Riley Amos Westbrook's Blog, page 34

Cruisin’ through books cause books make life worth living with Aly 5/2/2016 part 2

Serenya’s Song by Mysti Parker

A half-elf with the ability to interpret dreams.  This book was wonderful too.  I love to step into different worlds when I read and be taken away be new books.  This series does that for me so far with every book.  I think this is a wonderful fantasy series so far and I can’t wait to see what come next.  * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*  4/5

Filed under: Musings, Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review

Cruisin’ through books cause books make life worth living with Aly 5/2/2016 part 1

A Ranger’s Tale by Mysti Parker

What an interesting book.  A high elf heroine is a new one for me!  I was excited to read this book of magic and fantasy.  What a fun read for me.  * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*   4/5

Filed under: Musings, Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review

Day 84 of 90: A part of your soul #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors #Inspiration

I saw a post on the board recently that made me think. This author says he spent years lovingly crafting his story, only to feel an overwhelming sense of disappointment at the lack of a response. Whether it be from friends, family, or even strangers, he just expected more. It’s enough to make them consider quitting writing.

I can understand that. There’s a lot of times when we take something close to our heart, show it to the world, and watch the world shrug it off. Most of the time, it’s something not that important. But it can be harder when that thing is a piece of your soul.

What do you do when that friend/family member who said they wanted your books hasn’t read it? How do I get strange people to pay attention to my books? Where do all the readers hide whenever I bring out my books to talk about?

I don’t have any definitive answers to these questions, all I can offer is the advice I follow myself. First, don’t guilt trip that friend/family member. Realize that life complicated, and people are going to people however they feel is best. Don’t rush them, adding pressure does neither of you any good.

Second, write a story you love, and don’t be afraid to give away free copies. I have quite a bit of reviews, over 50, for a book that hasn’t even released yet. I wouldn’t have a quarter of those reviews if it wasn’t for my willingness to share my writing.

Last, I don’t know where the readers are, but if you figure it out let me know.

There’s only one connection I see when I look at the authors that dominate the top of the selling charts. Perseverance is key. I keep seeing and having people ask how to be a successful author, how to build a platform, how to get reviews, how to gain a readership. The answer never changes. It takes hard work, and a willingness to have people throw you under the bus.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve watched people give up, just before they attain their goals. That’s not to say that beating your head against a wall continuously will get you results, but if you stop trying you will never succeed.

Filed under: Musings, My books, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Riley Amos Westbrook, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors

Day 83 of 90: Wasted Time #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors!

I woke up this morning, bright and early, before my alarm clock even had a chance to go off. I don’t really know why I woke that early, but I am happy for the extra time it afforded me.

Sometimes life just doesn’t go as you plan it to. For one reason or another, your carefully laid framework buckles under the pressure of the steady river of time, and you find yourself with never enough of it.

This happens to all of us at one time or another. That sense that the past or future is going to catch up to us, and make the now a bad time.

I’m going to tell you to shake that feeling off. Remember that every situation is different, and most of them are dictated by how you choose to perceive the time. I could have chosen to be angry, I could have chosen to waste the time I gained by waking up early, but instead, I chose to set to work.

I started my normal routine, and then took the extra time I had to edit some more of my next project. Time is only wasted if you waste it.

And though I plan on waking up tomorrow, bright and early before the sun rises, I also realize that it may not happen. I accept that, I plan for it, and I learn to do what I can to control my own actions.

Filed under: Musings, My books, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Riley Amos Westbrook, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors

Day 82 of 90: Images #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors

One of my favorite pastimes on the internet is finding a good picture gallery and just looking through it. I know, shock of shocks, and so different than everyone else. But it was while I was looking at some of those pictures this morning, that I started to consider the impacts they have on our lives.

Images are powerful tools. Whether you realize it or not, we are constantly assailed in our daily lives by those images. Whether it be pictures of the down trodden, the righteous, the victorious, or nature in her omnipotent fury, they all have their place in inspiring us.

As an author, I know I take aspects of my daily life, and attempt to fit them into the narrative of my stories. That’s not to say I live a drug fueled life full of hedonistic pleasures, I’m not rich enough for that, but I do take and include the simple things that make life a joy.

I attempt to convey to you how even in the darkest of times, a simple smile can change the world that surrounds you. I try to convey that even when things are going great, it only takes one moment for those things to end. It’s nothing special, an aspect of my writing I’m sure most authors try to include.

But it is uniquely me. The way I look at a situation is completely different than you, or anyone else, will look at that situation. What tools and abilities we’ve gained through our experiences shape how we approach a problem. Just like images shape how we see the world.

Filed under: Musings, My books, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Riley Amos Westbrook, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors

Horror Artwork- Nelthaza the Hidden by Methuselah3000

A little darker than what I normally share, but I enjoy this image for some reason.

cordeliasdread

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Filed under: Musings

Day 81 of 90: Editing Up A Storm #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors

I’ve been editing up a storm, trying to perfect my current project before moving on to another. Though editing is my least favorite part of the process, I still have fun doing it. It’s awesome how little changes in your writing can help to convey a scene you wish to paint in greater detail.

I don’t know why, but I’m always eager to move on to my next story. It takes focus and willpower to keep myself on track, but no one else can control me, so I have to take the time to do it.

Reading and writing have become my favorite past times. I wake up, and the first thought through my head is about my current work. Before I fall asleep, I’m busy typing away, or reading another’s world. As I drift off to sleep, I find myself trying to fill the character’s shoes, and attempting to understand why they made the choices they did.

Most people use reading and writing to escape from reality. Not me, though I do enjoy that aspect of the practice.

I read and write in order to help organize my thoughts. I spend an hour or two writing every day, and another hour reading. As someone who suffers from a short attention span, I look at these times as practice. By making myself think linearly, I learn to control my attention in other situations.

Writing, for me, is nothing more than an exercise in self discipline. A discipline I never thought I would pick up as a hobby, let alone attempt to master. I’m happy I started telling my stories, because I don’t think anyone could tell them quite like I can.

Filed under: Musings, My books, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, musings, Resources, Riley Amos Westbrook, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors

Day 80 of 90: Our Nature #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors

I woke up this morning to the sounds of little baby birds chirping away hungrily.

I love this time of year, so full of life and renewal.

I’m a big fan of nature, and all the small things it brings into our lives. The smells, the sounds, and the sights are all wonderful and awe inspiring.

The light filtering through the trees, painting a dappled pattern across the grassy ground, the chittering and movement of little creatures, even the haunting sway of the wind kissed trees are an amazing sight to behold.

Too often in life, we lose sight on the simple things that make our existence bearable. We don’t pay as much attention to the person we love as we should. Or we’re more concerned with appearances, than with what our actions say about us. Instead of thinking of how to better the world, we only worry about bettering our own station.

We all want to change the world, to better shape it to fit the mold inside of our head. We let petty things like anger and fear get in the way of our becoming. When we go to help someone, we don’t just think about how we’re helping them, we’re thinking of how it is going to help us.

There’s nothing wrong with this, it’s human nature, but it’s one that we should be striving to leave behind as we transition in our evolution. We need to cast away the hate, greed, and fear that keeps us firmly in the realm of the animal.

It’s a lot of work, and it won’t be easy, but I’m sure it will be worth it in the end. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear.”

I’m hopeful for the times that lie ahead of us, but only we can change it. One day at a time, one word at a time, we can shape the world to be a better place for everyone.

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 4/27/2016

Magician’s Game by Phaedra Weldon

I really enjoyed this book.  There is a Cyber Witch.  I think this was a clever idea!  I love the new witch and it makes sense in the world we live in.  I would love to go on more adventures with Dnarma and Ivan.  I think I water witch even though I have read about them before is more unique than I have read too.  I story was very exciting!   4/5
Filed under: Musings

#RileyAmosReviews I’ve been slacking on posting my own reviews part 3!

The Universe Doesn’t Give A Flying Fuck About You by Johnny Truant

Awesome, a great way to put the universe in perspective. Another little book I’m happy I took the time to read. Great advice in here. 5/5

Filed under: Musings