Writer’s Block (Again)

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Amy J. Strychasz

Summer is on the horizon with the summer solstice this week. My steadfast spouse has ended his school year and there is more help in the child department. This should mean more time to write and allow the creative juices to flow. Alas, this is not the case. I find myself with another case of writer’s block. Not so much in the idea department. More so in the motivation department.

Part of what happens in summer is a distinct need to hang out as a family. We like to take the time to take day trips, visit family and just do things that we have less time for during the school year. This summer this is more the case, as my son enters kindergarten in the Fall. I think I don’t want to take away from the precious bit of time we have before school fills his days, and before he grows into a very big boy, with his own social life, of which I will not be a part. Growing up is bittersweet.

The other part is just an innate struggle to get into the story and into the hearts and minds of the characters. In working on a sequel to Buffalo Gals, I have lost my grounding in the setting. I am very much picking up the pieces of Marshall’s decision and trying to draw out what her journey of self-discovery will be. Not easy going. I’m also introducing new characters, whom I want to be a part of this journey, but without cliches and certainly remaining true to Marshall’s character.

I have also started a young adult novel, and am trying to get to know the characters and their motivations. It’s hard to get to know new people, even fictional ones. I want to care as much about these characters as I did about Marshall. Hard stuff.

How to overcome writer’s block? I guess I’ll read my earlier posts and go back to tried-but-true methods. Keeping my fingers crossed and my heart open to the universe.

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And Now, a Word about The Ending

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Amy J. Strychasz

Phew. The holidays had a long recovery, then a lot of other things sidetracked me. At long last, I have returned to my poor neglected blog, who has sat so patiently and waited for even a small pat of recognition. Here comes the love!

Buffalo Gals has been in publication now for 6 months. During that time, the readership has expanded from those who know me, to those who know me slightly, to those who know me not at all. I have really enjoyed hearing the feedback from people, whether it contains positive or negative content. As a writer, there are always things one would change after the fact. Nothing is ever perfect, though my hope has always been that it would be a good first effort. Does it probably need a bit of polishing? Yes. Are there things I would have rewritten? Possibly.

One of the interesting things I’ve noticed is the response to the ending. I will not go into details, so as not to spoil it for any readers. Suffice to say that some people connect with the ending, although they do not agree with it; others outright dislike the ending. To some extent, this has fallen along generation lines: some of the older readers have said Marshall’s final decision was outright stupid, while some of the younger readers seem to be less critical of it. And yet, I have had younger critics in the former camp as well. Bottom line: you cannot please everyone.

In Marshall’s defense, I wrote it the way someone who is 23 and faced with some big choices might choose. As I know from my own experience and from looking back as someone older (and hopefully a bit wiser), we don’t always choose the way we would choose later in life, with more experience under our belts and a better understanding of ourselves. After all, the point of the book is Marshall’s journey of self-discovery. It is, in its essence, a coming-of-age story.

It’s perfectly okay not to like it—but don’t confuse disagreement with the ending with dislike of the book as a whole. There are plenty of books I have read where I love the book, even I do not agree with the ending or dislike the ending (The Help comes to mind, but that’s a whole new post). For me, it has to do with consistency. Is the ending consistent with who the character is and what theme the story has? If so, even if it’s not what I would do, or what I want the character to do, I can still acknowledge it fits. What bothers me more is lack of consistency and sudden rash endings with no rationalization or explanation.

The ending stands as it is. For now . .

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Ode to Jingles

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Amy J. Strychasz

The Christmas season is here and tradition and nostalgia hang in the air. As an avid baker, I’m firing up the oven, stocking up on cookie supplies and polishing off the Kitchenaid. I love making cookies, and with my 4-year old an eager helper, what’s not to love? There is nothing like the smell of cookies in the oven, and the smile of my son as he sneaks a lick from the bowl of cookie dough.

Homemade creations are near and dear to my heart. And yet . . . growing up in Buffalo at Christmas meant the annual appearance of Jingle cookies. Our mouths would go slack and drool would puddle in the corners when the first box of these store-bought creations appeared in our house. The distinct scent of anise infused cookies hit the nose when we opened the box. Green and red sugar crystals glittered on the surface of cookies shaped like stars, trees, Christmas ornaments and snow men. The first crunchy bite was heaven, the second, bliss. Two bites would polish off these small cookies. A glass of milk stood sentinel, waiting to wash down the final bite. But one was never enough . . . these little bites of heaven were addictive. Before we knew it, the package was gone.

For years, we enjoyed this seasonal treat . . . until the year they disappeared from the shelf. A quick search on the internet revealed the dismal truth: the Jingle was no more. Apparently, Salerno, who made the original Jingle, was bought out by Parmalat. Salerno continued to market the cookies under the name Santa’s Favorites, but alas, not quite the same. Keebler also made a cookie after Parmalat bought out Salerno, but the recipe was nowhere near the true Jingle cookie. I know. My mom bought a package and we threw them all in the trash. So disappointing.

Now there are just rumors of Jingle purchases and sightings. Claims of finding them in stores in the midwest. I have never seen a package since. So, for all you Jingle lovers out there, keep hunting. Perhaps some lucky person will hit the jackpot.

Oh sweet star-shaped Jingle
Dressed in glittery sprinkles
Red and green,
Your anise perfume
Irresistible,
Your crunchiness
Delectable,
Oh Jingle, sweet Jingle
You’re mine.

Perhaps someone has a Jingle sighting?

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Give Thanks and “Shop Main Street”

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Amy J. Strychasz

In the last few weeks I’ve watched as Thanksgiving became overshadowed by Halloween and, though still over a month away, Christmas. The decorations began to appear the week prior to Halloween, and overtook the aisles of stores on November 1st. Commercials on t.v. began to push for Black Friday sales early in November. Online sales have already begun and some big box stores announced they would open their doors at midnight for Black Friday.

What’s the rush? I ask. I enjoy taking one holiday at a time, savoring the day and its rituals. In the case of Thanksgiving, it is truly a day to pause, consider the many things big and small for which we are grateful and celebrate with family and friends. Perhaps its a slower holiday, but it holds a lot of meaning and tradition.

When the day is over and Christmas shopping begins, I encourage everyone to consider buying from local shops. You have probably seen the commercials to “Shop Main Street” on Saturday, November 26th. The idea is that one purchase from a local shop can help sustain local merchants and businesses. Spend the day in your local neighborhood–you might be surprised at what you will discover in the shop on the corner.

I have a lot to be grateful for this year: a wonderful spouse, beautiful son, great family and friends, health, home and job. And I am grateful for the local independent shops that carry “Buffalo Gals”–thank you all (for a list of local shops where “Buffalo Gals” is available, click on the link).

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Shopping!

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Promotion, promotion, promotion

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Amy J. Strychasz

Last week was a whirlwind: first, an interview on “A.M. Buffalo” with Linda Pellegrino, then a book signing at Talking Leaves on Sunday. Many thanks to Linda Pellegrino for being such a gracious, enthusiastic host and to Jonathan at Talking Leaves, for supporting a hometown writer. It felt good to promote Buffalo Gals in the city in which it is set, and the place which is always home for me.

Promoting a self-published book is an uphill battle. The benefit of an agent and publishing house backing you is the connections they have in the book world. A big house publisher also enables a book to be sold in big box stores on the shelves. Despite these challenges, we continue to plug away at promotion. In this area, I cannot thank my tireless, savvy, supportive husband enough for all of his hard work and support. It’s amazing to have someone believe in me so much, and believe in me as a writer.

Back to promotion. Selling a book is not only selling the story, but selling yourself as an author. You have to believe in what you have written and be able to connect that to who you are as a writer. For me, it was easy. I believe that a good, enjoyable story does not have to be about trauma and drama, werewolves and vamps, or esoteric. I love my hometown and felt that it deserved to be a central character in a book. It is very natural and easy to believe in a book that shares a common experience (post-college) set in the town I love.

I can talk about Buffalo and the post-college experience until the cows come home. And talk I will . . . and people are starting to listen.

Climbing that slow hill . . .

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A Nod from the Hometown

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Amy J. Strychasz

I was excited to find that Buffalo Gals received a mention by Charity Vogel in the Books section of the Buffalo News on October 6, 2011. It was really satisfying to see it listed among other books by authors with Buffalo connections. Also cool is the upcoming signing at Talking Leaves Books in Buffalo on November 6, 2011 (4-6PM). It feels good to finally be doing some promotion in Buffalo, where the novel takes place.

Reception so far has proven mostly positive. The September signing at Greetings and Readings went well for an unagented/self-published author. Feedback from readers has been mostly positive and helpful. The biggest question I receive? “When are you going to do a sequel?” People seem genuinely interested in what happens to Marshall.

Do all books need a sequel? I’ve been pondering this question. When I wrote about Marshall Sullivan, I had always planned it in my head that there would be two parts to her story. Like Shakespeare’s comedies, the first part takes place in the city, and the second part, where mayhem ensues, in the country. This is how I envisioned the whole story arc. At the same time, when I finished Marshall’s time in Buffalo, I felt like the story could stand on its own, without another part.

For me the answer lies in whether I feel Marshall’s story has been told. Truthfully, I think there is more to her story. Alas, writer’s block has set in a bit and I’m not sure what story Marshall is trying to tell me. Sigh. Hang tight, dear readers.

Stay tuned.

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Library Lament

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Amy J. Strychasz

I love the library. Who can argue with free books? Or all the other amazing services offered there. My first real job in high school was as a page in the local branch of the library system. It was a small library, but the librarians knew all the regular patrons and chatted with them as books were returned or checked out.

My job was not nearly as interesting, but it was hands-on—I shelved the books and maintained the order of the books, packed books to be returned to other branch libraries and helped the children’s librarian prepare for the story hour. Not taxing, but a cool way to experience books. I learned the Library of Congress system and the card catalogue by heart and could tell you where a subject in non-fiction was located just by the number. This was back in the day when there was actually a card catalogue one looked through manually to find books. And, yes, I do miss that.

I took my son on one of our many library trips today. What struck me is how disconnected the whole process is now. Instead of a librarian or clerk checking out your books and conversing with you, there are now automated systems. You place up to five books on a pad and the computer checks them out to your account. There is no human interaction unless there is a problem or question.

The other problem with this system is that it is completely a pain for those of us with small children. Try checking out fourteen picture books with a wiggly four-year old. Bad enough if it goes smoothly, worse if you encounter a glitch in the computer system.

I miss being able to hand my books to someone, get a smile and maybe hear a comment about a book I’ve chosen, or a suggestion of a book to read. The comforting and welcoming face of the library has disappeared.

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First In-Store Book Signing a Success

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Amy J. Strychasz

Today, the first in-store book signing for Buffalo Gals was held at Greetings and Readings, right here in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Greetings and Readings is a really cool bookstore and gift store that has been around for many years. It used to be less than a mile from our house, until it moved to its current location in Hunt Valley. The staff has been really amazing, and very receptive to new/local/self-published authors.

It’s a bit surreal to sit behind a table and greet people and try to sell your book. I am not, by nature, an extrovert or a salesperson. The writing aspect, that’s covered. It was with a bit of trepidation that I sat in the chair and greeted people as they came into the store, trying to engage them and talk about what I had written. And yet, it was also really cool. It was fun to meet some new people and to see some people that I knew.

And while we didn’t sell boxes and boxes of books, we sold about 15 copies in a two hour period. Maybe not bestseller list, but we are spreading the word. Each person that sees the book or even asks about it, is one more person who hears about the book. I’ll say it again: I believe in this book and the story it tells. So do some other people.

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Favorite Children’s Books

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Amy J. Strychasz

I was putting away books in my 4-year-old son’s room and I realized I love his books as much as I love my books. Sometimes, more, because the illustrations are so amazing. We have always invested in books for our son. When I first learned I was pregnant, I ws thrilled. Now I could comb the children’s section and collect some of the books I remembered loving as a child, or had discovered when I shelved books in the library in high school and college. Before he even entered the world, my son had a stash of board books, and a collection of picture books.

Nowadays, the collection has grown considerably. Not a holiday or birthday goes by that books are not included in the presents. True to his genes, my son loves books as much as my husband and I do. He has his favorites, even if they aren’t mine. Right now, we’re in a Berenstein Bears phase. Could be worse. These are some of my favorites:

Sally Goes to the Beach by Stephen Huneck; or any of the Sally books. Great woodcut illustrations and simple stories. Huneck is an artist who has a studio in Woodstock, VT. My husband discovered his artwork before we knew he had books–the fall before I was pregnant.

Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest; illustrated by Anita Jeram; or any of the Sam books. Whimsical illustrations and lovely writing make it a very sweet way to end the day.

Emily by Michael Bedard; illustrations by Barbara Cooney. My one tip of the hat to my B.A. in English: it follows a little girl who lives next door to Emily Dickinson.

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems; or any of the Knufflebunny books (the Pigeon books are funny). So funny and all parents will relate! The use of real photos and Willems’ own drawings is neat.

Buffalo Snow by Elizabeth Leader and Eve Tulbert. A mother and daughter team wrote this book about a little girl and her brother and the blizzard the forces them to seek shelter with strangers. It’s set in Buffalo, of course.

Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman. Clever, funny story with few words. Check out 10 Minutes Until Bedtime as well, and see if you can find the zookeeper’s house.

Splat the Cat by Rob Scotten. Love the adventures of Splat the Cat and his pet mouse, Seymour. Several books in the series. Also check out Russell the Sheep.

Duck at the Door by Jackie Urbanovic. The story of Max the Duck and how he becomes part of Irene’s large pet family is funny and touching. Check out the other books in the series as well.

The Toot and Puddle series by Hollie Hobbie. Two best friends who are very different. Sweet illustrations and stories.

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson; illustrations by Jane Chapman. Great rhymes, wonderful illustrations and you have to love Bear. Check out the other books in the series as well.

Okay, I’ll stop there. But I could go on. Maybe I’ll have to do a second part to this post . . .

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Pause for a Few Word of Thanks

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Amy J. Strychasz

For those of you who have followed the progress of Buffalo Gals, you know that my better half has been hard at work connecting with local booksellers to carry the novel. Everyone to date has been very helpful and supportive. Red Canoe in Baltimore, MD, Ukazoo in Towson, MD, and Greetings and Readings in Hunt Valley, MD all agreed to carry the novel on consignment. Still working on the Buffalo angle.

Spinetingler.com also carried a guest blog about music and the novel.

I wanted to take the time to personally thank all of the booksellers and Spinetingler.com for the support. It goes a long way when you are doing promotion on your own.

An additional thanks to all of those who have purchased the novel and written reviews. You’re the best.

In other news, I spent some time outlining my YA novel. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m hoping I’m up to the task. Now if I could just find the time to move it along more . . .

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