I confess. I'm a Virgin Blogger.
No. Not that kind.
But because this is my first blog ever.
I'm excited. Maybe a little nervous.
I welcome feedback.
Especially feedback that begins with "Dearest Author, I love everything you write."
In my blog I'm going to discuss things that I find amazing in the world.
I hope it'll be a real discussion, that you'll write back with things you find amazing, too.
I chose this topic partly because I'm working on a novel titled One Amazing Thing.
And partly because I think amazement is a wonderful quality, one worth cultivating.
We all had it once. Some of us lost it along the way.But we can regain it if we pay attention.
This is what I believe: attention engenders amazement.
Every day I'm astonished by so many things in this marvelous and paradoxical world we live in.
I'm going to share some of those thoughts with you.
And writing, of course. On my list of amazing things that humans can do, it's way up there.I would love your thoughts about writing--& the writing life--as well.
Right now, as I'm getting ready to set out on the tour for the paperback of Palace of Illusions (Ithaca, DC, Santa Cruz, San Diego, Orlando--details on my website) I'm struck by how conflicted I feel about the whole enterprise. On one hand it's hard to leave my family. To give up my writing schedule. To face the uncertainties of traffic and weather and strange cities where there may or may not be an audience. On the other, it's a genuine pleasure to connect up with readers. Plus I love perfoming. And it's the final thing I can do for my book--to help it make its way in the world.
An old joke in po-biz:
Q: What's worse than going on book tour?
A: Not going on book tour.
I'll end this first blog with lines from a poem that amazed me when I first read it, years ago. Recognize it, anyone?
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man:
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
No. Not that kind.
But because this is my first blog ever.
I'm excited. Maybe a little nervous.
I welcome feedback.
Especially feedback that begins with "Dearest Author, I love everything you write."
In my blog I'm going to discuss things that I find amazing in the world.
I hope it'll be a real discussion, that you'll write back with things you find amazing, too.
I chose this topic partly because I'm working on a novel titled One Amazing Thing.
And partly because I think amazement is a wonderful quality, one worth cultivating.
We all had it once. Some of us lost it along the way.But we can regain it if we pay attention.
This is what I believe: attention engenders amazement.
Every day I'm astonished by so many things in this marvelous and paradoxical world we live in.
I'm going to share some of those thoughts with you.
And writing, of course. On my list of amazing things that humans can do, it's way up there.I would love your thoughts about writing--& the writing life--as well.
Right now, as I'm getting ready to set out on the tour for the paperback of Palace of Illusions (Ithaca, DC, Santa Cruz, San Diego, Orlando--details on my website) I'm struck by how conflicted I feel about the whole enterprise. On one hand it's hard to leave my family. To give up my writing schedule. To face the uncertainties of traffic and weather and strange cities where there may or may not be an audience. On the other, it's a genuine pleasure to connect up with readers. Plus I love perfoming. And it's the final thing I can do for my book--to help it make its way in the world.
An old joke in po-biz:
Q: What's worse than going on book tour?
A: Not going on book tour.
I'll end this first blog with lines from a poem that amazed me when I first read it, years ago. Recognize it, anyone?
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man:
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
you don´t need to ask, I love all your books and admire you so, to love your blog is just something natural. ~_~ I feel very happy everytime I read about how you feel and describe the things around you. I hope you can see the stars from where you live, they also teach us a lot with their silent and distant existence and I think its something amazing. If you can comment about your books I think it will be awesome too ~_~ something like: when I wrote this phrase I felt this, when XXX acted this way I wanted to cry, etc... tell us about your favorite books and colors,movies, paintings, things like that ~_~, well... that is just a suggestion.
Ok, now I´m more calm and I can write something more feedback like. I´ve been writing on blogs for ten years now, so I can tell some things about this 'business' I guess... Let´s see... no matter what you write about or why you do it, "just follow your heart". People can feel when you are being sincere. Since they´re your feelings, I´m sure a lot of people will read and think: "Ah.. I feel that way too" or "Hey, I see what she meant with this" and enjoy it even if they can´t put how much in words.
I was always trying to write something better (like: how can I write this in a way anyone can understand, or how to make them feel what I´m feeling). Then one day a friend told me in a subtle way: you have no talent. And I thought: Ah... that´s true. - It freed me because for a long time, writing wasn´t a pleasure anymore, it felt more like an obligation and I was always worrying about what someone else would think or how to fulfill their expectations.
There´s no way one could love to write this way and it's dificult to do something you don´t love to. Besides, I´m not good with words, that´s why I use too many of them to say something obvious and simple. I usually forgot that others have their own way to see, to feel, to interpret and discover the world. Isn´t this one of the most amazing things about life, after all? It teaches us how amazing it is to share, and you are always sharing things with us. For this and other reasons I love, respect and admire you/your work more and more.
Thank you, Karen. That is a very perceptive comment about writing. Sometimes when I'm trying to meet a deadline, I start feeling that way, too, as though writing is a heavy weight pressing on me. And I really dislike that. It gives me writer's block.
I like what you say about everyone interpreting the world in different ways. I agree that it's amazing and wonderful. This is why I'm always interested and pleased to hear different people's thoughtful interpretations of my books.
If you are on Facebook, why don't you post part of this message on my page, under the discussion topic Writing Tips.
William Wordsworth! He's definitely one of my favorite poets.
Lopa is right!
Hi, Nice to read the beginning of the blog.
I am too on a novel. In fact the novel has been in me since i can remember, but i have just started writing it, a week back. Not yet named though.
Any tip for the first timer? Would appreciate if you could provide some.
BTW, i couldnt find your books here in the country i reside, so decided to buy on my next trip to India, in Oct this year.The palace of illusions. I have seen the movie- Mistress of spices. Its a marvelous idea. Kudos to you for such a novel theme. Great imagination, though a fantasy.(i assume so)
the following link would lead to one of my short stories.Its writen for the blog, so not written properly and i havent even edited it properly. If you care to read its:
http://zillionbig.blogspot.com/2009/08/friendly-bug-short-story-repost.html
Take care and regards,
Manoj nair cherukatt