For writers: Dealing with Negative Reviews

My friend wrote this perfect piece about dealing with negative reviews. I wanted to spread it around for any other writers who might be interested.

And as a side note, I don’t bother reviewing books that I don’t finish or care for. I feel like there is enough negativity in the world and I don’t need to make someone feel less about themselves. Especially when I am confident that despite my dislike, there are people out there who will like it and it’s not my place to ruin that for them. There are already quite a few people out there who feel that it is their role in life to correct everyone’s faults (so- called). I have no interest in being one of those people. I am happy to consistently review books I’ve enjoyed.

I say to all writers, keep writing and don’t listen to the naysayers. There’s an audience out there for all of you. Digital hugs!

Enjoy this great article on defeating negativity!!

We are told that reviews are important. Other people see reviews and decide whether or not to invest the dollar or two and take a chance on your unknown work. It has been said that Amazon doesn’t care whether the reviews are good or bad, more is better, and the more reviews your book has, […]

via How To Deal With A Negative Review (For Writers) Part I —

First SMFS Book is released!!!

I have a few shorts in this book! It was a lot of fun to put together with my incredible writer’s group – the Ink Slingers Guild! Please grab a copy and enjoy!

Stories My Friends Started

Hello All!!!

I am excited to announce the release of the first of the Stories My Friends Started anthologies.

This is a collection of 5 stories, started by you, our friends, from each of the amazing Ink Slingers.

Please download, read, enjoy and review!!!

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Ted the Accountant by Lisa Barry

This was a lot of fun to write!

Stories My Friends Started

For Remi Paquette, I hope you enjoy it!

Ted, the accountant walked out on stage and looking over the assembled gods realized that this was not going to be a fun presentation.

Clearing his throat, Ted nodded at the crowd and then turned to his laptop, already connected to the big screen before them. He cleared his throat again and tried to steady his hand before turning back to the crowd.

He gave a weak smile as he fished the laser pointer from his pocket and aimed it at the pie chart on the screen.

“Thank you all for coming today,” Ted said and cringed as his voice boomed by some god’s will over the colosseum.

“I am one of the forensic accountants for Athena.” The crowd turned to look at her where she sat demurely at the end of the second row on the left. She had a small…

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Blend In and Bide Our Time – an ISG Writing Exercise

My writers group is awesome!

Ink Slingers Guild

On 4 Jan 2017, these three words were chosen:

  • Chain
  • Math
  • Petticoat

And these blurbs were written within five minutes….Enjoy!

FEATURED AUTHOR

NICOLE DRAGONBECK:

“What is this thing?” Trina grumbled as the mounds of fluffy white entrapments were pulled over her head and down to her waist.

“They call it a petticoat. It goes over the knickers and under the skirt,” Berra said as she thrust a pink monstrosity with too much lace at Trina.

Trina took it and held it out as far as she could, as if she could avoid the humiliation if she didn’t let it touch her. She preferred chain mail and leather. What had her life come to?

“Why are we doing this?” she asked in a petulant voice as Berra found a pair of soft slippers, and something that looked like a tadpole, with a curved tail.

“Do the math,” Berra replied, her voice…

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ISG 5th Anniversary Edition Celebration

The incredible, indelible, and intrepid Ink Slingers Guild held our Annual Anthology Party to celebrate the 5th Anniversary Anthology Serenity Rising! It was the most fun a writer could have: hangi…

Source: ISG 5th Anniversary Edition Celebration

Enter to Win: Short Stories!

Share! Share! Share!

My writers group recently released the fifth anniversary edition of our annual anthology (book of short stories) and there is a Goodreads Giveaway going on right now! Enter to win the latest release!

There’s a spooky Faery Story included just in time for Halloween ~ my favorite time of year!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Serenity Rising

Serenity Rising

Giveaway ends November 10, 2016.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Like short stories?

Hi, all!
Every year my writers group publishes an anthology (a book of short stories) and this year is special because it is our 5th Anniversary Edition and I am really excited about it. I have read every story in this book and LOVE them all. They are all different, we have so many styles of writing in our group but they are all a great read!

If you enjoy fun stories, I encourage you to run over to Amazon and pick it up. Enjoy!

serenityrising2016_ebk

Are you allergic to RID?

On September 21st another awesome meeting was had with the incredible Ink Slingers Guild.  We did two 5-minute exercises and here are mine!

 

Rid
Repeat
Tea

cookies-1377586_640

“Why are you using Rid?” he asked as he shoved a third cookie into his mouth.

“It gets rid of the ants,” I said as I tucked the spray bottle beneath the kitchen sink. I took a sip of tea before I started wiping down the counters. There was flour everywhere. Baking was so messy.

Shawn grabbed a fourth cookie. I gave him a look.

“Leave some for the trolls,” I said, “that’s who they’re for after all.”

He gave a muffled acknowledgement before his eyes bulged slightly. He swallowed and gasped. “What is in these things? I think I might be allergic.”

“Seriously? Can you repeat that because I think you must be joking. I thought your iron stomach could handle anything.”

Shawn doubled over, resting his face on the flour covered counter before sliding to the floor.

“Are you allergic to Rid?” I asked.

 

Honey
Threat
Mischief

bee-1419862_640

The threat is in honey,” Martin said seriously. “If we don’t stop using it, the bees may go elsewhere.”

“Martin, please,” I chastised, “there is no way it’s a honey issue. After all the research and testing we’ve done, it’s the atmosphere that poses the largest problem to continuation of mankind.”

“I think it’s the stupid people,” Mona muttered to herself. I shot her a dark look and she shrugged.

“What mischief is going on in here?” Hess said as he breezed in the doorway of the small planetary land ship.

I quickly put my shoulders back and smiled. He met my gaze but they passed by and settled on Mona. He wasn’t even paying attention. I cringed inside. I have the worst taste. That is my taste doesn’t taste back. Mona finally looked up and scowled. That only made Hess smiled more broadly. I shuffled out of the room. I had work to do. Important things. Very important things.

Love Me a Vampire ~ Writing Exercise

We always have fun at the Ink Slingers Guild meetings but I really enjoyed myself during this last meeting. At each meeting three of us writerly folk choose a word and then we all write for 5 minutes and must fit in those three words. We did four 5-minute exercises and I managed to continue my “story” throughout all four exercises. I thought it would be fun to share!

I hope you enjoy!

  •  Stuffy
  • Cold
  • Perceive

I could not perceive what in god’s name could be taking him so long. It was even more annoying because the ridiculous loser didn’t have a cell phone., I mean who doesn’t have a cell phone? Ok, I hadn’t actually met him in person yet so I shouldn’t be so judgmental but I couldn’t help myself. Ever since I recovered from a nasty cold last month I’ve hated waiting on people. I mean there is life to live already! Let’s get moving and get things done!

I sat at the table in the dimly lit diner and sipped at my coffee while I perused Facebook. People were so lame. No info about anyone accept for that stuffy guy, George who I knew because Sally only. I sighed and glanced at my watch. Two more minutes and I was out. I still wasn’t sure why I agreed to meet with Sally’s nephew anyway. Just because I can build websites doesn’t mean I want to do them for every Tom, Dick and Harry.

The door to the diner jingled open and I glanced up to behold the most beautiful man I had ever seen. I literally stared at his smooth, pale skin, dark eyes and slim build. I smiled. I could totally do that I thought. He walked over to my table.

“Ryan?” I questioned. He nodded and smiled wide. It was my lucky day.

  • Crouch
  • Finish
  • God

This man was a God I thought. Ryan slid into the chair next me as I wondered how my plain faced friend could have a relative this beautiful. I mean hold your chin up to keep the flies out gorgeous. I pulled my computer from my bag and set it on the table while Ryan ordered a chai tea from the drooling waitress.

I finished my coffee just as his tea arrived. I wasn’t very good at small talk until now. So far I had found out that he loved all types of tea, preferred the second Crouching Lion Hidden Tiger movie to the first and hated Rod Stewart music. I was on my game. He leaned in and looked at my screen. He smelled like vanilla and coffee. Yum. I was definitely going to have me some of that.

  • Strap
  • Shower
  • Burn

Seriously, I was burning by the time we wrapped up going over the website he wanted. Apparently, Ryan was some hotshot motorcycle racer and the idea of him covered in motorcycle gear and straps made me ridiculously happy. If I had anything to do with it, I would be showering with this man in the morning.

We chatted amenably as we left the diner.  I saw his motorcycle at the curb two cars away and nodded toward it. Nice,” I commented. He grinned and led me to it. A sleek flat black helmet hung on the side as he pointed out things and I nodded enthusiastically.

“Would you like to pop in to my place for a swim in the pool?” I asked after he finished showing off his machine.

“That sounds awesome,” he smiled at me again. I was such a goner.

“My house is just in the back here,” I pointed at the alley that led to my neighborhood. We were halfway through it when he turned and pushed me gently into the wall.

  • Slow
  • Forget
  • Fantasy

I could not believe my luck. I mean Ryan couldn’t even wait to get to my house to steal a kiss. I was feeling so lucky I think my head was about to explode right off my shoulders.  The tension in the air added to the fantasy that had been brewing in my mind.

He slowly brushed a finger down the side of my face. I swear I forgot my name. There was nothing but his dark eyes and wide smile. I tried to speak and he put a finger over my mouth as he leaned to my neck. He took in a deep breath.

“My dear,” he whispered, “you are so intoxicating. I couldn’t wait another moment.”

I sighed and bent my body toward him. His lips found my neck and my nerves exploded in pleasure.

“Thank you,” he whispered. My moan was cut off as the sting of teeth pierced my skin.

~~~

Dragon Scales and Comfortable Jails

The latest Ink Slingers Guild meeting was excellent as always. We were able to fit in four writing exercises which I LOVE! During each exercise three words are chosen randomly and we have 5 minutes to write a quick story. Here are mine! Hope you enjoy! 🙂

  • dance
  • flutter
  • circus

The dance was still hours away but Malie had already been in the bathroom for half an hour with her seemingly endless grooming. As a circus performer myself, I was comfortable in my skin and confident in my step. It took me all of 15 minutes to get ready even in the most glamorous of occasions and the flutters of nervousness from the past was long gone. I woke up with drool running down my chin and was annoyed to have to fix my thick make up before leaving. Malie took that moment to walk in the room.

“Gah!” she hollered when our eyes met. “Your scales are showing, Stace. Go fix it. We have to leave.”

I got up wearily and went into the bathroom. Sure enough, the drool had taken its toll. I caked on more make-up, successfully, covering my scales, made sure my tail was still strapped down and hidden and went to meet Malie at the front door.

 

  • bottle
  • paisley
  • gift card

My black and gray paisley silk dress fit this dance party like a blue sky at a rally against happiness. All around me were half dressed girls including my dear friend Malie and the boys, well, they were wearing clothes almost tighter than the girls. I hadn’t gotten out much but I couldn’t help be appalled that the men should wear clothes such as this. What happened to lace lined shirts and coats with tails. I was not in my element. I hoisted my bottle of ale, can’t even get a proper mug here, and went toward a table in the corner. As I passed a table a lady called out offering “gift cards” for sale. My glance at the brochures on the table told me she was promoting the restaurant portion of the club and I quickly shook my head. This place was awful.

 

  • peppers
  • rushed
  • persnickety

The strong smell of roasted red peppers filled the car. It caught me so off guard I almost hit the breaks in alarm. But the realization infiltrated my mind before I could cause a five car pile up and I glanced to the back seat. A small gnome like creature sat in the center seat. The green cap sat side-ways like it was rushed on and I would have thought it should fall off but in all the times I’ve seen him, it never had. “Bob,” I said. He nodded. I was always afraid of saying much more. He was such a persnickety little fellow and truthfully, he scared the hell out of me. Beneath that, I coughed in my head, cute exterior was a vicious and calculating, sharp toothed little fae. And the fae never had anything but their own interests in mind. The only reason they even gave me the time of day was because I was part fae, part were-wolf. Whenever they needed to tell the Alpha something, they came to me. Oh boy.

 

  • chain
  • sweater
  • tissue

The chain dragged along the stone floor. At least I thought it was the floor. I supposed he, or she, could have been pulling it along the wall but that seemed like a lot more work and I didn’t see the prison guards as being particularly industrious. I sat in the corner of my cell wearing my ragged brown sweater and a pair of leggings with a large hole in one knee. At least it was spring, the cell wasn’t too hot or cold. Last time I was here, I was so hot I thought I would sweat all the water out of my body and just be a husk when someone finally realized who I was and let me out. I waited patiently for the box of delicate tissues, a bag of sugar and a note from my father to be delivered. I had been missing for, oh, four days now. Despite my drunken rampage into the knight’s lap, it was a pub after all, it wasn’t that big a deal, I was surprised they didn’t rough me up a bit more.