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I loved my sister, Donna. I love her still. The last 24 hours have been surreal and make no sense to me at all. When something like this happens, I always want to make a timeline– as if by categorization, I can make sense of the senseless.

My mom called yesterday afternoon and told me that my older sister had collapsed and was taken to the hospital. She spent some time without oxygen and may have suffered some brain damage. My mind, not accepting anything REALLY bad, thought, “Oh, like a mild stroke. She is going to be FINE.” I told my mom to keep me posted. Then I went for my longest run ever, came home, and took a shower. I was incredibly proud of myself and jacked up on endorphins. Then my mom called again. My 97-year-old father had called her and  was crying and it DID NOT look good. It was SERIOUS.

Sometimes I can be a real dipshit.

I immediately contacted my nephew and asked him to update me. I hate getting knowledge 2^nd hand. This is what I learned:

1. She complained about having difficulty breathing. Asked if she wanted to go to the hospital, she said no and used her inhaler. She felt somewhat better.
2. Early in the morning she told her husband that she couldn’t breathe and he needed to call 911. She fainted.
3. She was taken to the hospital, but they could not get her to breathe. Her lungs collapsed.
4. Late afternoon, early evening she was declared brain-dead from lack of oxygen. The family removed her from the ventilator and she passed an hour later. I will never be able to thank my nephew enough for waiting for me to arrive before taking her off life support.

That’s the timeline and it doesn’t even come close to how stunned, shocked and heartbroken her family is. It doesn’t fix it.

Right after talking to my nephew, we packed and made mad dash to Puyallup in a wild winter storm. It took us about 2.5 hours. Hours in which to wonder WTF.

Really, What. The. Fuck.

I’m back home, exhausted, shocked and incredibly sad. But I have a deep need to tell you just how warm, wonderful and funny my sister was. We didn’t grow up together. I came to the family when I was two and she was fifteen already. She loved to tell people that she taught me my ABC’s and 123’s. And also to embarrass me, that she changed my diaper.

• She loved hokey old horror movies.
• She had a wicked sense of humor.
• In spite of some odd family dynamics, she never made me feel like anything but her beloved little sister.
• She loved kitties. (Or at least had a lot of them!)
• She had an incredible ability to forgive.
• She loved to collect old things.
• She was very artistic and experimented with many different arts and crafts.
• She was one of the least judgmental people that I have ever met, but she could still see the ridiculousness of human beings.
• She loved her family

Life wasn’t always kind to Donna, but she was almost always kind to life.

RIP my sweet sister. The next book is for you.

Since I’ve finished my series on being a hybrid author, I’ve been thinking a lot about my own career. What do I want it to look like? Where do I want it to go? I love what I do. I love the challenge of writing books, creating characters, and smoothing out plot snarls. I also love helping other people, especially teens. This summer I’m going to be running two writing workshops for teens, as well as rolling out a brand new business, which I will be debuting at a later date… but all this got me to thinking about continuing education for the hybrid author.

I’ve attended some incredible intensives in the past from some wonderful instructors including, Margie Lawson, Bob Mayer,  Debora Dixon and many others. Intensives can be a bit overwhelming… my brain can only take in so much information at once, so while I’ve gained immeasurable knowledge from intensives, I’ve probably forgotten more than I will ever remember!

So I’ve decided to continue my education on my own. Each week, I set aside an hour or so for study. This takes many forms… marking and reading interesting articles on the publishing industry that go by on my Twitter feed, reading books on the writing craft or reading books on indie publishing and the changing publishing landscape. I’d like to get to the point of setting aside three to four hours a week for this. Why is it so important?

• Knowledge is power. Knowing about our industry gives us a wider sense of our place within it.
• Reading the opinions of the movers and shakers within our industry gives us pointers on how to network with others. Certain people are hubs, so to speak. They’re the ones who know almost everyone within the business and are themselves innovators. These people and their careers are worth examination.
• Studying craft makes us better writers and communicators. We can be experts on the publishing industry, but unless we know how to write, we aren’t going anywhere.

I am reading a book on craft right now, Rock Your Plot by Cathy Yardly and DIY Publishing by Maggie McVay Lynch. What are you reading? Do you think continuing education for an author is important?

Image courtesy of cooldesign/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Soup weather has hit Oregon in a big way. I know, I know, the rest of the country has been getting hit with the storms of the century while the PNW has enjoyed some of the most beautiful weather ever seen. Several weekends ago, my husband and I watched the sun go down  with a bottle of wine on the Oregon coast. There was no wind and no rain–and anyone who has been on the Oregon coast in January knows just how rare that is. And it was 60 degrees. Incredible!

After spending the afternoon on the beach it was time for dinner. As soon as thew sun dropped below the horizon, the temperature dropped and I  wanted a bowl of soup. At the beach you get clam chowder. And it was delicious.

My kids have often called me the soup nazi after an old Sienfeld show because I can concoct amazing soups out of practically nothing. Last night, I made a curried chicken soup with ginger–something I have never tried before. And then, because I’m a little odd, I made up some gnocchi and added them to the bowls just before serving. Talk about genre blending–an Indian flavored soup with Italian dumplings!

Someone online asked me for the recipe and I had to tell her that I didn’t have one. I had a flavor profile in mind and I just kind of added stuff until it tastes good. Then I started thinking about how my writing was a lot like soup.

Bear with me here.

I’ve written quite a few books now. Some will never see the light of day, some are currently available at your local book shop and still others have long disappeared from shelves. Several have yet to be born. And yes, they are all a lot like soup. I don’t have a recipe for  the books and like my soups, they all turn out different. Yes, there are some tried and true rules of thumb that help me as I layer in the flavors–I always saute my veggies in olive oil , I use quality broth to pull it all together, etc. But the flavors are all different and each are added a little bit at a time until I have the right notes. Last night I added curry and ginger until it was warm and flavorful without being overpowering.

When I write my books, I always start with a blurb that I develop into back cover copy that is then developed into a one or two page synopsis. I have an over-arching flavor profile that I’m aiming for but each book is completely different and I have to keep adding and subtracting until I get just the right note.  Once the main part is done, I go back and layer in the flavor/details until it’s as perfect as I can make it. Then I give my editor a taste, just as I let my husband a taste of my soup. Then, based on their opinion, I fuss with it until everyone is happy.

See, pretty much the same:)

Number four in my hybrid authors series is Lauren Oliver. Yes, the Lauren Oliver. We happen to be agency sistahs!

When  Lauren isn’t writing best selling books, she is the co-founder  and co-architect of Paper Lantern Lit. What is Paper Lantern Lit?  From the website:

PLL is a literary incubator. We come up with story ideas, we plot them using our knowledge and experience with narrative structure, and we coach authors through the writing process. Like architects, we envision, design and layout all the basics of a book, but it’s our writers who inhabit them and bring them to life. When a project is ready, we sell it to one of the publishing giants. So far our sales record is 100%.

In one interview, Lauren said she had too many ideas that didn’t fit in with her particular brand as an author and that was one of the reasons she started Paper Lantern Lit.

What do you get out of PLL? What kind of personal satisfaction do you get, etc.

 I love working with young writers and helping them grow; I’ve been so lucky to have been educated by so many brilliant and talented people, and it was important to me to return the favor. Plus, PLL allows me to explore other creative opportunities and collaborations–if I didn’t have PLL, I’d literally just sit in my house in PJs all day!

Do you think that there are more opportunities for authors to branch out in today’s publishing climate than there used to be? (Both writing wise and other chances to make a living?) Why or why not?

I definitely do! The incredible rise of self-publishing, and the variety of small and untraditional publishing houses and opportunities, give authors multiple platforms in which to start disseminating their work. Plus, it’s easier than ever to connect with fans, which means authors can grow and maintain their audience more successfully.

Again, I’ve known Lois Winston for years via the Internet and have always been awed by her multifaceted career. She is an author, (with two names!) and a crafter and a literary agent. Wow! How does she do it?

Name: Lois Winston

Website: http://www.loiswinston.com

Most recent release: Mosaic Mayhem

 Award-winning author Lois Winston writes romance, romantic suspense, mystery, chick lit, women’s fiction, and non-fiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry. Visit Lois at www.loiswinston.com, visit Emma at www.emmacarlyle.com, and visit Anastasia at the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog. Follow everyone on Twitter and Pinterest!

 Tell me about the Ashley Grayson Literary agency:

The Ashley Grayson Literary Agency was established in 1976 and handles both literary and commercial fiction, children’s fiction, and some non-fiction. Genres we specialize in include mystery, romance, science fiction, urban fantasy, young adult, and middle grade. Our client list includes bestselling authors John Barnes, Bruce Coville, Christopher Pike, and Carrie Vaughn, among others.

How did you go from author to Literary Agent?

After my first book sold in 2005, I was invited to join the agency. I had helped several friends polish their manuscripts, which led to them being offered publishing contracts. Ashley recognized my editing skills and thought both agency clients and potential clients would benefit from my input. I started out reading the slush pile, then began working with authors, and eventually took on some clients of my own.

 That sounds like a ton of work! How do you juggle writing and agenting?

 It helps not to sleep much! I actually juggle three careers. Along with writing and agenting, I’ve never stopped designing. It’s all about prioritizing and making every minute of every day count.

I have heard the term hybrid author bandied about a lot. What does it mean to you?

 A hybrid author is one who runs on both gasoline and electric. <G> Seriously, though, there’s a simple definition. A hybrid author is someone who is both traditionally published and is also indie (self)-publishing. Some hybrid authors are only self-publishing their backlists. Others have begun to publish new works on their own.

In your opinion, what is the best way for authors to take advantage of the changing  publishing landscape?

Be open to all the possibilities that are available to authors right now. I will add a caveat, though. Not everyone should self-publish or self-publish just yet. You first have to have written a publishable book. Too many people are self-publishing books that are definitely not ready for prime time. Learn your craft first. Fiction writing is a skill that needs to be mastered. You may have a long career in journalism or technical writing, but fiction is an entirely different animal and requires different skills. Also, just because Great-aunt Agnes thinks you’re the next Nora Roberts, unless she’s a retired fiction editor, her opinion is worthless.

I’ve seen more than one post go by not only pooh-poohing New Year’s resolutions, but actually slamming people who make them, calling them stupid or delusional. Let me tell you a little story. In 2006, I made a resolution to get serious about my writing and create a business plan. I kept that resolution. In that business plan, I wrote was how much yearly income I wanted to be generating by 2012. My husband almost fell over laughing and just patted my head. Guess what? Yep, EXCEEDED it.

What’s wrong with reevaluating your life and making goals? We should do it at least once a year, if not more. It is what successful people who want abundance and fulfillment in their life, do. (And by success I do not mean just monetary success!) Yes, making goals and achieving them are two different things, but you have to start somewhere and there is no better place than writing down your goals. So if you have physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, or monetary goals, resolve away! You’ll get nothing but support from me!

My New Year’s Resolutions

• Run 4 5k races and 1 10k race
• Write three books
• Start my own business
• Submit one completed book and one proposal for sale
• Explore meditation
• Improve my public speaking
• Volunteer for a cause I believe in
• Cultivate a mindful, daily attitude of gratitude

HAPPY NEW YEAR’S!

This is the first in a series of interviews with authors turned entrepreneurs. Today’s guest author/entrepreneur is media maven and all around savvy chica, Rachel Thompson, owner and creative brain behind Bad Redhead Media, a company that offers social media, branding, and book marketing for authors. Her articles appear regularly in the San Francisco Book Review (BadRedhead Says…), 12Most.com, bitrebels.com, BookPromotion.com, and Self Publishing Monthly. Her latest book, Broken Pieces, is available currently in eBook format on Amazon and B&N and was released in print in November by Booktrope.

Me: When did you start Bad Redhead Media?

Rachel: I started it unofficially in 2010 (helping author friends, doing my own marketing — and officially hung out my shingle in 2011.

Me: What made you uniquely qualified to start a media company?

Rachel: A few things: I got my BA in Communications Studies and Journalism, fifteen years in pharmaceutical industry (as a sales rep, sales trainer, and ad account exec), and really the fact that while I can’t do geometry to save my life, I GET how social media works. I learned many tips and tricks to manage and grow as a self-published author and working with traditionally published and indie authors.

Me: What does the term hybrid author mean to you? Do you consider yourself a hybrid author?

Rachel: In my mind and from what is happening more and more are authors like myself who create their own ebooks and do well enough to attract attention from publishers. Booktrope has a submissions process like any publisher, but they include the author in every aspect of creation and royalties are higher than a traditional publisher. I think that’s a new wave also — authors keeping eBook rights but signing with a publisher for print.

Me: Do you think the changing publishing industry affords new opportunities for authors?  If so, how can authors be open to such opportunities?

Rachel: Yes, absolutely. I’m evidence of that. There are few things authors need to do if they want to be in both arenas (self-published and traditional or hybrid):

1) Establish an interactive author platform (an optimized website, a blog with fresh weekly (or more) content, social media that is interactive — avoid one-way broadcasting of ‘buy my book!’ at all costs, exploring and familiarizing themselves with how book bloggers and reviewers work — most new authors have NO idea and these folks are crucial to your success — and overall, just realizing that writing a book is only one half of the work.

2) If you go completely self-published, don’t skimp on hiring professionals to edit, proof, format, and design. Millions of new books are available, so the onus is on us to make them the absolute best they can be!

3) Have realistic expectations. So many authors blast their book to little avail. My advice is always, ‘Make a friend, make a sale,’ meaning that relationship-building is far more important to lay the groundwork or foundation. I have my company because, even though I would be considered mid-list at this point (given my sales and rankings on three books), I don’t make enough to stop working completely and just write. One book RARELY becomes a New York Times #1 bestseller (not to say that can’t happen, of course, because it can), but not super often for an indie author without a large publisher behind them.

4) For traditionally pub’d authors (I have several who are clients), the work is the SAME. They either hire me or do all their own social media and book marketing. Having an agent and a publisher isn’t a magic bullet that takes away marketing. Readers are innately curious about authors and social media and blogging allows us to connect in ways that were unheard of even 5 years ago.

Thanks Rachel!

You can contact Rachel in her many forms here:

E-mail: RachelintheOC(at)gmail.com
Author Site: rachelintheoc.com
BadRedhead Media Site: badredheadmedia.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRachelThompson
Facebook Broken Pieces Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/BrokenPiecesByRachelThompson
Twitter: @RachelintheOC
Twitter (Business): @BadRedheadMedia
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rachel-thompson/24/784/b95
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4619475.Rachel_Thompson
Author Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/j9oaH
BadRedhead Media Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/koN8r

Oh, yes, I totally dropped off the blogosphere, but November was a killer. I have two words for you… Nano Wrimo. Okay, that’s actually one word, but I wanted to emphasize the craziness that word brings.

NANOWRIMO

But now that that’s over, my head is buzzing with blogging/book/writing related ideas. So currently, I am puzzling out, sussing, thinking and pondering some very interesting things.  I hope to share something soon, but at the moment will keep quiet and continue to allow my ideas to grow in the brain. Like fungus or mold, only hopefully not as toxic. And yes, I am perfectly aware that I’m rambling. I blame the pie.

But this month I’m going to post some very interesting interviews I’ve done with authors who have utilized the brave new world of publishing to branch out into other venues. I find this topic totally fascinating and I hope you do too. I interviewed author/agent Lois Winston, Author/book packager Lauren Oliver, author/writing mentor/business owner, Shirley Jump and author/publicist/media consultant, Rachel Thomson.

Exciting stuff!

I’ll be publishing these interviews throughout December, so check in often! Then In January, I will be making some very interesting announcements!!!

I just made a donation to Nanowrimo. In case you didn’t know, Nanowrimo stands for National Novel Writing Month and participants attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in thirty days. THIRTY DAYS!

Born of Illusion was a NaNo novel. That’s right, the 85,000 word book that sold in a preempt to a major publisher started out as a very rough 50,000 words that I wrote in 30 days.

I have participated in NaNoWriMo three times now and have won all three times. I’m working on my fourth term, but winning is no guarantee. It’s hard, especially now that I have other deadlines!

The Offices of Letters and Light, the folks that bring you NaNoWriMo, is a nonprofit that believes that everyone has a story to tell. They do some awesome things around the world in the interest of literacy and writing and I am passionate about donating. Here’s why:

• Because I love writing and writers and literacy and books and did I say writing? The  people from the Office of Letters and Light love all those things too and work to support them.
• I believe in the power of words.
• The Young Writers Program: This is a program for teens and educators to help get young people interested in writing and books. For educators, they have free classroom kits, etc.  Awesomesauce! From their website: On top of that, NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers Program promotes writing fluency, creative education, and the sheer joy of novel-writing in K-12 classrooms around the world. We provide free classroom kits, writing workbooks, Common Core-aligned curricula, and virtual class management tools to more than 2,000 educators from Dubai to Massachusetts.
• Camp Nanowrimo: A gentler version of Nanowrimo set in April and July.
• Because I am really, really cool. Are you? Donate here!