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!