Kindle Short Reads - Let's Write!

  Did you know you can write and publish short stories for Amazon Kindle? 

I've been hearing about the Kindle Short Reads for a while but finally investigated. And tested. 

As far as my research took me, these can be a few different lengths, needs to be approved, and just like every other Kindle book has to have a cover. 

Word count categories: 

15 min read: 11 pages
30 min read: 12 - 21 pages
45 min read: 22 to 32 pages
60 min read: 33 to 43 pages
120+ min read: 65 - 100 pages 

To test this I went through a few of my dozens of short stories. (All saved and filed all over my computers - someday I have to get organized.) 

I picked a creepy old story I wrote about a year ago. Went to Canva and did a quickie book cover, and popped it up on Kindle Short Reads. Took maybe twenty minutes to a half hour.  

Two things I wish I had done; 

Picked a better background picture. Done better font. 

This cover was done in five minutes. I should have slept on it. 😝  

Escaping Pigwell was 14 pages in a Word doc, double spaced, Courier New. (Yes, I should have used Times New Roman - the standard) On Amazon this story came up as 10 pages/1964 KB. I did put it through as a word doc and not a pdf. Keywords I used the basic read tags like Horror, murder, etc but also added "short read" so Amazon would tag it appropriately. 

Pricing is your choice, of course, but I opted for .99 cents. 

Since this went up so easy and went live just a couple hours later, I'm going to put up more. Sometimes I have an idea and it never makes it to book length. Now there is an place for all our stories and people who look to read them. 

In my search of these short stories I saw some shorts by Dean Koontz, Debbie Macomber, John Grisham, Jodi Picoult. So know, if you decide to publish a short, you'll be in good company. 

So if you want a dark creepy read check out Escaping Pigwell on Amazon

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Writer's Toolbox

They say that a writer needs to read. Most writers are avid readers before deciding to write, but some just decide to give it a try.  Still, having the right tools goes a long way to writing a good book.

I was a reader and then the writing came naturally. Ideas flowed and the stories just had to be written.  Now there are boxes of stories under my desk and in the closets. Maybe some under the bed, too.

Not all stories go anywhere. Some were just the start of an idea, but we put them aside and maybe someday....

So what, besides reading, is in a writer's tool box? First it has to be grammar. I like Stunk & White Elements of Style. It's a good basic book for grammar.
I used to recommend a good thesaurus and dictionary, too. However in the age of the personal PC, that stuff is now at your fingertips.

Aside from that a collection of basic information and writing books. Not every book will fit every writer. Look for character development books, one that will help you flesh out the people in your book. Just giving a character a name and description isn't enough. If you've ever done a character sketch you've learned that the more you know about your MC the easier it is to write their reactions, thoughts, and dialog.

Now, let's go to your genre. Is your book set in the present? The 1950's? Is it a story about where you live or a different area? Vampires? Crime?

This is where research comes in. You can get a lot of information off the internet, just make sure it's a valid site and not an opinion site. Don't get the info from another fiction book. Research will pay off in the long run because make one factual mistake and someone somewhere will call you on it. Possibly in a review.

Look to other more successful authors for the way they work their craft. I recommend Stephen King's On Writing and  The Weekend Novelist. Both touch on the craft of writing and the discipline it takes to get things done. For without discipline where are we? Staring at half finished manuscripts and empty pages.

So, collect your books and make notes. Study your craft just as you would when you learn any other job.
Happy writing!

Stay at Home - a Writer's Dream?

Okay, all writers stay at home and write! You can't say you don't have the time. Some nasty virus gave you hours upon hours of free time.  Wo0t!

So why aren't I pumping out the words?

Excuse list;

1. Catching up on every movie I never wanted to watch or even knew existed. 
2. Laundry! Still letting it pile up so I have an excuse to make today; Laundry Day. 
3. Walk the dog... again.  Face it, this Stay at Home order sure packs on the pounds. 
4. I finally have time to clean out that closet. 
5. Have to finish cleaning out that closet & hanging the clothes I pulled out and threw on the couch.
6. The dog laid on the clothes so now we have another laundry day!
7. It's lunchtime/snacktime/winetime. Gotta keep the schedule. 
8. Finally have time to watch that TV series everyone was talking about two years ago. Just one more episode...
9. Its a good time to start that garden I've been thinking about
10. I'll write at least one chapter today, I promise. 

So, how many excuses have you been through? Please post below as I need some new ones.... 

The Pitfalls of Admitting You’re a Writer

I'm a writer and proud to admit it. It never was that way, but it's okay now. I think once you accept you're who you are, writing gets easier. Talking about who you are and what you do gets easier, too. 

Any professions should be something to be proud of whether it’s sweeping floors or flying airplanes. It’s what you do, what puts food on the table and a roof overhead. However there is one profession where people think you should work for free or at least on their project for free.

“What do you do for a living.”

“I’m a writer.”

“I have a great idea for a book. You could write it and I’ll split the money with you.”

Yes, I’ve had the conversation many times and I used to bite my tongue every time. I used to say, “Sorry, I really don’t have time. I do have a book I’m working on now.” This reply has either brought no response or something along the lines of, “But this will be a best seller. You should still write it.”

Aside from the fact that most lay people have no idea how much work goes into writing a book. The late hours, pages upon pages of edits and revisions and when the book is finally done, searching for a publishing house or agent. Some writers are fairly prolific and others spend years perfecting their books. People outside of the profession just don’t get it.

So what do you do when someone insists you’re missing that best seller if you’d only write their book? You know, and do all the work so they can “split” the profit? And POOF! Have that magical best seller?

Here’s what works for me;

“Okay, give me an outline by chapter and character sketches. I’ll also need a timeline in detail to make sure I get it right.”

No one has ever given me any of this and most never come back asking. If they do, I reiterate how important it is getting the outline, character sketches and timeline is to create the book.

Next time they ask you to write that book, give them the list and watch that glint go out of their eye. Oh wait! Writing a book is work???? Who knew!

No Apologies

5 tips for a Successful NanoWrimo

This year I'm going to do it. Years ago I did. (now a book on Amazon) So why not again. What got me to the finish line was a lot of things. Life gets in the way? Sure! But here's a few tips to make it to November 30th.

1. Have a designated writing space. Whether it's a desk or a square of kitchen table stake it out and claim your space. Let them all know this is a writing space. It's kind of holy. 
2. Schedule your writing time. And guard it. Sorry honey, it's writing time. Bring dinner to my desk.  It's Nano time! 
3. Join a group. There are Nano groups all over the country that will meet and write together. No one understands your Nanowrimo like another Nano person. They know they pitfalls, they know the challenge and they understand that thing inside you that drives your Nano compulsion. You can go to the national Nanowritmo and find one in your area. 
4. Find a nearby Nano writer to help keep you on point. Report your word count, talk about your plot, work through those little niggling details. Most of all encourage each other to keep writing. 
5. Stay true to Nanowrimo and remember missing a day or two won't kill your Nano challenge. Jump back on the Nano wagon and know you're not done until the end of the month. 

See you at the finish line. GO NANOWRIMO! 

7 Tips for Writing a Book

Face it. Writing a book is work. Creative writing? Fiction? It takes getting into the zone. That place where you block out all else and become part of your story. Where you're inside the heads of your characters and feeling their thoughts and emotions. Your niche could be essay writing, creative writing, journaling, or memoir writing.

Getting it done is the challenging part.

So how do you do it?

• Ass in chair. This is the simplest tip anyone can give you. Sit down in front of that computer and just write. The muse will come when you show up. It's not going to call you or send you some mystical signal on when it's time to write. Pick a time and plant your ass in the chair. 
• Ignore the fear. Stop with the "am I good enough," "will anyone like it," or the worse, "will it sell?"  Stop it! Put that ego in the backseat and just write your story down. 
• Read. Sorry, you can't write in a vacuum. Best advice about writing? Read a lot. Reading introduces you to different styles and voices that could totally enrich your own writing. Read multiple genres. Don't be tied to your old tried and true favorites. Explore the world of books in every category and see what's out there. 
• Get good at Grammar. Yes, it's important and even if the reader doesn't know all the technical grammar rules they'll feel it when something doesn't sound right. Others will know and will just not want to read what you've written. Grammar is one of the most important things in your tool box. Make it work for you. 
• Set goals. Pick a page count or slice of time when all you do is write. Stephen King wrote in his book On Writing that he does 10 pages a day. Sometimes he's done early, sometimes he's burning that midnight oil. So pick your goal and stick to it. Slice of time? I used to write from 6 to 7 am before work. It was my most productive time because it was before the family woke up and started moving around. It was a quiet time with just my characters, coffee and the story. It worked for me. Find what works for you. 
• Hold precious your writing time. Choose that time and make it your job. Its a sacred time between just you and your work. Go to it and get it done.
• Go to writing conferences or join writing groups. Be around other writers and be open to learning what they have to share. No one is perfect and everyone can learn. Hanging around these kind of people will help keep your focus and motivation. 

These are just a few tips that will get that story written. After all this is done the editing process begins. Don't edit in the middle. Get it all down on paper, put it on the shelf for a couple of weeks. Then come back and read with fresh eyes. The story is the foundation, editing is the walls, and that last draft is the finishing decor. Polish it, shine it, and make it happen. 

Discovering Patreon

Still working on The Midnight Brain and figuring out Patreon. Truth? I've been busy with another project (so many projects!) and haven't invested the time I need to get all the answers.

Today I'm doing more research. One of the things on Patreon is setting up tiers for donations. So if someone wants to donate $1 per month they get X, if they donate $5 per month they get X and Y. So, this is not what I thought, but I'm not giving up. I think I can still set it up as donate whatever you want and I'll keep writing. I've been exploring other author sites on Patreon to see what their set up is and how it's working for them. Here's a good article on those authors.

Should I offer a once a month short story for the higher tier? If so, what genre? Maybe an autographed copy of something I have up on Amazon?  Would that be something anyone would want? (personally I love autographed books and have a bit of a collection) I write in a few genres and I'd want whoever donates to get something that they'd like, so should I shift the Brain to just one genre? Decisions, decisions. Of can I just keep going with my multi-genre plan and write whatever comes down from the universe?

The story on the Brain  now is something I wrote a few years ago and it's a fully finished piece. I have more fully finished pieces in the desk that can follow this and have done quite a few short stories. Most of the shorts were more toward the romance genre as I used to write for the confessions. (So sad they went out of biz!) And of course there are plenty more unfinished pieces lying in the dust around here, too. So now, what to give if I set up tiers?

Any Patreon people around here? Advice? Your experience?
Anyone here a Patron on Patreon? What do you look for? Why do you give?

Gone Indie, Where to Now?

I went Indie a while ago but slacked in marketing. Really, I know marketing. I've worked in the field (along with Human Resources, Sales, Office Management and a few others that don't apply) so I know what to do. I'm just a slacker and used that "life happens" excuse to not get it done.

I do have several books finished that are just sitting on my computer waiting to be edited. That's the real work. Editing. It's like you worked hard to create this art project you love and someone leans over your shoulder and points out all the things that don't work with it. BUT IT WAS SO BEAUTIUFL! before that editing muse stepped up. Sheesh! What a nag!

So here's my new experiment.

I took a book I loved and I'm posting it to a blog, placing adsense on it and a link to Patreon.

I first discovered Patreon from podcasts. Another thing I long to do, but (insert "life happens" excuse here) just haven't done. It's a place where creative people can post for donations to keep the creativity flowing. Podcastors do it, You-tubers, and artists all do it on Patreon and people just donate towards their work. Some do exceedingly well, other's just float along. Some have no donations. :(
Then I figured since my "life happens" excuse was blocking my podcasting abilities, why don't I use it for my writings? And so, a new blog was born; The Midnight Brain.   I put an age warning on it for violence and or sexual stuff. Mostly I did this so I don't scare the kiddies.

First two chapters of Eyes of My Killer are up and the next two are set to launch over the next couple of days. I'm editing each chapter as I put it up. This forced editing is getting things done! Wo0t!

Patreon is almost set up, too. Still learning the technicalities on the site, but I've been approved. Yay!

To all my fellow writers, I'll keep you posted on this experiment.

Writing without Fear

Found this meme and thought it really related to writing. 

One of the things that holds a lot of people back is judgement.

Am I good enough?

Will they laugh at me?

Do I really know what I'm doing?

Other writers will think my book is stupid.

My friends will think my book stinks!

I'll be embarrassed...

At some point writers have to just get over it. Some never do. Some never care what other's think. 

Today a guy I've known since I was in grammar school wanted to know where he could buy my books. (Yay!) But I can't say I didn't have that little tingle of fear that said, "Will he like them? Will he get it?" It took a moment to just brush that off and send him the link. 

The first book I put up was Soul Mates. A story about a person reincarnated as a Chihuahua who goes through a rough time to find happiness. I foster a lot of abused dogs and always wondered what put that fear into their eyes before they came to my house, so I wrote about it. I put that book up without fear because I liked the story. I didn't think about who else would like it. I thought it was a story I had to tell for the dogs.  

The next book was harder. For a long time I had to remind myself to shrug off the fear and just do what I wanted to do. Write. Tell stories. 

Stephen King once said he wanted to be remembered as a good story teller. I hold on to that because he's right. I just want to share the stories and hope they give someone a little escape and maybe some happiness for just a short while. 

Someone once said, "Courage is just fear holding out for one more minute."

So, here's to courage! May we laugh at fear and kick it to the curb while we post our stories and share our art. Some may love it, some may not, but we're too busy to notice because we're working on the next story. 

See you in the pages....

What's to HATE About Writing?

Writing is easy and fun.
Yes, really.
All those ideas rolling around in my head flow through the keyboard to the page and it's almost like living in another world for a while.
Bliss.
Sometimes the plot is torture or the characters go in the wrong direction, they don't listen, they go off script, but overall, it's fun. I like that other world. The world where I drift off into a place only I know, with people I created from all the good and the bad of every experience I've ever had.

Then comes the edit.
(Cue music from Jaws)
First edit, not so bad. Correct a few plot points, spelling, word swaps. Go over with a critical eye. Knit it back together, take out the nicey nice and put in some raw stuff.

Put it on the shelf.
Second edit; I want to rip out every other page and end up rewriting and rewriting. How did I miss this...this....this TRASH?

Back on the shelf.
Third edit. That's where I am now with Threshold to Midnight.
And.
its.
torture.
I know this story so well that I could recite it in my sleep. Then all these ideas come into my head to make major plot changes which means go back and change other stuff so it matches the new changes.
After awhile....it's like rewriting the whole book. Then I want to change it back.

One bright point? I got an idea for a sequel, took a break, and mapped that out.

So, how do you attack that dreaded edit? How many edits do you go through before publishing?

That Moment in Your Head

I was walking through a parking garage in Atlantic City this morning and I had an idea. An exciting idea! I thought, yes, I have to write that story. The premise, the outline was there, in my head, all of it.  I had my hands full and couldn't write it down or put notes in my phone, but it was so outstanding, of course I'd remember it, right?

Then I got busy, went about my day, drove back up to work (2 hour ride) and then finished my regular work day. Came home...ordered pizza and then remembered...what?

ARRGGgGGH! It's gone! That great idea I had in that parking garage in AC is out of my head. Frustration! When I had that idea, I thought; this is great! I'll never forget it, it's unforgettable!

So, now I'm just writing down random words on a page, hoping to trigger something.

             She knew something
             She discovered a secret
             Blood there was something about blood?
             Investigates until she discovers ...what was that?

These random scribbles aren't releasing anything from the dark chambers of my mind. How could this just slip away when it felt so memorable?
This ever happen to you? Any tricks on how to call back those lost ideas????

Massive Rewrites? Blame the Beta Reader

I finished the manuscript, asked my daughter to give it a look over, she had some suggestions. I put the book aside and let her comments vegetate in my brain. Sometimes leaving these things in the back of my mind will sprout forth the solution to the plot problems.

The plot itself wasn't that big a deal, but there was something missing? I knew what I wanted to say, but from the reader comments I could see my emphasis was in the wrong place. (I hope that makes sense!)

So this book sat on a shelf for a few months while I occupied my brain with other ramblings of the mind. Then something fell into place and I knew. One morning I flipped on my computer and saw the little icon on my desk top labeled "Body Count" (It's the file where I keep all my WIPS) and knew where the story had to go and exactly what I needed to do to change it.

So, I'm rewriting and rewriting and ...oy! Rewriting. Chapters in, paragraphs out, one major change, and a big change in the ending.

Don't you love your beta reader? That one who points out all your flaws? And to think we ask (beg?) for this treatment. The beta reader comments are like suddenly putting on those prescription glasses you didn't know you needed. The world clears, the horizon is in sight and the sails go up.

I really like this story. Its post apocalypse, a new genre for me, but it had been fighting to come out for a while.  The characters speak to me and someday, I hope they'll speak to the readers.

So? How's your latest rewrite going? 

Rainy Day Writing

It's supposed to rain all day today. What a great day to lock myself in my office and get some writing done!

At work everyone is really into those books about being successful and obtaining goals. Some are encouraging, some are a kick in the pants. Just get up and get it done!

Although I've never considered myself a self help needed kind of person, apparently I am. 

It started with The Secret. Willing yourself to make things happen. Like using a mantra of success in your endeavors to make you believe, which will make things happen. What you put out into the Universe, will come back to you. 

Then I read Selling with a Nobel Purpose. Really, its a book about how to be a successful sales person, but it's message can carry over into regular life. (It was required reading since I'm a sales coordinator. I don't actually sell, I organized the team that sells)  The message in that book is to do whatever you do with "Noble Purpose." To know that whatever you're doing is important, is helping other people. That even if one person is touched by what you do, you've done a good thing. 

Next I read The Power. Sort of a sequel to The Secret but where The Secret was about positive thinking, The Power spoke of the power of love and how to put that into your everyday life. Love what you do, find things to love about others, and use this power to change your life. By finding something to love about your job, your circumstance, or what ever is affecting you, can change it into something more positive.

The Darren Hardy podcasts I mentioned in the last post were shared with me and I signed up to get an email everyday. He talks of getting things done. Forget about failing. You will fail, not everyone will like you, do it anyway. Believe in yourself enough to follow through with your dreams. He also talks of always learning. 

What does all this have to do with writing? From the Secret I'll take a mantra to sit down and write. From Selling with a Nobel Purpose I'll take comfort in knowing/hoping my writing will give someone some entertainment. From the power? Love what I write, and love everything connected with it; the readers, the reviewers, and Amazon. From those podcasts I get the determination to keep going. Everyday encouragement and sometimes a kick in the pants to stop making excuses. 

Although a lot of these books are directed toward entrepreneurship I think they can apply to a writing career, too. Go forth and conquer. Know what you're doing is important. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.   

Write on, my friends. 

Amazon Ad - Rejected!

Tried to place the Amazon ad last night and this morning I got the rejection letter. (It's okay, I'm a writer, I'm used to rejection)

Apparently, No Apologies' cover art is too hot to handle.

Hey! She's dressed (sort of) and he's just shirtless. 

Amazon has a list of rules for ads here.

No Apologies just doesn't make the cut. Maybe too much skin per square inch?
When a my cover designer first gave me this cover I liked the beach because the opening scene is a woman on a beach. She moves back home and is thrown together with the man she left at the altar. Cue the suspense and she needs his help because she's being stalked by a man who wants to auction her off to the highest bidder. Although there are several suggestive scenes, they never actually have sex. So maybe my cover is too hot?

All day long I've been thinking about whether or not I should change the cover. If Amazon doesn't like it, maybe others are turned off, too?

Is my cover too sexy for my book? 

After asking around, (friends & family) the general consensus is not to change the cover.

I wanted to promote this book for more reviews, get it some face time on the Internet. I guess I could turn to AdSense or something like that? Spend the same budget there that I had marked for Amazon? I'm going to have to think about this for a day or two.

Of course I could put one of my other books in the Amazon ad, they all need more reviews, but I'm thinking its better to concentrate on this one book for awhile to kind of kick it off the ground.

Maybe I should just be writing?

Writing During the Holidays

Finding time to write during the Holidays season seems like a struggle. Can I slip into my office for an hour or so or should i be finishing my Christmas shopping? Get those decorations up? And all that normal household stuff like laundry, dishes, vacuuming. I was once a stay at home mom. When that was my job I took the keeping of the house seriously. Old habits die hard. If I see something that needs to be taken care of in the house, I itch to get it done. Not doing it is like watching a job you loved for many years, fall apart.  

Carving out writing time without guilt is always a challenge. Doing it with the holidays here is like living in crazy-land. I sometimes wonder if I should just put it on hold until January when we're trapped in the house by snow.

I need to find a way to get rid of the guilt. Being a writer with a day job is like having two full time jobs and only time for one. Still feeling the need to fulfill the responsibilities of a stay at home mom, make for full time job number 3.  Yes, my husband helps but he also has an hour commute to and from work. Since he's doing that two hour drive every day I don't ask him to  do too much housework. He has enough with yard work, home repairs/improvements, bringing wood in for the wood stove, and shoveling snow. He does his part.

Back to finding that time to write. It used to be easy. I used to get up and write at 6 a.m. before work. Lately, bouts of insomnia screw up that schedule.

 I think I need to make up a new schedule for all this stuff and writing. Help!

What's your writing schedule during the holidays? Do you go to your desk at the same time every day?

Sneaky Writers Win

Yesterday I reviewed the book, The Mind Readers by Lori Brighton. I picked up Ms. Brighton's book late one night when I was having trouble falling asleep. I clicked that little shopping cart  icon and when I got to Amazon searched "free" in the book category.  I like paranormal books and this one had good reviews.

I got a free book, YAY!

The book was good. The story ended, there was closure, but also the possibility of another adventure for the main character. The last pages showed me the additional books this writer had so back to Amazon I went.

This time I paid for the book and the writer made money.

I've read that Hugh Howey saw his book, Wool, was selling so that smart man turned it into a series. BAM! He's a best seller! Of course the writing has to be good.

David Rosenfelt is another writer with a lawyer series. All stand alones, but with the same main character. One free book and I came back for the others.

There's always been a lot of controversy over whether or not a writer should give away their books for free. I've run campaigns where I put my book up for free and saw a spurt of downloads. A review or two came back, but nothing to write home (or here) about. However, my books aren't a series so there was probably no reason to use the free book hook to suck in new readers.  Live and learn.

Conclusion? If you have a series offering the first in the series for free could hook new readers. Otherwise? eh.

Google: Facebook Ads for Indie Authors

If you put "Facebook ads for Indie Authors" into a search you get a lot of hits. Everyone has advice on how to promote your book on Facebook and I think I'm going to have to save this research for Saturday morning and coffee. I know I'm going to want to take notes.

Right now my facebook report says I've reached 453. However my page views for my author fb page says 671. I'm guessing this sudden page view phenomenon is connected somehow to the ad.  So I guess I should go write something witty and awesome on that page to keep them coming back.
Bottom line; No Sales. :(

Impulsive Facebook Ad

Yesterday I posted a link on facebook to a blog post I did from my website about why I wrote Soul Mates and how the idea came from the dogs I've helped to rescue. (I work as a foster family and foster homeless dogs until a good family can be found.) It was kind of a sloppy post. All I did was put the link on fb and the photo popped in with the title of the blog post. No big deal.

Then this morning a little thing popped up on FB that said, "Boost your Post."

I checked my paypal account and found 12 bucks. So I flipped back to the FB tab and hit the button. I figured its kind of like a lottery ticket. Sometime you win, but probably not. Either way I haven't done any promoting in a few months so what the heck. I was planning on waiting till after the holidays to create a budget and make a plan. (Hopefully, my current WIP, -not the NANO one-  but Threshold of Midnight, will be up by then)

I clicked all the buttons to set up the FB ad; one week for $10. Yeah! I'm a big spender! Unlike last time when I made the book free,  Soul Mates, is up for its regular prices. Kindle $1.99 and Paperback $6.99.
So since this morning I've got a big 3 click-throughs and no sales.
Unfortunately, since this blog was set up on a free Wix site I have no analytics to see if anyone actually went to the site. I should go to google to see if I can add it.

I'll post the results every couple days. This is from Facebook;

Writing & Reviews & Lord Tennyson

Any writer who has a book out there might sooner or later get a bad review. Its almost unavoidable. 

In a moment of boredom, I Googled my name and found a review from a site in the UK. It was like a stab in the heart. The reviewer said my book, Soul Mates,  was about "animal abuse." In real life I've rescued and fostered hundreds of dogs. My two dogs are rescues. One from a puppy mill in Missouri and one from a hoarding situation. I've seen what animal abuse can do and that was not the point of my story. So this reviewer might have just ripped out my broken heart and stomped on it. The person didn't even finish the book, just made a judgement in the first few chapters. My first reaction was wanting to write to her and explain a few things. Like what she thought was happening wasn't the main point of the story. She didn't give it a chance, she didn't wait for the hero to come in and save the day. It was so opposite of what she thought it was about. I just wanted to reach out and talk to this reviewer. 

I held back. I didn't want to react with emotion. I wanted time to think about it. 

After a few days a light bulb went off over my head. 

>Ping< 

Another thought came to me. I made that reviewer feel things. Whatever she read made her ...angry? emotional? care?  

Soul Mates on Amazon

After that I realized maybe her review wasn't so bad. It showed me that my writing reached her. Of course, I believe if she finished the book her review might have been much different, but now I'm okay with the knowledge I reached her and made her care. 

The first review I got for that book;

"I cried, I laughed and I cried again. Being an animal lover and having four Chihuahuas myself, some parts were a bit tough for me but thank goodness those were brief. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it. Definitely a great read." ~Amazon Review

No matter how many things we toss out into the world, not everyone is going to like it, not everyone will give it a fair chance. We just need to move on and keep writing. Focus on the positive. Send a prayer and healing energy to the people who send negativity. 

Once in a golden hour
I cast to earth a seed.
Up there came a flower,
The people said, a weed.

To and fro they went
Thro' my garden bower,
And muttering discontent
Cursed me and my flower.

Then it grew so tall
It wore a crown of light,But thieves from o'er the wall
Stole the seed by night.

Sow'd it far and wide
By every town and tower,
Till all the people cried,
'Splendid is the flower! '

Read my little fable:
He that runs may read.
Most can raise the flowers now,
For all have got the seed.

And some are pretty enough,
And some are poor indeed;
And now again the people
Call it but a weed. 

~ Alfred Lord Tennyson

Scary Research When You're a Writer

Do all writers research? Does it ever scare you? 

Normal days research;

• How long will a walk in freezer stay cold if the electricity goes out. 
• How do you ventilate a bomb shelter
• How long does it take to dance-walk five miles
• List of Federal prisons in Virginia
• Amount of a prison sentence for armed robbery
• Types of guns police use
• How many tanks of air do you need to stay underwater for two days
• Effects of staying underwater for two days
• Look up stencil for putting peacock feathers on my car

Those were just a few from last week. Except the last one. I think I want to put vinyl peacock feathers in bright colors on the hood of my car cause the paint has some pits in it. :)

In my current WIP I needed a toxic substance. Not just any toxic substance but one that I can fictionally mutate. Weird, I know. So I start to research and let me tell you...there's some really scary stuff out there! Makes me wish I wrote erotica. I'll bet those authors have fun with research. 

So what's the strangest stuff you've ever researched?