Since I’ve been home with a duty-related injury, I’ve had the opportunity to re-discover my love for reading.  I have no shortage of material to read.  My ‘to-be-read’ pile is overflowing on my shelf.  But often, what happens is that I forego my current stash of books and get books from my favorite authors.  But every once in a while, I pick up a book from a new (to me) author.   If the book is really good, I inwardly moan because now I have another favorite to try to fit into my reading schedule.

Sometimes, when I’m online and looking at books, I will read the reviews that go with that book - and yes, those reviews do impact some of my decisions.

Not too long ago, my daughter introduced me to Goodreads.com, a book review site.  I’ve critiqued some novels there and will probably do more.  Of course, I’ve left a few reviews on Amazon.com, and I’ve heard of Shelfari but haven’t gotten too involved with that site.  As someone who started out writing romance novels; I’ve read reviews in Romantic Times Magazine.

My question to you - especially if you are a writer/author:  Do you visit book review sites?  If so, do those sites influence your buying decisions?  Which sites do you utilize? If you’re published, have you looked up reviews on your own books?  How did you react to negative feedback (if there was any)?  If you received negative feedback on your work, did you continue to return to see what other readers had to say?

Until next time,

KMA 367 

I’ve recently started noticing endorsements on books from other authors.  I’ve always known they were there, but never really paid much attention to them. 

I don’t care if someone else liked a book; I care about if I will like the book.  And to figure that out, I usually pick a page about half way through the book and start reading.  If your writing is so captivating that I want to continue reading - even if I don’t know what’s going on, you’ve probably made a sale.  Oh, and even author’s I love have to go through this process…no free rides with me <g>.

But because author ‘cover blurbs’ are on so many books I figure someone must benefit from them.  Is it the author of the book by receiving more sales?  Or is it the commenting author who has their name exposed to more readers who benefits?  And do those commenting authors actually read the books they ‘cover blurb’?

Have you ever bought a book because of a cover blurb from another author?

These are the burning questions on my mind today.  I hope you’ll comment.

Until next time,

KMA367

If you saw my blog from yesterday I was talking about a writing challenge I’m in and how I’m keeping track daily of how many words I write.  Although I’ve been writing for a long time, I’ve never kept track of my output before.  I’m liking it!  Today, I did three times the goal I’d pledged to do.  (Always striving to be the over-achiever!)

I remember how the character James Caan played in the movie Misery had a cigarette and a bottle of wine (?) when he finished a book.  And Kathleen Turner’s character, in Romancing the Stone, fed her cat on china, and I believe she also had wine or champagne.

I’ve finished two books, but haven’t established any writing rituals.  I think the first ritual I’m going to employ will be documenting my output each day.

My question to you is: What are your writing rituals? 

If you’re not a writer, maybe you have some other task that you complete where you have a routine or ritual when you get the job done.  I’m curious…what do you do?

WHAT’S PLAYING ON MY IPOD RIGHT NOW:  Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing Baby by Michael McDonald

Until next time,

KMA367

I’ve been subscribing to Romantic Times Magazine (RT) for almost as long as I’ve been a member of RWA.  When I first started getting RT, there were two monthly columns that were my favorites.  The first was a pictorial of a published/successful author’s home.

I always found it fascinating to see the writer’s office, their kitchen, their favorite room.  Seeing their home gave me insight into the person who created some of my favorite characters and stories. That column was discontinued, so I’ve had to use a different means to see what my favorite authors are about - I visit their websites.  Of course, the website is used to provide information which, in turn, is a way to promote one’s self, and it can all be an illusion.  But…the choices the author makes still provide insight.  The colors the person selected, the shape of the website, the fonts.  I think it’s pretty darn interesting - and one reason why I spent about a year perusing other authors websites and planning MY site before it was built.

The second column that I enjoyed in RT was “Where Are They Now”?  This column was generated by a reader’s inquiry as to where one of their favorite authors had gone.  No new books, no public appearences - poof, the writer had vanished.

I always found it interesting to see what had sidetracked a writer’s career.  Of course, I don’t ever recall any reply saying flat out that the author just got tired of writing.  It was always worded in an upbeat, positive way.  Often the writer was working on a project and expected it to be on the shelves soon.  Others just slipped from the writing community like a thief in the night.  And no, I don’t mean to imply writers who stop writing turn into thieves!

As great as RT is, I wish they’d bring those columns back…

Until next time;

KMA367

You can call me weird, but I don’t “get” the fascination with vampires in books and movies.   And vampires seem to be everywhere these days.  There are TV shows about vampires, there’s a new movie coming out about vampires, and of course all the books.

My daughter likes to read about vampires, and my eleven year-old granddaughter also wants to read about them.  This causes me a big dilemma because my granddaughter isn’t fond of reading and I try to encourage her to do so, but I really don’t want her reading about blood-sucking teenagers.  What ever happened to a pre-adolescent girl’s love of horses?

I just don’t see the appeal of characters waiting to suck your blood.  Of course, I’ve never read a vampire book - and frankly, with my “reading for pleasure” time so limited, I don’t plan on picking one up in the near future.  But I am curious as to what the draws people to these books, movies and TV shows.  I’m ready to be enlightened.

Oh, and please don’t be offended by the fact that when I read your replies I’ll be holding a wooden stake…

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO ON MY IPOD RIGHT NOW: American Pie by Don McLean

Until next time,

KMA367

There is a monster in my house.  It has morphed itself into two separate locations blatently taunting me with the fact there is little I can do to get rid of it. 

My husband occasionally asks me when I’m going to “take care” of the beast.  I reply with one of those looks that a wife gives a husband when he’s gone too far.  You see, the monster and I have a sick relationship.  I give it a wary eye, and yet, I’m drawn to get closer, to touch it, explore it, to devour it.   To make matters worse, the monster entices me with promises of emotional excitement and adventure. 

Sometimes I actually feed the incubus and, naturally, feel guilty.  After the beast has been fed, it flaunts it’s bloated size as a dare.  Every now and then, I take a swipe at the fiend and rip away a part of it - but it’s pointless.  The beast continues to grow. 

I admit it - I’m defeated and powerless against my “To Be Read” pile of books…the growing monster in my home.

How big is your “TBR” pile?  How do you manage it?  Do you restrict yourself from buying more books?  When do you steal moments to read?  Help me…please!

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO ON MY IPOD RIGHT NOW: Masquerade from the Phatom of the Opera

Until next time;

KMA367

Okay, I’ve figured out this blogging thing is harder than it appears.  I envision a world of people sitting at their computers waiting for MY random thoughts for the day.  That’s a lot of pressure!  I know that’s not really true, but I still feel the need to deliver.  So here we go…

What’s your favorite book of all time - and why?

For me, it’s Gone With the Wind.  I actually saw the movie first, at age thirteen.  I fell in love with Rhett Butler as the camera panned down to the bottom of the staircase where Rhett looked up the stairs at Scarlett O’Hara.  In the four hours or so it took to watch their turbulent love develop, then crash and burn, I was changed.

I came home from the theater in a daze.  How could two people who were so well suited for each other let their relationship go so wrong?  I searched for answers - in the book version of Gone With the Wind.

Although I was an avid reader, taking on such a large book seemed daunting.  But I read day and night and finished the book in about a day and a half.  And while I had a better understanding of the main characters of the book and the Civil War, I still couldn’t understand how Scarlett and Rhett’s missed the mark.

To this day I’ve never found the answer.  However, I do know that when I read the book or watch the movie, I’m going to admire Scarlett’s stubbornness and determination (and when watching the movie - her clothes).  I’m going to admire Rhett’s character and ability to mock himself and yet be Scarlett and Melanie’s hero - several times.  I’m going to admire Melanie’s gentle ways and the love she carries for Ashley Wilkes - even though I don’t think he deserves it.

The story Margaret Mitchell penned changed something in me.  It introduced me to the idea that a princess (Scarlett) doesn’t always get her “happily ever after” with her prince (Rhett).  Sometimes love just goes wrong.  Not a happy lesson to learn, but not a bad one to know as one goes through life.

Please don’t let me flounder out here in cyberspace all by myself…what’s your favorite book - and why?

WHAT’S PLAYING ON MY IPOD:  Tranquillo by Carly Simon…yes I do like Carly Simon

Until next time,

KMA367