Riley Amos Westbrook's Blog, page 32
May 7, 2016
Day 90 of 90: So we’ve reached the end! #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors #Inspiration
So, this is my last day doing this experiment. I hope you’ve all had a good time with me, and I hope I inspired even one of you to write your story. Life is a short journey lived one day at a time, you should do everything you can to live it to its fullest.
I talked about reviews, and how to take them with a grain of salt. How to look at them, and glean whatever you can from them. That just because you have a three-star review, it doesn’t mean they didn’t like the book, and there are good lessons to be learned in a great review, no matter the star rating.
I talked about confidence, and letting your genuine self shine through. How this will make it easier for others to connect with you, since you aren’t putting a facade up before you speak to them.
I talked about exercise and meditation as ways to jumpstart the creative process, and how the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
And I talked about how helping others helps you in the end.
I’m glad to be a part of a vibrant and growing indie author community. One that I only see expanding as time goes on.
If there’s one thing I want everyone to take from this book, it’s that your story deserves to be told. Whether another person understands it, or if no one reads it at all, you still deserve to tell it. And the great thing about being a writer, there’s always someone listening. At the end of it all, what matters in life is our connections. The people we meet, and the company we keep. Be loving, be humble, and keep being awesome.
Now, to show you all what I mean when I say anyone can, and should, write their story. With just 250 words a day, spread out over the course of three months, I have managed to write a work that is novella length. That’s 40 pages, and over 25,500 words. One day at a time, one word at a time, this is how we write our stories. Eventually, they come to an end, but there’s always another one to be told. After all, the road goes ever on and on.
Filed under: Musings, My books, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Riley Amos Westbrook, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors
May 6, 2016
89 of 90: Teaching a message of love and acceptance over one of hate and intolerance. #ASMSG #IARTG #SupportIndieAuthors #IAN1 #Inspiration
I’m so close to finishing this, and I haven’t missed a day. That’s a miracle in my book, I would never have thought I’d do a project like this. Sometimes the ending is the hardest part to come up with, for whatever reason. A story that feels like it should wrap up nice and neat just doesn’t, and you find yourself having to rework an entire storyline just to accommodate it.
But that’s not possible in everyday life. We have to take life as it comes, and only time will show what we can take. None of us know the end of our own stories, all we can do is project ourselves in such a way that others take note and learn from our example. Such is the acclaim of our great leaders, such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy. These are names we all hold dear to our heart, because they were people whose end came unexpectedly.
In life, they lead a life they felt would lead them and their people to a great path. They didn’t worry about the end, knowing as all people should learn, that it comes when it will.
Though each of these men was assassinated, I don’t think any of them would have altered their paths even with the end in sight. They are the people I look up to, teaching a message of love and acceptance over one of hate and intolerance.
There’s a saying I used to hear a lot in the nursing field, though I don’t know if it’s an actual quote from someone. Nursing isn’t for the meek. It takes a special person. the kind who sees a problem and wants to solve it, while being willing to caress a stranger’s hair. Nursing is not a profession that’s for everyone, and it takes a special kind of person.
Anyone who writes their story is a special person like that, in my mind. We open ourselves up to critics and fans, readers and haters, anyone and everyone to comment on our books.
We had another saying when I was in nursing. Nurses eat their young. This is another trait I see in the independent author field and one I hope to someday crush out. How do we expect people to grow if all we do is stifle?
So, in this second to last writing of inspiration, I call on you to look around and see what you can do to help other authors around you. That person on the forums, whose book looked interesting, contact them and ask them for a copy. Read it and leave an honest review.
That person who is struggling with a cover, stop and offer them some constructive feedback.
Search out other authors and book blogs, and stretch your wings in the community.
Help others, and you’ll start to see how it helps you. After all, reading is a great help to writing.
Filed under: Musings, My books, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Riley Amos Westbrook, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors
Cruisin’ through books cause books make life worth living with Aly 5/6/2016 part 2
Souls Discovered by Miranda Brock
This book was great. I look forward to book 2. I can’t wait to find out what happens next. The characters were great! * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* 5/5
Filed under: Musings, Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
Cruisin’ through books cause books make life worth living with Aly 5/6/2016 part 1
Campion’s Choice by G.L. Wilson
This book was exciting for me and a great adventure. I was caught up the whole time in the story and the characters. This book has lots of great exciting elements. I held on for the whole wild ride! * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* 5/5
Filed under: Musings, Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
May 5, 2016
The Magical World Of Fractals. 2
Love fractals!
I was tempted to start writing about the maths involving fractals.
Then, I said, nah.
Just enjoy the beauty of these patterns
Filed under: Musings
Day 88 of 90: Hope I Help #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors
I love feeding my soul. Anything I can do to enrich it, I do. It doesn’t take much. Just a bit of time is more than enough. Some people use religion, others hold their morals tight, but it doesn’t matter what you do as long as you are attempting to continue your personal growth.
I know the power of a smile, and how one simple gesture can feed someone’s soul. Not to mention, they’re infectious, so one smile can quickly spread to the entire neighborhood.
Something about a smile helps us to connect with other people. It puts them at ease, making it easier to strike up conversations, and it is one of the simplest gestures we as people can do to help improve someone else’s life.
But there are always better, grander gestures you can make in your community. Helping an elderly neighbor with their groceries, running around with the neighborhood kids, taking the time to stop and absorb the beauty of the world around us. All of these enrich your soul.
Nothing ever made me feel as good as when I was helping others. Writing brings its own satisfaction, but I believe that helping people helps you to touch a piece of their soul.
When you help someone with no thought of personal gain, you are rewarded with personal growth. I want to keep growing.
I hope I never outgrow helping other people. Whether it be an author struggling to write a story, a friend in need of a helping hand, or someone homeless on the streets, I hope I always take the time to help.
Filed under: Musings, My books, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Riley Amos Westbrook, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors
May 4, 2016
potter’s yard
Day 87 of 90: Lack of Response #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors #Inspiration
I lied yesterday. We only have three more of these to go after today. Written so many of them I lost track!
I saw a post on the Goodreads board that talked about having problems getting their second book out. The lack of response from the first book, paired with a lack of drive, and other adversities in their life have conspired to keep them from completing their series.They just lack the drive, and have for a couple weeks now.
I really believe taking a break from writing really helped me with this exact same problem. After I finished Journey From Atremes, I found myself struggling with what to write on any story, let alone finishing the series plans I already had. And that’s when I started my break.
I got away from writing, only read on a very casual basis, and took the time to enjoy myself. Then, I started this project, and now I’m finishing three other works even as we speak.
My break made that possible. Without the time away from writing, I never would have been able to recharge my batteries. Without the recharge, I would have continued to struggle and stress as I stared at a blank screen.
The break afforded me the ability to get back in touch with myself. The way I think, the way I act, the way I want to live my life. I grew closer to friends, shared stories of our pasts, and our hopes for the future.
When I sat back down to write, I found it much easier to continue my projects. The words flowed, and new inspiration had hit. Now I find myself struggling to find enough time to fit writing, reading, and spending time with the people that fill my life into the same day.
Oh, The things we humans complain about.
Filed under: Musings, My books, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Riley Amos Westbrook, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors
Cruisin’ through books cause books make life worth living with Aly 5/4/16 part 3
Allies & Enemies by Cheryl S. Mackey
What a great book and series. I have not been disappointed by this author yet. Love this book too! Lots of action and great characters. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next! * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* 5/5
Filed under: Musings, Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
