Tag Archives: Books

NaNoWriMo 2014, Writers, Writing frenzy

NaNoWriMo 2014

Leave a comment

 

crest-bda7b7a6e1b57bb9fb8ce9772b8faafbIt is that lovely time of the year for NaNoWriMo 2014. I started doing NaNo in 2011 and since have won three straight years. I never really plan to do this month-long frenzy. I tend to decide the last week if I am going to do it.

This year is a bit different. The first six days of the month will be hectic with events where my writing is concern. Normally by day 15 I am done NaNo and I can breathe but this time around that won’t be the case.

I still have my three books I wrote for NaNo needing edits. In fact I am working on the one from 2013 which is entitled “Lost Faith” which is slowing me down. So I asked myself, “Do I really need to write another novel just so I can toss it on a stack of books that need to be edited?”

I’m not sure. The draw of NaNo once you do it is addicting. For me to attempt it and not win is not a thought that enters my brain, I do it to win. Plain and simple. What I did was list 50 topics for 50 possible chapters for a new book that I plan on writing when time permits. I will decide by Wednesday or Thursday if I will enter. Good luck to those who enter.

Author Sharon C. Williams, Bird, Jasper Amazon Parrot

Jasper’s bio

Leave a comment

JasperI have had a lot of people ask about Jasper, http://tinyurl.com/p34thhb, prior and after purchasing my book. So I have come up with a small bio that I hand out to them concerning his royal greenness.

Jasper T. Williams was adopted in 1999 at the age of five. His first owner, an army soldier, either did not properly research how to take care of a parrot or her time in the service kept her from doing so. Jasper was held in a cage the size meant for cockatiels for the first five years of his life.

When he came home it took him 3-4 months before he would even come out. We made a promise to him that he would never been locked up in his new home. He would have the freedom to come and go as he please in reference to his cage.

Jasper is a yellow cheek Amazon, or the more popular term a Red Lored. They are native to the tropical regions of the Americas. They can live up to 80 years old.

The song that is written in my first book, “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure” is one I wrote for Jasper. As of today he has four songs written especially for him by me.

His favorite foods are any kind of potato. This can include the French fries, hash browns, mash or broiled. He loves spaghetti and if it is a green vegetable he will love it forever. If it is a fruit he will try it. His favorite is watermelon.

His favorite shows are Spongebob,Tom and Jerry and Scooby Doo. He has the good sense to not like Scrappy Do. His favorite channels are Discovery, Nat Geo and Cartoon Network. He loves when his dad plays the harmonica and loves to sing with us and at us. He loves it when my mom speaks French to him. He hates squirrels and small bugs.

Here is the link to our channel on Youtube.

http://tinyurl.com/qxz8769

One of the videos list his song and how it should be sung.

Author, Author's showcase, Sharon C. Williams

Authors showcase

2 Comments

IMG_7894

Two days after I arrived back from Maine was an authors showcase at the headquarters library in my area. It was something you had to apply for however the librarians asked me to join and so they kept me a spot. Nice to know people, right?

I made sure my items were ready prior to leaving on my trip so that way I wouldn’t be in such a rush when I got back. There were 37 authors that showed up with the thunderstorm that made its way for this event. Consider it was pouring heavily, the amount of people who showed up to support us was impressive. Readers rock, we really do.

With my last name starting with a W, I was the last in the row. Fortunately, my table mate was a sweet retired history teacher and we talked during the event. I did sell a couple of actual books. But what I really enjoyed was being able to talk about my book, Jasper and how it came about.

When I told a particular lady about how half of my birds are rescued she grasped my hands firmly and said thank you and said again thank you with tears in her eyes. She gets it. There were so many bird lovers in the crowd that I got lost in the moment and forgot that I was there to showcase my works.

For a free event I received the following:

-I made a new friend

-Sold some of my books in print and digital

-Hung out with bird lovers

-Practicing being out to show my works( Something I need practice in)

-Added some people to my newsletter

-I am sure I am leaving some stuff out

This is a yearly event, my first one, and it went very well. I had a great time and I believe my husband did as well as he talked to most of the writers and took loads of pictures. In fact someone said to him, “You look like someone who has stories to tell.” After which the man said he would like to collaborate with him on a book. I thought that was awesome.

Next year I see me doing this again, perhaps with a better understanding of what I should do. I suspect I will still be at the end, Steve will still be my table mate and we will have two hours talking about writing.

What a great win.