Dear Ideal Reader…

On January 7, 2016January 7, 2016 By Stephanie IngramIn Writing4 Comments

Ideal Reader scanned the weather forecast and the latest headlines while she sipped her coffee this morning. She had exactly ten minutes of peace and quiet before getting the kids up for school. In the rush out the door, she remembered to stuff her Kindle into her purse so she had something to help pass the time during the train commute into work, assuming of course that she managed to get a seat. Although when it comes to a good book, she’s managed reading while standing shoulder-to-shoulder, too.

Ms. Reader eagerly browsed the latest releases on Amazon and read the descriptions of the stories that caught her interest. A couple books looked promising and reader reviews seemed favorable toward them – so she hit 1-click ordering and added them.

Ms. Reader opened Facebook later that afternoon when she had some downtime at work and she liked the latest pictures of her sister’s kids. They were covered head to toe in finger paints but had happy smiles. She even made a few comments on her best friend’s recent boyfriend troubles. It never occurred to her to seek out Facebook Fan Pages for the authors whose books she downloaded. Who has time for half the drivel that occupies the space on Facebook’s Newsfeed as it is?

A coworker talked about Twitter over lunch but Ms. Reader shrugged her shoulders. Something to look into for another time, perhaps. She might like to follow a couple of news sites or drool over the latest photos from Mark Wahlberg and Bradley Cooper.

Ms. Reader rushed through making dinner and helping with homework. She groaned when she realized Junior had Math homework again. She barely survived fractions the first time around. When the kids were finally tucked into bed, she changed into her pajamas and settled into bed with her latest, greatest read. She was really enjoying this one and couldn’t wait to see what else this author had available. When her eyes finally closed, she had sweet dreams of the Hero from her new favorite book who just so happened to look a heck of a lot like Bradley Cooper. Go figure. But she couldn’t help but think … there is something missing … some book she has yet to read that she knows she’s been waiting for …

I’ve been writing it and I promise you, Ideal Reader, it will be in your hands soon enough. Funny how easy it is in this digital age to get so caught up in everything else – aside from sitting butt in the chair and writing. I’ve been so focused on what I’ll be posting on my blog, and how often, that I forget why I’m doing it. I’m so obsessed with helping to promote the posts and books of my fellow authors that I overlook the fact that I’m essentially creating a marketing strategy for a product that doesn’t actually exist yet – MY book. And while there is certainly nothing wrong with helping fellow authors and I would like to continue to do so, I think my energy at this stage is probably better reserved for pouring into that book Ms. Reader is so patiently waiting to read.

After all, Ideal Reader isn’t even aware of the hours I spend on social media. She doesn’t care if I update my blog regularly. She doesn’t even notice if I never get around to sending out that monthly newsletter I keep promising I’ll start. Maybe one day she’ll take notice, but not before she falls in love with the words I write and the characters I create.

First things first.

Yesterday I came across an article in the paper with the details of what would have been a great networking opportunity right here in the city of Pittsburgh. The only problem being that it happened back in September. Since I don’t happen to know anyone who has created a time machine, I’m probably not going to be attending this particular function. As I kept scrolling, I realized there is a whole community right here under my nose that I am completely oblivious to, mostly because my focus has always been pointed in the wrong direction. As I sit down and prepare a business plan and begin to take myself seriously as a writer, I find for the most part I’m doing okay. I am writing every day, after all, and I read quite a bit too. But there are certainly tweaks in my mindset that have to happen before I can ever truly be successful.

I think it’s a good thing I’ve had this revelation. It brings Ms. Reader and I one step closer to finally being together at last… I’m no Bradley Cooper, but I think we can still share a happily ever after together. 😉

Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday – Stepping Into Enemy Territory

On January 3, 2016December 18, 2015 By Stephanie IngramIn Weekend Writing Warriors3 Comments

HAPPY 2016!

Here’s to hoping your new year is off to a great start and only gets better from here. Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions? I’m not really one for resolutions but I do intend this post to be the first of an entire year’s worth of contributions to the Weekend Writing Warriors, a fun blog hop where a gathering of authors share 8 to 10 sentences of a current work-in-progress. Check the link at http://www.wewriwa.com for the full list of participants.

2016 will be a year of writing so it should be a great year for sharing!

At the end of December I shared a couple of snippets from Rise of Angerroots, a story I hope to finish soon. Max had just discovered his fiancee was alive but when he confronted her, he was surprised to find that she didn’t remember him. Today’s snippet moves to Sarah’s point of view (Max’s fiancee). She is lost in a world that stopped making sense and meeting with her new neighbor, Nathanial, to discuss strange animal attacks. Nathanial seems to have information that the authorities are lacking. It doesn’t hurt that she’s incredibly attracted to him. 😉

Sarah tried to suppress the feelings that madness would overtake her mind if she did not see Nathanial again. Her heart pounded in her chest as she knocked lightly against the oak door. She did not have to wait long before it opened it. When she met his dark lustful eyes, she lost her courage and with it, the ability to speak.

“Come in,” he said, “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again.”

Her body trembled as she entered the dimly lit entryway. She was overcome with the sensation of walking into enemy territory. It was absurd, she thought, trying to shake off the unnatural fear.

“I hope I haven’t come too late,” she said softly as she followed him to the living room.

Thank you for reading. I look forward to reading your thoughts on this snippet so please feel free to share them. Be sure to check out the other authors on the official page and enjoy the rest of your Sunday. See you next week!

What’s Up, January 2016

On January 2, 2016December 30, 2015 By Stephanie IngramIn Writing2 Comments

January is bittersweet. On one hand, it’s sad the fun leading up to Christmas and New Year’s is over and ahead of us we have plenty of cold and snowy days, but on the other hand, a new month in a new year holds so much promise. It’s no accident that January is a time for resolutions and making changes. After all, it’s a fresh start, a second chance to do something better, whatever that something may be.

I have a lot of hopes and plans for the new year when it comes to my writing and I look forward to sharing these adventures as the months pass.

For starters, I intend to make more of an effort to post on my blog regularly.

At the start of each new month, you will see a “What’s Up” post where I tell you about what I accomplished during the month just passed and what I plan to dive into for the new month beginning.

On Mondays I will post either thoughts on a topic of interest or something related to my latest release (a contest, a puzzle, things I learned while writing, etc).

Wednesdays I am especially excited about. I will be sharing a free short story each week roughly 1,000 words at a time.

Fridays I hope to open my blog to help support and promote my fellow authors. I will either have a special guest interview or I will post something related to a book I read and enjoyed. If you are an author and would like to visit me, please contact me at ingramsl (at) gmail (dot) com so we can set a date! I promise to keep it fun.

And last but not least, my favorite – Sundays I will continue participation in the Weekend Writing Warriors, a blog hop where several authors come together to share 8 to 10 sentences of a current work-in-progress. I started this in November and love the sense of camaraderie that comes with it. Even if I can’t keep up with all the other posts, I will stick with this one.

As needed, I will post announcements for new book releases and the details on where you can find them.

Secondly, and most important, I will write more! And I won’t just write, which in all fairness I did a lot of in 2015 – but I will actually finish the stories I start. It is my goal to publish at least three books in 2016. Sure, I wouldn’t mind accomplishing more than this but I figure three is a conservative and reachable goal.

On a personal level, I plan to read more than ever. I want to stretch outside my preferred genres and read all books. I have a library card and I’m not afraid to use it! I will also include several non-fiction books on my list, particularly those I feel will help me develop as an author.

As for my December progress… Well, most of my progress went into cleaning and preparing for the holidays! I made very little progress on my rewrites of my NaNoWriMo novel so this will be my main focus in January. When I finish a round of rewrites, I will put it aside and finish writing Rise of the Angerroots.

Also, the Short Story Competition begins on January 22nd. Look for updates on my progress in next month’s What’s Up post! Wish me luck. 🙂

Be sure to join my Mailing List if you want to be the first to find out about new book releases. You can find the sign up link HERE.

As always, you can find me on several social media sites including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Overall, I’m looking forward to a great start to what promises to be a fun and productive new year.

Happy 2016! 🙂

Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday – Do I Know You?

On December 20, 2015December 17, 2015 By Stephanie IngramIn Weekend Writing Warriors32 Comments

Merry Christmas! Are you ready for Santa? I wish all of you a very happy holiday filled with love and happiness. Wherever you are and however you plan to spend the day, I hope it exceeds your expectations.

But first, welcome to my contribution to the Weekend Writing Warriors, a weekly blog hop where a gathering of authors post 8 to 10 sentences of a current work-in-progress. You can find the complete list of participating authors at http://www.wewrima.com as well as the instructions on how to join in next week’s hop if you so desire.

Last week I shared a snippet from Rise of the Angerroots, a story that I hope to finish early in the new year. It’s been one of my favorites to write and I’m looking forward to sharing it. Max had just discovered that his fiancee is still alive and he knows where she’s hiding. This week we jump ahead a little to the point when finally he comes face to face with her again. Their reunion isn’t what he is expecting.

“Do I know you?” she said at last, breaking the awkward silence that hung between them.

His eyebrows wrinkled in confusion. Was she making a joke? He searched her eyes for some sign of recognition but there did not appear to be any.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled as his mind raced and his heart pounded, “I thought you were someone else.”

“That’s okay.”

And just like that, she turned her attention back to the task at hand. All of the years that had passed between them had been erased. A pain clenched his stomach as though someone had punched him hard in the gut. He hadn’t been one to believe in second chances but now he wondered.

As always, thank you for reading and I look forward to your thoughts. I won’t be participating in next week’s hop so I will see you again in January!

Fellow authors, I am planning to open up my blog for interviews and book spotlights in the new year. If you would like to reserve a spot, send me an email at ingramsl (at) gmail (dot) com. Please feel free!

Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday – The Quest to Find Her

On December 13, 2015December 11, 2015 By Stephanie IngramIn Weekend Writing Warriors52 Comments

Welcome to my contribution to Weekend Writing Warriors! During this awesome blog hop many wonderfully talented authors share 8 to 10 sentences from a current work-in-progress. For the official list of participating authors, visit http://www.wewriwa.com and feel free to sign up for next week’s list! This is a friendly bunch.

I’m scratching my head this week as I decide what I will share. I admit, my writing has slowed considerably since entering December. The closer we get to Christmas, the busier I am with pretty much everything else. Most of my writing projects have hit a standstill. However, since I still have a few projects in various stages of completion, I am eager to continue sharing my weekly snippets. It’s just a matter of deciding which one!

Last week I shared a bit of my zombie story. I suppose this week I will switch gears yet again and share a story that is a long time in the making, but of all the stories I’ve written, it’s so far one of my favorites. It’s currently titled Obdormio, Rise of the Angerroots.

As always, I thank you for taking the time to visit my page and reading my snippet. I would love to read your thoughts on what I’ve shared and I hope you’ll return again next week.

“You’re the only one left who can protect her,” the older man had told him.

At first Max didn’t want to believe it. It would have made the pain a little more tolerable knowing she was dead. He could finally lay the past to rest. Although her father had supplied very few details to help Max on this quest, he knew even then, it was a quest he couldn’t refuse. It was his duty as her betrothed to find her.

Even if she didn’t want to be found.

He looked back at the crumpled paper in his hands. After all this time, after all the lost sleep, the worrying, the waiting, finally, he held the evidence in his grasp that she was alive.

Be sure to return to http://www.wewriwa.com to read more snippets from my fellow authors. Enjoy your day!