New Blog Team Members and Whitney Awards

We'll have some new blog team members join us in the next few weeks. Woo hoo! See if you can figure out who they are (hint: look in the sidebars). Check back on Wednesday to meet our first new member and then you'll know why Don Carey is so excited about it :).

Don't forget, if you've read a great book by an LDS author that was published in 2010, especially a book by a Cedar Fort author, go to the Whitney Awards and nominate it. Nominating is simple and we'd love to have Cedar Fort represented in the the Whitney Awards. We have fantastic books by talented authors so be sure to nominate by December 31, 2010.  And, enjoy the new site while you're there.

The Power of Thought

Today I will be at the Santa Clara Library from 11am-6pm, as an election worker (early elections). Then next Tuesday morning at from 6am-9pm, I will be at the city Hall for the final election day. I tell you this because as an election worker it is my duty to remind all of you to be sure and vote.

Now, on to the power of thought. I want to share with you some thoughts from a book I'm reading, titled, "On Being the Creator of Your Destiny," by Peggy McColl.

We alone decide what we are going to think. There is no one else in our brains deciding it for us. When we think a new thought, an empowering thought, a thought that supports what we want to experience or create, we have to keep thinking those supportive, positive and empowering thoughts repeatedly.

When our thought creates a flow of energy - creative energy - it will have an effect on our lives, just as negative energy effects our lives.

James Allen said, "People do not attract that which they want, but that which they are."

Okay. Does that mean we were given the gift of imagination before we came to earth and that why we desire to become authors, artists, musicians?

Walter Chrysler said, "Enthusiasm is at the bottom of all progress. With it there is accomplishment. Without it, there are only alibis."

Does that mean even if we are born with a gift, Imagination alone is not going to being us success?

William James stated. "The greatest discovery is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind."

Ahha! Though we've been given the gift of imagination, we have to have enthusiasm and an attitude.

Napolen Hill put it this way. "Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate accomplishments."

Not only do we need imagination, enthusiasm and attitude. We need to cherish what we've been given.

Abraham Lincoln said, "You can have anything you want - if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, do anything you set out to accomplish, if you hold to that desire and singleness of purpose."

I believe he is saying that we are what we think.

And, I think I'm sharing these thoughts with you because I need to hear them twice, myself.

Have a good day

The Wonders of the Human Mind

I had a great many writerly things going through my mind near the end of last week.

Sigh. I really should write these things down.

As a ponder the upcoming release of my first novel (less than 40 days now), my thoughts have turned to my newest project--the second book in the series. Since blogging about it previously, that book has changed. I cut THE WILD QUEEN completely from the trilogy, and am now moving forward with THE TYRANT KING. To complete the trilogy, I added THE LOST PRINCESS. I'm excited, since it promises to be an action packed story.

I worry less about plotting now. A lot of things have started to become second nature. The trouble is, when revisions come along, it's harder now for me to know what to do first. Thank goodness for writers' conferences, because I took heavy notes last time I sat in on a class about revisions.

This week, I'm actually holding a pre-sale booth at the Ben Franklin Academy fundraiser. Wish me luck! :)

It's all about connecting

                                                                    By Trina Boice
                                                                www.boicebox.com

Writing a best-selling book is all about connecting...connecting with the reader through a great story, memorable characters, inspiring messages, and creating an experience that leaves the reader wanting to read more of your words.

Marketing a best-selling book is all about connecting...and in the world of SEO, the magic connection that draws readers to your web site these days is linking.  I just discovered this awesome, new tool that puts your link-building on auto-pilot!  IMautomator is a free social bookmarking tool that couldn't be easier.  You just enter the URL you'd like to bookmark and then IMautomator extracts the title, description and tags, and then sets up a submission schedule for automatic submission.  Pretty cool.   And no, I don't make any money by telling you about this helpful web site.

Another tool I found is SocialAdr.  It's a little more complex to understand, but just about as easy to use.  It's a bookmarking community where you will bookmark other people's content and they reciprocate.  Like IMautomator, you can pay extra for more features, but you can definitely get the job done with their free accounts.

OnlyWire has been around longer than the other two services, but involves some downloading and a few extra steps.   I'm still learning how to use all of these online tools and it often leaves me overwhelmed with all that I still need to do.  One day at a time, Baby.

If you're in to this whole linking concept, then you might really go nuts with this list of bookmarking sites that pay.   (You're welcome.)
www.xomba.com
www.redgage.com
www.tagfoot.com
www.snipsly.com
www.infopirate.com
www.karmalynx.com
www.rummage4money.com
www.addblogurl.com

There are plenty more, but that should get you started.  Whew!  So much to learn...so little time.  You're already sitting at your computer, writing the Great American Novel, so you might as well put that keyboard to work with your marketing efforts.   Have fun out there!

Defensive Tactics by Steve Westover

From the back cover:

Paul Stephens has it all--a wonderful job at the FBI, a new girlfriend, and a great apartment. Even when Jimmy, a friend from his past, unexpectedly ends up on his couch, Paul has no worries.

But when arresting a corrupt judge puts his girlfriend's life in danger, Paul and Jimmy will do anything to save her. How far will Paul go to protect the ones he love? Filled with suspense and action, Defensive Tactics shows just how much the bonds of friendship can endure.



I enjoyed reading this book by new CFI author, Steve Westover. I'm not a big fan of omniscient point of view, I prefer to stay in one person's head, but Westover did a good job of creating an interesting and suspenseful story. I think he created some great characters.

I loved that Emily didn't lower her standards to do her job. She was still able to do what needed to be done, but she did it with modesty and class. I really liked her personality and loved how ingenious she was with the oil and water--you'll have to read the book to see what I mean.

I also really liked Jimmy. He was such a flake, but a likeable flake. I felt sorry for him and all that he lost, but I was glad when he realized he could find happiness and joy again. No matter what trials we endure in this life, we can still find peace and joy. I loved the talk Jimmy had with the bishop and how clearly the bishop explained what he needed to do to be happy again.

Paul is the rock. He is constant and solid--great traits in a character and in real life. I'm glad that . . . . sorry, no spoilers.

Westover did a great job characterizing the bad guys, too. The judge is slimy, slimy, slimy--I'd like to slap him.

I'd recommend this book.

To learn more about Steve Westover check out his blog.

Although I received this book as a review copy, it did not influence my review--my opinion, as always, is my own.

My Secret Marketing Weapon

With my novel Bumpy Landings coming out in just over two months (That's important background info, NOT shameless self promotion. Really.), I've been hard at work pulling together a marketing plan. In making this plan, I have come across what could be a significant challenge.

While the themes of the book are universal--integrity, self worth, and kissing pretty girls--the main characters are all LDS, which means the bulk of my readers will also be LDS, most of them living far to the west of my home in Texas.

Being a thousand miles away from family, friends, and coworkers has been a challenge. Activities and gatherings and day-to-day life all take place without me, and I'm left on the sidelines, watching from afar. I expect in-person book publicity to be equally challenging.

Every once in a while I'm able to make a trip to Utah, and then I get to participate in the fun. I've noticed that since I'm not around all that often, my very presence in town constitutes and event. My friends organize dinners, my family plans barbecues, and we all make the most of the time I am there.

If I am especially fortunate, I can time my visits to coincide with a writing event, which is what happened a few weeks ago. My travel schedule put me in Utah at the same time as the UVU Book Academy, and I made sure to go. The classes were great. The company even better. And I was blessed with some insight as to how I can turn my distance from my readers into a strength rather than a weakness.

Two different classes, one by Josi Kilpack and the other by Annette Lyon and Kelly Smurthwaite, emphasized the importance of giving book buyers and media people EVENTS that they can get excited about. Not just another book signing, but something bigger.

Josi talked about Launch Parties, and how their main purpose is to let the author crow about their book. It's an event, and the potential buzz around that event is as important as the number of books sold there.

Annette and Kelly talked about Media Publicity, and how the media needs a hook for a book to become newsworthy. That hook is often found in a related event.

Just being in town is enough of an event for my mom. I realize that Jane A. Reader and Bob D. Newsman are going to need a little bit more. But if I focus my efforts on creating an event every time I'm in the neighborhood, I can take the weakness of my distance and turn it into a strength.

What I Have in Common With a Bedpost

The other day, I bought a used headboard for my girls' bedroom. Since it was used, there were some nicks and dings in the wood, and the stain was old. In my mind's eye, I could see the potential it had for looking so much better than it did when I bought it, so I decided to refinish it.

I started by taking it apart, spray-painting the metal parts, and repairing and sanding the wooden posts. Sanding was harder work than I realized it would be, (my arms are still sore), but it was fun smoothing out some of the rough parts and removing the worn and outdated stain.

When I finished sanding and repairing, I wiped down the posts, propped them up, and began applying the stain. I was amazed at the transformation that took place when the stain seeped into the crevices, and even the imperfections, adding depth and character to the wood.

Right then, a thought came to mind. I imagined what it would be like to be the poor post, being sanded and scraped, glued and pounded, then wiped with a cold damp cloth and rubbed with something toxic and sticky. It might be thinking, "What in the world are you doing to me? Just leave me alone and let me do my job of...whatever it is that bedposts do."

But from my perspective, I had seen the potential the wood had, and I was pleased with the transformation. I just kept thinking over and over how beautiful the wood truly was, it had just been hidden under all that old stain. Even all the imperfections I had once viewed as flaws became a unique part of the finished product. The outcome was worth the sanding, the scraping, the pounding, and the gluing.

I could even see how I apply this technique to my writing through editing. Sanding, pounding, applying finish, all make the final product shine as it should, because, a rough draft is really just that. Rough.

Then another thought came to my mind.

"You are like this post," the thought said.

"Me? No I'm not. Bedposts are stiff and rigid and straight, and they just stand there doing nothing all day. I'm more soft and flexible, and if you're implying that I do nothing all day, then-"

"I'm talking about the sanding."

"Oh, the sanding." Sometimes I feel like life is sanding me. Those are the times I cry in pain.

"Do you see where I'm coming from?" the thought said. "I so wish for you to see yourself and your potential as I see you, from My perspective."

"Whoa. Okay, I'll do my best."

And so I am.

Yes, sometimes life can be a bit scratchy, but how do I know that it isn't just a way of removing old worn out layers so that I can grow into my potential? Perhaps if I can just take a step back and view each scratchy situation as a work in progress, I can relax and allow the transformation to happen and be grateful for the process.