Writing is Magic

I love reading books that make me feel something. The moment I knew I was destined to be a writer came when someone told me they got goosebumps reading the fiction I had written. Knowing I had helped someone feel something was the most amazing thing in the world and I was hooked! The truth is, writers are magicians and good writers know how to pull on your heartstrings and evoke laughter, fear, sadness, and a myriad of other emptions.

Still not convinced? Has a fiction book ever taken you to another place entirely? Has a book ever made you feel something? Have you ever felt personally invested in a story and read on through the night because you just had to finish what you were reading?

If so, consider this. The English language is comprised of 26 letters, forming words, strung together by writers. Those words, if strung together by a good writer, can take you to places you've never seen, introduce you to people you'll never meet and make you feel something you've never felt. If that's not magic, I don't know what is.

A word of caution...Becoming a writer is not for the average person. It takes dilligence, patience, determination and, often, some degree of insanity. In addition, many addicts also tend to be writers. Should you decide to persue writing, you will end up in the middle of some of the most interesting relationships with fellow writers that you can imagine. Some will try to sell you their book, others will want to trade books for reviews, which, to me, seems like cheating, some will be pretentious and snooty. (You'll see 'em. They'll be the ones who pull manuscripts from the sky in days and claim it took a weekend from start to finish. They are often the ones who are the first to correct your grammar and the last to offer any constuctive critism). Some will just be all-around good people, which is greaat, but you've got to weed 'em out to ensure they're not really just fishing for reviews or sales.

Being a writer/magician :) takes a lot of guts. You've got to be willing to put yourself out there no matter what happens. You will face rejection. You will want to give up 8454534592 times. You will be let down. Reviewers will hate what you write. But it's that one reader that tells you your book made them feel something that makes it all worth it. It's that one reader that stayed up all night to finish, or the one who has an opinion on every character and is passionate about each one and their motives. Helping people feel something is the best and only thing that makes the hours spent toiling away worth it. :)

If you've got the words inside, write them. Write them from your heart and put in your emotion. This is the key to the magic. If you feel nothing writing the words, then your readers will, in turn, feel nothing. But, add in your emotion and write from the heart, and the magic will follow. :)

Best wishes!

Lessons Learned and Re-Learned

Over these last few weeks, I've found myself unexpectedly unemployed for the first time in many years and, although I've been interviewing and testing and all those good things, nothing has stuck as of yet. It is no surprise that no one is actively hiring during the last two weeks of the year. It is somewhat stressful, but I've got a wonderful, supportive husband and I'm just working to get something flexible enough to allow me to get back to school at night, with enough free time for writing and family. As we're near the start of a brand new year, it's a great time to reflect. In reflecting on what lead me to recently leave a shiny brand new job, I've learned and re-learned a few life lessons I'd like to share.

1. No one, no matter what title, status, or social standing they have deserves to be treated like garbage. Bullying is something that should never happen to our kids, to our co-workers, or to our friends. Until just recently, I never knew what being bullied actually felt like. I was ignorant. I figured it was something that could be shrugged off or ignored, but when it's tolerated and allowed in a school or work setting, no amount of shrugging it off will work. Bullies can be relentless, so if you see it happening, say something. Lauging along with a bully makes the person being bullied feel even more alienated. Bullies should not be tolerated. Find your voice and say something.

2. Find what you love and love what you do. I'm a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and that we're all on our own journey when it comes to finding and living out our passions. When working with others, find something good about your work, each day. Asking at the end of each work day these four questions will give you a guage to know if you're working effectively, to inact change, and to be an effective leader (even if you're not in a leadership capacity): Have I learned something? Have I taught something? Have I complimented someone? Have I fixed something? I believe if you truly care about what you do, you'll be able to answer each of these questions almost every day with a YES.

3. Stand up for something...Even if you feel like you're standing alone and naked in a blizzard. Don't sacrifice your morals or your values for anything, but also don't be afraid to let in new ideas and hear challenging viewpoints.

4. Embrace Change. It is inevitable, so embracing it becomes exciting, regardess of whether you're clutching it with your teeth gritted and your eyes closed. :)

5. Never, ever, ever underestimate the power of love and friendship. There is immeasurable power in loving others and being loved.

6. Death is a guarantee. We're all going to die someday, hopefully very far in the future. But, knowing we're going to die should mean we're living for something. If you're not sure what you're living for, reevaluate your priorities right now. Know makes you happy and if you're not doing it, decide why not and what you need to do to get to whatever happy looks like for you. Don't wait for tomorrow as it is not guaranteed.

7. Give to others. There is always a need. Do whatever you can do to help those in need or less fortunate. Make a tiny mark whenever possible. This will perpetuate one of the most powerful things in the world: hope.

8. Words are powerful. They can become weapons or inspire peace. Your words are meaningful and should be chosen very wisely. Think before you speak or before you hit that send button. Some things are better left unsaid, and some things need to be said before it's too late.

9. "Just because something shines doesn't mean that it's gold." Someone recenly said this to me when I was explaining what a great opportunity I had been given that I wasn't able take advantage of. I mulled this comment over for a few minutes and smiled, realizing this person was absolutely right.

10. Starting over takes courage and gumption. It's easy to become complacent and sit in an environent you hate because it's scary to step foot into the unknown. Sometimes you will stumble and fall and have regrets and anxiety. Sometimes nothing will come easy and everything will feel like pulling teeth. However, if nothing else, starting over will cause you to step out of your comfort zone and find a little more about yourself and your true character. And walking through that kind of experience, is invaluable.

I wish you a happy and peaceful 2016. May the best year yet be upon you!

Kindle Unlimited

We live in an exciting time when it comes to the power of the written word. A twitter post with 1 sentence or idea can go viral and ruin someone’s career, increase their "popularity" by 1 million (or more) new followers, or can be sent into oblivion before anyone can give it a second glance.

Speaking sending words into oblivion, I loved the idea of having an agent. I imagined him or her to be someone who could champion my book and help me announce it to the world. Instead, my illusion was quickly crushed and destroyed when, after several full-manuscript requests, it was rejected, time and time again.

About the same time those rejections rolled in, I bit the bullet and entered this year's Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest. I figured if the manuscript sucked, I'd never make it from the ten thousand entrants to the second round (only 400 per category). But, based on the synopsis, it was chosen. It didn't make it to the third round. However, after reading the comments from the impartial people who'd reviewed the first 3 chapters, it was clear they really enjoyed it. They were concerned as to where the book was going and afraid I would start preaching or get on a soapbox or something (which I don't and would never do in a novel). Those comments put me in gear. I realized it didn't matter if I ever sold anything. I wanted to get it out there as fast as I could. At the same time, I was completely and utterly terrified.

I kept thinking about the few comments I'd received from agents. These were people...respected people, with established backgrounds, and bestsellers under their belts. I felt the book wasn't crap, but I wasn't impartial. For me, it took some awesome beta readers who gave me the push I needed to continue forward.

Part of me had always been envious of Indy authors who did everything themselves. With the comments from my beta readers in my mind, I hit that submit button, even though I was scared out of my mind.

Within ten minutes, I had a sale. Then, nothing. For days. I wondered about that rogue sale. What crazy person had read my synopsis and spent a few bucks to read something by someone with no reviews that involved a purity ring, a rapist, and a vendetta? All of those hot-button issues the agents had stayed away from and avoided at all costs? I was stoked and also anxiously awaiting the kindle reader to come to his/her senses and return the book.

A funny thing happened then. I announced the book on Facebook. People I never would have imagined took an interest, while some close friends who were "interested" never gave it a second glance. This is, apparently, not unusual, but came as a surprise to me nonetheless.

Now, a few months later, the Kindle Unlimited Progam has rolled out. Authors who have published exclusively on Kindle have the opportunity to enroll and receive a very small cut of a fund for each book downloaded and read past 10 %. Amazon members pay $9.99 a month to download any title they chose out of 600,000 books. There has been constant debate since the program was announced and some authors apparently feel that Amazon is devaluing their books.

The only reason I didn't make my novel free is because I wanted people to have to "buy" into the story and not just download it and let it sit there, amidst a hundred other free books. However, I will be making it free for a limited time as often as I'm allowed and have dropped it to .99 for a limited time as well.

The reason for making the book cheap is not to devalue the novel or to have it chosen over the other million books on Kindle. I want everyone who is interested to be able to afford to buy a copy. I wouldn't have had a choice on pricing if I'd signed a contract with an agent. I believe everything happens for a reason. Maybe the person who needs to read No Man Sam doesn't have a disposable income. Or, maybe they're struggling through their own feelings and need an escape. I understand that. I believe words are like magic and I don't care that they're cheap. I was never in this to make money. In fact, I've given more away to charities than I ever expect to gain, but that's OK. We're all on this rock together. Let's make the most of it and enjoy it! We have to do what we were meant to do. For me, that's writing.

If you're one of those authors who hates Kindle Unlimited, Indie Authors, and/or cheap ebooks, I hope you can see through to my side of the fence, even if you don't necessarily agree with every statement above. I challenge you to put yourself in the shoes of an Indie or new author. Maybe I'm wrong or completely off base...that's ok with me. We're all here to grow and learn and experience new ideas. I'm thankful to Amazon and every other company that sells self-published books. The ebook world should be filled with new books of all genres, daily. We can never have too much knowledge, read too many stories, or identify with too many characters.

I am thankful that in this day and age, readers from all walks of life can have an avenue to publish an ebook. I appreciate the fact that I can self publish a book full of hot-button issues and create something that means something to someone. After all, isn't that what writing is fundamentally about?

Impact

In celebration of Independence day, I offered No Man Sam for free on Amazon Kindle and posted on a few sites stating that I would be donating .10 to Surviving in Numbers, an amazing organization that helps victims of rape and domestic violence.

I had 37 downloads the first day of the promotion. I prayed we would have success and posted to one more website and the downloads went wild! I am happy to say my husband and I had the privilege and opportunity to donate more than we could have ever imagined and it was the best thing ever. Not because people downloaded the book, but because their hearts were into helping others, just as ours were.

An incredible thing happened then. No Man Sam became one of the top free downloads in teenage romance (I believe it peaked at #2) and it broke the top 100 (and nearly the top 50) in free Kindle books. I'm not a known author, (and likely never be and that's cool with me), but the fact that others were downloading the book and the fact that it was becoming more visible meant more $$'s for Surviving in Numbers!

If you have a chance to check out the organization, I highly recommend it. If, by chance, you did download No Man Sam during the promotional free period, THANK YOU! It means everything that you were willing to try out a book by an unknown author and also help a cool organization in the process. It's a win-win-win all around!

I believe amazing things can happen when we step outside ourselves for a while and take a walk in someone else's shoes. Sometimes it takes walking in someone else's shoes to appreciate what we have or to realize what our purpose is and how we become changed. It's kind of like writing a fiction novel. When I get the chance to walk in a main character's shoes, it's fun, but kind of surreal at the same time because I don't like when bad things happen to them (even though I'm pulling all the strings). I'm sure that sounds weird.

The scary thing is, often, reality is worse than fiction. I helped unpack and tag new backpacks this morning in my community. 4500 kids in my area are going to have backpacks full of the pens, pencils, and notebooks they need to get a great start. 4500 kids. The reality is, 4500 kids isn't all the needy ones in my area. I wonder how the inner city kids and teachers get by. It makes me angry that every child doesn't have what they need for school. We often take what we have for granted.

If you are reading this and are able, I challenge you. Find an organization you want to be part of and volunteer or send a donation.

Remember, there can never be too many volunteers and every donation can make a difference, Heck, a dime per download eventually turned into enough money for Surviving in Numbers to be able to get into a few more schools. Every little bit counts. Some other great organizations to consider include Compassion International, Blood Water Mission, and The Wounded Warrior Project. If everyone gave a little bit more and consumed a little bit less...just IMAGINE how amazing our world could be! :)

Ok, I'll come off the soapbox on the next post...I promise. I just had to write what was on my heart.

Life Lessons and Such.

Hi!
 
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kristen Nannini, author of No Man Sam, and soon-to-be author of a Young Adult trilogy which is currently nameless. :) I love to write, to reach people, to go to the beach, and to play with my rescue puppy, and hang out with my husband. Although I'm new to blogging, I'm also new to going to the gym and I'm hoping both new things in my life work out as favorably as those I've been doing for some time. Thanks so much for checking out my blog! I've tried this blog thing once before and didn't succeed. Now, like the gym, I feel I'm up for a challenge!
 
I wanted to come up with a list of things I've learned, and re-learned over the past several years. I think it helps to look at where I'm at now, versus where I've been and the lessons that have been learned along the way. I believe the past has a tendency to repeat and these lessons have proved beneficial to me, so hopefully this list will be helpful to someone else. I'm sure many might disagree with some of the statements below. If you disagree, feel free to comment. I would love to hear your opinions. I just hope something on this list hits home for someone. Hopefully what I've learned in my time on this earth will help someone else :)
 
1. True forgiveness takes a gargantuan amount of courage.
2. Love is all around us, as is God.
3. Taking time to figure out what someone else is thinking is useless. Just ask or move on.
4. Sometimes we hurt others unintentionally. If every possible effort has been made to mend fences, we must move on. Hurt feelings are valid, but if there is no sense of forgiveness or acceptance of remorse, moving on is the only option we have.
5. It is much easier to forgive an enemy than it is to forgive a friend.
6. Communication is the key to living harmoniously. If we close the door, there is no way for new ideas to flow, bridges to be built, or relationships to be strengthened.
7. When life gives you lemons and you've no where to turn, figure out how to get yourself out and then tell/write about it. Someone else will be in that same place in the future.
8. Just saying hello and checking in with someone on your mind can mean all the difference in the world.  
9. Hindsight is always 20/20 but if we choose to live in the past, we will never be able to live for today.
10. Love is an amazing thing. It grows and changes and sometimes seems to take on a life of its own. When someone seems to deserve love the least, that's usually when they need it the most.
11. Change is never easy, but it's inevitable. Embrace it and grow from it and you will never feel forced into anything.
12. Money is a vicious and lovely thing. Spend it wisely and be wise and save some too. You can never be too wise when it comes to money, but it's easy to become too careless. Take care of your money so you can take care of yourself.
13. Growing plants takes time and love. Growing weeds takes inaction.
14. Sometimes it's better to listen to someone who you believe is wrong than take the energy to prove them wrong. Sometimes people just need to be heard with no judgment.
15. Music is an awesome thing. It can raise you up or bring you down so many levels. Choose your music wisely.
16. Enemies are only yours when you choose to create them. Regardless of who you believe is your enemy, treat them with kindness and love. You may one day make a friend, but at the very least, will have no hate in your heart to consume you.
17. Respect is something that should always be given blindly. A homeless man deserves as much respect as a business man. I guarantee the homeless man will appreciate it more. Never take someone else's respect for granted. It is so easily lost.
18. Always put yourself in someone else's shoes. In most cases, I'm very grateful and thankful to be stepping back into mine. Appreciate every gift you have regardless of how small or insignificant that may seem.
19. Freedom is something we should never, ever take for granted.
20. Sometimes when bad things turn out exactly as you expected, it sucks to be right. At the same time it's an excellent opportunity to reflect on what you've learned. Maybe it warrants expecting something different/better.
21. Drunk driving is a horrible thing which often affects people who don't drive drunk or drink very little themselves. If you have a friend or family member that needs help, getting them that help could save an untold amount of innocent lives.
22. People aren't perfect. They make mistakes and screw things up. You are no better or worse than said "people". We are all beautifully and perfectly imperfect.
23. Sometimes there is nothing you can do or say to foster forgiveness. Then again, maybe the friendship was a farce in the first place or not worth the effort you applied.
24. Life ebbs and flows. It's always changing and never constant. Appreciate every sunrise and what God has given you.
25. Having the change to reach people through books is an amazing and powerful thing!
26. Growing older doesn't hurt.
27. Growing wiser is a blessing.
28. We are the creators of our own destinies. Take hold of what you love and never let go, regardless of what anyone thinks.
29. Great courage and resilience can often be found in a person who actively chooses to remain silent.
30.  Puppies are incredible creatures. It is a joy and a privilege to have one.

One pooped puppy :)

Thanks for visiting. Have an incredible day!