Paper Books versus Electronic Books

I've been thinking about the issue of paper versus electronic books. I know that it's a common thing, but can't help but wonder what's so great about electronic books. Personally, I prefer to have a paper book. Electronic books are like staring at a computer screen for too long and getting a headache afterwards (which, by the way, is the reason I write my books in a notebook before typing them up). Yes, I can say these things because I have tried to read off the kindle and nook and have gotten headaches from them. Even if that weren't true, I would prefer to have a paper book in my hands. I love the smell and feel of the books. That's why it's so frustrating when I try to buy a book that sounds interesting  to me on amazon or other sites that an author sets up for kindle only instead of selling them both ways for the customer to decide. Shouldn't readers' have the option to decide which way they prefer to read?

Yep! The Holidays are Upon Us!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is upon us again, Christmas not too much further afterward? It keeps me busy as well as everyone else I talk to. With all the turkey and stuffing (which, by the way, is making me drool) and the pretty Christmas lights, jingle bells, sleigh rides, trying to find the perfect gift and baking, we tend to forget ourselves and the true meaning of the holidays. Remind yourselves that it's about spending time with family and friends. Have fun, relax, and enjoy doing for others. That's what it's all about.. I intend to do so.

Sleepy Hollow T.V. Series

I just started watching Sleepy Hollow. I've only watched the first 3 episodes and am easily getting addicted. I think Ichabod Crane played by Tom Mison is adorable and would love to see more of him. The female sheriff, Abbie Mills played by Nicole Beharie is very sassy. I like that too. I am really digging the show. It has an element of humor and horror, but anyone who likes those things will like this show too. I am officially addicted to Sleepy Hollow. I would like to hear what others have to say about this amazing show. I'm not caught up to season 2 yet, but I will be.

Amazing Authors I've Discovered Through Writing Groups and Conferences

If anyone is interested in a couple of new authors, I've got a couple. First is Violet Patterson. She now has a new book out, Immortal Machinations. I have not read it yet, but I know she's an amazing author. Also, someone from my writers group who now has a book out. Carnival Charlatan by Skeeter Enright. Both books are available on amazon.com. Look them up and  I promise that you won't regret it. Also, Eva Pohler is an amazing author as well and available on amazon.



 

Working With An Editor Who Is Compatible

Hello readers and fellow writers. I received my book back from my editor and have been working really hard on fixing it before getting it back to him. This is the first time that I have worked with an editor and it has been a pleasant experience. He has very valid points to the mistakes. As he had said about his own work, and I quote, "My book, once completed, is perfect until it reaches my editors hands." As much as we want to believe that we can go self-publish without editing, it's never a good idea. Trust me, I know. I've done it with my first two books and haven't had much success with them. Looking back, I wish I would have found a compatible editor to look it over. However, I have learned from my mistakes. I know that editors are pricey, but you do whatever it takes if you want to succeed. Maybe you can find an editor who will accept payments. I don't, by any means, have a lot of money. Therefore, I am glad to have found an editor who works with me. It's not only about the prices, but one who is compatible with your needs. You have to find one who believes in your work as much as you do and I've found one who does. Sometimes you can find one in a writers group that you've joined (as I have). Make sure it's not someone who can be honest about your work, but one who wants to see you succeed as much as you want to. Good luck!

Ideas Flowing

I believe that writers get what some call writers block or writers constipation. I have moments like that. However, lately, I have been experiencing problems with so many ideas coming to me at once especially while I'm in the middle of working on a writing project. Most ideas come to me so fast that by the time I go to write them down, I've forgotten them. Sometimes it's a blessing, other times it becomes frustrating. The only way to look at it is that I still have ideas flowing-even if it's only a title for my next book. I find it refreshing to have an idea to write for my next book, which I am currently working on my newest novel that I had jotted ideas down over a year ago. I know how difficult it is for some people to come up with ideas, but you have to experience things in order to write stories, whether fiction, fantasy, memoir, etc.... Don't let something like writer's block, er, constipation get you down. Everyone who was meant to write had similar problems, but they took the reins and forged on. I am truly blessed to have so much going on in my noggin. You are too.

A Break From Your Creative Genius

I am curious as to what you do when you take break from your writing to get it back on track. Or to those non-writers who need a break from other projects that they may be working on. I, personally, like to take walks or read a book that I've been meaning to read. Also I love to watch shows on Investigation Discovery for more book ideas.  Please share your stress releases.

Some Great Information for Writers

I know that as a writer I am required to be aware on how to use and spell words. Therefore, when I  came upon an article I found on Yahoo, I had to share. It is a really great article. I realize that it says for business writing, however, I do believe that it also applies to writers. As writers, we do not want to turn readers off to our books. Here's the site: https://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/advisor/the-32-words-that-used-incorrectly-can-make-you-look-bad-161319699.html. Please read and take stock. Enjoy!

Work, Work, Work

Yeah. I know that word: work. It seems that's all I do is work. I do work a full-time job during the day and my writing at night. So it seems that's all I do. However, no matter how much I work I believe that it'll pay off in the end. With that said, sometimes you have to take a break in between working your day (or night for some) and your writing. Taking a step back will help increase your creativity once you get back to your work-in-progress. Trust me, I know-especially having some very long and exhausting days as of late. Why don't you go to the gym, read that book you've been meaning to get to, take a walk and get some fresh air, or whatever may relax you? Personally, I need some time away from my books-especially when I've just completed one to be edited. I try to take a little, but not too much, time in between only so that I can really focus on the editing. Time away helps me to unwind and be more perceptive when I'm revising my newly written book. After all, I do need to be 100% attentive to my precious work of art. Remember, all work and no play makes Jack (or Jill, if you will) a dull boy (girl). If anyone would like to share what they do to unwind, please feel free.

A Busy Life

Well, I am super busy with my day job and working hard by night and weekends to promote my books and to write. It is a huge task, but it is also something I enjoy (the writing is my favorite part). I know that life gets in the way of accomplishing things that we intend to, but if you don't pursue your dreams, no one else will do it for you. I'm not just talking about writers, but everyone, like photographers, teachers, etc., etc. In the past, I have made every excuse in the book to not park my but in the chair in front of the computer. Yet it boils down to: do I really want this? If so, then why am I not forcing myself to try and stop giving up? Trust me, I get it, life is busy and keeps getting busier by the day, but it's a matter of making the time to do what you really want. Think of it as an escape from life for a little while. I'm not saying that I don't get distracted by things and tinker around so as not to write, because I do-still. I was taking care of my dying Grandmother for years, but somehow, I found the time to write. Was it difficult? Yes. It absolutely was. It was my only escape from reality for even just a few minutes. Did I feel like giving up at times-especially receiving all the rejection letters from publishers? Oh yeah. I did indeed. Thanks to a supportive network of friends and family and my own desires, I chose to push on. Life is hard. There are distractions surrounding us everyday. Take stock and put your butt in that chair in front of your computer and ignore the distractions. Once you do that, your story can only take flight one day, one word, one sentence at a time.

Some Interesting Information on Marketing

Here are a couple of links that I found interesting to read for some ideas for promoting your books:

http://www.theloneliestplanet.com/2014/01/building-writing-platform-my-results.html

http://www.theloneliestplanet.com/2014/02/one-writers-platform-part-2-events-and.html

Personally, I find that the more information I can find for marketing the better. I am a pretty shy person, but I am willing to try anything to get my name out there. There is so much information out there about marketing, but I am coming up with my own ideas as well as getting good information from other authors. I think it's a pretty amazing thing to connect with other writers via various social media sites. However, if you are a writer who likes people and want to be out there then I suggest, as someone suggested to me, going to art festivals and flea markets. You never know who you might meet. I'll be going to a flea market pretty soon to sell a few books and get my name out there. I will keep you posted.

Stuck on a Chapter

I hate being so close to finishing that last chapter of my books, but get stuck. It's like walking through something sticky (caramel, yum) and not being able to get out. However, when I do get out, the end result is worth it. Then comes the revisions, which is fun for me, but again I find myself in a struggle with myself to find the right words to add to or replace something I've already written. So it begins again and I am struggling to put the right words to paper. It is a lot of effort to create the "perfect book." That last chapter is, well, a stressful thing to do. Maybe its because I don't want to quite let go of writing the book or that I'm scared of what it might turn out to be. Or, on the other hand, the ideas running through my head for my next book are overtaking my brain and I'm trying to be cautious about what I put into the last chapter (where ideas for my next book are swarming) and I don't want to incorporate the two. Who knows for sure? All I can say is that I will be so glad to start the revisions. I'm looking forward to it.

First Time Blogging

Here I am on this site, beginning my first blog. Where do I start? Let's see. My name is Darla Lark and I am an author of 2 self-published books, which are for sale on amazon.com. Lucy's Suspicion's is a mystery and A Life Worth Living is a YA novel. I will have my third book available on amazon by the end of the year. Anyhow, I am a happily married woman with a dog and a cat. I love to read, spend time with my family and friends, and taking walks. Mostly, as far as what I love to do, I love to write. I find the creative process of writing a book to be fun and stimulating. It's my favorite thing to do. I also believe that it takes a special breed of person to be able to sit long enough to write a book.

My contact information is:

email: darlalarkauthor@yahoo.com

and/or

facebook.com/darlalarkauthor