Another Peek Inside My Brain (via AJ Brown)

AJ Brown has posted an interview with yours truly on his site. Check it out for yet another peeling back of the onion. Or parfait. Or whatever.

Thanks, AJ, for taking the time.

I'm still "away" with limited 'net access, but if you haven't read "Night Lights" and you'd like to see the dark places Fred can take you, read on.

Peace.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Writing

The word "sell" leaves ashes in some writers' mouths.

Here's the truth: any writer who wants to be read must learn how to sell her/his writing. If you really love something, you'll want to share it.

Selling can come in many forms: sales to a market (as most short stories are sold), sales of books (which I'm trying to learn about and/or do now), sales to a library (yes, most libraries won't just take anything for their collection), sales to readers...

It's that last bit that gives me motivation. Even when I worked at the bookstore (my job was to sell, sell, sell), I tried to see "selling" beyond the bottom line. I wasn't making a profit, but sharing a story/book I felt was worth the sharing.

As a teacher, I feel like 80% of my job is sales. Motivation and engagement are key--if the students are tuned out, forget it. I don't have a problem doing my job. I love writing and reading and literature--I want everybody else to feel the same way. Of course I can "sell" that.

Well, I love telling stories, too. And telling stories involves a "sale," even a simple "please read my story."

That's how I learned to stop worrying and love my writing (and "selling" it).

So here's a piece of me for sale (and it won't cost you a penny): an interview at Write 1 / Sub 1.

What about you, dear readers, how do you feel about the "selling" aspect of writing? How much do you love telling stories?

Friday at the Pub, Goodreads, Kindleboards

Rock Gods and Scary Monsters is now available through Smashwords. You can read the first 85% for free. Like I said, everything I do is an experiment.

Go on and read my pub interview with Barry Napier. Good times, Barry. Thanks.

I'm also playing with other ways to interact with readers. Yes, this means you.

For example, I'd love to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of Loathsome, Dark and Deep at the Kindleboards...

or Rock Gods and Scary Monsters...

or even The Bottom Feeders.

All three books are on Goodreads, too.

Loathsome, Dark and Deep
Rock Gods and Scary Monsters
The Bottom Feeders
Hell...even The House Eaters is up at Goodreads, and that book isn't even released yet.

Come join me. I'll bring the virtual beer.

Stephen King, My Miniview, and a Thank You

Thanks to Cate Gardner for leading me to The Wasteline Counter. Yes, I tried it out on my own writing, but even more effectively, used it with my writing students. Wow, did those "heart attacks" open some eyes...

You can take a peek inside my dusty cranium at Red Penny Papers. C'mon, it's only three questions.

I've sent out my first story for #10bythen today. 30 more days to send out 9 stories...maybe I can do it.

Finally, some words from the master (Stephen King) about my favorite form in fiction (the short story).

Me in a Mask and an Interview

Yes, the picture at Mercedes M. Yardley's A Broken Laptop is me at age six. Yes, everything I wrote is true. Check out my entry in "Be Mysterious: Writers in Masks".



Sue London (remember last week's Five Question Friday?) was kind enough to interview me for her Blooming Authors series.



Have a fabulous weekend, okay?