Almost a month has passed since my last post. The sequel to Silence of Souls is nearing completion, and (if things go well this week) I am still on schedule to release it sometime between Christmas and New Year's.
The novel is better than the first, or at least I think so. It's much deeper, more emotional, and far different than any other zombie novel I've read so far. Hopefully, it'll gain a lot of readers, though I'm sure there will be people who hate it because of a certain event that takes place in the novel. This one is definitely NOT for children, and I think parents should be aware of what happens before letting their teenagers read it or not. Once it's released, I will put up a fair warning (while trying my best not to give away any important plot points) on the page so that people know it has mature content.
Thanksgiving was a fantastic long weekend. I spent the long weekend camping with family and friends and didn't get on the computer at all. I didn't force myself to think about work at all either. It was a good idea, because I came home with a clear head and an imagination yearning to get to work. As my mind cleared up, new ideas came rushing to me for the rest of Resurgence as well as for my next two novels.
The next novel is a vast expansion of The Secret Room and is going to be an epic battle between good and evil. It's going to have a lot of supernatural elements in it, and my ideas keep expanding and growing, and I'm loving where this is leading to. In all likelihood, this will be another series, which I am okay with. (Don't worry, zombie fans: The Silence of Souls series will continue!) As soon as Resurgence is finished, I'm getting to work on The Secret Room novel (though it won't be called "The Secret Room"; I don't yet have a title for it, though).
Part of me is considering taking on a challenge I've never done before- writing two novels at once. One will be The Secret Room novel, and the other will be the memoir I've been considering writing for a few years now (and more and more encouragement has come from friends and family to write it). Discipline will have to be a top priority if writing two at the same time, though one being fiction and the other non-fiction might make it a little easier. We'll see how things go after Resurgence is released. :)
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Monday, November 26, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Book Signing
Over the weekend, I had my first book signing event. It was at the local library, and they were also doing a book sale. (I got a box full of books for just $2- what a deal!) The library is only a couple years old, so it's a gorgeous building and very spacious.
I sold every copy that I had, and had to take orders for more. It was so much fun, and the feeling of having people come and ask for my novel and autograph was surreal. There were several people who made the trip special just to see and support me, and I am grateful to each and every one of those people.
It was also very cool to have people I didn't know asking for my novel and autograph. I'd tell them the basic gist of the story, and some people got very intrigued.
Proceeds from sales were donated to the Friends of Acton-Agua Dulce Library (they do all sorts of awesome reading, writing, and educational activities for the community), Susan G. Komen For The Cure, and St. Jude Children's Hospital, so it all went to good places. Even though I didn't make any money off the sale, it was a very profitable weekend- I met some great people, made some new contacts, and may have opened the door to two more book signings in other communities, which is very exciting!
Halloween is tomorrow, and I think the whole "scary season" is really getting to me, in a good way. I've been getting so many ideas for different paranormal stories lately, and some of them really intrigue me. A few dreams and old memories have washed up on the shores of my mind and are taking up root in my imagination.
I sold every copy that I had, and had to take orders for more. It was so much fun, and the feeling of having people come and ask for my novel and autograph was surreal. There were several people who made the trip special just to see and support me, and I am grateful to each and every one of those people.
It was also very cool to have people I didn't know asking for my novel and autograph. I'd tell them the basic gist of the story, and some people got very intrigued.
Proceeds from sales were donated to the Friends of Acton-Agua Dulce Library (they do all sorts of awesome reading, writing, and educational activities for the community), Susan G. Komen For The Cure, and St. Jude Children's Hospital, so it all went to good places. Even though I didn't make any money off the sale, it was a very profitable weekend- I met some great people, made some new contacts, and may have opened the door to two more book signings in other communities, which is very exciting!
Halloween is tomorrow, and I think the whole "scary season" is really getting to me, in a good way. I've been getting so many ideas for different paranormal stories lately, and some of them really intrigue me. A few dreams and old memories have washed up on the shores of my mind and are taking up root in my imagination.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Big things are happening!
Even though I was sick, this weekend turned out to be pretty awesome.
Friday morning, I went down to the local library where they were having a meet-and-greet with the new librarian (her name is Valerie, and she happens to be a friend and a wonderful woman). It was nice- Val talked about herself, her love of books, her experiences, and what she planned to do for the library.
After the introduction, there was mingling and some refreshments. The head of the Friends of the Acton Library committee was there, and she approached me and started talking about upcoming events. Long story short, she asked me to do a book signing at the end of October! I was thrilled.
Then, on Saturday, I had some major story revelations for Resurgence that I am pretty excited about.
Sunday was awesome, too. I discovered someone had posted a glowing review of my novel on a popular zombie-forum website! Here's a screenshot:
Also on Sunday, I found out that Silence of Souls has been nominated for book of the month over on a Goodreads group! Here's the screenshot of that:
It's very exciting, and I'm thrilled that Silence of Souls and Resurgence are gaining buzz!
One last thing- the Goodreads giveaway for autographed copies of both the novels is up and running. Be sure to enter and tell your friends about it!
Enter to win
Friday morning, I went down to the local library where they were having a meet-and-greet with the new librarian (her name is Valerie, and she happens to be a friend and a wonderful woman). It was nice- Val talked about herself, her love of books, her experiences, and what she planned to do for the library.
After the introduction, there was mingling and some refreshments. The head of the Friends of the Acton Library committee was there, and she approached me and started talking about upcoming events. Long story short, she asked me to do a book signing at the end of October! I was thrilled.
Then, on Saturday, I had some major story revelations for Resurgence that I am pretty excited about.
Sunday was awesome, too. I discovered someone had posted a glowing review of my novel on a popular zombie-forum website! Here's a screenshot:
 |
| Click to enlarge |
Also on Sunday, I found out that Silence of Souls has been nominated for book of the month over on a Goodreads group! Here's the screenshot of that:
 |
| Click to enlarge |
It's very exciting, and I'm thrilled that Silence of Souls and Resurgence are gaining buzz!
One last thing- the Goodreads giveaway for autographed copies of both the novels is up and running. Be sure to enter and tell your friends about it!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Silence of Souls
by Stefanie Oberhansley
Giveaway ends December 19, 2012.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Fictitious dreams that influence the future.
Last night, I had a dream about one of my characters from the Silence of Souls series.
First, an announcement: I've decided on a title for the sequel. It's going to be Resurgence.
I'm working on the sequel, and it's going to be so much more intense and emotional than the first. The first, in hindsight, was really just setting the stage for the series. In the sequel, there is a deplorable, absolutely horrible thing that happens to one of my characters. I debated for a long time, and spoke to several people about it, before I decided to actually do this thing in the novel.
Back to the dream... last night, I dreamt about this character whom something terrible happens to. This character was very sad, very hurt, and couldn't understand why this terrible thing had to happen. I held this character in my arms and comforted them as they sobbed. I told them they would be alright, and that times may seem hard right now, but they would get better in the future.
I promised my character that life would go on for them, and that it would, eventually, be great. I think, inadvertently, that I have (unofficially) committed to continuing the series for as long as the story keeps going. It may end after three books, it may end after twelve. We'll see. All I know right now is that my character is having a hard time understanding why this terrible thing had to happen to them, so I must continue on with the story until things get better for that character. It could take a while- there's a lot more hell they'll have to go to before they start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The story must go on.
I'm doing a giveaway, so pass along the word. You could win autographed copies of Silence of Souls AND Resurgence!
Enter to win
First, an announcement: I've decided on a title for the sequel. It's going to be Resurgence.
I'm working on the sequel, and it's going to be so much more intense and emotional than the first. The first, in hindsight, was really just setting the stage for the series. In the sequel, there is a deplorable, absolutely horrible thing that happens to one of my characters. I debated for a long time, and spoke to several people about it, before I decided to actually do this thing in the novel.
Back to the dream... last night, I dreamt about this character whom something terrible happens to. This character was very sad, very hurt, and couldn't understand why this terrible thing had to happen. I held this character in my arms and comforted them as they sobbed. I told them they would be alright, and that times may seem hard right now, but they would get better in the future.
I promised my character that life would go on for them, and that it would, eventually, be great. I think, inadvertently, that I have (unofficially) committed to continuing the series for as long as the story keeps going. It may end after three books, it may end after twelve. We'll see. All I know right now is that my character is having a hard time understanding why this terrible thing had to happen to them, so I must continue on with the story until things get better for that character. It could take a while- there's a lot more hell they'll have to go to before they start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The story must go on.
I'm doing a giveaway, so pass along the word. You could win autographed copies of Silence of Souls AND Resurgence!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Silence of Souls
by Stefanie Oberhansley
Giveaway ends December 19, 2012.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Great stories.
Over the weekend, we saw ParaNorman. It was fantastic! I loved the story, the twists, the humor, the characters, and the score. Most of the time, it's fun going to a theater full of kids because you get to hear some of those incredible, totally innocent reactions to the movie.
That's also the same reason I love going to the theater to see horror movies with a packed house- you get some crazy reactions, and sometimes they're hysterical.
Both situations involve a good story and interesting characters. That's how people get drawn in. If it was boring and uninteresting, then the kids would lose interest at the animated movie showings and the adults would feel bored at the horror movie showings.
I love it when you watch a movie or read a book and become so engulfed in what's going on that you completely forget that it's a movie or a book. That moment when you fall in love with or come to completely loathe a character. When you feel intense emotions one way or another toward a character, then you feel like you are living vicariously through them. When you indulge in great books and movies, you live a thousand lives.
The beginning of Silence of Souls 2 is underway, and I'm thrilled about it. I've received so much positive feedback about the first novel, and I'm very excited about working on the second one. The story outline is nearly complete- I just need to add some more meat to it. The second installment of the series is going to be even more intense than the first; at least, I think so. ;-) I'm working on developing the characters even further, creating some interesting conflicts, and putting out a unique story.
I have a real rough idea for a third installment, but I'm not going to force it if it doesn't want to happen. The second one is a definite thing, though! I'm hoping to release it around March or April, but I'll adjust the release date as the novel comes along. ;-)
That's also the same reason I love going to the theater to see horror movies with a packed house- you get some crazy reactions, and sometimes they're hysterical.
Both situations involve a good story and interesting characters. That's how people get drawn in. If it was boring and uninteresting, then the kids would lose interest at the animated movie showings and the adults would feel bored at the horror movie showings.
I love it when you watch a movie or read a book and become so engulfed in what's going on that you completely forget that it's a movie or a book. That moment when you fall in love with or come to completely loathe a character. When you feel intense emotions one way or another toward a character, then you feel like you are living vicariously through them. When you indulge in great books and movies, you live a thousand lives.
The beginning of Silence of Souls 2 is underway, and I'm thrilled about it. I've received so much positive feedback about the first novel, and I'm very excited about working on the second one. The story outline is nearly complete- I just need to add some more meat to it. The second installment of the series is going to be even more intense than the first; at least, I think so. ;-) I'm working on developing the characters even further, creating some interesting conflicts, and putting out a unique story.
I have a real rough idea for a third installment, but I'm not going to force it if it doesn't want to happen. The second one is a definite thing, though! I'm hoping to release it around March or April, but I'll adjust the release date as the novel comes along. ;-)
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Don't be discouraged.
Silence of Souls has received its second review. Time-wise, I think it's pretty good that I've received two reviews within a week of release. The first was a 5-Star, and it was very flattering and humbling! The second one is a 3-Star review. The reviewer made some valid points, said that the story was solid, and the things he didn't care for about Silence of Souls are purely opinions and don't reflect on the quality of the work. (For example- he said he thought it was strange that the word "zombie" was never mentioned. That's something I deliberated over for a bit while I was writing, but then found that the majority of the [good] zombie fiction I read doesn't often actually use the z-word.) That being the case, this hasn't discouraged me in the least. Three-stars isn't bad, actually. Plus, he did compliment the work. (I peeked at his other reviews- he rarely gives a review above 3-stars anyway.)
To be honest, I talk a lot of talk that I don't usually walk. I am always encouraging people to reach for their dreams, to work hard, and to not let naysayers get them down. But I've found that I get discouraged pretty easily, and it's something I'm working on getting better at. When I got my first (and, thus far, only) 2-star review for The Secret Room, I was very discouraged, even though I had received several 5-star reviews prior to that. With Silence of Souls, I have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback and praise, and each comment is very heartwarming. This time, I'm happy to have a 3-star review, because it means that people are reading and thinking about my work. I welcome feedback and reviews, both positive and negative.
I love doing what I do, and I enjoy it. I need to stop being so concerned about what the people who don't like what I do or who I am think, and start focusing on how I feel about myself. I wrote a novel, published it, sold it, and now I'm starting work on another one- no matter what happens, no one can take that away, and I'm proud of myself. :)
Also, on a side note: Silence of Souls is available in Kindle eBook and now in paperback!
To be honest, I talk a lot of talk that I don't usually walk. I am always encouraging people to reach for their dreams, to work hard, and to not let naysayers get them down. But I've found that I get discouraged pretty easily, and it's something I'm working on getting better at. When I got my first (and, thus far, only) 2-star review for The Secret Room, I was very discouraged, even though I had received several 5-star reviews prior to that. With Silence of Souls, I have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback and praise, and each comment is very heartwarming. This time, I'm happy to have a 3-star review, because it means that people are reading and thinking about my work. I welcome feedback and reviews, both positive and negative.
I love doing what I do, and I enjoy it. I need to stop being so concerned about what the people who don't like what I do or who I am think, and start focusing on how I feel about myself. I wrote a novel, published it, sold it, and now I'm starting work on another one- no matter what happens, no one can take that away, and I'm proud of myself. :)
Also, on a side note: Silence of Souls is available in Kindle eBook and now in paperback!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Onward!
Today I started working on my newest project. It's an idea I came up with about a year and a half ago- even before I came up with the idea for Silence of Souls. It'll be a short story, though I'm not sure exactly what I think the length will end up being. I'm venturing out on a new branch in writing- it's a comedic short story, unlike my previous works which have all been horror, thriller, and/or paranormal.
We'll see how it goes. I want to stretch my legs a little as a writer and see how I do with other genres. Initially, I would have expected myself to write drama, not paranormal, and I've done well so far. Because of that, I have high hopes. If it's absolutely terrible, I won't publish it.
When I turned on my computer this morning, I was surprised to find that Silence of Souls already has a review, and it's an incredible review! Apparently, I am a "talented and seriously disturbed author." I love it! I'm taking the "seriously disturbed" bit as a compliment to my work. Either that, or I'll use it as motivation to sell enough books to pay for therapy...
Anyway, I'm going to get back to writing now. I've got a number of projects planned, so onward to writing!
We'll see how it goes. I want to stretch my legs a little as a writer and see how I do with other genres. Initially, I would have expected myself to write drama, not paranormal, and I've done well so far. Because of that, I have high hopes. If it's absolutely terrible, I won't publish it.
When I turned on my computer this morning, I was surprised to find that Silence of Souls already has a review, and it's an incredible review! Apparently, I am a "talented and seriously disturbed author." I love it! I'm taking the "seriously disturbed" bit as a compliment to my work. Either that, or I'll use it as motivation to sell enough books to pay for therapy...
Anyway, I'm going to get back to writing now. I've got a number of projects planned, so onward to writing!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
"Silence of Souls" Official Release!
Today's the day, it's finally here! I'm so very excited!
Be one of the first people to read it- click to get Silence of Souls!
Don't forget to enter the giveaway when you get your copy of Silence of Souls- click here for details!
Plus, check out Kindle Author. Silence of Souls is featured in the bargain book section on the left-hand side of the page! (The price is under $5, so it's considered a bargain! Less than $5 for 95,000+ words? Quite a deal, hehe! That's pretty close to the length of The Hunger Games, but half the price!)
Be one of the first people to read it- click to get Silence of Souls!
Don't forget to enter the giveaway when you get your copy of Silence of Souls- click here for details!
Plus, check out Kindle Author. Silence of Souls is featured in the bargain book section on the left-hand side of the page! (The price is under $5, so it's considered a bargain! Less than $5 for 95,000+ words? Quite a deal, hehe! That's pretty close to the length of The Hunger Games, but half the price!)
Friday, July 27, 2012
Gift Card Giveaway! Zombies are almost HERE!
If all goes according to plan, I'll be hitting the "Submit for Publication" button tomorrow at 7pm for Silence of Souls! If I'm estimating Amazon's review process correctly, it should be available on August 1st! I'm so excited.
As promised, I'm going to give away prizes to readers. If I sell 500 copies in the first 30 days (August 1st, 12:00am PST to September 1st, 11:59pm PST), I am going to give FIVE readers each a $20 Amazon gift card!
So here's how it's going to work:
1) Take a screenshot of the "Thank you for your purchase of Silence of Souls" page, like this one (or the mobile version, whichever you use):
OR
If you don't know how to take a screenshot, forward the email with the purchase receipt.
2) Include your name (at least first name, please) and how you heard about Silence of Souls.
3) If you "Gift" a copy of Silence of Souls to someone, you can enter that entry into the contest as well. Just be sure to send the screenshot or receipt of any purchase of Silence of Souls to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
Send the entry to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com
On September 2nd, I'll use a random generator to pick five winners. The winners will be announced (first name only) on my blog and will receive an email notification that they have won! (Your email address and all other personal information will not be shared! I will ONLY post your first name!)
If you want your name entered into the drawing more than once, there's a couple of bonus ways you can enter (each one will be one additional entry into the drawing; complete them between August 1st 12:00am PST and September 1st 11:59pm PST)):
1) Tweet about Silence of Souls using the hashtag #silenceofsouls.
2) Share Silence of Souls on Facebook and send a link to the post or a screenshot of it to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
3) This one will be worth TWO additional entires to the drawing: create a cast list! Pretend Silence of Souls is being made into a feature film, and YOU are the Casting Director! Pick the actor or actress you want to see in each role. Cast five or more roles and email your list to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
4) This one will be worth TWO additional entries to the drawing: draw/paint/create a picture of one of the characters from Silence of Souls. Email the photo to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com or post it here!
5) This one will be worth FIVE additional entries into the drawing: post a video of you acting like one of the characters in Silence of Souls! It can be anyone you want, get creative! Email the link to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com or post a link to the video in the comments section on this post.
I'd love to share some of the stuff you send, so please let me know in your email if I have permission to post your cast list, pictures, and/or video on my blog, Facebook, and/or Twitter.
Thank you everyone, and best of luck!!
As promised, I'm going to give away prizes to readers. If I sell 500 copies in the first 30 days (August 1st, 12:00am PST to September 1st, 11:59pm PST), I am going to give FIVE readers each a $20 Amazon gift card!
So here's how it's going to work:
1) Take a screenshot of the "Thank you for your purchase of Silence of Souls" page, like this one (or the mobile version, whichever you use):
OR
If you don't know how to take a screenshot, forward the email with the purchase receipt.
2) Include your name (at least first name, please) and how you heard about Silence of Souls.
3) If you "Gift" a copy of Silence of Souls to someone, you can enter that entry into the contest as well. Just be sure to send the screenshot or receipt of any purchase of Silence of Souls to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
Send the entry to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com
On September 2nd, I'll use a random generator to pick five winners. The winners will be announced (first name only) on my blog and will receive an email notification that they have won! (Your email address and all other personal information will not be shared! I will ONLY post your first name!)
**BONUS ENTRIES**
If you want your name entered into the drawing more than once, there's a couple of bonus ways you can enter (each one will be one additional entry into the drawing; complete them between August 1st 12:00am PST and September 1st 11:59pm PST)):
1) Tweet about Silence of Souls using the hashtag #silenceofsouls.
2) Share Silence of Souls on Facebook and send a link to the post or a screenshot of it to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
3) This one will be worth TWO additional entires to the drawing: create a cast list! Pretend Silence of Souls is being made into a feature film, and YOU are the Casting Director! Pick the actor or actress you want to see in each role. Cast five or more roles and email your list to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
4) This one will be worth TWO additional entries to the drawing: draw/paint/create a picture of one of the characters from Silence of Souls. Email the photo to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com or post it here!
5) This one will be worth FIVE additional entries into the drawing: post a video of you acting like one of the characters in Silence of Souls! It can be anyone you want, get creative! Email the link to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com or post a link to the video in the comments section on this post.
I'd love to share some of the stuff you send, so please let me know in your email if I have permission to post your cast list, pictures, and/or video on my blog, Facebook, and/or Twitter.
Thank you everyone, and best of luck!!
 |
Monday, July 23, 2012
Edjumakashun
Song Lyrics:
1973-
"Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.
Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain.
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today.And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun."
2010- "And I was like baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine."
Movies:
1985- "Back to the Future" is number one in the box office.
2009-2012- More sequels and remakes released than ever before. Films like "Piranha 3DD," "Transformers," and "Battleship" take up space in theaters across the nation.
Books:
1970-1979- The top twenty books of the decade include The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Princess Bride, The Stand, The Exorcist, Interview with the Vampire, Sophie's Choice, and Carrie.
2005- Twilight is the most read book of the year, and tops most of the charts, even though it has plenty of grammatical errors and features a relationship that hints at abuse.
Social:
1990s and before- People wrote letters, went to gatherings, knew their neighbors, and spent a lot of time with others. People knew basic grammar and spelling, and could do simple math in their head with no problem.
2000s- People do most of their socializing online. More than 39% of people say they prefer socializing digitally rather than face to face. It is estimated that 24% of unborn babies have their own FaceBook profile. People type statuses that look like this: "i cant wait 2 go 2 da beach tomarow its gonna b so much fun your gonna b so jelly that u didnt come w/ us!!!!!!!!!!"
Political:
1970s- Most people were able to correctly identify the president, vice president, secretary of state, their congress representative, and knew the majority of issues on the ballots. The majority of voting-age Americans could also explain (even if just basically) how the voting process works, what "veto" means, and what role the electoral college plays in elections.
2012- It was recently found that 34% of Americans of voting age don't know who Joe Biden is (he's the vice president); 60% have no clue who the current secretary of state is (Hillary Rodham Clinton). However, 92% could give the correct answer as to who Angelina Jolie's partner is (Brad Pitt).
1950s-1990s- Education funding and standards higher than ever, and more people are getting educated than the generations before them.
2011- More states cut education and art funding than ever before. Higher education is harder to afford, and student debt for current generations is estimated to last longer than any previous generation; some student loans will take decades to pay off.
Haha, and they say that cutting funding to education and the arts makes no difference to society! Education is crucial to the future of our world and the betterment of humankind. Arts are very important- through art comes innovation, and through innovation comes new invention and advancement. Education and art both bring better understanding of our world, our roles and purpose, and what the human experience is really like.
It hurts my heart when I hear about more cuts to education and the arts. They are critical to the advancement of our species, what sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom, and yet they're discarded as completely disposable. One of the most disturbing things I came across while doing research for this post was the political section. To learn that so few people have even the basic understanding of politics and who is running our country is disheartening- how can we improve if we don't first understand? How can people expect to make the best decision when they go into the polls if they have no idea who they are voting for or how the issues affect them?
Take your education into your own hands. Learn, study, evolve, explore, and never stop doing so.
Self-education is a powerful thing, and can make a huge difference. I know there is an infinite amount of information out there that I don't know, but I always want to learn. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. One question answered often breds three more unanswered questions. We are the future. What we know and what we do with that knowledge will influence our own wellbeing and the generations that come after us.
We can thrive; just don't let go of learning, passion, and the thirst for self-improvement.
1973-
"Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.
Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain.
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today.And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun."
2010- "And I was like baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine."
Movies:
1985- "Back to the Future" is number one in the box office.
2009-2012- More sequels and remakes released than ever before. Films like "Piranha 3DD," "Transformers," and "Battleship" take up space in theaters across the nation.
Books:
1970-1979- The top twenty books of the decade include The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Princess Bride, The Stand, The Exorcist, Interview with the Vampire, Sophie's Choice, and Carrie.
2005- Twilight is the most read book of the year, and tops most of the charts, even though it has plenty of grammatical errors and features a relationship that hints at abuse.
Social:
1990s and before- People wrote letters, went to gatherings, knew their neighbors, and spent a lot of time with others. People knew basic grammar and spelling, and could do simple math in their head with no problem.
2000s- People do most of their socializing online. More than 39% of people say they prefer socializing digitally rather than face to face. It is estimated that 24% of unborn babies have their own FaceBook profile. People type statuses that look like this: "i cant wait 2 go 2 da beach tomarow its gonna b so much fun your gonna b so jelly that u didnt come w/ us!!!!!!!!!!"
Political:
1970s- Most people were able to correctly identify the president, vice president, secretary of state, their congress representative, and knew the majority of issues on the ballots. The majority of voting-age Americans could also explain (even if just basically) how the voting process works, what "veto" means, and what role the electoral college plays in elections.
2012- It was recently found that 34% of Americans of voting age don't know who Joe Biden is (he's the vice president); 60% have no clue who the current secretary of state is (Hillary Rodham Clinton). However, 92% could give the correct answer as to who Angelina Jolie's partner is (Brad Pitt).
1950s-1990s- Education funding and standards higher than ever, and more people are getting educated than the generations before them.
2011- More states cut education and art funding than ever before. Higher education is harder to afford, and student debt for current generations is estimated to last longer than any previous generation; some student loans will take decades to pay off.
Haha, and they say that cutting funding to education and the arts makes no difference to society! Education is crucial to the future of our world and the betterment of humankind. Arts are very important- through art comes innovation, and through innovation comes new invention and advancement. Education and art both bring better understanding of our world, our roles and purpose, and what the human experience is really like.
It hurts my heart when I hear about more cuts to education and the arts. They are critical to the advancement of our species, what sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom, and yet they're discarded as completely disposable. One of the most disturbing things I came across while doing research for this post was the political section. To learn that so few people have even the basic understanding of politics and who is running our country is disheartening- how can we improve if we don't first understand? How can people expect to make the best decision when they go into the polls if they have no idea who they are voting for or how the issues affect them?
Take your education into your own hands. Learn, study, evolve, explore, and never stop doing so.
Self-education is a powerful thing, and can make a huge difference. I know there is an infinite amount of information out there that I don't know, but I always want to learn. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. One question answered often breds three more unanswered questions. We are the future. What we know and what we do with that knowledge will influence our own wellbeing and the generations that come after us.
We can thrive; just don't let go of learning, passion, and the thirst for self-improvement.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
"Silence of Souls" Special Preview
Hello everyone! I'm back from Texas and am getting so close to finishing the novel. As a special treat, I'm giving you all a preview of Silence of Souls. Below the cut, you'll be the first to see the cover and read an excerpt from Chapter 1! I hope you'll like it.
Be aware, you're getting the raw, unedited version here. You might find some typos or errors that need to be fixed, and I assure you I'm working on it to give you the best product I possibly can. This is for your enjoyment, to get a little taste of what's coming soon. This is copyright Stefanie Oberhansley, so please respect my work and don't copy it without giving credit. (Otherwise I won't be able to do special previews like this in the future. However, please DO share the link to the page and invite your friends to come check out this special preview.
The book will be released early August 2012.
Enjoy!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Zombies! Zombie apocalypse!
Lately, I've been spending more time on my computer than anywhere else. The good news is that I've been getting a lot of work done in preparation for the release of Silence of Souls. The bad news is that my eyes have been redder and dryer than ever before.
I can't stop working, it seems. I'll work during the day, then I'll get back on my computer after dinner for "just one quick thing" and it turns in to working until I go to bed. Yesterday, I got up at 5am and drove from Albuquerque, NM to Sachse, TX and was exhausted. I spent the evening with my in-laws and grandparents, playing a game and visiting. Around 11pm, I headed up to go to bed, but when I got in the bedroom I picked up my phone and thought of one quick email I wanted to send before going to sleep, so I laid in bed and started typing. One quick email turned in to checking out a zombie website, doing a little research, and a few other things. I ended up working for two and a half hours before I finally went to sleep a little before 2am.
Then, I dreamed about zombies. For the last week and a half or so, I've had nothing but zombie dreams. It's been horrifying (and in a couple of dreams, pretty funny).
I'm on the last leg of my book. It's coming along so fantastically, but I've been overworking myself to the point of confusion.
The zinger is that I don't want to stop. I'm tired, worn, confused, frustrated, and I love it. I feel like it's really coming together and that my goals are going to be hit.
In five weeks is our annual Beach Blast- a week at the beach with lots of great friends/family/friends-who-are-like-family, too much food and too much booze. It's a lot of fun. My goal right now is to finish and publish before the Beach Blast so I can actually take the week off and recover from writing my novel.
I can't stop working, it seems. I'll work during the day, then I'll get back on my computer after dinner for "just one quick thing" and it turns in to working until I go to bed. Yesterday, I got up at 5am and drove from Albuquerque, NM to Sachse, TX and was exhausted. I spent the evening with my in-laws and grandparents, playing a game and visiting. Around 11pm, I headed up to go to bed, but when I got in the bedroom I picked up my phone and thought of one quick email I wanted to send before going to sleep, so I laid in bed and started typing. One quick email turned in to checking out a zombie website, doing a little research, and a few other things. I ended up working for two and a half hours before I finally went to sleep a little before 2am.
Then, I dreamed about zombies. For the last week and a half or so, I've had nothing but zombie dreams. It's been horrifying (and in a couple of dreams, pretty funny).
I'm on the last leg of my book. It's coming along so fantastically, but I've been overworking myself to the point of confusion.
The zinger is that I don't want to stop. I'm tired, worn, confused, frustrated, and I love it. I feel like it's really coming together and that my goals are going to be hit.
In five weeks is our annual Beach Blast- a week at the beach with lots of great friends/family/friends-who-are-like-family, too much food and too much booze. It's a lot of fun. My goal right now is to finish and publish before the Beach Blast so I can actually take the week off and recover from writing my novel.
Friday, June 8, 2012
On The Road and an Announcement
This seems to be the year of traveling. Between March 2011 and now, I've done more traveling than I did during the entire period of 2006-2011. Alaska, Washington, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado have all been very welcoming to me.
Tomorrow morning I'll be heading out on the road again. This time, it's off to Texas; driving all the way there to deliver a car, and then flying home after a week of visiting relatives. I'm looking forward to it. The plan is to drive all the way to Albuquerque tomorrow, stay the night, then finish the second half of the trip and be in Dallas Sunday evening.
Appropriately, I'm reading a book right now called On The Road. It's by Jack Kerouac, and it's fantastic. It's written in first-person POV, all about this guy Sal who travels across the United States and meets different people along the way. He and his friend Dean and Dean's wife Marylou go through all sorts of places and do lots of different things. I'm loving it, and it really captures the simplicity of driving long distances with little money and how adventurous it can feel.
For me, every trip feels like an adventure. There's always something new to see, interesting people to come across, and places that have such a unique feel to them. I love driving long distances, especially when it's at a leisurely pace and you can stop and take notice of the sights. Even a small town, dusty diner can feel like a whole new world, and each person has a different story. I've come across people who have never actually seen the coast or dipped their feet in the ocean; I've come across people who have done things I could never see myself doing.
If I ever get the chance, I want to spend four weeks on the road, just going wherever the path leads. I think it would be so much fun and such an amazing experience.
If you get a chance, take a road trip and enjoy every moment of it,even especially when you're lost. If you don't get to do that anytime soon, at least read this book:
And now time for a special announcement: I've decided on a title for my zombie novel:
It's coming along very well, and I'm excited that the completion of my novel is just around the corner. The gentleman who is doing my cover has sent me the first draft of it, and I love it. I can't wait for everyone to see it!
Tomorrow morning I'll be heading out on the road again. This time, it's off to Texas; driving all the way there to deliver a car, and then flying home after a week of visiting relatives. I'm looking forward to it. The plan is to drive all the way to Albuquerque tomorrow, stay the night, then finish the second half of the trip and be in Dallas Sunday evening.
Appropriately, I'm reading a book right now called On The Road. It's by Jack Kerouac, and it's fantastic. It's written in first-person POV, all about this guy Sal who travels across the United States and meets different people along the way. He and his friend Dean and Dean's wife Marylou go through all sorts of places and do lots of different things. I'm loving it, and it really captures the simplicity of driving long distances with little money and how adventurous it can feel.
For me, every trip feels like an adventure. There's always something new to see, interesting people to come across, and places that have such a unique feel to them. I love driving long distances, especially when it's at a leisurely pace and you can stop and take notice of the sights. Even a small town, dusty diner can feel like a whole new world, and each person has a different story. I've come across people who have never actually seen the coast or dipped their feet in the ocean; I've come across people who have done things I could never see myself doing.
If I ever get the chance, I want to spend four weeks on the road, just going wherever the path leads. I think it would be so much fun and such an amazing experience.
If you get a chance, take a road trip and enjoy every moment of it,
 | ||
| "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac |
And now time for a special announcement: I've decided on a title for my zombie novel:
"Silence of Souls"
It's coming along very well, and I'm excited that the completion of my novel is just around the corner. The gentleman who is doing my cover has sent me the first draft of it, and I love it. I can't wait for everyone to see it!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
My Blood Approves of the Paranormal Activity that was witnessed by Amanda Palmer & Grand Theft Orchestra
The Internet is so full of potential,but I never thought of it as a two-way thing as much as I do right now. I've always known the power the Internet has for the individual as a receiver of information, but it wasn't until this week that I really began to realize how much reach the individual can have as a giver.
All you readers out there have probably heard of Amanda Hocking, the indie writer from Minnesota who sold a million copies of her work when she self-published on Amazon after years of rejection from publishing companies.
You have probably seen at least one of the films in the Paranormal Activity trilogy, or at least heard of them- they're those "found footage"movies by previously unknown director/writer Oren Peli that beat out records previously held by The Blair Witch Project.
In the last couple of weeks, you may have heard of Amanda Fucking Palmer & Grand Theft Orchestra, who shattered all expectations and goals when their album and tour became the first Kickstarter funded project to receive more than $1million.
So what does Amanda Hocking's books, Oren Peli's movies, and Amanda Palmer's music all have in common? The Internet! All of them used the web to reach out, find fans, and get their work noticed. In past posts on Hocking's blog, you can read about her putting in hours and hours of marketing when she released her books. Peli and his team did a ton of internet marketing in order to get people to demand Paranormal Activity be shown in theaters near them. Palmer and her band spent loads of time Tweeting, blogging, and spreading the word about their album and tour.
Artists of all types- be they writers, film makers, or musicians- have this amazing resource at the tips of their fingers (quite literally), and many are finally starting to harness its power. We can no reach our precise audience, thousands of miles around the globe, at any time of the day or night. You can find a web forum on any topic, from something as broad as "Pet Lovers" to something as specific as "People Who Want To Visit Planet Vulcan for the Sole Purpose of Taking An Elective Class On Historical Technologies of Wild Frog-Bears and How They Were Used To Win The Amphibious Civil War of 2361" and you'll find hundreds of people in them.
But there's another thing all three of them have in common- quality. They put a lot of work and dedication in to creating something they believed in; something that other people would want to read/see/hear.
Do you want to reach an endless amount of people and share your work? There's never been a better time to do so. Before the Internet, artists (writers, film makers, musicians, et al) were limited to who they could connect to via snail mail, having to wait months to hear back, if ever, and more often than not it would be a rejection that came back. The outlook was pretty bleak- send in your work, hope it didn't get lost under the mountains of others who were hoping to be discovered just like you, and hope that the person who could do something about it (producer, publisher, etc) would be willing to take a chance on it. More often than not, it would pass through an intern first, and you'd have to hope they liked it enough to pass along to their boss. Once it got that far, you'd have to hope that the company would be willing to front the money for printing, publishing, production, and marketing. If your project was lucky enough to actually get made, you then had to hope that the right people would walk in to the right stores and go to the right section, see your work, and be intrigued enough to pick it up and buy it. A long shot, for sure. (Did you know that the majority of traditionally published authors make $300 a year? A YEAR!)
With the Internet, it's MUCH easier to get noticed. That is, if you work for it. You need a quality product, something you can be proud of, to put out there. The cost of getting it out there yourself is virtually eliminated because of the Internet. For example, publishing on Amazon does not cost the author a cent, which makes it possible for authors who would never have been discovered to become a best-seller. The downside to this is that it is completely YOUR responsibility to get yourself and your work known because you don't have a marketing team doing it for you. None of the three previously mentioned artists just sat back and *hoped* people would happen to Google the right terms to find their work- they went out and let people know about it! So go, get out there, make something incredible, and let people know about it. And please tell me about it, too- I love indie stuff!
P.S.- If you're looking for some great indie music, check out Hey Geronimo. They have a new song out called "Carbon Affair," and it's free to download. They have a great sound!
All you readers out there have probably heard of Amanda Hocking, the indie writer from Minnesota who sold a million copies of her work when she self-published on Amazon after years of rejection from publishing companies.
You have probably seen at least one of the films in the Paranormal Activity trilogy, or at least heard of them- they're those "found footage"movies by previously unknown director/writer Oren Peli that beat out records previously held by The Blair Witch Project.
In the last couple of weeks, you may have heard of Amanda Fucking Palmer & Grand Theft Orchestra, who shattered all expectations and goals when their album and tour became the first Kickstarter funded project to receive more than $1million.
So what does Amanda Hocking's books, Oren Peli's movies, and Amanda Palmer's music all have in common? The Internet! All of them used the web to reach out, find fans, and get their work noticed. In past posts on Hocking's blog, you can read about her putting in hours and hours of marketing when she released her books. Peli and his team did a ton of internet marketing in order to get people to demand Paranormal Activity be shown in theaters near them. Palmer and her band spent loads of time Tweeting, blogging, and spreading the word about their album and tour.
 |
| "I must tell everyone about my romance novel, Secretary Spread!" |
Artists of all types- be they writers, film makers, or musicians- have this amazing resource at the tips of their fingers (quite literally), and many are finally starting to harness its power. We can no reach our precise audience, thousands of miles around the globe, at any time of the day or night. You can find a web forum on any topic, from something as broad as "Pet Lovers" to something as specific as "People Who Want To Visit Planet Vulcan for the Sole Purpose of Taking An Elective Class On Historical Technologies of Wild Frog-Bears and How They Were Used To Win The Amphibious Civil War of 2361" and you'll find hundreds of people in them.
But there's another thing all three of them have in common- quality. They put a lot of work and dedication in to creating something they believed in; something that other people would want to read/see/hear.
Do you want to reach an endless amount of people and share your work? There's never been a better time to do so. Before the Internet, artists (writers, film makers, musicians, et al) were limited to who they could connect to via snail mail, having to wait months to hear back, if ever, and more often than not it would be a rejection that came back. The outlook was pretty bleak- send in your work, hope it didn't get lost under the mountains of others who were hoping to be discovered just like you, and hope that the person who could do something about it (producer, publisher, etc) would be willing to take a chance on it. More often than not, it would pass through an intern first, and you'd have to hope they liked it enough to pass along to their boss. Once it got that far, you'd have to hope that the company would be willing to front the money for printing, publishing, production, and marketing. If your project was lucky enough to actually get made, you then had to hope that the right people would walk in to the right stores and go to the right section, see your work, and be intrigued enough to pick it up and buy it. A long shot, for sure. (Did you know that the majority of traditionally published authors make $300 a year? A YEAR!)
With the Internet, it's MUCH easier to get noticed. That is, if you work for it. You need a quality product, something you can be proud of, to put out there. The cost of getting it out there yourself is virtually eliminated because of the Internet. For example, publishing on Amazon does not cost the author a cent, which makes it possible for authors who would never have been discovered to become a best-seller. The downside to this is that it is completely YOUR responsibility to get yourself and your work known because you don't have a marketing team doing it for you. None of the three previously mentioned artists just sat back and *hoped* people would happen to Google the right terms to find their work- they went out and let people know about it! So go, get out there, make something incredible, and let people know about it. And please tell me about it, too- I love indie stuff!
P.S.- If you're looking for some great indie music, check out Hey Geronimo. They have a new song out called "Carbon Affair," and it's free to download. They have a great sound!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Knowing Your Place
Everyone always says that if you want to get well-known you need to have an angle, a niche, and a brand. In the acting word, they talk a lot about "type" and finding roles based on that particular character or personality.
Writing is the same, it seems. People find one genre or a set of similar genres that they fall into and can write about and build a following around that.
Some say once you find your place and build a foundation on it, then you can branch out to different subjects and new types to make yourself versatile.
I've never been sure on whether or not I wanted to go that route. It seems like a lot of people who create a place for themselves have a difficult time breaking out of it. For example, Adam Sandler is known for his over-the-top-often-annoyingly-loud characters and sometimes crude and off the wall humor. When he did Punch Drunk Love, it flopped. People hated it. They weren't used to seeing Adam Sandler in a drama, and because of the expectations they had of him being funny, they had a hard time seeing in a serious role. Robin Williams is similar- people have grown to love him for his comedy, so when he does a serious role people don't like it as much, even though he has a tremendous talent for drama. But if he hadn't become known for his comedies, he probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to do the dramas.
Could you imagine if Stephen King suddenly decided to write romance books similar to the works of Nicholas Sparks? I don't think his readers would know what to do.
If you're looking for fame, I think you need to almost always find a "type" and use that to create a fandom for yourself. Frankly, some people are just looking to get famous in any way they possibly can- they don't care about what it is they're doing, they just want the following. That's fine; to each his own, but that's not for me- I don't want to be famous just to be famous: I want to have something I'mgood great at, something I can pass down to future generations and inspire them to create something even better.
Realizing that all my best ideas are in a genre I would have never consciously picked for myself made me question where I think I'm going with this. Do I want to be a horror/thriller writer? How hard will it be for me to break out of it in the future? I'm not sure, really. I don't want to always write horror- I've got adventure, fantasy, romance, and sci-fi ideas that I would love to develop into fruition.
It's also had me asking myself what I want in the long run- do I want fame? The honest answer is that I have no clue whether or not I want to be famous. The upside to fame would be having an influence and being able to bring awareness of important issues to fans, but the downside would be losing some privacy, having the pressure to live up to what's expected of you on a much grander scale than most, and being open to criticism (often not constructive) from so many more people. I'm just not sure I'd want that, really.
What I would like, ultimately, is to be able to write stories that entertain and inspire people. I want to make people think about themselves and the world around them, ask themselves about who they are and what they would do in certain situations, and create places for people to escape to when they need a break from reality. And I'd love to make a living doing it, so I could do it all the time.
I admire Johnny Depp- he is entirely devoted to his craft and his family, but never wanted fame. Often he seems to detest his celebrity. It wasn't something he ever wanted, and because of his devotion to acting, it just happened. Some people are like that, and I've met a few of them. Those are the people who are so good at what they do that you know they're going to be famous whether they plan to or not.
So what's my type? Where's my niche? Right now, it seems to be horror/thriller. After that, who knows. My goal is to create great characters with depth, interesting conflicts, and the best story I can. I don't care if I get famous or rich or neither because of it; I just want to be the best me I can.
P.S.- My Amazon Author Page has been updated.
Writing is the same, it seems. People find one genre or a set of similar genres that they fall into and can write about and build a following around that.
Some say once you find your place and build a foundation on it, then you can branch out to different subjects and new types to make yourself versatile.
I've never been sure on whether or not I wanted to go that route. It seems like a lot of people who create a place for themselves have a difficult time breaking out of it. For example, Adam Sandler is known for his over-the-top-often-annoyingly-loud characters and sometimes crude and off the wall humor. When he did Punch Drunk Love, it flopped. People hated it. They weren't used to seeing Adam Sandler in a drama, and because of the expectations they had of him being funny, they had a hard time seeing in a serious role. Robin Williams is similar- people have grown to love him for his comedy, so when he does a serious role people don't like it as much, even though he has a tremendous talent for drama. But if he hadn't become known for his comedies, he probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to do the dramas.
Could you imagine if Stephen King suddenly decided to write romance books similar to the works of Nicholas Sparks? I don't think his readers would know what to do.
If you're looking for fame, I think you need to almost always find a "type" and use that to create a fandom for yourself. Frankly, some people are just looking to get famous in any way they possibly can- they don't care about what it is they're doing, they just want the following. That's fine; to each his own, but that's not for me- I don't want to be famous just to be famous: I want to have something I'm
Realizing that all my best ideas are in a genre I would have never consciously picked for myself made me question where I think I'm going with this. Do I want to be a horror/thriller writer? How hard will it be for me to break out of it in the future? I'm not sure, really. I don't want to always write horror- I've got adventure, fantasy, romance, and sci-fi ideas that I would love to develop into fruition.
It's also had me asking myself what I want in the long run- do I want fame? The honest answer is that I have no clue whether or not I want to be famous. The upside to fame would be having an influence and being able to bring awareness of important issues to fans, but the downside would be losing some privacy, having the pressure to live up to what's expected of you on a much grander scale than most, and being open to criticism (often not constructive) from so many more people. I'm just not sure I'd want that, really.
What I would like, ultimately, is to be able to write stories that entertain and inspire people. I want to make people think about themselves and the world around them, ask themselves about who they are and what they would do in certain situations, and create places for people to escape to when they need a break from reality. And I'd love to make a living doing it, so I could do it all the time.
I admire Johnny Depp- he is entirely devoted to his craft and his family, but never wanted fame. Often he seems to detest his celebrity. It wasn't something he ever wanted, and because of his devotion to acting, it just happened. Some people are like that, and I've met a few of them. Those are the people who are so good at what they do that you know they're going to be famous whether they plan to or not.
So what's my type? Where's my niche? Right now, it seems to be horror/thriller. After that, who knows. My goal is to create great characters with depth, interesting conflicts, and the best story I can. I don't care if I get famous or rich or neither because of it; I just want to be the best me I can.
P.S.- My Amazon Author Page has been updated.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Positive Results Breed Positive Motivation
When I first published The Secret Room, it was an amazing feeling to see so many people downloading and reading my work. During the first five days it was available, I put it on a free promotion in order to get the word out about it and I had about 1,800 people download it in the five-day span. Right now on this promo it's at 572 downloads, in just the first day!
When Shadows in the Window went up, I put it on a free promotion for its first five days, just like I did with The Secret Room. It sold around 1,200 copies during that time. In this promo's first day, it's already at 313 downloads!
Since it is a holiday weekend and many are off for 3 days, I decided to put both books on a free promo since Amazon gave me a few more promotion days to use. The Secret Room and Shadows in the Window both went up for free a little after midnight this morning. Now, they are currently BOTH in the Top 100 in Kindle's Horror section! Shadows in the Window is #67 and The Secret Room is #6! Having one book in the Top 100 is amazing enough, but to have TWO is completely indescribable!
I'd love to have this keep going, and if any of you would be willing to share the links to my books on your blog, FaceBook (check out the brand-new author page), Twitter (I'm @smober on Twitter), or anywhere else I would be most appreciative!
This has been such motivation for me to work more and work harder on my zombie novel. It's getting closer to completion, and I'm loving how it's flowing! Some of what's happened has even surprised me- certain elements and events just come organically when writing, seemingly out of nowhere. When that happens, I just let it come and see where it goes- if I don't like it, then I can change it, but most of the time when it "just comes to me" it seems to work much better than when I try to force something.
Even though it is a three-day weekend and most people are off, I'm spending my time writing my novel. I didn't get a chance to do any work on it on Thursday or Friday, so I've made this a work weekend. I love writing, and I'm so inspired based on what The Secret Room and Shadows in the Window are doing right now that I wouldn't want to be doing something other than writing! I am getting close to picking a title, and Danny already has some ideas for the cover. You'll all be able to read it very soon!
Maybe this will sound corny, but sometimes the story just takes you away and even though it's coming from your imagination, you're hanging on to the edge of your seat waiting to see what develops. Writing is a thrill!
When Shadows in the Window went up, I put it on a free promotion for its first five days, just like I did with The Secret Room. It sold around 1,200 copies during that time. In this promo's first day, it's already at 313 downloads!
Since it is a holiday weekend and many are off for 3 days, I decided to put both books on a free promo since Amazon gave me a few more promotion days to use. The Secret Room and Shadows in the Window both went up for free a little after midnight this morning. Now, they are currently BOTH in the Top 100 in Kindle's Horror section! Shadows in the Window is #67 and The Secret Room is #6! Having one book in the Top 100 is amazing enough, but to have TWO is completely indescribable!
I'd love to have this keep going, and if any of you would be willing to share the links to my books on your blog, FaceBook (check out the brand-new author page), Twitter (I'm @smober on Twitter), or anywhere else I would be most appreciative!
This has been such motivation for me to work more and work harder on my zombie novel. It's getting closer to completion, and I'm loving how it's flowing! Some of what's happened has even surprised me- certain elements and events just come organically when writing, seemingly out of nowhere. When that happens, I just let it come and see where it goes- if I don't like it, then I can change it, but most of the time when it "just comes to me" it seems to work much better than when I try to force something.
Even though it is a three-day weekend and most people are off, I'm spending my time writing my novel. I didn't get a chance to do any work on it on Thursday or Friday, so I've made this a work weekend. I love writing, and I'm so inspired based on what The Secret Room and Shadows in the Window are doing right now that I wouldn't want to be doing something other than writing! I am getting close to picking a title, and Danny already has some ideas for the cover. You'll all be able to read it very soon!
Maybe this will sound corny, but sometimes the story just takes you away and even though it's coming from your imagination, you're hanging on to the edge of your seat waiting to see what develops. Writing is a thrill!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Author Spotlight and Writing for Me
Some exciting news- I'm being featured in the "Local Author Spotlight" in my hometown's literary newsletter for this coming quarter! The issue will be released in April and feature a photo of me, my bio, what inspires me to write, a description of my available works (The Secret Room, Shadows in the Window, and Silent Outbursts) as well as my upcoming releases! I may even being doing "An Evening With The Author" at the library where people can come and ask me about my works, my process, and anything else they want. I'll be the first self-published eBook author (there have been other self-published authors, but never for eBooks) and I'm sure people will be asking me about the process of publishing digitally. They will also be featuring my book (in digital format) in the library and promoting my work.
This may not be so exciting to others, but I think it's pretty cool. :)
My zombie novel is flowing very well, and I'm even surprising myself with some elements of the story. I had anticipated it would be a short novel, around 30,000-35,000 words, but I'm already at 26,000 words and only about 25% through the story, so I think it's going to be a longer novel. I'm aiming to keep it under 100,000 words or right around there because I don't want it to be too terribly long. But when it comes down to it, I need to tell the story and tell it well, regardless of word count.
I'm getting a little nervous about releasing my zombie novel. There's a lot of zombie stuff out there, and while mine doesn't redefine the genre, I think it's unique enough to stand out. I just need to make sure I give ample time for editing- I'm planning to devote 80 hours myself, maybe more if I have the time, and recruit a few volunteers to read/review/point out mistakes before I publish it.
Based on reviews I've read of other zombie novels, I think people will generally either totally love or absolutely hate my work- not many seem to be in the middle when it comes to zombies. Ultimately, though, I write for myself and those who love to read my stories, not the overbearingly harsh critics.
This may not be so exciting to others, but I think it's pretty cool. :)
My zombie novel is flowing very well, and I'm even surprising myself with some elements of the story. I had anticipated it would be a short novel, around 30,000-35,000 words, but I'm already at 26,000 words and only about 25% through the story, so I think it's going to be a longer novel. I'm aiming to keep it under 100,000 words or right around there because I don't want it to be too terribly long. But when it comes down to it, I need to tell the story and tell it well, regardless of word count.
I'm getting a little nervous about releasing my zombie novel. There's a lot of zombie stuff out there, and while mine doesn't redefine the genre, I think it's unique enough to stand out. I just need to make sure I give ample time for editing- I'm planning to devote 80 hours myself, maybe more if I have the time, and recruit a few volunteers to read/review/point out mistakes before I publish it.
Based on reviews I've read of other zombie novels, I think people will generally either totally love or absolutely hate my work- not many seem to be in the middle when it comes to zombies. Ultimately, though, I write for myself and those who love to read my stories, not the overbearingly harsh critics.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Peppermint tea and a peaceful playlist
We don't always realize when life's pivotal moments will come. Sometimes we don't even know they've happened until they're already over.
I feel like the last year or so has been leading up to this week; or that the last several years have been leading up to these few months. It's hard to describe- like something magical is about to happen, but I get to decide whether or not it happens. I feel like I'm in control of my destiny, and yet I feel like the fact that the future is entirely unknown is exciting. Just sitting here thinking about it has my adrenaline rushing, in a good way. Like my spirit has been awoken and my soul has been renewed, but I don't even know why.
It's hard for me to admit this, but I'm pretty certain I had depression. I say "pretty certain" because I was never officially diagnosed since I didn't have health insurance to see a doctor, but several people who are close to me said that they believe that's what I was suffering from. I did a lot of reading and found out that I had all but one of the symptoms (according to Depression for Dummies, I had probably been suffering from it for years). It was at it's worst a few months ago, and I had thoughts about myself that I will never repeat.
But now, I feel alive again. I've been reflecting on this as I drink one of my new favorites, peppermint tea, and listening to a great playlist. I feel like I've been sitting in a dark room and I finally figured out where the light switch is, letting brightness in. I feel like I'm ready to let go of my past mistakes (there's a lot of them, but we don't need to go into detail right now) and move on. I think I'm so ready for the future, and excited to just let myself be happy being me.
I have a feeling that 2012 is going to be my year. I intend to release three or four more books, including my memoir, before the end of the year (and at this rate, probably more). I also feel that this year I'm going to reach my goal weight and learn how to dance (yay, more to blog about). Last but not least, I want to start acting professionally again (I miss it so much- I did a Solo show in December, but it's been almost a year since I've performed in something I didn't write). There's no reason why I can't be a WRITER and an ACTRESS! Both are such deep-rooted passions of mine, and both fulfill me endlessly. I'm focusing on writing right now so I can finally start paying my bills again, but once I get the ball really rolling on that, I'm getting back into acting again too.
So here's to the good times, and to the bad times that make the good times shine that much brighter. <3
I feel like the last year or so has been leading up to this week; or that the last several years have been leading up to these few months. It's hard to describe- like something magical is about to happen, but I get to decide whether or not it happens. I feel like I'm in control of my destiny, and yet I feel like the fact that the future is entirely unknown is exciting. Just sitting here thinking about it has my adrenaline rushing, in a good way. Like my spirit has been awoken and my soul has been renewed, but I don't even know why.
It's hard for me to admit this, but I'm pretty certain I had depression. I say "pretty certain" because I was never officially diagnosed since I didn't have health insurance to see a doctor, but several people who are close to me said that they believe that's what I was suffering from. I did a lot of reading and found out that I had all but one of the symptoms (according to Depression for Dummies, I had probably been suffering from it for years). It was at it's worst a few months ago, and I had thoughts about myself that I will never repeat.
But now, I feel alive again. I've been reflecting on this as I drink one of my new favorites, peppermint tea, and listening to a great playlist. I feel like I've been sitting in a dark room and I finally figured out where the light switch is, letting brightness in. I feel like I'm ready to let go of my past mistakes (there's a lot of them, but we don't need to go into detail right now) and move on. I think I'm so ready for the future, and excited to just let myself be happy being me.
I have a feeling that 2012 is going to be my year. I intend to release three or four more books, including my memoir, before the end of the year (and at this rate, probably more). I also feel that this year I'm going to reach my goal weight and learn how to dance (yay, more to blog about). Last but not least, I want to start acting professionally again (I miss it so much- I did a Solo show in December, but it's been almost a year since I've performed in something I didn't write). There's no reason why I can't be a WRITER and an ACTRESS! Both are such deep-rooted passions of mine, and both fulfill me endlessly. I'm focusing on writing right now so I can finally start paying my bills again, but once I get the ball really rolling on that, I'm getting back into acting again too.
So here's to the good times, and to the bad times that make the good times shine that much brighter. <3
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Return of the undead!
Did you see the Walking Dead mid-season premiere? What did you think?
I've been reading the comics-- oops, I mean, graphic novels- the television show is quite different from the original books, but I'm sure they'll add in more elements from thecomics graphic novels as the series goes on.
I'm not sure how I feel about my zombie novel at the moment. I have the whole thing visualized in my head, and I like it, but when I actually write it I feel it might not be coming out as I pictured it. I'm pushing through to the end, then I'll go back and make changes. I'm aiming to have it up by April, if it's done and at a level of quality I'm satisfied with.
By no means am I reinventing the genre, but I think I have a story that is original enough to get some readers. There's similarities to other zombie works, of course, but the similarities go across nearly every piece of zombie fiction I've ever read or seen. (A virus, an outbreak, losing control, etc.) My main character is a woman- a mother, actually. She's not a bad-ass like in most other zombie works, but she finds a strength she didn't know she had. As the story evolves, it seems like the group of people she's with become more of central characters than side characters. Kind of like "The Walking Dead"- Rick starts out as the main character, and slowly we see more and more of the other characters come into focus. I like it that way, and I hope others will too.
A wrote a sentence yesterday that I think encompasses the entire meaning I hope to give through the story. It's not even in a full scene yet- just a note I made about a scene I want to write down the line.
Remember Kevin, the guy who was writing a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days? Well, he finished it! It came out to a little more than 50,000 words. I'm currently reading it now, and this will definitely be one you'll all want to read!
I've been reading the comics-- oops, I mean, graphic novels- the television show is quite different from the original books, but I'm sure they'll add in more elements from the
I'm not sure how I feel about my zombie novel at the moment. I have the whole thing visualized in my head, and I like it, but when I actually write it I feel it might not be coming out as I pictured it. I'm pushing through to the end, then I'll go back and make changes. I'm aiming to have it up by April, if it's done and at a level of quality I'm satisfied with.
By no means am I reinventing the genre, but I think I have a story that is original enough to get some readers. There's similarities to other zombie works, of course, but the similarities go across nearly every piece of zombie fiction I've ever read or seen. (A virus, an outbreak, losing control, etc.) My main character is a woman- a mother, actually. She's not a bad-ass like in most other zombie works, but she finds a strength she didn't know she had. As the story evolves, it seems like the group of people she's with become more of central characters than side characters. Kind of like "The Walking Dead"- Rick starts out as the main character, and slowly we see more and more of the other characters come into focus. I like it that way, and I hope others will too.
A wrote a sentence yesterday that I think encompasses the entire meaning I hope to give through the story. It's not even in a full scene yet- just a note I made about a scene I want to write down the line.
Remember Kevin, the guy who was writing a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days? Well, he finished it! It came out to a little more than 50,000 words. I'm currently reading it now, and this will definitely be one you'll all want to read!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
To you, I say- THANK YOU!!!
Today will probably be a bit of an emotional day. The Aungst family, a family my family has known for more than a decade (and this family is like family to us- proof that family doesn't always mean blood relative) is moving to another state. This afternoon is the going-away gathering for them. We're not calling it a "Goodbye Party," but a "See-Ya-Later Party" because we know that this is hardly goodbye. Even a state away, they'll never be able to get rid of us. ;)
It's interesting about family and the friends who become like family- they're always the ones who have seen you during your most embarrassing state, your darkest hour, and your worst moment, and yet they stick around unconditionally to help you celebrate the good times, laugh with each other, and join in on life's highest moments. Family isn't defined by blood, really. Family is defined by love, support, and encouragement. I'm super-blessed for the family I have, both the blood relatives and the friends who became like family. I'm super-blessed to have the friends I have, too. Without all those people in my life, I know I wouldn't be the person I am today. They've help me find the best in me, even when I didn't believe it was there.
And speaking of support and love, I can't begin to tell you how amazed and flattered I am. Shadows in the Window is doing so well, and I am just so grateful! Thank you to all of you (even if you haven't downloaded it yet) for the support, encouragement, and enthusiasm you all so graciously offer. You are the ones I write for! To my family, my friends, my future friends, my future family members, my readers, and everyone else- thank you, endlessly, from the greatest and most beautiful depths of my heart. Truly, without you I wouldn't be on this amazing path, and I am so grateful to get to share the journey with you all!
So now, for a little update on Shadows in the Window- Last night, I reported it was ranking #773 in Free in the Kindle Store, and #29 in the Horror genre. Here's this morning's numbers:
That's right! Can you believe those numbers?? It's #401 in Kindle Free, and #12 in Horror! I also got an amazing review:
I'm really really hoping to see Shadows in the Window reach the top 100 before the free sale is over. Can you help, please? Just share the link with someone you know likes to read- tell your mother, brother, father, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, friends, classmates, phlebotomist, swim coach, boss, coworker, favorite teller at the bank, the telemarketer who interrupts your dinner tonight, your dog, cat, zookeeper, bartender, pastor, and anyone else you can think of!
Don't have a Kindle? You can still read the book for free: click here.
Just a forewarning: as the review says, this book is not recommended for children. I'd say PG-13. Parents, if your kid wants to read it, maybe you should read it first: you're the best judge for your child.
Again, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I can't thank you all enough!!! You've made me so incredibly happy! :-D :-D :-D
It's interesting about family and the friends who become like family- they're always the ones who have seen you during your most embarrassing state, your darkest hour, and your worst moment, and yet they stick around unconditionally to help you celebrate the good times, laugh with each other, and join in on life's highest moments. Family isn't defined by blood, really. Family is defined by love, support, and encouragement. I'm super-blessed for the family I have, both the blood relatives and the friends who became like family. I'm super-blessed to have the friends I have, too. Without all those people in my life, I know I wouldn't be the person I am today. They've help me find the best in me, even when I didn't believe it was there.
And speaking of support and love, I can't begin to tell you how amazed and flattered I am. Shadows in the Window is doing so well, and I am just so grateful! Thank you to all of you (even if you haven't downloaded it yet) for the support, encouragement, and enthusiasm you all so graciously offer. You are the ones I write for! To my family, my friends, my future friends, my future family members, my readers, and everyone else- thank you, endlessly, from the greatest and most beautiful depths of my heart. Truly, without you I wouldn't be on this amazing path, and I am so grateful to get to share the journey with you all!
So now, for a little update on Shadows in the Window- Last night, I reported it was ranking #773 in Free in the Kindle Store, and #29 in the Horror genre. Here's this morning's numbers:
 |
| click to enlarge |
I'm really really hoping to see Shadows in the Window reach the top 100 before the free sale is over. Can you help, please? Just share the link with someone you know likes to read- tell your mother, brother, father, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, friends, classmates, phlebotomist, swim coach, boss, coworker, favorite teller at the bank, the telemarketer who interrupts your dinner tonight, your dog, cat, zookeeper, bartender, pastor, and anyone else you can think of!
Don't have a Kindle? You can still read the book for free: click here.
Just a forewarning: as the review says, this book is not recommended for children. I'd say PG-13. Parents, if your kid wants to read it, maybe you should read it first: you're the best judge for your child.
Again, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I can't thank you all enough!!! You've made me so incredibly happy! :-D :-D :-D
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