Don't dream it. Be it, (Xpost from LJ))

One thing that bothered me about MidSouth Con was the number of people who talked to me about the books they want to write.

Not "have written."
Not "are writing."
But "want to write."

There were some really good ideas in there, including a unique take on time travel. I encouraged every one of them to write it up. Most just sort of sighed and shook their heads. No time. Not enough skills. Not good enough to do it justice.

There is only one way to be a writer: WRITE

Sit down and write the story.
It may not be all you dreamed or envisioned.
It may not make you much, or any money.
Write it anyway.

People may not get it.
People may get it and hate it.
Write it anyway.
The story does no one any good sitting in your head waiting for Someday.
Someday when I'm good enough.
Someday when I have time.
Someday when I'm not blocked.
There is no someday. There is today. You get 24 hours, just like the rest of us. If you need to write, if it gnaws until you can't see straight and MUST get it out on paper before you go mad, you'll make time.

Harlan Ellison says "If you can be discouraged, you should be."
Poppy Brite reminds us that only 2% of writers make a living at it.
Write anyway.

All of the above is summed up in one word: fear. Being a writer is big and scary. I still feel like Wiley E. Coyote who has run out of cliff when I send a story to an editor.
Feel the fear. Do it anyway.

If you want to be a writer, write.
If you want to be an author, submit.

But don't wait. Tempus keeps right on fugiting, faithful readers. And better a piece you weren't quite ready to handle than one you never started out of fear.

Here endeth the lesson.
(today's sermonette brought to you by the Yew: Perseverance leads to achievement)

Reviews

I got a great review from Joyfully Reviewed on Eight Days Ablaze:
http://joyfullyreviewed.com/reviews/Mar09/eightdaysablaze.AS.html
"a charmingly different tale that kept me engaged from start to finish and is a holiday story that will be on my mind all year ‘round."



Glad Hands is going over very well

Five Nymph review from Lit Nymphs:
http://literarynymphsreviewsonly.blogspot.com/2009/03/glad-hands.html
"Angelia Sparrow and Naomi Brooks bring the thunder with Glad Hands."

Four stars from Rainbow Reviews
http://rainbow-reviews.com/?p=1053
"This is one of those fast reads that you just cannot put down until you are finished."

Elisa enjoyed it
http://rainbow-reviews.com/?p=1053

Val called it outstanding.
http://www.obsidianbookshelf.com/html/gladhands.html
"I highly recommend Glad Hands, an outstanding read that may easily turn out to be the best fiction I get my hands on this year."

Reading and Signing

Tonight!
7 PM
892 S. Cooper (The Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center)

Angelia Sparrow, local GLBT romance author, will be reading from her latest works.

Nikolai:
James Ligatos is a man with an unusual hobby. He turns promising young criminals into world leaders. His latest project is Nicholas Boyd, formerly Nikolai of the Revenant street gang. But the little killer-turned-file-clerk is much more than Ligatos and his staff bargained for.

As Kentucky attempts to secede from the Confederated States of America and rejoin the United States, Nick's skills and the group's training are put to the ultimate test, and the price of failure is death

AND

Glad Hands
Chuck rolls his rig across the no-longer-United States, from Montana to Arkansas. He expects a fast run with no complications. What he doesn’t expect is Seven, a pretty blue-eyed drifter who turns not only his head but makes his blood boil.

His gayness tattooed into his very skin, Seven needs Chuck’s help to escape the very limited life Heartland forces upon him. And when the even more repressive Confederated States take an interest, Chuck and Seven are in for the ride of their lives.

Read An Ebook Week

In honor of Read An Ebook Week, Naomi and I are offering a copy of our short story, "Tuition Fees: The Devil."

Click here to Download

More books are always available at The Website

March Madness Promo Tour

March madness promo tour
I just realized, I'm doing promo stuff every week in March.

Tonight, March 6,
7 pm Central
Interview, aired live at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Circle-Of-Seven There is also active chat session online.

After the show is aired, it is available for download at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Circle-Of-Seven


March 13
7 pm Central
Reading and Book signing
Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center
892 S. Cooper Street
Memphis TN
I'll be reading from Nikolai and Glad Hands, and signing books.
(Books for sale include Nikolai $10
Flipped Fables
Torqued Tales
Taboo Treats, all $15,
all books are trade paperbacks)

March 21-23
MidSouth Con, Memphis
03/21/2009 23:00:00 Paranormal Romance
03/22/2009 14:00:00 Is the Short Story Dead?
03/22/2009 16:00:00 Darrell Award Finalist Reading
03/22/2009 17:00:00 Banquet

I'll be reading from "Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch," and I'll be available in the Dealer's room.