Making the Switch is Difficult

I'm going to try not to bore you today with my dribble and troubles.  I'm finding that making the switch from blogger/reviewer to author extremely hard.  Most of the time, I'm met with laughter, patronizing comments and then just being ignored.  Don't feel too bad for me.  According to a reviewer that I know that made the switch, its harder than I thought it would be.

Many people view me as a reviewer and that's what they like to see.  Not me as an author.  But I beg to differ on that.  Reviewing is a form of writing.  My reviews are generally over 300 words and I have to say everything that I liked or didn't like in a book without spoilers.  Its not as easy as it sounds.  In fact sometimes to just plain old hard to write a concise, well thought review.  Tim's post the other day was brilliant about reviewing.  

When I blog at Sweet N Sexy Divas that is also a form of writing.  As most people here can tell you, thinking of your once a month post can be a challenge.  What is the topic about?  Do I just promo this month?  Share personal things? Review a book?  Writing comes in all forms, not just a book.

The ugly truth that I'm finding out is that I'm not one of the "cool" people hurts.  I didn't set out to become one of the "cool" people when I decided to write but it hurts none the less.  Shoot, I'd like to not be laughed out for a day.  Trying to build my name up as an author is hard.  I've been turned down by more blog sites like Sweet N Sexy Divas in the last week that I have lost track of the sites that I applied for to blog.  Plus, I won't even get into my troubles with finding a CP or even a beta reader for the stuff I'm working on now.  Again, its the patronizing and pat on the head that makes me want to scream.  I had a frustration breakdown about two weeks ago in front of my husband.  He's first reaction, he wanted to beat everyone up but then when I tried to explain everything, he just hugged me and told me that everything would work out in time.  I haven't cried that hard in a long time.

I have attached my cover so you can see that yes, Virginia, its real.  I wrote a book and it releases in December.  I'm very proud of the "little book that could".  Its a short, spicy story about a couple that meet at a bar.  If I said anymore, I would spoil it.

Marika Weber w/a Harlie Williams
www.harliewilliams.com

A Reviewer's Thoughts

Woo Hoo!  Its finally here!  My first official post as a Sweet N Sexy Diva.  I'm sure that most of yall are wondering what I'm doing on the blog.  Well, Tina had an open call for more divas and I answered the call.  To my utter amazement, Tina said sure and welcome aboard.  A reviewer would be different to have as a Sweet N Sexy Diva.  Something new and different.  Oh and can I review a book once a month and post it?  Sure, you bet I can. 

For some of you that don't know who I am, my name is Marika Weber.  I'm the owner of Harlie's Books, a review blog.  I used to review for The Romance Studio, Night Owl Reviews and several other sites.  I decided that I couldn't keep up with my own blog and review for everyone else.  So now, I only review on my blog.  When I made the decision, I felt cleansed in some ways.  Its hard work to review and then post the review on deadline for the sites.  Then, I had my own reviews to do and post.  And I do all of this for no money. 

For almost a year, I didn't read anything that I truly wanted to read for my own pleasure.  It was all for review.  I missed reading my own books and authors that I kept up with.  For example, I'm so far behind on the Brotherhood series by JR Ward that I may never catch up.  I've missed some debut novels from authors that I followed on other blogs, Facebook and Twitter.  I shamed myself the other day when I realized that JD Tyler is Jo Davis.  Jo Davis wrote one of the hottest firefighter series around and now she is writing paranormal.  I also missed Nora Roberts new series (have the book), still have her Wedding Series to finish, too.  Trying to catch up has been a chore but I'll eventually get there. 

I miss the joy of reading sometimes.  I realize that most of you probably think that is weird coming from a book reviewer but it is.  When I review, yes I do read the book but I read it from completely different angle.  I look for continuity, fluidity, content, did I connect with the characters, did I even like the characters and pacing.  I'm not a reviewer that looks for grammar, spelling and to see if on one page the eyes are blue and then the next chapter they're green.  That's an editor/proofreader's job, not mine. 

If you have ever read one my reviews or have been reviewed by me, you know I don't do spoilers.  Have you ever had one of your books reviewed and the reviewer completely spoiled it for the reader?  Oooo that just pisses me off!  Honestly, I have books that I are on my Nook that I never read because I read a review and before it was too late, the reviewer spoiled the whole book.  Needless to say, I don't go to that review site anymore.  :)

So in closing (sounds formal, doesn't it?), this me somewhat in a nutshell.  As my grandmother used to say, "Peel an onion, there are many layers."  I really have more to say but my time is short and I'm sure that most of yall are asleep by now.  If you want to get in touch, I'll leave my linkage at the bottom. 

I want to thank Tina again and don't worry about me posting a review...at least not yet.  Come back next month and I will bore you with what (sub) genres I think are over done/tired and just getting boring.  As a reviewer of most anything, there are alot right now.  See you on the 7th next month.

Twitter:  @marika67
Facebook:  Marika Weber
Good reads:  Marika Weber/Brian's Mom
Amazon:  Brian's Mom (reviews)
http://harliebooks.blogspot.com - review blog
www.maw25.wordpress.com -regular blog