Diamond Drake's Blog

OMG! Y'all just don't know how excited I am at this moment. I can barely sit still! Receiving the notification that my second novel, For the Love of Jade, won for the 2013 International Book Award has been mind blowing! It's one of those things that you work for and want but when it happens it almost seems unreal. All I could do was cry! And that might explain why I assumed it was my third book and sent out notifications with the wrong information! ha,ha,ha. It was only when I was about to forward the notification to my family and friends that I saw that it's actually For the Love of Jade that won. I'd like to think of it as speaking it into existence since next week the other contest results will be revealed and Love's Fool was entered into that one. Either way, I'm over the MOON and just had to scream it from the rooftops . . . I'm an international book award winner! Woohoo!

Congratulations to Pamela Sarratt and Cocoa Faye! They are the winners of a signed copy of Love's Fool. The fairest way I could think to do it was to put everyone's name in a box and have my husband draw. Congrats again, ladies.

For all of you who still want to read Love's Fool, you can . . . for free! Just visit www.romancenovelsincolor.com and click on "free reads" to download your copy. Thanks again for entering. I hope you love it!

Today a fairly new company by the name of ScrewPulp launched their website that supports authors. They invited me to join and Imagined Love is posted on their site. Yay!!! I'm so excited!

Once again I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has supported me here on Goodreads. Your positive and encouraging reviews have opened up the doors to other opportunities from different sites and I'm SO excited--and very grateful. MUAH!!!

As much as I tried not to, yesterday I just had to break down and cry . . . but they were happy tears. The encouragement that I've received from Goodreads avid readers has been phenomenal and each day it's get better and better.

My mind instantly went back to the times I sat in my room bawling because I'd been ripped to shreds by an editor or flat out rejected before the person or book club would even give me a chance. I started to doubt whether writing was something I even needed to do. And when Love's Fool came out and nothing much was happening with it, I was close to throwing in the towel. A few pep talks from my husband and best friend made me quit feeling sorry for myself and get up to try again. So I came back to Good reads and put myself out there once more.

A sweet lady named Cricket read "For the Love of Jade", told all of her friends about it, and my life as a writer has changed dramatically! So when I say thank you to all of you who have written amazing reviews, emailed your comments and praise, and allowed me to share in the reading experience with you, I want you to know just how much it means to me. This whole experience has been encouraging, validating, and inspiring. And how I plan to show my gratitude is by making my fourth book, "Love's Choice" the best one I've written so far knowing that I'm writing for readers who get me and support me and appreciate that I leave a piece of my heart on every page. Thank you all SO MUCH! This means the world to me.

Have you ever had this happen . . . someone asks for your opinion and says, "Please, be honest with me. I wanna know the truth." And then you tell them your opinion and they resent you for it? That still baffles me til this day. So I started to wonder if people say that thinking they already know what you're going to say. I've definitely been guilty of that.

As a writer, putting your work out to be judged is a scary thing. You never know what someone will feel or think or what type of impact or impression your work will make upon them. So yes, it can be quite disheartening when you hand over your book to someone you think is going to love it and they don't--or at least not as much as you'd hope. HOWEVER, when you seek out someone's opinion, don't you have to be willing to accept it whether you agree or not?

I can't lie and say I've never been hurt by someone's evaluation of my work. I've cried plenty of tears. Though, once I get past the emotions, I have to take into account what was said. And I also have to decide whether the person who said it was trying to hurt or help me. Most times, it's meant to help me become a better writer, as I keep saying I want to be.

I do think there is a difference between fact and opinion. Someone saying they think your main character should have worn a red dress during a scene instead of a black one because it would have been more seductive . . . well, that's just a matter of personal taste. Yet, if someone points out that your book is littered with misspelled words, run on sentences, fragments, and things of that nature-- well, that's fact and any Webster's dictionary or grammar book will prove it.
Bottom line, if you don't REALLY want someone's opinion, stop asking!

Woohoo! Check out my interview on Krystal Milton's blog! http://www.krystalmilton.weebly.com

Thanks Krystal, I enjoyed the interview!

I just received confirmation that I'm still in the race for two contests I entered--one with For the Love of Jade and the other with Love's Fool. I'm so excited, but nervous too. I've never been entered in contests before but it's wonderful to know that I'm still in it and have a shot at the prize. Woo-hoo! I have a whole month to wait before the official results are in. Wish me luck!

Diamond Drake

I just wanted to say thank you to the Goodread readers who have written reviews and given me input. I truly do appreciate your honesty and will take heed to your suggestions as I finish my fourth novel. It is my goal to improve more and more with each book. So thanks for helping me. I truly do value your input.

Diamond

Hello Everyone, just wanted you to know that there are a few hours left on my offer of a free copy of either Imagined Love, For the Love of Jade (sequel), or Love's Fool for honest reviews. Interested? Then let me know before 12:01a.m., April 15, 2013. Happy reading!

Diamond Drake