March 4, 2004

Secrets of a writer's life exposed at Barnes & Noble

By Jeanne C. Lewis
Staff Writer

Have a great idea for a novel? A story that needs to be told? Dream of a life typing at your computer clad in a robe with a cup of java writing a great American novel as the royalty checks stack up? If any of these thoughts have crossed your mind, a visit to Barnes & Noble Workshop “Get Published–Turn an Idea into Published Reality” is the ticket.

“Barnes & Noble is an avid supporter of literacy, education and arts organizations in the communities we serve.” Mike Koller, Community Relations Manager for Almaden Barnes & Noble said as he set up books of the authors appearing the evening of the event. “This workshop will provide information on the many publishing opportunities that exist. It will help interested parties get a feel for the process as well as learn something new.”

The six course series commenced last week with local author and Almaden Times staff writer Kymberli Brady serving as moderator and coordinator of the event. The panel of published authors; Martha Alderson, Kat Meads, Edward Muller, Kathleen Antrim, D. P. Lyle MD and Chiori Santiago, presented insights and personal experiences on becoming published authors. The group's backgrounds vary as much as their work in print.

Martha Alderson calls her publishing accomplishment “an act of magic” to the standing room only event. Dyslexic, she acquired an assortment of degrees and credentials, owning a speech therapy clinic working with children. Organizing a chronicle of a famous ancestor, Commodore Robert Field Stockton, created the fictionalized biography “ Spirit of War” , winning her numerous awards. Her second novel “ Parallel Lives” explores class and politics in the 1960's with the underlying theme of fate versus chance encounters. She teaches plot consultation via workshops and private coaching [www.blockbusterplots.com].

Kat Meads , a University of California at Santa Cruz instructor eliminated all wall space with her awards and fellowships for fiction, drama, nonfiction and poetry. Her short plays have been produced in Hollywood and New York. Her current novel, “ Sleep”,

is a page turner exploring a woman's search for her mother.

“I write fast and furious with each revision going a little slower. It takes on a life of its own,” Meads said when asked about revision techniques.

A Star Trek aficionado, Edward Mueller's genre is the science fiction short story. He advises fine tuning the background of a sci-fi piece first. He works as a programmer in Silicon Valley where he gets many of his ideas. His writings appear in “ Artemis, Analog-Science Fiction or Fact” [www.edwardmuller.com] .

“I've learned something from each one of these,” he said showing the audience a notebook full of rejection letters and handwritten notes from editors. The crowd laughs nodding in agreement.

First Lady Laura Bush read Kathleen Antrim 's novel “ Capital Offense” , a mystery about an ambitious first lady caught in a web of murder and deceit, and requested an additional 12 copies for Air Force One and the White House. It won the Rupert Hughes Writing Award and has been hailed by critics. Her career began as a sales and marketing representative. She is a former columnist for the Tri-Valley Herald and featured author in “ Pronto! Writings from Rome” [www.kathleenantrim.com].

“Never let anyone say no to you when writing is a passion.” Antrim said to the avid listeners. “Keep writing. It's a journey.”

Antrim knows the end of a story before starting a novel though it may change at anytime. Capital Offense assumed six different endings before completion.

“You are the star, director, camera man and producer,” D. P. Lyle said regarding the craft of writing. “You can create whatever you want.”

D.P. Lyle 's novels are “ Devil's Playground”, “Double Blind” , the nonfiction “ Murder and Mayhem A Doctor Answers Medical and Forensic Questions” and the soon to be released “ Forensics for Dummies”. He has worked as a consultant on TV series: Diagnosis Murder, CSI Miami and Peacemakers. His medical expertise is genuine. He practices cardiology in Southern California [www.dplylmd.com].

“Your apprenticeship is to write and read,” Lyle said. “You can learn as much from reading a bad novel as a good one.”

“Starvation and being a single mother,” drove Chiori Santiago to sell her first feature to a neighborhood paper for $20. Her children's novel “ Escape to Medicine Mountain” earned an American Book Award. Her articles and essays appear in Diablo Magazine, Parenting, Latina, San Francisco Chronicle, Smithsonian, World Art and Pulse! She works as an editor and is a contributing author to books: “ The Spirit of Oakland”; “Time Out Guide: San Francisco” and “ Fodor's Road Guide USA: California” [www.chiorisan.com].

The two hour presentation ends with questions from the audience regarding query letters, health insurance, manuscript preparation and critique groups.

“Don't forget the bum glue,” suggests Antrim when asked about motivation to write. “Glue your fanny to the chair and write!”

Workshop: Get Published-Turn an Idea into a Published Reality is presented the third Wednesday every other month at Barnes & Noble, 5353 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, Ca. 95120 408-979-0611