Filling the Cup
Forged Series: Last of the Secret Files released and pre-birthday celebration
To learn more about the FORGED series, visit the Table of Contents.
Filling the Cup
The number of moving parts never seems to decrease, but I was able to check a couple of items off my bucket list. First, the last of the three Shattered companion novellas was released last week.
Did you miss my announcement? No worries. The free novellas are still available for a couple more weeks. Download them now, so you don’t miss out. Rumor has it that the Ryker administration is working to take the files down . . . I can only guarantee to hold them off for a couple more weeks! After that, you’ll have to wait until I have the opportunity to bundle them into a paperback and eBook for purchase.
An early birthday celebration
Each year, a fellow Gemini and I attempt to celebrate our birthdays together. Sometimes, it means lunch in December. Other years, we manage to get together in our birthday month. My favorite times are when we can do something together that is a little out of the ordinary. One year, we visited the Gordon House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright house built in Oregon. Our husbands thought we were a bit strange for touring a 1963 house, but we loved it!
This year, I had a brilliant idea . . . go to an author talk with Veronica Roth. I would have loved an excuse to travel to Edinburgh or New York (and I might even have talked my friend into a big trip), but luckily we scored tickets to Veronica’s appearance at Powell’s Books in Beaverton, Oregon.
We made an evening of it. I picked my friend up early, toasted each other over dinner, and reveled in the “waiting” time. I tell you, in a life where we are always on the go and multitasking, having forced waiting time was a blessing. The thirty minutes before the event started and the forty or so minutes we waited for our row to be released, much like we were at a wedding service, were precious moments to reconnect.
Both Veronica and her interviewer, fellow “eleven-eys” author from the PNW, Kendare Blake, were dynamic speakers. The random topics and comments their conversation spurred were delightfully entertaining. Veronica handled the audience questions with grace and humility. I kept wondering to myself if I were to ever have a cross-country, whirlwind book tour—eight cities in nine days—how loopy and low energy would I be on the last night? I could only hope I’d have the same poise Veronica maintained; I admired her resilience and genuine presence throughout the event. She is a class act. 100%.
During the audience question portion, I could not come up with a good question. Honestly, I hadn’t even considered that audience questions would be allowed, so I hadn’t thought about it. You know when I finally came up with the question I wanted to ask? At 2 am, after the event! Figures. Here is what I wish I’d thought of in the moment:
Veronica, thank you for sharing not only your imagination in your writing, but also giving your precious personal time. From my own limited experience, I know that public appearances can be both fulfilling and draining. So thank you. And in the hopes of giving you just a little bit back, I have a question for the audience.
Raise your hands. How many of you here are published authors, self-published or with a publisher? How many have finished a manuscript? Queried a book? Have notebooks with ideas? Or, having heard these two authors speak tonight, feel inspired to write something?
What I should have shared at the author talk with Veronica Roth. Maybe seeing the hands in the air would prove to her the impact she has had beyond “entertaining” us.
This post is public, so feel free to share it. (Someone in your community might be interested too!)
Meeting one of your idols
Like many, I took a hiatus from reading for pleasure as other priorities in life took center stage. In the 2010s, I started to pick up books again. My kids were in late elementary school, so I was busy shuttling them to and from practices, competitions, and events. I spent hours waiting for them, so I filled some of the time by reading books.
Never did I think I’d get to meet an author of the Divergent series, one of the series that brought me back to the joy of reading. It took me ten years to stop ignoring the voices telling me to write their stories. And another five to journey along the path to become a published author.
So what did I say to one of my idols when I handed her books to sign for me? I said something like: Thank you for writing more dystopian books. When an established and respected author such as you draws attention to the genre, it helps indie authors like me.
Her response was that a rising tide lifts all boats. So true. Veronica even asked when my book was coming out. Not that she’ll remember or even look for my book, but in that moment, just her asking the question felt validating. Of course, I’m not the only indie author who mentioned their own book to her, but I truly do hope she knows the impact her success has on all authors. Because a reader who finishes her book is going to be looking for their next read . . . and that might just be my book.
I hope Veronica is now resting at home with her pup and hubby, fully recovering from her US book tour. She deserves peace, quiet, and anything else she needs to rejuvenate her batteries.
What I’m reading
Here are some writing you might also enjoy.
How Many Drafts Does It Take? - In this newsletter, Veronica Roth speaks about her process and the evolution of the Seek The Traitor’s Son. I’ve printed this quote about world-building and placed it above my writing desk: “[Y]ou’re a watchmaker. Someone comes to you to fix their watch. You know what the inside of the watch looks like, you can see all the gears moving, you know how it all works—but when you return it to the customer, all they see is the watch. That’s what you need for your story: for you, the creator of it, to understand its gears.” Yes, I needed this advice.
It’s Not Weird to Say I Love You - Chapter 10 from Meg Oolders was so sweet. It’s from a couple of weeks ago, but you need to read this one before you get the gut punch of her more recent Chapter 15.
The Moment a Character Realizes the System Is Broken - I spoke at a creative writing conference recently about how to write “big themes” that are approachable to teen readers (and adults). Heather Lee Dyer has a similar take on a character coming to a turning point: It’s personal. This essay is a great explanation of what that means.
Originality Is Overrated! - Neela 🌶️ often writes just what I need to hear. This newsletter from early April is a perfect example. For any writer on the free-fall portion of the roller coaster ride where you feel desperately inadequate, you might need to hear what she has to say, too.
Fresh Brewed Murder - At the Terroir Creative Writing Festival, I picked up a couple of books written by other presenters. This cozy mystery by Emmeline Duncan was a pleasant change from my regular reading pace. It reads more like a contemporary rom-com than a murder mystery, but entertaining all the same. I loved that it was set in Portland. If you are a coffee drinker, you might find yourself craving any one of the various drinks the protagonist makes. And you are in luck because the back of the book has several recipes!
Upcoming Events & Happenings
Friday, June 12, 7pm, Bold Coffee & Books, Portland - I will sit down with fellow PNW author Erin Hall to talk about Shattered, the upcoming release of Merged, and all things dystopian! Details to follow.
Saturday, July 25, Phictly Global Digital Book Festival, worldwide! - Join me in my Virtual Booth between 10:30 am and 3 pm Pacific Standard Time. Details to follow.
Friday, September 4 and Sunday, September 6, Oregon State Fair, Columbia Hall, 10 am to 8 pm - Stop by my table to chat. I’ll have copies of Shattered (and Merged 🤞) for sale along with free book swag. Plus, there will be 11 oterh authors. Find us near the entrance to Columbia Hall, between the quilts and the decorated cakes.
Bonus Materials! Download your copies of the free novellas HERE before they are gone!
Before you go
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Ahhhh Oregon💜 I would’ve loved to have been there at Powells with you to meet Veronica Roth!!
And thanks for the mention 💜
Hands in the air is different. Hands in the air is data.
And thanks for the shout in your reading list. Thank you for always supporting me :)