06-05-2009 Kristina Riggle, guest host
The transcript below covers the complete #litchat conversation on June 5, 2009. The order appears sequentially from the first post to the final post. Guest host was Kristina Riggle(@KrisRiggle), author of Real Life & Liars (HarperCollins).
| LitChat Welcome to LitChat. @KrisRiggle, author of upcoming REAL LIFE & LIARS, joins us as guest host. Welcome Kris! #litchat -1:10 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @VanessaDobbs LIARS is my debut, after six years of serious writing and four unpublished manuscripts #litchat -1:23 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat @Maidenfine Welcome! Topic of week was great beach (vacation) reads. Author @KrisRiggle is guest hosting. #litchat -1:23 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @krisriggle what keeps youmotivated? #litchat -1:24 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle re: the names. My mother character is a free spirit and named her children Russian names just because she likes the names (as do I) #litchat -1:24 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| pussreboots #litchat What was the most challenging part of writing the novel? -1:24 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @VanessaDobbs Now, desire to keep doing this for a living motivates me. Before? Sheer stubbornness and supportive family/friends #litchat -1:25 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| pussreboots #litchat any thoughts on reworking the unpublished manuscripts for publishing now that you have a debut novel? -1:25 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass @krisriggle Sounds like the naming is all part of the mother’s free-spirited characterization. Are kids screwed up because of it? #litchat -1:25 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| TaraStaley @krisriggle Yes, that’s pretty much the way it goes in this industry. I’m on book 6. Perseverence accounts for everything! Way2go #litchat -1:25 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @pussreboots Four POV characters, and the chapters don’t always follow in exact linear time. Kept making continuity errors! #litchat -1:26 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @CarolyBurnsBass Because of the naming? Katya hates her name, goes by Kat. It’s up for debate how Mira affected her children… #litchat -1:28 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| TaraStaley @pussreboots Yes! I especially want to know if there’s hope for the baby manuscript! Oops, am I supposed to say anything ’bout that #litchat -1:28 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mdbenoit @krisriggle Does the story happen over a weekend, or is the w/e simply influential? #litchat -1:28 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @CarolyBurnsBass Ioften wonder if kids are screwed up because of their names.You shd hear some of the names babies are called lol #litchat -1:28 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @pussreboots I’m doing that now for the second book of my contract. But it’s such a huge overhaul it’s just like a new book. #litchat -1:28 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle Also, re: old manuscripts. My first attempt became a literary short story called CONNECTION LOST in the Cimarron Review. #litchat -1:29 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mdbenoit @VanessaDobbs Scientific evidence is there to say name influences personality #litchat -1:29 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @TaraStaley Shhh, Tara! 😉 I will revisit that issue, I’m sure. Close to my heart. #litchat -1:29 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mdbenoit @krisriggle Sometimes rewriting is worse than starting from scratch #litchat -1:29 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| Maidenfine What was your favorite part of the publishing experience? AFTER writing the book, of course. #litchat -1:30 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| TaraStaley @krisriggle Yep, mine too, we are sorority sisters there #litchat -1:30 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @mdbenoit poor kids! some ofthe names in our unit are tantamount to child abuse! #litchat -1:30 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @mdbenoit I enthusistically second that notion! But gratifying, as well, once it’s done. #litchat -1:30 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @Maidenfine My favorite part so far is stuff just like this! Talking about my work. Also, seeing the cover the first time. LOVE it. #litchat -1:31 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @krisriggle welldone forkeeping going! #litchat -1:31 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| pussreboots #litchat excellent news re the short story too! -1:32 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| TaraStaley @krisriggle Oh, Terez Rose told me about that, how you cut an entire novel back to 5000 words or something… #litchat -1:32 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle Oh missed an answer, I think. The story takes place entirely on one weekend. #litchat -1:32 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| TaraStaley @krisriggle I love the cover to RL&L by the way. Kudos. Did you have any say in that? #litchat -1:33 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mdbenoit @TaraStaley Now THAT is tough to do. #litchat -1:33 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle The Cimarron Review acceptance kept me going during a long publishing dry spell. #litchat -1:33 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| Maidenfine Speaking of revising, do you find it easier to add or subtract words when revising? #litchat -1:34 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| househomeauthor @krisriggle Love the book summary in 140 characters or less. We should all be able to do that. Yours sounds great! #litchat -1:34 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat The Cimarron Review is no small accomplishment. #litchat -1:35 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @TaraStaley They asked me for ideas and I sent them covers I liked, and pictures of the setting. The final blew me away! #litchat -1:35 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @Maidenfine I subtract words from dialogue (my characters speechify in first drafts) but I tend to write short at first. #litchat -1:36 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle I’m a journalist by training…writing short comes naturally. #litchat -1:36 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat @ixtumea LitChat is going on right now. Jump on in. #litchat -1:37 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @househomeauthor My 140 character summary is an ultra-condensed form of the back cover copy by my awesome ed., Lucia Macro #litchat -1:37 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| pussreboots #litchat That is a great cover! So many possible interpretations. -1:37 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| househomeauthor @mdbenoit @krisriggle I’m with you that rewriting can be harder than starting from scratch. I’m revising now and it’s been painful. #litchat -1:37 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| TaraStaley @househomeauthor Mine was too. Much prefer writing from scratch. #litchat -1:38 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle So my cover doesn’t scream “beach read” which is just as well, I think. But it’s a summer setting (an early June w/end, in fact) #litchat -1:38 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @krisriggle did youknow how the story wd turn out from start or did it lead you once youwere writing? #litchat -1:38 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @VanessaDobbs I had a general idea for my main protagonist (the mother, Mira) but not for everyone. No outline. #litchat -1:39 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| Maidenfine Do you use any writing programs or just a word processor? How do you organize when you’re writing? #litchat -1:39 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs the litchat tweet sare popping up all over -peculiar #litchat -1:41 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat @krisriggle A book don’t need splashing waves on the cover to make it a good beach read. REAL LIFE & LIARS has all of the hooks. #litchat -1:41 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @Maidenfine I have used Cliche Cleaner in the past. That’s how I found out my characters said “of course” ALL THE TIME. #litchat -1:41 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| TaraStaley @krisriggle Would you say it’s a ms about motherhood? Did you model any of it after your experiences as a mother? #litchat -1:41 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @Maidenfine I don’t outline until toward the end, so I don’t drop loose ends. #litchat -1:42 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @TaraStaley The main mother character is 65 years old, so not directly. But I mined some of my fears about parenting for the book. #litchat -1:42 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass Where did you get the idea for Mira? She is much older than you. #litchat -1:42 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle One major theme of LIARS: what if your children don’t grow up the way you tried to raise them? #litchat -1:43 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @CarolyBurnsBass I wanted to write a matriarch, so she HAD to be 65! #litchat -1:43 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @krisriggle the nature v nurture debate? #litchat -1:44 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| hermitpaul How do you manage to avoid distraction? Would you rather people read your work while at the beach? #litchat -1:44 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mdbenoit @krisriggle Do they ever grow up the way parents want them to? #litchat -1:44 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass @krisriggle Wow. That theme could hit home for many families–a very universal concern for all parents. #litchat -1:44 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @hermitpaul I send my kids to school/babysitter! That’s how. People should read my book how/wherever they like. #litchat -1:45 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @mdbenoit Good question, one that’s much on my mind, as my kids are 6 and 2. #litchat -1:45 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| TaraStaley what’s on your promotional schedule? which bookstores, states? #litchat -1:47 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @TaraStaley Most of my appearances are in my home state of Michigan (where the book is set), plus twice in Chicago #litchat -1:49 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mdbenoit @krisriggle Parents aren’t the only influence, especially once the kids go to school. #litchat -1:49 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mmj5170 Did any of your characters surprise you? #litchat -1:50 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @mdbenoit Indeed, I’m already noticing that. #litchat -1:51 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| pussreboots @mdbenoit @krisriggle #litchat And sometimes they are just DIFFERENT in unpredictable ways. My two certainly are. -1:51 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat Can you give us a hint about your next book? #litchat -1:51 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @mmj5170 Ivan, the middle child character, turned into a songwriter. He (and I guess I) wrote a song, even. #litchat -1:52 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @pussreboots @mdbenoit My sister and I are VERY different, though we were raised essentially the same. #litchat -1:52 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mmj5170 Correct spelling is optional BTW. #litchat -1:52 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @LitChat I don’t want to say much because my editor doesn’t have the new one yet, but it’s another family story by the lakeshore #litchat -1:53 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mdbenoit @krisriggle @pussreboots Yes. I and my other 4 siblings are entirely different. Time affects the raising of kids, too #litchat -1:54 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass Do you have a writing ritual that helps free you of brainsludge before you begin writing? #litchat -1:55 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @krisriggle all four of mysiblings are different and weallhad same upbringing till 11 then went to diff high schools #litchat -1:55 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mdbenoit Sorry, must go. Thanks for the chat, Kristina, and lots of luck with Liars! #litchat -1:55 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| dosankodebbie @krisriggle Q: at what age do you think children are grown up– that the results of your child-rearing are in? #litchat -1:56 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @krisriggle do you read other authors while writng or does that put you off? #litchat -1:56 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle re: surprises, in my current book, one of my characters whom I’d painted as a villain had a shockingly human moment I didn’t expect #litchat -1:56 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @CarolyBurnsBass My ritual is dropping off my kids By then I’m rarin to go. I also leave off the previous day’s work in midsentence #litchat -1:57 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mmj5170 @CarolyBurnsBass “brainsludge” An awesome Bassism! #litchat -1:57 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @dosankodebbie That’s an excellent question! I don’t think there IS a finish line. #litchat -1:58 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| mmj5170 @krisriggle Thank you for your time, Congrats again, and good luck with the promotion activities! #litchat -2:05 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat Twitter apps are lagging again and we still need to give away Kristina’s book. Stay tuned. #litchat -2:05 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @TaraStaley Yes, marriage also plays a major role, in both books in fact. #litchat -2:05 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @dosankodebbie I agree my daughter (25) is still “growing”-e.g developing in her career #litchat -2:06 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat @KrisRiggle Will you please pick a number between 1-12? That name assigned to that number will win your book. #litchat -2:06 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @dosankodebbie I suppose as a parent though, you exhale at certain milestones? Graduations? Good marriages? Surviving teen years? #litchat -2:06 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @LitChat I pick Lucky 7. #litchat -2:06 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @LitChat Yikes! #litchat totally slipped my mind today! Will catch up on blog… -2:06 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @krisriggle hear hear! #litchat -2:07 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| TaraStaley Thanks, Kris, for being here. I wish you the best with your debut! #litchat -2:08 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| Maidenfine @deberryandgrant Almost done reading What Doesn’t Kill You. I’m really glad I won it. Enjoying it even though not my normal read. #litchat -2:08 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle Heck, in some ways I’m still growing up and I’m 34. #litchat -2:08 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat @deberryandgrant FWIW we missed you. #litchat -2:08 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat Lucky 7 is lucky indeed! Congratulations to @VanessaDobbs! #litchat -2:09 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs I don’tbelieve it you’llbe banning me lol thanks very much #litchat -2:10 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle Thanks everyone for coming, and to LitChat for asking me! May I give one shameless plug for a friend’s Great Beach Read? #litchat -2:11 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat Thank you for taking time from your Printer’s Row activities to host #litchat. Wishing you great success in everything. -2:11 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle BEACHCOMBING by @MaggieDana is just out in the UK from Macmillan New Writing. A terrific read, a winning heroine. Great stff. #litchat -2:11 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @krisriggle am excited to be able to read your book good luck with yr debut #litchat -2:11 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| TaraStaley @krisriggle I agree. MD is awesome. #litchat -2:12 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle Let me know what you think, Vanessa! Nice to “meet” all of you! I will come to #litchat again, baby nap schedules permitting. #litchat -2:12 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat Yes, BEACHCOMING is lovely. We’d like to have @MaggieDana join us sometime soon as guest host. #litchat -2:13 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| TaraStaley @krisriggle thank God she’s still napping…Reese has already shed his naps…but I digress. Best wishes, Kris! I’m signing out. #litchat -2:14 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| dosankodebbie @VanessaDobbs I meant developing in character (not career) #litchat -2:14 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat Have a great weekend everyone. Chatscript will be posted by Monday. #litchat -2:14 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle @TaraStaley *shudders with horror at imagining a lack of naps* #litchat -2:14 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
| krisriggle Have a lovely afternoon/evening. I’m off to explore Chicago, and I think I’ll have Thai food for dinner. Ciao. #litchat -2:15 PM Jun 5th, 2009 |
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