Month: April 2013

Ghosts from the past…

I’ve often been asked where on earth do I get the ideas for my books. Someone even said that I must have led a really exciting life. I only laugh and say that most of my work is from my brain not my memories.

I have included some past memories into the writing of my books, but I’ll never tell which ones. Why is it that when you’re a writer, people automatically think you only write about your life experiences?

My own mom actually was afraid to read the first book I published because she thought she might recognize herself in the book. I reassured her that she was safe. Now she’s one of my biggest fans. I do have to admit to using friends and family members as role models for some of my characters. 

One thing I can say is that writing has helped with getting rid of my ghosts from my past. Especially my dream of owning horses and having a horse farm. Well, what can I say, I’m a country girl. As a writer I can live my dreams and go to places I only dream of going. It’s a pretty cool thing being a writer.

As always, Good writing and May God Bless You…

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A Blank Page

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Have you ever been on a role with your writing and then all of a sudden you felt like your brain turned to a blank page? There are times when I want a blank page. Times when you have a trouble, through grief and through times you just want to forget. But when it comes to writing you don’t want that blank page or maybe you do.

What I’m talking about is when you’re working on a manuscript that you want to get out soon and another work is plaguing  you constantly. Sometimes I just want to flip a switch on and record the other thought, then have it go away until the current work is done. I’ve had that kind of weekend. 

I’m currently working on book 2 of my “Lean On Him” Christian Romance series. Friday I took my son fishing at a local pond. While there I sat with my laptop and tapped put well over a chapter. It’s like my mind just was flowing with renewed vigor. I think it was the fact that I just let go and enjoyed myself. I know my son did because he laughed and smiled as he caught one fish after another.

My plan for Saturday afternoon was to forge out several more chapters, but another idea for something kept creeping in. So, I didn’t write anything at all. I refused to give in to the other story, but it put such a strain on my brain that the one I need to finish kept getting crowded out.

Sometimes a blank page is welcome 🙂 

I had a great day yesterday even though rain threatened. We had “Friend Day” at Church, which means games for the kids. I always try to have them outside so we can spread out, but the rain kept us inside. It worked out great. The kids had a blast and I have to admit so did I. They’re always more resilient than I give them credit for. It’s amazing how well they adjust to needed changes. Of course they grumbled some because they love outdoors, but in the end they went home smiling with sacks of prizes and tummies full of sweet goodies. So as for the rain, it didn’t dampen the party, I think it enhanced it and brought us closer as a whole. Sometimes life does that. When we want to spread our wings, God says, “Not now, the time for that is later. For today be together as one and smile for tomorrow will be here too soon. Enjoy one another.” At least that’s my thoughts on it 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless YOU…

Roller Coasters!! Good Times????

Awesome post…

Eyes Wide Open

Friends ~

Have you been on a roller coaster of sorts this week? Particularly in regard to decision-making?

If so, take heart. You have company.

I have been in prayer and the scriptures this week pretty deeply about this – I want to share with you what the Lord has impressed upon my little heart.

I don’t have all the answers – just what He has led me to know – deep, deep down within.

Here it is:

  • IF we are in a good place with the Lord and our relationship with Him….
  • And IF we are seeking His will, actively….
  • IF we are spending time with Him in the word, seeking wise counsel, praying, checking our hearts, asking ourselves if the desires on our heart are coming from HIM or from the ugly flesh……

And then…..

  • If we are still confused….
  • We have rested and “been still”, but still feel that…

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Promoting your work and News…

Good Friday morning 🙂 It’s been a crazy week for me. I’m still playing catch up from three months of long hours and bad tax programs. My son was on Spring Break this week so I’ve tried to get in some Mama/Son time in. 

The one thing I had to get done this week was promoting my books. I’ve been kind of slack on that lately. Well for obvious reasons. But I had a really good prompt this week to get back into the grind. A couple of months ago I sent a promotional letter to several local book stores and a Barnes & Noble store sent me an interesting response. They said that I needed to send a printed copy of each of my books to the New York main office for submission to their brick & mortar stores. They are interested in my books which totally excites me. I’m already on their online store, but they are interested in them for stores. 

Well, if any of you have gone through their process then you know it’s a time consuming deal. I got it all ready and boxed up yesterday. I’ve set up a mail pick up this morning. I can’t tell you how excited I am. It’s been such a crazy road since last May when I published my first book. Wow, I can’t believe it’s been a year. Time flies when you’re having fun…

I’ve been on a wild ride of Tweets, Blogs, Press Releases and making wonderful new friends from all over this wonderful place we call Earth. Well, I have a bit of news. A month or so ago I hinted at some news that a big change was coming for me. Well after much prayer and some real big talks with the hubby I’ve finally almost made a decision. Some of you have been asking what that decision was, well here goes. I’ve been contemplating expanding my Accounting business and backing off the tax preparation side of it. For me that’s a huge step and I’m not sure how it’s going to go but it’s a real possibility. I was shooting for this being my last official tax season, but a couple of factors that are still in the works have to come to life before I can make that official decision. I need a lot of prayers for this to be a done deal. 

Another thing is I’m starting a monthly writers newsletter. If any of you would be interested in being interviewed or add a note or two please contact me. I’m really excited about this as I hope you will be too. I hope to get a big response from this and for it to help other writers showcase their work and ideas. 

Hope everyone has a blessed Friday and remember that God is with you in everything you do so make sure you do it the best way possible 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

 

 

Advertising…

Authors have to wear many hats. We have to be creative, innovative, and an expert in advertising. Well, not an expert, but at least willing to learn. I’ve learned so much in the last year about advertising. There are so many angles to advertising. 

Do you pay for advertising or just go the free route? I’ve investigated many options and found that free still works well. Although sometimes we do have to go with some that charge a fee to broaden the scope.

The free routes can include Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, Goodreads, Shelfari, Library Thing, Press Releases, Word of Mouth, and that’s to name a few. These have worked well for me. It’s funny that when I tweet from one of my book sites I get several hits on my books. It’s like hitting refresh.

Some of the not so free advertising I’ve done. Book Barista is really reasonable. I’ve expanded my WordPress to a website. The Independent Author Network is an awesome tool for any author or reader for that fact. This last one has a huge author network that works together to help get your name out.

The main thing is to follow as many blogs about writing as you can. You can learn so much from your fellow authors. My wordpress blog has really broadened my knowledge. I am so thankful for all my blog friends. Keep the great posts coming.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Cleaning out and clearing the mind…

Now that tax season is mostly over, I’m consumed with cleaning my office. Of course I have a lot of filing to do and general cleaning. My office literally looks like a storm blew through and that’s being nice 🙂

When I do a thorough cleaning it always makes me think clearer. As I clean and listen to songs on Pandora I think of the manuscripts that have been crying out for attention for a couple of months. Things pop up in my head and I keep my trusty notebook handy for just that reason. As I listen to songs they give me a feeling of nostalgia over the past year. I’m coming up on the anniversary of my first books publishing. It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole year almost.

I’m excited about having the time to write now. It’s high time I finish my works in progress and clear out my mind for new projects. So if you’re having writers block or feel overwhelmed, then clean out an area that has been haunting you for a while. See if it doesn’t give you a clearer head. Just seeing the top of my desk makes me smile 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Boy it feels good to be back 🙂

I’ve climbed out!

Well, if any of you were wondering about my lack of blog posts, tax season took me hostage. I was snowed in and weighed down in 1040’s and paperwork stacked all around me, caging me in. I worked until midnight last night and filed too many extensions to even count.

I’m back in full force with book advertising, writing and blogging. Hope you’re ready for the onslaught of me telling it like it is in my life. 

My question is this. Why do we let work take over our live? Deadlines? My son was so sweet all weekend and last night as I worked feverishly to finish. He would sit in my office playing games on his IPOD. I guess he figured if he was going to spend time with me, that was where it would be. My hubby refused to go to bed last night until I was done.

Hope everyone has been well. If you get a chance go on over to my friend Rosie Amber’s A-Z Challenge. 

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…