I just wanted to take a moment and express my appreciation to Ryan Field for his advice, his friendship, and just being a kind human being to me ever since we met about three years ago.
Entering the writing world is not at all easy; but when Ryan and I connected on a mutual site, I found his advice useful, relevant, and I found him easy to approach.
Swallowing my fears (not a very social person) I was happy that I took the step. Ryan was willing to walk me through questions about the industry and led me to helpful sites (which he still does today) and all without making me feel like I'm wasting his time or being a bother.
Ryan, I want to thank you for your years of friendship with me and here's wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and much success in everything you do!
Your friend, Steph
Here's Ryan's blog site:
http://ryan-field.blogspot.com/2013_12_01_archive.html
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Friday, December 6, 2013
Update on my sweet baby boy....
This is my baby boy...Jack.
We went to the vet yesterday and his glucose is down to 268! (a 50% drop so far) and after not even 3 weeks on insulin. We'll need to learn how to test him at home (in the ear! ouch!) but he did great with them doing it.
Also good is that his weight has come up a little from 13 lbs to 14. He lost too much and the fact that he's gained, his coat is shinier, eyes bright, and he looks healthier and happier.
The only worry now is his back paws. He's walking a little wobbly still, but that's due to some nerve damage, but now that he's below 300, it will start to heal :)
I thank everyone for their advice and prayers and well wishes! This has not been easy and it's something we'll likely have to deal with for the rest of his life (he's only 9).
More updates soon (esp if the best news...remission) happens!
Steph
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Where do you....????
Find names for your characters? I've read loads of books and have always wondered where the names come from.
Are they family names? Television or movie inspired? Heritage-toned?
Mine are all of the above. Plus sometimes I seek help from either a baby name book or a particular heritage's website for genuine names. Or even religious/biblical names.
For example, in Ranch Hands, Sid is for Sidney, Austrailia. Roger was a coworker's name. Jerry is for Jerry Springer.
Another example is For the Heart of Phillip, Phillip with the 2 L's is uncommon, and that's why I liked it. Robert of course, Andrew, David...all biblical names and/or kings. I will often use royalty/biblical/family/heritage-driven names first over anything contemporary.
How about you? Do you follow the baby name trends and use their list or make up your own?
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Sweet baby boy
Hello! This won't be a post about my books or works in progress...it's about something dearer to my heart; my cat. Jack.
Jack has always been a big eater and when he lost weight we thought we had a triumph! Instead...we nearly had tragedy.
Two weeks ago Jack was diagnosed with diabetes. His glucose level was over 500 and if he were a human he would've been in shock! This of course bowled us over and we jumped into action.
We had to change everything from his dry food (not cutting it) to all wet food, protein-rich, and of course, the shots. Yipe! The shots are what I feared the most. But we are committed to this young, kitty life. He's not even 10 years old yet and has lots of life left in him for sure.
Therefore, we got everything from the insulin, the syringes, the food, and I bought him at least a couple of new toys to take his mind of the nasty prick two times a day. He takes the evening shot far better than the morning one for sure. LOL
Luckily, I'd found a site that spelled out everything for diabetic cats, what to expect, what to look for, and support for the pet parents out there who feel horrible that they can't do more.
I implore anyone that has a fat cat to really be aware they will likely become diabetic and to get their weight down (or better yet keep it from happening in the 1st place). Your pet and you will be far, far happier in the long run.
To end on a positive note, Jack's sugar was checked again last Wednesday and had come down (after only 4 shots) to 341...not great, but not the horribly high mark it was. (ideal is 100-200). He has a ways to go, but at least it's working! His weight has come up a little, he got too small. 14-15 lbs is perfect for his frame and he's at 14.2 right now.
Take care of kitty...they only have so long.
Steph
Jack has always been a big eater and when he lost weight we thought we had a triumph! Instead...we nearly had tragedy.
Two weeks ago Jack was diagnosed with diabetes. His glucose level was over 500 and if he were a human he would've been in shock! This of course bowled us over and we jumped into action.
We had to change everything from his dry food (not cutting it) to all wet food, protein-rich, and of course, the shots. Yipe! The shots are what I feared the most. But we are committed to this young, kitty life. He's not even 10 years old yet and has lots of life left in him for sure.
Therefore, we got everything from the insulin, the syringes, the food, and I bought him at least a couple of new toys to take his mind of the nasty prick two times a day. He takes the evening shot far better than the morning one for sure. LOL
Luckily, I'd found a site that spelled out everything for diabetic cats, what to expect, what to look for, and support for the pet parents out there who feel horrible that they can't do more.
I implore anyone that has a fat cat to really be aware they will likely become diabetic and to get their weight down (or better yet keep it from happening in the 1st place). Your pet and you will be far, far happier in the long run.
To end on a positive note, Jack's sugar was checked again last Wednesday and had come down (after only 4 shots) to 341...not great, but not the horribly high mark it was. (ideal is 100-200). He has a ways to go, but at least it's working! His weight has come up a little, he got too small. 14-15 lbs is perfect for his frame and he's at 14.2 right now.
Take care of kitty...they only have so long.
Steph
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Nanowrimo winner at last!!!
I remember last year I had heard of Nano and truly wanted to do it..I
was all set and had a story forming in my mind....when tragedy struck.
My father-in-law died on November 11th and all hell broke loose in my
personal life. Writing was out of the question and wasn't even on my
brain again until sometime the following March!
Finally though, working through things and with help; life went on. When this November rolled around, I was determined to do it! I had two writing buddies that would help unstick my thoughts and get me rolling again, plus a wonderful beta that wouldn't let me post until it made sense!
So...long story short, this year I won Nano! 59K words in about 23 days. Ahhhh. I finally did it!
Finally though, working through things and with help; life went on. When this November rolled around, I was determined to do it! I had two writing buddies that would help unstick my thoughts and get me rolling again, plus a wonderful beta that wouldn't let me post until it made sense!
So...long story short, this year I won Nano! 59K words in about 23 days. Ahhhh. I finally did it!
Friday, November 29, 2013
One of the worst words ever, for any writer is to see REJECTED.
I don't know a single author out there that hasn't been rejected at least once. It's heartbreaking, how could they do this to you? It takes a toll, believe me. But it is definitely not the end of the line.
So how do you pick yourself up and dust yourself off after such a blow?
1. It is not a personal attack.
They have seen your words and your story, but they do not know you. It is not an attack on your person or your psyche.
2. If they gave reasons, take them to heart as constructive criticism.
Most good publishers will give solid reasons as to why they did not accept your work. Either it didn't fit, or needed shortening/lengthening, there were story continuity issues, whatever. Keep in mind they have a business to run and will take what they think will sell.
3. Keep at it.
This is not the end of the line, not by a long shot. My first couple of books were rejected but they gave reasons and I worked on them. Dive into your contacts for a good beta (which are worth their weight in gold). With help, polish up the story and re-submit it somewhere else.
4. If you're the Indie type, do it yourself.
If you've got drive, motivation, and a good network, go indie! I've done this with a couple of mine and have gotten a great response. I found that I didn't need a publishing house to accept me to give my story 'worth'. I knew it was good and didn't want to wait. (very impatient person). It paid off for the most part.
5. Keep writing.
No matter what, this is your craft, don't let them rule what you want to do. I've been writing since I was seven years old and minus a couple of years off sporadically; it has been my lifelong pursuit. If you feel it, write it. Go with your passion. The audience will find you.
S. L. Danielson, Author
I don't know a single author out there that hasn't been rejected at least once. It's heartbreaking, how could they do this to you? It takes a toll, believe me. But it is definitely not the end of the line.
So how do you pick yourself up and dust yourself off after such a blow?
1. It is not a personal attack.
They have seen your words and your story, but they do not know you. It is not an attack on your person or your psyche.
2. If they gave reasons, take them to heart as constructive criticism.
Most good publishers will give solid reasons as to why they did not accept your work. Either it didn't fit, or needed shortening/lengthening, there were story continuity issues, whatever. Keep in mind they have a business to run and will take what they think will sell.
3. Keep at it.
This is not the end of the line, not by a long shot. My first couple of books were rejected but they gave reasons and I worked on them. Dive into your contacts for a good beta (which are worth their weight in gold). With help, polish up the story and re-submit it somewhere else.
4. If you're the Indie type, do it yourself.
If you've got drive, motivation, and a good network, go indie! I've done this with a couple of mine and have gotten a great response. I found that I didn't need a publishing house to accept me to give my story 'worth'. I knew it was good and didn't want to wait. (very impatient person). It paid off for the most part.
5. Keep writing.
No matter what, this is your craft, don't let them rule what you want to do. I've been writing since I was seven years old and minus a couple of years off sporadically; it has been my lifelong pursuit. If you feel it, write it. Go with your passion. The audience will find you.
S. L. Danielson, Author
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Coming soon...Ice Fairy!
After over two years of being on the 'drawing board'; my story of a figure skater will come to life by January and I'm very excited to talk about it :)
Ice Fairy is the story of Sam (Samuru) Ogawa; a Japanese-American figure skater who has his eyes and dreams firmly set on Olympic gold.
Unfortunately, someone else's eyes are firmly set on him; those being Brett Zephyr, the hockey player with the irritating girlfriend and a push or shove for anyone else.
On a normal day at the rink, Sam and Brett's world collide, literally. Even though they are classmates; they've never spoken and have never been in the same circles. But things are all about to change when life takes a drastic, cutting turn for one of the boys.
Look for it soon (there will be a big announcement for sure)!
Ice Fairy is the story of Sam (Samuru) Ogawa; a Japanese-American figure skater who has his eyes and dreams firmly set on Olympic gold.
Unfortunately, someone else's eyes are firmly set on him; those being Brett Zephyr, the hockey player with the irritating girlfriend and a push or shove for anyone else.
On a normal day at the rink, Sam and Brett's world collide, literally. Even though they are classmates; they've never spoken and have never been in the same circles. But things are all about to change when life takes a drastic, cutting turn for one of the boys.
Look for it soon (there will be a big announcement for sure)!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Halloween Contest!
I'm giving away a free ebook copy (in either pdf or epub) of "My Fair Vampire" (my co-work with Julie Lynn Hayes).
Have a spooktacular time!
Saturday, August 3, 2013
For the Heart of Phillip....now available at Gay Authors site!
Need your drama fix? How about 13 years worth with so many twists and turns it'll leave you wanting more. :) Only 99 cents!
http://www.gayauthors.org/forums/files/file/48-for-the-heart-of-phillip/
http://www.gayauthors.org/forums/files/file/48-for-the-heart-of-phillip/
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Hurry! Contest ends today! http://sidlove.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/giveaway-3-s-l-danielson/
I've joined Sid Love's blog hop! I'll be giving away the choice of one of my backlist :) See site for complete rules...
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Upstaged! Now with Book #2 and re-release of #1
Welcome! I have exciting new about the Upstaged series. It has gone over to Romance First Publishing, and in the process, gotten a very thorough edit and cleanup and has been re-released. (Book #1)
Therefore: I am excited to announce Opening Act and the second book as well, Waiting in the Wings, are now available at multiple outlets.
For all the information, please visit www.rfppublishing.com, where they are also up for sale as pdf files.
Other locations for them are: Amazon, Smashwords, and All Romance Ebooks the live links are below the book covers.
Smashwords AllRomanceEbooks Amazon
Smashwords AllRomanceEbooks
Amazon
Therefore: I am excited to announce Opening Act and the second book as well, Waiting in the Wings, are now available at multiple outlets.
For all the information, please visit www.rfppublishing.com, where they are also up for sale as pdf files.
Other locations for them are: Amazon, Smashwords, and All Romance Ebooks the live links are below the book covers.
Smashwords AllRomanceEbooks Amazon
Smashwords AllRomanceEbooks
Amazon
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