The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award for 2013 is over--for me anyways. I made it as far of the semi-finals but was not one of the five finalists. However, I don't see this as a loss because I am beyond surprised that Beast went as far as it did. It's a great story, but it is still a story in the IR genre and that is far from mainstream. Ahh, maybe next year. I'll keep writing IR stories (God willing) and one day we will shatter that glass ceiling!
Thank you all for the help, feedback and support. You are the best!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Fan chat with Pepper Pace
Hi guys,
There will be a fan chat with me on Wednesday May 8 at 8pm est. It is hosted by an online book group located on Facebook. If you are on Facebook be sure to drop by or join in. The group is entitled Writers Review and Support Resources Group (WRSRG). You may follow this link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/160066460823782/
Or leave a message if you can't access for some reason. If you think you'll be interested check the link ahead a time as I will be unavailable during the interview. Ha, I know that's not necessary to say...but someone people don't.
Hope to see you!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Where is Pepper Pace?
Well, I've been gone for a while...longer than you may even realize. Physically I've been right here, but not completely. A Seal Upon Your Heart was published earlier this year but I had been writing it for nearly two years and had stopped right at the tail end of it. It took me forever just to finish that small ending.
Adaptation has been the only thing that I've actually been writing with any regularity. But then one day even that stopped. No, I don't have writers block.
For as long as I can remember I've had to deal with severe depression. Sometimes I wish that I could say that my depression is rooted in events, because than at least you can change circumstances and help your depression. My circumstances haven't always been good and perhaps I thought that was the catalyst for my state of mind. However when you feel yourself unraveling when there is money in the bank, your newest novel is in the top 100 sales and you have a wonderful boyfriend that is crazy about you, and kids well adjusted...then you can't place the blame for your depression on your 'circumstances'.
Writing was my ways to explore my mental pain or to ignore it--whichever the case might have been at the time. At times I wrote like a cutter cuts. Without writing the pressure built up inside of me until I was physically sick. I carried my laptop with me and never stayed out too long because I needed to write. I wrote in online groups--many of them. I wrote when visiting people, I even wrote while on the telephone receiving news that my father's cancer was terminal. I half listened and frantically wrote.
By the time that you were introduced to the writings of Pepper Pace I had discovered that writing novels and stories could satisfy my needs in the way that writing in online RPG groups could not. Now I could write at my own pace and I relinquished my much loved groups.
Understand that writing for me has NEVER been about becoming famous, or rich, or even popular. Don't get me wrong--I willingly accept any of that. But its not my goal, not even now. Now that I'm at my most popular as a writer I don't even write.
I do not write. Not because I'm mean and I don't want to finish the next volume of a story. I just don't write.
Why?
Let's talk about anti-depressants. Without anti depressants I can write like a CRAZY person. See my dilemma? While on anti-depressants there are no highs and no lows. Zombie? Not quite but something more like sweet blessed evenness. Yes, I have gone through this before. Again, this is my life. I write in cycles--frantically for a while until I can write no more. It sucks to be cycling off right at the apex of my popularity but I can no more control this than I can predict the future. I do not know when its coming and I do not know when it's going to end. I don't even know IF its going to end. All I know is that I do not write when I'm in this place.
Can I write? Yes I can. And I would if I was under contract or something similar so thankfully I never followed through with that contract with EC or I'd be twitching right now (J/K). It would just take me a very very long time because I am going to zone out and not stay on task because...again, anti depressants are not conducive to creativity.
What can you do to help me out?
Just understand. There are days when I don't want to talk and its not because I'm mean or unfriendly but because all I can do is take one step at a time. The reason that I share this is not because I feel I owe anyone an explanation, but because I know there are other people who have similar feelings. Some may think; snap out of it. But if you could you would. You would never choose to feel this way. Depression is one of those acceptable mental illnesses...but it's still mental illness and it doesn't put me in a 'happy place' to tell my fans about my own battle with it.
Blogging
Blogging is not writing. You're creating a story and dialogue and continuity when you are writing a story. But in blogging you are just writing your random thoughts. In this way it helps and I've been blogging a lot. But not here on Writing Feedback. I feel like this blog is about my writing (or lack thereof). But I created another blog that is just my errant thoughts. It's called The Rampant Randomness of Pepper Pace aka Kim Chambers. It's like...scary Facebook. You can keep up with my ramblings there if you like. It's not always good to know whats in my head but alas, that is just honesty.
I will keep you posted here on my continued mental progress (smile).
Adaptation has been the only thing that I've actually been writing with any regularity. But then one day even that stopped. No, I don't have writers block.
For as long as I can remember I've had to deal with severe depression. Sometimes I wish that I could say that my depression is rooted in events, because than at least you can change circumstances and help your depression. My circumstances haven't always been good and perhaps I thought that was the catalyst for my state of mind. However when you feel yourself unraveling when there is money in the bank, your newest novel is in the top 100 sales and you have a wonderful boyfriend that is crazy about you, and kids well adjusted...then you can't place the blame for your depression on your 'circumstances'.
Writing was my ways to explore my mental pain or to ignore it--whichever the case might have been at the time. At times I wrote like a cutter cuts. Without writing the pressure built up inside of me until I was physically sick. I carried my laptop with me and never stayed out too long because I needed to write. I wrote in online groups--many of them. I wrote when visiting people, I even wrote while on the telephone receiving news that my father's cancer was terminal. I half listened and frantically wrote.
By the time that you were introduced to the writings of Pepper Pace I had discovered that writing novels and stories could satisfy my needs in the way that writing in online RPG groups could not. Now I could write at my own pace and I relinquished my much loved groups.
Understand that writing for me has NEVER been about becoming famous, or rich, or even popular. Don't get me wrong--I willingly accept any of that. But its not my goal, not even now. Now that I'm at my most popular as a writer I don't even write.
I do not write. Not because I'm mean and I don't want to finish the next volume of a story. I just don't write.
Why?
Let's talk about anti-depressants. Without anti depressants I can write like a CRAZY person. See my dilemma? While on anti-depressants there are no highs and no lows. Zombie? Not quite but something more like sweet blessed evenness. Yes, I have gone through this before. Again, this is my life. I write in cycles--frantically for a while until I can write no more. It sucks to be cycling off right at the apex of my popularity but I can no more control this than I can predict the future. I do not know when its coming and I do not know when it's going to end. I don't even know IF its going to end. All I know is that I do not write when I'm in this place.
Can I write? Yes I can. And I would if I was under contract or something similar so thankfully I never followed through with that contract with EC or I'd be twitching right now (J/K). It would just take me a very very long time because I am going to zone out and not stay on task because...again, anti depressants are not conducive to creativity.
What can you do to help me out?
Just understand. There are days when I don't want to talk and its not because I'm mean or unfriendly but because all I can do is take one step at a time. The reason that I share this is not because I feel I owe anyone an explanation, but because I know there are other people who have similar feelings. Some may think; snap out of it. But if you could you would. You would never choose to feel this way. Depression is one of those acceptable mental illnesses...but it's still mental illness and it doesn't put me in a 'happy place' to tell my fans about my own battle with it.
Blogging
Blogging is not writing. You're creating a story and dialogue and continuity when you are writing a story. But in blogging you are just writing your random thoughts. In this way it helps and I've been blogging a lot. But not here on Writing Feedback. I feel like this blog is about my writing (or lack thereof). But I created another blog that is just my errant thoughts. It's called The Rampant Randomness of Pepper Pace aka Kim Chambers. It's like...scary Facebook. You can keep up with my ramblings there if you like. It's not always good to know whats in my head but alas, that is just honesty.
I will keep you posted here on my continued mental progress (smile).
 |
| I've heard all of these...sadly, I've been depressed a loooong time |
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Goodbye for a while
Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I won't be very active for a while. A lot of my readers stopped by Monday for the next update of Adaptation. I'm sure that there were many disappointed people and for that I apologize, especially since I put myself on a writing schedule that I am unable to honor.
I will be out of commission for a while and I don't want to have you keep checking back each Monday for the next update of Adaptation. For the time being I will not be writing. Sadly, I have bitten off so much in my personal life that my first love--writing has to take a back seat. It is very apparent to me that I can't do a half-assed job as a writer; it has to be all or nothing. I refuse to write a lot of crap just for the sake of writing.
Before I disappear for a while I want you to know that I have been so blessed with you as my fans. I am truly appreciative of all of the wonderful reviews that my stories bring I am so thankful for your support in buying my stories. I haven't been nearly as good to you as you have been to me and I truly mean that. You are the best fans that a writer can have!
When I do return I intend to up the ante. There may not be as much--but the quality will be much better. You deserve my best and not forced stories!
I'll talk to you later and I appreciate you,
PP
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Beast has made it to the Quarter Finals of the Amazon Contest
Woohoo!
Beast has made it past round 1 and is in the quarter finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest. You can view the pitch and the opening of my story as well as those of the other contestants that made it through to the quarter finals.
But I am going to put a call out. Beast needs some positive reviews because this is a contest of popularity. The grand prize winner will be chosen by Amazon readers. I know that there are many drawbacks to winning a popularity contest on Amazon.com. Though the multicultural and African American genres are well represented by some very talented writers and very loyal readers we tend to have our own neat little niche. There is very little cross-over and our stories seldom go mainstream.
In my case I have an even bigger barrier because I write very unlikely romances. Well, that will never change--it is what intrigues and compels me. I doubt that I could write any other way. But sometimes I wonder...maybe the world is ready for a change. Maybe the INDUSTRY is ready to see something new instead of the same predictable stories with the same Caucasian characters. That Beast made it this far tells me that my story telling has piqued the interest of the judges.
Regardless of whether I win the grand prize I just want my manuscript to make it far enough to be read by the publishers. I want the IR genre to be in the spotlight and for the world to see how much talent is found with our writers...not saying I wouldn't mind winning (smile). I won't be rich from my writing and that is fine. I'm rich because I'm appreciated for what I do. Thank you all!
Please take a look at my excerpt and pitch and if you feel inclined to do so, leave a positive review!
Beast by Kim Chambers - quarter finalist in the ABNA contest.
http://www.amazon.com/Beast-ABNA-2013-Entry-ebook/dp/B00B9N3CCK/ref=br_lf_m_1001087871_3_66_ttl?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&pf_rd_p=1512768842&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1001087871&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0T2WXZQ1MVVDPYPA66Q9
Beast has made it past round 1 and is in the quarter finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest. You can view the pitch and the opening of my story as well as those of the other contestants that made it through to the quarter finals.
But I am going to put a call out. Beast needs some positive reviews because this is a contest of popularity. The grand prize winner will be chosen by Amazon readers. I know that there are many drawbacks to winning a popularity contest on Amazon.com. Though the multicultural and African American genres are well represented by some very talented writers and very loyal readers we tend to have our own neat little niche. There is very little cross-over and our stories seldom go mainstream.
In my case I have an even bigger barrier because I write very unlikely romances. Well, that will never change--it is what intrigues and compels me. I doubt that I could write any other way. But sometimes I wonder...maybe the world is ready for a change. Maybe the INDUSTRY is ready to see something new instead of the same predictable stories with the same Caucasian characters. That Beast made it this far tells me that my story telling has piqued the interest of the judges.
Regardless of whether I win the grand prize I just want my manuscript to make it far enough to be read by the publishers. I want the IR genre to be in the spotlight and for the world to see how much talent is found with our writers...not saying I wouldn't mind winning (smile). I won't be rich from my writing and that is fine. I'm rich because I'm appreciated for what I do. Thank you all!
Please take a look at my excerpt and pitch and if you feel inclined to do so, leave a positive review!
Beast by Kim Chambers - quarter finalist in the ABNA contest.
http://www.amazon.com/Beast-ABNA-2013-Entry-ebook/dp/B00B9N3CCK/ref=br_lf_m_1001087871_3_66_ttl?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&pf_rd_p=1512768842&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1001087871&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0T2WXZQ1MVVDPYPA66Q9
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
10 Free JJ Murray IR Books from Amazon
(Reblogged from JJ Murray)
How would you like to read 10 IR/Multicultural Kindle titles … for free?
From March 1-5, 2013, 10 of my “H. M. Mann” (“human”) novels will be absolutely free to any Kindle owner.
These full-length, 100,000+-word novels were all considered then (sadly) passed on by Kensington because they were either too dark, too real, too spiritual, too ridiculous, or too “out there.” In other words, they weren’t “J. J. Murray” and “commercial” enough (whatever that means) for them to publish worldwide, and yet I have given away or sold over 25,000 of these books over the last two years. Their loss is your gain.
I am offering over a MILLION words for free for five days. Am I crazy? Probably. But I believe that an unread book is like a child crying in the night to be held … :~) Hold one of my “children”—or all 10 of them—today.
FREE BOOKS
How would you like to read 10 IR/Multicultural Kindle titles … for free?
From March 1-5, 2013, 10 of my “H. M. Mann” (“human”) novels will be absolutely free to any Kindle owner.
These full-length, 100,000+-word novels were all considered then (sadly) passed on by Kensington because they were either too dark, too real, too spiritual, too ridiculous, or too “out there.” In other words, they weren’t “J. J. Murray” and “commercial” enough (whatever that means) for them to publish worldwide, and yet I have given away or sold over 25,000 of these books over the last two years. Their loss is your gain.
I am offering over a MILLION words for free for five days. Am I crazy? Probably. But I believe that an unread book is like a child crying in the night to be held … :~) Hold one of my “children”—or all 10 of them—today.
FREE BOOKS
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