H.A. Larson's Blog, page 47
June 9, 2017
Staying Neutral in a Sea of Negativity
Like most every other Indie author alive today, I utilize social media. Nowhere is any one of us more present, typically, than on Facebook. Social media is a great way for us Indie authors to introduce the world to who we are and promote our work, and it can work quite well for this purpose.
Ever since I began my writing career, I've always made sure to do one very important thing: keep my real self and my author self separate. There are two good reasons for this:
1. I'm marketing my books.
2. I'm building my brand.
If you don't keep your author self and your real self separate, then problems happen. I see this in action all the time, particularly on facebook. I see authors who are constantly talking about politics, social issues, and religion (to name a few) and taking deeply rooted sides. Quite often, argruments erupt and things get contentious. It's not a pretty sight.
It's not that I discourage anyone for standing up for what they believe in, but if your author self constantly spouts off personal diatribes, you're going to turn off and chase away potential readers. I have a private account where I do and say what I please, and then I have my author account where I keep things neutral. I recommend that for authors and anyone else trying to sell themselves or their products. Keep your stuff neutral, or people will associate your brand with political, religious, or social ideas.
I know how hard it is to not be vocal and aware of the world around us during these times, but you're only hurting your end goals. Make a separate account if you have to, but stay neutral in this sea of negativity.
My latest book, The Box, is available through different retailers for $3.99! If you like short, campy, horror books, you will love The Box!
Pick it up by following this link: The Box by H.A. Larson
For information on my other books, link up to my Pronoun Author Page.
June 7, 2017
Total Solar Eclipse
We know that I'm a bit of an astronomy buff, and have been since my Dad instilled a love for the stars in me at a young age. I make posts here and there about sky events that are coming up in the hopes that you, too, can see what all the fuss is about.
More often than not, sky events can be less-than-exciting. Trust me, I know. You'll be expecting something that will blow you away with it's wow factor, but it ends up being something, if you can even see it, that doesn't appear to be much. However, for all the unexciting sky events, there are always a few of those awesome ones that we can look forward to throughout the year. Eclipses are one such event, and can either be Lunar or Solar.
A Lunar Eclipse (LE) occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow. A Solar Eclipse (SE), on the other hand, occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, blocking it from our view and casting darkness over all of the area it surveys. While LEs happen a couple of times a year, a SE only happens around once every 18 months. Additionally, an SE will be visible in different parts of the world when they are visible, so there's less of an opportunity to view them.
This year, however, America will be fortunate enough to see a total SE on August 21, 2017 in a 70 mile wide swath that stretches from Oregon to South Carolina. In order to view it, it is recommended that one takes proper precautions, because staring at the Sun, even during an SE is harmful for your eyes. The Space website has great information about the SE coming up this year, and how to view it. Read the article on the Space website.
Make sure, if you're close enough to the path, that you don't miss this event. A SE is a one-of-a-kind experience that one doesn't get to see very often. And unlike the aforementioned less-than-exciting sky event, this one is definitely exciting!
Check out these sky events for June/July:
1. June 3: Venus will be nice and bright in the eastern skies before sunrise.
2. June 9 & July 9: Full Moon!
3. June 15: Saturn will be most visible and brightest all through the night, making photography of the planet and it's moons possible.
4. June 24 & July 23: New Moon. This means the moon will be on the same side as the Sun, making it non-visible in our hemisphere. Because of this, you can take advantage of it to view other celestial objects that are typically not able to be seen due to the brightness of the moon.
5. July 29-30: Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower. This meteor show will be best seen after midnight in a dark location and can display up to 20 meteors per hour at it's peak.
6. July 30: Mercury will be most visible today, low in the Western sky just after sunset.
My latest book, The Box, is available through different retailers for $3.99! If you like short, campy, horror books, you will love The Box!
Pick it up by following this link: The Box by H.A. Larson
For information on my other books, link up to my Pronoun Author Page.
June 5, 2017
Recipe of the Week: Fat Taquitos with Homemade Salsa con Queso Sauce
The other night, Taco Tuesday in fact, I was really craving Mexican food. Oftentimes, when the need for Mexican food arises, I turn to one of a couple of my favorites: enchiladas or tacos. I admit though, that I get tired of those two and need a bit of variety, so I decided to make Fat Taquitos. What's the difference between a Fat Taquito and a regular one? The amount of filling. That's it. I also had the wondrous idea to make a salsa con queso sauce, and, man oh man, was that one of the best ideas I've ever had! Read on for the recipe.
Fat Taquitos with Homemade Salsa con Queso Sauce
Ingredients:
For the taquitos:
2 c. leftover cooked, or cooked & cooled, basmati rice*1/2 a medium onion, chopped1 t. each onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, and oregano**1/2 T. Italian seasoning and cumin**1 heaping T. chili powder**2 T. cooking oil2 c. vegetarian, or fat-free, refried beans1 can black beans, drained and rinsed15 medium-sized tortillasCooking spray***
For the salsa con queso sauce:
3 T. margarine****1/8 c. + 1 T. flour1.5 - 2 c. unflavored, unsweetened, plant-based milk3/4 c. vegan cheese*****1/2 c. salsa of choice
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
3. When the oil begins to ripple, add the rice, onion, and seasonings. Mix well to incorporate everything. Fry, stirring often, until the onions are soft and translucent. Remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
4. In a large mixing bowl, add the refried beans, black beans, and cooled rice mixture. Mix well.
5. Spray a baking sheet liberally with cooking spray.
6. It's time to fill your taquitos! Using roughly 1/3 - 1/2 c. of filling per tortillas, fill them, roll them without sealing the ends, and line them up on the baking sheet. It's okay to squish them together.
7. When your taquitos are all filled and on the baking sheet, spray the tops of the taquitos liberally with cooking spray as well.
8. Put the taquitos in the preheated over, and bake them until they are lightly golden brown. This takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the oven.
9. While the taquitos bake, make your salsa con queso sauce. Begin by adding the margarine to a sauce pan over medium-high heat.
10. When the margarine has melted completely, add the flour and whisk well until they are incorporated together.
11. Add half the milk and whisk well, continuing to whisk until the mixture is too thick to whisk. Add the rest of the milk and repeat. This time, the mixture will thicken to the proper consistency. It might seem a bit thin, but you'll be adding cheese and salsa.
12. Add vegan cheese and whisk lightly until the cheese completely melts into the mixture.
13. Remove from heat and add the salsa. Stir well.
14. When the taquitos are finished, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for about 10-15 minutes. Pour some of the salsa con queso sauce over them and enjoy with your favorite accoutrements.
Notes:
*You can use any rice, I prefer jasmine or basmati however. You can also cook the rice beforehand, just make sure it's completely cooled first, or it will turn to mush in the frying pan.
**In lieu of the seasonings, you can add half to a full packet of taco seasoning.
***You can use cooking oil instead of cooking spray, but cooking spray is better. It's better for non-stick purposes, and it makes a healthier & lighter taquito without the extra fat.
****I used Earth Balance, but any vegan margarine will do.
*****Daiya cheddar is absolutely fabulous here so it's my personal recommendation, but you can use whatever vegan cheese and flavor you prefer.
I like to serve my taquitos with greens, chopped olives, chopped onions, chopped jalapenos, Tofutti Better than Sour Cream, Hampton Creek's Just Ranch, salsa, Valentina's hot sauce, and nooch. You can get creative with your embellishments.
Enjoy!
Fat Taquitos with Homemade Salsa con Queso Sauce
Ingredients:
For the taquitos:
2 c. leftover cooked, or cooked & cooled, basmati rice*1/2 a medium onion, chopped1 t. each onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, and oregano**1/2 T. Italian seasoning and cumin**1 heaping T. chili powder**2 T. cooking oil2 c. vegetarian, or fat-free, refried beans1 can black beans, drained and rinsed15 medium-sized tortillasCooking spray***
For the salsa con queso sauce:
3 T. margarine****1/8 c. + 1 T. flour1.5 - 2 c. unflavored, unsweetened, plant-based milk3/4 c. vegan cheese*****1/2 c. salsa of choice
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
3. When the oil begins to ripple, add the rice, onion, and seasonings. Mix well to incorporate everything. Fry, stirring often, until the onions are soft and translucent. Remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
4. In a large mixing bowl, add the refried beans, black beans, and cooled rice mixture. Mix well.
5. Spray a baking sheet liberally with cooking spray.
6. It's time to fill your taquitos! Using roughly 1/3 - 1/2 c. of filling per tortillas, fill them, roll them without sealing the ends, and line them up on the baking sheet. It's okay to squish them together.
7. When your taquitos are all filled and on the baking sheet, spray the tops of the taquitos liberally with cooking spray as well.
8. Put the taquitos in the preheated over, and bake them until they are lightly golden brown. This takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the oven.
9. While the taquitos bake, make your salsa con queso sauce. Begin by adding the margarine to a sauce pan over medium-high heat.
10. When the margarine has melted completely, add the flour and whisk well until they are incorporated together.
11. Add half the milk and whisk well, continuing to whisk until the mixture is too thick to whisk. Add the rest of the milk and repeat. This time, the mixture will thicken to the proper consistency. It might seem a bit thin, but you'll be adding cheese and salsa.
12. Add vegan cheese and whisk lightly until the cheese completely melts into the mixture.
13. Remove from heat and add the salsa. Stir well.
14. When the taquitos are finished, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for about 10-15 minutes. Pour some of the salsa con queso sauce over them and enjoy with your favorite accoutrements.
Notes:
*You can use any rice, I prefer jasmine or basmati however. You can also cook the rice beforehand, just make sure it's completely cooled first, or it will turn to mush in the frying pan.
**In lieu of the seasonings, you can add half to a full packet of taco seasoning.
***You can use cooking oil instead of cooking spray, but cooking spray is better. It's better for non-stick purposes, and it makes a healthier & lighter taquito without the extra fat.
****I used Earth Balance, but any vegan margarine will do.
*****Daiya cheddar is absolutely fabulous here so it's my personal recommendation, but you can use whatever vegan cheese and flavor you prefer.
I like to serve my taquitos with greens, chopped olives, chopped onions, chopped jalapenos, Tofutti Better than Sour Cream, Hampton Creek's Just Ranch, salsa, Valentina's hot sauce, and nooch. You can get creative with your embellishments.
Enjoy!
June 3, 2017
Latest Libations: 7th Edition
Good morning! It's already shaping up to be a great Saturday. My folks are here and we're going to go do some fun things to celebrate NG's birthday (granted, it's a bit early but my folks won't be able to come down closer to her actual birthday). One of those things will be quite interesting, so I'll be taking plenty of pictures today which I'll make a cool post with next week. For now though, I have some of the brews I've been enjoying lately to share with you, so let's get started.
First up, Guinness Irish Wheat. Next to actual Guinness itself, this beer is fantastic. It's light, crisp, and refreshing with a great taste. I could drink this beer often, and I probably will.
I've had a few brews by Infusion Brewing Co. but I had yet to have their Dominican Brown Ale. This brown ale (think Newcastle) has a nice, even taste. I enjoyed it's slight variance from Newcastle, and it was a bit darker, which I loved.
I've showcased my fair share of Zipline Brewing's beers, and this is another new one that I haven't tried. It's called Copper Alt, and it's an altbier. It's a cross between an ale and a lager, and I loved it! I would definitely drink this golden, amber-hued tasty treat again and again.
It's been a long time since I've purchased or drank a Sam Adams beer. When I first started moving into darker brews and away from the young kid's reliance on cheap, light beers, Samuel Adams was the beer of choice for most people like myself. When they started making Cherry Wheat, I drank a lot of it. After discovering other, better beers I all but quit drinking Sam Adams. Recently, my husband picked up a six-pack of this for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had forgotten how good Cherry Wheat it.
Oh Boulevard, is there no beer that you can't make taste great?! This lovely sour ale has been brewed with coriander, sea salt, and hibiscus. It's a dream in beer form, and I will definitely be coveting a six-pack of this soon. I recommend you try one soon!
Another Boulevard offering, Early Riser is a dark, thick, heady coffee porter. I've talked before about how coffee and porters go together, and the caffeine helps accentuate the porter taste. Boulevard knocks it out of the park again with this almost dessert beer. Yum!
Good old Smithwick's Irish Ale. Irish Ales are red ales, and they have a caramel, earthy taste that's lighter than regular ales without sacrificing taste. While it's not the best Irish Ale I've ever had, it's not terrible. I know Boulevard makes an Irish Red Ale, and I vow to get my hands on one soon.
Last, but not least: 1800 Tequila. These were drank on Cinco de Mayo by my husband and myself. I chose the brown tequila, and, of course, we drank them traditionally with lime and salt. It's been years since I dared to drink tequila, but this tequila was smooth and smokey. I would recommend grabbing a shooter for yourself sometime.
There you have it, the 7th installment of Latest Libations. I hope you've enjoyed a look into some of the tasty beers (and hard liquor) that I've had recently. I do love a good, tasty, cold beer to relax at the end of the day, and I do hope you'll give one of these a try.
-H.A.
Don't forget, my book The Box is available now -- for the low price of $3.99! Find it here, on my Pronoun Author Page.
First up, Guinness Irish Wheat. Next to actual Guinness itself, this beer is fantastic. It's light, crisp, and refreshing with a great taste. I could drink this beer often, and I probably will.
I've had a few brews by Infusion Brewing Co. but I had yet to have their Dominican Brown Ale. This brown ale (think Newcastle) has a nice, even taste. I enjoyed it's slight variance from Newcastle, and it was a bit darker, which I loved.
I've showcased my fair share of Zipline Brewing's beers, and this is another new one that I haven't tried. It's called Copper Alt, and it's an altbier. It's a cross between an ale and a lager, and I loved it! I would definitely drink this golden, amber-hued tasty treat again and again.
It's been a long time since I've purchased or drank a Sam Adams beer. When I first started moving into darker brews and away from the young kid's reliance on cheap, light beers, Samuel Adams was the beer of choice for most people like myself. When they started making Cherry Wheat, I drank a lot of it. After discovering other, better beers I all but quit drinking Sam Adams. Recently, my husband picked up a six-pack of this for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had forgotten how good Cherry Wheat it.
Oh Boulevard, is there no beer that you can't make taste great?! This lovely sour ale has been brewed with coriander, sea salt, and hibiscus. It's a dream in beer form, and I will definitely be coveting a six-pack of this soon. I recommend you try one soon!
Another Boulevard offering, Early Riser is a dark, thick, heady coffee porter. I've talked before about how coffee and porters go together, and the caffeine helps accentuate the porter taste. Boulevard knocks it out of the park again with this almost dessert beer. Yum!
Good old Smithwick's Irish Ale. Irish Ales are red ales, and they have a caramel, earthy taste that's lighter than regular ales without sacrificing taste. While it's not the best Irish Ale I've ever had, it's not terrible. I know Boulevard makes an Irish Red Ale, and I vow to get my hands on one soon.
Last, but not least: 1800 Tequila. These were drank on Cinco de Mayo by my husband and myself. I chose the brown tequila, and, of course, we drank them traditionally with lime and salt. It's been years since I dared to drink tequila, but this tequila was smooth and smokey. I would recommend grabbing a shooter for yourself sometime.
There you have it, the 7th installment of Latest Libations. I hope you've enjoyed a look into some of the tasty beers (and hard liquor) that I've had recently. I do love a good, tasty, cold beer to relax at the end of the day, and I do hope you'll give one of these a try.
-H.A.
Don't forget, my book The Box is available now -- for the low price of $3.99! Find it here, on my Pronoun Author Page.
June 2, 2017
The First Review for The Box
Good morning, and Happy Friday! I've got my cup of coffee, the weekend is here, the weather is nice, and my folks will be here for a visit. I hope you have fun plans for the weekend, I know I do! In fact, you'll get to read about the fun thing we're doing tomorrow sometime next week. Now, it's time for today's blog, so read on.
My book The Box received it's first review this week! Was it a good review? No, I can't say that it was. The reviewer felt my book was filled with gratuitous violence and bloody murders. Now, for a horror book, that sounds amaz...I mean, terrible! Who the heck wants violence and murder in a horror book?! Well, me, that's who....and most other people who buy horror books. *laughs*
I've been writing books long enough now that I don't get offended by people's reviews, because we all have the right to our opinions, but this one made me chuckle. I put gratuitous violence and bloody murders in my scary book! They also didn't like my ending, which I can see wouldn't be for everyone. Some people like their tales to be wrapped up neatly, where I like to defy convention.
All things considered, I'd say it was a "good review", and here's why:
1. Unlike reviews of my past books, they had no complaints about my grammar or made mention of any typos. This was something I worked hard at in this book when I was in the editing process, so yay me!
2. I wrote a horror book, and horror books -- more often than not -- employ violence and death. So, while they weren't fond of those plot devices, many people are. This means my books hit people where I want it to hit them.
3. They didn't review it like my last few books have been reviewed through the peer review groups I've been in. They weren't expecting "War and Peace" and for that, I'm happy. It's a campy horror book, let it be that way.
4. People who are looking for this kind of book will appreciate the fact that it has what they're looking for, based on the review.
But hey, don't take my word for it. Go buy a copy of the book yourself, and see what all the fuss is about! You know you want to, and for a cool $3.99, how can you lose? Find it here, on The Box's Pronoun Page.
My book The Box received it's first review this week! Was it a good review? No, I can't say that it was. The reviewer felt my book was filled with gratuitous violence and bloody murders. Now, for a horror book, that sounds amaz...I mean, terrible! Who the heck wants violence and murder in a horror book?! Well, me, that's who....and most other people who buy horror books. *laughs*
I've been writing books long enough now that I don't get offended by people's reviews, because we all have the right to our opinions, but this one made me chuckle. I put gratuitous violence and bloody murders in my scary book! They also didn't like my ending, which I can see wouldn't be for everyone. Some people like their tales to be wrapped up neatly, where I like to defy convention.
All things considered, I'd say it was a "good review", and here's why:
1. Unlike reviews of my past books, they had no complaints about my grammar or made mention of any typos. This was something I worked hard at in this book when I was in the editing process, so yay me!
2. I wrote a horror book, and horror books -- more often than not -- employ violence and death. So, while they weren't fond of those plot devices, many people are. This means my books hit people where I want it to hit them.
3. They didn't review it like my last few books have been reviewed through the peer review groups I've been in. They weren't expecting "War and Peace" and for that, I'm happy. It's a campy horror book, let it be that way.
4. People who are looking for this kind of book will appreciate the fact that it has what they're looking for, based on the review.
But hey, don't take my word for it. Go buy a copy of the book yourself, and see what all the fuss is about! You know you want to, and for a cool $3.99, how can you lose? Find it here, on The Box's Pronoun Page.
May 31, 2017
Back on the Wagon...Maybe
My kids are out of school for the Summer now, which means I don't have to wake anyone up in the morning and drive anyone anywhere either (YAY!). Combine this with a beautiful Spring morning and living in close proximity to my job, and you have the perfect recipe for walking to work.
I decided, then, the other day to do just that. I had only gotten about a quarter of the way there when I came to a realization: I am out of shape! That one mile walk (I know, shoot me) kicked my butt. Me, the hiker and outdoor lover, got whooped by a quarter-mile walk. I persevered anyway, and by the time I reached work I was feeling pretty good. Still, it's a wakeup call.
You all know that I spent a total of three and a half weeks being sick (this includes the time I spent taking medicine and getting well) last month. I got in one decent hike right at the tail end of it, then spent the next two weeks getting caught up on various responsibilities I have outside of work. Right after that, I hit a manic perimenopause episode that lasted a couple of weeks where I hibernated.
Looking back over the last couple of months then, I really haven't gotten much exercise. In fact, I've only gotten that one hike in since vacation. On top of that, I've been eating mostly a carbolicious, starchy diet. No wonder I'm in such poor shape. Well, it's time then to get back on the wagon. I'm going to be mindful of the foods I eat (and the quantity), and I'm definitely going to get some good hiking in this weekend. I need to do that anyway before Summer heat arrives, and renders hiking nothing more than a sweaty, bug-fest.
Wish me luck!
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Don't forget, you can purchase my latest book, The Box, as well as my other books through my Pronoun Author Page. You can purchase it through different retailers for different reading devices. Hey, one guy said The Box was nothing more than gratuitous violence and bloody murders! Doesn't it sound awesome? Find out for yourself...only $3.99!
May 29, 2017
Portrait of Omaha: University of Nebraska - Omaha (UNO)
Good morning! It's been awhile since I've done an installment of my series: Portrait of Omaha. If you're unfamiliar with it, it's a photographic/informative look at some of the landmarks of the city I call home. I've been meaning to cover the University of Nebraska - Omaha (a.k.a. UNO) for awhile now, but I've been waiting for Spring to arrive. The reason for this is that Spring is a great look for campus, and showcases the beauty of the university.
This is glimpse of the Welcome Center with the Durham Science Center peeking through the back.
A good look at the Welcome Center. See the flowery bush there on the right? It's part of a larger patch of foliage that hides a little secret: There's a little path that meanders through the patch, allowing one to escape for a moment and admire nature.
A view down the sidewalk under the covered walkway at the Durham Science Center. You can see all the way down past the Weber Fine Arts Building, through the covered walkway of Criss Library, and just barely make out the base of the Henningson Memorial Campanile (also known as the Clock Tower).
The entrance to the Durham Science Center. This is where all the science-related fields are, and they also have a small, but impressive, planetarium. I was fortunate to go check out a laser show there with my family last year.
This is a neat art alcove along the main walkway through campus. It's got this neat-looking obelisk-type structure on the right, but inside are winding rows for planting flowers (which hasn't been done yet) and a small variety of sculptures. I'll have to find out more about this one of these days.
Just east of the Weber Fine Arts Building -- on one of their decorative outdoor walls -- is an open window that is framed with ivy and looks out, onto a wire-frame sculpture.
This interesting sculpture is called "Atomicity" made by Ronald K. Parks. Installed in 2014, it sits outside of the Community Engagement Center.
Here we finally get a good look up the Clock Tower. From this viewpoint, it seems to rise almost endlessly into the sky.
A view of the Arts and Science Hall from the back entrance of the Eppley Administration Building. The big, open, green space is the Pep Bowl where plenty of student activities are held on nice days.
This is a cool fountain sculpture, complete with places to sit, just outside the back entrance of the Milo Bail Student Center. When the weather is nice, facilities puts out metal patio furniture for people to sit out in this nice open area. It's a great place to have lunch if it's not too hot.
I hope you enjoyed this small glimpse into the campus of the University of Nebraska-Omaha. There are plenty of other interesting sculptures, foliage, and buildings to see here, and I hope you get a chance to wander around campus someday. You can catch a show at the Durham Science Center Planetarium, check out the art inside the Weber Fine Arts Building, grab a bite to eat the Library Cafe, or simply take a scenic walk.
Don't forget, my latest book The Box was just published Friday, and it's a hot buy at only $3.99. It's a short, fun, and thrill-ridden horror story, so check it out! You can find it here: H.A. Larson's Pronoun Author Page.
This is glimpse of the Welcome Center with the Durham Science Center peeking through the back.
A good look at the Welcome Center. See the flowery bush there on the right? It's part of a larger patch of foliage that hides a little secret: There's a little path that meanders through the patch, allowing one to escape for a moment and admire nature.
A view down the sidewalk under the covered walkway at the Durham Science Center. You can see all the way down past the Weber Fine Arts Building, through the covered walkway of Criss Library, and just barely make out the base of the Henningson Memorial Campanile (also known as the Clock Tower).
The entrance to the Durham Science Center. This is where all the science-related fields are, and they also have a small, but impressive, planetarium. I was fortunate to go check out a laser show there with my family last year.
This is a neat art alcove along the main walkway through campus. It's got this neat-looking obelisk-type structure on the right, but inside are winding rows for planting flowers (which hasn't been done yet) and a small variety of sculptures. I'll have to find out more about this one of these days.
Just east of the Weber Fine Arts Building -- on one of their decorative outdoor walls -- is an open window that is framed with ivy and looks out, onto a wire-frame sculpture.
This interesting sculpture is called "Atomicity" made by Ronald K. Parks. Installed in 2014, it sits outside of the Community Engagement Center.
Here we finally get a good look up the Clock Tower. From this viewpoint, it seems to rise almost endlessly into the sky.
A view of the Arts and Science Hall from the back entrance of the Eppley Administration Building. The big, open, green space is the Pep Bowl where plenty of student activities are held on nice days.
This is a cool fountain sculpture, complete with places to sit, just outside the back entrance of the Milo Bail Student Center. When the weather is nice, facilities puts out metal patio furniture for people to sit out in this nice open area. It's a great place to have lunch if it's not too hot.
I hope you enjoyed this small glimpse into the campus of the University of Nebraska-Omaha. There are plenty of other interesting sculptures, foliage, and buildings to see here, and I hope you get a chance to wander around campus someday. You can catch a show at the Durham Science Center Planetarium, check out the art inside the Weber Fine Arts Building, grab a bite to eat the Library Cafe, or simply take a scenic walk.
Don't forget, my latest book The Box was just published Friday, and it's a hot buy at only $3.99. It's a short, fun, and thrill-ridden horror story, so check it out! You can find it here: H.A. Larson's Pronoun Author Page.
May 27, 2017
Coffee Talk: The Box, The Write Life, and Peer Reviews
Good morning and Happy Saturday! Are you as happy that the weekend is here as I am? I'm particularly excited because, being a holiday, we have a three-day weekend. Having that extra day is always nice because you can get chores done and still have time for fun. It's amazing how much one extra day can do that. At any rate, I hope you have plans to do something fun. As for myself, I'm going to get some chores/work done; host a potluck & bonfire with friends; get some much-needed hiking in; and generally just relax.
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If you haven't heard yet, The Box was published yesterday! I'm excited to finally be able to share it with the world. It's available for $3.99 and you can purchase it through various retailers. For more info, go to The Box's Pronoun Book Page.
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There's a great sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing something, and nowhere is that more true for me than in The Write Life. I've talked extensively about The Write Life on this blog, and, over the years, you and I have seen my growth as a writer. What started out as a dream/goal to write a book, turned into a true passion. I've come a long way since Cold and it shows. Not only are my writing skills better, but so are my editing skills, blogging skills, video-making skills, and my general knowledge about the self-publishing world.
It would be a lie if I said that I haven't struggled through this journey or that I haven't had some of the most frustrating days of my life doing this, but I wouldn't change any of it for the world. Being an author has changed my life in only the best of ways, and, not matter the outcome, I can say that I personally accomplished something I wanted. And that, folks, is what being an author is truly about.
I've written fun, entertaining, and easy-to-read books because that's what I've done best. It works well, people like them, and I enjoy writing them. I have evolved enough now, though, in The Write Life that I've decided that my next book will be more gripping, well-written, well-researched, and a true thrill to read. What I'm saying is that I've grown up in my writing, and I'm ready to write a big-girl book. Stay tuned!
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As an Indie author, I rely on reviews of my books for a few reasons:
1. Publishing websites use a rubric for books. If it gets x amount of reviews, they will start advertising it on other parts of their website, bringing it more exposure.
2. Reviews help buyers decide if they want to invest the money in your book or not.
3. Reviews can be good feedback for authors to correct errors.
4. Along those lines, reviews can also help an author decide what does and doesn't work so they can use this information for future books.
After I published my first book, and realized it wasn't getting reviews, I did some online research and found that Indie authors can join peer review groups. You join a group, submit your book, and you get x amount of authors' books to read and vice versa. I thought this was a great idea, so I entered my first book Cold. Then, when I finished The Melody, I quickly did the same. After I finished The Station, it went through the process as well.
While reviews for the first book were what I expected, I noticed that with each subsequent book I entered into peer review groups, the quality of the reviews went down. Was it that my books were declining in quality? No, the opposite was true -- although I learned that I needed to edit better and use a better program for styling my ebooks.
So, what was the problem then, exactly? The problem, was the other authors reviewing the books. While the first peer review group understood what I was doing, with each subsequent book I noticed a wave of new authors coming in, and, boy, were they snobby. What I mean by that is that their expectations for my books were much, much greater than my own. They were critiquing my book in some correct and constructive ways, but they were also approaching my books as if I were trying to rewrite War and Peace.
The truth is, I'm just writing short, fun, and campy books for purely entertainment value. What I'm not writing is the Great American Novel. I've decided then, that I'm not going to enter The Box into a peer review group, because I don't need the negative reviews that condemn my book for not being the "next greatest thing". A word to other authors doing peer reviews: Review the book as it is, don't try to review it like the author of the book you're reviewing needs a lesson on why their book isn't going to be the next literary great. Truth: it's not. Review for the kind of book it is, and not how you expect that it should be.
May 26, 2017
The Box has been Published!
It is my great pleasure to announce that my fifth book as H.A. Larson, The Box, has been published! It's available through Amazon, Apple ibooks, Kobo, Google Play, and Barnes & Noble. You can link up to any of those retailers through The Box's Pronoun Page, or through my Pronoun Author Page. You can pick it up for the cool price of $3.99. I hope you get a chance to read my latest book. If you like horror stories, you're going to enjoy this book, so grab your copy today!
If you have a moment, sign up for my newsletter up there in the right-hand corner, just below the menu bar. I reveal news to my email subscribers first and give them a heads-up on upcoming posts. Sign up today! You know you want to. Also, buy The Box today, only $3.99!
May 24, 2017
Ipsy's May Glam Bag
Good morning! I hope your day is shaping up, as I know mine is. Last week was an odd week, and today I finally feel normal, or at least what my version of normal feels like. Since things are feeling business-as-usual, it's high time that I shared my Ipsy Glam Bag for May before my June one arrives!
The bag and it's contents. Nature Girl instantly fell in love with this cute little ice cream bag. We made a deal that if she kept her room clean for the rest of the month, that I'd give it to her. We'll see how well she's able to accomplish this! Anyway, this month's theme is getting ready for Summer.
Here are the contents of the bag.
First up is Briogeo's Rosarco Milk. It's an intensive leave-in conditioning spray. I don't have much occasion to use such a product, but on the rare chance that I might go swimming this year, I feel that this would be a good product to use after washing out the chlorine. For those of you who need ultra-conditioning, this might be more for you. Still, I'm eager to try it!
This is Mellow's Creamy Matte Lipstick in Nude. It's a beautiful matted pinkish color, which seems to be one of the typical colors I get from Ipsy. This one has the logo imprinted on the actual lipstick itself...see it? (Sorry, the background I chose for this shoot takes away from the actual color.)
Adesse of New York has passed along a gel effect nail polish in a light turquoise kind of color. I don't usually wear this kind of color as I shy away from pastels, but I'll try it at least once. If I'm not fond of it, NG will be more than happy to take it off my hands.
Next up is Superhero's Voluminous Mascara in a sample size. I tried some out yesterday morning in fact, and it really did make it seem like I could almost be wearing falsies.
Last, but not least, is Urban Decay's 8-hour powder highlighter. I've recently started playing around with highlighters a little and, while I'm still not going to be an everyday highlighter, I can see the value in highlighting one's face for special occasions. What I mean by that is that I love to wear makeup, and I do so nearly every day, however, I have an everyday look, and a look for special occasions. I don't feel the need to go all out every single day of the week.
And there you have it, another month of Ipsy's Glam Bag. It's still the best value on the block (if you're truly into makeup), and all the information about them can be found on www.ipsy.com.
The bag and it's contents. Nature Girl instantly fell in love with this cute little ice cream bag. We made a deal that if she kept her room clean for the rest of the month, that I'd give it to her. We'll see how well she's able to accomplish this! Anyway, this month's theme is getting ready for Summer.
Here are the contents of the bag.
First up is Briogeo's Rosarco Milk. It's an intensive leave-in conditioning spray. I don't have much occasion to use such a product, but on the rare chance that I might go swimming this year, I feel that this would be a good product to use after washing out the chlorine. For those of you who need ultra-conditioning, this might be more for you. Still, I'm eager to try it!
This is Mellow's Creamy Matte Lipstick in Nude. It's a beautiful matted pinkish color, which seems to be one of the typical colors I get from Ipsy. This one has the logo imprinted on the actual lipstick itself...see it? (Sorry, the background I chose for this shoot takes away from the actual color.)
Adesse of New York has passed along a gel effect nail polish in a light turquoise kind of color. I don't usually wear this kind of color as I shy away from pastels, but I'll try it at least once. If I'm not fond of it, NG will be more than happy to take it off my hands.
Next up is Superhero's Voluminous Mascara in a sample size. I tried some out yesterday morning in fact, and it really did make it seem like I could almost be wearing falsies.
Last, but not least, is Urban Decay's 8-hour powder highlighter. I've recently started playing around with highlighters a little and, while I'm still not going to be an everyday highlighter, I can see the value in highlighting one's face for special occasions. What I mean by that is that I love to wear makeup, and I do so nearly every day, however, I have an everyday look, and a look for special occasions. I don't feel the need to go all out every single day of the week.
And there you have it, another month of Ipsy's Glam Bag. It's still the best value on the block (if you're truly into makeup), and all the information about them can be found on www.ipsy.com.
