Guest Blogger: Angela Henry

The good news for today is that Bettye is patting herself on the back for having cleaned out her old apartment and turned in the keys. She also crossed two other things off her to-do list. The bad news is that Bettye has one other major thing to complete today that she won't quite make.

While Bettye formulates a Plan B, here are a few words from author Angela Henry. Angela, author of the popular Kendra Clayton mystery series (The Company You Keep, Tangled Roots, Diva's Last Curtain Call) is a native of Springfield, Ohio and a graduate of Ohio University. She is a member of both Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

For more about Angela, visit her web site, and also stop in at the Crime Sistahs blog, where Angela and five of her sister authors offer tidbits about writing and other stuff.

Take it away, Angela!



Authors & Jealousy: Beware the Green Eyed Monster
by Angela Henry

It happens to the best of us. You see how well another author is doing, the bestseller lists they are hitting, the media attention they are getting and you’re jealous. It’s only human to feel this way, especially if you’re doing all you can promotion wise and feel you’ve written a book just as good or, let’s face it, better. We all have our negative moments and we need to recognize them and move on because one of the most self-defeating things authors can do is to compare themselves to other authors. Every author’s situation is different.

For example, author A and author B both write in the same genre and have books that came out the same time. Author B is jealous of author A because A got a bigger advance, massive publisher support, and has sold 25,000 copies, while B got a much smaller advance, minimal publisher support, and has only sold 8,500 copies. But what B doesn’t know is that A’s print run (how many books printed upfront by the publisher) was 150,000 copies. B’s print run was only 10,000 copies. In the publishing world, selling 8,500 copies out of a 10,000 copy print run is considered a success, while selling only 25,000 copies out of 150,000 copy print run is considered a big flop. Guess whose career is in jeopardy? And it’s not author B. Don’t be so worried about how well you think another author is doing. You may not know the whole story and the time you waste worrying could be time spent writing.

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Well said, Angela! One of the reasons given for the suicide of singer Phyllis Hyman was that she became increasingly depressed over the greater success of those whom she felt had less talent. (I know this is an eerie coincidence, but today might well be the anniversary of her death). As Popeye once said, "I yam what I yam." And you know what? That's just fine!

The end is near/Has anyone seen my stepper?

When I say the end is near, I mean that things are that much closer to getting back to normal. Since I haven't known "normal" since April 17th, the day my husband found the house, this is a big deal to me. Our furniture finally arrived from Florida on Wednesday! Work on the deck has commenced, and just yesterday the laminate kitchen countertops have been replaced with granite (except one of the cabinets that makes up the island arrived wtih a crack in it and will have to be replaced, so the island is not yet rooted to the floor, and the granite top is not yet rooted to the cabinet). These things happen. At least it's functional.

I have set July 1st as the beginning of a marathon period of writing, since I have an August 1st deadline on a manuscript that's only about 50% done. I have until then to get something else completed and turned in to my agent.

While I'm sorting through our belongings and determining what's been lost (hence the second part of this post's title) or damaged, and while Bill Clinton continues to sulk over Hillary's loss (get over it, Bill; the things that came out of your mouth is part of the reason she didn't make it), and while the latest power-hungry maniac runs rampant on the African continent (I'm so tired of hearing about these people and their huge egos, and worried about possible future bloodshed), I will continue to cut back on my blog posts, but on Monday I will have acclaimed mystery novelist Angela Henry guest blogging to talk about authors and jealousy (I don't know about you, but I'm intrigued).

Here's a few photos from our company last weekend. Note that my husband and I were so busy with hosting duties that neither of us had time to comb our hair, which is why we look like a couple of tackheads.

Have a great weekend!

Bettye on Writing: Character Development

I watched one of my all-time favorite films last night, the original version of the historical event Mutiny on the Bounty, which won the Oscar for Best Picture of 1935. As much as I enjoy the film, I had to consider that Charles Laughton's portrayal of Captain Bligh was rather one-dimensional. He gave cruel commands, such as continuing with the flogging of a sailor who had already expired. There were virtually no reasons given for his behavior, and I never understood why he was such a miserable tyrant.

In contrast, the 1984 version, called simply The Bounty, showed Captain Bligh to be a flawed but more rounded individual, expertly portrayed by Anthony Hopkins (before he was knighted, so no Sir, thank you). It showed how the captain longed to make history by circumnavigating the globe, an urge so strong that he was willing to put the lives of his crew in danger to achieve it (shades of Hillary Clinton's nearly unrelenting drive to make history by being the first woman to receive the nomination of a major political party). It showed him as somewhat short-tempered and impatient with his men, particularly after they landed in Tahiti and the men got caught up in the sexual freedoms and generally hedonistic way of life in a Pacific paradise in 1788. In other words, he was written as human, where the Bligh of the original was simply callous and cruel (the only thing I understood was his all-consuming zeal and resulting paranoia in his unsuccessful quest to locate Fletcher Christian after the mutiny to see him hang for his offense).

The issue of character development is an important factor in writing. The reader has to have an inkling of why characters behave the way they do, even if the characters don't. Readers will complain if they feel they don't know your characters, or if they do something that seems out of the realm of their personalities. The reasons are usually simple, sometimes even cliché, just like those for real people. The man who has no urge for a family of his own might have grown up feeling unloved in foster care (or maybe that same man is desparate to marry and have children). The woman who grew up penniless values her material possessions above all else. The reasons can also be more intricate, dealing with repressed memories (the heroine of my most recent romance, A Love For All Seasons, had a few surprises coming to her) or something that has been building for a long time, like the honest man who just can't stand it anymore and either commits a crime or keeps that pile of money he's found.

You can't have your character do something out of left field and not give the reader some insight as to one of the most important questions a writer can answer, why. This in itself has to be carefully handled. You don't want to give your characters nightmares that wake them from sleep clutching the sheets in terror; that's as overdone as a reheated baked potato. There are other ways to convey messages to readers - through dialogue, through internal thoughts, etc.

But that's a column for another day . . . .

Just Family

We've got company!!! Never mind that our furniture isn't here from Florida yet. Everybody is sleeping on air mattresses, sitting in the folding chairs we bought for extra seating at the dining table, and we've got as many folks as possible crowding around the convertible coffee table that, in its raised position, doubles as a table (everybody else is holding their plates in their lap). Everybody's happy, most of all us. We've got family visiting!!!

Here are some recent photos of our granddaughter, who is now 21 months old; and our brand new niece, who will be 1 month old on Sunday.

Enjoy this DeeDee Bridgewater tune about family, and have a great weekend! Be sure to tune in Monday for another guest column from a published author.

Guest Blogger: Lynn Emery

My goal for today: To try to get some writing done with three guys downstairs banging hammers as they take up the ugly flooring. If that's not enough, the blind man (the man who will hang the blinds, that is) will be here with his drill at 1PM. Drilling holes in the frames of over 20 windows is going to give me a headache for sure. I'll actually be glad to go to work tomorrow, just to get away from all this racket . . . at least until the movers show up with our stuff (and who knows when that will be).

While I try to keep a stiff upper lip and a clear, unpounding head, here's some wise words from author Lynn Emery.

Mix knowledge of voodoo, Louisiana politics and forensic social work with the dedication to write fiction while working each day as a clinical social worker, and you get a snapshot of author Lynn Emery. Lynn has sold fourteen novels and been a contributing consultant to the magazine Today’s Black Woman for three articles about contemporary relationships between black men and women. Lynn is a licensed social worker with a special interest in mental health issues as they affect women, and in particular women of color. She is currently working on a mystery and a short story for a romance anthology. Learn more about Lynn and her novels at www.lynnemery.com.

Take it away, Lynn!

Writer or Author?

by Lynn Emery

I have written since I was eleven. That’s what I say when people ask me, “How long have you been writing?” Finally the light bulb went off. What they really mean is, “How long have you been published?” Which brings up an interesting question posed by some, the difference between being an author and a writer. Some argue that you’re not an Author with a capital “A” until you are published. I say, “Bull”. Author is synonymous with “writer” in my book. So for aspiring authors, claim it.

I’ve met people who lived tortured creative lives because they weren’t published. They actually spent a lot of time beating themselves up because they hadn’t sold a book. Don’t do that. Believe me when I say there are plenty of talented people walking around who aren’t published. In fact I’ll go farther and say they haven’t sold a book for reasons that have nothing to do with their worthiness.

I’m a clinical social worker- yep, got the degrees, license and social worker T-shirts to prove it! My natural impulse is to reach out to people whacking themselves over the head because they haven’t sold a book, or who have sold but who aren’t rich and famous. Many people are searching for ways to convince themselves and the world that they are worthy. Selling a book is one of them. Once that’s achieved they then fight to become one of the small percentage who reach fame and fortune. You can guess what happens if the book never sells or once sold the world doesn’t beat a path to buy up every copy. So here is my best writing advice: like yourself for reasons that have nothing to do with someone else affirming your goodness. If you put your happiness in the hands of agents or editors then said happiness is built on shifting sand. Besides, agents and editors are wary of people who are so emotionally attached to their writing that any comment that doesn’t praise her writing highly causes drama. Who needs it? They are not in business to be your therapist, which is essentially what you’re asking them to take on.

What agents and editors want first is a fabulous book. They want to see characters that stay with the reader, plots that make the reader keep flipping the pages even when it’s time to go to work, feed the cat, answer the phone and all the other annoying things happening that pull them out of that wonderfully exciting world the writer has created. So give them your best, whatever it takes. Save the drama for your BFF (best friend forever) if you need to vent, stomp around and be in a bad mood about not selling or getting the agent you wanted. Know what that’s called? Being a professional, baby. Be it even if you haven’t sold a book yet. And for God’s sake, be a grown-up pro. Please. Thanks.

Five Ways to be a Pro:

1. Do your homework, please. Study the craft of writing and the business of publishing.
2. Read submission guidelines and follow them. Don’t try to be clever to get around them.
3. Join a professional writing organization. The information you will get in their newsletters and magazines is priceless for all authors, aspiring and veterans.
4. Save your pennies and attend a writing conference. Correction, the right writing conference for you. That means doing your homework.
5. Network with other writers. You’ll learn a lot that may not be in the newsletters, magazines and books you read on writing. (Uh, do I even have to say you should be reading those?) Now it’s not because some information is top secret. But there is just so much space in them. Besides, what you learn from other writers will probably be more up-to-date.

So there you have it: My touchy-feely social worker advice about taking care of yourself and my writer advice. You are an author if you’re writing. So go back to your keyboard and get that book done. When you become rich and famous invite me to your star-studded party, please and thank you!

Thanks, Lynn!

I Hope They Have MSNBC in Heaven

I'm shocked to learn of the sudden death of TV journalist Tim Russert. Those of us who have watched campaign coverage on MSNBC or watch the Today show or Meet the Press are familiar with Tim. Early reports say he collapsed at the news bureau while recording voice-overs for Sunday's edition of Meet the Press.

I loved his enthusiasm. He clearly was having the time of his life as he reported on what he called the most exciting Presidential contest ever.

I'm not one to second guess God, but I do have to wonder. If He wanted to call this man home after just 58 years on earth, would it really have been a big deal to wait until after the election?

My condolences to his family, especially his father, the "Big Russ" of Tim's bestselling book. Losing a child is hard at any age, but the shock of it can be devastating to an aged heart.

I'm shocked.

Speaking of Moving

The long-distance fellows are finally on their way, bringing our belongings from Florida to the new house in Wisconsin. What a rollercoaster this has been. I'd tell you about it, but I'll save it for one of my books. All I can say is, my brother-in-law is a saint (we asked him to supervise the loading of our storage unit for us so we wouldn't have to travel to Florida . . . we're already spending enough money. . . can you say "Brazilian hardwood"?

Anyway, my brother-in-law tells me the guys busted their chops trying to fit everything on the truck . . . it seems our load was larger than anticipated (you never know how much stuff you've got until it's time to move it. Picturing them struggling brings to mind one of my favorite songs. Mind you that my musical taste includes much more than R&B. This song was a huge hit a year or two before I was even born and has become part of American pop culture. Never did a simple drum and clarinet sound so effective.

Enjoy it, and have a great weekend. I'll be posting a writing-related essay by well-known author Lynn Emery between now and Monday.