News Flash: January 8, 2012

From the 2012 Debs…

Deb Joanne – got her first reading request from a library this week. She is now furiously reading Naked At The Podium, even though her reading isn’t until July. Never too early to prepare!

Deb Erika is one week into her resolutions and feeling optimistic. Anyone else?

Deb Molly is teaching a one-night class called Writing From Square One at StoryStudio Chicago this Thursday. But you should probably go to Rachel’s book launch at the Book Cellar instead. Unless you have a time turner, in which you should come to both!

Deb Linda — finished her copyedits, one more step along the path to publication. Next stop: galleys!

Deb Rachel is in the throes of her book tour and loving it. New Yorkers: She is reading at The Half-King on Monday, 1/9 at 6 pm. (And at Chicago’s Book Cellar on Thursday!)  She’d love to see you there!

Past Deb News

The paperback of Deb Eleanor‘s THE WEIRD SISTERS comes out in less than a month–we can’t wait!

Deb Sarah stopped by Amy Sue Nathan’s Women’s Fiction Writers blog last week to talk about the importance of being excited about your manuscript.

Friends of the Debs

Deb Guest Caroline Leavitt‘s PICTURES OF YOU was included in Kirkus’s list of Best Fiction for 2011! Congratulations, Caroline!

Deb Dish – Some of our favorite quotes to inspire and amuse or both!

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.” ~T.S. Eliot, “Little Gidding”

“A blank piece of paper is God’s way of telling us how hard it to be God.” ~Sidney Sheldon

“If you don’t feel that you are possibly on the edge of humiliating yourself, of losing control of the whole thing, then probably whatyou are doing isn’t very vital. If you don’t feel like you are writing somewhat over your head, why do it? If you don’t have some doubt of your authority to tell this story, then you are not trying to tell enough.” – John Irving

“Why does anybody tell a story? It does indeed have something to do with faith, faith that the universe has meaning, that our little human lives are not irrelevant, that what we choose or say or do matters, matters cosmically.” -Madeline L’Engle

“I just try to warn people who hope to get published that publication is not all that it is cracked up to be. But writing is. Writing has so much to give, so much to teach, so many surprises. That thing you had to force yourself to do–the actual act of writing–turns out to be the best part. It’s like discovering that while you thought you needed the tea ceremony for the caffeine, what you really needed was the tea ceremony. The act of writing turns out to be its own reward.” ~ Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird – Deb Joanne found this gem when researching her resolutions post.

“Measure twice, cut once.” – A common mantra in carpentry that Deb Erika believes applies to writing. And most things, frankly.

“After all, most writing is done away from the typewriter, away from the desk. I’d say it occurs in the quiet, silent moments, while you’re walking or shaving or playing a game, or whatever, or even talking to someone you’re not vitally interested in.” – Henry Miller

“A person who publishes a book willfully appears before the populace with his pants down.” ~Edna St. Vincent Millay (Deb Linda agrees, and feels as long as you’re going that far, you may as well bend over and moon the world.)

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Please feel free to share any quotes in the comments that inspire YOU! We’d love to read them!