Happy Wolves & Men Paperback Release Day

Today we are celebrating the release of the Wolves and Men paperback! 

A Word of Thanks:

I am so thankful to the Lord, who made this day possible. All the glory truly goes to Him! I am also so thankful to the talent who had a hand in the development, design, publication and promotion of the Wolves and Men project: 

My incredibly gifted and joy-to-work-with publisher/editor/marketing manager (and surely much more) Callie Ferguson of Bee Creative, Inc (www.beecreativeinc.com). 

The remarkable artist who designed the cover for the paperback, Jesse Owen of 10am.org.

The lovely and impressively professional artist who designed the layout for the paperback, Kristen McGregor of Astrea Creative (www.astreacreative.com).

The amazing photographer who was kind enough to head up the author photo shoot, Jordan Mobley. 

The folks at Kamps 1910 in Oklahoma City, who allowed us to do the shoot in their lovely venue. 

The truly talented Paul Yeager who recently directed, shot, and edited my interview. 

.....

And now, get out your calendar, because I have the lineup for Book Signing Events during the month of October all ready to go! Each event will be an opportunity to meet and chat about the book, purchase a book and get it signed, and enter to win a drawing for a special giveaway- something different at each event! 

October Book Signing Events Schedule

On Friday October 3rd come see me at All About Cha in Edmond, OK from 7pm-9pm. 

On Saturday October 4th, I’ll be at Cafe Elemental in Oklahoma City from 5pm-7pm.

On Friday October 10th, join us at Rick’s Coffee and Chocolate in Guthrie, OK from 3pm-4pm. 

On Saturday October 11th, I’ll be signing books at Full Circle Books in Oklahoma City from 3-4:30. 

On Friday October 24th, come see me at Hastings in Norman, OK from 6pm-8pm. 

There is a possibility of adding another signing or two, so check back here for any changes in the schedule.

Remember you can purchase the paperback by going to the tab at the top of the blog: Wolves and Men, a Novel! 

.....

What is your favorite place to get coffee in OKC and surrounding areas? 

What did you think of the book signing events you attended in the past? 

Which event(s) are you planning to attend in October? 

How I Wrote A Novel

          I was entirely (and at times, almost entirely) off all social networking sites for the exciting season during which I wrote my novel, Wolves and Men. Perhaps this is why it has come as a total shock to see all the information, advice, how-to blogs, and articles that are available on the topic of writing a novel. 

          Let me be clear: I have absolutely no intentions of telling anyone how to do that. 

          I think the process is probably different for everyone. And I think that if I had been exposed to the hurricane of information, warnings, steps, and guides that are out there, I never would have gotten around to finishing my project. Not only that, but I also think the majority of the information would have...as we like to say in my family, “scared the fire out of me” and intimidated me away from the daunting concept of writing a novel. So, I think that for me, at that time in my life, it was a blessing to be shielded from the onslaught of information, as it allowed me to focus without all the hype and pressure. 

          I'd like to share a few simple tools I used, which are not in anyway necessary for most people, but were helpful companions for me. 

1.  Eight O’Clock Coffee 

Don’t get me wrong, I actually love coffee. I love exploring new flavors and often decide it’s worth the pretty penny it costs to indulge in a truly inspiring cup. However, writing was an almost daily (and nightly) form of “work” for me (that is, a joyful, incredibly fulfilling task, and so I use the term “work” very loosely). It happened at a desk. Alone. In privacy. And it demanded rhythm, routine, and discipline. On a daily basis, my five dollar bag of whole beans fit my needs just perfectly. 

          An added plus is that my drinking regular ol’ Joe- which I drink strictly black, by the way (though I have been known to emulsify)- gave me the added feeling of being in character, of being a real person in a real story, sans the frou-frou fancy stuff. I’d like to think that John Wayne wouldn’t blink an eye at being poured a hot cup of Eight O’Clock coffee- so why should I? 

2. Sea Salt Dark Chocolate from Sprouts. 

It’s full of antioxidants. It’s low on sugar. It pairs well with black coffee. It’s inexpensive. And again, it’s not for sissies. 

3. Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

This was a gift from my Aunt Christy, someone who has always fed my passion for reading and writing over the years. I admit that I didn’t read this little gem cover to cover, and I still intend to dig in and glean more tips from its pages. Looking back, I was keenly aware of my temptation to become too focused on “doing things right” or “not making amateur mistakes” and had to reign in my curiosity by limiting my exposure to writing tips. Now that I'm between long-term writing projects, I look forward to opening up this book by Goldberg to sharpen my skills for future projects. 

4. The Wolves and Men Playlist

Since I’ve written an entire series on this topic, I’ll just leave you with the links for those articles. 

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

http://steepandsavor.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-wolves-and-men-playlist-iii.html

http://steepandsavor.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-wolves-and-men-playlist-iv.html

http://steepandsavor.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-wolves-and-men-playlist-finale.html

5. Non-Writing Activities

          Does this count as a tool? Probably not. But not writing was essential to my ability to figure out plot solutions, feel out character development, and decide on the perfect conclusion. I was largely inspired away from my work desk and away from my computer. These activities mostly included things I could do with my hands, such as cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and painting. But it also involved other physical activities like walking in the fresh air, swimming, and working out to my playlist. 

In Conclusion:

          I don’t really imagine a lot of people are going to go out now and get my favorite chocolate and coffee and feel inspired. But that’s really not the point. The point is that even though there are a multitude of apps, programs, networking circles, articles, and who-knows-what-else, most of my favorite authors didn’t need ANY of those things, and I think there is a real danger of getting bogged down in the conglomerate of today’s writing resources.

         When I started writing Wolves and Men, I was living in a modest one-bedroom apartment with plain white walls and that ever-present “apartment smell.” I couldn’t afford lattes or macaroons, or anything else that would interest anyone on Instagram or sound good on your Twitter feed. 

         If I’m being completely honest, the Lord simply opened a lot of doors- doors of motivation, opportunity, and inspiration. He is constantly reminding me that this novel was never really about me, my credentials or abilities. It was for my good and His glory. And I sincerely hope the story- in my opinion, the very compelling story of Charlotte’s journey to healing and strength- benefits you, too. 

          In case you are just recently tuning in to Steep and Savor, you can get the e-book form of my novel HERE and a lot of other things are still JUST around the corner, including an interview, the paperback release date, and book signing events. 

...

What "tools" are most helpful to you as a writer, musician, or artist? 

What coffee/tea best fits your needs on a daily basis? 

What are your absolute essentials for helping you get work done Monday-Friday (or whatever your work week may look like)? 

Happy 186th Birthday, Leo Tolstoy

A few brief facts about the man: 

The highly esteemed novelist was born Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy on September 9, 1828 in Yasnaya Polyana, in the Russian Empire. 

He was both a pacifist and a Christian anarchist.

He influenced Martin Luther. 

He was admired by William Faulkner. 

I recently learned that three of my favorite characters of all time were in many ways depictions of himself: Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei (both from War and Peace), and Konstantin "Kostya" 

Dmitrievich Levin (from Anna Karenina). 

Tolstoy photographed at his Yasnaya Polyana estate in May 1908 by Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky.

“A Frenchman's self-assurance stems from his belief that he is mentally and physically irresistibly fascinating to both men and women. An Englishman's self-assurance is founded on his being a citizen of the best organized state in the world and on the fact that, as an Englishman, he always knows what to do, and that whatever he does as an Englishman is unquestionably correct. An Italian is self-assured because he is excitable and easily forgets. A Russian is self-assured simply because he knows nothing and does not want to know anything, since he does not believe in the possibility of knowing anything fully.”

There are a lot of experts out there who have perhaps exhausted all there is to say about Leo Tolstoy. I don’t intend to add anything new to that conversation, and I certainly don’t have time to reiterate everything that’s worth noting. However, when one reads an author and truly connects with the characters, empathizes with their humanity, mourns over their bad decisions, and weeps with joy over their success...you’ve allowed yourself to be transformed by that author’s work in a way that is perhaps irreversible and is even unadulterated by mere textbook-and-lecture familiarity. 

On that topic, now that I’ve come to know Tolstoy through War and Peace and Anna Karenina, I’d certainly love to not only explore his other, lesser-known works, but I’d love to learn more about him, as well. Preferably, I'd like to do so while sipping from that coffee mug. 

Below is a favorite excerpt of mine from my all-time favorite novel, War and Peace:

Whatever Petya might have seen now, it wouldn’t have come as a surprise. He was in a land of pure magic, where anything was possible. 

He glanced up at the sky. That too was as magical as the earth. It was beginning to clear, and the clouds scudded across the tree-tops as if they wanted to uncover the stars. For a moment it seemed as if the heavens were clearing to open up a pure black sky. Then these black patches began to look like stormclouds. Then the sky seemed to soar away higher and higher; then it was falling back, falling down, and you could almost reach out and touch it. 

Petya’s eyes were closing and he was beginning to nod. Raindrops dripped. Low voices murmured. The horses neighed and shook themselves. Somebody snored.

In conclusion, every self-respecting individual needs one good pair of Tolstoy boots to get through the winter season. I suggest something like the boot pictured here. However, whatever you choose, the pair should have straps/buckles, be tall enough to walk through the wilderness comfortably, be of high quality but cost-effective, and be suitable for horseback-riding. These are all things to consider even as we prepare to transition into the Autumn season.

...

In other news, we are in the final stages of tweaking the paperback of Wolves and Men so that it is of the absolute highest quality. This is a tedious process, and not my favorite part of writing or publishing. However, I am looking forward to announcing the release date very soon, and appreciate your continued support. Thank you for reading!

Below is the latest customer/reader review on Amazon.com: 

What a wonderful read .Very well written. with an easy to follow story line. I couldn't put it down as it's one of those books that you stay up all night to read.

Thank you, Judy for reading and sharing! 

...

What is your favorite Tolstoy quote?

Which is your favorite novel/work by Leo Tolstoy?

How are you enjoying the ebook of Wolves and Men so far?

The Wolves and Men Playlist Finale

         In my neat and tidy list of 25 songs, I actually had to go back and add one that was certainly influential and must have been removed for reasons that elude me now. So below are the final five, plus the very important number 26, which will undoubtedly be recognized by those who have finished reading the book. 

Blackberry Stone by Laura Marling

Marling makes another appearance due to her enchanting folk style and the conviction with which she tells her story. This song is mysterious, gritty, subdued, and yet passionate. So how specifically did it influence my writing of Wolves and Men? This song made a later appearance in my writing process, and was perhaps only involved in my rounds of editing and fine-tuning, though even those final stages produced a surprising amount of new content. When I play it now I am reminded of Charlotte’s introspective scenes, in which she is struggling to make sense of the real world- a world that is messy and complicated, and a world in which neither our nightmares nor our dreams turn out quite the way we expect them to. It is a song that I think communicates the personal growth in Charlotte’s journey, in which she learns to accept difficult truths and faces them bravely.

The Cave by Mumford and Sons

         Okay, I’m just going to say it: In the movie version of Wolves and Men that plays in my head (indeed, the entire story plays out visually for me and very much like a film), this song is the theme song. And if there was a trailer made to quickly convey the heart and soul of the story, to flash through the key characters and the events that shape them, this song would drive those images. Interestingly enough, this song communicates for me more of Roden's character than any other. And maybe the story was really always about him after all. On that note, I will sneak in a subtle nod to another song on the same album: Sign No More. It isn't on the official playlist, but I like to think that Roden's character is kind of drenched in the tones and lyrics of both of those songs. 

The Wolves by Ben Howard

Ben Howard necessitates a second appearance with this song, which probably comes across as a bit on-the-nose. The lyrics are once again surprising and intriguing, and communicates so much more than the canines that appear in my story. It speaks to me of relationships, both horizontal (man-to-man) and vertical (man-to-God), and does so with a compelling rhythm and energetic drive. Additionally, some of the vocals certainly evoke the impression of howling wolves, which lends the song a primitive and feral tone. As the song plays out, the passion in Howard’s voice increases in desperation, and becomes even more plaintive and more energetic. It is an incredibly dynamic song worth a trial listen. It’s relationship with Wolves and Men is hard to put my finger on, at least in terms of a specific scene or sequence. Looking back, I think the energy and themes that play out in the song sort of permeated the entire narrative of my book. 

Even if I Don’t by Rachael Yamagata

This song, even sung in the deep and sultry tones that are Yamagata’s trademark, conveys the feminine heart of my protagonist, Charlotte. It conveys a crossroad of decisions regarding relationship, romantic connection, and a sense of yearning for things we can’t have. The piano’s melody drives the song and lyrics beautifully and with an energy that makes the tender lyrics all the more interesting. “I miss you most in the morning, most every morning, I wake up crying,” she confides. It is perhaps a song for both the broken-hearted and the wistfully yearning. The song was highly influential in my writing of the last few chapters and my changing the book’s conclusion oh-so-many times.

Shake it Out by Florence+The Machine

This is another energy-driven song with dark, haunting lyrics and riveting melodies carried out beautifully and artistically by the lead singer. When I hear the song, I picture the stormy skies closing in on Willow’s Bend and, yet again, the scene in which Charlotte is running for her life. “It’s always darkest before the dawn,” Welch sings, conveying the very heart of the song. And perhaps this message is the heart of Wolves and Men as well. The song certainly influenced the story’s theme of strength and courage in the face of darkness, and helped me get to the core of Charlotte's character.

Come Softly to Me by The Fleetwoods

This song simply had to be added back into my playlist because it was very specifically mentioned in a crucial scene in the book. In fact, it is playing for Charlotte’s ears in that scene and means a lot to her character. The melody is haunting in its very simplicity and retro purity. It speaks simply of young love and nothing more. Perhaps it is the stark contrast to Charlotte’s story that made it all the more fitting for the scene, and all the more precious to Charlotte in such a crucial moment. 

          This concludes the Wolves and Men Playlist series. I hope it was insightful and allowed you to discover something new and interesting in the realm of music. And of course, I hope it enticed you to read the book if you haven’t yet. As an end note, I should add that I could have included more songs by many of these artists, and I think they're all worthy of your further interest. 

Below is the official list:

The Wolves and Men Playlist

1. Be Brave by The Strange Boys

2. And Then You by Greg Laswell

3. Are You Here by Corinne Bailey Rae

4. So cold by The Dodos

5. Paper Aeroplane by Angus and Julia Stone

6. Henry Nearly Killed Me (It's A Shame) by Ray LaMontagne

7. Stay With Me by New Found Land

8. Meet Me By The Water by Rachael Yamagata

9. Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson

10. Into the Wild by LP

11. Ghosts by Laura Marling

12. Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine

13. Was it You by Joy Kills Sorrow

14. Rainy Day Blues by Willie Nelson

15. Let's Forget All The Things That We Say by Julia Stone

16. Bull Black Nova by Wilco

17. Someone To Watch Over Me by Coeur de Pirate (with Ben Charest)

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

19. Yes I'm Cold by Chris Bathgate

20. Old Pine by Ben Howard

21. Blackberry Stone by Laura Marling

22. The Cave by Mumford and Sons

23. The Wolves by Ben Howard

24. Even if I don't by Rachael Yamagata

25. Shake It Out by Florence + The Machine

26. Come Softly To Me by The Fleetwoods

Below is the link to get to the playlist through Spotify:

Wolves and Men

As always, thank you for reading and listening. As I've mentioned on the Wolves and Men facebook page, this week is proof week. We are expecting to receive the proof copy of the Wolves and Men paperback any day now, so that we may evaluate the final product and make any last minute changes. Your prayers for this process would be greatly appreciated, as we continue to make difficult decisions about the production and publication of the novel. 

And just as a reminder, please head to Amazon.com to post your review of the book once you've finished reading. Currently this only applies to the ebook version, of course, but paperback readers will have their day soon! Thank you for your continued support! 

Below is the latest Amazon.com review, from Leah Taylor:

What a great read!! Finished this one in 48 hours!! Natasha definitely has a way of taking you into the story. I felt like I was running through the woods right along side Charlotte! I cried tears of joy and tears of sorrow with her. I felt her pain and heard her laughter through the pages. This book is amazing and I highly recommend it for your next Kindle read! Two thumbs up!

...

What favorite book of yours would you like to see made into a film? 

What other books are on your to-read list on your kindle? 

To those who are currently reading my novel, what are your thoughts so far?