SIA Showcase for Readers and Writers discussion

Honestly, I don't really know what to put here other than, I love to write. I write anything and everything. You may have seen some of my articles in the SIA newsletter, as well as a few of the blogs on http://www.SupportIndieAuthors.com
I also write fantasy, horror, science fiction, and I have a couple of urban fantasies. I like to examine the darker aspects I've experienced in my life in my writing. Having worked in a psych hospital I've had the pleasure of meeting a myriad of people that aren't what most would term normal.
Most of them were decent human beings just looking to survive, a few were psychopaths that didn't care about anyone or anything but themselves, and some were so far gone in their delusions they couldn't tell up from down.
I try to carry that into my writing, as I'll never be able to fully explain to anyone exactly what I saw when I worked on a psych ward.
Having said that, I also have a blog where I Support Indie Authors in my own time. There's reviews, I have been known to post promotional stuff especially when authors are working together. I don't promise to put everyone on my site, but anyone can feel free to contact me as I love to make friends. http://rileyamoswestbrook.wordpress.com
I'm proud to be an independent author, and I love being a part of this community. Even though people are going to people, our community continues to show me that we can keep being awesome, if we so choose. #SupportIndieAuthors!

Oh! Before I forget, I guess I should mention a couple of my books. There's actually quite a few of them, but there's only one series available on Amazon right now. That's my The False Titanbringer: Complete Trilogy series, which I wrote to learn how to write. I learned a lot from this series, as I'm sure others who have read my work will tell you.
I'll be sure to post updates as others release, I do have quite a few in the pipeline.
Little Black Stormcloud
A Mother's Love
War Of The Chiefs

Riley wrote: "I try to carry that into my writing, as I'll never be able to fully explain to anyone exactly what I saw when I worked on a psych ward."

Mmm hmm. Never done the psych ward, but I have taken care of people with a myriad of mental illnesses. It really gives you a different perspective on life.

Dwayne wrote: "Riley wrote: "I try to carry that into my writing, as I'll never be able to fully explain to anyone exactly what I saw when I worked on a psych ward."

Mmm hmm. Never done the psych ward, but I hav..."

Exactly, I've worked with DD kids as well, and in truth they were a little tougher to work with than the people who had mental health issues, as they were so innocent about it most of the time. At least the ones I worked with were.
But truthfully, the toughest environment I ever worked in was a nursing home. Of all the places I ever worked, that was the one that was the hardest to deal with.

Can't go into great detail, as you know, but the toughest thing I've encountered? It's not the illness or the disability, but the way the families sometimes cripple these people further by treating them extra special, treating them like children and doing everything for them. So, you have adults with a learned helplessness, laziness, belief that they're better than everyone else, etc.

I have not done any nursing home work. I imagine it must be tragic and painful.

Dwayne wrote: "Can't go into great detail, as you know, but the toughest thing I've encountered? It's not the illness or the disability, but the way the families sometimes cripple these people further by treating..."

I really hear that Dwayne, families could be so cruel, or so smothering. There wasn't always a healthy middle ground.

Hi Riley! Glad to have another fantasy and horror author here. And I've nothing to add about working with mentally ill, so I'll just stop here. But I think it's great you use writing to explore those kinds of elements in your life.

Floating Sled! May I call you Sledpool? ;)

Riley is pretty much the nicest person you will ever meet and i will vouch for his books being a great read. Seriously! I don't even life epic fantasy and I read all of them!

Also, he's the ine who tends to come up with our best catchphrases, including people gonna people. Boy, do they ever.

Hi Riley! Your blog is awesome :)

Well, good sir, for someone who didn't know what to put in the OP, methinks you have the most insightful intro haha!

And hello ^_~

Riley wrote: But truthfully, the toughest environment I ever worked in was a nursing home. Of all the places I ever worked, that was the one that was the hardest to deal with...."

It takes a special kind of strength to do that. You are to be honored for it.

Why only a few books on Amazon? Where are the others?

Hi Riley!! Hugs!!

V.M. wrote: "Riley wrote: "Dwayne wrote: "Riley wrote: "I try to carry that into my writing, as I'll never be able to fully explain to anyone exactly what I saw when I worked on a psych ward."

Mmm hmm. Never d..."

Damn dirty because there's a lot of drug references and cursing. As I said, my writing style adds a lot of what I dealt with as a CNA.

I just needed to say...

Your avatar looks like you have a little red face and a giant black hood thing. It reminds me of this guy.

Aww....I was going for a fat Dear. What is that thing anyways o.O

That is Arakune, a character from the fighting game Blazblue. A research scientist that got too close to the game's important plot device and was twisted into a monster.

Bonus fact: He is full of bees!

Interesting...Here's hoping he wasn't allergic!

Oh! He's adorable.... Full of bees? Nope!

Okay, I think I'm ready to emerge from underneath my rock. I've been working hard, setting up a home recording studio on the cheap, and recording a copy of one of my works. I think I've finally figured it out, and now I'm trying to figure out how to best produce a tutorial for the less technical aspects of said recording.
Keep an eye out for that, either on my blog or in the monthly SIA newsletter!

We're thinking about doing 2 versions, one for those that prefer a male voice and one for those that prefer a female one, but she needs a bit of practice! It was annoying and frustrating, and I felt like pulling my hair out by the roots before I started to finally figure it out, but I'm beginning to get the hang of it.
The real challenge is going to come in getting it accepted by ACX, another part of a journey I can share.