Page Title

Happy New Year and
Happy Valentine's Day

January - February, 2008
Newsletter

Viv's Views
January-February Newsletter from Vivian Gilbert
Zabel

In this issue:

* Letter from Vivian

* Interview with
Billie A. Willaims

* Writing Tips

* Up Coming Events

* Next Issue: Interview
with Rita Karnopp

Hi,
February is a special month for my husband Robert
and me. We'll celebrate our 46th anniversary on the
18th.
I'm not doing very well getting a newsletter out
each month, much as I would like to be able to do
so. Therefore, I'm going to try a bi-monthly
newsletter starting with this issue.
If you have anything you would like for me to
cover, please let me know.
I need interesting people to interview. So volunteer
yourself or someone else.
Vivian

                    Interview with Billie A. Williams
                                                                             author of Small Town Secrets

                                               ISBN 978-1-5970-766-0 (print) 978-1-59705-283-2 (electronic)
                                                    Publisher : Wings ePress, Inc   www.wings-press.com

Billie Williams is holding a blog tour, an interesting and different type of book tour. Since I’ve read one of her books, Bed and
Breakfast Murders, I wanted to meet her, even if online. Let’s pretend that she and I visit in the lovely old-fashion living room of
The Pink Lady Slipper Bed and Breakfast, the location of at least two of her books. I’m sitting on the sofa surrounded by my list of
questions, writing pad, and a tape recorder, a mug of hot tea on the coffee table in front of me. Billie curls up in a stuffed chair
with a cup of hot cocoa. Soft music plays in the background.

I understand you grew up with books and were an avid reader. How do you believe reading affected you becoming a writer, or did
it?

  I’m sure it was a huge influence in my writing. When I was too young to read, I was read to by my Mom and my Grandmother.
Books were my escape when I was a child a lot of that childhood spent in bed because of rheumatic fever. Books were my
companions when I was a teenager, even the comic books I would read aloud to my siblings would entertain my parents with the
voices I would use.

  But I did so horrible in English Grammar and Literature classes. I never seemed to get the same interpretations of the classics
as the teacher did which awarded me with a failing grade more often then not. Telling a story my way, telling what I wanted to
say even if it was a misinterpretation of a book I read, led me to write. I think when I realized a story could have as many endings
as I could dream up, I wanted to write them.

Tell us something about your educational and/or personal background that has made you a better, or more caring, writer.

The English courses I nearly always messed up in my High School years caused me to try to correct that perceived mistake in
myself when I finally thought I could. When I went to work for a community college and could take all the courses I wanted to take
for free, I took every single English grammar, literature and creative writing course I could get, even journalism courses. I
thought I was in heaven. Can you imagine all the learning you want and all you needed to do was purchase your own text books
and complete the course with a “C” or better grade point average. I aced every class, I made the Deans list while working full
time and raising a family. Yes, I’m bragging, sorry about that but I finally felt good about myself. I proved to myself that I wasn’t a
failure and I could do anything I put my mind to.

I understand your first paid work was an essay about your daughter’s survival as you fought ovarian cancer while pregnant with
her. Now, I would especially like to know what keeps you writing.

I don’t think I could not write. I love words; I love the rhythm they can create in a prose or poetry piece. I simply am fascinated by
the act of putting words together and creating a story, living breathing characters, and an escape for a reader I may never meet,
but have touched in some way.

I notice many of your books come in electronic format and in print. Which method of publishing do you prefer and why?

Personally I want to hold a book in my hands; I want the smell of new ink and fresh pages. However, the electronic book allows
more readers more books. They are easy to load into the new e-book readers; you can carry a bookcase full of books in one
hand. You can read anywhere and anytime you have a spare minute without hauling a book along. Both formats have their place
and their audience. Electronic books are generally cheaper than print, but libraries only carry print books on their shelves so
far. I think electronic books are a wave of the future, but I do not think they will ever totally replace the print editions.

Are you a member of any writing groups? If so, how do they benefit you and your writing?

I have been a member of many writing groups during my career so far. I have formed a small group of writer’s in various stages
of their careers and lives called Word Mage. It’s a yahoo group, friendly, encouraging, and very supportive.

I believe the groups I’ve been with are a great boon to my writing. I get a chance to hear what I’m saying. I get a reflection of
what it is I thought I was communicating. I get a thermometer for my writing. But, the sharing and exchanging is more important.
When you look at someone else’s work with an eye to critique it, you learn so much more than you can in any other venue. When
you look to someone else’s writing that is looking for comment from you, you recognize flaws and then need to describe them
and offer a solution, which in turn sharpens your editorial eye for your own writing.

When you participate in a group you learn to temper your judgment, you learn not to change the writing to your own style and
tone, but to offer helpful insight to correct flaws without throwing cold water on the writer spirit. Groups offer a growing
experience that the internet has made so very easy and possible. You can search until you find a good fit, you don’t have to settle
for the four or five writer’s available in your area—maybe your personalities aren’t a good match. On the internet you have a
wealth to choose from. Find one that works for you and your writing skills will benefit greatly.

Do you have anything you would like to add?

I would like to invite your readers to join my book club if they are interested in seeing my current works in progress— The
Capricorn Goat ~ ~ January Flannel, develop. Those who join the book club will get one chapter a week delivered to their in box
until the novel is complete. You can, of course, opt out anytime and your email will never be shared with anyone. The first four
chapters have already been posted to members of the book club but they are in an archive for those who join late. You can down
load to print, save or read at your leisure. You will find more information at http://www.billiewilliams.com/BOOKCLUB. html.
If you are a writer and are interested in a free 5-week course on writing using lessons gleaned from my series of writing books
you can join at http://pensinmotion.com . The Pens In Motion web site also has a discussion forum for members to use to ask
questions, see critiques or just chat with others in the group if the choose. I will offer comment and critique to any one doing the
exercises and wishing them.

Thank you so much Vivian for allowing me to share your blogs and your readers. I hope to work with you again soon.

Thank you, Billie, for visiting with us today. I hope your blog tour is successful. I’ll be watching for your new book.

Writing Tip
- Writing Groups

Billie A. Williams mentioned in her interview above
how helpful she's found writing groups to me.
Anyone who is serious about writing needs feedback,
encouragement, and constructive criticism. A pat on
the back is nice, but unless it is deserved, it doesn't
help anyone improve.
My suggestion is to find at least one writing group
that will help find problem areas in your writing
without being afraid that you will get your feeling hurt.
A writer, not a wanna-be, must develop thick skin.
Rejection is a part of an author's life.
A writing group needs to have information and
members who can help others improve and stretch.
One group I've joined has other published authors as
members, as well as beginners. We often have
discussions about what is needed in good writing. Then
we share current projects with each other, seeking not
only to hear what is good, but also to know what needs
works.
If there isn't a writing group close by, consider
becoming a part of an on-line critique group or starting
one yourself.

Up Coming Events
opportunities to meet Vivian

On the calendar at this time

March 29, 2008
SCBWI - Oklahoma Region
Conference, UCO, Edmond Oklahoma

April 19
North Texas Book Festival
Denton, Texas

May 1 - 3
OWFI Writing Conference
Sheriton Hotel and Reed Conference Center
Midwest City, Oklahoma

More book signing will be added shortly
refer back occasionally or check on
http://vzabel.multiply.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vivian's New Release
Case of the Missing Coach
Someone doesn't want the Jonesville Chargers to win the championship,
and when the team refuses to forfeit, their head coach is kidnapped. Will
the team be able to rescue him in time, or will their dreams be dashed,
perhaps forever? (click to order store )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~