Friday, June 13, 2014

False Memories

One of my favorite pastimes is re-reading a favorite book. Usually, I choose a romance novel (just to keep my romantic juices flowing). However, I often re-read one of Dean Koontz's novel (just because he is my writing hero).

I recently finished re-reading his novel, False Memory. The book explores the  theme of brain-washing, the ability to manipulate and reprogram the mind--for good or evil. With just the use of a code word (and a Haiku poem), the hero and heroine are plunged into a nightmare world, where they lose hours of real time, and begin to think (and do) inexplicable things. They are literally caught between two worlds--the physical and the mental.

Their plight made me think of my hero, Psychic/Magician, Adrian Magus, in my novel, The Kindred,  At the start of the story, he is at a turning point in his life, struggling with his real world and the world of illusions he creates nightly for audiences on a Las Vegas stage. Which is the real and which is the illusion?

That question had me wondering what you all think. Are you living the life you were born to live, or are you living the life you've been "programmed" to live--a life created by your parents, your friends, the world at large?  Let me know. Leave a comment. 

For myself, I know that as I got older, I began to live the life I wanted to live, rather than the one everyone else wanted me to live. That knowledge was so freeing (and addictive), that I've never wavered from the task. What about you? 

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Book Marketing Challenge--a Haunting Tale of Discovered Ghosts

Thirty days ago, I was a Book Marketing newbie. I was literally a ghost without a house to haunt. I had all the right "stuff"--the  rattling chains, the appropriate moans and "boos"--but I was floundering in the sea of "What to do", "Where to do it", and "How to do it" Luckily, immersing myself in D'vorah's Book Marketing Challenge supplied all the answers I needed.

What did I learn in 30 days? Sooooo much, but here are some of the highlights.  The challenge helped me to understand that marketing is a grand scale thing, and that the only way to "master" it, is to divide it in small goals, and then perform one or two action steps every day to reach that goal. (Literally, The Ghost finding the Right House to Haunt).

Secondly, I learned who I am as a paranormal romance writer (my brand), and I learned what my message is, and where to go to deliver that message (my target audience for The Haunted House). I also learned many "entertaining tricks of the trade" to make the audience fans of my Haunted House, and thus, inclined to visit it on a regular basis (my website/blogs).  Lastly, I realized Beth Barany was right when she said, "It's never to late to re-discover our dream" or "revive it". Over the last 30 days, I know I've revitalized mine.

Just like the ghosts in my first novel, The Kindred, I've discovered that communication with an intended target is the key to releasing an imprisoned soul (there's that ghost-haunting thing again).  So, if you like, entertaining stories that ride the edge of two worlds--the human and spiritual--I hope you'll think of reading The Kindred or The Sacred Circle. But more importantly, if you need some one to read and review your novel, I'm only a short E-Mail away. 

Now, on to Blog Hop and the finish line...P.S. Thanks to D'vorah and all the bloggers, who so graciously gave of their talent and time. You rock!