Category Archives: Writing

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing

I have submitted two more books for publications: Why I write

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I submitted the fourth volume of my Jasper, Amazon Parrot series to my publishers. I would not fathom saying this statement post-2010. The title is Jasper, Amazon Parrot: The Jungle Rescue.

Happily, my publisher accepted it. I also submitted my second volume to my Squirrel Mafia series. I will have seven books written when they are both published.

I have a few minutes to breathe before both publishers come back to me with final edits, cover design, and launch.

Do I make Stephen King or James Patterson money? Not by a long shot. But writing something that people will buy and enjoy is a thrill and empowerment that would not find any other way.

My latest review on Amazon came from a mother who wrote what her child said to her after they read volume one of my Jasper, Amazon parrot series.

My kid: it made me feel happy, calm, and emotional in some parts. 📗🦜🦜

I enjoy reading this book to my kid.

A grandfather bought volume one for his grandson for Christmas one year. The young child was playing an electronic game on the couch when he received the gift. He put down the game and started to read. He continued to the end of the book. He asked his grandfather where the second volume was.

I want children to read more and learn about this area in our world, the Amazon rainforest. Down the road, these children could be warriors for it.

So, no, I don’t make Stephen King or James Patterson money, but what I do make is a joy inside that I would not get if I didn’t write.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing

Getting a bad review if you are an author: It will happen

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels.com

Bad reviews come in a few forms. One reason is it comes from a troll, someone who read it and didn’t like it to three, you read their book, and they didn’t get the review they wanted.

When my first book came out, I did receive a bad review. Now I have read enough where having a bad review is good. However, this review came one day after the book was released, and according to the site, it had been a print book.

Last time I checked, regular mail does not bring a book in one day. So I talked to Amazon, and over the following months, they removed it, the person placed it again, Amazon removed it, and so on. But finally, the review didn’t return.

But again, having a bad review can be a good thing.

How so?

It is similar to a child that has been told not to do something. But they
go about it anyway behind the parent’s backs.

When people see a bad review, but all the other ratings are high, it might make you take a chance on the book. I know that has worked for me anyway. The bottom line it is a review which means it is getting noticed.

Look, I get it. A bad review is not fun to get, but you know what every author deals with it, even the authors who are well-established. I have read a few books written by some best sellers to authors I know, and they don’t always hit a home run.

And as a writer, you must have tough skin, for not everyone will like your work. It happens to the majority of writers if not all. The sooner you can accept it will happen, the easier it will be. Spend your time and energy on your next novel.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing

NaNoWriMo 2018

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I decided to do NaNoWriMo this year. I have done this competition three times and have won three times But I took a break since it is high pace and can be stressful especially if you are odd like me and take it seriously with winning being the only outcome. Writing 50,000 words in one month is crazy and thousands if not millions of people from across the world compete. Some meet in real life while others meet in online events.

One reason why I stopped is with winning three times meant I had three manuscripts that needed me to go over, fix and revise. I had manuscripts that had over 50k words. Those three have still not see the light outside my house for that takes a lot of time to get it in the best shape possible.

So, why try again? Well, first of all bragging rights in a good way. The prizes they give winners are not extravagant but cool. Plus I been working on an idea where the timeline was so messed up with an ending and beginning but little meat to the story line. I decided three days before Nov 1st I would make this project my project for the month. If nothing else it would be in decent shape for revising once the month was over.

To get my words in I do get up an hour to two hours earlier each day. We all know once the day starts life gets busy and the day goes by so fast. Before you know its evening and your words have not added up to the daily suggested words.

Granted my fibro is loving me so much right now, not. But at this pace I should be done, if I can maintain that is, in three weeks instead of four weeks and three days. That is worth it to me. I now just have to convince my body.

My word count as of today is after nine days is: 22,616