tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post8431309287453625427..comments2024-03-28T08:32:02.663-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: The Magic of Giving Up @maddiedawsonJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2110666709058340772018-06-08T16:11:56.141-04:002018-06-08T16:11:56.141-04:00This post was just what I needed to read today! I ...This post was just what I needed to read today! I am charmed, dazzled, and beguiled by it, Maddie. Seriously, I think it's my fave post on JRW of all time. Thanks so much for visiting today and for following Blix wherever she led you. I'd stay and chat some more, but I'm off to buy your book now. I can't wait to read it! Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13589365995413467367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40271501821165512592018-06-08T16:04:51.568-04:002018-06-08T16:04:51.568-04:00Maddie, you may not realize it, but you just gave ...Maddie, you may not realize it, but you just gave some of the best parenting advice ever. "Relinquish the need to control the outcome. Throw out your plan, and see what comes from the unseen world. Let the character tell YOU the story." Of course, you did say that this applies to life as well as writing. My son, who will be 31 in three days, is a brilliant, creative person who has in the past year gotten his life streaming the way he wants. The "he wants" is key here. His father's suggestions and a few of mine weren't what he needed. He is working on a book while holding a job where he is respected, although it doesn't pay great, and is finally valuing himself for his creative talents. And, it was like magic indeed did take over when I quit trying to control his (the character's) outcome, as well as convincing his dad to stop. We all get to where we're going by different paths and learning to accept that is important to reducing the stress. So, you might want to write a parenting guide next. Hahaha!<br /><br />I do love the idea of magic working in our lives, and I so need to learn to relax more and let the magic work. I'm looking forward to reading this new book of yours, Maddie. Blix is sure to be a character I won't forget.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45393704612821587552018-06-08T15:18:30.209-04:002018-06-08T15:18:30.209-04:00Holly is a dear and almost a neighbor!Holly is a dear and almost a neighbor!Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26685759039113467172018-06-08T14:53:49.165-04:002018-06-08T14:53:49.165-04:00thank you for saying so much so clearly! That'...thank you for saying so much so clearly! That's one of the hard parts of publishing, not really knowing what the choices mean. Your experience sounds magical. I do think Blix played a hand in this...Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-70467784488275645812018-06-08T13:43:34.300-04:002018-06-08T13:43:34.300-04:00Thank you! I think so too. Surely these characters...Thank you! I think so too. Surely these characters will come back and start waking me up in the night again with their love and trouble. Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33849718487060002592018-06-08T13:42:14.549-04:002018-06-08T13:42:14.549-04:00I agree with you that most magic takes place in th...I agree with you that most magic takes place in the little moments of delight. That's such a wonderful way of putting it. And thank you for ordering my book! I thought I could feel the air currents shifting into prosperity over here. :) Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36350080669660345482018-06-08T13:39:30.219-04:002018-06-08T13:39:30.219-04:00I, too, love that moment when the characters start...I, too, love that moment when the characters start talking to each other without my consent. There's a book by Ursula Hegi, I believe, about a writer whose characters start arguing with her. She's doing the grocery shopping in one scene, and one of the male protagonists shows up in the grocery cart and starts telling her he would NEVER do what she just wrote that he did. And she's shopping along and arguing with him. Sometimes it feels just that way, doesn't it? And that IS the most astonishing thing about writing characters, I find--the way that even though (let's face it) we did create them and they are simply words on a page, we cannot force them into anything they don't want to do. The writing becomes stilted and false and doesn't ring true anymore. We have to let them tell the story. Sigh! In their own way. (Another sigh!) Good luck with the "mushy" middle. That is now officially my favorite phrase. Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67821274781391073222018-06-08T13:35:54.898-04:002018-06-08T13:35:54.898-04:00Hi, Ingrid.
I'm trying to remember just how I...Hi, Ingrid. <br />I'm trying to remember just how I came up with Blix's name. One of my favorite parts is naming characters...and I often change their names again and again as they evolve in the writing of the book. But Blix just sort of showed up, told me her name, and that was that. It never changed once. As with so many things about that character, I felt like the information just fell intact into my brain and I didn't have to question it. I hope she'll come by and help me with a new book now! Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-384585394245629932018-06-08T13:33:34.557-04:002018-06-08T13:33:34.557-04:00Wow! Thank you, Denise Ann! I love that--"Tha...Wow! Thank you, Denise Ann! I love that--"Thanks, Marguerite!" for parking spots. I can get parking spots, too, unless I'm thinking about it too hard and wondering if it's going to happen. This is a great story! Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19928824424139583262018-06-08T13:32:04.888-04:002018-06-08T13:32:04.888-04:00Thank you, Lucy/Roberta. (My, there are a lot of u...Thank you, Lucy/Roberta. (My, there are a lot of us who have two identities, aren't there?) I love talking about my experience publishing with Amazon because I was one of those authors who thought it was perhaps not such a good idea. Amazon has certainly upended the world of publishing, and I love indie bookstores a LOT. But having not many options open to me at the time with my fifth novel, I decided to do it, with my agent's advice. And now I have to say that I have found them to be delightful--and way more attentive to authors than any of my previous publishers. I was previously published by St. Martin's Press, then Shaye Areheart (an imprint of Crown/Random House) and also by a small press. What I love (and was surprised about) is that Amazon pays incredible attention to detail. They hire artists to design the covers (whereas Crown simply used stock art on two of my books, which little did I know had been used on previous books--arrgh!) They also hire developmental editors who spend time going over the novel and work alongside the author for weeks going over everything. And who doesn't need that? By the time I finished the edits, I felt that the editor knew the book as well as I did, and had just as much of an emotional connection to making sure it was told right. I've never felt with them, the way I often felt with other publishers, that I was simply a mid-list author whose work was routine to them.<br /><br /> I was incredibly lucky that Matchmaking for Beginners was named an Amazon First Reads book, which means that it was released a month early for certain Kindle readers who could choose it from one of five books and read it for free--or people could order it at a reduced rate in hardcover a whole month early. I don't know the mechanism of how or why my book got selected for this magical miracle (maybe Blix?) but because of that, I've gotten scads more readers than I ever could have reached with my own efforts. Like, hundreds more. Other authors I know who have been chosen for this program report the same thing happened to them. Because I had so many more readers available to me, the book became a Washington Post bestseller and an Amazon Charts bestseller before it even was officially published. Unheard of, in my little corner of the publishing world, where it often felt I had to beg friends and family to buy my book. That Amazon algorithm knows just who is interested in buying our books--and puts the book front and center right in their in-box. <br /><br />The downside? And yes, there is one. Bookstores! If you love going into a bookstore and seeing your book shining out from the shelves, you might not have that experience with Amazon. Although stores can certainly order the book, and they receive terms competitive with other books they buy from more traditional publisher, some of them don't want to do it just because it's Amazon, which I understand and sympathize with. (I'm too scared to ask my local bookstores, LOL!) Frankly, though, with my books--I often didn't see my books in stores after the first couple of weeks. Hardly anyone re-ordered when the original copies sold, and I always had a kind of PTSD reaction when I'd go to a bookstore looking to see if my book was there. Because so often it was not. So--there you have it! I'm glad I went with Amazon. I have friends who say they would NEVER do it, and both things feel right to me. In my case, I feel like I got a new second chance with my writing career and was allowed to write books I'm proud of, and in the process, I reached readers who enjoyed the book...and that's what I'm here for. Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-84083570383832655222018-06-08T12:29:15.270-04:002018-06-08T12:29:15.270-04:00Thank you, Mary/Liz. Sometimes if the characters d...Thank you, Mary/Liz. Sometimes if the characters didn't tell me where the story was going there wouldn't be a story. They seem to know so much more than I do. They're just often stubborn about revealing it, LOL! Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82060850797815048102018-06-08T12:28:13.224-04:002018-06-08T12:28:13.224-04:00Thank you, Diana! I hope you like it. The cover re...Thank you, Diana! I hope you like it. The cover really IS extraordinary, isn't it? I could not have asked for a better cover. Love that color--and the red umbrella!Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-65491259655485060172018-06-08T11:49:23.369-04:002018-06-08T11:49:23.369-04:00Hi Maddie! I already have your book in my Kindle q...Hi Maddie! I already have your book in my Kindle queue, because I thought it looked delightful--and now I'm even more looking forward to reading it. I've described what happens in the process of writing books as magic, too--that moment your characters start talking to each other without your intervention-- but I'd like to think that magic extends to real life as well. We could certainly use more of it!<br /><br />And thanks so much for the "letting go" advice. Maybe that will get me through the mushy middle of my book...Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-90025520538350250692018-06-08T11:30:00.369-04:002018-06-08T11:30:00.369-04:00Blix sounds like a wonderful character, Maddie! W...Blix sounds like a wonderful character, Maddie! We all need a Blix in our lives. Do you remember how you came up with her unique name? <br /><br />I appreciate your words about relinquishing things to the universe. For the control enthusiasts among us, it's a lesson that bears repeating. It's so hard to do, but so liberating!Ingrid Thofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04063912686011336076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10530860636813812872018-06-08T10:29:10.842-04:002018-06-08T10:29:10.842-04:00This voice! Yes, I will read anything you write!!...This voice! Yes, I will read anything you write!! Can't wait. I believe in magic, and getting help from "out there." I had a friend, Marguerite, who would say a Hail Mary when she needed a parking space. She died a few years ago, and I have inherited her power. And as I park, I say, "Thanks, Marguerite."<br />Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10106662139977106472018-06-08T10:15:30.179-04:002018-06-08T10:15:30.179-04:00So happy to have you here Maddie/Sandi! I meant to...So happy to have you here Maddie/Sandi! I meant to tell everyone else that this book is a wonderful respite from all the grim stories in the news these days. That's one reason I loved it.<br /><br />Do you mind telling us a little about publishing with Amazon--how that has been different in good and less good ways? I know that the power of their advertising and marketing is astonishing. And that they delivered a gorgeous book...anything else?Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-14560814932653975002018-06-08T10:13:06.168-04:002018-06-08T10:13:06.168-04:00Congrats on the book, Maddie! I love that magic wh...Congrats on the book, Maddie! I love that magic when the characters take over and tell you where to go with the story.<br /><br />Mary/LizLiz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-15251096638565670612018-06-08T10:11:12.984-04:002018-06-08T10:11:12.984-04:00Oh yes, this could lead to a wonderful sequel!Oh yes, this could lead to a wonderful sequel!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30249761638902358112018-06-08T09:52:54.383-04:002018-06-08T09:52:54.383-04:00Maddie, welcome to Jungle Reds! I saw a photo of ...Maddie, welcome to Jungle Reds! I saw a photo of your book by a bookstagrammer on Instagram yesterday. Loved the cover. Now that I know more about your book, I want to read your book. I love magic. <br /><br />DianaBibliophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07764234701385787238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10077744213612416422018-06-08T09:49:39.045-04:002018-06-08T09:49:39.045-04:00Nope. No eye-rolling here. Perhaps you need to h...Nope. No eye-rolling here. Perhaps you need to hang out with more wiccans and pagans? I think lots of magical things happen every day, except usually it's the subtle magic that fills in little moments of delight, only if you bother to pay attention. Also, if you envisioned selling many new copies of your book after coming on to Jungle Red Writers, you should know that my copy is on its way.Gigi Norwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00495357787099352860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-79444054093333124642018-06-08T09:47:13.914-04:002018-06-08T09:47:13.914-04:00Thank you, Susan. I'm with you about reading a...Thank you, Susan. I'm with you about reading about magic. I don't usually think of myself as someone who reads supernatural or fantasy novels. And I really didn't want to be writing one. I struggled with how to get the magic part across, and decided that the lightest of touches would suit me best. So although Blix does think of herself as magic and a matchmaking genius, enough goes wrong with her spells and her intentions that we don't ever see her as infallible, I think. Wise maybe, but also very human in crossing things up. Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33479793354426196992018-06-08T09:44:38.425-04:002018-06-08T09:44:38.425-04:00Marian, I love this story! Maybe it doesn't ma...Marian, I love this story! Maybe it doesn't matter how you ask for things--through novenas, lists, prayers, directions, threats, promises. Maybe it's all just a matter of intention and then having faith in the outcome enough to let go. I guess we will never really know how it all works, but in the meantime it's a fun way to think of the world. Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19661015006796351742018-06-08T09:42:16.108-04:002018-06-08T09:42:16.108-04:00Ha ha! I love that...the "mushy middle."...Ha ha! I love that...the "mushy middle." And man, they DO get mushy, don't they? I was sloshing around in the mush with this one for a long, long time. Fantasizing about becoming, I don't know, a dental assistant or something. A party planner! Somebody who operates the jackhammer in the street! ANYTHING but listening to imaginary friends all day long as they led me through page after page of mush. But then--I don't know what happened--I gave up and things started to straighten out. The story came forth. (I will admit I did have to put these characters on notice.) So don't give up. The middle can unmush itself. Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75835110446428835652018-06-08T09:38:41.467-04:002018-06-08T09:38:41.467-04:00Hi, Judi! It's a funny thing about relinquishi...Hi, Judi! It's a funny thing about relinquishing, isn't it? I believe that it really does work, but I also believe you have to REALLY relinquish. You can't do it if what you're intending is to still hope for what you want to happen. Not trying to control things is the hardest thing for me. I always think I have to be in charge of everything. Was it Anne Lamott who says she sees herself as God's west-coast representative? Always makes me laugh. Because I may be the east-coast rep. (I try to help out where I can.) Good luck with your situation. I'm rooting for you. Maddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-61945579393461239442018-06-08T09:34:34.456-04:002018-06-08T09:34:34.456-04:00Ahhh, Hank! I'm so glad to hear this. I got go...Ahhh, Hank! I'm so glad to hear this. I got goosebumps reading your note. It really IS the most powerful thing. Thank you! xxoxoMaddie Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08935063628725829490noreply@blogger.com