Happy New Year!

I'd like to wish all my wonderful readers a Happy New Year - may 2011 be the year in which all your dreams come true!

Musings From The Slush Pile Interview - Me!

Read the perennially positive Julie Anne Lindsey interview me on Musings From The Slush Pile, Julie's awesome blog!


http://blog.juliealindsey.com/


Thanks Julie - you rock!

Julie Anne Lindsey

Are You "A Scarlett" or "A Melanie?"

I'm re-reading one of my all-time favorite books, Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell. Ms. Mitchell's writing is so enchanting, and the historical details of plantation life, and the Civil War are rich and fascinating. But, what always amazes me is the life-long dynamics between Katie Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy Butler and Melanie Hamilton Wilkes. These two Southern belles are polar opposites, yet in spite of these differences, or maybe because of them, eventually they become more than sisters-in-law; they become best friends (even if Scarlett doesn't realize it until it's too late!).

Miss Scarlett is spoiled, scheming, unabashedly self-centered, willful, vain, and obstinate. However, she's also vivacious, intelligent, shrewd, strong-willed, brave, and most importantly, a survivor; the original "Steel Magnolia."

Melanie is the antithesis of Scarlett in many ways - she's quiet, shy, sweet, modest, patient, unassuming, thoughtful, well-read, beyond kind, and forgiving.

When I was younger, I was definately more of "A Scarlett;" determined to get my own way at any cost, and God help anyone who got in my way (hey, I'm a redhead!). Now, as I'm getting older, I'm becoming more of a "Melanie"; a little kinder, and gentler (I think they call it "mellowing").

So, all these thoughts have inspired me to beg the question:

Are you "A Scarlett," or "A Melanie?"

What's Your Writing Background Noise?

I was just surfing through the TV channels, and had to laugh; I saw "The Cottage Channel". You see, I wrote my novel, WIND, with this program quietly splashing in the background.

The Cottage Channel is the cousin of other weird programs like, "The Fireplace Channel," "The Aquarium Channel," and "The Sunset Channel." These simulations are, without question, bizzare, but somehow comforting when you can't get near the real thing. I love water, and grew up with a cottage on a lake, and found the sound of water lapping, and the haunting calls of loons conducive to long stretches of creative writing. The funny part is that every so often, one of my kids would stroll into the room and ask, "Do I hear loons? What are you watching, Mom?"

I'm "channeling" my fake cottage again, while writing my second book, SAND (which does take place at a cottage!).

Have you seen these simulation channels?

What's your writing background noise?