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…

Roller Coaster Sales…

Have you ever felt like your sales were on a roller coaster? Sometimes I feel like I’m on a roller coaster. One day you’re on the uphill ascent then the next day you’re barreling down the other side so fast it takes your breath.

Some of the sites where you can put your books for sale only report sales once a month and that really puts you to task. My sales sometimes amaze me. I can go on a tweet fest and the sales ramp up. I looked at my pages views on Smashwords.com last night and it actually looked like a roller coaster. The funny thing is all the hills were around a social media blitz.

So, if you’re having downhill sales, try doing a tweet fest. Don’t forget those hash tags. I’ve really learned a lot about the use of them. When I do a tweet fest I try to go to every site my books are on and tweet that book from the site. Also working on a list for one of my posts regarding social media sites that have worked well for me.

Don’t let downward sales affect your writing. Sales are a fickle thing. One day you do really well, and sometimes you have really good weeks. Then a plummet for a day or so and you’re poking out your lip and giving up. Don’t do that! Have faith. If it was selling good those days, it will again.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Outlines and writing between the lines.

If you’ve read my blogs before you know I like to do an outline of my book ideas before I start writing. Most of the time that is. Sometimes when I get the inspiration for a book I can’t quite see the middle and end, but if I do I make sure to jot it down in the order I see it happening.

The problem is sometimes the filling in of the chapters between the outline sections. One of my reviewers wrote that they loved the book but wanted more descriptive matter. They wanted to know more about some of the characters. So, in my latest works I’ve been really working on more descriptive matter. But on that same note I’ve been careful not to just jumble up words for the sake of words on a page.

Have you ever read a book that had too much descriptive matter and not enough actual needed matter? Recently I read a book that was just such a creature. I ended up skipping parts of the book as I got bored with the long drawn out descriptions given. That’s what I’ve tried to keep from doing in my work.

So how much is too much or too little? I guess that’s up to the writer. Regarding the review of that one book, some of the places that I didn’t elaborate, I felt like it didn’t need any further explanation, but that was just the way it came into my heart. But when the reader reads it, they may not get the point that I’m trying to make with less words and more heart. It’s a double edged sword.

Oh well, we can’t please everyone. One article I read from a well known author said to just please yourself and make it your own. She said if you strive to please everybody all the time you’ll lose that part that makes your own work special. It makes sense.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

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…

A Blank Page

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…

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…

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…