Pink Diamond Interview

Hello everybody!! The time has come for the first in our series of Pink Diamond interviews!!

Help us welcome Carmen DeSousa, author of She Belongs to me!!

Click here ----> Carmen DeSousa

--Sinner

Sinner's Ride (II) and Pink Diamond Interviews

Happy Friday my friends!

I wanted to just touch base with you all and give you some background information relating to Sinner's latest posting.

I've been doing alot of thinking about her. She's coming back and originally, the idea was to re-introduce her and her story at the end of the year. When we (Jorge Salgado-Reyes of Indie Authors Press) and I began to discuss this, I thought I would re-release the original with an alternate ending. However, the more I thought about it, the clearer it became to me that I needed to write a follow-up story, or Sinner's Ride II. This story would pick up where the original left off. At this point, I haven't decided whether this story will be a full novel or whether it will be a continuing series but I do believe that as it stands right now, Sinner's Ride could use a follow up. That is why I thought I'd let her conduct these Pink Diamond Interviews. I want to see what she's capable of and I want you, my followers to get to know her. (She's loving this, I'm sure!)

With regard to the interviews: I'd been wanting to do a series of interviews with my favorite people for a while now and have given this aspect of my new existence a lot of thought. Now that I've come up with an idea as to what I want to accomplish, I'm ready to share. My goal is to somehow express my gratitude to all the multi-talented artists I've met on Twitter and Facebook and I think the best way to do that is by sharing their work with you and possibly introduce you to something new.

I will be posting interviews on the 29th of each month followed by a guest post written by my interviewee the next day. I chose the 29th because Sinner's Ride was released April 29th and I'm calling them Pink Diamond Interviews because ... well, you know why :)  So, right now, these interviews will take place on a monthly basis because I am in the midst of writing my next story. Any interviews conducted when I'm not writing will appear more frequently.

The first will appear this coming Sunday and my guest is someone who has been a huge supporter, friend and kindred spirit. I hope you enjoy getting to know her and reading her blog post as much as I enjoyed working with her!

Disclaimer:  I am new at this and the process will be tweaked as we go along, so please, bear with me.

~~ ML

Exciting News!!

Good evening my friends!! Sinner here!!

Hope everyone had a nice holiday season. I'm not a big Christmas person, but, you know, to each his own. I'm not going to hate! Just because I don't have anything to celebrate doesn't mean I have to be mad at those who do!

Moving on.....

It's a beautiful night here in the Bronx; a balmy (for January!) 50 degrees. It's a little humid and my hair is all frizzy, but it's ok because NOTHING can get me down tonight!! Do you want to know why? Huh? Well, get this! C'mon, get a little closer so I could whisper in your ear. I have great news to share!

Starting this Sunday, January 29th -- which, by the way, is the nine month anniversary, to the day, of my coming out -- I have been given a huge responsibility. Yep, that's right! Moi! I will be conducting the much anticipated monthly interview extravaganzas which I am officially dubbing "The Pink Diamond Interviews"! This event will take place every month on the 29th and will go for two days. Each author interviewed will also guest blog the next day. Isn't that awesome!?!?

I think it's interesting; not coincidental, because I don't believe in coincidence -- that nine months to the day after I come out, the same exact amount of time it takes for a baby to be born, that I would be "giving birth" to this new facet on this blog; this new aspect of Minnie's life? It's a sure sign I'm better, right? Otherwise, I wouldn't be trusted with this task, right? I can't mess this up; my life is such a mess already! I won't mess this up! I promise!

Jeez! Anyway, for the inaugural "Pink Diamond Interview" we have a very special author. Someone whose work Minnie enjoys and someone who makes her laugh with each email exchange they have. It's hysterical. I'm the fly on the wall who sees it all and I could tell you stories!!

This person -- well -- I'm not going to say who it is. I want it to be a surprise! He! He! He! But, I'm sure you will enjoy the interview as well as their blog post. So my friends, read it, enjoy it and leave comments!!! Do that with all the interviews!!

Good night people!!

Hasta pronto!!

~~Sinner

Christmas and Joe Kennedy

Merry Christmas!

While having my coffee today, I watched the news -- a routine of mine.  I mostly tune out the clips that aren't all that interesting to me, but then a commercial came on sponsored by the Citizens Committee. This is an organization Joseph Patrick Kennedy, a former US Senator, is a spokesman for.

Mr. Kennedy is a scion of the Kennedy Clan, a powerful and rich, extremely rich, American political family.  I'm not going to go into the trials and tribulations of his life here, as we are all human and we all have had them.  Nor am I here to judge. If you're interested in reading all about it, check out the link I have provided. (Click on the title above to be re-directed).  That notwithstanding, I believe Mr. Kennedy represents a noble cause. Though a monied descendant, he has used his money and influence for the good of those of us who are less fortunate.

The world is in financial crisis. Large corporations and those elite members of the "10%", have gotten richer and more affluent on the backs of workers, our backs -- yours and mine. That raises the question: What have they done for us lately? We bailed out the banks that were too large too fail with increased taxes, only to have those in power turn around and grant themselves huge bonuses while the rest of us made do with less as we lost our homes and jobs. But I digress....

Gifts are given during the Christmas season. However, for Mr. Kennedy, every day is Christmas. Again, I stress, he has made his share of mistakes and he has made some bad decisions, but insofar as those who needed a helping hand for the most basic needs, he was, and still is, there to help provide for them.

We can all be like that. It doesn't have to be such a huge undertaking. A smile can make someone's day. It doesn't cost anything to be nice. I encourage, no-- I challenge you -- to offer someone a helping hand once in a while, a shoulder to cry on or maybe lend an ear and help someone sort out their problems just by listening.  Such small acts can be the difference for someone despairing between life and death.

My wish for this season, and for all time, is that we find the ability and the desire, to offer each other the comfort of friendship, love and maybe even that hand that will help lift up the downtrodden so that those who reached for that helping hand may pay it forward.

It's really not that lofty an idea, is it?

Happy holidays to all!!!

~~ML

I'm Coming Back!

Happy December People!

Sinner here! Minnie's at work and when she's not at work, she's working with R.J. and Adina. Who are R.J. and Adina you ask? Oh, I've asked myself that question too!! Well, I'm gonna tell you, but I think I may have already spilled the beans on something she wasn't ready to talk about just yet! Aw well, my bad!

R.J. and Adina are from her new project, Divergent Lives. You thought I was crazy? Wait 'til you get a load of those two! Jeez!

But, anyway, this post is about me, right? I was beginning to worry about my relationship with Minnie. I mean, she hasn't really had much contact with me in a while and I thought she didn't care about me any more. So, what I did was, I waited until she was distracted with other things, you know, like family and/or work. And when that didn't happen, I thought she would get into the holidays. That wouldn't work either because I remembered, she doesn't do much until the last minute. I had no choice but to invade her dreams. And guess what I found out?  She does care! She thinks about me all the time AND I also found out that she'd been thinking of bringing me back. Better still, it's going to be a reality people!  I'm so happy! Now, you will all get an opportunity to learn something new about me. YAY!!

The down side? Yes, there's a down side...the down side is that I won't have center stage. She's bringing me back at the same time that she'll introduce you all to R.J. and Adina. At first I didn't want to be associated with those two crazies, but you know what? If anyone's going to do it, it will have to be me. Who else could do these two justice? Who else could bring Minnie's work to your attention? Unless....

Oh shoot! She's home early!  Damn!  I'll have to finish this later!!

Don't say I was here.....BYE!!!

~~Sinner

Lesson Learned

I believe everybody is lucky to have a loved one, be it a human being or a pet, and/or a belief system or a creation that they would defend as long as they have breath in them. I'm one of those lucky people.

Over the last year, and particularly in the last few months, an invaluable lesson I thought I learned years ago has manifested itself in such a manner as to remind me once again not to forget it. The lesson being that things, and sadly very often people, aren't always as they present themselves to be.

As authors, our writings are akin to our children. With regard to Sinner's Ride, I have heard such hurtful things as "It's not going to be a hit, but it's a good story" or "I have a lot of respect for you, but this is not the gospel of Jesus Christ" and "It's a bit raunchy" (that last comment coming from someone who is in the midst of an affair with a married person, saying it with a scrunched up face as though something smelled bad).

All of the above coming from "friends". One of the above comments came on my facebook page that I deleted in an emotional fog followed by an angry email. That person is Christian and I am not. There are three things I do not get into debates about: Religion, Money and Politics. I can appreciate that everyone has strong beliefs and opinions as is their right, but so do I.

Sexual abuse, and any kind of abuse against any living being is no joke people. If it takes a "raunchy" story that is "not a hit, but a good read" or "not gospel-like" to get this issue to the forefront of people's minds, then I'm ok with being the face of this ugly monster.

After sleeping on this, I had the following epiphany:

This issue has riled up these people. Good, bad or indifferent Sinner's Ride has stirred some emotions. So what if it doesn't conform to your sensitivities? I've got you emotionally invested, and that is a good thing. Maybe it will move you to take a look around you; open your eyes to the ugliness we often encounter in this life. To all of you who have made these comments I say: "Now what? You've got your say. What are you going to do about it?"

Bottom line: you can not please all of the people all of the time. I don't have a problem being controversial. I will continue to write and I will continue to stir things up by bringing such controversial issues to the forefront; issues that should no longer be swept under the rug. My father used to say:  "You can't spit at the sky and expect to not get some on your face!"

I apologize to my Christian friend for reacting emotionally, but I refuse to apologize for what I believe in.

~~ML

Summoning Your Courage to Challenge Something

If you summon your courage to challenge something, you'll never regret it. How sad it would be to spend your life wishing, "If only I had a little more courage." Whatever the outcome, the important thing is to take a step forward on the path that you believe is right. There's no need to worry about what others may think. It's your life, after all. Be true to yourself! ~~ Nichiren Daishonin

When I embarked upon my writing journey almost a year ago, I never imagined the road I would end up on once my book was published. Hell, I didn't even think about publishing it until after it was done and then I didn't think anyone would read it much less get people talking about it.

So much has happened since I blindly and naively sat down at my computer to write "Sinner's Ride".  I've met some really wonderful, diverse and interesting people -- artists in their own right. I've had the opportunity to work with sincere, intelligent and talented individuals. I have been fortunate enough to enhance my inner circle of friends. I am deeply appreciative of all their comments, support and consideration.  It has been a helluva ride!

With that said, I also have to admit that I've had to face some challenges; some of them inner challenges. And, I think I am a better person for it. I've learned to let go of some of the baggage from my past. I've learned to look at things differently, more positively and I've learned patience.

I have been off from work all week due to law mandated construction work in my kitchen. I thought I would spend this time working on my WIP while the construction workers banged away. Since there were some other personal things I had to get done, I scheduled those appointments. But, that's not my problem. 

When I began to think about my next project, I challenged myself to write a more complex tale and I put the onus on myself to write a better, fuller, more intense story than "Sinner's Ride." I had a good idea of what I wanted to write about and I thought I knew how the story would go, but I soon learned that was not going to be the case. This story was going to demand the right to take on a life of its own. I was merely a vehicle through which this story would develop and flow. So, I wrote my first and second chapters and then the third. When I went back to review/edit what I already had down, I didn't like it so I chucked it and started all over again. I had even sent the older version to my publisher. But. this new piece I liked much better. I then discovered that it would be a struggle to write specific plot lines for certain characters and I couldn't understand why. So I called a friend.

You see, I'm anal. Some would say "just write and go back to the areas where you have trouble later." I couldn't conceivably do that because the characters wouldn't let me. So I called my friend night after night after night. We talked about different scenarios and we tossed around ideas and we even came up with an idea for another story all together. But at the end of the day, it wasn't his problem. I had to figure out where my challenge was and why it was so difficult for me to write for these particular characters. 

The quote above very nicely wraps up this issue for me. I thought about giving up on this story and going back to my UF WIP, because that truly is when I started writing. But I'm not a quitter. If I give up on this story, then I won't evolve from what is holding me back. This story is proving to be a challenge for me because of noise in my own head and due to all of that ruckus, the words are slow in coming. I've had to stop and listen and try to make some sense of that noise and then let it die out. 

My friend is very spiritual. He sees messages from the universe in all challenges. Maybe he's right. Frankly, I think he may very well be. I, for one, believe that we are always exactly where we are supposed to be. I don't ever want to say "If only I had a little more courage."  However, this I know for certain: I might fail; this book may not be read by anyone except maybe my friends and family members whose throat I shove it down.  But I won't quit.

I am secure in knowing I won't be saying "If only I had more courage". I believe that this story for one, and my writing overall, is the right path for me.  I'm sure I'm not going to regret it, whatever the outcome.

~~ML