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

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

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

Awkward and Clumsy - Social Media

So, I'm not the best social media worker. I'm quiet. And though I know there are some that would disagree but I could consider myself shy. That is funny. But I'm less comfortable in a crowd and that's how I feel on Facebook. Like I'm thrown into a party where everyone knows each other and I'm standing on the sidelines watching with a drink in my hand. It's fun and all but I'm awkward. That being confessed - I just signed up with Pintrest (ikatemathis) - this looks like fun. I get to find images that remind me of Melanie, Adam or Trish and pin them on this site. Maybe it will give others a sense of who I think these characters are - is this a good thing? Books are so individual, so personal because it involves the readers unique imagination. My Adam is not the same for everyone. That's why when Twilight was first cast I wondered how they were going to find Edward. Because other than his copper hair the only description was that he was beautiful. What do you think?

Well, along with my screenwriting class, book 4 and the Moon Over Monsters series, I now want to embark in a social media education course. I've taken some of these webinars and I think I need to become more specific with my goal. Strategize, build a following, piggybacking, use others fame to comment on their blog, retweet, associate with them, do guest blogs - see I've got the terms. But I want to interact with readers - have discussions, talk to real people instead of typing on a blank screen. I love to procrastinate with answering emails or finding images online, doesn't everyone?

Heat Wave - out for almost a week and is doing well! What a relief because you just never know. Thanks to all. And I've got the basic outline for book 4 complete! I hate to say it's going better than Heat Wave because I'm highly superstitious and believe that the Gods of Karma don't need any incentive to zap me but ...

Love All,
Kate




https://www.facebook.com/kate.mathis.3

Paying For Reviews

So, I had the 4th hour of the Today Show yesterday and one of their topics actually stopped me - with laundry in my arms - to listen. They named an author who had set up fake accounts on Amazon and was giving himself raving 5 star reviews about his 'modern day masterpiece'. I didn't have time to evaluate what I thought about that when they went on to say that he'd also left horrible 1 star reviews for his competitors. I didn't need any time to know my feelings. What an @$$hole!

How rotten is that?

I did already know that this was going on a smaller scale ... because I have a couple of 1 stars reviews that make no sense. I'm not saying that someone can't like my books but their comments were inaccurate regarding my story.

Researching it yesterday I found that there were companies set up - so you could buy good and bad reviews. Apparently, after successful freebie promotions there are nasty people who either pay companies or use fake email accounts to leave bad reviews. Amazon customers have no idea this is going on and the star ratings matter. What a lousy thing to do to someone - all I can say is that in return they're getting fake 1 star reviews.  The author noted on the Today Show - was rj ellory and in their piece they said he admitted to it - said it was a wide-spread  occurrence among authors.

I'm here to tell you that I would never do that! EVER. It's mean and hurtful to read a nasty review - forget about hurting sales. And it's not like I pose a threat to anyone. Seriously if Fifty Shades Of Grey can make over a million a week - there's enough readers out there for everyone!!

Well, if these authors don't have enough confidence in their own abilities they should choose another profession.

All you Amazon customers - read the reviews with skepticism! But in return the percentage of readers that leave a review is very small - so, my request to you is if you like a book at least 3 star worthy - leave a comment. If you don't like the book, don't finish it and say nothing.
It's a shame people can be such dicks!

Mean People Suck
Kate

The Art of Procrastination

It's been a long time since I've been here - summer vacation is over and the kids are at school. I admit, it makes me very sad. We had a great summer and they're off learning with friends and having a good time and me ... well, I'm sitting here rearranging furniture and pretty much doing everything except what I'm supposed to do. I've got the final edit going on Book 3 and I think that I have absolutely perfected the art of procrastination! Seriously, I am GOOD!

I'm also here to announce that Book 3 has an e-book release date! September 21st! The last day of summer - is this a technical date? yes and no. It's my birthday and I don't care what any scientist, religious or calendarist say ... 9/21 is always the last day of summer! And Pluto will always be a planet! I gladly challenge anyone to any of these arguments!

I've got a title and a cover but I think I want to announce those together and probably on the website in the next couple of days!

Hope all is well in your world and that you're remembering to Love All.

Kate

Happy Independence Day

The rain finally broke over the desert and if I can pause for a moment to say how amazing wet creosote smells. The sky is gorgeous, cloudy and dark, and on the wind travels the scent of life and hope. Monsoon season is my favorite time of year. The drilling heat is worth the price and today we were granted the reward!

Independence is a wonderful thing. Not to have to ask someone for something; to use the car, for a couple of bucks for dinner or to go someplace. It's freedom and it's the best. Let's say I go to my mom's and she's grumpy, starts bugging me ... guess what I can do. Drive. Drive. Drive. She's great and don't get me wrong - She's the best, kind, generous, and would do anything for me. I love her. Love Her. But there are times when I am also in love with my keys! In Love With Car Keys. That's freedom on a personal note. That we live in a time where homeless carry cell phones and I don't have to eat pig intestines, that is even more to be grateful for - I am grateful. Everyday.

What are you grateful for?

Happy 4th of July!

Love All,
Kate