My first television interview

Hey gang.  It's been a while since I've posted.  I've been busy traveling and doing photography for my next nonfiction book as well as starting my first trilogy.  I will be updating later to post about the cool abandoned places I've traveled to recently, but first my interview with Rep. Mario Scavello came out.

To hear my interview on my book "The Word of Mouth Guide to the Poconos" please click here and it's the first video (as of this date) entitled "Legislative Report with Rep. Mario Scavello, RE: Meeting with Local Authors."
I hope all of my fellow writers are doing well on their books.  I'd love to hear about anyone else's progress.

Best wishes,
Kelly.

TV Interview and book relations

This morning I had my first television interview to advertise my book "The Word of Mouth Guide to the Poconos" with Rep. Mario Scavello.  I got to talk about the history of the Poconos starting with the luxury hotels that burned down to the celebrities that lived or visited the area.  I got to discuss the haunted places including East Stroudsburg University and the Stroud Mall.  And I learned new things about the area in the process.

I'll try to post a link when it comes on.

Until then, you can read some of my free stuff on my website

Like me on facebook

Also, follow me on twitter 

Or check out the seven books I have currently available online and on kindle at amazon

Expanding your repertoire

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be write horror stories.  It wasn't until writing my first non-fiction book that I came to the conclusion that I like other writing avenues.  So I had an epiphany.  I can write both.  Until I figure out what I want to do with my life, I have decided I'm going to spend more time traveling.  Now my idea of traveling is going to abandoned sites, taking ghost tours and visiting cemeteries.  I decided I could take some pictures and at the very least, blog about those experiences.  It may or may not result in a book or two but it will give me a new outlet for writing.


I have also decided to take Stephen Kings advice (See his book 'On Writing') and start reading horror literary magazines.  And meanwhile, I'll write some more short stories or structured poetry and see what, if anything, will be a good fit.

Free book promotion

This month I'm starting a few different book promotions on amazon to increase exposure as well as reward any one who wants to read but doesn't want to fork over the money.  First up is a chance to read my book for free.  From now until Wed, you can download my book on kindle (or a kindle app on any I-Pad or tablet) for free.  Click here to download.

Rejection

Part of being a writer is dealing with rejection.  You cannot take it personally.  Most publishers admit in Writer's Market that it often does not reflect the writing.  Going through the publishers, a lot of them only publish two or three books a year.  And they can hundreds of manuscripts daily so a lot of writers will get rejected.  There are lists of how many famous authors had multiple rejections, some of them even by hundreds of publishers.

I just got rejected by two agents.  And I've had multiple short stories I've submitted to magazines that have been rejected.  But I keep trying.  I keep submitting.  I keep writing.  As should anyone who wants to be a serious writer.

Another Book Published

Case Closed - Another day and another book.  This 25-year-old has a completed novel that she is shopping around and is spending time researching and writing her first non-fiction book about her local area of the Poconos.  I put my book on witches on the side burner for now.  I have four books published.  One completed.  And another two that I have started.

The reason?  Writing is my passion.  I somehow graduated college with honors and maintained a part-time job for the past seven years, but I made time for my craft.

If you truly want to write, you'll find a way.  I always here people tell me they can't believe I finished a book and they don't have the time to work on theirs.  To be an author, one must make time.  You have to dedicate yourself to the process.  Even if it's not necessarily the same book.  I have written poems that I have submitted to magazines.  I created a magazine that I distributed  to my co-workers.  And now I have a blog that I am trying to keep up with.

If writing is what you want to do, set aside some time to do it.

Writer's Block

Kevin Smith once defined his writer's block as writer's laze.  Sometimes people are just too lazy to write.  I have a book that is on the verge of being finished, yet I lack the ambition to type it.  I have the idea and I am excited about it.  But I'm too tired after work.  And I cannot always force myself to work on it.

Instead, I checked out publishers and agents.  I submitted a query to an agent relatively close to my home.  And I looked at publishers submission guidelines.  I bookmarked a few that I want to know more about.  And once I am done editing my novel, i intent to shop it around a bit.  If nothing comes from it, I'll go through Amazon's Self-publishing.  But ideally, I get it published elsewhere.  There is a lot of marketing that comes before the book is even out.  And marketing through amazon has it's problems.  I have friends and co-workers who read my book but cannot review it because they bought the copies through me.

I've read some comments from my favorite authors on cures for writer's block.  Here's some ideas:

1.  Go for a walk.  The fresh air helps to clear your mind and the exercise gives you more energy.

2.  Take a bath or shower.  This is also where many great ideas have been hatched.

3.  Have a drink.  Even if nothing comes from it, life is better after a drink.

4.  Get inspired by reading or watching a movie.

5.  Open up Microsoft Word and just start typing, even if it's not what you intended to write.

If anyone has any other ideas that have helped them, feel free to comment.  Maybe I'll post an updated list and link your blog :-).