March of the Writers 2021#MarchOfTheWriters

Well, if anything’s for sure it’s that the last year has been quite the ride for everyone. No matter who you are and where you live, life has changed in some way. Still, if anything, it’s been an invitation to get creative in ways we never imagined. So it’s March again and once again I’m inviting you to connect with readers and writers alike with #MarchOfTheWriters.

This authorlife set of prompts includes daily prompts for ALL the month for you to tackle on your preferred social media. There are no full on set rules for these although I will offer a brief explanation for each prompt because some titles are SO clever that it’s quite possible you have no idea what to post, but hey, such is moi. The intention is for you to have fun with this and that’s basically my only request. You don’t have to post every day if life gets in the way and no need to feel guilty if you miss a day or two or don’t really feel like posting. Anywho, before I waffle on, let’s get down to bidness.

1. Nice to meet you

Present yourself to readers and fellow authors. You can do this in writing, with pictures, using emojis, on your podcast, or even with a video.

2. Peek a book

Take one of your books and snap a pic behind it while also telling us a bit about your book.

3. Upcoming events (even online)

Regardless of whatever’s going on in the world, we’re all doing our best to keep connecting and be it an online interview, round table discussion, or online convention, let us know what you have coming up.

4. “Genre-ly” speaking

What genres do you write in? Why? Will you be writing in other genres in the future?

5. Music to write to

I’m a BIG fan of music and my writing music list is ALWAYS growing. So if you have recommendations, let us know and might even add a couple of your tracks to the March of the Writers Playlist on Spotify.

6. Fav candy, I mean writer fuel

Brain needs fuel. Fuel can be tasty. What makes your mouth go yum and your brain go vroom?

7. Easter eggs, yay/nay?

Some people love including little surprises in their books, others don’t. What side of the shell are you on?

8. Author Corona Couture

Snap a snazzy pic of what dressing up in lockdown looks like for you. Be as serious or un serious as you like. 

9. Lockdown lessons

In this year, I think we’ve all learned a couple of things about ourselves. What are some lessons you could share with others?

10. If you were a cocktail

Would you be fruity, boozy, sneaky, fizzy? Let us know and if you want to include a recipe, why not?

11. Secret identity (i.e. the day job)

COMPLETELY optional, but if you so choose to share, what is your side hustle, main hustle, or is your writing career at a point where it’s sustainable?

12. 1st book published

Share the joy!

13. Liquid inspiration

Tea, coffee, rocket fuel? What’s in your preferred beverage vessel and what goes inside. If you want to make it a mugshot, have at it!

14. Bookmark collection

Bookmarks are the pillows for your books, so show off one or a couple.

15. Recos [book, movie, videogame]

MOST of us have watched, read, or played something fun. Give us some of your top recommendations of things to dive into and why.

16. Auto-buy authors?

There are certain authors that you don’t need to even read a synopsis and you pick up a book. What are yours?

17. Fav decade?

50’, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’, 2000’s or 2010’s, what decade is your jam in movies, music, and beyond?

18. Reader love

As writers, we are often blessed to get some genuine love from readers. Let us see some of that love.

19. Cartoons you grew up with

I shall watch cartoons until the day I die because it’s something I learned early on and my grandfather also taught me that you’re never too old to laugh at cartoons. What are some of your favs?

20. Breaking the block

Writer’s block happens. How do you cope with it? Be as direct or creative as you like.

21. Dress in your genre

You’ve got books. You’ve got WIPs. If you HAD to dress for the occasion, what would you wear?

22. WIP it, WIP it good

Tell us a bit about your current project/s.

23. 1 of each: indie | classic | traditional

Recommend one book under each category so we can all share the wealth.

24. Writer pet peeves

Some things annoy us to no end. Things that other people wouldn’t mind or wouldn’t react in the same way. Show your writer colors!

25. Love in the elevator pitch

The elevator pitch is a 30-40 second summary of your book. It’s something that you really should master and something I’ve become accustomed to with my different books. It’s also something I think we can help each other out on. Share your elevator pitch and by all means, let’s offer some constructive criticism.

26. Unique influences

Inspiration can come from any and everywhere. What are some of your more peculiar sources of inspiration?

27. Currently reading

What is currently on your nightstand? How is it so far?

28. Writer tools

Tools of the trade vary from writer to writer. What are your go-to-tools?

29. Share a review

Reviews aren’t necessarily easy to come by, especially if you’re an indie author. Share a review that made you smile or a brutal one that actually taught you something about your book.

30. Book pals

One of the greatest joys from my writer journey is the people I’ve connected with and the ones that have offered a new, unexpected, and wonderful definition to the word friend. Show some love.

31. Never let go

Do NOT follow Elsa’s advice. Tell us how to stay in touch with you.

* * * *

And there you go. 31 prompts for the entire month of March. I hope you join in and that you enjoy AND partake in the shenanigans. As for who can participate? This is an INCLUSIVE event, not exclusive. If you write fan fiction, a blog, a journal, or have tons of books published, you’re welcome to partake, connect, and enjoy.

Hope you’re doing well and til next we catch up in words.

Peace, love, and maki rolls

JD

The LitCon “Heads or Tales” Book & Author Tag

When you go to any book convention there is the side of the author and the side of the reader and many of us have gone as both. Last year, a LOT of us had to take rain checks for our events. Some of us have had to reinvent and get creative in new and different ways. It’s been a year of lessons, though with a new year comes the prospect of new horizons. Enter LitCon. This online book event is one of those efforts where readers and authors can connect once again and since it’s online, well you can save a lot on gas and food (seriously, how expensive is subpar food at events?) So in the interest of letting readers connect with authors, here’s a dual book & author tag.

 

As an added bonus for me, I’ll actually be doing this here on my blog and also on my BookTube and AuthorTube channel. As for the questions, you can answer the reader side, the author side, or both because for this year, the only rule is to have a good time and enjoy ourselves. 

 

Heads – Reader side, where stories want to get cozy 

 

1. Have you gone to a book convention or comic con? If so, which have you gone to and some highlights?

 

I am a big fan of book conventions and actually connecting with fellow authors at comic cons. Having participated in a few, what I truly love of these events is connecting with authors that like me want to write what they love instead of what may or may not appeal to the masses. I’ve gone to Dragon Con, Jordan Con, the Atlanta Comic Con, and my dear Puerto Rico Comic Con. Before I went as an exhibitor, I’d actually been going to the Puerto Rico Comic Con for at least 5 years and was ALWAYS pleased with how well organized it was. Highlights shall always be connecting with fellow authors and seeing cosplayers in their element. There’s something very special about seeing a fellow geek in their habitat and that my geekiness is always respected, appreciated, and celebrated.

 

2. What’s the biggest book haul you’ve ever had at a bookstore or convention?

 

I’d like to boast, but when I see some hauls from other people I see how tame I am and I think my last really big haul was at Jordan Con. Just such a variety of authors with great books on tap and I’ve been reading them bit by bit. It’s always interesting to see who undersells, who oversells, and who truly captures their artistic vision in a conversation with a potential reader. For that Con, I think I clocked in at 15 books, which is respectable but nowhere near the batty hauls I’ve seen on BookTube. What I like best is supporting fellow authors at an event, which happens after I cover costs for my booth lol.

 

3. How varied do you read in regards to genres?

 

If a book catches my attention, I don’t care the genre, I’ll read it. For me, the importance is quality of writing, more than genre. If the premise hooks me, I’m in and I read YA, middlegrade, historical fiction, horror, suspense, graphic novels, comics, poetry collections, comedy, non-fiction, philosophy, psychology, and beyond. Plus, I’ve learned that the wider I read the more I enjoy reading as a whole when I find a truly special book. 

 

4. Do you read mainly mainstream, indie, classics, or a mix?

 

I LOVE to mix it up because there’s something to be said for classics as well as new releases. I do love reading indie because some of the most original works are the ones you have no idea how to classify. Plus, I also love reading indie to support fellow indie authors because I know the difference it makes and how much weight there is to each and every review. 

 

5. How do you find out about new books?

 

I find out from friends, from BookTube, from discovering a new author and then wanting to dive into their bibliography, by watching movies and TV shows and later exploring the books they’re adapted from, and by seeing who influenced authors I love or what books they’re into. 

 

Tales – Author side, where stories come from (though if you’re a reader and want to tackle these too, have at it)

 

1. Are you traditionally published, indie, or a hybrid? If you’re looking to become a writer, which would you prefer?

 

I’m currently full indie, but my goal is to be a hybrid author for a couple of reasons. Yes, I want the reach of a traditional publisher and with certain books I’m willing to edit and play to the market, but for other projects that I hold close to the chest, I have final say in those and I need that freedom. I need that space to show what I can do in both because I see value in each as a reader and a writer and think each can push the other to be better. 

 

2. Do you like to focus on one genre or no limits? 

 

I am a multi-genre author which is actually a turn off for a lot of people, because the thought of a Jack of all trades quickly comes to mind. For me, I’d rather be a Joker of all trades, because a wild card fits to any mold and for me, my writer journey is a LOT about exploration and self-discovery and part of this comes down to seeing what is within my soul well for each project. 

 

3. How much do you focus on word count or page count?

 

I’ve known to obsess and do away with word/page counts and right now my main focus is to have enough pages to ensure the spine of my book cover works. I try not to go too big with my books nowadays because cost and how labor intensive it is to wrangle in a 150K word manuscript is a challenge. Eventually, I want to just embrace whatever each project gets from me and for me to be happy with it. For now, I’m trying to keep it into a more reasonable page and word count to convince readers in the future to give a hefty tome an opportunity, and that’s something I truly feel I HAVE to earn. 

 

4. What’s been the hardest thing to write?

 

The current manuscript for Beyond Human is truly challenging because a lot of things hit close to home and are very personal and intense. The Human Cycle began as a self imposed dare and as I dove deep into the narrative, it’s become something very personal that will be a significant part of who and how I am, and what I represent as a human and an author…so yeah, I feel the pressure to deliver the absolute best story I can to prove right anyone who has ever believed in me. 

 

5. What do stories mean to your life?

 

I think the greatest things we have in life are stories. From collecting memories to collecting new ones, stories are the best way to share a slice of you with someone else. As an author, I love exploring narratives that are true to me and what I believe and that are a proper representation of my efforts and vision as a creator. Stories inspire in so many ways and I’ve learned that some of the best lessons in life come from stories, whether someone tells it to you or you tell it to someone. Think of it this way, if you have the best information/advice in the world and you just spit it out, how many people will pay attention? Now take the SAME advice or information and spin an engaging narrative around it and see how much mileage that message gains. As for the stories I create, it’s fascinating because I really get to know myself intimately when I fall into a state of flow and I’m not really in control of the words that come out of me. It’s liberating, cathartic, and equal parts funny/scary/sad/healing. It’s a unique experience and in the end, all I can see is that although I’m more than just my stories, I’m much more thanks to them and the connections they’ve allowed me to have. 

 

And that’s the tag! If you’d like to participate, by all means, go to this link at the LitCon page so you can get the questions clean, write your heart out and make sure to tag us to read and share your answers as well. I also hope you’ll be able to join us for some of the panels in the event and if you’re interested in signing up, check the site, you might still be on time for that. For now though, thanks for reading and til next we connect through words. 

 

Peace, love, and maki rolls.