You write for a reason

Posted on 01/06/2014 by mapoll

In 2009, I accomplished a goal 11 years in the making. I wrote a novel. In 2010 I took that goal one step further. I became a published author. I remember the tear-filled joy when I saw the proposed cover for Ravens Cove, An Alaska Iconoclast Mystery.  And I remember the expectations bubbling at the back of my mind: hopes of being an instant success and making lots of money were at the top. Since then, I have written and have had published two additional books. I am still not an overnight success. Nor have I made the mega bucks I hoped to see.

So, today I’ve been reflecting on my career choice. More specifically, asking myself, “Is writing worth it?” The writings in a small inspirational book answered my question. Then, I realized there are others out there just like me who don’t know if they should continue to write. Other writers who have not realized their goals for financial stability and recognition.

For all of you, I am sharing the inspiration I found in The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood. I hope it will help you, dear friend in writing, as it did me. Monica wrote:

There is a special throne in heaven for poets, who labor in obscurity. The rest of us harbor unexpressed hope for fame and glory. You might be tempted to write for the market. You might be tempted to ride the crest of a trend. That kind of writing is about as stable and fulfilling as day trading. Write what moves you. Write what interests you. Write what frightens you. Write what thrills you. Take a cue from the poets, bless their underfunded little hearts.

After this short reading, I remembered why I write. It was never about money or fame. It was to paint a picture with words that would entertain and delight readers who enjoy a supernatural thriller. I did. More, though, it was to get the story out. To put it on paper because I felt compelled to do just that. You see, writing is my passion. I can’t stop writing any more than I can stop breathing. It is that intuitive to me.

If you’re stuck in the doubt game like I’ve been, let me know. I’ll be happy to listen and, if you’d like, share some ideas about getting out of that pit.

Regardless, write on, my talented friends. Write on. It’s what we do!

Until next time,

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Ravens Cove: A New Year’s Resolution I Can Keep

Posted on 01/02/2014 by mapoll

Anais Nin aptly put to words my opinion of making New Year’s resolutions. She said, I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me. Amen! I see no reason to resolve to set another goal atop the burden of resolutions I already carry. Until today…

I came across a wonderful quote by Neil Gaiman about the New Year. It spoke to me. I hope it does to you, too. Mr. Gaiman said:

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”

So, my friends, for the first time in years, I am making a new resolution. I resolve to throw off the fear of failure. I resolve to make mistakes so I am free to relish this life I’ve been given, free to learn new things, and, yes, free to write new things. When I look back on 2014, it will be with the knowledge I kept my resolution.

That’s my resolution. What’s yours?

May God’s blessings and grace surround you in 2014 and beyond.

 

 

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A Resurrection in Ravens Cove

Posted on 12/10/2013 by mapoll

In Ravens Cove improbable happenings are just another day in the Cove. Including an unlikely revival. I thought I’d share this small excerpt from the report I received from Bart and Ken. They ventured to Arnie Thralling’s workshop when he flew into the station like his pants were on fire, frantically relating a story about some old woman who almost attacked him. This excerpt starts with Bart calling me at the station:

“Thanks.” Bart put the phone back into his pocket. “It’s the hag tree.” Bart touched the pale-gray bark. “Is it me or is this thing seeping?”

Ken followed Bart’s finger. A black and red liquid oozed from the trunk. Ken pushed an index finger into the soggy wood. Yellow light sparked in response.

“That does not bode well.” Bart shook his head. “Not well at all.”

The tree shivered, then quaked. Ken jumped back when a gnarled root burst out of the trunk’s base and snaked toward the corrugated metal of the workshop’s ceiling.

“It’s regenerating itself!” Bart hit speed dial on his phone.

“Who are you calling—a tree service? The thing’s lying on its side.”

Bart punched end and pointed again. “Not anymore.” The root dropped to the floor. It burrowed through the sawdust covered wood planks. Half of the tree pulled itself upright. A deafening crack filled the air. “You’ve got to be kidding.” Ken’s face paled when the twin half of the trunk sprouted a large tuber and

tunneled into the floorboards. Ken and Bart shuffled backward in an unprepared dance step when the trunk sprouted tendrils and knitted itself back together.

“How can this be happening?”

“What do I look like? A dictionary for the strange and awful?”

Excerpt from Gorgon, An Alaska Iconoclast Thriller

To make a long story short, the hag tree not only pulled back together after being chopped to the ground a day earlier, it also replanted itself at the head of Ravine’s Ravine — where it has stood for as long as we can remember.

So, in answer to Bart’s question: Yes, I believe our entire town is the very definition of the words strange and awful. And, if you’d read other accounts of our town, also the wonderful and miraculous. Which brings me to ask as the season of miracles approaches: Do you believe in miracles? I’d like to know I’m not the only one.

Until Next Time,

Kat

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Thanksgiving in Ravens Cove: A Time to Remember America’s Roots

Posted on 11/27/2013 by mapoll

A wonderful friend sent me an email tonight. It is a beautiful reminder of Thanksgiving’s meaning and its roots. I am compelled to share it with each of you:

Perhaps one of the most important traditions associated with Thanksgiving has been lost to history. We in America have been blessed so abundantly we forget the humble circumstances surrounding the first feast of thanksgiving. Even the poorest of our circle of friends, family, and associates have more wealth than the Pilgrims could even dream of.

Those who gave thanks at Plymouth by sharing a feast of gratitude left us another part of their heritage. As they approached the harvest season, they would determine if they had had a bounteous year or a lean harvest. If the storehouse was full, they had a feast of thanksgiving. If the larder contained less than what was adequate for winter, they had a fast. For them it was either feast or fast.

As we look back at 2013 with the perspective of 12 months, we pause and reflect on our many blessings at this season of thanksgiving. We find that our harvest has been ample. Even if our circumstances were otherwise, we'd still celebrate this Thanksgiving with as much feast as we can muster. As we partake of the foods of the holiday and offer our prayers of appreciation, we'll remember our real blessings. If all we had were but water and a cracker to eat, we could not fast. We would call it a feast because of our association with so many fine people like you.****

***Printed with permission of Evan Swensen, Publication Consultants

Until Next Time,

Kat

 
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Your Need Publicity For Your Book… Where Do You Start And What Do You Look For?

Posted on 11/14/2013 by mapoll

It’s an absolute must. If you want to sell your book to the masses, you have to get out there and publicize it. You need to be on the radio, in magazines and newspapers and on TV. The more the public hears about you and your book, the more likely your book will stand out from the hundreds of thousands published every year.

As many bestselling authors will tell you, talk radio is one of the best and most cost-efficient vehicles to get your message heard by consumers. But, with different publicity firms out there competing for your business, how do you choose the right one? What factors should you look for and which are the most important?

Experience. How important is experience? Very. You need to employ a company who has had years of experience promoting books on talk radio. A skilled firm knows how to develop an angle from your book that will get you the broadest national exposure. They will know how to write an effective press release that stands out from all the rest. And most importantly, they know how to get a positive reaction from producers that results in a booking. This is the kind of experience that will ensure you get quality media placements.

Quality Markets. In what markets will you be heard? If you’re paying a firm to obtain media interviews, you don’t want to be booked in markets smaller than top 100. There’s no question that stations in smaller markets have value, but you don’t need to pay top dollar for someone to arrange it for you.

Quality Stations. What caliber of stations will your interviews take place on? The criteria we use for booking interviews is nothing less than 5,000 watts or above on the AM dial. In every market you’ll find high-powered and low-powered stations. Obviously, the more power a station has, the more people will be listening in. So, if you’re paying for media interviews, your best return on investment will be appearing as a guest on larger stations.

Guarantee. What sort of guarantee is in place? In the book promotion business, you’ll find some PR firms whose fees are based on performance and others who charge a monthly retainer with no guarantee. Given a choice, your best bet is to work with a performance-based firm as your media placements will be guaranteed.

Hopefully these four factors will help in your search for the right publicity firm.

 

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