Paula M. Ezop

Sometimes You Impress Yourself

2010-02-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is true - sometimes you even impress yourself. This morning I went back to a story that I had written a few years ago, and I was impressed. Wow, I couldn't believe that I wrote it, but I did. It is a sweet story about two young friends who connect with another generation, and realize the importance of saving the environment, and injured animals. Even though I knew the end, I had tear in my eyes when I read the ending of the story - oh, they were happy tears, but tears none the less. I was impressed!

Blogging is Fulfilling

2010-02-24T04:10:00.000-08:00

I missed blogging yesterday, and I really "missed" it, I'm beginning to enjoy writing this short glimpse into my creative side. It is really fulfilling - even though I feel as if I am really just writing it for myself. You see, I'm new at this, and still learning how all of this gets someone's attention. I know I'll figure it out soon, I keep having flash backs to that movie, "Julie and Julia." How did her blog get all those followers? Hmmm....I know only in the movies! Things are progressing with The Adventures of Penelope Star, and I'm very excited and can't wait to write the next adventure - I've got it all planned out! It is going to be great!

Snow Does Inspire

2010-02-22T04:22:00.000-08:00

We had a brief snow storm in the Midwest last night. I was up early doing the driveway and admiring the beautifully coated trees and the quiet of the morning. Snow is an inspiration to me, it takes away the boredom of a winter landscape, turning all of that brown into a white wonderland. I wonder what adventure Penelope Star would find on a wintry day in Dragon Point, mysterious footsteps leading to no where? Maybe a friendly deer crossing her path in the woods. Perhaps the Fearless Five would get stranded in the woods by a fierce snow storm. You see even snow is an inspiration - it makes you wonder what your characters would be doing - or what mischief they would be getting in...

Designing the Cover of Your Book

2010-02-21T04:13:00.000-08:00

This is certainly one of the fun things of the publishing process because the reality of the entire adventure finally sinks in. And, when you design the cover, and you see what your characters look like - well, they just come alive - you feel like you know them - you can hear them speak - and you can see them! The only word that describes the artist's rendering of Penny, Dolly, Ben, Billy, and Eddie is "AMAZING!"

What will the Fearless Five's next adventure be?

2010-02-20T05:40:00.000-08:00

Well, my first book is well on its way to being published. Now, I must begin building and collecting ideas for my next story - the second book in the series, "The Adventures of Penelope Star." What new characters am I going to add? What are their names? What do they look like? What grand adventure will the Fearless Five go on? What mystery will they solve in that magical world of Dragon Point? My mind races at all of the possibilities. I have ideas, but now I need to pull everything together...this is where I must rely on my imagination, my creativity, and of course my wonderfully inspiring muse...

Being a Part of a Writing Community

2010-02-19T12:46:00.000-08:00

I've never been a part of a writing community, I've always been kind of a loner, so becoming a part of a writer's group is a new experience for me. I must say that it is fun. We all go through the same things, marketing concerns, editing, book cover design, and sleepless nights when our muse whispers in our ears... Yes, we all go through the same things... It is always better to have your muse speaking to your heart, giving you those new adventures, those new wonderful characters for you to bring to life... So, sleepless nights are really a blessing in disguise! And, a talkative muse is a writer's best friend...

Some Days You Wish That All You Could Do Is Write

2010-02-18T04:29:00.000-08:00

There are some days where you wish all that you could do would be to write...today is one of those days. The ideas lay just beneath the surface, if only you could stay home and make them come to life. But, you need to get ready for your "for real job" - yes, you don't have the pleasure of just sitting down at the computer and get all of those wonderful creative ideas for Penelope's new adventure down on paper.

Some days the characters just speak to you, how will the next adventure begin? What challenge will the Fearless Five face? What time of year will it be? Will the children be in school? So, many questions - and the answers are there - all you need is time to flesh them out...

But, I do what I imagine a lot of writers do - grab a pad of paper and pen or pencil and just jot everything down as you sit in traffic on your way to work, or maybe as you quickly eat your breakfast. Not really glamorous, but that's sometimes how your work comes to life - in bits and pieces, scribbled on small tiny pieces of paper on your way to your "for real job".

Having Your Book Published is Simply Amazing!

2010-02-17T16:42:00.000-08:00

The experience of having something published that you've written is simply amazing - I mean that's the only way to describe it. And, working with Wiggles Press is the best, Rochelle has such enthusiasm, she is supportive, and optimistic. Her communication with her writers is fantastic, you know what is happening every step of the way, from cover design to editing she keeps you in the loop, and makes you a part of the entire process. I have to say that I am impressed and excited...

Marketing Can't Be That Hard - Can It?

2010-02-16T11:20:00.000-08:00

I'm getting an education in marketing - there are so many avenues open that we didn't have a year or two ago, thanks to technology. Your book can be produced as what I call, "a for real book," which means a pocket book or hard-cover book, and you can market it in the traditional manner. However, enter Facebook, blogs, and Twitter...the game changes. Your book can also be an Ebook (instant download) or an "APP" on one of those smart phones. I'm finding out that there are lots of ways to sell your book as well as get your name out there to lots of people! Hooray! I can't wait until April when, "The Adventures of Penelope Star and the Mystery of the Three Dragons" is published!

Writing Was the Easy Part

2010-02-15T11:18:00.000-08:00

Wow, it seems like writing the story was the easy part - marketing the book and drawing attention to it is quite difficult, especially for an unknown writer. But, I will do my best. I know that all writers go through this, it's just that when you write a book you want it to be an instant success...well, come back to reality - Paula - really - an instant success? Guess, I'll plug away and determine the best way to attack this whole new challenge of marketing.

Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

It's Valentine's Day, and I'm thinking about writing the next adventure for Penelope Star and the Fearless Five. I'm imagining what they might be doing on Valentine's Day. Maybe Dolly had a Valentine's Day party, or maybe they spent the day at Mr. Nichol's bookstore looking for something interesting - like an old ship's ledger, or something that might tell them about the pirates that used to drop anchor off Dragon Point years ago.

When you write children's books, you can't help but wonder what the characters in your book might be up to on a day like today. These thoughts often spark an idea or story line for their next adventure. Knowing the Fearless Five - you never know what they might find or who may enter their lives as they rumage through the old books, magazines, and antiquities. Well, just a thought - and thoughts lead to adventure! Happy Valentine's Day!