Practicing Gratitude

Saying Thank You ... Often

I get it. We live in a very busy world, and it seems like things are not getting any less busy no matter how many time-saving tech gadgets we throw at them. I'm guilty of dropping the ball now and then, or putting down that load for a while to decompress.

Life as an author can be stressful. We have to balance our craft, often with a family, a day job, and a social life. Somewhere in there, we might get a little sleep.

You might not think it, but there's one thing you can do which will take some time, but improve the rest of the time you spend on tasks ... and that's to practice gratitude. Before you get started with your day, you might think about three things that make you thankful. It could be something as simple as that first sip of coffee. (Or a pretty coffee cup. Or the existence of coffee.)

How to Make an Author's Day

Today was a busy day at the day job, and that's after very little sleep. It's no stretch to say I lived on caffeine today just to get the work done. I came home just about running on empty. I had a couple of things to do tonight before I was allowed to relax, and while I was at it, I popped online to check my book reviews (Yes, I do read them!).

What I found was a lovely review for WATER, and it was such a gift after a long day. Not only did the reviewer like the book, but they also mentioned how much they were looking forward to reading more of my work. That made my soul happy today. Reviews are the elixir of life to an author, and they revive flagging spirits as well as any magical potion.

Thank You

So, today I want to thank that reviewer from the bottom of my heart. It was a very kind thing to do, and while it might seem like a little thing ... it's not. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.

Happy Reading, gang!

FLASHPOINT Coming to Audiobook!

FLASHPOINT to Join THE SERPENT IN THE STONE in Audiobook

I’m excited to share the news that FLASHPOINT, Book Two in the Gifted Series, is in production as an audiobook after nearly ten years of waiting. Phew! These characters have sure paid their dues.

The hunt went fairly quickly, because once I heard the fabulous Janine Granda, I knew I had found my Faith Markham. Janine is a SAG-AFTRA actor professionally trained in film and theater, and she brings her years of experience to the table making magic for authors. I can’t wait for you to hear her bring Faith and Hakon to life in the wilds of Australia’s beautiful Blue Mountains.

About FLASHPOINT

Faith Markham knows her place in life—paranormal expert and world-traveling archaeologist. She also knows she'll never fall in love again. How can she, when the only man she's ever wanted is a long-dead Viking warrior? She has resigned herself to loneliness, but fate has other ideas.

Hakon Ivarsson has had enough of women. His ex-wife left his life in ruins, and only Australia's Blue Mountains can soothe his empty soul. When Faith shows up needing a trail guide, he regards her with instant suspicion. This enigmatic beauty pulls at him in ways he can't explain. Trusting her is out of the question, but protecting her is absolute.

When they stumble on an artifact-smuggling ring, led by a man poised to bend the world's paranormal power to his own terrible purposes, they must join forces. Will it tear them apart, or has fate finally delivered a second chance?

Look for FLASHPOINT this summer. I’ll post details here first as they become available. Stay tuned, readers (and listeners)!

Book Review: BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott

Just got done reading this, and already I know it’s one of the few writing books that’ll stay on my keeper shelf.

This is as much an instruction on the writing life as it is on life in general. Anne Lamott is darkly funny, starkly honest, and encouragingly hopeful. So much of what she says in this book resonates with me in ways other books on writing have not. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been writing for years, this book is worth the read.

Lamott pulls no punches when she talks about the writing life. Cuss words are used. Neuroses are had. But that’s writing. We are all a little crazy, and it’s both maddening and beautiful. All of that comes across in this book, and ultimately it reminds us that as writers, we’re not alone. There’s a comfort in that. So much so, that I’m sure I’ll read this book again, as soon as I have one of those moments where I think my writing is either a) impeccable or b) complete trash.

As writers do.

SUNCATCHERS AND SHERBET reviews are in! / Pre-Order FREAK FRAT

SUNCATCHERS AND SHERBET Reviews - Thank You!

First, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review SUNCATCHERS AND SHERBET. Your feedback has made my summer. SUNCATCHERS AND SHERBET is now available at your favorite bookstore. Click the link to get your copy of the book readers are calling "beautifully written" and "like sunshine!"

ORDER: https://www.nickigreenwood.com/books/excerpts/sas.html

Pre-Order FREAK FRAT!

Coming October 1st is my next book, FREAK FRAT, the funny, fish-out-of-water story of Joe Dietrich, a fledgling vampire college student who's in way over his head. If you like laugh-out-loud urban fantasy with a cast of quirky characters, give it a try! (Psst: if you don't want to wait and you love reviewing books, I have limited ARC copies available. See below!)

About FREAK FRAT 

It's hard getting a life when you're undead.

Freshman Year Checklist:

• Find the bit-and-run girl who turned me into a vampire
• Join supernatural beings support group
• Call Dad
• Cram for midterms
• Find out who's trying to kill me

Joe Dietrich has a lot on his plate: college classes, a lonely divorced dad, and a weirdo gamer roommate. Oh, yeah, and that vampire thing. If only he didn't have a supernatural hit squad after him...or a frenemy who'd rather take his head off than teach him to be a Supernat. If Joe can survive all that, final exams ought to be a piece of cake.

Good thing he hasn't tried asking that Grim Reaper girl out on a date.

ARC: https://booksprout.co/arc/70026/freak-frat

PRE-ORDER: https://www.nickigreenwood.com/books/excerpts/ff.html

Going, Going ... (ARC for SUNCATCHERS AND SHERBET now available!)

 

Get the ARC of SUNCATCHERS AND SHERBET!

I hope you love summer books and free reads, because SUNCATCHERS AND SHERBET is available as a FREE Advanced Reader Copy! All you need to do is review the book on Amazon and at least one other outlet when reviews are possible. (Goodreads reviewers can review it now!)

 Download your free copy of SUNCATCHERS AND SHERBET here: https://booksprout.co/arc/66170/suncatchers-and-sherbet

 Hurry, quantities are limited. Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Hidden Life of Trees

[Shared from my Amazon review]

Don't go into this book expecting a scientific approach to forestry. There are some facts in here, but they are heavily interspersed with 'probablys' and conjecture, along with a somewhat anthropomorphic view of trees. You'd miss out if you let that put you off, though. Rather, this short, fast read speaks of one man's appreciation for nature, specifically, of old-growth forests and the need for them. We forget that while trees can't move or speak as we do, they are living things and should command our respect for their longevity, gratitude for their gifts of oxygen and inner peace, and perhaps even a little compassion. The author has clearly spent many an hour walking in the forest, touching this, breathing in that, listening to and living among his charges, and getting to know them as friends. It reminded me of why I enjoy forests, and while it leans heavily on the writer's experiences in Germany, the message of the book can be taken to any forest in the world.

RATING: Four of five stars

Double Book Review: GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell and SCARLETT by Alexandra Ripley

There isn't much I can add to the many reviews that have been done since the publication of Margaret Mitchell's saga GONE WITH THE WIND.  I can't add anything except that I am kicking myself for having gone so long without reading it.  I tried in the 7th Grade, but the material was way over my head for a girl still enamored of the fantasy genre.  I never got past the first chapter, even though I had seen the movie multiple times.  (It's my mother's favorite movie and book.)

 

If Margaret Mitchell was only going to write one book in her lifetime, she picked a good one.  It's meaty and rich, and provided a depth of character that I never saw in the film.  I still found myself wanting to shake Scarlett by the shoulders, but her fears and flaws came across so much better in the book than they do in the film.  I didn't like her, but I understood her.  And as wishy-washy as Melanie Wilkes always seemed in the film, I saw a backbone in her in the book that earned my unfettered admiration.  Don't get me wrong: the film is a masterpiece.  The book is that, plus ten.

 

As a romance writer, my single favorite scene in the book is one between Rhett and Scarlett, where she's attempting to stay angry with him, even though she's glad of his visit.  Their banter shines, and I can only assume that any romance writer who's ever read GWTW has read and re-read that scene in the hope that some of that genius rubs off on her.  I wish, wish, wish Mitchell had put more of those scenes in the book.  Rhett is still my favorite character, from Clark Gable's cocky smile onscreen to his unflinching view of reality in the novel.  He is the lens through which we see what Scarlett is, and what she can become if only she gets out of her own way.  (That's the best kind of hero.)

 

REVIEW: Five of five stars (What else could I give it? LOL)

 



It's really rather unfair to be tasked with following GONE WITH THE WIND with a sequel.  GWTW is so iconic that nothing short of a sequel penned by Mitchell herself could possibly have added up.

 

Knowing that, and knowing the instant condemnation Alexandra Ripley's SCARLETT had earned from fans of GWTW, I approached this book cautiously.  Unfortunately, even with an attempt at fair judgment, I could not love it.  It might have been a good one, if it had been a stand-alone novel about a post-war southern belle who travels to Ireland to find a new life.  Good, but not great, because there are still many flaws in this novel.  Comma splices run rampant.  The plot wanders, filling page without adding substance.  The thread picks up pace only when Scarlett moves to Ireland, and that's more than halfway through the book.  Even there, we wander ... just in another country.

 

The most glaring error is the author's lack of attention to character.  Scarlett and Rhett both do things in this novel that they would never have done in Mitchell's hands.  This is what brought me to the conclusion that this should have been an unrelated, stand-alone novel.  These characters, even if they'd been changed by the war, would never have been so fundamentally altered that they seem like such separate people.  I don't doubt that Ripley had respect for the original characters, and maybe a hefty dose of sophomore-jinx-related intimidation, but it hardly feels true to the spirit of Mitchell's Rhett and Scarlett.  One can't help making comparisons when the characters in a sequel are supposed to be the same as those in the original, after all.

 

The one thing I did love about this book was the presentation of a life in 19th century Ireland.  I enjoyed the rhythms of planting and harvesting, of Irish folklore and daily life, and even the friction of the English-Irish dichotomy.  I so wanted this to be a stand-alone book, so I could fully enjoy that part without the "taint" of its being a sequel to GWTW.  By the end of the book, however, events seem so rushed that it feels as though Ripley was being hurried to get it done by deadline.  Perhaps if she'd begun illustrating the conflict sooner, and given it a more gradual incline, it might not have felt so hurried.  Less wander, more tightening - that's what this book needed, and sadly didn't get.  I'm sorry to pan this book, because I love a good historical and wanted to enjoy it on its own merit, but the flaws just got in the way of what might have been a good story.

 

REVIEW: Two of five stars

Ding-Dong, Your Evolution Is Calling

I've writing for a while, now, and I've started to notice how and when my writing evolves. When I first began to write, the simple act of writing was evolution. I learned about the process just by putting words on the page, and toying with what I had once I had it. I got better.

Then I plateau'ed out. I had reached the limit of what I felt I could learn on my own. It was time for another evolutionary kick in the pants.

When my husband and I bought our first house, I discovered that the CNY Romance Writers held monthly meetings nearby. I joined, and learned a ton (and also met some lifelong friends - a huge bonus). I got better.

After a while, I felt there was more to do, and more I needed to know. When CNYRW held a Deep Editing workshop given by Margie Lawson, I went. I learned a ton. I couldn't write fast enough. Huge leap. I got better.

Lately, I've been feeling like that "kick" hasn't been happening, no matter how many articles or books or blogs on writing I have read. Until last night, when I downloaded the e-Book of Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder.

Boom. Everything he says in this book resonates with me. As I'm reading, I'm hearing bells. That "Oh, yes!" is ringing in my head, because what he says makes such perfect sense in a concrete and achievable way. Note that he doesn't tell you how to write, so much as how to make what you've written pop. That said, it's the best shorthand guide to getting your work noticed that I've ever picked up. I suspect that after I finish this book, I'm not going to be able to stop writing.

Sadly, Snyder passed away unexpectedly in 2009, and I feel that the writing (and screenwriting) world has lost an amazing teacher. But he left us an incredibly simple how-to on making a good story sound great to buyers, and for that, I'll be forever grateful.

Moral of the story? Learn to recognize that "Oh, yes!" moment in your own writing education. Stick to it, and find more of them. Those are the road signs pointing you in the direction of your best possible work. Carry on, writers!

Another Great Review for WATER!

WATER has received another great review, this time from a reviewer at Romancing The Book, who calls WATER "enchanting and charming" and awards it the Lovely Rose (Recommended Book) rating!

I'm thrilled with the feedback on this book so far, and I can't wait to share WATER with some of you in person at its premiere book signing on November 19th at Books 4 Less!

WATER Reviewed by Sizzling Hot Book Reviews!

The reviews are beginning to come in for WATER, and to favorable response! Stacey at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews calls WATER "A touching, humorous story about home being where the heart is. Very refreshing."

Thanks, Stacey, for your awesome review! I'm thrilled you enjoyed it!

Movie Review: Percy Jackson (vs. Avatar)

"Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief."

Cool title. OK, you got my attention.

My husband actually wanted to see this before I even knew it existed. He had read the book (in a day), and being the Greek mythology buff he is, he wanted to see the movie also. So, we left the little peanut with Grandma for an evening and had ourselves a date.

This movie is directed by Chris Columbus, the director of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," which, aside from my own fascination with Greek mythology, gave me some hopes for the film. The book was entertaining enough, but I had the feel throughout that Percy didn't act so much as be acted upon, up until the end--but let's face it, the Greek gods did move humans around like chessmen back in the good old days. Percy and his pals took an awful lot of things in stride without so much as a blip of emotion, on top of that, though--and there's a lot to be said about seeing your mom get squished by a minotaur.

But enough about the book. I still wanted to see what they did on film.

I was sadly disappointed. The movie tried--unsuccessfully--to imitate Harry Potter in scope, and the special effects were noticeable for their clunkiness. It takes a bit for me to notice the mechanics of a film instead of the plot (i.e., bad screenwriting). The plot and emotion were so sadly lacking here that I couldn't help but stop at the high point of the film and think, "Oh! This is the part for which they saved the big bucks in special effects!" (BTW, guys, centaurs' fetlocks ought to MOVE when they take a step forward--check out Oreius in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," and then redesign). They were cartoonish and called attention to themselves, rather than being an intrinsic part of the plot. STORY FIRST, always.

As to the plot and writing, they left out some of the funniest parts of the book, and rearranged the book's plot to the point of cheap imitation. I was sorry for all the fans of the book, of which there are many (NYT #1 Bestseller). Percy is twelve in the book. Here, he's 15 or 16. Ares isn't even mentioned, the gods look like gods should, and dang it, they even left out the Muzak in the elevator to Olympus.

Sigh.

While the movie does have some funny parts (Medusa's head, the casino scene), it falls far short of compensating for bad storytelling. The dialogue and acting are awkward, with the exception of Grover the satyr, who seemed the most comfortable with his character. Everyone else seemed put there, but not interested in being so. Even Sean Bean couldn't rescue this movie for me.

If you want good fantasy, go see "Avatar." Its special effects are huge, but so seamless that you forget nothing onscreen is real--and as stunning as they are, they take a backseat to the story, supporting it instead of trying to make up for the lack of it. Its plot is admittedly not original, but it's told so engagingly that you won't mind.

Or, you can wait for your dose of Greek gods when "Clash of the Titans" comes out in May. I am looking forward to that one, even though it'll be hard for me to love anyone more than I love Harry Hamlin as Perseus in the original film. The special effects are dated in that one, of course, but it's a classic.

Harry Potter and the Best Book Ever

The Half-Blood Prince was one of only two books that ever made me cry (the other was Where The Red Fern Grows, and if you know that book you understand why). I am a grown woman, and I cried, cried, cried at Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Tell me the trailer doesn't look amazing. The end of this trailer says the release date is July 17th, but the movie actually comes out July 15th. So July 15th, I know where I will be!

Bitten!

OK, I may write paranormal, and I may love Buffy and Angel (it's the writing - Joss Whedon is my hero for adding conflict to a storyline) ... but honest, I'm not a vampire girl. Or I wasn't.

Then I met Edward.

Ha. Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga is so darn good, I'm staying up way past my bedtime (like 1:00 AM, and I have to get up at 5:00) to read. It takes Edward, like, 43 pages to even say hello to the girl in the first book. And the minute he opened his mouth, I went "Eeek! I love him!" How's that for building up your romantic tension?!? I have to be honest and say there's more "telling," adverb use, rolling eyes, looks, and repeated phrases than I think we could get away with in the adult romance genre - but obviously Stephenie knows what she's doing, since all four books have topped the bestseller list. Topped, like, Number One.

That's gotta be Edward's fault. Really, pick up the first book (aptly titled Twilight) and you'll see what I mean. This series is awesome, and it's been nice to want to devour a book whole again. I haven't been this giddy since reading Harry Potter. So a big thank you to Stephenie Meyer for that. And a not-subtle hint for any of you who are even remotely fans of paranormal and YA to read this series. :)

It's Easy Being Green

Inspired by Earth Day (and in part by my current WIP, starring a heroine who is fast becoming my healthy-eating, green-living voice of reason), I purchased a couple of books on green living, including The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier. This book has several "recipes" for biodegradable, earth-friendly cleaning products. And here's the bonus: they're cheaper too! One box of do-everything borax cost me $2.30, whereas a bottle of off-brand all-purpose spray can cost three times as much. And it's still not gonna be half the workhorse borax is. Other green products that make great cleaning "potions":

* Vinegar
* Baking Soda
* Lemon Juice
* Olive Oil
* Herbs/Spices

You probably have all of these on hand already! I went through my house and removed no less than three totes of hazardous cleaning products which I would be afraid to let my 16-mo son get his hands on. By contrast, cleaning with natural products means using stuff we already eat. It's about three times cheaper, it smells good, and some of it can be used in cooking, too. Can you say that about your cleaning products?

Woo Hoo! Ratha Lives! (and Other YA Giddiness in the Tradition of Watership Down)

One of my favorite authors from my youth, Clare Bell, has written a new book! For a long time, she hadn't written anything, and fans of her Named series pined for a new book--especially since the original books had gone out of print.

Ratha's_Courage is the newest book in the series, which is about the coming of age and subsequent trials of the title character, Ratha, a prehistoric cat. The new book is due out October 18th. It's been 13 years since the last Named book, and I know fans will be delighted to see Ratha's return. The best part is, Firebird Books is re-releasing the others, which are as follows, if you're interested in delving into this series. (Believe me, they're worth it for anyone who likes fantasy or cats!)

Ratha's Creature
Clan Ground
Ratha and Thistle-Chaser
Ratha's Challenge
Ratha's Courage (out 10/18)

She has also written some cool novels outside the Named series, particularly Tomorrow's Sphinx, which I loved. Check these books out! You won't regret it.

While we're on the subject, Firebird Books is becoming my new best friend. A short while back, they re-released the Firebringer series by Meredith Ann Pierce, which had also been out of print for a while. That series is a coming of age tale of Aljan, the unicorn. The Firebringer series is as follows:

Birth of the Firebringer
Dark Moon
The Son of Summer Stars

So, if you can't tell, I loved books that went along the same vein as Richard Adams' Watership Down. Besides THAT book (which is rabbits), there is The Wild Road & its sequels (domestic cats), Tailchaser's Song (also domestic cats), and The Heavenly Horse from the Outermost West and Piper at the Gate (horses). I still have my original copies of most of these books, if that tells you anything, something like 20 years later. I couldn't let them go.

Go Read! Nicki out.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Predictions

For years, I willfully ignored Harry Potter. But people talked about him. And talked about him. And ... you get it. By the time "Azkaban" came out, I caved in to curiosity and bought all three books. I stayed up really, really late every night reading. JK Rowling reached out and Super Glued my eyes to the pages. Mom read them, and then I suckered my husband into it. ("Read page one, honey, I dare you.") He now reads them more often than I do. This is Mr. I Hate Reading Anything That Isn't Muscle & Fitness.

What makes these books so gripping that kids (and adults) who hate to read are turning onto them in a frenzy of midnight book parties? The shipments need security guards--SECURITY GUARDS--to protect them from theft by anxious readers. JKR, can I borrow your life for a while? :) "Half-Blood Prince" is one of only two books that have ever made me cry ("Where The Red Fern Grows" is the other), so you can imagine how eagerly I await "Deathly Hallows."

Which brings me to the point: my predictions for book seven. Who will die? Voldemort, surely. You don't write seven books about fighting the good fight and not let the heroes win at the end.
But not without cost. My bet is on one of the Weasleys. If it were me, I'd choose Percy or one of the twins. What more heroic act than for self-centered Percy to realize the error of his ways and die defending his family? And could you get much more tragic than taking only one of the twins and leaving the other?

I DON'T think it'll be Hagrid, and I'm sure she'll let Harry, Ron, and Hermione live. (Unless she wants a storm of hate mail from her readers.) Likewise Ginny. The girl's got moxie, and I get the idea she'd be the last one standing if the whole world blows up. Plus, being a romance writer, I'd really, really hate it if Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione didn't come through OK.

Who's R.A.B.? Well, for various reasons, I'm 90% convinced it's Regulus Black. JKR doesn't just deus ex machina her way into a plot twist. She leaves clues, couched in wording that makes a reader gloss over that part and come back to it going "HEY!" when she reveals her surprises. And for an ex-Slytherin, ex-Death Eater to be the pivot-point for Voldemort's downfall? This is just tooooo good.

Speaking of which ... Snape. Dumbledore trusted him. I trust him. Nuff said.

Enjoy the wait, and I might see some of you at the bookstore on July 21st when we find out the answers (and in the meantime, "Phoenix" is out on the 11th to whet our appetites)!