AUTHOR RITA KUEHN

I grew up knowing shame. And I recently discovered that much of it still lives on in me today. Even after years of therapy, of reconstructing my life, and of trying to overcome, today, I find that it still has more power over me than I’d like to admit. The thought angers me, makes me want to cry out in anguish over the way it paralyzes me, and rip the heart out of the forces that make it thrive. Since some of these things are not feasible, I’ve come up with the following plan: Read more…

Rita Kuehn Adversity, Daily Life, Living Your Dreams, Shame, We Can Overcome adversity, Rita Kuehn, Shame, Step By Step, We Can Overcome

I ran across this article written by Author Elmore Leonard and published in the NY Times’ Writers on Writing series in 2001. It’s a timeless piece offering bits of writing technique and wisdom, which are often humorous but always informative. For you writers out there, I am reposting it here:

Rita Kuehn About Writing, Word-by-Word Authors, Famous Authors, Writers, Writing, Writing Tips

While writing today, I began to type the idiom “to tide you over”, when I had to stop and think about the correct use and spelling of the term “tide”. I was quite surprised at myself, that I had to think about it, it being quite a common expression. But, I began to wonder, was the term “tide” spelled ”tide” or ”tied”?

 To be honest, I initially thought that the correct term was “tied”. I was 98% sure of it. However, as I began to think about the definition of “tied” as being the past tense of tie, as in: ”I tied that little rugrat to a tree” vs. “I’m going to tie that little rugrat to a tree”, the use of that term in this expression didn’t make sense to me. But then neither did “tide”. “Tide” being a wave, surge or flood. “To surge you over”, was just not what I was going for.

 I realized that, to use this phrase properly, I would have to look up its true meaning, delve into its history, and find out which, tied or tide, was the correct word to use. This is what I found: Read more…

Rita Kuehn About Writing, Word-by-Word Idioms, Writing, Writing Tips

Last night the MN Opera we embarked on the HD recording project of Wuthering Heights (details of which can be accessed by clicking here), and they will continue filming tomorrow night. You can be a part of it, by calling for free tickets! Just make sure you mention my blog: Author Rita Kuehn or ritakuehnsblog.com. Details for the free tickets are below, but first I want you to know that this is an amazing offer ~ these seats run upwards of $200~!

I saw a performance of Mn Opera’s Wuthering Heights on Blogger Preview Night (check my previous blogs for a more detailed review of the performance and click here: www.MNopera.org/blog to see what other’s are saying.

Here’s the scoop on the free tickets: Read more…

Rita Kuehn Daily Life Arts, Blogger, Events, Free Tickets, MN Opera, Wuthering Heights

As previously mentioned on this blog, I was invited to the final rehearsal of the fabulous MN Opera production of  Wuthering Heights. Today, I received some exciting news: Free Tickets for my blog followers/fans for tomorrow night’s performance of  Wuthering Heights! (These tickets run up to $200 a seat!)  The seats are great ~ the best seats, down front! Details are below (when you call you must mention my blog ~ Author Ritak Kuehn or ritakuehnsblog.com, but hurry seats are limited for this offer). But there’s more fun news:

Last night MN Opera embarked on the HD recording  of Wuthering Heights (details of which can be accessed by clicking here).  The great news for you is that they are continuing the recording tomorrow night, and you have a chance to be a part of it via free tickets!

 I want to hurry to get this post out to you so you can grab onto this incredible offer, so without further delay, here is the scoop:

 “Minnesota Opera is giving away a limited number of free tickets to the Thursday, April 21, 2011, 7:30pm performance of Bernard Herrmann’s Wuthering Heights to followers of the bloggers who attended the Opera’s “Blogger Preview Night.” Be a part of Minnesota Opera history as we record this new production in HD video for a future national and international release. Call the Ticket Office at 612-333-6669, M-F, 9am-6pm, and reference “Wuthering Heights Blogger Preview”.” Make sure they mention your blog!”

 To learn more about the blogger review night at the MN Opera, which I attended, and to see what others, including yours truly, thought about this performance, click here: www.mnopera.org/blog.

Let me know if you are one of the lucky ones to received Free Tickets!

Rita Kuehn Daily Life Arts, Events, Free Tickets, MN Opera, Wuthering Heights

My favorite section of the Star Tribune is “Variety”.  Big surprise there, I’m sure.   Some times I scan it, not finding anything of outstanding interest. But in today’s paper, there is a story that deserves all the attention it’s getting and then some. Especially for those who love to read mystery and suspense novels, and for those of us who like to support the independent bookstores.

“Once Upon a Crime”, a bookstore in Minneapolis, will be awarded the 2011 Raven Award, the top honor for non-authors given at the annual Edgar Awards, sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America. Husband and wife co-owners, Pat Frovarp and Gary Schulze are ecstatic, as well they should be.

I’ve been to the tiny independent bookstore for book signings. The most memorable being a signing with author Michael Connelly, who signed my book, The Overlook, with: “Keep writin’, Keep fightin’,” after I told him that his literary agent Phil Spizter sent me the nicest hand-written rejection letter. But I regress…

I love that this shop is getting an award. With so many independent bookstores closing down, over-ridden by the monster stores like Amazon and Barnes and Noble, it is wonderful to see one thriving and getting attention for its excellence. Once Upon a Crime is a tiny shop with 20-30,000 books lining its walls, leaving not much room for hosting book signings for both local and national mystery authors and their fans several times a year. But this they do, and the fans pack in, stand in line with queues running outside, and are just plain happy to be there.

If you are lover of mysteries and haven’t yet been to Once Upon a Crime, you must put it on your  bucket list. You’ll be glad you did. You can read the entire story: Crime Pays for Bookstore. The article includes a history of the store and a sweet account of Frovarp and Shulze’s romance, which has much to do with the store’s history.

Rita Kuehn About Books, Book News Books, mystery, Once Upon a Crime

If Thursday night’s final dress rehearsal is a just indicator, The Minnesota Opera’s performance of Wuthering Heights will prove to be a hit talked about in Opera circles for a long time to come! If you are an opera fan, this is one performance you will not want to miss!

I was mesmerized from the first moment of this performance enacting Emily Bronte’s novel when the stage became a snowstorm sweeping eerily across the English moors surrounding the home of Catherine Earnshaw. The backdrop, brought to life throughout the Opera by Projection  Designer, Wendall K. Harrington, consistently matched the dark mood and music of this tragic story.

Conductor Michael Christie  expertly directed the Minnesota Opera Orchestra in this dramatic piece by Composer Bernard Herrmann, bringing together a gothic atmosphere and layers of emotion: love, hatred, longing, and denial. Wuthering Heights is Herrmann’s only opera; he is famous for composing music for several Hitchcock films including Vertigo, Psycho among many others. For a great overview of Herrmann and the Wuthering Heights Opera from the very talented (and seemingly young) Conductor Michael Christie, click here.

I read Wuthering Heights many years ago, but as I watched the performance I quickly remembered the intensity of Cathy and Heathcliff’s love, and the tumultuous lives they lived. But, if you are in need of a quick plot refresher, Soprano Sara Jakubiak, Catherine Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights, tells the story of the gothic romance here: Wuthering Heights ~ the Plot .

Wuthering Heights begins Saturday April 16 and runs through the 23rd.  Tickets are on sale at:  http://www.mnopera.org/season.

Rita Kuehn Daily Life

I’d mentioned that I might post an excerpt from the novel (a mystery/suspense) on which I am currently working. It is a -work-in-progress and will most likely endure more editing ~ it always does ~. But, here it is so far! Read more…

Rita Kuehn About Writing, Word-by-Word excerpt, mystery, novel, suspense, The Package, Writing

I recently watched a show on TPT (Twin Cities Public Television) featuring “Prized Writers”. This particular show was hosted by Minnesota writer Ken Krueger, who interviewed PJ Tracy (a mother and daughter mystery writing team). They discussed “plotting a mystery.” The discussion was very informative and interesting. I recommend it for anyone who is interested in writing. This particular program, as well as other programs featuring prized writers, can be found Read more…

Rita Kuehn About Writing, Links, Word-by-Word Authors, mystery, Prized Writers, TPT, Writing Tips

I need a great women’s lit book to read this weekend. What are you reading?

Rita Kuehn About Books Books, Reading, Women's Fiction