The Hows and Whys don’t matter…Happy Holidays

In the past few months, I have embarked on a journey of truth and happiness.  That is, I began taking the steps necessary to move away from the living just to be living into living to say that I’m ALIVE!  Call it what you want, but there are those who just don’t fit into the “norm.”  I have never been one that could be summed up in just one word.  The person you think you know is only one side of the multifaceted being that I am.  Yes, I am an Indie Author, but that only makes up a portion of who I am. 

I didn’t see myself being a blogger and yet, here I sit, typing away and enjoying it.  Whether this reaches 1 or 40 or thousands, it doesn’t matter to me.  What I do, I do for the pleasure of being able to do it.  My books, my newsletter, my blog are all things that as a writer, I enjoy doing. I have stopped asking the question of “how did this come to be what I am doing” or “why am I not doing something with the thing that I am most passionate about.”  I started thinking of ways I could take my passion and begin to make it work for me. 

When I started on this venture, I didn’t come into it with any expectations.  The only thing that I knew: I have a son that has watched me live my life and make ends meet, but he hasn’t seen me enjoying what I do.  When I was younger, I didn’t dream of doing the job that would “pay the bills.”  I always dreamed of doing the job that I enjoyed the most.  Back then, I thought I was going to be a nurse then a songwriter. 

I’ve said all of this to say that I wake up every day knowing that I get to spend the day doing something at that I enjoy.  I am living my life for the first time and loving it.  The end result is that I look forward to every morning.  I have a network of friends that support me and encourage me to keep going.  I have found a new center of self that makes my light shine a little bit brighter. 

Have you found that thing that makes you beam with pride that you have accomplished it?  What is it?

If not, the goal (not resolution) for your 2014 should be to find what is that will make your light shine brighter.

~ E.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Fine wine…I’m better and I love it!

     I was having a discussion with another woman that is 30+ years of age just as I am.  We were talking about being mature enough to realize that we are both comfortable in the skin we are in.  How many can honestly say that about themselves? How many are truly happy with who and what they are?  Now, in no way should you take this as a statement that I believe that I, at 36 years of age, am perfect.  Oh baby, no!

     I am just in a place in my life where I am accepting of the me that I am.  I am an African American woman who shops in the plus size section of the store.  I am a single mother, self-published Author, a blogger and I just recently started a newsletter that quite a few praised me on.  I have always had the backside/butt/junk in the trunk that “won’t quit” or “you can sit a tray on that and eat off it” that determined how I shopped for jeans, skirts and pants.  Now, I have to dress “the girls” as well. (snickers) Yet, I have accepted the changes in my body, the flaws that others may not overlook.  I am happy.  

    That saying, “I’m just like fine wine, I get better with age” does apply.  With age, I have grown to enjoy the woman that I am.  I determined a long time ago that I would never be the one to live a life of regrets and “what ifs.”  If a “what if” came to the forefront, then I made the choice to go after it.  I look back on my years and say I accept that I had to go through it because I am all the better for it.  I can stand on my own two feet and say I am here and loving every moment of it.  There were moments that I didn’t believe that I would make it.  There are times when I felt like it was time to just give up and let go, but I persevered.  I overcame the hardships that life thrust me into. 

     “All my life, I had to fight.” The story of my life is not one that is filled with beauty and joy always but those quiet moments, those breaths in between have been a precious commodity.  I know that I’m not alone in having to overcome a life filled with heartache, disappointment, frustration, abandonment, physical and/or mental abuse.  I survived it.  I am thriving because of it.  My faith is stronger as I walk in the truth of it.  I wrote a poem entitled: That I Am and here are the first few lines of it:

To know me
Is to know the woman that I have chosen to be
To love me
Is to love the caring, kindhearted person you see
To befriend me
Is to be the shoulder in the midst of the pain
To defend me
Is to also be that person that shelters again and again

Yes, I am like a fine wine, but what is great about me is that I am better! ~ E.

For your consideration:

The Craft Society of Divination: {Book 1 Mama Katerina}

Have you ever had a secret that you held to yourself and knew if it was found out it would change your family’s life?  Not for the better. 

Katerina E. Deshion has one such secret.  As the Leader of the Society of Divination and their covens, Chosen One, she bears a great weight on her shoulders.  One moment of surrender, a moment to allow herself to life, has resulted in cataclysmic fall out.  The end result: loss of someone she holds dear, her son.  

Will she be able to give her son the answers he seeks?  Will she be able to save him from the fate that caused her to remove herself from her son’s life?

Available in paperback and ebook

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-craft-society-of-divination-elr-jones/1117366330?ean=2940148935797

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Craft-Society-Divination-E-L-R-Jones-ebook/dp/B00GKZJZGO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387375410&sr=8-1&keywords=elr+jones

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Forbidden: The Prince’s Most Coveted Possession

The story of a young servant, Roselynn, who is content with her circumstances but is still the consummate dreamer. She catches a glimpse of the Prince (soon to be King) and begins having fantasies of being his bride. Much to her surprise the Prince, Philippe, takes a liking to her as well. He arranges a meeting with her under the pre-tense of needing a younger woman to become his chambermaid (a claim that the prior woman has grown sloppy in her old age is his reasoning). Quiet, unspoken exchanges happen (she being unable to repress her fantasies, he being unable to hide his growing desire). He tries speaking with her, testing her intelligence, and she feigns complete ignorance. He stumbles upon her singing one day when she believes that he is gone.  Their lives change in ways they never suspected.  

Will Philippe defy all and give in to the calling of his heart?  Or will he suppress a feeling that causes him turmoil? 
Will Roselynn allow her dreams to possibly come true?  Or will she deny herself happiness for the betterment of the kingdom?

Available in paperback and ebook

 

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Princes-Most-Coveted-Possession-ebook/dp/B00FKJ11RW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1387377787&sr=8-2&keywords=elr+jones

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forbidden-elr-jones/1117001955?ean=9781492732419

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A Dreamer’s Today:

A Dreamer’s Today is a book of short stories with characters that deal with issues from being stalked by a best friend to the duplicitous cheating of a husband and wife. Each character has a story to share and an issue to deal with. Ride the roller coaster of these life-like dreams from Author E. L. R. Jones.

Available in paperback and ebook

Barnes and Noble:                           

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-dreamers-today-elr-jones/1117637024?ean=9781494431105

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Dreamers-Today-E-L-R-Jones-ebook/dp/B00H7N7NR6/ref=la_B00FO8Y6E4_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387385008&sr=1-5

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Life in “E” motion:

Life in “E” motion is a book of poetry.  The book takes the reader on a journey through the Author’s life.  Go with her as she makes her discoveries from teenager to Woman to Mother.

Available in paperback and ebook

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Life-E-motion-E-L-R-Jones-ebook/dp/B00FZ2CZC4/ref=la_B00FO8Y6E4_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387385383&sr=1-4

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/life-in-e-motion-elr-jones/1117175225?ean=9781493512256

The “E” Motioned News – December Author Spotlight

By E.L.R. Jones

Author’s Name:  M.L. Stephens

Latest Work: Angie’s Song due March 2014

                It’s not every day that you get to take a moment to take in and enjoy a good book.  One of my favorite movie quotes is:  “Every single one of these people is going to die someday, and they all know it, which is why they tend to regard the time they have on this planet as precious.”  I have had the pleasure of reading M.L. Stephen’s work. I also adore her cover art.

Her most recent release of A Witch’s Curse has been well received with 20 reviews on Amazon and an average of 5 stars.  My favorite scene in the book was when Drago had a tender moment with Clyde (you’ll see when you read it).  I love when Alpha male shows the tender/playful side of themselves.  M.L. has close to 4300 likes on her Facebook page and close to 500 on her Amazon Author page.  You don’t build that type of following without doing something right.

                A little about M.L.:

Her family is her inspiration. She is a mother of four children.  She has 2 cats and 1 dog. If she could choose an Author to work with, it would be J.R. Ward.  Her pen name is Missy Leigh (she uses both, didn’t know that!).

I believe every Author has a character or book that is close to their hearts.  M.L.’s Broken series has her heart. 

                What does the future hold?

“To write, write and write some more.” Missy Leigh’s erotica will release January 2014. She will also be on a book tour throughout 2014 into 2015.

Advice to a Newcomer/New Author from the Author:  

“Never give up. Keep learning, growing and writing.”

This is something to take note of!! ~ E.L.R. Jones

http://www.facebook.com/mlstephenswrites

http://www.twitter.com/mlstephenswrites

http://www.amazon.com/M.L.-Stephens/e/B009BWP1KM/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4?qid=1387240045&sr=8-4

 

New…place, space, outlook, adventure, endeavor, newsletter, soon to come release

When I look at this photo all I think of is the opening to Sesame Street. Sunny days, sweeping the clouds away. On my way to where the air is sweet.  Can you tell me how to get… you know the rest.  It is what I am feeling today.  I am feeling a whole new world of excitement.  As I continue on this journey of walking away from the status quo, {the mundane, the robotic journey} and work towards the goal of seeing the dream come to fruition. I am ebullient and with pride.  Strength to step out and do something completely outside of your comfort zone is not something many can boast of having the courage to do.

I walk in the fact that this boast is not an “all talk” situation for me.  I decided that I needed to let go of all of the things that were weighing me down.  All of things and people that said “No, you can’t do this.  It’s not the time.”  When you know something is right, when you feel a stirring to move, then guess what? MOVE!! Fear can be debilitating.  Naysayers will bind you to the “everyday routine.” Haters will rain down on your parade in every way possible. Misery does travel in packs and it revels in the company. 

If you wake up and realize that your life is in no way what it should be, then it is time for you to do some reevaluating.  It may not be something as drastic as moving to another state and letting go of everything to start over.  It may be a simple gesture of changing a habit or routine.  It may be walking away from that constant negative in your life.  Why put off until tomorrow what you could do today? Know that this decision is not always a spur of the moment thing.  Sometimes it does take time, but when it is made, then take a page from Nike and “Just do it!”

In the coming months, I will be posting Author Spotlights that will stem from a newsletter that I am sending out.  I hope you enjoy the monthly Spotlights as much as I will as I get to know my fellow Authors in this industry.

~ E.

Patience is a virtue… and Lord knows I’m still working on it!

The header of all of my blogs should be “The Life & Times of an Overactive Mind.” I tell you the truth!!

I have to laugh at myself at times. If you follow my blog, my website, facebook or talk to me on a regular basis, then you can tell how much I have going on in my head.  There is never a time that my mind is set to an “off” position.  I am always in motion.  I am an ever consuming machine. 

When I began this journey, I stated that I would focus on one thing, one day at a time.  For any that have ever suffered from any form of mental or psychological disorder, then you can understand just how hard that statement is to follow.  I know that I am a poster child for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  It drives me to do things that others wouldn’t necessarily do.  I think I enjoy throwing my life into a world of chaos just so that I have the ability to analyze the situation, organize it and work through it.  Seriously, who does that? ME!

I like taking on the impossibly ambiguous jobs/projects.  I like “biting off more than I can chew.” It is the thrill of knowing that I am able to complete the project and knowing that I did it. 

Now, the downfall of it all.  I tend to do that ever crushing thing of comparing my success with other’s.  I tend to try to take it all on and not request assistance from others until it is too late to do so.  These are things that I have come to recognize and am working to rectify. 

 I have to keep telling myself that I can’t compare myself with others because I have only been doing this for a few months.  I have made strides some hadn’t even thought of when they first started out.  I am grateful for that.  There are moments though when I want to jump forward to the next phase.  Moments, when I want to have my audience and followers established.  Moments, when I want to be able to bask in the glory of my success.  I am grateful for what I have accomplished though.  Every day is a step closer to the realization.

If you notice a running them of encouragement here it is because anyone who is “venturing out” to do something outside of their comfort zone needs to have that.  Some of the words that I share with you are words that I am speaking to those that come to me for comfort.  Others come from those that continue to encourage me.  Maybe, this was the day that you, the reader, needed to know that you weren’t alone in the struggle.

Today’s revelation: Take a moment to look at what you have accomplished and glory in it.  Don’t compare who you are to others, nothing good ever comes of it.

 

Word of mouth is a wonderful thing

Calling all bloggers!! I wanted to take a moment to post a message to request some assistance.  I am new to the use of social media as a way of promoting my work. I wanted to know if any blogger would be willing to do an Author Spotlight on me and/or review.  I also wanted to let you all know that I have my own newsletter going out monthly which includes an Author Spotlight.  Please comment to let me know if you are interested in participating in the Author Spotlight and/or receive the newsletter.  You could also send me an email at elrjonesauthor@gmail.com. 

My three course meal (The full plate syndrome)

Many have been guilty of this, but I never thought I would be one in that number.  I was sitting here thinking of all the things that I needed to do.  I thought about the changes about to take place.  I even thought about the mental “Things to do List” I created for myself. As I thought these things over, I felt the need to complain about it all.  I felt this overwhelming urge to scream because there are moments when I want to clone myself or put a pause on time so that I will have more minutes within my day. 

I stopped today and really thought about what I was doing.  Being a self-published Author is something that I chose to step off into.  This stage of my life would be the main course.  These days spent with promotion, reviewing, writing and editing are my days of the meat and potatoes of my life.  I should be taking it all in and enjoying the feedback that I am receiving.  In the almost 3 months that I have been a published Author, I have cultivated some fantastic and long lasting relationships.  I have touched lives that I would never have imagined.

The moments that have led up to this were my appetizer.  I have been putting off following my dreams and sharing my natural born gift for far too long.  So, I am savoring the flavors of my hearty meal and awaiting the moments when I am basking in the glow of knowledge that I have a glorious topping for my coming dessert.  I may drop my utensil, but I will pick it up, wash it off and continue on.  May I have seconds please?!! ~E.L.R. Jones

A letter to myself

I don’t know how many people have had this thought but it has been one that has been weighing on my mind. I wish I could go back in time and step into the shoes of my 10 year junior self. There are some things that I would want her to know, to understand and to let go of. 

Today, I would say to my future self:
1. Don’t look back and regret the choices you’ve made. They were made because you stepped out on faith.
2. Know that there is a reason that you walked away from certain individuals.  There are those that are more of a hindrance and weight than anything else.
3. Keep living life to the fullest. It is your gift and no one can choose how you live it.
4. It is a blessing to be an inspiration to others. It is also a marker that you are living life as you are supposed to. Continue to live that inspiring life because you never know the lives you may touch.
5. Lastly, never cease following your dreams. Don’t stop writing.

What would you say to your future or former self? Take a moment to think on it or even write it down. You might surprise yourself with what you find. ~E.L.R. Jones