Opinions Are Like...

07/23/2024

Since writing my first novel I have had some ups and downs. (Mostly ups! Yay!) Some aha moments and some whomp whomps. What I was not prepared for, however, was the number of assholes (cough) I mean opinions I would get from non-writers!

Suddenly everyone I knew became an expert on how I should market, write or otherwise do anything surrounding my books. Does this sound harsh? Maybe…but to those who are throwing out opinions like government handouts, I’m sorry…but are YOU the one writing them? Are YOU the ones pouring your heart and soul into what you do? I think not!

Please…do not confuse these individuals with those friends who have been nothing but unselfish and supportive.

This blog post is to hopefully help those future writers understand what you will be up against. Call it jealousy, or just flat out hoping for your failure…it will happen. And for the Pollyanna types, like me, it will sting and hurt. Thick skin comes though. And soon the opinions will whiz by your face like bullets aimed at Trump. My suggestion…those who can’t be happy for you…good riddance. Writing…really pouring your heart into something is growth! And growth is fabulous and freeing! Leave the negativity behind and grow your world. Do it for you and not anyone else.

You’ve GOT THIS!

Reviews – How One Four Star Led to An Epiphany

4/16/2024

Those illustrious and sought after Five Stars. The visual beacon to the literary community that your work is worth something. Right? Everyone is asking for them. Disappointed when they don’t get them.

That’s what a new author, such as I, believed. What I have learned, however, in my short time of being published, is that, while these stars are an important indicator of success, true success comes from sifting through the advice and remarks that come along with the stars.

I have concluded that there are pros and cons to having your book reviewed and, with each and every one, an opportunity to grow and not take a position of complacency.

Take for instance Interloper, my first novel, out now. The first five reviews came fast and were five stars across the board. YAY! Rave reviews that I was so grateful to receive. There I was for all on Amazon to see. A FIVE STAR author! And so, I sat on my five-star hill and waited. Another five star with similar raves came through.

Then a review that literally made me go “hmmm”.

While still a great review at 4 stars and the most positive comments, it mentioned that I “tell more than I show”. What does that mean? OMG! Did I write my book wrong? And there I went. Down a rabbit hole. I’m writing the sequel. Do I need to rethink how I write? This one statement could have stopped me in my tracks if I had allowed it.

Thankfully, I belong to a great community of writers, and I was able to obtain clarification on what this meant and with knowledge comes power, right? RIGHT!

I do not need to rewrite my book or change my style. I just need to be mindful of how I present some of the data to readers. EPIPHANY!! As an avid reader myself, I get it. We read to escape. To venture into other worlds, we could never explore IRL. While it is great to take that trip, we as readers also want the ability to visualize our own take on said world. I as an Author, according to this reviewer, may have taken this gift away from my reader. I packaged up my story in such a tight bow that I may have squelched the readers ability to imagine.

So now I wait! Not for another five stars…but for another opportunity to LEARN and grow as a writer. That’s how I will measure my success. I will strive to be someone who tells a story so well it has no limits.

Thank you to my reviewer for this gift. I am humbled and forever grateful.

Success –
An Ever-Moving Target

4/8/2024

During an Author Signing Event this past weekend, I was posed the question by Mr. Q – “What does success look like for you as an author?”

Take in the enormity of that question for just one second! I mean wow! I think my deer in the headlights face showed that I had not really given that question a thought. I have been so consumed with writing, marketing, etc. that I had never sat back to think about what success would look like in my world.

My simple and quick stock answer that day was “I guess it would be to continue to write what I love and have the readers to read them.” And while this is true, I couldn’t get the question out of my head at all the whole weekend. I thought and thought. Visualized. Questioned the answers that came to my head and finally realized that success is an ever-moving target!

How so? Well, a year ago, success was being brave enough to put pen to paper and write my book. Then it was reaching 20,000 words; then finishing the book; then realizing it was good! So on and so on – you get the picture. This past year my definition of success has changed faster than a newborn’s diapers.

After Saturday’s event, however, a new and heartfelt determination of success blossomed. A young writer let’s call her “Tammy” came to me. Shy, yet confident, she asked me to read her work in progress. She reached for her phone and pulled it up and I read. This young woman blew me away with the talent she was already possessing at such a young age. We talked and shared key points in her writing. We discussed how she envisioned the character growing. THIS! This is success! Being able to talk to and encourage other’s talents. To give them confidence and the power to write and share their work. So, there it is, Mr. Q, my thoughts on success. Ask me again tomorrow and you may get a different answer, but out of your poignant question came my mission and for that I am grateful.

What Inspires You?

4/3/2024

I recently was featured in a local online new source and one
of the questions they had asked me was:

Where did you get the inspiration for your first novel? My immediate response was:” I have been writing my whole life in some way shape or form but have never written anything as grand as a novel. Last March I had a dream where I felt like I was participating in the dream. Almost like a live-action play. I took notes in the morning to research more at some point, no rush, just an odd thing to gain knowledge on. That day on my way to work, I was listening to my favorite podcast Morbid, and they had a “Listener Tale” about the very thing I wanted to research. I thought, wouldn’t that make a great book. And that is where the series came to life.”

That is the origin story behind my first book, however, inspiration for me comes from many sources and at the most awkward and inconvenient times. Like the first novel, I get woken up almost daily from my slumber at the wee hours of the morning because I am either dreaming something so powerful I want it to be a novel itself, OR I am experiencing something that I want my character to experience herself.

In addition to my dreams, I do gain inspiration from the most amazingly creative and funny women I have the pleasure of filling my daily drive with. Ash and Alaina from MORBID! The topics, humor, and overall perspective they put out feed my creativity. My phone notes have become my best friend when the moment hits me to be creative. I use my drive time to also tweak storylines or character arcs that I may be struggling with at the time.

As with most creatives, pop culture has a huge influence on my process/ideas. Recently, I was watching a movie and thought to myself, that is not how I would have written that and the result? My idea for Baker’s Dozen (Coming late 2024/2025). Or I will be standing in B&N thinking “how is it with all of these books, there is nothing I want to read”. My answer – if you can’t find it…create it!

So, there’s my answer. No one thing inspires me. Writing is a “team” effort. COLLABORATION! I would love to hear your stories on your inspiration with regards to your art!

To Indie or Not To Indie....
4/1/2024

Tis the Million Dollar Question!

By far the hardest decision I have made since deciding to write is which route to go with my publishing. Indie or Traditional. My OCD personality had me do a Rory Gilmore Pro/Con List to aide with my decision, however, every day I still wonder if I made the right decision. What I can say is, although a tougher route, there is something endearing and bohemian feeling about being an Indie Author. Yes, you must:

Be willing to bust your hump harder.
Be more self-diligent with deadlines (because no one is going to tell you that you have to).
Be willing to put yourself out there, self-promote and ask for the reviews!
Be a jack of all trades – especially if you are creating your own book covers (which I do).
Be a sponge with regards to marketing and social media which is an ever changing target.
Be ok with setbacks – because they will happen.

But in the end…hopefully you can sit back with the few ducats you manage to make and say “I did that! And I did it my way!”

Local Girl and Her Dream

3/29/2024

One thing about being an Indie Author with a dream is you have to make your dreams happen for yourself. You are your own marketing department! I love to talk about what I am passionate about and as a result I have been featured in my local online publication this week! Check out my Q&A with RealPasadena!

https://realpasadenamd.com/qa-with-lake-shore-horror-paranormal-novelist-christin-merklinger/

Follow My Journey

WHO AM I?

03/27/2024

Well, that's a great question! I am a 53 year old mom of two grown ass children who decided it was time to finally take the leap into the world of writing. I love anything paranormal. Halloween is my fave holiday. I grew up on Poe, Bradbury and Steven King. I am a dreamer. I love the color purple (Can you tell?). I randomly stop to take pictures of nature and its creatures. The more unique and curious the better. I recently published my first novel in a series and currently working my tooshie off to promote it. Learning as I go, which is where this blog idea came to fruition. Nothing loves company more than misery...ahem...I mean commonality. You will learn as I learn and I hope that my successes and mishaps help anyone who ventures into my little world. Until next time - CL Merklinger

Novels By Christina