Book & Writing Festivals

Well, kiddies, I'm back and flappin' free. For a little update...My mom is doing great now! *Whew* She's scared the hell out of us, but she's back up to speed and back to work now. She definitely seems happier for it all too, despite the scare. Thanks so much to everyone who sent well-wishing and thoughts; we truly appreciate it. Now on to some other things. I've decided that since this site is suuposed to have something to do with writing, books, or the weird ramblings of a writer that I should put something on here again pertaining to one of those items....So here goes... January 2009 Writing/Book Festivals BookMania! - Stuart, FL - January - 772-221-1403 - email: mclsprogram@martin.fl.us Cowboy Poetry Gathering - January-February - Elko, NV - 775-738-7508 - www.westernfolklife.org Eleventh Moon Storytelling Festival - Natchez, MS - January - 601-446-6502 Kearney Storytelling Festival - Kearney, NE - January - 308-468-6476 - www.nebraskastoryarts.org/kearney_festival.html Key West Literary Seminar - Key West, FL - January - 888-293-9291 - http://keywestliteraryseminar.org Winter Storytelling Festival - Kennesaw, GA - January-February - 404-329-9950 - email: sosmailcmt@aol.com ZORA! Festival - Eatonville, FL - January (last weekend) - 407-647-3307 - www.zoranealehurstonfestival.com I'll add the February events once I get a completed list of those together, too. It's not a comprehensive list, and some of the places are a little distance from me, but I figure they're close to someone and there are more festivals than I was previously aware of. Just wanted to share those with you all. Also, I'm going to start including what I'm currently reading, what's up next to read, and what I have planned for near future reading. So here are the initials: CR (currently reading), UN (up next), and NFR (near future reading), so you're down with the lingo, daddy-o! CR: Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark and Stranger She Knew by ? (can't remember off the top of my head and it's at home) UN: (nothing at this time until after the first of the year) NFR: (haven't gone through my new pile of books received for Solstice this year yet) Well, that's it for now. I am officially back from the land of the dead (technologically and socially speaking) and back in full swing. Looking forward to 2009's rewards and pleasures, failures and frustrations, and I wish you all a year filled with warmth, caring, a smidge of disappoint to balance it all out, and - most of all - books, books, and more books!!!! :) B.B. Walter

Mother Not Doing Well

As a few of you know, my mom had gall bladder surgery last Thursday. Despite finding a few more things wrong while they were in there (that they went ahead and fixed), she appeared to be doing ok. Friday we had quite the scare when she couldn't keep her oxygen levels up but was out of danger by Sunday. They even talked about releasing her today on Sunday. Monday night, however, she began having trouble with her breathing again and complaining of chest pain. They have moved her to the Heart Wing at Union Hospital in Terre Haute. My sister is with her now, and I will be heading that way as well to spend time with her. Mainly, I wanted to stop in here and let everyone know how she was doing since I don't have time to call everyone and keep them posted. I appreciate all the well wishing and prayers and thoughts that have been coming our way, and I know my mother does as well. Thank you! I will make sure I try to stop in here and leave a few notes to her well-being from time to time.

Bad Week

Ever have one of those ridiculously downer weeks? I am currently riding one.

Unfortunately, my grandmother's long-time boyfriend, Dewey, passed away this weekend. Dewey had been battling colon cancer for sometime, had undergone radiation treatments, but hadn't outlasted the terrible disease. My grandmother and Dewey were long-time friends and began seeing each other after my grandfather's death and Dewey's wife death some years ago. While Dewey couldn't replace my gradnfather, he was a grandfather in his own way to all of us. Quick with a smile and chuckle, he will be sorely missed by the entire Brown clan!

Ontop of that, I'm stressed because my mom is going in for surgery this Thursday. Nothing too terribly serious, but they are having to completely open her up. She needs to have her gallbladder removed and to have a growth lanced off of one of her kidneys.

Jeez!

On a good note, I've started my Long Ridge Writer's Group courses. For those who are unfamiliar with this - Long Ridge is a by-mail writing class that strengths writer's in areas of non-fiction and fiction for magazine and short story publication. They are heavily accredited through the Better Business Bureau and have been in operation for some years. Many writers have completed the 2 year course (you can complete it earlier, depending on how fast you get to your assignments). You are paired with a published writer as your mentor who goes over each assignment with you step-by-step. I encourage you to check out their website http://www.longridgewritersgroup.com/ or you can Google them.

Well, that it about it for now. I do have a book signing coming up for Sister Light at Waldenbooks at the Cross conty Mall in Mattoon, Illinois this Saturday, October 18, 2008. I will be there from 12-3 pm. There will be free books given away, a trivia contest, and you can be entered into a free giveaway for tons of gifts from me!

Look forward to seeing anyone who can make it...Until then - tah-tah!

B.B. Walter

Things Most Commonly Asked by Non-Writers

Okay, since this blog is supposed to revolve around writing and all the things that go with it, I thought I'd actually write something on...(hold your hat!) writing! (TA-DA!)

No seriously.

I get asked lots of things by people when I'm out and about, or when they find out that I write. I've decided today, Dear Reader, to go over those few items I get asked mostly commonly...And i know every other writer gets asked these, too, because I've been there when people have asked other writers these same questions.

Question #1 - Where do you come up with this stuff?

Answer - Well, hopefully, this comment is because they think my stuff is so fantastic they can't fathom the depths of creativity my mind can muster...and I hope it's not meant in the "Oh my god! What is this crap?" You know. Every writer is different in how they come up with ideas. I've met tons that see inspiration everywhere around them (playing with their kids, a scene playing out in real life on the neighborhood street, or a beautiful sight that inspires them to no end). I'm different in that most of my ideas come from my dreams. I have some really fantastic dreams that I jot down in a notebook or on the laptop as soon as I possible can after waking. (To my husband's dismay, I sometimes jot these down in the middle of the night, then go back to bed.) The idea rarely stays the same as the original dream (i.e. my inspiration for my fantasy novel Sister Light was only a one line blurb "Beware the Child with the pale blue eyes" scratched out in my notebook and posted to a large bulletin board for future use). The dream always unfolds into something else, however, for me. Once I have a chance to sit down and let the words trickle from my fingertips, the story begans to mold and shape, forming a backbone of its own that I can build the skeletal structure around. (I don't flesh out until after the first draft is completed.)

Question #2 - How can you work on multiple stories at once? Isn't it hard to concentrate?

Answer - Actually, a lot of writers ask me this same thing, so it's not just a non-writer question. My answer is always the same. Simple: I'm a multi-tasker, first. And second? I don't write the stories; they write me!

I'm one of those people who can start multiple ideas at one time. I work on them as long as they demand my attention, and then they are tucked away until I choose to pick them up and really focus on the story.

As in (currently) I have seven storylines started, but I'm only focusing on four of them. There are five more storylines that have been squirreled away for another day, and I have at least ten projects that have stalled on the tracks (so to speak) and will probably be pulled out of the drawer (or my folder on my desktop labeled "Tidbits") and reworked and revised later on.

My other saving grace, other than being a multi-tasker, is that I'm dedicated and decent with time management (only as far as my writing...anything else in life and I'm a train wreck, just ask my family). I know how much time I need to spend writing to dedicate a fair share to each project, and I sit down and just do it. Period. Truthfully, I don't have any more time then anyone else does, but writing feels good, gives something to people, and is what I seriously want to do with the rest of my life. 'Course the money from royalties and the possibility of becoming rich and famous are big motivating factors too!

Question #3 - Why do you write?

Answer - Well, I touched on this briefly a moment ago. Every writer has different reasons for writing. Mine is simple - IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.

I can't imagine not writing. I've been doing it since I was a child (those are interesting stories to re-read for sheer humility factor), and it's become second nature. Writing has always been a great outlet for me (emotionally, etc.). Also, it makes me feel good when someone reads what I wrote and likes it, telling me about it later. (Of course it makes me feel crummy when they don't like it, but -hey!- whatcha gon' do?)

Also, I'm not going to lie. Writing is successful for many people. You can get rich and famous being a writer. Rich and famous appeals to me. Some people grow up wanting to be rockstars; I grew up wanting to be Stephen King. Writing is also a means to an ends for me; I want to be successful at something I love to do, stay at home and not have to report to a timeclock every morning; customize my work schedule to better fit with my life; and spend time with my head in the clouds...I want to be a writer.

Okay, so those are the three top questions I get asked as a writer from non-writers. For all the writers who do read my blog each day, what are the questions you get asked most frequently? If you're a non-writer and read my blog, feel free to ask me any questions you are burning to know the answers to. My life is an open book, not just my work!

Been Slacking

Ok, I've been a little remiss in getting on here and writing something every so often. I'll admit, most of it has been shear laziness...Some of it, however, has been a fairly hectic schedule. This time of year is so incredibly busy for me - book signings are picking back up, family events are taking place, and I've also started this writing course which is just getting underway. Everything combined has made things crazy. So, just to let everyone know, I'm not dead...just dead on my feet! *laugh* I promise I will be more diligent with my updates from now on. So don't shut me yet...I'm new at this blogging thing, and it's one more new thing to figure out how to add into my schedule. Never fear...I'm a multi-tasker extreme. But for tonight...good night and sweet dreams...I'm off to the land of fantasy and make-believe; Book Two and Three are still needing some work, as well as the plethura of other stories demanding a little TLC from me. Good night from B.B. Walter

A Quick Note

Just a little note to let everyone know I'm not dead. :) I fell a bit behind on things last week and since internet is not primary concern and writing is I slacked on blogging and doing updates. So, here is a quick overview from last week: Item #1 - B.B. Walter was the undisputable heavy-weight champion against Mysterious Illness. The battle was fierce but B.B. hung in there to pull out an A-Maz-Ing! recovery to triumph over the nasty foe. The bell dinged and it was B.B. 1 - Mysterious Illness -0! (And the crowd goes wild..........) Item #2 - Since I had that epic combat with sickiness last week, I've fallen a bit behind on all things: internet updates, email checking, reviews, and writing. So, please be patient. I have a system for getting caught up, but it will take time. I promise all is important to me and I multi-task well! :) Item #3 - Publically appeared at the Tri-State Book Expo Evansville, Indiana, at the Washington Square Mall. There were more than sixty authors signed, and more than fifty that attended the event on Saturday, September 27, 2008. The event was all day from 9-4 where people could meet local and not-so-local authors and we could talk with the public as well. A few good friends attended with me - Molly Daniels, P.M. Russell, and Bernice Camp. And I was pleasantly surprised to make a few more good friends while there - Jay Zimmer (Dry Terror), Tracey Barrett (Anna of the Byzantium), and quite a few more too many to list out. It really was a great event, and I enjoyed the day despite the lack of significant sales. Item #4 - Tracey Barrett was kind enough to pass on information about another book signing conglomeration in the Nashville, TN area on October 11 & 12. I will not be able to attend, but do have the information if anyone would like to know a little more about it. Item #5 - I have an event coming up fairly soon at the Waldenbooks in Mattoon, Illinois, at Cross County Mall. There is more information listed on my website under the Book Schedule section, and I will get some information to follow on my blog soon about events and links. Ok, I think that about does it for now for me...plus, I'm only on the fifteen minute break work affords me, so I need to keep it short for now. Just a quick note to let all know that I'm neither dead or lost in the Bermuda Triangle. :) Promise I'll be caught up with everything soon. B.B. Walter www.bbwalter.com

Just a Little Something

Hey all! Just wanted to pop on today and say a little something since I'll be out for the weekend and probably won't get a chance.

I'm headed down home tonight to pick up my talented and beautiful niece Ashlae. I'm bringing her up for the weekend so she can sing at the Mattoon, Illinois Relay for Life. She'll be on stage performing from 7:30-8 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2008 at Peterson Park in Mattoon. I'm a hugely active member in the Relay, and last year I noticed a lot of local singers/performing up on stage during the Relay, so I asked if it was possible for Ash to perform. They thought it was a great idea, and I know how much she loves singing in front of new people. So it all worked out great for everyone - Ash gets new people to hear her sing, I get to show off my gorgeous, talented niece, and the Relay gets another performer to draw people's attention and get them involved in raising money to find a cure.

It also means that I get to chill out with my niece for the weekend, which will be cool. It'll be a good kick-back and watch movies, talk about her school and stuff (and I know she'll grill me on my latest writing projects), and have fun.

Since we're doing the Relay, I'm not going to bring my nephew R.J. up with me this time. Normally I get them both. But there will be a lot of time spent just walking the track at the park, and I think he'd be really really bored. So it'll just be the girls this weekend. I'll have to make it a point to go back down sometime soon and bring him up for a fun weekend with Aunt Billie, too.

Anyway, so that's the extent of my weekend plans (and my explanation for not blogging much over the weekend. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

B.B. Walter

http://www.bbwalter.com/