Catherine Astolfo's Blog, page 14
March 3, 2013
My Guest: Internationally Best-Selling Author Cheryl Kaye Tardif
<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-parent:""; color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style> <br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><b>Submerge Yourself in the World of Cheryl Kaye Tardif</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">When people ask me what I do, I like to tell them: "I kill people off for a living." You can imagine the looks I get. Sometimes I'll follow with: "Fictitiously, of course. I'm a suspense writer." Sometimes I won't say anything else. Yeah, I'm bad that way.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Writing thriller, suspense, mystery and/or crime novels has always been my passion—especially if I throw a pinch of supernatural or paranormal into the mix. I've always been drawn to dark stories, ones that raise the hairs on the back of my neck or make me glance over my shoulder. The two greatest influences in my writing life have been Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Need I say more?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">So what can I offer you if you choose to read my books? I hope and strive to give you a satisfying read, once that will impact you emotionally. If I can make you shudder or tremble or wince or even cry, then I've done my job. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">In SUBMERGED, I share with you a very personal fear of mine—the fear of being in a car that's underwater and not being able to get out. I have traveled long distances by car hundreds of times during my life, twice from one coast of Canada to the other. Whenever we're along a stretch of highway with a body of water beside me, my fear kicks in. And I hold my breath…waiting…praying�</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I want you to relate to this fear. But even more, I want my characters to come to life. I want you to feel for Marcus Taylor, a struggling recovering addict who has had his fair share of grief and guilt. I want you to admire his strength, even in the midst of his weaknesses. I want you, dear reader, to feel compassion for this man who has lost his wife and son in a terrible accident, who blames himself for their deaths, and who is searching for redemption, though he doesn't really know he is.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I want you to cheer on Rebecca Kingston, a mother on the verge of divorce who has left an abusive husband. I want you to feel empathy for her because this decision, no matter what others think, is not an easy one to make. I want you to cry with her when she realizes she is physically unable to help her children who are trapped with her in a sinking vehicle. And I want you to be holding your breath every time Rebecca does.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Marcus and Rebecca (and the others in SUBMERGED) may only be characters on paper, but they feel real to me. I gave "birth" to them and watched them grow. With every step they took, I wiped away their tears, hugged them and loved them. And, dear reader, I sincerely hope you'll love them just as much.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Happy reading…with the lights on�</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Cheryl Kaye Tardif, international bestselling author</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">PS: The Kindle edition of SUBMERGED is available on Amazon from March 4<sup>th</sup> � 7<sup>th</sup> for a special price during the <b>Killer Thriller Book Launch</b></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Learn more about me and connect at:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><a href=" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><a href=" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><a href=" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href=" border="0" height="242" src="" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>
February 27, 2013
Gramma Comes to Stay A While
My daughter recently turned the same age as me. Forty. It’s weird how you start out mother and daughter and end up twins. In age at least.
She and her partner went to Las Vegas to celebrate. Gramma came to stay for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Since Papa is still working, he gets to stay for the fun part. The weekend. Totally unfair advantage. We are amicably divorced but not sure how long that will last if this competition continues.
When the kids get home from school, they’re really happy to see me. Really. It takes several hours before they start asking for their mom. In the meantime, we play on the computer, read books and watch TV. We eat spaghetti for dinner. It tastes good because the meat sauce was made by their mom. They have no problem pointing this out.
Cate and I take the dog for a walk and we buy chocolate bars for everyone. Take that, meat sauce!
While Ben has a shower Cate and I sit in the bedroom making up limericks. Gramma starts the fart ones. Cate mentions that she’s taking the notebook to school so I caution her to remove certain pages first. She’s calling me Glamma now, which I take to mean I’m glamorous. Especially when I end one limerick with “and my big fat butt in the air� and demonstrate. However, I’m not Glamma any more when I say it’s lights out. Now she wants Mommy.
It’s Ben’s turn for reading or limericking or whatever. We read from a giant book about the universe. It has concepts and words that I either never knew or didn’t bother remembering. He asks me rather pointedly, “But weren’t you a teacher?� We do lights out on rather frosty terms. Now I proceed to make their lunches. I cannot for the life of me find anything good for a kid’s snack or midday meal. I mean, yes, there’s lots of stuff that’s good for you. Like fruits and vegetables.
Back in my day as a mother, when I made lunches I filled them up with cookies and puddings and sandwiches on white bread. Maybe some chips to munch. A pop or sugar-filled juice. All we have in this house is…well, healthy stuff. Sighing, I make what I can and put the lunches in the fridge. Next morning, I have the same problem. No sugar-shocked cereals to be seen. Why would a kid bother getting up?
Apparently they can’t eat in their rooms, either. My kids would get a tray in the morning. Or else, in the case of my son, I would carry him downstairs and set him up in front of the TV. Nothing like a little gratuitous violence in the morning! Not in this house. We talk. We walk to school!
We are a little frazzled. Glamma is a bit overwhelmed by nutritious breakfasts and conversation. When I glance at the clock, I see the reason why. I would normally just be rolling out of bed right now ready to drink coffee and read the paper.
I finally stumble out of the door behind them, the dog in tow. Or, I should say, with me in tow. We are slip-sliding along the ice at a rapid pace. Cate does not want to be late for school. Ben dawdles along with me. When I look down at him, I notice he doesn’t have his boots on. Or his winter coat. It’s a coat, but looks pretty light. I’m wondering if the kids washed or brushed their teeth. The teachers will shake their heads and tsk. Good thing they don’t know I used to be a teacher.
On the way back, the dog poops all over the ice and I have to clean it up with a piece of snow and one small scoop bag.
I hurry back and clean their rooms. They’ll be aghast because this is their responsibility. I go shopping and get some really good stuff. After all, I am competing with Papa’s impending plans to visit the dinosaur museum, while I have to get them to go to school again tomorrow. Sugarless!
Damn, did Cate take that notebook to class?
February 16, 2013
How to Write a Review #2: Star Wars
How to Write A Review Part 2: Star Wars
As a retired teacher, I am biased in my view of ratings (pun intended). I came from the “old school�, literally. I never believed in scoring something unless there was a set of criteria laid out from the beginning. When I gave an assignment, I also gave the evaluation scheme with it. If the student wanted an A, I would describe what s/he had to do or demonstrate.
The most objective appraisals, of course, involve right or wrong answers such as 2 + 2 = 4. No debate. As for all other evaluations, some subjectivity is involved. However, when the assessor has knowledge of and experience with the task or skill being evaluated, the subjectivity is dependable. That brings me to Amazon reviews.
As a reader I am asked by the site to give the book I’ve just read a star rating. This score is extremely important to the author of the novel. Amazon uses the ratings to sell/promote the books. Readers most often only look at novels with a 4-5 star rating. But what are the criteria? What does the rating mean?She loves me, she loves me not.
Well, there are no criteria. Unless you are a professional reviewer and have studied the various genres, the rules a writer is supposed to follow, the techniques or skills to be admired, and so on, you will be completely subjective in your evaluation. You’ll have no scoring template to go by.
In fact, Amazon assumes that this is the case. Clearly the scoring guideline wants you to be totally subjective. Five stars means “I love it�. How much more biased can you be?? 4 stars = “I like it�. 3 stars = “It’s okay�. 2 stars = “I don’t like it�. 1 star = “I hate it�. You HATE a book? Oh my.
When I look at the ratings on my own books, I often cringe. The Bridgeman has a 4 star rating. I would expect that its score would be somewhat lower because the subject matter is dark. Despite the hopeful ending filled with love and community, it nevertheless describes the underbelly of society. Victim, on the other hand, is a pretty tame read. There’s lots of native philosophy, hope, and love. It has a four and a half star rating. Legacy and Seventh Fire both have 5 stars.
I have to admit, however, that the number of reviews is low. (Want to do a review for me??) See all the books here: or on .
My author rank today is 140,000 out of several million. Could be better, but still an achievement.
However � all of this ranking and promoting and highlighting and selling is partly the result of the number of stars a novel has. And the number of stars is so subjective that I don’t see how my books can possibly be compared to anyone else’s. What my readers love or hate may be polar opposite to what you love or hate. In fact, I often look at a one-star rating and wonder what planet that reader must be on in order to despise a particular work that I loved. But that's all my own bias!
In addition, while I'm ranting, apparently some authors go into a competitors' review profile and put a one-star rating there on purpose. Huh? I sincerely hope this is some kind of urban myth, but maybe not.
So � what to do? One of my colleagues refuses to give stars at all. That might be a good strategy, except for the fact that Amazon bases its promotions and highlights on stars. My policy is that I never post a review that’s only 1 or 2-star worthy. In other words, I didn’t like the book at all. Maybe that skews my ratings, but so what? Nobody is going to look around for those lower ratings anyway. They’re going to go for the 4 & 5 star books. If there are one or two stars scattered among the other 5-star scores, the lower scores are going to be dismissed.
I will write a 3-star review if the reasons I didn’t like it are technical. Such as, the editing could be improved, but the plot and character descriptions, etc., are essentially good.
The only way to really get the low-down on the book is to read the review. Ignore or take the star rating lightly. (And I did have that previous rant on “how to write a review�, so go read that, too.) To me, it goes hand-in-hand with not bothering to post a 1 or 2 star reaction.
Unless Amazon creates objective criteria for loving or hating a book, perhaps based on expert reviewers� point systems, I am keeping with my policy. What about you?
As a retired teacher, I am biased in my view of ratings (pun intended). I came from the “old school�, literally. I never believed in scoring something unless there was a set of criteria laid out from the beginning. When I gave an assignment, I also gave the evaluation scheme with it. If the student wanted an A, I would describe what s/he had to do or demonstrate.
The most objective appraisals, of course, involve right or wrong answers such as 2 + 2 = 4. No debate. As for all other evaluations, some subjectivity is involved. However, when the assessor has knowledge of and experience with the task or skill being evaluated, the subjectivity is dependable. That brings me to Amazon reviews.
As a reader I am asked by the site to give the book I’ve just read a star rating. This score is extremely important to the author of the novel. Amazon uses the ratings to sell/promote the books. Readers most often only look at novels with a 4-5 star rating. But what are the criteria? What does the rating mean?She loves me, she loves me not.
Well, there are no criteria. Unless you are a professional reviewer and have studied the various genres, the rules a writer is supposed to follow, the techniques or skills to be admired, and so on, you will be completely subjective in your evaluation. You’ll have no scoring template to go by.
In fact, Amazon assumes that this is the case. Clearly the scoring guideline wants you to be totally subjective. Five stars means “I love it�. How much more biased can you be?? 4 stars = “I like it�. 3 stars = “It’s okay�. 2 stars = “I don’t like it�. 1 star = “I hate it�. You HATE a book? Oh my.
When I look at the ratings on my own books, I often cringe. The Bridgeman has a 4 star rating. I would expect that its score would be somewhat lower because the subject matter is dark. Despite the hopeful ending filled with love and community, it nevertheless describes the underbelly of society. Victim, on the other hand, is a pretty tame read. There’s lots of native philosophy, hope, and love. It has a four and a half star rating. Legacy and Seventh Fire both have 5 stars.
I have to admit, however, that the number of reviews is low. (Want to do a review for me??) See all the books here: or on .
My author rank today is 140,000 out of several million. Could be better, but still an achievement.
However � all of this ranking and promoting and highlighting and selling is partly the result of the number of stars a novel has. And the number of stars is so subjective that I don’t see how my books can possibly be compared to anyone else’s. What my readers love or hate may be polar opposite to what you love or hate. In fact, I often look at a one-star rating and wonder what planet that reader must be on in order to despise a particular work that I loved. But that's all my own bias!
In addition, while I'm ranting, apparently some authors go into a competitors' review profile and put a one-star rating there on purpose. Huh? I sincerely hope this is some kind of urban myth, but maybe not.
So � what to do? One of my colleagues refuses to give stars at all. That might be a good strategy, except for the fact that Amazon bases its promotions and highlights on stars. My policy is that I never post a review that’s only 1 or 2-star worthy. In other words, I didn’t like the book at all. Maybe that skews my ratings, but so what? Nobody is going to look around for those lower ratings anyway. They’re going to go for the 4 & 5 star books. If there are one or two stars scattered among the other 5-star scores, the lower scores are going to be dismissed.
I will write a 3-star review if the reasons I didn’t like it are technical. Such as, the editing could be improved, but the plot and character descriptions, etc., are essentially good.
The only way to really get the low-down on the book is to read the review. Ignore or take the star rating lightly. (And I did have that previous rant on “how to write a review�, so go read that, too.) To me, it goes hand-in-hand with not bothering to post a 1 or 2 star reaction.
Unless Amazon creates objective criteria for loving or hating a book, perhaps based on expert reviewers� point systems, I am keeping with my policy. What about you?
February 11, 2013
On Being Nominated for a Leibster Award
My friend Alison Bruce (author of Deadly Legacy and Under a Texas Star - ) nominated me for a Leibster Award! What the heck's that, you say? Check it out on Ali's blog: Have Laptop, Will Travel - .
Basically, she gave me some work to do. And because I was sitting here staring at a blank page, I thought - why not? Besides, I LOVE Ali's questions. She's very funny and very smart, so I figured I'd have some fun. AND I DID!
(The other part where I find 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 questions - well, I might forget to do that.)
What beverage is absolutely essential for you to have by your side when writing? RED WINEHow important is romance to your storylines? VERY! I ALWAYS HAVE A LOVE ANGLE AND A SEX SCENE OR TWOResearch first, during or after the first draft? HMMM - ALL OF THE ABOVE. DEPENDS ON WHAT IT IS. IF I FIND THE RESEARCH INTERESTING, I DO IT BEFORE OR AFTER: NOT INTERESTING, RELUCTANTLY TACKLE IT AFTERWARD.How much do you edit as you go along? A LOT.Mystery or thriller? What do you prefer reading and what do you prefer writing? MYSTERY - BOTH READING AND WRITINGAdventure or romance? ROMANCEDo you primarily read the genre you write? YESIf you had to pitch one of your stories to a TV producer for a series, which one would you pick? THE NEWEST ONE, SWEET KAROLINEIf it got picked up, who would you cast in the leads? MEREDITH HENDERSONWould you want to be on set for filming? DEFINITELY!You've been nominated for an award for your new series. Who would you thank when you won? MY HUSBAND, DAUGHTER AND SON, AND MY MOTHER
Basically, she gave me some work to do. And because I was sitting here staring at a blank page, I thought - why not? Besides, I LOVE Ali's questions. She's very funny and very smart, so I figured I'd have some fun. AND I DID!
(The other part where I find 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 questions - well, I might forget to do that.)
What beverage is absolutely essential for you to have by your side when writing? RED WINEHow important is romance to your storylines? VERY! I ALWAYS HAVE A LOVE ANGLE AND A SEX SCENE OR TWOResearch first, during or after the first draft? HMMM - ALL OF THE ABOVE. DEPENDS ON WHAT IT IS. IF I FIND THE RESEARCH INTERESTING, I DO IT BEFORE OR AFTER: NOT INTERESTING, RELUCTANTLY TACKLE IT AFTERWARD.How much do you edit as you go along? A LOT.Mystery or thriller? What do you prefer reading and what do you prefer writing? MYSTERY - BOTH READING AND WRITINGAdventure or romance? ROMANCEDo you primarily read the genre you write? YESIf you had to pitch one of your stories to a TV producer for a series, which one would you pick? THE NEWEST ONE, SWEET KAROLINEIf it got picked up, who would you cast in the leads? MEREDITH HENDERSONWould you want to be on set for filming? DEFINITELY!You've been nominated for an award for your new series. Who would you thank when you won? MY HUSBAND, DAUGHTER AND SON, AND MY MOTHER
January 29, 2013
Birth Announcement: Number 5
Anne and Karoline's apartment. Slightly modified by imagination.Last night I gave birth to book baby # 5. Her name is Sweet Karoline. After all the pain and suffering it’s a bit of a relief. It does mean that I have to send her into the world now, though. All this time she’s been protected in the womb of my imagination.
Her siblings wait for her to join them on bookshelves and online. They are all girls, too. Just like Michael Jackson I gave my children the same names. They all end with “An Emily Taylor Mystery�. They’ve got so many traits in common you might think they’re quadruplets. Except that they were born a couple of years apart.
Karoline, however, is completely different. She’ll always stand alone.
I’m about to enter my new baby into the world. First I have to register her birth. Next I’ll give her to my first readers. They will be gentle but nevertheless they will find flaws with her. They’ll poke and prod her and do all kinds of checks on her. Like examining all her commas and inner dialogues and clues.
After that she’ll go off to publisher’s school. This might subject her to rejection. Several times over, perhaps. Publisher schools are private and very particular about their students. When she does get accepted she’ll again be poked and prodded. She might even be rearranged. Parts of her may have to go or be redone. She’ll learn a lot. In many ways she’ll be a different book when she graduates.
Once all her schooling is finished she’ll be on her own, out in the world. I hope she receives acceptance, joy, success and good health. But I can’t protect her forever. She’ll be at the mercy of reviewers, bloggers, random media and readers around the world. She’ll get to travel a lot.
Her sightseeing missions could be short lived. Or they could be wildly successful and blessed with longevity. I can only dream that she'll be awarded and feted. You never know what your children might do. You love them no matter what.
Meanwhile I’ll be at home. I’ll enjoy her successes from afar. Grieve for her failures. Work on sibling six, which has already germinated.
Her siblings wait for her to join them on bookshelves and online. They are all girls, too. Just like Michael Jackson I gave my children the same names. They all end with “An Emily Taylor Mystery�. They’ve got so many traits in common you might think they’re quadruplets. Except that they were born a couple of years apart.
Karoline, however, is completely different. She’ll always stand alone.
I’m about to enter my new baby into the world. First I have to register her birth. Next I’ll give her to my first readers. They will be gentle but nevertheless they will find flaws with her. They’ll poke and prod her and do all kinds of checks on her. Like examining all her commas and inner dialogues and clues.
After that she’ll go off to publisher’s school. This might subject her to rejection. Several times over, perhaps. Publisher schools are private and very particular about their students. When she does get accepted she’ll again be poked and prodded. She might even be rearranged. Parts of her may have to go or be redone. She’ll learn a lot. In many ways she’ll be a different book when she graduates.
Once all her schooling is finished she’ll be on her own, out in the world. I hope she receives acceptance, joy, success and good health. But I can’t protect her forever. She’ll be at the mercy of reviewers, bloggers, random media and readers around the world. She’ll get to travel a lot.
Her sightseeing missions could be short lived. Or they could be wildly successful and blessed with longevity. I can only dream that she'll be awarded and feted. You never know what your children might do. You love them no matter what.
Meanwhile I’ll be at home. I’ll enjoy her successes from afar. Grieve for her failures. Work on sibling six, which has already germinated.
January 11, 2013
How To Write A Review
<!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Times;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style>--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">How To Write A Review</div><div class="MsoNormal">Subtitle: Apologies from a teacher who misguided you</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">When I was an elementary school teacher, I assigned lots of book reviews. Depending on the grade level, I had certain outlines created by a committee or an individual teacher or even the Ministry of Education. None of these templates ever considered the Internet world. Why? (Well, in my time, it didn’t exist.) The reason these days is that writing a review in school has manifestly different objectives from writing a review on Amazon or ŷ (or any of the other myriad sites). </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The goals in school are two-fold. One, the student must prove to the teacher that s/he has actually read the whole book. Thus, a sufficiently detailed summary of the novel is a prerequisite. Two, the teacher focuses on certain skills to be demonstrated, all the way from the ability to predict outcomes based on clues to spelling or grammar. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A review for Amazon (I’m using the monster site to stand in for all the others) is entirely different. Firstly, there is (or should be) only one purpose for writing a review. The objective is to proclaim to other readers your personal reactions to a novel you have read. If there is a second objective, it’s to promote/support/discredit the author. This latter aim is not necessarily bad, as long as it's honest and impartial. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Let me wax prosaic on the first goal and make my apologies to students who have followed their teachers� rules into the present. Here's an entirely new way of writing a review. From me. Since your review's prime objective is to tell me how <i>you</i> reacted to a book, do NOT summarize. All the online sites, especially Amazon, provide excerpts, summaries, or synopses. As a reader, I can check out three whole chapters for free. I don’t need you to summarize. If you haven’t really read the book, you are just cheating yourself, or the author. (A teacher is no longer checking the details.) If you are a cheater or have an agenda to attack/support the writer without any real basis, I’ll be smart enough to see very clearly through your subterfuge. So please don’t bore me with your perception of the novel’s plotline. Leave that to the professionals. I get really upset when you inadvertently tell me the entire plot or reveal the surprise. Not to mention, as a mystery writer, this is a "killer" move on my book sales.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What I am interested in is <i>your</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> reaction to the novel. This is your opportunity to write two or three sentences (or more) giving </span><i>your</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> opinion. You are not bound by the old rules. You are relieved of the summary task and you don’t have to prove any expert literary skill to anyone. (Although you may want to demonstrate correct spelling and grammar to be taken seriously.) Your only goal is to tell other readers what you thought and how you felt about this particular book. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I want to know your reaction to the characters. Did you like them (especially the main ones)? Were you repulsed, yet fascinated, by any evildoers? On the other hand, did you find them dull or unbelievable (e.g. their dialogue was unnatural)?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Let me know if the plot held you spellbound, was based on fact/history/fantasy or whatever, or if it was slow, tedious or implausible. Again, I don’t want the details. I want descriptive reactions from you. “I couldn’t put this rollercoaster ride of a book down for one minute.� “I fell asleep every couple of pages.� “The history was fascinating and informative.� “The fantastical world of Astolfoland was beautiful, sumptuous and believable.� </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Speaking of Astolfoland, you might want to focus on the setting. Was the landscape truly phenomenal? Pastoral, bucolic or frighteningly futuristic? Was the emphasis on the surroundings what turned you on or off the book?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Tell me what you thought of the author’s style. Did you enjoy their sarcastic wit? Was the funny, sardonic voice of the character hilarious? Do you like crisp, succinct writing that keeps a plot moving? Did you love the long, luxurious descriptive narrative?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">You don’t have to use fancy vocabulary and you don’t, I repeat, don’t have the tedium and difficulty of writing a synopsis. You only have to tell the other readers how you personally reacted to the book.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This template translates into perhaps five minutes of your time. Write about how you felt about the book and what you thought of the style (pick a focus if you want: voice, viewpoint, technique), setting, plot (thriller, narrative, type of conflict, romance) and/or characters (dialogue, description, actions). Cover all these categories or the one that affected you most and caused you to like/dislike the novel. You don’t have to get technical about each of these categories, but you can if you want to (e.g. search plot types and categorize the book if Amazon hasn’t done it to your liking). If you have more time, go ahead and Google. Write a novella about the novel. Otherwise, craft three short sentences reflecting your personal opinion. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As a writer, I would be thrilled if everyone used this technique. Why? Because readers would then submit more reviews. Unencumbered by the difficult task of creating a synopsis or demonstrating a specific expertise, the reviewer knows exactly what to say. After all, their reaction to the novel is personal, unique, and honest, and therefore easy to write.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">One last thing: about the honesty. Of course it’s preferable to be truthful. But that doesn’t have to translate into mean, vicious and soul-destroying. There is a gentle way to say “that jacket makes you look fat�. A professional, responsible way to state that your reaction to the book was negative. I can say, “I disagree fundamentally with the viewpoint� or I can say, “The author takes a stupidly ridiculous stance�. One accepts responsibility for the opinion; the other blames and demeans.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Another way to accept responsibility and be professional is to use your own name when you review a book. Don’t hide behind a moniker. If you are a friend/relative of the author, say so. As a reader, I will take your relationship into consideration to decide for myself if you are being impartial or simply loving. If you are one of my students seeking revenge for a low mark on a book report, let me know, and I’ll be sure to put an A on your review.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">NEXT: The Ratings Game and Why Do a Review? (subtitle: What Reviews Mean to Us Authors)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Visit my website and book links if you are dying to review my books: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>
January 1, 2013
Our Rosie
This post appeared as a guest blog on Alison Bruce's Have Laptop Will Travel. You can see Alison's brilliant graphics below! Here's Alison's website:
AND - this is my posting!
Rosie’s Christmas by Catherine Astolfo
It’s Rosie’s party and she is elegant and gracious. She no longer remembers names, but her eyes are alight with recognition as she greets each face.
Sometimes her son (my husband) and I wonder what happens inside Our Rosie’s head. She once told us, “It sounds a lot better before I say it.� We surmise that the dementia disconnect is in the communication, not the thought.
Rosie conducts as her sons serenade her with traditional songs, both Christmas and Italian. Years ago, she would have been conducting in a different way. She would have buzzed around, cooking up the entire meal; homemade pasta, salad, and cannoli for dessert. Her personality was forceful. She admitted to being bossy and nosy. She loved good gossip, good wine, and good cards. Right now Rosie would be standing in the kitchen in her apron (by choice), instead of sitting in the wheelchair in her Sunday best.
She hasn’t lost her love for her sons and their spouses and children. She doesn’t recognize the great-greats, but she knows they’re connected. She reaches out to hug and kiss them.
My grandchildren’s eyes are large and shy as they kiss Our Rosie’s cheek, prompted by their parents, and let her squeeze them. She is small and shrunken and silver haired. I wonder if she is scary to them, but they are polite and would never say so. Too bad they didn’t see her when she could whip up a pie or plant vegetables in a huge garden. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could flash back to the child Rosie or the newly married Rosie and see that face instead?
Her smile makes her beautiful, though, I think. Perhaps that’s the reason Sydney and Evan want to hang around and help deliver leftovers to the staff on the second floor with Gramma Cathy (me). Our Rosie has gone upstairs a little while ago, exhausted from hours of adulation and attention. We gather up plates of sandwiches and veggies and cookies. I lead the parade into the elevator.
I am a bit nervous about what Sydney and Evan will see. Men and women, heads down, tongues hanging, line up in a sleeping row along the wall. One lady twists in her bed, accompanied by a repetitive stream of indecipherable wails. One woman in the hall flaps her hands, drools a smile, la-la-la excitement propelling her tongue when she sees a visitor. They’re so young. Will they be afraid? Repulsed?
When we get to the nurses� station, we put forward our offering with thanks for their help in making Rosie’s day special. They are as thrilled with Sydney and Evan as they are with the goodies. Since I think my grandkids are the cutest kids in the world, I’m not surprised of course.
Inside Rosie’s room, we discover an empty bed. Her walker and wheelchair deserted. “Where is she?� I wonder aloud and the kids follow me back into the hall. I have a quick rush of panic.
Seconds later, I see my mother-in-law trying to hunch herself onto a small sofa. Her head is at an uncomfortable angle, her legs dangle over the side. She moans, too tired to get up again.
I hurry over to her, four little feet at my heels, and put my arms around her. Once she is upright, I say to Sydney, “Honey, can you get Nona Rose’s walker?�
Sydney doesn’t hesitate. She races back and reappears, her eyes large and determined, not one bit afraid. With the kids� help, I half-shuffle, half-carry Rose until she is seated backwards on the walker. We return her to her room, where I lower the bed and, with Sydney and Evan’s help again, soon have her lying flat. She is so tired she can barely keep her eyes open. She makes soft noises and mumbles words we can’t understand.
My sister-in-law, Rita, arrives and goes to get a PSW. In the meantime, Sydney and Evan and I gather around Nona’s bed. Her flailing hands grasp the air. My granddaughter reaches for the right, while Evan reaches for the left, and soon Rosie is quiet, breathing smoothly, holding those little hands on both sides.
The PSW appears in the doorway and lowers one side of the bed, in preparation for getting Rosie cleaned up and more comfortable.
Just before we leave, Sydney and Evan lean over and kiss her cheek. No parents watching, no obligation or expectation. No fear or revulsion. Simple, pure kindness and love.
Rosie smiles.
(This is the real Our Rosie,not the one I’ll feature in a bookI hope to publish in 2014.)
AND - this is my posting!
Rosie’s Christmas by Catherine Astolfo
It’s Rosie’s party and she is elegant and gracious. She no longer remembers names, but her eyes are alight with recognition as she greets each face.
Sometimes her son (my husband) and I wonder what happens inside Our Rosie’s head. She once told us, “It sounds a lot better before I say it.� We surmise that the dementia disconnect is in the communication, not the thought.
Rosie conducts as her sons serenade her with traditional songs, both Christmas and Italian. Years ago, she would have been conducting in a different way. She would have buzzed around, cooking up the entire meal; homemade pasta, salad, and cannoli for dessert. Her personality was forceful. She admitted to being bossy and nosy. She loved good gossip, good wine, and good cards. Right now Rosie would be standing in the kitchen in her apron (by choice), instead of sitting in the wheelchair in her Sunday best.
She hasn’t lost her love for her sons and their spouses and children. She doesn’t recognize the great-greats, but she knows they’re connected. She reaches out to hug and kiss them.
My grandchildren’s eyes are large and shy as they kiss Our Rosie’s cheek, prompted by their parents, and let her squeeze them. She is small and shrunken and silver haired. I wonder if she is scary to them, but they are polite and would never say so. Too bad they didn’t see her when she could whip up a pie or plant vegetables in a huge garden. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could flash back to the child Rosie or the newly married Rosie and see that face instead?
Her smile makes her beautiful, though, I think. Perhaps that’s the reason Sydney and Evan want to hang around and help deliver leftovers to the staff on the second floor with Gramma Cathy (me). Our Rosie has gone upstairs a little while ago, exhausted from hours of adulation and attention. We gather up plates of sandwiches and veggies and cookies. I lead the parade into the elevator.
I am a bit nervous about what Sydney and Evan will see. Men and women, heads down, tongues hanging, line up in a sleeping row along the wall. One lady twists in her bed, accompanied by a repetitive stream of indecipherable wails. One woman in the hall flaps her hands, drools a smile, la-la-la excitement propelling her tongue when she sees a visitor. They’re so young. Will they be afraid? Repulsed?
When we get to the nurses� station, we put forward our offering with thanks for their help in making Rosie’s day special. They are as thrilled with Sydney and Evan as they are with the goodies. Since I think my grandkids are the cutest kids in the world, I’m not surprised of course.
Inside Rosie’s room, we discover an empty bed. Her walker and wheelchair deserted. “Where is she?� I wonder aloud and the kids follow me back into the hall. I have a quick rush of panic.
Seconds later, I see my mother-in-law trying to hunch herself onto a small sofa. Her head is at an uncomfortable angle, her legs dangle over the side. She moans, too tired to get up again.
I hurry over to her, four little feet at my heels, and put my arms around her. Once she is upright, I say to Sydney, “Honey, can you get Nona Rose’s walker?�
Sydney doesn’t hesitate. She races back and reappears, her eyes large and determined, not one bit afraid. With the kids� help, I half-shuffle, half-carry Rose until she is seated backwards on the walker. We return her to her room, where I lower the bed and, with Sydney and Evan’s help again, soon have her lying flat. She is so tired she can barely keep her eyes open. She makes soft noises and mumbles words we can’t understand.
My sister-in-law, Rita, arrives and goes to get a PSW. In the meantime, Sydney and Evan and I gather around Nona’s bed. Her flailing hands grasp the air. My granddaughter reaches for the right, while Evan reaches for the left, and soon Rosie is quiet, breathing smoothly, holding those little hands on both sides.
The PSW appears in the doorway and lowers one side of the bed, in preparation for getting Rosie cleaned up and more comfortable.
Just before we leave, Sydney and Evan lean over and kiss her cheek. No parents watching, no obligation or expectation. No fear or revulsion. Simple, pure kindness and love.
Rosie smiles.
(This is the real Our Rosie,not the one I’ll feature in a bookI hope to publish in 2014.)
December 26, 2012
Oh What a Thrill!
I absolutely LOVE writing. At times, I can't even focus on the conversation I'm having because I am writing in my head. I'm the kind of author who "cooks" the story for a long time, in notes, scribbles, memory. As I age, however, I'm discovering that I can't multitask like I used to - thus the vacant stares every once in while when I'm supposed to be doing two things at once (e.g. writing and talking).
When I get the words right, it's absolutely thrilling. For instance, I love this passage from THE BRIDGEMAN because I think it describes Emily and Langford's love for one another so well.
I actually get a shiver when I read it. Every time. I think it shows why being a writer is such an obsession: when you love what you do, and when you get it "write", it hooks you forever.
THE BRIDGEMAN is free December 26-27-28 so I can get YOU hooked on the series.
PS THIS EXCERPT IS FOR ADULTS ONLY.
He began to rub my neck, kneading the tension in my shoulders, letting his hands play over the small soft hairs at the nape of my neck. Standing very close to me, touching me, I could feel his body begin to respond, as I snuggled into his arms. I turned as I finished the last (telephone) call, my arms around his hips, my face buried in his t-shirt. I loved the smell of him, slightly sweaty mixed with a little of the fragrance of paint and soap. He tilted my head up, smiled at me, his eyes tracing over my face with the gratitude and wonder of someone who had almost lost his love and would forever appreciate regaining it.We kissed for a while, slowly at first and then more urgently, before he led me to our bed. Once we were undressed, he caressed me, his artist's hands exploring my body with tenderness and knowledge. I allowed my mind to drift, became aware only of the soft hairs of his body, the gentleness of his fingers, the wetness of my response... I let myself blend into him, felt the strength flowing between us, knew that whatever else happened in our lives, this was all that was really important.
When I get the words right, it's absolutely thrilling. For instance, I love this passage from THE BRIDGEMAN because I think it describes Emily and Langford's love for one another so well.
I actually get a shiver when I read it. Every time. I think it shows why being a writer is such an obsession: when you love what you do, and when you get it "write", it hooks you forever.
THE BRIDGEMAN is free December 26-27-28 so I can get YOU hooked on the series.
PS THIS EXCERPT IS FOR ADULTS ONLY.
He began to rub my neck, kneading the tension in my shoulders, letting his hands play over the small soft hairs at the nape of my neck. Standing very close to me, touching me, I could feel his body begin to respond, as I snuggled into his arms. I turned as I finished the last (telephone) call, my arms around his hips, my face buried in his t-shirt. I loved the smell of him, slightly sweaty mixed with a little of the fragrance of paint and soap. He tilted my head up, smiled at me, his eyes tracing over my face with the gratitude and wonder of someone who had almost lost his love and would forever appreciate regaining it.We kissed for a while, slowly at first and then more urgently, before he led me to our bed. Once we were undressed, he caressed me, his artist's hands exploring my body with tenderness and knowledge. I allowed my mind to drift, became aware only of the soft hairs of his body, the gentleness of his fingers, the wetness of my response... I let myself blend into him, felt the strength flowing between us, knew that whatever else happened in our lives, this was all that was really important.
December 16, 2012
F-Art Tour
My friends, Maire and Helen, and I have known each other for over forty-three years. So we know each other very well. They're aware that I have been a Tom Thomson stalker since I was a kid. I spent my first honeymoon in Algonquin Park, canoeing and staring at the place where his abandoned craft was discovered. I went to his grave site. (Were those really his bones in there?) I have read every book written on his life. One of the best of these is written by local Canadian Roy MacGregor, called Northern Lights: The Enduring Mystery. The latter word, as Maire observes correctly, explains my obsession with Tom.
Thus when the McMichael Collection created a Tom Thomson tour, we signed up immediately. Helen is an artist, I am a writer, and Maire is our appreciator, editor, critic, and support. We love these cultural excursions (mostly planned by Helen, for which I am grateful), partly because of the lunches, but mostly because we're together experiencing something that's very often profound and beautiful.
I have an extra reason for loving these trips. It's research. In my Emily Taylor novels, her husband is a visual artist. I get a lot of my inspiration from Helen's art and from these excursions. Perhaps not surprisingly, my fifth book, although not an Emily Taylor, has an artist as a character and the centre of a mystery.
On this particular tour, we're surrounded by lots of other like-minded art lovers. Most of them are as old as we are, or much older. Canes and walkers are proliferate. It's a bit hot in the galleries after we crowd into them. The tour guide is enthusiastic, well-spoken and informative, though I don't really learn a whole lot that's new to me.
During the pauses in our guide's lecture, someone farts. This leads me to believe that s/he is farting throughout, only to be heard during the silences. As Maire and Helen and I discuss later, at our ages, we are not inclined to laugh. There but for the grace of digestion, fart we. But I do decide this should be entitled the F-Art Tour.
I do take home some tidbits for Sweet Karoline (working title of Book 5), despite the noise factor and Maire's observation that farts are particles that we can inhale.
Lawren Harris, among other artists, also wrote down his observations. "This land is mostly virgin, fresh and full, replenishing. This North of ours is a source of spiritual flow, which can create through us."
I decide my Artist will be a writer, too. If only I can give him such Harris-poignant words.
This exhibit has been designed with the juxtaposition of the original sketches and the completed pieces. Aha! Sketches! Some of the finished paintings differ from the trial in lighting, colour, and additions for the larger canvas. My artist is sketching!
The Group of Seven and Tom's paint boxes are displayed throughout the galleries. My artist will have a paintbox, too. Could it be a clue? What could be hidden inside?
Today, just before the #ImajinBooks Twitter Party, I am writing, writing, writing. Doesn't hurt that rain is pouring down outside, allowing me a guilt-free indoor day. I can't wait to get to the part where my characters find the paintbox and begin to understand what they've discovered! I just have to get through this part first LOL.
Thanks, Tom, thanks Helen and Maire. Off I go, f-arting all the way.
PS Go here to find all the info re Imajin Book's party and giveaways: . Hope to tweet you there, starting at 3 PM EST today.
Thus when the McMichael Collection created a Tom Thomson tour, we signed up immediately. Helen is an artist, I am a writer, and Maire is our appreciator, editor, critic, and support. We love these cultural excursions (mostly planned by Helen, for which I am grateful), partly because of the lunches, but mostly because we're together experiencing something that's very often profound and beautiful.
I have an extra reason for loving these trips. It's research. In my Emily Taylor novels, her husband is a visual artist. I get a lot of my inspiration from Helen's art and from these excursions. Perhaps not surprisingly, my fifth book, although not an Emily Taylor, has an artist as a character and the centre of a mystery.
On this particular tour, we're surrounded by lots of other like-minded art lovers. Most of them are as old as we are, or much older. Canes and walkers are proliferate. It's a bit hot in the galleries after we crowd into them. The tour guide is enthusiastic, well-spoken and informative, though I don't really learn a whole lot that's new to me.
During the pauses in our guide's lecture, someone farts. This leads me to believe that s/he is farting throughout, only to be heard during the silences. As Maire and Helen and I discuss later, at our ages, we are not inclined to laugh. There but for the grace of digestion, fart we. But I do decide this should be entitled the F-Art Tour.
I do take home some tidbits for Sweet Karoline (working title of Book 5), despite the noise factor and Maire's observation that farts are particles that we can inhale.
Lawren Harris, among other artists, also wrote down his observations. "This land is mostly virgin, fresh and full, replenishing. This North of ours is a source of spiritual flow, which can create through us."
I decide my Artist will be a writer, too. If only I can give him such Harris-poignant words.
This exhibit has been designed with the juxtaposition of the original sketches and the completed pieces. Aha! Sketches! Some of the finished paintings differ from the trial in lighting, colour, and additions for the larger canvas. My artist is sketching!
The Group of Seven and Tom's paint boxes are displayed throughout the galleries. My artist will have a paintbox, too. Could it be a clue? What could be hidden inside?
Today, just before the #ImajinBooks Twitter Party, I am writing, writing, writing. Doesn't hurt that rain is pouring down outside, allowing me a guilt-free indoor day. I can't wait to get to the part where my characters find the paintbox and begin to understand what they've discovered! I just have to get through this part first LOL.
Thanks, Tom, thanks Helen and Maire. Off I go, f-arting all the way.
PS Go here to find all the info re Imajin Book's party and giveaways: . Hope to tweet you there, starting at 3 PM EST today.
December 14, 2012
I'm A Patterson/Grafton Cross!
Recently, a reviewer told me that my writing is a cross between James Patterson and Sue Grafton (the reviewer's name is Richard Houston and his book is A View to Die For). I was chuffed! And I knew exactly what he meant by the compliment.
My books deal with dark subjects, animal and child abuse among them. Gritty like Patterson. The sad side of our reality; the world at its worst. My heroine, Emily Taylor, is a likeable, well-meaning, flawed character, like Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone.
I would like to add something to this list, just in case you turn away screaming: a nice person like Emily involved in horrible things! Why would I want to read that?
My novels are a juxtaposition of dark and light; evil and good; hate and love. And always, goodness wins. Love overcomes everything: the community and the individuals band together to become triumphant in the end.
I am fascinated by evil. How does a person become so twisted that they can abuse and even kill another living being? (And no, I did not have a traumatic experience in my past to explain this obsession. I was an elementary school teacher, a graduate of psychology in University, and I witnessed several children turn into sociopaths.)
I am also optimistic. I truly believe in love. I really do think that love can conquer evil. I believe it happens every day. Thus my novels always end with hope and joy.
Come by this weekend (December 14-16, 3-10 PM EST): we're having a Twitter Party! #ImajinBooks Drop in for a moment or stay all day. Virtual parties are so convenient. You could win a free ebook or even a Kindle! And ask questions of the authors (including me, that Patterson/Grafton cross). All you do is log into Twitter, ask a question or make a comment with #ImajinAuthors as the hashtag, and you will be included in the fun. See you there!
My books deal with dark subjects, animal and child abuse among them. Gritty like Patterson. The sad side of our reality; the world at its worst. My heroine, Emily Taylor, is a likeable, well-meaning, flawed character, like Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone.
I would like to add something to this list, just in case you turn away screaming: a nice person like Emily involved in horrible things! Why would I want to read that?
My novels are a juxtaposition of dark and light; evil and good; hate and love. And always, goodness wins. Love overcomes everything: the community and the individuals band together to become triumphant in the end.
I am fascinated by evil. How does a person become so twisted that they can abuse and even kill another living being? (And no, I did not have a traumatic experience in my past to explain this obsession. I was an elementary school teacher, a graduate of psychology in University, and I witnessed several children turn into sociopaths.)
I am also optimistic. I truly believe in love. I really do think that love can conquer evil. I believe it happens every day. Thus my novels always end with hope and joy.
Come by this weekend (December 14-16, 3-10 PM EST): we're having a Twitter Party! #ImajinBooks Drop in for a moment or stay all day. Virtual parties are so convenient. You could win a free ebook or even a Kindle! And ask questions of the authors (including me, that Patterson/Grafton cross). All you do is log into Twitter, ask a question or make a comment with #ImajinAuthors as the hashtag, and you will be included in the fun. See you there!
