LIVING IN THE "NOW" MOMENT!

HELLO FANS:

In today's technological age, everything is at our fingertips!  Press a button and things happen~~sometimes good things, and other times, not so good!  One thing I want to express to my readers is that it is so easy to get discouraged and give up~~no matter what your dreams may be.

I'm no different.  I try, try, try and try some more, and there are days when I feel like what the hell am I doing all of this for?  Why do I even bother?  Who cares what I'm trying to do, etc., etc., etc., and then I think about where I was three years ago, and I look at where I am today, and I smile!  Kirk Franklin's I Smile is such an inspirational song, and it's so true. 

I smile because God has been opening doors for me that I never even knew were there for me to even answer.  When I first embarked upon the literary scene, I had absolutely no idea what the heck I was doing, nor if I'd be successful and all kinds of negative thoughts were plaguing my mind.

But, one day I looked around and my second book, SILENT KNIGHT, dropped, and my heart skipped several beats.  Not only is the public receiving the new book, I've met so many wonderful people through this journey.  I've been introduced to countless authors, who, like myself, are struggling and trying to do their thang too.  And the more I spoke with these authors, the more I realized there are definitely power in numbers.

Don't think so?  I'll prove it to you.  Recently, I launched my new website, WRITE ON, and designed it specifically with indie authors, like me, in mind.  I have so many requests from authors wide and abroad, it overwhelmed me.  I just wanted to host a forum for my fellow authors to expose each of us to different reading groups, and the site has taken off!  OMG, I couldn't believe it.  God is so Good!

My readership has gone up, and I've gained more fans than what I started out with when Mello and June debuted.  I have over 1500 fans now, and I never thought that would be possible.  There isn't a social media network I'm not on, and through them all, as well as my own marketing devices, my books are getting more notice, as well as the featured authors I've collaborated with.  We are finally making a dent in the paperless world of eBooks. 

Are we wealthy, not hardly, but we're gaining exposure and that's half of the battle.  The more we network, the more successful we become.  This is why I created WRITE ON so that indie authors have a voice, and so readers can discover authors they didn't know existed. 

Whenever I start to doubt myself or get depressed because I want to be further ahead than I am, I stop and think about the fans I have, the books I've written, the difference my writing has made in the literary jungle, and the wonderful people I've met, I give myself a mental shake and have learned to live in the NOW moment!

I'm here, I'm doing what I set out to do and I'm happy!  Too often we get down on ourselves and criticize what we don't have, where we aren't in life, etc., but seldom do we sit back and review how we got to where we are at this very moment!  What I'm doing today is paving the way for what I will be blessed with tomorrow!  Instead of worrying about what you don't have, or where you aren't in your life, be thankful for your NOW moment.

There are people who have lost their homes, life, memories and possessions through these tornados sweeping across our midwest and southern regions of the country, and some of us are sitting here at our laptops, much like I'm doing, marketing and promoting ourselves, on Facebook or Twitter, and we're feeling sorry for ourselves!  When I think of it in those terms, what right do we have to be depressed about?  Live in the NOW moment and be forever grateful that you are still here enjoying what little pleasures we sometimes get in this life!

So, Indie Authors, if you've checked your royalty payments and the amount is less than what the check cost to print, SMILE!  You're doing better than most!  We have to stop worrying about what we don't have in terms of viewers, readers and fans.  In time, we'll get there.  Remember, when I started, I didn't have what I have now, and I feel a year from now, I'm going to be further ahead than I am right now. 

Continue to write great stories, stay focused and never GIVE UP!  We're writers, and writers never quit.  This is what sets us apart from those who say they are writers, but never stick with it.  As always, much Love, Peace and Write On, Writers!  Be Happy in the NOW Moment!  We Shine!



Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/Poet
http://www.kimberlyraneehicks.biz/
http://www.mellojune.blogspot.com/
Email: mellojune@kimberlyraneehicks.com



WRITE ON. . .

HELLO FANS:

I am writing to you today to express my overwhelming excitement about my new website launch, WRITE ON!  This site was created to bring awareness to more independent (indie) minority authors, as well as all indie authors.  There are hundreds of thousands of sites that help promote indie authors, but not many for minorities, and, not many that don't charge a fee.  I decided to think outside the box a little and create a site that everyone can be featured on for FREE, and gain more exposure, which is a huge plus!

As I mentioned in the "Author Spotlight" tab attached to this blog, I don't want to appear offensive or that I will not feature other authors of various races, because that couldn't be further from the truth.  I plan to feature all indie authors that meet my guidelines to further gain exposure for our common goal~~to be read!

As I mentioned in past blogs, it's important to do your homework and find out how to navigate through the rat-race jungle of the literary world.  It is an extremely hard business to break into, and even more hard for those of us who enjoy the creative freedoms of promoting ourselves.  There are tons of websites and blogs that feature authors, and this is a wonderful networking tool.

I don't believe in hogging the spotlight all the time.  I don't have any problem sharing that spot with countless other indie authors who deserve their time to shine.  There are so many of us out here who are talented writers and it's extremely hard to gain readers and an audience.  I have been tremendously blessed that my fan base has been on the rise, and continues to grow each and every day, and I cannot thank my God more.  I thank God for where I've come from and where He plans to lead me, and by my Lord and Savior blessing me, I want to bless others.

WRITE ON is a forum designed with books and indie authors in mind, especially those authors that might not otherwise have been heard of or discovered.  Through all my networking tools and fast marketing skills, I have met an array of wonderful bloggers and authors alike, and this is a common subject we often embark upon.  So, why wait for someone to get things started for us?  Since we're doing it for ourselves, it is that spirit that we must continue to work toward.

I want to meet more and more people, and spread the word about minority authors, that you may not have heard of or knew where to find them.  Awareness is definitely the key to keeping fellow authors and future aspiring authors together through our special network.  This week, Write On featured my fellow sister author of Xlibris, STACEY DONALDSON, who is very talented and a beautiful uplifting spirit.  Please check out Stacey's work on Write On, and feel free to comment and contact Write On. 

As I stated earlier, WRITE ON's mission is simply this, "Changing the Literary World. . .ONE Word at a Time!"  I hope you join me and my future fellow authors and discover a world of indie authors YOU haven't been reading!  As always, Peace, Love and Write On Writers! 

P.S.  If you know of a minority indie author that would like to gain more exposure, please email me at mellojune@kimberlyraneehicks.com.  I'd love to learn more about them!

HOW TO BE THE BIGGEST ASS. . .

HELLO FANS:

Do you remember when people possessed a little thing called talent?  You know, that thing or that gift that was given to each and every person by a higher power?  It was that very gift that makes some of us famous, and assists us in paying the bills and making a better way for ourselves and family.

Nowadays, talent is only half of the battle for most of us.  It's not how well you sing, or how well you can act, nor how well you may write, but rather, how much of an ass you can make of yourself.  That's right, you read my words correctly.  Talent today only counts for five percent of your special gift, and the other ninety-five, well, folks, let's just say it all depends on how much you're willing to sell of yourself.

Being a big ass today, (and I don't mean the Kim Kardashian or J-Lo types of asses), means how much you are willing to make a complete and utter fool of yourself to make a quick buck, or to sell what talent you started out with.

For example, have you ever noticed that a huge scandal breaks when one of your favorite recording artists' CD is about to drop or when a movie isn't likely to do well in the market, and all of a sudden, you start to hear rumors about the stars playing in the movie.  You can turn on any TV talk show, and up pops your singers or actors explaining that this was no publicity stunt to get the sales, or to boost their ratings, and yet and still, that's exactly what ends up happening.

Hmm, I don't know about you, but one has to wonder was this a well-thought out marketing strategy to get the public (us) to buy what bullshit our favorite entertainers are selling?  While you ponder on that, let me give you a few examples.

Remember the whole Rihanna and Chris Brown fiasco?  You couldn't turn on the TV or radio without someone and their son talking about that whole mess.  How Chris beat up Rihanna and the photoshop pics allegedly on TMZ, etc.  It was reported that Chris' career was ruined and what type of message were they sending to our youth?  Funny, Rihanna came out in Rolling Stones Magazine last month with a mind-blowing article about her most intimate sexual fantasies of how she likes to be tied up and down, and more importantly, to be beaten!  Chris Brown had a meltdown on Good Morning America, and interestingly enough, his latest album came out right around this same time.  Either you've got to be the dumbest person in the world, or the smartest marketer that ever graced the planet, and, to further prove my point, we the people bought into it, and most are loving them again.  And their record sales are soaring!

Lately, Kelly Rowland, who was one-part of the infamous trio Destiny's Child, has been rumored to be coming out with a sex tape.  I find that to be very interesting seeing as how she has a new album coming out.  And trust me, fans, the list goes on.  Rapper, Foxy Brown, was allegedly kicked off The Party With a Purpose (Tom Joyner Morning Show) Cruise, although Miss Brown disputes this happened or that it happened the way it was reported.  Nonetheless, whether you're selling a book, singing or acting, the bigger the ass you make of yourself, the bigger your bank roll!

And when all else fails, if you had talent and made mega millions off of it, and you've been out of the limelight for a while or possibly years~~don't sweat it, because Reality TV got you covered!

Are you experiencing bankruptcy, going through a divorce, had children out of wedlock, married to a famous athlete, have been the mistress of a famous athlete, or moving in with your famous mother, or kicking your famous parent out of the house, prostituting yourself out looking for love, want to marry someone you never met, or possibly be the apprentice of some rich typhoon?  No worries!  Because no matter what the poison is, getting your own reality show will put you back in the game, and more importantly, make that bank roll so fat, you'd never be able to get your hand around it.  This is what talent is today~~put forth all your personal business and let a camera crew follow you around, and the American public will tune in each and every week to see what drama you have going on, or how they may vote you off a particular show!

So Indie Authors I say to you, perhaps if you do one or more of the following above, you, too, can be the next best-selling author.  Why, you don't need much talent, but if you look pretty decent, and want to sell yourself, tell all your business and let a camera crew follow you around~~why golly gee you will be the next star.  It all depends on how much of an ass you're willing to be!  It's the new form of talent, or recycled talent, for those who were out of the spotlight, and now want to get back in.  The American public will rush out and buy those CDs and DVDs and biographies to see and read all the dirt because some choose to  make themselves bigger asses than the last.

In today's society, you don't have to possess any talent, just be the biggest ass you can be, and you're an overnight success!  I suppose for some, that is their talent?  Think about how much time and energy you put into marketing yourself to get the American public to notice you and your books!  How much are you willing to sell, to get yourself noticed?  I know what I choose to do, but the decision is totally and completely up to you!  Remember, what you put out on the Internet and in the public eye, will be there forever!  People may forget, but there is always the chance someone is able to dig up your past!  I strongly urge you to think before you do!

                                                       Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/Poet

GIVEAWAY RULES. . .

HELLO FANS:

I'm Trying to Reach 50 Subscribers to my Blog, and please stay tuned for my new and improved website coming soon!

HERE ARE THE RULES:

Open:  U.S.A. and Canada

Ends:  April 30, 2011

Rules:  You have to be the 50th subscriber and have purchased a copy of my latest novel, SILENT KNIGHT @ Silent Knight $19.99 soft cover or $29.99 hard cover (you choose).  Also, you must comment on the latest post at the time you become the 50th member.

Winner will receive a $50.00 Gift Certificate to Wal-Mart!  Good Luck and Thanks for Playing!

A Fan Writes. . .About SILENT KNIGHT. . .

"Silent Knight was nothing like Mello and June, but still carried the same excitement and addiction of "what's next?" Kimberly Ranee Hicks truly shows her talent as a writer and artist in Silent Knight~~kept me laughing and turning pages! You can't predict the ending!  This book is in a class all by itself. Keep them coming, Kim, you have converted me to a novel reader. Yours at least!"

 

Iyana Tennon of Virtuous Academy and Virtuous Visions Photography

DOING TIME. . .

HELLO FANS:

Many of you probably read the title of this post and wondered, is Kim doing time?  And the answer is yes, as every other person gracing the planet.  There are many common grounds that we as humans share, but one of the main key elements is time.  Everyone is given time, but what is important to remember is how you spend your time!

For most indie authors, time is something we must spend to either pay our bills, or to get our points across, much like I'm doing right now.  Do you find yourself suffering from S.M.O. (better known as Social Media Overload)?  Does your heart feel like it's about to bust out of your chest because you have so much to do, and so little time doing it?  Does your brain feel like it's going to explode, if you read one more blog that is providing information, or join one more social media outlet to promote and market yourself?

Well, folks, if you're like me, you're experiencing all of the above, and today I want to focus on getting our time in order and figuring out what we need to do to stay the writing course, and still find time to do all the other things we enjoy in life. 

Most indie authors work a 9 to 5 job, and I'm no different.  You set your alarm clock, go to sleep, and it seems like as soon as your head hits the pillow, an annoying beep! beep! beep! or your favorite iTunes song is blasting throughout your bedroom, and you stretch your unwilling arm to stop the noise and you say to yourself, is it that time already?  Your feet hit the floor, and it's time for the daily grind.

Now you're fighting rush hour traffic, and stressing to get to the office, or wherever you're working, punch a clock or use some electronic device to show you made it to work on time, and go on about your day.  When you think about all the time you put in to your 9 to 5, which pays your bills, you, as an indie author, must put that same dedication into your side business, which is writing. 

Just as hard as you work at your occupation, career or job, you must put that same time into your writing.  Think of the time you waste a day.  And don't tell me you don't waste time, because that's another human element we all share.  Everyone has that space of time in which we are doing absolutely nothing, and when you start to add up how much of that time you waste, you could be using it to better serve your goals, which is completing that novel.

So your homework assignment is a simple and basic one.  I want each of you to think about the time you waste.  Once you figure that out, you need to put a plan into action.  Please read the article I attached in this post under time.  When I tell people I don't have time to waste, that's not a joke!  I truly don't have that kind of time.  When I start working seriously on my novels, this is how grueling my schedule works~~I go to work and put in 8 hours, I go home, I do my yoga to put me in a well-balanced mood and clears my mind of the day's events, so that I'm able to create.  I then spend about an hour on my social media sites, check e-mails, make phone calls, etc., and then I commit to four hours every evening to writing.  Yes, I don't go to bed until late, but this is my schedule which works for me. 

When the weekend rolls around, which is a godsend for any indie author, I write for 8 hours, much like I would work when I'm on the job.  My family knows I'm in writing mode, and do not interrupt me, and I write, write, and write some more.  After that, I watch a good movie, to ease my mind, and spend a few hours with my family.  And I work that schedule until my novel is finished.  There are no ands, ifs, or buts about it.  I don't watch television, not that there's much for me to see, and the programs I do like, I tape them and watch when I'm in relax mode.

But, you get my point.  Again, this is the schedule I set for myself, and this schedule may not work for you.  However, you must find a schedule and stick with it.  Like I told you before, giving up is never an option for any writer, for if you give up, you are not a writer!  I will repeat, if you give up and quit, you are not a writer.  Real writers use every single space and time they are granted, and that's exactly what you must do.

In closing, remember, if writing is a passion of yours and you are very serious about it, then you need to treat it as such, and respect the writing craft.  No one said it was going to be easy, but anything worth having never is.  And truth be told, I wouldn't want it to be that easy.  For every experience I go through in my writing career, makes me a stronger and better writer, and I am thankful for my gift, and more importantly, I respect the power of words!

So, how do you spend your time?  Good Luck, future and fellow authors!  I hope this helps!  I'll be talking with you next week.  Peace, love and write, write, write!

Author of Mello & June and Silent Knight

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/Poet

AND THE GIVEAWAY WINNER IS. . .KOMAL MANSOOR #20th Subscriber

HELLO FANS:

Please join me in CONGRATULATING, Komal Mansoor of Book Blogs, for being the 20TH SUBSCRIBER to Mello and June, It's a Book Thang Blog!  Komal, you will receive a personally autographed copy of my latest novel, SILENT KNIGHT, a 70s Mystery/Suspense novel.  Also, Komal, if you refer friends to my blog, and one of them is the 30th subscriber, you will also receive a Wal-Mart Gift Card.  Thank you so much for playing!  And stay tuned for further writing tips!  You can subscribe to Komal's Blog @ Komal Mansoor's Blog.  CONGRATS!

GIVEAWAY RULES. . .

HELLO FANS:

I will be giving away a FREE copy of my latest Novel, SILENT KNIGHT, a 70s Mystery/Suspense.  To get in on the Action, YOU must do the following:

You must be the 20th subscriber of my Blog (and comment on my recent post dated 4/2/2011).  If you refer a friend to my blog and they too, subscribe, and are the 30th subscriber (and comment on my recent post dated 4/2/2011), YOU will also win, in addition to my novel, a Wal-Mart Gift Card.

The Giveaway Ends on April 30, 2011.  (STAY TUNED for Further Giveaways)!

SO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER?

Hello Fans:

Many aspiring writers have asked me what is the secret to writing?  How did I get into this, and what can I do to help them succeed.  Well, folks, today is your lucky day because I am offering up some tips to help you get your novel to the finish line, and with much hard work~~published, which is any writer's ultimate goal.

HOMEWORK

For me, there isn't a secret formula to assist me with writing.  Either it's something you like to do, or it isn't.  However, just like in school, your teacher not only taught you a lesson, but he/she would most times assign you homework for you to further your studies.  Writing works the exact same way.  You must do your homework.  Research every aspect of what it is you are writing.  In order for your stories to be believable, having knowledge is the key.  First and foremost, write what you know!  Not saying you can't write about subjects you don't, but for starting out, it's best to write from experiences you are well versed with before you delve into subject matters that are too hard to grasp.  You have enough pressure on yourself with getting through your novel.

IDEAS/STORY LINES

There are only 250 plots to choose from.  Trust me, whatever it is you are writing, you're probably not the first to write on it.  The trick is finding that plot that you can twist and incorporate into your character's lives.  Think outside the box a little.  You'd be surprised just how far you can go with changing up plots to work for you.

PRACTICE

This is essential to any writer.  How can you call yourself a writer, if you don't write?  Dreaming about it, saying it out loud and thinking about it doesn't make you a writer.  If you aren't doing it, you're NOT a writer~~period!  You must fine tune your craft.  This is what sets the real writers apart from those who just want to see their words in print.  Set time limits for yourself and most importantly, DO IT!  Find out what free time you have and commit each and everyday to writing.  Remove all obstacles from your mind, find that quiet space and time, and just get to doing it.  You'd be amazed how far you will get when you truly commit to your craft.  This is what real writers do!

PERSEVERANCE

There are going to be days when you look at your PC or laptop, pen and pad, and nothing comes to mind.  That's called writer's block~~the curse to all writers.  When you find yourself stuck in that rut, go back to what you have written, and reinvigorate yourself.  Sometimes new thoughts will come to you and ta daa you have another chapter written.  And when that doesn't work, divert your attention elsewhere, like watching your favorite program on TV, or reading a really good book.  Sometimes that will get you back on track.  But no matter what you must stick with it!  Quitting is never an option for a true writer.  Even if you write something stupid down on paper, you are still committed to writing.  And trust me, when you write down mindless thoughts and think, what the heck will this do for me?  Trust and believe, it can open a world of imagination, and once again, you have another chapter written.

AUDIENCE

Why should we buy your book?  Seriously, why should we be interested in you?  There are millions of writers out here in the literary jungle, all with the same goals, hopes and dreams in mind.  We want to be an overnight success.  We're waiting on that one person to discover us and make us wealthy overnight, but truth be told, that is not going to be your reality.  Many indie (meaning independent) authors work a 9 to 5 and still manage to find time to write, promote, and write some more.  It's extremely hard to fight your way through the book jungle when there are just as many writers out there doing exactly the same thing as you.  You must start marketing yourself immediately, even if your novel isn't finished.  Word of mouth is still the best form of marketing, and of course, every social media network you can find, like your Facebook and Twitter, etc.  You should be asking yourself, who are you trying to reach?  What age group is your audience?  Where is the demographics of your audience?  Everyone you meet is a potential book buyer and that's how you have to start thinking.  It's a slow and long process, but with perseverance, you can find an audience, and it will grow, but if you're expecting miracles and an overnight success, well you may be throwing yourself into a fool's paradise.  This does happen for some, but for most of us, that doesn't happen.  DON'T GIVE UP!

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

Like most indie authors, we're poor, broke and penniless, but we're authors!  I know that was redundant, but it's true.  Because we are self-published authors, we have to fight three times as hard as the author who was lucky enough to have his book published by a traditional publishing house.  And like with everything else in this world, the more money you have, the better your success will be.  So I get asked how did I do it?  I set up a book fund for myself.  It's all the money I use for marketing, which is highly expensive, I use money for publishing, which is just as costly as marketing, but the key is, I find the money.  I've taken out loans, I've borrowed money from relatives, and the money I do make off of my books isn't a profit, but goes right back to marketing, because once again, the more you market yourself, the larger your audience grows.  This is why I advise future authors if you are really serious about making writing your career, you better make sure you have money coming from everywhere to get your name out there.  And even when you do that, there are no guarantees.  Writing is an extremely hard business to break into, and with so many indies out here now, you have that many more authors to compete with.  But I will say once again, DON'T GIVE UP!  If there's a will, there's a way!  That's the motto I live by.

LITERARY AGENTS

Finding a literary agent is like playing the Super Lotto or Power Ball.  You have to play to win, and trust me when I tell you, literary agents are tough, and they don't play games.  If you don't follow their rules to the letter, all the precious time you put into a query letter was truly a waste of your time.  I'm still looking for an agent, and I will continue.  Remember, do your homework, and follow the rules because agents will not let you waste their time, this I know for a sure fact!

SUMMARY
So, do you still want to be a writer? (chuckle).  I ask myself each and everyday why am I putting myself through this particular hell, and the answer is real simple for me~~I love it!  Writing is in my blood and I will do it until I am no longer breathing.  Will I ever be famous?  One can hope, but even if that never happens, there are people in this world who have read my books, and at the end of a long writing day, that's all any writer can truly hope for.  Remember, do your homework, come up with ideas and story lines, never give up and persevere, by doing that you'll gain an audience, put lots of money away,  and money will return to you, and continue to search for a literary agent. 

I hope you found some of these tips useful.  I still do each and every point consistently.  I will never ever give up and neither should you.

Happy Reading!

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/Poet