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She Of Little Patience
Tina Leonard
June 1, 2009
I'm impatient! I always want my favorite authors to have another book out as
fast as possible! Sometimes I have to wait, and that's very hard for an
impatient person. I have a Thomas Kincaid five hundred piece puzzle that's
thwarting my patience right now, but I'm determined that Mr. Kincaid will not
defeat me with his beautiful use of light and shadow that tricks the eye. I
would eat dessert before dinner, in fact I would eat dessert for breakfast and
start my day off with chocolate cake and a grin. I want the Christmas season
to arrive (except for the shopping), and then springtime. Immediately. I have
to wait another year until the contract is up on my cell phone so I can get an
iPhone. The wait is killing me. Yet, occasionally the best things come to those who wait. Sometimes when I'm
in the middle of writing a story, I get to a part where I have to stop and wait
for a character to reveal her motivation, or a plot point to shine its light on
me. I would love to be able to conceive of a story and sit down and write the
whole thing in an hour. I wish I could just pull the whole thing, luminously
polished, straight from my head. I practically brain myself my entire deadline
trying to get the story out as fast as I possibly can. I just have to know
what's going to happen next! And yes, I am a peeker—that reader who simply
can't stand the suspense and must skip to the back page to see how it's all
going to end. I'm working on this impatience thing. My puzzle is a form of exercising my
patience. A puzzle can't be forced. I know because I tried. I bought the
five hundred piece M&M puzzle, lured by all the fabulous colors and the enigma
it presented. It would be a FAMILY PROJECT. My kids gathered around me over
spring break and we worked at it, yet even with their much quicker eyes, we
couldn't even finish the frame. I claimed that the manufacturer had clearly
left a few important pieces out of the box, but the multitude of colors had
stumped me. I know there were no pieces missing because I said the same thing
about the next puzzle, the Thomas Kincaid house, and although one piece of the
frame had fallen under the table where the housekeeper spied it right before
she sucked it into the vacuum, the manufacturer had left nothing out. I'm sending the M&M puzzle to the used bookstore. It beat me, plain and
simple. But it came in such a fascinating box that I couldn't resist the
challenge it presented to my patience. Writing, too, requires great patience.
It is one piece at a time, and just when it seems the frame is missing a
critical piece, that is the time to rest and see what might be just out of
view. And when the piece we least expect to fit falls into place perfectly, we
can't wait to reach for the next piece. Great reading this month: GOODBYE,
MR. CHIPS
, a classic that some eighth grade
students are assigned and which was made into a 1939 black and white
adaptation, netting Robert Donat an Oscar for Best Actor. This movie was out
the same year as GONE
WITH THE WIND
, THE
WIZARD OF OZ
, and MR.
SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
, among other wonderful films, so the competition was fierce. The
movie illuminates the book, and vice versa. But the book was hardly a
commercial success when it first came out in England; not until it hit American
shores did it become a huge favorite. The scenes where the students sit in the
big hall learning—and trying not to be frightened--while bombs are dropping
around the school stay long after the movie is over. Also, the author wrote
the book in four days, which is pretty amazing. Great movie fun: See above, for classic film buffs, and GRAN
TORINO
for
something newer. I'm not a huge Clint Eastwood fan, but this story about an
older man who gets to know the Asian family next door is touching and sometimes
funny, with enough violence and drama thrown in to keep the guys in your life
enthralled. My husband is a movie-napper, but he stayed awake for this one!
And now a quote for those of us who are patience-challenged: Every man is
enthusiastic at times. One man has enthusiasm for thirty minutes, another man
has it for thirty days. But it is the man who has it for thirty years who
makes a success in life.—Edward Burgess Butler, founder of Butler Brothers
in
Boston. Remember to leave comments all month long to be eligible for the drawing for
five dollar Amazon e-certs—three winners chosen by Fresh Fiction! Enjoy the
start of summer--hopefully lots of time for reading and writing, gardening,
sunning, and eating watermelon! Until next time, Tina Leonard Tina Leonard has a
publishing history of more than forty projects. With sales of over a million
books, she is also a Bookscan and Waldenbooks bestselling author. Tina enjoys
family, friends, researching projects, and a good glass of wine when she's not
on deadline. Visit Tina's
website
Comments
44 comments posted.
Re: She Of Little Patience
The Texas Twins: I could just eat them up with a spoon.
(Mary Preston 3:19am June 2, 2009)
ow i love puzzles it's the one's whit colers that are to much the same that get me but lots of colers that i can get.grad torino my step dad wants that movie i sent for it for him it looks like some thing that he will like.
(Stacey Smith 4:08am June 2, 2009)
My favorite authors can never write as fast as I read...one good reason to revisit old favorites and classics.
(Shannon Scott 5:58pm June 3, 2009)
I love clint eastwood, grand torino was one of the best movies of the year in my opionion.
(Kelly Marker 10:55am June 4, 2009)
We all try and be patient but it is never easy especially when we want our favorite things to be ours immediately.
(Rosemary Krejsa 2:45pm June 4, 2009)
Hi, Mary! I thought the cover artist did a great job! The models are wonderful. I love the art dept!
Hi, Stacey! Puzzles are so awesome, aren't they?? And I really did love Gran Torino--it's salty, but heartwarming.
Hey, Shannon!! I love classics everything, and I put my orders in for my fave authors' books months before they are available! I'm a collector!!
Hi, Kelly!! You know, I think you're right: Gran Torino was one of the best movies of the year. My husband was all antsy one night, and I said, "Come on, I'm taking you to the movies," and he said, "What are we seeing?" and I said, "Gran Torino," and he said, "What's that? I never heard of it," and I said, "Never mind, you'll enjoy it," and I kept looking over at him, and he really did like it! He's a submarine, boom-boom, gore kind of movie guy, so I was glad he liked this one! Clint was great.
Hi, Rosemary!! I am never patient when it comes to books. I will never be an e-book girl, either, I guess; I want to hold everything in my hand and store it on my shelves and read it again later!! :)
Tina
(Tina Leonard 6:51pm June 4, 2009)
Some things I can be patient with, but not books. I always seem to read them too fast, then I can't wait for the next one. Puzzles drive me nuts. I just can't handle the length of time it takes to finish them ..
(Jo Ann Jansing 8:18pm June 4, 2009)
Hi, Jo!!
I think it took me about three weeks to finish the first Thomas Kinkade puzzle! I had to be really, really patient--not my forte!! lol But then, I started a second one. My friends needed to borrow my puzzle table twice for confirmation parites and such, and I kept having to move the puzzle frame onto the vacuum box lid--the only thing big enough to keep it while they used my table--and so now, I think I'll just put all the frame into a baggie and start over on a new puzzle!! Books--I am a book hog. I used to keep all my sheets behind my bedroom door so I could use the linen closet for my books!!! I can never wait when my most-fave authors have something new. One time, my husband bought me an ARC for my anniversary off of Ebay!! (Later, I went and bought the book, because it was so good)! Books just speak to me.
(Tina Leonard 8:41pm June 4, 2009)
I might have to read Goodbye, Mr. Chips. It sounds fascinating.
(Kelly Marker 10:44am June 5, 2009)
Thanks for the great article,
I may have to read Goodbye, Mr. Chips, it sounds fascinating!
(Kelly Marker 10:52am June 5, 2009)
I agree, authors don't write fast enough. Luckily I have so many favorites, I still always have a huge TBR pile, so it's okay.
(Barbara Elness 5:04pm June 6, 2009)
I so want my authors to already have the
next book waiting. I can't wait to read
your book
(Val Pearson 5:08pm June 7, 2009)
I loved James Stewart in the movie version of Mr. Smith goes to Washington. He was a wonderful actor!
(Caroline Kolb 8:15pm June 7, 2009)
I love anticipation: a new book, a new movie, a new recipe, opening gifts etc. We saw Gran Torino at the theatre..Clint has still got it!
(Annette Cunningham 9:11am June 8, 2009)
Patience...a very difficult virtue!
(Diane Pollock 11:01am June 8, 2009)
I love the cover! I laughed about your difficulty with the M&M puzzle--I had wanted to purchase a similar one for my mother (knowing full well it would frustrate her). James Stewart is one of my all-time favorite actors, btw...
(Laura Merrill 2:47pm June 8, 2009)
I love discovering new authors. The anticipation of a brand new book is absolutely exhilarating!! I will spend an entire afternoon reading the whole book. . I‘ve been known to order every book by that author after I finish just so I have them for future reading . I spend quite a bit of time reading and watching movies because I am retired on disability. I just ordered Gran Torino, it seems as though I am in for a treat the movie arrives tomorrow!!!
(Michele Molesky 7:25pm June 8, 2009)
Candy McCormick, June 9
I truly admire anyone that has such talent to be a writer. I can't imagine constantly having to come up with new ideas, and new topics. I love to read, god bless all authors for their dedication to writing.
(Candy McCormick 9:54am June 9, 2009)
If I know there are going to be "sequels" to a book, I wait till the whole set is out to read even the first one. If you have to wait six months or so in between, you've forgotten half the story (or, at least, someone as old as I has).
(Louise Pledge 11:53am June 9, 2009)
I really liked Gran Torino too. I have liked Clint Eastwwod throughout his whole career...but I admit I have a soft spot for Bridges of Madison County.
(Mari M. 2:40pm June 9, 2009)
I'm a puzzle fanatic, too. I usually do 2 (1000 pieces) a week.
(Karen Barnett 9:41pm June 9, 2009)
I find that the more I have to do the less patience I have.
(Maureen Emmons 5:27am June 10, 2009)
I love to do puzzles & usually I'm a very patient person. Puzzles help bring our extended family together. When we're together for the holidays or on vacation, we spend a lot of time building puzzles & talking about life!
(Cheryl Snyder 12:55pm June 10, 2009)
Tina received your e-mail today talking about summer, I too shaved my springer spaniel for summers past what Nac loved the most was his yearly baby wading pool. Nac would stretch out in it with his head upturned just watching squirrels and birds with his tail slapping the water.
(Susan Lathen 1:45pm June 10, 2009)
Hey Tina - your friend, Jane
I am one who loves puzzles and in all my life I have found only one I gave up on. It was a field of daisies and I was seeing daisies in my sleep. I just could finish it.
Wanted you to know I am a member of fresh fiction and visit monthly. Glad to see you here.
I would love to win.
(Jane Squires 6:08pm June 11, 2009)
The one drawback to being a speed-reading biblioholic is the way that I inhale books. Then, because writers are human and oh, have lives, I have to wait & wait for the next book to come out. I feel your pain.
(Arlene Medder 5:57pm June 13, 2009)
My wife is absolutely NUTS over your books!
Oh, that's a good thing!!!
(Gary Watts 12:03pm June 14, 2009)
I haven't seen Gran Torino yet, but am looking forward to the DVD release. Clint Eastwood is awesome!
(Cherie Michalec 3:07pm June 14, 2009)
I love the back ground on your book cover it makes the men stand out amazingly
(Tabatha Basham 6:45pm June 15, 2009)
You sound like my sister---she doesn't
have much patience either. I, on the
other hand, once waited 4 hours for a
pizza!
(Kimberly Bea 1:50am June 17, 2009)
Clint Eastwood found out that in order to get movies made from scripts he liked he would have to start his own production company. I'm a Clint Eastwood fan because he figured out a way to make the movies he thinks are worth making. I'm not a big fan of his personal life, but I'm sure I don't know everything. There are usually two sides to every story, and sometimes more than that.
(Cindy Rankin 12:26pm June 17, 2009)
I just saw Gran Torino & loved it. I never met an Eastwood film I didn't like!
I love on-line crossword & jigsaw puzzles too.
(Karen Haas 1:10pm June 18, 2009)
I love this cover Tina
(Pat Wood 11:14pm June 18, 2009)
Great cover! I haven't read "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" in years. I'll definitely have to pull it out, and thanks for the tip on "Gran Torino." I'm not the biggest Eastwood fan, so I might have missed it.
(Michelle St. James 11:42am June 19, 2009)
I can't resist the lure of a complicated
puzzle, much like I can't put down a
good book.
(Sue Ahn 7:49pm June 20, 2009)
Puzzles can be puzzling!
(Kim Wetmore 3:00pm June 22, 2009)
It IS hard to wait for the next book in a series! Lately, a few of my favorite authors have published back-to-back books in a series, and that has been a treat!
(Cheryl Castings 9:36pm June 23, 2009)
Patience and sequels don't always go together,especially if you don't know how many books there are in a series.Even if there are a set number of books you have to worry about spoilers from reviewers or friends. I have tried not to read books in a trilogy,etc where I know the next book hasn't been published yet only to have people discussing plot points.I would rather read a book and remember it until the sequel comes out than know a plot point that I then search for in the book.
(Lorna Thomas 12:29pm June 25, 2009)
Love puzzles of any sort! That and books!
(Joanne Reynolds 7:07am June 25, 2009)
LOVE the book cover..LOL
(Marjana Kaly 11:37pm June 25, 2009)
Hi Tina! So love that cover and won't be missing that story! Love your books! My mom used to have a small table set up with a puzzle on it. I would always see her go and work on it each day in the evening and I joined in and it became a tradition for us to do! I've since did a couple myself and did the background gluing to put them in a frame! I miss doing one, I have to soon!
(Cathie Morton 10:14pm June 28, 2009)
I grew up doing jigsaw puzzles with my mother and sister. I still like them now and then. And I love to read. My books are starting to stack up all over the spare bedroom and my bookcases are full....need more bookcases!!!
(Ruby Davis 11:17pm June 28, 2009)
My dining room table is frequently unavailable becaues the current puzzle is covering it. Luckily my husband is patient with me.
(Sharon Mitchell 4:02pm June 30, 2009)
Wow - thinking back to all the great days of constructing puzzles. Tina - You have brought back many memories!!
(Steve Ellis 10:58pm June 30, 2009)
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