Category Archives: Author

Author, Jasper Amazon Parrot, Research your novel

Your book: Researching

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P1010445-MMy writing group, the one I started, met over the weekend. During our reading and critiquing one of the members asked me if this animal lived in the rainforest. A valid question and one that no one had asked me before.

Do you research your books? In “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure” I have three folders. One each for spider monkeys, parrots and the three toe sloths. I may own an Amazon but I still wanted to see about their interactions in the wild. I also researched the various rainforests for each is separate as to which animals live there.

While writing the sequel to Jasper my friend Gina and I were hashing out what chaos or challenge I could put my main character in. She said, “How about elephants?” My thought was yes who doesn’t like an elephant, right? I progressed to write three pages on an uplifting scene. Once I finished I thought to myself, hmm elephants in the rainforest? Of course there are elephants there I mean of course . But I decided to check it out just to be sure. I mean I was right and I was just going to collaborate what I already knew. I found out within minutes how wrong wrong so incredibly wrong I was. I am not sure what made me decide to check this fact but am sure glad I did.

Do you really want to irritate your readers? Do you want to put in information that is poorly research if researched at all? I don’t. A good example of this is my children series featuring my main character Jasper who is an Amazon parrot. I know about parrots having lived with one since 1999. But prior to owning any of my birds I read numerous books to make sure I understood as much as I could before taking on such a task. So why should my books be any different?

Did you know that a three toe sloth are more active during the day then a two toe sloth? This is huge since my character George is a sloth who enjoys spending time with my main character during the day. Yeah small facts that are important. Lesson learned, I went away from the research in volume 2 like I had done in volume 1. Never again. Kids are not stupid. I don’t intend to insult them.

Author, Interview, Writing

Interviews

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I been fortunate to have been interviewed a few times online. At first it was scary for I wanted to get it just right and showcase myself decently. Now it is getting just fun to do. Especially when the interviewer gives me questions that I need to step back and think on. I love those times. One thing I make sure I don’t forget is to send it to my editor. I want it as polished as possible. The lovely interviewer created the picture above for the occasion for the interview I just did. It’s at http://achapterintime.webs.com/face-to-face. 

Every bit helps, regardless of the size of the site that is doing the interview. I had one person apologize for that. They were told there was no need. If I just reach a new person then it is worth it. You never know what that one person can lead to.

I have two on my plate, two set of questions that need my attention that I will be working on soon. A few more places for my book to shine. So I say thanks to the people who have asked me. Jasper and I get to fly and soar with each question that is asked. We thank you and we thank you.

2013, Author

2013: My Writing Journey

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The year 2013 will soon be behind us. It’s time to reflect on how it treated us and to gather new hopes and dreams for 2014. I was fortunate as an author, 2013 was my best year since I started this venture.

March– My book, “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure” was picked up by a publisher.

April– Attended a conference in Wadesboro which left me with contacts.

May– I released my short story, “Root Canal” which was my first attempt at self publishing.

September– My book was released on the market.

November– Volunteered at a writer’s conference in town. The first of its kind.

November– I received my first royalty check as an author.

November– I completed NaNoWriMo successfully for the third straight year

November– I was one of seven people in my county to win a literary grant from the local arts council.

December– The Wonder Chicks, a writing group I formed, released the anthology, “Dragons In The

Attic” which was amazing.

December– My book, “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure was featured with local artists at a small theater in town. The new project for them.

My Jasper has been sold in Denmark, England, Scotland and the US. The reviews have made me feel I did good when it comes to this book. I’m not sure how I can improve on this. What I do now is I won’t be slowing down. My projects for 2014 that I know of are:

-Edit and revise the sequel to my Jasper series

-Edit and revise my NaNoWriMo book that won in 2011

-Start writing volume three to my Jasper series

-Release my true story, “Squirrel Mafia” in Feb/March

-………………(Always have writing projects)

I will be attending a conference in February and April if all goes according to plans and possibly one in November if funding comes through. I’m not sure about NaNoWriMo for I have three books that have won and are all waiting impatiently for me to edit them for submission. I will see as November comes closer.

It has been a hectic year between health issues, family, and life in general. But it has been amazing when I think of how far I have come and how fortunate I have been. Oddly it took all of this for me to say to myself. “You’re an author.” And for me to actually believe it.