Thursday, November 30, 2006

Assistance for writers

I am always asked about writing tips & suggestions. The best tip I can give is to join a writer's group!

Nearly every town has one. Many times it is in connection with a local college. If you have a Barnes & Noble or a Borders, quite likely they have a group that meets there at least once a month.

There are numerous groups online, too. If you go to Yahoo Groups, you'll find many! There's also websites such as Urbis.com. (See links.) At DeviantArt.com, there are dozens as well - I even co-manage one called The Writer's Meow. (See Links.)

Whatever group you choose, it will be a great exercise for you to share your work with others and get feedback. Some have assignments or contests. But they will all force you to stretch a little and develop as a writer.

So happy writing!

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

More Love Languages

I am reading a really great book - The Five Love Languages of Apology. I'd devoured the original and found it to be the best book out there on dealing with people and relationships. This new one just came out last month and it explains in detail why apologies sometimes go unaccepted - they don't come across as an apology to the offended because they weren't spoken in the correct language. Really insightful!

I highly recommend everyone pick it up! And read the first book, The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman, too.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Rewards Do Come

On Sunday, our pastor spoke about rewards in this world and rewards in Heaven. He said that those who do good in God's name do not always see their rewards here on Earth. That is a comfort to those of us who are working our guts out for a cause!

I did see a reward yesterday in this world, though, in the form of a very nice woman and her teenage daughters who were excited about what I was doing with my series.

Thank you, God, for that little affirmation.

That little reward should sustain my worldly ego for another week or so!

Friday, November 24, 2006

Christmas is approaching ...

Only a few more signings to go this year. It's been a very full, well traveled road for Book III. Today I had someone come out who had purchased my first book two years ago! It was a delight to speak with John again and he picked up a copy of JAMES for his travels. (Truck drive.) He'd also complete a book he was working on, so I prodded him to pursue publishing. Think of the fun he could have on the road with his book!

I am mostly done with my shopping, too. Hope everyone in my family wants books for Christmas! (Just kidding ... or am I?)

The TeensReadToo.com site starts their 31 Days of Giving soon - very exciting!

And I've got a lot of readers lined up to recieve advanced copies of Book IV soon!!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Special Fan & Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. No matter where you are in life, I hope you have something for which to be grateful.


And I have to share a special fan - Linda! She plunged right into the series and caught the spirit right away. She continues to widen the Circle of Friends for me as well. I cannot tell you how special she has become to me! I am so looking forward to meeting her next year when I venture northward again on my tour!


Thanks, Linda - love you much!

Monday, November 20, 2006

31 Days of Giving!

The contest at TeensReadToo.com is starting soon!!!! Go here for details and to register - there are 144 prizes for the 31 days!!!!! (Including one of mine!)

http://www.teensreadtoo.com/31DaysOfGiving.html

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Knowing Your Calling

Another tremendous day at a book store! I meet the most interesting people - even the grumpy ones! (And there were quite a few out today, too.)

I just stay positive and cheerful, because that's my calling.

Some people become missionaries. Some people take up a cause like animal abuse or a cure for cancer. Some people do non profit charity work. Some witness to others while some fight for their beliefs all the way to the Supreme Court!

But I know my calling, my place in this world. I was given naive, child-like enthusiasm and an optimistic attitude like you wouldn't believe. I am here to encourage and bring a message of hope. I am to find the good in all situations and people.

I may only be one person, but God knows that!

And one person CAN make a difference!!!

Friday, November 17, 2006

Road Trip and Storms

My travels will take me to Wilmington, NC this weekend. Yesterday, that area was hit by a tornado and eight people were killed. My thoughts and prayers go out to those people affected by the storm. Makes my drive yesterday through streets flooded with a foot of water seem minor!

Christmas is coming soon!!! Better start shopping!

Monday, November 13, 2006

Some Author Tips

After a day of research, I wanted to post some tips for authors looking to market their books.

The website ContactAnyCelebrity.com has thousands of actors, producers, athletes, musicians - you name it! They currently offer a one week trial subscription for $1 that is well worth looking into if you want endorsements for your book.

I also recommend having a list of celebrities you wish to contact before going to that site, too. Find celebrities that would be interested in the subject of your book, grew up in the location of your story or went to college there, or that support your charity cause. Do a google search, plus visit IMDB.com (Internet Movie Data Base) and search through the bios posted on that site.

As always, best to think about these things before you write your book! Just like product placement and movie tie-ins are vitally important, you need these in your book, too!

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Advanced Readers

Blogger had been updating this weekend - so sorry for the delay in posting!

I already have many enthusiastic fans ready to be advanced readers for Book IV! I will start sending out chapters and whole copies in E-Book form next January & February. Interested parties - email me!!
wolferock@earthlink.net

And ad Deviant Art, the writer's club is rocking & rolling - two dozen new members already for The Writer's Meow!!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Friends & Clubs

In the news today ...

As a member of Deviant Art, a community for artists, photographers & writers, I am now part of a writing club called The Writer's Meow. We hope to foster encouragement and positive feedback for all the members and have forum chats about writing.

Also, thanks to this website, I now have a couple new special friends & fans. It's amazing the people you can meet when you just reach out! One mother-daughter team has really touched my heart. It's nice to know there are still spunky, optimistic people out there like myself!

Journeying to South Carolina this weekend - the land of cheap gas prices. Just seven more appearances this year and one radio interview. I'm going to be sad to see it slow down, although my vehicle will probably appreciate it! (Less than two years old, almost 58,000 miles on it!)

Monday, November 06, 2006

October's Winner & Things




We have a winner for the free book giveaway for the month of October - Conner!

Congratulations, Conner!

In other news, I will be starting a writing group online at Deviant Art, tenatively called The Writer's Meow. It will be co-moderated and will feature prose & poetry, with contests, interactive forums, and tips on writing, publishing & marketing. More news once the club is established and running!




Thursday, November 02, 2006

Ever-Widening Circle

One of the most valuable things a person can possess is friends.

I wrote about a circle of friends. And as I move forward with my series and my life, my own circle continues to widen. I would love to spend a whole day with each new friend I have now - unfortunately, that would take me a couple years to do!!

What a terrible problem to have, huh?

In other news, there's a wonderful new website called Web of Happiness - look for the link on this site. A whole site devoted to positive, happy things - total bliss for Spunky!!

If you've never checked out Teens Read Too, go to their site. Lots of fun things, plus contests, too.

Never know, you might make a new friend!!