I love Twitter!

High Praise from a Fellow Author for "James & the Dragon"

I have just finished reading James & the Dragon Volume 1 of the Farloft Chronicles, by Theresa Snyder and frankly I can say that it is the best children’s dragon story series I have ever read. The characters swiftly become live to the imagination the story pulls you along with gusto. Had my daughter been still small I would have been so pleased to be able to introduce her to this lovely and perfect for bedtime reading tale. I can highly recommend this series to anyone with younger children probably up to about ten years old and also to adults who just love dragons as well. David Stevens author of Trainspotters Guide Other Earths & Vampiric Retirement.

Happy Halloween! ! ! ! ! !

 

May your bags be filled with Chocolate!

The World of Twitterland

I have been on Twitter a little over five months now. My students encouraged me to sign up when I posted my first novel on Amazon Kindle, May 1, 2013. I had no idea the wealth of talent and the depth of energy I would find there.

I would like to take a moment to share some of the high points of the journey thus far. Perhaps you will take a moment to click on a link and make a new friend or find a great read. (I have read 50 indie authors since joining twitter and struck gold many time.)

I can't list them all here. As of yesterday I have over 2,000 followers, which is just a handful compared to many, but just the right amount for me currently.

I will try to introduce the few here in order of appearance, like a stage play, because really it orchestrates itself much like that, although Mike has compared it to a cocktail party.

In fact, let's start there.

Michael Hicks at @kreelanwarrior on twitter, writes incredible science fiction. Epic works that keep you thinking long after you have read the last page and closed the book. He has also been a boon to me. His book on the ins and outs of indie publishing is invaluable. Thanks Mike. Connect with his books here:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_13?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=michael+hicks&sprefix=michael+hicks%2Cnull%2C187&rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Amichael+hicks

The Dragon (I cannot reveal his name as they only give it out to their close friends) at @OftheWilds on twitter, has become an inspiration. He is not published "yet," but watch out when he is, because you are going to be surprised at how hard he hits the fantasy world. You are lucky, you can read his work free now at:

http://theblackcollar1.blogspot.com/

Richard Maddock at @BalletMuzik on twitter is an incredible musician. I purchased his album "The Garden Within" a couple of months back and it has not left the range of my hearing since. It is magical, relaxing, moving, and imaginative. I have put a wonderful YouTube link below for your viewing enjoyment along with a link to all his albums. His work is well worth the download. In fact, give some away to a friend too. They will thank you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QVd9FC8wpok#t=28

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=richard+maddock&rh=n%3A163856011%2Ck%3Arichard+maddock&ajr=0

Randi Grace Nilsberg at @Randigracenilsb on twitter is a gifted photographer. Her work is shown on her webpage at the link below. I have ordered her work online. It is as easy as clicking a button and beautiful when it arrives. As you can see from the site she produces each work at the time you order it and can ship it worldwide. Take a cruise through her galley. I promise you'll find something you can't resist.

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/randi-grace-nilsberg.html

I would never have met any of these gifted/talented folks if I had not taken the step into Twitterland. Even if you don't follow me hand-in-hand into that social media, take a moment to click on these links and enjoy the wealth of imagination. I look forward to sharing more 'gold' from the land of twitter in the future.

Head shot for Authorsdb

In Which You Meet James & the Dragon

Farloft ruffles his wings and extends it out over you to draw you close.
He wants to share his latest PR.
Check it out.

http://amloki.blogspot.com/2013/10/in-which-you-meet-james-and-dragon.html 

The Moroccan Room (A wiriter's retreat)

I think every writer longs for a space to call their own, a quiet corner where they can work undisturbed, but few have the luxury of having one. Often, hours for writing are eeked out after the household goes to bed or in the wee hours of the morning before everyone rises.

So writers take their laptops and learn to adjust to the hustle and bustle of a coffee shop atmosphere or they hide away in a quiet corner of the local library for those few hours they need to connect with their muse.

I was having a hard time finding a place to escape. I need solitude. I am too much of a people person to be in a coffee shop without striking up a conversation. I can’t stand the solitude of a library – as much as I adore reading. And, there was no peace at home. My elderly father who lives with me rises before I do and goes to bed long after I have retired. In the time between he has become addicted to the T.V. since mom passed two and a half years ago. The volume is set at an ear-ringing level due to his hearing loss, which seems to be something we cannot correct to his satisfaction.

Hence, I had a dilemma. My writing had come to a standstill, until I came up with the idea of converting the back deck into a writing/reading room. That was last summer, and this summer it was completed. 

Dad is always game for a project. He and our Jack-of-all-trades, Amos, covered the deck with a solid roof on one end and a corrugated plastic roof with lattice on the other. They screened it in, then when fall descended on us last week they completed glassing it in. 

I decided to decorate it in jewel tones and the more I worked on it, the more it became known as the Moroccan Room. It is plush to the point of opulent. It is wired for lights, the soothing sound of the bubble pot, music, heater (to chase the fall chill away), and laptop. The Wifi even agreed to work for me in my quiet retreat.

The kids from school joke and call it my hookah lounge. It has been referred to as the Harem room. I have had many offers from friends who want to move in. It has been a hit with everyone. For me, it is my retreat…my quiet place…my muse who happens to be a heavy set guy with a full beard and a head full of wild black hair loves it. He has taken up permanent residence in the chair in the corners, tea glass in hand with his feet propped up on a pile of plush pillows.