More Good Reasons to Leave FaceBook

https://youtu.be/R3Zw9U09Cto

Free Speech is under attack!

What I've Been Up Too

This past week has been CRAZY! Right now, if I could, I would crawl into bed and fall fast asleep.

Daughter number 3 gave birth last Sunday.

Last summer, heroine thought it had claimed her life. But she was brought back so she could give life to a beautiful baby boy and give a childless couple the desire of their heart.

More bittersweet moments...they don't seem to cease. Not in my life anyway.

So this past week, I got about 2 hours of writing in. That was it. This makes me cranky.

Anyway, I 've been incorporating characters from The Boy Next Door and White Trash and Pill Heads into a different series. It's been interesting and it works. I have enough ideas to keep an ongoing series. How cool is that!

As for FaceBook, I DELETED IT! Wouldn't you know that while I had deactivated my page, some scammer was posting comments in my name. Thank you, NORMA BEISHIR, for catching this.

Eventually, I'll create a new page. But not until I've finished at least 3 books.

One more thing, Sir Poop's is still with us. But is getting weaker. His pads drag against the floor while he walks. Today, he hasn't been able to keep anything in. Including chicken broth. Right now, he's wrapped in his favorite blanket laying at my feet.

Poor baby!

Hope everyone is well!

Hugs and chocolate!
Shelly

To Delete, Or Not Delete

Really. I'm not.

Not to mention, it's become a stasi tool for Germany ' s Merkel. Didn't they have one of the best stasi agencies under Adolf Hitler, headquartered in East Berlin?

I beleive it was known as the Ministry for State Security. Sounds a little creepy when an agency uses the word SECURITY in anything. It usually means giving up your freedom.

Wasn't it Ben Franklin who said, "Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve either one..."?

Besides, it's pretty trendy for Americans to follow what the Europeans do. I mean we take on their fashion trends. Why not have some friendly-cute-social-network-place to spill your guts out and sell your books, your goods on? While you're at it, sell bits and pieces of your soul on it, too. It might make a nice profile on you.  They may even make it ambiguous. Then it could be used for the good of all. It's rather neighborly to keep everyone safe from some politically incorrect maniac. Right?

I believe, in the movie, Forrest Gump, the MC was quoted as saying, "Stupid is, is stupid does, sir."

Hey! That's reminds me. Didn't Zuckerberg call his first 1000 users 'dumb f.... for trusting him with their data...' Nice guy. You can read it for yourself at: theweek.co.uk/facebook/14625/are-users-dumb-fucks-for-trusting-data-to-facebook

https://youtu.be/EfnKmPQdapw

I may just delete it.

Anyway, here's an article on Zuckerberg going yellow- bellied (there are other articles to go to in this one as well):

dcwatchdog.org/its-official-zuckerberg-goes-full-stasi-against-facebook-users-that-criticise-islam

What do you think? Delete? Or not? Or am I just paranoid?

Hope all is well with everyone!

Hugs and chocolate!
Shelly

Deactivated the FaceBook

Yes. I did. It gets in the way of what I need to get done. Like finishing stories that I've started. They need to be finished.

Not to mention, it's a lot of mental clutter and ME-ISMS. It also reminds me of a shopping mall. And for those who've been following me for a while know how much I hate going to the mall.

Eventually, I plan to go back. But...we'll see.

Anyway, still trying to get back on track with this blog. I know I can. I know I can.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

Censorship of America is Not a Conspiracy Theory

Hey, everyone!

Wanted you all to know that my friend, William Kendall, was suspended from his Facebook account. Someone falsely accused him of something very heinous. Something I'm familiar with.

Anyway, I, too, have been suspended for suspicious activity. I'm one to post things on conspiracy theories, RFID, and standing up for Freedom of Speech. 

Recently, I stood up for Sir Wills on my wall. I've also stood up for the journalists who post their stories to this specific media and are then labeled as hoaxes or fake. I've ran a few discussions on this at my wall. Guess the hierarchy of Facebook didn't like that.

America isn't America anymore. Be awake, my friends. Changes are here and there are more to come. 

Censorship is here. Especially if you have a strong belief in God and in the old Constitution and the Bill of Rights and know your American history.

Just wanted you all to know. Be awake. Be aware.

Hugs and chocolate, all!

Shelly

Facebook Eats Socks

Washing machines and Facebook have something in common. They eat things like socks or conveniently make things like comments disappear. 

About a month or so ago, I put up a question to other authors and writers: how do you keep from being overwhelmed? 

Anyway, peeps gave me feedback. But all those lovely comments magically disappeared. Hmmm... I don't understand. It had nothing to do with political views or the UN's Agenda 21. It was just a simple question so I could share some tips with other writers in the blogosphere.

It's a good thing I am still able to remember certain things. There were two good tips: make lists and hire someone to do your marketing, your querying, and handle your social media.

I make lists for everything. If I didn't, I'd be lost. 

When I worked in a law firm, I used what was called a tickler system. It's something in an Office Program. Keeping up with deadlines was of utmost importance and logging them into the system helped.

At home, I use a calendar and Post- It Notes. But what doesn't help is having a Sweetman with OCD. He's always closing my calendar and hiding it on me. He's also known to throw my Post-It Notes away. Although, he's been very good about not touching my storyboard on our office wall. He knows he'll get a meat-slapping from me--- not really. I just threaten him.

As for hiring someone to do other writerly chores would be grand as long as you can afford it.

When my daughters were little, I used to hire a teenager to watch them two afternoons a week. I paid her 15 dollars each time so I could get house chores done. 

Think about it, a teenager could at least do some social media for you since they're all computer whizzes these days. I've been thinking about that myself.

However, I wouldn't suggest them handling your queries.

What do you think? How do you handle being overwhelmed?

Also, Norma Bieshir will be sharing her writing wisdom over at her blog. Click on the following link: http://windchasersjourney.blogspot.com/2014/11/okay-maybe-this-is-good-idea-after-all.html?m=1

I find her to be to the point.

Have a chocolate-filled week!

Hugs and chocolate,

Shelly

Will the Real Social Network Friends Please Stand UP

Yesterday, I posted this on my Facebook Fan Page: If there is one thing I never want to do, is to bug peeps to buy my books and stories. Especially other authors. YIKES!

And I mean it. It's annoying to me as a struggling author to have my message box at Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin ... or even my email bombarded with desperate pleas to buy someone's book. And I'm not talking about planned books tours, cover reveals, and invites from Goodreads. What I am talking about are the peeps who never say 'hi, how are you doing', because they really want to know that. But instead, they say, 'hi, please buy my book'. As authors we already have plenty of stuff to weed through daily and probably feel guilty about. Mine is I just can't read as fast as I'd like, write a review quick enough, and comment on everyone's blog that I follow.

A lot of us...maybe all who write are grabbing at straws trying to make a sale. I know I can't always sell something at The Salon until I've sold myself. And that might be a whole year.

As a hairdresser, a relationship and a good reputation with our own kind have to happen before we can have the same with the public. I believe the same goes for us writers. Of course, this  is my opinion. 

Relationship is highly important for any kind of cooperation and cohesiveness. 

Anybody else feel the same?

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

Indie Life: Things I Miss and Irk Me

Today is the second Wednesday of the month. Its Indie Life time, where Indies sometimes encourage, support, complain, and give advice to each other.

For more information or to be a part of this group GO HERE

As many of you know, Sweetman went through a bout of cancer and chemo. Thankfully, he has finished his chemo. His hair and belly are now growing back. But when we first found out about what we were going to have to go through, I gave up what I thought would be temporary, my bi-weekly critique group.

Sadly, two of the writers were stressed out with some of their own personal curve balls life bombarded them with. One moved away. The other doesn’t know if she’ll ever write again. We no longer meet.

I miss them terribly. We were together for five years. Each gal had something great to offer to our WIPs. One had awesome grammar and punctuation skills, while one would tear your MS apart and analyze it. Two of them were great for spotting overuse of words or even action tags. And one was great at finding symbolism in your stories and how to make them connect.

I considered them my friends. But only one keeps in touch with me. It really makes me sad. To be honest, I feel lost without them. All writers, Indies, and traditionally published need someone else to bounce their stuff off of. There’s no real way around it. You can’t cheat when you write. It’s a tedious path to get it right.

So I could really use a couple of critique partners who are willing to read 40 pages a month of my current WIP, tear it apart, and I’d be glad to the same in kind.

Anyone interested? If so, let me know in the comment box.

As to what irks me, well, Facebook right now. I’m in what’s called what other writers have referred to as Facebook Jail. I can’t PROMOTE myself or anyone.

How did this happen, you ask. Well, it started with a Like-a-thon. I like authors. They like me. And of course, I can’t forget all the promoting I continually do for other authors. I’m constantly sharing their books and blogs. So I got cited as a SPAMBOT.

So yeah, I’m really blue over not having my critters anymore and being known as a SPAMBOT.

Hope everyone else is well.

Hugs and chocolate,

Shelly

Authors for Oklahoma: Open Invitation to All My Blog Buddies

My friends and authors, Norma Beishir, William Kendall, and I have created a group on Facebook. Authors for Oklahoma. CLICK HERE to LIKE and check us out.

We’re looking to raise money for the families victimized by the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. Whatever is raised will go to The American Red Cross.

So I’m extending an invitation to all of you out in the blogosphere. Click on the icon above. I hope to see you all there.

Hugs and chocolate,

Shelly

Day 3: Spreading the News and Cheering on the Run Away Bride Giveaway

Ohmygosh! This is the last day up until midnight to get a Free copy of Secondhand Shoes and to put your names in a drawing, either to win a 15 dollar Amazon card or and  an autographed copy. Four peeps will win.

Click here for your Free copy

1. What you need to do in order to have your name put into the drawing. Tweet and Facebook the information below. All you need to do is copy and paste. Make sure you let me know in the comment box.

TWEET

FREE BOOKS and prizes @ http://secondhandshoesnovel.blogspot.com/, Feb.19,20,& 21st, #FReeBooks#KindleAmazon please retweet

FREE BOOKS and prizes @ http://www.shellysnovicewritings.blogspot.com/, Feb.19,20,& 21st, #FReeBooks#KindleAmazon please retweet

FREE EBOOK Feb.19^th,20^th, & 21^st#FReeBooks#KindkeAmazon http://www.amazon.com/Secondhand-Shoes-ebook/dp/B00B1ZNQAO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361228574&sr=8-2&keywords=Shelly+Arkon%2C+Secondhand+Shoes Please Retweet

FACEBOOK

FREE EBOOK Feb.19^th,20^th, & 21^st http://www.amazon.com/Secondhand-Shoes-ebook/dp/B00B1ZNQAO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361228574&sr=8-2&keywords=Shelly+Arkon%2C+Secondhand+Shoes Please Share

2. Please give the run away bride some good advice. She’s escaped into the Florida woods.

I also wanted to say thank you to everyone. For a little bit on Wednesday morning Secondhand Shoes ranked in at #13. How cool is that? Its now #15. But its all good. I’m still excited, but exhausted.

People have been so kind with their comments and good will. In fact, I was surprised when Julie Flanders directed her readers to my blog yesterday. Chocolate hugs to you, Julie. The blogsosphere is full of REALBIES.

Speaking of REALBIES, Julie Pick is helping me spread the news today. Thank you sooo much.

Everyone thank you for visiting, Tweeting, Facebooking, and downloading a copy. It means the world to me.***getting teary-eyed over it***

Next Tuesday, I’ll announce the winners. I know I was to do that March 1st, but I’m like a little kid like that.

And also, I’m pulling a 1 to 9’er at the hair lopping establishment so I may not get to comment back until tomorrow morning.

Hugs and chocolate,

Shelly