The Divining Wand

Once again, from The Divining Wand’s Q&A page, a reader asks:

Larramie, in yesterday’s interview with Shana Mahaffey (Sounds Like Crazy), I was very intrigued by this line:

What, pray tell, is an ‘Edwardian (cooperative) compound’ ???

Below, in a lovely post, is Shana’s explanation.

“Shana lives in San Francisco, California, in part of an Edwardian compound that she shares with an informal cooperative of family, friends, and five cats.” You bet this sentence gets the gamut of responses ranging from “what is it?” to mutters of “San Francisco” accompanied by knowing nods of the head from the informed.

The Pierce Street Edwardian compound is a “modern day Tales of the City,” the main differences being we’re located on a real street, and we have Mr. McGrath (he’s not transgendered) instead of Mrs. Madrigal. The inhabitants are aging hippies, dot-com dropouts, a couple of musicians, and a school teacher. Overseeing the whole operation is, of course, the five cats.

The compound itself consists of one large Edwardian style building with four apartments in the front and a smaller Edwardian style building with two apartments in the back. It was built around 1900 when this style of home was popular in San Francisco. The Edwardian style home generally has simpler trim than the Victorian homes typically associated with the city. Another fun fact about the Edwardian is the distinguishing feature of this style is the egg-and-dart cornice work; and these homes were constructed of wood, stucco, brick or a combination, while the Victorians built previously were all made of redwood. The two Edwardian style dwellings that make up the Pierce Street Compound are separated by an eclectic garden with a fir tree, a variety of bushes, catnip every five feet, and easily over 100 pots of plants, which are rotated by the season. In spring and summer our garden is a cacophony of color, and fall winter we have mostly green.

My second cousin, Mr. McGrath, who owns the Pierce Street Compound is a card carrying Republican complete with an NRA sticker on his car. Yet, he forged our community (in every sense of the word) by deciding to charge only what is needed to cover the bills—an act that is unheard of in modern rental markets. The result is a group of people who live in the middle of San Francisco with unlocked doors (granted our compound is protected by two very secure gates), who are a community of neighbors, friends, and family related by blood and/or time. And while do we have our own homes where we can close our doors, we’ve taken the time to keep them open enough that we know each other, we take care of each other, we basically coexist quite happily.

Another offshoot of living in a community like this is our militant social consciousness. Admittedly, this could also be considered a by-product of living in San Francisco, nevertheless, we are obsessed with green living. We religiously recycle and compost. We also share cars, ride bikes, and take public transportation as often as possible. In our homes and basement you’ll only find eco friendly products. And, even we know that we take our sharing and sense of fellowship to an extreme when it comes to parking (a perpetual problem in San Francisco). We have a three car garage that is held open for late night arrivals and guests. Keys remain in parked cars and spares are kept in the garage so that anyone vacating a parking spot can move the one in the garage if necessary to ensure availability just in case. You can often hear one of us say, “Should we move the car, or am I obsessing about parking again?” But, guests at our frequent garden parties know if they come early, they’ll get parking; and they’re also accustomed to checking if their discards are recyclable or compostable before haplessly tossing stuff in the garbage bin.

The most unique aspect of the Pierce Street Compound is our infamous Delmar Dinners, held every other month, in honor of the Pierce Street Diplocat whose ashes are scattered throughout our garden. Aside from the camaraderie, green living, frequent parties, and convivial coexistence, the glue that holds the entire compound together is our unwavering reverence for Cats (yes I mean to capitalize). You may laugh, but cats have been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years, and are currently the most popular pet in the world. And at the Pierce Street Compound, we don’t just coexist peacefully with the most popular pet in the world, we understand our role and take seriously our duty to act as staff to the five felines currently occupying the compound. Ancient Egypt has nothing on us.

Now that you’re among the informed, whether you say, “cool!” or shake your head while whispering “San Francisco,” you are always welcome at the Pierce Street Compound. Just remember if you do drop by, you might get parking, you’ll have to recycle and compost, and most important, if you see one of the cats, you must be ready to serve.

[Please remember that Shana's debut novel, Sounds Like Crazy, is scheduled to be presented here on Monday.]

After a month in bookstores and — two months since the late November post, Richard Doetsch’s The 13th Hour, appeared here — the thriller is doing well. And the author of The Thieves of Heaven, The Thieves of Faith asked for the opportunity to revisit The Divining Wand to say:

“Thanks to those initial readers of The 13th Hour, to pick up a book and take a chance is not an easy thing. The promise of a cover or inner flap is asking people to commit to spending five or ten hours with someone’s creation. And so it’s a risk, but with the building buzz and reviews, I think it was a risk worth taking.

“When I started writing The 13th Hour, it was really a personal challenge to see if I could write a novel starting at chapter 12 and writing it backwards over a 30 day period of time. I wrote just as people have been reading it, riding the rollercoaster of twists, turns, and excitement, never fully knowing where I was going, boxing myself into impossible corners, and then having to think my way out. I’ve jumped out of planes, off of bridges and cranes, and swam in wrecks 90 feet under water with a shark guarding the door, but nothing compared to the satisfaction and adrenaline rush I had when I finally finished this book.”

Could this novelist be as unique as his latest book? Indeed he could and is!

Every writer has a story and Richard Doetsch’s begins with coming to this career later in life. Despite never having taken a writing class, he discovered that his “voracious appetite for reading served as the ultimate school.” Actually he considers himself a storyteller first and a writer second, believing that his imagination needs to explore original ideas and not repeat what others have done. In fact Richard began writing one day while looking for something new to read, walking away empty-handed, yet with the question of what would he want to see in a book?

“Everyone talks about writing a novel someday which is ridiculous from so many points of view. But I had a story to tell so I just started writing on the train one day and did it every day for almost a year, writing my first novel, The Thieves of Heaven. I never had so much fun and, as it turns, out, I could actually do it.”

Sound a bit too easy? Well Richard does have a drawer full of over sixty agent rejection letters. But then his wife gave the manuscript to a friend/bookstore owner for a critical read. The bookstore owner loved the story and he knew an agent… And, though this flies against what almost all writers are told, Doetsch believes: “In any business be it real estate, manufacturing, or publishing, it is through networking and contacts that we make the most headway.”

Of course landing an agent and a publisher is one thing, holding on to those contracts requires delivering a good book. Doetsch manages this with a seven day work week schedule that includes writing in the morning from 9 to noon and returning at night around 9 until 2:00 a.m. Yes, there are exceptions for family and fun events but — when on deadline — this is how he works.

For The 13th Hour Richard challenged himself, not only to write a unique thriller, but to do so on a self-imposed deadline of 30 days. Having an open window of time, while waiting for edits on The Thieves of Darkness, he dipped into his every-day-new-idea story journal and chose “a time travel tale of a man racing against time to save the woman he loved.”

Richard Doetsch talks about The 13TH Hour:

Listening to the author talk about writing as though reading the novel begged the question, how much was outlined? And Richard answered:

“Writing the thirteenth hours was like playing five games of chess in my head at the same time. I wrote the story backwards in the same way the reader experiences it. In so doing, I had to remember the future and the past. It was difficult but fun as it was like a giant puzzle whose every move reverberated throughout the story. AS to the outline, I wrote a one page outline broken down by 12 chapters (hours) and wrote down how each started and ended. Other than that it was just full steam ahead with whatever popped into my head at the moment. I should note I had a note pad that grew daily with little facts, notes, and time sensitive points so I wouldn’t fall flat on my face in frustration or failure.”

For the record, Doetsch wasn’t under contract for the book and, since no one knew of his plan, there was an exit if he didn’t succeed. But he earned success and his literary agent loved it, his film agent loved it and Hollywood loved it too.

So how did this adventurous thrill-seeker reward himself for achieving his challenge?

“I did not reward myself but that sounds like a good idea! I actually started a new story the following day. I think being given the privilege to write for a living is reward enough. I’m extremely lucky in that I know how hard people work be it writing, their day jobs, or life and so I will never look this gift horse in the mouth.”

The 13TH Hour is a fun, fascinating, change-of-pace read that will be coming to a local theater next year. Yet why wait, when you can escape and be entertained now by Richard Doetsch and his most original ticking clock tale?!

[For those readers who think they know their time travel, please visit The 13TH Hour Contest page.]

Every writer has a story. It’s that personal story of writing, selling, and becoming a successful published author. There is no timeline, no easy way; instead it comes down to facing the challenges and being strong enough to Just Do It!

How long did it take before our authors/friends finally got published? And how did they handle rejection, what kept them going? Read a bit of the following personal stories:

Kristy Kiernan (Catching Genius, Matters of Faith and Between Friends coming April 6, 2010):

“I started my first novel in 1999, and my fourth novel, Catching Genius, was published in 2007. I handled rejection in ever way imaginable. I was Zen, I cried, I raved, I ignored, I wailed, I rolled my eyes, I got mad, I sobbed, I cursed the powers that be, I shrugged, I e-mailed friends, I called friends, I drank wine. (You didn’t ask for advice on how YOU should handle it, but I’ve come to believe that you should just let yourself feel however you want to feel. Trying to make yourself not care only makes you feel worse. Just feel badly…then move on.) What kept me going? I hadn’t yet met my goal.”

Lauren Baratz-Logsted (most recent Crazy Beautiful YA, Sisters 8 series with Book 5: Marcia’s Madness coming May 3, 2010):

“I left my day job to start writing in November 1994. It was May 2002 when I got the call that a publisher wanted to buy The Thin Pink Line as part of a two-book deal, so it took seven and a half years. Sure, I had no fun getting rejected for so long, but I kept going by writing book after book.”

Kristina Riggle (Real Life & Liars):

“I started writing seriously as an attempt to be published in March of 2003 shortly after my son was born, and Real Life & Liars sold at auction on Feb. 22, 2008. So, almost five years exactly. It’s not overnight success, but I’ve also known writers to try for much longer. I kept going in part because I felt that giving up would have rendered pointless all my previous efforts. And it was not only my own effort at stake, but my family was sacrificing for this as well. I was spending household money on child care, on books and reference materials, postage. I tried to freelance as much as possible to offset this, but it was a reality that I was spending household money on this dream of mine. I also spent my time on this, time that I could have spent on them. So I felt I had to make all of this worthwhile by carrying on. If I gave up just because it was hard, what a waste!”

Emily Winslow (The Whole World coming May 25, 2010)

‘I decided I wanted to be a writer after I graduated college at age 23. I’m now debuting as a novelist seventeen years later. So that’s a lot of years of heartache over whether I have talent, whether I can make it professionally. But I was writing poetry, plays, personal essays. I was kind of getting everything out, very personally, and using these forms that aren’t the most marketable. It was definitely a leap in maturity when I finally decided to attempt true fiction. (I don’t presume that the personal is inherently immature and the fictional inherently mature–but it was that way for me.)

‘This specific book was very quick. I wrote and polished it in one year; subbed to agents for three months and got great representation; got a book deal in, I think, another four months. There wasn’t a lot of time to feel worried about it.

‘So, in sum: long, struggling apprenticeship of sorts, then a nice quick success. Before professional affirmation, I held onto the personal support of friends who insisted they connected with things I’d written.”

Please welcome back Lisa Davis — founder, director, host, etc. — of It’s Your Health, the radio program “dedicated to providing strategies for healthier living.”

To begin the new year, this post features two authors that focus on changing/improving both physical and mental/emotional states with their well-researched yet very practical books. Please note that the first program will air LIVE tomorrow, Tuesday, January 26th, from 9:30 – 9:45 a.m., while the second chosen author interview is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 2nd at 9:45 – 10:00 a.m.

And now here’s to Your Health and Well-Being:

Prime-Time Health: A Scientifically Proven Plan for Feeling Young and Living Longer by William Sears M.D., Martha Sears R.N.

Acclaimed pediatrician Dr. William Sears turns his attention to the “baby boomer” generation and offers a plan to improve their long-term health. Not surprisingly this requires taking control of one’s health, much like he had to do twelve years ago when diagnosed with cancer.

From that experience, Dr. Sears created a comprehensive, science based, head-to-toe program for living a long, fit life – and it worked. Now at the peak of health, Dr. Sears shares his program in PRIME-TIME HEALTH. Described as “engaging and deeply informative,” this book will hopefully motivate readers to make crucial behavior and lifestyle changes by exploring how to keep each body system healthy and delay the typical age-related problems.

Although we all know what we should do as well as not do to stay healthy, Dr. Sears explains the why and how these “should” habits and activities can easily become your lifestyle. What’s the secret? Simply put, make health a hobby!

Recommendation: Understanding is the key to good health and Prime-Time Health delivers solid information.

This author will be interviewed Tuesday, January 26th at 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. on It’s Your Health radio.

Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain: Applying the Exciting New Science of Brain Synchrony for Creativity, Peace and Presence by Patt Lind-Kyle

The author — therapist, trainer, and longtime meditator — writes about the relationship between meditation and the brain. Her book is divided into into two sections, that begins with an in-depth scientific discussion of the anatomy of the brain, its evolution, and how our thought processes work. By using an electroencephalograph, Patt Lind-Kyle has been able to measure and monitor mind states and identify when brain waves are out of balance. And then she presents brain research that shows how meditation can reshape the nature of the mind.

In Part 2 of Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain, readers will find a detailed discussion of how using mind-training techniques can help to bring about change in their mindset and thought patterns. With the use of an accompanying meditation CD, readers are led through several meditation techniques to discover what practical benefits might be applied to them.

Although one doesn’t need to be professionally creative to appreciate the potential of what this book might teach you, the lure is there and based on scientific evidence at that!

Recommendation: Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain is yet another book that explains the how and why…and makes sense.

This author will be interviewed Tuesday, February 2nd at 9:45 – 10:00 a.m. on It’s Your Health radio.

Please also remember that all programs are archived and available for listening at your convenience.

The Divining Wand’s Q&A page has been active again with another “writing” question. However please remember that all questions, including those about authors and their books, are welcome too.

I am in the middle of a novel in progress, which I put away for 12 months, and which I have dusted off and begun work on. My goal is to finish it by the end of this year (Dec. 2010).

My question: Would it be useful to hire a professional editor to provide editorial advice on my novel once it’s finished and before I begin to query agents?

This Fairy Godmother chose author, teacher, and former student of Anne Lamott (Bird by Bird), Jessica Barksdale Inclan (Being With Him, Intimate Beings, The Beautiful Being), to respond:

“There are few professions in life where we can do the work at home and spring it on the public and have it universally accepted. In my writing career, I’ve never sent a manuscript to an agent or editor without careful reads by my trusted readers, all of whom in my case are writers. Each manuscript goes through careful scrutiny, and then I spend a great deal of time making the thing right before sending it on to agent or editor. And in that way, I end up getting a lot done up front. With my first novel, Her Daughter’s Eyes, my editor commented on how very little there was to do (it was never that easy again).

“So yes. Finish your draft. Make it as best you can. And then hire someone who writes in your field to read it. You should expect to get back notes and textual comments. You should also ask for a follow up after you finish reading through both.

“The truth also is that might not be enough. But it usually is, and you will have the confidence that your work is going out in its party dress, ready for the party.”

But serendipity was in play as our messages crossed paths and Jessica’s OTHER email arrived in my Inbox announcing that;

“Due to unforeseen and universal tiltings, I’ve found myself with some time this quarter to work with folks privately. This could either be a quick hourly consult or a full manuscript read. As I’ve written around in genres, I’m able to work with contemporary, literary, and/or genre fiction–romance and young adult.

“I’ve had a crash course in the past few months on “How to Get an Agent,” and I did just do that, signing with a new agent only two weeks ago. In that time, I have sharpened my query writing skills and have learned a great deal about the process anew–synopsis writing, chapter outlines, and first 50 page edits. Personally, I’m hoping to never have to use these skills again, but I could help guide you through the morass.

“If you are interested in working on a full manuscript or something much smaller or know someone who is, please email me or forward this on and I’d be happy to talk further. Thank you.”

This is an open invitation to all those who might be seeking assistance. If interested, please contact: jbarkinclan@gmail.com

Announcement: The winner of Randy Susan Meyers’ The Murderer’s Daughters is Erika. Congratulations to you! Now please email: diviningwand (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address and the book will be sent out promptly. Thank you to all who commented.