Daily Prompt ~ Triumph ~ #MondayBlogs

I found a terrific writing site (thanks to my friend Sugana) — The Daily Post: Daily Prompts provides a NEW daily prompt every day to give every writer a way to put a spark in her/his creativity. I decided to join this group every so often...

Today's Prompt is TRIUMPH

The definition of Triumph: [noun] a great victory or achievement; [verb] achieve a victory; be successful

It’s a hard thing for many of us to acknowledge our successes, our triumphs. So many of us lack the ability to see ourselves as successful and worthy. One of the professions that is often known for wearing our self-doubts is that of a writer. …yours truly is a writer, a novelist and journalist.

When I find myself in a funk and I need encouragement I can nudge people close to me and wrangle compliments from their lips to feed my fragile ego, but then I feel bad that I’ve gone “fishing”. Something else I do, especially late at night when it just wouldn’t be right to telephone someone just for a little ego soothing, is make a list of any and all things I’ve done that I am proud about. Maybe I am just being kind to myself but I often come up with a lengthy list (and no I am not posting it, bragging is not something I am comfortable with).

Now I don’t know if others would agree with the things I feel some success about — I know for a fact that not everyone holds the same values that I do. Surely I would fall flat if someone only looks at a stunning figure or the grand dame of the manor; I really don’t care though because those values don’t impress me. I guess there is a bit of conceit in that I do not do the things I do to impress others, I do something because I feel it is the right thing to do and hopefully benefits those around me.

I see value in family relationships and the respect that a parent gets from his/her children. I see value in a long term marriage. I see value when someone gets up and keeps on going even after being struck down by some misfortune. And most of all I see value when someone has touched other lives to make them, even a little bit, better.

On my list I do have references to my marriage, my children and my writing. While I rarely get satisfaction from extolling my own virtues, I do very much enjoy a bit of bragging about my husband and my children, people that I truly admire and respect. 

My husband has always been determined, never takes the easy way if it isn’t the right way, he has always worked hard whether it’s a job or a personal quest, and he has always put his family first. My offspring have grown into remarkable human beings, both give of themselves to others, they are intelligent and capable.

Collectively as first responders and educators my husband and children have saved lives, comforted those in need, put out fires, and given others the means to do the same. And it always seems whatever these people decide to tackle, they have a can do attitude that always comes through. More than anything each one of them CARES. I can only hope that they take at least a little pride in me, it would truly be only a portion of what I feel for them.

Not every accomplishment is earth shattering, few will be considered newsworthy. But each accomplishment is our own whether we wish to brag or stay quiet

What are you proud of today?

,

I Would Do It Again ~ #MondayBlogs

Working as a freelancer, in any position, can be nerve-wracking. There are no guarantees of income, paid vacations, or health care. A writer and any creative artist must also split themselves between the creative right-brain and the no-nonsense business left-brain. It certainly isn’t easy.

But after 35+ years of freelancing with only a few years of W-2s in there, I would do it all again if I were starting over.

Not only have I worked as a freelance writer, I’ve also worked out of my own home and have often played around with work hours depending on demand. Some misconceptions that have caused me occasional frustration is when others don’t seem to comprehend that I am indeed working. While I have the freedom of beginning my work day in jammies and with my feet up (I admit, most days), I also have the responsibility of meeting commitments that I’ve made. Basically if I fail to meet my deadline(s) for any one or more of my clients, the chances of my getting future assignments are very low.

As a freelancer I don’t really work for myself, I work for every client I have. I negotiate my deals, accept assignments and promise to get the job done, and sometimes put up with temperamental subjects without losing my cool or grumbling to others (too much). The hardest part of working for myself is not having any back-up (some freelancers work in teams and might be able to avoid this), in my case if I don’t do it I let down my client. I’ll let you know here that I was an adult when I finally came down with chicken-pox (got it from my children) and I worked every day in my office anyway because there was no one else to do it.

Many people differentiate between being a freelancer and being self-employed. The general descriptions say that a freelancer does occasional pieces of work for others and works as a solitary unit; while self-employed means you run your company, serve customers and often hire others to work for you. Sometimes the terms can be interchangeable.

In the long run there is a huge pride in being able to say “this is totally mine” and to know that I am following my calling. Writing is the equivalent to breathing for me and I love knowing that, even though I am working, “I am not working a day of my life.” I enjoy knowing that people read the words I write, and yes, I do enjoy working in my jammies!

...

Feeling Invisible ~ #MondayBlogs

Most writers by nature are an insecure lot. We're emotional and we go through highs and lows "faster than a speeding locomotive". We need constant reassurance. Yes, I've said it, writers are NEEDY.

Does anyone read my words? Does anyone know I exist?

Do we write for recognition? LOL, well it's certainly not for money!

If you think I'm exaggerating, speak to any writer and you'll find that we hang on every word once someone starts off with the sentence, "I just finished reading your (insert book title here) and need to know when you are writing the next one?"  When this is said to me I want to do a happy dance, Yay, I have a fan!!!

We spend hours promoting our books... I've offered free books in exchange for reviews, asked folks to join my Street Team or to follow my blog and sometimes it seems that I am invisible, or atleast I feel that way. I want to walk through my local supermarket and have people stop me to autograph a book (preferably one that I wrote!), I want them to be all bubbly because they recognize a famous author. 

Yet in reality whenever a mutual friend introduces me to a stranger and they ask what I do and I say "I'm a writer" I often receive a blank stare and then maybe, just maybe, they'll say "oh, what do you write?" Then I've had folks think I am joking when I say I'm an author of published novels (ten actually). I want parades down Main Street, newspaper articles, reporters ringing my phone...

Several years ago I accompanied my husband on a business trip to Rhode Island and I spent a day just writing in our hotel room while he went off for a meeting. The maid had to clean the room and before she left I offered her a copy of my first book explaining that I was THE author. She smiled and nodded and politely thanked me for the book as she simply placed in on her cleaning cart. Moments later I heard her screech in the hallway and I went to the door to see what was going on — "Oh my Gawd! You really did write this book!" as she frantically pointed to my author picture on the back cover.

My neighbor's daughter is a fairly well recognized actress (love the girl, really) and I've stood with other residents of the street we live on to hear them say, "Oh it's so thrilling to actually know someone who's famous, she's made a name for herself!" And while I kvell for this young lady, I nod and smile and feel just a tiny bit deflated that no one seems to acknowledge my name in print.

I want to be FAMOUS!

I want people to see ME

So, just like I said... insecure.

sigh

Ok, rant is OVER...

Back to work

How to Support an Author ~ #MondayBlogs

We may act all sure of ourselves, but writers are really an insecure bunch. We depend, like Blanche DuBois, on the kindness of strangers.

I've been writing professionally as a career since 1981, mostly non-fiction (newspaper and magazine articles, ad copy, and more). In the 1990s I decided to pursue my dream of writing fiction, so I wrote stories that had basis only in my mind. Finally I had a full length manuscript in my hands. After a few false starts and a new and different manuscript I was able to call my self a published author.

One of the nicest things I've found since becoming a novelist is the general support amongst authors. Definitely there are a FEW who are too competitive and allow their not-so-nice side to rule their day, but fortunately as I said those are the few.

I have found other authors who are willing to constructively critique current WIPs, will post, re-post, Tweet and even host other authors, are willing to include others in book store signings and provide helpful advice and tips based on personal experiences. I honestly don't know, at least not personally, any other professional field with the same support system.

If you are venturing into writing for (hopefully) publication, yes you will find those days when, for lack of a better description, you just want to crawl under a rock and hide. There will be days when you face your first, or even subsequent book reviews, with trepidation so gripping as to seemingly paralyze you. Mailing a query to a publisher, whether or not you've already been published, will have you holding your breath until you get a response. Wanting to become a professional author is a little bit like asking to be flogged in public daily.

If you are an author here are some things you can do to support your fellow authors - Use your social media accounts to boost other writers by sharing posts or using the link buttons at the bottom of an author's blog post. Even clicking the "LIKE" button on the other authors' FaceBook posts will help. Tweet or re-Tweet their special news. Interview an author on your blog, with both of you publicizing it you'll probably get a lot of new traffic which also helps you in the long run. Review books, authors LOVE getting reviews. Get involved with other authors both online and in-person. Join Street Teams and help spread the word about your favorite authors in person and/or online.

Enroll in periodic and seasonal blog hops and other combination events. Two weekly blog hops that I participate in are Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday (on FaceBook) where writers from various genres post mini-excerpts from their work and invite everyone to comment. Seeing your work through someone elses's eyes is truly eye-opening and even if this work is already published you will get helpful insights for your current and future writing. There are also various email groups where authors can share, in a sheltered environment. Get involved.

Do not tear into another author, especially not publicly; yes you may do them some damage, but you will hurt yourself even more — no one likes a whiner, or worse, a nasty SOB. Chronic complaining online, about your life, other authors, publishers, etc. will make you unlikable to many would/could be fans. Respond to other authors with the same respect that you want to be treated with.

Smile and the whole word smiles with you.

I thank each one of you for your support.

Chelle & Charmaine Gordon at a multi-author event

Remembering Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy died today.

"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP" (@TheRealNimoy 2/23/2015)

I was about 12-years old when the world was first treated to the Final Frontier as seen from the deck of the Starship USS Enterprise [NCC-1701]. Characters came from all over the universe, many diverse origins melded together and sometimes, most times, even got along with each other. It was a terrific television series and even though it was cancelled after only 3 years, the saga did what one of the characters is often quoted as saying, "Live long and prosper"; in multiple television series and movies.

Leonard Nimoy played the often-unflappable Mr. Spock, a being who lived by his logical and often unemotional Vulcan heritage (from his father) and struggled with his feeling human lineage (from his mother). Mr. Nimoy became well known for his portrayal of the half-human/half-Vulcan character although he began his acting career more than 15 years earlier; he also was a gifted stage actor, director, singer, writer and photographer.

Leonard Nimoy was always very outwardly proud of his Jewish heritage, he was born in Boston to Jewish-Ukrainian immigrants in March 1931 making him 83 at his death today, February 27, 2015. To me his age is powerful and significant...

It is customary for Jewish males to be Bar Mitzvah'd at the age of 13 and to be welcomed into their congregation as an adult and one who is obliged to fulfill G-d's commandments. However it is also traditional among some devout Jews to celebrate a "second Bar Mitzvah" - in this case the normal male lifespan is considered to be 70 years of age and so at 83-years-old, 13 years into this "second life", a man once again makes Bar Mitzvah and rededicates himself to the commandments; once again he is welcomed into his congregation.

Leonard Nimoy was welcomed to the Final Frontier today.

March 26, 1931 - February 27, 2015

Post by The Israel Project.

A Sample From the Amazon Kindle Blog

Living, Breathing, Writing
[Kindle Edition]

Getting Emotional

Put your reader into the story by making them feel as if they are there. Let them feel emotion. Incite your readers to join you and to experience something through your words. If your reader feels an emotional attachment they will feel as if the words they are reading is reality.

Think of a time, any time, that your community has gone through a defining moment… preferably when you were there. Think of times like severe storms and natural disasters (up to and including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, etc). If you have been fortunate enough not to have experienced a natural disaster, think of any incident that might have grabbed news headlines locally (i.e.: fires, accidents, lost child). Use any incident that affected you and your emotions. Choose an event that might have changed things whether for the better or worse, so long as the event made an impact on your community or yourself.

Make sure that the reader can identify with you as a real person. Let them know you have feelings, vulnerabilities, hopes and even fears. You’ll find that a reader will often put themselves in the place of a character, or alongside a character, if they believe it is a real person.

Try throwing yourself into the middle of the incident and write about it from your perspective; if you were in the middle of it, describe it from your perspective doing something different than what you did. Write this story in first person. Feel free to make yourself a hero or have the solution to a problem if you would like. Were you frightened, sad, or  angry? Don’t say it, show it in your actions. If the power went out and it was dark, mention the shadows, bumping into something or someone, or show how frustrated you were because you couldn’t see the exit or find something you needed without light.

Put feelings into retelling this story, reach deep into your readers’ emotions and let them “feel” as if they are right next to you and the events are happening now. Build tension with your words similar to the way filmmakers use background music building to a crescendo as forewarning of something to come. If the event is a storm you might talk about the increasing volume of the howling winds of the increasingly deafening roar of rain hitting the roof. Don’t add too much unnecessary description or be unnecessarily verbose or you will find that your readers will lose interest or get lost in confusing rhetoric.

One way to get emotional is to make a list of emotions that you felt during the event, or believe you would have felt if you were there or circumstances were different. For each emotion listed write down three things you did based solely on the emotion such as crying, slamming a door, covering your ears so you won’t hear, ducking under a table for protection or anything that was a pure emotional reaction. Make sure that you include these actions in your tale, but try NOT to name the emotion.

Writing Exercise:  Practice your point-of-view. Describe the room you are in at this moment and your actions from your point of view (first person: I see, I hear…); then describe the room from the viewpoint of someone standing in the doorway and watching YOU (third person: She sat rocking in the chair…) Remember that in third-person the person describing the room cannot be in YOUR head, they cannot know HOW you feel.

Writing Prompt: Write about your feelings (a.k.a. emotion) for each main color of the rainbow - red, yellow, green, blue and violet. Does any color make you think of a specific memory?

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#TBT re-posting from Long and Short Reviews, July 31, 2011

Working Characters

by Chelle Cordero

Many of my characters have successful careers and work they like, sometimes love. I’ve had characters who have saved lives, written about it, drawn pictures, investigated bad guys, defended the rights of the accused, and created hype. Some of the jobs were easier to write than others because of my own familiarity with the profession or thanks to the help of someone who actually walked in those shoes.

Lon Bartlett in Bartlett’s Rule was a successful columnist. “He is a pompous ass!”, that’s how Paige Andrews describes him. Lon brags about his exploits with the fairer sex and he’s built a reputation as a “real man”. Paige is wary of falling under Lon’s spell, she questions his attitudes, she condemns his sexploits. But, they have to work together.

Paige works in the public relations department of a well-known magazine. She understands how publicity works and how images are created. Still, she sees Lon and knows that is the kind of man she wants nothing to do with.

As a writer myself, Lon’s work appealed to me and of course I understood a bit of what it takes to be a writer. During my college years I did a short stint working temporary positions – it gave me several great resume starters and a good look at the business world. One really enjoyable assignment was in the publicity department at McCall’s – I used my own experience working at McCall’s as the basis for By-Lines Publishing, the company depicted in the book.

It was really fun to relive those years…

from the introduction of Bartlett’s Rule:

“He is a pompous ass!”

When Paige Andrews is given the assignment of courting a famous writer for the publishing company she works for, she meets and entices the sexy, charming and thoroughly dangerous womanizer, Lon Bartlett.

Lon immediately takes a not-so-professional, personal interest in the young woman and pursues her. Lon is thrilled when Paige finally succumbs to his charms only to find that her haunting past sets off a terrifying reaction. Lon learns a heartbreaking reality – Paige is a rape survivor.

Will Lon be able to change his womanizing ways? Will he want to? Will Paige ever learn to trust again? Can they learn to love and live, together?

You can download a FREE sampler of

Living, Breathing, Writing: A Lesson A Day by Chelle Cordero

at http://bit.ly/qMTvLU
(includes sample chapters & writing exercises)
based on the acclaimed Living, Breathing, Writing Amazon Kindle Blog

Thanks Long and Short Reviews for allowing me to be here today!

~Chelle

Wow, Lon nearly blows it ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 04/20/14

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior round. Every week writers post 8 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

  

See more at the WeWriWa blog

Welcome to a snippet from Bartlett's Rule, my first novel published with Vanilla Heart Publishing. Even though this piece is already published, I find receiving your comments helpful as I write future stories - you strengthen me when I know how well (or not) I communicate with my readers, and I learn what readers like and don't care for. I really appreciate you for giving me your time.

Lon proposes... and Paige puts him off. He's hurt and it doesn't help that his very public image leaves them little room for privacy. This discussion takes place during breakfast in the hotel dining room, a public breakfast that Lon's publicist set up to show the two lovers off. One reporter asks if there are any marriage plans and both Lon and Paige are trying to hide their discomfort from the spectators:

  

“Lon, please, I didn’t turn you down, I just need more time,” the last thing she wanted to do was hurt him; They smiled at the waitress as she brought them their breakfasts.

Paige sampled a piece of fresh fruit that topped her pancakes.

“I thought things were coming along really well,” he put a piece of bacon in his mouth and chewed slowly.

“They are, we are.”

“Then I don’t understand why you won’t marry me; I mean once we got past the sex thing…”

Her voice was angry but she kept the volume low and refused to look angry or hurt because the reporters were watching them from a distance, “the sex thing?”

“That’s not what I meant, you were able trust me, I thought that was a big step.” He took a gulp of his coffee, “I know things aren’t just about sex, I didn’t mean to make it sound that way.”

For more WeWriWa snippets, go to www.wewriwa.com

 

Bartlett's Rule shares the story of Lon and Paige's love affair; a romance filled with hardship, emotion, danger and triumph. Falling in love was never the challenge; being there for each other, knowing just what to say and making it work is the real test. Paige and Lon are real; they are human, they cry and they laugh. Paige has to learn to trust. Lon has to learn to be patient.

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon (Kindle,Print, Audio)

AllRomance E-books

Bartlett’s Rule was named one of Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s
Top Ten Reads for 2009 on MyShelf.com

Looking for Reviews

We writers are always looking for honest
(& hopefully good) reviews

Would you like to review one of my books?

I would like to offer up-to ten FREE e-books (one per title, one per reader)

to anyone who would like to offer a review on
Amazon, Goodreads, Smashwords, etc.

Please take a look at my page on Smashwords

& tell me which novel you'd like to review 

(send me an email ChelleCordero@gmail.com)

& I'll pick the 1st inquiry for each title and send you a
FREE download code

Thanks!

Gotta' Love the Business

Like many authors, I have “another job” – however my other job is also as a writer going by the name of Chelle Cordero. I’m a freelance journalist and I have a few regular clients. Aside from having more income opportunities in a career I love, working on a variety of projects in any given week is also a terrific way to beat writer’s block; when I am stuck on what word to write next I merely switch projects and the creative juices start flowing freely again. Such is the writer’s life.

As a novelist I write romantic suspense, a few novels centered around EMS mystery and most recently paranormal suspense. As a journalist I write about little black dresses, home furnishings and repairs, gardening, auto dealerships and finances – and a few more topics. I also write a monthly column about New York State Emergency Medical Services issues for a trade paper. These are my fairly regular gigs. On occasion when I get lucky I manage to get an assignment for a random publication as well. All these topics can get pretty confusing when I jump between topics, but it also presents lots of strange events which get written into my fiction.

I won’t deny that I love seeing my byline, it’s an ego thing. I also love to see my name on the spine of a book or at least listed next to a title at an online book retailer. Every so often I get a random phone call from a distant friend or an email from a reader asking if it’s the same Chelle Cordero that writes spicy novels and articles about senior dating and green living; I write for a syndicated service that provides special supplements to newspapers throughout North America so I never know where my articles will pop up.

In addition to the myriad of topics that I enjoy researching, I have the privilege to work with some pretty great editors and the chance to hone my style for each publication. By now I am sure you have heard the heaps of praise I have for my managing editor at Vanilla Heart Publishing where most of my fiction comes from; I also have huge respect for the other editors I’ve been lucky enough to work with. It’s no wonder I love my career.

I would love to hear from you whenever you read something I’ve written - like I said, it’s an ego thing. For a complete list of my books, take a look here, for a complete list of my writing credits go here. And to see samples of my books or some samples of my articles. 

(P.S.: I sure won’t mind if you let my editors know how terrific a writer you think I am...) 

Acckk! Check out my blog on the VHP Author’s Blog

Check out the VHP Authors’ Blog

ACCKK!! WHERE’S THAT LIST?

Organization, or rather the extreme lack of it, is the bane of my existence. As a self-employed – and too broke to hire assistants – writer, I have to keep track of my different projects, deadlines, invoices, bills and other “I gotta do it(s)”. Organization has NEVER been my forte… (Read More)

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