It’s okay to be proud of your writing. No matter what.

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5 stars readers' favorite, 50 shades of grey, all opinions are valid, anxiety in writing, ask for an opinion and you shall receive, be proud but humble, be proud of your writing, choosing to be unhappy, depression in writing, failing at writing, familiar plots over talent, I love my books, I write great books, literary agents, non-readers win, not all dreams come true, readers matter, thankful, twilight, you shouldn't say you are an amazing writer

In my first year as a writer, after studying the publishing world for a year prior, I learned that the literary agents living in NYC were right– the success and visibility of a fiction novel come down to trends and the books the masses pick up, meaning that the books non-readers read and recommend are King.

Never in a million years did I think I’d fail at something I worked hard at. Usually, you can tell how a series is going to do after the third book (yeah I have 3 out), and it was clear when the second one was released that the majority of the people who bought book 1 just don’t want to read the rest. Yes, I did advertising and worked with a PR rep, and worked countless weeks on social media. I thought that all dreams came true with work, but it’s not true in an over-saturated market, where most work is treated like a dime store novel. Most avid readers are after free books, not out to see you making a living. Wouldn’t you rather have something you don’t have to pay for? Yeah, me too.

Lesson learned.

On the way through my first series, I also met fantastic readers that got my way of writing–that understand my story! I also received a few perfect reviews from an editorial service that also rate traditionally published fiction.

While I was discouraged, I didn’t share my personal struggles about failing on my author page, and held on to my great reviews and how much I appreciate the readers I do have. I wasn’t going to end my series in spite, and I’m still going to finish the story for readers even though I can’t make a career out of it.

That brings me to tell you that I’m still proud of my writing. I’m proud of growing, and I’m proud of how fast I could write a novel in the year that I spent being able to jot down 2,000-10,000 words in 24 hours! I saw progress, and because of that, I saw great reviews from readers and editorials.

I can say it: I am amazing at writing.

I’m wonderful at using literary devices, and symbolism, and making sure my characters have not only fears–but goals and imperfections. I write twists, things get dark, and challenges are involved. I show what real life is like in a fantasy setting.

I don’t think many writers without representation will see success in the post-twilight era, where the most popular book right now, 50 Shades of Grey, is a rip off of Twilight. A book that feels like it was filled by the author pointing to random words in the dictionary (Twilight) is still dominating the book market years later. For the most part, Urban Fantasy is over for the time being, and I accept that. Gripping plots are way more important to readers than the actual writing. Familiar plots are even better than gripping ones.

Recently my opinion was flat out asked for from another writer. It was more or less asking if other writers ever feel like they’re nor good enough and second guess every word, or think that they have no knack what so ever for writing. I said that I know I’m amazing but have self doubt because I don’t write what’s trendy. I said the writer was not alone, and that reflection is good but self-doubt isn’t. I said keep going. Unfortunately, I don’t think my opinion was being asked for, I think I was supposed to hold back my opinion, pat the writer on the back, and go.

The response I got was a way of saying that my opinion (the one that was asked for) was essentially wrong. The first point in the response was the writer telling me that the second-guessing had nothing to do with how other people receive their work. It’s about a lack of self-confidence in writing with no one else’s opinion involved. I get that people have different reasons for doubt. However, it was the second part of the response that got me thinking.

I was basically told, and very politely and tactfully I  might add,  that I shouldn’t say that I am amazing. After I go and begin my encouragement to keep going with “I know I am amazing,” the writer flat out states that their reason for being hypercritical is because they don’t want to be alone in thinking they are a good writer. They don’t want to be one of those people who is alone in thinking they are amazing.  Does that go against the first statement of saying that doubt has absolutely nothing to do with reviews or what’s popular, that it has nothing to do others? Yes… but it’s okay to think that way.

But thinking this way, that you’re so humble that you can forget about other people’s reviews of your work, and feel like your writing it utter crap, is a choice to be stricken with depression and anxiety about your writing. By saying that the opinions of others don’t matter, while you are trying to make sure that you’re not the only one who thinks you’re writing is great, you’re setting yourself up for upset you don’t deserve. Your humility and the conflict between self-reflection and pride will make everything so much harder. But my opinion on this is wrong, and am supposed to let you wallow in your humble ways.

But I can’t. I can’t broadcast the depression I felt over failing, and the way I paused my life while I spent my savings on editing and producing my books. I can’t make other authors commiserate and feel like every word they pen could be wrong because I know there is EXCELLENT writing out there that no one will ever see. I can’t completely turn in on myself and forget the readers who are buying my books, reviewing them, and reading them. I can’t leave readers out of the equation and turn in on myself, panicked that every word is wrong. Yes, I’ll do a revision on my first book, but I’m not going to say that it’s horrible, because it’s not.

Being proud of your writing isn’t wrong. Saying that you know you are amazing does not mean that you don’t have room to grow. It doesn’t mean that you’re better than others. It doesn’t mean any of that. It’s only about you. It only means that you are proud of the time and work spent on your story, and that you love your story.

I, Romarin Demetri, have failed at making a career out of something I excel at, and I’m not going to think less of my talent for it. Surely, I could be forfeiting getting future 5 star reviews, unable to have my books edited anymore, but you know what?

I’m a genius, and I will not downplay my accomplishments, or the readers who fell in love with my story and characters. It does not mean that I am the best writer out there (Come on, it’s Shakespeare and always will be if you look at things mathematically), and it does not mean that I can’t improve.

I don’t think anyone else should have to keep from being proud either.

I don’t think writers should turn in on themselves, because when you release a book, you put it out there, and you’re asking for readers to be a part of it. How can you then take away all meaning that readers hold?

Sometimes when you ask for an opinion, you will get a blog post like this. Any writer reading this needs to stop doubting themselves. Don’t toss every accomplishment you’ve met aside and let the fear of picking the wrong word cripple you. Don’t pick 1 line and read it over and over again in contemplation. Don’t choose to set yourself up to be unhappy doing something you love and have a knack for.

Just write.

You are amazing too.

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Are DNF reviews really all that helpful?

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book blogger ratings, book bloggers, book reviews, DNF reviews, romarin demetri DNF, Should I write a DNF review?, What does DNF stand for

This post is full of some hard truths.

When I became and author I made the decision to not leave “Did Not Finish” reviews, and will not currently leave anything less than 3 stars. Yes, reading is subjective, and not everyone will love your story, but the problem I see with DNF reviews is that a reader didn’t actually read through your whole book. Should they post about something they don’t know? That’s the question today.

As a writer, you’re going to catch a reviewer on a day that’s not–how shall I say it– good, and sometimes low stars and DNF reviews happen because a scapegoat is needed, and sometimes, you are the projection of their bad day. Other readers can spot these easily. Still, you spent months writing the book and are responsible for putting it out there, regardless of how people will react to it. You did this as a writer and you knew this day would come. It’s not like every single person will read it correctly either, don’t believe me? if you don’t know what I’m talking about yet, there is a review out there just waiting for you.

Some bloggers will give it to you straight and tell you if they post these types of reviews, but some won’t.

Sometimes it’s not straight forward. I once had a blogger tell me a book wasn’t for them and that they would post for a release day spotlight, and instead they left a DNF review. I also have great (and *cough* perfect) editorial reviews, so I guess it evens out in the long run. It was unprofessional for that reviewer to change their mind, and I think of book bloggers as professional people. Yes it’s a hobby, and yes they don’t get paid, but they spend so much time meticulously crafting a professional website, that it’s a shame to see a crack in the facade.

A DNF review to me says, “do not read this book, and though I couldn’t take the time to read it all, I decided to take time writing this review… for some reason.” I view the behavior as petty, which is the hard truth I am expressing today. It makes more sense to to spend your time writing about something you like a maybe boosting your affiliate income to keep your blog going. DNF reviews aren’t helping anyone in the long run, and if you post them, you’re wasting your time. It’s vindictive. I also think they chip away at your credibility and make you seem like a curmudgeon. If you like to save time by picking your battles, don’t be posting DNF reviews.

Not leaving a review says more than a DNF. By not mentioning the book at all, you really send your message home. No attention. No wasted words. And look at you being professional.

So what to do when you can’t finish a book? I’m thinking about 8/10 authors will tell you it’s okay to fill out a contact form or message them if you see errors, or if there is something you’re not following. I have a hard time with this myself, but am trying to be more honest, and the authors who want to improve will take your advice. If they don’t take your suggestions or hear you out, they’re not opening to growing, and then, maybe you have a very valid point.

Readers, do you post about DNF books and why?

Authors, do you like when readers politely point out errors?

What I learned visiting my main character’s city of origin.

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anaheim california, carnaby street, dover beach, drinking chocolate, inspiration, laguna beach, Paul. A. Young drinking chocolate, tower of london, traveling writer, writing fiction

In October I took a trip to Anaheim California. It is the city that Disney is in, and you can reach a beach in 30-60 minutes. I looked forward to taking the trip because my main character is from California, and moves to London for The Supernatural London Underground Series.

Below are side by side pictures of Laguna Beach (Romarin is from somewhere near Long Beach) and Dover Beach in England:

Laguna beach. The beach in California. The Supernatural London Underground Book Series: http://amzn.to/2gKfdSA.

Dover Beach. The Beach in England. The Supernatural London Underground Book Series: http://amzn.to/2gKfdSA.

I love these side by sides. You see a difference in the waves, the trees, the clouds, and both of the pictures were taken in October!

Anaheim had chili mocha frappuccinos, and London had chili powder drinking chocolate (Paul A. Young)!

In the fiction series, Romarin moves to England at 19, the place she was adopted from. Her parents kept her safe for so long, and in book 1,  she comes to realize that they might be keeping some truths from her too! Romarin’s friends back in California were superficial and it was easy to hide her powers from them–Until the accident. Her new friends in London are dark (some superficial, yes) and a little damaged, and I think my love of London reflects back on the reader.

California was beautiful and sunny, but not so warm when I went this October. I live  closer to the east coast, and this was my first time “out west”.

While I love the sun and  especially the beach, there is just something about London that I love, and have much more of a connection to that city than I do any other. There is something about the history of it, and I love the noise in the city (I love NYC too!).it’s also more fun to go out at night in a big city, and much more to do!

A view from The Tower of London!

Author Romarin Demetri drinking chocolate on Carnaby Street.

I have a stronger connection with my main character now that I understand the place she came from. While Romarin’s character and I are different in many ways (she isn’t the character I based on myself), I think we can both agree that there is something about London that fuels creativity and complexity. The history of London makes anything possible in creative writing, and for me, the setting has allowed my books to essentially write themselves. Traveling is the single greatest source of inspiration, and if you want to write, you have to go to your setting.

The Triquetra Symbol Across Cultures

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holy trinity, the frost bloom garden, triquetra, triquetra celtic

When I started my book series, I needed something that tied the main character to her past. As a (minor) spoiler, the triquetra necklace Romarin dons in London in book 1 a Mirror Among Shattered Glass is a symbol her birth parents left her with, but no one knows why. Could one of the characters in book two be onto something?

I like The Frost Bloom Garden because it explores the different meanings of the Triquetra according to the characters she comes across. I like to think good things come in threes, but I can’t convince everyone!

The Triquetra in the Supernatural London Underground: 

Rodger from the bar, who is a Libertine (a new age vampire), likes to think that the triquetra’s past present and future mean nothing to him because his is immortal. He also reflects that his friends for the next hundred years will be the same people, immortals, so he laments that he needs to have good communication with them.

In Celtic cultures, The symbol means to love, honor, and protect. The triquetra is often seen as a celtic knot. Coreo from the alternate Changeling dimension points this out in The Frost Bloom Garden.

Having first seen the triquetra on Charmed, I am familiar with its meaning of the maiden, mother, and crone, its role in wicca.

And of course, the triquetra can also be linked to the holy trinity, father, spirit, and ghost, as well as the inverse.

To one character, Audin, his symbolism of the triquetra extends to  John Paul Jones’s use of it on the Led Zeppelin album cover, Led Zeppelin IV (in book 1).

We will know for sure what the triquetra means for Romarin  in Book 3, as the trilogy comes to a close. This symbol is a timeless one, that lends itself to many great things that come in threes.

Book two is available for pre-order here:

On Amazon for pre-order: http://amzn.to/2cUi8Yk

Blond without the “e”: describing hair in writing. Show don’t tell.

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blond vs. blonde, deadpool, describing hair and movement, hair and dialogue tag, hair color in writing, how to write a character's hair, improving character descriptions, physically describing characters, telling in writing

Today’s entry is about writing mechanics, and even though I am well into my Dear Author blog series, it’s always good to share and exchange information with others about the writing process.

This morning (or when I started writing this post) while I was making coffee I ended up watching a video about Madonna’s hairstyles. Facebook is a time-sucker. They interchanged “blonde” and “blond” in the text, so it was time for me to share what my editor explained to me.

Hair is important, and not just when you’re Madonna. It’s the first thing and sometimes the only thing casting directors pay attention to when choosing people to play younger versions of a protagonist (mismatched eyes in flashbacks are a huge pet peeve for me).

http://jamsessionmb.tumblr.com/post/139489877820/reference-to-james-mcavoy-as-prof-x-in-the-movie

I’m not alone. 🙂

Back to the point…What should you keep in mind concerning writing about hair color?

Blonde, is usually feminine, whereas blond without the “e” is masculine. The English language doesn’t pay too much attention to gender, however, the blondes are something I notice greatly now. When in doubt, sticking with “blond” is acceptable for boys and girls alike. I like using the two different forms just as I use different spellings for accents.

Locks. I hesitate to use “locks” because to me it means dreadlocks, or I get the vision of Goldilocks in my head, and all of her ringlet curls. It isn’t a word I usually use to describe men’s hair. Locks to me means curly and separated. I will have characters with  dreadlocks at some point and don’t know why they haven’t showed up yet. Two have already been written.

Colors. I know you probably have colors down. Black. Brown. Red. Blond. and then some extras too: Raven. Platinum. Ginger. If you find your colors stagnant, a thesaurus will do the trick.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL CONCERNING DESCRIBING HAIR:

“Telling” what hair looks like is not describing hair to the best of your abilities.  When you describe a character’s hair or eye color, it should never start with “He had -such and such color- hair.” That is a telling description and interrupts the reader, and now I’m going to get distracted and go watch Deadpool. There has to be action going on with your hair description to keep me interested in your book.

Ways to show hair:

1.Movement from the character to show emotion. Your character moves his or her hair some way, showing us they are nervous or amused. Yeah, tucking hair behind the ear gets old, but not if your character has protruding ears (true story), just don’t use it for everyone. If your character is running a hand through their hair, what does that tell the narrator? “She ran a hand through her hair, which meant that she was____” nervous? thinking? contemplating something? Did a character fix his hair subconsciously because his crush just walked into the room? There are many emotional reasons for your characters to move their own hair unless they “Shane it off” (buzz cut), but even then, your character can scratch an itch on his scalp to show you the color of short hair. One great way to describe hair is my showing the behavior your characters shows in moving their own hair.

2. The hair is moving. When you characters naturally move, their hair might too. “I nodded, and my black ponytail grazed the middle of my back,” would show that a character has long, dark hair. “She looked downward, making the brunette fringe around her face fall into her azure eyes,” describes the hair color and eye color, and perhaps behavior, in that she is looking down. The wind can move the hair. A breeze from a shutting door can. Another character can move another characters hair (especially depending on your genre and the character’s personal bubble). Something external will always be there to move hair.

3. Hair can reinforce a dialogue tag or expression. “‘Not really,’ she said, her red hair blazing angrily around her face as she shook.” Hmmm, I made someone mad, didn’t I?  “His eyes were empty, and his pin-straight dark hair sat just as still as his expression.” In that example the hair is matching his face, but again, it’s not about the hair, it’s about the movement or lack of movement in the character.

Your characters need to pop off of the pages and become 3-D, especially after you spent weeks writing your book! WEEKS! MONTHS! YEARS! Hang your sentences that start with “He had” or “She had” in describing hair, and play with movement and dialogue. Don’t give a missing person’s description of your character when you want them to be present.

Luckily, most writers can go back and edit their books later, and if you do so, it’s worth the time to rework showing descriptions of visual attributes and finding the places in which you were a little too telling.

Happy writing! Make sure you follow my blog for more tips!

 

 

 

 

Free Short Horror Story

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countess bathory, free short story, halloween, horror story

Download for free!

I am now out and about on Smashwords! My former prologue and short story is up for free and can be yours!

Once upon a chilling evening, a maiden working in a castle owned by Countess Bathory stumbles upon on hideous hidden chamber , and rumors spring from the shadows to come alive. The maiden can either keep a promise or run for her life, but either choice has unforeseen consequences, and what she has seen will forever haunt her waking moments.

This short story was released in celebration of Halloween, 2016. It was formerly the prologue of “A Mirror Among Shattered Glass”, book one in The Supernatural London Underground Series. Because the short story takes place in 1590, and the novels are set near present day time, the story was a fun exercise that acquiesced to exist on its own. We will never have Countess Bathory’s own account of what happened at her castle, but one thing is for certain: There is no getting away with murdering hundreds of girls without a few rumors being started.

Happy October, everyone!

Twisty and Steady: The reality of starting a story off with misfits and their issues, and why everything in literature can’t happen in Book One.

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Author, backstory, book launch, first book in a series, misfits, romarin demetri, the supernatural london underground, urban fantasy

June 4th, 2016

The closest thing I will get to reviewing my own work is this blog entry. Just as I don’t resort to paid reviews, I think a review from myself would be very biased. I acquired my characters in their twenties, when they world had already dealt them hands with missing cards, leaving them fragmented and with trust issues. Are they going to magically open up to a main character who appears  and automatically let her see all of that? Not in the first book of this series. Not when they’re busy living in a façade. Is my main character going to be drooling with rabid love at first sight when she has clear issues to sort out? Not likely when gaining her independence at nineteen is number one (even though this is still a kissing book). These characters aren’t safe from typical things, but they have to sort out their lives and work towards getting to that change, and you will see sure progression by the time book 3 is on its way. Why do they leave me no choice but to let them grow? That’s because we all grow, fragmented past or not, and you cannot expect comfortable characters who don’t shed skin from me. Onion layers? There’s a chapter for that.

These characters are not typical and well-adjusted and neither are their demons. They demand to make me write in a twisty way, divulging a vulnerable moment in passing, as if it isn’t bothersome. They demand to be cautious, mysterious, untrusting, and wait for the main character to prove herself, as if some kind of initiation to their underground that exists aboveground must be had.

I’ve always said that characters are the number one thing for me, and in The Supernatural London Underground, you will be met with backstory which is my testament to growing up watching LOST, and talking about it with the other kids in Latin class.  This does mean being able to pay attention to voice, as visually short chapters might have different pronouns because they are a different point of view or back story. The regular narration is first person with a distinctive voice, and if you notice the absences of “I”, sure as a heart underneath the floorboards, you’ll have to grab the character’s name when its introduced in the first sentence.

I remember how the first movie in the American Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr. ended. “But now we must blaze the trail of this journey which is basically unrelated but we can talk about it in the last 30 seconds to quickly stimulate your mind with a last-minute riddle!” I wasn’t about that. Instead I use the symbolism in the title to tie up a sure end, while presenting you with a few options or obstacles that you want to see resolved as a reader near the end of the book.  There is clear progression for the main character, and now we get to watch and see if those onion layers on other characters will make her cry or not.

Twisty and Steady.

Check out some reviews for book #1 on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Romarindemetri/1-reviews-a-mirror-among-shattered-glass/

Click here for the Book One link

Book Trailer Release!

Tags

a mirror among shattered glass, book trailer, cover reveal, fantasy book covers, romarin demetri, urban fantasy

Making a book into a movie sure was interesting, so I focused on Romarin’s narrative to bring some pages to life.

Pre-order for Book One can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CIZM6KQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01CIZM6KQ&linkCode=as2&tag=rdwordpress-20&linkId=ME64L2XRQUSFBPG3

Paperbacks are available June 4th, 2016…but if you’re lucky…you might be able to snag a free copy. ahead of time! Just watch the “Powers and Personality Quiz Book Giveaway” video post on https://www.facebook.com/RomarinDemetri and follow the instructions!

How “can’t” is an empowering word

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"cant" as a motivator, being told you can't, dirty word, drive, passion, Philosophy, romarin demetri

 

“Can’t” is a dirty word (and will get you twenty push-ups where I come from), but “can’t” can be even more empowering that positive phrases that support you, and the people who believe in you. “Can’t” is a word that will motivate you like nothing else.

“Can’t” tests your passions and your drive, and when you’re told that you can’t do something the test begins, and you’ll do everything you can to pass it.

“Can’t” doesn’t have the facts. It doesn’t have statistics or pay attention to success stories. It doesn’t listen to hard work and work ethic. “Can’t” assumes that you’re not even trying, and that people with talent will never make it without luck. In fact, it puts you down because it has no idea what it’s talking about. “Can’t” tries to pretend that it’s aware of what’s going on, because it knows that it doesn’t have the facts or experience to back things up, and doesn’t think that you are willing to get facts or experience either. It works on the small amount of knowledge it has, and does not strive to learn new things.

I was told that I “can’t” write books because it isn’t practical and no one can make a living off of writing. Even the people who have publishing deals might not sell enough books to earn a living. I was also told that I “can’t” write books by the people in charge of representing them, so with my family telling me I couldn’t, and agents telling me I couldn’t, I did what many authors did, and decided to make writing a hobby, because everyone was saying that I “can’t” do it, even though my ideas are endless. In 2014, a year out of college, I decided that I was going to do everything “can’t” told me I couldn’t, and I was going to be informed and driven about my passion, because “can’t” knows nothing of that.

When I prove that I can, “can’t” won’t be sticking around, and people will truly see that I am up to the challenge. When you get past “can’t”, people start to see “serious”.

Being told that you “can’t” is such a huge motivator because is dismisses your passion and your room to grow.

If you lived your whole life being told that you can do anything, do you suppose that you would have the same passion that you do today?

I don’t think that you would.

If your hand was held, all of the work was done for you, and you were never told you had to try harder, you wouldn’t be in the same place you are today.

“Can’t” is the test that asks you if you want to be here, and if you do, nothing can stop you.

The Girl in the Hood: a look behind the scenes at a much-loved book cover photo

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Author, book cover model, fantasy book covers, girl in the hood book cover, happily ever after, konrad bak, stock photo

The girl in the hood appeared to me again this morning, a photo that is too pretty to keep off of book covers. This time, she didn’t have the hood on, but I recognized her face, and decided to figure out the story behind the girl in the hood. You might recognize her like this:

Check out her amazing gallery here

The first time I saw her, she was on a book cover that shared some of the same inspiration as my novel, and weirdly enough, the titles were eerily similar before I changed from “Legacy of a Countess”  to “A Mirror Among Shattered Glass”. Being how I am, I thought the cover was lovely, but that a girl from the 1600s probably wouldn’t have on makeup or French acrylic nails. I am so weird when it comes to hair and makeup in movies and books that shouldn’t have hair and makeup.  It’s probably just a Cosmetologist and English major thing.

Luckily, we have creative license when it comes to book covers!

So who is the girl i the hood really?

I have seen the girl in the hood a few more times, and it really is a great photo that evokes mystery and a kind of sensuality. This morning, after she showed up in my email inbox, I decided to look into the story behind her photos, and yes, it’s kind of awesome.

The photo is by photographer Konrad Bak. He is from Poland, and is well-known, with an impressive gallery that you can purchase to use. The article by Shutterstock about his unique photos and style can be found here: http://www.shutterstock.com/blog/2012/08/fashion-icons-keeping-up-with-conrado/, and in it, you will find that the  model behind the portrait of the mysterious woman in the hood,  is very versatile in her photos, and the best part is:

She is also his wife, Iwona.

I’d say this is a happily ever after ending to the mystery of the woman in the hood. It’s quite lovely to know that they travel taking pictures together, and creating stories from their art that so many people have enjoyed. The are in many of the stock photos together, as a team!

Seeing your book cover brought to life is a truly amazing thing, and it’s wonderful to meet the people who help your own images come to fruition!

I can’t wait to share mine in less than a month!

 

There you have it. The woman in the hood remains a beautiful cover, as well as a HEA ending.