LaGrange Author Fair - April 29th

Today, I went to my first author fair and was astounded at how great everyone's work looked. The cover art on some were just incredible. I also learned the importance of banners to be used for behind the table. I didn't have a banner. I think I would like to get a banner for future fairs.

So I didn't have huge results on sales, but I networked like a champ. This was a major accomplishment for me, since I tend to be quiet and let others talk at social events. Today, I just went up and asked them questions about their publishing/ printing/ marketing experiences, and all were only too happy to tell me everything!

My goal for the next couple of weeks is to get a Facebook Author page and get on Twitter. I know! I am not on Twitter. Shame on me, but I will work on fixing that. I will keep everyone posted on how it goes and if anyone would like to join me in my writing escapades I will let you know the details when I get them.

Also this week, I am going to try really hard to come up with a name for my time travel adventure to ancient Greece. Wish me luck!

Rough draft finished for book #5!

Whew! What a year! I have just completed my rough draft for my fifth full length fantasy/ adventure manuscript. I know a lot of things need to be done, but it is a relief to have the general story written. Now it is in the hands of my husband and my writers group to help me make it that much better and let me know if I've gone way off base.

I still have no idea for a title. Hopefully something will come to me. Heck, I may start asking Facebook for some ideas. I'll be looking at cover designs soon, but that will come later. Kind of need to have the title ready for any cover design, but I can start looking for cover images.

I'm trying to decide if I want to take a chance with the new Amazon publishing option - Scout. I am leery that it is more like a popularity contest. Since I'm antisocial, I don't think it sets me up for success.

April is winding up to be pretty busy. Of course the Easter bunny is coming to visit next Sunday. After that I have the Kentucky Writers Workshop and I will be pitching  to an agent. My very first, and I am crazy nervous. The usual thought run through my head: "Why do I possibly think I'm that good to be picked?" I will chalk it up to added experience and the fact that I get to pick the mind of an active agent on what the publishing world is looking for.

My problem is I usually go against what the public wants, which is a little troublesome!

Anyways, happy writing!
Angie

7th Annual Authors Fair- LaGrange, KY!!

Join us as we celebrate our 7th Annual Authors Fair on April 29th.

 

Location: LaGrange, KY - YMCA

 Schedule of Events

FRIDAY NIGHT APRIL 28th
Discussion Panels at Karen's Book Barn
4:00 PM Children's Books "Educational or Entertainment"
5:00 PM Young Adult "What's Hot"
6:00 PM Romance "Naughty, Nice, or Somewhere in Between"
7:00 PM Speculative Fiction
8:00 PM Mysteries
...
SATURDAY APRIL 29th
10 AM - 5 PM Authors Fair

Attending Authors:

Tony Acree
Heather Adkins
Marian Allen
Arlan Andrews
Matthew Barron
Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Eric Beebe
Elizabeth Bevarly
Mitch Bensel
Steve Bradshaw
Lynn Brown
Belinda Buchanan
Eva Caye
Lisa Colodny
Trace Conger
Jane Conrad
Nelda Copas
Robert Stephen Craig
Dave Creek
Molly Daniels
Danny Davies
Brenda Dexler
Elizabeth Donald
Juliette Douglas
Michael Embry
Georgia Evans
Frank Feger
Rita Fleming
Kenn Grimes
T Lee Harris
Pamela Horner
Shannon Houff
Tim Jackson
Maddie James
Ginny Jolly
KA Jordan
Savannah Kade
Abigail Keam
Anetta Keys
Greta King
George Kramer
Donia Lawson
Sara Marian
Lacy Marie
Brick Marlin
Jeri Fay Maynard
Rebekah McAuliffe
J L McCanS
Joe McConahy
Angela McPherson   - THAT'S ME!!!!
Chad Mcpherson
Amy Metz
Jim Miller
Marlene Mitchell
Leslie Moise
Lori Moore
Angel Musk
Gail Nall
Bill Noel
Jay Noel
Mysti Parker
Ray Peden
Linda Penn
John Pesta
Cheri Powell
Carol Preflatish
Leah Pugh
Mary Ellen Quire
Kathy Ragle
Victoria Raschke
Rachael Rawlings
Teresa Reasor
Janet Reyes
Teresa Richards
NE Riggs
Lori Roberts
Lenora Rodgers
Patricia Rose
Jan Scarbrough
A. J. Scudiere
Jen Selinsky
Becky Shamhart
Lydia Sherrer
D. B. Sieders
Don Smith
Ronald R Van Stockum, Jr
Birgit Stubblefield
Charles Suddeth
RJ Sullivan
Lynn Tincher
Stu Thaman
Sara O. Thompson
Leslie S. Townsend
Gail Truax
Steve Vest
Tom Wallace
Lawrence Weill
Michael West
Michael Williams
Stephen Zimmer

 

Realizing I Am Writing My Quirks into My Characters

Sometimes I think I am writing too much of my “qualities” in my characters, and have to wonder if this is common. I certainly don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I think it’s okay. Otherwise, how can I be sure of a certain reaction if I haven’t experienced it? It goes back to my Dale Carnegie days where lessons were taught that one has to earn the right to talk about something.

So my characters have earned the right to own dogs, ride horses, have red hair (okay, not natural, but still red), go goth, and jump at nearly anything that startles them. It could be a loud sound, stray bolt of lightning, or even a Pop-Tart popping out of the toaster. I am still the champ at the Limbic System and its flight or fight reaction. I found this interesting answer that explains how such a reaction occurs.

I knew I was a survivor!

The next time I am torn between writing about a personal response, I will be sure to think further into it. I do sometimes like to envision a new character that is entirely unlike me, but after a while, I realize traits start coming out that pulls her back into my sphere. Sometimes it feels like I am just writing an extension of myself into my stories, and I love that fact. The idea I get to experience such fantasy adventures is pretty cool since my life in Indiana isn’t that exciting!

And who knows were the stories over the years will take me? I’ve lived vicariously through my characters in California, New Orleans, Michigan, Purgatory, and Greece! I’ve dated vampires, wizards, half angels, and demigods. Not too shabby!

Still blocked!

Yes, the title of this post says it all! The holiday writer's block carries on. I am not completely down for the count. I do write a paragraph or two each day, but nothing is really exciting me. I am about ready to embark on some serious stuff (murder, mayhem and some steamy love), and I can't quite bring myself to get into the spirit.

Now I'm wondering if I need to play some different music or dress up or something! to get me in the mood. Writing is like everything in life. Sometimes it comes easy and other times it is a drag. I do have my moments of misgivings. I wonder sometimes if I am devoting too much of my life to writing down stories, but then I imagine not doing this and think, "Nah." I would just be sitting in front of the TV watching more HGTV!



These are the times that divide mice from men. Am I a mouse and do I keep whining about having no vision? Nothing comes easy. I don't like mice, anyways.

Gotta love the holidays!

So sorry that it has been a while since my last post! With the holidays and a young one, all free time seemed to go by the wayside!  Finally, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's is over and maybe I can get into a decent writing schedule again.

I have experienced writer's block recently, but wonder if it has something to do with the stress of the holidays. So, I realized it's not the end of the world if I don't write for a few days. The rest of the year I am like a writing machine. If I commit for an hour a night, that's what I do. I pride myself on my work ethic, and, to me, writing is like a job.

I must have a plan, and I must have a schedule. Even if it's not a full hour a day, I usually can get something down. By book 5, I should be used to this schedule-thing.

But what do I do when my mind is completely blank with what is to happen next? Because that is what is happening right now. Usually, I have a nice visual of the characters and the action that is happening, but lately it is a big dark area in my mind where there should be good things happening!

I don't have an answer. All can do is try to write a sentence or two. If I can do that, I will just go back and edit the chapters nearby to try to kick start my imagination. I hope that will work.

Stay tuned and I will let you know how it is working out

I've Just Experienced Another Time Warp...AGAIN!

Where, oh, where has the time gone? What? Christmas is almost here! Does anyone else feel that the older they get, the quicker time goes by?  I know it’s an old saying, but now in my advanced age, I believe it’s true!  Time is flying and it needs to slow down!

 

Then, I started wondering if there is scientific reasoning behind this and the answer is yes, yes there is! The article, "Why Does Time Seem to Speed Up with Age?" answers my burning question.

The brain gets used to the familiar and our way of categorizing time gets a little wonky. After reading this, I’m determined to experience more unfamiliar moments so my brain can stay active and not speed nearly so quickly to my (way in the future) eminent death.