Guess what?

I started book 4! I know that this will make my test readers that have been patiently waiting for it very happy. I did not write much, just 2 paragraphs, but it is a start.

1 month tomorrow. And pictures, pictures, pictures!

Since Fated came out 1 month ago tomorrow, I have already had 1 book signing, an article in the paper, and a possible radio interview, I thought that it was time to get some pictures taken that I can use for publicity and events. What an adventure (as my friends on Facebook can attest to)!

I had my husband take some nice pictures, that turned out well. Since neither he nor I are professional photographers, though, we didn't realize that the background was too dark, and my dark hair and dark shirt blended too much for me to crop myself out of the pictures without looking like I cropped myself out of the pictures. So, we re-shot them against a lighter background, with several different outfits, and I got some more good shots. I wasn't, however, able to duplicate my favorite pose from the first batch.

I spent some time tonight trying to work with that original picture that I liked from the first batch to see if I could get myself out of it and onto a lighter background. I do believe that I have succeeded! But, that leaves me with several very good images to choose from. I have put them on my Facebook and asked for opinions. I plan on using the ones that are the most popular with my friends. I really appreciate all of those that helped me to choose.

As for Fated, I keep spreading word about it, and it seems to keep generating interest in whomever I speak to about it. I hope that means that in another month it has grown even more in popularity with the word of mouth from myself, my test readers, and those of the public that have read it. Don't forget that Guardian is due to be released in February!

Another small taste of Fated. Enjoy!

            He went into the house and promptly made his way to the living room, where he went straight over to the T.V. and turned off the power.

            “Hey! I was watching that!” Brody yelled.

            “Well, you can go back to watching it when your homework is done.”  Kellen said, as he dumped his armful of wood into the holder by the fireplace. “You know that Mom will be upset if you don’t have that done by the time that she gets home.”

            Brody couldn’t argue with that, because he did know that their mother would be upset. However, he didn’t give in easily. He hadn’t liked the bossiness in Kellen’s tone.

            “But this is my favorite show.” He tried again.

            The look on Kellen’s face assured Brody of what was coming next. “And it will still be your favorite show when you catch it in reruns,” was all that Kellen said.

            “Sometimes, Kellen, you can be such a pain in the as--”

            “Don’t say it! I wouldn’t want to have to tell Mom that I heard you cussing.” Kellen interrupted.

            Since both of them took great pains not to upset their mother, Brody finished his sentence with a quick, “asp!”  The brothers looked at each other for a second and then burst into laughter.

            “Dude, that doesn’t make any sense,” Kellen said, shaking his head.

            “I know, but I had to finish it somehow.” Brody answered with a smile, before sitting down at the table to start on his homework.

            Kellen shrugged out of his coat and hung it on the hook just inside the door.  He sat down at the bench by the door and took off his boots. Then he washed his hands and made his way over to the freezer to figure out something to make for supper. He knew that his mother would most likely eat at the diner, so he would have to scrounge up something for him and his brother.  He found some hamburger, threw it in the microwave to defrost, then headed over to the cupboard. He checked it out, and found what he was looking for.

            “Skillet meal boxed dinner…just add hamburger to the cheese and macaroni. You interested bro?”  He turned to ask Brody. Since they both knew that skillet meals pretty much pushed the limit of Kellen’s cooking ability, Brody just wrinkled his nose.

            “Do I have a choice? I swear, Kellen, you could burn water!”

            Kellen chuckled, fully knowing the extent of his culinary skills, which left a lot to be desired; but then, Brody wasn’t any better.

Word is getting around. And Book 3 is on the move!

More and more people are finding out about Fated and are passing on how much they like it. If this keeps up, then I might actually have a following when Guardian is released. I am grateful to all of those that are helping to spread the good word about it. I can't thank you enough, especially my very loyal test readers. Let's continue to keep the word of mouth going!

Book 3 stalled for a time but has now begun to make the rounds of the test readers. Tonight it made it into the hands of another one. I can't wait to get more reaction from more test readers! Yay, test readers!

FYI

My book is available at Dover Public Library as well. So you can go there and check it out. I donated a copy to the Phila Library also, but I have not found it to be available in their system yet.

What an AWESOME night!!!!!

I had a great time tonight at my first meeting of the Writer's Guild! A group that I wish I would have known about sooner. I hope that my schedule permits me to go back again sometime. I really like the President, she is so nice. I met some other, equally nice, people there tonight as well. I hope to contact them about doing a book signing there sometime soon. They like the meetings to be education, informative, and fun. I certainly had fun tonight.

I talked to a lady about possibly going on a radio show. ME!? On a radio show!!???? I think that I have now entered The Twilight Zone. This is so far from where I ever saw myself going in my life! I am so blessed! I am just going to buckle my seat belt and hold on for this ride, because I can never tell where it is going to take me! LOL. Now I just need to get those pictures done that take off a couple of chins . . .

Things I learned at my book signing

It was an awesome night, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a small, but intimate, group. It was made up mostly of my loyal test readers. Some things I learned from my test readers are . . .

1. I use it and because WAY too often in my books. I will have to watch that with the last 4 books. LOL. I told them that this might delay the writing process, though, so that I can search for alternatives. Their reply was that they would live with the it's and because's then. LOL. I thought you might say that!
2. That my test readers who have only read as far as book 2 are really anxious to read book 3, so I might have to get another copy printed out to get that moving through the test readers.
3. That the test readers that have read up to book 3 are really anxious for me to start book 4. LOL. We'll see what we can do about that at semester break.