Seeking Inspirational Memoirs

SURVIVAL

If you're an adult survivor of child abuse, you know how difficult it can be to discuss the memories that may even haunt you to this day.  But you also know - or hopefully you know - that talking and sharing your story and your pain with others, can have a healing affect.

This blog was originally meant to do nothing more than promote the novel:  "Skipping Childhood", a story about child abuse (among other things).  But this blog has also become a vehicle in which to continue the healing process, so now, as always, I welcome others to share their stories.

As I mentioned in a recent post, my newest website:  www.MyBookInspiration.com was created to talk about books that inspire.  I would like nothing more than to add some survivor memoirs to the list of other inspirational stories.  Your survivor story can and book is not limited to child abuse.  Submit whatever type of survival book-related story you want.

If you or someone you know has a survivor book and a story to share about that book (either from a Reader or Author perspective), please be sure to submit your entry on the new website.  

Inspiration is Theme of New Book Promotion Website

Inspiration

Inspiration is a great word to have in mind as we go forward into the new year.  January is almost over already, and once we get into February, before you know it, it's Christmas again.  Inspiration should compel us to not drag our feet and let the year slip away from us unnoticed.  Remember how inspired you felt towards the end of December when you thought about all the goals and resolutions for 2017.  Well now is the time to stop dead in your tracks and evaluate if you're on track.  If you're not, now is the time to adjust your course.

My Inspiration

My inspiration for this year is the completion of "Skipping Childhood."  I'm inspired for having wrote and published a story that is so close to my heart.  I'm inspired by what the book has helped me to learn about my self.  I'm inspired by the fact that I was able to write without censorship of my thoughts, so that I could make my characters truly come alive and have depth.  I'm inspired because I know that having put so much of myself into this writing, there is no way that I won't be rewarded and pleased at the eventual success of the book.

Since inspiration is uppermost on my mind, I launched a new website to help me draw attention to the many books that we as authors AND readers derive inspiration from.  To check out what this site is all about and how you can submit a book inspired story, visit:

MyBookInspiration.com

You can also read the recent article I wrote about the site:
 http://charmbaker.com/new-author-and-reader-book-inspired-website-launch/

Book Excerpts Help Promote Skipping Childhood Novel

This past weekend, as a means of helping to promote the Skipping Childhood novel, I posted a number of tweets that contained various book excerpts.  Book excerpts enable readers to get acquainted with a story, prior to purchasing the book.

Even though my website currently has a page that contains a number of Skipping Childhood book excerpts, I also posted the excerpts individually in separate tweets.  Hopefully, this will provide additional exposure for the book.

Below are screenshots of the book excerpts that are currently available in the tweets and on the website.  Why not take a few moments and get to know Deandra Baxter and a few other characters?

“SKIPPING CHILDHOOD:  A NOVEL“

AVAILABLE NOW AT AMAZON

Follow the story on Twitter by searching:   #skippnovel

Or for:

Deandra Baxter:  #skippdeandra    |   Diane Baxter:  #skippdiane

 

 

 

 

Click for More

Finally a Book Review for New Skipping Childhood Novel

TRUTH

I chose the topic of "truth" today to discuss my first published book review for the "Skipping Childhood" novel.  I chose this phrase because I appreciate the truthfulness of what the reader had to say.  Not only because the reviewer rated the book a 4-star, but because she was honest and candid enough to share her thoughts about the ending.  The truth in her words (even the less than favorable ones) was not lost on me.

I celebrate the fact that a Reader has finished my book and posted the first Amazon review.  I am happy that “Skipping Childhood:  A Novel” received a four-start rating as well as the flattering things that were said about the book.  But more importantly, I'm happy to have my book product page display evidence that someone is reading the book.

Hopefully, this is one book review that will soon be followed by many more.  But until then, I’m appreciative to receive even one.  To a self-published author, each and every review is like precious gold.  All of them matter in one way or another; yes even the negative ones.

As a writer, I am definitely interested in hearing what a Reader honestly thinks.  It’s funny how growing up under certain circumstances can teach you to have tough skin.  If any good came out of growing up to be a survivor, it’s the fact that I can usually take the toughest pill to swallow, and handle it with ease.  Clearly, this is something that can be useful in life, especially if you’re a creative person.  We’ve all heard the stories about how temperamental artists can be.  In many ways, this does  seem to describe me, but I’m also happy to  hear what other people think would make my work better.  At least I'm willing to listen and consider what they have to say.

If a Reader cares enough to share their thoughts and opinions, I respect and appreciate them enough to take their words under advisement, if not for the current project, at least for the next one.

I’m happy to report that the overall comments made about “Skipping Childhood “ were positive and insightful. The Reader demonstrated a genuine interest in the story, though they would have preferred a different outcome.  As the first to review the book, this Reader’s feedback will be especially remembered.

Moving On from Skipping Childhood

Now that my novel is published and available in both print and digital format, I’m ready to move on from “Skipping Childhood” and focus on a new goal for the upcoming year.  I’m writing “Predator’s Revenge” as the second book in the series involving Deandra Baxter, so while I want to promote the first book, I can’t afford to get stuck on strictly marketing. 

Unify Activities

With the new look and design of my charmbaker.com website, I have tried to unify all my online activities and accounts.  For so long, I've been scattered all over the place, and I imagine if anyone were to see my entire internet cloud, it would show.

With the help of this particular blog, I've been able to learn a few more things about myself, though not really trying to.  I've come to the conclusion that part of the reason I've been all over the place with my internet activities is because I've been mentally "all over the place".  But publishing "Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (From Abused Foster Child to Adolescent Serial Killer)” has helped me to start pulling myself altogether (so to speak).  I’m really beginning to get a better focus on the kind of author I want to be. 

In order to be that author, I have to stop allowing so many other types of writing divert my attention.  That means finding a sensible way to position everything I’ve done and everything I’m doing.  I want to be able to benefit from it all, but not at the expense of future productivity.

With that being said, the posts for this particular blog will probably be less frequent, since I’m becoming more and more active on my primary blog and website.  While “Skipping Childhood” is my latest baby and the one I’m most proud of, I can’t neglect the rest of my “kids”.  Hopefully, I’ve done a good enough job of linking the sites together.  Readers can enjoy the posts that have already been published here, and also feel free to follow along at charmbaker.com for more frequent and related posts. 

The Book’s Future

So far, the future of my book looks promising.  You can now purchase a copy of Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (print version) on Amazon, in addition to the digital format of the book.  Clearly, I will need to continue marketing and promoting it, and I will undoubtedly use this blog to do it.  But I’m also ready to move on to the next thing, and that is writing a follow up to the story.  Needless to say, I have to start prioritizing my time.

I’ll continue posting here on this blog, as thoughts specific to “Skipping Childhood” categories happen to come up.  This of course is in addition to regular mentions about the book on the website.  I am also open to writing posts that address any related issues that readers may have.  Simply drop me an email and I will respond.  

Upcoming Discussion on Serial Killer Movies

SERIAL KILLER

This week I've been focusing a lot on checking out various serial killer movies, and particularly those that were adapted from books.  I actually came across some interesting points regarding the variety of different types serial killers, especially in the movies.

To check out the discussion, feel free to visit my website at charmbaker.com and stay alert for the posts that will be published on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (the first week in January).  That three part series will discuss just how atypical many of the movie serial killers are.  Of course I only talk about three different movies, but the killers in each of them are as different as night and day.

There are others that I actually plan to discuss at a future date, like the infamous "Dexter" the quirky serial killer who became so popular when he first came on the movie scene.  I think it's important to take a look at the mindset of all these killers, especially if I plan to keep writing about characters who kill for one reason or another.

Be on the lookout this coming spring because I actually plan to bring Deandra Baxter back in the next book.  She's my child serial killer in

Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (From Abused Foster Child to Adolescent Serial Killer)

 

Why Do Readers Relate to Coming of Age Stories

COMING OF AGE

To discover some of the best coming of age fiction books in the Amazon Kindle Store, you can start with a look at their top 100 best sellers.  When you browse through this list, you may find yourself wondering why readers seem to somehow connect with coming of age stories.  This is a fitting question when you consider how diverse the various titles in this book category really are.  For instance, notice these top three titles in Amazon’s 100 best coming of age books in the Kindle Store.

   

The Queen's Poisoner (The Kingfountain Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Jeff Wheeler

Commonwealth

by Ann Patchett

Billionaire…

by Claire Adams

The first book is a period book, set in “the court of Kingfountain”, the second book is a modern day book set in “southern California”, while the third book is set in Manhattan.  While all three of these books are categorized as coming of age fiction, they couldn’t be more different from one another.  So what is it that makes a reader of this type of fiction be content to enjoy one or all three books and manage to find some connection?

I believe that the thoughts and perceptions that we all experience as children growing up are both unique and yet the same to all of us.  The relationships we form and how we form them at different ages and stages actually demonstrates just how much alike we humans really are.  That is why you can read a coming of age story about a prince or princess from another time and era and still find some point that is relative to your own upbringing.  But the beauty of it all is the fact that when we’re not busy enjoying what is familiar to us, we like to get a peek at things that are new and foreign.  So either way, when we pick up a good coming of age book and dive into the pages, we expect to be delighted in two different ways.

My new novel: Skipping Childhood:  A Novel (From Abused Foster Child to Adolescent Serial Killer) is a different sort of coming of age book.  It contains some memorable references and episodes about growing up in the late 60’s and 70’s but the book also deals with more than just a casual walk down memory lane.  You can find Skipping Childhood in Amazon’s Mystery, Thriller & Suspense category, in addition to the coming of age section.  That gives you a hint that this novel is a whole lot more than your average story in this genre.  Why not pick up a copy of Skipping Childhood:  A Novel the next time you’re looking for a good coming of age story.