Spotlighting Three Influential Novels

Below are three novels which have been some of the most influential fiction on my thinking and writing: 

1. The Catcher in the Rye

         This cult classic novel by the famously elusive (and recently deceased) J.D. Salinger has influenced a lot of people, including assassins, psychopaths, and Mel Gibson’s character in the 1997 film Conspiracy Theory. Why that is, I’m not sure. Is it evil? I don’t think so. I think it’s actually painfully honest, and it’s painfully honest about a lot of ugly things. What draws me to this classic is the empathy that’s evoked for Holden Caulfield’s character, his empathy for others, and those all-too-common moments of, “I know exactly what he’s trying to say,” that occur throughout my reading. I strongly recommend that you read it if you haven’t, and I have a feeling that many in conservative Christian circles have not. The spiritual/emotional challenge will, I think, benefit you much more than cause any harm by exposing you to ugly realities and the perhaps distorted perceptions of a bitter and traumatized adolescent in the early ‘40s and ‘50s. This particular piece of literature is a work of art that is left raw, bleeding, and painful- and yet, perhaps it is this very set of qualities that allow it to come across so poignantly as organic and real. 

 

       So how has the novel influenced me? Salinger has challenged me to seek to share truth through fiction. If the heart of it isn’t true, or if something feels “phony” about the events or characters, then it is simply sub-standard fiction. 

         Two words of caution: I do think the novel is suited for a mature audience. And if you find yourself compelled to acquire several copies for your own personal collection...seek help.

2. Pride and Prejudice

         I believe it was in the ninth grade when I picked up a copy of the book from the school library, completely on a whim. It honestly took me a few times to read the first couple pages before I understood anything of what was going on or what Jane Austen was trying to say. This was my first plunge into classic English literature, and once I tasted of it, I couldn’t get enough. Elizabeth Bennet’s strength, poise, and honesty were easy to admire and identify with even at such a young age. The events that occurred with her sisters and their suitors were completely unexpected and at times difficult to understand because of the culture and language that must necessarily be digested right along with the storyline. 

        But here’s the thing: I liked the challenge. I enjoyed learning about 19th century England and women who lived in such a foreign culture. It was the first time I read a book with the intention of being challenged as well as enjoying the story, and it totally altered my approach to literature, reading, and ultimately, writing. I liked that it wasn’t easy for me, and that I was changed by it in the end. That’s the kind of reader I’ve aspired to be since then, and the kind of writer I hoped to be while working on Wolves and Men. Of course, my book is nothing like Austen’s, but I do hope it comes across as more profound than a simply stated “easy read”. Austen’s style has a realistic complexity to it, as well as an elusive simplicity, which give it weight and value as literature. I continue to work to develop a writing style that communicates these same qualities.

3. Ethan Frome

         This book by Edith Wharton is the first novel I recall reading in which the author simultaneously withheld from me what I wanted, and yet enchanted me with the way she delivered her story. There is a lot to be said for stories that give us what we want, because a lot of what we want has its roots in something good and noble and natural. For instance, the “happily ever after” endings of classic princess tales and modern day romances are not merely marks of immaturity in the authors who write them and the readers who devour them (although I do believe in consuming a healthy balance of literature). I think, when read rightly, this type of ending only stirs up the very pure desire for an eternity in heaven and an end to all our present-day troubles. (And surely there is much more to be said on this topic, but I digress.) 

         However, when approaching literature as an art form, I think there is something to be said for revealing the still-here-on-earth endings when our deepest desires are not given to us or to our protagonist. If the story ultimately says something sad- or more than sad in the case of Ethan Frome- emotionally crushing- and yet you’ve successfully connected with the character, empathized with him/her, recognized truth in the story and enjoyed the skillful way in which the journey was portrayed, then I think something profoundly satisfying and admirable was achieved. In the end, I loved Ethan Frome because it moved me. I was first empathetic toward the characters and their difficult situations, then conflicted by the immorality of the same characters, and then moved to compassion for them all over again. All the while, Wharton’s style of writing makes for an enjoyable journey. I’ve since aspired to reach for novels that offer me something more challenging than the fulfillment of my most simple human desires. I try to reach for novels that challenge my thinking, my understanding of the English language, or my emotions by way of withholding something in a way that is still enjoyable. 

         These are just my top three, and I can’t wait to hear yours. 

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Updates on the Wolves and Men paperback release: 

1. The paperback is currently at the printer! This means we will soon have a proof in hand, as well as a book release date! 

2. Below is a photo of the location where I had the privilege of being interviewed by my publisher, a lovely lady and dear friend by the name of Callie Ferguson with Bee Creative, Inc. It is a skype interview which should be made public in the next week or two. I can't wait to share the video with you, as I disclose more insights into the novel and my writing process! Also... I really, really want to steal all of her decorating techniques. I couldn't imagine a better background for conversation about Wolves and Men...except perhaps in a cabin in the woods? Maybe we'll do one there in the future. ;) 

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1. What questions would you like to have answered by your favorite authors?

2. What are some novels that influenced you the most?

3. What was your reaction to your reading of The Catcher in the Rye?

The Wolves and Men Playlist IV

Music continues to be a major part of my writing process, as I've always been deeply inspired and moved by the music I listen to. And I always welcome any recommendations, as I'm constantly trying to find something new to be inspired by.

Here are just a few more key songs by musicians who inspired the scenes and characters of Wolves and Men. 

**Scroll down to the bottom for a few more updates on the publishing process of the paperback!

Bull Black Nova by Wilco

This song is truly fascinating. I tend to experience an actual physical reaction to its alarming lyrics and nerve-racking rhythm. This made the song perfect for the scene in the last excerpt, in which Danny and Charlotte are in a vehicle together. Re-read the excerpt and listen to this song, and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Or if you already have your copy of the ebook, check out the scene for yourself in chapter four. The lyrics remind me of the moral conflict and feeling of panic as experienced by the characters during such a suspenseful scene.

Someone to Watch Over Me by Cœur de Pirate (avec Ben Charest)

I had never heard this song before when I heard it performed by Cœur de Pirate. Her performance of the classic is tender and endearing. It encapsulates that feeling we perhaps all have at one time or another- the need to be watched over, to be taken care of. It particularly suited the writing of the scenes that involved a hint of romance in the later chapters.





Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths

This song also contributes to the romantic undertones throughout the novel. I love the plain honesty of the lyrics, and how the very unpretentiousness of the song makes it incredibly romantic. I’ve actually caught myself praying the title of the song, and laughing at myself for doing so, because it so clearly communicates what I really want to say to the Creator of the universe a lot of the time.

Yes I’m Cold by Chris Bathgate

As soon as the banjo starts up on this track, I suddenly feel as though the air around me is cleaner, crisper, and I’m taken back to the winding hills of the Ozark mountains. I can feel the rush of late September air on my skin and see a sparkling glimpse of lake water between the trees. I feel the excitement of adventure alongside the tenderness of new love. I suppose it ended up on the “soundtrack” to my novel for sheer love of the song and the emotions and memories it conjures every time it’s played. 

Old Pine by Ben Howard

Old Pine evokes images of camping, and invariably reminds me of my husband and the fraternity he shares with his childhood friends. The lyrics are interesting and poetic, conjuring images of campfires and Autumn leaves on lake shores and wooded slopes.


“We slept like dogs 
down by the fire side
Awoke to the fog all around us 
The boom of summer time”






A few updates:

1. As you know, the ebook was released last Tuesday, August 19th! So far, sales are going smoothly and we already have an excellent review or two up on Amazon.com. So how can you help show your support? Once you've read the book, please hop onto Amazon.com (and log into your account) and post a review! That could help tremendously with getting the word out. :) 

2. I know a lot of you are waiting for the paperback, and that's great! We are currently working with the talented Astrea Creative to get the interior layout of the book just perfect! And this is the last big piece of the puzzle. After that, we'll go through a proofing process with the actual paperback in hand just before releasing the book. 

3. I had a great time being interviewed this weekend by Bee Creative, Inc, and that interview will be made available in 2 or 3 weeks. More information on that to come! 

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Do you have any music recommendations? If so, I'd love to hear them! 


How are you enjoying the ebook so far? 

Top Three Female Authors of Coming-of-Age Fiction

Let's face it: Growing up is hard to do. But where would we be without the aide of some of the greatest coming-of-age fiction writers in history? 

This is a short list of the authors who most inspired and challenged me personally during the adolescent years, as well as who I believe to be some of the greatest female contributors to that genre. 

1. I have to begin with the Contemporary Queen, herself: J.K. Rowling. I grew up WITH the Harry Potter characters. They are friends. They are relatives. And the seven book series is all kinds of inspiring for anyone who deals with anything less fierce than, say, a dragon, in the midst of adolescence. Her artistry for capturing a wide-range of teenage issues and throwing them against a backdrop of wild imagination with mind-bending attention to detail is unparalleled in coming-of-age fiction. Her delineation of Potter’s (and friends) journey to adulthood is both poignant and empowering. 

I love this interview with Rowling from 1998. 

Spoiler alert: Who knew that Hogwarts was in SCOTLAND? 

2. My number two author would have to be Madeleine L’Engle. From my personal reading of the A Wrinkle in Time series to A Ring of Endless Light, I can see that L’Engle does an amazing job of capturing the insecurities and challenges of youth and the events that shape and transform us into adults, no matter what planet we are on. I can't wait to share Meg Murry with my daughters and expand my own reading of her vast repertoire of both prose and poetry.

An excerpt from her poem, "To a Long-Loved Love"

(i)

We, who have seen the new moon grow old together,

Who have seen winter rime the fields and stones

As though it would claim earth and water for­ever

3. The author of The Outsiders, Susan Eloise Hinton, will always hold a special place in my heart. This gut-wrenching story is set in Oklahoma, and was published in 1967. The story was actually inspired by rival gangs in Hinton’s school, Will Rogers High School of Tulsa, Oklahoma. I personally remember being shaken, torn, pierced, and utterly changed by the narrative when I first read it in middle school. The poetry, tenderness, and fraternal love are juxtaposed against the bitter frustration, violence, and depravity of the main characters and the society in which they live. It will have you shouting inside, “They are JUST KIDS!” Being an adolescent is tough, no matter who you are or in what conditions you are raised- or whether you are a "Soc" or a "Greaser". But Hinton’s story will take you to extremes, shape you into a more empathetic soul, and make you thankful for the adolescence you were given.  

Coming-of-age is just one theme that is explored in my newly released ebook, Wolves and Men. We are blessed to be able to offer the ebook at a temporarily, wonderfully low price of $4.99, so take advantage of it now. :) 

You can download your copy here: http://amzn.com/B00MV4UXMS 

You can also sign up for email updates so that you'll be alerted as soon as the novel is released in paperback! Just find the box in the top right hand corner of this blog. :)

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What do you think of Rowling's interview? 

What would you ask these authors if you could ask them anything? 

Which characters did you most identify with during adolescence? 

Wolves and Men Book Cover Revealed!

          It is HERE! This is the front cover for the paperback, as well as what you'll see when you download the e-book for your kindle or nook. 

          A picture is worth a thousand words, but I don't think you'll get the full effect until the paperback is in your hands, either. And since the e-book will be released FIRST, this is just one reason why it would be great to have both the e-book AND paperback once they are released. ;)

           There is SO much detail to this design that I just love. One of the things that I love about Jesse Owen's work (www.10am.org) is that he incorporates detail that you may not even notice the first or second time... But then you'll look again and see yet another surprise in the design!

          He gave us three designs to choose from, and let me just say- It was NOT easy to choose! I think my heart will always break a little when I look at the two designs we couldn't use. :( In fact, I'm thinking of framing them, because my husband printed them off and they are just that good.

          My hope is that not only will this cover strike you as interesting, beautiful, and suspenseful as it does for me, but will be imbued with even MORE meaning once you've finished reading the book! There is so much about the story's tone, plot, and character development that seems to be poured right into the lighting, contours, color scheme, and focus of this design. Jesse was able to design this particular cover option soon after we sat down with him and discussed what the book was about, and I think that (and the grace of God) is why the cover seems SO perfect for the story. I'm in love!

          And now for another never-before-read excerpt:

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          We headed back to my cabin in agitated silence. From the passenger seat, I heard the growing thump-thumps of helicopter blades as a chopper flew overhead. We watched it disappear in the distance. As Danny drove back the way we’d come, I noticed that the scenery looked pointedly different than it had before. Perhaps we just hadn’t noticed earlier, but the woods around us seemed to emanate a certain...eeriness. You might say that it was too peaceful, maybe like a cemetery. The natural rhythm, like breathing, which had enveloped me on my walks just days ago, was gone. Where was everyone? There were a few birds and a squirrel along our route, but even they seemed hushed and still in a way I’d never seen wild animals behave before. 

          There was a flash of color in front of us before the truck slammed into something heavy. My seatbelt caught me as I lurched forward in my seat. Danny and I were both silent as we waited to see a deer raise its head up over the hood of the truck. But it wasn’t a deer. And it didn't get back up. 

          I felt the hum of the engine cease and heard the sonorous beeping as Danny pulled out the keys. Then there was silence. Danny slowly unbuckled and pushed his creaking door open before getting out of the truck. I watched his reaction as he rounded the hood of the truck. He covered his mouth, stifling a horrified yell, and reeled backward away from the vehicle. My stomach lurched. 

          “Danny, what is it?” I couldn’t move. I knew then that the brave thing to do was to get out of the vehicle and help him cope with...whatever was out there. Instead, I remained petrified beneath my seatbelt, feeling the color drain out of my face as I waited. 

          Danny ran his hand dramatically through his gold-brown hair and turned his head away. 

          “Charlotte, stay in the car.” His voice sounded all wrong. 

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What are your impressions of the book cover? 

Where would you like to attend a Book Signing Event of Wolves and Men? 

The Wolves and Men Playlist III

          Five more songs from the playlist that inspired the writing of my novel, Wolves and Men are below. Be sure and check out the previous posts on this subject as well to discover some new sounds and get some insight into the book. 

You can find them here:

http://steepandsavor.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-wolves-and-men-playlist.html

http://steepandsavor.blogspot.com/2014/07/wolves-and-men-playlist-ii_27.html

* Look for the book update at the bottom of this post! *

Ghosts by Laura Marling

          I was drawn to this song for its interesting lyrics and wandering melody. It seems like the right song for taking long walks in the woods. It comes across as a little wounded and cynical, but heartfelt and honest, as well. As ghosts are a major theme throughout Wolves and Men, this song fit right in during my “mulling” moments between writing sessions. 

          I’m also a little fascinated by Marling’s vocals, as they sound so raw and delicate. I’d first heard her in a duet with Johnny Flynn, a favorite of my husband. Going back and listening to that song- The Water- I have to recommend it! Those two musicians have a unique British-folk sound that rings equally pure and artistic. 

Dog Days Are Over by Florence+ The Machine

          This song is powerful with emotion and energy. I’ve always connected deeply with it for reasons I can’t begin to understand. It is another “running” song, though it not only influenced scenes where running was actually occurring in the story, but also the general urgency of the characters’ situation. Listening to this song always makes me feel stronger and braver, and I like to think it had the same effect on my story’s main character, Charlotte, as well. 

Was It You by Joy Kills Sorrow

          This is perhaps the band that I associate most closely with everything that makes me happy about Oklahoma, the changing weather, and various bittersweet memories in my personal life. It is unpretentious and soothing and I HIGHLY recommend checking them out. When I listen to this song, I can’t help but picture Autumn leaves falling, storms brewing, and a sudden cool front blowing in. It makes me crave chili and reach for a comfy sweatshirt before I realize that...it’s only August! Whoops! Listen with caution. ;)

Rainy Day Blues by Willie Nelson

          Willie Nelson simply HAD to make an appearance on this playlist because you see, one of my favorite characters from Wolves and Men, Danny, was a fan of his and could even imitate him quite well. So it makes me think of Danny, and of course, the many rainy days that occur throughout the story. It is a man’s song, but I think that makes it all the more interesting. 

Let’s Forget All the Things That We Say by Julia Stone

         Here is Julia Stone again, but this time by herself. I really enjoyed her By The Horns album, which was all solo. The album is almost frustratingly cryptic, melancholy, and oh-so mysterious. Her voice is almost childlike and, perhaps partially for that reason, it is incredibly moving. This song speaks on the frustrations of relationship and the challenges of communicating hard things with another soul. It voices a measure of disappointment in the breakdown of communication, or perhaps just the general difficulties of any relationship, and yet  there is a measure of contentment to let it all go. I think it influenced a lot of the scenes between two of the main characters in the story. I would tell you who, but...you’ll have to wait and read for yourself! 

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In other news: You can expect an official ebook release date to be announced in the NEXT WEEK! This is not a drill! The ebook is expected to come out even sooner than I had realized, praise God! I cannot WAIT for you to get your download and join me on Charlotte’s journey. :) 

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What music do you listen to in order to get ready for Fall weather? 

What music do you listen to while running or going for walks? 

Which is better:  Kindle or Nook? 

The Ultimate Spy Classic- A Review

A man who lives a part, not to others but alone, is exposed to obvious psychological dangers. In itself, the practice of deception is not particularly exacting; it is a matter of experience, of professional expertise, it is a facility most of us can acquire. But while a confidence trickster, a play-actor or a gambler can return from his performance to the ranks of his admirers, the secret agent enjoys no such relief. For him, deception is first a matter of self-defense.

     The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, John Le Carre. 

          I don’t often read a book twice. Life is too short and there are just too many books out there. Even my list of CLASSIC must-reads is kind of mind-boggling at the moment. 

Ersatz- A coffee substitute mentioned in the book. "Coffee
he drinks--nothing else--just coffee all the time."

          Having read The Spy Who Came In From The Cold by John Le Carre for the second time, I must propose that it is the quintessential classic spy novel. There is something about it that makes the reading experience feel so...authentic. It’s almost as if the book isn’t even fiction at all. Everything about it is so subtle, so underplayed, it feels like the straight-forward account of what one man working for the British Secret Service lived through. Period. No extra drama, elaborate costumes, or back handsprings necessary. This is merely real life. And yet, it is mere espionage, which makes it perhaps the coolest thing you’ll ever read in fiction. 

The Berlin Wall

          Le Carre paints a stark picture of reality through the telling of Station Head Alec Leamas’s story, a man who has suffered a great professional loss with the death of his last and best double agent in East Berlin during the Cold War. It is sometimes difficult to keep up with the turn of events, the abrupt twists, and life-or-death decisions made by Leamas and his adversaries. It’s scope is grand, touching on philosophy, politics, and religion, crossing international borders at airports and heavily guarded bridges, while highlighting the minute actions of a man reaching for a packet of matches. The carefully-spun web of duplicity and mind games is a sobering take on the way countries, political movements, counter-intelligence, and humanity in general operate. It speaks on the sanctity of life and the philosophy of making necessary sacrifices for the greater good. 

The DKW, or Dampf-Kraft-Wagen mentioned in the book

          As I cannot help but view everything through the gospel lens, (for, “by it I see everything else” to throw in a random C.S. Lewis reference) I have to stop and wonder at the utter depravity of the “real world” that Le Carre paints, as well as the one in which we currently live. I don’t think Le Carre was being negative. I think he was being honest. I think the world is worse off than we could possibly imagine. Just as the ending of Le Carre’s novel shocked me with its profound sadness, I think the world today is probably sadder than I can even realize. And I think it is necessary that we see it as so. If we blind ourselves to this fact, how can we accept the reality that we were created for something more, for something lasting and good and far beyond what we deserve? No, I need to be made to stop and think about these sad truths, because they compel me to search for something more, something beyond myself and beyond this present darkness. 

Steinhager- a German gin mentioned in the novel

          Le Carre’s fiction merely speaks the truth, ultimately. It is only part of the truth- the first part. But it is a necessary one to digest so that we can “let it steep”- the very weight of sadness. And I’m thankful that Le Carre makes me take pause, for only THEN am I free to savor the reality of my utterly desperate need for someone to rescue me out of this darkness, and rescue me even out of my OWN darkness. For the darkness lurks not only behind shady pubs and ominous DKWs, but within the heart of every human. 

 "Good-bye, Liz," he said. "Good-bye," and then: "Don't follow me. Not again."

    Liz nodded and muttered, "Like we said." She was thankful for the biting cold of the street and for the dark which hid her tears. 

          The darkness of men’s hearts is something I explore in Wolves and Men, a book that has recently had its cover DESIGNED! We will probably be working out a few details before showing anything off, so bear with me. But I can’t tell you how excited I am to see Jesse Owen’s stunning work! You will see it soon, dear friends, SOON! :) 

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Are there any other spy novels that you've read and loved? G.K. Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday kept springing to mind during my reading. :)

Have you ever picked out a book at the library or bookstore JUST because of the cover design?

What things do you love and hate in a book cover?