by Marsha Ward
When I read about Robyn's book trailer, then went to see it, I was awestruck at her accomplishment and thought I should go and do likewise - someday. I put the notion of doing a couple of trailers for my novels into the overflowing "to-do someday" section of my brain. Then I set out to find the Movie Maker on my computer so I'd be ready for "someday."
At first I couldn't find it. That must have triggered my "By dang! I'm going to do this now" contrariness quirk, so when I discovered that the software was indeed residing on my 'puter, I launched into a two-day stint of creativity.
Since I had some people check out my first efforts to portray The Man from Shenandoah on electronic video and got good suggestions to implement, and since my second version wasn't quite perfect either, I can't direct you to the exact location of my fledgling book trailer today. However, once I take my handy flash drive into town tomorrow and use my laptop at a free broadband hotspot so the upload doesn't take an hour like today's did, I'll come back here and add the address for youTube.
Besides, youTube is undergoing a scheduled maintenance.
--->youTube address for the Book Trailer is right here<---
In the meantime, let me tell you a bit of how I'm feeling in the aftermath of this outpouring of adrenaline.
I searched for the perfect words, the perfect music, the perfect images to convey the essence of The Man from Shenandoah. In all humility, I had help. This whole Internet thing--the ability to search a myriad of places for resources, the miracle of youTube and similar sites--is simply amazing. I must acknowledge, as well, that as I progressed through this process I had heavenly help. My heart is full of gratitude for the tender mercies I've received in my quest to do the best job I could.
When I began, I found a bunch of pictures that I thought would help sell my book. One by one I pared them out of the film. Instead, I used mostly titles set against a rich almost-maroon background that echoes the book cover. Review quotes are on a color that picks up the grays in the cover. Perfect grace brought me the image of a young red-headed pioneer woman in a red dress.
The first music didn't work for me. Then I found a piece that is lilting, haunting, evocative of the emotions in the novel. When I made my final cut and listened over and over as I watched the images flash by, I was astounded to notice that a certain melodic theme played as the girl stared at me, and it was repeated, more softly, at the sight of the book cover, The Man from Shenandoah himself. I realized that the pizzacato strings under the solo violin and the throbbing *bass viol lines accentuate the fact that these people traveled via animal power, with clip-clopping hooves an ever-present sound. Who would've thunk that a piece by the Baroque master composer Vivaldi would so well suit a tale of distressed Americans on the move to the West?
I didn't.
My soul is soaring.
Edited to add the youTube address.
*Yeah, it might be a cello playing, but my first impression was that it is a string bass, so I wrote it that way.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Novel Trailer
So I've been playing on my Movie Maker program today to create a trailer for one of my novels. I had a ball and even used my daughter's eyes as one of the photos. The book's been out a while, but I thought it would still be fun to create a trailer and see what interest it generates. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Just click the link below, you know, the one that says Against My Will. Yeah, right there below this text.
Against My Will
Sunday, September 28, 2008
60,000
By Marcia Mickelson
I just reached 60,000 words in my manuscript on Friday. What a great feeling. This is the quickest writing I have ever done. I started this manuscript in March, took a few months off to move, and dug right back in a few months ago.
It usually takes me much, much longer to finish a manuscript. The last 2 books took me over 4 years combined. I'm not a fast writer. It's hard to carve out the time.
I am doing a (BIAM) Book in A Month in October, hosted by Tristi Pinkston. I'm hoping that I can finish the rough draft of this manuscript by the end of October. This will be the 4th BIAM that I do for this manuscript, and I don't think I'd be this close to finishing it if I hadn't participated in those. It really gives me accountability, like I have to write because you have signed up to write. I need accountability to help me make progress.
Anyone who is up for the challenge, sign up at Tristi's blog and write, write, write this month.
I just reached 60,000 words in my manuscript on Friday. What a great feeling. This is the quickest writing I have ever done. I started this manuscript in March, took a few months off to move, and dug right back in a few months ago.
It usually takes me much, much longer to finish a manuscript. The last 2 books took me over 4 years combined. I'm not a fast writer. It's hard to carve out the time.
I am doing a (BIAM) Book in A Month in October, hosted by Tristi Pinkston. I'm hoping that I can finish the rough draft of this manuscript by the end of October. This will be the 4th BIAM that I do for this manuscript, and I don't think I'd be this close to finishing it if I hadn't participated in those. It really gives me accountability, like I have to write because you have signed up to write. I need accountability to help me make progress.
Anyone who is up for the challenge, sign up at Tristi's blog and write, write, write this month.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Good Reviews, Bad Reviews...ouch.
When you become a writer, you put your work out there for public scrutiny and you have to expect that not everyone will love it.
More often than not, reviews are positive. There are always a few bad reviews, though, and I do have to say it feels a bit like a slap in the face. Or a massive kick in the gut, depending on the tactlessness of the reviewer. You know, though, as a writer who aims for publication, you have to expect that you're opening yourself up for criticism and when people plunk down their hard-earned cash, they have a right to totally blast your baby to the nether regions of space.
So why is it that an author can get a gajillion good reviews, feel pretty good about things, and then get a few bad ones and feel absolutely horrible? Why is the bad stuff so much more powerful, so much easier to believe? Maybe it's the Eeyore in me coming out. It's a good thing I married a Tigger.
Well, when it's all said and done, I have this sage advice for new writers who are facing the harsh barbs of non-fans. Shake it off, read the good reviews, eat a pint of Hagen Daas, (throw it back up, depending on your level of guilt), and then get back to work.
In the excellent words of Judith McNaught (or perhaps I'll just paraphrase since I can't find the actual quote), you can't please all of the people all of the time, and you definitely cannot please those who don't want to be pleased. Some people don't want to be pleased by your work, and it's really ok. That's the beauty of multiple authors, multiple readers, multiple genres.
But a word to those who review- take a page from Jennie Hansen, reviewer extraordinaire for Meridian. You can be honest and still be kind.
My skin thanks you.
More often than not, reviews are positive. There are always a few bad reviews, though, and I do have to say it feels a bit like a slap in the face. Or a massive kick in the gut, depending on the tactlessness of the reviewer. You know, though, as a writer who aims for publication, you have to expect that you're opening yourself up for criticism and when people plunk down their hard-earned cash, they have a right to totally blast your baby to the nether regions of space.
So why is it that an author can get a gajillion good reviews, feel pretty good about things, and then get a few bad ones and feel absolutely horrible? Why is the bad stuff so much more powerful, so much easier to believe? Maybe it's the Eeyore in me coming out. It's a good thing I married a Tigger.
Well, when it's all said and done, I have this sage advice for new writers who are facing the harsh barbs of non-fans. Shake it off, read the good reviews, eat a pint of Hagen Daas, (throw it back up, depending on your level of guilt), and then get back to work.
In the excellent words of Judith McNaught (or perhaps I'll just paraphrase since I can't find the actual quote), you can't please all of the people all of the time, and you definitely cannot please those who don't want to be pleased. Some people don't want to be pleased by your work, and it's really ok. That's the beauty of multiple authors, multiple readers, multiple genres.
But a word to those who review- take a page from Jennie Hansen, reviewer extraordinaire for Meridian. You can be honest and still be kind.
My skin thanks you.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Did You See It?
by Elodia Strain
Last year, as far as I remember, September 25th passed without much fanfare.
Not so of this year. Because if the buzz at my local grocery store, doctor’s office, and library—not to mention hundreds of thousands of Facebook pages—are any indication, September 25th was nothing short of a holiday this year.
Why, you ask. Well, the Season Premiere of The Office, of course.
Yes, I watched it. And then as I read a book just before bed, I thought about the show. And I came to a very strange conclusion: I really should hate The Office.
I mean, in its four seasons (and one episode), the show has managed to make jokes about the elderly, the mentally handicapped, and those who don’t wear a size four. Plus, it’s included a number of degrading comments and storylines about women and minorities, and even poked fun at depression and suicide.
When I put it all down like that, I can’t help but wonder: Why the heck do I like this show? Why do millions of people like this show?
Is it because we live in a society where everything we say can get us into trouble? An age of political correctness that causes us to breath a sigh of relief that the ole’ First Amendment is alive and well.
Or is it simpler than all that? Is it the fact that, mixed in with all the non-pc humor, is sheer ingenuity? I mean, Jim sending faxes to Dwight from “Future Dwight”—I’m laughing just thinking about it. Do those moments sort of make us excuse the rest?
What do you think? Am I concerning myself over nothing? Or should I be worried that I’m willing to put up with so much that makes me cringe for those genius moments?
I don’t know if I want to know.
Because I really want to watch next week.
Not so of this year. Because if the buzz at my local grocery store, doctor’s office, and library—not to mention hundreds of thousands of Facebook pages—are any indication, September 25th was nothing short of a holiday this year.
Why, you ask. Well, the Season Premiere of The Office, of course.
Yes, I watched it. And then as I read a book just before bed, I thought about the show. And I came to a very strange conclusion: I really should hate The Office.
I mean, in its four seasons (and one episode), the show has managed to make jokes about the elderly, the mentally handicapped, and those who don’t wear a size four. Plus, it’s included a number of degrading comments and storylines about women and minorities, and even poked fun at depression and suicide.
When I put it all down like that, I can’t help but wonder: Why the heck do I like this show? Why do millions of people like this show?
Is it because we live in a society where everything we say can get us into trouble? An age of political correctness that causes us to breath a sigh of relief that the ole’ First Amendment is alive and well.
Or is it simpler than all that? Is it the fact that, mixed in with all the non-pc humor, is sheer ingenuity? I mean, Jim sending faxes to Dwight from “Future Dwight”—I’m laughing just thinking about it. Do those moments sort of make us excuse the rest?
What do you think? Am I concerning myself over nothing? Or should I be worried that I’m willing to put up with so much that makes me cringe for those genius moments?
I don’t know if I want to know.
Because I really want to watch next week.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Of Large Mammals and Inner Ears
by Marsha Ward
I almost hit an elk last night.
It was that time of evening when full dark hasn't come down but it isn't really light, either. That time when your driving lights aren't effective and you can't use your brights because of oncoming traffic.
That ghostly, dangerous time of evening when a big bull elk moving across the road in front of you looks like a dun shadow with brown markings, and you hit your brakes and swerve.
And miss it.
Your heart beats a rapid tattoo in your chest and you try to settle your ragged breathing. You pay stricter attention and drive a few miles per hour slower.
~~
I'd been down in the Valley to the doctor's to check out some blood work. The nurse mentioned that I felt warm as she took my blood pressure. I mentioned my itchy ears and scratchy throat to the doc as he took my temp, so he checked them. 99.1 and the left ear and throat both red. That accounts for my logy feeling of late. He gave me a 'script to fill or not, if I prefer to try the rest-liquids-extra vitamins-gargling route. I'm going for the latter, and that's why I'm headed back to bed.
My head feels full of cotton, but a heavy variety of cotton. I'm a bit dizzy, from the ear infection, I'll warrant.
I'd feel a whole lot worse if I'd hit the elk.
I almost hit an elk last night.
It was that time of evening when full dark hasn't come down but it isn't really light, either. That time when your driving lights aren't effective and you can't use your brights because of oncoming traffic.
That ghostly, dangerous time of evening when a big bull elk moving across the road in front of you looks like a dun shadow with brown markings, and you hit your brakes and swerve.
And miss it.
Your heart beats a rapid tattoo in your chest and you try to settle your ragged breathing. You pay stricter attention and drive a few miles per hour slower.
~~
I'd been down in the Valley to the doctor's to check out some blood work. The nurse mentioned that I felt warm as she took my blood pressure. I mentioned my itchy ears and scratchy throat to the doc as he took my temp, so he checked them. 99.1 and the left ear and throat both red. That accounts for my logy feeling of late. He gave me a 'script to fill or not, if I prefer to try the rest-liquids-extra vitamins-gargling route. I'm going for the latter, and that's why I'm headed back to bed.
My head feels full of cotton, but a heavy variety of cotton. I'm a bit dizzy, from the ear infection, I'll warrant.
I'd feel a whole lot worse if I'd hit the elk.
Monday, September 22, 2008
On Waiting ... Interpreters ... Pagan Gods ....
First of all, I'd like to say welcome to our new Ink Lady! I look forward to reading your posts.
Ahh ... news? I'm still waiting, how's that? It's going to happen though. I can feel it.
I had a friend read my newest novel the other day, the one the publisher's still holding onto - he loved it - raved about it in fact. He did correct a few of my Spanish mistakes. No, I don't speak Spanish. Yes, I did use some Spanish in my new book. I also used some Nahuatl, but haven't found anyone who speaks that language to do any proofing yet. I believe I'm okay on that one as I used a pretty decent online translator for the words I needed.
I also used the names of a dozen Aztec gods. My mother's biggest complaint was that she couldn't pronounce any of their names. How do you pronounce Huitzilopotchli anyway? Actually, I figured them all out and my friend, the one who knows Spanish, can pronounce them all!
Tomorrow ... yes, I believe I'll visualize an acceptance tomorrow. I do have to warn you that I may not wait for my scheduled blogging day to post my good news though.
Ahh ... news? I'm still waiting, how's that? It's going to happen though. I can feel it.
I had a friend read my newest novel the other day, the one the publisher's still holding onto - he loved it - raved about it in fact. He did correct a few of my Spanish mistakes. No, I don't speak Spanish. Yes, I did use some Spanish in my new book. I also used some Nahuatl, but haven't found anyone who speaks that language to do any proofing yet. I believe I'm okay on that one as I used a pretty decent online translator for the words I needed.
I also used the names of a dozen Aztec gods. My mother's biggest complaint was that she couldn't pronounce any of their names. How do you pronounce Huitzilopotchli anyway? Actually, I figured them all out and my friend, the one who knows Spanish, can pronounce them all!
Tomorrow ... yes, I believe I'll visualize an acceptance tomorrow. I do have to warn you that I may not wait for my scheduled blogging day to post my good news though.
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