If you’ve been visiting my website lately, you’ve probably already met Arnold. He sits at his desk, in front of his comuter, and typing out my latest book, SECRET OF THE CRYSTAL DRAGON. I’ve discovered that Arnold is a tempermental little guy. Sometimes he pecks away diligently, looking quite pleased with the slow but steady progress I’m making . But sometimes he blows his funny little top, getting so frustrated with my miserable words, he’s ready to shoot the computer! I forgive him though because I understand exactly how he feels. How would you feel if you went to sleep one night in your own bed and woke up on another world? 12-year-old Myra isn’t too happy with her situation, but she and her friend, Aiden, have a job to do before they can get back home. That’s all I’m going to say for now. Stay tuned to “Paula’s World” and keep checking on Arnold’s progress.
Ebooks are the future of publishing. I’ve said this for years and I still firmly believe it. Will they replace hard copy books? My best guess is they won’t, no more than TV replaced radio. TV changed radio, no denying that, but it certainly didn’t put the little talking box out of business. Some of us might wish it did, especially when we hear the rants and ravings of some talk radio hosts, but the fact is, radio has a purpose and a place in today’s world. So do eBooks.
I could write pages on this subject, but my publisher, Dragonfly Publishing, Inc, has posted an article that says it all much better than I can. Click herefor the latest on a subject important to any author and/or reader.
Congratulations to Stephen Alexander, winner of an autographed copy of OTHER WORLDS.
And many thanks to everyone who participated in this event. Judging from the number of entries, I’m declaring the contest a big success. Over two hundred entries! So amazing, I’m already planning another event for the Fall. Check back for more details.
Lazy, hazy summer days…It’s so easy to get in Summer Mode: work, but not too hard; play, but not too hard; relax–I really work at this one. In fact, if I keep working this hard, summer will be over and I won’t have anything accomplished. So, I decided it’s time for a Jump Start, and what better place than my Work In Progress.
WIP is a YA fantasy novel about dragons. Why dragons? I have no idea. I’ve never had any interest in these creatures, but one day a couple of months ago, the idea just popped into my head and I started making notes and doing research. I do have a granddaughter who is a dragonology expert, which has made the research a lot easier, but my imagination is still my biggest source–as usual. I’m having a great time writing this one with three chapters already finished and a synopsis in progress. I promise to post updates in my monthly blog, but I won’t talk about the book. You’ll have to wait and read it <grin>.
Here’s a bit of dragon fun though to get you in the mood. Go to Dragon Quiz and find out a bit of your own dragon history. Don’t forget to post a comment and let us know what kind of dragons are visiting my website! Happy July!
OTHER WORLDS, my fantasy anthology published last year, made a big splash at the recent OWFI Conference in Oklahoma City. If you’re thinking, “That title sounds familiar,” you’re right. This is the book I was supposed to talk about in a TV interview. Instead, I didn’t even make it to the conference! A muscle spasm in my back put a big spasm in my weekend plans. (What a way to chicken out of an interview, although I place all blame on my subconscious mind, which was merely trying to protect me.) I was still bemoaning my fate yesterday when an email came through from a writer friend, telling me he had picked up my contest entries and congratulating me on my book award. “What award???” I screeched through the computer. [Ahem! Drumroll here]:
OTHER WORLDS, a collection of five very different fantasy stories by Yours Truly, won the 2008 Oklahoma Writers Federation Trophy Award for Best Book of Fiction!
I’m still in shock, still reaching over to touch my beautiful trophy every few minutes. And still mad as &*)!* that I wasn’t in Oklahoma City to receive my coveted prize in person.
I’m sure there’s a lesson to be learned somewhere in this sequence of events from the past few days, something deep and philosophical about the subconscious mind and being careful what we wish for. But I’m not thinking about that right now. And I’m sure not thinking about the upcoming interview, which was merely postponed, not canceled. I’ll think about it later…when I finally set my Trophy down in a very special, very visible place near my computer.
OK, so I’m not a celebrity, but I am going to be on TV. I guess. If I don’t fall victim to a case of giant nerves before May 3. I have to admit I’d never heard of the Oklahoma County Metropolitan Library System’s READ ABOUT IT TV show…until I received an email yesterday from the show’s producer. Seems they are taping interviews with OWFI authors at the Fantastic Forty, Writer’s Glory, 40th Anniversary Conference in Oklahoma City May 1-3. And I’m one of the lucky authors. I’ll have a chance to talk about my fantasy anthology, OTHER WORLDS, for 8 minutes. Don’t get me wrong. I am flattered. I’m excited (in a shaky sort of way). And I’m scared to death. This is so not me. I write stories. I write books. Quietly. By myself. In my own corner of the world in Poteau, USA. I don’t even do public speaking, so why did I agree to this thing that is totally foreign to me? <SIGH> Because it’s a great opportunity to get out the word about a book I really love with stories that are very special to me. It sort of feels like a Mother Thing: I’m making a huge sacrifice because my children, those very special stories, need me to talk about them. As long as I keep thinking that way and not about 1:20 PM on May 3, I may survive. All prayers appreciated.
Sixteen-year-old Becky Walden has two big dreams: to become an all-state basketball player and to find a special boy to love. When she moves from St. Louis to a small town in southwestern Missouri, she meets Matt McRae. He shares her love of basketball and he comes to love her, but he is unwilling to fight the system of small town politics that has reached into the high school and tainted their sport. Becky learns that love doesn't always mean happiness; sometimes it can really hurt.
Sixteen-year-old Becky Walden has two big dreams: to become an all-state basketball player and to find a special boy to love. When she moves from St. Louis to a small town in southwestern Missouri, she meets Matt McRae. He shares her love of basketball and he comes to love her, but he is unwilling to fight the system of small town politics that has reached into the high school and tainted their sport. Becky learns that love doesn't always mean happiness; sometimes it can really hurt.
