The Divining Wand

As promised here is a continuation of authors’ responses to the question of: What do you love most about the writing process?

Alicia Bessette (Simply from Scratch coming August 5, 2010):

“For the most part, my writing process is arduous. Often when I’m struggling to find the right words or simply the courage to keep on typing, I hear Matt typing away in the next room, or hear him lean back in his chair and sigh. I’m married to a writer, and no one understands my struggles better. It’s an inspiring reminder of the miracle of our own love story, and it’s what I cherish the most about my writing process.”

Carleen Brice (Orange Mint and Honey, Children of the Waters)

“What I love most about writing is when I get it right. It’s very satisfying to use just the right word or image to describe something or write a beautiful sentence. Which is why I usually enjoy rewriting more than writing.”

Eileen Cook (Unpredictable, What Would Emma Do? YA and Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood YA):

“I love the new idea stage. I haven’t had a chance to ruin anything or realized why certain things won’t work. I’m convinced the idea is brilliant and I can’t wait to get started.”

Tish Cohen (Town House, Inside Out Girl, Little Black Lies YA, The Truth About Delilah Blue coming June 8, 2010):

“What I love most about the writing process is that rare moment when your isolated ideas start to mesh into something more whole. It happens when you least expect it and it is always astonishing as the first time.”

Therese Fowler (Souvenir, Reunion):

“The magical feeling of seeing a scene in my mind and transmitting it into words as if I’m taking dictation from the gods–with the result being characters and events that become absolutely real to me. That’s certainly not an every-day event, but knowing that it can happen and does happen thrills me.”

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

“I’m having my favorite writing moment today actually. There’s a point in the manuscript when my fingers are flying, when I don’t even look at the screen, when there is hard rock on in the background and I hear nothing else. I don’t even realize that I’m breathing, I don’t feel hunger, I’m not cold, I’m not hot, I don’t feel my body at all. The Apocalypse could be raging outside, but all I am is flying fingers and story and music. THAT is a happy Kristy Kiernan.”

Holly LeCraw (The Swimming Pool coming April 6, 2010):

“Those moments when you go in a completely unexpected, intuitive direction.”

Maud Carol Markson (When We Get Home, Looking After Pigeon):

“I love it when I am at just the editing state– just working on a sentence or a paragraph here and there– finding the beauty in the words and the language, and the truth in my characters.”

Randy Susan Meyers (The Murderer’s Daughters:

“What don’t I love about my writing process? I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be writing full time. Now, what do I love most? Bringing a story to life—reaching into the ‘what if’ of life and breathing energy into the first imagined bones—is the most exciting (and yet most difficult) part of writing. My second love is revision. It feels great having a finished draft—to have jumped the first hurdle—and be able to dig it and made it as good as I can.”

Sarah Pekkanen (The Opposite of Me, coming March 9, 2010):

“I love hunkering down on the couch, with my laptop and mug of tea nearby, and re-reading what I’ve written the day before, tweaking and polishing, before I move on to a fresh page. For me, re-writing is the best part of writing!”

Trish Ryan (He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not: A Memoir of Finding Faith, Love, and Happily Ever After, A Maze of Grace: A Memoir of Second Chances coming June 22, 2010):

“What I love most about the writing process is the way it helps me figure out how the different ideas in my head connect in the larger scheme of life. Writing about the things I care about is surprisingly revealing for me. Sometimes I’ll find myself someplace entirely different than where I thought a chapter was going…and it’s almost always better than what I’d planned. I love that there’s an element to writing that we don’t control…that as authors, we get to be surprised, too.”

Barrie Summy (I So Don’t Do Mysteries, I So Don’t Do Spooky Ages 9 – 12):

“What I love most about my writing process:
I was going to answer “typing The End” when I’ve finished the first draft. But I don’t really type The End. Although it is true that I’m very very happy to be done with the first draft, which is the most difficult part of writing for me.”

Reminder: This Sunday, February 21st at 8:00 p.m. EST LIFETIME MOVIE NETWORK presents “Sins of the Mother,” based on Carleen Brice’s debut novel, Orange Mint and Honey. The movie has already received glowing reviews which can can be found in the post, Sins of the Mother Party Watch Checklist!

Announcement: The two winners, receiving a signed copy of Judy Merrill Larsen’s debut novel, All the Numbers, are Ellie Ann and Sue. Congratulations! Please email: diviningwand (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address and the book will be sent out promptly. And thank you to all who entered.

Although February celebrates Black History Month, Heart Month and Valentine’s Day, it also offers a quiet time in book releases. Now, of course new books are appearing on bookstore shelves, but the real flurry of spring/summer titles begins next month and almost overwhelms in April, May, June…

To take advantage of this quiet, cozy, snowbound time as well as to extend the warmth of Valentine’s Day, what would be better than a good love story? Our authors agreed and have chosen to share their favorites with you.

Joëlle Anthony (Restoring Harmony YA coming May 13, 2010):

“Pride and Prejudice…I know, not very original, but it’s the one book I can honestly say that when I read the last word, I just wanted to start all over again.”

Alicia Bessette (Simply from Scratch coming in August 2010):

“My favorite love story is Roland Merullo’s A LITTLE LOVE STORY. Here’s what The New York Times wrote about it; I couldn’t agree more, and I couldn’t say it better myself: “Thoughtful, restrained (yet very sexy) … Merullo captures what it feels like when you meet ‘the one’–and what you’re willing to do to hold onto that person.” If you’re looking for an utterly romantic, highly readable, bittersweet page-turner, with a beautiful, redemptive ending, do yourself a favor and buy this book.”

Carleen Brice (Orange Mint and Honey, Children of the Waters):

“My favorite love story is the one in What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage. It’s between a woman who has recently learned she’s HIV-positive and a man who was formerly in prison when he was a drug addict. They are both good people, clean and sober now, and very sweet. The guy has beautiful dreadlocks and drinks green tea and does yoga, so, of course, he’s my kinda guy!”

Therese Fowler (Souvenir, Reunion):

“Forgive me, this will sound like a shameless plug, but my honest answer is the story I’ve just finished writing, THE REMEDY (due out in early ‘11). I am absolutely in love with my lovers, and so sympathetic toward their plight…

“One of the reasons I write love stories is because I’ve found few in contemporary literature that suit my desires as a reader–and I l-o-v-e a love story. It’s easier for me to name favorite love stories on film: SOMMERSBY, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and THE THORN BIRDS come to mind. And yes, I know the latter two are books as well–and I love the books–but the stories are even better-realized on film.”

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

“I have so many, but two that spring to mind right now are THE GOOD HUSBAND by Gail Godwin and EVIDENCE OF THINGS UNSEEN by Marianne Wiggins, both novels of long-term love and devotion.”

Holly LeCraw (The Swimming Pool coming April 6, 2010):

“Very very difficult to pick…one of many is Love in the Time of Cholera.”

Maud Carol Markson (When We Get Home, Looking After Pigeon):

“Any novel by Anne Tyler — she deals with love and relationships so beautifully and so truthfully.”

Randy Susan Meyers (The Murderer’s Daughters):

“In Before and After, author Rosellen Brown writes about the depth of family love and the love between a husband and wife, offering spectacular prose, a page-turning plot, and non-stop insight into the character’s hearts. This story of a family caught in the most awful of circumstances—with a teenage son accused of an appalling crime—Brown manages to let the reader see every side of the story, feel sympathy for all, and most impressive, she presents a family at terrible odds with each other’s views, still fighting to stay together. At it’s heart, this is a love story, and it is my favorite.”

Sarah Pekkanen (The Opposite of Me, coming March 9, 2010):

“I can’t pick just one… there are so many great love stories out there!”

Trish Ryan (He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not: A Memoir of Finding Faith, Love, and Happily Ever After, A Maze of Grace: A Memoir of Second Chances coming June 22, 2010):

“My favorite love story is pretty much any tale where we get to watch someone learn who they are and how to love better than they thought they could. My favorite novels in this category are too numerous to narrow down…the best example I can think of is the movie “How To Lose A Guy In 10 Dates or Less.” Kate Hudson’s character thinks she wants one thing in life (to write “real” articles about serious subjects) but discovers that life is bigger than she expected when love is added into the mix. By the end of the film, she wants more from life than she would have asked for in the beginning. (Also, I’m a sucker for a happy ending involving a chase scene!)”

Barrie Summy (I So Don’t Do Mysteries, I So Don’t Do Spooky Ages 9 – 12):

“My favorite love story: Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Mars Freedman”

Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much a heart can hold.
~Zelda Fitzgerald

To be continued…next week.

While experience is often the ultimate teacher, there are usually words of wisdom that guide an author through the process of writing. What words might those be? This Fairy Godmother asked:

What is the best advice about writing that you’ve received/read AND put to use?

What follows are several of our authors’ responses:

Alicia Bessette (Simply from Scratch coming in August 2010):

“Write what you write, and don’t compare your writing to others’.”

Judy Merrill Larsen (All the Numbers):

“Wow, lots of advice. Don’t give up. There’s no such thing as writer’s block (I mean, do plumber’s have plumber’s block? Lawyers have lawyer’s block? No. I’m a writer, so I write.). You can’t fix a blank page. Give yourself permission to write crap. It’ll get better upon revision. Write from the heart. And, Of course it’s not always easy. If it was, everyone would do it. And few things that really matter are easy. But it’s who I am, so I write.”

Maud Carol Markson (When We Get Home, Looking After Pigeon)

“The best advice I ever received was to keep writing, and to write the kind of work that I myself would want to read. So I continue to write for the reader who is like me.”

Sarah Pekkanen (The Opposite of Me, coming March 9, 2010):

“Keep on writing, no matter what. Don’t stop. Aim for 1,000 words a day, at least. Never give up!”

Ivy Pochoda (The Art of Disappearing)

“Write fearlessly. Avoid adverbs.”

Trish Ryan (He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not: A Memoir of Finding Faith, Love, and Happily Ever After, A Maze of Grace: A Memoir of Second Chances coming June 22, 2010):

“Stephen King: ‘“The road to hell is paved with adverbs.”’ One of the last things I do before submitting to my editor is run a search for all words ending in LY. Typically cuts my word count WAY down, and I don’t miss the deleted words.”

Wendy Tokunaga (Midori By Moonlight, Love in Translation):

“Read your work aloud. This is so helpful in figuring out what works and what doesn’t in terms of word selection, dialogue, the rhythm of the prose, etc.”

Announcements: The two winners of Shana Mahaffey’s debut novel, Sounds Like Crazy, are Rebecca and Steve. Congratulations!

AND

The winner of Carleen Brice’s two novels, Orange Mint and Honey, Children of the Waters, is Wendy. Congratulations to you too!

Now, if you will all please send your mailing addresses to: diviningwand (at) gmail (dot) com, I’ll get these books out to you as promptly as possible. And my thanks to everyone who entered.

Merry Christmas! Here’s an author’s very personal experience that is actually universal — celebrating the holiday of your own for the first time away from home.

Christmas in California

When I moved out to California fifteen years ago, I did not go home for Christmas. Instead of cold and snow and a gray day that pressed up against an early dark night, my Christmas was suddenly filled with sunlight, and the deep blue skies that exist in the winter in Northern California. This was the first Christmas that I had not spent with my parents and the rest of my extended family. And rather than feeling sad or nostalgic, I felt as light as the day.

I come from a big family and Christmas was always chaotic with lots of food, lots of presents, and always lots of hurt feelings, disappointments, anger, tears. So I found it particularly liberating to make my own Christmas traditions that year, to not be restricted by what I had eaten or done all the years before. Since my husband’s family did not celebrate Christmas, I was truly free to make this day our own. We selected our tree—a large Noble Fir that filled our living room with its pine scent and its lights. I baked all my favorite cookies the week before, and our house smelled delicious every day. I chose my own menu for our large breakfast and then for a simple dinner. I hung stockings not just for our son, but also for our dog. I gave our son new pajamas that Christmas Eve (and have done so every year since) so that on Christmas morning he would look good for the photographs. In the afternoon, we all went for a long walk, our dog’s red velvet collar strung with bells jingling all the way. There were few expectations that Christmas; it was quiet, relaxed (although there was still plenty of food and presents), and joyous.

I miss my large family on the East Coast, I miss the beautiful manger under the tree, and the ornaments that have stood the test of time. I miss my mother’s spicy gingerbread cookies with the sweet icing, and the chestnuts my father roasts in the fireplace. I miss the prayers at midnight mass. And I miss the noise of all those people gathered together at one table. Oh, but I love my new Christmas traditions—I love that they are ours, and I love the peace I feel inside when I wake up each Christmas morning since I arrived in California. And I love feeling thankful for my small family celebrating beside me and my larger family celebrating far away.
Maud Carol Markson (When We Get Home, Looking After Pigeon)

[Please note that readers who purchased The Help also purchased Looking After Pigeon.]

More than likely those visiting this site would agree that books are among the best holiday gifts with autographed ones being perfection! Autographed, is that possible without going to a book signing?

Indeed it is and, with the holidays only more than a month away, this Fairy Godmother contacted authors who had had a new book released within the past six months to ask, “Do you autograph by mail?” So anyone searching for that unique, reasonably priced, perfect present, here are what some of our authors do:

Arrangement with a local bookstore:

Eve Brown-Waite (read Presenting Debutante Eve Brown-Waite and First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria) says:

” Via a special arrangement with my local bookstore I can purchase, personalize, autograph and send a copy of FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MALARIA to anyone in the USA for just $25. That would be the cost of the book itself in most stores. This book would make a great gift for any world traveler, do-gooder, or Peace Corps-type on your holiday list (also, anyone who just loves a good read). I don’t make any money on this, but it certainly helps spread the word about my book and supports a great, independent bookstore. I need all orders by BY NOVEMBER 15 in order to ensure delivery by the holidays. Anyone interested can contact me at Evebwaite@comcast.net.”

Therese Fowler (Souvenir, Reunion) offers:

“I made an arrangement with my local indie, Quail Ridge Books & Music — 800-672-6789 — in Raleigh. When a reader calls and orders an inscribed copy, the store lets me know and I drop by to inscribe it before they ship the book. For basic autographed copies, they ship from signed stock that they keep on hand.”

Ivy Pochoda (see Ivy Pochoda’s The Art of Disappearing) says:

“If you’d like autographed copies of my book, contact my local bookstore BookCourt — 718-875-3677 — in Brooklyn.”

Books in the mail:

Mia King (Mia King and Table Manners is doing a holiday special – $20 for a signed/dedicated book of choice and ceramic “live simply” plaque. $5 shipping. Contact mia@miaking.com

Carleen Brice (Orange Mint & Honey, Children of the Waters):

“If people send me a book with return postage, I will autograph and send it back. But let’s say for the holidays return shipping is on me. They just have to buy the book and send it to: Carleen Brice, P.O. Box 7108, Denver, CO 80207.”

And Jessica Barksdale Inclan (Being With Him, Intimate Beings, The Beautiful Being) offers the same. Contact jbarkinclan@gmail.com

Maud Carol Markson (Looking After Pigeon) provides two options:

“I could send out personalized book plates or if the person prefers, he/she could purchase the book directly from me and I could send it to them ($20.00 would probably cover the cost of the book and the packaging and shipping to anywhere in the US).) Contact MaudCarol@aol.com

Book Plates:

Tish Cohen (Little Black Lies,Town House):

“I do mail out signed book plates, as well as sign books mailed in to me.” Contact tish@tishcohen.com

CJ Lyons (Urgent Care):

“I offer my readers customized signed bookplates.

I’ve sent dozens of these all over the US and abroad, even had a few people ask for several, all personalized to various friends they were gifting with my books.” Contact cjlyonswriter@yahoo.com

And with this early planning you can do the same!

Writers, creative by nature, are well-known for comforting themselves on their lack of productivity (or success) by citing writing myths which include:

*There’s No Such Thing as Writer’s Block
*I Have to be in the Mood to Write
*I Need the Perfect Space to Write
*I Need the Perfect Tools to Write
*I Have no Time to Write

Wondering how true these were, The Divining Wand asked two of its established authors and two of its debut authors what one writing myth didn’t apply to them?

Mia King (Table Manners, Sweet Life, Good Things):
“That it’s next to impossible to get published without an MFA.”

Maud Carol Markson (Looking After Pigeon, When We Get Home):
“I don’t know any writing myths…. (are they out there and I’ve missed them?!)”

Ivy Pochoda (The Art of Disappearing):
“Writers Block is something I’ve never suffered from and it is something I don’t quite understand. I always have a little too much going on in my mind, much of it irrelevant. I can certainly procrastinate translating ideas into words, but I never suffer from lack of inspiration. I may write in circles and into dead ends, but I’ve never sat down and said to myself, “‘I can’t think of a single thing to write.’” As Alice Mattison once told me,”’Don’t be afraid to invent hundreds of possibilities for what comes next. Make lists of events.’”

Lara Zielin (Donut Days):
“I’ve heard that “’a writer writes every day’” but that’s just not true for me. With a full-time job and a busy schedule, I can’t hack it. So instead I carve out bigger chunks of time on the weekends and I write then. I also take “’writing vacations’” where I do nothing but write for days on end. I would argue that my productivity level is just as high as someone who writes every day.”

And, finally for this week, the winner of the Looking After Pigeon Book Giveaway is Debutante Alicia Bessette! Congratulations. Please contact me with your mailing address and Pigeon will be winging her way to your home.

Almost two weeks ago The Divining Wand showcased The Revealing of Maud Carol Markson, an author who debuted twenty years ago with When We Get Home. And — although this literary fiction novel earned high praise, including Andre Dubus’s (the critically acclaimed author of numerous short story collections, recipient of a Guggenheim Grant, etc.) quote: “It may be the best story we have about marital love.” — it still took two decades for Maud’s second novel, Looking After Pigeon, to be published this summer.

Of course such a time gap between two books begs the question of “Why?” and Maud graciously explained that she had put her family first…while continuing to write and send her work out occasionally. However the reality is that getting literary fiction published is difficult and, when rejections began to take their toil, the author turned her focus on being a good mother, wife, tutor, friend, dog owner and volunteer — all things she could be proud of.

Indeed it’s frequently noted that to succeed in the world of publishing one needs a “thick skin” and avoid taking rejections “personally.” Nevertheless what Maud did was brave and right for her. Besides, stepping away from the competitive field for a while gave her perspective. She continued to write without thinking of herself as a writer — both a luxury and a respite. And once her teenage son was away at college she allowed her “wonderful writer friend” — Harriet Scott Chessman (Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper — to push her into sending out her work again. Thank goodness for Ms. Chessman because that is how Looking After Pigeon came to be published.

The Reviews: Authors/Publications are glowing as well they should be from the book’s description: “In this, her second novel, Markson once again explores the sometimes humorous, and always complex, realm of family and love. Her characters struggle to answer the questions—who will care for me? How will I care for myself?”

Why should they question or worry? Please read the following one sentence synopsis:

“One spring day in New York City, five-year-old Pigeon’s father disappears, leaving her to face a new and bewildering life with her mother and older siblings in an uncle’s house on the Jersey shore.”

A perfect description of Looking After Pigeon, but what’s even better is the backstory. For Maud Carol Markson’s explanation of a backstory is fascinating:

“As for the “backstory” on Pigeon — It is the “backstory” for all my novels. A line gets into my head that I can’t stop thinking about. In this case it was “My mother named us after birds.” Then I start thinking about what kind of woman would name her children after birds. Having an unusual name myself, I think about names a lot. Then I thought about the person who “says” this line. What bird is she? How did this affect her growing up? What are the names of her siblings, the other birds? The characters build from that one line, and then the story builds from the characters.”

Who is Pigeon? Meet her in these two Excerpts from the book as she begins telling her summer story through a fictional memoir format that works brilliantly and had some reviewers wondering…autobiographical?

Definitely not! Except, as the author concedes: “But the emotions of all the characters are mine — that I can’t escape.”

And those who read Maud’s characters’ emotions will not escape their engagingly bittersweet tale. Simple and profound, Pigeon’s story is about a watershed moment in her all too young life that shapes her forever. We all have those moments — recognized at the time or not — but this little five-year old must deal with so much.

She yearns to belong, even to a dysfunctional family, and comes across as an old soul wrapped within a little girl’s body. That enough of her innocence remains intact offers everyone else both hope and strength.

Yes I do love “quiet little novels” which roar with enormous insight and wisdom. If you do as well, visit a bookstore or online retailer to purchase Looking After Pigeon and take it home. Because home is where Pigeon wants to be.

[Note: In celebration of today, the last day of summer, The Divining Wand begins another Book Giveaway. To enter to win a copy of Looking After Pigeon, please leave a comment with the most unusual first name of a "real" person you know. The deadline for this contest is Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. EDT with the winner announced in Thursday's post.]

Maud Carol Markson debuted with her first novel, When We Get Home, twenty years ago and Andre Dubus wrote, “It may be the best story we have about marital love.” This summer Maud — once again exploring the ever complex relationships of family and love — had her second book, Looking After Pigeon published, garnering the following praise:

“If you love superb literary fiction with a genuine and engaging voice, this book is for you.” __Harriet Scott Chessman, author of Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper

“A story about solitude, and searching, which reminds us that love is sometimes found in the most unexpected places.”__Michele Richmond, author of The Year of Fog and No One You Know

A full presentation of Looking After Pigeon will be posted here within the next two weeks, but let’s now reveal Maud Carol Markson beyond this two sentence bio:

She has taught writing at the University of New Hampshire and Cabrini College. She now lives in California with her husband and son, and her dog Molly, who is her constant writing companion.

Q: How would you describe your life in 8 words?
A: I certainly need more than 8 words! Or a lot less.

Q: What is your motto or maxim?
A: “Don’t do to others what you would not want them to do to you.”

Q: How would you describe perfect happiness?
A: Having my family healthy, happy, and content.

Q: What’s your greatest fear?
A: Something bad happening to my son or my husband.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A: I like it right where I am.

Q: With whom in history do you most identify?
A: I don’t know who I identify with, but I have always been a big fan of Amelia Earhart. I wish I could be fearless and original like she was.

Q: What are your most overused words or phrases?
A: “On the other hand….”

Q: What do you regret most?
A: I try not to have regrets, just learn and move on….

Q: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A: My super hero talent would be the ability to transport myself anywhere– no traffic jams, no airport security. My human talent would be to be able to eat whatever I want and never gain weight.

Q: What is your greatest achievement?
A: Raising my son.

Q: What’s your greatest flaw?
A: I worry excessively.

Q: What’s your best quality?
A: I never hold a grudge and never stay angry.

Q: If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
A: Myself, of course.

Q: What trait is most noticeable about you?
A: I’m nosy and I ask a lot of questions. As for physical traits– my dark brown eyes.

Q: Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A: Harriet the Spy

Q: Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A: No favorites– I don’t like villains.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: Impolite people

Q: What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A: I love to walk my wonderful dog, read, do crossword puzzles, and spend time with family and friends (preferably on a beach somewhere).

Q: What’s your fantasy profession?
A: I sometimes fantasize about being an Olympic athlete.

Q: What 3 personal qualities are most important to you? A: Intelligence, loyalty, sense of humor

Q: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
A: I love pizza, but I don’t think I would want to only eat pizza. A wonderful tomato fresh from the garden with a sprinkle of salt on top is also amazing.

Q: What are your 5 favorite songs?
A: This is my list at this moment in time (it changes): John Coltrane’s version of “My Favorite Things,” Bob Dylan’s “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go,” Joni Mitchell’s “All I Want,” Bob Marly’s “Is This Love?” Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years”

Q: What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
A: Almost impossible to only pick 5, but here are some: Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Tomas Hardy, Finding a Girl in America by Andre Dubus, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Nine Stories by JD Salinger, Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (made me believe I could be a writer someday), Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt, Someone Not Really Her Mother by Harriet Scott Chessman,
Republic of Love by Carol Shields, Collected Stories by John Cheever

Intrigued by Maud’s revelations? You can learn more by becoming her friend (search MaudCarol) on Facebook and enjoy reading Looking After Pigeon.

[Note: The Book Giveaway for Crazy Beautiful remains open until 7:00 p.m. EDT tonight. Please leave a comment here for a chance to win!]