The World of Audiobooks

I have discovered the world of audiobooks in the last two months. I was as an English teacher morally opposed to audiobooks. I saw them as a shortcut or really just another way to get out of putting in the hours to read a book or any book for that matter.

I was first exposed to audiobooks years and years ago. I don't remember the book, but the audio version was horrible. Very, very dry. But just recently our local library subscribed to Overdrive, which has thousands of titles available for downloading, and I have been trying them out. And I have to say that I have been amazed for the most part. I have only ran across one that was dry. (Warning: don't listen to an audiobook that has been read by the author who wrote it.)

I do find that there are more than a few pros and cons that I can list for listening to audiobooks. I am not sure that I would ever recommend them to a person that is reading a book for an assignment, but if reading purely for pleasure, why not try an audiobook.

Pros

1. Very fast. Cover a novel in the matter of a few hours. (I find this refreshing considering that I am a notoriously slow reader, and I find that listen to the audiobook and following along in the actually book, I am increasing my reading speed.)


2. Some are very well done. (I like hearing the voices of the characters.)


3. Exposure to more books. (I am able to cover more ground, and I have also exposed my self to some new genres.)


4. Enables me to multitask. (I can grade multiple choice tests and listen to a book at the same time. Yeah!)

Cons

1. Very easy to zone out, as well as lose a lot because you are not seeing the words and processing them.


2. Limited selection if you are trying to get them for free. (I am not buying an audiobook at the bookstore when I can buy the book, and I am not buying from iTunes either.)


3. You lose the ability to mark in the book. (a cherished thing -- I love writing in the margins, because that is when the book becomes mine. Read the essay How to Mark a Book by Mortimer J. Adher, Ph.D.)


4. Overdrive will only allow you to check out five in a two week span.

Basically, I think audiobooks have come a long way, and they are a great way to expose yourself to many books, but there is nothing like curling up with a good book. So, I guess you need to strike a balance between the two.

A Great Book for Young Adults

The first entry in what I hope will become a series of entries.

I spent the weekend curled up around a great book for young adults. I am currently on a mission to fill out my summer reading lists for Freshmen and Juniors, which led me to The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

What a great book!! I have to say that at first I was a little distracted by the idea of death being the narrator. Having death humanized made me a little uncomfortable. He was almost a charming sleazy gentleman.

Set in Nazi Germany during WWII, death becomes distracted by a small girl, Liesel Meminger, who he comes into contact with several times over her life. Each time he gives a look at what is becoming of the thieving girl's life.

The last 50 pages required at least 7 or eight tissues as I wept. I would love to include it on the summer reading list for my juniors as I feel that it might be a little over the heads of my incoming freshmen. I only hope that the length (554 pages) does not scare them off.

Coffee and a Critique

Like I said before, I was invited to join a critique group. I have to say that I did not know what to expect, and I was extremely nervous. But I was put at easy.

Some of my observations about the critique group:

• They moved really fast.
• They kept talking about point of view shift. (I am an English teacher, and I didn't think that I did it in my reading, but I need to research this term a little more).
• Everyone was very supportive.
• They were quicker with their editing pen than I was. (This was shocking, I grade papers everyday.)
• They were able to put me at ease quickly.
• I felt very motivated after the meeting.

So those were just a few, I cannot wait until next meeting.

Hot Debate

Stephenie Meyer vs. Stephen King

I have been consumed in the contraversary over Stephen King criticizing Stephenie Meyer for her Twilight series. And I have chimed in on several discussion boards that are hotly debate the comments.

This is my view:

• Comparing Stephenie Meyer and Stephen King is like comparing apples and oranges. Her intended audience is tweens and young adults, although it has proven to be very multi-generational. King writes for adults and a few have found their way to high school students. So consider the audience.

• Several bloggers have made the arguement that Stephenie Meyer's writing offers no literary merit, but I would argue King does not offer any merit. Consider why the wrote to entertain.

• Sour grapes! I believe Stephen King just may be a little jealous at the quick success of this young writer.

• I would also say that King displays little wisdom in criticizing Stephenie Meyer as a writer because he is also criticizing her readers. Those readers could become future King readers, but will probably shy away from it, if he is so openly critical of their favorite writer.

• Should we celebrate anyone who can get a person to pick up a book and read? They are driving the industry.

Walter Bargen

Walter Bargen, Missouri's first poet laureate, was the speaker at my first writing group meeting. I was afraid that I would not his talk terribly useful since I am not a poet or really aspire to be a poet, but I could not have been proven any more wrong.

I loved his presentation on writing. He started with some of the same advice that I have heard or read from other sources, such as your job as a writer is to get the words down as fast as you can, and if you want to be a writer, you need to be a reader. He even went as far to say that you should be consuming a book a week in the genre you are writing. (A little problematic--since I am not sure of a genre or where my current idea really fits).

Another piece of advice that I dearly loved was "write through what you know to what you don't - only to discover that you are capable of doing." He urged us to work on surprising ourselves with our writing. He stated that he does his best writing when he is surprising himself. "Write to lose control." I love that statement.

His last piece of advice: "Out of the silence comes first lines." Now of course, he was speaking of poems, but I think there is some truth to that for a novel. He also said that out of the silence comes and poem and it works its way back to silence. Isn't this what a lot of writers are talking about when they say that "the story had to be written" or "the characters demanded that their stories be told"?

Step One -- Check

Today, I joined a writers' group. Yes, I finally took the first step and taking this whole thing seriously. I joined the Saturday Writers. A great group of people from what I have gathered so far. I sat in between a freelance writer and a poet, who is willing to trying writing anything according to her name tag.

Another lady introduced herself at the end of the meeting. She is running a critique group that meets at the Barnes and Noble on Tuesdays. I am very excited about it all, and above everything else I am feeling highly motivated to get something down on paper to take to the critiquing group.

Finally, I feel the road under my feet, and it feels like solid ground.

First Lines

As I have stated before, I have been reading dozens of books and magazines on the business, gathering information to make this process all just a little bit simpler and less daunting. I have been analyzing past attempts and determine new courses of action.

Today, I read Snazzy First Lines: Seven Styles to Snag the Reader by Stefanie Freele in Writers' Journal (Jan./Feb. 2009). If you haven't read it, it really gives some sound advice on that all important first line. Important because as someone (not sure where I read this in the last three months) said you have one paragraph to capture a publisher. Some don't make it past the first lines.

I realized that part of the problem in the past has been those dreadful first lines. I have never been satisfied with them, and then have sent most of my time trying to find one, essentially giving up after time.

I have a tool now to solve this issue. So, now I feel that I have one less excuse for not finishing what I have tried so many times to start. Happy Writing.

Excuse Me While I Gloat

Over the past two snow days, I made my child read (yes, such a mean mom). She was a struggling beginning reader at the end of kindergarten, and needless to say, I was very worried about her academic future. So, I forced daily reading sessions upon her every day over the summer. She took to them slowly. She finally blossomed into one of the best readers in her class.

But back to my point....

I decided to challenge her a little. I asked her to read her first chapter book. We went through all my old books from when I was her age, and we decided on Judy Blume's Freckle Juice.

We read the snowy Tuesday and Wednesday away. We read about how Marcus Andrew desperately wanting Nicky Lane's freckles because he didn't want to wash his neck and ears. And meddling Sharon selling Andrew a secret recipe for freckle juice. It was wonderful.

She loved it and her confidence soared. Now she believes she was to tackle Superfudge.

Creativity Theory

Do you feel creative today?

Usually a question that I ask myself almost every morning. Yes? No? The answer is always a little different, but I have noticed that the muse inside of me is somehow tied to nature.

Today, it is snowy. We had another snow day, and God willing, we will have another tomorrow, considering that it is still snowing and suppose to continue until 10 p.m. Today has been fairly productive considering that I have devised this little theory.

Okay, the theory: I feel that when nature is most creative that I am most creative. Today, Mother Nature transforms the world with a blanket of snow into a mysterious wonderland.

In Florida this summer, I felt incredibly creative. But each morning, I watch Mother Nature paint the morning sky with breath-taking colors. So, to massage my muse, I think that I am going to add nature shoots to my blog to get the creativity following each morning.

Writing Nook

Yesterday, my husband and I spent several hours (It should have been only 15 mins., but he is thorough if he is nothing) assembling a desk and rearranging our bedroom. Our bedroom is sort an odd size (very large and roomy, but no large enough for a couch or huge recliner).

After the shareholders' meeting several weeks ago, we discussed the problematic layout of our house. We have a nice office in the basement. The problem with that is that it completely takes you out of the fold of things happening upstairs in the "real world".

If I am going to write this summer, I will need to be upstairs, but out of the way. So we spend Friday night creating a writing nook. We found a fabulous little desk and chair at World Market. I took an underutlitized lamp from another area, and now, I have a space.

Living for the Weekend

Every year I reach a point where I am ready for the school year to be over. Being a teacher is a tough job, but I dare say that it becomes dangerous for the exhausted, frazzled, stressed teacher to be in the classroom around the students, who seem to be catching their second wind.

I am ready for the school year to be over, but not for the usual reasons. I am ready because I want to dedicate more time to writing and research. I feel that I will be able to consume more information and expel more quality writing during those months. I find it depressing when I have to put down the magazine or book that I am reading to take up lecturing. I need time.

Let's face it. I am already living for the weekend. So here is to the weekend. Let it be uninterrupted, and Lord, if you are listening, please let the predicted snow and ice schedule for Monday and Tuesday come as scheduled with a fury. Amen.

A Chance to be Productive

I have another day off. No, not because of snow or the inauguration, but because strep throat has struck our house. I took my daughter yesterday to the doctor only to have my suspicions confirmed. The confirmation was followed with the speech that she needed to be on antibotics for 24 hours before returning to school. So, we are having pajama day number two (my daughters favorite days).

But this day does not come without its challenges. The furnance's thermostat is on the fritz, as it is only 66 degrees in the house this morning. I called the heating and cooling guys, and they assured me they would be right over (thank God, I still live in small-enough America).

The second challenge of the day will be taking down over Christmas decorations. Yes, I still have up the Christmas tree and village. Those will be packed away today. I like this time of year, so I tend to put up the decorations early and take down extremely late.

And I will have to allow time to watch the inauguration. Today, a new day dawns in American history. I love it.

Plus, I have papers to grade and many books to read.

Trip to Borders

Since I am off today, I decided to utilize my time by making a trip to Borders bookstore, one of my favorite places to hang out. (And if this writing career does not pan out, I think I will be looking for a job there.)

I was pleasantly surprised by the three shelves on the second for containing endless books of the topic of writing, publishing and markets. I was surprised by the number of Writer's Markets in stock. That either means there are many in my area that share my passion or from the number in stock, not many. But I cannot help but think that there are quite a few considered that they would not order too many in these economic times.

Shelfari

I thought I might take a minute to explain the bookshelf located at the very bottom of my blog page. Thanks to the Alice Pope blog, I joined shelfari. I am an avid reader and lover of books. I frequently find myself in the library wondering if I have read a particular book.

Yes, I have several notebooks with various reading lists scribbled in them, but you know how it is when you are leaving the house, those notebooks are suddenly as well hidden as Hoffa's body. I need help in getting these organized. And the good Lord knows that I have not even come close to listing them all. I still have the bookshelfs at my parents' house to inventory. But this website (http://www.shelfari.com/) does it all for you (organizing, that is), and makes it look like a bookshelf at Borders or Barnes and Nobel. It is wonderful.

I also find that it has inspired me to read more. Especially since I shared the shelf with co-workers. We are all reading more. Several little competitions have sprung up, like who can read the most books this month, who can write the most reviews, etc. We are having a lot of fun.

I have also considered starting a shelf for my daughter (6 years old) since she is really starting to read books on her own. I think she might like to see all the books that she has read over time. We could start with all those childrens' books I read to her.

So if you have the time, check it out. It just may inspire you.

Disappointment at the Library

Taking the advice of several bloggers in the publishing, I went to my local library to explore the section on publishing, writing, etc. I left near tears. Not much to choose from and all of it seriously dated. I did manage to find Stephen King's On Writing and Pen on Fire (a guide for busy women). I thought there would be much more.



I also realized I am going to have to obtain an illegal St. Louis county library card, if I am going to be able to do effective research. This revelation came only after listening someone ask the reference desk manager who Aaron Burr attempted to assassinate, and she had not a clue.



My next stop will have to be Barnes and Nobel and Borders to check out their writing sections. Who knows, maybe I will run into someone in the same position I am currently in.

Audience?

My husband would be an interesting character study. He tries to be supportive of the idea of writing for a living, but he does not understand how you may need uninterrupted time and solitude.

In my shareholders' meeting on Wednesday night, he agreed to ground rules, claiming to understand how serious I was about this, but I should have known. He does not take or support my current job of teaching high school English. He says things like "She doesn't have a real job," or "She works practically half-days." He does not realize all the hours I spend grading papers, planning lessons, making copies at copy machine.

Today as I am trying to type this simply posting, he is chatting away in one ear. At the beginning of the conversation, I didn't mind because he brought up a question I had been mulling over for months - "who is your audience?"

I have no idea. I know that some authors stick in one genre their whole life, others branch out in the same markets, and still others branch out in to several genres in different markets. I find it fascinating. One blogger advised in his post, "write what you read." Well, I am sure you can see from my Shelfari book case at the bottom of the blog, I read pretty much anything that I can get my hands on, and I am trying to branch out even more.

Another blogger suggested, "write to the audience you have the most contact with." I think that is pretty sound advice. I would be writing for my students, but as far as book ideas or even short story ideas, I don't have any.

My husband's advice, "Write for Oprah." I shot back a sarcastic "funny." I thought about writing for my child, but maybe that would narrow my market too much.

And can a writer be successful in several different genres? Or should they work on perfecting one before moving on to the next one? (I believe an editor suggested that in his blog.)

Difficult questions that must be answered soon.

Certain Level of Insanity?

Today, after chatting at length with a self-published writer (and noted pessimist), I realized a certain amount insanity is required to be a writer. Just think about all the impossibilities that one must overcome to actually see his or her piece in print.

Like I said in a previous post, I have spent time mining blogs for advice and tips on the market, the writing process, what is selling, how to make the process easier, etc. And I have already added to what I thought was going to be a long and tedious process.

I realized while I am working on a novel-length submission, I might also want to be working on articles, short stories and contest pieces because many agents like to see accolades and accomplishments on your resume before they take you on for a book deal. (When will I have time for that?)

Not to mention once you have checked off the accolades and accomplishments off the checklist on your way to becoming a published author, then you must work on this "All-Deciding" query letter that just might make or break your career, which may be attached to a synopsis that could be equally damning.

I was told by another writer to have 4 versions of summaries in my arsenal when I approach an agent. The one sentence summary, the 1-2 paragraph summary, the elevator pitch, and the 2-12 page summary (with some rule about 1 page for every 25 pages of writing). All of this has my head completely spinning. And all of this to just land an agent.

Then if I think the agent is going to take over the load of the work, I would be sorely mistaken. There are rewrites and rewrites and rewrites to look forward too. And if you are fortunate enough to survive this, then contracts come and market plans are tossed around for review. And in one to three years, your book will hit the bookshelf at the local Barnes and Nobel or Borders. But in the mean time, you have set yourself for all this abuse again with another manuscript.

That is a lot of energy to be pouring into a project that may never see the light of day. Consider that less than 1% of manuscripts received ever get published. (That is almost enough to make you throw away your new collection of pencils and pens.)

Shareholders' Meeting

Usually, when I attempt to take on a task like this I like to keep it quiet. (You know, like a diet.) I wonder why that is. With a diet, I guess there is a certain level of shame attached. You are admitting that you have gain a significant number of pounds that warrant starving yourself back into some ideal outfit or swimsuit.

But why have I chosen in the past to keep my writing a secret? I guess it goes back to the fear of failure. I also dread those questions that usually follow after an announcement like this.

"How's the writing thing working out for you?"

"Get anything published, yet?"

"How long until I can buy one of your books at Borders or Barnes and Noble?"

These questions are usually asked by the ignorant. They don't understand that it is a process that can be wrought with rejection -- lots of rejection, before one can report great success. Needless to say, these are also often asked by the less creative minds in the world, who only ask about the bottom line. So why do I care what they think?

Because there is something in their questions to consider. How long does one try a keep failing? Can you really try for a lifetime and never succeed? And what if the answer to that question is yes, how do you cope? But these are questions for another time.

Tonight, I am holding the first shareholders' meeting. I realize that this cannot be done alone. I have to have support from my husband and child. They have to be willing to give me at least an hour to work on this a day or I am sunk before I leave the port. They have to invest in my future if this is going to work.

No more diet writing.

The Game Plan

Game plans, action plans, attack plans, working plans, strategic plans, tactical plans…whatever they are called, no one can deny their importance. Everyone has a plan….CEOs, administrators, professional athletes, agents, managers, etc.

So, what is mine?

Several, several years ago, when the St. Louis Rams were still the "Greatest Show on Turf", my husband recommended a short weekend getaway to the Rams training camp. (I guess now is a good time to tell you that I am an avid football fan. So, I did not consider the trip unpleasant.)I took in everything those mornings we sat ogling our gridiron heroes.


I realize now, like a professional athlete preparing for a championship season, I have quite a bit of work to do. Like the Rams, I need to do conditioning drills, attend practice and devise a winning game plan.


But, how does one even sit down and begin to scratch out a playbook? Study game film? Exactly. I have spent the last months reading several blogs from authors, publishers, agents, etc. I mined out a few gems that I believe can get me started. (I would like to mention Alice Pope’s Blog on Children’s Writers’ and Illustrators’ Market. I read her blog first and used it as a way of locating other blogs, using some of her recommendations. Alice, if you ever read this, a heart-felt thank you.)


My Game Plan:

1. Conditioning

• Read, Read, Read.
• Continue to mine blogs for useful information. Any information learned now, can only help later.
• Seek out Critique group and writer's support.

2. Attend Practice

• Write daily on blog.
• Write on project daily. (I believe the quote was "Ass in seat and write."

3. Devise winning plan.

Do I expect this all to work the first time? No. I know that at times I will have to scramble, change course, and punt. The game will never be perfect, but that is why there is half-time.

The Dream

"When we are dreaming alone, it is only a dream. When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality." ~ Dom Helder Camara


I have never written or spoken a word of my dream. The thought of putting it into words terrifies me. In the thoughts that surround this fantasy of mine, I fear the more that share in my dream the greater the failure I will be if nothing becomes of it. This is how I continue to protect myself. This is how I keep myself from typing a single word.


But today is anew, and today I begin the pursuit of a dream that has existed since I was able to scrawl my first words on paper. Today I begin to hold myself accountable. Today I share my dream.

My Dream

The glow of the dawning sun lights the horizon. I realize I only have a few moments to brush my teeth, make my morning coffee, and stretch the remaining sleep from my body. A morning ritual that I never find tiresome even after all these years in this chosen lifestyle.

Rushing to the kitchen with a renewed sense of purpose, I pull the Columbian coffee beans from the freezer and place an amble amount in the self-grinding coffee maker. Checking the natural clock, the only one I follow, I have more than enough time to wait for the coffee to brew and prepare a whole grain bagel. After smearing Strawberry preserves on the bagel, the coffee maker chimes an alert. I pour a cup and trot up the stairs to continue with the best part of the morning.

I enter my favorite place - a rustic office equipped with just enough modern gadgets to still be considered in touch with society. The office is bookshelf lined with all my favorites, except for a small space holding an overstuffed cream-colored loveseat and floor lamp - my reading nook.

I move across the room to a solid wood desk holding a new computer. Flipping the computer on, praying the internet connection won't fail, I pull a tiny remote from the right-hand drawer. Pointing it at a gadget on the shelf, the room fills with music.

I kick back in my office chair, enjoying the coffee, bagel and view. The sun is just peaking over the mountain top, mixing its orange light with the reds and pinks already painted in the sky. I wait for the sun to strengthen, to warm my face, to light the office.

My fingers run over the keys. Today, it comes easily. I am a writer, an author, an artist of words. Successful and self-supported, I have all the time, solitude and muse-rich environment to perfect my craft.

Lofty, I know, but it is my dream. Now, I begin the pursuit of the dream.