A year has passed since I first discovered Kindle Prime on Amazon. It changed my life. It changed the way I saw my writing and it changed my enthusiasm.
A year ago I wrote because I wanted to - I had little faith that my books would get into the hands of strangers and Second Chance took so long to complete because I figured no one cared anyway. I wrote for myself. I wrote what I wanted to read. I wrote because I enjoy it. I don't think that I'm very skilled but what I lack in natural ability I make up in determination. I'm willing to learn, to fix my mistakes and I'm willing to make more. I figure before I'm done I will have fallen into every pit unimaginable. But I will also pull myself out again.
Now there are people waiting for book 4!? What!? I can't over express my amazement. So the numbers are in the handful but it still surprises and leaves me speechless when I'm reminded that someone - I don't even know - is enjoying the books.
(My husband tells me not to focus on my mistakes. Actually, I just read this to him and that was his comment. To which my reply was "I don't." Duh.) He was also the one to tell me not to use a pick-up line on a stranger - clearly I don't listen to him and usually I find myself grimacing as I think I should tell him he was right. But then I save him from developing an abundance of ego and pretend like I have no clue what he's talking about. Marriage. Oh, side note, I have realized that I talk to strangers too much and to my horror I think I've hit on more men than I can count. Blast my naiveté.
Anyway, back on topic. Moon Over Monsters has a revised cover! We're going to be at a book signing on Feb. 16th at the Safari Club Wildlife Museum! They have the bones of a centaur and a few other mythical creatures and I can't wait. Just this week I received an email on Moon Over Monsters. I haven't pushed that one because it demands a sequel and that is still in the works - super cool.
Long story short. Living Lies is free on Kindle for the next three days! Tell your friends, tell your neighbors and lets all get out and download!
Thanks a million everyone!
Love All (avoiding the ones we accidentally excite),
Kate Mathis
Monday, January 28, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Readers Are The Real Mystery
A New Year. New Goals.
I hate putting so much pressure on myself in January - or anytime of the year, really - but I do like making lists of things to do. Mostly because I like crossing things off. Sometimes I do something and then remember it wasn't on my list, so I add it – just so I can cross it off.
This year is pretty much the same as last ... get a couple of books out, shove the pressure aside and simply enjoy the process. It's hard to appreciate every moment in life and when the yucky stuff creeps in, it's nice to remember that most of the crap just doesn't matter.
Life is a game, a competition and the purpose is to learn and have fun as the time on this planet passes. This has never been more evident to me than book sales. Raise the price, lower the price ... sell some, give some away. When or why readers buy a book is a mystery. None of it makes sense and I have almost no control.
I marvel when a book hits it big and goes crazy. My thoughts at that time are ... "Now why didn't I think of that? An X-rated Twilight ... duh!" with a hint of, "At least it's possible and maybe next time..."
I'm not an obvious gambler. I don't play the slots or hit the Indian casinos on weekends but I do play the odds with my career. So introspective - it's giving me a stomachache. But seriously What Is The Next Big Thing? Forget the tired old stuff of the last few years. Look ahead on the horizon ... what's there? You never know – it could be you lisping with Barbara Walters next December.
Squinting out over the sunrise,
Kate Mathis
I hate putting so much pressure on myself in January - or anytime of the year, really - but I do like making lists of things to do. Mostly because I like crossing things off. Sometimes I do something and then remember it wasn't on my list, so I add it – just so I can cross it off.
This year is pretty much the same as last ... get a couple of books out, shove the pressure aside and simply enjoy the process. It's hard to appreciate every moment in life and when the yucky stuff creeps in, it's nice to remember that most of the crap just doesn't matter.
Life is a game, a competition and the purpose is to learn and have fun as the time on this planet passes. This has never been more evident to me than book sales. Raise the price, lower the price ... sell some, give some away. When or why readers buy a book is a mystery. None of it makes sense and I have almost no control.
I marvel when a book hits it big and goes crazy. My thoughts at that time are ... "Now why didn't I think of that? An X-rated Twilight ... duh!" with a hint of, "At least it's possible and maybe next time..."
I'm not an obvious gambler. I don't play the slots or hit the Indian casinos on weekends but I do play the odds with my career. So introspective - it's giving me a stomachache. But seriously What Is The Next Big Thing? Forget the tired old stuff of the last few years. Look ahead on the horizon ... what's there? You never know – it could be you lisping with Barbara Walters next December.
Squinting out over the sunrise,
Kate Mathis
Thursday, December 27, 2012
The Christmas Letter
I love reading Christmas Epistles. One of my favorite things of the holidays is opening a Christmas card and finding a folded wreath-designed paper with pictures and accomplishments. I admit that I stop whatever I'm doing to cozy up on the couch and enjoy a read. I even do this when I'm at someone elses home and they have them out – I don't care if I know the people or not.
I'm not sure what the captivation is but it's there and it's strong. This year was a skimpy year for Christmas letters so I savored the few I could get my hands on - I might have to drag out the box I keep in my attic to get my fix by reading previous years letters ... hmm, did I just go too far?
Here's To A Wonderful New Year -- I've got big plans for 2013! (So suck-it Mayans)
Love Those Who Are The Warmest - it's cold outside,
Kate Mathis
I'm not sure what the captivation is but it's there and it's strong. This year was a skimpy year for Christmas letters so I savored the few I could get my hands on - I might have to drag out the box I keep in my attic to get my fix by reading previous years letters ... hmm, did I just go too far?
Here's To A Wonderful New Year -- I've got big plans for 2013! (So suck-it Mayans)
Love Those Who Are The Warmest - it's cold outside,
Kate Mathis
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Think Twice Before You Call A Stranger An...
Last night I went to an event to award a local businessman for his contributions to the community. That's the boring part but in the mix I spotted a man. He was in a light brown leather jacket, had rectangular silver framed glasses and ... he reminded me of Adam (for those of you who have read my books you know that Adam is an assassin). I turned to my husband and he said, "that guy looks like an assassin!" At that point I was hooked - I had to find out who he was. There are many problems with this ... the first being his name tag was tiny and second he kept turning each time I tried to run into him.
What was I going to do? Resolved, I decided I would simply introduce myself and tell him he reminded me of a character in my books. To which my husband said, "That sounds like a pick-up line. Hey you look like a guy in my book."(You have to do the cheesy, cheap porn star sound effects.)
Whatever. At the end of the event I was going to forget the whole thing ... but then I'd be a chicken and I hate missing opportunities.
So, I walked up to him and said "Hi, I'm Kate Mathis. I write and you remind me of one of my characters." Before I'd even finished my sentence I knew I was in trouble - the way his face changed – It WAS a pick-up line! I babbled on a few more seconds and he asked, (seriously) "Pray tell who is this person?"
I laughed, nervously - pushed his shoulder (which I immediately realized was another inappropriate gesture) and told him - an assassin.
I was in deep doo-doo! I gave a hasty goodbye and jetted like a rocket out of the auditorium. I figured Brent would find me, or he wouldn't, but I was not going back into that room.
I woke up a few times during the night to have a laugh. At least I proved that I am not a chicken!
Poor guy. I did get his name and after a bit of contortion he'll appear in a book - somewhere.
Anyway, I have learned a lesson and have passed my education on to you. Can't promise I'll remember that lesson next time I run into a dumb idea but...
Love All,
Kate
What was I going to do? Resolved, I decided I would simply introduce myself and tell him he reminded me of a character in my books. To which my husband said, "That sounds like a pick-up line. Hey you look like a guy in my book."(You have to do the cheesy, cheap porn star sound effects.)
Whatever. At the end of the event I was going to forget the whole thing ... but then I'd be a chicken and I hate missing opportunities.
So, I walked up to him and said "Hi, I'm Kate Mathis. I write and you remind me of one of my characters." Before I'd even finished my sentence I knew I was in trouble - the way his face changed – It WAS a pick-up line! I babbled on a few more seconds and he asked, (seriously) "Pray tell who is this person?"
I laughed, nervously - pushed his shoulder (which I immediately realized was another inappropriate gesture) and told him - an assassin.
I was in deep doo-doo! I gave a hasty goodbye and jetted like a rocket out of the auditorium. I figured Brent would find me, or he wouldn't, but I was not going back into that room.
I woke up a few times during the night to have a laugh. At least I proved that I am not a chicken!
Poor guy. I did get his name and after a bit of contortion he'll appear in a book - somewhere.
Anyway, I have learned a lesson and have passed my education on to you. Can't promise I'll remember that lesson next time I run into a dumb idea but...
Love All,
Kate
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
No Vacancy
Every year my mom says that she's going to make Christmas shopping easier for herself - she's going to give money and each year she spends hours, walks miles and stresses over everyone's gift. I'm on my fourth Melanie Ward novel and after each one I think "okay, now I've got this!" But here we are three months into CHASE and I'm stressing. It isn't writers block or finger cramps - but it's the hours and miles of plot that I go through to get the story down, to make it make sense. I have a jumbled personality and unfortunately it comes out on the page and that's why I have to edit and reedit.
Yesterday I started reading Living Lies – You wouldn't think this was a difficult task but my heart races, my fingers shake and I get nervous reading my own work. It's been years since I've opened up the book - I changed, rewrote and tore those first chapters nearly to death (After each rejection notice). Bad memories of trying to please everyone. Reading Living Lies again (with fresh eyes) I see my issues, which I will kindly address as my 'style'. And though I'm tempted to go back and update (fix) some of my 'style' dilemmas, I question if that's a good idea. Maybe, when I'm finished with CHASE ... we'll see.
The goal is to get better with each book. To write clearer, to tell an interesting story with real people and entertain for the 300+ pages. I take it seriously and hope readers think about Melanie, Adam, Trish after The End of each book – and if the next one is available have to pick it up and read more. I just wish I could do all this faster because the stories are piling up inside my head. The other day I tried to learn something and discovered I have no more room - I need the equivalent to an external hard drive for my brain.
Therefore the 'No Vacancy' sign will sway behind my eyeballs until I can come up with a solution. Anyone got one?
Love All,
Kate
Yesterday I started reading Living Lies – You wouldn't think this was a difficult task but my heart races, my fingers shake and I get nervous reading my own work. It's been years since I've opened up the book - I changed, rewrote and tore those first chapters nearly to death (After each rejection notice). Bad memories of trying to please everyone. Reading Living Lies again (with fresh eyes) I see my issues, which I will kindly address as my 'style'. And though I'm tempted to go back and update (fix) some of my 'style' dilemmas, I question if that's a good idea. Maybe, when I'm finished with CHASE ... we'll see.
The goal is to get better with each book. To write clearer, to tell an interesting story with real people and entertain for the 300+ pages. I take it seriously and hope readers think about Melanie, Adam, Trish after The End of each book – and if the next one is available have to pick it up and read more. I just wish I could do all this faster because the stories are piling up inside my head. The other day I tried to learn something and discovered I have no more room - I need the equivalent to an external hard drive for my brain.
Therefore the 'No Vacancy' sign will sway behind my eyeballs until I can come up with a solution. Anyone got one?
Love All,
Kate
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The Discovery
I'd forgotten how much fun it was to blaze through blank pages. To uncover the next situation, the next emotion as it's happening. I feel really lucky to be able to tell the story. I've had 'real' jobs (lots of them) and I sort of miss the companionship of other humans, the routine, the daily question of lunch - the paycheck. But there is benefit to this life, too. Though, to be truthful some consider me jobless because I don't have an office or a desk - I do have a desk, I just prefer to write at the kitchen counter or at a fast food restaurant.
My point is that there is give and take in each of our choices - consequences don't always have to be bad. But we do have to live with them. The consequence for me is that I'm alone most of the day (the conversations inside my head only count as partial interaction) and there is a part of me that wants to set up cubicles in my living room, pop popcorn in the microwave and hire a couple of people just to get on my nerves. Even in that scenario I'm missing the predictable paycheck. Well, my dream to have it all is still a work in progress.
I know that these post are supposed to be very narrowed down - with an exact purpose, but I'm so not that organized that I guess it is what it is. How do I know that my posts are off topic? Because I read it on the Internet! Or, no, I saw it on one of those puffy morning shows that are supposed to be about hard news ... and cooking or terrible fashion ... I get confused.
Hope all is well.
Love All,
Kate
My point is that there is give and take in each of our choices - consequences don't always have to be bad. But we do have to live with them. The consequence for me is that I'm alone most of the day (the conversations inside my head only count as partial interaction) and there is a part of me that wants to set up cubicles in my living room, pop popcorn in the microwave and hire a couple of people just to get on my nerves. Even in that scenario I'm missing the predictable paycheck. Well, my dream to have it all is still a work in progress.
I know that these post are supposed to be very narrowed down - with an exact purpose, but I'm so not that organized that I guess it is what it is. How do I know that my posts are off topic? Because I read it on the Internet! Or, no, I saw it on one of those puffy morning shows that are supposed to be about hard news ... and cooking or terrible fashion ... I get confused.
Hope all is well.
Love All,
Kate
Thursday, October 11, 2012
New Ranking System on Amazon - 202!
The other day I got an email from Amazon - they are now ranking authors and I was ranked 202 in Romantic Suspense! Woo-hoo, right? 202. That's so funny. What does it even mean? No clue but I liked it!
I live with a dysfunctional dog family. Seriously, I love them but right now I've got three snoring on my couch and one up on my bed with his head on the pillow. They bark at each other, gobble down anything that resembles an edible treat and they poop 17 piles a day. I've read where people say that their dog has changed their life - that is true. I'm a servant, a slave and if I stick my cold hands on their warm underbellies ... they bite. That is not unconditional love! To further illustrate, if I ever left the front door open, they'd be gone in a flash. Where are they going to find a better place? Doesn't exist - except at my mom's house. Maybe it's because they don't have thumbs and can't unlock the front door and they think I'm holding them captive. But truly it is for their own good.
They don't know that I'm the big 202 (that is ranking and NOT age or weight).
Enough of the ridiculous.
If this isn't an example of procrastination - don't know what is.
Remember to be kind.
Love All,
Kate
I live with a dysfunctional dog family. Seriously, I love them but right now I've got three snoring on my couch and one up on my bed with his head on the pillow. They bark at each other, gobble down anything that resembles an edible treat and they poop 17 piles a day. I've read where people say that their dog has changed their life - that is true. I'm a servant, a slave and if I stick my cold hands on their warm underbellies ... they bite. That is not unconditional love! To further illustrate, if I ever left the front door open, they'd be gone in a flash. Where are they going to find a better place? Doesn't exist - except at my mom's house. Maybe it's because they don't have thumbs and can't unlock the front door and they think I'm holding them captive. But truly it is for their own good.
They don't know that I'm the big 202 (that is ranking and NOT age or weight).
Enough of the ridiculous.
If this isn't an example of procrastination - don't know what is.
Remember to be kind.
Love All,
Kate
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