NaNoWri Month

For all those who don't know what NaNoWri Month, it stands for National Novel Writing Month. It's for writer's of all genres both professional and aspiring writers alike. We have to or try to write at least 50,000 words by the end of the month of November. I, myself have decided to take part this year and let me tell you, it was very fun for me to get back to the reason why I love to write.

While writing my first novel, Dylan Knight: Rush Against Time, I had lost my love for writing while doing the editing and began to see writing as a job instead of being fun. I'm not saying that I don't want it to make me money. I'm saying that I had forgotten how fun it was to write and that's what I want to do, is to write and have fun doing it at the same time. All the while, hoping that the readers who read what I have written will enjoy it as much as did. So, why am I telling you this?

I'm telling you that I'm exited about what my writing project is about and I'm glad to announce that it will be my next book to be released. Since I'm not completely finished with writing the first draft of it, I can not set a time for it's official release. And sorry folks, if you liked the the first book of the Dylan Knight Series, you're just going to have to wait a little while longer; it's still a Work In Progress (WIP). I will give you guys more information about the current writing project in future posts as well as other information on other future projects. So I hope that you all will join in with me next year to do your own NaNo writing project.

Happy Writing Everyone.

A wise Old Owl

There is a poem that comes to my mind that I had learned when I was teenager. It wasn't because I had to learn it for school but because of a neighbor that I had gotten to know. He was and still is a deeply devoted Christian and it was he who got me to memorize it. It goes something like this...

A wise old Owl sat in an oak,

The more he saw, the less he spoke.

The less he spoke, the more he heard,

Why can't we all be like that old bird.

 

 

But he added more to it:

 

God gave us two eyes to see more,

Two ears to hear more and one mouth to speak less.

 

The last part of the poem is to tell us as Christians that we are to use our eyes to see more of God's beauty and his hand in creation. To use our ears to hear his Spoken word to us and our one mouth to speak less because we can do so much damage to our fellow human beings. We use words not only to lift some one up but we also use them for hateful and destructive things.

 

It is indeed that we can use it in these terms not only as Christians but also as just plain human beings as well. Not only that but also as writers ourselves. Especially as writers/ authors. We sit around and we think up new stories to tell each and every day because that's who we are. We sit on our perches like the Wise Old Owls in the poems, we watch everything around us and hear everything around us while we remain quite. You can never know what we can come up with just by doing what the owls do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween is Here Again...

It's that time of year again, where the leaves are beginning to change and the air is getting cooler and crisper. So that could only mean one thing, it's fall and you what's in fall? That's right folks, Halloween. My favorite time of the year, second to Christmas. :) I'll be posting more about the season all this mid-September all the way through until October 31st. This year I'll be doing something different or rather be adding something diferent called the 13 Days of Halloween where I'll be posting something every day starting Oct. 19th all the way up till Halloween. So I hope that you will stop on by and enjoy your time here as I'm sure the blog will be full of interesting things from youtube videos to scary stories. As well as some trivial facts about the season and many other fun things you can do and share.

Don't forget to stop by a new facebook page I started just for the holiday, All Hallows Eve - Halloween, For more Halloween fun.




Happy Halloween Everyone!!!!

Vlogging

In the next coming weeks, I'll be doing a video once a month or about once every month. In these videos I'll be answering questions from fans as well as giving some updates about what will be coming up in the next year, 2014. Including giving you some teasers about the many other writing projects I'm currently working on and planning.

I'll be posting the videos, not only here but also my Facebook page as well as YouTube. So if you want know anything about me, then feel free to post you questions on my Facebook page or on my upcoming YouTube channel.

Happy Writing Everyone.

Dylan Knight Book TrailerTeaser

Book TrailerTeaser

Silly Girl by Michel Prince

I asked a good friend and fellow author, Michel Prince to do a guest blog post for this week. Since she has a book that is about to be released Silly Girl, she sent me something about it. The release date is August 20th on secret cravings website. August 23rd everywhere else. So here it is... Enjoy.

Are professional sports just children’s games played by oversized kids?

With an all-consuming focus Matthias Jessup has sacrificed his body in pursuit of greatness. But while he’s enjoyed the spoils of being an elite athlete, the physical punishment can only be held at bay for so long. He knows his time is running out and he will have to face his future soon.

Sylvia Kinder is obsessed with Matthias' public image. But now that her fantasy has walked into her life, could it possibly lead to a happy ending? She worries if there's any place for her in his world, much less his heart.

Drawn to each other on a chance meeting, Matthias must look off the court and discover the real world, while Sylvia will have to find the strength of self to not become lost in a world she doesn’t understand.  But those who aren’t ready for a life after the game surround Matthias and are willing to do anything to keep him on the court.

Excerpt:

 

Sylvia Kinder tingled with heat as she watched Matthias Jessup’s body move with hard, calculated lunges leading to only one conclusion…

“Yes!” she screamed, thrusting her arms into the air.

“You want a beer?” her best friend Leslie asked.

“No, I’m good.”

“It wasn’t that good of a shot.”

“Yes it was. Do you have any idea how hard it is to dribble into traffic and come out with a basket like that?”

“Be honest, do you actually climax when he scores? Because if that’s the case, then I understand why you love the league’s leading scorer.”

“Only the trick shots,” Sylvia chided her friend. “And he’s not in the lead right now.”

“You’re like a walking sportscaster spouting useless information. I swear you could come up with a stat about how often he takes a dump before a game and its direct correlation to his ability to rebound.”

“Matthias doesn’t take dumps, but he does average eleven point six rebounds a game so far this season.”

“He’s human, Sylvia.”

“If he’s human, I’m an amoeba.”

Sylvia couldn’t explain why Matthias Jessup had her undying love, but she’d followed him since he first hit Sports Center at age sixteen. He had it all. Then he was still a little gangly, but now he was tall and fit with the toned body of a god. His milk chocolate skin was flawless. He always sported a perfectly shaved head and goatee; even his street clothes were finely pressed.

She remembered the headlines. “There’s a new MJ on the horizon. Check this kid out. Matthias Jessup is a junior at Trinity High School in southern Alabama. Images of the player flashed across the screen. Flying through the air. Finishing an alley-oop. “After the drafting of Kobe Bryant last year, and Kevin Garnett the year before, high schools across the country have been forwarding their star players to the NBA. But this MJ may be the heir apparent to take over when Michael Jordan steps down from his throne.”

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Michel-Prince/e/B007XWI6OA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1376775835&sr=1-2-ent

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/michel-prince

 http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=products_all&filter_author=126&zenid=861836902e36ed97afcf03f56fda044c

Harper & Collins Breaks Their Own Values

Sorry, that I haven't been around for awhile. I've been tremendously busy in trying to promote my first ever published book. Which is very hard work to do and brings me to write this post. Just last night, I visited a fellow blogger/author/friend's blog, Tricia Drammeh. She had recently posted something that is very disturbing to me and should be for you as well. The big publishing company, Harper & Collins had stole a fellow author's book from his time being spent on a website ran and owned by the publishing company called Authonomy..

Their number one rule was Copyright. They made it very clear that they did not want other writer's/author's to still other's work and claim it as their own. It looks like they did not follow their own rules because they took this man's book and ideas and tried to claim that it was their own.

I'm sad to say that I was part of this website and it had tremdously helped me out with writing my own book. And because copyright is very much important to me, I became part of the online community. But no longer, as of last night I retired my profile and deleted my book from their site. I'm not going to be part of a site/company that doesn't follow their own rules of conduct. Well could you blame me? Anyway, click on the link below to see the article that this author had wrote about his experience...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/forum

I'm not the one to complain about another author's success, in fact I'm very happy with them. I will rejoice with them, I will also be hurt right along with them. As I told a friend of mine a few days ago, I have a Three Musketeers feeling with other writers and authors, One for all and all for one. When one hurts, we all feel it. I'm sure there is always two sides of the story but Harper & Collins have yet to respond to this man. Until then, I'm not going to trust their company.

Back into the routine of things...

Sorry folks that I've been silent for so long. Things have been crazy here for the last few weeks. Mom and I are back at home. She had to do a month or rehab at a nursing rehab facility and while she was doing that, I've been working nonstop with her recovery as well as working on prometing my book Dylan Knight: Rush Against Time as well gathering notes for upcoming books and other book series. Just recently I had set up an author's page on facebook. Stop by and have a visit. Gregory A. Hart, Author

The Ebook verison of Rush Against Time is now on Goodreads if you want to stop by and visit, I also have an author's page with them as well.

I've also set up an account with paypal for those of you who wish to have a signed copy of Rush Agianst Time. Click on the link and when the page appears, click on message and ask for a signed copy.

The Kindness of Friends and Strangers

Today as I write this, I'm in hospital with my mom, who here in the last week had a bad case of infection that caused her blood pressure to go way down in which then caused her to have a light heart attack. She is doing well right now, the infection maybe gone and the heart attack didn't do any damage to her heart which is a plus. don't get me wrong, I'm horrified that she has had a heart attack but there wasn't any permanent damage to the heart and therefore no Major surgery to take care of any damages done to the heart.

So back to the the title of story, the kindness of friends and strangers... We were shipped to another hospital that was better capable of handling her medical condition and it happens to be very far away from where I live. It's ten times bigger than my own hometown, including the hospital I'm currently staying at with my mother. Since I have arrived, I have only one friend in the area and she and her family has been supper nice and truly made me feel at home in this new city. then there are the nurses and staff here that are, just like my friend, super nice. Like her and her family, they have gone to lengths to make me feel like I belong here. Calming me when I need calming and super helpful when I need something or when I'm lost. The hospital staff gets an extra star in books for their the friendliness towards those who live out of town.

Then there's the latter, complete strangers. you know the ones you see that are camped out in the waiting areas from days on end because like myself, they too, are from out of town and have family members who are patients in the hospital. They have been tremendously helpful in making me feel more at ease in the new surroundings.

All that I have mentioned above have been a true God send for me in this troubling time. I am truly grateful and thankful beyond words and deeds for all the help these people have given me these last few days. The only thing that I can ever do is pray that one day God will bless them a hundred fold 10x10 over again for all they have done for me. In fact it's the only thing I CAN do. I have faith that one day God will bless them greatly for all their help. they never turned down a person in need, like you see some other people do and for that, I'm very thankful that they come to my aid in my greatest hour of need.

In conclusion to this post, I just ask that the next time you're out somewhere and you see someone who needs help like I did. Please take a minute or two or however it takes and help the person out because just one act of kindness will make a lot of difference in the long run of things because you may never know when you may need the same help as they did.


Happy Writing Everyone.

First Book Signing

Today, I had my first book signing for at a local store in my area. No, It wasn't a big event with a crowd of people waiting to see me and sign their copy of the book. I wish that had happened in real life but signing these two books was enough to make my day. The owners of the book also happened to be the ones who created my business cards, Print Works. So here are a few photo's taken there at their place of business. Click on the link below

Facebook Album

Good News!!!

Good news everyone!!! The book is finished and is out now. You can can get Rush Against Time on Amazon Kindle right now. As well as the printed version in Createspace's Estore. The printed version will be available on amazon.com in the next few days. You can click on the links below to get which version you want today. However, the release date was originally set for April 1st. So join us here and on facebook for the celebration on April 1st.

 

 

 

 

Buy the Printed Version

Buy the Amazon Kindle Version

 

Book Promoting...

Here the last few days as I begin the final preparations for getting my book published, I've been trying to figure out all the many ways that I could help get the word out to potential readers. So I've been looking through and scanning the Internet for ways to help me do just that, promote my book. I've also spoke with a few other fellow authors about the same subject.

I have heard anything from creating a facebook page as well as creating a blog, both, I might add, are already created. I also created a website for the book as well but even they are limited in getting the word out, if a lot of people doesn't visit the sites.

Book signing events are also good and useful tools, as long as you get invited by book stores, libraries and a few other places. Again, you have to get the book stores and the libraries interested in them. Sure, you could go to book fairs to help you get the word out about your book, like before, you have to get invited to attend the fairs.

Pretty much, you're on your own in getting you book out there to the public if you self-publish because the promoting is all in your hands. Sure you have some help with the publisher but even then it's very limited and that's only if you cell a certain amount of books with them. So what to do when you need you to get the word out...

Unless you become a best selling author like JK Rowling and James Paterson, there's really nothing much you can do except for what I mentioned above. For self-published authors, it's pretty much a dog eat dog world. Try the very list I mentioned above while trying interesting ways to grab the readers attention, nothing to flashy or anything like that or you'll definitely loose potential readers for sure.

Find something like, going to events like the county fair or to a local community event to help you out, as long as it's in your budget and have the time in schedule. Go to flea markets or other outdoor market places to help you find the readers you want. It is places like these that can help you out tremendously, even if it is back roots. Find small stores like drugstores, consignment shops and the like. It doesn't matter how you do as long as you get the word out. It's the word of mouth that counts. Because if the people buy the book and read. They may end up liking the book and recommend it to others.

Let me explain it this way, If one person buys the book, either from you directly or through an event you attended, they will read it and they like it. They will then tell someone else about the book and in return they will tell another person and so on. Pretty soon, you'll have more people wanting to buy the book. It may not be a best seller like most authors dream of but it's start. Even the best selling authors of today had to begin some where right? So do we unknown authors. Nothing is ever guaranteed a best seller or become rich over night. We have to work our way up the latter and hope that our readers will love what we create. That is what any author and writer hopes for after all. I know I sure do.



Happy writing everyone.

Bullying Must Stop!!!

This is a subject near and dear to my heart. I was bullied myself but nowhere near as to some of the stories you hear about. Back in my school days, my school had anti-bullying policies in place and anyone caught breaking these policies were punished with detention or in some cases suspension. But today not so much. bullying is ignored and it's left up to the parents to do something about it. Even then, nothing is done.

The parents are either laughed at or ignore or both. The students feel like there is nothing that can be done and so does the parents. In some extreme cases, we hear that a student has commited a school shooting and then labeled as the villian instead of a victum. Or we hear about a child had committed suicide becuase they were bullied. We need to stop this. we need to come together and say not anymore. the school system, parents and student alike need to stand up and say, we will not tolerate such behavior any more. I know it's easier said than done, but it does work.

Here is another blog that my friend and fellow author, Tricia Drammeh, wrote:
bullying Are You Part of the Problem?

She also started a Facebook page with another friend, Stop St. Charles School Bullying, in the hopes of getting her local school district to realize the problem of school bullying as well as bringing the situation to light. I encourage you to stop by these sites and see for yourself on what you can do. Listed below are some links for further resources to help you in stoping bullying.

www.stopbullying.gov
https://www.facebook.com/bullymovie?fref=ts
http://www.thebullyproject.com/

The Two Travels...

I've been following a blog for a few weeks now called Two Travels done by a friend of mine, David crews and his buddy, Nama. the release a chapter twice a week and if you don't keep up, you'll miss out on a lot. Trust me, I've been catching up myself the last few days. David releases a chapter on Thursdays and Nama releases one on Tuesdays. Both I might add, are talented writers and story tellers.

Anyway, here is a little about the blog:

 Eons ago, in the land of Azurania, the elves hid away the four Cythras – the Treasures – seemingly forever. Each of the Treasures contained the pure essence of the elements and whoever held a Treasure held immense power, the power to change a world.
Now, the power-hungry Thieves Guild seek to capture all of them, and release the final, fifth Treasure – the Treasure of Magic Itself – and bring it into the world.
The only thing standing between the Thieves Guild, and unrestrained power... are the most unlikely two groups of heroes ever.
A runaway priest, an exiled elf prince, a half-elven mage, a cursed teenage rogue, a gold-hungry dwarf and a human-demon hybrid. Among them, suspicion, mistrust and conflicting interest abound.
Whatever happens, these comrades will have the travels of a lifetime.

Click here to go to the blog site, Two Travels. you can also catch them on Facebook as well, FB Two Travels.

I promise you this, you will be hooked after reading the first chapter.

Alexander Hotel And The Alice Theater

Ever since I was a kid, my mother had always told me that there used to be a one room theater for plays and movies back when she was younger. She was right to because I have seen it and it's located in my hometown area. I used to pass it every day too and from my high school on the town square. It's called the Alice Theater. The doors were and still are locked and closed to the public. Next to it is a beautiful theater called the Alexander Hotel. It used to be open to the public but only the front part of it and it was used as a store.

You know how I am about historical places and how we should keep them up let people know about what it used to be. The same goes for this place and wouldn't you know (and to my delight) that there is a grass roots movement to buy the places and find a way to renovate them and have them open to the public once again. It has been going on here for the last few months and I have been keeping myself informed of the progress.

At first, to my dismay, the movement wasn't doing so well. A lot of people giving the guy in charge of it and it's supporters, alot of grief over the idea. But now it seems like the movement is picking up alot more support. Support like how they can help out with the project or giving them ideas as to how it can be reopened to the public. If it was left up to me, I would have them both reopened and restored to their former glory. The hotel turned back to being a hotel or a B&B (bed and breakfast) and the theater being turned back into a movie theater only showing older movies. But alas, I do not have the final say on such things.

However the only thing I can do right now, is continue making my suggestions and spread the word like I'm doing now. Below is the facebook page to where you can see the buildings and learn of the progress of process or just to make suggestions of your own.

Save the Alice Theater & Alexander Hotel

I now leave you with this thought. It is our right to keep our history preserved no matter it being told orally, written down on paper or even trying to save the buildings. It must be preserved and there is nothing like helping to keep it preserved. So I encourage you today to go and find something that is of historical significance whether it be national or local. you will rest better knowing that it will be preserved for our children's future. for without history, where would be today?

Dylan Knight's Book Cover Reveal...

Sorry for the silence but I have been very busy, both with the final editing and going over the process of creating a final and offical book cover for a book series called Dylan Knight Series. As well as some personal issues dealing with an illness within the family.

So here it is, the official cover for Dylan Knight: Rush Agianst Time. Done by the tallented Michelle Preast, a freelance illistrator and designer. Feel free to visit here website by clicking on her name above and visiting her facebook page. Click on the link below:
Indie Book Covers