I'm anticipating lots of changes this year and so far we are right on track. I've decided over the past year that I wanted my books to be separate from my paintings which meant two separate websites. And that is what I have now. Thanks so much to my husband, Internet Architect Extraordinaire, Jim, he made it happen. So now DJGeribo.com is where books I've written, books I've read, and any pearls of wisdom I wish to share will live. My fine art can now be found at DJGeribofineart.com.
Although it made sense to me to have the two together (since I do both) I also see how, in particular with the internet, it also makes sense to have them separate.
I've decided that Felix, my 2-year-old Pomeranian, will be my Author mascot. So from time to time you will see photos of him that I just have to share. Fortunately, he's quite photogenic.
Check out my new author website and let me know what you think! www.DJGeribo.com
Writings & Musings
The Seven Story Plots
In January, 2018 I decided to start another branch of the NHWP (New Hampshire Writers' Project), an established group located in Manchester, NH for writers who live here in the granite state. Since I had a good 45 minutes or longer ride to the Concord location where I was driving to each month, after several months and with the winter months upon us, I decided to start a group in my area just a short five minute drive away.
We've had people come and go and some promise to eventually join us while others come once and we never see them again (mostly people who are interested only in poetry). We now, after 2 years, have a good group with several interested in memoir as well as other kinds of writing.
At the latest meeting one of the members was describing a story she was working on. It reminded me of a story I was working on and I shared that information with the group. She commented that I guess we do write the same themes in our stories, which led me to research the story plots. Here are the 7 popular story plots:
1. Overcoming the Monster
2. Rags to Riches
3. The Quest
4. Voyage and Return
5. Comedy
6. Tragedy
7. Rebirth
Over the coming months I'll discuss individually each of the story plots in more detail. For writers it is important to understand the plot you have chosen for your novel and what kind of guidelines to follow to tell your story.
Also coming up in future newsletters - A summary of plots from the "Save the Cat!" book.
My Books Completing and then Editing
By the end of February I was feeling stressed thinking about how I did not complete a single book last year and feared I was heading down the same road. Since my husband, Jim, is my editor and publisher, I depend on him to go through my novels after I have finished and give me feedback so that I can begin the long editing process. Although he read the novel I am currently in the process of completing, I have still not received any feedback or changes that need to be made. And I know there are many.
During the month of November when I participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) the plan is to just write. Don't stop to edit or backtrack, just write. Therefore, I am quite sure there will be much editing needed when Jim can take the time to give me feedback.
To order your copy of my latest book "Seven Storied Houses" go to www.BBDPublishing.com.
Since he has been very busy with his own business, I decided I couldn't wait any longer and therefore, moved forward with my writing in a way that works for me.
My plan is to finish all of my writing that is currently unfinished or in various stages of completion. I have several short stories that I need to finish as well as other novels and a non-fiction book besides my memoir that I've been working on for awhile. Then once everything I have written is completed, I can then go back and start the editing process and then ask Jim to edit or find someone who will edit for me (since Jim is quite busy with his own business).
I am a member of NHWP (New Hampshire Writers' Project) so I may find a willing editor in that group. Also, as a friend suggested, check with my librarian, which I did. The director, Holly, immediately turned to her assistant, Roza, who has edited for others. I think she will be a good resource!
"Monsters are real. Ghosts are real, too. They live inside us, and sometimes they win."
— Stephen King
Story in 6
"Driving in Style"
Geena is going for her license today confident that she will pass the first time. Since her father promised her he’d buy her a good used car and pay her first year of insurance if she passes on the first try, she has spent a lot of time checking out cars whenever she is out driving around with her parents. When the names are called for those who passed the test, her name isn’t called. When she asks the instructor why she didn’t pass, he answers simply, ‘you were too distracted looking at other cars.’ Surprised at his reply, Geena asks, ‘but shouldn’t I be looking at other cars when I’m driving?’ ‘Yes, of course’, he replies, ‘but you aren’t supposed to sit at a green light or a blinking yellow light while you rate all the cars passing by according to whether you like the style or the color.'
Authistpreneur
author/artist/entrepreneur
Someone who is an author, an artist, and an entrepreneur. Any person who writes or has a published novel, who paints fine art/illustrations, and also has established businesses using the combination of artistic talents. - DJ Geribo
What I'm Reading
I've made a promise to myself to read more books this year. I've also made a promise to finish writing more of my books. Not resolutions, promises. I think resolutions are too easy to break, people expect you to break them. But a promise, I think that is harder to break. I feel more attached to a promise. It would be more disappointing to myself if I broke a promise. So with a new year, I'm off to a good start. I'm hoping to reach 24 this year (that's two a month). So far, I'm right on target!
A Warning - Whether you are a democrat or a republican this is must reading for every citizen of the United States who cares about our democracy. Written by a republican who is close to the man in the White House, he (I'm assuming it is a man) explains the lies, the infantile behavior, the outbursts, and the inappropriate behavior at all times of the man who, thanks to the Russian interference (and this is the scariest part of all), is currently residing in the White House. I hesitate to refer to him as commander in chief or to give him any other recognition as if he is the leader of our country. He is and has always been concerned, only, about what is in it for him. And this book will verify that in countless examples. I had to read it in small doses because of the anger and frustration I felt knowing the damage that has been done in the three short years he has been in that position. You must read this book - do not put your head in the sand but open your eyes wide and read.
This is the Story of a Happy Marriage - Richard Russo recommended one of the essays written by Ann Patchett and I found it only in this book by her so I bought it. It was enough to interest me in reading the whole book. So honest in exposing her life and the heartache she has endured, Ms. Patchett impressed me with her strength and how she stood by friends despite the negative voices around her. She also shared the love she felt for her husband and the road she took to get to him, taking more than ten years before she finally said 'yes' to his marriage proposals. It reminded me of my own marriage that took me ten years before saying 'yes'. (And now we've been together for nearly 34 years!)
Creativity Is Everything - A quick read, with lots of illustrations, the subtitle states, "Rethinking Schools, Technology & Humanity". I wasn't sure if this was something that I could get anything from but thought I would give it a chance since I do believe we get something from everything we read, even if it is only that we don't want to read a particular kind of book anymore. But I'm always attracted to a book that uses "Creativity" in its title. One of the most important ideas I got out of this book was his suggestion to 'copy' others. He quoted many known persons who also made this suggestion. You copy and then you go from there. There really isn't anything we do that is original, or that starts from an original idea. We get ideas from those who have come before us and then we take those ideas and create our own. It is a natural progression, not to be punished as our teachers often did when we were 'copying' from someone, but encouraged to copy and then create our own.
Flush - A novelette by Virginia Wolfe had a slow start for me. She discussed the various dog breeds and was more technical and for me, when talking about our pets who share our homes with us, there needed to be more heart. But then she talked from the dog, Flush's, perspective and at that point it took on a whole different mood.
The saddest part for me was when Flush was kidnapped. After several days and a ransom paid, he was returned, staying close to his mistress. He was happiest when they left England with a husband and a baby in tow. In the final chapter, his mistress and Flush both aging, Flush closes his eyes, hearing his mistress calling his name as he falls into his final sleep.
And then the best part of this little novelette was when I turned on Turner Classic Movies to watch an old movie and found "The Barretts of Wimpole Street". It took me just a few minutes of watching the movie to make the connection that the main character was Elizabeth Barrett and the man courting her was Robert Browning and the little dog that sat on her lap was "Flush". Until this point (reading the book) I had not recognized that Flush's master was actually Elizabeth Barrett and her suitor was Robert Browning. I was excited to make this discovery and hit the record button to watch the movie at my leisure.
aire, Jim, he made it happen. So now DJGeribo.com is where books I've written, books I've read, and any pearls of wisdom I wish to share will live. My fine art can now be found at DJGeribofineart.com. 
