Second Virtual Event

I'm having my second virtual event this weekend that I hope all of you can attend. It's Saturday Feb 26, 2011 at 3p PST. Be there or be square(that was pretty darn square; huh?)

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000918054745#!/event.php?eid=198412646853060

I am working on a new book, yep another concept. This one is non fiction, It's about me. I hope it's interesting. I got the idea because of my birthday. I hit the big 50 this year. Let me tell you this was the toughest birthday ever. I was thinking about my life and all the interesting people I have met. Not to mention the interesting things that have happened to me. So I decided to write about it.

So at my virtual event I will be discussing that and my next fiction book. I finally decided, even though I am further along on my historical drama I am going to do my young person adventure story. It is actually a very personal story. I was always the new kid, we moved so much. So my launching point is being the new kid in a new town, in a new school and feeling left out. Of course she meets someone who is much more different. Remember folks its a science fiction story so there is a huge twist to it.

I am working on participating in the LA Festival of Books but I have to find some other writers to go in with. The price is really high and I can't afford it but if I share a booth I will be able to do it so I am working very hard to find out about sharing. If anyone has any thoughts please, please let me know.

The interview I was going to do this time fell through so last week was my last one. I really enjoyed that. So If I meet up with another writer who wants to share I will let you know.

Till next time;

Sherri

please tweet me at @rithebard.

virtual event part 3

I really wish my event was as glamorous as the pic above but I created this for myself on the E website and I couldn't resist sharing it with you all:) My event was fun. I had my reading and it went really well and I think that some people were interested in buying my book. I really hope to get another one really soon. I want to thank the people who came to cheer me on. I really appreciated it.

My next event is a new Virtual Event and you can picture me dressed like I am above since it is virtual. It will be at 3p on Saturday Feb. 26, 2011. I will talk about my event and my new book that I am working on. I have some other projects that are upcoming that I would love to share with you. I am so excited to do new things to connect with you and tell you what I am up too. If you would like to check out my books here are the links;http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/product.aspx?r=1&ISBN=143275811X

http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?store=BOOK&WRD=murder+inc+by+ri&box=murder%20inc%20by%20ri&pos=-1&ugrp=1

I am introducing a new movie blog. Those of you that know me are really aware that I love movies. I am very passionate about it and I hope you will read the new blog. Here is the link; http://rismovieblog.blogspot.com/ Please check it out and tell me what you think at;rithebard@yahoo.com or tweet me at @rithebard.

Here is my new interview with my good friend Lady J. She is a fellow bard and fan fiction writer and she has been gracious to answer my questions to help our fellow writers. So everyone welcome Lady J!

What is the best inspiration you ever had for a story?

I'd have to say my own life, such as it is. My life, in more then one instance has been compared to life in a concentration camp. Keeping that in mind, I have always had a very full fantasy life. This fantasy life mixed with the good, the bad and the ugly of real life has given birth to the wonderful tales that I have spun.

Is the best motivation for a character love or hate? Are heroes or villains more fun to write?

This is a tough question. My characters are a labor of love. Each character springs from parts of who I am and/or who I have always wanted to be. Sounds rather conceited but I personally believe that we all have so many layers of personality that the well of characters would never run dry.

Villains are more fun to write. Why may ask? Because as the heroes are part of myself so my villains are patterned after those persons who have brought pain and evil into my life. I'm a firm believer in Karma, but the one thing about karma is that she works in secret. With use of my pen... or keyboard...I can give these evil doers their just desserts and revel in their demise. In a story I can exact the justice I felt I was denied in life.

Do you use the same process for writing every time or does it vary?

I don't think I have a particular process per say. Usually what happens is I will have a scene that runs through my head over and over again I finally write it down. Or something will inspire me and I will start to write. Mostly I follow when my muse calls.

What is your favorite character that you wrote yourself? What is your favorite character from another writer?

Ummmm....that's a toughy, but I think the favorite character I have written is Becca in Spring Break. She's sassy, flirty, beautiful and brilliant. Things that I feel I am not. She is just fun to write. My muse is taking her to places that i never thought were possible.

I tend to love supporting characters more than the leads in stories. My favorite character is Tommy-the bumbling druggy shooter from the story Fate. I love him because he feels real. He's sad, pathetic and lovable at the same time.

Do you write in one style or several? Do you prefer one genre to another?

I write in several styles. My stories have never lent themselves to one particular style. I would have to say my favorite style is simple first person. First person, to me, feels like you are sitting in front of a fire telling a story to a good friend. It's the most comfortable style for me. I seem to write more romance then I ever thought I would. Is it my favorite? I enjoy writing romance but I'm really more into mysteries. I am currently starting to write crime and mystery. I hope it will turn out as well received as the romance has been. Of course the humor that sprinkles most of my stories will be infused into what ever I write. There is nothing better than making people laugh. Even better when you can laugh at yourself while making others smile.

Yeah! Events Galore!

Well its been a bit of dry spell but the virtual event was fun and I am going to have another one in February to celebrate my Birthday. Its the big 50, (I just made a sound my cat would recognize, a whimper.) So I want to have a big party with all my fans celebrating my life and writing. This event will be about both my books and fan fiction writing. So come with all your questions and I will be happy to answer them for you. I am still working on a date so I will get back to you on the date and time.







I am going to participate at an event at the Borders in Sherman Oaks. It's an open mike nite where writers read there works, I will be reading a selection of Fantasy Time Inc. If your in Los Angeles on Jan. 8. 2011 at 730pm please come and see me if you can.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=189307661083946#!/events/create.php?eid=189307661083946






My new interview is with writer Braddon Mendelson and about his children's book,
He is an old friend and has written an adorable book called;
Have You Seen the Tickle Bug?



1. What is the best inspiration you ever had for a story?

I can't identify anything external that stimulates my creativity. At any given moment there are dozens of ideas rushing through my brain. Now most of them aren't very good, but suddenly one of them will come along and I'll think, "Wow! I have to write this." Nothing inspires me more than coming up with a good idea...



2. Is the best motivation for a character love or hate? Are heroes or villains more fun to write?

While love and hate can certainly motivate a character to action, I don't see them as being any better or worse than any other emotion in the palette of humanity. (i.e greed, lust, envy, revenge, psychosis, etc.)

I like characters who are heroes to some; villains to others.



3. Do you use the same process for writing every time or does it vary?

I often create notes in longhand before opening up the word processor. There's a different part of the brain invoked when using a pencil as opposed to a computer. It's especially helpful in writing comedy, when I'm searching for relationships between contemporary concepts, language and culture. The computer can sometimes be a barrier to free association.



4. What is your favorite character that you wrote yourself? What is your favorite character from another writer?

For the German sitcom I worked on, "Rita's World," there was a character called Schumann -- he was the manager of this grocery store in Cologne. On the outside, he was a rule-bound, insensitive disciplinarian, but inside, he really had a heart, and those scenes where it was exposed -- where I could peel off the icy facade and reveal his vulnerable side -- uncovered a wealth of humor and humanity. He was a fun character to write for.



5. Do you write in one style or several? Do you prefer one genre to another?

My first love is comedy, but I enjoy writing anything. I've written screenplays, press releases, poetry, short stories, internet satire, song lyrics, ad copy and a children's book entitled "Have you seen the Tickle Bug? (ISBN 1453669124), which is available from; http://www.amazon.com/dp/1453669124?tag=noisivision-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1453669124&adid=1WCQY4MYGHJ05HBRBR5P&
or your local bookstore.








Thanks Brad for the great interview, I'm sure our fellow writers will find enjoyable and informative.




Till next time;

Sherri

Just a reminder my book is available directly at the publisher site;
http://outskirtspress.com/webpage.php?ISBN=9781432758110

Virtual Event part 2

Well I had my Virtual Event and it went very well. I had some amazing people with amazing questions. Here is the link for a partial text of the event;


http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=129143120479934&id=162131603803045


It brought up questions and ideas that I wouldn't have thought of because they were a bit personal and outside of my comfort zone. I will most likely think about developing some of the ideas. They excited me:)





My new addition to my blog is an interview series with fellow writers. One of my favorite writers Melissa Good agreed to be my first interview. She wrote a series of books called The Tropical Storm Series. She came from Fan Fiction like I did and wrote two of my favorite characters Dar and Kerry.





With out further ado, here is Missy;





What is the best inspiration you ever had for a story?





The events surrounding 9/11.





Is the best motivation for a character love or hate?
Are heroes or villains more fun to write?





Love is far more powerful and devastating than hate and longer lasting. It's hard to hold on to fierce hate, but it's possible to never give up love in certain circumstances. So - really I would not say one or the other is better motivation but I think you have more fun writing from a position of love.





Do you use the same process for writing every time or does it vary?





I don't really have a process. I just start and see where it goes. So I guess it's always the same.





What is your favorite character that you wrote yourself?
What is your favorite character from another writer?





I don't know that I have a favorite personal character - I like a lot of them. I enjoy writing the main characters because they have unique viewpoints. For other authors - there are also a lot.


I enjoy science fiction mostly - probably Katherine Kurtz's Camber Macrorie is one of them and in the mystery realm I love Agatha Christie's Jane Marple.


(note from Sherri; I have to agree with Missy; love Jane Marple:)





Do you write in one style or several?
Do you prefer one genre to another?





I generally write pretty much in the same style - and I don't have a preference for genre in writing. It's more about the characters than the background really.





Thank you so much for being my first interview, it was great!





Now for my Know Your Creative Past this time a personal story of the star I would like to tell you about. It was in the 80's and I was a manager of candy store called Blum's. She was one of my regular customers and I knew who she was but was too shy to ask her. Then at Christmas time I asked her about her past. She told me all about her movies and answered all my questions and on the top of that gave me a huge order.





Her name was Virgina Mayo who was always one of my favorites. She was gracious, kind and funny. She told me all about Danny Kaye who I loved. I told her about the fact that my Dad could recite Danny Kaye songs with him. She loved it and told me to tell him that it was quite an achievement. She was a great lady:)

Till next time:)

Virtual Event

Well I have been working very hard to come up with a great event for my book and I finally have an announcement! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to have a virtual event, it will be a live chat. You can ask me anything you would like regarding my book Fantasy Time Inc. About the stories, the characters? What research I did? Anything you like. One lucky person will win a free autographed book. That person to be chosen on the night of the virtual event. So good luck:)

Kind of cool huh? It came to me while I was participating in a chat with the actors and writers from the show Sherlock. And the free book give away from the chat with the cast of Harry Potter this morning. I think it will be kind of fun and different.

You must be on Facebook, you don't have to be on my Friend list I just have to invite you into the chat. So let me know if you would like to participate either by comment on this blog or email at rithebard@yahoo.com. It will be on December 3, 2010 at 7 p.m. Here is the invite:)

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=171837859511546

So let me know and write all the questions down so you don't forget anything. I'm excited about it, I hope you will be too:)

I also want to tell you I had the honor to be interviewed by Fly High on her web page. It was really fun and it also has a book give away. The link is http://flyhigh-by-learnonline.blogspot.com/2010/11/author-interview-giveaway-sherri.html .

For my Know Your Creative Past this time I was inspired by a new show on TCM called Moguls and Movie Stars. So the star I am going to bring up worked in the silent screen era but she also worked in the talkies right up to the early 90's she died in 1993. She was an actress, a director and a writer. She did it all right after women finally won the right to vote. She worked for some of the greatest names in entertainment. D. W. Griffith to Peter Bogdanovich!

Her name was Lillian Gish, she was a beauty, a movie star and screen legend.

Till next time.

A Rough Week

Well, its been another rough week. I was sick this week so I couldn't run around to push for another site for my next signing. One of the stores I was trying to get is closing at the end of the year. I can't believe it! The Encino Barnes and Noble the one closest to me is closing to be replaced by a drug store. We have about 10 drugs stores in the area and if this one leaves,no book stores.

As someone who grew up with books, encouraged by my parents to read and find true joy and adventure in a book, its a tragedy. This is a loss to the city of Los Angles. Two stores owed by the same company closing because a landlord cares for more for money then anything else. Both stores are on property owned by the same landlord, and according to the people I talked to at the store that man tripled the rent for the strip malls that the stores are on. So to me it is greed that is closing two very much needed book stores.

Between the loss of the book stores and libraries how can we hope to increase the readers in this country? There is musical I love called 1776, The character of John Adams has song, "Is anybody there? Does anybody care? Does anyone see what I see?" In the musical, the song was for our country, but right now I am thinking about literacy. What is wrong with our country that no one seems to give a damn about learning? Knowledge? I don't know about you but it outrages me!!

Now to the winner of my book:) I hope you enjoy it. I know you as only R. I will need you to send me your proper name and address please so I can I send you an autographed copy of my book.

So the winning name for Know Your Creative Past is Dorothy Arzner! She was a great director from the 20's to the 40's. She directed some iconic movies and discovered some huge stars including Katherine Hepburn, Rosalind Russell and Lucille Ball. Some of my faves that I grew up loving and admiring. She was the first women to join the Directors Guild of America. She is on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Till next time:)

more brick walls

Sorry my blog is late this week but I was pretty sick this week so I just couldn't get myself together enough to write. I have been hitting one brick wall after another. The place I was going to have my next signing fell through. The place I was going to have book launch is having a major financial crisis so everything is on hold. Life just gets better huh?

I have been working on my new book. I really do like this one a lot. Its a young persons adventure story. It is from my own youth about a girl who moves a lot and is trying to figure out how to survive yet another move. It's really not as up front as that because it is a science fiction story as well. Its opening up really well but I have a ways to go on it.

I saw my hero J.K. Rowling on Oprah and I am just bowled over by her. She is such an amazing writer but she is also so down to earth. I like how honest and real she is. I also like how she kept throwing the questions back at Oprah. I really don't think I ever saw anyone do that before. They do have a lot in common, don't they? I taped it(blush).

For my contest for my book, I am very excited because I have several interesting nominations. You all have another week to get your nominations in. So come on everyone I will send you an autographed book to the winners. I will send post card with my book cover to everyone who sends in a nomination:)

My latest Know Our Creative Past campaign person is someone who just passed away. Love him, watched every movie he ever made. I actually got the chance to meet him and he was very kind and funny. He acted for many years, was in movies, had a TV series called McCoy. One of his idols was my first nominee Cary Grant.

When I checked with some of my younger friends they had no idea at all who he was. I mean none. (shaking head.)

Its Tony Curtis, he was an amazing one of kind actor and he will be missed.

Till next time.