I hope this finds you all safe and healthy during the current crazy coronavirus crisis. (Say that five times fast!) [No. Seriously. I double-dog dare you, and post it on social media. No prize awarded for your participation, unfortunately.]
Well, I’m dropping a line here to let y’all know that, like so much in life, a change is gonna come. (Cue Otis Redding.)
I’ve been quietly working on my other website, mollyjorealy.com, and while it’s not full-on ready for eyes, pretty soon I’ll be moving content from Frankly, My Dear … over to that site. I’ll keep FMD up as an archive of sorts, but soon I’ll be shutting down emails and contact forms with that connection.
What does that mean for you? Well, nothing much, I hope. But I do want to confirm you’re still interested in getting my posts. So, if y’all could, please click here to resubscribe. You’ll be able to choose if you want emails with upcoming blog posts (now known as Molly Jo’s Journals), or just progress reports on my book(s) in progress. I know some of you subscribed when I was producing the Firsts in Fiction podcast, or running other projects.
There’s also a neat, new widget on my other site that lets you see how I’m tracking my word count progress for BLINDSPOT. Don’t judge if you don’t see the bar move too quickly. It is what it is.
So really, this post is just to remind you that I’m here. But I’m moving. And I hope you’ll move with me. But if you don’t, hey. No hard feelings. I promise.
A Brief History of My First Year as a Southerner (Or, An Interesting Thing Happened on the Way to Being Me)
Dear Yumi,
It’s been a while since we talked, and I’ve no one to blame but myself. I know, you keep telling me it’s okay to share the little stories, but I didn’t really believe it. I thought you’d want only the grand, out-of-the-box stories.
Insert self-doubt here, amiright?
I mean, do you really want to know about the hideous date who blew a straw wrapper at me over dinner? Or how I’ve become addicted to sweet tea? Had to buy a storage ottoman (or two) to hold my many Happy Planners and accessories? Or what lingo I’ve learned in my new home territory?
You do? Well, okay, then. I’ll do my best to keep you updated.
Oh, right. That reminds me: You’ll be seeing some changes in the next few months. I’ve hinted at a few things. Starting with this: my new tagline.
COME ALIVE. STAY WILD.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : A Brief History of My First Year as a Southerner
Now, I know we humans have short attention spans that are getting shorter by the second (see what I did there?), so I’ll try to be brief. [I know, I’m laughing, too.]
My brother and I started a new tradition on the drive out here last year. We listened to Pet Sematary on Audible. I started it again this week. With the fog rolling in, the impended darkness, the changing leaves . . . It all lends itself to a Stephen King-esque feel that I adore.
I haven’t yet learned how to bake a pecan pie, but I have experienced the beauty of Biltmore, Ashville, and the overall culture and history here.
Let’s start with some of my favorite photo moments, shall we?
Who can forget the main reason I moved was to be closer to my writing community. It obviously helped:
NOLA by Molly Jo Realy now available. Click on the image to order.
But first, there was the moment I came home:
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Welcome Home.
I have a plethora of photos showing foggy backwoods, white, puffy clouds, and even last winter’s snow dusting. Then there’s the video of the moment April’s tornado formed just as it passed over my apartments while I was outside trying to capture the sound of the wind. Thankfully, the tornado didn’t touch down at my place, but I’ll never forget the increasing roar as it started. And the number of phone calls from my West Coasters who were watching the live radar and wanted to know I knew how to stay safe. [Note to self: Staying indoors is a start.]
Well, bless your heart.
That’s not always a blessing. I learned quickly the South has a polite way of cursing. I had to curb my California tongue on more than one occasion. While it can be taken as a praise or excitement, even a term of endearment, down here, “bless your heart” mostly means, “Well, aren’t you stupid and I’mma gonna pray for you.” Trust me. I’ve been blessed more times than I can count this first year.
After I caught on, a well-meaning stranger told me, “Oh, bless your heart.” To which I said, “Hey, I may be new to the area, but I know what that means!”
Earlier this month, I attended another Writing Academy. This one was near Seattle so I got to visit my daughter and her husband. They were both so very proud that I finally purchased my first-ever Vans shoes. I can finally admit, I now know what all the hullabaloo is about. #socomfortable
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Stay Wild: new Vans and a Winnie the Pooh Backpack
The South really does love fried chicken. I hopedthought perhaps it was a Hollywood-induced stereotype. It’s not. At. All. On almost every corner, on almost every street, you’ll find a Zaxby’s, Chik-fil-A, or Bojangles. And, while I love choices, there’s really only so many ways you fry the bird, right? You would think so. Doesn’t matter. You can find me at the Bo at least once a week, driving through to pick up my meal combo, and some extras for the fur fam.
Speaking of, yesterday was National Cat Day. The kids say hello.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Happy National Cat Day
Sweet Tea is more than just adding sugar packets to your glass. It’s a for-realz recipe. And I’m so glad it is.
Living in the Eastern Time Zone means I’m home before any major sporting events air on TV . . . but I’m also going to bed much later due to watching them til the very end.
The first sip of the annual Pumpkin Spice Latte is still always the best, no matter what state I’m in. Especially when accompanied by a slice of Pumpkin Loaf:
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The year’s first PSL from Starbucks
Of course, I’m feeding my Happy Planner addiction. Hey, This Girl has a business to run. And another novel to write. More recipes to create and curate. And a life to track. And, you know. A plan to come alive, stay wild, and be happy while doing so!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : My newest Happy Planners
There are tons of little stories I’ll be sharing, and I hope you’re excited to hear them.
Remember when you read, to add my new drawl to your inner voice. I mean, I am a Southerner now.
I was told a while back, since myself, my parents, grandparents, and great-grands were not born here, I can never be considered a true Southerner. To which I responded, “Well, bless your heart.”
Well, that’s all I have for tonight. The World Series Game Six is still going, and I can only hope by the time you read this, there will be a Game Seven. #GoNationals.
Remember, come alive and stay wild!
With a happy heart and plans for a sugar-filled life, Happy everything. Savor the journey, ~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
Molly Jo is better known as the Bohemian Hurricane. She is the author/curator of The Unemployment Cookbook and several eBooks available on Amazon. Her debut novel, NOLA, is a romantic mystery novel set in New Orleans, and the first in her City Series.
Come Alive and Stay Wild! (Or, How a Missing FedEx and Crazy Hair Put Me Back on Track)
I was out with my girlfriends a few weeks ago, doing what we do. Eating. Talking. Planning. Shopping. Crafting. You know how we do.
So it wasn’t unusual when we hit up the craft store(s). That’s when the Bestie, the Seester and I parted ways to each conquer our own areas. We rallied at the checkout and I was reminded, by the incredibly huge bin of impulse-buy-me-now Ty Beanie stuffies, of how, for a while, I bought a new one each month and related it back to writing, social media, and marketing.
Frankly, My Dear . . . Come Alive and Stay Wild!
The Seester suggested I get a new one, seeing as how I’m relaunching the blog, being a published author and whatnot. Except *gasp* *gulp*. She held up a, a … I can’t say it. No, wait. Yes. You must know. A glittery unicorn. Unicorn. With glitter. I mean … just. NO.
I had to explain to her how I don’t do unicorns. Like, ever. (Cue Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Getting Back Together.”) But then, like a bad Taylor Swift lifestyle report, I turned around and there he was. This cute little lionicorn. At least, that’s what I call it him. For realz. But that… that horn. Ugh. Suck it up, girl. He ain’t that ugly.
Really, it was the crazy hair that got me.
So, this little crazy-haired lionicorn thing that adopted me at the third craft store of the day became my bag buddy and found his way to work with me the next day. I told my friend Knitting Nancy (okay, I know. She doesn’t knit, she crochets. But that sounds less poetic.) all about it and she named him. Right there. On the spot.
“His name is Wild.”
And I had to agree with her.
But wait, there’s more.
I mean, of course there is. ‘Cause I can tell y’all about the cute lionicorn Wild, but is that really the end of the story? If you have to ask, it’s like you don’t know me at all.
Cue the intro music.
I may have also indulged in a little Labor Day Happy Planner online sales event. And, long story short–Ha! Like I could do that! I tried to tell a short story once, but since I was speaking and not typing I couldn’t edit myself so this SS, as I like to identify them, came out in waves of interruptions and misdirections and … Oh. Right. The planner story. Sorry. #rabbithole
Well, I ordered some great Happy Planner gear to start the next year with, but it never arrived. Even when FedEx said it would. So I called and spoke to a woman named Iris. I remember her name because that’s the name of my cat. [Sidenote, y’all: Pray for Iris (the cat, not the person. Although the person may appreciate prayers, too. I dunno.). My Iris Cat is in a downhill health slide and I’m not certain what else to do as we’ve been to the vet three times in two months. Also, Thanksgiving is coming up and we all know my beloved felines tend to go Home on Thanksgiving weekend. Oops. That was another rabbit hole, wasn’t it? And my name’s not Peter Cottontail.]
SO.HAPPY PLANNER UPDATE: Iris the Person issued a second shipment with the apology that my first Planner was on backorder so she instead sent one of her personal favorites and hoped I would enjoy it.
GUESS. WHAT.
The cover states “STAY WILD.” Folks, I can’t make this stuff up! I mean, I could. But I don’t have to. Because it really happened!
Frankly, My Dear . . . Come Alive and Stay Wild!
And the last corner of this triangle of a story is that during the Girlfriends Outing (see Paragraph One above for details), we were also talking about our words/phrases/taglines for next year. Oh, don’t you pooh-pooh me (Yes, I know I spelled it like the bear, not the dung. That was on purpose!). You all know that each year a mantra of sorts finds it way to each of us as our yearly focus. The Seester has hers. The Bestie has options.
For this year, I chose Come Alive. But I chose it late in the year, and did little with it. Except what I did, how I took it to heart, what it means to me (complete with Hugh Jackman singing in The Greatest Showman); I want to keep it going. It’s not just a yearly mantra. It’s me. But what to add to it?
I had nothing. Nothing. Until Wild. And Happy Planners. And then, like a glorious Snickers bar collision with a glass of milk. Like thunder that answers the lightning. Like powdered sugar on a beignet, I have my mantra for 2020.
Come Alive and Stay Wild.
Betcha didn’t see that one coming, didya?
And with that, I present to you, the relaunching of Frankly, My Dear . . . the blog.
Would you like to win a $25 gift card to Michaels Arts & Crafts to buy your own Happy Planner? Leave a comment and tell me what your favorite friendship moments look like. [$25 Gift Card to Michaels will be awarded to one random winner from all qualified entry comments on or before October 5, 2019. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email to claim prize, or prize will be forfeited and another winner selected.]
With a wild heart and a planning page, Come alive. Stay wild. And always, Savor the journey. ~M.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
P.S.: Check out this official video from Fox Entertainment to see Hugh Jackson sing “Come Alive” in The Greatest Showman.
I’m humbled and honored to announce NOLA is now available in paperback through Amazon.
NOLA by Molly Jo Realy. Click on image to order.
Soon available for ebook readers.
With a cup full of awe and a head full of stories, Happy Reading. ~Molly Jo
Frankly, My Dear . . . Savor the Journey!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Bohemian Hurricane
Molly Jo is better known as the Bohemian Hurricane. She is the author/curator of The Unemployment Cookbook and several eBooks available on Amazon. Her debut novel, NOLA, is a romantic mystery novel set in New Orleans, and the first in her City Series.
So I guess I’m in good company with finally launching NOLA next Wednesday. If you don’t know why June 26 is so significant, you can read my recent blog post: Are You Ready to Visit NOLA?
I’ve had several Swarm members buzz around and ask how they can help beyond buying the book.
Frankly My Dear . . . How to Write a Book Review
Lemme tell ya: There are two things an author covets more than anything once the book is published. (Well, three if you count coffee.) The first is sales. Buy the book. Buy it for yourself. Your friend. Your significant other. Your neighbor, mailman, kid’s cousin’s dog walker’s parents. Buy. The. Book. And buy it in all forms. Print. Digital. Audio. However it’s available, however you’ll read it.
I mean, yah, we totally write because we don’t know how to not write, and you hear us say, “Oh, even if no one bought my books ever I’d still be a writer.” What a load of youknowwhat. I mean, it’s true. But in a demented, look at my sadlittlelife kind of way. So, really. We like the book sales. I ain’t gonna lie.
The best nonmonetary way you can support your favorite authors is to write a review and share it. But readers. Well, y’all are readers, yah? Not writers. You want to get into the characters, the setting, the whole joie de vivre of it. “Oh, great,” you say. “Now she’s speaking French. I’m never gonna understand!”
Calm you’re kettles. It’s gonna be okay.
Reviews show popularity. And you know who gets noticed in the industry? The ones who are getting noticed. Think on that for a minute.
Amazon and Goodreads drive book popularity based partly on sales and reviews. That’s why both are important.
The most important thing to realize is a book review is not a book report.
There are three things imperative to a good book review:
You have a social media site to share the review on (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
You have an account at Amazon and/or Goodreads
You’ve read the book.
Seriously. That’s it. Once that’s all been established, you click on the book link, then click on “Reviews,” then click where it says, “Leave Your Own Review.” Type away, and share.
The second most important thing to realize is this is your review.
You’re not graded on sentence structure, grammar, or word count. You won’t be put in reviewer jail if you misquote something. Just tell the author and their audience if you enjoyed the book, and why/why not. Use your own words and speaking style. Don’t fancy it up or dumb it down. Most review site require a minimum of 250 characters. Easy peasy.
PERSONAL PREFERENCE: There is no wrong way to leave a review, but don’t give away spoilers like, “It was really crazy how that spaceship zapped up Rain and Josie at the very end. I mean, I thought it wasn’t a sci-fi.” [Real spoiler alert: that is not how NOLA actually ends.]
Now, I’m not all in for author-bashing or trolling (those little internet mongrels that like to badmouth strangers just because they can!), but I am a fan of authenticity. So be honest, but be nice. Remember, you’re reviewing the book, not the author, not their lifestyle. If you want to review that, go to other websites. Get me?
A detailed review can be as short as three or four sentences. Did you find it compelling? A page turner or a nodder (one that put you to sleep)? Do you want more from this author, these characters? If the story is set in a real place, did the reading feel accurate? Did you emote through the story?
Based on the above, a positive review of the Wizard of Oz might read: (Five Stars) “I was enthralled with the duality of worlds and Dorothy’s struggle to realize everything she needed she already had. The Flying Monkeys were very scary, but the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man were wonderful companions and showed a true depth of character as they grew along their journey. I highly recommend this book, and can’t wait for the sequel. “
A negative review might read: (Two Stars) “The fantasy worlds were too much for me to grasp. Frank L. Baum’s writing style is definitely for children. Although the writing is clean and the plot flows as it should, this book isn’t for me.”
You may be asked to title your review. This isn’t mandatory, so you can start with the first line of your review.
But the stars. If you feel the book is really good, but not as great as others you’ve read, it’s okay to leave four stars instead of five. Note that a Five Star Review means you really loved the book and want more. One Star means you’ll never read that book again. Three Stars mean you’re either apathetic, or the book didn’t reach it’s full potential.
PERSONAL PREFERENCE: Review the book and the author, but leave out any personal details. “I really loved helping Amy Pen brainstorm as she outlined this story,” or “I’ve known John Writer since we were kids and I’m so proud of him.” Those personal kudos can go on your social media sites, but don’t belong in a review.
Reviews are an author’s equivalent to crypto-coin. Well, maybe not. But sort of. And you have the power to make them rich.
Here are a few other ways you can support your favorite authors:
Ways to Support Your Favorite Author
Leave a comment: Do you leave reviews for books you’ve read? What are some of your favorite summer reads?
With a cup full of sweet tea and a house that needs cleaning, Happy Reviewing. ~Molly Jo
Frankly, My Dear . . . Savor the Journey!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Bohemian Hurricane
Molly Jo is better known as the Bohemian Hurricane. She is the author/curator of The Unemployment Cookbook and several eBooks available on Amazon. Her work-in-progress, NOLA, is a romantic mystery novel set in New Orleans, and the first in her City Series. [Note to Self: Seriously. Change this.]
