Paula Knoderer Hrbacek's Blog
September 7, 2012
I've moved my blog
After several trials, I've set up a new web site for my books and blog. I'm now at http://paulahrbacek.weebly.com. Take a look at my new page and tell me what you think.
And be sure and subscribe to my book review column on Examiner.com, a free online newspaper. I'm publishing author profiles and interviews of self published authors in addition to my reviews of published books I've read. Since it's not a review, I can't post it here, but you can find out more about other quality books in my column. You can find me at http://www.examiner.com/book-review-8.... Please subscribe to the column for free email updates.
And be sure and subscribe to my book review column on Examiner.com, a free online newspaper. I'm publishing author profiles and interviews of self published authors in addition to my reviews of published books I've read. Since it's not a review, I can't post it here, but you can find out more about other quality books in my column. You can find me at http://www.examiner.com/book-review-8.... Please subscribe to the column for free email updates.
August 6, 2012
Buy American, read the labels
I went shopping for a new pillow today. I was tempted to buy the most expensive one, but I couldn't find out where it was manufactured. Beauty Rest is an American product, right? Not any more. I looked and looked for anything on the package that would tell me where it came from. Finally, I opened the package, and read the label sewn to the pillow. "Hecho en Chine" is Spanish for "made in China". What's wrong with that picture?
So I opted for a less expensive pillow; one that proudly said "Made in America by American workers." I wish all products would be that proud.
I've been surprised several times that American products cost less than the imported ones. Sometimes it costs a few pennies more, but I buy it anyway. I figure if I don't, there won't be enough tax payers, and I'll end up paying for it in taxes any way.
So read the labels when you shop. You might find something surprising on the label.
So I opted for a less expensive pillow; one that proudly said "Made in America by American workers." I wish all products would be that proud.
I've been surprised several times that American products cost less than the imported ones. Sometimes it costs a few pennies more, but I buy it anyway. I figure if I don't, there won't be enough tax payers, and I'll end up paying for it in taxes any way.
So read the labels when you shop. You might find something surprising on the label.
June 2, 2012
Publishing is like giving birth
Push (nothing happens) push...that's what it feels like when you're trying to self publish. It's just like child birth. You're creating something wonderful, but there are moments of intense discomfort, frustration and panic.
Not only do you have to come up with the best idea ever imagined, but you have to learn all the computer programs needed to do it.
Four downloads later, I've found that Create Space takes PDF files instead of epub. This is a lot easier for a computer clutz like me. Still, I had to learn how to create print quality files, making changes to the scanned images to increase the dpi, and check the layout for blank pages. (Push) Then I re-uploaded the file, only to find out that nothing had changed (pant). After four more pushes, I discovered that the computer had saved the file in a different directory without telling me. (labor pains) Then, I found the right file, clicked "save as" and tried again. (push some more).
My labor was worth it. Day Camp in Hawaii is now a book I can be proud of. It's a complete set of plans that can be used in any type of summer camp. The Nook and Kindle versions are live and the print copy will be coming out soon. Opening a box to find the review copy was sort of like when the nurse brings you the baby for the first time.
Not only do you have to come up with the best idea ever imagined, but you have to learn all the computer programs needed to do it.
Four downloads later, I've found that Create Space takes PDF files instead of epub. This is a lot easier for a computer clutz like me. Still, I had to learn how to create print quality files, making changes to the scanned images to increase the dpi, and check the layout for blank pages. (Push) Then I re-uploaded the file, only to find out that nothing had changed (pant). After four more pushes, I discovered that the computer had saved the file in a different directory without telling me. (labor pains) Then, I found the right file, clicked "save as" and tried again. (push some more).
My labor was worth it. Day Camp in Hawaii is now a book I can be proud of. It's a complete set of plans that can be used in any type of summer camp. The Nook and Kindle versions are live and the print copy will be coming out soon. Opening a box to find the review copy was sort of like when the nurse brings you the baby for the first time.
May 6, 2012
Book Give Away
If you love romance, and you love free things, check out this birthday give away sponsored by Raebeth McGee. I've donated a Kindle or Nook version of Stars Shine After Dark as one of the prizes. The giveaway is live. Please pass it on to your followers in any way you can. Here is the link: http://raebethmcgeeswriting.blogspot....
April 16, 2012
Feedback is important
My next work in progress, On Higher Ground, is sitting on an editor's desk. What's sitting there now isn't what I originally sent in; it's a whole new book. The editor, Goldie Browning of Storyteller Publishing, gave me some honest feedback that spurred an extensive rewrite. I'm much happier with the story now. Her feedback helped me solve some problems; parts of the book that weren't completely satisfying. I added two new characters, and turned one of the "bad guys" into a guy that's down on his luck and at a crossroads.
So, I'd like to encourage all of you to give authors honest feedback. It's a gift to us. Tell us what you honestly think in a way that will help us improve our writing.
I've had people turn down a request to read a work in progress because they were afraid of hurting my feelings. Actually, an honest opinion helps save my feelings. If I can make an improvement before the book gets into print, I might be saved from being rejected by an editor. I might be saved from being disappointed by a bad review.
So if you have a friend who writes, and they ask for your opinion, be kind, but be honest. And if the book makes it to print, take the time to write a review here on Good Reads, on Amazon, B&N or any other blog you participate in.
And if you have, thank you.
So, I'd like to encourage all of you to give authors honest feedback. It's a gift to us. Tell us what you honestly think in a way that will help us improve our writing.
I've had people turn down a request to read a work in progress because they were afraid of hurting my feelings. Actually, an honest opinion helps save my feelings. If I can make an improvement before the book gets into print, I might be saved from being rejected by an editor. I might be saved from being disappointed by a bad review.
So if you have a friend who writes, and they ask for your opinion, be kind, but be honest. And if the book makes it to print, take the time to write a review here on Good Reads, on Amazon, B&N or any other blog you participate in.
And if you have, thank you.
April 1, 2012
Congratulations
Congratulations to Julie Smeltzer who wone my first book give away.
March 7, 2012
Book Give Away
I'm giving away my copy of Dead Ringer by Sharon Dunn to a random Tweep. To enter, follow @phrbacek on Twitter. Tweet "book giveaway, Dead Ringer". I'll choose a random tweet on March 31, 2012 and DM the winner.
March 1, 2012
Letting go
My son and his new wife, Heather, just bought their first house. They aren't close enough to visit very often. A part of me wants to reach out to them in some way, but another part of me knows that I have to let them live their own lives and face their own challenges.
It's that way with my books, too. I did my best to "raise" them right, and now they're off on their own, getting their reviews or sitting on a shelf.
Well, that's the life of a mother and an author. I hope my writing makes you as happy as Heather makes Mike.
I just uploaded Chapter One of Stars Shine After Dark so that you can take a peek inside. But, I'm afraid I can't upload a picture of Mike and Heather's new house. You'll just have to take my word for it that they made a good choice.
It's that way with my books, too. I did my best to "raise" them right, and now they're off on their own, getting their reviews or sitting on a shelf.
Well, that's the life of a mother and an author. I hope my writing makes you as happy as Heather makes Mike.
I just uploaded Chapter One of Stars Shine After Dark so that you can take a peek inside. But, I'm afraid I can't upload a picture of Mike and Heather's new house. You'll just have to take my word for it that they made a good choice.
February 20, 2012
Buy American goods
It seems like someone is losing their job every day. America is losing its factories to other countries. For every three dollars that goes to China, they spend only one dollar on our goods.
During Black History month, students learn that the Civil Rights Movement began with one woman, Rosa Parks, refusing to give her seat to a White man. It was a small effort that grew into something big and important that changed our country forever.
In that same way, perhaps Americans should start a revolution against imported goods. We need to buy American goods so that those companies will keep their factories open. If the factories remain open, people will keep their jobs. Every person who has a job pays taxes and those taxes pay for all the programs the government runs. We can’t have a balanced budget without a lot of tax payers. The more jobs we have the better off we all will be.
Years ago, when we were in a recession and people were losing their jobs, Wal-Mart had a campaign about selling American made goods. While not everything in the entire store was made in America, they brought attention to the goods that were. It was a positive effort that made people proud of their country and conscience of what they bought.
I wrote to Wal-Mart and suggested that they start that campaign up again. They weren’t interested, but if enough people request it, maybe they’ll think about it.
Every store should start a similar campaign. All it takes is a little attention getting device to make people think about what they are buying.
Several charities send out stickers and return address labels that have pictures of American flags on them. These stickers can be recycled into labels that will call attention to American made goods. You could also make your own stickers using a sheet of address stickers and clip art of an American flag.
Cut pieces of thin plastic or stiff paper that will fit into the slots on the end of a shelf that are used to hold the price signs for products in a store. Use the stickers to make cards that say “Made in America”. Slip the cards into the slots on the shelf next to the pricing information.
If every store would do this it would help people make better choices. Some products have the “Made in USA” information printed in very small type. A sign like this would help people who can’t read small type. It would help busy mothers remember to choose American products while they are trying to shop with an antsy two-year-old. It would also help people who can’t read or speak English.
After 9-11 people tied red white and blue ribbons to their cars to call attention to how proud we are of our country. I believe that this spirit will help us overcome our current economic difficulties, if we all pitch in and help.
If you work for any type of store, please email this article to your employer using the email option at the top of this article. If you have a web site, please link to this article instead of reposting it. If you work in a store, use the print option to make a copy of this article to put in the suggestion box.
During Black History month, students learn that the Civil Rights Movement began with one woman, Rosa Parks, refusing to give her seat to a White man. It was a small effort that grew into something big and important that changed our country forever.
In that same way, perhaps Americans should start a revolution against imported goods. We need to buy American goods so that those companies will keep their factories open. If the factories remain open, people will keep their jobs. Every person who has a job pays taxes and those taxes pay for all the programs the government runs. We can’t have a balanced budget without a lot of tax payers. The more jobs we have the better off we all will be.
Years ago, when we were in a recession and people were losing their jobs, Wal-Mart had a campaign about selling American made goods. While not everything in the entire store was made in America, they brought attention to the goods that were. It was a positive effort that made people proud of their country and conscience of what they bought.
I wrote to Wal-Mart and suggested that they start that campaign up again. They weren’t interested, but if enough people request it, maybe they’ll think about it.
Every store should start a similar campaign. All it takes is a little attention getting device to make people think about what they are buying.
Several charities send out stickers and return address labels that have pictures of American flags on them. These stickers can be recycled into labels that will call attention to American made goods. You could also make your own stickers using a sheet of address stickers and clip art of an American flag.
Cut pieces of thin plastic or stiff paper that will fit into the slots on the end of a shelf that are used to hold the price signs for products in a store. Use the stickers to make cards that say “Made in America”. Slip the cards into the slots on the shelf next to the pricing information.
If every store would do this it would help people make better choices. Some products have the “Made in USA” information printed in very small type. A sign like this would help people who can’t read small type. It would help busy mothers remember to choose American products while they are trying to shop with an antsy two-year-old. It would also help people who can’t read or speak English.
After 9-11 people tied red white and blue ribbons to their cars to call attention to how proud we are of our country. I believe that this spirit will help us overcome our current economic difficulties, if we all pitch in and help.
If you work for any type of store, please email this article to your employer using the email option at the top of this article. If you have a web site, please link to this article instead of reposting it. If you work in a store, use the print option to make a copy of this article to put in the suggestion box.
February 7, 2012
Affirmation
The real beginning of influence comes as others sense you are being influenced by them--when they feel understood by you--that you have listened deeply and sincerely, and that you are open.
Stephen Cove.
Stephen Cove.
