The Storm is coming

Since I started following author Shakir Rashaan with his Nubian Underworld series all I can say is that I am hooked and I am looking forward to more. The series opens up with The Awakening and delving into the world of BDSM for people of color. Let me just say FSOG has nothing on the true enlightenment of what occurs in this lifestyle.

The BDSM culture is not for the faint of heart nor is it to be romanticized the way the public has been currently going at it. The fact is true knowledge and understanding of this culture takes time and those who deal only in fetishes don't have any idea about the its nature at the core of things.

Recently there has been talk on Facebook and Blog Talk Radio about the storm is coming. Well Tuesday December 9th Tempest the latest installment in the Nubian Underworld series will arrive. Get ready to take your senses to another level.

Before you take the journey with Tempest though be sure to check out the first two books in the series, The Awakening and Legacy. Take a peek at the man himself by stopping by his website www.shakirrashaan.com for the latest news on upcoming events and even his blog. Also there is a link to his store Shades of NEBU.


Take a ride in the midst of the storm.

Getting Back to my first Love

Well here I am again having neglected my first baby. I have not been writing like I should and not getting this blog up and on it's way. I am ashamed. My head is hanging low because I can feel this blog crying out to me and telling me how much I have neglected it.

One of the things that has kept me from getting into this blog like I should is I am not always sure what I should be writing about and it makes me feel like my muse is going in a different direction and I know that is not entirely true. I have had many debates on what I should be showcasing here and how will readers perceive my work.

Writing is a relationship for me and as such I need to make time for it just like anything else in my life. It is time to hold my head high and really create a blog that I would love to have readers follow and see what I am getting into as well as other authors out here on the horizon. As the song goes it is Time to Make that change.

Work in Progress

One of the major problems I have with writing is my mind is constantly spinning in multiple directions which is something I need to get under control if I want to be able to finish my novel. The other thing I want to be able to do is create something different. I want my concept to be fresh not just a different spin on what is out there already.

Writing isn't complicated but it can be tough when you want your characters to stand out and not blend into the mundane. I am working to create a character that when I write his or her voice is heard very clearly. I think about the nights when I can't sleep and how that is when something is speaking to me loudly.

This part of me is just another creative craft that I want to perfect like everything else I do. I am waiting to see what develops. Right now I am working on my outline but the main character's name really wasn't talking to me until recently. I may have a winner without being repetitious. I can only see what happens and how the story makes its way onto the screen.

Shakir Rashaan Does it Again

I am very picky about my reading material. Since I have been so dissatisfied with the wave of $.99 authors on Amazon I am glad to have come across another author that makes me want to come back and read more. Shakir Rashaan is an erotica author like no other. He is forth right in his storytelling and he gives you enough to wet your appetite yet leave you wanting more.

I read The Awakening and I was just floored. Here was a book talking about something I had been curious about for some time. Now he has done it again with Legacy the second novel in his Nubian Underworld series. This novel come out June 10th and I am so looking forward to getting my hands on my copy.

Let me just say that this is not 50 Shades of Grey. This is the real deal. Raw and unfiltered. I read 50 Shades and for me it was just another love story with something people fantasize about but are afraid to discuss.

Now the difference with The Awakening and Legacy is you will not get a watered down version of what you think happens in the BDSM community. As I said it is raw and unfiltered. You will see and even get caught up in a world that for the most part had been closed to the public's eye because of biased and close minded individuals. Sir Rashaan makes you feel what his characters are feeling.

So if you get the chance cop yourself a copy and be prepared to want to be naughty in the process. (naughty naughty grin on my face)

Making changes

I have come to realize that my format my need to worked on a bit. I have been working on my other blogs getting them set up so that they are presentable and have a format that followers can use. Blogger has been a learning experience but one that I am coming to appreciate.

So watch out for changes and updates.

Writing

Sitting here writing out a scene and I have to keep pausing because I think I am making too hot for even me to handle. I guess it goes without saying that when you have an imagination like crazy you never know what you will come up with.

I am supposed to be working on my paranormal novel but right now that is not the one that is speaking to me the loudest. I used to think I was losing my mind when things would play out in my head and I would have conversations with the story. Now I know better. Can I say it has been truly worthy while getting it all down.

The next step in my process will be getting all the imagery together so that my readers will be able to see it as I see. All of its glory will shine through the words I have put on the page. I love writing. I don't know that there is much that compares with it. It is tough but it makes for an awesome experience.

Looking at the world in a different way and knowing we all don't have the same visual is what makes every experience unique and makes the writing world such a pleasure past time. I can not wait to share my vision.

Now I must get back to the world of creativity.  Until next time

Need to be Motivated

I have been neglecting this blog and this is the one that should be nearest and dearest to my heart because I love to write. I don't know maybe I feel like I am getting more attention with my other blogs but I can't leave my passion behind. I need to find focus and be motivated to not only get this blog up and running but also to get my novels on the ball.

I was trying to find a way to stay organized. I don't like using a bunch of folders and things like that because I can never remember which one I put what I am looking for in. I use notebooks from time to time but again I forgot where I put them and what I was writing down. It becomes frustrating. I want to complete a novel and make it one worth reading but I in order to do that I need to have all my ducks in a row.

I started reading First Draft in 30 Days by Karen Wiesner again and realized that I needed a better way to organize my ideas and thoughts. So I log onto my computer and I see OneNote come up. I haven't used this program in quite some time. Reviewing it and looking a tutorial I see that this is the answer to my problem.

OneNote has some very key advantages that Word or my notebook doesn't have. For instance. I am able to create a notebook specifically for the book I am working on and within this book I can create tabs for notes and my outline. I can also create pages under those tabs to represent specific items or characters for that topic.

I mean the light bulb went off with a bright shining light. The ultimate advantage is that I can use it on my phone to jot down things no matter where I am and it will sync with the one that is on my computer. I don't have to use a dropbox and then copy it into another document.

I am looking forward to getting my creative juices up and running again. There is nothing like being motivated and excited to make things happen.

Well until next time. I will let you know what happens when I get started.

Word of the Day: Mine, Mines and Mind

There are a series of words that have been misused on a regular basis . Mine, mines and mind are examples of words that are commonly misused.

Mine can be used to describe possession or a location where people are digging for precious stones or even something that can be used in the destructive sense. When it is being used in the possessive context the plural version is the same as the singular version. Example: That photograph is mine. The children over there are mine.

If it is used to describe the location of a dig site or explosive device then the plural would include the s on the end. Example: Mines are dangerous when you do not have experience working in them. That field contains a series of mines that are not easy to cross.

The last word mind is what we humans use to think or analyze our surroundings. This is a base definition from my viewpoint but this word has been used in place of mine too many times. An excellent example of using this word correctly is the saying "The mind is a terrible thing to waste."

I know that individuals realize there is a difference between the words but when we use it inappropriately especially in writing it throws what we are trying to say off and the reader has to think about what is being said.

Carefully reviewing the usage will help keep readers coming back and not complaining about how our grammar is just not making the cut.

Research

   I have been taking the time to research some interesting topics for my characters. I want to write something about a brothel owner falling in love but it seems the story is stuck because I need to look at a few more things before I can go any further. That is a lesson in writing.
   I need to review a bit more what I want to really talk about. Also I have another story crying for attention right now. As crazy as this seems to me this story might end up being a bit more personal in nature. I look forward to really getting into it.
   Writing is a passion and I am starting to find my voice. Amazing that it has taken me almost eight years or more to really find the voice that has been making its way to the surface. I love it. It also means that I am not just stuck looking at everything from just one side.
    This story maybe a bit painful because there is so much of me in it but giving birth is painful and oh so rewarding afterwards. The major thing will be how will I give birth to the story. Only time will tell.

Author David Long

Author David Long answers questions about how he feels on being published and what you can expect from him in the future. His first book Trade It All is now available on Amazon.


How long have you been waiting for the opportunity to get published?

      I have been waiting for about maybe 8 years for this opportunity. I had almost given up on it and was fine to keep my works between myself and my fb fam. 

When making a decision on which publishing company to go with how did you choose?

     I look for opportunity and how well the company has their writers back. You could mess around with some companies that will sign you just cause but if they don’t believe in your works then you are spinning your wheels. True Glory has my back and then some. 

What made Glory Publications stand out among all the other rising publishing companies?

     To be honest I never heard of them til they was taking open submissions and I dug deep to do my research. TGP has had much success on the Amazon market with a lot their books in the top 20 in the urban market. After my submission and talking with Mr. Shameek and getting the offer I felt honored that this company would take a shot on me. 

Writing can be a long and painful process. Did you feel that way while completing your project?

     I didn’t feel that way because I enjoyed assessing my characters, applying them and pushing myself out of my normal writing style.

How did you feel about the editing process and did you have a final look before final print? 

     I didn’t have a final look. Once I sent my book in for editing then that was it. Once it was released I saw what you all saw. I did some pre-editing before I sent it in though.

If your readers are willing to be honest with you, how open are you with the criticisms and what steps would be taken to improve your work?

     Shameek warned me that some people are going to love your works and some people won’t. Hell, there are some people who love the works of Zane or N'Tyse or Cairo and then there are some people who don’t like it. You can’t please everyone. If someone wants to constructive critique me about my book I will honestly listen and take notes. I wouldn’t take it to heart too much.

What can we expect from you in the future?

     Currently I am working on Trade It All Part 2 and starting to form foundations for the next books after that. I have 'Eff & Get It Over With' in which I am really excited about that book because I am upping the drama factor from page one. I also have Scrumptious 1 & 2 and a long awaited Letters To My Future Wife. That book is practically done and I am editing it.

Do you have a website or another link to include so anyone reading the article can follow and check up on your future endeavors?

     You can follow up with on my Facebook fan page https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDLong or email me at dtlong35@gmail.com

Trends Could Be Bad by Ayisha B

    I am noticing something among the writers and novelist of today that has become very disturbing. More books are coming out in e-book format with a huge number of errors and no cohesion to the storyline. That is very scary.

    I understand wanting to see your work put into a published format but we as authors, writers, novelist or whatever you want to call yourselves need to be more aware of what we are marketing to the public. Your writing is a representation of you. You wouldn't go to a job interview without looking your best. You wouldn't go on a date without putting your best foot forward. So why on earth would you be okay with mediocre work being published and then refuse to listen to what your readers have to say.

    Perfecting your craft should always be the ultimate goal. Fans appreciate when you take time to make it worth spending their money.

    Another trend in the e-book domain is stories that are very short and calling it a book. It is time to state what your work truly is or isn't. Yes your audience plays a big factor into how large or small the story you are working on will be but keep in mind many of us would like to be in the leagues of the major publishing companies which means 50-100 pages just isn't enough.

    I get it that you want to write so many stories per year but are they quality stories that will keep your readers coming back for more or are they stories that will have your readers telling people please don't waste your time. These are just some questions we have to ask ourselves.

    I am not here to discourage or put down anyone entering this fantastic world of storytelling. I just want you to step up your game. Make what you write something that even major industry leaders will stand up and take notice of and not think just another hood story told by an average writer that is not worth taking a second look at.

    As I look into my own journey I will share my pitfalls and blocks that I struggle with on a regular and I will be looking to talk with others in this industry to get their insight. If I come across articles that maybe of interest I will share them as well. Let's strive to go to another level.

Challenges!

     I have a new challenge laid out before me. I never really thought about writing articles but it would be something that will help me in my research skills and presentation. Right now just trying to pull a few topics together has been a challenge and I just got started.

   Am I looking forward to doing something different and outside of my normal scope of things? My answer is absolutely. There is nothing like finding a new avenue to get your writing off the ground and make it more than just something you dream about.

   One of my biggest fears is my writing lacking all the qualities I look for in a good read. Then I suppose that could be a lot of writers fear. I read and sometimes I wonder what some people are really doing with this because their writing lacks depth and true vision. I don't want to be someone like that. I want to have something that when a reader or potential reader picks it up they will go purchase it and delve into the story. I want my readers to get lost and share the emotions.

   I want to push myself and I hope that others will come along and see me pushing. I want those that support me to be truthful and honest about what they see in my writing. I don't just want the good accolades that come with perfecting my craft. I want the hard hitting truth because if something needs to be changed then I as a writer want to open myself up to recognizing those changes.