Lets Start the New Year with a Thank You.

I am going to start my blog a bit differently, with an explantion and a request.

I'm not sure how you feel about the way modern people love to tear each other apart, but I hate it. From reality shows to talk shows to the comment sections on different sites. Cruel remarks just fly everywhere. Why? I have heard that it was because it is a tough time and the Internet is anonymous, is this the reason? No, people have become more and more mean spirited in the last 10 years. So what is it?

I am not talking about constructive criticism, I mean calling people names and saying nasty things about peoples abilities that really have nothing to do with what they saw or read. Is the only way to build up your self esteem is to drag others down. I think we are better then this. I think we should grow up and stop acting like a lot of spoiled children in the sandbox fighting over a toy. I believe that deep down people are good. When we have a natural disaster it comes out, so why not a financial one?

I guess what I am saying is, that since it is the holidays, and we are looking at a new year around the corner, lets try to be nice to each other. Instead of writing a resolution to lose weight, why don't we write one to be kind.

So lets start now. I want to thank everyone who reads my blogs, stories, articles and books. I want to thank everyone I have met through these blogs and have become friends with and that are now a part of my life. I want to thank everyone who left a kind comment and made me feel like I am doing something good and helpful in the world.

Thank you.


Now back to my normal writing blog:)

I wrote an article that seems to be a bit more controversial then I meant it to be. It is about my reaction to everyone thinking it is easy to be a writer. The above note was because I got some wonderful reaction, some constructive criticism and some down right mean notes. The last really hurt, so I decided to express myself again here to tell you why. Here it is, let me know what you think but keep it constructive; http://workingwritersandbloggers.com/2011/11/23/everyone%e2%80%99s-a-writer/ .

The new issue of my e-magazine Sherri's Jewel Box is out. This issue is very important to me because I finally got my Mom to contribute to it. She has made jewels for years, they are beautiful and unique. The issue is full of beautiful engagement rings and an article that designer Lisa Lichty called Tying the Knot. It is a fun and special issue, here is the link; https://sites.google.com/site/sherrisjewelbox/home/cover-page .

A very cool thing is that my book is now on Kindle at Amazon at a great low price of 1.50.

http://www.amazon.com/Fantasy-Time-Inc-ebook/dp/B006BFWSNA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1322182434&sr=1-1

Last but not least is my cute and silly little Xena story. It was inspired by the Rachel Zoe show. It is a pure tribute to both Rachel and Xena. I love them both so it is pure love. http://www.academyofbards.org/fanfic/r/ri_rescueinzoess.html .

Here is an interview with teen and young adult writer Martin King;


What was the first book you remember loving? Do you still own it?

Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. Yes, I still have it. I have just taken it of the shelf. I bought it when I was in year five at school (about 7) and it cost 0.45p in English money.

What kind of books do you like to read? Do those books have an affect on your own writing?

I love reading teen/young adult. It is hard to say because I have a million of my stories to tell and I've developed my own style.

Do you remember what is the first book that touched you deeply?

I'd be lying if I did.


Where do you like to write? is there a favorite nook or corner?


I just go upstairs and sit in my office. The views of the window are pretty incredible so it is perfect really.

Do you prefer one genre to another?


To write or read? I love fantasy. Anything where someone stumbles across another world.


Do you like the feel of a book in your hands or do you prefer an electronic devises?


I think electronic is brilliant for so many reasons, but you still can't beat the feel of a book. And would I be able to pull an electronic book off the shelf I've had for forty years and have the same affection... I can't see it to be honest.


Can you tell us about what your working on now?


I'm just finishing off a book called The Bully Hunters. It is a really quirky story that one could best describe as a sort of Roald Dahl type story. It is where bully's end up...whoops! I think I've told you too much already.

Thank you Martin, your new story sounds interesting I can't wait to read it :)


Till Next Time.

More Events Galore!!

Well, I am really excited to tell you about several up coming events for me. I have been working very hard and I am gratified that I am seeing some good results.

The first event is a meet up I am having to learn about your life story and how to produce it. I am so excited to meet people and help them bring their life to other people. The date of the Meet up will be very soon, I will let you all know as soon as it is set in stone. I really hope to see you all there:)

Before that on line I am having another of my Virtual Events, I will discuss all the exciting new developments and my new book. The new one is really different, so come join us on Friday to hear all the great new information. Here is the link; http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=189840741083902 .

Exciting news about a reading that I am going to join on line. The event is call A Live Reading. The one I will be on is September 18th. I will be reading with three other writers and the whole reading will take a couple of hours. Your going to have a couple of choices you can listen on your phone or watch it on your computer. Kind of cool, huh? We can all do it in the comfort of our homes, and my little kitty Xena is very happy I won't be leaving her that day:)

There is a new article I wrote for Working Writer called Why Should you Stick To One Medium.

Here is the Link, tell me what you think; http://workingwritersandbloggers.com/2011/08/10/why-should-you-just-stick-to-one-medium/ .


I would like to welcome my newest writer to my Interview Series; Annette Jahnel. She is here to chat about writing and her novels; My Year of Beds and Andi Micki and the Men of Mallorca. So lets give her a warm welcome:)

What was the first book you remember loving? Do you still own it?

It was an antique, cloth bound copy of Grimm's fairytales. Yes, I still own it, but in wanting to read the stories to my daughter, I discovered that those original German fairytales were anything but pleasant. As example, the original version of Cinderella involves the bloody business of chopped off toes and heels. The prince only noticing that the shoe was forced to fit the ugly sisters when he noticed the blood welling from it. And so all the stories go. How time change. I wonder that I liked the book at all. Perhaps it was rather the act of being allowed to sit on fathers or mothers knee while they read to me that holds the appeal, and the illustrations are very beautiful.

What kind of books do you like to read? Do those books have an affect on your own writing?

My reading habits have changed over the years. But if I am to find a thread, the books that appeal to me always deal with discovery. From the Adventure Series of Enid Blyton or her Wishing Chair series, I wanted a chair like that, one that would take me to far away places. I got myself a Wish Mobile instead. I read all of the James Michener's books in my teens.

Now I read books that explore the mind, and the possibilities that are contained in our expanding knowledge; Quantum physics, Philosophy, and my favorite light reads are books that seem to delve into the absurd, but managed to expose the simple truths of life. Tom Robbins and Douglas Adams are two of my favorite authors for light yet deeply thought provoking reads.

I think everything we experience in life affects how we think and express ourselves. Which is why my advise to my daughter has always been; be careful what you allow into your mind, once its in there you can never get it out.

Do you remember what is the first book that touched you deeply?

So many books, so many moments. No, I cannot say that I do, although Dr Seuss and his mad world of strange creatures, bent trees and twisted language is making a serious play for my attention right now.

Is there an era of writing that affects you? 1920, 1800's so fourth?

No, although I do like really fat books, I hate getting to the end of a really good book. There is a little death right there in the last full stop.

One of my favorite books is a monster called A Terrible Beauty. I have read it three times, and will probably read it several times more. In this modern age of limited attention span, the fat book does seem to be a dying breed. Fat is bad...even for books.

Where do you like to write? Is there a favorite nook or corner?

I am nomadic by nature so I don't have a favorite nook or corners. i do have the great good fortune of having friends with cottages tucked away in exotic corners of the world.

Do you prefer one genre' to another?

No, I will read just about anything. Life is a quest for knowledge, and, as we learnt from the movie Men in Black, knowledge can be found in the most unlikely places.

Do you like the feel of a book in your hands or do you prefer an electronic device?

I don't yet own an electronic reader so have no way of judging. I imagine that in time there will be no choice. I do know that for the digital native (those people born into the digital age) the question is moot. They read electronically... is there any other way?

Can you tell us about what your working on now?

I am just about to embark on a countrywide talk tour through South Africa, promoting my book, My Year of Beds. In the background I am doing spade work for my next book, Andi Micki and the Men of Mallorca. It promises love, lust, travel and general youthful misadventure.

Thank you so much Annette, it was a really good interview! Your answers filled my mind with more questions, maybe we could have another chat sometime. Please go to Annette's website athttp://www.ajahnel.com/ .

Till next time:)

Action at Last!

Well I had a lot happen in the last few weeks. My co-op ad appeared in the new Boston Review. The ad is a full page ad on the last page of the new issue. My book is in the second row in the center. Maybe because I was looking for it, my eyes went right to it but I thought it stood out against the rest. Let me know what you think, if you see it.

A new article I wrote is now up in Working Writer. The name of the article is called Write What You Love. Here is the link; http://workingwritersandbloggers.com/2011/05/20/write-what-you-love/ . It is a subject that I have discovered that I am passionate about. I really believe now that you have to follow your passion.


This is a very special article I wrote that was just published today in SelfGrowth.com. Its called A Stolen Letter led to a Lifetime Together . http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/a-stolen-letter-led-to-lifetime-together . Its about how my Mom and Dad met. Its romantic, sweet and I think touching. I know I am a bit biased; so you be the judge and let me know.

I also have an ad in Valley Scene Newspaper. Here is the link for the ad; http://www.jejprint.com/valleyscene/#/18/ . It is kind of cool because my ad is right next to a great pic of Kirk Douglas in Spartacus, which is a great film and there is my little ad. Really cool!


Please welcome one the kindest and most approachable people its been my pleasure to meet in show business. He is Writer/ Producer Steven L. Sears. His list of credits is to long to put here but he wrote for many wonderful T.V. series and I met him through the wonderful world of Xena. So please give a warm welcome to Steven Sears...






What was the first piece you ever wrote?



First thing you're going to learn about me is that I'm nuanced. I rarely have simple answers. For example, first thing I ever remember writing in a performance context? Or first thing I wrote in a screenplay format? Or first thing I wrote that I was paid for? See What I mean?

So, one at a time. The first thing I remember writing was a short sketch for a Sunday School event. Honestly, I think I was about five and I wrote a skit about a man who wanted to make a gold cross for God but couldn't afford the gold, so he had to make it out of gold, silver, tin or whatever he had available. He was ashamed to give it to God but when God saw it, he loved it because it was so different and came from the heart. Hey I was five.

My next memory was less noble. It was in seventh grade and I wrote a skit for a Talent Show that involved a really bad computer date (how bad? I played the girl).

So fast forward to the beginnings of my career. I didn't start out writing full scripts. In fact, I had no intention of actually being a writer. I was an actor and I was doing auditions around town. Instead of doing the same scenes from the same plays/movies that everyone knew. I decided to start writing my own three minute audition scenes. Keep in mind, this was for auditions, not to get a job as a writer.

A little while later, I started writing TV scripts purely for the fun of it. The first one of those was a BENSON script. Again, just for the fun of it, no one paid me, it wasn't a part of the series. I still had no intention of being a writer.

I met another guy at the restaurant I was working at(I mentioned I was an actor) named Burt Pearl. He and I decided, purely for the fun of it, to start writing scripts. Through a series of events(which I won't bore you with here), Burt and I managed to get a meeting with the producers of a series called RIPTIDE. Off that meeting, we were given an assignment to write a script. That RIPTIDE script was called THE CURSE OF THE MARY ABERDEEN. That one started my professional career as a writer.

After that, the only other thing of note was the first time I was paid to write a script on my own (Burt and I were a team, but we separated later). That was an A-TEAM script called FAMILY REUNION.

What kind of books do you like to read? Do those books have an affect on your own writing today?

I enjoy reading a wide variety of books. Unfortunately because of my schedule, and the fact that I am also a writer, it becomes hard to read long fiction books. So a lot of my reading is non-fiction. I'm a fact and knowledge junkie. Science, history, trivia, etc. I can pick those books up, read a bit, and put them down to come back to them later. They are quick bits, not long involved stories.

When I am reading novels, they tend to be full biographies, historic drama, sci-fi, horror, fantasy, comedy, psychology/sociology books and so on. For example, right now I'm reading William Goldman's THE PRINCESS BRIDE and Jeff Shaara's World War II novel THE FINAL STORM. I love anything by William Goldman and Jeff Shaara. I also have two Zombie short story anthologies, one Apocalypse anthology and five history magazines sitting on my bedstand and in my iPad.

Do they have an effect on what I write today? Everything in my life affects how I write. Always has, always will.

Of all your work what is your personal favorite?

Ah, the second thing you will learn about me. I don't have "favorites". I'm not wired that way. The eclectic nature of my mind and my fancy doesn't allow for favorites. It's like asking which is your favorite child. If you love them all, it's hard to answer unless you get really really specific. The first script for RIPTIDE will always be a favorite because it was the first. The first script I wrote for Xena (DREAMWORKER) will always be a favorite because it set up major arcs for Gabrielle's character. The first screenplay I ever sold, HARRY O'FELL (not produced) is a favorite because it was my first screenplay and was optioned for a pilot. So, you see "favorite" isn't a word that applies to me.

Do you have a favorite character that you created?

heh heh, you can imagine what this answer will be. Yes. And no. They are all characters I invested a part of myself in so they are all special for different reasons.

What is your favorite character from another writer?

Woo hoo! I'm really not trying to avoid your questions, believe me, this happens a lot. Many of the questions I get are of the "favorite" kind and it frustrates people because I can't answer the question. I've loved all sorts of characters and remember a lot of them. Honestly, if I didn't like the character, odds are I didn't read much of the work and forgot about it. Here're some names that register: The Hardy Boys, Brains Benton, Jupiter Jones, and most of the heroes of the books in my childhood. But there have been many more characters that I have enjoyed whose names elude me at the moment.

Do you prefer one genre to another?

My preferences change with time. I've always enjoyed science fiction because, when well written, they create questions in the reader's mind. The golden age of sci-fi was fantastic with that, usually putting a spin in the last page that made you think. I've enjoyed zombie stories for the longest time because zombies are just zombies, but the real stories deal with the psychological effect the living dead have on the living. Historical dramas, when well written, are always attractive me. David McCullough writes some exceptional books on history. His book on John Adams was wonderful! Jeff Shaara writes books based around real historical characters in real events, dramatizing only the details. He (and his father before him) write wonderfully immersive stories.

Do you like the feel of a book in your hands or do you prefer an electronic devise?

Interesting question. I had one of the first electronic books. It was an RCA device and if I didn't have a dog lying on my lap as I type this, I could turn around and grab it from my bookcase. It was a gift from a girlfriend's family back in 1999. I loved it! Because I could carry a mini-library with me wherever I went. Keep in mind, my reading habits are eclectic and go back and forth, so instead of being stuck with one book or carrying several with me, I could travel with this one ebook and read them all. Today, I have an iPad with my kindle on it as well as on my android phone and I enjoy those for the same reason. The iPad gives me the additional luxury of being able to download scripts onto it to take with me wherever I go.

Now do I love the feel of a book in my hand? No, not especially. Don't hate it, but it doesn't call to me as a literary purist. What I like is having books on bookshelves; something about that calls to the child in me where I dreamed of being able to have my own "library". The books I really DO enjoy having are the autographed copies that I have. I have a few shelves of autographed books that I'm quite proud of. Somehow having an author sign my iPad just doesn't seem as satisfying or practical.

Can you tell us about what your working on now?

I haven't had a series on the air in almost a decade. After finishing my last series (SHEENA)I was so burned out as I had been working non-stop for a couple of decades. So I told my agent I wanted to do development for a while. The risk of that is of course, that you drop off the radar as far as working on series. I accepted that, I needed to. So I started developing and doing projects here and there. Fortunately I was paid for most of my development (many times you aren't), but I'm now itching to get back into things.

So, currently, aside from hawking myself to new and existing series, I just finished a multi-series pilot deal with Cookie Jar Entertainment (one of those pilot scripts is being taken out to the networks as we speak), I'm in discussions with Cookie Jar for another project right now. I'm doing consulting work with Artists, Inc. (an animation house, I wrote a short animated feature for them two years ago). I'm writing a spec pilot script titled SNAP right now (an edgy look at the world of the paparazzi) as well as a series about two women on a quest in a dangerous land. And so on so on and so on. It never stops. Then again, when it's a passion you never want it to end.



Wow! Great interview thank you so much Steven for taking the time to speak to us:)

If you would like to get in touch or ask me a question please tweet at @rithebard or email me at rithebard@yahoo.com.

Till next time...

Expectations

I have high expectations, I do admit it. I work very hard and want results from that work. I put in the labor and want it to work and want results. What I don't have is patience. I know that is something I really need to learn. I think that is one of my biggest lessons in life and I am trying to learn it. Not easy, I am modern woman and expect things to happen quickly.

Right now I am in the waiting mode again. It soooo hard. I think what I want to learn is to enjoy the process. This is one lesson I have never learned and I think that life is making me learn it right now. Enjoyment will take time, first I have to learn patience and that is what I am doing right now.

So I am waiting for my add to be published... I am working hard on the next draft of my new novel. I have new article that I sent to be published. Waiting, waiting, waiting...

I am also working on a big project right now, it is the biggest writing project I have ever taken on and I am working so hard on it. I am not ready to announce it yet but I am sooo excited about it. Waiting, waiting, waiting...

I am happy to bring up the second half of my interview with Vada Foster.

Do you prefer one genre to another?

I tend to shy away from supernatural and sci-fi because I am too lazy to learn all the necessary names and descriptions. Other than that, pretty much anything. I am an avid reader with close to 1,200 books in my collection, so clearly I like a wide variety of genres.

Do you like the feel of a book in your hands or do you prefer electronic devices?

In my heart, there is no substitute for a book in my hand, but I do have an e-book and I tend to go back and forth from one to the other. I love the fact that with a hundred or more stories on the e-book, I never run out of things to read. I have been known to read two books on a flight to Europe, and it is a pain to have to haul all that in your carry-on. An e-book is a must on the plane!

Can you tell us about what your working on now?

I have not been seriously working on anything for sometime. I have several story ideas I have worked on but not so much lately. Anybody have any great suggestions for what to do about writers block? I'm all ears!

Thank you Vada, for answering my questions, I think everyone enjoyed hearing from you.

Please email me with any questions at rithebard@yahoo.com or tweet me at @rithebard.

Exciting News

I have exciting news my book is going to be in a co-op add in the Boston Review! Isn't that cool? My little book will be in a national magazine. I am so excited about that. People who never go on the Internet will see the add and maybe buy my book. So exciting!

I also have two articles that I wrote that came out this week. One is in SelfGrowth.Com. Its about the most important person in my life. Which is all about my Dad and how important to my life he is and always will be. http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/most-important-person-in-my-life .

The second article I did was for Working Writer. It is all about Fan Fiction and how important it is to me. Fan Fiction is such an important part of my life not only for my writing but also because of all the friendships I have made. Fan Fiction not only gives you a chance to write and get feed back, but you also get to meet wonderful people that you may never have met otherwise. http://workingwritersandbloggers.com/2011/04/07/finding-an-audience/ .

I also finished the first draft of one of the novels that I am working on. So I can tell you that the winner of my book race is my historical drama. The title of my book will be Full Circle. Its a continuation of a famous 19th century story. I loved the book but it had an open ending. That drives me a bit crazy so I decided to write an ending for myself. When I talked about it with fellow fans of the novelist, they said I should continue on with the story. So I did and now it is ready for the second stage of putting it into the computer, because I write all of my stories long hand first. So I am really happy that I finished one of my three book ideas. Yeah!!!

Now for my interview I am breaking it up into two parts. Vada Foster is a talented writer who wrote one of my favorite novels, Josie & Rebecca; The Western Chronicles. http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9781933113388-0

What was the first book you remember loving? Do you still own it?

As far as lesbian novels go, the first ones I loved were Ann Bannon's Beebo, I Am a Woman, and Vin Packer's Spring Fire. These were given to me by a friend when I was still very young and I read them until I was afraid the pages would fall out. And yes, I still have them. Tattered, but treasured.

What kind of books do you like to read? Do those books have an affect on your own writing?

My tastes have changed over the years. I used to read anything I could get my hands on because there was so little available out there you had to take what you could find. lately I tend toward adventures/romance novels. And I guess they do, because both of my published novels were adventure/romance. I enjoy writing it as well as reading it.

Do you have a favorite character that you created?

I like Colleen from The Sea Captain and the Lady because she had the courage of her convictions and a beautiful spirit.

What is your favorite character from another writer?

The lead character in Ruby Fruit Jungle I absolutely loved, but can't lay my hands on the book to tell you her name. I remember laughing out loud when I read that book and that doesn't happen very often.

That's the end of part one, next blog will have part two and more news and updates.

If you would like to email me at rithebard@yahoo.com or send me a twitter @rithebard I would love to hear from you:)