Tag Archives | self published

Finding Inspiration.

I really struggled with what to say for this first post of the New Year, meaning I’ve sat here, writing, deleting, writing, deleting. What to say? How to encourage?

Oh, the pressure, the pressure.

So I decided to tell a story.

Years ago, I worked for my church as the Children’s Ministry Director. It was my first year. My goals were small. Running a big outreach kind of ministry was but a speck in the distance.

The pastor’s wife suggested Vacation Bible School.

So I directed my first and only VBS.

I put in my hours researching and chose what to this day I still consider the best VBS curriculum available.

I planned. I organized. I joined forums. I learned shortcuts.

I signed volunteers. I delegated as much as I could but did most of the work myself.

Let me tell you, I put on an incredible VBS. I memorized all the songs and the actions. I bought materials. I took pictures and created a slideshow.

I was exhausted. But I did it right.

I learned a lot from that experience. Life lessons that carry over to today. (The biggest one being – when to say no.)

Many things will change for me in 2012. Good things. Terrific things. Scary and inspiring things.

I’m researching. I’m planning. I’m organizing.

I will be self publishing this year. My YA novel. (Some of you already knew this.)

And I’ve never been so inspired.

Going back to my VBS experience, I thrive on a challenge and organizing. I thrive on doing something the right way. I thrive on learning.

It’s been a whirlwind. Taking new author photos. Accepting an invite to a new indie and self-published author blog – The Indelibles – to launch in January.

And writing a short story from the pov of my male lead for an anthology.

IN HIS EYES will release on February 14th. A bunch of fantastic writers all sharing a piece of their stories with you. Check it out on Goodreads.

I hope you find your mojo this year. Your inspiration. Your goals. Whether succeed or fail – even failure is success if we learn and keep forging ahead.

I invite you on this crazy journey with me because I know I can’t do it alone.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I’m choosing my next Plot Busters novel. Middle grade, I think. Commercial. Funny. You’ll have to wait until next Monday!

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Countdown of my favorite books – part 9.

Two days left of my countdown. Hope you’ve found some books! If nothing else, you’ve gotten a good idea of the kinds of books I love to read. And this time, I’m here with two more middle grade.

THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA by Tom Angleberger

Hilarious. Creative. Unique. Moving. I loved this book! Everything from the title to the characters to the events. What a terrific middle grade. Can’t wait to read the sequel, DARTH PAPER STRIKES BACK.

A SCHOOL FOR VILLAINS by Ardyth DeBruyn

I’ve read and critiqued this story. This book has not gotten the attention it deserves. When middle grade makes the bigger leap to ebooks, this one will be popular. Funny. Fantastical. Great characters. Terrific writing. I can’t wait to read it again! And have my boys read it on my Kindle!

What books have you read that you feel missed the spotlight but deserved it?

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Countdown of my favorite books – part 8.

We’re closing in on the last few days of the countdown. If you haven’t noticed, I’ve tried to include a traditional and a self published book every day. Onward!

DUST OF A HUNDRED DOGS by A.S. King

This is one of my top top top books. It included everything I love. A unique story, pirates, curses, surprising twists, a flip flop between the past and the present. I will be rereading this one. Definitely for upper teen!

UNTRACEABLE by S.R. Johannes

This is a more recent one too. I love thrillers that also include a moving inner journey of the character. I couldn’t put the last half of this book down.

A different question for today. What kinds of books are your favorites? What is the common element in books you love?

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Countdown of my favorite books – part 1.

Instead of signing off for two weeks, I want to try something different. For the next two weeks I’ll post my book recommendations. Books from this past year that I really enjoyed, okay, loved!

Because the frantic Christmas countdown is on! And I still have Christmas cards to mail. Presents to wrap. Cookies to burn. Self imposed deadlines to meet. Squirrels to torment and scare off, I mean  feed with little special nut cakes. And of course sit on my duff and indulge in some eggnog by the fire.

So here are my first two picks.

IMAGINARY GIRLS by Nova Ren Suma

I absolutely loved the beautiful writing, the mysterious story, and the relationship between the sisters.

And the new paperback cover:

BECOME by Ali Cross

When I saw the cover I knew I wanted to read it. I never know when I read a self published book what it’s going to be like. But this one was terrific. The writing. The story. The characters. Worth reading.

Know that I’ll be reading your blogs this next week but most likely won’t be commenting! Feel free to leave your book recs in the comments all week!

Hope you are all farther ahead in your Christmas prep than I am! Yikes!

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