Stuff by Margot Justes

I normally stay away from public political comments, but the 2010 Census got to me. The TV blitz wasn't enough, because I received a postcard in the mail telling me the census is on the way. Sure enough, the census came, and a week later another postcard arrived letting me know what number to call if I had any problems.

Couldn't that number have appeared somewhere on the census form? Saving a tiny bit of money considering what we owe, would have been nice. A start.

Economic crunch? What economic crunch, it's business as usual. The unfortunate often heard comment 'your tax dollars at work' seems to apply. Well, that's my gripe for the week.

On another note, totally not politically related and goes to librarians and booksellers-the RWA Chicago North Spring Fling is just around the corner, please register for this free event. And, if you register before March 31, you'll get a lovely goody bag. So, please do not delay. Here is the link www.chicagospringfling.com/bookseller.shtml
Just fill out the RSVP form and you'll be all set.

A bit of more stuff, Susan Miura and I are all set for our A Taste of Italy presentation fir kibraries, I'm very excited about it, because I'll finally get to write my Venice travel blogs. It's a work in progress.

Till next time,
Margot Justes
www.mjustes.com
A Hotel in Paris

March Forward Past Inertia

Inertia - it is a problem when getting underway on a writing project just as it is when wanting to lay a new floor or build a bookshelf or assemble a bike. But where does it come from and why? I have a sneaking suspicion it is related to procrastination, but I suspect it is even more closely related to procrastiantion's mother and father - Doubt and Self-Doubt.  A deep-seated fear that asks us in the recesses of our mind the daming and depressing question:  Why bother?  At its worse it can be paralyzing, and at its best it challenges us if we take a blowback, angry, determined response, so that perhaps it is not so much the devilish voice in our head that keeps us from our work, but our reaction to that voice.

Frankly, as a young writer, I was told by many more adults than not that I would never be a writer, and that I should choose another career path. But Robert Frost's poem "The Road Less Taken" spoke volumes to me and said it was all right to take the path I was already on as a kid in junior high school.  I had adults in every arena of my life urging me to go into accounting, plastics, mechanics, electronics, even teaching, and I did go into teaching but with the clear discussion with myself that I do so to support my writing life. Even then in college as in high school, I ran into resistance; in fact, I was told by a professor in my first college creative writing class that I should not only drop his class but think about another career path. That I would never be a writer, certainly not a publishe writer and best I could do in his class was make a C.  That only made me more determined; I took the right attitude and took it as a challenge, and I worked diligently at craft. In fact, after college, I decided to give it a year and work at nothing else to perfect my writing. That year turned into four years...four lean, hungry years which to this day I consider my self-imposed PhD time wherein I put in the time and effort to get better as a writer and in doing so I wrote a lot of novels that garnered some thousand or so rejections from others who kept telling me I would never succeed at this business or profession or roulette wheel called a writing career.

I would not take no for an answer not even from the experts--agents, editors, publishers.  So why should I take NO and doubts from within my own head?  What did I know?  I have to convince myself each time I go forth to do a scene that I am good enough and worthy enough to be considered a novelist, even after all my successes thanks to inertia and self doubts that come I am convinced as a prerequisite to an artistic mind. We may choose to be artistic crafts-people but that does not quell or kill that doubting Thomas inside our psyche that asks in a sneer, "Just who the hell do you think you are?" and "Do you really think anyone truly wants to read a word you have to say?" and "One day someone will kick your door in and expose you for the fraud you are."

We can't give in to such nonsense; in fact, we must turn those thoughts right around to read: "I think I am a writer...in fadt, I KNOW this. And there are people anxious to hear what I have to say most assuredly. And no one can call me a fraud as I work extremely hard to make my product the best it can be, so Self-Doubt get thee behind me!  I have work to do.  And in the doing comes the joy of writing and all the negatives fade to nothing, and you are free to work thanks to your proper response to the nonsense that wants to control your sense. Don't let the devils of inertia beat you down; instead beat them down. But beware as they never ever quite go silent.

Rob Walker
Killer Instinct, first in the Instinct Series available now at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CJU2T0
Name my Next Novel contest continues - http://www.robertwalkerbooks.com/

A Conundrum! by DL Larson

Lately I have done a few book chats for book clubs. While I enjoy talking about my novels with others who have read them, I have discovered (again) how frugal folks can be. The last book club I visited was at a senior residence. It's a large, beautiful environment and the ladies boasted they had their own library. Unfortunately they had purchased only a couple of my books and the group took turns reading the few copies. In April I have another book chat scheduled with another book club, from another town. I asked if they had enough books and the caller said they were sharing the book. As a librarian I suggested if they didn't want to purchase a book, they could borrow a few from their town library. I believe this to be the next best thing to a sale and keeps my books in circulation. The caller didn't think this was necessary. I continued to encourage her to stop at her local library any way. Hopefully she will.

I realize the economy has slowed impulsive buying to nearly nonexistent. Profit for the writer is becoming more challenging. The group I mentioned above were very enthusiastic about discussing the plot of my book Memories Trail. They were eager to take my book marks and business cards and I hope my press information doesn't end up in a junk drawer but in the hands of friends and family with a comment or two about "you should read this book."

Money for presenting seems to fall into one of those gray areas of professionalism. All too often, I'm too soft-hearted to say up front I charge for appearances. It's a sticky situation. In the last year presenting at libraries I have been paid and I appreciate that. Talking in front of small groups and book clubs I have not. Somehow I have fallen into a swamp here, wondering how to "get my name out there" and not go broke at the same time. Book clubs seem to be looking for free entertainment and a free book from the author. And of course I left a free book at the senior residence because ... because ... because they wanted one! My stash of free books from my publisher is long gone - this came right out of my pocket. I continue to believe I'm spreading my name this way, but it's difficult to believe when I come home and in my ledger I write mileage 120 miles - no payment and 1 book for $20 - no payment. My accountant thinks I'm running a charity and not a business. He's right of course. This doesn't feel like a business when I'm the only one spending money. At book signings and other outings I have my prices posted and I have tried this at book club gatherings, but it doesn't seem to work the same.

I've been spending money on my writing from the get-go; I'm not afraid to spend money in order to make money. However, in this tight economy I'm giving more than I'm getting right now and I wonder how long can I continue on this path of no-profit again today? It's become a conundrum; how can I sell my books if I'm not out promoting them? How can I promote my work if I don't receive any payment for my efforts?

Do you accept invitations without pay? Has that worked for you? Share your experiences with us at Acme Authors.

Til next time ~

DL Larson

Handouts - Are You a Giver Or Receiver, Or Both? by Morgan Mandel

I'm getting organized to present a social networking program at the Niles, Illinois Library on March 28 from 1:30 - 4:30. One of the things I did Monday night was prepare a handout. Hopefully, my handout is engaging enough to make people want to stay and listen. I want to spark their interest, throw in some information they may not know, yet not tell it all on paper. They have to come to the program for that.

I like giving handouts and I love receiving them. What about you? If you go to a program, do you like to get a handout? Or, maybe you're so neat you hate to bring any more paper into the house. It's too late for me on that score. Paper's already infiltrated my home and won't leave any time soon.

What about you? Are you a giver or receiver, or both?

Morgan Mandel

http://morganmandel.blogspot.com/

http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel

Spring Fling 2010 down to the wire! By June

2010 SPRING FLING WRITERS' CONFERENCE - REGISTRATION IS ALREADY 83% FULL
April 23-24, 2010 Deerfield, IL

Don't miss out on a great line up of speakers, editors, agents, workshops,
book signing, and networking opportunities, all for $159. FEATURED SPEAKERS
New York Times and USA Today best-selling authors: CHERRY ADAIR and JULIA QUINN

EDITORS
Amanda Bergeron (Avon Publishing) Selena James (Kensington) Lindsay Faber
(Samhain Publishing) Kat O'Shea (The Wild Rose Press and Leap Books)

AGENTS
Paige Wheeler (Folio Literary Management) Laurie McLean (Larsen Pomada Agency)
Joanna Stampfel-Volpe (Nancy Coffey Literary Mgmt) Diana Fox (Fox Literary)

TWENTY-ONE WORKSHOPS ON THE CRAFT, CREATIVE AND BUSINESS OF WRITING:

BUSINESS AND CREATIVE TRACK:
From Suck to Success
(Kim Castillo)
Rejection Bootcamp
(Joelle Charbonneau)
Author's Brand Image
(Blythe Gifford)
Can We Talk?: Discuss Your Writing with Confidence (Ruth Kaufman)
When the Manuscript's Done, the Work's Just Begun! (Marianne LaCroix, Annmarie
Ortega, Kimberly Sullivan)
Perseverance and Perspective
(Nancy Parra)
The Importance of Tea in the English Culture (Sofia Motamedi)
Online Marketing 101
(Sarah Wendell)
Writing the Series
(Pat White)
Agent and Editor Q & A
(Agent and Editor Panel)

CRAFT TRACK:
Layer and Texture Your Novel for High Impact (Cherry Adair)
Dialogue: It's More than What You Say (Julia Quinn)
Plot or Character
(Sherrill Bodine, Patricia Rosemoor)
Deep POV - What Is It and Where Can I Get Some? (Laurie Brown)
Sex Scenes Viagra
(Elizabeth Hoyt)
Setting as a Character
(Jade Lee)
Beyond Research: Stronger Point-of-View & the Effective Use of Detail (Carrie
Lofty)
Conflicted about Conflict? Sign a Peace Treaty between You and Your Plot
(Lindsay Longford, Myrna Mackenzie, Margaret Watson)
Editing for Voice
(Courtney Milan)
Write Like You Mean It
(Jenna Petersen)
Getting It Done - Wrangling Your Muse (Allie Pleiter)

ABUNDANT CAREER BUILDING AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR $159:
Friday night Pasta buffet and Chocolate Reception including area librarians and
book sellers
REGISTER On or Before 3/15/10 and be entered into Raffle for a ticket to VIP
dinner
Saturday breakfast and lunch
Saturday gala dinner including a silent auction to benefit literacy
Saturday open to the public book signing
REGISTER NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE!
For more information about Spring Fling 2010 and to register:
http://www.chicagospringfling.com
For more information about Chicago-North Romance Writers of America, please
visit: http://www.chicagonorthrwa.org
Questions? Contact us at: conference@chicagonorthrwa.org

Spring is in the Air

While I guess we can't officially say that spring has sprung, signs of it are everywhere.

Most of the snow around here is gone. Except for a few random bizarre patches that haven't melted, the grass has been revealed after a long winter of hiding out.

The temperatures are rising. Over the last week (although the weekend's been chilly again), our temperatures hit in the lower fifties and even made it into the sixties by one afternoon.

In between rain showers, the sun has actually been shining.

Tulip bulbs are starting to pop. I have a whole row alongside my house that have burst forth from the ground.

Daylight savings began today. Longer days, more light...I can't even complain about losing an hour of sleep when I look at it that way.

Best of all, spring break is a week away. I'm looking forward to a week off of work, sleeping in, getting some much needed R & R, and pounding out lots and lots of words on my laptop. If the weather holds, I might even be able to make use of the front porch!

So where ever you are, I hope you are enjoying the signs of spring!

Until next week,

Happy Reading!

Debra

www.debrastjohnromance.com

A Day At Sea by Margot Justes

Our days are still bleak, the dingy grey snow still has not totally melted, so I did the next best thing, I imagined myself back on vacation.

Surrounded by water on all sides, the giant ship glided along the waves, the water lapping steadily as we move forward. Mesmerizing. Relaxing. Blissful. All cares swept away.


The first day of the cruise was spent at sea. The early morning is best, before the multitudes wake, I have my first cup of coffee and look at the ocean. There is nothing better than the gentle breeze (sometimes not so gentle) and the smell of the ocean.

I satisfied my coffee itch, and went to the 12th deck to walk, not a bad way to begin a morning.

Having built up an appetite, (not that I have to work hard to do that) a leisurely breakfast seemed like a good idea, and of course I needed more coffee.


The delightful part of being at sea, is that you can do as much or as little as you want. There are plenty of planned activities, from belly dancing, belly flops and I'm sure other belly things, there is ballroom dancing, and...you get the drift. But I brought books to read and a pad to write on.

The staff always on hand to bring fresh coffee, milk, whatever you need; they are continuously working. By the end of the first day, the steward knew my name and not because I was an author, (unknown) but because it is part of the training to make each guest feel at home and welcome. You know what, it worked.


Even the elevators had a plaque on the floor marking each day, a sweet reminder I'm on vacation.

Till next time,
Margot Justes
www.mjustes.com
A Hotel in Paris