Nicki Huntsman Smith's Blog, page 3
October 12, 2023
What Befalls the Children
Moving with the Sun
Kindle Tip
My Kindle is like my Iphone, it has a lot of features I don’t know about.
Occasionally I find a tip on using my Kindle that I think my readers might like to know about.
You can set your Kindle to automatically download the latest updated version of the books you have on your Kindle.
UPDATE A SINGLE BOOK ON YOUR KINDLE:
To download the latest version of a single book you have on your Kindle:
AUTOMATICALLY UPDATE NEW VERSIONS ON ALL THE BOOKS ON YOUR KINDLE
You can set your Kindle to automatically download the latest version of ALL the books on you Kindle. So you know you always have the latest (and hopefully the greatest) version of all your books. It’s a simple one step process:Login to your Amazon account. Hover over the Accounts and Lists and a drop down menu will appear. Select Content and Devices in your Amazon account.There will be a horizontal menu at the top with these optionsContentDevicesPreferencesPrivacy Settings Select Preferences Scroll down the page until you see Automatic Book Updates and click that. Toggle the On/Off option to ON. That’s it, you are done. You will always have the latest version of all the books on you Kindle. If your Kindle is connected to the internet, the updates, if any, will start within a few minutes. If not currently connected to the internet, your Kindle will automatically update the next time it connects to the internet. Facebook Twitter YoutubeTroop of Shadows
October 1, 2023
Domestic Violence Awareness
Breaking the Silence: Domestic Violence AwarenessIntroduction
Domestic violence is a pervasive and deeply troubling issue that affects individuals and families across the globe. It is a silent epidemic that often remains hidden behind closed doors, with victims suffering in silence. Domestic Violence Awareness Month, observed in October, provides an important opportunity to shed light on this issue, raise awareness, and work towards a world where no one has to endure the horrors of abuse within their own homes.
The Prevalence of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is not confined by geography, age, gender, or socio-economic status. It can affect anyone. According to the World Health Organization, nearly one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or non-partner. This staggering statistic emphasizes the need for increased awareness and action.
Forms of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse. It encompasses a range of harmful behaviors, including emotional, psychological, financial, and sexual abuse. These forms of abuse can have equally devastating consequences, leaving victims trapped in a cycle of fear, isolation, and trauma.
The Impact on Victims
The effects of domestic violence on victims are profound and long-lasting. Beyond physical injuries, victims may experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a diminished sense of self-worth. These scars can persist even after escaping an abusive relationship. Children in abusive households also suffer, often carrying the trauma into their adult lives, perpetuating the cycle of violence.
The Importance of Awareness
Domestic Violence Awareness Month plays a pivotal role in addressing this issue. Awareness campaigns and events provide a platform for survivors to share their stories, reducing stigma and shame associated with being a victim. They also educate the public about the signs of domestic violence and resources available for those in need.
Promoting Awareness
Education: Schools, communities, and workplaces can offer educational programs to increase awareness about domestic violence. These programs can include information on warning signs, prevention strategies, and available resources.
Supportive Services: Governments, non-profit organizations, and individuals can fund and support organizations that provide services to survivors, such as shelters, hotlines, legal aid, and counseling.
Advocacy: Advocacy groups and individuals can push for policy changes and legal reforms that protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
Prevention: Communities can implement programs that focus on preventing domestic violence, including teaching healthy relationship skills and conflict resolution techniques.
Social Media: In the digital age, social media is a powerful tool for raising awareness. Hashtags like #DVAM and #BreakTheSilence can help amplify the message and connect survivors to resources.
Breaking the Cycle
Breaking the cycle of domestic violence requires a collective effort from society. We must empower survivors to speak out, support them on their journey to safety and healing, and educate our communities about the signs and consequences of abuse. By doing so, we can create a society where domestic violence is not tolerated, and every individual can live a life free from fear.
Conclusion
Domestic Violence Awareness Month serves as a crucial reminder that domestic violence is a pervasive issue that affects millions of people worldwide. By raising awareness, offering support, and advocating for change, we can work together to break the cycle of violence and create a world where every home is a safe haven. Remember, the first step in addressing this issue is to break the silence and ensure that victims no longer suffer in silence.
June 15, 2023
Friendship and Homicidal Buses
I’ve been thinking about friendship lately.As a chicken whose memories of spring are hazy and make me feel vaguely uncomfortable, I’m finding myself more selective of those with whom I spend my precious time. It’s precious because I could get hit by a bus at any moment; doesn’t matter that I live in the suburbs where mass transit is essentially unknown. Buses are sneaky. I don’t trust them any farther than I can throw them.Anyway, knowing that I could be on some bus hit list has prompted me to ponder friendships. Unlike family, we get to choose our friends, so it’s an important job selecting ones who will give us the most bang for our buck. Are they supportive of our goals? Do they listen when we talk about the crappy day we’re having, or do they interrupt so they can tell us about theirs? Are they interesting? Fun to be with? Kind? Are we eager to be in their company or do we sometimes dread the inevitable drama they bring with them?These are questions we should ask ourselves, but some even more important questions are these: Are we the kind of friend we would choose for ourselves? Are we asking for more than we’re giving in return? We can’t expect our friends to be loving, compassionate, and supportive, unless we are all those things to them.So that’s what I’ve been thinking about lately — making sure the friendship scales are balanced and that one person isn’t doing most of the heavy lifting. Give and take, brothers and sisters. The clock is ticking. That bus could be lurking around the corner with its engine running and a scrolling LED message just for you: FINAL DESTINATION.
May 26, 2023
Demon Chase Book 1
A Monstrous Dread Series – Book 1
Jillian’s new normal — a life on the run and a blaze-orange bullseye on her back. When supernatural creatures realized she could see them, she became Monster Enemy #1. The price she pays for being special? To be haunted and hunted and never allowed to linger in one place for long.
Jillian’s old life as a respected FBI agent lies in ashes, and this new one takes her to the edge of sanity. While she stays one step ahead of the monsters most people can’t see, her twin brother Jackson, also gifted with ‘monster sight,’ is holed up in a secret research facility where the fiends and ghouls can’t reach him.
But they can get to her…if she slows down, gets careless, or stumbles into a demon lair.
Jillian’s only hope is to stay off their radar long enough to master the art of monster-killing.
There is no escaping this new, terrifying reality. If she wants to live, she has to fight. And if she wants to get her normal life back, she must kill them all.
Demon Chase is a thrilling, fast-paced horror story by Nicki Huntsman Smith (author of the Troop of Shadows Chronicles and more). Do you like scary books? Are you a fan of horror-genre authors like Clive Barker and Stephen King? Grab the first book in the riveting new series, A Monstrous Dread, and embark on a white-knuckled, roller coaster ride!
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October 1, 2022
ADHD Awareness Month
Unraveling ADHD: A Call for Awareness and UnderstandingIntroduction
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects millions of individuals, from children to adults, across the globe. Yet, despite its prevalence, there are still many misconceptions and stigmas surrounding ADHD. ADHD Awareness Month, observed in October, provides an important opportunity to shed light on this condition, promote understanding, and advocate for the needs of those living with ADHD.
Understanding ADHD
ADHD is not simply a lack of focus or a result of laziness, as is often mistakenly believed. It is a complex neurological condition that affects an individual’s executive functions, such as attention, impulse control, and organization. There are three main types of ADHD:
Inattentive Type: This type is characterized by difficulties sustaining attention, staying organized, and following through on tasks or instructions.
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: Individuals with this type often exhibit hyperactive behavior, restlessness, impulsive decision-making, and difficulty with self-control.
Combined Type: This is the most common type, involving a combination of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
The Impact of ADHD
ADHD affects individuals in various ways and can lead to challenges in both personal and professional aspects of life. Some common consequences of ADHD include academic difficulties, struggles with time management, impaired social interactions, and a higher likelihood of developing comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to understand that many individuals with ADHD are exceptionally creative, intelligent, and resilient.
The Importance of Awareness
ADHD Awareness Month plays a crucial role in addressing this condition. By fostering awareness and understanding, we can break down the stigma surrounding ADHD and encourage open conversations. This, in turn, can lead to earlier diagnoses, better support, and improved outcomes for those affected by ADHD.
Promoting Awareness
Education: Schools, healthcare providers, and communities can provide accurate and up-to-date information about ADHD, its symptoms, and treatment options. This includes training teachers and parents to recognize ADHD in children and adolescents.
Supportive Services: Access to mental health services, therapy, and coaching can significantly help individuals with ADHD manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives. Advocating for improved access to these resources is essential.
Advocacy: ADHD advocacy groups can play a vital role in raising awareness, pushing for policy changes, and fighting for the rights of individuals with ADHD.
Empathy: Encouraging empathy and understanding in our communities can help reduce the stigma surrounding ADHD. It’s essential to acknowledge that individuals with ADHD face unique challenges and strengths.
Early Intervention: Identifying ADHD in children at an early age and implementing appropriate interventions can make a significant difference in their development and academic success.
The Road to Empowerment
By fostering ADHD awareness, we can empower those living with this condition to navigate their lives more effectively and access the support they need. Education, compassion, and advocacy are the cornerstones of a society that embraces neurodiversity and ensures that everyone, regardless of their cognitive differences, has the opportunity to thrive.
Conclusion
ADHD Awareness Month serves as a crucial reminder that ADHD is a common and complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects countless lives. By promoting awareness, understanding, and empathy, we can create a world where individuals with ADHD are recognized for their unique talents and abilities, rather than defined by their challenges. Let’s work together to break the stigma and ensure that those living with ADHD receive the support they need to lead fulfilling and successful lives.
April 1, 2022
How to Report Kindle Book Errors
When I started this month’s book club selection (I will not give the book name here), I noticed a typo within the first few pages. Nothing major, just a simple typo. Unfortunately, nothing takes me out of a story faster than a typo. Once I find a typo or error, my brain starts looking for more. It takes me a while to get back into my reading groove after I’ve spotted it.
I was telling one of my book groups about this and asked how often the other members find and report errors. The response to finding errors was about what I expected, but I was surprised when more than a few people asked how to report the errors to Amazon… and these are avid readers and writers!
So, I decided to write up the process. It’s extremely easy and you can do it directly from your Kindle.
Here’s how (3 simple steps):
Note: At this point in time, Amazon only provides the easy method for reporting errors and typos when using a Kindle device. If you are using the Kindle reading app on a desktop or using the Kindle reading app on your phone, then there’s no easy way to report errors.
On your Kindle Device:
Highlight the error by tapping and holding on the word. You can report a single word or a group of words or a complete sentence. So, tap and hold on the word, or tap and drag to highlight a group of words or a sentence.
In the example below I am using Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot. (I know this is not a typo, I’m only using it as an example here). I have highlighted the word “almost” by tapping and holding the word. This is the screen that pops up. Next tap on the three vertical dots on the right:
The next screen will show something like this:
Tap on the Report Content Error and you get this:
You can select the type of error (Text, Image, More) you want to report:
In the example below I selected Typo:
Fill in a little information about the error you are reporting and tap the SUBMIT button.
That’s it, you’re done and you should feel a little better about yourself. You are an unofficial book editor.
Amazon will report the error directly to the publisher. In the case of independent writers like me, they will report the error directly to the author.
I despise book errors so I immediately correct and republish all reported errors.
If you find typos annoying and are a Kindle reader, please take a few seconds to report them. Your small act of kindness will make the reading experience of future readers more pleasant.
Which brings me to another point. Do you have your Kindle set up to automatically download the most recent version of your purchased books? If not, you may be reading a version of the book which already has the errors fixed but you aren’t seeing them because you still have an outdated version on your Kindle.
When an author/publisher makes corrections and republishes a book, the corrections are published on the Amazon site, but you will not see the latest version on your Kindle unless you have your Kindle set Kindle Updates to automatic.
On your Kindle, you can update a single book or have Amazon update every book automatically in the future. It’s a one time setting change on your Amazon account.
It’s simple to do and I have step by step directions here, Automatic Kindle Updates.
May 3, 2020
Nicki Huntsman Smith
Everything I’ve learned about writing has grown from my love of reading. I began my writing career at the tender age of seven, when I wrote a play for my third-grade class. It was not an assignment; I did it because I discovered I loved creative writing as much as I loved reading. I received a children’s typewriter the next year, and countless short stories followed. I wrote some awful poetry during my teen years, then some not-so-awful short stories over the next two decades. I became serious about writing books ten years ago. The timing felt right, and I created the world-altering habit of writing every day. My first published novel, Secrets Under the Mesa, began as a short story. I decided it had some legs and went with it. The inspiration for The Troop of Shadows Chronicles emerged from two directions: my love of post-apocalyptic fiction and a recent interest in disaster preparedness. Stephen King says, “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” The hard work is worth it. I hope you enjoy my novels. I wrote them for fellow book lovers just like you.
