Last Post..."We cannot change many of the things around us, in our lives; but we can change the way we feel about those things."

It is appropriate, as I write my final post, to briefly talk about my writing, the books, and the possibilities for the future.

My writing

I started writing some years ago and made the decision to publish more than 15 years ago. I suppose, initially, my impetus was to use fiction to change non-fiction events. I saw things happening, in the world, and I wondered what might have been. How might the event have turned out differently? It was, in a sense, my attempt to insert my own “if only” or “what if?”

Generally, as a rule, my fictional view of events turned out to have a happier ending, and that thinking pervades throughout my books. Of course, there are tragedies, as well, but overall the story endings conclude on a positive note. That is, of course, how I hope life would always be. Fiction is whatever we want to make it. In our fictional world, we can do anything we want.

I also know, alas, that life does not turn out that way. I have, in my writing, tried to base my stories on some reality. I can say that all of my characters are based on real people, young or old, and their actions are based on real accomplishments.

The books

The various books encompass a variety of activities, events, and characters. They all stand on their own. In many cases, I had ideas for sequels, but other new stories always seemed to get in the way, and except for the one series I wrote, none of the sequels were ever written.

The common themes of the stories are those of courage, accomplishment, tenacity, faith, love and mutual support. The stories tell of those who persevere against unusual or unreasonable odds, but almost always with the strength of family and friends. It is that ideal, that we can accomplish things together and achieve goals, that I would hope readers take away from the books.

For the future

The books have reached tens of thousands of readers, and it is my hope they will reach many more. I also hope that they will have some kind of positive impact on some who may read them, and perhaps give a few readers strength by giving examples of how things could be. More than anything, though, I would wish the stories are read and enjoyed, in the current day and long after I am gone.

I conclude this last post with one final thought: "We cannot change many of the things around us, in our lives; but we can change the way we feel about those things."

Many thanks, and

Happy reading.

Wil

Our plans for the New Year. Our plans for life.

Sometimes we get so involved in living that we forget our plans. Or, put another way, life is what happens when we’re making plans.

As much as I think that the hype around the traditional holiday season (primarily Christmas and New Year) is just too much, the idea that we should pause and reflect is one well worth pursuing. As the end of December nears, it is good to take a bit of time and consider what we’ve done, where we are, and where we want to be. It could be said that we reflect on success and disappointments, and we promise ourselves to do better next year.

In my case, I admit to being disappointed with the little amount of time I’ve been able to devote to my writing. The success of my professional life has meant long hours at work while the happiness of my personal life is certainly due to the time spent with family.

Nonetheless, I truly enjoy being able to create and share stories, and I resolve to return to the pace I was setting a few years ago.

For those finding time to reflect at this year-end, I truly and sincerely suggest that you watch (or re-watch) this video at TED Talks. In 2007, Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch, who was dying of pancreatic cancer, delivered a one-of-a-kind last lecture that made the world stop and pay attention. This moving talk will teach you how to really achieve your childhood dreams. It is truly a “must watch” and I commend it to you.

Wil

http://www.ted.com/talks/randy_pausch_really_achieving_your_childhood_dreams

Another earthquake very close to home

There’s nothing like living near a fault line. If you don’t remember an earthquake, just wait, because they’ll be one soon. Even on the northern California coast, seismic activity seems frequent – or the effects of seismic activity. When Japan had the big quake back in March 2011, the port of Crescent City was really hit with a tsunami, and the damage isn’t fully repaired yet.

The latest quake was Sunday night, March 9th, and it was an event that could not be missed by anyone in the coastal area of northern California or southern Oregon.  After this latest shaking, including a quake and aftershocks, I’m thinking it’s about time I wrote a quake into one of my novels.

Bought a Tablet and want to read eBooks?

Tablet + eBooks = reading made simple. 

Truly, an equation that does work.  I learned this important fact about six months ago, and I only wish I’d bought the Tab earlier. But, more importantly, I’m really glad I didn’t buy a proprietary eReader.

In fact, I’d looked at Kindles when they first came out. Then I looked at Nook, and Kobo readers. I looked at ‘no name’ readers. But, I didn’t buy, as I found some issues.

Proprietary eReaders = Different formats = Bad

One of the problems with buying a proprietary eReader is the issue of reading other formats. Okay, so if you only buy eBooks on Amazon, and you have a Kindle, that’s not a problem. But, if you like to shop around to find eBooks, that is a problem. In my case, I’ve been buying eBooks and reading them on my laptop since 2007, so I have the additional problem that some of my eBooks cannot be read on a Kindle, or on a Nook, or whatever.

One other problem I’ve heard of, but not personally experienced, is the issue of books that disappear from a Kindle or Nook or whatever, because they’ve been ‘unpublished’ somehow. Now, for me, that stinks (and I’m being polite here). If I buy something, I want to keep it for as long as I want.

Reading on a Tablet

How does this work? Easy:

1. Put an eReading app on your Tablet. I use FB Reader for Android, and highly recommend it, for ease of use. (It presents all book formats with no conversion necessary.)
2. Buy your eBooks at Amazon, or the Apple iTunes Bookstore, or at B&N, or at Kobo, or at Smashwords, or at any other fine eBook (online) retailer. I use my computer to do this.
3. Download the books from the retailer into your computer. Make a backup copy on your backup drive, as you do for all important data.
4. Transfer the eBooks from your computer to your Tablet.
5.  Start reading, and enjoy.

Advice for writers: Being unpublished doesn't mean you suck

"Unpublished? You Don't Actually Suck."  That was the title of a Huff Post Books piece earlier this week, in which the writer detailed her feelings about trying to convince herself that her work really did not suck.  She also introduced Writer's Bloq, one of many new ways in which indie authors support each other.  I commend her and all those who help their fellow authors.  I was inspired to write a comment on Huff Post Books about the piece, and I've repeated it here:

I know I don't suck. Just ask those who now have the tens of thousands of copies of my books. But the realization that maybe there was some merit in my (so far) seven YA novels, and that people might actually want to read what I'd written? Well, let's just say that realization was a long time coming.

The problem is that I don't write what apparently 'sells.' I don't write fantasy, or dystopia, or about vampires. I write solid family and adventure reality-based fiction for Young Adults. I write what I want to write, and I've had to find my niche market.

Three years ago, I had four unpublished works and a brain full of doubts and worries. Now I have some amazingly positive and inspiring reviews with scores of good ratings, and more motivation than ever to keep writing. 

Good luck to all those who find the courage and tenacity to keep at it, and who persevere in this new world of self-publishing. You, too, can find that you don't suck.

My Book Montage

These are my book titles...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Prices for eBooks too high in comparison with print Books

As an author, I have become much more aware of the extraordinarily high prices that some retailers are charging for eBooks. Both as an author and as a reader myself, I am not happy about the high prices!

In order to pursue marketing ideas for my own books, I frequently review various retailers’ sites. I have noticed, with the increasingly popularity of eBooks, that more online retailers are establishing good online shopping opportunities for eBooks. Certainly Smashwords, my primary online retailer, is pursuing business relationships with an ever increasing number of very good retailers, currently including Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Sony, Apple and others. That is all good.

eBooks priced higher than print Books

What is bothering me is the prices being set for eBooks. It is frequently almost as much as the price for a print Book. In fact, I recently saw some new release eBooks priced at higher than the hardcover print Books! I was shocked and stunned. I simply cannot understand how a retailer can charge more for an eBook, that requires only the cost of miniscule space on a server, versus the cost of printing, shipping and storing a hardcover print Book. How can that possibly make sense? How can a retailer possibly justify charging more for an eBook than the same title in a print Book?

High prices negatively affect reviews and ratings

One of the things that has bothered me most was seeing reviews and ratings for some books actually being affected by the very high prices for eBooks. A rating and review should be based on the content of the book, including perhaps how well it is written, and how imaginative the plot line is, and other considerations related to the writing. In one case I saw online recently, a very good book was being badly down-rated because of pricing issues. Imagine the poor author having his very good work hit with bad ratings because of the retailer’s and/or publisher’s greed.

In my humble opinion, the price of eBooks should reflect the minimal cost of production compared to the higher costs involved in print Books. Of course, an author should gets compensation for his or her hard work, but eBooks need to be cheaper than print Books.

What do you think? Do you agree?

I don’t know what we can do about these terrible pricing practices at this point, but we can certainly start talking about it.

Join me, and comment.

Wil

National Author's Day

Oh, no. This is an oops. I missed "National Author's Day" on November 1st. Actually, it's a great idea, and it started over 80 years ago, when it was adopted by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. In 1949 the US Department of Commerce awarded the observance a place on its list of special days, making it official.

Resolution
“By celebrating an Authors’ Day as a nation, we would not only show patriotism, loyalty, and appreciation of the men and women who have made American literature possible, but would also encourage and inspire others to give of themselves in making a better America…”

So, a belated happy Author's Day. I think I feel inspired to carry on writing.

Wil

Follow Wilson James, author on Twitter

Now you can follow my tweets at Twitter or on this blog (see my version of the 'best of Twitter' on the left side of this page). I'll continue to provide news on my books, and celebrate when I have little bits of success, such as when one of my books spent 3 days at #1 on the YA best seller list on Smashwords, or when I had a record day for downloads this past week. I may also retweet important or interesting news from the world of books and writing.

Happy tweeting,

Wil

@WilJames_author

(that's an underscore: @WilJames_author)

Read an eBook Week: FREE Books and Coupons

So, "Read an eBoook Week" is here on March 7th. I hope that it proves to be successful. As I mentioned in my Blog recently, my contribution is that five of my titles are FREE. (See the Smashwords specials page for details.) I hope a few more people discover my books.

I'm very happy to note that SONS and BROTHERS in SEATTLE moved up to #4 on the Smashwords YA Best Sellers list; while ROBERT'S RIDE remains at #7 (pretty amazing for a book published less than a month ago). I'm also pleased that of the 488 young adult titles currently available for download at Smashwords, A Family Legacy: THE WATSON WORKS is number 18.

There are a huge number of eBooks available, many of them free. With lots to choose from, everyone should be able to enjoy,

Happy reading,

Wil

Featured Book and Earthquakes

Featured Book is Playing the 'Son' Card: (https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7193)

I have been quite pleased with the response to the publishing of the e-books I’ve done on Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/WilsonJames). It has been only one month since I published my first books on Smashwords, and hundreds of new readers have downloaded my books in that time. I’ve now managed to complete four books to the necessary standard, including Playing the ‘Son’ Card (https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7193). It is, however, not as easy as I had though initially, as there are very specific guidelines for setting up the books so that they can be published as multi-format e-books. This is important, as the many formats available for my books on Smashwords mean that my e-books can be read virtually any e-book reader, such as the Kindle®.

I am working on getting the Robert’s Ride and the second in that series (Robert’s Rise), completed and ready for Smashwords. Currently, Robert’s Ride is only available on Lulu.com (http://stores.lulu.com/wilsonjames). I have some other books still only available on Lulu for the moment, but I’ll be working to get all of my books available on Smashwords. In addition, I am working on a sequel to Sons and Brothers in Seattle, and a new book, tentatively titled “Aiden’s Arrival.”

And just to make life interesting, on Saturday afternoon around 4:30 local time, there was a 6.5 earthquake in my part of the world. Didn’t feel it, as we were on the road at the time and not that close to Eureka, but it is certainly big news in these parts. Here’s a link to the local news coverage:

http://www.triplicate.com/20100109107909/News/Local-News/Update-No-tsunami-warning-after-65-earthquake-27-miles-from-Eureka

Also, here’s a link to the USGS “Shake Map” that quite visually shows the affected area:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/shakemap/nc/shake/71338066/download/intensity.jpg

Happy reading,

Wil James

Here's why I write...

I've had in my mind that I wanted and needed to write about my writing, so now I start. It is almost a year since I first published a book, and it's been an amazing ride. It was a big decision to start to publish, but I’m glad I made the choice. I will never forget the emotion that I felt the first time I held a printed copy of a book that I wrote. Since then, I’ve worked to get a number of my other books published.

In the past year, I have felt an even more astounding range of emotions as I consider that hundreds of people have taken the trouble to purchase or download my stories. I suppose that humbled, excited, nervous, scared, thrilled and apprehensive are all emotions that have crossed my mind.

I got started writing simply because I wanted to get the stories from my head to a more permanent method of storage. Ever since I was a kid, I've had a bunch of story ideas rattling around in my head, but there they stayed. I experimented with writing a bit, and slowly did more and more, but it was about three years ago that I finally started writing in earnest. Sometimes, the ideas just pour out onto the computer screen, and at other times I can go weeks without writing anything new.

However it happens, I really enjoy the writing. I like creating characters and bringing them to life on the page. More importantly, I write for myself. I like Jesse Stuart's quote, “Write something to suit yourself and many people will like it; write something to suit everybody and scarcely anyone will care for it.”

There is one other quote about writing that I like, and that is by Paul Theroux. “Fiction gives us a second chance that life denies us.”

Whether many people will like what I write, I don’t know, but I will continue writing what I want to write, for myself.

All or some of my titles are currently available on the following sites (and a number of others):

Ø Lulu.com

Ø Amazon.com

Ø Smashwords.com

I hope you find some of my stories, and I hope you will enjoy.

Wilson James