Friday, February 5, 2010

Baby is born!


The baby is my manuscript. About 9 months ago I said I'd be birthing a manuscript about now...and it is done! Yeah, I know I posted a couple weeks ago about how I'd typed The End, but now I'm also done with the first round of revisions. And I've even sent out a couple queries.

Of course, the revisions will go on...I've asked some friends to read the manuscript, so we'll see what they have to say.

I'll leave you with this: I worked for YEARS as a proofer (hard to believe, I know, with the errors I leave here), and I always, always, always found more errors on printed pages than I did on computer screens. So before you query, print the darn manuscript. If you're worried about the environmental impact, shower with a friend for a week to make up the difference.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Tag. I'm it.

PAUL MICHAEL MURPHY passed some award to me...too lazy to look up the name of the thing, but since he posted his work space photo on the official day and because I am so flattered, here goes...I'm typing the first word that comes to mind after the prompt:

Your cell phone: old
Your hair: curly
Your mother: perfect
Your father: kind
Favorite Food: burritos
Your Dream Last Night: forgettable
Your Favorite Drink: water
Your Dream/Goal: reached
What Room You Are In: bedroom
Your Hobby: reading
Your Fear: N/A
Where Do You See Yourself in Six Years: Colorado
Where Were You Last Night: home
Something That You Aren't: afraid
Muffins? homemade
Wish List Item: U2
Where Did You Grow Up: Colorado
Last Thing You Did: sip
What Are You Wearing? cotton
Your TV: unpredictable
Your Pet(s): security
Friends: diverse
Your Life: perfect
Your Mood: cool
Missing Someone: nah
Vehicle: 111,000
Something You Aren't Wearing: jewelry
Your Favorite Store: internet
Your Favorite Color: brown
When Was the Last Time You Laughed: recently
Last Time You Cried: recently
Your Best Friend: Husband
One Place You Go Over and Over Again: imagination
Facebook? avoiding
Favorite Place to Eat: home

Monday, February 1, 2010

This is where the magic happens


The photo doesn't look as interesting as I'd hoped (I took one with me in the photo, but my big morning hair filled the screen too much)...maybe your photos will be better...please post photos of your work space today, because it's the OFFICIAL day to do so...then put your cameras away and WRITE!!!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

LONE SURVIVOR column

For days now, I’ve been mourning the loss of three men I never knew.

The men I mourn died years ago, in June 2005. They were Navy SEALs on a mission in Afghanistan, part of a four-man team assigned to locate Taliban leader Ahmad Shah. Their story is told in “Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell, the only surviving member of the Operation Redwing SEAL team. Best-selling author Patrick Robinson assisted Luttrell with the book.

I started “Lone Survivor” one recent evening, and I read and cried deep into the night. The book describes Luttrell’s East Texas upbringing and his intense SEAL training. It introduces the other members of the Operation Redwing team — Petty Officer Danny Dietz, Petty Officer Matthew Axelson, and Lt. Michael Murphy — and delves into a battle with approximately 80 enemy fighters, which killed all but Luttrell.

The heroics detailed by the author are inspiring. Each SEAL, though severely wounded and heavily outnumbered, fought fiercely. Murphy earned the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Murphy left a position of cover in order to call for support. Although mortally wounded by gunfire, he calmly relayed his unit’s location and did not return to cover until he was confident help was forthcoming. He continued fighting until finally succumbing to his wounds.

Compounding the tragedy was the rescue effort. When a rescue helicopter arrived, it was shot down and all 16 military members perished. With the death of these servicemen, Operation Redwing became the most highly decorated small-unit action in Navy history, with 20 Purple Hearts, 16 Bronze Stars, 3 Navy Crosses and Murphy’s Medal of Honor.

After witnessing his friends’ deaths, Luttrell crawled miles to evade the Taliban. Eventually, he was found by Pashtun tribe members. The group brought Luttrell into their village, protecting him from the Taliban until American troops rescued him days later.

Marcus Luttrell pulls no punches in “Lone Survivor.” He tells things like he sees them, with no room for political correctness. The only gray area for him is his feelings for the people of Afghanistan.

Regular readers of this column know I often read several books per week. In recent years, no story has affected me like “Lone Survivor.” Unless you have a loved one currently deployed, I highly recommend you read this book.

Also make a note to read “SEAL of Honor: Operation Red Wings and the Life of LT. Michael P. Murphy, USN” due out May 5.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Calling all Colorado Authors!!!

In April, I am devoting all my COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE columns to Colorado authors...authors who either live in Colorado or set their books in Colorado. Each column will feature one or two authors and list a few others. If you would like me to consider your book(s) for a feature or you would like me to list your work(s), please email me (with "CO author" in subject line) and provide the following information:

1. Your name, the title of your work(s) and a one sentence synopsis of the work(s).
2. Tell me whether you've sent a copy of your work(s) to me at the GAZETTE or whether you intend to.

If you've already sent a copy of your book, I've read it or have it on hand. I only go to the GAZETTE about once per month, so if you want me to consider your book for a feature, please send a copy by February 15. I do not have to have read your book to merely include it in the list, so if you don't want to send a book, but want it listed, that's cool.

Just to clarify: If you've already sent a book, you should STILL email me and let me know.

Space is limited, so I'll list books on a first-come, first-served basis.

Also, please note that April is not the only time CO authors get shout-outs. If I find a book I love by a CO author in say, June, I'm going to feature it in a June column.

If you have any comments/suggestions about this process, please post them here or email me.

You all rock! Keep writing! Thanks for thinking of me!

My email: anita.l.miller@att.net

My GAZETTE address:
The Gazette
Attn: Anita Miller C/O Warren Epstein
30 S. Prospect St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Note: If you mail a book, next to your name on the box please write "CO author."

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Have you heard?

Monday, February 1st is the official Post a Photo of Your Work Area Day. That's right. And I'm participating. Because I made it up. And if someone else already has done this, whatevs.

I'll be posting a photo of my desk (isn't that soooo enticing) and I hope you'll also post a photo of your work area on your blog. Cleaning up first is completely optional. Bonus points for including animals in your photo.

Remember: February 1st, people.

Monday, January 25, 2010

I admit it...


...I used to be a dog-earer, folding down page corners to mark my places in books.

But now...I am enlightened. Sometimes I use actual bookmarks designed for the purpose. And other times, I use items like those pictured: Holds slip from the Briargate Branch, CHELSEA AND VIOLET clothes tags, and a note from Youngest Daughter, which reads, "A half a loaf of bread is better than no bread at all." (Youngest Daughter is enlightened, too).

What's hanging out of your books?