When all else fails, talk about something you are excited about. That's what I decided to do when I could only get one paragraph written on the subject this month of Hope. It's not that I don't have hope, I think of it in a different realm than most.
I don't hope for things to happen. I'm a realist, I guess. I can either work to make my goals- desires expectations (hope) happen, or if it's not me in particular but worldwide events or family or friends, I can think of them, give them support, or find a way to make peace with whatever I can't control in my own mind and heart.
That is how I feel about hope. It's a pretty word. I like it for a name of a person, a town, a boat, a book. I know it gives people strength when they use hope and faith together. But for me, I wish and dream and work to make it happen.
So now, what I'm excited about. I'm not sure why I'm excited, it makes no sense, but I'm closing in on having published 50 books. I won't hit that nunber this year, 2020, but the year 2021 I will. I've already been working on ideas to make a BIG deal out of it. I'm not sure where, or how just yet, but I'm thinking my publishing anniversary month, will be a month long of sales, events, and fun.
What are some of your favorite author events you've attended? I'm collecting information for my 50 Books Party. I had a lot of fun last year holding a CLUE party in December with other mystery authors. I'm thinking I'll do something like that. And have a special giveaway for my newsletter peeps- Paty's Posse.
My Gabriel Hawke Novel #7 will be book 50. At this time it is set to be about MMIW - Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women. I'm thinking about making the sales from the book go toward that program at the Umatilla Reservation. The one where my fictional character Gabriel Hawke grew up. And where he'll be searching for a young woman who is missing. This is still in the works. I had plans to meet up with members of the Umatilla Reservation in the spring and Covid hit. When things take an upswing and we can get out and mingle again, I'll be contacting people and researching about the group on the reservation. I subscribe to their newspaper and have been reading all the articles on this subject. My goal is to do the organization justice and throw more light on this problem.
Back to the event. I'd welcome any suggestions for naming my event or fun things to do.
Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 47
novels, 8 novellas, and numerous anthologies of murder mystery and western
romance. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along
with hints of humor and engaging characters. Paty and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern
Oregon. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the
western lifestyle, she lives it.
11 comments:
The subject of MMIW needs exposure! It is a crime that the lives of these women has such little value. I'm glad to know the Umatilla tribe is actively doing something. Do you know if the program on the Umatilla Reservation is unique to them or something many tribes are working on. And Congrats on seeing the light at the end of the 50 books tunnel!
Judith, Many reservations are making a huge effort with the MMIW, going national. The government has given them more FBI agents and told local law enforcement to do more when a woman is missing or murdered on a reservation. I'm hoping this will help to bring more justice. But I thought putting someone my character knows in harm and having him dig through all the possibilities of what could have happened will make people open their eyes and pay more attention and give the whole thing more light. We'll see when the book is finished. Thank you!
I'm looking forward to seeing it published, Paty. I know several Native Women who are distressed with the lack of effort to protect them. It may be that some of them will look at your book as a way to raise consciousness among people they know.
Congrats on seeing the 50 book mark coming up! That's quite an achievement!!
You are remarkable in that you are highlighting the MMIW organization. I had never heard of MMIW. What a worthy cause to donate too.
As always, I love your books.
50 books??? What an accomplishment, and I'm so glad you're going to celebrate that. I'm also impressed that you already know exactly what your 50th book is going to be. You've inspired me. When I reach my next big milestone (maybe 15 books; puny compared to your number LOL), I might have to copy you and celebrate.
Congratulations on coming up on your 50th book. You have worked hard to make that happen. :)
Thanks, Judith. AS you know if you follow my books, I'm a huge proponent of justice and I feel there has been so much injustice to the Indigenous people and this is one more. I want to shine a light on it and get it seen.
Thanks Diana! I have to pinch myself every time I count up the books I have published.
Hi Rebecca! It's funny how all the other round numbers snuck up on me. I'd say, I'm going to make a big deal out of book 20 and the next thing I knew it had published and I was on to the next one. This time, I'm making it a big deal! You're welcome to copy and celebrate! Every book is a major accomplishment.
Genene, you were a part of my writing life before I published and when my first book published. You and the Salem RWA Chapter are a huge part of why I keep writing and publishing. Thank you!!
Paty- as usual, I am only now catching up with my RTG reading. I like your take on hope and changing or challenging ourselves to work toward making our hope a reality. But I still do need the word hope as visceral/pie-in-the-sky idea/dream of reaching for the yet unobtained...as the generic Ms. Universe would say... I wish / hope for world peace :-) I love your goal of making your Hawke Book 7 about MMIW - such a troubling issue and a positive way to bring attention to the issue and add the monetary donation too. Congrats on nearing the goal and being so organized - of course, I already knew that about you :-)
Paty, I loved this because I believe it to be true.
"I wish and dream and work to make it happen." When one does that then hope is more than an amorphous desire. Just like we make our own luck by the hard work of being prepared, so when the door opens we can recognize it and walk through; I believe we make our own hope by working to make it happen. Hope needs to be active not passive.
Definitely celebrate 50 books! What a great way to celebrate by releasing a book that is the epitome of working for justice for those who have no voice.
I'm never good at catchy phrases for celebration but I would definitely go for themes around Gold--like 50th anniversaries.
Finding Gold in your books, Making life Golden, With mysteries, where are the fools gold vs the real gold (lots of those red herrings can be fools gold). For your romances, having fans envision your romantic couples celebrating their golden anniversaries. What would they do to celebrate? BBQ? Night under the stars? Gather their 50 children and grandchildren and maybe great-grandchildren around them? Count up to 50 characters that are bound together by different stories or offshoots from your books.
The fan party could be lots of fun and getting some author friends to help you celebrate would be great too. I'd do it!
Deb, Thanks for stopping in and commenting. I'm glad so many think my idea about book 50 is good.
Hi Maggie, Thank you for commenting and giving me ideas for my celebration! I will be having a month-long party and I do plan to have other authors involved.
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