Carol Devine's Blog: To my readers ...
May 12, 2017
TIPPI HEDREN SAYS HELLO
FREE ebook or autographed print copy of 1st prize winner BEAUTY AND THE BEASTMASTER - sign up on my website www.authorcaroldevine.com
Tippi Hedren (yes, the movie star of Hitchcock's The Birds fame) founded a big cat animal rescue sanctuary in 1972, called the Shambala Preserve. I discovered this when I was doing research for one of my novels. The hero was a Pro Wrestler known as the Beastmaster, who used a Siberian Tiger as part of his act.
Research is my least favorite thing. However, the tiger was central to plot and it had to have a plausible back story. Tippi Hedren personally helped me create that back story. She provides refuge for many exotic wild animals but most notably the big cat species: lions, tigers, leopards, panthers and mixes there of. Yes, Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore. Tigons really do exist.
I wrote Ms. Hedren a letter asking for her help. I included a short synopsis of my book and a one page questionnaire, reasoning that if it only took a few minutes of her time, she might be willing to complete it.
Truly, I believed nothing would come of it. But I had to try because I was in the midst of writing the story and it was turning out to be a great one. My other direct research source, the tiger expert at the Denver Zoo, was providing a general overview of the care and keep of these magnificent animals, but not details about the up-close-and-personal realities of living with them.
Unbelievably, Tippi Hedren called me on the phone, rather than return the questionnaire in the self-addressed, stamped envelope I provided. I was right - she was pressed for time - and she thought it would be quicker if she answered the questions verbally. Who was I to say no?
That's how my half-breed Siberian tiger, Natasha, was born. And I'll let you in on a little secret that might upset my fans. Tasha's the one who is the real beauty in BEAUTY AND THE BEASTMASTER. At the end of the book, my heroine, Amanda Tarkenton, wouldn't have it any other way.
If you'd like to make a donation to help the more than two hundred felines that Tippi Hedren has rescued, please go to: www.shambala.org
Tippi Hedren (yes, the movie star of Hitchcock's The Birds fame) founded a big cat animal rescue sanctuary in 1972, called the Shambala Preserve. I discovered this when I was doing research for one of my novels. The hero was a Pro Wrestler known as the Beastmaster, who used a Siberian Tiger as part of his act.
Research is my least favorite thing. However, the tiger was central to plot and it had to have a plausible back story. Tippi Hedren personally helped me create that back story. She provides refuge for many exotic wild animals but most notably the big cat species: lions, tigers, leopards, panthers and mixes there of. Yes, Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore. Tigons really do exist.
I wrote Ms. Hedren a letter asking for her help. I included a short synopsis of my book and a one page questionnaire, reasoning that if it only took a few minutes of her time, she might be willing to complete it.
Truly, I believed nothing would come of it. But I had to try because I was in the midst of writing the story and it was turning out to be a great one. My other direct research source, the tiger expert at the Denver Zoo, was providing a general overview of the care and keep of these magnificent animals, but not details about the up-close-and-personal realities of living with them.
Unbelievably, Tippi Hedren called me on the phone, rather than return the questionnaire in the self-addressed, stamped envelope I provided. I was right - she was pressed for time - and she thought it would be quicker if she answered the questions verbally. Who was I to say no?
That's how my half-breed Siberian tiger, Natasha, was born. And I'll let you in on a little secret that might upset my fans. Tasha's the one who is the real beauty in BEAUTY AND THE BEASTMASTER. At the end of the book, my heroine, Amanda Tarkenton, wouldn't have it any other way.
If you'd like to make a donation to help the more than two hundred felines that Tippi Hedren has rescued, please go to: www.shambala.org
May 5, 2017
Power Writing
Excerpt from my website blog: "Brief Blogs" by Carol Devine at www.authorcaroldevine.com
Today I want to talk about transcendent writing. You heard me. It is what separates Vi Keeland and me, Stephen King and you, Jon Stewart and the rest of the world from each other: the brain each of us humans is blessed with.
Brains are unique. Each human attached to each brain has a voice, a writer's voice. It's the way you express yourself, the frame in which ideas are presented, the word choices made to transfer images from your mind into a reader's mind.
To create those images, the choices you make are critical. A character walks. Nope, actually he trudges. Or hurries. Hops then skips. Slogs and slows. Leaps in excitement. Yes, it's all about emotional content. Change one word and zap… imagery jumps and sticks in the readers' mind.
That's what separates a writer from a non-writer. Writers pay attention to the power inherent in every word. Writers know which words are more powerful than others. And writers love to wield that power.
You want an example?
Walk: amble, stride, hustle, sidle, jog, zip, stumble, bustle, hop to it, side-step, circle, jangle, dance, slump, did a jig, corner, stagger…
Write beyond synonyms. Write to find a voice that speaks to the human soul.
Today I want to talk about transcendent writing. You heard me. It is what separates Vi Keeland and me, Stephen King and you, Jon Stewart and the rest of the world from each other: the brain each of us humans is blessed with.
Brains are unique. Each human attached to each brain has a voice, a writer's voice. It's the way you express yourself, the frame in which ideas are presented, the word choices made to transfer images from your mind into a reader's mind.
To create those images, the choices you make are critical. A character walks. Nope, actually he trudges. Or hurries. Hops then skips. Slogs and slows. Leaps in excitement. Yes, it's all about emotional content. Change one word and zap… imagery jumps and sticks in the readers' mind.
That's what separates a writer from a non-writer. Writers pay attention to the power inherent in every word. Writers know which words are more powerful than others. And writers love to wield that power.
You want an example?
Walk: amble, stride, hustle, sidle, jog, zip, stumble, bustle, hop to it, side-step, circle, jangle, dance, slump, did a jig, corner, stagger…
Write beyond synonyms. Write to find a voice that speaks to the human soul.
April 25, 2017
555 PARK AVENUE
Recently, I read a romance novel where the hero lived at an address I was intimately familiar with: 575 Park Avenue, New York City.
In the 1950's and '60's, my grandparents lived at 555 Park Avenue, NYC. I have vivid memories of visiting their large apartment. It was on the top floor, in a beautiful gray building with a green canopy out front, complete with doorman. An elegant elevator was in the lobby with a uniformed operator. She pulled a geared lever to open and close the doors and deliver residents to their floors.
Since the address appeared in a novel, I have no idea whether 575 Park Avenue actually exists. I don't want to know, either. Google or Siri will tell me instantly. But for some reason, I want to hang onto this idea that a novel released in 2017 has a real life connection to a place I recall so clearly from childhood.
If you live in the U.S. and know the title and author of the book that features 575 Park Ave, message me and I'll send you one free signed copy of one of my US published books.
In the 1950's and '60's, my grandparents lived at 555 Park Avenue, NYC. I have vivid memories of visiting their large apartment. It was on the top floor, in a beautiful gray building with a green canopy out front, complete with doorman. An elegant elevator was in the lobby with a uniformed operator. She pulled a geared lever to open and close the doors and deliver residents to their floors.
Since the address appeared in a novel, I have no idea whether 575 Park Avenue actually exists. I don't want to know, either. Google or Siri will tell me instantly. But for some reason, I want to hang onto this idea that a novel released in 2017 has a real life connection to a place I recall so clearly from childhood.
If you live in the U.S. and know the title and author of the book that features 575 Park Ave, message me and I'll send you one free signed copy of one of my US published books.
May 28, 2016
First words
Here I am sitting at my desk, tapping alphabet letters on a keyboard. I am writing a story, scenes which exist in my mind, scenes which have not existed before. You, by virtue of reading these alphabet letters, see in your mind what existed solely in mine.
Reading is a miraculous transfer of imagery from one mind to another. Readers are miracles, particularly my readers. Thank you for reading the words, allowing me to create images in your mind.
Reading is a miraculous transfer of imagery from one mind to another. Readers are miracles, particularly my readers. Thank you for reading the words, allowing me to create images in your mind.
To my readers ...
You are why I write. Thank you for reading my words.
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