My Author Platform?

I'm not sure if I've already blogged about this, but it's been bouncing around in my brain for the longest time and I can't remember anymore if I have or not.

As a published author, we are all pushed to come up with a platform. That word, to me, is abstract that I still have a hard time defining it, but this post isn't going to preach what a platform should or shouldn't be. I want to write about how I lost myself as a published author.

Okay, so at writers conferences, it gets beaten into our heads (poor things are already overrun by countless other subjects) that we need to find a way to appeal to our audience. What this is saying is that I need to define who I am as a public figure.

For the longest time I've done that. I've tried to fit myself to what I should be like whenever I step into "author mode" whether it be online or in person.

It's to the point that I've lost myself. I feel like a teenager all over again trying to discover just who it is I am and I have not been happy. Why not just be me? Why not blog about things that I enjoy rather than trying to come up with something savvy that would appeal to readers or writers? Just be me.

That's one of the BIGGEST reasons why my blogging has slowed to a near stop, because I feel like I am not being honest with you, with myself, for recreating something that wasn't me to begin with. I will just be me.

Welcome to Elizabeth Mueller, mother of 4 with one on the way. Wife of 17 years of marriage who thought she wouldn't make it past the first year due to hardships. Abused child who overcame the uglies and reinvented who she was to survive in a fast-paced world. Mormon girl who hasn't always been a Mormon. Published author who often questions herself if this is still the right career for her because the support system seems to have disintegrated from under her feet and I'm not referring to the RoCkIn' hubby who hopes I'd strike gold in this rush.

Welcome to me.

Become a Character in my Next Book!

The best part of writing are my readers. Seriously. I know I've been on the other side of the fence where I've read businesses claiming their appreciation for their customers, where authors say they love their readers. You know what? It is true. So. True.

Where is a book without a reader? Nowhere.

I am happy to share with you the FuNtAsTiC opportunity to become a character in my upcoming book, Darkspell's sequel, Darkwraith.

Thanks to the Karen Hoover-inspired guru, meet Become the Character--where YOU will be written into the story.

Welcome Darkwraith...

Intrigued? Please click here for further information!

Everything is harder when I'm...

Pregnant! Yep, I'm a few months pregnant and Baby is due February 15. Yay!

This can be frustrating, yet refreshing. I have to admit that I am totally BURNT out from marketing along with other heartbreaking hurtles. My priorities have shifted and the balance has tipped to family now. I do revisit my writing when I feel in the mood--which has been slim at best.

Isn't that sad? I've had so many ideas to throw into Darkspell's sequel, but I don't find myself readily whipping my laptop out to incorporate those brilliant ideas. I have, though, jotted them down so that I wouldn't forget. Whew...  Funny thing is that when I do write in my book, I feel refreshed and wonder why I took so long to get to it. Every time, never fails.

What challenges do you face from the things you really enjoy?

Photographer sues Blogger--YIKES!

Please read this >article< if you post photos on your blog! I tend to use Googled photos though I always link to the site, but I'm not taking any more chances and am combing through my posts (YIKES! so many...) to remove every one of them.

I still need to find out where to find photos that are safe to use without repercussions. If you have such an one, please post the link in the comments!

Good luck if you do use photos that are copyright-possible and let the ErAsInG begin! 

baby steps

It's amazing what turns life takes us, and we are left with a choice. There are so many things I've been faced with the past several months that I feel lost in the woods. For starters, traditional versus non in the publishing world. I've seen first hand many things authors enduring things that make me balk and weep for them when it comes to traditional. True, that option does give you a marketing buffer compared to the non, but is it really worth all your hard work when you get only cents per book (practically, c'mon exaggeration was invented for a purpose)?

I'm not quite sure if self quite fits my needs; I still have a lot of "growing up to do" where it concerns which to choose. I almost feel like Alice in Wonderland, faced with a road in which I need to choose. However, unlike Alice I know which NOT to choose. So perhaps that narrows it down a bit.

It still does not make it any easier.

For now, I'm sticking with hauling tail in just writing. Marketing Darkspell has grown more difficult since I have no other books out, but I'm like a dormant volcano waiting for its time.

How's your journey? Has it become more confusing the further you travel, or clearer?