A Reader's Opinion is All That Matters

Writing is a very personal experience. Getting published can sometimes seem to be the only thing a writer is concerned about. But when you get down to the truth, the reader's opinion about a book is the only thing that matters.  Reading is very personal. One person may love a book while another can't find the taste buds to savor the flavor the author has concocted.

As a writer, I know that I am always learning and appreciate input from publishers, editors, other writers but most of all from readers. I have just finished the first of The Dirt Trilogy.  Dirt is a young adult fantasy romance where The Lord of the Rings meets Romeo and Juliet.Faeries are real and some of them are deadly. Ashe discovers the secrets of her past and in a mythical world of strange beings she learns she is not human...but that's not the worst of it. Faeries want her blood and she's falling for one of them.
Advanced unproofed copies will soon be available for those interested in reading this upcoming release from Little Roni Publishers. Be on the lookout for announcements!

In the meantime, I invite you to go to

 Createspace  to preview the first few chapters of Dirt and provide feedback. Your opinion is very much appreciated.

When Is It Time To Call It Quits?

When do you know it's time to call it quits?

 A writer pours his/her heart and soul into every word that touches the pages of creativity. You commit yourself to complete what you have started, burning the midnight oil to capture the imagination that bursts through your mind. Your family and friends wonder sometimes if you’re crazy. And sometimes you wonder the same. You ask yourself “why am I doing this” and there are times when you want to give up. You consider calling it “quits.”

How do you know if it is time to give up? 

You’ve sent your query to so many publishers and literary agents that you start collecting rejection letters as a hobby. You become discouraged that no one in the professional world of literature has recognized your work. You start to think you have no talent. “Maybe I’m only kidding myself.” 

 None of the above is a reason to quit writing.  Remember a time when a story invaded your mind and you couldn’t wait to get it on paper. Think of the quiet moments of creativity you enjoy when you write. Experience the words you put on paper.

Is being published all that matters?

Don’t get me wrong being published is great. It does hold a certain amount of validation that most writers strive for. And yes, most writers spend more of their time trying to get published than they do actually writing a novel. The query letter seems to get the majority their time.

It is important to take your writing seriously. If you want to be published attending conferences, polishing your craft and learning as much as you can about the business is essential. But in the midst of all this don’t forget to write. Don’t put your craft down while you try to get that one book published. Continue to write. Continue to write. Continue to write.

So, the answer to the question “when do you know it’s time to call it quits” is NEVER. Write because you love it. Write because you can. And write because you never know what the future holds.

www.kfridley.com 

www.littleronipublishers.com 

Living Soul by S B Niccum

The first book of this series is Veiled and Niccum does it again in Living Soul. A wonderful story that will make you see angels in a completely different LIGHT. This is a series you are going to get hooked on.  Niccum's style is enchanting, engaging and emotionally riveting.

Veiled from her previous existence as a gifted Angel, Tess is now a mere mortal growing up in foster care with her autistic foster brother, Dorian, and a twisted foster sister, Agatha—whose main goal in life is to torture them both.

Tess’ life has been dull and average at best; but all that changes with one look. When she inadvertently gazes into the eyes of the most popular guy in school—Alex Preston—Tess sees a glimpse of her previous existence.

Uncomprehending, Tess, wonders what those memories are and why she now feels like she knows Alex better than anyone in this world. More importantly, why is he haunting her dreams? Dreams so vivid, that they blur the lines of reality, awakening a slew of inexplicable paranormal abilities she didn’t know she possessed.

Frustrated and confused, Tess lives a double life… one where Alex has a girlfriend and Tess is a normal high school girl. And another, where spirits, visions, and dreams are true.

Is she going crazy or is she secretly dating Alex in her dreams?

Available on Kindle and Nook

The dirt on DIRT Thursday

Dirt is almost here. I know I've been promising that it would be out "soon" about 8 months ago.  My how time flies. Thanks so much for being patient. These things take time. And by these things....I mean writing a novel. Just to get things started and to help ease the anticipation each Thursday I will post "The dirt on DIRT", just a smudge. Here's the first scoop.....

KF Ridley 


 "None of this is making sense." I shake my head to clear away the cobwebs that clutter my mind. Trying to absorb every word and think clearly. He stands with his broad back facing me, shaped like a perfect ‘V’ sculpted into a human body. Oh yeah. I remind myself. He isn't human.
KF Ridley 

 His face is full of passion and his eyes draw me in. He moves closer, his face just a fragment of air away from mine. "You are why I was born. Why I even exist. I was chosen at a very young age out of many to be your protector. An honor I don't take lightly." His face is so close to mine now. His lips are just a breath away. I want to know how his mouth would feel pressing against mine. Each curve. Each crease. The moment stands still. I’ve never known the tenderness of another’s lips. His right hand moves down my shoulder rubbing my upper right arm. I linger in the moment.

More to come....I promise 

A is for Apple: A Horsey Alphabet by Ellen C Maze

I know I don't blog much, but when I saw this alphabet book I had to talk about it. It may say "A is for Apple"....but it should say "A is for Awesome." I homeschooled 3 kids and would have loved to have had this book for them growing up. The illustrations are beautiful and if you are a horse lover you will love this book.

Kindle and Paperback available

Forming letters with incredible flexibility, 26 distinct horse friends teach not only the alphabet, but also alliteration and a few fun new adjectives along the way! From the golden Palomino on page one: "Adorable Annie ate all of the apples with abandon." To the frisky sorrel Clydesdale towards the end: "Victorious Vinnie vamoosed with all of Velma's visible vegetables." All children, young and old, will be charmed by the artwork and prose in the adorable new book from Bestselling Christian Thriller novelist Ellen C. Maze. Written with the help of her seven-year-old daughter (now nineteen-year-old novelist/artist) Elizabeth E. Little.

 

Available on Amazon

 

Published by Little Roni Publishers, April 2011

The Curse of Yama Kindle Version giveaway

In celebration of my upcoming release, I am giving away Kindle version of The Curse of Yama. Only 18 copies remain. Just send me your email address send you a copy of this middle grade action adventure novel.

SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO kfridleybooks@gmail.com

Hurry while supplies last.

Confessions of a Children's Writer....The Dirty Truth

I’m coming clean. I’ll admit it. When I was kid, I hated to read. Okay, there I’ve said it. This is hard to own up to, because I’m a writer, a writer of children’s literature. When I was a child I did love books, but hated to read them. Books were a mystery. They were someone else’s stories, someone else’s ideas. It was all so inviting, but whenever I sat down to read, the book became overwhelming and a lot of times downright boring. I just wasn’t interested, but I really wanted to be.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_24?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+curse+of+yama+ridley&sprefix=the+curse+of+yama+ridley

Now, there were extenuating circumstances. I had a lot of energy and sitting down with a book was asking a bit too much. I had a very disturbing home life, as some children do.  So, concentrating on a book was difficult for a kid stressed to the max. Abuse was a daily event. Survival at school was a primary issue (due to the violence), fear reigned at home and my teachers just viewed me as a problem. This is not the issue for every reluctant reader, but the result is the same no matter what the cause. WE DON'T READ!.

I understand the unenthusiastic reader because I used to be one. I used to think there was something wrong with me. I knew that reading made you smart…it was drilled into you by every force of nature. I believed I going to be stupid for the rest of my life, all because I didn’t like to read. I wanted to like to read. I wanted to be one of the smart kids. But survival was of the utmost importance. Isn't it always?

http://www.amazon.com/Curse-Yama-C-Walker-Adventures/dp/1617520519/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320898019&sr=1-1

The reading monster, finally met his match. The love of books did not leave me. I have come to enjoy children’s books. Now, that I am older I have learned to love reading, but it still takes a lot to entertain me and grab my interest. I write with the reluctant reader in mind. I guess you could still call me a hard to engage reader. But as I writer, the story is much different.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_24?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+curse+of+yama+ridley&sprefix=the+curse+of+yama+ridley

http://www.kfridley.com/