My name is Tina Smith. I am an author. I inspire, entertain and examine life. I write paranormal, romantic and suspense fueled tales about cursed wolves. They tend to be a little gothic and dreamy. 
I am starting a publishing co-op. I will publish your short story in a novel with other authors, including myself. I am seeking approximately 4 other authors to write a short paranormal story each. If you are an author who has at least a three star rating or above on Goodreads and Amazon and at least 25 reviews - PNR, Sci-Fi, Fantasy writers preferred (criteria is flexible) - please consider working with me. I plan to have the completed short story novel published by December next year. Participants will be chosen by me by February 2014. Stories submitted by July 2014.
I am excited about this new venture.

Benefits are you will have 5 times the marketing power to get your name out there. This is an opportunity unlike any other to cross promote your name/work and have inclusion in an anthology. You have the opportunity to earn as much money and exposure as you would having written a full novel, in less than half the time with half the effort. As well as the invaluable prospect of reaching a multitude of new readers. On top of that, you have the chance to work with other up and coming authors, who will promote your work.

Any subject matter within the PN genre is applicable - Vampires, Werewolves, Fae, Angels, Trolls, Aliens etc. I am considering Sci-fi, Fantasy and Space Opera type genre’s. Stories should be around 15, 000 words and not exceeding 20, 000 words. At this stage stories should either be geared towards the Y/A to New Adult Market. Let’s say on the cleaner side of N/A.

Each author will be responsible for the editing of their own contributed work. If the author wishes to withdraw their work from the project they can only do so after the first term of KDP Select. I will remove the story myself and resubmit the book minus the requested short story. But hopefully that won’t happen (famous last words).
All authors will be credited and links to author sites will be embedded in the book at the end of each story - up to three web addresses (Twitter, Facebook, and author’s website or Amazon Author page for example). Obviously links to competitors such as Smashwords won’t be allowed because they are Amazon’s competition. The end of the book will contain a short bio for each author with the same links - along, with a singular thank you to the reader and request to review the book online with the novels link on Amazon.

I will format the Kindle ebook. Authors are able and encouraged to review the entire work prior to publication, I will send you a pdf document. I will decide on the order of stories with a critique partners input but if you beta read I am open to suggestion of story order. Once published I will enroll the book in KDP Select for at least one term of three months (That is the required time in KDP Select). Offering one 3 day free period to kick off and another two day period, all starting on a Wednesday, approx. 6 to 8 weeks later. Authors can publish the individual contributed stories as long as it does not infringe upon Amazons KDP select policy. Further enrollment will be subject to popular vote. All monetary gain will be divided equally by myself, all documentation of earnings will be made available to all contributors - to show fair distribution of profit. Note though that this is not a goldmine and it costs to cash an international payment. When the book is not in KDP Select the price will be set at $2.99. (Direct deposit payment will be distributed every 12 to 13 months).

The book will be titled: Nightlife: Paranormal/Fantasy short stories from (insert five names).

Being N/A, stories can be scary and contain minimal violence (no rape etc) and sex. They do not have to be HEA.

The cover will be created by me using a simple licence image and font (I created all my current covers).

I will post the book on Goodreads and create a Facebook page. I will also write the blurb. (I have written all my blurbs). I will post a rafflecopter giveaway for the Facebook page. Everyone’s contribution and entitlements are otherwise equal.
The main idea is to gain exposure and network with each other and prospective readers.

Once your story has been in the book for 3 months after publication, with no complaint I will not remove it. It’s in for the long hall, or 2 years after date of publication. After which time I may or may not choose to continue to manage and promote the title and it will be dissolved. You can of course retain your story and publish it as a sole author in the short stories or whatever you wish after this time. You keep the rights to your work. You edit it (please pay someone to edit so that we have a standard). You promote it.

In the meantime the idea is that all the contributing authors promote the book wherever they can and use it as a way of getting more exposure and traffic for their other individual works.
All sales of the title will be conducted through Amazon. And again all monetary gain will be divided equally and recorded via Amazon’s Sales ranking and digital services etc. (as it does for all books). You will receive an ebook copy of the completed version and are welcome to provide it to bloggers for the purpose of review. Names will be listed in order of appearance in a double column format on the cover.

Don’t worry if you haven’t written anything yet that fits the criteria – neither have I, yet.

I don’t know if anyone has ever tried this before, but there is always a first.
I look forward to working with you!

Thanks for your interest.

Message me with questions.

Feedback is welcome.

Links:

Goodreads; http://www.goodreads.com/TinaSmith
Kindle: Forbidden; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GG06AS Wolf Sirens Fever;http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Sirens-Fev...
Night Fall: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D6BUDH0
Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/wolfsirens
Smashwords: Forbidden; https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210115 Fever:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/248222
Night Fall: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/321480
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tinawolfsirens
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/wolfsirens/boards/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Tina-Smith/e/B008V3H97A
~

Thank you.

Regards,
Tina Smith, Author of the Wolf Sirens Series

My name is Tina Smith. I am an author. I inspire, entertain and examine life. I write paranormal, romantic and suspense fueled tales about cursed wolves. They tend to be a little gothic and dreamy. 
I am starting a publishing co-op. I will publish your short story in a novel with other authors, including myself. I am seeking approximately 4 other authors to write a short paranormal story each. If you are an author who has at least a three star rating or above on Goodreads and Amazon and at least 25 reviews - PNR, Sci-Fi, Fantasy writers preferred (criteria is flexible) - please consider working with me. I plan to have the completed short story novel published by December next year. Participants will be chosen by me by February 2014. Stories submitted by July 2014.
I am excited about this new venture.

Benefits are you will have 5 times the marketing power to get your name out there. This is an opportunity unlike any other to cross promote your name/work and have inclusion in an anthology. You have the opportunity to earn as much money and exposure as you would having written a full novel, in less than half the time with half the effort. As well as the invaluable prospect of reaching a multitude of new readers. On top of that, you have the chance to work with other up and coming authors, who will promote your work.

Any subject matter within the PN genre is applicable - Vampires, Werewolves, Fae, Angels, Trolls, Aliens etc. I am considering Sci-fi, Fantasy and Space Opera type genre’s. Stories should be around 15, 000 words and not exceeding 20, 000 words. At this stage stories should either be geared towards the Y/A to New Adult Market. Let’s say on the cleaner side of N/A.

Each author will be responsible for the editing of their own contributed work. If the author wishes to withdraw their work from the project they can only do so after the first term of KDP Select. I will remove the story myself and resubmit the book minus the requested short story. But hopefully that won’t happen (famous last words).
All authors will be credited and links to author sites will be embedded in the book at the end of each story - up to three web addresses (Twitter, Facebook, and author’s website or Amazon Author page for example). Obviously links to competitors such as Smashwords won’t be allowed because they are Amazon’s competition. The end of the book will contain a short bio for each author with the same links - along, with a singular thank you to the reader and request to review the book online with the novels link on Amazon.

I will format the Kindle ebook. Authors are able and encouraged to review the entire work prior to publication, I will send you a pdf document. I will decide on the order of stories with a critique partners input but if you beta read I am open to suggestion of story order. Once published I will enroll the book in KDP Select for at least one term of three months (That is the required time in KDP Select). Offering one 3 day free period to kick off and another two day period, all starting on a Wednesday, approx. 6 to 8 weeks later. Authors can publish the individual contributed stories as long as it does not infringe upon Amazons KDP select policy. Further enrollment will be subject to popular vote. All monetary gain will be divided equally by myself, all documentation of earnings will be made available to all contributors - to show fair distribution of profit. Note though that this is not a goldmine and it costs to cash an international payment. When the book is not in KDP Select the price will be set at $2.99. (Direct deposit payment will be distributed every 12 to 13 months).

The book will be titled: Nightlife: Paranormal/Fantasy short stories from (insert five names).

Being N/A, stories can be scary and contain minimal violence (no rape etc) and sex. They do not have to be HEA.

The cover will be created by me using a simple licence image and font (I created all my current covers).

I will post the book on Goodreads and create a Facebook page. I will also write the blurb. (I have written all my blurbs). I will post a rafflecopter giveaway for the Facebook page. Everyone’s contribution and entitlements are otherwise equal.
The main idea is to gain exposure and network with each other and prospective readers.

Once your story has been in the book for 3 months after publication, with no complaint I will not remove it. It’s in for the long hall, or 2 years after date of publication. After which time I may or may not choose to continue to manage and promote the title and it will be dissolved. You can of course retain your story and publish it as a sole author in the short stories or whatever you wish after this time. You keep the rights to your work. You edit it (please pay someone to edit so that we have a standard). You promote it.

In the meantime the idea is that all the contributing authors promote the book wherever they can and use it as a way of getting more exposure and traffic for their other individual works.
All sales of the title will be conducted through Amazon. And again all monetary gain will be divided equally and recorded via Amazon’s Sales ranking and digital services etc. (as it does for all books). You will receive an ebook copy of the completed version and are welcome to provide it to bloggers for the purpose of review. Names will be listed in order of appearance in a double column format on the cover.

Don’t worry if you haven’t written anything yet that fits the criteria – neither have I, yet.

I don’t know if anyone has ever tried this before, but there is always a first.
I look forward to working with you!

Thanks for your interest.

Message me with questions.

Feedback is welcome.

Links:

Goodreads; http://www.goodreads.com/TinaSmith
Kindle: Forbidden; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GG06AS Wolf Sirens Fever;http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Sirens-Fev...
Night Fall: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D6BUDH0
Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/wolfsirens
Smashwords: Forbidden; https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210115 Fever:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/248222
Night Fall: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/321480
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tinawolfsirens
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/wolfsirens/boards/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Tina-Smith/e/B008V3H97A
~

Thank you.

Regards,
Tina Smith, Author of the Wolf Sirens Series

http://meanwhoyouare.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/author-interview-giveaway-tina-smith.html

2000 Likes Prizes. Like my authors page Share the Link and comment on it to win Jewellery, stickers, Crystal sun catcher and a signed paperback Tina Smith Wolf Sirens Forbidden

This is for dog owners: Interesting morning, here's a story for you. I struggled out of bed at 8.00, bleary-eyed and patted my sweet Billey who was stretching on the bed, before rising with me to get dressed. Twenty minutes of maddness followed of school bags, lunches and hair brushes. Before we found his lead and took off for our morning walk to school. He pulls me along, barks at birds, looks over fences and lunges towards cats. He is a dog and he is the sweetest most intellgent loving animal.
When we were mostly there I felt the dog pull back and though I attempted to drag him forwards (which is odd becasue he usually walks me), when I saw why. He was taking a dump and I had rudely dragged him, he gave me a somewhat annoyed look but as he obviously needed to go, he dropped a steamer on the grassy medium strip.
Now being the responsible pet owner/citizen that I am I quickly pulled a large scented glad bag from my pocket and hurriedly scooped it up, holding my breath and then I promptly put it in the nearest garbage bin, as it was bin day the street was linned with them.
On my way back 10 minutes later a lady came out of the house and addressed me in her driveway asking if I had put something in her bin. I very honestly replied that, yes I had scooped up my dogs poo and put in a garbage bag and disposed of it. She asked me to kindly not do it again and that I should put it in my own bin (which was three streets away). I said okay then, I will take it out. She started saying I could leave it this time but I said "No I enjoy the smell." (sarcastically) and I took the warm bag out of her bin and was quite determined to take it all the way home when I had hardly made it two steps when a lady and her one year old baby asked to pat my beautiful dog. I was standing there as the little child patted him, holding the stinking bag when I gave up and threw it in her nieghbours bin instead. The woman with the baby wished me a good day and I replied in kind. Next time I may leave it on the medium strip in front of the angry womans house (even though this is illegal). Also I didn't deliberately plan for my dog to shit or to use the womans bin. Nor do I want to carry a fresh dog terd for half a kilometre while I am on my walk meeting babies and other people with senses of smell. I am sure her bin stank before the shit went in and that it will stink after becasue it is a garbage bin!
I am not saying she was right or wrong or that I was right, but jesus christ am I supposed to not walk my dog, lock him up and put a nappy on him?
-hey if you can't do anything about it, have a good bitch on your blog, right?

I can’t feel you, loving me, from across the room.

Promises broken like shattered dreams across the cabin floor, separate you and me like water that I desire to cross, to feel the cut, rather than nothing, to feel you. As my lunar skin leaks rivers of blood that soak the forest floor with my emotion. It hurts but not as much as one look from you, angry - that cuts my personallity. I bleed for you but you don’t bleed for me and it hurts to be so close and yet so alone. As you stare at me intimidatingly. My need drains me and it’s you that sustains me, but you are across a wide sea of shattered glass stained with the red tears of my love for you.  And across it you don’t reach, neither to comfort me or tend the wound. Won’t you hold me instead of staring through me, coldly. Will you end it soon?

-     Tina Smith

List of characters I made for the beginning of book three Wolf Sirens Night Fall

Tisane Hunter

Tormey Hunter

 
Cresida James

Tabetha Horrel

Bronsen James

 
Lila Crain

Sophie Knight/Crain

Caroline Doil

 
Sam’s pack

Samantha Thompson

Sky Harton

Bianca Benson

Lily Page

Jackson Hastings

Reid Davies

Giny Archer

 
Mountain Pack

Greta

Patrick

Agnes

Christian

Bert (Robert)

 
Cult Pack

Paws (Dieter Pawston)

Narine

Blair Whitlock

Greg Sutton

Angele Bekert

Shelly Bealy

Tyler

Aylish

Lonnie

Dahlia

Anderson

Reviews from the Tour

 

 

Lila struggles to make friends and be accepted. Finally she is accepted by "the in group" and things get better for awhile. Again she is rejected from the group and is miserable but this time she loses someone that has come to mean a lot to her.

 

Full of paranormal suspense and teen angst, this book will keep you reading.

4 stars

Victoria Storm

http://onthebroomstick.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-max=2013-02-02T01:10:00-06:00&max-results=15

 

I love the incorporated mythology into this book. I found it interesting before, but after reading this book, I love the story even more. The uniqueness of this book surprised me. The Author did such an amazing job of coming up with something new. I will not get this book confused with another similar work- because there is no book near this one.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was shocked at the end. I had not expected that. The author took risks and they paid off.

If you want a book with Mythology, mystery, heartache, confusion, romance, and –oh, yeah- wolves, then check this series out

4 Stars

http://caughtinasnyderwebb.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/review-tour-giveaway-excerpt-wolf.html

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

Smith creates a world where mythology meets reality to give birth these magical creatures with sassy personalities. With a story told from Lila’s point of view, Wolf Sirens introduces us in the path of an extraordinary girl.

This is a story with a beautiful writing style, a solid story upon which the wolves myth is built and with likable characters. One of the strongest point of the book is the ability the author has to keep us conjecturing all the time, to not reveal unnecessary information and most important to really portrait the passion and strength behind Lila’s actions

-Ruty http://booksaremywayofliving.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/wolf-sirens-review.html?showComment=1361416589668

My Review

The author does a wonderful job putting her own spin in mythology. Yes there is a lot of werewolf books out but these one will have no problem standing out on it's own. The way it is written is wonderful and seems different. I really like the authors way of writing. The plot has a twist to it that does leave you wanting more. If you think you have read all the same old books about werewolves pick this one up. I am sure it will change your mind.

4 out of 5 Stars

-Pam Richmond

http://racingtoread.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/wolf-sirens-tour-review-excerpt-giveaway.html?showComment=1359106029207

Wolf Sirens was a mixture of paranormal and mythology, the legend of Artemis leads for an intriguing read. I liked the way this was paced, you are not sure what the secrets each of the teens is keeping or what their interest in Lila, but as it unfolds the book is impossible to put down. I can’t wait until the next book in the series, it looks to be an exceptional series.

- Em

http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/wolf-sirens-forbidden-by-tina-smith.html

 

Book Signings scheduled at Dymocks West Lakes Adelaide  on the 1st June and also on the 15th June at Dillons books on Parade.

 

 Tina’s answer to twilight.

The female protagonist, Lila is just an ordinary girl with dreams, which dull even her, until she meets the angelic faced teenagers that invite her into their clique. Shocked to discover they are werewolves as one attacks her, she is saved by the mysteriously scared Cresida James. Enamoured with the wolves, suddenly, deeply, driven by forbidden desire she longs to be part of their eternal world. Suspense builds as she learns their secret, but then must come to terms with the fact that she is the one thing that threatens their existence. Chosen by the spirit of Artemis, what she is, and who she is are two different people and somewhere inside her the love and desire she feels dooms her to make choices, which will either go against her kind or destroy the creatures she loves.  

I have enrolled in KDP SELECT and will have free days on the 27th to the 31st of March!

 In the next couple of days I will donate some books to my local super school library. I organised to have a press release via Instructions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMao72OTeiY  0.99 cent books Dot com. I will pitch local radio and local messenger news paper about my signings in June. In other news I received a cheque from a chain of local book stores The Book Boys, downside was I already spent the same amount on advertising. I have joined every free book facebook page I could find and I will have to tell bloggers about my free days on KDP. Does anyone have any other ideas?

 Likes are good too, I reciprocate. Thanks for the great feedback so far.

 Here's my Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/wolfsirensKindle: Forbidden; Wolf Sirens on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GG06AS  Sequel: Wolf Sirens Wolf Sirens Fever; http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Sirens-Fev...

Interview on Annamaries book blog: http://annamariesbookblog.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/my-interview-with-tina-smith.html?showComment=1359697591629

Teaser for Wolf Sirens 3! Night Fall (WS3).

They didn’t move, I glanced at her and noticed she still held the arrows. “Put down the arrows, these are our friends,” I scolded her.
“Ha,” laughed Jackson. “She’s smaller than you,” he teased with a bemused lop sided grin.
“She’s strong,” commented Angeles meek voice from behind him, she rubbed her wrists and we all glanced at Caroline.
“So this is what you’ve been hiding,” Reid exclaimed wide eyed, obviously feeling better. He appraised her approvingly “Hi Doll face.”
“Don’t call me doll face,” she hissed.
“What are you gonna do about it?”
“Break off your dick.”
He looked amused and then suddenly he laughed, but halted instantly when she broke an arrow between her hands as it made a snap.



Forbidden and Fever Blog Tour Dates!

January 14: On the Broomstick January http://onthebroomstick.blogspot.com.au/
January 15: Crazy Four Books http://crazyfourbooks.blogspot.com.au/
January 16: Long and Short Reviews
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/
January 17: Reading with Anacrasia
http://readingwithanacrasia.blogspot....
January 18: Book- Marks the Spot http://caughtinasnyderwebb.blogspot.c...
January 22: The Wormhole http://wormyhole.blogspot.com.au/
January 23: Booked and Loaded http://bookedandloaded.wordpress.com/
January 23: STOP 2 It's Raining Books http://its-raining-books.blogspot.com...
January 24: Musings From An Addicted Reader http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.bl...
January 25: Racing To Read http://racingtoread.blogspot.com.au/
Thanks Caragh for Hosting Me in 2013!: http://www.loadedshelves.blogspot.co.uk/
Shout out to Ruth who is hosting me in Feb: http://booksaremywayofliving.blogspot...
Coffee time romance is reviewing my book soon... http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Feat... on: http://writingbelle.blogspot.com/
January 28: Immortality and Beyond http://www.immortylcafe.com/?zx=8fcf1...
February 4: Book 'Em North Carolina http://www.bookemnc.org/
February 4: STOP 2/Promo Frankie Blooding's Bookshelf http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com/
February 11: Books and Other Spells http://nightskydarkstar.blogspot.com.au/
February 18: Andi's Book Reviews http://andisbookreviews.blogspot.com.au/
February 25: Book- Marks the Spot
March 1st Blog: http://lunarhavenrd.blogspot.com
March 4: Christine Young Romance Writer http://christineyoung-romancewriter.b...
March 4: STOP 2 Author Jinni James http://authorjinnijames.blogspot.com....
March 11: Melissa Keir- Sexy Between the Covers http://www.melissakeir.com/blog.htmlM... 18: A Pen and Fire
http://apenandfire.com/
March 25: Realmantic Moments http://realmanticmoments.blogspot.com...
April 1: Janna Shay's Fair Play http://jannashay.com/
April 8: Tina Donahue Presents
http://www.tinadonahue.com/
April 15: It's Raining Books http://its-raining-books.blogspot.com...

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Wolf Sirens Fever

by Tina Smith

Released January 08 2013

Jan 2013 to April 2013     giveaway details »

Enter to win

Shifty Shifters & Sexy Shifters/What Appeals?

When we are children we imagine we are Peter pan, Fairies and princesses. I wanted to be Atreyu from The NeverEnding Story - who wouldn’t have wanted a pet dragon that could talk and rather enjoyed getting a good scratch behind the ear?

Why is it that we love to imagine such things, what really appeals?

It is evidenced that man has imagined that he has the power to transform since the dawn of time. Many tribes depicted half man, half best creatures in art on the walls of cave paintings. In ancient Rome Romulus and Remus are told to have been suckled by a wolf. Gods were given creature like attributes from Medusa to Poseidon. There are Satyrs of the underworld, centaurs and angels. From the Egyptians, Aboriginal dreamtime stories to the Indians, Irish and the Eskimos. All civilizations around the world have depicted tales of men being cursed as animals or possessing the magic to turn their spirits into beasts.

There is something mesmerizing about imagining oneself as a powerful creature about giving up control to the instinct and habits of the being we become, to forget consciousness, remorse and compassion. To surrender to the lizard part of our brain so long ago deeply buried. Animals have a confidence we find admirable.

As adults we can take the fantasy further - What if the human with the ability transform begins to remember what they do, begins to realize the creature dwelling within and to regret the unconscious actions of the beast. What happens if the afflicted attempt to control it? In struggling to maintain two lives, every day a torturous battle rages on within. – A metaphor for life?

What if they have the ability to pass on their affliction with a bite? What if the moon conspires against them? What if hunters came for them? What if they had done things they regret? And what if they fall in love with a human...

-As for my dream shifter? What if he is insanely handsome, haunted and gentle with the ability to rip you apart in a heartbeat and literally devour your flesh, yet the human side of him longs to caress it. What if he picks you out of the sea of a thousand seemingly similar and even better looking girls, what if he desires and adores you only, rejecting their blatant advances. What if despite himself he can’t stay away and would do anything to be with you and even die to protect you against all odds, despite his past. It brings him physical pain to see you with another man in fact he cannot bare it – yet he cares for you so much he knows its best you stay away from him. What if he fights for you?

 In the middle of the night, injured, he comes to your bedroom window in need of your help. With trembling hands you tend his wounds as they heal before you. What if he meets your lingering gaze, he grabs your arms forcefully yet tenderly and suddenly despite the forbidden act of him loving you, he does so. Passionately and gently with such commitment and heat, that your heart beats as his hot muscular arms hold you to him in a needy desperate embrace.... 

My shifter fantasy is simply an ideal of what our unconscious brain requires, on a chemical level a concept that at its core contains all the appealing genetic attributes the lizard brain desires, to produce and protect offspring. We want our men gentle, yet strong and very masculine – think Brad Pit in Legends of the Fall. If he’s loyal he is less likely to spread his seed and produce other offspring with other women which will compete with our genetics and he if he has the superhuman power to destroy threats and protect us, all the better.

It has been shown upon reading such things copious dopamine is released. Evolution requires we desire these attributes and rewards us for finding it. Admittedly I speak largely for women. As for why and what men like in the shifter genre, well, that is fodder for another post.   

    

 

I am exclusively Amazon, enrolled in KDP select which means Amazon Prime Members can borrow my book for FREE! Otherwise, they are only $2.99 for an ebook. Wolf Sirens Forbidden Discover The Legend.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GG06AS

   


Post: Do you believe in Luck?

There is a famous saying: “Luck is hard work meets opportunity.”

I remember watching an interview with Will Smith and he answered a question with a spiel about how when he was young, his father would often tell him that very saying. He then went on to talk of the day his block buster film Independence Day was released in the U.S, his father called him up and said “Son you know what I always said to you.” And Will answered “Yes there’s no such thing as luck, I know dad.” To which his father replied “Son, forget that, you are one lucky son of a bitch!” Independence Day went on to break all box office opening day records. It was, I guess, a marketing stroke of genius.

My mother always said “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” However she is one of the hardest working people that I know. She runs her own successful small business which she started with nothing but a dream and few hundred dollars, there were those that thought she was nuts. She’s had many setbacks and some failures. She has seen hard times in the industry, survived bad partnerships and times when she couldn’t afford to employ staff, recently she had a robbery. Every day she is there and she is happy to be there, because she loves what she does – sure she can’t afford a nice car, but she learns everyday– at times with more resistance than at others. As a master she remains a student. Amazingly she relies on friends and volunteers and they come because my mother has that way about her, a love of her industry that is infectious and she is generous to a fault. So it isn’t luck that has kept her afloat for nearly ten years - its love and hard work. At times I thought, give up and go on welfare, but she doesn’t do it for money, she does it for a life. At heart she never wanted to be rich. She learns and meets more people every day she is there, who in one way or another enrich her life. It is her journey and her vision of wealth. And it’s better than sitting at home or working in a dead end job. There is method in her madness.

She has taught me so much, about business, about life and about success, just by observing her all these years. And that is worth its weight in gold, that’s an education you can’t buy – that I am lucky to have. She has lead by example and she has always been there to help, me and anyone else who needs it.

Success is defined by you and it can be doing well at something that you love. If so you are lucky to find what that is for you, run with it. Work hard at it.

People who are successful aren’t afraid of failure; I would estimate they fail far more. They just don’t dwell on it. They don’t self sabotage. I have learnt to ignore the haters, don’t let the bad energy of anyone else renew through you. Take the high road.

Achievement is made through timing, hard work and good marketing but on a basic level it’s you taking risks, creating your own opportunities. The longest journey starts with the smallest step, one out of your comfort zone. People see the achievement, but what they don’t see is the nine times you tried and were denied. We learn far more through our mistakes.

Inadvertently my mother taught me to have goals and to make a plan in order to find my fortune. If you chose a job you love you will never work a day in your life. I believe you find your own luck, but only if you look for it and accept it when it comes.

Most things are a matter of perspective. What others view as hard luck may be a learning curve and what others view as your good luck is actually the result of years of toil, endured so that when you met your opportunity, you were ready for it.

But then there are those who are just lucky, they had a different path. Be happy for them their luck might rub off on you!

- Tina Smith Author of Wolf Sirens

About this author

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I am an introvert, dog lover, Pisces, Herbalist, Remedial Massage therapist, Iridologist and student Naturopath. I work at Mega Health health food stores and Adelaide beads. My favourite colour is turquoise and I possibly couldn't live without water and lipbalm. I learnt to shoot for Wolf Sirens.
I enjoy yoga, soaping, alone time, reading and am obsessed with writing -I have surprized quite a few people with my secret hobby. No one in my family writes. I make a mean potato salad. I adore strong female protagonist's which is what stirred me to write Wolf Sirens. I drive like I'm in a rush always, I never clean my car and I will admit to a shamefull love of reality T.V. Gypsy weddings and 16 and pregnant are some guilty pleasures. My stories...moreI am an introvert, dog lover, Pisces, Herbalist, Remedial Massage therapist, Iridologist and student Naturopath. I work at Mega Health health food stores and Adelaide beads. My favourite colour is turquoise and I possibly couldn't live without water and lipbalm. I learnt to shoot for Wolf Sirens.
I enjoy yoga, soaping, alone time, reading and am obsessed with writing -I have surprized quite a few people with my secret hobby. No one in my family writes. I make a mean potato salad. I adore strong female protagonist's which is what stirred me to write Wolf Sirens. I drive like I'm in a rush always, I never clean my car and I will admit to a shamefull love of reality T.V. Gypsy weddings and 16 and pregnant are some guilty pleasures. My stories are a beautiful and tortured mix of reality meets fantasy. I was born in the green Bega Valley, New South Wales. I now reside in Adelaide South Australia with my daughter and our cocker cross, Billey.
Wolf Sirens Forbidden: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GG06AS
Sequel Wolf Sirens Fever: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Ebook: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolf-Sirens-F...
Ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Sirens-Fev...
Like me on facebook:http://www.facebook.com/wolf...
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/wolfsirens/
Featured on: http://noveldtales.blogspot.com.au/20...
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6449447.Tina_Smith

Intrigue, The Femme fatale, Goddesses, wolves, strong female protagonists, unrequited love and suspense - Sound interesting?
Chosen by the spirit of Artemis, what she is, and who she is are two different people and somewhere inside her the love and desire she feels, dooms her to make heart wrenching choices, which will either go against her kind or destroy the creatures she loves. In the unfolding fatal allure of hunter and prey.

"Wolf Sirens lures you into a world of danger, excitement and divided loyalties. A terrific read!" – Beverley Eikli, author of A Little Deception  

Books take you on a journey to places you have never been and see things you have never seen.

 

Here's a little something I posted on facebook:Thank you to all my Fans! ;)

Merry Christmas to all those wonderful people who have given their time and effort into reading a previously unknown author.
I will be blog touring in a few weeks with Goddessfish tours and there will be many giveaways! As for now all I can do is offer my humble heartfelt gratitude. Thanks for appreciating all my hard work. Thank you for your help and recognition, from the bottom of my heart. Thanks for loving and hating Lila, crushing on Sky and laughing at Reid, scowling at Sam and feeling sad for Lily. - I hope one day to be a full time writer because of you, liking my work. Just so everyone knows dreams do come true, if you work hard at something you love. To quote J.K Rowling "Rock bottom was the foundation on which I have rebuilt my life." Don't be scared to do what it is you dream of. When I was all alone in my room typing a story I more than once thought I may be nuts but I wanted to do it and who knew that little old me could have achieved just this. Don't listen to the haters, especially if you have perfect strangers tell you they loved what you do. Validation from good people and belief in oneself can make the seemingly impossible a reality.

Quote:"I am careful with whom I spend my time. I surround myself only with those who encourage and uplift me."

Maybe I am going a little crazy right now, we are building to a full moon and I can feel the energy rising. My dog is being really active and I have that itch to blog. Also I saw Breaking Dawn part two on Monday and I will say despite a very strange review by the reviewer on Sunrise morning T.V show I was pleasantly surprised and thought they did a lovely job of wrapping it up. I loved seeing all the vampires in the last book come to life.

So what started this was a path of self discovery that I am on and have been for a long, long time. I love paranormal and imagination and creativity. And paranormal at its best, I think, is just a metaphor for life. Okay I may be one of those people who can take anything and twist it to suit their view, but here goes. Most of this is based on my collective eclectic mind and I have somehow managed to combine twilight and Bugs Bunny into an argument for self respect.
 
Has everyone seen Twilight? Bella is cherished by Edward and treated like a princess - right? (In fact its border line creepy) he sneaks into her room and is so strong and wise, he holds all the power and protects her, he doesn’t show emotion and he holds the potential for great violence. I would go so far as to say Bella is his perfect doll? And he, the ideal charming, strong, controlling man. Although Stephenie gives him a certain gentle domineering edge that drives women wild. But still, he is controlling and Bella weak and gentle.

I like many girls am a strong independent woman who was once a sensitive quiet child and a very good girl, just like my mother told me I was, my favourite colour was pink and I played babies. I was all things nice. - Cut to 20 years later and I raise a kid on my own, hold down a job, study for a diploma, run a business and write novels (and write blog entries). All of which I do well. Plus I look after myself inside and out as best I can.

So why is it that people close to me in my life speak to me like I am a piece of s@#t?
- When I was little I wanted to be a princess I guess - well actually apparently I told my best friend at the time that I wanted to be Bugs Bunny or a Barbie doll. I remember why too, everyone liked Bugs - he had charisma, yes Bugs was cool and I guess Barbie had that admiration and great life (mansion and convertible) and that security everyone wants (sex appeal and money?). Let's just say that for a strange kid there was method in my madness. That was lost along the way.

In society we are raised to want strong aggressive domineering men and we in turn are raised to be good gentle girls, to keep our legs together and never speak up (I am exaggerating slightly). We spend our time and money on frivolous things to keep us from taking over the world. (The Female Eunuch, the Beauty Myth). While boys are taught to be aggressive and violent males and of course this results in the classic double standards, if a girl acts like a “man” she is a “bitch” or a “whore” etc.
I watched an episode of Oprah once, where some self proclaimed "expert" said women had to chose between being respected or being cherished (Oprah swore she wanted both and refused to be talked out of it. I respect her). (I tend to remember things that both resonate and puzzle me).

And like I mentioned I was a very good girl (hard to believe I know. If I was bad mum, I blame it entirely on hormones). I guess subconsciously I wanted to be cherished the way I was supposed to and perhaps I was, but I definitely was not ever respected (I suppose it’s less becoming), this was pointed out to me long ago by someone, who has respect in her family.

And now that I am a woman of nearly thirty years - I see the light and I will stand up for my respect. You see my entire life I have been rather disrespected. This is not what I want.

 I know what is far more important to me, is to be loved and respected - and treated as such. Now that sounds all wonderful doesn't it? And so easy - and it is - except for those who have my entire life, cherished me and not respected me. I need to show them the way. Change is very hard.
This causes conflict as they adjust to the new situation. This isn’t about ego (yes I have read Eckhart Tolle). Nor is it a feminist issue. It’s about maturing and letting go of that which no longer serves us and becoming who we are, free of intimidation and fear and societal and parental preconceptions – basically really growing up. (Freud? Doctor Phil?).
Because if you don’t look after yourself no one else will (well, unless maybe you are really cherished?).

So in the final book in the twilight saga, Bella becomes a vampire (sorry if you didn’t know how is the rock you live under?). She becomes Edwards equal as a fellow immortal. In fact, she is stronger than him, as a “new born”. He no longer has to worry and fawn over her and they face a common enemy together. Stephenie got it right in the end. Bella became Barbie and bugs in one, right? And she was happier and felt better for it and Edward loves her just as much if not more because that’s who she was meant to be.
Don't get me wrong, it is nice to be cherished and if you want that fine, good for you. But wouldn’t it be nicer to be loved and respected? Because if the people around you treat you that way, they deserve your love and that is mutual respect.

"I feel like young girls are told that they have to be this kind of princess and be all delicate and fragile, and it’s bullshit. I identified much more with the idea of being a warrior, and being a fighter…I think women are scared of feeling powerful and strong and brave, and I think that’s something they’ve got to embrace." (Emma Watson)

 

"I'm a feminist, but I think that romance has been taken away a bit for my generation. I think what people connect with in novels is this idea of an overpowering, encompassing love - and it being more important and special than anything and everything else." (Emma Watson)

Artemis the Demi Goddess. Now she has R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Book feature: http://noveldtales.blogspot.com.au/20...

Fever Utube Videos:

Tina Smith Wolf Sirens The Next Big Thing Blog Hop Interview posted every Wednesday my date is the 21st November:

What is the title of your book? Wolf Sirens Forbidden and Wolf Sirens Fever (the sequel). Wolf Sirens is a paranormal shifter series about werewolves. Romance is a strong driver in my stories but I am not about walking on the beach holding hands - my plot is littered with red herrings and inner termoil as you follow Lila the main protagonist on her journey in the town of Shade, where fantasy meets reality.

Where did the idea come from for the book? Greek myth and twilight and my childhood faves Call of the Wild and White Fang, wanting to write about strong female characters who grow through a journey where they are the hero’s, but are still desirable.

What genre does your book fall under? Y/A Paranormal/Fantasy/Romance/Suspense.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Anna Sophia Robb, Alex Pettyfer, David Henrie, Molly C Quin. Werewolves tend to be young and goodlooking.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Girl meets wolves, Boy saves her, Girl is destined to kill boy in a senario that repeats through the ages due to a curse.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Self Published.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 2 years.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Twilight, Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls), Amanda Hocking stuff.

Who or What inspired you to write this book? My life, Wolves, Wuthering Heights.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest? The goddess huntress is cursed to an eternity hunting the creatures she loves.
 Paranormal is really just a analogy for passion and life when written at it's best.

14th November 2012 Kevis Hendrickson: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/3275153-the-next-big-thing

Ch'Kara SilverWolf (www.sheerak.wordpress.com).


Heres a link to my feature on Author of The Vessel, Michaels Macarthy's blog:  http://trappedinjuxtaposition.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/promotion-wolf-sirens-fever-by-tina-smith/