The winner of the Two 2 Tango giveaway is Anmada (whose comment started with: Taking a whole weekend to make different kinds of holiday cookies...), and who should e-mail me at LynnViehl@aol.com with your ship-to info so I can get these books out to you.
I was going to write a little post today about the three wise women and their gifts who have helped me most as a writer: my grandmother and her poetry, my mother and her self-discipline, and author Holly Lisle, who has been my friend and mentor since I got into this game. But some interesting e-mail came in about Holly Lisle, Talyn and me, and I thought I should talk about that.
Only on the internet could I be accused of having ulterior motives in giving away another writer's books for free. Yes, rumor has it that my holiday giveaways are all part of a master plan to help Holly Lisle's career. Evidently when you winners get the free copy of Talyn, nanites sprayed on the pages will take over your brain, force you to go out and buy all of Holly Lisle's books, and continue buying Holly Lisle's books forever.
Makes sense. I mean, why else would I give away copies of Talyn? Not because this is happens to be the month that the novel was finally released in mass market, or because I loved it so much I gave away a stack of copies over a year ago when it came out in hardcover, or that the book is dedicated to Sheila Kelly (hey, isn't that my name?), or that I was one of if not the first person who read the book the minute Holly Lisle finished writing it in 2003.
You're right. It has to be the nanite thing.
Anyway, to get back to brainwashing you people, in A Hand to Guide Me, Denzel Washington and 73 other famous folks give credit to the people who have helped and influenced them along the way. Disclaimer: I also have another ulterior motive in giving away this book; the author is donating his proceeds from the book to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. So you're not just getting a free book, you'll be involved in a hideous plot to donate money to a charity organization for children. That and Denzel Washington's gorgeous face on the cover are what make A Hand to Guide Me my third very cool book of December.
For a chance to win today's giveaway, and have your brain totally under my power, in comments to this post name a person who has had a hand in guiding you (or, if you haven't met that person yet, just throw your name in the hat) by midnight EST on December 7, 2006. I'll draw one name from everyone who participates and send the winner unsigned copies of Denzel Washington's hardcover debut A Hand to Guide Me and Talyn by Holly Lisle. Giveaway open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here and been subjected to mind control by PBW in the past.
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Cherry Adair has helped guide me in a new direction.
ReplyDeleteRecently, my friend Stephanie. So many people have an affect on our lives and have influenced me a great deal...but recently it was my friend Stephanie that really made me feel like I had a "home" at school. Being away at college was difficult for me because I missed my sister (who is my best friend), family, friends. This is my third year and I finally feel comfortable in this new place because of her.
ReplyDelete-aj
My friend Angie. She's helped me see that going back to school is important,no matter how long I've waited.
ReplyDeleteIt would have to be my friend Mee who's been a part of my life from almost day one. She inspires and challenges me just by being herself and I feel like I've become a better person because of her.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as a side note: if I found out you ate a certain type of hot dog, I would be compelled to go out and try it. ::g::
So it is actually a very good thing that most of my favourite authors live in another country because I would end up stalking them at the grocery store and it would be scary. ;)
My friend Tamanna, who I've never met in real life, who read and commented upon everything I sent to her and never told me that my writing was rubbish.
ReplyDeleteI just mentioned Talyn on a HarperCollins message board (s'okay, discussion of other books is encouraged.) Funnily enough, someone else was after a copy of the book, so the word is spreading out here to Australia.
ReplyDeletemy father
ReplyDeleteWell, she goes by many different names, but I just call her Paperback Writer. I came across her blog a little over a year ago. I remember it was a no-holds-barred post about RWA and I admired her ‘tell it like it really is’ style and I’ve been reading her daily ever since.
ReplyDeleteI’ve always had the attitude that I was going to do this writing thing my way, or not at all, but that doesn’t always get you where you want to be in this industry, so I was torn between keeping it real and being true to myself and my love of the craft, or mimicking others with the hope of attaining some level of success.
It was very validating for me to come across someone who makes a living as a writer, yet maintains her own beliefs, values and dignity, regardless of what others might think. Nor have I come across another in the field who truly believed and practiced the concept of writers helping writers, the way she does.
Not only has she given me great insight into the industry, but she has instilled my belief that I really can do this my way! And because of her generosity, I find myself helping other writers who are newer at this game than I am, every chance I get.
Maybe I’ll start calling her the Queen of Karma!
Kelley Armstrong, for various reasons, one of which is that without her, I would never have started writing.
ReplyDeleteAnd PBW, I'm only too glad to submit to your mind control. Rarely has such mind control been so much fun to read or to get. :)
man, i want somebody who believes in my writing that much, to force my writing on poor, unsuspected, mindless readers. ;p
ReplyDeleteyeesh. some people can be soooooo strange.
hmmmmm... hand in guiding me. Do the rejections letters I got, saying not what we're looking for count? I've never been into crit groups and the one crit partner I had only lasted a couple months and I figured it just wasn't working for me.
How but Toni Blake did a workshop at my local RWA chapter meeting that has served me well time and again.
and my editor at EC, Pam, was a true godsend. She helped me polish what desperately needed polish and taught where to look for the holes I hadn't realized where there~then there's Angela Knight & Lora Leigh. It was reading hot stuff like theirs that made me decide to give a go and I got an acceptance finally instead of a rejection letter
and not sucking up a bit (although I'm totally willing to suck up if it meant i'd win a copy of plague) but a lot of the posts you've done, I've printed out and refer to time and again
Aside from my mother -- who taught me to be a independent thinker, I'd have to say my ninth grade English teacher, Miss Grong, who made me memorize all of the helping verbs (in order!) and gave us extra credit for memorizing Shakespeare.
ReplyDeleteShe instilled a love for the English language deep within my heart. And helps me to keep passive voice out of my writing :-)
My mom.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Interesting email, PBW. I mean, even if it WERE true and you WERE trying to help Holly's career by encouraging purchase of her books... remind me why that's a bad thing?
ReplyDeleteAnywho... I believe in a person influencing you when you need it so there have been a few, individual for writing/life, some the same.
In life, my husband has been a major blessing.
In writing, you, Holly, and Tamara Siler Jones have been paying it forward to me for not quite a year whether through articles, posts, or emails. :)
In both, my best friends in HS, Maggie, Julie, and Bridget.
Jess
As far as brain washing is concerned, in my case only a light rinse would be needed...
ReplyDeleteI would have to say, like Jill,one of the major influences has been yourself, PBW.
My major influences have been the people closest to me, my wife and my parents.
ReplyDeleteI loved Talyn, it's one of my favorite books ever and pfft to them. I got pounced for telling people to go buy it too.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, bring on the nanites, please! Many people have guided me, inspired me, gave me hope when I needed it. Including you, PBW. However, I'd have to count my Beloved Sis as the one who has the biggest hand in guiding me. She was the first to share my dream and I, hers.
ReplyDeleteMy parents, and my friend Leah.
ReplyDeleteMy first grade teacher, Miss McGee, who although she had thirty students managed to instill a love of reading and learning in most of us. She was in her 60's at the time so who knows how many readers she created. This is a gift that has sustained me in good times and bad for my whole long life.
ReplyDeleteOh, so many people: Parents, mom-in-law, Aunt Barb, Scott, and Eric. That's a start.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother for instilling a love of reading and my dad and sil for battling deadly diseases with more grace and courage than I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother for always talking me to the library and nurturing my love of books
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you didn't say who posted those things about you. I would've wasted lots of time digging up dirt and writing a hate post on my blog. I sure hope you don't let that crap bother you.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I'm off to buy everything that has anything to do with Holly Lisle. I also have this strange urge to give money to charities. That's odd.
The persons who have really influenced my life are many. However, the key influences were:
ReplyDeleteMy mother, marguerite, for reading to me early and often and instilling me with the love of words.
my father, robert, for being a friend and a companion in my dark days and for showing me how to see the deeper meanings in life when he died of cancer.
my big brother, david, who showed me the way--that even if you're abused you can still grow strong and remain compassionate to the world.
there are plenty of others, but without having had those three people in my life I would be a poorer person in many ways shapes and forms.
rkc, he made me realize i'm better than i think i am and sent me down a path of experiences i never would have tread without him. i have learned so much about myself and those around me. i will hold onto these lessons learned for my lifetime.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, looks like I am the only one to post that I haven't met that person yet, who had a hand in guiding me.
ReplyDeleteYou've had a little influence over me (lol) but my father and my husband have been my top two guardian angels.
ReplyDeleteMy father passed his bibliophile genes to me, and encouraged me when I decided that I wanted a career in publishing. My husband supported me without complaining during the lean years and then switched jobs so that I could work in New York. I love them and owe them both so much.
About the mind control thing - I've always thought you were up to no good, PBW. The free books aren't as bad as all those real paying jobs you keep getting for writers and editors and reviewers. You're trying to take over the industry through your insidious efforts, aren't you?
L.
Several years ago I met a writer,Karen Mandeville, online on anearly dead yahoo group, and we began to encourage each other to finish projects and submit--very simple. We IMed daily, me from Wyoming, Karen from Australia. Sometimes we would read something, or talk about plot. It was and is a great motivator for two newbies!
ReplyDeleteBTW,where can I buy a bottle of the spray?
My grandfather. And I'm really missing him today. He was a Pearl Harbor survivor.
ReplyDelete"take over the industry"
ReplyDeleteAs if that would be a bad thing.
The person that always comes to mind with a question like this is my second grade teacher, Mrs. Lynch. She saw my boredom with our classwork, and gave me Nancy Drew books to read... and I've loved books ever since.
My boss, Sandra, for more reasons than I could ever explain. And I hate to echo many others, but you. *g*
ReplyDeleteA teacher named Esther Steele who saw I was a dreamer with my head in the clouds. She gave me pencil and paper and said write up the class news, and my grandma who was a closet poet.
ReplyDeleteMy mom. I heard about Denzel's book on Oprah.
ReplyDeleteI think my fingers would dry out and fall off if I dare to name anybody but my mum. 'Cause she's just that good.
ReplyDeleteWell i suppose i would have to say my parents.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays
I've been very lucky. My life has been filled with mentors and teachers who have guided and helped me. The most influential one was Mrs. Quinn, my ninth-grade English teacher, who introduced me to the joys of reading and the fun of writing. I am the person I am today because of her encouragement.
ReplyDeleteTwo people. My friend Clare who has both inspired and encouraged me through thick and thin since highschool, and continues to do so, and my brother, who kicks me in the ass when I need it :)
ReplyDeleteMy high school English teacher, who taught me to love words on a page - whether I read them or wrote them.
ReplyDeletePam
Well...
ReplyDeleteHolly, for starting Forward Motion.
Sheila, for taking time with newbies at FM and in chat there (we're back eons ago here!)
Margaret Fisk, for being a brutally honest critquer while managing to being an encouraging friend.
(Go, Holly...take over the world. Pinky and the Brain aren't fast enough.)
My mother gave up on a ms that Harlequin wanted rewritten. I decided that I'd never do that and have been writing since I was a li'l girl.
ReplyDeleteMy father. Who gave me my love for books and stories, and then on one night had the 'nerve' to (after a very long day at work, I might add)go straight to bed without reading to me. He told me to 'make it up myself'. And I did. I still do.
ReplyDeleteI started writing down my stories because of my good friend Whitney. But that is an entirely different story. Just note that I owe my writing to both of them.
After months away, I return to the world of the living only to find PBW at it again! Really, dear, you need to do something about your mind-control urges. It's not healthy.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question, there are lots of people who have inspired and guided me but three people stand out on that list: PBW, Holly Lisle and My Mom.
It has to be my mother. As my children are becoming adults I try to give them the respect she has always shown me.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has definitely been the inspiration in my universe.
ReplyDeleteClose to home, I'd have to say my mom and my dh. Mom has always been my champion in believing that I can do anything and trying to convince me of that 'fact'. *g* My dh gave me the opportunity to try the impossible. :) Then there's the online friend, who's helped me more than she'll EVER realize.
ReplyDeleteMy mother for guiding me in more ways than I probably even realize, but especially for teaching me to love reading and books as much as she does. I'm very grateful for that gift.
ReplyDeleteMy mother also, for always encouraging me as a writer : )
ReplyDeleteI'm with Valerie on this one; the Saturday morning (for me) Think Tanks at FM were an eye-opener. They were sometimes hosted by some mind-controlling lunatic called Stardoc.
ReplyDeleteAndre Norton for writing Moon of Three Rings
And my grandmother who's subtle, but hateful attitude, directed me to write rather than to rage.
My Grandma. I want to be her when I grow up. ;)
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that Deborah my critiquing partner has been the biggest help for me this year with my writing. She lets me know where things need work without making me feel discouraged, and also lets me know when I've gotten things right.
ReplyDeleteAs for the brain washing, does that come with conditioner 'cause I've got some seriously split ends.
Ann
Sheesh- after spending nearly seven hours on Holly's site in just one day...and multiple other visits on other days, I would have to say Holly has had a huge impact on my writing over the last year.
ReplyDeleteI visit her site daily. (I even click on the people who visit her)
--short comment today, I just got home from a colonoscopy. (ugh)
Kay
Holly Lisle. Her "Mugging the Muse", to be exact. It's hands down the best book on writing I have read, and dipping into random parts of it always acts as inspiration combined with a well-placed kick in the seat of the pants.
ReplyDeleteDon't enter me in the contest please...you've done more than enough for me already.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's my answer. You played a big role in landing me where I am. When I was ready to quit, you encouraged me to stay strong and not let life get in the way.
And I can't leave out Stephanie Tyler for being a rock and a hero. And Alison Kent for being my very first mentor. The gals at WM for being there to listen to me whine.
So many more, but you didn't ask for a novel. :)
Thanks, PBW...you really made a difference!
You're right. It has to be the nanite thing.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure? I'd have sworn it was the superb writing, the masterful plot weaving, and all that stuff that makes me wish I could be a fraction as good. I'm crushed.
This is not an entry...although A Hand to Guide Me sounds good. I have Talyn signed in hard cover and am awaiting my paperback copies.
There's a whole slew of people who had a hand in guiding me -- many of them continue to.
My parents, Mrs. Reusch, Mrs. Koenig, Mr. Jim Kerr, Mr. Jim Rose, Holly Lisle, Mrs. Cooper (my first tough as nails boss), Monica Jackson, and yes, even that evil mind-control freak Sheila Kelly has had a hand in shaping me. That only scratches the surface. I'd go on for days to even begin to capture people who have influenced me. Keep up the good work.
Michelle Rowen, she's my guiding light.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog PBW! Thank you for sharing all with us, including the nanites.
My best friend Colleen. We met online through a writing group 8 years ago and have seen our friendship grow into something I never imagined. She is there when I need her most. She guides and supports me I think everything is lost.
ReplyDelete