Simply Cheris. . .

I'm going to start a new feature, where I ask six questions to authors, book clubs and people who I just think are cool, interesting, deep, funny, amazing . . . and so on. Look for it on Wednesdays. On Sept. 6th, the official release date of Too Hot For TV , come to the blog party. What does that mean? I don't know. But we'll figure it out. I know I will be giving away two copies of my book to new followers of the blog. And there will be pictures -- LOL-- of cake.

#Thatsall

  I was told a long time ago that in order to write well, you have to read -- a lot. You have to read good things, so that you learn; and not so good things, so that you can learn as well. As a journalist, I read newspapers every day to see the writing style of others. How did this reporter tell this story? What kind of impact does it have? How are the facts presented? Did it keep my attention? What did I learn? As a novelist, I take the same approach to reading novels. But I'm a reader first. There have great author is, after a few pages, I'm hooked on the story and all that other stuff is out the window. Sometimes, you get so engrossed in a book, you forget that your own deadline is looming.   Take, Victoria Christopher Murray's The Deal, The Dance and The Devil for example. I didn't like this book -- I loved it. What would you do for five million dollars? Adam and Evia Langston have lived in their own little garden of Eden since the two married at the ag...

#Thatawkwardmoment: when someone you really like and respect decides to leave. Today, I'm dealing with that in my professional life. It's funny because when you're a writer, sometimes an editor is your best friend and your worst enemy. You're not always going to agree with some changes he or she will "suggest" you make to your story. Know this, an editor's suggestion is a mandate. At the end of the day, though, the editor wants your story to be amazing — whether it's a magazine article or a novel. There will be times when you and the editor lock horns. But, true professionals make it work without getting personal and the final project is amazing. At some point, your editor becomes your friend and you know just what will make him/her give you that thumbs up. And just when you're ready to call your editor your BFF, he or she decides to leave. Arrgh !! What are you going to do? The only thing you can do is roll with it. Take the lessons lear...

When I first started blogging, I thought all I had to do was write about my books and people would read. That wasn't the case. I even bored myself, to the point where I didn't write. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm still going to talk about my books and other people's books too! I have an opinion on almost everything and I'm going to share it here. Plus, I just took up shooting. You can grow with me and watch my aim get better. So, welcome back! I hope you rock with me. I'm Simply Cheris . . .