the Life and Times of Miss Madison

 Have you ever made a decision based on what someone else was going to do? Back in the mid 90's all doors was closed for me to become a teacher's assistance. The rules have changed and applicants had to pass a screening test. Yours truly failed. I didn't even know I took one, but I got the noticed I failed it. I could not even become a teacher's aid in the state of   California . I sought God about this and tried to find work in another state while staying with my aunt, but no one wanted to hire me even there and my aunt grew tired of me and sent me home. So what was I to do? I couldn't find work as a nanny because I didn't have a car (although my former employer didn't have it as a requirement for me). One day I sought the Lord. I asked him what he wanted me to do and and I felt in my enroll in a four years college and get my B.A Degree in liberal Studies. I already had an A.A degree and I had transferable units, but the college I wanted to go to had prob...

Over 8 years ago, my father passed away. It was a sweet release. but there was some aspect of him that we missed. The three of us had to adjust and call upon people who could help us. We haven't gone to Glad Tidings Church yet but after we did,  some of the staff and members of church helped us for awhile. My sister and I still had a mother and some security. We still believe  our dreams could come true. My sister and I were foolish, even our mother. We didn't convince her to have a life insurance plan because we all believed we would live until Jesus comes. We didn't even seek a POA for our mother because our minds were still wrapped in our father's death. Soon after he died, we noticed a change in mom. It wasn't too significant and we thought it was normal. Mom had been forgetting. We sent her to the store and she comes back with the wrong item and or she forgot something. Later, we noticed that cookies were missing. My sister and  I don't eat them much so we ...

Why can't people see where I am coming from? It is because they have never been in our shoes. It is hard to have another perspective. Mom has been there for us while my father was alive. She has always been on our side. So why can't I give back? It is because unlike many, I never had wings to fly. Growing up, my father didn't raise us the way he should? While my classmates  got cars, we still had bicycles. It wasn't that se were poor. My father had a good job. It was the consequences of his decision that made us poor. He quit his job and started working for the IRS. This job didn't last long and soon ended up being a  fuller brush man. Many people never saw the side of him that we saw. My own relatives wouldn't believe me. He didn't physically abuse us. he  just decided that after we graduated from high school. we were on our own.  We still had no car. My sister tried to get her license. My father was a terrible teacher and scared her both to stop trying...

Ever since I published Baby Blues, my whole life changed and I am not sure for the better. It didn't seem like no one shared my joy. Although during the writing process people couldn't wait to read my book, the excitement died down once my release party began.  And the reviews slowly poured and stopped at  number three leaving with poor  rating average.  Why?  Several people told me the story line was good and  I even had a promise that if a blogger she would write a review about it but I saw nothing about it, The same of another woman. I know I am not a  terrible author. This is the story God put on my heart. I wanted to give my readers an update on my two characters and didn't know that would be a sequel and not a series so I had to fulfill a promise. And since a romance was usually between unmarried couples, I turned it into a woman's fiction. It had to be about Julie. So what kind of issue could she have. First I thought her husband could have a ...

I don't think anyone gets it. I think most authors starts out a natural. They study the craft. They knew from the beginning they would need an editor, a proof editor and they probably had some kind of income where they could afford more than one proof reader and they could find readers. Most importantly they got support at home. They were able to set up for book signings and a fancy one too. (  I've seen their photos. 🤢) I wish I could say the same for me, but when I was younger my father tried to squelch it because it reminded him of his mother. Only my mother and sister knew I had what it took to become an author yet at that time, I didn't want to achieve that dream until after I become a teacher. I knew it took money. I knew I needed a job and some income and I was right. I had thought editors were for certain authors so I never hired one for my first and second book and I learned the hard way that I was wrong! As a result, I took down my first book and paid someone t...

Many years ago, I never thought I would become an author. Sure, I love to write, but my writings were for me as an escape. I write as I want and not what others want, but I had no idea I would be called to write. I started dreaming. I have always wanted to have Bethany House or other well known publishers to publish my work, but those dreams crumbled because I  was unknown. Most publishers only accept submissions from well known authors like Michael Hyatt or Ted Dekker.  And when I found a publisher I found out too late they were scam. I had to pay a high price to get my rights back. When you sign a contract, you give them your rights. They hire and editor and a cover designer, formatter, etc to do all the work. You don't have to pay a dime. The only downfall is you won't get much royalty either (Well that's my experience Im sure publishers are fair) After I had Marge published, I rewrote it. I was on my own and still knew very little. I hired a copy editor who to edit Ma...

If you were to ask me years ago, "Do you enjoy writing?" I would say yes. Mainly because I never heard of all things I've learned over the past two years. I just wrote. The word "Storytelling" shouldn't even be associated with authors. They should be called "Story show-ers." Readers despise who tell their stories because they want to feel what the  character  is feeling. They don't want to be told  "Ed is angry." they want, "Ed's Nostril flared as he clinched his fist. I am not a story shower. I just write. Although I am  learning and practicing, I still feel inadequate for such a task. Shoing is so foreign to me that I even curse readers. But wait! Am I reader too, right? Writing as a professional is a struggle for me. I stare at the page and my mind draws a blank. Why cant people be happy with this? The story? A Second Chance at Love. I have put off Baby Blues because frankly I have no desire to finish it. The hurt  membe...