writing – robin maderich – write-brained scribbler and crafter-on-the-loose

Books, readers, life, joy

I can’t say enough about readers. I had another book signing yesterday (with Autumn Jordon) at the Barnes and Noble at the Lehigh Valley Mall. The people who came up to our table were entertaining, gracious, funny, interesting, respectful, just absolutely wonderful.

It has been the same everywhere we (or she or I–depending on whether we’ve been solo or together on a book signing) go. Book lovers, and even those who professed to not having read in a while, gave us their valuable time, not only conversing about our books on the table, but about so much of their lives. I am honored by their enthusiasm and trust.

Conundrum, anyone?

First off, I stand by my use of the word conundrum. Merriam Webster lists the meaning for this word as: (noun) an intricate and difficult problem. And, for me only perhaps, the following is just that.

As an author, it’s sometimes hard to gain credibility. To become known, seen, heard, even. Often, I see authors about which I know little, but who will identify themselves as best-selling author so and so. Or award-winning author. Or internationally published author. And I think, great for them! Really. Those are excellent and brag-worthy achievements.

And then I think–

I am all those things, too.

A time for contemplation

That picture above? It clearly shows my mood. Of course, the dog’s thoughts might not be contemplative, but more about his next meal. Who knows? But let me get on with what I’m meaning to say.

The nights have been quite cool around here for a couple weeks. The forecast calls for more in the 40s coming up. It is September now, but this all began in August. The leaves on the trees are browning, although I can see some bright oranges and a few yellows from my window as I type this. The remainder of my tomatoes are probably NOT going to ripen. Fried green tomatoes, anyone? Or pickled? I’ve never cared for either, so I’m not sure what I’m going to do with them. Still, there are sunny daytime temperatures in the 80s this weekend (with a late storm), so a few more tomatoes could get enough color to ripen on the windowsill.

Pirates and Thieves

We, as writers, have it tough enough. Depending on the writing we do, we work for hours, days, even years to bring to light a single article, screenplay, book. Only to have them stolen by piracy sites like LibGen and others. And now of course, Mark Zuckerberg (for Meta), is the most recent subject of a class action suit regarding the theft of authors’ hard work, for the purposes of training Artificial Intelligence.

In essence, the pirated work has infringed on copyright and taken money directly from our pockets, and will continue to do so, because as you will see in the articles below (links attached), despite court rulings and settlements, not a cent is being received from the criminals. Please read these articles, share them, search for others—because they abound.

Girls, Girls, Girls

Okay, I know that title got someone’s attention. More than Old Ladies, Old Ladies, Old Ladies might have at any rate.

This past weekend was a “girls’ weekend” with my cousins. None of us are spring chickens. We all called ourselves old ladies multiple times during conversations. Sometimes bemoaning certain facts of our age, sometimes just busting on each other, sometimes, well, sometimes because, to those who are younger, this is exactly what we are.

B is for Brave

We all know brave when we see it. The firefighter rushing into a burning building. The bystander pulling the injured from a battered car before it ignites. A soldier facing the uncertainties of battle. Voices speaking up for what is right. The list goes on. There are many deserved accolades for the brave heroes in our world. However, most of us, perhaps all of us, experience our own brand of bravery in everyday life.

Challenge accepted!

Recently, my post regarding the interview with Karen Katchur was liked by, among others, an author named Elske Howeler. I went over and looked at some of her blogs and was quite intrigued by a task she had assigned herself, writing a blog a day using the letters of the alphabet, in order. I commented and told her I wished I’d thought of it myself. She responded with a suggestion I do one as well (not using her alphabetical topics, of course).

Well, Elske, the gauntlet has been thrown and I have picked it up! This should be a lot of fun. Thanks so much for the idea. I’ll begin with A in March. Fresh month, fresh start.

Unlike Elske’s posts, each of mine will not be confined to a writing related topic. I’m going to go for a broader scope, because I definitely don’t think I could stick to the writing topics the way she has. Check back to find out if I see this challenge through or fail in the attempt!

I’d Like My Crayons Back Episode 4 – Author Karen Katchur

I had a wonderful afternoon interviewing crime thriller author, Karen Katchur, and am posting a YouTube link to her interview below. I originally interviewed her on my blog back when her first book came out in 2015. Enjoy!

Karen is the author of two women’s fiction/mysteries set in the Pocono area, The Secrets of Lake Road and The Sisters of Blue Mountain. Her crime thriller series set in Northampton County consist of River Bodies, Cold Woods and Spring Girls. Her most recent, and somewhat darker novel (complete with some very dark humor) is entitled The Greedy Three, which is her personal favorite.

To learn more about Karen, go to her website, karenkatchur.com or look her up on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, using karenkatchurauthor.

Here is the blog interview from 2015 with Karen Katchur.

I’d Like My Crayons Back

“Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten. Then when you hit puberty, they take the crayons away… I’d like my crayons back, please.”
Hugh MacLeod – Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity

Last year (and after being a guest on several video podcasts myself), I decided I wanted to start a video podcast of my own. I’d already done a regular podcast (audio only) for a little while, but a face-to-face conversation seemed so much better. I wanted a podcast, I decided, to celebrate creativity in all its forms. I struggled with a name for it but finally settled on “I’d Like My Crayons Back.”

Reading as a Writer

Recently, I started and became a member of a family book club with planned monthly Zoom meetings. This past Sunday was our first. Let me say up front it was great fun. Cousins all, we enjoyed spending the time together, not only discussing the book but checking out one cousin’s latest crafting, briefly talking about football (well, I wasn’t, but I listened really well after asking who the heck was actually playing in the Super Bowl) and reminiscing.