Crack for Writers
Goodreads is like crack for writers.
I’m serious.
It’s not like crack for readers, but it is for writer’s – at least it is for me.
I didn’t do Goodreads until my book was going to be published. Then I got on, got in, and started being a part of the Goodreads world. I smoked the pipe. I joined the YA Historical Novels group. I settled into the background after a short comment or two and didn’t even mention my book. I played by the rules.
Then I got my first review and it showed up on Goodreads. It was five stars.
That’s when I knew I was in trouble. First I only looked at the site a few times a week. But when my book came out and the list of people reading Open Wounds or who put it on their book shelf grew and more reviews came in – I started checking ever y day.
Then it was twice a day – every day.
I started noticing the details about the site. I checked to see who was new on the to be read list. Did I know them? I got an adrenaline surge every time a new person was added to the list. I checked that number first, then checked the date of the most recent addition to the list. And I kept waiting for more reviews.
Five star reviews made me feel euphoric. It would last a few hours. Then I developed some tolerance and it lasted less. Now I needed them just to feel normal.
Four stars send me right into withdrawal.
One reviewer said she wanted to give me four and a half stars but since Goodreads only allowed full stars she gave me four. Why didn’t she just give me five? Why can’t the cup be half full and not half empty? Doesn’t she know that reviews are crack for writers and no matter what anybody says, we live and die by them? Is it just me?
I tried to quit. I tried to stop looking at Goodreads, just for a couple of days. So I turned to Amazon. Amazon was like methadone, only it didn’t work as well because methadone is for opiates and crack is a stimulant. I should have known better. I do drug prevention work in my day job.
Goodreads called to me.
So I went back. But this time I think I have it more under control. I’m taking a harm reduction approach. I took it off my toolbar bookmark. I went on to write reviews of books I’ve read so I keep the site in a positive light. I tell myself the number of stars isn’t important. I keep myself busy. I occupy my mind.
Then I check it… just… one… more… time…
Day 11: Dueling Dragons and Frida Khalo Treasure Hunt
My wife’s family is safely ensconced in our apartment – having to evacuate Rockaway Beach where they live before Irene hits. They have found the inflatable mattresses and as of this moment know how to work the cable remote and therefore the TV. We’ve been watching the weather report here. The sky is dark here also and the threat of thunderstorms – a constant in August anyway in Florida – has shut down the pool. We’re all reading, gaming, blogging in the giant lobby sitting in comfy chairs. Soon I will be drinking tea.
Earlier we made our last visit to Harry Potter-land. We will miss it. Tomorrow we leave. I left my stomach on the dueling dragon ride. Karen and Max watched me disappear into the gated line after viewing all the dozen or so warnings about quick turns, sudden drops, 360’s, and backward somersaults. Unless you are in perfect health and above 5’4″ you are not allowed to pass and ride the beast.
I rode the blue dragon.
It did indeed flip me over, twirl me around, make me go upside down and inside out all at an incredible pace and with centrifugal force keeping me plastered to my suspended seat. Yes, it is a suspended car roller coaster. I love these things. The whole ride lasted less than a minute and I felt mildly ill afterwards, even had some trouble walking straight for a few minutes after landing. But it was cool. Once was enough though, until next time.
Back to the treasure hunt I promised yesterday. So here it is. Frida Khalo is in my book, somewhere. Aldo Nadi is too but he is named and easy to find. Frida had a slightly larger part in an earlier version of the book but was scaled back in the finished version of Open Wounds. Find her. Tell me what page she’s on and what made you think it’s her. Here’s a hint. You can find her with four letter words. Now start the hunt.
Bennet from Bay State Fencers
I sent a copy of Open Wounds to Ann and her son Bennet in Boston. I asked Bennet to write me and let me know what he thinks, when he’d finished. I got a beautiful, handwritten (some folks still write in pencil/pen and I’m a big fan of it) letter by snail mail. Bennet writes:
I loved your book Open Wounds. I liked how you described each fight move by move, and I admit that I probably wouldn’t have been satisfied had you just written ‘they fight’!
Open wounds included fencing terms old and new to me and taught me about how different life was back during the depression. I hope you continue to write fencing-related books.
PS. Pistol grips rule!
Bennet’s mom sent these pictures of him reading Open Wounds under a sequoia at Merced Grove in Yosemite and, of course… fencing. He fences with the Bay State Fencers out of Somerville, MA. And yes, Bennet, I do believe pistol grips are cool, but Italian grip is the real deal. I have used French, Italian, and pistol and each has its plusses and minuses. But for me the Italian grip just speaks to me. And I believe in listening to the blade. One day, Bennet, we’ll have to see which one rules! Thank you (and your mom) for the kind words about my book. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Good luck in your competitions this summer and fall, and remember to have fun because of all the things that fencing is, it is above and beyond all others… simply fun to do.
He's reading Open Wounds!
A Closer Look...
Portrait of an Epee Fencer
On the Grounds going at it!
Book Launch at Seaburn Book Store
"I've waited 33 years for this moment..."
Last week, on Thursday night, we launched Open Wounds. It sounds funny that way but it really felt like a launch. The only thing I didn’t do was break a bottle of champagne across the bow of the book – though that would have been an interesting sight to see. There was wine and pastries from our favorite French Patisserie Canelles. But more than anything there were people. We filled the downstairs room with friends, family, colleagues, writers, and some folks from the neighborhood – Astoria – who saw the advertisement and stopped by. There were over 65 people with many standing in the back. It was hot and thunder-stormy – humid and thick, even with the AC on. The fan had to be turned off so you could hear me read. And I did read. That’s what felt like a launch – the reading, the showing off of my work to others, the revealing of my secret life as a writer.
Before it filled up and overflowed!
And it was fun. And the book store sold 42 copies. The book store owner walked around with a big smile on her face.
My publisher/editor Evelyn Fazio, introduced me to the audience with some kind words and there were two other wonderful WestSide authors in attendance: Karen DelleCava (latest book is A Closer Look) and Selene Castrovilla (latest book is The Girl Next Door and Melt) to help cheer me on.
My father also came and I finally signed a book for him. He still hasn’t read Open Wounds but I’m waiting to hear what he thinks ’cause now it’s on his list. What follows is a picture of the inscription. The ship has launched and the party was a good one to send it on its way. I couldn’t ask for more. I’m only sorry my publicists Marissa, Julie, and Sami from JKS Communications couldn’t be there to celebrate with me – as it would never have happened without them.
Inscription for my father...
DC Fencers
I had no idea where Silver Springs was and how far it was from the conference center I was staying at. But I made it to the evening open épée fencing at the DC Fencer’s Club with a half hour to spare. It always pays to leave early (and take a cab).
The head coach, Janusz Smolenski, sat down with me in between students and let me pitch him the book. He was very
interested in the fencing but even more so in my last name, recognizing both the Lithuanian and Polish influences. Then he invited me to fence. I told him I had not brought my gear and before I could say any more he suited me up with gear from the salle and paired me up with my first opponent. I fenced for two hours with a short break to talk to the whole group that Janusz organized when some twenty students had filled the room. Now I thought the room was filled but he told me their six strips (it is a big salle!) are packed with sixty plus students in the fall when everyone is back from vacation. I had way too much fun fencing – getting beaten by a young man and finding some equal matches against others my age and younger. Soaked from my workout I got a ride to the metro from a fencer named Jay, who also happens to be a journalist and a budding novelist.
I left them two copies of Open Wounds and a lot of perspiration. The only problem was that I had so much fun fencing I forgot to take any photos. I had the camera but it never made it out of the bag. The photos are curtesy of their website!
Thank you Jay and Janusz. I hope to be back in the fall for other events. Only next time I’ll have my own equipment.
Lunievicz 