Heather Dawn Robin's Blog, page 2

This One Will Be Called “Unfinished”

Ever have a day like this?

You wake up. It’s a good morning, and… it’s your day off! You start off well with prayer, giving thanks, but before you ask God for His direction, you’re tempted to peek at the schedule on your phone. Relieved you have nothing pressing to do today, you anticipate checking off several tasks on your personal to-do list. Conversation with the Creator is put on hold.

Jumping up to make your bed, you decide to switch up the bed linen. You’ve got all of it changed except for the pillowcases, but then you spot the basket of laundry that needs folding. Halfway through the pile, you snag a fingernail and must look for an emery board. Of course, you can’t file just one nail, but when switching to the other hand, your bladder sends an urgent request for relief. Now that you’re in the bathroom, might as well take a good soak, so you run the water, but before you get in, thirst sends you to the kitchen. Swallowing some water from the fridge, your stomach says, “A little breakfast would be nice” so you put together a spread. However, an important phone call requires you to leave the plate on the counter and access information on your computer. Unfortunately, you’re not able to locate what you need and will have to call the person back later, but when you hang up, you wonder if what you were looking for is in your email. At the slew of correspondence in your inbox demanding your response, you declare, “If I focus, it’ll only take me a few minutes.”

Six hours later, your eyes are weary from being sidetracked by the social media maze you somehow got caught in, and you still haven’t eaten or taken a bath. However, all you really want now is a nap––make that an early turn-in, on account of the late hour. To the bedroom you go, but as you stare at the clothes in your way which you have yet to fold and the bed that’s only three-quarters made, you resume your talk with God. “Lord, where did I get off-track?”

Ah. Right. Lesson learned.

“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God…”

The Challenges in Writing a Sequel

The debut book is written, published and selling. Fans are loving it and asking when the next one is coming out, to which this here author replies, “Uh… Christmas?… Maybe?”

Joking aside, I do have a goal set to release my next novel by the end of the year, but it’s a lot harder to do than to say, that’s for sure. I’m finding there are 7 main reasons why. See if you agree.

First, I personally have to wait for God to lead me in the direction He wants the story to go. He’s the One who connects the dots, closes the loopholes, and fuels the characters. If I do it my way, well… let’s just say that everyone will be able to tell.

Second, it’s a sequel. Keeping continuity of details and timeline adds a greater challenge than just flowing freely while writing.

The third challenge: Maintaining my writing style while increasing the intrigue and keeping the characters relatable.

Fourth is staying true to each character’s goals.

Fifth is determining how much content should be recapped in the sequel to refresh the reader without retelling the original story. This is important to make sure the new story stands on its own legs. I don’t want the old story regurgitated, but then I don’t want the reader to be lost in the continuation either.

Following that same vein is the sixth challenge: Researching how other successful authors formulate a sequel without allowing their style to influence mine. When I began writing my debut novel, I unintentionally avoided other authors’ fictional work because I was so enthralled in the story that God was unfolding before me. However, once I realized I had a viable manuscript, I deliberately shirked the worlds created by other fiction authors. Currently, I’m debating whether to do so because… well, I can’t have Carlos turning into that other guy, and Shannon needs to stay Shannon.

Challenge number seven: I’ve got to do all of the above AND do it expeditiously. Oh, the pressure! While I originally had no intention of publicizing Imbroglio, as it was my little secret, solely for my own enjoyment and escape from reality, now, people are expecting more from me! The bar has been set and that question, “When are you going to release the next book?” keeps coming. One reader even told me I’d better hurry up before she forgets what she read. Nail-biting. (Are Shannon, Carlos, his brothers, Carlito, Mama B, and ‘nem really forgettable?)

Yes, I’m feeling ALL of this, and if you’re presently facing your own goal challenges I hope you take comfort in knowing you’re not alone. However, what must we do? The answer is, “Stay at it.”

…Which means I should get back to my manuscript…

The Adventures of Imbroglio

 Ever Wonder What's On The Mind Of A Book?
 

Staring at the Big Screen.

While at Roscoe's Chicken N Waffles.

Excitement for the upcoming 4th of July.

The day after the 4th of July. (I'm Just Saying.)

Barnes & Noble lamentation.

Getting together with an ideal mate.

I've got plenty happening in my pages.

Forgive me. I read that there's free speech in a library.

http://heatherdawnmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/ImbrogLibrarySpeechLG2.m4v

The perfect setting.

Tightening up for my date.

An Unusual Interview

Heather Dawn Media recorded an exclusive interview of yours truly, conducted by two unforgettable hosts. Have a look at the transcript.



Shannon Moore:  Heather Dawn Robin, first of all, let me say how honored I am that you’re paying us a visit here on the set of Moore-Rom Productions. What a treat!
Me: Believe me, the pleasure is mine. And I just love the name of this company division. “Moore-Rom.” The play on words is so apropos, as you two truly keep me in need of more storage for my computer files.
Shannon: I believe I speak for the Romero part of that title, as well, when I say that it’s you who make us come alive.
Me: Enough of this. You’re making me emotional. Ask your first question before I’m slobbering over here.
Shannon (laughing): Why did you decide to write about me?
Me: I wanted to showcase how a person walking down a wrong path can change her (or his) life choices and how making that decision often brings challenges, opposition, and temptation. Through your character, I take the reader on a salvation experience: how it looks, feels, and sounds. You are well aware that when a person decides to become an enemy of the one he or she once befriended and joins the opposing army, that person is guaranteed turmoil. BUT the eternal reward of maintaining that commitment to his or her decision in spite of those attacks certainly outweighs the strife. And that, my dear Shannon, is exactly what you strive to do. You’re not perfect, but that’s what I like about you. I’m thinking you’ll go a long way.
Carlos Romero: I already see it happening. Ms. Robin, please refresh my memory again on how you met us.
Me: It was 25 years ago or more when you first manifested. Back then, Shannon was an airline pilot and you were a computer businessman nicknamed Chaz. (Yeah. Seriously.) I like who you became when we reconnected in 2012 so much better! You have a … complicated journey to navigate, but I envision women worldwide carrying you around in their breast pocket.
Carlos (laughing): That’s a beautiful place to be carried. I have no objections.
Shannon: Excuse me?
Carlos: We’re talking about book sales, Mi Corazon.
(Shannon emits an onomatopoeia somewhere along the lines of “Humph.” We all laugh.)
Carlos (turning solemn): Speaking of business, quite a bit of my own is on display for the readers in your community. Recognizing that I and all the members of our community would cease to exist without you, I must know how long you intend to chronicle our story.
(Looking into his eyes, I squirm in my chair. I mean, this is the Carlos Romero.)
Me (recovering): THAT, Mr. Romero, is completely up to you. I am aware of how selective you are about the publicity you receive. I mean, we all know who really works for who here.
Carlos (smiling slyly): Indeed.




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New Shipment is IN

Presenting the revised book cover for Imbroglio, The Ties of Love and Lies.

(Click photo to watch video)

My shipment is in, so get your copy now! You don’t want to miss the enthralling story that’s within…

Thanks for your support!

A New Look

Imbroglio has a new look!

Here’s the latest journal entry in the life and times of a self-published author. After much deliberation, I decided to add the subtitle, “The Ties of Love and Lies” to my book to give its unusual title a little more… let’s say… support. A little encouragement for the reader who strangles, chokes, and simply gives up trying to pronounce or spell the title, the new subtitle captures the essence of how both love and lies can bind a person’s heart and will. This addition, of course, required new fonts, and since I was at it I figured, “Why not have the designer update the graphics with a little embellishment, too?”

I used BookCoversLab.com, and although they are a very talented group, it was a difficult process trying to get the designers to understand what I wanted to accomplish via email correspondence. (I had no idea that was the sole means of communication when I signed up for their services––which happens to be located overseas. If you’re thinking about using them, be forewarned.) Anyway, with a little help from some local folks I could reach out and touch and my own Photoshop software, we got the cover looking pretty good. It gives off a different vibe now versus the original, but overall I’m satisfied.

Onward!

Author Tips

 

 

These tips are to help the aspiring or stagnant author eliminate making the statement,
"I wish I had known or done that before."
Check back periodically for more.

Tip #1:

Pray. Ask God for the wisdom, time, discernment, and discipline to find the balance necessary to write.
Without Jesus, everything we do is nothing. (John 15:5)

Tip #2:

Use whatever you have around you to jot down ideas as they come to you. Don't worry about how it will fit into your story. That will come.

Tip #3:

Read, "Six Things You Need To Write A Book."

Tip #4:

Start thinking about your target audience and book promotion now. Sign up for Sandra Beckwith's free book promotion and marketing tips here.
She provides a wealth of resources.

What Would You Say To A Young You?

I’m about to be very transparent as I pummel the following prose into submission. So, in the lyrical words of Chris Brown, “Please, don’t judge me.”

If you do, I promise I will… just have to get over it.

(Did you see what I did there?)

Okay, all bad jokes aside. Please, keep reading.

As I was putting the finishing touches on my Imbroglio manuscript, I pulled out my college English notes to refresh my memory on some grammatical rules and came across an essay I’d written. The assignment was to write a letter to me as a youth. I read it and nearly cried. The words were even more poignant in September of 2015 than they were when I wrote them in 2002.

The letter begins, “Hey, little girl! I am so excited to have this opportunity to communicate with you. I would bet that you are sitting in your small wooden rocking chair reading this letter. As I sit here thinking about you, I remember that you are a very busy seven-year–old and I wonder what you were doing before you settled down to read. Maybe you had just hurriedly removed your school uniform, anxious to get to the letter you discovered waiting for you when you got home. Maybe you were outside playing with the neighborhood kids that come by because they like how you can come up with fantastic things to do. Maybe you were in that huge pool in the backyard, letting your imagination take you on a wild adventure, swimming relentlessly except for the occasional break to the kitchen or to eat fruit off of the trees. If you were swimming, I am sure you stopped for only three reasons: your Nana told you to, the sun went down, or you caught a stomach cramp. (Whatever the reason you emerged from the water, I am sure it was long after your fingers and toes had winkled up like prunes.) Maybe you just returned home from tap, ballet, or piano lessons. Or maybe you just finished eating some of Nana’s delicious cooking. Nevertheless, thanks for taking some time to hear me out.”

How that imagery sparked nostalgia and made me recall the beauty of endless childhood wishes, sense of possibility, and freedom of adult burdens, as well as the precious moments I’d ignorantly taken for granted back then.

Have you ever seriously considered what you would say to a young you? What advice would you have? Any encouragement? Any admonition? If you haven’t given this concept any real thought, I submit to you a challenge, for as you continue to read (and hopefully enjoy) what I wrote, you’ll see I had plenty to say to me.

In the next paragraph of my letter, I get right to it:

“Let me warn you. This letter is stocked full of advice on things I wish I had known or realized when I was your age. You may not want to hear these things now, but if you would receive my words they would make a world of difference in your life. I wish that I could be there in person to give you a big hug before I tell you these two things: you’re okay and I am proud of you.

No matter what you think others think of you, you’re okay. I do not recall anyone ever telling you that you were not good enough, not smart enough, or not cute enough. I also do not recall when or how you arrive at these conclusions. Maybe it happens because you are the only black child living in a predominantly white neighborhood, and you look different. All of your friends’ hair is straight while your hair is curly. Maybe it happens because the only people you see on television who are supposed to be truly beautiful look nothing like you. Maybe it happens because you do not learn about all of the great accomplishments made by your people until later in life, and you cannot imagine any black role models that are successful, smart, and attractive. (l know that your own family does not count––and will not count until much later. ) Maybe it happens because society has not come around to portraying true images and roles yet, and you are fooled into believing such things as the great Egyptian ruler Cleopatra looking like a white woman with violet eyes. I have news for you. There will come a time when society will openly appreciate your beauty and the beauty of other non-Caucasian people, as well. Most importantly, one day you too will appreciate your own beauty.

When you grow older, you will find that you are your own worst critic. Listen to me. Stop getting in your own way. The worst thing you can do is compare yourself to what others look like, what others have, or what others are able to do. You will struggle with comparing yourself to others even when you are grown, but don’t let it consume you or deceive you into believing you are second-rate. Even if your talent and capabilities are not where you’d like them to be, know that you are talented and are capable. Believe it. Even if it seems that you’ll never be who or what you would like to be, do not give up and do not stop trying. Even if it seems that you should have accomplished some things by a certain time frame, understand that you walk the path of your life at your own pace and no one else’s. Know that God has given you a hope and a future, and that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

Little girl, you will not be a failure. I know that new tasks may sometimes seem too difficult to you, and you believe that you will fail even before you try. (How do I know these things? I just do.) My encouragement to you is do not make your decision before giving the task a try. You will be surprised at how good you can be and with practice, how much better.

Although you may look back and wish you had made different choices, I commend you on the choices you will make anyway. They are part of what makes you who you are. Also, maybe things may not happen when or how you want them to, but be patient. One of life’s lessons that you’Il learn over and over again is that things may not happen when you want them to, but when they do they will be right on time.

Cherish every moment that you have with your family who loves you dearly. Appreciate the fact that you know both your mommy and daddy and that they are married. Understand that not every little girl has two Nana’s, two Papa’s, and a grandfather. Know that not every little girl gets to meet her great-grandmother. Praise God that you are not abused, starving, or lacking necessities. Unfortunately, there are so many kids that cannot make these same statements. They see and feel so much pain that they do not get to enjoy their childhood like you do. Realize how very blessed you are.

I wish I could take away the pain, personal dejection, and disillusionment you will feel as you grow older and experience life, but I cannot. Some things you will just have to go through. However, I leave you with this song of encouragement by contemporary gospel duo, Mary, Mary:

‘When you get up in the morning

Look yourself in the mirror

And say, “I love me!”

Even with all your flaws

And all of your downfalls

Just do your best

’Cause to Him you already are!

Little girl, Little girl,

God made you so beautiful

Little girl, Little girl,

I just though that you should know…’

P. S. Enjoy all those homegrown fruits and vegetables, and savor Nana’s cooking while you can. In fact, try staying in the kitchen while she is cooking and learn what she is doing instead of running away. And next time, when she is out planting, digging, and picking in the garden, ask her what she’s doing and why she’s doing it. Believe me, you’re going to wish you had in the future. Again, God loves you, and by the way, I love you, too.”

Happy to say, I got an “A” on the paper. But I really got an “A” in life–– “A” for Acknowledgment of my shortcomings and growth and for a prophetic Advisory that would still be relevant thirteen years later. My life has certainly taken some unpleasant turns, and I’ve faced significant failures, disappointments and set-backs. But today, by the grace of God, I’m pressing forward, operating outside of my comfort zone, sharing “me” with the world and being blessed by the responses and the delight people have with my imagination. I’m taking risks. I’m following my own advice.

Is there something you need to say to that younger you, today? Something that will release that gift or talent or wisdom you’ve suppressed and make it available for others to experience? There’s no better time than now.

Perhaps, you should write yourself a letter.

How To Say “Imbroglio”

Baffled? Don’t want to admit you can’t pronounce it? Just watch.

A Pre-Testimonial

http://heatherdawnmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/BrookTestimonial.m4v

This is what happens when the author starts asking the reader questions. The reward: a wonderful just getting started testimonial! (She’s already finished the book, but that’s beside the point.)