Man on the Moon

One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind

Forty-four years ago this week, Apollo 11 landed the first men on the moon, making good President John F. Kennedy's pledge to beat the Soviets in the Race to Space. On July 21, 1969,  Neil Armstrong became the first human to step onto the lunar surface. and Buzz Aldrin joined him while television cameras broadcast into homes around the world the less-than-perfect images, later augmented in newspapers and magazines. Michael Collins, the third member of the mission, waited in lunar orbit in the command module, until Armstrong and Aldrin were able to join him for the return trip to Earth.

In the fictional world I created for my novel, too much left unsaid, Mattie Connors is sitting with a guest in her Ohio living room, watching the momentous event. She is led to unfold the tales of her life, from her own fifth birthday in August, 1912, until that day.

You are invited to share her story as you read the book, available online or in bookstores.

Let me know how you like my story.

What did you "used to think"?

At the Book Launch Party

What's in a name?

I named my blog "I Used to Think" because no one ever says "I used to know."

I used to think everyone who didn't  agree with me was just being obstinate.

Now I know that the variety of backgrounds, personal history and life events lead different people to think differently. 

As a fiction writer, I have been able to explore some of the many ways historical events have been viewed by those who lived through them.

My goal in my novel was to examine the turbulent time period between 1918 and 1969, with the enormous changes in roles and mores.

I hope to connect with readers who lived through those times or wonder about what it might have been like. 

(And I'd like them to buy my book, of course.)

I used to think that publishing a novel would be all I'd need to be satisfied.

Now I know I want to do whatever I can to get my book into the hands of more readers.

What are some of the ideas you used to hold that have changed over the years?

ebook vs. paper book

e-book is now available

Well, the choice is yours now.

TOO MUCH LEFT UNSAID is available either way,
 so take your choice.

The advantage of ebook is instantaneous delivery.

If you want a signed copy, I would be glad to send you a signed bookmark.


Collinsleej@gmail.con

The Poetry of Language

On my very first post in this blog, in February, 2012, I introduced myself with these words:

 I have always enjoyed words in both their sound and sense.  I enjoy the very sound of such words as

“windowsill,” “Cinderella,” “sassafras,” and, my recent favorite “hydrochlorothiazide”. 

 

Anyone out there who likes words just for their sounds?'

 

A few weeks ago at the University of Iowa Summer Writing Festival, I was delighted that B.K. Loren and Juliet Patterson presented at The Eleventh Hour on Thursday, June 13.

 

They talked about using poetry in writing fiction and non-fiction. They pointed out that early language (both oral and written--as in pictographs) was rich in poetry and image. Poets are skilled in paying attention to both the sound and the meaning of each word.

Prose writers would do well to pay attention to the poetic line in the prose we write.
Poets are looking for the word with the emotional impact to match what they wish to convey.

Every word has a natural onomatopia-- the formation of the word by imitating sound.
     Common examples are "buzz." "tick-tock," and "bang."


B.K spoke of the emotional difference between the words:

BIG  and

 

HUGE.



 

The second conveys a greater vastness than the first.

 

It was fun to listen to these two writers confirm that liking the sound of words is a poetic attribute we all might seek to use. So I'll ask again:

 

Anyone out there who likes words just for their sounds?

 

 

 

 

I've been too busy writing to write

The past ten days I have been at the University of Iowa Summer Writing Festival for two classes.

I met some fascinating people and read some very fine writing by members of Sarah Saffian's memoir class and Eric Goodman's life essay class.

You'll hear more about it as I get more time to process lectures, lessons and events.

For now, I just want to recommend the experience to you. There are six one-week sessions and that many week-end session. It is well worth your time and money if you are or would like to be a writer.

Be the first to order

I just got word that the paperback of my novel Too Much Left Unsaid is now available from writeplace.biz, Barnes and Noble or Amazon.  It should soon be available in independent bookstores or ask your bookstore to order you a copy.

The e-book version for Kindle, Nook, and other e-readers should be available soon, and I will blog about that when I am told it is ready.

If you are near or can come to Pella on July 13, join me for my book launch party on July 13 described in my previous post.

My novel will be launched soon

 

On Saturday, July 13, 2013, my novel

TOO MUCH LEFT UNSAID

will be launched at a party in Pella, Iowa.

The Write Place is publishing it and I will soon be able to tell you all where you can place orders to buy it.

The party will be at

Second Reformed Church

Gathering Space

612 Union in Pella.

 I will read a bit and sign copies if asked to do so.