Letting Everyone Know….

Hello, world!

So today I did something I thought I would never do: I let all my Facebook friends and family know about my book. I have kept this secret for over a year, and to finally be able to announce my book will be published come the first week of November gave me so much joy. I have always kept quiet about things in my life, deciding to use my platform to congratulate others and talk about news events that are shaping our world.

But not today.

No, today I flexed a bit. And I’m not mad about it. It caused my mind to wander into the whys. Why don’t we shout our accomplishments from the rooftops? Why are we afraid to sometimes show others how far we’ve come? I know that I’ve been taught as a young girl to not be boastful. I would agree only to an extent. If you have worked hard, given everything to a project, or something you love, you should boast about it. So people understand your passion, but how proud you are of accomplishing what most would think the unattainable.

Another reason why I posted today my truth, is because I want everyone to know that you don’t always have to do things the conventional way. My life, up to this point was conventional. I went to school, went to grad school, then entered the workforce. Every day for a year and a half, I woke up at an ungodly hour, commuted to the city, and did my nine to five. Was I truly happy? No. But I did what society expected from me. We cannot do that.

As a people, we have to learn to be individuals. We have to do what is right for us, and not what someone thinks is right for us? You get me? Let’s start that trend. Instead of being followers, find our own path, and try that door. If it fails, you could always do the conventional thing.

But I don’t think you’ll fail.

-NR

Some Exciting News…

Hello, world!

I’ve been so busy and excited about my book, and it’s release! I’m learning so much along the way, and since this is my chosen profession-more like my destiny-I thought I’d share some of the things I got checked off my first-time published romance author checklist:

I found a great company that is promoting my book. (Enticing Journey Book Promotions)
I’ve found a wonderful cover artist, who is doing an extraordinary job with the artwork in my book. (AB Formatting and Design)
I got my manuscript copyrighted. (Very important)
I found a talented and professional editor who is killing it by finding my mistakes while being kind. (Which is hard to find, trust me.

I cannot believe my historical romance book is coming together! I have spent years reading books from this genre. As a matter of fact, the very first historical romance book I ever read with Tender Rebel by Johanna Lindsey. I was fourteen years old, a high school freshman, and I couldn’t put it down. The rich characters, the passion that was exhibited on the page grabbed a hold of me, and never let me go.

10+ years, and now I am writing my own.

It seems almost inevitable that I would end up in this profession. Penning tales on lost love, second chances, and speeches that would bring any cynic to tears.

Anyway, I said I would keep you posted, so this is me, keeping you posted. I’ve also attached the sign-up form for my book, should you be interested.

I love you all!

-NR

https://forms.gle/X43Qgc75oHLcioKYA

It’s Been Awhile…

Good Morning/Night/Day world!

So, based on the title, you should know already what I’ll be talking about.

Time. Well more specifically, my time away from you all.

Yep, that’s right. Your girl here has been absent from the blog game. Not purposefully, but still absent.

I blame it on Fanfiction.

But, at least I come with good news, right? Well, here it is. I have officially finished my first book! Gah! It’s a historical romance novel, but I am so happy with it. After years of secretly pulling out my paperback in high school, (and college) I have finally done the unthinkable: Finished a story!

Let me explain.

You see, I’ve always had this story brewing in the back of my mind, but I was afraid to put pen to paper-or fingers to a laptop, you know how it is- fearing the worst. But not anymore. I recently turned twenty-nine years old, and since then, I felt it was time. Time to change my life. No more excuses, no more putting anything off. It has always been a goal of mine to do this, and now that I can? I am so thrilled.

But, there is a lot that goes into self-publishing.

You have to find a book cover artist for both the paperback and e-book. A reputable editor, copyright your work and find a PR company that will give your book enough buzz to be seen. You have to also make sure your book is properly formatted, and if you cannot do that for Amazon, iBooks, and Barnes and Noble. If you can’t do the formatting, I suggest you hire someone as well-like I did.

It’s all rewarding though.

To see my book on a website with countless other writers is an honor to me. That is payment enough. You won’t believe what gave me the courage to actually do it. I’ll give you a hint, I mentioned the reason recent bout of MIA-ness earlier. Still didn’t pick up on it? That’s quite alright. I’ll tell you anyway.

It was Fanfiction.

Back in 2013, I started reading it. I heard about it, and let’s be frank, after reading the Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy I became intrigued. The more I read, and left reviews, I started to form an e-community of readers, and surprisingly writers. It stunned me.

But in a good way.

Then I started writing it as well. (I will not leave you my FF name because, well, I’m not that bold yet-LOL) It was so much fun. You had characters from your favorite shows that you could shape and mold to do with as you chose. But the plots were entirely my own. The more I began to write, however, the more I became jealous of the already assembled characters. Why couldn’t I come up with unforgettable characters? I asked myself.

So I did. And I have no regrets whatsoever. Writing on the FF site also gave me the courage to be more open with my work. Here, I was glad to post my poetry, but never my fiction. That, however, is changing.

Starting now.

As of tonight, at 2:58 a.m. in California, I will be posting MY story ideas, along with poems, and thoughts. I hope you all enjoy this other facet of me. Truth is, it was always here, but like in Split, I was often afraid to let that part of myself come to the light. (I know I just compared myself to a schizophrenic man who had 23 personalities living inside of him but just go with it)

Anyways, I love you all, and I hope that you will enjoy some excerpts from my book, my poems, and thoughts, that I will post here more frequently.

I love you all,

Nicole Renee.

Take Me To Church…….

I feel…

New
Unglued,
Unfettered
different.
What is this you have me on?
I hope you understand.
Bland, brand, canned,gland.
Now that’s a word.
Gland.
The gland that lies within the mouth.
The part that helps with the pleasure.
Oh please measure,
don’t let this feeling fester.
I don’t want a tester.
I want it all,
I want it now,
I want to know,
I don’t want what I had before.

-N