It's Time! I 💘 NaNoWriMo

     NaNoWriMo it's here, people! Wow! Look how fast 2016 is flying by!  I cannot believe it's been almost a year since I participated in my first NaNoWriMo writing challenge. NaNoWriMo means National Novel Writing Month.  I stumbled upon it on the web. I read about it, looked over the website and, I initially, I said, "I don't have time for this." But, I guess I signed up for their newsletter and they kept emailing me...the hype got me  excited! You get coaches, Municipal Liaisons, were in some areas, you can go meet and spend writing sessions together. There are Word Sprints, were you are giving a certain amount of time to write, write, write. You can also win prizes and percentages off items, etc.
NaNoWriMo is pretty active over social media.  My favorite is following on Twitter, as well as their website. Both platforms, you can meet people and get support from other authors.
     I actually won in 2015! I wrote 51000 words!  The requirement is 50000. I was so elated! But, as of now, I'm still working on loose ends on my book I wrote last year's NaNoWriMo, Bingo, Baby! Begginer's Luck.   I've been working on it little-by-little...I've procrastinated a lot... just being honest.  It will be released soon! I'm going to tell you; this is pretty scary for me😰
     But put that aside... I'm excited about NaNoWriMo 2016! I have already committed and announced my second book in the series: Bingo, Baby! Instant Winners. I'm going to make the outline tonight.  I'm thinking maybe I should have 13 chapters...just because. 
     Tomorrow,  the fun begins.  November 1st to November  30th,  I'll step up to the challenge. I intend to have Bingo, Baby! Instant Winners, done in a couple weeks, at least by the 20th; that's when the winning begins! Plus, I'm going out of town. I encourage all of you to check out their website.  There you'll find lots of information. They have a store for you to purchase items, such as, t-shirts, sweatshirts, you can leave a donation to help further  support student writers. My favorite is the word counter; it keeps track of how many words a day you should type, to reach the 50000 word count goal by November 30th!
     I think NaNoWriMo is a great opportunity and fun. I am looking forward to doing so many more years to come. If you've already familiar with NaNoWriMo but, you don't want to take that 50,000 word challenge. Get your pens and paper, talk-to-text or just type, type, type away and get your book out there!
     Come on, I know we can all do it! If you are like me, I can't wait till my first book is released. Maybe this is your first or seventh book; I hear it is something to be happy and thankful about.  I'm looking forward to it. I hope you are encouraged. 
Happy National Novel Writing Month! 

Dee

Momentum Hacks

I wish I can say that my debut book Bingo, Baby! Is completely ready to go off to the publisher...not so. I thought I was busy before, but now that I have my sights on getting this book into the world, it is harder than I think.

I have not done much of anything since I did my first video chat on Periscope 7/17/16. I was extremely excited and proud of myself for going through with it. I just knew "going live," would be the catalyst to propel me to get my book out.
It didn't! Since that date I have seemed to have lost my momentum and  procrastinating even more!

I have excuses. Several events have interrupted my flow. Here are so of the events: My only son got baptized, my youngest daughter is representing Puerto Rico in the Mrs. United States Pageant in Las Vegas, my eldest daughter just received her B.A degree, my granddaughter travels and competes in basketball tournaments ...and I was chosen as her driver....not to mention that I will return to work (from summer break) on tomorrow...it goes on and on. I am not complaining about the wonderful events that have taken place. I am just feeling elated, but yet, a little guilty because I have now pushed forward with matters surrounding the book.
This is truly procrastination. Even though, I am busy enjoying sweet events, my book is just sitting, waiting on the sideline, to be put back into motion; tighten up the loose ends to be published.

I have decided to tuck my head a focus on the task at hand. Time is steadily passing. I have to utilize it. I will try to enjoy all the wonderful events surrounding me, as well as keep my nose to the grindstone. Don't come up for air until Bingo, Baby! is in my hands, ready to be delivered to wonderful readers. Can you believe, I still haven't chosen a cover? Procrastination at its worst. By reading back this post before publishing it, maybe it will give me momentum realizing how slowly I am dragging my efforts. Hmmm.. Time will tell.

Dee

Bingo, Baby! Book Pre-Launch Success

     A hearty thank you to all who took time out to sign-in on Twitter/Periscope on Sunday 17,16. My Pre-Launch was a success! I want to thank my guests: Mrs. Cherish Frazier of Cherish Your Beauty, Empire, Inc. Ms. L. Bailey of Quotz4ALL on Facebook., and Mrs. Charmill Vega if Make It Happen Center. MIHwithcare.com. Thanks for your time and sharing of your information.
     During the Pre-Launch, I showed and explained how to play Bingo. I talked about how the name of my book came about and encouraged viewers to not procrastinate, like some has done,😬 but to get busy on their projects, whatever they are.  I'm telling you, I was on a roll! I don't know where the energy came from. 😃
      I am just elated and ready to continue this quest for Independent Authorship. I understand that it will take lots of perseverance and focus to achieve all that I desire...to deliver great and enjoyable books.
     If you want more information on my guests that were featured you can email me at dblaregold@gmail.com, or type in their names on: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and you will find them.
     Thanks, again!
Dee

Blast off!! Pre-Launch Today.

     Today is the day that I will appear live on Twitter/Periscope and talk about my pre-print book, Bingo, Baby! Beginner's Luck. You can sign into Twitter and follow at the handle @deeblaregold. I have never been "on live" anything or anywhere, still, I would love for you to sign in and listen to what my guests and I have to say.
     I please join me and hear about how this book came about; hear from other entrepreneurs talk about their up and coming events. There will be a question and answers periods. My guest will furnish their contact information, in case you are interested in following them!
     I want you to sign in and sign-up so that you can get a free Character Profile on some of the main characters in the book. Also, today until August 20th, 2016 if you send an email to dblaregold@gmail.com, and type book after your greeting; I will send you a free copy of my book, Bingo, Baby!  When It is released. It will be my honor to gift you.
     Remember, today, Sunday, 7/17/2016 at 5:30pst. I will be expecting you!

Thanks,
Dee

My Book Launch

So, I have chosen a (projected) date for for my book debut, Bingo, Baby! Sunday, July 17, 2016. I'm thinking 5:30p-7p. I plan on posting live on Twitter! Look out for announcements on upcoming events leading to the date. I hope all the dates line up and it actually happens. Depending on how fast I get my manuscript to/from the publisher.  And I still have to choose a great book cover. If not, I will stlll have the launch...just with out the actual book in hand. I sure there will be lots to talk about.

I still have to find a venue or just host at my small abode. I have read a couple articles on how things should run. That sounds fine, but when the day arrives I am sure I'll be happy just to say hello to my guests.

I am excited! Please join me for this live event. I still have much to do. I figure things were lagging and so I was bold and assigned an end date to it. Chandler Bolt  says, " We can edit until he has grandchildren, which will be a while. Just get your book to the world." Ha ha!

Dee

Editing Bingo, Baby! Beginner's Luck

     Editing is daunting. I am struggling a bit with it. I wrote Bingo, Baby! In November, during Nanowrimo month (participant and winner, 51000+ words by Nov 30th, 2015). It was a fun and exciting experience. I was so happy to be making progress on the book, that I kept writing and writing without labeling and numbering paragraphs and chapters.
     Don't do this authors. Now, I have to take extra time to edit, label and everything else needed, to get the manuscript to my publisher (Xlibris)
     For the next book, yes, there will be a next, in the Bingo, Baby Series. I will make an outline and, at least number the chapters, even if I need to rearrange them later.
      I can hardly wait for the release of Bingo, Baby! I hope you will enjoy it.
    
     

It's a ......day.

     Hello everyone! Today is a...day! You feel in the blank space. Ha ha! This might be a challenge for some. I am sure at this moment what type of day it is for me.
     Just by waking up and tending to my own personal needs, having a bite to eat; able to write this quick blog. I am going to make a quick assessment and say, Today is a "blessed" day! There you go; I have proclaimed it.
      It does not matter what kind of day I think it is, or I feel it is...It's a great day because I awoke and got started.
      I choose to ignore the little aches and pains that whisper. Maybe you should stay in bed and do nothing. Do not hearken to it! Get up and at 'em and state your proclamation! 😄🎉🔊🌟👍
What word will you fill in the blank?

My take on the book, Waiting For Morning by Karen Kingsbury

My church book club called, The Book Gathering, read Karen Kingsbury's book, Waiting For Morning. It is book 1 in a 3 book series.

The book was about a Christian family of four, the Ryan's. The husband and father Tom, takes his two teenaged daughters, Alicia and Jenny on a annual summer camping trip. On their way home their truck was struck by a twenty-eight year old habitual drunk driver. Only the youngest daughter Jenny survived.

The wife/mother Hanna, waited at home anxiously for them to come home; instead officers came to the house to deliver the heartbreaking news that her husband and oldest daughter Alicia, were killed, pretty much instantly.

The first chapter really grabs you and pulls you in; even though people dying and the way in which they died was horrible.

The remainder of the book, Hanna, who lost her family, lost all sense of her Christianity. She did a complete 365 degree turn on her faith, as well as towards 13 year old Jenny. All hope was gone as the thought of her family that was stripped away from her. Hanna's main objective was to punish the drunk driver. She channeled all of her energy into him; ignoring more pressing issues between Jenny and herself.

The book was hard for me to read, being that someone's life can just be wiped out because of drinking and driving. The book gives you a lot to think about... alcoholism, abandonment, faith, etc.

Jenny had to deal with a lot of emotions. The fact that her mom let go of her own faith and compassion towards herself and others.

Towards the end of the book Hanna found some redemption when 28 year old Brian is sentenced for time in prison. And Hanna has a message and last words of her husband's delivered to her....

Most of our book club members agreed, that it was tough getting through the book, with a theme and emotions most of us have dealt with. The back stories of several other characters were just as interesting and real.

It is clearly a book that you should brace yourself before and while reading it to deal with its subject matter.

Dee

And The Winner is! Da da, da daaaa.....

Here is my list of 24 books that I read in 2015! Number one, I read first and number 25, I read last. The other books are not in any particular order. I kept my list on my NOOK HD Reader and they sort of got scrambled around through the year.  This year, I will write them all down in order.

I am only two books in so far, and it is getting close to the fourth week. Wow! pretty soon January will be over.  I have to get on my grind with reading and editing my debut book coming soon: Bingo Baby! "Beginner's Luck."

I hope you find my list interesting:

1.      If I Stay,   Gayle Forman

2.     100 Days of Right Believing,   Joel Osteen

3-6. Shopping for a Billionaire 1-4   Julia Kent

7.     The Kite Runner,    Khaled Hossieini

8.     Truth Stained Lies,   Terri Blackstock

9.     5 Love Languages,    Gary Chapman, M.D.

10.   Success Through Stillness,   Russell Simmons

11.   Destiny,   T.D. Jakes

12.   Gone Girl,   Gillian Flynn

13.   The Gingerbread Man,   Maggie Shayne

14.   The Covering,   Dana Portola

15.    Outliers,   Malcolm Gladwell

16.    Irresistible Forces,   Brenda Jackson

17.    Naked in Death,   J.D Robb

18.    How to Win,  Mark Cuban

19.    Through the Storm,   Vanessa Miller

20.    Deep in the Heart,  Staci Stallings

21.    To Kill a Mockingbird,   Harper Lee 

22.    When Sorry Isn't Enough,   Gary Chapman, M.D.

23.    The Girl on the Train,  Paula Hawkins 

24.    Instinct,  T.D. Jakes

Here are the 5 books I liked the best:

Outliers, Gladwell is awesome the way he gains statistics and makes them real to readers. 

The Kite Runner, absolutely beautiful and engaging. I thought I was in Afghanistan!

Girl On the Train, Four words...That girl was crazy!! But redeemed herself in the end. 

Success Through Stillness, I just love Simmons outlook on life and health.

Instinct, Thank you, Pastor...I must re-read.

So, there you have them. It was hard putting them in order from greatest to least. They are all awesome authors and books!

What do you think about my list and my personal favs??

Dee

Happy 2016!

First, I want to wish everyone a great year ahead. I pray all of your dreams and adventures are filled with love warmth and new learning experiences.

It has been a while. I am still here with you all! Let's do this! Well, at least I am telling myself that. Some of you are well ahead of the game of authorship....and that is good thing. Keep writing and forging on. Don't let anything stop you. Satisfy your appetite to write something great, or to just get something off of your chest.

That's sort of what I'm doing now. I started this journey in the middle...yards away from wince self publishing started. I'm still looking around trying to learn the rules. How do I get a book out there in cyber space, the clouds, in readers hands?

Just write! That's it! Plain and simple. There is no special system to follow, each person will have their own solution. If you already have something in place that works for you; keep up the good work(s). As for me, I have yet to find my rhythm. And I do realize the only way to get into a rhythm, is to keep writing about anything I desire. I can do this! Some pep talk, yuh? I have decided to keep my head tucked and write as much as I can...This blog helps.

Good luck and Happy New Year my friends.

Dee