Rod Raglin's Blog, page 40

Free e-book, FOREST �� Love, Loss, Legend,

My latest novel, FOREST �� Love, Loss, Legend, is now available on Amazon as an e-book.

I��m also giving away a limited number of the digital edition on BookLikes, http://booklikes.com/giveaways/show/1520/forest-love-loss-legend-rod-raglin from my website http://www.rodraglin.com and from this blog �� just send me an email at rod_raglin@yahoo.com and I��ll send it to you in epub or mobi format.

I��ve just spent all day updating the various sites with the information about the new novel so if you want to know what it��s about click on one of the addresses at the end of this blog.

From my book page, and with a little ingenuity, you can register and establish an account to publicize your own books if you think it��s worthwhile. These sites are all free as in they don��t cost anything and deliver results accordingly.

I have to tell you, it��s a lot easier if you��ve done it before. I��m, of course, talking about self-publishing. If the success of a book is how well it��s written than the success of self-publishing it is how well the original manuscript is formatted. Adhere to the KISS principle, follow directions, don��t be afraid to make mistakes and reach out frequently to those helpful people in Mumbai.

Once you��ve done it, you��ll begin to wonder what an agent or publisher can offer you (at a price) that you can��t do yourself for just an investment of time. I��m not talking about Random House or some high powered, well-connected agent, since neither will give you the time of day, but rather those obscure publishers that are little more than a website, and

all those twenty-something, perky MFA grads.

The last publisher I sent a manuscript to said they would reply within three weeks. Four months later I got an email that asked if I was still looking for a publisher? Why not, I replied. That was a month ago.

The same goes for agents, one of whom asked if I��d consider rewriting the first five chapters of my previous book. I actually took her advice and made the changes and it greatly improved my previous novel The BIG PICTURE �� A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic.

I resubmitted it to her personally, even followed up, and nothing.

I mean, who are these people?

I have no ��writing�� goals for 2015, no expectations, nothing that I am aspiring to. That kind of stuff is for the ambitious �� the constantly connected, impossibly busy young(er) people. I get tired just watching them. No, I��m not satisfied, never will be, but I��m not going to sweat it.

I wrote this poem a few years ago. At the time I didn��t understand it. Now I think I do, or at least am beginning to. I entitled it, The Widower, not that I am, but in the sense that it is about moving on, stripping down, running clean, leaving behind. About discovering there is no goal, no success, no real purpose, it��s just the experience.

And it��s a mess, but you gotta love it.

Whew. I know I��m going to reread this and be embarrassed, but what the hell.

Here��s those websites and below them the poem.

http://www.amazon.com/FOREST-Love-Legend-Rod-Raglin-ebook/dp/B00SO4L080

http://booklikes.com/forest-love-loss-legend-rod-raglin/book,13016476

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24677977-forest—love-loss-legend

http://www.librarything.com/work/15678365/book/115749295

The Widower

He is not now,

nor has he ever been

the person you think

you know.

What you see is

a complex compromise of demons, dreams, desires,

the blunted spear of passion, the dull edge of intellect,

an over-talked argument, the last guest

at a weary gathering.

Extraneous stuff slips away,

the affairs of friends hold little interest

and the lack of things in common

make conversation the killer

to his preferred silence.

The focus has narrowed, the journey closes,

the lack of purpose becomes

defined.

He��s going out there now

to slough off conventions,

become what wind, sun and rain would have him be ��

beyond different.

He��s taking with him

something vague and inarticulate,

less than a memory, tinged with warning.

He��ll travel with no expectations

only to be

uncomplicated, uncompromised,

unknown.

30

��

My new novels, FOREST �� Love, Loss, Legend and The BIG PICTURE �� A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic (now in paperback) are available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003DS6LEU

Read Reviews https://readersfavorite.com:book-review:39014

Visit my publisher��s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More �� Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients. http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=92

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

View more on Rod Raglin's website »

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Published on January 24, 2015 22:45

New book experience anticlimactic

Anticlimactic.

That’s the feeling I had when I held my first-ever published “book”. It ranked right up there with New Year’s Eve.

And it got worse.

I’m referring to the proof copy of my new novel The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic, sent to me from Createspace, the traditional publishing arm of Amazon.

I chose stock cover art from the Createspace library and it was dreadful, as was the typography on the back cover. The book itself was nice – good stock, well bound, very professional.

When I began to proof read I was dismayed at how many typos and dropped words there were. This after numerous rewrites and at least two comprehensive “proofings” by myself and one by Ann Kirk, a generous and very thorough person who volunteers as my beta reader.

Apparently, it is far easier, at least for me, to pickup these errors in traditional book form than on the computer.

I also became aware of inconsistencies throughout the manuscript. Sometimes “but” was proceeded by a comma, other times not. Sometimes I used single quotes for emphasis, sometimes I used double quotes.

In addition to these obvious errors, I was disappointed in the writing.

Paragraphs of description or imagery I was particularly proud of now seemed ostentatious or smacked of author intrusion. Many neither developed character nor advanced the plot and needed to be cut or at least edited.

Some sentences seemed awkward and unnatural. It was evident I was trying too hard to use an active voice instead of a passive one, and to show rather than tell.

At times the plot seemed clumsy and convoluted.

I painstakingly corrected all the errors I could find and that had been pointed out, and rewrote such passages as was possible without having to undertake a major manuscript revision.

I scrapped the stock cover and designed my own and, though not exactly what I would have liked, the graphic was at least identifiable and somewhat representative of the story within. I reset the typography on the back cover so it flowed properly and was readable.

I uploaded these revisions to the e-book edition as well as to the book format.

I now await notification from Amazon that The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic, is available for sale to the public in book form.

Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients, will also be available in book form from my publisher in the near future.

I have spent a good deal of time this past year promoting on the internet. Here are two new sites I’ve incorporated in my book promotions you might find helpful in your quest:

Google Books

http://books.google.com/googlebooks/partners/index.html

Booklife

http://booklife.com/

Millions of people have access to my books on Amazon, Goodreads, Booklife, BookLikes, Google Books and likely a few more I’ve forgotten about it.

I’ve promoted here, and on Bublish, and Twitter exhaustively.

I’ve had some very favorable reviews.

I appear to be doing what “the experts” say you must do.

However, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic, has still to record its first sale after five months. Sales of my other books are so low as to not make the “cut” this quarter for royalty payments.

In face of this predicament I’ve reviewed the reasons I write fiction; for enjoyment, for edification, and to influence my readers(?) with my view on issues – not for money and not for fame.

I’m still good with this and so see no reason to reconsider.

I will continue to write, but I’ve decided in 2015 to not waste my energy seeking ways to actively market my books. I mean, really, why bother?

I’ll contribute to this blog for my own sanity and update and maintain the sites I have. I will not spend money. I will not waste time. I will not get frustrated.

I will very likely not be successful.

I will, however, be more content.

30

My new novel, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

Read Reviews https://readersfavorite.com:book-review:39014

Visit my publisher’s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients. http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=92

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

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Published on December 28, 2014 01:54

150 free books = 2 reviews. The BIG PICTURE – Update #4

To date I have sent approximately 150 personal emails with a file of my book, The Big Picture – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic attached. These are to readers who have received free copies of at least one of my other novels through giveaways on BookLikes and StoryCartel. The last of these emails was sent about a month ago. To date I have received two reviews. At least both of them have been good.

In a desperate effort to get something happening for my new novel I enlisted the services of Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews (RFBR).

Originally, I had posted all four of my novels with them for a free review. After three months and no response I figured my books were not among the 65% of free review requests selected. I opted for the $129 – 3 Express Reviews Package that features:

- Three different reviews and critiques of your book.

- 3 guaranteed reviews by 3 different reviewers completed and posted in 2-3 weeks.

- 3 months of advertising in our Featured Book rotator.

- Reviews posted on Barnes & Noble, Google Books, Facebook, Google+, Twitter & Pinterest.

- Reviews displayed on your Readers’ Favorite review page.

You can also post the review on your Amazon author page in your Editorial Reviews section.

The BIG PICTURE received two five star and one four star review. I was not impressed with the quality of the reviews but they were high marks and made for flattering quotes.

A week later my novel SPIRIT BEAR was reviewed for free and it got three stars. You can draw your own conclusions here, but I’m going to have to assume paid reviews don’t get higher ratings. I mean you got to believe some people associated with this industry have integrity – don’t you?

For more information on Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews go to http://www.readersfavorite.com

To read the reviews on The BIG PICTURE go to

https://www.readersfavorite.com/book-review/39014

RFBR said they’d post my reviews on Google Books so I registered there and, yes indeed, here is another opportunity to list your book. Go to http://www.books.google.com

I continue to Tweet even the most inconsequential developments. Twitter analysis shows this is yet another futile endeavor. Take for example the month of November: on an average my tweets earned 64 impressions a day, but so what? The engagement rate was 1.2%; link clicks 3; retweets 0; favourites 0.

Has any of this – the free books, the paid for positive reviews, the social media, made a difference.

So far, no.

After four and a half months The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic still has zero sales as an e-book despite a few flattering editorial and reader reviews.

Still I persevere. The book format is now in final proofing stages and will soon be released with Amazon’s Createspace.

With the interest in the new genre Environmental Fiction (Eco-Fiction or Eco-Fi), my publisher is now moving ahead and my novel Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients, book three in the stand-alone ECO-WARRIOR SERIES, will soon be available in book form as well.

Likely by the end of the year I’ll have two books available in print.

How do I feel at this point? Here’s a quote attributed to best-selling author, Lee Child, that sums it up:

“It’s a kind of zen question: if you write a book and no one reads it, is it really a book?”

I don’t know, is it?

30

My new novel, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

Read Reviews https://www.readersfavorite.com:book-review:39014

Visit my publisher’s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients. http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=92

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

View more on Rod Raglin's website »

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Published on December 01, 2014 14:41

Between the idea and the reality��falls the shadow

In his introduction to Story Trumps Structure – How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules, Steven James states, ��the greatest storytellers aren��t afraid to break the rules��. Where, one has to ask, does he think these rules came from if not from studying stories by great writers? In other words, great writers, by example of their work, have made the rules that he suggests we break.

James would have you think your story must be liberated from structure or rules if it is to become ��unforgettable fiction��. The way to do it is to adhere to a different set of guidelines, his

But after telling writers to break the rules for writing fiction, assuming you know and adhere to them, the author then writes a very detailed book about the same rules he says you should break.

James takes well-known literary lessons and, more or less, renames them. His ��organic writing�� is no more than going where the story leads you, something most writers have experienced and adhere to.

Or, as Norman Mailer put it, ��Until you see where your ideas lead to, you know nothing.��

Though I doubt a seasoned writer will come across any writing epiphanies, Story Trumps Structure is extremely thorough and is ��how to�� explicit on almost every story situation imaginable. The book is well conceived, designed and readable and would be a good resource book.

Can creativity be taught? If you could apply all the conveyances in this book will you become a better writer?

Maybe, but as T.S. Eliot says,

��Between the idea,

And the reality

Between the motion,

And the act

Falls the Shadow.��

30

My new novel, The BIG PICTURE �� A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

Read Reviews https://readersfavorite.com:book-review:39014

Visit my publisher��s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More �� Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients. http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=92

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

View more on Rod Raglin's website »

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Published on November 29, 2014 22:35

Between the idea and the reality…falls the shadow

In his introduction to Story Trumps Structure – How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules, Steven James states, “the greatest storytellers aren’t afraid to break the rules”. Where, one has to ask, does he think these rules came from if not from studying stories by great writers? In other words, great writers, by example of their work, have made the rules that he suggests we break.

James would have you think your story must be liberated from structure or rules if it is to become “unforgettable fiction”. The way to do it is to adhere to a different set of guidelines, his

But after telling writers to break the rules for writing fiction, assuming you know and adhere to them, the author then writes a very detailed book about the same rules he says you should break.

James takes well-known literary lessons and, more or less, renames them. His “organic writing” is no more than going where the story leads you, something most writers have experienced and adhere to.

Or, as Norman Mailer put it, “Until you see where your ideas lead to, you know nothing.”

Though I doubt a seasoned writer will come across any writing epiphanies, Story Trumps Structure is extremely thorough and is “how to” explicit on almost every story situation imaginable. The book is well conceived, designed and readable and would be a good resource book.

Can creativity be taught? If you could apply all the conveyances in this book will you become a better writer?

Maybe, but as T.S. Eliot says,

“Between the idea,

And the reality

Between the motion,

And the act

Falls the Shadow.”

30

My new novel, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

Read Reviews https://readersfavorite.com:book-review:39014

Visit my publisher’s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients. http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=92

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

View more on Rod Raglin's website »

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Published on November 29, 2014 22:35

Why do I write fiction?

So why do I write fiction?

Is it because, as Betsy Lerner, the author of The Forest for the Trees, An Editor’s Advice to Writers, claims, “the world doesn’t fully make sense until the writer has secured his version of it on the page.” Similarly, Anaïs Nin says “one writes because one has to create a world in which one can live.” Gloria E. Anzaldúa is more specific; “By writing I put order in the world, give it a handle so I can grasp it.” Flannery O’Connor mirrors this sentiment by saying, “I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.”

Sounds rather high-minded to me. I don’t write for any of those reasons.

I think I have a pretty good “grasp” on reality, it “fully makes sense to me”, and frankly it’s a world I can live in. If I didn’t understand it how could I write about it? That’s not to say I don’t like learning about new things when I write, but I don’t have to create an illusionary world in which to escape.

One of the reasons I write is apparently the same reason George Orwell did, “There is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing.”

This is, however, secondary to the satisfaction, the sense of accomplishment and the sheer enjoyment I get from writing. And when the characters and story take control it’s like being the conduit linking me to an unexplored parallel world.

And what about the reader? Where do they factor in on the question “why do I write fiction?”

Yes, that connection is significant since once I’ve finished my novel then, and only then, it becomes more important to “get a hearing”. I want to draw their attention to issues vital to me and maybe even influence a decision or two. I also seek validation from the reader that I have entertained them while at the same time expressed something they relate to and feel is worthwhile.

So there you have it. The reasons I write fiction are for enjoyment, for edification and to influence my readers with my view on issues. Not for money and not for fame, which is a good thing because I’ll likely have neither.

Now that I’ve figured that out I feel a whole lot less frustrated.

I also finally understand why trying to involve readers in my writing doesn’t work for me. This technique is the latest mantra of book marketing gurus selling publishing success. You must establish a “relationship” with your readers, to what end I’m not sure, but now it doesn’t matter anyway.

Why? Because they have no influence over what I write.

Would I really change a plot line because a reader (or many readers – I should be so successful) wanted me to? Would I change the setting, the theme or the characters? Would I change the title? Would I change even a single word?

No.

I am writing for myself not for an audience. Their approval is gratifying, but not essential.

I’ve already moved on.

30

My new novel, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

Read Reviews

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/39014

Visit my publisher’s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients.

http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=92

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

View more on Rod Raglin's website »

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Published on November 23, 2014 01:20

Free and easy self-publishing – the consequences

Originally posted on Writing - the experience:

Self-publishing has become “free and easy” – the consequence is a plethora of prosaic publications.

Mistakenly, I have agreed to participate in an author review swap on Goodreads.

The mistake came after I agreed, but it was through this participation I realized the nature of the mistake. In that regard, I suppose you might say the review swap wasn’t a mistake, in that it revealed to me one of the misconceptions I’ve had about marketing and promoting my books.

Sound convoluted? I’m not surprised since it has been a circuitous route with many pitfalls fraught with ego and self-delusion.

When I signed on to the genre specific review swap on Goodreads it was with the intention of garnering a few more reviews for my books. Before you start shouting hypocrite, let me say I review all matter of books I read professionally or for enjoyment written by authors I…

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Published on October 13, 2014 14:55

Free and easy self-publishing – the consequences

Self-publishing has become “free and easy” – the consequence is a plethora of prosaic publications.

Mistakenly, I have agreed to participate in an author review swap on Goodreads.

The mistake came after I agreed, but it was through this participation I realized the nature of the mistake. In that regard, I suppose you might say the review swap wasn’t a mistake, in that it revealed to me one of the misconceptions I’ve had about marketing and promoting my books.

Sound convoluted? I’m not surprised since it has been a circuitous route with many pitfalls fraught with ego and self-delusion.

When I signed on to the genre specific review swap on Goodreads it was with the intention of garnering a few more reviews for my books. Before you start shouting hypocrite, let me say I review all matter of books I read professionally or for enjoyment written by authors I have no acquaintance with whatsoever. If I swap books with another author on the understanding that we’ll post reviews of each other’s work the assumption I make is the reviews will be honest. If you hate my book than say so, and likewise if I find your book a masterpiece that’s the review I’ll write.

For me, this is not only about integrity it’s about becoming a better writer. I learn from bad reviews. No, really, I do. After I’ve picked my ego up from the floor and dusted it off, I try to look objectively at the points made by the reviewer and, if legitimate, and at least some usually are, see where I can improve in the future.

This might not be everyone’s assumption with a review swap so I send my opinion of the book to the author to read and give them the opportunity to let me know if they’d like it posted or not. Evidently, becoming better at the craft is not that high a priority for a lot of writers. What is important apparently, is garnering positive reviews and making another $2.99 sale.

I just finished reading one book I found it so mediocre, the writing so juvenile, the plot so contrived, the characterization so clichéd, and the experience so frustrating that I will never, ever (to infinity) enter into this kind of agreement again.

This book has garnered 15 reviews on Amazon and all have been 5 stars – thus a flawless, 5 star rating. Yet the latest work by Anna Quindlen, Still Life with Breadcrumbs (1656 reviews) ranks only 4 stars, Jean Thompson’s The Year We Left Home, a National Book Award finalist (96 customer reviews) has a 3.5 star ranking, and Vincent Lam’s The Headmaster’s Wager, the winner of The ScotiaBank Giller Prize (92 customer reviews) rates 4.5 stars.

Reviews on Amazon are no indication whatsoever of the literary value of the book. But everybody already knows that, right? So what?

While simultaneously struggling to fulfill my commitment to the Goodreads group, I’ve been investigating opportunities for self-publishing other than KindleDirect. Smashwords and BookBaby both have excellent sites that offer support, promotion and marketing advice, wide distribution and are relatively easy to navigate through and, will publish your e-book free for a percentage of the sale price.

So where’s the downside?

That’s been my mistake. I assumed there would be a downside to self-publishing a really bad book, but there isn’t.

You’ve written a novel, it has a beginning, middle and end, you are mightily pleased with yourself, your wife loves it, your friends are supportive, at least to your face, and it doesn’t cost you a penny to have it electronically published and listed on Amazon – just like a real author.

And this is why we are drowning in dreck.

Unlike any other creative pursuit, or almost any other endeavor for that matter, everyone thinks they can write a novel without any specific training or practice. It’s tantamount to saying, “hey, I can run (at least a little ways), I think I’ll go in a marathon”.

The floodgates have been opened to mediocrity and it has overwhelmed us.

What makes it worse is an entire industry has sprung to support and make money from this epidemic of self-delusion. The free e-book is just the incentive, the lost leader. The money is made on the graphic cover design, the enhanced distribution network, the marketing programs, the promotional platforms – all these “necessities” that in the short run, and that’s as far as it goes, won’t make a difference (except to their bank account) because the book is garbage.

The review system established by Amazon is designed to support this plethora of prosaic publications and is so flawed as to make it worthless. Well-written books are lumped in with garbage and to distinguish between them is almost an impossible task for the reader.

There must be a better way, but until I figure it out I’ll continue to write, always striving to improve, because it’s what I enjoy most in life. I’ll continue (attempt) to publish, traditionally or on my own to give voice to issues important to me and for the validation, however illusionary, that what I write makes a connection with others.

But I will never again make the mistake of wasting my time reading bad writing in the hopes it can some how benefit mine.

I do this in full knowledge that my latest book, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic, could sure use a few positive reviews as it has yet to realize it’s first sale and it’s coming up to three months since launch.

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Published on October 12, 2014 12:20

Drowning in dreck