Writing in a Void: Why Reviews Matter

I live on a creek. At any time during the work day, I can turn from my computer and look out over the expanse of water and refill my beauty-hungry soul. Granted, today it’s all slate on slate with the gray broken by splashes of white, because even our shallow body of water can form whitecaps when the wind pushes hard through the creek’s mouth.

Toward the west
Toward the west, clouds but no wind

But even with the beauty, even with the blessing of marriage to a best friend who encourages me (as does my dear mama who has been my cheerleader forever), writing can be a lonely pursuit. I mean, husbands, children, mamas, and good friends are supposed to support us, aren’t they? So you write, I write, and we send our words out…

Will they touch anyone at all? Will our book(s) be found? Be read? Be loved–or hated?

 

Will our words hover or land gracefully?

 

 

 

We shouldn’t be so insecure. But I don’t know a single writer/artist/musician who sits in a void, untouched, uncaring.

We care. We care.

 

Open Book

Which is why readers who leave reviews are so very, very important. You nurture the place that remains wary in every writer. No matter how many books we publish, no matter how many accolades we receive, there’s always the fear that this time, no one will care. This time, no one will want to read our story. This time, the void will swallow our words. iStock_000002803956XSmall

 

With that fear real in my heart, I have waited for reviewers’ words.

 

 

 

And then these first reviews came from the TLC Blog Tour (still ongoing):

Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews: “…Part romance, part mystery, and all fast-paced, this novel is a fabulously spun tale that will reel in the reader and keep them hooked to the very spine-tingling end…”

Patricia’s Wisdom: “…An excellent read…”

Queen of All She Reads: “…Part literary romantic suspense and part coming of age story, Ms. Fischer’s story grabbed my attention from the first page.  Likeable characters, good dialogue, an intriguing mystery and just the right amount of tension, kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.  If you like exotic locations, good food, and romantic suspense, this is a book you won’t want to miss….” [Emphasis mine!]

Redhead with Book :  “…This story will keep your heart thumping…a fast-paced, believable and intelligent read…”

Reading Is My Superpower: “… Two From Isaac’s House reads like Southern fiction but is very much a novel of international intrigue. You will want to curl up with it and absorb the delicious way the writing lilts across the page, but at the same time Fischer’s command of international suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat. And then there’s the new romance and the new friendships – sweet in a way that wraps you in an old & comforting quilt but never so saccharine that it makes your teeth hurt. In a book that could go political in a heartbeat, the plot stays just outside that line and instead whispers a few subtle hints toward the spiritual that both surprised and touched me with their presence. Normandie Fischer’s latest book is definitely a dichotomy of genres, but I loved the result!

“The author’s writing style is so beautifully descriptive (without over-telling) and immerses readers in the scenes – the sights, the smells, the sounds, the emotions.  Wry Southern humor subtly peppers each chapter, providing delightful relief in the midst of suspenseful tension.  Fischer’s words lilt in a pleasing meter that, as I mentioned earlier, makes you want to curl up and settle in….”

And from Romantic Times Magazine:

 


NormandieFisher

 

I am so grateful. Grateful for the time to write. Grateful for the friends my writing has given me. Grateful that I can, from the isolation of our creek house, travel the world, share tea or coffee (or even a glass of wine) with new friends, and be part of something that feels so like a gift from God.

 

Would you consider becoming part of my community of reader-friends? If so, will you send me a note and let me know? If you do, I’ll certainly return the favor with a reply.

Reaching out. Touching hearts. Getting to know strangers. Finding common ground. Becoming friends.

light in trees

 

Encouraging one another to be a light — or to find the light — in the darkness.

I look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

 

 

The Ripple Effect: A Word Gift to This Writer

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A stone plopped into water formed ripples, creating concentric circles that moved out from the center and subsided gradually if nothing impeded their progress. Whether or not they ever came to a full stop, Teo wasn’t scientist enough to know. It looked to him as if the molecules touched by movement became propelled in an infinitely wider arc, slower perhaps as they achieved distance, but still there, still moving, still affecting other molecules and pushing them to confront whatever lay in their path. (from page 335, Sailing out of Darkness)

A writer sends her work out like that stone plopping on water, hoping the ripples will touch readers. Rarely have I read a review of my work that showed just how deeply someone had been moved. I hope you’ll indulge me as I share them with you. I am humbled.

From a Goodreads reader came this five-star review:

“Our favorite literary characters are written indelibly into our hearts as we experience them living out the very pains and hopes which have been written deeply onto our souls. Normandie has a gift of writing wounded characters to life, characters who publicly reflect the wounds we keep private. As I read of Sam and Teo’s relational struggles I began to recognize the same struggles in my life. With the turning of each page I saw more and more how my present relationships are dictated and even defeated by my past rejection. Actually, as I connected with Sam I realized that I most likely became a “water person” due to past relational rejection. My boat is my safe refuge from destructive people and pain, but Sam story encouraged me to put my past fears and failures behind me and to step out in faith! This book has restored a hope to my heart, a hope for new and exciting relationships with unexpected people in unplanned places! Normandie, thank you for writing Sailing Out of Darkness!”
I am so very grateful.
And now Happy Resurrection Day to each of you.
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He is risen!

Blog Tour for Sailing out of Darkness and Becalmed

The blog tour set up by TLC Book Tours has begun. They gave reviewers the opportunity to receive and review either book, so we have a some who chose Sailing out of Darkness and some who picked Becalmed.

sod small

Becalmed

 

My publisher for Sailing out of Darkness was snowed in (or out) for a while, which meant that the books didn’t get to some of the bloggers early enough for them to keep to the schedule. But today’s blogger did. You can read Ellie’s thoughts at Spiced Latte. I hope you’ll stop by with a comment!

The updated schedule for the tour will appear here on TLC’s webpage.

Normandie’s Tour Stops

Wednesday, January 22nd: Spiced Latte ReadsSailing Out of Darkness

To be Announced : The Most Happy ReaderSailing Out of Darkness

Friday, January 24th: The Book BarnSailing Out of Darkness

Monday, January 27th: Obsessed Italian BratSailing Out of Darkness

Wednesday, January 29th: Books and BindingsBecalmed

Monday, February 3rd: Time 2 ReadBecalmed

Tuesday, February 4th: Staircase WitSailing Out of Darkness

Wednesday, February 5th: Sammy the BookwormSailing Out of Darkness

Thursday, February 6th: Good Girl Gone RedneckSailing Out of Darkness

Monday, February 10th: Shelf Pleasure (guest post)

Tuesday, February 11th: Cerebral Girl in a Redneck WorldBecalmed

Wednesday, February 12th: The Most Happy ReaderBecalmed

Monday, February 17th: Patricia’s WisdomBecalmed

Wednesday, February 19th: Cruising Susan ReviewsSailing Out of Darkness

Thursday, February 20th: Obsessed Italian BratBecalmed

Monday, February 24th: Every Free Chance Book ReviewsSailing Out of Darkness

Date TBD: Mary’s Cup of TeaSailing Out of Darkness

Date TBD: Mary’s Cup of TeaBecalmed

 

 

 

 

 

When Someone Gets It

You paint a picture, create a sculpture, write a poem or a book. Folk say they love this or that. A few say they don’t like anything you’ve done. Well, you try for a thank-you to them anyway, because that’s what you’ve been taught to do. Smile. Be polite.

And then someone writes a review of your newest and shows that she gets it. She gets the purpose and the heart of your story, although she doesn’t normally read in your genre–or in this case, genres.

Yesterday, that happened when a reader wrote these words about Sailing out of Darkness. I don’t care that she only gave it four stars while she gave my first (Becalmed) five. You’ll see what I mean when you read her words, these from Goodreads:

 

Lynne Hinkey

Normandie Fischer’s latest, Sailing Out of Darkness, includes some of my favorite things: sailing, travel, mystery, and even a bit of fantasy thrown in. Fischer’s latest novel seamlessly melds multiple genres–romance, Christian fiction, women’s lit, and literary–without settling entirely within any one. Don’t think that’s a criticism. For me, I found the balance just right: the romance never gets sappy, the thread of faith/Christian fiction runs through subtly, never pounding the reader over the head with it as so much of that genre does, the mystery and conflict over Samantha’s past coming back to haunt her kept me on edge without becoming melodramatic, and her literal and figurative voyage of self-discovery moves at an engaging pace that never falls over the line from relatable introspection to banal self-absorption. Sam, Teo, and all of the characters’ personalities come through clearly and their interactions and dialogue flow smoothly. Fischer is a master at transporting the reader into the scene. The beauty and foreignness of exploring new places is captured pitch perfect in Sam’s ponderings as she makes her way through Italy. I could picture the Italian countryside, feel the rhythm of the boat on the Mediterranean Sea, and my heart ached and pulse raced when Sam confronted…well, read it to see what and how she overcomes the ordeals she faces.

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It’s Almost May

April (and earlier) showers bring on the May flowers

Toward the west
Showers
Camelias at front door
Flowers

 

In just the same way, I’m hoping that all that Fast and Furious action on my part (oh, yes, and on my editor’s and the designer’s) will bring about good and lovely things as Becalmed moves from proofing to print and into the hands of reviewers.

Do multi-published authors go through this same angst with each book? Or do only debut titles make the palms itch and the heart palpitate, as if I were headed out on a first date with The One?

 

 

Because you know what? I want to restyle my hair and make sure the blush hasn’t created mini clown circles on my cheeks, to check my hem and my shoes, because maybe I should wear a different pair, one that doesn’t make me tower. Perhaps a better color? Oh, there goes the front-door bell. Am I ready?

Talk to me. Am I alone in craziness?