WEbook Blog

WEbooker of the WEek Keeps it Scary

A beautiful librarian isn't what she seems...or is she? The lead singer of a popular rock band performs a chilling encore. A little boy and his sister have a terrifying encounter at a Midwestern pond.

All this and more happens in The Dark and Mysterious, a collection of horrifying short stories by this WEek's WEbooker, MatthewDavid. MatthewDavid's other projects include Violent Faith, a novel about a little boy living with his religious aunt and uncle, and Edwin's Journal, the chronicle of a man who disappears after taking justice into his own hands. But that's not all! MatthewDavid also leads The Glass Onion, a collection of poetry and other snippets for all to contribute to, and his work can be found in dozens of WEbook projects across the site. If you want to be scared, titillated, and entertained, check out his work right away. To find out more about this prolific WEbooker, read on.

Q: What's the brief story of your life?

A: I was born in Illinois in a suburb outside Chicago. I lived there until I was twenty years old. Then I moved to the middle of nowhere, Minnesota. I moved to save some money, but that never quite happened and I ended up having kids, buying a house, and getting married. It all worked out pretty well, because there isn't much to do and I was able to settle down and concentrate on writing. I always wanted to write, but never had the confidence. Then I just said, "The hell with it, if anything I'll just do it for myself." To my amazement, I found that most people enjoyed it and this website has gave me all the confidence I need. Nothing's going to stop me now!

Q: What's the scariest thing that ever happened to you?

A: When I was about thirteen, I was over at a friend's house. He lived on a farm and I was sitting around his living room with another friend of ours. We heard a loud thumping noise coming from upstairs. It really spooked us because we were there by ourselves and our parents were in town at the bar. That thumping came again and we convinced ourselves to go upstairs and find out what it was. When we got to the top, the loud thump came again and we booked it down the stairs. For some reason my buddy Paul pulled out a tiny pocket knife. He was staring out a window when my other friend decided it would be funny to shake his shoulders and scare him. Well, the joke was on him, because when he did it, Paul whipped around and accidentally slit our friend's arm clear to the bone. We had to call an ambulance, and we never did figure out what that thumping noise was all about.

Q: How do you create your characters? Do you base them on people you know? Who is your favorite character?

A: I have no set way of creating a character, but I have used people I know (and sometimes myself) to bring a character to life. Most of the time I let the story itself form the character. If I was to pick a character of my own That I liked the most it would have to be Walter McGee From my book Violent Faith, which is currently in the revision process. He was very evil and intimidating, which made it a lot of fun to write.

Q: Please write a poem about your favorite day of the WEek.

A: I love Friday afternoons
when the sun is shining and there's no work to do
except for write this poem to you.

Q: If you had an alter-ego, what would you spend your "alter" time doing?

A: If I had an alter-ego, I think I would like to be a modern day Robin Hood. I would spend my time finding people who think their possessions are everything, and I would take their money and give their stuff to a family who is struggling to eat.

Q: How often do you get your hair cut?

A: I haven't actually gotten a professional haircut in years. I usually let it grow until one day I decide I'm just going to shave my head, then I break out the buzzers and do it myself.

WEbooker of the WEek

Do you have a line on the wonderfullest writer on WEbook? The fantastickest feedbacker? Or anyone else who goes above and beyond to make WEbook the best writing, reading, and publishing community on the internet? Drop me an email, or visit my profile and send me a message with the title "WEbooker of the WEek" to nominate your favorite WEbooker and he or she will have a shot at joining the ranks of the immortals -- and getting a free WEbook T-shirt to boot.

Join WEbook Today

Sign up for WEbook today and start reading, writing, and feedbacking.

-- Melissa

WEbooker of the WEek Yuks it up Down Under

The WEbook Vote marches on, and this WEek's WEbooker is one of the top contenders to become the next published WEbook author. With less than 24 hours before voting closes, In Case of Emergency Please Notify: Orlando Bloom is slugging it out with hundreds of other books -- and it's more than holding its own. The book is funny, engaging, and original -- but what about the author, WEbooker of the WEek Wooster?

When it comes to writing, Wooster has serious street cred. She's an Australian freelance journalist who writes magazine features on any and all genres that you can think of. Wooster does her fair share of serious journalism, but she's drawn towards lighter, quirkier subjects. She has covered the pet funeral industry and female bodybuilding competitions, and she's written an expose on the Mod subculture, scooters and all. What kind of writer is she, in a nutshell? Says Wooster, "I'd rather be Tom Wolfe or Hunter S. Thompson than Woodward or Bernstein."

Wooster makes journalism sound so fun, I decided to dabble in a little investigative reporting myself, and asked the newest WoW some very tough questions about writing, life, and everything in between.

Q: Your book In Case of Emergency Please Notify: Orlando Bloom is up for the WEbook Vote. The narrator is a sassy teenage girl -- "Bridget Jones' younger sister" -- who writes in an endearing off-the-cuff style, including lots of contemporary shorthand and slang. What did you enjoy the most about bringing this character to life? What was most challenging?

A: What's not to love? She is the real us (well, okay, the real me): self-obsessed, bitchy, deluded. I've learned to hide these aspects of myself, as do most people, but when you are a teen it's all out there in glorious, technicolor show. Actually, the character is based on my younger sister who could bitch for Australia. She puts me to shame.

It was terrific to bring her to life because she is a great comedy vehicle. She is a bit of an archetype that people can recognize. Because she is writing in her diary, she is allowed to be even more honest. I'm sadly not a teen anymore -- in body anyway -- so the challenging part was to get the teen-speak right. I had to read my fair share of teen mags and also consulted with people of a certain age. My main purpose in writing this was to give readers of all ages consistent laughs. I'm a lover of great comedy writing and I want to have a giggle when I read. I don't do soul-searching or angst...just funny.

Q: Which character in your book do you most strongly identify with?

A: The girl, of course! Everyone thinks of themselves as the main character, don't they? My teen years, although behind me some considerable way, are still fresh. I still remember the powerful 'best friend' friendships that are the center of your life. They turn pear-shaped at the drop of a hat, and then suddenly all is forgiven. Meanwhile, you treat your family as if they are the complete dregs. The pop star/actor obsession is of course mandatory for a teen, and more than a little time consuming, but what else are you gonna do -- homework?

Q: Do you have any writing quirks? (Food you like to eat while writing; strange fidgets or compulsive behaviors; etc.)

I like a bit of peace and quiet.

I like to be close to horizontal. 

I like a continuous supply of treat and snacks.

I like to have the sun filtering gently but warmly through the blinds.

I like the room to be completely neat.

Is it any wonder my output is torturously slow? I spend a great deal of time fluffing the pillows, lining up the snacks, and making sure the weather is conducive.

Q:What's your favorite word? Use it in a sentence!

Publish, as in, "We want to publish your book."

Vote for In Case of Emergency Please Notify: Orlando Bloom and other WEbooks

Visit the vote page by midnight EST April 20!

WEbooker of the WEek

Do you have a line on the wonderfullest writer on WEbook? The fantastickest feedbacker? Or anyone else who goes above and beyond to make WEbook the best writing, reading, and publishing community on the internet? Drop me an email, or visit my profile and send me a message with the title "WEbooker of the WEek" to nominate your favorite WEbooker and he or she will have a shot at joining the ranks of the immortals -- and getting a free WEbook T-shirt to boot.

Join WEbook Today

Sign up for WEbook today and start reading, writing, and feedbacking.

-- Melissa

WEbooker of the WEek Laughs at Herself

The WEbook Vote is underway, and we're on the lookout for projects that make us laugh, cry, or grow longer, stronger, thicker hair in just sixty days. This WEek's WEbooker, Shari, has two projects up for the vote, and while they won't improve your coiffure, they'll certainly make you laugh, and some might make you cry. Be sure to check out Shari's books, Pet Stories and Funny Little Stories about Life and Whatnot -- but first, let's get to know our newest WEbooker of the WEek.

Q: What's the brief story of your life, including your history with writing?

A: I grew up an only child.   My father was a journalist and, for a brief time, an English teacher.  He pulled me out of public school for two years between the ages of twelve and thirteen and made me write as my only school work.  I kept a journal and that sparked my love of writing. My parents and I moved to a remote yoga center/ashram when I was a teenager.  I learned a lot about other cultures and also learned to have an ecumenical view point.  Not long after high school I started arranging flowers and got a job at a local florist.  That turned into a twenty-year career, culminating in the creation of my own shop.  I owned three different shops over a twelve-year period, and sold flowers, antiques, my own handmade jewelry, and my husband’s hand-thrown pottery.  My husband is from South Africa and I had the amazing opportunity to live there several years ago.  After being diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease, I closed my shop and for the past two years have been concentrating on getting well and writing.  Both are coming along better than I expected. 

Q: How long have you been working on Pet Stories and Funny Little Stories about Life and Whatnot? How did these projects first get started?  Both projects are group projects, with contributions from other WEbookers. How are the books different than they would be if you'd written them by yourself?

A: I started  Pet Stories on MySpace.  It started as a weekly blog about my dog Bodie.  My friends seemed to like to hear about his antics so I would write something new each week and then one day I stumbled upon WEbook and made it an official project. Funny Little Stories about Life and Whatnot started as a collection sitting on my computer, and once I found WEbook, I turned it into a project.  I actually think it has helped having others contribute to the project.  It inspires me to write about things I might not otherwise think of.  I enjoy teamwork and think that it's good to get a fresh perspective from fellow writers.

Q: You clearly enjoy humor. Who is the funniest person you know?

A: My dad.  He has a very dry sense of humor and even though he can be sarcastic, he is always entertaining.

Q: A lot of the stories in Funny Little Stories about Life and Whatnot are self-deprecating. Why do you think it's so entertaining to read people poking fun at their flaws and struggles?

A: Well, in my case it's what I enjoy reading.  I love to see that people are human.  As far as my writing is concerned, it opens my life up to the reader and says, "Take a look".  It's a very honest approach.  I struggle with fiction because I feel compelled to tell my own story.  I also think that you have to be able to laugh at life.  I don't think people want to read something that’s all about self-pity.  I say if it has to be tragic, let it also be funny.

Q: From your writing, I'd guess that David Sedaris is a source of inspiration. You write about meeting him in Funny Little Stories about Life and Whatnot. At the time, you couldn't think of anything good to say to him when he signed your book. What would you say to him today if you had a do-over?

A: That’s a funny question. I'm still scared to death of him. His stories are so brutally honest and hilarious at the same time. I would ask him what gave him the courage to get his work out there for the world to see. I would also want to know about his family because he writes about them in a way that makes you feel you know them.

Q: What's your favorite recipe?

A: I make a pretty mean curry. I got the recipe from an Indian woman in South Africa when we were living there.  t's simple but delicious. You take some olive oil and fry about a teaspoon of medium curry powder, 1 teaspoon of coriander powder, 1 onion, 1 clove of garlic, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Add 4 cubed potatoes and sauté until brown but not burning.  Add 1 large cubed tomato -- and then you can get creative.  I like to add 1 carrot, 1/2 head of cauliflower, 1 zucchini chopped and a handful of string beans chopped.  The trick is to cook it without adding water.  You have to stir it often so it won't burn.  Right at the end I add a cup of baby spinach and stir.  I serve it with basmati rice and a dollop of sour cream and mango pickle.

Q: What's your favorite project up for the WEbook vote -- other than your own, of course?

A: RikScott's novel Five.

WEbooker of the WEek

Do you have a line on the wonderfullest writer on WEbook? The fantastickest feedbacker? Or anyone else who goes above and beyond to make WEbook the best writing, reading, and publishing community on the internet? Drop me an email, or visit my profile and send me a message with the title "WEbooker of the WEek" to nominate your favorite WEbooker and he or she will have a shot at joining the ranks of the immortals -- and getting a free WEbook T-shirt to boot.

Join WEbook Today

Sign up for WEbook today and start reading, writing, and feedbacking.

-- Melissa

WEbooker of the WEek Eats a Healthy Breakfast

Ordinarily, when I write about a WEbooker of the WEek, I like to focus on his or her writing, feedbacking, or project leadership chops. After all, that's what being a WEbooker is all about. Make no mistake, this week's WEbooker, omanh, is no slouch when it comes to these crucial WEbook skills. He's also got something important to say in his Vietnam memoir, Headquarters 33. (The book is a contender for publication in the WEbook vote, starting April 6.)

But let's face it, folks -- at WEbook, fantastic writers with fascinating stories are a dime a dozen. What really sets omanh apart is what he eats for breakfast. Dying to know his secret recipe? Before we get to that, let's learn a little more about our new WEbooker of the WEek.

Q: What's the brief story of your life, including your history with writing?

I grew up in Minneapolis during the 1950s and ‘60s. I am the third of six children. My family life was traditional and Roman Catholic. In school, teachers often encouraged me to write after they read my essays. I also took speech in my junior year of high school and was surprised by my own achievements.  It seemed that even kids who didn’t like me laughed at my speeches!  I began to discover the "person of letters" side of myself. I could have been in a play in high school, but I didn’t check to see if my audition had bumped me into a slot.  So, I lost my chance.   Maybe I could have been an actor.   Well, some folks might say I really have become an actor.

Q: Your book, Headquarters 33, is up for the WEbook vote. If it is chosen for publication, what impact do you hope it will have? What do you think your story has to teach people today, so long after the end of the Vietnam War?

Vietnam was an incredibly unique and hard experience for all Americans.  We lost a war.  That was not an easy thing for people in the U.S. to grasp.  In fact, many of us have continued to the present day to attempt to undo the past.

In Headquarters 33, I write my story with as much authenticity and honesty as possible. I relate my experiences from the beginning of my time in Vietnam, exploring how combat and the concept of personal survival were built into the U.S. military's approach. The result affected the morale of the U.S. troops, but it had an even more significant impact on the military's morals.  The very youthful airmen, sailors, and soldiers suffered the loss of both morale and morals -- and therein lay the failure of the U.S. military to achieve an honorable outcome.

I hope that anyone who reads Headquarters 33 will come away from the experience with a greater desire for the world to seek peace. War is a folly we can no longer afford. The planet is getting smaller and will not endure the destruction of war much longer.  If we as humankind decide to fight the wars against poverty, famine, disease, and the loss of the integrity of our environment, we may be able to save our species and give our children and grandchildren a future!

Q: What is the hardest thing about writing?

Condensing what I want to say into fewer words. It's a challenge to achieve brevity without losing the full meaning of what I want to say.

Q: What is your writing routine like?

I write as I am inspired.  One of the things I like about WEbook Project Invites is that if someone has a good idea, it may well inspire me to write something on the spot!  I don't follow a regular routine in my writing habits.

Q: Have you had a chance to look at any other projects up for the WEbook vote? Any favorites? (Other than your own, of course!)

I enjoy The Life and Times of McZero and Pieces of Pi.

Q: What's your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

Something called a “Healthy Start”.  The name comes from an entree created by a local deli.  It is yogurt, peanut butter, granola, bananas, and honey served in a grilled tortilla.   The heat from the grilled tortilla does wonderful things to the mix of ingredients.

WEbooker of the WEek

Do you have a line on the wonderfullest writer on WEbook? The fantastickest feedbacker? Or anyone else who goes above and beyond to make WEbook the best writing, reading, and publishing community on the internet? Drop me an email, or visit my profile and send me a message with the title "WEbooker of the WEek" to nominate your favorite WEbooker and he or she will have a shot at joining the ranks of the immortals -- and getting a free WEbook T-shirt to boot.

Join WEbook Today

Sign up for WEbook today and start reading, writing, and feedbacking.

-- Melissa