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New Zealand Earth Quake

Christchurch one of New Zealand's largest cities suffered a major earthquake today.  The city has suffered the loss of life and buildings and churches have been toppled.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the rescue crews and all who have been affected by this earthquake. 

M.Rene

Happy President's Day

The family is out at the skating rink and I am here working on the book. :-)  The weather here is a crisp 60 degrees, beautiful.  I am thankful for this time to work undisturbed on a holiday.  Hopefully, I will see some progress at the end of the day. 

How are you spending your day today?

President's Day Weekend

Good Morning All,

I am planning out my 3-Day weekend with the intent of being productive.  These long weekends make me lazy and I find myself looking at Tuesday wondering where the time went. 
I am thinking about checking out my Border's Bookstore which is slated to close. :-( 
( I know here we go again... )
I saw in the news that they are allowed to liquidate starting tomorrow.  So, I am really thinking of going in and seeing how good a "liquidation" sale this is. 

On the other hand,
I really don't want to support them if they are unable to pay the Publishers and in turn pay the authors their royalties. 

Hmm...

What would you do?

M.Rene

Borders Again?

Sorry,  I'm still hanging on to this story. 
I quite don't understand this comment from one of the Border's executives;
"Borders aims to stay viable by enhancing its customer rewards program, strengthening its e-book business and expanding more into non-book products." 
I get the e-book business, the publishing world is in the midst of an e-revolution, but, "non-book" products.  Well that's it, I am running to the nearest Borders Non-Book Store to pick up some "non-book" products.

Need I say more?
M.Rene

Borders Books Files Bankruptcy

Yes, Borders has filed for bankruptcy. 

I have seen this coming for months and also their inability to compete with Barnes and Noble for a few years.  I remember Borders being the first "big" bookstore I visited.  I absolutely loved the setting, big comfy couches and chairs, wow, people were actually sitting, reading and enjoying.  The last time I was in Borders it seemed like the coffee shop, toys, stuff was getting equal billing with the books.  Sad... 

Before I continue, I want to send my heartfelt sadness to the employees who are losing their jobs. 

Here is a list of the stores that are closing; Borders Closure List. 

On a negative note their bankruptcy means that they will not only be closing stores but they have a long list of publishers that will not be paid. This means that the authors may not receive their royalties from books already purchased or purchased in the future.

Interesting....

M.Rene

Post Valentine's Day

How did your day turn out?  I hope you treated yourself special and shared the love with someone else.

I had a great day and I am so thankful for those who bring joy into my life.

Today will be a busy day.  I will be adding an extra measure of exercise today for the sweet overdose I engaged in yesterday. 
I will update my blog pages, tighten up the description for "The Queen's Blood Vendetta" and wrestle with the graphics for the companion graphic novel.  I will post some pics and you can tell me what you think.

Enjoy your day,
M.Rene

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Today is Valentine's Day.  What are your plans?  A fabulous meal with your sweetheart, wonderful gifts, enjoying a nice glass of wine or will you treat yourself to something absolutely decadent?

In my house it started last night with a great meal cooked by my husband.  Classic steak, fresh tossed salad and a baked potato. Absolutely delightful!!

I woke up this morning to a bag full of goodies, coffee made etc; what a way to start a day. 

One of the things I know I will do for sure is to watch "Pride and Prejudice", it is one of my favorite classic romance movies.  Love it!!

Do something special for yourself and someone else today!

Also, Happy Statehood Day Arizona!

Have fun,

M.Rene

Blackberry

Error, reset, blank screen, hmm....  The Blackberry died on me yesterday or better yet, hopefully it's just sick.  My husband took it in to be repaired this morning.  I am looking for good news at the end of the day. 
I look forward to its return and putting a Kindle app on it. I'll keep you posted... 
Well, its fairly quiet around here ( aside from the dogs barking ) the phone isn't ringing constantly, this will be a productive day.  Fridays are normally my most productive day, I try to make a big push going into the weekend.  I tend to go into relax and renew mode on Saturday and Sunday.  The weather is fabulous outside at 70 degrees so I will be working on the patio today.

Back to writing. 

Hope all is well with you today,
M.Rene

Reading for Pleasure -vs- Reading for Writing

My daughter went with me last night to a meeting and where she was waiting was a television.  Someone asked her what she'd like to watch and she kindly said, "Oh, I'll read instead." :-)  She whipped the I-Touch out and started reading.  That's me, or that use to be me.  This made me think about the amount of reading I do for writing and the absence of my pleasure reading.  I have a voracious appetite for books.  Yet, I barely have the time or even try to make the time anymore for pleasure reading.  I spend the better part of my leisure time (ha!) reading up on the craft.  Mind you, I put in a solid 8 hours a day on my writing, all aspects of it.  I barely eek out 1 pleasure book a month for a book club I am in.  I am accustomed to reading at least a book a week, but for the last year, it is has been one book a month.  I will start reading our book club selection and all of a sudden those characters are running around in my head and my novel's characters really don't share well, so guess who wins out?  

Are you a writer?  Have you, or are you experiencing these same things?  Do you have any suggestions?

Let me know.

Until next time,
M.Rene

World Reader

I came across this organization recently in my morning reads, WorldReader .

Worldreader.org’s mission is to make digital books available to all in the developing world, enabling millions of people to improve their lives.  They identify schools, train teachers, work with communities, and partner with publishers to bring millions of books to underserved children and families in the developing world.

How amazing is that!!  I love that someone had the foresight to establish an organization such as this.  Donating Kindles to developing countries and underserved communities is outstanding.  World Reader has a I Read pilot program in Ghana.  Imagine how the world of the Ghanaian children expanded once the Kindles touched their hands.  I'm sure they never thought they would have this type of access to books.

Check out their blog here World Reader Blog , so inspiring!

Kudos to World Reader!

Have a Great Day,
M.Rene

I Write Like....

I saw this site on Amanda Hocking's blog the other day.  If you aren't familiar with her, she is an incredibly talented and successful Indie Author. Her books are burning the map in sales and I have literally watched her success rise over the last 6-9 months. I thought the "I Write Like" site title was interesting enough to peruse.  Well, I cut and pasted a couple of paragraphs from "The Queen's Blood Vendetta" and this is what they came up;

I write like
Ian Fleming

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

Ian Fleming is well known for authoring the "James Bond" novels.  Odd, I would have never compared my writing to his, other than the action.  I learned something interesting about Ian Fleming in this exercise of procrastination, ( I call it like I see it ) he also wrote "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang".  Yes, the children's book, what a departure, but how fun can that be. 

Okay, back to editing and polishing.

What are you working on creatively today,
M.Rene

Bohdan & Xena

What a difference a week can make.  Last week we were experiencing unseasonably cold weather.
Cover the pipes!  Cover the trees!  Gas outages!  Head for the hills! 
Wow, what a week!
Today, we are back to normal, the 70's. 
All this week we will have beautiful weather, perfect for writing outside on the patio. 

Bohdan and Xena will be out in the backyard with me, I'll be writing, they'll be playing.  I have written them into the storyline of  "The Queen's Blood Vendetta" as an introduction to the "graphic novel" (comic book) that will be a companion book to QBV.  I will of course have my camera ready to take pictures of them running, jumping and horse playing to help with the graphics of the novel.

Here is Bohdan,

and here is Xena in her favorite spot, catching some sun.

How is the weather in your area?

Enjoy,
M.Rene

What is Your Version of Success?

Happy Day All,

Yesterday I was talking about my inspiration.  Well, this article was in my e-mail box this morning from Creativity Loft .  I am posting Tivi's article in its entirety.  She has a great site that is motivational for the "Creative Entrepreneurs" out there.

Here it is;

What is YOUR version of success?

I was talking to a friend recently and she told me that her family didn’t like that she went to college.

From her story, I got the impression that they looked down their noses at her for going.

I’ll be honest, my gut reaction was to scoff and say “THEY look down their noses at YOU for doing something with your life?”

My Southern heritage dictates the following life path:

“Birth –> Preschool –>Elementary School –>Middle School –> High School –> College –> Respectable Career –> Marriage –> Kids –> Mid-life crisis –>Die”

You may throw in grad school, a dog, a divorce, a second marriage or a risky decision, but that’s pretty much it.

It took me a while to say “Do you HAVE to go to college to ‘do something with your life?’”

Different people value different things.

To some, college is a step towards a better life. To others it’s a waste of 4 years and thousands of dollars.

To some a “respectable career” is that which brings them padded pockets and hundreds of employees beneath them. To others it’s something that just pays the bills and gets them home at a decent hour.

Success is different to each person.

And your authentic version of success is probably even more different than you’d ever thought.

Think about it.

How much of your current version of success was determined by external influencers?

Success in my career, as society taught it to me, was getting a college degree in one field, then getting a job in that field, then working my way up in a company, sticking with the same company all my life (no matter if I hated it) until I retired, then I’d die.

Bleak stuff, in my opinion, but I chased it. And I’m glad I got out before the “die” part.

But, truthfully, there’s nothing wrong with this version of SUCCESS, if it is YOUR

This applies to your creative business too.

If you’re an artist, society may be telling you that success is becoming the next Ashley G and Drew, but is that really what you want?

I firmly believe sometimes we define SUCCESS as things other people tell us we should have. But what type of “success” will you have when you obtain all those things and aren’t happy?

What are the trade-offs for gaining those things other people tell you are what you should be chasing?

You want to be a New York times best-selling author and have movies made from your books– why?

Because you want to make a living from your writing. OK, well is there another way to accomplish the thing you REALLY want; make money from your writing?

The cliched road to success may not be the one for you. Look at Sarra Cannon, she’s finding success publishing her books herself. Or Amanda Hocking- a self-published rock star who sold more than a million books on her own!

Look at your life and business and ask:

“Am I reaching for MY authentic version of success? What do I really want for and FROM my life and my business and how can I incorporate those into my version of success?”

Come on, you’re a creative person. Use that brain of yours.

Now, what is YOUR version of success?
Check out Tivi's web-site here Creativity Loft .

I think Tivi hit some great points on what success looks like to different people.  I am reaching for my "authentic version" of success everyday in all areas of my life.

What about you?

M.Rene

Biggest Fans & Inspiration

My daughters?  My daughters!!  They have so much confidence in me. "Mom, come on get the cover done, blog, Facebook, keep writing, you can do it!!"  Wow!!  I wonder where or better yet, "who" they got that confidence builder mantra from?  They are wonderful young women and I am blessed to have them encouraging and inspiring me. 
Well, I have decided to turn my cover woes over to a professional.  Yippee!!!  Yes, I know I can continue to fight with PhotoShop, but is that the best use of my creative time?  No, definitely not.  My writing time is much more important.  So, that is off my plate.  I have not turned over the formatting of my book to a "professional" yet.  I see that looming in the very near future.  Today, I am combing through the first half of my book one more time, ( I really don't think it will be the last ) polish, polish, polish. 


The journey continues.


To those who are experiencing hazardous weather, be safe,
M.Rene

Writing Weather

It is cold outside!!! 
I am in Arizona and in my neck of the woods it is 34 degrees and that is unseasonably cold here.  Normally, we hear about unseasonably warm on a consistent basis.  But for the next few days we will have what we consider cold, cold weather. 

I stayed up last night late into the wee hours working on my cover.  Well, Photoshop won and I am not playing with it today, I will work on formatting The Queen's Blood Vendetta for Kindle.  I will also complete my outline for the second book in this series. 

The Queen's Blood Vendetta is a Paranormal Romantic Thriller.  I never thought I would be writing a Paranormal or have a teen age girl as my main character.  I have a few finished manuscripts in Mainstream Romance and Romance Suspense.  I am thinking about updating them and releasing those also in the not to distant future.  My youngest daughter who is 13 and a voracious reader inspired me to try another genre or genres.  She reads across several genres including Paranormal, Science Fiction, Teen Romance, Christian Thrillers, Time Travel, Mystery and Mainstream fiction. I was amazed how I absolutely fell in love with the ease of writing this story.  I am hoping the second installment in the series will flow so easily. 
Back to writing and moving closer to my release date of March 2011.
Stay Warm,
M.Rene

Indie Bound!!

Hello All,

I have been a writer all my life, through jounalizing, technical writing, short and full length novels.  I have been on the merry-go-round of "querying", participating in "on-line pitches" and I have found myself not hearing that traditional publishing music anymore and dizzy from the ride. 

I am self-publishing "The Queen's Blood Vendetta" . 

Okay, I said it, I'm doing it.

Self-publishing is an incredible amount of work and not for the weak at heart.  First getting the book written, edited and polished is a daunting process.  I will format the book for Kindle, Nook, Kobo and any other e-reader platform that I deem necessary.  I will publish the paperback book on Amazon. 

I am in the process of designing the book cover.  I am hoping that I will not obsess too much longer on the art, colors, shading, title placement, author's name placement etc.  I want my love/hate relationship with Photoshop to become more love than hate.

This blog is the beginning of a long list of marketing ideas that I will put into place over the course of my writing career for each book I publish, so please bear with me as I continue to add to this blog in getting it where it needs to be. 

Oh, yes in the midst of all this I am in the process of writing the next book in this series.   


I'm excited and yet terrified,
M.Rene