Learning from Roger Ebert

  Listening to Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert review movies was a staple in our house when we lived in Flossmoor, IL. They both were brilliant reviewers, but I'm with MSNBC's Chris Hayes. I didn't enjoy their bickering. Siskel was less animated while Ebert was over-the-top passionate about his opinions. I'm not a movie buff or aficionado, so although I respect Ebert's fantastic writing skills and articulate explanations when discussing his reviews, what I admire most about him is his courage and cheerful attitude through his long battle with cancer.


All illnesses are burdens, especially the ones that ravage the body and transform it to what it shouldn't be, yet it takes a real hero to rise about pain, deformity, exhaustion and the other hardships illnesses encumber. Ebert turned his negatives into positives, a life lesson for everyone to embrace. I can't imagine not being able to speak, but Ebert found a way. He used social media to its height, remained cheerful and looked ahead to more accomplishments.

How can writers emulate his attitude and forge ahead despite drawbacks?
* When rejections flood your inbox, believe in yourself and send out more queries.
* When writer's block grabs hold, step away from your computer and do something for someone,
   e.g., call a shut-in, send a get-well card to a neighbor in the hospital or take some non-
   perishables to a food pantry.
* Write out of your genre, e.g., an essay, short story or feature article.
* Read an editor's or agent's blog or an agency's newsletter.
* Join a writers' group and exchange ideas.

You are creative enough. Think of other ways to get your mind flowing in a positive direction. Do what Roger Ebert did: Used his skills to the max and made other people happy because of it.











Listening to Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert review movies was a staple in our house when we lived in Flossmoor, IL. They both were brilliant reviewers, but I'm with MSNBC's Chris Hayes. I didn't enjoy their bickering. Siskel was less animated while Ebert was over-the-top passionate about his opinions. I'm not a movie buff or affecianado, so although I respect Ebert's fantastic writing skills and articulate explanations when discussing his reviews, what I admire most about him is his courage and cheerful attitude through his long battle with cancer.   All illnesses are burdens, especially the ones that ravage the body and transform it to what it shouldn't be, yet it takes a real hero to rise about pain, deformity, exhaustion and the other hardships illnesses encumber. Ebert turned his negatives into positives, a life lesson for everyone to embrace. I can't imagine not being able to speak, but Ebert found a way. He used social media to its height, remained cheerful and looked ahead to more accomplishments.

  How can writers emulate his attitude and forge ahead despite drawbacks?
* When rejections flood your inbox, believe in yourself and send out more queries.
* When writer's block grabs hold, step away from your computer and do something for someone, e.g., call  
   a shut-in, send a get-well card to a neighbor in the hospital or take some non-perishables to a food
   pantry.
* Write out of your genre, e.g., an essay, short story or feature article.
* Read an editor's or agent's blog or an agency's newsletter.
* Join a writers' group and exchange ideas.

You are creative enough. Think of other ways to get your mind flowing in a positive direction. Do what Roger Ebert did: Used his skills to the max and made other people happy because of it.
   

Review: "An Heiress at Heart" by Jennifer Delamere

"An Heiress at Heart" by Jennifer Delamere is a wonderful, well-written story that grabs the reader's attention and holds it to the very last word. The Prologue takes place in New South Wales, Australia,  in 1846 and introduces Lizzie Poole, her brother Tom and Edward and Ria Smythe. However, Chapter One moves the story to London five years later with Lizzie taking center stage and Geoffrey Somerville introduced as her intense yet appealing male counterpart.

"An Heiress at Heart" is a tale of mistaken identity, true love and British aristocracy with strong characters who have plenty of flaws and conflicts. The juxtaposition of good and evil is heightened by the well-defined characters. Delamere weaves intrigue, mystery, humor and family through the story to make it a must read in the "sweet" category. No graphic sex here, but the characters are well aware of it.

Guest post by Joan Leotta, author and story performer

Joan Leotta is my guest blogger today. You can find her at www.joanleotta.com, at http//:joanleotta.wordpress.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Joan-Leotta-Author-and-Story-Performer/188479350973

1) Joan, what is the working title of your next book?
"Letters from Korea."

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
It's a continuation of the series, Legacy of Honor. Book One came out in July 2012 ("Giulia Goes to War")
Letters from Korea deals with the love and adventures of Giulia's little sister, Gina, and her love interest, Sal, who is off to Korea.

3) What genre does your book fall under?
Historical, Sweet, Romance--also suitable as YA.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Hmm, hard to think of modern actors for this one. I am going old school for the woman--Maureen O'Hara or Rosalind Russell for Gina and new school for the man, David Boreanz.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Girl wonders if boy loves her or thinks of her as a sister while they are separated by war, her work and his injuries.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
It's already under contract to Desert Breeze Publishing, an ebook publisher.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Six months, and it is taking longer to work the kinks out with my editor--a wonderful, helpful woman.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
It's more like a Hallmark Channel story--I see things in action sequences. Consequence of being a performer.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My own family.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
Set in Pittsburgh during the 1950s, discusses the development of Salk vaccine. Two real Korean vets provided information that is used to develop the storyline in Korea, complete with Red Chinese "raiders.”

Thank you, Joan, for guest blogging. I loved "Giulia Goes to War" and look forward to reading "Letters from Korea." Good luck to you.

Check out this blog post

http://judyteel.com/2013/02/08/streamline-your-writing-know-what-happens-next/

Review of “Guilia Goes to War” (Legacy of Honor Book One) by Joan Leotta

  In the novel “Guilia Goes to War,” book one in the Legacy of Honor series by Joan Leotta, Giulia (pronounced Julia but spelled in traditional Italian) DeBartolo of fictional Avocatown, Pa. wants to contribute her share to the war effort in the forties, but her parents construct a roadblock she has difficulty breaking. With their two sons already fighting overseas, they want to protect their daughter, but what lies underneath is their strict adherence to Italian culture, including spelling Julia the Italian way. They don’t want Giulia to have dates, although she has graduated from high school. They want her to stay close to home and work in the family store.

  Relatives convince the DeBartolos that Giulia is needed at the shipyard in Wilmington, N.C., and that’s where a new world opens up for this young lady. She makes friends, meets single men, witnesses subterfuge and confronts head-on conflicts with her parents.

  Romance, history and intrigue are interwoven with the historical data and cultural mores in this novel. Leotta, a professional storyteller, wraps her arms around facts not usually taught in history class, shows how important it was to the DeBartolos to maintain their cultural heritage, and demonstrates how Guilia acquires her independence.

  The book is a solid basis for understanding American families during World War II and a fascinating contrast to life in America today. Book Two, “Legacy of Honor: Letters from Korea,” is due out May 2013. Check out Joan's Web site at www.joanleotta.com.

The dilemma: Which writers' conferences to attend

Since I began writing professionally, I've been attending writers' conferences as often as I can. "Writer's Digest" offered the first one I ever attended, and I remember meeting others who were as passionate about writing as I am. I loved it and signed up for as many gatherings as I could afford. I enjoy the local ones because there's less travel time and expense, there are opportunities to meet writers from your area, and the speakers are often local as well.

The national conferences are fantastic because of their scope. People from around the country, who have similar goals, that is, improving their writing skills and getting stories and books published, attend. The National Federation of Press Women conferences I've attended in Richmond, Virginia and Chicago have helped me advance my career and added to my knowledge of the industry, besides adding new friends to my address book. I hope to attend this year's NFPW conference in Salt Lake City Aug. 22-24. Another conference I plan to attend is the Romance Writers of America one in Atlanta July 17-20. It is exciting to meet avid writers and have their enthusiasm permeate the conference. The Writers Digest East Conference is in New York April 5-7.

The only drawback to these national conferences is the expense. So why go?
* Meet other writers
* Meet editors and agents
* Advance your career
* Learn more about the industry
* Learn more about your craft

Enough said.

Ten reasons why you should enter contests

Entering contests is often a stressful endeavor. By the time you read the rules, go through your body of work, get the entry materials and complete all the necessary details, you may decide it's not worth your time. But that old adage, "You can't win if you don't enter," is absolutely true.

How is entering contest worth it? Let's count the ways:

1) You may have the perfect piece to enter.
2) You're proud of what you've written, photographed, edited, designed or completed.

3) You can determine how you measure up to others in your field.
4) You will meet deadlines.
5) Prizes range from a certificate or free book to a gift card to actual cash.
6) Once you gather everything together and send it off, you know you've  
    accomplished something.
7) Few contests prohibit people from entering again and again.
8) Some contests offer critiques.
9) At banquets where prizes are awarded, you meet others in your field.
10) You will improve your skills or at least learn something just by going through the process.

I've entered photography contests and writing contests, naming contests and word contests. I have won some, nearly won some and lost many, but the process helped me:
1) Develop organizational skills
2) Pay attention to details
3) Improve concentration
4) Manage time
5) Gain confidence

I say, go for it. Enter contests. You will come out a winner whether you get a prize or not.