Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 07-29-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com



Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

You don't have to be a writer to enter this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest, because it's all about writing for fun.

Write about the day you wore your t-shirt inside out, until some kind soul pointed it out to you. Tell us about the stray cat or dog you found curled up on your front porch, and how it was love at first sight. Write about your favorite aunt, a bizarre and whimsical woman who vacuums her living room in the buff. Describe the overwhelming love in your heart when you held your first grandchild, or write about your fear of writing--but start writing about something--because it's time to enter the annual "WRITE A DEAR READER CONTEST!"

This year's Grand Prize Winner will receive a Kindle, a copy of my book, Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life, publication in my Dear Reader column (in the daily book club) and also at BookTrib.com.

Three runner-up winners will each receive a $50.00 gift card to their favorite bookstore, publication in my Dear Reader column (in the daily book club) and at BookTrib.com.

For deadline and entry information, including past winning columns, go to: http://tinyurl.com/WADR2011

Remember, you can write about anything, so no pressure. Simply have fun. I can't wait to read your entry. Every year, I personally call the winners to give them the good news. Maybe this year I'll be calling you?

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Start writing,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is CELESTINA by Fernando De Rojas. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July11Classics

AUTHORBUZZ: To read more about KILLING KATE, and to enter this author's signed book giveaway, click on the link below, then click on KILLING KATE.

Julie Kramer, today's featured author, writes...

Perhaps angels are the new vampires...

Tracking clues to an Iowa cemetery, TV reporter Riley Spartz finds an infamous Black Angel monument that may be connected to a string of homicides throughout the Midwest.

To read more about KILLING KATE goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 07-28-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

Once a week I'm answering questions about writing. Whether you'd like to publish a book, or if you're just writing for fun--go ahead--ask away! I'm looking forward to reading your question and publishing a reply in my column. Submit your questions to: Suzanne@Emailbookclub.com

"Dear Suzanne, I have the stories in my head, and can act them out in my mind, but I don't know how to do the dialogue between the characters, without going crazy with quote marks, when I go to write it all down. Do you have to put everything in quotes when two characters are talking, or is there another way to present the story?" -- Dorie

(Suzanne replies:) Reading your question reminded me of my "first time"--the first time I had to write dialogue and use quote marks. I'd just finished interviews for a magazine article I was working on, and when I started typing my notes, suddenly it dawned on me that I didn't know how to use quotation marks. What to do?

Most of my solutions to problems involve using common sense and I admire other people who use the same no-frills approach. For instance, NASA spent bundles of time and money developing a pen that would write upside down in space. The Russians sent their crew up with pencils. My kind of problem-solving.

Since my article was due the next day, I needed an immediate solution to my problem. So I decided to take a bubble bath and read through a Time magazine, carefully noting the various placement of quotation marks in sentences.

It worked. My final draft was barely touched by the editor's pen. And yes, you can "quote" me on that.

It's a cute story and it's true. But I realize that writing dialogue is tricky. A reader shouldn't be thinking about the "he said, she said" when they're reading. The conversation needs to flow naturally. There are books and classes, but my suggestion is to use one of your favorite books as a learning tool. You've read it once for enjoyment, now go back and study it for style and quotation marks. I do that with old sitcoms, like Frasier. The first-time through is for enjoyment and laughs, the second time around, I'm studying the setup of the jokes and admiring how talented the writer was.

Practice writing conversations between characters, then read your work aloud. Listen to the flow. If you stumble, so will the reader. But not to worry, I'm sure you can do it, and you can "quote" me on that, too!

Don't forget to enter this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest. It's simply writing for fun, and you could win an Amazon Kindle, $50 gift cards to your favorite bookstore, and the winning entries will be published in my Dear Reader column and at BookTrib. For all the details, goto: http://tinyurl.com/WADR2011

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/

AUTHORBUZZ: An invitation to meet authors--send an email, ask a question and they will reply. Plus every author this week is giving away free autographed books. Click on the link below and say hello to this week's authors.

THE GRIEF OF OTHERS by Leah Hager Cohen

THICK AS THIEVES by Peter Spiegelman

COMMUNE OF WOMEN by Suzan Still

LOT'S RETURN TO SODOM by Sandra Brannan

KILLING KATE by Julie Kramer

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* To read more about LOT'S RETURN TO SODOM, and to enter this author's signed book giveaway, click on the link below, then click on LOT'S RETURN TO SODOM.

Sandra Brannan, today's featured author, writes...

Liv Bergen returns home to the Black Hills of South Dakota to prove her brother's innocence--even when she herself becomes prey for those with murder on their minds. Things get a little gritty in this inside look at motorcycle gangs and their connection with the Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

To read more about LOT'S RETURN TO SODOM goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is CELESTINA by Fernando De Rojas. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July11Classics

 

 

 

Dear Reader Column 07-27-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com



Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

It's taken me 57 years to catch on. "Push tab to secure roll, or Press here to lock roll." Take your pick, they're both new to me. I'm constantly learning new things, obviously some surprisingly simple, because after polling family and friends, (yes, I called folks and asked, and now they think I'm really a nut) apparently I'm the last to know, that yes indeed, you can stop that roll of plastic wrap or aluminum foil, from jumping out of the box when you try to use it.

My daughter-in-law was greatly amused when I inquired, "Did you know there are little punch-in tabs on the sides of the plastic wrap and aluminum foil boxes?"

"Yes, that's how you hold the roll in place." Smiling through the phone, and trying not to laugh, she could tell by my enthusiastic voice that I'd just discovered this modern miracle.

Just think, all those years--wasted time and words--I've spent a fair amount of time cursing the plastic wrap box, because when I start to unroll the plastic, the cardboard roll wiggles and wobbles, sometimes even jumping right out of the box, which makes it practically impossible to tear off a piece of plastic wrap, so I can cover up my leftover chicken salad.

Hoping to rally support and not look quite so stupid, I decided to ask a man. (A dad, raising his children alone, surely he uses plastic wrap, and I bet he's never paid any attention to the "how-to secure" instructions on the side of the box.)

"Hey did you know there are little tabs on the side of the plastic wrap roll?"

"Hmm, yeah, I think I remember them being there. Otherwise the roll would fall out of the box, wouldn't it?"

Okay, so even men know the secret, but obviously, from his lackadaisical response, this dad doesn't use plastic wrap. "So if you don't own a box of plastic wrap, tell me your secret. What do you use for leftovers?"

"I burp my Tupperware and it sounds like you should, too!"

Now I'm wondering how many other modern miracles I've missed throughout the years. Maybe my toilet really DOES scrub itself, I just didn't press the magic button. Maybe my dryer can dry AND fold clothes, I just didn't notice the tabs on the side of the machine.

Talk to you tomorrow, I'm gonna go look right now.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/

P.S. Enter this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest. It's writing for fun, prizes and a little bit of fame! Win an Amazon Kindle, $50 gift cards to your favorite bookstore, get your entry published in my Dear Reader column and at BookTrib. For deadlines and details, and to read samples of past winning columns, goto: http://tinyurl.com/WADR2011

* This month's Penguin Classics book is CELESTINA by Fernando De Rojas. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July11Classics

AUTHORBUZZ: To read more about COMMUNE OF WOMEN, and to enter this author's signed book giveaway, click on the link below, then click on COMMUNE OF WOMEN.

Suzan Still, today's featured author, writes...

What happens when everyday citizens meet their worst nightmare head-on? Escaping horrific chaos at LAX, six women take refuge in a tiny staff room. Strangers, they could not be more diverse: a Jungian analyst, an ancient bag lady, a resourceful mountain woman, a top business executive, a histrionic housewife and a wealthy, neurotic artist. They sustain themselves by sharing everything: their food and medications, their hopes and fears and their life stories, which become deeper, darker and more intimate as the days pass.

To read more about COMMUNE OF WOMEN goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 07-26-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

Ask somebody "Why?" and it could be the perfect story for your entry in this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest. You don't have to be a writer to ask the question, all you need is curiosity. There's always a story behind "Why?". Sometimes you get lucky and you discover the real reason, but even if you don't, turn your story into fiction and write your own ending. Two weeks ago I wrote a column wondering--why--when I was growing up, Mrs. Gerlach, filled her yard with potato plants.

Below is an excerpt from my column:

When I was growing up, Michael Gerlach's parents grew potatoes. Instead of grass and flowers, rows-and-rows of potatoes, in perfect lines, filled their yard. A house surrounded by potatoes. I didn't think twice about it when I was a kid. Who cared that there was a yard filled with potatoes. But suddenly now, as I think back to my schoolmate Michael Gerlach, I am wondering why. Why did his family grow potatoes?

Often there's a little nudge inside my soul when I'm suppose to ask someone why. I guess the reason I don't always ask, is because I can't rationalize any reason for asking, but it's a shame when I waste opportunities in life, with the need to understand the big picture, before I ask why.

When I ask someone why--even when I ask myself--there's a story waiting for me. I learn life lessons from stories. I'm inspired when I listen to stories. Perhaps I won't need to suffer pain first-hand, because I listened to someone else's story of pain. A lesson learned by someone else, given to me as a gift.

And now, this morning, those potatoes growing in Michael's mother's yard--I wish I would have asked her why.

Maybe Michael's mother grew potatoes because they'd keep in the basement all winter long. But weren't potatoes one of the more inexpensive items at the grocery store? Maybe her grandparents and parents grew potatoes, and so it was her turn to carry on tradition?

But I'll never know, because I didn't ask why.

Fortunately for me, Judy Kaiser, who reads at the book club, knows Mrs. Gerlach. So Judy asked the question for me. Below is Mrs. Gerlach's reply.

"Dear Suzanne,

We had a family of six hungry kids, it was the 1950s and we did not have a lot of money, as I was a stay-at-home mom. So we raised most of the vegetables we ate. I canned and froze up to 1,000 quarts every summer; it really helped. My kids loved french fries, so they sorted through all the potatoes and kept the biggest ones out for french fries. I had a double fryer and if I'd fix fries, that's all they wanted to eat. So they helped peel and cut up all the potatoes. Each wanted their own basket of fries, and they'd wait, no matter how long it took to cook them.

My husband Dick, and Wayne Sampson, a farmer who owned an old potato digger, would pull the steel digger behind a tractor. We borrowed the digger in return for giving Wayne a winter supply of potatoes. Our basement was cool enough to keep them most of the winter. When we would dig potatoes in the fall, all the neighborhood kids loved to help us pick them up and bag them; our kids hated it. Jane McCabe sent her kids down to pick up the little potatoes so she could boil them with their jackets, (skins-on) which made wonderful eating. So there you have it, the story of the Gerlach potato patch."

Take care,
Martha Gerlach-Robbins

If you're wondering "Why?" about something, ask for an answer. Then you just might have an entry for the Write a Dear Reader Contest. Win a Kindle, a copy of my book and $50 gift certificates to your favorite bookstore. But the best part is, you're guaranteed to have fun writing. I'm anxiously waiting to read your entry. For all the details, go to: http://tinyurl.com/WADR2011

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

P.S. Remember, once a week I'll be answering writing questions in my column. Email your question to: Suzanne@Emailbookclub.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is CELESTINA by Fernando De Rojas. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July11Classics

AUTHORBUZZ: To read more about THICK AS THIEVES, and to enter this author's signed book giveaway, click on the link below, then click on THICK AS THIEVES.

Peter Spiegelman, today's featured author, writes...

A hair-raising heist, an elite crew of thieves, their $100 million target, their untested, unwilling leader, and a possible traitor in their midst. Paranoia hangs heavy as tropical heat, and the only law is Murphy's.

To read more about THICK AS THIEVES goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 07-25-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com



Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

You don't have to be a writer to enter this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest, because it's all about writing for fun.

Write about the day you wore your t-shirt inside out, until some kind soul pointed it out to you. Tell us about the stray cat or dog you found curled up on your front porch, and how it was love at first sight. Write about your favorite aunt, a bizarre and whimsical woman who vacuums her living room in the buff. Describe the overwhelming love in your heart when you held your first grandchild, or write about your fear of writing--but start writing about something--because it's time to enter the annual "WRITE A DEAR READER CONTEST!"

This year's Grand Prize Winner will receive a Kindle, a copy of my book, Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life, publication in my Dear Reader column (in the daily book club) and also at BookTrib.com.

Three runner-up winners will each receive a $50.00 gift card to their favorite bookstore, publication in my Dear Reader column (in the daily book club) and at BookTrib.com.

For deadline and entry information, including past winning columns, go to: http://tinyurl.com/WADR2011

Remember, you can write about anything, so no pressure. Simply have fun. I can't wait to read your entry. Every year, I personally call the winners to give them the good news. Maybe this year I'll be calling you?

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Start writing,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is CELESTINA by Fernando De Rojas. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July11Classics

AUTHORBUZZ: To read more about THE GRIEF OF OTHERS, and to enter this author's signed book giveaway, click on the link below, then click on THE GRIEF OF OTHERS.

Leah Hager Cohen, today's featured author, writes...

THE GRIEF OF OTHERS is not sad. True, it contains a death. But it's also about secrets and intimacy and the different ways we can be strong together. I love the characters more for their many imperfections. We are all such funny things, every person I know: brave and suffering, noble and ridiculous.

To read more about THE GRIEF OF OTHERS goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 07-22-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com



Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

This week I'm answering questions about writing in my column. The most frequently asked question has been, "How do I find an agent?"

I wish I could share a "Five Ways to Secure an Agent" list, but I can't. There isn't such a beast. But I do have some suggestions.

Getting a referral from another author is at the top of my list. But it's also the most difficult thing to do. You can't simply email writers at random, asking for an out-of-the-blue referral. But you can try networking. For instance, you might join writing communities in your area to get to know published authors, and they may know someone, who knows someone. You get the idea.

Attend writing conferences and presentations by agents. At a smaller event, you might even get the opportunity to meet an agent.

Read the Acknowledgement page in a book. Most authors thank their agents.

Research agents on the Internet. Look for agents that represent your genre. Read their submission guidelines, and do exactly what they ask.

After you submit something to an agent, then comes the really hard part--waiting. You wait and wait and wait. It's painful. Excruciatingly painful. Most respectable agents will reply. If you're turned down. Keep trying. If an agent makes suggestions to you, pay attention and try again. Criticism is a gift.

You should never have to pay an agent to read your submission.

I hope these suggestions are helpful.

Book club reader, Diane Skelton suggested a great idea to me.

"Suzanne, I'm especially enjoying this week's column about writing and hope you'll consider extending it to more than one week, or dedicating one day a week to writing questions."

Thanks, Diane. I like your idea. So let's keep this going for a while. One day a week, I'll continue to answer questions, in my column, about writing. Email your question to: Suzanne@Emailbookclub.com

I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is CELESTINA by Fernando De Rojas. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July11Classics

AUTHORBUZZ: Rebecca Tinsley, today's featured author, writes...

Zara is 14 years old and running for her life. Her home has been destroyed and she doesn't know if she will ever seen her family again. Her perilous journey takes her to England and then the USA where she finds a new purpose.

To read more about WHEN THE STARS FALL TO EARTH goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 07-21-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com



Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

This week in my column I'm inviting readers to ask questions about writing. I'd love to hear from you. Email your writing questions to: Suzanne@Emailbookclub.com

Today's question is from Librarian, Mary Louise Fischer:

"Hi Suzanne, this seems like a silly question but here goes. How do I become inspired to write my book? Three years ago I was in London on vacation, and my husband and I visited a history museum neither of us had been to before. I was absolutely engrossed in one of the historical exhibits, and began reading everything I could find on that topic, and other related topics that I discovered during my reading. That led to more reading and more research, etc. I have started a blog and I've read 80 books on the original topic and related ones as well. I would like to write a book, but can't seem to narrow down a book topic out of all this data. Help!" Signed, Bewildered (aka Mary Louise Fischer)

(Suzanne replies:)

Mary, you may find inspiration from reading your own writing. Let me explain. Are you writing every day? Because that's where I find inspiration and clarity about what I want to write about. You don't need to know all the answers going in, including the topic of your book. The hardest part about writing a book is looking at the blank page and starting to type. The how, what, where, when and whys....chase those little dickens out of your mind and simply begin writing. Even if you have to start with the sentence, "I don't know what to write about, but I'm going to sit here for 15 minutes anyway, and I'm going to keep writing. I'm frustrated and confused, because I've done research and read books about the things I'm interested in, but still I can't figure out what to write about. I really enjoyed looking at the clothing exhibits in the London museum. It was so easy to imagine myself wearing the dresses I saw and I could picture what I might..."

You see, soon you'll start writing about the things you'd like to share with other people. You will begin telling a story. Start writing Mary. Write every day for one week and then go back and read what you've written. You just may find the inspiration you're looking for.

If you have a writing question, I'd love to hear from you. Email: Suzanne@Emailbookclub.com

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Happy writing,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/

AUTHORBUZZ: This week's authors would love to hear from you, and you could win a copy of their book. Just click on the link below.

DYING FOR JUSTICE by L.J. Sellers

FLEE: A Thriller by JA Konrath and Ann Voss Peterson

SPEED DATING WITH THE DEAD by Scott Nicholson

RUN by Blake Crouch

WHEN THE STARS FALL TO EARTH by Rebecca Tinsley

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* To read more about RUN, and to enter this author's book giveaway, click on the link below, then click on RUN.

Blake Crouch, today's featured author, writes...

Tonight, they're reading the names of those to be killed on the Emergency Broadcast System. You're listening, and they've just read yours. Your name is Jack. You have a wife, daughter, and a young son. People are coming to kill you and your family. You don't know why, but you don't have time to think about that any more. You only have time to run.

To read more about RUN goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is CELESTINA by Fernando De Rojas. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag.  Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July11Classics

 

 

 

Dear Reader Column 07-20-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com



Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

This week in my column I'm inviting readers to ask questions about writing. When I first started writing, authors who were friends of mine shared words of encouragement and I'd like to pass that gift on. Writing is a solitary experience, but it sure does help when you have friends cheerleading for you. So this week, I'm happy to answer writing questions from readers. I won't be able to answer everyone personally, but I'll publish some questions and answers each day. Remember, I'm cheering for you..."Give me a Y, give me an E, give me an S! YES! You can do it!" Email your writing questions to: Suzanne@emailbookclub.com

Today's question is from Patty:

"Suzanne, I am working on a book about the first year of my life with my guide dog, Campbell. I'm keeping a journal about everything we do. My goal is to educate the public about guide dogs and things they do. I have always felt that you should write about what you know and from the heart. Are there any pointers you can give me about knowing what to leave in and what to leave out? How cleaned up does your work have to be before you turn it in to someone, and how do you find out about writing formats and such? Does it matter if the draft is handwritten or typed, and does it need to be single spaced, or double spaced?

I know these are a lot of different questions, but I truly do not know what I'm doing here, except that I am writing every day, and to me at least, it looks like it is coming together."--Patty

And here's my response:

Patty, you're a savvy woman when it comes to asking questions. I'm smiling when I say this. Your email reminds me of reporters at a Presidential press conference. Hoping to get lucky, they divide their one question into subsections and follow-ups. "And a follow-up to my initial question, Mr. President..." If a writing gig doesn't work out for you, you're a shoe-in for a reporting job at the Oval Office.

When I'm writing a first draft, I don't leave anything out. If I try to edit myself at that point, it causes turmoil and stifles my writing, because every sentence has to be "cleared". Is this important? Is that important? The good news is that right now, you don't need to worry about whether something is important, spelled correctly, or the commas are in the right places. Handwriting, or using the computer? Your choice. I've been carrying three notebooks with me the past two weeks. They're filled with copy for my next book. Eventually, I'll have to transcribe what I've written and get everything on my computer. But right now, I'm more inspired to write longhand.

When you submit your work to an agent, he or she will be reading to hear your "voice". Initially, when I sent my sample chapters to an agent, to see if he'd like to represent me, he told me he loved my voice and that he laughed out loud, several times. But once we started working together, everything that initially made him laugh out loud, had to be rewritten, polished, and touched up again and again and again.

Don't worry Patty, you've already conquered the most difficult task. You've started writing and you keep on writing every day. That is the secret to writing a book.

If you have a writing question, I'd love to hear from you. Email: me, Suzanne@emailbookclub.com.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/

* This month's Penguin Classics book is CELESTINA by Fernando De Rojas. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag.  Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July11Classics

AUTHORBUZZ: To read more about SPEED DATING WITH THE DEAD, and to enter this author's signed book giveaway, click on the link below, then click on SPEED DATING WITH THE DEAD.

Scott Nicholson, today's featured author, writes...

A paranormal conference at the most haunted hotel in the Appalachian Mountains...a man's promise to his late wife...and a mysterious force that has been waiting to be awoken...

To read more about SPEED DATING WITH THE DEAD goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 07-19-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

Feel free to ask...

You're really on your own when you write, but it sure does help when you have friends who are cheerleading for you in the stands. I can't give you a secret writing formula, but this week, in my column, I'm happy to answer writing questions from readers. I won't be able to answer everyone personally, but I'll publish some questions and answers each day. You can reach me at: Suzanne@emailbookclub.com

Today's Question:

"I want to write a novel, but I'm not really sure how to go about making my ideas into a book. I have a basic idea for the plot. Do I make an outline and work off that, or do I just write and let the flow of my words lead me?"--Anne M.

(Suzanne replies:)

Anne, I'm a non-fiction writer, but I asked one of my friends, who has published several novels, for advice. My friend said she never actually writes out an outline, instead she creates the outline in her mind. Lucky for her, the only way she can really let her creative mind wander, is to think about the characters in her book while she's shopping for shoes. (I really need to consider writing fiction. I love shoe shopping!) At the start of every book, my friend shops for a new pair of shoes. When she finds the perfect pair, she wears them while she's writing for at least the first week. She never does put an outline down on paper. But remember, every author has their own method of writing, and you'll discover yours. My advice is to begin, anywhere. It doesn't have to be at the beginning. If you want to write a book, the first thing you need to do, is to start writing. Have fun.

If you have a writing question, email it to: Suzanne@emailbookclub.com

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/

* This month's Penguin Classics book is CELESTINA by Fernando De Rojas. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag.  Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July11Classics

AUTHORBUZZ: JA Konrath and Ann Voss Peterson, today's featured authors, write...

Chandler is an elite spy, working for an agency so secret only three people know it exists, until her cover is explosively blown. She has 24 hours to thwart a kidnapping, stop a psychopath, uncover the mystery of her past, retire five killers, and save the world from nuclear annihilation.

To read more about FLEE: A Thriller goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 07-18-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com



Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

Even though I'd been writing a daily column for 11 years, when I decided to write my book, Muffins and Mayhem, writing a book was a scary thought. I'm a detailed person, the sort of person who visualizes everything in her mind, before she begins. For instance, years ago one of my jobs involved event planning. I'd worked out every detail in advance, right down to where the wastebaskets would be placed. When folks put on their name tags, they'd need a place to discard the peel-off backing and a wastebasket was waiting for them.

But I had to change my mode of operation when I started working on a book. How could I plan something that I'd never experienced before? Writing a book is a solitary process. Helpful authors, or how-to books can tell you how somebody else did it, but every author has to find their own way. I remember the frustration when I first started working on my book. I'd sent some completed chapters to my agent to review, and when he sent back his comments they were encouraging, but he also said that my writing was lacking the "down-home" Suzanne quality. So I called and asked him what he wanted me to do differently.

"I can't tell you what to do Suzanne. You're the writer. I can only tell you how I felt when I read what you'd written."

I hated my agent for a day or two. Then I moved from being upset, to a "poor Suzanne" pity party, and then I picked myself up, sat down and started writing again. This time in the "down-home" Suzanne voice.

But half-way through writing my book, I called my agent again, "I don't know what I'm doing."

And he asked, "Are you still writing?"

"Yes, Dan, I'm still writing."

"Then everything is fine, Suzanne."

You really are on your own when you write, but it sure does help when you have friends who are cheerleading for you in the stands. I can't give you a secret writing formula, but this week, in my column, I'm happy to answer writing questions from readers. I won't be able to answer everyone personally, but I'll publish some questions and answers each day.

Feel free to ask. You can reach me at: Suzanne@emailbookclub.com

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Happy writing,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is CELESTINA by Fernando De Rojas. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July11Classics

AUTHORBUZZ: To read more about DYING FOR JUSTICE, and to enter this author's book giveaway, click on the link below, then click on DYING FOR JUSTICE.

L.J. Sellers, today's featured author, writes...

When Gina wakes up from a two-year coma, she realizes someone tried to kill her and make it look like suicide. Detective-in-training Lara Evans is assigned the case, but fears she's in way over her head.

To read more about DYING FOR JUSTICE goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader