Consumer Power, Author Responsibility & Why Book Reviews MATTER

January 4, 2016October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

I had planned a post on writing reviews this week; however, Kristin Lamb had a post out today that was superb. So, no sense in reinventing the wheel. Not only does she provide valuable insights into reviews and their importance to authors, but give us some cautionary truths, as well. Take it away, Kristin.

Kristen Lamb's Blog

Too many choices!

We’ve had an eventful week or so with my last couple of unplanned posts. In all fairness, I did expect to get some knickers in a twist (which I did) with my post Pay the Writer. As a quick recap, I love used bookstores. They get a lot more of my money than I like to admit *looks up number to 12 Step Sponsor*

You don’t understand. Half Price Books has books ZEN DOODLES. No frigging idea what those are…just that I need some.

I’m not against “discovering” an author there.

But writers? If we promote used bookstores, make sure to remind readers you don’t get paid that way. Discovery must serve a purpose. Exposure must have the follow-up to be effective.

Because if you don’t ever make any money, you have to go work retail. If you work retail, one day you will be asked one too many stupid…

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The Truth About New Year’s Resolutions and Our Do-over-list

January 1, 2016October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 11 Comments

Resolutions – “The firm decision to do or not do something.”

Aw, New Year’s Resolutions – that time of year when everyone takes a step back, looks at all they did or did not accomplish and makes a list to do better, starting day one of the new year. I for one hate New Year’s Resolutions.

No matter my good intentions, I never fulfill them. I start out with enthusiasm and gusto, just like everyone else, but by the end of the first month, I’ve already marked one from my list. By three months, two more have fallen by the wayside, and by the sixth month, I’ve crumpled the list and thrown it in the trash.

As much as we all want a do-over and that’s what New Year‘s resolutions are – an attempt to do-over the things we botched last year. The truth is, life rarely grants us a do-over; it is what it is. We do the best we can each day. Sometimes we screw up and sometimes we knock it out of the park; that’s life. If we’re smart, we learn from our experiences and move forward.

“I did then what I knew best, when I knew better, I did better.” Mayo Angelo

If you made New Year’s resolutions – good for you. I hope you achieve every goal on your list. For me, I’ll put one step in front of the other, take a deep breath, and move forward. After all, as long as we’re moving forward, we are accomplishing things, making an impact, and living life. That’s all any of us can ask of ourselves.

To all of you, I wish only the best for you and may we all move forward in 2016. What about you? Did you make resolutions for the New Year?

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter @sheilagood, and Contently.

The Reason Behind the Season

December 19, 2015November 19, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 10 Comments

Christmas Day is less than a week away. It’s a time for family, swapping gifts, enjoying a banquet of food, and reflecting. In the midst of this joyful time, our country is in tumult and many families are suffering loss. Hate, division, and fear are rampant. People feel disheartened and distrustful of each other. We are bearing witness, like it or not, to a low point in our nation’s history. But, all is not lost.

As we gather around the tree and banquet table this Christmas with our families, let us not forget the real reason for the season, the birth of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks to God for the good things in our lives. Lift up in prayer those brave men and women in uniform, who with their sacrifice, keep us safe. Remember the less fortunate, the troubled, those who are mourning, hurting and in despair and extend our hearts and hands to our fellow man.

We all want to be better people, better writers, parents, and citizens. My prayer for all of us, this Christmas season, is we shall succeed. As I look back on the year and plan ahead for the next, I realize I have many things left to say.

To my family, I love you; you make me a better person and to all you, my readers and friends, I am a richer person because you graced my life.

May we never forget the real reason for Christmas, a season of love, hope, and redemption, for all of us.

Thank you for stopping by the Cow Pasture, and I wish for you and your family a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilagood, and Contently.

Finding Time to Write in the Midst of Christmas Madness

December 18, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

How do you find time for writing when you’re knee deep in wrapping paper and eggnog? Not an easy task, I’ll admit, especially if you’ve added a bit of spice. Okay, I confess, I hate eggnog, even the spiced kind. I prefer wine with my wrapping.

Between the middle of October and January 2nd, finding time dedicated, specifically, to write is like chasing ghosts on Halloween. Like the ghosts, time slips right through our fingers, especially during the Christmas season.

So, in the midst of the madness, here are my tips on how to find that elusive time to write.

Change your expectations. This is a big one for me. Every time I think I’ve set aside time to write, something or someone intervenes. It’s usually my retired husband, but that’s another topic.
Keep a notebook or pad with you. I find if I don’t write those sudden flashes of inspiration down when they come, they’re gone. Memory these days is as elusive as time.
Get up early. I’m an early riser. By the time 5:30 AM rolls around I’m up and having a cup of coffee. Those hours when, even, the birds are still asleep are some of my most productive.
Stay up late. Even 30 minutes makes a difference. The only problem I’ve found with the late hour, is staying up too long, but sometimes you have to follow the character.
Plan ahead and make a to-do list. I’m talking about the Christmas menu, shopping, baking, wrapping, decorating and house chores. Making lists will help prioritize and free up spaces of time you can use to write. In addition, plan blog posts or other writing assignments ahead of time and schedule them to go out during the season. I’ve always relied on lists and at this time of year, having one is essential to my mental health.
Think outside of the box. Instead of spending hours wrapping presents, have the store wrap them or do as I did. Buy decorative boxes and gift bags. They are beautiful and take a lot less time.
Utilize short spurts of time. At home I leave my laptop open to my current project and in between tasks, I write. I may only have 5 minutes or 30, but it’s surprising how many words one can write in a short spurt of time.
Give time to your family. This may sound counterproductive, however, the Christmas season is a special time for families. It’s the one time of year, I think we should be willing to plan ahead, lay our pens down, extend our arms, and give full attention to our loved ones.

To all my readers and fellow bloggers, I wish for you, time to write, and a very Merry Christmas.

I’d love to hear your comments. Tell me your story. And as always, you can find me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Contently, and Twitter@sheilagood. Say hello and pass it on.