My review of Daniel Pinkwater’s Adventures of a Cat-Whiskered Girl is available at Sacramento Book Review. This particular tween novel is the last book in a trilogy, and even though I haven’t read the first two, I did find this a delightful and zany read.

Book Giveaway and Comments Contest

Today, I’m happy to host Margaret Norton, author of When Ties Break, which releases today on Amazon. Margaret’s personal journey features  insurmountable odds and circumstances, but through all the trials set before her, Margaret discovers inner strength.

Find out more about Margaret by visiting her website: Margaret Norton   or her memoir’s site. You can also follow Margaret on Twitter @margaretnorton .

If you have questions for Margaret, please ask a question or leave a comment and she’ll respond. We both are looking forward to the lively dialogue! Everyone who leaves a question for Margaret will be entered in a drawing for a free PDF copy of When Ties Break. To be considered, please ask questions by noon on Wednesday, August 11.

LuAnn: Welcome, Margaret. I had the opportunity to read your book and review it for WOW! Women on Writing. I’m interested in the book’s title, which uses the term “memoir.” What classifies your novel as a memoir instead of an autobiography, since it covers the majority of your life?

Margaret: That was a tough one. I remember discussing this early on with numerous individuals. The answers varied. I read a lot about how autobiographies were changing, I was aware that an autobiography typically covered a whole life whereas memoir tended to focus on a portion of a persons life. There was some discussion that you had to be famous to write an autobiography – which I wasn’t. Everybody was writing a book and calling it a memoir. Some people felt that autobiographies were historical but memoirs were more emotional and personal. I could have focused on the one traumatic event with my brother but then I might have missed the pattern – how what happened before and after shaped my life. Memoir seemed to fit my story. The book went through five professional edits and no one suggested that I remove memoir from the title. I’ve got a feeling I’ll hear more about this from other reviewers.

LuAnn: You may be right! I have a feeling other reviewers may wonder about its classification, but it’s also interesting to note that you may have missed out on a pattern in your life if you had focused only on one incident. In your memoir, you discuss how it felt to share your story with family. Why do you believe it was a difficult, yet important moment?

Margaret: The difficulty and importance varied according to family member. Though my children knew me more intimately than anyone it was important for them to hear my thoughts and feelings. It was difficult to admit that I had made mistakes as a person and a parent. They suffered because of this. Since much of the book talked about them, especially my daughter, it was important that I have their blessings. Which I did. Reactions from other family members varied. I didn’t feel that I needed their approval or support but I wanted them to know what I was doing. Though some of them were hurt that I wrote about my family they would have been more upset if they had been the last to know. In the book I said that my family was broken – as so many families are – that’s difficult for most families to admit. But healing can not start until you recognize your brokenness.

LuAnn: You’re right; many families do not admit they are dysfunctional, but until all members make that admission, healing will never occur. You make multiple connections about family members and how their actions affected you and others. What’s the most surprising discovery you made about yourself during the writing process?

Margaret: Recognizing that abuse was the common theme for much of my life. Even though I didn’t like being abused I continued to find myself in abusive situations. So often people ask why someone gets involved with an abuser and why they stay. I was surprised that it took me so long to recognize and break this pattern.

LuAnn: Sometimes, it’s difficult to see clearly when loved ones are involved. Memoir and autobiography take courage to write. What advice would you offer to anyone who wants to begin writing their life story but isn’t sure where to start?

Margaret: I would recommend starting out with short stories. My book was the first thing I ever wrote and it was extremely difficult because I did not have the knowledge and tools needed to be a writer. I was learning while I was writing. It would have been much easier with a 500 word story rather than a 270 page book.

• Join a group like Story Circle Network which focuses on helping women write about their lives.
• Join local writing groups. There you’ll find support and a wealth of knowledge.
• Attend writing conventions. Many of them offer workshops on all aspects of writing, and the guest list can be impressive (agents, publishers, accomplished writers).
• Take writing classes. There you’ll discover if you have a talent for writing and if this is something you’ll enjoy.
• Start with a journal. Journaling about your thoughts and feelings will tell you if you can go deep enough to write your story.

LuAnn: Wonderful tips, Margaret. When I teach memoir writing, I always suggest students begin with a journal. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about writing and good luck with your book launch!

Margaret’s book is also available from Tate Publishing and at local bookstores.

Several of the book reviews I wrote for the Sacramento Book Review have been published in the last several weeks. Check them out:

Children’s Literature – Not All Princesses Wear Pink by Jane Yolen and Heidi Yolen Stemple

Tweens – YA - The Batboy by Mike Lupica

YA – Crash Test Love by Ted Michael

Memoir – I’m With Fatty by Edward Ugel

Popular Fiction - The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek

Great books, wonderful authors. Now, go ahead, READ!

I’d like the chance to lose weight on NBC’s The Biggest Loser. But since I’ve read Jillian Michaels’  The Master Your Metabolism Cookbook, I’m willing to try it on my own. Michaels dishes up over 120 recipes that don’t cost a fortune and they do taste great. 

The first section of the book discusses ways to keep your metabolism in check. Plus, she talks about healthy choices and what certain foods can offer. 

Check out my review in the Sacramento Book Review.

Summer in the Hamptons. Late night swims in the ocean. Broken family. Broken dreams. Broken heart.

Will Mia understand the implications of family dynamics? Will this be the summer she realizes what and who are important?

Amanda Howells gives the teenagers in this young adult novel a strong voice. Check out my review in the Sacramento Book Review.