Thursday, May 25, 2023

Unleash Your Inner Writer with "52 Weeks of Writing Tips"

 


Hey there, fellow wordsmiths and aspiring authors! Today, I'm going to talk about my book "52 Weeks of Writing Tips" which I hope will inspire and guide you on your writing journey. I released this several years ago, but was approached by a 'fan' the other day who had just purchased it and gushed about how much she enjoyed and learned from it. She had it with her, so I was polite and made it a signed copy.

So, grab a cozy spot, get ready to sip a cup of your favorite beverage, and let's explore this little gem together!

First things first, let's talk about me so you know where this is coming from. I'm no stranger to the world of writing. With a wealth of experience under my belt, I've honed my craft over the years with a passion for sharing this knowledge with fellow writers, beginning with an online ezine magazine author and weekly contributor as the poet person, then both in several writing groups and many adult college writing courses, and finally as a conference speaker and coordinator. In "52 Weeks of Writing Tips," I attempt to take on the role of a friendly mentor, providing practical advice, inspiration, and encouragement to help you become a better writer.

What makes this book stand out is its unique structure. As the title suggests, it's divided into 52 weeks, with each week focusing on a specific aspect of writing. This format is perfect for those who prefer a step-by-step approach or want to tackle one concept at a time. You can read it cover to cover or dip into any week that catches your fancy.

My writing style is casual, relatable, and easy to follow. I have tried to make it feel like having a conversation with a knowledgeable friend who genuinely wants to help you succeed. You won't find any overly complex jargon or complicated theories here. Instead, I offer practical tips and tricks that you can immediately implement in your own writing.

From crafting engaging characters to building compelling plots, from finding your unique voice to overcoming writer's block, "52 Weeks of Writing Tips" covers a broad range of topics that every writer grapples with. Real-life examples, anecdotes, and exercises back my insights to encourage you to put theory into practice. I like to think of myself as a personal writing coach guiding you along the way. It's a hands-on approach that will undoubtedly help you grow as a writer.

What I wanted to do with "52 Weeks of Writing Tips" is cater to writers of all levels. Whether you're a beginner trying to find your footing or an experienced writer looking for fresh insights, my advice is relevant and valuable. Even if you've been writing for years, you'll discover new perspectives and gain renewed enthusiasm for your craft.

I share personal anecdotes from my writing journey, highlighting the ups, downs, and lessons learned along the way. These stories create a sense of camaraderie and remind us that every writer faces challenges. Through my experiences, I attempt to impart wisdom and encourage resilience, reinforcing the belief that perseverance is key to achieving our writing goals.

To sum it up, "52 Weeks of Writing Tips" is a treasure trove of practical guidance, inspiration, and motivation for writers of all stripes. I hope my friendly and conversational tone makes the book approachable and easy to digest. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro, this book will undoubtedly become your go-to companion, offering guidance and support every step of the way.

So, my fellow wordsmiths, grab a copy of "52 Weeks of Writing Tips," embark on this delightful literary adventure, and watch your writing soar to new heights! Happy writing!

Here are the Amazon links:
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1499323697
E-book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JL58CPA

If the link is not clickable, copy and pate it into your browser.

Until next I ramble on...


Friday, March 31, 2023

Good News!

 Here it is, almost April 1st. Yup, April Fool's Day.

BUT, I'm not going to fool you. I have great news. If you've followed me long enough over the years, you know I've written a series of Amish books. My hero, Daniel, started out in book 1 wanting to go to high school, in book 2 he went to NYC, and book 3 he came home. 

Now, book 4 is available. Yes! The Vietnam Voice is now available to order in paperback and/or ebook.


In this book, my hero, Daniel, is more of a background character. Trust me, he is not forgotten, but it deals more with his younger sister, Hannah. She has to deal with a decision. John Heffel is Amish and very enamored with Hannah. Unfortunately, Hannah is longing for the Englische boy, Jonathan Bell. To complicate matters, the two join the Army and go to Vietnam. Things happen. My beta-reader enjoyed the story.

If you are interested in a tease read, check out my webpage; www.bobnailor.com and click on books.

To order the paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Voice-Bob-Nailor/dp/1618771744/

To order the ebook: https://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Voice-Bob-Nailor-ebook/dp/B0BZRPLCY7/

BUT... hold off. (I can't believe I said that!!)

I'm going to discount the first three books/ebooks. Unfortunately, book 4 is full price. Paperback is $16.95 and ebook is $4.99.

Now, book 1 will be: paperback: $10.95 - that's as low as Amazon will allow. The ebook: $.99.

Book 2 will be: paperback: $10.95 - again, Amazon's demand. The ebook: $.99.

Book3 will be: paperback: $12.95 - I need to make 'some' profit. The ebook: $1.99.

Book 4 as detailed above - $16.95 for the paperback, $4.99 for the ebook.

AND, just so you know, I am already working on book 5 - The Family Voice. Plus, I'm also working on the final book - #6 - The Englische Voice. The series will end.

I was asked what to expect next. To be honest, I'm not sure, but I figure I will start another series. I now have a little more incentive and inspiration. The Amish have started to move in behind me. Yes, just a mere mile away. We've already noticed buggies passing in front of our house. Really cool. I've met one family who live only a bit over a mile to my east. The Garleys are very nice.

Also, I'm working on book 3 of my Barry Hargrove mystery series. This one is titled: Dragon Feast.

At times my mind runs so fast I can barely type fast enough to keep up... and I've been clocked typing at 105 wpm. That's right. I was tested and had 3 errors which meant I lost 5 words for each error. I finished at 120 wpm, but after error compensation, I was 105. Still, I think that's pretty good. I can't quite keep up with my mind, but I'm close.

Well, until next I ramble on...


Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Remember Me? An Update

 Do you remember me? Bob Nailor. That author dude from NW Ohio.

Life has tossed me several curves in the last almost four years since my last blog. First was that nasty COVID virus. I was able to avoid it when it first appeared, but then, it got me. I was rushed to ER in Bryan, then transported to Ft Wayne where they didn't think I would make it through the night.

Ha. Ha. Showed them. Two weeks later I was transported back to Bryan to a nursing home where I spent another two weeks habilitating to join society. Talk about therapy!! I had to learn to walk, go up/down steps, etc. Yeah, even throw a ball.

That was Spring. During the Summer I seemed to be doing fine and things were going along; well, almost too well. In September my doctor decided I was retaining too much water and put me on a diet and double Lasix pills. No exercise, per se, but walking (aka running) to the toilet helped to lose weight. I lost 70 pounds.

Then the falling kicked in. Between December 1 and April 15 of the next year (2022) I fell 21 (TWENTY-ONE) times. It took them that long to figure out why I was falling. Seems I had what is called "Diabetic Amyotrophy" which attacks the muscles of the legs to a point of uselessness. That's right; I couldn't support myself and I never knew when the legs would give out. People told me to use a walker for support. When my legs gave out, it was a drop, like a crumbled cookie. I had a walker, but I was down before I could even get my arms to support me.  We had to let the disease run its course.

Yup, back to therapy again. I was almost to the point where I could walk on my own, my heart decided to go into a-fib. So, a pacemaker was 'installed' to give me a bionic aspect. Things seemed to be back on track. YAY! WRONG. I kept going into a-fib and the doctor couldn't 'shock' me out of it. Back to Fort Wayne and an oblation on the heart in an attempt to fix the a-fib. That did the trick, but I needed to again get more therapy. Almost back to walking on my own when my nephrologist realized my weight gain was due to water retention and any attempt to pressure the kidneys to work harder would ruin them even more. 

I was put on dialysis. A port was put into my upper chest (opposite side of my pacemaker) and now I attend dialysis treatments 3X per week for 3.5 hours per session. It would have been nice to be able to do it in my own community, but there is a 2+ year waiting list to get in there; so I go to Defiance which is about a 35-40 minute drive from my home; each way. Talk about a shot day.

All during this time I have attempted to write, my Amish fan base is screaming for the next book. I wrote "The Secret Voice" as a stand-alone book. Wrong. Fans wanted to know what happened next. I wrote "The New York Voice" in hopes of satisfying my fans and calling it quits. Nope. Hence book 3, "The Amish Voice" came into existence. I had my wife read the final copy before publishing. What was her first words when she finished the book? What Happens Next? That's right, I'm now working on book 4, "The Vietnam Voice" and have outlined/wrote a little on the LAST two books: "The Family Voice" and "The Englische Voice" which definitely ends "The Amish Singer Series" - at least, in my mind. If my fans are wanting more, I will need to consider a new series.

I also wrote two Barry Hargove detective/mystery books: "The Case of Eternal Blood" and "The Babbling Sphinx" Yes, I'm working on book 3; "Dragon Feast" which I hope will be a fun read for those who like mystery/detective stories.

And, I'm also working on book 2 of my "Shiyula" series - "The Topaz" which is coming close to being done, IF I ever finish "The Vietnam Voice." LOL. Yes, I have outlines for another few books in this series, too. "The Ruby," "The Sapphire," "The Pearl," and "The Diamond." My heroine, Jewyl, will have her hands full as she attempts to regain her grandfather's kingdom.

Rumor has it I'm also working on a book of Christian meditation... AND a sequel to my best-seller on AMazon "52 Weeks of Writing Tips" entitled "Another 52 Weeks of Writing Tips." I know, so original!

Notice in the above line I said best-seller on Amazon. My big, BIG seller is my Amish series, but it's via me at fairs, book clubs, craft shows and other events.

Which brings me to a moment of realization. With dialysis happening 3X per week, I did an event in southern Indiana - The Covered Bridge - which lasted 10 days. I won't be able to do that anymore. I even question my ability to do the 4 day Pemberville Free Fair event which I really enjoy.

Yes, my life has/is changing. I can travel but I must set up dialysis sessions along the way. I was told I could even go on a 10 days cruise. Hm? I can get a cruise for $800/person, but the dialysis (5 or 6 times) at about $1K per session... WOW! For 2 people, the cruise will be less than $2K, but the dialysis for me during that time, like $6K. And guess what!? I have to pay. Insurance won't cover it because if you can afford a cruise, you can afford your dialysis.

Okay, if you stuck with me this far; thanks. I hope to return to blogging.

Until next I ramble on...