A Sad Day in South Georgia

Yesterday morning, Sunday January 22nd, 2017, we got a tornado warning on our phones. The weather had awakened all of us just minutes prior, although we weren’t aware that it had.

We were sitting under the carport, watching the weather. It got dark, and the tops of the trees started to twist. Then, in an instant, the lights went off as far as we could see, and the wind stopped blowing. Needless to say, we ran inside.

When we went back out, sirens could be heard coming from all directions. It was obvious something bad had happened. It wasn’t long before we learned that Sunshine Acres had been hit.

Not only was the trailer park destroyed, but homes, barns, more trailers. It’s a massive mess in several areas.

Today, the outpouring of help has been amazing. There was so much traffic that the police was directing it. We were told they had so many donations that they couldn’t take more today. There was no more room.

It’s heartwarming to see that people still come together, regardless of race, social status, education–whatever. It does not matter.

This is the South. We take care of one another.

~D

Tips on Book Covers for Self-Published Authors-by Bryn Donovan

One of the things I loved about self-publishing after being traditionally published was the fact that I had control over my own book cover design. I think a lot of indie authors enjoy that! Although I have strong opinions about covers, I’m not a designer. I hired a professional to design my self-published book cover, and I’ll…

via Self-Publishing: Book Cover Design Mistakes to Watch Out For — Bryn Donovan

Writing Isn’t Easy

Years ago, when I was much younger and naive–or perhaps, stupid–I thought all one had to do was write a story and try to have it published.

Nope. No way. Ain’t happenin’.

Once I began to study the craft, and especially after the internet evolved, I realized there was much more to this than writing.

I loved the stories that played in my head and the characters in those stories. But, writing the stories so that a reader could see, taste, feel, everything the way I saw it, involved a lot more than I realized. I have to show and not tell, the grammar has to be correct, sentence structure has to be considered. The pace has to be right, and most of all, I have to grab that reader’s attention as soon as she/he starts reading if I’m going to keep her/him reading.

Then, once that manuscript is as close to perfect as I can get it (or get to a point I just have to let it go) comes the task of having it published. Another joy.

Oh, and not let us forget promotion. Oh, no. That is a huge part of this. See, you can write the greatest book possible, but if people don’t know about it, you’re screwed. It isn’t going to get read.

So, when you read a book, try to remember that the author went through a lot of work to get that book published, and if you like the book, give that author a good review and let others know about the book.

~D