Monday, December 3, 2018

“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” by Diane Bator



Visit Diane Bator's BWL author page for information and purchase links to her Gilda Wright and Wild Blue Mysteries series


I’m not afraid to say it. “A Christmas Story” is not one of my favorite holiday movies. Not even in the top ten. Yet, not only do I write, my day job is at a live-stage theatre and this Christmas our big show is “A Christmas Story.” Not only do I have to deal with it, I have to sell it.

For those of you unfamiliar with the story, our version is set in 1953 (the original was set in the 1930s) and is a flashback to nine-year-old Ralphie’s wish to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. The mantra of the play is “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” Nothing will stop him from making his parents, his teacher, and Santa aware of his obsession.

 Funny, I was just thinking how Ralphie would make a great writer! We’re all obsessed with our work.
Part of my job is to bring a taste of our current show down to my domain – the box office. This year, my little Christmas tree is covered in “A Christmas Story” themed decorations. Ten people have commented how great and creative it is, but there’s always that one…

One person found two of the items on my little tree offensive. A target with Ralphie and the words, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid” and a smaller one that reads, “I want an official Red Ryder BB Gun.”  At the time, I took them both off the tree because she’s a friend and was very adamant about them not being a part of my Christmas tree.

Then I reconsidered. I didn’t want to be censored and it made me think about how we are censored as writers. Not by society, per se, but by our own beta readers, friends, and family when they give us feedback about things they find offensive in our work.

If one person makes a comment about a certain part of my book, I’ll consider their opinion, but if it gets past my editor several times, I no longer worry about it. If several people make the same comment, then I know it’s a bigger issue. Sometimes I’ll panic and start to wonder if I’m writing in the wrong genre or need different beta readers! In the end, I’ll be able to smooth things over so they are acceptable, yet still get my idea across.

One thing I have learned through seven novels and several editors:  You can never make everyone happy. What I may find funny, someone else may take literally. We all have different perspectives. All you need to do is peruse Facebook to figure that out.

For the record, I’ve hung those little ornaments back on my tree and I’m looking forward to seeing the performance. Someone triple dog dared me…

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Under the Christmas Tree by J. S. Marlo


December is my favorite month of the year. I love the decorations, the lights, and mostly the atmosphere. It seems people are friendlier, more helpful. Despite the larger crowds, I enjoy shopping for that perfect gift that will light up someone's eyes.
When my kids were little, I followed my own rule of thumb when it came to Christmas gifts: a pajama, a puzzle, a toy, a stuffy, and a book. They were allowed to open one gift on Christmas Eve: the pajama, which they wore that night. Then on Christmas Day, they either started the book or the puzzle. They are grown up now, but that same rule of thumb now applies to my granddaughter. It wasn't something I'd read somewhere or that was passed down from generations, but then a few weeks back I saw that  post on Facebook.


My curiosity was piqued, so I browsed the Internet to see if I could find out more about this delightful Christmas tradition.
"Jólabókaflóð" or "Yule Book Flood" originated during World War II when foreign imports were restricted, but paper was cheap. Iceland’s population was not large enough to support a year-round publishing industry, so book publishers flooded the market with new titles in the final weeks of the year.

Icelanders open their presents on Christmas Eve, so most of them end the evening by settling down with one of their gifted books. According to Icelandic author Yrsa Sigurðardótti, books remain the number one Christmas present in Iceland and it’s considered a total flop Christmas if you do not get a book.

Fun & interesting facts:
- Iceland publishes more books per capita than any other country
- One in ten Icelanders will publish a book in their lifetime
- In Iceland, the holiday season officially kicks off with the delivery of the Bokatidindi—a catalogue of every new book published in Iceland
 - In 2011, Reykjavík (Iceland's capital) was designated a UNESCO City of Literature

While giving books is not unique to Iceland, the tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve and then spending the evening reading is becoming a cultural phenomenon... a relaxing and charming tradition, even more so when it's cold and snowing outside.

So this Christmas Eve, I'm contemplating getting a new book, a box of chocolate, a cup of hot cocoa, and spending the night reading by the fireplace.




Happy Holidays from Canada!

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Last Notice about the BWL Holiday Contest

We'll be doing the drawing for our contest on the 20th of December, so this is the last notice I'll be posting reminding everyone to enter the contest.

Remember, all may enter. The drawing is being done by an unrelated third party club and they'll select the three prize winners.

Authors, Readers, Visitors, all are welcome to enter this contest. The rules are simple, just tell us how you came to find our website or blog, and enter your name and email address.

Holiday special Contest win your choice of a Kindle or Kobo eBook Reader
2nd prize a print copy of Brides of Banff Springs, Canadian Historical Brides Book #1
3rd prize choice of 3 free ebooks from any BWL author
Drawing on December 20, winners notified by email

Enter here

While you're there check out our Holiday Specials - just click the book covers to purchase


Holiday Specials
Click covers to purchase from your favorite Online Bookstore


    
    

 

Popular Posts

Books We Love Insider Blog

Blog Archive