True Life and Fiction

I awoke this morning to a layer of frost covering my front lawn. "This is writing weather," I thought, and promptly sat down at the computer to write. Unfortunately, I chose the wrong computer--the one with the Internet connection. Before long I was surfing like crazy, checking out all the haps on facebook, twitter, email, my publishing site. Didn't get much writing done. I sometimes get inspired to write during changes in the weather. If it is a dark and stormy night (no pun intended) I am likely inspired to write something dark and sinister. Or, if I am already engaged in a long-term project, my writing tends to darken from the atmospheric influence. What about the rest of you writers out there. Does weather have an influence on how or what you write? Do come up with strange new ideas in times of unique or abnormal weather?

My new Novel "Lovestruck Succubus" has climbed all the way to number five on Smashwords.com bestseller (Novel) list and holding at number two in the genre novel listing. Please help my work climb to number one at smashwords before it is release at all major ebook outlets including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Ipad ibooks by downloading your FREE copy now in any format your computer or reader may support. Just use the "buy" option and use this code for your FREE copy: QD37X Please consider leaving a review after reading if you would like. It would help me out and help my new novel climb a little higher on the charts before its debut on the major outlets. Also, you can earn 50% of my royalties by becoming an affiliate marketer of my book. Several folks have already made more than $2.20 for each one of my books sold through their link. Yes, I am willing to share half of my royalties to those helping to sell my book on Smashwords and drive it up the charts. Thi

Daleville Dan awoke in the morn on that warm thanksgiving day His sheets were soaked, his brow was wet his 'lectric bill, he forgot to pay He went to the fridge in search of some viddles But the milk had turned to whey That's ok, said with a smile The turkey's defrosted, and I like my beer warm anyway After spending the day drinking warm beer and now holdin' the turkey over the fryer He said, "Y'all watch this" as he quickly dropped the bird and started a big 'ole grease fire "Now that's a faar, he said nervously as the flames lapped at his home and before the fire trucks could come his single-wide had turned all ash and loam When the police arrived the firemen explained, "It's just like Dan's luck And through it all Daleville Dan was thankful The flames never reached his truck. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I'm sure we all have many things to be thankful of.

Since I've recently become an "indie" author-a decision I may later rejoice in, or regret-I've undergone a crash-course in social promotion and self-marketing. There are many opportunities for the indie author. Although, I believe that, first and foremost, one should concentrate on writing a quality story that is free of grammatical errors and plot holes. I must say this now, before I discuss marketing opportunities, that I had the help of an outstanding editor and new friend-Tammy Parks. I must give her mention here because, even after reading through my own work eight times, yes EIGHT times, she still found typos and spelling errors or missing words. All I can say is: "She must have some kind of enhanced vision and spidey-sense the way she found all these." Anyway, here's some of the things I've done in the first week after publication to foster and awareness of my book and increase sales. The first thing I did was post the news on my blog

I've got this thing about hair and alcohol. Okay, not so much with the alcohol, although I have had just a few binge moments throughout my life. I was looking back through some old photos recently and found that I could track my development through the evolution of my hair length. It seems I've been alternating between somewhat long, and extremely short hair all my life. This first picture is of me sitting in the front yard reaching for the beer. What a great start to life. I don't know who was offering me the beer. It started out fairly normal. I sported the average hairstyle of the day back in 1966. You know, parted on the side, with a little whoop-di-do in the front. Then, by 1969, my hair was all gone. The only thing I can figure is that it was summertime when the photo was taken. That's me sitting next to my cousin, Paula. I'm the one with the multi-directional stripe-thing going on. By the very next year, my hair was right back to that side-parted styl

Ok, time for the announcement. The project I've been working on most of this year is now available for your reading pleasure. You can find it here . Use code:  QD37X Yes, this is the story of the Demon Succubus ousted from her clan for attempting to keep men alive long enough to develop a relationship with them. Unfortunately, her needs always trump her desires and she soon finds herself in the sights of a local police detective. The detective may be the only man able to survive her, but he has a secret of his own. Remember, this story is for adults and contains erotic elements, so adults only. If you follow the link, you can read 50% of the book for free. If you would like to get the whole thing for free (download in all available formats) than go through the "buy" process and use this coupon code: QD37X (not case sensitive.) All I ask is that you might consider leaving a starred review with comments after reading. If you prefer to download from a mainstream sit

I know that many of you out there stay very busy with work and writing, or anything else that takes up most of the day. But, I implore you to consider taking on the additional task of occasionally critiquing or reviewing the work of others. I used to absolutely hate (read HATE) taking on the task of reading someone's work critically. But, after basically being forced to take on such work in order to have my own work evaluated, I found that there is much to be learned from this activity. I've learned more about my own writing by reading the work of others than I could have learn in three lifetimes on my own. I've learned what I, or many other readers, like and dislike--even when I cannot say, with any real authority, why. I've learned how to express my thoughts in a realistic and positive manner. I've developed a thick skin and a realistic view of my own talent. Most of all, I feel like I have learned how to write better by helping others write better. What I'

OK, the few votes are in, and I'm guessin' that most of you preferred cover concept number three. Below, I've posted an updated version of the cover. So, tell me what you think. Does this capture your attention? If you saw this cover, would you be prompted to give the blurb a read - look inside? On the right, I've posted the same picture in a smaller version so you might see what it would look like on your electronic reader, or online with Barnes & Noble or Amazon. What are your thoughts? Intrigued? For the few folks participating in the beta-reading of this project, you'll know that the main character's eyes are a luminescent green with a thin band of gold ringing the outside. I hope this depicts that, although I wanted to make the eyes just a little more luminescent for the cover. Oh, and by the way, The evening skyline in the foreground is of Midtown Atlanta. The building behind the building on the left is the Atlanta Four Season's Hotel. My

Presented for your opinion. Three slightly different cover concepts for my WIP nearing completion. Which of these would most grab your attention, number one, two, or three? 1. 2. 3. As you can see, the basic elements are the same. I want to have a woman's face superimposed into the Atlanta skyline. Specifically, the Four Season's Hotel depicted in all three concepts. Also, keep in mind that these are covers in concept only. They were all done by me to get an idea for what kind of feel the cover might have. The one other thing that I would like to have that is not currently shown is the woman on each cover will have luminescent green eyes ringed in gold. So, Tell me. Which one of these covers, if any, would most entice you to look a little closer and read the blurb for the story? I personally like the third one best ... but don't let that sway your decision. Oh, and that author name shown? That's the pen name I use for my more adult projects and experimen

Y ou might notice a new little gadget down there on the lower right part of this blog. Yes folks, I've now connected this blog to network blogs on facebook. Problem is, I managed to get the widget stuck on my blog page, but now I'm thinking the only thing I've done is follow myself. Please hit the follow button on this if you want to follow me with facebook. I hope it works. Hopefully, I'll figure out how to work this thing sooner or later.

This is just a friendly reminder for all of you American citizens out there that voting is, in fact, a privilege. Tomorrow marks another election cycle in our nation. One of the great things about living in America is our ability to control our own destiny by voting for those that can represent us as best as possible, and serve as a means to that end. So, I urge all of you to get out there tomorrow and VOTE! It does not matter where your political convictions lye or what others say. That, my friends, is the great thing about this country. I can mix with associates with differing political and ideological beliefs, and still keep them as friends. One does not suffer the threat of death for expressing their political beliefs, or even voting for that matter, in this country. Sure, we have accusations of voter fraud, and one may have to shuffle past Black Panther members or the Tea Party Express to get to the polls, but they are not trying to shoot you on your way to the polls. Iraq