Well, my new book is coming along nicely. I've almost finished the first half of the first draft! Okay, so that's not saying much, but it's something! I have to say though the characters have taken me down a road that I'm not sure they should have. Perhaps I let them take too much liberty with my mind! They do have their own ideas of how the story should go, but I may have reign them in. We'll see. I've sent it to my friend to read and get an idea of what I have in mind... so I'm waiting on her response to see how far I should go with the current storyline!
In fact I haven't even read it through! I'm waiting, waiting, waiting, oh well, I must have patience, she'll get to it when she finds the time! In the meantime, I'm stewing on what should happen next and how the characters should react! I'm excited about this book and hope to have it finished before the end of this year. Next year I'll be selling it along with my jewelry at the Grapevine Market! So, hope to see you there!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Another successful day at Grapevine Market!
I'm so excited! I sold another five copies of my book on Saturday and autographed them as well! It's soooo much fun meeting people and telling them about my book! It's funny how they suddenly change their mind about buying a copy when I tell them I'm the author! How cool is that! Even met a couple from Monroe and she promised to spread the word to all her friends via face book! Wow! Hopefully that will generate more sales!!!
I've working on the 2nd book and really getting into the story. Soon I'll be posting it here on my blog... well maybe in a couple of months, after I fine tune it some more!
Have a safe and wonderful Memorial weekend!
I've working on the 2nd book and really getting into the story. Soon I'll be posting it here on my blog... well maybe in a couple of months, after I fine tune it some more!
Have a safe and wonderful Memorial weekend!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Book Reviewers
Well I've just read my first "official" book review and I must say I'm disappointed. The reviewer made some good points, however, her impression surprised me. She appeared to feel that I had written a soap opera, while in fact I felt it was a family saga! Oh well, it just goes to show that not everyone has the same impressions and that's okay. It's a learning experience and one that I will take to heart and learn from. For the 2nd book in my trilogy I'll strive to 'not' make it sound like a soap opera!
As for everyday life, whose isn't a soap opera at times! Till next time, happy readings!
As for everyday life, whose isn't a soap opera at times! Till next time, happy readings!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Excerpt from my new book - Secret Sins
June 1986, South New Orleans
“Take your slimy coonass hands off me!” He straightened his shoulders, wiping an imaginary speck of dirt off his lapel.
“Dieu, don’t force me to turn my man on you. Il n’a pas rien il va pas faire.”
He couldn’t catch everything said, because of the rapid Cajun dialect. But the look that passed between the men was unmistakable. Leaning down, he rested his palms on the desktop, “Listen,” he hissed. “I’ll have your goddamn money. Here’s ten thousand.” He slapped the envelope on the desk.
The man picked it up not bothering to look inside. His black eyes drilled into those across from him. “Mon ami,” the words were softly spoken. “Don’t play games. If you want to live a prosperous life, you’ll get the rest.” The man’s thin lips stretched taut across teeth stained from too many smokes, “Foute ton quant d’ici.”
Monroe, La.
In the cabin Felita stood gazing at her reflection in the gilt-edged mirror. Her eyes lighted on the image beyond her own likeness, to that of the gown spread upon the bed. She had designed the garment for tonight’s festivities, her fourteenth wedding anniversary. Her heart didn’t feel like celebrating. When had his love to hate? She sensed his rage toward her in everything he said. Her hand tightened around the scrap of silk she held. Her green eyes looked haunted as she gazed at herself. She knew he was involved with another woman. She held the proof in her hand. Behind her, the cabin door begins to open. The wild look in his brown eyes frightens her. The silk panty slips from nerveless fingers.
Three months later
The patient’s large dark rimmed eyes tried to focus on the face of the doctor as he leaned over her. “Well, have you decided to come back to the living?” The doctor placed a cold metal stethoscope on her chest.
Sucking in a breath, she tried to speak. The words stuck in a dry throat.
“Easy does it,” the doctor said in soothing tones.
He poured some water in a glass adding a straw before holding it up to her lips. She clutched his hand. Like a dry desert trying to slurp juice from a dying cactus, she guzzled the water until he pulled the glass from her reach. “Slow down.”
She fell back against the pillows, exhausted.
The doctor set the glass on the table beside the bed. “Hang in there, the nurse will give you something for pain.”
From across the room a woman’s voice inquired, “Is she going to be okay? Do you think she’ll remember what happened?”
“We’ll see. Our patient is the only one who can answer that question.” Turning back toward her, he asked, “Do you know where you are?”
Her head hurt. Her throat felt scratchy, like sandpaper. She tried to move her parched lips. Finally she forced out, “Whe…?”
“It may be difficult to talk for a couple of days, but you’ll get your voice back soon. Why don’t you blink your eyes once for no, and twice for yes?”
She blinked twice.
“Good. Now do you remember your name?”
She blinked twice.
“Very good. Are you experiencing any pain around your temporal area?”
Again she blinked for yes.
“That’s to be expected with this type of injury. Do you remember what happened?”
Her eyes darted about the room, and then settled on the doctor. Instead of blinking, she vehemently shook her head. Moaning, she closed her eyes.
“Rest for a while, Ms. Howard. That’s all we’ll try for now.”
Margo followed the doctor out of the room. “Doctor, she’ll be all right, won’t she?” Nervously she twisted her hands together.
“Mrs. Harrison it’s too soon to say whether or not Ms. Howard will regain all her memory. She’s barely conscious. Give her time to heal. Give her brain time to function properly again.” He placed a comforting hand on Margo’s shoulder and squeezed. “I hope they find the person who did this to her. Well, I’ve other patients that need attention. Why don’t you come back later this afternoon, after the sedative wears off?”
Margo nodded in agreement. She stuck her head around the door to peek at her cousin. Felita was fast asleep. Margo could see the bruises on her face had healed but the wound to her head would take longer. She let the door close softly.
Her husband waited patiently in the lobby while she sat with Felita. She went to join him there. He rose when she stepped out of the elevator and opened his arms. “Honey, how is she? Any change?”
She went limp in his arms. “Oh God, Brent. She’s awake.” The tears flowed as he held her close. Smoothing his hand up and down her back, he whispered comforting words in her ear.
One year later, south of New Orleans
Air swooshed through his lungs when once again a fist pummeled his stomach. He wondered how much more he could take before it killed him. If he were lucky, it’d be soon. Two men held him up while the third and largest continued to pound away at his bruised body. He could feel the warmth of his blood as it oozed from open abrasions. Its metallic taste filled his mouth as his teeth were forced down on his tongue by the fist ramming his jaw. From beneath a swollen lid, he watched the larger of the men prepare a final strike. He knew this was it. The force of this punch should snap his neck. Much to his surprise, his cotton-filled brain heard a siren. The hands holding him loosened.
“C’est assez. Allons.”
“Damn it.” The largest man, who appeared to be the leader, spoke more slur words in his native tongue. He spat a wad of tobacco juice toward the inert body. “Throw him in the bayou”.
“Take your slimy coonass hands off me!” He straightened his shoulders, wiping an imaginary speck of dirt off his lapel.
“Dieu, don’t force me to turn my man on you. Il n’a pas rien il va pas faire.”
He couldn’t catch everything said, because of the rapid Cajun dialect. But the look that passed between the men was unmistakable. Leaning down, he rested his palms on the desktop, “Listen,” he hissed. “I’ll have your goddamn money. Here’s ten thousand.” He slapped the envelope on the desk.
The man picked it up not bothering to look inside. His black eyes drilled into those across from him. “Mon ami,” the words were softly spoken. “Don’t play games. If you want to live a prosperous life, you’ll get the rest.” The man’s thin lips stretched taut across teeth stained from too many smokes, “Foute ton quant d’ici.”
Monroe, La.
In the cabin Felita stood gazing at her reflection in the gilt-edged mirror. Her eyes lighted on the image beyond her own likeness, to that of the gown spread upon the bed. She had designed the garment for tonight’s festivities, her fourteenth wedding anniversary. Her heart didn’t feel like celebrating. When had his love to hate? She sensed his rage toward her in everything he said. Her hand tightened around the scrap of silk she held. Her green eyes looked haunted as she gazed at herself. She knew he was involved with another woman. She held the proof in her hand. Behind her, the cabin door begins to open. The wild look in his brown eyes frightens her. The silk panty slips from nerveless fingers.
Three months later
The patient’s large dark rimmed eyes tried to focus on the face of the doctor as he leaned over her. “Well, have you decided to come back to the living?” The doctor placed a cold metal stethoscope on her chest.
Sucking in a breath, she tried to speak. The words stuck in a dry throat.
“Easy does it,” the doctor said in soothing tones.
He poured some water in a glass adding a straw before holding it up to her lips. She clutched his hand. Like a dry desert trying to slurp juice from a dying cactus, she guzzled the water until he pulled the glass from her reach. “Slow down.”
She fell back against the pillows, exhausted.
The doctor set the glass on the table beside the bed. “Hang in there, the nurse will give you something for pain.”
From across the room a woman’s voice inquired, “Is she going to be okay? Do you think she’ll remember what happened?”
“We’ll see. Our patient is the only one who can answer that question.” Turning back toward her, he asked, “Do you know where you are?”
Her head hurt. Her throat felt scratchy, like sandpaper. She tried to move her parched lips. Finally she forced out, “Whe…?”
“It may be difficult to talk for a couple of days, but you’ll get your voice back soon. Why don’t you blink your eyes once for no, and twice for yes?”
She blinked twice.
“Good. Now do you remember your name?”
She blinked twice.
“Very good. Are you experiencing any pain around your temporal area?”
Again she blinked for yes.
“That’s to be expected with this type of injury. Do you remember what happened?”
Her eyes darted about the room, and then settled on the doctor. Instead of blinking, she vehemently shook her head. Moaning, she closed her eyes.
“Rest for a while, Ms. Howard. That’s all we’ll try for now.”
Margo followed the doctor out of the room. “Doctor, she’ll be all right, won’t she?” Nervously she twisted her hands together.
“Mrs. Harrison it’s too soon to say whether or not Ms. Howard will regain all her memory. She’s barely conscious. Give her time to heal. Give her brain time to function properly again.” He placed a comforting hand on Margo’s shoulder and squeezed. “I hope they find the person who did this to her. Well, I’ve other patients that need attention. Why don’t you come back later this afternoon, after the sedative wears off?”
Margo nodded in agreement. She stuck her head around the door to peek at her cousin. Felita was fast asleep. Margo could see the bruises on her face had healed but the wound to her head would take longer. She let the door close softly.
Her husband waited patiently in the lobby while she sat with Felita. She went to join him there. He rose when she stepped out of the elevator and opened his arms. “Honey, how is she? Any change?”
She went limp in his arms. “Oh God, Brent. She’s awake.” The tears flowed as he held her close. Smoothing his hand up and down her back, he whispered comforting words in her ear.
One year later, south of New Orleans
Air swooshed through his lungs when once again a fist pummeled his stomach. He wondered how much more he could take before it killed him. If he were lucky, it’d be soon. Two men held him up while the third and largest continued to pound away at his bruised body. He could feel the warmth of his blood as it oozed from open abrasions. Its metallic taste filled his mouth as his teeth were forced down on his tongue by the fist ramming his jaw. From beneath a swollen lid, he watched the larger of the men prepare a final strike. He knew this was it. The force of this punch should snap his neck. Much to his surprise, his cotton-filled brain heard a siren. The hands holding him loosened.
“C’est assez. Allons.”
“Damn it.” The largest man, who appeared to be the leader, spoke more slur words in his native tongue. He spat a wad of tobacco juice toward the inert body. “Throw him in the bayou”.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
What's next on my list
Okay, I've sold the first ten copies of my book, so what's next? Market, market, market... sell, sell, sell. Yep, it's not over it's just beginning. I'll be sending out invoices to place my next order for Secret Sins. Once that's done, I'll be signing the books and shipping them to my customers. It's an exciting time, but also stressful. After all, I have to sell, sell, sell, market, market, market, and with little or not budget!
It was really thrilling to sign my first copy and hand over to a customer! Especially someone that I don't know! I can only hope that they enjoy the story and pass the information along to their friends!
It is also exciting to see my book being offered on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble... I checked it out just to see if the book was ready and there it was! It really made me feel like I've finally accomplished what I set out to do.
So, next up, I'm working at organizing my thoughts and notes for the next book, Family Sins. Yep, it's another sin book and look out, there will be a third, Hidden Sins.
I'll keep you posted on how it's all coming together and in the mean time, keep reading!
It was really thrilling to sign my first copy and hand over to a customer! Especially someone that I don't know! I can only hope that they enjoy the story and pass the information along to their friends!
It is also exciting to see my book being offered on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble... I checked it out just to see if the book was ready and there it was! It really made me feel like I've finally accomplished what I set out to do.
So, next up, I'm working at organizing my thoughts and notes for the next book, Family Sins. Yep, it's another sin book and look out, there will be a third, Hidden Sins.
I'll keep you posted on how it's all coming together and in the mean time, keep reading!
Monday, April 12, 2010
First Shipment Arrived
Yippee! First shipment of books arrived today! Can't wait to take them to Grapevine Market Days. This is so exciting and I'm hoping for a good turn out on Thursday. Part of my marketing scheme is to introduce myself to everyone and anyone that walks by my booth! We'll see what kind of results I get!
Till next time! Be safe, be happy, and read, read, read!!!
Till next time! Be safe, be happy, and read, read, read!!!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
How it all began
It was the fall of 1983, my daughter and I (she was 18 months old) took a bus trip to Beaumont, Texas to visit my aunt. Since I've been hooked on reading from the beginning of time, I of course had my Romance Treasury book bag with me on the bus. A young lady sitting across the aisle from us saw my bag and asked if I was a writer or reader. Well, duh, of course I was an avid reader! But I told her I'd love to write, but didn't know how to get started. (After failed attempts as a child, I gave up that dream.) Well, lo and behold she said she just recently signed her first book contract and went on to give me good tips on what I should do to get started on my writing adventure!
I took everything she said to heart, and after the visit with my aunt, I went straight to the library and researched the books she recommended. Then, I bummed an old student manual typewriter from my sister and came up with an idea for characters and started writing their story. It took me about three or four months (maybe longer) to get it all down the first time around. After all I was using a manual typewriter for the longest time. Eventually I graduated into an electric typewriter with a correcting ribbon. That was a long time ago!
A very good friend of my mother's, who happened to be the same lady who taught me piano lessons, helped edit the first draft. We had a great time working out the kinks and developing the story, or so we thought! When it was all completed to our satisfaction, she hosted a mailing party for me at her home. She invited the ladies in the community and we all had a great time getting together to celebrate the mailing off of the manuscript.
That was the first attempt to try and hook an agent. Needless to say, the agent wasn't as thrilled as we all had been, but oh well. So, I received the manuscript back, and of course it went on the shelf for a while. Until I recovered from a busted dream.
I did take the advice that the agent gave me and reworked the manuscript. Sent it off again and again it came back. Tried different agents and publishers, but it still didn't seem to fit what they were looking for at the time.
So, I decided to chuck the formula's and rewrote the book again, (about the fifth time or so), changed the plot, added a bad guy, and then discovered the storyline held more secrets than I realized! You know, those characters just had a mind of their own and I just happened to stumble across some of their little secrets!
Changed the title to Secret Sins and decided I'd publish the book myself! I thought of all the trouble I've had in getting accepted by the "big" people, and decided that if I could sell and market my own book to make a decent go of it, then perhaps I could help someone else.
So we'll see how it goes. In the meantime that's how it all started. And we'll see what the future holds!
Till later!
I took everything she said to heart, and after the visit with my aunt, I went straight to the library and researched the books she recommended. Then, I bummed an old student manual typewriter from my sister and came up with an idea for characters and started writing their story. It took me about three or four months (maybe longer) to get it all down the first time around. After all I was using a manual typewriter for the longest time. Eventually I graduated into an electric typewriter with a correcting ribbon. That was a long time ago!
A very good friend of my mother's, who happened to be the same lady who taught me piano lessons, helped edit the first draft. We had a great time working out the kinks and developing the story, or so we thought! When it was all completed to our satisfaction, she hosted a mailing party for me at her home. She invited the ladies in the community and we all had a great time getting together to celebrate the mailing off of the manuscript.
That was the first attempt to try and hook an agent. Needless to say, the agent wasn't as thrilled as we all had been, but oh well. So, I received the manuscript back, and of course it went on the shelf for a while. Until I recovered from a busted dream.
I did take the advice that the agent gave me and reworked the manuscript. Sent it off again and again it came back. Tried different agents and publishers, but it still didn't seem to fit what they were looking for at the time.
So, I decided to chuck the formula's and rewrote the book again, (about the fifth time or so), changed the plot, added a bad guy, and then discovered the storyline held more secrets than I realized! You know, those characters just had a mind of their own and I just happened to stumble across some of their little secrets!
Changed the title to Secret Sins and decided I'd publish the book myself! I thought of all the trouble I've had in getting accepted by the "big" people, and decided that if I could sell and market my own book to make a decent go of it, then perhaps I could help someone else.
So we'll see how it goes. In the meantime that's how it all started. And we'll see what the future holds!
Till later!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Announcing Book on Sale
It's finally arrived! Yep, my first published efforts as a writer. Okay, so I'm a self-published author, but you know what, it doesn't matter it still feels great! Yes, holding my book in my hands for the first time, I was giddy all day! Finally after 30 years of writing, rewriting, and rewriting again, I finally had the story the way that I wanted to tell it. I never have liked following a formula, I wanted to write my way and tell the story that I knew was in me and wanting to come out! So I did! And it feels great!
So, it's taken me a long time, but you know what, the fun has just begun! Now I have to market, advertise, sell, sell, and sell... but I will and it will be fun!
So, it's taken me a long time, but you know what, the fun has just begun! Now I have to market, advertise, sell, sell, and sell... but I will and it will be fun!
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