Indie writer – pamelascanepa

Weekend Coffee Share, Outlook Adjust

Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. It’s nice and sunny, and I’ve imbibed cold green tea today. Bixby is at my feet, and Indie Folk music is playing, a calm, light atmosphere.

Bixby had his end of summer haircut and is cute as always…

I’ve been back at school for a week, attending meetings, taking training, and planning my classroom set-up. It appears I’ll have a lot of low level learners in addition to Advanced classes with Gifted students, so I’ll have three different types of classes to teach for English Language Arts. I’m expecting a challenge, and I’m nervous.

I still believe there are students I can reach and that I reached several last year. Perhaps I just need to believe in myself more as we start anew again with another set of students, while recalling what I’ve learned from last year’s kids.

At the back of my mind and in the forefront of the news is the COVID situation. Florida has had a lot of COVID hospitalizations in the last few months and a few deaths as well. At work, we are required to wear a mask for 30 days. I’ll do that to benefit a child. However, not all students will be wearing one, as they are not required to.

If you think these policies are sort of confusing, I agree. I’m being careful even though I’m fully vaccinated. Some vaccinated folks are still getting COVID, but I believe the symptoms are allayed in most.

On the bright side, I got together with my companion last night. He took me out for steak dinner, and I had flavored brussel sprouts on the side that were scrumptious! Well, so was the steak, and the company. 😉

My writing feels like it’s suffering. My emotions are overwrought over my struggling family member who barely speaks to me lately. My intellect is challenged over my upcoming school year. But I still find time to meet up and laugh with this man who listens and lightens my mood, and I have some dinner plans with friends for next week. All are forms of self-care.

Perhaps my writing situation is different since I don’t like to sit still much lately. Fact: I’m laying on the couch typing this on my phone. When done, it’s time to exercise. I’ve written little bits of Ellie’s story in a notebook. We adapt as needed, I guess. I also wrote about Special Family Dynamics based on reading I have done about dealing with a family member who is ill. You can view it here: https://pamelascanepa.wordpress.com/2021/08/05/navigating-special-family-dynamics/ It is based on what has been foremost in my mind lately, and I wrote it to condense things that I have learned as reminders to myself on how to manage emotionally.

Don’t worry, I’m not done sharing stories yet, fiction or non. This Coffee Share is my way of sharing little bits of my story. I thank you for reading this far. How has your week been?

Weekend Coffee Share, Being Understood. 12/20

Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Antoinette at https://antoinettetrugliomartin.com/category/weekend-coffee-share/ I am having a half-calf, which seems to fuel me just fine these days. However, I must admit, I am waking up, on a good night, somewhere between 4:30 and 5 a.m. It doesn’t bother me as much as it did at first. I don’t know if it’s the time change or the new exercises I have added daily as a result of PT, but I am getting used to it. I wonder if this will change once the clocks move forward in the Spring? I know I have a busy mind and wonder if it will ever slow down. It’s okay if it doesn’t. 🙂

As far as the physical therapy, it seems to be going well. My lower back is not as locked up as it used to be. I do still suffer from sciatic issues, but I’m learning some exercises for that and realizing I need to have more hot baths and less time in the computer chair. Maybe I’ll just record my writer’s thoughts and stories straight to audio? I don’t know, we’ll see what happens. I am not worried! While editing/revising the Malachi manuscript, I found a wonderful modification that works for me. I e-mailed the rough draft to myself and I’ve been opening it on my phone for a read-through. This read-through can be done laying on the couch, exercising on the Gazelle (small, elliptical type exerciser), or even in bed. I can be on my side or back, etc. according to my comfort needs. When I find an error, I write it down for when I will edit it on my laptop. Then, I am going to send it to the professional editor. There is no way I will stop writing, so I just need to change my process.

As far as the busy mind goes, I had an interesting talk with a student yesterday who rarely talks in class. Yes, it was the day before Winter Break, I was casual, friendly, and joking a lot, a relaxed atmosphere for sure. I presented them with our reading theme for next quarter: “Fear, is it a hindrance or a help?” The first time this student started talking to me was when I had a lesson on conflict and explained internal conflict and how the struggle is strong for someone who suffers from depression or anxiety. I told them of my anxiety when driving over a bridge. I recently have added hospitals to my list. (I have too many thoughts of experimentation when I see a whole floor taken up by only one office, and construction does not help either). Recently, I’ve also realized that the holidays are a little triggering.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised that she actually wanted to have a conversation with me. I also was pleasantly surprised by the Christmas holiday kindness shared by the students yesterday, and one student’s note in her card almost had me in tears of joy:

Dear Ms. Canepa, Thank you for your hard-working ethics and passion for teaching. I love how you have the inspiration to get up and drive to work every day, not knowing will the day go by good or bad. You made a great impact on my life so far and I’m looking forward for you to continue.

It was a hard week with lots of grading, a Code Red drill, a fire drill, a handful of parent meetings, some holiday events, and amped up kids. But seeing such empathy, appreciation, and the right choice of words warmed my heart. Someone noticed how hard I work and took the time to verbalize that to me. Maybe they are taking it to heart. That is the best gift ever!

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May you all enjoy the spirit of Christmas and the holiday season, and may you reach calm when you seek it! I am definitely planning on some relaxation myself.

Peace!

Pamela

#WeekendCoffeeShare: Ice, Please.

Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Diana at partimemonsterblog.com. If we were having coffee today, on July 23rd, I’d tell you that I have iced mocha or regular coffee, with creamer and two ice cubes in mine, how about you? I’d also tell you–

My son has been working his job regularly, and this is a good thing. It gives him a sense of purpose, even though it may not seem like a “career” job, but he is getting a good number of hours, despite coming home early when it storms. It is an outdoor job, and he loves that sort of thing. I worry about him less when he works, since his mind is occupied and he loves physical work. Wednesday he was off, and we took a nice little walk at the beach, stopping at a quaint coffee shop afterward. I posted a few photos of things seen on our walk Thursday in a post titled, “Echoes of My Neighborhood.”

On the author front, I am trying out Hootsuite for my social media. There was one day I couldn’t post because it had a glitch. But I have set up some posts to start this Weds. We’ll see how it runs! I won’t use it for WordPress, though, because I believe that my voice is more authentic if I write, edit when I can, and post when I am ready. Yes, sometimes that means posting in the moment. I also have been running a Kindle Countdown offer for my latest sci-fi book, Detours in Time, which will be just $1.99 in Kindle format until 7/25, with a comparable savings in the UK. So far, I can say I’ve sold more books than I would have otherwise. That’s the goal! Feel free to check out the preview of my book or to get your own copy at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711ZW6XF I will not reduce this book any lower or put it on free promo. for a while, because I have spent a good amount of money on editing, promo., cover, and marketing materials. A fellow author, Carol James Marshall, wrote a blog post on that, titled “Art is Not Free.” She’s right. Seriously. Imagine if pro- athletes spent the first year of their career earning less money than they spent to get into the game. In fact, a Time.com article states rookies get a “league minimum base salary of $450,000.” * Unreal, right? Our priorities are messed up, when you also consider beginning teachers’ or police officers’ salaries. Ugh. Okay, rant over. Reviews for my book are coming in at an overall average of 4 stars for my first 8 reviews. That’s even good for a batting average, right?

DetoursinTimeAdIMG_0329 Detours in Time, a sci-fi, time-travel tale.

On that subject of art not being free, I thought of my own reading and buying habits. If something is advertised for free, yes, I’m likely to load it on my Kindle. Heck, I may see two different free books and load them. Will I hurry to read them? No, not unless someone else has recommended. Does anyone value something that is being given away? I’m also less likely to give a review on a free book. I also might likely speed through it. So, I am trying to spread the news and make it seen, so that buyers are more likely to purchase it and value it. This also means I need to learn to use AMS Amazon ads, which is a whole other blog post. 🙂

I had a great weekend with some work buddies at a cookout that was relaxing and led to much over-eating. I am not doing much cardio this summer, just yoga. It’s so hot for cardio! (I live in Florida).I’m also spending a lot of time learning about my avocation as an author, jotting down ideas, spreading news of my book, and honing my writing skill. I love the Flash fiction challenges here on WordPress! This week, I joined in on a Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers Challenge and wrote my own, titled “Stairway to Heaven.” You may find it here at https://pamelascanepa.wordpress.com/2017/07/21/stairway-to-heaven-flash-fiction-for-aspiring-writers-fffaw/ for a short escape!

Last night, my boyfriend and I watched the movie, Memento, with Guy Pearce. It came out about fifteen years ago. I recently read a blog post about Christopher Nolan movies, and it was mentioned. I remember that this movie struck me and had an impression on me. It was highly acclaimed in this blog post. I regard it highly as well. While watching, it didn’t seem like my boyfriend liked it. He found it confusing. Well, yes it is. A lot of it goes in reverse order. Not only that, you get glimpses of an event, but not all of the event, so you really can’t figure it out until the end. This movie will disorient you, and I think that is the goal. The main character had a brain injury and has a short-term memory disorder. He can’t make new memories. So, as he’s trying to find out who his wife’s killer is, he is putting together clues that he will forget about moments later unless he takes snapshots, makes notes, or tattoos them on his body. And these brief glimpses we get are probably much like those that a person with such a memory disorder would have. I felt sad for him, because for such a person, it is almost impossible to put the big picture together, much like any viewer of the movie will have trouble predicting where it’s going or even knowing for sure who villains are. Again, the movie does make a point, a very sharp, cutting point. I’m sure that’s the intent.

Thanks for tuning in to my Weekend Coffee Share. It turned out longer than intended, but it does sum up my week. I couldn’t help but get on a tangent with the “Art is not Free” statement. I truly respect the arts and would like to see them elevated in status in our society once again, to include Literature, Art, Poetry, Oral Storytelling ( where people would pay $20 without batting an eye to hear a really good storyteller, just like they pay $50-100 or more for famous musicians and far beyond that for sports games). Ah, maybe I’m just a dreamer. 🙂

If we were having coffee, I’d also ask you about your week. Feel free to share with me, or visit Diana’s blog and add your link to your written coffee share by clicking on the blue button at http://parttimemonsterblog.com/2017/07/22/weekendcoffeeshare-in-which-i-am-a-wee-lazy/ Have a great week!

The referenced Time article can be found at http://time.com/money/4626448/heres-the-salary-of-every-quarterback-in-the-nfl-playoffs/

Upcoming sci-fi release available on pre-order!

DetoursTimeBookcoverV6[1625] Book cover by Kat Mellon.

Detours in Time, my upcoming sci-fi novel of time travel and the ethical dilemmas it entails, will be published on June 16th! It is now available for pre-order at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711ZW6XF Please go and check out the book description. Perhaps it will intrigue you and urge you to pre-order or follow my Amazon author site for reminders of the publication date and notice of other future publications.

Disclaimer: This is the first time I have registered a book for pre-order. If you are experienced with this and have any suggestions, I welcome your comments and advice! The indie author community is very supportive, and I for one am very thankful.

N is for Norrie. #AtoZChallenge (Ebook free 4/17 and 4/18)!

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Monday. Photo courtesy of Canva.com.

Norrie is a main character in one of my sci-fi novellas. We saw her grow up in Made for Me, a sci-fi romance, and now, she is a star of its sequel, the sci-fi coming of age novella, Seeing Through Sampson’s Eyes. Norrie is now twenty-two years old and is a Master’s student of Ethics in Robotics.

Norrie was a character created out of my desire to dream and escape. In fact, she is everything I wish I was in my early twenties! In this novella, there is much she sees about society that she wishes to change, particularly, humankind’s technological advances and treatment of a new type of earthly citizen (or non-citizen), and she takes steps to do so. There is also a little bit of romance in this novella, but don’t be fooled. This is not a romance, it is about Norrie exploring who she is.

I invite you to view my interview with this main character at https://pamelascanepa.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/rrbc-sci-fi-amwriting-an-interview-with-my-main-character-norrie/

Here is an excerpt:

When asked, What are you most passionate about? Norrie answers:

I believe man has to be responsible to his creations. If you create something to be just like you, then you should not treat it like dirt on your shoe. Similar to the cruelty against animals clause. They are another living thing and deserve the good treatment you’d want for yourself if they were the ones holding the leash. Some would argue a creation of man is his to do with as he pleases. Well, not when you are using living DNA.

You may view a preview or purchase Seeing Through Sampson’s Eyes at the link above for Kindle and K.U. download or in paperback. In fact, I believe in Norrie and want to share her with the world so much, and she is going to show up later in some of my future books, so I am offering this ebook for free download today and tomorrow to coincide with this post! Just hit the buy link above, or click this universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B01GNNCHHQ . If you like it, please follow me on Amazon, for there is much more to come, and won’t you please leave a review as well?

*Please note: This is second in the series, but can read well on its own as well.

Thank you for stopping by!

**The AtoZ Challenge theme for my blog is “Who I am.” Yes, it’s wide open. In April, I will blog from A to Z to include little tidbits about me, poems I’ll share, and stories. Each day I will write something based on the next letter in the alphabet. It’s been fun so far, yet it has really given me a chance to pause for reflection as well.

As you can see, I have doubled up on my purpose in this post! 🙂

Want to know more about the A-Z blog challenge? Visit http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com

The Author’s Trail Part Deux #indiewriter

LocalAuthor17308860_1868921530017819_1030597615583708958_n (2) Made for Me by Pamela Schloesser Canepa.

I did it! I got my self-published book, Made for Me, a sci-fi romance, on the bookshelf at a local independent bookstore! It is pictured with the manager, well, his arm. He said I could post the photo on Facebook, but I didn’t tell him it would be all over the web. So I’ve cropped this one. At any rate, I thought it would get tiring just posting photos of myself with my book and I’m trying to catch various other people with it. But, I digress.

Made for Me is now on the Local Author shelf at The Book Nook in Jacksonville, Florida, Lakewood area! Next stop, well I’m working on that, and I need to do more research on our other indie bookstores and maybe even Barnes and Noble. However, this is a step up and it took some nerve to market myself, make that call, and just go in there. Yet, I did it! The manager was very nice and friendly and explained their consignment process. So, this is a first in many other steps I will take as an author.

The sci-fi romance, Made for Me, is also available for order at Amazon at the link https://www.amazon.com/Made-Me-Its-chemistry-isnt/dp/1520250215. It sells for $6.99. You get a deal if you spend $25 or more on books there so you won’t have to pay shipping costs. That’s how I do it, anyway.

In other news, I have been able to get the video of my author presentation mentioned in a preview post. It was taken on my mother’s phone and she doesn’t have a Youtube account. Yet. I’m working on that! I had to take some time and sign in to my Youtube account from her phone, load it, wait, then edit. I was waiting for a day off and finally found the time. Here it is if you’d like to see it and/or have about seven minutes to spare.

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#RRBC Holiday Train Book Trailer Party. Fun, Prizes, and a chance to help an indie author!

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Come, join the fun! Help an independent author (that’s me) spread the news of her publication! Welcome to the Rave Reviews Book Club’s HOLIDAY TRAIN “BOOK TRAILER” BLOCK PARTY. You are encouraged to participate by viewing my book trailer for my sci-fi ebook Seeing Through Sampson’s Eyes on Youtube, liking the video, and leaving a comment.

Prizes I’m giving away today, 11/24: By commenting and interacting at my video link, you will have a chance at winning a prize.

1st place: A $10 Amazon gift card. This will be sent to you through e-mail.

2nd place: A free e-book download of Seeing Through Sampson’s Eyes. The link will be sent to you through e-mail.

Perhaps viewing the book trailer will make you interested in reading the book and sharing this news with others. It is also possible for you to download the e-book on Amazon as a gift for a friend!

Your chance at these prizes ends at the close of the day on 11/24. Please feel free to share this blog post today. The more interaction on my book trailer, the better my chances in this contest and as an indie author. Start by clicking the book trailer link below:

Link for Seeing Through Sampson’s Eyes book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQuKD6LUZGY&t=2s (For a chance to win, like and comment on this video using your Youtube account).

Amazon link to preview the e-book or download Seeing Through Sampson’s Eyes, available on Kindle Unlimited and on Kindle at 1.99 for a limited time: http://goo.gl/nFLmqH

“An imaginative and thought-provoking read.” -Amazon reviewer

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Blurb and description: Seeing Through Sampson’s Eyes, a futuristic sci-fi, coming of age novella, tells the tale of Abrielle and Norrie, both on a journey to find what was lost of their loved one, which quickly becomes an individual journey for each of them, with many lessons in store. *This is the second in a series, yet also reads well as a stand-alone.

Blurb: Who knows what secrets lie behind one’s eyes? You have no idea until you walk in their shoes. In a technologically advanced, yet socially regressing society, Norrie, daughter of Sampson and Abrielle, is about to learn what it’s like to be considered less than human. She is now twenty, curious, confident, and unstoppable. Embarking on a journey together, Norrie and Abrielle set out to discover what remains of their beloved Sampson, yet each ends up pursuing her own individual end goal. Walk with Abrielle and Norrie to see what they will find.

I’m being interviewed as an author on Blog Talk Radio! #ravereviewsbookclub

*This photo shows the most recent Blog Talk Radio Show, and the screen where you access the broadcast. Use this weblink: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub and click the ‘play’ icon toward the top of the screen (where I’m pointing). 🙂

On Saturday, 8/27, I’ll be one of the authors interviewed on Blog Talk Radio, an online talk show! I’ll be talking about Made for Me and probably giving a mention of my sequels. It starts at 1 p.m. Eastern time, 12 noon CST, 11 Mountain time, etc. Won’t you listen in? Save this website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub and put this on your calendar. It’s a 30-minute show, and there will be a few authors, so I may only be talking for a few minutes. That’s a great start for me! You can listen in on your laptop/desktop while you have lunch. What should I wear? Wait, that won’t matter. It could be my p.j.s for all you know…

I’m so excited! This came about as a result of my membership in Rave Reviews Book Club. Have I mentioned this Writers’/Readers’ club before? Rave Reviews Book Club requires a nominal fee once per year, and with that, you are a member! Membership means you will get news of excellent books being published or going on sale, and as a writer, you will get to share your books and news. Your requirement is to follow other members on Twitter, purchase 4 books by fellow members yearly and review them on Amazon, and to share/retweet fellow members’ news of their books. In return, you will be supported with shares of your tweets and book information, you’ll have your book looked at, purchased and reviewed, and at some point, yours will be chosen as the book of the month. This all means much more exposure, what every indie author needs. Besides all of this, they have a blog talk radio show, a channel on Whatsapp (which I haven’t joined yet), and special programs such as the Back to School Blog party. I haven’t partaken in every little bit, but I just wanted to show that there are so many opportunities for networking and spreading news of your book at this club. After a few months, I have been chosen to talk for a few minutes about my book on their Blog Talk Radio show. I’m hoping some of you will listen in!

Again, to follow the broadcast, go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub , at 12 p.m. CT (1:00 p.m. Eastern time) and listen! The broadcast lasts about 30 minutes, and there will be other authors speaking, so please be patient, and you’ll get to hear my interview. You can even comment on Twitter, or send in a question via Twitter using the hashtag #RRBCTagTeam245 . Look who’s gone high-tech. 🙂

Are you interested in the policies and perks of the Rave Reviews Book Club? Visit their site at http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com/ and if you sign up, tell them Pamela Schloesser Canepa sent you there! Yes, they even have perks for getting new members signed up. I seriously love being a part of this Book Club.

Indie Writers Rock! An Interview with Lisa Wood,Newly Published Author of the novelette, Burnt Offering

LisaW.Burnt Offering Cover xl

I am pleased to announce my first ever author blog interview! What makes it even more exciting is the fact that this newly published author is also a friend of mine who was once a co-worker. Lisa Wood just recently published her first sci-fi fantasy e-book, a novelette titled Burnt Offering, on Smashwords and on Amazon Kindle. It seems she and I have a bit in common, even down to the fact that she loves the author, Christopher Moore! Here’s the rest of the scoop on this new author:

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.

My name is Lisa Wood. I am a theatre teacher. I have been writing forever, but I recently decided to share some of my work with people who didn’t know me (that was terrifying). So far, I have published a novelette (Burnt Offering) and a flash fiction (‘Til Death… Well Maybe) which has a longer sequel on the way (Death Won’t Wait Forever).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

The most recent book that I have completed is called Burnt Offering. It was inspired by my mother’s battle with cancer. I was dealing with some intense emotions and I channeled them into a Cinderella themed story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?

I see pictures in my head, and I just have to turn them into words. I always carry a notebook around with me, because I can never tell when the next story will haunt me, and I can’t get them out of my head until I write them down. It’s cathartic.

What authors or books have influenced you?

I love Neil Gaiman, Shakespeare, Mercedes Lackey, George R.R. Martin, Christopher Moore, Jane Austen just to name a few (really, I could go on and on forever about authors that I love). I think my writing is influenced by everything around me all of the time, especially things that I didn’t particularly like.

What are you working on now?

Right now, I have a few stories on burners. I am trying very hard to finish Death Won’t Wait Forever, the sequel to ‘Til Death… Well Maybe. I also have a thread I’m following on the fairy tale remakes that involves the Wizard of Oz and a post-apocalyptic future that may or may not include my favorite kind of undead creatures. And there is my big project which I have been working on forever, but recently I stalled on it. I will come back and get the last fifth of it written when the pictures take over my head again.

Do you have any advice for new authors?

For me, writing is and always has been a therapeutic practice. Even before I had a story to tell, writing in my journal was the easiest way to keep my sanity as a kid.

What are you reading now?

I’m listening to the Game of Thrones audiobooks, reading the HedgeKnight II graphic novel, as well as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Play, and a great book for work that is so amazing I forgot the title of it 😮

What’s next for you as a writer?
I never really do know what is next for me. Once an idea strikes me, I write it down and if I’m not already engrossed in something else, I make an outline and start writing. I suppose the world will just have to be as surprised as I am what will come out of my head next.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you, what books would you bring?
I would want to bring books that I had never read before. I have a very good memory for books, and I’d love the chance to read some new things that I have never read before. But I think at least one of those books would have to be a giant blank notebook 🙂 just in case…

Find Lisa here:

Lisa’s Author Website: