Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 09-02-11

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,

Writing is a solitary road, but I've been fortunate to have cheerleaders along the way. When the writing wasn't flowing and I felt lost, I'd hear their voices in the background. When I'd found my sweet place (my writing voice), and the words were coming faster than I could write them down, we'd celebrate together. What a comfort to know friends were cheering for me. I'd like to do the same for you. If you have a writing question, please send it my way. Once a week, in my column, I'll answer your questions and be cheering for you. Email me at: [email protected]

Today's Questions:

"Hi Suzanne, I use to keep a journal when I was younger and I wrote all the time. But as I have gotten older, I don't write nearly as much as I use to. I miss it and feel like I have lost my voice. I don't know how to find it. What can I do to get back to that place where my thoughts will flow, so I can write again?"--Marion

"Suzanne, how did you find your 'down home voice?'--Donna

(Suzanne replies:)

Dear Marion and Donna,

I didn't search for my down home writing voice. Rather it found me. Reading your questions brings tears to my eyes. I'm sure that sounds strange. But when I write without fear, when I simply say what's in my heart and I'm not worried about what other people think--my writing voice is loud and clear. It's such a sweet feeling, a gift I can give to myself and share with others. Every writer has their own voice, their own style. I'm a small town girl at heart; meat and potatoes on the table with a bottle of ketchup close by. You won't find fancy words in the things I write, because that's not me. I'm not looking for perfection--too much pressure stifles my voice. My wish is simply that when someone reads what I've written--even if it's only one person--that my words might help them go a little easier on themselves. Just let yourself 'be,' but remember, in order to find your voice you need to spend time with it. So it's important to write every day. Even if it's only for 10 minutes. Open your notebook and say hello, your voice is waiting for an invitation.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

KIDSBUZZ: Email an author, sign up for their giveaway, and learn about great books for kids and teens about opposites, the color black, and imperfect love from Patricia Intriago, DOT; Renee Khatami, LITTLE BLACK BOOK; and Catherine Greenman, HOOKED. For a chance to win free books, meet the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

AUTHORBUZZ: Like many, Eric and Kyra's marriage has fallen apart slowly, one lost dream and misunderstanding at a time. Just when it looks like forgive and forget is no longer an option, a car accident gives Eric the second chance of a lifetime. A concussion causes his wife to forget details of her life, including the chasm between them.

To read more about DRY AS RAIN goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 09-01-11

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,

My grandson Paul may only be four years old, but already he understands, and more importantly, believes, "If you build it, they will come," or Paul's interpretation: "If he can plan it, it can happen."

When my husband and I pick Paul up from day school, after he devours the snack we've brought along: a juice bag, a square of Co-jack cheese and a single wrapped piece of Dove dark chocolate (it's become a ritual), the boy's brain is fueled and the event planning begins. From the backseat of our car, we hear a verbal orchestration of today's, tomorrow's, and even next week's plans, for fun things to do with Grandma and Grandpa, including specific days and times when these fun activities could be implemented around his school schedule. A grown-up who didn't know our grandson might smile, and simply think this planning is merely the babbling of a four-year-old, but my husband and I know the truth. And the truth is that one of our grandson's aptitudes, even at his tender young age, is the ability to plan activities--detailed activities--and make them happen.

"How about if we go to your house today Grandma and we plant flowers, and make chocolate chip cookies, and then I can have a sleep over?"

If the savvy little planner, doesn't hear a full-out "yes," he starts diagramming the sentence, breaking subjects up into individual questions, beginning with a confirmation, that we are in fact, taking him to our house, not simply picking him up from school and taking him home.

"Grandma, are we going to 'your' house right now?"

"Yes, Paul we're going our house."

"Are we going 'in' your house?" From experience, Paul realizes that 'in' is the key word. 'In' means that his grandparents aren't just stopping by their house to pick something up, before they take him home.

"Do you have flowers to plant Grandma, or do we need to stop at the plant store? And maybe we need to buy chocolate chips? The grocery store is on the way home." (The boy never forgets what roads lead to Grandma's house, the grocery store, or the beach.)

Constantly making plans, our family's activity director, not only makes sure things happen, but that they happen on time. Once that boy learned the meaning of yesterday, today and tomorrow, his brain became both a date and time daytimer, which means the little dickens never forgets.

"Grandma can we make pies on Thursday?"

"Yes, Paul."

But if Grandma gets busy on Thursday and forgets, not to worry, Paul doesn't. He can't orchestrate a phone call by himself yet, but he is adept at recruiting his Mom or Dad to call Grandma.

"Today's Thursday, Grandma, remember, we're going to make cherry pies."

"You're right, Paul. I'm sorry I forgot. I'll come and get you soon."

"Okay, Grandma, and on the way back to your house, do we need to stop at the grocery store on the corner, to buy cherries?"

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Ask an author a question, win a custom tote bag, find some gems that you might have overlooked. Meet this week's featured authors. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

SNAPPED by Laura Griffin

LITTLE BLACK DRESS by Susan McBride

1105 YAKIMA STREET by Debbie Macomber

DRY AS RAIN by Gina Holmes

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