Sandra Madera's Blog, page 14

Upcoming Projects

Hello, Everyone.

I wanted to keep everyone posted on where I am with everything. Currently, I have taken a short break from writing because of my loss. My heart is broken, and I struggle with the desire not to do anything at all. When you love anything whether it be a family member or a pet unconditionally, it is hard to mend the hole in your heart once they are gone. It is a struggle, but I am slowly moving forward.

Once I am ready, I will continue to write Lament . I have many ideas which have been placed on the back burner and I can't wait to put to paper. The first half is already being edited and I have the second half to write so I will keep all the readers posted from week to week.

I have thought long and hard about whether to write another extension to Weeping Willow . Many wish the story was longer... Weeping Willow was always intended to be a two-part short story, and I never considered writing another extension before your reader feedback. I have decided that I am going to write a full-length novel based on the Willow stories entitled Wicked Magic . It will take place where the stories left off and it will be based on a dream I had. I don't want to give too much away, but I will place a book teaser on my website after I create a book cover and video teaser. Its release date will be sometime next year as I want to finish Lament before I start on this novel.

Thank you to everyone who loved my short stories and those that posted comments. I really do try to read each one and take them into consideration. I have so many ideas for other novels in my head, but due to your feedback, I realized the requests for more Willow/Nalin drama was increasing. So, those works will stay on the back burner until I can meet your demands. Stay tuned to my official website for information of upcoming works.

Sleeping With The Angels

Today I had to make the worse decision of my life. My heart is broken and part of my soul is missing. My beloved dog, my baby, my son, Brownie expired at 3am. He was suffering from kidney and liver failure. It may have been brought about by age as he was a ten year old Yorkshire Terrier. I had to make the horrific decision to end his suffering and put him to sleep. I truly feel that if I didn't make this decision, he would have died painfully in the night. I couldn't allow my baby to suffer.

He lived a happy ten years with me, and our bond will never be forgotten. He was my child, and no one can ever understand the bond between us. We could truly understand one another with a glance. He was everything to me, and I to him. I have had too many experiences with the paranormal to doubt his presence is with me and will continue to watch over me in heaven.

I love you, Brownie. Sleep with the angels, my beloved friend. Rest in eternal peace with all of my friends and family that have past before you in heaven.

Brownie Coello
February 28, 2001 - October 12, 2011

Bookmarks

 Hey, guys!

Since I know the majority of readers read the old fashioned way, I have added bookmarks to the About Me page of my official website, using some of my favorite quotes. They are 2x6 which make them easy to use in both small paperback books and large hardcovers. So, check them out.

They are easy to make. Save the image and print on card stock or photo paper. If you are using card stock, use clear book protectors which is a sticky clear liner that comes in a role to protect the ink and paper.

I will be adding more bookmarks in the future as well as creating wallpapers for each of my books. So, look out for future materials. Thanks!

Re-editing

So, I was so happy editing Weeping Willow with Write Way Pro that I decided to re-edit Restraint. It is amazing how any mistakes I caught while listening to MS Sam reading my manuscript. I have come to the conclusion that no matter how many times I read something, there will always be some kind of mistake. However, having another voice read my work aloud was a huge help.

I have already posted the newly edited version of Restraint to Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Smashwords. All other sites are not under my control, and I must wait for Smashwords to update iBooks, Sony E-reader, etc. That takes up to two months! So, if you are thinking of buying Restraint, please do so at B&N, Amazon, or Smashwords.

Now I have to continue to write Lament. Keep you all posted.

Fixing Old Mistakes Takes Time...

So, I have been writing my latest novel, Lament, and I realized that little mistakes are so annoying while I was reviewing it. Despite reading something over twenty times, I still found mistakes each time. It was driving me nuts!!!

I am lucky enough to have a volunteer editor for my future works, but the short stories I had already published were bothering me... haunting me. I noticed my biggest mistake was reading what I thought was there rather than reading what was actually written. The misstep is that, as I am the writer, I know what is supposed to be written. So, when I am reading, my focus drifts and I believe I wrote sentences as they are in my mind. When in actuality, there is an error.
Finally, I downloaded a manuscript software called Write Way Pro . Although I basically set up character profiles and outlines by hand anyway, this program reads the chapters that I have written individually or it can read me the whole book. So, I am hearing it as if my reader were reading it! Genius!!! Now I can catch those annoying little spelling errors.
So, I have tried it out by going over Weeping Willow. I have found plenty of foolish errors which I fixed. I put the newest version on Smashwords . Since Smashwords is the vendor that delivers my short stories to the other online bookstores, it will take about two months to update in those secondary online stores. So, if you can live with the errors while reading, that's fine. Otherwise go onto Smashwords and download a fully revised copy for your e-reader today. Thanks and keep reading!!!

Short Stories

Hello, Everyone!

So, I spent the morning hours updating my website and blog. I added more links to places where my work can be downloaded. But the major change was the addition of my short stories to this blog. So, they can be viewed and read online for those that don't have an e-reader. Feedback and reviews can be left under each individual tab.

I will continue to update my blog here and there as I become familiar with the Blogger interface.

Published Overboard!!!

For all of those that have been anxiously awaiting, I published Overboard last night on Smashwords and Feedbooks for FREE. It should be on Barnes and Noble and other sites within a few weeks.

I hope everyone enjoys this short story even though it is quite different from the others. This one is a psychological thriller which I first thought up when I was in the fifth grade. After a failed attempt at writing it, I finally decided to give it another go, and I am happy I did.

Thanks, everyone!

Currently Editing...

I finished writing Overboard , and I can't wait to share it with everyone. It is a departure in that it is a psychological, murder mystery. The story is a bit crazy and confusing, but I love the end product. I hope you do, too.


I plan on publishing it within a week, because right now it is going through the editing process. Special thanks to Susan Blevins for helping me out with the task.


Please don't forget to leave reviews on bookstore websites, this blog, or my personal website. Your opinion is important and I take every criticism as advice for the future.


Check out my updated website (www.sandramadera.com) and stay tuned for more news on Lament and future works.

Currently editing...

I finished writing Overboard, and I can't wait to share it with everyone. It is a departure in that it is a psychological, murder mystery. The story is a bit crazy and confusing, but I love the end product. I hope you do, too.

I plan on publishing it within a week, because right now it is going through the editing process. Special thanks to Susan Blevins for helping me out with the task.

Please don't forget to leave reviews on bookstore websites, this blog, or my personal website. Your opinion is important and I take every criticism as advice for the future.

Check out my updated website (www.sandramadera.com) and stay tuned for more news on Lament and future works.

Feedback and Reviews

I wanted to take the time to thank everyone who has posted reviews or sent me emails. I appreciate the feedback and kind words. I do take into account what the readers say, and thankfully, most of the reviews are quite positive. 
For those that have not left reviews, please take the time out to leave feedback. Whether it is positive or negative, I take what you think into account when I come up with other works. What you think is important as my target audience, and no voice is too small so start reviewing!!!
Thank you to everyone that has written. I hope you don't mind that I share your writings... There are so many more I want to share so look out for more posts in the future.
Some of Your Words:
ZBomb0: - 5 stars - Weeping Willow 1 and 2Weeping Willow was "An intriguing though short tale after reading both I know I love these characters and the story behind it this was a fun read and I look forward to more like it. Honestly a sweet short lovely two books if you haven't yet these are a must read."

Joni: "You do such a good job of putting down a story and not a bunch of unneeded blah! You know what I mean. (You) get to the story and tell it!!!!! Cannot wait for more! Congratulations. Wonderful storyteller. Hope you can post this somewhere for reviews."

LFF: - 5 stars - Weeping Willow 1"Action at its best! Madera could give Stephanie Meyer a run for her money with Weeping Willow."-5 stars - Weeping Willow 2"A must read!!! Awesome! The only regret is that it is over, I could keep reading the Willow Saga for as long as possible. Thank you!"

Anonymous: - 4 stars - Weeping Willow 2"Should be a movie!!!!! ;) Awesome nice twist in the middle just short. But some times the shorter it gets the better it is! ;)

Anonymous: - 5 stars - Weeping Willow 2"OMG. Read it my only complaint is that it wasnt longer jst read it and hope she start to write longer books."

Anonymous -5 stars - Weeping Willow 2"A must read. A good storyline, developed characters that keep you interested. My only complaint is the book is too short! I can't believe this book was free."