A Day at the Bookstore

As I wander through the bookstore, I see many different types of readers. Everyone is unique, but they do fall into categories. Below is a brief description of some of the people I've seen.

• Seekers – those looking for a specific book. These include students of all kinds and those who heard about a book (TV, radio, magazine, friend) and want THAT book.
• Grazers – those who love bookstores but don’t really ever plan to buy a book. They wander the aisles and just gaze at the shelves and displays, occasionally picking up a book to read the cover and then go back to wandering.
• Browsers – those who don’t need a specific book, but are content to roam through the aisles of the genre or topic they are looking through, i.e. sci-fi, romance, self-help.
• Campers – those who come into the book store, set up shop and stay there. This includes students who think the book store is their personal library, the homeless, those who set up their drinks, food and laptops and don’t move all day.
• Clueless – those with little to no specific information about the book they are looking for and frazzle the nerves of the clerks. "I don't remember the name of the book or the author, but I think the cover is red. Do you have that one?"
• Independents – those shoppers who would rather use a computer terminal than talk to a bookseller.

When I go into a bookstore, I try to be as prepared as possible, armed with as much information about the book or books I am looking for. If I am just browsing, I do my best to stay out of the way of the other buyers and booksellers. I step around those randomly sitting in the middle of an aisle, the ones snoring in the wooden chairs, and try not to squeal too loudly when I see a new book on the shelf by one of my favorite authors.

How about you? Do you see yourself in the categories above? Do you think there are other types of buyers? Leave a comment and let me know!

Come Rain or Come Shine

In a burst of energy, I’ve been doing a lot of writing this past week due to the incessant rain and gloominess in this part of the country. Waking this morning to yet another grey day, I sat at the computer with my cup of tea and turned my attention to writing the next chapter of my new book. As the words appeared on the screen, it occurred to me that the weather was becoming a part of the story. Many scenes in the last fifty pages have been as dark and dreary as the scene outside my window. Curious, I looked back on some pages written in fairer days and found them definitely more upbeat and cheerful. How much of our surroundings do we as writers put in our work? It’s a well known fact that Mary Shelley penned her famous Frankenstein story during a particularly cold and dreary summer in Geneva, weather conditions that are obvious in every page. For us contemporary writers, what do we bring to our work from our daily lives? When we have an argument with a spouse, do the characters in the story quarrel as well? Do we choose to keep them part of the story or re-work them into something different? I can’t say for certain how much of me and my family I’ve brought to my characters in the past, no doubt more than I think; but I’ll be looking a bit more closely at it in the future.

While riding on the train this morning, I counted three women of varying ages completely engrossed in reading “Twilight”, and it occurred to me that the villain of novels past has become the hero. Not so long ago (I refuse to date myself here), vampires were loathsome creatures we cowered at the sight of, pirates were swarthy brigands, and the hero was always the guy in the white hat who vanquished said vampires and pirates. When did the lines blur? Did I miss the news flash announcing that the hero could now be the bad guy? That he could be more than a little rough around the edges and not be one-hundred percent squeaky clean. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have a villain who looks like Johnny Depp, Robert Pattison, or even Hugh Jackman. You might think that I am complaining, but au contraire! For years (again, I refuse to date myself) I have endured mockery for rooting for the sidekick who never got the girl even when he really deserved to, for the tragic figure of the misunderstood ruffian. Now, I can finally hold my head up and say to all who laughed at me – I told you so!

What's in a Sign?

What can I say? It's corny, but I thought it would be a great way to introduce myself. If you were born between June 22 and July 21, your astrological sign is Cancer Your element: Water Your ruling planets: The Moon Symbol: The Crab Your stone: Moonstone Life Pursuit: Constant reassurance and intimacy Vibration: Moody Cancer's Secret Desire: To feel safe (emotionally, spiritually, romantically and financially) Those born under the sign of Cancer, ruled by the mysterious Moon, are one of the zodiac's enigmas. It is fair to say that most Cancers are a bundle of contradictions. Compassionate and caring with friends, family and lovers, yet they can cut to the bone with their jealous remarks and ever-changing moods. Endearingly eccentric on one hand, and on the other, insecure about how others see them. Like their astrological symbol - the Crab - Cancers can appear hard and insensitive on the outside. However, for those of us who know and love a "Moon Child", we understand that deep below lies a softness and sensitivity that makes them so very special. Just as the Moon goes through many changes as it moves from its new to full phases, Cancers too go through many new and full phases of experience. Life doesn't stand still for this sign, even if they remain in one place, because they live so much in their internal oceans of emotions. Their link with the Moon often makes it impossible for them to operate on an even keel from day to day. Up and down like the proverbial yo-yo, most Cancerians feel one way one minute, then sometimes totally different the next. But this characteristic is part of their charm. Love and romance matter more than anything else to this sign (but this occasionally shares first place with having lots of money in the bank). No other sign romances better, equally though, no sign takes it so badly when romance turns sour either. But with their changeable natures Cancerians are fascinating, mysterious, stimulating and extremely alluring. This sign is one of the most magic of all and once their magic has reached you, they are the most beguiling companions. After all, isn't the Moon the most talked about and romantic galactic identity? What better sign for a romance writer to be born under!