Cathy Jackson's Blog, page 2
August 19, 2014
Community
Merriam-Webster.com defines COMMUNITY as a unified body of individuals:
a: state, commonwealth
b: the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself
c: an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location
d: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society
e: a group linked by a common policy
f: a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests
g: a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society
2: society at large
3 a: joint ownership or participation
b: common character: likeness
c: social activity: fellowship
d: a social state or condition
All of which applies to Authors. Whether unknown or well known, we are all a part of a community. We all write because we want to or feel we have to. We all love to write so we sacrifice our time and put an extreme amount of effort into getting words on a page to entertain those who love to read. If we are all in this beloved community, trying to exist as a unit then there should be no distinction among one Author or another.
An Author may just be starting out. Their foot just touching the first step on the journey. What must we do as Authors? Come along side that new Writer, hold their hands, help them with their fears, encourage them, help them reach for their dreams. And, if we are lucky enough, be there when they achieve them.
Another Author may be on the Best Seller list. They have put in a great amount of sacrifices to see their hard work shining for all the world to see. Basking in the spotlight, we should all come together and congratulate that Author who has made it.
If we are the community that Merriam-Webster describes then, as Authors, we have standards and ideals that we must display to all Authors. I for one try, to the best of my abilities, everyday to represent that great community to which I am a part of. A community of Writers. A community of Authors. A community of friends.
a: state, commonwealth
b: the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself
c: an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location
d: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society
e: a group linked by a common policy
f: a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests
g: a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society
2: society at large
3 a: joint ownership or participation
b: common character: likeness
c: social activity: fellowship
d: a social state or condition
All of which applies to Authors. Whether unknown or well known, we are all a part of a community. We all write because we want to or feel we have to. We all love to write so we sacrifice our time and put an extreme amount of effort into getting words on a page to entertain those who love to read. If we are all in this beloved community, trying to exist as a unit then there should be no distinction among one Author or another.
An Author may just be starting out. Their foot just touching the first step on the journey. What must we do as Authors? Come along side that new Writer, hold their hands, help them with their fears, encourage them, help them reach for their dreams. And, if we are lucky enough, be there when they achieve them.
Another Author may be on the Best Seller list. They have put in a great amount of sacrifices to see their hard work shining for all the world to see. Basking in the spotlight, we should all come together and congratulate that Author who has made it.
If we are the community that Merriam-Webster describes then, as Authors, we have standards and ideals that we must display to all Authors. I for one try, to the best of my abilities, everyday to represent that great community to which I am a part of. A community of Writers. A community of Authors. A community of friends.
August 18, 2014
BURN
As I write this my hubby, who has been up since 5 am, is playing AQWorlds and talking to my 8 year old about Pokémon. Matt, said spouse, is a hard working man who is devoted to his family. I am blessed to have him in my life.
Today has been a day of goals.
Bring on the Monday!
To Do List (before sleeping tonight):
1. Check ALL emails, sort, answer& delete.
2. Give all the beautiful people of Facebook who have won "As You Wish" at parties their ebooks.
4. Check not STAY on Facebook.
5. ...Wait...
3. Ask beta readers how they are doing with my next book, "Hold Me Loosely."
6. WRITE on the anthology I will be contributing to in October.
7. Help kids with homework.
8. Greet hubby when he comes home from work.
9. Make dinner.
10. Watch some episodes of Season 7 with the family.
11. Get everyone to bed.
12. WRITE! WRITE! WRITE!
Ah, the glamorous life of an Author!
*I spent an hour SOLID going through emails.
*3 hours of Contact Time & GIVING AWAY ebooks to those who have WON my ebook at the last week's events. That was with the double checking to make sure I didn't miss anyone, which I am SURE I did.
*On and Off Facebook because I have to stay up-to-date with other Authors and people who are Following me.
*Beta Readers was another hour.
*Homework, greeting hubby & dinner all bleeds together time-wise.
*By 8:30 PM we were FINALLY sitting down to watch a couple of episodes of Doctor Who, playing catch up to the Season 8 beginning Saturday.
*Everyone in bed by 10 PM
Right now it is 10:40 PM. My day started at 5 AM when hubby awoke and I STILL need to type at least 2,000 words on the Anthology I am working on for Felicia Starr.
Being a stay at home mom/wife/Author is a mentally exhausting job but one I would not trade anything for. I always wondered why ebooks were so expensive but now I know why. The Author who works is on his or her own time and THAT is what you are paying for, THEIR TIME! Maybe one day I can help contribute to the paying of the bills with my hubby. I can do something to CONTRIBUTE to our family. I am hoping that is soon.
I love you all, Fans and Authors alike. Keep being BRILLANT!
Today has been a day of goals.
Bring on the Monday!
To Do List (before sleeping tonight):
1. Check ALL emails, sort, answer& delete.
2. Give all the beautiful people of Facebook who have won "As You Wish" at parties their ebooks.
4. Check not STAY on Facebook.
5. ...Wait...
3. Ask beta readers how they are doing with my next book, "Hold Me Loosely."
6. WRITE on the anthology I will be contributing to in October.
7. Help kids with homework.
8. Greet hubby when he comes home from work.
9. Make dinner.
10. Watch some episodes of Season 7 with the family.
11. Get everyone to bed.
12. WRITE! WRITE! WRITE!
Ah, the glamorous life of an Author!
*I spent an hour SOLID going through emails.
*3 hours of Contact Time & GIVING AWAY ebooks to those who have WON my ebook at the last week's events. That was with the double checking to make sure I didn't miss anyone, which I am SURE I did.
*On and Off Facebook because I have to stay up-to-date with other Authors and people who are Following me.
*Beta Readers was another hour.
*Homework, greeting hubby & dinner all bleeds together time-wise.
*By 8:30 PM we were FINALLY sitting down to watch a couple of episodes of Doctor Who, playing catch up to the Season 8 beginning Saturday.
*Everyone in bed by 10 PM
Right now it is 10:40 PM. My day started at 5 AM when hubby awoke and I STILL need to type at least 2,000 words on the Anthology I am working on for Felicia Starr.
Being a stay at home mom/wife/Author is a mentally exhausting job but one I would not trade anything for. I always wondered why ebooks were so expensive but now I know why. The Author who works is on his or her own time and THAT is what you are paying for, THEIR TIME! Maybe one day I can help contribute to the paying of the bills with my hubby. I can do something to CONTRIBUTE to our family. I am hoping that is soon.
I love you all, Fans and Authors alike. Keep being BRILLANT!
