Lacking Inspiration?

As an author, inspiration is what compels our fingers to go tap, tap on laptops, and writers where it should be: dormant.  Without inspiration we're just wishers, sitting behind a computer, waiting for something worth writing to show up.  But all is not lost. Lacking inspiration is normal. Finding it, or and keeping it, key. But that's okay because its out there. And moving is how you'll find and keep the key. So, go on. Take a trip. Go shopping. Watch a movie. Go out to a movie. Just get out and do something. There's so much out there that you haven't seen all because you were stuck behind your computer trying to inspire yourself.  Look to others for your inspiration. Trust me, it's there. Now get inspired!!! Be your own inspiration!!! Do inspirational things!!!

A Good Editor

I've just finished reading another one of Rachelle Gardner's interesting and very informative blogs entitled ' Trust Me, You Need a Good Editor', and as always, her blog pulls me in,  gets me to thinking. But as much as her blogs make me think, they also make me ask questions, all of which I need answers. I read blogs from editors, and blog comments from writers to editors. Which editors are true to editing, and which are not so good. I have finished my novel A String of Pearls, and I am looking for a good editor. After reading Rachelle's blog as well as the comments left by some really interesting bloggers', and writers', I must tell you it was all very informative, however it left me with fears I could do without, but hey, sometimes fear's a good thing.
There are as many editors out there, as there are probably writers, and I am not sure which is the best fit for me. As a writer...we pull up bio's on editors, we research them, and even read comments about them...word for word. But every writer's needs is different: money being the giant elephant in the room, especially when your not sure the editor your choosing will deliver on the promise. And whose to say that the editor chosen that began your edit, will still be the right fit as the edit of the story continues. Seems to me, after reading some of the comments by many writer's of which the editor at some point begins to look at their work through their own eyes and not the writer's. I believe that to be true as I at one point had that same experience. It was just a sample edit, but the editor truly didn't get my character, meaning this particular character was from the south; she spoke with broken English, or slang, of which the editor didn't like, or maybe had felt she could have been better understood. Maybe. But to me...understanding a character and changing who they are, is totally different.
 Don't get me wrong... I do believe that every writer should invest in a good edit. Me for one. But here's the question: who, which one? And the most important question of the day: Are they truly qualified to fit my style? Do they get me at all?

Thanks for reading...

Social Media

I don't know about you, but this new wave of interacting through so many different types of social media's has got my head out in the deep ends of muddy waters. It seems that every time I read a blog or surf the web, there pops another one (LinkedIn, Digg, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Pinterest etc, the list just keeps right on growing. It's not enough we have to deal with email and Facebook. Now don't get me wrong, I am a strong believer of being in the know, and utilizing resources, but some of this media stuff is just too mad. I won't lie and say that I don't enjoy my Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest, and love chatting with other writers and readers, but...all of this social media is a bit much, don't you think? And trying to learn how to use them... brother...  However, on a more positive note...as an author, I know how important social media is to book promotion . I will uphold my dignity and not allow my female emotional side to take over, promise. So whether you use social media for a business of promotion to increase sales of some great product, or just want to get that great novel into the hands of some avid reader... there's a social media out there just for you, and me...    ;)


BYE FOR NOW, AND HAPPY READING...

A New Year

Hey guys! Hope you've all had a wonderful 2013, and brought in the new year with the people you love. As always, there's ups and downs. But that's life, right? Hope you've all took some time to reflect back on all you've done whether the decision was a good one or not. None of us are perfect. But this is 2014, and as crazy as that is to write out, it's a reality. We have a whole 363 days left to make some changes, do something new, transform or blossom into that swan or butterfly, or whichever one of God's creations we choose. Notice that word 'CHOOSE'. That's right...it's our choice to make. And maybe we won't make the greatest choice, but at least we can say we make a choice. Standing still is not an option. So, please, make the choice to get up, get out and do something you've been thinking of doing, planed to do, or did, and failed at before. Remember, failure is only failure if you fall, and regret it. Nothings wrong with falling down, just don't stay down. Learn from it and try it again. Don't let 2014 slip by without at least learning something from the fall. Sometimes life can drop a bomb so hard down on us, it rattles our entire existence, but we must move on. It's a new year...it's a new beginning,...it's a new chance...it's a new you.

Time for Reflextion

Hey guys! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas day. Seems time is moving so much faster than we would like. Already, I'm thinking about next Christmas...Lol. Well, now it's time to pull out those new year blow horns and top hats, and get ready to bring in the 2014 with a bang. Flu season however is upon us, so please keep warm, drink plenty of hot chocolate, coffee, tea, or the hot toddy of your choice. Whichever drink makes you feel best, then--seat back, relax, and reflect. 2013 will soon be over. It's always good to look back at what we've accomplished, not accomplished, and hope to accomplish for the new year. So whether you've completed whatever it was that you'd set 2013 to do or not...it's okay. God has given us another year to make it up. ;)  Remember, a goal is nothing but a plan, a plan is nothing but a mindset. And we all know that if we want something bad enough...we make it happen...get it done... It's the human way...

THE YEAR IS MOVING OUT...2014 IS MOVING IN...REFLECT, BE THANKFUL, STAY HUMBLE, AND MAKE SOMETHING MEMORABLE HAPPEN FOR YOU IN THE NEW YEAR...


AND ALWAYS...KEEP READING  ;)

The Holiday Season

It's that time of year again to cook that perfect Thanksgiving dinner, shop for that perfect Christmas gift, listen to your favorite holiday song, and cuddle up with a great holiday movie. It's that time of year that so many love. The most wonderful time of all. But for some, this time of year is hard, a struggle to make ends meet and an effort to turn a frown into a smile. For some it's a time that brings weariness instead of cheer. But know that you are not alone. Life has ups and downs, twists, and loops, and truly more tracks than any  high-speed train or 100 mile an hour rollercoaster could withstand. But in the end its all still the same: IT STOPS, AND WE GET OFF. We get off and we move forward without them. Sometimes we have to look at this time of year in a more deeper light. Magic does happen...sometimes the light fades, but the light is still lit. So take out that old bag of half-working Christmas lights, and those ancient reindeers, and dear old sleeping Saint Nick and light up a child's eyes when they walk past your home, and your heart will light up too.
 Remember, it is us grownups that lose sight of the season...never the children. Happy Holiday and just know that whatever it is your going through that keeps that beautiful smile turned down...its just like this season: it will end. There's more to life than things that cost. There's always the ones that don't that means so much more at the end.

P.S.  HAPPY HOLIDAY AND HAPPY READING! 

Where's the Customer Service?

For the last week I have been dealing with some lousy phone customer service. I won't get into who they were; at least not yet. I'm not out to bash anyone, but whatever happened to the days of professional practice? That do include being polite, right?  Well, I've been through it these last few days, and to top it off...what is to be delivered to me , has still not arrived, although through my tracking the item, waiting on for a week, running from the back of the house to the front, in anticipation of the item....the tracking message now tells me my still not delivered item has been delivered.  WHAT!!!!  And the untrained customer service, tells me hold on!  For forty-five minutes...and I held on like an idiot!  ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!   This is so ridiculous it's funny...

so, am I being over the top, or am I justified in my frustration?