Al Boudreau's Blog, page 6

Seraphim

alarming loft via angel's breath

no more than a word spent to send me there

her smile stealth, though not meant as such

my heart exhumed for another chance

what sheer delight to discover thus

a shared desire, but could it be

that life-long err still deserve her love

I'll question not, pray it come to pass

exquisite grace from thee I watch

your kindness flows for all to see

and when the reaper, my life arrest

may I cease by your side, most humbly

The Mystery of Marketing

     Marketing is a very necessary component of achieving success while on the road to becoming a full-time author. However, doing so can be a tricky proposition.

     I was viewing the updates section of the wonderful, book-related site, Goodreads recently, and was fortunate enough to catch a particular post contained in a group called "Chirenjenzie." The name really caught my eye, so I gave it a further look. The tag line, "When to pimp yourself out" closed the deal for me; now I HAD to check it out. As I read, the piece resonated with me—so much so that I immediately sent an email to the individual who penned it, author Elizabeth Isaacs. I expressed to Ms. Isaacs that her words rang true to me, as my own thoughts, observations, and experiences ran somewhat parallel to her own. I also told her I was interested in using her post as a catalyst for this week's subject matter on my own blog. Elizabeth Isaacs graciously agreed. The following is her original post. 

                                                              ******************

     I don't know about you, but I'm getting a bit tired of random people friending me on Goodreads, Twitter, or Facebook only to follow up with a "so glad to meet you, please read my book" message.

     I've run into more indie writers who seem to think this is a good marketing approach. My opinion … they couldn't be more wrong. It turns people off.

     I no longer check messages on Twitter for this very reason. About 80% of the time I get a "Thanks for the follow, and read my book" message in some version or other. *sigh*

     Here's the thing. Social networking is just that. Social. We friend people because we think they are interesting and we'd like to get to know them. If they feel the same, they friend back. If they want to know more about your work, they can click on your site, they can look on your author page, and they can join your fanpage.

     I like to think of it this way: no one likes to go to an office party only to be cornered by that one person that yammers on and on about their project, their awards, blah, blah, blah… We hate it in person. Why do people think it's acceptable on the net?                

                                         

                                                              ******************

     First off, I'd like to say two things to Elizabeth Isaacs; I commend you for having the guts to express your views with conviction, and I thank you for allowing me to re-post them.

     I've noticed a growing trend lately. People are becoming increasingly annoyed with the "in-your-face" style some have employed to get the word out about their work. Strings on certain message boards have become mini battle-grounds, tiffs have broken out between a few authors, and a certain degree of back-biting has come to the fore.

     Let me join Ms. Isaacs, by taking the initiative to launch a  "friendly-fire" warning shot across the collective bow of indie and small press authors, of whose ranks I am proudly a member.

     We can do better.

     How, you ask? I'll be the first to admit, it's confusing. We all want our work to be read and embraced by the masses, hoping that sales of our books will eventually allow us to quit our day jobs, and do what we love, full-time—write. I know…there are hundreds of thousands of books out there. How do we stand out? How do we get our work noticed by those who have such a sea of choices before them?

     First, and foremost, you MUST have a great book to offer, else all other efforts are completely wasted. The methods needed to achieve this initial goal are a completely separate issue, upon which there have been volumes written. For our conversation, we'll assume your novel is the greatest work of all time, yet no one knows about it.

     Now, I've only been at this game a relatively short time. Therefore, I won't pretend to have all the answers. I know I'm not an authority, by any means. What I do have in my arsenal is common sense, humility, and the power of observation. I've surrounded myself with really smart, talented people who know their stuff. I've initiated conversations and asked questions when confused, or clueless. In doing so, I've learned a great deal, and made some wonderful friendships I know will last a lifetime.

     Along the way, I've tried to determine what works best for me. We all need to do so as our personalities and talents differ, from one writer to the next. That being said, I can't give you a step by step instruction manual of how it's done. However, what I CAN offer, is an example of a particular individual who I truly believe has it well figured out.

     Her name is L.M. Stull.

     Lisa began building an author platform over six months ago, prior to the release of any books. I say books, because she has three of them almost ready to go. I find this remarkable, and very savvy. I know, from experience, just how difficult it is to write, promote, and hold down a day job, all at the same time. It simply can't be done effectively. Lisa focused on writing her novels first. A legal secretary by day, this is quite a feat in and of itself. Her author platform presently consists of a multitude of areas, the likes of which will stagger you.

     I said I wanted to help. I never said it would be easy.

     Sit down, because these stats are mind-blowing. Lisa has a Twitter account, @LMStull, from which she has conversations with a vast number of followers—5200 followers, at last count. Another piece of the platform puzzle is her author's page, with 450 "likes." This next one really impressed me…she started on Goodreads in Sept.2010, and now had 1870 friends. Further, there is lmstull.com, where Lisa posts her own short fiction, author interviews, guest posts, etc., totalling 15 different catagories.

     But wait…I'm not done yet.

     L.M. Stull is also actively involved in writing a world-fantasy anthology called "Splintered Lands," with fellow authors, James Tallett, Walter Shuler, Sam Adamson, and E.P. Marcellin. In addition, less than two months ago, she founded Between the Lines Book Club, which features Indie and small-press authors works. In a short time, membership at BTL has grown to over 100 members.

     To put it bluntly, L.M. Stull is everywhere. The real beauty of it is this—she is, hands-down, one of the most helpful, encouraging, and genuine individuals I have ever had the pleasure of calling a friend. I constantly see Lisa drop whatever she's doing to help others on a daily basis. Myself, and a number of other friends are convinced that she wears a magic cape, or has an army of clones doing her work. In actuality, neither is true. Her fuels are passion, conviction, and simple positivity.

     Granted, there are very few of us out there who would be able to keep her schedule, or energy level, for more than a few hours straight without collapsing. My goal is not to convince you that you must become another L.M. Stull. My goal is to point out a legitimate example of how marketing is done, and done correctly.

     Lisa is a fabulous writer. I know, because I read her fantasy and flash-fiction work. Guess what? So do many thousands of other readers who have chosen to follow this remarkable individual. Want to know the kicker? You wil seldom hear L.M. Stull mention her soon-to-be-released works. Why? She doesn't have to. Lisa has built a mammoth platform, and people are literally chomping at the bit to read her work.

     That, my friends, is how you promote your books without pissing people off. I will continue to take my cues from this lovely, and talented woman. I'm truly proud of her accomplishments, and honored to call her "friend."

     Please visit both Elizabeth Isaacs, and L.M. Stull's various internet sites. I have listed both author's particulars below. As always, I would love you to weigh-in with any thoughts, comments, and opinions you might have after reading this week's post. Thank you for stopping by.

    All the best,  AB

    Elizabeth Isaacs:   Twitter  @kailmeyra

                             Blog  http://elizabethisaacs.com/blog

                             Book Blog  http://thelightofasteria.blogspot.com

                             Goodreads group -  Chirenjenzie

                             Book – The Light of Asteria 

                             Bk link -  http://amzn.com/B004PLNOJO

                             Author page – http://on.fb.me/icpeKQ

       L.M. Stull:   Twitter  @LMStull

                             Blog  http://lmstull.com

                             Books – Memoirs of a Monkey

                                           Running from Myself

                                           Oh Snap 

                             Author page – http://on.fb.me/i0AAdY

                             Splintered Lands – http://splinteredlands.com/

mommy by thea atkinson

For the month of April, fellow author, Thea Atkinson is streaking through 30 blogs and flashing us a piece of fiction. I've offered her a space today so she could expose a piece. My blog will be back to normal tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy and follow the links at the end to see who she flashed yesterday and who she will flash tomorrow. Feel free to leave a comment to let me know if you enjoyed the streak, and you are welcome to tweet it or share it on Facebook. You can also follow the chain through twitter with the hashtag #blogstreak

mommy

By Thea Atkinson

http://theaatkinson.wordpress.com/

mommy is the sun. hot, hot," she says. " don't touch that." i like her. she kisses me at night when she thinks i'm sleeping. her lips burn my forehead and the light blinds me so i can't see her face.

"Sweet beet," she calls me and then the light goes off and the sun goes away till morning.

sometimes the clouds come. it rains and blows and thunders. mommy says, "don't talk to me. leave me alone," she says and i try. but i don't like the rain. i like the sun better.

mommy is the sun. she smiles when we're in the garden and i squish a worm back into the dirt. she can make things grow. yesterday, she said i was getting bigger and i think it's because she shines best in the afternoon and that's when i need it the most. she doesn't like morning and i think that's weird because the night has been black to long. she should love morning like I do but she doesn't.

"just watch tv until mommy wakes up," she tells me. i feel bad that her face is dark but i know she'll start to shine after her coffee so i sit on the couch and wait.

mommy is the sun. she keeps me warm when i'm cold. when i shiver from the tub she wraps us both up in a big blanket and doesn't care that my hair is wet and that its soaking through her shirt. if i could do anything in the world, i would make mommy warm when she says her heart is cold.

"i just need to be alone for a little while," mommy says. she lays on the couch and closes her eyes. that's when i run to get a blanket to cover her like she does to me when i pretend to be sleeping after i've been sent to bed but have stayed up playing until i hear her come down the hall.

mommy is the sun. the sun is always there; i know it comes every day. tv says that sometimes suns get to old to shine and they get snuffed out like a candle. so i worry. i worry about mommy. if she is the sun, she could get to old to shine. that's why i want to take care of her like she does me. and i'll try not to wonder how long she's been shinng.

Apr 10  http://teacake421.livejournal.com

Apr 12 http://kvictoriasmith.blogspot.com

Platform Particulars

   This week's post is geared specifically toward my friends in the writing world. It matters not whether you're forging ahead with the indie route, or have aspirations of becoming a traditionally published author. If you're doing things correctly, the route is the same—you need a platform. For those of you saying "NO, not another piece on author platforms," let me respond by saying, I see many out there who are still querying like crazy, without building this critical component. Therefore, it bears repeating.

   If you're a non-fiction writer, building a platform involves informing potential readers of how you came by your expertise, qualifications, and credentials. One's education, background, and involvement with particular subject matter all comes into play to establish who you are within the context of your topic. In other words, people want and need to know what makes you and your expertise unique.

   For those who write fiction, you will eventually need two things—a good book, and the ability to sell it. The reason I say "eventually," is because the development of your platform should begin long before your manuscript has been given a final edit and it's ready to go. Depending on how many hours a day you'll be available to promote both you and your work, it's safe to say you'll want a minimum of six months. However, many successful authors begin building a following one to two years before their work actually becomes available.

   Some of you might be thinking, "Wait! Did he say something about promoting every day?!?" I did. Your success in becoming a "known entity" will be a slow and steady process if you're doing it right. To create an online presence, you have to show up. It takes a certain tenacity to stick with it, doing many things well, over time. You must be willing to put that time and effort in, to market both you, and your work. No one can do it for you. And don't buy into the whole concept of author's being "discovered." For all intents and purposes, overnight success is nothing more than a fallacy. In order to build a community around you and your writing, personal connections must be made, and it doesn't happen overnight. The bottom line—there are no shortcuts.

   Whether or not you realize it, agents and publishers are watching. They read what you post in your online writers groups. They track your conversations on Twitter. They notice the posted pics of you doing a keg-stand at your buddies back-yard barbecue last night. I often cringe when I read what some individuals write in their posts on Facebook. If I can see it, so can everyone else. Just like writers, agents and publishers are a tight-knit community. They talk to one another.

    You've worked hard to become a writer. Don't throw it all away by posting some foolish comment that burns every bridge around you. The way to attract an agent, or publishing house, is not by damning them up into a heap every time you turn around. Agents and publishers are career professionals with a job to do. That job involves making a profit. Who do you suppose they're going to want to represent? The writer who has worked hard daily, for months on end, having conversations with potential readers to become a known and respected entity, or the individual who schedules tweets every fifteen minute that scream "BUY MY BOOK!" I suspect you know the answer.

   A publisher, or agent, in our present environment, is likely weighing three different criteria—you, your writing, and your platform. Some won't even consider your query if you haven't developed a successful platform. Ideally, they want to work with authors who have an existing audience.

    You may not have a book available yet, but you have the ability to blog, enter writing competitions, engage in conversations with potential readers, and volunteer a bit of your time and energy to others.

    People are far more likely to purchase a book from someone they have gotten to know and can relate to than they are to pick up a complete stranger's work. Further, the cultivation of these relationships often grows into long-term friendships, opening up new perspectives and opportunities to learn from others.

     I think the watchword here is focus. We all tend to spread ourselves too thin from time to time, trying to do far more with the hours we have available than is humanly possible. Start paying more attention to building your platform. Educate, and entertain your target audience, and your work might just become too hard to resist. Excel, and you might even get the attention of someone who can't wait to represent you.

     As always, I would love you to weigh in with your thoughts, comments, and experiences, regarding this week's blog post. Thank you for stopping by, and have a wonderful week.

   All the best,  AB

It's all about you…

   This week, I'm going to ask you all to be a little selfish. Yes, I know it may sound a bit odd coming from me, but this post isn't going in the direction you might surmise. My goal…to insure that you're paying attention to those things that keep you healthy—mind, body, and spirit. As some of you may know, my girlfriend Jennifer's mom, whose name is Shirley, (lovingly known as "Mamasita") has received some devastating news about her health. (If you'd be kind enough to send her some love/positivity, it would do wonders for her.) http://tiny.cc/efh24 It got me thinking about our health, and general well-being.

   As many of us know from experience, when we aren't feeling well, physically, or emotionally, it becomes very difficult to enjoy the things in life we most cherish. Yet, I for one, don't pay too much attention when I'm feeling well. It's not until something ails me that I take action. I've decided to pay more attention to my health ALL the time.

   I know one thing for certain…we can all take better care of ourselves. Many people ignore tell-tale signs. These signals are trying to tell us that there is a problem.

   I'm going to ask you to do this for me…if there's a problem, situation, or circumstance in your world that's adversely affecting your quality of life, take action. And I don't mean tomorrow. Please do it now. I've invested a great deal of time in getting to know you all. I would consider it a personal favor if you do your best to stick around. Time to start cleaning house. Dead-end job? Stop bitching and take action! Feeling off lately? Step away from the candy bars and eat something healthy. Is there a problem with a relationship in your life? Decide today to take the first step, and have a conversation with that person.

   I've been feeling a bit physically off lately. I took the first step, and followed the advise that I'm now giving you. I went to see the doctor. After receiving a clean bill of health, my energy level and spirit have risen, due to the fact that I no longer have to wonder, or live in fear that something might be wrong. Let this week's post be a catalyst for action in your life. Take the initiative and make it happen.

   Please don't forget—we are surrounded by friends who truly care about us. I am one of those friends. You all contribute an important part of a greater whole to my world, as you do for many others. I don't want that to change. Pay attention to your well-being…be pro-active. Commit to doing what needs to be done right now then follow through. I can't stress how very important this is. And if all is right in your world, bravo! That's the kind of good news that I love to hear.

   As alway, I love your feedback, stories, and general input. Other readers also read what you have to say in these comments. Treat my blog as an open forum if you have something to share. Thank you for your continued support…take care. Take better care!

All the best,  AB

Finding Success – are you positive about that?

    This week, I'm going to address one of the most difficult hurdles along the road to success…attaining your goals while avoiding the pitfalls of negativity. Every single one of our journeys is vastly different; each of us battles unique tasks, circumstances, and challenges. However, human nature practically guarantees that no matter who we are, or what we're trying to accomplish, all human beings share certain realities that can derail our forward progress. My goal is to help you defeat the factors that can discourage, or stop you in your tracks.

    Let's start with something basic that everyone knows; The Golden Rule. No, not "He who has the gold, rules." The positive one—"Do unto to others as you would have them do unto you." Adopt this, make it a habit, and move on. Cliche' perhaps, but nothing will serve you any better in life than treating those around you with kindness and respect.

    OK—now think about this. You've invested a tremendous amount of time and energy aimed at social networking, right? Are you using it to full potential? More to the point, are you being social? It's all well and good to have a presence in as many places as you can, but there's a right way and a wrong way to go about it. I'm presently attempting to market myself as an author, and have a novel to offer readers. I've quickly learned just how many other individuals are out there with a similar aim. I've also learned that it's not enough just to plaster your pic and book cover all over the place then expect the accolades to come rolling in. Do this, and you'll be waiting a long time for anything to happen. I know you've heard this before, but it bears repeating—have conversations. Too shy? Start with me over on Twitter @threecifer. Talking to others is going to provide you with a veritable potporri of solutions to problems you didn't even know you had. I learn something new from others EVERY SINGLE DAY. That's right…people are the greatest resource out there. You'll learn new things to do and try. You'll learn what to avoid at all costs. You may even learn some new things about yourself. Best of all, when your lofty goals aren't being met nearly as quickly as you thought they might, conversations are a wonderful distraction from becoming too disappointed—which leads me to my next point.

    The formal definition of "project" is: to devise a specific plan or design in the mind. My definition: to decide ahead of time how the future will unfold, only to be needlessly disappointed, time after time after time, ad infinitum. Three simple words on this terrible habit most of us have picked up somewhere along the road—stop doing it. I made a conscious decision to stop projecting many years ago. It was difficult at first, but once I trained myself not to count on an unrealistic outcome for my future, two things happened; I started to appreciate each day much more, and I found a deeper degree of happiness in my life. This is not to say "Don't have a plan." Rather, do the best you can in each moment, and work slowly and carefully toward your goals, without "counting on" a specific outcome. You will be amazed at what a difference this may make in your life. The late, self-help guru, Robert Collier, once said, "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." Genius!

    The next item may be dependent on your financial status. I am painfully aware that many people are struggling just to put food on the table in this trying economic atmosphere. However, if you are able, nothing feels better than to give back. This one is a deeply personal issue. For me, it just feels right to help others, whenever possible. Presently, I'm donating the royalties of my book sales to the Japan relief efforts. They need the money far more than I do. My reward…I still get the distinct pleasure of having someone new read my work, while making a small difference. When combined with the efforts of others, these gestures add up to big numbers and contribute to the greater good. As an alternative, you might donate your time or skills. A number of fellow indie author friends have each written a short piece to include in a compilation, entitled "With Love" http://tiny.cc/b0fp9 , the proceeds of which will also be donated to Japan relief efforts. (Please support them and their work.) Another fantastic way to give—help someone who is already helping others. Giving a well-established individual, or organization an assist will not only turbo-charge their efforts, it will fill you up and perhaps even get you and your work noticed at the same time.

    A few other suggestions to hopefully take you over the top on your quest for success. Do something nice for someone you barely know, or don't know at all. The universe has a funny way of bringing positive energy back around to those who are generous in putting it out there to begin with. Besides, it's just the right thing to do. Also, don't forget to carry promotional materials with you AT ALL TIMES. You never know who you might hand a bookmark or card to, who, in turn, makes a remarkable difference in your world.

    I sincerely hope these suggestions will be helpful along your personal road to achieving your goals and attaining success. Do you have any tips or methods that have worked in your life? I'd love you to share any advice, or comments you might have with me and other readers. Thank you for visiting.

    All the best,  AB

On being "Psych-cessful"

    This week, I'm going to address one of the most difficult hurdles along the road to success…attaining your goals while avoiding the pitfalls of negativity. Every single one of our journeys is vastly different; each of us battles unique tasks, circumstances, and challenges. However, human nature practically guarantees that no matter who we are, or what we're trying to accomplish, all human beings share certain realities that can derail our forward progress. My goal is to help you defeat the factors that can discourage, or stop you in your tracks.

    Let's start with something basic that everyone knows; The Golden Rule. No, not "He who has the gold, rules." The positive one—"Do unto to others as you would have them do unto you." Adopt this, make it a habit, and move on. Cliche' perhaps, but nothing will serve you any better in life than treating those around you with kindness and respect.

    OK—now think about this. You've invested a tremendous amount of time and energy aimed at social networking, right? Are you using it to full potential? More to the point, are you being social? It's all well and good to have a presence in as many places as you can, but there's a right way and a wrong way to go about it. I'm presently attempting to market myself as an author, and have a novel to offer readers. I've quickly learned just how many other individuals are out there with a similar aim. I've also learned that it's not enough just to plaster your pic and book cover all over the place then expect the accolades to come rolling in. Do this, and you'll be waiting a long time for anything to happen. I know you've heard this before, but it bears repeating—have conversations. Too shy? Start with me over on Twitter @threecifer. Talking to others is going to provide you with a veritable potporri of solutions to problems you didn't even know you had. I learn something new from others EVERY SINGLE DAY. That's right…people are the greatest resource out there. You'll learn new things to do and try. You'll learn what to avoid at all costs. You may even learn some new things about yourself. Best of all, when your lofty goals aren't being met nearly as quickly as you thought they might, conversations are a wonderful distraction from becoming too disappointed—which leads me to my next point.

    The formal definition of "project" is: to devise a specific plan or design in the mind. My definition: to decide ahead of time how the future will unfold, only to be needlessly disappointed, time after time after time, ad infinitum. Three simple words on this terrible habit most of us have picked up somewhere along the road—stop doing it. I made a conscious decision to stop projecting many years ago. It was difficult at first, but once I trained myself not to count on an unrealistic outcome for my future, two things happened; I started to appreciate each day much more, and I found a deeper degree of happiness in my life. This is not to say "Don't have a plan." Rather, do the best you can in each moment, and work slowly and carefully toward your goals, without "counting on" a specific outcome. You will be amazed at what a difference this may make in your life. The late, self-help guru, Robert Collier, once said, "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." Genius!

    The next item may be dependent on your financial status. I am painfully aware that many people are struggling just to put food on the table in this trying economic atmosphere. However, if you are able, nothing feels better than to give back. This one is a deeply personal issue. For me, it just feels right to help others, whenever possible. Presently, I'm donating the royalties of my book sales to the Japan relief efforts. They need the money far more than I do. My reward…I still get the distinct pleasure of having someone new read my work, while making a small difference. When combined with the efforts of others, these gestures add up to big numbers and contribute to the greater good. As an alternative, you might donate your time or skills. A number of fellow indie author friends have each written a short piece to include in a compilation, entitled "With Love" http://tiny.cc/b0fp9 , the proceeds of which will also be donated to Japan relief efforts. (Please support them and their work.) Another fantastic way to give—help someone who is already helping others. Giving a well-established individual, or organization an assist will not only turbo-charge their efforts, it will fill you up and perhaps even get you and your work noticed at the same time.

    A few other suggestions to hopefully take you over the top on your quest for success. Do something nice for someone you barely know, or don't know at all. The universe has a funny way of bringing positive energy back around to those who are generous in putting it out there to begin with. Besides, it's just the right thing to do. Also, don't forget to carry promotional materials with you AT ALL TIMES. You never know who you might hand a bookmark or card to, who, in turn, makes a remarkable difference in your world.

    I sincerely hope these suggestions will be helpful along your personal road to achieving your goals and attaining success. Do you have any tips or methods that have worked in your life? I'd love you to share any advice, or comments you might have with me and other readers. Thank you for visiting.

    All the best,  AB

An Interview with L.M.Stull

     This week, I have turned the tables on excellent friend and author, L.M. Stull, by taking the questionaire she's developed to interview fellow authors, and asking her the very same questions. I think you will really enjoy getting to know her a bit better.                                                                      

                                                               

When did you first know you wanted to write a book?  About a year ago.  I never really thought of myself as a novelist.  I wrote and got published with some short stories and poems when I was younger.   I went to a book signing last year and got to chatting with the author about writing.  She said "you should totally get back into writing.  Write a book!"  For some reason it all made sense.  I felt kind of silly, really, when she said it—I mean, why hadn't I thought of that!  So, I went home that night and for the first time in over 10 years opened a journal and wrote.  The end result?  A 5,000 word short story called My Vintage Rose (which should be available for reading with Romance Stories Magazine this month).  After that the creative juices could not be stopped.  In 3.5 months I wrote my debut novel.  Took a week off and started Nano, where I wrote a novella.  Waited a week after that and started my latest WIP.  It has been an exciting journey.  One that I hope will never end.

 

Are you a traditionally published author or indie?  Indie.  Indie.  Indie.

 

What made you decide this route?  Control.  I am a control freak and I'll gladly admit it.  I like to come up with my own plan.  Not to say I don't appreciate advice from others, but I'm not a mainstream kinda girl.  I like to be different and take chances.  So, naturally, the indie route appealed to me right off the bat.  I have no desire to be traditionally published.  There is nothing wrong with going that route, but it's just not for me. 

What was your biggest resource of information as an indie author?  Twitter brought the entire writing world to my fingertips.  I have met thousands of writers, all of whom have been willing to share their experiences thus far with me.  Also, I have to say the members of the Indie Book Collective.  When I was just a newbie on twitter they took me in, chatted with me and helped me get my platform going.  For that, I will always be their fan.

How many novels have you had published, or is this your debut?  This will be my debut!  EEP!

What genre do your write in?  You just had to ask this, didn't you?  This is one of the hardest questions for me to answer.  My writing style generally crosses over several genres.  So, here is what mine is called: paranormal romance that will make you laugh, full of cliff hangers and oh, yeah has some sex.  There's a section at Barnes & Noble named that, right?  I guess the main genres would be horror and paranormal romance.  The novella I wrote during NaNo is most certainly a horror/suspense.  My longer writing tends to be laced with more humor and action, while ironically my shorter pieces tend to be more dark and demented. 

Tell us a little bit about your latest novel (or upcoming novel)?  Here is the synopsis for Memoirs of a Monkey:

Samantha Bowden was born and raised in the Nation's Capital.  As a young, energetic writer, everything seemed to be going right in her world when she was offered a junior writing position in the Marketing Department of a very prestigious invention firm.  As she tries everything to get recognition from her new boss, it becomes apparent that most of the executives at You Name It, We Made It are not what they seem to be. Samantha sets off to find out what is going on, but will she regret learning about the creatures she calls coworkers?  In her quest to succeed in one of America's deadliest offices, she finds herself on a hilarious, sexy and action-packed journey to find the truth of just about everything in her life.

                                                                   

There is a snippet on my site, but several chapters will be available as part of final pre-release push over this next month.

 

Which of your characters do you most relate with?  Samatha Bowden.  She is a fictional version of me. 

Where did the inspiration for this book come from?  My work.  Memoirs of a Monkey was originally going to be a memoir about me and the somewhat ridiculous office I work in.  But, that just seemed too boring.  Sitting at my desk, after having kind of a rough day, I wondered why some executives had to be so mean.  I thought to myself wouldn't it be funny if they all turned out to be monsters?!  And there you have it, my debut was born.  It was decided that I would take some of the funny things that happen at my job, use them in the book and add a paranormal spin to it.  Everyone wants to know about the banana and the monkey in the title – I can tell you it is a play on words, the book is not actually about a monkey.  The rest, well, you'll figure it out when you read it.   

Did you know the title before you started writing, or did it come to you later?  Yes, definitely knew it before.

Is there a message in your novel you wish for the reader to grasp?  Not really into messages and deeper meanings.  I like that in other books, but that's just not what my writing is about.  If you want to sit down, laugh and escape reality, my books are for you.

If you could use only FIVE words to persuade us to read your book, what would they be?  Caution: This book may entertain. What? I don't know, it was the first thing that popped into my head.  So, that's what you're getting.

What do you find are the biggest obstacles to overcome when writing a novel?  I don't really have a problem writing a novel.  If I have an idea and plot it, it will be written.  BUT THE EDITING….GODDD THE EDITING.  Phew, not the fun part of writing for me AT ALL.  But, it is a necessary evil.

For those writers who have not yet completed their first novel, what advice would you give them?  Stick with it, even on the days when you are filled with self-doubt and hate every word ever created.  Remember to go at your own pace and have fun with it!

What famous writer would you most compare yourself to and why?  Oh boy.  I guess I am most like Charlaine Harris, with a little bit of Sophie Kinsella in the mix. Those ladies are awesome and I'll never be as wonderful as them, but I'll keep trying.

What is one book (besides one of your own) that you think everyone should read?  The Reivers by William Faulkner. 

What book are your currently reading?  Three actually:  Train of Consequence by Tom Jarvis, The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester, and Light in August by William Faulkner (I am a HUGE Faulkner fan, can you tell?)

eBook or hard copy, or do you not have a preference?  Definitely hard copy.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Nook Color, but nothing will ever replace the feel of an actual book in your hands. 

Have any new and upcoming authors caught your eye?  YES two: Robert James Russell, who recently published Sex Scene: An Anthology and has The Mating Habits of College Girls coming out soon! Everything he writes is absolutely amazing and I mean EVERYTHING.  The other is Andrew Mocete and Monster Inside Me, write hard Andrew, I can't wait to read it!

If you were a superhero what would your name be?  Nutty monkey.  A friend of mine gave me this name and well, I hate to admit it, but I kinda like it.

Favorite writing snack? It used to be wine and fruit snacks and now it has turned into hot cider and scones. 

Are you a plotter or a panster?  Both actually.  I plot the basic outline of a story using index cards and then panster my way through the rest of it. 

Have you ever thought of a great opening chapter and a devilish closing chapter but just can't work out how to get from one to the other?  Not yet.

What kind of routines to you keep when writing ( i.e., exercise, food, chores, etc.)?  I try to set aside at least an hour a day to write, exercise and read.  Sometimes I do more, sometimes less.  Having a schedule helps me.  Mornings are usually exercise. Evening is writing and then reading right before bed.

What current project are you working on?  When I'm not working on those blasted edits for my debut (I'm almost done by the way – it's been going a bit slower than anticipated – but, it's going).  I am working on a novel calls Oh Snap!  I am 15 chapters in and have to say this is my favorite character so far and might be my favorite book.  EVER.  For some reason, I am finding myself really at one with the main character Bradford Brook.  Here is the synopsis of it:

Meet Bradford Brook.  Brad is pretty down on his luck right now.  He can't seem to catch a break. No job, no girlfriend and parents who are sick and tired of loaning him money.  To help pay the bills, Brad takes a job at a local thrift store.  One day a new donation comes in: a camera.  Brad is drawn to it.  He has to have it.  When he picks it up and looks through the lens, he discovers a world he didn't even know existed.  Creatures roam the streets secretly wreaking havoc.  Brad  learns that this camera and it's magical powers will help him stop the evil that is threatening to take over our world.  Only one problem remains: it doesn't pay very well.  Brad will juggle his mundane job as a thrift store cashier by day with being a supernatural hunter by night in this undeniably funny, action-packed journey of one photographer just trying to make his mark.

Can you share any of it with us?  Sure, the first four chapters are up on my website and will probably be releasing the next few this week.

Tell us a funny unknown fact about yourself.  I'm petrified of deer.  Yup.  Can't stand them.  Those big dopey eyes.  TOTALLY FREAKS ME OUT!

 

BIO:

Originally a Washington, DC native, L.M. Stull now resides in Southern Virginia. She has always been a creative person and studied classical piano and dance from a young age.

During the day you will find her chained to a desk at a law firm. Yes, she works for lawyers. Now you understand why she writes about creatures . . . Boom! At night she channels her inner creative monster and writes (sorry, she doesn't turn into a werewolf or anything).

Her debut paranormal romance novel, Memoirs of a Monkey, will be published by Black Kettle Publishing Spring 2011.

When she's not writing or feverishly taking orders from attorneys, she laces up and runs (and sometimes drinks wine…yeah, okay maybe more than sometimes).

There are several ways you can go about stalking her on the web if your little heart so desires:Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads (Hint: she'll totally think you're awesome if you add her upcoming books to your to-read pile) and of course her really cool Website.  She also runs the Fellow Writer's Group on Facebook.

L.M. is also the founder of Between the Lines, a book club who is proud to feature the writings of independent and small press authors.  For information on membership and how to become a contributing author, visit their website.  You can also connect with them on Twitter and Facebook.

Thank you, Lisa, for giving me the priviledge of hosting your interview.

Writing-What's your motivation?

    I'm going to go out on a limb this week and start the post with an opinion; ones motivation has a direct correlaton with fulfillment. We all have reasons for our pursuits. My belief is quite simple. If you do something for the right reason, that something is, in and of itself, your reward.

    Our motivations can be as varied as our individual personalities. However, there are two motives that I consider to be on opposite ends of the spectrum—passion, and money. And though it's certainly appropriate to chase after a dream for both reasons, successfully achieving this goal is elusive indeed. I know a handful of people who can lay claim to both in a singular pursuit, but their numbers are sparse. Therefore, I will treat them as separate entities.

    My goal is to write fiction full-time, but the following discussion could certainly apply to any career. Suffice to say, I'm not independently wealthy. Therefore, I must continue on with my present, full-time career for now. The bills must be paid. As a result, I rise at 5 AM most mornings and retire around 11:30 PM most evenings. I utilize as many of these early and late night hours as I can writing, editing, etc.

    My motivation is passion. 

    I have a fellow writer friend who we will call "Steve" for the purposes of this article. Steve truly believes he will  excel in his new endeavor by churning out novel after novel. Granted, he is a very prolific author and a good one. His journey on the writer's road is at roughly the same point as my own. It's just beginning.

    His motivation is money.

    Our initial goals are one and the same … to become successful authors. After that, the similarities end. Don't get me wrong—I do wish to be compensated financially for my writing. This is an objective of most career choices, but it's not my motivation. And Steve does indeed like to write. He just wishes for a career that's not too strenuous, carries a certain level of prestige, and promises a lucrative windfall. Steve makes no bones about it. His most prominent concern is the money. Ha!

    Thus begins the meat and potatoes of this weeks post, ladies and gentlemen.

    I'll state right up front that my friend is well aware of my stance, as we have debated this topic at length. He respects my view and has given me his blessing to use our differences of opinion and outlook for my blog post. In deference to him, let me start with his perspective.

    Steve's ebook went live roughly the same time as my own and has sold equally as well. Yet, he is very disappointed with his numbers so far. My guesstimate is that he checks his sales a minimum of 16 to 18 times a day. He then complains that more people should be buying his book. After all, he certainly pushes it enough. I'm sure it appears on Twitter at least forty times per day. However, I've yet to see him immersed in a conversation that wasn't about his book. He is very aggressive with promotion, making sure his novel pops up everywhere. Steve will tell you how hard he has worked to write a great book and that people owe him a read. Personally, I feel he's achieved great success thus far. It's not enough for Steve.

    It will never be enough.

    He is constantly stressed out and discouraged. Personally, I fear Steve will wash out of this new career as things just aren't happening fast enough. He sprinted off from the starting blocks and is now looking a tad bit winded.

    My journey, approach, and experience differs greatly from Steve's. Though I've certainly encountered stressful days, my experience has been one of pleasure and excitement. I wrote my novel because the subject matter fought its way out of my soul and on to the electronic page. My work is an extension of my voice and my feelings concerning topics that I'm passionate about. Completing my book was victory number one. Unlike Steve, I feel a brand new victory every day, every time someone chooses to give my novel a shot. I'm truly humbled by it, as these people owe me nothing.

    Many of the folks who have been kind enough to support my work are those who I've developed a relationship with. Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and the like have been a virtual joy for me. The people I've been fortunate enough to interact with have been kind and giving. If and when they choose to check out my work, it will be just that…their choice, not a favor I've asked or some sort of coercion. Granted, it may be a form of marketing to talk shop with fellow authors, and I certainly wish for my work to be read, but I'll not ask for their time. It belongs to them. Friendship is the goal and passion its motivation.

    Lead with passion and you may find people identify with you and relate to your work. Passion is an energy that's undeniable and contagious. I'm not saying that I don't promote my book directly—I certainly do. I just try to do so gradually, so as not to overwhelm those who use social media for just that—being social. I truly value the connections and friendships I'm making along the way. My book is definitely going to come along for the ride. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm in this for the long haul. It's a marathon for me. I'll continue to pace myself and enjoy the scenery. There will be highs and there will be lows. I'm OK with that.

    I'm not in this for the fame or the glory…I'm in it because I love it and because I want to be heard.

    Are you listening Steve?

    As always, I welcome any comments, feelings and input you may have after reading this weeks post. Thank you for taking the time to visit. I'm @threecifer on Twitter. By all means, give me a shout if the feeling moves you.

    All the best, AB

Diss-Stress

     I'll begin this weeks post with a two words … stress kills. We all have varying degrees of this nasty scourge in our lives, but have you ever considered this? We manufacture a great deal of it ourselves. Headaches, panic attacks, and that constant state of feeling overwhelmed are sure signs that you've taken on too much responsibility. Now, anyone in their right mind wouldn't consciously load up with something they're adversely affected by, right?

     Wrong.

     Granted, most of us don't wake up in the morning and say, "Gee … what can I do today to cause myself harm? However, whether or not we realize it, a certain percentage of the stress we feel each day is self-induced. Don't believe me? Let me give you an example. Are you, or is someone you know, a "joiner." I speak from experience on this one. Induction into one writers group is good, so two must be twice as good … and you join the second. How is that working out? Honestly, I knew it was a mistake the moment I did it. The reason? There just aren't enough hours in the day to actively participate in both. I did it anyways. Time to change course.

     As a writer with a full-time day job, I'm painfully aware that you can only burn a candle at both ends for a finite amount of time, before all you have left is a flaming puddle of wax remaining. Taken literally, one may end up with a hellacious mess to clean up. In real life, what you figuratively have on your hands is a meltdown. Let's try to figure out a solution before that happens. After all, running yourself ragged and becoming ill helps no one—especially you.

     The first thing that's so important to remember is this … it's all about the journey. We must learn to slow down and take it all in. A failure here almost insures that down the road, you'll wonder where the time went while remaining a considerable distance from your goal. As counter-intuitive as it seems, sometimes less is more. Make a list of your commitments. Don't bother to include family, or paying the bills. These are obviously a given and are non-negotiable. As for everything else, let's try to find some things on the list to cull.

     First, put a little star next to the things that bring you the most joy and also serve a purpose. These are the activities you'll definitely keep. For instance, I enjoy the dual purpose of Twitter. I get to meet and interact with some tremendously friendly, gifted, intelligent people while making this on-line society aware that I have a novel to offer for their consumption. I do my best to balance the social/promotional aspect of this activity and truly enjoy myself in the process.

     Next, look at the remaining items before you. Put a check mark next to those that you don't quite enjoy, but are necessary for the successful advancement of your goals. Editing is one item on my own list that instantly comes to mind. It's not my favorite activity, yet, the process is imperative if there's any hope of producing a solid work. These items also stay.

     At this juncture, the remainder of said list will be subject to the cull. This is where we play stress-buster. I began with my blog. As it turns out, I had placed undue stress upon myself by thinking it was necessary to have something fresh on there every day or two. My solution—quality versus quantity. I decided to post two pieces, once a week. One is this very post that you've been kind enough to visit, where I share my experiences with you. The other; a creative writing exercise. I produce a flash fiction work from a prompt that I request from fellow writers. I write both pieces on Saturday for post on Sunday. This decision immediately alleviated stress from my life, turning a self-imposed chore into something I now look forward to and enjoy immensely. Writing is my passion, yet I had turned it into a nightmare by inadvertently overdoing it. Common sense? Yes. Easy to see. No. Sometimes we're just too close to see the forest for the trees.  

     Here's another suggestion that may prove helpful. The items that you put a check next to on the list—schedule them so they're completed first. This way, only the tasks with stars next to them remain. Leave these for last, as they're the activities you enjoy. Regard these items as a reward for completing the chores first. This way, you always have something at the end of your hard work to look forward to. Seems simple, right? Some of you are already doing this. I'm willing to bet many are not.

     Here are a few more common-sense maneuvers you might try in order to succeed in being less stressed-out. If you engage in an activity that requires your undivided attention, give it the respect it deserves. Shut the music off. Turn off the television or the computer. Silence the cell phone and leave it in the other room. Your improved focus will increase your efficiency, which in turn will reduce stress. It's a matter of initiating good habits versus the bad ones you may have picked up along the way.

     Maybe you've developed an unhealthy obsession. I know some writer friends who check their sales stats constantly over the course of any given day. A watched pot never boils, but you do it, regardless. How stressful. Stop. Try having a conversation with a fellow author instead. Perhaps you could give them some assistance in the form of a promotional tweet, or post a review of their work you enjoyed. Not only will this distract you from staring at the sales page, but you'll likely feel fulfilled when the individual you help shows you love in return for your kind gesture. You may be amazed at what a fantastic stress eraser this can become.

     Yup … you may very well have driven yourself into this veritable mud bath of stress. Hook your common sense winch onto that classy chassis of yours and pull yourself out. Adjust your repertoire and kiss that stress goodbye.

     We're all human and spreading ourselves too thin is one of the easiest mistakes to make. Give yourself a break. Realize that you can't do it all. Complaining about it is a good vent, but does little in the way of alleviating stress. Take action.

     Do you have any comments or ideas on the subject? I'm always thrilled to hear what you have to say. I sincerely hope the ideas put forth in this post will help you live a more stress-free life.

All the best,  AB