Word

My favorite editor is hosting a contest and I know followers of my blog are going to ROCK it! Below is Moonrat’s description of the contest. Go to her blog at editorialass.blogspot.com to find out more about her and the contest.

The contest: Create a tribute to (or a character assassination of) someone who contributed significantly (positively or negatively) to your path toward becoming a writer.

Rules: Email me at moonratty@gmail.com your submission in the body of an email. (No attachments please.) The submissions can be any length you like, but please keep in mind I have a fairly short attention span, and that submissions may be judged accordingly. The submissions may be prose, verse, acrostic, or whatever other verbal form inspires you.

Submissions due: December 15, 2009, at 11 pm EST

Prize: One hardcover copy of MENTORS, MUSES & MONSTERS, signed by Elizabeth Benedict, Lily Tuck, Alexander Chee, Martha Southgate, and Mary Gordon. Also, the winner and the finalists (a number I have yet to determine) will be posted on Editorial Ass (so your submission will be considered permission for me to do so).

If you’re a fan of the Book Groupie column and would like to learn more about what Anita Miller is reading and writing, please visit her personal blog http://anitalaydonmiller.blogspot.com

I’ll be recommending the new DAVID BALDACCI book, TRUE BLUE in an upcoming Gazette column. BALDACCI just rocks (although I did find a few errors in the book–David, call me if you need another proofer).

BALDACCI’S Web site also rocks. I want to grow up and have a Web site like his. And HARLAN COBEN’S site is almost as good (Harlan, call me–I’ve got some suggestions).

Kudos to these dudes and their marketing teams.

So I’m driving along in the van yesterday with Oldest Daughter and that 15 song by Taylor Swift comes on and I just start crying. Yes, I was bit hormonal anyway, but the blond-haired, Southern beauty made me cry. I am not usually a cryer.

After taking a deep breath, I was like, “I want to make someone cry, by golly!” With my writing, of course. So new writing goal: add a little heartstring that can be mercilessly pulled.

Side note: I kept the kids up last night because I knew Taylor was singing on DANCING WITH THE STARS. She was not that good, folks. Weird.

Sneek Peek: Will be recommending THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY in an upcoming Gazette column. Good stuff. Excellent writing.

1. While “The Scarecrow” was my introduction to your work, I’m wondering whether it was the best place to start. Which book do you recommend new readers read first?

I never have an easy answer because it is very difficult for me to recommend that readers go back to the first book. I think I have gotten better as a writer and it pains me to tell people to go back to when I didn’t know what I know now. Seems like the wrong move. While there are various connections between the books I think they all stand on their own. So I usually suggest one of the more recent stories because I am happier with them.

2. You enjoy great career success. Has there been one moment which has given you particular reason to celebrate?

There have been many. After writing three books part time I reached a point of confidence and financial stability where I thought I could survive as a fulltime novelist. So I think I might count the day that I gave notice on my day job as one of the best and most celebrated days of my life.

3. Do you ever get creeped out when writing about your villians?

I think it is all too firmly planted in fiction for me to get creeped out. But real life is always more interesting, puzzling and, yes, creepy. I don’t think the things I write about hold a candle to what’s really out there.

4. Please list some of your favorite authors and books–any genre, any year published.

The three most influential writers to me are Raymond Chandler, Ross MacDonald and Joseph Wambaugh. You could read any of their books. Chandler and MacDonald are long gone so their work sort of stands frozen in time. Wambaugh has been at it for four decades and is on top of the game. I am lucky to get an early look at his next book Hollywood Moon and its another great one. I’ve been learning from him for about 40 years.

I read Anne Lamott’s BLUE SHOE months ago and still can’t get it out of my head, soooo I’ll be covering the book in an upcoming column. It’s about Mattie, a broke, recently divorced mom of two young kids. Mattie can’t keep her ex out of her bed or her handyman out of her thoughts. Plus, Mattie’s mom’s a real pain in the butt and Mattie’s deceased dad has mucho secrets.

Sharing the BLUE SHOE column will be Richard Russo’s THAT OLD CAPE MAGIC. You know, I can’t find many new books that I think the 50-60 crowd would get into, but I think they’ll like CAPE MAGIC.

Both Lammott and Russo make me want to throw my keyboard out the window. They are rockin writers. Fer sure.

Also, thriller author Michael Connelly granted me an email interview, thanks to the persistence of one of his people, a refreshingly delightful woman named Shannon. Connelly will be featured in an upcoming column, too.

Am looooving thrillers these days. Current fav thriller character is Lee Child’s Reacher.

This year marks the fourth annual Author Fest of the Rockies, a two-day event that features over 50 published authors, editors, coaches, Internet marketing experts, illustrators, poets and publishers from throughout the state of Colorado.

The event is scheduled for October 2-3, 2009 at the historic Cliff House at Pikes Peak.

Author Fest features many educational and training workshops for fiction and non-fiction, Internet promotion and publishing, poetry writing, dramatic reading and writing/art contests for students and adults.

A Friends of the Manitou Springs Public Library signature event, Author Fest of the Rockies has the following major deliverables:

Provide an affordable, educational and ultimately useful event for aspiring writers, editors, illustrators, poets, book club members, poetry readers/writers, etc.

Offer a competition for poetry, art and short stories with community judges who are professionals in these areas.

Demonstrate the Manitou Springs Public Library’s commitment to this community’s economic development.

Contribute to the expansion of the Manitou Springs Public Library.

Raise awareness of the Friends of the Manitou Springs Public Library and their mission.
This event is only possible through contributions, donations and sponsorships from local businesses and people who believe strongly in supporting their community. Your participation in Author Fest of the Rockies 2009 as a Sponsor establishes your commitment to the success, longevity and growth of the Manitou Springs Public Library. Your contribution is an investment in Manitou’s future and recognizes the critical role that the Library plays in the intellectual, educational and technological health of Manitou Springs.

Pikes Peak Writers and the Colorado Springs Marriott Present: American Icon™ 2009

Date: Friday evening, August 14, 2009 Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Colorado Springs Marriott, 5580 Tech Center Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919

If you didn’t get enough of American Idol, be a part of its literary cousin, American Icon™.

There’s no singing involved…just be one of the first 20 to sign up to participate, and you’ll have two minutes to read from your work of fiction or non-fiction. A panel of three celebrity judges will then give you immediate feedback. This year’s judges are fantasy author Todd Fahnestock, publisher Sue Hamilton, and literary agent Rachelle Gardner.

Food, fun and prizes abound!

Visit the Pikes Peak Writers Web site for more information and to sign up. www.ppwc.net