May 28th, 2010
I should have a list of excuses I can copy and paste in this spot. As it is, let me just say that things are stressful and complicated, and I miss all y’all, but don’t see any change in the near future.
Bits and pieces:
Somebody asked if there would be trade editions of numbers 2-4 of the Wilderness novels, to match the reissue of Into the Wilderness and the trade paper editions of the last novel. Answer: I don’t know. I somehow doubt it. I will see if my agent has any insight.
I am still looking for work (see paragraph one, above), and have started taking freelance assignments. If you know of anybody who might be interested: http://rosinalippi.com/write
Also, I have lotsa signed books to sell. Not sure yet how I’m going to do that, but watch this space.
Categories: general
May 17th, 2010
I was looking up used copies of the Cambridge University Press annotated Pride and Prejudice (which costs on average $130 ( I keep hoping to run into a cheaper one) when I came across this review:
Though this book had a fascinating plot, the characters lacked depth, and the grammar was actually fairly disappointing. This book exemplifies how much classic literature was popular for good, yet simple stories…rather than over-the-top works in the vein of Umberto Eco’s writing.
This person was disappointed by Austen’s grammar. I’m going to pin this up somewhere so I can refer to it as an excellent example of asshat-ery.
Categories: general
May 12th, 2010
An email from Michelle with a suggestion. Any thoughts?
I was so excited to find your 5th book in the library this last weekend. I am slowly reading it so I can savor every minute of the story. I have read all the previous books as they have been published over the years. But I hate to say it, I am having a problem remembering all the characters. The main characters like Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Hannah, Luke and Jennet, etc. are strong in my memory – along with many others. But how did Daniel get wounded so badly? Who is Martha? I have no memory of these characters or events. (I blame it on middle age.) Is there any way you could provide a quick crib sheet on the main events for each character from the last books or would this be considering cheating or just plain annoying? Anyway I know I am going to love this book as much as the others even with my faculty memory.
Categories: wilderness
May 6th, 2010
I’ve just put the three Paradise Sun excerpts that got lost when the last version of this weblog crashed up on Flickr. Click to go to the full sized image.
Categories: wilderness
April 19th, 2010
So, insomnia. Amazing the things you can get done when you can’t sleep. If you look at the links under signposts, you’ll see collected posts from the original weblog, and the first entry on that page is heroes and heroines. Right now it’s just a compilation of old posts about characterization, not very well formatted. If I continue to not-sleep, I might be able to figure out a better way to handle it.
When I put up a new compilation, I’ll let you know.
Categories: original posts rescued
April 18th, 2010
Still hoping to get the old posts back, but it’s not looking great just now. I will start posting once in a while to try to get things moving again. So in that spirit, some recent letters from readers. The first three help me put the third one in perspective.
I bought two copies of the Endless Forest one for my anniversery and one for my best friend’s birthday. She read hers in less than a week and I not far behind. I loved every page!! I can not tell you how many tears I shed reading the obituaries at the end, I feel as though I have lost family and friends. What a wonderful get away these book were. Your books turned me into an avid reader. I picked the first one up about 2 years ago and since then I have read The Thornbirds, To Kill a Mockingbird, and many more. I hate to see the series end but all good things must come to an end but I’m sure it won’t be the last time I pick up the series. I plan to pass the books down to my two girls when they are older in hopes of making them into readers. Hope you have a wonderful day.
I have to tell you that I just loved your book Into the Wilderness. Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have my left breast removed. I had to go thru chemotherapy afterwords and in one of my lucid moments, I picked up your book. It got me thru some hard times and as much as I loved to read, I just couldn’t get into a book and forget what I was going thru, but your book did that for me. Thank you.
I just moments ago and very reluctantly read the last page of Into the Wilderness, and am taking this brief moment to write to you before picking up Dawn on a Distant Shore. I have recently arrived in New York from the countryside of Australia and seeking solace in the confusion of my new city life reached out to find unbelievable inspiration in your writing. At first, afraid I had chosen a soft romance that offered only company and kind words, instead I found your words provided me with inspiration, inner strength and renewed commitment to a new life on the East Coast of America. I have fallen in love with your characters and find myself newly appreciative and grateful of the comforts of my modern life in comparison to the hardships and trials that these pioneering men and woman of courage faced. Thank you again, and I look forward with much anticipation to your future writings.
My mother recently suggested that I read your book based on my love of historic non-fiction, such as the works of J. F. Cooper and Jane Austen. However, as a student and devotee to the integrity of these works, I had to let you know that I’m thoroughly disappointed in the lack of creativity in your novel.
I hope to god you have gotten complaints these last twelve years from other people who were also not impressed, as I have not been, with your additions of Jane Austen characters to your novel without even a mention of her on your Thank-You pages. I just stumbled across Captain Wentworth on page 719, after having found all five Bennett sisters (especially with a Lydia running away with a noted rapscallion-type), the Bennetts themselves, and Jane Bingley.
I’m sorry you have an editor and a publisher who let you get away with this, and I’m especially sorry you have been allowed to profit in any way, shape, or form, without giving credits where it’s obviously due. however, I’m glad that both Cooper and Austen never lived to see such awful liberties taken in the good names of their characters.
Had I purchased this book, I would be demanding a refund. thankfully it’s a library book, but be assured I will never be holding another one of your books in my hands again, except to move it in order to get a book worth reading written by an author worth supporting. Shame on you.
Categories: feedback
Tags: reader mail
April 9th, 2010
As you’ve no doubt noticed, the weblog disappeared and didn’t come back. Because I’ve been fighting with the mysql database, the backup people, fate, and a severe time restriction. I’ve put this temporary weblog up so you can make comments or ask questions. I haven’t given up yet on getting the old stuff back. Most especially the long conversation about The Endless Forest.
If anybody reading this
1) is really expert at mysql and wordpress
2) has the time and energy
3) is willing to help me dig out of this
please yell.
Categories: general
