Crystal Collier's Blog

What is your big dream? Something you thought impossible?

Every year I feel my age more and think about things I want to do. The things I have done. The things that are no longer realistic.

My husband is the same way, and this year he decided to do something about it.

So he took back up rollerblading.

At first, he was lucky to keep his balance. I kept my mouth shut...until he came home bruised from a fall.
He bought protective gear.
He watched YouTube videos and learned how to fall, new techniques, then practiced them in our garage. 

Occasionally, he came home with another booboo, but for the most part, he did pretty well -- until he could go out for an hour each day, cruising the neighborhood.

The rest is his story, and you can read it if you'd like: 

Click on me!

It boils down to this: he chased a dream, he achieved the dream, he got confident, he made a bad decision.

And now he's recovering from reconstructive shoulder surgery. For his dominant arm.

Chase your dreams. But stay humble. Listen to that little voice that warns you when you're about to make the big stupid. Hubris goes before the fall.

Our awesome co-hosts for this month are: Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!

The question: Is there anything you'd like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

So, so much! Alas, if wishes were lollipops... (Don't ask me where I'm going with that. LOL!)

I think the biggest problem with the industry used to be barrier to entry, and now it's the opposite.

Everyone should have the opportunity to reach for their dreams, but it doesn't seem there's much reaching when it's too easy to obtain. I'm not saying writing a book is easy, and there are many things to learn when it comes to publishing.

I mean that with the ease of publishing, the market has been flooded by scammers, AI agents, etc. who are looking to make a penny. And I can't blame them. Everyone needs to eat. There are even people who sincerely put out their best work...whether it's ready to see the light of day or not. And my heart aches for them -- because this is a brutal world and you learn that through reviews.

The sheer number of books releases (good and bad) make for a lot of noise and sometimes a breakdown of trust between readers and the publishing world. Where is our quality control? I guess that's what I'm trying to say--because we've gone from one extreme to the other. There's a perfect middle ground somewhere. I think.

What dream are you holding back on? Have you ever made a big stupid? Broken a bone? What are your feelings on the publishing industry?

 We've all had it -- the dream we're hoping to fulfill.

That sits.

And sits.

And sits.

Years go by while we walk by and shine that little dream and imagine it breaking free.

My little dream is finding its wings, one day at a time, inch by painful inch. Today, that means I'm about a week away from finishing the rewrite of IMMORTAL the book. (First penned in 2004.)

(Not a true representation of the cover)

Which means I'm looking for potential beta readers (in about 2 weeks to a month). 

What is a beta reader?

When a book is fully drafted, the author puts it in front of other eyes. The first reader is:

The Alpha Reader -- a trusted reader who helps iron out major plot/character issues.

Followed by:

Beta readers -- a small group who shares their reading experience with the author, often helping iron out minor inconsistencies or weaknesses in the writing.

The working blurb:

Rage. Isolation. Thirst…

For 300 years, an immortal cursed to live on blood has traversed the earth—hunted by a single family sworn to destroy him.

England 1792.

When the present-day hunter, Phineas, injures him, Lucas vanishes into the night. Weakened and desperate, he stumbles into his neighbor’s ball and meets Justine. His silent heart beats for the first time in centuries. If he is capable of love, is he capable of redemption? And will Justine’s uncle, Phineas, end him before he can discover?

Would you like to be a beta reader? Leave a comment or shoot me an email.

Welcome to our IWSG buddies! Huge thanks to our hosts, Victoria Marie Lees, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and C. Lee McKenzie!

June 3 question - Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?

I started writing because of literal dreams: Story dreams with fully fleshed out plots, an awesome cast of characters, unexpected twists, and usually a resolution. My first 10 page story came from a dream when I was 10 years old.

But.

We grow, right? These days, story ideas/components come from everywhere, but my subconscious usually forms them as I write without conscious effort. It's helpful that way.

What about you? Where do you get ideas? Have you ever beta read for someone? Do you like getting in on the ground floor and giving your ideas?

 I know how intimidating it can be to write a book review--even when you're elbow deep in the industry.

The first time I volunteered to review a book for a friend was Kerri Cuevas' Deadly Kisses. Kerri and I had rubbed shoulders and exchanged laughs over our efforts with three separate Choose Your Own Adventure bloghops. I didn't want to get this wrong. And yet, when I stared at that blank text box on Amazon, I totally froze.

What?!?
I mean, I've written my whole life. How hard should it have been to say a few nice words about a book I really liked for a friend I totally adored?



Book reviews are book food. If you love a book and want it to succeed (or to see more books from the author) YOU BETTER get out there and leave them a review.  Reviews boost visibility  in Amazon's store. Which means they boost sales. Which means the author is motivated to put out more content.

But wait, that book already has thirty reviews. Why does it need another one?
People are lemmings, or sheep. I hate to say it, but it's true. They say, "Ooh, everyone is reading this book--see, it has two hundred reviews. I bet it's awesome."
A book cannot have too many reviews. 
But you really didn't like something about this book. Boo hoo. I bet there were a TON of things you did like, and good vibes always come back around. Say what you can that's positive and reward the author who put their blood, sweat, and tears into it. Don't be an author killer.
Now to the 

All of these ideas can be used separately for a simple review or a few combined for a longer one. When I review a book, I usually include one to three of these aspects.

1. THE SHORT REVIEW: If you're not confident writing a long review, don't. One sentence is sufficient. "I love this book." "I can't wait for the sequel." etc.

2. THE COVER: Did it get you? Were you intrigued by it? What questions did it have you asking?
3. THE EMOTIONAL RESPONSE: What did this book make you feel? 

4. THE HOOK: When or how did this book grab you? The end of the first chapter? The first page? The first line?

5. SETTING: How was the story world? Realistic? Beautiful? Uninspired? Strange? A place you'd like to visit? Somewhere you're glad you'll never live?

6. THE CHARACTERS: Was there a character you absolutely loved or hated? Tell us about it. (This can comprise an entire review with multiple characters.)

7. PLOT: Book reviews aren't book reports. You don't need to rehash the plot. In fact, please don't. Only summarize when you need it to expound upon a point you want to make. Was there a twist in the story that took your breath away? What was your favorite scene? Did the story move too fast, too slow? Any glaring plot holes? Did you like the way it ended?

8. ORIGINALITY: What makes this book stand out from others? 

9. STYLE: What is the author's writing style? Poetic? Filled with imagery? Abrupt? Gritty? Comical? 

10. RECOMMENDATION: Do you recommend this book, and if so, to whom? (Age and genre preference.) 

  

 And there you have it, ten approaches to writing a book review. Go, read, share the love!

Welcome to our IWSG buddies! Huge thanks to our hosts, Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi!

The optional question this month is: What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?

I'm going to skip the question but I'd love to hear what everyone has to say.

Do you leave book reviews? What techniques have you discovered to make it easy? 

I feel like there's a lot of this lately, but what can I say?

There's nothing better than a REBOOT! So here we go. REBOOT away!

We just hit our ONE YEAR anniversary of the professional staged reading of IMMORTAL the Musical. It was epic. A rush. Such a HUGE endeavor.

And I thought life would be smooth sailing afterwards.

At any rate, we've spent the last YEAR editing music, video, rerecording, creating a business plan, setting up social media platforms, getting on Spotify (et all streaming sites), building a recording studio, recording podcasts, sharing hundreds of videos via social media, editing the NOVEL, hiring a marketing specialist... 

And finally, REDOING THE WEBPAGE! This will be its third rebirth. Want to see the evolution?

2003 Webpage

In 2011

From 2023

And now. Are you ready for this? 

SQUEEEE!!! There is actual video playing in the background. You scroll and find cool things like a timeline, characters, faces, song clips, story...

Whew! 

Check it out, eh? Give me your feedback. We're still refining and could use all the thoughts.

And while I'm losing my mind (getting messages from podcast hosts, small producers, and fans), we must march on. Working hard every day. Recording more content. Writing more words. Finding the movers and shakers who will take us all the way, at least walk with us for part of the journey.
Now the magic question: How long do you think it took to build this new webpage?
Answer in the comments and let's see who gets it right. (The answer is likely to shock you.)

And now for IWSG. Thank you to our awesome hosts Melissa Maygrove, Cathrina Constantine, Kate Larkinsdale, and Rebecca Douglass!

The question for this month is: If you have a playlist (or could put one together) that either gets you in the groove to write or fits with one of your books, what is it? What type of music or what songs?

To NO ONE'S surprise, I'm listening the IMMORTAL the Musical soundtrack nonstop in my head (and sometimes out loud). Gee, could it be because I'm redrafting the novel? 😂

Actually, I usually listen to cinematic music without lyrics, like Two Steps From Hell, or the occasional rock song that really carries the mood for the chapter or book I'm working on. That is, when I listen to music. My husband tells me it's not normal to ALWAYS have a soundtrack playing in your head. I don't know that I believe him since I've been listening my whole life. (Which sometimes makes external music overwhelming.)

How about you? What soundtracks carry you through the day? How long do you think it took to revamp our webpage? And do you have some feedback for us on the new site?

Just when you think your life has changed...

Surprise! Haha! Try again. Back to the same old formula that brought you joy and misery in the same felled swoop.

We're working on a musical. All my time should be in a theater, editing music, designing sets and costumes and blocking and lighting...but no. 

Want to know where I'm at?

CREATING SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS.

And even more shocking...

WRITING A BOOK.

Let's be fair, the first draft of this book was completed in 2005, but writers grow, and whew! Did you say passive voice? So I'm REWRITING the entire book while doing all the social media stuff and homeschooling my last two kiddoes.

It's not much. 

Oh yeah, and working with a marketing specialist for the first time and completely restructuring our efforts. Nothing, really. All good here.

The awesome co-hosts for IWSG this month are PJ Colando, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Natalie Aguirre!

Question - What elements do you include in your book launch? Or what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or what advice do you have to offer to others planning to launch a book?

Haha! It has been three or four years since I launched a book, but it won't be the last time (obviously). We are in the middle of launching our MUSICAL (Immortal the Musical) and it's like launching a book times 850%. (Plus there's a book version that will come out one day.) Things that overlap: sharing snippets, interviews in your targeted readership (aka viewership), creating content (written, visual, video) that's easy to share, comment on, interact with. Building a direct mailing list is another aim, incentivized by contest, giveaways, etc. Then ads pushing content you've had proven engagement with...

I wonder at the effectiveness of blogtours these days. It feels like the climate has shifted to podcasts, TikTok/Instragram Reels, quirky graphics, and reposting rave reviews. A friend of mine started an Instagram series of "writer problems" in video where she has quirky issues we all face, and she's done quite well since her books are romcoms. The point is, she's built an audience there. Converting them to purchasing a book is an easy sale.

When prepping a launch, you really have to analyze your strengths, where your community of readers hangs out, and how to make those ends meet. You're not selling a book. Not really. You're selling you. The book will speak for itself in the aftermath.

What unexpected twist has your life taken recently? Book launch ideas? Tasted any really amazing cheeses?

I hate waiting.

Do you hate waiting?

I'd rather drive the long way around -- even if it takes the same amount of time rather than sitting in traffic.

I'd rather be cleaning my house than sitting around until an appointment (and I don't like cleaning).

I'd rather run around the block fifteen times that sit in front of my computer for that one anticipated email.

Is there an elegant way to wait?

Or maybe like this?

Or this?

And yet that is so much of life -- especially lately. Too many things are out of our control, so how do you develop patience?

Me? I read books. Or write my books. Or play piano. Or build a puzzle. Legos. Balance Cheetos on my nose... (but only the Simply ones).

There are no easy paths to patience. It's only in practicing it that we gain it.

So this is me. Waiting. The next big thing is coming but who knows when or how. Not holding my breath.

Maybe I'll start a soccer club while waiting. (I wish that was a joke.)

And let's be clear, this isn't passive waiting. This is working my rear end off while hoping for the intended outcome.

The awesome co-hosts for IWSG this month are J Lenni Dorner, Victoria Marie Lees, and Sandra Cox!

Question - Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later. Have you reread any of your early works? What was that experience like for you?

I major cringe when I read most of my old old works. If it was only a decade ago, it's usually okay to "Hey, that was a really inspired turn of a phrase." If it was six months ago, I usually like what I wrote. It's funny how time changes your perspective, but my goal is to always be learning more, so it doesn't matter how much I like something I've written, I will have new thoughts to apply.

What about you. How do you feel about old projects you've completed? Are you waiting on something? How do you keep yourself busy while waiting?

Who is ready for 2026? 

Not me. 

Nonetheless, here we are.

Year in review (bucket list and BIG things only):

Celebrated 25 years of marriageDid the sunrise/sunset challenge in Florida (one coast to the other in the same 24 hours)Taught weekly co-op classesCast and recast and recast again for Immortal (15 cast members -- from across the country)Scheduled & ran 3 weeks of rehearsals (booking venues, tech, rearranging schedules due to sickness -- kill me now!)Produced a professional staged reading of IMMORTAL the MusicalTook an EMERGENCY trip to England to pick up our daughter up from her mission -- who had wasted away due to health issues (a three-day whirlwind - Iceland, Ireland, Bristol England, London England, Columbia, and home)Discovered our daughter's two-hundred-fifty+ food intolerances, hypoglycemia, and worked to get her calorie and energy levels up while she completed a service mission locallyStarted treatment for my faulty hipWent on an unplanned 2 week road trip to see historical sites (and ran into my brother...surprise!)Planned and ran activities for 15-20 girls twice a monthRETURNED TO BLOGGING (could you tell?)Welcomed our oldest and his wife back to Florida (after they both graduated with their degrees)My youngest got baptisedHypoglycemic daughter finished her service mission, got a near-impossible-to-land job and got into a near-impossible-to-land universityBuilt a video recording studio and started a YouTube channel and major social media campaign with daily video contentBypassed one potential trail date for defaulty construction on our house (3 years in the works now) and began negotiations again (undergone mold treatment, structural engineer investigation, and had WAY to many people telling us our house is trashed)Led a choir & performed in so, so many venuesHomeschooled the kids - including challenges like dysgraphiaRead approximately 100 novels (this doesn't include children's books and study materials...of which there were many)
And so if you couldn't even read that whole list, imagine living it. 

Nonetheless, we will brave forward with 2026. 

Because we must. 

Because there is no other choice.

And while we're at it, we're going to have a good attitude -- because life just goes smoother when you see the bumps as growth opportunities.

To start this year right, I'm on a cruise (which was almost free so don't get too jealous). I'll be around next week to say "Hi" and share some virtual cheese.

Here's to an epic one! Wishing you the best 2026.

Thank you to our awesome co-hosts Shannon Lawrence, Olga Godim, Jean Davis, and Jacqui Murray!

What's the craziest thing you did this last year? What are you most looking forward to in 2026?

And I don't mean a literal furnace.

I grew up with cold winters. (Who's with me?) Snow on the ground, twinkling lights, indoor fires, mittens, moonboots... (That may be a bit too far...)

For the last 16 years, I've lived in a tropical climate -- so different from my upbringing. Our fist year in the south, I didn't know HOW to find my holiday spirit. 

It was too warmToo sunnyToo colorful (talking about the greens, blooming flowers, tropical birds)
In fact, it took a few years before I figured out how to feel the holidays when I couldn't feel the weather I'd associated with them. It revolved around

Our December traditions center on Christmas -- starting with the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday *gasp*) when we 
1. Put up decorations

We surround oursevles with things that say to the subconscious -- "This is special." Seeing those reminders daily, whether we consciously acknowledge them or not, establishes a different atmosphere, emphasizes the importance.
2. Foods!

Unless you hate eating (my daughter does -- too many food sensitivities), this is one of the quickest ways to remind the heart, mind, and tongue that it's time to be festive! Gingerbread is my go-to for this season, since I grew up mass producing gingerbread houses with my mom every Christmas -- one for Dad's work, one for our house, one for each kid's classroom (all 8 kids), one for our grandparents... 
3. Activities

We have so many traditions here -- advent calendars, gifts to Christ, movies, tree strolls, wrapping gifts, holiday performances, tree lighting, etc.
4. Music

Obviously, I'm a little biased, but music is the BIGGEST mood chaser I know. I love the traditional Chirstmas songs out there, but my favorite are the sacred songs, the ones that point at the heart and purpose of a celebration.
And if NONE of that is working, we break out the BIG GUNS: 5. Thinking outside ourselves 
Christmas presents, food donations for the poor, service to community or neighbors... A celebration becomes something more when it's not all about us, but we look for ways to share it with others (kids included). It makes it sweeter (cookie plates), brigher (Christmas lights), more joyful (caroling, singing in/listening to choirs). 
Whatever the case may be, I'm wishing you a wonderful Christmas & holiday season! 
AND as my gift to you, enjoy some music. These aren't holiday songs but ones you can listen to all year round. And they're free. And they cost to produce. So yeah, a true gift.

See All HERE

The awesome co-hosts are Tara Tyler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, Liza, and Natalie Aguirre!

The question for this month:

As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?

It was probably my first book, completed in 3rd grade. We wrote an informative story, complete with a hardcover (wrapped in contact paper). It was the first time I saw something I'd written as a "finished" product -- and it wouldn't have happened without an incredible teacher who initiated, formed, and executed the projet.

What are your favorite holiday traditions? What are you doing this year to get in the spirit of the season? 

 For those who live in the United States, we celebrate one of the biggest holidays of the year this month -- a feast (based on a series of feasts in early American history) to celebrate friendship with the native people who fed locals and KEPT THEM FROM DYING when they first settled in the land and DIDN'T know how to survive.

It is now celebrated with too much food and expressions of gratitude.

Which, really, can you get more epic than that?

I live off gratitude these days. It keeps me sane. It's a power that brings positivity, LITERAL changes to the body's chemistry, and a kindlier response from the world around us. 

My BIG 5 for today:

1. Getting to share MUSIC VIDEOS. (And so, SO much more.)

Check it out!

I've been living with these songs in my head for ages. Glad to finally be sharing.

2. Laughter.

Part of our recent online campaign has been about sharing the funny moments, because life gets WAY too serious and heavy without them.

3. Memories.

Some days I live on the moments when life was awesome and things just felt good. They're enough to make it through the tough days.

4. People.

Friends who support us, the kindness of a stranger, likes, comments, pick-me-ups from other humans. They keep me going.

5. Writing.

Writing keeps me sane--mine or other people's. Grateful for good stories (the ones I get to pen, included) that give my brain a place to go when life gets heavy.

I'm participating in a month-long gratitude challenge on social media. Join in, eh?

How about you? Can you list 5 things you're grateful for today?

The awesome co-hosts for the November 5 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!

The question for this month:

When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?

... Was there ever a time I wasn't writing?

Um, no.

I started telling stories with pictures when I was old enough to hold a pencil (in pictures) and that eventually evolved to cartoon strips, then just words. It wasn't a question of what I imagined my life of writing to be like (because it had ALWAYS been) -- more of, how do I share the stories that ARE my life? I dreamed of publishing my first novel at age 16 and although I'd written my first two novellas by age 13, I took a break in my teenage years to focus on living, picking up the pen again when I was married with a baby. It was always just a question of WHEN and I didn't care about money or noteriety or any of that. How naive I was!

The industry is not all about writing. Mostly, it's about marketing--since publishing houses DON'T do that for authors anymore (unless you've magically found your audience already). If you aren't a marketing genius (or willing to grow into one), writing probably isn't the right field for you. That's been the biggest lesson this journey taught me. Every industry boils down to the almighty dollar, and this one is no exception.

I LOVE writing. I LOVE tellings stories.

I do not LOVE all that goes with publishing.

How about you? What 5 things are you grateful for? What was your writing vision? Will you join me in the gratitude challenge?

Relationships are messy. 

Right?

Just as soon as it seems everything is going well, something pops up that needs to be straightened, fixed, discussed, changed.

This is life: Change. Always.

We all have thoughts, feelings, influences, moods, (hormone swings -- ugh), and more. There's no way you can go through life without saying or doing something that will strike someone else poorly. And even offend them.

In fact, you may do things intentionally that will offend others.

I might too.

Ultimately, we will all be offended, hurt, or broken at some point. And if we're fully living life, many times -- perhaps even in a single day.

Something I learned when I was being bullied as a kid: It was my choice HOW to react. I could lash out and add to the animosity, ignore it and hope it would go away, shrink into myself and nurse a poor-me mentality, or I could choose to understand that people make mistakes and perhaps they were acting as a result of their own trauma.

I mean, not all of them. People are lemmings and some were just following the crowd.

The point is, I could CHOOSE to be offended.

And yes, it's a choice.

I could also CHOOSE to let it go and focus on happiness rather than obsessing over how everyone else was acting.

Being angry or hurt happens. It's an instant reaction and that's aceptable. But holding onto it, that's a decision that we make consciously or subconsciously, and we darn well better make a conscious, mature decision because we are adults. (Haha! I mean, some of us are. Sometimes.)

Being hurt is a choice.

Being angry is a choice.

Hurting others will happen--no matter how careful we are. Apologies are great but we have no power over other's decisions to accept or not accept.

So my advice today: Decide to let things go. Realize all people are impulsive, offensive, and broken sometimes. It's up to us to choose if we will be one of them or if we will let go of pain and anger so we can embrace the joys these emotions blind us against.

As for me, I'm choosing joy. As often as needed.

The awesome co-hosts for the October 1 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Crystal Collier (Me!), and Cathrina Constantine!

The question is optional.

October 1 question - What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

Haha! This is easy. Immortal the Musical. Okay, so there is a book version, pending publication, along with a huge social media release, but the ACTUAL musical? I'd have to say it got its first sneak peak debut back in March. And it was well received. This is the culmination of all my writing expertise, decades of music, singing, orchestral study, composition, lyric work, and poetry of the heart (as my great-grandmother calls it). I don't think you can get more epic than that, right?

Give me your thoughts! Have you been deeply offended? Let go of a deep offense? What is your favorite project you've ever worked on (writing or otherwise)? And do you have a link?