The official blog is associated with www.mimaonfire.com. Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series 🔪
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Back in 2010, I published my first book. I remember being terrified because publishing was a whole new experience for me. I've since built my confidence in writing and the industry in general, but it took a long time. I eventually wrote the follow-up to this book, which followed another character from the original, with the two books meeting. Click on the link and read a FREE sample.
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.
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 go 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.
Picture it. It's a beautiful summer day, and you're sitting in the sunshine with a great book and a cold beverage. Are you ready for summer reading???
I was ready for summer reading for months, but now that the weather is warming up, I love sitting outside with a great book. It's just so relaxing. No phone. No distractions. Just me and my book.
I have some book suggestions, if you're interested. I always recommend you click on the Amazon link and read a sample to see what grabs your interest. If you're interested in my latest book, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, I still have a limited amount of FREE ebooks to give away (PDF file) so feel free to contact me for more information.
I recently heard a man suggest that we now live in a fictional world. He pointed out specific examples to demonstrate why life currently feels like a bizarre novel, whether it be due to political events, social trends, or general societal changes. And I have to say that I agree.
I published my 18th book in the fall of 2023, and unlike previous times, I didn't jump into a new project. I had no interest in writing at all. I thought the phase would end, but instead, I continued to dig my heels in more, resistant to embark on a new project.
And here I am.
After I heard this intriguing thought regarding the current state of our world, I began to realize that my apprehension may lie with my unexpected headspace. As it turns out, I'm not alone. Many people feel grounded in their artistic endeavors, as I have been realizing. We're in a strange stage in the world right now. It's unsettling more than it is inspiring.
Oh my! I just realized that I haven't sent a newsletter in so long! I think my last newsletter was for myyear in review, three months ago.
Where do I begin??
First I'm going to tell you about the FREE copies of my latest book,Everybody Wants to Rule the World. No strings attached. This isn't a scam. It's in PDF form and it can be yours for free. Simply reply to this newsletter.
I don't think I have any more news at this time, but I will do better to keep in touch in the future. I plan to keep making videos and eventually start another book. I'm just taking a break.
Thanks for your support. Please like, share, and subscribe on social media and please take advantage my offer for a FREE ebook (while supplies last!)
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.
