Spring is Finally Here…

March 25, 2015 / Jenny / 6 Comments

Which means I am coming out of the long hibernation, during which I grumble and growl and swipe with claws at all who poke and prod me. I get some things done during the long, winter months, but not nearly as much as I do in the spring, summer and autumn. I have also been bogged down with work, which is good for the pocket book, but not always for morale. I’ve been severely remiss on my own blog, too, but I’m hoping things will start picking up now that the weather is finally unclenching it’s icy claws.

Prompted by Marcia’s teaser image, I wanted to drop by and share something I have coming up just one week from today.

My short story collection, Two Weeks and Other Periods of Decay, is now available for pre-order, and set to drop into Kindles and Kindle apps all over the world on April 1 (no joke!) Available for pre-order on Amazon, UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, France, Italy, Spain, Germany,Netherlands, India, prices vary by region, but it’s still a pretty good deal. Seven short stories for $1.49 USD.

Inspired by the title short story–“Two Weeks”–this week’s Teaser Tuesday image is (a day late,) a little dark and promiscuous, much like of the tales in this collection.

I hope you’re all spinning yarns and telling tales, crawling out of your winter caves and basking in the glorious sun… even though it’s rainy today, I’m one hundred percent grateful it’s not snow!

Took a Break, and Made Another

March 25, 2015March 25, 2015 / Marcia Meara / Leave a comment

I haven’t done any graphics work at all in so long, even the most basic made me stop and think. Probably a sign I should get back to doing a bit more of it, before I forget how to work the program. Enjoy. And feel free to share this one, too, thanks. (Post one of yours, and I’ll pass it on, too.)

Swamp Ghosts

Coming out to the ones you love about your alternative (writing) lifestyle

March 24, 2015 / Ned's Blog / 14 Comments

By Ned Hickson

It began with my parents of course, who held hands as I explained that I had always felt “different,” and that I wanted to embrace who I was, without shame, hopefully with their acceptance and approval. They both exchanged glances, my mother squeezing my father’s hand and offering him a worried smile before turning back to me. She knew what was coming and slowly blinked, nodding her head ever so slightly, encouraging me.

I cleared my throat. Took a deep breath.

“Mom… Dad… I think I might be a writer.”

It’s been many years since I came out of the closet. Or, in my case, the laundry room, which is where I did most of my writing until becoming a columnist in 1998. But before that — before I actually started getting paid to write — that conversation replayed itself many times over the years with family, friends and co-workers, most of whom thought of my writing as something akin to collecting salt and pepper shakers; a “unique” hobby that I was asked not to talk about at parties.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but for people who don’t know you — it makes them uncomfortable when your eyes light up like that.”

The bottom line is that no one took my writing seriously (And, yes, I realize the irony of that statement considering I am a humor columnist, but still…). In retrospect, there were many reasons why my wanting to be a writer was perceived as a bucket list item instead of a legitimate rung on my life ladder — beginning with my own perception of “wanting to be” a writer. Because we’re conditioned from an early age to view money as a prime indicator of success and achievement, we naturally use that same measuring stick as validation when it comes to pursuits that don’t fall into traditional categories.

In short: If you aren’t getting paid for it, then you’re not legitimate.

That’s like saying you can’t include “skydiving instructor” among the achievements in your obituary just because your parachute didn’t open the last time you jumped. Even if you’ve landed flat on your face in terms of monetary or publishing success with your writing, it doesn’t mean you aren’t a writer.

It just means there’s a good possibility that every publisher you’ve submitted your work to was a skydiving instructor who died before they could read your masterpiece. I honestly can’t tell you how many publishers plunged to their death before I saw my first words in print.

Regardless, if you spend time formulating words for the sheer enjoyment while, at the same time, agonizing over those very same words, congratulations:

You are a writer.

How do I know this? Because no one who isn’t a writer would put themselves through this process. Ask the average person on the street to write five paragraphs about their favorite memory while holding them at gun point, and most will help you squeeze the trigger. The ones who don’t?

They’re the writers.

Or masochists. Which I realize is somewhat redundant.

My point is the only legitimacy you need as a writer comes from yourself — and it starts with believing what you do is important and has value that isn’t measured in dollars or even common sense in the eyes of others. Let’s face it, toiling alone over the choice and arrangement of words on a page doesn’t make much sense to anyone who isn’t a writer. They may nod their heads and smile when you try to explain it, but in their minds they’re wondering if buying a home so close to high-voltage power lines was a mistake. Again, the only thing that matters is giving yourself permission to take your writing seriously.

And by “serious,” I don’t just mean getting published or paid for the words you write. It simply means serious enough that you make time for it, in the same way you do other routines that are important to your daily life.

If you take your writing seriously, so will others.

And if they don’t? It doesn’t make you any less a writer. Published or unpublished, novelist or columnist, fiction or non-fiction, accept yourself for being a writer and always make time for putting those words down on paper. It is both a gift and a responsibility — and a pursuit that is uniquely your own to determine and discover. Make it part of your lifestyle and treasure those who embrace it with you.

As for everyone else?

I hear that skydiving makes a great holiday gift…

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Ned Hickson is a syndicated columnist with News Media Corporation. His first book, Humor at the Speed of Life, is available from Port Hole Publications, Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.

Building That Local Readership

March 24, 2015 / Marcia Meara / 2 Comments

Happy Tewe’s Day, Everyone! Sure has been quiet around here, so guess it’s time for me to put my writing aside for a bit and give a shout out to all you wonderful contributors, and a welcome to all new members. We are growing at a pretty nice clip!

I’ve posted before on increasing sales and name recognition through building a local readership, but just wanted to touch on that again. When you are new to the game, like I am, every single sale is a celebration, so I’m always looking for ideas. As I’ve mentioned before, my second series is set here in central Florida, in a fictional town called Riverbend. I’ve carefully placed Riverbend between two very real small Florida towns, and I’ve mentioned both in the books. Plus, my main characters in Book 1, Swamp Ghosts, were inspired by a real life couple, which gave me the opportunity to thank them in my Author Acknowledgements at the end of the book, and to link to their very popular eco tours on the St. Johns River. This is all by way of letting you know that I have a perfect set up for reaching local readers via local businesses.

Some of this was pure happenstance, but in Book 2 of the series, Hunter, I’ve looked for chances to mention places and small business (only where appropriate to the story, mind you) that people living here will recognize. The upshot of all of this is that I have been asked to give Meet the Author presentations by several local venues, and I now have my books for sale in two more area gift shops.

Will I get rich doing this? Well, in a word, no. Even though I sign and sell books at every event, and one of my shops is doing a bang up job of selling for me, as well, it won’t amount to what I’ll sell in eBooks during the same time period. But I look at it as an unqualified success anyway. First of all, there’s name recognition being built. This is advertising that doesn’t cost me a thing, and even manages to make a wee bit of profit for me with each sale. Name recognition translates to more sales on amazon, as readers who enjoy this Florida series look to see what else I’ve written, and tell their neighbors about my books.

And then there’s that magic phrase, Word of Mouth. I think I’ll work it up in needlepoint and hang it on my wall. In spite of all the dollars spent on advertising, word of mouth is still the number one reason people buy books. You can’t beat it, and anything that garners it for you is GOLD.

And last…meeting your readers is FUN. Pure, plain, and simple. Nothing makes me feel better than talking to people who have read my books and enjoyed them, or are looking forward to reading them, because they heard they were good. That’s when I know all the long hours at the computer were worth it. I thoroughly enjoy every chance I get to talk books in general, anyway, and the people I meet at signings are just the icing on the cake!

If you can think of any way to get your books, and yourself, “out there” in your local area, I highly recommend giving it a try. If nothing else, it will get you out from behind your desk for a few hours. And if all goes well, you’ll start building a local market for your work at the same time.

Sometimes, your Muse needs to be romanced

March 18, 2015March 19, 2015 / Ned's Blog / 6 Comments

By Ned Hickson

Today, we’re going to focus on tips for writing intimate love scenes. Or more specifically, how to effectively insert (see what I just did there?) descriptive phrases like:

“He grabbed her bare shoulders, caressing them with the kind of longing one only reserves for fresh-baked bread …”

And

“She de-pansed him in one quick motion, opening a floodgate of memories from freshman gym class…”

As you can see, this is a genre I am intimately familiar with because, as I’ve said before, you need to write what you know. And believe me, when it comes to intimacy no one knows it better than myself. That said, as a personal favor to 50 Shades author E.L. James, I will actually NOT be offering insights regarding the the ins-and-outs (See how I did that?) of writing descriptive lovemaking scenes. The reason is because her latest book, “14 Shades of Puce” is due out later this week, and she is concerned many of you would recognize some of the techniques I would be discussing today.

In short, that “fresh bread” example wasn’t something I pulled out (are you following these?) just willy-nilly (Did I mention subtlety is important?)

So instead, we will turn our attention to a different aspect of romance and writing. If you’re a serious writer who also happens to be in an equally serious relationship, I have news for you: We all know about your love triangle! That’s right! Don’t try to deny it. We know you’ve been spending a lot of time together. And yes, they get your heart racing too because, when things are going right, there’s nothing quite like it. Now, before I inadvertently send someone off to confess an affair they think may have happened because they woke up at a neighbor’s New Year’s Eve party clutching a pair of party favors in a suggestive manner, let me put your fears to rest. In this case we’re talking about your writing Muse; that voice of inspiration that whispers sweet somethings that just have to be written down.

In the case of those party favors… Just don’t ever let it happen again.

Some of you might be asking:

What If I’m not in a serious relationship?
Or What if I’m single by choice because I AM serious about my writing?
Or Did my mother call you again?

Whether you are seeing someone on a regular basis or have temporarily stopped seeing anyone due to irregularity, being a writer means you are already in a serious relationship with your Muse. And like any relationship you want to see flourish, you need to do your part in providing opportunities to help it grow. If one or more of the following statements could be made by your Muse, it’s time to make some changes;

1) You never take me anywhere — As I’m sure E.L. James would agree, an integral part of any relationship is exploring new things. With your Muse, however, I’m talking about actually leaving your home/apartment/bonds and getting out to experience new sights, sounds, scents — things that can inspire you and your Muse. Or at the very least provide experiences you can file in a mental cache and refer to later. In addition, consider taking some photos and jotting down your impressions in case, like mine, your “mental cache” is more like Snap-Chat.

2) I need to be romanced a little first — It’s easy to fall into a pattern of groping at your Muse, getting what you want and then — at least in the case of many men — falling asleep at the keyboard. Much like having a lover, there is a certain amount of foreplay involved when “seducing” your Muse. Even if yours is slutty like mine, the seduction process — i.e., your writing preparation routine — is important. My writing foreplay involves making a cup of java that is best described as a liquid Coffee Nip, then putting on my headphones to listen to AC/DC, checking and responding to any comments on my blog and Twitter account, then getting to work on whatever I’m writing. If I can’t finish a piece I’m working on, I always leave off in the middle of a sentence. That way, when I come back to it, I can start right out with some momentum by finishing the thought I had. Your Muse will appreciate you coming back to finish what you started.

3) I think your Mom hates me — If your Muse tells you this, it’s a good indication you might be spending too much time together. If nothing else, it’s time to take a break and re-evaluate your relationship. Possibly with the help of professional.

Whether you’re in a love triangle or monogamous relationship with your Muse, it needs to be nurtured and appreciated.

It’s the little things you do on a daily basis to express your appreciation that will keep your relationship strong, supportive and continually inspired.

Oh, and the same applies to your Muse, too.

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Ned Hickson is a syndicated columnist with News Media Corporation. His first book, Humor at the Speed of Life, is available from Port Hole Publications, Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.

On Being 71…

March 17, 2015 / Marcia Meara / 14 Comments

The bad thing about turning 71: Waking up every morning with numerous aches and pains. The good thing about turning 71: Waking up.

Everything is relative.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Everyone!

😀

Thanks to Evelyn Cullet!

March 16, 2015 / Marcia Meara / Leave a comment

Just wanted to take a moment to thank our own Evelyn Cullet for having me as Guest Blogger today. It’s always fun to visit with other writers, and Evelyn is a real sweetheart! Thanks, Evelyn! To check it out, go here: Evelyn Cullet

And while you’re there, be sure to take a look around the rest of Evelyn’s Author Page and blog, too.

Excerpt from Rough Draft of “Hunter”, Book 2 of the Riverbend Series

March 15, 2015March 16, 2015 / Marcia Meara / 4 Comments

Slipping in here in the last couple of hours of Excerpt Week, with a longish scene from the rough draft of Chapter 4 of Hunter, my sequel to Swamp Ghosts. Hunter Painter is Gunnar Wolfe’s best friend, though even Gunn doesn’t really understand him. Hunter marches to a very different drummer than most of the folks in Riverbend, Florida. In an unguarded moment, Hunter confesses to Gunn that he has loved Willow Greene since the 11th grade, over 16 years ago, and Gunn advised him strongly to call her. After much internal agonizing, he does and finds himself having lunch with Willow at her cottage, when things take a surprising turn, scaring Hunter away in a panic. (He still lives at home, btw, helping care for his ailing mother.)

*******

HUNTER GROANED, PULLING his feather pillow over his head not only to block out the world, but just in case he started shouting in frustration, which is what he felt like doing.

What the hell happened? What the bloody hell just happened? Everything was fine. It was going better than I ever thought it would, and then suddenly it all went crazy. She kissed me! Why the hell did she kiss me like that? How the hell was I supposed to resist that?

The memory of that kiss rocketed into him so hot and fast, it scorched path through his soul. Never in his life had a kiss transported him that way. He could still feel her mouth under his, sweet and yielding, and burning like fire. The raspberry scent of her hair lingered on his hands, and he would never, ever forget the taste of her skin. Every nerve ending in his body felt burned raw from the experience—so sensitive, the slightest breeze sliding over it might cause unbearable pain.

But somewhere in his torment, he also remembered how she had responded to him, moaning into that kiss, and whispering his name over and over as they clung to each other. She had wanted him, too, a concept that had never once seemed a possibility to him in all the years he had loved her.

Doesn’t make it any better, does it, you stupid fool? Still never gonna happen. You don’t belong with Willow Greene, and nothing’s going to change that. All you’re doin’ here is torturing yourself. Continue reading →