Enough! The Gloves Come Off...

No one knows better than me how tough the book business is. Unless you're a famous, or have hit the bestseller list with a previous book, authors have to do more and more of the marketing, public relations, and selling of their books with decreasing help from publishers. Everyone's scrambling for money and attention.

But that's not what I'm complaining about. Today, it's about trolls. Specifically, one who promises 'honest' book reviews and helpful marketing. They posted once in my comments, clearly trying to sell me on their services, and I allowed it.

Then they started posting two and three times (or more) on subsequent posts, even those that didn't relate to writing, like last week's post about my painting patio chairs. I've marked them as spam, but somehow they still manage to post in my comments.

So, NEVER USE HONESTBOOKREVIEWS.COM because they troll you until you want to commit felony homicide. (Maybe this will get their attention.) Seriously, if you have to harass and torment a writer to get them to look at your services (we won't), then how good can your service be? These people are as bad as the Replacements by Anderson Windows (they keep calling, mailing, leaving leaflets for new windows WHEN WE HAVE NEW WINDOWS...BY ANDERSON). I would never recommend these two because of the unrelenting harassment.

And as long as I'm ranting- PLEASE STOP SENDING ME STUFF: ASPCA, Disabled American Vets, St. Judes, USO, American Heart Association, and American Cancer Society, to name a few. I support a number of charities. There is only so much I can donate. I make these donations once a year, in October. Save $$ and stop with the 'gifts' which make me believe you're wasting the money I send you to help people and animals by SENDING STUPID STUFF. Playing cards? Almost everyone uses their iPad or laptop. Cards? People send email greetings. Calculator? Use my phone, thanks. And NO ONE really uses a paper calendar anymore.

So chill with sales pitches and stuff, save the earth by reducing this waste, and don't talk to me until October. Then you can all duke it out for donations.

Oh, and here's a picture of my kitty to make you feel better about being a pain in the ass.

Char

Crafting, But Not With Words

Okay, with all this time while we #stayhome, I can get a lot of writing done. And I have. But sometimes, an author needs a break from word crafting. I used to do a lot of crafts when the kids were little, but I accumulated a lot of projects. I mean, how many wreaths and centerpieces are too much? I've since lost interest in cutesy décor. This past week though, I've been working not only in my meditation and food gardens, but also the décor around my pool. (I LOVE my pool.)

This is what I started with:

A neighbor was moving and put these chairs out for garbage pick-up. They were sturdy, although dirty and stained. Plus, I think someone tried to touch-up the paint because there were areas where paint was peeling. I have a pool, so I have parties and lots of people who need seats. Plus, every year at least one chair breaks. So I took these home. But I have high standards; I don't like anything that looks worn, and I strongly believe in recycle/reduce/reuse.

The first thing to do was scrub the chairs with a good detergent.

Then I sanded the chairs. Not only does it take off a lot of stains, but it makes the plastic a bit rougher and more porous, so paint adheres better. I already had a color scheme in mind (it tends to change every two or three years). Next, choose the right paint: one that is specifically designed for plastic. A spray can is better than a brush on paint, but you have to use the right technique. I've found to avoid runs and drips, you should not continuously spray, but do it by spraying a strip at a time. This also gives your finger a rest. And generally, you have to do two coats. Generally I choose a satin finish because experience has shown me that satin washes more easily than flat, and lasts longer, hides more imperfections than super glossy. Please use protective glasses, spray outside, not in enclosed spaces, and put a drop cloth (or cardboard) underneath.

This is the end result. I'm now ready for a party I can't have, but at least everything looks nice.

Stay safe, and treat yourself-and those working under these dangerous conditions- with love and patience. I hope we can meet in book festivals, libraries, restaurants, and other places soon.

Char 

Going Digital...

Yep, blog is late again. What's new with you?

Photo by Felipe Cespedes from Pexels

This year I was supposed to make a number of appearances at book festivals and camps. Like me, I know so many readers, authors, teachers, students, and fans will be disappointed.

But not all is lost!

Many events are going digital! So if you were planning on going to say, NerdCampNJ, there are workshops and presentations by a number of authors that you can access. Here's the Writer's Block presentation I did with fellow author Christine Uss:

NJ NerdCamp 

Even if you don't suffer from writer's block occasionally, Christine and I share some tips that may help you get past that awful rejection, or an editor's lengthy 'I love the manuscript but here is a gazillion pages of notes for changes so I'll love it more' roadblock.

Another presentation I'll be doing is reading from my middle grade novel, Evolution Revolution: Simple Machines in lieu of attending in person the Chesapeake Children's Book Festival. I'll post the links when available.

So don't despair! We're all doing the best we can. Feel free to contact me or any author that provides a social media link. We'd love to chat with you, especially about books! (ours, yours, whomever!)

Stay safe, stay calm, and write on!

Char