over it for about three days. What it all boiled down to, though, was this: Am I writing this book to tell the story, or aren't I? Polygamy is part of the story. So I wrote it.

4) If there was one all encompassing message you want readers to take away from this book, what would it be?

I would like people to come away from this book truly feeling that with God, nothing is impossible. Those pioneers should not have been able to accomplish what they did. Modern engineers have gone down to the Hole in the Rock site and declared they couldn't have done it, even with all their technology. That journey was led by God, inspired by God, and directed by God. You can't expect some cliffs to stop faithful, devoted servants of the Lord -- they'll find a way.

5) Polygamy is a hot topic, and a difficult thing for many members of the church to make sense of--what are your personal thoughts on plural marriage and how did writing this book influence that?

I've always hated the idea, personally. As I wrote the book, I really struggled with the passages that showed Sarah's struggle to accept Ben's proposal. I completely understood her refusal, but I couldn't wrap my mind around her acceptance. Finally, I made an important realization. Sarah didn't marry Ben because she became converted to polygamy. She married Ben because she was converted to the Lord, and she believed the Lord had commanded their union.

It's important to keep in mind that at the time polygamy was practiced, there was a shortage of worthy men. Many sisters had lost their husbands to mobs, to accidents, to starvation and cold. As the Saints settled in Utah and their numbers began to increase, the need to practice polygamy diminished. By the time the Manifesto was issued in 1890, the Saints were able to marry one man to one woman because the numbers were more even.

Writing the book made me more sensitive to this situation. It also made real for me the very intense emotional struggles involved all the way around. The men asked to practice polygamy didn't think about it as heaven on earth, having their own brothel -- they went into it reluctantly, not wanting to hurt their beloved sweethearts. When polygamy was practiced the way it was intended, it was never about sex. (Do you want me saying sex on your blog?? :) Change that if you want to) It was about seeing to the financial and protection needs of the women.

6) I know you're a huge advocate of family history, what has inspired that love of genealogy and what is your advice to other people that don't know where to start?

I am a huge advocate of it and I've always felt very close to my departed ancestors. As far as the actual performing of the actual genealogy, um, well, I don't know. That would be my husband's passion. He has a blog at http://www.familygroupsheet.blogspot.com and you can send all your questions his way. Me, I sit down at the computer and immediately go blank. I'd much rather write books about them then try to find them on a chart.

So, there you have it. For more information on Season of Sacrifice, go to Tristi's website

Oops - I Did It Again

2008-05-11T21:08:46+00:00

Yes, I started a new blog. It's a compulsion. I admit it.

My new blog is called "Blessed Honored Pioneers," and I set it up to tell the story of the Hole in the Rock pioneers. I'm hoping to gather stories and pictures from other Hole in the Rock descendents and make this site really amazing. I've just got the skeleton up right now, but you can go check it out and see what you think.

If you have Hole in the Rock ancestors, leave me a comment and I'll come talk to you about them -- I'd love to include them on the new blog.

Mother’s Day

2008-05-11T19:33:18+00:00

Because I am the mom

For your Mother’s Day enjoyment, you need to check out the above youtube video.

I am not all that fond of Mother’s Day. I’t a day to reflect on all the many ways I fall short. The fact that I got a really cool hammer from my husband for my mother’s day present (and the fact that I love it) is indicative of the type of woman I’m not. But I am starting to feel more comfortable with myself in my role as mother. Moms are more than people who cook meals and clean house. Moms are people who genuinely love their offspring. I can do that. Moms are people who laugh, and cry, and scold, and sing, and cuddle, and laugh some more. They are the ones who rush in to hold you when you’re feeling sick, unloved, afraid. They are the ones who hold you long enough for the love to sink into your bones, until you feel better again. They are flawed–all of them. Kids are flawed too so it all works out okay. I don’t bake fabulous things. I don’t do a lot of things right, but I do the important things right.

My own mom is a sweet little lady who is desperately flawed. I wouldn’t have her any other way. She drove me in the mornings on my paper route because I was afraid of the dark and the Sunday papers were so heavy. She had water fights with me and my friends. She properly humiliated me the day I needed to buy a strapless bra for prom (no my dress wasn’t strapless but the lace straps were . . . well lace. Lace has holes.) I still remember the day I walked in her room to find her on her knees in prayer. I hurried to duck out of her room so I didn’t disturb her, but the image of her turning to God for help stayed with me.

She’s a great mom. She’s there when I need her. What more could I ask for? I try ot be there for my kids when they need me.

Moms carry a lot of guilt around. We carry it with us like cloaks, worn on the outside, covering up all the great things we do. It’s springtime, ladies. Shake off your cloaks. Focus on the little moments where we get it right. There’s lots of those moments. Find joy in them.

Can You Duet - Top 8

2008-05-10T15:11:46+00:00

Just finished watching this week's episode of Can You Duet, and I was excited to find that Joey and Rory have made it into the Top 8.

If you haven't yet had a chance to visit their website, I encourage you to do so. And while you're there, listen to some of Joey's music. She's great.

www.joeyandrory.com

Tristi Pinkston!!!

2008-05-09T22:23:44+00:00

Tristi Pinkston is the proud parent of a new book: Season of Sacrifice.

Sarah Williams is a young Welsh immigrant, coming to Utah to join her sister Mary Ann Perkins. When the Perkins are asked to join the San Juan mission to pioneer a trail through Southern Utah, they take Sarah along to help care for the children. But a six-week journey turns into six agonizing months of hard work and toil as the Saints blast their way through a cliff to bring their wagons through what would become the famous Utah landmark “Hole in the Rock.”

Finally settled in the San Juan, Sarah’s true hardship begins when Ben Perkins asks her to be his second wife. With their faith and testimonies challenged to the core, both Sarah and Mary Ann struggle to find the true meaning of Christ-like love and obedience. Will they make it through?

To commemorate her new novel we’ve done an author interview with her as follows:

1. When did you start writing?

I started writing when I was five. I started writing anything good when I was twenty-three. There was a whole bunch of depressing poetry in there too — but I’m choosing to forget that. That of course took place during the teenage years.

2 I know that this book has a particularly personal meaning for you. Can you please tell us in what ways this book connects with your personal and real life?

This book is the true story of my great-great-grandfather and his wife, and I strongly felt they wanted their story to be told.

3. You handled the tough topic of polygamy with grace and sensitivity. Was it hard to approach such a sensitive topic? What helped you or what devices did you use to make this subject one that people could understand, relate to, and empathize with, without alienating your reader?

It was hard. At times I felt alienated myself. I’m not a big fan of polygamy, and when it came time to write those scenes, I didn’t know how I was going to portray what my characters were feeling. But I finally came to the conclusion that they weren’t converted to polygamy– they were converted to God. That made all the difference. As far as the rest of it goes, I put myself in each person’s place as much as possible. It was emotionally exhausting but I feel the end result works.

4. How long did it take you to write this novel?

Eighty hours. Believe me, that is not usual. But it drove me and it fell into place like no other novel I’ve written.

5. Tell us about your writing schedule and the processes you use.

I’m on the computer from about nine at night until around two in the morning. I have to do my work when the kids are asleep. Processes? First, I have to check my e-mail. I can’t write if I haven’t done that. I also have to have a large glass of ice water next to me (I’m an ice chewer) and . . . don’t laugh . . . my hair has to be clean. If I haven’t had a chance for a shower or if I’ve been doing a lot of dirty work and my hair isn’t clean, I have to go take a shower. There’s just something about clean hair that makes me think better.

6. In every book, there is one character the author most identifies with. In your book, who do you identify most with and why?

I identify most with Sarah. She’s my great-great-grandmother and I believe we share some of the same qualities. She also resembles my grandmother, and since I knew my grandmother, I can visualize Sarah more than I can the others. I’ve also felt a connection to Ben, but in more of a guardian angel sort of way.

7. Writers tend to deal with the world in a different way than everyone else in that we handle rejection, mixed reviews and sometimes, family memebers who are less than enthusiastic about our career choices. How have you handled these things?

Ben and Jerry’s works really well for me. My favorite is Creme Brulee, and I also enjoy Cinnamon Buns. You may think I’m joking, but I’m not. Rejection is brutal.

8. This being your third published work, what advice do you have to give to other writers?

Read good books. Don’t be too proud to accept criticism. And never let a rejection go for twenty-four hours without turning around and sending something else out. Get back up on that horse.

Thanks Tristi! Congratulations on your new book! Anyone can learn more about Tristi at her website:

http://www.tristipinkston.com/

Chatting with Tristi

2008-05-09T14:43:00+00:00

I first met Tristi Pinkston four or five years ago after I joined the LDStorymakers e-mail group. Since then, she's become a great friend and has been there to help me out more than once. But I love Tristi for another reason too, and that's because we both write historical fiction.

Her book Nothing to Regret is likely the most original perspective I've ever read about World War II, and I love the fact that she's got a new book out, Season of Sacrifice. Like her other books, it's a novel, but this time the story is based closely on her ancestors who were a big part of the Hole in the Rock expedition.

Several other bloggers have reviewed Season of Sacrifice already. I recommend you read some of those posts. This one is very much worth your time. So is this one. But this one is my favorite post I've found on it so far.

Today I get to host Tristi on her blog tour, so instead of posting another review of the book (okay, here's my review: It's great. BUY it!), I thought it would be fun to pick her brain a bit in an interview, one historical novelist to another.

Her answers are downright delightful. (My favorite: "I'm essentially one big walking quirk.") Read on to get to know Tristi and her book:

I know you did a lot of research for Season of Sacrifice by reading your ancestors' journals. What other research did you do?
My main sources were Incredible Journey by Lee Reay, At All Hazards by Brenton Yorgason, and Hole in the Rock by David E. Miller. At All Hazards is historical fiction (I'm sorry to say, Yorgason got a few things wrong), and the other two are nonfiction. Each of these books was tremendously helpful and they're listed in the back of my book as recommended reading.

Was it a challenge putting words into their mouths—and then hoping it's what they would have said?
It was a little challenging, but not as much as one might think. I already knew how they felt about things from reading their journals, so I just used their same vernacular and put their feelings into dialogue. Additionally, I truly feel their spirits were near to me as I wrote. I sensed, many times, the direction I should go.

Name at least one thing found during your research that you would have loved to include in the book but didn't for one reason or another.
Well, I don't know if I would have loved to include it, but Sarah's boyfriend from Wales actually followed her over here. He was in New York, working to earn passage to come out to Utah for her, when she wrote him and told him she no longer had feelings for him. I decided to leave that out—it seemed kind of mean. Not that she should have married him just because he came for her, but I didn't want the reader to feel that she'd led him on in any way, because she didn't. She had no idea how her life would change as she came to know the Gospel.

Without any spoilers, what is your favorite scene from the book?
All of my favorite scenes revolve around the intense faith these pioneers showed. I love the scene where Ben takes the wagon down the Hole for the first time to test it out. I also love the scenes toward the end as the tensions reach fevered pitch about polygamy. I really feel those passages contain some of my best writing ever, besides being testimonies of the incredible obedience of these faithful Saints.

Which character do you personally relate to most?
Sarah. I don't necessarily relate to her in a way where I feel we have a lot in common, but rather, I feel a connection to her. She's my great-great-grandmother, and we share the same blood.

What was the hardest scene to write?
There were two scenes that were very difficult for me to write. The first was the retelling of Stanford Smith's descent down the Hole. His wife, Arabella, tied herself to the wagon to try to keep it from going down too fast, and she incurred a serious injury, which she later recovered from. What made this story so touching was the faith of their children, who were left at the top while their parents took the wagon down. The oldest child told her parents that she had just waited there with God until they came back. My heart was wrenched out of me as I wrote that scene.

The other difficult passage was the one where Sarah decides to marry Ben. I've never been a fan of polygamy, and so for me to authentically write her change of heart was immensely difficult. I pretty much came to a standstill as I figured it out. What I finally realized was not that Sarah was converted to polygamy, but that she was converted to the Lord and wanted to be obedient at all costs. Once I made that clarification in my own mind, I was able to move forward.

Since the basic plot line was predetermined by actual events, how did you go about writing the book? (What was your basic method of attack? Did you outline the whole thing, write the new sections first or last, etc.?)
In so many ways, this book wrote itself. I read the family history documents I have, I read the books I mentioned above, and I took scads of notes. Then I sat down and just started to write. I began at the beginning and wrote through to the end, only going back to add depth and detail. This is completely out of the norm for me—usually it takes me months to come up with the finished product.

What is your typical writing schedule?
Typically, I answer my e-mails and check my favorite blogs first thing in the morning. I can't function if I don't do that; it's a weird mental hang-up I have. Throughout the day, I'll sneak to the computer as I'm able and maybe edit a little, answer e-mails, and the like. Then at night, I sit down around nine or ten and get to work. I check my mail again and then I write my blogs for Families.com (I'm a media reviewer, movie reviewer, and I also blog on topics of interest to the LDS people).

After that's done, then I pull up my work in progress. I'll stay up until two or three in the morning, writing. Sometimes if there's a scene that's just dying to be written, I'll manage to squeeze it in during the day, but my children are still young and I homeschool, so I don't have large chunks of time during the day.

Do you have any writer's "quirks" that help you get into the flow?
I'm essentially one big walking quirk. But to be more specific, I can't have music playing. It distracts me. I also have to check my mail. If I think someone may have written to me, and they're waiting for an answer, I can't work. I like to have a glass of ice water next to me (I'm an ice eater) and I also have some Vicks Vaporub sitting here (keeps my brain awake) and some lip balm (yes, my own brand) I also find that taking long showers or baths really helps get me in the creative mood—I'll often come out of the bathroom with whole scenes ready to go.

What has been the biggest surprise for you about the publishing industry?
The biggest negative surprise is that huge lines of people don't queue up to see you when you have a book signing. I used to envision doing a signing at the mall and having the whole hallway congested because there were so many people eager to meet me. Yes, I also did have the fond idea of all the guys who flirted with me, but never asked me out, coming to the mall, seeing me, and feeling so sorry that they never confessed their love to me. None of that ever happened.

The biggest positive surprise has been all the friends I've made. I truly feel so blessed for the interaction I have with other writers, with aspiring authors, and with those in the publishing industry. My life is rich because of the friends I now have—good, true friends I can turn to for anything. Of which you are one, Annette!

Aw, thanks, lady! :) Right back at ya. If you could give your younger writer self any advice, what would it be?
You know what, I would tell myself to get an ergonomic keyboard years before I did. The only problem with that is, they weren't invented back when I started typing. I would love to have saved myself all the pain I went through as a girl and young teenager. Rampant carpal tunnel, folks. I'm now using an ergo keyboard and take flax seed and vitamin B complex every day, and I feel great.

Any other advice . . . I'd tell myself to be a little less cocky. I went through a period of time where I thought I could do no wrong. Guess what—I can. And often. I know that now.

What's up next?
There's a lot still up in the air for me right now. I've got some contemporary mysteries that are just for fun—two completed and one in the "thinking about it" stage. I have a Vietnam-era novel I'm really proud of, as well as another family history-inspired novel set during the Depression. As far as what to write next, I've got about twenty books outlined and it's all a matter of time.

Me again. To purchase Season of Sacrifice, click here. Seriously. Click there. Now.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

2008-05-07T23:50:57+00:00

What I’m about to say will probably earn me a round of hisses and boos – but I’m hoping that after I explain myself, you’ll forego the rotten tomatoes.

I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, and I’ve decided to retire from Scentiments.

I believe in my products, I’ve had a ton of fun, but I’ve reached the point where my life is so full, I must cut back in order to keep everything in balance. Especially after reading Julie B. Beck’s conference address and listening to her inspired words that “mothers who know do less.” I’m doing a lot with my writing these days, with new book ideas, Families.com and helping others with their manuscripts, and that’s what I really want to be doing with my time, when I’m not being a wife and mother. I’m going to miss Scentiments but I have the ability to start the company up again at any time. A year down the road, if I decide to restart it, it’s done.

I so much appreciate all the support you’ve given me in this endeavor. You’ve truly cheered me on and made my business a success. But it’s time for me to find success in other arenas, and I know you’ll continue to cheer me on in that as well.

Purple Puddles

2008-05-07T17:44:28+00:00

For those of you who don't know what purple puddles are, they're happy tears. When something makes you so happy you get a little misty, or even cry, you're in purple puddles. Well, I'm in them right now.

Go check out this post and then you'll understand. I could not be more proud of Paulette.

A Tale of Two Wrists

2008-05-07T15:42:00+00:00

About four weeks ago, #2 was climbing around some stuff in the basement (a no-no) and fell about four feet onto her arm. She came to me crying and holding her wrist. We iced it and gave her some Tylenol for bedtime.

After school the next day, she was in more pain, and the wrist was swollen. Okay, then, off to the doctor's office. We took her to an urgent care facility, where a nurse practitioner, a doctor, and a radiologist all took one look at her arm and declared that it looked and "acted" broken. To their surprise, they couldn't see a fracture on the x-ray. They made up a custom, fiberglass splint for her and said to come back in a week to get another x-ray.

Not 48 hours later, #3 was out roller-blading, took a turn too sharp, and landed, yep, on her wrist. A neighbor helped her back into the house, and she arrived, howling with pain. We decided not to wait 24 hours like we had with her sister, so off again I trotted to Urgent Care.

The exact same nurse practitioner was working. Since my girls have bright red hair, they're easily remembered. She looked at us and cocked her head. "Weren't you just here a couple of days ago?"

I grinned sheepishly. "Uh, yeah," I said and was tempted to add, "But I really am a fit parent."

Up to that point, we had never had so much as stitches with any of our four kids, and suddenly in a couple of days we had two wrist injuries?

We got #3 x-rayed, and this time the fracture was clear. Even my untrained eye could see it on the film. The good news was that it was a "green stick" fracture, which apparently is the best kind to get because they heal fast. (News to me.)

She was told to return in a few days to be casted when the swelling had gone down. We had to return anyway in a few days for #2 to be checked again, so I made an appointment for both girls on the same day. #3 would be casted, and #2 would be x-rayed again (and possibly casted).

Once again, the x-ray was inconclusive for #2. She got a removable Velcro-like splint to wear for another week or so (a radiologist was going to compare the two sets and give an opinion), and her sister came home with a bright blue cast.

Eventually we got word that #2 didn't have a fracture, although a clear diagnosis wasn't ever given beyond, "Hmm. Maybe she sprained it." The pain has finally gone away for her, though.

And today #3 gets her cast off. Then she'll have to go back to practicing piano. Poor thing.

Below is a picture of their arms. At first glance, it almost looks like it's one person with two injured arms, because #2 hurt her left arm, while #3 hurt her right.

They say things come in threes. So far, we've had two, and it appears we got through the craziness without a third shoe dropping.

KNOCK ON WOOD.

Back in Seattle Again

2008-05-07T10:48:53+00:00

Nine years ago this past April, my husband and I took our first trip to Seattle. A couple of important things happened on that trip with regards to my writing. The first was that I discovered my "hobby" could actually develop into something serious if I had the time to devote to it. This is how that discovery came about.

Dixon: I'm off to my conference now, dear. See you later. I'll come back for lunch if I can.

Me: (giving him lingering kiss by the door of our suite in downtown Seattle) I'll miss you.

Door closes; Dixon leaves. Without bothering to get out of my pajamas, I settle in front of my laptop, excited to write the scene that's been bouncing around in my head for so long.

Some time later . . .

Dixon: (entering room) Hi.

Me: (not bothering to look up from laptop) Hi.

Dixon: I, uh, thought we were going on a dinner cruise tonight.

Me: (still typing and still not looking up) Mm-hm. I can't wait.

Dixon: You don't have to. We're supposed to leave in a few minutes.

Me: (head snapping up) What?!

Dixon: (observing my disheveled hair and pajamas) So what have you done today? I take it you didn't go shopping or anything.

Me: (Scrambling to plug in my curling iron, get into my little black dress, and put on mascara all at the same time) No. I've been in Scotland in the 12th century all day. You see there's really evil Englishman, and he set this castle on fire and murdered this Scottish Laird's wife. So the Scottish guy had to get even, so he went down to England and set the English guy's castle on fire, but he didn't kill his wife, even though he could have. But the fire and trauma made her baby come early, and the little girl died. So now she wants revenge, so she goes to Scotland. Except she ends up falling in love with the guy who caused her all the grief, but she doesn't realize who he is until it's too late and---

Dixon: (looking at me with glazed eyes) I'm not so sure this climate is good for you.

Me: It's great! I wrote eight thousand words today.

And so our trip went. While the other wives who'd accompanied their husbands to the conference were out and about shopping, sight seeing, and sitting by the pool, I was content to sit in our suite (which had a most inspiring view of the Space Needle) and write all day. Something had clicked inside, and I was finally in my element. I was amazed and overjoyed to discover I could write for eight hours at a time, and it seemed as if about eight minutes had passed. For the first time, I felt like a real writer.

At night Dixon and I explored Seattle, and I fell in love with it. For a lot of reasons it deserves its claim as one of the most romantic cities. Then, during one of Dixon's free days, we rented a car and took a ferry ride out to the island of Bainbridge. During our drive around this enchanting, charming island, we passed a house with gorgeous landscaping, a white picket fence--the works. Sometime between seeing that house and the ferry ride back to Seattle, an idea formed in my mind, and by the time we drove our car off the ferry, I'd met Jane, Caroline, Jay, Peter, Mark and Madison from the story that would become Counting Stars. I could hardly wait to get back to our hotel and start writing it---except that I was in the middle of another story, and I knew I needed to finish it first.

Turns out it took me a very long time to finish my Scottish historical and get it to pass muster with the critique group I joined the following year. My "Seattle Story," as I thought of it, had to percolate for quite some time. So when I finally sat down to write it, I was relying on memories several years old. Fortunately I had some Seattle connections, and was able to fill in the blanks as needed. It was a magical thing when Counting Stars was published last year.

A couple of weeks ago, Dixon and I had the opportunity to return to Seattle. I was excited to go and revisit the places I'd written about, but I was also nervous they'd be different than I'd remembered them, and somehow the magic would change. I needn't have worried.

Shortly after arriving in the city, an eery sense of deja vu descended on me, starting when a Northwest Airlift helicopter flew overhead---heading toward Swedish Medical Center. Later, as we were riding the ferry, I watched as a young man with a ponytail braved the rain to stand out on the deck alone. When we were walking down mainstreet in Bainbridge, a brown haired young woman, who happened to be driving a Jeep, stopped to let us cross the street. I felt like raising my hand and calling, "Hi, Jane."

The orange rolls in the bakery were delicious, the island even more beautiful than I remembered. And my only disappointment was not being able to find the house we'd seen on our first visit. But I did see another---a larger home, still with white picket fence and gorgeous landscaping, and a large wooden play structure in back. It wasn't hard to imagine Jane, being the motivated character she was, disassembling the swingset at their rental and moving it to the cottage on Bainbridge. It was also easy to imagine that she and Peter would have added onto that cottage by now, as there are some changes coming in their family. Changes I hope to incorporate in the two stories I still hope to write about Caroline and Tara.

Visiting Seattle again was a wonderful treat, as time alone with my husband always is. It was also just the thing to get the imagination going, the ideas flowing. And with that . . . back to writing.

Fantastic, Cool, Totally-Awesome Adjectives

2008-05-07T09:29:50+00:00

by Annette Lyon

Of late, my post topics have been drawn from recent reading or editing projects. Today is no different.

Today's topic: adjective abuse.

First, a background issue: Most writers are aware of the need to pull back on using -ly adverbs too much. For example, if a character yells, "You idiot!" you can assume he said so "angrily," but saying as much dilutes the effect. Adverbs tend to be the easy way out, because instead of finding a great way to show what's going on, the writer tells you.

Search through your document for adverbs and find better ways to show what's happening. But please, when you do that, for the love of Pete, don't start throwing in large doses of adjectives in the adverbs' places.

If someone is tired, you could describe their "red-rimmed eyes," but don't make it, "teary, stinging, red-rimmed eyes." Additional details do not always make a sentence stronger, and quite often they just detract. It's easy to get so caught up in the sensory stimuli that you're peppering every sentence with several adjectives. Trust me here: Your readers won't be nearly as enamored with your descriptive prowess as you are.

A recent manuscript I worked on is like that. Great writing overall. (Few adverbs, even . . .) But I don't think I ever came across an adjective riding solo. It was always a compound adjective (two adjectives working together) and at times three or even four adjectives in a string. Worse, sometimes the same sentence would describe two or three different things, and each one had two or three different descriptors, yielding a sentence with half a dozen (or more) adjectives!

Something along the lines of this (I made this sentence up, but it's demonstrative of the kind of thing I saw over and over again):

He looked up at the dark, gray, roiling clouds and stroked his short, brown beard with his long, slender, bony fingers.

Heaven help me.

The image gets so cluttered up with adjectives that we can't see the scene for what it is. Keep only the most relevant and powerful adjectives.

In the example above, you can probably take out dark and gray, since roiling clouds are probably not going to be white and fluffy, and roiling is far more powerful than the other two anyway. With the beard, decide which part is more important: that it's short or brown? Or can you show that it's short by how he strokes the brown beard (if the beard is long, he could tug it, but if it's short, he can rub the whiskers, perhaps). And the fingers? Any one of the adjectives (long, slender, or bony) would work (they provide similar images anyway), but all three are overkill.

Every single adjective should show something fresh and interesting. Any word not pulling its weight should be cut.

For the more technical side of things, here's how you should punctuate adjectives:

Compound adjectives (adjectives working together for one image) need to be hyphenated. Take this sentence:

She used a green based color scheme.

The two words acting together are "green" and "based," so the hyphen belongs there:

She used a green-based color scheme.

It's not a green, based-color scheme. That makes no sense.

The punctuation may sound like no big deal, but not putting the hyphen in there (and in the right place) can be confusing.

Take this sentence:

Her relaxed fit boot cut jeans stretched over the tops of her cowboy boots.

At first reading, that sentence can be monumentally confusing (Her fit boots? Cut jeans? What?). But add the hyphens in the correct places, and suddenly it's crystal clear:

Her relaxed-fit, boot-cut jeans fit over the tops of her cowboy boots.

On the flip side, if you're not using a compound adjective (which needs a hyphen) and instead have a series of adjectives (and please, don't do this often), combine them with a simple comma:

He parked his red, mid-size convertible out front.

Pare down your use of adjectives. Make the images you use powerful. And when you do drop in the occasional adjective, punctuate it correctly.

Your readers (and editor) will thank you.

A New Dawn is out

2008-05-07T02:00:13+00:00

News flash for all of you Stephenie Meyer fans: You'll like this book. I was contacted a few months ago and asked if I wanted to write an essay about the Twilight series for a compilation that Teen Libris was putting out. It's thirteen authors getting philosophical and funny about the hottest series out there. Sort of like when all of those country stars put out an album of a tribute to Shania Twain songs. (But you know, without the singing on our part.)

Since I am an Eward/Jacob/Bella fan I agreed. (Read between the lines: more people will probably read my essay about the Twilight characters than will actually read my books. Who could resist that?)

Anyway, since I received a couple of extra copies, I thought I'd run a Twilight trivia contest to see which dedicated fan out there in the blog world should get them. The first one I'll send to the first person who can answer this question: Which two literary works does Stephenie Meyer mention (and we could even say model parts of her books on)?

The other book I'll just randomly give to one of the commenters. (Like if I have fifteen comments, I'll have one of the kids pick a number between one and fifteen and then send it to that person.) So comment even if you don't know the answer.

For those of you who must have one anyway, you can find the book at Borders. (I'm assuming anyway, since there is a sticker on the front which says: Borders exclusive.

And as a teaser I'll post the first couple paragraphs of my essay: To Bite or Not To Bite; that is the question. (See, Stephenie isn't the only one quoting classics.)

What's your definition of a bad day? A fight with a friend? A speeding ticket? How about being attacked by a vampire and painfully being turned into the undead, then realizing you must wander for eternity fighting off a craving to kill people? Yeah, that would pretty much be a bad day.

Carlisle, the leader of the Cullen clan of vampires, had this bad day (and we can assume) many other bad days that followed. Stephenie Meyer doesn't skimp when handing out problems for her characters. Seriously, if you were Cinderella and could choose someone to be your fairy godmother, you wouldn't want it to be Stephenie Meyer. Sure, she could come up with the ultimate prince charming to take you to the ball, but he might kill you afterward.

You'll have to get the book to read the rest of the essay!

Clay Aiken's New CD

2008-05-06T23:00:15+00:00

Say what you will about him, Clay's still got one of the best voices around!
While I wait for the CD to arrive, here's a link to his new single.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00130973W

Light a Candle for Me

2008-05-06T22:18:41+00:00

I'm working with an agent on my thriller, QUEEN. Good news. Last week I received her edits back. Good news. She likes it. Good news. Bad news is that I have to cut 100 pages. Well, it is the longest book I've ever written. And last summer when I did a major rewrite, I added 100 pages throughout the book. So my manuscript now is 136,000 words (roughly 540 pages) which means to par it down 100 pages, I need to cut 25,000 words.

Someone please light a candle for me . . .

Dancing with Idols

2008-05-06T22:11:38+00:00

Here's the Tristi Recap:

Mario and Karina are goners on Dancing with the Stars, and I found I didn't care much. I really got involved with Cristian and Cheryl last night -- he couldn't use his arm so they did all their dances using his other arm, and that extra attention to detail really paid off for them. He did some incredible lifts with that one arm, and they were the leaders ending the round. Tonight when they were proclaimed safe, I really cheered -- that kind of dedication and determination deserve to be rewarded.

American Idol was also tonight, and I spent my time flipping back and forth between the channels. Shame on them to put the two shows across from each other tonight! Here's my thoughts:

I didn't think David Cook did a bad job with "Hungry like a Wolf." Simon really got on his case, but I enjoyed the performance. I did like his second one better, but I don't think he deserved the criticism he got for "Wolf."

You know, David Archuletta's song choice perplexes me. Tonight he did "Stand by Me" and "Love Me Tender," and when he started both of them, I thought, "Oh, no, this is going to be terrible." Yet, both times, I was really surprised at how he changed it up just enough to keep it interesting. It was a good night for him.

Syesha did a good job. I wasn't blown away, but it was a good job.

Will someone please vote Jason off? Please? I'm begging you. It was sad. I like the kid but he should be singing pleasant little happy songs at his friends' houses while they lounge around chatting. He's not an American Idol. I would really appreciate it if y'all could please vote. him. off. I will say this in his defense, though -- Simon really got on his case and I thought it was a bit over the top. Sure, he didn't do a good job, but he didn't deserve that kind of tongue-lashing.

I don't know if Jason leaving is a prediction or a wish. I'll let you decide. But he's my guess to go.

Writing on the wall

2008-05-06T06:08:04+00:00

Today is my day to graffiti on the wall: http://writingonthewallblog.blogspot.com/ Go take a look on a few tips to writing romance. If it’s incoherent it’s because it’s midnight and I am so tired I can barely write without my eyes bulging out of my head.

In good news, I finished a major edit of the Hazzardous Universe and feel good to have things a little more solid. YAY!