Freebies for Writers... And Y&R Lovers

From J.A. Konrath's blog, A Newbie's Guide to Publishing Book. A 750 page freebie on all aspects of writing and publishing. It's there for you to download and learn from. Of course, you could repay the freebie by purchasing one of his novels :-). Learn more about J.A. Konrath at his website.

From In The Zone on BlogTalk radio, an interview with novelist and soap opera writer, Thom Racina, who is returning to the soap genre and Young and The Restless. Lots of good tips for writers, especially those interested in novels, soaps, and storytelling. Hmmm...

For those of you who read me often, Young and The Restless has been my favorite soap forever (except for the past two years, when non-Bell family writers took control over the show.) Now, the show is back in the hands of the Bell family, and according to the Racina interview, we will see Y&R at its traditional best from this August on... longer scenes, older/veteran characters we grew up with, the slower pace we grew up with, and character-driven stories... pieces we've seen put slowly into place in recent weeks as the Bell writers cleaned up the mess left behind the past two years.

But we're not griping. We enjoy freebies. And we're liking what's coming up on Y&R in the coming weeks... here's a preview from Daytime Confidential and TV Guide Canada interview with Maria Arena Bell.

The Left Stuff... and Other Links

I'm a left-handed person. So I was fascinated with this story on NPR this morning about the fact that five of the last seven U.S. presidents are lefties. So are both Barack Obama and John McCain. Are lefties just wired for success? NPR story. The book, The Left Stuff: How The Left-Handed Have Survived and Thrived in a Right-Handed World , by Melissa Roth.

I'm a huge fan of Atlanta and Atlanta novelist Tayari Jones. She shares a blast from her past -- a television interview from early in her career when her first novel, Leaving Atlanta, was released. I'm still reeling from the fact that 2002 seems like yesterday, but was 6 years ago.

I still remember Y2K fears like yesterday.

I remember the song that played at midnight at the place I was at on New Year's Eve 1999 into 2000. It was Jennifer Lopez's Waiting For Tonight. Fun memory.

And doing some work at the college over the weekend. Freaky fun fact... brand new college students are born in 1990 and 1991... leaning 1991. Freaks me out. But oh well.

Hope your weekend is all you want it to be!
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Reader Cheater

Don't you hate it... you're reading one book that you're digging. But then your copy of a new book arrives, say, Dirty Girls on Top, and you open it just to read the first line... and several dozen pages into it you realize you're digging this book more than the one you were already reading. A reader cheater. That's what I am.

Anyway, last night had a great event at the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco. Cool museum and archives. Cool board of directors and audience. Read and had conversation with Jewelle Gomez, who is phenomenal, and whose Gilda Stories is a legendary piece of work. When the video is up on YouTube, I'll let you know.

Some of you may know that I used to live in San Francisco. It was my first city/job after grad school. So it was nice to get to come back, visit with some old friends, etc... One of the old (but new and re-named) haunts had some retro videos and music going.

Why did I have a take-me-back moment with NuNu and Get With U by Lidell Townsell. Some songs... just remind you of college, black student union parties, experimenting, crushes on boys who'll never like you back but you're friends with their girlfriends so you just cope and deal... all that jazz.

Come to think of it, it's not just reading I could never focus on. But the cable cars are loading up just a block from my hotel. Gonna go take a ride before my airport shuttle arrives.

Have a good one!
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What Are You Reading This Summer?

My friend Noel did an article for In Los Angeles Magazine, and asked me for a quick blurb/recommendation. I was happy to oblige. The article is here.

My answer is the book pictured, Dirty Girls on Top, by Alisa Valdes Rodriguez.

Summer is a great time for reading, and I would like to hear about what you're reading this summer.

Summer is also a great time for catching up on writing projects... like me working toward my Labor Day deadline to finish up the new book.

Like Tayari Jones, who's been away for a couple weeks on a summer writing retreat, and has done like 53 pages in that time.

Gotta love summer relaxation and productivity!
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Gay Pride Episode on ATWT

In case you missed the gay pride episode the other day... from As The World Turns.

It was really great. And so was Cyndi Lauper. Actually might start DVRing this show, from what I caught of the other storylines.
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Saturday Love

Woke up, albeit at 2:30 in the afternoon, with this song on my mind.

Saturday Love by Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal. Real catchy old school song.

Love this one too by her... Everything I Miss At Home... when you belong to one but find yourself attracted to another.
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Cyndi Lauper and Oakdale Pride

As The World Turns has the hottest young couple in daytime drama -- Luke and Noah.

And on Thursday, July 3, Cyndi Lauper will make a guest appearance on the soap to help the town of Oakdale celebrate gay pride... and to get Luke and Noah back together.

Here's a short clip of Cyndi talking about her ATWT appearance. And a clip of her newest video, Into The Nightlife.

The new CD is great... and if you get a chance to set your DVR, do so to catch As The World Turns on Thursday... and even every day after that. It's been a while since you've watched your grandma's soap, huh?
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San Francisco Next Week

If you're in the San Francisco area next week, I hope you'll stop by this event.

Passing On the Pen
Reading with emerging novelist Frederick Smith and established novelist Jewelle Gomez
Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 6:30 PM
GLBT Historical Society
657 Mission Street #300
San Francisco, CA
(415) 777-5455
www.glbthistory.org

The Lambda Literary Foundation is helping to present the entire Passing On The Pen series this year, which pairs a establishd writer with an emerging writer in reading and conversation about their works.
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