END OF THE YEAR...WHAT'S NEXT?

It's the end of the year, so what is next?

Well now is the time that you need to sit down and make a budget for all of the things you want to do, get or get done that involves your writing.

Are you going to transform that extra bedroom into an office for your writing? Well now is the time to get those great deals on all things that you will need. You will need a new desk, a new chair; maybe a computer or a new light. And if you use that office solely for your writing, you can deduct some of that cost on your taxes. But make sure you talk to an LICENSED tax professional about it.

Now, what conference was too expensive this year, that you might want to attend next year? 
Now is the time for you to make plans and a budget to get to that conference. Don't let another year go by that you don't attend a conference. You don't have to go for the weekend or week. Choose one that you can attend for one day. Choose one that you and a couple of your author friends can attend together. Share a room, split the cost. Better yet. Split the cost of a conference. Chose one that is at least two days long. Then decide which day you and your friend will want to attend and co-share the conference. Getting that experience is better than missing it.

Well, what if you don't want to go to a conference or fix up that room. Well you still need marketing materials, right?

Here's your chance to make a budget for those business cards, banners, table scapes, book holders and all things that you will need for your display. 
Don't forget about about things to give away. After all, we all like FREE things, right.

Now, here's the last thing you need: BOOKS. 

Your books to be exact!

You need to order a stock of your books; at least 50 to keep in your car; at work, or anywhere you are traveling. After all, YOU are the BEST salesperson your know.

So, the end of the year is almost here, what are YOU going to do next?

NO....I DON'T WANT TO SELL IT TO YOU!

Did you ever think you would hear those words come from these lips?

I surely didn't but that is what I wanted to yell on Saturday afternoon.

Every year I participate in the Dulles Expo event the Northern Christmas Market and every year I do very well with book sales.

This year was no exception. OK, well with one.

A young woman walked up and immediately began to look at the covers of my books. Normally I would be excited about this but this young woman was between the age of 10-12.

Before you start saying I should encourage her to read. She can read just fine. Before you say that I should encourage her to buy my books. Screech! Pump the brakes.

My books contain, in industry terms, "ADULT SITUATIONS" or "PG17" in movie terms.

There is sex, violence and language that is not appropriate for anyone younger than the age of 18. Yes, I know children nowadays have foul mouths and probably have more sex than me but that doesn't mean I agree with it.

So, with that said, I steered her to my publishers YA (Young Adult) line. She picked them up, read the back and promptly put them back down and went BACK to mine.

Her mom asked me if it was appropriate for someone her age. My answer

HELL NO! OK, I didn't curse but I said NO as strongly as I could without cursing. The mom turned to her mother (the child's grandmother) and said, "What do you think?" In which she said, "it's your decision."

So, I'm thinking its almost over.  Sure I lose a sale but it would be worth it. The mother then did something unexpected. She asked me to show her a passage. I turned to the most graphic part that I could remember at that time and she read it. Here is what I heard, "Oh my...wow...whoa"

Now I'm thinking. I'm free and clear and she hands me the book back, looks at her daughter and says, "Well if you want it, go on and get it."

WHAT! WHAT...WHAT THE HELL! and the girl says but there are two..can I have both of them! and her mother says, "YES...get both of them"

I nearly passed out right then and there! I was so flustered that I couldn't even take the money. I was in shock.

Then the mother asked, "Can you sign them for her?"

In shock, I signed them to JOCELYN and I have been bothered by this ever since. My question is:

Would you be shocked or would you look at it like a sale to a customer. I welcome your thoughts.

Summer is here....

Well not quite, but oh my goodness! I am as happy as a pig in slop, or maybe as happy as a dog with a bone, or maybe I'm as happy as a kid with candy. No, I got it! I'm as happy as a woman with NEW SHOES!

Oh heck yeah! You have got to love summer! Right, well you don't have to love it, but you have to admit that it is really nice to throw those sweaters in the closet, put those boots away and let your toes breath in a nice pair of stiletto heels!

Imagine my giddiness, and I am sure you can feel it in this post; as I opened up a shoe box with the most incredible shoes ever! My best friend, Denise; ok, maybe I shouldn't use her name, but she has to get her proper due. She gave me the most beautiful pair of tan, strappy heeled shoes, and when I tell you that my feet look INCREDIBLE in them, I aint lying! (you will see, just wait for it)

These shoes came as a surprise gift on my birthday and I can barely stop looking at my own feet! I tell you, I think I am in love. Yes, I know I am in love with these shoes! They are so me! They are 5 inches of sexiness! They are sleek, and they have just the right amount of silver accents to be sexy and not trashy! Snaps! Did I mention that they have snaps! Yep. Instead of buckles or ties, they snap around the ankle! Oh My Gosh! If I could walk down the aisle and marry these shoes, I'd be saying, I do.

I had gotten a deluxe pedicure that day, so to come home and see my new 5 inch stilettos made me a little teary-eyed. (yes, a new pair of shoes makes tears spring to my eyes like a summer shower) #dontjudgeme.
As I slipped my newly polished purple toes into them, I couldn't wait to show them off at work! Trust me when I tell you, the men at my office, went crazy over my new shoes.

Yes, summer is here and boy am I ready! I have my new tan strappy sandels and I bought myself a black pair with a zipper on the back and a bow on the side. Ok, I won't show you that picture until next time. I want you to drink in all of the sexiness of the Strappy Shelly's that I have on. (now you do know I name my shoes, right?)

Now see for yourself. If you don't think these shoes are sexy....well keep that to yourself.


Until next time.

Speaking in public

Have you ever been asked to speak in public about your writing or about your novels? What is your first thought when this happens?

Do you ask yourself, why are they asking me, I"m not famous, yet. Or do you say..well I don't have anything to say.

Well if you said yes to one of those questions; shame on you. You might not be famous;(yet), but you are famous in your own right. After all, you are a published or about to be published, author.

You should welcome all opportunities to talk about yourself to other, and if it happens to be a crowd of people, than that is GREAT!

Look at it as a way to brand yourself to others. Make them WANT to buy your book or listen to your story. You never know what might happen. Let's see, for me; it happened at the Black Family Reunion held down on the National Mall in Washington DC. I spoke to a crowd of about 50 people and afterwards, my book sales soared. Now, I didn't do it for the sales, although that was a plus. I did it because I want everyone to follow that dream that they thought was impossible to acheive. I want every man/woman and child to reach their highest potential and never say to themselves in 20 years, "I wish I would have done..." That is the hardest part. If you have a dream, never and I repeat NEVER, let anyone stop you from achieving it.

So with that said, today my message to you is a simple one: Go after what you want in life. Don't sit back and wait for someone's approval. If it makes you happy and doesn't hurt anyone; then you should do it. Now, pull out that pencil/pen and notebook or laptop and get to writing, because that is what I am about to do.

Happy Writing!