Watching a Writer Write

                  
                                                                  by Trina Boice
                                                                 www.trinaboice.com

One of the things I love about writing books is that I get to meet other authors.  I especially love getting to know creative fiction authors who think outside of the box.  Many of my non-fiction books have become best-sellers, but writing engaging fiction seems way too hard to me.

A good author friend of mine, Steve Booth, has just started a new project that is really imaginative and engages readers in a new way.  He's inviting readers to participate in a story as it unfolds online at: http://www.stevenmbooth.com/?page_id=201&cpage=1

Here is what he had to say on his latest blog post as he explains the project:
"Over the last several months, we have been working on a new way to present fantasy material on the web. Of course, there have been many excellent examples of storytelling – eBooks, multi-path stories, even full-blown, immersive role-paying games.

These all fall short, however, when it comes to one thing — engaging readers in the creative (and sometimes challenging) process of writing a story from scratch. What we thought would be very cool, interesting for all, and also instructive, is to actually create, under the watchful eye of an author, a short story, interactively, over a period of several weeks, and to let everyone have a chance to contribute and make suggestions about how it should go. In short — you get to do the fun stuff, and I have to do the work. We call it an ‘eStory’.

Each new iteration of the eStory will consist of two or more parallel story tracks, based on the suggestions and selections made by all those that wish to contribute. Thus, although I have a pretty good idea of where our tale will lead, it is in a very real sense ‘organic’ – how we get to our destination has not yet been determined.

SO… if you’re curious, if you’ve ever wondered how folks come up with these fantastical characters and worlds, please join us on our adventure. We’re calling it ‘The Legend of Talimar’.  In addition, it will be possible for anyone to comment, critique, ask questions, and suggest alternative paths that might be interesting to follow.

After everyone has a chance to respond, we will create at least two, or perhaps more alternative paths for the story to take, like the waters in a stream parting around a rock.    Later on, the two paths will rejoin the main plot of the story, but in the interim, new and interesting things will be revealed; things no one had suspected; things I never considered, perhaps!

After a number of installments (we're thinking like 10-12), we'll conclude the tale with a really cool climax and finale, and we'll provide some special secrets for those who also want to continue with the follow-on volume, Dark Talisman."

Go support my buddy and check out his fun project at:
http://www.stevenmbooth.com/?page_id=201&cpage=1

Literary Agents Tweet Their Authors Right

                                                                     by Trina Boice
                                                                  http://www.boicebox.com/

Literary agents do a LOT of reading, but they also do a lot of talking too, and these days, they're doing both on Twitter.

If you're looking for an agent, wanting to learn from the pros, or simply hoping to connect online, check out the following literary agents who are Tweeting up a storm.  Of course, the list isn't exhaustive; I only included those who looked like real book nerds or had an entertaining description.  After all, if you're going to use an agent, you want one who is truly addicted to good literature, is creative, and has a sense of humor, right?

Laurie Abkemeier: Literary Agent (former Editor), Looking for the Next Big Thing, home of the AGENT OBVIOUS TIP OF THE DAY
Jason Allen Ashlock: Founder of Movable Type Literary Group
Holly Bemiss: Literary Agent. Working to rescue cool writers from obscurity, one book at a time
Carole Blake: Literary agent with a fabulous list of wonderful clients, author of FROM PITCH TO PUBLICATION on how to get published
Michael Bourret: Literary Agent, bran muffin enthusiast and nerdy cat person
Lucy Carson: I’m a literary agent living in NYC, eating as many fried foods as youth allows, and generally ready with an opinion at all times, on everything.
Jill Corcoran: Agent with Herman Agency representing MG and YA authors.
Erin Cox: Gun For Hire
John M Cusick: Author of the young adult novel GIRL PARTS. Literary agent with Scott Treimel NY. Managing fiction editor at Armchair/Shotgun. Mostly harmless.
Greg Daniel: Literary agent, sumo wrestler.
Stacia Decker: Literary agent specializing in crime/mystery fiction.
Brian DeFiore: Literary agent, publishing geek, former editor/publisher, pretty good dad of two teenage girls.
Stephany Evans: Lit agent on the run. Love good food, good wine, good books, and good roads.
Natalie M. Fischer: Literary Agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, making my way through adventures in agent land.
Miss Daisy Frost: London lit agent and general mischief maker around town.
Louise Fury: Literary Agent, Marketing advocate and general lover of books.
Rachelle Gardner: Literary agent, firefighter’s wife, mom of two awesome girls, Starbucks freak.
Kate Garrick: I like books and i like food; i only like one of those things professionally.
Jonny Geller: literary agent & md of Curtis brown books. Publishing is not a closed book. It just looks like it sometimes.
Kathryn Helmers: Creative Trust agent.
Kristina Holmes: Non-fiction book agent, author advocate, obsessed with nut butters. Often found curled up with a book in one hand and a spoonful of peanut butter in the other.
Weronika Janczuk: Lit agent with D4EO Literary + writer (YA/lit/hist fiction). Lover of witty books, ’80s ♫, tea
Elizabeth Jote: Slushpile Warrior. Bibliophile. Horder of paper. Literary Agent. Chameleon. Random howler from inside the publishing beast.
Deidre Knight: Literary Agent and multi-published author of romance/women’s fiction who loves to travel to far away places, mentally and geographically.
Mary Kole: Kidlit enthusiast and associate agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency!
Jennifer Laughran: “Literary agent at andrea brown lit, children’s bookseller, reader, raconteur, eccentric multi-millionaire and patron of the arts… and some of those are lies”
Kevan Lyon: Literary Agent, historical fiction fanatic, dog lover, beach walker…
Alexandra Machinist: Literary agent. Cultural explorer. Voracious reader. New Yorker. Observer. Sometime Nancy Drew. Sometime Carmen Sandiego. Lover of sandwiches.
Lauren E. MacLeod: A literary agent @strothmanagency with an emphasis in YA and MG fiction and nonfiction. Opinions are my own
Jean Martha: Lit Agent. Potty Mouth. Per @DonLinn you should follow me for NYC cab ride and bus commentary, general fun-and-games, wine-soaked lunches and baked goods
Anthony Mattero: NYC Rookie, Lit Agent, Philly Sports Apologist
Sara Megibow: Associate Literary Agent at Nelson Literary Agency. Publishing and parenting – that’s most of it. Some reading and skiing thrown in for sanity.
Brianne Mulligan: Once an editor, always an editor… But now I’m an agent.
Dana Newman: Tech/contracts/intellectual property lawyer, literary agent, mom, book lover, runner
Laura Nolan: literary agent, digital opportunist, foodie
Ayesha Pande: Literary agent, citizen of the world, lover of the written word, proprietor of boutique agency and book nerd
Jason Pinter: Bestselling thriller writer, upcoming ZEKE BARTHOLOMEW series for young readers, agent at the Waxman Literary Agency, HuffPo Books columnist, publishing wonk.
Barbara Poelle: literary agent, theater wife, professional Polish vodka sampler, it could get a little weird.
Chris Richman: Kid’s book agent, music snob, Philadelphia sports fanatic.
Holly Root: Literary agent, theater wife, cat person, iphone addict.
Elana Roth: Brooklynite, children’s book agent, Squarespace support-team member, semi-pro Jew, bourbon drinker. I work for lots of people. None of these tweets are theirs.
Tamar Rydzinski: Literary agent, mom, Washington Heights resident, scared of dogs
Meredith Smith: Literary agent, Episcopalian, flag football player, reluctant Tweeter.
Rebecca Sherman: Literary Agent at Writers House. Midwesterner transplanted to NYC. Musical theater loving, pop culture addict vegetarian.
Laura Strachan: literary agent representing literary fiction and narrative nonfiction. Loves books, art, theatre — compelling stories, well told.
Kari Stuart: I’m a literary agent in NYC. When I’m not reading fabulous new, unpublished books, you can find me testing new recipes or running in the park with my dogs.
Suzie Townsend: book lover, former HS teacher, literary agent, sci-fi/fantasy nerd, and owner of an unused $6000 wedding dress. love my life.
Joanna Volpe: NYC lit agent and lover of pizza.
Michelle Wolfson: I’m a literary agent. Check out my site and if you think we’re a fit, let me know. Otherwise just support my authors and buy their books!

The Sauntering Society

By TRINA BOICE

"It is a great art to saunter."  So wrote Henry David Thoreau over 100 years ago.  He used to saunter four hours a day, explaining that the origins of the term "saunter" comes from the Middle Ages, when wandering pilgrims would beg for alms to finance their journey to “la Saint Terre,” the Holy Land. Such people became known as saint-terrers, or saunterers.  I've known some people who consider a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing. 

I remember the first time I learned of Henry David Thoreau and read his famous "Walden."  I had just graduated from college and was recovering from a car accident, stuck in bed with hours upon hours to read.  I was intrigued with his quest to discover the greater meaning of life and I admired his commitment to simplify his life by living off the land in quiet contemplation.  He built a tiny 1 room "house" where he LIVED for 1 year, 1 month, 1 week, and 1 day.  If I weren't so addicted to ice cream and movies I would do the same.

I tried to imagine myself next to him on his adventure and wondered if I'd even be able to withstand the solitude. I wondered if I would be creative enough to keep myself entertained and inspired or if my brain would start to hurt after the first day of attempting prolonged deep thought.

Some consider Thoreau to have been a hermit, although he sauntered into town and visited with friends every few days. Now that my days are filled with never-ending tasks and sounds, I envy Thoreau's stillness. Oh, to have time to sit and think in perfect silence! Unexpectedly this autumn, I found myself in beautiful Concord, sauntering around Walden! A business trip took me to Boson, only a stone's throw from Thoreau's beloved pond.  It was almost dusk, but my husband and I were determined to saunter.
 

Markers indicate the location where Thoreau's "home" stood, overlooking the pond he made immortal with his words.  For a brief moment in time, life was simple.  We walked and walked, taking in every breath of crisp, Fall air. 

 Ducks swam by.  The wind kissed our chilled cheeks.  The fallen leaves crunched under our feet.  It was perfect.

According to my family's pedigree chart, Ralph Waldo Emmerson and I are related.  Until I visited Concord, I never realized that the Walden property was actually owned by Ralph Waldo Emmerson's father.  I suddenly felt an even greater connection to this place.  Ralph and Henry were not only contemporaries, but good friends who shared a love for this very spot on earth.  Oh, to be a fly on the wall of Thoreau's home when Emmerson came to visit him!  Both inspiring writers found comfort and wisdom in nature and stillness...a reminder to me to turn off the TV and free my mind on a long walk outside.  

Thoreau says it best..."So we saunter toward the Holy Land; till one day the sun shall shine more brightly than ever he has done, shall perchance shine into our minds and hearts, and light up our whole lives with a great awakening light, so warm and serene and golden as on a bank-side in autumn."

"Altared Plans" Book Trailer Contest

by Rebecca Talley

Who doesn't love contests?

I want to spread the word about my LDS romance Altared Plans. After all, what better Christmas gift than a light-hearted romance novel?

I created a book trailer and would love to have you post it on your blog or on Facebook. If you do, I'll enter you into a contest to win a $20.00 gift certificate to Amazon. Here's the rules:

1. Post my book trailer on your blog or on Facebook. Here's the url to pick up the embed code.
2. Leave a comment here and let me know you posted it and the address of your blog or Facebook page.
3. Deadline to enter is November 15th at midnight. I'll choose a random winner on November 16th and post it here. Be sure to check back to see if you've won.
4. You can enter each time you post it to a blog or post it to Facebook.



Thanks for participating in the contest and helping me promote Altared Plans.