Think about all those books sitting on your bookshelves, bookcases, scattered around the home, used as an ornament on the coffee table and so on. Now look at them, the titles, the cover design, the size, the name of the publishing house or group. Now look who wrote each book, look at their name, their photo, their gender, perhaps even their age. Ask yourself if you personally know them.
You see I've mentioned this because it doesn't matter about many of those things, all that really matters is that each individual author started in exactly the same way. All authors have the same motivating forces to complete the book you bought, it starts with an idea. Every author will tell you that they've started many ideas but never seen them through to a final conclusion, the finished book. Many authors will tell you that they will have spent months, perhaps years, writing a book only to abandon it before the end, or having got to the end dump it without much thought because it didn't fit in with their intended thought processes.
Yet for all the work and hours, days, months, and years the author dedicates to the craft of writing, that author needs three things to achieve the finished book. First, the ability to see an idea grow, prosper and blossom over an often long period of time. Second, a form of dedication that few are able to master successfully. Third, that having written the book the courage to stand by the personal belief displayed in their writing, and that often takes a lot of courage. My long departed dad, a magnificent individual, and greatly missed, said that there are two kinds of individuals who do a particular thing, those that do it for love and those that do it for money. In his eyes the former demanded the highest respect, the latter would remain largely unfulfilled and unhappy; who am I to argue with a sentiment that I follow religiously and know that I am likely to enter the next world financially underwhelmed.
Yet the one joy that being a poor struggling author does bring me, is the reaffirmation of the world as I perceive it to be, and then having the means at hand to question, whether through fiction or comedy, and to speak out against the things I personally find troubling. It's no great accident that my female characters tend to be the strong ones and the male species less so. But at the end of the day do my tomes, lovely word, accomplish anything? Well I'd hope, if nothing else, that they stir up either a positive response or a negative one but first you have to read them before you can find out.
I keep being asked why I chose the eBook format and not the 'traditional' publishing route. Yes, I've tried the publishing route but rejected because the books I write aren't going to make any publishing house any profit. So I've opted for eBooks and consequently my books are available throughout the world to an audience I'd never reach by way of publishing houses. Besides, with the continuing growth of the eBook market, I can afford a wry smile at the news that the best selling author, Seth Godwin, is going the way I've gone because of his growing disenchantment at the way publishing houses operate.
I, like many of you, enjoy the feel of paper in the palm of my hand. The paperback book is an individual intimate experience and very hard to replicate with an iPad or Kindle, yet the world is changing and such reading appliances are trying to emulate the reading experience of a paperback, in time they will succeed. Our love of the paper book only goes back a few hundred years to the time of the Gutenberg press, before that the population mass had to entrust their story telling to a minority of individuals; ironically the Gutenberg Project is now trying to save the written word by making eBooks freely available of titles long forgotten or in danger of being lost forever.
As an author I live a fairly isolated life. Returning to the beginning of this blog all those books you have around you, most of those authors have lived, or live, in the same way because that's the nature of the beast. All start with the horrible blank page, all develop their individual stories, characters, plots and sequenced events. All are mightily happy and relieved when the end has been accomplished. A few authors go on to fame and fortune, and perhaps notoriety. The vast majority of authors remain the unsung heroes of total anonymity, yet provide a vast body of work, shaped by love, passion and desire and see very little financial for their efforts. And that is the reason why authors such as I continue to write and publish, their love of books, stories and the never ending quest to protect their right to free speech in a world that tries very hard to control and curtail that right.
Finally, thank you to Mark Coker, CEO of my publishing company Smashwords, for giving me the opportunity to publish around the world. Thank you to all of you who are actively supporting my love of writing by buying my published books. Thank you to those who downloaded the sample copies for your interest and I'd hope that would stimulate your further interest in buying the books available. Any comments you may wish to share with me, please write in the comments section below. I'd like to interact with my readers so the opportunity is there, please use it.
An individual stroll through life, often taking an amusing view, or sometimes a little more serious one, depending on the mood.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
I'm very angry today!
Today I'm angry, and so because I have the means at hand, this blog, I'm going to rant and rave, and hopefully by the end somebody out there will have read this and at least taken the time to understand why I should feel the need to blow my top.
I'm fortunate in that I've ended up doing a thing that is a 'vocation' in life. As a teacher, teaching English to foreign students, mostly adults, adults and young people learning MY LANGUAGE, I'm following a path I never knew I would set out on. I'll never become rich, and there are times I've personally suffered as a result of my vocation in life. Yet I still believe in my vocation, because above all it allows me to return to others a solid means which enables them to progress in their lives, whichever direction they will choose to go eventually. To watch a student progress, regardless of their ability to learn, is to watch a tender bud flower. But the greatest joy for me is knowing that I was a tiny part of that wonderful growth, that I contributed in a selfless and meaningful way.
There will be many of you sitting and reading this, earning a decent salary, doing the things you want, when you want. You will have a comfortable life, and you may also not want to read what follows, but I AM ANGRY! I'm angry because even in this 21st century world, a world reduced to a global village due to the Internet and its vast array of communication forms, I last night (Monday) sat for 2 hours with a potential student from the Ukraine. This delightful individual, a mother with a seven year old son, had contacted me to help her develop her English skills, so she can progress in life, so she can make a better life for herself and son.
Eventually we discussed the price of my lessons, my price depends on the number of lessons taken, with a good discount for two or more lessons per week. The lady in question has a responsible position in life, with a degree in economics, divorced and earns a salary of $150 per month; I have checked this and it is correct according to the information I found on the web. Yes, a salary of $150 per month to live on and support her son. This I find completely outrageous, as she needs English for her employment responsibilities, and she gets no help from her employer. Towards the end of our discussions she was in tears because the key to her future success, she believed, was slipping away.
I will do everything I personally can to help her because I passionately believe that no-one should be denied access to learning something that makes the individual grow and prosper. As I grew up my attitudes hardened towards education because of the discrimination I personally suffered due to my 'lack of academic' ability, and I'm talking of the British education system which was willing to consign me to a life of sweeping factory floors; I'm not joking. A sense of learning is the greatest gift we give the individual, but all too often that curiosity and desire to learn is corrupted by both education and money. No individual should be denied the opportunity to learn.
I dare say, and I've already acknowledged this, that I'll die poor. I have no difficulty with this, and accept it because I refuse to be a part of a world that values money above all else. I accept I cannot change the world, but I can help a few individuals along the way. What are you willing to do to help make the world a much fairer and better place to live in?
I'm fortunate in that I've ended up doing a thing that is a 'vocation' in life. As a teacher, teaching English to foreign students, mostly adults, adults and young people learning MY LANGUAGE, I'm following a path I never knew I would set out on. I'll never become rich, and there are times I've personally suffered as a result of my vocation in life. Yet I still believe in my vocation, because above all it allows me to return to others a solid means which enables them to progress in their lives, whichever direction they will choose to go eventually. To watch a student progress, regardless of their ability to learn, is to watch a tender bud flower. But the greatest joy for me is knowing that I was a tiny part of that wonderful growth, that I contributed in a selfless and meaningful way.
There will be many of you sitting and reading this, earning a decent salary, doing the things you want, when you want. You will have a comfortable life, and you may also not want to read what follows, but I AM ANGRY! I'm angry because even in this 21st century world, a world reduced to a global village due to the Internet and its vast array of communication forms, I last night (Monday) sat for 2 hours with a potential student from the Ukraine. This delightful individual, a mother with a seven year old son, had contacted me to help her develop her English skills, so she can progress in life, so she can make a better life for herself and son.
Eventually we discussed the price of my lessons, my price depends on the number of lessons taken, with a good discount for two or more lessons per week. The lady in question has a responsible position in life, with a degree in economics, divorced and earns a salary of $150 per month; I have checked this and it is correct according to the information I found on the web. Yes, a salary of $150 per month to live on and support her son. This I find completely outrageous, as she needs English for her employment responsibilities, and she gets no help from her employer. Towards the end of our discussions she was in tears because the key to her future success, she believed, was slipping away.
I will do everything I personally can to help her because I passionately believe that no-one should be denied access to learning something that makes the individual grow and prosper. As I grew up my attitudes hardened towards education because of the discrimination I personally suffered due to my 'lack of academic' ability, and I'm talking of the British education system which was willing to consign me to a life of sweeping factory floors; I'm not joking. A sense of learning is the greatest gift we give the individual, but all too often that curiosity and desire to learn is corrupted by both education and money. No individual should be denied the opportunity to learn.
I dare say, and I've already acknowledged this, that I'll die poor. I have no difficulty with this, and accept it because I refuse to be a part of a world that values money above all else. I accept I cannot change the world, but I can help a few individuals along the way. What are you willing to do to help make the world a much fairer and better place to live in?
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Where to find my novels, in case you couldn't find them!
Dear readers of this wondrous blog, for an author of a 1st time novel it's a gruelling matter doing things like marketing; especially when you know absolutely nothing about such strange practices. This is even more ridiculous when the novel is out there floating around in cyberspace without a bookshelf to call home. Having spent many a long hour, day, month and endless years slaving over this little tome, it's finally down to you, my public to play your part in making the 'BIG DREAM' come true!
To help matters along, and in celebration of publishing my second novel, 'Danny's Navel Adventure' below there's a list of sites where you can either buy, or get a free sample' YES A FREE SAMPLE, of 'Nick and Jenny'!
Now, before anyone asks 'Nick and Jenny' can be bought for less than a cup of coffee, so there's no excuse for not actively supporting the arts! If nothing else I've learned is that for a dream to come true you need support. One way is to spend a few bucks, pass on the news to friends etc and make it happen much quicker than otherwise might be the case.
So before we go any further, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO'S ALREADY HELPING TO MAKE MY DREAM COME TRUE - IT'S REALLY APPRECIATED.
However, check out this site for a FREE ebook management system for keeping your ebook library organised and all your ebooks in one place. Calibre
Stores Where My Book Can be Bought
Smashwords
'Nick and Jenny' here
'Danny's Navel Adventure' here
At the moment only 'Nick and Jenny' can be bought at the following sites, click on the link to take you there.
Apple
USA
Germany
UK
France
Barnes and Noble - USA
Sony Bookstore - Worldwide
My new comedy 'Danny's Navel Adventure' will be available in the above stores in the future once it's been accepted for inclusion in the Smashwords Premium Catalogue.
THANKS and HAPPY READING!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
There's a song in my heart!
Life continues unabated, I love words that sound good, and without much in the way of disturbance, which on a grand scale of 1-10 would mean my life is teetering on the brink of a glass of milk. Still, the past weekend saw the entire weekend given over to 'Bardentreffen' a free music festival in the old town centre. Every man and his dog seemed to be in town for the musical shindig, I only there for the filming and not much else.
It's not that I don't like live music, one has to learn to appreciate the finer things in life, but when you're trying to sleep and God's rock band is playing immediately around the corner from you, it doesn't take much imagination to realise why you fell out with God in the first place. And I'm not joking either. Just around the corner from me there's a little courtyard, or passageway, where you can just about herd together 50 disciples and a rock band. The courtyard is the back exit for the local offices of some religious order or other; not the Scientology lot due to Germany banning them for being somekind of weird cult, I've no idea if they are weird, strange possibly, weird dunno. Of course, one of the joys, I'm led to believe, is that all religions like to make the occasional song and dance either in defence of their right to exist, or in celebration that they still do exist. But the use of 6,000 watt amplifers, throbbing woofers and tweeters and enough bass to give any tenor constipation for a month of Sundays isn't the best way to celebrate His or Her Worshipfulness.
This was all compounded by having Hermann & the Munsters up the back passage, whilst the singer across the way on another stage belted out his version of Irish Bluegrass, and no doubt having an odd draw here and there, launching a frontal attack. This particular singer was definitely weird in his choice of songs. When I first heard him he was cranking out a blues number, which I have to admit was perfectly passable, followed by an Irish folksong. It did remind me of those awful karaoke nights I've never been too, but seen all too often on the telly when I had one. I do give anyone due respect for having the audacity and gumption to willingly inflict themselves on the non-paying public, but what I do find particularly unforgivable is the god awful ringing in my bloody ears for the last three days!
By Sunday afternoon I'd decided enough was enough and stayed in, happily missing the final day of the festival. I say happily in the sense that based on what I'd heard on Friday and Saturday, time was much better spent avoiding the last of Germany's got talent roadshow. However, the end of the festival is always a sad moment, not because the sound of music has disappeared up its own alpine crevice, but because it's the signal that in five short months the Xmas market will be back. Now that is truly depressing!
It's not that I don't like live music, one has to learn to appreciate the finer things in life, but when you're trying to sleep and God's rock band is playing immediately around the corner from you, it doesn't take much imagination to realise why you fell out with God in the first place. And I'm not joking either. Just around the corner from me there's a little courtyard, or passageway, where you can just about herd together 50 disciples and a rock band. The courtyard is the back exit for the local offices of some religious order or other; not the Scientology lot due to Germany banning them for being somekind of weird cult, I've no idea if they are weird, strange possibly, weird dunno. Of course, one of the joys, I'm led to believe, is that all religions like to make the occasional song and dance either in defence of their right to exist, or in celebration that they still do exist. But the use of 6,000 watt amplifers, throbbing woofers and tweeters and enough bass to give any tenor constipation for a month of Sundays isn't the best way to celebrate His or Her Worshipfulness.
This was all compounded by having Hermann & the Munsters up the back passage, whilst the singer across the way on another stage belted out his version of Irish Bluegrass, and no doubt having an odd draw here and there, launching a frontal attack. This particular singer was definitely weird in his choice of songs. When I first heard him he was cranking out a blues number, which I have to admit was perfectly passable, followed by an Irish folksong. It did remind me of those awful karaoke nights I've never been too, but seen all too often on the telly when I had one. I do give anyone due respect for having the audacity and gumption to willingly inflict themselves on the non-paying public, but what I do find particularly unforgivable is the god awful ringing in my bloody ears for the last three days!
By Sunday afternoon I'd decided enough was enough and stayed in, happily missing the final day of the festival. I say happily in the sense that based on what I'd heard on Friday and Saturday, time was much better spent avoiding the last of Germany's got talent roadshow. However, the end of the festival is always a sad moment, not because the sound of music has disappeared up its own alpine crevice, but because it's the signal that in five short months the Xmas market will be back. Now that is truly depressing!
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