Starting on the weekly schedule I have created Mondays will be Character Profiles and with the release of Survivor coming out in just a few short weeks I wanted to focus on characters from that book. It would make sense to look at Jasmine, the main character, though I have talked about her in the past. I could always go to the opposite side of the spectrum and showcase Tyler Winegard, the boyfriend in the book, and I am sure in the upcoming weeks I will discuss him. But today I wanted to take a look at a much lesser noticed character, Georgia, Jasmine's mother.
Based in more ways than I can count on my own mother, Georgia is a strong and life affirming person that is left sadly deep in the dark about her daughter's struggles with an abusive boyfriend and dwindling self worth. She is caring, dedicated and does everything she believes is right unknowingly helping to keep Jasmine in her relationship. Jasmine hides what is happening from Georgia. She is so manipulated that she believes either that her mother and father will side with Tyler and therefore see her as a let down and a failure. Or they will end the relationship and Jasmine believes that without the attention and so-called affection she receives from him that her life will no longer matter.
There is a moment in the book that Jasmine considers suicide. I have not been public with it before but that scene is nearly identical to the night I sat crying next to my parent's liquor cabinet determined to end my own life. The internal dialogue is almost verbatim as I fought with my own mind about whether to live or die. Obviously I made it but just having the knowledge that I ever sat there considering it weighs on my heart everyday. My own mother, the inspiration for Georgia, had no idea that night ever happened. Like her literary counterpart finding out broke her heart.
Georgia stands by Jasmine when she finally decides to fight back and her will to live and seek justice overpowers her fears. My ending was different and though Jasmine is able to stand up for herself as I have now been able to do it took years longer for me to reach that level and my mother just recently had the chance to beta read Survivor and that was how she found out about so much of what I went through. Georgia because it is part of the story finds out much faster but whether it took just a few years like in the book or over a decade as in real life Georgia, my mom, has been more loving, supportive and helpful in the recovery process that anyone could have expected.
She is a minor character with a major impact and I could not have had my own story of survival without her. Thank you to Georgia and of course my mother for being everything I could have ever needed and more.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
Book Cover Promotion
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Live Events
I have talked several times about the importance of not only being a writer but as a writer also being a promoter. I struggle in the technological realm doing promotions on social media and creating tools like teasers or promotional videos. I am learning everyday but it is a low and arduous process to say the least. It could be said that I live in the past thinking of the prime time of the traditionally published author, that I fantasize about book tours and highly publicized signings but as we all know they are extinct like the dinosaurs.
Well almost extinct. I am not one to give up even when every fiber of my being is screaming that I cannot succeed. I still believe in live events and shaking the hands of those that buy and read my books. I want to share moments and speak to my readers and so I am doing everything I can to find ways to get not only my books but myself in front of the people that matter. Last summer I held a book signing that went very slowly. For most it would have been discouraging but I kept a small notebook of anything that seemed to go right and everything that went wrong. I wrote down how many people said they were coming compared to the number that showed. The day and time were important factors as well as the advertising or lack thereof.
That was in June. Then I made a plan to go back to my hometown for a couple signings and after contacting several places I was able to land four events. While it is true that the large majority were friends or family I still felt accomplished. I also, as my last signing, had a booth at a craft show over a weekend. There I was able to work on my ability to sell by interacting more with those that walked by, I learned the tremendous importance of swag and promotional items as more importantly I was able to make some sales to people that did not know me. They were drawn in either by some of the marketing efforts I had made or by the set up of the table but either way it meant I was moving in the right direction.
Now I am thrilled to be accomplishing something even greater. My next book, a novella called Survivor, is being released in October. That is the month for domestic violence awareness and that is what the story is dedicated to as well. I got it in my head to take on the Herculean task of partnering with a well known organization as a chance to raise money and awareness for them and their cause while also launching my name and the visibility of the book at the same time. Once I had secured their blessing I made the chances even more slim by setting my sites on a famous location. But somehow it happened. I am partnering with The Shade Tree of Las Vegas and holding my event at the Venetian Hotel & Casino. Not only that but it is a donated event because they believe in what I am doing.
So many people tell me that things like that are impossible or a waste of effort but to them I say it is only impossible if you don't try. I believed and my faith reached them as well. While I may admittedly be using the event for a tiny bit of personal gain in the respect that it helps my notoriety it will simply be a platform through which I can continue to help not only with Survivor but also Rescue Me, my animal charity series. Most incredibly I cannot wait to see the people that come out to say hello and get to thank them in person for believing it was possible.
Well almost extinct. I am not one to give up even when every fiber of my being is screaming that I cannot succeed. I still believe in live events and shaking the hands of those that buy and read my books. I want to share moments and speak to my readers and so I am doing everything I can to find ways to get not only my books but myself in front of the people that matter. Last summer I held a book signing that went very slowly. For most it would have been discouraging but I kept a small notebook of anything that seemed to go right and everything that went wrong. I wrote down how many people said they were coming compared to the number that showed. The day and time were important factors as well as the advertising or lack thereof.
That was in June. Then I made a plan to go back to my hometown for a couple signings and after contacting several places I was able to land four events. While it is true that the large majority were friends or family I still felt accomplished. I also, as my last signing, had a booth at a craft show over a weekend. There I was able to work on my ability to sell by interacting more with those that walked by, I learned the tremendous importance of swag and promotional items as more importantly I was able to make some sales to people that did not know me. They were drawn in either by some of the marketing efforts I had made or by the set up of the table but either way it meant I was moving in the right direction.
Now I am thrilled to be accomplishing something even greater. My next book, a novella called Survivor, is being released in October. That is the month for domestic violence awareness and that is what the story is dedicated to as well. I got it in my head to take on the Herculean task of partnering with a well known organization as a chance to raise money and awareness for them and their cause while also launching my name and the visibility of the book at the same time. Once I had secured their blessing I made the chances even more slim by setting my sites on a famous location. But somehow it happened. I am partnering with The Shade Tree of Las Vegas and holding my event at the Venetian Hotel & Casino. Not only that but it is a donated event because they believe in what I am doing.
So many people tell me that things like that are impossible or a waste of effort but to them I say it is only impossible if you don't try. I believed and my faith reached them as well. While I may admittedly be using the event for a tiny bit of personal gain in the respect that it helps my notoriety it will simply be a platform through which I can continue to help not only with Survivor but also Rescue Me, my animal charity series. Most incredibly I cannot wait to see the people that come out to say hello and get to thank them in person for believing it was possible.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Checking Off The To Do List
When I was younger I had a teacher that would put all of her students' names on popsicle sticks then place the sticks in a coffee mug. Then when she asked questions of the class if no one raised their hands or if she needed volunteers she would draw name sticks from the mug. Later on a classmate had a similar system for chores and homework. She would write everything down on small dry erase board pieces then put them in a bowl drawing them out one by one and wiping them clean as she completed the tasks.
I began yesterday working on a number of outlines and files for projects that have been swimming around in my head. As I finished the third outline last night I noticed how much quieter the voices in my head were getting. At first I attributed it to the fact that I was so focused on the storyline I was writing that the rest had simply decided to silence themselves but then I realized that even as I moved from one to the next it was still a much softer rumble. Just as my friend and former teacher had done I was mentally pulling sticks out for each project and with them came the voices of the associated characters.
Now as I am preparing to cross off another group of outlines and files from the ever growing to do list I came hear the screams for attention of all the remaining characters vying for their turn in the spotlight. I have promised each that I will give them a time to shine and as I attempt to finally get all of the outlines written today I shall keep my word. It is odd though that the characters out of respect for other stories were calm for so long but now that they sense an opening coming in the near future they are all clamoring for attention once again.
I am excited though to see that as I concentrate and open my mind to the characters that they have waited patiently revealing the outlines of each of their stories for me and while some have lain dormant for a year or more they are still fresh and come to mind easily when I focus. The next year and a half or so should prove to be very exciting for me as a writer and I hope for this that enjoy my work as well.
I began yesterday working on a number of outlines and files for projects that have been swimming around in my head. As I finished the third outline last night I noticed how much quieter the voices in my head were getting. At first I attributed it to the fact that I was so focused on the storyline I was writing that the rest had simply decided to silence themselves but then I realized that even as I moved from one to the next it was still a much softer rumble. Just as my friend and former teacher had done I was mentally pulling sticks out for each project and with them came the voices of the associated characters.
Now as I am preparing to cross off another group of outlines and files from the ever growing to do list I came hear the screams for attention of all the remaining characters vying for their turn in the spotlight. I have promised each that I will give them a time to shine and as I attempt to finally get all of the outlines written today I shall keep my word. It is odd though that the characters out of respect for other stories were calm for so long but now that they sense an opening coming in the near future they are all clamoring for attention once again.
I am excited though to see that as I concentrate and open my mind to the characters that they have waited patiently revealing the outlines of each of their stories for me and while some have lain dormant for a year or more they are still fresh and come to mind easily when I focus. The next year and a half or so should prove to be very exciting for me as a writer and I hope for this that enjoy my work as well.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Learning To Rewrite History and Mythology
It has been quite some time I took part in an anthology but a great friend has invited me to be a part of her halloween anthology. I am excited to be a part of it because not only is she my inspiration for my pet adoption anthology series but also because I love getting the chance to broaden my horizons. She did one last year as well and there is a different specific theme each year. This year the theme is creatures from mythology. At first I was beyond thrilled but as I have looked further into it I have become stifled in my search for inspiration.
Because most of the creatures as well as deities already have established stories of their creation, desires as well as, in many cases the way they were either handled or even destroyed by those in power. I love the Sirens but they already have stories where their powers were thwarted so I struggle to find ways to write a tale where they are able to sing their way into another's heart and soul as their defeat is known. I considered writing about Odysseus and how he went back after he successfully escaping the Sirens the first time.
However there are so many more stories involving him with other gods and goddesses that I struggle to find the opening for his return. I am now looking into other gods as well Hades the word of the underworld. It is interesting to me that I can see something simple like a painting or snapshot and create a story that becomes something real out of nothing yet when there is already a large amount of information such as the myths I get bogged down in previously established information.
I know there are those out there that are the opposite of me such as those that create fan fiction by taking well established characters and changing their desires or motivations in order to make a new storyline for them. I envy those that can alter established characters or settings in order to make something new. I am going to attempt to push my limits by making something out of already known information though I am undecided about submitting if it is not up to the standards I have for myself. It will be a learning adventure for sure.
Because most of the creatures as well as deities already have established stories of their creation, desires as well as, in many cases the way they were either handled or even destroyed by those in power. I love the Sirens but they already have stories where their powers were thwarted so I struggle to find ways to write a tale where they are able to sing their way into another's heart and soul as their defeat is known. I considered writing about Odysseus and how he went back after he successfully escaping the Sirens the first time.
However there are so many more stories involving him with other gods and goddesses that I struggle to find the opening for his return. I am now looking into other gods as well Hades the word of the underworld. It is interesting to me that I can see something simple like a painting or snapshot and create a story that becomes something real out of nothing yet when there is already a large amount of information such as the myths I get bogged down in previously established information.
I know there are those out there that are the opposite of me such as those that create fan fiction by taking well established characters and changing their desires or motivations in order to make a new storyline for them. I envy those that can alter established characters or settings in order to make something new. I am going to attempt to push my limits by making something out of already known information though I am undecided about submitting if it is not up to the standards I have for myself. It will be a learning adventure for sure.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Survivor - Jasmine's Story
When I was in eighth grade I attended a fun night for teens. It was at the local vocational center where we could swim in the pool, play games in the computer lab as well as run around in the gymnasium burning off energy on the basketball court or flipping onto the inflatable velcro wall. I had so much fun exploring a school that a few years later I would actually attend but it wasn't until I got to the pool that I found my home. I have always been fish and that night it showed.
As I left the locker room and went to check out the pool I heard the laughing and screaming of the other kids enjoying their evening. I slid into the shallow end feeling the cool water surround me. I splashed my best friend playing around but she wasn't paying attention to me at all. I turned to see what she was staring at and that was when I saw him, the boy I would fall for, the man that would change my life. I fell for him immediately and he spent the entire night with me making every other girl jealous beyond words.
That was the night our relationship started but I had no idea that had he ignored me and chosen a different girl just how much frustration and heartache I could have saved. He was handsome, charming and attentive. He was also manipulative, controlling possessive and even violent at times. He destroyed my mind, owned my heart and got me to blame myself for anything that he did to me. I hid from my friends because they all saw him as the perfect boyfriend and I was sure that they were right and I was the one letting him down. I hid my scars from my family fearing they would see me as the failure I was because he had to punish me.
Over the time we spent together I became isolated within myself. I blamed myself daily for not being able to live it up to what he expected me to be. Life was hard, my grades slipped because I spent all of my time either with him doing my best to be perfect or working on the list of ways I had most recently fallen short. I didn't do my homework very often for fear it would take time away from talking to him or being with him. I lied about what was happening so my parents wouldn't blame me or ground me so that I couldn't see him. He had convinced me that he was my life line and without him and his approval I was basically worthless.
I felt like I was completely alone. I wasn't. Now that I have opened up and agreed to talk about what I went through I have found such an incredible support system. I wrote Jasmine's Story, my story, to try and reach out to others like me to show them they are not alone and have the chance to fight back and survive. It took me years to fight and significantly longer to come into my own as a person but I am standing up for myself now as well as those who are going through the same battle I once endured. together we can end this and make sure no one else ever has to feel so terrible and alone.
As I left the locker room and went to check out the pool I heard the laughing and screaming of the other kids enjoying their evening. I slid into the shallow end feeling the cool water surround me. I splashed my best friend playing around but she wasn't paying attention to me at all. I turned to see what she was staring at and that was when I saw him, the boy I would fall for, the man that would change my life. I fell for him immediately and he spent the entire night with me making every other girl jealous beyond words.
That was the night our relationship started but I had no idea that had he ignored me and chosen a different girl just how much frustration and heartache I could have saved. He was handsome, charming and attentive. He was also manipulative, controlling possessive and even violent at times. He destroyed my mind, owned my heart and got me to blame myself for anything that he did to me. I hid from my friends because they all saw him as the perfect boyfriend and I was sure that they were right and I was the one letting him down. I hid my scars from my family fearing they would see me as the failure I was because he had to punish me.
Over the time we spent together I became isolated within myself. I blamed myself daily for not being able to live it up to what he expected me to be. Life was hard, my grades slipped because I spent all of my time either with him doing my best to be perfect or working on the list of ways I had most recently fallen short. I didn't do my homework very often for fear it would take time away from talking to him or being with him. I lied about what was happening so my parents wouldn't blame me or ground me so that I couldn't see him. He had convinced me that he was my life line and without him and his approval I was basically worthless.
I felt like I was completely alone. I wasn't. Now that I have opened up and agreed to talk about what I went through I have found such an incredible support system. I wrote Jasmine's Story, my story, to try and reach out to others like me to show them they are not alone and have the chance to fight back and survive. It took me years to fight and significantly longer to come into my own as a person but I am standing up for myself now as well as those who are going through the same battle I once endured. together we can end this and make sure no one else ever has to feel so terrible and alone.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Renewing a Prescence
This evening I was working on writing an email that could have a huge impact on an event I am attempting to plan. It was extremely difficult to compose the email because I am so unfamiliar with official proposals and formal requests. In fact I am still working on getting my query letters just right for submission. It made me realize as I pushed to complete the email that I have been fighting with for nearly a week that I have been neglecting more than just the email.
I have been striving for the last week to have a stronger social media presence through my regular Facebook page along with my author and Rescue Me charity pages. I have done my best to keep updating twitter but then I scanned through and remembered that after a month away I had completely stopped writing this blog. Now I not only have to get a post up but I have to rebuild some sort of exposure.
I have mentioned in the past that I struggle at times to come up with ideas for my posts which may be a large part of why I haven't been writing but with the completion of Survivor I stepped away from writing entirely. As I continue planning the launch event for Survivor I will be doing the character profiles and excerpts from the book but I will also be doing the same for upcoming projects as well.
This is a very short post but I just wanted to make sure that I took the time to write some and get back in the groove of blogging more often.
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