Let's Look Ahead

It's time to rhyme, but rhyme takes time, so come along, make your rhyme shine.

April is coming, it's coming fast, make your plans so the fun can last!

With rhyming daily

 and the A to Z, 

there's plenty of work ahead for me. 

So much to do, great fun ahead, sign up with me and have nothing to dread.

Friends await that you've never met, go ahead, I know you'll have fun, I bet!

Why mention April, when there's talk of snow? No time like the present, this fact I know.

Enjoy your moment to rhyme and write, and to you dear friends, I say goodnight.

Writer's Creed 2014 January Post

 A big shout out to Sheri for the 2014 Writer's CREED. Such a fabulous idea, and a wonderful way to connect with others.

Want to join the fun? Hop over to Sheri's and link up. I have been trying to schedule my writing time and be better about where I post. I miss making connections with my writer friends, and I miss enjoying their success. When I saw Sheri's writer's creed I knew it was time to make a commitment to get back on track with everything writing related. So, I'll see you all on facebook, twitter, goodreads, and here... oh and pinterest since that's where I have my chocolate board. 

This is the year for new things, and while I'm working on my next manuscript I'll be trying my hand at my first love of writing..... children's books. There's a great big year ahead full of hopes and promises of blessings. Keep in touch and let's make this the best year yet! 

The Dark Queen is Coming Soon!

Sometimes I sit here and try to absorb all that is really happening. My newest novel is in the works with Write More Publications. It's cover reveal day for me, and I couldn't wait to share it with you! 

The Dark Queen is coming soon, and you're all invited to the release party. Keep watching for updates!

My short story "Hourglass" was accepted into the LOVE BITES anthology due to release VERY soon!

I can't wait for you to meet Eva and Jonathan. 

My short story "Of Yesterday" is available on amazon for only $0.99, so hop on over and grab a copy. 

It's just one of those days that THIS doesn't seem real.... but I'm so glad to be able to enjoy it with all of you! 

What Works and What Doesn't

It's January 20th and time for the 

hosted by Hosted by Arlee Bird, Yolanda Renee, Jeremy Hawkins, and Alex J. Cavanaugh.

All across the blogosphere we are talking about what marketing ideas have worked and what didn't. Boy, we could stay here all day talking about what didn't work for me, but I have found a few things that have worked. Now these ideas are not just from me, but from friends who I've helped market along the way. 

One group, in particular, was formed simply to market one author. This one woman stepped out of her comfort zone and asked for help. She's been a delight to work with because she has about 30 of us that are faithful to help. She didn't try to run with masses. She take her 30 and they share with 5 or so that are asked to share with as many as possible, who are asked to share, and so on. 

The amazing thing about this type of marketing is that it doesn't fall on just one, and your work isn't lost in the noise of social media. Her work is taken seriously by a group that have grown to love her. Want to know what's great about this lone wolf? She sent us all chocolate, a signed copy of her new release, a book light so we could stay up reading of course, and the joy of friendship. We know her now, not only as an author, but as a friend. 

For myself, I decided to try her tactic and I asked 10 of my friends to see if we could deplete amazon's stock of my book one weekend. We went social media crazy sharing, and do you know, it actually worked! I posted... 10 more copies.. 7 more copies..... one last copy! By the end of the day amazon had sold out of their stock and people were posting my book in the "hard to find" book sites! I was listed on ebay for over a hundred dollars. Funny what causing a little noise will do. 

Looking forward to learning from some people making some noise. Visit our hosts and enjoy making a few friends along the way. 

     

Insecure Writer's Support Group

The first post of the year! I do love new beginnings, don't you? Facing a new year of writing is intimidating, to say the least. 

Things I intend to accomplish this year in my world of writing...... well.... write.

I would love to say I have a brilliant plan for my writing schedule, but I don't. Working 7 days a week seems to take first priority, but taking time to write is like breathing. If I don't do it then I don't feel like me. 

I'm taking some time to focus on where I want to spend time connecting with other writers, and the IWSG just so happens to be my first commitment of the year. So thanks, Alex, for making this possible. You're first on the list of my writing plan. 

Happy writing, everyone! Feel free to share your writing plans for the year. 

Make Each Day Count!

Let's take a moment to breathe, shall we? Deep breath.... that's right.... let it all go.

Now..... look ahead to the New Year.

No, wait! How about this last week! I say let's not forget this all important time of reflecting, renewing, and reorganizing our lives. I think the last week of the year is my favorite time. The just after Christmas feeling, when love of family and friends still lingers. The joy of the holiday season continues to play out inside our heads because the words, "have a holly jolly Christmas" still bounce around keeping us smiling.

This week is the writer's paradise week.... the one week that families are still home together, kids are out of school, and for a little time each day we grab that keyboard and we delve into the sea of words to release upon the screen sentence after sentence in hopes that someone else will read them..... someday.

I'd love to hear from all of you about your endeavors this week. Are you writing? Are you organizing? Are you on vacation?

Whatever the case may be, enjoy the last few days of 2013 and let's all agree to make this next year our best!

His Act of Kindness

I walked into my daughter's school today and saw a little girl had dropped her binder causing a lot of paper to scatter on the floor. One young man stood over her, and I wondered why he wouldn't just bend down to help. I told her I would help, and he said when she dropped it, the paper came out, then some kids laughed and started kicking her stuff around the floor. He said he tried to stop it but was standing there to make sure it didn't happen again. He asked if there was anything else he could do to help when I was putting her paper back. I told him thank you for being kind to her. She never spoke. Her hurt was apparent. I watched him walk away as he looked back at her. So many kids passed her without helping.... just made me want to scream.... what's wrong with everyone! One good kid... and that's one she won't soon forget.

Kindness.... I know I've been more aware of the myself since that moment. My words.. my actions... these are tools to build up another or tear them down. It makes sense why KINDNESS is a fruit of the spirit. It really does demonstrate who you are from the inside out.

I'd love to hear about how someone has been kind to you.