A Snippet

It's the last stop on the A Clash of Innocents launch month blog tour, and it somehow feels right ending up at the site of Debi Alper.  To me, she has come to symbolize what blogging means - friendship, humour, comraderie, sensibility and silliness, and the knowledge that although there's a huge world out there, we can always find our own place in it.

Debi has been reading this new novel of mine and is right now, as we speak, posting an excerpt of it on her blog here for your delectation.....

I have no idea which section she's chosen.  Let's go see, shall we?  And thanks for coming along on this ride.

Watching Tim Bring Up Charlie

Well, I'm nearing the one-month mark since the launch of A Clash of Innocents and that means one more week of my blog tour.  There will be other interviews and blog stops coming up, but today and Thursday will mark the end of what I guess I'm thinking of as "the concerted effort."  More on Thursday's stop on Thursday.....but for now let's head over to visit Tim, the dotterel, and the ever-adorable Charlie.  Turn left at the roundabout and you'll find us here where we're talking about what its like trying to write and raise kids at the same time, traveling with kids, tensions between generations, and music (ah yes, always music...)

Book Clubs

One of the great pleasures of promoting a book, not to mention having a book to promote in the first place, is visiting book clubs.  To me, the incredible profusion of book clubs of all types, sizes, interests and genders is a key sign that our civilization is still alive and kicking.  Surely, the fact that people are not only reading books - be they paper or electronic - but are sharing the experience and discussing it must be a sign of cultural health.  That's why I've insisted that both of my novels have a ready-made list of Book Club Questions in the back -- to urge readers to sit for an additional moment with the book, to reflect and to share. 

I was lucky enough to meet with several book clubs to discuss "Tangled Roots." Invariably, they started out by apologizing for not being "serious" enough, or for using the Book Club as an excuse to get together over a meal and/or a drink.  But is that something to apologize for? Absolutely not! What could be better than using a book as a social motivator, a springboard to discussion and (dare I say it) fun?

So I have done it again with "A Clash of Innocents." I've drawn up a list of discussion points and I hope readers will feel free to use them to jump start a chat or an argument or just a toast to the powers of literature.  I thought I'd share them with you all now (with some minor changes so as not to spoil the plot):
      * Historic events continue to have an impact on the lives of the characters. What is the role of history in the novel? In what way does history continue into the present?
      * Deborah reacts strongly to Amanda's response to The Baby.  Why does she treat Amanda the way that she does, and is her response cruel or kind?
      * How does Kyle change over the course of the story? What causes these changes?
      * What is the meaning of family as portrayed in the novel?
      * Why does Amanda make the final decision that she does?

I'd love to start a discussion on the blog about any of these, if anyone is interested.  I am also now scheduling times when I'll go to book club meetings themselves to meet with readers and discuss with them in person the book and the process of writing it.  As many of you know, I travel a lot. A lot! And I love to travel. So invite me to come to your group - anywhere - and if it is at all possible, I will come (and at my own expense, usually). I think it would be fun for both of us.

Off to Deb's Shed

What is it about sheds that seems so romantic, so blissful and otherworldly (Alex Johnson and Sarah Salway -- are you out there and nodding your heads?)? My blogging friend, Debs, has invited me over to her shed in the Channel Islands for a good old fashioned chin wag about writing and writerly things, and of course, about A Clash of Innocents. Come join us, please. It's lovely in here....

DJ Kirkby: "Without Alice" and then over to Lane....

I have known DJ Kirkby for several years now, first as  a blogging buddy and now as a real life friend. She is a woman of great generosity and heart, both of which are evident in her new novel, Without Alice, published by Punked Books:
     Have you ever had a secret? One so important that it feels as if it will tear you in two? Stephen's got one. He's also got a great job, beautiful wife and an adorable son. Outwardly, his life seems perfect but it means nothing without Alice.
DJ really does write from the heart and her characters are drawn with great sensitivity and care. And when you read her blog, you find that she applies these same qualities to her life -- a life which seems to me to be enormously full and enormously busy. I like to use book publications as opportunities to ask authors questions that may be of interest or help to both readers and writers alike.  The question I longed to ask DJ led to the following conversation:

I recently read a quote by Marilynne Robinson (“Gilead”, “Home”, “Housekeeping” and many non-fiction titles as well) which said that she doesn’t believe that writing should ever be a full-time job. Interesting. I know you have a job, several blogs, a family as well as your creative writing. The mind boggles at how you keep it all straight. It makes me wonder if you think Robinson is correct.  Do you think that having other jobs helps your writing? 

I am a midwife and I think that had a great influence on certain scenes in "Without Alice".

And how do you juggle your time? 

I don’t juggle my time very successfully. My jobs have to come first because they help to pay our mortgage, as well as luxuries like riding lessons for our youngest son. Family time comes next on my list of very important things to enjoy. Writing slots into some of the hours in which I should be sleeping. I guess it’s a good thing that I’m not a great sleeper anyway.

Do you stick to a strict schedule or does it change with various days?

I don’t follow a strict writing schedule which makes me feel quite undisciplined as a writer. I’d get a lot more done if I did. The only time I follow a writing schedule is during national Novel Writing Month. The rest of the year I think about my novels in progress a lot and write in them as and when I get the time.

Do you think your Asperger’s plays a role in how you manage your time?

Being a person with autism means that I get quite stressed out if things don’t go to plan or if I can’t do things in the time slot I had planned. Which is why I try to avoid planning in any writing time. However, I do plan in many other things such as book signings and so on. I’ve got one booked for the end of January already! Then I worry that something will happen and I won't be able to honour my event booking. I’m anxious by nature and a worrier, so much so that I’d worry if I wasn’t worrying about something.

DJ is a lovely person, and she's written a lovely book. You can read more about Without Alice and buy it here.
_______________
And now let me direct you over to here, where I'm chatting with Lane about my character, Deborah, and learning to let go.... thanks, guys!

Water:World Blogging Day

For several years now, Change.org has sponsored "Blog Action Day" in order to harness the communication skills of bloggers to initiate an annual discussion on some topic of global significance. This year, the topic is water. How simple, right? For many of us, water is something that we take for granted, even if we know that we shouldn't. I remember, shamefully, a conversation I had with my college roommate when we were figuring out expenses needed to move into our own flat. She had suggested we include water on our list of utilities and I remember being surprised and saying, "What do you mean? We have to pay for water?" Embarassing, but not surprising.

More recently, the problem of the availability of clean water was brought home to me during our family trip to Cambodia and my subsequent involvement with that country. While there, we worked with several charities helping the poorest. I had never seen such poverty before. It seemed so overwhelming and I began to wonder how my family and I could even begin to make a difference. The answer, as explained by the charity Tabitha (www.tabithauk.com)was really quite simple. Dig wells. Most of the poorest communities we visited were so poor because they had no access to clean water. No wells. And that meant not only health problems, but the inability to grow crops, raise animals, farm, which in turn means no ability to raise themselves out of their poverty. For the equivalent of £80, we could provide an entire village with a well. I then began to realise that without clean water, that most basic commodity of all, there could be no health, no education, no jobs, no future. Everything began with water.
The Blog Action Day website at blogactionday.change.org explains that
* almost a billion people do not have access to clean, safe drinking water.
* unsafe water causes 80% of diseases and kills more people than violence and war
* billions of people, mostly women and children, spend vast percentages of their days walking miles to collect water for themselves and families. Nearby wells would provide them with the gifts of time and energy to pursue their health, livelihood, education.

I am pleased to be able to use my blog to contribute to this dialogue. We are lucky to live on a planet which, so far, provides us with the water we need. Access to that water is a basic human right that we who live on this planet all share, like the sunshine above our heads and the ground beneath our feet.

Planning and Scheming with Mike Horwood

Today, I'm talking to the poet, Mike Horwood, a fellow Ward Wood author.  Cambodia, planning a novel, the role of inspiration...it's all here. Take a look and join in the conversation. I should also say that Mike has one of the all-time best author's photo at the top of his page -- that should lure you.

thanks to  optcorp.com

Writing about War: A Discussion with Elizabeth Baines

I think most writers have themes that run their work, whether they realize it or not.  I know I  have some: life after tragedy, the meaning of home, the role of science and art in creating perception.  But there is a theme which lies off to the side but very much a part of A Clash of Innocents, and that is the theme of war. I have often wanted to write about war, for many reasons. A Clash of Innocents is the closest I've been able to come to it so far.  Elizabeth Baines has given me a chance to think and talk about this a bit on her blog today.  I think it makes for some fascinating and, dare I say, important reading. Elizabeth is a very thoughtful person and a very thoughtful writer -- thoughtful in all senses of the word.  I'd love for you to read it and let us know what you think, here.

And of course, I have to add this little musical detour. Don't tell me you're surprised....

Poetry Day 2010: Mrs. Guiney's Rules

I know Poetry Day is not just for kids, but I do think of schools  and children when I think of it, maybe because back when I was teaching more than I seem to be now, Poetry Day was often used as an "excuse" to get Mrs. Guiney in for a workshop.

I always love working with children, and I find introducing them to the art of writing poetry one of the most rewarding teaching experiences of all.  Over the years, I have worked with many kids who have learning disabilities, and by far the greatest disability that these kids suffer from is low self-esteem.  Many of them can barely look you in the eye when they speak with you, and will only speak with you if they must.  So writing poetry?  And then reading what they wrote out loud?  You must be joking.

And so I developed "Mrs. Guiney's Rules for Writing Poetry" and whenever I teach my Intro to Poetry workshop, I always start with these:

     1. DON'T THINK: let the words and ideas pop into your head, even if you don't know why they did.
     2. USE THE BACK OF YOUR BRAIN: often the most interesting ideas are lurking there in the back, just behind your eyes. Let them come forward (in other words, leave your editor's hat at home).
     3. LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS OF WORDS AND LETTERS, JUST AS MUCH AS MEANING: you don't have to rhyme and it doesn't have to "make sense" (at least at first).
     4. and the most important rule of all: KNOW THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE A MISTAKE.  If it comes from inside you, there's no such thing as a mistake.

The results are quite predictable when I trot out my rules.  First, there is laughter.  Then, total disbelief and mistrust. And then, after a time, a classroom full of eureka moments.  I have to tell you, there is nothing quite so wonderful as taking a sullen 15-year-old boy, convincing him that the stray words in his head actually add up to something wonderful, and then seeing the look on his face when those words are read and well-received by his classmates.  And believe me, the same is true for adults. (Try teaching a 50-year-old businessman* that he can not only enjoy reading but also writing poetry and see what happens!) At that moment, I know that poetry has found a lasting place in that student's heart and, dare I say it -- every day can be poetry day.

* now, now - you know I have nothing against businessmen or women. I'm just making a point....

With Nik Perring today

Today is my last blog stop for a bit, and I'm thrilled that I'm spending it with the talented Nik Perring.  I love his flash fiction and Not So Perfect is one of my favourite bedside books, perfect for dipping in and out of.  Today, he and I are discussing writerly issues like process, role models and what makes a story great.  I hope you'll pop over here and take a look.

On Being a Writer, a Woman, a Rock n Roll Fan

It's been a great joy getting to know Glyn Pope through his blog over the past few years. He is a man with a real seriousness of purpose and dedication to his craft. Plus, he's good fun.  Today he's putting me through my paces, asking me all sorts of questions about my life as a writer in specific, and the writing life in general.  Questions like did I encounter any problems being a writer and a wife/mother? Do I think writing prizes open to women only are sexist? Who is the greatest singer/songwriter of all time? I hope you'll go check it out over here. There's lots there to think about.

Plus Glyn lives in France where I imagine it always looks like this....

Thanks, as always, Monet.

Another Blog Tour Stop - DJ Kirkby

Please check out my blog visit over at DJ Kirkby's beautiful new site, where we'll be chatting about various things writerly, and there'll even be a give-away of A Clash of Innocents.  Good luck......

What Happened Last Night

Well, the launch has come and gone.  What an amazing night!  Here are some photos (2 of me, 1 of Adele Ward of Ward Wood Publishing introducing me):

One of the big discussion points was the book cover, which everyone loves and was curious about. Carol and Helen had asked about it, too. And, of course, there's a story behind it. When we went into book production, I sent my publisher a disk full of photographs taken during my trip to Cambodia in 2007. Most of them were taken by my good friend, Mark, who is an engineer by vocation, but a talented photographer by avocation. My publisher poured over them all and finally chose the photograph which you see on the cover now. It's colourful, it's full of those puppets which are so reminiscent of the entire region, it's a jumbled heap, it's playful and captivating. We thought it was perfect. But the best part of it all was the fact that the photograph was not taken by Mark, but rather by his talented daughter, Elizbeth Lowey, who was 16 at the time, although now she is nearly 20 and an art student in one of the best art schools in the States. I love that the cover of my book which has so much to do with children was actually taken by a child. The fact that we have now also put together an exhibit of photographs to go along with the book, photographs taken by Cambodian children, makes the cover even more poignant.  The cover is just one of a growing list of synchronicities that surround the writing and publication of A Clash of Innocents. So, thank you for asking, guys. But I must reveal that, alas, neither of you won the free copy of the book.  That prize is going to Queenie for her question about choosing titles, which you can read here.
  As you can imagine, I woke up feeling a bit blue.  The party's over.  But I can sit back and remember all that happened....over 100 people came including writer/blogging friends like Vanessa Gebbie, Tania Hershman, Kelley Swain, Clare Dudman, Sarah Salway, Elizabeth Baines, Carol Burns.  The exhibit of photos by the children of Anjali House was beautiful.  My presentation seemed to go over well.  I sold lots of books (but there are plenty more to sell, so...hint hint). And then I woke to find that the event had been covered in the Phnom Penh Post!  So now, I really can start planning in earnest for the Southeast Asia Tour.  Nope, you can't keep the old girl down.  Thanks everyone for being here with me through it all!