Motherless Soul Discussions

Last Wednesday I met with a group of people at the Forsyth Library to talk about some of the concepts I covered in Motherless Soul. I read sections of the novel. We had some lively discussions about reincarnation and about mother/daughter relationships. The library did a wonderful job of hosting and I believe everyone there had a good time.

Because the book deals with past lives my characters are influenced by relationships they had in previous incarnations as well as events in their current lives. This aspect of the book allowed me to cover my theme of mother/daughter relationships in unusual ways. It was fun to write and it is fun to talk about, especially when readers express their own thoughts freely.

There are a couple of similar events coming up. Please join me if you can.

1. I'll be at Barnhill's on January 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. That's at 811 Burke St. in Winston-Salem. Barnhill's is a wonderful store. They sell wine, art and gifts as well as books. The people who work there are knowledgeable and fun to be around. There will be a wine tasting when I'm there, featuring product from local wineries. I'm looking forward to that evening. (For the talk as well as the wine.)

2. For those of you who don't live in this area I also have an appearance scheduled on blogtalk radio. (The Monica Brinkman show on Feburary 24 at 7PM CST, 8PM EST, 6 Mountain and 5PM PST.) If you've never participated in one of these discussions, you should. When you call in you get to be part of the show. I did that last week for a discussion of Musical Chairs by Jen Knox. The theme for my show will be mother/daughter relationships. I imagine the talk will start with how I handled the subject in Motherless Soul, but it will quickly change to a more general discussion. The link is http://www.blogtalkradio.com/monicabrinkman/2011/02/25/six-unsynchronized-souls-motherdaughter-relationships if you would like to learn more.

Please come to Barnhill's or call in to Monica's show. It will be fun to talk to as many people as possible.

My Literary Resolutions - 2011

I love New Year resolutions. Most of the reactions I get from my friends indicate that I'm in a minority when it comes to this. But to me they represent a chance to reevaluate how things are going and to get a fresh start.

2010 was a good year for me. Despite the economy I kept my job. Despite turning 60 I didn't have any serious health issues. And I had more fun with my writing than any other year I can think of. So for me the fresh start is probably less important this year than it has been in the past.

But here are the resolutions anyway:
1. Finish the sequel to Motherless Soul. I'm about halfway through, so this is doable, but I have to be careful not to rush and get sloppy. (I guess I'm hedging on this one already.)
2. Reread Anna Karenina. I've read it a few times, once even read it twice in a row, but it has been over five years since the last time.
3. Read Middlemarch. My daughter, who loves classics, gave me a copy last year, so I don't have an excuse not to get through it.

And here's another list. These are the ones I'm resolving to continue:

1. Keep up this blog. I hope since you're reading this, you'll be pleased about that.
2. Keep working with my writers' group. This one will be fun. I'm in a group with three other writers with work on a very high level. I love reading and critiquing what they write.
3. Keep up with my book club. We've got a very eclectic group, so the choices have exposed me to some interesting works I wouldn't have picked up on my own.
4. Keep up the effort to sell Motherless Soul. It's been out for more than a year now, so things have slowed down a bit, but the readings and signings are still fun.

That's it for mine. I hope everyone has a great 2011!