Grant Morris's Blog, page 2
September 8, 2012
YAY! Reviews!
Reviews can be both scary and delightful. They prove that someone has indeed read your work, which makes the author (moi) very giddy. Whenever I get a good review I float around the house, whistling and petting my Siamese more than usual.
This week Deacon Leeds received two reviews: one on Amazon and the other on Goodreads. The Amazon review rated 4 stars. I was very happy about this because up till then everyone had rated the book 5 stars. Which is wonderful, but a 5 star rating also casts some doubt to prospective readers as to whether it's a truthful review. Yes, unfortunately we live n a world where authors sometimes write reviews for their own books. Nasty business.
Regardless, I was very happy to see a 4 star review because of the balance it represents. Not everyone is going to like Deacon Leeds. There are some books I love that other people absolutely hate. Thank the heavens for differences in taste! Otherwise we'd all be reading the same books and boring the heck out of each other with all the tedious praises.
Now, the Goodreads review came in at 3 stars, which translates to "I liked it". It's a good middle of the road rating. And Deacon Leeds has earned a few 3 stars on Goodreads. However, the review was not so pleasant, and it bordered on mean. But they say you know you've made it to the Bigtime when the meanies start reviewing your books.
A year ago I would've lost sleep over that review. But today I stood up and shouted, "Somebody hates my book! Finally! I've made it to the Bigtime!!!"
Till next time, keep reading and writing (and reviewing books because it makes us feel good).
This week Deacon Leeds received two reviews: one on Amazon and the other on Goodreads. The Amazon review rated 4 stars. I was very happy about this because up till then everyone had rated the book 5 stars. Which is wonderful, but a 5 star rating also casts some doubt to prospective readers as to whether it's a truthful review. Yes, unfortunately we live n a world where authors sometimes write reviews for their own books. Nasty business.
Regardless, I was very happy to see a 4 star review because of the balance it represents. Not everyone is going to like Deacon Leeds. There are some books I love that other people absolutely hate. Thank the heavens for differences in taste! Otherwise we'd all be reading the same books and boring the heck out of each other with all the tedious praises.
Now, the Goodreads review came in at 3 stars, which translates to "I liked it". It's a good middle of the road rating. And Deacon Leeds has earned a few 3 stars on Goodreads. However, the review was not so pleasant, and it bordered on mean. But they say you know you've made it to the Bigtime when the meanies start reviewing your books.
A year ago I would've lost sleep over that review. But today I stood up and shouted, "Somebody hates my book! Finally! I've made it to the Bigtime!!!"
Till next time, keep reading and writing (and reviewing books because it makes us feel good).
September 6, 2012
My 5th Feature and Follow!
Alas, another Friday is here. Time to find more blog followers :)
So here's how this works. Look over there to your left. You can follow me via Google Friend Connect, Linky, or simply follow by email. It's up to you. Just make sure you leave a comment below so I know to follow you back!
Have a great weekend!!!
So here's how this works. Look over there to your left. You can follow me via Google Friend Connect, Linky, or simply follow by email. It's up to you. Just make sure you leave a comment below so I know to follow you back!
Have a great weekend!!!
September 5, 2012
Chapter Image #4
Can you guess what this little tasty treat is called? If you've read The Silver Earth Seed then you might have a chance. Give up?
Alright, what you see here is a caramel stuffed espelette pepper. These moderately spicy peppers are famous in the Basque region in the south of France. And they're also quite popular with the characters in The Tusks of Odoben.
If you look back to Chapter Image #2, you'll find a certain Basajaun by the name of Tuffy who is rather fond of espelette peppers. In fact he's such an addict that he stuffs them into his satchel that he carries with him wherever he goes.
This nifty chapter image will be found above Chapter 10. Though it probably won't have the rare signature from a certain soon-to-be famous artist, Rachel Valencia. So admire it while you can :)
By the way, check out the photo below to see how the Basque people dry their espelette peppers. Notice how they're draped across the front like organic curtains? So not only are they tasty but they make for colorful decoration!
Till next time, keep reading and writing (and chomping down on espelette peppers).
September 1, 2012
A couple of hiccups this morning but all is well
I actually slept in this morning. My eyes opened at 5:33 AM which, if you follow my posts, you will know is pretty late for me. Normally I’m up and writing somewhere between 3 and 4. So this morning I jumped out of bed and headed straight for the kitchen to pour myself my much needed cup of coffee.
Unfortunately the sugar dispenser was empty so I had to fill it up. I have one of those restaurant style glass sugar dispensers with the metal twist on cap. Well, apparently I didn’t twist hard enough and the sugar, with cap, poured all over the floor, inside my cup, on my bare feet, and inside the silverware drawer!
Thanks to my handy dandy Dust Devil I sucked the sugar up and proceeded to start over. But I had wasted a good 15 minutes of early morning brain power.
I finally sat down in front of my laptop, at my pristine glass desk, coffee to my right, and prepared to write. That’s when my Siamese decided to initiate a meow-fest. But I noticed it was a different kind of meow. The kind that conjures images of me crouched on the floor with a wet towel and a bottle of carpet cleaner.
I knew I shouldn’t have given her a full can of wet food the night before.
Sure enough, the meows evolved into sickening wretches and I knew my vision was about to become a reality. And by the look of the mess she left on the carpet, my Siamese needs to learn how to chew before swallowing.
For now, keep reading and writing (and using sugar packets instead of fancy dispensers).
August 30, 2012
My 4th Follow Friday!
Wow, is it Friday already?!
Bring on the weekend!
So here's how this works. Look over there to your left. You can follow me via Google Friend Connect, Linky, or simply follow by email. It's up to you. Just make sure you leave a comment below so I know to follow you back!
Have a great weekend!!!
Bring on the weekend!
So here's how this works. Look over there to your left. You can follow me via Google Friend Connect, Linky, or simply follow by email. It's up to you. Just make sure you leave a comment below so I know to follow you back!
Have a great weekend!!!
August 28, 2012
Who needs sleep?
Not me, apparently. As I wrap up the final chapters of The Tusks of Odoben, my story voices are chattering more frequently, waking me up at odd hours in the night. This morning my eyes popped open at 3:30 and I jumped out of bed to jot down a couple of lines. During the night my insomniac characters discovered a plot hole. But it was quickly filled up with a couple of red herrings. Whew!
I always start the morning off by jumping right into the story. Well, after my cup of coffee is brewed, poured, and steaming in front of me. My mind is at its freshest in the early morning. But after a few hours I grow weary and then I need to switch gears, so it's usually on to Goodreads where I can catch up with other authors and do a little networking.
By this time there's a dark ring around the inside of my coffee cup and my Siamese has taken over the California King. If I'm lucky I'll get a second wind and revisit the writing from the morning. But usually the only task my brain can handle is pressing the Channel Up button on the remote control.
Till next time, keep reading and writing (and listening to the wee small voices in the night).
I always start the morning off by jumping right into the story. Well, after my cup of coffee is brewed, poured, and steaming in front of me. My mind is at its freshest in the early morning. But after a few hours I grow weary and then I need to switch gears, so it's usually on to Goodreads where I can catch up with other authors and do a little networking.
By this time there's a dark ring around the inside of my coffee cup and my Siamese has taken over the California King. If I'm lucky I'll get a second wind and revisit the writing from the morning. But usually the only task my brain can handle is pressing the Channel Up button on the remote control.
Till next time, keep reading and writing (and listening to the wee small voices in the night).
August 25, 2012
If you build it they will come
Do you remember that line from the movie, Field of Dreams? Kevin Costner plays a farmer who hears a voice that says to him, "If you build it they will come." Meaning, if you build a baseball stadium in your cornfield people will come to the game. And--excuse the spoiler--they do!
That's my wish as I continue to write this blog. That more and more people will stop by to see what's going on. And I'm having a lot of fun. Writing these posts gives me a chance to take a break from my book and share a little info on the writing process and the progression of my latest novel, The Tusks of Odoben.
I was checking the mail tonight, and as I walked outside I noticed that in just the last few days the cobwebs around my door have multiplied. And I wondered if the spiders recently heard the same voice: "If you build it they will come."
Well, unlike the spiders, I promise that if you continue visiting my blog I won't bite you or drain your blood and kick you out of my web. I'll welcome you to my site and offer you a virtual coffee, or tea, if you prefer.
I'll strive to be like Charlotte, that famous spider from one of my favorite childhood novels. So let me end by saying, thanks for visiting my blog! And I think you're absolutely:
Till next time, keep reading and writing (and building those webs of friendship).
That's my wish as I continue to write this blog. That more and more people will stop by to see what's going on. And I'm having a lot of fun. Writing these posts gives me a chance to take a break from my book and share a little info on the writing process and the progression of my latest novel, The Tusks of Odoben.
I was checking the mail tonight, and as I walked outside I noticed that in just the last few days the cobwebs around my door have multiplied. And I wondered if the spiders recently heard the same voice: "If you build it they will come."
Well, unlike the spiders, I promise that if you continue visiting my blog I won't bite you or drain your blood and kick you out of my web. I'll welcome you to my site and offer you a virtual coffee, or tea, if you prefer.
I'll strive to be like Charlotte, that famous spider from one of my favorite childhood novels. So let me end by saying, thanks for visiting my blog! And I think you're absolutely:
Till next time, keep reading and writing (and building those webs of friendship).
August 24, 2012
My 3rd Follow Friday
Here's how it works. Look over there to your left. You can follow me via Google Friend Connect, Linky, or simply follow by email. It's up to you. Just make sure you leave a comment below so I know to follow you back!
Have a great Friday!!!
Have a great Friday!!!
August 23, 2012
Chapter Images #3
Alas, another chapter image! This Odobenus diva makes her debut splash in Chapter 7, aptly titled The Tusks of Odoben. I can't give away too much but I will say I've had a jolly good time weaving her into the twisty plot.
Rachel truly outdid herself with this one. Notice the icy attitude that glares at you from just one visible eye. Imagine having a staring contest with this frosty diva!
If you've read The Silver Earth Seed, then you may remember the Seraphs vitaporting to the Spheniscine dimension to help out a certain Emperor Daquin.
Much is learned during their dangerous excursion to the emperor's slippery kingdom. And his desperate plight continues in the sequel coming soon!
Till next time, keep reading and writing (and staring at that one eye until she blinks).
...
Are you still here?
...
Okay, she's not going to blink.
...
Really, she's not :)
...
You're free to move onto the next blog.
...
Have a good night!
Rachel truly outdid herself with this one. Notice the icy attitude that glares at you from just one visible eye. Imagine having a staring contest with this frosty diva!
If you've read The Silver Earth Seed, then you may remember the Seraphs vitaporting to the Spheniscine dimension to help out a certain Emperor Daquin.
Much is learned during their dangerous excursion to the emperor's slippery kingdom. And his desperate plight continues in the sequel coming soon!
Till next time, keep reading and writing (and staring at that one eye until she blinks).
...
Are you still here?
...
Okay, she's not going to blink.
...
Really, she's not :)
...
You're free to move onto the next blog.
...
Have a good night!
August 21, 2012
Tattered and worn
It truly is a never ending battle trying to get the story perfect. With every read through I change words, delete paragraphs, add new paragraphs, catch grammar, punctuation and story errors--it just never ends. Sometimes I wonder if I should just stop reading my own book and accept the fact that it will always have a flaw or two...or three, or four... I think that's great advice. Hmmm...
Luckily a terrific reader/supporter/friend recently hacked away (in a good way) at The Silver Earth Seed. She found quite a few oops moments and noted them down on various scraps of paper. She then handed me the tattered and worn book, stuffed with all her scribbled notes.
I can't tell you how great it feels to have someone take the time to really go through and weed out these persistent pests. So thank you Judy Hammond for caring enough to not only read my book but to help me improve the quality for future readers!
By the way, this is the desk where I spend most of my life. Notice the perfectly aligned stapler and tape dispenser. You might also spot the earplugs I use in case my Siamese decides to initiate a meow-a-thon.
Till next time, keep reading and writing (and editing).
Luckily a terrific reader/supporter/friend recently hacked away (in a good way) at The Silver Earth Seed. She found quite a few oops moments and noted them down on various scraps of paper. She then handed me the tattered and worn book, stuffed with all her scribbled notes.
I can't tell you how great it feels to have someone take the time to really go through and weed out these persistent pests. So thank you Judy Hammond for caring enough to not only read my book but to help me improve the quality for future readers!
By the way, this is the desk where I spend most of my life. Notice the perfectly aligned stapler and tape dispenser. You might also spot the earplugs I use in case my Siamese decides to initiate a meow-a-thon.
Till next time, keep reading and writing (and editing).
