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.

"Broken Voices" is Still on the Move

Wow, I am happy to announce that I am going to be doing another blog interview for my book, "Broken Voices". Dr. Sharon Pajka of Gallaudet University has been trying to get in contact with me. I am so impressed because for some reason last night, I decided to check my comments on my website. Usually, I get nothing but junk mail responses so I hadn't checked it for awhile. I almost did a flip out of my chair when I read her message, which was way back in January.I thought I had missed out on a great opportunity. But lo and behold, I contacted her last night and got a response today. She is still interested in introducing my book and me as an author to her students. Now what do you think of that? I'll tell you what, I bet I start reading my comments now because people are reading my blogs after all. Hot diggity dog!
Take a look at this website, she has my book listed. It is so awesome. I am on cloud 9 all over again. Thanks Dr. Pajka!

http://pajka.blogspot.com/

March Chit Chat- Topic: While I Wait

Here I am sitting at my desk waiting for inspiration to come so I can write. Boy oh boy, I hate when this happens. I found five wonderful looking new publishers out there and I am dying to find the perfect match for me and my books. You know, a place to call home; after all, how can you rest when you don't have a roof over your head and me and my books need a solid roof.

I have two book ideas out there, they are in the hands of two different publishers. So I am waiting to hear back from them. I always hate this process, but it is something that all writers go through and I am no exception. Though I usually don't sit twiddling my fingers at this stage of the manuscript ride, today I find myself doing just that. It is like I am bored and I never get bored when I am sitting at my computer. I must get my writing juices flowing, turn on some ideas so they can start to flow. But, since it doesn't seem to be working today, maybe I should just sit back and relax, kinda take the day off. Kick my shoes off and just..........wait.

We are now 8 days into March. I am still waiting for spring to arrive. I know warm weather will inspire me so come on spring.....make my day.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well here it is February 14th already. I hope you are spending the day smelling a nice bouquet of roses and eating a big box of your favorite chocolates.

I've been sitting here working on a new website. This one is free. I like free don't you? On this website I will be talking about my books. I will also be blogging. I just love to talk...sometimes I just can't help myself. My new website is called...Snap Dragon Book Nook, I tickle myself with the names I come up with. How do you like the sound of this? When it is finished and posted to the web, I will be sure to blog about because I want you to check it out.

Well, that's all for now, I have a lot of work to do and I need to get started, for I spent all morning and all afternoon on this computer.

January Chat on Writing

Here I go again. I was just sitting at my kitchen table and like always, thoughts were running through my head. Earlier in the day I had read a couple of pages of an ebook that I have on my Kindle PC, the title "The Goddess of Fried Okra". They author has succeeded in creating believable characters.

Now with that said, it lead me to the thoughts of what an excellent writer is and what they do, what they know how to do.

An excellent writer is one who can make the reader hear the voice of their characters through the choice of words that they give as dialogue. An excellent writer writes with such style, depth and detail, the reader cam actually pick a main character out of a crowd. Through a writer's way with words, the reader can imagine and see the distinction of a southern belle, a New York charmer, or a British tycoon. You can see the characters unfold and come to life in the pages of the book.

An excellent writer will have the reader wanting more, not wanting to put the book down until they have reached the end. A good book leaves the reader with a satisfied feeling when the book has come to its conclusion.

An excellent writer knows how to make the reader feel the essence of each character and their situation, making the reader become one with the character. An excellent writer knows how to make a character pop out and become close friends with the reader.

An excellent writer can make the reader still hear the voice of a main character, even when the book is closed, because the character is still living on in the reader's head, making a lasting impression, which will cause the reader to search for other material by that particular author. All because the writer knows how to draw the attention of their readers, using their fabulous characters as bait, pulling the reader in and making a connection.


Just Another Thought
By Winona aka Nona

November News Letter

Okay folks, here I am experimenting as I sit at my desk. Well, it is certainly not because I don't have anything to do that I decided to do a little experimenting. I just thought as a writer and an author, I needed a newsletter, so I created one. Let me know if it looks like a news letter to you. I welcome all comments and suggestions, for I don't know what I am doing. Like I said....I am experimenting, with my mind headed in the right direction. I hope I can add it here, if not, I am going to feel like an idiot.

Well crap, it is not working, can't upload my newsletter from "Word". I am going to have to work on this some more. I just have to figure it out. I know there is a way.

My Interview with David Kentner

http://dakentner.blogspot.com

Here it is Wednesday, September 22, and I am feeling like I am on the red carpet again as an author. If you are wondering about that website address above, click on it and find out who is featured on it. Oh okay, I will tell you. David Kentner interviewed me as well as others and he put the interviews up on his website. I have to tell you, as an author, this is an awesome experience. Being a writer/author gets better every day. I not only talked about my books, I talked about myself and how I got started in writing. David Kentner posed some very good questions for me to answer. He made me think about things that I had not thought about for years.I guess you can say while doing this interview, I had an awakening within myself, taking me back to when I was 13 years old.
Well, this is a short blog today, I just wanted to share my last interview with you, actually, this isn't the last one for September. I have one more to do. I will be sending it off today. It's another blog interview posting. I just love this technology of blogging. You can accomplish so much, making big strides in your endeavors as an author. Marketing has all kinds of avenues that one can stroll down.The opportunities seem endless.
I hope you enjoy the Interview that I had with David Kentner.

MY 9/11 Author Interview

I just had my second radio author interview about an hour and a half ago. It was awesome, though like always, I was a tad bit nervous. For some reason, I developed a scratchy throat once I was in conversation. That was annoying, I tried to subdue the urge to cough. Thank goodness this interview was being taped and not going on air live.

That was the big difference between my last radio interview, on blog talk radio...I was live right then and there, couldn't make any mistakes or the entire listening audience would have heard.

This experience today was more relaxing and Don McCauley, the radio host explained everything before we got started. He told me what was going to happen, and what I could expect. It was like I was sitting at my kitchen table talking to a friend over doughnuts and coffee. If there was any mistakes made, it would be alright, because the tape was going to go to the editing room. We talked about my new book, "Broken Voices" as well as chit chatting about writing and publishing. The entire interview lasted about 13 minutes. Now that was quick and to the point, unlike the other interview which lasted about 30 minutes. Mr. Mccauly covered most of the talking points. When the interview was over, our conversation continued for about another 15 minutes, it was then that he began explaining the process of marketing and publicity for authors. I learned so much today...it was just awesome, not a boring moment entered into the picture.

This interview will not be aired for about two weeks because of the editing process. But, I can look forward to my book and my name being announced on the upcoming shows of http://www.theauthorsshow.com Under the Chilren's section. The interview will run for a month, at least that's what I think he said for free. After that, I can purchase the the license of the interview show and use it in my marketing strategy. This is the route that I want to take if my finances are available when it is aired. So, I am keeping my fingers crossed. As a writer trying to make a name for herself and get my books out there...all I can say is that I want it all!

I will keep you posted when my interview is going on air. You knew I was going to blog about it! Just can't help myself.....I am so excited.

Until the next time...put me on your list of favorite authors and my books on your bookshelves. You can't have one without the other.

What it is Like to be an Author

Okay, so you know I love being on Facebook with all my buddies and playing my favorite games and all, games like Yoville, Petville and Cafe World, plus a few word games. That's the silly side of me, things I do to unwind and relax. But, there is a serious side of me, and it all deals with writing; I am so hooked. I believe if you cut me open, sentences and paragraphs would just fall out. lol

When you are a serious writer, you can stay up until the early hours of the morning writing, especially when characters or ideas start talking to you. It will make you get up out of bed and start jotting stuff down. It will make you work out a scene that you stumbled on earlier in the day.

When you are a serious writer, it will take the place of housework, yard work, grocery shopping and make you catch up with all that other stuff later because you can't help but to put it on hold until you finish doing what you are doing. You can have the TV on, but you can't see it or hear it because you are deep in your work. Oh, and don't let the phone ring while you are busy being creative, if you are like me....it makes your blood boil because you don't want the interruption, especially if the call is as unimportant as a telemarketer or a bill collector, or someone looking for someone else in your household. It will make you just wanna say....Ahhhh Crap! (of course crap was substituted for something else. I am keeping it clean here cause that's how I do.) lol

When you are a serious writer, no matter if you are writing a short story or a novel, when you are knee deep in it, you might not stop to eat until it is late at night... if you stop to eat at all. You just don't have time for it. That's why you keep a cup of coffee or a Pepsi and a bag of chips close at hand so you can keep going. Well, what can I say....that's what I do. It works for me!

A serious writer will always be thinking up new story ideas, especially when a writer is coming close to the end of a story that is almost ready to submit. After all, someone is bound to ask if you are working on anything new, and of course I am. If you are like me, you have on file old stories that need to be tweeked or worked on. I have stories dating back to when I first started writing for children, when I was enrolled in a writing course. That was the best thing that could happen to me as a wanna be writer back then. I learned so much aboujt writing and the process of it. It was then that I knew my destiny was writing for children and teens. All this happened back in the 90's. Before that I dabbled in writing adult material and poetry; bet you didn't know that about me. But you know, it just wasn't my niche and nothing came of it. I guess you can say I was in the wrong genre and going nowhere. When you find where you belong when it comes to writing, the genre will suit your style and it will fit like a glove, bringing you together like a marriage united. It is awesome when you find your niche.

Well, this is suppose to be a note, however, it is more like a newsletter. What can I say...I am a writer and I love to write. I am just doing my little thing until I drag myself out into the kitchen and cook dinner....so boring. But doing this....it's exhilerating! Writing, regardless of what or how much you write, it is an awesome experience and it can take you to places and situations that you have never been.



For me, it's author interviews and author events........I am loving the life!