Gregory G. Allen's Blog, page 39

Observations From Social Media

So I've been following writers, blogs, trends online for a while now and there are a few things I've noticed that I felt like sharing. (The following observations are those of Gregory G. Allen only and do not represent the entire writing world.)
There really is a fine line between annoying people about your book and gently reminding them your book is out there for them to snatch up.There are some amazing people who love to pay it forward by sharing the word about someone else's book, interview, contest winning - truly wonderful ones who help others network beyond their own regular followers.People that review or write critiques seem to want to talk about the book THEY would have written instead of the one they read. Now, this isn't true of everyone that writes reviews - but many seem to critique on what it's not rather than what it is.You don't have to post something new on twitter everyday. It moves so quickly, your tweet quickly is hidden.  Post the same one throughout the day at different times or better yet: re-tweet something of interest someone else has tweeted. (Another way to pay it forward.)The indie versus traditional fight continues...and it will for time to come as more and more books find their way onto our eReaders. I'm grateful for both worlds (though I will admit: I read more indie books in 2011 than I did traditional published books). Why choose? Enjoy both.Social media IS a great way to meet those editors and designers that indie authors need to utilize. You can find recommendations from others and really get to know those that could be potential people you plan to work with. A short list: Write Hook - Melanie Votaw - Marilyn Weishaar - Brion Sausser - Vedic DesignThere are people who seem to want to play in the indie pool, but secretly want to 'escape'. In this new era of publishing, I'm certain a traditional publisher could offer me a great deal more marketing and getting a huge display of my books on the first table when you walk into Barnes & Noble - but I still prefer the smaller presses that take chances. Tradition has told me what I do isn't playing by the rules. I can't always write the book the big guns want that will sell tons of copies. But what I can do is attempt to touch lives with my quirky and twisted stories...and that's what I'll keep doing until readers have declared they've had enough of my cross-genre writing.

Awarding One's Work

This past weekend, I found out that the 2011 Short List for the Indie Lit Awards came out and there was Well With My Soul on the list! It is always such a thrill to see your work - your baby - listed among the names of other authors (especially when you see books you've also read and admired). I am so thankful to all the readers who nominated my book for this - as that is how books are brought to the attention of this panel. And now the judges will read the list of books to decide on winners.


It made me start to think about awards and contests and I wanted to share my views. I'm well aware you talk to two different people - two different opinions will come, but here are mine.


Art is very subjective. But just like we send off our books to be reviewed, it is wonderful to know your work is being read/reviewed by a panel of judges who are looking for what they presume to  'rise to the top'. Just like a five star rating on Amazon, one judge may like your work and then another could be like a three star rating that makes its way onto your reviews - you know the ones that cut like a knife (but it does happen to every writer at some point: or at least most every writer). For me, having my book on a short-list or making it as a finalist (as I did with the USA "Best Books 2011" Awards) means there is potential for more readers to learn about who I am and possibly pick up the book and talk about it with their own friends. 


Choosing which contest to get involved in is a whole other story. There are many: from short stories to poetry to novels. Many of them have entrance fees (and they are not always cheap). So plan wisely. Do your homework. And know that paying a fee does not constitute paying for a win. (Though society does show us paying gets you things. I hope readers understand that stars do not magically appear on the Hollywood walk-of-fame: the honorees pay for that 'honor'.) 


That said. Here are a few suggestions I have:

Make a list of awards/contest that interest you and mark down their deadlines.Make sure you are interested in the right contest for your book. (I'm not going to put my chick-lit novel into a Texas Westerns contest.) But you can do multiple categories with the same story.Investigate the contest. Does everyone that is nominated become a finalist simply by entering? You can see a list of previous noms and finalists to get that information. (Personally, I prefer to stay clear of those as to not 'cheapen' the excitement of making it to a finalist list.)Don't spend a fortune. Look for ones that do not have entrance fees. Yes the pool will be larger, but your wallet will be happier.I realize some writers want to write and not be pulled into a competition type of atmosphere and I respect that. For me, I want to reach as many people as possible and if placing my name into this (often) national arena can help to do that - I'm all for it. I write because I enjoy it. I write because I want to affect and touch people. Having your name on that awards list is a great way to reach a new set of strangers to do that very thing. 

Change Shoes and the Walk Feels the Same

Last night I had two instances where "walking in someone else's shoes for a split moment" jumped out and punched me in the face. While watching an episode of the new Celebrity Wife Swap - I was instantly thrown into a place of disbelief that pastor Ted Haggard could be on there. (Both for being called a celebrity as well as the numerous jokes that can come to mind when thinking of this man wanting to swap mates.) But as I watched, I found myself saddened more and more by what I witnessed. 


I've often said in interviews it was the "Ted Haggards" of the world that inspired me to write Well With My Soul, so I'll admit I have a clouded view of people's ability to live in the truth. And honestly - who am I to judge what is and what isn't his own personal truth. But when I look at the man through the huge grin he plasters across his face; I see pain. Perhaps that pain is from the shame the scandal brought to his family. Perhaps it is looking at his wife and kids daily and having a constant reminder of all he has lost. Or just maybe...maybe it is because he is unable to declare who he is and find peace from that. I'm not questioning the love he has for his wife...I believe he truly loves her. But if only society would allow people to have that love for themselves so they could be honest about who they are and not treat homosexuality as Satan tempting Eve in the garden.


His shoes; not mine.


I can hear people saying "we can live openly as gay men" - but can we? Is it 'safe' for everyone? As much as we see marriage equality making it's way into more states (Yay Hawaii and let's go Washington) - there are still a huge amount of Americans who would love to keep that tucked away in a closet and not be faced with it in their lives. 


And the GOP Presidential hopefuls are right there in the thick of it - making same sex marriage an issue every chance they can get. Last night, when Rick Santorum made his speech in Iowa - I found myself  planted firmly in his shoes as he quoted C.S. Lewis. "A Friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you've forgotten the words." he went on to say his best friend, his life mate who sings that song when he forgets the words is his wife. What a lovely sentiment. Truly. But is there any reason why he can't change those shoes just once and not understand that is the same love and feelings I have for my life mate? The one who has been by my side for almost 12 years now? 


Why can't people stop for a moment and see there are many kinds of shoes in this huge closet we call Earth? Colors, sizes, flats and heels: variety is good. And if it makes you happy to walk in them - if you can find the peace you are looking for...it's not hurting anyone else. 
      

Stop Before Out of Control

I'm returning to the title of this blog. 


Fat man attempting to shed pounds. Like so many others who use the first week in January to 'make a change' - I've decided it was time before I got to the size I was before. Last spring I started NutriSystem and was pleased with the results. 
2011         -        2010Though I had always said I lost 45 pounds (and at one point, I had) I actually crunched the numbers and found I lived around a 40 pound drop for most of the summer and into fall. And then fall meant book touring (which was eating and drinking in different towns) and all those holidays and 'poof' - ten pounds came back. So now as what I had dubbed my "skinny pants" (yes, in my world they were) are starting to pinch, I knew it was time. I refuse to pull out the fat pants: instead I placed my order last week and the box of packaged food arrived on my porch on Friday.


Instead of looking at the negative of putting pounds back on, I can still say I'm down 30 pounds from where I was at this point last year. But now, I'd love to join Janet Jackson and drop another 30 this year (before I arrive in Punta Cana for my sister's destination wedding in June). I think I can do it! 


Jan 2012The first week is always the hardest. My body wants to scream at me and cry out "WHY"??? It was used to eating what and when it wanted. And now, it's learning to be regimented again with small (tasty) meals. But there is a cost that comes with it. Your body says "oh yeah? take this!" And it acts out with headaches, dizziness and a multitude of other things I won't go in to. But at least I know, after the first few days - my body and I will once again remember what it was like and know we can survive on less food.


So here we go. It still ain't over 'til this fat guy is skinny...and he's got a nice bumpy road to head down now.


  

Do you Look Back or Forward?

2011 comes to an end and people always use this time to stop and ponder. I have a tendency to always look forward, but sometimes I think it's important to look back on what you've accomplished or been through the previous year. There were many huge life-changing moments for me in 2011, but I want to look at a few smaller ones as I plan towards 2012.



I've never been an animal person (as I mentioned in a previous blog), but there I was at War Horse getting misty-eyed over a four-legged creature. Then the ASPCA commercials come on and the sad eyes are calling to me. I still don't think it's part of my resolution to run out and rescue a dog, but perhaps I'll be more caring when people speak of their own.Math has never been my strong suit. As a matter of fact - I hate it. Someday I'll write a book where a character needs to know much about it and can research out the waaa-zooo. But doing year-end accounting on everything surrounding my book has taught me I need to improve in this area. Resolve to start 2012 by keeping better records from the start of the year.For a planner, I'm shocked to admit there are things I just procrastinate on for one reason or another. I've been with my partner for over 11 years and if I were hit by a bus tomorrow - he'd still have no idea where certain things are located. Must create a spreadsheet for him with accounts/passwords/etc just so he knows all my secrets.I've often labeled myself as a selfish person (ask my sister: I've said it for years). Yet there are numerous instances of me giving to others that I guess I haven't considered when calling myself out on being selfish. I learned something this year: I'm not good at receiving. I prefer to give. Can I still say I'm selfish? This year I found giving does not always need to have a monetary amount attached to it. Paying-it-forward became a slogan for me as I continue to learn new things in the world of publishing/marketing/etc and I really plan to continue that into 2012. (Oh...and I'll also try to get better when people give to me and not be all weird about it.)2011 was a year I discovered a new way at making friends. Social media. Some would say "those are not real people. They are not your friends." But I strongly disagree. I love the friends in my life, but those people on FB & twitter have become so very important to me as well with their encouragement and support. I really hope I can make that kind of difference to 'web strangers' as well as I look towards the new year.Balance. What a concept that has been in 2011. And one I must work on daily. Life must have it. Relationships need it to grow. And I have to continue to remind myself of it all the time so as not to become consumed by one thing. No promises I will master this in 2012, but will definitely try.

I don't want to create a long list of resolutions that I will simply not be able to get to, so instead I end with this. Be happy in 2012. Be healthy. Do something that makes you feel good. See a movie. Go to live theater. Read a book. Take a walk with a loved one. Live life and as politics and the economy throw curve balls at you, duck and attempt to not stress. We only get one go at this life. Why not enjoy!

Holiday Travel

I just returned from a wonderful Christmas trip in Texas. It was a great visit filled with not only time spent with family and friends, but also a few book signings and speaking engagements thrown in. On this trip, a couple of things came to mind about travels and I just felt the need to share my list. Here they are in no particular order:



What is up with that priority lane when boarding an aircraft? Is that piece of carpet really that wonderful that only first class and certain people can walk on it?For someone who has never had a love of animals - I found myself really drawn to my sister's small dog on this visit. Teaching this old 'dog' a new love.Some airports actually still have smoking lounges...and one man that walked out said "there is no need to even smoke in that room; just walk in and breathe." People from middle school (yes, that's 30 years ago for myself) truly ROCK and can find you on Facebook and surprise you by attending book signings. So grateful.For those that say they don't like gays - I think they shouldn't be allowed to ask any male flight attendants on an airplane for anything. (You can deduct my reasoning on this one.)My body needs a warmer climate. I hated thinking of returning to a Jersey winter after spending a week in Texas.I have an amazing family and so many of them showed up at the library to listen to me talk for 45 minutes. Who would do that? (Thank you, family!)Free WiFi on when flying usually has fine print somewhere. In this case, 30 minutes meant all together - even if you logged off.Face time with your mother never seems to be enough time. So much going on during this trip, we didn't get our one-on-one. We'll hook up next in 5 months on a beach and we WILL get some alone time!I hope that everyone reading my blog enjoyed their holidays as much as I did. Cheers to the new year ahead!

Thankful Can't Begin to Explain the Feeling

In some ways, the past three weeks have been a blur and in others the most amazingly bright spot of my whole year in writing. To those that know I had a book released this year will find that statement hard to believe...and it is very difficult for a writer to chose between his children - but something truly wonderful has happened with Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Super Hero with Autism that I never dreamed of happening.


This book is not even published and I have more people requesting it than have read my debut novel. The simplicity of the storytelling has touched so many. The need to share it with others to give a small insight into their own loved one with autism. The desire from people to get the book 'now' so they can begin to use it in classes. It has moved me beyond words.


I'm not sure MeeGenius knew what they had created when they envisioned this challenge. I'm sure to them it was a fun way to get people involved in choosing a children's book, but for me - it was an eye opener about the need of those very types of books for autism awareness. My own eyes have been opened in such a different way and no matter what happens going forward in this competition: I know this book must get into the hands of children across the country.


And I have so many people to thank. I've been calling them #TeamChickenBoy and they are a huge group of people that I wish I could thank each by name. I know there are so many that have created their own chain of the "telephone game" in getting others to vote for the story. Others have posted on every single autism/bullying/children's facebook page and forum you can think of. And still others have tweeted and reached far and wide to get this book seen all around the world (and I know that is true from where the comments have come from on the bottom page of the story). I can't tell you how grateful I am to each of you. I am so aware that it takes an army for any kind of success and from the bottom of my heart - I give thanks. And what success it has been! You all helped us climb that leader board until Chicken Boy took on a life of it's own - over 1900 votes in just three weeks!!


Though I have a background in children's theater I wasn't planning on writing a children's book at this point in my career. Natalie and I were just telling a story about her little brother. But the book was written, submitted to a few publishers and then I was told about this challenge...and off it went!


So on this final day of voting - I thank each and everyone of you! Major players in the first round of this challenge. Major support in my life. And collectively, we ARE #TeamChickenBoy!


 Bahcaaaaah!!!!!

The God Complex

As one of my favorite shows comes to a close this season, the story line involving religion in Dexter this year really got me thinking. Religion plays a huge part in many people's lives. It can join people of like faith together and it can build walls between those that disagree. It can cause people to say they are acting in such a way due to their particular beliefs and others can use those beliefs to twist a message in the way they see fit.


I use themes of religion in my book Well With My Soul and some people have scoffed at the language used by some of the fervently religious characters I've created. Many people find it difficult to believe that someone listens so earnestly to what others say when they use the phrase "God told me to tell you..." - but as Dexter has proven: it happens. It happens when Jim Jones told people what 'God was telling him'. It happens when Lisa Ling recently did a documentary on faith healers on the OWN network. It happens when people are in dire need of something in their life and faith gets many, many people through tough times.


But it can also be used to by certain politicians and those in power to stir up emotions in people, to rally them together as some sort of battle cry. Religion is a powerful force that has been utilized throughout history for personal gain. My novel is but one story that shows how a man's ego can get in the way of God's message...and really be a message simply shared by man.


And when you get down to it, that can be true of so many different people who use God's name to get something accomplished - something they want to see happen. Because how many of us can claim to know for certain what God's plan is if we're only human? I for one know I falter and can't even pretend to tell you what God wants in your life. 


I'm doing good enough working on my own.       

The Home Stretch

As we head into the final week of voting for the MeeGenuis Author Challenge, many things come to mind: 

How amazing people have been - both friends and strangers - in becoming a huge, much-needed part of #TeamChickenBoy.How wonderful it has been for my friend Donna as Gabe's classmates and other parents rallied around this book about autism in a way we never saw coming. His school and the people in Nutley are excited to know Radcliffe Elementary would benefit from a library of books (not to mention just how pleased they are over a book based on Gabe potentially being published).How healthy competition can be a good thing (even when we sometimes question how others jump 400 votes over night...it only makes you work harder).How ironic it was that when Donna and Gabe read the story, the one word he faltered on was 'autism'.How much I've enjoyed thinking about my roots of writing for children.How exciting it has been for Natalie as a 14 year old to know about her part in putting this story together and to watch her working online, sharing the link with others so they can vote.How I've always thought of autism because of my godson, but never really 'thought' about making others aware. We go out in public and I see how people react to him - but I've never really considered what part each person can play in teaching awareness to others to not be fearful of an outburst. The noises made. The flapping of arms. There is nothing to be scared of with these precious children. How much I'd love to see this book published so that all those people that have written such moving comments on the wall get a chance to read it and share it with others.Thank you, all, for voting for this book. I can't say thank you enough. And please continue to share it with others this last week of voting! 
As Chicken Boy says "Bahcaaaaah!" 


One of my first children's musicals

Is Diversity Still Good?

Diversity is a really great thing.


It fills my writing. It encompasses my group of friends. I love that people have different opinions about different subjects - when they can talk rationally about it and not get into finger pointing.


But sometimes, it is hard. Hard to keep your mouth closed (even when you may go against the grain of popular opinion). Those that follow this blog know I write about numerous topics and sometimes have a different take on something. Lately, I find myself feeling that way over some videos hitting the news.


I'm Christian, but I have friends of all different faiths. Rick Perry's new video truly riled me up, but not for the reason people assume. Yes, he blatantly called out gays in the military in his new 'strong' video, but it was what he wasn't saying that got to me. I think it takes a certain kind of person that can lead a varied group of people; no matter what their beliefs may be. This man doesn't appear to be "For the People, by the people" - but instead "for the people who believe as I believe and celebrate the same religion that I do." (Again, notice I said I'm Christian...what he proclaims to be as well.) This video feels so obviously slanted towards Christians only and leaves out any other religion in this country (that he wants to preside over). That truly makes me nervous when a president would not be able to separate their religious beliefs from the way they would govern.   


On the flip side of the aisle is another video that really got to me. The one with Michelle Bachmann and the little boy. (Over 3 million hits on youtube) So many people rallied and lifted this boy up as some sort of gay activist and I've stayed quiet and not commented on the numerous posts I've seen on Facebook and the web. I saw him as a child that did not want to speak up and was pushed into speaking by his mother. Do I agree with the message? Absolutely. Do I agree with the way it was delivered? Not at all. 


Diversity means being able to say the unpopular thing even in the middle of our own community, political party or religion. And just as people that agree with these videos have rights to speak out, so do those that find fault in them. It's what has always made our country such a great place to live. But the more diverse we become as a nation, the more it feels as if the threads are being pulled out of old glory until nothing will be left.


Diversity is a great thing.


If people know how to coexist among that diversity.