I Apologize

If I have nothing else to do in a day, it takes me 2-3 hours to finish a book. If I'm really busy with school work and other writing assignments and personal stuff, it should take me 2 weeks at the most.

So I'm apologizing to Vincent Zandri and the authors of the remaining five books on my Upcoming Book List for how long it took me to finish The Remains. There's really no excuse. Sure, things have been hectic, but my reviews and writing endeavors are more than just a hobby. I'll try to pick it up, I promise.

Meanwhile, The Remains is the first book that will be promoted through the 15 Dollar Promotion Plan. Expect much talk and promotion about Zandri's awesome book in the coming days. ^_^ I hope I can pull this off, but I really believe that I can. I just have to work hard, stay focused, and keep my word on every single point. I've already outlined the review. I'll be following up with him and completing the review by tomorrow.

Reminder

• David Alderman: If you haven't checked out David Alderman's two part guest post about his journey as a writer and his tips on self-publishing, please do so! Part 2 will be posted on June 4th. It's very informative and well written. I'm glad he agreed to appear.
• Triple R's Facebook Page: Finally, there's a page for Triple R on Facebook, which makes sense considering I've done a series on Facebook and Marketing a while ago. Please 'Like' if you haven't already. Triple R needs all the support it can get.

Guest Post: David Alderman and Self Publishing - Part 1

So, it's the first Wednesday of the new year. Every Wednesday, a guest is supposed to post here at Reader's Den. However, since I won't be putting together a new line-up of guests until February, I've decided to make all guest posts for this month recaps of older ones that I think deserve more love.

David Alderman's thoughts on self-publishing is the first post I want to repost. It's very candid and helpful, and I'm proud to say that I'll be reviewing one of his books - Black Earth: End of the Innocence - on January 29. If you're considering self-publishing your own work or just want to know more about the process from the point-of-view of a guy who has done it many times, this should be a great post for you. Enjoy!

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Author David Alderman was first mentioned on Triple R for his helpful, informative post on Tools for Self-Published Authors. If anyone knows about self publishing, it's him.

His guest post today will be split into two parts. The second part will be online next Saturday, June 4th. This is the first time I've ever done that, but I didn't want him to cut anything to make it fit the guidelines for one guest appearance. The post is too good as it is.

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When I was given the chance to post here on Tiffany’s blog, I didn’t know what I wanted to write at first. In the weeks leading up to this post, my main work computer died and my writing schedule went upside down and all around in frustration and chaos. I have three novels in the pipeline, all in different stages of the self-publishing process, getting ready for their release this summer, and having a computer crash on you at that point is one of the worst things that can happen.

Then it dawned on me. Why not write about self-publishing? It’s a popular topic nowadays, right? With the boom of e-readers and the expansion of the digital age, anyone can write anything and publish it to the masses. Anybody can be a published author. 

Last week, Tymothy Longoria posted a great piece - http://fuisti.blogspot.com/2011/05/guest-post-tymothy-longoria-and.html - on the pros and cons of being a writer. I’d like to take his points and bring them into another realm, the realm of self-publishing. Deciding to write something is one thing. Deciding to become a full-time writer is another. But even more than that comes the decision to become a self-published – or indie – writer, one who takes control of every aspect of their treasured little baby.

I first fell in love with the written word in sixth grade when I was called on to write a short story as part of a class assignment. I wrote a piece about a boy who fought to save the world from a criminal mastermind. It was an innocent story, from the mind of an innocence sixth grader. But what I didn’t know, was with that one story, my destiny had been sealed. It began with short stories which in turn blew up into novels which in turn blew up into a series. I fell in deep, crazy in love with writing, with creating, with the very act of recording my imagination onto humble sheets of notebook paper. 

Many years later, I am proud to call myself a full-time writer. After a frustrating road through my twenties, working so many different jobs, trying my hand at so many different things to find out where I fit in, to find a task, a purpose, where my creative imagination could sprout and grow, I finally came to the realization that nothing fulfills me like writing does.

Writing is a creative process, one that requires us to pull out pieces of ourselves and put them under the spotlight for the world to see. Many of the arts require this type of sacrifice, we all just use different tools. Writers have pen and paper, artists have brushes and paint, singers have music notes and microphones. What we all have in common is imagination, creativity, passion. Courage. We step out, reveal the deepest parts of ourselves to the world, some lovely, some entertaining, some downright dark. But we put all of it on display for others to see, to read, to hear. We take a chance and we allow others to criticize, to hate, to love, to embrace. 

Self-publishing takes these parts of ourselves and exposes them in a more revealing light. To write a story is one thing. To take on the responsibility of editing that story, of creating the cover design, of promoting said story on a website, multiple social networking platforms, even a blog, is a burden few are able to take upon themselves properly. Regardless if we have others help us with these creative ventures, we are still the ones solely responsible for how it all weaves together  to create a package for the readers out there looking for a new story, a new adventure, a new world to get lost in.

Click to read Part 2!

Guest Post: Writer Imani Wisdom and Storytelling

The Gift of Storytelling

All of my life, I knew writing was my passion.  Since the age of eight years old when I wrote my first song lyric, I discovered creating a great story is the mastermind of our entertainment.  It’s a template from a writer’s active imagination bringing life to great and memorable movies; such as, Gone with the Wind and Star Wars; television shows like, I love Lucy and The Cosby Show, or legendary songs like, John Lennon’s Imagine and Aretha Franklin’s Respect.  Even though at the time I knew the significance at the discovery, I had other interests.  I didn’t take writing seriously until twenty years later when it turned from a budding interest into words of healing. 

Like any artist, most writers tend to discover their craft during the darkest moments in their lives, and I’m no different.  I battled through depression, health issues, and became a caregiver for my mother, aunt, and grandparents.  I used to think I was being punished by a higher power for enduring all of those of challenges, and laid in bed crying nightly to pray for something good to come my way.  So I waited for a sign.  And I waited, and waited, and waited some more.  Then one day last year when my depression had grown ominous, I prayed once more out loud asking what my purpose is for living. 

Suddenly I had an epiphany.  It was crystal clear as if someone or something nudged at my subconscious.  I won’t say what the sign entailed, but what I can say it compelled me to finish a short story I had stored on my computer for a few years.  This story began with just under 10,000 words turned to a near 300-page manuscript.  Strangely, during the time I wrote the untitled story, I realized everything I had wondered about my life was answered by the stroke of my fingers, transferring it from an active imagination into a powerful narrative.

After that sobering day, my life had changed for the better.  I’m finally stepping out of the box to pursue my dream to become a published author.  Whether you’ve been on the journey through traditional or self-publishing, I can safely say both roads aren’t an easy task. 

As I get closer at publishing my short story, Introduction of Nikki Robinson, releasing on eBooks this summer, I’m still learning and growing as a writer, or I prefer to be called, a storyteller.   I don’t know if I’ll be like a lot of published authors and throw in the name “author” in front of my name on social networking sites.  I am actually proud to call myself just a storyteller.  As I stated earlier, writers are indeed the base of our entertainment.  So as I say all the time—if you have this gift for storytelling—I don’t see why you can’t write any genre.  As long as it’s a great story, you can feed our need for great entertainment.

Guest Post: Tymothy Longoria and Defining A Writer

Who Am I? I Am Writer.
Yes. That’s what I am. Chances are if you’re reading this you are a writer too, or think you are or you want to be.
Then again you may be a reader. And you rock something fierce.
But really, who am I?
My name is Tymothy Longoria and I am a writer, blogger(really a rambler) and supporter of all things Writer. I am in the final editing stages of my wip, my opus, The Stories:Book One-Genesis, an epic fantasy.
To any who grace Tiffany’s blog with your presence, I thank you and on her behalf I appreciate your love and support.
When I was given the chance to scribble up a guest post I was of course, honored just to be nomina-I mean I was honored just to be asked.
So I thought: Hmm…what to write?…hmmm…*twiddle thumbs, stare at the screen…got it! No, that won’t work…hmmm. Yes, no, no.
Okay. Now I’ve got it.
Let’s talk about a few of the pros and cons of writing. Or rather:


The Pros and Cons of Being a Writer


Cons.
1. Being a Writer is a lonely adventure.

You came to the realization that you are a writer. Maybe it was something you wrote or something you read, either way, when you came to it, you knew it. You believed it. I am a writer! you screamed from within. Maybe even shouted it out…but to whom? Your mother? Father? Friends? Chances are good you were alone when you realized this. Maybe you looked around, amped, excited, wanting to tell the world…but no one was there.
If you have yet to see this, trust me, you’ll get it. You will say: “Shite, he was right.”

2. No one understands you when you say Well, I’m a writer.

Being a writer is weird. I mean where else can you state your chosen profession or career choice and be met with a look that says: Whatchu talkin’ ‘bout?
You do what for a living? You’re trying to do what? You’re what?
All questions many of you have heard. All questions you more than likely have become frustrated over. The answers to those questions probably left you even more frustrated.
Trying to put in a single answer what we do, love to do-is a very difficult task. It shouldn’t be. I mean: “I’m a writer and I’m writing my first book called The Writer’s Journey.” Pretty simple answer, wouldn’t you agree?
But yet, this is the general response: “Yeah, I know…but what do you do?”
See, they just don’t get it. The more we try to explain, the more flustered we and the person asking the question become. This lack of understanding can be detrimental to our success. Because we can easily say, Sheesh no one even understands that this is what I believe in, so why bother?

3. Writing can be hard.

Matter of fact, it is. Here me out. Not everyone can pick up a pen-wait, look at me sounding all 1980’s-not everyone can open up a Word document and write the next best-seller or even a book that will make sense. Now don’t get me wrong. Again, I support anyone who has a dream of being a writer. A Writer. Never will I tell anyone, you can’t do that. BUT-see that? That’s a big but-it takes work. A Writer needs time. Time to hone his/her writing. His/her skills. Agents, publishers, they want us to have a general grasp of grammar and yes, spelling. No, you don’t have to have won Best Punctuation 1997 to write an amazing story. Then how about the story-line? It is interesting? Even Indies-love them-or self-pubbed greats have to have a story worth reading. Writing one sentence can be one of the hardest things a writer can do. Really. Ask around. Getting it right is what turns a mundane line into a great one that can add so much depth to your story. A letter Mark Twain wrote to editor George Bainton states: The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.

Word. Being a writer is, for some, and this is also true, a difficult thing to admit for all the reasons above. However, deciding to become one can be the best choice you will ever make. If it is indeed what you want to do.

Pros.
1. Writing no longer has to be a lonely journey.

Been on the internet lately? You’re missing out if you said no to this question. Whether or not you declare out loud that you’re a writer people are supportive of you. Understatement. Of. The. Year.
I have met all my Writing Friends, my Supporters, My #BNFF’s, My #YASB peeps-online. This is a universe. Each of these groups are communities within this universe, and many of the people in one group are in the next. That’s the way it is. We embrace each other like family. We push and pull each other. We inspire each other to reach further into ourselves to find something we never knew we had. Strength. Determination. The will to do what we want to do.  I never thought that when my wife told me “Yes, you are a writer” that I would be embraced so epically as I have been. It really is amazing when a brilliant writer raves about how “epic” you are. Or when this published author calls you the coolest thing ever! No, I’m not boasting about any of this. I’m saying that you receive so much love and respect from fellow writers. From readers who believe in your talents and your words. It really does something to your soul. At least for me it does. My Friends in all of these places, if you’re reading this, this means YOU. I am not lonely. Because I have all of you next to me.

2. When you know it. You know it. Now believe it.

I wrote a guest post for my #BNFF Christin Mowery, a talented and blessed Writer entitled: Am I A Writer? http://www.christinmowery.com/guest-blog-post-am-i-a-writer-tymothy-longoria/ and let me tell you, I meant it. I know I’m a writer. It was one of the best moments in my life. Because after that, I knew nothing could stop me. No one could get in my way of accomplishing what I wanted. It would be me who allowed negativity to hinder my progress. It would be me who let a few unoriginal or distasteful remarks stop me from being who I knew I was. When you know you’re a writer, you know you’re a writer. My blog is called Aspire No More for a reason. Stop telling yourself, I’m trying to be this or do that. Cut ties with the mentality that doesn’t allow you to truly believe in yourself and your gifts. Or your ability to make them grow. This is a pro because it’s akin to the moment the warrior finally realizes he had the strength and the power all along. He had only to believe. That is why it is such a timeless and oft used moment in the greatest stories of all time. The power of believing in who you are.  For me my faith plays the biggest role-and my Friends are right there with me.

3. Writing can be hard. Not writing is harder.

When all is said and done or as I like to say, when all is written and done, what’s left? More writing. You know you’re a writer when you love to write. So there. If you don’t love it, then you probably shouldn’t be doing it. It’s like that with anything. So on this one the rules stays the same.  How is this a pro, you may ask? You understand that no matter how much you’ve written, it will be never be enough. And THAT is something truly inspiring and compelling.
You can never really run out of things to write about. It’s not like any other job. It’s not a job at all. It never will be. It’s equal parts excitement, mystery, epicness, passion…I smile when I do it. My music plays loud and I sing along with the words as I write. As Allie Burke, blogger at  http://allieburke.blogspot.com/ says, I often say YES when I write, too.
So in writing this guest post for my Friend and future Author Tiffany Cole, I say YES.

There are of course so many more one could add to this list, but I hope you receive it and take something away from my words. Be inspired. Be moved. Be challenged.
Remember, when you call yourself a writer and put that coat on, you must be willing to wear it…always.

Be blessed.
@TymothyLongoria
http://tymothylongoria.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/TheStoriesBookOne

Guest Post: Writer Tiffany White

Writing, for me, is like a Catholic sacrament. An individual procession towards immortality. I write from what I know so a lot of time my characters are caricatures of people I know or once knew. In my current WIP the characters are real and I've loved each one of them so it is important to me to fully draw them, as homage, and not make them one dimensional. The story is raw and visceral. I was going to market it as upper YA- if it ever gets picked up.

The story centers around two teenage girls living in a group home. They are opposites in certain aspects and equally as headstrong. They don't bicker- they fight, literally, physically, verbally. But they are both searching, both from tragic pasts that shape their present rough exterior. But one moment changes their view of one another and after another incident involving a boy they both loved, they find in each other the strength and fortitude they need.

It is a hard one to write because though it is fictional it mirrors reality, or my reality. I hope the people I've written about enjoy it, experience it and find closure.

And hopefully not sue me. :-)