Skip to content

Posts by Amanda

Apr 16

26 Comments

The Power of the Human Spirit

I have no doubt we’ve all seen the images from Paris yesterday of Notre Dame burning. While I disagree with the opening comments from Robin Roberts this morning that we will remember where we were when we saw the spire falling, the sight of the historic cathedral engulfed in flames will remain with us. So will the image of the cross over the altar taken afterwards, with the cross seeming to glow in the smoke and dark. But it is the story I heard this morning about the men and women who volunteered to face the danger and go inside while the cathedral burned in an attempt to save the treasures still there during the renovations that caught my attention. Read more

Apr 9

16 Comments

A few thoughts on release day

Today’s the day I’ve been looking forward to–and dreading–for a year or more.The e-book version of Nocturnal Revelations is now available (the print version will be available in two weeks.) I’ve known the current story arc of the Nocturnal Lives series was drawing to an end. In some ways, I’ve been working toward this point from the moment I typed  the first words of Nocturnal Origins. In other ways, I’ve dreaded it and even mourned it. Now that day is here and I’m not sure how I feel. Read more

Apr 2

45 Comments

Rules are made to be broken

Once upon a time, long, long ago, I packed my bags and went traipsing down I-35 to Baylor University. I was a bright-eyed freshman, looking forward to living away from home for the first time. The college of my choice had accepted me and the future awaited. I couldn’t wait. Read more

Mar 29

7 Comments

Saying goodbye is hard to do

No, I’m not leaving MGC. But I am saying goodbye, at least for awhile, to a set of characters that have been with me for a decade. When I sat down to write the book, I knew it would be difficult. I love these characters but the story has run its course. The series is already a couple of books longer than I figured it would be. Still, I hadn’t expected it to be this hard or that it would impact me the way it has.

But it goes beyond saying goodbye to the characters and typing “The End” at the bottom of the manuscript. I realized yesterday that my subconscious has dug its heels in and is doing everything it can to keep me from letting go. Not only did it take the book to places I hadn’t planned on, but it has kept me from following my own rules when it comes to promotion. Read more

Mar 26

6 Comments

On Reviews (Redux)

Last week, I wrote about the need to read, write and review and not  necessarily in that order.  I promised to be back with more on the topic. I’ll be honest, that’s not going to happen today. I’m up to my eyes finishing several projects and deadlines are looming. That means my mind is busy running around screaming in panic. That’s not the mindset I need to tackle the promised topic. So I’m reposting a piece I wrote last year about reviews. It is as pertinent now as it was then.

On reviews

Once again, there are rumblings among indie authors about how big, bad Amazon is being mean. I’m the first to admit Amazon isn’t without fault. It takes actions, mainly due to automation, without warning. Innocents can and sometimes do get caught in the massive bans wrought by Amazon bots. For those wrongly caught up in the bans, the process of getting their accounts reinstated can be long and frustrating. They are why Amazon needs to look at their process and change it.
Read more

Mar 19

48 Comments

Read, write, review–and not necessarily in that order

Once upon a time, in a forum far, far away, an aspiring author commented that they never read anything in the genre they wanted to write. There was the online equivalent of a gasp, followed by stunned silence. Then a lone voice asked this author why? Why didn’t they read the genre they wanted to write? Virtual heads nodded as the online community waited, wondering what magical explanation the wannabe writer might have. Read more

Mar 12

34 Comments

Reality vs Perception

This isn’t the post I planned on writing this morning. But there are times when you have to throw plans out the window and adapt. This is one of those times and you can blame Sarah for lighting the fire. You see, she left me a message after I turned off the computer last night that started the wheels turning. Then I read the comments to Dave’s post and the idea took hold. So welcome to the latest installment of “Reality vs Perception” or “How We Still Deceive Ourselves About Publishing”. Read more

« Older Entries