I'm a bad reader

We have all seen adverts for free downloadable e-books on amazon. Well, I am the kind of person that just can't pass up a free e-book, because I can't always afford to buy new books constantly. When you download a free e-book, the best way to thank the author is to leave a review. So here is why I'm bad. I never read those free books. I tell myself I will get to them and then I end up writing, watching TV or working. 

I have promised to leave a review for quite a few books, once I have read them of course. But to be honest? That reading list is quite long and not all the books are to my taste, but I can't say that in my review. Oh, did I ever mention that I don't like writing reviews out of fear that I might not like your book? I can be a very picky reader. But mostly what I read depends on my mood. When I have a depression episode, the last thing I want to do is read. 

But having said all of the above, to those that I still ow reviews, I will get to your book as soon as I can. I apologize for my slow progress. I can be a slow reader.

How about you? Do you like downloading free e-books from amazon too? Do you have tons of free books you've never read? Do you always leave reviews? Do you think I'm going to consumer hell?

Social Media Junkie

I never thought this day would come, but I have to admit, social media is not so bad and I’m actually addicted to a few forms. Yep, I said it. For a long time I only participated in blogging. Now I am on Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads and Facebook. Crazy right?

Aside for blogging, Pinterest is my favorite, because I get to get various ideas for character description, food and clothing ideas for potential new or existing characters. I get to make my fantasy world a lot more real. Following closely is Twitter, because I can quickly scan through my tweets and see what is going on in the lives of my fellow writers and one or two celebrities. Call me a stalker, but I like to know what my fellow writers are up to. It makes me feel comforted that they are doing the same things as me, or are struggling as me, or just enjoying life. I rarely use Google+, Goodreads and Facebook these days, but I do check my updates regularly for important info.

I have actually contemplated closing my Facebook account because I’m never really on it aside for book releases and so forth, but all my fellow writer friends are always hosting events there and most writers seem to use it. I might have a problem with Facebook soon anyway, because there is a new scam going where you are friended by one of your already existing friends and then you start receiving inappropriate comments and postings on your wall. I unfortunately clicked on the link which suggested a friend wanted to be friends, again, and just made myself victim to the scam. But oh well, I will deal with it when the creep starts doing the above mentioned things.

I’m actually off to do some work now. Last night I made a mistake with the data and now have to fix a week’s worth of information. But enough about me. Do you like social media? Which forms do you use? 

Connection Problems and Writing Progress

My family and I have been without internet since Friday. Thank goodness I could schedule my Friday post a few days beforehand. Our internet connection was restored late this afternoon and I was so relieved. I can go on vacation and not worry about internet, but when I’m in work or writer mode, I go crazy without internet. I feel like I’m missing out on something.

The past week I have started to establish a type of writing schedule again. I work during the day and at night I write and yes, I have actually been coming up with a lot of new material for my rewrites and painlessly discarding what I wrote last year. The first few nights were tough, because I could barely crank out a thousand words a night and then when the weekend approached, I was writing more than a thousand words a day. It might not sound like much, but for me that is monumental. I know I can only improve on word count.

I recently realized that it wasn’t so much that I didn’t feel inspired, but that my depression was really kicking my ass and my will to write was diminished. Okay, don’t judge me, but with depression the simplest thing like just taking a shower can be a challenge. You have to psyche yourself up just to stick your head out the front door. But the more I’m writing, the better I’m feeling mentally.

My master plan is to get off antidepressants this year and try therapy instead. I hate how the medication makes me feel and it does affect my thought process, so for a writer its hell. I’m doing research on various types of therapy and most importantly, trying to compare costs, so that hopefully I can afford that approach instead. My body and mind doesn’t feel good with all the medication I’m on. I’m at the point where I can’t sleep without medication anymore and I hate that. I want control of my body and health back.

Wow, our internet is slow tonight. So, have a great week everyone!

One Good Catch Release Day

Title: One Good Catch

Author: Heather M. Gardner

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Publisher: InkSpell Publishing

Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs

Release Date: March 13, 2015

 

Buy Links

All Romance Ebooks, Kobo, Amazon and B&N

 

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Ignoring a recent trauma that is affecting her everyday life, ER Doctor Kate Maguire engages in some high risk activities, but putting herself in these dangerous situations isn’t enough to feed her edginess. She needs something more. When her brother’s high school best friend comes back to town, it’s her chance for a ‘no strings attached’ fling with the man who still headlines in all her best dreams.

Rhys MacGrath’s days of one-night-stands are long over. The pro-football player might be side-lined at rehab for a shoulder injury, but that doesn’t mean he can’t admire and desire the all-grown-up, so-damn-hot, version of the tomboy he once knew. His sudden interest in Kate might be aggravating his best friend, who doesn’t approve, but it’s her indifference that’s driving Rhys crazy.

Everything heats up when Kate’s nosy nature sets her in the line of fire of an arsonist forcing them to deal with more than just the sparks igniting between them.

 

~~~)(~~~

 

Heather M. Gardner's love of books began on the hand-woven rugs of her small town library where her mother worked. There she had a never-ending supply of stories to read at her fingertips. As a teen, her favorite genres to curl up with were romance and mysteries. When she started to create her own stories, they were the perfect fit.

Heather resides in New York with her best friend who is also her husband, plus her talented and handsome son. She is currently owned by four stray cats. Heather's a full-time mom, works part-time from home, a chocolate enthusiast, coffee junkie, cat addict, book hoarder and fluent in sarcasm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blog: The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Twitter: @hmgardner

Goodreads: HMGardner 

Facebook: HeatherWritesRomance Bottom of Form

Love this

I’m really loving this song. It makes me want to dance and twirl. Ellie Goulding knows how to write great songs. It's definitely inspiring some good scenes.

Confidence (IWSG)

When I first started this blog, my writer's confidence was at an all time high and my personal confidence low. When I started this blog I thought I was a good writer and everyone would realize that I was talented. Well, not only didn't things pan out that way, I'm very happy it didn't.

Now I have more confidence as a woman and human, thanks to this great community. My writer's ego has gotten a few very worthy knocks of truth and perspective. I really needed that because I believe I am better for it. My writing confidence I can always work on, though I wish I had the imagination like when I first started. I had turned out three books in those first few blogging years and now I can't even get through my rewrites without regular naps and breaks. My point is, the reality and truth of how hard things are has set me on a better coarse. It didn't look so at first, but I am truly happy and my confidence in my writing is returning, but this time it is the good kind (promise). Nothing like a little humility to put things in perspective.

I am still and I think will always be insecure about my writing. My fault is that I still care too much about what my writing peers might think of my work. Will they hate my writing? Will they be embarrassed to have supported a fake/terrible writer (me) all these years? My writing confidence will always be a work in progress and for now...that is fine with me.

The Insecure Writers Support Group was created by the talented Mr. Alex J. Cavanaugh so that writers can share their insecurities and/or encourage others who need support with their own. You can visit Alex Here, or if you want to join us in discussing our insecurities on the first Wednesday of each month, you are welcome to join by going Here.

Good Day and Food in Fiction

Today was a good day for me, even though it was 39 °C. I got a lot of data done, but there is such a long way to go. At least I have a good reason to push forward now, as this is the final year for my brother to finish his PhD. I’ve been doing his data for him (as my day job). So when all is said and done I can focus on my writing full-time, for a while at least (until I get another day job).

Has anyone ever thought about the topic of food in fictional writing? I recently did. My Thelum series is set in a fictional earth-like world. However, my characters still eat food found on earth. Why? Because when I started out my writing I didn’t want to use earth as a setting. I found it easier to create my own world than find my way in the current one.  It’s too late to change it now. My manuscript is already off to my editor. But it doesn’t stop me from thinking about these things.

How are you doing on this Monday? So, do you think it’s plausible to still eat pizza and pasta on another planet when we earthlings know pizza and pasta is associated with Italy?