The official blog is associated with www.mimaonfire.com. Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series 🔪
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Who rules the world? In the Hernandez series, it's Jorge Hernandez, bitch...
The former cartel king slowly eases his way into business, politics, and even the media.
When I started the series, I had no idea how close my fictional account was to the truth. I didn't realize at the time just how many things are run from behind the scenes. It would be naive to think that world leaders are making decisions without powerful people pulling the puppet strings. It would be equally naive to believe that the media isn't influenced, especially in light of the last few years.
For many, writing fiction is about falling into a gentle fantasy world, but for me, it's instinctual, and sometimes....often, it turns out to be reality.
It sounds like a tongue twister when you say it fast enough. A writer must write every day. When I hear those words, I wonder if it's merely another one of those things we're told we should do by people who make very blanket statements without consideration for the lifestyle of the writer or, perhaps, even proof that it makes a difference.
Now, before someone jumps down my fucking throat, I'm going to start by saying that I'm not a crazy successful writer. I don't pretend to be an expert about anything, but I've gone through phases where I wrote every day, and I've gone through phases where I didn't. I honestly saw little in the way of a difference.
Of course, having always been a writer on the side, it simply wasn't always an option. It depends a great deal on my schedule and inclination. I don't like hard and fast rules that shame those who can't follow them. Being told to write every day sits on the same unstable shelf as the one that insists you stress over your daily word count. And you don't want to get me started on that one.
I've written 18 books and (what feels like) a million blogs and I can guarantee that I never check my word count, and I don't write every day. I don't believe the creative process works very well when a writer feels pressured to perform. I also don't think it means that the work you do will necessarily be stellar if the focus is more on fixating on following this suggestion.
Chances are good that both these rules were started by a writing school teacher when there was far less on the average person's daily agenda. The world moves fast, and a part of being a writer is observing what is going on around you, something that, as it happens, does require time.
If I had to come up with my own rules for writers, it would be to open your eyes and pay attention to what is happening in the world. Are you getting a sense of how people feel? What are you hearing a lot? What's standing out to you? What are the books you're currently reading missing?
Of course, you shouldn't take five years to complete the first draft of your manuscript either. Unless you're writing a very in-depth research book, obviously, that's a different can of worms. But there has to be some reasonable middle ground. Be logical, and don't listen to the so-called experts.
You're the expert on you. If you have issues being self-motivated, maybe you have to write every day. If you have a million other things going on and can't get your head into it, don't be too hard on yourself. Maybe it's simply time to process. Unless you nurture your soul, you have nothing to give.
I first heard the term 'toxic masculinity' years ago and thought it was interesting. I read a book on the topic. I considered that maybe there were some legitimate points.
All this was while I also considered how so many men were not very manly anymore. That's not to say that men, in my opinion, should be crass cavemen either. However, I had left a city where many of the men I encountered were kind of soft and sensitive in an awkward way. Was there too much estrogen in the water? I had to wonder.
Fast forward a few years, and I discovered that all the books I was writing, the movies and television shows I was watching, and the men I generally was intrigued by would fall under the category of 'toxic masculinity'. I now see it as a woke term meant to shame men for...well, being men.
I'll never forget the time that a woman ripped into me on Facebook, saying I was a misogynist. She felt that I hated other women. I missed the memo where I was supposed to hate men. You see if I said anything against another woman, I was a terrible person, but if I said something against a man, I was probably stating a fact. At least, that's the impression she gave me in her comments.
But let's get back to my books. If you've read any of the books in my Hernandez series, you already know that a lot of testosterone is flowing through the chapters. You'll find aggression, bullying, violence, and all the things that tend to ruffle the feathers of those who'd prefer to see men being weak.
So, if you like male characters who are more likely to punch someone in the face than to shed a tear, you might want to check out my series. You might find some alpha dogs there.
And if you prefer gentle and sensitive men, go watch a Hallmark movie.
For the second time in recent months, I've discovered a biography that gave me more than I wanted. By that, I mean the author's opinion.
Biographies are essentially an author (usually well-known) telling someone else's story. For example, if I were to tell YOUR story in a book, I'd be your biographer. I would do my best to tell your story from your point of view, attempting to make potential readers understand you and your life experiences. I'm not here to judge, and I'm not here to slide my personal opinions into the book.
I've recently discovered that authors of biographies feel entitled to wedge their opinions on what their subjects have done or said, especially on their political beliefs. Not that this is too surprising. We increasingly see this in journalism, where it's obvious if the network and specific media talking head is on the right, left, or somewhere in between. (and they're never in between) Why would books be any different?
If one was a conspiracy theorist, one might wonder if this is another form of propaganda. For example, subject Mr. Whoeverthefuck is right-leaning; and this is why he's wrong. (I did see this in one book) Another example would be knocking the subject because they aren't woke enough, letting the reader know, 'This person may be someone you admire since you're reading this book, but here's why they're wrong'.
It's distasteful. I could care less what the author of a biography thinks about anything. I don't care if you're writing about a psychopath murderer or the nun at the local convent. I want to hear their story. The author letting me know their opinion not only screams their self-importance, but makes me suspicious if I'm even getting an unbiased account. How much can I trust an author who attempts to ram their own opinion down my throat?
It's not a good look for authors. In fact, for me, it's right up there with famous authors who use ghostwriters and take the credit. It's despicable.
Shortly after publishing my first book in 2010, I had a friend who agreed to write a review, provided I gave her a free copy. To this, I was happy to oblige. At the time, I was just excited that anyone was interested in reading my book!
She later got back to me, stating she would write a review. When I asked her what she thought, she said, "I liked what I read."
Say what?
As it turns out, she didn't normally read fiction. As a favor to me, she kindly read, like, half the book.
If you're a fiction author, this is the part where you roll your eyes. I know. I did the same. I asked her why she didn't bother to read the whole book since I gifted it to her. I found it a little offensive.
As it turned out, she was offended because she had gone out of her way to read half the book. After all, she was a non-fiction girl and didn't lower herself to the silly, fiction world.
The funny part is that this book snob didn't understand that she enters a fictitious world whenever she turns on a movie or watches a television show. A story is a story. I'm sure it has more prestige if it's under the shiny lights of Hollywood, but it all started with a writer's creative side. It came from someone's imagination, with characters formed out of nothing.
It's been another great year. Stick around till the end to learn about how you can get your FREE ebook for Everybody Wants to Rule the World, but first what is my NEW book about??
A former Mexican narco transitions into Canadian life with family, politics, and business while holding tight to his ruthless, criminal ways. Meet Jorge Hernandez. 🇲🇽
Back cover synopsis:
Jorge Hernandez may be the king of gangsters, but lately, he’s been the king of lazy. The former Mexican cartel boss starts to change his mind when a blue-haired freak slashes his tires, calling him a climate criminal. He finally breaks out of hibernation when rumors of a new medication said to be for children with ‘behaviour issues’ is about to become mandatory for all school-aged children. Jorge suspects that the drug is more about making kids compliant and easily controlled, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Who is at the top of the pile of degenerates that are pushing this agenda? Is it just Big Pharma trying to make their next billion, or is it something much more sinister behind this latest plot? Jorge and his gang intend to find out.
One thing is for sure. If you go woke, you go broke with Jorge Hernandez. Just not in the way you might think.
Politicians.
Celebrities.
Narcissists.
Psychopaths.
Everybody Wants to rule the world, but will you let them?
As you probably know, my NEW book is out! Here's a quick rundown about what it's about, where to get it and details on how to get your FREE (PDF) copy:
Jorge Hernandez may be the king of gangsters, but lately, he’s been the king of lazy. The former Mexican cartel boss starts to change his mind when a blue-haired freak slashes his tires, calling him a climate criminal. He finally breaks out of hibernation when rumors of a new medication said to be for children with ‘behaviour issues’ is about to become mandatory for all school-aged children. Jorge suspects that the drug is more about making kids compliant and easily controlled, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Who is at the top of the pile of degenerates that are pushing this agenda? Is it just Big Pharma trying to make their next billion, or is it something much more sinister behind this latest plot? Jorge and his gang intend to find out.
One thing is for sure. If you go woke, you go broke with Jorge Hernandez. Just not in the way you might think.
Politicians.
Celebrities.
Narcissists.
Psychopaths.
Everybody Wants to rule the world, but will you let them?
