Monday MishMash at October's End

Monday Mishmash is a weekly meme created by Kelly Hashway for sharing what's going on in your life and noggin. You just grab a button and post your business...I mean thoughts online. No biggie. Have fun!

1. Sadly movie week was a bust. Rain, family issues and a health incident (when I get sharp pains in certain places. I aint going to a dark movie theater. No.) turned that plan into a pumpkin.

2. I'm doing Nanowrimo. Yep, still going strong on that. I love taking part even though I have never won before. Will I win this year. I'm gearing up for that. But either way, I'm in.

3. Found a replacement cover artist. Please freelancers, don't wait until the very month of a pre-planned cover schedule to cancel or shift practically two months down. Not cool! I'm so annoyed I'm considering possibly not using this cover artist in the future. She's very talented but damn, this whole sudden shift really pissed me off. If you're going to be away for all of November and can't book for September. Then don't put me in late October then cancel during October a.k.a. offer me a December move which I wasn't waiting for. The worst part? I have things I wanted to do in December but now I'm doubtful they'll be with her. Freelancers, stay on top of your stuff. I want things to be ready for my 2017 releases as soon as possible so I can promote timely.

4. Still buzzing over the upcoming model cover shoot in January. If all goes well for the cover of my tentative fall 2017 release Huntress (novel). I just might use this photographer for all the covers. Please don't ditch, please don't ditch!

5. I got some reading in over the weekend and it was nice. One was a short erotica novella and the other a YA with dual POV. Look out for book reviews to return next week.

6. I have been reading up on how to increase my writing word count and have come upon some really nice tips. Will share this month. I'm a full-time writer so I'm ready for all the help I can get. Plus all the positive vibrations from you guys. Thanks for coming to my blog both long time and new readers.

That's all folks! Thanks for stopping by and God Bless.

Be Proud of Yourself

In a time when people are told there's always some wrong with you or others. Be proud of yourself. There's always someone out there who thinks the world of you. But it must start within. Be proud of yourself and what you have accomplished. If you failed and know it. Then you're alive to try again. Be proud of yourself. Then go out there and be proud of others. There's a saying that misery loves company. Then so should confidence, kindness, happiness and success. Don't hoard it. Share it.

Also when I first saw this image. The author who posted it stated they agreed with the quote but would feel better with this lovely gown and fairy wings. Personally I felt differently. My first thought was I'm not getting jealous of this bitch in the image because I don't know what she did to get those wings or dress. I'm not a person who's easily made jealous and I'm (mostly) either happy or wary of the success of others. Success doesn't always fall on the nice people. That bird could be a demon shifter for all I know. Anyway, be proud of yourself and don't go around resenting others. People got their own success their own way and sometimes when you find out, you no longer want their life at all. So keep that look fairy lady, I'll get my own. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by. God Bless

Monday MishMash

Monday Mishmash is a weekly meme created by Kelly Hashway for sharing what's going on in your life and noggin. You just grab a button and post your business...I mean thoughts online. No biggie. Have fun!

1. The rainy weekend washed away my movie going plans. But I'm coming back with a vengeance this week. Seeing at least three movies. Saw none in September and I'm making up for it.

2. Taking part in Nanowrimo is probably not the best idea for me right now. So why am I still doing it? Right because I'm trying to prove that the definition of insanity is not repetition but me. Yup.

3. Freelance work is trickling a bit but I still have one ongoing customer. Checking back on others who were supposed to start ordering but haven't. Also plan to check the request section for potential customers. Putting myself out there to make that green.

4. Reading? LOL, what is that? Oh yeah...have to fit more of that in somewhere.

5. Been using Netflix a lot less. But I had to see Black Mirror's Nosedive episode. Bryce Dallas Howard was amazing in that and the story, superb. When will I watch the rest. *Laughs* Whenever I feel like I have some free time. Oh and...what's free time again? Right. The time I'm using right now to create this blog post? Of course it is.

6. Creating more time for my own work. Listen manuscripts, mama is a little...quite stressed out right now. Among other things the scheduled cover artist waited until the month of having to deliver the order to pretty much cancel on me. Forcing me to have to go digging for another quality affordable artist and this time I also have to buy the images myself so thanks a lot LADY! Found one but have to start in mid-November which I should already have had that stuff ready since the October schedule happened because I had to wait on the last cover artist in the first place! Creators, please don't have people schedule in advance whether a month or months then up and change everything on them at the last minute. Just stop it!

So anyway that's it for me. Enjoy your week and God Bless.

If I Were a Mobster Blogfest: Graham Style

Hi guys. Today we celebrate the release of Chrys Fey's latest novel 30 Seconds Before. Also to have some fun, she arranged the If I were a mobster Blogfest. Feel free to click here to sign up. Now enjoy the festivities and be sure to consider giving Chrys's novel a whirl. Who doesn't want to see what happens when a cop infiltrates the mob.

My Mobster stats are inspired by one of our national heroes. Nanny of the Maroons is the only female on the Jamaican list of National Heroes.



Hero Mobster

My Mobster Name: Blazing Nanny

My Rank: Co-Leader. My tribe works as one and take care of each other.

Crime Zone: Jamaica

My Look/Disguise: Part-time Telemarketer. A pressed button blouse and a pleated skirt.

My Weapon of Choice: Always have my tazer and homemade pepper gas in case. But love my silencer ready Beretta 92FS (semi-automatic pistol).

Mobster Vehicle: Whichever one I get picked up in. No dark tinted windows. Nothing too flashy.

What I'm known for: In my mobster life I named myself after our National Hero the wonderful Nanny of the Maroons. She dedicated her life to fight slavery and I dedicate mine to rid my lovely island home of senseless and violent crime. I'm no angel but I won't tolerate the unnecessary violence leading to the death of innocent men, women and children. Crimes needs codes and if the criminals won't learn to take only what they need, my tribe and I will teach them how. Painfully.

My Catch Phrase: "So yuh a di duppy who nuh know who fi frighten?" (Patois like any respectable Jamaican...*wink*)

Read on to find out more about 30 Seconds Before...

30 SECONDS BEFORE BLURB:


Blake Herro is a cop in the Cleveland Police Force. Ever since he was a child he wanted to do right by the city he loved by cleaning up the streets and protecting its citizens. Red, a notorious mobster, has other plans.

On a bitter December night, ten police officers are drawn into a trap and killed by Red’s followers. Blake wants to bring down the Mob to avenge his fallen brothers and to prevent other cops from being murdered. Except the only way he can do that is by infiltrating the Mob.

Every minute he’s with these mobsters he’s in danger. Around every corner lies the threat of coming face to face with a gun. Will he make it out of the Mob alive or will he be their next victim?




BUY LINKS: Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / NOOK / KOBO / The Wild Rose Press

To celebrate, 30 Seconds, the follow up story, is on sale for 99 cents!


Sale Oct. 21st – Nov. 4th


SALE LINKS: Amazon / The Wild Rose Press / NOOK / KOBO

BIO:


Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crimes Series (Hurricane Crimes and Seismic Crimes), as well as these releases from The Wild Rose Press: 30 Seconds, Ghost of Crimes), as well as these releases from The Wild Rose Press: 30 Seconds, Ghost of Death, and Witch of Death.

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Thank you for coming, congrats Chrys for a very fun book release and God Bless.

Movie Love: Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 Teaser Trailer

You read it right folks. This morning Marvel Studios dropped the teaser trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2. So be prepared for even more laughs, action, cool characters and the movie that shows all other comic book movies (of the last couple of years) who's the boss of utilizing an excellent soundtrack! Did I say I love it? I think I did. Spiderman: Homecoming...Who?

On Friday I'll be taking part in Chrys Fey's Mobster Blogfest. See you there.

Getting Personal: Clinton vs. Trump and National Heroes Day

This Jamaican female is very grateful for not having to vote in this year's United States of America election. I could go on about the politics but...I don't want to. Hilary Clinton has always been sketchy to me and Donald Trump went from an interesting new comer to a creepy crazed side show. Or full event...whatever. Wish it could all be settled easily like this meme below. If you say Digimon...I no longer know you. God Bless.

Yes that's really it. Bye. Ugh, okay...I'd vote Democrat if I had to. Now move on!

P.S.: Oops need to add a little something. Can't believe I forgot!

National Heroes Day

Today October 21, 2016 is National Heroes day in Jamaica. We remember the heroes who fought to help create a free and independent country. Some losing their very lives in the attempt. We celebrate you all today and remember you always.



Source

Also our Prime Minister Andrew Holness has a National Heroes Day Message to share with the country.

Writing Factory

Have you ever felt like your writing is on an assembly line? That you are just filling in things for someone else despite the fact you're doing the work? I won't go into too much details but one of my freelance jobs has me at a bit of an impasse. Drafting novels for others can be tough and time consuming. More so when you try to fix a bad outline only to get shot down by the client who thinks it's perfect. I will still work with them but after finishing this sequel, I will not sign on to do a third book. Which is sad but sometimes you have to do what is best for yourself and peace of mind over the quality of work you're ghostwriting. Still doing my best but feel like I'm trying to impress lessons upon a spoilt child. She's not my kid, I've had enough.

On the happy front. I am so close to finishing drafting a novella which is translated from a play. This is the second time I've done this because translating across mediums can be very difficult. However this client is so open to my ideas and excited about every new chapter, I want to make them happy. It is both a good and sad thing that our time together is nearly over. Also an old client wants to get back to ordering. He also has been an iffy client but that has been with taking up orders on time and rating. However he follows through on letting me know if he has any issues and allows me the freedom to fix or expand on anything in the drafting process. So I'm fine with having him back and he'll be a good buffer for...that other client. I also decided yesterday to lock down my story plot orders. While I feel a little sad for those clients. Right now drafting is taking up a lot of my freelance working time and pays best. Having to jump from big ongoing orders to tiny but still time consuming sporadic orders is distracting. So with a slight heavy heart but good business sense, writing short plots for stories is out until I either have more free time or there's a slow down on drafting novel/chapter orders. Not that I'm hoping to lose any business.

Have you ever felt more like a factory or an assembly than a person because of your job? I love being a freelancer but the fact of the matter is you have clients to answer to and they are all different. Good news though is also as I freelancer I can choose whether to continue or cut a working relationship short without having 'a boss' tell me what to do. Thanks for stopping by and God Bless.

You Should be Writing

See you Friday guys!

Monday Mishmash

Monday Mishmash is a weekly meme created by Kelly Hashway for sharing what's going on in your life and noggin. You just grab a button and post your business...I mean thoughts online. No biggie. Have fun!

1. I had a zero writing weekend. Needed to recharge some batteries and played a lot of Facebook games. Also rewatched a few episodes from Once Upon a Time: Season 5. Episode 9 still brings tears to my eyes. Bear King!

2. Need to buckle down on some serious reading. Been lax lately but I'm picking back up my lovelies.

3. Time to go back on the freelance clock. Vacation's don't last forever, even if it's just staying home when you work from home. Did I say that right? Yes, yes I did.

4. That debate last night between Hillary and Donald was something else. And by that I mean it was nothing like what I believe true political debates should be. Could Trump have lurked any closer to Clinton? I mean really?

5. Being grateful that Hurricane Matthew spared Jamaica it's worst wrath. Sorry Florida, Haiti and others. You are in my prayers. 

6. Being grateful period. There is so much to be thankful for.

Thanks for stopping by. God Bless.

IWSG: Ending that Story

Welcome to another Insecure Writer's Support Group hosted by Alex Cavanaugh, co-hosts and his team of lovely helpers. 

IWSG Monthly Question: When do you know your story is ready?

That answer is different for everyone. For me it depends on the book, story or work. There just comes a point when everything that needs to be done is finished. At that point you have to decide whether you will stop nitpicking your work to death and move unto the submission or publishing process. You have to decide to stop. Sure there might be other avenues that could be explored. But is it relevant to the book or the potential readers? If it is not then it's your own selfish desire to never part with this creation you have made. If you want to keep a story for yourself to tweak around with then fine. However that piece of work is not suitable for serious publishing. 

So at the end of the day the answer is different for each person. If you want to be a serious writer you have to put what your book needs ahead of a lot of things you might want that is not relevant to the story. This goes for all types of writing. Do you know when to end your story? Thanks for coming and God Bless.

Monday MishMash and Goal Hop

Last week was one of those weeks where the planets collide and apocalypse sort of rains everywhere. But now it's a new week and I'm back to blogging. As you know I don't like blogging when I can't comment and only left two non-commentable posts last week to ensure that blogging withdrawal didn't drive me mad and to let everyone know I was still of this Earth.

Monday Mishmash is a weekly meme created by Kelly Hashway for sharing what's going on in your life and noggin. You just grab a button and post your business...I mean thoughts online. No biggie. Have fun!


1. I have decided to kill the Tuesday posts I tried to restart. I'll do my best to post my usual Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Any other dates might be for special notices or promotion and I'll add an alert beforehand to let you know.

2. Still riding high from selecting a model for a January 2017 photoshoot. Never did I think when I first started this blog I'd get to the point where I was making such decisions. Back then I was mostly interested in getting published traditionally and maybe publishing a few self published books with just pre-made covers. How time has changed. Plus my NA novel Huntress will be my first venture into the New Adult arena. Of course I had to be non-conventional and bring to life the journey of young flesh eaters (they hate being called 'cannibals').

3. I watched all of Luke Cage episodes on Netflix in three days. While the first episode was off for me, especially with pacing. The rest of the episodes were well done and characters and story lines shone. I'll never look at sunglasses the same way again and Misty is now more than just a weather change and that female character on Pokemon. Definitely recommend and if the first episode wears on you a bit, try to get to the third before making a full decision on whether to watch or not. Pace yourself, I'm not a binger and only do this heavy quick watching for few shows. I can go weeks without watching Netflix or only using it once or twice every two weeks if I'm not putting myself on blast to watch things quickly.

4. I'm determined to take life one day at a time. Slow and steady wins the race. Rushing and knocking myself out...nope.

5. I ran into some extra money yesterday and bought a hardcover that dropped from $17 to $14. Yay! This is why it's good to keep wishlist for the books you really want. Get to catch some of those deals right on time.

6. Forgot to add that After Loving You by Ashley Drake (Kelly Hashway's pseudonym) is out today. Pre-ordered mine so my copy is with me. Feel free to buy a copy yourself if you think this story would interest you.



Do you have goals hop




Since admitting I can't make a 2016 release date for The Missing Girls Series, I've been determined to ensure the new date sticks. Getting cover reveals for the other covers together, preparing marketing and the rest of all that crazy but necessary stuff when releasing a book. While that data disaster did throw me back, I'm not out. Writing has always been a big part of me and that will never change. Here's to March 2017!

Thanks for coming and see you Wednesday. For real this time. God Bless.