The official blog is associated with www.mimaonfire.com. Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series 🔪
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We're heading toward the end of another year. It's hard to believe because I feel like not too long ago, I was sunning in the backyard (and I sure as hell wouldn't do that today 🥶) The good news is that the holidays are coming up! 🎄
Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? 🎁
Are you looking to buy someone a book? Are you looking to buy yourself a book? 🙈
May I make a few suggestions? Check out my list HERE.
I have some GREAT news!! I started writing my 18th book, the 13th in the Hernandez series (remember, you don't have to read the entire series to enjoy any of the books!) I still have a long road ahead of me, but I've made the first couple of steps.
In other news, here are the latest blogs and videos:
Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. Thank you for all your support. Keep an eye out for my annual newsletter that will give you the breakdown of everything you have to know from 2022. ❤️
Today's blog is just a short one. I'm looking for ideas on how to get more eyes on my books and also how I can help other authors.
Now, first of all, I don't have a great deal of time. I work full-time plus write, but I do everything I can to get my books out there. I've created videos, and blogs, I'm on social media, (I will post all links at the end of this blog) and I do my best to connect with potential readers. The truth is that it's hard. It's hard to find readers when you have a niche genre that doesn't smoothly fit into a category. Also, not having a multi-million dollar publisher behind me leaves me with other challenges, but let's face it, most writers out there are in the same boat as me. Whether you are traditionally published or self-published, unless you're a best-seller that's a household name, chances are you're not making your entire income on selling books.
I want to increase attention to my books, but I want to do the same for other writers. There has to be a simple way to support each other that doesn't take much time. What about committing to sharing 5 book posts (other authors, obviously 😊) on Twitter every day? On Facebook? Are there any other ideas? I'm all ears!
Canadian author Mima (aka Michelle M. Arsenault) is known for complicated and diverse characters, dark style, and never shying away from controversial topics.
Summing up my Hernandez series has never been easy. It's about criminals, but it's not the kind of criminals that will steal your car. It's about gangsters, but not the kind of gangsters that will take over an area and demand fees from local businesses. It's about a former cartel boss but not the cartel boss currently involved in illegal activities like transporting drugs. The crimes involved in my series are more vigilante justice than anything else.
The thing is that Jorge Hernandez started in criminal activity and moved on the legal businesses in Canada. How he goes about doing so, however, often isn't so legal. His method of dealing with those who get in his way or cause issues for his family is very much in step with what he would've done in his cartel days. Things can get very bloody.
Jorge Hernandez is all about control. He controls people and situations and intimidates those who try to go up against him. Hernandez knows this is the key to owning an empire. All the money in the world won't make people do what he wants, but fear is a powerful influence.
Thanks for checking out my latest newsletter. I'm going to keep it short and sweet this month!
To begin with, I'm getting lots of meaningful reports on my books lately, not just the latest (House of Hernandez) but some that were penned years ago. Always great to hear feedback.
Throughout October, I continue to gather notes for my next book, which I plan to potentially start in November. I've also still working on uploading all my videos on Rumble. Internet speeds are pathetically slow here in rural PEI, so it is taking some time, but I'm getting there.
I had a couple new videos and blogs released in October:
When House of Hernandez hits the shelves, readers are unaware that Jorge Hernandez’s memoir is little more than a fictional fairy tale. Then again, when you are a former cartel boss with a murderous streak and a criminal history, it’s best to keep some secrets close to your heart. The brash businessman has bigger things to worry about as he swims in the political waters. He has his work cut out for him when trying to get the bleeding heart Alec Athas reelected, but some days his biggest challenge is keeping the Canadian prime minister alive. While evil forces attempt to push Jorge’s political puppet out of office, they have no idea who they’re going up against in this battle. How can you fight against a man with no scruples?
With all the politics and usual drama aside, Jorge struggles as his crime family starts falling apart. Are the walls caving in the House of Hernandez, or had things already been slipping away without him being aware?
Although our focus tends to be on the protagonist of a book, the truth is that secondary characters often tell you a lot about the main character. This can come out in conversations and various situations or in the rare chapter where we see the story through a secondary character's eyes. This is important because it allows you to get to know that character much better and connect with them on a deeper level. It's like when you meet someone; the more they reveal about themselves, the more you feel a bond or at least an understanding of their personality and values.
Why is that important? Think about it in terms of real life. Suppose you meet someone online. That person will show you the images that flatter them, tell you stories that make them sound interesting and tell you how they see themselves. When you meet them in person, you'll notice different aspects of their personality. This could be good or bad, but the point is that you see a fuller picture in person. If you then throw another person into the mix, say one of their friends or a family member, you'll once again see them more clearly just through their conversations, body language, and the general vibe you get when they are together. This is how we learn about people. Characters are similar in that we learn more about them through their interaction with other characters.
One great example from the Hernandez series is how Chase Jacobs changes throughout the series. In the first book, We're All Animals, Chase is very much the boy next door, probably a little naive especially compared to other characters in the book. Jorge recognizes this aspect, but on the flip side, Chase shows us how Jorge is intimidating, strong, and dangerous. However, if you only heard the story from Jorge's viewpoint, you'd probably be left thinking that he's justified in many of his actions because that's the story he wants to tell you.
I find it a little unsettling when I read a book that focuses only on the protagonist and where they are coming from because I don't feel like I'm hearing all sides of the story. In turn, it sometimes hides the main character's flaws, which isn't realistic and tends to paint the picture of a saint who's the victim. Real-life and realistic characters are much more complex.
One of my biggest struggles as an independent author is not only creating an audience but finding a way to let people know that I'm out there at all. Over the years, I've tried new ways to do so, whether it be to branch out to different social media platforms, create bookmarks, contact the media, and libraries, and even create this newsletter you're now reading. Unfortunately, it often feels like an uphill struggle. If you would like to help, share a post, follow me online, like, share, subscribe, or even ask your local library to order some of my books! Everything is a help. Here are some of my social media links where you can find me:
Speaking of House of Hernandez, have you checked out the first chapter yet? 🎃.
Finally, check out the latest blogs and videos! Would you believe I still have a few more waiting to be posted? Due to a power outage after Hurricane Fiona, I've fallen a bit behind, but I hope to post more in October!
