G.G. Collins's Blog, page 23
December 3, 2012
Smudging Ceremony
There are many reasons to cleanse rooms or objects. Have you ever had someone visit and when they left, it felt as if they had dumped their emotional baggage in your living room? After an illness, smudging can symbolize healing and moving on.When a person buys another house, they may wish to evict any lingering energy. In Reluctant Medium, Rachel’s mechanic smudged her car after it was repaired.
Items for Smudging Ceremony
Copyright G G Collins
Several items are needed to perform a smudging ceremony. Sometimes you can find these as kits in a metaphysical store or you can buy each as you need them. Start with a white sage bundle. When burned, sage purifies negative energy and carries it away. Smoldering cedar attracts good spirits and negates harmful energy. When you wish to say a prayer or attract positive energy to a ceremony, burn sweetgrass.
An abalone shell makes a perfect vessel for incense, cedar or small amounts of sweetgrass or sage. You can also use a clay pot or flat stone as long as it’s a natural material. If you wish to use a charcoal disc for burning, you may break it in small pieces rather than using the entire tab at once.
Light the Sage
Copyright G G Collins
Once you lighted the sage bundle, let it burn for a few moments. You’ll need a feather or piece of paper to fan the smoke, but please never kill a bird or pull a feather from a living bird. Many birds, such as the eagle are protected species. It’s just not good karma. Look for feathers on the ground or buy one.
Extinguish the fire by crushing the sage in the shell or blowing out the flame. Allow it to smolder. Using your feather, walk around the room in clockwise manner, wafting the smoke into all the dark corners where unwanted entities may hang out. If you’re cleansing an object, walk about the article and allow the smoke to caress it. For rooms, open a window to allow bad energy to escape.
Fanning with Feather
Copyright G G Collins
If you wish, you may say a mantra such as “Ahh Om” or chant a blessing or prayer of your choosing. Ask the entities or energies to please vacate the space or item. And thank the pure presence in your life.
Smudging is a way of helping us start over, put unpleasant experiences behind us or just clear our personal space regularly. Clearing rituals have been used throughout the centuries and are as varied as the people who used them.
Sacred Sage
Smokeless Mist
NOTE: Many of us are unable to tolerate smoke. If you are one as I am, there is a product called Sacred Sage which is a smokeless mist containing white sage and cedar. I use it frequently.
Filed under: Metaphysical, Uncategorized Tagged: abalone shell, clearing ritual, feather, G G Collins, purifying, Reluctant Medium, Sacred Sage Smokeless Mist, sage bundle, Smudging Ceremony
November 27, 2012
G G Collins Interviewed on Shaping Destiny
I’m delighted to take part in Destiny Allison’s “Women Artists and Writers.” Allison is running a series of interviews on her blog, “Shaping Destiny: A Quest for Meaning in Art and Life.”
Shaping Destiny
by Destiny Allison
Allison is an accomplished artist and writer. Because her questions are thoughtful, this was my first introspective interview since publishing my book. I appreciate being included in this look at women, art and writing, how we perceive our work and the world we work within.
To read the interview and check out Allison’s blog, art and book:
http://shapingdestinythebook.com/2012/11/27/author-g-g-collins/
Filed under: Publishing Tagged: art climate, author interview, creative process, Destiny Allison, G G Collins, inspiration, Reluctant Medium, Shaping Destiny, women artists, women writers
November 22, 2012
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Reluctant Medium
Available at Amazon
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Paranormal mystery, female sleuth, mild horror effects, humor.
Rachel Blackstone has a nose for news, but never dreamed she’d be a newsmaker. That all changes when she returns the dead, the wrong dead, using a Native American ceremony. That’s bad enough, but now she’s seeing other spirits. A strange lone wolf has appeared and things are going from bad to worse in the southwestern city of Santa Fe, New Mexico. She must discover her power or die trying.
Enter the coupon code prior to completing checkout at Smashwords: WW77S
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/248836
See reviews here (just click on the tab above) or read at: http://www.shelfari.com/books/29578175/Reluctant-Medium/readers-reviews
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Black Friday Coupon, G G Collins, Rachel Blackstone, Reluctant Medium, Smashwords
November 18, 2012
Thanksgiving in the States
President Abraham Lincoln first declared a holiday of thanksgiving in 1863. But it is that “First Thanksgiving” that took place in Plymouth, Massachusetts during the autumn of 1621 after the Pilgrims brought in their first harvest that Americans most often think of. Reports say it lasted three days and included 53 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans.
Depiction of First Thanksgiving
Public Domain
The Pilgrims, who were much like any new immigrants, had failed to bring enough supplies to grow what they needed and were helped by a Patuxet Native American named Squanto who taught them to fish and grow corn. Massasoit, the Wampanoag leader, also donated food to the Pilgrims to help them through that first year in what to them was the New World.
Today, families gather in homes and restaurants to celebrate Thanksgiving. For many people, this is a four-day weekend and family members may travel long distances to be together. It is the biggest air travel weekend of the year in the US.
Thanksgiving Cornicopia
Public Domain
The traditional menu is roasted turkey or ham, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, various side dishes and pumpkin pie for dessert. Everyone gathers around the table and some will take the time for each person to say what they are thankful for. Often, grace (prayers) are said and then everyone enjoys the meal. For many, it’s football games the rest of the day or maybe a movie. Personally, after the meal, I like to take a walk or go to the cinema.
I’m thankful for a really good year, and for all of you who visit and follow my blog. You come from so many countries it’s almost unbelievable that all of you have found it.
Other countries have a day of thanksgiving too. Canada, Germany, Japan, Liberia,The Netherlands and Norfolk Island, among others, celebrate a day of thanksgiving.
Wherever you live, I hope you have many reasons to be grateful.
Filed under: Annoucements Tagged: Abraham Lincoln, G G Collins, Native Americans in the United States, Pilgrim, Reluctant Medium, Squanto, Thanksgiving, Wampanoag people
November 14, 2012
Returning the Dead
“Talking” with the dead. Various cultures use ceremony and ritual to “speak” with family and friends who have passed over. It goes by a variety of names. Some Asian cultures refer to it as spirit-calling, soul-calling or calling the soul of the dead. They can also be practiced to attract specific living people into your life. It has also been called communing with the guardian spirit. In Hispanic culture, the dead are celebrated each year on the Day of the Dead. This is a ritual growing in popularity, and why not celebrate those we have loved and lost?
Pahos Yarn & Stick
copyright G G Collins
My character, Rachel Blackstone, who became the Reluctant Medium, was mourning her father’s death as the story opened. She had not only lost her father, but he died under mysterious circumstances. Despite that, the police had not been able to determine how his accident had occurred. That left Rachel without knowing–with no facts to support or dispute a theory—an uncomfortable place for a fact-based reporter.
To this end, she decides to try a Native American ceremony to return the dead in the hope that she can ask her father what happened.
Completed pahos with Loop
copyright G G Collins
Craft a mask. I researched these ceremonies and simplified it for storytelling. The first step was to construct a mask and decorate it with items that had belonged to the deceased. Rachel used cuff links and a photo of her father and herself taken during a trip. You must create the mask yourself. While you are doing so you begin to think about the person and the issue you wish to talk about. This sets your mind on the direct path.
Pahos with Feather Added
copyright G G Collins
Prayer stick or pahos. She also wanted to make a pahos, or prayer stick. There are many ways to do this, but I chose to use yarn in the four directional colors or four colors of mankind: black, white, red and yellow. To craft a pahos, simply write a short prayer or message on a small piece of paper. Wrap and tape securely around the twig you have chosen. (Use a fallen branch or twig rather than cutting one from a tree.) Then takes lengths of each yarn color and begin wrapping them around the stick, covering the paper. You may be creative with this, but leave some yarn to fashion a hangar. Prayer sticks can be quite elaborate with beading, feathers and other objects. After completion, pahos are hung from a tree, or other outside location. This allows the prayer or wish to continually reach the Above Beings–or whatever name you choose to call your higher power. This is very personal and a private thing for each of us.
Setting the mood. Next, play some music that is conducive to relaxation. If you have a recording of Native American drumming, this is ideal, but any instrumental music that is played adagio will be fine. You may burn incense or sage. In my story I chose Dragon’s Blood incense as it is reputed helpful in these ceremonies. When all is ready, imagine that you are in a kiva, an underground chamber for Native American ceremonies. Close your eyes and wait for the outcome.
Pahos Hung in Tree
copyright G G Collins
The return. For most people, the person does not appear in a vision, although some report images resembling their loved one including outlines and abstract likeness. The reason for the ritual is to think intensely about the departed. That allows for memories to come flooding back. How would this person react to this problem or issue? What might they say? How would they advise you? Often, asking these questions can result in a solution or at least a feeling of letting go and moving forward.
For my character, since Reluctant Medium is fiction, it brought about significant change in her life. But for most people performing these ceremonies, the effect in remembering our loved one is soothing, reflective and inspiring.
Filed under: Metaphysical Tagged: Ceremony, Day of the Dead, G G Collins, guardian spirit, kiva, Native American, New Age, pahos, prayer stick, Reluctant Medium, return the dead, soul calling, spirit calling, spirituality
November 9, 2012
Interview with G G Collins Crosses the Pond
Indie E-books is a great place to discover new indie authors and their books. They even offer a list of indie friendly blogs to check out.
My thanks to them for featuring me in their interview series. Indie authors, please support the many friendly indie blogs and websites that take an interest in all things indie. They are the way out of obscurity and do it because they value the books and authors who go their own way.
To read the interview: http://indieebooks.wordpress.com/
Thank you Indie E-books!
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: G G Collins, Indie E-books, indie publishing, interview, Reluctant Medium, United Kingdom
November 7, 2012
Building a Book, Part II
What happened to the easy life as a writer? Despite my time at a traditional book publisher, I was unprepared for marketing and promoting my eBook Reluctant Medium. An eBook is a whole different animal.
A bricks and mortar book publisher will mail a handful of advance galleys to review media in the States such as Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, The New York Times and your local newspaper—if it still has a book page. And they may set up a couple local morning TV shows. After that, you’re usually on your own unless you’re one of the few chosen for an all-out book tour, something that becomes less and less common every year.
But surprise, most of these conventional review media won’t accept eBooks for review at all, but a couple will do it for a fee. With Kirkus, it’s a pricey fee!
Start here. That places the eBook author firmly at the starting line. Fortunately, the eBook world is quickly forming its own network of book review blogs, blog tours and book communities stepping in to give the fledgling eBook author a leg up.
[image error]Here are some book communities that will help you learn about marketing, promotions and getting reviews: Goodreads at http://www.goodreads.com, Shelfari (Book must be book available at Amazon.) at http://www.shelfari.com and Writers’ Café at http://www.kindleboards.com (If you published in Kindle format.) Amazon also has forums. Post only in the “Meet the Author” forums as the others are for readers. Don’t forget the forums in other countries where your book is selling. Again, look for the “Meet the Author” forums, then post on threads featuring books in the same language as your book.
Whichever book and author websites you decide to join, be certain to take advantage of their author pages as well as the book page. Complete both and link them. Yes, you’re going to be busy for awhile, but it’s worth the time to get your book out there.
Goodreads takes authors, whatever format they’ve chosen. Look for their threads on marketing and promoting, tagging (Members “tag” each others books on their product page.), indie publishing and blogging. You can announce events: free Amazon promotions, book signings, giveaways, and contests.
Whatever websites you use, haunt the forums looking for information you need to get your books in front of your audience. If you write thrillers, mysteries, romances, nonfiction self-help or spirituality, you’ll find a reading group.
Available at Smashwords
Bloggers to the rescue:Look for forums with members willing to do reviews and interviews. Bloggers are also members. Let them know which retailers carry your book: Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. The reviewer can then place the review in those outlets.
Here are some bloggers where I’ve found interviews: Kindle Book Promos (Just look for their interview page.), Chompasaurus, Paranormal Book Club and Indie eBooks in the UK. Google “book bloggers,” and start looking for good matches to your genre.
Are you social? If you’re a member of Google+1, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter, publicize your book under the guidelines of these social networks. Some have accounts that cater to authors or you might even set up an account in your character’s name. Just make certain you’re doing it according to their terms and conditions.
Seeing the world. Smashwords offers a premium catalog listing for those eBooks that qualify. This gets your book in places like Barnes & Noble, Baker & Taylor, Sony, Apple, Kobo and Library Direct. Being accepted in the premium catalog is important. Smashwords distribution reaches more countries than Amazon. It appears to be the road to world-wide distribution and it continues to extend its reach.
eReaders (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Acceptance depends on the way your manuscript is formatted. I took advantage of Smashwords list of formatters. (They also have a list of book cover artists.) First, I edited it again myself, then spent $50 to hire the formatter.
I chose Shelley Glasow Schadowsky at http://www.goodlifeguide.com . The first time I uploaded the book, it failed to obtain acceptance, but Ms. Schadowsky made the necessary fixes and it’s now in the premium catalog.
It’s a blog. The other thing an author must do is build a blog. Two free places to get your start are Google’s Blogger and WordPress. I’ve read good things about both, so it’s just a matter of what you prefer. I chose WordPress and have been happy with it. There are many themes to choose from. You can find one that will match your personality or reflects the mood of your book.
Now, blogging is not all about promoting your book. In fact, writing posts that are related to your book, but not featuring your book, is the direction you want. For instance, I started my blog writing about the places where the “treasure hunt” in the storyline took place. And because I write about a medium, I added ghost stories about my locale. Since then, I’ve covered locations used in my book, talked about my characters, and enhanced the metaphysical aspects of the story.
Be sure to protect your writing with copyright notices. WordPress has one you can use on your blog. I use a copyright notice on all my photos as well.
Image via CrunchBase
For more in-depth help, here are two eBooks by Mark Coker, author and founder of Smashwords: Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success and Smashwords Book Marketing Guide. I’ve found these quite helpful. They are available at Smashwords, Amazon and other formats.
Go indie! When we choose the indie path, it’s indie all the way. Marketing and promoting an eBook feels like a monumental task at first, but just approach it like you did writing the book; one chapter at a time. The indie publisher writes, edits and formats the manuscript. Think of that as chapter one. This is followed by marketing and promotions, or chapter two. The final chapter is reaping the profits as your book and blog following grows.
From here we have to put on our writing hat and go to work on the next book. This can be a bit disorienting, but just plunge in. You’ve been making notes and doing research while marketing your book, so you’re ready; string those words.
This is rudimentary marketing and promotions for an eBook. Indies are learning these skills together as the market for eBooks continues to grow. I believe we are the face of new publishing, green publishing, with the potential to bring reading to people who haven’t been exposed to books in their lifetime.
With conventional publishers fading away, and eBooks exploding on the scene, we are pioneers—not in covered wagons, but pioneers exploring the technological frontier.
Filed under: Publishing, Uncategorized Tagged: Amazon, author interviews, book reviews, eBook marketing, eBook promotions, G G Collins, goodlifeguide, indie publishers, indie publishing, Mark Coker, Reluctant Medium, Smashword
October 31, 2012
Another Interview with G G Collins
Reluctant Medium exposed by Kindle Book Promos. My thanks to Lucinda and Laura for supporting eBook authors.
http://kindlebookpromos.luckycinda.com/?page_id=1392
October 30, 2012
Building a Book, Part I
by G G Collins
Without an idea, there can’t be a book. When I began writing Reluctant Medium, I had an idea. I asked the question: What if someone performed a ceremony to return the dead and the wrong person returned? From there, I created the character who would do this and began the journey to find out.
Writing Keyboard
Public Domain
Fortunately, I never have a problem coming up with ideas. I won’t live long enough to write everything I want. But if you have trouble coming up with ideas, think about what you enjoy reading. Do you read fiction or nonfiction? What interests you: popular fiction, genre or literary? If you prefer nonfiction, do you enjoy biographies, how-to, spirituality, animal stories? There’s that old adage; write what you know. But you can also write what you can research. It can be a learning process for the writer too. Do you think you would enjoy research and conducting interviews? Once you know what to write about, it’s time to just do it.
Butt in the chair time. A few words about outlines; an individual process. Some writers love putting together a long, complicated outline. They write pages about each character, the scenes, background, on and on. But you can also make an outline that has some short paragraphs describing where you want to go with the story. Start a synopsis, fill in the blanks later and choose your character names. I prefer the latter approach. It fits my personality better. There’s no wrong path.
Once you done your research, the interviews and your outline, you’re ready to write. Decide when you have the best opportunity of some unencumbered time. Are you a morning person or a night owl? When is your energy the highest? A lot of writers have a fulltime job in addition to their writing. That doesn’t mean you can’t cull out two or three hours a day to write. Consistently writing is the key to success.
Mobile Workspace
Copyright G G Collins
Simply stated, it’s a matter of being in that chair, hands on keyboard tapping out words. I don’t believe in writers’ block. Sure it’s difficult to begin, but start. If you don’t know how you want to open the book, then write the parts you have a better feel for. Some of us write description better, others are dialog demons. Our words are not sacred. They can be changed, probably will be changed during editing and polishing sessions. It might be helpful to join a writing group and do readings with others. Sometimes having a place to read your writing can help you get started and gain confidence. Do whatever it takes.
My words, my words! The first edit will likely be yours to do; maybe even the second and third. Eventually, you’ll likely need a professional to go through your manuscript. In my years working for a book publisher, there was only one author who could edit herself. She was terrific. The problem with self-editing: we know what we meant to say and we miss errors. And, that’s why newspapers have editors. The faster you have to turn in work, the more you need an editor. Keep a Chicago Manual of Style on hand for trips through your work.
Chicago Manual of
Style for Editing
Traditional route or self-publishing? It can take months or years or never, to haul in a traditional publisher or find a literary agent who will agree to represent your work. More and more, the traditional route is strewn with difficulties. Publishers or agents may not be accepting new clients or they aren’t accepting first-time authors. Sometimes they agree to look at your book and months go by without a reply. Your manuscript may be in a tall stack taking up space with other hopefuls, or the editor or agent just never gets around to sampling it. It can get pretty discouraging, but you can also come out a published book author. The easy answer? Try it and see what happens.
But if you prefer not to wait, self-publishing can be your answer. Two places are well-known for their support of the self-published author: Amazon and Smashbooks. You do all the work, so get ready, but these are probably the fastest routes to a pub date. I decided to go with an eBook, but you can publish in paper at several places including Amazon.
DIY Formatting or Freelance Formatter? You will have to submit your book in a required format. If your computer skills aren’t up to it or you don’t have the time, there are formatters who can do the work for you. Smashbooks has a listing of such formatter angels. Send an e-mail to list@smashwords.com for author and founder Mark Coker‘s list.
Amazon’s Kindle
GNU FDL
NotFromUtrecht
You will also need a book cover. I created my own and you can do this, particularly if you have an art background. If you don’t feel up to this, Smashbooks also has a group of people who design book covers.
You can also read about how I created my cover. Just look under the “Publishing” category in the sidebar of the Reluctant Medium at Large to locate it.
Once you have your book in the correct format, it’s a matter of following the directions and answering a few questions. Soon you will find yourself at the “Publish” button. Take a deep breath and click.
In Part Two of Building a Book, I’ll cover marketing and promotions and moving on the next book.
Filed under: Publishing, Uncategorized Tagged: Amazon, book cover, Book writing, E-book, editing, formating eBook, G G Collins, Reluctant Medium, self-publishing, Smashbooks
October 26, 2012
Reluctant Medium Now Available On Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/248836
Reluctant Medium has made another step in the eBook marketing world. With its publication on Smashwords it will soon be carried by Barnes & Noble, Baker & Taylor, kobo and others. This means it can be downloaded not just to
