Tonya Coffey's Blog - Posts Tagged "people"

I've had a busy week. It was my anniversary(15 years), my sons birthday and my book signing.
I didn't know what to expect when I walked into the public library. It was my first and hopefully not the last.
The ladies at the library set up a table for me and I stood up my poster, fanned out my book marks and stacked my books for people to buy if they didn't have one. I walked around for a moment and took a million deep breaths because I'm not one for public speaking or being the center of attention. But when I sat in that seat and watched as people came in, stopped and began asking me questions about my book, I quickly became relaxed.
My family came of course and stood around and talked. They wanted to support me and I love that about them. They had places they could've been but decided to sit at the library with me.
My husband, who isn't a reader, and my boys came. I noticed they were looking at books and trying to stay focused but they don't like the same things I do and I appreciate what they did for me. They Do love me.
My mom and dad came. I always said, Mom was the one who got me started in writing. She didn't mind when I was young and made up crazy stories and proceeded to act them out. She encouraged me.
My oldest sister couldn't come, she had surgery last week, breast cancer and I think of her each day.
My next oldest Sister had a camera attached to her face. She took two hundred pictures and out of those, half are great.
My sister born seven years before me, came with her daughter. She took a break from work to make an appearance. I really appreciate her. Her daughter, Victoria, is the person I wanted for my cover. She is gorgeous: long dark hair, big brown eyes and she's petite.
The library staff was great. I couldn't ask for a better group of ladies who set this up for me. So to them, Thank You!
Of all the people who came in and bought my book, I have to say one stood out more than any other. She was 14 and she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. She told me about books she had already started writing and of newspaper articles she wrote. She was thrilled to meet me and I wasn't any different than her.
If I can meet one person like her each time I set up and speak to the public, I will be thrilled. That's what it's all about. Reaching others who want to succeed.

I recently watched the new movie, American Sniper. What a story. It was filled with all the things you want in a book but this wasn't a book. It was this man's life. It was his story.
I'd heard rumors about the movie before I even entered the theater and experienced it for first hand. The pureness that was reflected on screen was amazing and the heartache was just as honest.
I couldn't believe the rumors, of the things spoken by people who wouldn't and couldn't step onto a battle field and protect their families.
When I say rumors, I mean the opinions of people around the US who felt the movie was awful and the man it was about was nothing more than a murderer. How can a person come to that conclusion? After-all, this man went to war so you could have the ability to degrade him.
Everyone has their own views of what soldiers do. You can stand up next to them or call them names. That is your right as a citizen of the United States something men and women like him fight for each and everyday. I have respect for them. I'm surrounded by people who have served sometime in their life and I'm proud of it.
I'm curious though, if these people who bad mouthed him was a citizen of a country we fought against, would you feel the same way? Would you think the men and women who were fighting to protect you was murderers and cowards for the rolls they played? I don't think you would. I think you would be grateful for the sniper, sitting within cover, waiting for that next target who might be coming for you. I believe you'd be on your knees at his feet, thanking him for saving you. But he wouldn't want you to kneel in front of him. He'd lift you from the dirt and look at you as if you were is family and hug you. These men and women are selfless. They don't care about being heroes and that is what makes them one.
This is my opinion. I think snipers are gifted and they have a job not meany could do. I think him and others like him who have served and are still serving are the back-bone of the country. It is because of them I can sit at my computer and write the stories others read. And I will forever be grateful for them.

I'm a parent and the worst thing for me is to know that my child was put in a harmful situation while in school supervision.
Last Friday evening when my kids got home from school, they told me they were in an accident on the bus. I said, "What!?" They went on to tell me the bus driver fell asleep was about to hit a second bus, head on, before he woke up and jerked the wheel, sideswiping the other bus. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I then ask my kids, was the police called or an ambulance to make sure all the kids were safe. NO! They didn't call anyone. NO ONE! I was mad.
We decided to contact the bus garage itself and ask why no one thought it was important to call the parents of the kids on board but they said there was no actual accident, the mirrors only hit.
I couldn't believe my ears, the kids on the bus took pictures of a broken window, broken mirror and a shattered side window. When is an accident serious enough to call the parents, blood?
There is a page on Facebook that revolves around the board of education, it was posted on there that there was a wreck. A lady from the bus garage said people should get their facts straight before they accuse others of things. She basically said every child on the bus was a liar. That didn't sit well with me.
I understand if the bus only touched mirrors then the bus garage would have to deal with the aftermath. What gets me is the bus driver didn't think about the kids. He drove on to school and laughed about it. He didn't ask if anyone was alright or see if the smaller kids needed their parent.
Yesterday, I found out the bus driver went to the hospital when he dropped off the kids. He wouldn't be back to work until Wednesday because he had a concussion. How is this right, if it wasn't a serious enough accident to call the police or the parents?

I'm pretty excited about my second book. I know all writers get anxious and all that when they get closer to finishing.

I decided to start a giveaway, again. I wanted more people to see the book and maybe fall in love with the cover and read it. I didn't realize how hard it would be to promote your book. I'm one of those people who goes to town (grocery store and pay the bills)once a week. I go to Walmart maybe three times a month but I doubt it. If it's a special occasion then I go more.
I'm trying hard to talk to schools about the book. They don't seem to be interested unless I donate two books to them. I would love to donate to each and every school but I can't afford it. But I'm not in it to get rich only to share my stories with others.
So, the reason for this ramble, I'm going over Snow Moon. I've reworked it and added some things. I started reading it from the beginning and realized how much I loved these characters. They are my family just as my kids and husband are. I would be lost if they weren't in my life. If I couldn't read what they were up to.
That makes me laugh and so does Micha.
I was worried about Micha in the book. I made him a little emotional. He has been through so much in the short time he has known Jessa but before that, he's been through more. We find that out in this book.
I can't wait to share this book with you and the world. I think you will be surprised by Micha's life and their relationship. I hope it turns out the way I want.