Like Water for Chocolate…
Twenty years ago I saw a Mexican movie (with subtitles) entitled Like Water for Chocolate. It is a story of unrequieted love, maternal malice, and the courage necessary to quietly endure. One of the things that made an impression on me was the folklore principle that the emotions of the cook are mystically transferred into the food she is cooking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pg_Mr4lIoY Like Water for Chocolate video clip
Perhaps there is some truth to the idea that the cook’s emotions become part of the recipe. And perhaps it works the same with writing.
Beta readers for Gathering Storm are reporting that this installment has left them with emotion hanging on for some time after the last word is read and the book is closed . Nothing could be more pleasing to an author because, when all is distilled down to the core, writers should be aiming at one of two targets, the evocation of thought or emotion. While I confess to going for both, I see my principal task as drawing forth emotion. Isn’t the prospect of feeling our motivation for reading? That reminder of aliveness?
If you received an early readers’ copy of Gathering Storm and you are one of those who has mentioned tissues, be assured that the writer is in that with you. During the writing of this book, there were several times my spouse came in to find me red faced and wrecked because of a scene I was writing or had just written. These incidents weren’t always about sorrow. Some of them were simply an emotion so big and full my body couldn’t contain it and had to find release in some way. There were a couple of times during the writing of A Summoner’s Tale when I cried to the point of having to stop because I couldn’t see the monitor screen.
Five books into my latest job – writing fiction – I recognize this as part of my process. If something makes me laugh, it’s probably going to get that response from some of my readers. If I shed tears, chances are that emotion is going to transfer to the story, rise from the page and have a similar effect on my sensitive readers. (And I use the term “sensitive” in a totally good way.) All this is to say that I share more than words on a page with you; when reporting on events in Loti Dimension, I am a third party observer but not a dispassionate one.
– Victoria
The Gathering Storm Tour
9/18: Fangs, Wands, and Fairy Dust Exlusive Pre-Release stop. Review and Interview with Deliverance.
9/19: Coffee Addicted Writer Blog Book Spotlight.
9/19: A Tale of Two Books Promo and Book Review.
9/19: Paranormal Romance Fans for Life Interview.
9/19: Nerd Girl Release Day Blitz.
9/20: Indy Book Fairy Promo with Interview.
9/20: Quill or Pill Interview.
9/23: Between the Bind Book Review.
9/24: The Seraphine Muse Interview.
9/25: Romance Book Junkies Interview.
9/26: Diane’s Book Blog Interview.
9/27: Paranormal Haven Promo.
9/27: The Simple Things in Life Interview.
9/28: Reviewing in Chaos Promo.
10/01: Books, Books, and More Books Book Review.
10/01: Eclipse Reviews Interview.
10/02: Roxanne’s Realm Interview.
10/03: Butterly-o-Meter Books Interview.
10/03: Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock Promo.
10/04
: BOOK #6 COVER REVEAL ON NERD GIRL
10/04: The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom Interview.
10/05: Tiffy Fit Promo.
10/06: Books N’ Things Promo and Book Review.
10/07: All I Want and More Interview.
10/07: The Reading Cafe Feature and Book Review.
10/08: The Wormhole Book Blog Feature and Book Review.
10/10: Romance with Flavor Interview.
10/14: Bookworm Bridgette’s World Interview.
10/16: Bitten by Love Interview and Book Review.
10/17: Pembroke Sinclair Interview.
A deeper look.
I salute this reviewer, who plumbed the depths and returned to report.
Root bound!!, August 30, 2013This series is securely grounded in an elaborately crafted context that transfers seamlessly from the imagination of the writer to the consciousness of the reader!! The storyline and characters are fantastic.. As fantasy demands. But, beneath it all are the truths that bind reality to the journey… Like. Love is gift..life has no guarantees. To live life to the fullest is always risky and family is the core.
Danann is a gifted writer. I salute the metaphoric virus of the vampire and its real world cousin drug addiction. If only we had a world wide order to bring our citizens home to themselves!!
These books create a structure for reflection that resonates with excited insight.
GATHERING STORM Release Party September 19th
HUGE surprise in store – exclusive for ATTENDEES.
Online Facebook RELEASE PARTY.
RSVP HERE…
https://www.facebook.com/events/593015007408387/
GOODREADS FANS: Mark as “WANT TO READ” here… http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18336107-gathering-storm
My Space
This was a guest post done by request as part of the Moonlight promotional tour. If you’re curious about what I see when I look up from the keyboard…
This photo represents my point of view when working. My space is a second story room over the garage. Although I have access from the house proper, I can close the doors when I leave for the day, effectively forming a barrier between work and home. One of the best features is that it’s heavenly quiet – unless the dog is barking, like right now. For me, quiet is essential to getting into the “zone” of reporting what’s happening in the world of Black Swan.
The room has big windows (one of which you can see here) plus three skylights right above me. One of the things you can’t see in the photo is that I have a huge red patio umbrella over my writing space that protects me from the afternoon heat of those skylights in summer months. Like right now. Having workspace with so much light is a dream come true for me. I spent enough time in a corporate environment without windows and promised myself that someday I would enjoy a workspace that didn’t depend on artificial light, with a view to something pretty.
The fireplace is wood burning, but we only get two or three days a year that are cold enough for a fire. Out of the photo, to my left there is another bookcase. Also full to overflowing. I don’t buy print books anymore, but there was a time when I used to keep libraries stocked with my gifts of used books.
About seven years ago I found a reception station in a used office furniture place by the railroad tracks. It surrounds me on three sides and allows me to feel cocooned with my stuff. (Yes. I straightened up the desk before taking the photo.)
Last, but not least, what you see on my monitor is a promotion for Black Swan, Book 5 which releases next month.
The A TEAM Store
If you love Black Swan and want to be reminded of your experience with these romances, you can find a hundred reminders in the store.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE STORE. You won’t believe what you can find!
