When Marge was first published, I was never so happy! The dream of becoming a published author has come to pass. At that time, I still thought good of my publisher until I found out who they really are.
I received two reviews and one was very critical and it would hurt any chances of anyone wanting to buy my book. How could my aunt do that to me? I never thought there were mistakes in my book! What has been published is published and now for ten years I have to live with it. Not only did I make mistakes but so did they and my book once my pride and joy has turned out to be my shame.
PublishedAmerica would not release me from the contract or give me the rights to my book back. So how can I ever feel redeemed? I know some of you will say that we all learn and must move on, but I can not let it go! I had no one to proofread my manuscript nor did I have Microsoft Office Word which has its own grammar check and Ginger Software works better with it. I could not afford an editor to look at it. I was a poor women with a BIG DREAM! And I still have the dream. Although I have learn never to trust PA again and to have my manuscript proofread before publishing, I still want redemption and I have the faith to believe it can happen not in my or when the contract expires but in God's time.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
Ramblings
As you read this, keep this in mind that I am writing from an author point of view. In fact I am thinking right now about a class I took in college called Directing and Script Analysis and I am remembering in one assignment where we had to see how we would rewrite a script,. In other words, changing some actions a character would take and the results of it.
One of my favorite books I just read is called Mind Readers by Lori Brighton. It is about a girl who thinks herself a freak because she has the ability to read minds. In her own eyes the only two people who can is her grandmother and her. Her grandmother controls and makes sure she doesn't tell anyone what she can do. Her grandmother keeps from her that there are others like her, but she finds out from someone named Lewis. She likes this guy but doesn't trust him at first until she realizes that he truly understands her---He is a mind reader too. He was sent by the director of the Mind Reader Society to bring her there so she can be protected and learn more about her ability.
As I read the story between the two, there is somewhat a chemistry between the two until she finds out that there is more to this society than meets the eye. She starts to lose her trust in him and anyone else at that place when she finds out that they were using her. He even told her that he is able to affect her emotions when it comes to love. In other words, he can cause her to fall in love with him. Aaron the director, use her to penetrate into a man's thought-- the man being a member of group called Society for Paranormal investigation. This is the group that wants to use them for their purposes and give them no freedom. After Cameron realizes what she had done and finding out what else Aaron has done, she makes a choice: She must leave the island and go back to her grandmother but not without consequences. Aaron prepares to erase all memory from her of them and that place.
A part of me wishes she would stay. She finds a guy she falls in love with and even though she didn't feel safe anymore, she could have trusted them. I ask myself, would I have done the same thing if I was her? Would I leave the place and go back to where I was, not remembering everything that has happened? Yes, I know it is only fiction, but it would be nice to know how it would turn out otherwise.
The book ends when she is working in her grandmother's beach cafe. Her life is better. What she has experienced after her memory being erased, she calls an illness. She just 18 and her grandmother got her a Vispa. Suddenly someone vaguely familiar comes to her and says the same thing that Lewis said to her months ago: "I was sent to protect you." This is from the same guy who Aaron wanted her to get into his thoughts. The same guy who works for the SPI except only this time, he tells her that her father sent him. This confuses her because what she knows is that he is dead. The last words in the book is what he said "I am pretty much the only thing between you and death." Lori has another book out which I think is a sequel to that book called Mind Thieves. Can't wait to read it.
One of my favorite books I just read is called Mind Readers by Lori Brighton. It is about a girl who thinks herself a freak because she has the ability to read minds. In her own eyes the only two people who can is her grandmother and her. Her grandmother controls and makes sure she doesn't tell anyone what she can do. Her grandmother keeps from her that there are others like her, but she finds out from someone named Lewis. She likes this guy but doesn't trust him at first until she realizes that he truly understands her---He is a mind reader too. He was sent by the director of the Mind Reader Society to bring her there so she can be protected and learn more about her ability.
As I read the story between the two, there is somewhat a chemistry between the two until she finds out that there is more to this society than meets the eye. She starts to lose her trust in him and anyone else at that place when she finds out that they were using her. He even told her that he is able to affect her emotions when it comes to love. In other words, he can cause her to fall in love with him. Aaron the director, use her to penetrate into a man's thought-- the man being a member of group called Society for Paranormal investigation. This is the group that wants to use them for their purposes and give them no freedom. After Cameron realizes what she had done and finding out what else Aaron has done, she makes a choice: She must leave the island and go back to her grandmother but not without consequences. Aaron prepares to erase all memory from her of them and that place.
A part of me wishes she would stay. She finds a guy she falls in love with and even though she didn't feel safe anymore, she could have trusted them. I ask myself, would I have done the same thing if I was her? Would I leave the place and go back to where I was, not remembering everything that has happened? Yes, I know it is only fiction, but it would be nice to know how it would turn out otherwise.
The book ends when she is working in her grandmother's beach cafe. Her life is better. What she has experienced after her memory being erased, she calls an illness. She just 18 and her grandmother got her a Vispa. Suddenly someone vaguely familiar comes to her and says the same thing that Lewis said to her months ago: "I was sent to protect you." This is from the same guy who Aaron wanted her to get into his thoughts. The same guy who works for the SPI except only this time, he tells her that her father sent him. This confuses her because what she knows is that he is dead. The last words in the book is what he said "I am pretty much the only thing between you and death." Lori has another book out which I think is a sequel to that book called Mind Thieves. Can't wait to read it.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Put On Hold
I feel as though I have hit a hard spot in my writing career. Everything as come to a standstill. I wish I could say that my book is a best seller, but the book sales so far as been very dismal. I should have known because God had told me "Do not despise the day of small beginnings." It has been very small indeed.
It began with taking the recommendation of a trusted friend. I did not do any research and I did not listen to my other friends who outnumbered her. Publish America rarely puts their authors or help their authors become bestsellers. Yes, I had high dreams for myself. God's word says that God is more than able to more than we can ever ask or imagine according to the power at work in us. It also says that His ways are higher than my ways. So maybe God has something better for me. Mt second story is on hold because I asked my aunt to proofread it for me. So far I got two chapters back.
My heart's desire and my dream is not to become an author although it is one of my desires, but to become what God has called me to become-- a high quality Christian School Teacher and in the state of Washington. It has been a long wait. I have read that Paul the apostle has learn the secret to being content in all circumstances. I wish I could learn it. I try to be content but its not easy. I feel so unfulfilled in so many ways. It is not even normal for me to live like this and I feel like crying. I will be 45 next month but what is that to me when I am still single, still unemployed and still the same. I read in my devotional about Blind Bartimaeus who cried out to Jesus to receive his sight. He threw off his beggar's clothes and receive what he asked for. I have cried out too because my circumstances hasn't changed. However I will not give up. I know that God is faithful to fulfill all his promises. It is just that he is not doing it in my time but in his perfect timing. Although I can't see his hand, I must trust his heart.
It began with taking the recommendation of a trusted friend. I did not do any research and I did not listen to my other friends who outnumbered her. Publish America rarely puts their authors or help their authors become bestsellers. Yes, I had high dreams for myself. God's word says that God is more than able to more than we can ever ask or imagine according to the power at work in us. It also says that His ways are higher than my ways. So maybe God has something better for me. Mt second story is on hold because I asked my aunt to proofread it for me. So far I got two chapters back.
My heart's desire and my dream is not to become an author although it is one of my desires, but to become what God has called me to become-- a high quality Christian School Teacher and in the state of Washington. It has been a long wait. I have read that Paul the apostle has learn the secret to being content in all circumstances. I wish I could learn it. I try to be content but its not easy. I feel so unfulfilled in so many ways. It is not even normal for me to live like this and I feel like crying. I will be 45 next month but what is that to me when I am still single, still unemployed and still the same. I read in my devotional about Blind Bartimaeus who cried out to Jesus to receive his sight. He threw off his beggar's clothes and receive what he asked for. I have cried out too because my circumstances hasn't changed. However I will not give up. I know that God is faithful to fulfill all his promises. It is just that he is not doing it in my time but in his perfect timing. Although I can't see his hand, I must trust his heart.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
A note about my blogging
It has come to my attention that when people read my blogs, I am asking for advice and I am sorry if I give that impression. I am sharing what is on my heart. I am being honest about what I am going through. Sometimes it is response to the comments people have made to my status updates. These people who feels led to give out suggestions really have no idea what Ia m going through. The Lord told me not to despise small beginnings and I haven't really and it is. My dream is to have my stories published by well known publishers but the ones I have looked up either say "We accept no manuscripts" or We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts". A friend once told me that I should get an agent and I have tried. It does not mean that they say my work is unpolished and I need an editor. Although you may think so. It also does not mean I will give up. It is still my dream and as one friend said, "At least you got your foot in the door" when PA published my first book. Yes, I did and it gave me hope. But real hope came when a good friend of mine encouraged me to get into publication! At that time I was still unemployed and have no income, but she never said to me, "But before you do, I suggest you hire an editor."
This person believed in me! She saw talent! So when I am writing a blog, it is all about who I am. My good times and bad times. It gives the readers a glimpse into my private life you might say. Before this friend encouraged me to get my story published,I wanted to wait til I move to Washington State and until after I start teaching (Favorable conditions), but sometimes God does not want us to wait until the conditions are favorable. He wants us to trust him and wait upon him to bring us to what he said will do. Often times God's people took a step of faith and that is what I did. So please do not think that I am asking you for advice. I am not. If I need one from you, I will let you know. I will ask you"What do you think?"
This person believed in me! She saw talent! So when I am writing a blog, it is all about who I am. My good times and bad times. It gives the readers a glimpse into my private life you might say. Before this friend encouraged me to get my story published,I wanted to wait til I move to Washington State and until after I start teaching (Favorable conditions), but sometimes God does not want us to wait until the conditions are favorable. He wants us to trust him and wait upon him to bring us to what he said will do. Often times God's people took a step of faith and that is what I did. So please do not think that I am asking you for advice. I am not. If I need one from you, I will let you know. I will ask you"What do you think?"
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Wishing for a Miracle
http://pred-ed.com/pubwarn.htm
Well, after viewing the warnings ti look for when it comes to publishers and agents, I have found that my publisher PublishAmerica, fits the warnings listed. Sigh. I want to advise anyone looking for a publisher that I strongly do not recommend Publish America. I wish I would follow my instinct when I knew a friend was having problems with them herself. I did not. Another friend whom I highly respect, said she highly recommend them so I submitted to them, signed a contract and now Marge belongs to them. Sigh. I feel like Marge. She so wanted out of the contract she was almost tricked to sign. She was not interested in change life, but she was stuck with a two years contract. Me? Ten years. According to what I read, any books published by publishers like them will not be on a best seller list. They set their books they published at such a high price as a deterrent to keep people from ordering so much of their books. Instead they sell it a discount only to the author but expect them to buy it bulk. (For instance, the author can buy twenty books at 2.99 each) if it less than its 9.95 each. I learn that the hard way. I never even got a free copy and I never will. There were other warnings to look for that I saw PA written all over it.
If another author did not send me a message on Facebook, I would never know. I mainly went Predators&Editors so I can see how the they review publishers for another story. I know it may be highly impossible to become a best selling author because of who they are, but I can still wish for a miracle. Some would say "Well, at least you learn from that." I still believe that I am best selling author and I am asking God to work in my favor. I need to also find a publisher who is willing to accept my second romance novel.
Well, after viewing the warnings ti look for when it comes to publishers and agents, I have found that my publisher PublishAmerica, fits the warnings listed. Sigh. I want to advise anyone looking for a publisher that I strongly do not recommend Publish America. I wish I would follow my instinct when I knew a friend was having problems with them herself. I did not. Another friend whom I highly respect, said she highly recommend them so I submitted to them, signed a contract and now Marge belongs to them. Sigh. I feel like Marge. She so wanted out of the contract she was almost tricked to sign. She was not interested in change life, but she was stuck with a two years contract. Me? Ten years. According to what I read, any books published by publishers like them will not be on a best seller list. They set their books they published at such a high price as a deterrent to keep people from ordering so much of their books. Instead they sell it a discount only to the author but expect them to buy it bulk. (For instance, the author can buy twenty books at 2.99 each) if it less than its 9.95 each. I learn that the hard way. I never even got a free copy and I never will. There were other warnings to look for that I saw PA written all over it.
If another author did not send me a message on Facebook, I would never know. I mainly went Predators&Editors so I can see how the they review publishers for another story. I know it may be highly impossible to become a best selling author because of who they are, but I can still wish for a miracle. Some would say "Well, at least you learn from that." I still believe that I am best selling author and I am asking God to work in my favor. I need to also find a publisher who is willing to accept my second romance novel.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The DollHouse Mystery
Okay. I admit. This book is written for children, but the reason why I read Carolyn Greene's book was for research only. I had written a mystery already and had not received word from the two agents. I guess its not good enough for them. Most Mysteries written for adults have more than 100 pages and mostly is a murder mystery. I am not gifted to write like our current mystery writers. My first book is a romance so maybe God has given me the ability to write romance stories.
The book I read is a Nancy Drew book about a young detective accused of stealing the furniture from a dollhouse. One of Mrs Rutledge's granddaughter accused Nancy of doing it and Nancy sets out to find the real culprit which is the other granddaughter who did not want Nancy to play with the furniture. After reading this, I have found that murder mysteries are not for children. It is not like Nancy is called upon to solve someone's murder but that the crime happen to people she is in contact with. Perhaps I can write similar stories, but need to read more to get more ideas.
The book I read is a Nancy Drew book about a young detective accused of stealing the furniture from a dollhouse. One of Mrs Rutledge's granddaughter accused Nancy of doing it and Nancy sets out to find the real culprit which is the other granddaughter who did not want Nancy to play with the furniture. After reading this, I have found that murder mysteries are not for children. It is not like Nancy is called upon to solve someone's murder but that the crime happen to people she is in contact with. Perhaps I can write similar stories, but need to read more to get more ideas.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Dealing with competition
It is not really competition because I doubt she is competing against me although I felt she was overshadowing me. A dear friend whom I respect and valued dealt me a blow and I am still reeling over it. The blow? She just had a book publish and her friends are singing her praises. Karla and I share some friends in common so when my book was published and I let everyone know, who was singing mine? Only one and that is another dear friend of mine. It is hard for me to deal with it. I love Karla very much but when I wrote to her about my book, she said something to the affect, "I don't read." I never once asked her to buy my book although she was mentioned in the acknowledgement. Her cover on her book looks better than mine and what are the odds her book will sell better than mine? She could very easily publicize her new book better than me. Oh how I hate having no income. Here I am saving for who knows what? WordPress.com or AuthorsDen? I really don't know which way to go. Maybe what I should do is have a book signing anyway. Save up to order more books from PA and ask Target (Not Walmart) or some other business if I can host a book signing in their business. Or I could call up Barnes and Noble and ask them. This is something I need to pray about. It is hard for me to trust God in this situation but I am trying. I just pray he will give me the grace I need to make it though another insignificant day
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