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Jul 2011

Giveaway and 5Ws with Nayana Currimbhoy

On Tuesday a posted a review of Miss Timmins’ School for Girls and today we have the fun of a visit from the author Nayana Currimbhoy to answer 5Ws and give us a peek at her life(and her next book–I can’t wait!) You can win a copy of Nayana’s book–thank you to her publisher–by leaving a comment here or on the review post. US addresses only.

WHO
Who are your favorite writers? Who are you reading right now?

Just today, July 4th, I have started Huckleberry Finn. I can’t believe I nayana have not read it. Mind you, I always believed I had (the story is so part of our collective memories) until a friend brought it up to my summer cabin last week-end. He was just loving it, and I realized I had not. I am getting the goose bumps of starting a great novel.

So many favorite authors, but today, maybe since I am in Americana, I’ll go with My Antonia by Willa Cather, Housekeeping by Marilynn Robinson, and Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.

WHAT
What is your favorite thing to do, besides writing?

That is a clever question. It precludes the answer that writing fiction is currently my favorite thing to do. Right now, I am in our summer cabin in upstate New York where I cook large meals for family and friends, go for long walks, read and write. These are my favorite things to do, and I am fortunate that I am able to spend this week doing them all at the same time.

WHERE
Where will your next book take place? India?

Both, right, again. I am working on my next novel, and it is set in India. I have always loved stories that let you dream in another world. My current novel is set in an Anglo Indian boarding school in the seventies, the next, another time period that fascinates me in India, the 1940s.

WHEN
When did you decide to write Miss Timmins School for Girls? Did something special inspire you?

I started writing when I turned 50. I suppose you could call it inspiration. I have wanted to write a novel since I was fourteen years old. That is all I ever wanted to do. I just didn’t get it together to do it. And then when 50 was upon me, I realized that it was a now or never. And so I started writing at night, after everyone was asleep.

I went to an Anglo Indian boarding school which is priceless in terms of bizarre childhood experiences, little Indian girls doing Scottish Dancing in tartan Kilts. Seemed a natural setting.

WHY
Why are you a writer and not…well, a teacher in a boarding school or some other profession.

I am a writer because I have always felt an affinity to words. I think it is one of those talents, like drawing, or singing. My husband is an architect. He is one of the few who can, with a few deft strokes, draw out his dream space in front of you. I have been married to him for nearly 30 years, there is no way I could even approach something like that.

I see pictures in my head from words, so I guess all I can really do is be a writer.

Don’t miss a chance to win a copy of Miss Timmmins’ School for Girls and escape into a whole new world! Leave a comment today!

Category: Giveaways, Interviews, News 4 Comments

May 2011

Long Drive Home by Will Allison

By Jodi

Not only do I have a review of Long Drive Home but author Will Allison agreed to answer my 5Ws so we can all get a peek at the man behind the book. Thanks Will!

I want to share this book with everyone so I’ve decided to pass on the review copy given to me by Free Press. To enter just sign up as a Words by Webb follower and leave a comment.

Long Drive Home

Author: Will Allison

Hardcover: 224 pages (also available as Kindle format)

Publisher: Free Press (May 17, 2011)

Synposis:

Glen’s having one of those days: traffic, a misunderstanding with a cop, a threatening guy with a gun. By the time he’s sharing the road with an annoying teenage driver Glen has had it. He impulsively decides to teach the teenager a lesson—just scare him a bit—but the lesson doesn’t go as planned. Instead of slowing down and driving more carefully, the teenager is lying on the street in front of Glen’s house next to his crumpled sports car. And Glen finds himself rearranging the truth to present his road rage as just an unfortunate accident. Can Glen convince the neighbors, the cops, the lawyers, and himself? It becomes more and more difficult, especially since his young daughter was in the back seat.

Review:

We’ve all thought about it…lashing out at that other driver. Because of that universal feeling of frustration Long Drive Home grabs hold of your attention immediately. We all know what Glen feels. We all could be in Glen’s place. We would all think about lying even if only for a moment.

This book is as much about the reader as it is about the characters. As Glen’s life spirals out of control(while all the time he’s trying desperately to present the appearance of normalcy), you’ll find yourself asking, “What about me? Would I go that far? What would I sacrifice? What lies could I live with?” Some of the characters’ choices make you wonder if anyone could ever make that decision. Although Glen wrestles with his choices, his wife Liz never seems to question the life altering choices she makes. It makes her seem a bit unrealistic.

But overall I enjoyed the book. Witnessing Glen’s descent into a hell of his own making is fascinating. You can feel the tension as his choices make him begin to question the words and actions of everyone…trying to uncover the hidden agendas. Despite the insanity of Glen’s situation you can still picture yourself in the exact same situation. That’s the most frightening part of this book.

5Ws with Will Allison

WHY
Why did you become a novelist?

I got interested in writing fiction when I took a workshop in college with an amazing teacher and story writer, Lee K. Abbott. That I’m a novelist is really all Lee’s fault. If I weren’t writing books, I’d like to be playing pro baseball, but seeing as I was never good enough to even make my high school team, I’d happily settle for being a baseball writer.

WHAT
What is the most difficult thing about being a novelist? The most rewarding?

With Long Drive Home, the most difficult part was the sustained uncertainty, the four years of wondering, “Is this book EVER going to come together?” The most rewarding part was when it finally did.

WHERE
Where do you get the ideas for your novels and short stories? Will you ever tackle something other than contemporary fiction?

I tend to draw ideas from my personal life and then fictionalize them to the point that the autobiographical impulse is no longer evident to me. But having some kind of initial personal connection to the material is a big part of what drives me to write.

I’d like to try historical fiction someday, but the prospect is also terrifying, the responsibility of convincingly recreating a world I’ve never known.

WHEN
When did you become so interested in the choices people make, the lines they cross? You’ve explored taking your own life and being responsible for the death of another person. What’s next?

I’ve always been interested in the lies people tell themselves, the ways in which we let ourselves down. And, on the flip side, I’m interested in various forms of potential redemption for that kind of failure. I imagine those are themes I won’t be letting go of anytime soon.

WHO
Who is your favorite character?

My favorite character in Long Drive Home is Sara, because she reminds me of my daughter. Detective Rizzo was the most fun to write, though.

If you’d like to learn more about Long Ride Home in the words of the author check out Will’s video.

And don’t forget to become a Words by Webb follower and enter to win Long Drive Home.

Category: Book Reviews, Giveaways, Interviews 9 Comments

Apr 2011

5Ws with Nava Atlas

By Jodi

Because I’m interested in so many different types of writing I’m always encouraged to meet a writer who “jumps genre” and writes different types of books. In this case Nava Atlas, an established cookbook author, has written a non-fiction book of writing advice provided by NavaBookCover twelve classic authors titled The Literary Ladies Guide to the Writing Life. She gleaned the advice from the journals, letters and interviews of these women including my favorite Louisa May Alcott!

Man or woman, writer or reader–you shouldn’t miss this book. Not only does it give you a peek at the lives of some favorite writers it is a beautiful book. Nava has included drawings, photographs and other illustrations that make you want to page through this book again and again. Nava found the time in her busy WOW Blog Tour to answer the 5Ws for me. Check out the tour as she’ll be giving away several copies of her book.

WHO
Who is your favorite female writer–classical and/or present day?

I’ve read at least one or two books from each of the twelve authors highlighted in The Literary Ladies’ Guide to the Writing LIfe, and each has a very distinctive voice and purpose to her writing. If I had to choose but one for the writing style itself, it would be Charlotte Brontë. Each sentence is just so exquisitely crafted. It was used to greatest effect, at least in my opinion, in Jane Eyre, the second novel she wrote of her four. Even in Villette, her third, which kind of lost me about 2/3 of the way through, the language was such a pleasure to read.

I can’t answer the question of who is my favorite female writer of the present day, because fortunately, now there are too many to choose from!

WHEN
When did you consider yourself a writer?

As I mention in the book’s preface, I can scarcely recall a time when I didn’t love to draw and write. I’ve always loved the pencil as a medium and still do. But I’m unclear about when I actually considered myself a writer. My first book was a quirky, heavily illustrated (by me), vegetarian cookbook, filled with literary quotations, titled Vegetariana. I’m not even sure that this book’s publication, while still in my 20s, made me consider myself a writer.

WHY
Why do you think it’s so difficult for many writers to balance home life and work life?

That’s a great questions, and I can only answer that from the female perspective. I address that very issue on page 92 of the book: “When I hear gripes from my writing and art cohorts (in traditional relationships) about laundry or household chores or men’s amazing ability not to see messes, I’m pretty confident that it’s not really about the socks on the floor or the dishes in the sink. It’s that Daddy gets to do his work without thinking about everything and everyone else. And he gets to do it without guilt—which is compounded if your work is actually something you like and gives you creative gratification.”

Women always have had a tremendous sense of duty around those they love, whether they’re mothers or not. Louisa May Alcott surely did when it came to her family, though she had no children of her own, as did Harriet Beecher Stowe, who was the mother of seven. She wrote in one passage, quoted in “The Writer Mother” chapter, about all the interruptions she faced constantly, and that “nothing but deadly determination enables me to ever write—it is rowing against wind and tide.” That was written in 1850.

Not enough has changed in that it’s hard for most women to put themselves, and what they want and need to do, first. We feel it is selfish, and our creative efforts are often tinged with guilt. It’s unfortunate, and I can’t say I’ve been immune to this. It really is hard to find that balance, especially as children are growing up. Mine are NavaAuthorPic almost grown and don’t need me as much but they still come first in my thoughts and worries!

WHAT
What type of art work do you do?

My artwork also very often emanates from the book form—I do limited edition books (sometimes termed “artist’s books”), altered books, and text-driven objects and small installations. In my art, I also like to play with language and ideas, and much of my recent work has been about gender issues and the role media plays in reinforcing stereotypes.

More about my work can be seen at http://navaatlasart.com

WHERE
Where do you do your writing? Do you have “a room of your own”?

I’m lucky to have a very supportive husband, who is involved in building, and has made sure that I have a room of my own. We live on an old farm that’s only an hour and a half from New York City, so it’s the best of both worlds. In one of the barns, my husband made me a great studio, where I do my artwork and often my writing when I want to be alone. In the house, I have a small office in what used to be a porch, but I take my laptop all over the place, as I find I can get very restless sitting and writing alone.

I also enjoy writing in cafés, especially with my writing partner, Daphne Uviller. We actually did quite a lot of sessions together as I was writing The Literary Ladies Guide to the Writing Life and she was writing her second novel, Hotel No Tell, which comes out later this month. It’s stating the obvious that writing can sometimes feel lonely, so it’s fun to do so with a kindred spirit.

The authors Nava featured are: Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Willa Cather, L.M. Montgomery, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Edna Ferber, Madeleine L’Engle, Anais Nin, George Sand, Edith Wharton, Virginia Woolf, and Louisa May Alcott. Do you have a favorite?

Category: Book Reviews, Interviews, News Leave a Comment

28
Mar 2011

Giveaway and 5Ws with Marthe Jocelyn

By Jodi

Welcome and hello! Thank you for joining me for the first day of the “Scribbling Women” Blog Tour! Have you come from The Book Tree, another participant in the tour? It’s so fun to be here on the first day! There’s going to be a week of fun introducing readers to author Marthe Jocelyn and the eleven scribbling women she wants you to know.

Scribbling Women: True Tales from Astonishing Lives

Author: Marthe Jocelyn

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: Tundra Books(March 22, 2011)

Synposis:

Scribbling Women is a Young Adult book(but even though I’m far from a Young Adult I enjoyed it) about eleven female writers living in times and places where women weren’t encouraged to write, or do anything besides…well…keep house and take care of babies. Joceylen’s choices span the globe and time: from China to Siberia to the Deep South, from the 9th century to the Victorian Age to the 1950s. If you thought you had it tough trying to squeeze writing time in between a day job and driving your kids to soccer practice try doing it while hunting whales or carrying wounded soldiers on your back!

Each chapter features a different woman, complete with photographs. For the most part the photographs are formal, “sitting pretty in a studio in my best dress” portraits. These photographs make the stories even more amazing, representing how society saw these women instead of the career women, explorers, even criminals that they were.

Review:

At first glance I only knew one of the authors Jocelyn wrote about, Nellie Bly. Who were these women? If asked, I suspect most of these women would answer that they were nobody special. But looking back through the magnifying glass of time it’s fascinating to see how they accomplished things that we take for granted: careers, travel, freedom. While many women were accepting the status quo and doing “what was expected of them” these women forged their own path. And we owe all our knowledge about their accomplishments to these women. They were the ones who took time to record the story of their life.

Reading the stories of these previously unknown women I not only learned about interesting lives but I also gained a new way to look at my own life. I found myself wondering what I would do if I found myself in their situations. Would I have their strength? Resourcefulness? Bravery? Or would I have just stayed home embroidering samplers?

Scribbling Women also made me give myself a shake and approach my own writing goals with a new enthusiasm. If you are a reader who enjoys women’s history or a writer who needs encouragement this book is for you.

5Ws with Marthe Jocelyn

WHEN
When did you first begin writing? When was your first book published?

MARTHE: I occasionally wrote stories or brief travel journals when I was younger, but I was certainly not driven as a writer.

I started to create little one-of-a-kind books when my kids were little, about their adventures, with collaged illustrations from photos and scraps. As they got older, I made up stories and eventually wrote them down. My first book, The Invisible Day, was published in 1997 when I was 41.

WHY
Why do you write so many different types of books? You’ve written picture books, middle readers, YA books, historical books, nonfiction. Do you have a favorite among your books? A favorite genre?

MARTHE:I made a pledge to myself when I started that I would write a book in every children’s book genre before I was done. I think I’m about half way there, but unfortunately I’ve left some of the hardest until last, like fantasy and the easy-reader.

My favourite among my books is an impossible question! I have particular reasons for feeling great affection for almost all of them, even though I’m very aware of the flaws. The obvious comparison is to children, but it’s not too appropriate. An author has way more control over what a book turns out to be than a parent has over a child.

I usually say my favourite genre is whatever I’m not working on at the moment. While writing and re-writing Scribbling Women, for instance, I couldn’t wait to be in the middle of a book where I could just make stuff up! Now that I’m writing fiction again, I remember the terrible ordeal of puzzling out a plot.

WHAT
What would you be if you weren’t a writer?

MARTHE: Before I was a writer I was a designer of toys and clothing for kids. If I hadn’t started making books, I’d probably still be doing something related to that. Since becoming a published writer, I’ve had the chance to do quite a bit of teaching, both in writing and in collage. I can imagine being a teacher – but only in small doses. It is truly the most noble profession

WHERE
Where did you learn about all the fascinating authors in Scribbling Women? Did you already know about them before you thought of the idea for the book or research them after you got the idea?

MARTHE: Some of the writers I’d known about since I was a kid, like Nellie Bly and Harriet Jacobs I’d also cherished an early edition of Daisy Ashford’s book, The Young Visiters. But I gathered many more women through reading and suggestions from friends and librarians. A couple of them I found accidentally. Mary Hayden Russell, for instance, I discovered at the Nantucket Historical Society when I was researching a different person altogether. The entire cast of characters required a LOT of reading!

WHO
Who do you most admire as a “scribbling woman”?

MARTHE: I admire so many writers that I always try to duck under this question. The books I love the most are the ones that make my heart flip over in surprise so that I say,“OH! How did she do that?!?!”

For more information, please visit the Tundra Books website or get your own copy here

Tundra Books is also hosting a huge giveaway for this blog tour. And that’s HUGE with a capital H-U-G-E. You can enter to win a copy of Marthe Jocelyn’s books. And Marthe’s been busy as a bee. She has 28 books ranging from toddlers to young adults in her collection! All you have to do is leave a comment below! For more information and synopses of each of the books, visit Tundra Books. And if you visit the other blogs on the tour you can also enter at each of those blogs for a total of 30 entries!

The contest starts Monday, March 28 and closes on Sunday, April 10. One winner will be randomly selected and announced on Monday, April 11, 2011 to receive the prize.

Thank you for stopping by! Please follow the tour to Wrapped in Foil.

And Good Luck!

Category: Book Reviews, Giveaways, Interviews, News 29 Comments

11
Mar 2011

5Ws with Kristina McMorris

By Jodi

Today, we’re getting answers to the 5Ws from debut novelist Kristina McMorris. Kristina’s first novel, Letters from Home, is about one of my favorite time periods–World War II.

Letters from Home is the tale of three young women trying to find their way in Chicago. Who do they love? What do they want to accomplish? Who do they want to be? The twist is a GI who meets and “falls in love” with one girl, begins writing letters to her and returns home to find that he hasn’t been getting letters from the girl he thought he was writing letters to. So who is in love with? Girl # 1 or Girl # 2?

If you’d like another peek at Letters from Home–and a chance to win a copy–jump on board the WOW Blog Tour. For today, here’s a peek at Kristina.

WHO
Who is your favorite author?

Markus Zusak, author of the The Book Thief

WHY
Why did you decide to become a writer?

I had no plans to pen fiction until my grandmother shared a secret collection of love letters my late grandfather had sent to her during WWII. Moved by his words and inspired by their courtship, formed almost entirely through those written messages, I was gripped by an idea of a soldier who falls in love through letters, not knowing that the girl he’s writing to isn’t the one writing back. Blissfully ignorant of both the craft and business of writing, I embarked on what has become an amazing journey.

WHAT
What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

There are things to do outside of writing?! LOL. Let’s see…I love spending time with my husband and two young sons, drinking wine with close girlfriends, attending Broadway musicals, watching Grey’s Anatomy, and reading fun (non-research related) books.

WHEN
When was the last time you received an honest to goodness love letter?

While my husband and I were dating, he gave me a handwritten letter, essentially in the form of a poem, that listed a hundred reasons he loved me. It made me both laugh and cry, and it’s something I’ll always treasure.

WHERE
Where (and when) would you go if you had a time machine?

That’s an easy one: Times Square on the actual Victory over Europe Day!

Stop back at Words by Webb on Wed., March 16 when I’ll be taking part in a great event called Everybody’s Talking About…Surprises for Kristina McMorris and Letters from Home. Krisitina is giving away some fabulous World War II themed prizes, including a personalized copy of her book!

Category: Interviews 2 Comments

07
Mar 2011

Review and Giveaway: Miss Scarlett’s School of Patternless Sewing

By Jodi

Miss Scarlet’s School of Patternless Sewing

Kathy Cano-Murillo

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (March 8, 2011)

Synposis:

Miss Scarlet’s School of Patternless Sewing is the story of a juggler…no, it only seems like it. Scarlett Santana has given up life as an engineer for her true love of sewing. Her goal is to attend a mentoring program in New York City held by the nephew and heir apparent of her favorite designer and muse Daisy de la Flora. In order to raise tuition she’s working for an Arizona designer, sewing quinceanera dresses for her aunt’s business, blogging, teaching a sewing class in patternless sewing, selling dresses online. Her dream seems within her reach when a change in the class deadline results in Scarlett’s carefully laid plans falling apart.

Review:

If characters were described in colors, Cano-Murillo’s would be the brightest colors of the rainbow! They leap right off the page, each so incredibly distinct you feel as if you’re reading a book about your friends. Even characters that seem unimportant when first introduced each have their own moment to burst to life and surprise readers. Although the main story is Scarlett’s, Cano-Murillo doesn’t neglect the other characters, just letting them be the foil for Scarlett’s crazy plans. They all have their own lives, problems, and plans which she reveals. They’re so richly drawn I could eagerly look forward to a book starring each character in Miss Scarlett’s School of Patternless Sewing.

Like real life, this book is a combination of many things: a career story, a love story(or is it two love stories?), a tragedy, a mystery, a circle of friends. Cano-Murillo succeeds in drawing you in, letting you believe that you know exactly what’s going to happen then BAM! she spins you around and takes you in a new direction. Fasten your seatbelt and read this book.

Thanks to the generosity of Grand Central Publishing I’m giving away one copy of Miss Scarlet’s School of Patternless Sewing. Comment to enter and I’ll be announcing the winner on March 22.

And thanks to Kathy Cano-Munrillo for taking the time to answer questions for 5Ws. So here’s the scoop on Kathy, the Crafty Chica and Author!

WHERE
Where did your creativity get its biggest boost?

My love of writing began in fifth grade in Language Arts class. We had a weekly assignment to write an essay about something that happened at home and then draw a picture to go with it. This assignment would seal my fate – as a reporter with feature stories and accompanying photos, also as a writer and an artist. I used to take a funny incident that happened at home that lasted a few minutes and turn it into a wild sitcom-like story. One time my teacher had me read my story out loud to all of the 5th grade students (about a hundred of them). It was one of the best moments of my life and set me on track for my future.

WHAT
What jobs do you have besides novelist?

I’m a former newspaper features reporter turned craftyprenuer and novelist.

WHO
Who is your favorite author?

Authors I love: Fannie Flagg, Sophie Kinsella, Laurie Notaro, Maria Amparo Escano, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, Reyna Grande.

WHEN
When did you decide to switch from craft writing to fiction writing?

When I first got married I stopped reading novels because right away we had two kids and we had just launched our art business. But then The Dirty Girls Social Club came out and I had heard about it on CNN and was beyond curious. It turned out that the author was in town for a book reading so I took my kids with me and bought the book. That triggered my addiction again and I haven’t stopped since!

WHY
Why do you enjoy writing so much?

I’m usually juggling six to eight projects at a time. When I read, it makes everything stop and gives me time to decompress and reboot. And when I’m writing, I feel like it’s a way I can live a different life and do things and go places I wouldn’t be able to in my own life. I love that feeling. I love the feeling when the characters come alive and make my fingers dance across the keyboard with their stories!

Don’t forget to leave a comment to win Kathy’s fabulous novel! And here’s a question, why has fabulous suddenly become my favorite word?

Category: Book Reviews, Giveaways, Interviews 16 Comments

09
Feb 2011

5Ws with Kate George

By Jodi

Today Kate George, author of Moonlighting in Vermont and California Schemin’ stops by to answer the 5Ws.

Don’t forget, you can read my review and enter to win Kate’s books at an earlier post.

WHY
Why do we all love books about murder so much?

KATE: That’s a good question. I’m not sure I know. I think it’s something about being able to experience danger and intrigue. Vicariously catching the bad guy. Mysteries that are well written draw us in allowing us to be the protagonist. You know, like when you asked what I like to be if I wasn’t a writer, and I said I’d like to be a spy. When I read I get to be whatever I’m reading about. A spy, a thirty-year-old bounty hunter, I can be anything, experience anything, without actually putting myself in danger. I’m really not interested in experiencing the pain of being shot, or having my butt kicked!

WHAT
What would you be if you weren’t a writer?

KATE: My day job is as a jack-of-all-trades at our local school. It’s a K-12 and wherever there’s someone missing I fill in. I work in classrooms, the shop, the office, the hallways, you name it I’ve done it. The only place I draw the line is the kitchen. The kitchen has the makings of a total disaster for me.

If I wasn’t a writer I’d like to be a spy. Or maybe Garcia on Criminal Minds. Something glamorous, dangerous and fun! Luckily, I am a writer and I don’t have to actualize this fantasy. I can make my protagonists do all the dangerous stuff.

WHEN
When did you decide to write a book?

KATE: Writing a book has been in the back of my mind my whole life. I used to stand in our local library as a kid and wonder what it would be like to see my name on the shelves. When I was in high school one of my teachers told me my writing was like Virginia Wolfe’s. These days I’m glad no one has likened me to Wolfe! I prefer making people laugh.

I wrote a very bad romance when I was in my twenties. But it wasn’t until one of my friends dared me to write a book like Janet Evanovich’s that I actually put my mind to it. I think having a few years and some life experience helped. I had experiences I could write about. And I had a focus, I knew what kind of books I wanted to write. Mysteries – because those are my favorite – with humor because I love to laugh.

WHO
Who is your favorite author and why?

KATE: Oh this is a tough one. I love Jennifer Crusie for her writing, characterizations and story. She knows just about everything there is about writing romance. And she knows how to use snark, a skill I greatly envy. But I also admire Janet Evanovich. Janet can make me laugh in the toughest of times. Her books are fun and fast paced and I always enjoy them.

WHERE
Where will your next book take place? You’ve already done Vermont and California…any other states you’d like to immortalize with murder?

KATE: The next book, tentatively called “How Much is that Dead Guy in the Window,” starts out in Vermont. Where it will go from there I’m not yet sure. The problem with my titles is that they are based on songs. I guess I should google each state separately and see if there is a usable song title – maybe I should do that before I finish writing “Dead Guy!” I might find another state to terrorize with Bree MacGowan.

Anybody know any great “state” songs that Kate can consider for her next book? The first one that pops into my head is my home state’s “Pennsylvania Polka”. And now I’m going to have that tune running through my head all day! Any other ideas?

Category: Interviews, News 3 Comments

05
Feb 2011

5Ws with Maria V. Snyder

By Jodi

The more I learn about Maria V. Snyder the greener I become. Not only does she have three series she gets to learn about all kinds of fun things as research for her fantasy novels–chocolate tasting, glass blowing, horseback riding. Maria, I think you should write volcanoes into your next book so you can visit Hawaii! Maria V. Snyder shares her 5Ws with us today.

WHO
Who would you like to meet, author wise(dead or alive), if you could?

MARIA: J.K. Rowling – just because J

WHAT
Your characters often have unusual jobs, hobbies, or skills. What is your most unusual skill?

MARIA: I can juggle.

WHY
Why did you become a writer in the first place?

MARIA: Boredom at my day job.

WHERE
Where is your favorite spot to write?

MARIA: In my home office (boring, I know!)

WHEN
So many people have trouble telling others, “I am a writer.” When did you start telling people, “I am a writer”?

MARIA: After my first book was published.

Category: Interviews, News Leave a Comment

02
Dec 2010

5Ws with Sheila Connelly

By Jodi

Mystery writers amaze me! Not only do they write multiple books but multiple series. Who can keep all those characters straight? Sheila Connelly, is the author of three series. As Sheila she writes the Orchard Series set in Massachusetts and the Museum Series set in Philadelphia.
As Sarah Atwell she writes The Glassblower Series set in Arizona. Her latest, A Killer Crop, is a combination of harvest time at Meg Corey’s orchard, a surprise visit from her mother, a dead English professor, and Emily Dickinson.

Sheila agreed to answer the 5Ws for me today:

Who — Who is your favorite fictional detective?

Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane

Why — Why did you begin writing mystery books?

I was between jobs. I looked at all the books I had collected over the years and realized that fully half of them were mysteries, particularly cozies. I’d always wanted to write, and mysteries seemed the obvious choice.

Where — Where is your favorite place to write?

I write at my father’s leather-covered mahogany kneehole desk, with my grandmother’s filing cabinet (those old ones are heavy!) and my great-grandmother’s Art Nouveau lamp, on a large stair landing in my 1865 house.

When — When will you be creating a new series?

I’m always working on new ideas (encouraged by my agent). But since I have two series under contract at the moment, it’s hard to imagine taking on another one right now.

What — What would you be doing if you weren’t writing mystery books?

In my heart of hearts I’d love to be either an archeologist or an art forger, um, restorer.

So there you have it readers! Another writer saved from a life of crime by mystery books!

If you love mystery books and are interested in giving a few books as gifts this holiday check out the Mystery Lovers Bookshop which is giving free shipping on orders over $10. Yay, Mystery Lovers Bookshop!

Category: Interviews Leave a Comment

18
Nov 2010

5Ws with Sharon Burch

By Jodi

My children almost always went to sleep to the sounds of music. They all had their favorites: Broadway show tunes, Disney songs, Raffi, country…my husband and I played all sorts for them and let them choose their favorites. As time went on they began introducing us to new artists…Lady GaGa, Plain White Tees, Taylor Swift…and a whole bunch whose names I just can’t remember. But they all love music and I’m convinced it all can be traced back to those early days when we played music for them before they could even sing the lyrics. So when I learned about Sharon Burch, a musician/music teacher who recently developed a wonderful Freddie the Frog four book series about music(with CDs included) I just had to pass it along to you.

Check out a book trailer here.

WHAT:What is your favorite kind of music?

SHARON:I love any genre of music that is performed well and with passion from their innermost being. I personally gravitate to jazz, vocal jazz, symphonic pieces, and unique artful fusions of different genres, such as indie/pop/jazz.

WHO:Who is the person who fostered your love of music as a child?

SHARON: My parents always encouraged music and supported piano and voice lessons, my sister (9 years older) taught me to harmonize to the pop songs of the 70′s, and Mary Jo Papich, my 4th grade music teacher, inspired me to teach music with passion by her incredible example.

WHEN:When did you realize you wanted music to be your career?

SHARON: 4th grade. The classic story of being inspired by a special music teacher. I wanted to be a music teacher that inspired her students in a similar way that I was inspired.

WHERE:Where did you get the idea for Freddie the Frog? Why a frog instead of, say…an elephant or a bird?

SHARON: I knew there had to be a better way and time to introduce the written language of music and abstract concepts at a younger age. My prior training in the International Piano Teaching Foundation stressed teaching creatively at a child’s developmental level, including creating musical stories to bring big concepts down to active theory in a fun way. Why a frog? Prior to the book, I shared the story as a storyteller using an oversize musical staff floor mat. The musical staff represented a map of where all the events of the story took place. The main character needed to start with the letter “F” to mark the “F” line at the top. My 5-year-old daughter’s plush frog puppet was close at hand. After the first story, the kids were in love with their new friend, “Freddie the Frog.” The rest is history.

WHY:Why is music education so important to a child’s life?

SHARON:Humans are “wired” for music. Until recently, scientists did not know how music affected the brain. The advancement in technology allows scientists to actually “see” brain activity via PET scans and MRI imaging scanning the blood flow in the brain. Our brains are “wired” with neural pathways. Most activities only cause a portion of the brain to “light up” with activity; thus, the saying, right brain/left brain, etc. But there are actually four parts to the brain and music makes ALL of the areas “light up” and create new neural pathways as a person is learning and playing an instrument. Those neural pathways remain in tact and can be used for other things besides music.

In past generations, singing and playing instruments was a part of family life. A great way to express and entertain yourself and others. We did not realize it, but we were also exercising our brain while we played, causing us to be creative, more vibrant, smarter, etc. In our current generation, we tend to be passive listeners and consumers as a society, and as a result, shorting ourselves and our children the opportunity to reach our mental capacity.

But even if you are skeptical about music making kids smarter, let’s look at the other benefits. Socially, music is an ageless hobby creating interaction with great people. Take a look at any school band or orchestra or top-ranking choir and you will find a huge percentage of the members are in the top 10% of their class. Striving for excellence is a given in a musical group. Everyone has to perfect their part for the group to perform at their best–NObody “sits on the bench.” Everyone has to pull their weight or the whole group suffers. Creativity, especially in jazz groups is developed, honed and embraced. Who couldn’t use more creativity in their workforce? Creativity is what makes the difference and gives any company the cutting edge.

There are many other benefits of being involved in making music, but the neural pathways drives home the point and gets our attention. Just google “music and the brain”, Dan Levitin, Oliver Sacks, or “the music instinct” and you’ll find a more books, video clips, blogs, etc. than you have time to read. Scientists are reluctant to state that playing a musical instrument makes you smarter, but all the indicators are there, so let’s look at it from the opposite angle. Instead of trying to prove that music makes you smarter or good for you and your child, try to prove that it is not. I can’t think of a single reason how learning a musical instrument is detrimental, can you?

Give your child every opportunity and advantage you can. Enroll them in music lessons and watch them grow and mentally develop as they play, create, express, and struggle through the rigors of the discipline mastering an instrument. You will discover a more creative, brighter and mature person in the making.

Category: Interviews, News Leave a Comment

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