Faith Kindred

I suppose I should add that as I’ve matured, I’ve sought to read more classic literature. But I haven’t yet read a classic that has touched me on that deep of a level. Hopefully that can be remedied! 😛

@aratrea Growing up, the entire Anne of Green Gables series changed my perspective on life in many ways and on many levels. I know perhaps they aren’t perfect from a plot point of view, but I love them. Also, The Sign of the Beaver, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and The Bronze Bow, all by Elizabeth George Speare all taught me a great deal. And…[Read more]

@Daeus thank you. Good thoughtful answer. Believe it or not I actually hadn’t thought about it one way or the other; doing long term or not, but now that I have, it’s a definite yes. I never really set my heart to do anything unless I’m going to do it long term anyway. 😉 If it was just for promoting myself— yep, website. But since I feel like I…[Read more]

@bethanysinkyroses That’s awesome–are there any specific books that come in mind that changed you that you’re open to sharing?

@bethanysinkyroses Fantastic. As much as I do love hitting people with peppermint sticks, an alternate approach seems wiser. 😉

@kate-flournoy If getting a good mentor is possible, I’d definitely seize on the opportunity. Like @his-instrument, I downplayed the importance for a while. Then I found one. And while I currently only have one on the publishing/marketing/business end of things, it’s insanely helpful and is going to help me avoid a lot of pitfalls. If I could find…[Read more]

@kate-flournoy All in all, I like it.

I was thinking for a while if it would be better for you to not have a blog and have an email list only, but after reflecting on it, I don’t think that would be best. That is, as long as you plan to blog for a while. Is blogging something you see yourself doing for many years to come, or are you mainly…[Read more]

@Daeus how dare you shove your superior experience off on me!

No, you’re right. I guess I wouldn’t go so far as to say I haven’t done any planning— I have a basic idea of what I want. The blog actually serves two purposes for now (or once I get it running). The first is to help other writers by sharing what I learn. The second is to promote my…[Read more]

@kate-flournoy Sure. I only have one rule. Don’t pick apart my brain.

And actually, if you don’t mind me saying so, I wouldn’t start your blog and then come up with your plan for building your platform. I would come up with your plan first and then (if it’s the right thing to do) start a blog.

Thanks @Emily @Shannon. 🙂
And actually it wasn’t too hard… it didn’t involve any real ‘blowing’ which was kinda disappointing, but maybe that’s just the advanced techniques. 😉 It was sort of just like playing with modeling clay.
10,000+ degree modeling clay. 😛 Over a torch that could probably singe your eyebrows off from five feet away if you…[Read more]

@Daeus yep. Been thinkin’ about it for two years.
One word— school. *headdesk* I’m technically done, but there was extracurricular work that I didn’t know about, so I’m racing to finish that up and then HOPEFULLY I can actually get started with platform stuff. 😛 I’ll be beginning with a blog… and once I’ve got that relatively stable…[Read more]

@kate-flournoy *cackle* *cackle* Yes. Indie is good. Have you thought about starting a platform anytime soon?

@epicaddie2 I’ll pray for you.

@Dragon-Snapper *sniffs* Music used to be one of mine too, actually. Until I got a hearing problem that made it so I can’t wear earphones. *weeps pathetically* I’d use it both for inspiration and to drown out the noise around me (our house has an entirely open floorplan so there’s not a whole lot of quiet ;P) but blasting it loud enough without…[Read more]

@His-Instrument @Daeus @Dragon-Snapper thanks, guys. You people are the best.

I definitely agree with you about being cynical of most authors out there, Daeus. If I did seek out a mentor, it would be for the marketing/publishing side of things, even though I’m going indy.
Honestly, I feel like I can learn just as much about actual writing…[Read more]

@kate-flournoy First of all, I can’t imagine why you would have to have a mentor to succeed. Methinks there have been plenty of authors who have succeeded without mentors. Here are my other thoughts.

1. You don’t need one on one training. You can learn everything you ever need to know from courses, forums, group mentoring, etc, etc.

2. There is…[Read more]

@aratrea @daeus Theme is exciting because it is how stories impact lives. Fiction has changed me. I want to learn how to create stories that can do that for others. 🙂

@aratrea @daeus I’m hoping to lay the foundation for a lifelong study of theme. 😀 Also, I hope to learn how to properly use stories to teach and delight. As opposed to pounding readers over the head with a peppermint stick. 😛