Today's writers have access to so many resources their predecessors never had. In part due to the internet, we can look up how to do just about anything. Research is a snap with online search tools. There are programs to help us brainstorm and organize. Podcasts, videos and webinars give us direct ways to learn how to do everything from being creative to creating our own websites. They're often vital things today's writer needs to learn, especially with marketing and creating a brand for oneself. The computer alone, makes revision and editing turn around times very quick.
There's a downside to all these wonderful elements we need to be cautious of. It's easy to rely on the technology too much and grow lazy. We've all been there: squeezed for time and so run a spell check, then send the story off instead of reading it through. Then we find those embarrassing typos not caught by the program because the spelling passed through due to the misspelling being one of an actual word, or the right spelling except it's for a different meaning.
It's also easy to rely on research found online but skip checking the credibility of the information. With the internet so open to anyone, along with the freedom to express our interests, it comes with the freedom to post heresay. Opinions are fine but not a good thing to base a crucial story point on. Just because it's in print or on the web, doesn't mean it's true.
There is one invaluable thing today's technology gives us. The ability to reach out to other writers. Through online chats like The Writer's Chatroom and conferences like The Muse Online Writing Conference or CoyoteCon we can share experiences, learn the ins and outs of publishing, share those research resources we did find valuable, tell one another about new markets we've discovered. More than anything else, we get the opportunity to spend a little time talking with other people who understand this craziness of writing. The best support you'll ever get is from other writers because they know why you write. They get what it's all about.
One tip I'd like to suggest. Always, always use your full name when you post on chats. The same thing goes for usernames on forums. You're building up a reputation online as you go. Why make it that much harder for people to recognize it's you when they see a promotion for your book? Tell them who you are with your email addy, your username, your login every time you meet them. In the long run it will benefit you.
I have to thank Audrey from Writer's Chatroom for teaching me that advice. I've always been glad she did.
Kim's Links
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
My nightmare blog post
Today, I have the honor of guest blogging at Oh Get a Grip. The theme for this week is nighmares. Check it out. http://ohgetagrip.blogspot.com/2010/04/fascination-and-terror.html
Sunday, December 13, 2009
My books are in a holiday catalog
GET A FREE GIFT WHEN YOU VISIT SPIRIT OF THE SEASON CATALOG – UNIQUE GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: For the first time ever, this online catalog offers a life-enriching shopping experience and features bestselling books, unusual and personally empowering, self enriching products and services in a varied collection from amazing authors, coaches, gurus and mentors.
Give gifts of empowerment from the Spirit of the Season Catalog in the following categories: wealth building, health and energy healing, Law of Attraction workshops, intuitive healing, CD programs, inspirational, motivational, transformational, seasonal, art, self-help, all genres of fiction and a variety of non-fiction to empowering products that will light anyone’s life. Check it out at www.spiritoftheseasoncatalog.com or http://tinyurl.com/yeja516.
Give gifts of empowerment from the Spirit of the Season Catalog in the following categories: wealth building, health and energy healing, Law of Attraction workshops, intuitive healing, CD programs, inspirational, motivational, transformational, seasonal, art, self-help, all genres of fiction and a variety of non-fiction to empowering products that will light anyone’s life. Check it out at www.spiritoftheseasoncatalog.com or http://tinyurl.com/yeja516.
Why am I promoting this catalog? Because I have books in it and also found some interesting items in there. Check it out!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
I'm interviewed at The Graveyard Show
Damnation Books CEO, Kim Richards (that's me!) is interviewed at the Graveyard Show podcast. 9:30 p.m. PST 11/05/09 www.graveyardshow.com If you miss it, you can listen from the archives.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Inspire Me
Let me introduce today's guest blogger. Meet Lily. Her book, Eden Fell, is available from Damnation Books. Welcome Lily! The floor is yours.I always have the most difficult time giving a short enough answer for where the inspiration for a story came from. Sometimes I'll know and sometimes I don't have a clue. So I always answer with a shrug, everything. Live, death and everything between. Eden Fell is one story where I happen to know where most of it came from: Life.
Back in 1998, my work life was hectic. I was holding down two part-time graphic design jobs and although I was only twenty at the time, I was heading for a burnout. So one night, as I was getting home form work, I decided to first stop by a diner that was located around the corner from my apartment. I so did not feel like cooking that night. When I walked in, I was bleary and exhausted and not paying attention at all.
But I heard the loud gasp as soon as I walked through the door.
“Oh! Is it really you?”
I looked around, checking to see if this middle-aged woman with gray hair styled into sausage curls was talking to me and not someone else. She was talking to me. I scrambled in my mind, trying to come up with an appropriate response as fast as I could. I came up with, “What?”
She frowned, soft and disappointed. “Oh, maybe it's not you.” She looked away and waved a hand as she continued. “You look just like that girl. She was missing for awhile...”
Blink blink.
“Well,” I said carefully, “that's not me.” Backing away now...
“Are you sure?” she called out after me.
“Yeah, um, I'm sure. I'm okay.”
She smiled like a grandmother would, greeting her grandchildren with freshly baked cookies. “Okay, then,” she relented with a slow nod.
Now, I was so tired and oblivious that it wasn't until I got back to my apartment with my hot chicken dinner that I began processing the event. I thought to myself... what the hell was that?!
I still don't have an explanation. It just happened. All kinds of strangers will come right up to me and tell me the darnest things for no... apparent... reason. I take it all in stride for the most part. Though sometimes I will be looking around frantically for the nearest exit.
Later that year, my boyfriend and I were invited to a small birthday party which was taking place a block from that same apartment. I suppose he was behaving like a stereotypical, insecure male, but needless to say, I wasn't impressed with the way he was shamelessly trying to upstage everyone that night. I made up an excuse to leave early. I don't even remember what the excuse was. It was either that or crawl under the table and die of embarrassment.
On our way back to my apartment, I stayed quiet while he rambled arrogantly about what he thought all those people were all about. He went on to say they were fake and pretentious. That's when I piped up. I just had to say something. I couldn't stand it anymore.
“You know what?” I told him. “All those people might be that and more. But I felt really alone tonight and I got no help from you.”
Then it was his turn to be very, very quiet. So glad that relationship ended.
I based certain scenes and characters in Eden Fell on those two incidents. The Ski Jacket Lady and Eden's meltdown after a party. (Shh, don't tell my ex). So when people ask me where my inspiration comes from, I end up giving a short answer and say everything. Life, death and everything between. I never need to look far inspiration. It's life and it's all around us anywhere we go. And that's where my inspiration comes from.
Creatively yours,
Lily
Back in 1998, my work life was hectic. I was holding down two part-time graphic design jobs and although I was only twenty at the time, I was heading for a burnout. So one night, as I was getting home form work, I decided to first stop by a diner that was located around the corner from my apartment. I so did not feel like cooking that night. When I walked in, I was bleary and exhausted and not paying attention at all.
But I heard the loud gasp as soon as I walked through the door.
“Oh! Is it really you?”
I looked around, checking to see if this middle-aged woman with gray hair styled into sausage curls was talking to me and not someone else. She was talking to me. I scrambled in my mind, trying to come up with an appropriate response as fast as I could. I came up with, “What?”
She frowned, soft and disappointed. “Oh, maybe it's not you.” She looked away and waved a hand as she continued. “You look just like that girl. She was missing for awhile...”
Blink blink.
“Well,” I said carefully, “that's not me.” Backing away now...
“Are you sure?” she called out after me.
“Yeah, um, I'm sure. I'm okay.”
She smiled like a grandmother would, greeting her grandchildren with freshly baked cookies. “Okay, then,” she relented with a slow nod.
Now, I was so tired and oblivious that it wasn't until I got back to my apartment with my hot chicken dinner that I began processing the event. I thought to myself... what the hell was that?!
I still don't have an explanation. It just happened. All kinds of strangers will come right up to me and tell me the darnest things for no... apparent... reason. I take it all in stride for the most part. Though sometimes I will be looking around frantically for the nearest exit.
Later that year, my boyfriend and I were invited to a small birthday party which was taking place a block from that same apartment. I suppose he was behaving like a stereotypical, insecure male, but needless to say, I wasn't impressed with the way he was shamelessly trying to upstage everyone that night. I made up an excuse to leave early. I don't even remember what the excuse was. It was either that or crawl under the table and die of embarrassment.
On our way back to my apartment, I stayed quiet while he rambled arrogantly about what he thought all those people were all about. He went on to say they were fake and pretentious. That's when I piped up. I just had to say something. I couldn't stand it anymore.
“You know what?” I told him. “All those people might be that and more. But I felt really alone tonight and I got no help from you.”
Then it was his turn to be very, very quiet. So glad that relationship ended.
I based certain scenes and characters in Eden Fell on those two incidents. The Ski Jacket Lady and Eden's meltdown after a party. (Shh, don't tell my ex). So when people ask me where my inspiration comes from, I end up giving a short answer and say everything. Life, death and everything between. I never need to look far inspiration. It's life and it's all around us anywhere we go. And that's where my inspiration comes from.
Creatively yours,
Lily
Check out Lily's Blog at http://lilyauthor.blogspot.com/
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Zombie Cookbook
Today I’m part of The Zombie Cookbook virtual blog invasion...er…tour. Let me ‘splain.
The Zombie Cookbook is an anthology of stories, poetry, recipes and art with a similar theme: cooking zombies or cooking with zombies. As half of Damnation Books, the publisher of TZC, this anthology was my pet project. It’s been the most fun project I’ve ever done. Naturally I’m proud and embarrassed at the same time. LOL! Embarrassing? Yeah. You try explaining to your mother and your neighbors why you’re excited about a bunch of fictional undead.
As I mentioned, there are recipes inside this anthology. I don’t know that anyone would actually want to consume the dishes. But they’re definitely useful for the zombie in your life. The last story of the anthology contains a zombie drink recipe. Well, in keeping with the theme, I figured I’d give the living among us a couple of drink recipes that you can consume. Here they are:
The Brain
1 1/2 oz peach schnapps
1 1/2 oz Bailey's® Irish cream
1 dash grenadine syrup
Pour peach schnapps into a highball glass. Add Irish cream to the center. It will look more like a brain if you use a pour spout to add the Irish Cream because you can move it around to make brain matter squiggles as you pour. Top with grenadine, and serve. Be sure to use a clear glass for the full effect.
How about a Zombie?
Go to this link for the recipe. The reason I’m sending you there because they also have a video on how to make a flaming zombie. http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink717.html
Check out The Zombie Cookbook’s website at www.zombiecookbook.net You’ll see the rest of the tour stops, story synopses, interviews, a video trailer, and links to the metal band called The Zombie Cookbook. Did I mention these guys wrote the intro to The Zombie Cookbook? They do indeed rock!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Damnation Books' Grand opening!
We are SO excited. At Midnight tonight, Pacific time, our new publishing house goes live. William built the webpage and I did the book side of things. It's been hard, fun work and worth every minute spent on it, every penny. I wish I could say we should've done this sooner but the timing was right for everything.
I'd like to personally invite you to check us out. We're trying a pricing model called Variable Pricing. It's not new--some music sites use it--but I believe we are the first to apply it to books. It means the earlier you shop, the more you save.
End of shameless self-promotion...I do want to know what you think of Damnation Books. A lot of people have called us ambitious. I suppose they're right. I forget who said, "when you dream, dream big." At this point, I agree.
I'd like to personally invite you to check us out. We're trying a pricing model called Variable Pricing. It's not new--some music sites use it--but I believe we are the first to apply it to books. It means the earlier you shop, the more you save.
End of shameless self-promotion...I do want to know what you think of Damnation Books. A lot of people have called us ambitious. I suppose they're right. I forget who said, "when you dream, dream big." At this point, I agree.
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