Ute Carbone
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Inside the Writer's Garret

On writing and life, with a little chocolate thrown in from time to time.

Departure

8/19/2014

2 Comments

 
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I've finally gotten around to putting a new story up on the Flash! page. Departure is an experimental piece that's been collecting dust in my computer files for a bit. I'd love to know what you think of it-- 
Read Departure
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Sight and Sound

8/14/2014

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All writers have strengths and weaknesses and, in order to grow as a writer, I believe it's important to know what they are. 
The weaknesses in your own writing are often easier to spot than the strengths. For me, weakness shows in the details. I'm not a detail oriented person and so the nitty gritty part of writing is often the hardest thing for me. I'm a terrible speller, I can't spell Manhattan let alone ostentatious--both of which I had to check on spell check as I wrote this.  Sometimes, my misspelling is so bad that spell check has no correction and I'll substitute another word for the original.  I'll often substitute a word that sounds like the one I want for the one I want. I know, beyond any doubt, the difference between your and you're and its and it's, but I still manage to use them incorrectly when I write quickly.
I think I make these mistakes because I tend to be more auditory than visual. I hear the dialog and narratives I create rather than see the words as I put them to the page. Sometimes, I get them wrong.
The greatest weakness, though, can also be a strength. I suspect my 'auditory' writing style also makes it easy for me to write dialog. I love the way language sounds, the way the sound of it can be used to set the tone of a story. I love the rhythms of speech and how it varies from place to place, and from era to era.  I use these frequently and I think I've gotten pretty good at using them.
I would also suspect that writers who are more visual in their approach have a different set of strengths. The precision of language allows them to 'paint' the scene with clarity. The meaning of their words isn't ever muddled. They are better spellers and don't make the silly mistakes I make.
All writers use both sight and sound, but I believe one is dominant and takes the lead. Maybe this is true of readers as well. Some readers focus in on description, and clear storytelling, others focus on the poetry and music of language. 
.Which do you 'lead' with, sight or sound?


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Buy Now And We'll Throw in an Extra Barrel of Monkeys!

8/7/2014

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Say it ain't so! You missed the 1.99 sale and then the 2.99 sale?  Well, sigh no more. There's still time to get in on the next round of the countdown. You can purchase Live, Laugh, Love, three comedies with a whole lotta quirk between the covers, for only $3.99. That's still cheaper than a  mocha latte and 60% off the list price. What are you waiting for? Go! Push the button at the bottom of the blog post. And hurry! This offer's only good until Tuesday. 
Update! Did you miss the 1.99 sale? Well, put away  your hanky and dry your eyes, I've got some good news. No, you can't get the collection for $1.99. That deal has sailed into the sunset. But, because Live Laugh Love is part of a countdown, you can still get the collection at $2.99. Which, really, is darn cheap when you consider a Starbucks coffee will cost you about the same. And you only get the one cup. This is three stories, so it's three times better! You've still got to hurry, though this offer has a time limit. Tomorrow, Sunday August 10th, at 2pm it will be gone, gone, gone. All you got to do is push the button at the bottom of the page. Okay, you'll have to push another button after that. But still, it's easy peazy. 
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I'm putting on my checkered jacket and a brightly colored pair of pants. In my imagination this is what a QVC salesperson wears. I may be way off base. In any case I need to tell you about an offer so good it's going to make your head spin! 
For a limited time, Live Laugh Love will be on sale at Amazon. And by sale, I mean SALE.  
Today only, for twenty four hours, this collection of three romantic comedies, complete with a host of crazy characters, a blown up whale, a bunch of airplane engine parts and a runaway wrecking ball, a collection that normally sells for ten dollars,  is available for the ridiculous price of $1.99. No, don't clear out the earwax, you heard right. ONE DOLLAR and NINETY NINE CENTS. The only thing cheaper is the breakfast burrito at McDonald's. 
Act now! Operators are standing by! Well, no operators, but it's as easy as pushing a button.

The Fine Print- Sale starts at 10 am eastern time August 7 and runs until 6 pm August 8. No additional purchase necessary. Monkeys are not actually included. 
Buy Now! Hurry! Offer Ends Soon!
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What is it Syndrome

8/4/2014

2 Comments

 
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Read More About the Sausage Queen
Marketers are always interested in labeling books. And it makes sense, really. If a book is labelled 'romance' a reader knows instantly to expect a story where a romantic relationship is front and center, and where everything ends with happily ever after. The same concept applies to other genres --readers know what to expect from a book labelled science fiction or horror or mystery. 
Sometimes, though, books fall between the cracks and don't fit easily into one genre or another. Such is the case with Confessions of the Sausage Queen and one of the hardest things I've had to do is figure out exactly how to categorize it as a book. 
Is it romantic comedy? Well, it's certainly a comedy, and it has some romance in it,  but the romance isn't the central part of the story. Is it a mystery? There is a kind of mystery wrapped into the story--who is trying to destroy the sausage business and why?-- but, no it doesn't fit the mystery category. . The closest label I've been able to come up with is 'chick lit' because it is light and funny and it is, above all, Mandy's story. Still, I can't say I love the chick lit title--it always reminds me of little bits of gum sold at the check out counter of the local convenience store. 
But, for lack of anything better to call it, chick lit it is. I think--and I know I'm a bit prejudiced because I wrote the book-- it's more than that. A funny quirky romp that made me laugh as  I was writing it. Maybe it's a  slightly romantic funny girl in charge go get the bad guy and save the day book. Yeah, that's it. Isn't there a category for that?
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    Welcome 

    This writing journey, this life,  is a long road full of pitfalls and wrong turns. Also, incredible beauty, kindness and friendship with those I've met along the way.I'm so glad you're here to share the road..


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