Blue Ridge (Photo credit: Ethan.K)
Just a quick post on the recently released list from SELC – Southern Environmental Law Center, which of course targets the South; however, three out of 10 relate to Virginia,
Here is the article’s link where you can find pictures as well as detailed information on each one of the 10 issues (click each picture).
I am writing this post for all new writers who are thinking about joining writing sites. When I started writing online, I wasn’t sure of what venue to choose so I selected a few popular sites to write for them, thinking that this would be beneficial for my writing career. Unfortunately, I started to notice that one of those sites – called Triond, started allowing very bad writing – mostly from people who wanted to make a quick buck and didn’t care about writing garbage and ill edited articles. The staff let those articles go through, without editing them. Some of these articles were actually unreadable – just picture a string of keywords with no meaning to them. Fearing that associating with that site would hurt my career, I contacted them and asked that my content be removed and my account canceled/closed. My account was closed, and at that time, it seemed that my articles were blocked and they did not show as published. This happened more than two years ago.
Today, while reviewing some links on this blog, I came across old content that had a link to one of those articles. I clicked on it and to my surprise, the article did show up published. I kept clicking on some of the old links and most of them were showing active. Not only that, but there were all kinds of ads running on them, making Triond money. I am disgusted. Immediately, I clicked the contact link and wrote to them asking that my content be removed or blocked. Lets see what happens. I hope I get a response this time.
In the meantime, my face and work is plastered on that site, along with all the craziness and bad writing going on. There are very good writers on that site too, not all is bad writing, but a huge percentage is bad written content, and that is the only reason I wanted to disassociate my name from it. I never had a problem with the site otherwise; I just did not agree with their practice of bad editing and letting anything go through to publishing.
Let my experience serve you as a measure to choose a writing site very wisely and carefully, to avoid situations like this one. I hope that Triond listens and blocks all of my content, which they are not authorized to publish anymore.
Those of you who have followed this blog for some time have read some posts about the proposed uranium mining in Virginia, where I will be moving soon to start a farmette. Well I have been very concerned about this for many reasons – health, Virginia unsuitable climate for mining, a possible scenario for great contamination, and other issues, including our proximity to the proposed site, at only a few miles.
Well, today I am sharing the good news and that is – THE PROPOSAL WAS DEFEATED! At least for now, but this is great news. Here is where you can read about it – Uranium Mining Proposal Suffers Major Defeat/Keep the Ban. I am extremely happy about this, and I am thanking again all of you who voted to keep the ban in uranium mining in Virginia. I will keep you informed on the latest developments. If you want to read more on this important issue that affects other states such as North Carolina, since its supply of water comes from Virginia, in part, you can visit the Keep the Ban website.
Let me start by saying that the path to a writing career requires a certain amount of study and learning, and tons of practice. I say a certain amount because, writing should be your primary focus. Learning and reading other authors will teach you a great deal; however, it is by writing and rewriting that you will learn. I wish I knew this when I started on this journey, it would have save me some precious time, but no ones knows it all. With this in mind, from time to time, I try to share with you any blogs or sites that I think would have saved me much time, if I had known of them earlier. This is in the hopes of saving you some time so you can embrace your writing. Although everyone learns in different ways and pace, I can tell you that in my case I had to sift between much hay and debris to get to the grain. For me the learning process was exhausting at times. This is the reason I get so excited when I come across a blog or website that gives me the feeling of “Wow, I wish I had found you sooner.” Here are a few that will certainly teach you or inform you in the right direction.
I don’t know how long these sites have been around but I recognize that these are professionals in their craft, and reading them early in your writing journey will help a great deal. I hope that you enjoy these sites, as much as I do.
Let me start by saying that when you decide to embark on the voyage to self-publish, plenty will undermine your confidence. As a self-publisher, you will be acting as the writer, the contractor to find an editor, cover artist, interior designer/cover designer … and much more. If you are doing all this yourself, there is much to learn, little time, and tons of roadblocks, that is, if you want to end up with a product that looks professionally created. Print on demand may be inexpensive, and if you are just doing e-book format, then your initial expense could be $0.00. However, this doesn’t mean that you will end up with an excellent product. If you are a quasi-perfectionist, you may end up becoming your biggest roadblock.
So far, I have embraced the path to self-publishing and I have worked hard towards publishing my first book. Since I decided to start the process, the rule of plenty has made its presence in my life. I have had plenty to learn, plenty to do, plenty to cry about, plenty to ignore, plenty to work against, plenty to resist, plenty to embrace, plenty to doubt, plenty to stumble upon, plenty to create, plenty to hate, plenty to whine about, plenty to change, plenty to redo, plenty to cry about again, plenty to disagree with, plenty to fear, plenty to deal with – computer viruses, computer hackers, computer issues, software malfunction, hacked accounts … And it may have seem that all of this has happened at once. However, I’ve also had plenty to like, plenty to enjoy, and plenty to love. Even that my confidence might have been undermined by the Rule of Plenty, I wouldn’t do it any other way.
I have chosen this path, and it is not an easy one. I have found that the only way to beat the Rule of Plenty is to embrace Randomness when it shows up, and keep going. Yes, embracing the random is the only medicine to cure a bad dose of the Rule of Plenty. So, if you have been getting an incredible dose of the Rule of Plenty lately, don’t despair, embrace the randomness of it all, and push forward. Sooner than later, there will be plenty to celebrate.
Yesterday, I set on a mission – to create an author logo/nameplate for my book covers. This may be a bit unconventional, but I wanted to create a cohesive way to identify my author name with future book covers. I’ve noticed that most authors, except a few, use a free style when it comes to have their names printed on a book cover. I never understood this, and while I agree that a book’s title is more important and the first thing you notice, besides the art cover, I like the idea of matching an author’s name to a style/logo that you can recognize. I’ve noticed that Nicholas Sparks has a cohesive flow to his name on the covers of the books, and just by catching a glimpse at one of his covers, I already recognize the image and associate it with his work. He is one of the few that I’ve noticed doing this, although not in all his books. If you check out a few book covers from different authors you will see what I mean.
I came up with a nameplate that I will include in future book covers. I had fun designing it and think that it fits my personality as well as the essence of my stories – that author’s persona that leaks throughout the story. I will not include it in Moonlit Valley, since the cover is already set to go – a scene from the book. However, since I am planning to write for the long run, it will become part of my brand. To me, branding is important, as it becomes as essence, with time.
For authors, branding includes many things besides a pen name, but I think that details are important, even when you are a first time author trying to build your brand slowly, which is what I am trying to do now. I have thought about many examples of branding from well-known authors and will use two examples to illustrate my point. When you think of branding, you can visualize Stephen King, (who is the king) and see how he has built his brand around his name. Or, you can think of J.K. Rowling and see how she built her brand around the Harry Potter series. For her, publishing another book outside the series, got her harsh criticism because her brand grew and developed around this character. On the other hand, Mr. King may publish anything he wants, and his name becomes stronger. I am not sure if you follow my point, but what I mean is that branding for authors goes beyond the product. This got me thinking about creating a way in which I can start building an author’s brand as I continue in my writing journey – a lifetime journey.
Here is the design I came up with, and so far, I think that I am happy with it. I like it because it is different and simple enough that it will not compete with other details going on the cover – it can cohabit, but at the same time, starts building visual recognition – over time, that is. I believe that it is never too early to start building your brand.
Design by Maria Antonia Diaz
Have you thought of branding your pen name/author’s name? What do you think, as far as creating name recognition in future publications?
Ghost?! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This happened to me about two weeks ago or so. The coincidence is so amusing to me, hence I am writing this post. You are going to laugh when I tell you this, but come on, you know, what are the chances? On Saturday night, hubby and I were ready to go to bed but decided to watch a YouTube movie on the lap top (they are free). He picked 11-11-11 since we had not seen it and it seemed interesting. Anyhow, this shows you what a way to spook myself silly.
So we start watching, he fell asleep for most of it but I watched it all. It is about this man who keeps seeing the number 11.11 in different ways in his life – mom dies on that date, wife and son too, and other stuff. He doesn’t believe in God, and his father is dying in Spain, his brother is a priest, but they have a strained relationship. He travels to Spain and soon, starts seeing weird stuff at his brother’s home – which happens to be a church too, He sees shadows, demons … and he thinks he has to save his brother, a prophet. And I won’t tell you anything else because I don’t want to give it away. So the movie ends, Eddie is up, and gets ready to turn the computer off, then, I happen to glance at the time on the clock near our bed, while the credits are rolling on the screen. The time is 11:07, and I say “Oh my God” (just keep in mind that I just saw the movie). This is our conversation.
Eddie – “Whaaat?”
Me – “Don’t turn it off, if what I think is going to happen, does happen, I will be so spooked that I will not sleep all night.”
Eddie – “Why are you looking at that crap (the credits)?”
Me – “Just watch the credits till the end of the movie, and watch the clock when the last one of the credits roll, just watch.”
So, he is looking at me like I am kind of a maniac, and I kept watching as the last of the credits roll, we look at each other (mouths opened).
Eddie – “This is so weird.” He starts laughing hysterically.
Me – “See, I told you, the movie ended at exactly 11:11. That is so freaking scary, and why are you laughing, you should be as spooked as I am, now I will not sleep until you play some Mr. Bean clips or Eddie Murphy clips, to calm me down.”
Anyhow, he did, and then he was awake and he watched a karate movie and I went to sleep like a baby. But it doesn’t end there, on Sunday, it was nice so we decided to go to the Collingswood Flea Market. It was a good day for a good stroll. Mind you, I still have the movie on my mind and thinking about synchronicity.
We picked up some coffee at the local Wawa. The woman parked next to us, turns on her car, to leave, and it starts but shuts down, then quick starts on the next try, and she drives off. We arrived at the market, and while I am looking at some old stuff on one of the tables, the man next to me tells the vendor – “the lights on your truck are on.” The vendor says, “Thank you so much for letting me know,” and he goes to turn them off.
We keep walking and then it is time to head to the car. We get in, and when Eddie starts it, it doesn’t start – the battery died because he forgot to turn the lights off (there was fog early). So here we are, miles away from home, on a Sunday, figuring out how to get back (we don’t carry AAA). Eddie gets off the car and walks towards a man who is heading to his car. He asked him if he could jump us and explains what happened. The gentleman says no problem, and he helps Eddie and the car starts right away (took less than a minute). He didn’t want to take any money saying “No, I just did you a favor,” and he left. I am inside the car all this time, and I look at the cap that the man is wearing, he is a Mason. I can’t thank him enough for helping us.
Then, as we get ready to leave, this woman points to the eagle on the hood of the car and smiles, and yelled something that we could not make out, as she kept walking. As we start rolling getting out of the parking lot, we stop just in time, because a car that is backing up, almost hit us. I read the bumper sticker and this is what I see – “Don’t let the car fool you, my treasure is in Heaven.” I said to Eddie, “come on, could this day get weirder or what?” He, of course, is in la-la land and asks, “what are you talking about?” I reply, “never mind, let’s go home.”
So this is a perfect example of how I spook myself silly, but you have to admit that some of the coincidences were amusing, none the least.
Most people dream about something in the future, whether they create goal plans or not. Our nature is to dream; we are dreamers. We love to achieve, to go forward, to obtain, as we did once, as hunters, gatherers, and inventors. We keep evolving, and each step (back or forward) will produce change, and therefore, a reaction. Whether that reaction catapults us into creating our dreams, or not, it is up to us (always) to go in pursue, set sail, walk the journey, and create the path. No one can do it for us.
Whether your reality now seems closer or far away from your dreams, it is up to you to activate your path – the path that will take you there. Most of the time, it only takes a change in mindset, and things start falling into place. One way to start activating the path to your dreams is to ask yourself questions to alter your reality. If you know what your goals/dreams are, then, you are one step ahead. If you don’t, then the first question to ask yourself is “What do I love?”
These questions will serve as a tool to help you alter your reality and inspire you to activate the path to your dreams. What Would You Do?
These are questions that I have asked myself at one point. The answers have shown the path, as well as the crafting of a road map. I hope that this post is of some inspiration to you.
photo by Maria Antonia Diaz
There is a Revolution going on, and 2013 is an affirmation year. It is a silent revolution, and I see it happening all around. I see awakening. I see people caring more. I see people going for their dreams, straight out. I see artists realizing their potential and going for it. I see writers breaking the shackles that once imprisoned them and embracing their craft. I see people going back to basics and re-orienting themselves, their families. I see young people knowing that it is ok to dream and it is ok to pursue those dreams. I see artists, scientists, mathematicians, physicists, individuals … working in a new direction, efforts concentric and wholesome. I see young families going back to agriculture, and I see young couples loving the land. I see responsible self-sufficient communities being born and developing. I see proud farmers, and I see their young, being proud of the lifestyle and the blessings of the land. I see people embracing technology as a good thing and not “evil” or “difficult.” Humanity is awakening, and learning to live without self-imposed chains; loving this planet. Humanity is embracing new beginnings.
This, I see around me, and it is a Silent Revolution. Are you in it? – because it is unstoppable!
This is just a quick post to let you know that I have rearranged the site a bit and added a section at the top tabs – NOVELS. Here, you will find announcements and updates about these projects, as well as release date – as soon as it is available, and other information … Also, I will keep you posted via regular posts.
I added a FB link to the right of this blog, where you can link to my FB author page, if you would like to friend me. If you Tweet, you can friend me there as well.
In addition, you may notice that under Inkspeare, I added my author name. I opted out of a pen name for a single reason, and this is thanks to a comment that was made by Indi author Cliff Burns on one of my older posts –Writer’s Wisdom 17, Pen Names – he commented,
“I have a real aversion to pen names/pseudonyms. I’m aware that some very fine writers have employed them but I want my real name on everything I write (including postings on the internet, I never hide behind safe anonymity).
Any book or writing project I would resist putting my name on probably isn’t worth publishing. I take responsibility for what I release and when it’s bad, I’ll to take my fair share of blame…”
Until I read that comment, I had considered the possibility of writing under a pen name that might sound a bit more “sophisticated.” I have to say that Mr. Burns’ comment opened my eyes on this topic, and I thank him for this. Therefore, I am using my real name as my author name – Maria Antonia Diaz.
Writers hand with pen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Inkspeare 