On the radio!

I will be on "The Barry Foster Show" tomorrow morning (Friday) at 9:05 AM EST to talk about my new book REDEMPTION. You can listen live to the show here: http://streamnetradio.com/barry.php And if you want to call in, the number's (863) 385-9985. Wish me luck!!

Fiction River: Past Crime is out!

Fiction River: Past Crime came out today.  My short story "Choices" is included in the Kobo Special Edition.  There are a lot of great stories included in this issue, all dealing with things once illegal in this country but now no longer a crime.  You can buy it or get a free preview of the issue here:
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/fiction-river-past-crime

No Free Fiction Sunday this week...

Sorry, all.  The day totally got away from me and I am all kinds of exhausted right now.  So this week I will not be uploading a short story for you to read.

I only have a few left to do anyway. I am curious about what you thought of this.  Did you enjoy reading the stories?  Did it encourage you to check out what I had to offer?  Would you like to see me do this again sometime in the future?  Let me know!!

Why I don't quit

Before you go much further into this piece, I suggest you read my friend Brad Torgensen's excellent post titled "When Is It Okay To Quit?"  Go ahead.  I'll be here when you get back.

The post was strangely encouraging to me.  Not because I'm giving up the writing (though there are days I'm tempted to toss it all aside and become a professional video game player instead), but because it reminded me of why I CAN'T.

One thing about writing that many people don't understand - it is hard work, especially if you want to get anywhere in this business.  It takes hours of butt in chair, fingers on keyboard, whether the muse is firing on all cylinders or off somewhere on vacation.  It takes being able to hear the word "no" again and again and not taking rejection personally.  It takes practice, which is more butt in chair, fingers on keyboard.

And sometimes, a writer will look up from her laptop, bleary-eyed and frustrated, and whine, "Is it worth it?"

For me personally, yes, it is.  Here's a few reasons why:

• I believe any talent I have in this area is a gift from God.  To not use the gift He gave me is an expression of ungratefulness on my part.  We are given our gifts to use, not to put up on a shelf somewhere and forget about.
• I know I've gotten better.  I have been seriously writing fiction for nine years now, and the difference between Laura the writer in 2005 and Laura the writer in 2015 is staggering.  Moreover, I know I can continue to improve as long as I keep on learning and not settle for where I am.
• There are people out there who actually like what I write.  Whether it's the weekly column in the News Sun or a short story or even one of my novels, people have told me they enjoy what I've written.  Such statements make my day.  And it tells me I'm doing something right.
• I know that the "secret" to succeeding in this business isn't knowing the right people or even having talent.  It's persevering, sticking with it through good times and bad, getting up after getting knocked down...just not giving up.
• And in the end, this is something I enjoy.  Yes, there are times I enjoy it less than others, when it's really hard to get the words down or I can't seem to get arrested, much less make a sale.  But even so, I love sitting down and making up stories.  Even if I never saw a penny from this I would probably still make up stories, because it's how I see the world and figure it out.

And the cool thing is I'm getting there, to that place where the writing makes a nice chunk of change.  I'm not there yet, and I don't know when I'll get there - but I'm on the right road.  And stopping just when I'm on the verge of arriving?  That would be tragic.

So I'm not quitting.  And if you feel the same way I do, you shouldn't either.  Tell me about it, and we can walk this road together.  Who knows?  The success we seek may be just around the bend.  Let's go find out.

Fiction River subscription drive

Fiction River, an anthology magazine with awesome short stories of many different genres, is having a subscription drive via Kickstarter.

Why am I telling you this?

One of my short stories will be published in a special Kobo edition of the upcoming issue Past Crimes.  It's called "Choices" and the editor of the issue has some nice things to say about it.

Also, if you contribute to the subscription drive there are a lot of nice rewards - including either an e-copy or a SIGNED copy of my novel DEAD HYPOCRITES.  It's a great opportunity to get a lot of great reading.

So here's the video...

After you've watched this head over to the website and check out the offerings: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/403649867/fiction-river-subscription-drive

Hope you see something you like!!

Looking for suggestions...

I really have intended to blog more.  I want people to come and read here to know what's going on with me and maybe share things that will make you laugh or think.

I hope you are enjoying "Free Fiction Sunday" every week.  I find I like looking back over the short stories I've put out and sharing them with others.

But I want to know what you are looking for in my blog.  Are there things you'd like me to post about?  Comments on columns I write for the News Sun?  Cute puppy pictures?  What interests you?

Let me know!!

Withdrawal is No Fun

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder.  In order to combat that, I take medication.  This medication is for all intents and purposes an amphetamine.  But instead of making me bounce off the walls, it energizes me and helps me focus.

Because of what it is it is tightly controlled.  My insurance changed slightly recently.  Because of that, even though I've taken this medication for years my doctor is suddenly required to provide pre-authorization before the insurance will pay for it.

Sounds simple, right?  Well, I've been doing without this particular medication since Sunday while my doctor, the pharmacy, and I guess the insurance company all get their act together.

Meanwhile I struggle with the symptoms that come with a sudden withdrawal.  Throw in that I also suffer from depression and anxiety and that my symptoms aren't helping with those conditions and you will understand this hasn't been a great week.

But right now all I can do is take it one step at a time and hope that tomorrow the powers that be will get this straightened out.  Anyway, consider this blog post a getting this off my chest.  Maybe it'll help me feel better.