Out With The Old...In With The New (Test Your Sense of Humor)

Greetings Everyone!

It's that time of the year again...the eve of yet another new year...a time for reflection on the outgoing year...speculation on the incoming year...time to ruminate on New Year's resolutions and such.

In keeping with that theme, I've been doing some reflecting, speculating, ruminating, and resolving myself and I'm anxiously awaiting the start of the new year, so I can put my money where my mouth is and get to work! And before you ask, no, I'm not planning on joining a gym or committing myself to running thirty-eight miles every morning. No since in starting off a new year with flat out lies, now is there? I have, however, been compiling a list of realistic goals for myself in the coming year and I think I have a good shot at meeting them.

So here goes...my list of New Year's Resolutions, as scant as it may be. Bear with me, won't you? Rome wasn't built in a day, after all.

Terra's New Year's Resolutions

1 - To stop saying "hot mess" whenever something really is a hot mess, but the fact that its a hot mess doesn't necessarily need to be pointed out.

2 - To stop staying on Facebook until three in the morning and then blaming a power outage for making me late to work the next morning. ("What? You mean your side of town still had power? That's so unfair. Look at my pants...I couldn't even iron this morning!")

3 - To start a Facebook Addicts Group.

4 - To stop stealing my daughter's sweaters when I'm folding laundry and then accusing her of being pissed for no reason when she catches me wearing them, because it wasn't like she was really ever going to wear them in the first place.

5 - To stop telling my niece that my DVD player is on the fritz whenever she visits, just because I don't want to watch any of the thousands of animated movies she always drags along with her. There are a total of three DVD players in the house and so far I've been lucky that she doesn't seem to be all that great in math.

6 - To teach my niece how to add.

7 - To stop letting my daughter use my car when the gas tank is almost on "E" just so she'll have to fill it up.

8 - To actually buy wrapping paper for NEXT Christmas and wrap the gifts I give, instead of just pulling them out of a big bag, unwrapped, and passing them out with a curt, "Here. That's from Santa."

9 - To provide accurate driving directions when people call and say they're on their way over, but can't remember how to get to my house.

10 - To stop asking who dropped a bomb when foul bathroom smells flood a room with only three people in it...me, a coworker, and my supervisor, and I know good and well it wasn't me or my coworker.

11 - To tighten up my resume and keep it handy.

Well, folks, there you have it - 11 New Year's resolutions that are sure to make me a much better person in the long rum. I mean, run. I hope, in the process of confessing, that I've made you giggle, at least a little bit at my expense.

So...what do you think? Better yet, what are your New Year's resolutions? SHARE!

Until Next Time...

A Moment to Rant, Please? White Readers Pay Attention...

Okay, so I said I wasn't going to go there, but I just can't resist. I've been visiting fellow author Carleen Brice's brainchild blog, White Readers Meet Black Authors, and I really like what I see there. The mission is to expose White readers to Black Authors and the hope is that everyone will give Black authors' works a try. As everyone knows, the current trend is to shelve Black authors' works in a designated section in bookstores (i.e.: "African-American Interest" or "African-American Fiction"), thereby potentially reducing the likelihood that White readers who aren't prone to seek out and read books by Black authors will pick up said books. Brice's blog is a place where White readers can learn more about Black authors and their books, and, hopefully, give them a try...broaden horizons...learn something either unknown or ignored...dispel myths...bridge gaps.

Frankly, I love the concept, but I'm digressing.

Okay, so, like I was saying. I'm going to have to go there, because to not do so means I'm not being true to myself and my feelings. And I'm not putting folks on blast, the way they should be. Brice's blog has inspired me to speak out and stop quietly seething about something that has been bothering me for a hot little minute now.

For that...thanks, Carleen Brice.

Okay, so, it's like this. For nearly a decade I worked in an office environment that was fairly evenly divided, in terms of white/black demographics and my primary lunchtime eatery group consisted of white folks. Something like, "Some of my best work friends are White." LOL. Happy hours, wedding receptions, meeting of mates...we did all that (except for me, because all of my potential mates appear to be in prison, on the down-low, already hooked-up, or dead). I used to get teased about "hanging with all them White girls" by my Black work friends. You know the drill.

Like my Black work friends, my White work friends thought it was cool that I'd written a book.

But they really didn't consider me an author. I had self-published my first book, Running from Mercy, and they bought copies from the box I drove around with in my trunk. But I never got concise feedback on their reading experiences, probably because most of them hadn't bothered to read it. It was sort of like how I always bought something from coworkers who were pushing school fundraisers for their children. Who needs a five dollar plastic paperweight that's really worth about ninety-nine cents? But I bought the crap, because fundraising is a pain in the ass for everyone involved, but a necessary evil. Likewise, they bought a copy of my book and demanded that I autograph it.

But I never heard whether they liked what they read or not. Did come around the corner one day and catch a White work friend asking another White work friend (who happened to be test reading one of my other manuscripts and had mentioned something to me about a scene she'd just finished reading the night before) if "I was really that good." What the hell? Is the possibility that unlikely? I should mention, too, that she never did finish reading my manuscript, but she has since been heard commenting on books written by White authors that she's read in the interim. How 'bout that?

Pisses me off just thinking back on it, but I'm digressing again.

What I want to hit on is the fact that, all the while Running from Mercy was picked up by a traditional publisher and re-published a year later and Where There's Smoke was published a year after that, not one of those skanks came out to booksignings I had and not one of them actually purchased a copy of my damn book! But folks had the audacity to turn around and ask me if I had read 'Twilight' or some other book by a White author and then proceed to have a mini-bookclub meeting about it right then and there!

So I said one day: "Oh, you can read 'Twilight' but you can't read my book?" And, of course, there was then a five minute excuse-making session, which I rolled my eyes to ceiling all the way through and quietly seethed. The writing on the wall was clear to me. We don't really consider you a real author, for some. For others, We don't read Black books.

Now, I tried not to be offended over it, but I really am. Very much so. So I had to blog about it here...now. And, yes, I called them skanks. They know who they are.

Picture it - 2009 office 'Team Building Day', rousing game of Taboo or what-the-hell-ever the game was called, someone picks the term 'Authors' and my team has to name as many authors as they can in so many seconds. Of course, I say, "Me," and the brunette sitting next to me thinks I don't see her rolling her eyes to the ceiling like, yeah right. Everyone else thinks I don't see them pretending not to see me see her. My team gets the point, but no one cosigns with me. I let it ride, because I'm aware that my making an issue about it would've made me the official "angry Black woman" of the day.

But I am angry. Hold on a sec while I scream. Okay, I'm back. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

What is my point, you might ask?

Okay, so, my point, the reason I've gone there today, is this: Everyone should give Black authors a try! Why? Because Black readers and writers have been reading White authors' stuff forever and a day. Why else? Because it just makes sense. You might learn something you thought you knew, but really didn't. You might discover something you always wanted to know and be a better person for it.

You might just be entertained, enlightened, and educated. Aren't these reasons you pick up books in the first place?

I dare you to do it. I dare you, I dare you, I dare you! Read a 'Black' book and then come back here and tell us what you uncovered in the world of African-American Books. What? Are you chicken?

Meanwhile, I'd love to hear input from my fellow Black writers about their experiences being taken seriously.

Sound off! This ain't over...

Banned from Vegas: Separated at Birth

Have you ever been totally immersed in a story and suddenly come across a passage that gives you an eerie feeling of déjà vu? You stop and think to yourself, how does he know about that? And sometimes, you re-read it, just to confirm your suspicions. Then, you continue, only to find yourself waiting for the next hint, the next clue.

Oh, so it’s just me?

I found myself in that predicament several times while reading most of Stephen King’s early works. Don’t get it twisted. I was empathizing with one of his characters, living his or her ordinary life, when suddenly all hell would break loose. I have lost count of those moments, but somewhere down the line I’ve convinced myself that we—Stephen and I—are related. There was no other way he could write those realistic, gut wrenching, have me looking over my shoulder scenes if he hadn’t seeped into my head. Right? We had a connection.

Okay, now I’m scaring me!

I mean, how could a Black grandmother from New York, California, and finally, Georgia, be related to Mr. Stephen King?

Let’s go to the next case.

After Ace of Hearts was released, I began to hear folks compare Shevaughn, the heroine in the Deck of Cardz Series, to Alex Cross, the hero in James Patterson’s acclaimed mystery series.
Though, admittedly, Alex Cross could teach Shevaughn a thing or two.

I had read a couple of James Patterson’s early works, too. He was my method man. If I thought of an unusual way to eliminate a character, he’d come up with the same method. I stopped reading him in fear of subconsciously plagiarizing him. Then “The Women’s Club” came on and all my fears came true. Each week, he would eliminate another way for me to eliminate.

It got downright spooky. Triplets?

So, you tell me. Do you think it’s possible that we could be triplets, from another mother and father, overlooking ethnicities and gender, with some sort of eerie mysterious connection?

About Black Jack...

Black Jack is the sequel to Jean Holloway's acclaimed debut novel, Ace of Hearts. Buckle up and follow Shevaughn as she moves closer to solving the murder of a lonely widow, unknowingly rekindling old grudges and awakening a sinister spirit. Get ready, because it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

About Jean Holloway:

Jean Holloway, author of thrillers—books from her Deck of Cardz series—a fiction detective storyline following the career of a female lead homicide detective, Shevaughn Robinson. Ace of Hearts and Black Jack are currently available online and by request at your local bookstores.

Visit Deck of Cardz to learn more about Jean Holloway and her work. There, you can download the Black Jack eBook, read the synopsis, watch the book trailer - Black Jack…Wanna Play? -and more.

Banned from Vegas with Jean Holloway, is a virtual book tour organized by Nia Promotions, a marketing company that assists authors and publishers with using web-based marketing strategies to market and promote books online.


Book Giveaway:

Win a copy of Ace of Hearts by Jean Holloway! One lucky commenter here on the Official Blog-Zine of Author Terra Little will win a copy of Jean’s debut novel. All you have to do is show Jean some love by commenting on this post and letting her know that you stopped by to visit, and you'll be entered into a drawing to win! Deadline for comments is 12:00 pm EST October 14, 2009.







For more details and to enter to win one of the Reader Prizes click HERE to visit the event site!

the Chronicles - Part XIV (a): To Heck with Simon, Stein says...

Stein says that lack of early arousal on the part of authors leaves readers unsure as to whether the reading experience will be enjoyable or not. As a result, they may question their ability or desire to keep turning the pages...

What this means to me is that first sentences and/or first paragraphs need to grab readers immediately. If they don't, you run the risk of readers losing interest and dropping your book before it starts getting good. Some writers will start off slow and work up to some sort of climax a few pages or paragraphs in, but this can be risky, as readers are an impatient lot. Think about the last time you picked up a book, read the first couple of paragraphs, and then tossed it aside, because it didn't "grab" you. This is exactly what Stein is alluding to...lack of arousal.

The goal of opening paragraphs, according to Stein, should be:

(a) to spark the reader's curiosity.
(b) to introduce something.
(c) to lend depth or meaning to the story.

Does your opening sentence or paragraph do this? Consider the following opening sentences:

I wanted to strangle mother, but I'd have to touch her to do it. (Stein, 2000)

A telephone ringing in the middle of the night is not a welcome sound. (Stein, 2000)

Just as these opening sentences do, make your opening sentences and paragraphs as interesting as possible by introducing an action or event that will make readers want to know more and/or lend an element of surprise.

Now, go forth and write that first sentence or paragraph! Post some examples of your own if you're feeling brave.

This ain't over...until next time!


Source: Stein on Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies (St. Martin's Griffin Edition, January 2000)

Chronicles of a Lesser-Known Writer: Part XIV - Students Will Become Teachers (LOL)

Greetings!

As many of you may know, Sol Stein is a master editor, playwrite, author, and lecturer, among many other things. His book, STEIN ON WRITING: A MASTER EDITOR OF SOME OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL WRITERS OF OUR CENTURY SHARES HIS CRAFT TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES (St. Martin's Griffin), recently landed in my mailbox (because I ordered it) and I've dived right in. I'm a published author, but that doesn't mean I'm done learning. Not by a long shot. Honing my craft and bringing my readers joy through the words I put on pages is my goal and Mr. Stein is going to help bring me one step closer to it. Possibly two or three steps closer...

Now, I'm not all that big on non-fiction when it comes to reading for pleasure, probably because I seem to always be in school and in the midst of reading textbooks, but I'm going to read this man's book from cover to cover if it kills me.

What say you join me? What good is learning new things if you can't share what you learn with others who want or need to learn new things, too?

I thought it might be fun to blog about what I'm learning and how I might use my new knowledge as I make my way through Stein's book. Hence, the Students Will Become Teachers (LOL) Segment here on the Blog-Zine. I'm the student, Stein is the teacher, and I WILL learn, cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye. And, hopefully, you'll learn, too. Vicariously, of course.

In the interim, if you'd like to acquire your own copy of Stein On Writing (highly recommended) and follow along with me and even offer some commentary, please feel free to do so! We're not re-inventing the wheel here, just riding along with Stein as he drives the car...

Stay tuned for the first installment in the series.

This ain't over...

Back to Basics...

Greetings!

It's been quite a while since I've slowed down enough to check in with myself and reflect on something long enough to create a blog post. Shame on me! But, to tell you the truth, there are simply not enough hours in the day. Twenty-four hours aren't enough to get everything you need to get done, done, before the sun comes up and the rat race starts all over again. And don't even get me started on the speed of weekend days... (insert long-suffering sigh here)

I've been neglectful, and I want to go on the record right now as saying, "Sorry." Not much consolation, I know, but I do have some good news.

(drumroll, please)

I landed a new job.

You're probably thinking: "Okay, what's the big deal?"

Well, the big deal is that, for the past year and a half or so, I've been working toward making a career change - from corrections to education - and I finally did it. I'm excited to be entering a career field with so much promise and potential, and one that will constantly challenge me to stretch myself in all different directions. I'm practically salivating at the prospect of lesson planning centered on reading comprehension, appreciation, and literary analysis, and I can't wait to bring it to students in fresh, creative ways.

Aside from a six-month stint as a substitute teacher years ago, this will be my initial foray into the classroom, so wish me luck. I'll keep you updated on how things go...probably create a "Hello? Are You There God? It's Me, Terra" thread here on the Blog-Zine, so we can all benefit from my tomfoolery as I'm hazed by students skilled in the art of new teacher initiation.

Promise not to laugh too hard? We shall see.

This ain't over...

Chante's Song by Donneil D. Jackson

Escape Into Pure Bliss with Chante’s Song, the debut novel by Donneil D. Jackson. The boundaries of love are tested when a woman must choose between the man she loves and the man that loves her.

Get to know Jason McGee, one of the leading characters in Chante’s Song by Donneil D. Jackson.

About Jason McGee

Jason McGee is the type of man that makes you want to drop your panties at first sight. He’s the perfect shade of brown - solid chocolate - and his hair has waves that would make you seasick. He is sexy and successful. Handsome. His swagger draws the ladies to him and the fact that he’s the owner of Jason’s World Productions entices the groupies even more. He has the ability to make you a star if he wants to and he uses it to his advantage. In his heart, he cares for Chante, so he gives her his American Express Black card to show his love, but lustful desires rule him.

Excerpt from Chante’s Song

“Chante, hold that elevator,” Jason screamed, coming toward the closing doors.

“Okay.” I smiled and pressed the close door button.

“You’re pressing the wrong button,” a blond haired, blue-eyed black girl said as she stuck her arm out in the path of the closing doors.

“Thanks.” Jackass. Who in the hell said I wanted to be in an elevator with Jason. I was avoiding him at all costs. I must admit it; February was almost over and I was doing well.

The blond haired blue-eyed floozy got off the elevator on the tenth floor, which left Jason and I alone. The last thing I wanted was to be alone with Jason. Damn sure not for a ride up twenty-six flights. I was not strong enough yet. My main purpose for avoiding him was I could not guarantee that my panties would not come down or make their way over to the side. I looked him over. He looked good. Smelled good. He was smiling at me.

“Why have you been avoiding Daddy?”

“Jason, leave me alone.” I stood in my corner of the elevator. My eyes never looked in his direction.

“Did you enjoy your twelve days of Christmas?”

“I gave it away,” I mumbled.

“Why did you do that?” He came closer.

“Didn’t want it.” I slid over.

“Looks like you kept one thing.” Jason pushed my hair behind my ear to admire the diamond earring I was wearing. “On Christmas, I came by your place. Franklin said you weren’t there.”

“I wasn’t.” I kept a few of the gifts. I gave my mother a beautiful cashmere wrap, Kayla a necklace with a charm, and Keia a pair of diamond studs. The rest I kept.

“I tried to spend New Year’s Eve with you.” He massaged my neck. “Bought tickets to the Black and White Ball. ...”

“Did they really?” I removed his hand.

Jason caught a good view of the rock gracing my ring finger.

“Oh, this is why you haven’t been returning my calls. Or why I haven’t really seen you since that night at the hotel. This also explains why you sent my shit back and why you weren’t home on Christmas. You’re about to marry some dude? … Who is he?”

“Jason, does it matter who he is?” I faced him. “You’re not going to marry me. You’re not going to give me what I need in a man.” I would have given up all of my platinum, Prada, and Keith if he said he would.

Jason trapped me in the elevator by pulling the stop button. I was slightly frightened. I balled my fist up and clutched my bag with my other hand. If he wanted a fight, I was going to beat his ass with the Dior bag Kayla bought me for Christmas. In between swinging this bag, punches would be thrown. Better yet, I could do more damage if I took my boots off and hit him with the heel. Steadily, I watched him to see his next move.

Why didn’t I mush his head away? I couldn’t. Why didn’t I move away? I was frozen. Why didn’t I say no, stop, Jason? I was mute. Why had I given the palace guard the day off? ... I was not going to do it. Instead, I was going to just stand there and continue to let Jason …

(pg 117-118)

Don’t miss anything…

Click here to view the links and details for both past and future stops. Purchase copies of Chante’s Song at the promotional rate through May 31, 2009. Visit www.pureblisspublishing.com.

This event is brought to you by Nia Promotions. For details visit www.niapromotions.com.

10 Good Reasons to Stop Listening to Mama and Them...

...when it comes to getting constructive feedback about your manuscript.

How many times have you heard an aspiring author say how good Mama and Them think their manuscript is? How Mama and Them have told everybody they know about the manuscript and now half the town is eagerly anticipating the book's upcoming release? Straight from Mama's and Them's hands to a would-be publisher or literary agent, the manuscript goes, and the aspiring author will kick off their shoes and fight you like you stole something if you dare suggest that it might not end up on somebody's bestseller list. Mama and them said the manuscript was a work of art, and so it is.

Then you get your hot little hands on the manuscript, thinking that you're about to be reading late into the night, and you discover that it's a complete, hot mess.

Hmph.

Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with letting Mama and Them take a look at your masterpiece, but they might not necessarily be the most critical and objective sources for feedback. In fact, it's probably safe to bet the farm on the fact that they're not. Why? Because they love you. Chances are they're so proud of the fact that you "wrote a book" that it doesn't even matter what it's about or if it sucks.

Of course, you don't think it sucks, because you wrote it, and we both know you're not objectively critical of your own work. Who expects you to be? Certainly not me. But you can't seriously think that passing off your manuscript to Mama and Them for evaluation and editing tips suffices as a serious editorial review, can you?

I hope not, because following are 10 good reasons to stop listening to Mama and Them when it comes to getting constructive feedback about your manuscript. They have been verified for accuracy and cross-referenced for scientific validity, for your protection.

1. There is no such thing as the word "mines", unless, of course, you're referencing, for example, coal mines or salt mines. If Mama wants to know who took her brush, because, "it was mines," then you probably shouldn't hand her a pen and your manuscript and tell her to have it.

2. Anyone who breastfed you and wiped your stinky butt is not prepared to tell you not to quit your day job.

3. If you promise to buy Mama a Jaguar and Thems' kids some school clothes when you get your first big advance check, you will almost always hear what you want to hear.

4. Contrary to popular belief, Mama doesn't know everything. If she did, she'd know to tell you to have your work professionally edited. And she wouldn't have been busting up in your school wearing hair rollers and no bra back in the day.

5. Free is NOT always better. It's just cheaper.

6. If Mama and Them have never enjoyed reading for pleasure before now, your manuscript might be their first voluntary foray into the literary world. They might not even read it...might just tell you they did.

7. Is Pookie in jail still? If so, let him concentrate on getting out, would you?

8. Everybody has a story to tell, but not everyone is a writer. Which one are you? And don't ask Mama, because she doesn't know! See #4 if you need a gentle reminder of this fact.

9. If you stopped running around with that one dude so you could sit down and write a book, and Mama and Them hated him, then count on a stellar review straight out of the gate. Anything to get him gone...

10. Mama and them just don't want to hurt your feelings.

BONUS: Punctuation marks belong inside of quotation marks. If Mama and Them don't know that, then you're in trouble. And don't even think about pointing out to me that a punctuation mark is outside of quotation marks somewhere up above, either. This isn't about me, it's about you, so don't try to get off the subject.

If you're serious about your craft, then take it seriously from beginning to end. Nothing takes the place of professional editing, except maybe chocolate cake.

Okay, so, now that we've gotten that out of the way... Feel free to add your own "Stop Listening to Mama and Them" tips to the list via the 'comments' box. I'll go you one better - the funniest tip earns an autographed copy of Where There's Smoke!

I Guess I Suck At Twitter

Hi All,

You know I should be in bed by now, because I do have work in the morning. But you know how I am...like a vampire...so I'm not the least bit sleepy. And I can't decide if I'm "irked" or not, which doesn't help with falling into peaceful slumber. So I thought maybe you guys could help me out with this.

So I'm on Twitter, you know, the social networking site or whatever. I'd just finished a pretty hyped interview with L. Martin Johnson Pratt from Urban Literary Review and I was still licking my wounds, so to speak. So I post on Twitter, ask a rhetorical question about why the host made me "take him there." Seriously, me and the host got into a delicious little light-hearted debate over the sexes, but I'm digressing.

Anywho, next thing I know, a general post from a guy asks, "Have you seen the movie 'All About You?'" Then a woman feels the need - suddenly - to post a link to an article about social networking etiquette. Now, most of you might not know this, but I'm a conspiracy theorist. So I start wondering if these posts are meant to give me some sort of hint. Then I get pissed...

True, I've only just recently joined the Twitter community and, true, I've only posted something like 15 updates, mostly because I never have all that much to post about, but still. Someone suggested to me that I post about general, everyday stuff that I'm doing and my response to them was: "Who wants to hear about me doing laundry or watching Cosby Show reruns on Dish TV?" Nonetheless, I suck it up and post a few times about, you guessed it, doing laundry and something or other about a television show or two. Nothing. No responses and I think, "See, I knew no one would care about that stuff anymore than I do." I myself was struggling to stay awake while I was posting it, so what did I expect?

I visit Twitter two or three times a week, to see what everyone else is talking about, and I really do marvel at how much folks have to Twitter about. It's almost like talking on the telephone, in a way, because people are sharing tidbits about television shows, political views, articles, and so on. It appears that they've been going strong for awhile and haven't just started exchanging 160 character "tweets" yesterday. In fact, it's almost like starting at a new school halfway through the school year.

You know what I'm talking about. Halfway through the school year, acquaintances have already been made and here you are strolling through the halls, hoping that someone says something to you, so you can say something back and, pray God, have someone to sit next to at lunch. What's the first thing you do when you do finally meet someone? Get acquainted, I think. Something like this...

You: Who the hell are you and why are you here?
Me: Well, I heard about this site and I decided to join so I could increase my exposure to the world and meet new people in the process. Visit my website when you have a minute, won't you? Who are you?
You: I'm Jane Doe and I have a photography business. You should visit my website, too.
Me: Okay, will do. (Someday, when I can afford to have some professional pictures taken, I'm thinking I might just call Jane.)

Another time...

Me: Yo, yo, yo, tweeps, I'll be doing an interview with John Doe. If you'd like, listen in. Oh, and I just switched over to U-Verse TV and I love it so far.
You: I'll try to listen to the interview after Law & Order goes off.
Me: Thanks! I like Law & Order, too.

Another time...

Well, you get the point. Which, if I need to clarify, is to say that, by this point, I feel like I'm twittering fairly decently, to be new at it and all. Apparently, I'm not though. Because if I post something inconsequential and no one responds, I shut up. Can't even be "irked" about it, either. And I don't want to just jump into the middle of someone's exchange with someone else, not exactly knowing what they're discussing, how the discussion came about, and why. I have done it though, which is how I was invited to do the interview in the first place - me inquiring about a post someone wrote to someone else about advertising opportunities and rates. And, yes, I have visited suggested websites and even added a few to my blogroll (got a request to add a new url to my blogroll out now to a fellow "tweet" that hasn't been responded to, by the way. I really like the look and feel of the site and I'm looking forward to adding it, so I hope the webmaster gives me the go. And I didn't even request a reciprocal link, so there.) Once, I even responded in a about a half page email to someone's question about how to sign-up and why they should. So, you see, I do occassionally discuss something other than myself, with someone other than myself. Do it here on my blog, too, every now and again.

Tonight, right after the "All About You" question post and the timely social networking etiquette article post, I said to myself, "Self, why not add a few more posts tonight?" So I do, I respond to someone's book suggestion; I respond to someone's mention of my and their favorite TV show; I inquire about Mr. All About You's books; I visit a few profiles to see how a conversation started and get a little lost on where I can hop in, so I don't; and I send a direct message that wasn't responded to. Twice.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not in the least bit angry or even "irked" about not getting responses. What I am is a teensy bit "irked" about being chastised. If, in fact, I was. I'm not 100% certain. This is where I need your input.

This is my theory... Sites like Twitter bring people from all over the world together, to network...socially. You can't for one minute believe that BigTime Publisher has a Twitter presence just because they want to discuss Barack Obama, can you? Should I really use Twitter to tell the world that I ran out of Tide with Bleach before I could finish my whites? I get on Twitter and I say, "I made some much needed updates to my website. Check them out and let me know what you think." That's probably about the most exciting thing I have to share at the time, so I share it. Get on there and post my favorite quote (got that idea from John Kremer's 50 Things to Tweet About, don'tcha know).

I'm telling you now, I have every intention of diversifying my "tweets" as I can think of new stuff to tweet about, useful stuff to share, and ways to integrate more of Kremer's ideas. But I just do not appreciate being chastised about my Twitter use by folks who don't own one skinny stock in Twitter. Not when it's followed up with a tweet about a seminar they're doing in the next post. You knew you were going to "tweet" that when you logged on 10 hours ago and started posting about the temperature of the rain forest in Guatemala, now didn't you? Maybe your strategy for increasing your business is a little more savvy than mine and I can't hate the playa or the game for that, but I'm learning. First thing people say to you about Twitter: "Sign up for Twitter so you can reach more people and tell them about your product." Do it, though, and get an "All About You" post in response.

I guess I really do need to go to bed, because my thought and post in response to that question was initially: "No, what is the movie about? Is it new?" Silly me. Now I'm thinking, "No, I haven't heard of that movie. But have you heard of the movie, "Kiss My Foxy Brown?" I wrote it, directed it, and starred in it.

Disclaimer: If the post really wasn't aimed at me and the question was genuine, then I apologize. And if the post about social networking etiquette was coincidental, then I apologize. But, if they weren't accidental, then I call take-backsies.

That being said, here's the freaking interview that started it all. Help yourself to a listen if you'd like. If you would not like, well, I still like your shoes. I will not take it upon myself to chastise you (publicly, at that, and in a slightly self-amusing way) for not doing so.

Another Disclaimer: Twitter "unfollow" requests may follow.

2,000+ subscribers right here, right now...Talk to me, people. Tell me I'm being paranoid.

Without further ado...the flipping interview...Can you tell I'm a conspiracy theorist?

Have You Heard? "Real Talk" with Tina Brooks McKinney

Hi, everyone! Here's hoping that this post finds you in good health and spirits!

I wanted to extend a personal invitation to you and you and you, to join me tomorrow - Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. - on BlogTalkRadio as I throw myself on the mercy of the one and only Tina Brooks McKinney for some Real Talk. We'll be discussing my latest release, Where There's Smoke (Jan 2009), and I'll be spilling my guts as only I know how to spill.

So dial in at 646-595-4022 and hear us out.

If you've read Where There's Smoke, here's your chance to have some of your questions answered. If you're thinking of reading it, here's your chance to be convinced that you'll love it. And if you just like the sensation of other folks being on the hot seat, I'm your girl.

Hope to "hear" you there!