Exercise to be more creative
While I wrote my last book, I gained ten pounds. It’s easy to do when you sit eight to ten hours a day. Even though I had incorporated walking and weight training into my daily routine, I was out-eating my fat-burning endeavors. This summer, I hiked the Long Trail in Vermont. Within three weeks, the strenuous mountaineering and…
It’s important to be consistent to your brand
Branding is much more than your logo or your book cover designs—it is the entire experience you create for your readers. It includes your genre, tone, and writing style, both in your books and on your Webpage and social media. It’s how you present yourself at book signings and presentations, at conferences, and on radio or television. Think…
To be successful book reader, engage the audience
At a recent book event, I listened to several authors discuss and read from their books. I was surprised by how many authors mumbled, spoke too softly, and failed to engage the audience while reading an excerpt. No matter how eloquent the prose or how descriptive the scene, failing to captivate the people who came explicitly to learn more about your books…
Middlebury, VT (August 10, 2015)
We arrived at Middlebury, VT, around 11 PM. Late to find accommodations, but we were not prepared to find that the inns were full. Middlebury College was having an athletic camp. As a result, all the rooms were taken. As we were leaving Middlebury on Route 7, I spotted a small motel with a vacancy…
Savannah, Georgia (August 9, 2015)
On our way north from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA) conference in Orlando, Florida we detoured to Savannah, Georgia for lunch. We walked around the Chippewa Square where the “Life is like a box of chocolates” scene was filmed for the Forrest Gump movie. The actual bench is now in the Savannah History Museum. We…
Why you need to be an ethical authors
I recently came across Ja Konrath’s Writer’s Code of Ethics, which he developed because of the controversy on the internet about the behavior of some indie authors. Though it is tongue-in-cheek, he does reason that authors need to recognize that certain behavior is wrong, and pledge to not do the same. As an indie author, do you have…
Day 22: (July 7) Middlebury Gap
This morning, the youth group was up early, but was relatively quite. They certainly did not follow the leave no trace principles. They dropped wrappers on the ground, washed dishes near the water source, and left the seat up on the privy to attract varmint and flies. We have about six miles to walk to get…
Day 21: (July 6) Sucker Brook Shelter
We were in no hurry to leave the shelter (9:15 AM), thinking that we were going only about 8 miles to Rt 73 (Brandon Gap) where the McKains would meet us. We looked forward to seeing them again and to having a warm shower and sharing a pleasant meal. On top of a mountain, Dennis…
Day 20: (July 5) David Logan Shelter
During the night the rain pelted the shelter’s tin roof and kept me awake until about 4 AM. It is so dark in the woods, especially on a rainy night. You can’t see your hand in front of your face. I was looking forward to seeing the Vermont stars, but the clouds and tree-cover have…
Day 19: (July 4) Rolston Rest Shelter
After two days rest in Rutland, it was difficult getting back on the trail. We just missed the bus to the trailhead and had to wait an hour before the next one arrived. We started walking until late morning when the weather became overcast and cool (55° F). We’re jinxed! With two days of sunshine (while we were…