Point of view

 Shifting back to writing about writing -- a topic on my mind this week is "point of view" aka POV. Many authors (and readers) are familiar with first person POV, which presents the story through the mind of one of the characters -- sometimes the protagonist, sometimes a third party who is observing the protagonist (think "Great Gatsby) -- and with third person POV, which is the author basically telling the story. 

However, there are more than just two POVs possible. There is second person, in which the narrator speaks to you. This is not commonly used in novels (but it is used in blog posts 😉) because of the difficulty of keeping it up for 100,000 words, but it is used occasionally in short stories and especially in "Choose Your Own" adventure type works. 

More commonly, though, is third-person limited and third person omniscient. Third-person limited is the one you probably thought of when you read "third-person." That's where the author is speaking in third person -- he, she, they, them, it -- but from the perspective of a single character. We know what that character is thinking and feeling and seeing. The perspective may change within the novel, but when it does, it is still from that of a single character, just a different one. It is always signaled by some kind of break, either a section break (###) or a chapter break or some other kind of break that I can't think of but undoubtedly exists. You don't change perspective within a single scene. 

Third-person omniscient is where the author/narrator speaks from the perspective of every character. And that isn't the same as "head hopping," where the author sometimes speaks from one character, sometimes from another at more or less random. The author must include every perspective of every character at all times -- which is what makes it difficult to carry off throughout a novel. And the narrator knows more than the characters do; the narrator is God. 😄 Some claim that you can "zoom in and out from limited to omniscient." I won't say that you can't, but you'd better be very skilled at it. Some of the Victorians did it, especially Thomas Hardy. He loved to zoom out and make omniscient proclamations, especially as the novel neared its end. Again, it should be signaled by some kind of break.

I've written several short stories in first-person, one being "Effie's Tale" that won the Mystery Category in last year's SouthWest Writer's short story contest. I'm toying with the idea of writing one from second person and, eventually, one from third-person omniscient. I started one recently, and switched to third-person limited without meaning to. 😄 Old habits die hard! But it was also because there were too many characters -- at least 9, without counting the bit players who had walk-ons. I think for my first foray, I should limit it to at most 4 characters. 

Interview with Write on Four Corners with DelSheree Gladden & Substack

KSJE 90.9 Farmington

About 30 minutes. 

https://play.prx.org/listen?uf=https%3A%2F%2Fpublicfeeds.net%2Ff%2F9499%2Ffeed-rss.xml&ge=prx_9499_a3e64600-645a-4635-b84c-45ec1587afcb

And, I've revived my Substack for all those who are wondering who they are going to wait another year for French Toast a la Santa Fe, the next book in the Couriers series. I'll be publishing a short story every month, some in the Couriers world, all from my imagination. You can subscribe at https://smstauffer.substack.com/p/piedras-marcadas. Just click on the Subscribe button, select "No Pledge" and you're in. 

And the New Mexico Book Award for Cozy Mystery!!

 It did -- it really did! It's right here in black and white and green! https://nmwriters.org/nm-book-awards/

What more can I say? I'm still reeling!

Fried Chicken Castañeda was awarded the Bronze Medal

That's right! It took third place in the Mystery/Crime/Detective category at this year's CIPA EVVY awards. Not too shabby for a first novel, eh? And yes, there were more than three entered in the category. 😆 Excelsior!

Marketing books is a full-time job!

The days when authors focused on writing and publishers and agents handled all of the marketing are long past -- if they ever existed. Authors have always attended signings at bookstores, conferences, and other venues. They've always given speeches and workshops and interviews. What's changed is who organizes these appearances. It's now all down to the author. You become your own publicist. 

Every public appearance is marketing, even when you're not selling books. My presentations to the Wheels Museum and to SouthWest Writers were opportunities for promoting my book and, as importantly, myself. I gave my "Adding Authenticity to Your Writing" to SouthWest Writers. I think of it as "Reference Resources for Lay People." 😄 There was a lively discussion afterward and several people stopped me later to tell me how informative it was. I had a great time and didn't have to grade anything! 

At the suggestion of my publisher, I suggested to my critique group -- Write Minds -- back in June that we organize group signings. Those ultimately were all held in August, with the intervening six or so weeks devoted to organizing them. Signings were so much more fun with a group! The time passed more quickly, but more importantly, more people stopped. Our group included one historical fiction (WWII) writer, two sci-fi authors, a historical romance writer, and, of course, one historical cozy mystery writer. We appealed to a much broader group of readers. People who were attracted to one book often politely talked to the rest of us -- and sometimes even bought one of our books as well. I remember someone buying my book for her mother, after having bought one of the others for herself. We agreed that the prime hours were 2-4 on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, so set up around 1:30 to be ready. Not much point in arriving before then.

Our first signing was at Books on the Bosque in Albuquerque -- in the afternoon after my SouthWest Writers presentation (whew!). They are a small, independent bookstore and coffee shop that caters to the literary crowd. They set it up as a reading event, not just a signing. We each took 10 minutes or so to read from our work, then answered questions. Unfortunately, it was sparsely attended. I wonder if we could have done more or better promotion. I suspect that if any of us were better known ... Maybe we need to join a book club or two. 😄

Then, it was back to Page 1 the next weekend and a traditional book signing at tables in front of the store. A week off, and then the two Barnes & Nobles in Albuquerque back-to-back over Labor Day Weekend. I'm exhausted! Nothing more at this point before the Southern New Mexico Book Festival in Las Cruces October 11, when I'll be giving my "Adding Authenticity" presentation again.

Wheels Museum talks and signings

 I'm giving the wonderful Wheels Museum a post of its own. It's a "must see" for any resident of or visitor to Albuquerque with the least interest in trains, planes, or automobiles (but mostly trains), including Fred Harvey.

My author talk and book signing on June 28 could not have gone better. It was wonderful talking to a group of fellow Fred Harvey enthusiasts! Due to a slight mix-up, two events were scheduled at the same time and I was set up next to a main walk-way. That means that I benefitted from foot traffic! I sold all 10 books that I had with me, and could have sold at least 2 more. I also made some great connections in the Albuquerque history community. 

It was so successful that I was invited back on July 26 to talk about the Santa Fe Reading Rooms, a topic close to my heart. I ran across some reference to a reading room while doing research on the Couriers, and followed that path for as far as it led. Ultimately, I was able to publish an academic paper on them. One of these days, I'll get up to Raton and visit the Reading Room that is still standing there. Most of them were built of wood and so either burned down, fell down, or were torn down. 

And -- I'll be back soon to talk about the Fred Harvey newsstands and bookstores!

Literary Festivals, Book Signings, and Awards Contest, Oh My!

I'm starting with the last first -- I just learned that my novel is a finalist in the CIPA (Collective of Independent Publishers and Authors) EVVY awards in Mystery/Crime/Detective! I don't know how many were entered, but it was certainly more than three. Win or not, it's an honor and very motivating.

From the date of this post, it's pretty obvious that I'm back from the Mesa Verde Literary Festival. We -- the husband, doglette, and I -- made a road trip of it, stopping first at the Hubbell Trading Post. Unfortunately, it was late in the day, so no time to tour the grounds, which were much more extensive than anticipated. However, it's a mere two-hour drive, so we'll be back. 

Then up to Chinle and Thunderbird Lodge. It was adequate for the price and staff were lovely. We might stay there again, but we'd make a point of avoiding their "restaurant." Overpriced bad food. The attraction, of course, was Canyon de Chelly, where I checked an item off of my bucket list by taking the four-hour tour. It covers a little over half the canyon. The next day, we did the rim drive and were able to look down into the parts of the canyon not covered by the tour. TBH, the drive was so jolting and literally bruising that I doubt I could have managed the six-hour. These are just a few of the photos I took. Imagine being able to walk right up to that fence line! I'd love to go back and take the evening/night tour. It would be supernatural.

The next day was Goulding's Lodge at Monument Valley, where we stayed in a "villa" (one bedroom modular home). We had a living area with sofa sleeper, eating area, small kitchenette (no range), queen bed separated by a half-wall, bedroom, and bathroom. Also porch with patio table and chairs. Highly recommended if you can afford it -- which you probably can, as you can avoid eating in the overpriced restaurant. There's a grocery store with extremely reasonable prices, as well. This day was Mike's turn to do the tour, while I stayed home with Treme -- so no photos, but you can find plenty online. He pronounced it "awesome, amazing, and inspiring." Be sure to check out the museum at Goulding's while you're there. 

Finally, up through Mexican Hat and the Four Corners area to the Retro Inn at Cortez. The room numbers are years from the mid- to late-20th century, and each room is decorated according to the year. We had 1953 (or was it 54?), which celebrated Marilyn Monroe! We heard that one of the 1980s rooms is Miami Vice. It's ideally located near a WalMart and several restaurants, and was about 20 minutes from Mancos and the Literary Festival. 

This was the inaugural year of the Festival, and there were, sad to say, more than a few hiccups, some of which were not their fault. They certainly didn't arrange to have the street in front of the venue torn up! Others were the more-or-less-expected for a first time event. I'm sure that the festival organizers will learn from their mistakes for next year. I especially appreciated the opportunity to interact with other authors from the Four Corners states. I would have liked for there to have been more readers/book buyers in attendance. 

My Southwest Writers critique group, Write Minds, has scheduled four signing events in Albuquerque in August. The first was last week at Books on the Bosque. It was an author reading and signing. I learned as much about my fellow authors as those in the audience did! This week, back at Page One Books, but with all five of us, then both Barnes & Nobles at the end of the month. I tell you, it's a full-time job!