It's a Whole New World
I'm in the process of a major "Do Over" - my life as I knew it is over. Every day is Day #1. I left my husband, lost 55lbs, my job and my publisher. There's nowhere to go but up!
I'm self-publishing my out-of-print novels, writing freelance articles on social media marketing for authors, starting a lifestyle magazine called SAXtreme (San Antonio Xtreme), and I've begun a major physical transformation on my way to stepping on a stage as a figure competitor at the 2012 Lackland Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Competition.
Click here for the full story.
Vince Hennessee’s Secret
One of my readers honored me today.
Since Sapphire Blue Publishing closed it’s doors and the rights to the Task Force 125 series reverted back to me, I’ve had the team in a holding pattern. The Path to Freedom is now available exclusively through Amazon.com but I hope to be able to rework A Taste of Liberty and Freedom’s Promise before re-releasing them. (I won’t regurgitate the whole story. You can read it here if you like.) Long story short: the team sits in my notebook.
But I digress…
A reader had a blog assignment today and it was to discuss her “Book Boyfriend”.
She picked Vince Hennessee from The Path to Freedom.
Confession: When somebody says they love one of my characters, I start to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I created that and somebody loves it. It is a very special feeling of pride in a job well done.
Check out what she said about her “Book Boyfriend”, my Vince, here:
http://charlie-quillen.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-book-boyfriend-1.html
* I gave her a spoiler she just had to share about Vince that I know will make quite a few readers piddle. You’ll have to read her blog to find out what it is.
Somebody writes a book about writing. Their so-called PR firm buys an email list of authors and sends them all an email with the subject line “Please tell all your writer friends” and the body of the email is the book promo blurb. (This could be a book about anything and a request to tell your readers too.)
This is a crappy thing to do for 3 reasons:
1) You’re spamming authors to request an endorsement. If I promote somebody’s work, I’m endorsing them. Don’t tell me to spam my associates when I’ve never seen the product and have no knowledge of the author.
Or as my father would say: “Don’t piss on my shoes and tell me it’s raining.”
2) This makes the marketer and the author look bad.
3) You’re treating the author like a chump because you’re making them pay for your so-called marketing expertise which is really just half-assed spam.
Don’t be that marketer.
Don’t be that author.
Email me at LMPietsch@gmail.com if you’re confused.
If you found any value in this, please feel free to share it.
Meggan Connors Delivers The Marker
My interview guest today is Meggan Connors. You can find her online at http://www.megganconnors.com and on Facebook. Her new book is called The Marker and it is currently available at Amazon.com, Soul Mate Publishing, and Barnes and Noble.
If you’d like a chance to win a free copy of The Marker, be sure to leave an interesting comment!
So let’s get to the interview!
1) What genre do you write and why?
I write across various genres of romance. I love romance, and I love that there will be a happy ending—or at least the illusion of one. Life is hard enough—unpaid bills, screaming kids, flat tires and broken heels. At the end of the day, I want that happy ending, because real life won’t always give me one. I love romance because I know that’s what I’ll get.
For the most part, I write historicals or historical fantasies like steampunk. I have a particular fondness for the Victorian Age. All the adventure and the excitement, the newness of the technology that was going to change the world. The juxtaposition of the very proper, straight-laced Victorians with what I know of the mining towns of the West (and what the Victorians themselves did behind closed doors). These places were rough and tumble towns that make us modern folk look positively tame and chivalrous by comparison. There’s something rich and unique in that.
3) What would you like readers to take away from your stories?
I want my readers to have a good time reading my stories. I think of my stories as being an escape from real life. When they put my book down, I want them to think, “Well, that was fun!”
4) What inspires your stories?
I’ve been inspired by a variety of things. The very first manuscript I ever wrote was inspired by a headstone we found on my parents’ property, underneath an old bush. The Marker was inspired by The World Series of Poker. The steampunk I’ve been working on was inspired by an old map of the mineshafts underneath Virginia City, NV. I’ve even been inspired by a show I watched on food trucks.
5) Will you be attending any book or writing conferences this year? If yes, which ones? Where and when?
I’m hoping to attend RWA Nationals this summer in Anaheim, because it’s so close to me. I’ll also be attending the Emerald City Writers’ Conference in Seattle.
6) What is your writing schedule like?
Crazy! I usually sit down to write after the kids go to bed, so between 8:00 and midnight. I plot in the car on the way to work, and on the commute home, while I’m making dinner or walking the dog.
7) Do you have any other passions besides writing? If yes, what are they? Why?
I love hiking with the family up in the mountains. The kids like the desert, and I like it, too, but I love the mountains. I love the colors of the trees, and how the landscape changes with the passing seasons. So I guess you could say spending time with the family hiking is probably one of my favorite things to do.
8) What is your best memory?
I have so many good ones. But I guess one of my favorites is the trip that my husband and I took to England. We were part of a tour set up by one of my professors, and little did we know we’d be going with a bunch of high schoolers! (Husband was 28 and I was 24 at the time). So there we are, trapped on a bus with a bunch of hormonal teenagers, my parents, my professor, and a very bored tour guide. One day, when everyone else on the bus was asleep, I dared my husband to tell jokes over the microphone. So he took the mic from Tim, the tour guide, and told a very dirty joke about Scotsmen and sheep that I’d just told him. Of course, he gave me the rather dubious distinction of telling him the joke, and my parents were aghast. (Which is weird, because they’ve met me)
I laughed until I cried.
Unfortunately for everyone on that bus, I had an entire repertoire of sheep jokes that I’d shared with him, and husband told at least one a day. The best part of it was when M took longer than usual to go up and take the mic. The next thing I know, Tim is on the microphone saying, “Well, it looks like everyone is asleep. M, would you like to come up and tell your joke now?”
The whole bus cheered.
9) What relaxes you?
I like long drives and going someplace I haven’t been before, and hiking in the mountains. I kind of zone out and just live in the moment. There’s something wonderful about that.
10) What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Typically, I like moody, broody music. Husband calls it my “navel gazing, whiny boy, depression music.” Only, I recently developed a thing for Ke$ha. Imagine his surprise when he came home and I’m listening to a song about “glitter on the floor.”
11) What decade has been your favorite? Why?
I like the 90s. I lived in Europe for about nine months on scholarship, and that was super fun, though I was so broke I once had to make the terrible choice between eating and having beer (beer won. All I can say is I was in college). I also met and married my husband in the 90s. Both things were awesome. It was fun to be young and free and in love. And able to eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight.
But I have to say, right now is pretty fantastic. My kids are getting old enough that we can do things with them, but not so old that they’re embarrassed to hang with their parents. I got my first book published. And husband is cuter now than he was 15 years ago. At least I think so. I’m not sure it’s fair that men get better looking as they age, while I just get older.
12) What is your favorite way to promote your work?
I love interviews. I think they’re a really fun way to let people know about your work and your personality. And it’s always kind of fun to talk about yourself.
13) Where is your favorite place to write? Why?
I write in my bed on the laptop. Usually, husband is beside me, so we can chat and be together, even though we’re doing different things. It’s usually me, the husband and the cat all curled up in the bed together.
14) What is your favorite fairy tale? Why?
I love Sleeping Beauty. Of course I love the old version, but the Disney version is my favorite. Gadzooks, I know. But Mellificent is the best villainess ever. I mean, she’s a moody, aging beauty who, when she gets peeved, breathes fire and turns into a dragon (I had a boss like that once. It got better once she got through “the change.”). But with Mellificient, there’s no messing around with hunters or poison apples or other b.s.. Nope, for Mellificient, when it’s go time, she brings her A game. She’s a go big or go home kind of girl. I want to be like that.
I suspect the husband would argue there are times when I am like that.
15) What was your favorite vacation?
I think the trip to England I mentioned earlier, or the reasons mentioned earlier.
16) If you had another career, what was it?
Actually, writing is my other career.
17) If you didn’t write, what would you do instead?
My house would probably be cleaner, that’s for sure. Um…well, I took up knitting briefly right before I decided I was going to write, so maybe I’d try to get better at that?
18) If you could describe yourself in only one word, what would it be?
Zany?
19) Are you a cat or dog person? Do you have any pets and if so, please tell us about them.
I have both dogs and a poor, maligned cat (I love that cat). They’re generally good pets, though the big dog eats everything in sight. He once ate a travel mug. I’m not sure why since there was a perfectly good sandwich right next to it. I guess my only excuse for him is that he’s not a bloodhound and he’s going blind?
20) What is the one thing you most want to do that you haven’t yet?
I want to go to Tahiti and stay in an overwater bungalow. Husband is desperate to go to Belgium and do a tour of all the breweries (on a bicycle, as if either of us has ridden a bike any time in the last decade. I’m sure that will be pretty when we’ve been visiting breweries all day. If we do that, I’ll stop up on Neosporin and bandaids.). I’d go for either one!
Actually, an adults-only vacation sounds like heaven. I’d go to Sacramento for an adults-only vacation. I’m sure I could find something to do!
21) When the zombies take over, what will you do?
I love this question. The joke in my house is that my plan for the zombiepocalypse is to die. My pretty little self will last about five seconds without modern conveniences. I’d get bitten in half a day. Or, more likely, I’ll be patient zero. Sorry, y’all.
My husband spends entirely too much time thinking about the zombie horde, so I’m sure he and the kids will be just fine without me.
22) Vampire or werewolf? Why?
Vampires. I’m not into animals (unless they look like Alcide, and then I might make an exception), although I suspect if anyone would understand your monthly moodiness, it would be a werewolf!
28) Please tell us about your most recent release and where we can purchase it.
Here’s the back cover copy:
When her father loses her in a poker game, Lexie Markland is sent to work in the household of Nicholas Wetherby for one year to pay off the debt. Innocent but not naïve, she is savvy enough to know she must maintain her distance from this man who frustrates her with his relentless teasing but whose kisses bring her to her knees. Because although she may be just another conquest to him, the marker he won at the card table, it’s not just her heart in jeopardy should she succumb to Nicholas’ considerable charms.
Since his brother’s death almost a year before, nothing has held Nicholas’ attention for long–not women, not booze, not even an excellent hand at cards. Nothing, that is, until he meets the woman he won in a drunken night of poker. Intrigued by his prize and her chilly reserve, he makes it his mission to crack Lexie’s cool demeanor. But even as passion explodes between them, the question remains: will Nicholas be able to take the ultimate risk… and gamble on love?
Be sure to leave an interesting comment before you go visit Meggan at www.megganconnors.com and go like her Facebook page!
Melissa Schroeder Delivers Again with Callum and The Cursed Clan
Hello! My name is Melissa Schroeder and I write all kinds of romance. From historical to futuristic and everything in between. I also write from various heat levels from sensual to erotic, but always with romance. I also write under the name Kiera West exclusively for Siren.
First, I want to thank Lisa for having me on her blog. I have a new book releasing in a few weeks that starts a brand new five books series: The Cursed Clan. The first one features Callum, the laird of the Clan Lennon. While it is a contemporary paranormal romance, the seeds of their curse date back to the Battle of Culloden. One lucky commenter will get a digital copy of the book!
Get to know me around the web!
As Laird, Callum Lennon feels he has always failed to protect his cousins. Callum’s impulsiveness caused the death of his father and the experience has scarred not only his body, but his soul. From that point on, he made sure to always go with the more logical choice in every matter. When his younger cousin Angus finds clues that might help break the curse, Callum begrudgingly hires Phoebe Chilton to investigate. Callum doesn’t like bringing outsiders into their family affairs. Their life would become fodder for the tabloids if anyone were to find out about the curse. It doesn’t help that the instant he meets Dr. Chilton he’s attracted. But, he doesn’t really have a choice because she might be their last hope.
An expert in archeology, Phoebe has always been dwarfed by her parents’ shadow. Their high standards had her in college by thirteen and earning a second PhD by twenty-two. But her career and her broken marriage have left her needing something more than just diplomas and degrees. She wants to prove that her interest in legends, especially Celtic legends, is as important as her parents’ work. When the Lennon family contacts her, she sees the opportunity to win a massive research grant. With a long-time rival breathing down her back, she jumps at the Lennons’ offer her, hoping it will ensure her the grant. But uncovering the Lennon family secrets, and her attraction to Callum, could prove more than she can handle.
Forces outside the family are determined to ensure that they fail. When an old enemy threatens both the well being of the clan and the fragile new love, Callum will have to choose between believing his mind or his heart.
Excerpt:
“I protect what is mine. I’ll not allow you to use Angus.”
She moved away from the counter, her body tense with anger. “I have never used another person, especially in that way. You’ve convinced yourself that I decided to somehow use my considerable wiles on your cousin to somehow gain who knows what.”
When she said it like that, he felt juvenile and petty.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Lennon. I’ll avoid your cousins from now on.”
Which is what he wanted, but at the same time he felt like the lowest form of scum even if it was the best choice. The diary could hold their secrets, and the less she connected to them, the better. They just needed it translated, and for her to leave. As soon as that happened, he would be free of this affliction, he was sure.
“I’ll do my work and take my meals in my room.”
He heard the hurt in her voice. His need to banish Phoebe was as unexplainable as the need to ease her pain. She attempted to brush past him, but he stepped in front of her, blocking her one exit.“I didn’t say you needed to avoid my cousins.” It was what he wanted, needed, but here he was contradicting his own thoughts, again.
When she looked at him, there was no humor in her gaze, no studied interest as he’d seen before. Now, all he saw was loneliness and he ached.
“No. I’ll finish my task and leave. I know you must have a very good reason, although I can’t understand what it could be. I will respect your wishes.”
Again, she tried to move past him, but he refused to budge. That same fresh scent of her reached his senses, seducing him. Even as he was reaching for her, his mind was screaming stop. He ignored it, and every other protective instinct. The only thing roaring through his head was to take, to claim.
“It isna my family that has me worried, lass.” The moment he wrapped his hand around her upper arm, her head shot up, surprise lighting her eyes her mouth falling open in surprise. “It seems being around you is no’ good for my peace of mind.”
He jerked her against him. She gasped, the sound filled with both fear and excitement. Arousal spiked and his body craved—demanded—more intimate contact. Knowing it was wrong, even knowing it was dangerous, he bent his head and took possession of her luscious mouth.
You can pre-order Callum at All Romace Ebooks today by clicking here!
SAXtreme Magazine Seeking Writers
For those of you who have been following for a while, you know I’ve started a non-profit magazine called SAXtreme (San Antonio Xtreme). Our mission is to promote a fun, healthy, and adventurous lifestyle in and around San Antonio.
I’m looking for great writers interested in writing articles about hunting, fishing, sports, adventure, fitness and health. (San Antonio or Texas specific articles are preferred but not required.) Word counts would be between 500-1000 for magazine articles and 250-500 for website articles.
The magazine is a non-profit venture and I can’t pay per article yet, but I can offer, in exchange, an extensive individualized promotional package for authors interested in promoting their other written works or businesses.
For more information, article guidelines, and suggestions, please email Lisa@SAXtreme.com.
Click on the image to visit SAXtreme online!
It’s My Life And High Time I Start Living It!
My physical transformation is an outward expression of what’s going on inside. I’m taking action, I’m moving forward and I’m cutting the dead weight loose. I’m moving toward the life I should have been living all along. Read more about it on my Xtreme Transformation blog today.
New Release: Into a Dangerous Mind by Tina Gerow
What happens when saucy, independent musician, Cassidy James, finds herself with newly discovered psychic powers and must rely on handsome, maverick FBI agent Zach Hatcher to keep from becoming a psychic serial killer’s next victim? Cassidy must learn to control her powers to help stop the killer while learning that relationships between people with psychic powers are just as confusing, but much more steamy than normal ones. Zach fights to control his growing attraction for the killer’s intended victim, while overcoming his past, which has caused him to be leery of relationships with women who posses psychic gifts.
Awards:
Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Small Press Contemporary Paranormal for 2006.
Reviews:
“Into a Dangerous Mind is a fast-paced, sexy, intriguing read! A fresh twist on romantic suspense.
–Jennifer Ashley, USA Today Bestselling author of Immorals: The Calling
“Gerow has penned a pag-turner, to be sure. Even though the reader knows who the bad guy is, the author keeps the suspense and tension tight. The chemistry between Zach and Cassidy is top-drawer and very compelling.”
–Romantic Times BOOKReviews
“Tina Gerow takes us on a wild and exciting ride with Into a Dangerous Mind… Ms. Gerow sucks you in from the start and keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first sentence to the last. The action and drama are intense. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry… This is an extremely satisfying read with a well developed story and strong, interesting characters. With this book, settle in for an exciting ride and hold on tight.”
–EURO Reviews
“Grabs readers’ attention immediately… Ms. Gerow mainatins this interest by crafting believable, likable characters… Vividly portrays the horror and emotional costs that Cassidy and Zach endure… A solid story that demonstrates Ms. Gerow is an author to watch.”
–Amanda from Fallen Angel Reviews
“Into a Dangerous Mind is a splendid romantic suspense. Zach and Cassidy’s chemistry creates sparks that could make a pyromaniac green with envy. A keeper that sizzles with suspense and romance.”
–Cassandra Buckles, Coffee Time Romance
“The emotion, the drama, the suspense, the hot torrid love making are all part and parcel of this amazing story. Ms. Gerow weaves modern day dramatic suspense along with strong paranormal elements like a pro. This new author’s voice is a true pleasure to read and experience. A truly remarkable story.”
–Teri from Fallen Angel Reviews
Excerpt:
“Dix—come on, I need you to help me secure the witness.” Zach stood up from his kitchen table and slapped his friend on the shoulder.
Instantly alert, Dix glanced up at Zach. “Is she in danger? Is the Reaper back?”
Zach motioned Dix to relax. “No. But from the sounds of it, she’s drunk off her ass.”
“From the sounds of it?”
“Don’t ask—I tuned out after they started talking about Mel Gibson’s ass.” He thought men were bad, but these women had a detailed discussion about the actor’s anatomy like they were discussing a fine piece of art. He wondered if he had been a topic of discussion as well before she’d gotten so drunk she was broadcasting her every thought.
“Can I finish my pizza and wings first? And what do you mean they? Who’s over there with her?” Dix asked around a mouthful of hot wings.
“Her best friend, Kathy.”
Dix stopped with a wing halfway to his mouth. “Wait—do you mean the really hot blonde who visited her the other day while I was doing the cable guy thing?”
“Down boy, she’s a friend of the witness—remember?”
Dix frantically wiped hot wing sauce off his fingers and inspected his clothes to see if he was wearing any stains. “But, she is not the witness. Besides, I’m hoping she has a thing for red heads.” He smiled and wiggled his eyebrows up and down.
“Okay, stud, but I need to get over there to Cassidy. She’s broadcasting loud enough for the whole west coast to hear—including the Reaper.”
Dix seemed to have forgotten he didn’t believe in psychic abilities. “I thought you taught her how to put up blocks or shields or whatever you call them.”
“I did, but she’s drunk, which lowers the inhibitions and usually the shields.” Zach picked up his Glock 9mm off the bar and tucked it into his waistband at the small of his back, pulling his T-shirt over it so it wouldn’t show. The Glock was like his American Express card—he never left home without it.
Five minutes later, Zach rang Cassidy’s doorbell and hoped the women heard it over the gales of drunken female laughter. “Cassidy,” he yelled through the door. “Open up, it’s Zach and Dix.”
He heard the chain slide open, the deadbolt unlock, a thump and then a click, which unlocked the door handle. “Come in.” Cassidy spread each word into two sing-song syllables.
Zach opened the door and immediately figured out what the thump had been—Cassidy lay on the floor giggling. “Cassidy, what are you doing down there? Are you okay?” He reached down and helped her up.
She leaned heavily on him. “Perfectly,” she said with the careful enunciation of the intoxicated.
Dix walked over to the couch to look for the second source of giggling. Kathy crawled on her hands and knees diligently searching for her shoes—which Zach noted were still on her feet. Zach heard Dix’s thoughts about Kathy’s mini-skirt and what wonderful things it exposed by riding up. He cleared his throat and looked over at Dix.
“Right, I’ll help Kathy up.” Dix pointed to her.
Zach struggled to keep Cassidy upright, mostly because she kept leaning over trying to look at his butt.
“I bet yours is as good as Mel’s.”
Zach ignored the comment. “Why don’t we get you to bed, Cass? I’ll get you some aspirin and a glass of water.”
“Are you coming to bed with me?” She twined her arms around his neck and pressed the long line of her body against him.
“Come on, Cassidy, I don’t think you’re up for anything like that right now.” He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “You’re drunk and have dropped all your shields and the Reaper and half the neighborhood are probably picking up everything you’re thinking.”
Cassidy pulled back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears and pain. He felt like a heel, but his comments seemed to have sobered her better than anything else he could’ve done. “Damn you, Zach. You won’t even let me forget for one night, will you?” She pushed further away from him, anger and hurt making her steadier on her feet.
“You’re used to dealing with death and danger and fear and mind rapes and God knows what else, but I’m not. I’m terrified Brian is going to find me and I won’t be able to protect myself, besides the fact I don’t know if I can stand to feel more women die.”
She swiped brusquely at her tears with the back of her hand. “And most of all, I feel guilty—guilty for being alive while Tia and all the others are dead, and guilty for being glad it wasn’t me.”
Zach stepped toward her and took Cassidy in his arms. She melted against him as her tears flowed. “Shhh, it’s okay.” He put his shields up for both of them and fervently hoped neither the Reaper nor Kathy had heard the exchange.
Pimping Out Some Pulp with The Black Keys
Ladies and gentlemen, this is what is called “Pulp Fiction”. Not the movie, the style. This is the sort of thing I love to write. Imagine my joy to find the official video for a song I love, “Howlin’ for You” by the Black Keys, was completely pimped out in pulp with a bogus movie trailer! I love this!
See any similarities between Alexa Wolf and Sarah Stevens?
The Story That Must Be Told
In August I left my husband of twelve years (we’d been estranged for the better part of our marriage anyway) and started work as the Marketing Director for Sapphire Blue Publishing. By November, their long-neglected marketing program was on the upswing. Unfortunately, other factors had to be considered and my work wasn’t enough for the owners of Sapphire Blue to keep it open.
So I got laid off.
Some time ago I made the decision to put all my writing eggs into the Sapphire Blue Publishing basket. Loyal? Yes. Savvy? Not so much. Luckily, when they closed their doors they returned all of the authors’ rights immediately and let us walk away with our books and cover art.
That opened the door to self-publishing.
Many of my colleagues from Sapphire Blue Publishing are pursuing a mix of publishers and self-publishing but I realized this was a great opportunity for me to be completely independent. I knew great editors and graphic artists and I’d have the opportunity to rework some books I’d admittedly rushed through production.
The Path to Freedom
The Path to Freedom was my first full manuscript and my first published novel. Tina Gerow did the editing on it and I love it just the way it is. The 2008 version remains unchanged and is now available in electronic formats for 99 cents. It will soon be available in paperback from Amazon.com.
A Taste of Liberty
Sarah Stevens wins the lottery (so to speak) in this story but there is so much more to the story that the reader doesn’t know. I rushed this story when I should have taken my time and expanded on the details. They’re worth telling and readers deserve to know them. I’ll begin expanding this book to double it’s original size in January and hope to have some talented editors help me polish it for a February publication in electronic and paperback.
Freedom’s Promise
Another story I rushed through. I should mention why. While I was working on these two books, my marriage was falling down around me. I was desperate to create something of my own and tried to do it too quickly while everything else crumbled. It wasn’t an easy place to write from. It isn’t easy writing happily ever afters when what you thought was yours turns out to be a steaming pile of shit. So I’d like to work on this story too. Ideally, I’d expand on it in March and have my editor friends help me polish it in April. Then I’d release something with twice the original story in both electronic and paperback.
Stealing Liberties
The fourth installment in the Task Force 125 series was to be my very best work yet. It was under contract with SBP but not yet complete when they closed their doors. I have a hardcopy riddled with notes and bleeding red ink everywhere. The first draft was good but the final is going to be fantastic. Things happen in this story that loyal readers would never have imagined. Even I couldn’t believe most of them but, as any writer will tell you, there comes a time when you need to surrender to the muse holding a gun to the back of your head. So I did. Then life happened and I had to tuck the manuscript away for a while.
That’s when I met a character I’d written. He wasn’t just any character either. He was supposed to be a minor character that would be killed off. You know the kind, the Star Trek Ensign that beams down with the landing party. The guy who dies so the story can move along. But once I wrote him, I couldn’t kill him. I wrestled with it for three days but he’d become integral to Sarah’s story. Oddly enough, the man I met six months later would become integral to mine as well. Unfortunately, fact and fiction didn’t run parallel for me and Sarah. Regardless, this episode in Sarah Stevens’ story must be told.
Why so much detail, you ask?
Because I’m doing this completely on my own and it helps to have someone to talk to at the end of the day, even if it is just a blog.
There are stories here that must be told, people here you have to meet, and events that will change lives. I have the stories and I have all the words but delivering Sarah Stevens’ stories in a comprehensive manner means I need editors – few authors can deliver a book worth reading without them. I also need cover art and that means staying true to the other covers in the series and staying with the same artist.
So I took a stab at a Kickstarter campaign. Pledges were generous but they weren’t enough to meet my goal so I never saw any of them (kickstarter being an all-or-nothing proposition).
This is why some artists live in shabby little lofts, go without food and heat and scrape together what money they can to buy supplies to feed their muse. Canvas, paper, paint, ink, frames, covers…all food for the muse no matter what your form of expression may be. So, with a week left to 2011, and stories that must be told, I find myself changing strategies. I can do this myself. It will a great deal of time and much work, but it can be done and, in the end, it will be mine. It should make a hell of a story when I’m gone too!
Frumpy to Fit: Follow My Transformation
It isn't the toppings that kill me, it's the crust.
Have you ever eaten too much junk and felt lousy the next day?
Feeling fat and bloated from too much starch from pizza yesterday, I blogged today at Xtreme Transformations (the official blog of my frumpy to fit transformation) about how I’m ready for a cleansing fast. Today is my first day. This article from Mark’s Daily Apple explains just where I’m hoping to go with this fast.
