Piper Punches's Blog, page 7

Thank You

For those who are closest to me, it won’t come as a surprise to know I have quite a few pet peeves. In fact, it doesn’t take much to annoy me. That’s a bit a bit of a problem. I am working on being more laid back thanks to incorporating more stress-free elements in my life like free writing, hiking, yoga, and mindful living. However, one part of my personality that I don’t think is ever going to change is my aversion to the word “can’t.” The word “no” comes in a tight second. But, tonight, as...

Vulnerability – Flash Fiction

Shed your skin. Meet me in that secret sliver of space where vulnerability welcomes you. Come to me with your pain. Lay your sadness and uncertainty at my feet. Let me soothe your aching soul and acknowledge your fear. In this space devoid of expectations, anonymity is yours. Breath in the freedom and awaken to a new you. ~ Piper Punches

5 Ways to Manifest Creative Flow

I know a lot of people who read this blog are creative-minded souls. Hopefully, you’re flourishing in your creativity, but let’s face it. Sometimes the ideas are stagnant and the creative flow runs dry. Expressing gratitude is one of the easiest ways to open up our hearts and minds allowing us toovercome creative blocks.

Here are some ways that I invite creativity into my life through acts of gratitude. Feel freeto steal my ideas for yourself or come up with your own.

Find Gratitude in Nature...

Questions about Reading Advanced Readers’ Copies

If you’re one of the lucky readers who has gotten your hands on an advanced reader’s copy, you may be wondering what this means. Advanced reader copies of books, affectionately referred to as ARCs, have been known to send shivers of excitement down the backs of anxious, devoted readers. Who wouldn’t want to have an exclusive first look at a highly anticipated new novel by one of their favorite authors? If you’ve received your very first ARC (as many of my readers recently found in their inbox...

What Can You Do Today to Live Free Tomorrow?

If you follow my Instagram profile, you’ll notice that I use #livefree quite a bit and, seemingly, indiscriminately. As random as it may seem when I use this hashtag, there is a strategic reason behind its use. Since it’s Monday and this is the day of the week when inspiration seems to be at its peak both in need and usage, I thought I would explore what the idea of living free means to me.

Living free is something I have been working toward for a while now. Some days are better than others b...

Readers’ Group Members to Gain Exclusive Access to 60 Days – FREE

Yep! You read that correctly. After many, many months of waiting and anticipation, 60 Days is going to be available for purchase August 12, 2016!!! But first. . .

As excited as I am about finally releasing this long-awaited, full-length companion novel to Missing Girl, I am just as eager to let you, my loyal and very patient readers, read 60 Days for FREE.

Here are the details:

Sign up to be part of my readers’ group (If you’re already signed up and receiving newsletters, you’re good to go....

3 Reasons Book Signings Should be Part of Your Marketing Plan

Many newly published writers erroneously assume that book signings are something reserved for published authors who are signed by major publishers or vanity presses. If you’re operating under this assumption, you’re missing out on a wonderful marketing and networking opportunity. Book signings not only connect you with booksellers at your local, independent bookstores and big chain stores (think Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million), but they bring attention to your titles, putting a name and a...

Get Branded – Publishing Tips for Self-Published Authors

So you wrote a book. That’s an accomplishment that many people never achieve. For some people just knowing that they completed such a monumental task is enough, but for the majority of authors, it’s just the beginning of an even bigger goal. If you have decided to embark on the self-publishing journey, the ultimate destination is most likely recognition and financial freedom. Who doesn’t imagine the life of a successful novelist? These are colossal goals, but they are not out of your reach, e...

Find Compassion and Inner Peace with a Book

Settling back against the inviting cushions of a comfy couch with your feet curled up under you and a mug of warm tea kissing your palms sounds like a great way to spend a chilly winter’s morning or evening. Don’t you agree? What could make this scene even better? How about a good book? A story that helps you to disengage from the hustle and bustle of your life and escape into someone else’s for just a tiny bit of time. Maybe it’s a family drama, a spine-tingling thriller, or a memoir. Whatev...

Invite Creative Flow: Push Past Self-Doubt

All writers have found themselves staring hopelessly at a blank screen or an empty page at some point during their writing careers, asking any one of the following questions:

“What now?”

“Where do I even begin?”

“Is this even worth it?”

Some call it writer’s block. Others may label it procrastination. I call it stagnant creative flow. Whatever you chose to call it the end result is the same – a blank page full of possibilities. That’s right – possibilities. The first thing that writers must d...