Ash Krafton: Secret Book Spy

Author and fellow Pennwriters member Ash Krafton is sharing a fun two-part series of articles that discuss the process of evolution from novel-writer to novel-author.  Join us at the Pennwriters Area 6 blog for parts 1 & 2:

Part 1: From Writer to Author: How I Became a Secret Book Spy

Inspiration from Louise Erdrich

My summer reading has included several novels by Louise Erdrich, one of the great contemporary storytellers, and an inspiration for me as an evolving writer.

Here is an interview with Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! and Louise Erdrich.  Take a moment to hear Erdrich speak about the origins, motivations, and methods of her writing.

In Vino Veritas (Truth in Wine) Short Fiction Contest at The Clarity of Night

It’s that time again:  Jason Evans is joined by co-host and debut author Jaye Wells for the “In Vino Veritas (Truth in Wine)” Short Fiction Contest at The Clarity of Night.

The “In Vino Veritas (Truth in Wine)” Short Fiction Contest launches today, July 8, 2009, in honor of Jaye Wells.   A signed copy of Jaye Wells’ debut novel Red-Headed Stepchild is included among the usual prizes of Amazon gift certificates.

The contest will be open for one week.  As with past contests, the limit is 250 words. Any genre or form is welcome so long as it is inspired by the “In Vino Veritas (Truth in Wine)” photo.  Complete rules are available at The Clarity of Night blog.  See you there!

Busy at Brainripples

Greetings all: time for a little update on Jade Blackwater’s corner of the world.  Photos, notes, sketches, and ideas all pile up, but time just slips right past.  The June Solstice is a mere 10 days away!

Spring has had three main foci for me: garden, writing, and home.  As many of you know I am recently resettled in my home in the forests of Kitsap County, Washington; after nearly four years away, there’s a lot of work to be done.

The garden (i.e. the food supply) has been an important part of my springtime work, and I am pleased to say that small harvests of greens, herbs, fruits, and other cold-weather veggies are finally back on my table.  Pumpkins, corn, beans, melons, and other warm-weather crops are now in the ground.

My writing, while subdued, is slowly reemerging with the restoration of my personal creative studio and the return to my writing routines.  In addition, I’ve teamed up with Anita Marie Moscoso of Owl Creek Bridge to create the Pacific Northwest Pennwriters Chapter.  More on that ahead!

At the house, there are repairs and improvements to be made.  Mousies, bats, birds, insects, snakes, squirrels, and other beasties have all taken advantage of my absence.  Their slow, careful extrication is a part of chores like painting, sealing, cleaning, and clearing.  Gotta love forest life!

Speaking of forests, I am excited to share that Nalini Nadkarni’s book Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections to Trees was selected among the Best Spiritual Books of 2008.  If you haven’t found time to pick up this book, I hope you’ll add it to your reading list this season for a little green inspiration!

My projects this summer will include more of garden, writing, and home, hopefully with extra emphasis on the writing.  Now that I’m nearly settled I can tackle the hairy, scary task of sifting through several boxes of writing notes from the past five (ok, 10) years, and putting those ideas to work.  I’ll let you know when I find something good.

Until then, enjoy a hot, bittersweet cup of inspiration!

Show and Tell Friday

 

Welcome back to Show and Tell Friday!  I am slowly easing into my blogging routines, which means a return to our regular features here at Brainripples.

 

Today we’re talking about writers, and to kick off I’d like to share Jamie Ford’s debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet which was released just two short weeks ago by Ballantine Books.  I finished reading Hotel today, and have long anticipated the arrival of this book since reading its predecessor “I Am Chinese”, a short story which was first published by the Picolata Review in 2006.

In Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Ford artfully educates his readers on our not-too-distant past of WWII by telling us an accessible story about the love and friendship of two young Americans from Seattle, Washington. 

I’ll give you a full review another day.  Until then, there’s no reason not to hop on the bus and head to Seattle to pick up your own copy and meet Jamie Ford in person.  To see the rest of the stops on his nationwide booktour, visit JamieFord.com.

 

Now I’d like to point you to up-and-coming author and fellow Pennwriters member Ash Krafton.  Last year Krafton’s urban fantasy novel Bleeding Hearts won first prize for science fiction/fantasy novel and overall grand prize in the Maryland Writers Association 2008 Novel Contest.  She is currently marketing the Bleeding Hearts manuscript for publication.

Krafton just started the new Kraftmatic Adjustable Blog.  Be sure to check out her photo tour of Edgar Allen Poe.  I am embarrassed to admit that my announcement here is a bit late to encourage you to participate in the “Quoth the Raven” Poe Exhibition at The Free Library of Philadelphia, which finished today (February 13, 2009).

Also, check out Krafton’s short story Boots on a Branch, included in The Festival of the Trees 28, which celebrates the pursuit of inspiration, entertainment, and life-long youth.  Her poem Line will appear in the May 2009 issue of Numinous: Spiritual Poetry journal.

 

Next, I’d like to introduce writer Persephone Vandegrift whose work I first encountered while serving as Poetry Judge at Notes & Grace Notes.  Vandegrift writes beautiful poetry and fiction, and is a regular participant and multiple winner at Notes & Grace Notes, which is a new online writing community created by Harmoni McGlothlin.  Be sure to read Vandegrift’s winning poem Adam Paints a Picture; while you’re there take plenty of time to explore the other great writers sharing at Notes & Grace Notes.

 

Fellow Seattle-area writer Anita Marie Moscoso is still twisting our imaginations with her tales of the macabre at her Owl Creek Bridge.  Moscoso has been generous enough to invite me to share my darker shades of poetry at the Owl Creek Bridge, which most recently includes my poem Dehiscent.  In turn I invite you to join us there to read poetry and stories (such as my current favorite, “Typical Trixie“), and to explore Anita Marie Mosocoso’s hand-picked links to a wealth of writers, artists, and creative resources, which are certain to fire your inspiration.

 

My newest blog discovery is Mattie’s Pillow.  In fact, it is the author Cindy who happened upon the Brainripples blog and reached out to introduce herself.  Mattie’s Pillow shares a common interest in writing, art, and creativity, and includes extra inspiration from dreams, gardens, and horses, among other things.  Check out her Poetry Challenge 6 - my biggest challenge with this is, with which dream would I like to play today?

Finally, as you can see from my previous post I’ve recently had two poems published at The Monongahela Review, an independent literary journal edited by Luke Bartolomeo.  Issue 3 of The Monongahela Review includes a beautiful selection of poetry, fiction, and visual art, so be sure to set aside a little time to wander and enjoy.

 

I’ll stop for now and save more for the next Show and Tell.  Feel welcome to share your latest goals, discoveries, or accomplishments, and have a wonderful weekend!

 

 

Nalini Nadkarni tackles trees and people on NPR Morning Edition

Visit NPR.org to listen to an interview by Robert Krulwich with author and forest biologist Dr. Nalini Nadkarni:

“Going Out On A Limb With A Tree-Person Ratio”
Krulwich on Science by Robert Krulwich.  Morning Edition, November 12, 2008

In her new book Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections to Trees (University of California Press, July 2008), Nalini Nadkarni explores the many subtle and extraordinary ways that people rely on trees for the products they yield, the imagery they invoke, and the ecosystems they support.

It was my distinct pleasure to support Nalini Nadkarni in the creation of this book. You’ll hear me chime in with a few words in the middle of this NPR broadcast.