Connecting Readers and Writers discussion

This is exactly what it appears to be, the place to introduce yourself. So start of by telling us if you are a READER or a WRITER, then tell us something interesting about you. Here, I'll start.

* this is not a thread for self-promoting. If you are an author, please do not include any ads for your book in this section, there will be plenty of time for that. If you do include ads for your books, I am afraid I will take them down. Readers do not like to feel inundated with advertising,they just want to get to know you as the person.

I'll get this started...

Hi all,

My name is Elle Lapraim and I am a self-published author up here in Portland Oregon. You might think I became an author because it rains nine months out of the year, but no I was an author first and moved to the rain second. I am a short-story writer, which means I spend most of my time explaining to people why short stories are so great.
When I am not writing, I am; reading the Fire and Ice series, making up personalities for my dog and cat, watching "The Good Wife", learning to ride a unicycle and wondering why I still sing the alphabet in my head every time I look something up in the dictionary.

I also have a Facebook page dedicated to helping writers stay focused. I have almost 2,000 followers so we get some good discussions going.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elle-La...

AND My truly amazing blog, is http://ellelapraim.com/

I am Sarah Baethge. I like to write both fantasy and science fiction, although I do find it hard to keep from mixing the two. I live in Texas and spent a summer where I was an intern playing with computers at NASA. That somewhat ended when I had a car wreck and never finished college. I'm currently living with my dad at my stepmother's ranch,where the two of them let me stay to try my hand at writing.

Amos T. Fairchild... Or Tim. Whatever. I read scifi and some fantasy, write scifi (some of which looks like fantasy) and fantasy that might be scifi. Scifi and fantasy can mix well if you use a blender on high speed. I am currently looking at doing the National Novel for November. Urban fantasy scifi mix. Vampire Planet, an alternate earth resulting from the human-vampire war of 1750, now discovers there is another earth... and it has almost seven BILLION humans. Can't be a good thing...

Hi all,

My name is Natalie Wright and I will be self-publishing my first novel *hopefully* within the next couple of weeks.
By day I am a lawyer and divorce mediator; wife; mother to one amazing daughter - not necessarily in that order!
By night I write YA fantasy and sci-fi novels.
I live in the hot, dry Arizona desert but grew up in the farmland of the American midwest.

Thanks, Elle, for starting this and looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Hi!

My name is Jason Halstead - but you already figured that out. I'm a writer with the unfortunate hobby of having a day job as an IT Manager in the automotive industry. When I'm not doing that or writing I'm spending time with my family or spending time in the gym power lifting.

It's a tired line this many posts in - but I write science fiction and fantasy mostly too! I've also tried some other genres though, romance, mystery / detective, and others. I'm always willing to try new things and expand my horizons too. 11 book published so far, 6 originally through publishers but I've transitioned to self-publishing these days.

Jason wrote: "Hi!

My name is Jason Halstead - but you already figured that out. I'm a writer with the unfortunate hobby of having a day job as an IT Manager in the automotive industry. When I'm not doing that o..."

Glad you joined Jason. I was wondering, why did you decide to self-pub after going traditional?

Hi Everyone, thanks for inviting me. I'm a reader and a writer. I write spicy romance for Siren and Silver and I read everything, especially sci-fi, horror, mystery, romance... well, everything. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all. Gale

Hi everyone,

My name is Paul Jones, I'm a full-time WRITER, freelance reporter, and now author. I released my first sci-fi novel several months ago and I'm currently working on my next one.

It's a pleasure to meet you all.

Hi, everyone--and thank you, Ellie, for inviting me. I'm Vicki Hinze, a writer. I've done 25 novels, 4 nonfiction books and hundreds of articles. The novels all have suspense, romance and mystery. Some are suspense with a light romantic element, some are romance with a suspense element, all have some mystery. I need those three things to really love a book and I won't write one I don't love. :) Most recently I've been writing Christian romantic thrillers. I'm a reader too, and enjoy a lot of different types of books. Glad to be with you all and look forward to your posts.

Hi everyone,

I am Mark and I'm a writer. [Hi Mark]. I live in Los Angeles, with my beautiful wife, Betsy. I am currently in the midst of publishing my first series of books, a 12-part sci-fi/fantasy series called "The Noricin Chronicles" - sort of a dark Harry Potter combined with The X-Men and The DaVinci Code.

I have often said that it would not be completely unreasonable to suggest that if J.K. Rowling, Dan Brown, and Dean Koontz were to get together in a time machine and travel back to early 1982 so that they could have a drunken, care-free, night of passion with Douglas Adams, then I might have been the love child of such a coming together of literary minds.

Happy reading/writing everyone!

~M.S.

My name is Judy and I am a reader. I love to discover new (to me) authors and have met a few already on Goodreads. I really enjoy the fact that I can correspond with writers and ask questions. I enjoys mysteries, historical fiction, classics, and some contemporary fiction. I am looking forward to meeting you writers in your books.

Hello. I am Robb. I am a writer (but I am equally a reader as well, as all writers are) . I am self-publishing (or, my imprint, TMiK Press is publishing) my first novel in Jan.

I enjoy New Wave music, art, and travel. I have a cat named Geoffrey.

My name is Judy and I am a reader. I love to discover new (to me) authors and have met a few already on Goodreads. I really enjoy the fact that I can correspond with writers and ask questions. I enjoys mysteries, historical fiction, classics, and some contemporary fiction. I am looking forward to meeting you writers in your books.

Hi Elle,
Thanks for creating this group and inviting me. I'm a reader primarily of literary fiction and have also written my first book, a memoir. I've had a lucky adventourous life, although 12 years ago I developed MS which has changed just about everything. At least now I have more time for reading and writing :-)
I live in northern CA with my dog, Napoleon.

Hi my name is Scott Mallory and I'm a hopeful writer. After being downsized from my broadcasting career I relocated with my wife and kids to Evansville, Indiana. Now I juggle writing with being a stay-at-home dad, while my wife's career in retail is going strong. My first novel is out which is a dark comedy about radio, and I just locked in an illustrator to do my first childrens book. I'm figuring this all out as I go, so it's great to talk to new people that love reading. Thanks for the invite!

Hi, my name is Dyane. I'm an avid reader, I'll read anything that catches my eye or imagination. I blog for a living currently, I've wanted to write stories for most of my life, but have always found a way to talk myself out of it. I'll be using NaNoWriMo and a jumping off spot and hope to be starting my first book soon.

Dyane wrote: "Hi, my name is Dyane. I'm an avid reader, I'll read anything that catches my eye or imagination. I blog for a living currently, I've wanted to write stories for most of my life, but have always fou..."

Dyane, I'm going to do NaNoWriMo this year too for my third novel. I've never done it before, but curious to see if I can keep up the pace for 30 days. Best wishes

NaNo should be fun. I have the cover ;) http://amostfairchild.blogspot.com/

Amos wrote: "NaNo should be fun. I have the cover ;) http://amostfairchild.blogspot.com/"

Amos, your book sounds really fun. Is this part of a series?

First of all, I want to say "thank you" to Elle for inviting me to join this group, and also, "thank you Elle" for making this group!

I'm C. JoyBell C. .. about myself.. oh what a bothersome question to answer.. well I like taking the London tube, I like summer in Siena and springtime in Paris, I like flowers, I like tattoos, I often swim when it's raining (swimming under the rain), I love the color turquoise... what a very bothersome question! I am me, and I would love to get to know you. Please feel free to visit my author profile here on Goodreads and add me as a friend, if you follow me on twitter I will also follow you (as long as you're not a porn star), I would love you to check out all my photo albums on my FaceBook page and join my FB family as well. : )

If I do this NaNo I hope to do series... But atm I'm still working on last year's NaNo which became a series. lol. http://amostfairchild.blogspot.com/20...

Hi my name is Henry and I like both Reading and Writing. I have writen 5 Christian books, I currenly live in San Bernardino, Ca. You are welcome to include me as your friend. my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hpmirandajr if you care to check it out, or visit my author profile here on Goodreads.

Rick here- so happy to be part of this great group!

Hello,
My name is Michael J. Sullivan and I'm a hybrid author (indie published the first five-books of my Riyria Revelations and then they were purchased by a big-six publisher). My books can best be described as unlikely heroes in classic adventure.

I read in just about all genres and my favorite books of recent memory are Hunger Games and Ender's Game. Thanks for letting me join the group.

Hi everyone, I'm an author and a reader. I'm a resident author at BestsellerBound.com which is a forum just like this one that has been running for just over a year now, where you can meet and chat with indie authors. Great to see something similar on Goodreads :)
Looking forward to meet everyone here.

Hi. I'm a writer and a reader.
As a writer I went the indie route to publish my dark fantasy and horror books, as well as my poetry and a some non-fiction stuff.
As a reader I like fantasy (no YA please), sci-fi, mysteries, historical (fiction and non-fiction) an occasional thriller or whatever I think looks interesting.
I also review books on my blog, watch TV and movies, and I am a huge sci-fi geek.

Hi, my name is Murdo Morrison. I am a writer and a reader. I retired recently to work full time on my writing, which I had been pursuing around the edges of a career for about 25 years. Now I spend my days engaged in what I love to do. I have two books currently listed on this site. Family folklore states that I was reading before I attended school. Whether true or not, for most of my life I have never been far from a book. I most enjoy non-fiction, particularly history and science.

Carroll wrote: "I'm Carroll Bryant and happy to be a part of the group. By the way, from now and until October 26th, I am having a challenge of sorts, for every person who sends me a freind request, i donate 10 do..."

That is an excellent idea! I'll friend you right after this :D

I'm Mhairi Simpson and I feel almost bad about it but I write fantasy. Currently it's YA but there are a couple of adult ones brewing in there. I don't know when they'll pop out. My first book should be out sometime soon - it really depends when I get the edits done and am finally happy that it's perfect. Or when my critiquers bitch-slap me into just uploading the damn thing.

I read fantasy of pretty much every kind, some sci-fi, thrillers, very few hard-boiled anythings, romance, adventure...

We could be here all night so I'll stop now. Look forward to chatting to you all. Oh, and I'm on Facebook (MhairiSimpsonAuthor) and Twitter (AMhairiSimpson). And I talk a lot so there's always a conversation of some kind going on :D

Looking forward to picking up your book from Bonnett's. I love kid's books and will definitely check that out too.

"Hi my name is Scott Mallory and I'm a hopeful writer. My first novel is out which is a dark comedy about radio, and I just locked in an illustrator to do my first childrens book."

Hello everyone! I'm Lakisha Spletzer and I'm an indie author who writes sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, and children's literature.

So far I have 4 titles to my name: Moonbeams, Dusk Conspiracy, Werelove: Midnight Revelations, and Jewels.

I was a read before I was a writer and I've been enjoying the world of books since the age of 4.

You can find out more about me at my website.

Hi, everybody! ^_^ <---That greeting is much more enthusiastic if you imagine it being said in Dr. Nick's voice.

Anyway, I'm a self-published author from Texas. I have two books out, both in the paranormal fiction genre, and both are available through Amazon, and now Smashwords! I'm currently working on my third novel, which is about zombies, but I have to give this whole marketing thing a go, if only to justify my parents' unbelievable pride in the fact I grew up to be a published author.

Me: Mom, I self-published! It doesn't count! I've only made $14.00!

Mom, looking wounded: Of course, it counts.

So, here I am. I look forward to getting to know some more of the members here. Have a great day!

Shane wrote: "Hello I am an author who has been both traditionally and self published. As a reader I enjoy discovering great books that few other people have read. I have always found it far more interesting th..."

hahahahhha! made me smile to myself! : )

Michael wrote: "I've lived in Asia for 12 years but will soon return to North Carolina with my Australian wife and our lovely Calico cat. I've written 9 published books and edited over 300 more. I haven't driven a..."

Michael, all the best people are completely insane! Or at least half mad! :)

Hi I'm Stephanie Julian. I've been a writer forever. Started in journalism, which I still do as a freelancer, and I'm also a published author. I write ongoing paranormal romance series for Ellora's Cave and Sourcebooks and my first straight contemporary will be out from Carina Press in January.

I'm also jumping into the world of self-publishing.

Look forward to meeting everyone.

Michael wrote: "I've lived in Asia for 12 years but will soon return to North Carolina with my Australian wife and our lovely Calico cat. I've written 9 published books and edited over 300 more. I haven't driven a..."

Michael, where in NC are you moving to? I live on an island off the coast of NC...

Elle wrote: "This is exactly what it appears to be, the place to introduce yourself. So start of by telling us if you are a READER or a WRITER, then tell us something interesting about you. Here, I'll start.

..."

I am a Reader and a Writer, and it's my belief that one needs to be a Reader in order to be a Writer. Feel free to disagree :)

Mari wrote: "I am a Reader and a Writer, and it's my belief that one needs to be a Reader in order to be a Writer. Feel free to disagree :) "

Is it alright if I agree? I didn't study writing in college - I "self-taught" by reading and disecting what authors did and why.

Michael wrote: "Mari wrote: "I am a Reader and a Writer, and it's my belief that one needs to be a Reader in order to be a Writer. Feel free to disagree :) "

Is it alright if I agree? I didn't study writing in..."

Yes, I should have said "feel free to agree or disagree" :) I have read that some people say that writing can't be taught, that college courses and writing seminars are wastes of time and money. Not having taken any courses or seminars myself, I can't really attest to this, but I do agree with the value of being "self-taught". I wonder if there have been any "great" writers that weren't readers?

Hi Everyone! Great to be part of the group! Thank you for the invite! Gosh, where do I start to tell you about us - as RC Bridgestock is the name we write under but we are really Robert (Bob) & Carol
We write crime novels with a difference as although the stories are fiction they are wrote through the eyes of a man and his wife who have been there, seen it and bought the T-shirt ... let me explain.

Bob was born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire in 1952. He left Grammar School at the age of 15, served an apprenticeship as a Butcher then spent two years in a dye works before joining the police force on the 28th January 1974. In 1981 he was awarded the much acclaimed ‘Denis Hoban Trophy’ for outstanding detective work. On retirement he received a Certificate of Loyal Service from West Yorkshire Police in appreciation and recognition of 30 years ‘Loyal and Devoted Service to the Community’. As a career detective he worked in the CID at every rank. For over half of his service he was a senior detective, retiring at the rank of Detective Superintendent. As a Senior Investigative Officer (SIO) in charge of homicide cases he took command of some twenty-six murder investigations, twenty-three major incidents including shootings and attempted murders and over fifty suspicious deaths and numerous sexual assaults, some of which were extremely high profile in his last three years alone. He received numerous commendations from high court judges and chief constables who credit him with personal commitment and professionalism, expertise and diligence as well as competent with skilful leadership skills in sensitive, complex high profile cases with the subsequent presentation of compelling evidence. He was a Force Hostage Negotiator and was also commended for his work into the investigation of a protracted, high profile investigation of police corruption in another police force.

I was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire in 1961. I left Grammar School at the age of 16 and went on to study hairdressing at College. At the age of twenty I was running my own successful salon as well as teaching at the College. In 1988 after having two children I commenced working for the Police as a member of the support staff in the Administration Department. As a supervisor I received a Chief Constable’s commendation for outstanding work for my determination and drive creating a poster competition for an Autumn Fall Crime initiative involving local schools. I enjoy reading and like nothing better than to lose myself in a good novel. I always knew Bob could tell a good story because of the experiences he had had in his life but my nagging fell on deaf ears until in 2008 when out of the blue he enrolled us on a College course to 'Write Your First Novel’.

I am now the Chair of a local writing circle that developed from that course and involves the community in writing competitions for all ages.
_____________________________________

Hey everyone, my name is Michele Richard and I am an author of Romance. All kinds, I dont have a sub-genre. So I write YA, Trad, or Scyfi, and anything un between.

Mari wrote: "Michael wrote: "Mari wrote: "I am a Reader and a Writer, and it's my belief that one needs to be a Reader in order to be a Writer. Feel free to disagree :) "

Is it alright if I agree? I didn't st..."

I meet with two other writers monthly for book study. I don't call it Book Group because I'm in one of those and we generally eat and chat more than talk about books! But my book discussion with writers is true book discussion. We read classics as well as contemporary and dissect away. I believe that this study of books has been the single best thing I have done over the past year to improve my own writing. So, I agree!

Mari wrote: "I have read that some people say that writing can't be taught, that college courses and writing seminars are wastes of time and money. Not having taken any courses or seminars myself, I can't really attest to this, but I do agree with the value of being "self-taught". I wonder if there have been any "great" writers that weren't readers?

I think "writing" definitely can be taught. I think "story telling" is something you are either born with or not. Writing is the tools and techniques to take a story and put it onto paper. That's my 2 cents. Other opinions?

Michael wrote: "Mari wrote: "I have read that some people say that writing can't be taught, that college courses and writing seminars are wastes of time and money. Not having taken any courses or seminars myself, ..."

That's a good point and a good distinction between two the two things. Although it's probably something that a lot of would-be story-telling writers want to hear :)

Natalie wrote: "Mari wrote: "Michael wrote: "Mari wrote: "I am a Reader and a Writer, and it's my belief that one needs to be a Reader in order to be a Writer. Feel free to disagree :) "

Is it alright if I agree?..."

Natalie, how wonderful that you have two writers you can meet with and learn with and from. I think I could benefit from something like that too. I once went to a "writer's workshop" at a nearby library and after reading my piece, was told by one of the other "writers" that everything I had written was claptrap and tommyrot. Not a very helpful critique...

Mari wrote: "I once went to a "writer's workshop" at a nearby library and after reading my piece, was told by one of the other "writers" that everything I had written was claptrap and tommyrot. Not a very helpful critique..."

Taste is subjective...I've received hundreds of reveiews and the one thing you learn...the same thing that one person LOVES about your work another person HATES. Sometimes it's just a matter of styles. If you want to write for a living you need to be able to let those negative comments roll off your duck's back - they never end...they always hurt...but you have to be able to "keep going".

Hello, all! I am a lifelong reader and more recently an author. As a reader, I consume LOTS of fiction, especially but not exclusively science fiction and historical fiction, and the occasional biography or book about some historical period or figure. As an author, I write (so far) science fiction, general fiction and picture book manuscripts. (Anyone out there an illustrator who might want to collaborate on a self-published picture book?...)

I was born a Connecticut Yankee and lived many years in northern and southern California, but have been a Hoosier (Indiana in the U.S. Midwest) for more than 20 years.

Karen A. Wyle
www.KarenAWyle.net

Stephen King says the only thing he got out of a writing seminar was his wife Tabitha! He also says that no writer can claim that title unless they're a reader. How can you write well without reading? Michael wrote: "Mari wrote: "I have read that some people say that writing can't be taught, that college courses and writing seminars are wastes of time and money. Not having taken any courses or seminars myself, ..."

Hi everyone! I'm primarily an independent writer now, but I've also been traditionally published, and of course I'm a voracious reader. I read a lot of the classics before I was out of high school - and not because they made me!
Now I'm the 'prolific writer and genre-crosser" - (someone else's description not mine, and I always wonder if someone will misread that last as gender-crosser...) of eighteen fantasy/thriller/horror/romance novels, and variations in between. What you'll always find are engaging complex characters that you wouldn't mind sitting down to have a conversation with. (again not my words *grin*)