Another Trigger for Inspiration
Inspired by a comment from Andi Klemm about smell being an inspiration for her in a discussion about the muse, I thought I would list some of the smells get my Southern writing MOJO brewing:
1) Limes, Vanilla & Coconut
Those mean that summer is HERE. I have so many memories tied to those three smells. One whiff and I can travel back to a thousand different places.
2) Sandalwood
I had a bottle of Sandalwood lotion in college. For me to be able to remember that should be proof enough that scent triggers memories 🙂 This smell is tricky though. I don’t like the incense smell of Sandalwood, but I like it in everything else.
3) Jasmine
One of my all time favorites. I love Jasmine, especially night-blooming Jasmine. When I had ventured too far from home when I was fresh out of high school, I had a pot…
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Why I Loathe Rating Things With Stars
A Review of Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
I’ve been a voracious reader my entire life and I’ve always loved the classics. So it didn’t surprise me at all years ago when my AP English teacher handed me the semester syllabus with a list of titles to read and I unwisely blurted “I’ve already read them all,” with disappointment. He said “Fine” and later supplied me with a new list, all contemporary award winners I’d never heard of, including Snow Falling on Cedars
I read it. I re-read it. I couldn’t figure out why I hated it, and why I wanted to read it again.
Until now, when watching the movie, which is, amazingly, incredibly accurate from what I remember of the book – scene for scene.
At my core I am a romantic and idealist. I love forbidden marriages, truly and unhypocritically, as I am in one. I love childhood sweethearts, best friends, having secret adventures in the woods and on the seashore. I’ve been in love with my husband since I was fourteen, have now known him half my life, and am raising a beautiful daughter with him.
What I hate? That Hatsue doesn’t marry Ishmael. That she willingly chooses another, after giving herself to Ishmael like a little slut in the woods. What is a beautifully written piece of timeless literature, becomes an irritating anti-love story to me, until it becomes the ultimate love story by him saving her husband anyway. Poor Ishmael! Why did she not marry him? There’s so many reasons, so many. I cannot mar the merit of Guterson’s work, it is so well done. But I hate him for falling short in my ideally romantic heart. I cannot comprehend giving myself so fully to my best friend and then saying No to his marriage proposal for some loyalty to culture.
I remember that somewhere I’ve rated this book with 2 stars. 2, just 2. But –
I haven’t read this book in over ten years and still it resonates with me. Even prior to watching the movie, I could recall various parts of the book in extreme detail, it’s actually why I chose to watch the movie this week. I knew I was in the mood for it. Now, with the movie so fresh in my mind, I think I should re-read it soon. The story is brilliant, and true to what I imagine life was like then. But I will always hate Hatsue a little more than I should, because Ishmael is one of the most beautiful human beings ever written and though it unfair to ask every character to behave as I would – I would have married him and lvoed him ’til the day I died.
So truth? I think I love Snow Falling on Cedars. I love it with a hateful indescribable passion. I hate Hatsue for being weak. I hate the United States for putting the Japanese into camps. I hate Kabuo for being so easy to love. I even hate Ishmael for being as Anne Elliot describes in Austen’s Persuasion, one of those who “love longest, when all hope is gone.” I hate it because I long to re-read it and every time I do I bawl like a baby, because every time I expect it all to be different.
I have a hard time rating things with stars. My initial shelfari review, where I gave it 2 stars, stated:
I didn’t like it is too strong a phrase, and I liked it also too strong. But I am committed to re-reading it eventually to see if my opinion has changed since I read it for school at seventeen. At the time, I found it awkward and sad. I do remember enjoying his descriptions, it was the storyline itself I was unsatisfied with.
Unclear, vague, and starless. But the book stays with you for so long, so how can I rate it badly? In all honesty, I can’t. Not anymore. I feel compelled to change the stars to 5, but tomorrow I’ll only want to give it 3. This is why I prefer to read full reviews, and not rely on stars. This is why I prefer conversations, rather than one-lined opinions.
David Guterson, if you read this, you are a brilliant writer. And I have a love/hate relationship with your book.
P.S. I adore Ethan Hawke, who plays Ishmael Chambers in the movie made in 1999. He is also an author, and I enjoyed his novel The Hottest State. I also have a copy of his book Ash Wednesday, but have never read it. If anyone is interested in reading it with me, let me know. I am also interested in reading Guterson’s book on homeschooling
The Mother’s Day Post
Mother’s Day is celebrated all over the world at various times in Spring to, obviously, honor one’s mother. In the United States, Anna Jarvis founded the day we know now that is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, in 1908. By 1914 it was made a National Holiday. By Jarvis’ death, she was renouncing her own holiday as having become too commercialized.
It is too commercialized. But, who wants to abolish a holiday that celebrates ones mom? No one. Its not like Valentines when you can commit to showing your partner you love them every day of the year. A lot of children (especially adults) don’t live anywhere near their mothers, and this is a good day to (of all days) let them know that you’re still thinking of them even from afar.
My proposal? Untraditional gifts. Token mother’s day gifts come in the form of Hallmark Cards and flowers. That’s all well and good, and if your mother loves those things, by all means, get them for her. But get her something more as well.
Always, I’m a fan of books, afterall I write a book blog. There’s always something special to be found at a bookstore. Whether its the latest and greatest of a beloved series, a funny gift book, a sappy gift book, a history book on a topic of interest that you both share, music, movies, or just a gift card so she can go have some time to herself and pick out something of her own choosing, there’s something for everyone at a bookstore.
For Dads helping small children, a newer (but not too new) overlooked title is Tomie DePaola’s My Mother Is So Smart. DePaola has been an award winning children’s author for years, but even I didn’t know this 2010 publication existed until I stumbled across in the library the other day. Its beautiful, as are all his books, and celebrates the love and awe he had for his mother as a child. Its sweet, and perfect for a young mother to read to her toddler… although I did notice how many things I’ve neglected to master as a mom, like the perfect cookie recipe, and the uncanny ability to always know why my child is crying.
Great Gift #2: I dream of having a cleaning service come through my house once a year. I keep a fairly clean house. I actually enjoy cleaning, when I find the time and energy to clean up blocks and toys that have been strewn everywhere for the 300th time that day. But the idea of having a cleaning crew come in every Spring and scrub my base boards, toilets, showers, and maybe also have my AC ducts cleaned out – that would be the BEST mother’s day gift EVER. (Aside from someone purchasing and installing all my hardwood floors over night without any assistance from me… that would be even better, but a little less practical as a mother’s day gift.) If this awesome treat proved unobtainable, I might settle for lawn fairies to come weed my gardens in the middle of the night.
Shop AKKlemm.scentsy.us
Great Gift #3: After books and a laziness enabler, I choose Scentsy products. I love candles and fabulous smells, but the wickless candle deal with mood lighting has proven to be the best choice when a toddler is running all over the place. When (I say when NOT if) your kid decides to lather themselves in hot candle wax and try to put every blessed thing you own under wax treatment, you want it to be low heat, no flame, I promise. My favorite spring scents available this year are Pixie and Cerise. The Just Breathe is also quite excellent and one of my year round favorites of all time. But you know your Mom and/or Wife, get what she likes.
Great Gift #4: Reloadable Starbucks gift cards. Who doesn’t practically live at Starbucks, or would if they could? Its become an American staple. Cliche, over-rated, over-priced, I agree, but hey, its pretty darn good coffee available on every street corner, I’ll take it. The reloadable gift cards are pretty sweet. Reload them a few times and you are an upgraded customer with free birthday drinks, free syrup add ons, free cups of coffee with your bean purchases, the list goes on. Buy the mother in your life a gift card and take the time to reload it for her a few times before the year is up and BAM! she is one happy caffeined lady.
Whatever you do, be sure to enjoy the day. Sundays should be lovely days anyway, but I hope one day Ayla will love to spend a lazy Sunday with me, reading, having coffee, or maybe picnicing in the sun if the weather is nice.
Les Miserables Readalong Update 5/04/12
I am currently reading Cosette. It is, of course, fascinating and full of all sorts of history and thoughts about the revolution and so on and so on. So of course, I had to put it down for a bit and am now reading Napoleon’s Wars: An International History by Charles Esdaile. So far its exactly what I hoped it would be, a broad picture of the world at large to help me better understand the smaller piece of France Hugo has us tucked away in for 1200 some odd pages. I am loving it and I hope that others participating in the Les Miserables 2012 Readalong join me with Esdaile as well. Full reviews of Cosette and Napoleon’s Wars to come.
To join this blog hop/readalong and follow the links to read Fantine: https://anakalianwhims.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/les-miserables-blog-hop-8/
To read my official Cosette review posted on 5/19/12: https://anakalianwhims.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/cosette/
I know, two reblogs in one week, but I just discovered the feature (because I’m slow with the technology) and this one speaks to me (because I too prefer book shopping over clothing shopping and I am also a Barnes & Noble addict, despite my employment with Half Price Books and my love affair with Good Books in the Woods).
I am not the sort of girl who shops for pleasure. Occasionally I will go and have an afternoon out with a friend at the mall. Most of the time, I go in with a game plan. I need a pair of jeans. I will go to Pac Sun, because I like their jeans, and I will go pick two pairs of volcom jeans because they’re one sale. Then I will buy them. Then I will leave. If I need a dress, I generally go shopping for a dress. I usually either get the dress or come home with nothing.
Don’t me wrong, I can browse as well as the next girl and if there’s a sale I can get it down to a science. I just don’t think of shopping as an….experience. There are very few stores that I frequent just because I like them. I love Anthropoligie, mostly…
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Mid Week Thrifting
I used to haunt thrift stores the way I currently haunt bookstores. In late high school and early college, its where I picked up all my clothes. There was nothing better than a 50 cent blouse and some $2 jeans. Unfortuneately with the recession, thrift store clothing prices have increased to an amount that (unless its the world’s most awesome thrift store find) I can often find similar cheapy items for less at Wally World (sacriledge, I know). In theory I hate WalMart, but sometimes a tight budget makes the decision for me. But when my best friend says she wants to check out the newly reopened Goodwill Select in the Heights, I’m game.
Of course, I found dozens of things I wanted (there were piles of amateur paintings done by the same unknown person), but only came away with a few of the most inexpensive but longest lasting items money can buy: books. I acquired a few nice copies of things off Ayla’s Classical Education list that I didn’t already have… Sophocles and such because I will need them eventually and haven’t seen copies in this nice a condition for this cheap. It looks like someone dropped off an entire school library in mint condition. And two things that aren’t as easy to find (not difficult, just not typically parading themselves around in large quanities):
Profiles in Science
Then, for me, I picked up The New Science of Strong Materials
For more on the exciting world of thrifting, follow Her Library Adventures, she too has a mid-week thrifting notice this week: http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/2012/05/midweek-thrifting.html
Hurray for Spring! And Elephants!
Weekly Low Down on Kids Books 5/03/12
Title: Hurray for Spring!
Author: Patricia Hubbell
Illustrator: Taia Morley
Publisher: NorthWord
Genre: Childrens, Picture Books
Ayla has a wide assortment of books of her own, she can’t help it with a compulsive book buying mother. But going to the library and picking out special books for just the week is always fun. At a year and a half, she already loves books and spends a lot of time pretending to read or browsing illustrations. ‘Shopping’ at a library, however, is so much different than shopping at a store. For starters, there’s the Dewey Decimal System to contend with, something I honestly haven’t used in about ten years. Then, there’s the lack of beautifully merchandised end caps – you can ask my best friend, I’m a complete sucker for a pretty display. (That’s probably why I enjoyed making them so much in my merchandising days.) Still, we manage to find precious gems and exciting reads every week.
This week we haphazardly pulled Hurray for Spring! off the shelf. The poem tells of all the adventures one can have throughout the season and is accompanied by gorgeous illustrations of kids playing and dragon flies and flowers. There’s mice playing in the weeds, beautiful blue skies, and the book is an all around treat. We read it four times in a row before bed time Tuesday night because Ayla kept demanding, “More” as she turned the book back to the first page and patted the title, indicating a re-read.
I’d like to buy a copy to use to celebrate Easter every year. Its fresh, lively, and is a good way to get kids excited about playing outside, but if read softly the cadence of the words can still put a baby to sleep. We love Hurray for Spring! Even now Ayla discovered it in my hand and is hopping around, rummaging through the book bag, and begging me to read it again.
Title:
Busy Elephants
Author: John Schindel
Photographs: Martin Harvey
Publisher: Tricycle Press
Genre: Childrens, Board Books
In the past, we’ve tried Busy Penguins, which I loved, but Ayla had little interest in. This time, Busy Elephants was all the rage. Each page contains a photograph of elephants out in the wild, eating, running, bathing, etc. And after months and month of every blessed furry (or even some non-furry) animals being called ‘Dog’ its nice to finally see her point with recognition at the elephants on each page, listen to me say elephant, and then try the word out on her own mouth. So far, all we get is “lphn,” but that’s enough for me this week. She’s excited to learn new words, even if she can’t quite pronounce them properly. That’s what makes these kinds of books so great for babies: real photographs, repitition of a word, until by the end they’ve seen the world and added something to their vocabulary.
That Girl Gets Around
On my list of things to read… book signing plans in the works. Check out the book and the author!
Josephine – a traveling machine
She’s been to over half the states in the U.S.
She’s been to Australia.
She’s been to Canada.
She’s been to the UK (a few times!)
I am fortunate that I can “see” where she is going a lot of the time – people order copies directly from me or people have won giveaways and contests.
I love going to the post office and sending her to somewhere new. I hope each time she finds a reader who will fall in love with her story, root for her, empathize with her.
The world map on WordPress is awesome. I love seeing that people from China, Germany, and India are reading my posts too. Maybe Josephine will get to travel there soon!
Where are your stories traveling? If you are a reader, how do you decide to read something written by someone in a different country?
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Meet Behcet Kaya
Just last week, I read the debut novel of Behcet Kaya (who goes by Ben). Voice of Conscience
Many reviewers have referred to Voice of Conscience as a Shakespearean Tragedy. Was that your intention?
Not at all. Although I have read Shakespeare extensively, the inspiration for Voice of Conscience was the 1958 movie “The Bravados” starring Gregory Peck, who seeks to avenge the murder of his wife and, in the process, nearly destroys himself.
You were born and raised in Turkey? So was Ramzi. Did you want to write a biographical novel to celebrate your roots and experiences? Or was The Voice of Conscience merely an example of someone writing what they know?
As a first time writer, I wanted to tell a story in a way that would remain in the reader’s mind, a story with the message that vengeance only destroys, and so I wrote the story and based the characters around what I was familiar with. Since most of my readers think this is my biography, I began having doubts as to whether I was a writer or not. In an attempt to find out whether I could write a story completely separate from any of my experiences, I spent two years doing in depth research and completed my second novel, Murder on the Naval Base
Both in your book and in your real life you’ve spent time at the Texas Pancake House in London. As a proud member of the Lone Star State who has never been to England, I have to ask: What’s so Texas about it? Do you know if it is still there? And have you ever spent time in Texas?
The walls of the Texas Pancake house were filled with photographs of scenery of Texas, the booths were large and comfortable, and the portions served were Texas-size. The restaurant specialized in pancakes, and they were so large that most people could not eat more than two. Unfortunately no, it is no longer there. It is now a McDonalds. Yes, I have been to Texas, but only passing through, and I am still amazed with the vastness and beauty of the area, and the fact that it takes more than two days to drive across the entire state.
Other than what you’ve included in your novel what would you like your readers to know about your homeland?
Where do I start? Turkey has 13,000 years of history. Over the centuries, Constantinople, renamed Istanbul in 1923, has been the point where East meets West, the crossroads of many civilizations, and the capital of two grand empires. The Byzantine Empire lasted from the fourth century to the 15th century, when the Ottoman Empire took over, ruling through the end of World War I. Just to name one of our many treasures – in Istanbul, we have one of the greatest houses of worship in both the Christian and Muslim worlds: Hagia Sophia, the Great Church of Constantinople. Built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the early 6th century on the grandest scale possible, it faces Jerusalem. It was later converted into a mosque by the conquering Ottomans and today it’s a museum. Beyond Istanbul, there is Izmir, Konya, Cappadocia, and so many more areas with historical and cultural significance. Our history is rich; the diversity of our landscape is immense; from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, from Istanbul to the Georgian border. Although Turkey is 90% Muslim, we are NOT an Arab country. Modern Turkey was born in 1923 from the ashes of the old Ottoman Empire and we are proud to be a secular democracy. Our people are friendly and welcoming to more than 31 million tourists a year.
I’m a big foodie and enjoy celebrating good books with a good meal. What’s your favorite Turkish dish?
I have several favorites, all of which are traditional Turkish dishes, including kuru fasulya (white beans with meat), shiskabab with rice pilaf, and siron (very thin bread topped with yogurt, garlic and melted butter).
From what I understand, you’ve been living in the U.S. for years now, after spending time in England. What are your favorite things about the three countries you’ve called home? What made you choose the U.S. for now?
I am proud to say my roots and culture are Turkish, my education and love of learning comes from my schooling in England, and the U.S. is where I feel at home.
Who are your favorite authors? What genre do you prefer to read? Which do you consider your major influence?
My favorite authors are Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and Yashar Kemal, and I prefer to read classic literature. Being a Turk, I would have to say Yashar Kemal is my major influence. However, in writing my second novel, Murder on the Naval Base, I did extensive research by reading biographies of prominent naval heroes, and many fiction as well as non-fiction novels about the navy.
How did you come to be published by AuthorHouse? In your future ventures in the publishing world, what would you do differently?
Frustrated at not being able to enlist the help of an agent, I decided to self-publish and AuthorHouse was recommended. I would prefer, in the future, to be represented by a literary agent, and published by one of the major publishing houses.
You’ve written two books in addition to The Voice of Conscience. Can you tell us a bit about them?
My second book is Murder on the Naval Base, a murder-mystery about a young navy lieutenant falsely accused of the murder of his wife and former best friend. It is currently in publication in e-book form and available for Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader and Apple. My third book, Erin’s Story is still in progress, and it is the sequel to Voice of Conscience. Ramzi’s daughter, Erin, returns to Turkey on a mission of self-discovery, and in the process finds mystery, intrigue, and love.
How would you feel about having your books made into movies?
Thrilled!! I can see Voice of Conscience being made into a three-part movie (movie of the week perhaps?) and preferably produced by the BBC. Murder on the Naval Base, according to Pacific Book Review, “is easily adaptable for a screenplay and an excellent choice for a Hollywood blockbuster.”
For more information on Voice of Conscience, Murder on the Naval Base, Erin’s Story, or Behcet Kaya himself, check out his site: http://www.behcetkaya.com/
Kendall Grey Interview and Special Whale Video
Not too long ago I posted a review of Kendall Grey’s book Inhale
Describe your books. What genre do you prefer them to be classified? Is this your favorite genre to read as well?
The JUST BREATHE trilogy is 51% urban fantasy and 49% romance. The books mix a lot of ideas that don’t seem to go together—whales, dreams, Elementals, fantasy, music, romance—but I think I mesh them in a way that makes sense. *Knocks wood* Urban fantasy and paranormal romance are my two favorite genres to read.
You are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about whales and whale education. Will you ever write a nonfiction piece on the topic?
I’ve thought a lot about writing a nonfiction whale book for kids. I have gobs of pictures I’ve taken over the years that I could use within the pages. I don’t have the time now, but it’s bound to happen eventually.
What is the first book(s) you remember reading? Has that impacted the way you write?
I read Nancy Drew books as a kid, but I was never a big reader. I’m ashamed to admit I’m still not. I don’t know that any particular book or author has influenced my style. I just write the same way I think. The word “raw” comes to mind. 😉
You’ve got characters from all over the world (and beyond) in your books, did you find it difficult to write and stay true to their dialects? (They read quite smoothly.)
Thank you! Yes, it was difficult at times. I did tons of research on Aboriginal Australians to get Yileen’s dialect down, but it’s nowhere near perfect.
I’ve visited Australia several times and have some friends there who helped me with common Aussie sayings and phrases. I had to cut some of the more obscure references because my editor felt most readers wouldn’t understand their meaning. I wanted to portray the characters as authentically as possible, but she’s right. Quirky Aussie humor goes right over our American heads. Ha!
Do you have a personal favorite out of the characters in your book? Who is it and why?
You’re gonna make me choose? If I can only pick one, I’ll have to go with Gavin. He’s got all the qualities I love in a man—tall, tattooed, Australian, rugged but sensitive, a musician. *Sigh* But I adore the other characters too. Zoe for her dedication to the whales, Adriene for being the perfect best friend, Scarlet for being so bad she’s good, Yileen for his wisdom, and Sinnder for his moral ambiguity.
Photograph by Jemma Milanovic used in the cover of “Exhale” to portray Gavin Cassidy
How did you come across the photographs featured on the covers on Inhale and Exhale?
I found the Zoe picture on the INHALE cover on a stock photo site. The “Gavin” photo for EXHALE came from Deviant Art. Both images took months to find. Funny bit of trivia…the Gavin model is Australian and lives in New South Wales where Gavin does.
Did you learn anything from writing your books? What was it?
The biggest lesson I learned was humility. I wrote the first draft of INHALE almost four years ago and knew it would be a best seller. A deluge of cold-as-a-dead-fish form rejections from agents and editors informed me it was actually smellier than the creamy center of an 8-foot high chicken manure pile. Getting shoved out of my ivory tower was painful, humbling, and exactly what I needed. It forced me to seek help from other writers. I would never have gotten published without my writer friends and critique partners.
Being self published, did you find the responsibility and choices involved in cover art and fonts, etc. freeing and empowering, or a burden?
A little bit of both. I love the freedom and control I have. Many traditionally published authors have little or no say in the production of their books. Part of the reason I chose to self-publish was because I had a vision for my trilogy, and I didn’t want anyone messing it up.
The hard part for me is bearing the “What if?” burden. What if the books flop? What if they’re no good? Every author faces these fears, but I think it’s harder on self-publishers because we aren’t endorsed by the Powers That Be in New York. Many people don’t take indies seriously, which makes promotion and marketing difficult.
In your future ventures in the publishing world, what will you do differently? Why?
So far, I think I’ve done a pretty good job of managing the many the aspects of publishing (writing, revising, edits, more revisions, formatting final drafts, organizing reviews, promoting, developing marketing materials, etc.), but now that I’m close to finishing the trilogy, I don’t think the third book in the series will be ready by my projected publication date of July. The good news is, I’m self-publishing. My boss doesn’t mind if I’m a little late. 🙂 I’ll do my best to meet my self-imposed deadlines, but if I don’t make them, I don’t make them. Now that I’ve been through the process, I should be able to manage future books much better.
Outside of your love for whales, what’s one thing you would want your readers and fans to know about you?
There’s nothing special about me. I’m just a person who wrote some books. I have plenty of flaws, fears, and loud feelings. I’m not afraid to share them. What you see is what you get. 🙂
Thanks so much for having me on your blog, AndiKay!
Additional Notes
INHALE, an urban fantasy romance by Kendall Grey, is now available in paperback and e-book for Kindle (MOBI) and Nook (EPUB). INHALE is the first book in the JUST BREATHE trilogy. Kendall is donating all profits from the sale of the trilogy to programs that educate people about whales and the challenges they face. Watch the video to find out why: http://www.youtube.com/embed/YQfjxacis28
Kendall encourages interested readers to consider purchasing an e-book instead of a paperback. E-books save trees, cost considerably less, and bring in much more money for the whales.
Thank you for supporting INHALE, and most importantly, the whales that need our help.
Check out Inhale’s web page: http://www.justbreathenovel.com/Just_Breathe/The_Books.html
Read my review of Inhale here: https://anakalianwhims.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/inhale-and-be-ready-to-hold-your-breath-a-lot-a-review/
Some of my interview questions have been known to have been inspired by http://riteshkala.wordpress.com/
Anakalian Whims 