Scribblings on Whatever

Book Publishing – Self-Serve or Full Service?

3/29/2023

The debate continues. Is it better for an author to self-publish or go with a small independent press? A third option is to hire a literary agent and try to get in with one of the big guns. Unfortunately, the chances of this route being successful are not too good, so 99% of us will probably stick with self-serve or full service.

But before we delve into this discussion any further, there is another venue I must mention: pay-to-publish companies.

Pay-to-Publish
A Vanity or Predatory Publisher is in business to make money off the author. So they charge ridiculously high prices and don't care about their substandard products or the authors. Yet, as long as people willingly pay their fees, the industry flourishes.

Not all pay-to-publish presses are out to get you, though. There are some Service Publishers who honestly want to help authors publish their books. However, they must charge a fee to stay in business.

The problem is weeding out the good guys from the bad guys.

There is a difference between vanity and service publishers, but neither one is worth the sizeable investment necessary for their services. The best solution is to stay away from all pay-to-publish companies.

Self-Serve or Full Service
What is the most advantageous route for you? There are advantages and disadvantages to either selection. An independent press does all the prep work necessary to publish your book but takes half of your royalties as compensation. For some folks, it's well worth the monetary sacrifice to have someone else do the editing, formatting, cover design, and publishing! A drawback to an independent publisher is the time factor. Getting your book on the market can take a few months to almost a year.

If you have the funds to pay for the services you cannot do yourself and want to keep all the royalties as well as have total control of the whole process, then self-publishing is the way to go. It's a lot of work, but help is available whenever needed. Plus, you can work on it at your own pace.

Of course, an individual's preferences determine which path to take. What works for one person may not be suitable for another. You just have to do your research and decide for yourself.

I spoke with two established authors who followed different routes during their publishing journey. Hopefully, their experiences will assist you as you wade through all the information available on the internet.

Independent Presses
Sharon Ledwith never had any interest in self-publishing. Instead, she concentrated on finding the ideal small press that worked best for her. There are many out there, and even though they offer the same services (editing, formatting, designing a book cover, and publishing), they differ in the support and attention they give to the author, as well as the quality of the books they put out.

She has worked with two small presses. The first, Musa Publishing, went out of business in 2015. Sharon says, "I would compare them to a puppy mill publisher where they would churn out as many eBooks as possible in different genres. They were helpful as far as learning the ropes about being a published author and what is expected from their authors, but that's it."

The publisher she is with now, Mirror World is totally different. According to Sharon, "They are very supportive and grounded and only publish about six books a year." Along with the typical small press services, they also pay for a virtual week-long book tour, share marketing and promotion, and will print up advertisements when Sharon requests them.

Mirror World's earnings come from 50% of the eBook’s royalties. So, the publisher has plenty of incentive to put in the work and do it right!

An added bonus of living near Mirror World's headquarters, Sharon gets to join them at book shows and art markets. She is delighted with the choice she's made and recommends small presses over self-publishing. "I love to work with a team."

Self-publishing
On the other hand, KS (Kat) Brooks disagrees. She began her writing career as a traditionally published author. At the time, that was the only choice. There was no such thing as self-publishing. Kat comments, "You got published by one of the big publishers, or you didn't get published."

Nowadays, it's a different ballgame. There are choices, yet Kat highly recommends self-publishing. She says it's available to everyone. You do all the work yourself—hire an editor, make a cover, format the books—and keep all the royalties, as opposed to sharing the royalties with a publisher.

"With all the resources available online, an author no longer needs to rely on hiring a publisher. On Indies Unlimited, we have pages on editors, cover designers, and beta readers. There are also many other resources out there as well that will guide you through the process."

As far as sales go, Kat believes some small presses price things in a way that do hold authors back. "But a lot of them have smartened up and changed their models and now try to price ebooks more competitively, but many others will not."

With all the pros and cons considered, Kat always tell authors starting out to go with self-publishing. “I mean, the real question is, why go through a middleman? Why give someone a cut of your hard work when you can do the same thing and keep all the money?"

Decisions, Decisions
Whether you're publishing your first book or your tenth, the goal is the same – produce a quality product that is well-edited, has an appealing cover, and will please your prospective readers. How that task is accomplished is up to you.

Do your homework before making a decision. Then see what fits your style and go for it. Good luck!

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Paranormal, Supernatural or Both?

3/22/2023

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Although the terms paranormal and supernatural are used interchangeably in the literary marketplace, they are not exactly the same.

All things paranormal have the possibility of perhaps being able to be duplicated in a scientific study one day or for humans to understand how they work. These phenomena include such mental abilities for humans as clairvoyance, telekinesis, psychometry, telepathy, and even faith healing to name a few.

Although many scientists do not believe in psychic abilities, there is some interest in the theory that quantum mechanics can explain psychic ability. Because quantum mechanics focuses on the things in the world that we cannot sense, such as light waves, sound waves, and those mysterious spaces, it seems the perfect approach to understanding psychic ability as well as the subconscious mind. More and more scientists who have a passion for grasping the world beyond the physical are invested in proving that scientific experiments can indeed prove the existence of psychic ability.

For those not very familiar with psychic abilities, below are a few I’ve used in my novels.

Clairvoyance (clear seeing) – the ability to see things beyond the physical sphere, like auras, spirits, and visions in the present, past and future. Clairvoyants can also see and communicate with spirits or ghosts.

Telepathy – an ability that allows mind-to-mind communication, even with animals on occasion.

Telekinesis – the ability to move objects in the physical world with one’s mind.

Psychometry – an ability that allows a person to experience visions or emotions related to a place by being present there or an object by touching it.

Clairsentience - the ability to sense energy and emotions and/or to sense past, present or future events. To be clairsentient one also has to be highly sensitive and empathetic.

Claircognizance (clear knowing) - a sense where one knows something to be correct but may be unable to back up their statement with fact or how they came to know that information.

Clairaudience (clear hearing) - the power to hear sounds said to exist beyond the reach of ordinary experience or capacity.

Writers in literature in the modern age often prefer the term paranormal if their characters are human with enhanced mental abilities. Writers often favor the term supernatural if vampires, werewolves, zombies or other such creatures are the primary characters even if they possess enhanced mental abilities, which are common with supernatural creatures.

The supernatural world includes those things which can never be proven because science has no way to prove their existence. For example, many people talk about guardian angels, but it is only faith that serves to “prove” their existence. Even the existence of one’s soul is not provable by science. Nor can we duplicate a true miracle in the lab. The supernatural easily harmonizes with religion and mythology. Both concepts work to explain or make acceptable things that aren’t really explainable or scientifically provable.

The most popular supernatural novels today include vampires, werewolves, and zombies, although there are other supernatural creatures depicted in literature. Let’s consider the pseudoscience of cryptozoology to further our understanding of how complicated defining supernatural creatures can be.

Cryptozoology
Cryptozoology is considered a pseudoscience because it does not follow the scientific method. Its name means the “study of hidden animals.” It relies mostly on anecdotal information to search for folklore animals yet to be identified, such as the Loch Ness Monster, Mothman, and Big Foot. Such animals which have yet to be identified are known as cryptids.

In 1983 John E. Wall defined cryptids this way: Cryptids are, in the most limited definition, either unknown species of animals or those that are thought to be extinct but which may have survived into modern times and await rediscovery by scientists.

Obviously, we have all seen novels utilizing folklore creatures just mentioned as the central focus of their stories. However, with the fascination for vampires and werewolves, one may wonder if they are simply supernatural or are they “hidden animals”?

Most of the “evidence” for vampires are legends, which are often depicted through folklore or even in ancient paintings on cave walls. The existence of these legends range from Mesopotamia to Egypt, Greece, Rome, Mexico, and China. Not all the forms were the same, and some drank blood while others consumed human flesh.

What about werewolves? Mythology often relates that werewolves were actually possessed old females or witches having poisonous claws. The method of identifying a werewolf from other humans also varies greatly from culture to culture. As with vampires, evidence of werewolves, other than ancient drawings and tales, provides little expectation among most scientists that they ever existed.

Still, the question remains. Could they actually be “hidden animals” or cryptids? Well, if vampires and werewolves exist at all, they are certainly “hidden,” but perhaps not in the intended meaning of a cryptid. Despite most cryptozoologists insisting their existence is more likely supernatural than hidden, there are some who disagree. The dissenters believe they are extinct creatures, which does put them in line with the definition of cryptids.

Of course, who’s to say that one of these cryptids won’t emerge at some point? Folklore isn’t always tall tales. Are you ready to encounter a vampire or a werewolf anywhere other than on the written page or the screen?

For fun, here’s an interesting article about seven known species that used to be regarded as cryptids. https://blogs.iu.edu/sciu/2020/12/12/seven-cryptids-species/

SO WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE US?

Well, it doesn’t really change anything except to offer us some interesting information to store somewhere.

Supernatural novels with vampires and werewolves and zombies are great stories. Paranormal stories where human characters have enhanced mental abilities reaching beyond established norms are also great stories.

Whether an author chooses to describe their story as paranormal or supernatural usually depends on where the emphasis is placed in their story. Keep in mind, however, there are often shades of the supernatural in paranormal stories and vice versa. I’ve read many books where I was delighted to discover there was a healthy dose of the paranormal in their supernatural tale. Both are usually subgenres of other genres, such as speculative fiction, horror, fantasy, and even romance.

If you start researching the two terms in relation to literature, you will find so many contradictions among the resources out there, it will make your head spin. So, the bottom line is that you should make sure to read the book blurb carefully if you have an aversion to either supernatural creatures or enhanced mental abilities.

Many of my novels involve what I view as paranormal in varying degrees: Second Chances, The Threads That Bind, Center Stage, Chasing Shadows, Shattered Hearts, and Unraveling Memories. I enjoy the process of writing such novels because it opens one up to the metaphysical, that is, going beyond what is known and accepted. My first two novels might be considered to be supernatural by some due to the appearance of a wolf with whom the main character communicates. However, I view them more as paranormal tales.

So, whether you’re reading a novel labeled as a supernatural tale or a paranormal tale, you have to suspend your disbelief if you want to really enjoy the story because neither mirrors what most consider normal. If you’re ready to take a step into the unknown, both await you with the promise of a great adventure.

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Center Stage for All the World to See

3/15/2023

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The storyline for Center Stage came at a time in my life when I was in a reminiscent mood. You know what that’s like – thinking back over your childhood, young adult times, and later. With the young adult times, there are so many relationships to explore. It seems the offbeat ones hold fast in my memories.

There was one relationship that tested so many things about myself. This person was my polar opposite in so many ways. She was gregarious. I was shy. She was extravagant. I was prudent. She was flamboyant. I was modest, and the list goes on. So, you may ask: why were we friends at all?

Tough question. To some extent, I believe, I was living vicariously through her. I was able to be up close and personal with what it was like to express all those traits I didn’t see myself as having. I admit that being in a nightclub with her was nerve-wracking. I even threatened to leave her to find her own way home once when she was headed “toward the moon,” so to speak. She didn’t seem to have any safety valves whether she was being manic or depressed. Her balance seemed to be more toward the manic side of her disorder, which made for some bizarre experiences.

The one constant was that others always seemed to serve in the role of being her audience. I don’t believe she would ever have acknowledged this. She was aware of her prescribed condition, but I don’t believe she ever really connected her behavior to it. I didn’t have any hard feelings toward her. I simply had to walk away when the imbalance between us became untenable.

With all that said, at the time I wrote Center Stage I had not been in touch with her for years. I often wondered what happened to her. She was smart and had great promise. I just wondered if she was ever able to establish a balance within herself.

Spinning a Tale from a Memory Spark
April Saunders is a woman after the brass ring and willing to do whatever it takes to feel it within her grasp. In her quest to be center stage, she barely even notices the trail of victims she leaves in her wake. Eventually her husband and daughter join all the others left behind.
Now the tide has turned. She has been left behind. No power. No options. No family. No friends. No hope.

Then a mysterious and seemingly magical woman named Grace appears at her door. Despondent, April is so weak-willed at this point that she allows Grace to take charge, unaware that her life is about to take a turn that few ever get to experience. As she takes a preternatural journey into her past, will her ambition continue to rule her heart? Can there be salvation for one who has betrayed so many?

Is There Salvation?
If we all had the opportunity to revisit the trail of our life experiences, how would we feel? Would we do anything differently if we could? Would we try to atone, make amends? Would we become contemplative and view where we are now with an open mind?

I hope Center Stage will prompt readers to be willing to observe their pasts and grow from the experience. We all have those moments in our pasts when we wish we had acted differently. It’s important to open ourselves up to the lesson they offer and move forward in our lives. April faces this same dilemma in Center Stage. Will she make better choices?

Check It Out!

Read reviews for Center Stage at
https://www.dannyewilliamsen.com/center-stage.html and here on the Women's Fiction page. Of course, it's on Amazon. It is available in paperback and Kindle.

You can read more of Dannye's books, both fiction and nonfiction at the following sites:
https://www.amazon.com/Dannye-Williamsen/e/B004KEAFE8
http://www.SassyScribblers.com
http://www.DannyeWilliamsen.com

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Avoid Mindless Patterns in Your Writing

3/8/2023

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Your writing can slip into a mindless pattern like those associated with certain activities in your life, such as getting dressed in the morning and driving to work. These mindless patterns indicate that you are acting without conscious thought. You are relying on past experiences to handle your needs in the present.

One of the most obvious ways in which these patterns express in your writing is through using worn-out phrases. These can be clichés, but they can also be buzzwords that are thought to be stylish or trendy for your target audience. There are two problems with trendy and stylish phrases or words:

everyone else has used them – many times! Your audience has become immune to their original intent. Consequently, your message is lost.
sometimes it is taken for granted that the meanings of such words/phrases are known by all when the truth is that no one has bothered to define these terms in so long that their meanings are vague to most of your readers. Again, the full impact of your message is lost.

Another way in which mindless patterns emerge in your writing is through the repetitive use of your own pet phrases. These phrases are peppered through article after article without your even realizing it. In a manuscript I read recently, a writer used the word basically followed by a comma in nearly every paragraph. It was not only a mindless pattern for him, it represented lazy writing on his part: he was unwilling to take the time to be creative in his writing.

To avoid these mindless patterns as a writer, you must stay in the moment. Be aware of every word you write. Make the conscious choice to be creative in how you express your thoughts. After all, writing is not about the number of articles or manuscripts you complete; it is about the message within each work and the uniqueness with which you express it.

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Tackling the ITP Roller Coaster

3/1/2023

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April 2005.
"But I don't feel sick. So why do I have to stay here in the hospital?" I stubbornly asked the emergency room doctor, and he replied in an exasperated voice, "Because you are one sick chick. Your platelets are down to 2000. You are going upstairs to PCU and will stay there until I say you can go home. Your platelet levels are falling fast. Yesterday they were 11, this morning, they were 4, and now they are 2. Something needs to be done right now."

"What does that mean? I don't know what all those numbers mean," I whimpered, "and why do I have all these bruises and the red dots all over my legs?"

The doctor explained, "Your platelets should be over 140 to be in the normal range. Without platelets, your blood will not clot. The red dots, otherwise known as petechiae, and the bruises are due to having low platelets. Your blood is actually leaking through the walls of your capillaries and up through the pores in your skin, causing the red dots. With your platelets so low, you are in danger of hemorrhaging either internally or externally. It's a good thing you didn't wait any longer before you came to the hospital."

"Oh, Okay." That was the beginning of my struggle with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura. (Excerpt from Heartaches and Miracles)

*******

I didn't feel sick or have any pain, but there I was in a bed with nurses hovering over me. One was forcing partially thawed platelets into an IV tube. Another was inserting a second IV into my other arm. A big bottle of stuff was hanging close by, ready to be pumped into me. Meanwhile, a vampire disguised as a sweet little old lady must have drawn 50 vials of blood from my wrist.
I closed my eyes blocking out the frantic activity going on around me and fooled myself into believing that after a few tests, I'd be able to go home.

Nope, it wasn't that simple.

If I had known then what I know now, my introduction to ITP could've been less dramatic. If I'd only heeded the flashing neon lights going off in my brain and paid attention to the bells and whistles trying to get my attention.

The never-ending, persistent bleeding, terrible fatigue, bruises, and petechiae were my body's way of saying, "Hey, something's wrong. Fix me." Yet instead of listening and obeying, I'd buried my head in the sand, hoping the messages would go away.

I'd almost waited too late. I could have died that night. My platelets dropped to zero, and the steadily increasing stream of blood would've kept flowing until there wasn't anymore.

It still scares me to think about my near-death experience. At the time, I had no idea what was going on or that I was that close to dying. I'd never heard of ITP or ever dreamed something like that could happen to me.

The following years ushered in more new experiences I wasn't prepared for. Riding the ITP roller coaster of recovery and relapses took me for some loopy loops and through dark tunnels with a lot of ups and stomach-churning plunges into the unknown.

There is no cure for ITP, and at the time, there were no step-by-step treatment plans. So, every month was a new adventure. Will my period behave this month, or will I have another relapse? What do I have to do to get back to normal? Splenectomy, IVIg, prednisone, decadron, rituxan, vincristine – how many more treatments will I have to try before something keeps my platelet count consistent?

Sometimes the side effects from the treatments also took their toll on me: neuropathy from the vincristine, paranoia and panic attacks from decadron withdrawal, and cataracts from the prednisone.

To make a long story short, my advancing age brought with it the miracle we'd been looking for - menopause and finally, remission.

If I Could Have Known Then What I Know Now
Reflecting on all I learned from my experience with ITP, my number one wish was that I had known more about this disease before my being diagnosed. If I had been familiar with the classic warning signs, such as unexplained bruising, petechiae, fatigue, and excessive bleeding, I probably would've had blood work done long before I wound up in the hospital.

That's how Heartaches and Miracles came into being. I didn't want anyone else to go through the same experiences I had. I wanted to make others aware of ITP, so they would be proactive in getting any mysterious bruises looked at.

It became my mission to spread the word about ITP, to share my story, and let everyone know what ITP is and what it can do to a person.

In my memoir, I try to encourage those on the ITP roller coaster and let them know that remission is possible. It may take several tries, but the right treatment is out there. It takes determination, patience, and most of all, a positive attitude.

ITP is a battle. But knowing the ins and outs gives us an edge over the disorder. Hopefully, Heartaches and Miracles can give ITPers the knowledge they need to whip ITP's backside.

Print
https://www.amazon.com/Heartaches-Miracles-Struggle-Thrombocytopenic-Purpura/dp/1466217650/

Kindle and Kindle Unlimited
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FYG7E4

Universal link
http://viewbook.at/heartachesandmiracles

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A Writer’s Superpower

2/22/2023

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Writing is more than putting words on paper. It’s reaching into your innermost thoughts and feelings and expressing them in a way that entertains and enlightens the reader. It’s creating a place where someone can go to escape from reality for a little while. Your words can also educate or inspire or empower a person to see things in a different light.

Our words are powerful. They can do so much more than just entertain readers, especially the younger, more impressionable minds. Books can open children’s and teens’ eyes to experiences they have never dreamed of, discover places they have never been, and experience feelings their souls have not yet felt.

Everyone knows that reading to children is instrumental in their cognitive development. This practice aids in an essential part of brain development in the first three years of a child’s life. Reading to children from the earliest age enhances vocabulary and communication skills.

But that’s just scratching the surface.

At the same time, exposing our kids to books that help develop character and conscience is equally important. These stories are their first life lessons. Memorable characters will shape their perceptions in ways they carry throughout their lives.

That’s where we, as authors, come in.

For kids, concepts such as sharing, caring, honesty, kindness, individuality, gratitude, love, empathy, and so much more can be introduced at an early age in ways they’ll enjoy, accept, and adapt to their lives. Whether the books are read at home, during circle time at school, or at the library, life lessons will be absorbed into their open minds through the magic of storytelling.

The more books a child is exposed to, the more life they experience. Books not only introduce kids to the world around them but also help them connect with it. Stories can show kids they aren’t the only ones who’ve ever been afraid or sad. As authors, the words we write can bolster a child’s confidence and empathy as they realize others share the same feelings.

More difficult life lessons such as fear, death, and bullying are challenging for any aged child or adolescent to wrap their minds around. Parents, teachers, or other grown-ups can offer good, sound advice. However, it doesn’t make the same impression on young thinkers as a character in a story experiencing the same quandary. Reading about someone else making it through similar hardships allows the readers to deal with the difficult issue in the safety of their own home at their own pace. It can also open up a channel for conversation when they feel comfortable talking about it.

Another thing writers need to keep in mind — our words can help young people learn valuable life lessons without subjecting them to boring lectures. For instance, Coming of Age is a popular genre for middle-grade and teen audiences. These books usually cover a protagonist’s journey from adolescence to adulthood, focusing on his loss of childhood innocence as he matures. The plot generally revolves around inner conflict and turmoil that eventually results in personal growth.

Add in the part where parents suddenly become extremely stupid, and this genre portrays a teenager’s life to perfection. No wonder they relate so well with these books! A teen’s journey echoes the hero’s arduous quest.

Trials, challenges, temptations, and curiosity can sometimes overwhelm common sense, causing problems similar to the protagonist’s experiences. A few well-placed words of advice in the story can go a long way in guiding the reader over his own personal humps. Since the words of wisdom come from a fictional character, they don’t come across as a lecture. Back in my time, Yoda was a lot smarter than my parents. I never realized they were both saying the same thing until I got older.

It’s kind of scary to think that as authors, we have our very own superpower. Our words not only entertain our readers but can also influence their lives.

It doesn’t matter whether you write for kids, adolescents, or adults — books teach life lessons.

Our words help readers form identities and confirm values in a way no amount of preaching can ever achieve. Books build a bridge between experience, imagination, and emotion. Time spent reading is time invested in growing and maturing, creating a channel for the good things to enter — empathy, compassion, forgiveness, and love.

So put your superpower to good use and create books that inspire readers to be the best they can be.

Be sure to subscribe to the Sweet & Sassy blog, so you never miss out on any of our posts!

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Circles of Freedom: a Race for Survival

2/15/2023

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It’s probably not a stretch for you to figure out what influenced the storyline of Circles of Freedom in 2018. After two years of bully tactics in the national political arena, behavior considered suitable for those serving in public office as well as those enlisted to their turn of mind presented the American people with a series of situations that promised to tear the idea of a civil society to shreds. It opened the narrative in America to horror; in other words, to actions intended to frighten, scare, or disgust people as is typical in bullying tactics. These engendered loathing among those who favored a civil society.

I was no different than others in being shocked by the rise of such violent negativity. Circles of Freedom was my way of establishing a safety valve for my own frustration and perhaps putting my two bits out there. Despite one’s political preferences, the storyline here is about people who stand strong in their belief in the democracy of America and are willing to step outside their comfort zones to protect it.

As authors, we all get feedback from persons who don’t appreciate the development of our characters. This happened to me when a reader jumped to conclusions about my female character as being weak after reading only a couple of chapters. In truth, she was simply in one of those crossroads in her life that can make one feel uncertain. This was all right with me because I believe in allowing my characters to develop psychologically. Life is a journey after all, learning from each experience. If you were already at the finish line early in life, where would be the fun in that?

So, What Is the Gist of the Story?
When Brandon Boehle creates the Circles of Freedom blogs to strike a blow for truth, he has no idea of the loss, the love, and, the chaos it will set in motion. When the dominoes start to topple, there's a race to survive for friend and foe alike.

Brandon never imagines that a mercenary hired by the President of the United States would be out to kill not only him, but his assistant Alise Winston and the professionals who are writing the blogs. What started out as a simple, though carefully safeguarded, effort to get the truth out there has put all of them in the crosshairs. He quickly realizes that his expectations of the United States government have been naïve.

The contract put out on Circles of Freedom turns out to be the least of their worries for themselves and the country. A nefarious plot is uncovered to overthrow the government, and the players believe themselves to be untouchable. Circumstances draw Brandon and Alise and all those closest to them into this dark plot. Their only hope lies in a twist of fate.

What Are People Saying?
"You truly have a gift, I'm so blessed that you are sharing it with me. I've got a feeling about this book."
"I got so involved in the story, (you did it again)! I can't put it down ... I have to keep reading to see what happens next."
""I love it!! The story is fast-paced and very well-written.”
"A must read, Dannye. Thought provoking, intense, and topical." (a former member of U.S. Foreign Service)

Where Can You Find It?
Circles of Freedom is available for purchase through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Circles-Freedom-Dannye-Williamsen/dp/1719178305.
You can read reviews and learn more about my other works at the following sites: http://www.DannyeWilliamsen.com and https://www.SassyScribblers.com/thrillers.html/

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Writing Is a Birthing of Ideas

2/8/2023

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Writing is more than putting words on paper. It is the birthing of ideas. When a child leaves the womb, it is beautiful to the mother despite its being covered in the unappealing remains of its sojourn in utero; however, the dispassionate bystander may react only to appearances, unable to see beyond the superficial. Unless you learn to “clean up” your writing, your potential readers could all remain dispassionate bystanders, unwilling to see the beauty in what you are trying to express.

If you desire others to truly experience your writing, then you must develop an internal relationship with the process. Writing is not like sitting down at a table filled with pieces of a puzzle and struggling to find the ones that fit together, trying first one and then another. Writing is the building of an emotional and intellectual relationship with the idea you are trying to express. In other words, it is an internal process.

As you begin to write, take your time: do not speed write. Take the time to experience each sentence. Read it aloud or to yourself and allow your mind to lead you into the next sentence. I know it sounds crazy, but it does work. Allow yourself time to “feel” what you’re writing. When you do this, your intuition kicks in, and you will often find yourself following a path that had not occurred to you before that moment. Speed writing gives you a false sense of accomplishment, which is nullified by the time you spend trying to make sense of this jumble of ill-thought-out sentences.

Your writing is your creation. You are giving birth to it: so treat it as a living organism. Give it the opportunity to develop “in a manner analogous to the natural growth and evolution characteristic of living organisms.” Nurture your seed idea. Give it the time and attention it deserves so that it develops into an expression of your unique voice, one that is unambiguous, rational, and speaks to your intended audience.

There are “tricks” for improving your writing that you will learn along the way. One of the methods I have always used is reading my work slowly, staying totally in the moment, and listening for what I call the “hiccup.” The “hiccup” is when there is a break in the logic chain of ideas. If you were reciting the alphabet and skipped from b to d, a listener would immediately home in on the fact that you left something out. If you started at the wrong end of the alphabet, the listener would notice this, too, because they would not be able to easily follow your recitation. When listening to your own writing, you should listen for the missing piece or for an unsound presentation of ideas.

Writing is usually about selling an idea. Therefore, you are actually presenting an argument or a persuasive discourse designed to influence the thoughts and/or behaviors of others. To accomplish this, you must dot your i's and cross your t's so that your readers will understand what you’re saying, not focus on a point you omitted, or become distracted by poor grammar, spelling, and punctuation. So, clean up your writing from the inside out – from the idea to the presentation.

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Following My Muse

2/1/2023

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I was thrilled when Gerald and the Wee People started getting good reviews. Folks told me they enjoyed the book. At the time, I was involved in several authors' groups on Facebook, and we did a lot of mutual sharing, blog hopping, reviews, and boosting each other's morale. I know; a lot of my writer friends left those great reviews just because we were friends instead of being totally objective and brutally honest.

However, some people seemed to enjoy the story and suggested turning Wee People into a series. I was willing to give it a shot and sat at the computer to begin the second book.

Nothing happened. My muse refused to cooperate.

At the time, many distractions kept me from concentrating on my writing, one of which was the possibility of purchasing another home. I had inherited some money, and we thought a new house would make a good investment. Plus, it was fun touring houses and imagining Bob and me making a fresh start. One afternoon, we looked at a small mobile home that did not impress me at all, but I fell in love with the name of the street – Bo-K Lane.

My muse loved it too, and the story started flowing. As soon as we were home, she lured me to my little cubby hole of an office, and the first chapter of House on Bo-Kay Lane wrote itself.

As I've said before, I'm a pantser. I cannot plot out or outline a story. Mainly because I have no idea what will happen from one chapter to the next. That's what makes writing so exciting – the thrill of discovering the twists and turns in the plot after I’ve written it. I recall reading over a chapter I'd just completed. In the final sentence, Gerald realized the mysterious stranger lurking inside an enchanted mirror was actually himself. What? I couldn't believe it!

I asked myself if I really meant that, and where in the world was I supposed to go from there? The following day, my muse continued the tale as if there was no problem.

Unlike the two to three years it took to write Gerald and the Wee People, book two completed itself in a couple of months. House on Bo-Kay Lane continues Gerald and Vernon's adventures with the Wee People. But instead of the boys transporting to the village of the wee people, strange things start happening at an old abandoned house in their own neighborhood. Ghostly images of familiar faces gazing out the windows begin to appear, and images of their friends begging for help haunt their dreams. Their nighttime visitations compel the reluctant teens to investigate the dilapidated house. What they uncover fuses the Wee People, a magic mirror, parallel universes, and two Geralds into a tale of mystery and difficult truths no one wants to believe.

Excerpt from House on Bo-Kay Lane
Vernon couldn't sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, visions of the house on Bo-Kay Lane flashed through his mind.

Did Gerald actually see Alyson and Sheela? Sheela, maybe. She's been to this world before. Alyson? No way. What would an apprentice firestarter be doing here? Unless the little busybody started messing with something she shouldn't have. Now that, I'd believe. Alyson could get into trouble without even trying.

Vernon reconsidered his last thoughts. Nah, that's impossible. They're both back in the far-seers compound in the Wee People village. Heck, Gerald must've been daydreaming about the friends we haven't seen in almost a year. Mulling over the past, Vernon realized he sort of missed them, too. Before he let himself go too far down the rabbit hole, he said aloud, "Nah, it was just Gerald's imagination."

After tossing and turning and beating his pillow into submission for a few more minutes, Vernon went to sleep. In his dreams, a voice called out his name. It sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn't match it with a name.

Snatches of strange images popped in and out of his head — a full-length mirror in a very fancy frame, footprints across a dusty floor, a hand reaching out towards him, and the back of someone's head. Unable to escape the visions, Vernon gave up any thought of restful sleep and sat up, totally exhausted.

Even though he was on summer break from school and usually slept in, he reluctantly dressed and exited the house through his bedroom window.

Gerald was already awake when he heard the tapping on his bedroom window. He'd had weird dreams, too. Vernon crawled through the window. The boys sat on the side of his bed. After sharing their dreams with each other, they tried to figure out why they both shared the same visions.
***
Hopefully, a third book in the Wee People series will be coming out in 2023. That is, if I can get my muse to cooperate.

Available at Amazon.com
Print
https://www.amazon.com/House-Bo-Kay-Lane-Wee-People/dp/1481214810

Kindle https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AJUEXBS/

Universal link
http://viewbook.at/houseonbokaylane

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Greta-Burroughs/e/B003N3F5AQ

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My Time Travel & Psychic Mysteries Journey [Sharon Ledwith]

1/25/2023

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The journey to publication wasn’t easy for me. In fact, it took me a great deal of time and effort to get to where I am now. So, let’s go back to 1995 when I got bitten by the writing bug during a Planning Your Novel college workshop I attended just for fun. One of the exercises I volunteered for still sticks in my mind. The teacher handed me three pennies, and I had to throw them into a waste basket one at a time. I managed to get all three coins in, shooting at different angles and distances. My teacher, Tom Arnett—a NYT bestselling author—was surprised at my luck because the norm was usually two pennies in. He explained that getting all the pennies in would suggest your (writing) goals would be too easy because the person threw them from a close distance. On the flipside, one penny in (throwing too far away) suggested having unrealistic expectations/goals about a career in writing.

You could say that this penny exercise set the bar for me, and gave me some hope in a field I knew absolutely nothing about. I ended up taking Tom’s night course, Starting your Novel, and from there the writing games began.

Trying to get published looked something like this:

Write a book (a shapeshifter paranormal romance) which took about 2 years, including research and learning the basics. Lots of sweat equity!
Attended a workshop where I met an agent, and handed her a query and outline, which piqued her interest. Our relationship vacillated for four years until we decided to go our separate ways.
Around 1998, I had a dream about seven Mayan-like arches. I saw five kids and two adults with crystals in their hands, walking toward these arches. It definitely had an Indiana Jones feel. So, I thought I’d challenge myself to write a young adult time travel series based on that dream, and called it The Last Timekeepers.
Had some luck with The Last Timekeepers when an agency and publishers showed interest. However, their interest was short-lived. Rejection, rejection, and more rejection.
In 2003, we sold our graphic trade business and house, and moved to our renovated cottage. There, I started a teen psychic mystery series entitled, Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls.
I decided to try my hand as a participant in the 2007 Muskoka Novel Marathon. The idea is to write a novella or novel in three days, and the winner gets a chance at publication. During the course of the marathon, our dog died suddenly and I left, only to return the next day determined to finish writing my manuscript in time to submit. It was truly a bitter-sweet experience.
I needed a break from writing, so as a distraction, I worked as an animal care attendant at the local Animal Shelter for the next fourteen months. I wrote a whole book out of my animal shelter experience, and geared it for my teen psychic mystery series. To this day, I still have an emotional connection to this book because I based my animal characters on many of the real shelter animals I cared for.
In 2011, I decided to investigate eBooks and how to go about publishing them. I learned that many authors were being forced to wear two hats in these changing times; one for business, and one for writing. I started a blog in May 2011 to create an on-line presence.
Then, I entered the 2011 Muskoka Novel Marathon and met two writers who’d just signed publishing contracts. Their good fortune fed the fire within me.
This is where hard work and opportunity collide. One of those writers shared a link on Facebook, which I thought was her publishing company. But it wasn’t. It was the link to a new epublishing company calling for submissions. I sent out my query and got a reply within seven days—Musa Publishing wanted to see my manuscript. Excited, yet not getting my hopes up, I sent my young adult time travel manuscript in. They loved it, but wanted major revisions. I agreed, and they offered me a five book deal. Wow!
I signed the contract September 13th, 2011, with a release date of May 18th, 2012. Plenty of time for rewrites, and plenty of time to learn what’s expected of an author in this new paradigm of publishing.
Time travel to 2015 when Musa Publishing closed their doors permanently. That’s when Mirror World Publishing appeared out of the blue, and opened their doors to me. Not only did they take on The Last Timekeepers series, but in 2017 added Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls to their expanding roster of young adult books. Woohoo!

Update to 2023: I’m happily juggling both series, while balancing my author life with all the promoting and marketing required to succeed in today’s publishing world. I’m truly living the dream! Thanks to Sassy Scribblers for allowing me to share my writing journey with your followers!

Here’s a glimpse of the premises of both my young adult series:

The Last Timekeepers Time Travel Adventures…
Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers—legendary time travelers sworn to keep history safe from the evil Belial—five classmates are sent into the past to restore balance, and bring order back into the world, one mission at a time.
Children are the keys to our future. And now, children are the only hope for our past.

Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls Teen Psychic Mysteries…
Imagine a teenager possessing a psychic ability and struggling to cope with its freakish power. There’s no hope for a normal life, and no one who understands. Now, imagine being uprooted and forced to live in a small tourist town where nothing much ever happens. It’s bores-ville from the get-go. Until mysterious things start to happen.
Welcome to Fairy Falls. Expect the unexpected.

Sharon's novels are available here: MIRROR WORLD PUBLISHING ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE

Sharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/young adult time travel adventure series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, and the award-winning teen psychic mystery series, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, reading, researching, or revising, she enjoys anything arcane, ancient mysteries, and single malt scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern tourist region of Ontario, Canada, with her spoiled hubby, and a moody calico cat.