The Story Behind My Book Foolish

The Story Behind My Book ‘Foolish’

I wrote the book "Foolish" for any woman who has ever been in love with a man, and even though you knew that man was bad for you, you still wanted to stick around to see if he would change. You believed that no matter what people said, your love could stand the test of time and that love can be found in some of the strangest places.  You see, in 2006, I became pen pals with a man that was incarcerated. It started out as an innocent thing. He saw a story about me that had been written in the local paper and started writing letters to me. I was doing my thing as an up and coming entrepreneur and was very happy in the place that I was in my life. At the time, I was a single mother and I had adjusted to that life. I was doing all kinds of interviews and working with people from across the country. Then the first letter came.

I had no intention on writing this man back. I was a woman who had high expectations for me and my daughter, which was part of the reason why I started my own business. I liked calling my own shots.

The first letter was just to introduce himself to me. I had a feeling in my gut that I shouldn’t have written him back. But I am the kind of person that saw nothing wrong with a friendly response. That’s where it would end, right?

Over the course of four months, I ended up falling for this man. Call it what you will, foolishness, blindness, whatever, I was that at the time. His letters were so sweet and convincing.

Falling for him was not even the crazy part.

He came home in June of 2006. That was the first time we saw each other face to face. I thought he was cute, he was built nice, his voice was addictive and this was the man who was going to be my husband. It was all we had talked about for the last few months in our letters. I was naïve enough to believe that you could find true love anywhere, even through the mail. Don’t get me wrong; love can be found anywhere. You just have to know if it’s really love you are feeling, or something totally opposite.

I didn’t care that my mom and dad begged me not to marry him. That my own daughter, my baby, begged me not to marry him and even told me that she didn’t like him. I just saw love and was naïve enough to believe that if I loved someone hard enough, they would change, or if I was a positive influence in his life, he would change, and everybody would love him and accept both him and his past the way that I had.

You can’t change a person. Only God can do that, and that person has to want to change. I learned the hard way.

In September of 2006, we were married in a courthouse ceremony. This was way against my dreams of having a big, huge, fairytale wedding, with my daughter as the flower girl, my nephew as the ring bearer (there was only one at that time) and my daddy walking me down the aisle in my beautiful, expensive wedding gown. A few of our family members attended, not because they were truly happy for us, but because they had accepted the fact that we were going to be together and there was no stopping that. His step mother told me it wasn’t too late to change my mind. My mother asked me if I was sure I really wanted to go through with this.

“Look at your daughter,” she told me. I turned to look at my baby, who had her eyes covered like she couldn’t bear to watch me dedicate my life to a man like him.

A man like him is the reason why I wrote this book. I am not alone in the "Foolish" society. You may not be married to an ex-con, but you may be in love with someone that is just wrong for you and you can’t see it, or you know he’s wrong but you refuse to let him go because that’s your man and you can’t live without him. That’s what happened to me. I couldn’t see that this man had come into my life to ruin it.

You may even be one of those women that have this belief that you can’t make it on your own and you just have to have a man, you need a man to complete you; to help you pay the bills and stuff like that. I know. My reason was I thought I needed a man to help me pay the rent, keep the car fixed and to take away that lonely feeling by being there to hold me at night.

Within six months, I had no business. No money. I ended up working in a group home for minimum wage, and paying all the bills because he couldn’t keep a job. Every time he would get a job, he would get in trouble and his parole officer would send him to a drug rehabilitation facility. He couldn’t stop smoking weed, popping pills and drinking himself into a coma.

In December 2006, we lost our home. The home we had picked out together. I couldn’t afford to pay the bills on my own because the few hours I was working were cut; and he was out of the facility but hadn’t started his job yet.

We ended up living in a family member’s basement against our better judgment just so that the two of us could stay together.

Did I mention I was pregnant?

It was almost as if overnight, I went from sitting on top of the world to being at the very bottom of the pit.

You have to be careful of the person you choose to spend your life with. If there are any red flags that signal trouble in paradise, heed to them. If I had done that, I would not have had to start all over from scratch.

It took him being returned to prison for a parole violation for my eyes to open up. I still made some foolish choices, but my eyes were opened before it was too late.

The man I had come to love, turned out to be abusive, a thief and just a cold hearted person. I knew I could not associate myself with that lifestyle any longer. Finally, I got up the courage to leave, for both me and my two little girls. There are so many women out here giving up things to be with a man. One thing you must realize is that a good man will never hurt you, and he will go out of his way to make you happy, no matter what. You deserve to be happy. You are worth it. Don’t let anybody tell you that you have set your standards too high. There will be plenty of men that will come your way, so take time and wait until the right one comes along. It will save you from a ton of hurt and heartbreak in the end.

Though my book is a work of fiction, I pulled things from my own life and placed them in this book.

It is my hope that after you read my book, you will take away the very lesson I have embedded within its pages: Don't be "Foolish"

Get The Truth About Self-Publishing

As a new author seeking to publish your own works, of course, you want to learn all the steps possible to do so without being taken advantage of. There are many companies out here that claim to help you self-publish, but most of these same companies are out to make a profit off of the dreams of unsuspecting authors.

It's best to know the truth.

Are you seriously thinking of self-publishing your own book? Grab my manual! Since 2004, I have assisted aspiring authors with achieving their dream of becoming published authors. My self-publishing classes and workshops are sought after, as is my manual, 'The Truth About Self Publishing', which walks you through the entire self-publishing process step-by-step.
This manual covers every step of the self-publishing process, from how to get your book sold on Amazon.com, to securing international fulfillment for your book with one of the world's largest distribution channels.

You will also learn:

• How to typeset your own book in Microsoft Word (and save yourself thousands in typesetting fees)
• The best place to find a professional proofreader/editor (and cut your editing costs in half)
• How to get a professionally designed book cover for pennies on the dollar
• The reason why you MUST purchase your own ISBN number (and why not doing so could cost you the rights to your book)
• ...and so much more.

You will literally save yourself thousands of dollars in unnecessary expenses when you purchase The Truth About Self-Publishing Manual. 
To purchase your own copy of 'The Truth About Self-Publishing Manual' today for an investment of just $27.00 click the button below. The manual ships in 24 hours. Get your copy now!

How to Add 'Bestselling Author' to your Resume`

As authors, this is the ultimate goal: to be able to add the words, 'bestselling author' to our resume`'s. Well, while it's not impossible, it does take much effort from you as the author. You have to believe in yourself enough to know that earning this title is well within your reach. Here are three things you need to consider doing to help you achieve the status of, 'bestselling author'.

1. Study other authors that have become bestsellers. What are their habits? What do you see them doing on a consistent basis that you are not?
2. Revamp your marketing plan. What are you doing to get the word out about your book? Perhaps a simple tweak to your plan could help you find an untapped audience.
3. Explore all the sales channels. Your book is your product. You have to look at your book as a product that must be sold and look at all the areas of which you could do so.

You as the author have the power to take your book to a totally different level. You simply have to make the decision on just how successful you want your book to be.

Until next time,

~Sandra~

P.S. Would you like to use this post in your blog or on your website? You can, as long as you add this little blurb with it:

Dr. Sandra Peoples is a self-publishing expert. Having been in the field since 2005 she has learned the ups and downs of publishing your own books. Sandra has created a course for authors called, 'The Successful Author 2.0', a writing course for beginning authors called, 'Write the Book' and an ebook and audiobook called 'The Truth About Self-Publishing'. Visit her website at www.motivateu.info.

Need a Dose of Inspiration? Deborah Clark Has It For You.

This Month's Success Story is a True Inspiration. Allow me to introduce you,

Prophetess Deborah Clark

BIO:
God began to speak to me on a daily basis and I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to search the scriptures and transcribe His words into letters. Originally, I thought these letters were just for me, but I quickly realized they were meant for others too. As I shared them, not only did they change my life, but others were encouraged, uplifted, and received hope in the midst of despair. Every word that you read is prophetic and can be confirmed through the scriptures. God expressed to me that these letters will be used to inform, inspire, encourage, elevate and illuminate His people. These letters are also used for correction, direction and motivation. No matter where you are in your journey, I am confident that these letters possess the power to change and rearrange your situation.
God promises that if you will listen with your heart and begin to do what He says, you will soon see that God and His Word are one and where the Word is -- so is the Spirit of the Lord. Since I began writing in June of 2010, I have shared these letters with many groups and I have been asked to read the letters at future speaking engagements. I have been invited to read His letters on a weekly basis to Pastors and church leaders and also for a prominent prayer line. God has ensured me that these letters will minister to millions around the world. He has a message for the nations and I am one of the vessels that He is using for such a time as this.
There is no coincidence that my name is Deborah. The Prophetess, Deborah in the Bible, had a remarkable relationship with God. Like Deborah, my insight and confidence has given me a unique position to inspire God's people. My purpose is to serve God and to be available to others. Deborah, the Prophetess, accomplished great things because she was willing to be led by God and so am I.



EXCERPT:
As far as God is concerned there are no "coincidences". The fact that you are here and reading this text this very moment should serve as a clear indication that your life's journey has meaning and purpose.  To assist you on this journey, God sent a Prophetess, Deborah Clark and who by the power of the Holy Spirit, she has written love letters just for you.  Letters have been used over centuries to do many things. Letters are used to inform and inspire; to encourage, elevate and illuminate. Letters are used for correction, direction and motivation. No matter where you are in your journey the effects of a love letter can be long lasting and serve to bring hope in the midst of despair.  Please enjoy Letters From God with Prophetess Deborah Clark and may your soul be refreshed.
Please visit www.lettersfromalmightygod.com to listen to a letter from God.

Very Sincerely,
Deborah L. Clark

My 'Ah-Ha' Moment

We all have had them. Those moments when we it finally clicked on just what it was that we are supposed to do with our lives. My ‘ah-ha’ moment came very recently. As a matter of fact, it happened a few weeks ago. I have always been a person that has wanted to help people. It was this longing to help that drove me to pursue a ton of careers of which I did not enjoy. I tried nursing, but I was afraid of needles and wanted to puke at the sight of blood. I tried nursing assistant, but I didn’t like some of the things that went along with the job. I loved writing. I still do love it. I realized that writing can help people in more ways than one could imagine. Writing gets read. Words can change lives. Words are powerful. I realized that possessing the gift to write was not something to take lightly, but something to be appreciated. And, I love speaking in front of groups of people, teaching and telling about something interesting. Most people find that a bit shocking because I am somewhat of a soft spoken person. So, a few weeks ago, I discovered that I could use my gift of writing and speaking to create a job that I would not only enjoy doing, but love doing. Which brings me to my question for you. Have you had an ‘ah-ha’ moment? An epiphany? Have you been toying with a dream for so long but have been afraid to bring it to reality out of fear of what others may say about you? If you are one of those people, living like I did for so long, then guess what, it’s time to change. It’s time to step out on faith and go for your dreams. Life is too short to do anything otherwise.

Want to Know the Secrets of a Kept Woman? Meet this Month's Author Shani Greene-Dowdell

Author Shani Greene-Dowdell

This Month's Author Showcase features non other than the talented Mrs. Shani-Greene Dowdell. From the printed page to the stage, this is one author that is truly destined for success. 

'Secrets of a Kept Woman'

 

 

 

 

 

BIO:

Born and raised in Tuskegee, Alabama, I am a country girl at heart. Plainly speaking, I love the south! I have three beautiful children and a supportive husband who keep me grounded. I've written two books and compiled two anthologies, but really I'm down to earth, love to have fun, and am at my best when I'm off to my self dancing to my own beat.

When I am not promoting my literary works, producing plays, assisting new authors, or performing my motherly duties, I can be found with my ears plugged and fingers moving while performing medical transcription at my day job.

 In every aspect of my life, I love what I do and am blessed to be walking on purpose.



EXCERPT:

I sent up a silent prayer as I pulled into Rhonda’s apartment complex, praying to the God above that I would not find my husband’s car on the lot. “Lord, please don’t let my husband’s car be in this parking lot. Please Lord, keep them honest, if only this once. Lord, hear my call.”

Hoping for a tiny bit of leniency from the powers up above, I prayed that neither of my husband’s cars would be in my best friend’s parking lot. This was the first time in years that I had gone out checking behind Titus. I had learned that this type of behavior only led to heartache in the past.      

Unfortunately prayer wasn’t enough to stop the treachery. Sure enough, his car was not only on the lot, but it was parked directly in front of Rhonda’s apartment door as if it was his own personal parking space. They were just bold with their little fling! I thought. I knew that if Titus was comfortable enough to flaunt his affair with Rhonda at least half of the town, if not everyone in town, knew about it.

I sat in the car in a daze with my eyes fixed on Rhonda’s front door. In my mind, all I could see was Titus pinned against Rhonda’s living room wall as Rhonda gave him another Super Head job, like the one I witnessed on my security tape. Titus had the security system installed in case someone got froggy enough to want to break in and was dumb enough not to even think about erasing the video after his little indiscretion with my best friend. The video had been what verified the truth that my eyes couldn’t see. Obviously, he had forgotten all about the cameras in every room in our home, probably because they were not installed for the purpose of making sex tapes like the one he and Rhonda starred in. Men are so sloppy with their cheating.

Derrick Simmons was on point with his movie, Women Do It Better. In affairs, women damn sure don’t tend to leave a trail of bread crumbs leading their husbands right to the scene of the crime. When a woman gets caught cheating, it’s because she was ready to be caught. She doesn't care. She is ready to give up the marriage or relationship, anyway.

Knowing that Titus was so sloppy made me wonder, how did I miss all of the signs in the first place? I must have had a permanent pair of blinders on. I knew Rhonda could be scandalous, dating back to high school when she tipped under the bleachers with Carlton and thought I didn’t know about it. It wasn’t like I was in love with the boy, but it was messed up that she had sex with him and didn’t have the decency to tell me about their little escapade under the bleachers. We told each other everything, but it took a random female to tell me about Carlton. The girl had said she just wanted to give me the heads up on Rhonda.

At the time, I didn’t want to believe it was such a big deal, and so I minimized it. But like they say, what’s done in the dark always comes to light and when it does it's not a pretty sight. Since we had been friends, I noticed that when I told her that I liked a dude she would eventually catch some kind of feelings for him. Out of respect, I would leave the guy alone. But nooooo, not her. Once a snake always a snake! Sitting in the car hotter than the first round out of a shotgun, I yelled, “This should be an interesting confrontation. I hope they’re ready!”



Shani Greene-Dowdell

info@nayberrypublications.com

www.shanibooks.com and www.nayberrypublications.com



All books are available on bn.com and amazon.com

Ricardo A. Owens Shines in the Midst of Adversity

Poet Ricardo A. Owens

His latest book, 'Abstract Beyond Vision'

This month's featured Author is Poet Ricardo A. Owens. Owens hails from Tennessee. Ricardo uses the power of the spoken word to paint pictures. His poems deal with real topics, ranging from relationships to dealing with life's everyday storms.

Get to know Ricardo:

Hello I am Ricardo A Owens, published Author-Poet of Abstract Beyond Vizion.

In Abstract Beyond Vizion, I speak of lifes realities from many different views, from experiences; things seen and overlooked to things not talked about.

As a child at the age of four years old, I had a brain tumor and a stroke during surgery. I took physical therapy until I was sixteen years old. From the stroke and tumor, I was left partially paralyzed on my left side for the rest of my life. I experienced two more strokes at the age of nineteen and twenty three old.
Going through these things has caused me to deal with life changes and struggles, being tried, despised, and criticized.
My experiences stem from childhood and continue even until today. But I won't let anything stop me. I've learned to use these things as motivation and strength to make me who I am today. The person I am today is a reflection of things I went through and endured making me a stronger person, with ambitions and drive to overcome trial. This same strength and ambition I obtain, I share with others hoping to be an inspiration and  motivation to someone else.

Hopefully that person can be you, the reader.


You can purchase the book from my website: www.ricardoaowens.com

You can email me as well: xoticafrica @ yahoo.com
                             

                                     
 Here's a sample of my work:

Matrimony

                             Being part of a world that we all must live in

                    but at the same time having ways that seem to be different

                        instead of living according to the ways of the world 

                                    you live by your own rules & regulations,

                                       like an animal in it’s own habitat

                                              living by it’s own culture

                                          living by it’s own mannerism,

                                                  understood by few

                                              misunderstood by many

                                   set out to be misguided and mislead,

                         but proceed to make your own way instead of following

                                                       the misleading

                                        as on with my journey I’m proceeding

                                  obtaining strength from those against my being

                                                           Criticized

                                                 Unjustified living in a world

                                                 Expected to commit suicide

                                    Married onto a state which can’t be escaped

                                                            Matrimony

Are You a Top Notch Author?

Competition in the publishing industry is more fierce now than ever. New books are being released at record rates, thanks to authors being able to publish their books in seconds to the Kindle, Nook and other ebook readers. So what does that mean for you? Three words: Step It Up.
You have to be top notch in order to succeed in the publishing game. So how do you step it up? How do you get people to notice you and your book(s)?

Do more than write books! You can't just write books. You have to do other things to get your name, and your brand out in front of your potential readers. For some authors, this will mean hosting events such as workshops and seminars, and book parties. For others, it can mean doing speaking engagements. Find a creative outlet and use it to promote yourself and your book(s).

So many authors live with the misconception that all that need to do is write and people will buy their books. Why would you think that? Your goal is to set yourself apart from the rest.

Top notch authors are authors who understand that it takes more than writing to get ahead of the game. A prime example of an author that exudes top notchness is Miasha. She is not only an author, but a brand.

It's time to look at yourself. What kind author are you? Are you the author that sits back, doing nothing, expecting book sales to just ooze in with no effort being made on your part? Or, are you an author that makes big waves, makes major power moves and gets noticed?

That's for you to decide.

Until next time,

~Sandra~

Is the Book Market Getting too Crowded?

There are millions of books being published on a monthly if not weekly basis. The advent of ebook publishing has only allowed for this number to increase dramatically. So what does this say about the book publishing industry?

I myself am a self published author. I did it because I had tried to traditional route and because at the time I didn't understand how to query properly, I was rejected. This was a process I began when I was eighteen years old. After some research, I learned that you could publish a book on your own and if you marketed it right, it could help land you a traditional book publishing deal. I wanted to be a writer. It was in my blood.

Fast forward some fifteen years later. I still am a writer. I love it. But now, I find myself not feeling as special about having this gift as I did back then. Why? Because now, many people are not writing and publishing books out of a love and a passion for the gift that is writing, instead, they are doing it all for the money.

I felt really sad the other day when I read the first few pages of a book written by a young man I had come into contact with. It was a prime example of someone who said "everybody is doing it, I will too."

What people fail to realize is that writing books is much like putting together a music cd. If you don't make good music, you will easily become a one hit wonder. Same with a book. If you only write one book, hoping to hit the big leagues, you may be in for a rude awakening.

Even if you do strike it big and score a traditional publishing deal after you self publish, the publisher will expect you to be able to write atleast two books for them, known as a two book deal. Some companies want you to write more. And you have to produce.

So, this blog post is going to ask a question: are you writing a book out of love, or are you doing it just because?

Until next time,

~Sandra~

Tamika Newhouse: A Self-Publishing Success Story

**Editors Note: It was hoped that I could feature all of the authors on the page 'Success Stories', however, due to a technicality, those authors will be featured  as a post on the blog. The 'Success Stories' Page will simply tell how to be featured. Thank you, ~Sandra~

Tamika Newhouse, June's Self-Publishing Success Story.

Tamika encompasses the fact that you can live your dreams and be successful at self-publishing.

About Tamika: Tamika Newhouse is a self-published bestselling author. Founder of Delphine Publications, at the age of 21, Tamika appeared on various bestseller lists and won Self Published Author of the Year at the 2009 African American Literary Awards. Along with Delphine Publications, Tamika is the founder and
President of African Americans on the Move Book Club (AAMBC) - an online book club and radio show catering to avid readers across the nation. With future projects in the works from short films, stage plays and much more, Tamika is a young woman on a mission. Tamika presently tours the country speaking about
overcoming her teen pregnancy to fulfill her dream, as well as teaching aspiring writers the publishing ropes. She has hosted her own internet radio show (AAMBC) for over three years and continues to expand her brand. She is currently living in San Antonio with her husband son, and daughter. She is currently working on her fourth novel Cookie: A Fort Worth Story.

Synopsis:
Born Latoya James, when starting high school, Cookie believes this is her time to stand out from underneath her sister’s shadow. Always declared the odd one, she makes it her mission to be noticed by anyone who will pay attention. Reality starts to settle in when she realizes life isn’t always peaches and cream. After witnessing the rape of her best friend, and then the death of one of her classmates, she starts to believe life isn’t what she thought it would be.

 Sex, drugs, catering to her new demons, and hanging out with the older crowd become her escape and not even her high school sweetheart can steer her straight. It isn’t until she realizes everyone around her is not who they seem to be when she decides to change her life. But when she experiences an unwanted pregnancy and the death of her mother, Cookie is left to wonder if this is the way her life will always be.

Based on a true story, Cookie is a gripping tale of a teen girl who had to grow up sooner than later. Taking place in one of the fastest-growing suburbs of Fort Worth, witness the life of Cookie and her quest to be loved, appreciated, and wanted. You will soon discover life is never what it seems.

 Excerpt:

 Prologue

 
    Let me first introduce myself. My name is Latoya James but everyone calls me Cookie. This story I want to tell you is a personal journey of mines. Not everyone goes to High School becomes Valedictorian and goes off to a University out of state and lives happily ever after. This isn’t that type of story. I know at some point in your life when you were young and dumb you did some things you can’t believe you did. Well I can relate. I can remember as far back as seven years old when I struggled with being happy. I can remember my love for writing and my love for being alone and off to myself. That was me then. Now I am grown and living life on my own and can no one take credit for the wrong I do or the good I do in life.
    Wonder why people called me cookie. I can’t remember but as far as back I can remember that was my identity. As I tell you my story I will reminisce and wish I could take it back and re do it. I wish I could take away the tears I cried or the moments I was weak and did something I would regret. I would think that after my mother taught me the word of the bible and sent me to church five days a week that I would know what not to do. But I was a kid; we do trial and error our whole child hood. It doesn’t matter what you were taught or what was told you will still make the final decision whether it’s good or bad. Did I make the right decisions in life? Could I talk to mama now and she say, Girl now you know better. It doesn’t matter who agrees with me or not as I tell this story because the fact is this is how I felt. This is what happened in my eyes. Believe it or not but I wasn’t always happy. But now I can say look at me now. Look at who I am today. But my journey here was not an easy one.

Purchase at www.delphinepublications.com
Visit author at www.tamikanewhouse.comFollow on twitter at www.twitter.com/tamikanewhouse
--
~a woman with a vision
www.tamikanewhouse.com
www.twitter.com/tamikanewhouse