Welcome to the page of mindless banter...

Feb. 1st, 2014

By a show of hands, who here is a self-published or Indie author? If not, do you know what the definition is? 

Self-publishing is the publication of any book or other media by the author of the work, without the involvement of an established third-party publisher. A self-published physical book is said to beprivately printed. The author is responsible and in control of entire process including, in the case of a book, the design of the cover and interior, formats, price, distribution, marketing and public relations. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-publishing)

Now that basically means that I am the CEO, Advertising Department, Financial Department, Scheduling, Secretary, Supplies dept, Mailing and fulfillment.... this list goes on for a while! 

Aside from my writing, I'm also a wife, a full time employee with a Financial Institution, an Aunt, a Sister, a Daughter, a Grandaughter.... 

Writing has always been a passion of mine, an escape, a way to express the words that get piled up in my mind. But it is also a full time job in itself. And like so many other Indies, I have to find the right balance between family, job, writing, promoting, because at the end of the day I run every department of my writing company. Becoming an Indie author is a lot of hard work, and I don't think many people know how much is involved, unless, that is, you are an Indie yourself. 

I cannot begin to tell you how much I adore my fans and how humbling it is to receive a message from someone telling me that they loved my work. And a lot of the time I get emails and messages asking me when the next book in the series is set to come out. And as much as I would love to tell those who ask that it will be out sooner than later, I have so many things on my plate that sometimes I can't do that, and trust me, it's not the answer I want to give. However, that shouldn't prompt any negative comments. I promise you that those authors you follow and love are putting their heart and souls into their work, but at the same time they are also managing book orders, book tours, blog takeovers, and promoting. That takes up a huge amount of time, and for those authors like myself who have a nine hour work day, it's hard to find the energy to even get a shower when they get home. 

So please keep in mind the next time you reach out to an Indie author, that we are working as hard as we can to get our work out to you, but we are also working hard to get our work out to other readers, which may be how you found us to begin with. We don't have the backing of a large publishing house, so we are completing all of the steps ourself. And though sometimes the answer will be that our next book will be out sooner than later, sometimes we can't give you that answer. So be patient, be supportive, and continue to show your love. Because there is no way that we could be doing what we love without you. <3 

June 27th

I will pre warn everyone tonight.. before you read further please understand that I am open to everyone elses opinions, I just don't want to hear them lol. And if you don't want to know mine then please stop reading now and switch over to ESPN.... 

Ok since I still have you, yeah I am too nosey to read a paragraph and then stop too :) First I'd like to say that today's generation of kids have all started becoming glorified hoodrats. You know when I was a kid I was more worried about getting to go outside and play (thunderstorm or not) than I was texting and calling my "peeps" on my cell phone. Mostly because I didn't get a cell phone until I was in High School, and even then I didn't want it, that just meant my parents had a way of constantly contacting me.However when I was a child, I acted like a child. I wasn't running the streets or being disrespectful. There is a lot of controversy over a particular case in the media right now, about a little boy getting shot. And it kills me that EVERYTHING now days has become a race issue. I see people who are so openly stoning the man who shot the kid, because "that little boy looks like my kids" or because they know it was a hate crime.

First of all, you don't know shit. You weren't there, you didn't know what happened, and ultimately you are only going by the fuel you are being given by the media and others who are stepping up into the same shoes you are trying to fill. I get that people want to have a say in things, or to stand up for something they believe. But why not stand up for something productive? Why turn this into a hate crime when I don't think the kid should have been outside at night without supervision in the first place. why not focus your energy in reaching out to our younger generations and educating them on how to be a child. Because somewhere along the lines we have skipped that step. I see kids running around half naked, girls with shorts and skirts on so short that I can see their cooter and ass cheeks. When did we show our younger generations that less is better??

Less clothing gets you laid, but doesn't get you a husband that cares about you and taking care of you. Less education gets you a job at Mcdonalds, more education gets you a job making six figures as a doctor, or lawyer... Less self preservation gets you low self esteem and depression when preserving your morales and values builds character and makes you a better person. Let's focus on teaching those values to our kids, not setting them up for disaster. Your child is a chilld, and they don't act as they choose to. They act like you teach them.

My next issue is in regards to good ol' country girl Paula Deen. Now I am southern belle at heart, and I am talking hunting, deer skinning, rifle shooting, mud bogging, truck driving, boot wearing Backwoods Barbie, however I am a southern belle that was raised in the 2000's... not the 80's and prior. Again I feel as though she is getting stoned by the masses by a slang term that she used many years ago. In a different day and age, when that terminology was used openly. Yes, it is a derrogatory term, but so are all the other crap terminology that we use to call each other now days. How do you stone someone for using the terms that she was raised knowing, and yet support that God awful movie Django that had the word in it so many times I lost count??? And that movie is recent, and yeah maybe it was supposed to be set back in the old times, but they didn't say a lot of the shit that was put into that movie. So don't pick it the hell apart saying that it's ok. It's not. PD apologized for what was said and how it was taken in today's society. So get off her back about it. 

I know it's hard to keep from getting mad about things that offend you, trust me... the fact that Lil' Wayne desicrated the American Flag in which my husband and all of the Sailors about his ship fight for pisses me off more than you could imagine. But you don't see me leading a strike against him. Instead I choose to not listen to his shit music and support other artists who are proud of their country. And yes... I know eating my own words. I know he "apologized" if that's what you want to call it, but saying I never meant to step all over the flag and tear it shreds, I only meant to drop it onto the ground and then step all over it. Well that's a fucked up apology in my opinion. But hey, I don't dwell on it. I just turn on some good old classical piano music.. no words... don't have to figure out what they are saying!

Ultimately I think people need to man the hell up and stop being so sensitive. Lol. I mean that in the sincerest way possible too. We have to stop focusing on the negative. The he called me this, or she did this bad thing to me. Toughen up and just deal with it. Make the best out of it and move on. Stop always playing the blame game. If ol' Paula can get on live TV and apologize and accept responsibility for what she did then why can't we. What makes us so much better than her? Or anyone else for that matter? Matter of factly I will be the first to start..

I am responsible for using the last slice of bread and leaving the dirty end pieces in there :) 

June 6th

As most of you know, a few months ago I began working on a novel. Of course I had no idea what on Earth I was doing, and really I hoped I could just get by on good looks and charisma. But then I started to realize that it’s kinda like the reason I never started stripping, because I was fat and couldn’t dance… However once figuring out that I actually have a knack for writing, that or my friends who have been reading my manuscript are just really good liars, I really started to become entranced with everything in the writing world. Along the way I have been counseled and helped by some of the most amazing people in the world. As previously stated in my first blog post, I now am a part of every social media site that exists, but why not? The number of sources and connections are endless. I chat daily with other Authors, Professor’s, Motivational Speakers, Acrobats, Dog trainers. Ok, I’m reaching a little on that, but my point is that regardless of what you do, you contribute somehow, and you never know what knowledge you possess that someone else may not, until you participate.

I have literally exploited these people for their knowledge countless times, and they still come back for more with each discussion post or tweet. This morning for example I had a discussion going in regards to word count and how important it is in today’s day and age of self-publishing and e-books. I got a myriad of different answers, some who believe word count is obsolete, and others who feel you should keep your debut novel at 85,000 words. The best answer I got though was a beautifully written piece of advice stating “The only thing you need to know about word count, is make every word count.” It’s answers like that, that help to remind you that it doesn’t really matter how many books you’ve published if any, or how many words your novel is. If it’s a good read, and your audience falls in love with its characters, and feels their pain, their love, and their happiness. That’s all that matters. Even though I am only a beginner and have trail blazed most of my way through this experience so far, I still need reminding to focus on the story.

Through this journey I have learned so much. A few things I had to google because I had no idea what someone was talking about. But in the words of a great English teach I had in high school, “Never ask someone to explain, but look it up yourself. You’re less likely to forget. And Jen we all know how long your attention span is.” Fortunately for me they have made a dictionary app so I have my Webster’s with me at all times.  So when those times present that someone brings up something about a beta reader, or writing a synopsis, or a flow chart, pie graph, those sorts of things. I can utilize my resources the best that I can.

Tonight I want to leave you with a simple thought, no matter what you do or where you’re at do something you love. We all have a talent to share with the world, and if you embrace it and spread the wealth it will not only benefit you but other’s as well. Change your mind and change it again. And when you find the shoe that fit’s the best, stick with it as that what will truly make you happy. 

May 27th

Happy Memorial day everyone! Today was a fun filled day for myself and the family, other than the excruciating pain on my back right now, I didn't think Floridians could still get sunburnt! Aside from that the cheeseburgers and grilled hotdogs were great, thanks to my amazing brother Billy. And the water in the pool was fabulous thanks to my sister Carey. 

For me and my sister Brandy it was just another holiday that we didn't get to share with our husbands. Oh yeah did I mention her husband is an active duty member of our armed forces as well. Talk about Navy wives sticking together! But like always we made the best of it and had a great time as always. 

Tonight I have found myself battling another writer's block. When I first started writing my novel it amazed me that I made if to 100 pages in what felt like no time at all. I literally blinked and had 45,000 words down. However the past few chapters have come along much slower. I like to refer to it at metaphorically trudging through mud. 

I have enlisted the help of some amazing people however and hopefully once I get through the brainstorming process I will be back on track. I find myself tonight at 65,000 words and not knowing where to take the next 20,000. 

However I am too stubborn to quit, so I will push through and persevere! I am still sticking to my guns on publishing by the end of the year. With the help of some amazing beta readers I hope that I can have that goal accomplished in the next few months! YAY! 

So tonight I want to leave you with this, aside from my rambling's of mindless nothing, I hope that through my blog I can inspire other's who have the same dreams as myself. I want them to know that it doesn't matter where your from or what you do for a living. You can be a world renowned painter, or Bob the plumber from down the block. If you have a story to tell, tell it. Don't be afraid that other's won't like your work because of where you're from. I mean let's be honest, I don't know half the background from my favorite authors. So please do not ever let that hinder your dreams. I grew up in a double wide trailer in the back woods of a small town. If I can do it, anyone can! I encourage you to try things and then try others and once you find the right fit, that's when you will find your happily ever after. And what a sweet sweet feeling that is! 

I hope everyone had a great holiday and I hope to see you back soon!

May 25th

Many of you close to me know that I am the wife of a Navy Sailor. Some of you that don't, well I am lol and I have been through a countless number of fis-j's and underways. Duty Day's and deployments. However it has all been worth it knowing that my husband goes to work everyday in order to protect the citizens of this great country.

The first hardest part of a Navy wife's job is watching your husband pack his rucksack the night before a deployment. You have to fight for the strength to not break down and cry all over your new 500 thread count sheets, the crying waits until you watch him walk out of the door. Full uniform, head held high, heading into a war zone. The second hardest part of a Navy wife's job is celebrating Holidays without your loved one there. When we are all having the hardest decision of whether it will be a cheeseburger or a hotdog at the family cookout. They are having to decide on which manuever is best for the situation they are in. 

However, even as tough as it gets I wouldn't trade places for anything in the world. I am so very proud of my husband and all of the members currently deployed with The USS Eisenhower Strike group, with a special shoutout to our sailors abour the CG-66 USS Hue City! 

This Memorial Day weekend do me a favor and just send up a special word for the familes of those deployed, and even more the families of those who have lost loved ones that were serving in our Armed forces. Hug your family tight and tell them you love them every chance you get because you never know when that last chance to do it might come. 

Happy Memorial Day weekend! The first hot dogs on me :) 

This post is dedicated to the family of Army Spc. Kelly Mixon of Yulee, Florida. Godspeed soldier. 

May 24th, 2013

May 24th-
Dear Diary... well I guess I shouldn't start all of these like that. It would get a bit repetitive. However in honor of my first blog post I will keep the introduction. Unfortunately I have no friggin clue what I am doing, so who the hell knows. You may not even get to read this. Makes me sad because I know in the end it will be epic.
It has officially hit me as of today that there are way too many social media sites now days. Of course, I am as nosey as they come so I now have a profile on all of them. And by all of them I mean Facebook (personal and two business pages www.facebook.com/jenniferculbrethauthor), Twitter (@jculbrethauthor, Linkedin, Goodreads, Google+ (which I also have no idea how to use still), Yahoo, Hotmail... this list could go on for an hour or so if I keep going. It is almost exhausting to feel like at any given moment someone can reach me. If ever the need to go on vacation without any sort of technology has been needed, it is now. Maybe somewhere on an island, a tropical island (not one where it snows) like the one in the sparkley vampire movie. Ahhh pause for a moment to think about the hunky shirtless werewolves, phhff who on earth would go for cold and sparkley over hunky and blazing is beyond me.
Aside from my ADD my goal tonight was to tell you a little about myself. I am a small town girl, born and raised in the back woods. I speak fluent sarcasm and can translate in snide remarks. I have been blessed to live in this small town my ENTIRE life. Aside from the brief stint in which I moved to Jacksonville, which is about twenty minutes away. However small town life has it's perks, most importantly the good gossip only takes about two neighbors and a six pack to get to (you can imagine the creative stories that have stemmed from that!) and also there is a Dairy Queen, you notice how they are only in the little small towns nowadays. Heath Blizzards are where it's at!
Anyways, after high school I actually elected to continue torturing myself with homework by going to college. I attend a very fancy University just outside of town, got my shiny new degree, hung it up in a $3.00 Wal-Mart frame and got a big girl job. I worked in banking for many years, until I met the man of my dreams. Since he happens to be my sugar daddy I no longer have to go into an office everyday. Just kidding, well about him being my sugar daddy, well kind of. He does take good care of me and I want for nothing. Except for him to come home when he has been deployed for months on end. Yep, that's right. He is a sexy hunk of a sailor that wears dress white that will make your panties want to fall off. Though you better keep your panties on ladies, you remember small town girl right... my daddy taught me how to throw a good left hook :)
After some encouragement and the need to suppress the voices bouncing around in my head, I have decided to take my writing to the streets and pursue my dream of becoming a published Author. It has been a journey so far and I have loved every minute of it. I have met some incredible people along the way. I can only hope that it will turn out to be a success, and ultimately that it will continue to be something that I love to do. Because ultimately that's what it's all about. Even our founding father's knew that much... the pursuit of happiness. Or was that a movie? Either way, I hope tonight that I can bring at least a smile to your face. And with the future's door wide open I hope to be able to let you enjoy this ride with me bringing you the good, the bad, and the funny.
Wishing you the laughing abs.
Jen :)