Tag Archives: Creative writing

Author, Genre, Writing Style

My Writing Genre

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2013-10-19 11.06.56

My first book to come out is a children’s chapter book. Yet I don’t consider myself a children’s author but more along the lines of an author who wrote a children’s book. When I look at my other manuscripts that need to be revised and edited only one fits this genre. Though it had no choice since it’s volume two to the book that came out in September of this year.

People from my writing groups, those I know online and in real life are putting me in that genre specifically. Not only that but they will correct me if I disagree with the label. If my first book to come out had been about a new world in space would I be considered a sci- fi writer? This world loves to label things, whether those things are materialistic or human. We do it as well to others and ourselves. The range of genre that I write in if you go through my manuscripts are as follows just to name a few:

-A futuristic world where the way we know it no longer exists.

-An action adventure story that involves criminals and a hint of the mob.

-A true story about my battle with my backyard squirrels.

-A true story about racism among college students in the South.

I have a multitude of short stories that range from mystery, animals to paranormal. I don’t stay inside the box when it comes to my writing. They say write on what you know. Whether that is an idea that expanded into a short story and then moved on to a novelette or novella. In my case full novels. I write on what I enjoy, what comes to mind and things that I come across in real life.

I am not just a color in a box of crayons. I am the whole rainbow and then some.

Bird conversations, Jasper Amazon Parrot

Mimic vs Intelligence: Jasper

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My bird Jasper is a rather interesting bird. The fact he can talk to us and respond appropriately always amazes me. Some people can say he is just mimicking you, and yes on occasion he does. But here are some examples of Jasper knowing when to say the right thing.

For the record Jasper hates bugs. One day I saw he was still as can be. I followed his eyes and the direction and soon came across the object that had my bird captivated. It was a bug. Getting a paper towel I killed the bug and picked it up. Now we can’t just toss the bug out. Oh no no no. Jasper has to see the dead body or else he will still be looking at it. This particular day this was our conversation.

Me: “Look Jasper I got the bug for you.” I went to his rail to show him. He walked steadily toward me keeping his eye on the tissue.

Seeing the bug was dead he said, “Thank you.” Jasper then proceeded to go back to his ladder.

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If that does not convince you then how about this. I was going about my business talking to Jasper but not really paying attention to him. Finally it occurred to me he was not listening as he held perfectly still. He eyes locked with mine and then to his beak then to my eyes again. Leaning in close I saw Jasper had an ant on his beak.

On cue he said, “Mom.”

I replied, “Yes Jasper what?”

“Mom, help.”

Of course I did what any normal person would do. I started to laugh, my poor bird. He did not take kindly to that.

“Mom.”

“Yes Jas?”

“Help, now.”

Which I did after which I gave his head a pat which was his payment to me for helping him out. These little scenes occur often for my family and Jasper. Thanks to that he has given me so much material some of which was incorporated in my book, Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure.

He does mimic yes but there are so many times he responds at the right time with the right saying which just shows us how smart our Jasper is.

Amazon Parrot, Author, Social Media

Social Media: An Author’s Best Friend

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IMG_6346Even though my book got picked up by a traditional publisher, it doesn’t mean I don’t have to spread the word and do some marketing of my own. This is tough for I am by all accounts a shy person. Times are tough for books. They are competing with ebooks, tablets and people giving away their books for free for reviews. So a year before I started actively submitting “Jasper, Amazon Parrot:A Rainforest Adventure” I hit the social media scene.

 

You can find me here:

-Facebook

-Google +

-Twitter

-Linkedin

-Pinterest

-Goodreads

-Shelfari

 

I am on a few others but these are the big ones. I started to network, meeting various people in various stages of their book. Along the way I met some awesome friends. I came across people who helped me in so many different ways. Ami who worked on my query letter that got my book into a few editor’s hands. I met my editor, Nancy, who is just amazing with her talents. I have met writers who have helped me with questions and problems when it came to social media. This is a market every author, whether self published or traditional, needs to tap into. It is pure gold for the taking, you just have to reach for it. And by the way it is how I met my publisher.

 

It is time-consuming when you first start. This was the main reason a year prior to submitting I became pro active with my book and the means to promote it. It has been a few years since then and now my social media format just need checking on now and then.

 

Being shy won’t cut it in this market. You have to take a deep breath and step forward. Your book needs you to be there for it. It can’t do it alone. And why should it? It has been with you for so long why abandon it now?