Murderers, as writers

Good day, Murderers!

I hope this finds you doing something that fulfills you.

What is everyone reading?



Yes, reading is a part of being a writer. I am usually reading two books at a time, one electronically and one in paper. At the moment, I am reading The Book of Joy in paper. It is a very good read. It is written by a gentleman who spent time with The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu as they celebrated one of the holy men's birthday. It is filled with wonderful advice on how to live a joy-filled life. We all could use that, right?

The other one I am working on my Kindle app is Dare to Love by Carly Phillips. It is romance, not something for everyone, but still a worthy read.

I am supposed to be writing a page a day on the next Shannon Wallace book but have some personal family things going on at the moment that is blocking any sort of creative endeavor beyond blogging. I sure hope 2017 doesn't keep going like it has begun. So far, it has pretty much sucked.

But you don't want to hear that do you??

Murderers, as writers, you should be reading something. And as writers, you should be writing something. Even blog posts. EVERY DAY. Don't forget if you do this for 21 days it will become a habit.

Do not do as I do. Do as I say do.

Happy Thursday, y'all.

Books, and how they affect us

When you were a kid -- freedom to read was a given. Your parents probably were thrilled when you flopped down on the couch with a book in one hand and an apple in the other. But did you ever consider how that simple act (reading the book, not eating the apple) affected you today?

I think maybe not only the act of reading affected me, but WHAT I read affected me as a writer.

If I recall my bookshelves of yore, there were many tomes of fantasy. J.R.R. Tolkien, Stephen R. Donaldson, Terry Brooks,and the occasional Stephen King- all kept me company. Then as I aged into more variety, I collected a ton of romance. Harlequin produced romances with historical places and interesting characters that were from the real world, facing real problems.

But it wasn't until I began to delve more into adult fiction that my tastes truly matured. I branched off into mysteries, and suspenses, more horror, and thicker meatier fantasy.

I have never loved reading more than I do today, however. I mean, think about it. You can read a book from a paperback during the day when the sun is shining bright, and by an electronic device in the darkness of night. (I mention that because the other night I actually took my Kindle with me to read from as my hubby drove since it was nighttime and I couldn't see to read a paperback)-- you can even read on a PHONE. Wow. I am sure the sci-fi peeps dreamed of this day way back when! Think about what we are reading today? Wonder when those ideas will happen in the future?

There has never been a better time to read, and really? Nothing has changed about how it affects us-by enlightening us, broadening our horizons, and making us imagine. The difference now is getting people to want to read.

It is important to encourage our young ones to read, too. More youths of today DON'T read for fun than ever before. This was made evident to me when I spoke to a group a few weeks back. Most in fact, never crack open a novel. The only reading they do is what they HAVE to do for school. And, I might add, they are not really interested in that. The ones who DO read are into romances. The ones with kids like them. With issues in life like theirs.

It's a great time to be a writer. I hope you are reading as well!
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Kim Smith is an avid reader, you can find her reading list on her website at: http://www.kimsmithauthor.com - and find out about her latest publications, books, and radio show there as well.

Time to Reflect

As we move into this new year, I am bent on reflecting about what went right and what went wrong with the old one. Maybe I think if I do that, I might improve my lot this year. Maybe I think if I can find a different angle based on attempts from last year, this time around, I might be less likely to fail.

Last year, I underwent more doubting and fears than I have since I was a teenager, I believe. I had job issues, family issues, health issues, money issues, and I didn't write. No, I threw words on the page. And I angsted. Over what? It's complicated.

Whatever it was...I am reflecting. Reflecting on where I fit in. And if I need to be forty pounds lighter to get there. And I know I will force my way in if I have to because... well, I have to.

Reflecting, what I think most writers today need to hear, dear Murderers, is that there is room for all of us. Big and small, short and tall, writers, poets, dreamers, and thinkers.

Yes, I said that.

The writing room is limitless. There is not a ceiling out there that anyone has to worry about hitting on writing or publishing. Especially now. And if it is your heart's desire to go out and acquire an agent, there is no better time to finish your manuscript, edit and revise, and build that query for it. Send it out THIS YEAR, pal.

Agents are STILL looking for good authors to rep. And believe it or not, in this digital world, there are even more readers looking for new and exciting books to devour. I read that this year, Goodreads might start selling books. Yeah, I know, right???

But then again, if you are a writer who wants to be published quickly, and as we all know big name publishers take their time getting our favorite author's books out, then you should consider the new avenues to getting a book out there. Just remember that you will be your very own bullhorn and have to toot it loudly.

No matter what your decision is, as in my case, this is our year!

So, do a little reflecting then go out and get 'em!