Friday Fun Facts: A Random Assortment of Thoughts

In no particular order, some interesting tidbits from my week:

A beta reader returned my novella "Tequila Sunrise" telling me she liked the story but thought there were too many coincidences and that the hero had too mnuch baggage. I always love another reader's perspective! Funny that I gave the hero quite a few qualities of a friend I know, baggage included. So maybe he's realistic but that's not someone we want to read about in a romance, huh?

One of my College English students remarked that he liked reading poetry for the first time in his school career because we weren't analyzing it to death, weren't swinging a giant fireman's hose at it to beat it to death and make it turn up its every suggested meaning. Made me laugh.

I want to write 2-3 other novellas around the same idea as "Tequila Sunrise", featuring minor characters that reappear as major ones. And so I need some good drink names for titles. I think "Sex on the Beach" might work. But I don't really want to go raunchy as much as intriguing/suggestive. Any ideas?

Happy early Mother's Day to all the moms out there who work so hard for their families and provide so much love and support - including my own :)

And finally, TGIF!

Monday Mentionables: What Should I Talk About?

"Chautauqua is dedicated to the exploration of the best in human values and the enrichment of life through a program that explores the important religious, social and political issues of our times; stimulates provocative, thoughtful involvement of individuals and families in creative response to such issues; and promotes excellence and creativity in the appreciation, performance and teaching of the arts."


I'm happy to announce another appearance I've just scheduled for this summer: I'll be giving a talk at the Cortland County Chatauqua Festival on the evening of August 2. This is a local couple of days of workshops on a variety of topics, in my hometown, and I was invited at the end of last year to plan to attend in 2011. I'm excited and always love doing talks and signings in my local area, so of course I said yes! The concept actually comes from the concept of the Chatauqua Institute, a summer series of lectures and events intended for people's general enrichment. It originated and still takes place on the shores of Chatauqua Lake, in western New York (I've spent some time there; it's beautiful).

Here's my question to all of you: what do you think listeners would like to hear? Some will probably know me/know of me. Most probably won't. I'm billed as an author who grew up in the area, and I'll have my published books with me. What do you think people would like to hear me speak about? How I got into writing? My advice for those who want to write/publish? The world of ebooks and how technology is affecting publishing today? I have about 40 minutes total.

Any thoughts welcome!