If the whole world were listening, what would you say?

Hi everyone!

     This blog is a continuation of the talk I had with my big brother at the Hawk's Cay Resort in Little Duck Key over the summer. My brother is also an amateur writer, and we were discussing what our next novels should be about.
  
  He asked me a very interesting question I want to share with all of you. He said, "If you want to know what your next novel is about. Ask yourself one question: If everyone in the world, EVERYONE, stopped what they were doing for 5 minutes to listen to you, what would you say?" Would you give them advice, tell a story, give them a warning or just complain for 5 minutes.

     I want all of you writers out there, all artists in general, to consider that idea. What you would say if the entire English speaking world were to listen to YOU for just 5 minutes. Would you read them your book? Why not? Isn't your book the story you want to tell the world if you had its full attention? Would you read them your novel, or something else?

     Is your novel conveying a message, or telling a story, the whole world needs to hear? If it isn't the story you would tell, maybe you should be writing something else.

     My novel is about my experiences as the webmaster of fantasiesonline.com. My family and I worked so hard to build and run a site, that I wrote the book so that the world would know the blood, sweat, and tears we spilled to make our little business.

So what are you writing? Are you going to make the planet laugh, cry or wonder? As you continue to work on your novels, ask yourself questions.

 My next topic will be about some of the wonderful FREE resources I'm using for the publication of my book, like the great cafepress.com

Don't forget my novel, Confessions of an Internet Pornographer will be published this week! I was hoping to publish it September 29th but my wife got gastroenteritis, ouch!!! We spent the evening, of our 29th anniversary, in the ER of our local hospital. But all systems are go. Please look for it this Friday on Amazon.com, it'll will retail for $4.99. I hope you'll buy a copy then come back and tell me what you think.
Thank you for reading my post. We'll talk again soon, until then I will continue writing into the wind..

Lucho

My book gets published this month. I'm scared shitless it'll be a flop!

     Hi everyone!

     I'm writing from my kitchen watching September 11 coverage on CNN. It feels as if the country is sighing collectively today. I lived in the Bronx when it happened. I remember coming into the company breakroom and seeing one tower surrounded by black smoke. I asked,"Whare's the other one? Aren't there two?" Eveyone looked at me and screamed, "It fell down! An airplane hit it!" God bless America, and the families of the men and womem who died that day.    

     September is finaly here. I am working as hard as I can to get my book, Confessions of an Internet Pornographer, ready for publication on September 29th! I'm publishing it as an e-reader for the Kindle at the price of $4.99. I picked this price because I think a book that took 12 years to write is worth the price of a Starbucks cup of coffee, don't you?

     I've built a website for the book using Weebly.com. It's a great website creation tool. They offer numerous templates, it's easy to use, and free! I'll let you all know how well it works once it's up and running and getting traffic.

     My cafepress.com store is (almost) ready. I've placed my book cover on mugs, t-shirts, and a small personal journal. I've also made a cool black cap with "Internet Pornogapher" printed on it. I'll sell the stuff as fun merchandise for people who really liked the book. I can also use the products to promote the book.
  
      I've just read the novel for the 23rd time, my wife is giving it one last edit so it's perfect. One of the biggest complaints I've read about self published books is that they're not well edited. I can't let that happen to  my book. I want it to be perfect. I've added new material to tighten the tension, and a few moral dilemas to give my character a little more depth. 

     I'd be lying if I said I wasn't very nervous. There have been so many obstacles, so many disapointments with my book. I'm scared no one will buy it. But after the WD Writer's Conference I've realized that self publishing is my future. Traditional publiushers will never go for a story as different as mine.The NY agents said my book was funny, eloquently at some points, and had alot of heart. I hope those things are enough to build a writing career on. Wish me luck.

     I'll keep you posted on my progerss. I'll also be posting about sites like Weebly.com, letting you know what tools are working for me on my self publishing adventure. I hope you'll all benefit from my mistakes and successes. In the meantime, I'll continue writing into the wind, Bye!

Lucho