Kristine Raymond's Blog, page 2
October 17, 2018
In general, I'm a quiet person......it's fine. I'll...
In general, I'm a quiet person...
...it's fine. I'll wait while you enjoy the humor of that statement. Better now? Stop laughing? Catch your breath?
As I was saying -
I'm generally a quiet person. By that I mean, I'm more comfortable in solitary surroundings than I am in a group setting. I have little desire to socialize on a regular basis (though author events are SO MUCH FUN!), but to just hang out with people on a monthly, weekly, or - gulp - daily basis...nope, not for me.
This is nothing new. As a kid, I didn't have many friends and spent most of my high school years alone in my room listening to records. I also read a lot (go figure) and took pictures of clouds. How I didn't end up becoming a meteorologist, I'll never know. Anyway, as I said, this trait of keeping to myself is nothing new, and I'm okay with it -- for the most part. But, here's where it gets tricky...
Writing is a solitary endeavor. Perfect for my personality type. I spend my days (and, sometimes, nights) playing with my imaginary friends, and since I make them up, they have to like me. It's the rule. Promoting, however, is anything but a solitary endeavor. The entire point of it is to stand up and get everyone's attention and say, "Look at me! Look what I did! I wrote a book (or a song or painted a picture or created a piece of jewelry or..."). You get my drift. And, quite honestly, that's the part I suck at!
I don't mind sharing my new releases; in fact, I usually can't share them fast enough. But once that book is out there, it's difficult for me to keep talking about it. And, that's a bad thing, because, without the constant hype, my name and the titles of my stories quickly fade from peoples' minds. There are soooo many books out there and so many being released each day that readers have a hard time keeping up with the ones they see, much less those that aren't promoted. Hence my issue...
You might have noticed that I don't post on social media or my blog with any regularity. The main reason for this is that I don't have a lot to say. Nothing that would be of any interest to anyone - at least, in my opinion. So, to only promote my books, especially the older titles, when I do get on social media seems self-centered and braggy, neither of which exist in my bag of personality traits. Oh, I have no problem promoting other authors' books; in fact, I love doing it. It's my own that trip me up.
However, realization is the first step towards change, right? And, I know I have to start promoting my own books even without having a new release. No better place to start than here. So, without further ado, here are the books I've written and published to date, and, might I add, I'm proud of all of them.
There you have it. These are my books. If you're interested in learning more about them, please visit my website. The promotional part of this blog post is now over. You may return to your regularly scheduled reading.
Hmmm...maybe I'm starting to get the hang of this...
...it's fine. I'll wait while you enjoy the humor of that statement. Better now? Stop laughing? Catch your breath?
As I was saying -
I'm generally a quiet person. By that I mean, I'm more comfortable in solitary surroundings than I am in a group setting. I have little desire to socialize on a regular basis (though author events are SO MUCH FUN!), but to just hang out with people on a monthly, weekly, or - gulp - daily basis...nope, not for me.
This is nothing new. As a kid, I didn't have many friends and spent most of my high school years alone in my room listening to records. I also read a lot (go figure) and took pictures of clouds. How I didn't end up becoming a meteorologist, I'll never know. Anyway, as I said, this trait of keeping to myself is nothing new, and I'm okay with it -- for the most part. But, here's where it gets tricky...
Writing is a solitary endeavor. Perfect for my personality type. I spend my days (and, sometimes, nights) playing with my imaginary friends, and since I make them up, they have to like me. It's the rule. Promoting, however, is anything but a solitary endeavor. The entire point of it is to stand up and get everyone's attention and say, "Look at me! Look what I did! I wrote a book (or a song or painted a picture or created a piece of jewelry or..."). You get my drift. And, quite honestly, that's the part I suck at!
I don't mind sharing my new releases; in fact, I usually can't share them fast enough. But once that book is out there, it's difficult for me to keep talking about it. And, that's a bad thing, because, without the constant hype, my name and the titles of my stories quickly fade from peoples' minds. There are soooo many books out there and so many being released each day that readers have a hard time keeping up with the ones they see, much less those that aren't promoted. Hence my issue...
You might have noticed that I don't post on social media or my blog with any regularity. The main reason for this is that I don't have a lot to say. Nothing that would be of any interest to anyone - at least, in my opinion. So, to only promote my books, especially the older titles, when I do get on social media seems self-centered and braggy, neither of which exist in my bag of personality traits. Oh, I have no problem promoting other authors' books; in fact, I love doing it. It's my own that trip me up.
However, realization is the first step towards change, right? And, I know I have to start promoting my own books even without having a new release. No better place to start than here. So, without further ado, here are the books I've written and published to date, and, might I add, I'm proud of all of them.
There you have it. These are my books. If you're interested in learning more about them, please visit my website. The promotional part of this blog post is now over. You may return to your regularly scheduled reading.
Hmmm...maybe I'm starting to get the hang of this...
September 23, 2018
Taking it for granted...I don't view myself as someone wh...
Taking it for granted...
I don't view myself as someone who's technologically-dependant. Oh, sure; I never leave home without my smartphone - an iPhone 5s with a measly 12gb of memory - but it still rings and makes calls and connects to the internet when I need it to, so why upgrade? And I have my original iPad - the one that only works with a WiFi connection, and a second generation Kindle. Do you see a theme?
So, I had no intention of replacing my functioning (albeit a bit slowly, but, hey, I'm no spring chicken either) 8-year-old desktop anytime soon. Apparently, Windows 10 had a different idea. No longer able to support the updates that continuously buffetted her systems, last Sunday my Gateway decided she'd had enough and cloaked herself in the Blue Screen of Death. No amount of cajoling, begging, or pleading on my part could convince her to change her mind, so off to the tech hospital she went. It was touch-and-go for a few days, my hopes rising mid-week only to be dashed on Thursday by news that the old girl just couldn't handle the demands being placed on her. Allowing her to retire gracefully seemed the right thing to do - she had, after all, been a faithful companion for well over her projected lifespan - and a shiny new Dell Inspiron was purchased to take her place.
Which brings me to the title of this post. I take for granted that I can work whenever the mood hits and being unable to walk into my office and sit at my computer this past week has been stressful, to say the least. Those seven days felt more like seven months, and it occurred to me that I'm as plugged-in as the rest of society. Bringing home my new desktop last night filled me with a sense of contentment, and while I'm not enjoying the process of reinstalling 1439 fonts one file at a time, it felt great to wake up this morning and plop myself down in my well-worn chair and power up my shiny, new contraption. Still, I think I'll wait awhile before I get a new phone. Don't want to overload my circuits with too much new techy stuff to learn.
Besides, these font files are keeping me busy...
I don't view myself as someone who's technologically-dependant. Oh, sure; I never leave home without my smartphone - an iPhone 5s with a measly 12gb of memory - but it still rings and makes calls and connects to the internet when I need it to, so why upgrade? And I have my original iPad - the one that only works with a WiFi connection, and a second generation Kindle. Do you see a theme?
So, I had no intention of replacing my functioning (albeit a bit slowly, but, hey, I'm no spring chicken either) 8-year-old desktop anytime soon. Apparently, Windows 10 had a different idea. No longer able to support the updates that continuously buffetted her systems, last Sunday my Gateway decided she'd had enough and cloaked herself in the Blue Screen of Death. No amount of cajoling, begging, or pleading on my part could convince her to change her mind, so off to the tech hospital she went. It was touch-and-go for a few days, my hopes rising mid-week only to be dashed on Thursday by news that the old girl just couldn't handle the demands being placed on her. Allowing her to retire gracefully seemed the right thing to do - she had, after all, been a faithful companion for well over her projected lifespan - and a shiny new Dell Inspiron was purchased to take her place.
Which brings me to the title of this post. I take for granted that I can work whenever the mood hits and being unable to walk into my office and sit at my computer this past week has been stressful, to say the least. Those seven days felt more like seven months, and it occurred to me that I'm as plugged-in as the rest of society. Bringing home my new desktop last night filled me with a sense of contentment, and while I'm not enjoying the process of reinstalling 1439 fonts one file at a time, it felt great to wake up this morning and plop myself down in my well-worn chair and power up my shiny, new contraption. Still, I think I'll wait awhile before I get a new phone. Don't want to overload my circuits with too much new techy stuff to learn.
Besides, these font files are keeping me busy...
September 6, 2018
When my characters stop speaking to me...I occupy my time...
When my characters stop speaking to me...
I occupy my time by working on other book projects. This week, it was redesigning the covers for the Hidden Springs series. While I love the original versions, it was time for a makeover - a bit of freshening up, if you will. After all, who doesn't love a new look now and then?
So, without further ado, I present to you the Hidden Springs series!!
Aren't they pretty? I'm hoping new readers will think so too, and one-click one - or all - of them. They're pretty great stories, or so I've heard! Of course, I have an 'in' with the author!
Now that I can check this project off of my to-do list, it's time to get back to writing. Hopefully, I can entice Finn and gang to come out and play, and crank out some words in my WIP. Finn-agled is still on track to be released by the end of the year, so I'd better get to it!
For more information about Hidden Springs, or any of my books, please visit my website.
Now, back to my manuscript...
I occupy my time by working on other book projects. This week, it was redesigning the covers for the Hidden Springs series. While I love the original versions, it was time for a makeover - a bit of freshening up, if you will. After all, who doesn't love a new look now and then?
So, without further ado, I present to you the Hidden Springs series!!
Aren't they pretty? I'm hoping new readers will think so too, and one-click one - or all - of them. They're pretty great stories, or so I've heard! Of course, I have an 'in' with the author!
Now that I can check this project off of my to-do list, it's time to get back to writing. Hopefully, I can entice Finn and gang to come out and play, and crank out some words in my WIP. Finn-agled is still on track to be released by the end of the year, so I'd better get to it!
For more information about Hidden Springs, or any of my books, please visit my website.
Now, back to my manuscript...
September 1, 2018
5 years...Five years ago today, I sat down and began to w...
5 years...
Five years ago today, I sat down and began to write. Eighteen days later, Here to Stay was born. With the help of my friend and fellow author, Laramie Briscoe, the first novel in the Hidden Springs series made its debut two months later, and my life changed in ways I'd never imagined possible.
I've befriended people from around the country - and the world - who have since become family to me. I've written seventeen stories and published fourteen books (Seasons of Love is a collection of four short stories). I've attended author events in cities around the US that I otherwise would've never visited, and I've hosted two of my own. I've expanded my vocabulary, brushed up on my punctuation and grammar skills (though I heartily recommend Grammarly as an additional tool), and photographed models for some of my covers. I've counseled other authors in their moments of doubt and been blessed with the same from them during mine. I've laughed, cried, and cursed; at times, swearing that I was never writing another word, only to turn around the next day and pound out four thousand of them on my keyboard.
I've received emails and messages from people who've cheered on my characters as they faced life's challenges; for a time, enjoying the escape from their own. One reader (who's become a dear, dear friend) pestered me until I turned a stand-alone story, By Dawn's Early Light, into a trilogy because she wanted to read more about the town of Celebration and its inhabitants. You're welcome, Barbara.
I've left my comfort zone in the dust and embraced new challenges (most of the time), have spoken up and asked for what I want; no longer afraid to hear the word 'no'. I've grown as an author and as a person, and, most of the time, am proud of what I've accomplished.
Still, five years ago, when I envisioned what this day would look like, it wasn't this. I've fallen short of almost every goal I've set for myself, sometimes due to personal reasons (surgery and the issues leading up to it sidelined me for close to a year) and sometimes due to my own lack of experience and motivation. Sadly, time is the one thing I can't get back, and I've wasted more than my share over the past sixty months. Wow, when I put it that way...
I'd like to say that I'll not waste a moment going forward, but I know that's not true. I'll grow uninspired, frustrated, melancholy from time to time over lack of sales or missing a deadline and opt to binge watch a Netflix original rather than suck it up and write, but - and this is a very big but - I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!! For better or worse, I'm an author. Writing is in my blood. It's in my breath and sweat and tears, and I'm going to achieve my version of success if it kills me!
So, here's to another five years. Sixty months. Two hundred and sixty point seven weeks (have to account for those extra 'leap year' days). New goals. New achievements.
Never giving up!
Five years ago today, I sat down and began to write. Eighteen days later, Here to Stay was born. With the help of my friend and fellow author, Laramie Briscoe, the first novel in the Hidden Springs series made its debut two months later, and my life changed in ways I'd never imagined possible.
I've befriended people from around the country - and the world - who have since become family to me. I've written seventeen stories and published fourteen books (Seasons of Love is a collection of four short stories). I've attended author events in cities around the US that I otherwise would've never visited, and I've hosted two of my own. I've expanded my vocabulary, brushed up on my punctuation and grammar skills (though I heartily recommend Grammarly as an additional tool), and photographed models for some of my covers. I've counseled other authors in their moments of doubt and been blessed with the same from them during mine. I've laughed, cried, and cursed; at times, swearing that I was never writing another word, only to turn around the next day and pound out four thousand of them on my keyboard.
I've received emails and messages from people who've cheered on my characters as they faced life's challenges; for a time, enjoying the escape from their own. One reader (who's become a dear, dear friend) pestered me until I turned a stand-alone story, By Dawn's Early Light, into a trilogy because she wanted to read more about the town of Celebration and its inhabitants. You're welcome, Barbara.
I've left my comfort zone in the dust and embraced new challenges (most of the time), have spoken up and asked for what I want; no longer afraid to hear the word 'no'. I've grown as an author and as a person, and, most of the time, am proud of what I've accomplished.
Still, five years ago, when I envisioned what this day would look like, it wasn't this. I've fallen short of almost every goal I've set for myself, sometimes due to personal reasons (surgery and the issues leading up to it sidelined me for close to a year) and sometimes due to my own lack of experience and motivation. Sadly, time is the one thing I can't get back, and I've wasted more than my share over the past sixty months. Wow, when I put it that way...
I'd like to say that I'll not waste a moment going forward, but I know that's not true. I'll grow uninspired, frustrated, melancholy from time to time over lack of sales or missing a deadline and opt to binge watch a Netflix original rather than suck it up and write, but - and this is a very big but - I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!! For better or worse, I'm an author. Writing is in my blood. It's in my breath and sweat and tears, and I'm going to achieve my version of success if it kills me!
So, here's to another five years. Sixty months. Two hundred and sixty point seven weeks (have to account for those extra 'leap year' days). New goals. New achievements.
Never giving up!
August 9, 2018
When life is going well...it's easy to become complacent....
When life is going well...
it's easy to become complacent. Worry and stress disappear, your guard is lowered and you cruise along like nothing bad will ever happen again, and then one day, out of the blue, BAM! Life throws a curveball that sucks the breath right out of you. That's what happened to me yesterday.
I have no problem standing up and admitting that I'm not overly fond of change. When I like something, I don't want it 'new and improved'. I'm satisfied with it just the way it is. I'm that person you know who buys three pairs of the same style shoe so that when the first pair wears out, there's a pair to replace it, and so on. (I do this with clothing, too.) But it's easy to become too comfortable with life, and apparently, the Universe decided mine needed a little shaking up. Gee, thanks, 'verse.
Without going into detail, the next few days, weeks, possibly even months are going to be tough for my family. But this challenge won't do me in because I've faced it before in times when we've been a lot worse off than we are now and we've made it through, more often than not for the better. It's just those damn stormy skies appear a bit scary right now. My fears have already begun manifesting in my dreams, leaving me tossing and turning and restless at night, yet I know they will pass once I embrace this unexpected change thrust upon me. And while I'm scared and sad and a wee bit fearful, my brain is already scrambling to find a solution, mapping out new avenues to travel, daring to take chances where previously I've been too contented to try.
Change isn't always a bad thing; more times than not it motivates us to try something new, rattles us out of limbo, dares us to become creative, even when we're nursing the pain of insecurity. The challenge facing my family and me is daunting, but I'm up for it.
Time to aim in a different direction...
it's easy to become complacent. Worry and stress disappear, your guard is lowered and you cruise along like nothing bad will ever happen again, and then one day, out of the blue, BAM! Life throws a curveball that sucks the breath right out of you. That's what happened to me yesterday.
I have no problem standing up and admitting that I'm not overly fond of change. When I like something, I don't want it 'new and improved'. I'm satisfied with it just the way it is. I'm that person you know who buys three pairs of the same style shoe so that when the first pair wears out, there's a pair to replace it, and so on. (I do this with clothing, too.) But it's easy to become too comfortable with life, and apparently, the Universe decided mine needed a little shaking up. Gee, thanks, 'verse.
Without going into detail, the next few days, weeks, possibly even months are going to be tough for my family. But this challenge won't do me in because I've faced it before in times when we've been a lot worse off than we are now and we've made it through, more often than not for the better. It's just those damn stormy skies appear a bit scary right now. My fears have already begun manifesting in my dreams, leaving me tossing and turning and restless at night, yet I know they will pass once I embrace this unexpected change thrust upon me. And while I'm scared and sad and a wee bit fearful, my brain is already scrambling to find a solution, mapping out new avenues to travel, daring to take chances where previously I've been too contented to try.
Change isn't always a bad thing; more times than not it motivates us to try something new, rattles us out of limbo, dares us to become creative, even when we're nursing the pain of insecurity. The challenge facing my family and me is daunting, but I'm up for it.
Time to aim in a different direction...
July 30, 2018
What if...What if I stop doubting myself?What if I believ...
What if...
What if I stop doubting myself?
What if I believe I will succeed?
What if I stop criticizing the person looking back at me from the mirror?
What if I love the person I am today?
What if I celebrate my achievements instead of lamenting my defeats?
What if the person I want to be is the person I already am?
What if I stop putting off those things I really want to do?
What if I stop making excuses?
What if I stop for a moment and just breathe?
What if I change my priorities?
What if 'real life' is this life?
What if I stop worrying and start trusting?
What if I stop saying "what if" and start living my life to its fullest?
What if we all do?
Copyright © 2018 Kristine Raymond
What if I stop doubting myself?
What if I believe I will succeed?
What if I stop criticizing the person looking back at me from the mirror?
What if I love the person I am today?
What if I celebrate my achievements instead of lamenting my defeats?
What if the person I want to be is the person I already am?
What if I stop putting off those things I really want to do?
What if I stop making excuses?
What if I stop for a moment and just breathe?
What if I change my priorities?
What if 'real life' is this life?
What if I stop worrying and start trusting?
What if I stop saying "what if" and start living my life to its fullest?
What if we all do?
Copyright © 2018 Kristine Raymond
April 27, 2018
I've been feeling invisible lately...until last night, wh...
I've been feeling invisible lately...
until last night, when I read a report that showed me where my books have been downloaded. This blew me away -
Australia
Belgium
Bolivia
Brazil
Canada
Costa Rica
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Finland
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
Hungary
Indonesia
Ireland
India
Italy
Lithuania
Malaysia
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
South Africa
Spain
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
United States
Thirty-three countries. And this is just in 2018. How can I possibly feel invisible when my books are making the rounds worldwide?
It's easy to get caught up in things that haven't happened yet which can leave us feeling small and unnoticed. Sometimes you need to take a step back to see just how far your reach is.
I'm truly humbled by this list. That my stories are becoming part of peoples' lives around the globe fills me with awe. I'm so grateful for each and every one of you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support of my dream.
until last night, when I read a report that showed me where my books have been downloaded. This blew me away -
Australia
Belgium
Bolivia
Brazil
Canada
Costa Rica
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Finland
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
Hungary
Indonesia
Ireland
India
Italy
Lithuania
Malaysia
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
South Africa
Spain
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
United States
Thirty-three countries. And this is just in 2018. How can I possibly feel invisible when my books are making the rounds worldwide?
It's easy to get caught up in things that haven't happened yet which can leave us feeling small and unnoticed. Sometimes you need to take a step back to see just how far your reach is.
I'm truly humbled by this list. That my stories are becoming part of peoples' lives around the globe fills me with awe. I'm so grateful for each and every one of you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support of my dream.
February 26, 2018
Yesterday was release day...I know, right? I've wri...
Yesterday was release day...
I know, right? I've written and published another book!! Yay, me!!!
It's called Tempted, and is a departure from the kinds of stories I've written in the past. It's not a romance by any stretch of the imagination...well, at least not to me. It's a contemporary drama laced with eroticism. Don't you love making up descriptions? I do!
So, here it is. Tempted. The story of a married woman who, feeling unappreciated by her husband, gets drawn in by another man, then is kind of surprised that nothing is as she expected it would be. The story is dramatic and thought-provoking and HOT!!! Sound like something you'd like? Check out the cover, then continue on for more info.
Okay, so how about that cover? Pique your interest? Need a bit more? Here's the synopsis...
Thirty years of marriage to the same man. An illicit proposition by an attractive stranger. Which would you choose if you were tempted?
Taking care of her husband’s every need while putting her own aside, Jane Sims’ life seems picture-perfect. There’s just one problem. She’s desperately unhappy.
A chance encounter with a total stranger changes how Jane looks at her marriage, her life, and herself. At first, flattered when the charismatic man flirts with her, she quickly dismisses him. When they run into each again, a casual conversation over coffee leads her to fantasize about more than talking. Convinced her husband no longer finds her attractive, she considers accepting the man’s proposal of a liaison, oblivious to the fact that her choice will affect not only her life but the lives of those around her.
As the temptation to take a lover grows, her world spirals down around her, threatening to obliterate relationships that have taken years to develop. Is a moment or two of passion worth ruining the life she’s worked so hard to create?
Desire. Deception. Tempted.
**Mature content including sex, adultery, and language. May not be suitable for all readers.
Now that the disclaimer's out of the way, let's get back to it. I love this book. Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm the author so I'm supposed to say that. But even if I hadn't written it, I'd still love this story. I won't say anything else - don't want to give it away. Oh, wait; I'm going to say one more thing...
Buy it! Read it! Enjoy it! I guess that's three things. Let me know what you think of it. Here's where to get it.
Go on...one-click. You know you're Tempted!
I know, right? I've written and published another book!! Yay, me!!!
It's called Tempted, and is a departure from the kinds of stories I've written in the past. It's not a romance by any stretch of the imagination...well, at least not to me. It's a contemporary drama laced with eroticism. Don't you love making up descriptions? I do!
So, here it is. Tempted. The story of a married woman who, feeling unappreciated by her husband, gets drawn in by another man, then is kind of surprised that nothing is as she expected it would be. The story is dramatic and thought-provoking and HOT!!! Sound like something you'd like? Check out the cover, then continue on for more info.
Okay, so how about that cover? Pique your interest? Need a bit more? Here's the synopsis...Thirty years of marriage to the same man. An illicit proposition by an attractive stranger. Which would you choose if you were tempted?
Taking care of her husband’s every need while putting her own aside, Jane Sims’ life seems picture-perfect. There’s just one problem. She’s desperately unhappy.
A chance encounter with a total stranger changes how Jane looks at her marriage, her life, and herself. At first, flattered when the charismatic man flirts with her, she quickly dismisses him. When they run into each again, a casual conversation over coffee leads her to fantasize about more than talking. Convinced her husband no longer finds her attractive, she considers accepting the man’s proposal of a liaison, oblivious to the fact that her choice will affect not only her life but the lives of those around her.
As the temptation to take a lover grows, her world spirals down around her, threatening to obliterate relationships that have taken years to develop. Is a moment or two of passion worth ruining the life she’s worked so hard to create?
Desire. Deception. Tempted.
**Mature content including sex, adultery, and language. May not be suitable for all readers.
Now that the disclaimer's out of the way, let's get back to it. I love this book. Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm the author so I'm supposed to say that. But even if I hadn't written it, I'd still love this story. I won't say anything else - don't want to give it away. Oh, wait; I'm going to say one more thing...
Buy it! Read it! Enjoy it! I guess that's three things. Let me know what you think of it. Here's where to get it.
Go on...one-click. You know you're Tempted!
February 8, 2018
Something's been bothering me...A few days ago, I was cha...
Something's been bothering me...
A few days ago, I was chatting with a friend of mine and mentioned that I'd joined a new group on Facebook. We talked about it for awhile, the pros and cons of being a member, and then I mentioned the name of the organizer. My friend's reply was that she'd heard from so-and-so that the organizer is not a nice person and I should be careful in my dealings with this person. My immediate response was "Thanks for the head's up."
I'm ashamed of myself.
My immediate response SHOULD have been - "Thank you, but I reserve judgment until I get to know someone." Because I do. I appreciate my friend's concern. She's looking out for my best interests. It seems that nowadays, especially on social media, you can't be too careful with whom you interact. And, I've dealt first-hand with some who've turned out to be less than good people - in my opinion anyway, though plenty of others would dispute my viewpoint. Hell, there're even some out there who don't like me! I know, shocker, right?
But it seems that, as a society, we're quick to form our opinions based on how someone else thinks or feels about the subject. And that bothers me. As my mother can attest, I don't like anyone telling me what to do or how to feel or what to think. There's a reason I'm an indie author. I like to make my own decisions, even when they come back to bite me in the ass. I'm not disregarding the wisdom of paying attention to a cautionary tale, but I do believe we should form opinions based on first-hand knowledge.
Another shocker - we aren't perfect. There's not a single one of us out there who hasn't made a mistake (or two, or twelve) at some point in their life. A mistake that hurt other people, whether by chance or intent. A lapse in judgment for which they are trying to make amends. We all want a second chance, don't we?
Maybe this person did do the things being talked about. Maybe it was their intention to deceive. Maybe they're a nasty person. Or, maybe, it was a misunderstanding, poor communication, or they just plain got in over their head. I don't know. I wasn't there. That's not the point. The point is, we should each form our opinions based on our own experiences and interactions.
Think of the worst mistake you've ever made in your life. Is that one transgression how you want others to view you for the rest of your life? How you want them to talk about you to their friends? I don't.
This isn't a post in defense of that organizer. As I stated, I don't know the person, have had zero interaction with them, had never even heard the name until I joined the group, and, to be honest, may never get to know them. But until that person directly harms me or someone I'm close to, I'm going to reserve judgment on their character. It's how I want others to treat me.
You have the power to make up your own mind.
Trust your instincts.
A few days ago, I was chatting with a friend of mine and mentioned that I'd joined a new group on Facebook. We talked about it for awhile, the pros and cons of being a member, and then I mentioned the name of the organizer. My friend's reply was that she'd heard from so-and-so that the organizer is not a nice person and I should be careful in my dealings with this person. My immediate response was "Thanks for the head's up."
I'm ashamed of myself.
My immediate response SHOULD have been - "Thank you, but I reserve judgment until I get to know someone." Because I do. I appreciate my friend's concern. She's looking out for my best interests. It seems that nowadays, especially on social media, you can't be too careful with whom you interact. And, I've dealt first-hand with some who've turned out to be less than good people - in my opinion anyway, though plenty of others would dispute my viewpoint. Hell, there're even some out there who don't like me! I know, shocker, right?
But it seems that, as a society, we're quick to form our opinions based on how someone else thinks or feels about the subject. And that bothers me. As my mother can attest, I don't like anyone telling me what to do or how to feel or what to think. There's a reason I'm an indie author. I like to make my own decisions, even when they come back to bite me in the ass. I'm not disregarding the wisdom of paying attention to a cautionary tale, but I do believe we should form opinions based on first-hand knowledge.
Another shocker - we aren't perfect. There's not a single one of us out there who hasn't made a mistake (or two, or twelve) at some point in their life. A mistake that hurt other people, whether by chance or intent. A lapse in judgment for which they are trying to make amends. We all want a second chance, don't we?
Maybe this person did do the things being talked about. Maybe it was their intention to deceive. Maybe they're a nasty person. Or, maybe, it was a misunderstanding, poor communication, or they just plain got in over their head. I don't know. I wasn't there. That's not the point. The point is, we should each form our opinions based on our own experiences and interactions.
Think of the worst mistake you've ever made in your life. Is that one transgression how you want others to view you for the rest of your life? How you want them to talk about you to their friends? I don't.
This isn't a post in defense of that organizer. As I stated, I don't know the person, have had zero interaction with them, had never even heard the name until I joined the group, and, to be honest, may never get to know them. But until that person directly harms me or someone I'm close to, I'm going to reserve judgment on their character. It's how I want others to treat me.
You have the power to make up your own mind.
Trust your instincts.
January 27, 2018
It's that time of year...I've lost people in my life.&nbs...
It's that time of year...
I've lost people in my life. Both sets of grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, and more furbabies than I can count. But none have affected me as deeply as the loss of my father.
It'll be six years mid-February since my dad died. Six years since I've heard his voice or felt his arms wrapped around me. No...that's not true. Dad visits me once in a while in my dreams and there are times, I swear, that I feel him hug me with the same strength and love he possessed when he was alive. I love those dreams, for I truly believe his spirit is dropping by to say hi.
The man Dad was made me the woman I am. His strength, his perseverance, his affinity for animals, his smile. I miss him so damn much!
Some years, the anniversary of his death doesn't bother me much. Oh, sure, I get a bit teary, but I'm able to go about my business without too much emotional upheaval. Others, like this year for some reason I cannot fathom, send me into a tailspin.
I'm moody, depressed, sad beyond belief. I've been dreaming of him almost every night for more than a week. Is he trying to tell me something? Convey some message he thinks I need to know? I'm listening, Dad. I am. Or has he merely stepped up his visits because he knows I'm having a hard time of it this year?
Dad died before I began writing. He never had the chance to hold one of my books in his hand or read one of my interviews. For those of you who don't know, my pen name is a tribute to him - his first name is Raymond. Also, Abby's Heart is dedicated to him, as I released it on the second anniversary of his death. My dad is so much a part of my writing life and I can only hope that I've made him proud.
I love you, Dad, and I miss you so much! Thank you for being the person you were and for being such an influential part of my life. You were a good teacher, an incredible role model, and a great friend.
You still are...
I've lost people in my life. Both sets of grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, and more furbabies than I can count. But none have affected me as deeply as the loss of my father.
It'll be six years mid-February since my dad died. Six years since I've heard his voice or felt his arms wrapped around me. No...that's not true. Dad visits me once in a while in my dreams and there are times, I swear, that I feel him hug me with the same strength and love he possessed when he was alive. I love those dreams, for I truly believe his spirit is dropping by to say hi.
The man Dad was made me the woman I am. His strength, his perseverance, his affinity for animals, his smile. I miss him so damn much!Some years, the anniversary of his death doesn't bother me much. Oh, sure, I get a bit teary, but I'm able to go about my business without too much emotional upheaval. Others, like this year for some reason I cannot fathom, send me into a tailspin.
I'm moody, depressed, sad beyond belief. I've been dreaming of him almost every night for more than a week. Is he trying to tell me something? Convey some message he thinks I need to know? I'm listening, Dad. I am. Or has he merely stepped up his visits because he knows I'm having a hard time of it this year?
Dad died before I began writing. He never had the chance to hold one of my books in his hand or read one of my interviews. For those of you who don't know, my pen name is a tribute to him - his first name is Raymond. Also, Abby's Heart is dedicated to him, as I released it on the second anniversary of his death. My dad is so much a part of my writing life and I can only hope that I've made him proud.
I love you, Dad, and I miss you so much! Thank you for being the person you were and for being such an influential part of my life. You were a good teacher, an incredible role model, and a great friend.
You still are...
