For those of you who are new to my journey. This trailer proves that I am progressing as an author(check previous trailer). I'm still new, but my stories are rich. I pray you will continue to support me on my journey. Check out previous blogs, learn more about me and I love to learn about you. I held a survey asking readers to choose my next book title, later it will be survey for book cover and so on. As for now a majority of votes asking for Mask of the Millions. There is still time to vote but make it soon. I do not want to keep anyone waiting. Except for the sequel of Six Years Black!
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Attention! If you have not watched this movie, please check it out. The idea behind Rooks of the Raven sparked from this movie. Of course, I put my own twist within my debut novel. Or you can read Rooks and unravel its story first. I encourage you to try the prologue for Rooks and make a judgment call for what truly happened to Abel's mute mother.
12 Years a slave synopsis: Solomon Northup is a free man who was tricked and then sold into slavery. His ability to play violin and wits makes him shine and captivates his surrounding. Solomon is forced into beating another slave by striking her with a whip. He tries to escape to freedom with a letter stating his identity, however, he does not know who he can trust. Solomon finally reunites with his family after 12 years passed. His kids grown, an unforgivable mistreatment causing him to miss his family life. See if you can find some similarities between Abel, from Rooks of the Raven, and Solomon. Have you ever thought "huh, I could have written a better movie script or book?" Do you feel like you could be the next best fantasy writer or maybe horror? Maybe you think you can write the next children's series like Clifford the Big Red Dog. Do you have a completed manuscript and do not know the next steps?
Before I started I wanted to pursue traditional publishing. Before I say more allow me to explain the different types of choices. The big three: Traditional, vanity, and self-publishing. I'm a self-publish author because of SPS. read below to know about the SPS the group that helped me achieve my goals! Traditional publishing. Writers send a copy of their manuscript to editors or agents. Wait 2-4 weeks minimum for an acceptance or rejection letter. Rejection letters are straightforward, but if you happen to get accepted then you make a deal. Traditional publishing is where most writers want to achieve but not all want that route. Also, keep in mind, the slot for acceptance is slim. For every 100 writers, only 5-10 might get accepted. Traditional publishing also includes a contract. Both author and publisher sign a deal for X amount of cash plus the authors receive a royalty payment. Self-Publishing is a practical choice and smooth process if you follow my steps. Self-publishing is you engaging in everything that it takes from writing, publishing, and finally marketing. Basically writers can upload their works to Amazon or sell from home. I realize this sounds daunting. Self-publishers write and market their own products. I'll explain more below. Vanity Press is you pay a publishing company to print your book. I do not encourage this route for many reasons. The number one being you pay let's say $2,000. Vanity will take your money and print books for you but after that, it's up to you to sell. Vanity presses will edit and make your cover. If you are not a well-known house name it just becomes a scam short term and long term. I do not want you to be stuck with 1,000 copies of unsold books in your living space or storage area. Then again you could be an awesome marketer and sell everything. If that screams you, then by all mean this choice works wonders. The route I choose from aspiring author to author is self-publishing. My backstory is I did look up vanity presses. Vanity publishing at first glance through a non-experience viewpoint does same legit but it's not the best option. Realistically it doesn't work well all the time. Yes, these publishers may do all the work for you and you probably thinking that's good because you have no idea how to print books or get them on shelves. I also did try traditional publishing. I wanted to be the next J.K Rowling, author of Harry Potter. This route is also easy but the waiting for acceptance letter is not for me. But to be more realistic I went through several rejections letter myself. You will hear many other big names books were rejected on many occasions. I came to a realization that I wanted my work out there and didn't want to wait. Personally, I do things on my own anyway so this fits my personality. However, I realized I cannot do everything on my own. I later discover this wonderful group of writers who are fulling their goals. I met many non-fiction writers, fictional writers, self-help books, children's books and much more. The group I am in is call Self-Publishing School(SPS). Within this group I learn all the process, now I can write a great story, I can publish my own books, and I and everyone learns to market. marketing your work never stops. SPS provides step by step instructions from the beginning stages of crafting a novel. From outlining your ideas, writing, publishing, and marketing. With this group I devour the knowledge they bestow upon me and now I can do everything. Before, the whole process was scary believe me i felt the intense pressure but now its relatively easier. I want to encourage you to choose the path that is right for you. If you have money to spend then go for vanity, then you can just focus on writing. If you have time to spare then go with traditional publishing. If you want to try self-publish then please contact me and sign up for SPS. There will be a discount if you sign up with me. Self Publishing School will answer any questions you may have, we help publish each other works on Amazon so it makes your book visible to the right audience. Don't let your passion flicker, ignite it! How do you think your daily grind is? Do you know there are multiple ways of making money, living better, fewer struggles? Allow me to enlighten your focus on what passive income is.
Passive vs. Active Incomes Active income is what most people know about and of course what most are doing and will continuously do until retirement. Are you tired of working all the time? At some point in life do you ever feel like this is a routine, nothing changes, work becomes a burden? Active income, you clock in and get paid for your labor, always active. If you don't show up for work does your check stay the same? Of course not, active meaning consistent effort. As much as your job loves you or your enthusiasm they will not pay if your a no show. Passive income is work you do once and get paid for it consistently. Make sure its something that suits your passion, skill-sets, or experience. An example is what I do, I write. I invest money, time, and labor in my passion but once its done and my books are published that passion grows. It increases over time. Passive income will change your daily grind making life fresh again. Wonder how the rich are living so lavishly? And some of them can make millions in seconds without lifting a finger? Once you do that work your money grows as you sleep, playing games, or heck even on vacation. Doesn't that sound pleasing? Always have 2-3 incomes. You can have two active jobs but try a side hustle of passive income. Even if its small amount that is still dollars being made while you are lounging around. Keep in mind the daily grind people boast about or simply believe is working is a tad bit far-fetch. There will always be a deadline on payday. There will always be a deadline for bills. Maybe one active job and one passive that way you have a consistent salary. Even if your passive side hustle generates $100 a month. Is that not more than what you had before? The way I see it passive income will always top active. Find your balance and persevere. Investing is another good idea. Find your talent and find a good market. Just google different types of active income and you will find something that fits your passion! Titles: Eden Origins: Novel Epic fantasy Bully of the Nation: unknown Threads of Destiny: Mask of the Millions: action/crime/general short story Love that is Greater>: short story Personally I'm leaning towards Eden Origins or Mask of the Millions. I have a solid plot for both. Don't allow that to persuade your vote. However "Love that is Greater>" sounding like another emotional roller coaster of defeat and victory. http://a.co/65v911K
*Its free on 8/12/18* If you like to check it out sooner click on the link provided. Synopsis: Take a breath. Now close your eyes. Imagine you are engulf in darkness. Your front door opens but you never know who walked in. You hide under your bed, then a voice on the phone ushers four frightening words. "Do you have her?" Syble Green first home was her sanctuary. Her mom new career advancement made them move to the city. To heal the family woes the mother surprises her husband who is equally as hurt by the move with a trip to an art exhibit. After the lovely evening, they drive home. A car collision occurs. That day Syble lost more than one girl should. Many years later now living a new life, one without sight. Her mother eventually puts a malicious man behind bars. Before the trial, she received threatening messages stating what will happen if she continued. I'm not going to sit here and tell you life is manageable or I'm used to being blind. There is no fabric of truth woven in that statement. *Short passage from the story below I pose for a moment then do a silly little jive. I faintly hear the front door shut. Mom’s home! I continue dancing and mute singing. I flip my hair with excitement. I like to believe I’m an exceptional dancer. The TV goes off. I wonder why she turns it off so I begin to step out. I feel my soul pulling back the words ‘mom is that you?’ She would have called for me by now, she would have scream my name over whatever show is on. I stop myself at my door and wait for her call. I hear the floor squeak coming from the kitchen. I wonder if it is one of my family members stopping by. Again, they would have also called my name. We have a system. This feeling that is swelling... My heart dives with worry and floats with fear. The tips of my fingers are wet. I hear movement around the apartment. The steps are tentative but determined. I cannot tell if it’s male or female. The clatter of dishes chokes me with a petrifying thought, IT'S DEFINITELY NOT MOM! The footsteps grow farther away. I cannot calm myself. My heart’s pounding. Calm down. Calm down. The person that broke in hasn't said anything. My bedroom door is partially open. Do I close it or leave it like it is? If I should make a mistake they might overhear. Since I cannot hear the stranger’s footsteps that means they are walking on the carpet, which only means one thing they are getting closer. I forget about the door and crawl under my bed. God, please, please help me. My bed sheets hang off the sides like bangs so I’m concealed. I hear mom’s door closing after they spent some time in there. My door squeaks like a trapped rodent. I bite my lips. Where are they? I cannot inhale through my nose correctly, I jerk my head to the right after hearing the squeaky toy go off. I didn't hear a thing I thought they stood still the whole time. Knowing my room, I can visualize where they are standing. I scrape to my left. I gulp with utter despair. “Bzz, Bzzz, Bzzz” Now or never...my heart pounds. Now or never? If I stay under here maybe they will leave. I experience an asthma-like attack. I scoot to the back like my life depended on it. The atmosphere is indescribable. His phone goes off again. After the third ring, he answers this time. “Do you have her?” The person in the room does not talk back. The defeating sound is close to me. My stomach drops and I hide my face inside Mom hat. My breath draws shorter. I freeze in glacier-like fear, contemplating on running. I'm a lot closer to my door than he is. I can make it. What's that, my heart pounding? NO. It’s breathing, I can't just stay. I push through. Immovable objects meet my unstoppable force. Stupidly I decide to run. The stranger is silent. For a brief second I could make a life-altering decision. Head for the outside door would be the safest bet. I see the table in my head. Wait, is this smart? What if I hide in Mom’s room? I could lock the doors, that would be faster; maybe safer? I have plenty of time. Or should I run for the door! I could go outside and yell for help. But will I be fast enough? This decision is impossible. I...I… I should lock myself in Mom’s room, my chest is breathing. I...I...I should run for the door and call for help. Her room is a lot closer. What if he just breaks down her door? Door...Her room. Door….door...no lock myself in. Run...lock, call for help, Mom’s room. Door, door? No wait “Run! Syble” I hear this powerful whisper in my head, one that was not my own. I grab something then I dart for the door. The strangers breathing is ferocious. "Come here" he knocks me over. I get up. I kick in his direction with all my might. I run again. He shoves me this time causing me to fall. I start to scoot for the door. His shoes are between my legs. His fingers are touching my left arm crawling up both shoulders. He squeezes with intent of not letting go. I break my right arm free. I'm just about pulling my left out its socket. I pull closer to the center of the couch. His fingers then grab me by the chin "Stop" is all he said. I stop for a second and he eases up. I smash the glass cup on his head. His painful grunts are my proof as he releases my other arm. It falls out my hand. I couldn't pick myself up so I crawl towards the noise. A sharp pain strikes my palm while crawling. "Ahhh" I dust off fear and pick myself up. The door. I crack it open. The way I see it guys. We have to always think 5 moves ahead.
The excuse of "oh I don't have enough time" has to stop. Make time...Life does get busy but if you could sacrifice maybe an hour of your TV time, then do it. Do something productive before you decide to take a nap. For example, read my book(lol) but in all seriousness, I find that I nap better after I know I did something to earn it. When it comes to writing there are two types of authors. Pantser vs Planner. A planner straightforward, its someone who writes an outline of any kind before diving into the stories dialogues. Pantser writes as they please, they just go for it. Personally, I'm a Pantser and this why I admire a strategic game of chess. When I write minimum to no organization for a plot. I always think 10 moves ahead, several chapters ahead. I'm beginning to understand my role, I see that I am a valuable piece, I just pray you see that in yourselves. KINGS & QUEENS! G.O.9 This is a little intro to my music life. Hey, guys just wanted to show you my music side. When I'm not writing my novels this is another passion of mines. I always have to keep my tools sharpen. Everything you do takes practice. -Jack of all trades- Look at my twitter...
Y'all started from the bottom? Well, I started at the origins. Brothers and Sisters we are descendants of the apes. It's a planet of the apes. Shed a little light on a dark past. Last night another vision came to me. A person skin just a template, but the minds are the true outlines. Read between the lines, redefine a new shape. I asked God to edit out the hate. Damn, I wish I could give some people extra plates. You know add couple weight. Treat other as a temple damn, I used to relate now I reside within the states. Sometimes I feel like Muhammad Ali I'm great. I'm back swinging round two. However, I'm not fighting for my own desires. They cage our ancestor like a zoo. Taught them how to build a city. I mean sure it looked pretty but what a city without its committee? There Mother Nature, Father Time, The Franchise a virus, the yin and yang in a crisis. If permitted allow me to shed another light. Fetty took me back in time I saw my kinfolks. Asked about the scratches where their skin showed. They said mistakes cast by the white oak. I witness this girl, young of nine, never had a privilege to wine. She rather bite her tongue before getting struck at the spine. Shit, our lives intertwine, Her mother, she stood for the family, made a wrong turn clockwise. It wasn't her fault just prayed at the wrong shrine. I saw her neck get engross. The girl lips did the most. She said I just wanted to hold mama close, girl of nine eyes rooted at the rope. Though faint, she knew what the world was. She bleed father please! Didn't matter if the day is ravishing. The mother soon to be. She whispers to the girl of nine, don't rebel savagely everything going to...Cliffhanger Girl of nine bit her tongue, she blinks, her heart tainted by those selfish with knowledge of ink. Their fears, damn those tears took me to the brink. I'm lost in my notions, like a bottle in the ocean. G.O.9-GOD(Girl of Nine) watches from above. Stay bless guys! This just a small piece. let me know what you think. I only show this post again because I want everyone to understand how proud this moment was for me. I out rank The Help and The Color Purple! There is only one factor that will propel your life the way you want it, and that is you. Even for a second this was a blessing from above!
For those who don't know these two power house of historical fiction let me change the names around. This is major goals for me, say I wrote a fantasy book. Say I out rank Harry Potter for a day, or for even a second it takes to to refresh the browser or even Chronicles of Narnia. This was the moment I realized I was a published author. From aspiring to self published, I took matters in my own hands and anyone can do the same. If you need help along the way, then humbly ask for it. Or even Imagine I wrote another genre and for a second, just a second I outranked The Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby, or Lord of the Flies for my old schools. I was just a young child from Liberia. I couldn't even tell you left from right, I couldn't even ask for a new pair of shoes. The word opportunity, success, hopes, and dreams ceased to exist. Its crazy when I first came to the states I couldn't even tell you what snow was, let alone never experienced cold or even failure for that matter. To experience failure you would have to know what success is. The reason I say this is, back then I never held a pen to write my tale. but what I CAN tell you is, strive for what you want, accomplish your goals. Be the author of your own destiny... Ever see a human pick a fight with Hercules? Well, I would raise my hand but I skipped to Zeus. The competitors I have are nothing short of fantastic. But hey, do you see me sweating? Actually, I could use a comrade on this journey. My destiny is to be an author and much more, whats yours? I cannot battle these other top rank novels on my own. Thanks for listening! Have a blessed day. *** Rooks of the Raven Hardback is Available now!!** Follow link for a chance to win a free hardback! Giveaway ends in a week. There will be 2 lucky winner! https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/880d86f99431d595 I am forever grateful to this book blogger Aimee Ann! This interview meant the world to me. Its one thing for me to seek out somebody. On another scale of higher magnitude it special to have an unknown person reach out to me and say "hey I like this book, can I interview you." My experience with her will never be forgotten. All it takes is one person and one share. Thanks again, Aimee Ann! Click link above for authors spotlight. Click link below for my book review.
Within an author spotlight I answer questions from Aimee such as why I wrote this book, any advice for aspiring authors, which I was not too long ago, and much more. (Please check it out with a cherry on top) |
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