October has always been one of my favorite months of the year. Summer is definitely over and in the neighborhood I grew up in, the leaves would begin to crunch under your feet and a mysterious smell of the season started to permeate the evening air just before we were all called in for dinner. Perhaps the smell came from the pumpkins sitting on everyone’s front porch, fermenting through their first and last great performances, or maybe the smell was a bi-product of the chemical reaction from the change all around us in the trees, the air, the times---I never figured it out but it was intoxicating and spoke only October to me.
October was our friend. Halloween was in the air all month long and the fall marked our survival of the first month back to school. We were comforted once again by things familiar as we all fell back into the routines of everyday school life. By October you realized if you just kept your nose down in your work, the newest school year to present itself would pass, and do so quickly, lost in time flying by unnoticed, sailing us right through to Christmas and beyond.
Maybe I love October because it was the last time I saw my father, his last birthday in 1983. Dad came home from the hospital for a few days and my brother and I thought, maybe just maybe, he was getting better, he would make it. October was full of hope. Hope that all things change, good or bad, like the color of the leaves and the weather.
Despite losing our father the day before Halloween, my mom encouraged us to dress up and go out trick or treating with our friends and try to enjoy ourselves. She told us that Dad would have wanted it that way. I'm sure she was right. Even though I was 10 and my brother was 13 we knew we weren’t really kids anymore. So I dressed up in my Grandfather’s clown costume, 15 sizes too big for me, and my friend Julie and I followed my brother and a few friends door to door trying to fill old pillowcases with the magic of the holiday. With every step around the neighborhood, my brother and I silently promised ourselves we would not hold a grudge against October.
Now I am 27 years older and the calendar pages seem to turn with no effort. October is still a welcomed visitor for me and this year I am beginning to appreciate it even more. I feel the harvest. Although I never lived or worked on a farm, I find myself taking inventory of the past year long before Thanksgiving. What did I cultivate in my life this year? What still needs to be nurtured? October seems to be my time to stop, take a deep, grateful breath, and count my blessings for all I have accomplished and experienced. Good and bad.
This past year and its challenges as well as its triumphs have been gifts from God and the hurdles I have yet to scale are comforting companions as I look to the years end. I am ready to hunker down into cooler temperatures and complete my writing goals for this year with a steaming cup of coffee sitting on my desk. I am also looking forward to the benefits of the seeds I have already planted coming to fruition next year. I realize now more than ever that every triumph, tragedy and ordinary, poetic moment in between shapes us and reminds me that where ever I am in life is exactly where I am supposed to be.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
"The Call of the Writer’s Craft" by Tom Bird reviewed by Jennifer Beichner
My Hippie Muse
Almost four years ago I found out that the women in my family, myself included, were all hiding something. Secrets that kept us emotionally apart from each other but unbeknownst to one another gave us so much in common and finally we were all ready to start talking about it. This epiphany became the premise for my first novel, "The Sister Within". It was then that I set a goal for myself to write a book about the trials and tribulations of being a woman, the experiences of motherhood for so many and the conflicts of my own heart in deciding to not have children of my own.
I had always possessed an ability to write. Whether it was creatively in honors English classes in high school and junior college or in my career writing police reports, business proposals or letters. It came easy for me and held my attention with enthusiasm. For whatever reasons, I never completed a college degree although my desire to do so is still strong. But one thing I knew, I was going to write and complete a novel based on the amazing women in my life and hopefully publish and parlay that piece into a fruitful writing career that fit my life with a retired firefighter to a tee. I just did not how I was going to go about it?
I started with journaling. A scene would come to my mind or pieces of dialogue and no matter where I was I would stop whatever I was doing, pull out pen and paper and write it down. It was my gut instinct that led me and I knew as I had been previously taught in law enforcement, gut instincts were meant to be obeyed. A few weeks in, a flyer from the local community college here in Scottsdale found me and I enrolled in a one day class on writing and publishing taught by an author named Tom Bird. Bird immediately held my attention and I bought both his books, read them quickly and put his method to work in writing my first novel. I finished the first draft of "The Sister Within" a few short months later. I even queried my story to several literary agents using Tom’s method and received a huge positive response.
I went on to attend two of Tom Bird’s Sedona weekend retreats for writing and publishing and eventually hired Tom as my personal writing coach. During my work with Tom on an individual basis I wrote my second novel "A Dark Place of Promise". My second book, a civil war novel, about two sisters orphaned at the end of the civil war outside of Savannah, was written in less time than the first. This book helped me to hone my craft and find my voice as a writer more than I could have ever imagined.
Now I find myself nose deep in editing and research with my life completely changed. My goal of being a successful published author is just around the corner thanks to Tom and the repercussions of the journey thus far are immeasurable in the peace that I now find in every day. I have faced the worst critic, which is myself of course and have silenced her with every new word I put to paper in one of my stories. “I can’t” is no longer in my vocabulary.
Tom now has a new book out which puts his easy to follow writing method at every readers fingers tips. "The Call of the Writer’s Craft" is brilliant in its comprehensive style and amount of resources all contained in one easy to read book. I have read dozen of books on the market for novice writers and nothing has come close to delivering the reader into the seat of the writer better than Tom Bird’s "The Call of the Writer’s Craft". It has been my pleasure to work with Tom and his guidance both in print and in person, invaluable to my work and pursuit of happiness. He is a writer’s guru, a hippie muse from way back but boy, does he have it “write on.”
Tom Bird has an intuitive gift for knowing exactly what writers need to succeed from the paper to print and everything in between and with "The Call of the Writer’s Craft", he leads us directly into the reality of writing and selling our work and becoming the accomplished author we have always dreamed of being.
Tom Bird shines a light into every dark and intimidating corner of the writing and publishing world proving there is nothing to fear but fear itself. All that is unknown quickly and concisely becomes known in this efficiently written writer’s handbook. He not only covers all possible topics relating to the creative process and securing book deals but shows the reader examples of what he is talking about in the appendix section and provides an index in the back for quick reference use of his book. Having read several separate books on writing, publishing, editing and finding a literary agent prior to reading "The Call of the Writer’s Craft", I can honestly say I have never come across a book as helpful and comprehensive as this one.
Jennifer Beichner
For more information about Tom Bird and his writing retreats and workshops, visit: www.writeyourbookin8days.com
"The Call of the Writer’s Craft" by Tom Bird is available online through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble book sellers.
Almost four years ago I found out that the women in my family, myself included, were all hiding something. Secrets that kept us emotionally apart from each other but unbeknownst to one another gave us so much in common and finally we were all ready to start talking about it. This epiphany became the premise for my first novel, "The Sister Within". It was then that I set a goal for myself to write a book about the trials and tribulations of being a woman, the experiences of motherhood for so many and the conflicts of my own heart in deciding to not have children of my own.
I had always possessed an ability to write. Whether it was creatively in honors English classes in high school and junior college or in my career writing police reports, business proposals or letters. It came easy for me and held my attention with enthusiasm. For whatever reasons, I never completed a college degree although my desire to do so is still strong. But one thing I knew, I was going to write and complete a novel based on the amazing women in my life and hopefully publish and parlay that piece into a fruitful writing career that fit my life with a retired firefighter to a tee. I just did not how I was going to go about it?
I started with journaling. A scene would come to my mind or pieces of dialogue and no matter where I was I would stop whatever I was doing, pull out pen and paper and write it down. It was my gut instinct that led me and I knew as I had been previously taught in law enforcement, gut instincts were meant to be obeyed. A few weeks in, a flyer from the local community college here in Scottsdale found me and I enrolled in a one day class on writing and publishing taught by an author named Tom Bird. Bird immediately held my attention and I bought both his books, read them quickly and put his method to work in writing my first novel. I finished the first draft of "The Sister Within" a few short months later. I even queried my story to several literary agents using Tom’s method and received a huge positive response.
I went on to attend two of Tom Bird’s Sedona weekend retreats for writing and publishing and eventually hired Tom as my personal writing coach. During my work with Tom on an individual basis I wrote my second novel "A Dark Place of Promise". My second book, a civil war novel, about two sisters orphaned at the end of the civil war outside of Savannah, was written in less time than the first. This book helped me to hone my craft and find my voice as a writer more than I could have ever imagined.
Now I find myself nose deep in editing and research with my life completely changed. My goal of being a successful published author is just around the corner thanks to Tom and the repercussions of the journey thus far are immeasurable in the peace that I now find in every day. I have faced the worst critic, which is myself of course and have silenced her with every new word I put to paper in one of my stories. “I can’t” is no longer in my vocabulary.
Tom now has a new book out which puts his easy to follow writing method at every readers fingers tips. "The Call of the Writer’s Craft" is brilliant in its comprehensive style and amount of resources all contained in one easy to read book. I have read dozen of books on the market for novice writers and nothing has come close to delivering the reader into the seat of the writer better than Tom Bird’s "The Call of the Writer’s Craft". It has been my pleasure to work with Tom and his guidance both in print and in person, invaluable to my work and pursuit of happiness. He is a writer’s guru, a hippie muse from way back but boy, does he have it “write on.”
Tom Bird has an intuitive gift for knowing exactly what writers need to succeed from the paper to print and everything in between and with "The Call of the Writer’s Craft", he leads us directly into the reality of writing and selling our work and becoming the accomplished author we have always dreamed of being.
Tom Bird shines a light into every dark and intimidating corner of the writing and publishing world proving there is nothing to fear but fear itself. All that is unknown quickly and concisely becomes known in this efficiently written writer’s handbook. He not only covers all possible topics relating to the creative process and securing book deals but shows the reader examples of what he is talking about in the appendix section and provides an index in the back for quick reference use of his book. Having read several separate books on writing, publishing, editing and finding a literary agent prior to reading "The Call of the Writer’s Craft", I can honestly say I have never come across a book as helpful and comprehensive as this one.
Jennifer Beichner
For more information about Tom Bird and his writing retreats and workshops, visit: www.writeyourbookin8days.com
"The Call of the Writer’s Craft" by Tom Bird is available online through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble book sellers.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
"The Sister Within" - Book Preview
The Sister Within
By Jennifer Beichner
Chapter 1
I like to go to the movies by myself. Although, I am always a bit relieved when the lights are turned down and everyone in the theatre, whether they came alone or with a date, becomes an anonymous viewer. Everyone’s identity fades into the dark and is forgotten in the attractive glow of the flashing screen. I love the movies.
When I was 16, I worked at a movie theatre. We wore blue polyester pants, red, white and blue plaid long sleeve, button down shirts with blue bow ties and fitted red vests. At the end of the day your clothes and your hair smelled like buttered popcorn. No matter how many times I washed my uniform I couldn't get rid of the smell. The butter topping must have melded to the polyester fibers. I actually was kind of proud that I looked so cute in my uniform as dorky as it was.
It was then working at the movie theatres that I finally noticed that boys were beginning to notice me. It was there that I met Reese. We didn't wear the same uniform. When I first saw him he had already graduated from dorkness to a semi-professional polyester bound business suit as an assistant manager. Reese was older, 17 or 18 I think. It was the epitome of love at first sight, on his part any ways. For me, I couldn't help wondering what the hell he was staring at? Then my friend Susan clued me in and said,
“He was staring at you idiot!”
I really knew all along but when he passed the concession counter heading towards the projection room, whilst his eyes were locked on mine, I honestly thought I had imagined it. No boy or young man had ever made his intentions to me so clear without ever saying a word. And boy was I naive.
My best friend Susan was adorable, from the 5th grade on she was a heart breaker and I only ever felt tall and awkward. By 16 with no love interests other than silent, unmentioned, unnoticed crushes at school, my steady experience with teenage dating was zilch. Except of course for what I witnessed vicariously, being friends with Susan, I had excused myself to the back of the shelf and fantasized about being the THE UGLY DUCKLING.
When Reese’s eyes first locked mine and then he faintly smiled and shyly turned his head back towards the direction he had been walking, I began to understand the life of the swans...
By Jennifer Beichner
Chapter 1
I like to go to the movies by myself. Although, I am always a bit relieved when the lights are turned down and everyone in the theatre, whether they came alone or with a date, becomes an anonymous viewer. Everyone’s identity fades into the dark and is forgotten in the attractive glow of the flashing screen. I love the movies.
When I was 16, I worked at a movie theatre. We wore blue polyester pants, red, white and blue plaid long sleeve, button down shirts with blue bow ties and fitted red vests. At the end of the day your clothes and your hair smelled like buttered popcorn. No matter how many times I washed my uniform I couldn't get rid of the smell. The butter topping must have melded to the polyester fibers. I actually was kind of proud that I looked so cute in my uniform as dorky as it was.
It was then working at the movie theatres that I finally noticed that boys were beginning to notice me. It was there that I met Reese. We didn't wear the same uniform. When I first saw him he had already graduated from dorkness to a semi-professional polyester bound business suit as an assistant manager. Reese was older, 17 or 18 I think. It was the epitome of love at first sight, on his part any ways. For me, I couldn't help wondering what the hell he was staring at? Then my friend Susan clued me in and said,
“He was staring at you idiot!”
I really knew all along but when he passed the concession counter heading towards the projection room, whilst his eyes were locked on mine, I honestly thought I had imagined it. No boy or young man had ever made his intentions to me so clear without ever saying a word. And boy was I naive.
My best friend Susan was adorable, from the 5th grade on she was a heart breaker and I only ever felt tall and awkward. By 16 with no love interests other than silent, unmentioned, unnoticed crushes at school, my steady experience with teenage dating was zilch. Except of course for what I witnessed vicariously, being friends with Susan, I had excused myself to the back of the shelf and fantasized about being the THE UGLY DUCKLING.
When Reese’s eyes first locked mine and then he faintly smiled and shyly turned his head back towards the direction he had been walking, I began to understand the life of the swans...
Thursday, June 18, 2009
About Creativity...
The following link is a very funny lecture called "On Genius" given by Elizabeth Gilbert, the New York Times Best Selling author of Eat, Pray, Love.
The lecture was given at TED. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. In this lecture, which is quite entertaining, Elizabeth Gilbert explores what it is to be creative and the struggle to remain creative whether you write, paint or throw pottery.
I hope this video inspires you to start working on a new creative project or get back to an old one as it has inspired me to keep working on my own. Enjoy.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html
The lecture was given at TED. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. In this lecture, which is quite entertaining, Elizabeth Gilbert explores what it is to be creative and the struggle to remain creative whether you write, paint or throw pottery.
I hope this video inspires you to start working on a new creative project or get back to an old one as it has inspired me to keep working on my own. Enjoy.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Summer Movie Watching
Last night I watched "Marley & Me" and I was blown away. Yes, blown away.
Several friends had said "Marley & Me" was rated B for "Boo Hoo" and they couldn't bear to watch it or were angry that they got sucked into a comedy about a cute mischievous dog that ended up pulling on their heartstrings in a NOT so gentle way. I almost didn't see the movie at all, I read some of the book but got distracted with my writing projects and never picked it up again. Influenced by my friends and newspaper reviews I almost didn't even rent it. What a mistake that would have been. This is a great movie about the human condition and I could not disagree more with my Friends who said avoid it because it will make you cry and rip your heart out especially if you are a pet owner.
Why? Why avoid a movie that rips your heart out and makes you really look out what it means to love, to be human? Did I cry like a baby? Pretty close. With my Westie Cassie sleeping on the couch beside me I watched the story of a big yellow dog and the impression he made on the life of a writer, his wife and eventually their kids. It was beautiful. I started to wonder if some of us avoid this stuff (these movies or books) for some twisted sense of self preservation? But if you are hiding out from these tear jerkers like "Old Yeller", "Beaches" and "Marley & Me", you are hiding out from life. These movies depicting the pure joy and tragedy in our lives should not be ignored, they should be consumed, they teach us how to relate to one another, how to live in the moment and cherish the bitter and the sweet. Thank God someone knows how to capture this essence of life and bring it into our lives, our homes and our hearts even if it is through the television!
If you are a visual learner of life rent "Marley & Me" this summer and enjoy the ride.
We only go once around...
Several friends had said "Marley & Me" was rated B for "Boo Hoo" and they couldn't bear to watch it or were angry that they got sucked into a comedy about a cute mischievous dog that ended up pulling on their heartstrings in a NOT so gentle way. I almost didn't see the movie at all, I read some of the book but got distracted with my writing projects and never picked it up again. Influenced by my friends and newspaper reviews I almost didn't even rent it. What a mistake that would have been. This is a great movie about the human condition and I could not disagree more with my Friends who said avoid it because it will make you cry and rip your heart out especially if you are a pet owner.
Why? Why avoid a movie that rips your heart out and makes you really look out what it means to love, to be human? Did I cry like a baby? Pretty close. With my Westie Cassie sleeping on the couch beside me I watched the story of a big yellow dog and the impression he made on the life of a writer, his wife and eventually their kids. It was beautiful. I started to wonder if some of us avoid this stuff (these movies or books) for some twisted sense of self preservation? But if you are hiding out from these tear jerkers like "Old Yeller", "Beaches" and "Marley & Me", you are hiding out from life. These movies depicting the pure joy and tragedy in our lives should not be ignored, they should be consumed, they teach us how to relate to one another, how to live in the moment and cherish the bitter and the sweet. Thank God someone knows how to capture this essence of life and bring it into our lives, our homes and our hearts even if it is through the television!
If you are a visual learner of life rent "Marley & Me" this summer and enjoy the ride.
We only go once around...
Monday, June 15, 2009
Work in Progress:
A Dark Place of Promise is a novel coming soon from Jennifer Beichner
My current project is a novel called “A Dark Place of Promise” and is about two sisters who are orphaned during the U.S. Civil War after their parents are murdered for spying for the Confederacy. The story is set in Georgia, just before Sherman’s march to the sea. Sisters Rebecca and Sarah must attempt to locate their estranged Uncle, a Captain in the Union Army and find help to make it North to safety before their parents assassin catches up to them.
I am currently editing this book and of course always doing research. I hope to be working with a professional editor my the end of the year.
I have also begun to revisie my manuscript “The Sister Within” from novel format to non-fiction. This one is very close to my heart, my opus, the reason I write but more on that one another time…until then, write on.-JB
A Dark Place of Promise is a novel coming soon from Jennifer Beichner
My current project is a novel called “A Dark Place of Promise” and is about two sisters who are orphaned during the U.S. Civil War after their parents are murdered for spying for the Confederacy. The story is set in Georgia, just before Sherman’s march to the sea. Sisters Rebecca and Sarah must attempt to locate their estranged Uncle, a Captain in the Union Army and find help to make it North to safety before their parents assassin catches up to them.
I am currently editing this book and of course always doing research. I hope to be working with a professional editor my the end of the year.
I have also begun to revisie my manuscript “The Sister Within” from novel format to non-fiction. This one is very close to my heart, my opus, the reason I write but more on that one another time…until then, write on.-JB
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