Susan Mallery | What do our characters wish for?

In the last hours before college graduation, I was saved from life as an accountant by a continuing education course titled "How to Write a Romance Novel." Not that there’s anything wrong with being an accountant. It’s just that, for me, the infinite realm of numbers couldn’t possibly compare to the infinite realm of characters.

Numbers can’t surprise you by making bad decisions. Numbers don’t have quirks that make you laugh. (Except for 43,770. For some reason, 43,770 cracks me up every time.)

But "infinite" can feel overwhelming to a writer facing a blank page, and I’m always on the lookout for a new tool to get to know my characters better. I think I found one in Debbie Macomber’s wonderful book, Twenty Wishes. Anne Marie, a young widow, is stuck in a rut of grief and decides to make a list of twenty wishes, hoping this will give her something to look forward to and will restore her positive outlook on life. The bubble wrap popping scene is a hoot! I want to have a party like that.

What would I learn, I wondered, if I did this exercise from the point of view of my characters? What new insights would I gain? I mean, we're talking twenty wishes here – that's going to dig pretty deep. And we’re not talking Miss America-style "world peace” kinds of wishes. No, these need to be things the character can impact and achieve. Come to think of it, "world peace" might work as a wish for one of my monarchs. A king can refuse to start a war, right? But not for the everyday folks.

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Sara Reyes | Do Special Events Make for a Better Relationship with Artists Creation?

And by artists I am referring to authors and film makers this time around. We'll leave the musicians, painters, sculptors, and programmers out of the conversation. If you know me well, you'll find I consider almost all producers of a "thing" including code as "creative artists" but I will not digress today. Back to the topic of "does meeting the artist make you like or appreciate the work better or less?"

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Here's the deal. Today we're having a high tea with Susan Mallery. It's a special private tea with just our book club and Susan. We've been looking forward and planning this event for months and no matter what happens it will be a day we'll remember for a long time. Seriously, we still talk about dinners with authors from ten or twelve years ago, reminiscing over the time spent with them, their books we've read since and for those who didn't attend, lamenting over their missed opportunity. In some way that private time spent with the author gives them a very special relationship with our reading group and individuals enduring long past the actual event.

Earlier this week, I went to a film viewing of The Maiden Heist at the USA Film Festival in Dallas. The director, Peter Hewitt and producer Rob Paris were in attendance and introduced the film, then talked about it after the showing. I went because I adore Christopher Walken and I wanted something fun to lighten up my week. Although the film was an amusing escape from my reality, the addition of the filmmakers created a sense of "specialness" that will last a long time. When "The Maiden Heist" goes to wide distribution (it's tentatively scheduled for a fall release) I'll spend another $10 to see it plus will probably buy it in DVD. I've already bored my husband and daughter and a few friends about it (including you, dear blog readers) and don't see myself stopping anytime soon. Go see it, a great ensemble comedy with a stellar cast including Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman (God), William H. Macy and Marcia Gay Harden--her Rose is wonderful! It's what happens when the forces that be try to take away a person's obsession!

Back to today, our event with Susan will make her upcoming trilogy very special to the members of the DFW Tea group, even besides its Texas setting. Even the ones who can't come today are even beginning their laments (as well as directives to get books signed, sending along stuff, etc). Those of us there will probably fall in love again with Susan and will reminisce for years to come about our special day and tea with her. And she'll make new fans out of people who probably never met her before.

So what is it that makes works of art even more "special?" Is it the interaction on a personal level you have with the creator? Perhaps at a signing or talk? Or a private function? Or with the ubiquitous Internet, an email message, a group chat, a blog comment, or even, gasp, a Twitter? Or does all these up-close-and-personals turn you off? I know that liking, loving and hating are just different degrees of the same thing, so perhaps too close is too much?

Anyway, to reward your efforts this weekend, we'll be giving away to someone who comments on either this or Sandi's blog on Sunday a very special grab bag -- it will be something signed (or several somethings signed) by Susan Mallery during our time today. So don't be shy and do check out our photos from the event. We'll be Twittering them as well as posting later today on our photos section. And to all who can't make it in person, we'll send out some delicious cyber scones to ya!

Until next time...
Get out there and READ a book...
Sara Reyes

DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November 13-15, 2009!

Susan Mallery | I Like...

I like fruitcake. Yes, there it is. I’ve said it in public. I like it. It’s cake with fruit and nuts, which means it’s practically a health food. If my slice is big enough, it should count for at least two of the nine fruit and vegetable servings I’m supposed to have in a day. There’s enough sugar to keep me wired for at least two hours. Where’s the bad?

I also like wrapping presents. I have a ritual…I wait until everything is bought, then stack them by the table, get out all my wrapping supplies, put in the original Star Wars movie and wrap. I actually try to match the right wrapping paper to the gift or the person, I use all kinds of ribbons and little toys on the packages. Some years I’m done in two movies, but most it takes me all three. I wipe up the last of the glitter just as the wookies are doing the happy dance at the end of the third movie.

I like the fact that I’ve joked so much about not being a good cook that my sister in law won’t trust me with anything more than putting out rolls for our big family dinner. I wash the “good” dishes at the end of the meal, which turns out to be great fun. Everyone wants to keep me company (possibly out of guilt that I’m doing the clean-up, I’m not sure.) The kitchen is noisy and bright and there’s plenty of left-over wine to speed the process.

This year, I like that my book Accidentally Yours will be out the day after Christmas.

Books are supposed to be like kids—as writers, we shouldn’t have favorites. But this is one of mine favorites. I love everything about this book. I love Kerri, my heroine, who is determined and tough and vulnerable and willing to do anything in the world to get the job done. I like that Nathan, my hero, is so sure he’s a heartless bastard, when in truth, he’s terrified of loving and losing again.

Accidentally Yours is one of those special books writers talk about. A book of the heart. It just came to me over take-out, while my husband was out of town and I was trying to decide which chick flick to watch. I can’t explain the process by which a book arrives fully formed in my head, I only know I wish it happened more often. There was something so easy about writing this book, as if I knew everything that was supposed to happen. It felt a little like magic.

During this special time of year, I wish you and yours the very best of everything. May the new year bring you happiness, good fortune, health and fruitcake! And if you’re looking to add a little sparkle to your holiday season, give Accidentally Yours a try. I think you’ll love it!

If you get a chance, please visit my website http://www.susanmallery.com/. We’re having a “12 Days of Christmas” contest, with a prize being given away every day!!

Happy Holidays,

Susan