Riley Amos Westbrook's Blog, page 56
February 18, 2016
Day 11 of 90: Getting easier by the day.
I had someone ask me this morning why I don’t have a more “professional” looking picture. I can understand why they asked, as most authors you see in this world have a wonderful picture that shows the readers that the author is a real person.
Not mine. I’ve been Jason, a stormtrooper, Yoda, and Darth Vader. I know I might be putting off some readers with my antics, but I don’t care. What I thought about a book was never affected by what the author looked like. If I loved the words that filled up the pages I had no reason to care what the author looked like.
I’m happier letting my personality shine through, and if people think my books are written by robots, then all the better!
I don’t have all the answers, nor do I want to. I only know what I’ve experienced in my life. I only have the ability to affect things directly related to me. And my experience tells me to let my geek flag fly. It’s always better to be yourself, never be ashamed of who you are. We are all individuals, something I believe we should cling to, and you should remain both your most ardent supporter and harshest critic.
Filed under: Musings, Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors
February 17, 2016
Day 10 of inspiring words!
Ten days in, this is proving a bit harder than I thought. Still, I’ll get through it like I have everything else I’ve survived in my life. With a stubborn resolve and bullheaded nature.
The only time people fail is when they give up. As long as you never surrender, anything is possible in this life. Everything is impossible until someone does it. I’ll admit I tend to leap before I look, it’s part of the reason I have failed at so many things. But it’s also why I have succeeded at so much. It’s why I wrote a book, though I never thought I would. It’s why I continue to look for great stories from others, in order to remind me that life is nothing but a journey. We only get out of it what we put into it.
Pour your heart into your fears, and they’ll consume you. Pour your heart into your passion, you can burn yourself out. Pour your heart into love, and you’ll be amazed at what life brings you.
I keep talking to you guys about perspective, and there’s a reason for it. How you choose to look at any situation affects how you approach it. If you choose to look with fear in your eyes, you’re going to react with that same fear. And that fear, is what holds you back from success.
I wrote a book, I loudly proclaim it from the mountaintops, I’m proud of my accomplishments. Some people might look at success differently than I do. I’m not a best seller, (Yet! Remember perspective!) but I’m more than happy with what I’ve done. Everyday I add to a growing word count I’ve had running in my head. Everyday I grow closer to my own personal goal. I’ve got to prepare and plan for how I’m going to celebrate when I hit my magic number, and consider what my next goal is going to be.
Filed under: Musings, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Author, Book, musings, Resources, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors
February 16, 2016
Day 9 with more inspiring words!
I’m not sure what to talk about today in all honesty. It’s been a slow boring day, that I’ve had to struggle to stay awake for. I blame it on only having one cup of coffee this morning. Still, I got a bit of work done today, and I think it’s because I exercised this morning.
There’s something about getting up and moving that makes doing work easier. Our blood starts circulating, oxygenating the brain, and clearing our head. This is also a great time to do more self introspection. Like meditating on the move, it helps to plan your day.
I have a confession though, I hate working out. I know I need to do it for my health, but I hate it. If there was weight loss in a pill, I’d eat them like candy. We don’t live in such a world though, we have to do all the hard work ourselves. Feel the burn deep in our muscles.
If you practice a form of meditation that focuses on breathing, you can use those same lessons for walking. Breathing in a 4-2-4 rhythm can help you maintain a steady pace, that won’t overwork you. That means breath in for 4 seconds, hold it for 2, breath out for 4.
I find that pattern helpful for meditation and relaxing when I’m anxious.
But back to the exercise, I find this time to be my second most fulfilling part of the day. Meditation, followed by exercise, makes it so my mind and body are awake and in synch.
It doesn’t do any good to be awake and out of touch with yourself. You need to fight the brain fuzz, and create your own stimulation.
If you think about it, our brains are designed to interpret the world around us. What we see can be deceiving, same with how we feel. If you sleep well, and live a reasonably healthy life, you should not be exhausted. If you are, then you need to switch up your routine. 9
Filed under: Musings, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book, musings, Resources, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors
Cruisin’ through books cause books make life worth living with Aly 2/16/2016 part 2
This series is another great one. This book is short but it was packed with lots of stuff! Great characters and a wonderful fantasy world. I love the authors world building in this book. You should check out this series for yourself you will not be disappointed! * 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 2/16/2016
Fall of the Walker King by J K Norry
What a great conclusion to a great series. Angels, demons and humans are all in this series. The book of course also has some good and evil. I think this book sums up the series well. The book and series is well written and the characters are worth following along to see what happens 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
February 15, 2016
I used a guest post for day 8.
It’s about my review process with Everyone Dies At The End, and it’s up on BigWorldNetwork. Go ahead and check it out.
Filed under: Musings, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book, musings, Resources, Support, Support Indie Authors, SupportIndieAuthors
ATTN: Readers! A friend of mine wants a moment of your time. #SupportIndieAuthors!
During my interactions with indie authors and book bloggers, I have observed how difficult it is for some indie authors to find reviewers and have seen book bloggers become overwhelmed and abandon their blogs before they really get started; which makes it even more difficult for authors to connect with book bloggers. I thought that one way that I could show support for the indie author community is to write an eBook that offers advice to new book bloggers who are just starting out, and offer advice to indie authors who are struggling to find reviewers and promote their books.
To offer some solid advice to indie authors, I am conducting a survey that will hopefully provide some insight on readers’ perceptions of reviews and their buying habits. I get a decent sampling, I need at least 100 responses; however, more is better. I would really appreciate it if you could take the time to complete this survey and share the survey with your social networks.
I want to thank the folks who have already taken the survey and give a HUGE thanks to Riley and the S.I.A. crew for allowing me to share the survey on this blog. Your support really is appreciated!
Filed under: Musings, Resource, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Resources, Support Indie Authors
Cruisin’ through books cause books make life worth living with Aly 2/15/2016 part 2
The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess by Melanie Cellier
This book is a retelling of ‘The Princess and the Pea’ but it was a very cute book. This book is told in a brand new way. I enjoyed it probably more than the original book. * 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 2/15/2016 part 1
My Little Piece of Sunshine by Angela Wills
This book is a beautiful book. It is a tear jerking book but I loved it. This book shows a mother’s love and the pain in these pages is very real. This was a great book. * 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
