Leon Stevens's Blog, page 115
February 5, 2022
Weekend Wrap-up Feb 5: It just keeps snowing.
We just had the most amount of snow in a month . . . ever. And look! It's snowing again. I had already moved the Matterhorn beside the walk to the middle of the yard because I couldn't throw the snow any higher. The walk is more like a canyon, its sides getting close to … Continue reading Weekend Wrap-up Feb 5: It just keeps snowing.
February 4, 2022
Free Book Friday Feb 4: Newsletter Dilemma
I’ve been thinkin’.
Uh-oh.
I think I will be changing my weekly newsletter to a bi-weekly one. Why? Two reasons:
I don’t want to inundate my subscribers with emailsMy open rate may increase (my current open rate is ~35%) It’s a lot of work coming up with relevant contentIt’s an opportunity to do a funny survey (which I dearly love to do)Umm, that’s more than two reasons. I know.
I think (whoops, there I go again) my weekly issue has served its purpose of keeping my new readers informed about my WIP and in loop for my new releases. My offering of the various promos I participate in is updated each Friday, so I can direct them there.
I won’t cut them off cold-turkey, that would be cruel, so I should have everything ready for the beginning of March. Here’s a question for ya:
“If you subscribe to a newsletter, what day do you like it to arrive?” You can comment below.
-Leon
Wait! No interviews?
I’m glad you asked. No.
Umm, care to elaborate?
On “No”? Sure. There is not an interview this week.
Gee, thanks.
No problem.
[silence]
Are there going to be any . . . ever again?
So glad you asked! I have two at the end of the month and my March slots are quickly being filled.
Yay!
The story behind Free Book Friday:
I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?
Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. There lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.
Featured Author: Linda TruloveAnother poet I have featured before. The last time, she offered her free sample, Fireflies. This time, she would like you to check out her new book:
Discover New Authors: BookFunnel and StoryOrigin PromosFree Books
Jan 31-Mar 1 Kindle Unlimited
Feb 1 – Feb 28Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, his first science fiction novella.
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Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
February 3, 2022
Thursday Thoughts: Art Appreciation Updated
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, his first science fiction novella.
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Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
February 2, 2022
Blogging Advice and Questions: OK, neither (just answers).
Thanks to Maggie for the prompt (Blogging Advice and Questions). It gave me a reason not to do the other things I had planned.
Do you respond to every comment, even if it is just an emoji?Yes. Even a ‘like’ let’s the commenter know that you have read and appreciate the interaction.Are there styles, colors, or fonts that make reading a blog more difficult?
Short answer: Yes. Not so short: It varies from reader to reader, so it’s difficult to choose on that will appeal to all. If the font is to small, I’ll usually skim or pass.Under what circumstances would you block a user?
I haven’t had to block any bloggers yet, but I have unfollowed a few. I am impressed with the spam blocker that WordPress has. I have to go through the spam folder quite often to clean it out. I’ll usually—umm, I mean always—block the users offering to show their naughty bits.Are there certain topics you refuse to engage with?
Depends. Sometimes a post is set up to gather opinions in a non-confrontational way, but it can be easy for people to become aggressive. Everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as they don’t use it as a means to harm or belittle others. How do you feel about blogging awards?
YAY! It’s a nice way to acknowledge another’s work.How old is your current blog?
Two years? Can I look that up somewhere?Do you respond to prompts?
Like this one?Do the number of your blog followers matter to you?
Not as much as having a group of supportive followers does.What motivates you to follow or unfollow a blog?
A blog has to have value and be entertaining. If it is just a platform to rant on personal opinions, it’s not for me. What is your blogging pet peeve?
On WordPress, trying to highlight a single block without getting everything.
-Leon
Feel free to copy and answer the questions. Read Maggie’s original post and link it back to there.
OK. Now what? Oh yeah, I have stuff to do . . .
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, his first science fiction novella.
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Oh, pick me!C’mon, space stuff!
Weird Wednesday: Month Lite / Cartoons
After a steady diet of 30 and 31 day months, we finally get to the reduced month of February. What difference does a day make? Well I’m glad you asked.
Less wear and tear on the snooze buttonOne less day to worry about CovidYour monthly food budget looks a bit betterMarch will be here sooner than February was when it was January 1st (did you follow that?)If your goal is to do something (or not do something) for an entire month, this is the one to do it inValentine’s Day is exactly half way through the month, so it isn’t lop-sidedIf you were born on February 29, then congratulations, you’re still the same age as last year-Leon
Cartoons!The Miniscules
The Untitled
My newsletter goes out on Wednesdays:
Lines by Leon Newsletter: February 2
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Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, his first science fiction novella.
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Oh, pick me!C’mon, space stuff!Contact me!Submit a form.
February 1, 2022
Tuesday Tidbits: Bad Opening Lines
Yesterday’s Open Book Blog Hop reminded me of a post that I wrote. After scouring my blog, without success, I came to the conclusion that I hadn’t posted it. So, here it is:
Bad Opening Lines
I’ve always heard that the worst opening line for a book was: “It was a dark and stormy night.” I don’t know if someone made it up or it’s from an actual book. Bad writing was also featured in the movie, Throw Mama from the Train, where Billy Crystal writes: “The night was moist.”
It’s hard to write bad on purpose, but here is my attempt at the Top Ten Worst Opening Lines:
10. My feet were itchy, and I don’t know why.
9. He took a shot, and then another, and then another.
8. Three pigs, a cow, four chickens, and a sack full of potatoes. That’s not going to be nearly enough, he thought to himself.
7. The wind whistled. She whistled. She heard a whistle coming from the house next door. I think it was Mrs. Wilson.
6. “Meow,” said the cat. “What did you say?” asked its owner. “Meow,” repeated the cat. “Oh. I thought that’s what you meant,” the owner replied.
5. It was really dark. It was really quiet. He walked really quickly because he was really scared of the night. Really.
4. Staring at the keyboard was not a way to inspire confidence, thought Infinite Monkey #299387647724
3. Running with scissors was not as complicated as it was made out to be. The difficulty was avoiding all the other marathoners.
2. I travelled back in time to stop myself from travelling back in time. It didn’t work. Obviously.
1. “Are you asleep?” she asked. “Yes. Are you?” he answered. “Yes,” she replied. Now that the pleasantries were out of the way, they could return to the task at hand—churning all that butter.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, his first science fiction novella.
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Oh, pick me!C’mon, space stuff!
January 31, 2022
Open Book Blog Hop: Opening (and closing) Lines
Share some of your favourite lines from your writing. How about some of your worst ones if you still remember them?
Opening and Closing Lines
You only get one chance to make a first impression. True. A good opening line, paragraph, or chapter is key to keeping a reader interested. You also have one chance to leave a lasting one. Will that closing line cause the reader to slowly shut the book and lay it down, or shake their head in disappointment.
A story is like a sandwich. You have your bread—the first and last page—and everything in the middle is either tasty (PBJ, BLT) or nasty (sardines, marmite). Wait—that’s a terrible analogy. Let’s start again.
A story is like a box of cho—Nope.
Anyway, Kurt Vonnegut wrote many great opening and closing lines. Unfortunately, I only have one paperback of his in my possession, and it’s not Slaughterhouse Five. Fortunately, I do have Breakfast of Champions, which has the distinction of the only book I know of where the author includes his drawing of an asshole (not a person, either).
He ends the books with the fictional character, Kilgore Trout—who just happens to be a sci-fi author—being released by the author who had created him. He screams out his final wish, which goes unheeded: “Make me young, make me young, make me young!”
The rest of the book is just as great.
This topic reminded me of a post I wrote about bad opening lines, but I couldn’t find it here. Why? Because I didn’t post it. I guess I have something for tomorrow.
Rules:
Link your blog to this hop.Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, his first science fiction novella.
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Oh, pick me!C’mon, space stuff!
Music Monday: Songs You Might Want to Hear – A band from the Rock (no, not that guy).
There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.
Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it.
Maybe you will find a new favorite.
Quick. What’s the most famous band that has come out of Newfoundland? If you are Canadian, then you are asking, “Don’t you mean Newfoundland & Labrador?”. If you are not one of those lovely, polite Canadians, you’re probably saying, “Newfa-what? Labrador? Isn’t that a big dog?”
Newfoundland was part of England until a referendum voted in favor of joining Canada in 1949 because the commute was about 2000 km less. Labrador, on the other hand, attached to Quebec, was torn between the sexy French accent, and the unintelligible Newfoundland dialect, but the tipping point was that Newfoundlanders smoked less.
Finally, in 2001, the hyphenated their names, creating a province that just rolls off the tongue.
On a side note: France still holds on tightly to St. Pierre and Miquelon even though it’s just a stone’s throw (Well, a short ferry ride) from the south coast of Newfoundland.
Now that you are all caught up with some Canadian history, and we haven’t answered the original question, let’s dive into a tune, shall we?
Keeping with the theme of bands you will never see live (because they broke up), here is one of my favorite songs:
Hey Rosetta! is (was) a Canadian seven-piece indie rock band from St. John’s, Newfoundland and LabradorI hope you enjoyed my selection today.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, his first science fiction novella.
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Oh, pick me!C’mon, space stuff!
January 29, 2022
Self-Published Saturday: The View From Here — Bonnie Reads and Writes
Thought I would share the latest review. Thanks, Bonnie!
Self-Published Saturday is my effort to help Indie and Self-Published authors promote their books. Self-Published/Indie authors have to do it all, from editing to cover design to marketing. If I can help even a little bit with the overwhelming task of marketing, I’m happy to do it. Below is my review of an imaginative science […]
Self-Published Saturday: The View From Here — Bonnie Reads and Writes
Weekend Wrap-up Jan 28: Book Teaser
One week into IBBBs tour and I finally got the teaser they created to work:
From my blog this week:Free Book Friday Jan 29: In Conversation with Anna Faversham – Yay! the interview is back (but for how long?)
Weird Wednesday: Cartoons and Crazy Weather
Tuesday Tirade: Word Documents – Ever try to number your pages?
Tuesday Tidbits: Mailing Lists for Authors – Tips
Music Monday: Songs You Might Want to Hear- The Weakerthans
Friday Review Share – 28th January
What’s That Book? The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham – I forgot about this book that I had read as a teenager. Before or after “The Chrysalids”? Don’t know
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, his first science fiction novella.
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Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!C’mon, space stuff!
