Start your book with a bang! The importance of chapter one 🤩(Updated)

Chapter one is your chance to grab readers by the throat and make them want more!

We see it all the time in television show pilots. It's up to that original episode to captivate its audience and make them come back for another week. Something has to shake things up to create an interest with the viewer, and books are no different. 

So what do people want to see? It depends. Some people are drawn in by action, adventure, drama, violence, and sex. Others might be intrigued by characters, unexpected events, or perhaps the protagonist is going through something that connects with the audience. The main point is that the start of anything, whether it be a movie, book, or television show, must make the reader or viewer want more.

I always say that chapter one should start in the middle of something relevant to the rest of the story. And the Devil Will Laugh begins with the protagonist and his associate are visiting the (soon to be) editor of a newspaper. Their goal is to sway him to write articles in favor of himself and the political candidate he is backing. Meanwhile across town, the protagonist's wife is murdering the current editor, who didn't go with his wishes. This ties in with the rest of the book because violence and media manipulation are a huge part of the story. Also, this is in the middle of an action. I didn't start chapter one with the characters discussing their plan to bully the media or the protagonist having breakfast before leaving the house. I jump right into the action.  

Catching a reader's attention is very important. With so many other books, the Internet, and of course, Netflix as ways to be entertained, readers can easily pass up on your novel and move on to something else. Instead, give them a reason to not put your book down.

Why L. M. Montgomery Rocks! 🇨🇦(Updated)

So why does L. M. Montgomery rock? I'm going to tell you.

To begin with, she wrote and published books in the early 1900s, which was a time that I doubt many women had careers, let alone authoring books. I'm no history expert, but I'm pretty sure that the usual life path for women in those times involved pots, pans, and many screaming babies, but as I said, I'm no expert.

Furthermore, she wrote about a feisty character named Anne - with an 'e', by the way - who was quite assertive, occasionally bold, and didn't have an issue with breaking a slate over a boy's head on occasion, if you know what I mean. She probably has a lot in common with my character Diego who likes hitting people with inanimate objects (except he prefers a baseball bat 🤭) and also he has a feisty streak.

That aside, we're talking about a female character in the early 1900s when children were to be seen and not heard and little girls were supposed to be ladylike and obedient. Anne was a strong little girl, which is quite admirable and something I have a lot of respect for as a writer. As a woman, I think this is important, and I believe L.M. Montgomery felt it was important too.

It's awesome to be from the same province as this legendary author. 🤩

My first book - Fire 🔥😉(Updated)

Fire was my first book, published in 2010. The story follows protagonist Tarah Kiersey as she sets her sights on the music world, joining a band that gets signed. She learns the many ups and downs of working in the industry, how her life vastly changes (not always for the better), and how conflicts within the band can make everything stressful. Did I mention she has an affair with two of her bandmates?

First, there was a match.

In 1992, Tarah Kiersey wasn't feeling very optimistic about her life. From dead-end jobs to dead-end relationships, she failed to see how anything could ever improve. But at least, she had her music.

Then, there was a spark.

There was something about holding a microphone that made Tarah feel alive. And there was something about how she sang that made people listen. One of those people included William Stacy, a young musician who invited Tarah to join his band, Fire. She said yes, and her entire life changed overnight.

And now there s FIRE!

The book was quite popular and later followed up by A Spark before the Fire featuring a secondary character, Jimmy Groome. The books overlap, each having its unique perspective. 

A Spark Before the Fire 🎸 (Updated)

The character Jimmy Groome first showed up in my first book Fire, in 2010 and later became the protagonist in A Spark Before the Fire a few years later. Although the two books are connected, they overlap more than one being the continuation of the other. For example, in A Spark before the Fire Jimmy's story starts at age 10, when something traumatic happens to his character. However, the book follows him through his teenage years and into his early twenties, when he meets Tarah, the protagonist from Fire.

The cool thing is that you view things through his eyes, including a few incidents mentioned in Fire, where the protagonist is a woman. As you can imagine, these two characters often view the same situation through very different lenses. 

Here's a summary of the book:

Jimmy Groome never really believed that his life was worth anything. An overweight and unpopular teen, it takes a suicide attempt to bring a traumatic childhood experience into sharp focus. With some encouragement from family and a counselor, Jimmy picks up a guitar and it quickly becomes obvious that he has a natural talent. After losing weight and joining a band, Jimmy goes from being a shy and insecure child to an outgoing and self-destructive young adult. In a world where sex, drugs and rock n' roll goes hand in hand Jimmy’s future is uncertain.

In this prequel to Fire, we follow Jimmy Groome on his dark path, where he decides if he'll ignite the fire inside - or if he’ll let it burn out and fade away.

The Rock Star of Vampires 🧛‍♀️ (Updated)

The Rock Star of Vampires was my third book and the first time I tackled the topic of vampires. I would later follow it up with Her Name is Mariah. 

With this book, I explored the idea that perhaps vampires aren't so different from everyday people: with only a few exceptions, one of which was their need to drink blood. I compared it to most people's need for specific vitamins to maintain balance. Also, my vampires had heightened senses. For example, they can see the pollution on trees, have enhanced taste buds, and hear sounds from miles away.

Here is a quick synopsis of the book:

Did Hollywood get it wrong? A year after transforming into a mortal vampire, Ava Lilith continues to have a lackluster life. The new dietary requirements and the intensifying of her senses aside, she continues to face unhappiness rather than the glamorous and provocative lifestyle that television and movies would suggest. She then learns of an underground society of immortal vampires, led by the mysterious 'rock star of vampires' Cloaked in shadow, this Immortal sect controls the major powers of the world - from business and finance to science and politics - all manipulated for personal gain and to keep their existence concealed. Ava finds herself drawn to this secret world where she could live forever and pursue all her dreams. But what will she lose, in order to gain immortality?

Her Name is Mariah 🧛‍♀️ (Updated)

Her Name is Mariah is the second of my two vampire books. The first one was The Rock Star of Vampires, and it received such a warm reception from readers. I was inspired to follow up with one of the more prominent characters, Mariah Nichols. This young woman is strong-willed and cold as ice. 

Mariah Nichols was adaptable. She lived through her parent's bitter divorce, a childhood of neglect, and the discovery that her only sibling was transgender: so the concept of turning into a mortal vampire was just one more adjustment in an already chaotic life.

But when tragedy rips through Mariah's heart, she realizes what it takes to survive in the world. She must become like an animal and run on instincts, not emotions, or so she thought.

Her name is Mariah, and this is her story.

Different Shades of the Same Color 💙💚💜❤️ (Updated)

Different Shades of the Same Color was my 5th book.


It all started when Natasha Parsons hit her head - in a very undignified manner- at her uncle's political fundraiser. Suddenly, she finds herself exiled to the country and discovers some surprising truths about both her family and her own life. In a world of prejudice and judgment, Natasha quickly learns that we are all different shades of the same color, but is she ready to accept the darkness that lurks around the corner?  

The story was a slight diversion from my other books. A young woman who came across as whimsical and possibly flighty fluttered through the book in a series of crazy adventures until the shocking end. 

Although the character of Chase Jacobs made a brief appearance in this book, he would turn up again in We're All Animals, with an explanation for his unusual predicament. 

This was a bit of an unusual book. It captured a lot of attention when it came out in both the media and with fans. 

We're All Animals 🥊 (Updated)

We’re all animals: led by our desires, ready to fight in the light of fear yet with a soul that leads us on a path to wherever we must go.

It started with a broken heart, and it took no time for Chase Jacob’s world to spin out of control. An unwanted pregnancy allows his mother and obsessive future bride to manipulate and control his life, turning him bitter and resentful. His destiny becomes a dark road to misery and whenever he tries to take the wheel, temptation only leads him further astray.

When a provocative and sinister side of life introduces itself, Chase discovers an animal is lurking inside each of us: a powerful creature that wants to take over. But will he let it win?

It became the series that wasn’t meant to be a series! Starting with We’re All Animals we follow Chase Jacobs from his days in small-town Alberta to the big city, where he connects with a group of sinister characters in the follow-up, Always be a Wolf.  

Jorge Hernandez comes blazing in The Devil is Smooth Like Honey and takes over the narrative. From that point on, the Hernandez series continues on with Hernandez battling with Big Pharma, the police, as he slowly starts to control the government and media. 

How Do I Start my Book? 📚 (Updated)

I will admit that there is a lot of time and effort involved in writing a book. However once broken down into small, manageable tasks, it isn't so bad. Of course, it also has to be something you enjoy, or you'll be stuck with writer's block, find excuses not to work on it, or probably toss it aside altogether.

So let's begin!

Your tenth-grade creative writing teacher probably told you to outline everything before you start writing, but I disagree. For me, this would never work. There has to be a certain amount of spontaneity involved to keep things fresh and exciting. If you can easily plot out the chapters and figure out the ending before getting past chapter one, chances are your reader will too. Remember, readers are very savvy and automatically try to figure things out as soon as they pick up a book. If you have no idea what's going to happen until you're typing it, chances are they will be just as surprised.

Not to say you shouldn't jot down ideas, but I wouldn't bother organizing right away. You can picture specific scenes, conversations, events and know they will fit in somewhere; you don't have to know just where yet. You should follow the natural flow of the story and consider the characters. How will each action affect them? What is their unique path or struggle? How does it fit in with the rest of the story?

Of course, I'm talking about fiction, but what about non-fiction? Are the rules the same?

I'd probably have an outline for something that falls under the non-fiction category but with room to breathe. You want to see how the book flows and which angle it takes. Make sure it is factual, and be ready to list any sources you might be using. Remember, you don't want to get sued.

Regardless of what you write, the first draft should be fun. Editing is another story. Let's not go there today. ☺️

Thinking about doing a video blog and actually doing it! 🎬 (Updated)

I wasn't exactly comfortable recording my first video blogs. I barely breathed while recording the first several videos, but I also recognized that this was a challenge I had to take on. I needed to get more comfortable talking about my writing. 

Over 200 videos later, I'm probably a little too comfortable on camera, but I certainly don't have it perfected. With each video, I see what I can improve. I make a lot of mistakes, but I'm having fun. 

The beauty of recording a video is that people can see who you are, and if you do so without editing or overproducing, it's much more authentic. The idea of perfecting my makeup, figuring out perfect lighting, and other details might improve the overall look of the videos, but for me is a waste of time. The short videos that I make are to talk about my books and answer common questions that I get asked. I'm not trying to become a television or Internet star.

I know people who've talked about making videos but never get beyond the talking stage. Most of the time, it might be due to a lack of confidence or maybe no sincere interest in doing the work. Doing these videos is relatively easy, but you have to be ready to jump in front of the webcam and not overthink every detail. You have to consider your content and not which shirt to wear. If anyone is watching your videos and are more concerned with your appearance, chances are they aren't interested in the topic you're discussing anyway. (unless you're talking about fashion, makeup, or hair)

The best tip I can give anyone interested in recording a video is to do it. It doesn't matter if it's perfect or if you even share it with the world, but you should try.

How do I pick out my book titles?? 🤓 (Updated)

People often ask me how I come up with book titles. The key is to pick something catchy and demands attention. That's not to say that all my titles fall under these categories, but I like to think I'm getting better at titling my books.

With my first book Fire, it was pretty straightforward. The story was about a fictional band in the 90s called 'Fire', and that's as creative as I got with that title. The follow-up was A Spark before the Fire, which was pretty much an attempt to connect the two titles, letting people know that this book was kind of the prequel to Fire. There's also a line in the book where the protagonist is called 'a spark in the sky'.

I thought my third book, The Rock Star of Vampires, had a pretty catchy title. It stems from the protagonist looking for the 'rock star of vampires' throughout the book. 

Most of my titles come from a line in the book. There is a significance that the reader will discover as they work their way through the story. Other books like Psychopaths Rule the World is a combination of plot significance and my reflection on the world. Always be a Wolf is simply an idealogy repeated throughout the series, as is Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions). 

A title should capture the essence of a book and give readers a sense of the overall theme that awaits them.

Check out this video from a few years ago where I talk about some of my older titles. 

Why do authors bug the shit out of you for a review! 🙄 (Updated)

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not shy to ask for a book review. It doesn't have to be a long review. It doesn't have to have a lot of detail. It just should reflect what the reader thought of the book. A simple 'I enjoyed this book' would be sufficient.

And it's not about ego. Authors don't chase down reviews to feel good about themselves but because it gives new and potential readers some insight into what kind of books they write. I can say whatever I wish in my YouTube videos but sometimes what people want is an outside party's point of view. What kind of book is it? Was it a fast read? Did it keep you hanging on? Was it exciting? Did it leave you wanting more?

Not that authors don't appreciate positive comments outside of reviews. We love them!! Unfortunately, people who aren't familiar with us or our work might be skeptical. Many readers stick with the tried and true authors, the ones everyone is raving about online and whoever is on Oprah's reading list, and that's understandable, but it makes our job finding readers challenging.

A review can make a difference. I know I've certainly hesitated to purchase a product (especially online) unless I could compare reviews to see what other people think. And if you're an indie author like me, it can help make you stand out from the crowd.

Switch away from the protagonist?? Don't mind if I do! 😃 (Updated)

There's a little something I like doing at least once in most of my books. I like switching away from the protagonist. So essentially, I have another secondary character take over the story for one chapter, usually around the middle of the book, to give the reader another perspective. It also allows me to shake things up a bit. It adds another layer to the book.

The beauty of it is that you can have a better overall view of the protagonist. For example, if your protagonist has a specific point of view about themselves, you might swing around to another character who draws a different picture. It gives the reader food for thought. Maybe the impression that the protagonist has given isn't accurate. Then again, it might change your opinion of the secondary character as well, since you will be seeing them up close and personal.

I do this with almost every one of my books and find that it gives me a different perspective. Sometimes the only way to understand where a secondary character is coming from is to climb inside of their mind. It's fascinating.

Always be a Wolf 🐺 (Updated)

Always be a Wolf is my seventh book and the second in my Hernandez series. It follows We're All Animals. Here's a quick synopsis of the book:

In the gripping sequel to We're All Animals, Chase Jacobs moves to Toronto with his Colombian bosses, Diego, and Jolene Silva, where they expand their elite sex party business. The underground's best-kept secret is going legit, but just as Chase starts a brand new life, tragedy strikes.

The heartbreaking lessons ahead of him are the most difficult he's ever had to face, and Chase must rely on his new family to help him through. But will his blind faith in Diego and Jolene prove to be a mistake, and has he underestimated just how far they are willing to go to prove their loyalty?

He learns there are times when passion and anger cause you to throw away the rule book even in the face of deadly consequences. He learns that words have a great deal of power but not as much power as silence. But most of all, Chase learns that in a world full of sheep, one should always be a wolf.

The series continues. Learn more about all the books HERE.

Let's talk about Chase Jacobs 🥊 (Updated)

Chase Jacobs is a fan favorite because he is gentle, kind, and very much the boy next door. He tries to do the right thing in most situations and is known overall as a salt-of-the-earth kind of guy. However, as the series moves forward, this changes. 

Chase came along in the first book for the Hernandez series, We're All Animals, and has stuck around ever since. When we first met him, Chase is 18 years old and just graduating high school. Suddenly dumped by his high school sweetheart, he's hanging out at a house party, confused and depressed. When party guest Audrey sets her sights on him, she slips something in his drink to 'loosen him up', and the two end up hitting the sheets. Although it was automatically a regrettable mistake for Chase, it becomes more so weeks later when he learns that she is pregnant. From this point on Chase's life starts to spin out of control.

We continue to follow along with Chase as the protagonist in Always be a Wolf, and we later switch gears when Jorge Hernandez jumps in the driver's seat from that point on. But don't worry, Chase continues to go on for the ride. 

Let's Help One Another! (Updated)

Independent artists and small business owners have a lot in common. They both work hard to get noticed (often as a side project along with a job) and don't have much money to invest in advertising. It's a struggle - but it's a struggle that's filled with passion. Anyone who has a side project probably isn't doing it for money alone because any new business owner or indie artist will tell you, it takes time to show a profit. They'll probably also tell you that they wouldn't be doing it if they didn't love it.

Somewhere between the time I published my first and second book, I had a friend insist I was crazy. Not to suggest she wasn't completely wrong, but her specific reason was that I invested in a book and advertising and wasn't making stacks of cash back. To her, I was wasting my time. Here's a spoiler alert; we weren't friends much longer. 😄

We have to follow our passion. It's not just for potential financial gains but the personal growth stemming from the challenges and the many learning opportunities along the way. Had I never written a book, would I be the same person? Where would I be now? Would I still be friends with that imbecile I mentioned in the last paragraph? I can't even imagine.

Artists and small business owners need to work together and help one another out. Be open-minded and know that by helping someone else, you're indirectly helping yourself too. It's an unselfish act that makes you feel pretty good about giving a hand to someone you know has been working hard to get ahead. Always be open to new ideas. Maybe you never considered (or wanted to) having a YouTube channel, but another artist suggests you start a project together. Maybe another business owner wants to collaborate on a promotion. Hear people out and consider their ideas. You never know where it might lead.

Follow your dreams because without them, what do we really have?

What are my books about? 🤔 (Updated)

One of the most difficult questions for me to answer is what my books are about because there's no simple answer. If I had to give an overview, I'd lean toward dark fiction or counterculture, but there's so much going on in my books that it's difficult to pinpoint. 

As it turns out, there are a lot of subjects that I cover in each book. For example, my first two books are about rock stars, but they're about much more. For example, Fire is about the commercialization of the music industry, the unexpected stress and pressures of fame, and the reality of our obsession with celebrities.

Jumping ahead to my Hernandez series that centers on criminals, you might be surprised to learn that the series is as much about family, loyalty, and political issues. It involves murder and violence, but there's also a close unity within the group, a strong bond that might seem unexpected in such a series. 

No book is ever just about one thing, and in fact, most books are vastly complex when you try to break them down. Overall most of my books contain dark humor and even darker topics. You'll be left with something to think about when you finish the book. 

Always be a Wolf 🐺 (Updated)

Always be a Wolf is the follow-up to We're All Animals and is the second book in Mima's current suspense/thriller series following the dark world of organized crime.

In the gripping sequel to We're All Animals, Chase Jacobs moves to Toronto with his Colombian bosses, Diego, and Jolene Silva, where they expand their elite sex party business. The underground's best-kept secret is going legit, but just as Chase starts a brand new life, tragedy strikes.

The heartbreaking lessons ahead of him are the most difficult he's ever had to face, and Chase must rely on his new family to help him through. But will his blind faith in Diego and Jolene prove to be a mistake, and has he underestimated just how far they are willing to go to prove their loyalty?

He learns there are times when passion and anger cause you to throw away the rule book even in the face of deadly consequences. He learns that words have a great deal of power but not as much power as silence. But most of all, Chase learns that in a world full of sheep, one should always be a wolf. 

Go here to learn about the Hernandez series. Remember, you don't have to read the entire series to enjoy the book! 

It's all about energy! ⚡️ (Updated)

How important is the balance of energy between characters in a book?

Some characters have a high energy level, and others are more low energy. The key is to have the right mix to balance everything out. 

Some characters have a high energy level, and others are more low energy. The key is to have the right mix to balance everything out. I learned this lesson after writing my first book, Fire, in 2009. The story was about a rock band in the 90s, and I immediately recognized the power difference between characters. The protagonist Tarah appeared to be alone against two other band members. A fourth band member wouldn't get involved in the dispute. In comes a fifth character that automatically jumps on Tarah's side and causes a more even playing field within the book. With this, the energy level changed for the protagonist. She had more power, which enhanced her character and the feel of the book. 

Another example would be the couple in my Hernandez series. Married couple Jorge and Paige Hernandez are very similar in some ways, yet vastly different in others. Personality-wise, they are worlds apart. Jorge is loud, blunt, abrupt, and aggressive. Paige is quiet, soft, calm, and fair. The two balance each other out in many ways, which work in their various scenes together.

When you think about it, real life isn't so different. There is always an energy dynamic.

Passion and Writing 😍 (Updated)

Why are we drawn to explosive arguments, passionate scenes, and violence in books and on the big screen? Why do we love a bar fight or a good old bitch slap on our favorite series? What is it about passion in books and on the screen that excites an audience?

We love it because it's in our nature. Something is exciting about people who are passionate about love or anger. We love a character that isn't afraid to show their emotions. This is because we're often encouraged to hide our feelings, especially those that make other people uncomfortable. So watching others express themselves gives us a bit of satisfaction.

Human nature is fascinating. As much as we hate it when a fight breaks out in the middle of a wedding or during a family event, don't we also kind of move a little closer to the action? It's because we get a little jolt of energy watching people when they show such intense emotions. Why do you think dramas and thrillers are such popular genres?

A great example would be watching a hockey game, and your team is losing. You're kind of discouraged, and suddenly, a fight breaks out! Someone on your team is giving it to an opponent; doesn't this pique your interest? This is because even though your team is losing the game, at least you see that they are passionate about it. And there's something about it that makes you feel a little bit better. 

How did I get started writing? 💻 (Updated)

People often ask me how I started writing. My story probably isn't that original, but here it is.

I was an avid reader as a child. Growing up, some of my fondest memories was going to the bookmobile and requesting books from my favorite authors. I eventually began to jot down some of my own stories, letting my creative side out because I thought it was fun. I also started to write little 'newspapers' called 'M News', which featured cutout images from magazines and various flyers to accompany some zany story that I would throw together. I also created little dramas with my Barbie dolls, stories about their lives and interactions.

I would later start writing longer stories but just dabbled in writing. My imagination was pretty big, but I wasn't great at putting it all together yet. I think I just enjoyed daydreaming.

At 16, I wrote my first full-length manuscript, a teenage drama that seemed more scandalous and fun than anything I was reading at the time. I think I sent it off to publishers, but I don't recall if I had a reply. If I did, it was a rejection. 

I stopped writing after that point for several years. I started again while I was in college studying business. I grew so bored with the course material that it dawned on me that this wasn't my passion. I took a creative writing course and published my first book, Fire, in 2010. 

I've published over 10 books since that time including the Hernandez series. 

Support an indie author and they will love you forever ❤️ (Updated)

How can you help out an indie author? Here are a few suggestions:


1. Write a book review. It doesn't have to be fancy. It doesn't have to be very long either. Just something to let others know that you loved their book!

2. Social media!! You got to socialize. ☺️ Share, retweet, post a comment, like, share the author's
book cover on your wall. Be creative.

3. Suggest the book to your library. It gives the author a sale plus puts their book in more people's
hands.

4. Word of mouth! Talk about the books. Tell people.

These are just a few simple ideas. Thanks for the love.

We need more diversity in books 🇨🇦🇲🇽🇨🇴🇵🇭🏳️‍🌈 (Updated)

More than ever, I believe diversity is important in books. Having said that, when I started writing back in 2009, it hadn't even crossed my mind. Much has changed since those days; my most recent books feature characters of various ethnicities, different economic levels, some of which are from the LGBTQ community, and although I don't bring up religion often, the topic has come up a few times in my books. 

As a child growing up in Canada, I don't recall reading many books about characters that weren't white, which seems unusual for a multicultural country. When considering many of the books I've read over the years - including bestsellers - I believe the majority featured mainly Caucasian characters. Interesting.

I now go out of my way to read and write books with characters that reflect diversity. Why is it important? Well, because it's realistic. That's our world. Why do we need it now more than ever? Turn on the news, and you might get an idea. Governments and narrow-minded groups are attempting to divide us in many different ways, but the beauty of books, movies, and television is that we can bring us together and show that we aren't so different after all.