Comments on: They are not all good days….

By: randrean

randrean — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 04:52:37 +0000

As someone who has finally read your first book, and as someone who has known you since you were selling penguin mints to Cathy and Wendy at the Mission,I am glad you posted about losing your mother, even though I AM NOT glad of the fact. The funny thing is also that I can't get it out of my family if you are a part of my family still, or if I am just confused.Raun Norby here. I actually found out about the book from the alumni paper and not from my family, but I do remember when you and S. moved back to the midwest. All other ideas aside....your book rocks. I am waiting for the second, and I keep on thinking, did I read this passage? when I come upon something seeming really familiar.It is a wonderful book, and I can hardly wait for #2. Hugs and kisses. Raun

By: evas

evas — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 05:05:57 +0000

I’m so sorry for your loss, it sounds like your mom was very close to your heart.Moms are a blessing when they are filled with love for their children and it sounds like yours was really there for you.It sucks not having enough money,especially when you work really hard to get the money you do have!I know what that’s like..The book will sell and sell, my magic eight ball predicts much success for you because you are talented, hardworking and kind and build magical realms.Things will get better.

By: Brian Igelchen

Brian Igelchen — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 20:02:00 +0000

I read the one-star amazon review. I don't even get why he reviewed it, he hadn't read the entire book. And I don't see why he started reading it.I've only read the excerpts on your site, and yet I am so intent on reading that book, so hooked that if it had cost 300$ it wouldn't really have mattered. And I could have travelled to Stockholm to get it. (I live in Oslo, and I'm being realistic)And I think you should be proud of your <>five-star<> amazon rating. Because the bull-shit that guy just pulled does not cut it. I may only have read the excerpts, but they were good. And the same guy who rated you with one-star, rated the last Potter book with a five star. Obviously this guy only opened his eyes to what he wanted to see. He already had a liking of the Harry Potter books. He wanted the last Harry Potter book to be good, although in all sincerity it was just okay. (Says I who am a serious HP-fan) However he seemed to keep a blind eye to the good stuff in your novel, because he didn't already relate to it, and didn't bother to.I don't think that reviewer wanted to read your book from the start off. And I don't think he was disappointed by the book. He just didn't bother...And sorry about your mother. It's always good to have someone there for you.

By: Ms Beastie

Ms Beastie — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:26:52 +0000

I’m very sad to hear about your mom. It sounds like she was a very cool mom.I for one think is a grand thing when someone doesn’t hide behind some sort of persona in their blog. I prefer true representation blogs of the warts and all variety.

By: Llyralei

Llyralei — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:13:48 +0000

Aw, Pat, I'm sorry. Like greg said, it's your blog. Even if my blog was read by thousands of fans, I'd still bitch and moan. xDActually, it's kind of nice that you post up the bad stuff, too. It shows that you're human, and that things get you down just like the rest of us. It makes me kind of happy that you trust your readership to let them get close to your heart like this. :]And don't let those one-star reviewers discourage you. I'll bet they're all nerds who think they can write just because they read some classics in high school. XD <3Cookies are yum. :D

By: Sabrina

Sabrina — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 01:17:57 +0000

I’ve learned something about reviews whether it be movies, books, music, or video games and that is: stupid people like bad things. That person on amazon just didn’t get the greatness of your book. I think you are a great guy, Pat. Thanks for your book and your blog.

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:04:38 +0000

I get the same way on my blog. I try to be happy and creative, but I do find it that people appreciate it more when you write about evening good and bad. Thank you so much for sharing with us and my sympathies to you from one who has just had a similar loss.As for cookies, it’s always chocolate chip ones for me! Not the crunchy ones though. Cookies shouldn’t be crunchy! They need to be soft and sweet so they worthy of me sharing the bed with their crumbs.

By: Jennye

Jennye — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:21:43 +0000

Okay, I promised myself I wasn't going to do this, as you didn't want a pity party but I'm going to anyway. And since YOU don't want a pity party, I will make this mostly about me.Your post touched me because it reminded me that I am not the only person who shares such a deep connection with my mother. And it's good to hear others who do, and use words that convey that feeling so well. And when you lose that connection, how lost and disoriented you feel.I try to explain that feeling as something akin to a spacewalker. Stick with me here. When we're born, our mothers put us out into space with this huge lifeline connected to us. As we grow older we connect more lifelines to others, but the spacestation that is the mother is always in sight and provides constant support that we can always turn and rely on. When the spacestation dies, all of the sudden you feel cut adrift. And even though you know you have all that you need to survive, and that all your other lifelines are there for you, they can't replace the one that was with you since the beginning and you feel like you're being sucked toward a black hole. And space sure is much more scarier without that sure support!Well, I could take the metaphor further, but I think you get the idea. The main thing is that you get used to being in space without that anchor.I lost my Mom a little over a year ago and she was my best friend. Reading was a shared obsession. I'm sure I would have shared your book with her were she still here.As usual, thanks for sharing. We appreciate it and sorry if my metaphor was lame. I envy all you writers who can so easily do what it takes me a half a day to do. (No, this didn't take me a half a day, but it would have been a lot better if I could have used that much time.)Thanks again!

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:02:59 +0000

Miriam: Yeah. Now that the cat's out of the bag, it won't be too long before I tell some stories about her.Mary: I got your card just last night. It was very sweet. Thanks so much....Good lord. I wish this blog could do threaded comments. Responding this way is so cumbersome and irritating....

By: Mary J.

Mary J. — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:05:31 +0000

I don't have the words that I need to express myself over this post so I will move on to the incidentals...I left your one star reviewer a bit of constructive feedback. I am sure his days are not going very well because of the combined mental power of your friends and fans. (That amount of bad vibes aimed at someone surely has an effect) He is a true sapsucker.I hope your cookies were warm, wonderful, and comforting. You should throw us some hints on your favorites or you will just get bags and bags of Oreos. (The only previously mentioned cookie choice that I can remember on your blog)My supreme stalking skills and mild telepathic bond to you were obviously in effect. I hope you got your Quill note and will have the enclosure handy for your next coffee shop visit. :-*