Tag: facebook

Boosting that post!

Book lovers are so cool!

On my Facebook author page I posted a piece, with photo, about my huge bookshelf hubby built for me, and mentioned I am soon needing another one for a different wall. Then I boosted it to my standard audience.

Well…the response has been amazing to say the least.

As of now over 4500 people have seen it, over 400 reacted, with dozens of comments and shares. I feel like I got a big ole hug from an international audience. Fantastic feeling!

There are plenty of book lovers out there who appreciate my collection and the room my hubby has set up for me. It has comfy seating, plants in front of the window, a shelf of memorabilia of my beloved late father, and displayed photos of my precious children, my grandson, and other family members. Its a cool space.

It was a thrill to hear from others about collections of books and how they love their books. One fun thing were the readers who noticed Cleo sitting on the love seat in the photo. I even had a women in the UK who offered me some books from 3000 her parents left her! How cool is that?!

With the increase in digital book purchases (I admit I am one of those, too) I feel the real thing is getting left behind unless true book lovers and collectors like myself make sure to keep a library. The joy I feel when I look at my books, re-read a favorite author, share a special part from one of them with someone, or open my glass cabinet with my very old tomes and sniff the air inside, is immeasurable and gives me comfort. Those books have inspired me, they’ve provided character names and locales for a story. They have provided necessary historical data so my stories are accurate no matter who would peruse them.

I love to share the special finds I’ve made at used book sales or used book stores (I love how those places smell!) because you never know what might have been left inside a favored copy of essays or poems. I once found a clipping of review of the book I bought written in the 1930’s, and I found a photo from the end of war in the Pacific in a used World War II historical atlas.

Take a moment and look at the post. I would love to know your impressions my fine followers!

Cheers!

-N

https://www.facebook.com/NancyTurnerVaughn

Time for a website-I think

Been doing lots of research into the best way to present myself online and it seems clear I am ready for a website. Cool huh? It’s about time to stop relying on Facebook so much (I’m pretty much over FB anyway.)  My Twitter page is building nicely, and I know if I continue with Facebook it will be my author page only, which I have linked to my other social media.

Here’s my dilemma: I know nothing about setting up a website to give book updates, give readers a place to shop, and getting a mailing list going. How do I get my domain name, what is a reasonable price, and should I hire someone to do this or is it a matter of reading “Setting Up A Website For Dummies” book?

Oh jeez!

I would love to hear how others made it happen successfully. There are so many options that come up in a Google search, but personal experience seems to be easiest for me to find the best workable tips that I can adapt.

So all you writers/authors out there with successful websites I covet your input.

Cheers!

-N

 

A word of advice

GREETINGS BLOGGERVERSE!

I asked people on Facebook to write down something they would tell their young self if they had the opportunity.  I received some interesting responses. Here they are:

Matt Moses where should i start….

Chelsea Vaughn Don’t even think about boys until you’re older.

Penny Hilde Do you mean now or if we could go back in time? If I could go back in time there are many things but one things would be to stay in shape!

Beth Kellar Listen to your dad!

April Starr God first, stick with my plan I had my senior year – I had completely done things backwards from what I had actually wanted. Take care of me FIRST

Stephen Fiscella Not to worry about the things I did. I look back now and think what the hell.

Mary Wingfield How young are we talking here?

       Nancy Vaughn Say 10-12 years old.

      Mary  Wingfield Don’t be shy.

Bobbie Herzog Go to class your freshman year. 🎓;)

Rachel Hanson Calm down. It will be okay.

        Rachel Hanson Or maybe just this: Shut up. Seriously. Don’t talk so much. Listen more.

Serena Main You writing another book!? Please!

      Nancy  Vaughn 2nd book should be out this month. Working on the cover right now.

      Serena Main I have photoshop, let me know if you need any help! 😉

Niki Holliman Think I would say always tell your family how much you love them.

Nikki Bedwell Forgive quickly. And often.

Rebecca Gayle Spend more time with your grandparents and write down their stories

Darlene Waldrom Trust in God. He will give you a good life.

Melissa Vaughn Don’t be afraid to step out in faith. The safe option is not always the best option.

Dawn Palmquist Be stronger, confident & recognize my self-worth!!

Kathleen Hill Stand your ground no matter what.

Nancy Vaughn These comments are so great! I may put them in a blog!

What advice would you give your ten year old self?

Cheers!

-N

Feeling insecure

I’ve been having second thoughts about Facebook and the security of my online connection. My phone is requiring I install Messenger even if I am logged in through the internet. When I looked at the permissions it requires to run it made me extremely nervous. I don’t have to have it yet on my laptop to use it.

I have a FB friend who had been off and then came back claiming she had been hacked. Earlier I had received a friend request from her that surprised me yet I accepted it, and now I have received instant messages from this person very late in the evening. It isn’t clear to me if it is her hijacked account. The messages are vague and one or two words. I was suspicious. Is this the hacker or my friend?

I hate when it feels as though technology runs my life.

Chuck and I rescued a hummingbird! It had somehow fallen into our fish pond and Chuck found it floating on the surface. Not knowing how long it had been there he picked it up thinking it was drowned, but its body twitched. We brought it inside and using a 1ml syringe we started trying to get it to drink some sugar water. It took a while but I noticed it open its beak, then its tongue flicked out several times and it started drinking. It opened one eye, then the next and started trying to move its wings. Suddenly it flew up and away, while we chased it to keep it from the ceiling fans. That was pretty funny seeing Chuck moving, hands in the air, chasing a wee hummingbird. It did get a little bonk by the fan, so we took it outside and set it in a planter. After a few more drinks it flew away to a nearby tree. Needless to say there was a lot of human high fives.

We were blessed with rain off and on yesterday that helped to cool things a bit from the 100’s to mid 90’s. The 100’s will be back with a vengeance along with the increase in my electric bill.

Cheers!

-N

 

 

 

Self Promotion-how?

As my Twitter, Facebook and blog followers are increasing I am also getting messages about ways to boost visibility for myself, my book and finding more followers. I’m just wondering if any of you have used some of these services? If you have, which ones have you used and what kind of results have you seen?

It seems to be a common practice for writers/bloggers/authors to promote themselves and their work, and self-published/indie authors need promotion to sell pages. As I dive into this process I would love to know your personal experiences.

It was a busy week last week and I was sort of off the blogging radar for a bit. In fact I told hubby last night I was working this morning. This morning I boosted a Facebook post that would send folks to my author page to stir the interest pot a bit. Since I don’t have a huge advertising and marketing budget, this has been a pretty effective way to generate traffic to my page and to the book.

Here at home update: Chuck banged his foot up last night and I’m pretty sure the neighborhood heard it when he slammed his foot into the wall. I was Skyping with my son and daughter-in-law when it happened, having a devil of a time with the sound, and he was coming in to help me.

Fortunately he got a lot of work done last week on the 6ft wood fence for the yard which will keep down the dust and create privacy. He turned the temp down on the spa so as it gets obnoxiously hot here for the next 5-6 months I can dunk myself in it, get wet and stay cool. It’s the only way I can survive.

Now a bit of self promotion. Here is the link I put on Facebook:

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01CXRU1QA

Cheers!

-N

 

What those amazing followers teach me

I’ve been having a great time watching my follower count go up for my blog, my twitter and my Facebook author page. It is a great feeling to think I might have something to say that will connect with another human. I’ve laughed out loud at the posts on Twitter by the vibrant young people out there. I remember that time in my life where everything was exciting and full of adventure.

I was talking with someone about what happens when humans reach a certain age. That certain age can vary depending on the human and their life experience. She had been very sick, spent hours in the ER and came away with a diagnosis that most likely was stress related. Ok, this person does have a lot of stress in her life, but the first thing I thought was she is younger than me, so check mark the age box. She is younger in years I can’t get back, yet I refuse to be one of those old people who always talk about illnesses, aches and pains, prescriptions and doctor appointments.

Yuck!! Double yuck!!

Most young people don’t go there, they don’t have time for it while they live life to the fullest. Sometimes that living gets them in trouble, but they do as Taylor Swift says “shake it off!!” I want to keep that youthful thought in my head so I can avoid the signs of acting my age.

Let’s keep dancing.

Sally Field said she see’s herself as young, no matter her chronological age. I do that too. In my dreams I am young, skinny and adventurous. Even if I am my current age in dreams my actions betray my self perception as a youthful person. I refuse to cut my hair no matter how many times I’m told long hair on older women ages them, because I like my hair like this. My iTunes playlist has a lot of current music. I enjoy listening to and engaging with the young people I encounter.

I think we all have an age that is our best age. Mine is 35. That age to me is still young, very active, super sexy, effortlessly spontaneous and immensely curious.

Tell me what you see when you look at yourself. Do you look through the eye of your mind or do you count the lines that mark your age number? Please share you comments.

Cheers!

-N

Oh man, I like these people

I’m sitting in my writing place. This is it! Dark chocolate and a Napa Cab nearby.writing place

Maybe I should change the blog to vinowithchocolate, but I digress.

My ebook will be available on Amazon in twelve days and I smile whenever I think of it. I can’t wait for the readers to meet Mitch and Amanda.

I’m building followers on my blog, my Facebook author page and Twitter which amazes me. I love followers and I welcome as many as there are out there.

I have started my next book. I had a lot of it roughed out, a lot of research done-love research-and it is well plotted so the writing has started to flow. Flow is the optimal word to describe what is happening. These are really fun people to write for. My heroine is a dream to write dialogue for with her voice in my mind. She is spunky, immature, adventurous, spoiled and sexy. My hero is, well, a hero, you know-tall, dark and handsome-oozing testosterone.

The male voice and perspective is the part where my husband steps up.

I’ve mentioned this before, he is a man’s man and will tell me when I’m writing my male characters too soft or not in a true gender POV.

He’s the first one to go through the story for errors and inconsistency. Like me, he is an avid reader, but not in this genre, so he has fresh eyes.

My stories are historical so the research is paramount to it being valid as not only a romance but in giving the reader a stimulating historical experience. I had someone ask me if I would want to live in the time I am writing and I had to be honest and say-um no. I like central air and heating, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and feminine hygiene products. But in my study of the times and people there were people who blew my mind.

I have been mulling the idea of a biography of an amazing woman who lived in the late 1800’s. She was who I would have wanted to be had I lived in the time she lived. She watched history be made. We’ll see.

Time to get back to work. I need more iTunes music.

Cheers!

-N

Twitter fun

Happy Monday afternoon. It’s cooled off here, mid 40’s, making me and Millie happy. Something else I’m having fun with is Twitter. It is so much fun to see these little snatches of ideas, personal opinions, dumb thoughts, amazing pics-peoples lives in 100 characters. It’s kinda like getting valentines on Valentines day to know how popular you are. The thrill of seeing followers add up and the downer of losing a follower is pretty addictive. I get the same thrill when I get new blog followers.

I’m at 100+, you like me, you really like me!!

I like twitter, and I am starting to do more Instagram as I learn how it works. Facebook is getting a bit boring. I also have Linkedin and Tumbler accounts but my knowledge of those is basic.

I have been reading a lot the last few days and have gotten some great suggestions for reading material from different genre’s from twitter.

Just what I need, more stuff to read. Just kidding, seriously just kidding.

I have also started following the twitter pages for two new TV programs I’ve really gotten into. The actors are young and beautiful but also have great depth in their acting. “The Expanse” and “The Magicians” have me wrapped up in watching them so I’ve used On Demand to get caught up.

So now I’m waiting for the next episodes. Hate waiting.

I don’t know how people follow so many social media sites. Do you have a preference?

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter-I like yew!

Cheers,

-N