Lack of Confidence: The Undoing of an Aspiring Author

The topic I wanted to discuss is something that most new writers deal with: CONFIDENCE!  Confidence isn't something that just comes automatically as a person continues to write.  Really, confidence, or lack thereof, is a result of an individual's interior health.  If one is insecure about themselves, even on a physical or material level, he or she will be more prone to doubt their abilities.  This can manifest a number of ways.  For some, who have never shared their work publicly, it can prevent them from showing others how uniquely talented they are.  For others, it prohibits them from reaching higher goals because of public opinion or creates limiting beliefs of what they're capable of.  Through this blog post, I want to discuss my understanding of how insecurities can block a writer from creating the breakout novel that is trapped in their mind.

People that write as a hobby or a profession tend to be introverted by nature.  It makes sense, since writing, at least in the initial stages, is a solitary task.  Writers can have periods of appearing as extroverts, especially when they meet fans at a book signing or are pictured on a red carpet, but really, it is a mask, a smile pasted on one's face until he or she can go back into their dark den and create.  These types of people live in an internal world that few can really appreciate because this inner world is rarely revealed.  It's a place where everything is felt deeply but little is vocalized.  Life is observed, rather than merely lived.  It is a place where everything is scribbled down in an almost meticulous way so that this can be expressed later through artistic outlets.  It is the creation of a whole universe, if only in one's mind.  This is the life of an author.

The mind is a powerful tool.  Each thought triggers a feeling that can bring happiness and, in contrast, depression and every emotion in between.  The mind is a place where introverts live, and if one is not careful, a place that they can become trapped in.  A mind that is in a negative space will create blockages that prevent a person from taking chances to improve their situation.  Something as simple as chasing a childhood dream can be analyzed, over and over, until it seems impossible.  Giving up is easy in this mind frame.  It is almost second nature.  A positive mind will nurture and foster growth, allowing an individual to chase success without fear, but a negative one will talk a person out of, even, the most brilliant ideas.  The mind can be a person's best friend or worst enemy, but it all depends on lived experiences and what it is fed.

Feeding the mind isn't an easy task when one is faced with many disappointments.  Insecurity stems from life experiences, whether someone said something harmful or a traumatizing life event triggered these feelings.  When someone has lived through some dark days, these instances can foster deep-rooted fear, creating feelings that one cannot surpass challenges in order to achieve a goal.  This is the birth of insecurity, this is the conception of a mentality of lack.  These thoughts can stifle a writer, especially when the creative process is sparked by the mind.

Fear, insecurity, depression, doubt, etc. are all the same.  The words are relatively interchangeable, all apart of the same mental cycle that keeps a person stuck.  Lack of confidence stems from a fear of being ridiculed.  That fear grows until one feels they can't complete their goal, and that is when the depression sets in.  When the mind is blocked or situations we face are unclear, inspiration can be blocked, not from a lack of ideas, but from an inability to think.  If there is no visible way to come out of the mind and face one's fears, surpassing challenges head-on, the passion will, eventually, be drained.  These manifestations of insecurity, these irrational fears, will hold a person back, not just from creating, but also, from moving towards one's happiness on a broader level.  If this "fear monster" grows without being combated, it will create depression, distance in relationships, lack of purpose, indecision, etc. in every aspect of one's being.  Fear is the dream killer, and the seed of fear, from which all else stems, is a lack of confidence.

So, how do you feed your mind the proper food?  I am still learning what it is to nourish the mind, but I look at the children in my life, and one thing I have observed is... they have no fear, especially the younger children.  We learn fear as we get older, but young children haven't been programmed to the extent that an adult has.  They haven't internalized disappointments, reliving them and creating inner demons.  Their memory isn't that long.  We can learn by seeing through the eyes of children.

Writing is supposed to be fun, it's an art form, but real-world problems and toxic thoughts can block expression.  One way to free the mind is to let go of the past, let go of disappointments, and instead, see them as opportunities for learning and growth.  You can't go back, the past doesn't exist anymore, so you can't live there, constantly trying to change it.  When a baby is learning to walk, they don't give up after they fall.  They know no fear.  They harbor no feelings of disappointment.  They try again without dwelling on what happened.  If you don't dwell on what went wrong, you will focus on what to do next; therefore, no blockages will be created.

However, if these feelings already exist, there are ways around them and through them.  One such way to overcome lack of confidence is to choose to be happy.  It sounds odd.  How does one choose to be happy?  Is happiness an option?  Yes.  Happiness is a feeling, that feeling can be evoked at any point in your day.  Scientific studies show that a simple smile releases happy endorphins that will give you a natural feeling of euphoria, preventing depressive thoughts.  The more you smile, even when you don't feel like it, the happier you will be.  The easier it will be for you to draw others to you, and who doesn't like to be the center of attention?  In this state, you are much more likely to feel better about yourself, this contentment within your being will extend to all aspects, including self-expression.

In order to truly arrive at the root of the problem, one has to understand the cause of the feelings in the first place.  What do you fear?  What are you unhappy with?  For example, if someone is overweight, they can experience depression that may make them find comfort in food, beginning a cycle which ends in more weight gain and depression.  This sense creates blockages.  If you are insecure, that feeling will grow tentacles and create further feelings of lack in other aspects of your life.  However, there's a way out.  If that same person changes the very thing that made them develop fear in the first place, like starting a workout plan and eating healthier, they will remove this thought pattern as the pounds melt away.  Insecurity must be identified to be dealt with, if at all.  No one can cure it for you.  If a man lacks confidence in his own manhood and worth, possibly because he was made fun of by friends in his childhood, he may look for the most beautiful woman that he can find, because in his mind, having that woman on his arm will give him that sense of his own value.  But men that do this are rarely happy.  Why?  Because no one can heal what is wrong inside of you.  You have to do that all by yourself, and no one wants to do the work.  At least, not at first.  Most prefer the idea of the quick fix, but if you can do one thing a day to change something you don't like, you can eradicate that gnawing feeling of being worth less than what you truly are.

Writing is my personal outlet.  I prefer to write than to speak.  It is easier for me as I am naturally shy.  When I was younger, this shyness was quite painful.  I had no problem making friends once I was approached, but I was always shaking on the inside.  I felt blocked from speaking my mind, at times, scared to fully express myself for fear of ridicule.  I wore a mask, a sometimes expressionless or serious exterior.  There was the mask I showed my friends and work colleagues.  I took off this mask when I arrived at home.  As an adult, speaking about how I felt because increasingly difficult, but to carry on with life, I buried those feelings deep down, tried not to shake, and did the tasks that I needed to do.  Then I could go home and be myself.  When I started writing, this shyness created blocks.  As a young girl, I never finished a story!  Finishing it would mean people would read it, judge it.  There is nothing more confidence-killing than a bad review for a writer.  I wrote so many great pieces of poetry that were unseen because the idea of showing others what I had written caused me anxiety.  By the time self-publishing became popular, I wrote the Weeping Willow stories.  I didn't suddenly develop the confidence to post them.  I honestly loaded them, closed my eyes, and while I was panicking on the inside, pressed the publish button.  It wasn't that the fear had vanished, it was that the passion I had for writing outweighed the fear I had at that moment.

How much do you want to write?  Even today, after publishing a few stories and novels, my insecurities remain.  I have doubts about my ability to create something really good, fears about my ability to expand, tremors over approaching people within the industry, anxiety over being too public, etc.  These feelings have held me back, but through acknowledging those fears, I can step towards eliminating them altogether.  That is what it will take to overcome these emotional barriers and write the next great bestseller.

So, if you to write, it is important to realize that publishing, whether traditionally or self-publishing, is a public forum.  Your art will be on display, receiving acclaim and criticism, but lack of confidence shouldn't prevent you.  Remember, fear is the dream killer.  Your confidence shouldn't be hinged on whether someone writes a scathing review.  Your confidence is born inside of you, not dependent on another.  Every time you leave your comfort zone and attempt to share your work, pat yourself on the back.  That is one step on a journey to success.

Inspiration Behind The Collector

Hello, everyone!

I am going to caution anyone who hasn't read The Collector here. What I am about to write may contain spoilers or be close to the plot... So if you haven't read it, read it and then return to read this post.

I wanted to talk about how I was inspired to write The Collector. I think that by talking about this part of the process it will, hopefully, encourage others to find inspiration in their lives or help the reader to relate to the themes within the book.

First of all, the idea for The Collector came way before I started writing it in 2013. It actually started back in 1996 when I had a dream that jarred me. It was so real that when I jolted awake... I didn't know where I was for a long minute. I spent months thinking about the dream and what it could have meant. I researched castles in Scotland and stories of the Green Lady in that part of the world which happen to be very popular. I always thought the dream would make a great story so I decided to write it.

Progress Report

Hello!

I am happy to report that I have roughly eight chapters to write for Malcontent.  The projected word count exceeded my expectations.  The final book might end up 5,000-10,000 more words than I originally thought.  This book will mark the end of the Restraint Trilogy and conclude a journey that began for me when I dreamed with these characters a little more than 16 years ago.  It is both a sad and happy event.

I know that many people are interested in knowing details of Wicked Love.  Wicked Love will pick up exactly where Wicked Magic left off.  In Wicked Magic, Willow was the main protagonist, but Nalin will take the lead in Wicked Love since he must first remember his lost love and then rescue her like all good heroes do.  I want to have it out by mid-2014, but if I can have it done sooner, then I will release it earlier.

As soon as I am done with Malcontent, I will begin work on Wicked Love without delay.  In fact, I am pretty eager to get started.  There are a lot of great ideas I have that I can't wait to get started on.

I have written a yearly novelette for 2014 entitled The Collector.  Look for it in January 2014 in Smashwords first and then in other online bookstores.

To all those who left reviews and recommended by books to friends, thank you for helping me reach those who wouldn't have otherwise come to know my work.

Q/A: Are certain literary themes 'played out"?

Q: Are certain literary themes "played out"?

A: NO! I am a firm believer of writing what you love, regardless of the trends.

Why? Because like all trends, they come and they go. A few years ago angel books were all the rage. I read my share of handsome fallen angels, which were somehow really good at heart, that fell in love with the young protagonist. I read about three of those kinds of books when they were in style.

I read Fallen by Lauren Kate which was definitely not for me. I found all the babbling about how cute the love interest was in every chapter annoying. Plus, there were a lot of plot elements that didn't work for me. I read the Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson which I liked a lot. The first book was intriguing. By the time I got to the third book, it was less so. Lastly, I read, Indie author, Abra Ebner's Feather Trilogy. At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like novel. I was a few chapters in when I realized the first book was actually a page turner. I ended up liking it very much. Yet, before long, I was looking for something else....

The next trend was dystopian novels. While I like novels where the classic utopian society takes a downturn, I found myself looking for new novels that went against the grain. I wanted to read about witches, vampires, werewolves, and supernatural worlds. In other words, I found myself wanting to read something different from where the trend was going.

During this time, I re-read the Wicked Series by Nancy Holder which happens to be one of my favorites. It is about a battle between a family of witches and a powerful warlock. The first four books were awesome. I was not too pleased with the final book, but it was still worth reading. I read the whole Sookie Stackhouse Series, because I was a huge fan of True Blood. (Last season was horrible though). I also made a point to read, my favorite author ever, Richie Tankersley Cusick's Walk of the Spirits. It was basically about a girl who can see spirits and has to unlock the mystery of what happened to one who continues to plead for help. I liked it, but not as much as I loved her Unseen Series. I mean, I actually ordered the series before it was available in the U.S., having it shipped from the U.K. That series is about a demon who is in pursuit of a girl who it becomes obsessed with, killing everyone she is close to. Interesting, huh? I love Ms. Cusick's writing so much that I purchased all of her novels from my teenage years and read them again!

What can be learned by my reading habits? Well, as you can see, I read what I like. So, a trend can steer your writing choices, but it doesn't always translate to an instant audience. Odds are, when there so many books of one genre, a reader will be looking for a book that is different. Don't worry that the vampire or werewolf thing has been done before, because trends rotate like the earth...they always come back around.

Q/A: Places of Inspiration

Q: Do you use real places as inspiration?

A: Yes, I do. If I can use real events in time, I will also do that although not as often. I do try not to name the  actual building although I will name the location and describe the building.

For example, my inspiration for the house in Restraint was Annesley Hall. I mentioned the town of Annesley through out the book, but never mentioned the hall itself. I developed a fascination with this manor house when I saw an episode of the show Most Haunted. Lord Byron was actually in love with a young maiden who lived in this house. However, I was fascinated by the sightings of a dark, ominous figure, the maid who hung herself in the laundry, and the belief the the house is haunted by a child who fell or was thrown from a window. At one point, this building was a school. The house was also consumed by a large fire back in the 1970's, leaving the outer shell of the derelict building you see above. I used points of this history at certain parts of my story. The child falling from the window was Marcus as Laura dangled him out. The maid was Anne. The dark, ominous figures were the vampires, and the fire opens the story. For more information on the history of Annesley Hall and its paranormal history click here.

Another example is the house the Linda was held captive in Lament. The inspiration for the house in the Isle of Wight, which was guarded by hell hounds, was Arreton Manor. This is another haunted manor I spotted on Most Haunted. It is a bed and breakfast now, but it actually has a long history of being owned by English nobility, including Lord Culpeper (Thomas II) and Edward the Confessor. I was drawn by the sad story of Annabelle Leigh who witnessed her father's murder at the hands of her brother and was killed as a result. This is the inspiration behind Mason Lee's father who was accused of killing his father. The house is also know for its any ghosts of monks, a young girl (maybe Annebelle), and a woman dressed in red. As you can imagine, the ghost in the red dress was my inspiration for the cover of Linda wearing a red dress. For more information on the history and ghostly sightings click here.

The inspiration for the Carter house in Malcontent is Appuldurcombe House. Although this house looks quite majestic, it is actually a ruin. The front of the house has its windows intact, but the inside is a stone ruin. It is quite the tourist attraction, but it is its ghostly history which intrigues me. It is known for the apparitions of monks, a phantom carriage which stops at the front entrance, the ghost of a beautiful woman, sounds of children laughing, and the sound of a baby crying. Visitors to the basement have actually seen dancing shadows and ghost lights. See if you can guess what I will incorporate into the novel. For more information of Appuldurcombe's history or ghostly sightings click here.

So, real places can serve as inspiration. However when choosing a location, you don't have to be historically accurate if you are writing fiction. You can use some of the history or happenings but use them in your own way. Especially if the use of a family name is in question, because the family may still be living and you don't want to offend them. I recommend using an anagram or not naming the house but the town instead. Use your own discretion.

Happy writing and remember inspiration is everywhere. You just have to look.

URGENT call to fans!

Hi, Everyone. 

I am posting this as an URGENT call for all of my readers to leave a review on Amazon.com, Goodreads and other online websites. Even if you downloaded or purchased your book in another store, please try to leave your review in multiple sites by copying it and pasting it.

As a sign of your support, when you read one on my works, please leave your review on multiple websites. This will help me build reviews in websites where they are lacking. Your review could encourage others that are on the fence about reading one of my works to join in. Your review could help me gain more readers.

Word of mouth is also key. Please try to spread the word and encourage other readers, twitter, facebook friends, relatives, etc. to pick up a copy of my work. You could be the difference in helping my fan base grow.

Thank you so much for all of your support!

Update: 3/15/13

Hello, everyone!

I just wanted to fill everyone in on what is going on. I, like most Catholics around the world, have been glued to my television, watching the Conclave. So, work on Shattered has been slightly delayed. I am working on finishing it up. I am on the final few scenes. Then I will send it for editing.

I have the first five chapters of Malcontent, and when I am done with Shattered, Malcontent will be my priority. I hope to finish it in May, but it could be later in that, depending on any delays that may pop up.

From then on my focus will be on writing Wicked Love and another manuscript I hope to send to publishers. Wicked Love will be out on Ebook and Paperback formats. I haven't determined a release date but it will be out by the end of the year...maybe a few months earlier. I am eager to write the follow up to Wicked Magic. I think this one will be filled with more action and revelations...and, hopefully, a happy ending. Maybe a wedding or maybe another cliffhanger, but I hope to make it better than the first.

Q/A: Thinking Outside of the Box

Q: How do I make a book people want to read?

A: Think outside of the box, duh! Readers had seen and heard everything. Even though you may be writing in a genre that they are well read in, add a new element that they weren't expecting.

I, like most of you out there, have a nook and look for freebies. I use the free books or short stories to judge whether I want to continue reading the author's work. Since the shift to ebooks, I tend to read more indie authors like myself. While I love authors that appreciate grammar, I am not the grammar police because I know how hard it is to spot a mistake in a sea of words. Indie authors don't have a publisher telling them to play it safe. I like indie books, because I find they are more willing to take risks in plot and character. It is safe to say that the story means the most to me. I read to escape from reality. I want to be the main character. I want to live in another world, and I want the book I read to take me there.

I have had people read my stories and tell me they are just too weird for them. They didn't like them. They didn't get where I was going with the plot. However, I rather be weird and try something new than stick to the same formula that is safe. It has been done. How many books out there follow the same Twilight recipe? Let me answer that...hundreds. It is time to unleash your imagination. I have read some pretty interesting indie books that are in keeping with the think outside of the box attitude.

Example #1: Elemental by Alexandra May

Overall, I found this book quite entertaining. I liked the feel of it. An old large manor.... A grandmother who is mysterious.... An abandoned main character.... Two interesting love interests. It all made for an interesting read. The main character, Rose, is human but harbors something otherworldly within. It is a premise I haven't read a hundred times. The author also makes the unique plot believable. The love interest, Aidan, was character fasinated me because he struggled between what was expected of him and his own wants which is something we all can relate to on some level. I would have liked to see more of a struggle between his good and bad side, but part two is on the way so the author may explore that a bit more.

Example #2: Insight by Jamie Magee

While I did enjoy the book, I just felt like there were a lot of confusing plot concepts. However, I enjoyed the dynamic between Willow, Landen, and Drake. I found it intriguing how she was drawn to Drake, and I loved the romance between Willow and Landen. It was a little redundant with the picking up and dropping off of Willow's friends. The plot could have been more subtle, but the overdramatic elements were enjoyable. This book can be information overload, but overall, it is a book worth reading.

Example #3: Grey Eyes by Brandon Alston

This ebook is definitely out of the box. I liked the portrayals of the characters. They were realistic and relatable. However, I thought the plot could be a little more subtle.  There were a lot of concepts. There was magic, angels, vampires, royal gatherings, Russian history, etc. I think only one or two of these was necessary. The love triangle was interesting at first, but when the main character made her choice, she couldn't stick with her choice. She was back and forth even to the end. It was just to much, and after a while, it just dragged on. Overall, an interesting read.

Each of these stories made me want to read more. The characters, although complicated, were realistic in so many ways. How can a witch or alien be realistic? It is all in the way you write them up. Anything can be believable in a book. If you have the power to suck readers into a story, then you have the ability to convince them that this world you created is real and they can join you. I may not have liked each story equally, but they gave me something to think about as I read them which is the biggest reward.

New Year, New Hopes

Hello, everyone!

I hope everyone had a joyful holiday season.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have finished writing my new short The Collector. It has not been released to the public, because I hope to submit it to literary magazines this month. The feedback process can take months, but if it is rejected, then I will release it for all to read. The blurb for it is on my website.

I am working on another short entitled Scattered right now and hoping to really get the ball rolling with Malcontent. I have been eager to put an end to the Restraint Trilogy and get started with Wicked Love, but Willow fans will have to wait until later in the year for news on that project. I hope to have a short available to you for free before the release of Malcontent so you guys wouldn't have to wait so long for new material. Maybe it will be a Willow short. I can definitely write about the small sliver of time after the stories ended and the novel began. We'll see.

I wish all of you continued health and happiness for 2013!

Q/A: Creating Realistic Characters

Q: How can I create realistic fictional characters?

A: It is important to remember that you are not a flat or one dimensional person. You have a multitude of feelings, and each one is like the facet of a diamond. Just like you do not have one emotion all the time, your character should not have one emotion all the time. During the highs and lows of the plot, your character's emotions should reflect that.

It is important to create a life history with your characters. Who are they? What have they lived through? Where did they come from? What are their dreams and aspirations? These are things you should have an idea of. You should know everything about their physical appearance. The way their eyes glitter when they smile... The way they crinkle their nose when they laugh... These are things you should keep in mind when describing the character within the story.

You should also have a good grasp of the physical or emotional struggles of the character. Think of your life. All of your relationships aren't always pleasant. Use that in creating your character. If you can use one of your relationships as an example, then it would make the plight of the character more realistic.

There is a lot of talk in reviews about showing, not telling, a character's emotions. That means instead of saying the character is scared, you should depict what they are physically going through. The accelerated heart rate... The blood pumping through their veins... The sweat dripping from their brow... Showing is the best way of capturing your audience and pulling them into the story. They will feel they are apart of the story which is exactly what you want as a writer.

Aspects that give your character a sense of reality is capturing their habits or quirks. For example: In Weeping Willow, when Willow gets frustrated, she rakes her hands through her silky hair. You may have a few habits or quirks that can be incorporated into your character. A habit can be seeking a quiet place when things get tough or slamming doors. A quirk can be pursing one's lips. It is just something a character does without realizing it which makes it more believable.

Wicked Magic Published

Hello, Everyone.

I finished making the editing changes to Wicked Magic, and it was now in the process of being published in various online bookstores. It should be on Barnes & Noble and Amazon within the next 24 to 48 hours. It is currently for sale for $2.99 on Smashwords.com.

It will be reviewed soon by Josie Epping, and her review will be posted on, her blog, Josie's Haven. So, look for that soon.

I just want to thank all of the fans who waited patiently for this book. It was truly the hardest book to write for me, because the Willow saga has been out of my realm of comfort. But I got through it, and I am happy with the outcome. I hope you are, too. Remember to leave a review!

Out with the Old...

I spent the weekend reworking my short story covers. I didn't put much effort in the old covers. Mostly because they were shorts, and I didn't want to waste too much energy creating elaborate covers for something which was basically a free sample. But I decided to make the covers more uniform, and in doing that, changed the covers altogether. Now the cover art is slightly elevated, and, in big letters across the top,  the words "short story" are written. It is just easier than having to explain the shorten length is because it is a short and not a novel.

Eventually, the changes will take effect across all online websites. I have made the changes on my personal website, and plan to add more shorts in the future so stay posted.

Updating Website

I wanted to update my website today, adding upcoming projects that I had in mind for next year. Some of the dates have not been determined, but I will have cover art and book trailers available with them within the next few months. I just wanted to finish up Wicked Magic before I got started on one of those projects.

I hope to have Wicked Magic done and edited by the end of the month so that I can publish it by next month so stay tuned.

Language and Terms of Past Eras

So, I wanted to talk about different terms I heard from period movies, depicting the Regency and Victorian era. I have heard a lot of terms that would seem incorrect for this time, but were actually quite common for that age and region. I have had people tell me when they read Restraint that there was a peculiar phrase, but actually things were just said differently in that time.

For example, in England, it is common to use the word "sterling." In America, we don't use that word unless something is made of sterling silver. However, sterling means brilliant. So, it is not uncommon to hear someone say: "That is sterling!" or "Sterling job!" or simply "Sterling!" Sterling can be interchangeable with brilliant. So, someone could say "Brilliant job!" While in America, we stick to just saying: "Good job!" or "Excellent work!"

Another example is the word "around." In the past, it was not uncommon for people to take a "turn about" the room. It simply means to walk around, but the word "around" was not used. About was a much more common word and there were times it was used in its stead (get it, instead). "Don't look about mindlessly."

Yet another example is when it is said someone "spoke out of turn." That is speaking without the liberty to do so especially in heated situations. Back then, women were rarely allowed to voice their feelings. Women were the property of men and so women were bound to the men they were married to. Men didn't look to women for advice. Women depended on men for everything. This is something that seems foreign today.

These terms or phases can seem odd to us in America, but can be quite common to those across the pond who embrace their history. Remember that in European countries, it is not uncommon to find a manor that dates back to the fifteenth or sixteenth century. They have thousands of years of history. Their history is that rich. I have friends that were born in countries that were ruled by the British or were actually born in Britain. One thing they all have in common... they have a love of history. They watch BBC classic movies, which are based on literary classics, all the time.

In America, our history is not that lengthy. There are buildings that are over a hundred years old, but as far as nations go, we are still relatively young. America declared its independence in 1776 and George Washington became America's first president in 1789 as a member of the Federalist Party. Settlers such as the Pilgrims first journeyed here in 1620. That is about 392 years of documented history. Before that, our history is a mystery. Yes, they have found bones of explorers that predate known settlements, but our history has been lost to us.

I was watching Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightly the other day. It is one of my favorite movies. As I watched it, I remembered how I struggled to understand what was being said when I first viewed it. Yes, I understood the movie, but there were weird phrases that I didn't particularly understand. To me, it was like going to the opera. Watching it, you can understand what is going on although everything is said in Italian. Well, watching something from another era is like that for me. I can appreciate it, but I have to watch it over and over to truly understand its complexities.

So, I say... read things that are not common. Don't just move forward without understanding what is truly being said. Take the time to look it up and find out what the author means when they write something that seems odd at first. In literature, it is important to look beneath what is being said to truly understand.

Q/A Dealing with Criticism

Q: How do you handle critics?

"A critic is someone who never actually goes to the battle, yet who afterwards comes out shooting the wounded." - Tyne Daly

A: Todays topic is one that I have experienced in my first year of being published... Criticism. Some can be positive... Some can be negative, but both can have affects on the creative person's ego.

For someone who is creative, we envision things in our mind before we bring it to life through our chosen art form: painting, drawing, writing, music, etc. Sometimes our art can work out as we envisioned or better. Sometimes it can fall short. However, no one would publicize there work unless they felt it was good. You took a chance which is more than most people have done in order to reach their dreams. Ralph Waldo Emmerson said, "All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better."


When someone out there in cyberspace shares your view of how great your work is, it can be amazing. You feel validated. However, when someone tears your work apart, it can be devastating! You may question your abilities, and this may stifle your creativity.


Positive and negative criticism is found everywhere and in every profession. You will always find people that both love and hate your work. What is important is that you love what you are doing. As long as the work resonates with you, odds are it will find its way to the hands of someone who will appreciate it as well. Never give up, and never give in to critics.


History has been filled with countless success stories, and you know what all of them had in common... Those that succeeded never gave up. They didn't pay too much attention to the naysayers. They believed in their own abilities and success followed. Mark Twain wrote, "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."


While I read both negative and positive reviews, I don't let it stop me. While some negative criticism can be constructive, I am talking about the ones that take personal jabs at your craft and character. The truth is that you will always have people that don't get it. It is their right not to like your work, but things get personal is when there is name calling. NEVER write a response to those critics. You may want to jab back, but it shows that you have more class if you keep your mouth shut! Always conduct yourself with class! Smile and bear it as they say. Your time to shine will come despite what they say.


You will have those that don't want to get it and will do everything possible to pick apart your writing. There will be a time when you receive the worst review ever. Then the next day you may have three awesome reviews. Peoples opinions vary, and you shouldn't give up on a dream because someone may not like your work.


Some of these extra negative reviewers may write something about you that seems to like overkill. They may write comments that go below the belt. Ignore them and push forward. You have to think why someone would say something like that... Perhaps, some of these reviewers are writers themselves. I usually find that those people feel the need to downgrade really great work to make their own skills seem superior. Their motive is to eliminate the competition. I have always been supportive of other authors, and I love following Indie authors on Twitter. Most are wonderful and supportive. Seek out those. I think that variety is fun as a reader. As a writer, I know that no one has my writing style, because everyone's style is as different as a fingerprint. So, I don't mind new writers in the field. I enjoy them and, obviously, have no problem dishing advice.


I have had some hostile critics. I have had people write that I chose the wrong POV for a story, that I lacked skill, that my writing is flat, that my characters had no depth, that my writing is vulgar, that my stories are bloody and heartless. Someone even blogged that they doubted they would hear more about my work in the future. Someone wrote that they wanted the time they spent reading my work back. I am not writing this to acknowledge these comments, but to show that everyone has a critic. The point is that there are always people who see the glass as half empty and are use to being negative. There will always be people who are stuck on the traditional way of publishing and don't want to read anything from an indie author. What matters is that you do what you love and have fun doing it.

Reformatting

Right now, I am hard at work reformatting Restraint and Lament for soft cover distribution. I have been getting some inquiries as to whether I was going to release any of my titles in other formats... Especially, from those that don't have e-readers or like to read things on the computer.

I have wanted to, but I didn't know what it entailed, and well, the amount of work involved. So, I did my research... I chose to go ahead and create an actual book using CREATESPACE.com.

As always, I like to do everything myself. So, I put together this book cover and formatted my book into a 6x9 book. However, the process takes many steps so I hope to have Restraint and Lament out in two weeks or so.

When I am done with Wicked Magic, I will publish in both formats; however, the soft cover will include both shorts so that reader doesn't miss reading complete story, because Wicked Magic begins where the shorts left off.

Eventually, I will add to my list of short stories. When I have enough to compile, then I will make a soft cover book entitled Series (as in series of shorts). Some of which, I will reserve only for the actual book. But right now this is only an idea. So, when I make this dream into an actuality, I will be sure to let everyone know.

Just wanted to give everyone who prefers an actual book a heads up. Stay tuned!

Wicked Magic Update

I have been hard at work writing Wicked Magic: A Weeping Willow Novel.

The story is based on a dream I had that stood with me, haunting me. So, I decided to write about it. However, there have been a few hold ups. After I started writing, my pacing seemed wrong. With the short stories, something happened every minute, because I had to fit a lot of information in a small amount of words. Remember that Weeping Willow Shorts were only intended to showcase my writing style to potential readers. I never intended to make a novel.

So, when I started writing the novel, something was off. I had to give over a few chapters to my editor, Susan, for review so that she could explain what was off. I had to put my writing on hold for a short while, but she didn't find anything wrong with the flow.

The pacing of the short is really fast, but then again it was a short story. Not a novel. Anyway, I got used to that frantic pace of the short. It basically became the signature of the shorts. With the novel, the passing is longer, but the tricky thing is not to lose the feel of the original shorts. It has been tricky, but now, I am developing a flow.

This novel is darker than the shorts, because it is based upon a nightmare I had. Without giving too much away, there will be creatures from other realms that make their presence known. I was inspired by Dante's Inferno and the idea of combining it with my dream. This book will take off where the other one left off so the shorts must be read before attempting to read this novel.

I am really excited to get this one out. I hope everyone like it. I don't know if anymore Willow novels will be in my future, but I am sure all of my readers will get back to me with input about that.

So, I am back on track with my schedule. I am hoping to release it by Late May/Early June. Then I will begin work of, Malcontent: A Restraint Novel, the last of the Restraint Trilogy.


One chapter of WICKED MAGIC can be read at FEEDBOOKS where I have posted a chapter preview.

Lament Update

So, I just finished writing Lament, and I will be sending it to my editor tomorrow. After her careful review and the changes that I need to make, I hope to have it in stores by next week. If that is not feasible, than it will be released the following week. So, please leave feedback in the "WIN A FREE COPY OF LAMENT" blog post, because I will be picking a winner really soon.

Thanks for all of your positive feedback on Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and other sites. I do try to read them, and take everything into account. So keep posting!

Library Thing

Hi, everyone.

I just wanted everyone to know that I created a Library Thing account. I am just learning to work it, and I probably wouldn't have joined if it weren't for the users cmorr and MyBear. They added my books.

I am still learning to work everything, but it is a great site to rate my works and the work of other authors. So join up. You can use your twitter or facebook account to sign in.

Profile Page: http://www.librarything.com/profile/Sandra.Madera
Author Page: http://www.librarything.com/author/maderasandra


P.S. Don't be afraid to friend me on twitter. I always follow back the people that follow me. For all those that have chosen to follow me, thank you for your support!

Bookmarks and Wallpapers

Hello, everyone.

I just posted a new bookmark on my site for Wicked Magic. "The quote is something that I plan to add to the novel. It is something Willow will say about Nalin to justify her search for him.

I plan to add more bookmarks and wallpapers in the future for all my works. I have many ideas and I will hopefully have the time to execute them in the near future.

Stay posted to this blog and my website to see all the things I will be adding to my website.

Thanks!