Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Meet The Characters Of 'Relocating Mia'

Hello friends,

I received a few e-mails asking for the same request: How one could learn more about the characters in my novel 'Relocating Mia'.
Since I'm working on a sequel, named 'The Acronym', which will feature many of the same cast members I thought it would only make sense to reveal a little bid more about the characteristics of Mia, Douglas, and the rest of the gang.

Visit my website for a proper introduction of my cast:
http://www.rebeccalerwill.com/relocating.html

Enjoy!
Rebecca~

Monday, September 24, 2007

How Numb Are We???

Hello friends,

I have posted parts of this blog on the authorsden website,
so you might have already read it. Certain issues, however, are so dear to me that I post them twice. I hope you readers can appreciate my urgency.
(Please forgive my strong language, but even as a writer I'm limited with words)

Today, I'm wondering how numb we are in this great country!! Today, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits and speaks at Columbus University in New York. I don't have many words which would properly explain my outrage about this but here is what I came up with:

God help us! The enemy is within!

Frankly, I CAN NOT believe he is allowed into the country. You people in New York like to have him 'speak' to our already with liberal ideas infested students?
I don't think I need to get into detail WHY he shouldn't even be here. Well, for you completely ignorant ones out there, I'm happy to skim the surface: He critics our administration to say the very least. Okay, two thirds of the American population do the same, but without wanting to terminate it's leaders AND citizens.
He's in bed with Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Syria and those other peaceful countries one looks forward to spending one's honeymoon. He supports Iran's nuclear program, which of course, is completely peaceful... and he doesn't give a rat's ass about the UN security counsel or anyone else with a somewhat healthy idea of rules and regulations, not even to mention democracy!
On top of that I have a very personal issue here: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has openly stated that Israel ought to be wiped off the map and that Hitler's Holocaust didn't happen. "A myth", he says. It just so happened that I was born and raised in Germany and I actually saw and experienced the 'aftermath' of Hitler's doings. My own Mother fled from the Russians with her family and watched how the Jews got destroyed under Hitler's order. So don't YOU Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dare telling ME that the Holocaust is a freaking myth!!

I know it's not that easy, but I so wished I'd be the border patrol officer who'd have the power of denying him access to this Country! No matter what the consequences.
Well; my question for you, sleeping America, would be: If this evil mind is able to convince people that the Holocaust didn't happen, maybe if you let him talk long enough, MAYBE he can convince you that 9/11 didn't happen neither!
Sleep tight on that one!
Rebecca~

Sunday, September 23, 2007

September Book Drawing

Hello friends,

it is a beautiful Sunday here in Utah. The leafs are changing quickly now that the temperatures have dropped. It's just in the 50's at night, my horses are getting woollier, and my husband is growing a winter coat, too. (Just kidding)
I thought today would be a good day to remind everyone to enter the drawing to win a free copy of 'Relocating Mia'. This is only the second month we're doing this, but I had so much fun in August that I will make this a regular event.
There is more information on my website, including the winner of last month's drawing.

So go ahead and participate, you never know, 'Relocating Mia' might just be on your front step first week of October.










Best wishes,
Rebecca~

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

A Thought For The Weekend

Okay, it's only Wednesday, but I'm off to an early weekend and this thought hovered in my mind since late last night:

We all have been reading the OJ buzz. There was another report on TV which doesn't seem to be leaving me. You all heard about this older lady who got 'roughed up' by a cop as she was resisting arrest here in Utah.

The whole dispute was over her not watering her lawn, she'd been warned several times and finally they came to take her in.
Now, whether or not this is a city ordinance, a fire hazard, the officer being in the right or wrong, is not mine to judge. I don't know the whole story, and neither do you, but what I do know is that the press always seem to make the cop look like the bad guy when something like this happens.

Apparently the elderly woman has a cut on her nose from where she fell on the side walk. I am truly sorry for her pain but after all; she DID resist as an officer of the law had seemingly any reason to arrest her.

I watched a press conference last night, where an attorney ( I don't know her name) who was involved in 'high profile cases' held a speech holding up some iron shackles found back in the midevil times. She claimed that we don't need our elderly citizens arrested in 'one of these'. She forgot to mention, however, that we don't need to have our elderly citizen (or anyone) braking the law, either.
I'm going to leave the rest in the open with one more thing in mind: I strongly believe that there are more 'good cops' out there, than 'bad cops'. I take my chances and give the police in question the benefit of the doubt.

In the society we live today, I can only salute men and women who pursue the difficult and unthankful job of being an officer of the law.

Rebecca~

http://www.rebeccalerwill.com/

Monday, September 17, 2007

Catch the Oprah - O.J. Simpson Buzz

Hi friends,

instead of composing my own blog about the controversial O.J. Simpson book If I did it being featured on Oprah, I invite everyone to read the following link:
I had my opinion whether Oprah would support this book, and I was surprised to see her not reading it but still hosting a show about it. But read for yourself:
http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1184

Rebacca~
http://www.rebeccalerwill.com/

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Sensitive Subjects

Hello friends,

Browsing through discussion forums is my way of scooping up news and opinions on many themes.
An author friend of mine ask the following question and it got heavily discussed:
"Are events like 9/11 suitable as 'backdrop' for a book or movie?"
Some people argued that 9/11 hit too close to home to be used as material in the entertainment business. Others thought that it was too early, that people need more time to heal from such horrible attacks and aren't ready to watch a movie/ read a book of this theme.
On the other hand, somebody claimed that it shouldn't matter due to the fact that it's impossible to please everyone in the audience.
I disagree; with all of the above.

War and terror, the viciousness of serial killers, and other 'unfortunate events' have been used in many books and movies ever since they've been written.
Granted, pieces which have stories using WW1, WW2, Vietnam, Korea, and so on, as a backdrop 'outlived' by now many people but I don't believe we authors have the obligation of a 'waiting period' until we can work with real life events.
What we are obligated to do however, is to keep the integrity of the victims and tact in how we tell the story.
In 'Relocating Mia' I used the Gulf War and the War of the Bosnians to explain my character's combat experience. Even though I just skimmed the subject in my novel, I still did my research to make sure I've got my facts straight.

To be evil is human nature. Luckily most of us are able to suppress our 'evil spirit' and have a handle on what's right and wrong. Bad things happen every day and some of it will be used for documentaries or to entertain through a 'fiction' as in movie or novel.
I find, that as long authors and movie makers are respectful toward the people who fell victim, we ought to be able to work any real life event into our work, without having to wait a certain amount of time until we can touch a 'Sensitive Subject'.

Comments on this issue are welcome!
Rebecca~
www.rebeccalerwill.com

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Why I Write

Dear friends,

If you are a writer, you have probably found yourself being asked “Why do you write?”
If you are a reader, you probably have asked someone before “Why do you write?”
I have been asked that question and usually could just raise my shoulders and say “I don’t know; pleasure, compulsiveness, wanting to entertain, because I always have a story to tell…” Things of that nature.Well, that has changed since I experienced the following situation:

I had been invited to be part of a local author’s reception. Four other Utah writers and me met at the beautiful Barnes and Nobles in Sugarhouse/ Salt Lake City to read, speak and sign our work. The staff at B&N really outdid themselves to make us feel welcome. In the café area a curtain was draped to offer a stage like feel. There was plenty of room for the audience who enjoyed the very large selection of hot or iced beverages while reading or being wrapped up in conversation with friends.
Right from the start, the atmosphere was very relaxing and fun. For the signing, five tables had been set up for us authors, with plenty of distance between them so we wouldn’t have to talk over each other while visiting. For every one of us was a 30 minute time window scheduled to go ‘on stage’ and speak, read and answer questions. I was fourth in line and when it was time for me to speak, I gathered a copy of my novel, a few notes I made previously and a little booklet of my composed poems. I was greeted by a few friends and of course, strangers as well. The previous author had had a great time, so everyone looked at me with anticipation. I took a seat, introduced myself and talked for a little while about my life and my book.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a young man being deeply involved reading. He sat at the outside of the café area and didn’t pay any attention to anyone around him, including myself. Everyone else seemed to be interested in my story, the poems I cited or when I began reading ‘Relocating Mia.’
When I read to an audience I like to look up after every few lines and have a quick eye contact, especially when something more dramatic happens in the plot. I was about half way through my first chapter, when I noticed that the young man was not reading anymore. He sat back, relaxed and after a few moments was focused on me.
By the time my 30 minutes were coming to an end I had read three chapters and ended my time with a synopsis in my own words and a few quick questions from the audience. As I was gathering my papers, to make place for the next author, I noticed that the young man had left. I wondered to myself, if he went on to find a quiet spot to read his book but as I went back to my table, he was already waiting for me there.
He had picked up a copy of ‘Mia’ and was reading a random page. “So you are intrigued,” I greeted him. He nodded and said that he very rarely reads fiction, and if he does it was certainly nothing with romance. ‘Girl stuff’ he called it to my amusement. “But when you mentioned the ex- KGB agents and a hunt through Russia, you had my attention,” he went on.
So we talked for a little while, I signed my book to him and offered a copy of my poems which he greatly appreciated. When it was time for him to leave he said that he was really excited to get home and start reading my book where I had left off.

His exact words were: “It’s gonna be a long night.”

To be able to get a response like this from someone who usually doesn’t read my genre and knowing he will be entertained, my friends, is the reason why I write.
Rebecca Lerwill
http://www.rebeccalerwill.com/

Friday, September 14, 2007

Talking more about reviews...

Hello friends,


Just yesterday I asked the question "How important are book reviews?". Today, I'd like to follow up on it: As discussed before, reviews have the purpose to educate readers about a certain book. Often a review can make up a reader's mind whether or not to purchase it. As I mentioned in the past, before I published my first book, I never paid much attention to reviews, but it is certainly different today. On a morning like this, when I get an e-mail with a link attached to a new and very nice review of my book, my day is made. I don't know if this review is helpful in the decision for anyone to buy and read my novel (of course, I do hope so) but it certainly strokes my ego and caresses my soul. So; the view on reviews lies in the eyes of the beholder and since I'm brutally honest: I LIKE 'EM! Here is what they have to say:


"Relocating Mia is a romantic story full of dramatic and suspenseful twists. Focusing on Mia Trentino, a top relocating specialist at Worldmove Inc., we follow her to the cold and harsh Siberian terrain for her latest assignment. Surprising to her, the company has paired her with a new partner, the handsome Douglas Farland. As they work together to relocate a Russian oil company and to successfully close the case, their relationship slowly but surely becomes more than just professional. When a sudden turn of events leads to kidnapping and the ultimate betrayal, Mia is left fighting for her life. Unsure of where to turn, she realizes that she must take a chance and trust Farland, whether or not she wants to. I really enjoyed how the drama kept progressing from page to page. The characters were quite interesting and coupled with the descriptiveness of the scenery and plot, made for entertaining reading. Definitely a book to read when you need an extra boost of escapism from the daily grind!"

To view the intire page visit: http://tcm-ca.com/reviews/1956.html

I wish everyone a pleasant day!
Rebecca~
http://www.rebeccalerwill.com/

Thursday, September 13, 2007

How important are book reviews?

Hello friends,

A very good question popped up the other day as I was reading through an article: How important is a review on a book and does it make up your mind for you to purchase the read?
I used to not read any reviews. Honestly, I was often sold by the cover. Whenever I browsed for a new book, online or in a store, and a great book cover caught my eye I read the synopsis and bought the book - or not - depending if I was sold.
Lately, I'm reading lots of book reviews, mainly because I'm always searching for reviews on my own novel 'Relocating Mia'. Of course, I jump through the roof when I receive another positive comment on how one liked my book. (I post the reviews on my site. You can read them here: www.rebeccalerwill.com/pressroom.html )

I was listening to an mp3 online, where a well known author talked about book reviews. He argued on how much influence a reviewer can have over a reader. He didn't agree with reviews. He said he'd rather have one giant website, where every book is available by genre and synopsis to be searched for. It was a very interesting view and I had to agree, a review can influence a reader into the purchase of a book. And even though I didn't read reviews and let them influence me in the past, today I wouldn't want to miss the reviews on my own work.

Rebecca Lerwill
www.rebeccalerwill.com

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Author's reception

Dear Lovers of good books.


Are you in the Salt Lake City, Utah area?
On September 14th, 2007 from 6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. visit the Barnes & Nobles bookstore in Shugarhouse for an exciting evening.

Four local Utah writers will attend this author's evening .
At this writer's reception you'll get a chance to hear us speak, read and answer questions about our books, our writing and so on. We will sign our books as well.I will cite a few poems, read an article I recently published and will also read a few chapters of my romantic suspense 'Relocating Mia'. All the while you indulge in the fine treats the Barnes & Nobles' cafe has to offer.
Barnes and Nobles
1104 East 2100 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
Phone: 801-463-2610


I hope to see you there!
Rebecca~
http://www.rebeccalerwill.com/

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

9/11 - On a fateful day

Good morning friends,



I look out my window and the morning is quiet. Early fall mist settles from the high peaks of the Wasatch mountains down to the green pastures of this beautiful land. Utah! My petunias are still purple, my geraniums still red and blooming strong. It is cool outside, but no need yet to worry about first frost. Not yet, but soon. As I write this blog on this fateful day, I have no words to describe my appreciation for every single soul out there who was and still is involved in the aftermath of the attacks six years ago.
All I can do is savor every day, every breath I take, and every moment given to me.
Thank you, whoever came up with the concept of blogging for us to share our work and our pain, so we can mourn and heal together!


Best, Rebecca Lerwill~my prayers to the victim's families!
www.rebeccalerwill.com

To read my poems visit:
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewPoetry.asp?id=200747&AuthorID=65501