Cardeno C.'s Blog, page 83
October 10, 2015
My views on expert views, by Renae Kaye
Someone emailed me the other day – a Real Life friend – and she just said to me, “How are you travelling?”
Oh, man. I didn’t know where to start. There is so much stuff that is bogging me down lately that I knew that if I started typing an answer, it would turn into a novel. And not the sort of novel you want to read from me. So I just typed back, “Doing okay. Thank you for checking. See you Sunday.”
I lied.
There are things that are happening in life that are throwing me for a loop. From my husband’s never ending health problems which we don’t seem to be solving, to the nasty mother at school who decided to spread unfounded rumours about my child without checking facts. One I pray to God for a solution about. The other one I pray to God that I can be the bigger person. I hear jail is tough.
I’m human. I try hard at life, and sometimes I can’t help but cause hurt. I have an acquaintance-friend who once confessed to me that she was writing an autobiographical account about the ill treatment she received while she was a practicing priest. She told me a while back, after I had signed my first contract with my publisher, but before my book was released. At that stage I was adamant that I was going to live in the author-closet forever, so I listened and asked questions about her book, but I didn’t share my secret.
Then she found out. I was put on the spot, and I confessed the truth to a group who were asking me about my future. She was one of the group. I felt awful. Her book is still being written two-and-a-half years down the track, and here I was admitting I had numerous novels published. She has two publishers interested in her finished book, but I could see my news was a little hurtful. I’m sorry. I really am sorry for that.
But there is something else that’s bothering me, and getting me down.
Let me tell you a little story that will help illustrate:
When I was pregnant with my first child, I was determined to do everything right. I read books. I borrowed books from the library. I read blog posts. I read news articles. I filled myself with knowledge. My son was born and I was so proud of him. I wanted to breastfeed, and those two things on my chest were supposed to help with that. I’d read all the information about breastfeeding and had even attended twodifferent classes on the subject. I was set.
But then the midwife came in and showed me a different technique than the books and classes. “No, dear. This will help.” She got up close and personal with my equipment, and manhandled my baby in a way that alarmed me, but was adamant that this was how to feed. I tried and tried her way, and it didn’t work. I was frustrated.
Eight hours later a new midwife arrived for her shift and sat with me. She showed me hertechnique. It worked brilliantly. I confidently fed my newborn. The midwife patted me on leg and told me I was doing great.
Eight hours later another midwife swept into the room with a sunny smile. She chirped at me, “They tell me you’re having trouble breastfeeding. I’m here to help.” That just pricked my proud balloon. It was news to me that I was having trouble – was I really? If they said so, I must be, because they’re the experts after all. What did I know?
Halfway through the third midwife’s demonstration I dissolved into tears. I was crap at this. I was bad. I was wrong. I was a bad mummy.
The midwife wisely backed off and left the room. After I had mopped the tears up, I looked down at my baby. He was fine. I was fine. I just needed faith in me.
My son and I muddled through the breastfeeding problems over the next weeks. I cried with pain at the engorgements, he cried with hunger when my supply dropped if I wasn’t drinking enough water, and we both cried when we got thrush – him in his mouth, me on my breasts. Ouch. But there was more happiness than problems. Soon we were experts. Meal times could be finished in a matter of minutes in all sorts of odd places: scrunched in the back of a car pulled over on the side of the road, huddling under a tarpaulin in the rain, in the middle of a dinner party, at church, in bed, even while I put the washing on the line.
Two years later my second child came along. I was the world-weary second-time mum. I remember the midwife coming into my room on the second day. I was sitting up in bed cuddling my sleeping baby. She smiled. “How’s the breastfeeding going?”
“Fine,” I replied. “No problems. She feeds well.”
The midwife shot me a slightly disbelieving look. “Show me.”
I rolled my eyes. Yes, I knew she probably had people lie to her all the time, but my baby was asleep. I sighed, woke my child, yanked up my top, and offered up a meal. My daughter grabbed it with delight and began nursing.
The midwife smiled sheepishly, and probably somewhat apologetically, and nodded. “Good.” She marked something on the chart and left me alone.
What had changed? Me.
I think the world of publishing, authoring and writing is a bit like this. At the moment I’m the first-time mother, confused and wanting to do the “right” thing by my babies. I read lots of different opinions on how to market my book, how to build a website, how to build a readership, how to blog, how to self-publish, how to write the perfect book, etc. Everyone has an opinion on how I should do it. And most of it is contradictory. One piece of advice tells me I’m doing great, the next tells me I’m all wrong this is how I should do it.
And I’m the emotional train wreck in the middle.
Everyone rushes in to tell me what worked for them, but just like breastfeeding, different techniques work for different people. Techniques to sell a book depend on the book and on the audience. I watch and observe others, and it’s all so confusing. I see good books do badly, and bad books do well. And that hurts. I feel for the good authors who can’t get a break, the readers who are taken in by the pretty advertising and end up with a book that is crappy, and most of all I wonder where all this leaves me.
Knowledgeable writers tell me not to “shout” at my audience – don’t flood the social media outlets with my cover and the same blurb/blog over and over again, as it turns readers off. I agree. Yet I watch authors successfully use this technique and sell.
I’ve been told I need to blog for two years before people will listen to me. I’ve been told my website needs to x, y and z before it’s useful to readers. I’ve been told that free stories are the only way to sell your non-free stories. I’ve been told you need to do and minimum of thirty stops on a blog tour in order to get your message out. I’ve been told I need a newsletter, G+, twitter, Instagram, Facebook, tumblr, Pinterest AND Youtube – and update them daily. I’ve been told I need to self-publish.
I’m in information overload and it all seems too hard.
So just like the time in the hospital where I realised that no matter what the midwife thought, I was doing the right thing for me, I need to remind myself that what worked for that famous- or not-so-famous-author isn’t necessarily the way I need to go.
I write this blog for anyone who feels the same. You may be an author or a reader. But you need to apply this to your life.
Just yesterday I had the discussion with my mother about university degrees. When I was growing up, getting a degree was the ultimate for my parents – they pushed all of us kids toward it, and encourage us to make our children go to university too. One of my nephews struggled at school, and was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was eleven. For five years of his schooling they’d missed diagnosing it, and by then he was so far behind he had little chance of catching up. And it was too late to engage him. He left school at 15.
Ten years later and he works a trade. His hourly rate of pay is double that of his older brother who has post graduate qualifications and is working on his doctorate. My mother has come to the realisation that a degree isn’t a mark of success, and money isn’t a mark of happiness. For one nephew he’s working forensic science and loving it, the other is a welder and loving it. The same genes, the same opportunities, two different paths, two different sets of satisfaction.
So be bold, people. Go forth and walk the path that you want to walk, regardless of what the so-called experts say. And this blog is now here to remind me that so will I.
Oh, man. I didn’t know where to start. There is so much stuff that is bogging me down lately that I knew that if I started typing an answer, it would turn into a novel. And not the sort of novel you want to read from me. So I just typed back, “Doing okay. Thank you for checking. See you Sunday.”
I lied.
There are things that are happening in life that are throwing me for a loop. From my husband’s never ending health problems which we don’t seem to be solving, to the nasty mother at school who decided to spread unfounded rumours about my child without checking facts. One I pray to God for a solution about. The other one I pray to God that I can be the bigger person. I hear jail is tough.
I’m human. I try hard at life, and sometimes I can’t help but cause hurt. I have an acquaintance-friend who once confessed to me that she was writing an autobiographical account about the ill treatment she received while she was a practicing priest. She told me a while back, after I had signed my first contract with my publisher, but before my book was released. At that stage I was adamant that I was going to live in the author-closet forever, so I listened and asked questions about her book, but I didn’t share my secret.
Then she found out. I was put on the spot, and I confessed the truth to a group who were asking me about my future. She was one of the group. I felt awful. Her book is still being written two-and-a-half years down the track, and here I was admitting I had numerous novels published. She has two publishers interested in her finished book, but I could see my news was a little hurtful. I’m sorry. I really am sorry for that.
But there is something else that’s bothering me, and getting me down.
Let me tell you a little story that will help illustrate:
When I was pregnant with my first child, I was determined to do everything right. I read books. I borrowed books from the library. I read blog posts. I read news articles. I filled myself with knowledge. My son was born and I was so proud of him. I wanted to breastfeed, and those two things on my chest were supposed to help with that. I’d read all the information about breastfeeding and had even attended twodifferent classes on the subject. I was set.
But then the midwife came in and showed me a different technique than the books and classes. “No, dear. This will help.” She got up close and personal with my equipment, and manhandled my baby in a way that alarmed me, but was adamant that this was how to feed. I tried and tried her way, and it didn’t work. I was frustrated.
Eight hours later a new midwife arrived for her shift and sat with me. She showed me hertechnique. It worked brilliantly. I confidently fed my newborn. The midwife patted me on leg and told me I was doing great.
Eight hours later another midwife swept into the room with a sunny smile. She chirped at me, “They tell me you’re having trouble breastfeeding. I’m here to help.” That just pricked my proud balloon. It was news to me that I was having trouble – was I really? If they said so, I must be, because they’re the experts after all. What did I know?
Halfway through the third midwife’s demonstration I dissolved into tears. I was crap at this. I was bad. I was wrong. I was a bad mummy.
The midwife wisely backed off and left the room. After I had mopped the tears up, I looked down at my baby. He was fine. I was fine. I just needed faith in me.
My son and I muddled through the breastfeeding problems over the next weeks. I cried with pain at the engorgements, he cried with hunger when my supply dropped if I wasn’t drinking enough water, and we both cried when we got thrush – him in his mouth, me on my breasts. Ouch. But there was more happiness than problems. Soon we were experts. Meal times could be finished in a matter of minutes in all sorts of odd places: scrunched in the back of a car pulled over on the side of the road, huddling under a tarpaulin in the rain, in the middle of a dinner party, at church, in bed, even while I put the washing on the line.
Two years later my second child came along. I was the world-weary second-time mum. I remember the midwife coming into my room on the second day. I was sitting up in bed cuddling my sleeping baby. She smiled. “How’s the breastfeeding going?”
“Fine,” I replied. “No problems. She feeds well.”
The midwife shot me a slightly disbelieving look. “Show me.”
I rolled my eyes. Yes, I knew she probably had people lie to her all the time, but my baby was asleep. I sighed, woke my child, yanked up my top, and offered up a meal. My daughter grabbed it with delight and began nursing.
The midwife smiled sheepishly, and probably somewhat apologetically, and nodded. “Good.” She marked something on the chart and left me alone.
What had changed? Me.
I think the world of publishing, authoring and writing is a bit like this. At the moment I’m the first-time mother, confused and wanting to do the “right” thing by my babies. I read lots of different opinions on how to market my book, how to build a website, how to build a readership, how to blog, how to self-publish, how to write the perfect book, etc. Everyone has an opinion on how I should do it. And most of it is contradictory. One piece of advice tells me I’m doing great, the next tells me I’m all wrong this is how I should do it.
And I’m the emotional train wreck in the middle.
Everyone rushes in to tell me what worked for them, but just like breastfeeding, different techniques work for different people. Techniques to sell a book depend on the book and on the audience. I watch and observe others, and it’s all so confusing. I see good books do badly, and bad books do well. And that hurts. I feel for the good authors who can’t get a break, the readers who are taken in by the pretty advertising and end up with a book that is crappy, and most of all I wonder where all this leaves me.
Knowledgeable writers tell me not to “shout” at my audience – don’t flood the social media outlets with my cover and the same blurb/blog over and over again, as it turns readers off. I agree. Yet I watch authors successfully use this technique and sell.
I’ve been told I need to blog for two years before people will listen to me. I’ve been told my website needs to x, y and z before it’s useful to readers. I’ve been told that free stories are the only way to sell your non-free stories. I’ve been told you need to do and minimum of thirty stops on a blog tour in order to get your message out. I’ve been told I need a newsletter, G+, twitter, Instagram, Facebook, tumblr, Pinterest AND Youtube – and update them daily. I’ve been told I need to self-publish.
I’m in information overload and it all seems too hard.
So just like the time in the hospital where I realised that no matter what the midwife thought, I was doing the right thing for me, I need to remind myself that what worked for that famous- or not-so-famous-author isn’t necessarily the way I need to go.
I write this blog for anyone who feels the same. You may be an author or a reader. But you need to apply this to your life.
Just yesterday I had the discussion with my mother about university degrees. When I was growing up, getting a degree was the ultimate for my parents – they pushed all of us kids toward it, and encourage us to make our children go to university too. One of my nephews struggled at school, and was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was eleven. For five years of his schooling they’d missed diagnosing it, and by then he was so far behind he had little chance of catching up. And it was too late to engage him. He left school at 15.
Ten years later and he works a trade. His hourly rate of pay is double that of his older brother who has post graduate qualifications and is working on his doctorate. My mother has come to the realisation that a degree isn’t a mark of success, and money isn’t a mark of happiness. For one nephew he’s working forensic science and loving it, the other is a welder and loving it. The same genes, the same opportunities, two different paths, two different sets of satisfaction.
So be bold, people. Go forth and walk the path that you want to walk, regardless of what the so-called experts say. And this blog is now here to remind me that so will I.
October 8, 2015
A Bump in the Road by Felice Stevens
It is something that I've been avoiding for weeks but eventually I knew they'd catch up with me.
In September I had a biopsy of a spot on my nose. I knew most likely it was some form of skin cancer; last year I had a similar kind of spot and had to have what's called a Mohs procedure, where they take off a bit more than the original biopsy and see how deep the skin cancer goes.
Last time it was kind of deep, but I had an excellent plastic surgeon and he was able to fix me up well enough that you probably wouldn't notice if I wore makeup.
I diligently wore my sunscreen all summer but as the doctor said, this damage was done years ago, not now. So after GRL, I will be going in to have this done and wind up with another little scar. I have plenty. I'm used to it.
I'm very thankful. It isn't melanoma; it's very treatable and will require me to be even more diligent about sun protection.
So while this is not pleasant, I will try and focus on the positive and that is my upcoming trip to GRL in San Diego next week. I can't wait to meet all the readers and other authors; I'm counting the days!!
And in case you missed it, I had a cover reveal for my Chanukah novella releasing in early Dec. It is a continuation of Alex and Rafe's story from One Step Further, five years down the line. The cover is by Dar Albert of Wicked Design and I love it. You can find the blurb and add it to your Goodreads shelf here: http://bit.ly/1R1LHnb
In September I had a biopsy of a spot on my nose. I knew most likely it was some form of skin cancer; last year I had a similar kind of spot and had to have what's called a Mohs procedure, where they take off a bit more than the original biopsy and see how deep the skin cancer goes.
Last time it was kind of deep, but I had an excellent plastic surgeon and he was able to fix me up well enough that you probably wouldn't notice if I wore makeup.
I diligently wore my sunscreen all summer but as the doctor said, this damage was done years ago, not now. So after GRL, I will be going in to have this done and wind up with another little scar. I have plenty. I'm used to it.
I'm very thankful. It isn't melanoma; it's very treatable and will require me to be even more diligent about sun protection.
So while this is not pleasant, I will try and focus on the positive and that is my upcoming trip to GRL in San Diego next week. I can't wait to meet all the readers and other authors; I'm counting the days!!
And in case you missed it, I had a cover reveal for my Chanukah novella releasing in early Dec. It is a continuation of Alex and Rafe's story from One Step Further, five years down the line. The cover is by Dar Albert of Wicked Design and I love it. You can find the blurb and add it to your Goodreads shelf here: http://bit.ly/1R1LHnb
October 7, 2015
Inquiring Minds Want to Know by Riley Hart
I want to take a moment to talk about characters you've already read about. If you've read a book, and the couple got their happily ever after, are you interested in short stories or novellas that take place in the couple's future? A birthday, anniversary, wedding etc? Are you the kind of reader who would devour anything from your favorite couples or do you like to let them rest after their book is finished? Just create the rest of their future in your head?
For me I think it depends, as I'm sure would be most people's answer. There are probably characters you don't want to let go of and some that you're okay with letting go of because you know they're okay...
What are your thoughts though? Would you jump to read stories about your favorite couples of the past?
For me I think it depends, as I'm sure would be most people's answer. There are probably characters you don't want to let go of and some that you're okay with letting go of because you know they're okay...
What are your thoughts though? Would you jump to read stories about your favorite couples of the past?
Halloween is Coming
I have the most wonderful partner in the world and one of Dominic's passions is that at this time of year, he gets to carve pumpkins. I love it. His eyes light up like a little kid when he carries home the three or four pumpkins he's picked out for the year. I asked him to send me some pictures a few days ago and I thought I'd share them with you.
As a reminder I'm going to restart the Ask Andrew column so if you have a question, be sure to send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net
Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Email him at: andrewgrey@comcast.net
His web site is: www.andrewgreybooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks
Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
As a reminder I'm going to restart the Ask Andrew column so if you have a question, be sure to send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net
Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Email him at: andrewgrey@comcast.net
His web site is: www.andrewgreybooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks
Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
October 6, 2015
Top Ten Horror Movies with Sean, Julia and BA! :D (Yes, it's October. EEEE!)
So, October.
Pumpkins.
Scary movies.
Sweatshirts.
Fuzzy socks.
OMG.
:D
Julia:
10. Halloween (the original) — Jamie Lee Curtis. HOT. No matter what age.
9. Poltergeist
8. Scream
7. I Know What You Did Last Summer
6. Paranormal Activity
5. Insidious
4. The Haunting
3. Ghost Ship
2. Deep Blue Sea/Anaconda
1. The Sixth Sense — I saw this before I started living with the ghost whisperer, back when ghosts still scared me.
Sean:
I don't watch a lot of scary movies, because they scare me! But here are my top ten, with number 1 being the scariest
10 - Deep Blue Sea
9 - Misery 8 - Shaun of the Dead 7 - Arachnophobia 6 - Bram Stokers Dracula 5 - 28 Days later 4 - The Omen 3 - Alien 2 - The Ring (omg scared the crap out of me) 1 - Seven (I woke up in the middle of the night after watching this one, having to pee and I had to wake my partner up to hold my hand to the bathroom -which was in the ensuite!) BA: *bounces* I LOVE HALLOWEEN! 10. The Exorcist 9. Amityville Horror 8. Jaws 7. Rosemary’s Baby 6. April Fools Day 5. Alien 4. Nightmare on Elm Street 3. Final Destination 2. The Legend of Hell House 1. Poltergeist You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot and @batortuga. Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.comJulia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.comBA’s is http://www.batortuga.com Facebook:Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWritesJulia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotauthorBA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortugaOctober 5, 2015
Ask CC (10.05.15) by Cardeno C.
Happy Monday! It's time for an Ask CC post, but first, if you're ready for a new book, my new novella Jesse's Diner released on Tuesday. Happy reading!Question: Have you ever developed a character you didn't like but needed to make the book complete?CC: As far as main characters go, I don't think I could write a book with one I didn't like for two main reasons. First, my stories are character driven, which means I need to know the characters first and foremost and I couldn't spend as much time in my head as that takes with a character I don't enjoy. The other, and probably the bigger, reason is that to write a worthwhile main character, I have to see what makes him likable and lovable, and then I need to show that to the reader. If I can't figure out what makes a character do what he does, including the not-so-nice things, in a way that shows he is still worthy of love and happiness then I can't show that to readers, which means I haven't accomplished something absolutely critical in a romance novel.
Question: [These two are similar so I'm grouping them together. - CC]
Are you planning to write a sequel to More than Everything? I don't want the story of Scott, Adan and Charlie to end yet.I loved Jason and Abe from Half of Us. Any chance for a continuation of their story. I've read that book several times.CC: I'm not a sequel writer, so as of right now, no, I don't have any plans to write sequels to the Family books. As I've been editing those books for the 2nd editions that'll be released in a week or so, I've been reminded of how much I love those characters so maybe one day, when I'm caught up on my to-be-written list (hahaha!), I'll find time to visit them again for a short of some kind.
Question: [These two are similar so I'm grouping them together. - CC] Will you write anymore Siphon stories?When is our second Siphon book coming out? Very excited about this one, I'm sure it's the baaaby.CC: Absolutely! I have a few Siphon stories in my to-be-written list. I just need more hours in the day to get to them. And if by baby you mean a male pregnancy in this collection, that isn't on the agenda. I know readers love this idea and it is something I'm working on, but not in the Siphon universe.
Question: Hi CC, I've been dying to read Jobe's story ever since I read Blue Mountain when it first came out!! You mention he's the Red River Alpha's son. Please tell you're going to write his story soon?? I'm guessing he's an Omega?? And I love the Omega/Alpha stories!! But even if he's not I get the feeling I'm going to adore his story any way it comes :)CC: Jobe's story, Red River, will be my next new release. Time never slows down the way I want it to so I don't have a final release date yet, but I'm confident (*cough*), it'll be in 2015. And as far as whether he's an Omega, well, that's something we can all learn together. ;)Question: reading order for Mates series. Are they standalone? Can they be read in any order? Thought UNTIL FOREVER COMES sounds interesting, but the reviews on Amazon were confusing. Is this a prequel? Please advise. Thanks, Judy
CC: The Mates books can absolutely be read in any order, same with the books in any of my collections. I don't write my books chronologically so the timelines often overlap or flip and the publication order isn't a reading order. The books in the Mates collection have very different voices and main characters so you might want to try the samples on Amazon and see which one grabs you most.
Question: Hi! I purchased the original version of Perfect Imperfections and just noticed that there is a new version. Is there a big difference in the two? Thank you. Ree DeeCC: Hi, Ree Dee. The 2nd edition of Perfect Imperfections has some minor edits and a beautiful new cover but other than that, the only difference is that I incorporated the bonus chapter that I had online into the end of the book. If you've got the first edition, save your money and skip the 2nd. Question: [The following are similar so I'm grouping them together. - CC]I have the first recording of all of your audio books. I see that Until Forever Comes has been re-released by the same narrator. Is the content significantly different? I am going to get the second editions of the ones read by Alexander Collins. Just bought the first one. Yay! Hi CC! I was wondering about the newly released audiobook of "Until Forever Comes". It's narrated by Charlie David and I was wondering what the difference is between this one and the former version that was also narrated by him. I already have the old one (which I noticed quite recently when I listened to it again for the I-don't-even-know-how many-times suddenly seemed to include a little bit I swear I hadn't heard before?) so I'd really like to know if I'm somehow missing out by not buying the new one. Thanks! (: //JamieQuestion: Hi CC I've read all of your books and was wondering if the second editions you've been working on, especially the Mates Collection, are different enough from the first edition to warrant purchasing a second time?? Adore your work CC!CC: The 2nd editions of the Mates books are edited with gorgeous new covers, but they're not much different. The audio books follow the newly edited manuscripts, but because those aren't much different, neither are the audios. Of all my 2nd editions, Wake Me Up Inside had the most intensive edits, but the story itself remains substantively the same.Thanks so much for the wonderful questions! If you want to ask me a question that I'll answer on a future blog post, you can let me know here. Have a great week.
CC
www.cardenoc.com
October 1, 2015
Swagalicious by Felice Stevens
With GRL (Gay Romance Literary Retreat) rapidly approaching, I am sitting here in my little New York City living room surrounded by swag. My husband has no idea what to make of me. He just sits and watches me, shaking his head and sighing.
But I love swag—both getting and giving it. I think its fun to see what other people get and make. And I love picking up stuff from my favorite authors and seeing pretty pictures of book covers and whatever else they've put on their swag.
I tend to go a little crazy though. I've planned several large parties where I bought all the favors on line and half the fun was searching the internet seeing all the fun stuff. One day I can show you the cutest little shopping bag place card holders that open to hold little mints or chocolates.
So I thought I'd share with you some of the swag I'm bringing. I don't have everything yet (still waiting for a few things to arrive) but here's a sample of what I'm bringing:
But I love swag—both getting and giving it. I think its fun to see what other people get and make. And I love picking up stuff from my favorite authors and seeing pretty pictures of book covers and whatever else they've put on their swag.
I tend to go a little crazy though. I've planned several large parties where I bought all the favors on line and half the fun was searching the internet seeing all the fun stuff. One day I can show you the cutest little shopping bag place card holders that open to hold little mints or chocolates.
So I thought I'd share with you some of the swag I'm bringing. I don't have everything yet (still waiting for a few things to arrive) but here's a sample of what I'm bringing:
September 30, 2015
Writing Retreat by Riley Hart
I've never been on a writing retreat. It's something I've talked about for years and years but not something I've had the chance to do yet. I'm really excited that will be changing this weekend! It's going to be a quick trip--just three days but I'll be at a B&B on a little island off the Eastern Shore. I'm SO excited I can hardly stand it. My bestie will be there and I haven't seen her in a year. Plus, I'll get to meet one of my friends David for the first time as well. I'm not sure how much writing I'll actually get done, but hey, I'm sure I'll have fun.
I plan to spend as much time with Blake and Caleb as I can while there :) Yep, I plan to work on Rock Solid book two which is title ROCK STEADY. I've already started the book and I'm excited to dig more deeply into Blake and Caleb and their love story.
What's your favorite place to get away for the weekend?
I plan to spend as much time with Blake and Caleb as I can while there :) Yep, I plan to work on Rock Solid book two which is title ROCK STEADY. I've already started the book and I'm excited to dig more deeply into Blake and Caleb and their love story.
What's your favorite place to get away for the weekend?
A Blast from My Past - from Andrew Grey
Its funny, but I've been writing blog posts for years and I wasn't sure what to write about, so I decided to tell you all something I don't think you know. I really had to think because with all the blog entries and Facebook posts I've done, but I think I've come up with something new that I can share. When I was a teenager I sang in the school choir. In fact I was quite good. At sixteen I auditioned and got into the premier choir in high school. That was awesome in itself. The icing on the cake was that this group planned a European tour every three years. So at seventeen I got to g to Europe for an entire month. We visited The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Belgium, and England. It was quite a trip and I really wish I could share pictures with you, but the only ones I have are slides.
It was the trip of a lifetime. I had to be responsible for myself and my actions which meant I got my first real taste of manhood on that trip. To this day I feel like I left on the trip a boy and came home a real step closer to being an adult.
Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Email him at: andrewgrey@comcast.net
His web site is: www.andrewgreybooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks
Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
It was the trip of a lifetime. I had to be responsible for myself and my actions which meant I got my first real taste of manhood on that trip. To this day I feel like I left on the trip a boy and came home a real step closer to being an adult.
Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Email him at: andrewgrey@comcast.net
His web site is: www.andrewgreybooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks
Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
September 29, 2015
Bookish Questions and Answers with BA, Julia and Sean, with contest
Today we're talking about books. Feel free to answer the questions in the comments or just leave a note about our answers for a chance at a free ebook copy of a Cereus book of your choice! Cereus Building, Opening, Training, or Rescue!
Name one book you wish you could read again for the very first time. Julia: Borrower of the Night by Elizabeth PetersBA: It by Stephen KingSean: So many to choose from... A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Name one book you wish you'd read BEFORE you saw the movie: Julia: Jurassic Park by Michael ChrichtonBA: Practical Magic by Alice HoffmanSean:Jurassic Park by Michael Chrichton
Name your favorite "academic" classic. Julia: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde BA: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood or Beloved by Toni MorrisonSean: The Handmaid's Tale is academic? I love that one. I'm going to pick a different one ,though, because I didn't do that one during my academic career. I'm going with Coming Through Slaughter by Michael Odaatje
What's your favorite romance book of all time? Julia: Night Magic by Karen RobardsBA: The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen WoodiwissSean: You guys know I'm terrible with favorites! If I absolutely have to go with just one, I'm going to go with Rain and Whiskey by BA
What one book of yours would you recommend to a book club and why?Julia: Tomb of the God King because it's a historical m/m Cthulhu adventure in first person and book clubs would go, "What the fuck?" BA: Say Something because it's the closest to an Oprah book club drama I've ever writtenSean: Bent, the first Hammer novel I wrote.
If you have a topic you’d like us to chat about (or any other favorite things you'd like us to share), please let us know. We’re totally up for that.
You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot and @batortuga.
Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.comJulia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.comBA’s is http://www.batortuga.com
Facebook:Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWritesJulia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotauthorBA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
Seansmut fixes everything
Name one book you wish you could read again for the very first time. Julia: Borrower of the Night by Elizabeth PetersBA: It by Stephen KingSean: So many to choose from... A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Name one book you wish you'd read BEFORE you saw the movie: Julia: Jurassic Park by Michael ChrichtonBA: Practical Magic by Alice HoffmanSean:Jurassic Park by Michael Chrichton
Name your favorite "academic" classic. Julia: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde BA: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood or Beloved by Toni MorrisonSean: The Handmaid's Tale is academic? I love that one. I'm going to pick a different one ,though, because I didn't do that one during my academic career. I'm going with Coming Through Slaughter by Michael Odaatje
What's your favorite romance book of all time? Julia: Night Magic by Karen RobardsBA: The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen WoodiwissSean: You guys know I'm terrible with favorites! If I absolutely have to go with just one, I'm going to go with Rain and Whiskey by BA
What one book of yours would you recommend to a book club and why?Julia: Tomb of the God King because it's a historical m/m Cthulhu adventure in first person and book clubs would go, "What the fuck?" BA: Say Something because it's the closest to an Oprah book club drama I've ever writtenSean: Bent, the first Hammer novel I wrote.
If you have a topic you’d like us to chat about (or any other favorite things you'd like us to share), please let us know. We’re totally up for that.
You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot and @batortuga.
Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.comJulia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.comBA’s is http://www.batortuga.com
Facebook:Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWritesJulia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotauthorBA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
Seansmut fixes everything
