Wearing The Title of Daughter

My mother is coming home from the hospital tomorrow. She is seventy-eight and not well but not ill enough to move in with me. She is very independent and won't discuss it. I admire her independence but since her caretaker just quit, her needs fall to me. I don't mind being more active in her life but cannot do all she needs. I am looking for a home caretaker that is willing to do the hours she can afford. My mother lives on social security and doesn't have much. I expected this time would come since I took care of my grandmother when she needed me and until she died. My grandmother was a whole different can of peaches than my mother. Where my grandmother was willing to move into my home and would listen to me when it came to her needs, my mother does not. This is going to be one of my greatest challenges. I love her dearly and have learned over the years to keep my opinions to myself and just say yes. I'm sure my writing is going to take a hit for a while but there's not much I can do about that. I'm hoping I can find a caretaker that will fill the needs that I cannot. I know this is a task that falls to many and I am not alone. My only brother and sister have passed early in their lives and I miss them so much, though, I believe they are snickering in heaven right now. I can almost hear them. Oh well, as I always do, I'll buck up and perservere. If you notice my blogs getting a bit irrational, you will have insight as to why.

My Writing Style

I have posted a similar blog on launamcneilly.com but will repeat it here for those that follow this site. I talked about the difference between literary fiction and genre fiction. It is widely debated about what those differences are. From what I can decifer I think I must write in genre fiction. Though I'm not really sure. Anyway, my style of writing is for the general masses. I don't use the big fancy words that leave you puzzled as to what the author is saying unless you reach for the dictionary to look it up. I use every day language that most of us speak. I want my readers to get into the story without the dead stop at trying to figure out what the word means, forget, how to pronounce it. Those words, and there are many that I do not know, leave me stopped dead in my tracts when reading. Not only do I get distracted from my story but I'll fixate on that word until I can pronounce it. Nothing worse in my opinion. Certainly not good for the flow of the story. I want the only reasons a person puts my book down is because they have finished it or have to do something else. A successful book to me is one that keeps the reader reading and when they can't be reading they are thinking about the story. Whether it be literary or genre fiction doesn't matter to me if someone calls me and says, "I can't believe the twist! I never saw it coming! or "I can't put the book down, I have to keep reading to see what happens next!"  That my friends is success to me.

I Saw It On The Shelf In The Store Today!

I was so excited to see my book on the shelf at Barnes and Noble in Augusta, Maine. The nice man that I talked with said he would read my book and help push it for me. I am very excited. I offered to do a book signing but we shall see if they want one. The store is a lovely bookstore. It is large and comfortable. I liked it. The man was appreciative that I came to the store. I will be forever beholden to Barnes and Noble for stocking my book. I am very impressed with the store and will visit it often when I want books to read. If you are in Maine and are looking for a good book, the Barnes and Noble stores will have a wide selection to choose from. I highly recommend the Augusta store and would believe the others in Maine are just as nice. I was impressed with the selection and more impressed with the friendly staff. If you don't have the time to stop in one of their stores then Barnes and Noble.com will have what you are looking for.

It's In A Store!

I was hoping I would find it in one of my local independent bookstores but alas so far it's not to be. However dear friends, Barnes and Noble has my book in its Augusta, Me. store. Yay! I am so excited and can't wait to see it for myself. My husband, Marc and I are going tomorrow to see them. I will probably want to hug the employees there but I will restrain myself. To me, no matter how successful my book is, I feel successful by seeing my book in a store listed where great authors have their books. I love being online and in so many countries but there is nothing like seeing your book live in a store. I will be forever grateful to Barnes and Noble for doing this.

Where to Buy Lies in a Season of Tribulation

Shop Indie Bookstores

Hopefully this is a link to the Independent stores in your area. The book is also for purchase online at all the larger bookstores. Thanks all, Launa McNeilly

Getting My Book Into Small Bookstore

That I believe is so important to the life and populariity of a book. Every one is so worried about the larger bookstores but the one thing they don't have going for them is the personal touch. I grew up when your local bookstore is where you went to get a book. There or the public library. You could pick the book up, read a few pages, look at the cover, back and front, and decide if that was the book for you. I want that to happen for my book. I am not complaining that my book is listed all over in the larger online bookstores but I truly believe that my book will do nothing unless the independent bookstores carry it. There is where it will make or break it. It is the biggest element missing in my published book's existence. It is an important part to the life of a book. Small bookstores deserve alot of credit in making authors famous. I don't feel the need to be famous but the point I am making is that unless you have your book in the smaller bookstores and displayed for the shopping public, it doesn't have a chance. So when anyone says small bookstores are a thing of the past, don't you believe it. For authors, they are the most relevent. It is they that make that book stand out. Once you are in those smaller stores, your book has at least the chance. Then it is up to the merit of your work. Does anyone know how to get a book listed in the smaller stores? I sure would like to know.

The Book is Out, Now What?

I am doing my best in promoting my new book, Lies in a Season of Tribulation. I blog everywhere I can and I am hoping for some local support from my home town area bookstores. I am learning the hard way about patience. The more I want things to hurry up the slower they seem to go. My books get written so quickly and then when it is out of my hands it goes soooo slow. I am waiting for my first royalty check and wondering what that feeling will be like to be paid for doing something that you love to do. I'm not a college graduate  so I have never been in the position to find a career that I enjoyed and loved going to every day. Though I have worked hard all my life, it has been at jobs that were just that, jobs. Key word, career, has been missing until now. I am a writer and that is a good feeling. Will this be my career, hmm, it's very possible. There is always the next book and the one after that. Any one reading this, please wish me luck!!

An Old Friend Called

My high school buddy, Sue, called last night. She reminded me that it had been several years and I'm talking like sixteen or seventeen years since we have seen each other. She sounds the same and what made her my friend to begin with was her open honesty. I love that about her. I plan to keep the lines of communication open and begin again with a most wonderful friendship.

When I Opened The Box

The order for copies of my book came today.  I am excited that I can now give my mother and aunt a copy of my book. There are a couple more that I want to give books to as well. I am so grateful to God for blessing me with the patience and the due diligence that was required to complete my fiction. I am now hoping that the book will sell and that people will be pleased with the story I told.  The predicament that most people are in right now is having the ability to retire. My husband is at that age and without that ability so I am hoping I can help with  the proceeds from my book. We have a child in college and one in high school so we are in the position that much younger people find themselves in.  Regardless, it was well worth the price of delayed retirement in adopting the kids. My book comes in second in pride in accomplishment to seeing the life we have given these girls and knowing what the alternative most likely would have been for them. That my friends is a total sense of accomplishment. There is no better feeling. My book, Lies in a Season of Tribulation is available online at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. Hopefully it will be in your local bookstores soon. Thanks for reading!

Off to College She Goes!

The next to the last left this morning with her dad and sister and headed to the University of Maine in Orono. This is her first year and we are keeping our fingers crossed it won't be her last. I'm sure she will do fine. Parents get a bit paranoid knowing their child is responsible for getting to classes and doing their homework without us there to remind them. I'm taking deep breaths and trying to minimize the worry. I am trying to focus on what hairs will now be saved from going grey without her here. Hmm. That is a definite plus but for a few weeks I'm afraid the mind will keep wondering if she is doing what she is supposed to be doing. This is a parent's lot in life. Today is my mom title blog.

Lies in a Season of Tribulation by Launa McNeilly

This is my new book that has just been released. I am anxious to have some feedback on the book .  Those that have edited my book have told me it is a book that keeps you interested and reading. They liked it! I am hoping to hear from some of those who read my book for pleasure.  I would love to know what you think. It can be purchased at this time on the major online bookstores like Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. I hope you will check it out. I plan to discuss how I came up with the characters in my book and will certainly be available to answer any questions you may have. Thanks for stopping in. Please come again.