Food For Thought

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way
he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and
tangled Christmas tree lights."

"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making
a life."

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's
mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I
usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.

"People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will
forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them
feel."

~~Maya Angelou

Death Penalty

An eye for an eye. I use to think this way until I watched a movie called Somersby. It changed my opinion about the death penalty.

I was hoping Arnold would give Tookie clemency. Mainly because as a society we say we want those in jail to turn their lives around. To be sorry for their actions and try to be a better person. I think in this situation it happen. I don’t think he should be excused from what he did, but he should have lived the rest of his life in prison.

You go to jail for killing someone. How is killing them making it right?

Maybe one day my opinion will change again, but for now I think we really should rethink the death penalty. Do we need it? Why have it if we’re going to continue asking for clemency. Send the people to jail and be done with it.

Ok I’m off of my soap box.

Rest In Peace

Richard Pryor

Yes I was a fan of Richard Pryor. He was the first comedian I ever saw do a concert. He cracked me up. Yes he had some vugar bits, but the man was funny. I was sadden to hear he died. He open doors for many other comedians and its good to know he’ll go down in history because of that.

Pat Morita

I was also sadden to hear of the death of Mr. Miyagi. In the 80's everybody was a fan of the Karate Kid movies. We all thought if we did the wax on wax off we could kick some butt.

My sympathy to their family, friends and fans. They will be truly missed.

BOOK WINNER - Made Of Honor

I would like to thank those who stopped by the blog for Marilynn’s tour. I would like send a special thank you to the ladies who left a comment.

I put your names in a hat and the winner is …….Claudia

Claudia send me your mailing address and I’ll send you a copy of Marilynn new book. You’re going to enjoy it.

Would you like to be a guest on my blog?

Contact me at sormag@yahoo.com

EXCERPT: Made Of Honor

MADE OF HONOR - MARILYNN GRIFFITH

CHAPTER ONE

I'm turning into a Chia pet.

With legs.

Little children are starting to toss dandelions when they see me. The brides of Leverhill, Illinois have taught the kiddies well. One little darling from church, a cutie with zigzag parts and snaggle teeth, wants to grow up and take my job-big flower girl. The little girl nailed it, especially about the big part, but we're not going there. Not today, with my formerly fat best friend looking like Twiggy goes bridal, while I gasp for breath in a dress fit for a train wreck. My only consolation is not having to worry about Tracey aiming a floral missile (known to some as a bouquet) at my head later on.

She wouldn't do me like that, would she? Nah. At least that's what I tell myself, but then I thought this wedding wouldn't happen either. Still, this bride is one of my closest friends and my roommate for the past three years. Tracey Cox, well, Tracey Blackman now, has picked enough baby's breath out of my teeth to know better.

Just in case though, a pint of Chunky Monkey and a pedicure appointment await me after this reception. Who knows? Tracey just might snap and throw long. Marriage does things to people. One day they're normal and the next they're inviting total strangers to wear ugly dresses in their weddings and then after the ceremony, said brides proceed to cut off all communication with members of the wedding party except for goofy Christmas photos of the newlyweds cradling an ugly dog, signed "from all of us." And don't let them actually get pregnant. Have you ever seen an entire album of birth photos? Not cute.

Do I sound bitter?

I'm not. I have friends. Sistahs even. And trying to keep up with them, keep my job and stay right with God occupies most of my time. Like now. I need to find Rochelle, my other best friend (yes, I have two) and founder of the Sassy Sistahood email list. If I don't catch up to her soon, she might make a fool of herself.

Or me.

Though my girlfriend is a paragon of virtue most days, weddings turn Rochelle into a gelatinous pool of desperation. Remember the birth photo album I mentioned? It's worse. Okay, so nothing's worse than that, but it's bad. Even the sight of me, voluptuous black woman tangled in tulips after a bouquet toss, is easier on the eyes.

Using my emergency x-ray vision (activated by squinting so hard I almost fused my contacts to my eyeballs) I glimpsed a pink satin horror similar to my own, but a set of three-inch shoulder pads blocked my view. Who would wear a power suit to a wedding-my boss. There she was, looking just as angry as when I'd left her at work last night. I ducked before she saw me, recovering from my shock that she'd even shown up. The bride, who left our office to start her own graphic design firm six months ago, insisted on inviting Naomi, her-former and my-current employer and Renee, my assistant, who was probably somewhere taking pictures of me for blackmail. She'd be giggling in my ear about this dress for the next month. At least.

My future torture aside, I was proud of Naomi for actually leaving the office (I think she secretly lives there). For her to show up at her own funeral would be the height of etiquette. Some people just don't grasp interaction, you know? And having "interacted" with Naomi daily for the past six years, I could do without her today. Besides, I needed to find Sassy Sistah #1 before she melted down and kissed somebody.

With that thought as fuel, I forced my Baker dyeables (those satin shoes that can be dyed to match your gown? I know. Prom flashbacks.) across the sprinkle of autumn leaves on the ground. Rochelle tiptoed up beside me, fanning her face, despite the growing chill. Man Mania was in full swing.

"Did you see Ryan's brother?" She said breathlessly. "From the looks of things, Tracey should have picked him."

From the reality of things. Anyone seemed a better choice. I mentally squashed the nagging doubt about my friend's hour-old marriage. Thoughts like that were getting me nowhere. It was done. God would have to take it from here. Me worrying myself to an ulcer before I got back to work on Monday was definitely a waste of resources.

I shook my head at Rochelle and considered reaching out and shaking hers. This time she was really in the zone. I spoke right into her ear, hoping it would jar her brain. "I wasn't really paying attention to the brother of the groom." Or any other man around here. What would be the point? The last guy I dated had just married my best friend.

Rochelle made a clucking sound. "You should have been paying attention. His brother is foine." She rolled her neck for effect, but didn't quite pull it off. I just stared. She'd been watching too much UPN again.

"Come on." I tugged at her arm and started back across the smattering of red-gold leaves, away from Mr. Foine. She'd hate me later if I didn't. If a brothah showed up tomorrow in response to Rochelle's flirting, she would run for her life while dictating a restraining order into her recorder.

Usually, her wedding trance would have been long since broken. But this was Tracey's wedding. And whether Rochelle and I were willing to admit it or not, we'd both thought that if anyone got married, it'd be one of the two of us, not the cute, fat, geek of the group. Not that Tracey was fat anymore. The plump-but-cute girl role was currently being played by moi. My midsection pressed against the strangling fabric of my dress as if in agreement.

Rochelle made a shrill sound, almost like a whistle. The weary-in-well-doing sigh. The sound she makes when she just can't take anymore. Not a good sign. Her pink leather t-strap shoes, designed by her own hand and much prettier than my castoffs from last year's spring formal, peeked from underneath her frock, several sizes smaller than my own. Our skirts skimmed the lawn every few steps. This was downright antebellum. If I didn't know better, I'd think a plantation was going to pop out of the ground any minute.

Rochelle's words cut through my thoughts. "I can't help feeling romantic on days like this. Lately, I even wonder if-"

"If what?" My body stiffened. I'd heard this speech before. All my die-hard single friends give this little talk before becoming wife wannabes. Tracey's little rant three months ago was still fresh in my mind. Rochelle? Despite her wedding breakdowns, I never thought I'd hear it from her. Well, not until Jericho graduated from high school anyway. That boy kept us all busy.

"I'm just talking," she said, moving faster. "It's nothing, really."

More like a big something, but I decided to leave it. This day had enough mess going without adding to it. "I hope the punch is good."

Rochelle nodded, gathering her skirt to gain a little speed. Good punch could cover a multitude of sins. Even Tracey marrying Ryan. (Okay, he's not so bad. He's rich, handsome and loves her to pieces. But there's just something creepy about the guy. I don't know. Forget I said anything).

While I pondered the groom's strangeness, Rochelle grabbed my wrist, digging her natural length nails into my flesh. Without looking at her, I knew it was already too late. And we'd almost made it to punchdom.

Tracey would not, could not throw that bouquet at me.

But she did.

A few inches ahead, a group of women floated onto the green in front of us, like a cloud of cotton candy. The bride broke through, holding her weapon of choice, peach hybrid roses from the Leverhill Botanical Gardens.

"Run!" Rochelle screamed with the concern of a fire marshal at a brewing blaze.

Obeying her command was my first mistake. The stop-drop-and-roll technique is always best to achieve my goals: avoiding head trauma, keeping the contacts in and keeping the dress covering my backside.

As previously stated, I deviated from this method.

When nothing tagged the back of my head (seriously, they stopped aiming for my hands two summers ago) I did a dumb thing and turned around. The bouquet slapped against my forehead like a Jackie Chan sound effect. I tripped on my skirt trying to escape (she'd already nailed me, of course, but it was instinct). My dress ballooned around my waist like a giant boat made of Bubble Yum.

Then . . . the pain burned beneath my eye. What was that? I dropped to one knee, jerking the whole pink mess of me back into place, while peeking through my fingers. Something I mistook for tears trickled into my mouth. Blood.

I wobbled to my feet. "What in the world?" I'd been hit with a lot of flowers, a few small shrubs even, but no one had ever drawn blood. This was past wrong.

Rochelle hovered over me, panting and picking greenery from between my braids. Satisfied with her job on that, she peeled back my fingers and surveyed the scratch under my eye. "The thorns. Tracey forgot to have them removed. It was the only thing on her list . . . Sorry."

I took my hand off my eye. Rochelle's tone let me know that she hadn't been in on this but she had been aware of the possibility. Not for the first time, the Sassy Sistahs had made me mad. Tracey approached slowly, waving like she always does after doing something crazy. I felt my anger wash away at the sight of her silly grin. Still, this was a bit much. "Thorns? You've got to be kidding."

"Wish I was." Rochelle dabbed my face with a napkin from her clutch. No doubt there was a first aid kit, needle and thread, makeup bag and two shades of pantyhose crammed in that tiny thing. How she'd even managed to hold on to it while trying to drag me to safety was beyond me, but I'd long given up on trying to figure out Chelle's superwoman capabilities. She just has skills like that. I'm lucky to keep my shoes on. (Although I did manage to keep my contacts in. A new accomplishment).

Just before Tracey reached us, someone from the groom's family intercepted and wheeled her away. The beginning of the end. She was no longer my roommate, my best friend. She was someone's wife. We walked past Tracey, giving us the "be right there" signals.

Rochelle smiled. I sulked. "Knowing Tracey, she probably thought it was more Christ-like to leave the thorns on." Mock disgust sounded in my voice. I was trying to be mad and couldn't.

"Hush you," Rochelle said, using our code phrase for when one started in on another of the three. It was the standard defense, but right now I felt like pushing past it.

Tracey joined us and slipped an arm around-well, almost around-my waist. "Got you, didn't I? Sorry about your eye though."

"You'd better be glad I love y'all," I whispered as people packed in around us. Pain seared my scalp where Rochelle had raked a stem through my hair.

"Maybe if you'd helped with the wedding errands, you could have taken care of those thorns." Rochelle said, reaching back in her purse for her dabbing cloth.

Ouch. That hurt way more than my eye. The truth always does. I pushed away Rochelle's hand, preferring to blink my own way back to health. In a minute, there'd be no skin left on the right side of my face. That girl was dangerous with a Kleenex.

Tracey started to say something, but was called away . . . again. I took a deep breath, watching her walk to behind the punch table with her mother-in-law. Where was the groom? Why was I the one getting jealous instead of him? Like I said, he's a little weird. This whole deal was. But there was no use trying to explain that to Rochelle. She wasn't trying to hear it. So I did what I always do-tried to explain it anyway.

"Look, Rochelle, I already regret not helping out with the wedding. But I just wasn't sure about this. When I dated Ryan-"

She tried the neck thing again, with success this time. "Dated? Is that what you call it? That mess was so boring he just stopped calling and came back to the singles group. So he wasn't for you. No reason he can't be the one for Tracey." In a deft motion, she grabbed a napkin from the table next to us, wadded it quickly and removed several layers of my epidermis. "There's just one last spot . . ."

She reached out again, but I shook my head, thinking I should have thrown in some cookies with the Ben and Jerry's waiting for me at home. Somehow we wandered into the punch line. We both relaxed allowing the tide of people to pull us forward. Only when a gruesome Pepto-pink cake with what looked like the watermelon gel I brushed my teeth with for filling came into view was I totally appalled. I definitely should have helped with the wedding plans. The gold-colored punch in the bowl beside the cake monster looked good though.

It would have to be.

From MADE OF HONOR, by Marilynn Griffith, Steeple Hill

ISBN 0373785542, January 2006, Copyright © 2006 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited. ® and tm are trademarks of the publisher. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

BLOG TOUR - Marilynn Griffith

Welcome to our first blog tour. Our special guest this week is someone I’m proud to call a friend. We met online and our friendship blossom. She always knows when to send me a pick me up email. We talk on the phone for hours never minding we’re in different states.

When she told me her book sold, I probably shouted more than her. I sat up all night reading it, yes its that good. I’m excited the fiction world is getting a chance to know what I’ve know for years, Mary can WRITE.

This is an author you’ll be adding to your I need to get list.

It is my honor to introduce you to my kindred spirit friend, Marilynn Griffith, debut author of Made Of Honor. A Christian Chick Lit book which will make an excellent Christmas present.

Shades Of Romance Magazine: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

Marilynn Griffith: Well, let's see... I'm mom to a tribe of kids, wife to a very handsome deacon and blessed to be friends with some wonderful writers, like you, LaShaunda. I love to read, write, speak and all things communication related. I'm the person at the family gatherings who is always either telling a story or listening to one! Before realizing I was a writer life was a bit confusing. I tried everything from secretary to math tutor (that actually worked out pretty well). These days it's family, friends and church activities when I'm not writing. I like blogging though. That's fun.

SORMAG: Tell us about your current book?

GRIFFITH: Dana Rose pledges to say "I won't" the next time she's asked to be in a wedding. Her weak will has turned her closet into cemetery for satin gowns from periwinkle to Pepto pink. After ten stints as bridesmaid, Dana thinks she's seen it all. Then she's fired, forced to turn her hobby into a business and faced with her prodigal brother, back-stabbing sis and Mr. Practically Perfect, the ex who not only married someone else, but opened the business of her dreams—across the street. There's that Maid of Honor thing too… And this time she can't say no. Will wedding #11 show Dana what's she's really made of?

SORMAG: What inspired this story?

GRIFFITH: I used to own a seasonal bath and body business. Steeple Hill rejected my first manuscript but they liked my voice. They asked my agent about me doing a chick lit. I didn't know what that was exactly, but the prospect of writing in first person sounded interesting, so I tried it and loved it. I also have had a lot of wonderful single friends over the years.

SORMAG: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

GRIFFITH: I'd love for readers of MADE OF HONOR to come away from the book knowing that they are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God delights in them and loves them in an intimate way, despite whatever mess riddles their pasts. Christ stands waiting to embrace them as His bride.

SORMAG: How do you balance writing with your "every day life?"

GRIFFITH: I don't. LOL Really. I've long since given God that job. He called me to be a wife and mother and a writer. Sometimes (like a deadline week) that doesn't always look like I think it should, but God graced me with the family I was supposed to have. I try to keep the Word first place and keep the lines of communication open so that when things get off balance (too much work, not enough work) we can talk about it. When I try to stop writing to be Super Mom, my kids are like,"Go write something. You're cranky!"

SORMAG: How can readers learn more about your books and get in contact with you?

GRIFFITH: I can be contacted at marilynngriffith@gmail.com or through comments at my website www.MarilynnGriffith.com .

I'm offering an autograph copy of Made Of Honor to a lucky reader. Post a comment, question and your name will be put in a drawing. Winner will be announced Friday.

Marilynn is on tour all month. Check out the rest of the tour - www.marilynnGriffith.com

SORMAG's ONLINE BOOK CLUB - DECEMBER

Dec 1 - The Bond - Karen Magill
Dec 5 - Bound By Destiny - Rayka Mennen
Dec 8 - Dancing with Temptation - Barbara Joe-Williams
Dec 12 – Catharsis - Minnie E Miller
Dec 15 – Different Flags - Eugenia Renskoff
Dec 19 - Night To Dawn issue 8 -Published by Barbara Custer
Dec 22 - Made of Honor - Marilynn Griffith
Dec 26 - A Woman Scorn'd - Dorothy Goins
Dec 29 - Counting Raindrops through a Stained Glass Window - Cherlyn Michaels

The online book club introduces you to two authors each week by sending out a chapter excerpt of their books.

To join the book club - sormagforum-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If you would like your book featured again in our book club, we are currently scheduling for 2006. All genres are welcome.

Feature your book in our online store - For the low price of 10.00 your book will be featured for DEC

Check it out - http://www.sormag.com/store.html

Would you like to be a FEATURED AUTHOR?
http://www.sormag.com/AUTHOR.html

Please feel free to forward this information on to other book lovers.

Best of Christian Romance Contest

Christian Fiction Blog is sponsoring a contest.

Best Christian Romance Novel Award

From now until Dec. 10 they will be taking nominations for this award. All participants will automatically register to win a free copy of Mary Griffith's Made to Honor. The url for more details is:

http://christianfiction.blogspot.com/2005/11/nominate-your-fav-christian-romance.html

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your family.

In Memory Of Tony C. Williams

Losing a friend is a hard thing to do. Even though we never met in face to face, I considered Tony a friend.

We sent emails to each other and we talked on the phone. He even called me one time when he was in the hospital. I was like man what are you doing on the phone, you need to be resting. As usual he laughed and said he stuff to tell me. That was what I liked about him. He didn’t let being in the hospital get him down. He was a true fighter. He said he had a lot to do and he’d sleep later.

I admired his spunky attitude and his willingness to share his wisdom. I learned a lot from him and I'm thankful the Lord sent him into my life when he did.

Tony you will be missed thanks for sharing your kindred spirit.

TONY C. WILLIAMS

A TRIBUTE TO THE MAN AND HIS LEGACY

Village Baptist Church
100 S. Hilton Street
Baltimore, Maryland
Thursday, December 1, 20056pm – 8pm

“He lost the battle to illness, but he won a place into the hearts of many”

For more information:443-423-9232 – Renee Jones

Prayer Request

My computer has died.

Yes I'm in mourning. This is the wrong time of year for a computer to die. My funds do not see a new one in the near future.

Which is why I'm asking for your prayers. I know the Lord will make a way.

As a writer we are lost without our computers.

I'm taking donations, love offerings even new computers. :)

Thanks for your prayers.

You're the one that I love

November 16, 1996 - LaShaunda & Clyde Forever

Nine years with my hero. Where did the time go?

I met my sweetie in high school. We didn’t date. If you ask him, he’ll tell you I was mean to him, but he liked me. I liked him as a friend, brother figure.

We graduated and didn’t see each other until our 10 year high school reunion. I tried to hook him up with my friend, but they could never get their time together right. Everyone thought we were dating, so we decided why not. To our surprise we fell in love.

Against my mother’s wishes, we moved in together. It was one of the best year of my life. My feeling for him grew and one day I popped the question. OK I didn’t drop to my knee and ask him to marry me. I told him November 16th and he said OK.

We didn’t want a wedding just a reception. However I wanted to walk down the aisle at my church. My step-father was suppose to escort me but he didn’t show so my father had the honor. My walking down the aisle turned into a beautiful wedding which I will forever cherish.

As with any couple we’ve had our ups and downs, but we always come out together. He has been my rock when I thought I was sinking. He has kept my writing dream alive by never letting me forget why I write. He’s the best father in the world. I wished my own father was more like him when I was younger.

I’m glad I asked my best friend to marry me. I would do it all over again, but this time I would drop to my knees.

Thank you Lord for blessing me with my friend, lover, father of my children and best of all my husband. May we be blessed with many more anniversaries.

Quote Of The Week

Chapters "The first chapter sells the book. The last chapter sells the next book." --Mickey Spillane


The Written Word (http://www.topica.com/lists/TheWrittenWordEZine) is a daily source of inspiration for writers, editors and publishers. If you would like to submit a publishing-related quote, please e-mail the quotation with the accurate source to Maidenfate@aol.com. Use the subject heading "The WrittenWord." We do not accept anonymous quotes.Feel free to forward these quotes on to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. If you would like to unsubscribe from this list, simply e-mail TheWrittenWordEZine-unsubscribe@topica.com.

Encouragement

As a writer we need encouragement too. I know I have those days, when I wonder what in the world am I doing.

Last night I received a call from a fellow writer whose books are about to hit the shelves in January. Yes you read right, books. She has two books coming out in January. Made of Honor and Pink.

Marylynn Griffith is about to make her next mark in the literary world. Many online readers know of her because her online newsletter Word Praize or they’re fans of her wonderful blog, Rhythm of Grace.

Mary as I call her probably doesn’t have a clue her call was very encouraging to me. You see, Mary understands how it feels to be where I am now. Wanting to be published and praying for the Lord to help me find the right publisher for my books.

She called for my advice on promotion and marketing, but her words lifted my spirit. They let me know not to give up on the dream because she is a living testimony that the Lord hears those I want to be published prayers.

I’m too excited about Mary’s book. They are the kind of books, I wish existed when I became a Christian. There’s nothing like looking for a book to encourage your spirit, and not being able to find them. Her books make you laugh, scream and praise the Lord. She calls them serious fun and they are.

I’m looking forward to promoting her book on SORMAG’s blog and introducing our readers to these wonderful books. I know they will be encouragement to other readers.

Thanks Mary for your encouragement.

Contest

One of my favorite bloggers – Brandilynn Collins is sponsoring a contest to win an Advance copy of her book.

I highly recommend signing up for the Sneak Pique newsletter if you a fan of Christian fiction. She has some excellent information in it. Also if you’re interested in writing suspense fiction, her blog is the place to be. Start from the beginning and read how she got published. Its very helpful for the new writer.

Win An
Advanced Reading Copy
of Web of Lies!

Just urge your friends to sign up for Sneak Pique, my e-mail newsletter on Christian fiction sent six times a year. Each time a friend of yours signs up for Sneak Pique, your name will be "put into the hat" for the drawing. So the more friends you send along, the more chances you'll have to win.

Steps to enter contest (please follow all steps in order to qualify):

Forward this e-mail to friends/family not currently receiving Sneak Pique, urging them to sign up. (They can read the latest issue on my Web site).

Friends receiving this forwarded e-mail must:
~ Sign up for the newsletter through this link.

~ Send an e-mail to gayle@brandilyncollins.com, stating (a) the name of the person who referred them to Sneak Pique, and (b) that person's e-mail address. Use the subject heading: Web of Lies Contest.

A wild week

We lost a great shero, Rosa Parks. Rosa decision to stay seated, change our world.

I survived the online conference. It was crazy. My computer decided to crash and there was no saving it. Thank God for my sister and mother having a computer. Just as I was back online, I was hit with a sinus infection. It tried to take me down, but the prayers went up and the Lord held on.

The conference was as my daughter says THE BOMB. We had some excellent panels, I felt like I was in the room with them. They shared their wisdom and I gained so much new knowledge about the crazy writing business.

No I haven’t given up on the dream. I do believe it will happen, in God’s time and not LaShaunda’s time.

The other day I was discussing this with my writing partner, my mother. I told her I’ve learned what patience is. With writing you have to learn patience. Just because you want to become published doesn’t mean it will happen. You have to wait and see. Its not easy, but its worth the wait.

I know there are a lot of you out there waiting too. STAND and know the Lord is on your side. When he makes a way it will happen.

A good book is a good book

Since BET announced Harlequin is buying them. A few blogs have been talking about it and how it will affect the authors and their books.

As a writer I’m sadden to lose another company that focuses on our books. It took years before the publishers recognized that African-American would like books that featured characters that looked like us.

I’ve been reading since I was four. I love books. The fact there is racism concerning books is appalling to me but unfortunately there is.

When our books came out instead of being marketed as romance novels they were marketed as African-American Romance Novels then Multi-Cultural Romance novels. We didn’t come up with the term, the publishers did. They decided to segregate our books. It wasn’t always like this. I remember going to the books stores looking for the books when they were announced. They were in the romance section. I found them by the spines because the book covers weren’t showing. I recognized the logo.

Later the section became the African-American section. So I had two sections to go to now. The AA sections and the romance sections. The romance to get my other books, did I stop reading white romances because they started writing AA romances? No, I’m not color blind a good book is a good book. I just had more authors to buy now.

When I joined RWA, I was surprised by how many of the members had never read an AA romance or even knew an AA author’s name. I was surprised because they were writers and as writers I thought we tried to keep up with the current market. I guess not.

I try to introduce readers to all writers. Yes SORMAG catered to Multi-cultural authors, however every chance I got I was promoting other authors too. I still believe a good book is a good book.

To get passed the racism, readers need to focus on the writing and not who is writing it. For years African-Americans only had books to read by White authors. Did that stop us from enjoying a book NOPE. A good book is a good book.

Here’s my comment I posted at ATBF about the topic about authors being on online communities

Promotion is something I preach to authors all the time. One of the reasons I started SORMAG was because the AA books and authors weren’t receiving a lot of promotion. Wayne started the online promotion, I joined on and then a few more sites did.

Most of the authors I interviewed, I approached them. They didn’t approach me. The ones I’ve never interviewed were because they didn’t have the time or no email. In this time and era its sad if you don’t have an email address. Its even sadder if you can’t make time to do a FREE interview that will help promote your books.

Many readers are now online and they meet new authors by visiting sites, groups and forums. If you’re not promoting your book online how will they know who you are.

Yeah we can moan and groan about white readers not reading our books, but if they don’t know about them how can they.

Many of SORMAG's readers were white, they wanted to find new authors writing good books.

No matter how tired you are, you have to make time for promotion. Because if you’re not promoting , nobody will read your book because they don’t know it exist.

Rejection :(

My book was not what they were looking for. Don’t you just hate those form letters? It makes you want to scream. Tell me what’s wrong with the book so I can fix it or know I should throw it in the closet.

My friend told me rejections let you know that you are working.

I like the sound of that. Especially since I’ve been doing a lot of writing lately.

I was a little hurt when I saw the white envelope on the table. I knew instantly it was a rejection. They never send your stuff back.

A little of me was relieved too. It wasn’t ready. I was so eager to send out, I should have waited and did one last review.

How do I know this? This past weekend, I read a book and as I reading it, I thought of a million things wrong with my own manuscript and how I could improve it.

I’m learning, its not easy but I feel I’m getting better with each book.

I don’t plan on doing any more submissions this year. I’ll start the new year off submitting again. I’m going to finish this year by completing the new novel and one last revision on the manuscript that was rejected. Who knows maybe next time I’ll get the please submit the complete manuscript letter.

Happy writing

Are You A Pumkin?

From one pumpkin to another!!!!!!!

A woman was asked by a coworker, "What is it like to be a Christian?"

The coworker replied, "It is like being a pumpkin." God picks you from thepatch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts offthe top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a newsmiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."

Sexy

This past Thursday was my daughter’s eighth birthday. I treated her to her first manicure and pedicure. She was too excited about getting her nails down professionally.

No I didn’t get the fake nails. She’s a baby. I don’t get the mothers who put on fake nails on kids. She had her own nails. They painted them a soft pink. She was too cute.

While having my own nails done, I read an article about Toni Braxton. I’ve been a fan of her’s since she debuted with Sad Songs. Which I believe is her best record.

She talked about being sexy after two kids. It made me think about being sexy. I haven’t felt sexy in a long time. In my twenties you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t sexy. After I had children, I stopped thinking about being sexy. I now know that was the wrong mentality to have. If you don’t think you’re sexy who will.

I cut my hair a few months ago, and the word sexy came up again in my vocabulary. I remembered being sexy and why I liked being sexy. When you feel sexy your whole being changes.

I plan on treating my baby girl to more manicure/pedicures, because I want her to grow up believing she’s beautiful and sexy. As a young girl those words weren’t in my vocabulary. Hopefully this salon visit will break that mode and start a young girl on a different path.

Do you think you’re sexy?