Blue Sky Tag

My lovely friend, Sarah Brentyn did a tag recently and I was in a mood for a tag, so here goes! 

The BLUE SKY TAG

1. Do you judge a book by its cover?

Lol of course I do. But I don't gravitate to what the market likes. For me, a cover is essential to capture the feel of a book which is why I bust my ass so every single cover of my books is something I'm proud of. It takes money and time and a lot of people don't invest on either, so why should I invest on their books. And then there are covers that far outshine the book, which is just as frustrating. But still, covers call to us because they're art. 

2. What’s your favorite color? (Specific shade would be awesome…just saying.)

Teal or the blue from the water at a white sand beach with great waves. Seriously, it's mesmerizing. If we're talking in general though, damn do I love me some black :D

3. Which animal is smarter: chimpanzees or dolphins? (Except if Geoff Le Pard plays because he will say “mice”.)

Chimps for me and it has nothing to do with looking like one. Nothing at all. Or the bananas :D

4. What’s your least favorite part about writing: editing, revising, or proofreading?

Revising. I think editing is a pain but when it's a review and you're so burnt out you wonder if there's any problem when you can't find a typo, that's the worst feeling. 

5. Are there any mythological creatures you believe are real? (Or wish they were?)

I think fairies or a variation of them could be possible. There's a lot we don't understand. Other than that, some type of dragon had to exist man. The obsession is too global for it not to be the case. 

6. Which ridiculously popular book did you not enjoy?

Interview with the Vampire. Preferred the movie and don't mind taking heat for that :D

* * * * 

And now, let's enter the Do You Prefer / Which Would You Rather questions section

7. Pen or pencil

Pen for novels, short stories, and essays, pencil for poetry. 

8. Wine or beer

Depends on the need and the moment. Both make me intensely happy and I think today calls for a beer :D

9. Bean bags or straight-back chairs

Straight chairs. Bean bags can actually get old lol. 

10. A pile of proofreading or a stack of math worksheets

Proofreading any friggin day.

11. Monty Python or Three Stooges

Both make me smile for different reasons. Python is brilliant and absurd and the Stooges are just so old school cool :)

And now it's your turn to do this quick little tag if you need something to cleanse your mental palate. 

Peace, love, and maki rolls

10 reasons why you should review your favorite indie author's work:

1. If a book doesn't have reviews, people are hesitant. If you like a book, let people know!

People really have no idea how much power their words have. Reviews shall always invite more readers to give a book a chance.

2. Indie authors mean well but often question their work. We give our best but it's always best to know how we're doing.
Self-doubt is real and at times crippling. If you'd like to empower an indie author whose work you enjoy, a positive review goes a LONG way to do just that. 
3. You can be instrumental in getting an indie's book into the hands of another reader and every single reader counts for us.

Odds are high at least one of the books you read this year was recommended by someone. What's quite curious is that odds are you can find those books at book stores or in a variety of ways that aren't readily available to an indie author. Tell people about indie books you love and give someone a secret Santa gift worth talking about!
4. Odds are super high we'll thank you in some way.

We are often very aware of our review numbers on different sites because we don't have people hired to be on the lookout and when we see a positive review, we will probably reply. 

5. We always need reviews. Rarely will you see an indie author boasting of all the reviews that are raining down on his books.


I know not ONE indie author that has the problem of too many reviews! Every review helps. Every review makes a difference. We just hate asking for them. 

6. It's guaranteed that 4 and 5 star reviews will get a #SnoopyDance or a #FortniteEmote

It takes very little to bring us big joy. Don't believe me though. Ask around and you'll see what a small review, a note, a thank you, anything can make such a huge difference. 

7. It helps us grow our hair back after pulling it out while editing.
Seriously, although I'm balding in certain areas, I have no idea how I still have hair some days :D

8. It's part of your balanced diet, burns calories, and is #KetoDiet friendly, plus #GlutenFree

Hey, trendy diets are review friendly too!!

9. Because it wards off evil spirits of self doubt.
We will be consulting to see whether Zak Bagans can confirm the existence of these malevolent spirits to banish them far far away from our muses. 

10. Because you can and it makes ALL the difference.

That's what you don't realize. But it's true. Each time an indie author has someone who believes in them and supports them, it inspires us to push 5 times as hard. 

#ReviewIndies #IndieCommunity #IndieAuthors #IndieBooks

Calling for a Blog Hop #10RandomAuthorGoals

The main idea of this blog post is to invite fellow writers and actually anyone I know to share their random dreams. Not the big goals you're gunning for, but the random things you'd like to experience. The main thing is to keep it random, spontaneous, and fun. 

Beyond the obvious, share 10 things you’d like to happen if you were succesful:

10. Get interviewed by Sean Evans on Hot Ones. Being Puerto Rican/Cuban , I suspect some Spanish cursing would go down while I attempt to tackle 10 spicy as hell wings.

9. Do a cameo in a movie inspired by a book of mine while eating a Cameo cookie.
8. Have enough relevance or success to earn the right to a commencement speech or TED Talk. 

7. Get an Estrada beer or tea blend going.

6. Get a sponsorship from Chiquita Bananas to fund a 00 Bananas scholarship :)

5. Help write a video game concept/script and then don a motion capture suit to appear in it.

4. Have someone surprise me at a Comic Con cosplaying one of my characters.

3. Appear as a guest vocalist on a music track or two lol

2. Have Adriano Zumbo create a dessert inspired by my Daydreams on the Sherbet Shore

1. Write something about #PuertoRico that’ll inspire more people to visit and help our Island out.

How about you? What random goals pop into your head? Share your link below! 

#AuthorGoals #WriterJourney

#Humans4PuertoRico - Helping Puerto Rico in Yabucoa

Greetings kind readers! If you’re here, it means you read the title of the post and would like to help someone in Puerto Rico. I’ve been asked a LOT about how we can help people back on the Island and for some months I’ve been drawing a blank because many foundations either finished what they set out to do or have made questionable use of money donated. It’s a sad thing to say, but unfortunately it’s true. I said I’d only further share a cause I trust and that’s why I’m writing.

Unlike other foundations or efforts, I know who is in charge of this effort, which is why I’m paying it forwards. I’m using the #Humans4PuertoRico hashtag not because I’m the organizer of this cause but in the hopes it makes it easier for me to share efforts I support because I know the people organizing it.

On this occasion, someone I worked with when I was back in Puerto Rico is carrying out efforts to help the municipality of Yabucoa, one of the hardest hit by Hurricane María itself and its aftermath. They are requesting school materials for kids between the ages of 5-17, including the following:

• Crayons
• Magic Markers
• Notebooks
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Pens
• Construction Paper
• Loose Leaf Paper
• White Paper
• Pencil cases
• Lunchboxes
• Other school materials

I have the contact of where to send these materials, but since this is personal information I do not wish to post publicly. If you are interested in sending materials, go to my author pageon Facebook and send me a list of the materials you will be contributing and the sending address so I can notify the organizer and put you guys in contact.

About the organizer: ZB is someone whom I worked with for 7 years. She was always an extremely responsible peer and was always awesome to work with. Beyond her work ethic, she has always proved she’s a standup human and one of the most generous and hard-working people I’ve ever met. This is not someone I’ve heard about or heard from another person. This is someone I know and trust, which is why I’m sharing this post and looking to help in any way I can. Puerto Rico is not just the metro area and a lot of people still need a lot of help.

Important information: ALL materials must be received by August 2 to organize and distribute for the start of class on August 13. Btw, 8/13 is my birthday and unlike other years, if you want to get me something for my birthday, help these people out. Sure I’d love book sales, reviews, socks, bananas, and tea, but I’d rather know kids on the Island are smiling and starting their school year right instead of a book sale. Also, if you’re an author and would like to donate copies of your books, send me a message with amount of copies you’re willing to send. Once I have a tally, I’ll inform the organizer to see if it’s cool to send them along.

Peace, love, and maki rolls.

JD