Monday, November 17, 2014

The WHY

I recently was invited to an Author's Roundtable/Book Signing at my local library. I cannot even begin to explain how humbled, honored and down right excited I was. I was blessed to meet five of the most amazing fellow women authors from my community and it blew my mind to hear their stories, to chat with them and to just be in the same room with them. I was the newbie of the group and found myself in awe as I listened to them talk about the stories and worlds they'd created and how they did it.

It was, without a doubt, the most insightful and eye opening day I have ever had. I realized a lot about myself that day--as a woman and as an author. I was interviewed and it was the first time I'd been asked some of these questions, which made me think and also made me remember WHY.

So, why?

Why did I write it?
Well, the answer is simple--it was a story that needed to be told. The idea stemmed from my mother and it was a project I was working with her on. After she passed, I wanted to finish the project but unfortunately, it had been thrown away. So, I started from scratch and used a few of her ideas to make it my own and recreate something new. I planted her seed, nourished it and watched as it grew and began to take a mind of it's own. The characters began to tell their own story and I fell in love with watching it all unfold in my mind as I wrote it out on paper. (Technically speaking, I typed it out but yeah)

Why do I continue to write?
That's even easier. The reason I began in the first place was because I wanted to touch people with my words. Give them inspiration, hope, make them fall in love with reading again. I want to create a world my readers can get lost in and escape to after a long day in the real world. Because, let's face it, sometimes our lives just suck, and to quell that we can pick up a book and get lost in a story of forbidden love, a story of mysterious murders, a story of magical sorcerers and human dragon people. That's really what it's all about, the imagination of it all.

I'm an emotional writer ( I guess that's how to describe it) I write what I want my readers to feel, to see, to picture it as if they were watching a movie. To me, description is everything and if I can describe something with my words so that it paints a picture in your mind, explain the emotion so thoroughly that you FEEL what my characters feel, then...I've done my job. It's about pulling your emotions out by reading written word. That's the kind of author I've always like to read, the ones that make me feel something. So, that was the type of author I aspired to be.

Another reason I write--to become someone. Not to be famous or rich (although those things are nice) If I were to say I want to be a NY Bestseller, it's only so that I know I've reached millions with my words. That I've made a difference or gave someone some kind of joy by reading my work. I aspire to be more than just a mom, a wife, a co-worker....I want to be a writer, an author. I want to be successful. Someone my son can one day be proud of because I didn't give up on my dreams. I want to be living proof that if you dream big enough, and work hard to make those dreams reality that you will succeed. A dream is only a dream until you make it a reality. It won't just happen on it's own, you have to want it enough, work at it enough.

Why should you buy and read my book?

Well, again that's simple. I'll start with saying I'm the worst at promoting myself. But I'm proud enough of my work that I'll yell it from the mountaintops. So, I'll start by being honest. It's a book about love, family and has a lot of mystery and drama in it. If you're looking for a contemporary romance with REAL characters who you can connect to, feel their emotions and get lost in...then my book is for you. If you like a good mystery that keeps you guessing with lots of romance tension and twists...then my book is for you.

Read the amazon reviews for yourself, read the first few pages if you want...but take a chance on it. If you read it, I do ask you to leave a review. Whether you liked it or not, I want to know because it's the only way I'll grow as a writer. Suggest it to your friends who you think would enjoy it, help me spread it around and bring some emotion to people again.

And, while you're at it for looking for new books to delve into, check these out as well. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed by taking the chance on these lovely ladies.

Joyce Richards Case
Paper Dreams: Volume One
Pressing on with Hope: Volume Two
Stories about a family business and all it entails
http://www.amazon.com/Joyce-Richards-Case/e/B0034PXK6E/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Veronica Brown
The Daughter of the Puppet King
A tale of magic and intrigue!
http://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Puppet-King-Veronica-Brown/dp/1629944726/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416284548&sr=1-1&keywords=daughter+of+the+puppet+king

Anne Simon
Blood in the Cane Field
A story of crime, passion and mystery that you won't want to put down!
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Cane-Field-Crimes/dp/0989864138/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416284603&sr=1-1&keywords=blood+in+the+cane+field

Stephanie Judice
Rising--The Saga of the Setti
A story with love, mystery and action you don't want to miss out on. Part of a series.
http://www.amazon.com/Rising-Stephanie-Judice/dp/0615500099/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416284631&sr=1-1&keywords=rising+stephanie+judice
--Also her pen name Juliette Cross
http://www.amazon.com/Juliette-Cross/e/B00MQ18Z1W/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1416283247&sr=1-1
Get lost in the worlds she's created!

Margaret Simon
Blessen
A wholesome story about a young girl's journey to discovery. Sweet and captivating--give it a try. Great for young readers and up!
http://www.amazon.com/Blessen-Margaret-Simon/dp/0984891528/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416283705&sr=1-1&keywords=blessen

I was honored to spend the day with these ladies and I cannot wait to see what more they come out with. Give their work a try, like it? Leave them a review and spread the word to your friends. We can't succeed without the help of our readers...

I'd also like to share with you three other authors who inspire me daily, whom I happen to call friends.

Torie James
Timeless Night-Book 1
Timeless Desire-Book 2
Multiple anthologies
Stories with Arthurian lore (King Arthur and his knights, as well as the noble sir Lancelot) filled with drama, mystery, action and best of all....hot romance!
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&field-author=Torie+James&search-alias=books&text=Torie+James&sort=relevancerank

Jas T. Ward
Madness:Shadow Keepers Series
Lust: Shadow Keepers Series book 2--Coming soon!
Love's Bitter Harvest
Bits and Pieces: Tales and Sonnets
The Shadow Keepers series is full of action, romance and a bit of mystery. She's created a world I love getting lost in.
Love's Bitter Harvest is her rendition of romance--the hard, raw, real way.
http://www.amazon.com/Jas-T.-Ward/e/B00CJO70A8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1416284279&sr=1-1

R.J. Loom
The Ilia Stone: Book one
A story of centuries old mystery (Ancient Greek history) and romance.
http://www.amazon.com/Ilia-Stone-Book-One-ebook/dp/B00MSBKEAA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416284687&sr=1-1&keywords=the+ilia+stone+rj+loom


Thank you guys for never letting me give up on my dreams, for nourishing my talents and being there for me. It means a lot. I look up to you all....and you too, Liam *winks* I can't wait to read your works!


So there you have it...my WHY. Tell me WHY you're not reading yet? *grins*


OH! and of course,,,my book that's out: Circle Of Secrets
http://www.amazon.com/Circle-Secrets-Lauren-Tisdale/dp/1631051180/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416284455&sr=1-1&keywords=circle+of+secrets+lauren+tisdale