Coming Alive

 

It’s literally sixty-five degrees outside (for WNY—that’s amazing) and I’m in here—writing. Not that I’m complaining, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Something comes alive in me when I write, something I didn’t even know was dying until I sit down and start. I know other people feel the same way. I’ve seen my nephew’s face when he sits down at the piano stool, seen my daughter’s eyes as she sees something that makes her grab her camera. Is it just creative people who are like that? Do accountants feel the thrill when the numbers all align? I have no idea. I hope so. Everyone should feel this alive.

Have a great weekend.

  

 

IWSG: November

Welcome. It’s the first Wednesday of the month, making it IWSG time. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts for putting this on. Insecurities come in many shapes and forms, and this month for me they come in the form of a clock. This is the last week of my thirties. Birthdays, especially big ones, make me stop and reflect. Am I happy with my life? Have I done everything I wanted to do? Yes and no. All in all I’m content, so.that’s not what I’m focused on this year. Today, with less than five days left to be thirty-nine, I’m faced with the reality that my life is more than likely half over. Scary, right? The first half was pretty good. I wonder what the second half will bring.

 

Anyone else out there face these insecurities around a big birthday?

Beginning this month, there will be changes here on this blog, mainly that it will focus exclusively on writing related things. I’ve begun two other blogs:  setbooksfreedotorg, to highlight Ubooks, and  Black and White  to offer information on publishing with us. Hope to see you there!

 

 

 

For Halloween

Here it is, as promised: In Lord Shadow’s House

 

I wrote this a few years ago, this haunting tale of lust and deception, and ultimately, betrayal. Enjoy.

 

 

Five Year Goals: Set Books Free

Today is the last Friday of the month, which makes it time to review some goals. A little over a year ago, I signed up for The Five Year Project with Misha Gericke  (waves hi and says many thanks for coming up with this brainchild and hosting it each month). Basically, it’s about goals and accountability. We begin by making a goal we’d like to achieve in five years, then we review those goals each month to track our progress. My goal: to have a world-class publishing company. I was never one to dream small. With just four years and counting, how is it going?

 

Really, really well.

1.    *Ubooks are up and running, with new authors and new stories joining the mix in November—look for flash fiction from Milo James Fowler and a picture book from Liz Daniels.

2.   A central hub has been created for a major marketing push, beginning in November—but you can get a sneak peek now—check out setbooksfree.org. I am super excited about this—it’s a site/push directly aimed at my target audience: Young Adults. With that in mind, they’ll be some major changes to this blog as well—look for those to begin on the first.

3.   Still actively seeking new authors. Our line-up is full for the rest of this year, but I may be willing to make an exception for a really great story. Who needs to spend Thanksgiving with family, right? I kid, I kid.  Seriously, though—I’ve read some really great stories lately and am excited to make a round of offers in the next couple weeks or so for publication next year.

That about covers it for now. If you get a chance, stop back on Monday, for a special Halloween surprise. Until then—

 

*patent-pending musically enhanced video book format, only available through blackandwhitepublishingco.com
 
 
 
 

 

IWSG: October

Today is the first Wednesday of the month, making it IWSG time. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts for putting this on this month. For those of you who don’t know, this is a great place to express your own and support others in their insecurities. About this time of year, it’s normal for me to think about NaNoWriMo. I’ve participated the last five years, so, naturally, the pull is there to do it again. And I want to. Here’s the rub: I haven’t worked on a full-length novel since last NaNo. I know it’s not something you forget, but I’ve been so geared up writing short pieces, that I’m worried I’ll look at the blank page and…nothing.

I’ve got the idea. I’ve got the outline. But do I have the story? I guess only time will tell.

 

 

Five Year Goals

Today is the last Friday of the month, making it time to review some goals. Thanks to Misha Gericke for putting this on each month.

My goal: To have a world class publishing company in five (now four) years.

How it’s going: September is the first month since I began this whole project that I’ve been able to invest serious time. And that being the case, I’ve accomplished a lot, mainly on the production end. Black and White has two short stories coming out in October, seven in November, and three in December. I’ve been actively searching for new talent, so hopefully those numbers will keep getting higher. Small steps, but they’re there.

How are your goals going?

Things I Don't Get

My marketing director told me that I need to post more on pop culture, you know, to show I “get” the times, but to be honest with you, I don’t get it. I don’t get how two people sitting on a couch would rather text each other than turn and have an actual conversation. I don’t get spending all day playing cheesy games on our devices that are nowhere near as (forgive my lack of computer-lingo here) rich and detailed as the ones on our dust covered x-boxes. I don’t get selfies or selfie sticks. I don’t get the belief that there is no actual truth—how can they be sure that’s true, if there is no truth? I don’t get Common Core. I don’t get why people don’t realize the high number of abortion clinics in largely black communities isn’t compassion, it’s genocide of the black community. Literally. Did you know that the largest ender of black lives isn’t police officers, it’s abortion? Time to put some things in perspective. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, was a Nazi whose main goal was the extermination black people.  Don’t believe me? Look it up. Now there’s some truth. There’s something I “get”.

Sorry for my rant, sometimes you just have to. Disagree on anything I said—do you believe selfie sticks are the best thing ever? Feel free to leave it in the comments. I don’t mind differing opinions, just as long as it’s respectful.

Have a great weekend everyone!