Nonnie Jules-guest post

Welcome to the second day of my 15 day “HAPPY BIRTHDAY:  ARE YOU WATCHING NONNIE WRITE?” Blog Tour and I’m here with the very supportive, A. G. Moye who was kind enough to take time out to share this beautiful space with me.

This month marks the one year anniversary of my burst onto the social media scene and during that time, I have published three REALLY GOOD books, and have learned so very much about the industry.  Although I’ve been a writer for most of my life (actually, I was born one), I only just became a published author in 2013.  Some might say “In that short amount of time, what does she know?” Well, I’m here to tell you that “SHE” has learned a lot!  “SHE” has taken the time to hone her skills in the writing department as well as her knowledge.  “SHE” has taken the bull by the horn and run full speed ahead in building her author platform and establishing herself in the writing industry.  “SHE” is making her name KNOWN.

On each stop of my tour, I share with you tips on writing, publishing and support, all topics equally important to the writing industry.  I hope that what I am imparting, you will take, mull over, and then act on in the best interest of YOU.

With that being said here is…

ALIGNING YOURSELF WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE

When you became an Author, did you imagine that you would have everything in common with all the other folks who wore the title? Did you think it would be easy simply because you were in the company (virtually, so to speak) of other writers?

When I became a published author, I initially met more resistance than offers to connect with certain individuals in the publishing world.  A few of them were clearly ONLY out for their own best interests, and didn’t wish to focus on furthering any career other than their own.  Then I met a friend and as we connected, we not only felt that we were walking the same road, challenges and successes equally, it became apparent to us that we were headed in the same direction.  She and I today call each other “SUCCESS PARTNERS.”  We email each other daily our top 5 things that we need to get done that day and we encourage each other to stay the path of our planned goals.

It was clear early on that and my friend and I were of like-mind.  We are two moms, both published authors, who battle daily the challenges of getting our books marketed and sold.  I understand her highs and lows and she understands mine.

I’ve since formed an organization where I am surrounded by like-minded people.  I will offer that the Governing Board, which I personally hand-picked to serve, is truly a family of like-minds.  It’s eerie sometimes to share our thoughts with one another only to find that there are others who share the same thoughts and have the same goals.

We have a membership now of over 300 individuals and I would like to think that they are also of like-mind.  The premiere basis of this organization {RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB} is that of true support, and in processing many of the membership applications which flow through, there is a common theme in the statements of potential members.  “I would like to support as well as be supported,”  is the one statement that makes us know this individual will do well as part of our family, where TEAM is defined as TOGETHER EACH ACHIEVES MORE.

It is very important to align yourself with people who share your ideals on success and support, you know…the ones who are going to lift you up and not try to tear you down.  The ones that you’re able to call on, lean on and garner support from;  those are the kinds of individuals to surround yourself with.

I’d like to take this opportunity to extend a heart-felt invitation to all of you to join us at RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB.  AS SOON AS you walk thru the door (i.e., see your name on the roster) you will feel this overwhelming sense of “HOME!” Here you will be supported…PROFILED, PROMOTED & PROPELLED to the highest of heights.  Here you will be in the company of truly like-minds.  We all share a common goal here, and that is to succeed and to help others do the same.

I’m sitting here now waiting to process that application of yours which I know you will be sending thru shortly.  JOIN OUR LIKE-MINDS today! 

Thanks so much for having me A.G. and many thanks to your wonderful readers!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:                                                                     

 NONNIE Jules grew up loving books and everything about them.  She has traveled the world, jumped out of planes and climbed many mountains, all thanks to the wonderful world of literature.  She lives with her husband and two daughters on a very quiet strip of land in Louisiana, where red dirt roads and pick-up trucks go hand in hand.  She is the Author of three great reads at present:  "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS," 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can't Help But Love!; "Daydream's Daughter, Nightmare's Friend" (a novel);  and "SUGARCOATIN' IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN' IS FOR KIDS!"  Nonnie is also Founder and President of the widely-known Rave Reviews Book Club, as well as being a sought-after book reviewer with a strong "eye" for perfection. 

She continues to write from many different genres and hopes to teach and touch minds and hearts alike with her very unique style of writing.  She loves positive feedback on her writing and personally responds to each and every email.  Nonnie can be reached at nonniejules@gmail.com, on Twitter @nonniejules, and do follow her blogs WATCH NONNIE WRITE! {nonniewrites.wordpress.com}  and ASK THE GOOD MOMMY {askthegoodmommy.wordpress.com}. 

Nonnie's feet are firmly planted in her two most important platforms:  Parenting & Support, where she continually invites the masses to join her.

BUY LINKS:

"THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS," 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can't Help But Love! - amazon.com/dp/B00CP62O56;  createspace.com/4355124

"Daydream's Daughter, Nightmare's Friend" - amazon.com/dp/B00GLM2VVM;  createspace.com/4386308

"SUGARCOATIN' IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN' IS FOR KIDS!" - amazon.com/dp/B00IRIA0I4

 

RaveReviewsByNonnieJules

Watch Nonnie Write!

Ask The Good Mommy!

4WillsPublishing

Please check out Nonnie's books.  They're really very good reads. Have great day and Talk back, I'm listening!

Part two of my interview on Arkansas Authors

This is part two of our interview with A G Moye. You can read part one here.

Describe  your writing space. What do you like? What would you change?

My computer sits facing a window allowing me to look out when I need to let my mind wander to recall what a scene is in my head and get it right. My wife might relocate me but it is not my choice, I like it where it is.

Who are some of the authors you particularly admire or who’ve had some influence on your own writing?

Robert Heinlein, F.M. Busby, Arthur C. Clarke, L. Ron Hubbard, Isaac Asimov and Jean Auel come to mind. I don’t think I copy any of their styles but they could have some influence on my writing.

What is the best advice you could give an aspiring author?

Write what you feel and before you publish that first book make sure you have a good editor to go through it before publishing. Do not depend on a publisher’s in house editing to get it right. Afterwards, get it published don’t hold back thinking you will do it tomorrow because it may never come.

What is the best advice you’ve received from other authors or anyone else?

Write in the style you are most comfortable in. Don’t try to copy another author’s style because it won’t work for you. Also edited before publishing.

List your favorite quotation or words you live by.

Life is full of twists and turns, taking shortcuts is usually the longest path-A.G.Moye

Thinking outside the box, if you could do/be/accomplish anything in the world, what would it be?

Writing a best seller that becomes a classic in years to come. Secondly, to see one of my books made into a movie.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Tie-Robert Heinlein, he tells a good story and the way it flows is just great drawing you in and basically having a happy ending of sorts.

Jean Auel, her books are so descriptive that you feel you are right along side the characters in her Mother Earth series. I just hope I can draw my readers in as well as she does.

What book are you reading now?

Just finished “Troubles” by Ian Miller and did a review on it.

What is your favorite book by another author?

Tunnel in the sky by Robert Heinlien

What books have most influenced your life (other than the Bible if that is your first thought)?

That is a hard question to answer, I read a lot and couldn’t begin to list them. When I am not writing my own stories, I am usually reading.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Vic Boquard, Ian Miller and Wendy Owens

What author support groups/activities do you participate in?

GoodReads, LinkedIn, Author’s Den, LiteraryThing, Cultural Club, Shelfari, Rebel Mouse, and M.A.R.Social. With my own group on Marsocial called “Lightning Chronicles”

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

Marsocial members have supported more than any other group.  Arkansas Authors have increased their support of me along with Rebel Mouse.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

My books are for entertainment purposes mainly but most can gleam a little about life from each book. Even the violent ones like my Lightning In the Tunnel Series has a message about life. Overcoming what knocks you down.

Read more about A. G.’s book, Sasha a beam of light

Tomorrow in our Book Spotlight

And Purchase through

Amazon | Create Space

And Connect With A G On:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | LinkedIn

Tumblr | YouTube | Website | Blog | Marscocial | Amazon

- See more at: http://arkansasauthors.com/author-interview-g-moye-2/#sthash.46AQJ22u.dpuf

author interview of A.G. Moye reposted

I would like to thank A. G, for doing this interview. If you have any questions for him please leave a comment below.

Where were you born? If not from Arkansas, what brought you here?

I was born in Arkansas and lived here until age fifteen. Lived thirty-three years in Los Angeles before moving to North Carolina for seven years came back home to Arkansas just before retiring.

When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

I wrote off and on with pen and paper for years before becoming serious about it. Purchased a computer in 1987, that was when I really started writing as a stress reliever.

I go for walks daily and used to make up songs but never wrote them down. One day I started thinking about writing a book I had in my head. Being in California during the riots, I wondered how people would react if a real disaster hit LA and turned it upside down. That was what inspired me to start writing my Lightning in the Tunnel series.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When my wife prodded me to try and publish some of my work after reading some of my stories. She pushed and in 2010 I started publishing. I still didn’t consider myself a writer until after my fifth book was published and everyone that read it, thought it was great. “Terror Reigns” was the book.

Do you see writing as a career?

It has become a second career for me after I retired from active daily grind. I am loving it, stories keep popping in my head and I write them.

What inspired you to write your first book?

My first book was actually a series brought on by my desire to foresee what would happen if a nuclear bomb hit the crazy city of Los Angeles. It has since been removed from the market due to too much explicit sex scenes in it. It has been rewritten under another title.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

When my wife prodded me to publish, I had no idea about how to go about it. New to the internet, I saw an add to publish my book. I tried contacting agents and other publishers but since I didn’t know how to go about it. I decided to go with Xliberis and pay to have it publish.  My book was so long, they said it had to be broken up for them to publish it. Now I had three books in the series written so it became six. I couldn’t afford to pay for all six to be published. When my first book arrived, I was so proud but then when I sold them to friends and family. All they would talk about was the sex scenes. I don’t think any of them recalled what the story was about. (Hence the removal from publication) I then submitted my second book to PublishAmerica. They accepted it and I thought they were a traditional publisher but learned the hard way. PublishAmerica then published my next five books of the series. That was when I found out the truth of them.  In the meantime, I had joined several groups on LinkedIn and from them l learned all about publication of a book.  

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

So far I have sixteen books published with two more at the editors. I am currently working on two more that I plan to finish this year and publish.

My favorite is a tie between Terror Reigns and Chronicles of the Marauder.

Talk about your most recent book.

Sasha: A beam of Light is my most recent published book. A story about Sasha, cast out of her body and banished from her home world by Sorceress as punishment for her role in an attempt by her boyfriend to kill the Emperor.  Her spirit finds itself in a tiny sailboat piloted by a little green devil looking creature, (We`nuk). He tells her he is her guide for eternity. Sasha soon learns she can assume the body of any freshly killed creature and repair the damage bringing it back to life. So, Sasha whenever the tiny sail craft passes planet that has life forms on it, she takes their place and lives several different lives including a giant spider, a vampire, a medieval Knight and a witch.

How did you come up with the title?

The title popped in my head followed by the story or stories once the basic concept started to unfold.

How is this title published? (Self-Published or through a publisher)

Self-Published

What drove your decision to publish this way?

I am of the age where I don’t want to wait two or three years for a book to be published having so many rolling around in my head. Right now, there is another book nagging at me but I don’t know what it is or about yet. It just hangs there.

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

That there is good and bad in everyone, they must make the right choices and not allow anyone to influence them into taking the wrong path as Sasha does when she becomes the Medieval Knight, Karwin.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

No, it in not based upon anyone I know or life experiences except the part of letting someone else influence you down the wrong bath like many bigots in the world do.

 
What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Showing how Sasha allowed the Karwin part of her body to take over doing things she herself would never do and treat women the way Karwin did.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

That is hard to show conflict within a mind over control of the actions and thoughts of the mind.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Not really, I would add more adventures maybe but wanted to keep it a novella instead of a full blown novel like I normally write.

Do you have a new book coming out soon? (within the next year- exact date if you have it)

Lightning Rages should be published some time in July, 2014 (In editing right now). Followed by Jody’s Dilemma in September, October time frame. 

What is your favorite social media outlet for marketing/promotions?

Twitter, GoodReads and my two blogs.

Read part two of our interview with A. G. Moye tomorrow.

Read more about A. G.’s book, Sasha a beam of light

Wednesday in our Book Spotlight

And Purchase through

Amazon  | Create Space

And Connect With A G  On:

Facebook  | Twitter  | Goodreads |  Pinterest | LinkedIn

Tumblr  | YouTube  |  Website | Blog | Marscocial | Amazon

Share this:

- See more at: http://arkansasauthors.com/author-interview-g-moye/#sthash.AznRa9Xt.dpuf

Meet Janice Ross-Rave Review Book Club

 Today's post is from Rave Review Book Club introducing author Janice Ross the author of the week selection by the book club. I have not read any of her work, yet but it sounds interesting. Hopefully, you find her just as interesting. 

My Dear, Sweet Guyana

The first book in the Island Hopping Series is Jumping Ship. It is a pre-release novella, and will be followed by the following books:

Trinidad & Tobago

Grenada

Barbados

Saint Lucia

Martinique

Antigua

Guyana

I’ve done extensive research for this series, and hope that readers come to love the unique cultures of each country. I have a personal connection to one of the countries. I was born in Guyana, South America and migrated to the USA in 1980. In fact, I dedicated Jumping Ship to my country of birth.

DEDICATION

Guyana is the only official English speaking country on the continent of South America. It is situated just above the equator, bordered by the mighty Atlantic to the north, and somewhat lost amongst a slew of countries―Brazil to the south, Suriname to the east, and Venezuela to the west.

In the nation, whose name means “land of many waters”, there is a mixture of strength, courage and determination. For many that have lived on the land, or that currently reside there, they proudly confess, "I am a Guyanese"!

Over its growth as a colony of the Dutch, French, and British, it has established and re-established its right to be recognized. No one can claim Guyana as exclusively their own because the Indians from east and west, Chinese from across the world, and many blacks from West Africa and beyond have formed deep roots in its resource rich land.

This is Guyana, my Guyana. And no matter where I go, no matter whom I love, my heart will forever belong to my dear, sweet Guyana. 

*****

Bio

Janice Ross was born in Guyana, South America and migrated to the USA in 1980. Although her citizenship certificate now reads the United States of America, she considers herself a citizen of the world. Sure she has not physically been around the world and back, but she’s travelled in her mind and dreams.

Janice is an author. She enjoys writing about social issues and personal experiences. Janice’s debut release was entitled Damaged Girls. She uses the three books in that series to detail the effects of different forms of abuse, discussing issues that are known to be taboo. Her next release, Jumping Ship, is a dedication to her country of birth and an introductory novella to the Island Hopping Series – due out in 2014. It’s poised to be a colorful and emotional experience of life, love and family. As of present, she is also a contributor to a short story collection – Just Between Us, Inspiring Stories by Women. And lastly, Loving Nate is a novella about the realities of losing one’s self to love.

Janice enjoys reading. And is drawn to stories with distinct characters that she can love or hate, characters she can form alliances with or characters that she can swear off and despise. She is also weak for a good cultural tale, preferably in the form of historical fiction. Janice loves to be taken off guard by clever language and settings.

Janice is also a devout supporter and promoter of other authors through social media. She hosts a weekly show, Cultural Cocktails, on the largest social radio network, Blog Talk Radio.

You can connect with Janice on

Website: www.culturalcocktails.com

Talk show: www.blogtalkradio.com/culturalcocktails

Blog http://jgrwriter.wordpress.com &

http://myculturalcocktails.wordpress.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/JGRWriter

FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/Cultural.Cocktails

&

https://www.facebook.com/jgrwriter?ref=hl

Google+https://plus.google.com/104579627944902429382/posts/p/pub?partnerid=gplp0

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/pub/janice-ross/58/691/894/

Connect with Janice at the sites listed above. 

While you are checking out Janice be sure to stop by my author's page at http://www.amazon.com/author/agmoye  Talk back, I'm listening!

Dr. Jerk's thoughts

"Most people should donate their brains," Doctor Jerk said. I almost fell out of my chair hearing this. Now, I understand why he refused to post a picture of him. 

Why do you say this? He leaned back in his chair and said. "I have done extensive studies on the masses and found that they absorb lies quicker than truth telling me they are not using most of their brains. Therefore, we have plenty of brains to transplant. We could use them to do scientific studies to determine why they fail to use their brains." 

What leads you to say this? Have you done in dept studies on these people?  Dr. Jerk chuckled, opening his briefcase. "A few rich people people can get the masses to vote the way they want effectively nullifying their upward mobility by claiming they are making them more free by political action groups where they spend millions to convince the masses to get what they want. Therefore, I conclude that people are like sheep only using the survival part of their brain and mindlessly follow voting like these people want them to. So they must not use their brains."

That is not very scientific in my mind? "You don't have to be a scientist to observe the actions of millions believing these PAC's have their interest at heart. The basis of my conclusions is watching TV ads where the masses are fed massive amounts of double talk and lies so their brains shut down their normal brain functions and they accept this as fact."

He paused before adding, "Take Global warming, to protect their interests (Money) they deny the existence of facts creating enough doubt so no one would pressure their people in Congress to pass laws that would reduce their profits."

Does this exist in other countries are they just in democratic Societies?

"In all countries those in power or controlling the media feed their masses plenty of half-truths, lies and other untruths to remain in power. They use their power to control the thoughts of the masses. Everyone once in a while, you will see in some country where the masses finally become fed up with their actions and then they have a revolution of sorts but in the end, it only brings a new set of people in power that do not care what the masses think. Some countries use religion to control the thoughts of the masses feeding them massive amounts of propaganda to keep them in line."

Do you think the internet can change this? "Most governments in power are trying to control this as well. Too much truth makes for unhappy masses as they start to use the brain they were born with. These would not be good for transplanting but the person would have used a lot more of it."

I wasn't sure if I should post this interview but thought, what the heck. 

Talk back, I'm listening!           

Writing slowdown?...not really

Most readers are accustom to me cranking out a book every other month for the past three years but I have slowed down publishing them creating a backlog of books to be edited. I know now that good editing takes a long period of time but my writing continues at the same pace. So the backlog grows while the number published does not. Most authors concentrate on one book at a time but I have this habit of working on two or more at the same time meaning both are finished about the same time. To be truthful, I find doing this keeps the creative juices flowing and the stories come together quickly. There are some that I start but never go back to for long periods of time such as "Planet of the Midnight Mist". I don't know why I have abandoned this story told from an alien's point of view but I haven't touched it since writing the first chapter. The same to the sequel to "A Stranger Comes Crawling", I wrote the first part but never revisited it. Instead, I have worked on "Jody's Dilemma" and "Saddle Spur". Do you have a manuscript that you started but then went off to write something else? 

Talk back, I'm listening!  

Nothing to say blog but....

It is surprising what you can come up with when you start writing a blog. This morning, I didn't have a review to post even though I have books to review. I'm still reading them. Some books catch your interest and you just can't put them down, while others seem like a chore to read. The two I'm reading right now have not drawn me in yet, I am still hopeful. After paying for an editor and seeing the poor editing, I decided to go through all my books this year that are published. Editing them with my editing team, after seeing the work that was supposedly done on Chronicles of the Marauder, the one available on Amazon right now. Sorry about that, but the editing process I am now going through is slow and methodical, taking a lot time. I should be able to post the new re-edited Chronicles of the Marauder book One in another month. With only thirty pages done to date, almost a thousand words have been eliminated as we make more concise statements. When the editing is finished, I will republish it as Marauder Rising, instead of labeling it book one of the Chronicles of the Marauder. When editing is finished with book two I will give it a different sub title. Talk back, I'm listening.