Been working on (hopefully) the final edits of my sci fi before it goes out on submission, and PR for Blonde OPS, so I've neglected the post for this week. To atone, here are two things I'm sharing for all you writers, artists, people who need to market something.
1- Google your name, your book, your product, etc. Go past the first page, or the second ( I don't think you need to do ALL the results because there are what, thousands??). By doing this, I've found reviews and mentions of our book that I had no idea were out there. I bring up the page and then can post the link on FB and Twitter, getting more PR (free!) for our book. Natalie and other writers, friends, editors, etc. then retweet, favorite, or share- and it's spreading the word. Takes max a half hour- do it on commercials of your favorite show.
2-If you belong to a group (I belong to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators- SCBWI) and updated my info with current pics, buying links, new books, etc. I'm no tech whiz (as Natalie will attest), but even I can do this (given enough time). Stay current on your FB, Twitter, organization, and professional pages.
That's it until next week when I may attempt the A-Z blog challenge. I signed up, but screwed up the application so I don't know if I'm in or out. (see what I mean about being tech challenged?) Natalie and my friend Yvonne Ventresca and some others will be doing it. Maybe they'll mention me and I'll see it on Google...
Char
Friday, March 28, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
Too Soon Lost
It's been a rough two weeks. A number of good people have left us to continue their voyage beyond this life.
My Uncle Russ (my mother's brother). I hadn't seen him in a number of years and well, drama kind of kept us at a distance, but he was family. I'm saddened for my aunt and the family and friends who will miss him. I'm upset because if he'd gone to the doctor sooner, pneumonia wouldn't have claimed him. Even more tragic was he didn't heal the rift with two of his estranged children. We always think we will eventually make certain things right, but we wait too long and they remain forever undone.
Aine (Andrea Burdette of Aine's Realm blog). She was a totally devoted book lover. Her blog, her attendance at book and author venues, her connections with writers-- were such a huge part of her life. No one who met her forgot her. We shared some laughs and observations and good old chit chat and I was shocked to hear of her sudden passing. When you're young, a life span seems so long, but that's not always the reality. Hopefully we pack as much as we can into the time we're given, because we never know if our lives will be so much shorter than we would ever have guessed.
Cynthis Chapman Willis (MG author and KidLit Authors Club founding member). I did a signing with her in PA, and she was one of those people you instantly felt comfortable with. She shared conversation, enthusiasm, and her smile. Most of us didn't know how sick she was, and that's a testament to her strong character and will to remain positive. Our determination and strength can't always fight fate. It's sad to think of all the wonderful stories she had in her that will never be written.
There are others; some more famous, some not YA writers, some I didn't know except by name, but it sobers me that their voices, their presence, their energy is gone from this world.
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever... (Mahatma Gandhi)
So go out there-- live and learn.
Char
My Uncle Russ (my mother's brother). I hadn't seen him in a number of years and well, drama kind of kept us at a distance, but he was family. I'm saddened for my aunt and the family and friends who will miss him. I'm upset because if he'd gone to the doctor sooner, pneumonia wouldn't have claimed him. Even more tragic was he didn't heal the rift with two of his estranged children. We always think we will eventually make certain things right, but we wait too long and they remain forever undone.
Aine (Andrea Burdette of Aine's Realm blog). She was a totally devoted book lover. Her blog, her attendance at book and author venues, her connections with writers-- were such a huge part of her life. No one who met her forgot her. We shared some laughs and observations and good old chit chat and I was shocked to hear of her sudden passing. When you're young, a life span seems so long, but that's not always the reality. Hopefully we pack as much as we can into the time we're given, because we never know if our lives will be so much shorter than we would ever have guessed.
Cynthis Chapman Willis (MG author and KidLit Authors Club founding member). I did a signing with her in PA, and she was one of those people you instantly felt comfortable with. She shared conversation, enthusiasm, and her smile. Most of us didn't know how sick she was, and that's a testament to her strong character and will to remain positive. Our determination and strength can't always fight fate. It's sad to think of all the wonderful stories she had in her that will never be written.
There are others; some more famous, some not YA writers, some I didn't know except by name, but it sobers me that their voices, their presence, their energy is gone from this world.
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever... (Mahatma Gandhi)
So go out there-- live and learn.
Char
Monday, March 10, 2014
Playing Hooky
We all do it. Show me a person who hasn't played hooky from school, work, chores, problems, projects, or weather, and I'll tell you that they are either Type A people headed for an early heart attack or people who are just no fun.
Studies have proven that sometimes people think better, can resolve problems faster, and are more productive when they take a break. And nothing's more fun than an 'illegal' break.
My past weekend wasn't such a no-no; I visited my sister. Sure she's family and that's one of the things in life we should do- stay connected with family, but nowhere are we actively encouraged to brush off chores, dump family responsibilities on our spouse, (delay getting that manuscript to the agent, who's waiting for it...), and blow money on new sandals for spring, that cheesecake dessert we really didn't need, and an extra glass of wine.
But show me where it says we should take a stroll in the park, clean out closets, or meditate. Being bad (irresponsible) can just be so much fun sometimes.
And that's what everyone needs--to have fun. With all our family, personal, and professional responsibilities, stupid politicians bringing us to the brink of world war (again, because two times just weren't enough), clashes between varieties of people, and this sucky weather, we're all on edge. We need more than just a lousy 'breathe deep, let go of your inner tension' mantra. I was past the point of yoga.
So, play hooky. Giggle over stupid stuff. Channel your inner irreverence. Do a 'neener, neener, nee-ner'.
Be uplifted.
Char
Studies have proven that sometimes people think better, can resolve problems faster, and are more productive when they take a break. And nothing's more fun than an 'illegal' break.
My past weekend wasn't such a no-no; I visited my sister. Sure she's family and that's one of the things in life we should do- stay connected with family, but nowhere are we actively encouraged to brush off chores, dump family responsibilities on our spouse, (delay getting that manuscript to the agent, who's waiting for it...), and blow money on new sandals for spring, that cheesecake dessert we really didn't need, and an extra glass of wine.
But show me where it says we should take a stroll in the park, clean out closets, or meditate. Being bad (irresponsible) can just be so much fun sometimes.
And that's what everyone needs--to have fun. With all our family, personal, and professional responsibilities, stupid politicians bringing us to the brink of world war (again, because two times just weren't enough), clashes between varieties of people, and this sucky weather, we're all on edge. We need more than just a lousy 'breathe deep, let go of your inner tension' mantra. I was past the point of yoga.
So, play hooky. Giggle over stupid stuff. Channel your inner irreverence. Do a 'neener, neener, nee-ner'.
Be uplifted.
Char
Monday, March 3, 2014
Deja Vu All Over Again
Today, I'm going to be time efficient (not lazy- I have to run away to the editing cave) and take you to my friend Gae Polisner's blog. I don't want to give any spoilers away so I won't say anything other than ask a question:
Do you believe in reincarnation?
Whether you're a writer, film maker, poet, genealogist, or simply curious, sometimes things just seem too...coincidental.
It's an intriguing question that has fascinated people for centuries with no definitive answer. But Natalie Zaman and I give our take on it.
Gae's blog
And if this question piques your interest, check out Gae's new book, The Summer of Letting Go. (All her information is available on her blogsite or here: The Summer of Letting Go)
So what do you believe?
Char
Do you believe in reincarnation?
Whether you're a writer, film maker, poet, genealogist, or simply curious, sometimes things just seem too...coincidental.
It's an intriguing question that has fascinated people for centuries with no definitive answer. But Natalie Zaman and I give our take on it.
Gae's blog
And if this question piques your interest, check out Gae's new book, The Summer of Letting Go. (All her information is available on her blogsite or here: The Summer of Letting Go)
So what do you believe?
Char
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