CINDY APPEL NEWSLETTER FOR OCTOBER 2003
IN THIS ISSUE:
My monthly column update
Book Happenings
Q & A Time

Happy Halloween—Happy Harvest-Time!

Autumn is such a beautiful time of the year. The golds and reds and oranges of the leaves, the rustic smell of wood-smoke rising from chimneys, the awe-inspiring sight of the daily wagon train of cars as parents retrieve their students from after-school activities… Yes, what would the month October be without our children being involved in numerous clubs, sports teams, scout troops and a million and one other worthy causes? If you’ve ever thought “chauffer” should be written into your parenting job description, then you’ll enjoy, “It’s 4PM… Do You Know Where Mom’s Taxi Is?”

Remember, I feel your pain. I know your frustration. Maybe together we can hold our sanity together and make it until Christmas break—or until our kids learn to drive.

Every Day Is Mother’s Day for October: “It’s 4PM… Do You Know Where Mom’s Taxi Is?” now online at
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/momsday_index.html
(You may have to copy and paste the above URL into your web browser to get it to work. And don’t forget to “share it with a friend” by passing the link along.)

As always, I appreciate your feedback.

The wonders of the Internet and email never cease to amaze me… I recently received a brief note from a family friend I hadn’t seen since I was five years old! Here’s what Betty Lou had to say about discovering my web site and writing:

“Your mom gave me your web address and I have really
enjoyed reading the interesting articles. (Someday I hope to get around to your great sounding books.) You have an amazing talent and come by it honestly... Keep up the good work. Looking forward to reading more of your creations.”

Thanks, Betty Lou. Keep in touch!

~~BOOK HAPPENINGS~~

I LANDED A BOOK CONTRACT! I LANDED A BOOK CONTRACT! WOO-HOO!!! WOO-HOO!!! :-)

Yes, I know I’ve just violated my own rules of never using capitals and extra exclamation points for emphasis, but this is a rare occurrence. I’m excited and here’s why: My funny, non-fiction “how-NOT-to” manuscript, THE CURSE OF THE MANUSCRIPT-EATING SLUSH PILE MONSTER(based upon my talk of the same name), has been accepted for publication by Gryphon Books for Writers.(http://www.gryphonbooksforwriters.com)

Gryphon Books for Writer’s titles include Debra Dixon’s “GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict” (better known by some as “the fiction writer’s bible”). Let me tell you it’s an honor to be included in such notable company. Stay tuned for more details in upcoming newsletters. What I can tell you now is that the tentative release date is slated for early spring next year.

On the downer side this month—I received two rejections on fiction manuscripts. One from a company that has gone out of business (should I really count that one as a pass, I wonder?) and one rejection with “suggested revisions” if I want to resubmit it. I’m considering the “suggestions." It’s a tough call when you love your characters as they are and can’t quite see the necessity of performing such radical changes to an otherwise “well written story.” Sometimes, you do wonder what on earth editors are thinking. On one hand they praise your writing, and on the other they tell you to lobotomize your characters… It boggles the mind.

Oh, well, you can still find my current novels in print. Enjoy!

COUNTRY BOY, CITY GIRL (ISBN 1-58851-918-X)
Publish America Inc. http://www.publishamerica.com
(trade paperback edition—available through Amazon.com, BN.com, Wal-Mart.com and other online booksellers. Electronic formats available at Wings ePress.)

THE FIXER-UPPERS (ISBN 1-59088-984-3)
Wings ePress http://www.wings-press.com
(trade paperback and electronic editions)

Now, it’s time for everybody’s favorite—

~~Q & A TIME~~

Q: Which is harder to write--fiction or non-fiction?

A: It really depends on the writer. They are many non-fiction writers (journalists, how-to authors, investigative reporters, etc.) who have delved into writing fiction—and fallen flat on their faces. However, many fiction writers (short story writers, novelists, screenplay writers, etc.) write non-fiction articles and books on topics such as “how to write romance” or “how to market your work” and these pieces are received quite well. Does that mean that fiction writers are somehow more versatile or that fiction writing is harder or that these writers are more talented than their non-fiction peers? I don’t think so.

Sometimes a non-fiction work will be easy for a writer to write (such as my upcoming funny, how-NOT-to book THE CURSE OF THE MANUSCRIPT-EATING SLUSH PILE MONSTER) because the topic is one that the writer is excited about and/or very familiar with and eager to share her/his insights with the world. Other times a fictional story will get stuck in a writer’s head and just beg to be “born” and the fingers can’t type fast enough. And then there are times when a deadline is looming and the words are slow to come—fiction or non-fiction. It’s then when a writer really begins to wonder if she/he may have gone into the wrong profession.

So in answer to your question I have one word: Both.

If you have a question--any question, related to writing, publishing or whatever--email me at cynthianna@hotmail.com.(Do not hit "reply" to this newsletter or your email will bounce.) Results guaranteed or double your money back. ;-)

Check out answers to previous questions online at: http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/writingtips.html

Until next time, enjoy the changing seasons--and don’t forget to get the oil changed in your “Mom’s Taxi” every three thousand miles. :-)

God bless!
Cindy
(aka Cynthianna Appel)
My web site: http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna

P.S. Feel free to forward this newsletter on to an email friend. Better yet, tell them to sign up to receive the newsletter in their own email box. You'll be glad you did! (But if you do forward this, please forward the entire contents and not just bits and pieces. Thank you.)