tirsdag den 8. februar 2011

Why I Love Reading and Writing

- this magnificent quilt belongs to Heather, and when I read her post about it the other day, I knew I couldn´t find a better illustration for this post - thank you for letting me bring it -

This post is part of a launch campaign by Cathryn Grant of Suburban Noir. To win a wonderful debut novel, or even a Wi-Fi Kindle, see the rules beneath my post.

I have loved reading ever since I learned how to at the age of seven. I have had several other interests and hobbies over the years, but reading has always been number one. When I am engrossed in a book, I am in another world. Pure and simple.

My dream of writing began at the same time. I began my first novel when I was seven - did I finish two or three short pages? - and I have had several false starts since then. The final push came a few years ago when I got the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. I had to make some changes in my life, work less and give up some (several, actually) of my many interests and ambitions. Enough said about that, though, because my somewhat sofa-bound existence gave me time to reflect: how did I want to spend all those hours when I had to sit quietly or lie down?

Of course I read more, especially in periods, but I was also determined to see this as my opportunity to do something about my old dream: writing crime fiction. Since then, I have had several rejections of my two Danish novels and plenty of my English flash fiction stories. But I have also had great moments, such as when Every Day Fiction bought my first flash fiction story ´Lollipop´ a year ago and when ´Megamartyres´ was published in "Discount Noir" in October. Or the other day when...

Enough about me - at least for twenty-four hours. Here is my review of Cathryn´s "The Demise of the Soccer Moms".

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Cathryn´s give-away.

Enter the Suburban Noir contest for the chance to win a copy of "The Demise Of The Soccer Moms". The grand prize is a Wi-Fi Kindle. Rules for the Kindle Giveaway:

1. Between February 4 and midnight PST, February 11, comment on any one of the 7 participating blogs (see the list here) to get one entry per comment. Limit of one comment per blog for a possible total of 7 entries.

2. Between February 4 and midnight PST, February 11, tweet any one of the participating blogs to get one entry per tweet. Limit of one tweet per blog for a possible total of 7 entries. Tweets must have @CathrynGrant so I can track them.

3. Participants can have a total of 14 entries between commenting on blogs and tweeting.

4. Ten people will win their choice of an eBook or paperback copy of Cathryn Grant's Suburban Noir Thriller, "The Demise Of The Soccer Moms". One additional person will win a Wi-Fi Graphite Kindle (valued at $139) pre-loaded with a copy of "The Demise Of The Soccer Moms". Please note the paperback copy will not be available until March. Winners will be chosen by a random number generator

"The Demise Of The Soccer Moms" tells the story of a seemingly quiet suburban neighborhood which is upended when a provocative single mother saunters onto the school playground for the first time. Her Doc Marten boots, tight T-shirts, and in-your-face attitude stir up buried fears and sexual anxiety.
In the dark corners of her home, a woman battles crippling memories that threaten to destroy the family she wants so desperately to protect. A suspicious death forces her best friend to make a hard choice between marriage and friendship.

Paranoia, jealousy, and maternal instinct collide, leading to the demise of the soccer moms.
The competition is open to readers from North America, Europe, Australia and NZ (if you live in another part of the world and want a chance, you may send a mail to Cathryn via her blog).
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32 kommentarer:

Joanne Ganley sagde ...

Hi Dorte,

I always find a writer’s background interesting and inspiring so thank you for sharing. :D

The Demise of the Soccer Moms sounds like an intriguing read. Thank you for the link to your review.

Bernadette sagde ...

Reading has always been about escaping into other worlds for me too. I don't know how old I was but it was long before I went to school at 5 years 2 months - and I've really never stopped - I've read more and less at different times in my life but I don't think there have been too many times when I haven't had a book on the go. When I was travelling a lot as a backpacker - for months at a time and in the days before eReaders - some of the most interesting times I had were looking for English language books in far flung parts of the world (doesn't matter what country you're in you can always find Dick Francis, Danielle Steele or a western of some sort). Apart from teenage poetry (long since burned to a crisp thankfully) I have never had any desire to write fiction but I do love hearing about the publishing successes of my new virtual friends and doing my little bit to support such endeavours is fun too.

I love the cover of Cathryn's book.

Anonym sagde ...

Dorte - Thanks for sharing your lifelong love of reading. I've always read, too, actually. I don't remember a time, really, when I couldn't read. I honestly think that a love of writing goes with being a writer...

Felicity Grace Terry sagde ...

I can appreciate just what you mean when you talk about the need to make life changes. Books are one of my lifelines, something I also use to escape.

Thanks for the link to the giveaway which ends on my birthday,perhaps I'll be lucky.

Unknown sagde ...

Yay, a bilingual blog! Thanks for the giveaway.

Cathryn Grant sagde ...

A Certain Book, Thanks for your comment, I'm glad you found it interesting.

Cathryn Grant sagde ...

Hi Bernadette, I also love meeting new people in the book blogging/reading world. I'm glad to know you like the cover.

Cathryn Grant sagde ...

Margot, I agree, a love of reading drives all the writers I know!

Cathryn Grant sagde ...

Petty,

I wish you the best on your birthday. Books are the perfect escape, and so many different ways to enjoy the journey.

Cathryn Grant sagde ...

Jane,

I'm uni-lingual, but I get a thrill every time I post a comment here that says Cathryn sagde ... !

Cathryn Grant sagde ...

Hi everyone,

I'm all caught up entering you in the contest from your comments here.

Dorte H sagde ...

Hi Cathryn & everybody:

Good to see my blog is in good hands while I am busy (marking essays and/or sleeping!)

Kelly sagde ...

I enjoyed hearing about your love for reading, Dorte. I've found reading the perfect escape since I was a small child, too!

As you know, I have Cathryn's book waiting in my Kindle and I really look forward to reading it. I loved your review and know I'm going to love the novel, too!

If I won a hard copy I would have trouble deciding who to give it to... I know of several friends/family members who I think would enjoy it!

Dee sagde ...

This is an amazing giveaway. I really loved your review of Cathryn's book. It sounds so enticing - I can't wait to read it! :) Also, by the way, bilingual blog = majorly awesome!

deeg131 at gmail dot com

Dorte H sagde ...

Kelly: you have a good point about a book gift. One of the drawbacks of the Kindle books is that you can´t share it.

Dee: Cathryn´s book is a marvelous debut. And I am bilingual when I have time, on a crazy day (= most of them), I only blog in one language, mostly English.

Anonym sagde ...

Dorte,

What a lovely blog. I can so appreciate how you talk about your first novel, "did I finish two or three short pages?"

I remember the first time I wrote an essay to send out into the publishing world, I barely reached 1000 words.

And, funny enough, since I've been writing more, I've found more time to read than when I wasn't writing. It's kind of like, once you start drinking more water, your body just craves it (versus that second or third cup of coffee...which must have kicked in since I'm rambling so....)

Dorte H sagde ...

Thank you, Christi. Yes, at some point one word takes the other, and suddenly you have read - or written - 90,000.

Cathryn Grant sagde ...

Kelly: thanks for your comments, and I'm glad to hear it's waiting in your Kindle.

Dee: It's nice to see you again, and I'm glad you're enjoying the giveaway.

Christi: I love that analogy!

I've entered you all in the contest, thanks for your comments here.

Unknown sagde ...

I find it hard enough to write in one language -- I am SO IMPRESSED that you can manage it in TWO!

pinemeadowpond sagde ...

Hi Dorte, I'm so glad I happened upon your blog thanks to Cathryn's very cool launch campaign. It's nice to "meet" you here in cyberspace. I have some understanding of what you mean when you say you had to make some changes in your life because of illness: I have chronic migraines, and I've had to make changes to my writing and reading life, too. I've had to figure out how to do it anyway when I can. And, really, that's not so different than how anyone else handles their time, is it? :-)

I enjoyed hearing about your love of reading (sounds like mine!) and your writing successes. Best of luck in having more!

Beth Lowe
http://www.pinemeadowpond.com

amberargyle sagde ...

When I'm reading a book, my kids pretty much know their own their own for supper, lol.

If you get a chance, come enter my contest to win a signed hardcover of Tracy Hickman's Song of the Dragon.

Dorte H sagde ...

Nice to meet you, Nancy, Beth and Amber.

Nancy, I have taught English for fifteen years so I should have learned a bit by now ;D

Cathryn Grant sagde ...

Nancy: I agree, I find one language challenging enough, I'm completely in awe that Dorte writes in two, and does it brilliantly in English!!

Beth: Thanks for stopping by again. I'm glad you got to meet Dorte through this effort.

Amber: That's pretty funny that your kids know that reading means supper is self-serve ;)

Thanks all for entering the contest!

Anonym sagde ...

Thank you for sharing.
Great interview. And what a wonderful giveaway!

Dorte H sagde ...

Thank you, Konstantin. Yes, Cathryn has some great ideas!

Amy Jane (Untangling Tales) sagde ...

Oh! that quilt makes me want to return to fabric work.

I've switched to writing since having three children in quick succession: fewer sharp points-- that they can hurt themselves on-- and infinitely smaller storage options. I was *about* to say clean-up time's quicker too, but then I considered how long I've been revising my novel and decided not to make that claim.

Cathryn Grant sagde ...

Konstantin: I'm glad you're finding all the blogs!

Amy Jane: I would say clean-up time is definitely longer for writing than sewing in general (although I've never quilted, so perhaps I shouldn't say!)

Dorte H sagde ...

Amy Jane: well, I guess writing could have some sharp points ;)

Beth F sagde ...

I could have written this too "When I am engrossed in a book, I am in another world. Pure and simple. "

Dorte H sagde ...

Beth: yes, I suspected we might have that in common ;)

Heather sagde ...

I don't know how many times I have travelled the world and beyond when reading. At times I close the final cover and am surprised to find myself sitting in my own house and not in a space ship, on a small island or some place un-named.

thats the impact I'd like to have on someone when they read my writing.

Dorte H sagde ...

Heather: travelling the world is a fine metaphor for reading! And a wonderful opportunity for a couch potato like me ;)