The official blog is associated with www.mimaonfire.com. Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series 🔪
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I can't believe that I'm writing the final newsletter of 2024! Of course, I always send you a year-end review (check out last year's to see what you're in for 👀) but it doesn't feel like it should be December. Time sure does fly.
I've been diving into some of my personal blogs again lately and writing some notes for a potential upcoming writing project. Will there be a book fourteen in the Hernandez series? Would you like one? Remember, you don't have to read the entire series to enjoy any of the books. I try to make them standalone. I still have some FREE e-books (PDF files) left for Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Send me your email, and I will send you my publisher's link with your unique code.
What's new with my writing? Here's a couple of new posts and videos. If you enjoy them, please like, share, and subscribe to bring my eyes to my work. It can be a struggle when you're an indie author.
Why I love Twitter (X) and BTW, what the hell is Bluesky?
Thanks for checking in. Please reply to this email if you wish to have the FREE PDF I mentioned earlier in this newsletter. Check out the Amazon version and read a FREE sample.
I recently (mistakenly) thought I suddenly lost Twitter followers by the droves. Having been on Twitter for years, I never was a pro on the site, but it always felt like the best place to introduce strangers to my books. Facebook was only helpful in getting eyes on my books if it happened to be someone I already knew or someone specifically seeking me out. But at the end of the day, Twitter was my favorite and continued to be as it became my preferred news source. It was my go-to.
But back to my story. So, I thought I was losing many followers and couldn't understand why. It happened immediately following the US election (I'm Canadian) and it was noticeable. Then I started to stumble upon tweets where people (especially other authors) stated that they were 'done' with Twitter and if you wanted to find them from that point on, you could do so on Bluesky.
What the hell is Bluesky? Also, as an author, I try to meet potential readers where they're at, I would never demand them to follow me or fuck off. If that were the case, I would've left Facebook and Instagram years ago. But that's not how it works. It shouldn't be about your ego or image, it's about your books.
From what I can gather, people left Twitter because it was too 'toxic'. And hey, sure, that's possible. Of course, the easier solution would be to stop following those you think are toxic. It's like having an annoying coworker so you quit your job. It's a bit dramatic and laden with victim mentality, but then again, that's pretty common in today's society, so I shouldn't be surprised.
Not that I have an issue with Bluesky. It might be a wonderful site. I don't know. The problem is that there are only so many social media sites and people only have so much time. I like Twitter because I have deep roots there, having joined in 2010. I also connected with many cool people on Twitter. I also appreciate, respect, and want to support Elon Musk. I know there's a lot of criticism for the man, but he fights for free speech and in this day and age, that shouldn't be taken for granted.
I respect everyone's decisions and preferences. If you're an author or a reader, what are your favorite social media sites to promote your books, meet other writers, or in the case of readers, discover new books? I would love to know. I am sincerely curious about how everyone feels about the topic.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter (@mimaonfire) If you're an author, I would love to retweet your book. If you're a reader, I share many indie author's books, so you might find your next, great read in my feed.
In a world where fear seems to be rammed down our throats regularly, it's refreshing to discover characters who fear nothing. In fact, I would go out on a limb and say it's preferential to those who display characteristics we associate with weakness. We see it in everyday life, why would we want to watch or read about those who are the same way?
Fearless characters remind us that we can be strong too. It reminds us that we all have it inside of us, we just have to embrace it. What is it that they say? Weak men make weak times? We've seen it in various leaders worldwide and how it changes the population they're responsible for, which tends to impact society and the economy. But hey, I'm no expert. I'm just reporting what I've noticed.
It's also empowering to write about fearless characters to the author. I feel stronger when I write about someone who fears nothing. It encourages me in ways that I never would've expected. It reminds me of who I really am.
What about you? Do you have a favorite, powerful, fearless character in either books or television? Who would be your pick and why?
I hate to be the one to tell you, but Christmas is coming next month. 🎄 And I know, it's only the first of November, but trust me on this, you'd rather start your Christmas shopping early so that you can kick back and enjoy the holidays without stressing about malls and all that insanity at the last minute. And you know I'm going to ask if you have any book lovers on your shopping list? 🤫 If so, I may have a few suggestions. 🥰.
I also have a few new blogs and videos to share with you this month. The first one might also help you with Christmas shopping because it's books I'd recommend (a request from a TikTok follower) Check it out and the others 👇🏼
Once upon a time, there was a weak man who started to cry when his girlfriend was mean to him.
Can you imagine anyone finishing this book? Do you hear the collection of books hastily being closed and thrown in the corner? You should, because that's probably what would happen.
We need strong, masculine characters. As much as society scoffs at the idea of the ultra-masculine man and calls him toxic, I can't think of many television or book series with soft, teddy bear-like men that stand the test of time (or interest) for those seeking entertainment. It certainly wouldn't keep my attention. There's something about a deserving SOB getting a punch in the face by a 'fuck around and find out' kinda guy that keeps me intrigued, much more than a character that suggests the two characters keep calm and talk it out. 🥱
I used to jump on the toxic masculinity bandwagon and truly believed that old, white men were potentially ruining the world. But now, not so much. Now, I realize that you could be any color, race, or sex and be an asshole. And yes, women can be assholes too. Trust me, there's a lot of them. Take politics, for example.
Some may complain that my Hernandez series has too much 'toxic masculinity' and that's fine. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and everyone has different tastes. I don't scoff at yours (at least, not to your face 🤭) and you shouldn't criticize mine.
Ultimately, we need more strong, masculine characters in books, television, and life.
Like the parent of a child, people often hold writers responsible for their characters and assume their words and actions are the writer's fault. But is this the case?
Sometimes my characters say some pretty 'rough' things. Throw in a heaping cup of profanity, rudeness, and obscenities, and you've got one of my books. Hey, it's just the kind of characters I write about. 🤷♀️ But it hasn't stopped people from discussing their 'sensitivities' regarding bad language, character decisions, and the topics I choose to write about. Having said that, there are a few things I try to explain to them.
First of all, I'm NOT the characters I write about. For some reason, people often have issues separating me from the books that I write. You would think that the fact that I write about characters that live vastly different lives from me, (rock bands, vampires, and gangsters) would make this obvious. It's hasn't. Be mindful that I can't write about a criminal and expect him to speak in the same manner as someone with a vastly different background and experience. It's just not logical.
The writing process doesn't necessarily draw from the writer's personal life and experiences. It's a fictional world, therefore, it's my world to wander into the Garden of Eden or possibly landmines, if not anything in between. If I wrote about my own experiences and thoughts, would anyone read? My life isn't that interesting.
People often ask me if I'm writing anything now. Having been an author since 2010, with 18 books to my credit, they're usually surprised when I say no.
Not to say I will never write again. It's just not in my heart to do at this time. Having said that, I've given it a great deal of thought, and here are some reasons why I haven't written since last year.
1. Depression and apathy. Actually, everything on the list below might help explain my depression and apathy. Still, generally speaking, it's like anything else in life where you sometimes wonder if your contribution is worth it. I think it's good to stand back and reflect at times.
2. When I finished all my other books, I was chomping at the bit to start the next one. After finishing Everybody Wants to Rule the World, I had ideas but no motivation. I didn't have a sense of urgency to start the next project. I wasn't inspired.
3. When the entire world seems to be on fire, how can you possibly write fiction that surprises or excites readers? The news and social media are already keeping people's senses on high alert, is it possible for any form of entertainment to compare?
4. Censorship. Canada and many countries are either bringing in or have already brought in censorship laws, primarily on social media. I don't pretend to be an expert, but I believe it's Bill C-63 that is the latest one coming down the pipe, which is extremely heavy-handed. How does this affect fiction? I write violent books with unflattering views about the Canadian government in my Hernandez series, and I promote it on social media. And let's face it, it's starting to feel like a, 'show me the man, and I'll show you the crime' society at this point. I'm not the only author concerned with the growing censorship in Canada. It's a slippery slope, folks.
5. One of the most depressing things for an author to hear is the words, "I don't read." And I know it's because some people lack time, others lack interest, and even more lack the ability to concentrate. I used to think movies and television were my competition, but increasingly, it feels like social media is what I'm up against. Why sit with a book when you can watch a two-minute video on TikTok? (if you do, I DO have a channel 😉) It's rare for younger people to read. A parent recently told me she thought it was 'strange' that one of their kids read. Why? Is that strange? I thought this was a sad statement.
That's the best way I can sum up why I haven't started another book yet. But who knows? I could change my mind tomorrow.
