Friday, April 7, 2023

What are your writing fears? 😱

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. 




Sunday, March 26, 2023

Your April newsletter is here! 🌸

To subscribe to my newsletter, click HERE  

Missed a previous newsletter? Click HERE


I know you're busy so I won't take up much of your time πŸƒ‍♀️

Any news on my 18th book (13th in the Hernandez series)?
Look for a new book before the end of the year!! πŸ₯³

Did you miss my latest videos and blogs???


I couldn't find the book I wanted, so I wrote it myself πŸ˜‰

     YouTube / Rumble / Blogger

Jorge Hernandez vs. Big Pharma 
πŸ’Š

     YouTube / Rumble / Blogger

If you have a question you'd like me to answer in a future video, please let me know! 

Thank you for your support. 

     - Mima 




Sunday, March 12, 2023

I couldn't find the book I wanted, so I wrote it myself πŸ˜‰

I think the title says it all. We've heard this story many times before but not always from authors. People created products as a solution to a problem. That's how most things get invented. Writing a book that you wanted to read isn't any different. 

Not to give you the wrong impression. I've read a lot of fiction over there years that I loved, but it wasn't quite what I wanted. I wanted the combination of ruthless criminals that leaned toward gangsters, along with some dark humor and a strong sense of loyalty and connection. I wanted characters that didn't fit into the social norms and didn't care. I wanted books that opened people's eyes and made them question what was happening in the world. Nothing too light. Nothing too predictable. If I read a book and knew the ending well in advance once, it's happened at least a million times. Publishers are often short-sighted and prefer books to fit a mold to ensure sales. That's why I'm an indie author. My goals are vastly different. 

Of course, I would love great book sales, but not because I wrote to cater to an audience and be a millionaire. I wanted to make a point. I hope to encourage critical thinking while being entertained. I wanted people to live through my characters. I've always written with integrity, not for sales. 

I assumed that if I liked this kind of book, so would other people. As it turns out, I was right. 







Saturday, March 4, 2023

Jorge Hernandez vs. Big Pharma πŸ’Š

One of the most prevalent themes in my Hernandez series is the ongoing battle between protagonist Jorge Hernandez and his nemesis, Big Pharma. It's a fight unlikely to end anytime soon but will only grow as tension grows with each book. 


The premise behind the Hernandez series is that Jorge was once a cartel leader in Mexico. Through a miracle, he never ended up in either prison or dead, but instead relocated to Canada to start a legit business. Once here, Jorge often is ranting how as a cartel boss, he was always running from the law, but Big Pharma is also responsible for people becoming addicts but can do so legally and have no repercussions. Also, he takes over the Canadian pot industry (House of Pot) only adds to the ongoing battle between the pharmaceutical industry and Jorge Hernandez. 

Jorge is a respectable businessman to the public, but behind the scenes, he's part of an ongoing war with Big Pharma, and things often get bloody. 

Learn more about the Hernandez series HERE.






Saturday, February 25, 2023

March 2023 newsletter ☔️

Thanks for opening my March 2023 newsletter! I only have some things to tell you, so let's jump right in.

Here are my latest videos and blogs:

Crooked government and criminals; wait, is this fiction?


     Rumble
     YouTube
     Blogger 


     Rumble
     YouTube
     Blogger

On the writing side, I wanted to let you know that I'm about halfway through my next book! Look for book 13 of the Hernandez series later this year. 


March book birthdays πŸ₯³

Her Name is Mariah was released on March 27, 2015. This was one of two vampire books that I released almost ten years ago. 

The Devil Will Lie was released on March 28, 2019. This was the 6th book in the Hernandez series. 


As always, thank you for all your support. I have new videos and blogs that I hope to upload in the near future. If you have any video topics you would like me to address in the future, please reply to this email. 

Thank you again! 

Mima






Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Crooked government and criminals; wait, is this fiction?

Could a former cartel boss run the government? Has it ever happened behind the scenes? And let's take this another step further; could a bloodthirsty criminal lead a country if people weren't aware of his dark side? 

Most people will say no to all these questions. White-collar criminals might be another story. Politicians turned criminals is also a possibility, but most people would disagree that someone who has threatened and murdered his way to the top could potentially run the show: either from behind the scenes or at the top of the pile, as the actual president or prime minister of a country. 

But then again, is it impossible?

In my Hernandez series, former cartel boss Jorge Hernandez heavily influences the government from behind the scenes while secretly wondering if he could be more productive as his country's leader. After smoothly slipping through life without getting caught, it's obvious why Hernandez automatically assumes that the other shoe will never drop, but would he be bold enough to run for prime minister of Canada?

If you research Mexican or Colombian cartels, you'll quickly realize that it's not a stretch. These powerful and savvy criminals have a lot of influence on the government and the police, but is that something that could only happen in other countries? Could it happen in Canada? The US? And I guess the more important question is, has it ever happened? 

I think part of the answer lies in how you define a criminal. And even more so, where the grey area starts and where it ends.





Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Why I do YouTube and Rumble videos πŸ“½πŸ“ΊπŸΏ

Someone once asked me if the goal for my YouTube channel was to become a YouTube star. This question made me laugh since my subscribers and views are borderline pathetic. Even with 200 short videos, my channel never caught on fire, but I don't worry about this since it was never my goal in the first place. 

So, what was my goal when I recorded that first video (since deleted) a few years ago? It was simply to get through the recording without passing out. After all, when you don't breathe for a few minutes while in a state of panic, sometimes it doesn't end well. I was terrified. Now, I could pull it off with little issue, but with experience, my confidence has grown, which was a bonus. 

Now, my goal with both my YouTube and Rumble videos is to tell people about my books, answer frequently asked questions (about my Hernandez series and writing in general), and address topics that I know concern new writers. Of course, I would love to get as many eyes on my videos as possible because this is another avenue that could create attention for my books. However, a successful channel isn't my main goal. 

How can you help? Check out some of my videos on either channel, share them on social media or with friends you think may be interested, and subscribe! Thank you in advance!