If You Were a Book...

You know how people always compare dogs and their owners? If you were a book, what would you be? Would you be a western? Science fiction? Paranormal? Fantasy? Mystery? How-to? Historical? Humor? Children's? Christian? Romance? Multicultural? Science? Or some combination of these? 

Iced in over the past 4 days, I have given this some thought. I love fantasy, historical, and science fiction. Throw in some humor and occasional romance for fun and that just about describes me. But like most people, I have different personas depending on the day. I have even written in several of these genres, but I always come back to picture books, my first writing love. 

How about you? At life's end, which best describes you? Are you disciplined enough to focus solely on one writing genre or do you combine one or more? Could you change? Tantalizing things to think about when digging through the freezer for something else to cook since you can't get to the store. -Q

Books as Gifts vs. Gift Books

I love books! For gift giving occasions, I love giving and receiving books. When giving, I try to match the person's interest with the gift. For science fiction writers, it might be How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card. For photographers, it might be Magnum Contact Sheets. In other words, I look for informational or how to books.

Other times, I gift fun books. I buy what someone will like vs. what he/she can use. For children's book writers, it might be The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce. For family members, it might be A Day Late and a Dollar Short by Spike Van Cleve, one of my father's favorites. 

It is also a great chance to do pay it forward marketing for author friends. I love to share great books written by author friends with family and non-writing friends. Whatever your gift giving needs. Think books!

Happy Holidays!
-Q

Elves and Fairies Unite

I just love this time of year for sparking the imagination. Everything from twinkling lights to greenery and rich colors are a treat for the senses!

Since I like stories on fables, fantasy, and myths, it is a particularly good time as many holiday decorations include these characters. How about your stories? Getting the itch to write the further adventures of St. Nick, a "right jolly old elf?" Was he a big giver? Or was his a rags to riches story? Did he decide against becoming an inventor in favor of philanthropy? Lots of stories ideas. I have one to work on now... 
-Q

Ray Bradbury - Lover of Life

National Endowment for the Arts video

Science fiction/fantasy legend, Ray Bradbury, died June 5, 2012. Like many, many other writers/readers, Mr. Bradbury influenced how I saw life and fiction as a young adult. This endearing video should be required viewing for all fiction writers. Check out Ray Bradbury on his childhood love of reading, how he rented a library basement typewriter for 10 cents/half hour and wrote Farenheit 451, and how he has written every day for the past 75 years.

"The things that you do should be things that you love, and things that you love should be things that you do." - Ray Bradbury
I may watch this every day for a while, just to sync Bradbury's counsel with my creative wiring.
-Q