P.G. Shriver's Blog

With the release of my third festival book on April 30, my writing blog will move to this link P. G. Shriver. My new blog will allow me to give away more books, as well as allow my fans and readers to interact more easily with me while I write for them. Join me in my move to my new writing blog. I'll post a little here, but if you are interested in reading my work, watching me create, meeting with me on Google Hangouts, or receiving free books, follow me over to my new place!

Over the past few years, I've followed a path to optimism and positive thinking.I've always been pessimistic--to the point of cringing when I encountered extremely positive people--so this journey is incomplete at best, though I have changed immensely. I want to be positive about my life, enthusiastic about what I do; I want to enjoy life the way I enjoy life. I came to realize a few years ago with the help of my wellness coach, how negativity was poisoning my body, as well as my mind. It always has.This morning, as I read over a journal entry from earlier this week, I realized one of my biggest roadblocks is comparing myself and my work to others which turns me back down the fork of pessimism. Why do I do that? Why do I compare myself? When I do, I conclude that I don't fit in. I try to fit in, but I know it's not happening and maybe that's because I'm not meant to fit into a puzzle of similar pieces. I'm meant to be a unique piece in a bigger puzzle.Some don't understand how difficult it is to try to fit into the smaller puzzle that's linked to the bigger puzzle. The looks of judgement are real. I see them, the glances the others share between each other when I speak, write, contribute--approach a task different from their way. I can almost feel the eye rolls of some who read this.The judgement is real, too. People judge each other. Why? Because of difference. Because of fear of the unknown.The holidays are the worst time. I don't even shop in stores because it's the least pleasant time of year to be in stores. It begins right after Thanksgiving. People become rude and even more judgmental. This is supposed to be a happy time of year, a giving and caring time. So why are so many unhappy?My guess is, they are comparing themselves, too, and seemingly falling short. They believe their lives are filled with misery and nobody else cares, especially those who don't "seem" to struggle through life. They believe others are laughing at their struggles--some probably are--and rolling their eyes. Why? Why are they not happy with what they have?Comparison.Is comparison what makes the woman in the grocery store lose her manners? The middle schooler bring a gun to school? The man in the news photo commit six robberies? Are they comparing and falling short in their own eyes? Are they seeing themselves through the judging eyes of others? I believe it is the reason. Those people feel the laughter and eye rolls, see the looks of misunderstanding and fear. People cannot be positively positive and happy in their own skin if they are always comparing themselves to others or desiring what others have. If one person releases that desire to compare and starts to do what they love anyway, perhaps more will follow and the world will become a more respectful, caring place again.But, even if nobody else follows, I will continue that self journey to positivity by taking the step toward non comparison. True joy comes when I can see me through my eyes, when I stop seeing myself through the eyes of others, when I stop comparing myself, my work, my choices, to others, when I ignore the eye rolls. It's not fitting in with others and doing what they do that makes me a unique piece in the big puzzle of life; it's doing what I love, the way I do it best, on my own and ignoring those who judge, doubt, fear. It's the first step of many.

Which of my books is linked to this ad?A good friend of mine, who also happens to be Barn Town Eve Culley, author of the Barn Town series, sent me this ad.My first thought was, "Oh, I hope they find it!"My second thought was, "Is Sally at home?"My first action when I arrived home was to check on that quirky saddle!Sure enough she was sitting on her shelf complaining about how bored she was. Whew! It was a relief to see her. We have a lot of writing to do!In hopes of helping the poor child who lost their saddle during this holiday month, I began a share on a Facebook post. Anyone who shares and comments Shared will be entered in the drawing for a talking saddle puppet I'm making and giving away in 2018!Better hurry and share that post at this link: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPGShri... my page while you're there to keep up on news about Sally, and it wouldn't hurt my feelings if you stop by my website and subscribe at pgshriver.com. You'll receive an entry for that, too! That way you'll know when the drawing will take place and exactly how that puppet is made!

It's that time of year, again!I've extended the dates for entry and submission.If you registered last year and need the address, email me.I've had to change the website email to reduce costs, but everything else is the same! Join Sally and I again this year as we build her mascot collection for 2018 parades!In 2018, winners will be invited to ride along on our new float, or walk beside Red Wagon!

They're there, watching me while I write, craft, work...Why are they watching me? Are they making sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing?I am! I promise, I am! I'm writing! See?Don't you believe me?I know what it is, why they're watching me. They want a clean table. They want an organized craft room. They want... to enslave me to this room where I will be demanded to make more little...SPOOLTROLLS!

So, Sally and I are about to set out on a new venture... So many independent authors fall into marketing traps and scams, pay huge amounts of money to others who say they will get the author's self published book into bookstores and libraries and book scan and seen by millions of people... and guess what?It doesn't happen. The sad fact is, self published authors have to be learners, too. Self published authors must promote their books and find the right resources to help do that. Self published authors have to be marketers. Self published authors sell their own work. And I will tell you this: there are no free marketing options because this is a capitalist nation.Still, it's not likely that that book you are marketing is going to be on bookshelves.Why?Snobbery?No.It's all about the right material, taking the right steps, and the seeking the right channels.So, how do independent and self published authors do it? I'll let you know as soon as my steps pan out.Bookstores, here we come!

There is so much interest in Sally when we read to kids and visit festivals that I've decided to create an instructional, crafty video series detailing the making of Sally. I'm recording the series so crafty parents can make a saddle puppet for their children! Maybe their children can help create the puppet! Obviously, Sally is one of a kind, and she is already complete and live, so the video will be for a Sally look a like that I will give away at the end of the video series. Be sure you're a member of my website so your name is entered in the drawing!Are you ready to make your own saddle puppet?Join me on YouTube to follow the steps for making your very own saddle puppet that will be able to read Sally parts with your child as they read the books in the Texas Festivals Series.

As always, Texas hospitality is alive and well in Giddings, TX! I had a fantastic time at Texas Word Wranglers Festival, read many times during my two days there, and collected several festival selfies for Sally. Free membership is requested to view selfies. That way, I can help keep young fans safe. Here's a freebie, though. I don't think this hometown hero will mind!Thank you to the wonderful folks at Giddings for hosting this event each year!The second Texas Festivals series book, Sally Travels Parade Style even made the local news!TWWF is the destination of Sally the Travelin' Saddle, the first Texas Festivals series book.

Harvey has kept Texas busy this week. I just signed up to volunteer for help with the onslaught of displaced animals and will likely be making a trip down to help transport in the next week or two. Nemo wanted me to set up a donation page for Austin Pets Alive!, the group taking charge of pet rescue and placement for people who want to help directly with the Harvey pet efforts. He is such a compassionate puppy who loves every dog and cat he meets. He set his donation goal at $5,000. If you can help him raise these funds for APA, click below to donate directly to this no kill shelter.Donate Now

Thanks for voting on the title for book three in my Texas Festivals Adventures! The title for book three with a whopping 83% in the Facebook poll is...There's still time to change it. Visit patreon/ThisAuthorVideos to join the voting fun! You can have a say in all I create through my polling!Sally the Travelin' Artist!The newest festival book is in the design stage and the cover design is being created as I write the rough draft for book three in The Gifted Ones trilogy.I know the cover will have a bit of color... just like one of the characters!  Which character colors up at the end?Guess you'll have to wait until March 1 to find out-- unless you're a reviewer receiving an ARC copy, or a blog reviewer receiving a digital ARC copy.