Kindle and my Books

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March Madness

Okay, I had to take a break and pull myself away from my computer desk and grab another cup of coffee. Actually, I could ue something with a little fizz in it right about now. I am talking about Pepsi of course. When you are working, you don't need a splash of liquor. Heck, that would put me to sleep. I'd be wasted. I am already drowsy from staring at this computer screen.

If you are wondering what I am doing, let me tell you. I am again on the prowl for a publisher. Last week, I had one book idea to find a home for. Now I have 2. March came in and got my creative juices flowing, causing me to pop out another short story for the kiddies to enjoy. See, for me...the stories are easy to write, especially when I can stay focused. However, finding the perfect publishing match is a humdinger of a task in my career as a writer/author. Boy, I wish my old publisher was still available, then I wouldn't have this big stress-er-doodle hanging over my head.

Today, I jotted down possibilites in my little handy notebook and then I booked marked them just in case something gets lost or misplaced. That's my backup system.
When I do my search, I am picky. I love the publishers who have email submissions, and the ones with their own online forms or queries to fill out. That saves a lot of time. But, you have to watch out for those non simultanious submission clauses and the word count stipulations. I tend to over do it whe the words. I just can't help it...I am long winded and I am a very descriptive writer who believes in giving detail and showing a realistic fiction story, even if it is short. All this means is...I love creating words. I guess you can say that I am a wordzy kind of gal.
When these stories are finally accepted and I am requested to do some cutting, I will do so.

This morning I started with an online search of publishers. This afternoon I am going to check out the publishers own Twitter. Oh yeah, the advertise there too. I will continue creating my list so I will have it for future books. I am going to find that publisher who wants my book ideas, both of them!

The key word here is Positive You have to remain positive, optimistic and inspired in my line of work. I got this! Do you feel me?

Okay, time is up....it is time to get busy again. Considering that it is 1:15, perhaps I should put on some clothes first and come alive. Hey, when you work from home, you can wear whatever. But when your attire makes you want to go back to bed, that might not be a good inspiration when there is work to do. Let me go sparkle!

I hope you enjoyed my March rantings. Stay tuned for more....ya know I have to do a follow up.

February Update

Me oh my, I finally got my writing groove back and here I am updating everything. Okay, blogging is writing you know. I have been busy today getting contact information changed on my website and adding a little motto to go with DWE. In case you don't know what DWE is, that is my freelance writing site, where I help others improve their manuscripts. DWE stands for Dream Writers' Essentials. Boy I love being able to work from home, though at times, business is slow as a turtle. But, that is okay. If you happen to go to http://dreamwritersessentials.com the new contact information for my website is.....Dwerasheed@gmail.com So, I hope you make a note of it. I have a fantastic web designer who manages my website. So, as soon as she can add the updates that I just sent her, the website will be good to go. Well, it is already good to go, but you will see the changes in the near future.

I have another website too. This one is my author website and it too will be getting an update because one book that appears there has a new facelift. Wohali and the Little People has a new cover; out with the old and in with the new. So an update will be coming to this website: http://rasheedwinona.com.

I have my to-do-list sitting in front of me and I am marking things off as they get done. I still have to work on this new query letter to send to this new publisher. I started working on it late last night. It is in a draft mode waiting for me to come and polish it up. As it turned out, I sent my manuscript to Flashlight Press, but since I haven't heard from them, it is time to move on. Not hearing from them means it was a rejection. But, I am not upset or mad....this happens sometimes, it's part of an author's life. Oh well, so be it.

This new one that I will be sending it to, if they accept it, I will blog about how and why I chose to send the manuscript to them. When I finish doing all the things I plan to do today, I will sit down and sort out the ideas that are popping up in my head. Oh yeah, something is brewing with my creative juices.

Today was so beautiful. I even managed to get outside with my grandson for a little bit. With the sun shining, it reminds me of spring and I am so looking forward to a new season, a new beginning and hot weather. However, need to tidy up this big ole yard. Might do that this weekend. Oh wait, I am suppose to do an author interview this weekend. See how precious my time is? Time is precious so don't waste it.

See you the next go around.....hang in there, summer is on its way.

Hollywood Author on the Rise! See Who it is.

Growing up in a small town in Ohio, like most teens or young adults in high school; you are left wondering what you will become and how you will achieve it. I always wanted to be a writer/author. It took many years to accomplish that goal, especially since I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. But, I am so happy I held on to my dream; after all, dreams do come true when you don’t give up on them. So, now I can say that the town of Troy has a home-grown writer/author in its mist. Oh yes, I still consider myself an old Buckeye girl, even though I now live elsewhere. Troy Ohio is my roots and will always be “my home” away from home. I can say I’ve done something positive and meaningful with my life. I’ve found my calling as a children and Young Adult writer/author. But wait, that’s not all that I do, mind you. I am a freelance writer too. All I can say to that is…the writing bug is in my blood and I am loving the road that I am on, because it is keeping me busy and inspired to keep moving forward and to help others who like myself, have been bitten by this writing bug.
Although I have a few published books and I love promoting them, this little promotion article isn’t about me. It’s about another Troy, home-grown author who has a remarkable way with making words and ideas flow and coming up with a publishable book. Her name is Daphane Carnes, and like me, she writes from the heart, letting her spirit guide her pencil when she is creating a story. Daphane is from “my neighborhood”, or as they say back home….Hollywood, on the other side of the tracks.
Who would have thought that little ole Troy would have not one, but two African-American female writers making a name for themselves in the literary world? How is that for Black History?
Daphane has held on to her dream and has accomplished her goal of being published. After all, this feat of getting published is not an easy road to travel and it isn’t something that happens overnight. Desire, dedication and a whole heap of faith make it happen. Plus having a manuscript that speaks “Accept Me” to an editor is a big help to start off with. Daphane knows the bones of writing and being creative with her words. She knows how to tell a story that gives a positive message to young readers when they are facing difficult situations. Her first book, “Grace” is a fine example of Daphane Carnes as an author. With Daphane’s book, which sales at Amazon.com; as a writer of Christian material, her story is based on faith and keeping God alive in all situations that pertains to life’s situations. So, you will always find that the content she delivers will have a spiritual and binding message, regardless of what faith you as the reader may have, for the message she gives is universal and it is timeless.
Daphane Carnes…..The Spirit of Troy is leaving her legacy as an accomplished author. Remember her the next time you are looking for a wholesome book to give to a child. She has one now, but look out world, for others will follow; after all, she is working on them now.
Add this book to your reading list: Grace, by Daphane Carnes
Look for it at: http://www.amazon.com

The End of December 2011

Well here I am again, updating my blog. It is a rainy day on the home front today, but at least it is not snow. I really can do without that stuff, however, I know it is coming. Back home in Ohio they are already getting snow, so I know it is coming our way.

I hope the last month of the year has been good to everyone, but you know what, I am so looking forward to January and a new year. I have high hopes and great dreams for 2012. In my case, I am hoping that the new year will be brighter and better because 2011 was not all that great....too many problems that were out of my control. I hate it when I can't fix something that has gone astray or just plain messed up. For 2011, life has dealt us a lot of uncertainties and high mountains to climb. But, all in all, we are still here hanging in there, so I am thinking that God has something good in store for us because we have been patient and steadfast in our faith.

Oh, in a couple of days guess what.....we will be celebrating our wedding anniversary. We got married in 1974 on New Years Eve. We will be married 37 years. I've actually been with my husband since I was 16, going through the boyfriend/girlfriend stages. Our relationship started out in Ohio and here we are today in Washington DC. I wonder where will be in the future, because quite frankly, I've had enough of our Nation's capital. After all, I am not a city girl!

Another thing for the end of December, 2011; I found another publisher for my new book. Well, it hasn't been accepted yet. I had to send in a query letter, a synopsis and the first chapter to the publisher to see if they are interested in the content. I hope they turn out to be better than the last wish-washy publisher that I pulled it from. The waiting period for their answer is 4 weeks, could be longer than that because publishers do get swamped with manuscripts. You have to grab their attention within the first couple of paragraphs. I truly hope I've done that with this story idea. If it is accepted, this will be my first book for the new year. So my reading buddies, keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer, for I am on a mission to get published.....again.

Well, it is time for me to go and refresh my cup of coffee, time to get my day started. Actually, it already started for I have checked my mail, made my presence on Facebook and checked on my fish in AquaLife. That's just some game I am addicted to. Now it is time to go do my thing on Twitter. Oh yeah, I'm a tweeting kind of gal too. Since I am not babysitting today, I have a lot of time on my hands today. But trust me, I have plenty to do so I will not be sitting down twiddling my fingers wondering what to do with myself.

All in all, the end of December is alright with me.I am not going to complain because God is in control.

December Ranting: Before There Were Computers

Wow, tis the season to be jolly! Yeah right, at the moment there is nothing jolly about it. I am sitting here with a long face, all because my computer is not working as it should. Woe is me, for there is so much to be done and I can't do it. This bring me way down in the dumps. But the bad part is....a technician will not be here until the 20th, and today is just the 13th. Both phone service and internet service are in need of repair, for lines are criss-crossing somewhere. However, today I did manage to check my email and leave an updated status on Facebook, while the green light was flashing, signaling that I could get on the internet. But, the thing went out again, so I am back at square one....being frustrated. Now would be a good time for a back up system, however, if the problem is in the phone lines, a back up system would be useless.

This reminds me of the days before computers. How did we ever manage our days before we had internet and telephones? Do you remember? For one thing, I bet housewives or stay at home moms had clean houses, spotless from top to bottom. However, I've already done that this past weekend, when the troubles began. I was even in the mood to rearrange furniture, which I did and I wore myself out doing it. But since the phone and the internet were going bonkers, I did the next best thing to occupy my time, became a busy little housewife.

I am hoping the green light starts to flash again, for when it does, I plan on transferring this ranting to my blog, if it allows me. Well do you see that? Before there were computers/internet and phones, people wrote their writings/rantings down on paper. This I had already done while drinking my first cup of coffee this morning. I just took out the old stand by me....the writing tablet and pen and jotted down what I wanted to say. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, so I did.

So how will I fill the remainder of this day......I plan on fixing a big dinner to occupy my empty time without a working computer or phone service. This is such a drag and a cotton pickin shame! Thank goodness Direct TV isn't messing up! How about that?????

Tell me, how do you cope when all of your electronic gagets go on the blink? Do you put on your apron and start baking and roasting, or doing something crafty in the kitchen? Did I lose my mind or what???????

As you can see, if you are reading this blog, I did manage to get a little writing done today.......and this is a good thing. And Oh yeah, the green light started to flash, letting me know the internet is ready......for me to transfer my rantings to my blog.

Until the next time....wish me luck in surviving this test of endurance and patience, for I am running out of both.

December 1,2011

How wonderful it is to see a brand new month come rolling in. November is gone and December has made its appearance. Lucky for us in DC, it is cold, but there is no snow as of yet. I dread that falling stuff. December is a very festive month as we all know, however, it is more so in this family because of birthdays and anniversaries. Oh yeah, ours is coming up at the end of the month, married since 1974. Dang doesn't that sound like ages ago? Anyway as I see it, it is a blessing, which shows we made it through the bad times and the good. You know, to be married this long, you can't do it without having God in your relationship. After all, married life can get crazy at times and make ya just wanna jump up down and scream or start throwing stuff. But, you don't really do that, what you do is Pray, Pray, Pray and count your blessings; especially when the devil tries to throw you a curve ball. So for all you newly wed folks, or those planning a wedding, go forward not only in love but in faith, patience and by all means, take God with you. Do not leave him out, trust me.....your going to need him when the honeymoon is over. Oh yeah, I wouldn't trade married life for nothing in the world. Okay, enough of that. I don't even know how I got started on that topic. It is just something that popped up in my head and I thought I would share.

Well, here is an update; I was all prepared to go forward with my new book idea, "The Itchy Scratchy Spots." Had a publisher and everything. I was ready to move forward, but it seems I picked the wrong publisher, they were slow as molasses's,not very professional and they didn't accomplish what they said they would accomplish. Not even a book cover. Even the correspondence was shaky. Needless to say, I pulled the manuscript and now I am back at square one, searching for a new one, which isn't easy;for one thing, I like publishers who accept email submissions. I am also looking for a small independent publisher like the one I had before....New Line Press. Now they were awesome and I had a super good experience with them. So, I guess you are saying, why not go back to them...Well here is the scoop on that situation. Even though I am still friends with the publisher, they have decided to drop doing children's books, their material is more adult centered. Meaning children books and erotica books are two different genre's and they are focusing more on attracting adult audiences. I can respect and appreciate that decision. The publisher has helped me so much and I learned a lot about publishing through them. As a matter of fact, the publisher even thinks that I should think about going into publishing like she did, learn the trade. However, I am not thinking along those lines, for I do not believe that that is something I want to do. But, you never know where God will take you...all you have to do is follow and see what is in store. So actually, I am not closing the door...just not thinking about it.....now. For all I want at the moment is to have another book published by a respectable and hardworking publisher who cares about their authors. I've been down that road before and I know what to expect....so until I find what I am looking for, me and my manuscript will just be doing a lot of finger walking through the "Yellow Pages," that's internet search engine jabber.

My goodness I am long winded on the first day of December. Well, what can I say, I had to update my blog so folks won't think I am on vacation somewhere. As I look at the clock, it is telling me it is time to wrap this little chit chat up and get busy. Lord knows I have plenty to do....I am so inspired. Until the next time, be good, be blessed, stay focused and may your day be filled with peace and happiness.

Thanks for stopping by and reading....I hope you enjoyed.