The secret to being an author is to simply write

If that subject line/title to this post had you clicking the link to make sure I wasn't going senile in my old age, thank you. If it had you clicking because you were scratching your head wondering what I really meant to say, well, I guess you'll be a little surprised because it was exactly what I meant to relay. People ask me all the time, how do you publish so often. I look at them, blink a couple of times to make sure I understood their question, smile and tell them 'I simply write'.

Then it's their turn to look at me like they didn't hear me correctly. That's when I explain.

One of the things I've seen authors (including myself) do is to write a couple of pages or a chapter and then go back to edit. It's a process for them and I respect everyone's process, heck I had the same process years back. The problem was it was a time vampire and kept me from publishing.

After years of working on random stories my husband said to me one day, 'your writing is a habit. It's a great habit for you but I don't ever expect it to become anything more than a habit.' Well, it was something like that. Now, out of context you might say, what? So let me explain. One of the ways I deal with pain, disappointment, past trauma, or anything that truly upsets me, I write. Its one of the first things I recommend to my hypnotherapy/coaching clients and I like to practice what I preach.

Now up to this point my very supportive husband wanted me to publish something and had removed every obstacle in my way to make this happen. What he didn't successfully remove was my inner critic until that moment when he tried to show his love and understanding by telling me it was okay if I didn't publish and kept my writing strictly in the hobby category.

Those of you who know me, know that while I understood his meaning, I took that as a challenge. If you know me, I like challenges. I enjoy championing over challenges, obstacles, and anything else that keeps me from my dreams. It's why I became an actress, singer, dancing, manager, hypnotherapist, coach, reiki master, and author. I have that personality that says, 'go for it!' and his words made me realize I was 'going for it' in the wrong way.

I sat down, did some self-reflection, self-hypnosis, and forced myself to face my inner critic (who isn't a very nice gal). In fact, in one hypnosis session I invited the inner critic to a meeting in my mind and I gave her the boot... literally had to kick her to the ceiling to get her to stop nit picking and invited a new, supportive motivator to take her place (yes, you can do things like that in hypnosis and it really can work).

For that to work I had to recognize my weaknesses as well as celebrate my successes. I knew I could weave a story but I also came to terms with my poor editing skills. I decided to take some classes to help in that arena, I also hired one of my best friends (who is an amazing author in her own rights) Michele Gwynn to edit my stories. With all the right pieces in place the only thing left to do was write.

So I did. I didn't go back and edit the chapters I just wrote. My fingers flew across the keyboard and the story poured from my mind onto the blank screen. Before I knew it, I had over 100,000 words written and realized I needed to make the book a series. It wasn't until I wrote the words, 'The End' that I went back and did a read through. What I realized as I read the words on the page was that once I removed the obstacles I could produce a pretty great story. That was when I graduated from writer to author.

Sure a lot had to happen to make it possible but the biggest thing I needed to do was write.

So I guess that's what I should go back to, but before I do, just a little peek on the business side of things (I am an author, after all).

I wanted to give a little shout out to my Ghost Connection series. It was my first adventure into writing in the first person and I'm pretty proud of the adventures Cassie has been on since I started the serial. I've been working on the third book in the series and am pretty excited about what is happening.

For those of you not familiar with the series, Cassie O'Grady is a medium. She became one when she died (and was resuscitated) at age seven from a car accident that took her father's life. From that moment on she saw ghosts. This life change messed with her psyche and she realized she got along better with spirits than living beings. Her best friend is a ghost but he has a secret that links them together on a deeper level than either one of them ever realized.

In book one of the series titled, Lost, Cassie is enlisted to help a teen spirit who was killed by her boyfriend in a jealous rage. The boyfriend is still a threat and Cassie, despite her own good judgement, is convinced to go save the girl's brother and parents from the emotionally unstable boyfriend.

There are a few twists and turns that reveal family secrets, cause heartache, and changes her life forever.

In the second adventure of the series, Death Does Not Become Her, Cassie is still healing from the tragedies of the first book when she is called in to help a college girlfriend who appears to be dead. But appearances can be deceiving. The girlfriend is actually in a coma on the verge of death unless the poison used in a ritual sacrifice that put her in the coma is discovered in time. The last thing she wants to do is help another spirit but it's hard to turn away from your destiny.

In the third book of this series (which is currently in production) Cassie discovers a ghost who is collecting souls and depositing them into a virtual city. This spiritual Artificial Intelligence is upsetting the balance of life, death, and the after life and this is unacceptable. She is enlisted to help bring down the AI's plan and meets others from the government that are similar to her.

Each book in this series is only .99 for a limited time. One Click them today and please be kind and review them. You can also get both of these books in audio. Vanessa Reynolds did an amazing job as the narrator to these stories. I wrote this series for mature YA, NA, and adults of any age. There is a sweet romance developing between Cassie and Detective Dash but it will remain low heat level. Here is the series link for Ebook or Audiobook: Ghost Connection.

Check out all my books on Amazon and one click your weekend read.

If you have time this weekend check out the release party for The Mating Challenge which is a steamy BBW shifter romance based in a dystopia future. It's book two of the Vanished Series and definitely written for the 18 and older crowd. Here's the pre-order link on Amazon... only .99

Hope you have a fang-tastic weekend.

What motivated me to take the 500 words a day challenge, discounted series, and raffles

I'd like to say my motivation was to write but that's not the case. Writing words daily is fairly easy, in the last two days I wrote up almost 10k words on a new manuscript. It's a story about a justice demon and her journey to escape hell and become human. It's going to be at least a 14 book series and the first book is rolling out on paper with the force of a steam roller which is nice for an author. This post is actually a break from the story and my forced attempt to stay grounded in reality. It's easy to get lost in the story when your telling it, especially if the story is action packed.

I think that is the first reason I decided to take this challenge. I write so much in the paranormal and fantasy world that I miss out on the real world a little. I also wanted an avenue to get more personal with my fans. You know what to expect when you read my books; action, paranormal, mythological gods, and some romance... but not many people know me. My strengths and weaknesses. My whimsical, yet slightly off sense of humor, and my compassion for people and animals. This project forces me to ask tough questions and share those answers with you on my blog. I've always wanted a more personal blog and it's already starting to get there.

Thanks to this project and being asked to join a blog hop I designed a fun post on how to refresh bedroom play... well, it lead to tips on communication but all in the name of making things more fun in the bedroom. As a coach, hypnotherapist, and romance writer I figured I might have some insight into this topic. Look for that post, coming soon as part of a blog hop and the giveaway that will also be part of it.

I also have the goal of video blogging and this change in my blog format will help me to vlog about important issues.

I guess I can say, I'm doing a little spring cleaning on my blog and I hope you all like the changes. There will still be sneak peeks of my books, giveaways, and insights into why I went certain directions in different stories but there will be a lot more and I'm uber excited about it. I hope you are too.

Have you made any plans to freshen up or change things in your life? Feel free to comment below. I'd love to hear from you.

I guess I'll sign off for the night. I really want to get back to the story and hit that 10 k goal. I'm so close. Because I'm an author and constantly have things going on I thought I'd share a few things coming up on the business side of things.

The Mating Challenge (Steamy, Adult, BBW, Shifter, Romance) is still available on pre-order for only .99 on Amazon. The release party is scheduled for this upcoming weekend. Will you be joining us? Here's the party page. It's a great read. What could be sexier than six alpha males competing to the death to mate with one awesome woman?

I've also decided to price all PBI Case Files adventures at .99 for a limited time. It's a great series and people have really enjoyed the "CSI... with a paranormal twist" premise. I'd love for more to enjoy it so I'm going to reduce this series for a while. I'm also hoping the reduction in price will pay off in more reviews. Check out the adventures here.

Ghost Connection, adventures one and two are also only .99 each. You can check out this series here.

Ohh, I almost forgot. I'm part of two awesome raffles. Check these out.

If you'd like some extra spending cash before Spring Break, enter my Spring Break Giveaway. I've joined up with some awesome authors, Digital Book Today, and The Kindle Book Review--The #1 Site for Reader Giveaways, and we're giving away two (2) $200 Amazon Gift Cards March 23 - April 5. Check it out and enter everyday. Good luck! Here's the link. 

I've also got an audiobook raffle going on as part of my blog tour from Magic of Books (which is going phenomenal!). Here is the link to that raffle as well.

Have a great night and chat with you later, my friends.

Taking the challenge (500 Words Daily)

As an author writing 500 words a day in a fictional world I've created is fairly easy, even when battling writer's block. The challenge for me will to write 500 words about myself, my world, and the real reality. Being an author becomes a bit of a public affair. I'm not saying being an author means fame and fortune, constant spotlight and attention, or anything of the sort, but your readers and fans like to know more about the person behind the story telling. During this 31 day challenge I hope to reveal more about myself to my fans. Allowing you a peek at the person behind the curtain, behind the marketing world indie authors are required to operate in.

Hopefully this challenge will give you some insight into me and what inspires my character and world building. Real life inspires fiction, just as fiction inspires imagination.

I hope this 500 words a day challenge will be fun, insightful, influential, and engaging. As you read the daily challenges from me I hope you will find the author more approachable and feel comfortable with opening dialogues and conversations with me. As I share my stories perhaps you'll be open to sharing yours. You can interact with me on Facebook here. If something I posted in a daily challenge inspires you to reach out message me there or at spiritandmindconnection@live.com

Getting to know me might be fun and I know getting to know my fans will be fun as well. So this is me, announcing my intention to take the 500 Words a day challenge. If you're interested in joining this challenge here is the link. Check it out. Join me on the journey.

Be sure to subscribe to this blog via the email link in the upper right hand corner.

Thanks for reading and catch you on the flip side tomorrow.

Just a quick shout out to my upcoming release party event for The Mating Challenge (a steamy, adult, paranormal, shifter, BBW, romance). Here's the Facebook party link if your interested in attending the festivities. You can also check it out on Amazon, add it to your wishlist, or one-click it here.

Sneak peek of The Mating Challenge coming soon!

Please enjoy this sneak peek of The Mating Challenge (book two of the Vanished series) to be released individually and as part of the Eros Indie Erotica Author Challenge.

Introduction

Andrea Slater escapes the prison of an underground compound only to be captured by a wild werewolf community that is convinced she has shifter blood. Six hot alpha males compete to claim her as her mate but can she submit to this new life and give up her freedom?

Chapter One

Blake crept along the corridor keeping his packages behind him and his eyes on the destination. Andrea Slater and Mario Buckley were brave souls, but they wouldn’t have any luck if they couldn’t get the mission off the ground. His part was simple, theirs would be far more dangerous. All he needed to do was get them topside. The rest was up to them.

“Okay, the coast is clear.” He motioned for them to follow him down the south corridor, their booted feet pounding the cement floor of the underground compound.

Andrea made it to the keypad first and entered the code while Mario placed his hand on the glass plate and allowed his eye to be scanned. It was the reason he was chosen for this mission, he had the access to get topside and had no reason to stay here.

Andrea was a different story. She couldn’t handle the rules of the compound. She’d been in and out of jail and psychiatric therapy, but nothing helped her overcome the loss of freedom. Her military training made her the perfect operative for this mission, and sending her to the surface was actually an act of mercy at this point.

A shadow caught Blake’s attention from the left. He turned and aimed his weapon. Stun guns were the only firearms they were allowed in the compound. The theory was that humans were scarce and a commodity. They didn’t want to lose one to violence. “We’ve got company, hurry up and get out of here.” He whispered loud enough that Mario and Andrea could hear him and started down the hallway.

“No, Blake. Melissa will kill me if anything happens to you.” Andrea grabbed his arm and pulled him back a step.

“Your mission is more important. Besides, it’s probably Sean. He’s the one on duty tonight.” He pulled his arm back. “Get out of here.”

Mario grabbed Andrea’s arm and pulled her toward the open escape hatch. “It’s now or never, Andrea.”

Andrea looked at Blake who nodded. She conceded and went with Mario. They were right, they had to go. Hopefully whoever Blake was about to face was friend not foe. Andrea climbed the ladder first, and Mario followed her up. An alarm sounded as they closed the hatch which quickened their pace as they headed toward the Earth’s surface. They didn’t know what to expect when they got topside. If they listened to what they were told it was surely death, but if there was a chance that they could survive on the ground above, they needed to find out.

It was dark when they managed to pry the second hatch open and step onto the planet’s exterior. They could barely make out the terrain, but the fresh smells that assaulted their nostrils urged them forward. Gone was the stale, recirculated air, replaced by sweetness and moisture. The coolness of the brisk wind reminded her of her time, long ago, before she was abducted from the past and taken to the future to reproduce human children to repopulate the Earth. It all sounded like a noble cause. The only problem is the way they were going about achieving their goals. Kidnapping, drugging, using compulsion to control them, and forcing them into holding cells they claimed were apartments.

There had to be a better place, and she really hoped it would be here. Their eyes quickly adjusted to the silvery light that came from the full moon and focused on their surroundings.

“Let’s head to the mountainous area over there. Perhaps there is a cave we can take cover in.” Mario suggested.

“Good idea.” She lifted her backpack onto her shoulder and unholstered her stun gun. She felt better knowing she had some way to defend herself. The rumors of the dangers topside included zombie clone husks, demons, shifters and other paranormal creatures. All of the stories were meant to instill fear in the heart of humans to deter them from trying to escape, but as uncommon sounds of wild creatures echoed in the distance she couldn’t help but wonder how many of those supernatural beings actually existed. Probably most of them since the compound they just left was full of vampires, shifters, cyborgs and humans.

They took off at a steady jog toward the mountains, keeping their eyes to the periphery to make sure there weren’t any shadows following them. It was eerily quiet for what they were expecting. It was less than two clicks before the hair on the back of Andrea’s neck rose. It was the feeling that she was being watched. She stopped and narrowed her eyes on the horizon, looking for anything out of the ordinary.

“Andie, what are you doing?” Mario stopped and turned in her direction after her footfalls diminished behind him.

“You don’t feel that?”

He shook his head. “Feel what?” He turned his eyes toward the horizon, following her gaze. “I don’t feel anything but cold.”

“Right. Okay, let’s go,” she took off at a steady run, quickening her earlier pace as dread twisted slowly up her spine. Something was wrong, instinct told her to be on guard. But whatever the threat was, it was not visible to her yet.

Two more clicks and they reached the bottom of the mountainous terrain. Mario pulled out a glow stick but Andrea placed her hand over his before he could snap it on. “I don’t think that’s wise.”

Mario looked at her quizzically. “Okay.”

“Let’s just hurry and take cover.” Andrea turned as something hard slammed against her face, and her knees buckled underneath her. She turned to warn Mario, but as darkness narrowed her vision she saw he was being attacked. The last thing she remembered before she slipped into unconsciousness was a wooden spear sticking out of his chest and the life leaving his eyes as he fell face-first into the dusty ground.

The amazing box set Eros is available for only $0.99 on pre-order from Amazon now.  I'm so proud to be a part of this awesome box set with these amazing authors, Don Abdul, Melissa Bell, Riley Bryant, R.J. Cree, Max Cummings, Al Daltrey, Lynessa James, Jake Furie Lapin, Inga Lykke, P.T. Macias, J.M. Nash, Amy Rachiele and Salice Rodgers. Check it out it's definitely worth a one click.

Please note this story and the Eros box set is intended for readers 18 and older.