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Experiencing "the chicken without a head" syndrome? I sure am

2/29/2012

You know that saying: Jack of all trades, master of none? Well, that's me. I feel as though I have a hundred different things begging my attention--things that are important to me--but none of which I'm doing well.

Blogging: I think I'm hanging in there at a good 70%. Not failing, but not succeeding either.

Editing: I'm sitting at a 25% percentage. I need to do more. I have one manuscript that needs to be edited and revised so I can move on to the next step, but guess what? It's not getting done. Nope.

Writing: I laugh. A sad laugh, but a laugh none-the-less. I'm at a 10%. I just moved up from a 0% yesterday by writing 2k on SURVIVOR ROUNDUP (the second book in the zombie west series). So 10% is an improvement.

Mothering: I'd give that one could go either way. I sit on the fence of 50%. Some days better than others. The true percentage would come from my kids. You'd have to ask them how I'm fairing. But honestly, I don't want to ask. I don't want to mess with my average. Let me believe I'm better than I am.

Wife-ing: (I know that's not a word--but I like it). Again, I would say 50%. But it doesn't take much to make my husband happy--feed him and let him be. So even though this average is low, 50% is more like a 80%. (Right now, the guy is playing video games and happy).

Housework-ing: Oh boy. This one isn't good. I'm not even going to tell you my percentage. It's sad, really. Before I threw myself into writing, I was much better at at scrubbing base boards, wiping off fingerprints, overall keeping the house in pretty good shape. Now, well, let's just say don't open any drawers or look in any closets. Just don't. I did vacuum yesterday and mop the kitchen floor so score one for me. But my percentage is still pretty low.

There are books to be written, books to be edited, school assignments to be worked on, personal projects to be accomplished, laundry to be washed, and children to be carted to and fro. AND to top it all off, I volunteered to be PTA president at my children's elementary school next year. Yep, I'm nuts.

Oh, and let's not mention the fact that I need to feed four other human beings besides myself everyday. At least three times, though most often they are lucky to be fed one semi-decent meal. The rest of the time it is "fend for yourself" time.

But I am only one person, doing the very best I can. I have a lot of balls...in the air (get your mind out of the gutter) and I'm at least keeping them from hitting the floor. I'm juggling like a mad person. That's all that can be asked of me, right? I sure hope so.

So how in the heck do you do it all? How do you organize your time and keep all your juggling balls in the air?

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"[It's] the John Grisham novel I always wanted"--John Abramowitz, Author of ATTICUS FOR THE UNDEAD

2/23/2012

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~Google Friend Connect (GFC) will be going away for us non-blogspot bloggers. Darn it. So I've added other options in my sidebar for following--email subscription, Linky Follower, and then there is always Facebook and Twitter. Just because GFC is going away, doesn't mean you have to~

Meet John Abramowitz,
Author of ATTICUS FOR THE UNDEAD

Please feel free to feed this author comments. She doesn't bite. Authors are hungry for comments and it makes them SO happy :) ALSO, John is going to give away TWO copies of his book. Just leave a comment below for your chance to get your hands on this zombie legal thriller.

How did you come up with your title?
The book started out with the title Attorney for the Damned, which was a reference to Clarence Darrow, a famously talented defense lawyer. But the title didn't work for me, for two reasons. First, it was too bland, and second, not all supernatural creatures are "damned".

So I started thinking about other titles for the book that might be catchier or more interesting. As I was writing, it struck me that Hunter Gamble was similar, in a lot of ways, to Atticus Finch. He defends the clients that the rest of society reviles because he believes it's the right thing to do. So I came up with Atticus for the Undead. It's still not a perfect title -- not all supernatural (sorry, arcane!) creatures are "undead," either -- but I liked it so much that it stuck.

Describe your book in seven words or less.
The John Grisham novel I always wanted.

What chapter or part of the book was your favorite to write and why?
The end of chapter 4. I won't say anything about what happens to avoid the dreaded spoilers, but that was one of my favorite things I've ever put on paper, and it makes me very happy.

What genre do you prefer to write in and why?
Fantasy, because I think that with fantasy you have more opportunity than maybe any other genre to love the story you're telling, since literally anything is possible. You can mix gritty, serious themes with wacky, outlandish touches and make the reader believe it. I mean, really (SPOILER ALERT), what other genre would let you write about a capital murder trial and have one of the characters turn someone into a frog in the middle of the book?

Are you a pantser or a plotter?
Both, actually. I come up with the broad strokes of a novel (or a series) at the outset, and then write it chapter-by-chapter. After each chapter, I have my trusty team of beta readers review what I've written and give me detailed feedback on whether I'm hitting the desired emotional notes, whether the characters feel believable, and things like that. If they're not, then the chapter gets re-written.

These re-writes sometimes mean that I come at the chapter from an entirely different direction than I'd thought, or completely change how I had planned to have parts of the plot unfold. (This has happened to me several times in the course of writing The Void, Book 2 of The Weaver Saga, which has made the writing experience very frustrating.)

So, my process is that I have a few Big Ideas that are inviolate, but how I get to those ideas often involves much pantsing. (Is that a word?)

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?
You gave it to me, actually, Angela. "It's ALL subjective."

What advice would you give to a first-time author?
Well, I have several Cardinal Rules of Fantasy fiction (which can be found here, here, and here). But the most important one: love what you write. If you love your story, there's a good chance your readers will too.

What other projects do you have in the works at the moment?
Right now, all of my creative energy is going into The Void. I have a few other things in mind, but I'll keep quiet on those for now (except to say that one of them is Book 2 in the Legal Fiction Series).

What made you decide to go the publishing route that you did?
I like the fact that self-publishing gives me more control -- not just of the story I'm writing, but also of the advertising. Any clever slogans you see on my Tweets? I came up with them. The McClain & Gamble firm website? I made it (with a generous assist from Danielle Bourdon for the banner graphic). My guest blog posts? I wrote them all, on topics of my choosing. There's an incredible sense of accomplishment that comes with that.

Oh, and the fact that the royalties are better doesn't hurt, either.

Do you write every single day? Every other day? Once a week? Or just when the muse hits?
I try to write every single day. Having said that, I'm a lawyer by day, so when I have a big motion due or something like that, sometimes I go a few days without writing. And sometimes, I just burn out or need a vacation, like everyone else. But every day is the goal.

Coke or Pepsi?
Dr Pepper. (Texas pride!)

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Long, Tall Texan. (Apologies to Lyle Lovett.)

What's one of your favorite quotes?
"The two things that matter most to me in the work that I do: emotional resonance and rocket launchers." -Joss Whedon

Stalking info:
Blog: onthebird.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OnTheBird
Twitter: @onthebird
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/John-Abramowitz/e/B005HMRZXQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/onthebird

Leave John a comment and you just might win a copy of ATTICUS FOR THE UNDEAD. John is actually going to give away TWO copies.

11 Comments

Not a fan of zombies? Then let me plead my case. Just hear me out.

2/20/2012

15 Comments

I can totally see why someone would really not like zombies too much. Besides the whole brain eating aspect of zombies, which most zombies are known for, they can be rather gross and scary. I get that. I do. So I understand.

In fact, there was once a time in which I disliked zombies. EEEWWW! Nasty. But the more I became involved with zombies--writing about them, researching about them, over all becoming intrigued by them--the more I started to change my mind about these monsters. There's something fundamentally unique to zombies that you won't find with any other kind of paranormal creature--vampires, werewolves, ghosts, etc...

This is a view you DON'T want to see. You see this, you're screwed.

These creatures are our neighbors, our friends, our Aunt Betty, our little sister Annabelle, etc... When you lose someone to death, you want to imagine them in a peaceful place (whatever your religious belief, unless you don't believe in that kind of thing. In which case, I think you might find your zombie loved one kind of cool). Death is a finality, but with zombies that finality is taken away from us. They are there, walking, moving, moaning, and yet, that's not them at all. Their only base thought is to eat you. That's it. And that's scary.

Yes, vampires and werewolves and ghosts are our friends and loved ones as well, but it's different. They are faced with moral dilemmas that zombies don't have to face at all. Should I bite you? Should I not bite you? And if I bite you, will you still love me tomorrow--that kind of thing. Zombies will just bite you. The danger is always present. There is no chance that you can reform them (like in some vampire movies turning them into "vegetarian" vampires). Zombies can not be reformed. They are what they are.

I asked a few friends to help me with this discussion as to why you should give zombies a chance and this is what they had to say (if this doesn't convince you, then I don't know what will--this is good stuff):

Greg (good friend of mine who wants to remain secretive: "They don't discriminate. They don't care if you're rich or poor, black or white, male or female. And they don't care about your body. They love you for your brain! That's rare!"

Jenna, Making the Grade: "Zombies are the VICTIM. They didn't ASK to be attacked by an existing zombie, only to change into a mindless drone themselves, out to seek the flesh of living victims. All the while spreading the disease of the undead like a never-ending domino effect of death and decay... Who really asks to be inflicted with such a horrible disease anyway? Give them some credit. (Plus, nobody moans better than a zombie.) ;)

Rebecca Fisk, Running Amok and Other Very Serious Adventures: I must admit, there is something appealing about giving up the fight, letting the horde win, and going numb...allowing our base instinct to take over... appeasing the ravenous hunger becoming our sole desire. It makes things simple. Plus, as a zombie, I could totally forget about such tedious things like "Is the spf in my sunscreen really enough?" Or "How many vegetables do I actually need to prevent rickets or scurvy?"

Patrick Rahall: "Zombies are exactly like the jurassic park dinosaurs, jaws, Frankenstein's monster and most other scary things from our imagination. They are only doing what they need to do in order to survive. They aren't malicious, they don't get pleasure from what they do other than that of continued existence. It is only because their nourishment happens to be the flesh pod the living that we view them as evil or bad. We are to then what a pig or chicken or cow is to us-a source of nourishment."

ob Reiss, The Guilded Earlobe: "I do not love zombie fiction because of the zombies. I love it because of how it affects the survivor. There is no ethical quandry when being attacted by monsters, but when that monster is also your aunt Sally or a 12 year old girl, things are different. Zombies are us, just changed. Any work of zombie fiction that doesn't address this is missing the point. The monsters are us."

Heather Branson Jensen: "For me, the best thing about zombies in fiction is that you can't help but put yourself in the role of a person who is trying to survive in a zombie-ridden world. It makes you think about what it would take to stay alive and protect the ones you love. Also, I think there's something to be said about having humans attack humans. Zombies aren't really human anymore, but its hard to completely wrap your head around that idea which gives depth to the overall conflict."

Mark Smith, A Somewhat Silly Story: "I've loved the recent upsurge of zombie-fiction, way more so than anything vampire-related. Liked the idea behind the first True Blood book, but the story really went off the rails with the wide assortment of creatures the author brought into it. I have to agree with Bob Reiss that the appeal of the zombie fiction is how it affects the survivor. A plague that not only wipes out the vast majority of humans, but turns all the victims into monsters intent on eating the few survivors? What a great dynamic to focus on - what happens to the idea of "society" amongst the survivors. Last night's The Walking Dead dipped into that a little bit ... what do you do with someone that was shooting at you moments before, but now is wounded and trapped as zombies close in. Do you abandon him? Is his evil (the act of shooting at you) worse than the evil of the zombies? Is your survival more important than the loss of your humanity if you just leave the guy to die or leave him as bait so you can get away? That's some fun stuff."

Kristen Adler, Library-Girl: Zombie fiction is a great way of showing how society can fall apart when faced with a huge crisis. It also allows us to see what the characters are truly like and what they will do in order to survive.
Like any survival fiction, people can't help but put themselves in the characters shoes.
We may also get to see different types of zombies. It's interesting to be able to read about different authors interpretations of them, e.g. how they become zombies, whether they still keep their intelligence, whether they're re-animated dead or just brainless cannibals, etc. Zombie fiction isn't necessarily the same sort of story again and again.

J. Whitworth Hazzard, Zombie Mechanics: because they are the common man's supernatural foe. No crucifixes or silver required. Just a crowbar and courage.

Anyway, I hope I have somehow changed your mind and prodded you into giving zombies a try. There are some amazing zombie books out there, with more springing up every day (a pun).

So have I convinced you?

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"Here, little reader, reader!"--[How do you attract readers to your book?]

2/20/2012

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As writers, the toughest part of the whole writing, publishing, and marketing equation comes down to readers, doesn't it? I want some and I'm almost betting you want some, too. Actually, I want more than just some. I want a gaggle of readers. Or better yet, a horde (I write zombie books--don't knock it until you try it--and so a horde would be EXCELLENT). I want readers outside my circle of friends and family, but how in the world do we go about doing that?

Ahh, the almighty question! It's the question in which very few know the actual answer. Those who have the answer aren't so wildly sharing their experience with the rest of us (Darn them--though I don't actually blame them). AND, those who do share their secrets of what worked for them, will find those secrets no longer apply to us. Why? Because EVERYONE will be doing it, therefore nullifying the whole process.

What a pain in the hind end.

Most of us have done what we were told to do: create a blog, create a website, join twitter, facebook, Goodreads, Linkedin, Pintrest, etc. . . oh, the list goes on. Does it work? My feedback from other writers is that no, it's not the greatest, but it is a beginning, though.

So here is my plan for searching out and attaining The Holy Grail called readers, *rubs hands together*:

Plan A) Reviews. I'm all about getting reviews. I then think reviews will lead to word of mouth. That's my hope. Since I'm about to launch my book (yes, the zombie one) next month, I want to gather as many reviews as I possibly can. I think reviews are where it's at and so I will put most of my effort there. (I have a few other ideas as well, but if I told you, then I would have to kill you and that's not good for marketing. OR, maybe it is. Who knows now days?) And if I get a bunch of bad reviews, then I will go with plan B.

Plan B) Create a new pen name, write another book, and start over. Angela Scott will disappear and maybe Alena Macabee or George Howl will take her place. It's a perfect plan. I can do this for forever. Wah,ha,ha,ha! Or until someone rats me out by linking me and all my alias' together. But hey, that might be good for book promotion, too. See how my mind works? Murder, alias', and writing = good brand marketing. That's how Wal-Mart, Stephen King, and Julia Child did it (This is a joke, of course).

Either way, I can't lose, right? I really do hope plan A works, though. That would be nice. I'm doing everything I possibly can to ensure it does--editing like crazy with two different editors so I can hopefully provide my readers with a fun zombie-filled adventure that tickles their zombie fancy. (My fingers and toes are crossed). Beyond that, everything else is pure luck it seems. That's all I got.

Reviews and a bit of luck. That's my hope. And if you're interested in possibly reviewing Wanted: Dead or Undead (a free copy of the book for an honest review) then click here.

What say you? Do you think it's luck, like doing the right thing at the right time, or do think there is a key element I'm missing here?

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Cowboys, Romance, & Zombies Set in The Wild. Wild West? YES, PLEASE! Gimme Now!

2/20/2012

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If you would have asked me just two years ago what my very first published novel would be, I could have almost guaranteed it would have been one of my young adult contemporary stories. But nope, in just a little more than a week or so, I will be the author of a young adult, zombie western romance. Oh, you heard me right.

What once started out as a writing exercise, spurred on by my amazing critique group, has blossomed into a full- fledged brain eating, limb dropping, head decapitating, lovey-dovey zombie west series. Yep, a series. I was only going to write one zombie book and then refocus on my contemporary work, but I had so much fun with WANTED: Dead or Undead, that I decided a second book was in order. Now that I am 3/4ths the way through writing the second book in the series, I've come to realize that a 3rd book is in order. So, as it seems, I may never get back to writing contemporary work again. And that's okay by me.

Ever play Red Dead Redemption? Oh, it's good! Lots of undead fun with this one.

It has been a blast writing about zombies and survivors (handsome cowboy survivors) and I think it's because the possibilities are endless. When danger is always present and threatens a person's survival, then all sorts of craziness can ensue, and that makes for a fun book.

So, can a middle-aged mother of three, wife to one, who happens to live in the beautiful state of Utah and who normally writes young adult contemporary stories write a decent zombie book? I sure do hope so, but until the reviews come in, I won't know for certain. AND, if I'm writing a series, getting helpful feedback is critical. Beta readers have liked it. My editor has liked it. My publisher has liked it. But will the masses like it? My fingers are crossed and I'm hopeful.

What I would love to do is get your help. I would love to give you an copy (EPUB or MOBI version, just let me know) of Wanted: Dead or Undead and let me know what you think by posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads. You get to read my book for free, and I get to know whether or not, as an author, I suck. It's a win-win situation.

Just to be clear, this is a book with zombies in it. It also has some romance in it as well (nothing heavy--that kind of stuff makes me blush). If you do not like zombies or romance or young adult books, then this story is NOT for you. But if you like cowboys and horses and tough girls and rotting zombies, then boy do I have a book for you!

This book will be ready March 1st or close to it, but it's official release date will be later in the month. So this is an author advance copy, if you will. All that I am asking in return is for an honest review to be posted on Amazon AND Goodreads. It doesn't have to be anything fancy at all. I just want genuine feedback from genuine readers. Also, not to be pushy, I need the reviews to be posted by March 15th at the latest. This will help me out tremendously.

So, if this sounds like something you would be interested in reading and you have the time to post a review by the 15th, then just leave your name below, make sure to include your email in the form (not in the comment section. It's secure) and let me know whether you prefer the EPUB or MOBI version. Simple.

I'm kinda shaking in my boots (western terminology) about this, but it's time to give wings to my book and see what readers thinks.

Now remember, this book has zombies in it. Just in case you missed that part. You will be amazed at how many reviews are out there where people will say, "I HATE this book. It sucks. It has vampires in it" (vampires do kind of suck--ha,ha I made a punny). And on the cover and in the book blurb it talks about the book having vampires in it. People are weird like that. So just saying.

AND because this is a book with zombies and cowboys I can pretty much promise you that this is not literary genius. I'm 91% sure it's not, but I hold out 9% just in case it might be :)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. (If by some weird chance I get a blast of comments, then I may have to put a cap on this. But for now, let's see what the heck happens).

26 Comments

It's not Valentine's without some ZOMBIE love! Happy <3 Day, Everyone!

2/14/2012

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Google Friend Connect is Going Away--But you don't have to.

2/14/2012

14 Comments

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Google Friend Connect button. I enjoy seeing all the beautiful and handsome faces in that fine little box that lets me know I'm not just talking to myself in this big ol' world of social media. I have friends! Virtual friends, but friends none-the-less.

But alas (I like the word alas so I chuck it in whenever I can), come March 1st Google has decided to get rid of it for anyone who uses blog sites other than blogspot. That totally sucks for me. I use weebly. Poop.

So, after a year of people adding their faces to my blog as followers, come the first of March, poof, they will be gone. Did I already say how much that sucks? I did? Well, I can't say it enough.

So what once looked something like this over at my blog ---->

I worry will now look something like this <----- Just me and one other guy.

So I'm trying to add other ways in which you--my friend, my pal, my bestest follower--can track me like a stalker.

I'm always on twitter, it's true. I love to tweet. I also love to facebook, too. So over there ---> at the top is some sliding buttons you can click on to connect with me.

Also, I did what I swore I wouldn't do, but changed my mind because it looks like Google will be kind of forcing people (even blogspot bloggers down the line) to start using Google+. So I have a Google+ account. That's the push and direction they are going. I don't hardly understand that site just yet, but I'm over there and so we can be circle friends if you wanna.

I also added an email subscription button too. Again, it's over there ---> I'm actually kind of proud of that one since it took me a REAL LONG time to figure out how to add it to my blog. I'm technologically defunct so this was a happy moment. I've never had one of these before. From what I understand, you will only receive an email when I post a blog. Just one per day even if I blog a hundred times (that will NEVER happen). If I don't post anything, then you get nothing. Easy- peasy.

I know there are other ways in which to follow blogs like with Linky Follower, Bloglovin', and Hello Cotton. I hadn't even heard of these things until yesterday. I don't know how great they are or what they even do. Like I said, I'm technologically defunct. Many Wordpress bloggers are switching to some of those, but I'm unsure which one is the best one or even if I need it. (If you are an expert in the Linky Follower, Bloglovin', Hello Cotton area, please advise me and let me know which one I should go with, if any) otherwise, screw it, I'll just go with what I got, call it good, and cross my fingers.

Pick which way works best for you and add your bird to the wire. I know you wanna :)

So what are you doing to prepare for GFC disappearing? Oh, and how the heck do you use Google+?

14 Comments

Are You Experiencing Social Networking Overload? [The Catch-22 of platform building]

2/12/2012

34 Comments

Some days, social networking is the coolest invention ever--being able to connect with people around the world that I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. And then there are other days in which I want to pull out all of my hair and pop a cap in my laptop (that's my Utah hood coming out of me).

Seriously! Who can keep up with all of this? Things change and progress everyday. Thus is the world we live in--continually growing and improving.

All I know is that I'm feeling overwhelmed and buried by a need to do EVERYTHING just in case I'm missing out somewhere. I have become a virtual Peeping Tom/Stalker checking all my sites every few minutes (no joke). I want to know what everyone is up to. I have a facebook account, a facebook author page, twitter, linkedin, goodreads, and now I have joined Triberr, where they speak of bones and bonfires and tribes (I'm still trying to figure out the ins and outs of that one). I also have google+ account, but I hardly use it.

But that's it. I refuse to join any more. I can't. I won't. I'm tapped out *throws hands in the air in defeat*. I can hardly keep up with what I am doing, and I have to hope that it will be enough.

Also, I have no idea if it is even working. I spend a lot of time tweeting, blogging, and posting and I have no idea if I'm simply just wasting my time or whether I'm actually making a difference in my little piece of the writing world.

Everyone seems to say that it's pretty friggin' important for an author to have an online presence. But if we're all building these platforms, all attempting to do the same thing, then isn't it counterproductive? We're all trying to be "special" and in the end I think we're all ending up...not. There is so much white noise out there on all these sites that in some respects it has become a broken system.

How many times have you looked at your twitter account and found post after post of, "Check out my book" or "Read this review", etc... My whole stream is full of these postings. Facebook is much the same. And for the most part, I tend to ignore them. It takes something standing out, being different and glittery, to catch my eye. But it's rare for that to happen.

But what else are we supposed to do? We need some way in which to connect with potential readers and if we don't have a facebook account or tweet every hour on the hour, then how is anyone going to know we even exist? (I want to exist! That's all I have ever wanted! Just let me exist).

And there you have it, folks. The catch-22.

We need social media sites to build a platform, because for the majority of us it's all we have in which to promote our work. Most of us don't have pockets lined with cash to place expensive ads on hot air balloons or purchase a 30 second ad during the Superbowl or hire a monkey to sell our books for us (click here for more on that). We have to work within our limitations and with what is available to us.

Even if what is available to us is kind of broken and rather annoying.What other options do we have?

For me, I will continue to blog and facebook and twitter because: #1 I love it and #2 I still think having a platform of some kind is a good thing, even if it isn't the best thing.

So what do you think? How important is a platform for an author? Is it a big ol' waste of time? And more importantly, do you think it is a failed system or does it have some benefit?

34 Comments

"It's a great time to be an author" Sheri Fink, Author of THE LITTLE ROSE [Interview]

2/10/2012

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Meet Sheri Fink, Author of THE LITTLE ROSE

Please feel free to feed this author comments. She doesn't bite. Authors are hungry for comments and it makes them SO happy :)

Describe your book in 7 words or less.
You are unique and special.

What chapter or part of the book was your favorite to write and why?
My favorite part of The Little Rose to write was the turning point where the main character wakes up and realizes that she’s finally found the right home for her. She’s surrounded by other characters who love and accept her just the way she is and she learns that it’s safe to shine her special light. It resonates with me because that’s a message that we all need to hear and feel like we belong.

Who is your ideal reader?
My ideal readers are children ages 5-10 who enjoy books that are fun to read and help them discover something special about themselves in the process. I hear a lot of positive feedback from parents, teachers, and grandparents who read The Little Rose with the children. Some of the kids ask to have it read to them again immediately afterward.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?
In “real” life I’m a total plotter, but when writing, I’m definitely a pantser. I love getting in touch with the voice of the characters and seeing which direction the story goes. It’s exciting to follow along on the journey while writing.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?
The best advice I’ve been given is to write completely from the heart. It’s not all about what’s selling in the marketplace and who’s reading what. It’s more important to write the stories that your heart really wants to tell because those are the ones that will resonate with people.

What advice would you give to a first time author?
My advice is to continue writing and keep dreaming. There are so many opportunities now for writers to get their work out into the world. I’m living proof that independent authors can be successful and make a positive difference for their readers. It’s a great time to be a writer!

What other projects do you have in the works at the moment?
This is a really exciting time for me. My second children’s book, The Little Gnome, will be published on March 22. It’s a story about an adorable garden gnome who arrives in the garden during the Summer and learns to embrace change by looking for the good in every season. My first children’s book, The Little Rose, is being adapted into a play and will debut later this year. I’m also about to launch the eformat versions (Kindle, Nook, iPad, etc.) of The Little Rose book as well as “The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink,” my brand that encompasses all the things I’m doing to benefit children.

I'm also preparing to launch a comprehensive author mentoring program with the mission of transforming aspiring authors into successful entrepreneurs. I'm calling it Author Success Academy and hope to have it ready for enrollment within the next few months. It's quite an undertaking ... videos, marketing plans, mindset tools, templates, group coaching calls, downloadable step-by-step audios, and an action guide book. It'll be a great way for me to help more people and bring more wonderful books into the world.

And, I’m beginning to write my third children’s book and two board books based on the characters of The Little Rose and The Little Gnome for a younger age group.

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?
The Little Rose is currently available in hardcover. It will soon be available in eformats for Kindle, Nook, iPad, and Sony eReader. We’re planning to launch the eformat versions within the next few weeks and we’re really excited!

Coke or Pepsi?
Mexican Coke is my favorite! It still comes in glass bottles and uses pure cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup = Delicious and refreshing! (You can buy it by the case at Costco in Southern California.)

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
Mobile phone, keys, bottle of water, good luck charm

One of your favorite quotes:
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

Where can your readers stalk you?
My blog: http://www.SheriFink.com
My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/SheriFinkFan
My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/sherifink
Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/Sheri_Fink (@Sheri_Fink)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sheri-Fink/e/B004T9ZJA4/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLittleRoseBook/videos
JacketFlap: http://www.jacketflap.com/sheri_fink
Other: http://www.TheLittleRoseBook.com

Check out THE LITTLE ROSE on Amazon. It has received over 70 five star reviews and looks like an amazing book. Leave Sheri a comment. She'd love to hear from you!

6 Comments

I was ready for the worst... [Start your day off right by reading this]

2/7/2012

17 Comments

The law of the wild says kill only when you are hungry. Photographer Michel Denis-Huot, who captured these amazing pictures on safari in Kenya's Masai Mara in October last year, said he was astounded by what he saw:

"These three cheetah brothers have been living together since they left their mother at about 18 months old," he said. "On the morning we saw them, they seemed not to be hungry, walking quickly but stopping sometimes to play together. At one point, they met a group of impala who ran away. But one impala youngster was not quick enough and the brothers caught it easily."

These extraordinary scenes followed: