Beth Kery

Happy New Year!

It’s that time of year again; time for reflection, time for acknowledging our accomplishments and perhaps admitting we didn’t do quite all we wanted to do in 2008. But that’s okay, because there’s always next year…fresh, untouched and mysterious.

2009.

But before we can plunge into that virgin territory, it’s only right to look back. Life is about learning, after all, and how else do we learn but from experience?

2008 represented a major learning curve for me in regard to my publishing career. It was a year for finding my stride, experimenting a bit with what I’m capable of and what not. I found out what it was like to release my first New York published book. How was it different than releasing an e-book? One of the differences was that it exposed me to a whole different set of advertising opportunities, reader networks and people in general. There is a lot of overlap between readers of e-books and print books, but the traditional print market also has some readers, bloggers, book store owners, book clubs, etc. that I’ve never ran into before in the e-market. It’s been really rewarding to meet so many interesting, kind, knowledgeable, and involved people.

For the first time in 2008, I had deadlines. I experienced what it was like to work on a book when the contract was already signed, versus writing a book with the aim of selling the finished product. I wrote three books, several proposals and might just squeeze in a short before the end of the year. I’ve written more in the past, but I have to forgive myself, because there were so many other things I had to learn in regard to promotion and marketing. In 2008, I felt the thrill of being told that my NY publishing debut, WICKED BURN had made both the Borders and Barnes and Nobles bestseller lists. It was twice as wonderful, because as a new author, I had no expectations in regard to lists. I guess I was lucky, because my ignorance kept me from worrying about it one way or another.

I met and became closer to so many wonderful fellow authors—other souls finding their way down this exhilarating, often murky path of publishing. I was inspired by their stories (see my blog, So You Want to be a Writer?) I met new readers and writers on my chat loop, Total Exposure, and I grew closer to several people who have been around for a few years now. I learned that virtual friendships can be just as rewarding and wonderful as in the flesh friendships.

I also learned that I’ve handled stress better in my life. I’ve always considered myself a relatively easy-going person, so there were a few times during the weeks before WICKED BURN released when I didn’t recognize myself as I fretted about whether I was doing things ‘right’ as far as promotion…whether I’d done enough. I learned a ton, but I could have done without some of the self-imposed anxiety.

Oh well…live and learn.

Did you live as fully as you wanted this year? What lessons will you take with into that lovely untouched territory of 2009?

Mary Ricksen. Congratulations, Mary!

So many of you gave rich responses that I really appreciated. Thanks for teaching me several things about pearls, as well.

Several people have commented about the scorching ‘pearl scene’ in WICKED BURN, so I thought it’d be fun to do an article on pearls. Famous women used to always wear pearls (Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn come to mind) but pearls seem to have fallen out of fashion with the younger crowd. It’s a shame, because pearls confer a sense of glowing, elegant timelessness that no amount of glittering metal and diamonds can equal.

Choosing a Pearl

At this time of year, people often find themselves in the position of choosing jewelry as gifts, and pearls are a common item offered. But without becoming a pearl expert (which I am so not) how do you go about making the best choice for your dollar if, for instance, you’re merely buying a relatively inexpensive strand from a department store or from an online store like Overstock.com?

Perhaps the first classification to be considered is that of cultivated vs. natural. A cultured pearl is made exactly like a natural pearl, the only difference being that man puts the irritant inside the mussel or oyster for a cultured pearl and harvests them on a ‘farm.’

A second classification of pearls involves ‘freshwater’ vs. ‘saltwater.’ The distinguishing characteristic here, which effects rarity and eventual ticket price in regard to cultured pearls, is that freshwater mussels can be cultivated to create fifteen or twenty pearls, while a saltwater oyster can usually only produce one pearl. In addition, an oyster takes longer than a mussel to cultivate a pearl. The result of this is that there are far more freshwater and cultivated pearls on the market, so they are often a good price.

Another way a pearl can be classified is ‘whole’ or ‘half.’ A whole pearl is more valued and costly than the partial variety. You might see half pearls referred to as blister or mabe pearls.

A pearl’s luster—the brilliancy and ‘soul’ of the pearl—is a foremost criteria for a pearl’s value rating as well as subjective beauty. The luster refers to the way the light hits the gem…whether it appears brilliant or dull. Keep in mind, that in examining a pearl many people focus on shape or imperfections in the pearl, and discount it for flaws, while ignoring a pearl’s perhaps brilliant luster. Finding a perfectly shaped pearl is important for many, but don’t discount the beauty of a lustrous gem. Another thing to consider is color. The ‘black’ pearl is often associated with the Tahitian pearl, although you might also find black pearls in someplace more common—like a mussel from the Mississippi river. Pearls come in everything from white, cream, pink and black. An inexpensive strand might not feature perfectly shaped gems, but perhaps the luster or color are what might appeal for a change of pace in a fashion accessory.

A popular, sought after pearl is the Akoya pearl, which is a saltwater pearl often cultured in China and Japan. They are known for the roundness and brilliant luster…and their higher pricetags. South Sea pearls are often larger than an Akoya, but usually don’t possess the famous luster.

The Sensuality of Pearls

One of my favorite things to do while I was in Hawaii recently, where cultured pearls abound, was to delve my hand into the thick strands of pearls hanging out at market. There’s something very sensory—and yes, sexy—about pearls: the weight and smoothness of them in the hand, the way they catch the light, the sound of the beads clicking softly against one another. Pearls are an elegant gem and because of the wide variety, an approachable choice as far as price.