Victoria Zigler's Blog: Zigler News, page 134
September 7, 2016
#Writing Wednesday - September 7th 2016
Firstly... In case you missed them when I originally posted about them... Here's a link to an author and blogger interview I did a couple of weeks ago, and the thread where I'm author of the month. I'm accepting questions elsewhere for those who can't post on the thread, so feel free to post your questions below, if you have any.
***
Whether you've started writing your book or not, here's a hobbit's guide to launching your book, which is one of the most entertaining book marketing posts I've read, if not the most entertaining.
Need some inspiration for topics to write about? It doesn't matter if it's for a story, a blog post, or whatever. Try drawing from personal experiences. Not sure where to start? Check out this list of 100 prompts for writing about yourself.
You may also want to check out these tips for improving dialogue, and these tactics to grip a reader at the end of a chapter (strong language warning applies on the second of those two links; though not as much as with many of the other posts on that blog).
This post about explaining common references is another I recommend you read, since it's great advice.
Time to edit? Here's a grammar tip for you regarding the singular they. Also, did you know Microsoft Word can check for gender spacific language? Well, you know now, and the post I just linked to even tells you how to make sure it does so.
Ready to format your manuscript? Take a look at this post about building your book's front matter for some tips on what to include. I don't include all the things in most of my books, and the "about the author" piece is always at the back in my books, even though it's not really all that long. You don't have to include everything either, but you can if you want to. Some parts (like the title, author's name, and copyright information) are important enough that it's advisable to add them though.
Like it or not, book promotion is important if you want to have a chance of selling any books. The only problem is, it can be quite expensive. Well, most of the time. However, here are some ways you can promote your work for free, as well as some other ideas for marketing and promotion. Also, take a look at these ways to maintain an interactive blog, and create a fan base.
Quick tip: instead of just promoting your book, share what you've learned, and give readers a reason to return to your blog and profile/page on social media sites.
Are you an author who uses Facebook for part of your book marketing? If you are, you may want to be aware of these three changes, which may be important for you to know about, or may not, depending on how you market.
Hey, do you want to make a career out of your writing? Check out these tips to start (or restart) your writing career; they're a good place to start your journey as a professional writer, as well as being good tips for those who have been doing it for a while and need the reminder.
Before I end this week's writing themed post, I'd like to request that all struggling authors, please read this.
***
Whether you've started writing your book or not, here's a hobbit's guide to launching your book, which is one of the most entertaining book marketing posts I've read, if not the most entertaining.
Need some inspiration for topics to write about? It doesn't matter if it's for a story, a blog post, or whatever. Try drawing from personal experiences. Not sure where to start? Check out this list of 100 prompts for writing about yourself.
You may also want to check out these tips for improving dialogue, and these tactics to grip a reader at the end of a chapter (strong language warning applies on the second of those two links; though not as much as with many of the other posts on that blog).
This post about explaining common references is another I recommend you read, since it's great advice.
Time to edit? Here's a grammar tip for you regarding the singular they. Also, did you know Microsoft Word can check for gender spacific language? Well, you know now, and the post I just linked to even tells you how to make sure it does so.
Ready to format your manuscript? Take a look at this post about building your book's front matter for some tips on what to include. I don't include all the things in most of my books, and the "about the author" piece is always at the back in my books, even though it's not really all that long. You don't have to include everything either, but you can if you want to. Some parts (like the title, author's name, and copyright information) are important enough that it's advisable to add them though.
Like it or not, book promotion is important if you want to have a chance of selling any books. The only problem is, it can be quite expensive. Well, most of the time. However, here are some ways you can promote your work for free, as well as some other ideas for marketing and promotion. Also, take a look at these ways to maintain an interactive blog, and create a fan base.
Quick tip: instead of just promoting your book, share what you've learned, and give readers a reason to return to your blog and profile/page on social media sites.
Are you an author who uses Facebook for part of your book marketing? If you are, you may want to be aware of these three changes, which may be important for you to know about, or may not, depending on how you market.
Hey, do you want to make a career out of your writing? Check out these tips to start (or restart) your writing career; they're a good place to start your journey as a professional writer, as well as being good tips for those who have been doing it for a while and need the reminder.
Before I end this week's writing themed post, I'd like to request that all struggling authors, please read this.
September 6, 2016
It's National #ReadABookDay
National Read a Book Day is the celebratory 24 hours, set aside to remind us that books are treasure chests filled with the riches of inspiration, imagination and information.
It is suggested that we read anything that we love. It could be a book from childhood, a book that you have always been meaning to start, or perhaps a book that you have been needing an excuse to finish.
Let’s say you don’t want to “just sit and read” (gee, Annette, you say that like it’s a bad thing). It was suggested that you read to someone else! Bonzer thought here!! Visit a shut-in, head off to your child’s school, heck, corner the dog! Don’t have a pet? Read to your walls, look in the mirror and read to yourself OR head outside and read to Mother Nature (she’s been waiting for you to visit considering you’ve been so busy with that new job and all).
Click here to read the rest of Annette Rochelle Aben's post about National Book Day.
September 5, 2016
Happy Birthday To You: July To September 2016
Several people I know - and one or two animals I know too - have recently celebrated, or are about to celebrate, their birthdays.
Among them are my friend Tom (18th July) who I've known almost as long as I've had internet access, my friend Nancy (25th July) who I've known almost as long as I've known Tom, someone many in the blogging community know as LadyStyx (3rd August) who I haven't known quite as long, but who I consider to be a good friend, Holly (23rd August) who is Kelly's cousin, my writer friend, Barb (25th August) who is one of the very few online friends I've met in person, my Grandma's little Yorkshire Terrier, Jayde Bramblerose (3rd September) who I still can't believe has just celebrated her 11th birthday, Kelly's Dad, Clarence (5th September) whose birthday is today, and my Mam's Cocker Spaniel, Ebonie, who will be celebrating her first birthday in a couple of weeks (19th September).
So, happy birthday, Tom, Nancy, Styxie, Holly, Barb, Jayde, Clarence, and Ebonie!
There are others too, as I said. So, if you had a birthday recently - or are about to have one - and I didn't mention you... Happy birthday to you as well!
Among them are my friend Tom (18th July) who I've known almost as long as I've had internet access, my friend Nancy (25th July) who I've known almost as long as I've known Tom, someone many in the blogging community know as LadyStyx (3rd August) who I haven't known quite as long, but who I consider to be a good friend, Holly (23rd August) who is Kelly's cousin, my writer friend, Barb (25th August) who is one of the very few online friends I've met in person, my Grandma's little Yorkshire Terrier, Jayde Bramblerose (3rd September) who I still can't believe has just celebrated her 11th birthday, Kelly's Dad, Clarence (5th September) whose birthday is today, and my Mam's Cocker Spaniel, Ebonie, who will be celebrating her first birthday in a couple of weeks (19th September).
So, happy birthday, Tom, Nancy, Styxie, Holly, Barb, Jayde, Clarence, and Ebonie!
There are others too, as I said. So, if you had a birthday recently - or are about to have one - and I didn't mention you... Happy birthday to you as well!
September 4, 2016
I'm September 2016's #Author Of The Month
I'm this month's author of the month on one of the groups I'm a member of over on Goodreads.
I was author of the month there two years ago too, but a lot can happen in two years, especially with someone who writes as many books in a year as I do. So, I'm taking a turn in the spotlight again.
You can check out the thread by going to https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18228324-september-2016---victoria-zigler---again.
Not able to post? Feel free to ask me questions on either the "ask the author" thingy on my Goodreads author page, or ask your questions on this post instead.
I was author of the month there two years ago too, but a lot can happen in two years, especially with someone who writes as many books in a year as I do. So, I'm taking a turn in the spotlight again.
You can check out the thread by going to https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18228324-september-2016---victoria-zigler---again.
Not able to post? Feel free to ask me questions on either the "ask the author" thingy on my Goodreads author page, or ask your questions on this post instead.
September 2, 2016
#Furkid Friday: #Ratty #Birthday To Us (FD)
Um... Hello everyone! This is Skye the rat.
Guess what?
My ratty sister, Star, and I had one of those birthday things again. We still aren't entirely sure what they're for, but they mean we get extra treats, so we like them. This year, for example, Star and I got some special cookies that are "just for rats" according to the human caretakers. I have no idea what was in them, but Star and I absolutely loved them, so I don't suppose it matters. We rats aren't like the rest of the rodent gang; the human caretakers don't have to be quite as careful with our food as they do with the food they allow our degu brothers to eat, for example. There are all sorts of things our degu brothers and chinchilla sisters aren't allowed to eat, but there's very little that we and our gerbil brother, Baggins, aren't allowed. Aren't we lucky?
Plus, the Mummy human made us a new hammock, since our old one needed to be replaced. No, we didn't chew it. The corners were getting a bit ragged after all the times our weight on the hammock had tugged on them. Anyway, here I am checking it out:
We had some cheese too, but that may not have been anything to do with our birthday, since we get that on and off a lot of the time. The human caretakers often share their nibbles with us, especially if they're eating something they know we love, like cheese, fruit, and cereal.
Either way, I can't wait until we get another of these birthday things!
Squeak soon,
Skye
Guess what?
My ratty sister, Star, and I had one of those birthday things again. We still aren't entirely sure what they're for, but they mean we get extra treats, so we like them. This year, for example, Star and I got some special cookies that are "just for rats" according to the human caretakers. I have no idea what was in them, but Star and I absolutely loved them, so I don't suppose it matters. We rats aren't like the rest of the rodent gang; the human caretakers don't have to be quite as careful with our food as they do with the food they allow our degu brothers to eat, for example. There are all sorts of things our degu brothers and chinchilla sisters aren't allowed to eat, but there's very little that we and our gerbil brother, Baggins, aren't allowed. Aren't we lucky?
Plus, the Mummy human made us a new hammock, since our old one needed to be replaced. No, we didn't chew it. The corners were getting a bit ragged after all the times our weight on the hammock had tugged on them. Anyway, here I am checking it out:
We had some cheese too, but that may not have been anything to do with our birthday, since we get that on and off a lot of the time. The human caretakers often share their nibbles with us, especially if they're eating something they know we love, like cheese, fruit, and cereal.
Either way, I can't wait until we get another of these birthday things!
Squeak soon,
Skye
September 1, 2016
Ancient #Egyptian Works To Be Published Together In English For The First Time…
Extract from an article in The Guardian Online:
Click here to read the full article
Ancient Egyptian texts written on rock faces and papyri are being brought together for the general reader for the first time after a Cambridge academic translated the hieroglyphic writings into modern English.
Until now few people beyond specialists have been able to read the texts, many of them inaccessible within tombs. While ancient Greek and Roman texts are widely accessible in modern editions, those from ancient Egypt have been largely overlooked, and the civilisation is most famous for its monuments.
The Great Pyramid and sphinx at Giza, the tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel have shaped our image of the monumental pharaonic culture and its mysterious god-kings.
Click here to read the full article
August 31, 2016
The #Rats Turn Two
Today is the second birthday of our ratty girls, Skye and Star.
I know some people aren't fans of rats, but I assure you our girls are sweet little things. Kelly was one of those people who didn't like rats, until he got me the girls. Actually, I was surprised he did, because he'd always insisted I couldn't have rats. But he went to look at them thinking he'd put up with having rats for me, and the girls stole his heart from day one. He brought them home almost two years ago (when the girls were about 12 weeks old) and now he's as eager to pet and play with them as I am, and actually calls Skye his baby girl. Haha!
Anyway, like I said, our ratty girls are two years old today. So...
Happy birthday, Skye and Star!
I know some people aren't fans of rats, but I assure you our girls are sweet little things. Kelly was one of those people who didn't like rats, until he got me the girls. Actually, I was surprised he did, because he'd always insisted I couldn't have rats. But he went to look at them thinking he'd put up with having rats for me, and the girls stole his heart from day one. He brought them home almost two years ago (when the girls were about 12 weeks old) and now he's as eager to pet and play with them as I am, and actually calls Skye his baby girl. Haha!
Anyway, like I said, our ratty girls are two years old today. So...
Happy birthday, Skye and Star!
#Writing Wednesday - August 31st 2016
Just in case you missed Saturday's post about it...
The eBook version of my latest release - and first attempt at a science fiction story - "Jeffrey The Orange Alien" is now officially available to buy on Smashwords in all formats they offer, as well as from a few other eBook retailers (such as Barnes & Noble, the Apple iBookstore, Kobo, etc).
Those who prefer a physical book may be pleased to hear that the paperback version should become available in a few weeks time, all being well. I'll let you know when that one is available.
Regardless of your prefered format, I hope those of you who buy copies enjoy it. I would also appreciate reviews, either where you brought it, or on the book's Goodreads page, or both. Please don't feel obligated to write a review though; reviews are entirely optional... Very much appreciated, but optional.
If you do buy a copy... Thank you! If you do write a review... Thank you again!
***
Did you know: Smashwords recently released a new feature where you can get eMail notifications whenever your favourite Smashwords authors publish something new.
If you have an account on Smashwords, and want to subscribe to notifications about my new releases, simply go to my profile page on Smashwords, and click the button labeled "Subscribe to Author Alerts."
The eBook version of my latest release - and first attempt at a science fiction story - "Jeffrey The Orange Alien" is now officially available to buy on Smashwords in all formats they offer, as well as from a few other eBook retailers (such as Barnes & Noble, the Apple iBookstore, Kobo, etc).
Those who prefer a physical book may be pleased to hear that the paperback version should become available in a few weeks time, all being well. I'll let you know when that one is available.
Regardless of your prefered format, I hope those of you who buy copies enjoy it. I would also appreciate reviews, either where you brought it, or on the book's Goodreads page, or both. Please don't feel obligated to write a review though; reviews are entirely optional... Very much appreciated, but optional.
If you do buy a copy... Thank you! If you do write a review... Thank you again!
***
Did you know: Smashwords recently released a new feature where you can get eMail notifications whenever your favourite Smashwords authors publish something new.
If you have an account on Smashwords, and want to subscribe to notifications about my new releases, simply go to my profile page on Smashwords, and click the button labeled "Subscribe to Author Alerts."
August 30, 2016
#Poetry #Book: "Refractions" By #Poet And #Author Kevin Morris
"The poet may redact
The light that through his poem does refract.
But the reader will therein construe
That she believes to be true."
Light refracts causing confusion as to where it is going in the same way that poems do. What the reader thinks the poet means and what he actually does are often 2 rather different things but readers will, none the less draw their own conclusions (eroneous or otherwise).
Above is the description for Kevin Morris' latest collection of poetry, “Refractions” which is now available to purchase in the Amazon Kindle store.
To read a free sample of “Refractions”, or to buy the book, please visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01L5UC2H2 (for the UK) or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L5UC2H2 (for the US).
August 29, 2016
#TV Talk And #Movie Mutterings - August 2016
I didn't do one of these posts last month, because there wasn't anything new that was TV or movie related to post about. I mean, it was sort of pointless doing a post of new to me movies and TV shows when I hadn't seen anything new, don't you think? But I've got some new to me movies to post about this month, so you get a post this time.
As with the previous posts like this, I'm not posting long and detailed reviews. I'm just giving you a bit about what I thought of the movie in question. Because of this, I've linked to where you can find out more about the movie, if you want to. So, to know more than just my opinion, and how I'd rate the movie, click on the title of the movie in question, and you should go straight to a page where you can find out more.
Yes, I did say "how I'd rate the movie" in the above paragraph. I know I haven't been doing ratings, but I decided to start doing so now. No, I'm not going to go back and rate movies I've posted about in the past... That would be incredibly time consuming, not to mention boring. Anyway, I'm going to use the same rating system I'm used to using on Goodreads, because I figure it's easier to stick with one rating system, rather than risking confusion over which rating system applies this time. This means that:
One star = did not like it.
Two stars = it was okay.
Three stars = liked it.
Four stars = really liked it.
Five stars = it was amazing.
OK... So...
Maya The Bee (2014 movie):
I've seen the TV series for this one, and think it's really cute. The movie is cute too, but I wasn't quite as taken with the movie as I have been by the TV series. It felt too long. I don't know if it was just where I'm used to getting Maya's adventures in small doses, and found it difficult to adjust to such a long "episode" about her, or if it's something in how well they did with expanding the story. But, either way, it felt like they'd forced the extra length, with the result it seemed to drag in several places. So, yeah... It was a cute movie, but not as good as the TV series, in my opinion. I give this one four out of five stars.
The Good Dinosaur (2015 movie):
I've been dying to see this one ever since I learned it existed. It looked totally awesome, so I'd ended up doing the thing I always try not to do - often unsuccessfully. I'd built up high expectations for this movie. I'm pleased to report that I was not disappointed! This movie was fantastic! It had everything a good movie needs: an interesting storyline, a great cast of characters, and scenes that will have you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions so that you'll be laughing one minute and crying the next. I give this one a well deserved five out of five stars.
Fantastic Four (2015 movie):
As a movie in its own right, this one is really good - not fantastic, but really good. My main complaint about it as a movie in its own right is the awful sound quality (most of the movie was so quiet I could hardly hear it, even with the TV turned up really high). However, as a Fantastic Four movie, this movie was terrible. It threw the origin story right out of the window, and made a few other mistakes as well. If you're going to make a movie based on a superhero (or group of them, as in this case) you should do your homework first. If you want to go with a new origin story, make up your own superhero. Just saying! I give this one three out of five stars.
Pan (2015 movie):
This is another movie I wasn't as impressed with as I had hoped to be. It had a few entertaining scenes, and was a reasonably good movie in its own right, but it wasn't an amazing movie. Not to mention, it didn't work at all as a Peter Pan origin story. The movie was set in World War II (1939-1945) which makes absolutely no sense for the origin story of Peter Pan, who met Wendy Darling during the Edwardian era (1901-1910). The dates just don't work! So, another movie that only gets three out of five stars.
As with the previous posts like this, I'm not posting long and detailed reviews. I'm just giving you a bit about what I thought of the movie in question. Because of this, I've linked to where you can find out more about the movie, if you want to. So, to know more than just my opinion, and how I'd rate the movie, click on the title of the movie in question, and you should go straight to a page where you can find out more.
Yes, I did say "how I'd rate the movie" in the above paragraph. I know I haven't been doing ratings, but I decided to start doing so now. No, I'm not going to go back and rate movies I've posted about in the past... That would be incredibly time consuming, not to mention boring. Anyway, I'm going to use the same rating system I'm used to using on Goodreads, because I figure it's easier to stick with one rating system, rather than risking confusion over which rating system applies this time. This means that:
One star = did not like it.
Two stars = it was okay.
Three stars = liked it.
Four stars = really liked it.
Five stars = it was amazing.
OK... So...
Maya The Bee (2014 movie):
I've seen the TV series for this one, and think it's really cute. The movie is cute too, but I wasn't quite as taken with the movie as I have been by the TV series. It felt too long. I don't know if it was just where I'm used to getting Maya's adventures in small doses, and found it difficult to adjust to such a long "episode" about her, or if it's something in how well they did with expanding the story. But, either way, it felt like they'd forced the extra length, with the result it seemed to drag in several places. So, yeah... It was a cute movie, but not as good as the TV series, in my opinion. I give this one four out of five stars.
The Good Dinosaur (2015 movie):
I've been dying to see this one ever since I learned it existed. It looked totally awesome, so I'd ended up doing the thing I always try not to do - often unsuccessfully. I'd built up high expectations for this movie. I'm pleased to report that I was not disappointed! This movie was fantastic! It had everything a good movie needs: an interesting storyline, a great cast of characters, and scenes that will have you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions so that you'll be laughing one minute and crying the next. I give this one a well deserved five out of five stars.
Fantastic Four (2015 movie):
As a movie in its own right, this one is really good - not fantastic, but really good. My main complaint about it as a movie in its own right is the awful sound quality (most of the movie was so quiet I could hardly hear it, even with the TV turned up really high). However, as a Fantastic Four movie, this movie was terrible. It threw the origin story right out of the window, and made a few other mistakes as well. If you're going to make a movie based on a superhero (or group of them, as in this case) you should do your homework first. If you want to go with a new origin story, make up your own superhero. Just saying! I give this one three out of five stars.
Pan (2015 movie):
This is another movie I wasn't as impressed with as I had hoped to be. It had a few entertaining scenes, and was a reasonably good movie in its own right, but it wasn't an amazing movie. Not to mention, it didn't work at all as a Peter Pan origin story. The movie was set in World War II (1939-1945) which makes absolutely no sense for the origin story of Peter Pan, who met Wendy Darling during the Edwardian era (1901-1910). The dates just don't work! So, another movie that only gets three out of five stars.
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Author and book news for children's author and poet, Victoria Zigler, as well as general news from the life of the Zigler family; furry and otherwise!
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