This contest is in the Ladies and Literature Group. They have a ‘Caption the Photo’ contest going with…what else…my books as the prizes. And, there are 3 prizes up for grabs. By some coincidence, the photo to be captioned is the one of my favorite pooch reading SPARE CHANGE – so buzz on over and join the fun.  Good luck.

In this photo I am flanked by two of my hosts at the Sisterhood - Linda Chasen and Ruth Bornstein. In my talk with the ladies, I presented my latest release SPARE CHANGE and treated the ladies to a reading that introduced Olivia Ann Westerly, the protagonist of Spare Change . With her many superstitions and delightfully Southern quirks, Olivia has a wonderful voice which gives me an opportunity to offer up a hearty helping of Southern charm to listeners. And, it seems I am not the only one enjoying Olivia’s voice because SPARE CHANGE is still in the #1 spot on the Goodreads list of Best Unknown Books. It is such a thrill to see this book taking off as it has. Yesterday I received a request to speak at a PGA  book club gathering in March when the group will discuss Spare Change, their featured read. And, in the fall, I will be revisiting the fifty-member Cascades Book Club as they have also selected Spare Change as one of their monthly reads for the 2012-2013 season.

And, as if all this excitement weren’t enough, last night I was notified that FC Edge, the amazing ad agency responsible for all of my cover designs, received a GOLD ADDY for the cover design of SPARE CHANGE. ..more to come once I have all the details.

If I’m dreaming, please don’t wake me.

Me with the "Needs-a-Name" Book Club

The absolute most fun an author can have is to visit with a book club comprised of more than a  dozen fun-loving gals who are brimming over with comments and conversation. The book club I visited with on Wednesday, February 8th was at Evergreen Country Club and hosted by Joyce Humboldt. I can hardly find words enough to tell of the wonderful time I had.

I have to start off with a big shout out to Ann Rogak who introduced the ladies to my books, and then add another shout out for Holly Duquette, who suggested “Cracks in the Sidewalk” as the monthly read. A few of the gals brought their copy of the book for me to autograph, but many of them had downloaded the book to their Kindle or Nook and could take advantage of the bargain price the e-book format makes possible.

When Ann and I arrived at Joyce’s home, the fragrant aroma of coffee was wafting through the room and the ladies were already gathering. After a few minutes of conversation, they quickly settled into a meeting mode, took attendance and proceeded with a brief discussion of upcoming reads. A few minutes latter, we began the discussion of “Cracks in the Sidewalk” – which I am pleased to say, all of the women enjoyed reading.  They commented that the story was unbelievably tragic and were interested to learn the core truths behind the book. After explaining that I didn’t have the heart to write the story until the woman, who is Claire in the book, was reunited with her grandchildren, the gals became interested in knowing what prompted me to write other novels.

Once that door was opened, we talked about so many aspects of writing and of an author’s life. One of the questions was - who is my favorite author? Truthfully speaking, I don’t have a favorite author – I have dozens of ‘favorite books’ but I quite often love one book by an author, but not necessarily the next one. I suppose for me, it’s all about the story. The conversation meandered down many pathways during the meeting and I can honestly say it was one of the most fun book clubs I’ve been to. When all was said and done, I did a brief reading from “Spare Change” and then Joyce served a lunch that was memorable. Were I to have a Tupperware tub in my handbag, I would have been sorely tempted to smuggle out a bit of that wonderful chicken salad peppered with chunks of pineapple.

As for the title of this story “Needs-a-Name” Book Club – well, when I asked the gals what the name of their club was, they said they had no name for it and asked if I’d make a suggestion. Here are a few that I sent to Joyce for their consideration – but stay tuned and I’ll let you know if they choose one of these or came up with something much more unique…

PAGETURNERS, WORDBIRDS, FICTION FRIENDS, COVER GALS, LIT LADIES, WEDNESDAY’S WORDS, STORYBOOK SISTERS, and the inevitable BOOK BABES. There were a few more, but we’ll save those for next time.

I also shared a brief overview on “Life in the Land of IS…the Amazing Story of Lani Deauville, the world’s longest living Quadriplegic” which will be released in late February and much like me, the listeners were awed by the personal and professional achievements of Lani Deauville. One of the members mentioned that she had a brother-in-law who was also a quadriplegic and she wanted to get the book for him. “I think it will show him that all things are possible when you dig down and take hold of your own determination,” she said. I, of course, promised to let her know as soon as the book was available.

In all, in was a wonderful visit and I would like to thank Sars Dessureau for inviting me to speak to the Vero Group this month and again at the Sebastian GFWC on March 26th.

In keeping with my policy of giving back to the community, 10% of any book sales at the event is returned to the Club to support their many charitable endeavors.

“You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.” Arthur Plotnik

Celebrated author Arthur Plotnik shared these words about the meticulous, painstaking work editors do.  And while most aspiring authors may cringe at the thought of allowing someone else to touch their manuscripts, the fact remains that a good editor can help bring out the best in your work.  The trick comes in trusting your editor’s instinct and understanding that while s/he isn’t perfect, your editor wants to help you and your story shine.

As a writer myself, I understand the apprehension in allowing someone else into the world you have created.  After all you’ve spent months—possibly years—with these characters.  You’ve stayed awake late at night outlining key chapters and living through your characters’ trials and triumphs.  In some cases you’ve gotten to know and love these people and their situations more than your own family.  You’ve argued with your characters, cried with them, cheered with them, and sighed in relief as you wrote those important last two words: “The End”.

And then, all of a sudden, a real-life person comes along and introduces himself or herself as your editor.  You watch as your editor eyes your manuscript with something akin to glee.  And you start to feel the hairs rise on the back of your neck as you realize this person actually wants to make cuts to your story.  How can you possibly leave your baby in the hands of this person, this, this…editor?

The key here is to understand exactly what an editor does.  A good editor does not want to make cuts to your manuscript simply for the sake of making cuts.  An editor’s job is to read carefully through your work.  S/he looks for the necessary elements, those essential descriptions and sections of dialogue that help your story fly.  And then s/he takes out the rest.  And if your editor has done the job right, you won’t even be able to make a distinction between your work and your editor’s careful paring of your story.

That’s not to say allowing someone else to evaluate your story is a comfortable process.  At times the edits can almost inflict a physical sensation.  Imagine a snake that has just shed its skin.  The snake has left the old skin behind, but how does it feel immediately after disposing of the unnecessary article?  The wind probably chafes and makes its body prickle.  Yet after a short period of time, the snake feels comfortable and doesn’t remember the old skin at all.

Much in the same way, editing takes away layers of writing that no longer belong to the essence of the story.  When you begin writing your manuscript, it’s important—crucial, even—to allow all the words to appear on the page.  Don’t think; just let the words come.  Keep them, and give your writer’s self a free hand to include as many words as you want.

Once the manuscript is complete, the editor has the mammoth task of searching through all the words, peeling back all the layers, to find the heart of the story.  As your editor works with you and with your manuscript, you will feel—actually feel in your skin—the words being stripped away.  The loss of the excess words will sting, but soon you’ll realize your editor’s handiwork.  And you’ll realize those words were just that—excess.

An editor is an essential member of your writing journey.  It is often said that good writing is actually rewriting.  Writing a story from the heart takes courage; rewriting that story to make it the story it is meant to be takes audacity.  And a good editor will give you the mettle to be audacious.

In The Author’s words…

Lame Excuses is the story about Emily, a southern girl who grows up in a 1960s café. Her fondest memories are of the café and the comfort she found there. Emily remembers the tickling sensation on her lips when they met the rim of a frosty bottle, the awakened taste buds from the juices from a succulent burger, and the comforting feeling of warm cheese that melted her troubles away.

Emily’s thoughts and dreams throughout life are driven by her love for food. As a young woman, Emily chooses a career in the culinary arts that will keep her close to her first love. She becomes a successful pastry chef in the rural farming community where she meets her future husband and calls home. Emily’s life and weight rolls along with ups and downs, much like most lives do.

Emily and her family aren’t prepared for the consequences that follow her passionate love for food.

After reading Lame Excuses, several readers have shared with me how much they identified with Emily. Many of us struggle with temptation when TV ads push big, juicy burgers and cool, refreshing drinks in our faces. In America, we are constantly bombarded by food for sustenance, pleasure, and entertainment. Do you think that food is an acceptable drug in our society? I sometimes think of it that way.

I know what it’s like to be a Foodie, a new handle in our age for people who are like me, and look forward to their next meal. Like Emily, I grew up in a fast food restaurant in the ’60s when eating at home fell by the wayside and people craved convenience. Like Emily, I grew up on cheeseburgers and fries. Like Emily, I had my share of Moon Pies and colas for breakfast. As a young woman concerned about weight, I swore off fast food and soft drinks and never returned to my old ways. But, I have often wondered, what if I was Emily? What if my love for the food of my childhood surpassed my desire for a healthy body? What if eating luscious pastries like Emily’s made me feel so comfortable that I ignored my body? These are the questions that compelled me to write Emily’s story.

I am fascinated by the “what if” questions in life. There are many sides to every story and every life. Exploring different views in life supports compassion and strengthens our love for those we come to know. Through my writing, I hope to explore the strengths and weaknesses that ultimately define the lives of my characters.

Alle’s second novel, Railroad Man, is set in the 1930s and explores the life of Mick MacDonald, a man who loves the women in his life and strives to make them happy. Look for it in Kindle books on Amazon - only 99 cents.  Buy Book…

Once I learned that in addition to the trade paperback versions, both of my books would be available in the digital format, I broke down and bought a Kindle. Up until that point I had been one of those die-hard holdouts who swore I’d never use an e-reader. Too much like working on the computer, I said.  Yes, as the song goes, “I was blind, but now I see!”

The e-book reader advantage: 

Not only is it possible to carry around your entire library in a device that weighs less than a paperback, but you can also download free chapters of books to browse at your leisure.  For me, this is an awesome feature because I just don’t have the time to stand in a bookstore reading a chapter or two to determine whether or not I’ll like the book.  With these good-sized samples on my Kindle, I read when it’s convenient for me, decide which books I want to buy and then download the remainder of the book with a few simple clicks. The Kindle has more than paid for itself since  I’ve eliminated the purchase of books that turn sour after ten or twelve pages.

The e-book author advantage:

I can honestly say the advantages that serve me well as a reader, also serve me well as an author–new readers are downloading samples of Spare Change and Cracks in the Sidewalk, loving the story, then purchasing the book. In short, new readers are discovering my work and as an author, that’s music to my ears. Digital books also have an added plus–cost. Without the cost of paper and printing, publishing firms can offer books at a lower cost which makes the purchase of an unfamiliar author’s work less of an investment, so the customer reaps the reward and the author garners a larger audience. That’s a win-win situation. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) the big six publishing houses are not passing along this savings to the consumer, so potential readers are quicker to bypass the old standards and search out new authors with exciting voices. This has been wonderful for me and  as a result the e-book version of Spare Change (available at $2.99) is outselling the paper version by 10 to 1. The ratio for Cracks in the Sidewalk is approximately 8 to 1.

On to 2012:

With over five million Kindles sold in the month preceding Christmas, there can be little doubt that any and all future releases need to have a digital version, so Bent Pine Publishing is doing just that. In the first quarter of 2012, my first novel Girl Child will be rereleased under the original title which was The Twelfth Child and it will be available in both paper and e-book versions. As The Twelfth Child this novel won the First Place Award for Published Fiction from the National League of American Pen Women in 2007 and, although Spare Change is rapidly becoming a reader favorite, you will fall in love with Abigail Anne Lannigan, the protagonist of Twelfth Child.

Also due to be released in the first quarter of 2012 is Life in the Land of IS…the amazing story of Lani Deauville, the World’s Longest Living Quadriplegic. Lani Deauville was given that title by the Guinness Book of Records and I was fortunate enough to have the honor of writing her story.  Lani won the Florida State High School Diving Championship in 1957, and the following summer she broke her neck and injured her spinal cord by diving into shallow water. In the years that followed, Lani achieved more professionally and personally than most women ever aspire to; including adoption of a baby and the start-up of GreensPlus, a nutritional supplement company that today has a huge following. This is an exciting story–one that will awe and inspire you, so please don’t miss it.

Lastly, in the final quarter of 2012 I anticipate the release of What Matters Most the novel that won a 2011 Royal Palm Literary Award for Unpublished Women’s Fiction. This is the fun-to-read story of Louise Palmer, a woman whose life is turned upside-down when her husband decides to retire after inheriting his uncle’s shabby little shack in Florida. There are truly laugh-out-loud moments in this book along with heartwarming friendships and ‘lessons-learned’ bits of wisdom.

Right now, that’s what is on the board. As for the summer months…well, I hope to be working on a new novel and restoring the tan that has over these long months of work faded to a pasty pallor.

Q:  

A:   My name’s Ethan Allen Doyle, I’m an eleven-year old kid and I ain’t the hero of this story, but I got more troubles than any ten heroes ought to have. I suppose you could say Grandma Olivia is the hero, but it sure didn’t start out that way. Matter of fact, Grandma Olivia never even wanted kids, never mind an eleven-year-old boy with trouble dogging his heels.

Q:   Where do you live?

A:   Me, my Mama and Daddy lived on a farm smack in the middle of nowhere—folks claim it’s the Eastern Shore of Virginia, but Mama used to say it was the ass end of the earth. ‘Course I don’t where I’m gonna live now, guess that depends on whether or not Grandma Olivia changes her way of thinking about kids.

Q:   Do you run from conflict?

A:   I got no choice but to run; if I stay here Scooter Cobb is gonna blast my butt to kingdom come. And, telling the truth ain’t an option—whose gonna take the word of a kid over that of a policeman?

Q:   How do you see yourself?

A:   I see myself as the most unluckiest kid in the world; I got a dead Mama, a dead Daddy, and a policeman’s daddy looking to kill me. Is that unlucky enough for you?

Q:   How do your enemies see you?

A:   Right now, I ain’t all that sure who’s my enemy and who’s not. I know for sure Scooter Cobb is, he’s got a sneaky suspicion I know the truth of what happened to Daddy so he’d rather see me dead than alive. And, I got a notion his son Sam, feels the same; with Sam being a policeman things are just gonna get worse. That other detective, Jack Mahoney, I’m not too sure about him.

Q:   What do you think of yourself?

A:   I’m nobody’s fool; I know trouble when I see it and I can generally figure my way around it. Mama says I’m a lot like her, but there’s one difference—when Daddy gets ugly, she eggs him on, me, I just up and disappear.

Q:   Do you have a hero?

A:   Yeah, I reckon my hero is Grandma Olivia; she had guts enough to stand up the Cobbs. She told me not to worry ‘cause we got God on our side, ‘course the Cobbs got guns and meanness on their side, but Grandma Olivia didn’t seem to let that bother her none.

Q:   Do you have a goal?

A:   ‘Course I got a goal—stayin’ alive! When Mama was alive we was thinking we’d go to New York City so she could be a singing star, but that plan’s shot to hell, so stayin’ alive is the next best thing.

Q:   What are your achievements?

A:   Getting outta Scooter Cobb’s house for one thing. I come up with that plan by myself, nobody was slipping me some good escaping suggestions that’s for sure. Okay, I was scared when my foot missed and I started sliding off the roof, but I didn’t give in to screaming or anything; a lot of kids would’ve been yelling for their mama, but not me—yelling for Mama wouldn’t of done me no good anyway.

Q:   What makes you happy?

A:   I like when the Orioles win; ‘course they don’t win much so I ain’t got a lot to be happy about. I used to be happy when Mama talked about me n’ her going to New York City. I figured if we ever got there, I was gonna see a New York Yankees game. The Yankees, now that’s a team you can be happy about.

Q:   What makes you sad?

A:   Thinking about Mama lying in the driveway like she was taking a nap and thinking about Daddy with his head squashed open; and of course knowing I ain’t never gonna see that Yankee game I was counting on.

Q:   Are you lucky?

A:   You gotta be kidding me! I done told you, I’m the most unlucky kid in the world! If I was lucky, me and Mama would be in New York eating a bunch of hot dogs and watching a Yankee game.

Q:   Did you get along with your parents?

A:   Yeah, we got along okay. With Daddy I mostly stayed outta his way, but Mama and me, we had ourselves some good times talking about all the stuff we was gonna do. Mama wasn’t like most mamas, she didn’t like cooking and cleaning, she said life was too short for such nonsense, she said we was put on earth to be happy and that’s what she was trying to do. I felt real good when Mama said I took after her and was not like Daddy; I never wanted to be like Daddy.

Q:   Was there ever a defining moment in your life?

A:   Yeah, when I found Mister Porter’s shotgun in the basement, if it wasn’t for that rusted old shotgun Grandma Olivia and me would both be dead. I would’ve preferred finding some shells for the Browning ‘cause a rifle’s a lot more accurate than a shotgun, but luckily things worked out okay anyway.

Q:   What is your most prized possession?

A:   Is a dog a possession? ‘Cause if he is, then I’d say Dog. If a dog ain’t a possession, then I guess it’s a toss-up between my catcher’s mitt and those birthday cards I got from the grandpa I ain’t ever met. If I didn’t have those cards, I’d of never found Grandma Olivia.

Q:   How do you envision your future?

A:   That’s a funny question. Anyway, I done seen the story of how I growed up, so I know what I become; but I ain’t saying. If you really wanna know, then you gotta read Grandma Olivia’s story—‘cause that’s the God’s honest truth of how it was.

SPARE CHANGE by Bette Lee Crosby

Available on Amazon – http://tinyurl.com/3nvn4nc

Available on Barnes & Noble http://tinyurl.com/3nm5tpk

Also available for Kindle or Nook

This interview was originally published on Author Pat Bertram’s Blog