Trapped in Blogger Hell

I am so excited because I haven't blogged in a year and the reason why is so silly it is embarrassing. Since Google took over Blogger, it confused me something terrible. And I never could remember my password --- until just now. Yayyyyyyyyy! So I haven't nothing special to talk about. Just excited that I cracked the code and got through.

While I'm here I want to mention that my third novel MY BEST FRIEND AND MY MAN will be released on June 3, 2008 in trade paperback. It is another taboo relationship novel that deals with men's and women's issues. I like the book and pray that you do as well. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/My-Best-Friend-Man-Novel/dp/0307393771/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197286758&sr=8-1

Pre-sales book orders by bookstores are good and that is exciting to me. I was told by my agent that it takes several books before you can build an audience, before readers find out who you are. Thankfully, I am not sick of the writing business or anything like that and I still have a strong desire to write books, be published, connect with readers, all that.

Please let me know what you've been up to. Oh, before I forget, join me on MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/cydneyrax). I have been having a good (and interesting) time on this site too.

Take care.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas (it feels good to say that), and Happy New Year.

Ignorant Readers / "Reviewers"

Woo, I hope I do stir up some discussion for what I'm about to drop in this post. One thing I do not like or understand is so-called 'reviewers' who really aren't reviewers because they haven't even read the book or seen the movie but yet have opinion. STOP! Stop it now. It is sooo annoying for people to blast a book they've never ever read, or don't plan to read yet they can voice their viewpoints?? WTF? Reviews should be done by people that have read the entire book. Not by someone that figures upfront it won't be worth their time. If it's not, get to stepping and let a true reader do his or her thing.
Another thing, please do not post every single plot twist in a review. WHY?? LOL. When you do that, you take away their desire to read a book or see or movie. Why should they at that point? They already know everything that's going to happen. The suspense has been removed. Ugh!
So do us authors a favor. Don't past judgement on things you don't know about it. Don't post reviews on what you've heard someone else say. Do read the whole book not just the first chapter and give it a rating. You aren't really qualified to post a rating based on a chapter. And if you don't like something, that's fine, but never tell someone 'don't waste your money.' That's an ignorant statement. Why? Because why would you care what other people do with their money. It's not yours. You don't have the right. I know that is a statement that some people tend to put in their comments, but it is totally irrelevant and unnecessary. :)
Okay, I'm about to get off my soapbox. Right now I'm reading Hood Rat by K'wan, my introduction to this author's work. I'm also working on my third book titled How To Be His Number One. And thanks to each of you that do read my books and have listed them as favorites. Thank God someone out there is feeling me!!! :)
Take care,
CR

MySpace.com

I don't know much about MySpace.com, but I just wanted to send a shout out to those folks that set up shop on that website -- and who have also mentioned My Daughter's Boyfriend as a book they've read and/or recommend. I really LOVE seeing my mentioned book on these personal sites, but I have no way to thank the people unless I join/sign up/create an account, and that's not about to happen. LOL. Sooooooooo thanks for making me smile. My readers always sprinkle some sunshine my way. Kisses to ya!! ---cydney rax

I finally have some good news

On the author tip, I learned today that my first lil book MY DAUGHTER'S BOYFRIEND has finally earned out its advance and I will be getting a royalty check. A nice unexpected chunk of change. This is absolutely one of the best things that can happen to a writer. And one thing I've never wanted to do is cause my publisher to lose money because I wasn't able to earn out my advance. But thank God, folks have been buying the book, especially the paperback edition and it's now in its second printing. So again, thank you to everyone that has been so supportive of MDB. I have really enjoyed visiting a few Houston area book clubs -- these ladies make me laugh sooo hard. Like The Sistah Hood Book Review, Brownstone Book Club, and others. We have so much fun and I love hearing the ladies diss my characters and talk about what they did, and how Tracey was so hated etc., It is amazing how readers look so far into a book in a way that an author doesn't intend and they pick up on things that even I hadn't thought about. Soooo, I am counting my blessings today -- and to me, earning royalties is a nice bonus because I try not to worry about how my book is selling. I don't hustle (shhh, don't tell anybody), I try not to get caught up. I just depend on word of mouth, and pray, and que sera sera. You simply can't control every aspect of the author life. You gotta let go of things and just enjoy each experience good or bad. And that's what I'm doing and what I hope to continue to do for the rest of my life.

Win an Oscar, Get a Divorce

Academy Award Winner Hilary Swank and her hubby Chad Lowe are separating --- another couple standing in the snaking line of the Hollywood Divorce Court. I just wonder what is it about Hollywood, or success perhaps, that makes it seems a relationship's demise is inevitable. Yes, I was shocked when Nick and Jessica split up (I really hate believing the tabloids and I rejected all their juicy little know-it-all rumors). I wasn't suprised by the break up of Gabrielle Union and her husband. And like most others, yeah, I was shocked that Brad Pitt would leave Jennifer. What's the world coming to? And God forbid, the February issue of Ebony Magazine just hit the street - the issue where they proclaim the 10 hottest black couples. I really detest that type of story because a lot of times we don't know what is going on behind closed doors when it comes to a famous couple's relationship. We are in awe of their love, we envy how he treats her like a queen, but is he beating her like a fiend when no one is looking? Oh well, I guess that's the point of this all. Never assume that a couple is truly happily in love. Next thing you know, you'll be reading about their busting up in some newspaper. It happens!

I've Been Tagged About Writing

Author Nikki Woods (Easier Said Than Done) tagged me about my writing/reading life. My assignment is to provide interesting facts about this aspect of my life.

WRITING

1. I always have a Super Thesarus right next to me whenever I write.
   
2. For me a lot of the writing involves thinking. Hearing dialogue in my head, pondering characters.
   
3. I'm probably one of the few folks that doesn't go by that 'write every day' motto.
   
4. I like writing very early, 5am, when it's totally quiet in the house.
   
5. There's definitely an inner critic that likes to follow me around and whisper things in my ear.
   
6. I never try to be like someone else. Like in the early days I would pretend like I was so-and-so. What would he do if he were writing this scene? Trust me, it doesn't work, trying to be someone else. So from now on, I'm just me. I write how I write, allow what is inside to come out, and know that I can only be the best Cydney Rax; that's my job.
   
7. I typically do not listen to music while writing a boo, especially when doing the first draft.
   
8. It takes me two years to work on projects. I'll have an idea years before I actually get to write the book; I have never 'thrown' a book together.
   
9. When I write I feel like a reader, not a writer, meaning I am surprised, disgusted, intrigued by my characters' actions, just like a reader would be.
   

READING LIFE

1. Man oh man, the year 2005 has been the year that I DIDN'T read alot of books. In past years, I could get to 3-4 books per month. Now it's like one book every few months. This year has been incredibly busy, distracting, difficult for me to concentrate. Awful. Once I finish up on my 2nd novel (My Husband's Girlfriend) I plan to read quite a few books in late December early January.
   
2. You know, even though I don't read a lot of novels, nothing keeps me from newspapers and magazines. I love Essence, Today's Black Woman, Sister2Sister, Charisma, US Weekly, People (Love entertainment news), Jet, Ebony, Writer's Digest, etc.
   
3. Sometimes I avoid reading other people's manuscripts because 8 times out of 10 they have written a scene or have character names that are identical to mine and I don't want anyone to think I'm copying their idea.
   
4. I miss the good old days of reading, when I was discovering some of the authors that are now quite successful. I miss going to this black bookstore called Main Street Books, when I first grew hip to black novels. I felt so very excited, like I walked right into heaven, just looking at the books with wide eyes and happy to know that there were a lot of black authors out there that I didn't know about.
   
5. I get tired of reading my own material. When you write books and work on them for months and years, by the time it comes out, your mind is really focused on the NEXT book.
   

Why do some people refuse to believe?

Okay, this is a post that might make some people uncomfortable, but I LOVE these type of topics. If you want to know who I am, read this blog. You see, I attend a wonderful church in Houston, and lately the series topic is called, IN GOD WE TRUST. And the pastor asks, do we really trust in God, or is it something that's just inscribed on dollar bills. Now, the reason why I really want to bring up this topic of believing in God is because I was looking at the news yesterday. And, as usual, a group of atheists are demanding that the government remove the words IN GOD WE TRUST off of our currency. I got mad. Turned off the TV. And pretty much forgot about it. But today, I am thinking, pondering within myself. Why do some people refuse to believe in God? Why do they expend so much energy claiming that He doesn't exist. And that when people pray, they're wasting their time, talking to the air, etc. One part of me feels sorry for unbelievers. And, to me an unbeliever is different from someone who is weak in faith. A weak in faith person believes in God (in general), but maybe they don't practice their faith on a daily basis. God isn't consuming their heart or mind, but they believe in the Higher Power. On the other hand, an atheist is a person that believes in his heart that there is no God. These people are considered FOOLS according to the Bible. Fools is a strong word.

Now, I for one KNOW that God is everything He says He is. For me it is a JOY to know that the very God that created heaven, earth, everything in it, including man, is alive. He talks to me, he answers prayer, he delivers me when I'm in trouble, he comforts me when I feel afraid, etc. It is a real, powerful, life-changing relationship and I love having that. And I wonder, why wouldn't everyone want this? This is sooo cool. It's fun. Because true believers in God have a special relationship; we have awesome benefits that can't be matched by any Fortune 500 company. I mean, I get chills when I realize all the great things we have by trusting in God. (Eg. I will never leave you nor forsake you; casting all your care on Him for he careth for you;I can do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think; My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory). And it goes on and on and on.

The fact that we can enjoy all these great benefits brings me to this -- some people, atheists, refuse to believe. Why? Because belief means responsibility. It means accountability. In a way, I understand that. No one wants to be accountable these days. We want to do what we want to do, and blame everything else when stuff won't go our way. If we kill someone and it's captured on videotape, we plead Not Guilty. If we lie and claim we are victim of Hurricane Katrina just to get a FEMA check, we say we needed that money. If we fall and slip on a banana outside Wal-Mart, we file a multi-million dollar lawsuit (except people don't realize until later that we planted the alleged banana).

If we are a kid that doesn't something our parents don't like, we lie, or admit we did wrong, but who the heck wants to get a spanking, or be put on a two-week punishment? Very few. So in a way, this is how an atheist thinks. He thinks that if he refuses to believe in God, no matter what, then he won't be accountable. He can live his life however he chooses without consequence. Ha ha. I wish that were so. The laws of God are like this - whether you believe in His existence or not, He is. You can refuse to believe till your brain explores. Nothing changes who God is. Kinda like what goes up, must come down. That's a law. And even if you refuse your best to believe it, it still IS.

I don't know, call me crazy but I think it's much easier to give in and believe in God and find out how awesome He really is, than to spend your entire life doding Him, fighting against Him, just to take your last breath and, well you know the rest. Losing my soul isn't worth it. My soul is too valuable to waste my time hoping that something as critical as believing in God is just a fairy tale.

Now, MTV, that's a fairy tale. People Magazine, the Weather Channel, the Lotto, and all these other things that people put their trust in, those kind of things are nothing, you can't stand on them. They won't save you. Bragging about your $5 million dollar party on South Beach, bragging about how you sold a million books, being proud of the fact that you own 25 buildings in Manhatten (al la Trump), none of that means a thing when you're about to meet your Maker.

I don't know about you but I want to go to heaven when I die. Nothing else is acceptable. LOL. So on this day, for the rest of my life, I choose to believe, I want to believe and even if I do something I shouldn't do (and that will happen), I can let the Lord reprimand me now instead of finding out what the big punishment will be later on down the road.

Think about it.

When it comes to men and women, who should pay what?

Okay,

If you are with a guy, either married or living together, how should the bills be split? Are couples still doing things the old-fashioned way (he pays rent, car notes, major bills); she may buy clothes, groceries, setting money aside for emergencies. What if she makes more money than he does? Does that automatically mean it's her job to foot the majority of the bills? What if both folks want new cars? Do you pay your own car insurance and car notes? Help a sista out...Times is hard. Gas is high. And a loaf of bread don't cost what it used to. LOL.

10 Things You Need to Know About Men

I was casually reading Redbook Magazine tonight and came across an article that cracked me up. Written by a sex columnist named Anka Radakovich, here in a nutshell, are her 10 intriguing discoveries about men. I'm paraphrasing what she says (don't want to take away her credit but you can find the true article in the Oct. 2005 mag).

(I love men, don't understand them, they drive me crazy, and I thought you'd get a kick out of this).

1. Men can't resist the tease - In other words he loves to be visually stimulated through strip teases; one thing can definitely lead to another.
2. Men are big kids and proud of it - No matter how old they get, don't they resort to childish behaviour. Cute, but childish? They like buying toys -- so they can play with them instead of handing the toys over to their children.
3. Men can't help but stare at other women - I guess this is good, if you're a woman that likes to be the center of attention. Being admired by ogling eyes is good for the ego - and yes, married men will stare you down too so don't be shocked. And they probably enjoy being stared at too -- as long as the stare doesn't say "Eww you are so gross." The article states that even male gorillas stare at female gorillas. So staring females down just comes naturally I guess. So if you catch a man staring at you, just say, "Eww you remind me of a gorilla" and watch him give you a blank look.
4. Men would love to cheat - Now I believe this one. Most men want a wife and an affair. Isn't that ideal? They would be willing to cheat more as long as they are guaranteed not to get caught. Well, who wouldn't want this? Surprisingly, some men just won't be interested even if given the perfect opportunity.
5. Men are perverts - Hmm. Pervert. Sexually freaky. Secretly unhibited. FREAKS.
6. Men want us to worship them - Okay, this is true, even if the guy screws up big time, he wants you to think he is a genius. In other words, LIE!
7. Men love oral sex - I guess men want their fairshare of the good times too, huh?
8. Men don't take hints - Now this is the one thing I know for a fact. I don't care how old the man is, what kind of degree he has, has many sisters he has, he is going to be very dumb when it comes to taking a hint. You will get very discouraged if you try to slyly suggest something to a man and expect him to get it. In other words, do yourself a favor-S P E L L it out. Otherwise you are wasting your time and he'll wonder why you have such a rotten attitude. It's maddening but reality. They just don't get it sometimes.
9. Men love their penises - Hmm, maybe this fascination starts when they're toddlers and are discovering different body parts. And I don't care how small the man is, he thinks he has it going on. Sometimes attitude and confidence make up for other shortcomings huh?
10. Men don't get Valentine's Day - most men won't get it. They underestimate the importance of a woman feeling valued through him going out of his way to buy her a card, flowers, box of candy, etc. A man thinks it's silly but a woman takes his gestures as a measure of his thoughtfulness and concern about her. I've seen so many men, with frowns on their faces, scouring the greeting card aisle every Feb. 14th - and he's probably buying a card so he won't have to hear his wife (or girlfriend, or mistresses) mouth.

http://www.redbookmag.com

I'm a Looter, Not a Finder

Okay, which news organization(s) were the first to depict black folk as looters and white folk as finders? And they say that black people are overly sensitive about race issues. I wonder why...?

I Know What It's Like to be Rescued From Water

Some things you never forget. It was a hot summer day in Michigan. A slew of family members, including uncles and cousins, decided to spend the day at the lake. I was four years old. My brother Michael was around 6, and the youngest daughter, Adrienne, was 3. From what I can recall, my parents and the rest of the kin hung out on the beach. Then my Uncle Mike suggested we all go for a boat ride. My dad was the one that stayed behind. At first being in the boat was fun. It was fast, we were moving. But then the movement stopped. My Uncle said the boat was sinking and everyone needed to stand up. I can still remember this. Four years old; one minute you're in a big boat, the next minute you're tossed into a lake. I remember going under, hearing sounds that resembled the beating of a drum, then coming up for air and screaming "Help". My eyes were closed. I was scared. I couldn't swim. But I had on an orange life preserver. It seemed we were in the water for so long, but after a while an elderly white couple rescued us. I was cold and shivering but glad to be out of the water. My mother lost her shoes, glasses and purse; maybe it sunk to the bottom of the lake. Everything was okay until Mom realized someone was missing. "Where's Adrienne?" My 3-year-old sister was the only one we couldn't find. Mom was frantic. My brother last saw her under the boat; apparently when the boat turned over, there was space enough to breath and talk. My brother was with her until he couldn't hold on any longer and he told her, "See you later."

We returned to the beach, wet and wild-looking, so funny looking that my father started laughing at us. His laughter turned to tears once Mom told him we couldn't find his daughter. I can barely remember what happened immediately after that, but at some point, my uncle and some others turned over his capsized boat and that's where they found Adrienne, unconsious but alive. She was rushed to the hospital and her stomach was pumped of the water.

Once we survived that boat accident, our family started attending the neighborhood baptist church. I never did learn to swim; the fear of the water stole that from me. And every now and then I think of that incident, and can still hear the sound of the drum beats.

The children that survived Hurricane Katrina won't ever forget their ordeal either. And even though I can't swim, and I'm not too crazy about boats, I am happy that the Lord saved me that day. And you can best believe the survivors will be happy they were saved too.

What's It Like at the Houston Astrodome

I'll be honest. Life feels very different right now. It feels different when you drive by the Houston Astrodome five days a week to go to work. And inside your mind you are well aware that they are there. The evacuees. The terrified mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers. Kids, so many kids, that fled for their lives from the effects of a hurricane that no one will soon forget. And so...your heart is torn. And you feel numb. And you want to see for yourself. And you say your prayers. And you drive down South Main and make a right turn on McNee street. You slowly drive through the gates of the great Reliant Park, the complex that houses Reliant Stadium (where the Texans play football), Reliant Arena, Reliant Center, and the now famous shelter, the Astrodome. You walk in and you shiver. It looks just like it does on CNN. Yet it doesn't. It feels more real. You smell the water. The after effects of that water that changed so many lives. You see the people. So many black folks. Some walk as if their mind is so far away. You wonder what they are thinking. You want to be friendly and smile, but you don't want to offend anyone. You see so many men. They walk with a swagger; they strut in a way that lets you know they don't want to be there. They are proud. They are strong. They don't want to believe they are displaced, away from their home, maybe disconnected from their families. You can hear it in their voices, you can see it in their eyes. They are hurt. They are mad. Breakfast is being served. Twinkies. Cold cereal. Granola bars. Donuts. Where are the grits? The sausage? I'm from Louisiana. I can't eat this stuff. You nod and laugh. You don't blame them for wanting a hot meal. But they are still thankful, polite. Some want coffee, but there's none to be had. I'm not sure why. The people try to keep up their spirits. If you ask their name, their eyes enlarge, as if they're shocked anyone would care enough to want to know them. Some don't want to talk; they look down, and mumble. But others, they give you a smile, they'll ask how it is to live in Houston. They'll make small talk, but then they move on. To where, I don't know. There are many TV monitors structured throughout the Dome. MTV, the news, all kinds of channels. Some folks are trying to sleep in a facility where the lights never go out. So you see crumpled bodies lying in cots with blankets covering their head. You see a kid now and then (on the 4th floor), but you know most of the kiddies are on the ground level. Just like on TV. You want to tell people to have a nice day, but that sounds so stupid. So meaningless. And you pray for these people. That they won't be there in the Dome for long. You pray that their families will be found. You pray that the peoples' lives will be restored. You pray that they will smile again with genuine joy. You pray this nightmare will soon be over. Because life feels so very different right now.

I've Been Tagged...and I've tagged Tayari, Shelia, Cherlyn, LadyLee and Angela Henry

Shelley Halima tagged me to see what 10 songs I've been listening to. As you can see, Jackson songs rate high in my life. They just make me want to shake my butt and I CANNOT dance at all. My steps rate kinda like the Peanuts gang. ROFL. Also love listening to the Mike Jones crew which is SOOO hot right now in Houston. And I started looking at the Waiting to Exhale movie, which made me want to listen to the soundtrack.

So these are the specific songs I've been listening to:
1. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
2. ABC - The Jackson 5
3. The Love You Save - Jackson 5
4. Waiting to Exhale (Shoop Shoop) - Whitney Houston
5. Gotta Be - Jagged Edge
6. Butterflies - Michael Jackson
7. Sittin' Sidewayz - Paul Wall
8. Sugar Daddy - Jackson 5
9. Count On Me - Whitney Houston and Cece Winans
10. Truth - Janet Jackson (from the All For You CD)
7:14 AM

CydneyR said...
Oops, I'm supposed to tag some folks and they should post their lists too.
Okay how about:

Tayari Jones
Ladylee
Shelia Goss
Angela Henry
Cherlyn Michaels

The Good Thing About Bad Reviews

I surf the Net a lot and from time to time I come across negative reviews of My Daughter's Boyfriend, a novel which seems to have irked countless numbers of people for many reasons. I really do not read entire reviews anymore (only the good reviews), but here is a link that someone took the time to post. It's an entire blog about my little book.

http://onthenightstand.blogspot.com/2005/06/my-daughters-boyfriend.html#comments

Now, everyone is going to have a different opinion, but one thing about bad reviews is this:

Sometimes, especially when people are very angry in their reviews, well, it only makes others curious and want to know what's going on with that book. An example is Confessions of a Video Vixen. So much anger. So many comments. Scathing reviews. And tons of controversy = book sales. People either shy away from the book or they want to see for themselves what's going on. So, in my opinion, that's a good thing. I want as many people as possible to know about My Daughter's Boyfriend by Cydney Rax. Don't let others scare you out of reading a book for yourself. Form your own opinion.

Also, it cracks me up when people say, "Don't buy this book." Well, all that does is make people buy it. Why? Because they get curious! Why shouldn't I buy it? What's in that book that I'm not supposed to see?... And folks still end up getting the book. It's the equivalent of telling someone not to do something, and that's the very thing that they're going to do. So thanks, seriously, to all the people that post the negative reviews. It can have positive results. And I do appreciate anyone that has heard of my book and read it anyway. I love it when people check the book out from the library. A library book is still a sold book. And when you tell someone to check a book out from the library, it's still an endorsement, right? And the more people that read your book and tell others about it, the more people become aware of you and your book. Not a bad thing.

Soooo, all of this stuff is just part of being an author. I read my contemporaries Amazon and BN.com reviews and so far no one is exempt from negative comments. I mean the million sellers get them. The mainstream, self-pubbed, literary folks, street fic writers, romance writers, all of us. But us authors must keep on keeping on. Everyone will not get what you do, haven't been where you been, or don't understand what you were striving to do with your story at the time you wrote it. It's okay. Write the kind of book you want, the book that makes you feel passionate, and surely there will be folks out there who do enjoy and appreciate what you do. They will tell you the total opposite of what others have said. They will ask when the next book is coming out. They will make you feel good inside with their kind words. And this, my friends, makes everything we endure as an author, worth the journey.

Peace out.

Cydney Rax
Author of that controversial book called MY DAUGHTER'S BOYFRIEND. Get the book and see for yourself what everyone is talking about.

P.S. Other books that get scathing reviews, that people tend to read just because of the reviews are:

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

And one of my favorites
High Maintenance by Jennifer Belle

People That Give Themselves Credit for Stolen Book Reviews

Okay, check this out. Today I went on the BN.com website to read reviews of The Interruption of Everything. And I started reading the below review and it sounded strangely familiar.


Judith Kaiser, booklover from Santa Barbara, CA, August 12, 2005,
Quick, Fun Read! - Recommended B&N.com Pick!
A steamroller of a novel, The Interruption of Everything builds slowly but picks up the action and unveils an intensifying plot chapter after chapter. The action is so subtle, it's scary, so surprising yet relatable, as it touches on women's issues, family, and friendships. And there are so many characters that do things you've done, that say what you think, and feel the way you feel. What's amazing about this book is how understated it appears -- the calm within the chaos -- that you'll eagerly watch how Marilyn handles the pressures of a life that is spinning out of control. A quick, enjoyable read!
Also recommended: The Losers Club: Complete Restored Edition by Richard Perez, A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

Lo and behold I realized, hey, this is the review I wrote of the Interruption of Everything back in mid-April. It was and still is posted on the BN.com website.


Cydney Rax (rmn1994@excite.com), author/reviewer, April 20, 2005,
Loved it!
The highly anticipated Interruption of Everything is everything you hope the novel would be and more. We're invited to look inside the busy world of Marilyn Grimes, a middle-aged woman who lives with her husband Leon in Oakland Hills, California. She tries to be patient with her nosey mother-in-law Arthurine, someone who also lives in their home along with her dog Snuffy, an animal that Marilyn doesn't particularly like. Her marriage isn't exactly what it used to be and it isn't hard to entertain second thoughts about whether the relationship is worth the effort. In addition to working part-time in a crafts store, Marilyn is involved in the lives of her family, a mother who's acting a bit bizarre and is experiencing the issues that go along with aging and health. Marilyn's three kids are in college and are making important decisions for themselves. And her mother Lovey, adopted sister Joy plus her two kids, are other family members with pressing matters that require attention. And Marilyn can't help herself - she is too concerned about them to not be bothered, but is it okay to pull yourself away from everyone else's worries and start thinking about what you want to do with your own bored and lonely existence? A steamroller of a novel, The Interruption of Everything builds slowly but picks up the action and unveils an intensifying plot chapter after chapter. The action is so subtle, it's scary, so surprising yet relatable, as it touches on women, family, and friendship. And there are so many characters that do things you've done, that say what you think, and feel the way you feel. What's amazing about this book is how understated it appears -- the calm within the chaos -- that you'll eagerly watch how Marilyn handles the pressures of a life that is spinning out of control. A richly drawn story filled with thought-provoking scenes, the character Marilyn makes you laugh at things you know you shouldn't laugh at, but what the heck, it's funny, and it's real, and it's true. So go ahead and laugh. Embrace the warmth and sensitivity of the Interruption of Everything, a treasure of a novel that is highly recommended.

I just don't understand this. Did Judith feel EXACTLY like I did about the book? LOL. Is she lazy? :) And see, this has happened to me before. Years ago I posted a review of Milk In My Coffee by Eric Dickey on Amazon.com. Well, I visited another website and lo and behold, some chick changed a few words around of my review, posted it on that site, and gave herself credit. I wrote the guy that manages the site and he killed her review career quick, fast, and in a hurry. LOL. I just wonder why people cannot write their own genuine thoughts about a book they've read as opposed to taking someone else's words.

Now mind you there are definitely way more important things going on in the world than this, but still -- my Sunday was kinda quiet and boring 'til I came across Judith's review.

P.S. BN.com has received a nice little notice from me about the matter. We shall see what happens next.

The Remedy for Infatuations with Famous Authors

Hmmm, gotta be careful with this post. I recently returned from a national literary event. Down South. Lots of well-known authors. Terrific hotel, tasty meals, tons of readers, etc. Loved the conference. Very well done, probably one of the best in the country. Everytime I go somewhere I want to return home making sure I learned something. And boy did I learn. Some lessons are hard ones. They are painful, difficult to digest, nevertheless those lessons turn out to be needed, and good for me.

No more being overly impressed with famous authors. I came across some of the country's finest writers. And that is always a thrill, right? But no matter what you hear about someone, once you encounter him or her personally, and you have a not-so-thrilling experience, from that point on, you will remember him for what he did to you, how he treated you, what he said, and certainly not from what everyone else says. So,with this particular author, I've learned this -- if you are at a literary event, and a reader comes up to you with their book asking you to sign it, lay off the excuses, don't make those 'i'm busy right now' faces, and take the 10 seconds it requires to sign your name and be on about your business. Now, I am new at this stuff (author stuff, that is), and from what I understand, if you go to a literary event, you should expect to see readers, and if readers are there, guess what? They are probably going to request a photo, or autograph, or something. And unfortunately, even if you ain't in the mood, you have to acquiese. You gotta. When people encounter famous folk, whether or not the experience is good or bad, folks gonna tell others about it. If you mess up, you've MESSED UP. And that reader will never buy your books, read your books, endorse your books, recommend your books ever ever ever again. Prevent this vicious cycle by smiling for a photo, signing your name, promoting good will. I am 100 percent unimpressed by authors who go out of their way to do something nice for other famous people. That means nada. Impress me by doing something nice for someone that doesn't have a name. Do something for someone that isn't in a position to do something for you. Do something nice, and don't tell anyone you've done it. Keep it a secret. Otherwise the motives will be questioned and that ruins everything.

I also learned that fame is something people have only in very small circles. So they might seem huge in the black literary world, but send their butts to China and see if anyone cares or knows who they are. If you are unable to walk through an airport because EVERYONE you encounter is trying to stop you, then you are famous. If you can walk through an airport and some people don't recognize you, then you ain't that famous. Get over yourself. Stop tripping just coz you demand that your publisher get you a limo so you can go to the airport and get dropped back off at your crib. We gotta stop thinking we're soooo important because we wrote a book. LOL.

I enjoyed Terry McMillan this weekend because as famous as she is, she said she doesn't go around thinking, "I'm a bestselling author" blah, blah, blah. I love that she thinks that way. That she learns to balance things. Not that she's perfect, but she understands life is more than just how many books are being sold, and how many bestseller lists you've managed to crack.

I also learned that putting authors on a pedestal is a mistake, because once you have a bad encounter with one of them, you never look at that person the same. The bright light you used to see becomes a little bit dim. You put their books on the bottom of your reading pile, or you sell those suckers on half.com for 50 cents, just to unload them. Maybe we shouldn't be in awe of people the way we do; if we didn't the lessons we end up learning wouldn't be so hard, painful, difficult to digest, even if the lessons are needed.

ALSO, for the record, I am referring to a guy author that I encountered...

When Sunday used to be Sunday

I've noticed something lately.
Disturbing trends that have impacted our lives, our country, probably within the past five to ten years.
Remember when Sunday used to be special. It was the Holy Day. It was so different that you knew it was Sunday because it felt different, it looked different, it was one day set aside for the Lord.
Years ago the only thing we did on Sunday was go to church. There was Sunday School, eleven o'clock service, then probably a one o'clock, four o'clock, then an evening service. We didn't play cards, didn't listen to secular music. In Toronto, malls would be shut down, and no liquor sold (I'm not sure if that's still true for Toronto but it isn't true in Houston).
People would dress up to go to church. Church would come first.
Fast forward to now. Where in American can anyone attend Sunday School? Now people go to church on Saturday nights or Wednesday nights? Why? Because churches have decided to work around the lives of the people, instead of the people rearranging their lives for the Lord. It's like God now serves us; we don't serve him anymore, at least not the way that he has declared. Recently I heard someone say if you tried to keep people in church past two hours, or all days like we used to do in the past, the preacher may find himself by himself. Even the pastor's wife might not be there. Why? We got thangs to do. We gotta wash our car; get our hair and nails done. Mow the lawn. Eat a fancy dinner. Go to a baby shower. Ride out to the beach and catch some rays of the sun. We have to do anything and everything that has NOTHING to do with God. It's scary. It's like we've fallen asleep. These little selfish habits have slipped upon us so subtly that we barely notice how bad things have become. And I am in the guilty party. I am, I am. I can't believe it sometimes. It's a me-me-me generation. Everything is about what we got to do. And I wonder what God thinks about all of this. Actually, I'm SCARED to know what he thinks.

Am I the only one who has noticed these things? Are we all asleep? Are there any faithful few remaining that really know how to remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. Or does holy have a new definition now that we're in a new millenium?

The First Month

The First Month (originally posted on July 14, 2004)

http://www.book-remarks.com/Cydney_Rax.htm





About six weeks have passed since My Daughter's Boyfriend was released. Here are my thoughts, things that have been surprising, what has been pleasing, etc.

The Good Stuff

I think overwhelmingly, the best thing has to be how well My Daughter's Boyfriend has been received. Through a little investigating, I could see that the book is SELLING. People are ordering it, it's in their radar, it's showing up on various bestseller lists (I love that part). Now mind you, it hasn't hit anything like the New York Times, but I am a firm believer that my novels will position themselves on all of these national charts one days. You just gotta have faith and know that if other authors are able to achieve a certain level of success, so can you. I've always believed, but when certain things began to happen, you're still amazed. Happy, in awe, grateful, yet amazed.

The book is in heavy circulation in libraries from the north to the south, east to the west. I think that's important. My goal is for my books to be known and read throughout the world. It's gonna come to pass. And I am grateful for a legion of angels out there, supporters (friends) who call and email to let me know what is happening. I cannot emphasize how important it is to know these things. Stuff like, "I saw someone at a bookstore, and they were buying several books and yours was on top." (Thanks Brian). And people will tell me they know folks that are reading the book and are saying good things, etc. This is the wonderful, terrific, makes me feel good kind of stuff.

BUT THEN AGAIN...

Not every reader likes my book and I have come across a few reviews that indicate that. I am just happy they:

(1) Heard of the book
(2) Bought the book
(3) Finished the book
(4) Posted a review of the book, even if they don't like it
(5) The book stirred all kinds of wild emotions in them - enough for them to even write down their thoughts about something I wrote.

Of course, I love it when someone gets what I do, enjoys and values it. Nothing better than that. But you'll get the other side as well. No problemo. Keep moving on. Life doesn't end. I am not the product of what anyone thinks about me, good or bad. I believe it's what God thinks about you that counts, ultimately, so he is my strength. That's about it.

I've cyber chatted enough for now. And I'm about to go back to sleep...

Thanks to My Supporters

Originally posted on Monday, August 16, 2004

Thank you to my supporters
http://www.booksbycydney.com/index.html



Being an author is partially everything and nothing you imagine it to be. Maybe that's a good thing - because I learn something new probably every other day. Right now, I just want to give a mega shout out to all the folks that have:

1-Bought My Daughter's Boyfriend
2-Read the book
3-Loved the book
4-Told someone else about the book
5-Ordered the book for their bookstore
6-Selected MDB as a book club pick
7-Borrowed it from the library
8-Anything else that suggests support of me and my debut novel I really do enjoy this part, the good news, the sales rankings, knowing that people are reading my book in Australia, London, and British Columbia, and I adore the bestseller status (I don't care which list it hits, THANK YOU, for making it happen).

And thanks for the supportive e-mails, phone calls, etc., those things that stir up the joy inside my heart. Did I tell you that I LOVE GOOD NEWS! :) I do!

Peace & love,
Cydney Rax

War of the Worlds...and movie theater security

Tonight I went to a premiere for the new Tom Cruise movie War of the Worlds. Needless to say, there's been so much hype about this film it was easy to be excited and I knew I'd be in for a great time. And everything was great...until we got in the theater and were informed that purses and cell phones weren't allowed. Although this was mentioned on the movie pass, I hoped they were joking. They weren't. They were serious. So I had my son take my purse and all that back to the car. I won't lie. I wasn't very happy and horrible thoughts ran through my mind while we were waiting in line. Once the line started moving, I felt happy again...until these uniformed security folks started scanning us. I am not lying, even airport security at Bush Intercontinental wasn't this tight. They scanned my five-dollar Wal-Mart umbrella. It was a trip. And folks in the audience were laughing and marveling over all these security measures -- just to view a Spielberg flick.

But, I must say, WOO, that movie was sooooooooooooooooooo good. I'd say give the movie a good 10 or 15 minutes, then it's on. Very intense. You cannot watch War of the Worlds and sit still. You will flinch. You'll make noises. You'll close your eyes. You may even scream. I loved it! The sound editing was wonderful, and the special effects top-notch. It is definitely an entertaining experience that will make you thing. I believe anyone over the age of 9 will really enjoy this movie. But little kids beware - some of the images may give you nasty little nightmares.

Just imagine all the different action packed alien, disaster films that have been out the past 10 years or so...War of the Worlds seems like a combination of those movies rolled into one. I would name the films but don't want to spoil it for you. Soooo, yes, go see the movie this weekend (July 1st). It is worth the price of the ticket. And maybe even worth the aggravation of being scanned and treated like...Okay I won't say what it felt like...as long as the movie is EXCELLENT, they can scan us anytime.