June 2004 Issue
The Internet Writing JournalISSN No. 1095-3973
Volume 8, Issue 3.
In This Issue:
A Conversation With Robert NewcombHe left a successful career in the auto business in upstate New York and moved to southern Florida and, at the urging of his wife, tried his hand at writing a fantasy novel. His first manuscript started a major bidding war and eventually sold to Random House for the largest advance ever given to a first-time fantasy author in a three book deal. The Fifth Sorceress (Del Rey) began a compelling fantasy series which continues in The Gates of Dawn, and the newest release, The Scrolls of The Ancients (Del Rey). Rob spoke with us about his new book, his move from the business world to the publishing world, and the controversy that surrounds his female villains.
A Conversation With Mariah Stewart
She has written stories on legal pads and stashed them away ever since she was a little girl. But until a good friend read one of her stories and suggested that she get it published, it had never occurred to her to do so. Writing on her lunch hour and during the endless waiting for her kids' soccer practices to end, Mariah finished a full-length novel, which was immediately published by Pocket Books. Now, numerous awards and rave reviews later, she has moved to the mainstream with her latest book, a gripping serial killer thriller entitled Dead Wrong (Ballantine). Mariah spoke to us about Dead Wrong, the first book of three to be released this summer, what it's like to get inside the head of a serial killer, and the moment she first knew she was a writer.
Ironing While Watching TV
Alex likes acronyms, so here's a new one: the words Ironing While Watching TV or IWWTV. How can IWWTV teach you to tighten your writing and exposition skills? In his latest article, "Ironing While Watching TV," British novelist Alex Keegan explains as he analyzes the excellent writing craft of Julia Alvarez's short story, "Amor Divino."
A Giant Leap for Auslan Storytelling
Auslan or the Australian Language for the Deaf is an important resource for the deaf. But finding children's books that are produced in Auslan is difficult. Bestselling Australian children's author Hazel Edwards' story, Where Did My Birthday Leap To, is a photographic book that the Victorian College of the Deaf thought would be perfect for Auslan. So Hazel agreed to have her book launch at the College of Deaf. Hazel talks about the unusual book launch in her article, "A Giant Leap for Auslan Storytelling."
Perseverance: The Key to the Doors of Success, Part I
Talent is simply a pre-disposition -- a potential that you have. But it takes more than talent to make it in the music business. Nationally syndicated radio talk show host, songwriter and CEO of CQK Music & Records Mary Dawson explains how perseverance can make the difference between mediocrity and success in the first article in a two part series, "Perseverance: The Key to the Doors of Success, Part I."
How to Parent Your Book: Six Rules for Writers
Writers often use the metaphor that writing a book is like giving birth. In truth, writing a book is more like raising a child: both require endurance, intuition, and patience -- and that difficult, delicate balance of focused attention and letting go. Tarn Wilson shares six principles that apply equally to good parenting and good writing in her article, "How to Parent Your Book: Six Rules for Writers."
Book Reviews
Children's Books
Albert the Bear by Nick Butterworth (HarperCollins)
Critter Love by Kate Spohn (HarperFestival)
A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett (HarperCollins)
Moses: The Long Road to Freedom by Ann Keay Beneduce, Illustrations by Gennady Spirin (Orchard Books)
Sleeping Beauty by Retold by Adele Geras, Illustrations by Christian Birmingham (Orchard Books)
Tales From Shakespeare by Tina Packer (Scholastic)
Computer Books
Sell it on eBay by Jim Heid, Toby Malina (Peachpit Press)
Macromedia Flash MX 2004 ActionScript by Derek Franklin, Jobe Makar (Macromedia Press)
Macromedia Flash MX 2004 Killer Tips by Shane Elliott (New Riders)
Fantasy/SF
Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul (Water Brook)
Mystic Warrior by Tracy and Laura Hickman (Warner Books)
The Scrolls of the Ancients by Robert Newcomb (Del Rey)
Sign of the Qin by L.G. Bass (Hyperion)
General Fiction
Riding Lessons by Sara Gruen (HarperTorch)
Mystery/Thriller
Beautiful Ghosts by Elliot Pattison (St. Martin's Minotaur)
The Enemy by Lee Child (Bantam)
Nonfiction
The Great Influenza by John M. Barry (Viking)
Ten Days to D-Day by David Stafford (Little, Brown)
Romance and Women's Fiction
Day of Fire by Kathleen Nance (Love Spell)
Dead Wrong by Mariah Stewart (Ballantine)
Unleashed by C.J. Barry (Leisure Books)
Writing
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel by Tom Monteleone (Alpha Books)
The Interviewer's Handbook by John Brady (The Writer Books)
LifeWriting by Fred D. White, Ph.D. (Quill Driver Books)
When Good People Write Bad Sentences by Robert W. Harris (Griffin Books)
The Writer's Mentor by Jan Jackman (Random House)
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