Get this picture — From this past Friday at noon until yesterday about 3 PM, I was in downtown Nashville, attending The Southern Festival of Books, where more than 200 authors gathered FOR FREE.  So, for all of my writer buddies out there, I wanted to recap some of the cool things I heard a few writers say…..

• When doing research, go online and find a Sears Roebuck catalog from that year.  Tom Franklin, Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter
• Also about doing research, “find the fanatics.“  Ron Rash, Burning Bright: Stories
• River Jordan (The Miracle of Mercy Land) says she “follows the bells” when she writes to see where the story goes.
• Lydia Peele (Reasons For and Advantages of Breathing) is near to my heart because she writes about the connection between humans and animals.
• Helen Simomson (Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand) talked about her amazing journey to publication and advised writers to find readers they “trust” when getting feedback.
• Robin Oliverira (My Name is Mary Sutter) talked about her perseverance in getting published.  She’d written another novel, got an agent and almost sold it to Algonquin when she realized she needed some help.  She enrolled in Vermont College’s MFA program, “the best thing I’ve ever done for my writing.”
• You gotta love Amy Greene (Bloodroot).  She talked about staying true to what she knows best, Appalachia.
• Susan Gregg Gilmore (The Improper Life of Bazellia Grove) made us all laugh with her story about how she came up with the name, Bazellia.  Hysterical!
• Lisa Patton (Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’Easter) is in crunch time big time to deliver her next manuscript to her editor.  We wish her luck as she hustles down that road!
• When Robert Goolrick (The Reliable Wife) talked about the book he is writing now, which is based on a true story.  He called it “the best story I’ve ever heard.”  That made me think about that myself — What is the best story I’ve ever heard?  I believe it might be the one I’m writing.
• The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Club.  Oh my!  Founder Kathy Patrick assembled a panel of writers she believes in (Melissa Conroy, Denise Hildreth Jones, Michael Morris and River Jordan), and boy howdy, these writers are fortunate.  BECAUSE SHE PROMOTES THEM THROUGH HER VAST BOOK CLUB UNIVERSE.  www.pulpwoodqueen.com for any of you wanting ideas for book club books!

Finally, let me say that one of these days, I’d love to be on a panel at this festival vs. an audience member.  There, I said it!

NOW — back to my novel.  It’s butt glue time……

Mama Red says HELLO

Mama Red and I send you all a hearty welcome this early fall day.  Her twins now are close to five months old, while this blog is but a newborn.  One day old this very day.  Ahhhh….new life.  We love it!

You’ll be hearing from us from time to time about matters that touch our hearts.  We invite you to visit often and have a look.