Aloha Hawaii...hello Pacific Northwest...

Monday, May 25, 2009


Aloha Fireflies and friends---
It's that time again. I'm packing up the Hawaii vacation, folding and washing clothes, rinsing off snorkel gear, and...you guessed it, trying to figure out which of the pile of books I sent over to read, and didn't get to, should be put in my suitcase to come home. One of the best things about living in Hawaii for part of the year is the TBR pile. At home, I have trouble getting to everything I want to read. The books just pile up and pile up and pile up. But here, it seems that every few days I'm reaching for something new. What's better than sitting on the beach, reading? Unfortunately, just like at a great restaurant, my eyes are bigger than my stomach. I literally send over dozens and dozens of books, and even with my best intentions, I only get to a portion of them. Now I have to decide: which ones are calling to me so loudly that I'll carry them back over the Pacific, and which will I leave here for the next trip? It is a tough call, especially because once I go home, I have to work. That's right...work. And reading for pleasure will be just that much more difficult. I'll be researching the new novel (assuming I come up with an idea for the next novel), and copyediting the novel for 2010, and writing reading guide questions for the trade backlist publications of older novels that will be happening this summer.


Sounds like writing is a real job, doesn't it? Don't let all that fool you. It's still the best time a girl can have, and any complaints are not only a waste of time, they're flat out wrong. Obviously, writing is the perfect career for a gal who might forget toothpaste when she travels, but never has less than a full size suitcase full of novels.


Honestly, on this trip, I have had a great time reading, as most of you already know. I have really really loved As It Was Written, a debut novel, Skylight Confessions by Alice Hoffman, as well as the Harlan Coben and Michael Connelly. I also adored Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman, but there will be more about that later. I've loved a YA book called Graceling, and read Jodi Picoult's Change of Heart, which I really couldn't put down. I also love Jill Landis's new book, The Accidental lawman, which is out any day. I know she's one of my best friends, but she has such a lovely, lovely voice. Several books, of course, didn't live up to expectations, and I won't mention those. I will say that I've got a copy of Jacquelyn Mitchard's newest, and I can't WAIT to dig in. Maybe on the plane...


Kim tells me that we've gotten several entries on the super top secret blog-reading firefly only gift card contest and that I need to define it a little more so everyone understands what i'm thinking. I'll definitely do that on Wednesday or Thursday when i'm home, but until then, keep entering. I can't wait to give some lucky winner a gift card to use at a spa...at a bookstore...at a movie theater. (PS: Saw Terminator: Salvation. Am I the only geek girl to go on opening weekend?) Any opinions?


I don't have time with all this packing to go over all the shows I watch. American Idol...shocking! Prison Break finale...wonderful! Dancing with the Stars...cool! Lost...mind blowing! But I'll open that discussion when I get home, too. until then, does anyone else have anything that they want to share about all of our show finales?


Okay, friends. Picture me closing my suitcase and turning off my computer. Soon I'll be heading to the airport and beginning the long process of going home. I'll let you all know when I land safely and we can start talking again. Until then, my thoughts are with you all...


Aloha,

Kristin

40 Comments:

Blogger princessapr said...

Hm, don't remember if I entered the contest. Oh, well.

I didn't see Terminator, but I did see Star Trek and Wolverine opening weekends. My sister and I also went to see Night at the Museum 2. LOVED Star Trek. The others were ok.

I read Beach Music by Pat Conroy for bookclub. I want something lighter, but I haven't figured out what. I'm curious about Change of Heart after your review, but as I said, lighter and that definitely will not be. Still, Jodi Piccoult's are always thought-provoking. For now, I'm carrying around J.R. Ward's latest.

A little belated, but with my promotion last November, I got a bigger cube space. I have a window now. It's very exciting except I have to move completely tomorrow so I have a busy day.

OK, updating my blog and then to bed. Have a good week, Fireflies!

May 25, 2009 at 11:07 PM  
Blogger Leen said...

Hey Kristin,

Had to leave a small comment on this blog post too. If only to wish you a safe trip home. Or travelling from your home away from home to your other home, at least. Which is what I do all the time when I travel between Canada and Belgium.

Quick couple of other remarks... I guess I'll hear later this week whether I should enter the contest, cuz I'm not sure if it was meant for international fireflies too and I don't want to appear too greedy. Even though I have lots of ideas on how to pamper myself with a gift card.

Is writing a real job? People over here tell us teachers all the time that we have sooo much time off and so many other privileges that we don't really seem to have a genuine job either, so I'm the first to appreciate somebody else's work efforts since mine are so often not appreciated. I'm the one who brings zillions of things she doesn't even need, though, so I'll probably have some extra toothpaste for the writer in the company if I'm travelling in group. Heck, if we ever meet at that airport, I'll remind you of your promise to do a quick autograph session for me, Kristin, and in return I'll reward you with my extra tube of toothpaste. lol.

Finally... Terminator? Ok, that's so not me! I'm not a SF person at all, so you won't see me watching this anytime soon. Doesn't really fit the image of this romance novel writer I had in my mind either, but I guess everybody has their frivolities, so you're allowed to yours too. Heck, my secret extravagancy is eating beef tongue in tomato sauce, which is probably just as bad... ;)

Love,
Leen

May 26, 2009 at 4:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just wanted to tell you that I read Firefly Lane over Memorial Day weekend and it changed my life. It was one of the best books I have ever read. I loved it and Kate was such an amazing character! Thank you for writing such a wonderful book. It truly touched my heart.

Sincerely,
Misty

May 26, 2009 at 8:06 PM  
Blogger CC said...

Kristin,
My name is Christen Hanna - kind of funny, eh? I too, am a writer. Well, a writer by night, it is not paying any bills.

For the past year I've been working on a novel. Like your story, it's, in a sense, a gift for my mother. She was an elementary school librarian and shared with me her passion for reading. I've always wanted to give her a novel I wrote that she could put in the shelves of her library, if only her home library.

There are so many days when I get frustrated with my abilities as a writer and feel like my story will never be good enough. On those blue days, I come to your website. I say to myself outloud, "Kristin Hannah can do it, Christen Hanna can do it". I know, totally cheesey, eh?

However, I remember watching an Oprah show once and a woman in the audience, a lady down on her luck, told Oprah how at a charity show she had purchased a pair shoes Oprah had once worn for $30. When the lady was feeling down and out about herself, she would stand in Oprah's shoes and they would literally make her feel stronger and prompt her to move forward again with her head held high.

I guess I feel that way about your website, your story, your books and the commonality of our name. I find strength in my writing again when I visit.

I hope you don't mind me sharing this with you.

P.S. Because I believe in the power of positive thinking...I'm well aware that when my first novel is published I'm going to have to take a pen name so there is no confusion between us! ha ha!

May 26, 2009 at 11:38 PM  
Anonymous Lynn said...

Packing for a trip...it is a challenge. I am usually so busy checking and double checking that my sons and hubby have what they need that I arrive at the destination and discover I have no underwear for myself in the suitcase! Typical mom, I guess. That's okay...my recent mantra has been "if I forget something, I can pick it up when we get there." Once I put that in my head, it eases the stress and I remember more.

We have a beach vacation coming up in June and I will bring WAY too many books!

I'd be interested in knowing what everyone's thoughts are on the Kindle or other electronic reader. Although it would allow one to travel light, for me it is also about the texture and feel of the book in my hands. I like the cover; I like the smell of a brand new book and I like the feel of an old, widely read and passed around book.

May 27, 2009 at 11:12 AM  
Blogger Gypsy said...

Kristin,
I picked up your book a few weeks ago while wandering around B&N. The attraction? The setting. I was raised in Seattle and although a few years older than Tully and Kate, I also visited all the places you mentioned. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

You mentioned in your 'notes' section that you related more to Kate and had difficulty with the character of Tully. I wanted to let you know that I am more Tully (without the wealth and celebrity) than Kate and you hit her right on! Now that I have seen my life in print...

I LOVED your book and will be looking to pick up more titles. I have been a Jodi fan for years and have recommended her to my teen readers (I am a teacher); now I will also be recommending YOU.

Thanks for such a memorable read.

Cheryl

May 27, 2009 at 4:45 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear April--

I know how you feel about wanting to read a lighter book. That's one of the best things about reading--you can always find one to match your mood. Unfortunately, I've been reading so many debut novels for quotes lately that I haven't had much of a chance to just wander around the bookstore and find what looks good. For a "light" read, I'd recommend the new trade edition of Susan Phillips' Heaven, Texas, if you haven't read it. And although I haven't read Emily Giffin, I have long wanted to. Maybe her new book would hit the spot?

I am a HUGE fan of Pat conroy, and there was a lot about Beach Music that I absolutely loved, but of course, I still think that Prince of Tides is one of the best pieces of fiction ever written.

Let us know what you find!

I totally agree with you about Terminator, btw. It was a good movie, but not great. Perhaps I brought too much to the table, though, being a geek girl who has waited twenty years to "meet" John Conner. (I still count Terminator as one of the best romances ever).

aloha,
K

May 27, 2009 at 9:16 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Leen---

Okay, I was all ready to answer, and then I read: BEEF TONGUE. EWWWWWWW. I am way, way too unsophisticated to even think about that. It's right up there with what the Survivors eat on "bug" day on the tv show. :)

And boy, do I know what you mean about people thinking you don't have a REAL job. (Although, honestly, anyone who thinks that teaching isn't a real job needs some serious therapy, since it's one of the most important jobs on the planet). When my son was in school, I used to get calls once a week from other mothers who wanted to know if I could do extra carpool or...(fill in the blank)...since I didn't have to be at work. The worst part was that I almost always said yes.

Definitely enter the contest. It's open to all fireflies. No matter where they live. I'll just have to make sure that an international recipient can use the card. (this goes for you, too, sharon--enter!).

aloha,
K

May 27, 2009 at 9:21 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Misty---

Thanks so much for joining the blog conversation. I know I speak for the fireflies, when I say welcome! And thanks for your kind words about the novel. It was really special to write, and I'm always thrilled to hear that it has touched readers. Are you, by any chance, a child of the seventies? A Pacific Northwester?

aloha,
kristin

May 27, 2009 at 9:23 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Christen--

What a lovely, lovely letter! Thanks so very much. I am absolutely thrilled to be a role model for you. Writing is such a difficult, solitary thing, and yes, it's difficult sometimes to think that you can really do it. There are always plenty of people standing by, ready to tell you that you're not talented enough, lucky enough, good enough, ambitious enough--whatever. But you have to shut all of that out. It's like every dream, whether it's a promotion, a second chance, or anything. You have to light your own flame and hold it close to your body, protecting it with your hand. Here's my advice: believe in yourself and work had. It's an unbeatable combination. And taking writing as seriously as any other job or education. Study. Practice. All around you, you will find women who have succeeded against seemingly impossible odds. Make up your mind to be one of them and don't take no for an answer.

And stick around with us fireflies. We're a fun group!

aloha and good luck,
Kristin

May 27, 2009 at 9:28 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Lynn---

Boy, do I know about packing for the whole family! How is it that we women ending up being responsible for everyone's suitcases? Obviously, we all made an error in judgment sometime...

As to the kindle, I would love to hear from people on that issue, also. I have heard from several people that they love their kindles, and I wish I'd taken one to Africia because books where scarce. Although, I have to say, it was also cool to read whatever was lying around. I ended up reading several authors--Kate Morton and Ann Packer come to mind--that I might not have picked up otherwise.

aloha,
k

May 27, 2009 at 9:31 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Cheryl--

Welcome!! Where in Seattle were you raised, and when? I have to say that one of the best parts of the book was wandering around in the dusty attic of my memories. Every time something new came up, I would smile, whether it was the Last Exit on Brooklyn (coffeehouse, no longer there), or the Lake Hills Roller rink (oooh I wanted my folks to let me go more often), or the old punk rock clubs downtown. I went to high schools in Issaquah, Snohomish, and Port Angeles, so I moved around a bit.

Thanks for the comments on Tully. Honestly, I always surprised by readers who don't like Tully. I loved her. I know she made tough calls, and she was sometimes insensitive with marah, but in my eyes, it was always done with a bood heart. I also blamed Kate often for not creating boundaries. Also, I really empathized with Tully's background. I don't think we can overestimate the trauma that parental neglect can cause.

So thanks for liking her, too!

aloha,
K

May 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM  
Blogger Gypsy said...

Kristin,

I grew up in the Lake City area and graduated high school in '69. Too many years ago and not an altogether good experience =D I started my 'climb up the corporate ladder' in lieu of college but things happen and now I teach high school. At least I get the opportunity to do it 'right' this time around.

Although my parents never physically abandoned me, the emotional abondonment played out similarly to Tully. Personally, I would like to see how her life eventually turns out. It could take on some interesting dimensions. And, Cloud? Maybe she was suffering from her own abandonment issues and took solace on the dark side?

May 27, 2009 at 10:45 PM  
Anonymous Kelly said...

Oh Mrs. Hannah!

My name is Kelly and I had absolutely no idea what sort of addiction I was getting into until I read "True Colors." I finished that book in 2 days it was sooo good. Then I read "Distant Shores" and I fell in deeper love with your novels. I'm getting ready to start Firefly Lane soon.

I am going to school at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo, Co for a Major in Creative Writing with a Minor in Professional Writing. I hope to write my own books or create my own magazine one day but are there any tips you can give me on starting out with writing? I try to write everyday when thoughts come to me. I've been thinking of combining them all into one book. I aslo read as much as I can and I plan on reading all of your books before the summer is out. =)

Anyway, you inspired me a great deal. I never used to be a big reader but I love your style so much. Thank you for sharing your work and talent with the world darling. You're wonderful!

Kelly

May 28, 2009 at 2:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just finished Firefly last night and I was crying out loud by the end, what a book, would make an awesome movie, up there with Steel Manolia's and Forrest Gump! Was my first book of your I read I plan to read more!

May 28, 2009 at 11:29 AM  
Anonymous Lois said...

Aloha Kristin,

It must be so sad packing and leaving Hawaii. But then you are going home to the Pacific Northwest. The books are always one of the most important if not the most important thing to take on a trip.

I just finished reading Loving Frank by Nancy Horan (what an emotional story) and starting American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld. Next on my list is Between Sisters. I like the Jodi Picoult books, too.

The good and the bad of the Kindle or other electronic readers. It does allow one to travel light and you can download tons of books. I also like the texture and feel of the book in my hands, the cover (I like to be able to see the cover of what others are reading), a brand new book. I like the trade paperback rather than the mass market paperback. I like when you finish the story and you close the book and think what a story.

American Idol was a surprise and it wasn't because of the rumors of all the younger girls texting for Kris and the Danny fans choosing Kris. Enjoyed all of Adam's performances. Each week couldn't wait to see what he would do next.

Dancing with the Stars was cool.
Thought Gil and Cheryl would win, but that's okay.

Have a safe trip home,
Lois

May 28, 2009 at 9:21 PM  
Blogger Lindsey said...

Hey Guys!
Kristen,
I just wanted to tell you that I think its awesome that you write back to us!

The book I chose was "The Things We Do For Love" I will eventually read them all tho!
Just wanted to tell you how great you were!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

June 2, 2009 at 2:37 PM  
Blogger princessapr said...

I actually chose to read Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher which is a paranormal. I loved Shannon K. Butcher's debut trilogy. This one is pretty good.

Of COURSE, I've read Heaven, Texas although strangely that's not the book that hooked me. I actually loved It Had to Be You. I've really enjoyed the later books a lot, too. My husband did read Heaven, Texas though. He's read that, Bewitching and Dreaming and a Linda Lael Miller book.

I do agree that The Prince of Tides was great. It had a good mixture of everything. At times, I thought Beach Music was a little too much. It left me exhausted.

Must tackle my TBR pile. It's huge!

June 3, 2009 at 10:52 PM  
Anonymous donna said...

Hi Kristen - Just had to write to tell you that I just loved True Colors. It is so compelling you just can't put it down. I treated myself on Saturday morning to 2 1/2 hours of not moving - just reading - I had to finish. It is amazing that you didn't actually grow up with horses as your description of the farm and horses really take the reader deeply into the setting. So just want you to know you have done a great job and looking forward to more books.
Kind regards,
Donna

June 4, 2009 at 3:04 PM  
Anonymous Anna said...

Dear Kristin,

I just finished reading Firefly Lane and really, really enjoyed it. I appreciated that it was about my generation – the “tweener” generation that gets lost between the Boomers and the Gen Xers. We don’t really fit either category and thus are not acknowledged. We were the generation of women who often had to choose between career and family, not completely fulfilled with either, and you illustrated that so well in your book.

It was fun, too, remembering the music and the clothes. I was born in 1961. The first album I purchased was “Band on the Run” and the first concert I attended was “Chicago and the Beach Boys” (remember “Color My World?”). My girlfriends and I read Tiger Beat magazine religiously in grade school and had crushes on David Cassidy, Michael Jackson and Donny Osmond. At one “bunking party” (that’s what we called them then), we kept the clock-radio on all night long and I think they must have played “I Think I Love You” every fifteen minutes, at which point we would crank it up, sing every word and dance around in our toe socks. Do you remember “Clackers?” Two large marble-like balls on opposite ends of a string that we knocked together until too many eyes got put out and they were banned. Wildly different entertainment from the helmet-and-knee pad clad kids of today. Earth shoes? Of course. Painter’s pants, Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, ankle-spraining platform heels, and “smock tops” that were oh-so-cool in junior high for about a half a second. I also remember the brief craze of Tartan plaid skirts with a huge diaper pin, which we wore with navy knee socks and saddle oxfords. I wore a Gunny Sax dress to my junior prom. In high school, one of my best friends would sit me down in the bathroom and spend hours cutting and taming my impossibly frizzy hair into a perfectly feathered Farrah Fawcett. Top it off with some Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers and Love’s Baby Soft perfume and we were ready to cruise the DQ parking lot. Occasionally we would pull a chunk of hair on one side into a ponytail, like Chrissy from Three’s Company. The 80’s? Forget it. We are probably personally responsible for the hole in the ozone from all the aerosol hairspray we used to poof out our hair.

The fun part about finding this book now is that this summer is my 30th high school reunion. I recently reconnected via facebook with my “Farrah” friend, whom I haven’t seen or talked to since 1984. She is now coming to visit me at the beach in a couple of weeks. We haven’t even talked on the phone yet. We just reconnected and she booked the flight. I guarantee when she gets off the plane the first thing she will say is, “What’s going on with your hair?” or “That’s a cute top, but it would look so much better on me.” To which, like Elton John, I will reply “Ahhhh, The Bitch is Back.”

Thanks for taking us “children of the 70’s” down memory lane.

June 4, 2009 at 3:13 PM  
Blogger Linda said...

Hi Kristin!
Maybe this time I will get the post where I wanted it to be instead of several days before!

I am re-listening to Firefly Lane. I am on Chapter 8 now, and you know what is really cool? It is almost like I haven't heard it before now. I am hearing things now that I either missed the first time or that slipped my mind since I listened to it when it first came out in early 2008. It is still a phenomenal read!

My favorite NEW book is the latest out by Lisa Scottoline! I swear, Kristin, she has never written a better book than this one! I have listened to it from the library, loaned it out to my mom to listen to it, and now have decided that I must have a copy of my own to listen to again and again. This book rates up there with Firefly Lane and quite a few of your books. I love her Rosatto Law Firm series, but this one is SO far from her normal, and it is about children and moms and adoptions and what would YOU do IF?

I would strongly suggest that you get that and read it. It will jump to the front of the line as one of the best reads for 2009!

I think that I have entered your contest, but if you don't have an entry for me, please enter me now if it isn't too late. Thanks!

I hope to hear from you soon!
Linda

June 8, 2009 at 9:46 PM  
Blogger Linda said...

Oh! I also meant to mention that Tully has a namesake, we hope! We are working on getting a brand new calico kitten, and I have dubbed her with a working name of Talullah Rose.. ;) Tully for short! She just has that personality, and I think it will fit her just great! The name just kind of rolls of your tongue, you know?

Thanks for being the inspiration behind that name. :)
Linda

June 9, 2009 at 10:01 AM  
Anonymous Lisa - TX Firefly said...

Kristin, Kim .......... hello ??? =)

June 11, 2009 at 1:21 PM  
Blogger Kimberly Fisk said...

LOL, Lisa!! You are so right--where oh where is Kristin?!?! You know me, I LOVE to bug her when she gets behind on her blog. LOVE to bug her. :) But this time I'm letting her be--for just a few more days. I'm probably telling tales out of school but right now Kristin is copy editing her 2010 book. And what a book it is!!! I know, it is so unfair of me to say anything but just trust me: the wait for this book will be MORE THAN worth it. And if Kristin hasn't surfaced by next week--I'll be reminding her (none-too-gently) that us Fireflies are getting a little lonely here. :)
Kim

June 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM  
Anonymous Lisa - TX Firefly said...

Thanks for the quick entry! We will let her edit in peace since we benefit from her hard work =)

What about you - - tell us about your first book and when we can expect to read it?

June 11, 2009 at 5:03 PM  
Blogger Linda said...

And so it begins..The dangling of the bait.. The teasers, the contests, and the tiny little excerpts from the next novel coming out. Hmmmm.. GAWD!! That is SUCH a LONG way away! I think that I whined about this last year before True Colors came out. :)

I still want a sequel to Magic Hour, and now I have decided that I want to see what happens to Tully and the rest of the crew after the end of Firefly. So we need a sequel to FFL too.

Yeah, I know. .Kristin doesn't write series or trilogies, but again I say she really needs to consider it for these blockbuster meaty novels she has written in the last few years.

I am still listening to FFL, on chapter 18 now..and every time I think I know what Tully or Kate will say next, it changes. Hmmmm, I think that Kristin rewrote this book so that on the 2nd play through, the whole book changes, LOLOL!! No, I know.. I haven't listened to it in over a year now, and things are like new again when I am listening this time. Which really makes the mark of an excellent book, IMHO.

I know that I could go back and listen to any of the audiobooks that I have that are written by Kristin, and it will be like I haven't heard them before. I think that Magic Hour will be next. I just love a novel that I can either read or listen to over and over and get something new out of it each time!

Hurry back Kristin! We wanna hear the news about your new book! Inquiring minds wanna know!

June 11, 2009 at 9:16 PM  
Anonymous Dona said...

Just finished firefly lane..Have to say i skipped the middle just because I wanted to get to the ending... I went from college to being sick.. Then I back tracked.. I so wanted to get though it but not miss a thing.. It was keeping me from my bookstore.. check it out some time.. Two homes sounds so cool... I have been reading you for years just never contacted you before..
thanks for all the enjoyment.
Dona at http://readerwave.com

June 12, 2009 at 7:24 AM  
Blogger Kimberly Fisk said...

Linda, you are so right--it was horribly unfair of me to drop any hint. The wait is long enough. :) But I have to admit, the older I get the faster the months are flying by--so I expect 2010 to be here before we know it. And I've also been bugging Kristin about some type of spinoff for MH. I really want George's story!! I've never read Lisa Scottoline; I'll have to make sure and check out her newest release. Is it a hardcover or paperback?

Yep, Lisa, we'll let Kristin work in peace for just a tiny bit longer. Then she MUST come visit with us on the blog. It's just no fun without her!! :) As to my book, it will be released in January--oddly enough, I'm doing the same thing as Kristin right now--copyediting. My first time and boy oh boy what a learning curve!! :)

Has anyone else watched the new show on the USA Network: Royal Pains. The hubby, kids and I watched it. I think it has potential to be a good show for the whole family (not an easy thing to find these days).
~Kim

June 14, 2009 at 3:52 AM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Cheryl--

Lake City, huh? that was definitely part of our "cruising grounds" at the UW when I was in college. Several of my friends had apartments up there. And thanks for your thoughts on Tully and cloud. As I've said before, it's the only book I really want to write a sequel to, and your ideas run very parallel to mine. The problem is that it would have to be a perfect story that explains everything and brings Tully to her knees so she can really change. When I find that story, I'll let you all know.

aloha,
k

June 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Kelly---

Welcome to the firefly blog! We have several college students among us and I find that fascinating. When I was college, I had hardly any time to read. :) for fun, that is.

I'm glad you loved True colors. It was a really fun and challenging book to write. I have to say that I fell in love with Noah and Oyster Shores myself. As to advice for becoming a writer, you've already taken care of half of the challenge--that's taking the time to study other writers and learn about craft and story and characters. You can learn a remarkable amount by reading/studying great writers. The next important part is to begin. The great thing about writing a novel is that it's never too early or too late to start. The trick is to start, and then to write consistently. It's a job that requires steadiness and ambition to write and dedication. Don't do it in fits and starts, don't start projects and throw them away; make a commitment and begin and then steadily work toward your goal of a finished novel.

Good luck!

aloha,
k

June 14, 2009 at 12:23 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Lois--

Thanks for your thoughts on the kindle. I think I'm going to break down and buy one soon for traveling, but I have to say, I just love the feel of a book in my hands. I love hardcovers best, really. The weight, the feel, the smell, the paper. I love it all. Of course I only like the price if its a really good book. :)

What did you think of AMerican Wife? I've almost bought that book a dozen times.

aloha,
K

June 14, 2009 at 12:26 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear April---

Wow! You must have a romantic husband! Lucky you---

aloha,
k

June 14, 2009 at 12:27 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Donna--

I'm so glad you liked True colors. Thanks so much. and actually, I did grow up around horses. I got my first horse--a half Arabian named Silver Birch--when I was 12 years old. That little gray mare and I were inseparable for a lot of years. Until I graduated from high school, actually. I was in 4-h, just like True colors and showed my horse at the fair and all of that. I didn't rodeo much, but I was definitely a horse chick. so was my mom. Some of my best childhood memories are of my mom and I at horse shows.

And Lindsey--thanks for commenting again. :) I'm glad you got some good reading suggestions from the fireflies.

aloha,
K

June 14, 2009 at 12:31 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Anna---

I am laughing like crazy. Yep, you remember all of it, too! Smock tops--how did I forget that in Firefly??? And of course, I had the Farrah also, which devolved into the sausage curl that hung alongside my face and was particularly unattractive. :)

Like you, I think we children of the seventies are sometimes lost between the Xers and the Boomers. We don't fit in either group, really. Maybe we can be defined more by who our idols were--Cassidy, Sherman, Davy Jones, Donny Osmond. That's a big part of why I wrote FL. I wanted to talk about we women who were raised to run IBM and then realized that we were also supposed to be uber moms. Anyway, I'm glad the book was a trip down memory lane for you, too. Have a GREAT time at your reunion.

Pop rocks forever.

aloha,
k

June 14, 2009 at 12:35 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Linda H---

That's really cool that FL seems like a whole new book to you. I often find that when I see a movie for a second time, I discover whole new layers that I missed the first time. It's nice to know that my books have that same ability to surprise a second time.

And thanks for the Scottoline suggestion. I've read several of her novels--and you all know how much I love thrillers--so I'll give this new one a try.

aloha,
K

ps: I'm honored that you'd name your kitten Tully---I tried to name our white German shephard puppy Lestat, but my son wouldn't let me. :)

June 14, 2009 at 12:39 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Kim---

Thanks so much for stepping in for me--and Lisa, thanks for wondering where I was. Of course, Kim is busy doing her OWN copy editing right now, so she gets extra points for answering.

I'll post a new blog asap. I promise...

aloha,
K

June 14, 2009 at 12:42 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Dona---

Thanks for the kind words and welcome to the fireflies! Keep in touch--

aloha,
K

June 14, 2009 at 12:53 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Dear Kim---

What is Royal pains??? I've never even heard of it? And you know I'm looking for new shows now that everything is off for the summer...

How's your copyedit going?
aloha,
K

June 14, 2009 at 12:55 PM  
Blogger lmcap said...

Kristen,

I randomly picked up Firefly Lane when browsing through B&N. I had no idea when I picked up the book how much of an affect it would have on me. I cried and cried through the end of the book and brought it with me to read in the car while my boyfriend did errands. Everyone in the CVS parking lot must have thought I was insane because there I was - a young woman in the passenger seat of a car with her nose in a book and a pile of tissues around her crying her eyes out for the love and the loss of the wonderful characters that you created. I felt myself in them, felt like I knew them, and loved them. Thank you so much for writing characters that touched me so deeply and for putting on paper a love between these girls and women, the truth of friendship and a story about the kind of friends we should all aspire to be for the women in our lives.

I loved your book and already have three people who I've easily talked into reading it through a renewed set of tears each time I described your book to them. I'll be picking up some of your other books tomorrow. Firefly Lane was wonderful - thank you.

June 27, 2009 at 10:40 PM  
Anonymous Lois said...

Dear Kristin,

Yes, I enjoyed American Wife and Curtis Sittenfeld's writing style. One mistake was to read before starting that it was based upon Laura Bush. Therefore the characters of Alice and Charlie became Laura and George Bush, which at times was not appealing.

I went to the bookstore to get “Between Sisters”. They didn’t have it. I got “on mystic lake” and I will be starting soon.

Lois

July 4, 2009 at 11:32 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home