Working on a new project called, "The Curious Case of Father Time"
It's a science fiction/supernatural thriller about an often forgotten but curious character, Father Time.
We all are familiar with Father Time as he represents an old year coming to a close and passing on time to the New Year's baby.
Well what would happen if Father Time didn't pass time along? What would happen to the New Year? Would there be a New Year or would time cease to exist all together?
This book attempts to answer that question as I bring to you the subject of the Timekeepers. Here is an excerpt of the story....
He was a direct descendant of Adam and Eve, although his name was forever lost to history. His name was Hem and he lived for an astounding ten thousand years. He was brought into this world for one purpose: to keep track of time.
Every moment of his life was dedicated to tracking and measuring time. Because of his position, he was very important to mankind. He took many wives and bore many children. They became a clan known as the Timekeepers. They mostly lived away from civilization. Because of their rumored special powers, many would not dare cross them, for they had the ability to make time stop.
Some of the Keepers used this ability to their advantage and became very prosperous as a result of it. Others used their powers for the greater good.
Hem could have lived another ten thousand years, but it simply was his time to go.
He wrote the first records of history and kept track of how many times the sun rose and sat in the sky. When God created the greater light to rule the day and the lesser night to rule the night, Time was born.
It was he that first used time as an instrument to teach the others. He became the time keeper who lived for ten thousand years. His work was too important. There had to be others to continue his life’s mission.
Keep track of time.
As he closed his eyes for the last time, the Others gathered around him. They vowed to continue this important work, no matter what the cost. They were mostly nomadic in nature. They assisted in the creation of the Sumerian and Mayan calendars, the sundial, clocks, and other timepieces. The Timekeepers have had their hands in measuring time since the beginning.
They roamed the Old World for the Chosen One year after year. They lived all over the world, assisting Father Time in his mission to find the New Child or the Chosen One to bring in the New Year. Without this annual event, time would cease to exist.
They lived as a cult might, never revealing their identities to Outsiders, for it was too dangerous. Inside the Cult, there was the Family and in that family there could only be one Father Time. At the end of his reign he would pass it on to a male child within the Family. That child would go on to become Father Time for the next Generation to come.
It was to be this way for thousands of years.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
How Can You Complain About Free? Kindle Freebies Anyone?
It's something I absolutely enjoy doing when I get up in the morning. I check the Amazon free lists of great books for the wonderful price that can't be beat: $0.00.
With the advent of self-publishing, your cat can become an author in probably ten minutes. People all over the world have probably kicked the idea of writing a novel in their heads at one time or another.
Well some of those people just scratched that off their "bucket" list because sites like Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com are turning your next door neighbors into authors.
Now people from all walks of life can share their life experiences and stories with the rest of the world. The problem for some is that the stories that are being shared are not the most "polished" and grammatically correct as they need to be.
Sure there are lots of Grammar Police out there in the world on patrol, noting every missed comma or misspelled word. But there are some books on Amazon that can make you think that English (or whatever language) is not their native tongue because of all the grammar problems.
There was one book that I read about Lupus that had such a long run on sentence that lasted all the way to the second page before a period was placed.
Some of the novels are just plain unreadable and it's a sad state that displays a lack of education around the world.
But what happens when that book is free?
Some books have typos here and there but you are able to get the general point of the story.
I have a problem with downright mean, insulting, and downright personal attacks on authors when they are giving their work away for free. It doesn't matter if a two year old can do better, it was FREE.
Constructive criticism can go a long way but insulting someone's intelligence doesn't. It just makes a hostile world more hostile.
But then again, no one twisted your arm to buy it. You picked it up because it was FREE!!! It's like purchasing a fake Coach handbag for one dollar. It looks just like the real thing and feels like the real thing but then five minutes later when the strap breaks, you're ready to ring someone's neck.
There is absolutely no logic in that. What did you really expect? You had your own set of expectations of this purse that LOOKED like a Coach purse so it should BEHAVE like a Coach purse, even when you didn't pay Coach money. You put very high expectations on something that didn't have much value in the first place and have the gall to be disappointed in how your fake Coach purse performed.
Yes, continue looking through the Freebies on Amazon because there are lots of gems out there that have authors with tremendous talent.
But if you happen to download something which your dog could have written better prose, you have no one to blame but yourself.
With the advent of self-publishing, your cat can become an author in probably ten minutes. People all over the world have probably kicked the idea of writing a novel in their heads at one time or another.
Well some of those people just scratched that off their "bucket" list because sites like Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com are turning your next door neighbors into authors.
Now people from all walks of life can share their life experiences and stories with the rest of the world. The problem for some is that the stories that are being shared are not the most "polished" and grammatically correct as they need to be.
Sure there are lots of Grammar Police out there in the world on patrol, noting every missed comma or misspelled word. But there are some books on Amazon that can make you think that English (or whatever language) is not their native tongue because of all the grammar problems.
There was one book that I read about Lupus that had such a long run on sentence that lasted all the way to the second page before a period was placed.
Some of the novels are just plain unreadable and it's a sad state that displays a lack of education around the world.
But what happens when that book is free?
Some books have typos here and there but you are able to get the general point of the story.
I have a problem with downright mean, insulting, and downright personal attacks on authors when they are giving their work away for free. It doesn't matter if a two year old can do better, it was FREE.
Constructive criticism can go a long way but insulting someone's intelligence doesn't. It just makes a hostile world more hostile.
But then again, no one twisted your arm to buy it. You picked it up because it was FREE!!! It's like purchasing a fake Coach handbag for one dollar. It looks just like the real thing and feels like the real thing but then five minutes later when the strap breaks, you're ready to ring someone's neck.
There is absolutely no logic in that. What did you really expect? You had your own set of expectations of this purse that LOOKED like a Coach purse so it should BEHAVE like a Coach purse, even when you didn't pay Coach money. You put very high expectations on something that didn't have much value in the first place and have the gall to be disappointed in how your fake Coach purse performed.
Yes, continue looking through the Freebies on Amazon because there are lots of gems out there that have authors with tremendous talent.
But if you happen to download something which your dog could have written better prose, you have no one to blame but yourself.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Diary of A Sick Chick: A Review
Monday, December 10, 2012
AND THE AUTHOR RESPONDS.....URBAN FICTION CONT.
Browsing through Urban Fiction, I decided to download three books. Of the three, two were unreadable because they were so bad. The grammar and English were that of an eight year old and even I've seen plenty of them do better.
I enjoy many genres and with some of the great covers and interesting storylines, (not to mention many of them are priced at .99, I decided to give this genre a chance since I don't read many authors that write there.
It made me so angry, mostly at the educational system. I don't know these writers at all. But we come from such great writers like Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Richard Wright, is THIS acceptable?
My father was illiterate but he didn't have the oopportunity that we did, growing up as a sharecropper in the early 1930's. Why is illiteracy acceptable today in 2012? Why do we turn a blind eye to authors that write books devoid of English and peddle it on Amazon for profit? Why is this acceptable?
I left my review here....
ME:
I tried to enjoy this book but had to delete it after reading it. I could not understand much of what was going on because of bad English, run on sentences, and no concept of elementary grammar. It was that bad. The author can paint a picture and tell a story well if they just understood the rules of grammar. Too bad, because the story had great potential.
I tried to enjoy this book but had to delete it after reading it. I could not understand much of what was going on because of bad English, run on sentences, and no concept of elementary grammar. It was that bad. The author can paint a picture and tell a story well if they just understood the rules of grammar. Too bad, because the story had great potential.
This is where she responded and it got ugly.
First she responded to a review I made on someone else who agreed with me.
no you need to get some glasses or maybe stay out of urban fiction all
together its sad how people are so judgmental when they haven't got a
clue . I do think editing is a must with anyone's novels but to be so
sadistic and leave a nasty review for anyone it just shows where your
mind is . I have seen all your reviews and you seem to be a bitter
person maybe you should stop reading all together. ---AUTHOR NAME DELETED
Then she responded to my review below in the comments section.....
Initial post:
Dec 9, 2012 10:35:33 PM PST
AUTHOR NAME DELETED
says:
of course you have an opinion like money so you are able to use the
both but as for your comment I find them to be down right stupid and
very untrue. you need to maybe try getting a class in reading 101 sad
and down right horrible
SONYA says:
Instead of taking the constructive criticism ( I take you to be the
author, no?) and making the book better, you decide to resort to name
calling. I can hardly understand your reply because it's NOT in English.
If you're going to be serious about your craft, you need to perfect
your English. It's like someone who wants to be a Doctor but they have
the slightest clue of Anatomy. It just can't be done.
Even your author's bio is riddled with errors! That should have NO errors PERIOD! It tells the audience to expect the same in your books. Readers are persnickety when it comes to grammar and English. You, as a writer, should know that.
Learn to be humble and listen to the criticism of potential fans if you would like to go far in this business. Otherwise, you're wasting your time. Read other great African-American writers in different genres and learn from them. Study English and pick up "The Elements of Style" by William Stunk and see how to really craft a story.
This is not an insult, but your material is unreadable. I'm sorry. Reading and studying is the only way to get better as a writer.
And I find it downright insulting for you to tell me to get a reading class when you can benefit from a writing class. No matter how mad a reviewer makes you, never attack your audience. I learned the hard way that this looks very bad on the author. It's upsetting to get a bad review, but even Stephen King will tell you (as he's said in a few interviews) you get mad, you scream, don't respond, and keep writing.
Keep writing dear. It will get better.
Peace
PS. I can help you edit your Author's Bio to get rid of the errors so that will be cleaned up. I'm from the "Chi" as well.
Even your author's bio is riddled with errors! That should have NO errors PERIOD! It tells the audience to expect the same in your books. Readers are persnickety when it comes to grammar and English. You, as a writer, should know that.
Learn to be humble and listen to the criticism of potential fans if you would like to go far in this business. Otherwise, you're wasting your time. Read other great African-American writers in different genres and learn from them. Study English and pick up "The Elements of Style" by William Stunk and see how to really craft a story.
This is not an insult, but your material is unreadable. I'm sorry. Reading and studying is the only way to get better as a writer.
And I find it downright insulting for you to tell me to get a reading class when you can benefit from a writing class. No matter how mad a reviewer makes you, never attack your audience. I learned the hard way that this looks very bad on the author. It's upsetting to get a bad review, but even Stephen King will tell you (as he's said in a few interviews) you get mad, you scream, don't respond, and keep writing.
Keep writing dear. It will get better.
Peace
PS. I can help you edit your Author's Bio to get rid of the errors so that will be cleaned up. I'm from the "Chi" as well.
Hopefully our discourse will end here. Hopefully she will do some reading of her own and get better as a writer. I'm not on a mission to help everyone learn English, but it's disappointing.
Nook Simple Touch Review
So I took advantage of a great offer that I received by email the other day. I stood in line after leaving the hospital to get one of these for just $59!
I purchased this for my mother who has stated that she wanted an eReader. Especially to keep her Bible on it and some of my books.
PROS
This can fit in your purse or pocket. It's pretty small but packs a punch.
It's easy to operate.
Highly functional! Swipe to flip the page forwards or backwards.
Simple eReader for that special person on your gift list.
Books download fast and easy!
CONS
Screen could be a tad brighter
Keyboard is small so when you're importing information, such as credit card number or using the search function, those who are visually impaired may have a hard time with this. I have 20/20 vision and I had a hard time with this.
I have a Kindle Fire HD and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I actually use it more than I do my iPad and that's saying something, although not for browsing the web because it is painfully slow. But for that person that doesn't need all the bells and whistles, this simple eReader will be a hit!
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Nowhere on Nook!!!!
Those Nook owners looking for a short but great mystery novel, look no further!
Nowhere will be available on Tuesday, December 11, 2012!
Nowhere will be available on Tuesday, December 11, 2012!
The Sad and Sorry State of Urban Fiction Novels
I may catch a lot of flack for this one but it needs to be said.
I love my Kindle and not a day goes by where I'm not on the Amazon website trying to find new and awesome books to read.
As a Black woman, there is a certain genre that I stay away from, but only because I don't find it very interesting. I grew up very sheltered in a middle class family so I can't relate to many of the stories. It just wasn't my life experience.
I don't consider myself to be some great scholar of the English language and have made quite a few grammatical gaffes myself. It's all in the process of learning and trying to do better as a person and perfecting my craft which is the goal of all writers.
With that being said, I have downloaded a few of these Urban fiction novels out of curiosity and I have not been pleased with what I've found.
I don't mind the violence as much or the liberal use of the dreaded "N" word. But what I do find challenging is to even figure out what the book is about because the sentence structure is terrible with many of the books that I come across. I can overlook typos but when they take up most of the book, it becomes a huge distraction.
Please keep in mind that I'm not speaking of EVERY black author out there that writes in the genre. I'm sure there are many books out there that are well written and edited for clarity. It's just I haven't had much luck finding any.
I reviewed a book yesterday that seemed to have a lot of promise, but I couldn't get past the writing style of the author. Quotes were not used properly so I had a hard time trying to figure out who was speaking.
His book is not alone. It is very easy to identify an Urban book. There is usually some scantily clad dressed woman on the front along with some tough looking men with guns or other weapons in their hands.
I had another "discussion" with an author over her book (which shall remain nameless). She marketed as a true story about a mother who loses control over her children to the streets. But from the very beginning, you could easily see why the mother lost control. She was violent, often had physical confrontations with people in the neighborhood, and yelled and screamed at her own children. Then she was "flabbergasted" that her children turned out to be killers. When I pointed this out to her, her answer was simply that black women have to raise their children differently, a myth that I've heard from many other black people.
Really? Children should never watch their mother go "upside someone's head" with a baseball bat, constantly use profane language, and scream at them on a daily basis. Children will act out the things that they see at home.
If an alien from outer space touched down and wanted to know what Black people were like, downloaded a few of these books on his kindle, he would have a very low opinion of us. It is just downright disheartening. Yes, I find it wonderful that black people, young and old, are finding ways to creatively express themselves. Not only are they using their talents, they are also creating material for other Black people to read and enjoy. Many young people are actually READING more!
But if they have THIS to look up to, then we have a long way to go. One can read Zora Neale Hurston and see the type of slang that Blacks use to communicate with each other, but there is a clear message in her writing that can be enjoyed by everyone.
A lot of the Urban fiction have gangbanging, prostitution, drug dealing, and just over the top violence. Is that all there is to Black people? I understand that it is apart of the genre "urban fiction" but some of the stories aren't even put together that well and the point of the story is just lost.
Most women in these stories are gold digging hussies that strip for a living. The men are pimps, gangbangers, and drug dealers. It's like a thousand black writers wrote the same story over and over again just under a different name and cover.
So I stay away from this genre. Hopefully I'll find a gem out there that I can write about and give a glowing review to. Hopefully we can do better and put out material that people from other cultures can enjoy as they learn about us as a people.
And it is not gangs, drugs, sex, violence, and money. We have a rich history and that needs to be center stage.
I love my Kindle and not a day goes by where I'm not on the Amazon website trying to find new and awesome books to read.
As a Black woman, there is a certain genre that I stay away from, but only because I don't find it very interesting. I grew up very sheltered in a middle class family so I can't relate to many of the stories. It just wasn't my life experience.
I don't consider myself to be some great scholar of the English language and have made quite a few grammatical gaffes myself. It's all in the process of learning and trying to do better as a person and perfecting my craft which is the goal of all writers.
With that being said, I have downloaded a few of these Urban fiction novels out of curiosity and I have not been pleased with what I've found.
I don't mind the violence as much or the liberal use of the dreaded "N" word. But what I do find challenging is to even figure out what the book is about because the sentence structure is terrible with many of the books that I come across. I can overlook typos but when they take up most of the book, it becomes a huge distraction.
Please keep in mind that I'm not speaking of EVERY black author out there that writes in the genre. I'm sure there are many books out there that are well written and edited for clarity. It's just I haven't had much luck finding any.
I reviewed a book yesterday that seemed to have a lot of promise, but I couldn't get past the writing style of the author. Quotes were not used properly so I had a hard time trying to figure out who was speaking.
His book is not alone. It is very easy to identify an Urban book. There is usually some scantily clad dressed woman on the front along with some tough looking men with guns or other weapons in their hands.
I had another "discussion" with an author over her book (which shall remain nameless). She marketed as a true story about a mother who loses control over her children to the streets. But from the very beginning, you could easily see why the mother lost control. She was violent, often had physical confrontations with people in the neighborhood, and yelled and screamed at her own children. Then she was "flabbergasted" that her children turned out to be killers. When I pointed this out to her, her answer was simply that black women have to raise their children differently, a myth that I've heard from many other black people.
Really? Children should never watch their mother go "upside someone's head" with a baseball bat, constantly use profane language, and scream at them on a daily basis. Children will act out the things that they see at home.
If an alien from outer space touched down and wanted to know what Black people were like, downloaded a few of these books on his kindle, he would have a very low opinion of us. It is just downright disheartening. Yes, I find it wonderful that black people, young and old, are finding ways to creatively express themselves. Not only are they using their talents, they are also creating material for other Black people to read and enjoy. Many young people are actually READING more!
But if they have THIS to look up to, then we have a long way to go. One can read Zora Neale Hurston and see the type of slang that Blacks use to communicate with each other, but there is a clear message in her writing that can be enjoyed by everyone.
A lot of the Urban fiction have gangbanging, prostitution, drug dealing, and just over the top violence. Is that all there is to Black people? I understand that it is apart of the genre "urban fiction" but some of the stories aren't even put together that well and the point of the story is just lost.
Most women in these stories are gold digging hussies that strip for a living. The men are pimps, gangbangers, and drug dealers. It's like a thousand black writers wrote the same story over and over again just under a different name and cover.
So I stay away from this genre. Hopefully I'll find a gem out there that I can write about and give a glowing review to. Hopefully we can do better and put out material that people from other cultures can enjoy as they learn about us as a people.
And it is not gangs, drugs, sex, violence, and money. We have a rich history and that needs to be center stage.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
WHAT'S NEW EVERYONE?
Working on a Supernatural Thriller titled, "Father Time". Just started a first draft yesterday and it's going really well.
Also the dark comedy, Serial Me, is coming along very well. I'm still in first draft stage and I hope to finish and have everything published by late January 2013.
Also you Diary of A Sick Chick Fans, the sequel is coming soon February 2013. Diary of A Sick Chick: Year Two of Chronic Illness.
Also the dark comedy, Serial Me, is coming along very well. I'm still in first draft stage and I hope to finish and have everything published by late January 2013.
Also you Diary of A Sick Chick Fans, the sequel is coming soon February 2013. Diary of A Sick Chick: Year Two of Chronic Illness.
The Urban Fiction Plague Part One
Lately, I've been in an Urban fiction mood. I used to read Urban Fiction back in the day but stopped since my tastes changed and I began a career in writing for myself. It's also safe to say that because I lived a sheltered life, I really didn't find myself relating to many of the plots that are characteristic of such fiction...especially in my adult years. I have moved away from the inner city and I live in a small town.
I recently decided to give Urban Fiction a chance because...well why not? Some of the plot lines are interesting and I discovered new and exciting authors that are really talented and I enjoy their work.
But as I began my search for good urban fiction, I began to see the same patterns all over again. Here are some of my complaints that are going WRONG in that particular genre.
1. Books With "Bitch" In The Title
You'd be amazed (maybe not) about the amount of books out there with the B word in the title. Gangster Bitch, Gangsta Bitch, Baddest Bitch, Welfare Bitch, EBT Bitch, Light Skinned Bitch, Wannabe Bitch, Stupid Bitch, Dime Piece Bitch.....so on and so forth. Some of the titles are a bit facetious but you get the drift. Every book has this Baddest Bitch character where she is the best looking girl on the block and all the men want her. She has a banging body and her skills in the bedroom can't compare.
2. There Is A Drug Dealer Named Nino....ALWAYS
Yes. No UF book is complete without a drug dealer named Nino. In fact, if he isn't Nino, then you need at least a few drug dealers scattered throughout the book. If the book is heroine based, then there is a good drug dealer (if there is such a thing) that really cares for the heroine and her children. They just want her to see the error of her ways or choose him over the big black ugly drug dealer that once made her eat Jell-O off the floor and beat her senseless.........yeah...some of these plot lines.
3. Light Skin, Long Hair, Don't Care
The heroine of these books almost will never be a short dark skinned girl with "nappy" and "unruly" hair. Nope! Her hair, thanks to her so called Indian heritage, will sport long hair draping down her back. She will have pecan colored skin so she will definitely pass the paper bag test. (If you don't know what that means, then put down one of those books and read some real African American literature) She is flawless and always the baddest bitch in the game (see example #1)
I'll be posting a part two to this series. It really is disturbing sometimes when almost all of the UB books are literally the same! Same plot lines and same characters. One would think that this is all UB has to offer when there is so much more to Black culture than bad bitches and drug dealers.
I'm looking forward to the day where an author can let some of these stereotypical characters go and craft an ingenious story with characters that I can believe in. That will be an author worth reading. Until then, the situation looks hopeless.
Urban Fiction writers out there. Let's get some new material. Think outside the box. And for the love of God, if you write one more drug dealer named Nino into your storyline, I'm bashing my Kindle against the wall.
I recently decided to give Urban Fiction a chance because...well why not? Some of the plot lines are interesting and I discovered new and exciting authors that are really talented and I enjoy their work.
But as I began my search for good urban fiction, I began to see the same patterns all over again. Here are some of my complaints that are going WRONG in that particular genre.
1. Books With "Bitch" In The Title
You'd be amazed (maybe not) about the amount of books out there with the B word in the title. Gangster Bitch, Gangsta Bitch, Baddest Bitch, Welfare Bitch, EBT Bitch, Light Skinned Bitch, Wannabe Bitch, Stupid Bitch, Dime Piece Bitch.....so on and so forth. Some of the titles are a bit facetious but you get the drift. Every book has this Baddest Bitch character where she is the best looking girl on the block and all the men want her. She has a banging body and her skills in the bedroom can't compare.
2. There Is A Drug Dealer Named Nino....ALWAYS
Yes. No UF book is complete without a drug dealer named Nino. In fact, if he isn't Nino, then you need at least a few drug dealers scattered throughout the book. If the book is heroine based, then there is a good drug dealer (if there is such a thing) that really cares for the heroine and her children. They just want her to see the error of her ways or choose him over the big black ugly drug dealer that once made her eat Jell-O off the floor and beat her senseless.........yeah...some of these plot lines.
3. Light Skin, Long Hair, Don't Care
The heroine of these books almost will never be a short dark skinned girl with "nappy" and "unruly" hair. Nope! Her hair, thanks to her so called Indian heritage, will sport long hair draping down her back. She will have pecan colored skin so she will definitely pass the paper bag test. (If you don't know what that means, then put down one of those books and read some real African American literature) She is flawless and always the baddest bitch in the game (see example #1)
I'll be posting a part two to this series. It really is disturbing sometimes when almost all of the UB books are literally the same! Same plot lines and same characters. One would think that this is all UB has to offer when there is so much more to Black culture than bad bitches and drug dealers.
I'm looking forward to the day where an author can let some of these stereotypical characters go and craft an ingenious story with characters that I can believe in. That will be an author worth reading. Until then, the situation looks hopeless.
Urban Fiction writers out there. Let's get some new material. Think outside the box. And for the love of God, if you write one more drug dealer named Nino into your storyline, I'm bashing my Kindle against the wall.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
"Chapter Books" on Amazon
Okay.....
What exactly is a "chapter book"? A chapter book, my friends, is a book that costs 0.99-$1.99 USD and has a length from 25-55 pages long. It's marketed as a "series". But what you're paying for in essence is just a chapter or two.
What's wrong with this?
Nothing, I suppose. But in the reviews, I've noticed that this angers a lot of readers. Especially when unknown writers tend to do this. Why should a customer pay 0.99 for a chapter and have to continue paying in order to finish the entire series? There are plenty of books out there that are equitably priced and you get the entire story in one read.
I've read some amazing "Chapter books" out there but I'm letting you know authors, you take the risk of alienating future buyers.
If you're interested in writing a series, then do so. But give your readers more than just a few chapters at a time.
What exactly is a "chapter book"? A chapter book, my friends, is a book that costs 0.99-$1.99 USD and has a length from 25-55 pages long. It's marketed as a "series". But what you're paying for in essence is just a chapter or two.
What's wrong with this?
Nothing, I suppose. But in the reviews, I've noticed that this angers a lot of readers. Especially when unknown writers tend to do this. Why should a customer pay 0.99 for a chapter and have to continue paying in order to finish the entire series? There are plenty of books out there that are equitably priced and you get the entire story in one read.
I've read some amazing "Chapter books" out there but I'm letting you know authors, you take the risk of alienating future buyers.
If you're interested in writing a series, then do so. But give your readers more than just a few chapters at a time.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
My Books Are Available On The NOOK!!!
Go to www.barnesandnoble.com and download.....
Hannah: A Fictional Account of the Youngest Child Executed in US History
Diary of A Sick Chick: A Year in The Life of A Chronically Ill Woman
Sex Therapy
Nowhere and The Teacher's Pet coming in January 2013
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Amazon Authors! What's Up With All The Serials?
Yes Harry Potter was an exceptional example of a successful series, but if you're not a known name, then your series won't be worth the paper that it was written on.
Yeah, I'm kind of cynical about them, but hear me out first.
Within minutes, my cat can become an author on Amazon and publish whatever she wants to basically. I don't have a problem with that at all. It's just that publishing serials doesn't work for the average reader.
When you're new, you want to write an amazing story from beginning to end. When you write a serial, you don't want to leave out so much that the reader HAS to purchase the second book in order to find out what happens. If this is your first time, what if you suck? You're almost guaranteeing that they won't come back.
New writers need to find their audiences in different ways than teasing their audiences with books that are sixty six pages long and that have titles that say this is "Book #1 out of 60 of the Dragon Knight Baby Specials"
Huh?
Have you even built an audience yet with the more traditional route?
What makes you so sure that I'm going to stick with you long enough to read through the second book all the way to your sixtieth?
It's presumptious.
Stick with your first book and knock them dead with that one. Join book clubs that deal with the subject matter that you're writing in. Smooze book club owners. Talk with other writers. Utilize social media. Create a blog. Read other books in the same genre. Read books in other genres. Completely immerse yourself in the world of writing. Find out what the experts are doing. Find out what the idiots are doing and then, don't do that.
Then if you think you've got what it takes to write a trilogy (and God help you if you don't) go for it. It better be damn good and damn worth it.
A writer should never go into a project thinking that they want to create a series off the bat unless they are under a contract to do so. You, as the inexperienced writer with no base, have no clue that people will give a crap about what you write. You could very well be wasting your time.
Write that first novel but leave a little room at the end to possibly create a teaser. Then wait damnit. Wait. Check the reviews. Have other people professionally critique your work. Mull some ideas over in your head for a possible part two of the series.
Have you ever seen any of the Pirates of The Caribbean movies? The first one was genius but then the scripts became some overloaded with such nonsense that even Johnny Depp threw up his hands and said, "I don't even know what this means!"
You're in the business of writing and entertaining people. You want them sitting on the edge of their beds while their spouses are asleep waiting to jump up at any moment and scare the daylights out of them. You want them rooting for your characters! You don't want the main character in the middle of the scene that YOU wrote saying, "What the fuck is THIS shit?" It's not good.
Concentrate on what makes a great story. Concentrate on how to tell a great story. Then go from there. If you're new in the game, the trilogy will come much further down the line. Captivate your readers and then you shall build a great and loyal audience. They will follow you wherever you go from there.
Yeah, I'm kind of cynical about them, but hear me out first.
Within minutes, my cat can become an author on Amazon and publish whatever she wants to basically. I don't have a problem with that at all. It's just that publishing serials doesn't work for the average reader.
When you're new, you want to write an amazing story from beginning to end. When you write a serial, you don't want to leave out so much that the reader HAS to purchase the second book in order to find out what happens. If this is your first time, what if you suck? You're almost guaranteeing that they won't come back.
New writers need to find their audiences in different ways than teasing their audiences with books that are sixty six pages long and that have titles that say this is "Book #1 out of 60 of the Dragon Knight Baby Specials"
Huh?
Have you even built an audience yet with the more traditional route?
What makes you so sure that I'm going to stick with you long enough to read through the second book all the way to your sixtieth?
It's presumptious.
Stick with your first book and knock them dead with that one. Join book clubs that deal with the subject matter that you're writing in. Smooze book club owners. Talk with other writers. Utilize social media. Create a blog. Read other books in the same genre. Read books in other genres. Completely immerse yourself in the world of writing. Find out what the experts are doing. Find out what the idiots are doing and then, don't do that.
Then if you think you've got what it takes to write a trilogy (and God help you if you don't) go for it. It better be damn good and damn worth it.
A writer should never go into a project thinking that they want to create a series off the bat unless they are under a contract to do so. You, as the inexperienced writer with no base, have no clue that people will give a crap about what you write. You could very well be wasting your time.
Write that first novel but leave a little room at the end to possibly create a teaser. Then wait damnit. Wait. Check the reviews. Have other people professionally critique your work. Mull some ideas over in your head for a possible part two of the series.
Have you ever seen any of the Pirates of The Caribbean movies? The first one was genius but then the scripts became some overloaded with such nonsense that even Johnny Depp threw up his hands and said, "I don't even know what this means!"
You're in the business of writing and entertaining people. You want them sitting on the edge of their beds while their spouses are asleep waiting to jump up at any moment and scare the daylights out of them. You want them rooting for your characters! You don't want the main character in the middle of the scene that YOU wrote saying, "What the fuck is THIS shit?" It's not good.
Concentrate on what makes a great story. Concentrate on how to tell a great story. Then go from there. If you're new in the game, the trilogy will come much further down the line. Captivate your readers and then you shall build a great and loyal audience. They will follow you wherever you go from there.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Review of "World War Z"
I normally don't review books for other authors. While I was not certainly asked for a review, I found a great book so compelling I had to share it with my readers that like a little zombie reading material with their breakfast.
It is rare to find a voice this compelling and a book so incredibly rare that I have to remember that what I'm reading is fiction.....
-Sonya Dickerson
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JMKQX0/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img
My significant other heard a friend speaking about this book and was told that he should give it a try.
So what did he do? Purchased the Kindle edition for his sick fiance with a lupus flare, with nothing else to do for six days until she was either better or forced from her bed by hospital bureaucrats.
I'm so glad that he passed the chance to me first.
I have to admit that I am one of the millions that enjoy, "The Walking Dead" series on television so I didn't mind another zombie read. There are thousands of them available for purchase right now ( I have several) and yet, I feel obligated to delete them all from my Kindle.
For the next week, I found myself engrossed into the storyline from the very first page. Yes, anything that can keep my attention going while in pain has some definite talent.
As many others have reviewed before me, you're not getting a three or four hundred page novel with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It's a series of interviews of people that survived the "War" and they are telling their stories for posterity purposes.
One may think that the interview style could make the book trudge on and on indefinitely to where the stories seem to overlap but they truly don't! That's what makes this book different from many others. From outer space to the depths of the sea, the story of The War and The Great Panic are covered in detail from the ones that had the skills, the bravery, or just sheer and crazy luck to make it through to the end.
There were times that I found myself having to put the book down for SANITY reasons. Yes...my sanity. The imagery and the characters were just too real and convincing. So much so that the moan.....the indescribable and inescapable moan of the living dead when they were upon you literally kept me peering out of the windows and the small caliber handgun by my bedside loaded.
You couldn't help but immerse yourself in the stories told by each survivor in their own little way without wondering just what you would have done in that situation. Would you have been among the living? Or one of the millions of tormenters that threatened your existence on a daily basis?
World War Z is one of those books that you just can't seem to forget. It will stay at the back of your mind as the current times show that our interest in the living dead has yet to cease its popularity. It was brilliantly written and highly recommended.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Black Girls Don't Cry
EXCERPT FROM THE TEACHER'S PET....
Black Girls Don't Cry
You don't get to show your tears.
And admit to the world all of your fears.
Girl are you still bitter after all these years?
Black girls don't cry.
Wipe those tears from your eyes.
And don't you dare forget your disguise.
Somewhere in between the truth does lie.
Haven't you learned that Black girls don't cry?
She must always remember her role.
For that Jezebel has traded in her soul.
She's the lowest being on the totem pole.
But Black girls don't cry.
Demonized by those who look like you,
Fighting stereotypes that aren't true.
You can't win no matter what you do.
But Black girls don't cry.
Seducing men to drink from her cup.
Hold your head high and just suck it up.
Do you think the world really gives a F*&^?
Black girls don't cry.
They don't know what she went through.
Her face deceives but only she holds the truth.
That her cold stony heart could break in two.
But Black girls don't cry.
(c) Sonya Dickerson 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Getting Stuck
Ugh....
Writer's block sucks. You have this great outline that details your story from beginning to end and then Bam! You're stuck. What do you do?
With me, it's more self doubt.
My thing? Continue to write the story. Stopping is Death. Write until the end and then do the rewrite. Find the flaws and pull them apart. Don't stop writing. Don't stop giving up.
Writer's block sucks. You have this great outline that details your story from beginning to end and then Bam! You're stuck. What do you do?
With me, it's more self doubt.
This plot isn't plausible. I'm going to lose all credibility with this scene. No one is going to believe this. It's just too out there. My reader is going to throw their Kindle against the wall and then send me the bill for it.
My thing? Continue to write the story. Stopping is Death. Write until the end and then do the rewrite. Find the flaws and pull them apart. Don't stop writing. Don't stop giving up.
Monday, November 5, 2012
The Teacher's Pet--Amazon Standings
I'm number one in sexual abuse.
Spread the word. You or someone you know has a life that has been touched by sexual assault or rape.
Download this book for free today.
An Excerpt from "The Teacher's Pet"
-->
I am pleased to share an excerpt of my latest book, "The Teacher's Pet". The book will be available soon. I ask that you read it with an open mind and reserve judgment.
The whole thing still seemed so surreal.
I walked down the hallway that afternoon accompanied by detectives of the
Chicago Police Department. My secret was now out and the rumors that spread
rapidly that morning were now confirmed.
I felt safe with the detectives that
surrounded me as we waded through dozens of stunned and confused students. I
couldn’t bear to look them in the eyes as they rushed off to find the closest
person that they knew.
“See I told you so!! It’s true! He did
get arrested !!!” I heard one student whisper.
I felt relieved that the detectives were
protecting me. I wished that I could have hidden or made myself invisible, but
the truth was now out. The thing that scared me the most was what would happen
to me when the police left?
The bell rang as students scattered off
to class. I wasn’t sure where Coach Jackson was at that moment, but at that
point, I didn’t care. My future was much to hard for me to comprehend.
This too shall pass, rang
over and over again in my mind.
“Can you show us where it happened?” the
detective asked, snapping me out of my daydream. I nodded that I could and
showed him the stairwell near the gym office. I choked back tears, as the
detectives looked the area over. It was the first time I had seen the place
since Friday afternoon...after the final incident. The only comforting feeling
that I had was that I was never going to that place again. It was finally over.
The detectives asked me a few more
questions before we walked down the now empty halls. The school was under
strict supervision by the police. I was informed that the media had descended
upon the school desperate for sound bites and more information.
One detective turned to me.
“How are your grades?”
“I’m an honor roll student. I’m
practically involved in every school club and extracurricular activity here.”
That answer seemed to shock him. He leaned down and got in my face.
“You’d better be telling me the truth
Sonya.” I was taken aback. It was the first time that anyone had questioned my
story since everything came out.
“Sir, if you don’t believe me, my name is
on a bulletin board downstairs by the main office. I’m on the A/B Honor Roll.
You can check the yearbook to see all the clubs I’m in as well. They’ll tell
you everything you want to know.”
That detective looked at me for a moment
before turning away. We continued down the hallway without another word being
uttered. I’m sure when he left that day, he checked that bulletin board to see
if I was telling the truth.
In the next few days I would learn that
he wasn’t the only one that had openly expressed doubts. I don’t blame them
though. The story was so crazy, I wouldn’t have believed me either.
That was the day that I officially lost
my name. I was no longer Sonya Dickerson. Sonya had died a long time ago. I was
forced to take on a new identity now, one that would follow me until this day.
At the ten and twenty year high school reunions or whenever one would open up a
yearbook to reminisce; my new identity became, “The Girl That Cried Raped”.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
The Teacher's Pet
http://www.amazon.com/The-Teachers-Pet-ebook/dp/B00A11XGYK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1351943613&sr=8-5&keywords=sonya+dickerson
It's ready to download today! Please purchase your copy now!!!. Thank you for all your support. IT was one of the hardest things that I've ever had to write in my life. I ask that you keep your judgments to the side for now and just read my words and hear the truth.
Thank you.
It's ready to download today! Please purchase your copy now!!!. Thank you for all your support. IT was one of the hardest things that I've ever had to write in my life. I ask that you keep your judgments to the side for now and just read my words and hear the truth.
Thank you.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Dealing With the Aftermath of Sexual Assault
I never intended to write a book about my experiences, but so much in my life has changed. When I was diagnosed with Lupus, I knew that my time on Earth could be limited. I have already had a near death experience that has reminded me that life is precious and should never be wasted.
I had to get my truth out. Being faced with the decision to go back to school and get a degree, I had to face the reason why I vowed to never step into a classroom again.
I was sexually assaulted in school by a teacher.
I was bullied, harassed, intimidated, and rejected. I committed social suicide by coming forward and telling the truth. No one paid the price more than I did for doing so.
The advice that I have for other women?
Sometimes women can be the biggest rape apologists on the planet. Why? Fear. People destroy what they fear. They may try to destroy you. Some women try to justify a rapist's actions because the world is an easier place to live, if they can find fault with you.
If they can blame you, then the world makes sense. It's like saying, "Hey if I do all the right things, then I won't get raped!" If only it were that simple.
When we demonize the victim, we give him the green light to do it again. And again. And again.
You can get through this. You're not alone.
I had to get my truth out. Being faced with the decision to go back to school and get a degree, I had to face the reason why I vowed to never step into a classroom again.
I was sexually assaulted in school by a teacher.
I was bullied, harassed, intimidated, and rejected. I committed social suicide by coming forward and telling the truth. No one paid the price more than I did for doing so.
The advice that I have for other women?
- Report what happened to you and save all the evidence that you have.
- Go to a hospital so that you can get checked out.
- Seek counseling right away.
- Understand that if you do come forward with your story, expect that there will be people that will demonize you, get you to recant your story, harass, threaten, or intimidate you. But know that there is an amazing amount of support out there as well. You are not alone and there are many people out there that know what you're going through.
- Staying silent won't help the next potential victim.
- There will be triggers at times. Sometimes the smallest things will take you back to that place. Seeking help can actually help you to deal with the emotions.
- Ignore the apologists that want you to just "get over it". People fear what they don't understand. Give yourself distance from these people and allow yourself to heal in the time that you need to. No one else can tell you when you've had enough time to grieve.
- There is no particular way that a victim of rape "acts" although you'll hear a lot of opinions. Everyone is different and so you will get many different behaviors.
- It's not your fault and you didn't deserve what happened to you regardless of the circumstance. If you walked out of your house naked every single day of your life, you are not "asking for it."
- If you have participated in apologist behavior, educate yourself. Ask yourself,"Why do I think this way?" Then educate others.
Sometimes women can be the biggest rape apologists on the planet. Why? Fear. People destroy what they fear. They may try to destroy you. Some women try to justify a rapist's actions because the world is an easier place to live, if they can find fault with you.
She wore that little skirt. She was out jogging late. Why wasn't she walking with someone? She let him do that to her! She was asking for it. She is an attention whore.
If they can blame you, then the world makes sense. It's like saying, "Hey if I do all the right things, then I won't get raped!" If only it were that simple.
When we demonize the victim, we give him the green light to do it again. And again. And again.
You can get through this. You're not alone.
Buy Teacher's Pet
Coming soon to Amazon.com
November 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The Teacher's Pet (Coming Soon)
It has been the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
This book details the experience of being sexually assaulted as a teenager.
In May of 1996, I was sexually assaulted by a teacher in my high school.
So much has happened over the years to ensure that I remain silent.
Not anymore.
I apologize if I'm bringing up "ancient history"
I'm sorry that I can't just "let it go"
I'm sorry if what I'm getting ready to say makes you uncomfortable
Why now? If not, then when?
I won't be shamed.
I won't feel fear anymore.
It's time for the truth.
I apologize if I'm bringing up "ancient history"
I'm sorry that I can't just "let it go"
I'm sorry if what I'm getting ready to say makes you uncomfortable
Why now? If not, then when?
I won't be shamed.
I won't feel fear anymore.
It's time for the truth.
Coming Soon November 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
Reviewing Reviews #1
(I may do a series of reviews that I come across in the future for discussion purposes only.)
I write reviews on Amazon and read many before I decide to purchase a book. I do look at the low rated ones as well as the five star.
Contrary to popular belief, many of the reviews, good or bad, are written by people who have nothing to gain out of writing them. But there are a lot of undeserved low ratings as well as some overinflated great ones.
First off, who is to tell what one person believes is a five star review?
"A five-star novel is a work of exceptional literary genius. I am not an English major (or minor), and I am only medially well-read. But I know a five star work leaves one breathless, both emotionally and intellectually. After finishing such a book, it is impossible to initiate intercourse with another literary work for some time. An example of such a book would be Blood Meridian, Moby Dick, The Brothers Karamazov, or the like. I am not part of the kindle revolution, but I'm not a total stick in the mud, either. C'mon people, this is not a five star work. Of course, being the internet, all things exposed to popular mediation are subject to the extremes of wild fanboy(girl)-ism, or Swift Boating, but can't we have some objectivity here?"
Wow. Everyone has their own system where they grade things differently. Obviously the reviewer here felt that the book in question was nowhere near the literary genius that it needed to be to garner so many five stars. This person gave the author three stars which is fair but I cannot rate a book based to YOUR liking just as you can't for me. Why don't people understand this. The rating is justified but rate a book according to its merit and don't bellyache over other people's ratings.
If you start your review off with, "I don't understand how this book got so many five stars...." YOU'VE LOST ALL CREDIBILITY. Go sit in a corner until you agree to play nice with the rest of the children....
Here is a bit more of this "review".....
"I feel like an 11th grade English teacher who has given an assignment to the class, and am now reading the work of the brightest pupil in the class. Yes, it was handed in early, every objective was completed, and the margins are properly aligned (although there were at least three grammar/spelling/syntax errors, one the result of a functional spell-checker and non-functional human editor)."
This is based on conjecture and assumption. What makes this reviewer so justified in feeling the way that he does? The review sounds almost PERSONAL, which a review should never be. It should be related to the work at question and not based on some imaginary hallucination in which all he does is insult the writer. He wants us to be objective? Try being unbiased. Did he actually sit there and count the errors, then analyze them? Volunteer work would be an amazing start for people like this.
In this strange, wonderful, but sometimes dreary world of writing, it takes a lot to please your audience. Everyone wants you to write characters that they and only they can relate to in every way. Take this review for example.....
"My first issue with (*******************) by J********** is the language barrier. The book is a sore reminder that British English can be quite different than American English. The sample that I read is littered with British terms and slang that take a while to figure out the meaning from the context. For example, a father refers to something as "f_g." [Amazon did not post original review due to inclusion of this word.] Obviously, in American English this is a derogatory gay slur. But for British English, it (I think) refers to cigarettes. There are many such instances where the American reader will have to pause and figure out what the author means by a certain word and its usage. Your average American reader may not have that kind of patience. I deduct one star in my rating for this reason."
This reviewer is actually complaining about the author using British words instead of American. Now the writer is actually BRITISH! The author lives there! How should she write? Should the author had written an American version where the characters speak with a Bostonian accent that smokes cigarettes instead of fags? I mean you have to at least know that if someone asks for a fag on the street, they're not asking you if you are carrying a homosexual person in your pocket!
For goodness sakes, when the 2012 Olympics were in London, many newspapers, blogs, and television shows had segments where they explained the differences in British and American words. Not all Americans need a British/English translator to read Brit Lit and it's insulting to assume that the writer needed to include it. Isn't it a prerequisite to at least study English Literature in schools?
Take a look at this gem, albeit from the same review....
My second issue are the characters themselves. The author appears intent on making EVERY single character (at least that I encountered in my sample) possess an unlikeable character flaw. While flawed characters may smooth the path towards interesting scenarios and story lines, this also turns off the reader, who CANNOT associate himself with ANY character. The bottom line is that if the reader does not like the characters, why would he care to read what happens to them? I deduct a second star for this reason.
Really? I don't read many books where the characters don't have character flaws. I can't point to a person on Earth that didn't have a character flaw...especially an unlikeable one at that. I guess the author that received this unlucky review needs to go to the store and and purchase a crystal ball.
Then she should create characters based on what this reviewer feels as acceptable. Here is the thing about writing. You won't relate to ALL the characters and sometimes that is a beautiful thing. Without it, you wouldn't have the insight or knowledge from other people's points of views, concerns, dreams, destinies, etc.
Literature would be pretty boring if it were that way. Writers write characters the way that they see them, plain and simple. You're going to relate to some and others, not so much. It shows diversity and will create a pretty interesting storyline if you ask me. When you read, you are walking in someone else's shoes for awhile. You are not going to agree with all their choices or decision making in the book. Guess what? There are people in your life that don't agree with YOUR choices and decision making. Does that mean that they are right and you are wrong?
I can't relate to someone who has lived a criminal past for all of his life and decides to go rob a bank. Sure he has a mother that is dying of cancer and she needs money for treatment, but I couldn't relate to committing a crime just for that reason. I can relate to the sympathy that character would have for his mother's health, as so would a lot of people. But what about the reader that absolutely HATES his mother?
They couldn't relate to robbing a bank to save a person's life that they totally detest. Hell, they may even be happy that she won't be on this Earth for long and decide to jump for joy. They may even relate to robbing a bank! People who think like this should probably resort to writing their own stories instead of only looking for characters that you can relate to. It would be nice, but nice doesn't make interesting reading.
".....I was very excited to buy this book for my Kindle Reader but...$17.99...are you kidding ? In this economy ?"
Okay that book is very expensive for Kindle but then again, this isn't a review.
"I have only read the sample, but that all it took for me to be disgusted."
READ THE BOOK. THEN JUDGE! I can understand not wanting to read the entire book because it doesn't catch your fancy. That's perfectly fine. God knows I have hundreds of books that I stopped reading that didn't interest me in the slightest. But then, that makes me NO longer ABLE to write a fair review on the book. In this case, I don't write a review at all. It's just like those people that say, I don't read Romance books but downloaded it anyway and hated it!
Really? You don't like Romance, downloaded it anyway, and were horrified that you didn't enjoy the subject matter. I have been surprised by reading genres that I have no interest in and was pleased. But then again, I go into reading...say a Western, and fully expect myself not to be able to follow because I don't read books of that subject matter.
If one is really good and blows my mind? That's awesome. All that states to me is that the writer writes with universal appeal. I study Astrophysics. If I wrote a book that only PhD professionals can understand, then I'm obviously not writing to the layperson. But if I write that same book so that a ten year old can understand? Congratulations. That is a book that has universal appeal and can attract people of all backgrounds.
It doesn't mean, however, that the first book for the PhD's isn't any good. It just means that people with PhD's or someone that is into science and technology would be able to understand it. A writer with universal appeal has the ability to make a lot of money and become extremely successful as well.
It is hard to sit down, write something, and finish it. It's even harder to listen to criticism, but that can only make someone's work better. It's unfair to write a review that has nothing to do with the actual product. If your professor graded your paper that you worked so hard on, just to give you an F because you didn't use the right pencil or paper that they would have preferred. It's one thing if your professor ASKED you to use a certain pencil or paper but another if you learned that in hindsight.
Just something to think about folks.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
J.K. Rowling and Writing
It's happened. The most popular writer on the planet famous for the Harry Potter series has come out with a novel very different from her usual work.
The Casual Vacancy is causing a media storm that is not going to let up soon. A million copies have been sold at the time of this blog post and it hasn't hit the stores thanks to pre-orders.
Because of Mrs. Rowling's celebrity, many people are waiting to see if she, who's famous for witches and wizards, can write a novel geared towards adults.
The haters (and I hate that word) have their fangs showing and they're ready to tear her novel to pieces if she can't stand up to the critics. Surely any work should stand on its own merit but there will be those that are already naysayers and the book isn't even available in the stores yet.
I've already heard from several other writers that they don't believe that a writer has the ability to switch genres like Mrs. Rowling has braved to do.
To them I say it is pure utter nonsense. Most agents and publishers admonish writers, telling them to write what you know and then stick to it!
It is utter nonsense that it's impossible to switch genres for good storytellers. I use the word storyteller because I believe the two are very separate. It's one thing to use proper English and grammar, delivering four hundred pages to an editor ready to publish.
Storytelling goes back to ancient times. It's the oldest form of entertainment. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors sat around a fairly new invention to keep themselves warm as the storytellers would make up stories to explain their way of life. You can teach someone to write. You can show them the rules of grammar. You can show them how to create the perfect sentence.
But you can't teach someone how to tell the perfect story.
I've always envied songwriters as well for they tell stories in a shorter version. I've always dreamed of becoming a writer when I was a young girl and that's where I am today.
Real storytellers can tell a story in any genre and keep an audience mesmerized. If Mrs. Rowling was able to do that with Harry Potter and keep a couple of billion children entertained, I'm sure she won't let the adult fans of her work down.
The Casual Vacancy is causing a media storm that is not going to let up soon. A million copies have been sold at the time of this blog post and it hasn't hit the stores thanks to pre-orders.
Because of Mrs. Rowling's celebrity, many people are waiting to see if she, who's famous for witches and wizards, can write a novel geared towards adults.
The haters (and I hate that word) have their fangs showing and they're ready to tear her novel to pieces if she can't stand up to the critics. Surely any work should stand on its own merit but there will be those that are already naysayers and the book isn't even available in the stores yet.
I've already heard from several other writers that they don't believe that a writer has the ability to switch genres like Mrs. Rowling has braved to do.
To them I say it is pure utter nonsense. Most agents and publishers admonish writers, telling them to write what you know and then stick to it!
It is utter nonsense that it's impossible to switch genres for good storytellers. I use the word storyteller because I believe the two are very separate. It's one thing to use proper English and grammar, delivering four hundred pages to an editor ready to publish.
Storytelling goes back to ancient times. It's the oldest form of entertainment. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors sat around a fairly new invention to keep themselves warm as the storytellers would make up stories to explain their way of life. You can teach someone to write. You can show them the rules of grammar. You can show them how to create the perfect sentence.
But you can't teach someone how to tell the perfect story.
I've always envied songwriters as well for they tell stories in a shorter version. I've always dreamed of becoming a writer when I was a young girl and that's where I am today.
Real storytellers can tell a story in any genre and keep an audience mesmerized. If Mrs. Rowling was able to do that with Harry Potter and keep a couple of billion children entertained, I'm sure she won't let the adult fans of her work down.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
My Birthday Gift To You!
Thank you so much for your support!
Monday, August 27, 2012
The Prediction--September 2012
The Prediction
--coming soon to amazon.com!
Suspense/Thriller
Jamie and Tyler Peterson have shared ten wonderful years of marriage together and plan to be married for many more.
One day she is practically dragged to meet a psychic by her free spirited best friend practically against her will.
During a reading she learns that in just thirty days, the life that she has will soon be over as the psychic predicts that either she or Tyler will be murdered by the other spouse's hands.
At first, Jamie thinks this is nonsense. How can the perfect marriage turn in a mere thirty days?
One day she is practically dragged to meet a psychic by her free spirited best friend practically against her will.
During a reading she learns that in just thirty days, the life that she has will soon be over as the psychic predicts that either she or Tyler will be murdered by the other spouse's hands.
At first, Jamie thinks this is nonsense. How can the perfect marriage turn in a mere thirty days?
Sunday, August 12, 2012
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