Friday, January 25, 2013

Readers Speak Out

Ebooks are hot! That’s not new news. I have a kindle myself and love it. I also have five books out in e-format and two more coming this year.

While surfing through some book sites, I wondered what drew readers in this new world to buy a book? It’s not like they’re in a bookstore, walking by the displays, scanning the shelves, and running their fingers over the spines.

So, on a reader board, I asked the question. What draws you to a book?

I had a great response. Readers are great. Tell them you’re an author and need to know something and they step up.

A few told me they read reviews while others said they go on recommendations from friends. Then there were those who said they never go on friend recommendations because they’ve found in the past their friends had different tastes.

Some buy an author because they’ve heard a buzz about the book. They might not know where the buzz came from, but there had been a buzz and it stuck.

After much discussion, back and forth, the overwhelming majority agreed, the top two reasons they look at a book, even in the cyber world, are the title and the cover. And the reason they buy a book is they were intrigued by the blurb and enjoyed the sample chapters.

If you’re a writer, you’re a reader. So readers, do you agree with the readers on the board? How do you find books in the cyber world?



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Sunday, January 6, 2013

Dance Your Way Through Winter

Let’s dance. January is a depressing month for many. Some of you might begin to cry cabin-fever as soon as the ball drops in Times Square. Why is that? If you’re one of the millions who suffers each year from SAD or cabin-fever would you love to not suffer?

I love winter. I’m not one to suffer from SAD or cabin-fever, but my body does slow down and the mind seems to say, “Okay, if you’re not going to move, I might as well rest too.” I didn’t want that to happen to me this year. I’ve set some pretty aggressive goals for 2013, which is going to be a busy, so I decided last week before the old year was waving Tata to again get myself primed for the coldest months if the year, here in the NE USA.

I began to dance in the morning as a form of exercise. I love to dance. My husband not so much. So, the minute my feet hit the florr, I’m struttin’ my stuff to any beat I want. In a week, my energy level has soared. Yes, even after a very busy holiday season. I’ve got tons of energy.

If you don’t believe me that dancing can do this, here are some articles verifying the benefits of shaling your booty. Check them out.

http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/get_motivated/lets_dance_to_health.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/belly-dancing/AN01491

Another great thing about dancing, you don’t need a video or a special piece of equipment. Just crank up the music and dance. Dance in the sunlight. Dance your way through January and February.

Do you have a way to fend off SAD or cabin fever you’d like to share? Or have you seen another article on dancing for health? If so, please share the link.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year!


It’s the first of the year and as usual I long to set goals. There is a lot I can’t control, but there is much I can, and that is what I need to focus on. I learned that little bit of wisdom in 2012 from my eldest son. There was much in my life I couldn’t control in 2012, and I let it stress me out to the point I almost had a stroke. Not good.

I also learned to keep in mind that doing things that I love makes me happy. So limiting the worry on the uncontrollable, doing something about the things I have control over, and doing more of the things I love is what I’m going to do this year.

Do you have a goal this year?