Moving Day!

I love this blog, the posts, the comments the pictures - but it's time to move forward. As I did on Facebook, I am transferring my blog posts over to a Jennifer Bogart - Author. When I first started this blog, I had one goal in mind. That was to send "Remember Newvember" out into the world, get it noticed and make millions.  At the time I wasn't thinking about the future, or where I would be two years later.

If blogger would allow it, I would change the title and URL of the blog, but it's not so simple. I can do what I want with the title, but the URL is stuck. Lucky for me, I managed to snag my name a while ago in preparation for this moment. So, I'll continue to work on writing fresh and inviting posts while keeping readers up to date on my progress, only it will be at jenniferbogart-author.blogspot.ca. Thanks to everyone for your support!

NaPoWriMo April 25th

April is National Poetry Writing Month. In celebration of poets everywhere, and to encourage those who are  embarking on their literary journey, I have been posting poetry (not mine) each day for the month of April. Today, I seem to have run out of poets - so you get the special treat of my most recent masterpiece.

Shadow Dance

(copyright Jennifer Bogart)

Sometimes when I'm walking, I look back and see

My shadow is dancing: a memory of me. 

From a time long ago, her step is airy and free,

I close my eyes tight; I don't want to see. 

Pale skin, soft eyes, with a smile so bright

I follow, entranced: afraid I'll lose sight. 

Her countenance changes, she gives me a fright,

I search through the darkness, but can't find her light. 

I call to her, but cannot remember her name

She once was me: but we're not the same.

She's only a memory, a figment, not tame,

Her gift is my future, cold, dark, filled with shame. 

Carefully, stealthily, I look to the right

The woman beside me is me: but not quite. 

Her smile is sad, her soul knows my plight,

She knows in my heart we can't make this right. 

She's in the past, too elusive to hold

Can't have her back: she's frail and she's old.

I look to the future, for legends untold,

I'll find myself there as my story unfolds. 

Gordon Kuhn - Writing Poetry

In celebration of World Poetry Day, I convinced Gordon Kuhn, author of The Widow's Cliff and Other Poems, to share his experiences as a poet. Please take a look, and maybe you'll be inspired to write a poem or two of your own. 

Gordon Kuhn - Poet

What is a poet? Why be a poet?

I recall years back my father saying to me:

He’s a poet.

But he didn’t know it.

However, his feet did.

They were Longfellows.

Well, cute, but not the point I’m looking to make. I am a poet because I think in that fashion. I like to play with words. I love the sound of words. To me, music fills the air when I write poetry. Now, please understand that I don’t like ALL poetry. I like Bishop and Plath, along with Sexton and a few others. They bring out the poet in me if I am reading their poetry. I cannot sit and read Sylvia Plath without writing myself. It's impossible, I have to write.

So, what do I write about? I write about everything. Whatever comes to mind. However, I cannot force it. I cannot say I'm going to write a poem about nurses and sit down and write one. It does not work that way. But on the other side of the fence, I can be walking down the street and suddenly a poem will form. Then the love of sound and meter take over. The words tumble through my brain, loving each other, wrestling with each other, and they make poetry.

The other issue that comes to mind is the reader. Not everyone in the world likes poetry. Most people don’t. That being true, the poet has a reduced population of potential readers. Among that crowd are people who read poetry but walk around saying they don't understand poetry. That can be troublesome if you're sensitive to their issues. The poet has to realize that they are simply an instrument and what they write will have different meanings to different readers. I've also learned that my poetry and I are separate. I've learned I must make it clear to my readers that what they read may not be the reality of my life. I write about drunkenness, however I'm not drunk. I write about what I feel, what comes to my mind, and what to me sounds beautiful.

I wrote a poem this morning and I'm including it here.

SINISTER

March 19, 2012

Copyright 2012 Gordon Kuhn

Poet in the Rain Productions

What capsule is this which surrounds me now?

What obscurity blurs the present sadly seen?

That life is as though a shadow drawn,

Beyond some clouded window pane,

As viewed down a distant rain-swept lane,

Where all the wishes of a lifetime now lay as pitied refuse

Piled at my feet for not following the path given and shown.

I failed to heed the signs as daily errant labor lay

Sublime and seduced my mind to wander and pray not stay

In proper nature, as others were wise to do.

And now the history in ending August chill

While fall comes as blame is cast before me there.

Dying leaves as shadows fall upon the lawn of life.

For failure to see or to understand the gift past given

And as a knife plunged deep within my heart

Sorrows tumble as blood droplets fall by the score for failure to ignore

The wisps of lightly scented false wishes that led astray

That pulled me from life’s purposeful and plain desire

T’was sinister delusions most grandeur that misled me to this day

And yet, and yet, I would surely wish it no other way.

I’m a simple poet. I write. It is my present to thee.

 Gordon Kuhn, Poet in the Rain.

  

Don't forget to check out Gordon's blog at  http://gordonwrites.com/ . 

Funky February (in March)

February might be the shortest month of the year, but with the added day this year, it certainly felt like the longest. Yes – I know it’s now mid-March, but I’m only crawling out my February Funk now. Normally, I revel in the beauty of winter. I love fluffy snowflakes, ice crystals forming on windows and icicles hanging from rooftops (even though I know they are horribly dangerous). I love curling up with a cup of hot chocolate, a warm blanket and a good book while the dark cold of winter surrounds me. February is usually harsh and cold, but this year it was mild and mucky – and so were my emotions.

My father-in-law passed away, leaving a house full of memories and secrets needing to be sorted. Each day we would arrive at his house to sort through his possessions, thinking we only needed a few hours to box things up in preparation for selling the house. Instead, we got lost in old photographs, correspondence and all the bits and pieces that made up the life of a very special man.

Antique cameras, costume jewellery, scouting paraphernalia, report cards, birth certificates, death certificates, bills, shopping lists, books, plants – the list of treasures is endless.  How do you decide what to keep, what to donate and what to sell? How do you decide which parts of a person’s life hold the most value?

Among the buried treasures, we found a set of duelling pistols. They are old, dating back to the 1880’s, according to the ELG marking on them. Stored in a candy tin, hidden at the back of a closet, we wondered if this was a piece of history, a family heirloom which he stashed away in memory of his own childhood. We will never know.

Undoubtedly, on a personal level, the photographs hold the most value – except, we can only identify a select few individuals. Even then, the stories behind each of the pictures has faded beyond memory’s reach. I am starting to understand the value of creating memoires, complete with pictures, if only for personal use. After all, a picture can only hold as much value as the memory it provokes.  

So – the moral of this blog: share stories with your children, label pictures and write down the important stuff. Who knows? It is entirely possible that piece of costume jewellery, bequeathed to you by your great-aunt Millie, might have been a rare gift to her from a famous Prince. Its true value is undoubtedly more than you’ll ever know. 

On Giveaways and Contests

Do book giveaways and contests really generate sales? These days, everyone wants something for free, so it seems like a great way to advertise, without breaking the budget. The only problem is, if you’re constantly giving from your own blog, facebook page or via twitter, you may only be reaching the select few who either follow you or stumble upon you during an internet search for something completely unrelated.  

I’m not going to pretend to know anything about this – there are many more successful writers out there who I’m sure have had different experiences. I do know, however, from my own experiences, that the best form of advertising seems to be “word of mouth”. Readers like to talk about books; they grow attached to the characters, connect with their emotions and relate to themes. Even if the book is science fiction, written about possible events far into the future, with bizarre creatures, readers still manage to find the human element and latch on to it.

There’s nothing in the world like hearing: “Oh, I bought a copy of your book because my sister read and it and loved it.” I encourage my readers to pass their paper copies around to friends and family. Maybe those that borrowed didn’t purchase my first book, but there’s a possibility they might purchase the second.

Now, back to the topic of book giveaways. I’ve entered several, and won several. Most of them were by Indie writers, and I must say, I have yet to receive one I didn’t enjoy. Book giveaways are an excellent way to discover new writers, especially those you may not come across on the best sellers list in your local bookstore.

So, why not take a chance and enter a few? You have nothing to lose and it won’t cost you a penny. Currently, there’s 31 Days of Giveaways happening at The Blog! S.M. Boyce. Why don’t you click on over to discover 27 fabulous authors, 31 books and a few little extras guaranteed to make this cold January a little bit warmer. Each book is available to be won for 10 days, so it’s not too late to check it out. 

You say it's your birthday!

It’s my birthday – and I’ve reached that milestone of 40 but still feel as though I’m floundering away in my 20’s, wondering if I’m ever really going to grow up, have a mature outlook on life and be able to write with confidence and grace. Maybe when I’m 60 I’ll be able to say I’ve achieved some of these goals.

Anyway, this post isn’t meant to be about me – it’s about the way I choose to celebrate my birthday. Every year, on my birthday, I send my mom flowers. She’s the one who deserves the congratulations, the praise and the warm wishes. After suffering through nausea, swollen ankles, heartburn, weight-gain, mood swings and unnatural food cravings for nine plus months, I arrived – an adorable bundle of joy. Even though I was a couple of weeks late, kept her up at all hours of the night, deprived her of sleep and took away all her freedoms as an individual, she loved me before she even got to know me.

My sister holding me - I don't seem to have a baby picture of me with my mom. 

My mom introduced me to my first loves in life: imaginative play, books, movies, and music. As a teenager, she bribed me to do the laundry by offering me a new book to read every weekend. We spent countless hours watching classic movies such as “The Sound of Music” or “My Fair Lady”. She rarely told us to turn the music down – quite often she would be the one to turn it up, providing we were listening to Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison or Meat Loaf. Without her influence, who knows what might have happened?

Without fail, she is the first person I turn to when I need advice. Whether I’m cooking, removing stains, writing a book or trying to figure out my own children, my mom’s insights are always welcome, even if I don’t acknowledge them in the moment. She has a wealth of knowledge, family traditions and bits of insights that come from being aware and accepting of the world around her. I like to think I’m a bit like that – open to new ideas, and accepting of everyone.

I don’t think celebrating my mom once a year, on Mother’s Day, is sufficient. When our children are young, we shower them with gifts and privileges on their birthdays, letting them know how much we love and cherish them. As an adult, I think it’s important to return that love to our own parents – and what better way to do that than to acknowledge them on your own birthday?

So – Mom – from my heart to yours, Happy Birthday.

  

Reflecting on "Reflections"

Last year, I wrote “Reflections”. It was supposed to be my 2010 30 day NaNo challenge, but it actually took me twelve months to complete it. The story went through numerous rewrites, the characters morphed from male to female, and the book took on a life of its own.

I tried to let Willow go, but somehow she slipped into the book. 

Over the past couple of months, I have been implementing edits. After so many rewrites, I am amazed at the number of small issues that still exist within the text. There are areas of the book that don’t flow very well; there are choppy sentences awkward phrases and bits that simply don’t make sense. Each time another section is reviewed, more inconsistencies arise and errors are revealed. Thankfully, I have an excellent editor, who also has a terrific sense of humour.

Well, everyone could use a good looking Dane now and then . . . 

She has a knack of pointing out the mistakes or areas that are poorly written, without making me feel as though I am completely inept – like most writers, I can take care of that feeling without any external help. Her comments are direct and to the point, and she doesn’t try to manipulate the story-line or character development into something I didn’t intend. Often, we find the same issue and come up with the same solution. When this happens, I know the right person is editing my book.

I had already rewritten this section when I saw her note. It made me laugh.

Every writer needs a good editor, proof-reader and supportive beta readers. Without them, a book cannot receive the polish and shine it deserves before being released into the world. Thanks to the few who have been so supportive over the past year, “Reflections” is well on its way to being released early this spring. I can hardly wait to receive the first proof copy in the mail. 

*This is the cover for the proof copy only, it will not appear on the actual book.

Emerging from NaNo Land

I’m coming out of NaNo Land in a bit of a haze, knowing there’s still much to do, but happy with my accomplishment. November was National Novel Writing Month, during which time thousands of authors sat glued to their computers, pounding away on the keyboard aiming for a word count of 50 000. This meant a target of approximately 1600 words a day. Broken down, it doesn’t seem like all that much.

Except – you have to account for all the small stuff that happens in between. This month seems to have been one trial after another. Between sick kids, hockey tournaments, family obligations and the everyday chaos that follows a family of six, I barely found time to write. The end result was me frantically scrambling to write over 9000 words on the final day of November.

Did I succeed? Of course I did! So now, I have a not-so-shiny new novel to edit, explore, shape and tweak until it becomes the work of art it is meant to be. It’s a fantasy book geared towards children aged ten to fourteen, depending on their reading levels and interests. My goal was to create an engaging story for mature readers, while implementing challenging language and appropriate content. Not an easy task for someone who has been focusing on Women’s Literature.

Of the three books I have written, this one was probably the most difficult, as I stepped out of my comfort zone, tried something new, and focused my energy on a much younger audience. Currently, the very rough draft is in the hands of a couple age-appropriate beta readers. Here’s hoping they enjoy this draft as much as I enjoyed the challenge of writing it.

Newvember Book & Mug Give Away Contest

In celebration of Newvember I am giving away one signed copy of Remember Newvember and a very unique mug - the perfect combination for curling up with a hot chocolate while reading a great book on a crisp autumn day! Keep it for yourself, or give it away as a gift. 

How it works:

1. At least FIVE different days during the month of Newvember, post one new to you activity on Remember Newvember FB page (https://www.facebook.com/RememberNewvember). It doesn't have to be earth-shattering, just something new to you.
2. If you aren't on Facebook, you can play here, by posting in the comment section. 
3. Your name will be entered into a random draw for EACH time you posted. That means the more new things you try, the more chances you have to win.
4. Contest winner will be announced December 1st. 
5. Share the contest, spread the word and have some fun. 

Happy Newvember Everyone!

The Dreamy-Man-Voice

I had a hard time tracking Sawyer down to get a character interview. When I did, he was reluctant to talk about his part in the book. I can’t imagine why...

I did, however, manage to convince him to fill in one of those silly Facebook / internet quizzes that get passed around.

THE QUIZ: 

Can you fill this out without lying? You've been tagged, so now you need to answer all the questions HONESTLY. 

Here we go... 

1.What was the last thing you put in your mouth? 
Tea and a morning glory muffin – it was a bit dry, to tell the truth.  

2.Where was your profile picture taken? 
On stage at the Rustbucket during one of our gigs. I’m the one playing the drums.  

3. Can you play Guitar Hero? 
Sure. I’m a drummer. Guitar Hero is a piece of cake. But seriously, why would I waste my time on a video game when I can play the real thing.  

4. Name someone who made you laugh today. 
Now, that’s a tough one. I don’t think I’ve laughed yet today. Let me think about it. No. I definitely have not laughed yet today.  

5. How late did you stay up last night and why? 
I’m a night person, so I would guess I went to bed around midnight.  It’s not something I usually keep track of. 

6. If you could move somewhere else, would you? 
Nope. Toronto will also be my home.  

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks? 
Of course I have. You don’t get to be thirty without kissing someone under fireworks – or at the very least feeling like there’s fireworks when you’re kissing.  

8. Which of your Facebook friends lives closest to you? 
Willow – of course. We live in the same building.  

9. Do you believe ex's can be friends? 
Of course they can be – well, unless you did something really awful, then maybe not. Or – maybe not for a very long time. I guess it all depends on your ex. 

10. How do you feel about Dr Pepper? 
Really? What a strange question. I don’t think I feel anything about Dr. Pepper. I could take it or leave it.  

11. When was the last time you cried really hard? 
Huh?  You’ll have to read the book to get that answer.  

12. Who took your profile picture? 
Back to the picture? I think Olive might have taken the picture – it’s hard to say, it was a while ago.  

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of? 
I don’t even own a camera.  

14. Was yesterday better than today? 
No. Every new day is better than the last.  

15. Can you live a day without TV? 
Probably not. I’m addicted to all things electronic.  

16. Are you upset about anything? 
Well – if I told you, I’d have to kill. Ok – so that was very cliché. Again, you’ll have to read the book to the very end to see what my current emotional state is.  

17. Are you a bad influence? 
Uh – probably.  

18. Night out or night in? 
Out – definitely a night out, always.  

19. What items could you not go without during the day? 
I couldn’t be without my cell-phone and laptop (I do work in IT). 

20. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? 
I don’t think I’ve ever actually visited anyone in the hospital. At least, not that I can remember.  

21. What does the last text message in your inbox say? 
Kind of a personal question, don’t you think? Well, since I’m being honest, my last text says something like: R U 2 busy 2 meet up? 

22. How do you feel about your life right now? 
My life is a bit of a mess just now, but I’m picking up the pieces and getting everything sorted out.  

23. Do you hate any one? 
I can’t think of anyone off-hand, so I guess that would be a “no”. 

24. If we were to look in your facebook inbox, what would we find? 
You wouldn’t find much, mostly I use my phone for texts and e-mail. Facebook is fun, but it can be a dangerous place to play. 

25. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass? 
Yes. 

26. Has anyone ever called you perfect before? 
Willow might have thought I was perfect at one point, but aside from my mother, no one has ever called me perfect.  

27. What song is stuck in your head? 
I’m a musician – there’s always a new tune floating through my head. But I have to say, I’m partial to Mumford & Sons’ Little Lion Man, is currently running through my head.  

30. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be? 
Uh . . . read the book?  

31. Do you want to have grandkids before you’re 50? 
Since I’m not married and don’t have any kids that I know of, I doubt that’s even an option. If it is, it would mean my non-existent teenager would be a parent – so – no, I do not want to be a grandparent before I’m 50. 

32. Name something you have to do tomorrow. 
Go to work and then practice with the band.  

33. Do you think too much or too little? 
Sometimes I’m pretty sure I don’t think as much as I should. If I did think things through, then I would have an easier time staying out of trouble.  

34. Do you smile a lot? 
Sure – when there’s something to smile about.

  

Editing with Audio

Editing has to be one of the most difficult and tedious aspects of writing. Would I be a complete nerd if I admitted to liking it? Taking that rough, unpolished piece of writing and transforming it into the art it was meant to be gives me a bit of a thrill. Especially when I am able to smooth out the stubborn kinks I had difficulty addressing during the first rough drafts.

There are so many different ways to go about editing your document. Creating timelines and lists to ensure plot and character development; creating spreadsheets to maintain continuity and keep track of small details; or just reading the work through, over and over and over. The thing is: how do you know when your work is really ready for that final print version?

The answer for me is simple. Record it.

For the past month, I have been recording Remember Newvember with Irondog Studio. I thought creating an audio book would be a fun way to get a bit more exposure and offer another media for those who commute to work or don’t like to read, but enjoy listening. In my naivety, I thought the recording would only take as long as it would to read the book – about five or six hours, total. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

To start with, one hour and twenty minutes of recorded material took over six hours to record. That was the first day. I was nervous, and uncomfortable. Mr. Zee insisted I wear headphones so I could clearly hear what he was hearing. I don’t like to listen to my voice under normal circumstances; can you imagine how it felt to hear it in stereo? The experience was a little creepy and took some time to get used to.

As I got more comfortable, found my own reading cadence and rhythm, I realized what a great tool this experience was for editing. I had thought my book was pretty much print-ready. I had already released it as an e-book, knowing that if necessary I could make corrections easily enough, but I had honestly thought it was well-polished and error-free. Reading the book aloud, slowly, to an audience of one, proved otherwise.

While I read, I found minor typos, a few grammar issues and awkward wording. Most importantly, I was able to figure out where the words flowed well, and where they just sounded weird. Mr. Zee was excellent at pointing out too many sounds that were similar; or highlighting sections that just didn’t make any sense. In all, the entire experience turned into one huge editing adventure, and not just the audio recording I had anticipated.

At this point, there remains one more session to complete the voice recording. In total, I think the recording aspect will take about twenty hours of studio time. Then, Mr. Zee will work his mixing, editing and audio magic so that we have a lovely finished product. I know there’s more to it than that – but that will have to wait for another blog.

Even if you don’t use the services of a recording studio, taking the time to read your work out loud to your dog, cat, spouse, child or neighbour (offer them whatever it takes to get them to sit and listen for twenty-plus hours), really does help with that final bit of polishing to make your work really shine. 

Remember Newvember - Cover Design - the Dilemma

Ok, I'll admit it, I like pretty things. For anything to catch my attention, it must be visually appealing. So - first things first in this crazy journey to getting this book out to the world - it needs an eye-catching cover. I won't pretend to be an artist, but I do know what I find visually appealing. I started with a simple idea and with some help from a few friends the concept developed into something I might be able to work with. Of course - if my work ever does get swooped up by a real publisher (as opposed to a vanity press) I'm sure my original design will be tossed out the window and replaced by something polished and professional.

My idea for the cover is very much like the book itself; after all, the cover should reflect the interior contents. When the book cover doesn't hold a strong bond with the meat of the work, I somehow feel as though I have been mislead or in some way swindled out of the limited visual experience the cover offers.

The cover for Remember Newvember is a collage of all the new experiences Willow takes on during her 30 day dare of self-discovery. Thanks to a good friend, we collected the individual pieces, glued them onto a piece of Bristol board and then snapped a digital photo of the ensemble. The first step was easy - but it had a very amateur feel to it.

I decided the colours were a little too sharp and needed some blurring around the edges. I tried B&W - but that seemed too 1940's for the feel of the book. A little colour was necessary as it's a very colourful story. So, then I went with sepia tones - but again - it was washed out just a bit too much. Using my limited graphic software (I won't even share how abysmal the selection is), I converted the colours to orange-ish tones and violà . . . I liked the result.

And then - I added some fancy writing - but unfortunately for lack of appropriate software, the quality is awful. I guess I am going to have to invest in some decent software if I am going to continue at playing bestselling author and cover designer . . .

Now - this wasn't a done deal - and I am very much open to suggestions because there is something that isn't quite "right" about it. Something lacking (aside from the quality of the text). So - another very good friend offered to give me a helping hand, and her professional expertise. She did some research, took my amateur photo and created this little masterpiece:

At first, I honestly didn't love it - but the more I look at it and compare it to my first attempt - the more it grows on me. I think if I were browsing through my favourite book store whether it is an actual physical one, or a virtual one - I just might pick up this little treasure.