House - I mean blog - cleaning

I combined two blogs into one this morning, which was no easy feat.  It was ridiculous to think I could maintain a separate blog for each book I write.  No one has enough interesting things to say to keep two writing blogs active.  Remember that I also maintain two travel blogs.  Enough already.

From this point forward, The Write Thing To Do will be my blog for all things book-related.  My books, your books, you get the idea.

Speaking of my books, I'm working on the third.  The working title is "Hellbent", but that will most certainly change.  I truly plucked it out of my backside with absolutely no thought.  A place holder, that's all.

Like "Fat Chance", the book's setting is the Florida Keys during mini season.  For those who aren't lucky enough to live here, mini season is a three day period in July when people are allowed to harvest legally-sized lobsters from the Florida waters before the commercial season begins.  The event attracts thousands from the mainland.  They rape and pillage our waters, leave their trash behind and infuriate the locals.

The fictional tale has mystery, murder, drugs and human trafficking...and that's just in the first eight chapters.

Stay tuned.  I've no idea where this book is heading or how it will get there.

Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder?

I've been absent from this blog for a few months...do you feel more fond of me because of it?  I thought not.  That particular phrase is a bunch of crap.

I think it's time to combine blogs.  I can't keep up a blog for each novel I write; it just doesn't make sense.  Let's be honest; I don't have enough interesting things to say to keep several blogs going.  In addition to this one, I maintain one for Fat Chance

http://pattilavellfatchance.blogspot.com/

and two others for my travel adventures with my daughter:
http://walkmyfatass.blogspot.com/
http://willwalkforguinness.blogspot.com/

It's too much.  No one wants to hear from one person on that many fronts.

I hope you'll bear with me during the construction phase.  I've no idea what I'll do, but when I'm done there will be one blog for all of my writing efforts and it will be called....um....well, what would you suggest?  I welcome your brilliant ideas for a title for the new, combined blog.

Perhaps I should consult the Pope.

Feeling Special

I just found out that out of over one hundred submissions, I was chosen as one of the thirty authors to participate in a book festival at Rochester Central Library (about 15 miles east of my hometown).  I consider that a pretty cool accomplishment.

The day begins with some workshops in self-publishing (those would have probably been helpful to me a year ago!) and then from 2:30 - 4:30pm, all of the authors set up in the Kate Gleason Auditorium to sell books.  Where better to sell books than at a library, right?!  Seems like the perfect crowd, except maybe for setting up a table in the vestibule of a Catholic church....

I'll be in full nunnery, of course.  I've grown quite attached to my habit.  Would it bother you to know that I sometimes wear it around the house, late in the evenings...carrying a glass of red wine.  Its very comfortable and makes me feel good.  My husband pretends not to notice but I sometimes catch him giving me a sideways glance.  When that happens, I bow my head and pretend to bless him from across the room.

Your Jesus Knickers Are Too Tight

The latest Amazon review of "Confessions" is titled "Garbage".

It's certainly attention-getting, I'll give her that.  Very catchy.

I suppose most people would be upset by such a review, but quite honestly, it made my day.  To know I was able to evoke such strong emotion was enough for me.  My writing was enough to make poor Kathleen actually vomit!!  I'd call that a success, not garbage.

I'd venture a guess that she wouldn't enjoy my company any more than she enjoyed my book.  Loosen those Jesus knickers, Kathleen, and try to laugh.

Life is too short to worry about a one-star review!  Now where's me flask?


Here's that little darling's review:

"So very sad.....sad situation but hard to feel sorry for the charachter; I was too busy vomitting and feeling sorry for myself that I actually paid for this. The description sounded appealing to me and I thought it might mimic my upbringing in a comedic light but this was just garbage from the very beginning. The main character is actually quite tragic but I was so repulsed by her descriptive view on life that I just couldn't find it within myself to connect."

And We Have A Decision!

After much angst about what passages to read at this weekend's book event in BrockVegas, NY (known by most as Brockport), I've finally made a decision.  Drum roll, please.

The Wedding!  You may recall Patti Anne was desperate to win the affections of her soon-to-be sister-in-law's brother.  (Confusing, I know.  All you really need to understand is that it was a man.)  They were paired together in the wedding party and Patti Anne was smitten.  She came up with a brilliant strategy...or so she thought.  She duct taped bowls inside the bodice of her dress to replicate the ginormous rack of Dolly Parton.  It worked.  Until one of the bowls fell out and smashed on the floor of the church.

Hopefully, the chapter will warm the hearts of those in attendance.  Who doesn't cherish a good boob story?

Now, what shall I read from my latest release, "Fat Chance"?

A Reading From the Book According to...

I was really excited (and surprised!) when asked by A Different Path Gallery, of Brockport, NY, to do a book reading.  Of course I immediately said yes.  Duh.

That was April.  It is now late September.  The reading is in October.  It's becoming more of a reality and I'm getting worked up.  All in good ways, I assure you.

The very lovely Christine Green is organizing the event, and what an event it promises to be!  It's to be held on the 28th of October as a costume party!  Get this; special prizes will be awarded to those wearing religious vestments!!  I love how the gallery is embracing the humorous backdrop of the book.  Life is too short for stuffy, serious literary readings.  At least if I'm involved.

The event is free to the public and ...hello, we'll be drinking wine.  Not that crap they serve from the altar, either.

So as I iron my habit and count my Rosary beads, I contemplate what passages to share with those in attendance.  I doubt they will be a very religious crowd.  God help them if they are.  I suspect at least of handful of them will have already read the book and are familiar with Patti Anne and her Aunt Elizabeth.

I believe the plan is to drink wine and talk for a bit, then have a reading followed by more wine and then another reading.  The event is slotted for two hours...

I'm asking you to share your thoughts about what passages to choose.  I am at a loss and relying on your wisdom to guide me.

Good thing I have a sense of humor...

Time for a New Blog?

I've written over 200 pages of my second book, Fat Chance, which I hope to release late this year.  Those of you who know me well, know that I don't outline or plan these things; I just let them happen.  That means, of course, that I have no idea how close I am to finishing the book!

The main character continues to do things I hadn't expected.  She's quite a woman.  I honestly have no idea where it's headed, how it will end or when it'll be finished.  What I do know is that the quality will far exceed that of my first book.  I've learned a little bit and worked on some things.  I'm very proud of "Confessions" (very), but book number two will be better.

I wonder if it's time to begin a new blog for "Fat Chance"?  Is Daphne Schneider ready for her own piece of cyberspace?  Do you want to get to know her?