'Bree Tanner' Proves Lackluster for Indies

Publisher's Weekly reports on indie sales of Meyer's newly-released novella.
'Bree Tanner' Proves Lackluster for Indies


I checked this book out yesterday at B&N. I was surprised to find it was 176 pages long, which seems long to me for a novella. This article reports the book to be 190+ pages, which I believe to be incorrect. What constitutes a novella these days? Of course, the font size was larger than your standard book and it appeared each page couldn't have been more than 200 words on average. The story is written without chapter breaks and represents one day in the life of newborn vampire Bree Tanner.

I feel for the independent booksellers trying to sell a book that has been offered online free by the writer and, because of its size, price point, and popularity, can be sold easily at retailers not directly associated with bookselling.

another reason to write

"I'm not sure a bad person can write a good book. If art doesn't make us better, then what on earth is it for?" - Alice Walker

Thought for the Day

I was saddened by the news of respected journalist Helen Thomas' sudden resignation/retirement from the White House Press Corps. Although I disagree with her remarks regarding Israel, I champion her right to say them.

Today's thought for the day goes out to Thomas and all the other women who show the courage to speak their convictions, even those with whom we may differ in opinion and ideology.

"Well behaved women rarely make history." -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Do you suffer from BADD (Book Attention Deficit Disorder)?

I think I have Book Attention Deficiet Disorder, or BADD.

Currently, these are the books I'm reading: Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn, Negotiating with the Dead by Margaret Atwood, On Writing Well by William Zinsser, Creating Minds: An Anatomy of Creativity by Howard Gardner, and some freelance writing book by Robert Bly, which is in the back seat of my SUV, along with Stephen King's Bag of Bones and a Ray Bradbury short story collection. On my dinning room table sits two YA books I want to, at least, scan through and two books on novel writing that I'm reading for the second time. Last week I bought Anna Karenina and Richard Price's Lush Life, which looks really good and is sitting on the futon in my study. As I write this post, I keep staring over at it, sitting there, waiting for me to pick it up, show it some love. If I could focus and get through one book at time, I might be able finish the books I really want to read, put the others back on the bookshelf, and cozy up Price's urban yarn.

Okay, between the last sentence and this one, I gave in, picked it up, and read the first 10 pages. From page 10:

The kid sighs, tries not to look at the barely curious locals coming out of the Banco de Ponce ATM center and the Dunkin' Donuts, the college kids hopping in and out of taxis.
"C'mon. Do right by me. I'll do right by you." Lugo absently tosses the baggie from hand to hand, drops it, picks it up.
"Do right like how?"
"I want a gun."
"A what? I don't know a gun."
"You don't have to know a gun. But you know someone who knows someone, right?"
"Aw, man ..."
"For starters, you know who you bought this shit from, right?"
"I don't know any guns, man. You got forty dollars a week there. I paid for it with my own money, 'cause it helps me relax, helps me party. Everybody I know is like, go to work, go to school, get high. That's it."
"Huh ... so like, there's no one you could call, say, 'Yo, I just got jacked in the PJs. I need me a onetime whistle, can I meet you at such and such?"
"A whistle?"
Lugo makes a finger gun.
"You mean a hammer?"
"A hammer, a whistle ..." Lugo turns away and tightens his pony-tail.
"Pfff..." The kid looks off, then, "I know a knife."
Lugo laughs. "My mother has a knife."

Now, where else am I going to find dialogue like that? This is how it starts. Add another book to the list. I know I've got it. I've got it BADD.

Novel Writing: Choosing a Method that Works Best for You by Margo L. Dill

Novel Writing: Choosing a Method that Works Best for You by Margo L. Dill

Quick and easy article by Margo L. Dill on methods for novel writing.


I've plotted out the entire book using index cards. Each color index cards represents a different type of scene. Red cards indicate major plot point scenes, purple cards represent scenes that preview the plot point scenes and heighten tension and suspense, while green index cards are scenes that move the story along to the next major plot point and provide relevant information. Blue cards are shorter scenes that focus on character development and setting, and yellow cards are contrasting scenes that depict how the characters' lives could be if they could have what they want, a glimpse of a happy life were it not for the conflict.

I've tried outlines, sticky notes, plot snake charts, chapter summaries, flow charts. I think I've hit upon a method that works for my visual learning style and allows me to rearrange scenes easily and remove or add scenes quickly to see how each effects the structure of the novel as a whole.

A friend that used to work in grocery store sales and marketing calls it my novel "plan-a-gram," after the corporate plan-a-gram charts she was made to follow for product displays. Hey, it works for me. My only complaint now is I can't use my dining table until I finish writing the book.

The 10 strangest books in the English language - Comment Central - Times Online - WBLG

The 10 strangest books in the English language - Comment Central - Times Online - WBLG

I suppose there is an audience for everything. Check out this link to Times Online blog Comment Central on Abe Books' online feature Weird Book Room.

In literature, as in love, we are astonished at what is chosen by others. - Andre Maurois

2010 UNF Writers Conference

"Let Your Creative Spirit Soar" -- that's University of North Florida's slogan for this year's writers conference. My place is saved and I'm looking forward to the events August 6-8. This year's keynote speaker is Steve Berry, N.Y. Times bestselling author of The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Alexandria Link, and The Venetian Betrayal.

To register for UNF's 2010 Writers Conference online, follow the link below:
Let Your Creative Spirit Soar

UNF has partnered with Florida Writers Association to bring you this year's conference and events.