My children never sees to amaze me, they make me laugh and ponder at life in ways that I could never imagine. My writing is definitely dedicated to my children and ALL the things they do to inspire it...Mommy loves you!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
My Inspirations!
I have so many people and things that inspire my writing, the Holy Spirit of course is the main inspiration. The other major inspirations are my three children! Children are definitely a precious gift from God.
My children never sees to amaze me, they make me laugh and ponder at life in ways that I could never imagine. My writing is definitely dedicated to my children and ALL the things they do to inspire it...Mommy loves you!
My children never sees to amaze me, they make me laugh and ponder at life in ways that I could never imagine. My writing is definitely dedicated to my children and ALL the things they do to inspire it...Mommy loves you!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Staying Positive in a Not-So-Positive Environment
How can an author stay positive in a not-so-positive "book world"?
In the past few days I have come across some seemingly interesting, yet troubling threads/posts not only by fellow authors, but also consumers of our books as well. I have seen some downright hostile posts from authors to other authors, as well as consumers to authors trying to promote their books.
It would seem logical that after an author spends so much time, energy and effort to produce his or her material, the next step after production would be to promote it, right? Right! Well I am now learning that there are certain protocals to promoting your books in certain forums. If these protocals are not followed, an author could be the next subject/victim in a brutal electronic attack! Picture a person in water being surrounded and eaten up by piranha.
The following thread is a case in point: http://www.amazon.com/forum/kindle/ref=cm_cd_pg_pg1?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx1D7SY3BVSESG&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx3V77Z202UI66I
Yes, I do believe that there are some authors out there that try to manipulate the system (and people) into buying their material. However, I strongly feel there are a good majority of us that are simply trying to extend our material to the masses in an honest, no schemes attached, way.
I have also noticed how people are quick to criticize another person without the slightest regard for how it would make the other person feel. What happened to compassion in our society? Even if you don't have compassion, weren't you taught that if you didn't have anything positive to say, don't say anything? The problem with the "book world" is that people make a living by writing down their thoughts, their behaviors, what's on their minds. Likewise, some consumers will pay big money to read what's on the minds of authors and what makes the author's characters come alive. So I guess it would seem natural that a person (whether author or consumer) would simply say what they are feeling at the moment, especially since it's so easy to do when one is sitting in front of a computer as opposed to in front of the actual person they are attacking. I thought the legal profession was harsh. I am certainly seeing the same critical narcisism in the book world as well. And of course I know that this is not limited to the "book world" (and legal profession for that matter) only.
So, back to the question at hand...how can an author (like myself) stay positive when it seems that there are so many negatives stacked against you...or at least it appears that way? ;-) By keeping your eye on the Lord and His promises!
"He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stay" 2 Samuel 22:18-19
Just remember that the Lord is with you ALWAYS. Place your burdens on Him and allow Him to fight your battles! Staying positive can be a challenge, but when you know you have someone else to fight for you, makes that problem that was once a MOUNTAIN seem like a mole hill!
Have a Blessed day!
In the past few days I have come across some seemingly interesting, yet troubling threads/posts not only by fellow authors, but also consumers of our books as well. I have seen some downright hostile posts from authors to other authors, as well as consumers to authors trying to promote their books.
It would seem logical that after an author spends so much time, energy and effort to produce his or her material, the next step after production would be to promote it, right? Right! Well I am now learning that there are certain protocals to promoting your books in certain forums. If these protocals are not followed, an author could be the next subject/victim in a brutal electronic attack! Picture a person in water being surrounded and eaten up by piranha.
The following thread is a case in point: http://www.amazon.com/forum/kindle/ref=cm_cd_pg_pg1?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx1D7SY3BVSESG&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx3V77Z202UI66I
Yes, I do believe that there are some authors out there that try to manipulate the system (and people) into buying their material. However, I strongly feel there are a good majority of us that are simply trying to extend our material to the masses in an honest, no schemes attached, way.
I have also noticed how people are quick to criticize another person without the slightest regard for how it would make the other person feel. What happened to compassion in our society? Even if you don't have compassion, weren't you taught that if you didn't have anything positive to say, don't say anything? The problem with the "book world" is that people make a living by writing down their thoughts, their behaviors, what's on their minds. Likewise, some consumers will pay big money to read what's on the minds of authors and what makes the author's characters come alive. So I guess it would seem natural that a person (whether author or consumer) would simply say what they are feeling at the moment, especially since it's so easy to do when one is sitting in front of a computer as opposed to in front of the actual person they are attacking. I thought the legal profession was harsh. I am certainly seeing the same critical narcisism in the book world as well. And of course I know that this is not limited to the "book world" (and legal profession for that matter) only.
So, back to the question at hand...how can an author (like myself) stay positive when it seems that there are so many negatives stacked against you...or at least it appears that way? ;-) By keeping your eye on the Lord and His promises!
"He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stay" 2 Samuel 22:18-19
Just remember that the Lord is with you ALWAYS. Place your burdens on Him and allow Him to fight your battles! Staying positive can be a challenge, but when you know you have someone else to fight for you, makes that problem that was once a MOUNTAIN seem like a mole hill!
Have a Blessed day!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
July 9, 2011 - First Book Cover Complete!
The first cover is complete!! Illustrator Jeffrey Duckworth (http://www.duckofalltrades.com/) did a fantastic job on the cover for Vinny Vain Liked to Complain. The first cover completed for my series, titled: Little Life Lessons; Love, Grace & Blessings - Stories For All God's Children.
The Vinny Vain book is available for purchase on Amazon.com, the link is below.
http://www.amazon.com/Complain-Little-Lessons-Blessings-ebook/dp/B00578ZIXO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310318810&sr=8-1
Next cover he is working on is Nitti Gritty Smitty...can't wait to see what Jeff comes up with! Nitti Gritty Smitty is also available for purchase in the Amazon store (for Kindle), no hard copies yet. The link is below.
http://www.amazon.com/Gritti-Smitty-Lessons-Blessings-ebook/dp/B00571ALH4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1310321277&sr=8-3
The Vinny Vain book is available for purchase on Amazon.com, the link is below.
http://www.amazon.com/Complain-Little-Lessons-Blessings-ebook/dp/B00578ZIXO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310318810&sr=8-1
Next cover he is working on is Nitti Gritty Smitty...can't wait to see what Jeff comes up with! Nitti Gritty Smitty is also available for purchase in the Amazon store (for Kindle), no hard copies yet. The link is below.
http://www.amazon.com/Gritti-Smitty-Lessons-Blessings-ebook/dp/B00571ALH4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1310321277&sr=8-3
June 30, 2011 - My UK Connection!
Someone actually bought one of my books in the UK!!!! WOW
Ok, I know 1 book is nothing, but still. I will celebrate that ONE book being sold in the UK. I kinda wonder now who bought the book? Did they like it?
I guess I will never know those answers, but it's nice to think that maybe, just maybe they really really loved it and in their mind gave it 5 stars and really wanted to leave a review, but simply didn't have time to leave a fabulous review.
Or the opposite could be true, they could have hated it and thankfully didn't bother leaving a review.
I'm hoping for the former rather than the later.
For my first month of sales, I did sell 14 books. Not too bad in a 10 day time frame. I'll take that and thank the Lord every day!!! :-)
Correction: I sold 15 books (14 in the U.S. and that ONE book in the U.K.) :-))
Ok, I know 1 book is nothing, but still. I will celebrate that ONE book being sold in the UK. I kinda wonder now who bought the book? Did they like it?
I guess I will never know those answers, but it's nice to think that maybe, just maybe they really really loved it and in their mind gave it 5 stars and really wanted to leave a review, but simply didn't have time to leave a fabulous review.
Or the opposite could be true, they could have hated it and thankfully didn't bother leaving a review.
I'm hoping for the former rather than the later.
For my first month of sales, I did sell 14 books. Not too bad in a 10 day time frame. I'll take that and thank the Lord every day!!! :-)
Correction: I sold 15 books (14 in the U.S. and that ONE book in the U.K.) :-))
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