Today was one of those writing days where nothing you put out makes any sense. Sure, it all sounds good in your head but then you get it out on paper and as you read it back to yourself you wonder what in the world you were thinking and just where in the hell that came from. But even still, you know (or at least hope) that one day it will all make perfect sense-just not today.

I questioned what Mumford and Sons (it’s who I was listening to), the title of this post and the quote above has to do with what I’m trying to say. Then I realized that the answer was everything and nothing at all.

Since I’m still only inclined to write about love (because really what else is there?!?) I thought that instead of making you gag myself I’d share something from someone who says it a trillion times more eloquently than I ever could. And oh number 5…well, I’m pretty certain it says it best.

“When you speak, write or create, you act like it’s your job to make mind-blowing, passionate love to whatever idea it is that drives the project you’re working on at the time.”

Check out this little piece of brilliance: 10 things I love about you.  I hope it makes you smile too and/or gag just a little…it’s good for you.

I could write about books or book tours or book sales…or any number of things, I guess. But the only thing I’m truly inclined to write about is love. Love. Love. LOVE. I’m so happy these days, over the moon, really. Summer is absolutely my favorite time of year. It has always been the time when I’m most myself…if that makes any sense. Anyway, I’ll spare you (just a little) and write about kindness and acts of service instead. I posted this on my personal FB profile and thought I’d share here, too.

This year there was one safety patrol kid in particular at my sons elementary school who was my favorite. Every time my car landed in his spot and he opened or closed the car door for my son, I felt like we lucked out. Always smiling, he just had the best energy. It didn’t matter if it was the crack of dawn or afternoon, rain or shine, cold or hot…the kid was happy to see you. I embarrassed my kids by acting foolish on the days we lucked out and for always telling the boy he was my favorite safety patrol. Today, as he was leaving the school (no longer on duty, they passed the baton) he tapped on my window to tell me goodbye- he’s moving on to middle school. Long story short…sometimes it’s the small gestures that make our days special. They all add up and our lives become a sum of them. You never know how or when someone will make your days a little sweeter by their acts of service. Maybe it’s silly… but that kid was an inspiration to me daily. I hope my foolishness let him know as much.

If you follow me over on FB, you may have seen this post…

Have you ever worked with someone on something and found that person to be so amazing that you felt it was divine intervention (or kismet) that the two of met?!? THAT is exactly how I feel right now and I can’t wait to share what’s coming. P.S. Sorry…I myself kind of hate stay tuned type posts and I’m in no way trying to do that- I was more or less just saying how grateful I am to have found exactly the right, talented person. Kismet or divine intervention or whatever…well, it rocks. 

I was speaking of Lisa of Pixel Pixie Designs. I was introduced to Lisa via an email I received from Goodreads which featured several posts from an author chat in their forums. I had a very specific idea in mind of what I wanted in a book trailer for Bedrock…I just wasn’t sure how to implement it…so I sort of gave up on having one done. Then came Lisa. Immediately after writing her and receiving her response I knew I wanted to work with her. And she proved to be every bit as amazing as I thought she would be. Normally, I don’t read these emails so it’s pretty awesome that I did that day.

Anyway, check it out…

P.S. This video contains mature adult content and is NSFW or children.

I just want to take the time to say thank you to each of you for being so supportive. After my last post, I felt it was important to say as much; to let you know that I appreciate you and didn’t lose sight of the fact that for the few negative responses I’ve received, I’ve gotten ten times as many good ones. And it’s always been important to me to see the good, even when things aren’t necessarily peachy. Find the good. And focus on IT. Because there is so, so much good.

Everyday, I’m in awe of all of the amazingness being sent my way. I really truly appreciate each and every one of you who read here, each of you who’ve spent your hard earned money purchasing Bedrock. To those of you who’ve told your friends, entered giveaways, and especially all of you who’ve taken the time to write reviews, email me, message me, and leave notes on my FB page saying how much you enjoyed reading my work, it means the world to me. THANK YOU.

And….to answer to the one question I’m most often asked these days: YES, there will be a sequel. You’ll hear more from Addie and William; and see how all of the characters (and their relationships) evolve and play out.

In other book related news: all giveaway winners have just been notified via email. Thank you to all who took the time to enter. Congrats to Debbie C., Vickie M., Jane B., Kelli G., Kristen S., Wendy G. and Robin B.

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” – Gilbert Keith Chesterton

I’ve thought a pretty good deal about whether or not to post this….because in general I don’t believe in shedding light on negativity. The last thing I want is to add fuel to the fire. That said, I also believe that it’s important to set a precedent on how you expect to be treated. In the end, I thought about my children and how I’d want them to react if someone were treating them badly. And I’d hope that they would have the courage to not only stand up for themselves… but also for what they believe in. -B

This past week the world of author land (via the web) has been a relatively negative one. Which makes me pretty sad- because as a general rule I try and stay away from negativity and drama. But there are a few things in particular that I did want to address: I received my first few pieces of hate (e)mail. I’m not going to rehash or share what was said here…because in my opinion that would lend credence to it. I will say that it’s a waste of time sending me mean emails because I really don’t pay attention to what (hateful) people think of me. If one wants to send helpful critique… then by all means. Yes, my novel is dark (and some would even say twisted) which is why I’ve added a warning label- just about everywhere possible. It isn’t required reading material and as a consumer all major retailers have fairly generous return policies. As a writer, I stand behind my story. I do not read or respond to people writing for the sake of being mean.

Which brings me to the fire storm of press that author M. Leighton has received this week for taking her novel down because a few people couldn’t handle its dark content. I’m not inclined to judge this author or her motivations for un-publishing her work. I don’t know her but I can relate (a little) to how she feels. Putting yourself out there is inviting people to judge you. And it takes a certain type of grit not to give a shit- especially when their judgement is not in your favor. The thing about email, social media, and the internet is that it gives people a certain power. You can say (write) what you think while for the most part remaining anonymous. And because of this there are a whole crop of assholes out there just looking for an opportunity to utilize their newly found power. They say things they would never say to your face as though wielding a sword, waiting to stab the first thing that moves. It’s crazy. It’s the not funny- kind of funny. It’s sad. And yet their audience thrives on it. They feed on the drama of it all. As for me, I decided not to pay attention to it. I do however pay close attention to the energy I surround myself with- and it’s my belief that once you draw a line in the sand and let people know that you won’t tolerate their bad behavior… they get bored. And they do what bullies do… they move on to their next target.

So what I would say to M. Leighton (if she were a friend) is this: taking down your work but only after telling everyone it will be gone forever within the next two days…is going to seem a little bit overly dramatic to the general public. They will see it as a publicity stunt and one way you propelled yourself into the top 100. Unfortunately, there will surely be backlash in that, too. And it’s a choice you’ll likely regret. Because in the long run you’re letting your critics win. You’ll come to find for the very reasons that people wrote to say that they hated the book, will be the exact same reasons others love it. Either way, this decision as a writer is a personal one that is yours to make. And truthfully, it really isn’t right for me or anyone else to debate it. But don’t let temporary defeat stop you from doing what you love. Get back to writing. And chin up, girl. Chin UP.

“I don’t have time, energy, or interest in hating the haters; I’m too busy loving the lovers.” ― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sharing my work with you guys. More than that I love sharing books with readers. So…. I think it’s time for another giveaway. And because I missed last week this one is bigger and better.

ENTER HERE —->  a Rafflecopter giveaway

MOBILE USERS ENTER HERE: http://bit.ly/10PjlGE

Please consider sharing this Giveaway: http://bit.ly/10PjlGE

Also, a GINORMOUS thank you to each and every one of you for supporting me and bearing witness to my shenanigans. I heart you.

P.S. For all of you overachievers there is also a giveaway going on over on Goodreads.

Please note that I am using the honor system. I absolutely LOVE giving away free books to fans and sharing my work. That said, giveaways cost authors time and money so please do play fair and be trustworthy when entering.

Recently, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about myself as a writer, my novel Bedrock and what it’s all about. So…I thought I’d share the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions here.

1. What is Bedrock about? Who should read it and who shouldn’t?

First of all, you can find the synopsis here. Ultimately, though Bedrock is a story of love, loss, hanging on, and surviving in spite of the odds. While I’d like to say that everyone should read Bedrock, that is simply not the case. For starters, this novel isn’t for those under the age of eighteen. It isn’t for those looking for a light and fluffy (beach) read. Because Bedrock deals with dark subject matter…if you tend to see life as black and white, right or wrong, then Bedrock may evoke strong emotions thus making it not the best choice.

All that said, if you appreciate a love story full of twists and (shocking?) turns and don’t mind the darker side of romance, sexuality, or profanity then you may want to take a peak. You can download the first few chapters for free on all major retailers.

2. Is Bedrock about you?

Ha! I get this one a lot. No, Bedrock is a fictional story. Although, there are a few characteristics within each character (especially Addison) that I share.

3. How long did it take you to write the novel?

About three months. There are a lot of things (so, so many) that have to happen when you publish as an indie author, so while the actual writing took about 12 weeks the entire process took about six months. Or ten years if one were to ask my husband…

4. Why did you write a this story?

Well…I wanted to write a story that would provide a nice escape from domestic life.

I read a lot and I tend to choose books because they provide a respite from the realities of day-to-day life. They take me to another time, another place, and make me contemplate life. Most of these books, Fifty Shades of Grey being one of them tell the story of a young girl just starting out in life. With Bedrock I wanted to tell a story that featured a character whom I could relate to, one who is in a similar stage of life. In this case, the protagonist, Addison is married with young children. When she finds herself in a situation that she didn’t see coming she has to make choices. However, unlike the younger characters in my favorite books, Addison has a family (and responsibilities) so these choices affect not only her, but those she loves most in the world.

Psychology, our collective experiences, and what motivates us a human beings has always fascinated me. How we see the world and how it affects the choices we make is something I think about often. In addition, I like characters who are relatable and flawed.

5. Bedrock has been compared to Fifty Shades of Grey. How do you feel about that? And Why did you include BDSM?

Well…I mean who could possibly complain about being compared to 50 Shades?!? Just look at its success. BUT it does worry me some. Or a lot, actually.

Yes, Bedrock and 50 Shades are similar in that they both contain BDSM and violence. This worries me because these ingredients evoke strong feelings in readers. It REALLY worries me because while I love 50 Shades…I did not feel that it accurately portrayed BDSM. When writing Bedrock I did a lot of research into the world of BDSM. In 50 Shades, BDSM was sexualized where traditionally BDSM is not intended for sexual purposes or satisfaction. In 50 Shades it was more about a young couple experimenting and thus the comparison concerns me. For example, if a reader is picking up Bedrock expecting a light, fluffy read about a young couple experimenting with bondage and domination yet in turn reads a darker story (that is so much more than that) then they are likely to be disappointed. I guess what I am trying to say is that it may be more than the reader bargained for.

Why so dark? Hmmm. Stories of breaking one psychologically (such as what happens with POW’s) have always been interesting to me. What is even more interesting is the survival instinct that lies within us all. And the great capacity we have to love and be loved. So while I wouldn’t say that Bedrock is a happy beach read- it is in many ways a story of survival and hope.

6. Your reviews have been pretty good thus far. What’s next?

Yes, the reviews have been overwhelmingly good. But there are those who’ve read Bedrock and said it’s just not for them. I completely respect that. In addition, there have been a few book bloggers that have made the decision not to read or review the story because it contains infidelity. I can only hope that thanks to the success of the recent release of The Great Gatsby that they may eventually come around. Anyhow, I understand that the subject matter is not for everyone and I want to be upfront about that.

As for what’s next, I’m currently working on the sequel to Bedrock which is tentatively scheduled to release in September or October. While Bedrock was originally intended to be a stand alone…in the end I felt there was more we needed to hear from these characters, that their story was far from over. I also have a third novel in the works for early 2014.

7. Where can I buy your novel?

I get this question regularly via Facebook and it’s always a little flattering and plenty embarrassing (what kind of marketer am I anyway?:) when people ask me this. You can find Bedrock on Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords and at BookPeople.

If you’re cheap...or you know someone who is then it’s definitely fate that you stumbled upon this post. =) Do you like free books? Good! Because today is Giveaway Friday. I have two giveaways going on today. One over at Goodreads. Enter here.  And one on my Facebook page. If I can get to 400 likes on my author page by midnight tonight I will select 5 people from the page at random and give them a copy of Bedrock in ebook form.  Click here to enter and “like” if you haven’t already. Oh and please, please, please share. Seriously. I mean…pretty please with a cherry on top.

Now, I know that those of you number cruncher types out there (God love you) may be saying: “Wait a minute! Isn’t the point of writing a book to actually sell the book?!?” That’s what my husband says, anyway. But hey, what he doesn’t know won’t kill him. Kidding, only kidding.

Happy Friday, ya’ll!

P.S. The GR giveway is for the paperback version. FB is ebook version. You may enter both. 

First of all, this post is not flash fiction. I sort of lied. The truth is I needed something to label “flash fiction” because that’s what I’m scheduled to post tomorrow. Instead, what I’m actually going to write has been weighing on my mind and thus I decided to share it. While it’s not “flash fiction” I can’t tell you how much I wish it was. Sometimes, I just want to be a normal girl from a normal family. But I’m not. I never have been. Maybe, just maybe “normal” is overrated, anyway.

Earlier today in another writers forum a fellow blogger posed a question about how much to share in regards to something personal she is going through. This was my response: The thing about writing is that there will always be people who love and people who hate. I think when we speak from an honest place that we naturally draw the audience that is meant for us. I, too, struggle with how much to share about my childhood and my brothers death. That said, I know there are others out there who would appreciate hearing that someone else is going through something similar. Sometimes it’s good to lend a voice to those who don’t have one. Hope that helps some. Hugs.

Last week I had a session with a creativity/life coach who is a part of my women’s network. One thing she pulled out of me, and yes I mean it when I say pulled out of me, was that one of my goals in my “career” as a writer is to be a voice for those who have none. To let others know that they are not alone. We all go through things in life that make us who we are. And we shouldn’t feel bad about that. We shouldn’t feel ashamed. The coach called this leadership. Perhaps she’s right, but I like to think of it as ownership. Yes, things have happened to me in my life that are horrible, things that I’m not proud of…and maybe the same is true for you, too. But we have a choice. We have a say in the matter. We are not the sum of our circumstances.

As far as writing books goes, I want my readers to know me. I want my platform to stand for more than just pimping out books. I want it to mean something. Which is why I promise to write honestly. I promise to write characters, like I have with Bedrock that are real. Characters who are relatable, far from perfect, deeper than surface level, and who make mistakes. Characters who face situations where the odds are stacked against them but who still manage to come out on top. Even if just barely.

Now for the non-fiction, flash fiction. Which is just a small part of my story….

The Stranger On The Side of The Road.

I drive by, slowly tapping the brake as the man catches my eye. Although he doesn’t look my way, I know he sees me. I can feel it. That’s what happens when you’re connected with someone on a cellular level, isn’t it? You sense their presence, even if you don’t see them. He’s spotted me first and so he avoids looking in my direction. His clothes are worn and hang off of him. It’s cold out and I wonder to myself if he’s taking care of himself. This man has no one. And worse, I think he prefers it that way. I ponder this thought for a moment: when you have no one, who takes care of you? I slow down just a little thinking maybe he’ll look my way so that I can pull over and offer him a ride. Sometimes he does. Sometimes, I pull over anyway. But he doesn’t this time. So I drive on by and my heart sinks a little. The man on the side of the road is my father. And he’s a stranger. I mean.. I know who he is. And he knows me. But we don’t really know each other. His mother (my Nannie) raised me and from time to time he would come and live with us. Always like a roommate. Never like a dad. In fact, I don’t even call him Dad. When my Grandma died two months ago I gave him her van. Partly because I wanted him to be taken care of… now that she’s gone. Because she’s no longer here to do it. I know that she always worried about that. But the truth of it all and an added bonus was that I no longer have to worry about seeing this particular stranger walking on the side of the road.