Category: Musings

A Recent Healthy Decision

On By dotluvs2writeIn art, Beauty, Cultural and Political, Fiction Writing, humanity, Inspirational, Life, Musings, Nature, Past Life Activities, Personal, reading2 Comments

Friends,

In late April, I realized that absorbing news stories several times a day was not healthy for my emotional and mental health. Dropping out of commenting on anything political would also be a healthy move for me.

So, I did.

However, I will read news headlines once in a while and listen for a few minutes on something going on in the political realm. Grateful that it doesn’t stick to me like a monster glue.

I’ve discovered I’ve found much more peace and breathe better out of that world, especially the social media world.

Reading has become a refreshing pastime. It’s been a while since I truly read for pleasure and didn’t need to do it to only support my writing.

When I listened to author Lisa Wingate talk this past Sunday, she presented the importance for local communities to read together. That book clubs were essential to bringing people’s common interests in something experienced together to discuss and learn from each other.

This really struck me, because it brought me back to a simpler time when humans spent time together in person, talking, sharing, relating, that has diminished over the era of the tech and internet universe.

Keeping our humanity and respect for each other has been and seems to be more vital than ever.

And reading does this.

As Lisa said, there is a shared experience when you read a book. It’s a dive into a pool of sorts, where you experience the world of the characters you’re reading about and it transforms your own world in making it more enriching and special.

There’s a certain amount of peace I get when I read. The best experience for me is reading outside in my backyard, with the plentiful, calming sounds of the birds and squirrels, and the rustling of the leaves of the trees. As if they’re with me on my journey in the world of the story I’m reading. And I seemed to have forgotten about this special intimacy for many years until recently.

To be able to have such moments of solace and solitude, bereft of noise pollution and never-ending bickering on social media and political shows is a great feeling and encounter.

Thank God I’ve been able to experience this and live my life in a much more healthy and happy environment.

What do you feel like when you are away from the chaos of the world? How do you feel when you are reading a fiction book that takes you out of the flotsam of the social media, political universe?

~*~*~*~

Author Meet

On By dotluvs2writeIn art, Beauty, Fiction Writing, Fun, Inspirational, Life, Musings, News Events, Publishing, reading2 Comments

Yesterday afternoon, I attended an author talk and signing event – Lisa Wingate.

It was a great talk. Her presentation was informative and inspirational. So glad I got to be there at Barnes & Noble this afternoon.

We waited in line for a signed copy of her newest book. We were told to have what you want her to write to you ready for an attendant to write it on a sticky to place in her book for her to look at and write in her signing. I told the attendant my first name and to write “Keep being inspired.” That was all.

Met up with Lisa. Very sweet woman. Told her I was also an author. She smiled and was happy about that. Asked me what I write. I told her mostly women’s fiction with some faith and Greek Orthodox traditions. She said, “Oh, so similar to what I write with faith as well.” I told her yes. She said it was so nice to meet a writer who reads her books. 🙂

Anyway, she signed my book. ✍🏻

I opened the book in the car and was touched. She’d written:

To Dorothy —

Keep being inspired —

The world needs your stories —

Best Wishes!

Lisa Wingate

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DO NOT Self-Publish Without Doing THIS

On By dotluvs2writeIn art, Beauty, Fiction Writing, Marketing, Musings, Publishing, reading, Reviews, Writing TechniquesLeave a comment

I wrote about this particular issue a few years back. But since I just saw an example of this thirty minutes ago, I felt compelled to reiterate it in this post. Besides, a reminder never hurts.

As an author, you must be aware and concerned about what products you put out, because they represent you and your talent.

Therefore, it is ESSENTIAL that an author obtains professional services in publishing her book(s).

Unless you are a professional editor, formatter, and book designer, you will need these services.

Even if you are quite adept at grammar and spelling and syntax. Hire a professional editor.

The same goes for formatting your books and for a book cover.

You want your work to be the BEST it can be. POLISHED, BEAUTIFUL, EYE-CATCHING, READABLE.

It is important for you as an author to do this, because all of these creative efforts are a reflection of who you are and what talent you hold.

In closing, please DO NOT publish you book BEFORE acquiring professionals.

It doesn’t help those who do put in all that effort for superbly finished products. With so many books out there and so many self-published books, let’s make all authors look good by putting out the best product possible for our readers.

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