As promised.  Heeeeeerz, MJ!

Thanks, Karin, for letting me guest today, and to tell you about the marketing strategy for my book, THE SHOP.

I did everything I was supposed to do. I wrote the book of my life. I got a terrific, rocket-fueled agent.  As with previous books, I trusted that would be enough, but realized early on that the publishing industry has changed, and not for the better.  If I didn’t do something to add value to my book, it might never be published. 

So my hubby and I came up with a plan.  At the beginning of my thriller, THE SHOP, six people are killed in a house in Aspen, Colorado, including rising country and pop star Brienne Cross.  The book itself does not explore the lives of Brienne Cross and the people with her—-not as much as I’d like.  So I built a website around Brienne Cross and the final four contestants on her reality show, and captured their lives through features (Someday We Will Know the Truth), articles (Inside the “Soul Mate” Reality Show), blogs, and even blog comments.

An only child, I used to role-play with myself. One minute I was the swash-buckling sailor, the next, the beautiful maiden.  It went like this:  “Dost thou know how much I love thee?”  “I do, sir.”  Now, all these years later I am role-playing again, commenting on my own blog to build the aura of reality around Brienne Cross’s life and death.  I’ve argued with myself, insulted  myself, and agreed with myself.  Some friends have pitched in, and we’ve had a whale of a good time.

I got help along the way. A friend told me about a “Demand It” button that musicians use to find out if people want them to come to their town. The movie “Paranormal Activity,” made for $11,884 dollars, was marketed this way.  If enough people Demanded the film, it would show in their town.  The “Demand It” button does ask you for a minimal amount of information, but they do not sell the info, and it’s just so The Demanders will be kept informed about the band or movie—or in this case, book.  

So I put a “Demand It” button on my website. I’m hoping you will push it.

If I get a ton of demands, it translates into a readymade readership. Publishers love a sure thing.

Okay, end of sales pitch. 

As happy as I am with the site “Who Killed Brienne Cross?” I believe I need to go one louder.  This is a big project—-the first of its kind that I know of—-so it morphs as it goes along. I want it to be interactive. And I could use some help brainstorming. 

One idea is to have a poll every week. Who Killed Brienne Cross? Or, did Brienne have plastic surgery?  (Before and After photos.)

I’d like to sprinkle clues across the four sites (yes, there are four sites: www.briennecross.net, www.briennecross.com, www.celebritymurders.net, and the Mother Ship, www.whokilledbriennecross.com.) I don’t want to get too complicated. But I would like it to be fun, and there would be prizes. I’d like to make it part mystery and part scavenger hunt, with tiny icons marking the clues.

As you can see, this aspect of the project is still in its infancy.

I’d love it if you’d go to www.whokilledbriennecross.com, look around, maybe argue with me, and then Demand It.

And any ideas are greatly appreciated!    

Thanks,

M.J. (Maggy)

 So, I have this friend, MJ Hawk (go ahead and friend her on facebook), who has taken the art of reader interaction to a level I had no idea existed. Think Avatar. She’s coming by tomorrow, and she’s going to let it all hang out and share her genius with us. You must stop by. You will be amazed.

Karin*

Is it me or do I seem to be writing a lot of blogs about me going under then surfacing?  I was thinking last night that not only was it true, but asked myself what it meant.  Here’s what I came up with:  I have a lot going on.  And, it’s never going to change.  And, I’m ok with that.   Despite my writing schedule, which is challenging to say the least, my family life (Baby G is like a crack addiction!), and life outside of my family, I manage to get it all done. 

I just wrapped up a book that I have put more time and effort into than any other book I have written.  The copyedits were grueling.  I tore that manuscript apart.  Over thirty pages of inserts plus changes on just about every page.  Not including the copy editor’s marks.

I loved the story when I sent in the final to my editor.  Not so much after the copy edits were complete.  It felt too disjointed to me.  But I know when I receive the first pass pages it will all fall neatly into place.  Keeping fingers crossed!

The creeping crud has also been making its way through my household.  Nasty stuff.  The only one who has not been affected is the baby.  I’d take it on again so that she doesn’t get it.  So far so good. 

Today is Ash Wednesday.  For Lent, I’m giving up white carbs.  Rice, bread, and pasta.  Giving up pasta is going to kill me, but I’m going to do it. I’ve been enjoying the Olympics, and AI.  I’m trying to catch up on returning emails, reading my RITA books and working on the new book. 

So what’s new with y’all?

Karin*

I’m chugging along. Busy weekend though.  I’m working on copy edits, throwing the oldest a 30^th Birthday party Saturday night, and trying to squeeze in a chapter of BLOOD LAW.

Now to jump to a totally different subject: How many of you have seen Human Target on Fox?  I am in love with that show!  Hunky Christopher Chance has nothing at all to do with it.  Nada!   Snerk.  Not.    

How many of you watched AI this week?  Thoughts on Ellen?  I think she was fab.  I like her much better that Kara.  <Scratches head> not sure why Kara is even there.  I already have a favorite.  Casey the cowboy with the blond ponytail.  I’m rooting for Big Mike too, and the girls have some talent!  I think this year is going to have more talent than any previous year, including the year Carrrie won.

OMG!   I just realized, the Olympics start tonight!!! How could I forget?  So much to watch, so little time.  Thank god for on demand.

Ok, it’s the wee hours of Friday morning, and I have to hit it.  Oh, and if I owe you a return email, don’t hate on me too much.  I am trying to catch up.

Happy Friday!

 Karin*

(warning, mini unintended rant ahead)

I’m not sure if it’s the time of year, seasonal depression and all, this crappy economy, or what, but there seems to be a lot of depressed writers out there.  Almost to the point of an epidemic.  I get some of the reasons.  Rejection hurts.  It makes us feel, well, rejected.  Not good enough. Like we have failed and/or are a failure. But we have to remember there are other reasons for a rejection other than not good enough.  I know lot’s of writers who are more than good enough.  Hell, I’d cut my hands off to write like them!  Yet, they have been unable to sell in this current market.

But we have to work through it.  Work being the optimum word here.  It’s all work. Life is work!

I’ve been depressed before, mostly hormonally induced, and usually it only lasts a day or two at the longest and luckily the occurrences are rare.  I’ve been very sad before, but not severely depressed (not that I can remember anyway).  I don’t have days where I don’t want to get out of bed (unless I’m being very lazy!), or feel as if my life has no meaning.  Maybe I’m too arrogant.  I don’t look to others to make me happy or for justification.  I am just me, at my core, a good person, and have no difficulty if someone doesn’t like me.  I figure it’s their loss not mine. 

I’ve noticed that a lot of folks who are starved for attention tend to get depressed easily, but I wonder—is that just a way to get attention? These types seem to be more sickly than most, or when you talk to them they have the, I’m-at-death’s-door-delivery. A cry for attention?  Or am I being insensitive?  I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not the, “Oh, are-you-alright-what’s-wrong-let-me-help-you,” type.  As in, I don’t cater to those who are looking for attention.  I’m there with bells on if someone needs something and is willing to work hard to get it.  It’s what I do.  To a fault.  Hey, I was 2008 RWA Pro Mentor of the Year!  But I don’t seem to have much tolerance for the woe is me crowd.  I can’t relate. I can’t relate to quitters either.  Or those who whine about how hard they have it but neglect to look in the mirror and realize they haven’t been willing to do the work to actually get it.

It’s all about doing the work.  Not giving up, forcing oneself to get up each morning and taking meaningful steps toward your goal.  No matter what the goal is.  A new job, writing a chapter, going to school.  If one is not willing to do the work, how on earth can one expect the reward?  Who do these people think they are and why do they think the working hard motto doesn’t apply to them?  I guess that’s denial.  I know a person who has had several, ok, more than several, many jobs in a certain industry since they began working.  This person gets hired with high hopes and within months they find their hours are cut, they aren’t making the money everyone else is, and somehow, this is always the management’s fault.  Hmmm.  Funny, the other folks who are willing to do the work don’t have that problem with the management.  The very sad part is, these types of people don’t understand it’s them, not the world.

This turns into a woe is me episode and then the depression follows and then they walk around all sulky with their chins dragging on the floor, and well, I just really want to kick some sense into them.  But that is their cycle, what they do, who they are.  I stay very far away from those types of people.  Unfortunately there are a few of these types sprinkled throughout my family, and I’m the insensitive bad guy because I want nothing to do with their negativeness.  Yeah, whatever.  I so do not have time for being a cheerleader for a team that isn’t willing to practice.

OK, so this blog did not end up anywhere near how I had envisioned it.  It was going to be an uplifting, You can do it, post!  Not a get off your whiney ass and just freaking do it, post.

Ugh.  Sorry, but to those of you who need to get off your ass and just do it, take heart, it’s easy.  Just drop the bullshit excuses and make today the day you begin your new way of life. (yes, it really is that simple.  It’s a choice.  You’re either in or you’re out, only you can make that decision for yourself.)

To those of you who are doing the work and feeling frustrated, (and that is who this blog was intended for) keep working hard.  Each step is one step closer to your goal, whatever that goal may be.  Do not allow naysayers to interfere in your quest.  Do not allow anyone for any reason to deter you from what you want.  It’s yours, but nothing worth having in this life comes easy, most especially to the ones who are in for the long haul!

 Happy Monday!  

Karin*  who is feeling happy and sassy today.  We had a scare yesterday with my FIL and I am just so very happy he is going to be okay.  It’s times like this that always gives me cause for pause, and to realize how good and precious life is, so I get irritated at those who waste so much time being self-induced miserable and blaming the world for it.  Get over it and LIVE!   Life is a miracle!

Ugh, my right hand is about toast!  I’ve had some issues with it for a long time, but now they are compounded by all of the crazy time I spent at the keyboard with this last book, and I think I may have some carpal tunnel going on as well.  No bueno for a writer.  I’m doing the ibuprophen and icing, and I am also staying off the keyboard as much as possible.  I have a ton of emails I have to respond to, but haven’t because it just hurts to type.  My apologies for not getting right back to you, but I will!

I started book one, BLOOD LAW, today, and really need to conserve my hand for writing the story, so I’ll be here, reading and hanging out but silently.  Just consider me your friendly neighborhood lurker this week, at least until I get the pain and swelling under control.

 So, a question:  Totally unrelated to my blog, but who is jazzed about the Olympics starting next Friday?  I can’t wait!!  And who is your fave Olympian??

K*