Rejected Pages!

What’s it like to write a novel? For me it’s a lot like being in labor. I’m nervous, excited, tense, happy- and that’s just the first half hour.

By the end, I’m cursing at everyone within two feet (unless they’ve showed up with pain meds), and wondering why I ever thought this was a good idea. Then after the novel is published, the pain and suffering become a distant memory and before I know it, I’m pregnant again.

To date I’ve had three babies and eight books and lived to talk about all of them. What’s ahead? No more babies unless Medicare pays my medical. But write more books? Never too old for that and thank God! I love the process, even when those nasty twins, Doubt and More Doubt, sit on my shoulders and try to drive the train.

I’m sharing this because I’m back to square one. I’ve just started a new novel and feel as giddy as if I just started dating someone I really like (Doubt: You’ve been married to the same guy for over 30 years. How much do you actually remember about dating? More Doubt: Yeah. Your memory is so bad, you can’t recall where you left your cell phone an hour ago. Doubt: Plus,you’re mixing metaphors! More Doubt: Yeah. Readers hate that!)

I’m at that fun stage where I get so  excited thinking about spending time together, I dream about the adventures ahead, and can’t wait for everyone to meet my new love (Doubt: You call it fun working six hours straight without a break? More Doubt: Nice of you to forget that there’s laundry to be done and kids to feed).

Of course I’m nervous. I’ve been down this road before where I was so sure that this was my best story idea ever, then suddenly I lose interest or discover it’s not what it was cracked up to be (Doubt: Of course you quit. Some of your ideas are just dumb. More Doubt: Are you familiar with the terms unoriginal, hackneyed and Jodi-Piccoult-already-went-there?)

But with this new novel, I know I am on to something special because I am at that magical page 70 where I have heard the natal heartbeat.  This means that the characters are so funny and  real to me that they’ve taken over, and my job is to keep my butt in the chair and become the designated typist. I created the characters, yes, gave them their share of demons and dreams, but now they’re telling the story in a way that I couldn’t envision in the outline. They understand their journey and are taking me down paths that are blowing me away (Doubt: Actually, I’ve read it and it’s amazing. Maybe the best thing she’s ever written. More Doubt:  I do love her mother-daughter sagas, sniff. They get to me every time).

This doesn’t mean that every day is bliss. My early/gentle readers pointed out some huge red flags  (thank you Ellen Meister and Christine O’Hagan) and so far I have filled up an entire garbage bag with reject pages, just to get through the proposal and the first six chapters. When I write,  I re-write and re-write again, so if you step foot into my office, you’ll ski across (Doubt: Great. She writes a book and we lose two trees in Oregon. More Doubt: Oh shut up, you think greatness happens overnight?).

In case you are curious, here is a first look at BEAT IT!:

In this quirky but empowering tale, a restless young mother who aspired to be a drummer/rockstar, travels to New Jersey to audition for Bon Jovi. Though she doesn’t get the gig, she never returns home. Seventeen years later, she finally strikes it rich with a hit record, giving her hope that her now grown children will welcome her back. Perhaps she shouldn’t have mentioned that she asked a documentary filmmaker to chronicle a family reunion, and that her affair with him was the real reason she left.

Told in a honest, heartbreakingly funny voice, this “bookumentary” about the imperfect boundaries of motherhood, weaves a rich narrative with documentary-style scenes, vis-à-vis the TV hit, “The Office.”

Stay tuned! Not only am I just getting warmed up, I sent Doubt and More Doubt on vacation (I found out where Jodi P. summers, lol)

The new novel by Carleen Brice

What to read next? That is always the question, especially during summer when the need for a mental vacation hopefully converges with time off for good behavior. Here is a recommendation for something new from the Girlfriend’s Cyber Circuit-  a heartfelt tale of two sisters that sounds captivating and memorable.

CHILDREN OF THE WATER by Carleen Brice, is her second novel after her wonderful, award-winning debut, ORANGE MINT AND HONEY (OneWorld/Ballantine).

Check out these great reviews:
“In Children of the Waters, Carleen Brice manages to explore the difficult, messy and unpleasant details of life with both humor and wisdom. The parallel journeys of sisters, Trish and Billie, will resonate with everyone and anyone who has questioned their identity and place in this world. Once again, Carleen Brice has crafted a thoroughly enjoyable novel that gets at the heart of the human experience.” – Lori Tharps, author of Kinky Gazpacho

“I was exhausted and singing the blues the hour I began Carleen Brice’s new novel, Children of the Waters. Five hours later, I’d finished this fresh, free-rein novel about mothers’ secrets and children’s sorrows and was shouting ‘Hurray!’” – Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean

“In Children of the Waters, Carleen Brice deftly explores issues of family, identity, and race with a wonderful abundance of humor, forgiveness, and grace. This moving story of two sisters separated by prejudice will open minds and touch hearts. —Meg Waite Clayton, author of The Wednesday Sisters

“Carleen Brice highlights the effects of America’s complicated relationship with race and identity…a clear and insightful depiction of what it means to be American at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Brice knows how far we have come and how far there is left to go, and in Children of the Waters she deftly lays it all out for the reader to see.”—Matthew Aaron Goodman, author of Hold Love Strong

More About Carleen Brice

Carleen Brice’s debut novel, Orange Mint and Honey, was an Essence “Recommended Read” and a Target “Bookmarked Breakout Book.” For this book, she won the 2009 First Novelist Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and the 2008 Break Out Author Award at the African American Literary Awards Show. Orange Mint and Honey was optioned by Lifetime Movie Network.

Her second novel, Children of the Waters (One World/Ballantine), a book about race, love and family, just came out at the end of June. Booklist Online called it “a compelling read, difficult to put down.” Essence says, “Brice has a new hit.” You can read an excerpt at her website www.carleenbrice.com.

She is at work on her third novel, Calling Every Good Wish Home, and she maintains the blogs “White Readers Meet Black Authors” www.welcomewhitefolks.blogspot.com and “The Pajama Gardener” www.pajamagardener.blogspot.com.

I asked Carleen to share her thoughts and answer some fun questions. Here is what she said.

Q. If you could get a rave review in “People” magazine, what would you want it to say about your new book?

A. “After Michelle Obama recommended it to Oprah, the country has gone mad for CHILDREN OF THE WATERS. And we see why.” A girl can dream, right?

Q. Writing a letter can be daunting. How do you even begin the process of writing a novel? Does it start with a title? A character?A plot? All or none of the above?

A. For me it starts with a premise. Something happens to people and there will be consequences. So I start a little with characters and a little with plot.

Q. I have to print off every draft page, which means that by the time I’m done, I’ve gone through two trees in Oregon. What is your process of getting out a first whole draft? How long might it take?

A. I’m bad about printing out too. Too old-school. It might take months or years for a first draft depending on whether there’s a deadline and what else I have going on in life. My first book took a year for the first draft. My 2^nd novel had a deadline so I got a very messy first draft done in a few months.

Q.  Do you have show and tell with your first draft? Who do you trust for honest reaction, or is so fragile you show it to one you love who you know will be kind?

A. I have an excellent reader (also a published author) who is excellent at seeing what I’m trying to do with my writing and giving advice for helping me get there.

Q. What is one of the nicest compliments that you have ever received about your book(s)?

A. I’m proud to say I’ve made quite a few readers cry. Even better, I’ve received emails saying I’ve made people think.

Good luck Carleen! We look forward to hearing more from you.

I don’t really think I look 35. Probably couldn’t get away with having anyone think I’m 45 either, but it’s fine. I’m almost 55 and nobody has carded me yet- for AARP that is. Still payin’ full price at the movies. Meanwhile, I may think I’m not aging, but my kids are reminding me every year that the clock is ticking, ready or not.

Yesterday our daughter, the middle child ,celebrated her 21st birthday. We reminisced over breakfast at the diner about her early baby days (OMG was she cute!) and about how I went into labor while shopping at the late Fortunoffs for a new patio set.  A few hours later, I had a beautiful daughter and a nice new lawn set with a free umbrella. A good day indeed!

Then, on a whim, we took a drive to Garden City to visit an old friend- the carousel she rode on at Nunley’s Amusement Park in Baldwin, Long Island until it closed when she was nine. Thanks to Billy Joel and some other generous donors, money was earmarked to restore the beautiful Merry Go Round to its original luster- and maybe even nicer.

What a great stroll down memory lane. Honestly, she was a kid all all over again, riding around and around like she did at her 3rd birthday party. It’s not true. You can go home again, as long as you don’t mind relocating.

Meanwhile, our son is approaching 26 and our youngest, the baby (sigh) is 18 and headed off to college next month. Don’t ask me where the time went because  I give up. I have no idea. All I know is that if I think of my kids’ ages, I have to do the math and come to terms with the fact that I’m aging right along with them. Not that they haven’t noticed. They tell me I can’t see, I can’t hear, I don’t remember a damn thing and I clearly have forgotten some of the most basic mom skills, like how to make a good grilled cheese sandwich.

My Grilled Cheese Masterpiece

Really, I thought the Panini maker was an inspired way to make it. Anyone can throw it in a small fry pan,but no I had to get fancy. Trust me, once you’ve seen American cheese bubble up like the Marshmallow Man in Ghostbusters, it’s time to turn in the spatula.

I guess in the end, age doesn’t matter, just the blessings of love, laughter, family, great memories and the chance to wake up and get to live a good life for another day.

My favorite Long Island authors Carol Hoenig, Ellen Meister, Brenda Janowitz, Debbi Honorof and Moi

Several months ago, I received an email from the very enthusiastic Tony Iovino  of the Oceanside, Long Island Kiwanis Club. He is the Event Chair of the now third annual Summer Gazebo Readings in the park and was hoping I would join him on June 29 to read from one of my novels. You know I said yes because there is nothing that I love more than meeting and greeting readers (especially the ones who laugh at my jokes). I also love appearing with my Roadie Author Friends, Carol Hoenig, Ellen Meister, and Brenda Janowitz. We were joined by our friend and mentor, Debbi Honorof, Book Editor of Long Island Woman magazine.

Truth be told, Debbi was the matchmaker that brought us together for lunch only a year ago and we have  been moving about the cabin as the four Musketeers ever since. These are great ladies, talented authors, and downright funny people. Every gathering means lots to talk about (this week it was the fallout from bestselling author Alice Hoffman’s gone postal fiasco); laugh about (our shared experiences getting our parents to take their cell phones); ask about (kids, parents, husbands, agents) and think about (”What do you think about this device for my novel?). Honestly, I can’t remember life before I met these wonderful friends.

Anyway, the evening was a huge success (in spite of the poorly timed downpour that started an hour before show time). The sun came out, a nice crowd showed up with lawn chairs, refreshments were served, raffles were sold (Ellen Meister won $27!!!!) and then Debbi Honorof introduced each of us with a very warm welcome.

I read a few pages from Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead, but was very excited (and nervous) because I also decided to read the first few pages of my new novel, Beat it! This is a rip-roaringingly fun and touching story that I think readers will love. Here is the idea:

Seventeen years after a deadbeat mom runs away to become a rockstar/drummer, a hit record makes her rich and gives her hope of reconnecting with her three grown children, one of whom is expecting her first baby. A documentary filmmaker the mother commissioned to videotape the reunion is unfortunately too slow to duck. Perhaps he was ill advised to mention that his affair with h er was one of the real reasons she left.

I am happy to report that the reading got a huge applause and I was blown away by how many people came up to me afterward to tell me to keep going- they loved it! Believe me, it made a huge impact on me. The next morning I got right back to work with uplifted spirits.

Tony, please ask me back for next summer’s Gazebo Readings. The answer is yes!

The crowd gathers after the rain stops

A very pregnant Brenda toughed it out and the audience loved her!

Ellen Meister reading from The Smart One (You must read this!)

Carol Hoenig reading from Without Grace, her award winning debut novel