Great, You’re an Author! Are You a Business Too?

Hi, author friends!  I haven’t blogged in awhile so I figured it was time to pass along some more knowledge that I’ve accumulated over the years.  Like you, after I completed my rough manuscript, I needed to start getting my work publish-ready.  That meant hiring a professional editor (a must) and finding the right artist to create a killer cover design (a bigger must) as well as beginning my thought process for the big marketing campaign.  What else did I do?  OK, here it goes!

I needed a website, a newsletter to send to my loyal fans, set up my social networking accounts, yada, yada, yada.  Though some of these things you can do for free, you still need Internet access, which last I looked cost some money per month.  Oh yeah, I needed a device(s) to access Al Gore’s creation, a printer, a smart phone with all those cool apps, and again much, much more.  Are you sensing that a particular word should be added right about here?  That word would be expenses!  And when you have expenses, you my friend, have a business.  With Tax Season nipping at our heels, wouldn’t it be nice to get back a little that you put into the system?

My local bank, and I’m sure many others, allows me to have a free online business account as long as I have a personal account with them.  I use my social security number as my personal identification number for the account and tax purposes.  I even use my business name, Overlord Enterprises, on my account meaning that I can have people sign checks to either that name or myself.

When it comes to Uncle Sam, I write off book purchases, editor and artist fees, mileage to book signings and workshops, devices, Internet access, etc.  I personally use Microsoft Excel but Quicken also has home and business software that is exceptional and easy to use (I use Quicken for my personal business and love it).  Be sure to collect taxes for book sales and pay them to your state.  On your federal return, you can fill in a Schedule C and deduct everything that you do.  And when doing your taxes, be honest.  Don’t overdo it and you will be fine.

I do want to add a disclaimer here.  I hold writer’s workshops, give presentations at libraries and schools, attend writer’s conferences, and travel to all my gigs, which makes what I do a nice side business.  All of these things generate revenue, along with book sales.  If you’re only selling books, and not many at that, you might not be able to really qualify as a business since your losses will be drastically more than your income.  This raises a red flag on your tax return and can increase your chance of being audited.   Furthermore, Uncle Sam may deem you as having a cool little hobby and not a bonafide business.  But if you’re active in your business all will be fine.

I hope this helps you guys out a bit.  Getting back some money at tax time from doing something that you love is always a good thing, right?  Absolutely!

Nonnie Jules Talks About Twitter

Overlord Fans, I would like to introduce to you once again, Nonnie Jules.  Nonnie is a huge Twitter supporter of mine and is taking time today to talk about her ways around the Twitter-sphere.  Enjoy!

"HOW TO MAKE CLOSE CONNECTIONS AND GAIN SUPPORTIVE ALLIES ON TWITTER" 

Hi, and thanks so much for having me here once again at The Overlords!  Mike is such a great and supportive friend, he's one of the reasons for my topic today.  But, let me start off by introducing myself to his new followers, as there have been some new additions to my family since the last time I was here.

My name is NONNIE JULES and I'm a mother, a wife, an author, and a great friend, among other things.  If you're curious, I named my top four.  My first written piece of work is "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS", 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can't Help But Love!  I published it in May of 2013, it was 102 pages long and it took me 17 days to write.  My latest baby (the newest addition I mentioned earlier) is my debut novel, "DAYDREAM'S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE'S FRIEND" and it was just released a couple of weeks ago, at the end of November, 2013.  It is a whopping 370 pages long and it took me 370 years to write!  OK, although I'm stretching that a tad, that's what it felt like to me.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let's move on to the topic at hand, my title.  I started on Twitter the early part of 2013 and I WAS a fish out of water.  I had no idea what I was doing, or what I was supposed to be doing there, but I knew that I needed to market and sell my books.  Being as new as I was, early on I didn't find too many people who were willing to help teach me anything.  So, me being me, I just jumped right in.  One of the first things I noticed on Twitter, since it was the easiest social media forum for me to pick up, was I learned that people were sort of "clique-y".  You know the kind I'm speaking of, the ones who have gathered their close little net of friends and they just don't know how to let anyone new in.

I would ask questions about certain things, and I'm sure you won't believe me when I tell you this, but some of the answers I received were surely meant to discourage me to move on and go pick a new hobby other than writing.  I was sorely disappointed that I was coming across people who acted this way, especially since I'm known to be a great big supporter of others.

One of  the second things I noticed on Twitter was a thing called a BLOG TOUR.  Didn't exactly know what it was, but had stumbled across it on someone else's blog, and it just so happens that Mike was guest posting on that particular blog tour.  I contacted the owner of the blog who was a writer by the name of Taylor Fulks and I simply asked if she would be kind enough to host me one day.  She was more than happy to say "YES!" and I almost fell over from the shock!    Why?  Because I had met so many others who were not eager at all to help me in any way, and  here was this one person who said "Yes" without hesitating or without me having to promise her one of my two very special daughters.  (Then I found out she had two seemingly very special daughters of her own, so she didn't need one of mine *smile*).

From the tour that was going on there at Taylor's, I met Mike of The Overlords and you know how they say "the rest is history?", Well, let me tell you, it really is.  Since that time Mike and I have appeared on each other's blogs countless times and we have developed this friendship that reeks of nothing but mutual respect and support.  I said to him one day recently, "I know that if I can't show up anywhere else in cyberland, I always have a home at your place". That door swings both ways.

I learned on my own that I had to find a way to develop and cultivate friendships on Twitter that would be mutually beneficial for me as well as the other party.  And here are some of the ways I did that:

1)  I sat, I watched, I learned and then when the time was right, I jumped right in on a conversation and from there, if I found a person to be interesting and "of substance",  I would spread their message with a 'Retweet' and/or a 'Favorite'.  

2)  I randomly would select someone new to interact with, and again, would just sit and peruse their timeline, read their bio and start a conversation and then spread their message (again with Retweets and Favorites).

3)  I personally have developed what I call my TWITTER SUPPORT LIST.  This list is comprised of people who have been very supportive of me and I in turn, I am  EXTREMELY supportive of them.  There are others on this list, too.  These are random people who I've never interacted with, yet I (once again) read their bio, perused their timeline to see what they were all about, and then I would start to spread their message (Retweets and Favorites).  This is a habit that engages people.  It lets that random person know that you are a person supportive of others and generally they will return the favor by spreading your messages, as well as becoming a Follower of yours.

4)  Lastly, I tend to go out of my way for certain people on Twitter.  Those are the people who I can call on in a pinch, they're always the first ones to support me and my causes and they are simply over-the-top great people!  Mike, is one of those people to me.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that these people are always and will always be in my corner, no matter what.  As the kids say today:  "I know they have my back and I surely have theirs." 

So, there you have it in a nutshell...ways to make close connections and gain supportive allies on Twitter.  It's how I did it, and it's how you can do it, too.

Engage and engage some more.  There are wonderful people out there in cyber-land, I believe more than there are those clique-y types I met early on.  You just have to be patient and soon you will know that you've made the best connections and gained the most supportive of allies.

My time here is up so I'm going to leave by asking for your support.  I ask that you visit the links below to my blogs, my books and my book trailers (they are very nice to watch!).  And then I'm going to ask that you follow me for the rest of my tour.  I have some very interesting topics each day, that I really encourage you to not miss any of them.  Here is the Schedule for each leg of the tour so feel free to click on each day's open link.

I will also be awarding 3 lucky winners at the end of the tour.  The first lucky winner will receive a "DAYDREAM'S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE'S FRIEND" Swag Pack, and winners #2 and #3 will each win a $5 Amazon Gift Card!  All you have to do to win is to leave a comment below and for every comment you leave (1 per stop), you will earn 1 entry into the giveaway.  This is a 10-day tour so if you leave 10 comments, that's a comment at each stop, then you will have 10 entries into the drawing.  Isn't that fun?  

I wish you all much peace, love and great reads!  Don't forget to visit the links below and don't forget to leave us a comment! Thanks!!!

Nonnie Jules, Author
"...and her words breathe life onto paper"

CONTACT:
General Blog
Parenting Blog
Nonnie's Book Store - Signed Copies & more
Twitter:  @nonniejules

BOOKS:
"The Good Mommies' Guide to Raising (Almost) Perfect Daughters,"
100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can't Help But Love!
www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP62O56
www.createspace.com/4355124

"Daydream's Daughter, Nightmare's Friend
www.amazon.com/dp/B00GLM2VVM

TRAILERS:

"THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE ..." 

"Daydream's Daughter, Nightmare's Friend" 

Here's to a Wonderful Holiday Season!

Hello, Overlord fans.  Another holiday season is upon us and like everyone else, we’re all gearing up for the sales season.  However, I’m not going to give you the big sales pitch this year.  Many of you have already purchased my books and I thank you so much for being a loyal fan and follower of mine.   Instead, I’m hoping that you can help spread the word about my works to your friends, families, co-workers, and acquaintances, especially those that you think would like my books the most.  There’s always someone else out there that hasn't heard of The Overlords but might be interested if they knew.

Speaking of spreading the word, please inform those same people with children that I visit local schools and libraries, holding children’s writing sessions, science fiction and fantasy workshops, and mentor seniors with their senior projects.  I can’t be everywhere all the time and trying to contact these institutions can be a daunting task.  Your help will enable me to someday meet that young, aspiring author and help them get their writing career off the ground.  All of these things help me to pay it forward and little by little these simple acts can bring on greater things.

I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season, full of happiness and cheer.  And if the winter becomes long and cold, snuggling up near the fireplace wrapped in a blanket to keep warm while enjoying Harrison’s adventure isn’t such a bad thing, now is it?  J

The Overlords Blog Tour: Seven Blogs in Seven Days

Hello, Overlords fans!  Starting Friday, November 1st I will be embarking on my first ever blog tour.  I'm hoping to spread the word about The Overlords and Self Publishing Insight to my blog hosts' social network, hopefully reaching thousands of new fans.  I'll be discussing some very interesting topics that will reach all walks of life, especially in literary circles.  Listed below are the host blogger, the topic for the day, and the associated link.  The links will go live on the day of the blog stop, so check back here to review previous blogs if you missed them. Please forward this link to anyone you feel would benefit from the day's content.  Thanks!

November 1:  Shelf Pleasure -- "Science Fiction vs. Fantasy: Are They Really the Same?"

November 2:  Draegon Grey -- Author and Character Interviews with an exciting Overlords trailer.

November 3:  Shirley Slaughter -- "Teach What You Know"

November 4:  Gary Frank -- "Horror and The Overlords Connection"

November 5:  Taylor Fulks -- "Are You Talking to Me? Figuring Out the Point of View"

November 6:  Mike Malone -- Two Guys Talking Baseball

November 7:  Nonnie Jules -- Overlords and Self Publishing Insight Interview

Thanks to all my wonderful hosts for supporting me on my blog tour.  I hope everyone learns a little something that helps them get one step closer to completing their project.

Offerings from SelfPublishingInsight.com

Attention writers, teachers, librarians, and anyone else that's interested in moving their writing career along!  Mike and Jon at Self Publishing Insight have been busy streamlining a catalog of offerings to help get your next book into the public's awaiting hands.  As you know, Mike is very busy presenting "The Concepts of Writing and Publishing", mentoring high school students, and visiting libraries and schools, but he's always available to take on new challenges.

Take a look at our list of offerings:

The Concepts of Writing and Publishing

This workshop focuses on writing, in particular creating characters, settings, plot points, and the Four-Pass Editing Process, as well as self-marketing, self-promotion, social networking, eBooks, and much more. Question and answer time provided.

Good for: aspiring authors, authors-to-be, new authors, anyone who wants to self-publish their works

Length: 2 hours
 

Social Networking, Self-Marketing, and Self-Promotion

This workshop is for authors looking to promote their work in the ever-growing field of social networking, self-marketing, and self-promotion. Cutting edge technology is focused on in this workshop, including utilizing the Internet to its fullest capability. Websites, social media sites, newsletters, email distribution, blogging, YouTube, and much more are discussed in this highly attended event. Question and answer time provided.

Good for: aspiring authors, authors-to-be, new authors, intermediate authors, anyone interested in how to promote themselves online

Length: 2 hours
 

Writing for Beginners

This workshop is geared toward the new writer, as well as someone that might need a nudge in the right direction. Content of this workshop takes a closer look into creating characters, settings, plot points, and the Four-Pass Editing Process. When finished with this class, students will be able to apply what they have learned and get their book to the point of publication. Question and answer time provided.

Good for: aspiring authors, authors-to-be, new authors, anyone who wants to understand writing/writers/their mindset better

Length: 2 hours
 

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Adventure Writers Workshop (Session Based)

This workshop is geared toward those writing Science Fiction and/or Fantasy novels. Beyond general writing techniques, this class digs deeper into world and universe creating, mythologies, character development, and genre specific items. Question and answer time provided. Specific discussion of each attendees work included.

Good for: aspiring authors, authors-to-be, new authors, intermediate authors, advanced authors, those interested in examining this writing genre

Length: 4 – 5 evenings (over about a month), 2 hours per session
 

Intermediate Writers Workshop (Session Based)

This workshop is via a group setting in order to discuss different aspects of writing a novel at length. Participants are encouraged to bring up problems they are encountering and to work as a group to resolve issues with their projects. The workshop focuses on creating characters, settings, plot points, and the Four-Pass Editing Process, as well as self-marketing, self-promotion, social networking, eBooks, and much more. This seminar delves deeper into the topics at hand, allowing students to ask more detailed questions.

Good for: aspiring authors, authors-to-be, new authors, intermediate authors, advanced authors, those interested in examining this writing genre

Length: 4 – 5 evenings (over about a month), 2 hours per session
 

Write & Dine (Session Based)

This workshop combines nightly writing topics and a culinary experience. This relaxed setting brings together writers and food aficionados alike! Plentiful hors d'oeuvres are coupled an intimate setting to discuss the subject of the night in detail. Individual and interactive group conversations are utilized to better grasp the topic at hand. Attendees must be over 21.

Good for: aspiring authors, authors-to-be, new authors, intermediate authors, advanced authors, those interested in examining this writing genre

Length: 4 – 5 evenings (over about a month), 2 hours per session
 

Writers Retreat

This special retreat gives attendees a setting conducive to channeling a truly positive writing experience. This weekend-long excursion combines multiple writing topics in an introspective atmosphere. Attention will be given to each attendees specific writing, with feedback from the group. Individual break-out sessions with our expert(s) are provided for personal evolution. Attendees must be over 21. This is an overnight event, lodging and some meals included.

Good for: authors-to-be, new authors, intermediate authors, advanced authors

Length: One weekend (Saturday & Sunday), overnight, 10:00 – 4:00, plus a
fun happy hour and dinner on Saturday, breakfast on Sunday
 

One-on-one Writing Consulting

This intensive examination of your work begins with a free consultation phone meeting with our expert. Pinpoint feedback, instruction and customized tips work in conjunction to provide you with the tools and abilities to bring your writing dreams to reality. Discount on publishing, marketing and other related services included!

Good for: aspiring authors, authors-to-be, new authors, intermediate authors,
advanced authors, those interested in improving their writing

Length: To be decided (a minimum of 4 sessions over at least a month) 

Remember, you can always contact Mike or Jon for more information about pricing, presentations, and workshops. If you have an idea for a class or event, let us know and we'll see if we can fit it into a new SPI offering.

Nonnie Jules's Blog Tour Ends Here!

Overlords fans, you might have recalled that a few months ago fellow author, Nonnie Jules, guest blogged here.  Since then Nonnie has embarked on her highly successful "DAYDREAM'S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE'S FRIEND" Blog Tour and I'm happy to say that she saved her best stop for last!  Here's the interview -- enjoy!

Mike:  Hi, Nonnie.  I’m very excited to have you visit my blog for the second time in a matter of months.  Last time you were here you gave my Overlords fans a little information about you and your latest book, The Good Mommies’ Guide to Raising (Almost) Perfect Daughters.  This time, we’re going to do an old fashioned interview, OK?   With that said, here we go!

Mike:  Nonnie, please reacquaint yourself to my Overlords fans with a little information about you and where you are from.

Nonnie:  Hi, my name is Nonnie Jules.  I'm the mother of two beautiful daughters, wife of one very loving husband and grandma to many animals.  We live in Louisiana on a strip of land I like to refer to as "my farm".  We don't milk cows or feed chickens here, but if you go looking for horses and the like, you will find plenty of them.  I'm an avid reader and lover of books (the old fashioned kind, you know the ones you can actually hold in your hand and turn real pages) and I like to write from many different genres.

Mike:  How are sales with The Good Mommies’ Guide to Raising (Almost) Perfect Daughters?

Nonnie:  Well Mike, of course, any new author who's name isn't J.K. Rowling would probably respond to this question in the same manner...sales could always be better!  BUT, I have to say this, my FIRST book "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE..." has now made it's way onto the shelves of a few Barnes & Noble Book Sellers and that's a big thing!  And I will have to admit, happily, that it's moving on its own merit.  All the stores have had to re-order multiple times because the book is running out the door.  One day soon, I'll come back and share a large number with your readers that will really blow their socks off, but it's doing OK, I must say.

Mike:  Let’s talk social networking, especially Twitter.  For those of you who don’t know, Nonnie has selflessly promoted me and many other authors.  Can you give us some insight in how you have managed to get such a grasp of Twitter?  And, how do you utilize Twitter best?

Nonnie:  It amazes me that people think I'm such a whiz when it comes to Twitter.  I am the most socially inept person in the social networking sphere, really I am.  Just as with Facebook, I don't know what I'm doing on Twitter.  I have just managed to teach myself just enough to get by. I may look like a PRO doing it, but believe me, I'm not (I just believe you should look good in everything you do..smile).  I know how to post on both forums and I know how to respond.  That's it, nothing fancy.  It blows me away when people come to me and ask "how do u promote all those people every day?  What kind of system are you using?"  System, you guys think I have a system?  Well, let me disappoint you all...there is no system.  I hand type, that's manually type each of those posts/plugs that you see every day!  Nothing is automated with me.  I just don't know how to even get into that fancy stuff.  As far as how I use Twitter best Mike, I'm actually going to blog about this next week...I like to maximize each tweet, even when I'm saying "hello" to someone, I ensure that it's not a wasted "hello".  You guys will have to drop by my blog next Tuesday to get the full gist of what Im saying here.  So bookmark my blog below!

Mike: You’re a big advocate for mentoring and paying it forward.  Can you describe what you would like to see from your fellow authors in this area?

Nonnie:  Mike, I'm so proud of you and the effort you expend to support and mentor our youth, let me say that first.  But yes, I am a very strong advocate for mentoring, paying it forward and my favorite...CANDLE LIGHTING.  "A Candle Loses Nothing By Lighting Another Candle." This is  truly how I live my life online and off.  If someone comes to you and asks for help, give it.  Willingly.  If there is any way that you can help further the career or goals of another, do it...willingly and without hesitation.  Remember, everything you do comes back to you, so let's make the boomerang return only positive favor in our direction.  I feel so passionate about this topic that I could go on and on and on about it, so I'm going to stop at this for now... always be willing to help another.

Mike:  Any upcoming projects we should now about?

Nonnie: My first novel, "DAYDREAM'S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE'S FRIEND" was due to release at the end of August, but that didn't happen.  Actually, this is the tour I'm on now for DDNF.  We have a new release date of mid-September, so let's keep our fingers crossed and keep me off Twitter so that I can put the finishing touches on the book.  I personally think it's going to be a great read but I may be  a little biased on this topic, so we'll see.  I'm sure you guys will let me know.  Take a look at the trailer here youtu.be/qbUK3XQ5-dA.  You can also read an excerpt from the book here wp.me/P3sUCq-gj.

My children's book "KIRSTEN AND THE BIG BLUE TREE" was put on hold due to illustrator issues, but it looks as if I'm about to have those issues worked out and so it will definitely be out in time for the holiday gift-giving season.  Who doesn't love to give books for the holidays?  I sure do!

Mike:  Now for some fun stuff!  Ready?  OK!  What’s your favorite movie?

Nonnie:  My favorite movie is (anything with Julia Roberts) STEEL MAGNOLIAS.

Mike: Favorite food or dish to make?

Nonnie:  I'm a Louisiana gal so my favorite food to make and eat is seafood GUMBO.

Mike:  Favorite place you have ever visited?

Nonnie:  My most favorite place that I've ever visited would be California.  The people are comical there so I enjoyed it because I always enjoy a good laugh.

Mike:  Favorite music band?

Nonnie:  My favorite music band I would have to say is the Jonas Brothers.  I know it's a kiddie thing but you guys have to keep in mind that I'm a mom of a teenager and a few years ago I had to go to a Jonas Brothers concert and the little girls were into it so much that they made me get into it.  And being a busy mom, I don't know anything about anything except kid stuff, and Disney.  How sad am I?  LOL!

Mike:  Favorite book, and no it can’t be one of yours!

Nonnie:  Oh, but my favorite book is mine!  LOL!  That's no fair, telling me that I can't name my own book as my favorite.  But, seriously, I have always loved and always will love LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott.  That seriously is my most favorite book in all the land.

Mike:  Nonnie, thanks for being a good sport!  Is there anything you would like to leave my fans with?

Nonnie:  If you guys would like to keep up with me and what I'm doing, please FOLLOW my blog WATCH NONNIE WRITE! at nonniewrites.wordpress.com.  There is so much cool information there, that you don't want to miss out on any blog I have coming through.  You may also FOLLOW me on Twitter @nonniejules.

I am on a mission to save our children, one by one.  "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS," 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can't Help but Love! is one of the most powerful mediums to getting that done.  If we all are teaching our children from the same model, the same blueprint, how can we go wrong?  WE CAN'T!  The legacy that I'd like to leave behind for my children, for all children is that of a better, safer more loving world.  But we can all be a part of making that happen.  Here's the trailer if you haven't seen it already: youtu.be/zg15rptFN2g.  So, if you haven't picked up a copy or gifted a copy of "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE..." yet, here are ways to do it:

If you like e-books you can get a copy here at amazon.com/dp/B00CP62O56 for only $2.99.  You can't even get a burger for $2.99 and all it will do is make you fat.  At least when you spend $2.99 on this book, you're helping to save the world and our children.  On Amazon, you may also pick it up in paperback. Createspace.com/4355124 has paperback copies and if you'd like an autographed copy, go to www.nonniesbookstore.com.  This book makes a great baby shower and new mommy gift.  Get yours today!  Ditch the hamburger.

This is the final day of the "DAYDREAM'S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE'S FRIEND" Blog Tour and I couldn't have wrapped it up in a better place so I saved my goodie for last.  Today and today only, I am giving away ONE very special autographed copy of "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE..." to a lucky reader of the Overlords.  Simply visit www.nonniesbookstore.com to register.  That's all you have to do and the winner will be selected on September 15!  The winner will be posted at NONNIE'S BOOK STORE and also I'm sure Mike will post it here (somewhere).  Good luck to you all!  

Thank you all for having me and Mike, it's always a pleasure.

Mike:  Nonnie, the pleasure was all mine.  And Overlords fans, let's support Nonnie on all her projects by purchasing a book, visiting her blog, and following her on Twitter.  I already am!

The Top Three Ways Kids Can Be Better Writers!

Hello Parents, as well as fellow Overlords fans!  Even if you're not an author, I think that you can benefit from these three little tips to get yourself or your child to write more.  Let's face it, writing is not hard and getting your kids to do it is easy, if you know how!  We have a ton of experience with this area via our years of school and library interactions and the tips below can help your child tremendously!  How can we get this done?  Read on!

Tip #1: READ!  One way I stir my creative imagination is not by writing all the time, but by reading.  Let's face it, sometimes we authors simply cannot write any more at a given time.  Many times I have saturated my brain with battle scenes, monsters, and witty dialogue but enough is enough.  When I feel like I can't write another sentence, I put away my work and pick up that book I've been waiting to read.  Reading immerses me in someone else's world, taking me to a place that I have not personally created.

Parents, when your kids tell you that they don't feel like writing take them to the nearest book store and have them buy their favorite book or the next story in the series that they're reading.  You'll be surprised at how this new story will spark their imagination and get them back to that computer and writing to their hearts' content in no time!  Believe me, if it works for me it will work for them!

Tip #2: Organize  I preach this single point over and over in my workshops and seminars.  The easiest way to combat writer's block and fatigue is to organize your thoughts into smaller more manageable chunks.  If you have many thoughts, try story boarding.  This is what directors do for movies and TV shows.  Simply take a sticky note or index card and write one main idea per item.  When you can't think of anything else, take what you have written and organize them into a timeline.  From there, your story should take a major leap forward and your brain can begin filling in the blanks.

Another way is to create a bullet list of ideas in your favorite word processing tool (Microsoft Word or equivalent).  Again, reshape your list in a beginning to end timeline and you should have something concrete to work with.

Tip #3: Writer's Groups  Believe it or not, we authors are not always right! Sometimes the best way to work through problems is to talk it out with fellow-minded individuals.  Be it a fantasy-centric friend or classmate in your history class, bouncing off ideas on other people fosters deeper dialogue and a better understanding of problems or road blocks you might be encountering.  And students, parents and teachers are very good at listening, especially when it comes to helping their children learn.

For the aspiring authors out there, check your local library or community center for writer's group or book club meetings.  As I always say, we're all in this together and sometimes even the best of us need a gentle push in the right direction.

I hope these simple tricks help your child and yourself when you develop a case of writer's block or burn out.  These simple tricks can get you back to the pen and paper -- or computers for you tech savvy folks out there! -- and write that next great novel!

Say Hello to Nonnie Jules!

Hello, Overlords Fans!  As part of my reciprocal blog campaign, I'd like to welcome Nonnie Jules to our blog.  Nonnie hails from Louisiana and has just released a new book:

Without further adieu, I present to you, Nonnie Jules!

"I am so excited to be here with Mike @ http://theoverlords.blogspot.com!  This is day 13 of  The (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS Blog Tour and we are picking up steam at every stop!  Mike has generously allowed me to come here and share with you, his readers, a little about myself and a little about my NEW book, "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS", 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can't Help But Love! You would think that after 12 stops, there wouldn't be much more to share, but there are different readers at each stop and when you're promoting your book, you can never say enough, even if you begin to repeat yourself.

My name is Nonnie Jules and I am a NEW indie author, hailing from Louisiana.  I am married with two AWESOME daughters,  one a young adult, the other a teenager, and they are of course, the inspiration for my book.  When people meet my daughters for the first time, it never fails that after a few minutes of conversation with them, I'm asked the question "How did you do it?" After a little explaining from me, they then ask "How can I do it?"  After many questions, over many years, I decided to put my tips, which everyone's always asking about, into a book, and that book is now "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE...".

Since writing and publishing my book, some have started to ask a NEW question..."What is an (Almost) Perfect Daughter"?  Well, she's honest, she's intelligent, driven, compassionate, loving, God-filled and very, very RESPECTFUL...all rolled up together.  (Almost) Perfect to me looks something like this:  My 20-something year old daughter has made it thru 4 yrs of high school, 4 yrs of college, and 3 yrs of grad school all with her precious virginity still intact.  Although she would have me NOT broadcast this all the time, it's something to be extremely proud of, and we are, especially since it's not the easiest thing to do. When girls today are having babies at the age of 12 yrs, this is especially welcoming news.

I wrote this book because I wanted other parents who also WANTED to raise (almost) perfect daughters (but didn't know exactly how to do it), to have a good, solid, easy to understand blueprint to follow.  This guide is just that and then some.  It is very informative, it is enlightening and the one very surprising element of it, is it will definitely make you laugh.  None of the parenting books that I've ever glanced at made me laugh. Actually, some of them were so formal and intimidating in their wording, that they almost made me cry.  As my daughter put it, "this isn't your grandma's parenting handbook".  Nope, it's not.  This book was written for today's parents to be able to effectively steer today's daughters.  We live in a different world, and so the tools we need have to be up-to-date and ready to be used at a moments notice.

Take a peek at just ONE of the many tips you will find inside "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE...":

ENCOURAGE HER, WHETHER SHE WINS OR LOSES, SO THAT SHE UNDERSTANDS THE VALUE OF GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP.  Have you ever really watched a sore loser after a game loss?  They have an ugly scowl on their face, they're angry and they storm off the court or field with the quickness of a flick of the middle finger.  It is so sad to watch.  Obviously, no one ever taught them the value of good sportsmanship.  The best thing you can do for your daughter, whether she's competing in a sport or a spelling bee, is to teach her that "it doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's how you play the game." Encourage her in and out of victories, so that she will be capable of applauding and congratulating the winning team, even though she played on the losing one.

There are 98 more of these tips inside of  "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE...".  Easy to understand, very effective, witty tips.  And each one I have used in the rearing of my own daughters as well as the many girls who I have been blessed to mentor and/or mother.  GOD gave me the greatest blessing when he let me borrow these two Angel Daughters from heaven.  Would you like to know this feeling?  Well, you can.  Simply visit www.viewbook.at/B00CP62O56 (Amazon) and get your very own e-book copy of  "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE...". Right now, thru the end of this tour, which ends June 17th, you can get it for only $.99!  AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO OWN A KINDLE TO GET IT!  What a great offer that is, right?

My time here is almost up, but before I leave I'd like to let you know about my upcoming projects.  I have a children's book called "KIRSTEN AND THE BIG BLUE TREE" due out at the end of this month (June, 2013), and a as-yet-to-be-titled novel with a release date of August 30, 2013.  Also at the conclusion of this tour, I will be awarding one $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner, but you need to head on over to www.nonniejules.com to register (under the EVENTS tab).  

If you love to follow great blogs, mine will keep you in stitches.  WATCH NONNIE WRITE! is my blog and it's located at http://nonniewrites.wordpress.com.  If you like what you read there, then please hit the LIKE button and definitely the FOLLOW button.  I'm on Twitter with my morning, afternoon and evening musings @nonniejules and you can also find me on Facebook at Nonnie Jules.

Once again, thank you all so much for having me.  You were a really awesome crowd!  I look forward to seeing you around, somewhere I'm writing, very, very soon.  Thanks again, Mike!"

If you find Nonnie's material interesting, please purchase her book and help a fellow indie writer's cause!  Thanks for reading and I'll keep you all posted on my next featured author. Until next time ....

A Guest Blog with Vonnie Winslow Crist

Continuing with my reciprocal guest blogging, I'd like to introduce to my Overlords fans, Vonnie Winslow Crist.  I had the honor of appearing on Vonnie's blog as her first male blogger and tackled the subject of the Male Fantasy Hero.  Today, Vonnie delves into the importance of the perfect setting for a winning science fiction and/or fantasy story.

Location Matters in Fantasy

by Vonnie Winslow Crist

   First, thanks to Michael for inviting me to guest post. And now, why I think location matters.

   As a fan of fantasy and science fiction, I’ve found that although characters, plot, and dialogue are vital to a genre story — the location where a story is set has a tremendous impact on the success or failure of the completed project. The setting of my epic YA fantasy novel, The Enchanted Skean, on the pre-technology world of Lifthrasir determined the characters' occupations, education, weapons, means of transportation, and more. Plus, it made using magic more believable.

   Some readers and writers might be shaking their heads, but those of us who’ve tumbled with Alice down a rabbit hole, walked with Lucy through a wardrobe, or stepped with a character through a looking-glass, know location often decides the direction of a story.

   Without The Shire, the Mines of Moria, Rivendell, Helm’s Deep, Mordor and the rest of Middle-earth, J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasies wouldn’t be the same. Many of the challenges faced by Bilbo, Frodo, the other Hobbits and their companions are a result of the places where they find themselves while on their journeys.

   When George Lucas imagined the adventures of Luke Skywalker he took us from the wastelands of Tatooine to the forest moon of Endor, the swamps of Dagobah, the interior of the Millennium Falcon, the ice world of Hoth, the Cloud City of Bespin and dozens of other locations in the vast galactic sprawl of moons, asteroids and planets that are home to the Star Wars saga. The contrasts in the various settings gives rise to action, encourages character development, and helps the reader “suspend their disbelief.”

   Another favorite of mine, Neil Gaiman, chose the sidewalks, pubs, and subways of a city in Great Britain for his Neverwhere. He knew the claustrophobic closeness of tunnels, subways, apartments, and urban nooks and crannies would make a difference in the feel of the story. Likewise, when he wrote about Wall and the world of Faery that existed next to it, the settings made a difference in what it meant to locate a fallen star in Stardust.

   And what about Harry Potter? J.K. Rowling’s decision to have Harry travel from a cupboard under the stairs to Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, the Weasley home and the rest of the author’s wizard world gave rise to the change and growth of Harry, the dialogue, the other characters, the antagonists, the plotlines, and more.

   In each of these examples and countless others, location is one of the keys to the success of the story. In my novel, The Enchanted Skean -Book I of the Chronicles of Lifthrasir, the seaside city of Queen's Weather, the graveyard in Ulfwood, the Sheercliff Mountains and Canyons of Kabeth, the abandoned fortress of Raven's Haunt, and other locations are important elements. Each locale's flavor adds not only a touch of reality to the fantastic, but a familiar presence for readers. How many of us haven't visited a port city, a graveyard, or the mountains? Or seen an abandoned building?

  And while The Enchanted Skean has been described as a “Young Adult novel filled with action, adventure, and memorable characters,” I believe the location: the highways, pubs, ships, cities, forests, and battlefields of Lifthrasir are important elements of the book that help shape the story.

   For a taste of the world of The Enchanted Skean, here's the link to a 3-chapter excerpt:

http://vonniewinslowcrist.com/books/the_enchanted_skean_excerpt  and a link to the novel's book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-8C9OkyJCU

   You can find The Enchanted Skean and other books by Vonnie Winslow Crist on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/Vonnie-Winslow-Crist-Amazon and elsewhere.

   Born in the Year of the Dragon, Vonnie Winslow Crist has had a life-long interest in reading, writing, myths, folklore, fairy tales, legends, and art. A firm believer that the world around us is filled with miracles, mystery, and magic, Vonnie still sees fairies amidst the trees, mermaids on jetties, and ghosts and goblins of all sorts in the shadows. 

Visit her website: http://vonniewinslowcrist.com and blog: http://vonniewinslowcrist.wordpress.com 

Become her friend and fan on Facebook: http://facebook.com/WriterVonnieWinslowCrist and 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/vonnie_winslow_crist  

And follow her tweets: http://twitter.com/VonnieWCrist