To press or not to press, that’s the question…

It’s really a hard question for an author. Do you publish your work or do you go back over it several times and then decide? Sometimes I think we over analyze our writing, trying to make it perfect. To be honest it may never be perfect.

I’ve caught myself doing just this with one of my works in progress. It’s funny how we’re more critical than the worst reviewer. Any work you do needs to be read at least twice, and one of those times needs to be out loud. When you read out loud it brings about another reality. Just make sure that you get someone else to read your work. That person needs to have a open mind.

As I work on my newest work I wonder, will someone really want to read this? What’s rewarding is when I hear from people asking when my next book in one of my series is going to be published. It makes things seem a lot better, but man does it make you stressed. Ok, now you have someone ready for that book that you’ve been working hard to finish, but it’s not quite there yet.

My question to you is this. Do you over analyze your writing? Have you not published a finished piece because you feel it’s lacking something? Well, maybe you need a second opinion. It may just be you, not the book. Try it and see what you think. One of my best selling books was held out for longer because I didn’t think it was ready, but my editor just laughed and hit send on the publish button. Good call on her part 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

This is to all the Mother’s out there.

This is to all the Mother’s out there. Hope you have a wonderful day today as you deserve it. My son was quick to hug me this morning and tell me thank you. Of course it brought on the tears. Then at Church our wonderful Pastor talked about Mother’s and their role in our lives. It was quite eye opening and honest. My hubby put his arm around me and squeezed my shoulder. Yep, I shed a tear or two. Bet you knew that already 🙂

It’s been a great day so far. My family met at a restaurant with a buffet and we ate until we were miserable then we went back to my mom’s to eat dessert. How you may ask? Well it’s Mother’s Day and I’m going to enjoy it.

My son asked what I was going to do on this beautiful Mother’s Day and I told him maybe a nap and then work on one of my manuscripts. Also I’m going to admire the beautiful pot of flowers my hubby and son gave me. I picked them out, but it’s the thought that counts.

If you’re mother is still living then make sure if you don’t see her today at least call her because you wouldn’t be here without her. She wiped your nose, changed your diapers, put bandaids on your cuts and nursed you when you were sick. She deserves some respect and show of love. SO if you haven’t called her or been to visit shame on you. It only takes a moment out of your busy schedule to make a call and just say ‘Mom I love you and thank you for everything.” It’s real simple. So just do it.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY…

As always good writing and May God Bless you…

Stephanie Hurt – The Independent Author Network

Stephanie Hurt, Ghost Lover, The Winner Is Love, A Love Never Lost, Tender Flames, romance

via Stephanie Hurt – The Independent Author Network.

Friday, it’s finally here…

Anyone that works during the week look forward to Friday. It’s the final day of the work week for most people. It’s the day that you usually do a little less as your mind gets ready to shut down for the weekend.

Funny thing is as a writer your work is never done. You work when everyone else sleeps. You work in the evening, morning, lunch time, and anytime you can spare a moment. I sat last night half watching television and half working on a current work in progress. My family knows that when the laptop goes in my lap that it’s work time. My laptop stays on my desk in my office all day doing accounting and then to my lap at night.

Friday’s are laid back in my office. I have several payrolls to complete but usually I shut down early if possible to get my son from school. It’s a special time for us. We usually get groceries then come home to either relax for a moment or I go back to the office to finish up.

So enjoy your Friday and relish the knowledge that in a couple of hours you can go home and not go back for 2 days. It’s your day, so be inspired.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Talking to your kids…

As you can tell from the title, this post is not about writing as usual. This post is about the safety of our children. As you know from my profile, I’m a mother and a children’s minister. Last night during the children’s ministry class we brought in the youth and I talked to them.

It was like a town hall meeting. We discussed how to defend yourself against abduction. It was very interesting the way the kids responded. Some responded with anger over the escalation of children abductions and others told about what they’d been told to do.

Please don’t let today go by without talking to your children about safety. Here are some things to add to the conversation. This is from things I’ve read and seen on specials about this so here goes.

1. Always stay alert about your surroundings. When playing outside in a public place always look up and see who’s around.

2. If someone approaches you that you don’t know be on alert. If you can walk away toward a group of people or to your parent. Keep an eye on the person.

3. If someone asks you to go with them somewhere and you don’t know them, or your parents don’t approve it simply say “NO!” and get to an adult immediately.

4. Don’t play alone. Always have a buddy. Most abductions happen when the child is playing in the public alone.

5. Even at Church or school be weary of people lurking in parking lots or on the outskirts of the playground that don’t belong there.

This is only a couple of the many things we need to talk with our children about. I’ve told my son this since he was old enough to walk. It’s very important. We need to empower our children.

Also make sure they know how to physically defend themselves by kicking, screaming, biting or whatever it takes to safely get away from someone. So please don’t hesitate to talk to your children.

As always, good writing and May God bless you and your children.

Remember, this is just my advice and what I’ve learned.

Well it’s here – Ghost Lover is officially 1!

Can you believe it? I can’t. My first published novel, “Ghost Lover” is one today. It’s hard to fathom that I’ve been publishing books for a solid year. It’s been a fantastic ride.

Ghost Lover was in the works for a long time before it was published. I used snippets from my past and creativity from my brain (that’s scary). It was a work of love and excitement. When I finished this book I was satisfied, but the satisfaction came when the first book sold and the first great review came through.

Through my publishing I’ve met some really extraordinary people from all over the world. I can’t tell you how much fun it’s been blogging, tweeting and emailing with all of you. Some of you have become great friends and I’ll treasure those friendships for a lifetime.

My writing has taken me to many corners of the earth and that was without leaving my little corner in Georgia. I’ve had friends ask me if I’m fulfilled with my writing and I can honestly say, YES!!!

I had a former male companion ask me one day if I used anything from our relationship in the books. I just smiled and winked telling him I’d never tell my secrets. If he’d read the books he’d know he never showed up. I’m sure the person or people who inspired some of the characters will recognize themselves if they read it.

As for the cowboy on the front cover, no I don’t know him as some have speculated. He’s from a purchased photo at BigStock. My husband often asks about the inspiration for some of the parts of the books and then he waves both hands frantically and says “Don’t tell me and I’ll be none the wiser.” By the way he’s never read one of my books. He says he’s too afraid he’ll see himself. I assured him that most of my writing is purely fiction with only some parts from my past. Since he knows the ghosts from my past he would recognize easily where they are and who or what inspired them. I try to keep the mystery alive.

As for Ghost Lover, it’s been reborn and revised. Don’t worry, I didn’t change the story, but I did do some editing. Throughout the last year of writing and publishing I’ve listened to my readers and changed some of my styles. When I read the book again for the revision I sat with a tissue box and enjoyed every minute. It brought back the ghosts that haunt me and why I wrote this book.

It’s available as of this morning on Amazon & Smashwords. It’ll be available on Allromanceebooks.com and Barnes & Noble in the next week. Also on Kobo, SOny, Apple and Diesel. So go check it out and let me know what you think. I’d really love to hear some feedback.

As always, Good writing and may God bless you…

P.S. Thanks for everything great friends…

New work, covers, and Names…

As I’ve said before, I’m working on several manuscripts. Sometimes I do a little on each every day and other days I working primarily on just one.

My newest work steps a little away from my normal writing. I’m really excited about it. It deals with two different time periods and a type of time travel, but don’t worry, it’s still a romance, just different.

I’ve been working on something special that will come out tomorrow, but nope, can’t tell you until tomorrow. Also I’m working on a new edition on “Tender Flames which was the second book I published. It’s had great reviews and I’ve listened to my readers, so I’m making a couple of changes. When I’m done, it’s going to come out as a revised edition and also will be coupled with the 2nd book in that series, “Rekindled Flame”. I’m really excited about this one.

The fun thing, or maybe not so fun at times is figuring out the cover of your new work and the name. I usually have an idea in my head how I want it to come out, but finding the right picture and one I can legally use is not easy. Then you have the font for the words on the cover and wow there are so many to choose from. Oh, then you have to name it. Sometimes the name sells the book, so no pressure, it just has to be perfect, that’s all.

So good luck with your writing and make sure you make it count because that’s where you make the difference.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Does your writing affect you?

It’s a real question. Does your writing affect you? What I mean is does your writing give you food for thought? Saturday was a very rainy day in Georgia, so I spent a good bit of time working on one of my latest books in progress. As I was writing I realized that I actually had tears streaming down my face.

It was then that I realized that my writing affects me. I have to admit it was a very emotional part of the manuscript. Some people would say, ‘why do you get affected so by your work?’ Well, as you know if you’ve followed my blog, I’m an emotional person. I have a soft heart and when I work on a sad part I cry, a happy part I smile and a infuriating part I scowl.

My son sits and watches me sometimes. He always laughs when he sees the tears. It’s a constant addition to his daily entertainment for him to see his mama get emotional over a book or movie or song for that matter. He always says, ‘Mama, you’re not really crying over that are you?’

Oh, well. I feel like if it affects me so much, maybe it will affect the reader as well. In some of the reviews of my books, fans have said as much. They’ve even talked about getting a box of tissues ready. I guess being an emotional person brings about a lot of emotional parts to my books.

One more thought on this is that romance brings about emotion in a lot of people. Maybe it’s bringing up a memory that’s been hidden in your heart, or maybe it’s just touching. Whatever the reason, just let the tears flow. Bring out the heart of the work you do. That’s what makes it your own.

God made us all different and some of us were made with a soft heart. If we cry as we work, then we’re giving it all we have.

As always good writing, and may God Bless You…

The Heart Reader

This is a good morning read…

Eyes Wide Open

Did you know that God can read our hearts? It’s true.

Have you ever been in the midst of something in which words just fail when you come to meet with the Lord in prayer?

Sometimes this happens because we are so distracted, our thoughts just keep on straying, interrupting, intervening.

Other times, we may truly be so over wrought with emotions, grief, turmoil, or a host of other things, that words simply elude us. At this point, we tend to get frustrated and just go back into our own little world.

I have even recently experienced times in which I am so utterly happy that I can’t seem to find the right words as I come to the Lord in prayer….just wanting to praise Him.

I don’t know if this will help you or not – I certainly hope that it will – but I want to share a secret with you:

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