2014 Events: What Are You Doing? Where Are You Going?

2014 Events:  What are you doing? Where are you going?

 

January is about to be history and February is on the bubble. With snow abound in many corridors, readers tend to love this time of year. They actually love any time of year, so long as they get to read. I can’t blame them in any fashion.

The holidays are behind us and expenses getting paid off, yet and still, there are literary functions you wish to attend.

 

 

What are you doing? Where are you going?

For the first question, have you made plans to attend an annual event and started paying for it? Perhaps an author cruise featuring some of your favorite authors and some you’ve never heard of?

The second question really tells all:  Where is the venue located? Do you have to fly to attend? Hotel reservations come into play if it’s out of town. What all will take place during the event? Readers want an experience when attending events, not just a crowded book signing.

We as authors have to offer a level of entertainment when putting on an event. Readers not only want to enjoy themselves, it’s a getaway for them as well. Meeting their favorite authors, hearing them speak and converse about a character is part of their privilege in turn for their loyalty. Ensure you’re giving them the best moments of their life.

 

One event taking place on February 8, 2014 is the premiere party for The Heart TV Series, created by Iris Bolling. She utilized the platform from her award-winning Heart Series novels and transformed the first book, “Once You’ve Touched The Heart” into a television show. The event will lead into debuting on Saturday, February 15, 2014 on the CW Richmond. Readers and guests will get to experience the cast in full character mode and enjoy what the exclusive screening will unveil.

Readers, be sure to check your local libraries, author’s websites and the like for forthcoming events. Many book clubs put on venues as well throughout the year.

That’s it for now, since I have to get back to sprucing up a few of my own works. Until later…

Loretta R. Walls aka Embue #thehearttvseries #IPE #global #nucherte

Cold Weather, You're Drunk. Go Home.

Bonus points for you if you get the Mortal Kombat reference:)

Hi, All, 
I have been super busy with the planning of the Hot MAMA Land Fly Hat Society Luncheon, writing, and traveling to visit with book clubs and readers, and the year is just kicking off. I hope things are going well in your neck of the woods.

We're buckling down for some crazy weather. Don't worry, I'm a writer, so I tend to hermit anyhow. This weather pattern has very little effect on me. 

Today's weather in North Carolina , at least in my area, calls for six inches of snow. This means two things:
A). There isn't a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk to be had at any price.
B). EVERYTHING is shut down.

My son is out of school today and tomorrow, and possibly the next day. The whole thing kind of tickles me. Yesterday it was 65 degrees, and today it's going to snow. Gotta love that NC weather- one day chicken, next day feathers. 

We spent two winters in Alaska, so this "winter storm" seems more like a dusting by comparison. Still, I know my Southern neighbors aren't accustomed to snow, so it's probably safer if we stay home with our milk and bread, huddled around the television for breaking weather reports. By the way, I still don't know what the milk and bread thing is all about. My husbands' theory: emergency french toast. Hmmm. He may be on to something.

So, as the cold air and flurries set in, I am hunkered down with the family. I plan to spend the time editing and writing, to catch up on things, since I have a massive list of releases this year. What's the weather like where you are, and how will you be passing the time? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

Have you grabbed your tickets to the luncheon? If not, what in the heck are you waiting for? Click on the link in the sidebar and it'll take you right to the page. Easy peesy.

Also, be sure to check out my latest release, Write the Damn Book! if you're interested in writing a book. I'm giving you the straight dirt. No fluff, no sugar coating, and just the basics. It even has some nifty exercises to get you started. You can pick up your PDF copy by clicking on the cover image.

Until Next Time, 

Kianna

The Heart Journey Begins!

What’s up for 2014? THE HEART TV SERIES!

That’s right. We have taken the story from the pages of a book to live characters appearing on your television screen February 2014. Am I excited????? You have no idea how exciting this entire journey has been. We have the opportunity to see literature come to life, have positive characters portrayed and if that wasn't enough, we've added some serious eye candy for you. 

Here’s a few reason why you should be excited. 

Here are more reasons:

Aaron Wiggins as JD Harrison

Richard Jackson as Brian Thompson

Mark Vincent as James Brooks 

Tremayne Norris as David Holt 

 Morgan Avery McCoy as Tracy Washington 

Troy Micel as Ashley Harrison

 Is that our own Hot Mama Angie Daniels? Yes, Angie Daniels as Lena Washington 

 Join us beginning February 15, 2014 on the CW-Richmond as this talent cast bring the lives of JD Harrison and Tracy Washington to life.

Want to be a part of the journey from the beginning, join us at the premier...check it out.

Until the next time,

Iris

Nothing worth having comes easy

I read an author post about failure this week. And it got me thinking about my career, my dreaded day job at Wonderland and why I stay up way past my bed time to tell a story.

Because I love it. Do I wish I was writing full time? Yes!
There is nothing worse than going to a job where people don't read,  don't have common sense and don't have a clue why I need to get the hell away from them for an hour at lunch.

Writing is a solitary job and I love it more than having to deal with idiots. I feel like Scar from the Lion King on a daily basis.

So, I write. I pray. I drink lots of wine and coffee. And I write someone more. I write at work, after work, during morning meetings.

Thinking back to my first novel, the one I self published without knowing the first thing about the industry, I thought I'd have a movie deal and millions by now.

Then, I started rewriting said book and realized how blessed I am. Blessed that people gave me a second chance. Whew! That book sucked. It has potential, but there were gaping holes in the story and the editing -- nonexistent.
One thing that made me laugh in the rewriting of this project was the fact that I had a character wearing boots in May --- in Atlanta! What in the blue hell was I thinking?

The best lessons are the ones that knock you flat on your ass. A day is going to come when I step out on faith and kiss Wonderland goodbye or they fire me because I'm going high five one of my coworkers in the face, and I'm going to have the real career that I want.

 If you're in the area, come through and check out some amazing authors:
Meet the African American Authors! at Southeast Regional Library
January 19, 2014
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
http://www.wakegov.com/libraries/Pages/default.aspx
Come out to the library and meet local African American authors Sharon Ewell Foster, Cheris Hodges, Deborah Fletcher Mello, Jason Mott and Leceila Turnage. They will discuss the different types of African American fiction, their characters, writing styles, and more. Q & A to follow, registration requested.

What's your resolution?

Happy New Year, all!

I know I'm about two weeks late, but hey, as long as I still have neighbors with their Christmas decorations up (Yes, I really still do have some neighbors with wreaths on their doors and lights up) then I can still wish you all a Happy New Year!

With the New Year comes the inevitable question, "What's your New Year's Resolution?" What is it that you resolve to do differently or better or not as often in the new year? It's as thought January 1st holds this magical power to erase past wrongs and allow you to start fresh, start anew. For us dieters, it's the ultimate Sunday. Anyone else like me who is constantly promising myself to exercise more and eat right on Sunday whenever we fall off the wagon during the week knows what I'm talking about.

I don't know about any other author, for me as a writer, I take the New Year as a challenge. I want to be a better writer. So my resolution is to read more. I have always said that to be a great writer you have to be a voracious reader. It can't all be fiction books either. I'm reading how-to books, as in how to create great character emotions, how to improve my writing, how to write winning heroes and heroines. If I continue writing the same type of stories, I'll get bored as a writer. I always want to challenge myself.

So what does that all mean? Kittens, you may see some different type of fiction from me, some stuff that you may say, "Did Bridget Midway write that?" Or I could come out with another pen name to release some different stuff. Still mulling it around in my head. Just know that my hibernation is over. I'm back out to play, and I'm not going back in when the streetlights come on either.

So what's your New Year's resolution? If you don't have one, why don't you have one? Authors, what are your plans for the new year?

True to my word, I need to cut this short so that I can get some writing done.

Stay sexy,

BrideT
www.BridgetMidway.com

Happy New Year!!

Wow- I'm incredibly late with my post for this week. I believe it was due on Monday, so apologies to my fellow Hot MAMAs. In my defense, the time off for the holidays was extremely beneficial, but I definitely got a little lazy. I got tons of work done, but I'm most amazed and happy over the amount of time I took AWAY from work. I've been looking forward to the time off for most of the year- sad, huh? That I have to wait until year's end for a break, but it is what it is...of course I most often look forward to the time off because it's a chance to do more of what I love which is writing. This year however, I really wanted to take time just to be lazy and enjoy the hard work I do for most of the year.

Never taking time out to enjoy the fruits of your labor, will quickly drain you. If anyone is looking for advice in the New Year, I'd have to say that's it. Take time out for yourself-essential stuff.

Happy New Year Everyone- Hope Your 2014 Is A Great One!

Love,
Al