My local library comes in handy as my reading list grows. So does my stint as a book reviewer at Night Owl Romance (NOR). The trouble is I find more and more books and authors I would love to read. And, please don't get me started reading a series. I have a tendency, when I find a good series, to read every book in order even when there are 15 to 20 books in that series.
Actually, I tend to prefer to follow a good series. Debbie Macomber has two series that I have followed: the Cedar Cove series and the series about the yarn shop, A Good Yarn. Although Debbie has written several other series, I have so far avoided getting hooked on them.
Writing a series of stories with engaging characters and good plot lines is a smart move on the part of writers. Once someone gets hooked on a series, the writer has a ready made audience breathlessly awaiting the next novel. The longer the series can play out without getting stale, the better for the writer.
Unfortunately, too many times the author should have quit while they were ahead. I've recently read complaints from readers about series that are no longer up to the same standard as the earlier books. Alas, I read the reviews on Amazon.com - not the place an author wants to see their latest book trashed.
Therefore, dear author, if you are writing a series of books that become popular with readers, take care not to start writing later books by rote or rush them out because the publisher wants the next installment. Take care that you can keep the same or better quality going, or end the series and start another. Your readers will reward you by continuing to follow you - not publicly trashing your novel.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Friday, December 12, 2008
10 Hottest Selling Books of 2008
About.com lists the 10 hottest selling books of 2008. Although not all of the books were published in 2008, one was originally published in 2005, everyone of them sold like fire crackers for the 4th of July.
It is an interesting and eclectic list. Click here to read the blog post. I think you will find the comments interesting, especially about The Shack by William P. Young. The Shack and how it was published is a lesson in how not to give up.
The most interesting item was number 10 - Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich. No one said all the books were literary giants. As for me, must go pick this book up and catch up with Stephanie and friends.
What do you think? Have you read any of the books on the list? Are you surprised by what is selling?
It is an interesting and eclectic list. Click here to read the blog post. I think you will find the comments interesting, especially about The Shack by William P. Young. The Shack and how it was published is a lesson in how not to give up.
The most interesting item was number 10 - Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich. No one said all the books were literary giants. As for me, must go pick this book up and catch up with Stephanie and friends.
What do you think? Have you read any of the books on the list? Are you surprised by what is selling?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
USA Today Article - Books About Books
In a USA Today article, Bob Minzesheimer recommends five books about books.
Mr. Minzeheimer has chosen an interesting array of topics including a book about how the question of what kids should read turned into big business; another is a guide to what women read, after the two authors analyzed 600 books; and a third book takes a look at thirteen books that made a cultural difference in America.
Click on the link to the USA Today article for further information. All five of the suggested books sound interesting for anyone who enjoys a broader understanding of who reads what and why.
What books are on your reading list today?
Mr. Minzeheimer has chosen an interesting array of topics including a book about how the question of what kids should read turned into big business; another is a guide to what women read, after the two authors analyzed 600 books; and a third book takes a look at thirteen books that made a cultural difference in America.
Click on the link to the USA Today article for further information. All five of the suggested books sound interesting for anyone who enjoys a broader understanding of who reads what and why.
What books are on your reading list today?
Monday, December 1, 2008
Daily Dose of DailyLit.com Recap
Well, I wrote earlier this month about the daily dose of Pride and Prejudice I received as an email.
It is time to 'fess up and reveal the truth. I got so involved in the story that I spent last weekend clicking on next installment until I had read the whole book. So much for daily installments.
I was really surprised that I got so involved in the novel, but the characters came alive to me and I had to find out what happened next. Mr. Darcy became my favorite character and I am so glad everything worked out in the end. Now I would like to see the movie version.
Not sure what my next daily lit dose will be - think I will check out the site today and see what I come up with next. Hopefully I won't get so involved that I spend a day and a half just reading. Of course, that certainly hasn't happened before. ;>)
How about you? Have you ever gotten so caught up in a story you couldn't put it down? Which story was it?
It is time to 'fess up and reveal the truth. I got so involved in the story that I spent last weekend clicking on next installment until I had read the whole book. So much for daily installments.
I was really surprised that I got so involved in the novel, but the characters came alive to me and I had to find out what happened next. Mr. Darcy became my favorite character and I am so glad everything worked out in the end. Now I would like to see the movie version.
Not sure what my next daily lit dose will be - think I will check out the site today and see what I come up with next. Hopefully I won't get so involved that I spend a day and a half just reading. Of course, that certainly hasn't happened before. ;>)
How about you? Have you ever gotten so caught up in a story you couldn't put it down? Which story was it?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
China Bayles and Thyme and Seasons
One of my favorite authors is Susan Wittig Albert of the China Bayles mystery series.
China is an herbalist and amateur sleuth based in fictional Pecan Springs, TX, midway between Austin and San Antonio.
Every week, I receive an email newsletter from Susan through her AboutThyme website and blog.
The newsletter I received this morning reminded us that November is National Peanut Butter Lovers' Month and National Raisin Bread Month. Great reminders as I love both. But the greatest news is November 28th is National French Toast Day.
The best french toast ever is made from raisin bread. How cool is it that both are the same month.
Along with the french toast made with raisin bread, is that November 29th is National Chocolates Day. Dessert anyone?
If you would like to read a good mystery series with a cast of interesting characters, check out China Bayles, and find out what she, Ruby, Mike and gang are mixed up in now.
China is an herbalist and amateur sleuth based in fictional Pecan Springs, TX, midway between Austin and San Antonio.
Every week, I receive an email newsletter from Susan through her AboutThyme website and blog.
The newsletter I received this morning reminded us that November is National Peanut Butter Lovers' Month and National Raisin Bread Month. Great reminders as I love both. But the greatest news is November 28th is National French Toast Day.
The best french toast ever is made from raisin bread. How cool is it that both are the same month.
Along with the french toast made with raisin bread, is that November 29th is National Chocolates Day. Dessert anyone?
If you would like to read a good mystery series with a cast of interesting characters, check out China Bayles, and find out what she, Ruby, Mike and gang are mixed up in now.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Author Matt Richtel and His Twiller
Matt Richtel has created a techno first. He is writing his latest novel, as yet unnamed, via Twitter, the web- and text message-based service that allows users to send frequent updates of no more than 100 characters at a time to friends, family and the Internet at large.
He has an update on Blogger, that will bring the reader up to date as of September, then go to Twitter and follow Matt/Lev as he travels around the country trying to regain his memory, and find out how he was involved in the death of a D.C. madam.
Richtel leaves random updates on Twitter, as hundreds follow his story. At last count, he had over 800 Twitterers following his story.
Richtel's first novel, Hooked, was published in 2007. Check out his website by clicking on the title of this post for more information.
He has an update on Blogger, that will bring the reader up to date as of September, then go to Twitter and follow Matt/Lev as he travels around the country trying to regain his memory, and find out how he was involved in the death of a D.C. madam.
Richtel leaves random updates on Twitter, as hundreds follow his story. At last count, he had over 800 Twitterers following his story.
Richtel's first novel, Hooked, was published in 2007. Check out his website by clicking on the title of this post for more information.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
A Bright Light Gone - Tony Hillerman
One of my favorite authors is no longer with us. Tony Hillerman died Sunday at the age of 83. As a huge fan of Hillerman's, I have read, more than once, all of his Navajo Tribal Police mystery novels, own DVD's of three of the books, and have either purchased or checked out from the library, several other books of various topics.
Two table top books that Tony and his brother, a photographer, compiled of the Navaho lands were breathtaking in their colorful photographs and insightful comments.
I spent several weeks in 2006 driving all around Navajo country. I will never forget the experience, the thrill of seeing the actual locations I had previously only read about in his books, and the feeling that a higher power was involved in allowing me to spend time in that area. Of all the places I have ever been, the Four Corners area of the U.S. remains in my heart.
As someone said, no more books will come from this wonderful writer. Many readers anxiously awaited his next story, but we are all blessed for the many books we now have in our libraries. Books we can return to again and again.
Rest in peace, Tony Hillerman. You will be missed!
Two table top books that Tony and his brother, a photographer, compiled of the Navaho lands were breathtaking in their colorful photographs and insightful comments.
I spent several weeks in 2006 driving all around Navajo country. I will never forget the experience, the thrill of seeing the actual locations I had previously only read about in his books, and the feeling that a higher power was involved in allowing me to spend time in that area. Of all the places I have ever been, the Four Corners area of the U.S. remains in my heart.
As someone said, no more books will come from this wonderful writer. Many readers anxiously awaited his next story, but we are all blessed for the many books we now have in our libraries. Books we can return to again and again.
Rest in peace, Tony Hillerman. You will be missed!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Artist's Way Squidoo
Julia Cameron and The Artist's Way played a huge role in my life during the mid-1990's. I have written the morning pages for years, and the daily process helped me deal with many situations.
Working through our angst with daily stream of consciousness writing is an easy and inexpensive way to let our emotions, problems and worries flow. They also help us work through decisions, create new avenues in our life, solve problems, and avoid the psychiatrists couch. What more could one ask.
Please visit my Squidoo lens Savvy Journaling The Artist's Way. There is information about the morning pages, a cool link to The Write Prompt, and even a fun poll. At this time there are twenty suggestions for Artist Dates. If you don't know what artist dates are, check the site. You will be in for a pleasant surprise.
Are you a fan of morning pages? Do you do any type of daily writing that is stream of consciousness? Do you use prompts?
Working through our angst with daily stream of consciousness writing is an easy and inexpensive way to let our emotions, problems and worries flow. They also help us work through decisions, create new avenues in our life, solve problems, and avoid the psychiatrists couch. What more could one ask.
Please visit my Squidoo lens Savvy Journaling The Artist's Way. There is information about the morning pages, a cool link to The Write Prompt, and even a fun poll. At this time there are twenty suggestions for Artist Dates. If you don't know what artist dates are, check the site. You will be in for a pleasant surprise.
Are you a fan of morning pages? Do you do any type of daily writing that is stream of consciousness? Do you use prompts?
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Senior Writer Welcomes You
Welcome to Sassy Senior Writer. As of mid-November 2008, we are undergoing a directional change with the discovery of Make Money for Beginners here on Blogger. Griz walks bloggers through the steps to monetize their blogs. Sassy Senior Writer will continue to blog as usual, but with the added task of monetizing this blog - as an experiment, of course.
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment, and I will get back with you as soon as possible.
Therefore, the Senior Writer is going through the lessons provided by Griz to see how his plan works for this site.
One challenge that I see - we did not start out with the keywords we needed to optimize the blog. We will see how this plays out in the long run.
Feel free to suggest writing topics, discuss content, and express your opinion.
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