S.L. Pierce's Blog, page 11
April 26, 2011
April 25, 2011
It made me laugh so I stole it
I was perusing the internet yesterday and I found this post:
http://ticklecityaward.com/2010/09/e-books-ways-to-make-them-better/#comment-22119
and thought it was so funny I had to share.
I especially like number 1. Who doesn't have book like this? Luckily, I don't think anyone is working on making this technology a reality. Well, maybe there's an app for that:)
http://ticklecityaward.com/2010/09/e-books-ways-to-make-them-better/#comment-22119
and thought it was so funny I had to share.
I especially like number 1. Who doesn't have book like this? Luckily, I don't think anyone is working on making this technology a reality. Well, maybe there's an app for that:)
April 23, 2011
Sample Sunday April 24
THE HATE (Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble)
First, you should know some things about me.I hate people. I hate small talk. Trying to find something to talk about with a bunch of strangers I'll never see again. No thanks. I like being alone. I'm happy alone. I don't want to be married and pop out a couple of whiny, germ filled kids. I don't want anyone around telling me what to do or making me feel bad about what I am doing; i.e. a husband or boyfriend. If I want to stay up till three in the morning eating double stuff Oreos while watching St. Elmo's Fire then that's what I goddamn well am going to do. If I want to lay in bed till noon or not shower for a couple of days, well, you get the idea. If I feel the need for some companionship i.e. sex, I go pick up a guy at a bar. It's pretty easy because, in all modesty, I'm hot. Not just attractive. An actual stone cold fox, at least to enough of the population to matter. I can say that because I had nothing to do with it. All genetics. All big blue eyes, full lips, blond, tall, and lean. So sex, no problem. And since I don't really like people or small talk, I pretty much scope out the bar for an attractive unattached guy and ask if he wants to go to my place. I've never been turned down. No one spends the night. Last thing I need in the morning is some smelly guy with bad breath bothering me for something I had plenty of the night before. Also, I'm filthy rich. I hadn't planned on ever working for a living, but who knew I'd find something I enjoy so much. What do I do? I kill people. For money. I know what you're thinking, but who gives a shit. Not me, that's for sure. If it makes you feel any better I don't kill kids, no spouses just because a divorce will cost too much (selfish bastards), but other people. It's not hard, partly because of because of my looks. I can get into a lot of places with no questions asked. And partly because I'm ahead of the curve on intelligence. Not a genius, but pretty damn smart.Maybe it goes without saying that I don't have any friends, but I'll say it anyway. I don't have any friends. And I don't mean I don't have any close friends. I don't have any. I think it's because I'm rich and beautiful and that intimidates people. Or, it's because I'm a bitch. I don't care about people's petty problems, I don't take shit from anyone, and I don't tell people what they want to hear. So, why am I telling you all of this and why do you care? Because, I just killed the President of the United States.
First, you should know some things about me.I hate people. I hate small talk. Trying to find something to talk about with a bunch of strangers I'll never see again. No thanks. I like being alone. I'm happy alone. I don't want to be married and pop out a couple of whiny, germ filled kids. I don't want anyone around telling me what to do or making me feel bad about what I am doing; i.e. a husband or boyfriend. If I want to stay up till three in the morning eating double stuff Oreos while watching St. Elmo's Fire then that's what I goddamn well am going to do. If I want to lay in bed till noon or not shower for a couple of days, well, you get the idea. If I feel the need for some companionship i.e. sex, I go pick up a guy at a bar. It's pretty easy because, in all modesty, I'm hot. Not just attractive. An actual stone cold fox, at least to enough of the population to matter. I can say that because I had nothing to do with it. All genetics. All big blue eyes, full lips, blond, tall, and lean. So sex, no problem. And since I don't really like people or small talk, I pretty much scope out the bar for an attractive unattached guy and ask if he wants to go to my place. I've never been turned down. No one spends the night. Last thing I need in the morning is some smelly guy with bad breath bothering me for something I had plenty of the night before. Also, I'm filthy rich. I hadn't planned on ever working for a living, but who knew I'd find something I enjoy so much. What do I do? I kill people. For money. I know what you're thinking, but who gives a shit. Not me, that's for sure. If it makes you feel any better I don't kill kids, no spouses just because a divorce will cost too much (selfish bastards), but other people. It's not hard, partly because of because of my looks. I can get into a lot of places with no questions asked. And partly because I'm ahead of the curve on intelligence. Not a genius, but pretty damn smart.Maybe it goes without saying that I don't have any friends, but I'll say it anyway. I don't have any friends. And I don't mean I don't have any close friends. I don't have any. I think it's because I'm rich and beautiful and that intimidates people. Or, it's because I'm a bitch. I don't care about people's petty problems, I don't take shit from anyone, and I don't tell people what they want to hear. So, why am I telling you all of this and why do you care? Because, I just killed the President of the United States.
Watching the Numbers
So my sales are going alright. I average 2.5 book sales a day between the US and UK. That's great, right? I've only been published for about two months. A month ago, when I was waiting and waiting for one sale, I would have been thrilled at 2.5 a day. So why now do I want so much more (besides the obvious money answer)? Why are we always wanting more? I know it can be a good thing. Wanting more has led to countless inventions, progress, etc. But does that mean we never take time to say 'look what I've done'? Never sit back and just enjoy an accomplishment?
What if I sold ten books a day? Twenty a day? Would I sit back then and say, 'Wow, I wrote something people like'? Probably not. Because I would be thinking about how to get more people to notice. Or thinking about that next book.
But I will tell you, it's a question I would like to be able to answer from experience:)
What if I sold ten books a day? Twenty a day? Would I sit back then and say, 'Wow, I wrote something people like'? Probably not. Because I would be thinking about how to get more people to notice. Or thinking about that next book.
But I will tell you, it's a question I would like to be able to answer from experience:)
April 21, 2011
How Long is Long Enough?
I am a skimmer. When I read, I skim all the descriptive stuff. I am impatient and I just love the action and I need to get to the end and find out what was going on. When I wrote my first book (Secrets) I left a lot of the stuff I tend to skim out. My book ended up around 41k words, as opposed to the 50+ thousand for a typical book.
Is this wrong?
Are there people out there who also skim? Who just want to stay with the action and don't care about what the house looks like or what the character is wearing? I really tried to add to the story, but it just felt forced and slowed the story way down.
Which then begs the question, how long is long enough? If a book description interests you, then you see the word count is small (not short story small which is a different category to me) does that make you want the book a little less? Let's assume the price is low, say 0.99-2.99.
I'd really love to know how people feel about this, especially because my second book will be coming out this summer and I'm doing the same thing. I think the story is killer and the pace is great and that's all I want from the books I read but...
You tell me...
Is this wrong?
Are there people out there who also skim? Who just want to stay with the action and don't care about what the house looks like or what the character is wearing? I really tried to add to the story, but it just felt forced and slowed the story way down.
Which then begs the question, how long is long enough? If a book description interests you, then you see the word count is small (not short story small which is a different category to me) does that make you want the book a little less? Let's assume the price is low, say 0.99-2.99.
I'd really love to know how people feel about this, especially because my second book will be coming out this summer and I'm doing the same thing. I think the story is killer and the pace is great and that's all I want from the books I read but...
You tell me...
April 20, 2011
No Really, Why The Pseudonym?
I write under a pseudonym. Why you ask? Because I want to remain anonymous to my neighbors and protect my kids in case I'm ever famous.
No? Okay, you got me.
Because I'm really a best selling author who wants to see if she can do it all again on her own.
What? That's even less believable?
Alright, the truth is because I have a very large fear of failure. My whole life I've been afraid of trying anything I might fail at, so I never did. High school and college, I never tried out for anything if there was a chance I wouldn't be the best. Don't get me wrong, I did things, just not challenging things. So you'd think I would have learned to be a little braver, looking back on all the fun I probably missed out on.
Well, believe it or not, even though I don't use my real name, just doing this writing thing at all is a big step. Because typically I have a dream, then talk myself out of it because of fear. But this time I went forward. I wrote the book, published it, am doing publicity, and my fear is abating. I started telling my family that I'm writing a book (they think it's my first) and it will come out this summer. It's a big step for me. And even if it fails, I feel really good about doing it at all.
So, anyone else out there using a pseudonym? What's your reason? You can even leave a comment under anonymous and I'll understand:)
No? Okay, you got me.
Because I'm really a best selling author who wants to see if she can do it all again on her own.
What? That's even less believable?
Alright, the truth is because I have a very large fear of failure. My whole life I've been afraid of trying anything I might fail at, so I never did. High school and college, I never tried out for anything if there was a chance I wouldn't be the best. Don't get me wrong, I did things, just not challenging things. So you'd think I would have learned to be a little braver, looking back on all the fun I probably missed out on.
Well, believe it or not, even though I don't use my real name, just doing this writing thing at all is a big step. Because typically I have a dream, then talk myself out of it because of fear. But this time I went forward. I wrote the book, published it, am doing publicity, and my fear is abating. I started telling my family that I'm writing a book (they think it's my first) and it will come out this summer. It's a big step for me. And even if it fails, I feel really good about doing it at all.
So, anyone else out there using a pseudonym? What's your reason? You can even leave a comment under anonymous and I'll understand:)
April 18, 2011
I just need an hour!
I am co-writing a book with another woman and we are about 2/3 done. We plan to finish this draft in four weeks but some days (like today) I'm wondering how that is going to be possible. I really just need one quiet hour to add 800-1000 words (first draft quality). It should be easy, right? But today I am trying to get back on track. I've been neglecting laundry and dinner and exercising for about 4 weeks now doing publicity for The Hate and Secrets. Today I did laundry, took some of the kids to a camp, made dinner, cleaned the kitchen, made lunch, and went to the gym. It is now almost 2 pm and I am outside because my other two kids begged me to let them ride their bikes. In less than two hours I have to go get my first two kids from camp. Then all four will be home and there is no way I'll get anything done after that. I should mention my kids are 7, 6, 4, and 3. I can pretty much only work when they are not home or sleeping.
Now I'm not blaming this on the kids. When I think back to my life before kids, I'm trying to remember how much free time I had back then. It didn't feel like much but I'm sure there was plenty.
So, how does everyone do it? How do you manage to find time to write? I'd love to hear your tips.
Now I'm not blaming this on the kids. When I think back to my life before kids, I'm trying to remember how much free time I had back then. It didn't feel like much but I'm sure there was plenty.
So, how does everyone do it? How do you manage to find time to write? I'd love to hear your tips.
April 16, 2011
What makes us love a character?
I read the first chapter of the new Charlaine Harris book today (from her website). I'm really excited about her new book coming out. My excitement about this whole series surprises me, though, because I never read supernatural books. My genre is thriller/mystery. That's what I read, that's what I write. But I just love Sookie Stackhouse and I have to know what is happening in her life. Right now I am also reading The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly. I read the Lincoln Lawyer, mostly because I saw adds for the movie. But I got the second book because I really like the main character. So what is it about a character that makes us come back for more. I can't really put my finger on it exactly. Is it because we want to imagine they are our friend? Because we see ourself in them? Maybe they are what we wanted to be?
Who are your favorite book characters and why?
Who are your favorite book characters and why?
April 14, 2011
I'm guest blogging today
I am guest blogging today at http://tamis-ramblings.blogspot.com/
Please go check it out. And leave a comment!
Please go check it out. And leave a comment!
April 12, 2011
It's my alter book reading ego
Has anyone watched this youtube video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuRuwR2JSXI
It's funny because it's true! It's who I become when I'm reading a book. Anyone else get that way? I was never able to describe the feeling exactly until I read Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck. I'll have to dig through and find the line but it's the perfect description of how I feel when I'm reading a good book. Basically, everything else in my life becomes a huge bother to me.
Anyone else get this way?
By the way, I'm not affiliated with this person at all. I just came across it on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuRuwR2JSXI
It's funny because it's true! It's who I become when I'm reading a book. Anyone else get that way? I was never able to describe the feeling exactly until I read Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck. I'll have to dig through and find the line but it's the perfect description of how I feel when I'm reading a good book. Basically, everything else in my life becomes a huge bother to me.
Anyone else get this way?
By the way, I'm not affiliated with this person at all. I just came across it on youtube.
