Beth Thompson's Blog

Thanks to everyone for their great suggestions on how to conduct myself at Book Club.
I have to say, I had an amazing time on my recent excursion to Waterloo, ON
where I met the most fabulous women! Their questions and comments were thought-provoking and led to some great discussions.
My favourite part of the evening was listening to others as they recited my words to me. It was fascinating to hear words from my head come to life from the lips of others.
Overall, a deeply satisfying experience!! If anyone is interested in having me attend their bookclub, please be in touch: www.happinessoftruth.com

I've just been invited to my first Book Club for The Happiness of Truth and I can't wait!
I'm so excited to chat with a group of readers who have invested their time into my novel. And, I can't wait to discuss the characters — it's been awhile since I've had the chance to muse and reminisce about Vann and I miss her terribly.
I wonder if there are any questions I should prep for?
Tell me if you have any suggestions?

....Is for people to buy my book!
Seriously, it makes a great stocking stuffer. In paperback format The Happiness of Truth is under $15 and will fit perfectly into any stocking hung by the fire. What could be more perfect?
If you want to buy Happiness in e-book format, it's still a priceless gift, but you'll get if for even less money -- under $5. No one but us needs to know how little you paid :)

Visit my website to buy it now: www.happinessoftruth.com


The Happiness of Truth is a fun, fast read and your gift recipients will appreciate the holiday messages of hope and happiness that weave throughout the story.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

Last week, my beautiful cousin -- and lifelong friend -- lost her brave battle with cancer. She was 53. Her name was Maureen. Dear readers of The Happiness of Truth will be familiar with all her great qualities, for they came to life in the early character development of Ava Anderson.
When I was creating Vann's girlhood friend, it was my cousin Maureen who inspired me. She was beautiful, generous, funny and kind.
R.I.P. Maureen. Gone to soon, but never forgotten.
Beth, xo

I had a dream last night about Vann. That was a first for me.
In all the time I was writing the book and Vann was living large in my head, she never appeared in my dreams.
Maybe I miss her? I dunno. She came to me with news that her mother died. Ah, I felt so badly for her. For those of you who have read The Happiness of Truth you know her mother was her guiding light.
I wonder how she’ll survive without her? I’ve heard it said that a woman doesn’t really grow up until she is motherless.
I’m not sure if I believe that or not. I’ve been motherless for 25 years and I’m still trying to grow up!
Anyway, I’m going to wait and see if Vann pops into my daily consciousness now. If she does maybe I’ll explore this new phase of her life in this blog. Or maybe I’ll write another book?!?!?
I'd love your thoughts on this. You can be in touch on my website: www.happinessoftruth.com

Beth Thompson

I’ve been making a living with words for over 25 years now. But there was never a more fulfilling career moment than last Friday when a cheque arrived in the mail from my e-publisher for The Happiness of Truth.

Never mind that it was for a grand total of just $37! It has never been about the money. It has always been about the dream. And that little piece of paper brought my dream to life: I’m a professional novelist.
Yee haw!

In other news, my website is now live. Check it out at: www.happinessoftruth.com

You can download the book or order a print version of this great summer read. You can read a little about me or ask a question. And, you can scan the “playlists” of the main character, Vann, at different stages of her life. Given the time periods, I’d love to know what you would have added to the list.
Happy reading. Enjoy the summer! Beth
The Happiness of Truth

It’s been a month since I went public with my book – and what a month it’s been! Thanks to everyone who has purchased The Happiness of Truth , either as a paperback or e-book. I’m ecstatic with how many people have supported me.

It’s not the number of sales that has me on Cloud Nine, it’s the comments you’ve taken the time to share with me over the last few weeks that have left me giddy with joy .

I guess it’s kind of like being a new Mom who’s happiest whenever anyone tells her how cute/wonderful/sweet her baby is. It’s organically rewarding. Pure.

Damn, it feels good.

For readers of this blog, I know I still owe you a column on “The Ugly,” of writing a novel, but I’m enjoying this publishing high too much to tumble down to the depths of despair. I will get to that, I promise.

Today, though, I want to share a personal observation and a few reader remarks.

OBSERVATION:
For many people, there seems to be one line that seals the deal — one simple sentence that articulates (and validates) a feeling they’ve been struggling to understand, tame, free or acknowledge. And then, when they read it, it’s like: Wow. Yes. True. Thanks.

It’s FANTASTIC when someone says “I love it when Vann says ‘ blank, blank, blank.’ It has put the last three years of my life into perspective.”

What is so wonderful about this is that it emphasizes the fact that we are all connected. Regardless of our age, gender or lifestyle, we all feel the same things. Cool, right?

OK, enough from me, already. Here are some of the words you shared about The Happiness of Truth. Enjoy -- and thanks!

REVIEWS:
“I couldn’t put it down! Congratulations, it is such a beautiful, honest read, full of surprises and opportunities to ask oneself questions….”

“Great characters, interesting story arc, challenging ideas on life choices AND well written. The author has an amazing way with words - the ability to capture the deep emotions we experience in life and describe them with great insight.”

“I was engrossed from the moment I picked it up.”

“This was a serious page-turner. I haven't had a book that I just had to finish in a long time.”

“If you're looking to meet some new friends, buy this book and introduce yourself to Vann Scott. She's a great character!”

And now a review from the author: You rock!

Oh, and when you get a chance, check out my website: www.happinessoftruth.com

Wow. The day has finally arrived. My e-book is live. Gulp.

I've been nosing around a few sites for the last week or so, wondering when it would pop up. So far, it's available on Barnes and Noble and Kobo. Within the next few weeks it'll also be on Kindle, Ipad and ebookpie.

Following the e-launch, there will be a print version available from lulu. If I work up the nerve, I'll have a launch party soon.

So, yeah, it's really happening! It's no longer just a figment of my imagination — a reality that leaves me excited and terrified at the same time.

For all of you who have been following my posts, and for all of you who have encouraged me along the way -- I am in your debt. Thank you.


Well, here goes nothing. I'm hitting send....

Does it come as any surprise that the ‘bad’ of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Being an Indie Writer revolves around money?
Thank goodness for my save-for-a-rainy-day tendencies, because the freelance work I had been counting on to pay monthly expenses was virtually non-existent during my first year of writing The Happiness of Truth . In fact, in all of 2010, I earned the equivalent of two weeks’ pay compared to 2009.
Am I embarrassed that I contributed so little to my household income? You bet.
More than once I felt like a miserable failure, believing I’d made a critical error in judgment. Honestly, what grown woman with 3 university-aged children walks away from a good job to pursue a dream?
I’d be the first to say it sounds flighty, irresponsible and self-centered. In fact, it sounds like something Vann , my novel’s protagonist, might do.
Yet I did it anyway.
Knowing what I do now, would I do it again? The answer would depend on which day you asked. When the writing was going well, I’d say absolutely.
But if you asked me on the day I made the decision to sell some of my mother’s jewelry to buy Christmas presents? Not so much. (More on that later under – you guessed it – The Ugly).
Naturally, I learned a few things about myself during this time. I can stretch a dollar, clip coupons and roll up my sleeves to do the grunt work.
And I learned that anxiety created by worry spurs creativity. Simply put: You write your best when you feel the most.
But, the biggest lesson came way, way down the road.
See, in my neat little world’s view, I assumed that my suffering would make way for some great success.
What did that success look like? Namely, that my manuscript would get scooped up as soon as I put it out into the literary world.
Yeah, not so much.
But guess what? That eventually (emphasis on eventually) turned out to be OK.
How can that be when from all accounts it looks like I’d just wasted a couple of years writing a book I couldn’t sell? Had endless nights of egg noodle casseroles finally made me loony?
Actually, it was just the opposite. I became grounded. I’ll tell you more next time.

There are so many parts of this writing project that have made it the 'gift that keeps on giving.'

For starters, I've been completely blown away by the amazing comments of encouragement and enthusiasm this blog has spurred. Thank you!!

But there were other indications from the get-go that made me believe this was going to be a lovely and worthy undertaking (if for no one else but myself).

The most significant was that I came to understand that being able to write is a great privilege.

Why?

Because you realize early on that the words and ideas don't so much come from you, as move through you. Eek, that sounds a bit new-agey doesn't it?

Here's an example: I'd sit down to write what I thought should happen in the life of my protagonist, Vann, but my fingers would type something else (often something better!).

In short order Vann had taken over the process; she had her own ideas of how she wanted to tell her story. And she did.

I was blown away whenever that happened - and it happened with some frequency.

It allowed me to be as engaged as any reader; to look forward to how the story would unfold.

I'm not gonna lie, often times I would want a happy ending but Vann would choose the harsher, more realistic, one. She kept me on the edge of my laptop.

Hopefully, she will do the same for you.

We are getting closer to publishing The Happiness of Truth . The copy edit is complete, the cover art finalized and the website under construction.

Soon, soon. So soon. Stay tuned.