Becoming a Real Vendor

Written By: carolmoye - Aug• 28•15

I’ll have a table at my church’s block party tomorrow with books and photographs. I registered my business with the state, and have my square register account set up. Will that be cash, check or charge? I’m pretty hyped!! Oakland Block Party invitation

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Wordless Wednesday

Written By: carolmoye - Aug• 26•15

BandedPeacock blackspotted butterfly on tinyred flowers BlueBuckeye  orangeTBAbutterflybuckeyeweirdness

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Meet Hannah Mullen

Written By: carolmoye - Aug• 25•15

Cover for Experimentals by Hanna MullenI’m so excited to introduce you to a new author that my author friend, JoAnn Meaker, sent my way. Her name is Hannah Mullen and she is twelve years old. She is putting the finishing touches on her first novel, titled “Experimentals”.  While I haven’t met her in person yet, we have exchanged several emails, and I have read a pre-release copy of her novel. I must admit that I am quite impressed.  “Experimentals” is a science-fiction novel about children who are “adopted” by the government and raised in a lab where they are basically treated like lab animals.  It is an impressive debut novel, especially when you consider her age. I asked Hannah several questions, her responses are below. You will, no doubt, be impressed by her maturity.

1. How old were you when you began writing?

Well, my first book attempt was when I was eleven, but really I think I’ve been writing my whole life. I just didn’t realize I wanted to write a book until the sixth grade.

2. Is this your first novel?

Yes, it is. I worked on it for about six months for the initial first draft, starting in June and ending in November.

3. Where did you get the idea for Experimentals?

Well, it was kind of a combination of things. I noticed that, in science fiction novels, there is usually some kind of lab, but they never really go into it very much. I have always liked writing emotional pieces and I love science, so I just put all that together, and now here I am.

4. Where do you go to school?  What’s your favorite subject?

I go to Stonewall Jackson Middle School. I’m not really a big fan of school because I want to be writing. My favorite class would probably be language arts, though, because I get to write and I like the teacher because she makes the class very interactive.

5. Who is your favorite author? What is your favorite book?

I like a lot of the books that I read, but I would have to say my favorite currently (I have a new one about every week) is Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. My favorite author is John Green because he’s very good at every book he writes and he’s a funny guy.

6. What is the most difficult part about writing a novel?

There are a lot of difficult parts, but the first big issue for me is believing that it’ll be good enough. Sometimes it’s hard when you’re writing something to know if you’ll look back at it when you’re editing and think, wow, this is awful. I think you just have to write it out and see. Usually, it’s a lot better than you think, but it can be stressful when you don’t think it will be.

What advice do you have for other young authors?

Don’t give up. Don’t give in to what everyone else says, because if you put your mind to it, you can do it. I know that sounds like a poster that would be hanging in your classroom, but it’s true. Also, don’t feel like you have to take ideas from everyone.  It’s your writing, not theirs, even if they are your friends.

 

Visit Hannah’s Facebook page for updates.

Store Links:

Paperback (Createspace Store)

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Meet Suzanne Williams

Written By: carolmoye - Aug• 24•15

Author Suzanne Williams

Suzanne D. Williams is an indie writer I “met”  through a Facebook group. She was looking for people to read and review her books. She  allowed me to choose which of her books I wanted to read and review. I chose Take Me Away. It was a delightful short romance. I then visited her author page and noticed what a prolific writer she is. Since I love helping other indie writers, (especially Christian writers) I offered to interview her on my blog.  If you love clean romances, check our Suzanne’s books. Although I have only read one, I’m off to purchase and read another. Like me, Suzanne is also a photographer, so I encourage you to visit her blog and check out her photographs as well.

Meet Suzanne

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up surrounded by family with strong southern roots and have learned to appreciate my heritage and view it as an advantage. It frequently pops up in my stories both in dialect and a certain small-town feel. Frankly, I can’t help but write what I know. This has made for amusing moments with my more northern editors, who didn’t understand phrases like “dipping your plate” or sitting “in” the floor. But I wouldn’t change a thing about who I am.

When did you first start writing?

I wrote devotionals and nonfiction articles before I ever considered writing fiction. My first book was my own personal testimony entitled, “Fearless”. I like the more orderly side of nonfiction, but have learned, since moving into fiction, specifically romance, how to apply what I learned from that side of myself to my characters, plotlines, and stories.

What’s the story behind your latest book?

My latest release is a young adult novella entitled, “Take My Breath Away”. Nineteen-year-old Hannah Giselle grew up in a single-parent household, after her parents’ rocky divorce. Having graduated from high school, she saves up for a trip to visit her dad, but once she arrives finds the things she thought she knew about what happened are far different from the truth. She seeks solace in handsome local Troy Lansing’s arms, who has his own story to contribute. It’s a clean romantic suspense geared for teens.

What was the hardest part about writing your book?

I argue with myself over the characters’ thoughts a lot. I always want to make sure what he or she thinks fits in with what has happened or will happen, and I don’t want to repeat myself. This requires a lot of brain power and rereading along the way.

Is there a message in your book that you want your readers to grasp?

My primary message, especially for young adults, is to provide clean books that parents don’t have to worry about. They can see my name and say to themselves, “Oh, that’ll be safe.” There is so much out there marked for teens that I wouldn’t let a teen read if it were left up to me. My heroes and heroines have flaws, sometimes they make wrong choices, but the ending is always happy and God always presented as the answer to problems (whether this is openly or more covert). Christian principles are always a foundation of my stories.

What motivated you to become an indie author?

I don’t like having to go through other people for what I want to do. I am a graphic designer by trade, so I can do everything from start to finish on a book and make all the choices without having to wait on anyone else. The very idea of the “independent” author defines me.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

The writing itself. I love sentences, love words, love characters and plots. I am happiest when I’m in the middle of the book and no one has seen it but me. I’m even disappointed at the end when it’s over.

What writing advice do you have for other aspiring writers?

Keep writing because books sell books. The more books you turn out, the more people will hear your name, the more other books that you’ve written they’ll buy. But as you write, learn HOW to write. Read articles and tips. Seek to write better. Never think you know enough and have it all down pat. Seek to write WELL, no matter what speed that is for you individually. I am a fast writer. Some of my friends are not. That is okay. We are all unique and all have something to offer readers.

What do your fans mean to you?

I love hearing from people who like my work, but I joke that I don’t hear from them enough. I see writers with a huge fan base that can post the word “hi” and get thirty responses. My fans are more subtle. They email me privately, and I treasure that contact. Authors have to keep themselves built up, myself included. Every positive contact with my readers is such a blessing to me.

What are you working on next?

This makes me laugh because I have a lot of books going at once. This is how I typically write, but if I were to narrow it down, I have a series, “The Billionaire Boys Club”, where I’m working on book 4. I also have several YA on tap.

Who are your favorite authors?

My favorite authors are not big named authors. My dearest friends, Dana Pratola and Laura J. Marshall, inspire me with their individual styles of writing. I also have numerous favorite books by both secular and Christian authors that I have learned from, simply by studying the style and pacing of those particular stories.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

Writing. I am a morning person and am usually at my best to write first thing. Later in the day, I’m too tired to think.

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?

I like gardening and nature photography. Those two go together in my brain. I also spend time a great deal of time with my daughter. We go shopping or to lunch a lot. In the evenings, I have favorite TV programs I’ll watch to unwind and relax. I’m pretty much a homebody though. I don’t really like “get togethers”, parties, or day trips.

Suzanne’s Latest Books:

Take My Breath Away

Pink

Racin’ Hearts

Connect with Suzanne:

Blog: Suzanne D. Williams: Feel-Good Romance

Visit Suzanne’s Facebook Page

Tweet with Suzanne

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Wordless Wednesday

Written By: carolmoye - Aug• 19•15

Butterflies

Wordless Wednesday

Written By: carolmoye - Aug• 12•15

Humm to feeder-watermark

Small White Butterfly

Flowery Poetry

Written By: carolmoye - Aug• 08•15

I am slowly working on my flower photography book. I was encouraged to add some poetry or words of inspiration. I have decided that I liked that idea. There will be a limited amount of poetry included, and will include two from the old-school masters, one from the Bible, one from each of my Psalms books and at least three originals, written just for this project.

Here is one I wrote about tulips. I was intrigued by how the tulip is closed at the beginning of the day, wide open in the afternoon, then closed again in the evening. I took a few liberties with what was going on.

yellow and red tulip

I see you at dawn
Your two lips sealed
Tall, stately, gorgeous

As the sun warms you
Your lips part
Eventually
Wide open
They send signals
To the one who will
Help spread your seed

You spend the day
Procreating
Until, exhausted
You close your lips
Once again
And rest

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Book Reviews

Written By: carolmoye - Aug• 06•15

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted a book review. My life has been quite full, and I just didn’t have the time. Today, I am posting two.

The first one is a cute novella. It’s called Take me Away. It’s a romance written by a very prolific Christian author, Suzanne Williams. She was looking for reviewers. I was looking for something relaxing to read: “Win, Win.”

Here’s my review:

Take Me AwayTake Me Away by Suzanne D. Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love reading novellas when I am stressed. Although romances are not generally my first choice, they are the perfect thing to relax me on a stressful day. This one did not disappoint. The characters were likable and well-developed. The plot was full of surprises and just enough twists to keep me interested. It was the kind of book I could read in two sittings, which was exactly what I needed. I was given a copy of this book for review purposes.

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The other book was Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads. I loved it! It was quite an original concept. The author wrote a collection of short stories based on some very difficult historical events, each one related to sewing. These include the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City (1911) that revolutionized the labor industry, “Kristallnacht” (The Night of Broken Glass in Nazi Germany), American slavery, and many more.

My Goodreads review is below:

Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small ThreadsSewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads by S.R. Mallery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I downloaded the Kindle version when it was available for free, then was given a copy of the Audible version for review purposes. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and listening to these wonderful stories. As others have stated, Ms. Mallery is a wonderful storyteller. She does a masterful job of weaving together tales that are historically accurate, yet thrilling. Her characters are great, the pace is fast, the plot well-developed with just enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. Great job!

If you are interested in purchasing either book, the Amazon purchase links are below:

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Hummingbirds

Written By: carolmoye - Aug• 05•15

I cannot tell you how blessed I felt when I discovered a hummingbird nest in the tree that is easily visible from my second floor balcony. I discovered it two weekends ago, and have been posting updates on my Facebook page. I thought I’d share a few with you today too. At this point, the eggs have not yet hatched. Unfortunately, I’ll be away for the next two weeks, so I may miss the babies in the early stage, but hopefully, I’ll be able to catch them before they are ready to leave the nest.

Here’s just a taste of what I have observed:

Hummingbird Nest Photos

Wordless Wednesday

Written By: carolmoye - Jul• 29•15

The hardest part for me about creating a photo book is knowing when to stop adding photos. That being said, there are many other difficult things too that I hadn’t imagined. I would love your feedback if you have time. I will also post this on my general Facebook page soon.

Here are the questions I have that I would love feedback on:

1. When you “read” a photo book, what information do you expect?
2. I have three ideas about organization, but am having trouble deciding on which to use:

  • By Seasons (with a section at the end with tropical flowers)
  • By Colors
  • Alphabetically by common name
  • Something else?

Here is a link to my flower gallery. It’s huge and I think it’s time to stop. If your favorite flower is missing, let me know and I will find one.

Flower Photography Slideshow

Friday, I may share some of the poetry I have written for this book. I’d love your feedback on that as well.

Thanks,
Carol

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