Monthly Archives: March 2011
The Rowdy Book Groups
Over the past year since Birthmarked came out, I’ve talked to twelve book groups (two via Skype) about the novel, and I’m meeting a week from today with another book group, a group of teens, at my old high school in St. Paul, Minnesota. That should be cool.
I'll be Skyping with the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School Book Club in Duluth, MN soon.
Talking to a book group is a curious experience for me, especially when the people are all friends already. Some of the groups have… Continue reading
The Paris Book Fair: Quite Fun
Audrey Petit, Caragh O'Brien, and Sarah Millet in Paris, 2011
My French editor at Mango, Sarah Millet, kindly fetched me from the airport in Paris a couple Fridays ago, and we were joined by Audrey Petit, the sci-fi series editor of Mondes imaginares, for lunch at La Marlotte, a quaint restaurant in the 6th arrondissement. Sarah was friendly and engaging from the first hello. She spoke of how she came to Paris to study, stayed on to work in publishing, and has grown to enjoy the busy… Continue reading
Behind the Scenes: A Note on the French Translation
My daughter and I met Hélène Bury, the French translator of Birthmarked, in front of the Hôtel de Ville in Rennes at 10:00 Saturday morning and instantly bonded. Hélène is funny, smiley, and genuinely nice, and what’s more, she and I have certain things in common that sealed our friendship: we both prefer hot chocolate to coffee and adore Colin Firth.
C. O'Brien and H. Bury, in Rennes
I’m particularly grateful that Hélène was chosen to translate my novel. In the first place, she has lived in… Continue reading
Coincidences
Coincidences tend to be unbelievable in fiction, but I’m living with a couple of curious ones now in my real life. A year ago, when my daughter told me she wanted to study in France, she applied to a program at the University of Rennes, and Rennes just happens to be the city where Hélène Bury, the French translator for Birthmarked, resides. What are the chances that my daughter and my translator would end up in the same city, giving me ample excuse to visit?
Off to France… Continue reading
Q. How Much Do You Write Every Day?
Q. How much do you write every day? Do you have set hours to keep yourself disciplined?
A. I always secretly cringe at these questions because I suspect my answer makes me sound sort of pathetic or crazy, but here goes:
Normally, I write all day. I wake up, take a shower, and start writing. I stop for breakfast when I’m hungry, and then I write. I stop for lunch, then write. I stop for a walk, then write. My family comes home… Continue reading
Becca the Highland Cow
Becca the Highland Cow (c) Becca Hart 2011
And now for an inspiring photo by my talented niece, Becca Hart. Thanks for the laugh, darlin’.