This is a shot of one of the best beaches I ever went to.
You actually have to pay to go to this beach, but it was soooooooo awesome!!
Hello My Dear Readers! I think I would like to talk about writing today. I don’t know how many aspiring writers there are out there, but I think there are a few. I always say to people the first thing you have to do if you want to write is learn to keep a journal. It’s more than a diary, it’s a book where you keep anything you want to write down, usually your thoughts, but it is good for ideas too. I used to force myself to sit each day and write a full page about things I have done. Now I kind of use this blog for that, but writing is writing. I have been reading a few things about creativity and they all seem to stress trying to write every day no matter what. For myself, sometimes I end up either getting stuck or putting out crap and so I will occasionally take a day off or two, and I find if I rested myself mentally, physically and emotionally I will go back in better shape (so I hope). I had a book signing in my home town of St.Albert, which is a medium sized city north of Edmonton. It went really well, sold about 10 books. I don’t know if I’ve beaten that yet, I know with my very first book signing ever I was only selling one book (Through The Withering Storm, still available through this website under ‘books’ on the menu), and I ended up selling eight copies, which added up to just $5 less revenue than I earned the other day. One of the neat things was having some press coverage, thanks to my good friend Scott Hayes with the St.Albert Gazette. It also helped to post the event to Facebook and let a few people know they were welcome to stop by.
At the signing I think I learned a new trick. I will admit you get a few grumpy people who don’t even say anything, but I originally thought if I say hello or hi to each person that went by I would get sales, but what a person really needs to sell a book is to engage the person in conversation and just be a nice person and let them know you have a valid story to tell in your work and I think about 60% of the time if I could engage people in conversation they would buy a book.
One of the things I like about going to St.Albert is that the Chapters Bookstore they have there is a really good store. I could easily spend a thousand dollars in one, but this time I spent $45.00 which was kind of a risk because I spent it before I started my book sales and didn’t know if I would make it back. I ended up making double the cost of the two books back. I think I would like to start doing book reviews when I get more followers. To all my loyal readers that is two things I promise as this blog grows in support, I will have book reviews and contest giveaways. I have been getting into graphic novels lately, and if anyone out there wants an incredible read, I picked up a graphic novel adaptation of a movie (I haven’t seen the movie) which was called “Kingsmen” and it was hilarious, gripping, had some great plot twists, and extremely entertaining. I won’t talk too much about it, but I would like to say the book doesn’t cost much (I think I paid $13.00) and it is really high quality stuff, especially to anyone who likes James Bond. Other than that, I think I will try and find another Hawaii photo to put below here because the poem for today is on a sailing theme. All the best folks!
This is actually a shot of a lake in Jasper National Park where my family goes a few times a year in memory of my mom.
You, My Dear Brother
Somewhere deep down there is a little more
Push hard to get yourself outside your door
A world awaits that needs someone like you
There is a chance our dreams will all come true
Love and riches await for all who dare
You can not tell me you no longer care
You and I brother we once had it all
This world is ours if we answer the call
Brothers together can change the whole world
We’ll live to see our bold flag fly unfurled
Glory awaits lets take it while we can
Stand with me brother I have the perfect plan
We’ll work like dogs and hide away each cent
We’ll work each day until we are all spent
One day we will buy a ship to sail the sea
For once we will be men and will be free
We shall set sail for distant lands and ports
We’ll drink and sing old songs until we’re hoarse
Throw a dart in the air to plot our course
We’ll live happy and free in far off shores
Come now with me before we grow too old
This world belongs to men hardy and bold
We don’t need this snow and bitter cold wind
Come now my brother new life will begin
You’ve been there for me since I was a tot
I have to say I owe you all I’ve got
Now come with me leave this place far behind
Wasting your life away is just unkind
We have this chance but it won’t last too long
Open your mind and sing a different song
Let’s aim for places new and women fair
With smiling faces, flowers in their hair
Leif Gregersen
January 25, 2015