A Recipe for Writing

I know it's been a while...I've been buried in a book. But I'm still here. In fact, there's a new blog post from me today inspired by Julia Child's wisdom. It's about writing, cooking, loving...you'll see. Hop on over and take a look!

Piccolo Spoleto event

I'm honored to be a part of this year's Piccolo Spoleto in Charleston, SC. I'm kicking off the Southern Literary Festival tomorrow morning at the Charleston Library Society on King Street at 10:00 am. Other writers in the series are Cassandra King Conroy, Brett Lott, Ron Daise, Anne Rivers Siddons, and Janna McMahan.

Writing the Southern Family: A Legacy of Secrets, Silence and Spirituality
Join novelist Nicole Seitz in a look at the Southern family - what keeps it together, what tears it apart. She examines the families in her novels: what aspects of these families are "Southern" and what parts are universal? Learn why people love reading about Southern families and why there's just so much to write about. Nicole Seitz is the author of three novels, A Hundred Years of Happiness, Trouble the Water, and The Spirit of Sweetgrass. A native of the Lowcountry, Seitz weaves family, faith, and forgiveness into her novels. Trouble the Water, was chosen as one of the Best Books of 2008 by Library Journal. Her next novel, Saving Cicadas, will release this December from Thomas Nelson.

Charleston Library Society164 King Street, Downtown Charleston
SCHEDULE
5/28 10AM

Great Book for Memorial Day

Well, if you've been waiting for the right occasion to get my latest novel, A Hundred Years of Happiness, Memorial Day would be a great time to read it and remember the ones who have served our country and fought valiantly for our freedoms.

Publishers Weekly wrote:
"Seitz (The Spirit of Sweetgrass) focuses on two families irrevocably changed by the Vietnam War in her latest Lowcountry saga. All Lisa Le knows of her father is that he was an American soldier who died in Vietnam, before Lisa's Vietnamese mother and uncle moved to America, and that her mother continues to mourn him in their Georgetown, S.C., home. John Porter, of Charleston, is a veteran haunted by his past. His daughter, happily married Katherine, hopes to help by taking him to a veterans' event, but instead sets in motion a chain of events that will bring the two families crashing together. Seitz deftly shifts perspective among Lisa, Katherine, John and a koi fish in Vietnam who was once an American soldier named Ernest, giving her familiar themes—posttraumatic stress disorder, adjusting to civilian life, survivor's guilt, smalltown Southern living, aging, the quest to belong—sensitive and original treatment. For anyone touched by war, this tale of life after wartime should resonate strongly."

Men and women alike will be able to relate to this one. Hope you enjoy.

Nicole

Jen's Jewels - Great Interview

Columnist Jennifer Vido recently asked me some probing questions about my latest release, A Hundred Years of Happiness. She also said of the book: "Beautifully written with an unforeseen ending, this book will leave its imprint on your heart and soul. Without a doubt, it is a must-read novel for May."

I hope you'll hop over to Fresh Fiction and take a look!

Heroes Among Us

There are heroes among us--award-winning heroes, who have fought in wars and done amazing things on behalf of our country. Today, we are one fewer.

It was with sadness that I read this morning about a great man who has passed on, Medal of Honor recipient Russell Dunham. LA Times reports "Russell Dunham, a World War II Army veteran who was awarded the Medal of Honor, the military's highest decoration for valor, after he assaulted three German machine gun emplacements, killed nine German soldiers and took two prisoners, died of congestive heart failure Monday at his home in Godfrey, Ill. He was 89."

I was at the opening of the Medal of Honor Museum aboard the USS Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, SC in 2007 with about 100 Medal of Honor recipients. I can't explain the awe I felt at being around such greatness. It was palpable--the honor, the respect. What an amazing night. So amazing, in fact, that it became a major scene in my latest book, A Hundred Years of Happiness.

Many heroes are not so decorated though. Many are just as humble, but no one really knows about their heroic acts. Perhaps it's your grand uncle who fought in World War II. Perhaps it's your grandfather who was in Korea or your stepfather who was in Vietnam, like mine. These men and women sacrificed for our country. The least we can do is ask them about their experiences, tell them "thank you" for their service, and vow to learn the lessons that come along with the wisdom of everyday heroes. For when these heroes go, so goes their wisdom.

They are, indeed, all around us if we look.

Please support our troops and remember to thank the veteran in your life.

Large Print Version of 100 Years Released

Friends, readers,

My latest novel, A Hundred Years of Happiness, releases this week in Large Print Hardcover from Center Point. The book explores faith, family and love that can survive even the atrocities of war. If you know someone who has a hard time reading small print, be sure to find a large print copy!

Hope you enjoy,

Nicole

PS. The cover was painted and designed by Your Truly.

Happyendingification

I read an interesting BBC analysis of happy endings in books and Hollywood movies in times of nationwide strife. For you lovers of books out there, I'd love to know your thoughts.

I have to say, I needed the ending to Slumdog Millionaire...even the dancing at the end. Do we all need happy endings right now? If you're an author, has the thought crossed your mind to churn out rosier stuff? I'll admit the thought has crossed my mind. Not sure if it will actually affect any of my writing though...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7976192.stm

New Release!

I'm excited to announce that my third novel releases this week from Thomas Nelson in trade paperback, A Hundred Years of Happiness. It's a fast-paced, heart-stirring story about the lingering effects of war on families and next generations--inspired by my veteran stepfather. Best-selling author Cassandra King calls it the "must-read book of the year."

Yesterday I celebrated by speaking at the USC-B Author's Luncheon on Dataw Island, SC. I met amazing readers, signed many, many books, and was honored by the presence of two former teachers--Sunny Littlejohn, my elementary school gifted & talented teacher, and my senior calculus teacher-turned Chancellor of USC-B, Jane Upshaw.

What a way to launch a book! Special thanks to Bay Street Trading Company for selling at the event. If you'd like to read an excerpt and be entered to win a free copy of A Hundred Years of Happiness, hop on over to Camy's Loft today and comment on her post!

Luncheon with Siddons and Seitz

A couple days ago I had the honor of speaking at an authors' luncheon in Charleston, SC with best-selling author of seventeen novels, Anne Rivers Siddons. It was a rare treat to be able to spend time with a woman who is so open, endearing, and encouraging about the life of writers. I enjoyed speaking to a group of forty at the sold-out event in Fish Restaurant about my third and new release, A Hundred Years of Happiness, and Anne reading from her latest, Off Season. The food was delicious, the guests, charming, the host, Blue Bicycle Books, warm and generous. One such guest wrote about the event on her blog, and I think she tells it better than I do, so hop on over and see what she had to say: http://suchislifewisdom.blogspot.com/2009/02/friday-with-writers.html

Best Books of 2008!

I am so pleased to announce that my second novel, Trouble the Water, was named one of the Best Books of 2008 by Library Journal.

Per LJ's web site: "In its 132nd year of publication, Library Journal is the oldest and most respected publication covering the library field. Considered to be the “bible” of the library world, LJ is read by over 100,000 library directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries. LJ is the single-most comprehensive publication for librarians, with groundbreaking features and analytical news reports covering technology, management, policy, and other professional concerns. Its hefty review sections evaluate nearly 7000 books annually, along with hundreds of audiobooks, videos, databases, web sites, and systems that libraries buy."

This is quite an honor and reinforces my belief that writing should come from the heart. The book was definitely a labor of love for me as I wrote it in honor of a beloved aunt. Thank you, Library Journal. You have made my year!

Foggy Blog

I know it's been a while, but I posted today on the Southern Authors Blog about these foggy images I draw for my kids in the mornings and how they relate to great book endings. Hop on over and have a look here.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Seeing as October is almost over, I would be remiss if I didn't discuss the fact that this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I first became aware of the disease in 1996 when my aunt succumbed to it. Years later, I dealt with this blow by writing my novel, Trouble the Water, a story about healing. It's a novel about surviving and learning to live again. Granted, my book is not about breast cancer, but it does deal with it as one of my characters is loosely inspired by my aunt. In the back of the book I share resources on the subject and the symptoms of a particularly difficult form of the disease called IBC or Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

My aunt, God rest her soul, did not seek traditional treatment for her cancer and didn't tell her family she was sick until right before she passed. I think, in a way, I wanted to write a book that celebrated life and informed my readers so that none of them would ever have to go through what my family went through. I wanted to share some comments I've received about my book, and I hope that all my readers will not ignore symptoms and get checked regularly. If just one person decides to go for a mammogram because of Trouble the Water, then this will all have been worth it.

"I just finished reading your book Trouble the Water. I wanted you to know that I thought it was one of the very best books I have ever read. I am a breast cancer survivor and I also have very close sisters. Thank you for such sweet words."

"I started (and finished) Trouble the Water this weekend. What a fabulous book! My mother is a breast cancer survivor and I pray your book will lead others to early detection and treatment."

"Oh my gosh, just finished reading Trouble the Water! So intense, loved the pattern of the characters writing their own chapters. Stirred up a lot of feelings in me regarding my own mom's death from cancer 4-1/2 years ago, especially Alice's reference at the end to "magical thinking"... Heart-wrenching. Thank you for this wonderful book."

Wonderfully-Creepy Picture Book

I'm an author and illustrator, so I've seen a lot of books. But when I picked up Inside the Slidy Diner written by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Jaime Zollars, I was entranced from the cover all the way to the end.

First, the prose is unique, lovely, quirky...a perfect match for the brilliant illustrations. My three-(almost four) and five-year-old kids and I have been reading this one nightly. Each time we see different things in the illustrations we hadn't seen before...a mouse on a cat's back, an eye peeking through a hole in the wall... It's so much fun! It's the story of a young girl who gets stuck in the greasy Slidy Diner after nabbing a lemon drop--and what an imaginative tale!

If you love quirky, dark things that are just creepy enough to be fun but not so much that it turns scary, this is for you. I haven't seen my kids quite so enamored with a book in a while.

Have a Little Faith

My latest blog entry is on the Southern Authors blog (A Good Blog is Hard to Find). Hop on over and read about Joe the Plumber, faith, and silver linings.

Missing Norman Rockwell

I like to consider myself an artist--whether I am or not, isn't the issue, I guess. I paint the covers for my novels, and I write the pages beneath them. Both the writing and the painting is art to me. Like most artists, I do want to be a great at it someday. I know it's something that's subjective and something I'll always strive for, not achieve--but I can relate to artists. I admire them, no matter if they depict life or earth or heaven or cats--whatever the subject, artists are fascinating because they see things and want to express them to other people. They feel compelled to share what they see.

Last weekend I was in a cute little town called Fairhope, Alabama. I was walking down the streets, window-shopping, when I passed a barber shop with a great big window. In that window sat the reddest-haired boy I'd ever seen with the barber poised, scissors in hand, over him. The look on this boy's face--the whole scene--stopped me in my tracks. I wasn't looking at a boy in a barber shop window, I'd suddenly been transported back to a Norman Rockwell painting, back to simpler times, some would say more innocent times. It was an inspiring moment for me. You see, Norman Rockwell was an artist of his times (1894-1978). His days weren't all roses and glory, they were tough times--wars, the Great Depression, civil rights issues. But what did Norman Rockwell paint? He painted the absolute best of humanity. The quiet, sweet moments that everyone could relate to. The bits of us that were innocent and pure. He reminded us all that those parts of us still existed.

“I unconsciously decided that, even if it wasn’t an ideal world, it should be and so painted only the ideal aspects of it—pictures in which there are no drunken slatterns or self-centered mothers … only foxy grandpas who played baseball with the kids and boys who fished from logs and got up circuses in the backyard.” -- Norman Rockwell (from his official site, http://www.normanrockwell.com/)

Not all of my works--paintings or books--are twinkling and show the best of humanity. Many times they show the struggles we face and the triumphs of overcoming those challenges. I like to give people hope with my work because I have hope. I imagine that Norman Rockwell really did see the best in us, and for that, I thank him. For in that moment last weekend in Fairhope, Alabama, I saw in a red-headed boy's eyes all that I needed to see in this world of politicking and warfare. I saw pure hope for our future and a window into our humanity. And that's something everyone needs to be reminded of now and again.

Back from SIBA - Another Great Show

Last week I flew out to Mobile, AL for the annual Southeastern Independent Booksellers Association (SIBA) Trade Show. It was four days of panels, authors, booksellers, BOOKS, and a little extra sightseeing. It's always wonderful to meet the folks who are selling (hopefully) your books in their stores, and I love meeting writers, some new, some established--all whom I admire.

I met tons of wonderful authors but here are some you might want to look out for...all with new books coming soon if not out already. Steven Forman, Inman Majors, Cathy Pickens, Karen White, Susan McBride, Maryann McFarland, William Conescu, Haywood Smith, Sarah Addison Allen, TA Barron, Tony Vigorito, Melissa Delbridge...just to name a few!

The bookstores represented at the show? There were too many list, but here are a few I noticed: Two Sisters Bookery (Wilmington, NC), Milestone Books (Vestavia Hills, AL), Fiction Addiction (Greenville, SC), FoxTale Book Shoppe (Woodstock, GA), Author Squad (Huntersville, NC), Eagle Eye Book Shop (Decatur, GA), Carpe Librum Booksellers (Knoxville, TN), Sherlock's Book Emporium and Curiosities (Lebanon, TN), The Paper Chase Book Store (Batesville, AR), Bohannons' Books (Georgetown, KY), The Book & Cranny (Statesboro, GA), Chapters Bookshop (Galax, VA), and Bay Street Trading Co (Beaufort, SC).

Thanks to Wanda Jewell and all the wonderful folks of SIBA (yes, you, Nicki Leone) who put on another successful show. Oh, and on a side note, I hopped over the bay to Fairhope, AL and signed books at the Page and Palette. One of the highlights of that little town was Pete's Paninis. I had the best sandwich in my life! (The seared tuna).

Why do authors travel to conferences and trade shows and the like? With two children, it's always hard for me to leave home, so I think about this often. My answer is this: It's necessary. Necessary to meet booksellers. Necessary to meet fellow authors, folks who are in the same boat as you. And crucial to pull your head out of your own book for a while and see what other authors are turning out. Yes, the best part is what you bring home with you. Aaaaahhhh, the BOOKS!

Sweetgrass Basket Maker Wins Fellowship

There's an amazing article in the September 23, 2008 Post & Courier about a local sweetgrass basket maker, Mary Jackson, who won the MacArthur Fellowship. She "got the call" from a man saying she'd won $500,000, no strings attached for being a "genius". For all my readers who love Essie Mae from The Spirit of Sweetgrass, you'll love reading this!

Enjoy.

Nicole

The Unhappy Bookseller

I am terribly saddened today to see the news about The Happy Bookseller in Columbia, SC closing. And I must say, watching independent bookstores closing more and more these days, I'm sickened by it. What can be done?

Growing up on Hilton Head Island, my mother would listen to Radio Reader. We listened to many books that way, thirty minutes at a time. We'd arrive to wherever we were going and sit in the car until Dick Estelle had finished his last sentence. That show was sponsored in part by The Happy Bookseller. That was twenty-five years ago.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of signing books at the Happy Bookseller for the first time and meeting the Graves who own the store now. We talked about how tough things had gotten in the book business this year with the economy as challenging as it has been. I had no idea the store was actually going to close. Until today. http://www.thestate.com/business/story/514060.html

Last month, Wordsmiths Books in Decatur, GA held an emergency fund-raiser in order to try and stay afloat. It worked...for the short term. Please, won't somebody help protect these mom and pop stores where people actually know your name and know what you like to read? Something's got to happen. I don't have the answers.

I'll admit, my local Barnes and Noble has that small town feel where they do know my name. Many of us go to bookstore chains for price or convenience. But what will happen when the local independent bookstores go away...the ones that support local literacy efforts and local authors, and the people who know your name and what you love to read have left to find more "stable" jobs?

I want your comments on this. Do you have a favorite independent bookstore? If so, which one is it? Why do you love the store? What can independent bookstores do to stay afloat in this world of chains and mass markets books in grocery stores???

New Post on Another Blog

I have a post about "Looking for God in All the Strange Places" today on the Southern Authors Blog, A Good Blog is Hard to Find. Hope you'll hop on over there and give it a read.

Then write me or comment and let me know the strangest place you've ever seen God.

Heart-Pounding Fiction

For a long while I haven't been able to read anything, hoping to hit my stride in writing my next book. I have stacks and stacks of partially-read books on my nightstand and bookshelf. They call to me, asking for me to pick them up, but I've had to say no. At least for a while.

Well, I picked BACK up A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaleid Hosseini, and I'm glad I did. At least, I think I am at this point. I'm not done yet, but last night my heart was actually pounding. I've never had that happen while reading...my heart rate going up, my flipping through faster and faster. I said to my husband, "How does he do this? It's whopper after whopper after whopper!"

I loved The Kite Runner. It was a masterpiece. But this book has me caring so much for Mariam, Laila, and Aziza, I find myself wondering what's happening to them as I wash my face. Is it that Hosseini has created such a realistic world? Is it that he created one of the most despicable characters I've ever read? Or is it that he's not afraid to take his readers on journeys they would never willingly go on. For instance, last night I read about the c-section. I've experienced this with anesthesia. It had never occurred to me that in some parts of the world in certain circumstances there would be NO anesthesia.

Thanks for that, Hosseini.

At this point, I'm not just a reader, but a writer, studying the masterful craft of another. Don't tell me how it ends, please, because this ride is too suspenseful.