A Different Social Media

For a while now I have been completely fed up with Facebook. I don't post here enough. I don't write enough. I don't do anything enough. Yet, when I'm not working, feeling sick, or sleeping, I stare at this electronic monster that eats my life, weakens my mind, and swallows my soul. I hate it, but I don't hate Social Media. I know there is a beauty behind it. I used to think Twitter was the way, until they started cracking down on the ideas of speech. I mean, when the platform founded on the ideas of free speech says they have grown past it (yes I'm over simplifying because I don't want to look up the quote) I lose faith in the platform. It still has its place and uses, but man, what a let down.

I started looking around at the alternatives, some of the new things coming out looked great. Some of them looked really great for artists! Then strangeness occurred. I was going to go into some details here, but I won't. Let's leave it at this. What I found is a few different places that aren't right. Places that don't live up to the hype, or places where those banned from Twitter congregate. In one case, I hope they evolve. In the other, I'm amazed that we now have two echo chambers fueling opposite sides. It is terrifying and counterproductive.

I didn't start this to bash what is out there though. Except maybe Facebook, because man am I miserable there. Aren't you? Never seeing the posts you want to see? Having ads for things you hate, don't want and don't need shoved down your throat, but not knowing what the people on your friends list are up to? I'm not saying I'm leaving it, not yet, but I'm spending less time there.

There has to be a better way.

And there is.

Come join me on Minds. I'm not sure if this link will automatically follow me. If not, follow PatrickElliottWrites and boom. There are a lot of great things about this place. Most of them you can discover for yourself. Your posts reach all of your followers. You earn points that you can use to boosts your posts to others. You can follow things you like. You can monetize your channel, so if you're an artist you can make some of your posts pay to view, if you want. I haven't done that yet, but I will probably do it in the future, maybe I'll go with Patreon instead, maybe both. Oh, and if you're not a dinosaur like me. They are launching a cryptocurrency in the first quarter of next year. So, lots of good stuff. The best part? I'm there, and I'm a badass. So, join me.

https://www.minds.com/register?referrer=PatrickElliottWrites

#minds #artists #author #socialcommentary #socialmedia #revolution

Me Posting Football?

I know, hard to believe, but this is one of those amazing #Awethors I am always on about. Even someone like me, who gave up on football in the nineties, has to admit this has enough action to make it interesting again.

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Now that #Superbowl50 is over, curl up with the players of the Steinger Football League
Meet #TobeyFine Free Feb 9-11
Download now☛ http://amzn.to/1naewVr
#football #sports #romance #Palessa

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Rocky Rochford brings you The Eye of Mares.

Rocky Rochford brings you The Eye of Mares.

Friend and fellow Author, Rocky Rochford just released the next book in his awesome fantasy 
series, The Rise Of The Elohim Chronicles. The new novel, The Eye of Mares continues the struggle between the forces of good and evil. Readers who love talking animals, magic,epic battles and heroic struggles will love this.
Rocky is burning it up on a blog tour, sharing a little of The Eye Of Mares with his readers. It is my great privilege to bring you part 19 of this amazing new book. We could wish Rocky luck with this new addition, but let's all just go buy it instead. Happy Reading everyone!

The Eye of Mares – Part 19

          …his one-on-one sessions with Zach. 

          The sparring lessons had started around three years previously when Zach, Mako 

and Izal learned Kazza was another Child of Tormenta. 

          Zach immediately took great interest in Kazza and devoted a lot of his own time and 

attention to training him personally. An act Mako was most pleased with, as it was an 

opportunity to see Zach pass on the very things he had learned from Mako. 

          With all the time the two spent together, almost as much as Zach spent with Jasmine, 

Kazza soon grew to become the second most talented student on the entire island. He was 

rapidly approaching Zach’s level of skill.  

          “I’m glad you two continue to spend time together. It is a vital part of your training, but 

now is the time to see what you have learned mentally, as another of your exams beckons,” 

Mako replied happily, before he called out for the other two students. “Davidos! Jason! 

Come!” 

          “Master,” both boys cried in unison, as they bowed their heads respectfully and tied 

their wooden weapons to their belts. 

          “Well, that’s three of you. Where are Damien and his gang-fellows?” Mako inquired, 

just as the quartet of boys came running over, but not from the direction of the academy, but 

the forest. 

          “Good morning, boys,” Mako greeted, as the newly arrived boys, panted heavily. 

          “Morning master,” Damien and his contingent replied, panting. 

          “You came from the forest. We shall talk about your presence there later on, but for 

now, an exam awaits you all.” 

          Neither of the boys bothered to say anything. Instead they followed Mako to the 

academy in complete silence. They shuffled into the classroom one at a time and took their 

seats, ready to get the exam underway.

Eye Of Mares Buy Link

Time for the Lost Cover Reveal

So I had this whole intricate plan for using the format this wonderful author had set up for her #coverreveal but the blog is not playing nice. Instead I will give you a link.

Go check out an amazing #Awethor and see what she is up to. This is one of the best covers I have seen. i know they say not to judge a book by its cover but... let's face it... we all do it.

https://chessdesalls.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/time-for-the-lost-cover-reveal/

If nothing else you will get to check out an author who is much prettier than me. So, go now!

Marnie Cate's Relaunch

Remember: Protectors of the Elemental Magic

To celebrate the relaunch of Marnie Cate's beloved first novel, Remember:

Protectors of the Elemental Magic,  it will be available on Kindle for $0.99 / £0.99

beginning  October 29, 2015 through November 4, 2015

Author: Marnie Cate

Title: Remember: Protectors of the Elemental Magic

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Synopsis

Hiding the truth from you is no longer protecting you. Sit and I will tell you what you

need to know.

With those words, the secrets of my great grandmother, Genevieve Silver, were

unburied and my role as a protector of the elemental magic was revealed.

My name is Marina Addisyn Stone but Mara is what my friends and family call me.

I had always felt that there was something missing and that nothing was permanent.

Why would I feel that way?  I was being raised with my little sister by my

grandmother that loved and doted on me. Then, there was Cole Sands. Who could

forget the blue-eyed boy that had stolen my heart? What more could a girl need?  I

always thought I was just being dramatic and that bad things do happen to people

but that is part of life.  People die.  People go away. Little did I know that with one

secret, my life would change forever and my new world would be surrounded by the

world of elemental magic?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I felt my determination build, the mirror in front of me began to change and the

reflection filled with rippling water. The image made me think of the choppy water of

Sparrow Lake. At first, the small waves were calm but the speed and intensity of

each movement of the water grew. I found myself being splashed as the waves grew

harder and began to slap against the mirror. Standing up, I moved away just in time

to watch the mirror before me shatter and the violent water burst out towards me.

The room began to fill with rushing water. Feeling around the room, I searched for

an exit. Behind the shattered mirror, I only found solid rock. Looking to the ceiling, I

could see the same hard stone. Feeling the emotions build inside me, I began

search the floor and walls around me for any exit.

"Damn! Damn! Damn it!" I cried.

The water did not slow. Instead it continued to fill the room as I frantically

searched for my escape. The water soon reached my knees and, what seemed like

seconds later, I was wading through waist high water. As the water continued to rise,

I was soon struggling to keep my head above water. It was not enough that the water

was filling the room so rapidly but soon the water felt alive. The cold waves kept

tossing me back and forth as the water rose and I began to feel like I was in a game

of Ping-Pong where I was the ball. Soon, I found myself pulled under the icy water

and surrounded by thousands of bubbles. Frantically kicking my feet to keep my

head above water, I broke the surface.

Remembering the swimming lessons my grandfather insisted on, I thought about

the times I spent with my grandfather learning to swim. I began to feel less scared as

I recalled his calm voice and gentle words telling me that I would be safe. As I floated

in the rising water, it seemed to respond to my emotions. The thrashing became

calmer as I focused on my grandfather’s words. My brief moment of peace did not

last. Before I knew it, I had almost reached the ceiling that had no exit and I began to

panic. At this rate, I would be trapped and drowned in minutes. As if it was feeding

off my fear, the water began to toss me around again.

As the water began to rise up my neck and almost over the top of my head, I tried

to calm myself. You are the granddaughter of Mae Veracor and the great

granddaughter of Genevieve Silver. You are the descendent of strong women. You

have nothing to fear. With these words, the water once again calmed and I was able

to tilt my head back above the water. How am I going to get out of this?

Remember: Protectors of the Elemental Magic is on sale $0.99 / £0.99 Kindle

from Thursday, October 29th to Wednesday, November 4th!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amazon Book link: My Book

Marnie Cate Biography

Marnie Cate was born and raised in Montana before adventuring to the warmer

states of Arizona and California. Her love of Dame Judi Dench and dreams of

caticorns and rainbows inspired her to chase her dreams. One great sentence came

to mind and the world of elemental magic and the humans they lived amongst filled

her mind. With Remember, the story has begun.

Other Works by Marnie Cate

Exigency: Protectors of the Elemental Magic – Coming Soon

The story of Mara Stone continues.  Her world was shaken but she is a fighter.

Facing new adversaries, Mara is learning what it truly means to protect the magic.

Awethology Light – Contribution Story

Beginnings: Protectors of the Elemental Magic (Novellette)

The story of Genevieve Silver and the origins of the protectors of the magic. With the

balance of the elemental world shaken, four elementals take on the task of protecting

the magic.

www.marniecate.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarnieCate

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00UJNT7J8

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Marnie_Cate

Twitter: @Marnie_Cate


#Awethors #novel #writers #bookrelease

Cover Reveal for The Phoenix Project by D.M. Cain

It’s here! Dark, gritty psychological thriller The Phoenix Project undergoes a makeover in the

brand new Booktrope edition. Completely re-edited and re-designed, don’t miss this

stunning cover by the talented Amalia Chitulescu.

The book will be available to buy soon from a wide range of digital and paperback

distributors.

Author: D.M. Cain

Title: The Phoenix Project

Genre: Psychological thriller/Dark thriller/Dystopian

Book Content: Occasional adult language, graphic violence, and mild sexual content.

Original Cover Design from the first edition:

Synopsis:

How can you fight to the death, when you’ve given up on life?

A thought provoking and compelling dystopian world that will change the way you view

justice...

A man fights for life—and redemption—in D. M. Cain’s riveting re-released novel, The

Phoenix Project.

Britain has descended into chaos as violence and terrorist attacks seethe across this once-

peaceful country. Outraged by the steady stream of lawlessness, citizens demand a harsher

penal system, and the Phoenix Project is born.

In prisons across the country, inmates fight to the death in a weekly bloodbath while the

nation cheers them on.

Raven Kennedy, a prisoner who has never forgiven himself for his unspeakable crime,

struggles against his own guilt and self-loathing. But even as the real war wages on within

himself, Raven is forced to battle some of the prison’s most ruthless killing machines. Can he

survive long enough to unravel the anger and regret that shackle him—and one day find the

forgiveness he seeks?

‘The Phoenix Project by D.M. Cain is a superbly written debut, soaked in tension and

intrigue,’ Jack Croxall, author of the ‘Tethers’ trilogy.

D.M. Cain Biography

D.M. Cain is a dystopian and fantasy author working for US publisher Booktrope. She has

released two full length novels: The Phoenix Project - a psychological thriller set in a

dystopian future, and A Chronicle of Chaos – the first in a dark fantasy series. She is

currently working on the next novel in the series – 'The Shield of Soren' and a novella to

accompany it.

D.M. Cain is also a member of the International Thriller Writers and is one of the creators

and administrators of the online author group #Awethors.

Cain lives in Leicestershire, UK with her husband and young son, and spends her time

reading, writing and reviewing books, playing RPGs and listening to symphonic metal.

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMCainauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DMCain84

Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/XevZH

Website: www.dmcain84.com

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+DMCain/posts

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7888430.D_M_Cain

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzt_E8st1pyfkoTiA4E5jNg

Check Out Margaret Daly

Check out Margaret Daly. An awesome person, a fellow author and #Awethor. Links to her site are listed below and I will shortly be listing one of them in the links at the right of the page. Check out her blog for inspiration on both life and writing.

What's more? She has links where you can buy many fine books, mine included. These are physical copy books so you have to be old school or hard core, like me, to purchase from this site. Go, check it out, spread the love. Buy some of her books for yourself and do your Christmas shopping very early this year. Do it now!

Margaret's Website and Book Store - http://dusgadh.weebly.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Margaret's Book Blog - http://dusgadh.weebly.com/my-book-blog
Margaret's Blog - http://dusgadh.weebly.com/just-a-blog



#authors #writers #thoughts #novel #shamelessselfpromotion

Author Interview

So if you ever think I don't do enough about how and why I write on this blog... Well I did it on someone else's blog I guess. Go check out my author interview with the wonderful and amazing Christie Stratos. You can find it here http://www.proofpositivepro.com/authors-2/author-chat-patrick-elliott/ and if you still haven't, once you're done go buy the book.




#interview #amwriting#writers #authors #mondayblogs #bynr #books #novel #shamelessselfpromotion

Spotlighting

So I met this author on Google+. She does an author spotlight every Friday and is just kind of all around awesome as a person. In the sense of turn about is fair play, and well because I'm in her spotlight this week I will share the link.

Hit the site up, buy one of her books. Go back every Friday and learn about a new author in a broad range of writing styles.

http://www.nattiekai.com/

#aboutme #authors #novel #shamelessselfpromotion #thoughts #writers

Semi Random Thought

So I was out walking tonight and almost got hit by a van as I was crossing the street. The van was turning and behind me and no I wasn't texting and walking... at that point. As I start to back up the driver is waving at me frantically to cross. I finally did but I was wondering what kind of crazy person I was to walk in front of a vehicle that had just come close to running me over.

That got me thinking about why I walk. It started it as a way of continuing to lose weight but I keep doing it for the creative process. I walk and listen to a random Pandora station. Okay, not random, it's normally the one with the female led rock bands. But I keep doing it even on days I don't want to.

I got the inspiration from The Artist's Way. Losing the rest of the stomach I can live without if I have to, but losing the creative voice? Hell no. Seriously, if you are a creative person at all, no matter the medium, pick up that book. It is an eight week course and well worth it. Everyone I have introduced to it has thanked me profusely. It is also part of what finally got me off my ass to go publish something.

Hey, look at that. Promotion for something else. What is my world coming to?






#aboutme #artists #authors #author #commentary #thoughts #writer #writers #writing #theartistsway

On Writers

So one of my big things is hanging out on Writer's Digest and doing their weekly writing prompts. It is an amazing community. One of the folks there got down on themselves and I had to write a response. This might tell you the way I think of my art. And oh yeah... since I haven't said it in this post buy my book.

Thank you (name deleted to protect the innocent). I aim to please, well mostly I just aim to let the stories out of my head, but pleasing and someday making money with this are close seconds. I am sorry I have not commented on your story. I read and enjoyed it. I have found that my life is swallowing much of my writing and this forum, as much as I love it, was eating more time than I intended. I have had to pull back a bit. However you should never feel inferior. You are good and you write stories that touch and teach. If you see something or someone you consider good or great then aspiration is wonderful but you should never feel inferior.

Those of us who do this have it hard enough with the judgments of the world. From the moment we hear “But what do you really want to do?” or “How will you pay the bills while you see if it works out?” we know we are different and it is implied that we are lesser, because stories don’t pay the bills, and don’t build societies. Then we here from painters, actors, and other artists that writing isn’t real art and we know even in our tribe we are the outsiders who are looked down on. Well you know what? Storytelling has built society, it brings joy, intelligence, peace, and greatness to the world and it has been around longer than those careers that are now considered viable and will be here when something new has crushed those paths underfoot and moved on. The world makes us feel inferior enough, never do that to yourself. Know that you are great and aspire to be even better. Because you are, and you can be but so can the rest of us. I refuse to feel inferior when I read something by one of the giants. I just realize I’ve got a big task ahead of me to fill those shoes. Please know that you are brave and amazing and helping to build a better world.

Okay. There came my soapbox. Maybe commenting on too little sleep and a few adult beverages is not the best idea in the world, but I meant every word of it. I am glad you found it again and hope you stick with it. I have gone on and off. I never completely lost it but would set it aside for “real life” from time to time. Never give up now that you’re back though. My own story is I have three completed novels and another one that I’m working on. Not because they have been rejected multiple times, but because I have been afraid to put them out there. So I think losing the path is more respectable than seeing it and being afraid to walk it. But we’re both making up for lost time.

#writers #commentary #thoughts #authors #artists #outsider #soapbox