Between the Lines

Hanging On After Others Have Let Go by Chiron O'Keefe

Lynda Coker — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:12:00 GMT

Hanging On After Others Have Let Go

“All great masters are chiefly distinguished by the power of adding a second, a third, and perhaps a fourth step in a continuous line. Many a man has taken the first step. With every additional step you enhance immensely the value of your first.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

What sets the successful author apart from the aspiring writer?

Perseverance. The determination to move forward no matter how many obstacles appear on the path.

“The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.” ~Author Unknown

Staying true to our focus means we must recognize that the path to success can be arduous. There are always an abundance of obstacles to overcome before we reach our goal. Time restraints or writer’s block can tempt us to toss aside our dreams. Criticism and rejections can poke holes in our optimism. Instead of floating high from exhilaration, our happy fantasy deflates while we look around desperately for some encouragement.

Let me offer up some reassurance on this end. If you feel frustrated or stymied or overwhelmed, you are not alone. If you yearn for a magical flash of inspiration yet find you must struggle ahead with only a bare glimmer to light your way, you are not alone. All writers experience this struggle.

To be a writer is to sit down at one's desk in the chill portion of every day, and to write; not waiting for the little jet of the blue flame of genius to start from the breastbone - just plain going at it, in pain and delight. To be a writer is to throw away a great deal, not to be satisfied, to type again, and then again, and once more, and over and over.... - John Hersey

During the holiday season time is at a premium. For some of us, there’s last-minute shopping to do and presents to be wrapped. Houseguests pop in to share our few precious moments. Children are on winter break and underfoot. In certain areas, severe storms can wreak havoc on our lives, and even worse, knock out the electricity leaving us without internet or PC. Even those who aren't in holiday mode must endure the excessive crowds (which make errands and normal shopping a marathon) and find December's last weeks slipping away. Which begs the question, what exactly can a writer accomplish at this time of year?

My suggestion first off is this. Relax. Enjoy the season. If you can squeeze in a page or two, by all means let those fingers fly! If you can’t… be forgiving to yourself. Trust that you will be pounding those keys when the craziness eases off. Every book is written one page at a time.

“The drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence but by oft falling.” ~Lucretius

However this is a great time to consider what qualities to embrace in the New Year. Perseverance is essential for a successful career in writing. To persevere means we persist no matter what. To persevere means to stubbornly push ahead despite the odds. Grit, moxie, or to put it bluntly, you gotta have a set of steel ovaries to make it in this business. *wink*

Harry Potter was rejected by just about every major publisher and if not for a small London publisher would not have seen the light of day. Madeleine L'Engle was rejected by 26 publishers before her novel, A Wrinkle in Time finally made it into print. Imagine... all those publishers rejecting the story that won the 1963 Newbery Medal!

Judy Blume also collected repeated rejections.

"I would go to sleep at night feeling that I'd never be published. But I'd wake up in the morning convinced I would be. Each time I sent a story or book off to a publisher, I would sit down and begin something new. I was learning more with each effort. I was determined. Determination and hard work are as important as talent." --Judy Blume

Next week we’ll set the stage for the New Year so let’s consider what we intend to accomplish in 2010.

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. ~William Feather

Let’s “hang on” and remember… We Are Writers!!

Have a lovely holiday season, everyone!

--Chiron O’Keefe

The Write Soul: www.chironokeefe.blogspot.com

Diner Girl by Mary Malcolm

Lynda Coker — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:07:00 GMT

Title: Diner Girl

Author: Mary Malcolm

The Wild Rose Press

Contemporary Champagne Rose

Rating: Spicy Page Count: 236

ISBN: 1-60154-540-1

Blurb:

“Most Eligible Bachelor” Dr. Mark Stanton can’t escape all the women pursuing him for the wrong reasons. So when the only woman in the city who doesn’t know who he is shows up at his doorstep, he can’t help but want to know her better. Unfortunately, she doesn’t want to know him at all after their time together and he has no idea why.

When Jennifer Cleary discovers she is pregnant by Mark after their one night together, she is immediately faced with the guilt of her actions...and decides not to tell him. When he shows up at her diner during the most complicated part of her pregnancy, she comes face to face with a man who promises to take care of her...no matter what. But will this strong-willed woman have to let go of her independence in order to find love?

REVIEW:

Diner Girl Jennifer is a woman struggling to make her own way in life. She's got no family, and few friends. She's living paycheck to paycheck in a not-so-hot apartment. I'm not sure what her goals in life are, but they certainly don't include motherhood. Circumstances, and weather, throw her into the arms of doctor Mark Stanton. One night of passion later, and Jennifer sees something that makes her think Mark has a wife or girlfriend. Rather than hope for the best or (God forbid) *talk* to the guy she's just slept with, she just leaves, and doesn't speak to him for the next eight months. Even though she finds out she's pregnant. Thanks to Jennifer's friend Sally who is one of two characters in the book with her head on straight, Mark finds out about the baby, and vows to take care of her and his child. Again, without *talking* to Jennifer, he makes some decisions that affect her life. Jennifer is upset, but she certainly wouldn't actually *tell* him this, she just lives with this misery.

Time after time, the hero and heroine in this story clam up and do things to make the other wonder and doubt. I kept wanting them to JUST TALK! That said, the pacing in the book was very good, the writing clean, and it is edited well. Diner Girl reminds me of the old Harlequin romances from the '80s. Overall this was a great afternoon read. Very sweet.

Reviewed by Jade Ryan

Another Man's Lve by Cheryl A. Cornell

Lynda Coker — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:05:00 GMT

Title: Another Man's Love

Author: Cheryl A. Cornell

The Wild Rose Press

Contemporary Champagne Rose

Rating: Sweet Page Count: 208

ISBN: 1-60154-477-4

Blurb:

The third Sunday of every month is open house brunch at the Sheppard home.

Travel circumstances leave Tom Hayden accepting an invitation from a stranger. One look at his hostess Corin with her husband unlocks buried emotions, reinforcing his failures.

Leaving her is difficult, but he has no other option, taking with him the first line of a new song: She’s another man’s wife, she’ll never be mine.

When the situation changes, the reality of their destinies must be put in perspective. Can Corin move forward without guilt? Will the reality of their relationship spoil the dream they’ve been fantasizing about

Review:

Amazing amount of detail gives the reader a feel for the surroundings and every meal the characters eat, every hot shower and comfy chair along the story, you literally move into their skin. The tension builds nicely as the two people become attracted to one another and the love story weaves in and out through the descriptions of their steps. The story certainly seems to be a journey in real life, revolving around meals, their preparation and enjoyment, clearing up, a gentle stroll with the two people in the story as they went about building a healing love. Very beautiful story.

Reviewer: Sally Vanessa Hearne

A Hot Time in Texas by Cindy Causey

Lynda Coker — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:01:00 GMT

Title: A Hot Time in Texas

Author: Cindy Causey

The Wild Rose Press

Contemporary Champagne Rosebud

Rating: Spicy Page Count: 196

ISBN: 1-60154-558-4

Blurb:

Twink Harrison dreams of opening a restaurant of her very own in the tiny town of Howard, Texas, the only place she ever felt free of the tyranny of her controlling father. But she could lose everything if stuffy bank officer Ethan McCloud won’t give her a loan. Ethan can’t wait to brush the dust of Howard off his polished wingtips. He refuses to give himself up to the podunk little town that sucked the life out of his father. A new job awaits in Chicago, but Twink threatens to derail his carefully-laid plans. It might just take a little good luck to bring them together, and part-time psychic Margie McCloud finds it in the bottom of a teacup. But will she work her spell in time for Ethan and Twink to quit running from who they are and realize their fortunes lie in each other?

REVIEW:

I'll start off by telling you that it took me a couple of chapters before I could read the name Twink without picturing what the slang word conjures. Once I got past that, I actually had to reread from the beginning. Twink is a woman. She has a dream, and she wants to achieve it on her own. Being the only child of an Army General, Twink always assumed that her gender was a chasm between her and dad. (But then he did name her Twink, so surely he didn't want her to be a macho man, right?) Sorry, I'll let that go.

We meet both Twink and Ethan early in chapter one, where sparks fly. Not the good kind though. You see, Ethan has turned her down for a loan, meaning she can't get her dream restaurant open. Argument after argument, and these two just can't see eye to eye, though I found the sparring dialogue to be a bit contrived at times. Ethan already accepted a job in Chicago because he has had enough of small town Texas. Twink comes to Howard TX to create a home. She wants roots, Ethan wants wings.

We meet a few supporting characters like Ethan's mother, a zany older lady. She's predicted a few things in town that end up coming to fruition, and it seems that the only person in the small town who doesn't believe that Margie is a true psychic is her own son. And then we have the over-zealous police chief. Boy. Small towns sure are fun.

A Hot Time in Texas is a sweet love story, not too short, not too long. A bit contrived, but overall I found this a pleasant read, with some sexy parts, some romantic scenes, even some action in there.

Reviewed by Jade Ryan

Test Your Book Smarts !

Lynda Coker — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:23:00 GMT

Test Your Book Smarts With Our Friday Book Cocktails at Between The Pages

Can 1 Picture Really Equal 1000 Words?

Lynda Coker — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:19:00 GMT

1 Picture = 1000 Words?

Catch us at Between the Pages

Winners of the 7th Heaven Giveaway

Lynda Coker — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:43:00 GMT

Giveaway Winners for 7 th Heaven by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro are:

Stacie
Piero Giorno
Linda Bentzen
Sean Pynaert
John

These winners have 48 hours to respond after receiving my email informing them of their win. If they don't respond in that time, I will post names of new winners.

I thank Hatchett Book Group for allowing me to give away these copies and to all those who participated in our Giveaway.