IWSG: Author Envy

click on image to join other IWSG writers!

IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!

March question - Have you ever read a line in novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy?

Thank you, March co-hosts Diedre Knight, Tonya Drecker, Bish Denham, Olga Godim, and JQ Rose!

by Pexels@Pixabay.com

We, authors, are a different creature altogether whenever reading a book. Rarely do we separate our minds as writers while we read--we silently take notes on character exposition, plot structure, word play, word repetition, grammar usage, misspelled words, formatting choice, etc. We silently study with a critical eye the font used inside the book, along with the manipulated  photos that create the cover...

On some occasion, when a line jumps out or a plot twist catches us (as stated in this month's question), we admire--possibly lament!--how the writer crafts such cleverness. This happens as the muse whispers the inspired words or events that whip the stories about to create a cohesive reading experience.

All this is done on a subconscious level, whether fully aware or not--at least that's how I approach books.

Much of the time, whenever I read a genre I admire (Regency Romance), I envy the writer on the authority they have on the subject! But I know that it comes with research, study, and experience--something I've done but for the Renaissance Era.

by Jon Tyson@Unsplash.com

To outright answer this month's question, I don't remember feeling envious but awe as I stumble across inspiring lines. Clever plot twists catch my breath, but I don't typically become envious.

Some exciting news! Awaken: A Love Story on kindlevella, published its very last episode Sunday the 26th! Now to wait 30 days before I can publish it as a paperback...

How about you? Do you have author envy whenever you encounter a clever plot twist or a certain line?

#IWSG: Writers, Unite!

click on image to join other IWSG writers!

IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!

September's question of the monty - What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why?

A shout out to the wonderful cohosts for the month: Kim Lajevardi, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguirre, Olga Godim, Michelle Wallace, and Louise - Fundy Blue!

I will address how writers need writers instead of answering the prompt. First, writing is a lonely place to be with our scribbling, imagining, and creating. Social interactions might become awkward to some of us as we prefer to scuttle back into our caves where our keyboard is safely tucked away.

photo by me--parts cannibalized from pixabay images. Muahaha!

But sometimes we feel brave enough to stir from our holes for a breath of fresh air or some warm sunshine and, yes, we meet other writers. We need others who share the same interests, who understand how it feels to have voices take over our thoughts, the voices that jump to life and seize the reins of a scene, and even the voices that refuse to be silenced when it's supposed to be The End.

photo by MysticArtDesign@pixabay

Who else can we turn to but those who experience such things?

I come from a place where writers are busting at the seams; where they can be found under books and hiding in the mortar of the libraries as well as at book stores (who knew, right?).

Well, moving to where I'm at, it was a shock to see what an antithesis it has been. There are no writers anywhere. Impossible! Where did they all go?

photo by Luismi Sánchez@unsplash

Inspired and feeling brave--finally!--after years of hiding under a rock, I found the courage to start a writing group. It isn't just any group, but an Insecure Writers Support In-Person Writing Group!

the coolest flyer you'll ever see

I started out with one the second week, then another, and another, and another--the first one as loyal as ever to the cause of writing. The numbers have stabilized to seven, but it is a good number. Everyone is at a different stage of writing but we all love it and take it very seriously.

photo by Donald Giannatti@unsplash

I like to follow the Knights of the Round Table concept where we follow a schedule but, since we are all adults, we are free to touch on what we need to do the most. It's not stiff and formal but relaxed and comfortable. I hope I'm doing okay with it because I'm insecure. Perfect, right? Haha!

I'm also reaching out to writers on other platforms to share their love for writing here on my website. We will do spotlights, interviews, guest posts--whatever feeds the muse.

I started my career this way, reaching out to others and lifting them high because everyone deserves the chance to shine. We are all in this together and books are like delicious bonbons--it's our responsibility to keep the readers well-stocked with our beloved craft. Right?

photo by GDJ@pixabay

Can you name a time when someone reached out to you and lifted you upon their shoulders for a better view (literally or figuratively)? How do you feel about connecting with other writers? Would you be interested in participating in a spotlight, an interview, or possibly as a guest?

IWSG: Write for Me or Write for Thee?

click on image to join other IWSG writers!

Co-hosts for August are Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend, and Lee Lowery!

Aaaand here is the question of the month:

August 3 question - When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?

thommass68@pixabay

I knew the answer right away when I read that question--which usually doesn't happen to me. Ha! Honestly, I write to appease the demons inside me. The story is waiting to burst through this thin veil of bubble skin and it flows like a movie on a cinematic screen.

Sometimes I have to set it aside on the backburner like I did with Awaken but that came in an instant gush ten years later.

It is a cathartic experience to live through our characters, to puzzle through the challenges that unfold before them, to fight the foe and vanquish evil. Sometimes we mourn with losses and death but in the end, we come out the victor as the writer, the gods and goddesses of the worlds we create. The reader will sense our passion and rise with our truth!

I went crazy with a few book photos below and thought to share them. They are so fantastical, I couldn't resist!

thommass68@pixabay

mysticartdesign@pixabay

mysticartdesign@pixabay

mysticartdesign@pixabay

                           0fjd125gk87@pixabay

mysticartdesign@pixabay

How is it like for you? Do you write for the love of writing or do you do it to please the masses?

IWSG: Marketing

click on image to join other IWSG writers!

IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!

As published authors living in 2020, much has changed since 2011. Back in the day when my first book, Darkspell, released, we did shoutouts and book launches on Facebook, Twitter, held blog tours, bloggers reviewed like crazy but now ... things aren't the same anymore!

Photo by Renate Vanaga @ Usplash

I'd taken a step back from publicity into my writerly cave for the past eight years and kept writing and writing and have since published a few more books. I've seen major changes from the way I used to market my book to now. They have drastically changed.

photo by geralt @ Pixabay

Whether we are self- or traditionally published, no one will love our books as much as their creators, and we are still urged to market them even when done the traditional route.

Bearing this in mind, what strategies work or have worked for you? Where are your goto platforms? How do you keep the marketing alive for a book that released four months or later?

IWSG: Book Life after Life?

click on image to join other IWSG writers!

IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!

Photo by Quinten de Graaf on Unsplash.com

So, your rights revert back to you and you want to breathe new life into the old book. Maybe a new cover and a rewrite since you published it some odd years ago and it has a cringy feel.

How do you go about doing this without losing all the many existing reviews?

I know some update the book and save it as a minor change so as to keep the same ISBN and reviews. Others republish altogether but lose the preexisting reviews.

Photo by Suzanne D. Williams @ Unsplash.com

Yes, I have a book I published a while back and I'm not happy with the cover any longer. I've rewritten the book, too. Made it tighter. Cleaner. Improved characterization. I've yet to format it. I'm still mulling over the new cover.

Have you encountered this dilemma? Is it best to put out a second edition with a different ISBN? Any thoughts? Suggestions? Help!

Inside John's Brain: an author interview

Welcome John D. Payne to my blog, author of 

Joined in Silence a story from the steampunk anthology, A Mighty Fortress!

Let's see what's in his brain and what he reveals about his writerly antics. Ready? Here we go!

1) Tell us a little about yourself. 

I'm a full-time dad to four small children, including a newborn who recently won Best in Show at the county fair. My previous job was assistant professor of security studies, for which I taught classes on terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and homeland security. One of the big surprises of the last few years has been discovering the small, but non-zero, overlap between those two knowledge bases. 

I grew up on the prairie, but now live with my wife and family in southern New Mexico, where I’m learning all about the wonders of the desert. (Did you know there are cactus that will shoot needles at you? Ever hear about werewolf mice?) I’m also learning to appreciate how lovely, green, and temperate our town is compared to our nearest neighboring city, El Paso. 

I know what you mean, John--I grew up in El Paso and it is very brown there. Very brown.



2) What started you on the writing path? 

I've always had creative outlets of various kinds. When I was in elementary school, I did a lot of creative writing, played a lot of Dungeons and Dragons, and made a bunch of delightfully violent comic books with my best buddy. Also a Garfield / Star Wars mashup that I think Disney will be optioning any day now. 

For one semester in college, I was an English major. Then Orson Scott Card said writers should learn to write by writing, and should study something else so they have something to say about the world. So I changed majors, but kept writing. 

That's smart advice, John! Thanks for sharing that.


When I started my doctoral program, I thought I had better focus, and so I gave up fiction writing completely. But that made me miserable, and didn’t help me get my degree faster, so I returned to writing, like a dog to his yummy and very appetizing snack that is definitely not vomit. 

Lovely visual, John. Thanks.


So that’s where I am now, writing fantasy fiction and role-playing games. Hooray! 



3) Do you believe personal experience has influence over your writing? If yes, in what way has it manifested? 

Well, I write a lot more stories with babies in them than I used to. 



4) How was writing this story different from what you typically write? What challenges did you face as you did? 

This was a weird one. I thought it would be a two or 300 word coda at the end of another story (“Strange Pilgrims,” published in the first Mormon steampunk collection, All Made of Hinges). But then the story just kept growing and growing. 

Hey, I have a story in All Made of Hinges as well! It's "Avenger's Angel". Glad to have you join me in A Mighty Fortress as well!


One challenge for me in writing this piece was that the viewpoint character is a real person who lived and wrote hymns and had descendents who might read this book. I didn’t want to do him an unkindness, so I read as much as I could about him. In the end, though, the real Hans Henry didn’t live in a world of Juggernauts and Automatons, so I hope his progeny can forgive me for taking a few liberties with their honored ancestor. 


5) Have you written steampunk before? What do you like best about it? Least?

I’ve published one other steampunk story (see above), and I really enjoyed creating the world. I certainly hope I get the chance to revisit it in the future. I love my Helvetic machines! 


6) What is the title of your story in which anthology? In a few lines, what is your story about? 

My story is called “Joined in Silence,” and it’s about the secret origins of a hymn. It features an escaped labor robot, two Danes, and a mystery guest, debating in the middle of the night about who can be a child of God. Also, there is a baby that at first is crying and later is not crying anymore. 

Ooh, this is fascinating. Delving into the human mind in relation to the mechanical man. I wonder what he has to say about it as well?



7) What factors influenced the plot, characters, and setting?

 Well, basically the whole story is a re-telling-- or, re-imagining, if you will-- of Die Hard, mixed with the creation myth found in the Popol Vuh. So every element had to be chosen carefully to fit the source material. 

Just kidding. I don’t know how to answer this question. 

Hehe...



8) Who is your favorite character and why? 

My favorite character is actually never seen in the story, at least by the protagonist. He’s a house-gnome named Mr. White, and like all his kind he hides from humans. He’s actually the one who wrote the words to the hymn, and he’s lurking under the floorboards during the whole conversation. The little sneak! 

Um, not sure if I can believe you on this one. I suppose I'd just have to read the book to find out! 



9) If you got sucked into your story, what would be the first thing you’d do? Be honest: do you really think you’d do well with your current skillset? Explain. 

First off, I think I’d have to explain how I got into Hans Henry’s house, and that would be a tough job because it’s the middle of the night and he’s already got uninvited guests. But if I could talk him out of showing me to the curb, I think I could help him work out some harmonies for the song, at least for the men’s parts. 



10) What is it you hope your readers will take away from your story? 

A desire to sit down at the piano and sing a few hymns with someone you love. 


11) What’s your favorite quote? Any last words? 

Well, here’s a little passage from the story that I like: 

The mechanical man’s face remained fixed in a calm, mildly pleasant expression. Because that was its only expression. “True, my body was created by human beings. But so was yours. After a fashion.” 

Hans Henry shook his head vigorously. “You cannot compare the sacred act of procreation between man and wife to, to…” he spluttered with indignation, “factory workers assembling a machine, no matter how sophisticated.” 

“The process is very different, I will admit…” 

Thanks, everybody! Buy the book!


Clever clever, indeed, John. Thank you for humoring me and answering my questions no matter how odd they might have felt to you. I look forward to reading your story! 

Here are author John D. Payne's links so you can stalk him to your heart's desire! Muahahaha!



https://www.patreon.com/johndpayne

https://twitter.com/jdp_writes

"Hans Henry did not expect the knock in the night, or the self-emancipated labor automaton, Brother Pilgram. A simple request to have a song written has Brother Pilgram, Hans and his wife at odds about what life means."

 

#IWSG: An Author's Strategy

click on image to join other IWSG writers!

IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!

*Once upon a time, my son came home filled with enthusiasm. A local author presented at his school. My son purchased and read the book within days. About a week later, he received an email from the author requesting reviews for the book.

I found the email strange in that the author had asked to please post the review only if the reader had enjoyed it. The author proceeded to ask the reader to *not* post a review if it wasn't liked but to respond to the email with why the book wasn't liked.

I pretended to be my son (knowing better since I'm a published author, I felt this was shifty) and asked the author that if I didn't like this book, why can't I write the review about it?

The author responded, saying that positive reviews are appreciated and help the book grow, but it's for the author to hear directly from his readers of how and why the book wasn't liked.

There is a level of trust this author had established of a personal kind at a school, having met and interacted with his readers who are impressionable young people willing to acquiesce--who wouldn't want to please a cool author whom you've met at your own school, right?

Scratching my head, thinking this as a brilliant ploy to keep ratings up, I wonder just how ethical it is to ask readers directly not to post negative reviews (all in the name of ratings. <--readers don't realize this, especially middle school kids).

I'm confused to decide whether it's honorable or deceptive on any level, because it would be nice to cash in on this as well if it's not devious in any way.

What are your thoughts on said author's strategies?



Guess WhAt?

My book baby just released! It's available for .99 cents over on Amazon.

Christmas in New York for Cora is all about performing in The Nutcracker, but misfortune takes her back to Texas where she runs into an old flame in cowboy boots and a Stetson hat. Could he be the miracle that puts the pieces of her shattered life together?

Merry Christmas!

*I ask that you forgive me for posting this late--I had written this over a month ago and forgot to schedule it! Eeek!

#IWSG Bigger Than Life ...

What a wonderful way to share your support with fellow writers! Click on the badge above to START!

We all know as authors we must make our characters bigger than life, otherwise, the story is bland. A person's real life would be considered boring if you shadowed him/her all the time. I noticed that I have been trying to make myself bigger than life as a public figure. You know, to create interest? Aren't authors supposed to be exciting, interesting, fun? Just like celebrities.

Ha.

Ever since I was first published a few years ago, I have always worked hard to keep up a certain image. To please. But it becomes burdensome, having to think of the world as a whole in perspective of an author. This applies to my blog, my facebook, twitter, everything social network. Even at writers conferences when I present.

This is a state of being, you know? You can't let your guard down as you walk down the aisle of the grocery store as you might have a few of your signed books in your satchel in the event you strike up a conversation with a to-be fan.

I am just who I am, I just want to be myself without having to sound like a self-proclaimed person who is constantly wearing down the public hawking their wares with over exaggerated enthusiasm. *Shiver*

What about you, what do you think an author should be? Am I over-thinking this?

My Favorite Gadgets!

I posted this article back in March of 2011, and since I've been out of sync with the blog gods, I needed to refresh my noggin. So I decided to republish this to keep up on top and for your viewing pleasure.

I've been slammed with pure inspiration to host a BLOG HOP! This is going to be an absolute no brainer and tons of FuN! I plan to keep the linkie to this hop up indefinitely so you can refer to it and watch it grow with the COOLEST authors around. Sounds exciting, right? YES!

It's going to give writers, published and non, a chance to share their passion in a single tagline. "An author tagline is a saying that embodies your writing subject, why you write, and what you want your stories to achieve.-> sorta like a slogan," says Virginia Lori Jennings on my FaceBook Timeline.

My favorite author tagline is Ali Cross's: stories that transcend the ordinary.

Wow, isn't that just great? :)

I will blog about how to gather your thoughts on what your books stand for, how they apply to your upcoming tagline for the Author Tagline BlogHop, and how to come up with one. I will do my best to share my ideas on I came up with mine, I, by no means, am a guru on this. Just little ole me.

Happy Weekend!


So onto the Old Blog Post:

I've decided to share with you my secret gadgets that I feel help improve my blog. Shhhh! Don't tell anyone!

Are you ready for the revealing? ;)

Link Within <== the "You might also like" tool at the bottom of my every post with the trio of pictures from previous postings.


Blog Buttons <==Clarissa Draper reveals how to create those nifty bloggie buttons with the html codes at the bottom scrolly window. So COOL!


Site Meter <==a way to spy on how (and where and how long) many fans are stalking ya! It's cool, and best of all, free!

Random.org <==want to break out from drawing names from the old hat routine? Just go here! 

Simply-linked <==want to provide blank spaces for your bloggie palz to enter blogfests, hops or other party things? Easier than Mr. Linky. Promise.


The Blog Guidebook <==Whoa! A saver if you're trying to figure out how to soup up your blog! :)

Your turn! What secret gadgets do you have hidden in your blog?

Teen Author Boot Camp

As I sat upfront with the row of authors while Brandon Mull, our keynote speaker talked, I couldn't help but feel such pride that my eyes filled with tears. These kids have heart, soul and spirit to attend a writers conference, especially TABC! I have to admit it was one of the funnest conferences I've ever attended.

I really love teens, they are filled with such energy, hope and excitement. What fun it was to stand before the many young and enthusiastic writers and teach them my secrets on writing!

I am honored that TABC had thought of me to teach one of their classes. How much I've grown from the privilege to share and bare my soul! The line for the book signing at the end was joyfully brimming as I signed the kids' cool T-shirts, notebooks, papers, and books they've purchased.

Hey, guys, I LoVe you all!


A funny video that was aired while we waited for the announcing of the first chapter contest winners. I love, love, love this video, btw... ENJOY!

reposted: Why are We Neurotic?

I've just proved my point at how crazy it's been. I had accidentally posted twice Wednesday last, and had meant to post this one today. Ugh. I hope you can pat me on the head and say it's okay for having read this again.

The article I posted the other day talked about how many authors are switching to Amazon for the publication of their books and how the publishers feel threatened. Something I read on there has had me thinking. The publishers are a bit smug, saying that Amazon won't know how to deal with neurotic authors calling them at all odd hours of the day.

Neurotic they say? That makes my skin crawl. Does the writing industry realize how authors come to be so neurotic? It's funny, I have to admit, but it's because of the red tape system and all the rejections we face at every angle (from red ink all over our manuscripts, the query/agent/editor/publisher trek, editor and MS fixes, bad reviews, waiting, waiting, waiting--even after being published we still face rejections!), it is no wonder why we are neurotic!


This comes to mind on the matter. I've replaced boldened words to suit my purpose:



*An author is not neurotic, your Highness, and those who are cannot help themselves.
 
Really! Well then by all means, enlighten us.


If you (agent, publisher--anyone in the writing industry) suffer your authors to be rejected, and their manners strained from infancy stage of writing, and then punish them for those strains by rejections to which their first introduction to publishing disposed them, what else is to be concluded, sire, but that you first make neurotic authors and then punish them?


The main reason I write this post is because of the way it was phrased in Bloomberg's article--it felt smug of them to say that we are neurotic.



What are your thoughts on how writers are forged to be the way they are?


*(borrowed from Ever After: A Cinderella Story quote site)

Writerly Whirlwinds

Right now, as you comfily read this post on your snuggly couch, I am in a whirlwind of authors, aspiring authors and readers as well as people who just love to learn.

This is my first writers conference ever that I will be a panelist in. Am I scared? Yes. Standing in front of dozens of people makes me feel weak as water! Okay, I know water can be very strong, but I am not there yet!

I am also doing a reading out of Darkspell! I've been reading books out loud for fifteen years--because I'm a mom, and I have read out loud at book readings to very small groups. I've read to a large group a picture book at an elementary school using silly voices, but maybe only four people will show up to my reading here. What do you think? I think a tip is keeping in mind my audience. LOL. We'll see how it goes.

So, where is this writers conference you ask? It's LTUE! I attended this conference when I was only aspiring to be an author a few years ago. Interesting how now it's reversed!

The next wind will sweep me away to my first book signing at the Gateway Barnes & Noble Saturday the 11th! A dear friend of mine was thoughtful enough to invite me as one of the several authors attending. I am so thrilled. Am I scared? Not really. I find presenting the worstest of scaries. But with a powerpoint, the universe is mine.

Muahahahaha!

What is your scary exciting moment?

coming up: how my weekend at the conference and book signing went! Aaa!

 

But it's Tradition . . . NOT!

Bloomberg Businessweek sent me my weekly subscription. It had me reeling: "Amazon's hitman, a tale of books, betrayal, and the (alleged) secret plot to destroy literature" which refers to Amazon's Larry Kirshbaum.

Is he really seeking to destroy literature? I think it's a matter of perspective.


Check out amazing graph here.

Here's an excerpt from the article:

" 'Publishers are selling drinks on the Titanic,' says Joe Konrath. 'They are doing so much to protect their paper industry that they are disregarding the needs of customers and are treating authors poorly.' Konrath was once a struggling mystery writer living outside Chicago with hundreds of rejections to his name, nine unpublished novels, and a tempestous relationship with the publisher of two of his books, Hyperion. Then two years ago he started experimenting with uploading those books directly to the Kindle marketplace. Now, under the name of J.A. Konrath, he says he's making about $4,000 a day and collecting a &) percent rolaytly on every book he sells."

Publishers resent the fact that Amazon is *stealing authors from them. 

Publishers v. Amazon, Amazon v. Publishers

On January 11th, I shared some heartache I face as a published author. Something one of my readers posted in the comments struck a chord in me. This is what she said:

"I sometimes think publishers are the pimps and writers are the prostitutes. Publishers have fancy names and fancy promises but it's the writers who bring in the loot, with the publisher getting a lion's share for looking good. My hub's in the corporate world, a minnow in a sea of big fish, so to speak. He says that in the corporate world publishers are the vendors and writers are the clients, with the latter having the power. But this has been turned around, with the latter having to say 'how high' when the publisher says jump. "




Hmmm . . . One might question if this is a passing fad or the sign of the times. It's no wonder more and more authors are turning to self-publishing. Does this mean that those of us who are opting self-publishing are destroyers of literature as the Bloomberg's title states? I think not!  Authors are creators of literature, whether they choose Amazon or the traditional publisher.

Were you aware of all this muck going on in the book world? Where do you stand on this?

*My personal thoughts regarding this article.

Strong or Weak?

I got this image off of Facebook.

There are contrasting heroines listed below.

Media has a powerful impact on humankind.

What kind of hero/ine are your books?

Digging into my Compost

Before I dig into my compost, I'd like to say that I'm happy to be back! Thank you, bloggie palz, for your TLC!

Now for the dirt . . .

I've decided to share the nitty gritty of my experiences* as an author from here on out. Why should I keep it under wraps? I am one to learn from others' mistakes as well as my own, and it's my nature to share what I've learned in hopes that what I've endured and am and yet to, will help someone out as well.

One thing that is blatantly clear is . . .

♥.•*¨You mean Public Speaking is part of being an Author? ¨*•.♥

Public speaking. My comfort zone is being tried to the max!

This is one of the scariest things I try to avoid. Being in the church I do, there's really no way around it. Okay, fine, I could turn it down when someone asks me to give a "talk", but that would make me feel terrible if I ever did. I would feel like an ingrate.

But I know that speaking in public as an author is a MUST if I want to promote my book. It comes with the territory, there's no way around it!

It's terrifying and I've lost sleep over this.

Have you heard this quote before?

Luck favors the prepared

I wonder if I stop fretting and actually sit down and ponder on what I would be speaking about and think about how I can stretch it over a period of 60 minutes, would I still be scared?

I have had several offers already: one for this coming fall at a university, and the other for a Teen Author Boot Camp, spring of 1012. (check it out here!) I haven't said no while my insides are twisting and knotting into tight loops. So guess what I did to make it happen sooner?

I asked a writing teacher friend of mine if I can teach a class. Aaa! What. Have. I. Done?

I am a big time pantser writer. I think pantserness is bleeding into my public speaking, too. I know that I need to face my fear sometime, why not make it the 18th of May?

I'll let you know how that works out! Eeep!   : /

And then there's radio interviews where I have to think of a good answer right then and there. I know many writers love to "hide" behind chatting online and emails, this is going to be an adventure indeed...




How do you feel about public speaking?

ps--today I am a year older, yikes!

Reunion TIME!

There's nothing better than seeing old faces. New faces and way crazy faces!

It's LDStorymakers Conference time! Time to learn and connect and grow!

WHeeeee!!

I can't wait to be surrounded by crazy people who obey the voices in their head and record their tales into books.

I'll be heading out while the kidlets are at school, circuit part of Utah to pick up my bud, Kay, and then jaunt over to Provo!

The funny thing is that a year ago, I felt like a bumbling newbie among the published authors, aspiring authors and exploring writers. Funny, hu?

I'm not published, but I sure feel like my wings are just as full grown as a published author's, they've just not been tried yet!

How was your first experience mingling among published authors? Did they intimidate you? Or did you feel like part of the family?

(I'll update you more next week when I have time to visit--please forgive me if I can't make it to your blog or comment during these next four days--I luv ya'll, I promise. I plan to make it up to you by holding another fan-art contest!)

Photo found here