Elizabeth Wilder's Blog

~~~ A Review ~ To Me a Valentine ~~~

First a little background.  Before Mr W and I moved to PA, we belonged to the YOUMC - The York/Ogunquit  United Methodist Church in York, Maine.  I had heard that the United Methodist Women at the church were going to read The Spruce Gum Box for one of their book club meetings.  Well, they did it in January and I just received this note about the evening.  It took my breath away.  They even decorated the table for the night with items from the book.  As I read this to my daughter, I realized just how much love was wrapped up in the note paper.  Believe me, I blubbered.  My heart is filled with appreciation for their support of my work.  I share their words.

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Dear Betty,

If a small book club meeting goes on for two and a half hours, that's a sign of a good book.  If the meeting ends with the question, "okay, which was your favorite part?" and continues on until we've retold most of the story ... that too is a good sign!  That is just what happened at our U.M.W. meeting that took place in January.  What a wonderful way to start the new year!  Great fellowship and a renewed appreciation of living in the state of Maine.  Now we are excited to share the story with friends and family as our books are being passed around and the discussion continues.

Our discussion covered everything from the history of Maine, to U.S. history, to the hardships of early settlers and how we would have coped.  We continued with character studies, relationships, and reflections of ourselves.  A 4th grade teacher longed for a revised version of the book to use as a teaching tool.  She is currently teaching the history of Maine to her students in York.

We must admit, we did in fact marvel as we remembered our lost, but not forgotten dear friend Betty.  We're so thankful for your taking the time to write and share this story with all who have the privilege of reading it. We picture our demur friend Betty with the sparkly eyes, sweet smile and quiet nature.  Who would have known of the creativity and great knowledge swarming in your head and needing to be shared?  We can't wait until your next book comes out!  Keep those stories coming.

In keeping with the theme of the book, we set our table with a centerpiece made of two Ball jars with birch bark ribbons tied around the top. The jars were filled with yellow eyed beans with a candle on top. These were surrounded with sprigs of pine.  Lumberjack cookies were a treat that everyone wanted the recipe for.  We also enjoyed maple leaf cookies and maple sugar candies.  We didn't have time to build a birch bark canoe ("with seats") as suggested.  Maybe next time.

Thank you from your friends at the United Methodist Church in York, Maine.

When we hear the "Chick a dee dee deeeees" , we'll reply, "Hi Betty and Cal!"

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What more can I possibly say?

 

FINISHED - now to BEGIN

 

February 13, 2012

At 1:46am this morning my manuscript for "Granite Hearts" was born weighing in at 105,032 words. Gestation period, 13.5 months (just about the same as a desert camel).  The birthing is finished- now to raising the story to book.  This process is just beginning.

First I need to streamline some of the words - seems too bad that it   goes on a diet so soon but it needs to be done.  I find reading it orally helps me catch more hidden errors than any other way.

Self-pubbed, I lean heavily on my daughter Cheryl Krass for her Alexemi Publishing  has assisted several authors  through the maze. Not that I am proud (ahem) but she is truly a 'multifacted woman'.  I thank her for her patience as she searches solutions to my many questions.

My next step will be to again turn to my supportive family.  Son Rob has a great knack to pick up a break in the story - are all the characters accounted for or did some one disappear. Did I follow through on a story line or was it dropped without being resolved.  He also can spot a word that may have not been used in the 1800's.  My daughter-in-laws bring their special reading skills. Sabrina can feel the emotions - was the character strong enough or could I have pulled more from them.  She is not afraid to cry. Will she this time for in The Spruce Gum Box she crumbled more than once.  Have I made the characters believable?  I don't want them to be empty vessels.  Jen reads in a way where she can pick up the minutia - the mistake in a name, dropped period, missing quotes, etc.  They will work with hard copies and pencils to mark any things I should check.

When I get the three, I'll put together a revised manuscript that will go to my daughter as an e-copy.  Once she finishes with it, we will choose a professional editor.  I will want someone with a background in historical fiction.  One who knows the way to research facts but also knows that those factoids are just beads that I will string together with figments of my imagination.  It's also important for me to find someone that knows  a bit of the subject - area.  Have they been to Maine?  Heard a seagull - seen the pines.

During all the editing we will work with a book designer on the cover.  I have already purchased a photograph of heart shaped rocks that I want to use.  The back will need to be designed - blurbs written in hopes to catch the eye of the reader.  We would like to add comments from another author who has done work with the subject.  Once the approved manuscript is in hand it will be turned over for page design.  To me the book itself is a piece of art and we want it to be as pleasing as possible. 

I will be drawing a couple illustrations for the inside along with a map of the area.  But to me this is the 'fun stuff'.  Of course, it will be formatted for kindle and other e-readers.  That is where the readers are heading right now but I still believe that there are those who still want the feel and look of a well planned book in their hands and on their shelves.  Perhaps that is because of my age.  My first  book was launched on my 72nd birthday and this one is on track to be out by my 74th.

And then there is the marketing - a subject for another time.  It is probably the hardest part for any self pubbed author, at least one   raised in an era when you were taught never to toot your own horn.  Whew, that's a hard nut to crack.

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Granite Hearts is a sequel to The Spruce Gum Box.  It is historical fiction of the Bangor, Maine area when Fort Knox was constructed in the mid 1800's on the Penobscot River. Please check out my author page at IAN - The Independent Author Network - to find links for more information.

 

 

 

 

Liebster Blog Award

Keeping the love flowing ~~~

I am very honored to have been chosen by the lovely and talented author Christa Polkinhorn for a Liebster Blog Award. Liebster is a German word and means dearest or favorite.

Now, I must pass on the honor to five of my favorite blogs, which have fewer than 200 followers. It was a difficult choice because I have, of course, more than five favorite blogs, some of them though have many more than 200 followers, so I had to exclude them.

Below are my choices of five of my favorite blogs that deserve more attention and love. 

In Liebe:

Linda Crimm - Miss Dazey

 Jamie DeBree  -  Variety Pages

Cheryl Wilder  -  Multifaceted Woman

 Daisy Hickman  -  Sunny Room Studio

Dorothy Sander  -  Aging Abundantly



I hope you all keep the love flowing by passing on the award to five of your own favorite blogs!   -  Betty

I am a pantser .... but then again!

 

I recently read a blog written by author Thomas Drinkard at his Pinnacle Writing site.  He was illustrating two very different writing styles and I was quick to connect with one and was delighted to realize I was not alone in my writing process.

Planner or Pantser is the name of the post where he compares the work method of two successful authors. 

Jeffery Deaver is a planner that uses detailed outlines to write.  At a conference in 2010, Deaver reported that his book The Bone Collector was published at not quite twice the size of the 184 page outline. That amount of organized preparation amazes me.

Thomas' friend, the late Anne Carroll George spoke to him of being a seat-of-the pants author - a pantser. Among her achievements, she had been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for Some of it is True, a collection of poetry and was honored with the Agatha Award for her Southern Sisters mystery series.  Her process was minimal outlining and letting her characters drive the story not knowing where they would lead her. One man she thought was the murderer, suddenly ended up shot one night.

I laughed out loud and clapped my hands in joy when I read this.  I have been trying to explain to people that I knew how my story in The Spruce Gum Box began and I knew how the story would end but the characters led me through the twists and turns between.  Some characters became much more important than I thought.  Others less.  I would call my daughter and say, "You won't believe what Jed did last night."  As historical fiction, I did use a list of events and dates like the dots in a connect-the-dots puzzle.  The puzzle became what the characters would do (or not do) as the story moved forward. They held the clues.

Thank you Thomas for the reinforcement of the method I use as I write the sequel  Granite Hearts .

I am a pantser .... but then again I confess when it comes to everything else I am a planner .  I live by the list - sometimes having lists of my lists.  In upcoming events I massage every detail until they scream.  I can't remember not having the need to overachieve in every task (except losing weight).  It is a curse.  After 70+++ years, you would think I could find a cure.

I want toss away my need to over plan.  It would be so nice to know what I would like to do and set a date for the doing.  Then go with the flow between point A to point B.  Ah yes, I want to live as I write ... as a PANTSER! 

Thomas Drinkard is a fellow member of The Independent Author Network.  His work includes thrillers Piety and Murder and Where There Were No Innocents and in a new change in genre - a vampire novella V Trooper. He also enjoys spending time in my Maine. We share a love for the coast and all it holds.

Visit his author page at IAN .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resolutions - I think not!

In a matter of hours I will have been around to greet the new year 74 times.  Granted the first few events did not mean a thing to me.  By the time I was ready for school, everyone was talking about making New Years Resolutions so at a minimum I have made 68 commitments to be resolute in something that I would change or finish or start or whatever.  Now since I never promised only one goal to accomplish, I could say I have made and broken 500 resolutions in my time.  Therefore the only thing I resolve as we enter 2012 is not to make any more promises. 

I will strive to do my best to accept the fact that if I say "no", the world will not grind to a stop.  I will, as best I can, focus more on my personal health not only for my own good but as gift to my family.  I may be considered a senior but that will not let the illusion of age stop me from pursuing my dreams.  Also I will not resolve for that just adds stress and I have no time for self imposed stress - life in general does that for you.  And I have no time to feel like I have failed (again).  I will just do my best.

Happy New Year one and all.  May the new year surprise you.  And even more - may you surprise yourself. 

http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/elizabeth-wilder.html

Jump Into My Imagination - IF YOU DARE!

This morning at breakfast I saw the person who is working on a new script for our senior chorus. I went over and asked if she dared to jump into my imagination for a moment.  Since she and I seem to work within the same wavelength of humor, she had no problem.  In no time we were both giggling at the coffee counter in our senior community cafe.  I have no idea what my Friday morning breakfast buddies were thinking but by now, most know not to ask.

I had a sight gag pop into my head and wondered if it could be incorporated in the song she was considering for our opening number.  By her reaction, obviously her mind's eye could see what I saw.  Whether that makes the final script is still up in the air but for that moment, it was a winner and such fun.   We just finished our Christmas concert so it will be a couple months before I call the chorus back for rehearsals for the one in process.  There will be more than one visit into the recesses of the minds.

How I love my imagination.  As a girl I was never bored.  Born in the late 1930's - I was a child of the 1940's.  Reading was my favorite recreation where I could picture worlds of fantasy or lands far away. I had a wonderful bag of glass marbles, a comic book collection which somehow disappeared through the years, many board games (my grandfather was the checker player),and decks of cards for cribbage and whist and penny poker (when the parents were not looking).  But when the weather was good, I loved my walks in the woods behind our home where I would pick raspberries and blueberries in season, lie on my back under the trees to see the patterns the sun made through the leaves or stare at forms made by the clouds and see bears and ships. Even electronics of the day required your imagination for how would you ever be able to envision the Lone Ranger and Tonto racing through the wide open spaces if your mind did not carry you there.  I would hold the copper wire needed to keep away the static from the radio as my mind reacted to the fright of "Lights Out" or laughed with "Fibber McGee and Molly".  But my favorite pastime of all was writing little stories and poems that I'd illustrate with my fabulous collection of crayons.  Or writing plays with my friends that we would act out for the neighbors.

I sometimes feel sorry for the children of this "modern" era.  Their time is crammed with managed activities. Imaginations are dulled by professionally made images on TV, computer, e-games,etc.  I would cut free form shapes to paste with flour and water on scrap paper, not place pre-cut stickers within pre-printed lines.  I know some break free with creativity (would like to mention granddaughters Savanah and Emily) but so many are stifled by smothering schedules.

I hear, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."  I feel the same about an imagination. Creativity needs stimulus, not mind numbing staring at monitors. We should never hear, "I'm bored!"

My imagination has been churning for 73 years and I hope it stays surprising me for many more years. The more I write, the more I want to write.  If you are brave, try diving into my thoughts.

Right now, though, I have a craving to dig out my old crayon box.

 

 

 

Author Cynthia Meyers-Hanson

I read Cynthia Meyers-Hanson's book "Mom's on the Roof and I Can't Get Her Down" on my Kindle a couple months back but with my crazy schedule, I have just managed to write my promised review. 

But you are retired, you say.  Why should you be so busy?

I have a tough task master, say I.  My demanding scheduler is --- me. After all.  Did you not know that retirement is a full time job?

Last night I posted a review on Amazon for Cindy's first work of non-fiction.  You will find it at the end of this blog post.

Willing to use her social network to help other authors advance their work, Cynthia Hanson is a most supportive fellow member of IAN

She has accomplished much more with her writing since this first book. I am borrowing her own words from her author site as an introduction.

Cynthia Meyers-Hanson

My favorite question during book interviews is:  How did you get started?  The short answer is that my mother died.  Some people dream of being authors; my writing began as what could be described as a nightmare!  HOWEVER- as she died, mom’s experiences ran the gamut from going through all the grieving steps a terminal soul follows to having what would be called a Christian Near Death Experience (NDE).  When most of her messages from God panned out, people in my area buzzed with the story of my parent’s death.  My witness became my first book entitled Mom’s on the Roof and I can’t Get Her Down.  After that, I completed seven Christian based, inspirational nonfictions.

Changes were coming!  Due to a genealogy study, after meeting with some cousins at a local grave yard, I wrote my first novel.  Talk about relatives coming out of the woodwork when they think you are famous.  I am jesting- of course!  My relatives handed me some incredible family secrets asking me to compile a book.  I agreed but only if it could be a fiction with tons of poetic license.  To date, I’ve released four novels.

Then, the really fun writing started.  Last year, while working for free at my daughter and her husband’s Christmas tree lot, I blogged my experiences.  My encounters that holiday led to my first children’s book ‘Frasier the Fir is Forever Green.’  There are, now, five unique, picture books to choose from. FYI: one of the titles feed homeless and impoverished children through its royalties.

  

   ****My review of Mom's on the Roof ----  on Amazon****

An Honest Reveal, December 3, 2011

By EE Wilder (PA - USA)

This review is from: Mom's on the Roof and I Can't Get Her Down (Kindle Edition)

I was first drawn to Mom's on the Roof and I Can't Get Her Down as it touched on a subject personal to me. An NDE - near death experience. Soon, however, I found myself experiencing an honest and frank look into a family trauma. Cynthia held nothing back when it came to her feelings during her mother's terminal illness and her father's reaction and tragic action. In this work of Non-Fiction, the author has lifted the fog that hides the turmoil within families when faced with the tragedy of disease - both of body and mind. And she allows the reader a peek into the different ways family members react to the same situation. As for Cynthia, I found her most brave in revealing her inner thoughts.

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Join me at Twitter @eewilder

Facebook Elizabeth E Wilder

Independent Author Netwsork at IAN

Watch for Granite Hearts - Spring 2012

Historical Romance by Jill Metcalf

 

Today I want to feature author Jill Metcalf.  She is a fellow member of The Independent Author Network

and a true Twitter Friend.  She has been polishing her craft within Historical Romance since the 1990's.  I hope as a senior cactus flower to this world, I will be able to accomplish my writing dream as she has.  She has just been named a Kindle Featured Author at

Kindle Mojo - Congratulations Jill!!

 

Jill Metcalf lives near Toronto, Canada, 20 miles from the village in which she was raised. She is the award winning author of five novels and one novella, all published in the 1990's. Now retired, Jill's favorite vacation destinations were throughout the United States, researching locations for her stories. Jill has recently entered the digital world and her first out-of-print book, Spring Blossom, is available at Amazon Kindle. Spring Blossom was one of the two launch books for Berkley's highly acclaimed Homespun Series of books, noted for "Romance From The Heart Of America". Jill now has four ebooks and one bundled set available in all digital formats.

I have entered a review at Amazon for Jill's SPRING BLOSSOM.

                                  >>> oOo <<<

Tender Loving Romance, November 26, 2011

Romance is not my usual genre but I'm glad I picked up Spring Blossom for my kindle. Jill Metcalf knows how to write from the heart to the heart. She invited me into a family of four girls being raised by their father. It is a simpler time. Maggie at age fifteen falls deep into new love with Hunter who comes to the family to purchase a horse. He knows she is much too young but is captivated by this spirited young lady. He keeps his promise to return but finds Maggie has been touched by trauma that has left her cold and bitter. Only a tender loving man such as Hunter could hope to pull her back to the trust that once defined her. I plan to read more of Jill's historical romances.

                                   >>>  oOo  <<<

Join me at Twitter @eewilder

Facebook Elizabeth E Wilder

Independent Author Network at IAN

Watch for Granite Hearts - Spring 2012

 

Dancing to the Music in My Head

Just when I felt my brain was nearing capacity from all the trivia stuffed in it for 73 years - along came the Meadowlarks. I started singing in this senior chorus when we moved to this community three years ago.  Then a few months ago, the founding director asked for a helping hand as her health was failing.  And a hand it was suppose to be.  One that I waved at her direction to keep our group starting and stopping and getting up and down at the same time.  Then due to her situation I found myself waving both hands at my own direction.  Or was it mine?  There are so many times when working on a manuscript, I look at the laptop screen and say, thank you.  I know I have been blessed with some writing talent that flows through my fingers and many times surprises me.  And again, I give thanks.  But music directing?  That seemed a stretch but not wanting to see the group dissolve, I gave it a try.  Talk about jumping into the deep end of the pool.

I have close friends that were music teachers and they told me that when they take their walks they don't need iPods for there is always music in their heads.  I didn't quite understand.  My head was always clogged with visions that were waiting to be painted with words.  My best resource for writing is many times my own mind's eye.  That along with my love of finding the little bit of information in research that "fits right in".

While preparing for my own first production, I noticed dear Smokey, our cat, staring at me while I was working in the kitchen. Then I caught my reflection in the microwave.  I was standing at the stove with my hand vigorously directing the song that I could only hear in my head.  I laughed out loud.  Now I understood.

Today we start

rehearsing our
Christmas show.  I have found the skills needed are the same.  Research for songs to portray my music visions is the same as finding the right words and facts to complete my story visions. It takes a long time and patience.

And speaking of patience.  I am so lucky to be in a group that knows I have started climbing a steep learning curve.  And no one would be surprised if they caught me coming down the hall dancing to the music in my head.

A message for all seniors ~ no matter the subject ~ keep on learning!  Dreams can come true.

~~~ Ah, My KINDLE ~~~

 

My Kindle.  One of those things I thought I'd never use.  It was on the same list as the  microwave, bread maker and the most improbable of all, the computer.  Now I can't imagine my home without them.

I start my day with my laptop and close my night with a game of free cell just to check if any of my brain cells are still snapping.  It can travel with me, find missing pieces in the puzzles that form in my manuscript, locate perfect recipes, keep track of my banking, my family and friends and so on and on and on.

But my kindle goes everywhere with me - always in my pocketbook to fill the bits of reading time that are hard for me to come by.  I have always been a reader, one of the traits I feel one must have to be a writer. It is a joy to flip the switch on my kindle even if for just a moment and take the trip into another creative mind.

As seniors, my husband and I find ourselves sitting in doctor offices more often than I ever imagined.  Frankly, in Maine we had a doctor.  Now we seem to have one for each part of our body and wonder if we should tattoo each part with the correct telephone number for the correct office.  In the waiting room out comes my kindle. It is wonderful not to have to read last week's newspaper, magazines dating back a month or a year.  I wait in the car. Sit and wait in stores while my husband shops.  Wait for meetings to start. Out comes my burnt orange leather covered device (no way I should lose it!)

Recently I finished reading books by fellow Independent Author Network members (IAN), Jill Metcalf and Cindy Hanson.  I plan to review their stories in my blog soon.  I have nearly thirty other books downloaded in my kindle library ready to go at any time.  Just waiting for that free minute.

Right now I have supper ready to warm up in the microwave, bread is rising in the machine, and Twitter is chirping on the laptop.  But I'm leaving for the lobby of our senior community to sell raffle tickets on a quilt hand made by some of our residents for our annual Fall Festival fund raiser October 29th.  So I'm off to man the table - just me and my kindle.