Have You "Hugged" Your Favorite Author Today?

Happy Friday All,

Congratulations goes to Nikki N. for winning the Kerrelyn Sparks giveaway yesterday! Kerrelyn will mail your copy of BE STILL MY VAMPIRE HEART, soon.

Today I want to talk about outside-the-business-support/encouragement for writers/authors.

A writer can have his or her critique group, but what about outside the business support? Some authors don't have a lot of people outside their critique/writing groups supporting/encouraging them. Some people have a misconception about what writing and publishing actually entails. Some people don't understand the emotions that surround a writer as he/she works on their craft.

Writing and publishing are real jobs. It's not always lucrative financially, but it's still a career. It take time, talent, energy, and dedication. There are writers who work 12-14 hours a day writing and editing to get their work in on time to editors, agents, and publishers.

There are writers who suffer health issues and family issues while they're working on that next novel for their readers. Some writers are parents with young children who have to balance family responsibilities with the demands of their craft.

But unlike most jobs, for many writers it's not just a job, it's a passion. It's love of the written word and love of imagination and creativity.

So, having the in-the-business support (i.e. writers' groups and critique groups) are very important, but also having the support of friends and family is also extremely important. That's why so many authors are so appreciative of their fans. It's the people who encourage them, build them up, and help them on those days when Writer's Block hits and they have to push through to get the story done.

If you have a favorite author, see if they have any contact information on their website. Send them a little note telling them how much you love their work. Even if they can't write you back because of their workload, they will appreciate so much you taking the time out to say "Thank you for putting out the novels I love so much." Tell them which novels are your favorite and why. Like I said, even if they don't have time to write you back, you will make their day.

Writing can be a very solitary experience sometimes. So, it's always good for writers to know they're not alone; which is one of the reasons why I'm always thanking my blog readers! Your comments and emails responding to questions, or just telling me what you like about the blog make my day!

So please, if you can, take the time to contact your favorite authors and tell them how much you enjoy their work.

Have A Fabulous Friday!

It's Worth A Fortune

Happy Tuesday Everyone, Does anyone remember the song If I Had A Million Dollars by Barenaked Ladies ? I can't remember when or how I was first introduced to this song, but it's a fun song. So, how about if you had a million dollars? What would you do with it? Of course there's the responsible things to do with a million dollars--pay off debts, and such like that. Then there's the question of whether or not you give to charities, and how much. But, suppose you answered all those questions and you still had quite a lot left; what would you do with it? Maybe I'd go to Disney World. I've wanted to go, and I've never been able to. Or, perhaps I'd go to Germany and England, and Belgium (three of the countries my ancestors are from). Travel around seeing family and friends I don't see often. There's all kinds of possibilities. So, what about you? What would you do with a million dollars? Have A Tremendous Tuesday!

Spotlight On Author: Loretta Wheeler

Happy Tuesday Everyone, There's a gem of an author I've had the privilege of coming across...I'm talking about my friend, Loretta Wheeler. She's a sweetheart and very talented author. I enjoyed her YA Paranormal novella, The Pan Man immensely. And, she also writes Romance. So without further ado, come into my parlor and meet Loretta Wheeler: Me: In your YA novelette, The Pan Man , you mention Pan's looking for his long lost soul mate. What made you choose Pan out of all the Greek/Roman gods and goddesses? Loretta: I chose the Greek god Pan, because of the connection with the music. I found later on in the story, (my stories take over and write themselves usually) it applied even more than I realized because of the band's name. I won't mention the name of the band in here, because it's part of the surprise ending. Me: You're mostly known for your Romance stories. How would you describe your writing style? Hot, suspenseful, sensual, sw...

Myths About Writers

Afternoon Folks, I thought we'd do a post to dispel some of the myths people seem to have about writers. I'll put the ones that first come to mind then y'all can chime in. Myth: Writing is a great way to make a lot of money. I'm not sure exactly how this one matriculated. Probably in the wake of some of the big best sellers (i.e. Stephen King, Anne Rice, Stephenie Meyer, JK Rowling, and the like) but most of the time writers put in more money for their writing than they do get out of it. Generally a writer doesn't make a ton of money unless somehow his/her book is a blockbuster hit and blasts through what the author owes in the advance (which is paid back to publishers through royalties). Most writers I've met and talked to are not millionaires. I'm not saying it can't happen, I'm saying it's not one of those things that's automatic. Myth: Writing Is Easy Anybody Can Do It. Okay, granted this isn't entirely a myth, but it's not ent...

Search This Blog