Riley Amos Westbrook's Blog, page 41
April 9, 2016
Day 62 of 90: Pain and stress #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors
Nothing like pain to remind us of all the great things in life! As I write this, I’m dealing with excruciating tooth pain. It really hurts, I mean to the point where I have tears in my eyes. Feel like I was kicked by a mule right in the mouth last night while I slept. I won’t let it stop me though.
You see, I know that a life worth living is lived, even if you have pain and suffering. I know that, like all things in life, the pain will pass with time, or at least be replaced by other pain.
A walk around the block to help loosen the other muscles of my body. A little weight training to help burn the fat. A few moments of introspection to relax your mind. All of it lessens the stress of everyday life, and makes things easier. Even coming and writing here helps to lessen the pain.
One thing injuring myself taught me is that stress is your number one enemy in life. You think I’m joking, but a lot of personal health problems can be traced back to it. Everything from swelling joints to stomach aches to back pain. Stress is one of your top contributors.
That’s why you need to do everything in your power to keep yourself in a happy state of mind. As I have said before, a lot of happiness is perception. Choosing everyday to wake up, smile and appreciate life, no matter what it throws at you.
An adage I try to follow, but still fail at on a regular basis, is to take deep breaths and be calm before you do anything. A calm mind leads to well thought out actions.
Filed under: Musings, My books, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Riley Amos Westbrook, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors
April 8, 2016
I almost forgot to tell you all! #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors!
It’s the Brain to Books Online Convention, and I’m going to be taking over the facebook page for awhile! Come join the fun, and ask some questions. Lots of great authors involved!
Filed under: Musings
Day 61 of 90: Have to be you #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors #Inspiration
You shouldn’t let yourself be controlled. I see it a lot nowadays, a wife who bows to her husband’s wishes, a man who wraps around his daughter’s pinky, even the mother who gives their child throwing a tempter tantrum what they want. Everyday we allow ourselves to be under the control of someone else.
We need to stop this practice, and take responsibility for our own actions. Too often I see writers worried about how something is going to affect them financially, and they haven’t even taken off yet.
They worry about alienating readers, and so they don’t write the stories they want to tell. You have to write something you enjoy, otherwise you’ll find yourself struggling when it comes to the hard part of being an author: marketing.
I’m a firm believer in being true to oneself, even Charles Manson has a fan club. The biggest key is to be genuine. Don’t hide yourself behind a fake personality, show your real personality.
Don’t hide your shining light from the world, shine brighter. Make it so everyone sees you as a second gleaming sun, competing with the first for brightest object in the solar system.
If you’re struggling to get your name out, being recognized and seen as a professional in your field, I have one piece of advice for you. Keep writing. The more words you have out in the world, the more likely you are to find someone who agrees with your line of thinking. Don’t hold yourself back.
You have to be you, and being anything less than that is doing yourself a disservice.
Filed under: Musings, My books, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Riley Amos Westbrook, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors
April 7, 2016
Forgot to tell you guys…
A couple of the other authors from Support Indie Authors and I put together our thoughts on social media and selling books. You can read our thoughts here.
Filed under: Musings, Resource
Day 60 of 90: Find your Passion #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors #Inspiration
You know what I love about being an author? I’m beholden to no one but myself.
I feel free to do what I want, how I want. My words carry me to other worlds and show me people’s differing perception.
I’ve spent quite a bit of my formative years buried in books, looking to the past, present, future, and sometimes just plain weird for different ways to approach problems in my life. What’s surprising when I look back on it, is how many answers I found.
Now I create my own solutions in my own worlds, and it’s a lot of fun.
I take the universes from inside my subconscious and paint a picture for others to enjoy.
Yet I still strive to be better than I was yesterday. Self-improvement is a never ending quest. I figure if I keep it up, then in ten years, I’ll be where I want to go.
One way or the other, it’s going to take lots of work to reach my dreams. One day at a time, one word at a time. This is how I reach for the stars.
Someone once told me to set realistic goals. To quit dreaming, and buckle down to get serious about life.
I tried that for a few years and even excelled at it until I was hurt.
Once I was injured and gained time to reconnect with my center, I saw it wasn’t enough. Even in a job as fulfilling as being a Certified Nurses Assistant, you need something else.
Find your passion in life, the thing that makes life worth living.
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 4/7/2016
Industrial Magic by Kelly Armstrong
I loved the book. The narrator Laural Merlington did a great job. I enjoyed the book. I enjoy following Paige and Lucus on adventures. I love the story and the characters. I think this is a great series. 5/5
Filed under: Musings, Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
April 6, 2016
ABSTRACT LIGHT STREAKS #99
Awesome picture!
Title: “ABSTRACT LIGHT STREAKS #99.”
Creation Date: 6 April 2016.
“ABSTRACT LIGHT STREAKS” SERIES.
Series Years: 2015 – 2016.
SERIES DESCRIPTION:
This is a collection of nighttime, time-exposure, light streak photography. There is something about nighttime photography that I really like: it allows me to make light fluid and I can make it twist and turn however I wish to get the effect I want. There are some happy accidents too with this kind of photography.
LOCATION:
All of these photographs were created in Penang, Malaysia.
Photography Genre:
I would classify this as something I call, “Active (or Fluid-Light) Abstract Expressionism Photography.”
Copyright 2016 Nawfal Johnson.
All Rights Reserved.
Penang, Malaysia.
NO UNAUTHORIZED USE!
● PRINT SALES SITE:
http://www.imagekind.com/ABSTRACT-LIGHT-STREAKS-99_art?imid=bae6571f-f507-4d56-b9b2-4785af25d483
TAGS:
#abstract-expressionism, #digital, #fluid-light, #Johnson, #light, #Malaysia, #Nawfal, #nighttime, #Nur, #Penang, #photography, #streak, #urban-lights, #lowlightphotography, #nighttimephotography, #masonic-art, #mystical-art, #chaotic-otherworldly, #No-way-out, #Depression, #red, #purple, #copper, #violet, #blue, #Morningstar, #gold, #yellow, #Ankylosing-Spondylitis, #LOTUS,
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Filed under: Musings
Day 59 of 60: Mosquito on testicles #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1 #SupportIndieAuthors
Someone attacked me today! That’s how you know you made it, when someone takes the time to act like they know you and try to tear you down. I always love how people can show their childish side, choosing to lash out in public forums, or behind a person’s back, rather than acting professional, and taking your concerns with someone into a one on one forum.
I, of course, did what I suggest you should do if someone attacks you. Ignore it, and let it run off like water from the shower. Just because you are an individual forging your own path, some people are going to dislike you. For no other reason than you are you, they are going to hate you.
It’s not worth worrying about their opinion, they don’t know the real you, and are only attacking aspects of themselves that they see in you. Like the bully who picks on you, because you’re a “pussy”. If you take and sock that bully in the nose, slam his head against the sidewalk, and then walk away with your head held high, he’ll tend not to pick on you for being a pussy.
I sound like I’m advocating violence, I’m not. I’m ashamed of some of the actions I took growing up, learning to master a temper that was at times overwhelming.
As an internet meme I love says, “Only when there is a mosquito on your testicles, do you learn you can solve all problems without violence.” I need to find a more gender neutral way to express this, but it’s hard to think of something that conveys exactly what this does.
Anyways, back on topic. There’s a point in your life where you learn to ignore what everyone else says about you that you know to be false. People are going to people, there’s nothing you can do to control them, except control yourself.
Filed under: Musings, My books, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Riley Amos Westbrook, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors
Cruisin’ through books cause books make life worth living with Aly 4/6/2016
Second Chances by Lincoln Cole
This story to me was very powerful. I was captivated by the characters and the message this story was giving. This book touched on so much in a excited book. I just don’t have enough words to say how much I enjoyed this book. You need to read this one and see what you think. * 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
