A Book Lover

Shameless Promotion for Others! Magnolia Belle

2010-04-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

I know it's hard for independent authors to sell their own books these days so it may seem weird to promote the works of other authors. I believe in helping others, especially if it's a book I can fully get behind and cheer for.
So, I've decided to try to do this weekly or so and help promote other authors. Who knows, maybe the good karma will come back. At least that's what my great-grandmother always said...well she had a more folksy way of saying it but you get the idea.

This week: Magnolia Belle
Bio infor taken from author's Goodreads page, all rights reserved and copyright to Ms. Belle
Magnolia Belle grew up in a military family and has lived in several U.S. states as well as the Orient. She graduated in 1978 from Tarleton State University, where, as editor of the University paper, she won first place in the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Editorial competition in 1977. She was also a member of "Who's Who Among Colleges and Universities" in 1977-78. She currently lives in Texas with her husband and their (spoiled) dogs.

A singer/songwriter and guitarist, she played with a band in the 1980s that made 3 albums. Belle proudly declares some Native American heritage. The above two facts are part of the basis of the Black Wolf series. Considering herself a native Texan, her T'on Ma and Black Wolf series are both set in that great state.

I can't speak of all of her books(I've only read four...well three and a half as I'm almost done with the third book in her Black Wolf series). Let me say that I can and will sing the praises of the Blackwolf brothers to one end of the ethernet to the other.
I've been a huge fan of books with brothers and Native American characters for a long time but except for Cait London I really couldn't find an author who handled characters with such deft skill at making the characters come alive as Magnolia Belle has with these brothers. You will laugh, you will cry and in some cases grieve but you will find such enjoyment. I could go on but that would just be gushing and I think readers will enjoy this series and more.

You can check out more about Magnolia Belle and her books at the following:
Black Wolf Books
Goodreads.com-Magnolia Belle
Magnolia Belle on Amazon.com
Magnolia Belle on Smashwords

Be sure to check out this fantastic author and her books.

Next week....not sure yet.

A new edition for Flames of Betrayal!

2010-04-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a dear friend and fellow writer, Magnolia Belle, the first book in my S.E.A.L. Team Omega series, Flames of Betrayal, has been edited, revised and some scenes changed. It is tigher and missing some overused words. One doesn't know how much a character mutters until it's pointed out, lol (Thanks, Belle).

Both the Kindle and Smashwords ebooks are back up and available and the Smashwords version has a coupon for anyone who would like to try the revised edition. Just contact me at: sierrarose_books@yahoo.com for the code.

Also, for those interested in terrific books I hope you'll check out Magnolia Belle's books at: Black Wolf Books . She has a wonderful series out that I highly recommend.

Second book in Celtic Evil Released!

2010-03-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

The second book in the five part Celtic Evil series is published as an ebook on Kindle and Smashwords and will soon be a paperback on Amazon.
Celtic Evil: Ian on Kindle

For more information keep up with the blog for the series and the Facebook page:
Celtic Evil Blog
Celtic Evil Facebook Fanpage

Problems for Authors of Multiple Genres & Other Issues to Address

2010-02-28T15:17:00.000-08:00

This is a copy of a blog post that I made on my Amazon Author Central page. A good plan? Maybe not.

How does an author who writes in multiple genres handle going from one to another? Much less, do readers take into account how those very different genres are also very different in writing style?

That's something I've been wondering since I write in two primary genres and each title seems to have its own style. Take Celtic Evil for example. It's more of a paranormal/romantic suspense series. Yes, there is some action since that plot calls for it but that series is a complete turnaround to my pure action/adventure series, S.E.A.L. Team Omega. That series is more action and it calls for more violence. So, do readers who look for Sierra Rose consider that while both books are written by the same author that the styles are different or because one may be too violent or extreme in come cases will they hold that against the other, more mild series? If that's the case then it's hardly fair because while one book may not appeal the other could be just fine.

I suppose that's why authors in different genres use a different pen name for the other one. I considered that when writing the Seal series but was advised it would cause confusion to readers who may have begun following Sierra Rose.

As an author, I do not plot or pre-plot a story for the most part. I may have a general idea but the main story fills itself in as I write. I will never make apoligies for how I write in terms of plot, characters or how the story fills itself in. I've often said that I allow my characters to write their own story and then I go behind them and clean up as best as I can and that's what I do. I never try to control or change how a scene goes as it builds in my head because I don't write like that.

Flames of Betrayal, the first in my S.E.A.L. Team Omega series has been coming under fire recently here on Amazon it seems by a couple reviews that I just caught today for a few scenes. I know the ones being complained about because they were the hardest to write in my life and I bounced back and forth, struggled with the inner writer who writes the scenes in my mind until finally all the going back and forth blocked the book up. It took several days until I decided to given in and allow the scenes to remain. I debated on it and waited to get several opinions from people who did read it, one included my very own Mother who has never been afraid to say when something should be taken out or didn't work. It was also test-read by several in the military and also a psychologist. It passed those people.

Now, do I think the style in Flames will appeal to everyone? Of course not. Just like I know my writing itself will never appeal to everyone or anyone with a higher knowledge of the English language or grammar, but that's another matter. Do I agree with a couple comments on a review that I read, about if Flames had been written by a man, it wouldn't be getting the complaints about those scenes? I'm not sure. I can't honestly say that when I wrote the book or its sequel that I considered it being flamed, no pun intened, because it was written by a woman. Many females write action books but maybe it was more because of the scenes themselves. I certainly don't like to think that readers believe that only men can do to a character what I wrote in Flames. As a reader myself, I don't hold those views.

Do I regret putting those scenes in? No, because I write for myself as a whole and if the scene writes itself in a way that people don't like or approve of then I can't regret that. No author will please every reader and if we try, no book would ever be worth reading.

As to address another matter, Flames is based on a fictional story. I am a 35 year old disabled writer with no complex knowledge, authority, or details on military matters. I have read military books since I could read. I researched weapons, locations, and other military matters to the best of a limited ability. It was not written to be 100% authenic but it in no way reflects badly on any branch of the military. It is explained in the story that this team operates outside normal chain of command, and therefore handles themselves differently given the jobs they do.

Celtic Evil is written in an entirely different style but it is still written in the same free flowing method. I allow the characters to write their story how they will. I suppose I should be pleased that I haven't had any modern day witches complaining about something that was portrayed wrong in the first book in that series though as I do with every book I write I do the best research possible.

This brings me finally to the final matter I wish to address, grammar. Unlike most authors, I have never made claims to adhere or understand it. I made a post on a forum that addressed this once but to streamline it:

Due to illnesses that removed me from standard school at 3rd Grade, I was homeschooled by a schoolboard sent tutor from 3rd grade until I graduated. I received excellent grades and had a GPA of 3.8 on graduation. English was passed via extra credit work. The tutor was a single tutor who could teach all standard subjects but was not a plain English teacher with all the skills needed to understand all the workings that perhaps students in a physical English class would receive. Grammar was pretty much glossed over since he only had so many hours a week to teach so I have never denied that I don't understand grammar like those who went to school do or who perhaps went to college. I write how I think and how I was raised and that will never be accepted by readers who choose to look for that style.

Oh, I've been told to take college courses or writing classes. To put this bluntly: if I couldn't go to school due to illnesses that have increased over the years, how do people accept a writer dealing with that to go to classes? Online courses take funds and an ability to learn that this writer doesn't have.

Now, we'll go to the editing issues. Celtic Evil has been edited. it's sequel and the sequel to Flames are being looked over. Unlike writers with jobs to support them, many writers starting out don't have the funds to pay $500-$12,000 for an editor or a proofreader. Readers don't understand that either. They think that every writer can turn a book over to someone to proof or edit for them. They think that every writer has a college professor for a best friend or relative who will do this for them pro bono and that's not the case. Many writers self-edit because that's all we can do and I think that there are some wonderful self-edited/self-published books available these days. Readers complain about poor editing or poor grammar yet they don't stop to think why these things may be happening. There are very few editors who will offer their services free of charge, if there were they'd be swamped. There are writers who bash fellow authors for the very same thing but you also find very few of them willing to edit without wanting money and in this economy if a new author has to choose between feeding their family, buying medicine or paying someone to edit a book, what would you choose? Not every writer has a full time job, not every writer has a family to support them. Many writers live on a single monthly check and then must balance how to spend that on vital things. As one of those, I can assure you that medicine and food and a roof over my family's head will always take top spot.

I often joke that I plain on putting a disclaimer in new books that it is being written by an author with no understanding of proper grammar. That and future disclaimers for violence may become the next section of my copyright page.

This turned out longer than I planned on and perhaps it will hurt sales of future books but I fully believe in being honest with potential readers. Do they care? Probably not but it's better to say it. To explain that I deeply love what I do, the characters I write and the stories that I tell. Do I wish that every book could be perfect? Of course. Will they be perfect? No, they will be as good as I can make them with the abilities I was gifted with. Most readers are able to accept that and I can't help the ones who can't.

Again, maybe it wasn't a wise move to make with Ian's tale coming out in the next month and the second book in the S.E.A.L. Team Omega series due in May, but it's one of those things that has been building. I made a post on the Kindleboards on my Flames of Betrayal thread that explained a lot that I limited in this one. I don't and never will will deny that my grammar will never be what others want it to be. I just hope to sell enough ebooks, books to help my Mother and get the full Celtic Evil story out before my own eyesight goes out. I will never make excuses for the tales that I write, be it one of the boys for Celtic Evil, the team in S.E.A.L. Team Omega or the other things I write. I've been told to write for myself and that's how I do it. Should I apoligize to those who don't agree with or like it? Maybe but if I do that, it smacks of be not being true to characters that I pour myself into writing.

Readers think that a full book may be so easy to write. They're wrong. Those violent scenes or scenes that involve sex of any kind are the absolute hardest for me to write.

Okay, this month's rant is done. Stay tuned for data on Celtic Evil: A Fitzgerald Brothers Novel: Ian which is due out in March.

New Feature! Guest Blogger-Clinton Foster

2010-01-03T16:13:00.000-08:00

This update includes a new feature that I hope to do more with in the feature. Guest-blogging or blog tours is something that is becoming popular and so, this guest blog is by Clinton Foster, the author of Willing to Believe and By the Wayside . More can be found about Clinton, his books, etc on his own blog which can be found on my blogroll on the right side of this page. So, here is his interview/guest blog:

An Interview with Clinton Foster, author of Willing To Believe and By The Wayside.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I am 40 years old. A father of five children, two of whom are adopted.

Willing To Believe is a romance, is it not? Why would a man write a romance, it is not usually a male-dominated genre.

Willing is not a romance, but it is a love story. It is the tale of a man yet uncertain about whether or not he even loves his girlfriend, whether they are just friends "with benefits" as most relationships today could be termed, or if there is something more. Through a chance work opportunity, by meeting an elderly gentleman on the exit threshold of his life, he begins to learn the value of what love really means, what it ought mean, and of what we are willing to do to maintain that love at all costs. It is specifically told as a first person narrative through the eyes of a young man, because unfortunately, it seems my experience that most men just go through the motions in relationships. In doing so, men miss out on the greater, profound fruits of a lasting love.

You think you are an authority on love?

Hah! Not hardly! When my wife and I married, she had several children with one on the way. This child I adopted. In better times, we had children together. As such, we always barely made ends meet, but we struggled and survived, and the children thrived. However, last year, my wife's older daughter was sexually assaulted by a member of her extended family. As my wife is now disabled and this person is yet on the loose, it was left to me to tend all the children at all times or the state would take her daughter for her safety. I agreed, as the state was to arrange sitters to help with child-care while I worked. Due to budget cuts, the childcare fell through. Well, the landlord still expects to be paid, as is his right, that we were soon evicted. All the state could say was "sorry." At the moment, we are living in a friend's basement as we struggle again to our feet.

In all this, I have reminded myself many times before how easy it could be to just walk away from the whole situation. But honestly, could I? Even today, my wife and I talk of splitting up, with me taking my children and cutting her loose. Sure, it would be very easy. It would be convenient. But then, what do the vows "For better and for worse" mean? Basically, I don't think we as a society should be so quick to cut our losses, as "time served."

Tell me about your next book, By The Wayside.

By The Wayside is the story of a young woman who has been sexually-assaulted as a child. Her mother doesn't want to believe her. As such, she grows up believing that her thinking is wrong, that maybe what she experienced was her own fault, and the cause for her family's difficulties. As the years, pass she continues making poor choices and her struggles get more complicated. It is her fight to find herself, to believe in the six-year-old that no one else had, so many years before.

Publishing through Amazon, Createspace and Lulu, have you had much success with these markets?

Well, I guess any success is better than none. The hardest thing I find is getting the word out. Willing has been highly-acclaimed by its readers. One local library, receiving a sample copy, enjoyed it so much that the staff purchased twenty copies as A Christmas present for their adult reading group. Otherwise, it has been very touch and go, with very limited success. Still, if no one knows about it, almost any success, any recommendations, means nothing. Marketing costs money, money that as a homeless author, I have very little of.

Much of the web can be used for free. How have you utilized its services?

Again, I have published through three websites, and am in the process of pitching the books to the big chain stores via the web. Otherwise, I have added pages to social websites such as Facebook and Myspace, I run ads via Craigslist and other "classifieds." I have set up my own blog about my books and my writings, at http://www.clintonfoster.blogspot.com/. I am always prospecting new ideas, but in truth, I'd rather spend my time more fruitfully, just writing. I'm always willing to trade links with others, anything to get the word out.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T09:15:00.000-08:00

Nollaig shona & Saol fada chugat! Which means Happy Christmas & Long life to you! I certainly wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and for those who have read the first book in my Celtic Evil series, I have written a short (alright, very short) Christmas story featuring the Fitzgerald brothers that I hope everyone enjoys!
It can be found on the Celtic Evil Excerpt page of my webpage at: Sierra Rose Books and also free at Smashwords by following this link: A Celtic Christmas

Sierra

Christmas Wishes

2009-12-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

For my friends and everyone, here's a Christmas poem.

A Christmas Poem

Silver Bells jingle, snowflakes fall.

Trees glimmer as holiday lights shimmer.

Children laugh and play in snow deep while parents wish for school.

Holiday shoppers rush about as the days draw closer to that fateful day.

Homes are warm with love and the smells of cookies baking.

Music rings from churches all over as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Family gathers on this day to celebrate Christmas Day and the birthday of our Savior.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a most Joyous New Year.

This and some others are in my Poetry collection as well.

Celtic Evil on Barnes & Noble!

2009-12-11T20:22:00.000-08:00

My first novel in the Celtic Evil: A Fitzgerald Brother series, Roarke has now become available on Barnes and Noble thanks to Createspace's new Expanded Distro Channels.

Celtic Evil: A Fitzgerald Brother Novel Roarke on B&N!

I'm hoping the other channels will open up in mid-January so take a look at B&N.

New book available!

2009-12-09T21:52:00.000-08:00

After a hair-pulling week, the proof for S.E.A.L. Team Omega - Flames of Betrayal has been approved and should be live on Amazon by next week or so. I'm hoping the Kindle version will follow soon after or a little before. Until then, the book is available on Createspace at my e-store. The link is: S.E.A.L. Team Omega - Flames of Betrayal Estore listing and with the code 6MWMCW8B you can get $2.95 off.

The ebook is still available on Smashwords and I'll update as the Amazon listing and Kindle version go up.

Remembering Pearl Harbor

2009-12-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

Since today, Monday December 7, is the 68th anniversary(if such a thing could be called that) of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I wanted to make a post in rememberance to all those who lost their lives on that day and also to those who survived and are still with us.

As you go about your day today, take a moment to think of those people who fought in World War II. Maybe take a little bouquet of flowers to your local war memorial or something in memory of those that fell and those who survived.

In memory of this day, I'd also like to thank those soldiers, these brave men and women of the armed forces who seek to protect out freedom daily, be it overseas or here at home.

As those who have been keeping up with this know, I am a particpating author in Operation Ebook Drop, where authors supply free e-books to the soldiers. We are, as of this posting, up to 303 authors and the list keeps growing. It's a wonderful feeling to provide something as tiny as an ebook to someone serving our country.

So if you're an author and who have an ebook set up for free or even if you don't but would like to, check out the Smashwords blog on the subject at: Smashwords Blog on Operation Ebook Drop and see how to get involved. It's a worthy cause.

Finally, in remembrence of the day I put up a third title into the program, and I'll list it here as well in case a soldier happens upon this and has never heard of the program. Sins of the Past on Smashwords Use the code XE37D.

Again I thank all those men and women who have served in our country's military, now and in the past.

Book blurb,cover, infor and excerpt posted!

2009-11-20T19:31:00.000-08:00

I've added a page to my website at: http://sierra-rose-books.webs.com/ for my new S.E.A.L. Team Omega series. It has the final blurb, a brief excerpt, character data and the current cover choice all listed. I hope you stop in and take a peek. I'm working on getting it formatted for ebook release first and then paperback soon after.

Also, for authors with ebooks please look into the post below about Operation Ebook Drop. It's a great way to give something to those soldiers serving overseas and even those still stationed at home.

Virtual Awakenings is available as an e-book and a paperback on Amazon and the paperback would make a wonderful gift this holiday season. Best of all, the proceeds go to the a cancer charity.

Flames of Betrayal Blurb....maybe

2009-11-14T20:20:00.000-08:00

Flames of Betrayal is the first in a new action series I'm writing. The novel itself is basically completed, it's in the beta-reader stage. Now comes the hard part...the dreaded blurb. I think writing a blurb is one of the hardest things to write as it's so dang short. Something I'm not good at anyway. I've been working on one all weekend and have finally gotten one that I think is pretty good...well, at least it's shorter than my blurb for Roarke's novel so that's saying something. I've listed it on the Createspace Preview Gallery to get some ideas on whether it's grabbing enough. Hop over and take a peek. https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1062127 In the midst of finding a suitable cover...oh for an unlimited budget or a decent once of drawing talent.

Virtual Imaginings- A Book for Hope

2009-11-12T18:03:00.000-08:00

As a member of the Kindleboard forum, I have met some really wonderful people. Never would someone want to meet better e-people so to speak. In fact, some of these wonderful people gathered together to create an anthology of short stories with the proceeds going toward a breast cancer charity fund.

Virtual Imaginings is the baby of some really wonderful people and it's available as both a Kindle e-book and a paperback on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002V1I3V4?ie=UTF8&tag=kindleboards-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002V1I3V4

So I hope anyone who checks this out, will give it a look. As someone who lost a sister to breast cancer it is certainly a project that I can support.

Celtic Thunder - “Take Me Home”

2009-11-12T13:41:00.001-08:00

Celtic Thunder - “Take Me Home”

Posted using ShareThis

A Tale in Time for Halloween

2009-10-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

For those who enjoy paranormal, magic or all things Celtic (alright, there's some romance and humor thrown in) then I offer the first in my five part paranormal/romantic suspense (well, it's a mixture of things really so it's tough to stick it with one tag) series called Celtic Evil: A Fitzgerald Brother Novel: Roarke. I'm really horrid with blurbs so forgive this one.

In it you will meet the handsome Fitzgerald brothers of Ireland. They've been estranged for fifteen years since an evil witch killed their parents while trying to claim Roarke's life. Now, the witch (warlock, depending on how you want to use the term) is back and determined to break the prophecy that can kill him. To do that, he must either kill one of the brothers or turn their spirit to evil. Roarke must find a way to co-exist again with his brothers despite the bitterness and pain of their pasts and also his guilt and shame before the evil that is waiting for him, both inside and outside the family, claims both his life and that of the woman he loves.

I'm certainly hoping that the reader will find something in each of these characters to make reading them enjoyable as each of them certainly seem to have varying personalities.

More information on the series and characetrs can be found on my website at:
http://sierra-rose-books.webs.com/

The book is availble in paperback at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Evil-Fitzgerald-Brother-Roarke/dp/1448619831

Createspace E-store: https://www.createspace.com/3388731 With the code: 4HXFJAGD you get $3.30 off

It's also available on Kindle at: http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Evil-Fitzgerald-Brothers-ebook/dp/B0028AD7CS/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

For those who like ebooks but don't own a Kindle then it's also available on Smashwords at:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/2291 The coupon for Smashwords is QZ46W

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Blessings and best wishes.

Sierra

2009-10-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

This wonderfully made logo for the Operation Ebook Drop and made From the Imagination and Graphic Artistry of K.A. M'Lady & P.M. Dittman
For more information on it check out the blog at Smashwords: http://blog.smashwords.com/2009/09/smashwords-supports-operation-ebook.html

2009-10-22T16:39:00.000-07:00

After an editing process to fix some errors, I'm pleased to say that the first book in my Celtic Evil series is now back live on Amazon as a paperback, as a Kindle download, on Lulu.com with both a paperback version and a free three chapter excerpt download. It's also available on Smashwords as an E-book with a discount code. Links are below for Amazon and such.

http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Evil-Fitzgerald-Brother-Roarke/dp/1448619831%3FSubscriptionId%3D191QQXMKQHK0QVM06SG2%26tag%3Dkindleboards-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1448619831

http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Evil-Fitzgerald-Brothers-ebook/dp/B0028AD7CS/ref=ed_oe_k

http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/celtic-evil-a-fitzgerald-brother-novel-roarke-excerpt/7285123

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/celtic-evil-a-fitzgerald-brother-novel-roarke/7283683

The Link to Smashwords for download is:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/2291
The Smashwords Coupon Code is: QZ46W

I'm hoping one day soon to be able to have physical stock so I can sell from my website but that will be in the future. Right now that it's edited and back up I'm going to try getting it more exposure by marketing it more. So here's hoping.

Operation Ebook Drop

2009-10-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

I am proud to be able to announce my participation in a wonderful program called Operation Ebook Drop. By making my book available as an ebook I hope it helps to distract our soldiers and even provide a little entertainment. This is a wonderful way to be able to give a little something back to our men and women in the Armed Services who give so much of themselves everyday.

An Unwritten Rule for New Writers?

2009-08-12T21:10:00.000-07:00

I think I may have discovered a couple rules for new writers that aren't in the so-called rulebooks.
#1-If you don't have a college degree with at least a masters in English then it's been decided by the 'clique' that new writers, no matter how talented, shouldn't even bother wasting their time because it won't fall into the accepted rules.

#2-Unless you come up with a 100% totally new concept then it also another waste of time and energy to produce a perfectly interesting book that will be sneered at as tiresome and old.

Read severe sarcasm into the above parts where needed, please.

That's real cute for new writers, young and old, who might have scrapped by High School English...assuming they even got through High School.

It's opinions like this that discourages writers these days. Please see my other blog post on "You Write A Book, Then What" for the rest of my opinion. I know all the vampire writers around today will be sorely upset since vampire novels in most genres have supersaturated the market for the past few years. Yet there are people out there who will tell a new writer that the concept is old, tiresome or a rip-off of something else if their book doesn't have a 100% new twist or concept or something.

So, for an example, we may have a wonderfully bright teenager who graduates HS, though he/she may suck at English class and so passes barely. Yet, he/she is still a talented writer who worked hard on writing their long dreamed of first book about...vampires. It can be a vampire romance, a vampire/slasher, etc. The point is the main plot is vampire related and they spend many a year writing it then they correct every spelling error known to them. Using the wonderful POD capability these days, he publishes his book only to then get told spelling isn't important if grammar and writing style isn't up to college grade standards and the plot is a rip-off of so many other books like his. Do you think this writer will feel encouraged to follow his dream to write? No, he won't. Oh, he may still write but will never offer anything to the public again and those readers who read for readings sake will miss out of his talents.

All of a sudden, original characters and original plot don't mean anything if the plot is centered on things that have been written of by others. In this world of fiction writing, for many writers, coming up with totally new ideas isn't easy and so long as their story is their own they believe it's fine. It's not written in the writing books that original characters (BTW, you can't use a certain number either. It's frowned upon) and original plot isn't vital. If you can't have a brand new concept then they make you feel like it shouldn't be bothered.

That's not true. I'm sure there are vampire, werewolf, etc writers that have encountered such feelings. If you have an original plot with original characters then tell the tale. Spellcheck a hundred times and read it aloud to be sure the sentences flow nicely and make sense. The other people with degrees in Literature, English, etc can gripe and yell about paying $4500 or more on professional editors or say if the grammar is wrong that it's crap but there are people out there who read for readings sake. So long as there aren't spelling errors every other word and the sentences make sense (I advocate spellchecking) then you can tell a compelling tale no matter how many people put you down. It's vital you write what you want for yourself first and don't go into it expecting to have the next famous bestseller.

Blessings and best wishes to all writers.

A Writer's Worst Nightmare

2009-08-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

No, not writer's block. Though I used to think that was it...until tonight. The worst possible thing to happen to an author must be having eight chapters, research and notes be deleted.

Wiped out totally from its poor little floppy disc. As if having a novel rewrite itself more than once didn't put the book behind schedule, the second book in my Celtic Evil series has now been......the polite phrase would be 'accidently deleted' by a sweet innocent child who surely didn't know what she was doing. insert sarcasm with an eyeroll here.

Never let an 11 year old bored child near your work, that's what I learned. Oh, sure I'm told it was an accident. An accident would have been if the disc had been in the computer. It was in it's case and she had been told not to touch the floppy when I had to go help make dinner. I didn't notice anything was wrong until tonight when I went to go back to work on it and the disc came up blank. Every bit of data was gone. So I'm calm. I call the darling who is still with her grandmother(my sister) and I ask, 'did you put one of my discs (I don't want to know if she wipes anymore) in and play with it?' Maybe is the reply I get. Then I slowly lose my temper.

So that's a life-learning lesson and also puts my 'No Children Under 30 Allowed in My Room for Fear of Death' rule back into place. If my nephew can't recover anything I am so messed up and will be staying up late just to get back to where I was...and hopefully I can remember what I wrote because usually once I write it, it goes clean out of my head.

I'm still maintaining the hope something can be recovered...if such a thing is possible.

Diablo's Return new revised cover

2009-08-06T18:46:00.000-07:00

While I'm working on the second book in the Celtic Evil series I decided to do a minor revision of my short action story, Diablo' Return. It's been given an epilogue and also a brand new, spiffy cover. It can be found on Amazon.com.

The second tale in the Celtic Evil series is going well though it's hit more research snags than I like but I'm still please with the progress. The Kindle version of the first book is also still selling well.

On Goodreads.com there is a Q&A group for Sierra Rose so people can ask questions about the novels and even a topic for questions for the characters.

Final revised editon of Celtic Evil now back on Amazon!

2009-07-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

After revising for a left out word (yes, I know but it was a vital word), Celtic Evil: Roarke is now back live on Amazon. Price is $11.00

Also on Amazon but on the Kindle device, it's available for $1.00

To see either, just click the image.

My action novella, Diablo's Return, has been put on Kindle as well but at 14 pages I think it may have to be reworked into a larger piece which was the original plan until now.

You Write a Book, Then What?

2009-07-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

First, let me start off by saying that this isn't aimed at anyone who has actually previewed, read, looked at or actually reviewed the first in my book series, Celtic Evil. This is more toward all those who put down the writers who don't or in some cases, can't follow normal tradition after writing a book.

See, I learned while in school and afterwards there are several stages to writing a book. The first, you research your general location. Vital if you don't want to land your character(s) in a spot that is impossible where you are. You then know your characters. I find this is especially important since you have to have a feel for the men and women you write. Then you sit down and write. This is done differently by every single writer. I, personally, just write the scene as it comes in my head. Most of my works are built in my head and then get put on computer(used to be paper). Then, once it's done you take it from the start and edit it. Correcting those pesky misspellings, if possible you fix the punctuation errors and this goes on and on until it's edited to the best of the writer's clean-cut ability and this is where most will hit the wall of stone cold criticism.

In a world of dreams, in the perfect world where writers dream; all writers have an uncanny ability to edit perfectly or there is always someone to edit their books perfectly for nothing but we all know that isn't the case for nothing comes free and nothing should come free. In this modern world where anyone can self-publish a book on places like Lulu or Createspace, it's easy for some kid out of school to upload an error ridden manuscript and price it for $20 and then get mad when it doesn't sell. Those types of authors are what makes it bad for the really talented ones who have a true gift at writing a compelling tale but can't afford a professional editor and they get chopped down for being hacks with crap because they'll not willing to strive for perfection.

If you can find a decent editor, the cheapest may want either $0.05 or $0.01 a word to edit a manuscript. You take a book with up to 90,000 words and add that up. Now you figure that these possible authors are housewives, or veterns, people homebound for one reason or another, retirees, etc. People living from check to check, people with lives to live from check to check and still have a budget for mortages, bills, medicine, food. These people are often choosing between food and medicine now and there are writers (not publishers, not agents but other writers) who believe they can shell out $200 and up for an editor or a professional cover designer and if they don't, they're considered cheap, lazy, no-talented with crap. This isn't the right message to portray to people.

These writers just want to share their tales. Be it memoirs or just a story they have to tell. They may be looking to offset their income a little but most know this won't be possible in this POD world and are just looking to share, to let other readers enjoy a story that they enjoyed writing.

There are writers out there who can afford to find editors, or know people who can edit for a discount, or know people in the business of writing, etc or they have all the skills that a writer dreams of having. They know what word goes with this sentence, what punctuation goes best in this position, etc. Wonderful!

Not everyone in this business is that lucky. Not every writer can afford that, they don't have friends who know anymore than they do, they can't take 'classes' to 'learn' to write. Learn to write. That's one I hate. You're going to tell a sixty year old grandmother to 'go to a class, learn the skills it takes to write then come back'. That's rude, insulting because these people write from their experiances. Just because not everyone writes in proper sentences or in proper style, voice, tense, then they can't write a book. Please. You can't place a disabled person who can't go out in public very often because of the illnesses(both physical and mental perhaps) in a class when they can't learn what's supposed to be proper form. You can't expect these people to give up food or medicine just to have someone change a sentence.

So you have a perfectly wonderfully story. Any reader, any real reader who loves to read, will read a book written by a new writer and not know or care who edited it. They just know they enjoy a book but when you have other writers putting down these people why should they go on? Why should they write when told they're garbage? There is a thing called constructive criticism then there's being high handed and a bully because these people won't listen so they're labeled hacks by people who should offer help. They want books edited to look professional so it doesn't hurt their own 'self-published books' by having books with a word in the wrong place, or a similiar word being used but yet they don't offer to edit. They just say, 'hey, you want to considered an author then don't write if you can't afford the price'. This is the self-published world. This is what new, serious authors will face.

Now, does this mean you should stop writing? Heck, no! You have a story to tell, a memoir, a recipe book, a comedy, an action story, etc? Then write it. Write it, edit it to the BEST of your ability (because I do recommend that), make sure it's formatted right with correct spacing, margins, justified, etc and submit it. The vital thing is you write what you want, for who you want and anyone that says you can't well.... it's not polite to write what most will think to say to that. There will always be negative, mean spirited people who shoot you down but like a duck sheds water, let those people shed off your back and keep doing what you do.

Sorry for the long rant but it's been building for months but some people understand what it's like to be on the wrong side of that fence and I hope this will reach others who have been talked out of publishing or scared away from those that say you can't write without an editor on your back.

Best wishes and blessings to you all.

Sierra

YouTube Review, a wonderful Q&A & MORE!

2009-07-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

Fellow blogspot blogger, Ronnell D. Porter of the blog The Trinity Masterpiece, has done a wonderful Q&A with myself on my first novel, Celtic Evil: Roarke and it can be found here at: http://ronnelldporter.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-with-sierra-rose-author-of.html

It was great to do. He asked really thoughtful questions that even stumped me at times so I hope people will have a chance to look at his page and also his YouTube reviews on books, of which I scored a 6/10 and can be located at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXneCfI5bIU

I know a 6 out of 10 may seem bad but not when you go into it expecting the weak points and mine always has been and probably always will be grammer and structure. I can write fine but ask me to conjugate a verb or proper sentence structure and I'll reply to ask my English teachers how well that went. So I'm thrilled that beyond it all, he enjoyed it. That's all I basically want from anyone who reads my books is to simply enjoy it and next time I'll leave all those passive sentences alone. Maybe it would have been better, lol.

Also, a wonderful new reviewer from the Pittsburgh Book Examiner reviewed Celtic Evil and posted a review. That link is: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-15202-Pittsburgh-Books-Examiner~y2009m6d28-Independent-Author-Book-Review-Celtic-Evil-by-Sierra-Rose

Now I just have to get the book back live on Amazon. One little word left out on the rights reserved statement (thanks to Ronnell for pointing that out) and it had to go on hold until late next week.

Also, my website has been updated with a new revised, longer excerpt of the book. Now it's time to get fully started on Ian's story which is the sequel.

New edition and new cover on Celtic Evil

2009-06-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

I've recently had to make a second edition to Celtic Evil to fix some minor errors and so while I was doing so I decided to update the cover. The fixed version is live on Lulu.com now and hopefully will be on Amazon by next week if the proofs come out well. I'll post links soon.

Fantastic Book Author I've Come to Love Reading!

2009-05-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

While as a newly published author who is trying to market and sell my own novel I know this will seem like an insane plan and readers will wonder, why is she promoting another writer's books?! Well, in this crazy, dog-eat-dog world we live in I honestly believe that we all need to help each other and if I like something I want people to know it.

On Lulu.com and a couple on Amazon.com now any read who enjoys action/thrillers or military themed books will just love the books by Roger Cave. When I first previewed his first novel, the Barcza Gambit, it struck me so much how Roger's writing style reminded me of so many of the authors I love who write the Mack Bolan, The Executioner series these days or another favorite military series I like written by Chet Cunningham. His style and skill is superb and if he's not picked up by a national or world-wide publisher in the next few years then someone in the publishing field needs to be shot!

On Lulu.com(yes, I'll give a link) he has his complete series(so far) in his Alec Fincham series which is five books so far. His main character, Commander Alex Fincham, is a former Royal Marine who now serves in the Special Boat Squadron. He and his squad face dangers in some well written scenes that never lack for action or excellent description.

I've had the pleasure of buying three of these books and reading all the way through the first two. I'm working on the third one and will certainly be getting the last two very soon. I've come to value his opinion on the Lulu forums and he's a great man to chat with there as well.

So for all you book lovers who love those action series that seem to dwindling off(at least the good ones) I hope you'll take the time to look this author up at his Lulu store:
http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1339557

Also for those who prefer Amazon.com, see the versions over there:
The Barcza Gambit: http://www.amazon.com/Barcza-Gambit-Roger-Cave/dp/1847990061/

Zugzwang
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002AD87SC/sr=1-3/qid=1243725742/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1243725742&sr=1-3&seller=

Sicilian Defense:
http://www.amazon.com/Sicilian-Defence-Roger-Cave/dp/B002AD4DIU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243725742&sr=1-5

Or just do an advance search on Amazon for his name.

All mentions of the above are done with respect to the author and all that legal stuff. No reproduction of anything may be done without his permission.

Finally, so everyone will quit rolling their eyes at this promoting deal I'll throw in also that Celtic Evil: A Fitzgerald Brother Novel: Roarke is available on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Evil-Fitzgerald-Brother-Roarke/dp/1442125225/

It's also newly on Kindle on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Evil-Fitzgerald-Brothers-ebook/dp/B0028AD7CS/ref=ed_oe_k

Website additions

2009-04-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

Soon I'll be readding my storefront to my website so people can purchase my books directly from me though of course the links to Amazon and Lulu will still be up for quicker delivery.

I have to update some covers except my webpage doesn't seem to like updating photos so that may be awhile. I may update them here for a start as well as update my formats as I just completed the 5.5"x8.5" and 5x8 formats for Celtic Evil, both of which are available on Amazon and both seem much more reader-friendly.

Also, here and on the website I've included a new little widget that I hope works for those who like Celtic music. The group Celtic Thunder is by far one of the best groups going today so I certainly hope this widget works.

My Badge

2009-03-19T21:49:00.001-07:00

No more Paypal for Me

2009-03-19T13:43:00.001-07:00

For those who have browsed my site in the past few days, you may have recalled a store site link for the books that I would sell myself. Well, this final deal with Paypal is the one that broke the author's back so to speak.

In the beginning, Paypal was a good thing for buyers or sellers and I've ignored the fees for nearly everything and the way they manage to get around refunds when they should refund but refund when they shouldn't. Today however I've had it with them and took down my store here and also the one I had on my other site.

After not doing any financial dealings with them in any great amounts for a couple months, my brother transfers some money to my account today for medicine for our mother and that's when I learn my account has been frozen. It was froze on the 8th of March and today I find out only when I try to use the attached debit card. No e-mails, no nothing from them saying that I would need to reconfirm myself.

Now they want credit cards, bank accounts, etc, etc confirmed but all that takes days or weeks to do and while this is happening my money is in limbo. They spoke with me on the phone, they could have easily confirmed that way but no! So, if they freeze an account for this stupid reason they can take their business and.... well we won't go there.

New website Up and running

2009-03-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

My new website to promote my writing, my published novel, etc is now up and running. It has pages for the novel series iteself with links to where it can be purchased, also an excerpt for Celtic Evil: A Fitzgerald Brother Novel: Roarke as well as a page for the characters themself so readers can get to know the brothers that will continue the series.
It also has a forum, a photo gallery, a links page and it's still evolving. So please have a look.

http://sierra-rose-books.webs.com/

2 Books live in Amazon Search with 2 coming!

2009-03-11T20:39:00.001-07:00

The 8x10 format of Celtic Evil is available through Amazon.com's search in the book department. http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Evil-Fitzgerald-Brother-Novel/dp/1441495649/ref=...
The image included is for the 6x9 version which isn't up on Amazon yet but is available at either: https://www.createspace.com/Customer/EStore.do?id=3375853 or through my own website.
Also available on Amazon is Diablo's Return http://www.amazon.com/Diablos-Return-Sierra-Rose/dp/1441496599/ref=sr_1_3?ie=...
There will also be a small poetry book available soon called a 'Personal Journey of Poems'.
Also, these are also all available through my Lulu.com storefront at http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=3798141
I'm considering doing Celtic Evil in the 5.5x8.5 size which is more like a traditonal paperback but it'll depend on the cost of manufacturing as I don't want to cost the consumer too much to purchase my books.
Will update when the other two books go live on Amazon's actual site. Also will update when the version of CE that Lulu will distribuate has gone to Google Books search.

I'm debating on just getting the ISBN package from Lulu that names me as the publisher so I can work on getting my book into the other online stores and actual local places.

Up on Amazon!

2009-03-09T18:22:00.000-07:00

Both titles are up on Amazon for sale! http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Evil-Fitzgerald-Brother-Novel/dp/1441495649/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236647662&sr=1-2

Also, my website has further information: http://sierrarose.synthasite.com/buy-books-here.php

Books on Lulu and CreateSpace

2009-03-06T13:06:00.000-08:00

Both titles submitted to CreateSpace are now available through the CS storefronts. Supposedly it takes about 15-20 days for those to go active within Amazon's search listing. I'll wait and see.

I have gone with letting Lulu.com publish and distribuate one title from them while the others are available through Lulu's general marketplace. There are multiple versions of Celtic Evil, including a larger size, a 6x9 size and a 6x9 hardcover edition.

I have come to understand that the markup prices will probably make it hard to sell and will probably just purchase copies myself at cost when anyone wants one.

Collection of Poems.

2009-03-03T11:25:00.001-08:00

I decided to compile the few pieces of poems I write awhile ago together. The http://www.lulu.com/content/6293107 Personal Journey of Poems is listed at Lulu.com which can be found at the link included. I believe there are about 23 or 24 poems all together and I would like to think that a possible reader would understand some of the emotions behind them.

Hello and welcome!

2009-03-01T18:40:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to my Blog, A Book Lover. I am both a lover of books and also an aspiring writer. I have two things online at Lulu.com and am working on putting those also on CreativeSpace at Amazon. Need the proofs on those but my Lulu items are ready to go for readers. In fact, today I had my first download of the shorter of my two pieces.

Celtic Evil

Diablo's Return

I'll update of course if Amazon starts to sell them if the proofs are alright and they get published by CS. I've seen some good things with CS but like the ease in which LULU works.

Also, Sierra Rose's website can be found at:

http://sierrarose.synthasite.com/

There the links to Lulu can be found, along with descriptions of book characters and more will be added as I update my other completed pieces onto floppies and just plain update them.