Do you Twitter?
The verb twitter means: to talk lightly and rapidly, especially of trivial matters; chatter.

Some ingenious person took that meaning to heart and created a great social networking sight which links to cell phones via text messaging allowing the world to communicate rapidly of trivial matters; to twitter.

I always thought twitter meant: to tremble with excitement or the like; be in a flutter. Turns out it means that too.

When my cell phone vibrates with a twitter message, I tremble with excitement for I’m connected to my friends and woven into their lives in a whole new fashion. Not only that, I’m connected to new friends across the world.

As with any new social networking site, Twitter took a while for me to figure out. What was appropriate twitter material? How did you reply to one person only and not the whole group? Then I began to think of Twitter as an open chat forum connected to the Internet and my cell phone at the same time and things began to click. I realized the trick to Twitter was to make your 140 character messages interesting and generic at the same time. The collective Twitter group didn’t need to be involved in private conversations, but witty repartee worked. Twitter became a place to discuss chocolate cravings with old and new friends as well as rising gas prices or any other trivial matter. The operative word here being trivial.

Surprisingly my Twitter audience grew rapidly; soon there were lots of Twitter-ites hanging on my every word. Yikes! And some become Twitter obsessed! There are a couple Twitter friends in my group that send so many twitter messages I finally had to quit following them via my cell phone and only follow them online. I couldn’t handle my cell phone vibrating non-stop all day with no orgasm. I mean with all that vibrating going on, one expects a climax eventually. Right?

But that’s one of the nice features of Twitter. You have the option of following people online only or online and via your cell phone. My Twitter friends whom I want to be more deeply woven into their lives, them I follow online and via my cell phone so that our Twitter conversations can be instantaneous and continuous.

Literature has also found a place on Twitter. Novelist N.L. Belardes is writing a novel called Small Places on Twitter 140 characters at a time. I enjoy following the story and receiving little bits of literature throughout the day, it feeds my literary soul during the daily grind.

I’m also following Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice on Twitter. Although unlike Small Places which is sent out one twitter message at a time, Pride and Prejudice’s twitter message is a daily link to the next installment of the novel online. I’m enjoying reading Pride and Prejudice again. The DailyLit has other novels to choose from if Jane Austin is not your cup of tea.

Needless to say, Twitter has become one of my new favorite things…

Do you Twitter? If so, please follow me on Twitter and join in the conversations.

Labels: a twitter novel, chatting, groups, Internet, Jane Austin, N.L. Belardes, novelists, online, Pride and Prejudice, Small Places, social networking, text messaging, Twitter, twitter.com, Writing

  posted by Matildakay at 10:59 AM 0 comments

Coming out of the closet on 39 and Holding… Him and Erotic fiction
At last I’m coming out of the closet…

No, I’m not gay.

I am however, on the cover of the erotic fiction anthology 39 and Holding… Him edited by Robin Slick.

No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. I just said I was an erotic fiction cover girl.

I’ll let that sink in for a minute…


Ok close your mouths.

When N.L. asked me if I wanted to do a photo shoot for an erotic fiction book that Robin Slick was putting together, I said sure. I admire Robin; her writing is sexy as hell! I thought it would be fun. I was a few days from turning 39 and I thought doing the photo shoot for the cover would be a great 39th birthday present to myself.

At the time, I had no clue what doing the book cover really meant. I just thought it would make me feel better about my 39th birthday. And besides, I’d get to be 39 forever in bookstores! Who wouldn’t like that?

For me, realization soon dawned at what an incredibly empowering and liberating experience this was the first time I saw myself on the cover of the book. Let me tell you, I’m proud of the cover! I’m proud to say, “that’s me on the cover and I look good.”

This book cover is about being brave! Something I’ve never really been in my life. In fact, I wish I had been brave enough, empowered enough to do something like this book cover 15-20 years ago.

This book cover is about projecting a good self-image of myself and believing in myself. It’s about conquering fears and taking risks. It’s risky to put yourself out there in a skimpy outfit and not care what people think. Not caring what people think of me is a new concept I'm embracing. However, the book cover is so tastefully done I've received nothing but good positive feedback from all who've seen it.

Hopefully this book cover will inspire other women to find ways to empower themselves. For me, the feeling of empowerment that I’ve received from doing this book cover has inspired me to take risks in other areas of my life as well, like buying my first home all on my own.


Video Interview by ABC23 about empowering women and erotic fiction.

But the spirit of empowering women doesn’t stop with the cover of 39 and Holding… Him. Each story within features women in their 40’s who are strong, independent, living life on their terms and having an adventurous time. It’s the epiphany of “40 is the new sexy!” Not only is life not over at 40, but these stories show that as a woman in your 40’s you can have it all. You can have the fairy tale endings and the Sex and the City sexcapades. In fact you’re entitled to have it all!

As a woman who is about to turn 40, it’s nice to know that life is definitely not over and I can have it all!

And with empowerment comes opportunity…

Robin and Phaze liked the first book cover so much that I got the opportunity to do the second book cover in the 39 series: 39 and Still Holding. The second book cover has a different look and attitude than the first, which is exciting.



But even more exciting than doing these fabulous book covers was the opportunity to write an erotic fiction short story called A Rabbit Hole for Emily, for the second book 39 and Still Holding. I can’t wait to see it in print!

Which brings me to my closet erotic fiction collection... I’ve been reading erotic fiction for years but I’ve kept my erotic fiction collection stored away from prying eyes instead of displayed on my book shelves. However, being an erotic fiction cover girl has empowered me to get rid of the chest I stored my erotic fiction collection, and in my new house my erotic fiction collection will be on the bookshelves proudly displayed with all the other books.

So at last I’m proud to be out of the closet… I’m an erotic fiction girl!

************************
Press for 39 and Holding... Him and other stuff:

-You can buy 39 and Holding... Him by clicking on the checkout link in my sidebar! Go check it out, it's cool! Besides you know you want to buy it just because you can say you know the girl on the cover!

-Check out the 39 and Holding... Him Myspace and add it to your friends!

-Read the Bakotopia article which includes more racy photos. And don't forget to pick up your copy of the Bakotopia magazine featuring the article and photos available this week.

-Read the ABC 23 article.

-Read the interview with Phaze Publisher Kathryn Lively on Paperback Writer.

Labels: 39 and Holding... Him, Bakotopia, book cover, Coming out of the closet, cover model, empowering women, erotic fiction, erotica, infamous women, Matildakay, N.L. Belardes, Phaze, Robin Slick, Sex

  posted by Matildakay at 11:46 AM 2 comments

The Dalloways in Video!
The Dalloways debuted their new music video for the title track from their new EP Dirty Money and Filthy Love at last Friday night's show.

Check out the Music Video filmed by Hectic Films:



Also check out this Dalloways Mini-Documentary by ABC23/Noveltown's own N.L. Belardes:



Buy the Dalloways EP at: CD Baby.

Labels: ABC 23, Dirty Money and Filthy Love, Hectic Films, music video, N.L. Belardes, Noveltown, The Dalloways, video, youtube.com

  posted by Matildakay at 1:28 PM 0 comments

Great story about the Writers of the Nervous Breakdown blog community
N.L. of Noveltown and ABC23 wrote a great story about the writers of the Nervous Breakdown blog community. TheNervousBreakdown.com is one of my favorite literary blog sites because of the quality of the writing.



Check out N.L.'s article and mini-documentary on TheNervousBreakdown.com. Not only does Rich Ferguson do some great performance art, Brad Listi and Lenore Zion both make some incredible remarks. Brenda Knight adds some zest in the article when she talks about J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and the Beat Generation and how they would form blog communities if around today.

Check out the article, "Non-Striking Writers Form Attention-Getting Blog Site"

Here's an Excerpt:

Nick Belardes of ABC23 caught up with the brainchild of the site, LA Times best selling author of "Attention. Deficit. Disorder," Brad Listi, and some of the writers of thenervousbreakdown.com near downtown Los Angeles to find out just what the buzz was all about.

Listi, also a professor at Santa Monica College, said, "It's a site that features a multitude of great writers, literary writers from around the world." He added, "What separates us from a lot of other blog sites, or whatever you'd like to call it, is that we're featuring writing of a real literary quality, and it's a one-stop place where readers who are enthusiastic about quality writing can come on a daily basis and hear from all these great voices."

View Slideshow of Related Pics of Listi, Ferguson and Zion.



If you're looking for a blog site that has a good variety of great literary writers, TheNervousBreakdown.com is it!

Labels: Brad Listi, Lenore Zion, Literary, N.L. Belardes, Noveltown, Rich Ferguson, The Nervous Breakdown, TheNervousBreakdown.com, writers, Writing

  posted by Matildakay at 7:01 PM 0 comments

The 5K Walk and the Mysterious Lady in Red
One bright and early Saturday morning not too long ago, I met up with ‘M’ my trainer from physical therapy and NL of Noveltownand ABC23 for the Fall Festival 5K/10K run/walk at River Walk Park. Through bribery of Supreme Bean coffee, I convinced NL to do the 5K walk with me. A leisurely stroll in the park for NL, I soon learned that 5K is a lot farther than it sounds.

At check in we were given real race numbers and at 9:00 AM everyone lined up at the starting point as if it was the New York Marathon. Like Katie Holmes, I registered under an alias (my real name) instead of Matildakay.

‘M’ of coarse was doing the 10K run while pushing his son in a stroller. Show off!

There were other members from my physical therapy group participating in the race including a lady in red who kicks my butt regularly.

NL was a good friend and sport keeping pace with me when he could have left me in the dust. Even though we were among the last to finish, he had fun with his video camera and put together this little video of our 5K-walk experience.



“Go Matildakay!” ‘M’ yelled as he ran by pushing his stroller during the last half of the 5K walk.

“So annoying!”

“Why?” NL asked.

“Because he’s running 10K while pushing a stroller!”

“He’s a good trainer, he’s encouraging you.”

“I know. I just wish I could do that.”

We never did catch the mysterious lady in red from my physical therapy group, but she was at the finish line cheering me on. I managed to finish the 5K walk (just over 3 miles) in around 50 minutes, which is not too bad. And even though I was sore the rest of the day, I’m really glad that I challenged myself and accomplished the 5K walk.

“I read all about you.” NL told ‘M’ after the 5K walk.

“You read about me?” ‘M’ asked, “Oh right, I don’t want to know.”

“A lot of people read about you on Matildakay’s blog.”

“You’re famous.” I grinned. ‘M’ shook his head and walked away.

I’ll probably get double exercises for making ‘M’ famous. I thought.

But the following Monday…

“You get ‘extra points’ for doing the 5K walk.” ‘M’ said when I walked into physical therapy.

“Now you have to do the next run/walk we have scheduled.”

Oh no! What did I get myself into?

Labels: 'M', 10K Walk, 5K Walk, Bakersfield, Blogging, exercising, Katie Holmes, N.L. Belardes, New York Marathon, Physical Therapy, River Walk Park, Terrio Therapy Fitness, walking

  posted by Matildakay at 11:12 PM 1 comments

Yosemite Writers Conference: The writers New Year
In trying to sum up my experience at the Yosemite Writers Conference I thought I’d share a few of the memorable sentiments, phrases and writing advice that really resonated with me.

“Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth,” ~Pablo Picasso, “and that is fiction” ~Ginny Rorby

“Sheroes” (women heroes) ~Brenda Knight

“You can change what people think with your writing.” ~N.L. Belardes

“Social networking is a way to raise awareness.” ~N.L. Belardes

“Write from the heart, write what’s around you, write the truth of hidden history” ~Brenda Knight

“Make writing a practice, make it a priority” ~Kate Gale

“You want to aspire to write great work.” ~Kate Gale

“You have to make your book stand out.” ~Farrin Jacobs

“Write the novel you want to write.” ~Steve Yarborough

“Your voice is important. Use your voice to capture attention for yourself, use your voice as a community service.” ~N.L. Belardes

“It really was inspiring. Felt like the writer's New Year for me.” ~Genevieve Choate

“One of the things you achieve from a point of view character is VOICE.” ~Hallie Ephron

“Movies have ruined more fiction writers.” ~David Morrell

“The most important thing in a book should be tension.” ~Irene Webb

“Be a first rate version of yourself not a second rate version of someone else.” ~David Morrell

“Develop an identity for yourself as a writer.” ~David Morrell

“Never underestimate the emotion of jealousy.” ~Bonnie Hearn Hill

“You can have a literary voice and still tell a good story.” ~Bonnie Hearn Hill

“Writing well is the best revenge.” ~David Morrell

“Always remember the enthusiasm with which the idea struck you.” ~David Morrell

More on the 2007 Yosemite Writers Conference:

Yosemite Writers Conference: The Writers New Year
Is Book Publishing Dead? Yosemite Writers Conference provides food for hungry writers
Yosemite Writers Conference: A Conversation about Blogging
Rambo Creator Reinvents Captain America
Yosemite Writers Conference: Demystifying Chick lit and Women’s fiction
Yosemite Writers Conference: Poetry talk
Mystery talk after David Morrell's big speech
2007 Yosemite Writers Conference: Brenda Knight Sidesteps the TVA man
Yosemite Writers and the Chukchansi bathroom break
Headed to Yosemite Writers Conference to talk writing for social change

Labels: Brenda Knight, David Morrell, Literary, N.L. Belardes, Steve Yarborough, Writing, writing advice, Yosemite Writer's Conference

  posted by Matildakay at 11:05 PM 1 comments

Yosemite Writers Conference: A Conversation about Blogging
In today’s world, blogging has become a way of life for many people and corporations. It’s an instantaneous way to connect with people. For writers, blogging should be a natural progression, a promotional tool and a way to personally reach readers and build a fan base.



This year’s Yosemite Writers Conference workshop, “Blogging Your Way to Fame” was taught by N.L. Belardes of ABC23 and Noveltown (noveltown.net/blog), Genevieve Choate of the Fresno Bee and Momologue, and Rik Bollman a Las Vegas writer/blogger and radio host, three individuals for whom blogging is not only a way of life, but a necessary part of being a writer. Three individuals who understood that blogging is not just posting a blog and hoping a handful of anonymous people on the Internet find it and read it. No, blogging is about so much more.

Blogging is about using your voice to capture attention for yourself as a writer and about using your voice as a community service. Blogging is about having a sense of integrity, being humble, and being smart about what you write. Blogging is not about what you ate for lunch, but rather it’s about getting out there in your community and finding original content to write about. Blogging is about having a conversation with people and that is what is truly unique about blogging.

Since blogging is a conversation with people, N.L., Genevieve, and Rik broke panel tradition and had a conversation with the workshop attendees about blogging. Everyone responded and interacted as if we were all sitting around an informal dinner table discussing blogging. For those who were new to the conversation, this method seemed to demystify blogging and make it less daunting. As a blogger myself, I felt this conversational format was most effective.

Gone was all the techy talk and html, instead the discussion centered on how writers can use blogging to build their author platform and a community of readers. By spending time on social networking sites such as myspace.com promoting your blog, book and/or yourself as a writer, by posting compelling content and updating your blog often and through grassroots promotion you can build a fan base and a platform that editors and agents will notice. Belardes stated, “You have to sacrifice time to promote yourself.” He also stressed the importance of having a presence on social networking sites.

Even though Belardes stated that blogging most likely won’t make you famous, he did discuss how blogging could help you get where you want to go as a writer, for you never know who’s reading your blog. In the blogosphere, if you build it they will come. Blogging will grow an audience for your writing.



It was prearranged for me to help people in the workshop immediately sign up for a blog. With laptops available, I was able to answer questions and help a few people sign up at the end of the blogging workshop and later that evening in the Tenaya Lodge Jackalope restaurant. I think it was helpful for those new to blogging to have a computer and a person available to walk them through the process of setting up their blog. Hopefully they will continue their journey into the blogosphere and towards building an audience.

More on the 2007 Yosemite Writers Conference:

Is Book Publishing Dead?
Yosemite Writers Conference: A Conversation about Blogging
Rambo Creator Reinvents Captain America
Yosemite Writers Conference: Demystifying Chick lit and Women’s fiction
Yosemite Writers Conference: Poetry talk
Mystery talk after David Morrell's big speech
2007 Yosemite Writers Conference: Brenda Knight Sidesteps the TVA man
Yosemite Writers and the Chukchansi bathroom break
Headed to Yosemite Writers Conference to talk writing for social change

Labels: ABC23, Blogging, cross promotion, Fresno Bee, Genevieve Choate, N.L. Belardes, Noveltown, Rik Bollman, social networking, Yosemite Writer's Conference

  posted by Matildakay at 12:49 AM 1 comments

Are you going to the Yosemite Writers Conference?
There's still time to sign up!

The Yosemite Writers Conference is just around the corner. Quite literally. In fact its next week, August 24-26. My excitement is growing by leaps and bounds. I can’t wait to be among so many great writers that I admire. I can’t wait to attend the workshops and panels and soak up all the knowledge I can about writing and the publishing world. I can’t wait to connect to writers from all over the country. I can’t wait to be inspired!

Noveltown is going. Are you?

Want to meet literary agents, publishers, editors, and authors?

Want to learn about the many facets of writing in today’s literary world?

Whether you’re a published author or just realized that you want to be a writer, the Yosemite Writer’s Conference is for you.

Noveltown’s own N.L. Belardes will be speaking at this year’s Yosemite Writer’s Conference, among many others. (Read my previous interview with N.L. about his speaking at the YWC).

I’ve literally been vibrating with anticipation for the Yosemite Writers Conference. I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed a preview. You know, like a movie trailer. A teaser. The coming attractions as it were. I went straight to the source. I tracked down Bonnie Hearn Hill, accomplished novelist, instructor and one of many who work very hard each year to put on the Yosemite Writers Conference and I asked her a few questions about what we could expect at this years conference.

She was kind enough to oblige me, instruct me, and encourage me. Read the interview.

Bonnie Hearn Hill
Volunteer faculty
Novelist and instructor

Noveltown: Who are the ‘big’ agents and editors attending the Yosemite Writers Conference this year?

BHH: Please, honey. Never use orphan quotes, and especially not single orphan quotes. I’m excited about all of our agents. Irene Webb is a top film agent. June Clark specializes in nonfiction and works for a leading New York agency. Katharine Sands is also with a major NY firm, and Jeffery McGraw and Arlene Cardoza are building their lists and actively seeking new writers. This is a great opportunity to learn from the people who are in the best position to know what sells.

Noveltown: Which conference panel or workshop are you most excited about this year?

BHH: I’m really excited about the young adult panel. That’s a great market, and we have Farrin Jacobs from HarperCollins, Susan Chang from Tor, along with Melissa Manlove from Chronicle Books. Melissa is also presenting a two-hour picture book critique workshop, and she’s actually doing free line edits. For those who are ready to test their work, the Sharpen Your Hooks workshops are an almost painless way to get feedback. For the first time this year, we’re offering one for fiction and one for nonfiction. Also for the first time, we’re offering two workshops on the high-paying ghostwriting field with representatives of a New York ghostwriting firm, and a magazine-writing panel for those who want to write articles. So I sound as if I’m excited about everything, right? For me, though, the most intriguing might be the Sunday morning one with our Saturday keynote David Morrell, the author who created Rambo. David is actively involved in the conference this year, and he asked if he could do a bonus workshop on Sunday on marketing for writers. I can’t wait.

(Read the full blog and interview on Paperback Writer)

*************
www.noveltown.net
www.yosemitewriters.com

Labels: Bonnie Hearn Hill, editors, literary agents, N.L. Belardes, Noveltown, Writing, Yosemite Writers Conference

  posted by Matildakay at 11:29 AM 0 comments

Rich Ferguson's 'With This Kiss'
With this kiss there are revelations tattooed upon our lips; revelations more easily read on account of this silent pact with recognition where I'm beginning to see that we are slowly becoming healed... ~Rich Ferguson

Los Angeles Spoken Word Poet Rich Ferguson has a new music video for his spoken word poem With This Kiss...



With This Kiss is one of my favorite's from Rich's spoken word album Where I Come From. (Buy your copy here)

I lose myself inside Rich's lyrical prose and discover unspoken nuances of my personality every time I listen to Where I Come From. Even physical therapy and my relationship with my deformed knees was illuminated through Rich's spoken word poem Bones.

Where I Come From makes you think, makes you listen...

Rich Ferguson's spoken word is not boring poetry. N.L. described it as: "a spoken word masterpiece that blasts at you like a Robbie Robertson/Velvet Underground counterculture shotgun ripped from the hip." (Read N.L.'s review of Where I Come From)

Dive into Rich Ferguson's spoken word... it might just affect your life the way it did mine.

Labels: Bakersfield, Kiss, Los Angeles, N.L. Belardes, Poetry, Rich Ferguson, Spoken Word

  posted by Matildakay at 10:05 PM 0 comments

The Noveltown Review
Take a look inside the Noveltown Review...



The newest literary magazine out of the California Central Valley features some great writers from across the country.

Fiction stories by: Brad Listi, N. Frank Daniels, Conrad Romo and Susan Henderson.

Literary articles by: Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Cindy Wathen, N. Frank Daniels, Robin Slick, Susan Henderson and N.L. Belardes.

Poetry by: Matildakay, Rich Ferguson and Jenn Williams.

The layout is classy and goregeous! The writing is outstanding! You won't be able to put it down.

Get your free copy in Bakersfield at Russo's Books at the Marketplace or Metro Art Galleries downtown.

Or order your copy online at www.noveltown.net/books. (Online orders - minimal cost to cover shipping).

Read excerpts from the magazine and see photos from the Noveltown Review's premier Mixer on Paperback Writer.

**Updated: Read Greg Goodsell's review of the Noveltown Review on Bakotopia and leave a comment.

Be Noveltown's friend... add Noveltown on myspace!

Labels: Bakersfield, Brad Listi, California Central Valley, Cindy Wathen, N. Frank Daniels, N.L. Belardes, Noveltown, Rich Ferguson, Robin Slick, Susan Henerson, The Noveltown Review

  posted by Matildakay at 10:47 PM 1 comments

May Day


NL reflects on a Day of Action a year ago today while encouraging students at Bakersfield College.

"I purposely didn’t bring up the political topic to the class. I was in the Humanities building to talk literary opportunities for writers, not politics. Although I did encourage writers to become active: active in everything from their verb tense to getting involved with community in their own lives."

(Read the full blog)

Labels: Bakersfield College, Day of Action, May Day, N.L. Belardes

  posted by Matildakay at 11:18 PM 4 comments