Writers as Learners

I’ve had a post lingering in the back of my mind lately. The need to write it developed from some conversations with authors. These haven’t been the good kind of conversations. They’ve mostly been the too-stupid-to-live kind of conversations. Most people publishing books take their craft seriously. The availability of self-publishing platforms (meaning anyone who can type can upload a book to Amazon.com and try to sell it) hasn’t changed this. I repeat: most people publishing books take their craft very seriously. But there are those few, as there are in any profession, who believe that they have nothing to learn. Their books are their brainchildren, and the only reason they aren’t selling well and are getting poor reviews is that people don’t “get” them. Or someone else is out to get them. Whatever.

Before I got around to writing my blog post, someone else did it for me. Did it better, even.

So forget my post. If you’re a writer, you need to read this. Really, really need to read this, instead of making excuses.

http://thewritersguidetoepublishing.com/keep-learning-so-you-wont-get-stuck-in-the-pits

Have fun.

New Year’s Blog Hop – Update with winners!

Hi y’all!

Thanks so much for the great response to the New Year’s Blog Hop and all the great stories. The contest is now closed. Since I had such a great response, I’ve decided to pick three winners for my upcoming fantasy romance novella instead of  just one.

The three winners from my blog are: Catherine, Monica, and Heather.

The grand prize winners from the overall blog hop are:

#192 from Malia Mallory’s site – Lilaz won the Kindle Fire!

#2436 from VK Syke’s site – June won the $80 Amazon GC.

Thanks to everyone for participating!

New Year Blog Hop – PRIZES!

What is a blog hop? That’s when several blog owners link their sites together, and readers win prizes for skipping around and commenting on as many blogs as possible. So pull up a chair, pour a cup of coffee, and have at it. Each time you comment on a blog, you are entered to win a Kindle Fire and an $80 gift certificate. Also, those who comment on this blog on January 4 are eligible to win an electronic copy of Vickie Taylor’s upcoming fantasy romance novella, Mother Nature & Father Time, A love (and hate) story.

New Years’ Memories

Blog hops often have themes, and the theme of this one is favorite New Years’ Memories. As I thought back over my life, one memory stood out for me.

My Senior year in high school, Danny asked me to the New Year’s bash at his fraternity. I was beyond excited to be going to my first college party, but I was also nervous. I’d never met Danny in person–just chatted with him online. It took three days of serious shopping, but I finally found the perfect dress, a low-cut black number with white piping that said “mature” witout giving up “sexy.”

The bash was a blast. I hadn’t realized until I got there that it was a masked party. I was handed a little half-face sequined disguise at the door. Luckily the person handing out the masks knew Danny and pointed him out to me, since everyone inside already wore their masks.

Danny and I were a perfect match. We danced, and managed a bit of conversation by shouting over music. At midnight, he told me, a toast would be made, and everyone would remove their masks for a New Year’s kiss.

I couldn’t wait.

The big moment  finally arrived. Champagne in hand, everyone counted down the final seconds of the year.

“Three. Two. One. Happy New Year!”

We clinked glasses and sipped. My heart strummed. I lifted my mask, saw Danny’s lips curve upward beneath his full face piece. Slowly he slid it up from the bottom to reveal …

ZOMBIE!

I spun to run, but one of my three-inch heels caught on the carpet. I tumbled forward into a girl, her face decaying and smelling of death. A bony hand grabbed my ankle from behind and dragged me …

Oh wait … that was a book idea, not a memory. Sometimes I get the two mixed up. 

In reality, New Year’s Day is the most exciting day of the year for me, but not because of any zombie encounters. It’s a time to let go of any mistakes and disappointments from the previous twelve months and contemplate the possibilities ahead. Clean slate.

I look forward to 2012 with as much anticipation as I’ve ever felt. I’ve made some big changes in my life, career-wise, and I can’t wait to share them with you in the form of books. I have three romance novellas coming out on Amazon.com in January, and then I will be starting a cozy mystery series that I can’t wait to tell you about (but I’m going to, because I want it to be a surprise).

Happy New Year, everyone!

click here for links to the other participating web logs! Win a Kindle Fire and an $80 Amazon.com gift certificate.