Is sitting in the sunshine with a good book in your future? 🔮

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.  Who Rules the World?       Rumble/ YouTube/ Blog  Do we live in a fictional world?       Rumble/ YouTube/ Blog  Hope everyone is having a great weekend and thanks for keeping in touch. Can’t buy the book or aren't a reader? Follow me on social media - it all helps me out!🤗 Website Facebook Twitter YouTube Goodreads Amazon Author Page YouTube channel Until next time..... Mima 🌼

Do we live in a fictional world? 🌏

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.

Have you noticed it? 

Finally, here's an update 📰

Oh my! I just realized that I haven't sent a newsletter in so long! I think my last newsletter was for my year 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. 

Check out my latest videos and blogs -

"Sorry, I only read non-fiction"  Rumble/ YouTube/ Blogger 
Do you need the author's POV in a biographies Rumble/ YouTube/ Blogger
My characters display 'toxic masculinity' for some readers Rumble/ YouTube/Blogger
Does a writer have to write everyday Rumble/ YouTube/ Blogger
This is the video where I read to you Rumble/ YouTube/ 

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!)

Mima 

Who rules the world?

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. 

Does a writer have to write everyday?

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.

My characters display 'toxic masculinity' for some readers (and I don't care)

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.

Do we need an author's POV in biographies? 😕

For the second time in recent months, I've discovered a biography that gave me more than I wanted. By that, I mean the author's opinion.

Biographies are essentially an author (usually well-known) telling someone else's story. For example, if I were to tell YOUR story in a book, I'd be your biographer. I would do my best to tell your story from your point of view, attempting to make potential readers understand you and your life experiences. I'm not here to judge, and I'm not here to slide my personal opinions into the book. 

I've recently discovered that authors of biographies feel entitled to wedge their opinions on what their subjects have done or said, especially on their political beliefs. Not that this is too surprising. We increasingly see this in journalism, where it's obvious if the network and specific media talking head is on the right, left, or somewhere in between. (and they're never in between) Why would books be any different?

If one was a conspiracy theorist, one might wonder if this is another form of propaganda. For example, subject Mr. Whoeverthefuck is right-leaning; and this is why he's wrong. (I did see this in one book) Another example would be knocking the subject because they aren't woke enough, letting the reader know, 'This person may be someone you admire since you're reading this book, but here's why they're wrong'. 

It's distasteful. I could care less what the author of a biography thinks about anything. I don't care if you're writing about a psychopath murderer or the nun at the local convent. I want to hear their story. The author letting me know their opinion not only screams their self-importance, but makes me suspicious if I'm even getting an unbiased account. How much can I trust an author who attempts to ram their own opinion down my throat? 

It's not a good look for authors. In fact, for me, it's right up there with famous authors who use ghostwriters and take the credit. It's despicable.