This Is Why I Wasted Money On Vitamins

bannerI’m sitting here contemplating the last two years as a writer. Can I take you back to when it all began? Of course I can. I am writing this damn blog. Anyway, when I started writing my first novel, Awoken, it was like I was picked up by a spaceship. I was worried, and then again not at all, that something had happened to me. I was infected. All I wanted to do was write about these characters in my head. They were a part of me suddenly. And it was like overnight I’d been changed. It was beautiful…and bewildering. And I was worried. I was absolutely terrified that whatever had happened to me was going to stop. That the writing monster would vacate my system suddenly. That I’d be abandoned halfway through this book with no creative inspiration.

So I kept up the regimen. I kept taking the vitamin B complex. I drank lots of water. I exercised. I meditated. I did whatever it took so that the creative juices kept flowing. Here’s what I’m telling you for the first time. I thought I’d been given a secret location. Like writing is a place where you’re invited to and can also be banished from by little gnomes.

And now I’ll tell you what I know to be true. Writing is a place where you invite yourself. You’re only there as long as you wish to be. And  you, the writer, are the biggest distractor.

I’ve quit the vitamins since. I don’t sleep…not really. I exercise, but that’s a totally different blog post. And I drink water, because that’s life sustaining. But I know now that the stories that come through me are a part of something that I’ve allowed, not something that’s suddenly happened to me.

So plug in people, there’s a story in you.

Jan 28, 2016 | Posted by in Uncategorized | Comments Off on This Is Why I Wasted Money On Vitamins

Tuesday Takeover: What Does It Mean To Be A Hero? by Derek Borne

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What does it mean to be a hero? It’s a question that’s been asked many times.

 Do you need super powers? A utility belt? The earnest want to seek justice on whoever stole the last slice of pizza?

 To delve deeper into the subject, you’ll find that the answer is something that can be answered with a simple question.

 “Have you changed someone’s life?”

 Whether big or small, we can all find ways to bring change to this world. They say it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown, and something so small can have a big impact on someone’s day.

 Now let’s up the ante.

 Perhaps you come across a total stranger in need of assistance of some sort, and you have the ability to be the help they need. Would you simply walk by and say “Hey, good luck with that” or even remain silent? Sure, it’s easy enough to give a lost driver directions to where they need to go. Most likely because we know we’ll never have to see that person again because they’re from out of town.

 So why is it so hard to be the change that’s needed? Are we afraid to be someone’s hero?

 For us authors, we always hope that our written words will change and inspire. I can guarantee you that writing and describing things for a living becomes very hard to do when we receive amazing reviews and messages from you, our loyal fans.

 But even though we’ve written a book that may have “changed” your life, we’ll never feel like the heroes that we write about in our stories. We simply do what we do because we love doing it. We don’t have to, but we do it anyways.

 And isn’t that something we should all live by? Say it with me: “I don’t have to, but I have the ability to do it anyways.”

You don’t have to be like Roya Stark from the sci-fi Lucidite series, or Wynter Reeves from the new dystopian “Ultraxenopia” by M.A. Phipps, or Devon Bertrand from the upcoming “Ultimate Agent” series by yours truly. The way I see it, we all have the ability to show what it means to be a true hero.

 You don’t have to, but will you do it anyways? Why not be someone’s hero today?

Derek Borne is the author of the “Ultimate Agent” series, due to be released later this year. Discover his world of superheroes and espionage at www.derekborne.weebly.com

 

 

Derek

Artwork provided by Choolee.

Jan 26, 2016 | Posted by in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Tuesday Takeover: What Does It Mean To Be A Hero? by Derek Borne

Tuesday Takeover!!!

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First I’ll start with a confession, then I’ll share my big news.

The confession isn’t really that interesting. It’s not about how I secretly take pictures of strangers with funny hair and send them to my hairstylist. It’s not even something embarrassing, like that I still can’t remember how to spell the word garentee. This confession is actually a little lame.

Here we go.

Are you ready?

I’m a little, tiny bit overwhelmed.

There, I said it. That felt good.

With nine books published, two in the pipeline, and two in the works, I’m feeling the pressure. Let’s not even talk about the audiobooks and translated versions. Well, you can talk about it, but I won’t be listening. Anyway, the truth is that it’s a lot to keep up with. But I owe you interesting content. And I’m committed to giving it to you. Soooo…

Here’s the news. It’s that I’ve started a new, fabulous feature on the blog. I’ve recruited dozens of awesome authors and every Tuesday one is going to take over. And in my very stern style, I’ve demanded that they entertain you with something you can’t find anywhere else. These won’t be lame articles that you can pass on. They will be Matt Bellassi, Wine Wednesday-worthy posts. You’ll start to look forward to them. And then it will get worse. You’ll toll away the rest of the week wondering when Tuesday is coming back around.

Oh yes, that good. I’ve already scheduled out the next several months with amazing and successful authors. They are going to entertain you with their wit, school you with their knowledge, and in some cases touch your heart with their poetic stories.

First Takeover Tuesday starts tomorrow!!!!

Jan 25, 2016 | Posted by in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Tuesday Takeover!!!

Suspended Book Trailer

I heard a great quote today. “Readers love visuals.” At first, I was like, “readers love words.” But then I realized that they also love book covers, teasers, and other graphics that get them excited about a book. So book trailers have become more popular. And I’m excited to share the book trailer that I think highlights my best book yet. And it’s my best book trailer to date, probably due to the awesome music of Roman Scott. Check out the trailer and his music. Neither will disappoint.

Grab the new release here.

Jan 21, 2016 | Posted by in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Suspended Book Trailer

Defects – Free Promo

It took me four weeks to write Defects. Four weeks where I lived in a different world and spoke to fictional people. Four weeks where I ran every night, so I could connect with the main character. As the cover portrays, Em Fuller runs for her life. And then there were the revisions and more revisions. Let me tell you this, a good editor isn’t cheap. And the cover took a while since I wanted to overdue it with a ton of elements.

So now you’re asking yourself, “Why after all the time and expense are you giving away your book?”

Because it’s good. Because I think that if someone enjoys YA, dystopian, sci-fi and fantasy, then they’re going to enjoy this book. I’m giving away the first book so readers will take a chance on this series. Think of me as a drug dealer, my books are drugs, and right now the first one is free. So download my book. Everyone’s doing it.

Grab it here.
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Jan 20, 2016 | Posted by in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Defects – Free Promo