David Daniel Talk

This afternoon the Chelmsford Library hosted a talk by writer David Daniel, author of the excellent Alex Rasmussen series, and other books.

We had a full crowd of interested folk.

 

Here's author Vlad V. photobombing, with his lovely wife Jordanna behind him, rocking their newborn. That's not gang sign he's flashing, those are his initials...

David spoke on "Writing with a painterly eye," and the talk was, well, eye-opening. We heard superb samples of writing with the senses being brought sharply into play, and David pointed out what they were doing and how they were doing it.

David even had audience participation, with other present writers reading some of the selections. Here's Stephen O'Connor doing his part.

After the talk, David signed books and chatted with folks.

This type of gathering naturally attracts other writers. Here are The Usual Suspects:
Vlad V., Jordanna, Steven Wong, Ursula Wong, and Stephen O'Connor.
Vlad, Ursula, and Stephen will all have novels published in the very near future!  

Thanks to the Chelmsford Library for making this happen. They host a lot of great events, like my upcoming Sisters in Crime panel talk on "How to Create Characters." I'll be appearing with Edith Maxell and Tempa Pagel.

Appearance, St.Pat's Day, and More

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Yeah, okay, so I'm a few hours early, but tomorrow's a work day.
Don't you hate it when making a living interferes with your celebrations?

If you're hooked into the MA library system with Biblio, I'm now featured in the MA ebook project. 7 story collections and my novel Shadow of the Wendigo are up as ebooks to borrow in over 50 state libraries. Boo-yah!

Two author appearances with one picture ad!
Next Sunday, 3/23, I'll be checking out the talk by author David Daniel- "Writing with a Painterly Eye" - at the Chelmsford library at 2.

 

And on Wednesday, 3/26, I'll be at the North Chelmsford (McKay) library, on a panel with fellow Sisters in Crime Edith Maxwell and Tempa Pagel.
We'll talk about "How to Create Characters” at 6:45.

Come on down and say goodbye to winter blues!

NH Three-Minute Fiction Slam Report

Had a great time at the Three-Minute Fiction Slam, hosted by the New Hampshire Writer’s Project (NHWP), in partnership with the New Hampshire Institute of Art (NHIA) in Manchester, NH.

The event was a successful do, preceded by a wine and cheese reception for more than a hundred literary enthusiasts.

Nashua Regional fiction slam winner Ursula Wong and her husband Steven, under the gorgeous auditorium ceiling:

Ursula was cheered on by our Nashua contingent, led by prizewinning author Mary Johnson (front left):

The competition had a keynote speech by author Kyle Minor, and three top literary judges: Tim Horvath, Rebecca Rule, and James Patrick Kelly, a Hugo and Nebula award-winning science fiction author.

The stories read by contestants were short and superb, with real talent shining forth.
In the aftermath, people got to chat about their expeerience.

 More of our intrepid group:

Why I Love the Writing Game- Further Adventures

Was having a rotten day yesterday, and was feeling depressed. Re-read the JA Konrath timeline of the work he was doing when he was breaking out as successful. Few have worked that hard to make a success, and yet, as he says, there was a lot of luck.

Then I got home, and my mood got better rather quickly. For awaiting me were two checks for stories I'd sold. Don't think that's ever happened, two checks at once. Also there was the inaugural issue of Trysts of Fate, with my story KillerElla listed on the cover. And a sales report from Audible on my audiobook sales for January.

Wow. When you're feeling low, to have such a shot in the arm is magic. Gives you hope and makes you keep going. Now have to write more stories and send them out. Just to keep the checks coming.
It may not be big bucks, but it was sorely needed.

Did you ever have a time when things were bad, and you got a piece or two of great news?