Dee Pardo's Blog

As a novice writer there is still so much for me to learn and become knowledgeable about becoming a well recognized author. As I begin to navigate this new chapter, I have made myself become a researcher of sorts. I have trolled the internet for the plethora of resources available to someone learning how to become a part of this world. It is even more intimidating if you do not have the financial stability to directly connect with agencies or companies that provide services to do the navigation for you. If you have a love of writing and want to share your creativity with the world, here is what I have learned and found thus far.1.WattpadWattpad is a FREE online community for writers and readers alike. Publish your stories and share among a community of  people who are lovers of literary works. This is a great beginning for someone who enjoys writing and hopes to strengthen their craft.  However, this community is not limited only to new writers as there are well know authors who share special works in this forum. Writers from all levels are encouraged to share their creations. It's really a win/ win for everyone.2.I can't afford to do this...Believe it or not yes you can! There are a few no cost or low cost options to get started. Some with contest options with publishing contract prizes. Some that I have found but not limited to are:>KDP SelectandKindlescouta sub entity of KDP Select>Kobo>iBooks3.Claim your work!I was so fortunate to stumble across a blog advising for new authors to make sure you claim your work. Thus far, I have found that you can confirm your literary work through two popular platforms:AmazonandGoodreads. By claiming your page you can ensure no one poses as you and you can build your fan base by connecting through your individual page.4.Stay ConnectedThis will be an ongoing and tireless process, especially if your building your audience. But ALL worth it. Staying connected is imperative. No one knows who you are, so here is your way to get them engaged and keep them engaged. The first step is by claiming your work. Through amazon and goodreads readers can follow you, asks you questions, read your bio and get a sense of the author behind the work.  Have a social media presence and create a website.  Your first audience will be your friends and family.  Utilize them to vouch for you and they in turn help spread the word outside of your social media presence. Encourage your audience to leave a review for you. Thebiggestcomplement an author can receive is a review. The feedback left by a reader helps to share the readers experience and allow new readers to connect. Would you go to a restaurant if they didn't have a review? Think about it, it works the same way.  Some platforms to stay connected are:Send Emails:MailchimporConstantContact  there is also an option to manage mailing listsCreatea Website:WeeblyWix  WordpressEach platform offers a FREE version and a paid version.Social Media: As with the options above, choose what works for you. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, YouTube, etc. Whatever feels right to you.5. Additional ResourcesWriting SupportWritersstore.comThecreativepenn.comgoodreads(find affordable editors)Graphic Designcodyhanu.comcrocodesigns.comProtect YourselfLegalzoomI hope you found this information helpful and it'shelped to put some things into perspective.  And don't forget toPay It Forward!Do a good deed for people in need and, when thanked, to ask them to repay the good to someone else.

If you had asked me two years ago if I wanted to publish a little story that I imagined, I would have easily said "That's a nice idea, but I wouldn't even know where to start." Forward 2 years later, I still feel at a lost. But there was only one thing I could do and that was learn.Every so often we become comfortable in life; complacent even. For some, that is enough. However, I am far from some. I am always looking for new ways to challenge myself. What is the newest thing that can bring me out of my element? I've learned to bake, cake decorate, knit, and crotchet. I will even include motherhood under this set of personal challenges (because there is always something new to learn and push you to the limit everyday).But who knew that my enjoyment in writing and my innate gift to gab could be combined as a new experience for me? As an teenager, I wrote poetry as an escape to my experiences. As an extremely extroverted child and adolescent, I was easily teased for having "diarrhea" of the mouth; or having a big mouth. I took what some may feel as a fault and made it work for me.I have spent many a days reading books from authors such as:Sistah Souljah,Zane,Omar Tyree,Terry McMillian,Queen Penn,M.Malone,Wahida Clark,Deborah Bladon,J.S. Cooper,Hannah Ford,P.T. Michelleand plenty more (trust me this list can go on and on). And the one thing that kept coming into mind was, why couldn't I think of this? Similarly to staying up late and watching those infomercials or As seen on TV commercials and thinking to yourself, how come I didn't think of that?  I thought to myself and said I can. I have always had a vivid imagination and I was that geek who purposely looked for writing intensive courses in college. Why couldn't I write what felt?  Professors praised me for writing so vividly, but chastised me for writing as though I am talking. But isn't that what story telling is about? Isn't it about finding your way to connect and engage with your audience?  I want you to read as though you can hear the conversation in your head. I am writing so you can envision it. I want you to read it and feel it as the character feels it.  Writing in this perspective shouldn't be so hard then right? Well...I quickly learned writing to entertain an audience is not as simple as it may seem. In fact, it scared me so much, that I sat on this novel for 2 YEARS! I quickly learned that this journey is truly a roller coaster of joy, pain, frustration, blood, sweat, and tears. And let me not forget fear and sleep deprivation.  At the end of it all, I am humbled that I can share a little piece of me to people. Ariella is the third story of the many I have started. It is also the first that I have completed out of the many.If it were not for the gift of someone kick staring this for me to jump feet in, who knows for how many more years I would have waited to share Ariella.  I am thankful for the influence of the above-mentioned authors who paved the way.  I only hope that I can one day reach their levels of accolades and become an influence to someone as they have been for me.There is a Haitian proverb that saysin translation: The little pig asked his mother, "Why is your snout so long?" To which his mother replied, "Oh, my little one you are still coming up."