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Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Good-bye 2019!! 🥳 Year end in review! 🥂
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Let's talk about the media guy, Tom Makerson 📰(Updated)
Tom Makerson may be a secondary character in the series, but he plays a valuable role in the organization. When it comes to public perception, Makerson makes Jorge Hernandez look like a hero while his enemies like the devil. Talk about spinning a story!
Makerson came along in And the Devil Will Laugh when Jorge Hernandez needs someone he can control in the media. After having some issues with the newspaper Toronto AM, Jorge decided to cut (literally) the editor out of the picture. He picks someone else to take over the paper and in turn, take care of his profile in the media. When we meet Makerson in the first chapter, it becomes clear that he is intimidated by Hernandez and will do whatever he wants. Which, of course, is exactly what Jorge Hernandez wants.
Throughout the series, Makerson grows more comfortable with Hernandez, and the two work quite well together. Not only does Makerson create a pristine image of the CEO of Our House of Pot, but he's also given some big news tips from Hernandez that end up being breaking stories and, in turn, enhancing his career. Of course, there are always fringe benefits if you do what Hernandez wants, like having your condo paid off, but that's not for a couple of books later.
Do power and money slant the media? Is there corruption behind closed doors? I think we both know the answer to these questions.
Makerson came along in And the Devil Will Laugh when Jorge Hernandez needs someone he can control in the media. After having some issues with the newspaper Toronto AM, Jorge decided to cut (literally) the editor out of the picture. He picks someone else to take over the paper and in turn, take care of his profile in the media. When we meet Makerson in the first chapter, it becomes clear that he is intimidated by Hernandez and will do whatever he wants. Which, of course, is exactly what Jorge Hernandez wants.Throughout the series, Makerson grows more comfortable with Hernandez, and the two work quite well together. Not only does Makerson create a pristine image of the CEO of Our House of Pot, but he's also given some big news tips from Hernandez that end up being breaking stories and, in turn, enhancing his career. Of course, there are always fringe benefits if you do what Hernandez wants, like having your condo paid off, but that's not for a couple of books later.
Do power and money slant the media? Is there corruption behind closed doors? I think we both know the answer to these questions.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Friday, December 20, 2019
What is the crazy concept behind my series? 😱(Updated)
Murder, blackmail, and conspiracy theories are frequent themes in my books, but why?
I'm going to tell you right from the get-go that my motivation as a writer has always been to make people think. That's not to say that ideas that spring up in my books are always cute and cuddly; I do like stirring up the question 'what if' in the back of people's minds.
One of the comments that my character Diego often says in my book series, is that in a world full of sheep, always be a wolf. Of course, this suggests that they believe people to be mindless followers. They constantly point out situations where people simply aren't paying attention to the world around them. Not to suggest that this theory is true, but we certainly can't deny that many people are overwhelmed with life and aren't always paying attention to trends in the news. In reality, the better way to explain it would be 'in a world full of information overload, many people don't have time to take it all in.
I enjoy challenging my readers and making them consider various topics. Whether I'm showing an example of racism, bringing up a conspiracy theory or some other 'what if' scenario, or simply reflecting something we're witnessing in the news, I love the idea of a reader rolling new concepts or ideas through their mind. It isn't that I want to make everyone paranoid but simply more aware.
Have you ever watched a movie, television series, or read a book that made you stop and consider something you hadn't thought about before? If so, that writer has done their job.
I'm going to tell you right from the get-go that my motivation as a writer has always been to make people think. That's not to say that ideas that spring up in my books are always cute and cuddly; I do like stirring up the question 'what if' in the back of people's minds.
One of the comments that my character Diego often says in my book series, is that in a world full of sheep, always be a wolf. Of course, this suggests that they believe people to be mindless followers. They constantly point out situations where people simply aren't paying attention to the world around them. Not to suggest that this theory is true, but we certainly can't deny that many people are overwhelmed with life and aren't always paying attention to trends in the news. In reality, the better way to explain it would be 'in a world full of information overload, many people don't have time to take it all in.
I enjoy challenging my readers and making them consider various topics. Whether I'm showing an example of racism, bringing up a conspiracy theory or some other 'what if' scenario, or simply reflecting something we're witnessing in the news, I love the idea of a reader rolling new concepts or ideas through their mind. It isn't that I want to make everyone paranoid but simply more aware.
Have you ever watched a movie, television series, or read a book that made you stop and consider something you hadn't thought about before? If so, that writer has done their job.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Sunday, December 15, 2019
A blurb from The Devil and His Legacy 📖(Updated)
I already knew the theme for my latest book while still writing my last one, The Devil May Lie. A prominent character is murdered in it, and for that reason, Jorge Hernandez starts to question his legacy. He wonders what he will leave behind. How will people see him? How will he be remembered? From this, The Devil and His Legacy was born.
The first paragraph talks about where Jorge Hernandez starts with the concept of legacy, while the first paragraph of the last chapter shows where he ends up on the topic. My goal is to show character growth as a result of his experiences throughout the story. You can learn more by checking out the video below👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼and I promise, there are no spoiler alerts! 🤔 🤔
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Monday, December 9, 2019
Who's the Greek God? Let's talk about Alec Athas 🇬🇷(Updated)
If you're familiar with my current series, chances are you've already encountered the politician that Jorge Hernandez snidely refers to as 'The Greek God'. We first met Alec in A Devil Named Hernandez, and unlike so many secondary characters, he has managed to survive through each book.Alec is reluctant to get involved with Jorge Hernandez, knowing of his reputation but sees no way out. He's a powerful man who's quite intimidating. Also, he does have the ability to help Alec make some headway in politics which, in turn, will give Alec the opportunity to make a difference, which is his whole motivation for getting into the political game. He wants to make the world a better place.
The reader immediately sees the contrast between the two characters: a 'good vs. evil', which is why Jorge views the 'Greek God' as his nemesis. Unlike himself, Alec has a history of social work and helping people, whereas Jorge Hernandez has a history of intimidating and torturing those who go against him. The two men tend to complement one another, and sometimes it's up to Alec to be the voice of reason, but as the series moves forward, we begin to recognize what we see with all the salt of the earth characters in the series. Eventually, they all start to become like Jorge Hernandez.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Monday, December 2, 2019
Why do you need a sharp book cover? 😉(Updated)
Book covers should symbolize the pages inside, but how much of an impact do they make? Do we judge a book by its cover?
I spend a lot of time thinking about my book covers and choosing the best option. Like everything else, I often overthink it, but in general, a cover must give an overall feel of the story inside. For example, many of my books have a dark, sinister vibe that is captured on the cover. These days, I write about criminals, so you wouldn't expect to find an image that is bright, cheery, and fun. It wouldn't make sense. It would be misleading and send the wrong message about the story and the characters involved.
Book covers should speak to their potential audience. To me, if something captivates them in the imagery, chances are it represents a curiosity about what may be in the pages. Much like a movie poster, a book cover should leave you with a sense of what to expect. Colors, the specific images, and the title create an impression and should cause the potential reader to be intrigued and want to sink into the pages.
A perfect example would be my Hernandez series. The protagonist is sinister, powerful, and dangerous. Both the covers in this article will show you the connection to this theme. I lean toward ominous imagery. I also have bright colors that are eye-catching and attractive against the black background. This is what captivates your audience.
In the end, each author has to decide which cover best represents their book while at the same time considering the marketing aspect and what will sell. It can be a difficult balance but is necessary when publishing a book.
I spend a lot of time thinking about my book covers and choosing the best option. Like everything else, I often overthink it, but in general, a cover must give an overall feel of the story inside. For example, many of my books have a dark, sinister vibe that is captured on the cover. These days, I write about criminals, so you wouldn't expect to find an image that is bright, cheery, and fun. It wouldn't make sense. It would be misleading and send the wrong message about the story and the characters involved.
Book covers should speak to their potential audience. To me, if something captivates them in the imagery, chances are it represents a curiosity about what may be in the pages. Much like a movie poster, a book cover should leave you with a sense of what to expect. Colors, the specific images, and the title create an impression and should cause the potential reader to be intrigued and want to sink into the pages.A perfect example would be my Hernandez series. The protagonist is sinister, powerful, and dangerous. Both the covers in this article will show you the connection to this theme. I lean toward ominous imagery. I also have bright colors that are eye-catching and attractive against the black background. This is what captivates your audience.
In the end, each author has to decide which cover best represents their book while at the same time considering the marketing aspect and what will sell. It can be a difficult balance but is necessary when publishing a book.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
How strong characters make us stronger 💪🏼(Updated)
Have you ever tried to emulate a strong character on television, from the movies or a book? Are we more drawn to characters representing the kind of person we want to be, or do we prefer characters that remind us of ourselves?
I think it's safe to say that the answer to both these questions is probably yes. We often connect with those who remind us of ourselves, but I think there's also a side of us all that seeks out characters that demonstrate the person we would like to be, especially when they are more strong and powerful.
Of course, this is just a theory of mine, but you have to admit, it does make sense. When we consider some of the most admired characters in television, movies, and books, most are admired for their strength and ability to withstand anything thrown at them. In a way, it gives us hope. If our favorite character is resilient in the worst circumstances, then perhaps we can be too.
Regarding my series, many readers have told me that they admire Jorge Hernandez for his strength and boldness, regardless of the situation. He is fearless, powerful, and without a doubt, not someone you want to piss off. Who wouldn't want to have those kinds of traits? After all, life has a way of stepping on us all from time to time, so we find assurance knowing that there are powerful people out there that can withstand anything - even if those powerful people are fictitious characters.
Do you have a character that you've admired for their strength? If so, who is it? I'd love to see your thoughts in the comments.
I think it's safe to say that the answer to both these questions is probably yes. We often connect with those who remind us of ourselves, but I think there's also a side of us all that seeks out characters that demonstrate the person we would like to be, especially when they are more strong and powerful.
Of course, this is just a theory of mine, but you have to admit, it does make sense. When we consider some of the most admired characters in television, movies, and books, most are admired for their strength and ability to withstand anything thrown at them. In a way, it gives us hope. If our favorite character is resilient in the worst circumstances, then perhaps we can be too.Regarding my series, many readers have told me that they admire Jorge Hernandez for his strength and boldness, regardless of the situation. He is fearless, powerful, and without a doubt, not someone you want to piss off. Who wouldn't want to have those kinds of traits? After all, life has a way of stepping on us all from time to time, so we find assurance knowing that there are powerful people out there that can withstand anything - even if those powerful people are fictitious characters.
Do you have a character that you've admired for their strength? If so, who is it? I'd love to see your thoughts in the comments.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
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