Drop the Ego & Write What You Want

 It is said some people come into your life and quickly go, others stay a while and leave footprints on your soul. 

My late friend and writing buddy left a footprint I carry with me in my writing: Leave your ego in the back seat.

Translation? Don't let the worry of what others think stop you from writing your story. 

The ego is that thing between us and others. What will they think if I write this? Will they think I'm gross? A freak? Some kind of weirdo? To which writers should respond; who cares! 

Some will love your stories, some will hate them. You can't please everyone so don't let it stop you. Write what you want, critics be damned. 

My one book, Soul Mates (A different kind of love story) had a first review that stole my heart, "I laughed, I cried, I loved this book." 

A few reviews down, "this is about animal abuse." 

Note: it's not about animal abuse it's a story of a dog who goes through a tough time and get's rescued. I've worked in dog rescue for over 15 years and have seen a lot of sad stories and helped to save hundreds of dogs. I've seen and heard of more animal abuse than anyone should ever see and none of it gets any easier. Your heart breaks a million times as you bring in the starving, hurt and mentally damaged pups. We make them better and adopt them into good homes. I'll take that heartbreak because it keeps their hearts beating. 

Did I respond to that comment about animal abuse? No. Did I want to? Of course! First of all I believe the reviewer didn't finish the book because the dog wins in the end. Besides that? I'm not here for their opinions. I just here to tell a story. Many stories. If If I take that stuff as a hit to my ego, that ego might whitewash my next story. 

Who cares what cousin Suzy might think or how your Auntie might judge your book poorly. They didn't write a book and you did. 

YOU DID IT! 

First they judge you, then they laugh, then they're telling people how they know you. 

So toss that ego in the back seat and write on. 

P.S. The dog in that picture is doing great. Here's what she looks like now. God Bless the Rescuers.

The Mind Readers by Lori Brighton - A Review

There's nothing better for insomnia than having a Kindle. Finish one book, surf Amazon for another. I may not be getting any sleep but at least I'm entertained. 

I found Mind Readers by Lori Brighton on Amazon when I searched for free books. Since the main character, Cameron,  is in high school when the story starts I think that classifieds this as a young adult book. Although I can no longer claim the "young" part, I still loved this book. 

Cameron starts off with that semi-innocence of the typical teenager, insecurities, attracted to boys, but her turmoil is doubled since she can hear the thoughts of those around her. Sometimes a good thing, sometimes it adds to her anxiety. These parts are very well written without being overblown. 

The action begins when a classmate is murdered and the main character searches the minds around her to see who did it. The story is well paced and keeps us guessing just enough to turn the page. 

When Cameron discovers other mind readers who promise to teach her to control her powers, she goes with them. Soon Cameron discovers the people she thought wanted to help her, could just be using her. 

Good writing and a well paced plot, I give this book five stars. As soon as I finished I went back and picked up the second in the series. 

Impressing Readers with a Bio

I was wandering over at the Kindle Review Exchange on Facebook. Its a place were you can post your books and exchange a review with another writer (or reader?) As  I was scrolling through the blurbs for review I noticed a few put their bio up instead of a hook or blurb.

Hmmm, not impressed. One said stuff like, So-and-So has been writing since the age of 5 and published her first book at age 10. I didn't read any further. The thing that came to my mind was, "What? Did your mommy write your bio?" (Excuse the Jersey in me, but it is what it is- Have you met our obnoxious Governor?)

Smack me, but am I wrong? Should I care that the writer was scribbling books at age 5? I would be more impressed with with writing experience in the grown up world, degrees, interests dealing with the subject matter, etc.  I think when I do read the bio I want to learn what motivates the writer to do these kind of books. But if you're putting your book up to ask for a review exchange I think the hook is the best thing to put up there first. Drag me in and make me want to read more. Kind of like that back blurb only shorter?

But hey, what do I know? I just had a Facebook ad fail.
I gotta go check my bio now, because I really have no idea what I put in it.

So how's your bio? What important there and what did you leave out?

Book Review: Moon Dance by J.R. Rain

I just finished Moon Dance by J.R.Rain and I'm gonna give it 5 stars. This book kept me engaged and cheering for our main character, Samantha Moon, who is a mom, private investigator and a vampire. The story follows her investigation of an attempted murder while trying to balance everyday mom things. Clues are artfully dropped along the way as to how she became a vampire and what she's done to blend in with her old life. A skin disease explains why she avoids sunlight and her husband helped manage the blood issue. The story takes us through her struggles to earn a living, trying to save her marriage and manage her vampire cravings. Best of all -- I never guessed who did it. Clues were dropped, Samantha moved smoothly though the investigation and kept me guessing all the way.

From a writing stand point I'd say this is very well crafted and executed story. Characters are well fleshed out and believable, scenes are vivid and the story flows so well you forget reality and get sucked right into the world of Samantha Moon.

I don't seek out vampire stories and I'm not sure how this ended up on my Kindle. I am a bit of an impulse buyer so I often find surprises in my menu. However this was an excellent story. I loved the writing and I loved Samantha Moon. I would often find myself rooting for her and then feeling her pain as she realizes the life she once loved can never be hers again.

If you're looking for a good read check out Moon Dance. For more great reads by J.R. Rain click on his name to find his author's page on Amazon. I'm going back for the next book in this series!

Two Books...

Right now I'm reading two books. One by James Patterson & friend and one by Lee Childs. I'm struggling with the Patterson book. The internal dialog of the characters is weirdly feminine for a NY cop and the external dialog is stilted. Then there's the tags. The main character is a hardened NYC detective. Okay, so this guy should be kool under pressure but half the time he's freakin out. He's screaming and yelling in people's faces and otherwise acting like he's never seen any action before. He's such a girl! Even the female FBI agent working with him isn't as feminine.
Now the Lee Childs book is a Jack Reacher book. This is a character that's often seen in Lee's books. I'm only a few chapters into this book and I totally forget that I'm reading. Lee Childs pulls me into the story with such skill I can feel the snow swirling around Jack as he sets the flares out on the road. I'm shivering and worrying and so far into the world Childs created that I'm late for work.
When I finally left the house I was trying to think what it was in Lee Childs book that yanked me in to his world and left me forsaking the clock, the fact that the roads are an icy mess and I intended to get an early start and the dogs who are waiting patiently for breakfast.
I know what Reacher's wearing, where he's been for the last few days and why he got on that bus. I could see it, feel it and hear it.
Lee Childs is a master. I want to write like him.
I haven't finished either of these books yet but I'll have more when I'm done with them.

Harlan Coben - CAUGHT

When 17 year old Haley McWaid goes missing the community assumes the worst. Reporter, Wendy Tynes is on a mission to bring down sexual predators with her news program, Caught in the Act. When she publicly humiliates Dan Mercer and ruins his life things happen that make Wendy believe she may have been wrong. The story escalates and brings us into suburban America where more than a few secrets are hiding.
Nothing is as it seems in Harlan Coben's new thriller, CAUGHT. This book is a page turner that will make you believe one thing is true then twist everything around till you know nothing is as it seems.
In true Coben style this book will keep you up at night. I actually misplaced it at one point and tore my house apart to find it because I just had to find out how it ended.
Great read= 5 Aimless Stars