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An End-of-Year Letter to Readers
Dear Readers, Today, I’m going to start with one of the highlights of the year, and it has been handwriting letters to readers. I’ve handwritten over 100 letters to readers thus far. Without a doubt, this has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of being an author, for without readers, we are lost. When I published The Letters in the Books in July, I knew I wanted to do a special promotion with an independent bookstore. (If you order through Amazon or B&N, there are no letters inside). As well, since the protagonist of my book, a bookstore owner, handwrites uplifting letters that she slips inside books, I wanted…
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Podcast 15: Committing to Your Blog
* As authors, it’s important that we stay connected to our audiences. Blogging allows us to do just that. On a blog platform, we can connect with readers, showcase our work, and share other experiences that allow readers to get to know us. For all these reasons and more, it’s important to blog. Today’s podcast covers just that. I welcome comments, suggestions, and feedback on today’s topic. I don’t claim to know everything about blogging, but I do know that I’ve been keeping up with Steph’s Scribe since 2011, and it’s become a part of me. I’d like to share my thoughts with you in today’s podcast. Be well, all!…
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Celebrating World Book Day 2019
Dear Readers, Do you remember the first book you ever read? If not, do you recall what your favorite book was as a child? You know, the one you had your mom or dad read to you over and over again because you loved it so much? Do you remember being a teenager and maybe not loving the books that were assigned in class, but then later, recalled aspects of them and perhaps gained a greater appreciation for them as you matured? Can you list all the books you read last year, and have you been keeping track of the books you’re reading this year? Do you share books with…
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Three Writing Quotes That Will Make You Pause…Then Write
“We’re past the age of heroes and hero kings. Most of our lives are basically mundane and dull, and it’s up to the writer to find ways to make them interesting.” —John Updike Let’s begin with John Updike’s quote. How great is that one? When writers read that quote, it should make them realize what’s important in writing—a strong voice, good dialogue, realistic characters, and a nice plot that keeps readers going. We are not reinventing the wheel, we are merely storytellers, here to entertain. Sometimes, when I find I’m being too hard on myself and I reread something I’ve written, I go back and ask these questions: “Was it…
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“Your stories give me hope,” she said.
* “Your stories give me hope,” the woman said to me when she told me how much she liked Inn Significant. “Where do you get your inspiration?” she asked. I told her I get my inspiration from people—mostly from people I know or I’ve loved along the way in my life. “You are an optimist?” she asked me. “I like to think I am,” I said. “Well, keep writing. You give me hope for the future. Will there be a sequel to Inn Significant?” “I’m toying with it,” I said. “Well, stop toying and get to it. I want to see what becomes of these people.” I guess to…
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Book Club Visits Benefit Authors – Truly.
** Last week I had the pleasure of attending a local book club meeting, and I had the opportunity to mingle with readers of my novel, Beneath the Mimosa Tree, the first of three novels I have written and published. From the book club side, the benefits of having an author attend your book talk is that you get some “behind the scenes” information about the book, its inception, back story, and inspirations from the author. Authors are typically willing to answer questions and provide additional insight into their books. I enjoyed meeting the women in last week’s book club, and had a great time interacting with them. They asked…
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Giving Thanks To You
Yes, it’s that time of the year. Time to be thankful for people and blessings. As it’s officially Thanksgiving holiday break for me, I’d like to take a moment to thank you, the readers and supporters of Steph’s Scribe. If it weren’t for readers, we bloggers wouldn’t be doing what we do. From the days when we wrote in journals and didn’t have the vehicle to share our thoughts or ideas, it’s wonderful to have that access through this platform; I’m thankful for the opportunity and take my responsibility of writing for you seriously. It’s an outlet for me, I take great pride in it, and I never want to…
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Do You Write to Sell or Do You Write to Tell Good Stories?
Yesterday, when I was texting with a dear friend of mine who has been quite influential in my life and career, I shared with him that I was taking a break from writing for a bit. Which, as you know, if you’ve followed along thus far in my tales of woe, really means that I became burned out doing book promotion as opposed to book writing. Anyway, he asked me this question at end of our text thread: Do you write to sell or do you write to tell good stories? I looked at what he had written for a long time, pensively, unsure as to how I would answer…
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My Third Novel, Inn Significant, Is Now Available !!!
B I G N E W S T O D A Y ! ! ! INN SIGNIFICANT IS NOW AVAILABLE ! *** A few weeks ago I likened birthing a novel to birthing a baby, except without the physical pain and need for drugs. I still think it’s true. I’m happy to report that my third novel, Inn Significant, is now available via Amazon and Barnes & Noble in both paperback and for the e-readers. As those of us who are independent authors know, this is when the marketing work begins, and it ain’t easy. Plus, it requires me to do something that I’m not used to doing, and that’s…
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Just For Today, I’m Feeling A Little Like Elizabeth Gilbert
* * * Here’s the thing: Today, I am feeling a little like Elizabeth Gilbert. I admire Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love and the current hit The Signature of All Things) tremendously and had the privilege of hearing her speak as well when she was a keynote for Stevenson’s Speaker Series a few years. She’s a great inspiration, and her piece on TED about creativity is one of my all-time favorites. My classes can attest to this, because I make them watch it every semester. Gilbert regularly posts photos of her book in lovely settings from all over the world. Readers send them to her. It’s a very…
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If You’re a Reader, Sign Up and Participate on Goodreads.
I’m so glad for summertime and the always entertaining chit chat we participate in poolside. If it weren’t for those talks, I may never have signed up for Goodreads. Goodreads is an excellent way to share what you’re reading with friends and acquaintances alike. Whether you’re a voracious, serious reader, or a casual reader, Goodreads is a site that will help you find out what other folks are reading and liking. Why? Because people can rate and comment on the books. For those of you who’ve been on Goodreads for a while, you’re ahead of me. I decided to write about it because when I’ve attended book club meetings to…
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Thank You, Readers!
This is just a quick note of thanks to my readers today, as Steph’s Scribe officially celebrates its one-year anniversary. Thank you so much for sticking by me and visiting the blog when you can. It means a lot to me. What will year two bring? …we shall see.
