Writing Archives - Seams Like a Story

March 24, 2025March 23, 2025

Tucson Festival of Books 2025

Q and A with Indie Author Debra VanDeventer

People walking through the Tucson Festival of Books

The 2025 Tucson Festival of Books 2025 is “in the books!” It was a beautiful weekend in Tucson drawing an estimated 130,000 visitors to the University of Arizona Campus for one of the largest book festivals in the nation. This was my third time at the festival, once as a visitor, and twice to showcase my books as part of the Indie Author’s Pavilion. Many of you, family, friends, people who follow me on fb, instagram, or my blog are curious about my experience. So, in a weird sort of way, I’ll be playing the part of the interviewer and the interviewee as I fill you in on some of the questions I’ve been asked.

How did you get to be one of the Indie authors presenting at the festival?

I submitted my self-published book (Until Italy: A Traveler’s Memoir) to the TFOB Indie Author’s Committee for review by the September 15 deadline. The guidelines state that to be considered the book had to have been published within the past 2 years. The book then went through a selection process and in December I received notice that my book had been accepted as one of the books to be featured in this year’s Indie Author’s Pavilion. I was thrilled to be given this opportunity to sign books and meet readers face to face!

What did you do to prepare for the event?

Because this was my second time to appear at the event, I was better prepared. I knew what to expect. Prior to the event, I posted regular updates on my social medial (fb, instagram) accounts. I ordered author’s copies of my books, bookmarks, and invested in a table runner with my author name and logo. The Indie tent is set up with tables and tablecloths, and allows for a small amount of display space. The table runner was a good idea because it packed well, helped my space stand out, didn’t blow down (like some larger table top displays do) and didn’t interfere with the authors on either side of me.

a table runner with the words Debra VanDeventer author

Were you successful? (This is a tricky question, but what most people want to know is did I sell any books?)

Yes! Enough to fund a European vacation? Well no, but enough to cover the cost of my registration fee and a nice dinner out. (or maybe lunch at the local sandwich shop, when you factor in cost of the promotional materials.) In all I sold 7 books at the festival and a few more online this week that might have been a result of the dozens of book marks I handed out with a QR code to my author’s page on the back. My books went home with a man from Italy (what will he think of Until Italy?), a couple that was heading to Italy in a few weeks, a fellow writer from my local writers forum, an author who knew me from facebook, an author who had written a book and was interested in self-publishing, and two retired teachers. But here’s the real payoff:

Writing, putting thoughts to paper, is a solitary act, but to be a writer you need a community. This means being there for writers, learning from those who have more experience, encouraging emerging writers, participating in critique groups and writing organizations, buying and reading books, attending workshops, and yes, celebrating reading and writing. At the Festival of Books, I truly experienced this. Friends and family came to cheer me on, and I met new people, fellow published authors, who had come from all over the country. We shared tips and celebrated each other’s successes.

Participating in TFOB gave me the opportunity to send my words out “gloriously traveling to all sorts of places” (SARK) and touching the hearts, minds and imaginations of other people….this, this is why I write. This is what success means to me.

the author standing in front of her book display at the Tucson Festival of Books

What’s next?

Another book is in the works. I don’t want to give too much away, but it is centered around my experience with the 52-Hike challenge Ed and I completed last year. Lots of nature writing, adventure and introspection along the way. This work is taking me places I hadn’t expected, and I’m curious to see where I end up. I hope to have the rough draft completed by summer, then edits, more edits, more edits, into the hands of my editor and beta readers, cover design, formatting…there’s lots for an Indie author to do, but I have a great support team, and I love the creative process. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be back at Tucson Festival of Books someday! Watch this space!

Threads of Thought

Be part of the literary community! Celebrate reading and writing! Support local authors and local bookstores. Buy indie authors books and leave a review. Write your own stories or books. Be a part of the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books! http://www.tucsonfestivalofbooks.org

2 Books, Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life...and Until Italy: A traveler's memoir

Missed the festival, but would still like a copy? Easy enough! Click here.

November 4, 2024November 3, 2024

Hearts in Bloom

the world needs them

a heart shaped stone with blooming flowers

I used to think that in order to be a memoirist one had to have led an extraordinary life, and indeed there are many amazing authors out there who fit this description: Cheryl Strayed (Wild ) and Tara Westover (Educated) come to mind. But I’m an ordinary woman. Do I have a story to tell?

This week I was thinking about my latest work in progress and wondering if it was a story worth telling. When stuck, I often find inspiration from other writers. This quote from Rupta Sepetys in You: the Story grabbed my attention:

“Country life, cosmopolitan life, quiet life- all can be equally fascinating based on the writer’s perspective and the details chosen. Remember: it’s not what you’re writing about, it’s how you’re writing about it.”

Quiet life. Small moments that bloom into words. Taking readers along with me on a journey and discovering “ah ha” moments together. This. This is my voice. The voice I’m seeking each time I sit to write. It doesn’t always come easily, in fact, it rarely does, but with time, critiques, editing and revisions, I hope… I know, I will have a story worth telling.

And finally this, from Clarissa Pinola Estes:

I hope you go out and let stories, that is life, happen to you and that you will work with these stories…water them with your blood and tears and laughter till they bloom, till you yourself bust into bloom. The world needs them. The world needs more hearts in bloom.

So here’s to ordinary women, who through the magic of words remind us that all women are extraordinary! If you have a story to tell, tell it! The world needs more hearts in bloom.

Threads of Thought

What makes your heart bloom? Is there a story there?

Click here to find my stories!

September 23, 2024September 6, 2024

The Writing Studio

A Look Behind the Scenes

After retiring from teaching 6 years ago, I decided I wanted a space to write and sew. Not a room, but a studio…as in “a place where an artist works.” You can see my original post with a detailed description of my space here. Why was creating a space important to me?

In a recent read from Natalie Goldberg’s book Writing Down the Bones, I came across this thought:

“Creating a Writing space is an indication of your increased commitment.”

I’ll admit, that there are days I don’t feel like an artist. Words don’t come or sewing projects require more seam ripping than seam sewing. But having a dedicated space motivates me to continue. Goldberg goes on to say:

“A little apparent disorder is an indication of the fertility of the mind and someone who is actively creating.”

Whew! Oh good, because I usually work in “a little apparent disorder.” According to Goldberg, my clutter is fertilizer for my creative process…apparently. Let’s take a closer look at my “compost.”

a reading corner in my writing studio studio

My favorite reading spot, journal open, shoes kicked off.

The end table…fertile ground? Hmmm…photo of grandchildren, cup of day old tea, cell phone stand , assorted pens and highlighters, dental floss (pitched from my purse after a recent trip to the dentist), random bead, seam ripper and thread, Kleenex, fabric book mark I made years ago (but it’s too thick and I don’t like it as a bookmark… I don’t really know why it’s still on the table….)

My desk. Ergonomically lifted laptop open to current WIP, today’s cup of tea, assorted office supplies, post it notes, a note card containing haiku submissions, my hiking journal, Rick Rubin’s book, The Creative Act, sharpened #2 pencil (teacher habit).

All this is well and good, but it the end Goldberg says:

“Finally, there is no perfection. If you want to write you have to cut through and write. There is no perfect atmosphere, room, notebook, pen or desk. Train yourself to be flexible.”

So there you have it. If you want to write, cut through and write from your studio, kitchen table, on a notepad while waiting for an appointment… Simple enough. Let’s go! Just imagine what we can create!

two books against the backdrop of a sewing machine

You can find the recent works from my studio here!

Threads of thought: Tell me something about your “studio.” Do you have a special place that you like to read? Write? Create?

September 9, 2024September 6, 2024

The Mouse of Doubt

Changing your inner dialog

a tote bag for Debra VanDeventer Author with a mouse — My new tote bag with logo. (mouse added for effect)

Several weeks ago, I designed a logo for myself. Taking advantage of a Shutterfly special offer, I transferred the image to a mug, a notepad and a tote bag. On the morning of my writer’s forum meeting, I packed my new tote with a few copies of my books, a notebook, assorted pens and pencils and my critique folder. “This will be great!” I thought.

I couldn’t do it. I unpacked my bag and stuffed my gear in my old generic tote bag. Sigh.

In my former life, I never hesitated to say “I’m a teacher.” In fact, I was proud to announce this on several tote bags and mugs, many of them gifts from students or colleagues. But now, even though I’ve published two books, have written articles for magazines, and author a bimonthly blog, I often find it difficult to say “I’m a writer” or “I’m an author.”

Self doubt, imposter syndrome. Common, I think for writers and other creatives. Yet negative thoughts can cause one to stall, want to quit, question…”Why am I doing this?!” What to do?

The Mouse of Doubt

Natalie Goldberg, in her book Writing Down the Bones calls this feeling ‘the mouse of doubt’, and offers this advice: “Avoid getting caught by that small gnawing mouse of doubt. There is nothing helpful there. Instead, have a tenderness and determination toward your writing, a sense of humor, and a deep patience that you are doing the right thing.”

Anne Lamott has a more graphic mouse analogy. In Bird by Bird, she says to picture those nagging inner voices as mice. Pick them up by their tails, drop them into a mason jar, put the lid on tight, and “watch them lunge at the glass trying to get to you.” Then, go on with your writing.

Mice in a mason jar lunging at you. Try putting that image on a mug or tote bag, but hey, it just might work.

So take that, oh Mouse of Doubt! I’m a writer. I’m an author. I am a blogger. And you can’t stop me!

an author's mouse of doubt in a jar on a tote bag

Click here to get your copy of Out of the Crayon Box or Until Italy! (mouse not included) Disclaimer: No mice were harmed in writing this post. The mice portraying The Mouse of Doubt in my photos are Canva images that I superimposed on my original photos. (Creepy, but so fun!. If you haven’t played around with Canva yet, you should!)

Threads of Thought

Your turn….How do you overcome self doubt? What would you say to others experiencing this?

And keep Goldberg’s words in mind, “have a tenderness and determination toward your writing, a sense of humor, and a deep patience that you are doing the right thing.”

Now go out there, make yourself a logo and slap it on a tote bag!

August 26, 2024August 25, 2024

Making Peace With eBooks

an ebook and a papeback book with question marks

There is a great debate among readers. You know what I’m talking about: eBooks or traditional books. Books you load onto a device to read electronically or books printed on paper.

I’ll admit to being in the later class of readers. I fell in love with books as a child browsing through the shelves of the bookmobile that drove through our neighborhood when I was a child. As a Kindergarten teacher, I found the magical power that a great picture book held over a class of wiggly five-year olds, even mastering the art of holding the book towards the class so they could take in the pictures as I read. And there is nothing, nothing in this world that compared to the feeling of having my children, then my grandchildren, snuggle in my lap with a favorite book.

I love browsing through a bookstore or library, choosing a book, and taking it home with me waiting for that moment when I can sink into a cozy chair and turn the first page. Favorites line the bookshelves in my studio, many dogeared and highlighted.

When I published my books, I formatted each into ebook as well as paperback formats,. More and more of my readers are choosing ebooks, but I told myself I would never ever want to read electronically,

But then….on a recent vacation, I packed two library books. After reading through them quickly, I was stuck with nothing to read. Besides that, when I returned home, I couldn’t find one of the books. Weeks went by, then months. My library is a friendly, no-fee library, but the reminders they sent became increasingly desperate. I was nearly ready to admit I’d lost the book and pay for it, when it turned up in an obscure pocket in my suitcase.

That’s when I decided to try, just try reading on line. I practiced with an older tablet a friend lent me. Not too bad. I decided to commit and purchased a Kindle.

It’s not the same as reading paper books. My Kindle is not cuddly, You don’t turn the page, you tap it. All cover at and illustrations are reduced to shades of gray. It’s kind of creepy how it knows my name and tracks my reading. Although it holds a charge for a long, long time, you still need to “feed” it occasionally and wipe it’s face clean with special cloth.

But then again…I don’t HATE my Kindle. It is concerned about my eyesight, offering a choice of soft background lighting and font size. It’s small enough to slip into a tote bag or purse or carry on, and best of all, I have a library at my fingertips wherever I go.

I still prefer “real books”, but I’ve made peace ebooks. I realize the debate doesn’t have to be either/or. I can have both. My paperbacks for home, my ebooks for travel. Best of both worlds.

I’ll be putting the Kindle to a real test soon as I go on an extended trip and I’ll let you know how it goes. I just need to remember not to lose it in that hidden pocket in my suitcase, though I suspect if I do it will send me threatening emails. It knows where I live.

Threads of Thought

Your turn: Ebooks or paperbacks? Weigh in!

And oh, by the way, you can get both of my books in either format here!