Reading, Writing, and Pondering...

Remember September 11...    

Before I start into my week's adventures, I'd like to take the time to remember.  9/11 is a date that will live in our minds for many years to come.  On that day, our nation came under attack.  Before that day, I did not fully comprehend the impact an ideology could have on my world, my reality, my countrymen.  Quite certain, various ideologies battle for our attention, our faith, our loyalty.  We sort through them, study them, and develop our 'world-view'.  But in America, we then allow others to do likewise, sorting, studying, developing, until they come to their own conclusions.  We don't have to agree with them.  We can debate with them.  We can still be friendly with them.  We can go home and practice the lifestyle we want to, whether popular or unpopular. 

On September 11, a group of individuals, speaking for a multitude, announced their hate for our way of life.  As Americans, let us remember that day.  Let's not forget that in spite of our differences, we are a nation united.  We must stay united to break the promulgation of hate.  But let us also ponder our actions.  When we divide ourselves, when we cheat one another, when our representatives spew insults at one another in the eyes of the world, we offer fodder for those who malign our way of life. 

Let us live, giving respect to our fellow countrymen, doing kindness to both neighbors and strangers, and offering our best.  It is the greatest honor we can bestow on those who lost their lives or loved ones on that terrible day. 

What would happen if we each decided to commit two random acts of kindness this week?  How would it affect our streets, our communities, our nation? 

This will be a theme in our household as we approach the high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  (What boys don't need to be reminded of the power of kindness?) 

Goal Updates...

On Wednesday, I began writing again.  I've written almost a chapter in Her Dark Baron, putting me well within reach of my weekly goal of one full chapter.  I'm in the thick of the mysterious happenings/accidents...which is a fun part of the story to see unfold. 

I have been reading at least one hour each night!  But old habits are hard to break.  I had decided that I would limit myself to one book at a time until I get my TBR pile under control.  No such luck.  I'm currently reading four novels.  Sigh. 

Visiting around?  You betcha!  I've visited well over twenty blogs this week!  It's a new record for me.  The flash-fiction challenge entries have provided some fun reading - I've still over one hundred-fifty entries to read.  I don't know if I'll manage them all, but I'll keep plugging away.  It's been great seeing so many fellow ROW80 writers in the Campaign entries! 

Speaking of the Campaign, I'll be listing fellow Campaigners' blog pages for anyone interested in checking out other writers!  It is about Platform-Building, right?  Visit around here...but only after checking in with fellow ROW80 friends!

This time I'll list a few from my Contemporary Fiction Group.  Enjoy. 
Jon Yang
Zan Marie
Raelyn Barclay
Katie Gates
Meika

Trial And Error On The Publishing Front...

Here are the issues I've come across or had pointed out to me since my novel went 'live'.  If you've encountered either of these, please let me know if you've also figured out a way to correct them. 

1.  In the e-readers, there is a 'Go-To' tab that allows readers to click to see the cover page.  This feature is working just fine.  But on the first page of the novel's 'body' there is a very, very tiny image of the cover.  I'm not sure why it's there...  or why it's so 'eensy'...

2.  I used a few phrases of Slovakian within the story as my hero, Drago Zadrovec, is from Bratislava, Slovakia.  There are three instances where the special character that I inserted (via the tool bar) did not translate into the uploaded text correctly.  This is particularly puzzling as there any number of other instances where the inserted characters show just fine.  I'm hesitant to change anything - unless it's to change those characters to the closest match to an English character - and then I would only do so reluctantly as the Slovakian word would be incorrect.

Claiming The Prize Updates...

I'm happy to say that I've seen a few reviews posted for my novel.  I've had great success with Smashwords and the ability to offer a coupon!  For a first time author with no 'name' in the world of authors, this has been a nice tool to get my book into reader's hands.  Amazon, though, offers better 'searchability'. 
Brazen Broad - Mina Naveen posted a review last night, sending me over the moon!
Gloria Benway & Lena Corazon also added their ratings at Goodreads!  If you could see me, you'd find that I'm deepening those laugh/smile lines...thank goodness for Oil Of Olay!  Ha!

Aha!  At last, I seem to be out of words... Have a great Sunday and a fantastic week ~ Nadja