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SAMPLE
- Fifth Issue, June 2003
ON MY MIND-
I'm sorry this issue is so late, but Life has a way of interfering.
My father died unexpectedly on April 21st and it has affected me
more than I want to admit. While I was still in the denial stage of
grieving, I lost my job, got into an estate battle with my father's
second wife and spent two weeks with my grandmother in the hospital.
Needless to say, my writing has suffered.
I guess what's on my mind right now is priorities and appreciation.
Without getting into the details of my estrangement from my dad, I
strongly encourage you to count your blessings, make peace and let
the people in your life know how much you cherish them. Time runs
out before you expect it, before you want it to. There's nothing
quite like death to make you realize you don't always get a second
chance. It's a terrible thing to live the rest of your life with
regrets.
So go hug your kids. Plan a special night with your significant
other. Call that friend. Visit your family. Make sure the last words
you say are `I love you".
THE LATEST-
My first book, RED SHOES & A DIARY seems to have done well
during its brief time on the bookshelf. I received a number of
emails from people telling me their local stores had sold out. The
eHarlequin.com website featured RSD as the `Today's Pick' on April
29th and my book then made the eHQ bookstore Bestsellers List!
If you've read RED SHOES, thank you! If you haven't, you can still
get a copy from the eHarlequin website or Barnes& Noble.com
where RSD is currently ranked in the 14,000s! (Hey, that's not bad
considering I never broke 20,000 on Amazon).
***
Three winners were chosen for my Red Hot RED SHOES Contest prize
giveaway.
First Prize: DEE DEE THOMPSON an Autographed Copy of my book, a
Blank Journal for your fantasies, Body Oil in the heroine's favorite
scent, a bottle of gold leaf Champagne, a romantic music CD and a
$35.00 gift certificate to Victoria's Secret.
Second Prize: LORI CRAIG an Autographed Copy of my book, a romantic
music CD and $10.00 gift certificate to the online store of her
choice.
Third Prize: RHONDA DOVE an Autographed Copy of my book and a
romantic music CD
***
I'm headed for the Big Apple in a couple of weeks. The RWA National
annual conference in is New York City and I'll be giving a workshop
with my friend Lisa. AIMING FOR THE KEEPER SHELF will focus on the
writing technique of Deep Point of View, an engaging skill designed
to pull the reader so far into the story that they can't put the
book down.
I'll be presenting ways to create realistic and believable
characters using birth order, dominant perceptions, core beliefs,
individual priorities, and conflict resolution style. Silhouette
Intimate Moments author Melissa James will show how to add emotional
impact by tapping into common shared experiences to create a bridge
from the writer to the readers. If you're attending the conference,
I hope you'll leave Saturday afternoon from 2:00pm until 3:00 pm
free.
SITE-INGS-
The website has a whole new look… Again. I think I've finally
found a theme and scheme I'm happy with, though. Take a look and let
me know what you think. http://www.miazachary.com/index.html
I've reorganized the navigation a little, added a glimpse of One Day
in My Life http://www.miazachary.com/About/MyDay.html and
finally scanned in some more photos http://www.miazachary.com/Fun%20Stuff/MyPhotos.html
I've also added some visuals to the Pages section http://www.miazachary.com/MyPages.html
. Check out the hero for my work in progress, BLACK LACE & A
LETTER http://www.miazachary.com/Excerpts/BlackLace_Excerpt.html
and read the new excerpt for ALL THAT JAZZ http://www.miazachary.com/Excerpts/AllThatJazz_Excerpt.html
IN CLOSING
Persistence. Determination. Perseverance. Drive. If you don't have
it, you won't make it.
There have been numerous times over the past month or so when all I
wanted to do was curl up and go to sleep. It's been a daily fight
with depression, anxiety, anger and sadness. But I still try to
write something each day. It may only be one single paragraph,
and a lousy paragraph at that. But I force myself to do it because
"this too shall pass" and I know that I've got to keep
going in order to reach my goals.
I started writing RED SHOES in May 1998. It was a project that was
stop and start for a long time due to inexperience, other
commitments and health issues. There were times when I was paralyzed
by doubt and didn't write for weeks. But I had faith. In myself, in
my talent and in my future. I didn't give up and in April 2003 my
dream of being published came true. I didn't give up then and I'm
not giving up now. This too shall pass.
In the meantime, I wish you luck, I wish you success and
I wish you joy.
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