Hehe is very excited to announce the unveiling of my sparkly new (and extremely simple) website: BeaulahPragg.com
In other news, I had to deal with my first reporting of 'I started reading your book!''Really? Awesome!' 'Yeah, then I stopped. It wasn't really my thing.'
Sigh. Needless to say, I got really depressed for like a whole hour and started questioning the meaning of my existance... Was I really a writer? Maybe I sucked and should go become an accountant!My Boyfriend persevered and tried to talk me through this insanity, while simultaneously asking me why I, who needed so much reinforcement and approval, had chosen to be a writer in the first place. That stung. Further catastrophization ensued until finally I had a bit of an epiphany. If I give up on writing then I won't have any reason to stick with anything else I choose either. I don't actually have to make every single person in the world happy (at least not with this one book). And finally, I will be way happier, and therefore make the people around me happier, if I start doing things because I want to, not because they fit some crazy algorithm for what will make the most people happy with my choice. *Takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly*... sometimes I feel distinctly neurotic =P
Of course, after I figured all this out, I went to a pre wedding party and one of my close friends said 'You know, I started reading the Lord of the Rings and got a couple of pages in and stopped, it just wasn't really my thing.' So there you go. Even Tolkien got that reaction sometimes.
*hugs*
Love,
B
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
What now?
So it has been a week since I published my first book on Smashwords and I have sold 19 copies. While this is supremely cool and I am hugely thankful to my friend and family for supporting me, I find myself in a strange and eerie situation of wondering what now? Do I go all out and try to promote the first book? Do I start work on book 2? Do I take a holiday and readdress the question after Christmas? A lot of people have told me that they are keen to get a copy of my book, but want to be able to read it away from the computer, so perhaps setting up Print on Demand is in order.
Lol, I need to relax and learn how to celebrate, don't I?
*hugs*
Love,
B
Lol, I need to relax and learn how to celebrate, don't I?
*hugs*
Love,
B
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Amazing Review
Review by: mharward on Dec. 14, 2010 : 5 star
When I was told to read this book, I have to admit I was a little sceptical. The first novel of a new author. However, later that night and over 100 pages later my scepticism was gone.
This book, while clearly written as a young adult text in terms of language and theme, provides an enchanting intertwining of science fiction and fantasy concepts. It deals with issues such as the nature of self, loyalty, immortality, family, friendship, and the wider issues of ethics.
The characters are believable and well developed. In particular I was impressed with the realism of the characters emotions and thoughts. Characters that don't have to take themselves seriously, characters whose emotions are based not just on themselves but the culture and community in which they live.
The plot lines are interesting, suspense is generated and used to maximum effect with some rather nice plot twists. [[Spoiler Alert] In the text, the author plays with the concept of time, using different characters perception of time to move the plot forward. I found this technique a refreshingly original take on plot development.]
My main criticism of the text is that the setting of the story sometimes takes second place to character interaction when it doesn't have to. As the novel progresses the authors techniques in this area are improved, but it still needs a little work.
Having said all of the above, I thoroughly recommend this book. I loved the merging of the science fiction and high fantasy themes. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
[Conflict of Interest: I know the author.]
(reviewed the day of purchase)
When I was told to read this book, I have to admit I was a little sceptical. The first novel of a new author. However, later that night and over 100 pages later my scepticism was gone.
This book, while clearly written as a young adult text in terms of language and theme, provides an enchanting intertwining of science fiction and fantasy concepts. It deals with issues such as the nature of self, loyalty, immortality, family, friendship, and the wider issues of ethics.
The characters are believable and well developed. In particular I was impressed with the realism of the characters emotions and thoughts. Characters that don't have to take themselves seriously, characters whose emotions are based not just on themselves but the culture and community in which they live.
The plot lines are interesting, suspense is generated and used to maximum effect with some rather nice plot twists. [[Spoiler Alert] In the text, the author plays with the concept of time, using different characters perception of time to move the plot forward. I found this technique a refreshingly original take on plot development.]
My main criticism of the text is that the setting of the story sometimes takes second place to character interaction when it doesn't have to. As the novel progresses the authors techniques in this area are improved, but it still needs a little work.
Having said all of the above, I thoroughly recommend this book. I loved the merging of the science fiction and high fantasy themes. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
[Conflict of Interest: I know the author.]
(reviewed the day of purchase)
Feeling very supported
Hehehe I am so grateful to everyone who has bought my book so far (sixteen at time of writing). It is an amazing feeling to see friends doing shout outs on facebook and making that number climb. Little nervous about getting the reviews in, but even more aware that once people finish this book, they are going to want book two... so time to get cracking!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
I've gone and done it!
The Silver Hawk is for sale! Just go to Smashwords (The Silver Hawk), create an account and then use the coupon code XS79A to get 50% off until Christmas!
I know that the book is not perfect, but I realized yesterday that if I wait until it is, then I will be waiting forever. I would rather create momentum, survive any burning reviews (especially if they are well deserved) and just keep going. I have already had one person buy the book since last night!! *Grins* So I'll keep you apprised of how I go.
Wish me luck...
*hugs*
B
I know that the book is not perfect, but I realized yesterday that if I wait until it is, then I will be waiting forever. I would rather create momentum, survive any burning reviews (especially if they are well deserved) and just keep going. I have already had one person buy the book since last night!! *Grins* So I'll keep you apprised of how I go.
Wish me luck...
*hugs*
B
Monday, November 22, 2010
Time Capsules and Making Things Happen
Recently I have been hugely privilaged to be a part creating of the 2010 Canterbury Time Capsule, a project designed to collect letters about everyday people's experiences of the recent Canterbury Earthquake and preserve them in a Time Capsule for fifty years. There are many ways of telling a story, and this one feels profoundly meaningful to me as it is the best kind of story there is - a real one.
Understanding how the same event can lead to such a huge variety of experiences is vital for an author. For some people, it signified the destruction of everything they had worked for - while for others it meant the ability to rebuild something better. The other important thing I have realized is that the meaning is not static - what might have started out a bad thing can morph into a positive experience or vice versa.
In the past, I have usually thought of myself as a small person - I am only 22 years old, I have no real connections to the business world, I work in a cinema selling popcorn, but last week, when I got to stand in that ceremony, supporting Argene's project and then afterward, shaking the mayor's hand and talking to people about what we are up to... well that definitely reinvented my self image! I am starting to see that we are all just people, doing the best we can with the resources we have. Making something happen just takes passion, hard work and a good dose of faith.
It is the same thing for my book. The most important component is the ongoing faith that it will happen, and when it does, it will be wonderful.
All the best with whatever you are up for.
Love,
Beaulah
Understanding how the same event can lead to such a huge variety of experiences is vital for an author. For some people, it signified the destruction of everything they had worked for - while for others it meant the ability to rebuild something better. The other important thing I have realized is that the meaning is not static - what might have started out a bad thing can morph into a positive experience or vice versa.
In the past, I have usually thought of myself as a small person - I am only 22 years old, I have no real connections to the business world, I work in a cinema selling popcorn, but last week, when I got to stand in that ceremony, supporting Argene's project and then afterward, shaking the mayor's hand and talking to people about what we are up to... well that definitely reinvented my self image! I am starting to see that we are all just people, doing the best we can with the resources we have. Making something happen just takes passion, hard work and a good dose of faith.
It is the same thing for my book. The most important component is the ongoing faith that it will happen, and when it does, it will be wonderful.
All the best with whatever you are up for.
Love,
Beaulah
Saturday, November 13, 2010
New Cover!!
Just finished a new cover in preparation for my eBook release - it is made up of all original images that I own the copyright for. The foreground is Juli and in the background, you can see Tasya doing her martial art and the hawk, which is the symbol of Kam's house.
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