Storyteller's Journey

My Author Marketing

To be honest, marketing my books is my least favorite thing about being an author. I've said multiple times, "I'd rather write my stories than push them!" Consequently, the scope of reaching my intended reader audience has been quite limited.

So, when our local newspaper, The Columbian, contacted me I was elated! They were interested in writing an article about me, and another one about my artist husband, Michael Lindstrom. They also mentioned that including an advertisement near the article might help readers find my books. Since I've done so little marketing in the last few years, I agreed. The above ad. is one that the newspaper created for me. It will be included in The Columbian this weekend, as well as the article. 

My plan is to include the article here on Writ of Whimsy next week!

Storyteller's Journey

NaNoWriMo Memories

The National Novel Writing Month is not for the faint of heart. Each November writers attempt to pen 50,000 words in thirty days. My first attempt was in 2011, thankfully I was successful!

After 2011, I didn't participate in NaNowriMo again until 2019.  Again, I was successful; having an actual outline for a novel was key for me. It took all of my focus once again; I skipped most of my normal activities until Thanksgiving that year.

By 2020, I had a system that worked well for me. I not only worked off of an outline, but each day I wrote 2,000 words - which worked out to about 25 days to reach my goal. That year I'd written 50,000 words by Thanksgiving and could really enjoy the holiday.

I've not participated in NaNoWriMo since 2020. I haven't needed to; the writing muscles it took to complete the challenge have now become part of me. I've continued a similar system of writing each day, with the exception that I take weekends off.

I'll always be grateful for the lessons I learned during those challenging days. For anyone participating in NaNoWriMo this year, hats off to you! Keep going, even if you miss a day or don't reach your intended word count. You're building your writer's muscle. Like forming any habit, it takes discipline and perseverance. In the last fourteen years I've had six children's books published. I know I couldn't have accomplished that without the discipline I developed during NaNoWriMo!

Storyteller's Journey

Happy Halloween!

While Halloween can conjure images of scary movies, creepy costumes, and trick or treating, for me, it's all about the magic of the season.

When I say magic, I mean mysterious forests, mystical creatures, and unexplained paranormal phenomena. Just the sort of things that an author of fantasy stories finds so rewarding, and enjoyable, to write!

So, whatever Halloween means to you, make it spooktacular! 👻

Storyteller's Journey

Update on Livvi Biddle!

Since returning from a September road trip, I've made great progress on The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle, specifically, Book 3: A Vigil in Venice. My goal is to complete the first draft of my manuscript before Thanksgiving. 

If all goes well, I'll read the manuscript over the holidays and spend January and February revising and editing. 

I'm also currently brainstorming with my artist husband, Michael Lindstrom, as to the subject manner for the cover image. Stay tuned for more information and an early sneak peek of the cover artwork!

Storyteller's Journey

Autumn is in the Air!

Earlier this week, we were lucky enough to have incredibly sunny weather. Since rain was in the forecast for the foreseeable future, I made the time to get out and enjoy it. As I've mentioned many times before, spending time out in Nature is one of the main ways I receive inspiration for my writing. It was wonderful to savor the lovely autumn weather!

The Common Area we share with our neighbors is just a short walk away from our property. The thirty-acre wood (as I call it), boasts two ponds. This one is my favorite of the two.

A short distance past the pond, is a tributary of Salmon Creek. I was expecting the water level to be higher; it's a reflection of how little rain we've received this year.

This is one of our neighbor's horses. Technically, our community is an equine neighborhood. When we moved in, a few folks asked us if we own horses. My husband said, "no, but I paint them." 😅

Spending time in Nature was the perfect way to get my juices going. When I returned home, I had a highly productive afternoon of writing. If you get the chance, take a walk outside this autumn!

Storyteller's Journey

Banned Books Week  
It seems to me that a government that claims banning books is an attempt to protect our children would also want to ban guns, or at the very least, regulate them. However, we all know the real reason for banning books is an attempt to regulate free speech. With so many of our rights seemingly on the chopping block in the Oval Office, it would be easy to underestimate the danger in banning books. The truth is, when a free flow of information is cut off, a free society ceases to exist. With our Democracy already on shaky ground, I just had to speak the truth, however small my voice may be.

"Something will be offensive in every book, so you've got to fight it." Judy Blume

"What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist." Salman Rushdie

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Bibliophile's Corner

I am Jane Goodall
by Brad Meltzer

Synopsis:

After receiving a stuffed animal chimpanzee for her first birthday, Jane Goodall's love of animals only grew. She saw what humans and animals had in common, not what makes us different, and used that to advocate for animal rights everywhere, becoming famous for her work with chimpanzees.

My Thoughts:

With the passing of Jane Goodall earlier this week, I felt I could honor her in one small way by featuring this book review. I love how one little incident - Jane receiving a stuffed animal chimpanzee on her first birthday - reverberated through her entire life. The book includes Dr. Goodall's thirst for knowledge, her passion for curiosity, and her love of our planet and its creatures. My own granddaughter celebrated her first birthday yesterday; this book will definitely be read to her very soon! This title is the tenth book in the series: Ordinary People Change the World by Brad Meltzer & illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. I highly recommend I am Jane Goodall to children up to seven years of age.