The Word From Beacon Street

Guiding Light to be Extinguished

2009-04-02T07:56:00.000-07:00

by Anne Carter

72 years, nearly 16,000 episodes. What a legacy being left by the world’s longest running TV drama. The Guiding Light will air its final show on September 18, 2009, and you can bet there will be mourners. CBS cites low ratings for the decision to cease production of the soap, which has garnered 69 Daytime Emmys since its debut on television in 1952.

“I created ‘Guiding Light’ with one fundamental theme in mind: the brotherhood of man.” Irna Phillips, the show’s creator, couldn’t possibly have imagined the episodic’s success when he wrote those words in 1937. The daily peek into the lives and loves of the good folks of Springfield has attracted a huge following over the years, as viewers alternately laugh, cry, and pound their fists over every birth, death, affair, murder, kidnapping, disappearance, resurrection and, yes, even marriage. Marriages, as you may know, don’t usually last long in the soap world. And savvy viewers will pick up the same, recurring themes on modern dramas such as ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘“Brothers and Sisters’. Adultery, rape, abortion, homosexuality and AIDS are topics written into daytime scripts, often long before their nighttime counterparts.

The Guiding Light, among other daytime dramas, has launched many stars into the prime time and silver screen spotlight. Early stars such as Mercedes McCambridge and Maureen O’Sullivan played parts. Christopher Walken, Joseph Campanella, Jimmy Smits and Blythe Danner all took a turn on the soap.

Kevin Bacon played a troubled teen in the early 80’s. James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams and Cicely Tyson all had early career roles. Guest stars, too, had stints in Springfield. Veteran screen legend Joan Bennett, television talk show host Dick Cavett and actor James Coco appeared, along with Dorothy Loudon, Chita Rivera, Leslie Uggams and Tammy Grimes. Mackenzie Phillips, whom, at the time, had struggled with drug problems, portrayed a substance abuse counselor. Viewers have also been treated to Calista Flockhart and Hayden Panettiere, who got early starts on the show.

According to the Los Angeles Times, viewership fell from 5 million in 1999 to 2.17 million per episode this season. CBS, it says, “agonized” over the decision, along with the show’s owner Proctor and Gamble. By comparison, the network’s ‘Young and the Restless’ is still pulling in around 5.26 million viewers per episode. P&G has stated they are trying to find a new home for GL.

Early in my writing career, I considered trying to land a spot in the land of suds and lust. After careful research, I decided that the pace would be too much for a writer with young children still underfoot; soap scribes turn out a hour’s episode five days a week. Storylines are often handled by different writers and woven together via teleconferences and late-night think tank meetings. Burnout is not uncommon.

While I haven’t watched ‘Guiding Light’ in a few years, I still remember the characters as if they were distant relatives. Philip Spaulding, Rick Bauer, Reva Shayne, Josh Lewis… I will still miss them, knowing they won’t be there at 2 pm anymore.

Anne Carter is the author of paranormal romantic mystery, POINT SURRENDER, from Echelon Press, Amazon and Fictionwise. Visit Anne at BeaconStreetBooks.com.

Michael J. Fox: Every Reason To Be A Pessimist

2009-03-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

I’m about halfway through the memoir LUCKY MAN by Michael J. Fox. It’s a slow process, only because it’s a paper book and I don’t have much time for reading other than after dark. The book was a gift, had I bought it myself I would have opted for an ebook version to read on my pocket PC in bed.

Michael is an alarmingly good writer. Articulate, astute, engaging. Had he not gone into show business, he likely could have written many bestsellers. He talks candidly and unashamedly about his bad times and good times, times of excess and poor judgment. The book is leading up to, and recounting the times before, his now well-known diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. Since I am a natural Hollywood groupie, I find the stories of his rise to stardom compelling, but not much moreso than the anecdotes about his early years and his family. Most disarming is his continued optimism in the face of adversity.

There is a thread of self-analysis that runs through the book, as if Michael is attempting to explain his life not only to his readers but to himself. His respect for, and devotion to, his wife Tracy (Pollan) is heartwarming. They actually met on the set of Family Ties, where Tracy was playing a possible love interest for Ties’ Alex Keaton. It didn’t work out for Alex, but at some point Michael and Tracy became a couple and the rest is history, as they say. (Photo by Alan Light.)

Part of that history is that in 1991, Michael was given the devastating news about his condition. He continued to work, bowing out from his then-series Spin City in 2001. From the time of his diagnosis to date, he made 18 films, and his lifetime achievements include four Emmy awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild awards, two Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice awards and one People’s Choice award. He’s done numerous TV guest spots, and has an upcoming role in Rescue Me (FX Network).

In 2000, Michael launched the non-profit Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, where he spends much of his time and resources today. The Foundation has funded nearly $140 million in research toward better Parkinson’s treatment. In addition, Michael has been a strong advocate for legislation supporting stem-cell research.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Michael will return to television with Michael J Fox: Adventures of An Incurable Optimist, airing May 7 on ABC. The special will examine the power of positive thinking, and, as noted on the Foundation’s website, “Fox explores science and his own personal experiences -- he says the past decade, since his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease, has been among his happiest. As part of the special, Fox visits the Himalayan nation of Bhutan, which he says is unusually committed to the well-being of its citizens.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m happy to see Michael back on the tube, and am looking forward to his personal brand of optimism. If he can be optimistic, considering all he’s been through, why can’t we?

Anne Carter is the author of paranormal romantic mystery, POINT SURRENDER, from Echelon Press, Amazon and Fictionwise. Visit Anne at BeaconStreetBooks.com.

The Mystery of Oscar

2009-02-23T07:35:00.000-08:00

by Anne Carter (Reposted from Make Mine Mystery)

I haven't seen "Slumdog Millionaire." Until the Golden Globes, I hadn't even heard of it. EIGHT Oscars! It seems like that happens a lot; a great movie wins, but takes several other categories along the way. I guess it makes sense.

Have you ever wondered if the recipients know in advance that they've won or lost? Officially, the Academy holds to its rule that winners names are, indeed, sealed in those precious envelopes. In early years, winning names were given to newspapers in advance so that they could get the information into their editions before press time. However, it is said that the Los Angeles Times once leaked the results prior to the broadcast, effectively ruining the evening and the mystery.

In 1948, both Rosalind Russell (shown above) and Loretta Young were up for best actress. The story goes that Russell had everything going for her, including the best PR representation in town. So certain she was of her win, she began to rise from her seat before Frederic March could utter the words "Loretta Young for the Farmer's Daughter". Variety had already typeset her victory for the next day's edition. Not to be shamed by her erroneous assumption, Russell continued to her feet and led an astonished crowd in a standing ovation. That's class.

Why do I know this detailed minutia? Because the opening scene of my upcoming romantic mystery, CAPE SEDUCTION, reprises this very night at the Shrine Auditorium in Hollywood. I'm a sucker for old Hollywood, for its glamour, its mystery, its unapologetic excess. Oscar night is one of those almost historic rituals that epitomizes and keeps alive, to some extent, that golden era.

~Anne

Anne Carter is the author of paranormal romantic mystery, POINT SURRENDER, from Echelon Press, Amazon and Fictionwise. Visit Anne at BeaconStreetBooks.com.

Jan 27: Marlene Dietrich

2009-01-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

Marie Magdalene Dietrich was born January 27, 1901, in Berlin. The German born, American actress is remembered for her glamorous persona, her sultry, smoky voice and her ability to continually reinvent herself.

From stage actress to film star, wartime front-line entertainer to cabaret singer, “Lene” (Layna) was always a surprise. Starting off as a chorus girl, Dietrich landed a few small roles and made a number of pictures before hooking up with director Josef von Sternberg, who cast her in “The Blue Angel” and thereafter laid claim to discovering her. The film was an international success, and led to Dietrich moving to the U.S. for a contract with Paramount. She went on to make what most consider her best six films, all with von Sternberg.

Although she married (Rudolf Sieber, 1924) and delivered a daughter (Maria Elisabeth, 1924), it is said that Marlene was bisexual, having affairs with both men and women. Like Kate Hepburn, she was often seen wearing trousers in public. She is quoted as saying that, while they never really connected, Orson Welles was the love of her life.

Dietrich became an American citizen in 1939. During WWII, she was reportedly approached by the Nazi Party and asked to return to Germany, but she refused. Instead, she traveled with American troops to entertain on the front lines with the USO, and was one of the first celebrities to raise war bonds. She was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her patriotism to her adopted country.

During the 50’s and 60’s, Marlene worked the cabaret circuit, playing Las Vegas and London while wearing provocative, daring costumes. During this period, she contracted Burt Bacharach as her musical arranger, who worked to create arrangements that would make the most of her limited range.

In September of 1975, Dietrich fell and broke her leg during a performance in Sydney, Australia, marking her last stage appearance. She continued on screen, however, appearing in David Bowie’s “Just A Gigolo” in 1979. Soon after, she began to retreat to her Paris apartment, where she ultimately spent the last 11 years of her life mostly bedridden. She died in May of 1992 at the age of 90, and her remains were returned to Berlin to be interred near her mother—not far from where she was born.

Interestingly, according to Wikipedia, her estate included 300,000 pages of documents, including correspondence with “Burt Bacharach, Yul Brynner, Maurice Chevalier, Noel Coward, Jean Gabin, Ernest Hemingway, Karl Lagerfeld, Nancy and Ronald Reagan, Erich Maria Remarque, Josef von Sternberg, Orson Welles, and Billy Wilder”. Her 59 films were made between 1919 and 1979 – a span of 60 years. She is credited with writing 3 autobiographical books, and is the subject of a number of biographies, including one by her daughter Maria Riva.

Marlene Dietrich’s “official” website opens with a surprisingly clear reproduction of Dietrich’s popular “theme”, “Falling In Love Again” – a song she purportedly hated!

A Departure From My Usual Blog

2008-11-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

Someone asked me why I write about celebrities or persons of note when I am an author. Most authors, they said, write about writing, or their books, or the business of publishing. I should be trying to get readers—correction—book buyers to want to buy my stories.

They are probably right. Of course I want folks to buy POINT SURRENDER, or any of my several novels currently available. But I also want to entertain. As a person who reads many blogs, both as a writer and a reader, I grow weary of much of the hype, the endless dissertations on craft, marketing, format, etc. Most of what I could come up with has been said so many times by so many people (and so much better) that the words sometimes become invisible on the screen. But my intent is not to diminish in any way the efforts of my fellow authors; on the contrary, I laud you for your tireless contributions and thoughtful words.

When I write about people whose lives I find interesting, I feel that others might find them interesting as well. And therein lies a connection, however remote it might seem. I loved learning about James Herriot, Jackson Browne and Oscar Wilde. There is a certain romantic thread weaving these talented people together, a creativity I hope I share in just the least bit.

I wasn’t looking for a niche. Were my books biographical in nature, my blog topics would seem more relevant. Would it help to say I base my characters (somewhat) on public figures I find intriguing? Is that enough of a link to legitimize my habit?

So perhaps the answer is that I sprinkle in a subliminal, or at least subtle, plug for my books now and then. Kind of like those brief, 15 second TV commercials that aren’t long enough for a bathroom break. Let’s see:

“Looking for a great gift for the literary gal on your list? Escape the ordinary and pick up POINT SURRENDER by Anne Carter from Amazon today! Write me for a free, autographed book plate to personalize your gift—sure to thrill your most avid romantic mystery fan!”

There. Commercial duly posted. Have a great weekend!

November 14: Another Tough Choice!

2008-11-12T18:39:00.001-08:00

1840: Claude Monet, Painter

1900: Aaron Copeland, Composer

1904: Dick Powell, Actor

1906: Louise Brooks, Actress

1908: Joseph McCarthy, U.S. Senator

1921: Brian Keith, Actor

1922: Veronica Lake, Actress

1948: Prince Charles

There's a hundred years' worth of people worth talking about. Tune in Friday to see who I'll profile!

Mitchell et Mitchell - Part Two

2008-11-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

Had she not been struck down by a drunk driver, Margaret Mitchell Marsh would have been 108 today. Born in 1900 in Atlanta (where else?) to a family well-defined by its number of soldiers and patriots, young Margaret ("Peggy") grew up immersed in stories of the Civil War. Not surprising, her upbringing was not too dissimilar to that of her famous heroine, Scarlett O'Hara. Her free-spirited intelligence set her apart from fellow debutantes, and by the early 1920's she was considered a "headstrong flapper".

While courted by both ex-football player Berrien "Red" Upshaw and newspaperman John Marsh, she married Upshaw but found him to be inadequate support so soon took a job as a writer working for Marsh at the Atlanta Journal. She was paid $25.00 per week as one of the first woman columnists at the South's largest newspaper. Her marriage didn't last long; Upshaw was found to be a bootlegger, and she divorced him in 1924. In 1925, she married Marsh.

It is said that she began writing her famous, Pulitzer prize-winning novel while laid up with a broken ankle. Having exhausted all of the historical books her husband brought home to amuse her, Peggy set up a Remington typewriter and took to heart Marsh's suggestion that she write her own book.

While she always claimed that Gone With the Wind was entirely fictional, historians have since discovered a number of undeniable parallels with actual people living before and during Mitchell's lifetime. Surely the death of Scarlett's mother from typhoid matches Mitchell's own mother's passing, a result of an epidemic flu. More enlightening is the discovery by Dr. E. Lee Spence of ties between fictional Rhett Butler and real-life blockade runner George Alfred Trenholm. It would seem that Ms. Mitchell based Butler's character quite specifically on Trenholm. (See Spence's book: Treasures of the Confederate Coast: The "Real Rhett Butler" and Other Revelations for more on this astonishing discovery, which Life magazine called "overwhelming evidence.")

Peggy was a reluctant author, hiding her manuscript from all except her husband. It was only after a friend commented that it was unimaginable that "anyone as silly as Peggy" could write a book that she gave the novel to MacMillan talent scout Harold Latham, who bought a second suitcase with which to transport the massive manuscript back to New York. Mitchell was immediately regretful and sent a telegram to Latham, asking for the book back. However, the editor had no intention of returning it, having determined it had the potential to be the blockbuster it later became.

Some stats: It took her 9 years to write, both typed and hen-scratched onto heaps of scrap paper;

The book was released in June, 1936; by early 1949, it was announced that the book had sold 8 million copies (Mitchell had hopes of selling 5,000 copies.)

David O. Selznick paid her $50,000 for the movie rights;

The ending of GWTW was written first, Mitchell writing her way back toward the beginning. The first chapter had not been written when she submitted to MacMillan;

Mitchell hated publicity, and wrote: "My time is not my own. It has not been my own since 'Gone With the Wind' was published. The very fact that since 1936 I have never had the time to sit down --to my typewriter and write—or try to write—another book will give you some indication of what I mean."

She added that "being the author of 'Gone With the Wind' is a full-time job, and most days it is an overtime job filling engagements and meeting visitors. In addition, I am giving all the time I can to war activities and future commitments in this field which will take me out of the city." Although the fame disrupted her life, it brought her an estimated $1,000,000 in book royalties, movie payments and other returns in less than four years.

The off-duty taxi driver who struck Mitchell had 23 prior traffic violations on record. He was charged with drunken driving, speeding, and driving on the wrong side of the street. Gov. Herman Talmadge ordered the flag over the State Capitol lowered to half-staff until after the funeral.

(Gone With) The Wind is in From Africa

2008-11-07T21:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, that was sort of a lame title. But there's a reason. Stay tuned.

November 7th finds us celebrating the birthday of one of my favorite recording artists, songwriters, painters... Joni Mitchell turned 65 today but somehow I doubt she rushed to file for Social Security benefits. Parts of the title, of course, are lyrics from one of her biggest commercial hits, "Carey", and Mitchell's fans will know that. Joni has been called "iconoclastic and unconforming", and "restlessly innovative." I can't compete with those articulate descriptives, but I will say that I liked her because she didn't care if her syllable count matched from stanza to stanza. Not every line had to rhyme, not every note had to follow any kind of pattern. She traversed octaves in leaps and bounds, not worried if her vocals were consistent from song to song.

She was born in Alberta, Canada, as Roberta Joan Anderson, and at age 9 contracted polio. Under her mother's care, she recovered and later, taught herself to play the ukulele (she couldn't afford a guitar), attended art school and joined the local folk music set. After making her way to Toronto, she got the "Mitchell" from ex-husband Chuck, whom she married in 1965. The couple relocated to Detroit, then parted ways and Joni found herself in New York and making a record for Reprise with help from David Crosby. Stardom followed, and her 1970's Ladies of the Canyon brought forth both "Big Yellow Taxi" and "Woodstock", the now-infamous cover of which went on to become a huge launch for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

It occurs to me at this point that I couldn't possibly paint a viable picture of Joni on such a small canvas, and those hungry for more about his talented woman should check out this immensely consuming page about her life, works and many talents. Contained therein is the surprising revelation about a 43 year old daughter, alluded to in song but never acknowledged until the 1990's.

For the record, my personal favorites include "A Case of You", "Little Green" and "Free Man in Paris". Although I haven't personally heard her live for many, many years, I understand her voice has been diminished from her 56 years of smoking (yes, she admits to starting at 9 years old.) Check out http://jonimitchell.com/ for more.

Come back tomorrow for Part Two….

Halloween Birthdays!

2008-10-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

I was curious about those born on this eeriest of holidays. Did (do) they suffer teasing at the hands of schoolmates? Did/do they worry that they were somehow flawed or subject to paranormal leanings? My mother was born on Friday the 13th, and she always spoke as if that fact had skewed her luck for life. She was a bit of a pessimist, to be sure.

Born today were:
Peter Jackson, New Zealand filmmaker, of the Lord of the Rings franchise, King Kong; Happy 47th, Peter! (For his birthday, he wants The One Ring…)

John Candy, Canadian actor much beloved in our household; favorites are Planes, Trains & Automobiles as the annoying but amiable shower curtain ring salesman, and who could forget his portrayal of Barf, the “mawg” (half man, half dog) in the classic Spaceballs? Candy was taken from us much too soon; he was 43 when he passed on 3/4/04, a victim of a heart attack.

Dale Evans, cowgirl extraordinaire and wife to sweetheart cowboy hero Roy Rogers. She really did write “Happy Trails To You.” 1912 – 2001.

And… Michael Landon, eternally youthful heartthrob of the Ponderosa. (“Little Joe’s” hair would be a good rival for Patrick Dempsey’s today…) Michael was born Eugene Orowitz to Jewish and Irish Catholic parents, grew up in the East. Many people remember him for that role as the youngest Cartwright on Bonanza, and probably even more think of Charles Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie where he played one of TV’s most endearing dads.

But did you know he was married three times, and had nine children (including two step-children) that range thirty years in age? That his sports specialty was javelin throwing, which got him into UCLA on a scholarship? That he smoked up to 4 packs of unfiltered menthol cigarettes a day? (He later attributed his pancreatic cancer to years of poor eating habits, moderate drinking and, of course, the smokes. He was diagnosed just three months before his death at 54.)

He wore “lifts” when shooting with comparable giants Dan Blocker and Lorne Greene, his co-stars on Bonanza. It is said that he was devastated by the deaths of Blocker, and later, his Highway to Heaven co-star, Victor French. He counted among his close friends Johnny Carson, Ronald Reagan and Ernest Borgnine.

As to his stage name, Landon said he picked the name out of a Los Angeles telephone directory.

Landon is credited with saying, “I want people to laugh and cry, not just sit and stare at the TV. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think viewers are hungry for shows in which people say something meaningful.” I tend to agree, and would venture to apply his philosophy to today’s viewers as well.

As a young child, I had quite the crush on Little Joe. (I swooned over Pernell Roberts until I was told he wore a wig!)

Oh, and Patrick Dempsey? I just couldn't resist. It's the hair, you know. You'll have to wait until January 13th for more on McDreamy.

October 24: Chantilly Lace an' a Pretty Face

2008-10-23T23:17:00.000-07:00

Jiles Perry Richardson, Jr., was born in Sabine Pass, Texas, on this day in 1930. His career span reminds me of a bottle rocket; once lit, it soared quickly skyward and then extinguished at the height of its brilliance, leaving stunned watchers behind. J.P. got his start as a deejay in Beaumont, Texas, establishing a world record in May of 1957 for broadcasting for six days straight, during which time he lost 35 pounds! [Note: my voice begins to go after one weekend at a bookfair.] That same year, the self-named “Big Bopper” (after the dance “The Bop”) recorded his big hit, “Chantilly Lace” which went on to become the 3rd biggest hit of 1958. (Remember, “a wiggle in her walk and a giggle in her talk”? Would today’s listeners dig that crazy sound?)

J.P., or “Jape” as he came to be known, toured throughout 1958, thrilling teen audiences with “Oh, baby, that’sa what I like!” It was on one such tour, tagged the Winter Dance Party of 1959, when Jape came down with the flu. Along with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Waylon Jennings, the group rolled into Clear Lake, Iowa, in early February, 1959, amid freezing temperatures and snow. When Holly chartered a four-passenger Beechcraft Bonanza to take his band on to their next gig, Jape asked Jennings if he’d give up his seat on the plane so that the Bopper could get to some medical care. Jennings complied, and the plane took off in a blinding snowstorm. It crashed in a cornfield eight miles away. Remembered by Don McLean in “American Pie” as the Day the Music Died, the February 3, 1959 accident took the lives of Holly, Valens, the Bopper and pilot Roger Peterson.

Jape was 28, and left behind his wife Adrianne and two year old Debra Joy; Adrianne gave birth to son Jay Perry two months later. Over time, rumors grew out of the discovery of a gun near the crash site; conspiracy theorists were convinced that the handgun, with two rounds missing, had played a part in the downing of the plane, and that Richardson was somehow involved. By early 2007, son Jay had had enough, and ordered his father be exhumed for examination. No bullet wounds were found, and the Big Bopper was again laid to rest.

According to our friends over on Wikipedia, an upcoming film spotlighting J.P. Richardson is slated for release on the February '09, 50th anniversary of the crash. The title? The Day the Music Died.

A bit of ironic trivia: It is said that when Holly found out Jennings had opted out of the plane ride Holly had paid $36 a seat for, he quipped, "I hope your old bus freezes up!", to which Waylon reportedly responded, "I hope your damned plane crashes!" The late Jennings, of course, went on to become a huge country star, despite years of experiencing survivor's guilt over his perceived part in the deaths of his pals.

(Jennings died in 2002, due to complications from long term diabetes.)

What's My Line?

2008-10-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

Thank you for coming here. I know, am acutely aware of how many words are competing to be read every day. I have a handful of blogs I follow, in addition to reading the daily news on-line, and there isn’t enough time in the day for all the information and entertainment I want to absorb. Since I began posting my mini-bios, my readership has gone up considerably, and this tickles me to no end since I like knowing that other people are interested in, well, other people. So thanks again for stopping by.

How do I pick whom to blog about? Mostly they are just people I find interesting myself, or I discover something surprising I think others would like to know. Using “born today” lists, I can mine for writers, entertainers, remarkable people or ordinary people with remarkable stories. For example, my choices for Friday include US writers Sarah Hale, Moss Hart, Denise Levertov and Brenda Ueland; blind US harmonica player Sonny Terry; cartoonist Bob Kane, creator of Batman. Also sharing October 25 are actors Kevin Kline and F. Murray Abraham, and rocker J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson.

They are like cyber faces imploring, “Pick me! Pick me!” Who will it be?

Tune in Friday.

Literary Giants Born Today

2008-10-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

Not a lot of blog time this morning but couldn’t let October 16th pass. If you were born today, you share your birthday with some great literary talent, too much so to ignore as coincidence, right?

Happy Birthday to playwright Eugene O’Neill, born this date in 1888. O’Neill, who spent much of his life plagued by depression and alcoholism, won the 1936 Nobel Prize for Literature and a number of Pulizers for popular works such as Beyond the Horizon, Anna Christie, and Strange Interlude. Some of his plays were made into films The Iceman Cometh, Mourning Becomes Electra, and Desire Under the Elms to name a few. Sadly, O’Neill disowned his daughter Oona for marrying comic film star Charlie Chaplin, and both of his sons committed suicide as a result of various addictions they suffered. O’Neill’s spirit is said to inhabit a dorm room at Boston University, the former Sheraton hotel room where he died in 1953.

Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde would have been 154 today. The author of The Picture of Dorian Gray was born in Dublin, but left Ireland permanently when his then love interest became engaged to writer Bram Stoker (of Dracula fame). He later lived in London, Paris and U.S., and spent years in prison over issues arising from his many homosexual and bisexual relationships. Also famous for the play, The Importance of Being Earnest. Like O’Neill, Wilde’s Dorian Gray, his only novel, has been brought to the big screen more than once. Wilde succumbed to cerebral meningitis in 1900.

Called the "Father of American Scholarship and Education", Noah Webster also shares this popular birthdate. The title is well-deserved; who hasn’t referred to a Webster dictionary in their lifetime?

While she is not known as an author herself, she plays one on TV: Angela Lansbury, sometimes better known as Jessica Fletcher from “Murder, She Wrote”, turns 83 today. Ms. Lansbury deserves a whole blog page onto herself, and will get one in the near future.

October Ninth: Lennon and Browne

2008-10-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

Where were you the first time you saw or heard John Lennon sing? I remember well, 1963, when we had a little black and white portable on a shiny gold wire rolling stand in the eating area of our kitchen. Someone (probably me) yelled, "fix the antenna!" and my dad lumbered over to adjust the rabbit ears so that we could get a better picture of the The Beatles doing "I Want to Hold Your Hand" on the Ed Sullivan Show. I was in 4th grade.

Likewise, I remember exactly where I was seventeen years later when the announcer on my car radio sadly proclaimed that John Lennon had been shot and killed. Today, October 9th, is the 68th anniversary of this genius' birth, tagged "Imagine Day" by followers. It is also the birthday of his younger son, Sean Ono Lennon, aged 33. "Imagine", the song probably most representative of Lennon's philosophies and non-materialistic ways, paid homage to his belief in the possibility of an ideal world.

Like Lennon, American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne is no stranger to expressing political and social convictions through music. Born in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1948, Browne has been called "precociously gifted" and "introspective", writing and performing tunes that fueled the confessional movement of the early 70's.

His roots were folksy. In 1966, Browne was a member of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He later wrote songs performed by Joan Baez, Tom Rush, the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and the Byrds, but signed with Asyllum Records in 1971 and began his solo career with the release of "Doctor My Eyes" in 1972. He has since become an icon of socially conscious efforts, participating in organizations such as Musicians United for Safe Energy ("MUSE") and No Nukes, playing numerous concerts benefiting Farm Aid and various presidential campaigns. A longtime liberal, Browne supported Ralph Nader, John Kerry (as part of the "Vote For Change" tour) and most recently, John Edwards. In August of this year, he sued John McCain and the Republican party for using his 1977 hit "Running on Empty" in a campaign attack against Barack Obama. As one of the most politically immersed artists of his generation, Browne was "incensed" at the illegal use of his material.

In 2007, Jackson Browne covered John Lennon's "Oh My Love" on the album "Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur."

It would appear that these two music giants share more than just a birthdate.

~Anne - Beacon Street Books

The Loss of a Hero

2008-10-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

I was going to begin this piece with, "Cancer steals another of my heroes…" but I didn't want the focus to be on either me or on cancer. This insidious scourge already gets more press than it should.

Still, Paul Newman was nothing if not a hero. He was my hero, for as long as I can remember watching him on the big screen. So much so that he became a sort of "role model" for Dane Pierce, the classic bad boy anti-hero of STARCROSSED HEARTS, my first big contemporary romance (Wings ePress, Sept, 2001)

Apparently, I am not alone in my appreciation of this sexy, shining star. Nominated 9 times for Academy Awards, he took Oscar home only once for "The Color of Money." He remained married to his second wife, Joanne Woodward, for fifty years. He created a charitable empire unrivaled by his peers.

One of my favorite experiences of Paul was his appearance on "Inside The Actors Studio" (he was their first guest) where he was interviewed by James Lipton. Normally elusive, this serious Hollywood icon was candid, comic, self-effacing and charming. I couldn't stop smiling during the entire program.

I can't really add anything to the multitude of eulogies being written this week about Paul. I loved him, I'm grieving, and I feel so much remorse over his suffering. My heart goes out to Joanne and their daughters, who most certainly are devastated at his passing.

Here is a brief video prepared by NEWMANS OWN organization. Grab a hanky.

Rest in peace, dear Paul.

MEME! 6 Book Things About Me!

2008-10-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, Mary Cunningham tagged me to write 6 "book" things about myself. I liked her old-timey photo so added one of my own, taken at Big Bear Lake in 19xx...

1. I took Creative Writing in junior high school because it sounded interesting. That was my first inkling that I might like to write. We wrote mostly short stories. In high school, I took every lit class they offered: American Lit, Modern Lit, World Lit and English Lit. (In retrospect, most of it was pretty boring and I cheated more than once with Cliff's Notes. Dostoevsky just wasn't my cup of tea.)

2. During those middle school years, my best friend Jayne and I would create stories and tell them to each other. The rules were that our stories had to be about and for each other, and had to involve the other's favorite rock star. Most often, they were vignettes about how we would meet George Harrison or Mickey Dolenz in an elevator and fall in love. Simple, right?

3. Because I am now considered a legitimate writer (Ha!), it is always me called upon whenever anything needs writing. Last year, I wrote a wedding ceremony for my nephew and niece. I wrote the announcements for the loud speaker at Relay For Life. I wrote the flyers and announcements and reviews for our school PTA. Household correspondence has always been my job, too, but should that include eulogies for relatives?

4. Sad but true. My first publisher, WAY back in 1998, was a fledgling ebook pub. He accepted my first novel instantly, did very little editing (and I was sap enough to believe it was so perfect he couldn't find anything) and then published it on CD and diskette. I was as naive as they come. I sat back and waited to get rich and famous. There was an "ebook bestseller list" on the web that claimed to be expert enough to know. One day, my book appeared on that list, alongside successful books being put out by popular and respected publishers. I got a certificate from my local RWA chapter. All exciting. Then one day, with a little digging, I discovered that a large number of copies sold all went to a company purchaser. And lo and behold, that company was owned by my publisher. I was humiliated and shamed. I stuffed the certificate in a drawer and immediately began looking for a new publisher. And he couldn't understand why I wanted to leave.

5. I have become an ebook snob. Yes, it's true. I buy only ebooks, unless there is something I absolutely need to have that's not available for download. Yeah, I "get" all that about the feel (and smell!) of a real book, yada yada yada. But for me, it's all about the story, convenience, cost, and environment. The story will be good in any format. I love being able to read in bed, lights off, not disturbing the hubby. I can buy 2 or 3 books for the price of one. And don't you know I just hate the waste of trees. Even with my bad inaugural experience with ebooks, I love them. For the record, I prefer reading in Microsoft Reader on a Pocket PC. Will I buy a Kindle or Sony Digital Reader? Probably. Right now I'm not fond of the price or the non-backlit technology.

6. Something most people don't know: I have 3 writing personas. One for my romantic mysteries, one for my middle grader readers and one for some experimental, edgier stuff.

And that's it~! Boring, but all true.

Thoughts About Sarah Palin

2008-08-31T17:24:00.000-07:00

Friday morning I accompanied a good friend to an imaging center as her "bosom buddy." While waiting for her test, we sat a comfortable waiting room (cookies to die for) and watched, in awe, as Senator McCain announced that Gov. Sarah Palin would be his running mate. Another patient, who'd been waiting longer than us, filled us in:

"She's 44, has 5 children, the youngest is 4 months old with Down Syndrome." The smile froze on my face, and I barely heard the rest, about Palin's pipeline views, Alaskan home state, son being deployed to Iraq, NRA connections, etc. I was stuck on the fact that a woman with 5 kids--one a Down's baby--would knowingly put herself on the path to the White House. Excuse me, but why does one have a bunch of children and then choose an intense life in politics? I know that I had my precious boys and girl so that I could raise them, not someone else.

Am I being harsh? Does anyone else think this is sad?
I might add that I am not a supporter of either McCain or Obama at this point. I was, at first, gleeful to hear that a woman was in the running, hence the aforementioned smile. But as a mother, I know that being one demands more than I ever expected, so much that I cannot fathom trying to juggle motherhood with the intensity of so high a political position.

Someone mentioned, perhaps her husband is a homebody and will care for them. Maybe so. In Washington, he would likely give up oil working and fishing and stay home with the children.

Maybe I am being sexist. What is different about a woman with children taking a public office position than a man taking a similar post? Maybe nothing, for some.

I'm sure Mrs. Palin and her family gave a great deal of thought to her choice. I have to hope that her teen daughters (Bristol, 17, and Willow, 14) feel competent to help raise their disadvantaged baby sibling, Trig, 4 months, and little sister Piper, 7. After all, they are making it work now, with Governor Palin returning to her job just 3 days after Trig's birth in April. She's nothing if not devoted to her work.

Perhaps, like many, she is just trying to have it all. To her credit, she chose not to end her baby's life when told he had the extra chromosome. She is devoutly pro-life, and while it might have made it easier on her future to terminate the pregnancy, she did not. For this I hold her in high regard.

One other thing. Because I was sitting in a room full of women, I noticed that without exception, Mrs. Palin's family situation was the first thing that came in to each of our minds. Not one mentioned her qualifications for the job.

Bank of Books Welcomes Anne Carter!

2008-08-29T12:51:00.001-07:00

Well, tomorrow I am presenting a workshop/talk on Writing Romance at the Bank of Books in Ventura, CA. Bookstore owner Clarey Rudd is most graciously hosting my appearance at his charming indy store, and I look forward to the visit! In the photo to the left is my good friend and fellow author, Michael Mehas of STOLEN BOY fame, the story of the youngest man ever to be given the death penalty, and Mr. Rudd, enjoying our sunny So Cal weather! I will be bringing handouts, candy and maybe even cookies to my afternoon of sharing romance writing tips with up-and-coming authors. Stop by if you're in the neighborhood!

What else is new? I've just finished my submission story for Sisters In Crime/LA's next anthology, "Murder in La La Land" and I'll be crossing all fingers and toes that it gets accepted. A writer could do a lot worse than be associated with this fun and talented group of writers! Wish I could tell you about my story, but mum's the word - it's a blind submission, and you don't know who might be listening! Er, reading.

My local fellow author, teen romance writer Alyssa Montgomery, has a new release out this month. MR. MYSTERIOUS is about three friends - two girls and a boy - who suffer through one of the girls' crush on a mystery boy, and a magical night they all share as everyone finds out just who Mr. "M" is! This short fiction ebook is available in PDF format at QuakeMe and will soon be selling at Fictionwise in multiple formats.

September will be a busy month, as I have an important graduation to attend, a trip to Vegas, book/author fairs in both Santa Barbara and West Hollywood, CA, and my own mid-month birthday! Whew!

Maybe I'd better go take a nap.

A Crime Unto One's Self

2008-08-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

I had planned to begin my new series today, where I will be blogging about some very strong, entertaining and philanthropic women I laud. However, having just attended the funeral of a friend, I need to slide back just a little and talk about something that has me so steaming mad I can barely see to type.

As I think about it, Brandi was a very strong, entertaining and philanthropic woman herself. Since my purpose today is not eulogize this lovely, generous woman, I won't go into all the beautiful things that made up the "dash" in her all-too-short life of forty years. But because it's pertinent, I will tell you that Brandi had the BRCA 1 mutation gene--and endured 5 years of metastatic cancers. Despite elective, prophylactic surgeries, this insidious disease stole her life two weeks ago, leaving a huge contingent of heartbroken, grieving friends and relatives.

The services were at once loving and poignant. Brandi was the consummate volunteer, often putting aside her own pain and despair in order to help others. The church was filled with those whose lives she had touched. The legacy Brandi left us was one of hope, and a challenge to live our lives better through appreciation of each day and our own approaching mortality. I'm sure I wasn't alone in my silent promise that I would do better, live healthier, love stronger and make every day count.

With these thoughts still stirring my emotions, a wet tissue clamped into the palm of my hand, I walked across the parking lot en route to my car, exchanging comforting words and nods with others I passed. Yet as I neared my car, I spotted a woman two slots over with her hands held up to her face. At first I thought she was hiding her tears, like many others had done throughout the service. But on closer look, I discovered the unthinkable. This mourner was lighting a cigarette.

I literally shuddered with anger. My emotional state made it quite impossible to rein in my overpowering feelings of disgust and loathing. She was neither young nor old, seemed to have full mental faculties and otherwise appeared healthy. Why, I always ask myself, would anyone suck caustic, burning smoke into their fragile, oxygen-hungry lungs?

Did I mention that my mother succumbed to lung cancer? That she smoked for close to 60 years?

The woman in the parking lot had just come from an auditorium full of people who would give anything to have Brandi back. Brandi, who'd not smoked a day in her life. A woman who, by the luck (bad luck) of the draw, had been tagged with a bad bit of DNA. She'd done everything right. This woman has a choice, and she chooses to continue smoking "coffin nails" when she could opt for a smoke-free, and possibly cancer-free, life.

Cancer may be a monster, and one we are unable to control--at least for the time being. Nicotine addiction is also a monster, and one we can control. No, I've never smoked, and yes, I do understand about the strength of the addiction. Still, I believe--Brandi's mantra--I believe that people have the ability to take responsibility for their own health and give themselves the best possible odds against encouraging the growth of cancer cells.

All I can hope right now is that this parking lot smoker is thinking, strongly, about quitting before it's too late. Ditto for the teens I see outside the Mall, puffing away as if, AS IF! as if it is actually cool to smoke. I wonder how cool they will feel when they are unable to draw a breath.

E-Books: Cheaper Than Gas!

2008-08-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

My Summer '08 newsletter is out, headlined with an article about how you could buy an Amazon Kindle for about the same price as a month's worth of gasoline. Read it at www.BeaconStreetBooks.com/NEWS/Sum08.htm .

I haven't tried the Kindle yet. I have held the Sony reader in my hands, loved the shape and feel and weight of it, which I believe is similar to the Kindle. I'm still not completely sold, however, since I read in the dark and rely on my Pocket PC's backlight feature. With either of these upper end e-readers, you'll need a clamp on booklight to read in bed.

So what's on my wish list? Along with the aforementioned readers, I'm thinking hard about the web-and-email enabled Samsung Instinct phone, and I'm also in the market for a hands-free Bluetooth device for my car. I can't stand the fussiness of the ear-pod thing.

Would love to hear what devices you all have!

Tribute to a Fine Wickie

2008-01-17T15:13:00.000-08:00

It's already January 17th. Didn't we just watch the Rose Parade a few minutes ago? Okay, I'm once again bemoaning the passage of time.

I'm blazing through my WIP. CAPE SEDUCTION is the story of Darla Foster, the sexy, eccentric, 20 year old starlet who went missing in 1949, and the folks in 2008 she is haunting. Well, maybe haunting is too strong a word. But she's apparently dead and wanting a little closure.

There's a lighthouse in this book, patterned after St. George Reef Lighthouse in extreme Northern California. In fact, the lighthouse itself inspired the story. So, although the lighthouse will have a fictional name in CAPE SEDUCTION, I've been doing lots of research to make the story authentic. One of the things I did was contact Dennis Powers, author of THE SENTINEL OF THE SEAS, which is the story of St. George Reef, from its 10 year construction in the late 1800's to present day restoration efforts. Dennis led me to Mr. John Gibbons, retired St. George Reef Lighthouse Keeper, who now lives in Colorado.

"Gibby" was more than happy to take my call, and reminisced about his 39 months in residence at St. George. 39 months, btw, is a record for continuous service on this 6-miles-off-shore rock. He recalled for me perilous days and nights in stormy weather, when waves would actually reach the top of the 140 foot high beacon! During the winter of 1955, stormy weather kept the crew of 5 captive for over a month, and their Christmas dinner was one last can of Spam.

Mr. Gibbons was generous with his advice and anecdotes, and later sent me a handful of snapshots taken inside the lighthouse in 1953, and a gorgeous 11" x 14" "portrait" of the light station taken from a Coast Guard helicopter in 1957. Also enclosed was a copy of a page from the log book.

It's nice to come across truly gentile and caring people these days. Both Dennis Powers and John Gibbons get my vote for modern day heroes, and will be acknowledged in CAPE SEDUCTION when it comes out!

As the Frog Said...

2007-10-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

Time's fun when you're having flies.

And boy, has time been one flying fun lately! Just returned from the beautiful coastal town of Santa Barbara, California, where fellow authors Dana Taylor and Jeff Sherratt joined me for the Santa Barbara Book & Authors Festival. The weather was the kind California is best known for, 75 degrees, breezy, sweet. We each sold a handful of books, chatted up the locals and traded tips and stories.

This was my 4th event in as many weeks; I'm beginning to evolve in my thinking. I used to believe it was all about how many books I sold. (Got a trunkful of them, don't you?) But the more I do this, the more I realize it's about making a name, building my confidence, connecting with readers. Not only does it enhance my position as an author, it takes unnecessary pressure off and adjusts unrealistic goals. Hand-selling your books is a wonderful experience. Signing "To Jill..." and watching her smile as I press my "Autographed Copy" sticker to the front cover is invaluable ego building.

And authors need ego. Do they ever. Without it, we'd be destined to stay under that rock from which we emerged the day the book was released.

I fantasize sometimes. I think about Reader Jill, going home to family and saying, as she's opening the refrigerator door at dinner, "hey, I met the nicest lady today at the book fair. Her name was Anne. Carter, I think. I liked her so I bought her book. It's about a lighthouse. You should see the cover!"

So Jill, if you're reading this, know that I went home and said to my hubby, "I met the nicest reader today. She is an aspiring author. She seemed really excited about my book. I hope she likes it!!"

Hope to see you next year, Jill!

Put Another Candle...

2007-09-14T22:42:00.000-07:00

on my birthday cake...

Well, I don't really want to talk about my birthday, except to say that I've felt more loved this year. This is the first birthday I've had without any parents to call and send their wishes to me. My dear MIL, who passed away in late April, was my last living parent. Maybe they are all wrapping me in celestial love today.

My sweet sister had a little ice cream party for me tonight. That meant a lot to me as we don't get together nearly so much since our parents passed away. I know Mom was nodding down at us in approval. She always liked family get togethers.

I got lots of phone calls today - both my brothers called, my son, my best friends all rang me up... my husband sent flowers, my other son actually woke up early enough to wish my happy birthday before noon!

I guess I did talk about my birthday, after all. Tomorrow night we are going with friends to the Hollywood Bowl, and Sunday we'll celebrate with the kids by going out for Sunday brunch. It's a feel-good weekend for sure, and I am immensely thankful for the life I have and the people in it.

50 Books in 50 States Project!

2007-08-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, last week I saw someone else doing this and I thought, "she stole my idea!" But the reality of it is, she blogged it first, and she doesn't know me. I hope it's working for her.

Probably most of you are authors or aspiring authors. A lot of you are small press folks, working hard to get your books in front of readers. I know I am. My publisher has provided us with distribution through those heralded warehousing giants, Ingram's and Baker & Taylor, not to mention Partners and Follett. Yet, we all know that distribution by itself is not enough, and books that sit are books that get returned.

My dream is to have one book ordered by a reader in each of the 50 states. Yeah, lofty, I know, but how hard could it be? Ain't too proud to beg, as the song goes. Order my book from any bookseller, big box or indy, and write me at annecarter @ beaconstreetbooks.com. In return, I'll promote you and your book, your website, whatever. I'll write you into my various blogs, put a link to your book on my website. (And if you like my book, I hope you'll blog about it, too.) Help me fill up my map and show the big guys that small press is alive and kicking.

POINT SURRENDER (Echelon Press, ISBN 978-1-59080-514-5, $12.95 Trade Paperback) is a romantic paranormal lighthouse mystery.

"Point Surrender's last keeper has been dead for more than 25 years. Will the journal he left behind reveal why he died in the aging white beacon, and what became of his missing family? Amy Winslow is bound and determined to find out. There are those who would just as soon she didn't."

If you need more convincing that you'll love this book, check out my video, reviews and excerpt at www.BeaconStreetBooks.com and then head on out to your local bookseller and ask them to order a copy. You won't be sorry, and together we just might give small press another leg up! I'll be posting updates to my project so check in to see what states are buying books.

~Anne

ps – I am also very interested in feedback about how quickly your book arrives…

The Virtual Tour Continues: Grace E. Howell

2007-08-30T21:30:00.000-07:00

1. I am very impressed by your bio, and enjoyed the stories about your grandfather (see: www.graceehowell.com.) You've been a teacher, a librarian, a quilt maker and a Master Gardener, among other things. And by the way, just what is a "Master Gardener?" It sounds like an official designation.

Master Gardener certainly is an official designation. To become a Master Gardener you have to take a gardening course from the agriculture extension office in your community. The course includes something on just about all aspects of gardening. Then after you are certified, you must give a number of hours work each year to remain part of the Master Gardener Association, continue your gardening education, and educate others in gardening and environmental concerns. I was very active in the association for eight years, but when I began writing full time after TRUE FRIENDS was published, I became inactive and now only work in my own yard, my children's yards, my church yard, and an occasional Habitat for Humanity home. Most of what I do now is landscape design and advice instead of actually the digging and planting that I love so much.

2. You have taught ESL (English as a Second Language.) What foreign language(s) do you work with?

Both of my teaching experiences in ESL were with adults from various countries who were very motivated to learn English. At the University of Memphis, I was a substitute teacher in their Intensified English Instruction, which was a language-immersion program. I worked with vocabulary and conversational skills. The majority of students were from Korea with some from Japan, Thailand, and several African countries, only one Spanish speaker. At my church, I organized and created the curriculum for Conversational English for adult students and immigrants. This class included Chinese, Afrikaners, Brazilians, Bulgarians, Japanese, Iranians, Haitians, and Spanish speakers from Central and South America. Needless to say, I did not know all those languages. In neither of these classes did I work with any language other than English. What was so amazing to me was that the students quickly bonded with each other in English as that was the only language they had in common.

3. With gardening and quilt making a big part of your life, do you consider yourself more in touch with traditions and history? Talk about how this influenced your writing.

I think everything in a writer's background has an influence on who the writer is and what he/she has to say. Naturally, people write about what they know or like as that comes to the surface during the writing process. As for me, I'm not sure that I'm more in tune with the past than the present. Currently I'm working on a contemporary series that definitely involves issues facing us today. I believe that human needs and emotions are the same throughout the ages, and that's mainly what my writing has focused on. Not the differences in past and present, but the similarities.

4. TRUE FRIENDS sounds like a great book for middle grade readers. Tell us about the story, and the various ways you were able to research this time period and its history.

TRUE FRIENDS is a coming of age story in which Annie must give up her tomboy days with the boys and become a young lady. While she searches for girl friends and tries to meet society's demands, she faces suspicions and accusations stemming from World War I, as well as racial prejudices of the time. During the tragedy of the 1918 flu epidemic, she begins to "grow up" and to know what is valuable to her.

I grew up in old South Memphis where TRUE FRIENDS takes place, and I had been collecting oral history for this story for a long time from people who lived in that time or heard stories from their parents. Then I spent a summer in the library reading 1918 newspapers from Memphis, Nashville, and New York. Newspapers are invaluable to absorb the flavor and feeling of a time. I also read a number of books, fiction and nonfiction, on the time, and some of the novel came from family stories.

5. Are you working on anything now? Will you continue to write for young adults?

I am working on a middle grade contemporary series, UNLIKELY ALLIANCE, in which three seventh grade misfits reluctantly become friends while each battles severe personal and neighborhood problems. I really like middle grade and young adult books, both to read and to write. And I like the people who read those books so, YES, I will continue to write for young people. I keep hoping more people will realize that a good book for young people is good for anybody. Something quite surprising to me is that so many adults have read and like TRUE FRIENDS. Most surprising has been the number of men who keep asking me when my next book will be out. Recently a middle-aged guy told me he liked TF better than Harry Potter. Unbelievable!

6. How did being a librarian help you in your writing? (And, I have to ask: do your local libraries have your book on their shelves??)

I'm not sure that being a librarian has helped me with my writing, but I will certainly say that having all the books in my library to read has definitely helped. I read constantly both books for young readers and for adults. A good number of libraries in Memphis have TRUE FRIENDS on their shelves; some have had it rebound as a hardback. Both the school libraries and the public libraries say money is a major problem for them to get all the books they would like.

7. What has been your biggest obstacle in getting TRUE FRIENDS from concept to royalty check?

I think, as most authors of a first novel will say, simply finding a publisher was the biggest challenge.

8. What has been the most thrilling aspect of being a published author?

After the first thrill when Karen Syed of Echelon Press offered me a contract, the biggest thrill for me has been appearing at several book festivals as a festival author and receiving accolades from the sponsors and the public. Right up there is the reception I've received at schools from students and parents.

9. Where can readers find TRUE FRIENDS, and learn more about you?

For more about me and TRUE FRIENDS, you can check out my website at http://www.graceehowell.com/ and my new blog at http://www.graceehwll.blogspot.com/
You can get TRUE FRIENDS from Follett, Amazon.com, bookstores, and Echelon Press.

Thank you, Anne, for giving me the chance to be here with you and talk about my writing. I have truly enjoyed it.

Thanks Grace!
Interview by Anne Carter, author of POINT SURRENDER http://www.beaconstreetbooks.com/.

The Virtual Tour: Heather S. Ingemar

2007-08-13T17:50:00.000-07:00

Stop number one on Beacon Street's Author Virtual Tour is the home of speculative fiction author Heather S. Ingemar. Following is our interview with this talented new name!

You write "speculative fiction." Describe what that means for readers new to the genre.

Well, "speculative fiction" is a catch-all term for anything falling in the sci-fi, fantasy, or paranormal genres, and often encompasses anything in-between, like cross-genre stories. I like the term, because my stuff is almost always cross-genre.

Tell us about DARKNESS CORNERED. When did the idea occur to you, and did it come as a complete idea, or did it evolve as you wrote it?

I had the idea for it about a year ago, just before I returned to college for my last semester. When it came, it was a flash; complete and detailed. Some things about it evolved later, for example, Lear's connection to Kai, and why she was so important. Also, the nuances of Dr. Corvan's main agenda. Now, he kind of surprised me with the shadows of his character, the depth of his malignant intent.

Who are your mentors? Stephen King came to mind as I browsed your website. How would you compare your work with his or others' whose work you enjoy?

That's funny you should mention Stephen King; I seem to be getting a lot of comparison to him these days -- which is incredibly flattering to say the least! Actually, while I haven't read a lot of his stuff, I am a fan of his short stories -- he's really got it. As for others who have influenced me, Tolkien, of course, for his amazing landscapes and Anne McCaffrey for her unique blend of sci-fi and fantasy. I'm sure there are others, I'm just drawing a blank.... (laughs)

As for comparisons, I don't know that I'm really qualified for that....! Ask me again in a few years....!

Someone else mentioned the "mind of a horror author" as being somewhat different than that of a romance author. Romance authors often allude to falling in love with their characters. That being said, do you ever come up with ideas that scare even you?

Oh, yes. There have been times when I've been writing a super-gory or disturbing scene and I just had to keep writing until I got well past it so I could go to sleep at night! In the stories that choose me to tell them, that tends to happen frequently enough. In some ways, I wish it didn't. (laughs) But on the other hand, if that's what the story needs, to not address it would be cheating the tale. I'm a firm believer in telling the story the way it needs to be told.

A little off topic: what is an Irish flute? Do you play often? Does (or will) music play a part in your literary work?

An Irish flute is a six-holed wooden flute pitched in the scale of D major. Some of them have keys; mine does, so that makes it fully chromatic. They're very popular in Irish traditional music, and they have a more 'throaty,' more 'earthy' sound than your standard Bohem silver flutes that you find in band class. I guess you could liken the Irish flute to the pretty girl who isn't afraid to work with her hands whereas the silver flute would be the pretty girl who has people do things for her. (laughs)

I used to play quite frequently with a local celtic band where I went to college, but I haven't picked it up much since I graduated in December. I got a minor in music along with my Bachelor's degree in English, and while I loved studying music at college, it's just been nice to take a break from the strict discipline of rehearsals and practice sessions.

Music, strictly speaking, is very important to me in my writing process. Some people have to have silence, others have a special area that they work in. For me, it's music. If I don't have music, I don't write. Now, for music in my work, I don't get to call the shots there. (laughs) So far, it's only popped up a couple of times in my stories, and both times it was not planned.

You live on a cattle ranch. Here, again, do you find fodder (no pun intended) for future stories? I think it would be fascinating to read a horror story that unfolds say, on a cattle drive...

Yes, I am a rancher's wife. You'd be surprised at what ends up in my work from day-to-day activities. The initial scene in "Darkness Cornered" where Lear sits down and begins cleaning his Walther, for example, was something that popped up shortly after my husband and I bought a set of .22 caliber pistols for target shooting. Part of good gun maintenance, especially with pistols, is cleaning and oiling the proper parts. Since firearms are an interest area of mine, I requested that my husband teach me how to clean my own pistol.

Other things that have made it into my work from real life are cooking recipes -- I'm writing a story now where the main character makes a tuna casserole in one scene, and she uses my mother's recipe -- and sometimes objects I've been familiar with. Gates, cars, lamps, books. The scents of flowers, or the earth on a rainy day. There's probably also a few things hiding in between the lines that I'm not even aware of. Quite fascinating, really, how the mind takes tangible things and recombines them in ways the characters want.

What's up next for you? Where would you like your career to go?

I think every author will say this, but I'd like to see my stuff in print for starters. Since I specialize in short stories and short novels, I'd like to see a collection put together for each. Part of this dream centers around my current work(s)-in-progress; I think the short novel I just finished wants to spawn a series, and if it does, it'd be just lovely to see it bound in two-story volumes. As for my career, I want to write. I want to be able to make enough at writing to live comfortably, and that's all. I'm not interested in 'wealth.' I just want comfort.

Where can readers find out more about you, and buy your stories?

Well, my website is located at http://catharsys.wordpress.com/ and my stories are available at the Echelon Press webstore and Fictionwise. I've got a couple older works floating around in the ether of the Internet that were published at an ezine called the Gothic Revue, http://www.gothicrevue.com/. I've got a full biblio-list on the "stories" page of my website that you can check out if you're interested in tracking them down.
Heather S. Ingemar: Author of Speculative Fiction
http://catharsys.wordpress.com/

~A big thank you to Heather for her interesting and entertaining interview! Stay tuned for more from the Echelon Authors Virtual Tour!

Hail, Britannia! To the Land of Rowling and Burns

2007-07-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

Barely 48 hours until we lift off from Los Angeles Int'l en route to London-Heathrow. I am mostly packed already, and am antsy to get going! When you plan a big trip early on, and there's nothing left to do, you can't help but wonder what you've forgotten...

A huge highlight for me will be seeing the Phantom of the Opera on the London stage! 21 years it's been playing! I've seen it twice here in L.A. and own the movie, and cannot wait to see it again. (Haven't seen the Las Vegas version yet, but will eventually.)

Apropos that young Harry will debut his latest tome as we are still winging our way East. Good luck to all the fans partaking of midnight book release parties!

More later...

~Anne

Will the Real Harry Potter please stand...

2007-07-12T12:01:00.001-07:00

Last fall I wrote a short story as the result of a contest held by Echelon Press for its readers. When it debuted, I was immersed in the edits for POINT SURRENDER and didn't give the story, or rather the marketing of the story, as much effort as I should have.

WHEN HARRY MET SOLI is the story of Harry Wilson, a seven-year-old boy whose recent loss of his mother has pitched him into a fantasy world filled with muggles, wizards and flying broomsticks. Yes, Harry believes he is that Harry, the quidditch-playing, wand-wielding boy wizard of Gryffindor House fame. His newly reintroduced biological father is lost when it comes to steering the boy back to reality; he can barely handle a grilled cheese sandwich on his own. Yet a chance meeting with children's fantasy author Soliza just might produce a ticket home from Hogwart's for Trey Wilson and his young would-be warlock.

A quick and entertaining read, WHEN HARRY MET SOLI is the perfect interim reading matter while waiting for THE DEATHLY HALLOWS to release - still more than a week away!

You can pick up WHEN HARRY MET SOLI in multi-formats at Fictionwise, along with all books by Anne Carter. You will enjoy it -- I guarantee!

Girls on the Beach

2007-07-11T18:44:00.000-07:00

Anyone remember the Beach Boys singing about those girls? Next month, Echelon author Dana Taylor and I will be those girls! Well, not actually *on* the beach... and we don't exactly have long blonde hair... or surf boards. Hmm. But we are smart, and funny, and authors with something to say (and sell), participating in the Second Annual Ventura Book Festival being put on by the Literary Arts Society of Ventura County (California) and hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura.

I am really looking forward to meeting the talented and enthusiastic Ms. Taylor. She has just come off of an extensive run as an intenet radio talk show host, has written a couple of great books, shorts, audio books--well let's just say she's a powerhouse. Dana will be negotiating freeways from south of Los Angeles all the way up to Ventura to join me, and I'm delighted. We are planning some surprises for readers so hope the weather is stunning and bright, and the attendees are ready for fun!

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If you're around So Cal on August 25, 2007, do stop by 5654 Ralston Street in Ventura and say hello. We'll be hanging out from 10 am to 5 pm, handing out goodies, signing books, and just having a bless day.

See you soon!

~Anne

Where Have You Been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy

2007-07-05T19:20:00.000-07:00

Six months without a post. Just sitting on Blogger's servers, dormant, silent...passwordless. Yes, it's true. I somehow got tangled up in the move to Google log in and I was lost. Now, Found!

I've been so busy, I doubt I'd have had much time to post anyway. POINT SURRENDER has kept me hopping, or rather, the marketing of said book. Booksignings, promotional materials, conferences, advertising, creating a web presence. It's all good. But very, very time consuming.

MySpace is a lot of fun, not sure yet it will return anything like the hours I've contributed to keeping it active. Lesser, Bebo.com and Authors Den. My own website is like a dinosaur to update, but I've gotten pretty good at it. Contests have been running, author spotlights, interviews on romance sites.

Still, sales are not what I'd hoped. There is tremendous, stupendous competition for book-buying dollars. I've come to realize that even if all efforts were equal, high-profile, high-concept books catch the eye best. Just like movies.

POINT SURRENDER is a mystery, with a love story. A romance, with a mystery. It is whatever I think will sell it at the moment. It is not Harry Potter or James Bond, it does not speculate about Mary Magdalene or the secret of life. It does entertain and is fully worth its $12.99 price tag. It has an attractive, not blockbuster, cover, and a connection to the romanticism of lighthouses. And it has me, and Karen, promoting it.

I recently followed a thread on the Sisters In Crime list where it was stated, with some confidence, that the majority of librarians won't even consider books that have not been reviewed by Kirkus, PW, Booklist or some other high-ranking review source. This was very disheartening as any author knows of the remoteness of obtaining such reviews. Newspapers are virtually non-existant now, as far as reviews go.

But we continue to try. Aside from my dream of selling through my print run, my bigger dream is to entertain people with my stories. Knowing that there are readers out there, right now, with POINT SURRENDER on their nightstands brings me back up a notch. Isn't that what it's all about?

What's the Point, Surrender?

2007-01-11T14:42:00.000-08:00

It's almost time! I'm so excited I need to run around the yard a few times each hour. Seriously, the galleys are done, the reviews have been requested, the cover art is, well, in progress. A little hold up on the photograph being used for the background.

Now the doubts begin to creep in. What if? What if the reviewers don't like it? Not enough romance for the romance folks? Not enough mystery for the who-dun-it buffs? Characters developed enough? Technical details accurate? How about the lighthouse experts around the country (the ones that are also romance/mystery readers, that is.) What if they think it's dumb?

Oh, and those paranormal elements. Does it have enough to qualify mentioning it? Are the ghosts real, or imagined in Point Surrender?

Yep, the heebie-jeebies come calling once the book is completely out of your sweating little fingers.

Do me favor. If you get the book and like it, please tell me. If you don't like it, at least be nice.

Where Have I Been? WORKING!

2007-01-11T14:32:00.000-08:00

And being published!

Big sigh of relief as December saw WHEN HARRY MET SOLI go live at Echelon Press. What a great experience this was! Not to mention challenging... have you ever tried to create a story about a complete stranger?

Read more about WHEN HARRY MET SOLI below under "Reader's Win."

While Ms. Michaud may not have found HARRY to be the story of her dreams, she was nonetheless cheery, upbeat and cooperative throughout our dealings. For me, the best part was piecing together bits of various scenes that float about in my head, trying to meld the real with the fictional into an entertaining story for a variety of readers. And maybe Ms. Michaud will write a story about me one day.

I hope you will buy and enjoy this little story. You can get it in a variety of formats at Fictionwise for around three dollars. You won't regreat it.

Old Department Stores

2006-08-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

I am working on a new short for Echelon. This one is a romantic fantasy with ultra-sensual antics. It takes place in a Brightwater's, a classic, mid-60's style department store that is failing due to their failure to modernize. This store actually has carpet space since they don't cram row upon row of clothing racks into their modest space. They still try to call each customer by name and use real, detailed mannequins to show-off their wares. There is piped piano music wafting through the 2nd and 3rd floors, and there is still a fainting couch in the ladies room. Yet their "check out" stations are sadly lacking in technology, and customers roll their eyes as the sales girl struggles to roll the imprinter across their credit cards. The security system in Brightwater's consists of Floyd, the owner's brother-in-law, who strolls around the store at night when he's not nodding off in the employee lounge.

What do you remember about the department stores of your youth (if you grew up in this era?)

Readers Win at Echelon Press

2006-07-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Karen came up with a great idea - to feature several lucky Echelon Press readers in short stories by Echelon authors. Many people entered the contest and Karen matched winners with authors who volunteered. I was paired with Lisa Marie Michaud, a children's fantasy writer from Tampa, Florida. Lisa and I exchanged a few emails and I was able to get a snapshot of her life.

I've just finished the first draft of "When Harry Met Soli" (working title) to be published in December 2006. It's currently in Karen's hands for review.

The Blurb: "Children's author "Soliza" Boudreau has a lifetime goal in the palm of her hand: a blockbuster digital animation contract for her first screenplay. Focused on her climb to success, she regrets the unintentional neglect of her three teenaged sons and yearns for the day she can finally notch back. And maybe even meet a nice guy.

"Trey Wilson has just inherited the seven-year-old son he hasn't seen in years. But young Harry, grieving the recent loss of his mother, hasn't really moved in with his dad; Hogwarts is his new home, and Harry Potter his new identity. Trey's chance meeting with old flame Lisa Boudreau just might bring Harry a safer reality and Trey a fantasy of his own."

This was a lot of fun to write!

Relay For Life: Part Two

2006-07-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

Wow. Long over, and I'm still thinking about it. Temperatures went into triple digits that day, and still we had a wonderful time. My gift basket containing STARCROSSED HEARTS was one of the first sales from our booth. Of course that was a thrill.

All in all, to date, I've raised approximately $2,700.00 and the donations continue to trickle in.

So glad I did this.

ACS Relay For Life (r)

2006-04-18T22:29:00.000-07:00

This year, the year after my mother's passing, I am participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life(r) by walking for one hour in her memory. Hers, and that of my great-grandmother, my grandmother and my father-in-law, all whom succumbed to cancer. Also in honor of a good friend who is a two-time survivor; also an acquaintance who was just recently diagnosed; also the late mother of my best friend; also a dear man who lives in Las Vegas and suffering from colorectal cancer.

Enough, already? There are countless others, many in my own family. So far I've raised $820.00 of the $3,000.00 I hope to raise.

The walk is June 3, 2006. Anyone reading who'd like more info, check in at
www.acsevents.org/relay/ca/santaclaritavalley

I'll be updating my progress!

Finally Updated my Website!

2006-04-18T22:25:00.000-07:00

I hate working on websites. I have two of them now, and the bigger they get, the more cumbersome they are to update. I now understand why some folks just pay to have them done by people with much more time and patience than I have.

Anyway, www.beaconstreetbooks.com is now updated. I got rid of what I now think of as that obnoxious blue background. I updated my bio/news page, and added some news to the home page. I fixed some broken links.

Have not been contacted by my editor yet about PS, but I'm certainly keeping busy.

2006

2006-01-23T16:23:00.000-08:00

I created this blog and then promptly forgot about it. I've been journaling in pen instead, I guess. Yesterday I got some incredible news: Echelon Press has offered me a contract for Point Surrender. Of course it needs some work but that's to be expected; I welcome the suggestions.

What is so unbelievably awesome is that the release date is February 2007, in time for Valentine's Day, and it will be a small print run in excess of 2000 copies. Generous authors' copies too, and Karen is great to work with. I now have a whole year to put together and begin a major marketing campaign for my book. My lighthouse mystery that has been waiting for years to get published.

Cover art is really important now. I think I will be working with Nathalie Moore, Echelon's outstanding art director. I worked with Nathalie when I was AD for Wings and she is a very talented and friendly and perceptive.

I'm feeling very encouraged and even somewhat inspired. I'm hoping to get my rear in gear and finish OLD ENOUGH for my niece who's been waiting forever for this "next in the series" of Y/A titles I'd planned to write after LOCKER SHOCK.

There is also a somewhat sensual short called MAKE ME TELL LIES that I'm going to finish up for Karen's Dollar Download program. I hope.

I'll be back!

Point Surrender 2

2005-08-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent about an hour working on the manuscript. I added a ghostly appearance on the cliff. I also realized that every instance of "Mrs." Hastings had to be changed to "Miss" Hastings -- why didn't I, or anyone else, notice that? She's never been married, she's the sister of Matt Hastings.

I'm thinking about adding a scene earlier in the book where Case actually has his boating incident. Perhaps a little paranormal activity going on out there... why else would Case run aground out there? May take a bit of research.

Point Surrender

2005-08-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

I've been waffling about what to work on next. Not that I have time to write, mind you (er, me) but if I DID have time to write... it makes the most sense to get back into PS because it's a done book, or virtually done; The GYPSY book is just a baby and not fully formed.

Case McKenna. What to do about him. I think I used an incorrect or weak role model for this character. Originally Joe Lando. Problem there was that I don't really know Joe. Strong and silent type sounds good, but harder to write about. I really need to find another model and get to know him enought to let him evolve, the way Dane did. Case needs more passion, more obsession with Amy.

The plot needs a whole lot more meat on its bones. Tina originally suggested a paranormal element, and now I'm tending to like this idea after reading Nora's Quinn brothers saga. I've never really liked ghostly elements, but she does it with such ease and subtlty I think I could do that. Case's fathers could both visit. Or, just one. Perhaps he could also visit the mother, Leticia. Her character could certainly use more on-screen time, LOL.

Amy. She's also too milquetoast. She needs to be a bit gutsier, a little deeper. More personality traits. What's so great about her that Case can't stop thinking about her?

The plot again. The manatee thing shouldn't be a surprise -- it's a cop. Also, the "mystery" about Case's identity doesn't have to remain a mystery -- I could trust the reader with this knowledge earlier, like Nora does, and still enjoy the unfolding. I think it's insulting to the reader to try to hide it and use the name switch as a tool; it's lame.

The lighthouse. It's pretty good. The paranormal element must be attached, however.

What if there is an earlier scene with Leticia, a day in her life, where we don't quite know yet who she is, where she is ultimately visited by a ghostly presence? It could be Liam or Matt. There could be a hint about her being terminal. Then, when Amy contacts her, she is not surprised. She is almost expecting it.

Matt's sister's character could use a little fine tuning. Irina is a complex character, too.

The night of the big storm falls a little flat. Besides the storm, the fall, the miscarriage, that paranormal element must rear up again, including the radio broadcast from the boat in trouble. It must closely parallel the night Liam died in the lighthouse. Case must be made to relive that night even closer.

Now I am getting excited about revamping this story. I still want to submit it if I feel it's good enough. I'll need a lot of time to write in the coming weeks. It's probably impossible to get it done by RT.

Surprisingly, I've never done a cover for this book! Yet I did one for GYPSY. Go figure!

If this book is good enough, I'll launch my own promotional campaign. Website, promo items, tour dates (hahahahahahahah!)

We'll see if I'm up to it. RT is in May. NINE months away. I'd have to have the book done by October 1st. That's a lark!

Could happen if it was good enough.

Off to do my day.

Today is the first day

2005-08-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of my blog. I am endeavoring to kick start my writing life and thought this would be a good place to talk about it. This, of course, is a test.