Tag: work

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized
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Each week I will be doing a round up of the week which will be a piece of global news, London news, my own week and what I have been up to as an author. It may be news/information you already know or it may be something you haven’t heard – either way I hope you like these little posts. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and any news you would like to share in return.

World: Online retail giant Amazon is buying Whole Foods in a £10.7bn deal ($13.7bn). Whole Foods has more than 460 stores in the US, Canada and the UK employing 87,000 people.

It would seem that Amazon are taking over the retail industry in the way that supermarkets took over from the local shop.

London: This week has seen the tragic events unfold at the Grenfell Tower in West London. This twenty-four storey tower block burnt down leaving an empty shell, the latest numbers suggest 58 people dead or missing, leaving a community homeless and devastated.

Londoners and people from surroundings communities have come together in an amazing show of unity to provide practical supplies, giving of their time and money. People from across the globe have started raising funds to help those affected. People from all walks of life have come together in support to show what a great community we have when we work together. My heart goes out to everyone affected.

My World: A fairly normal week for me, work, writing and visits to the gym to try to shift the excess weight that has crept up on me and is clinging like an octopus and refusing to leave. Friday night I combined a social visit with my friend Shirley, we’ve been friends since about the age of ten years old, with a visit to her gym, a swim and jacuzzi. Felt very pampered and chilled afterwards, the perfect way to start the weekend. A relaxing day of sunbathing on Saturday combined with some writing, oh and I was also able to pick the first batch of my homegrown spinach. Today, Sunday, is Father’s Day and very shortly I will be meeting my parents and my sister at a local restaurant. So a nice family day to round off my week.

My Word: I haven’t written very much this week as I’ve been focusing my attention on editing. The first novel I wrote is finally approaching the stage where it will be given to my editor.

I started writing it approximately fifteen years ago and it has gone through numerous edits and lost about 80,000 words in an attempt to make it a tighter, readable book. I put it aside for a number of years as I worked on other books, including the three novelettes and one novel that I’ve published already. I also have a backlog of forty something WIPs (Work in Progresses) in various stages of completion. But I digress, and now you can see why I had to purge 80,000 odd words, LOL.
Anyway I have about 2700 more that I need to remove to get it to 80,000 words and then I will hand it over with trepidation to a new editor and hold my breath (not literally of course) until I receive the red-marked pages back.

I have also taken the plunge and set up an email sign up on my website so that I can email out a monthly newsletter. If you would like to hear from me occasionally then please add your details to the pop up and then check your junk mail as they often get sent there.

What can you expect from me by signing up? 

I’ll keep you informed of any new releases from me, some you might like/love and others you won’t as I can’t stick to writing in one genre, I write anything that is in my head and needs to be released. A sometimes scary prospect. 🙂

Giveaway: Once a month I am planning on doing an author slot from the Indie authors I love which will include one free kindle copy of one of their books going to one of my readers who will be picked at random. More details to follow.

Little snippets of information that I think you might find interesting – forgive me if I get that wrong sometimes – please let me know what you like and what you don’t like and what you’d like to see more of.

As this is new to me it will grow organically and hopefully you will look forward to finding my newsletters once a month in your inbox.

Maria x
Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Jealousy & Envy

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I had decided on this blog thinking I was writing about jealousy only with envy being a synonym but after doing some research I discovered something I hadn’t known which is that jealousy and envy are considered to  be different.

Dictionary definitions:

Jealousy: feeling or showing an envious resentment of someone or their achievements, possessions, or perceived advantages.

Envy: a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck.

The dictionary would suggest that both these emotions are the same but some psychologists differentiate between the two emotions:

Jealousy is relationship based and involves a third person. It’s an emotion that makes a person fear for their relationship with another – partner, parent, friend etc… The person sees a threat to their relationship which could be real or perceived.

Example: Your husband has a female friend and you see that friendship in a different light. It could be a simply platonic relationship but it could also be an affair which threatens the fabric of your marriage. Jealously has its roots firmly in both the logical and illogical camps.

Jealousy can be healthy, in that it produces that fear which makes you work at protecting your relationship but equally it can be a destructive force eating away at you from the inside and ruining your relationship.
Finding the right balance is the key.

Envy however is an emotion that is caused between two people only.

Example: You are envious of what your friend has, possessions or life.

Again this emotion can be put to good or bad use. If you use this to better yourself and achieve the goals you have then this has been for the force of good, however if you allow this envy to fester you can become dissatisfied with your lot in life and your friendship will suffer as you become resentful.
Finding the right balance is again key.

I try to avoid the extremes of both of these emotions as they can be so destructive, you should allow them to drive you not to overwhelm you.

I chose this as a subject matter as some of the characters in my books show these emotions which makes for great reading.  I have three examples from two of my books – please read on:

A Lifetime or a Season

Amazon link: http://mybook.to/A-lifetime

Diana

Diana is envious of her young daughter Athena, who is pretty and has her whole life ahead of her. Diana is a beautiful, superficial, selfish woman who has men flocking around her and has no shortage of admirers but she knows that the passage of time is upon her so she callously puts down and undermines her daughter so that Athena sees herself as plain. Diana tries to stamp out Athena’s spark of independence wanting her daughter to fawn over her rather than live her own life.

Check out Athena’s short story to see whether Diana was successful or not.

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A Boy from the Streets has two examples of jealousy.

Amazon Link: myBook.to/BoyfromStreets

Teo

Teo is a lovely, loyal man who is eaten up with jealousy. He is devoted to his friend Leandro but Leandro has a closer bond with Daniel. Even years of separation doesn’t dim this friendship but as the year go by Teo’s jealousy develops to the point where he places himself and others in danger. Will his jealousy lead him to commit the ultimate betrayal?

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Pedro

Pedro is a young boy who is abandoned to the streets of Brasil at the age of one year. His life is harrowing and filled with the horrors that life on the streets brings including being used by the corrupt police force who should be there to protect him.

At the age of twelve he discovers that he has a twin, Jose was adopted into a life of luxury.

Pedro experiences both jealousy and envy during the coming months but despite his life and the trials and tribulations he stays grounded. His own caring nature allows him to rise above these emotions – but when he is pushed to the ultimate level will he be able to keep his head or will it overwhelm him?

 

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If you want to discover how any of my characters cope with these emotions and what the future holds for them you can find out by clicking the links and reading their stories.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

 

Books · Life · Self-publishing

Price Increase

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I have decided to increase the kindle price for all my novelettes this weekend from £0.99/$0.99 to £1.99/£$1.99

If you’ve been meaning to pick up a copy and haven’t done so yet then you have the chance to do so before the increase.
The reason I have decided to do this is two-fold.
One is financial, I get very few sales on these and when I do I net a whopping £0.29 per sale and at this rate what I’ve paid for covers and editing has not been recouped, a situation that I know is shared by many fellow authors.
My first novelette As Dreams are Made on has sold 112 kindle copies and 28 print copies in the two years and four months since its release and I still have £29.86 to go to break even. At the rate of £0.29 per sale it will take at least another 100 sales for this to happen. By increasing the price to £1.99/$1.99 I get £0.58 per sale.
The other books:
A Lifetime or a Season, with 36 kindle and 15 print sales in 2 years and 2 months is in the red to the tune of £57.25
The Storm Creature, with 75 kindle and 24 print sales in just over a year needs £26.09 to break even.
The other reason is that while I thought £0.99/$0.99 was a figure that people would be happy to pay for an hour of entertainment/pleasure it would seem that I was wrong. So now I am going to experiment with the idea that people are happier to pay a higher price as they believe that cheap price equals low quality.
I will do a follow up on this in a few months to see whether I was able to attract more readers with the increased price point.
 
UK Amazon account: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maria-Gibbs/e/B00SDDJV1U/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
 

My new novel will stay the same price which is £2.99 so far since its release a month ago I have sold 47 kindle and 16 print copies. The edit costs for this were significantly higher due to it being a much bigger book but I have approximately £120.00 to go before I break even on this one.

I am bursting at the seams with ideas for books to write and the only thing that stops me is sufficient time and money to pay the initial outlay. This has been my lifelong dream to become an author and I am determined to try anything that I can in order to achieve this at a level where I can support myself from my writing.

Will update anyone who is interested in my progress in a few months.

Books · Christmas · Life · Self-publishing

New Release – A Boy from the Streets

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A BOY FROM THE STREETS

by Maria Gibbs

 



Genre: Urban Drama

Two babies abandoned at birth—one grows up in a life of privilege, the other in poverty.

On the 12th of September, 1981, twin boys are born in a Brasilian hospital and left to their fate as orphans. Jose is adopted by a couple who takes him to England, but the other isn’t so lucky. Pedro ends up on the streets of Rio, left to fend for himself in a harsh and unforgiving world.
Love and betrayal.
Twelve years later Jose’s family returns to Brasil, where he learns the truth about his adoption and his twin. Thinking his adoptive parents no longer want him, he runs away to find his brother. What follows will shake Jose to the core and shape the rest of his life—if he can survive.
Murder.
Jose isn’t the only one whose life will change. Pedro is offered an opportunity beyond any of his wildest dreams, but to keep it will mean the betrayal of someone he loves. This proves to be a far greater challenge than he anticipated when the orphan finds himself suddenly surrounded by family who, unfortunately, don’t all have good intentions.
Hopes and dreams.
A Boy from the Streets will tug at your heart-strings and have you rooting for the little guy as you follow the twists and turns this multi-continental tale takes.

“Fernando, we must take them both, we cannot separate twins.”
“Christina, you’re too soft, we can’t bring up two children. You’re not strong enough to cope with the needs of twins. Your constitution is weak. It would be unfair to all of us.”
“I know my health is delicate, Fernando, and I will always regret that I can’t carry your baby to term inside me, but I know I can love and care for these twins. We can afford to hire help…” She trailed off when she saw the determined jut of his chin, the expression that brooked no further argument. Christina decided to try one last tug at his conscience anyway. “If we leave one behind, he might end up on the streets, an urchin living in squalor and fighting to survive… if he even makes it past babyhood.”
“Christina, your abundance of love does you credit, but I have no doubts the other boy will be adopted also. The only thing left to do now is to choose which one you would like?”
Christina’s heart sank as she looked at the two bundles in front of her. He was asking her to choose one, like picking out a pair of shoes from the rows on display in a shop. One stirred and let out a howl, disturbing his twin. It was almost as though he were alert to the inherent danger in this situation and was warning his brother.
Christina reached out a hand to each of them, touching their delicate tiny fingers and marvelling at how small, how fragile they were. Both lay quietly now, staring up at her with eyes as yet unable to focus. The boy who had been woken by his brother curled his tiny digits around her finger. In that moment she knew. He was asking her for help. The other twin would have the strength and tenacity to face whatever life threw at him. Christina couldn’t think about that, now that the decision was made. There was no hope of changing Fernando’s mind.
Without a further glance to the brother, she scooped up her new baby, cradling his floppy head and bringing him close to her chest so that he could feel her heart beat and know he was safe. She started to walk away with Fernando’s supportive hand between her shoulder blades. The baby in her arms let out a whimpering cry, and his twin, who still lay in the cot, responded with a heart-breaking howl which tore at her heartstrings and caused Christina to pause her flight. Fernando’s hand applied gentle pressure while she lifted one leaden foot in front of the other. A silent tear fell from her face onto the baby in her arms. She muttered a quick prayer for his twin.
“All that’s left now is to fill in the paperwork and the boy is ours.” Fernando’s handsome face broke into a smile. He reached out and touched the silent baby in his wife’s arms.
“You are to be our son,” he crooned. “We must think of a fitting name to honour your new status in the Sanchez family.”
“Jose, after your father.” Christina dimpled as Fernando rewarded her with a winning smile then pulled her and their new baby into his arms before placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

I’m a self-published author who released her first novelette in January 2015 ‘As Dreams are Made on’ which was closely followed by my second one in February of the same year ‘A Lifetime or a Season.’
In 2016 I released ‘The Storm Creature’ after writing it for an anthology.
2017 will see the release of a novel which I am excited about ‘A boy from the Streets.’ During that time, I have also been working on a number of other WIP’s which are in the pipeline. I don’t fit into any neat genres where my writing is concerned, I am a ‘pantser’ and write anything that comes into my head. So my books range from thrillers, to romance, from paranormal, time slip to contemporary women’s fiction.
I started reading as soon as I was able to and followed on by writing soon after. My biggest influence as a child was Enid Blyton who taught me that books were an escape to new and exciting worlds. I love reading books from a wide spectrum of genres, if the cover attracts me and the blurb stacks up then I want to read the book. When I’m not reading or writing, or doing my full-time job I enjoy travelling, crafting, horse-riding and riding my motorbike.
Facebook ✯ Website ✯ Twitter ✯ Goodreads ✯ Amazon 

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

The inspiration behind ‘A Boy from the Streets’

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A boy from the streets will be the first novel that I have published but not the first book I have written. It was while I was researching for one of my other books which hasn’t been published yet that I came up with the inspiration and the basic outline for the story.

While reading ‘Small Wars Permitting: Despatches from Foreign Lands’ by Foreign Correspondent Christina Lamb I came across something I hadn’t heard about before and it shocked me. This is taken from Christina’s book:

“There was one aspect of life in Rio I knew I would never get used to. Every morning when I arrived at my office downtown, there would be bundles in the doorways. After a while I discovered they had names and faces. These were children, some of the thousands – some say millions – of street kids who roam Brazil’s cities. Sometimes they would be sniffing glue from shoemakers’ tins or out of coke bottles for a high to dampen their hunger. Most Cariocas just step over them as if they were insects. Some areas like Ipanema had even erected iron railings round the parks to stop the children going in.
The first year I lived in Rio, Amnesty International ran a series of advertisements: ‘Brazil has found a new way of taking its children off the streets – killing them.'”

The book goes on to talk about 500 killings in one month alone, many of whom were children.

“Death squads pick up and kill the street kids who so upset the tourists and the businesses dependent on tourism. Many of the squads are run by policemen who have no shame about their methods of cleaning up the streets.”

After the initial revulsion and the coldness that pervaded my body at the thought of what these poor children endured and disgust at humankind, the beginnings of a story formed. I picked up my pen and the words flowed. This has now been polished by me and my editor and a new beginning was added later on as the story changed shape in my head. A Boy from the Streets was born. I am now coming to the end of the journey with this book as I aim to publish it early April.

Check it out:

Two babies abandoned at birth—one grows up in a life of privilege, the other in poverty.

On the 12th of September, 1981, twin boys are born in a Brasilian hospital and left to their fate as orphans. Jose is adopted by a couple who takes him to England, but the other isn’t so lucky. Pedro ends up on the streets of Rio, left to fend for himself in a harsh and unforgiving world.

Love and betrayal.

Twelve years later Jose’s family returns to Brasil, where he learns the truth about his adoption and his twin. Thinking his adoptive parents no longer want him, he runs away to find his brother. What follows will shake Jose to the core and shape the rest of his life—if he can survive.

Murder.

Jose isn’t the only one whose life will change. Pedro is offered an opportunity beyond any of his wildest dreams, but to keep it will mean the betrayal of someone he loves. This proves to be a far greater challenge than he anticipated when the orphan finds himself suddenly surrounded by family who, unfortunately, don’t all have good intentions.

Hopes and dreams.

A Boy from the Streets will tug at your heart-strings and have you rooting for the little guy as you follow the twists and turns this multi-continental tale takes.

A small snippet from the beginning of A Boy from the Streets:

“Fernando, we must take them both, we cannot separate twins.”

“Christina, you’re too soft, we can’t bring up two children. You’re not strong enough to cope with the needs of twins. Your constitution is weak. It would be unfair to all of us.”

“I know my health is delicate, Fernando, and I will always regret that I can’t carry your baby to term inside me, but I know I can love and care for these twins. We can afford to hire help…” She trailed off when she saw the determined jut of his chin, the expression that brooked no further argument. Christina decided to try one last tug at his conscience anyway. “If we leave one behind, he might end up on the streets, an urchin living in squalor and fighting to survive… if he even makes it past babyhood.”

“Christina, your abundance of love does you credit, but I have no doubts the other boy will be adopted also. The only thing left to do now is to choose which one you would like?”

Christina’s heart sank as she looked at the two bundles in front of her. He was asking her to choose one, like picking out a pair of shoes from the rows on display in a shop. One stirred and let out a howl, disturbing his twin. It was almost as though he were alert to the inherent danger in this situation and was warning his brother.

Print & Kindle Copies available NOW

 

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

The Storm Creature – Teaser

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storm-8

psychological thriller

Amazon: http://mybook.to/StormCreature

At eighteen, Lucy had everything going for her: a supportive family, a rapt audience, and her dream of becoming a published author about to be realised.
A single moment in time on a dark, rainy road changes things forever.
That was then, but this is now. Lucy has suffered through eight years of haunting visions and thoughts with every raging storm thanks to a tempestuous storm creature who torments her. What does the baleful creature want with Lucy? Will the troubled woman ever be able to let go of the past and forgive herself?
Or will she sacrifice everything she holds dear?

If you want more information about the book click this link: https://gibbsdream.wordpress.com/psychological-thriller-the-storm-creature/

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

West Midlands Attending Author: Sophie Valentine

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  1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
    S. Valentine, and I’m originally from England, but living in Spain.
  2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
    Yes, I absolutely love reading, and always have. My inspirations are so many different authors.
  3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
    I write romance, erotica, suspense, a bit of horror, and hoping to write some YA in the future.
  4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
    Carrie Bradshaw from SATC. I know the book was more letters / a column that a fictional story book, but it was a story on the show, and I loved that character. Also the Gossip Girl characters, in particular Serena Van Der Woodsen, which were based on books.
  5. When did you first start writing?
    I started writing from a very young age. I wrote full MC’s at 18, but focused on another career until most recently.
  6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
    Depends. Sometimes I plan out, and other times I let the story lead me.
  7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
    Ooh tough one! I quite like exclusive club owner Darion Milano. He’s hot, kinky, and adventurous. Not to mention extremely good looking. He can be found in The Black Door trilogy series. I also quite like Mia McKenna too in my upcoming romance standalone. She’s sassy and cool.
  8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
    I think a lot of books there can be scenes where it’s close to home to an author. My upcoming contemporary romance is a book ALL women will be able to relate to. It’s an emotional, feel-good read.
  9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
    Yes. I’ve just finished a duology. Again, this is another book most girls will be able to relate to. A life a lot of us want and dream of.
  10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
    Keep going. Finish that manuscript. Promote, interact online, get your work critiqued, get it as best as it can possibly be.
  11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
    I’m a movie and series freak. I could literally do that, or read all day. Other stuff includes shopping, sightseeing, and seeing my friends. Oh and sunbathing.
  12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
    The worst part in editing is having to cut out large chunks. Fortunately I haven’t had to do that yet. Marketing is tough overall, as it’s a never ending process. The whole writing part is seeing that blank page, and having to churn out 80-90,000 words again. But, it all has its good parts too!
  13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
    I think it’s annoying when people see writing as a hobby. Like, why would we want to torture ourselves by churning out 80-90,000 words over and over again, sleepless nights, an overactive imagination that never stops, and spend hours constantly promoting it? It’s tough at times, but again, it’s worth it.
  14. What is your idea of happiness?
    To be content within yourself. To be where you want to be in life, and have those you love and those that love you surrounding you. Family and friends matter most.
  15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
    The wind gently played with her curls, the salt in the air filling her nostrils, the sound of the waves lapping the shore meeting her ears. The rays of the sun warmed her face. Removing her hat, she sat up on the lounger and scanned the white sand, and cerulean sea before her. She had the perfect view from her garden and it was peaceful and relaxing. She was spoilt with whether to swim in the refreshing pool, or run and dive in the sea. Before she could decide a handsome butler approached carrying a tray of snacks…. Haha! Perfect!
  16. What makes you laugh/cry?
    Comedy movies make me laugh, and sad movies / shows make me cry. Also when people let me down, or show their true colours, but that’s life.
  17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
    Okay, other than my family and friends, who of course I’d take, but Mark Wahlberg because he’s hot and funny. Eminem because he’s hot and could rap and entertain me. And Blake Lively because she seems sweet and funny, and we all need a good friend     ☺
  18. What is your most annoying habit?
    I bite my nails sometimes.
  19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
    His Confession, Her Confession and Their Confession is an erotic romance trilogy. It’s about a man who owns an exclusive membership club, and a ‘vanilla’ woman seeing if she can come to terms with it because she loves him, or getting him to tone down his kinky, taboo, experimental ways. It tests their relationship. And in each book, someone has a confession.
    I have written short stories for anthologies too. My upcoming short story for Fourteen Shades Of F*cked Up is about a handsome, charming man who despises the opposite sex for anything other than pleasure, and has a secret.
  20. Lightning round
    Tea or Coffee? Coffee.
    Cash or credit? Cash.
    Cats or Dogs? Both.
    Beach or Mountain? Beach!
    Summer or Winter? Summer.
    Sweet or Savoury? Sweet. I love cakes!
    Early riser or late riser? Late.
    Morning or Night? Night-owl.
    Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake. It’s cruel to kill that many trees just for one day, especially when fake ones look just as good.
    Sex – Lights on or off? Depends on my mood.

 

You can find me on:

www.facebook.com/SophiaValentineAuthor

www.twitter.com/SophiaVAuthor

www.instagram.com/sophiavalentineauthor

www.pinterest.com/SophiaVWrites

www.s-valentine.wix.com/books



Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.

 

Books · Life · Uncategorized

West Midlands Attending Author: Holly J. Gill

gibbsdream1 Comment

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1.Can we start with your name and where you’re from?

My name is Holly, I’m from Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire

2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?

Yes, I love reading. I have always read since being a child,  paperbacks and now my Kindle is full and the paperbacks I have now, are signed and stay grease free.

I never had any particular authors who inspired me as they all did. I read so many genres, including the gippy ones the teachers use to pull out.

3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?

I guess I should say, it depends what genre my mind is working on. At The moment all my current published works are erotica, as that is where I initially started. However, my mind started wondering and has taken me to genre’s I never expected I would write, romance, supernatural, action thriller, ghost…if my mind is thinking it, it will write it.  

4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?

Gosh I truly have no idea. I have read so many amazing books, it’s too hard to choose.  

5. When did you first start writing?

I started writing when I was about 7 or 8 years old. The only time the teacher got my attention was when she said essay. I loved my imagination taking over. I recalled in my English class when I was 13 or so, the teacher (who was a cowbag) told me off for handing in an essay of 30 pages, she said ‘next time only give me 5.’ I hated her, I thought teachers were meant to encourage students. I guess not. Anyway after that, I handed in 5 pages and once marked went home to finish it.

My first ever novel was written, handwritten might I add called ‘Full of Surprises’ a cute sweet romance, back when I was 16 and I still have it to hand now.

6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?

I allow the words to flow. I have an idea where the book is going, but nine times out of ten it will turn. Wowzers! I never saw that coming. I just allow the characters to tell me where and what they won’t me to write.

7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)

Hmm, I am not sure I can answer this question. It’s a cruel question as I love all my character even the badass. If I was really to say…gosh…Holly in All That We Are, why, because she in some respects is telling a story of me. Her character lacks confidence.  She hides behind her laptop, keeps herself at a distance of anyone and hates any form of confrontations. And there is also a scene of bullying in there which is true, to each and every word. I had a little cry after I wrote it, no one should ever go through such acts, ever.

8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?

For me I guess all my novels are my autobiography, there is something in them all that has stolen a little snippet of my life. The worst one for me is in All That We Are regarding the bullying and how that affected my adulthood. For me when writing the scene through the tears, brought it all back, some would say why write it, because to me it was like a sense of relief, sharing a part of me and possibly getting the message across that bullying isn’t acceptable, do something about it, don’t dwell as it will only hurt more.

9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?

I’m currently working on four books, one I’m writing an action erotica thriller which appears to be my favorite genre at the moment.

I have one book I had to take down from publication is with an editor called Innocence BK 1. This book is a romance, and a little taster, Two pasts, one direction. When pain hits full force. Emotions run high. Guilt and protection. Can two hearts hold it together?

Book 2 is awaiting an editor, booked for March called Destiny BK 1. Sexy Erotic Billionaire Romance. Taster, Destiny is a girl who wants for nothing! Compromise Mr. Wright, compromise.

Book 3 is awaiting the editor, booked for June called Target, Scar Lover series BK 1. Action Erotic Thriller. Taster, He was sent to kill her, only instead unearthed more problems.     

10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?

Write to enjoy it. Write for it to be a hobby. Write what you want to write. Never give up, keep writing. Don’t allow anyone to spoil your illusions. Write the first manuscript in draft, then leave and go back and polish, re-write, make it better, stronger and fuller. Stalk authors, get yourself on social media, talk to authors, that is what I did, and even today I reach out for a little help. We are a great community, yes we can get some nastiness, but generally we are all there doing the same thing, getting our work promoted.

11. What do you do when you’re not writing?

I have a part-time job as a care assistant in a residential and nursing home so that takes care of two days working 12 hour shifts. I am a nana to twins a girl and boy who I see as regular as possible. I enjoy reading, spending time with family, going camping in the summer months and visiting places in the UK.

12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?

Editing, I loathe it especially as I cannot see the errors. I intend to sink back into the characters and pulling myself out can be tricky. Authors told me to step away. Leave the book for a year or so…doesn’t work I still end up back in their minds and bodies. This is why I hire editors as trust me I need it.

Marketing is a nightmare. It rather daunting at times, you write the book, find a good editor, get it proofread and then start arranging the formatting, and boom hit the big button…and you start hitting social media, crying out to all those bloggers. It’s hard work, and even more so to get it out there.

Will I ever give up…no. I love allowing my imagination to do its stuff, giving up isn’t an option.

13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?

I’m lucky, I think a majority of my fans I work with they are just brilliant, all so supportive and buy my books. At my last place of work, one woman did suggest telling me her life story and wanted me to write about it…I don’t think so. I think because people think your write stories that you would like to write theirs…nope I have enough people screaming in my head without your story, which isn’t all that exciting.

My family and friends are very supportive, well my hubby has to be he, he’s my assistant for the book signings, at least my muscle man.

14. What is your idea of happiness?

To always be a naughty woman, who is well known for making rude gestures from nothing. Live life to the full and be who you want to be. I don’t worry about much, as life is too short.

15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.

Large room, sofa bed, desk with draws, book shelves, chair, notice board, images of characters staring at me, a wall decorated in my published works and another wall with my family, walls can be white and wooden flooring with a rug under my feet.

In a corner would be a desk with draws underneath, in oak. The desk will sit my laptop in the center. My glasses, notepad and dictionary will be to my right and my kindle, headphones, phone on silent with fruit and bottles of juice to my left. To the right a large window with blinds to block out the dazzling sunlight in white and white curtains. And between the window and wall to my right fixed book shelves where I can easily reach for research.

In front of me above my laptop will be a notice board in shabby chic, with pins with ideas and inspiration and other possible ideas that spring to my mind.

I will also have at the far side more book shelves with swag, signed books and a list of names and contacts when looking for promotional ideas, which will also contain all the links to where my books are published.

The far wall would have pictures of my family, grandbabies and below a sofa bed where I can go and relax and read my kindle or sneak a snooze.

One the left wall will be my book covers in all their glory.

The lighting will be variable, depending on what I am doing, reading my kindle would be a small lamp in the corner and when writing a bright light so I’m not squinting. I will also have a Bluetooth speaker if needed to help with inspiration when ideas might run dry.   

16. What makes you laugh/cry?

For me, bullying, child cruelty and hearing a baby has died, it breaks my heart.

17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.

This is going to sound drab but my hubby, Nigel. He is amazing at knowing what to do when stranded, he would know what to do in every department, how to build things, go hunting and how to please me. He is always watching programs where people are dumped and left to survive. For entertainment my hubby as he knows me, he knows what I like and would protect me from anything, well sort of unless he gets hungry and decided to eat me lol.     

18. What is your most annoying habit?

I’ll ask my hubby…he said, ‘I cannot cook.” I hate cooking lol!

19. Please tell me about your books?

Desires the series, there are 5 books up to date. This series is about a sex club, an exclusive club where you can go and enjoy your erotic side without being judged. The series tells us the story of a couple, Stacie and Dan. Stacie is the guest who is seeking confidence sexually after being in a bad relationship. Dan the sex worker a serious hot toy boy is her tutor, and well he teaches all she needs to now and more. Heck, he blew me away, the cutie. The series also brings in a scorned woman, jealous of the couple and spends most of her miserable time trying to spilt Stacie and Dan up.

All That We Are, this book is about a promoter called Holly who starts talking on social media to Ashton Noir, who is a bestselling author. They start talking, building up a friendship and helping in areas where they both lack confidence. This is an internet love story which in the author world I bet has happened.  

  1. Lightning round
    Tea or Coffee? Tea
    Cash or credit? Credit
    Cats or Dogs? Neither
    Beach or Mountain? Beach
    Summer or Winter? Summer
    Sweet or Savoury? Sweet
    Early riser or late riser? Early
    Morning or Night? Morning
    Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake
    Sex – Lights on or off? On.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.

Desires Series: Erotica, BDSM, kinky romance.

 

Bk 1 Desires

Bk 2 Touching Angel’s Desires

Bk 3 Desires’ Secrets

BK 4 Embracing Desires

Bk 5 Dan’s Desires

 

Trust series

 

All That We Are

 

Buy Links

 

Amazon UK :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-That-Are-Trust-Book-ebook/dp/B01GIPN1AG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1464979067&sr=8-2&keywords=holly+j+gill

 

Amazon US :

https://www.amazon.com/All-That-Are-Trust-Book-ebook/dp/B01GIPN1AG?ie=UTF8&keywords=holly%20j%20gill&qid=1464979009&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

 

Amazon CA :

https://www.amazon.ca/All-That-Are-Trust-Book-ebook/dp/B01GIPN1AG

 

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/search?query=Holly%20J.%20Gill&fcsearchfield=Author

 

Barnes and Noble :

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Holly%20J.%20Gill%22;jsessionid=02F398A2A308A2B98E5E56076EEE04A5.prodny_store01-atgap06?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall

 

Itunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/holly-j.-gill/id656813976?mt=11

 

Links to me

E-mail mailto:holly_gill@btinternet.com

 

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/hollyjgillauthor?ref=hl

Erotic Holly BLOG :http://hollyjgill.blogspot.co.uk/?zx=b9ccabad8f15e367

Romance BLOG Holly : http://hollyjodygill.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter : https://twitter.com/HollyJGill

Google + : https://plus.google.com/u/0/107879443337932231480/posts

Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6860426.Holly_J_Gill

Pinterest : http://uk.pinterest.com/gill0839/

Wixhttp://hollygill.wixsite.com/hollyjgill

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

West Midlands Attending Author: Maddie Wade

gibbsdreamLeave a comment

 

MW2.jpg

1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?

Maddie Wade and I am from Hereford

2.Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?

I love reading and always have I`m never without a book. My inspirations are people like Marie Force and Melody Anne. They have both been trailblazers for indie authors, proving that you can start from scratch and make it.

3.What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?

I write Romantic Suspense with a paranormal twist.

4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?

Oh wow that’s a tough one. It would have to be Sherlock Holmes. He is so deliciously complex.

5. When did you first start writing?

Not that long go really. I started writing in 2015.

6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?

I plan the basic plot and story arc and then an idea of where I need to go. Then I just write and see how it pans out. Quite often things change and surprise me which I love.

7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)

I would have to say Lucy. I`m writing her book now and she had a beautiful mix of kick ass and take names mixed in with a sweetness and vulnerability that you wouldn’t expect from a woman who works for an all male badass security firm.

8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?

Not really it was more that the idea wouldn’t shut up or go away and kept growing so I decided to let it out and see where it went. Best thing I ever did.

9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?

As I said I`m working on Lucy and Jaces book Love Divided, which is book three in this series. It`s really surprising me and has already made me cry. Let`s just say it`s going to be emotional and yet you still get the pace and action. Obviously the rest of the team make appearances too.

10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?

Don’t procrastinate, just do it and see what happens.

11. What do you do when you’re not writing?

Reading or spending time with my family. I also like watching T.V series like the Blacklist and Blindspot.

12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?

Marketing and promotion because you never know if you’re getting it right and I find it hard to blow my own trumpet.

13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?

Oh you mean “My little hobby?” I guess that people think if you self publish that you are not a Real author. Drives me crazy.

14. What is your idea of happiness?

Easy my kids happy and safe.

15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.

Oh love this okay. The sun is hanging low in the sky, the orange and red embers just touch the top of the sea. My feet are bare and buried in the warm sand under my desk. Warmth from the fading sun kisses my face, and caresses my shoulders. The gentle breeze is bringing with it the smell of the sea and the sound of a child`s laugh. Laptop open, curser idling waiting for the next adventure to begin. I take a sip from the cold mojito by my side and let the words flow.

16. What makes you laugh/cry?

The big Bang Theory makes me laugh. Videos of soldiers returning home and surprising their families makes me bawl like a baby.

17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.

Okay from a mum’s point of view I would have to pick my kids. From a woman`s point I would have to say Chris Hemsworth (I`m totally obsessed with him), Jason Momoa and Henry Cavil. Please don’t tell my hubby (sniggers)

18. What is your most annoying habit?

Not putting the washing away.

19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)

Healing Danger is my Debut Novel and the First in the Fortis Security series. It follows Dane and Lauren as they try to find her best friends killer and stop Lauren from being the next victim of the Divine Watchers. The Divine Watchers are a sick cult out to use people with special abilities like Lauren`s to start Armageddon.

Stolen Dreams is book two and follows Nate and Skye as they try to get Skye`s very sick son back. He has been kidnapped for his ability and the race is on to get to him before it is too late.

Each book has its own story but the series as a whole has an overreaching arc. Each character in the Fortis team will get a book.

  1. Lightning round
    Tea or Coffee? Tea
    Cash or credit? Cash
    Cats or Dogs? Dog
    Beach or Mountain? Beach
    Summer or Winter? Summer
    Sweet or Savoury? Sweet
    Early riser or late riser? Late
    Morning or Night? Morning
    Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake
    Sex – Lights on or off? Don’t care

    Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
    Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.

Website is www.maddiewadeauthor.co.uk

Email:maddie@maddiewadeauthor.co.uk

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maddieuk/?fref=ts

Twitter @mwadeauthor

Instagram @mwadeauthor

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

#Booksarenotfree

gibbsdream15 Comments

 

There is a growing trend in society to believe that books should be free or heavily discounted and we have all been guilty of feeding into it. I pick up freebies but I am also happy to pay for the books I want. Maybe I can’t get all the ones I want but hey isn’t that just life? I see lots of clothes I like and I might be able to pick up a new dress for a special occasion or a new pair of jeans because my old ones have holes in where no self-respecting forty-something wants holes but I can’t buy every item that my heart desires. Certainly not on my non-existent income as an author. Just as well I have a full-time job that stops me from being a starving artist languishing in a garret with only bread and water to sustain me. My day-time job takes up a huge portion of my week and often leaves me drained but from somewhere I have to find the time for my passion which is writing. My dream would be my writing to take off and be able to write full-time but alas that can’t be at the moment.

Everyone of us has had people who ask for a free copy, I’d like to quote my friend and fellow author Chris Turnbull “erm No! There is no such thing as a free copy…even I don’t get a free copy and it’s my book.” 

We do have a free copy on our computers, sure and we can send it to our Kindle device but if we want a print copy of our book, we have to pay – the proof copy isn’t even free. But let me tell you a bit more about what we’ve paid for: A beautiful cover, a feast to the eye, to tempt you, an editor to shape our words and spot mistakes and inconsistencies. And let’s be clear on this my editor and cover designer, both wonderful women who are also authors won’t accept it if I ask them to provide their services for free–which I wouldn’t do. Some people pay for marketing and do promotional giveaways.

I have three novelettes on the market at the moment and a pending novel (having the red pen treatment). A novelette is small, doesn’t require the same time frame to write it but I still used my time and I still paid for the above items. Yesterday was the two-year anniversary of my first novelette ‘As Dreams are Made on.’ Based only on the cover and editing alone I have lost £36.00 on it. So to recap, two years on and with 104 kindle sales and 16 paperback copies I am still in the red. I haven’t set my price high 0.99p/c because it is a short read. An hour or so of entertainment for under £1.00/$1.00 but still people want it for free. You could argue that if they like it they might buy one of my other books and yes that is true but lets also go back to the earlier paragraph where I acknowledged that I can’t buy all the books or clothes I like. So maybe it would generate sales–but maybe not.

Books aren’t just entertainment they are often an escape from reality –a reality that many people find challenging so given the duality of the product why do we question its value?

I’ve got an experiment for you to try (I won’t do it myself as I previously mentioned my busy schedule 🙂 )

Walk in to or phone your hairdresser and ask them if they will give you a free haircut.

Ring your garage next time your car needs a service or MOT and ask them to do it for free

Who loves having their nails done? Manicure? Pedicure? Facial? Let’s see about this freebie

The list is endless.
I would love to hear back from anyone who gets a freebie. Good luck and happy hunting.

But for this author who works endlessly and pays for the services I receive the only freebies I will consider are those that I choose to give for a promotional event which will require your participation.

For anyone who believes that authors should be paid for their work please leave a comment in support and it you are so inclined please share it with the hashtag #Booksarenotfree let’s get it trending.

If you are interested in my books follow the links:

US: https://www.amazon.com/Maria-Gibbs/e/B00SDDJV1U/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maria-Gibbs/e/B00SDDJV1U/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

If you want to know more about my books have a look at the other pages on this website. You can even see the reviews that I have left for the books I’ve read recently.