U.M. Hiram's Blog: Why I Love to Write

Happy Saturday!

​Whatever it is that you've set your mind to want to accomplish, make sure that you stay the course.

Set goals, create a plan to achieve them and put in the work!

Your mindset must be positive and vision crystal clear.

Stay focused and motivated no matter what challenges may come along the journey.

You can achieve anything that your heart desires and more ... stay the course!

Until next time ... Happy Reading and Happy Writing!

​ www.quotecatalog.com Due to the current state of our world, many of us find ourselves at home as we are active participants in "social distancing" to combat the spread of COVID-19. 

Besides telecommuting for work, I've been focusing on finishing up some writing projects and also reading a lot. This has included reading some new books as well as re-reading some oldies but goodies. 

There are two quotes of many that I love about reading: "the journey of a lifetime comes with the turning of a page" and "books aren't just made of words, you know...they are filled with places to visit and people to meet." Reading can be eye-opening, inspirational and downright entertaining - depending on your preference. 
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Personally, I love books that are inspirational and entertaining. Inspirational books are those that remind and encourage us to stay motivated on this journey called life. They are the written works that inspire and evoke change as well as let you know that your dreams can become reality.

​The entertaining books ... yes ... they are just that, strictly entertaining. They are the books that take you on a fictional journey that serves as an escape from the everyday real-life scenarios. In my opinion, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. With all of the serious moments that we continue to experience, it's okay to embrace an escape from those things for a brief moment.  Reading is definitely one outlet that can provide that for you. 

I'd like to encourage you to use some of this time to pick up a book and read. You can discover new authors or revisit some of your favorites. There's so many accessible ways to get access to books - audio, digital or good ole' paperback/hard copy. 

Lastly, I would love to know what you are reading now. Share those in the comments section below.

Until next time ... Happy Reading and Happy Writing!

Photo courtesy of www.pexels.com Happy New Year!

​Hope that your 2020 has been great thus far!

It's been a little while since I've updated this blog. Most of that had to do with my crazy schedule and getting prepared to write new books. It's been a serious juggling act, for sure.

​I have been in the writing cave and I'm looking forward to sharing two new novellas with you this year. They are the second (Always Mine) and third book (Forever Mine) in The Wired Heart Series. If you haven't read Be Mine, which is the first book in the novella series, then head over to Amazon and purchase your copy today. 

Book Synopsis: Chance Meeting. Instant Attraction. Unknown Connection.

Melissa and Jacob weren't looking for love but unexpectedly found it. Sparks ignited and heated attraction was instantaneous for this couple. Both had recently left toxic relationships so the farthest thing from their minds was entering another one.

One engaging conversation at an event changed their path. The impossible became the possible, catapulting them into a passionate journey. However, the connection between their fathers’ past threaten their blossoming future. Will they make it, or other’s past sins destroy it all? Due to my schedule right now, I plan to blog monthly and go live as well on my Facebook page. There will be some fun giveaways this year so make sure that you stay connected with me.

Also, I'll be traveling to an amazing author event this year located at a beautiful destination as well as hosting the 2nd Annual Fostering Creativity Event in Wichita, KS. Stay Tuned!

I appreciate the continued support from my readers, fellow authors and mentor. You all are amazing and keep me motivated to press forward on this literary journey. 

Until next time ... Happy Reading and Happy Writing!

Sha Renée is a United States Navy veteran and military romance novelist extraordinaire. She is a native New Yorker and currently resides in New Jersey creating stories on pages where duty, honor and passion unite. 

Sha is a true nature lover and enjoys spending time outdoors, usually with a camera in her hands. Having a passion for motorcycles and sports cars, she is a fan of auto racing, military air shows and the X-Games - pretty much any high-speed activity involving wheels or wings.
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She hates cooking, loves music and believes every day should include a cup of hot coffee and a glass of chilled wine.

I got the chance to ask her a few questions about her writing journey and what's next, so sit back and enjoy getting to know this amazing author.  How and when did you get started writing? 

I wish I could remember when I made the decision to start writing. I found a story I started working on about a young runaway who falls in love while trying to make it on her own. I recently came across a hard copy of that story and the year printed on the pages is 2009. Another story I have is about a couple who falls in love after meeting online. I’d forgotten all about that one until I found it while going through some old papers. I have no idea when I started that one - probably earlier than the story from 2009. 

I know some authors have had a love for writing since they were able to write, but in my case, it was probably just happenstance. I do tend to be impulsive, so more than likely, a feeling came over me or an idea popped into my head and I just ran with it. 

You are an indie author, what do you enjoy most about it? 

Being in control of all stages of my book’s production is what I like most about being an indie author. I don't have to worry that I’ll be told I need to change my story - I have the freedom to write what I want, how I want to. I determine the length of my story, my cover design and which editor I use. Having someone else call the shots for the creation, production and distribution of my baby - that wouldn't work for me. What made you choose military romance as your writing genre of choice? Do you plan on writing novels in other genres? 

I love the military and I love romance. To be more specific, I love the idea of two people overcoming struggles and seemingly impossible situations to be together, especially if their hearts fit together like puzzle pieces. Romance is like a beautiful sunset, a sweet-sounding melody, a delightful aroma, a delicious dessert and a pleasurable touch all wrapped up in one. Writing a story that captures and describes that experience is like creating magic.

As far as other genres ... I don’t know about novels, but I do have plans to work on a group of comedic short stories in the near future.

Outside of writing, what else do you enjoy doing? 

Spending time with my family, traveling, listening to music, taking photos - especially nature scenes and candids of unsuspecting friends and family.  ​Book Synopsis: When Navy pilot, Ethan Parker falls for the woman he met at a coffee shop, he knows she's the one he's waited his entire life for. She's sensual, sassy and smart. What he doesn't know is she's also in the Navy, and her enlisted rank means a relationship with her could potentially get him discharged from military service.

While on leave from teaching at a top Naval facility, Layla Matthews tumbles head-over-heels for the sexiest man she's encountered in a long time. The fact that he can hold an intelligent conversation is an added bonus. Her world is turned upside down when she later discovers he's a Navy lieutenant. A senior officer. Her new boss. Definitely off-limits.
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Continuing their relationship could ruin their military careers. Ending it would break both their hearts. Do they end their sizzling romance or keep it a secret ... and pray no one finds out? You can purchase Forbidden Kisses on Amazon. The second book in the Anchored Heart Series titled Off Base will be released in 2020.  ​Book Synopsis: What was he thinking?
Surprise me with coffee. Surprise me with diamonds. But a house? Who does that? What’s next? Does he expect me to snap to attention, move right in and follow his orders? He called it a surprise. I call it presumptuous. Lieutenant Ethan Parker might be my superior officer, but he is not the boss in our relationship.

I just don’t get it.
Moving in together is the next logical step in a relationship, right? Commitment. Isn’t that what women want? Hell, not her. I surprise her with a house and she walks out. Pissed off. Ensign Layla Matthews has no problem expressing herself in the bedroom, but outside those four walls, there’s something - or someone - holding her back. What’s the real reason she’s hesitant to take the next step with me?
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Casualties of War?
Chemistry continues to sizzle between Ethan and Layla.  But the resurface of an old love puts a strain on their already volatile relationship. With trouble looming from the past, and their differences threatening their future, will this couple have what it takes to keep their relationship afloat? What’s the best writing advice that you’ve been given?

Write the story I want to write without worrying about the so-called rules. In the earlier stages of my writing career, a group of other writers in an online writing community agreed that “If A, B & C happens in real life, then D, E & F will follow. They said since my story has A, B & C, I have to include D, E &  F. And if D, E &  F happens, there wouldn’t be an HEA (happily ever after). According to ‘The Rules," if your story doesn’t have an HEA or an HFN (happy for now) then it cannot be considered romance.

I was disappointed and to be honest my feelings were hurt because I felt these other writers were ganging up on me, although that probably wasn’t their intention. My disappointment turned to defiance and I remember thinking, “I’ll show them.” So I wrote my story the way I wanted to, and so far no one has complained about my A, B, & C not resulting in D, E &  F.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers who would like to become published authors?  

Don't wait for ‘the perfect time’ or ‘the right time’ to start, finish or publish your book. I have to focus on job-hunting or I have a big project at work or my kids keep me too busy or I just got married or I have to take care of my elderly father. Those will always be there - that thing which makes you feel you don’t have time to write your book. But you don’t have to wait until everything in your life is calm, peaceful and balanced. Chances are, the perfect time will never happen. Just start where you are. Start writing in the midst of your chaos. Because if work is stressful or the kids are a handful or taking care of that loved one is emotionally draining, taking some time for yourself is beneficial. Why not spend that time writing?
Be sure to head over to Author Sha Renee's website and Instagram to find out about her book releases as well as scheduled appearances. You can also join her Facebook VIP Squad as well as subscribe to her author newsletter for exclusive updates, excerpts and chances to win prizes. 

Until next time ... Happy Writing and Happy Reading!
Connect with Military Romance Author Sha Renee

J.D Mason is a national best selling author who has penned more than twenty novels. Over the span of her 24-year professional writing career, she has been nominated for several awards as well as being featured in USA Today, Essence, Today's Black Woman and the U.K.'s Pride Magazine. 

Her work has appeared on several bestseller lists that include Barnes and Noble, Denver Post, Dallas Morning News and Amazon.com. 

I recently got the opportunity to ask her a few questions about her writing journey and I'm excited to share those with you.

For those readers who may not be familiar with your writing journey, tell them about how you got started? What sparked the desire in you to become a published author? 
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"I decided to pursue writing professionally in 1995 because it had always been something I’d dreamed of since I was a kid. But because I didn’t know how to write a novel, it took several years, a ton of rejections and plenty of constructive criticism for me to complete a successful draft. After self-publishing back in 2000, I eventually landed an agent, and finally signed my first publishing contract for my first novel “And On the Eighth Day She Rested” in 2002."

Who are two of your favorite characters that you’ve written about? Past or Present and Why? 

"My favorite characters tend to be antagonists. One of my earlier characters, Charlotte Rogers, introduced briefly in “One Day I Saw a Black King” abandoned her two daughters in that book. I later decided to answer the question of what happened to her, in later installments in the series. Of course, she was a terrible mother because she willingly abandoned her kids but as time went on, readers can see that she was just a horrible person in general, selfish and unapologetic. She continued to surprise me all the way to the end when I wrapped up the four book series with Somebody Pick Up My Pieces.

Jordan Gatewood is my other favorite characters. I introduced him in a book called “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich” and his character started out as someone I worked hard to get readers to hate. Which, they did. But by the second book in the series, "Drop Dead, Gorgeous," Jordan started to spearhead the change in his character arc, that surprised me even though I thought I knew where his character was headed. The thing is, though, instead of me fighting him and trying to make him do what I had always planned for him to do, I stepped back and let his character evolve, naturally. By the end of DDG, I had a feeling that I was going to end up catching feelings for the character, and I did." Book Synopsis: Marriage can be deadly.

People disparaged their relationship. Enemies tried to tear them apart. But even so, Abby Rhodes and Jordan Gatewood fought hard to be together. Now, they are looking to settle into a life of married bliss. But sometimes the greatest threat stems from the person you trust the most.

Someone is hunting Abby. She has been taken prisoner, held captive by those who would stop at nothing to destroy Jordan. Now he must figure out how his dark and murky past holds the key to finding her.

Every moment, hour, or day that these people keep her locked in this place slowly robs Abby of any hope she has of surviving this nightmare. She wants to believe that Jordan will save her, but it doesn't take long for Abby to realize that it's up to her to find a way out of this terrifying ordeal before it's too late. You’ve recently transitioned from traditional publishing to self-publishing, what has that journey been like for you? 

"I first self-published back in 2000 when print on demand was brand new. It was so new that it was horrible and could take as long as two months to get a book printed and sent to the readers when they ordered them. Back in those days, social media sights like Facebook and Twitter didn’t exist, so writers spammed book clubs with emailed press release and sold books out of the trunks of their cars. The ones who were successful immediately (selling tons of copies and landing major book deals) had the money to get books printed, which was expensive. I was a newly divorced mom of two and didn’t have that kind of money, so it took a lot longer for me to build an audience.

Technology has made publishing books easier and cheaper, mainly because of how simple it is to publish ebooks. Writers no longer need to sell print copies to be successful.

Having been traditionally published for nearly twenty years, though, most of the things I took for granted were done for me. Now, it’s up to me to have to find and pay for editing and design my own book covers or hire someone else to do it and I’m responsible for all marketing and distributing. There are so many aspects that I am learning about producing and promoting my own books and that can be overwhelming. Truthfully, all I want to do is write, but the business side can’t be ignored if I want to make money.
The thing I struggle with most is finding balance between writing, running a business and having a life. But there are rewards too, the biggest being having the freedom to make my own publishing schedule. The only deadlines I have are the ones I set for myself.
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Finally, being an indie publisher has given me courage to write in new genres, to explore and take more chances as a writer. It’s an exciting time in my career, and despite all the challenges, I’m loving the adventure."


​Book Synopsis: Eshe Taylor is emotionally unraveling and doesn’t understand why. She’s living in a waking dream and with each passing day, her neurosis seems to be getting worse. She can’t sleep or eat. Eshe can’t focus on simple tasks and is becoming overwhelmed by paranoia, anxiety, emotional imbalances that are becoming unbearable.

One evening, her worst fears come to light, and Eshe finds herself living one of her nightmares. But what she doesn’t understand is that things are about to get much worse, and all she has to help her survive this is the man who manipulated her and dragged her into an unbelievable destiny she wanted no part of. Let’s talk Dragons! Tell the readers about your latest book series. 

"I came up with the idea to write dragons after reading an article discussing the best dragon fantasy romance novels on the market. It was a great list, filled what sounded like incredible novels, but I noticed that of all the broad, muscled, bare-chested book covers on that list, not one of them was brown. All of a sudden, I saw a need for inclusion not only of broad, muscled, “brown” chests, but also, a need for women dragons—black women dragons. 

The first in my series, “Eshe: The Fire Breathing Series, Book 1” was released in February and it centers around Eshe, a young woman living in Denver, Colorado, who has no idea what she is becoming. She has suffered with anxiety and depression all her life, and the older she gets, the more pronounced her symptoms become. 

And then we have the love interest, Andwele Abioye, who can’t be  your average romantic hero, right? He’s got to get a dragon to fall in love with him, so he’s a demigod, a descendent of the Sons of Sango, an order of men born to one purpose and that is to be there for these women as their dragons awaken. Andwele’s got five days to gain Eshe’s trust and to figure out his role in helping guide her through this. In the meantime, evil forces are trying to stop him. 

The series, for now, will consist of four female dragon novellas (The Fire Breathing Series) and four male dragon novellas (The Forged in Fire Series)."

What’s the best writing advice that you’ve been given? 

"I think it’s a Toni Morrison quote: “If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” That quote has really struck a chord with me, especially this last year. So, I’ve made it my mantra."

What advice would you give to aspiring writers who would like to become published authors? 

"I could say the usual stuff like study the craft. Stop procrastinating and write. Find a mentor. Make time because you’ll never have time. I could say any and all of those things and I have said them, because they are all true. But I don’t think I have it in me to give much in the way of advice now. If writing is in your soul, then nothing or no one can stop you from writing. If it’s in your heart, no one has to tell you to sit down to do it because it’s all you want to do and you will make it happen. I will say, follow Toni Morrison’s advice and write what you love. Somewhere out there, there are readers, maybe even just one, who’ll love it. But that one reader is everything."

Be sure to head over to J.D. Mason's website and find out about her book releases as well as scheduled appearances. You can also follow her on social media by clicking one of the icons below. 

Until next time ... Happy Writing and Happy Reading! Connect with National Best Selling Author J.D. Mason ​

Happy Saturday! I know that I've been incognito for a little bit but it's been for a great reason. I've been diligently working on my upcoming novella book series.

I'm happy to say that the first book will be released April 16, 2019 and excited to share with you my book cover reveal.


​Let me know what you think and stay tuned for a little snippet over the next week! 

​Until next time … Happy Reading & Happy Writing!

Happy Thursday Fellow Authors, Writers and Readers!

I am a firm believer that pictures speak volumes. For this particular blog post, I wanted to simply share a few pictures of places that I would love to sit back, relax and write. Places that project a sense of calm and tranquility - my ideal places to get an escape for a little while.

I'd love to see you share some of the places that you'd love to do the same in the comments section. 

Hope that you are getting either some great writing or reading in this week or both!

Until next time ... Happy Writing & Happy Reading!

Wishing each and every one of you a very Happy New Year!

There will be some new releases heading your way this year along with great contests and giveaways.

Thank you all for your support and I look forward to sharing this year's writing journey.

Stay Tuned! Happy Reading and Happy Writing!

Subscribe to my author newsletter and you will be entered to win a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card! Good Luck! Happy Reading!

Do you love romance? Want the chance to win awesome giveaways from some phenomenal military veteran authors? Ready for a chance to win one ultimate prize? 

Like this post & comment below for the opportunity to win a signed copy of my contemporary romance novel FINALLY. 

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Visit each author in the blog hop for the chance to win individual prizes!