The official blog is associated with www.mimaonfire.com. Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series 🔪
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Over the years, many people have told me they would read my book, but they aren't readers. In other words, they didn't have the time or weren't interested in reading a book. I never took offense to this because I can completely understand. As it is, I barely have time to read a page of a book some days, especially when life gets busy.
My books are probably a little bit different. I try to essentially cut the crap out that makes people not want to read a book. What are those things?
In my opinion, things like over-the-top descriptions of every detail of every room can be a bit too much for some readers. Don't get me wrong! I know some of you love that kind of thing, but if you aren't a reader (and you're busy) chances are, you might skip over that part because it's too much.
I also write short chapters. I think short chapters make it a little easier to digest a story. You can find time to read a few short pages and feel you've accomplished something.
Of course, I try to write a book that moves quickly and has compelling characters and storylines. I feel this is more important than going over the top to impress readers with your vast vocabulary. Sometimes, in fact, that can turn people off.
I'm checking in for another month and giving you a quick update on new videos, blogs, and writing news!
First things first! May 1st marks another Book Birthday! 🎉🥳🎂
The Rock Star of Vampires was released on this day in 2014!! Haven't read it? Click on the above link and read the first chapter for FREE on Amazon! To this day, it remains one of my more popular books.
What else is new? I'm working on book #18 (13th in the Hernandez series) along with dreaming up a new series! 🤔🦞
I have a couple of news videos and blogs to share with you. Check them out and don't forget to like, share and subscribe! It all helps get my work out there for others to learn about, which is especially important now that Bill C11 (Canada) has recently passed. This may make it difficult for my videos to be found or discovered. It's FREE and easy to do, so please help me out. 🥰
I have more videos and blogs to come! If you have a topic you would like me to discuss in future videos, please contact me through my social media of website.
If you always wanted to write a book but never started, what is the reason? Is it because you lack the time? Are you intimidated by the process? Do you have writing fears?
Writing a book is like eating an elephant; it's a one-bite-at-a-time process. You might only have a few free hours a week. You mightn't be able to write enough words. You may have a general idea but aren't sure how to communicate them. Many reasons might keep you from writing that book, but don't let that hold you back. If you want to write, start slow and see where it takes you.
Remember, you don't have to share your writing with anyone. You don't have to announce you're about to write the next best-seller. You can work on it over months or years. You can start tomorrow and decide it's not for you. But I would recommend starting, even if that means writing a blog for your eyes only. Writing is cathartic. It doesn't have to have a purpose.
Concerns such as grammar, plots, and word counts shouldn't hold you back. I only check my word count when I finish a book. I don't care how many words I write per day. I never know the entire plot when I start a book. I allow it to flow naturally and see where it takes me. I don't worry about grammar because there are apps that can catch a lot, and friends and family will catch the rest.
To learn more, check out my writing playlist for tips and ideas.
I wrote my first book in 2010, and at the time, the idea of getting media attention seemed essential. Having said that, when I finally did get an interview, I was a bumbling idiot when attempting to answer questions. I wanted to sound confident, but I wasn't. I wanted to say how great my book was, but I didn't want to sound arrogant. I quickly discovered that while I had a knack for throwing words together in writing, I wasn't so great at that whole talking thing.
What helped to improve my interviewing skills? My confidence grew after I started to record videos for my YouTube channel. When you record yourself speaking, you quickly catch some flaws upon playback, and this allows you to improve your weak areas while building confidence when speaking with a potential audience. I say potential audience because even though you record a video, it doesn't mean you're obligated to release it. The first few might be cringe-worthy, but that's ok because this is how you learn. How do you think all these well-spoken people in the media first learn how to talk on camera? No one is perfect the first time.
Of course, the second problem is to get media attention at all. It's pretty easy when you're a best-seller with a big name and massive sales, but when you're new, unfamous, unrich, and untrendy, it's a whole other story. So, what do you do?
I'd recommend you take a stab at writing a press release. If you're not sure how to do so, find an example online and model yours off of it. Then send it to everyone; local, big and small newspapers, television and radio stations, free newspapers, and anyone else that might be interested. The key is to get as many sets of eyes on it as possible. You don't know who might be interested, and you never know who's paying attention.
Do press releases work? With some books I've published, they've resulted in radio and newspaper interviews and other times, one lone paper will contact me. It varies from book to book, the time of year, and other factors that sometimes you often can't predict. Newspapers are often downsizing, or have too many other things taking place at the time, competing for an editor's attention. Don't take it personally.
Whether or not the media contacts you, you have to take the bull by the horns. Write blogs, record videos for YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or whatever social media you use. Find creative ways to capture people's attention. When you think about it, the media is essentially the loudspeaker that lets the world know what's going on, but we live in a time where we have outlets to do this for ourselves. Social media is powerful, but at the end of the day, so are you.
I'm sure there's a part of our brains that light up like a Christmas tree when we read something shocking. Let's talk about why. It's interesting how we're iffy about surprises in our everyday life, but we do love it in our entertainment. There's something about the unexpected that is alluring. I've often said that I'm sure there's a part of our brain lights up when something exciting or stunning happens to our favorite character (in books or television) that we never saw coming. That's entertainment.
When I'm writing a book, I tend to be very conscious of when the story starts to take a low point. It doesn't mean it's terrible to do so, but I don't like to have things go an even course for too long. My rule is if I'm feeling a little bored, so is my reader, and therefore, it's time to shake things up.
Shocks can come in many forms. It could be as simple as a character's comment or reaction to a situation or something more alarming, like violence, an impromptu sex scene, an argument, unexpected news, sudden death, illness, or when surprising characters show up. Of course, there are many other options, but the main idea is to add something that readers didn't see coming, and ideally, neither do you, as the writer.
Shocking twists keep the story alive. Readers want to be entertained, so entertain them.
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?
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.
