DASL Writer's Blog, page 2
March 11, 2020
What I Do To Deal With Writer's Stress?
I thought writing all of my thoughts down every single day either in a journal or a Medium.com article would be therapeutic.
And, it is when I really need to vent.
But, some days I need a break from writing, otherwise, it stresses me out and I burn out.
I still have a full-time job.
Health-issues that are kicking my butt.
And, unfortunately, I haven’t quite sold a million Amazon e-books (Don’t worry, I’m only 999,990 books short of my goal XD).
So, what do I do instead of worry about writing, not writing, or doing something to promote my writing?
Here are a few things I enjoy:
Driving to the beach, sitting in my car, staring at the sunset.Watch a really sick anime (usually to give me inspiration for future plot ideas).Learn how to code and design my own websites from scratch.Catch-up on sleep. I’m a night owl who works in the day. So, I’m almost always tired.Take showers and spray lavender on my bed before bedtime, and then crack open a good non-fiction story.
What are some things you enjoy doing when you’re trying not to worry about writing?
March 10, 2020
Why Write A Novel About Parasites?
Parasites fascinated all my life.
I didn’t realize I was fascinated by them.
In all honesty, I feared parasites.
They lived in raw meat, dirty water, in kitty litter, and/or just plain dirt.
They could infect a human and cause them to be violently ill. Or even lead them to their own death.
Why would I be fascinated by such a creature and write a novel about them?
Because I lived my life surrounded by parasites. Human parasites. The worst kind of parasites.
They are smart enough to know what they are doing.
They only care about taking advantage of you.
And, when you try to get rid of them, they find a way to come back.
So, what better than to create a human-sized parasite and throw all of my angst into a novel about said parasites.
In my novel, Syphons, a young woman discovers that she is the daughter of a parasitic entity known as Mindstalkers. Not only is she a hybrid combination of Mindstalker-human. But, the man who not only saved her life and has fallen for her is a full-blooded Mindstalker.
The only difference, he’s learned to control his impulses.
He could prey on her. Use her. And, force her to do his bidding like other Mindstalkers.
Instead, he chooses not to use her. He waits for her to give herself to him.
Their relationship becomes symbiotic as the novel wraps up. And, while my leading lady must go through some icky moments with her boo-thang by her side. She eventually grows to love, accept, and embrace what he is by doing the same to herself.
Nobody READS Anymore
Every time I hear the phrase in the title of this post. My blood boils. Usually, a well-meaning family member reminds me of the fact that “Nobody Reads Anymore”.
Those kinds of statements, even if a smidge true, are so obtuse that I hate myself for believing it.
I don’t know why my love of writing needs to be something considered stupid and a waste of time.
When I give of my time for tasks that I loathe, like being yelled at over the phone by irate customers, it’s considered a noble act.
But, when I carve out an hour out of my lonely existence to write something that matters to me, it’s looked down upon.
I’ve been writing almost every day in some form for over ten years.
I self-published my first sci-fi novel last year as a passion project.
I am annoyed when my goal of writing and self-publishing my novel is overshadowed by someone else’s snide remarks.
How much money did your novel make?
That’s none of your business.
Why would a black person write a sci-fi novel?
I don’t know ask a black sci-fi novelist why they wrote their novel.
Why did you come home with new books when you are supposed to sell books at the book fair?
LEAVE ME ALONE!
Yes, I get it. We live in an era where technology and screen-time dominates reading.
But, there have been plenty of ways books and e-books played a part in entertaining someone.
Instead of looking down at me for writing a book. Why don’t you be happy that I gave you something to talk about and think about?
March 4, 2020
Treat Yourself With Urban Fantasy & Sci-Fi Freebies All Month Long!
Did you ever sign-up for a email newsletter just to get a free book, and then weeks and months go by and you never actually read it?
If you’re that person, then please stop reading.
I’m really looking for someone who absolutely love books and would appreciate getting a free chapter preview of my latest Novel, Syphons.
(If you’re really not into romance, sci-fi or freebies, then I’m sorry I wasted your time!)
However, if you’re the kind of person who loves diverse characters, strong female leads who aren’t afraid to fight for what they want, even if it means losing everything. Then, you’re definitely going to love this novel.
Still not sure if you’re going to like Syphons? Find out what others think about this novel.
Check Out This 5-Star review from Amazon:
[image error]
Now are you ready to enter the world of the Mindstalkers?
Bonus: Don’t forget with every preview of Syphons you get a free short urban fantasy story.
[image error] I Need Stolen By The Ash – A Short-Story Now!
February 21, 2020
5 Things I Learned in My 20s After Turning 25
A woman wearing a black & green dress Photo by Etty Fidele on UnsplashAfter turning 25 last October, I learned that a lot of people still consider me a child and so “very” young, yet mature for my age. All I’ve got to say to that is.
Mmm. K.
So, now that I’ve entered my mid-twenties. There’s a lot of things I wish I could warn my younger self about. But, instead of doing that, I’m going to make a list that no one will ever see sharing what things you should do before turning 25. And, if someone is reading this list, I hope you thoroughly enjoy it:
Want To Find Out the 20 More Things I’ve Learned? Click Here to my Medium Article!
You will not become an overnight success even if it took you 10 years to write, self-publish, promote, and sell your first science-fiction novel through Amazon KDP.You may not get married. But, everyone around you will get married. And, they will send you invites. And, you have the right to decide not to go or to attend. Your choice.But, if you must go to a wedding, do not go because someone is forcing you to go, i.e. your parents.Dating is nothing like the Twilight movies. Men do not glow. They aren’t going to run in front of a speeding car to save you. And, they probably don’t know you exist.Avoid staying at a job you hate for longer than a year. Even if Google advises you to stay at your job until you can find something new. Sometimes, your sanity is worth more than a paycheck.
November 24, 2019
Need A FREE Fast Paced Sci-Fi Novel During Your Vacation Time? Look No Further
Ready for a long weekend away from work and school?
Good, then why not take a break with a great read?
Syphons is a fast-paced sci-fi with a 5-star rating plus reviews of on both Goodreads & Amazon. Now’s your chance to grab a free preview of the novel, no strings attached.
Okay, there’s one string, but it’s a super easy one.
Just click on the image below, plug in your email and first name, and boom get your free preview of Syphons.
[image error] Click Image Above!
Don’t worry if you end up changing your mind about joining the 100+ readers of my work then you can subscribe at any time, but you get to keep your freebie.
Oh, I forgot to mention, I’m feeling extra generous towards the end of this year so you’ll also receive a 2nd free e-book.
Yes, you heard me right!
Now, you get a preview copy of Syphons, a fantastic bonus e-book (for FREE), and automatic entry into giveaways.
If that’s not a gift that keeps on giving, then I don’t know what is.
So, what are you waiting for?
Get your free exclusive preview of Syphons! A bonus e-book copy! Entry into a drawing for a $20 Starbucks gift card! And, so much more!!
[image error] Click Image Above And Start Reading!
Want to know what Syphons is all about? Read the Blurb here!
Why Did A Black Chick Write A Sci-fi About A Black Woman Fighting Parasitic Aliens?
This article isn’t meant to bash anyone’s skin color. Really, it’s just an answer to a problem I’ve had since the early 2000s.
As a teen, I started reading adult fiction, works by Stephen King, Annette Curtis Klause, Douglas Adams, Patricia Briggs, and the author that changed my life was Gini Koch.
Gini Koch had a way about creating stories and building worlds that seemed plausible, if not almost way more fun than the world I lived in as a lower middle-class teen working two jobs, while attending an accelerated college program.
Since I loved her work so much, I attempted to write my own science fiction short stories. All of the stories, however seemed off. Of course, at seventeen, my first attempt at creating a novel fell short. I analysed my work throughout the months, and later came to the conclusion as to why my work seemed so flat; all my characters were eurocentric or Caucasian.
[image error] Photo by jurien huggins on Unsplash
In other words, I only knew how to describe my characters as peach-toned skin, dark blue eyes, and luxurious blonde hair that flared out in the wind. I realized that my lead characters, their friends, even the villains were white. Now, I realized I took “writing what you know” too far as a teen.
When I attempted to make my characters black, it felt cartoonish almost like I was attempting to paint the faces of my peach-colored characters chocolate.
Then, I had another issue, the cultural vibes of my People of Color (POC) characters. I made them have lives that mirrored a lot of my friends, who were mostly white (and super awesome).
As I started to read my work, and rewrite my first novel almost 10 times at this point. I entered my final year of college and took World Literature Honors. Immediately, the short stories we read and analyzed weren’t just about white people, but there were Native Americans, Asians, I absolutely adored the Hindu mythology about Siva, and then I was introduced to Octavia Butler.
It took me eighteen-years-of reading to learn that Octavia Butler, a black woman, wrote science fiction. We read one of the short stories from her Bloodchild and Other Stories anthology and I was obsessed. I re-read the short story even after the class discussion on the topic.
First, I was shocked that there were actually black women who wrote science fiction (there are more), because in my limited literary education only middle-aged men who had drinking problems ever wrote novels. Second, her characters felt relatable even if their problems were out of this world.
From that day to this, I worked feverishly to create a main character that wasn’t just a black woman with black people problems. She would be a real person, real problems, and not just a skin color in the pages of my book.
[image error] Syphons A Novel > Free Preview Click Here
My main character in Syphons, is a young woman, striving in the world to better her future, when she rediscovers her heritage as an alien-hybrid. She falls in love with a 500-year-old alien hybrid who doesn’t remind her every second of their relationship “if she’s down with the swirl”.
Solstice, my leading lady, grows to love her man to death, and she’s surrounded by colorful characters who are Latin, Indian, and more. My novel makes you feel like you’re represented, even if your race or color isn’t mentioned.
And, as I write more novels and expand on the world of Syphons, I hope to include more underrepresented ethnicities, not just for the sake of turning my story into a melting pot, but to remind readers that the pages of a book are more than just black and white.
If you’d like to read the first chapter of Syphons free, grab it here!
What do you think about race in science fiction? Do you have a particular novel in mind that you think does a great job with POC characters? Include ones that aren’t that great either.
October 28, 2019
New Sequel To Sci-Fi Romance, Syphons is Coming In 2020
Solstice Bellatrix and her friends are returning in 2020 with a brand new story in the sequel to Syphons (2019).
The story is currently in the Oh-My-God-There’s-So-Much-To-Revise stage and will be released sometime in mid-to-late 2020.
As I get closer to releasing book two, I will be sending updates through my email newsletter, and of course here on my blog, don’t forget to follow!
In the meantime, there’s currently a Giveaway under way. Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win either a Starbucks gift card or your copy of Syphons.
More amazing updates will be shared in the coming weeks. And, I can’t wait to present the cover designs in the future. (Maybe, I’ll turn that into an artist’s contest.)
Oh well, we’ll see.
Thanks for reading!
October 25, 2019
1st Annual Bloggiversary Giveaway!
Hiya Literary Fans,
It’s been a few months since I had a Giveaway of this magnitude. Life is treating me good. So, I want to share the positive vibes with some freebies, gift cards, and other goodies.
Here’s how to enter to win:
1) Follow this blog (if you’re already a loyal follower, then move on to the next step.)
2) Like this post.
3) Sign up for my blog’s newsletters here!
Easy Right!?
Who can enter:
1) Open to International literary fans who can win a free copy of Syphons (e-book only).
2) U.S. literary fans can choose free copy of Syphons (paperback or e-book) or 1 winner receives the Starbucks gift card.
Don’t worry, you get something out of this even if you don’t win. Many will enter. But…., everyone will get a free copy of my short story Stolen By The Ash, A Fox-Shifter’s Story just for signing up for my blog newsletter.
This contest is not sponsored or affiliated with any other businesses or social media outlets.
Follow ALL 3 steps and you’re entered to win. Miss one, and well, you know what happens.
Thanks for reading!
October 21, 2019
A New Adult Sci-Fi Novel by D. A. Smith ***Syphons: There’s No Denying Their Existence***
They took my best friend as prey.
But, now they’re coming for me.
Only problem is… I’m one of them, too.
Waking up in the luxurious penthouse suite of a tantalizing telepath is not how Solstice Bellatrix expected to end her girls’ night out. After being saved by said, stranger Solstice soon discovers that the “monsters” in her nightmares are very real. When she discovers her best friend was taken hostage by a colony of ravenous brain-devouring parasites known as Mindstalkers, who better to ask for help than one of their kind?
Alexander “AJ” Ward has devoured a brain or two, but this “reformed” brain-devourer knows his overwhelming cravings for Solstice is more than just skin deep. After letting her into his mind, AJ is Entangled and bound to keep his Queen safe from the onslaught of attacks from voracious predators and old enemies.
Thankfully, he’s got connections in the form of powerful Guardians and a team of alien hunters that’d put the Men In Black to shame, not to mention some gifts of his own.
Solstice and AJ must survive their battles within while figuring out how to protect the ones they care for.
If Solstice can keep him grounded and AJ willing to trust her, then they might just have a chance against their most powerful threat yet.
Will Solstice & AJ succeed in saving her best friend?
Or will they lose everything, including each other (and their sanity), in the process?
Want To Discover The World of the Mindstalkers?
Grab Your Free Preview Here !
Or
Buy The Paperback or Kindle Edition On Amazon Now!
