I was over at ALISA Valdes-Rodriguez's blog, when it occured to me that I'd been referring to her as ALICIA. How this managed to happen puzzled me. In fact, I'd even written in the comment section of her blog and called her Alicia. I'd gone so far as to link to her weblog with the wrong name in the address. I was shocked. Shocked because I have both of Alisa's books sitting on my shelf, I visit her blog daily, and at one point when I'd first discovered Dirty Girls Social Club I did an online search of her name with the proper spelling.
So how could I just up and freakin' forget her first name?
Well, it's a case of human oversight. It's happen to me before with another author. Does anyone know who Jennifer Crusie is? Well, I'd discovered her genius while browsing for books at a bookstore downtown. Hmm...I've never heard of Jennifer CRUISE, I thought. Maybe I should check her out. So I picked up a copy of Fast Women, took it home, and immersed myself in Jennifer's work. Oh, I love how she's defining Nell's vulnerability. I think I'm going to be a Jennifer CRUISE fan after this., I thought as I continued to root for Nell and Gabe to heat up Ohio with their grooves. Long story short, I finished the book and let it sit on my nightstand for a couple days before I started The Re-read. I looked at the cover of the book and admired the tea cups and lipstick, the maroon script-writing of the title, and then at her name. CRUISE...That's not CRUISE, it's CRUSIE!
And now my latest victim: Alisa.
Science has an explanation for this, which I'm too lazy to do research on it right now, but I know it entails something about the human eye seeing, at times, what a word sounds like than what it actually is. And Alisa looks similar to Alicia, and Cruise looks awfully close to Crusie. Something like that, I think.
Anyway, what surprises me the most about this mix-up is no one bothered to correct me, which leads me to think others were inflicted with the same condition. Or didn't want to come off whiny. But how I wished Alisa would have just written back something snarky in the comments section where I called her Alicia. Something like, "Ms. Hausen, when you find Alicia Valdes-Rodriguez, let me know."
Sadly, I was allowed to continue to make a fool of myself. So in a frenzy, I erased all my comments where I referred to her as Alicia, fixed the link to her blog, and I'm hoping Alisa forgives the faux pas.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Friday, November 26, 2004
More Sassy Blogs Needed?
My mother always used to say whenever I had a piece to spout: "Amy, the world spins on opinions." It was an obscure caveat, reminding me that having an opinion is nothing special.
My mother wanted a daughter who could look at things objectively yet not lose the natural human instinct of subjectivity. She wanted a daughter who could be critical but not in an ad hominem way, more so in a logical manner. And finally she wanted a daughter who wouldn't be afraid to take on something bigger than herself and have the balls (well, in essence) to tell it: screw you, I have something to say. Listen or bugger off.
Clearly, I make Mama Hausen quite proud.
And so I want my blog to be a blog that isn't afraid to "go there." Although, I wish I had more time to blog, to write about my issues and likes and dislike, but between keeping Nigel happy, writing a novel, and work, it can be a little hard to update daily.
I tell you, I envy bloggers who are able to write three or four entries a day; I have a certain respect for these bloggers. I respect them because I know they love doing it -- blogging can become addictive to the point where every little thought that rears its process makes it on the blog.
I aspire to reach that form of blog nirvana.
Meanwhile, I wish there were more sassy book blogs out there; book blogs that aren't afraid to say so-and-so sucks, his books are trifling, overwrought, dopey duds.
With that in mind, I think there's a huge fear of karma in the book world. I believe authors think if they say something not favorable about a "respected author" then it's going to come back to bite them in the (argh...must avoid the cliché) tooti-taati.
But being a sassy blogger doesn't have to be mean-spirited. As long as one doesn't make it personal and stick to the author's work, then being an objectively critical book blogger would be a breath of fresh air in the book blog universe.
Or maybe I haven't blog-shopped enough. Maybe there are quite a few book blogs spinning on opinions; I just have to look.
My mother wanted a daughter who could look at things objectively yet not lose the natural human instinct of subjectivity. She wanted a daughter who could be critical but not in an ad hominem way, more so in a logical manner. And finally she wanted a daughter who wouldn't be afraid to take on something bigger than herself and have the balls (well, in essence) to tell it: screw you, I have something to say. Listen or bugger off.
Clearly, I make Mama Hausen quite proud.
And so I want my blog to be a blog that isn't afraid to "go there." Although, I wish I had more time to blog, to write about my issues and likes and dislike, but between keeping Nigel happy, writing a novel, and work, it can be a little hard to update daily.
I tell you, I envy bloggers who are able to write three or four entries a day; I have a certain respect for these bloggers. I respect them because I know they love doing it -- blogging can become addictive to the point where every little thought that rears its process makes it on the blog.
I aspire to reach that form of blog nirvana.
Meanwhile, I wish there were more sassy book blogs out there; book blogs that aren't afraid to say so-and-so sucks, his books are trifling, overwrought, dopey duds.
With that in mind, I think there's a huge fear of karma in the book world. I believe authors think if they say something not favorable about a "respected author" then it's going to come back to bite them in the (argh...must avoid the cliché) tooti-taati.
But being a sassy blogger doesn't have to be mean-spirited. As long as one doesn't make it personal and stick to the author's work, then being an objectively critical book blogger would be a breath of fresh air in the book blog universe.
Or maybe I haven't blog-shopped enough. Maybe there are quite a few book blogs spinning on opinions; I just have to look.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Book Lovers: Becoming Extinct?
It saddens me that books are dying. And dying the worst kind of death, too -- slow, desperate, and painful. It's becoming harder to chat up a co-worker about Joyce Carol Oates' latest or share musings on The Poisonwood Bible. People are just not reading as much as they used to.
It's easy to see why: with the influx of instantly gratifying things like the Internet, TiVo, DVDs and reality television, it seems curling up with a book is A., too time consuming, and B., old-fashioned. It now feels like people are buying books just to see if said book lives up to its hype. Which is a really bad place for authors and books and readers to be.
I guess I'm upset that fiction sales are declining, and now one has to write about forensics or murder or both in order to register on a best-seller list. Plus, I'm smarting over the numerous articles that keep reminding me that 20,000 is the new million. When back in the day (you choose a date), 20,000 copies sold was considered bomb-status.
I'm sure this decline of books probably started in the '50s, when television swept the land and one could view characters in live action, with the help of a clunky box and an antenna, instead of in a thick, cozy novel.
Being honest: books are a time-consuming product. A reader can't just flop down on the couch and flip to a chapter and say, "Okay, that's enough for the week." A reader wants to continue the story, often staying up to the wee hours of aurora to take in as much as they can about the book. And of course, there's that Book Guilt thing to deal with -- a condition thrust upon us from the young Seuss ages, where we were derogated by our peers if we didn't finish a book. It was as if not finishing a book was some testament to our apparent dumbness, our inability to stay focused or entertained by words on a page (which now is being called ADD, and comes with medication). I fear people just don't want to subject themselves to it. Nor are they willing to shell out $20-$30 on something that takes up their precious time or keeps them from enjoying the latest CSI show.
It irritates me that television shows and movies are now the "new books"; they're condensed offerings at vastly cheaper prices and with a broader appeal. While we book lovers continue to diminish and search desperately for someone to discuss The Rule of Four with.
Books and their lovers are becoming increasingly isolated. And it seems our extinction is damn near imminent.
It's easy to see why: with the influx of instantly gratifying things like the Internet, TiVo, DVDs and reality television, it seems curling up with a book is A., too time consuming, and B., old-fashioned. It now feels like people are buying books just to see if said book lives up to its hype. Which is a really bad place for authors and books and readers to be.
I guess I'm upset that fiction sales are declining, and now one has to write about forensics or murder or both in order to register on a best-seller list. Plus, I'm smarting over the numerous articles that keep reminding me that 20,000 is the new million. When back in the day (you choose a date), 20,000 copies sold was considered bomb-status.
I'm sure this decline of books probably started in the '50s, when television swept the land and one could view characters in live action, with the help of a clunky box and an antenna, instead of in a thick, cozy novel.
Being honest: books are a time-consuming product. A reader can't just flop down on the couch and flip to a chapter and say, "Okay, that's enough for the week." A reader wants to continue the story, often staying up to the wee hours of aurora to take in as much as they can about the book. And of course, there's that Book Guilt thing to deal with -- a condition thrust upon us from the young Seuss ages, where we were derogated by our peers if we didn't finish a book. It was as if not finishing a book was some testament to our apparent dumbness, our inability to stay focused or entertained by words on a page (which now is being called ADD, and comes with medication). I fear people just don't want to subject themselves to it. Nor are they willing to shell out $20-$30 on something that takes up their precious time or keeps them from enjoying the latest CSI show.
It irritates me that television shows and movies are now the "new books"; they're condensed offerings at vastly cheaper prices and with a broader appeal. While we book lovers continue to diminish and search desperately for someone to discuss The Rule of Four with.
Books and their lovers are becoming increasingly isolated. And it seems our extinction is damn near imminent.
Friday, November 12, 2004
"...Stay Yo Ass at Home..."
This post will veer away from my usual laments on writing, and focus on my biggest peeve in the entire system of life! Some people may disagree with me, but I believe you'll find it hard to disagree with the logic of what I'm going to say. And logic is my ultimate goal with whatever I write and say.
I have a major issue with public figures who can't believe the "publicness" that comes with being known. From A-listers like Julia Roberts to Z-listers, where most authors fit, sans the Kings, Grishams and Collins'. How many times do you hear: "I'm entitled to my privacy?"
My response to that: Fair. But you should have thought about your precious privacy BEFORE you decided to embark on a public career. Now, I'm not saying you're not entitiled to your privacy, we all are; what I'm saying is don't complain about how you fear for the safety and sanctity of your family and children because people know too much about you. That's part of being a public person. People become fans, they want to know more about you, they buy your stuff.
That's the ultimate goal whether a public person wants to admit it or not. They want adulation, people to adore them and their work, but when all this starts to happen, and they begin to reap the benefits of this new found fame and fortune...oh, boy, all that love doesn't seem so great anymore. Having to deal with these people who admire you is getting in the way of you spending all that new money, and hanging out with your more "elite" group of friends. Too bad.
Patti LaBelle put it best: "If you don't want to be seen, stay yo ass at home." It was her advice to the new wave of pop-sluts and R&B-whores, which essentially meant: either sing, perform, and enjoy the ride of fans and money and fame, or get the fuck out of the business.
That means: Don't make another album, don't write another book, don't do another movie. Ditch it all and go live your private life. Move on, because there is always someone willing to take your place (and most likely more talented). You want your privacy so badly? Then give it all up. Do something less public; go back to being a "little person."
But either enjoy the ride, the fans, the money, the adulation or stay yo ass at home.
I have a major issue with public figures who can't believe the "publicness" that comes with being known. From A-listers like Julia Roberts to Z-listers, where most authors fit, sans the Kings, Grishams and Collins'. How many times do you hear: "I'm entitled to my privacy?"
My response to that: Fair. But you should have thought about your precious privacy BEFORE you decided to embark on a public career. Now, I'm not saying you're not entitiled to your privacy, we all are; what I'm saying is don't complain about how you fear for the safety and sanctity of your family and children because people know too much about you. That's part of being a public person. People become fans, they want to know more about you, they buy your stuff.
That's the ultimate goal whether a public person wants to admit it or not. They want adulation, people to adore them and their work, but when all this starts to happen, and they begin to reap the benefits of this new found fame and fortune...oh, boy, all that love doesn't seem so great anymore. Having to deal with these people who admire you is getting in the way of you spending all that new money, and hanging out with your more "elite" group of friends. Too bad.
Patti LaBelle put it best: "If you don't want to be seen, stay yo ass at home." It was her advice to the new wave of pop-sluts and R&B-whores, which essentially meant: either sing, perform, and enjoy the ride of fans and money and fame, or get the fuck out of the business.
That means: Don't make another album, don't write another book, don't do another movie. Ditch it all and go live your private life. Move on, because there is always someone willing to take your place (and most likely more talented). You want your privacy so badly? Then give it all up. Do something less public; go back to being a "little person."
But either enjoy the ride, the fans, the money, the adulation or stay yo ass at home.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Oh...to Be an Editing-Whore!
If there is one time in your life when you want to be a whore, it's when it comes to editing your written work. Sadly, I am not a whore. But I want to be an editing-whore, because then I won't have to login to Blogger and fix little mistakes like adding an a to dilating and fixing skipped pronouns and qualifiers.
No, people, what you are getting is raw writing.
To be cheesy about the whole matter: I am nothing but a vessel for the creative lifesource; for she drips her nectar of craft onto my fingetips, and I am nothing but a rudderless slave to her whimsicality, her mercurial wind. Her name is Muse.
And Muse often says, "Fuck editing. Write, my dear, write."
Of course, I have to clean up her mess.
No, people, what you are getting is raw writing.
To be cheesy about the whole matter: I am nothing but a vessel for the creative lifesource; for she drips her nectar of craft onto my fingetips, and I am nothing but a rudderless slave to her whimsicality, her mercurial wind. Her name is Muse.
And Muse often says, "Fuck editing. Write, my dear, write."
Of course, I have to clean up her mess.
New Template, New Chapter....
The new template is up. I hope it's a better choice than my last pink disaster. Hey, I love pink just as much as the next girl, but it was too much. There is such a thing as too much pink, you know.
Also, I've posted some of CHAPTER TWO at Becoming Shadows. I tell you, it was fun to chuck the forced crap I'd written over the weekend for the intriguing (at least for me it is) direction I'm going in. It's only 800+ words, but it's 800+ words I feel good about.
On the homefront: Nigel has started referring to me as "The Authoress." He says he finds it sexy when I'm sauntering around with pad and pen, scribbling ramdom thoughts and then making a mad dash to the computer to write down the gem that had just revealed itself to me. At least he's supportive. It's not many men out there who will massage your neck as you type, and forgo sex, just so you can Edit.
I, blessed.
Also, I've posted some of CHAPTER TWO at Becoming Shadows. I tell you, it was fun to chuck the forced crap I'd written over the weekend for the intriguing (at least for me it is) direction I'm going in. It's only 800+ words, but it's 800+ words I feel good about.
On the homefront: Nigel has started referring to me as "The Authoress." He says he finds it sexy when I'm sauntering around with pad and pen, scribbling ramdom thoughts and then making a mad dash to the computer to write down the gem that had just revealed itself to me. At least he's supportive. It's not many men out there who will massage your neck as you type, and forgo sex, just so you can Edit.
I, blessed.
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Blogger HELL!
I've been trying to blog for three days now. No matter how much I tried to login, I couldn't. Frustrating.
Chapter Two of Becoming Shadows is coming along nicely, soon...it'll be ready to post. Thanks to all for the encouraging emails.
Chapter Two of Becoming Shadows is coming along nicely, soon...it'll be ready to post. Thanks to all for the encouraging emails.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
CHAPTER ONE Almost Completed
I've been hard at work on the first chapter of Becoming Shadows, and it's just about where I am feeling comfortable with it.
So far, writing has been FUN, and I hope it stays like this for a long time.
Wednesday morning, the first chapter will be posted at the Becoming Shadows blog.
So far, writing has been FUN, and I hope it stays like this for a long time.
Wednesday morning, the first chapter will be posted at the Becoming Shadows blog.
Monday, November 01, 2004
New Title, New Outlook
It's been brewing and stewing inside my head for a week: my NaNoWriMo contribution (if I can call it that). I've been so busy lately that last night I questioned my sanity for wanting to do this. "Honey, it's something you've been TALKING about all week," said Nigel. It's true. He's had to put up with my questions and thoughts and attempts at making an outline (which ultimately failed. I guess I'm not an outliner).
So at 9:00 a.m I'll start the first chapter of Becoming Shadows, and wing it from there.
In a way, this is all so exciting; but on other hand, it's frightening too -- that I'll be sharing my raw, unedited writing with strangers.
The first chapter will be posted HERE and will be updated three or four times a week. Remember to stay tuned to Bel Esprit for my feelings, thoughts, and frustration on this beautifully frightening journey.
So at 9:00 a.m I'll start the first chapter of Becoming Shadows, and wing it from there.
In a way, this is all so exciting; but on other hand, it's frightening too -- that I'll be sharing my raw, unedited writing with strangers.
The first chapter will be posted HERE and will be updated three or four times a week. Remember to stay tuned to Bel Esprit for my feelings, thoughts, and frustration on this beautifully frightening journey.
Friday, October 29, 2004
Title Crazy!
I am praising my self for not making the web address to my NaNoBlogMo blog the title of my novel. Because now I'm not sure I want to keep that title. I keep repeating it back to myself and it just doesn't roll off my tongue the way I would like my title to. In fact, it sticks to the tongue. The beginning "All Is" is like glue.
So, I've thought and thought and thought: Does the title have to be static? I can always change it later, right? Isn't the title of a novel just as important as the story? These are all questions I've aksed myself these last couple of days.
Any thoughts?
So, I've thought and thought and thought: Does the title have to be static? I can always change it later, right? Isn't the title of a novel just as important as the story? These are all questions I've aksed myself these last couple of days.
Any thoughts?
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Idea Brigade: Blessing or Curse?
I have so many ideas for my NaNoWriMo/NaNoBlogMo that I'm getting stressed out trying to figure out which ones to write about. There is one idea that keeps coming to me that seems to stick around more than the others. It's not so much an idea as it is voices (no, I'm not crazy...I don't think.) Right now I have three women floating around in my head and each woman has a different feel to her. The key to making this idea work is to create a story that ties these three women together.
So far, their personalities are fascinating me.
My current emotion about thinking about wtiting: Joy. I'm sure this will end when I actually have to write the story, but I tell you, the thinking part is fun...and powerful. Writing has a wonderful power, almost a power trip quality. It's the only place where you get to be God.
My current frustration: The brigade of ideas. All you published authors out there, tell me: is this a blessing or a curse? It's like a kid in a...well, you know what. Do I pick that one or this one? Then I take a breath and another tasty morsel of fiction presents itself to me. Oh, the choices, the choices.
Discipline, thou art slippery.
So far, their personalities are fascinating me.
My current emotion about thinking about wtiting: Joy. I'm sure this will end when I actually have to write the story, but I tell you, the thinking part is fun...and powerful. Writing has a wonderful power, almost a power trip quality. It's the only place where you get to be God.
My current frustration: The brigade of ideas. All you published authors out there, tell me: is this a blessing or a curse? It's like a kid in a...well, you know what. Do I pick that one or this one? Then I take a breath and another tasty morsel of fiction presents itself to me. Oh, the choices, the choices.
Discipline, thou art slippery.
Monday, October 25, 2004
My NaNoBlogMo
Yes...I'm going there. So what if I only have just a title? Who knows what creative juices may be flowing come November. Check out All Is Right in Love.
So, starting November Bel Esprit will be all about writing a novel. I'll share my joys, frustrations, and Eureka! moments with all.
So, starting November Bel Esprit will be all about writing a novel. I'll share my joys, frustrations, and Eureka! moments with all.
Friday, October 22, 2004
First Post
This is my first blog. After reading several wonderful blogs this year, I think I have garnered enough education in the art of blogging. I'm not quite sure if I have a theme for this blog...but I think I will most likely write about pop culture, writers, and books. There may occasionally be a post about a moment in my life or about planning a wedding. I might even dabble in politics. Or I just may chuck the whole thing, possibly. I can be quite capricious.
Indebt me to you, One.
Indebt me to you, One.
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