Republishing a book

As is obvious here, I have been ignoring blogs in favor of other projects and some real life issues. I am writing though, staying active in my mind even if words don't make it to the blog world.

One thing I think I have learned is that I can republish Golden Chains with a new title and not have to lose reviews or its history. Its Kindle number is what determines that and unless I deleted the book, it would remain. I will have to mention the prior title in the product description to be fair to previous readers and not have people mad at me.

A far better title came to me and with it a new cover. I created a trailer which I think is going to mostly stay as it is with a possible tweak of a photo or so. It will go up when the book does.

It has pulled me away from working on the rodeo story, but I want this one to be recreated in a way that is truer to what it is. That is one of the problems a writer has-- promoting a book in a way that reflects its energy accurately. It sounds easier than it is even when the writer is the one most familiar with the book.

When I decided to do a new cover and title, I also decided to expand the book's length and change some of the emphasis within it. I think it'll make a better story-- although this is more like adding highlights and accents than changing the basic plot.

Now in doing all of this, I will also do something I had said I wouldn't do again-- offer it free when it goes up. I feel that's only fair to previous purchasers (few though there were).

So when I get it done and republished, within a few days it'll get two free days, and I will definitely be mentioning that here. So far I feel good about it and the trailer that will go up at the same time. The editing is ongoing...

Blogs that help

Besides blogs out there, like mine, which are by writers helping writers both be seen and providing information on writing, there are others by those who don't write but are concerned with promoting books. Some are primarily aimed at promoting independent writers because they believe in this brave new world.  Laurie is of that ilk and not an author (yet-- those things can change fast sometimes), but she really gives indie writers a chance and does it for the love of reading.

I really appreciate the feature she put together for my latest book, Sky Daughter. If you have time, head on over and take a look. Bookmark her blog for future reference as she does both paranormal and non-paranormal books on two different blogs where she provides a mix of reviews, interviews and information.   

Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews 

Naturally as a writer, where the hardest part after writing is getting a book even seen, I feel much appreciation to her.  She put a lot of work in making this blog look good with so much information. She definitely has a marketing gift.

But as a reader, I think she is also providing a real service to help people like me find out more about the books and writers before I buy. This kind of thing can also educate future writers about different aspects of writing. Thanks again, Laurie.

Laurie's blog-- for Sky Daughter

profanity and fiction

There are a lot of choices a writer must make-- well anybody putting together a creative project. How much do you reveal of what is there? Where do you sugarcoat something to make the reader comfortable? When do you lose authenticity if you do that? Profanity is one of those issues.

Mostly in my stories, I stick to minor cursing for my lead characters.  Once in awhile I put in a -- he cursed graphically or used words she'd never heard that way. But in general I feel it's not necessary to put in the cruder curses. On the other hand, it is definitely ignoring how a lot of people do talk routinely.

Although I rarely curse myself, it's not because I don't know the words. I grew up with a father who had quite a vocabulary. He stopped that language when my babies were born. I am not sure when my husband's father had quit but he evidently also had a pretty wide ranging vocabulary which at a certain point he stopped as I don't remember ever hearing him curse.

Years ago we lived next door to a very nice couple, both doctors, and that lady had come from Brooklyn (which might or might not relate). The swear words she could use and did were unbelievable, and they spewed out no matter who was around as part of her routine conversation. I kind of cringed a bit as I had small children then, but they already were learning words in school that I didn't learn until I was in college.

It was around 1962 when my family was spending an overnight with an aunt where I would be sharing her bed. I had had a date that night; and when I got home, she and I talked awhile lying in bed. I asked her the meaning of a word I'd heard for the first time. Fortunately she knew it.

I had to explain the meaning of the same word to my daughter when she was in the second grade which was likely around 1973. The world had changed a lot in not many years. I lay some of that to videos where movies came into people's homes with language that at one time would have been censored before it hit the small screen.

Personally I am not offended by swear words from others with only a very few exceptions. There are many that used to seem totally unacceptable in polite society but now are heard frequently and from the mouths of very nice people. Some really do express certain situations better than any other words.

Where I don't like to hear them is when someone is angry. It offends me more than I can say if I am having an argument with someone-- which pretty well means my husband as he's about the only one I argue with-- and he uses a coarse phrase. Even more than that I would leave an area immediately if I heard someone using profanity when they were in a rage. Perhaps it goes back to my own childhood because it scares me.

Swearing as part of a routine conversation-- no problem. 

Swearing when infuriated-- I'm outta there.

So that's life and how I handle it. In the books though it's often something I have to consider. It's not even just crude words but also those that the religious take offense at hearing. It's nigh unto impossible to write a man's conversation without some of that unless he is a religious person.

So when writing dialogue, I always ask-- should I write it as they would say it-- or as the reader would rather read them saying it? It's a question I ask with each book. Now some characters will never swear as it's not part of their persona. Some wouldn't use a truly crude word. Others though, they do and it's part of who they are. To write their dialogue without it simply gives up part of what makes them who they are (the assumption being that means uneducated or quick to take offense-- but my very educated and not quick to anger neighbor proves that's not always the case).

One absolute for me-- more accurate or not-- I will not use a word that demeans another race or class of people even though I grew up hearing those words too. I just feel they should be forgotten-- not that they will be.

This issue has me thinking about it again as I am editing a story of the rodeo set in 1974 which I plan to put out as an eBook in June. When I originally wrote the story, I sugarcoated the language. Now though it seems as though I'd be leaving out an important part of the atmosphere and energy to do that. By its very nature, this should be a grittier story than some of my others. Earthy language seems not only appropriate but part of the books' truth. The language when a group of men are talking together should be what it would be. Language also differentiates these characters from those who are gross and those who are of a more gentle nature.