Briana Vedsted's Blog, page 9
September 19, 2013
I Am A Writer
Some people think authors are lazy. That all they do is sit at their computer and stare blankly at the screen. And that their blog(s), Facebook page(s), Twitter, LinkedIn, email, and all other sorts of social media outlets are pointless and just take up time that could be spent elsewhere.
To those people I say, “You try writing a book, edit that book, find the means to either make your own cover or hire an artist, and then get that book published and show me some sales.”
It isn’t as easy as some people believe. In the beginning, I had reservations about joining Facebook and WordPress. But, at the insistence of my publisher, I joined. I have not once regretted that decision. Few people have bought my book. And for the most part, those people who have bought (as well as taken the time to give me an honest review) are people whom I have connected with here by showing samples of my work, i.e. poetry and book excerpts. I’ve met other authors who are much like myself, and they offered to interview me or set me up for a guest blog to get some exposure for myself as an author and for my published works, many people have even re-blogged my posts about sales, contests, and the such. In turn, I try to offer them the same exposure by re-blogs, interviews and so on and so forth.
Writing is easy. Being an author is hard. There is a difference between writing a letter or sales sheet and a 40,000 word novel. This is one point I cannot get across to people. There are jobs in this world that are solid. You get a regular paycheck. Yes, there may be surprises and objects along the way, but chances are you’re not going to run into any career (or life) changing roadblocks.
Authors put not only long hours, but part of themselves, into their work. It is not just a hobby. Writing is something authors are passionate about and it isn’t something they just want to do, but need to do.
Please respect that writing is the career of authors. No, they don’t work the usual 9-5 hours, work Monday through Friday, they don’t take sick days or have paid vacations (some of them don’t have vacations at all, and others don’t get paid for anything), but this is their job. It is their life and it’s what they love. They are working to support themselves and their families.
September 17, 2013
Blog Tour: The Inheritance by Elaine Jeremiah
Please welcome Ms. Elaine Jeremiah!
What is the name of your book?
The Inheritance.
Do you remember what sparked your interest in being an author?
I’ve loved reading since I was very young. I guess I’ve always wanted to be a story teller, partly because of my love of reading. I decided that I would love to tell my own stories, to write my own book. I’ve been experimenting with writing for many years, but it’s only recently that I’ve really focussed on it so much.
Did you self-publish this book, or go the traditional route? How did you make the
decision?
To be honest it was an easy decision to self-publish. A few years ago I completed my first novel and emailed it to a few agents but had no favourable replies. So I felt with ‘The Inheritance’ that I wanted it to be read as soon as possible by as many people as possible. Because going down the traditional route takes a long time, and is so difficult to have success with, I decided that it would be best to self-publish.
If you could go back and write this book all over again, would you do everything the same?
No. I think the story is a strong one but stylistically some of the dialogue isn’t as good as it could be.
Pick your favorite sentence from your book and share it with us.
‘As she was sitting surrounded by her belongings in plastic bags, Emma wondered how it had all gone so wrong for her.’
How did you come up with the title?
The story revolves around my character Emma blackmailing her father into giving her her inheritance early so that she can leave the farm she lives on, which she hates, and go to London to live with her wealthy friend. So calling the book ‘The Inheritance’ seemed obvious.
Who did the cover?
My husband.
What was your favorite part about writing this book?
I think my favourite part was developing the story and the characters from the initial inspiration. I know a lot of writers say this, but the characters took on a life of their own and it was great to see how the story changed as the characters grew and new ones emerged.
And what was the hardest?
Research. I didn’t have much to do, but I really don’t enjoy it! However, having the internet at my fingertips helped a lot. Although there are some things it can’t tell you.
Is there anything you find especially challenging about being an author?
I think the main thing I find challenging about being an author – apart from research – is sticking to one idea or theme of my story. I may want to change some aspects of it along the way, but I think it’s important for me to try to stay with the one central idea I’ve come up with. That makes it less confusing for me than if I veer too far away from the original idea.
Do you have a motto or a special quote you kept in mind while writing?
Not really, but I like to think that there whilst there may be millions of books out there, there are also billions of people and so there’s a place for my book too.
Think back ten years. Did you ever see yourself making it to this point where you were publishing your first novel?
Definitely not, certainly not self-publishing like this. I don’t think that publishing digitally like this even existed back then, so this is a wonderful opportunity for me to get my work out there for people to read.
What advice would you give to a person just starting out as a writer?
Keep on writing, keep persevering. That way you’ll improve as a writer and have a greater chance of success.
What tips can you give to the rest of us?
Pretty much the same as above. I think we all need to practice, to hone our craft. Even published authors improve their style over time. We can always be better than we are now if we keep writing.
The Inheritance Links
Amazon UK
Amazon.com
Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18400882-the-inheritance?from_search=true
Find me:
My blog
@ElaineJeremiah
September 16, 2013
3 stars and the power of reviews
got her first 3 star review!
This was a cute story. But a little too predictable and everything was all tied up in a pretty package with a bow on it. It was a quick read and still enjoyable.
Thanks for this nice review, Pamela!
This reviews was very special for me because:
1. It is from a person I do not know.
2. It is my first 3 star review ever.
But it also made me think. I’m not an avid book reader so much these days, and I don’t read many kindles. The only kindle books I buy are from friends, or books from friends/acquaintances of friends. In those cases, the other reviews on amazon mean very little to me. But, from the viewpoint of a person who doesn’t know me or anything about my book, the ‘teaser’ we authors provide are possibly a little bias. This is when the reviews really do the speaking for our books and will either snag a sale or turn buyers away. This is why I review all the kindle books I read. I was seen one instances where my review was cause for a lady to try a book she’d normally never read. That, to me, makes the time it takes to write a review worth it.
What about you? What do reviews do for your books, and what is your feelings on giving reviews?
September 13, 2013
Phantoms and Ravens
Reblogged from readful things blog:
It was a masked man
a phantom
I fell in love with
long ago
It was the sweetest sound
of symphony
that set my heart aglow
Shattered dreams, black swans
and then came the raven
I sang to him, an angel's song
and he became my haven
Countless hours calling
to my love sweet and divine
ghostly phantom always watching…
Oh my! This is so sad, and yet, so beautiful! I love it!
Sale Ends Soon!
Reblogged from Fall'N Love Crafts:
Hurry!
Tonight at twelve all the way through tomorrow is the first sale of Fall'N Love Crafts!
All my handcrafted decorative plates are 40 percent off their original price of $24.99.
Be the very first to buy one of these one-of-a-kind plates.
Go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/FallNLoveCrafts and look through my plates. If you do not see anything you were looking for Message me and tell me what you were hoping to find.
Here's your chance to get designer home plates at a 40% discount! check this out!!!
September 12, 2013
Squirrels: This Time It’s Personal (part 14)
This is the next installment from the epic Community Storyboard’s Chain Story Event!!!
Continued from Linda, thank you ma’am!
While Aragorn headed for the powder room, Pantene in hand, Gandalf took up his cellular phone and speed-dialed the last person he ever wanted to see again.
“Hello?” Answered the sing-songy voice.
“Edwina, I’m going to need your help.” Gandalf spit out the words, cursing himself the whole while.
“Be right over, Sweetums.” Edwina chirped.
“Just great…” Gandalf sighed as he powered off the phone. He’d vowed never to speak to that woman again, much less ask her for help. But, drastic times call for drastic measures. She was just the thing, er, person, for the job.
Not ten minutes had passed before the slender blond dressed all in pink, wearing a ten gallon hat on her head and a bedazzled belt around her waist, appeared in the entryway. ”Hello, Ganny dear.” She cooed.
“Hello, Edwina.”
“To what do I own the pleasure of your call? I vaguely remember you saying you’d rather die than speak to me again.”
Gandalf struggled to keep from shouting. “I need help.”
“You always have. I still think a psychiatric ward is in order, but as I no longer have power of attorney…”
Face turning red to purple from the withheld rage, Gandalf eyes bulged slightly as he struggled to continue. “Seems your old buddy McAdams went and got herself killed. That sapheaded partner of hers is dead, too, but it seems as though our dear king-to-be gave him a secret mission-”
“Aragorn is here? I thought I heard singing.” Edwina took a few steps further into the house, studying the mess around her. “Lovely. You need a house keeper. This bloody place is in shambles.”
“Enough! That’s it! I called on you because I have no other options. I’m at the end of my rope! Those blasted goddess-serving squirrels are going to take over the world if we can’t find that waitress! Aragorn and myself have decided to venture into Fangorn Forest to see if we can’t rescue the poor girl. But we need McAdams.”
“I’m hurt, Ganny. All you ever do is send me on suicide missions.” Edwina stuck out her bottom lip and crossed her arms in a pouty fashion, tapping her toe impatiently.
“This is no suicide mission! And that trip to Cairo would have been either, if you hadn’t dropped by that tea house! I told you to–never mind. We need her shoe.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“McAdams was vaporized, and the only hope of bringing her back is if we get her shoe. One was vaporized along with her, but one of her heels must be around somewhere. Heaven’s knows its about time those gaudy shoes came in handy for something. So, can you or can you not find it?”
“If you must ask, you don’t know me very well.” Edwina smirked, taking off her hat and laying it on the sofa. “Take care of that. I’ll be back for it.” She says as she slips off her belt and coils it beside the Stetson.
Edwina steps out the door, smiling over her shoulder, “Wish me luck.”
“Never.” Gandalf mumbles.
“I can smell that high-heel already! Caught in a gutter, right out side the smoke easy, I believe. Stupid girl, I’ll have to teach her about proper foot attire…” Shaking with suppressed laughter, Edwina begins to transform. Her ears become pointier, her nose longer, her teeth larger, until her head no longer looks human, but like that of a wolf. Her body twists and arches on the ground as her limbs change size and shape. When the transformation is at least compete, Werewolf-ish Edwina winks at Gandolf and bounds away, just as Aragorn emerges from the powder room.
“Well my boy, don’t stand about staring into space! We must be going!” He chirps merrily, running his fingers through his long, chestnut hair.
Gandolf sighs and turned to walk out the door. But he stops mid-step, turns back around and snatches up Edwina’s hat, tossing it carelessly into the fireplace. “That’s for siding with that goddess sister of yours last time…” he mumbles before striding out into the night.
And this story shall be continued by….Rarasaur!
September 11, 2013
Against The Grain
Reblogged from helenvalentina:
We’re cut against the grain
If our lives were woodwork
We would be
A strange and dubious artistry
We couldn’t quite explain
We lived to be our parents’ bane
We’re cut against the grain
We strive to mark our mark
For fame and fortune
We were bound
But blind to something else we found
We’re swimming in the dark
Fire from a simple spark…
Not many have heard the song 'Against the Grain' by Garth Brooks, (one of my personal favorites) but this poem is the next best thing!
So You're Going to Give Your Character a Pet
Reblogged from Legends of Windemere:
So, you want to use a pet in your story. Good idea. There's a long tradition of helpful animal companions of both natural and magical varieties. It all comes down to what you want you're looking for. Here are some tips to get you started and know what to do with them:
You can't go wrong with a dog. Even Riddick has a dog now.
Very useful-and humorous-advice. Love it!
September 10, 2013
How Writing Can Improve Your Longevity
Emotions.
We all have them, they define our very existence and can be broadly split into two categories, positive and negative.
On the days when we are experiencing positive emotions - happiness, hopefulness, optimism - then little needs to be said. We takes those emotions and we run with them through the course of our day, letting them take us wherever they see fit and at the end of the day, we crash into bed exhausted, but satisfied.
Be positive, people!
And write, write, write!!!
SALE!!!
Reblogged from Fall'N Love Crafts:
Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be marking all my plates down 40% on Friday the 13th. It will be your 'lucky' day!!!
Hurry , I have five plates available, and am anticipating them to go out of stock quickly the day of the sale!!!
Check out the plate designs here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/FallNLoveCrafts
Great plates at a great price!!!
