Down Time

The winter months are normally my down time, although I would hardly call it that some days.

But I am not running every weekend to a book store or festival and don't sepend several hours each week contacting media and setting up interviews and listings. I do still continue building my onlie presence, which sometimes eats up more time than five signings in one week! But at least I am home to do this.

I continue working on HEATHER. It will probably not be completed until this summer, though.

I will continue to write, as I have a science-fiction story involving two brothers in a war that begs to be told. And, believe it or not, it is the first story I ever created! I was thirteen years old when I wrote the basic outline and penned several scenes. Of course, I have not even glanced at what I wrote back then! Maturity and understanding how the world and people really function changes many things. I can always tell when a story has been written by a teenager - not only is the writing not up to par, but the characters behave unnaturally and usually the story sounds more like the teen's own personal fantasy. Eventually maturity will bring depth & realism to the characters and story, so they should never abandon their ideas.

I mean, who would have thought the two characters I created SO many years ago would return to my mind? Guess I've come full circle, then!

Oscars Tonight

* guest blogger tonight!

"Very shortly, the awards ceremony to end all ceremonies will commence. The media will frantically attempt to get every moment on film, ask every star that one question they have been asked a thousand times, all in the name of entertainment.

"Personally, I find this kind of reporting very dull! These people are actors - we pay them to entertain us. Their actions do not determine the fate of our country. They just act in movies, or produce movies, or do special effects. They work, just like you and I.

"Personally, I've had enough drama in my real life to not put much stock in the drama of movies! Sporting events are far more interesting and at least the outcome not predetermined by a script.

Nonetheless, I will have to spend my Monday making sure the Oscars are prominently featured in the Orlando Sentinel, whether I want to or not. Guess then I will discover the winners, too.

"As I have no intentions of watching tonight!!"

- James Sheppard, Junior Editor, Orlando Sentinel

Galleys & Proofing

I now have in my possession the first round galley of my fourth book, MIKE, and am editing & proofing the content. Cover art is already set and one revision being done to the back cover, but I should be able to post a sample of that soon on my website!

I will also be getting bookmarks, postcards and posters soon for the book as well!

As always, the release date is coming up on me faster than I am ready!

Stretching

"One of the most common mistakes, and one of the costliest, is thinking that success is due to some genius, some magic something or other, which we do not possess. Success is due to our stretching to the challenges of life. Failure comes when we shrink from them."

- John C. Maxwell, "Be All You Can Be!"