S.L. Baum's Blog

It's been over a year and I haven't published a thing... THAT'S DEPRESSING!
In June of 2010 I self published my first book - A Chance for Charity (The Immortal Ones) - a Young Adult Paranormal Romance - and I had such a great time throughout the next several months as I learned all that I could about self-promotion and the whole "publishing your own books" thing... all while working on the second book in the series.

In March of 2011 (right before my house caught fire) I published - My Link in Time (The Immortal Ones - book two)... and even with a destroyed house, camping in my in-laws home for a short while, finding a rental house, and dealing with insurance and finding a new home builder I was still able to get a novella out to my readers in August of that year. And... I've always been able to continue to have fun with my writing.

My publishing dates are as follows:
2010 - June - A Chance for Charity (The Immortal Ones)
2011 - March - My Link in Time (The Immortal Ones - book two)
         - August - Of Fire and Brimstone (The Immortal Ones - Elizabeth's Novella)
2012 - August - Our Summer of Discontent (The Immortal Ones - book three)
2013 - April - LUSH (a YA Dystopian) - new series
         - July - The Eve of Destruction (The Immortal Ones - book four)
         - October - HUSH (a LUSH novel)
2014 - March - CRUSH (a LUSH novel)
         - April - The LUSH Trilogy (a compilation set of all 3 LUSH novels)
2015 - January - The Deathtaker (a Paranormal Romance) - new series
         - October - The Deathtaker's Daughter (Deathtaker - book 2)
2016 - NOTHING...

That nothing is killing me and I don't know what to do... I'm truly in a writing slump. I now have 4 new projects that I have started and I can't seem to finish any of them.

In all honesty, I know that part of this can be attributed to the fact that Amazon has changed their algorithms on what readers see when they visit Amazon.com and start searching around for new books... because of this (and my inability to find the right websites/blogs to help me promote my work) sales have been on a steady downfall for the last couple of years. Reduced sales means fewer readers, which means not as many people are awaiting my next novel... which means I can't seem to find the desire to finish any of my works in progress.

I know I am wrapping up my "love of writing" into a ball with "gaining new readers"... and I know that that is sooooo wrong. I need to separate the two and just write because I love it... and not care who is reading it. I know this but I can't seem to convince my heart and my creative mind. I'm not sure how to kick myself back into writing mode. I've got these 4 files on my computer and none of them have "the end" written at the bottom of the page.

The New Deathatker (is about one-third finished)
A virus/zombie book has begun
The Immortal Ones (book 5) has a beginning chapter
And a Faery story is sooo close to being completed (but I wanted it finished as a Christmas story and  now that I'm pretty sure I've blown that deadline, it seems pointless).

But... I have a plan...
I think I need to fall in love with my characters again so I'm going to go back and read all my novels and really sink myself into their worlds all over again. That's going to take some time... I have 10 to read... but I hope that when I've finished them all I will be able to dive into the writing pool and swim around until I'm able to complete the stories above. I apologize to the readers who've been waiting for over a year for a new story from me... I hope to have all 4 of those projects completed in 2017... wish me luck! And stay tuned!!

I'll be doing the song challenge on my FB author page for the entire month of April... I did this back in 2010, after seeing it on Mr. Big's (AKA - Big Al of Books and Pals) FB. He's been a little under the weather lately... so I'm resurrecting the challenge (and giving some updated answers) in honor of him!

The idea is to share a little bit about yourself by choosing one song a day, for 30 days. They say you can learn a lot about a person by the music they listen to, what can you learn about me?
I will post a new song daily with my song choice, possibly an explanation why, and a link to YouTube, so you can sample the song if you choose. Expect some choices to find their way in the list that are on the obscure side for my non-musical FB friends.
Day 01 – Your favorite song
Day 02 – Your least favorite song
Day 03 – A song that makes you happy
Day 04 – A song that makes you sad
Day 05 – A song that reminds you of someone
Day 06 – A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 07 – A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 08 – A song that you know all the words to
Day 09 – A song that you can dance to
Day 10 – A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 11 – A song from your favorite band
Day 12 – A song from a band you hate
Day 13 – A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 14 – A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 15 – A song that describes you
Day 16 – A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 17 – A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 18 – A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 19 – A song from your favorite album
Day 20 – A song that you listen to when you’re angry
Day 21 – A song that you listen to when you’re happy
Day 22 – A song that you listen to when you’re sad
Day 23 – A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 24 – A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 25 – A song that makes you laugh
Day 26 – A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 – A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 – A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 – A song from your childhood
Day 30 – Your favorite song at this time last year

If you want to follow along... check in here https://www.facebook.com/slbaumnovel/

(I figured I'd freak out the proper people straight away with my lame slang.)
I don't have a publishing house behind me. I hire my own editor... I do my own covers... I sell my stories (and myself) all by myself (*cue the music*). Last year my husband and I were looking at new houses. We purchased one in May, started a total renovation in August, and moved in in December. I did absolutely NOTHING to sell my books in 2015... I just left them on their various sites (Amazon, B&N, Apple, Kobo, Smashwords, etc) and whatever sold, sold. My sales ended up being only 1/3 of what they were the year before. Ugh!
So this year, I told myself that I had to get back into the habit of advertising. If I don't get my name out there... no one else will. So I let January pass by (we were still having a lot of people in and out of the house buttoning things up - and to be honest, there is still a little bit of work to be done). But I made sure that I found a place for one of my books to be featured in February. I submitted to the site http://robinreads.com and was accepted for a $20 promo spot. LUSH (a YA Dystopian novel) was featured yesterday and I have to say I was very pleased with the result.
What I didn't realize until yesterday, was that Robin Reads doesn't post on their FaceBook page on Saturday or Sunday... so my results might have been greater had I chosen a weekday. But, as I said, I was still pleased. The ad (feature) looked like this on their webpage:

By the end of the day, LUSH had risen to the top of its category (YA Dystopian) in the Top 100 Free book list on Amazon.
It also got to the low 200s in the overall list of Free books on Amazon. For a first go round, back to advertising myself and my novels, it was a great way to jump out of the gate. And so far, LUSH is still holding onto the #1 spot in YA Dystopian, but I know it'll start falling soon... because somebody else will get their book featured on a book site somewhere and get the bump that I just received. That just goes with the normal ups and down of the self pub biz.  I ended the month of February on a high note, and that makes me purrrty happy!
Now... I think I'll try to get one of my other books featured somewhere next month... and so it goes... let the advertising games begin!

So I just read an article about Adele taking her son to Disneyland and letting him wear an Anna (from Frozen) costume while they were there. The comment section was HIDEOUS! I was shocked, saddened, and appalled by the things that people had to say. The majority of commenters somehow believed that if you let your male child put on a dress you are promoting homosexuality, encouraging cross dressing, creating future (at the most extreme - serial killers - at the least extreme - spoiled brats that run the household - oh, and one person had the nerve to say Adele's child would kill himself).

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrit...

Guess what?!? I have SEVERAL pictures of my (almost) 13yo son wearing dress-up clothes (a mini mouse dress and various princess costumes) when he was a little guy. He has two older sisters who were always playing dress up and he wanted to join in. Sure he had some dress-up clothes that were traditionally male (a ghostbuster, a king, Mike Wazowski)... but sometimes he wanted to wear what his sisters were wearing, which meant DRESSES. And guess what... so far he is a pretty typical boy...

But whatever kind of boy he turns out to be... he's MY CHILD! He's not your child, so keep your nose out of it.

And I've never felt as if I had to hide the fact that he put on dress-up dresses from time to time
If your son says he want to put on a costume, what kind of message are you giving him by telling him only certain costumes are acceptable? When a grown man dresses as a female on Halloween people think it's funny, if a male child wants to do it the pitch forks come out. I don't get it...

Is it just me or are we all overscheduled and overstressed?! We stretch ourselves in so many different directions.

I am a mom.

I am a wife.

I'm on the board of my girls' High School Orchestra Parent Organization.

I'm on the board of the East Valley Youth Symphony.

I have 3 kids that quite often need to be chauffeured.

My 3 kids are in 5 different music groups which means that some months we have multiple concerts to attend (for example this coming week - there are concerts on M, Th, & Sat).

It is birthday season (all 5 of us are in the first 4 months of the year)... and this year I have 3 milestone birthdays to make extra special. By the end of April I will have #1 who's turning 18 (ugh an adult child) - #2 who's turning 16 (ugh another driver to stress about) - #3 who's turning 13 (ugh another teenager - no more babies - insert sad face here).

We just did a renovation on our house and nearly 2 months later I still have workers coming in and out to adjust, fix, & finish the job.

I am a writer and I want to continue on with my next novel... but I find it quite hard to write when I am constantly being distracted.

Waaahhh... Yep... that's a sarcastic whine, because I have no sympathy for myself. This is life. This is what we all do. I'll find the time, I always do. Because when those concerts stop, I'll miss them. When I'm not expected to plan a big birthday celebration, I'll want to. When there's nothing to do, I'm usually bored. Okay, that that last part's not true, when there's nothing to do I'm usually reading and that's a perfect way for me to spend my time.

New Years has come and gone... I should probably have made a resolution to update my blog regularly, because apparently it has been over a year since I last posted something... but part of me wonders how many people actually look at my blog. I have FB, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, a Website, and this blog!

Is it worth it... is it not...

I guess only an experiment in posting regularly and seeing what kind of response I get will let me know. So... here is the beginning of (we'll see how many months I can keep this up) attempting to post on a regular basis.

I'll try to make it interesting post next time...

So there have been a bunch of blog posts, articles, FB posts, tweets, etc in the past week that have caught my eye... about tight pants... in particular leggings (and yoga pants). The first blog post I read was written by a woman saying that after her husband told her it was hard for him not to look at other women in leggings, she asked him if other men were looking at her with want (or lust) and he said that they probably were, so she decided never to wear them again in public because she didn't want to cause those thoughts. She also stated that she only wears them at home now, with a shirt long enough to cover her rear end. < - - - I'm trying to figure that one out... not quite sure how letting her husband see her backside (with leggings covering it) is something to avoid... I'm pretty sure he's seen her naked, in panties, in a swimsuit... but I guess that's not for me to figure out. The other thing that was in that post was quote from a man stating that women wearing leggings might as well be naked, and that the pants were designed to entice desire in men.

After her post went viral everyone else started weighing in... opinions flew... I have my own (obviously - we all do) and I am going to start out with this: if that woman doesn't want to wear legging anymore it is entirely up to her. Thankfully, we live in a country where our dress isn't really restricted (unless blatant nudity is involved). We don't have decency police employed to run around making moral judgements and arrest people based on their wardrobe... and I'm glad I live somewhere where we all have that freedom. Of course there are always people making moral judgements (usually in their own heads) on the clothes others wear. Every. Single. Day. Sadly, most people are wired that way. Judgements, judgements, judgements.

I've shared some of this with my teen girls, and what I want them to take away from this is that they are not responsible for the lustful thoughts of the male population (or the female one for that matter). My girls can wear legging all they want, I wear them too (and I'm in my 40s - I offer no apologies). But, yes, I prefer that they have a shirt long enough to cover their rear.  I really do not want them to walk through life trying to make sure other people stay on a moral path... they have their own path to worry about.

But the main thing that struck me throughout reading all these blog posts (and responses) was that - THIS IS NOTHING NEW! Tight pants have been around FOREVER. For decades - many, many decades. Short, long, somewhere in between, women (and men) have been wearing tight pants. Why all the buzz and fuss to start out 2015??

Lets go back to the 90s
 Spandex pants in 3 lengths - long pants, capris, and shorts!Actually the biker shorts thing was HUGE - men and women both got into it!If a woman wearing spandex shorts "might as well be naked"
then a man in biker shorts leaves little to the imagination!
 
And a little farther back - the 80s Okay - so there were a lot of women wearing "leggings" in the 80s - but the boys of glam rock almost had the girls outnumbered! And it wasn't just the actualrockers, the male fans did it too. AND, I must point out,this group is STRYPER - a christian rock group.
Okay here's the 70s
These aren't exactly legging, but they are the tightest satin pant (possibly in the world - yes, that's sarcasm). I mean, look at their crotch area! Wow! I would have looked horrible in those. I'll keep the non-shiny, stretchy, forgiving material of my leggings - thank you!
And back to the 60s A long sweater, leggings/tights, and boots - that was an outfit - and still is!And it looks amazing on her, and I recently wore something quite similar,and I looked pretty darn good as well.
The little girls below, ummm, pants were optional back then??Actually - little girl sometimes wore SUPER short dresses & nobody cared! This was 1970 - tail end of the 60s - gateway to the 70s. They look adorable. 
And the 50s Audry Hepburn, style icon. Body hugging outfit from top to bottom!
The 40s Sewing pattern... the shorts aren't super tight, but paired with that top...I'm thinking somebody had some lustful thoughts.I was even able to find a similar outfit!
Lastly the 30s   TIGHT, tight, tight. And with how short they are, nothing isleft to the imagination (as they say - actually I just did - up there).
Earlier than the 30s, I'm stuck with looser pants, but I can find short dresses. Don't even get me going with the bosoms of certain eras... talk about exposed! I was trying to focus on the tight pants side of this argument... so that's where I stopped. If I just went for the clothing that could possibly cause others to think impure thoughts, I'd have to put up a pic of every single article of clothing ever made. Because people have had desirous thoughts about other people since animal hides were first used to cover the body, and threads were first woven to make cloth! I could put on the baggiest, most unflattering outfit every made, and there would be somebody who would look at me with desire. That doesn't just go for me... that goes for any woman (or man). Sexual thoughts happen, regardless of wardrobe... in my opinion. But that's just my opinion, everybody has one!
Last one: 1701  Look away, my female (and male) friends, keep your thoughts pure.

SEE WHAT I MEAN - FOREVER!

I like to browse through the stories on Yahoo... and for quite some time now, I've noticed that it has become noteworthy when someone does what they are supposed to do. The media bombards us with negative stories so much that acting appropriately and using logic is now something to shout from the rooftops. My moral compass is working - please reward me - or at least give me some attention for it!

Someone returns a wallet with $$ - WooHoo!
A guy getting booked helps a police officer that has collapsed - Shocking!
Teaching your children that it is wrong to steal - This deserves a pat on the back!

The last one made me stop and read the article and then the comments...
ARTICLE HERE: The most important lesson I've taught my son so far
In short: Her son stole a toy from a store, she brought him back and made him go up to the counter to admit what he'd done and pay for it. Shocker alert... almost every one who commented on the story said that their parents had done the same to them when they had taken something when they were little.

Guess what. I did the same thing. My eldest took an angel pin from a bookstore, and then showed it to me when we got home. I told her it was wrong and that we needed to make it right, and then I drove right back to the store. She brought it up to the counter, to return it and admit that she'd put it in her pocket. The lady at the counter told her that she shouldn't have taken it, and then thanked her for returning it. Did my daughter learn a lesson? I think so. My youngest took a golf ball from a museum in another city. When I found out, I made him sit next to me while I called the gift shop and told them what he'd done. Since it was silly to mail back the golf ball, we settled on mailing a check instead. My boy and I talked about it, he wrote a note to say he was sorry, and then we put the envelope in the mail. Did he learn his lesson? I hope so. But that's all we can do as parents; lead by example, have open and honest conversations with our children, and hope that they learn something along the way.

Children need to be taught right from wrong. They need to know that their actions have consequences. Children need to learn that they need to admit their mistakes and right them (if at all possible). It is our job, as parents, to teach these things. I didn't take the job hoping for brownie points, ribbons, and trophies.

Yes, I know that there are lots of bad parents out there. No part of me believes that reading that article on Yahoo is going to be a lightbulb moment for anyone. "Oh, I'm not supposed to let my child get away with stealing?" EVERYONE knows that stealing from a store is wrong (even the kids - or they wouldn't show us the item with guilt in their eyes), but some people make the choice to do it and somehow justify their actions. The fact that they feel the need to justify it proves that they know it is wrong to begin with. EVERYONE knows that telling a bold faced lie, cheating, and intentionally harming someone is wrong. There is a basic moral code that we have as human beings - which has nothing to do with cultural norms - and unless there is a medical reason (a kink in the brainwaves) - it is a conscious choice to do wrong.

Was that the "Most important lesson" I've taught my kids - wow - I sure hope not. And to give the author of the Yahoo article proper credit - she said "most important lesson so far." That's so true, we will constantly be teaching them lessons and I don't think I'll ever know what that most important lesson will be. My children will figure it out when I am no longer there to teach them. Until that time comes, I will be the best example I can be... and admit the mistakes I make along the way.

Please deposit brownie points below - I'm quite sure I deserve them ;-)

My phone wants my daughter to know that I have no hot dogs...

Strange but true.

The suggested words feature on smart phones has always amazed, confused, and entertained me. Today I let it run wild to see what it would come up with. My kiddo #1 had just sent me a text to let me know that school was almost out - to remind me that it was a 1/2 day because I had mentioned that I hoped I didn't forget and end up late to pick up my kiddo #3. I went to type "OK" and got as far as the "O" when my phone suggested "Ok" so instead of pressing on the "K" I just pressed down on the suggested word.

Then I thought... I wonder what my phone will suggest next? So I just kept selecting the first word (out of the 3 it suggests - even when you are not in the middle of typing one). I clicked and clicked and clicked and clicked. Amazingly, it even suggested punctuation marks when it figured I was at the end of my sentence. I would love to know that type of programming that goes into this... well, maybe I wouldn't (just in case there is some sort of mind-meld in there somewhere - kidding - I know my Samsung is not seeing into my brain - or is it).

So here is what my phone decided I wanted to say to my teenager today... I stopped when it started repeating itself (and yes - it was going to keep going). There must have been a scratch in the record (sorry, young people, you may not be able to get that reference... sadly).

I have not hot dogs - but hey - apparently I have transportation!



In defense of my phone... it is aware that my daughter and I have had the conversation below (without any suggested words). It does know that we talk about strange things in the Baum house.

I'm happy to announce the release of CRUSH… the final novel in the LUSH trilogy.Available at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Smashwords,and soon at Apple, Kobo, & other various e-book outlets.
During Bluebell's Lush Ambassador tour of the Concords, Three was attacked. The Council imposed a mandatory curfew, suspended nonessential travel, and ordered her back home to One. Before leaving for home she receives a cryptic message telling her, "Make your father remember. It's the only way." Will Bluebell be able to find the truth before someone discovers she knows more about Concord than any Citizen should?