THE CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK ADDICT

A series of essays.....

 LIBRARY AND MUSIC ROOM

.....as seen through my eyes!



By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

This morning I discovered a simple truth about myself. I have more books in my 'To Be Read' pile than food in my refrigerator. Plain and simple, it's just a fact, Jack.

It's the absolute truth but, I don't understand it. You know me, always preaching about taking time out for yourself through meditation, long walks in the woods, and curling up in a comfy spot and reading a good book. So, is it just that I don't practice what I preach or, is there something even deeper and more sinister happening here?

THE TOPSY-TURVY 'TO BE READ' STASH

While observing my TBR stash grow and grow in a very short time, I'm alarmed by the 'top-heavy' appearance of books and fear for the structural integrity of my small wooden desk. The scene imitates a linear brick wall artistically spray painted with the names of books and their authors. Squinting, my collection resembles a colorful cascade made of paper instead of vertically flowing liquid. My beautiful books appear to be melting onto the floor in true Salvador Dali fashion. Yet.....I can do nothing about it. Instead, more books are piled on and my fear is that I will eventually lose this giant Jenga game and the tumbling towers will decide to fall to my office floor around three o'clock in the morning! 

Why is the supply growing and the demand faltering so acutely?

Some people feel the need to add to their shoe collection on a regular basis while others are obsessed with trading in their car for a new one every two years. I can spend one hour in a book store and exit carrying four to five books, easily! Trust me when I say that the longevity of the 'paper' book will never be in jeopardy as long as I am around!

THE NEWEST ACQUISITIONS

As I sit and take a few moments to analyze the situation, I can derive several logical explanations for my predicament. I am insatiable, for one, when it comes to dynamic writing! Whether it be current or classic, fiction or nonfiction, based in history or jetted out into the far-flung corners of a futuristic world, I am there to absorb its contents with gusto and fervor.

Today's market offers us a wide variety of writing styles by awe inspiring authors that truly stand-out within their fields. Some of them, such as J.K. Rowling and Judy Blume, have successfully crossed over from one genre to another with expertise and ease. 

FOR MORE BOOKS........
JUST CLIMB INSIDE THE MIRROR!

Based on their own merits, so many new names have reached public attention and have made quite an impact within the past decade. They include, "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt; Young Adult writers, Suzanne Collins and John Green for the "Hungers Games" and "The Fault In Our Stars," respectively; "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah; "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson; the humorous 2004 release by 'funny man,' Christopher Moore, "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal," that chronicles the 'missing years' of the Messiah's life as told by Biff, His best bud. His work is reminiscent of that of Kurt Vonnegut and Douglas Adams.

Avid readers adore trilogies. The most obvious reason, I believe, is to be able to keep the story going on for as long as possible if you enjoy what the author is writing about. As a writer, peaking the interest of your readers for an extended period of time is a strong tactic to embrace. This keeps your work, as well as your name, in the 'bright lights' for as long as possible. And, the revenue for three books is most appealing.

Also, authors often have so much to say with regards to their subject matter, that their thoughts tend to stretch-out much further than only one book might allow.

E-book authors, those who choose to self-publish their books, often use the idea of a three book series. This is a fantastic marketing strategy for these authors for several reasons. As I mentioned before, elongating your story into three parts helps to sell yourself and your stories for a longer period of time. Considering one of the strongest forums for an e-book author is the use of Social Media, this strategy assists in building interest and promoting sales among your fans, especially while you are working on the second, and, eventually, the third book of your series.

Essentially, many self-published authors will give their first novel away as a promotional ploy. I have seen contests where if you are the first to contact the author on Social Media within a particular time period, he or she will upload their book to your computer. Or, they can offer a 'free' Kindle version on a specific day with the hope of having readers like what they read for free and share that knowledge with others. Thus, building future sales and readers for their next two books in the series.

In answer to your looming question about e-books.....Yes, I do have them stockpiled on my computer's iBooks program, too. Insatiable. Would you expect anything less by now?

LIBRARY TABLE

BEDROOM

FOYER

I have enjoyed their bodies of work and have become friends with several e-book authors. Because I had fallen in love with their stories first, I asked permission to write a book review for them on my Blog so that I could share their talent with others. In doing so, I have gotten to know the strong personalities behind the novels, as well. Two examples would be Eric Vance Walton, author of "Alarm Clock Dawn," a chilling futuristic thriller that captures Corporate greed and corruption as it whittles away at our middle-class society. "Echoes of the Oasis" by A.R. Tirant, evokes the life of a young woman growing-up on the beautiful Creole islands of the Seychelles located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, east of mainland Southeast Africa. Both authors are currently working on the second book of their trilogy series. 

My point is this.....there is so much writing talent offered and so little time to enjoy all of it! In the past, I would cling to the works of several great authors and concentrate on their books alone. They included the bone chilling, 'scare me out of my mind' works of Stephen King; the life of identifiable and homespun Irish characters lovingly written about by the late Maeve Binchy; the monumental writings of the great James A. Michener whose stories would brilliantly thread generations of family members through time and turn learning about history into a cohesive and understandable experience; the intrigue and romance surrounding the Cold War was always intensified by the hand of the seamless author, Robert Ludlum. As you may surmise, my worldly adventures began long before securing my first Passport

I have diversified since the early Stephen King era....and, today, the quote "So many books, so little time!" by Frank Zappa, renowned musician and author of twenty-five distinct works of his own, haunt me every day. Yes, I am a 'Confessed Book Addict.' The signs are everywhere you look. From overflowing bookshelves to bloodshot eyes in the morning after a late night romp between the pages. 

 PARTIAL COOKBOOK COLLECTION
 

From hundreds of pastel sticky-notes stuck between the glossy pages of my favorite cookbook, "Flavors of France," part of The Beautiful Cookbook series, to sinking deeper and deeper into the political genius of Abraham Lincoln by way of the brilliant biographical writings of Doris Kearns Goodwin and her number one Bestseller, "Team of Rivals," reading can become an awesome complexity; a true value towards soothing the body and soul, exercising the imagination, and enlightening the mind.

With much persistence, I have been guided down the many paths of life via imagination and words. Each plot twist, new character, and creative storyline takes me back home. I continue to find 'stunning beauty' in every turn. I would not have it any other way.

LIBRARY CHAIR ALONG WITH
MY LATEST READ, "OF IRISH BLOOD"
BY MARY PAT KELLY

Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

OUR DRUG OF CHOICE......REDUCED TO SHADOW PEOPLE?

 A series of essays.....





.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


In the not too distant past, we would initially learn more about people from the outside-in, evaluating them by physical appearance, verbal communication and moving on (or not) from there.  Today, we often begin relationships from the inside-out instead.  Is it possible to become close to others yet never having set eyes on them first?  Blame it (or not) on the influence of Social Media.....

The funny part is.....I'm not sure this is always a bad thing.

No matter what anyone says to the contrary, we choose our 'friends' when it comes to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and so on.....  I am picky and, even though I am in the business of 'selling myself' (Clearly I am referencing here what I write!!), the option of Liking, Adding or Following another human being via social media is our personal choice to make.  And, the handy-dandy 'delete' button is there at our disposal when needed; a built-in fail-safe mechanism.

There will always be those who do not follow a give-and-take procedure when choosing friends on social media and the exception proves the rule in this case.  Being the most popular kid on the block is always a tantalizing goal when it comes to our ego.  I won't even try to deny that.  And, I do put myself out there at times in order to attract readers who might be interested in my writing.  (I have never sold my soul....thought about it a few times, though.  Does this count?) 

I believe that when we click-on to social media we are souls seeking approval, common ground and acceptance of those we call our Friends and Followers.  We want these friends to like and approve the same things we value so much in life.  It helps to make life easier.  Religion, politics, art, family, music, food choices and recipes, dog-lover or cat-lover.....we soak it all up like a sponge and often value their opinions over our own flesh-and-blood acquaintances. 

Why?  I have my own opinions.  See if you agree with some of them as they are introduced throughout my story.



Image source: forum.xcitefun.net

Humans seek-out approval, as I mentioned before.  What better way to believe that we are doing something right as when we see that 'notification circle' shaded in red at the top of the page knowing that someone has, at least, acknowledged your existence and, maybe even, agreed with something you said or 'shared.'  Odds are, naturally, that others might be disagreeing with you and commenting on your post to this effect.  Personally, I welcome this.  Perhaps it's because I was on my high school debate team but, I enjoy sparking opposing opinions as long as they are introduced with intelligence, 'good taste' and all words are spelled correctly!!!  Just saying....

Considering 'like minds' and all of that, even with cyber relationships, our loyalties drift towards those who have similar beliefs to our own. We are looking for sounding-boards for our personal thoughts and ideas.  If others fail to listen to what we have to say at school, home or in the office, our cyber friends just might!  Again, this is not always a bad thing.  Having a 'listening ear' all your own is a positive and often comforting scenario, as long as we understand that all we will receive is just that....a listening ear and, if we're lucky, a 'comment' voicing support and well-being.

That's not to say that solid friendships are never found on social media because I know that they are.  This poem I once read on Facebook is an ode to strong bonds and undeniable support offered by those we meet from all over the world via social media:

"The friends I have never met.

                                 My Friends online.                                    

It's strange to have a friend that you have

Never hugged, shook their hand or 

Looked into their eyes.

But, you have been touched by their soul, 

Seen the good in their hearts and felt the 

Warmth in their being.

The friends I have never met are not my

Friends untouched for I have felt them

With me when I needed them.

I have confided in them and they are

Some of the kindest people I have ever known.

My Friends....  Never forget how special you are to me."

Courtesy of Daveswordsofwisdom.com

I can hear you now....."Many loving and long-lasting relationships began through the Internet."  I mean there's eHarmony, Christian Mingle and Match.com, to name a few.  When did finding a soul-mate and person to love and be loved by become so technical?  Two words: Free Enterprise!  If we can be convinced that we need something badly enough, there will always be somebody out there waiting to sell it to us!  Never forget that money can be powerful and highly manipulative.

By placing our trust in research and spreadsheets, and paying for the privilege, we legitimize their existence and wrap ourselves up in a cozy 'cloak of security' believing that others have more time and resources than we do when it comes to finding our life partner.  We convince ourselves that the organization within these Websites is much safer than hooking-up on the Internet, alone and without a safety net.  Since people will continue to use these sites, I don't see a problem with this line of thinking.

Before this amazing thing entitled the 'Internet,' acquaintances might have become our close friends through time, trial and error as individuals and groups offered testimony to the fact that humans, in general, required interaction with other humans.  Let's say that we were introduced at a party and discovered that we enjoyed similar musical tastes or that we both liked to travel and speak the French language.  This tact is what I refer to as learning about one another from the "outside-in" and allowing our experiences to guide us on into the next phase of the relationship.

In this age of 'instant gratification' and self-imposed lack of time, we scurry from meeting to meeting, room to room, loaded to the gills with our technological devices while creating a cyber world of online dates and friends.  This takes me to the "inside-out" relationships where we are fed information about another person and then asked to meet them face-to-face, and take it from there.  This leaves little to the imagination, similar to a Miley Cyrus music video.  By the time our eyes eventually lock on to one another, we know pretty much everything about them in terms of statistics right down to the reason behind the jagged, little scar running along the left side of their mouth. 

Chemistry.  "Will there be 'chemistry' between us?" you wonder.  The inside has been conquered already and not much has been left to our imagination.

Are we learning to exist in an age of shadow people?  What will  the consequences for future generations be? 

Let's face facts here.  We Love Our Tech Toys!  We have them at our fingertips twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and sometimes they are the first things we make contact with after crawling out of bed in the morning or the last thing we touch (plugging it in to charge for the next day) at night!  We are so hooked!  Smart Phones, iPads, laptops, Nooks and Kindles.......our drug of choice.  It's all legal, proper and almost expected of us to purchase and use them.  As I said before, power and money can be highly manipulative.

Writing requires much research.  Having answers, pictures and explanations at my touch is a godsend.  I recall setting time aside to visit the library with my handwritten sheet of questions and ideas at the ready.  Having so much information available to me within seconds  while I am still in my pajamas at ten in the morning is a godsend, as well.  And, it makes visiting my local library so much more fun rather than strictly work related. 

I am torn.  On one hand, I am pleased where all of this is going and relish the convenience of 'at the ready' knowledge.  On the other hand, I am disappointed in the breakdown between human relationships.  We spend too little time communicating with each other in order to form these relationships and keep them alive and thriving.  Or, we  confer with our 'devices' seeking life changing opinions and personal advice. 

If I had to write a sentence fifty times on a chalkboard at the front of the classroom as a penance for hasty words spoken, it would read:
"I do love my i-Pad!  I do love my i-Pad!  I do love my i-Pad!....."  And then I would plug-in my password for Facebook and take the consequences!

Indeed, certainly 'one' of my drugs of choice!

 

 

 

 

Travel Is My Drug of Choice......!

 

Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

BOOK REVIEW: One Word at a Time: Finding Your Way as an Indie Author

 

A Book Review.....

Books....Books....Books....and, Even More Books, Please!!!!!

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes



Occasionally, within your busy, daily life, you unexpectedly run across something that turns your head, makes you think and helps solidify that what you and many others do is nothing short of......well, impressive!!!

Today, I am taking you on a journey into my perspective of a nonfiction novel.....beautifully crafted from personal experience, meticulously thought out and, I believe, will soon become an invaluable inspiration for ALL writers.

Eric Vance Walton is a novelist, author and poet with a writing career spanning nearly two decades.  He has published several books in different genres and has won several awards for his work including the "James Thurber Treat Prize." 

"One Word at a Time: Finding Your Way as an Indie Author," is this author's initial venture into the nonfiction genre.  Mr. Walton has compiled within this journey the blood, sweat and tears, the ups and downs, and the social media 'do's and don'ts' that are associated with his long, successful, Independent writing career.

        **********************************************************************************************************************************

BOOK REVIEW: "One Word at a Time:
                             Finding Your Way as an Indie Author"
                             By: Eric Vance Walton




"One Word at a Time: Finding Your Way as an Indie Author" by Eric Vance Walton, is a brilliant example of one seasoned Indie Author combining his expanded knowledge and expertise of more than twenty years in order to assist others along the often long and arduous road to becoming a published author.

We, the readers, as the title implies, expect to be led down the best path-of-knowledge afforded us by Mr. Walton's own experiences, including 'How To' writing tips, things we should do, as well as things to avoid, along with examples of each.  We are not disappointed!

In addition, the reader is enlightened by an intimate tone and approach as Mr. Walton sites expressions of his own family members that have encouraged and honed his present day attitudes of self-discipline and frugality, as well as sharing his methods of emotional control through meditation, yoga and exercise.  He makes it abundantly clear that we should never allow our writing to consume our entire lives and that we should always make time for family and friends along the journey.  This attitude, stressed by Mr. Walton, is the foundation for a unique balance between a successful writing career and a stable personal life.

While defining the term 'Indie Author' as a writer who publishes outside of the mainstream publishing industry, at the very beginning, Mr. Walton sets the tone of his book.  We know this information is not going to be typical, rather, he fills us in on his more than twenty-year ride of being an Indie Author himself, utilizing modern technology, including social media, and having it work for all of us.  His qualifications withstand the test of time as he allows his techniques to be flexible yet challenging throughout his own lengthy career.

I found Mr. Walton's poignant use of quotes by various authors direct validation for all of his own ideas and helped to strengthen the messages he wished to convey to the reader.  Also, I found it charming that he seemed unabashed by opening-up his soul to us and exposing his vulnerability, allowing us to see his human side. "My readers are my boss...."  Yet, Mr. Walton was just as capable of exerting his strengths by reinforcing the necessity of a proper publisher fit, encouraging our creative energy by visiting local art fairs and theater productions while pointing-out and understanding the difference between being a 'starving artist' and an artist that takes firm control of his own destiny....one day at a time.

My only real criticism would be that although Mr. Walton creates many positive prompts, he is repetitive at times when it comes to offering useful examples.  In terms of writer's block or just pushing yourself away from your writing desk for a needed respite, the act of walking your dog is often used.  I understand the use of positive reinforcement in this case, however, the reader comprehends the significance of this gesture early on.  I was hoping for a touch of 'quirkiness' thrown in by Mr. Walton at times to lighten-up the mood and infuse a modicum of unpredictability into the mix.

Our world changes so quickly and on a daily basis and modern technology is a forerunner of many of these changes.  As an avid reader and a writer myself, I seek out every advantage I can in making sense out of the complicated and competitive world of being an Indie Author.  Eric Vance Walton has capitalized on the theme that knowledge of the inner workings of this industry is not only bliss, but a dire necessity when it comes to success!  Placing this knowledge within a comfortable writing format as in "One Word at a Time: Finding Your Way as an Indie Author," readers will instantly know they have a good friend on their side in Mr. Walton and an invaluable reference guide to independent publishing that should be placed nearby them at all times.



NOTE: The publishing release date for "One Word at a Time:..." To be announced soon by Authors Publish Press.  Visit Mr. Walton's Author Website Link below to learn more.


Author Website Link:

 http://ericvancewalton.wordpress.com/


Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

I WANT YOU......!!! PERSPECTIVE OF A PERSONAL BLOG SITE

Promotional


A series of essays.....

I WANT YOU.....DEAR READER!!!

......as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


One year ago this week, my Blog, Moving On, 2013, began.  The hoopla and enthusiasm surrounding its birth was centered directly on the joy and unequivocal excitement that is derived from visiting people within their own habitats, culture and society.  This joy of life was then, gratefully, shared with you.....through my eyes!

When 2013 slipped into 2014, admittedly, I was still riding the 'high' of recently having returned from one of the most spectacular and eye-opening trips to the Wild West Coast of Ireland.  Having stood at the base of an 'Holy Icon,' Croagh Patrick, in County Mayo, to climbing up toward the heavens on the peak of Diamond Hill, Benbaun at 2,400 feet, in the heart of Connemara National Park, my heart soared with new insights and indubitable Love!

This was a new year and Moving On, 2014 had to roll with the changes, so.....included in my blog were stories, essays, if you will, about people, places and things that have greatly influenced my life, past and present.  Along this journey, I had hoped to learn so much via my research and, I certainly have, as well as been able to pass this insight on to you in an entertaining and humorous fashion.  Hopefully, I was able to achieve the latter more often than not!?!

At the end of my first year of consistent (weekly) blogging, I'm still only half way up the learning curve when it comes to effectively utilizing social media and tweaking it to my advantage.  As a human being, feedback in any form, positive or negative, is helpful in determining the success of our endeavors and whether or not it is advantageous to continue in a certain direction.  As a writer, ideas, words, sentences and phrases will always continue to flow like the waters of a mountain stream and be written down with much love and patience in order to soothe an aching desire, an ancient need...with or without those who read them!

However, who is a performer without an audience or, a teacher without students, a challenge minus stimulating competition?  Bouncing our thoughts and ideas off of others in order to gain unlimited perspectives has historically been helpful towards innovative growth in general, political agendas and, artists of all sources of mediums and levels of magnitudes.  Social media has encouraged artists to 'hawk their wears,' so to speak, offer their talents and aggressively peddle their 'goods' for sale and/or consumption on a street call Mainstream Avenue.

As I stand here on 'M' Avenue, crunching autumn leaves beneath my rubber soles and blowing party horns while throwing colorful confetti in celebration of my first anniversary....my words bounce and echo off of the brick walls of the tall buildings surrounding me.  This sound reminds me that my ideas are not always escaping beyond the brick and mortar; advancing beyond my 'realm of dreams' by riding on the sound waves created by Facebook and Twitter.  What is needed to create the enthusiasm required to expand and to grow stronger?  I am so asking your help with this one!

Moving On, 2015 is fast approaching, advancing like a herd of wild buffalo on the open plains, kicking up dust and debris in its wake.  Even though I am not prepared to relinquish 2014 and believe deeply and gratefully in the 78 Likes my 'Blog Page' (Jackie.thetravelingkeyboard) on Facebook has generated this rookie year, I know I can do even more.  All of my 'Faithfuls,' as I like to call those who consistently read, like or comment on, my blog, mean the world to me!  Without your encouragement I would be nothing.  Thank you, always....

By the end of 2014 and, certainly, by the beginning of next year, I want to 'turn it up a notch' by generating more of my Faithfuls who, in turn, will help to generate even more by sharing and talking about Moving On.  I believe in my writing.  I trust in the common sense and down to earth attitudes I employ when approaching my stories for your consumption and entertainment.  Like every good performer, teacher and artist in general, I take my work seriously enough to induce and promote your heated desire, as a reader, to stick with me....just one story longer......!

Sincerely,

Jackie Hughes

Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved