The Ten Commandments for Newbie Authors

1. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

2. Don’t quit your day job.

3. Buy a suit of armor, you will need it.

4. If you don’t think your book is superb, throw it in the trash.

5. Write because you are compelled, not because you think you see profit.

6. Write with passion or don’t write at all.

7. When in doubt, Google it.

8. If you are anti-social, stay with your day job.

9. If you are not computer literate, make sure your editor and proofer are.

10. Never stop promoting your work.

Even though I am still a newbie author after two books self-published, I have no regrets. The thrill of writing two murder mysteries lingers in my senses like the taste of fine wine. I am intoxicated with the feeling of accomplishment and proud that I indeed finished what I started albeit unknown to the world.





If you are compelled to write, then indeed start that first paragraph. The rest will come and you could create a best seller. You won’t know if you don’t go! Best wishes….

Write on,

Mittster

Naturalist Attire

While participating in the Oasis Book Store Author’s Festival, I noticed Paul Winer had the same kind of covering he wears for sale in his store. They go for $10.00, and the spiders are optional.

No wonder he is so energetic while working the customers. I would too if I had spiders in my crotch!

I'm just saying,

Mittster

Thanksgiving Dinner

My daughter Nissa does not get along with my Meyer's parrot, Pickles, as you can tell by the picture she e-mailed me yesterday.

The sad part of this picture is that her caption read, "I'm looking forward to cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year!"

How could someone, especially a family member, be so heartless toward an innocent and harmless bird? Look at the little angel...so obedient and trusting.

When Nissa announced she wanted to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year, who could have known that this is what she had in mind? Now the whole holiday season is ruined for me!

Pickles is sitting on my shoulder while I write this scathing piece about cruelty to animals. Just a minute, he is trying to steal my earring. "Pickles, you little butt head, stop pulling! Ouch, you little bastard! Crap, you've drawn blood again! Get off me, you little monster! You better fly away. When I get my hands on you.... Who am I kidding, I'm not picking you up, you're a feathered White Shark biting machine!"

Oh, are you still reading my blog? I just had to deal with a small problem. Where was I anyway?

I'm just saying,

Mittster and Pickles

Sedona Book Festival

The Sedona Book Festival has come and gone for yet another year, but memories linger in my mind about a most exciting day. Our table paled compared to some of the offerings that day. There were authors with free candy, balloons and trinkets for the passing crowds of readers and the curious. Alas, all we had to offer were smiles, what we hoped was witty conversation, and our dynamite murder mystery, Evil in the Mirror. My wife, Sandy, had to leave the festival about noon and go home to feed pets while I stayed and met many interesting people from around the country.

The gentleman sitting at the table next to us was a professional basketball player turned probation officer turned author, Derek Sailors. His offering, A COPPER TOWN SUMMER , is a historic mystery novel set in Jerome, Arizona in the 1920s. Sandy is reading the book now and says it's a very good read.

I had the pleasure of meeting author Amber Polo, who lives in Camp Verde. It was a thrill to meet another author from the same town we live in. Amber is a librarian turned author and her novel, Flying Free , is a five-star quirky romance. It sounds like a must read for the romantic heart.

For those of you interested in southwest history, Those Days in December, A Frontier Family's Southwestern Journey, by Nancy Lucia Humphry looks like a fascinating read. The only way to find her book is through the publisher, Camucille Press.

Even though I use Wheatmark Publishing in Tucson, Arizona, there is a Sedona publisher out there for writers who want to be published locally. I met Susan Ferguson who is a principal in the Ninth Month Publishing Company. Susan seemed honest and straightforward, two things you need in a publisher.

Debra Beck's Spirited Youth appealed to me because of the importance of helping young girls love themselves. It was great to meet someone whose passion is helping young people. Let's face it; they are the future!

The list could go on and on. It's enough to know that writers, as a whole, are passionate about what they do. We may not have sold a ton of books, but we all had a great time meeting one another and setting the stage for networking our projects through each other's passion for authoring.

Write on,

Mittster

Being an Unknown Author

I take pride in being an unknown author. Why? Because I have stayed true to myself and have never, nor will I ever, stop writing the best possible murder mysteries. The reading public deserves quality and honesty for their hard-earned money and if the reviews are any indication, I have attained that goal.

I found one legitimate POD publisher who warned me from the very beginning that becoming a successful author is a long and expensive road lined with failures, heartbreak and discouragement. I responded with, "Full speed ahead and damn the discouragements!" Full speed ahead it has been, and just like riding a wooden-track roller coaster, it has been a rough and scary ride, but exciting beyond belief!

"I have yet begun to fight!" This is my montra also and I will continue to do the thing I love most, writing exciting, page-tuning murder mysteries. Grab a cup of coffee, turn on all the lights, sit down and read Evil in the Mirror. The only thing you will regret is putting it down before you are finished.

Write on,

Mittster

Music is the Best Medicine

Today, a friend said I needed to stop and smell the roses. I appreciated her advice, because I used to listen to music when the world's noise got me down. Somehow, I had forgotten how important music is to soothe the savage beast.

When I was growing up, we didn't have i-Pods and cell phones that would hold a zillion songs. We had 33-1/2, 45 and 78 records with portable record players that held just a few songs. Even though our music wasn't stereo, quadraphonic, superduper track music and was scratchy and only mono, we still managed to rock out to Bill Hayley and the Comets, Elvis, The Everly Brothers, Ricky Nelson, and Chuck Berry , just to name a few.

My daughter used to say I was older than dirt, until I bought an i-Pod. Now I'm a cool and hip old guy. Well, tomorrow, I am going to start a four-day break from the world of novel writing and drive to Tucson and then Quartzsite listening to my i-Pod all the way. Of course, I won't be listening to '50s songs; I will be rockin out with The Eagles, Charlie Daniels, Linda Ronstadt, Eric Clapton, The Beatles, and some Willie just for fun.

Ah, yes....I'll be on the road again. Free to rock out while driving, not caring what the idiots in the car next to me think. They just don't know how to have fun!

I'm just saying,

Mittster

My life well spent

We are all born millionaires. Yes, that's correct, you heard me right. We all are born with a checking account that contains one million buckaroos to spend any way we see fit during our time on this planet.

Some spend their fortunes early in life, leaving loved ones grieving and sad about a life cut short through hard living with the pain and sorrow that is caused by the over indulgence of the pleasures of this world.

Some run out of life's money at the middle of life's path. Middle roaders, who tried to stay away from earth's abundant pleasures of the flesh, but in secret, reveled in the party.

And then there are those who spent wisely, and life's gift led them to old age. That Golden Time when you no longer know where you are, who is with you or where you are going. Life is simple now....you pee and other things in a bag. You can't hear, see or smell, even though you smell to others. You're pissed off everyday, all day and all night. What the hell happened? You didn't smoke, drink or do drugs. Never a cuss word left your lips.

You only judged others by their actions, which was easy because no one could live up to your standards, which left you without many friends or family who would put up with your constant complaining about them. Of course, you would never hang out with low lifes that laughed all the time while riding motorcycles, driving classic cars, flying in air machines, riding off-road vehicles, or indulging in water sports while riding on boats, wave runners, skis and such, just to name a few.

Fall in love and be hurt? Never! That kind of stuff is for weak people. Bunch of losers, that's what I say.

Perhaps you spent your money too wisely. Just perhaps you should have had some fun along the way, as long as it wasn't at the expence of others. Perhaps laughing is a great way to spend your money. Perhaps loving and, yes, even losing in love is also a great way to spend the money in your checking account.

It's never too late, you know. Spend the money you have left. Get on that Hover Round and do some figure eights. Get on the phone and call lost family and friends, and wish them well. Laugh until it hurts. If you're lucky, you too can skid into the grave, bruised, battered, gloriously beat up, laughing and shouting, My life was well spent. My life was well spent!

Write on,

Mittster

What's right about America?

This seven year old girl is what's right about America.

The men and women of our armed forces are what's right about America.

People who forfeit their lives to save another are what's right about America.

Men and women who fight forest fires are what's right about America.

Our first responders to emergencies are what's right about America.

People who save animals are what's right about America.

People who help save the environment are what's right about America.

People who teach our children are what's right about America.

People who teach about God are what's right about America.

People who love people are what right about America.

The Christmas spirit is what's right about America.

Hard work is what's right about America.

American spirit is what's right about America.

The list could be endless, but you get the picture. Let us never forget what's good and right about America and its people. We The People are what makes America the greatest country in the world!

I'm Tired of a World Economy

There, I have said it. Let me say it again; I am sick and tired of a world economy! Now I feel better. The state of our country makes me realize that 67 is now the new 107. At least that's how old I feel thinking about the horrible economical/ecological mess we are in.

Where did all our jobs go? They went to other countries because we no longer buy our own products. The products we buy now come from those other countries! The next time you buy something, look to see where it came from. There will be only a slight chance the stamp will say: Made in the USA.

Enough sniveling....how do we fix it?

Don't look to governments for the fix. They think we are mushrooms living beneath their ivory towers. The high ones don't live in fear of not being able to feed their children. Well, guess again, mighty politicians. We The People still have voting power and now is the time to use it.

While continuing to tighten our belts, how about we do with less, but the less should have the stamp Made in the USA on it, or don't buy it! Can you imagine how quick American factories would have to gear up to meet the demand? It would be phenomenal. Companies like Wallymart would either have to start buying American or go out of business.

Still have your savings in the stock market? If you do, you really don't have any savings. All that money is controlled by the whims of greedy, cigar-smoking Wall Street thieves and bandits. All their money is controlled by fear and fear is the catalyst of crash. Get your cash out and run to precious metals like a raped banshee, which is what you are going to be if you leave your money in a stock market poised for total collapse. Besides, who wants to worry 24/7 that their savings will be gone by morning?

We all are driving less due to the high cost of fuel. Wouldn't it be great if we could just stop using oil and start using an alternative like hydrogen fuel cells? The only by-product is water. Talk about a green planet....No more oil leaks in our oceans or smog in our cities. Well, the oil companies and auto manufacturers are making sure the changeover is a slow process. It might happen if we live long enough to see it. In the meantime, because we are now buying only American, we will be able to afford alternative fuel cars that get much better mileage than the ones we are currently stuck with because we can't afford to change.

Yes, I too feel overwhelmed by the enormity of our problems. But, when all is said and done, Americans overcome adversity by becoming One in America. We can take one problem at a time and correct it. Then move on to the next. Today is a new day, and I for one promise my fellow Americans that when I go shopping, the product will say, Made in the USA! When I buy fuel, it will be produced in the USA, and when I buy a new car, it will also be Made in the USA!

Less can be great if it says, "Made in the USA!"

I'm just saying,

Mittster

Camping is for Kids

Camp supporter, Jane Seymour

My memories of camping as a kid stand out like fireworks on the Fourth of July, mom's apple pie and the American Flag. Every summer my brother and I looked forward to camping with other kids in the cool pines of Camp Cuyamaca in the Laguna Mountains of southern California.

While working for the The Phil W. Morris Company in Sedona, Arizona, I was fortunate enough to become involved with Camp Soaring Eagle, which is a camp program for children with life-threatening illnesses. The goal is to build a world class camp that would be sanctioned and supported by Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Camp Foundation for seriously ill children.

The vision of building Camp Soaring Eagle in Sedona, Arizona, is alive and well, but needs public support. Only through donations from generous people like you can the dream become reality. Please help us build Camp Soaring Eagle for the kids who need it the most. Give these beautiful children the experience of a lifetime.

I'm just saying,

Mittster

The Best Way To Learn Is To Teach

OK, you have written your first novel, but it has to be proofed and edited, and if you don't get it professionally done, you will be forever sorry. Now, what do you do with the finished manuscript? The devil is in the details....At this point in time all you have invested is time.

Now comes the day when you either run with the big dogs or stay at home. There is no doubt you have heard all the horror stories about failure trying to get books published. Do I look for a traditional publisher, Publish on demand publisher (POD), or do I publish it myself?

I first tried the latter with two small books. I still have a garage of book-filled boxes. Can you imagine trying to proof, edit, copyright, attain ISBN and other assorted numbers, publish, print, distribute, promote, and most important, continue to write new works simultaneously? Forget it, Charlie, it ain't going to happen!

Let me tell you something else that ain't going to happen. Sending a manuscript to a tradition publisher is a total waste of time unless you are very well connected, in which case you probably wouldn't need a publisher in the first place. If I had a nickle for every manuscript I sent to a traditional publisher....well, you know the story. Do yourself a favor and save the postal money for notification cards after you get your book published the only way that makes sense in today's world.

POD publishing is the way to go for the unknown writer. Does it cost money? YES, but so does every other business enterprise on earth. It takes money to make money is the absolute truth. You need a grubstake and if you don't have one, forget quitting your day job! If money doesn't matter to you, do not waste your time reading this blog. Bug off and let my passionate writing brothers and sisters learn something.

Before you pick a POD, do your own research and make up your own mind. Just make sure your research is indepth before you choose. I chose Wheatmark because of the free educational programs they provide and the cost effective way they approached my personal publishing needs. I am through the process, my book is finished and on the Web, and the rest is up to me. Promotion is the author's chore and no one else can or will do it.

Have a great day....I have promotions to do!

Write on,

Mittster