The Grand by Evelyn Chartres--A Review

Have you ever read one of those books that just kind of leaves you hanging at the end? Well, this is one of those books. 

I found the author, Evelyn Chartres, through the AllAuthor.com site. The book that caught my attention of hers is called The Van Helsing Paradox. I'm a huge "Van Helsing" fan and am always looking for places where mentions of these monster hunters can be found. So, this title grabbed my attention immediately. 

Once I found Miss Chartres' Amazon page, I found she's written not 1, but 4 books and at the moment, they are all free. In my brain, that means, "Download Immediately. Do not pass this up, you need them all". So I did. What caused me to read The Grand first is beyond even my comprehension, but I found it intriguing. 

The Grand is the story of an opulent hotel built into the side of a mountain, overlooking a small podunk town in the valley. The residence and guests of The Grand are, shall we say, beyond the scope of your normal person. No, these individuals are supernatural.

I have to admit that I had a hard time finishing this book as I was very confused at times. The Grand is a compilation of several smaller stories packed in as a complete novel. It's a killer idea, but because it's so back and forth, I had a hard time keeping up. The chapters jump around from one era to another, causing the reader to wonder if they'd missed something. Some of the stories are set in the 1920s while others are set some 20 years later. Though they're all individual stories, they all tie in together. However, you've really got to be paying attention from one chapter to another.

Now, with that said, I will also say that the story as a whole is actually very good. Once I got the gist of the book, I very much enjoyed it. There were still a few questions I felt were unanswered at the end of the book, but it was done well enough that I'd be more than willing to read Part 2.

I did enjoy the way Miss Chartres portrayed her characters, even if a few of them are extremely vague. There are a few key characters that help tie everything together, but it gets confusing quickly. It's a lot like putting together a puzzle in order to hear the story. 

On a whole, I'd give The Grand by Evelyn Chartres a 3.5 out of 5 stars. It was hard to get into, but once I started to understand it, I couldn't put it down. 

I will be reading The Van Helsing Paradox next. It was the reason I found Miss Chartres' page in the first place. It's about a young "otherworldly" hunter named Clara Grey. I'm kind of excited about this book, more now than I was before. Miss Clara Grey takes a peek inside The Grand, so she and I have met. 

I do recommend that you go check in at The Grand. Just beware. There are a lot more twists and turns than expected.

***As of the time of this writing, all four of Evelyn Chartres' books are free to download to your Amazon Kindle. This may change in the future.***

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This post contains affiliate links. However, all opinions in this review are mine and mine alone. I was not asked to write a review, nor did I receive any compensation for any type of review. I downloaded this book free of charge from Amazon.com. 

© Christine Graves 2020

Overcoming a Writing Roadblock

Image by Al Seeger from Pixabay

So, there I am. All set to take on the blogging world once more. Though it has been nearly 10 years since I was at this point, I felt like a kid in a candy store. I've gotten most of my older blogs updated, I have everything in place and I'm ready to really let the outside world inside my own. Then, the Universe threw me another curveball. 

One of my favorite blogs, Para-Mythic, seems to be missing the ability to allow comments. For me, that sucks. The one thing I'd really like to see my blogs do is to bring in real comments from real people. This site and Collected Keepsakes, my other 2 blogs, are both ready for comments. I haven't gotten any, but that's okay. At least I know it's there if it ever happens. 

I've tried changing the blog theme, removed all ads (still waiting for Google to approve the site, even though it used to have ads on it before I revamped it). I've never messed with the code behind scenes. I used to be able to build a whole site with HTML, but this new code just has me baffled.

I've left a question in the Blogger community forum, but haven't gotten any responses as of yet. I've tried to submit a request to Blogger itself, but keep being sent to the community forum. So now I have a dilemma. I have to overcome another writing roadblock.

I really enjoy researching and writing about ancient history, unsolved mysteries, and world mythologies. There's some weird stuff out there. But I'd really love to hear from those out there who actually take the time to read my work. So, do I:

A.) Just keep posting on that site even though I can't get comments?

OR

B.) Create a new blog and start fresh? Yes, I've already created one, but it's not live. I don't have anything on the site yet, but it's there if I need it. Name secured. LOL (that took me over 2 hours to do).

It's something I really have to think about but I would love some suggestions. Please feel free to leave them in the comments. That would just make my day. (Why yes, I would love some cheese with my whine. Thanks for asking)

Here's to the future!!!

Happy Writing

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© Christine Graves 2020

How Writing for Myself has Helped Me Grow

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

It's taken me several years to get to the point of writing I'm at right now. I'm not saying I'm a huge success (I'm not), but I have come a long way since 2012. The year I had to start over.

I've written a lot about the years I had to walk away from writing to revamp my personal life. I won't go into detail in this post, but it took me a long time to get over some personal issues. I owe what I'm doing now to 2 different places; In The Pantheon and Medium.com. If it wasn't for these 2 sites, I'd still be "trying" to find my voice once again.

At In The Pantheon, I wrote in the voice of the ancient goddess, Demeter. I found a way to let "her" voice control the story and I had a blast. Though I wasn't able to stay with this site, I wish the entire Pantheon all the success in the world. I wouldn't be writing this post if it wasn't for them.

At Medium.com, I got to write as a person. I could just be me, in all my opinionated states. I've never had the success on that site that some claim to have, but I'm okay with that. I wrote articles, opinion pieces, fiction, and a ton of poetry. I haven't shared my poetry in years and it felt good to have someone tell me that they liked my style. 

Now, I'm writing on my own sites. I'm still writing on Medium, but I'm spending a lot more time updating this and a couple of other blogs I've had for many years. Yes, I have ads on my site, but it's not to try and become rich. It's so that maybe at some point, I can pay off a few credit cards. 

By writing on my own blogs, I've found a whole new way to express myself. For years, I had it in my head that everything I wrote needed to sound as though written by a robot. I had it in my head that if my posts didn't sound like all the "big blogs", I wouldn't be successful. I had to change the way I viewed success. I stopped trying to be perfect and began writing as if talking to a room full of friends. My words began to flow and I was finding more ideas to write about.

Besides this site, I also run the blogs Para-Mythic and Collected Keepsakes. Each of these sites is a world away from the others, but that's what makes it interesting. Para-Mythic is about ancient histories, mysteries, and mythologies. This is a passion of mine. I've always loved ancient history and am always trying to learn more. The best part for me is in trying to figure out some of the mysteries that still perplex the experts today.

Collected Keepsakes is a place about being a collector. I collect a lot of things, and I love all those shows about finding collectibles in the most unlikely places. I get a kick out of it. The thing is that I almost let go of this site. I was having a heck of a time trying to come up with topics that would make Google's search list and I guess it freaked me out just enough that I couldn't write at all. Then, I began writing about what I enjoy about collecting and gave up on Google. It was just what I needed to do. 

My ultimate goal is to get back to making money with my writing, but for now, I'm just going to work on being a writer I'd like to read. I'm having fun writing again and I think that's worth more at this time. What about you? What are you doing to advance your writing? Let me know. And if you have a site, send me the link. I'd love to check it out.

Happy Writing!!!

© Christine Graves 2020

FindIndieBooks.com: A Review

Image made possible by FindIndieBooks.com

So I got the surprise of my life here not too long ago. I got a notification that my e-book, Promptly Chronicled, had been reviewed by the site FindIndieBooks.com. I was nervous, to say the least, as to what the reviewer would say. However, my nerves were quickly calmed when I noticed that I'd gotten a 5-star review. Whoo Hoo!!!

Now, up to this point, I'd never heard of the site, so I thought I'd check it out. I felt really stupid when I realized it was run by a writer friend of mine from a site I'd written for called InThePantheon.com. Way to go, honey. I'm totally proud of you!!!!!

I ended up spending quite some time on this site, checking out what it was about and all the books listed. I was impressed. As of the time of this writing, there are nearly 500 indie books listed. And I'm one of them. YEA!!!!!

I'm really impressed with the way this site is put together. The books drop-down menu showcases the books in easy to find categories. From Kindle Unlimited to those only available in European markets and those in hardback only.

There are also links to author websites, so you can meet your favorite indie authors. Check out some of the reviews listed on the site and really get to know the authors from their author interviews. There really is a little something for everyone here.

Do you have an indie book you'd like to have submitted to FindIndieBooks.com? Check out the site's submissions page for all the information. It's free to submit (for now) and you'll usually hear back from them within 72 hours. Each author is allowed to submit up to 3 books at a time.

In order to have your book placed among those listed, your book must be self-published or published by a small publishing company (publishes no more than 10 titles a year). You can also send a link to your author website if you have one. All they ask is that you follow them on Twitter.

If you're an avid reader, or an author looking to get your book out to the masses, you've got to check out FindIndieBooks.com. Be part of the journey toward this site becoming the largest book repository in the world.

© Christine Graves 2020

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This review is of my own wording and my own observances. All opinions are mine and mine alone. No monies or other forms of payment were exchanged for this review.

Teaching Myself to do a Newsletter

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

So I'm about to embark on a whole new writing endeavor. I'm about to work on putting together a newsletter for one of my publications at Medium.com. The problem is that I'm not sure what I'm doing and I've got myself kind of freaked out over it.

I did a newsletter many, many years ago for another website I ran. But that was back in the day when everything was text-based and not so much visual-based. The good thing is that I don't think Medium newsletters are set up for images, so that's one good thing.

My fear is that I won't have anything interesting to say. I've got a few ideas, but my inner critic keeps telling me that I'm an idiot and no one is going to want to read it. I know I'm just psyching myself out, but every time I get set to write, nothing comes out.

The site I'm going to do the newsletter for is Enticing the Muse. It's a site to provide writing prompts for other writers, but I'm feeling stale. I need to get a new post up on the site before I do a newsletter inviting people to stop by and see what I've got going.

I have a few ideas for the newsletter, including adding links to a few of my other works, a section for Must See publications, and a Meet the Author page. I think that would be a great thing to do for the many writers who've helped me along my Medium journey.

The sad part is that I can't post anything about this site or any of my outside Medium writings. Totally bums me out, but I'll figure something else out. I can still post about anything or anyone I like here. Maybe I'll start doing author bios and book reviews here. We'll see. I do want to give a shout out to the many men and women out there that have made me the writer I am today.

So, here I go. Off to try and put together a newsletter, though I'm not at all sure about how to do it. Wish me luck. Got any ideas? I'm all ears. I would love to see some ideas. Leave them in the comments. I'll be forever grateful.

Until next time,
Happy writing.

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© Christine Graves 2020

Coming Up With Writing Ideas

Images by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

I'm sitting here trying to come up with something to write about as it seems my creative well is running dry. I know it's not, but there are times when the ideas don't come on as easily as others. It kind of sucks. So, here's what I'm doing.

I've spent the past couple of hours running through social media sites, but because of the state of the world right now, that's not working. Too much negativity to make me feel creative. I've tried very hard to avoid writing about all the stuff going on as there's enough crap out there--both true and not-so-true--to give everyone something to read. I want to write something completely different.

So, what's a braindead old broad to do? Just start writing. 

My next trick is to do a freewrite. I've done a couple of them on this site, as well as a few others. This whole piece is actually a freewrite, but as usual, I'm not following the rules. Freewriting, for me anyway, is just a way to get some stuff off my mind to allow other stuff to come through. My brain has been way too clogged up recently and I needed to make some room.

Another trick I use to come up with writing ideas is to do a word association piece. I don't do mine like most people, I just come up with 3 or 4 random words and find a way to use them all together. It's kind of weird, but I've written some of my best fictional pieces this way. Here, try it:

Pig, banister, frying pan, gas tank
Jackhammer, tower, blog post, flower pot

Pick either of those two sets of words and create something from them. Anything. Make it a poem, a story, an article...whatever. Just as long as you use each word in your piece. You'll be amazed at the different directions your brain will go in doing so.

My favorite way to find ideas is by just letting my mind wander. I have an overactive imagination and can come up with some very odd scenarios. I can travel to the moon, ride a goat to France, or hang out with my celeb-flavor-of-the-moment. Now, jot down some of the stranger parts of your little mind trip. What did you see? What did you smell? What did you hear? Now, put it all together and see what you come up with. Have fun with it. After all, isn't that why we write???

Some days the ideas will flow like a river, others it's more like pulling teeth. I know I'm not alone in my quest to come up with writing ideas. I hope as I come up with new ways, I'll be able to pass them along. 

If you have any other ideas, please feel free to share them. I'd love to hear about them and maybe give them a try as well.

Until next time,

Happy writing

I Accidentally Became a Writer for a Medium Publication

Image by Republica from Pixabay

I think it's time I did a freewrite. I'm feeling a little clogged up and I need to free up some space. Much the way I did with my phone earlier. Way too many pictures and not enough storage space left over. Yep, that's what my mind feels likes right now.

So I think I may have accidentally got myself added as a writer at another publication on Medium. I'm thrilled about it, but I'm a little nervous about it at the same time. The publication is called Publishing Well and it's about the writing industry, tips on writing, ideas on writing, and so forth.

The editor has also decided to add sections for poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. I still have an issue with posting my poetry for others to read, but everyone I've met on Medium has been way more than kind. Hopefully, the editor at this pub will be as well.

I wasn't really expecting to be added as a writer. I messaged him through social media and asked him what his thoughts were on writing prompts. Those I know how to do. He messaged me back, said he'd looked through my profile portfolio, and liked what he'd seen that I've published in other publications. Holy crap, my writing spoke for itself. That's a happy dance moment.

So, I've been added as a writer. I'm thrilled and have already written and submitted my first piece for Publishing Well. There's no guarantee that it will be accepted, but I've got to at least try. I do have a real shot as it's a relatively new publication and in need of content. But, we'll see. I learned a long time ago not to count my chickens before they hatch.

See, this is why I love doing these freewrites. As soon as I stop overthinking everything, the words actually form into structured sentences. It's an amazing feeling. Try it. It's great.

Thanks for stopping by. You might be seeing more of these types of posts as they help me to focus. And who knows, they might help you as well. Maybe something I've had happen to me will spark something in you to write about. If so, let me know. I'd love to read about it.

© Christine Graves 2020

Using Pinterest For Writing Inspiration

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

I'm a huge fan of using Pinterest for writing inspiration. There are hundreds of ways a person can use Pinterest to their advantage. It doesn't matter if you're writing fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or just need something to get those creative juices flowing. If you know where to look, it's all there.

Writing Prompts

As someone who's written and used thousands of writing prompts, I was thrilled to find a ton of them on Pinterest. Simply type in “writing prompts” in the search bar and you'll be amazed at the sheer number of pages that pop up. I've found prompts for fiction, non-fiction, dialogue, and much more. I came up with ideas I'd never have thought of before.

Quotes

I love quotes. Some of the best ideas for writers come from someone else's words. Quotes come in all fashions, such as “love” quotes, “fight the good fight” quotes, and even “Yes, you can” quotes. There are tons of quotes from famous celebrities and other writers. Quotes from millionaires and wanna-be's. All you have to do is search.

How-To's

There are thousands of links to articles on how to do just about any part of writing you can imagine. You can find articles on everything from creating a better blog to creating life-like characters. There are posts on How to Write For Amazon and How To Write Short Stories. The hardest part is in deciding which ones to read first.

Images

Being that Pinterest is a highly visual platform, you can always use it to pick out details for your work. Say you're a fantasy writer and need some details for a character. Simply type “fantasy Art” in the search bar and you'll be taken to an endless supply of characters to look at. What features strike you right away? Which ones would never work with your character? Let your imagination run wild.

Realistic Details

If you're writing about an actual place, it's nice to be able to look at it, even if you've never been there. With Pinterest, you just need to know what you want to talk about and you'll find tons of pictures and information about your destination. Want to talk about the Eiffel Tower? Type it in and see it for yourself.

There are a million different ways in which you can use Pinterest for writing inspiration. If you need some help, check out my PinterestWriting Board. I've got hundreds of places where you can start. Where you end up depends on where you want to go. 

© Christine Graves 2020

May Freewrite 5-15

(Image by Elias Sch. from Pixabay)

So, I've been working on a plan to get this blog up and running again. I've already decided that it's going to be a site for and about, writers. I've said this about a few of my other blogs and keep ending up in that stalemate of “Write what you want, it's your blog” and “Don't blog like that, it's not professional enough”. In the end, I end up not writing anything. 

When I first created Priestess of Words—10 full years ago—it was meant to be a place for me to post my poetry. I was still reeling from a kick in the chest at being called an “amateur” and it hurt. I loved my poetry but just couldn't bring myself back to writing it.

I've tried on a couple different occasions to put a spark back into the place, but it just wasn't working. My brain was on a single-lined track and I couldn't get past it. So, I just let it sit and do nothing. Until now.

So what makes this time different from all the times before? Well. I've been doing a lot more writing through my other venue, Medium.com. I'm getting back into being able to write my poetry—without someone kicking me in the chest—and I'm working on being able to write more of these types of posts. These “just to clear my head” posts. My freewrites.

One of the best lessons I've ever learned as a writer is to freewrite. Just write, don't think. Just let the words out of your head and onto the page. Let them fall where they may. Don't worry about whether or not anyone's reading because as of right now, they're not. I've got to add some words if I want to be the Priestess of Words.

Once I start to get some of the boring shit out of the way, then I can start to let the more professional words out to play. Okay, maybe professional isn't the right term, but I feel more like writing and less like I'm just pretending.

I'm sure this blog will never be named among the hottest sites for writers anytime soon, if ever. I'm okay with that. I would like it, though, if I could at least bring in a few people who want to see what I've got going on. I'm still not sure where this site is going to go, but I'm going to go along for the ride, just in case.

© Christine Graves 2020

Recreating My Creation

Image by Artie_Navarre from Pixabay
Hello Boys and Girls,

Tis I, the Priestess herself. Yes, I'm popping back in here to see if I can't reinvent this silly little blog. I've been working hard the past couple of years to get my writing back on track and I think it's beginning to come together.

A couple of years ago, I began writing for an online platform called Medium.com. It's a great place to write as I can do fiction, non-fiction, or even poetry. Whatever comes into my hot little head. I've been having a ball. And it's been a soul-cleanser.

It does cost me $50 a year to be a member, but I get paid each month for what I write. Now granted, I'm not making a huge sum of money, but I am making enough to cover my annual costs. Sometimes, I even make more. It's awesome.

In the process, I've managed to meet some wonderful people and my networking skills are getting better. I'm writing for several different publications on the platform and have some real traffic coming in to read what it is that I have to write. Now it's time to take this whole thing to the next level.

So why am I back here? Because I can. I've had this blog for several years now and it's already set up and ready to go. I can pretty much post whatever I want here and if I get a couple new fans out of the deal, awesomesauce. Hell, one fan would make my day. LOL

I'm getting back into the groove. My writing doesn't feel forced much anymore and I've actually had a few people ask me for my opinion on how to keep up on their writing. Never had that happen before. Makes me feel as though I'm doing something for the good.

I can promise to do a regular post on this site, but I'm going to try. I'd like to see Priestess of Words become a place where writers feel welcome and can find some new stuff. Who knows what my little brain will come up with. I might even surprise myself.

Come on over and check out some of my works on Medium.com. I'd be honored if you did.

© Christine Graves 2020