Why I Write by Rita Plush

Why I Write by Rita Plush

I’m usually too busy writing to think about why I write. But now that the query is in my wheelhouse, torture and rejection do come to mind. That’s no joke, folks, considering my first short story was rejected ninety-three times before a literary journal gave it a thumbs up, followed by other stories labored over, fine-tuned and brought back to my writers’ group ad nauseam. And then there’s the seven years it took to find a publisher for Lily Steps Out, my first novel. 

So why do I spend hours a day developing a character, plotting and replotting a story, or on the worst of days, stare at a laptop screen, fingers limp, languishing on the keypad? Any normal person would think to try another line of work. But who’s talking normal? We’re talking writer here.

We’re talking digging into your heart and guts and trying to explain the world—to myself, I’ve come to think—as much as to others. Because that’s what writers do; we take bits of real life and build an imagined world around it. Within that world is what we think and feel and hope for, disguised as dialogue, inner thoughts and incidents involving made up people, all the while striving for clarity and honesty true to our characters.

It’s a job, let me tell you, to put a reader there in a scene, to make them feel, see, hear and taste it. To get the chill in the air or the heat of the sun just right, to get the dress and actions, the character's motivations clear and true. And when that happens—when all the bits and pieces come together in a way you didn’t even know you were looking for—you hear it from your readers that you’ve hit the mark—well, that’s a pretty wonderful thing. You’ve created a world with words. You’ve made life shimmer on the page. 

Now that I think about it ... that’s why I write. 

Wow! It does take a certain skill set and a little insanity, for sure - but that's my opinion as a fellow author - to write a book or story. There's a lot here for writers of all stages, and book readers to think about. So, thank you, Rita! :)

Readers, let's take a look at one of Rita Plush's books, a women's fiction novel titled Feminine Products.

 

 

Here is the blurb.

 

Everyone’s got personal baggage, but Rusty Scanlon thinks she’s carrying more than her fair share. Owner of a trendy boutique on the outskirts of New York City, Rusty has an eye for fashion and a gift for messing up her love life. She doesn’t trust men. They’ve all abandoned her – the first being her carpenter father, who ran out on her and her mother when she was only six years old. 

When she meets Walter Margolis, a guy who adores her, she thinks she has it all. Not so, she discovers when she tells him she’s pregnant and he suggests a paternity test. Rusty doesn’t know what to make of Walter’s reaction until he reveals the details of the accident he thinks he caused as a teenager, and the guilt that has tormented him all his adult life.

When a smooth-talking con man puts two and two together, ‘by the way’ mentioning that he once knew Rusty’s father, and also her mother – they apparently had a ‘thing’ some years back – she realizes he’s after something. She decides it’s time to find out the truth, and find her father. Until she does, she can’t fully commit to the life she hopes to share with Walter. 

Rusty’s emotional roller coaster ride is full of twists and turns that teach her and those around her about losing love and finding it, and what it means to be a family.

Here is an excerpt from the book.

 

She finds it on the shelf with the vaginal cleansers and tampons, anti-itch creams and panty liners, promising accuracy and easy use.

At home, hands trembling, she breaks open the carton, grasps the thumb grip, and leaning forward on the toilet holds the wand under her stream. She gazes at the little windows and waits for the stripes to appear. She remains on the toilet staring at the double band. “A baby,” she whispers to the silent tiled room. “I’m going to have a baby.”  She peers down and leans over, getting her face as close as possible to her belly and gives the air a little kiss. 

Rusty is thirty nine and she’s only been pregnant once before—at sixteen. Back then the thought of going through with it filled her with fear and disgust, but now she wants the life inside her—and the man who put it there.  A sort of man hard to describe. Traumatized by the deaths of his family and the accident at the root of it, only some thirty-plus years after the fact, did he sit shiva for them. Closure, some would call it—though not Walter; he’d never use a cliché like that. Wouldn’t even think it. Walter has a way of expressing himself. Stiffly, some might say, as if he’s out of practice, or just learning the language.—They are gone from me. I am of no use to them. It is time I give them to their graves. And on the subject of children? The one time they talked about it—Do you like kids? she’d asked over desert at her place a month or so ago. There will be none, he said. That too was Walter, succinct and to the point. And Rusty, unsure of where the relationship was going—she’d only known him three months then—let the matter slide. It slid all right… right into her fallopian tube. 

After days of worrying the how, when and where, she decides… in his loft. She’ll bring champagne—Oh?  And what are we celebrating?  She’ll seem mysterious by not partaking and he’ll want to know why. She’ll say doctor’s orders. She’ll give hints. I have a condition… I’m not supposed to drink…  Make him guess.

But before she gets the chance to buy bubbly or the opportunity to tease out the details, into her boutique walks the prime mover, trim and fit as a marathon runner, unannounced as usual. Hair gray, short and side-parted, eyes glistening with energy, he climbs atop a counter-high stool fronting the showcase.

Caught up short, she chatters away about a movie they’ve seen, the Chanel exhibit she’d like to catch at the Met. Has he tracked down that new carburetor for his vintage Ford? While about the baby, not a word.

He studies her face. “What is it? There is something else on your mind today.”  He cocks an eyebrow.

And so she comes out with it. “I’m going to have a baby.”

Purchase Links:

Amazon Universal link:  https://bookgoodies.com/a/B01FZX77WU

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/feminine-products-rita-plush/1122816053

CreateSpace:   https://www.createspace.com/5810516

Publisher: http://penumbrapublishing.com/php/show_detail.php?itemnum=FemProd&ret=show_all.php

 

Intriguing! 

 

Readers, don't forget to pick up your copy of Feminine Products, or even Lily Steps Out, her first novel!

 

 

 

 Guest Blogger Bio

 

Rita began her diverse career as an interior designer, enjoying the position of coordinator of the Interior Design/Decorating Certificate Program at Queensborough Community College for 20 years. She remains on the faculty teaching courses in design, decorative arts and creative writing.

The publication of her novel, Lily Steps Out, (Penumbra Publishing 2012)—twelve years in the making—earned “Published & Proud,” a feature article in Newsday’s Act II, followed by “Rita Steps Out,” in The Times Ledger.  Her short stories have appeared in many literary magazines including The Alaska Quarterly Review, before they were included in the collection, Alterations (Penumbra 2013).

A sought after speaker, Rita has presented at libraries and synagogues, Hofstra University, CW Post Hutton House, on topics as varied as decorative arts, interior design, the talk, “Writing & Publishing in the Modern Age, or So You’ve Written a Book, Now What?” and “Coco Chanel,” The Woman ­~ The Legend.” She is the book reviewer for The Fire Island News.

Frequently appearing on Blog Talk Radio, Rita read from Alterations on “The Author’s Corner” for Public Radio. She has guested on The Writer’s Dream, LTV, and “The Amy Beth Arkway Show,” When interviewed on Morgen Bailey’s “Author Spotlight,” Rita talked about the similarities between interior design and writing. “It’s still creativity at work,” she said. Writing is another form of design. “In rooms you put fabric and furnishings together aiming for the perfect note of color, texture and scale. Everything arranged in a way that instantly strikes the eye as a balanced whole. Writing a book is similar, except that instead of objects, you put people and plot together to create that perfect balance. A world made with words."

Author Links:

Website:  http://www.ritaplush.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rita.plush

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Rita-Plush/e/B009N37NO6/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6549689.Rita_Plush

Publisher:  http://penumbrapublishing.com/

Additional:  http://www.jennymilchman.com/blog/2014/04/14/made-it-moment-rita-plush/

Rita's Books:

 

 

Going It Alone by Rival Gates

Going It Alone by Rival Gates

Let me tell you a story. A young man (okay, a teenager) came up with this idea for a short story. As he worked out the details the story became longer and longer until it turned into a novella. But the story was not finished. Every idea like a snowball rolling down a mountain side just grew and added more to the storyline. At last the young man looked down and saw he had a novel he could write with the potential of others to follow. In the weeks that followed, he carefully crafted the first chapter and presented it to his father, an editor by trade, for review. The next morning over breakfast the Young Man asked his father what he thought of the first draft of the chapter. His father sat down his coffee, slammed his fist on the table and proceeded to tear the papers in half and then into quarters. When he was done, he dropped the papers on the ground and left for work. Heartbroken, the boy fell to the ground and picked up the pieces and held them to his chest. Being late for school, he hid the papers in his room and ran out the door. As he briskly walked to school he realized, My ideas are good but my writing isn’t good enough yet. I must fix that. 

He paid more attention in English class as they studied the great writers of the past. But where he really excelled was in creative writing. After working through some grammatical problems, his stories were always top of the class. In fact, one was so good it was entered and won an Ontario Provincial Contest. His success mounted in high school as he was asked to write numerous school plays. Never, in all that time did he tell anyone outside his family about his books. He had already finished the first one and was working on the second. Then college came and there was little time for working on books. So he thought about a different part of the series every night before bed. He told one friend about them and let her read a few chapters. She was astounded and said it should be published. He was unprepared for ridicule again and refused to try. 

After graduation, he married his college sweetheart who had no interest in the books as long as it wasn’t an inconvenience. They had three children together and finally bought a computer. He began transferring his books onto it and printing copies for his one supporter to keep safe. Through all the years, his mother loved to hear the stories over and over. She said he had a 'Gift'. Little did he know when he gave her the chapters that she was loaning them out to her friends. He built up quite a following, as it turns out, as the ladies bickered over who received a chapter next. It was years later he found that out. Many years came and went, and his parents came to visit from far away. She asked to go for a drive. That was always a fun thing for the two of them to do. 

As they drove, she informed him that she had terminal cancer and that she would not be visiting again or be around much longer. She said she wanted one favor from him. He said to name it and she said, “Publish your books.” When she got home, she went straight into hospice and died a couple weeks later. 

             

As you may have guessed, the main character of this story is me. The time to go it alone was over. I made a promise I would keep. It took time but I discovered an agent who found me a publisher. I now have 4 books in print with more to come as time permits.

            

Going it alone is very dangerous. It is hard to grow as a writer without constructive feedback. It may be harsh but break it down to information you can use. Going it alone also means that no one else sees your work. Trust me, there is no better feeling than when someone comes up and says they loved your book. Deep down you wrote it to be read. It wants to be read. Polish it up and find a publisher. Do your homework and surround yourself with good people. Don’t wait for the horrible wake-up call I did before acting. What’s the worst that can happen? You’re right back where you are, but you tried.

Wow! This author's journey was rough, but inspiring! There's a lot here for writers of all stages, and book readers to think about. :)

Readers, let's take a look at one of Rival Gate's books, a fantasy novel titled Repercussions Abound.

 

 

Here is the blurb.

 

Linvin doesn’t remember him! Anvar is being held hostage by Linvin’s twisted nemesis, Lord Mandrean. Linvin has until the first frost to surrender to him and take his uncle’s place in the gallows. Sadly, after a crack on the skull Linvin has forgotten his old life and taken up a new one. With time passing quickly and still a long way to travel, Linvin must regain his memory soon and leave his new life and wife behind if there is to be any chance of reaching Anvar in time. Even if he gets there, can he really save Anvar and hold out any hope for himself in this custom made trap?

Here is an excerpt from the book.

Mandrean was annoyed, but in control. “My subjects have made do for the last two winters and shall do so again. The person who should be most concerned about winter coming is you. I confess when I gave Linvin until the first frost to arrive here, I thought I might have been too generous in my timetable. After all, if the two of you are as close I am led to believe, he should have moved with all haste to get here. Now the crops are nearly harvested and the frost could arrive any night. Still there is no sign of your nephew.

“I believe my information to be correct about the two of you, so that leaves me with one explanation. Something or someone has delayed or prevented Linvin from coming at this point in time. But who could have stopped my worthy opponent? Surely no one under my command would impede his progress. I want him here so I may have the pleasure of killing him myself. I suspect others want him here as well for their own reasons. Regardless of which, there is no obstruction coming from Marinhalk. So where is he?”

“Maybe the information about your bond was exaggerated and he sees no reason to throw his life away on a fool’s errand. It is logical. I certainly would not do it for anyone else.”

“Perhaps he is testing my resolve. He wants to see if I will follow through with my threat. After all, if I killed you, I would have nothing to hold over his head. Of course, if you were not the right pressure point, I would kidnap his cousins, Bander and Rander, so I could start this game all over again.”

“That would do you no good,” Anvar laughed. “While they have made headway in their relationship these past few years, Linvin cares nowhere near for them the amount he does for me. I doubt he would leave his tree for them.”

Mandrean became flustered and stood in front of his throne. “If he cares so much for you then where is Grithinshield?”

Anvar stood straight and tall in front of the emperor. “You said it yourself. He must have been delayed in a manner of which we are unaware. One thing I am certain of, though, is that Linvin will come if there is breath in his body. He may not make it in time to save me, but he will come. When he arrives, I would not want to be you. He will be sure to finish you this time. Bringing Linvin here will be the last mistake you ever make.”

“This fight will be different. I have you as a hostage.”

Anvar leaned forward and said, “Suppose he doesn’t care. He knows you will kill me regardless. Why surrender to your threats? What else do you have?”

Mandrean began to stammer and sat down. “I have the Blue Sapphire.”

“You had it before and Linvin beat you. What else do you have?”

“I have the staff for it now.”

“That only makes your magic equal to his and as you know, they cancel each other out. Therefore, it doesn’t matter. What else do you have?”

“I have an army.”

“Linvin killed nearly seven legions almost entirely by himself last time you fought and still had strength to defeat you. What else do you have?”

“I have my superior fighting skills.”

“The same skills Linvin faced while half dead and still was able to stab you and leave you for the buzzards? That’s your last line of defense? You had better make sure Linvin is more tired this time.”

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon Universal link:  http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01LX8VHGY

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/repercussions-abound-rival-gates/1124652957
Publisher:  http://sarahbookpublishing.com/product/repercussions-abound/

 

 

Fascinating! 

 

Readers, don't forget to pick up your copy of Repercusssions Abound!

 

 

Guest Blogger Bio

 

I was born in Port Huron, Michigan USA and moved to a suburb of Toronto, ON, Canada at age five.  My father was a technical writer and magazine editor while my mother was a high school teacher.  Always interested in creative writing, I participated in many contests in grammar school which led me to start writing my own short stories.  At age thirteen I began working on one, which kept developing and progressing until I had a hand-written manuscript for Quest for the Red Sapphire at age fifteen.  The project was shelved for many years through high school and then returning to the USA to attend Michigan State University.  I graduated with a degree in Communication and found that I had a gift and enthusiasm for speaking in public.  That led me to a career in furniture store management and sales.  

With my first PC I dusted off my old story and began to revise it.  Not a day had passed since I first created the story that I did not consider some aspect of its outline.  An entire series was planned and put in order to be written.   Backstories were formed and the series was ready to produce.  

After years of refinement of the stories, my mother came to me with a terminal illness and made me promise to publish the books.  So I did just that.

I found a wonderful agent and published the first three books of my series, The Sapphire Chronicles.  They are Quest for the Red Sapphire, The Sapphire Crucible, Mandrean Revenge and Repercussions Abound.  The series keeps on growing.

 

Author Links:

 

Website:  http://www.rivalgates.com/

Blogs:  http://www.rivalgates.com/blog

http://rivalgates.tumblr.com/

Facebook:  http://on.fb.me/1qqrjiB

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/rivalgates1

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Rival-Gates/e/B00I3Q5YIG/

http://amzn.to/2cXBHB9

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7252024.Rival_Gates

Rival's Books: