Monday, September 23, 2013

Special Guest Wendy Paine Miller on the perk of a novella

Happy Monday, all!

I'm so pleased to have one of THE nicest and MOST thought-provoking bloggers I know here today:
Wendy Paine Miller.

**Commit her name to your memory because she is going places and you can say I saw her here on my blog first. **
 



Time in a Book—Why I Wrote a Novella for Women

What’s one thing women would say they’d love more of? Besides shoes, of course.

Time.

So that’s exactly what I’m giving women with my debut novella, THE DISAPPEARING KEY.

How’s that you say? My novella (releasing as an e-book early October 2013) is half the length of a novel, but it consists of all the depth and book club conversation-worthiness you’d find in a full-length novel.

What inspired me to craft a novella?

I’ve heard a certain phrase one too many times while attending my local book clubs. “I didn’t have time to get through the whole book.”

Real Simple managing editor Kristin van Ogtrop admits, “There is a startling connection between scheduling free time and happiness…”

Some related stats relating to women and time:

§  49 percent of women say they do not have enough free time.

§  Women who set aside regular free time are ultimately more satisfied with their lives – 50 percent report being satisfied versus 41 percent of those who regularly postpone their free time.


I’m a huge advocate of women securing free time—time to read and do things we enjoy most.

 Do you schedule your free time?

 
Thanks, Wendy!
I'll admit that I have been enjoying novellas more and more because of the time factor thing.

Here is a little bit about Wendy's book coming out next month:
 
Blurb for THE DISAPPEARING KEY:

Gabrielle Bivane never expected parenting a teenager would be this hard, but she never expected stillborn Oriana to live to see fourteen, either. The night of Oriana's birth, Gabrielle and her husband Roy fused their genetic and engineering geniuses to bring back all that was lost to them—at a cost.

The secret must be kept.

Oriana Bivane senses she’s not like the other girls her age, but the time has come for her to change all that. She’s tired of secrets, but does she confide in the wrong person?

The life-giving key, suddenly missing, must be found.

 

Here is a little bit about Wendy:

BIO: Wendy is a native New Englander who feels most alive when she’s laughing, reading, writing or taking risks. She’s authored nine novels and is currently writing what she hopes will be your future book club pick. Her work has been published in numerous anthologies and online sites. Wendy lives with her husband and their three girls in a home bursting with imagination and hilarity.

She’s represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary Agency.

 
 

 
Thanks again for stopping by, Wendy, and many happy sales for your book!
 So how about it, readers, do you schedule your free time?

26 comments:

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Jennifer, thanks so much for hosting me today!

Most of the time I think free time, what's that? ;-) How's that for answering my own question?

I appreciate how supportive you've been & have enjoyed watching your writing career.
~ Wendy

Sandra Orchard said...

What a great book description! I'm hooked. I don't schedule free time, but now that my children are all in their 20s, my time is a little more my own. :)

Karen Lange said...

Congratulations Wendy! I am excited for you! :)

Jennifer, thanks for featuring Wendy and sharing her good news!

H. R. Sinclair said...

Oooo, sounds interesting!

I don't set a specific free time but I do make time for it when I need it.

Jennifer Shirk said...

Sometimes I schedule free time...when I have the time. LOL

But seriously, my "scheduled" time doesn't always work out, so I do try to take time for me or for reading whenever it's presented.

Laura S. said...

Wendy's novella sounds great! Congrats to her!!

I agree that it's important to make time for yourself. Novellas are perfect for when you want to read and finish something but only have limited time.

Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Sandra, That is so encouraging to hear. So glad you're hooked! I've heard wonderful things about you!!!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Thanks Karen! You've always been such an awesome support. I appreciate that about you!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Southpaw, Just heard on the radio this morning that Oprah curbed a breakdown by carving out free time for herself. It rescues us sometimes, taking care of ourselves.

Glad the novella blurb interested you!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Jennifer, Too funny. I can always count on you for that. I fit reading in at all kinds of crazy hours and times. I have books in my car, in the bathroom (I know, TMI), and stacked in about every imaginable place in my house. Love it!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Thanks Laura & you reiterated my exact point! So cool.

Old Kitty said...

I totally believe the cliche of how time truly flies as one gets older whether one is having fun or not!

All the best with your novella, Wendy! Hope Gabrielle, Roy and Oriana find the strength and the key to leave all lies behind and move on! Take care
x

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Sure seems to be going fast around here, Old Kitty.

And I can't wait for you to read it to see if Gabby, Roy, & Oriana do as you hope!
~ Wendy

Stephen Tremp said...

Good luck Wendy with The Disappearing Key!

I'm outlining a few short stories for the same reason. Many people just don't have the time to read a full length book.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Thanks Stephen! Best of luck to you as well. It's fun to think of unique ways of reaching readers, isn't it?

Sandra Cox said...

Key sounds very intriguing. Wishing you many sales.

Carol Kilgore said...

I've been working hard to schedule my free time since early summer. I'm getting better, but I still have a way to go. Great to meet you, Wendy!

Waving to Jennifer :)

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Sandra,

Thank you. I like that wish. ;-)

Carol,

I still have a way to go, too. It's something I strive for...to protect my time and carve out time to relax and slow down. Glad you stopped by!

Shelley Munro said...

Free time? What is that strange animal? LOL

I think novellas are perfect to give a reading fix when time is short.

All the best with your book.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Thanks Shelley!

Ever seen a picture of a star-nosed mole? That's what the strange animal of free time resembles. ;-)

Miranda Stowe said...

Wow, I never thought about it before but you're so right. My me-time is very important to me. If I don't get a little free time in my day, I become a very crabby girl! But I don't usually get to schedule it. I just have to steal it whenever I can!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an interesting book. Nice cover. Thanks for sharing about it.

Jessica R. Patch said...

Your novella looks so good, Wendy! Can't wait to read it.

I think free time is so important. We need time for us, to recharge.

Nas said...

Congratulations Wendy. So exciting for you.

Thanks Jennifer.

Nas

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Miranada, I used to imagine myself clocking out when my kiddos were babies, I was so desperate for that "me" time. I get the idea of stealing time. Like Justin Timberlake's "Take Back the Night" we need to take back our time. ;-)

Susanne, I was really happy with the cover. Think it captures a real sense of the book. Hope you'll get the chance to read it.

Jessica, I love that word--recharge. Wish someone could slap new batteries in me every day around 3-4 PM.

Nas, It truly is exciting, getting ready for people to read my work. It's scary + exciting & I'm loving the ride.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Wendy & Jennifer -

I can't wait to read this book! The whole premise is so unusual.

Free time? What's that? Since signing a book contract and going full-time on my day job, it's a rare commodity. I suppose I need to carve out a bit of time for myself.

Blessings,
Susan :)