Merry Christmas to All

Tis’ the season and all that comes with it! Christmas music, brightly wrapped packages under a festive tree, visits from friends and family, and lots of Holiday cheer.

Tis’ the season and all that comes after it! Credit card bills, putting away all those decorations, and figuring out where the heck I hid everything I put away when making room for the decorations! Don’t forget the gift returns – especially that hideous sweater.

I’ll take what follows the holidays because the Season is so very worth it. The thing I look forward to most of all when the holidays are over is getting back to my writing. The key-tapping definitely goes on hold during the holidays because there never seems to be enough quiet time to focus. It took me several years to stop feeling annoyed and guilty about not writing for weeks.

I do manage to make some notes because the characters and story in my head never seem to celebrate Christmas – they just kind of mull around waiting for me to notice them. They make sure I don’t forget about them by floating into my head several times a day, usually at inappropriate times – while I’m driving, while I’m in the shower, and their favorite, when I’m falling asleep.

Don’t worry about putting your writing to the side if you can’t find the time for a few weeks. Your story and characters are waiting for you and you might find that the time off has served to freshen your bank of ideas.

So, enjoy the Season and all that it involves for you. Take pride in what you’ve accomplished during this past year and resolve to make 2018 a better year for yourself and those you cherish.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and enjoy whatever Holiday you choose to celebrate!

Dee Morgan 

P.S. If you’re looking for a last-minute gift under $10, don’t forget that Martinis with Mom and Martinis at the Ranch are available in paperback on Amazon.com 

Martinis with Mom and Martinis at the Ranch are available on Amazon, Kindle, IBooks and Amazon Paperback Books. An Unacceptable Truth is available on Amazon and Kindle and IBooks.

Follow me on 

Twitter @dmorganbooks, on Facebook Dee Morgan, or contact me by email at dmorganauthor@gmail.com

Time Frames

I’m winding down on my next book – still struggling with the final title, though. Right now the title is Falling Forward, but that could easily change.  

Now is the time I need to start promoting it for the release and it’s both exciting and cumbersome. I’m a writer, not a marketing specialist. I’m actually quite illiterate when it comes to the social platforms, which is why I depend on others to do that kind of stuff for me.  

But I will give a little taste here of what’s to come. The book is about the strength of women – my main character in particular. It’s about long held secrets – somewhat dark secrets – and how she deals with them when they finally come to light. It’s family and love and strength and understanding. It’s facing the truth and forgiving the lies. It’s sad and happy and funny and romantic.  

So, when will this next work be available for my loyal readers? Probably the middle of January. I can’t wait and I hope you can’t either.  

Until next month, Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the love that surrounds you.
 
Dee Morgan 

Martinis with Mom and Martinis at the Ranch Are available on Amazon, Kindle, IBooks and Amazon Paperback Books.  An Unacceptable Truth is available on Amazon and Kindle and IBooks. 

Follow me on 
Twitter @dmorganbooks, on Facebook Dee Morgan, or contact me 
by email at dmorganauthor@gmail.com

DON’T LEAVE THEM HOME ALONE

I was on vacation for a week and when I returned and got back to my writing, I found my characters had gotten all kinds of ideas in their heads about their future. I took notes and thought I’d share some of their ideas. 

▪ Join the circus? (No!)
▪ Elope to Vegas? (Maybe…) 
▪ Commit a crime? (What is wrong with you guys?!)
▪ Maybe just some light shoplifting? (Seriously?)
▪ Make a huge scene in a classy restaurant? (That could be interesting )
▪ Slap your boyfriend’s teenage daughter when she calls you a ho? (Possibly)
▪ How about the ex-wife instead of the daughter? (Better yet)
▪ Dump the boyfriend for not defending you? (Really? Is this the 1800's?) 

While I nixed some of the ideas, what they did was stir up the creative juices and slam me right back into high gear with my writing. I’ve been juicing up the scenes, forcing my characters (and me) to think outside the lines. It’s been fun after more than a week away from my manuscript.  

But joining the circus? I better not leave my characters alone for too long next time. 

Happy Autumn and Happy Reading! 
Dee Morgan 

Martinis with Mom and Martinis at the Ranch are available on Amazon, Kindle, IBooks and Amazon Paperback Books.  An Unacceptable Truth is available on Amazon and Kindle and IBooks.

Follow me on
Twitter @dmorganbooks, on Facebook Dee Morgan, or contact me
by email at dmorganauthor@gmail.com

MENTAL ECLIPSE

The big Solar Eclipse is coming next week and I was thinking how much this is like my occasional Mental Eclipse. 

As a writer, I’m sure you’ve experienced the sporadic writer’s block. I know I have. The Mental Eclipse isn’t quite as severe. It’s the time when you’re in the middle of a scene and you suddenly don’t know where it’s going. My mind kind of does a black out. Was she going to down that bottle of Merlot? Was she going to throw it at him? Hmmm, could go either way.  

Another way I encounter the Mental Eclipse is when I am happily chugging along with my words and I suddenly find my fingers still as I gaze out the window, watching the birds and squirrels. Sometimes I’m not sure how long I’ve been zoned out on the wildlife before I realize what I’m doing, but the critters are long gone before I manage to pull myself back to the keyboard. 

Then there’s the struggle to keep my mind on my writing when my brain is thinking about the refrigerator. Suddenly my heroine is scarfing down a half-gallon of Cherry Garcia instead of telling her daughter why she needs to ignore the bully that told her she’s fat.  

The Mental Eclipse can be a challenge, but like the Great American Solar Eclipse next week, it won’t last long. 

Enjoy the view and Happy Writing! 
Dee Morgan 

Martinis with Mom, Martinis at the Ranch are all available on Amazon, Kindle, IBooks and Amazon Paperback Books.  An Unacceptable Truth is available on Amazon and Kindle and IBooks.

Follow me on
Twitter @dmorganbooks, on Facebook Dee Morgan, or contact me
by email at dmorganauthor@gmail.com

POINT OF VIEW AND OTHER OPINIONS

I just finished a book that had an interesting story. It moved along pretty well and kept you guessing until the end. The characters were painted beautifully and I got a real feel for their struggles. 

The story was told, basically, from three different points of view. That can be hard to pull off. Jodi Picoult is a master at telling her stories from different points of view and she is one of my favorite authors.

This book was hard to follow. The Points of View (POV) were confusing at times. The narrative was a lot of “he” and “she” and I was never quite sure who the he or she was. I felt like the writer could have used character names to clarify the narrative.

I love to tell my stories through a lot of dialogue. I try to be aware that it is important for the reader to know who is doing the talking.  Otherwise, confusion and frustration can become too much for the reader to want to continue and worse, they won’t want to buy my books in the future. 

As a writer, it is difficult to critique another writer because we all have a story to tell and we tell it in different ways. But a story should never be confusing to the reader, unless that is part of the plot.  Had the story itself not been good, I would have given up out of frustration.

So when you’re doing one of your many edits, try to look at it through the reader’s eye. If you’re confused, your readers are sure to be frustrated.

Happy reading and writing!
Dee Morgan

Martinis with Mom and Martinis at the Ranch are available on Amazon, Kindle, IBooks and Amazon Paperback Books.  An Unacceptable Truth is available on Amazon and Kindle and IBooks.

Follow me on
Twitter @dmorganbooks, on Facebook Dee Morgan, or contact me
by email at dmorganauthor@gmail.com  

A Name by Any Other Name

When I start a new book, I don’t have the entire story worked out yet. The basis of it, yes, but not all of the details and scenes. 

As the story develops I usually realize there are some things I’m not happy with and it always involves the name of at least one of the characters. This has happened in every book I’ve written. 

My characters evolve as the story goes on. Let me give you an example.

My main character is handsome with dark hair, a devilish smile, and blue eyes you can get lost in. He’s smart, successful and has a body sculpted like a god. He’s fearless, women adore him, and he has broken more than one heart along the way. Not because he is uncaring but because he hasn’t met “the one” yet. 

I named him Elmer.

Elmer?? How’s that for a disconnect.

Character names are important. They have to fit the persona you are creating. Elmer obviously didn’t fit so I am changing his name to better fit the character I am creating. Does Chaz sound better? How about Eric or Dean or Mark? I’m still working on it. 

Suggestions from my readers are very welcome. Drop me some names for this hunky guy at dmorganauthor@gmail.com or in the Comments below.

Thanks and happy summer reading! 
Dee Morgan

Martinis with Mom and Martinis at the Ranch Are available on Amazon, Kindle, IBooks and Amazon Paperback Books.  An Unacceptable Truth is available on Amazon and Kindle and IBooks.

Follow me on
Twitter @dmorganbooks, on Facebook Dee Morgan, or contact me
by email at dmorganauthor@gmail.com

WHY I’M WRITING MY BLOG TODAY

I have a plethora of reasons I came up with for why I’m not working on my book today: 

1. It’s too nice out to be inside. (True, but I’m at my desk with the windows open.) 
2. The dishwasher needs to be emptied. (Ugh!) 
3. There’s laundry to be done. (Double Ugh!)
4. There’s a baseball game on. (I’m recording it!) 
5. The NASCAR race at Talladega is coming on. (Also recording it!) 
6. The dogs need their baths. (Not in the mood for dog wrestling.) 
7. I have phone calls to return. (Not feeling chatty today.) 
8. I should be thinking about making dinner. (Thought about it - pizza place is open.) 
9. My husband wrote “Dust Me” on the coffee table. (Gave him the dust rag.)
10. There’s a big piece of chocolate cake on the counter calling my name. (My reward when I finish my blog – YAY!)

Here are the reasons I’m writing my blog today:

1. When I work on my book I get lost in it for hours. My blog goes much faster.
2. CHOCOLATE CAKE!! 
3. All of the above can be dealt with at a later time – except the cake thing. 
4. CHOCOLATE CAKE!!

So here’s my advice: write what you want, when you want and worry about the details later.  Except for the cake – some things just can’t wait.

Happy writing and happy days!

Dee Morgan
Martinis with Mom, Martinis at the Ranch are all available on Amazon, Kindle, IBooks and Amazon Paperback Books.  An Unacceptable Truth is available on Amazon and Kindle and IBooks.

Follow me on
Twitter @dmorganbooks, on Facebook Dee Morgan, or contact me
by email at dmorganauthor@gmail.com

WHY WRITE IF IT’S NOT TO GET RICH?

Every writer should ask themselves this question: Why Do I Write?

I can’t answer for other writers but for me the answer is simple: I write because I love to write. I publish because my hope is that readers will find something in my books, be it enjoyment, escapism, or maybe a common element that comforts them.

But I don’t write to get rich. Now mind you, if that were to happen I’d shed only tears of happiness, but I don’t find money to be a driving force for me.

So why do I write? Because I have to. Because if I don’t write there’s a void inside of me that can’t be filled by anyone or anything other than my fingers tapping the keyboard and seeing where my characters are going to take me. For fiction writers, it’s a feeling that is indescribable. 

Writing is frustrating, joyous, fulfilling and a dozen other feelings for me and if my books bring enjoyment to others, well, that’s a pretty good feeling to experience.

So why do I write if it’s not for the money? It’s the most common reason known to mankind: I write because it makes me feel good.

Happy reading!

Dee Morgan
Martinis with Mom, Martinis at the Ranch are all available on Amazon, Kindle, IBooks and Amazon Paperback Books.  An Unacceptable Truth is available on Amazon and Kindle and IBooks.

Follow me on
Twitter @dmorganbooks, on Facebook Dee Morgan, or contact me
by email at dmorganauthor@gmail.com

 

To Print or Not to Print

I finally “mastered” the formatting and uploading of my manuscripts to eBooks and decided why not make them available in print. I’ve had quite a few requests along the lines of “why can’t I buy a copy of it in print?” 

Okay, I can give that a try. Create Space is pretty easy to follow – until it comes to the cover upload! 

My cover photos were taken by a professional photographer as a favor to me. The only thing I know about photography is how to take a photo, and I’m not all that good at that task. When I started seeing things like “need to flatten to a single layer”, I knew I was in trouble! I contacted my photographer friend and found they were out on their sailboat for a month. Hmmmm.

Time for plan B. The only problem was, I didn’t have a plan B. I played with the cover photo for about a week and finally got it to convert to a PDF, thanks to help from my husband. Then came the next part and that’s when I threw up my hands and decided I’d better come up with something else or my print book would be listed under the “Antique Book” heading.

So I decided what the heck – The print book can have a different cover than the ebook! Genius! Once I used a photo from Create Space, it was clear sailing!

Something I learned along the way – never, ever, ever assume you got it right the first time. When I ordered copies of my book I realized I had the font size wrong and it could be read by anyone over the age of 100 because the type was so large! Oops. I also failed to have the book title in the header and page number in the footer. Other than those few missteps, the book is a thing of beauty! 

I felt so good I immediately put my second book into print and in another month or so I’ll work my third into print. Yay me!
 
Martinis with Mom and Martinis at the Ranch are available on Amazon, Kindle, and Amazon Paperback Books.  An Unacceptable Truth is available on Amazon and Kindle and Ibooks.

Follow me on
Twitter @dmorganbooks, on Facebook Dee Morgan, or contact me
by email at dmorganauthor@gmail.com
 

The Rejection Letter

I’m betting that every writer on the planet has received a rejection letter at one time or another and they all have a story about their reaction. I remember my first letter and when I look back on it now, it seems like a turning point for my writing. Not so at the time.

I was devastated! The humiliation of my precious work being rejected was a blow to my ego like nothing had ever been. I cried, I kicked and screamed – I turned into quite the drama queen, as I recall. My poor husband thought I had received a letter from the angel of death giving me a 24-hour notice. I sank into a depression that lasted for – well it only lasted a day or two, if I’m honest here. 

After that I pulled myself up, decided I didn’t know enough about my craft and began to take seminars and writing courses, fill my personal library with “how to get published” books, and read everything I could about writing fiction. I learned a few valuable lessons – including not to buy anymore “how to” books because they all say basically the same thing. 

I had to find my own way in this competitive and discriminating world of publishing. 

And along came the internet and the wonderful world of self-publishing. Voila! I’m a published author! 

I’m still not where I want to be in the writing world, but I’m making my own way and it feels so good I have a hard time believing it’s real. 

And the rejection letters? Not a problem. One of these days my work will be in the right hands at the right time and it will all be worth it.
Oh wait – it already is worth it.

Martinis with Mom
Martinis at the Ranch
An Unacceptable Truth
are all available on Amazon, Kindle, and Ibooks. 
 
Follow me on
Twitter @dmorganbooks , on Facebook Dee Morgan , or contact me
by email at dmorganauthor@gmail.com 

 

Bleak Beauty

It’s winter – football season, post-holiday, colder weather. There’s a dusting of snow on the graceful evergreens as they slowly sway in the breeze. The rest of the trees are naked down to their greenish-brown bark. 

You would think that it would be just the opposite – that the trees in winter should be covered in leaves to keep them warm. But Mother Nature has her ways and her reasons and who are we to question her. 

As a writer, I find a lot of inspiration in the beauty and sounds of nature. It quiets me and allows me to rid myself of all the monkey-chatter that haunts my mind. The mental lists of things to be done and the scramble of my latest characters as they vie for a place in my next book. 

There’s much beauty to be found this time of year. 

The boxes of Christmas decorations waiting to be carried back to their storage spot – they remind me of the lovely times I just shared with family and give me hope for the year to come. 

The dusting of snow makes me recall my childhood farther north when we would tote our sleds out and rush to the top of the hill where we would be carried down to the bottom.

The trees that are so cold and lonely looking in their nakedness reminds that spring will bring with it the lovely shades of green and the sounds of birds once again singing their tunes. 

The old cliché really is true – beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Turn your eye to find the beauty that is here for all of us.
 
Dee Morgan
 
Martinis with Mom
Martinis at the Ranch
An Unacceptable Truth  
Available on Amazon, Kindle, and Ibooks. 
 
Follow me on Twitter @dmorganbooks , on Facebook - Dee Morgan , or contact me by email at dmorganauthor@gmail.com.