Lorraine Reguly's Blog, page 11

How Risky Issues Began

Risky Issues is actually a collection of short stories that I wrote when  I was about 21 years old. (I’m 42 now. Shh. Don’t tell anyone!)

After I began blogging in 2013, I asked some of my blog readers if they liked short stories.

I was told to “Bring them on!”

After typing them from my old, handwritten papers into my brand-new computer, I wondered if I could assemble them into a book of short stories.

I chose the best ones for this collection.

I then had a few issues of my own regarding creating the cover. I had two designers create these ones, and then tried to create one of my own. Ultimately, I paid someone to design the cover you see here now, using my limited budget. I was the one who created the stick figure, though!

What the Stories in Risky Issues are About

The stories in Risky Issues bring to light many issues faced by children, teenagers, and even adults. 

The first story, The Secrets of the Study, is about a girl who enters her father’s study to get some blank printer paper but instead finds papers that reveal she is adopted. To compound things, her father catches her…

The second story, Pamela in the Park, is about a teenage girl who is out past curfew and is supposed to meet a temperamental drug dealer in the park to give him back some drugs she was holding for him. He doesn’t show up, but a policeman does…

The third story, The Day Adam Saw Red, is about sexual abuse. Adam, a victim, gives a speech to his class about this topic, and then goes outside to sit under an oak tree to ponder his dire situation, as his speech was a masked cry for help. He is befriended by the school custodian, who is thought to be “creepy” but who takes the time to speak to him to help solve his problem…

In the final story, My Best Friend, a young girl finds out that her Grandma’s dog died. She thinks of Snoopy as her own, and is devastated…

BUY Risky Issues to find out what happens next!

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Becoming an Author in this Digital Age

Becoming and author in this digital age is not that difficult anymore. Anyone can self-publish a book and be an author! The problem is that, now, authors must:

be bloggers (a feat in itself)
be business owners (you are a business if you are an author; your business is your brand; your name is your brand)
be on social media (you have to be able to connect with others, including your fans)
be marketers (otherwise, how will others learn about your books?)
be up-to-date on the ever-growing industry of publishing (you need to stay informed)

I’m sure there are a few things missing from this list, too. It’s also hard to do things by yourself. Ask me, I know. I do it all! (And I probably will, as it’s cheaper to do things myself instead of paying someone else to do things for me!)

However, when I’m rich and famous, maybe I’ll be able to hire others to help.

Until then, join me on my writing journey. I’ll share what I’ve learned.

And I’ll help you get published, too.

Then you can reach for the stars and soar high!

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