Jul 20, 2015 |
Dear Reader,
We’ve been through a lot, you and I. You’ve read from the beginning when Frankly, My Dear . . . started out as a diary of a sort of social experiment, then grew.
Blank Pages are the World’s Canvas
First I learned to crawl, then walk, and threw in with some nifty vocabulary lessons.
It’s been over four years of fun, drama, food, family, life, death, everything and nothing. And y’all have stuck with me like melted cheese on a hot spoon.
You’ve been there as I started New Inklings Press. You supported my fundraising for The Unemployment Cookbook and #MoJoDoingTheWriteThing.
You’ve been the sweet to my tea.
How refreshing!
How can I thank you?
This week, my Kindle books are free. Not all at the same time, so you’ll want to check my Amazon Author Page daily. It my way of giving back for all the support y’all have given me.
Now here’s the favor. And this in no way is a tit-for-tat situation. You can take the freebies without obligation. I promise.
But it’d be awful sweet if you could leave a review of any of my books on Amazon. As a boutique, small-town, digital book publisher, my marketing consists of me passing out business cards at conferences and telling others by word of mouth.
Field of Dreams
If you’ve read something that’s touched you, made a recipe that brought your family together, or enjoyed some quiet time while reading one or more of my books, I’d sure appreciate the shout-out.
If you have any suggestions on how to make them better, a question or a thought on something that just doesn’t sit right, well I’d welcome that feedback, too.
I hope to continue this journey with you, and prove myself trustworthy of the time you’re taking to spread the word about my books.
Invaluably yours,
~Molly Jo
I’m seeing ya.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
Jan 19, 2015 |
A few days ago I did something I wasn’t sure I could do, for a variety of reasons: I registered to attend the Orange County Christian Writers Conference in April.
My friend and writing mentor, Aaron Gansky, is a featured speaker and while I always value the information he gives, there are several other sessions I’m looking forward to being a part of.
This will be the second writers conference I’ve attended. Ever. This one is different from the first one I attended last November. That one was local, and there were three consecutive sessions in the same auditorium. I knew almost everyone, because it was sponsored by my Writers Club. This one requires a little drive time, there are many short sessions to choose from, and aside from Aaron and hopefully my friend Beckie, I won’t know anyone.
Molly and Beckie
Thankfully, it was easy to choose my sessions based on my experience as a writer, and my needs to grow my network. I’m choosing to focus on what will help me finish NOLA and market it as well.
And now that the fun stuff has been announced, let’s get real.
It’s intimidating to register for a writers conference. At least, it is for me. I have so many unknowns.
- What if I’m not a good enough writer to be there?
- What if I can’t focus and forget all the information?
- What if everyone else really has a game plan for their writing, and laugh because I don’t?
- What if I share my idea for my novels and learn they’re not that great?
- What if the weather is bad for the drive?
- What if it’s like high school and people are clique-ish and I’m left out?
- What if I get star-struck and instead of being intelligent I stumble and mumble my way through meetings and greetings?
- What if I spill coffee on myself and don’t bring an extra sweater to cover it up?
These are all real concerns I have.
But the one I didn’t know I had, came to light after I registered. I have been nagged with the internal question
What if I’m not good enough?
That is, not that I’m not a good enough writer. I believe I’m a good writer on my way to being a great writer.
But, what if I’m not a good enough person? What makes it okay for someone like me to attend a Christian writers conference?
Sure, I write a lot about God and trusting His plan for our lives. I live a Faith-based life. But I’m no Saint. I’m no hero. And on not-so-good days, I can be downright bad and ugly. So what makes it okay for me to attend a Christian writers conference?
The same thing that makes it okay for me to be a writer. I don’t know everything. But what I do know, I can share. I’m not Chef Bobby Flay, but I like to cook, so I share recipes. I’m not a veterinarian, but I can write about my cats. I don’t own a landscape company or live in a mansion, but I can still blog about how to keep a nice house with decorating and fix-it tips.
So what makes it okay for me to attend a Christian writers conference? I had to wrap my head around it. I would have no problem supporting anyone else who wants to go, and if they voiced these same concerns, I’d tell them
Stop. Listen to yourself. No. Don’t. Listen to God. He brought you here for a reason. You know He did. And He has a plan for you, for your writing. Nobody’s perfect and I’m not asking you be. Did you screw up something yesterday? I did, too. I always do. It’s human nature. But you know what? God forgives you. He forgave you, and He keeps forgiving you. So get out of the dark hole you created, see the Sonshine, and do what He’s calling you to do. Be a writer. You don’t have to prosthelytize all the time. It’s okay to write mysteries and fantasy. Just write. Just use the talents He gave you, and do it! Get to the conference. Meet other imperfect people who will help you hone your imperfections into great storytelling. It’s okay. It’s all going to be okay.
That’s what I would tell someone else. So that’s what I’m telling me. I’m not perfect, and I’m not a Bible thumper. But I am a Christian.
So I’m giving myself permission to attend a Christian writers conference.
Now here’s the neat part. Once I decided to go (after a few nudges from Beckie and Aaron), my first thought was “I can’t afford this.” Beckie and I looked at the registration schedule. We can’t go Friday night, so we would just carpool together for the Saturday sessions. It’s $135 for the day. There’s a 10% discount code available, so my cost would drop to $121.50. Not too bad when you consider everything that’s included. But it’s still more than what I want to shell out right now, especially since I’m intent on getting to Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in North Carolina in May.
Feeling somewhat apprehensive and pre-defeated, I asked them to pray with me for direction on this. That was Saturday night.
On Tuesday morning, I received a phone message from my insurance company. They finally received full restitution from the at-fault party for an accident I was in nearly five years ago. At that time, my insurance company took care of my vehicle replacement, my medical bills, and my settlement. But because I had to go through my own policy, I wasn’t able to collect my $500 deductible. Two years later, they received a large, albeit incomplete sum, and mailed me a check for a partial amount.
As of last week, they received the final payment, and issued me a payment for the balance of my deductible.
The conference would cost me $121.50.
The insurance payment is $121.43.
How on earth am I going to find seven pennies? I’m pretty sure God is asking me to trust Him.
And that’s how I know it’s okay for me to attend a Christian writers conference.
My Life Verse ~ Jeremiah 29:11
And Frankly, my dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
More or Less: 29 Words
I am Defined. And I am a Mystery.
“What’s the Word?” Wednesday: Aaron Gansky on Magic and Writing
My Amazon Author’s Page
Mar 31, 2014 |
My web-designer updated my website this weekend. That’s New Inklings Press’s website, not the blog.
I’m very excited. The changes are subtle but specific.
You can now link to my Amazon page, and individual product, from the home page. You can read about upcoming projects and our authors. And of course, you can still shop directly.
Which is a good thing, because I have 75 copies of the THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK, Second Edition. Remember when you followed last year’s journey to get it published, and how you said to yourself, “I need to order.” or “This would make a great gift.” or “So-and-so really needs a copy of this.”
The Unemployment Cookbook, Second Edition
Well now’s your opportunity. With just 75 printed copies left and no plans for a reprint, this may, in fact, be your last chance.
Now here’s the “wish” part of this post. It’s my wish, my goal, to sell all my cookbooks before Easter. There are three small bills I am trying to pay in full, and, as you may have read on my Facebook page, I’d like to get a Disneyland annual pass. Sure, that last one isn’t a necessity.
But Dot and I used to have passes. Instead of a big vacation, we’d go to the Parks a few times a year together, as well as with friends. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to renew my pass for a few years now. She and her friends have. And let’s be honest: This Momma’s a tad bit jealous.
Disney Dream (from a door on Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland, CA)
Does the world stop spinning without Disneyland? Of course not. Can we still have Quality Family Time without the Mouse? We do every day.
But now and then I think it’s okay to say out loud, “This is what I’m trying for” and see what happens. This, for me, is that moment.
A “New” website. A cookbook. And a wish.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Dear Disneyland . . .
Following Fabian
FIVE THINGS FRIDAY: Everything old is NEW Again
Mar 25, 2014 |
Amazon is synonymous with sales, especially books. The great part is, Amazon makes it easy for authors of all sorts to share their stories. In particular, I’m in love with their Author’s Pages. A person can share as little or as much as they like, and link to their most important social media networks.
Publishing eBooks for Kindle download is just as easy. Once you have the finished draft, a quick upload is all it takes to get started.
You can check out my Amazon Author’s Page here. It contains all the aforementioned goodies, and more.
Now that I’m back in the swing of writing and blogging, I thought this would be a good time to promote my Kindle eBooks. You’ve read my posts as I started these writings, and you celebrated with me as I published.
It’s time to be rewarded for your cheerleading.
THE PENNY PARABLE will be free Wednesday and Thursday of this week.
The Penny Parable
A STUDY ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS will be price-reduced as well.
A Study on the Ten Commandments
It’s my way of giving back and saying thanks. Thanks for reading, thanks for cheering.
Just . . . thanks.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
“Life is Rough. I’m still a diamond.”
2014: BETTER.
The Friday Five – STORIES
Aug 7, 2013 |
A Study on the Ten Commandments
A few months ago, I proudly yet humbly debuted A STUDY ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS as my first eBook. It’s available for Kindle download through Amazon (click here) for only $2.99.
This past week, regardless of topic, my posts have each held the elements of Faith and Prayer.
I have been abundantly blessed by God and those He’s placed around me.
It’s with joy and honor that I’m paying it forward and offering A STUDY ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS for free on August 8th and 9th.
Just click on the photo above to be taken to the Amazon page where you can download your own copy direct to your Kindle.
Please spread the word and share this with your people. If you already have a copy, please leave a review on the Amazon Product page. If you don’t yet have a copy, now’s a great time to download it.
I pray that He will continue to bless you abundantly.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
The Penny Parable – Part I
The Penny Parable – Part II
What I Learned on Women’s Retreat (The Big Whammy!)
More or Less: 29 Words
