2/28/10
Hello. It's Been A While...A Long While...
Hi, there. It seems like forever since any of us has had a chance to update the site and take care of our readers. I'm afraid that life has kept us super busy, and not altogether in a good way.
Doris has been slaving away at her day job due to mandatory overtime. The company she works for did a system conversion back in October. It did not go smoothly. The fall out had her working so much that she could barely get time in to write. The OT was lifted briefly during Christmas and New Year's which was taken up with family stuff. Now she's striving to finish the revamp of her manuscript so she can get to her agent, even though OT has now been reinstated. Hopefully, she and her agent will start shopping publishers later this year.
Angela has been incredibly busy as well. Between her day job, college classes, moving once this year, and already planning her move to Denver, CO, next year, she's barely had any time to do the reviews.
Tricia and Lisa, however, were dealt the hardest blows. They company they both work for is restructuring its organization: regionalizing offices, outsourcing jobs, and losing existing clients. Tricia was let go at the end of 2009. She's still searching for a job. Currently, she's trying to get on the list for substitute teaching until something better comes along. Lisa is still employed but her position expires in 3-4 months. She has also been job hunting to no avail. It's been discouraging for them both but they're not giving up. It helps that their significant others have been supportive of them.
There have been other things as well. We've all been sick at least once (some twice), had computer problems, internet issues, obligatory familial visits, and the personal crises that stress and pressure can bring on. Unfortunately, we got so mired in it all that we've neglected other things, such as this site and writing, though to lesser extent on the latter.
We're going to do our best to keep the site alive with periodic updates. We can't guarantee that those updates will be regular given how hectic life has been and continues to be. For those of you who have been checking every now and again for updates, we apologize and thank you for your continued interest. We are in your debt. We'd like to start repaying that debt now.
Updates
Angela has a new Review up and Doris has included an update for Descent Into Darkness: Part 2 - Her Lord. That story arc is now completed. She won't begin Part 3 until after she has finished A Time For Change and -- God willing -- the manuscript revision. In addition we have a new author, Linda S. Cowden, for our Featured Authors page. She wrote Grimmie, a book about the Grim Reaper. We've enjoyed it immensely. Be sure to check her out!
There are also some new feature to the site that we're rather excited about.
New Features
A navigation drop down menu has been added to the sidebar of the home page that will allow you to go directly to the story you wish to read. Below that is an embedded form for you to send us general inquiries or questions about the site. Please do not use it for story comments. Similar forms will be found on the story pages and the Reviews page that will allow you to send us your comments pertaining to those postings.
It took us forever to figure all that out. None of us are programmers or website wizards of any kind, nor are we employing anyone else to handle the site. We learn this stuff as we go along and thank God when we get it right -- even if getting it right takes us months. Now that we have, your comments will be sent directly to the author(s) or reviewer who owns that page. We'll try to respond to your comments as we get them. Just be mindful that our responses may not be immediate.
As always, your opinions, constructive criticism, and editing suggestions are appreciated. Flaming remarks are not.
Again, thank you so much for keeping us in mind.
_________
Doris, Lisa, & Tricia
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
9/7/09
The Book Plug: Roadside Bombs and Democracy by William Little
By Doris Ross
Roadside Bombs and Democracy is a nonfiction book about the events the
author, William Little, lived through while serving in Iraq as civilian consultant.
To quote the book, "This is a story of guy's experiences in a place that conjures
up much controversy and difference of opinion today and probably for a long
time to come." He gives a first-hand account, starting at the point he decided to
apply as a consultant, and ending with his recovery from injuries incurred
overseas. As both a veteran of the Gulf War and a former member of law
enforcement, Mr. Little paints a wonderful, terrifying, and realistic picture of this
period of his life.
I have rarely come across a non-fiction book that is as easy to read, or as
engaging, as this one. The book is written as if the author is talking to you over a
couple drinks. The humor tingeing some of the anecdotes is enjoyable, yet it
doesn't mask the seriousness of the situations he describes.
Coming from a military family, I've always had respect for the soldiers who have
served our country. Now I have respect for the civilian consultants who sign up
to help restore order in chaotic places like Iraq.
For those of you who are interested in Roadside Bombs and Democracy, check out our new Featured Authors page and visit www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60604-826-9 and www.myspace.com/wrlittle. I highly recommend that you do.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
9/5/09
Hello again! Today's update is a chapter for the story Descent Into Darkness: Part 2 - Her Lord. Another chapter for Stolen Secrets is forthcoming; it will be posted as soon as it's finished.
We've been busy with research this month. All of us have various projects that require leg-work or book-work, often both. Recently, our research has entailed various aspects of law enforcement procedure. There are several books out there on the subject. Some give an overview, others get very specific. Yet there is one thing that books lack, the one thing that every author, no matter genre, can use to their advantage: practical experience.
As a writer, you don't have to go out and learn how to process a crime scene or perform an investigation yourself. You need to know the procedure, yes, but the experience can be garnered from those who work it every day. Medical examiners, detectives, officers, etc, are treasuries of information. All you have to do is get in contact and negotiate a good time to interview them.
This is not always as easy it as it sounds. Doris' attempts to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for an interview on procedure has gained no response. E-mails have been sent, calls have been made, messages have been left. This is not to say that her attempts are being ignored. There are a variety of reasons as to why they haven't responded, one of them being that they don't have the time right at the moment. Another could be that they're unsure as to what you're motives might be. Let's be honest: the world is full of whacked out people. For all they know, I could be one of them.
This is where the magic of networking face-to-face comes in. Doris' break in researching came from a chance meeting with a local author doing a book signing at Borders in Jacksonville, FL. As they talked about his book and time in service, she asked him for advice on approaching law enforcement for procedural information. As it happened, a friend of his had come into the store who worked in the medical examiner's office. Business cards were exchanged and the ground-work for a future interview was laid.
So here's the tip of the month from the Trinity: network, network, network. Approach authors at signings, ask for advice. What they have to say may or may not be helpful to you, but you're willingness to hear them out will be. Express interest in what they're doing and most of them will be express interest in what you are doing. Some of them may even put you in touch with someone to help you with research or promoting your own book.
_________
Doris, Lisa, & Tricia
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
8/5/09
Hello and welcome to a brand new update! We apologize for taking so long; we were experiencing some technical difficulties with reworking the website.
All of the available story pages are now found on the Authors' pages which link to a single page with the option to choose by chapter for easier viewing. This will hopefully inable us to add more features to the site since updating will no longer be as time consuming.
This time we have new chapters for A Chance in Time and A Time for Change.
In other news Ancient City Convention, which we mentioned in the last update was a blast. We had a lot of fun sitting in on the panels and aquainting with new and old friends. We'll be sure to return next year.
We hope you enjoy our newest revamp and update and will be sure to visit us again soon!
_________
Lisa, Doris, and Tricia
