Mom's Book Advice
Sunday was Mother's Day and Tuesday would have been my mother's 80th birthday. Needless to say, she's been on my mind a lot this week. So, while I was trying to get ahead in my word count and blog posts for the summer, I was also thinking of my mom.
My mom was very opinionated-- like many mom's are-- her daughter included. And she LOVED books. She easily read one a day. Pair a book lover mom and a writer daughter and you get...lots of advice. And I giggle a little as I say to her spirit, "Fine, fine, Mom. You had to go and die to make it happen, but I'm listening."
So, here it is...from my memory...some writing advice from my mother...
1. Just tell me the story. Stop trying to impress me with how many damn words you know.
2. Get your book on Oprah. It will sell better.
3. I liked the first draft better. It had more heart. You call it polish. I call it boring.
4. Your blog should be more personal. Only writers care about writer stuff.
5. Stop picking on the mother-in-law. Bad guys are rarely all bad and good guys are rarely all good.
6. Win the RITA.
7. Sign with a fresh-in-the-game-agent. No one respects a new writer like a new agent.
8. Meh. The plot is okay, but okay isn't really good enough.
9. One negative thing about self-published books is that there is no one to force a writer to kill the boring parts.
10. Call Wal Mart. Tell them to stock your book.
11. If a story lacks direction in chapter one, I'm done. Life's too short to waste it on a shitty book.
12. Fill your trunk with books. We'll go on a state to state book tour.
I'm sure there are more. One thing about my mom-- there are few situations in my life that don't remind me of something she said. She rarely kept a thought to herself.
She always told me I'd miss that about her when she was gone.
And she was right.
Thanks to our hosts Lexa, L .G, and Tonja Drecker for this weekly good things check in!
1. We went to New York to pack Caleb up and bring him home. His first year of law school is done!
2. Conner, boy #4, got me bedding plants for Mother's Day. I got them in the dirt before I killed them by forgetting to water them!
3. Tara Tyler and I got our space at the WV Book Festival. I was a little worried because I'd missed the application deadline.
Full disclosure...I've already bought both of these books.
I'm summer reading ready!!
Where Words Fail, Music Speaks is a collection of short stories and poetry by writers from all walks of life.
Each story is based on the titles of 90s Britpop songs, including Come Back To What You Know, Bittersweet Symphony, Animal Nitrate, Disco 2000, and more.
Our list of authors is: Ker Dukey, Kyra Lennon, Clare Dugmore, Annalisa Crawford, Wesley Copeland, Robb Turburville, D H Sidebottom, Audrina Lane, M.B. Feeney, Karen Frances, S.J Warner, Scout Dawson, Kimberly Morgan, Maddie Wade, Rebeccalou Heronpontin, Andrea Coventry
All proceeds from the sales of this anthology will go to Clusterbusters.
Each story is based on the titles of 90s Britpop songs, including Come Back To What You Know, Bittersweet Symphony, Animal Nitrate, Disco 2000, and more.
Our list of authors is: Ker Dukey, Kyra Lennon, Clare Dugmore, Annalisa Crawford, Wesley Copeland, Robb Turburville, D H Sidebottom, Audrina Lane, M.B. Feeney, Karen Frances, S.J Warner, Scout Dawson, Kimberly Morgan, Maddie Wade, Rebeccalou Heronpontin, Andrea Coventry
All proceeds from the sales of this anthology will go to Clusterbusters.
Aphrodite's Closet
Agatha Trout didn’t even know she had a Great Aunt Petunia, so imagine her surprise when she finds Petunia left her a corner shop in her will. But it’s not just any old corner shop—it’s a corner shop that needs something unique, something the town of Frambleberry has never seen before. Influenced by her confident best friend, Coco, Agatha is soon convinced that there’s only one way to go: an adults-only sex shop.
While some of the townspeople are clutching their pearls in horror, others are open to the new experiences this shop offers. But not everyone in Frambleberry is convinced. Will the women soldier on in the face of violent threats or will their fears get the best of them—and their new venture—before it even gets off the ground?
About the author
Shortly after completing her studies, Suzy worked as a trainee journalist for a local newspaper. Her love of writing developed and a few years later she took the job of assistant editor for the region's largest English language publisher before becoming editor of a monthly lifestyle magazine. Early in 2010 however, Suzy became a full time author. She has since written several books: Raven, December Moon, The Lost Soul (The Raven Saga), Daisy Madigan's Paradise, The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw, The Temporal Stone, Looking for Lucy Jo, We Stand Against Evil (The Morgan Sisters),Forever Fredless, And Then There Was You, Stormy Summer and her latest, Aphrodite’s Closet.
In 2015 she launched her popular 40+ lifestyle blog which continues to go from strength to strength, while just over a year later, she trained to become a yoga instructor. Suzy continues to write, blog and teach yoga in one of Portugal’s loveliest settings - the Algarve.
Lifestyle Blog: www.suzyturner.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/suzyturner
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/suzy_turner
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/suzyturnerbooks
Book Blog: http://www.fictiondreams.com
I fully agree with number eleven.
ReplyDeletePray you've had family to help you with this week.
Cool you'll both be at the festival!
I have so many caring people in my life- family, friends- both in real life and online. There are few people as blessed with so many wonderful people as I am. And you're one of them, Alex! I always know support and prayers are only a request away!
DeleteHey, Can't hurt to call Wal-Mart or Oprah haha She sure sounds fun as she let her thoughts run.
ReplyDeleteYou described her perfectly- she definitely allowed her thoughts to run! Sometimes like wild, undisciplined children.
DeleteI live by #11
ReplyDeleteYour mom was of course, a genius.
Yes, she was. I should have told her that more often.
DeleteI love your mom's advice. Some of those made me laugh out loud (especially the ones about Oprah and Walmart).
ReplyDeleteMy mother was never allowed reality to limit her thinking.
DeleteYour mother was brilliant. Except, what's a Rita?
ReplyDeleteIt's an award from the Romance Writers of America for the top romance of the year. My mother had read that Nora Roberts got her big boost after winning the RITA, so of course mom thought I should have one too.
DeleteYou got a lot more positive feedback from your mum than I get from mine. Highlights include, "I think you should write something happier" and "No, I haven't read [your 100 page] book yet"! I gotta lol!
ReplyDeleteI second Tamara's question about a Rita.
PS. Thanks for the anthology shout-out :-)
DeleteTrust me, I got plenty of negative feedback from my mom. If she thought a character or a plot line was flat or trite. She never held back on her criticism.
DeleteAnd my pleasure giving the story a shout out. I'm headed to the beach in a few weeks and it's my first book on my read list.
I had to chuckle out loud when I read your mom's advice, "Life's too short to spend it on a shitty book." So TRUE!! Love your post, and these little things you'll remember for a lifetime. I still have my 84 year old mom, (thank God) but Father's day is hard on me in the same way mother's day was hard on you. It doesn't get easier as the years pass. My dad's been gone for 6 years.
ReplyDeleteYou're a lucky lady. Both mine have passed on. Hopefully, they're having some good times in Heaven...maybe send a little luck my way ;)
DeleteYour mom is exactly right. Love #11.
ReplyDeleteShe'd be so happy to hear she was right. She could never hear that often enough!
DeleteI can hear my mom saying #3 ... and many of the others. :)
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, Elizabeth!
Thanks Tyrean <3
DeleteI love call Wal-Mart to tell them to stock your book. In fact, as a mom, I think you should ask to speak to the CEO.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
That made me laugh. Spoken like a true mom.
DeleteYour mom was a smart cookie with a great sense of humor. She might've given you some constructive criticism, but I'll bet she was also your biggest fan. You should keep writing down her tidbits of advise as you remember them.
ReplyDeleteShe was my best and biggest fan. You couldn't talk to her for more than a few minutes without hearing her daughter was an author.
DeleteYour mom had great, intuitive advice, which is still helping you succeed.
ReplyDeleteHer faith in me definitely keeps me going!
DeleteI agree with every word of your mom's advice - in fact, she sounds exactly like me when I get bored in the first chapter of a book I'm trying to read. Yes, "Life's too short to waste it on a shitty book." I'm glad all is well with you and your busy family. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI still hang in there through chapter one, but my patience is wearing thin.
DeleteThere are some gems there. She definitely didn't mince any words!
ReplyDeleteNope. You never had to guess what my mother was thinking!
DeleteYour mom was so cool! But I also agree with her words!
ReplyDeleteMom would love being called cool. LOL
DeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your mom! She did a great job as your role model.
ReplyDeleteWe teased her a lot, but she did manage to raise a few good kids. ;)
DeleteYour mom's comments made me smile. Brutal, but honest, I assume. :D
ReplyDeleteYour mom was brutally honest! She certainly didn't mince her words of advice.
ReplyDeleteYou ARE your mother's daughter. I love that one about Oprah. She's right. It would sell better.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Suzy, on the fun book.
Love ya, Elizabeth. And clearly, your mom is always with you.
I love so many of these quotes Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing your memories and your smiles. They made me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteMothers can offer great advice on just about anything:) Books especially:)
ReplyDelete