tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52657288423687238232024-02-20T17:17:48.017-08:00ZanaZanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-44216520206096805682008-11-03T11:04:00.000-08:002008-11-03T11:11:42.358-08:00Just UpdatingHello everyone, I know that it's been awhile but life has been crazy around here. My oldest daughter started head start, my husband is going back to school and I am once again pregnate! That is right, I am now going to have four wonderfull babies! Inbewtween all of this I have really been thinking about this blog. And I want to be able to help others with their writing like people have helped me. So if anyone out there has any ideas for me to start with. Then please let me know! They can be just little helpers. I know that I have been getting daily writing tips from <a href="http://www.dailiywritingtips.com/">www.dailiywritingtips.com</a> and they have helped me out. So if anyone out there can think of anything please let me know so that I can post it for other readers. I am also thinking about posting short stories of people that want some input on their stories. So if you would be intrested in that please let me know. I hope you are all writing daily!Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-49217688322041333322008-08-12T10:15:00.000-07:002008-08-12T10:23:51.608-07:00A Slight ProblemHello everyone, I had an interseting turn of events the last few weeks. I sat down to do some writing the other day and I went to hit a few numbers and then realized that the numbers on my keyboard weren't working. Talk about frustrating. But I managed to work around that. I just begant to type the numbers out in letters. So then my family and I decided to go camping for my husband and I's anversiery. We get back from camping and I decided to sit down and put what I had wrote while camping into the computer. I get all situated with my coffee and the kids are locked on the other side of the door and then....... half of my letter keys wouldn't work. My husband came running into the rom after hearing me yell at the top of my lungs! So I filled him in on what was going on. He just laughed at me and said that I would find a way to fix it. So I sat there for about an hour trying to see if maybe the kids had done something to my computer. But I couldn't find anything wrong. So after a few days of me being very un happy my husband went and bought me a new keyboard. But the thing that really bugs me about the whole situation is that I just got this laptop about 8 months ago, and I coudln't get the warrenty on it because I couldn't afford it! And so now I have my perfect little laptop that I truley love with an externel keyboard! Talk about slight problems. It isnt that easy to pack around anymore. But at least I am back to writing. Which has saved my sanity!<br /><br />Good luck to everyone! And remember if you come across anything you would like to share with us other writers, leave a comment or email me at <a href="mailto:zanadibartolomeo@gmail.com">zanadibartolomeo@gmail.com</a>Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-67659442464050541832008-07-28T21:05:00.000-07:002008-07-28T21:10:05.905-07:00A new ideaI was sitting at home today, when I got a phone call from my grandpa about a article in the newspaper. It was about a man that is starting a new company and he is going to be making adiuo books. He is a local guy, so I started to think about it. And I went to check out his website <a href="http://www.pastastudios.com/">www.pastastudios.com</a> It made me rethink my ideas on books. I think it would be kind of cool to hear your book being acted out. What do you think? He is also having a contest for writing. So if you have never been published before go check it out. Even if you have been published go look around. I am waiting back for an email from him to see if he is going to count my PA publishing as an actuall publishing. Becuase I know a lot of the big publishing companies do not count it as a credit. So go check it out and also leave me your ideas on it.Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-51658271320284207732008-07-28T21:01:00.000-07:002008-07-28T21:05:15.858-07:00Some SitesHello everyone, I got comments about my post about sites that give tips. And I wanted to say sorry to those who didn't agree with one of the sites. There are many sites out there that you have to look at some things and not look at others. But along with those comments I was left some good sites to check out. So I am passing them on to you. I hope that you find them helpful.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fictionfactor.com/novel.html">http://www.fictionfactor.com/novel.html</a><br /><a href="http://www.fictionwriters.com/tips-novel-writing.html">http://www.fictionwriters.com/tips-novel-writing.html</a><br /><a href="http://www.steampunk.com/sfch/writing/ckilian/">http://www.steampunk.com/sfch/writing/ckilian/</a><br /><a href="http://www.writing.org/html/a_agents3.htm">http://www.writing.org/html/a_agents3.htm</a><br /><a href="http://www.writing.org/html/articles.htm">http://www.writing.org/html/articles.htm</a><br /><a href="http://www.agentquery.com/writer_la.aspx">http://www.agentquery.com/writer_la.aspx</a><br /><a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/101BestSites/?m_nYear=2008&m_sCategory=all">http://www.writersdigest.com/101BestSites/?m_nYear=2008&m_sCategory=all</a><br /><br />I hope everyone is getting lots of writing done.Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-53582322257708997552008-07-02T16:02:00.000-07:002008-07-02T16:06:52.816-07:00Writer's Block<strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">I sat down last night to do some writing, wait I take that back I was hoping I could get some writing done (I have been fighting writer's block). And my mind was every where else but writing. I was thinking about the things that I needed to get done the next day. So I began to write out a list of everything that I needed to do. And about a half hour later my husband came in to see how I was doing with my writing (since I have been suffering from writer’s block). He looked at the page then asked me what I was doing. So I stopped jotting down things and looked at the page. I had started my list but then started writing a story and didn’t even notice. All I have to say is, I am out of my writer’s block, the weirdest things can get you over it. But I was just trying to think of the other things that get people out of writer’s block. So give me some ideas on what else people can do to get out of it. I have heard that people just sit down and start writing and that helps. My problem with that is when I have writers block I end up deleting every word I type because I think it sounds horrible. I did that many times with “A Whirl in the Darkness”. So give me your ideas so I can put them up for other writers!<br /><br /><br />And if you want to check out two chapters from “Deadly Passion” my novel that I am currently working on go to my website at </span></strong><a href="http://zanadibartolomeo.googlepages.com/"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">http://zanadibartolomeo.googlepages.com</span></strong></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"><br />Have a good day and have fun writing!!!</span></strong>Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-30493537578320385142008-06-23T13:50:00.000-07:002008-06-23T13:51:43.291-07:00A Few Good Websites for TipsFor all the writers out there I have been searching the web for good tips. I have found a few web sites. For instance <a href="http://www.dickstodghill.com/">www.dickstodghill.com</a> He a good selection of tips for writers. You should really go there and check out his site. (He is a very talented man) There is also <a href="http://www.dailywritingtips.com/">www.dailywritingtips.com</a> it has a very excellent collection from tips to spelling! There are a few other ones that I’ll post them later. And if any of you know about other good sites please email me at <a href="mailto:zanadibartolomeo@gmail.com">zanadibartolomeo@gmail.com</a> and let me know about them. I am glad that I have found a few good sites. It’s good to know that there are sites out there to help us up and coming writers.<br />I am going to end this for now but I’ll be posting again.<br /><br />Also just one more thing, I have been reading on a lot of sites that its very good to put out some of your writing to get some feed back. So here within a few days I’ll be posting a chapter of my novel “Deadly Passion”. So when I do that please give me some feedback on it!Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-23582411322660286172008-06-20T08:50:00.000-07:002008-06-20T08:55:28.498-07:00Styles of WritingHello Everyone, I was laying in bed last night and reading a book from one of my favorite authors, Barabra Micheals. As I was reading I was thinking about her style of writing. We all know that there are alot of diffrent styles out there in the world. She is very good on letting you know what is going on in her books. So I tried to think about my writing and I was wondering if I am the same way. And I dont think that I am that way. I like to leave a lot of it open so that the readers can fill in their own ideas! So this question is for the readers, which do you like better? Do you like it when the writer fills everything in for you? Or do you like it when you are able to fill in little things? So its all up to you! I hope you are all doing lots of reading. I know that I have been working so hard on "Deadly Passion" that my reading has gotten behind, I have way to many new books that I havent even opened yet! So for everyone sit back and think about what type of stories you like to read and let me know! Either leave a comment or email me at <a href="mailto:zanadibartolomeo@gmail.com">zanadibartolomeo@gmail.com</a> I wish you all a great day and lots of reading!Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-7377813231626123972008-06-17T10:22:00.000-07:002008-06-17T10:40:36.547-07:00Still AroundSorry all, I have been working hard on my next novel! Which I am happy to say is almost done! I have to get a copy of it to the person that is going to edit it for me! Then my journey for an agent is really going to get going. I have been searching the web off and on for an agent that is going to fit what I want. Let me tell you, its not as easy as some people think! There are alot of agents out there in the big world! :) But I am ready for the challenge of finding the one that is going to work for me! So life has been fun latley. Just working on the book, raising my three small children (that are growing like weeds), and spending time with my husband! I just wanted to come on and let everyone know that I am still around and am going to be posting more often. I have also been working on a short story. I am going to try to get in published in the Edgar Allan Poe Magaizine! One way or another I am going to get noticed in the big world of writing. I have noticed alot latley that there are many writers out there trying to get noticed! I have also come to realize that alot of them are in it for the money! Writing really shouldnt be about the money, it should be about the love of writing. Even if I never get noticed or even if I never get an agent, I am going to continue to write! Writing is one thing in my life that is non-stressful! I can sit down and start to peck at the keyes and the world around me just starts to fade away! And let me tell you that is an amazing feeling. I am not writing for the money or anything else. I am writing for my sanity! There are many things in life that you need to hold on to becuase of the fact that they make you who you are. And writing is a big part of me! When I was in high school, I did things to hide who I really was. I didnt want to be known as a nerd or dork! Well now I am proud to yell out <strong>"I AM A NERD AND PROUD OF IT!"</strong> There is nothing better then being proud of who you are! I guess I am getting alittle off the subject but that is okay! I am sitting here without a care in the world. I am writing! It doesnt matter that I am not working on my next book, or doing anything really important. But I am writing! So anyways.... I am going to end this post now. But I'll be back! So if anyone out there has any good information about writing that they would like to say with the outside world, email me at <a href="mailto:zanadibartolomeo@gmail.com">zanadibartolomeo@gmail.com</a> I am going to start posting writing tips. Even if you are not a writer but a reader I want to hear your input on what you like in books that you read! I wish everyone a happy day!Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-65647496650311104522008-04-27T13:00:00.000-07:002008-04-27T13:05:47.552-07:00Getting an Agent<span style="color:#33cc00;">Hello Everyone, I have decided for sure that I am going to get an agent for my next book. It is the only way that I am going to be able to get noticed as an author. I have had many comments about PA and I agree with you all! I am very upset and not happy with them. My first royality check was for $3.19, and said that I only sold 2 books. When I know for a fact that I sold more then that! Other authors have been coming out of the wood work telling me about their nightmare with PA. It makes me wish that I had known all of this before I signed my contract. But its a leason learned and all I can do is work my hardest on not letting other new authors getting in the same trap! So if you are a new writer reading this think before signing with them! So I'll keep everyone posted on my journey to find an agent! If you have any good tips please let me know! You can leave a comment or email me at </span><a href="mailto:zanadibartolomeo@gmail.com"><span style="color:#33cc00;">zanadibartolomeo@gmail.com</span></a><span style="color:#33cc00;"> Thank you all for your time!</span>Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-66392227692370105802008-04-17T09:23:00.000-07:002008-04-17T09:24:42.677-07:00Another Web SiteOnce again Hello! I am adding another post to give you all my new website. I am still working daily on the site! But here is the address<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://zanadibartolomeo.googlepages.com/">http://zanadibartolomeo.googlepages.com</a>Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-43241306840420841112008-04-17T09:00:00.000-07:002008-04-17T09:07:24.366-07:00About a CommentHello everyone, I recieved a comment that I want to talk about. On my post "Thoughts about writing" I got a comment. So I think that I should rephrase my self. In the original post I said to give writers you don't know a chance by buying their book. And I know that PublishAmerica jacks up the prices on their books. I know that a lot of people out there are tight on money so I want to just say one more thing. When it comes to buying books, at least pick up and <span style="color:#ff0000;">LOOK</span> at a book by a writer that you don't know. I am not saying that you have to buy it, but just picking it up and looking at it is good enough. Buy a used book at a book sale by an author that you don't know. So please just keep in mind, that every day there are new writers out there trying to start a writing career, and if they know that you are just picking up their book and looking at it, it means the world to them. I am telling you this because I know the feeling!Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-5192252253891486242008-04-08T09:18:00.000-07:002008-04-08T09:19:43.849-07:00WEB SITEEVERYONE, JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU MY WEB SITE AGAIN. AND BOOK MARK IT BECAUSE I'LL BE ADDING NEW THINGS!!!!!<br /><br /><br /><strong> </strong><a href="http://www.freewebs.com/ZANADIB"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;"><strong>WWW.FREEWEBS.COM/ZANADIB</strong></span></a>Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-64106203974542046902008-04-08T08:58:00.000-07:002008-04-08T09:16:58.803-07:00Thoughts About WritingHello everyone, the other night I was sitting around talking to a few people about writing. It was a very good conversation, filled with alot of insight. But then we got on the topic of publishers! And Publish America got brought up, since they are my publisher. One of the poeple in the group pretty much said that I wasn't a good writer because of the fact that I got published by PA. Which didn't sit right with me. I mean every writer out there doesn't want to hear the words <span style="color:#330099;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>"YOU ARE NOT A WRITER" </strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#000000;">So</span> </span></span>when I got home that night, I sat down on my bed and thought about this. Just becuase I made a mistake with signing with PA, doesn't mean that I am not a writer. You can be the wrost writer in the world but you can still call yourself a writer. So then I began to ponder the idea of getting published by PA. I wonder if people arent going to buy my book just because of the fact that I am published by PA. If that is true, than I don't know what to do about readers out there these days. I made a mistake with signing with PA, I am not scared to admit that. But I dont think that people shouldn't buy my book just because I got published with a bad company. I have met a lot of authors that are published with PA but they are very talented! (Check out my website for them!) So for all you readers out there, take a risk and buy a book that you dont recognize the author. And post a comment on this post and tell me what you think. Tell me if it was worth the risk! The other thing is when you buy a book, don't look to see who published it! Look at the back of the book and if you like what you read than buy it!!!! Try to give us unknown writers a chance!Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-1738483339316523772008-04-02T10:58:00.001-07:002008-04-02T11:12:10.493-07:00PublishAmerica VS Amazon.comWell Everyone I have something that I want you to all read!!!! I am very upset by this, I am no longer going to be doing any bussniess at all with Amazon.com!!! And I hope that my friends out there are going to be doing the same! As it doesn't just affect one writer it effects everyone that is trying to get books sold!!! <br /><br /><br />So here is what I want you all to read!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#330033;">Today PublishAmerica has issued the following news release. All authors are receiving a personal email from our support team as we speak. Feel free to debate! </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#330033;">---------------------------------------------------- For Immediate Release Contact: Shawn Street - Public Relations </span></strong><a href="mailto:pr@publishamerica.com"><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#330033;">pr@publishamerica.com</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#330033;"> </span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.publishamerica.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#330033;">www.publishamerica.com</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#330033;"> </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#330033;">PublishAmerica Confronts Amazon Frederick, MD</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#330033;"> March 27, 2008 - As it continues to revolutionize the book publishing industry, PublishAmerica finds itself confronting Internet retail giant Amazon.com due to that company's strong-arm tactics. Recently, Amazon presented the Frederick, Maryland based publishing company with an ultimatum, demanding the right to print each of PublishAmerica's almost 30,000 titles via their recently acquired in-house digital printing facility, BookSurge. If PublishAmerica does not comply, Amazon said it will retaliate by disabling the "Buy" button on all of its PublishAmerica listings. This demand would force PublishAmerica to submit 60,000 separate book files (text and cover), and redo each of them in order to conform to Amazon's complicated technical specifications. Additionally, Amazon is also demanding a larger profit-per-book amount of each P:ublishAmerica book that they sell. This move would result in dramatically lower royalty payments for PublishAmerica's family of authors who sold books through the Internet retailer. When it attempted to increase its charges at earlier occasions, Amazon representatives suggested that any such extra expenses be passed on to authors. This is a suggestion that PublishAmerica executives find unacceptable. In a letter issued to the company's authors, PublishAmerica's management said, "Not surprisingly, PublishAmerica refuses to be swayed by anyone's strong-arming tactics, big name or otherwise, especially given the fact that budging would mean an additional expense on the publisher's side of tens of thousands of dollars, on top of the unacceptable royalty losses for our authors. PublishAmerica never charges its authors as much as a single penny, ever. We are not going to change this winning policy under the threat of anyone's intimidation, nor are we willing to involuntarily accept any royalty cuts on behalf of our authors." PublishAmerica will not comply with Amazon's ultimatum, and will not allow that company to dictate who will print PublishAmerica's books, and at what conditions. Each of PublishAmerica's titles will continue to be available to Amazon, as will future releases. Amazon may access to PublishAmerica books in the same manner it has in the past through at least four separate venues. One of those venues is Lightning Source, a daughter company of the world's largest book wholesaler Ingram, which prints PublishAmerica books for retailers. PublishAmerica prints its additional sales volume in its own in-house digital printing facility, also located in Frederick, Maryland. PublishAmerica will continue its strong relationship with other retailers including Barnes and Noble, Borders, Waldenbooks, Books-A-Million and many other chain and independent bookstores, plus other major online vendors such as BarnesandNoble.com. PublishAmerica is the home of 30,000 talented authors. PublishAmerica is a traditional publishing company whose primary goal is to encourage and promote the works of new, previously undiscovered writers. Like more mainstream publishers, PublishAmerica pays its authors advances and royalties, makes its books available to all bookstores in both the United States and Europe, and never charges any fees for its services. PublishAmerica offers a distinctly personal, supportive alternative to vanity presses and less accessible publishers. </span></strong>Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-4489906516001436662008-03-24T09:07:00.000-07:002008-03-24T09:08:58.053-07:00Story Time<span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Here is what happened last night at Story Time! </strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Last night I was laying down my four year old daughter. Earlier in the day we were talking about my writing. She had wanted to know what I was doing on the computer. So I told her that Mommy was writing a story. So I was picking out a story to read her, which takes awhile since she has so many books (I am hoping to make her a book worm). Finally after reading more titles than I wanted to. We finally settled on a book, I laid next to her on her bed, and began to read. Once the story was done she looked up at me and said. "Mommy I dont like that story. You need to fix it." So I asked her how could I fix it. She batted her blue eyes at me and said, "Mommy, you need to write a new story!" So I put my mind to work and began to tell a new story. Once it was done, she got up out of bed and ran into the bathroom she came back a few moments later with a bandaid. I asked her what she was doing with the bandaid. "Mommy, you fixed the owie on the book, so we need to put a bandaid on it." I was confussed so I asked her if she liked the new story. "Yes Mommy, and that is why I love you!" I walked out of the room feeling high and mighty! Granted its not very hard to please a four year old most of the time. But it made me feel better to know that she liked my story better than she did of a writer who has been writing children's books for years!!! </strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>What a joy kids can be when they want to!</strong></span>Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-42346875460748873162008-02-29T10:11:00.000-08:002008-02-29T10:30:14.937-08:00People #2<span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">In a previous post I talked about my down stairs neighbor! Well I am going to talk about her again! She is a really weird woman. After a few weeks of nothing strange going on, the world decided to change. She is going crazy again! She tried to fill me in on that fact that she is going to try to get our Governor impeached!!!!n Also that cops and judges in Douglas County are all on the take! And she is going to get them fired! She also filled me in on her ideas about students from other countries coming over here on student Visa's. I am telling you that this lady really needs help! She is a strange one! She is always yelling at the top of her lungs at nobody! The other day I watched her walk out of her place and just start yelling. Than one other little thing. I have a friend that has a mentally challenged child. Well this last weekend, they came over. He was downstairs running around and playing. She called the cops on him!!! <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT</span></strong>???? She told the cops that he was pounding on the door!!! Which is a big pile of you know what!!! (If he would have been pounding on the door we would have heard it upstairs) Than the next day he was outside again running around in our part of the driveway, and as she was leaving she yelled at him to stay away from her house!!!! For no reason she just started yelling at him about it. He wasn't even any were near her house!!! We have been trying to catch her to talk to her about all of this! But she stays in her place when she sees us. Or if she is walking out to her car and we are coming or going she runs back into her apartment! Maybe since she called the cops for no reason I should call the cops on her cats!!! They are crapping and pissing on my porch and spraying the tires of my van!!!! I just don't understand why she could be like this! Oh and than she complains about my kids making to much noise. What does she think that my kids are going to do? Just sit around and be quiet all day long? I don't think so! Its not okay for my kids to be loud but its okay for her to blare her TV and Music until 11 at night!!!! So what do you all think? Does it make sense to you????? Because it sure doesn't make sense to me!!!!!</span>Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-83760606359863626582008-02-19T11:09:00.000-08:002008-02-19T11:13:23.288-08:00NEW WEBSITEHello everyone! Just a little post to let everyone know that I have a new website! Its <a href="http://www.freewebs.com/zanadib">www.freewebs.com/zanadib</a><br /><br /> Also I would like to say one more thing, in my last post I made a comment about my publisher. And I take that all back. I was having a rough day and I needed to take it out on something. So I took it out on them. And my problems with my book are my own fault no one elses. I should have done a better check on spelling and gramar! So for any PublishAmerica author that is reading this and got offended by it I am truley sorry! PublishAmerica helped make my dream a reality! So once again I am very sorry!!!Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-11550813074937983612008-02-13T12:59:00.000-08:002008-02-13T13:41:25.314-08:00Finally Back in ActionWell I am finaly back online and ready to go after a few months of being offline. And in that time I realized that having the internet at my disposal has helped alot getting through the hard days of being a parent. Its my escape from my children and as much as I would love to say that I dont need an escape from them, it isnt like that and any stay at home mom is going to agree with me. Or at least that is what I think.<br />But anyways, since my break from the pulls of online, I have finished the first draft of my next story. Its difrent from "A Whirl in the Darkness", this one is more of a suspense. It takes place on the Cape Cod, it name for now is "Deadly Passions". But that could change at anytime. I have a history of changing my titles all the time.<br />In one of my previous blogs I talk about publishers. And yes I still think that you should judge someone's writing by who they got published, but I have to admit that going with a vanity publishing company is the worst mistake that a begning author could make. I am sorry to say that I feel victim to one of those publishing companys that said they were traditional but they are just a vanity publisher.Thats right I am talking about PublishAmerica. I am not saying that they are bad, I am just saying that I should have done more research about them. But its okay, I'll do better with my next book. My goal is to try to get on with a big publishing company. But we'll see. Because its really hard to be able to get on with one of them. But you have to just keep trying. Because if you dont than you'll never know if you are good enough to do it. I know that I have talent as a writer, not sure if they are up the big publishing company's but I am going to give it a try.Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-20993912563436480502007-11-16T14:49:00.000-08:002007-11-16T14:53:56.726-08:00Alot Going onLife as a writer, mom and wife has been really busy the last few days. I got my cover! Which I am thrilled about! I am so happy with it. Than I went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">PublishAmerica's</span> site and there my book is! Its now ready to be bought on line! I checked Amazon and Barnes&Noble today and there it was! I was so excited! I keep thinking that I am going to wake up and this is all a dream! I am glad that its all happening but its just kind of a dream! My childhood dream coming true! So now I am working on getting my book out there to more people! I cant wait until I have people coming up to me and telling me that they read my book and they loved it. Even if that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">doesn't</span> happen its okay, all I care about is my book is out there for people to pick up and take it home with them. That is enough for me. Just knowing that I am a published author! I have my first interview set up for the 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> of this month I am really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nervous</span> about it! Even though I know the lady that is going to be giving me the interview. I have known her for years! Its crazy to think that all of this is happening.Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-139375333536639242007-11-08T09:02:00.000-08:002007-11-08T09:33:16.123-08:00My Granny!<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;">D. Marian Long</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#993399;">This post is going to be about my biggest role model! My Grandmother (Granny). The first thing you need to know is that Granny hated her middle name so she went to just using her middle name Marian. She grew up as a Navy brat, she was always moving around from one base to another base. Finally they got stationed on the Oregon Coast where Granny met my grandpa. And the rest is a basic tale of romance so I wont get into that. My Grandpa joined the military, and was sent off. When my mom (the oldest of three kids) was born my Grandpa was off in Japan. He got a telegram the day before telling him that my mom was born! A little of a year later my uncle was born, then two years after that my aunt was born. Between the three kids my grandparents have 4 grandchildren. Also they have 3 great grand kids from Me. (Sadly to say my granny didn't live to see them) </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#993399;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#993399;">Anyways back to my granny, growing up my granny was different than other grandmothers out there. My granny hated noise and crowds and heat. So you didn't really get her out of the house very often. But when we were at her house we had enough fun to last a lifetime. At my Granny's house they have wood floors. So we used to put on roller skates and skate around the house! My Granny is the reason that I started writing, my granny was always writing and it rubbed off on me. And my granny also gave me one of my other passions, Drafting. She taught me at a young age to draw floor plans to houses. Now many years later I still love to sit down and draw out my dream house. My Granny was always thinking of fun things to do while we where at her house. But there is one memory that is going to stick with me forever. I was probably about 6 or 7 years old, and my granny made goup. (which is fudge that doesn't harden) when ever she made it I would beg her to let me have some. She would always tell me the same thing, "No its my medicine for my tummy" but as a little kid I wouldn't give up! So finally at the age of 6 or 7 I found something that would change the whole thing. I walked up to my granny and told her that my tummy hurt and I needed some of her tummy medicine! Of course my Granny couldn't go back on saying that it was for the tummy, so she went into the kitchen and made some goup! Lets just say to my amazement it was candy!!!! Talk about a kids wonderful day! I was sick and my granny gave me candy! It made me feel better! :) But that was my Granny for you. She was a fighter though. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and fought it and won. The doctors said that it was gone and wouldn't ever come back. We all jumped for joy, but in 1999 the cancer did come back, it spread quickly. This is hard to even type about, the last time I saw my Granny I was helping my grandpa taking her blood sugar level. (There is one thing that I forgot to tell you, my family isn't very fond of affection so this next part might not sound like that much of a deal to some of you, but it was for me) I was holding my granny's hand up so my grandfather could poke her finger. My granny was looking at me like she didn't know what was going on (at that time the cancer had spread to her brain so at times she didn't remember any of us) than as I was looking at her it was like something connected and a look of love and caring came across her face. She smiled at me and I knew at that moment that she was letting me know that everything was going to be okay. When we were done taking her blood pressure, I set her hand back on the bed. I bent down to kiss her forehead. And she spoke, as her voice came out she sounded like an angel, "Zana, I want you to know that I'll be okay when this is over. I want you to go on in your life to do the things that you love. I want you to know that I love you." I ran from the house, I couldn't deal with sitting back and watching my Granny die. That was the last time I saw her alive. I didn't even say good bye to her! The next day my granny was gone. And right before she died, she couldn't remember anyone that was there with her, but she was asking to see me! I was only a freshman in high school! And my granny was my best friend! there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about her! I know that she is smiling down on me and is so happy and proud of me! My first book "A Whirl in the Darkness" is dedicated to her! I love you Granny!</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center">Dortha Marian Long</div><div align="center">Born: Novemmber 14, 1928</div><div align="center">Died: November 02, 1999</div><div align="center"></div>Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-676749446779182142007-11-08T08:43:00.000-08:002007-11-08T08:55:37.104-08:00I have come to terms!<strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#3333ff;">Hello everyone! </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#3333ff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#3333ff;"> I have now come to terms with something in my life! It is marketing my book! I thought that marketing my book would be simple! That I would have no problem doing it! But here I am about ready to start marketing it, and I have realized that its harder than I thought. It has nothing to do with being shy, because I am not that shy, I have always been a big people person! But its the fact that, I don't like to talk about myself! I would much rather be talking about my kids or someone else that I know! But now I have to start talking about myself! And to change how you are, and what you feel comfortable with is extremely hard! And to get my book out there and get it noticed I am going to have to change things. If I could do all my marketing online than I would be able to do that no problem! I have no problem doing that. I already have my book posted on a lot of sites. But now I have to go out into the world and talk to people about my book! And that is a little different than just typing words into a computer. I know that I can do it, I just have to work on it. The other thing that I have come to terms with is the fact that my husband is going to be a huge help through all of this. Because, as we joke about it all the time my husband has a silver tongue, he missed his calling as a used car sales man. He is going to be a big help in marketing my book! I don't know what I would do with out him! I am so glad that I have him in my life. The other thing that I have realized is the fact that I am lucky to have my friends and family to. My friends and family are already out there telling everyone they know about my book. I am glad that I have them. If I didn't have them I don't know what I would do. So one other thing is you can never have to many friends and family that care about you and your happiness! I would never ask for anything different than what I have right now! Okay maybe I would ask for a major publishing company to come and pick me up on a contract! But that is about it! But the only thing that matters is my child hood dream is coming true!!!! </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#3333ff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#3333ff;">Don't forget to visit my website </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#3333ff;"><a href="http://www.zanadibartolomeo.com/">www.zanadibartolomeo.com</a></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#3333ff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#3333ff;">Have a good day!</span></strong>Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-81604001308162840882007-10-29T09:43:00.000-07:002007-10-29T09:51:30.030-07:00I realizedOn Saturday night, I realized just how important it is to have bookmarks or business cards for your book. My family and I were driving home from my brother's house we stopped at a little market on the way, my husband started talking to the owner of the market as they were pumping gas. They got to talking about me and my book. The lady wanted all the information so that she could get a copy as soon as it was available. So instead of handing her a business card or book mark, I had to write everything down on a scrap of paper. So on Sunday I went and ordered business cards online. I know that when it comes to me, I usually just throw away piece of paper I have in my purse or in my pocket. So I am hoping that she doesn't throw it away.<br /><br />I also realized that my husband is going to be a big helper of selling my books, everyone he knows he tells about my book. I am glad that I have him. He is my biggest supported along with my mom. I know that without them, I wouldn't have the courage to continue to put myself out there in this giant world of writers.<br /><br />For all the new writers out there! I'm telling you make sure that you get something for your book as soon as you can!!!Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-11186009404439928972007-10-22T09:19:00.000-07:002007-10-22T09:28:53.914-07:00Story IdeasAfternoon Everyone,<br /> I have thought about so many story ideas. But I find myself always writing about mysteries. I think maybe its because of the fact that is the type of book that I like reading. But who knows. My husband tells me all the time that he could give me a bunch of ideas about books. For he grew up all over LA California. And I have thought maybe about writing a book about the stories that he has told me. But I cant find myself getting very far when he tells me one. I find myself turning it into a mystery. So here is a question for everyone out there, where do you get your ideas for stories? For me, I just start typing and it turns out. I have had some writers tell me that you need to have a outline already before you start writing. But for me if I start with an outline I cant write. I feel like I have to follow the outline to a tee. And my story doesn't work out like I think it should. So I sit down at my computer and just start writing. My stories start to take off all on their own. Once I have started to type I don't think about what is coming next. Some people say that isn't the way to write. But in my opinion it is, your story should be what you are feeling at that moment in time. So if you just sit down and start typing your feelings show a lot more.<br /><br />That is enough for now, everyone have a good day!Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-31993868867151690722007-10-17T08:43:00.000-07:002007-10-17T09:18:42.044-07:00A Perfect DayGood Morning everyone, I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">don't</span> even know if anyone is actually reading my blogs, since no one has left any comments about anything I have wrote down. But <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">that's</span> okay. Writing is a way that I let go of all of my stress in life. This post is going to be what I think would be the perfect day for me!<br /> It would start with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">breakfast</span> in bed! (French toast and Eggs) Than my husband would come in and say "Sweetheart why <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">don't</span> you just write for the whole day! I'll clean house, do laundry, and take care of the kids!" What a thing that would be! I would love for that to happen! For the rest of the day I would submerge myself into writing. And not have to worry about what my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">daughters</span> were doing to their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">self's</span>. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">wouldn't</span> have to worry about making bottles for my son. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Don't</span> get me wrong. I am not saying that I want every day to be like that. I love taking care of my kids and doing the things around the house that needs to be done. But everyone once in awhile I think that a stay at home mom should get a break from being a mom!<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Actually</span> I take that back, I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">wouldn't</span> need to write all day long for it to be a perfect day! I would need just a few hours of not being <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">interrupted</span>!!! And that would be a perfect day. Just a few <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">uninterrupted</span> hours of writing. Forget <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">breakfast</span> in bed, forget the husband cleaning and doing laundry. Just a few simple hours for writing.<br /><br />I am glad to say though that my husband is very supportive in my journey to make a career out of being a writer! He is always helping me out with ideas or a better way to say what I want to get across. If it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">wasn't</span> for him I think I would have given up a long time ago. I am glad that he keeps pushing me to work on my dream. Him and I are a pretty good team. No only is he the man of my dreams but he is my best friend! <br /><br />Okay enough of this post for now. Check back later for a new oneZanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265728842368723823.post-90320039796363756032007-10-16T11:27:00.000-07:002007-10-16T11:32:21.281-07:00New WebsiteHello everyone,<br /> I realized that using a website through freewebs.com wouldnt bring the people to the site that I wanted. So I made a new site. I got my own domain! So here is my new website, please go check it out. <a href="http://www.zanadibartolomeo.com/">www.zanadibartolomeo.com</a><br /> I think that paying the small fee for a domain is a good idea. But thats me. This post is going to be really small since I have nothing else to write about really.<span></span>Zanadibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997581469113292803noreply@blogger.com1