This Stuff Ain't for Sissies! by Lori Leger

Self-Publishing and Promoting...A quick trip to Insanity, but what a HELL OF A RIDE!

As a self published author, here are just a small portion of the questions running through my "Abbie Normal"mind on a daily, if not hourly, basis... (feel free to ask if you don't get it and I'll explain...)

When should I release my next book?

Should I spend money on an editor or keep rolling like I have been?

Do I want to think about submitting to an agent/editor or keep rolling like I have been?

What should I name the next books in the series?

Should I start a new series?

What do I want on the cover this time around?

How am I going to find time to blog?

Can I really afford another writer's conference this year, both time and moneywise?

Should I drive or fly to Atlanta in October?

Should I enter contests?

Should I volunteer to judge contests? If so, how many?

Am I posting enough to Facebook...Goodreads...Twitter?

Should I start Pinterest? Would I even have the time to start something new?

SHOULD I blog more?

Am I doing enough to promote my books?

Should I start my own publishing company? If so, what does it take?

Should I make it exclusive to Amazon to take advantage of free days and the lucrative lending library income?

How much is too much to spend on ads or promo packages?

Trading cards or book marks?

Do I have enough humor in the new book?

Do I need more conflict?

Did I miss my turn at blogging on the Ass Cheek Angels? (Uh...YEP!)

Okay...I know I'm not special...I KNOW all of you ask yourselves some of these same questions. Right? Or is it just because I'm self-pubbed? I've never been traditionally pubbed so I don't know. But, it can't be just me losing my mind, right? THIS is why I resigned my job. No way...No way in HELL could I continue the full time job and the publishing end of the business. Writing was one thing, but the time it takes to publish...the rewriting...over and over...the tedious task of endless rounds of editing...over and over and over again (and I still miss the obvious, sometimes). All so time consuming.

So I get it published...it's OUT there...now to promote it. Good God Almighty, I only THOUGHT writing was time consuming. Promoting is the real time thief. And distractions...I'm like that dog in the movie "UP" ... SQUIRREL! and I'm off on ten different tangents. I've checked both of my emails..twice...pulled up facebook and goodreads...updated the website...updated my Amazon author page, and answered two tweets--and STILL haven't researched police procedures...the entire reason for connecting to the internet thirty minutes ago. Honestly, how does one succeed when one has the attention span of a gnat? Sigh...

Getting a book published is like having a child...nobody tells you how difficult it's going to be. But in the same way...it's totally fulfilling when you can pull up a website and see your books out there...or hold the copies in your hands, and you're getting messages from real fans (not your family or classmates) and they love your stories and thank you for wasting their day because they couldn't put the book down. Yep...it's like Kellie said just a couple of days ago...What a difference a year makes!

Writing and publishing...it ain't for sissies, ladies...but it's a hell of a ride if you've got the stamina for it!

All I Want for Christmas #11 - Favorite Tradition or Memory

It's not coincidence that my favorite traditions/memories have all happened in recent years. They all have to do with grandchildren...MY grandchildren to be specific. The more I have, the better the memories. Between my hubby and I, we have ten grandchildren, with one more on the way...two more if I count my future daughter in law's son from a previous marriage...which I do, of course. The more, the merrier.

Up until three years ago, the biggest tradition we had was to watch "The Christmas Story" from start to finish at least twice between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then I had a minor brush with breast cancer that scared the bejeezus out of me. I began thinking seriously of my immortality. I wanted to start a tradition that was sure to be near the top of my children, as well as their children's, list of favorite memories.

Every year at the beginning of December, I rent a couple of cabins at a nearby state park. Both cabins are on the lake and share a wharf. It's perfect for fishing if it's not too cold outside. We've had weekends when it was warm and balmy (remember, I live in south central Louisiana) and we've had cold fronts move in, bringing icy wind and rain, in which case we light up the fireplace inside and the bonfire outside. We bring one of my artificial trees, and the kids make homemade decorations to adorn the tree. We open gifts the first night so the kids can play with their toys all weekend. The children open first then the adults play the white elephant gift game. It's turned into a real blast for everyone and a weekend that we all look forward to. I'm including a shot of one of the gorgeous views we get to take advantage of.






So what's your favorite Chritstmas tradition? Leave a comment (along with your name and email address so I can contact you if you win) and you will be eligible to win a free copy of my first book, Some Day Somebody. Either an autographed copy in paperback, or a free download...your choice. I'll also throw in a download of my new short story, Hart's Desire, as well as a little souvenir from Cajun country.Have a wonderful Christmas!Lori

Lori Leger
Author Contemporary Romance with a Cajun flair
Some Day Somebody: Book 1 of La Fleur de Love series
Last First Kiss: Book 2 of La Fleur de Love series
Hart's Desire: an ebook short

Musical Inspirations - Lori's Blog

‎I know we've discussed music on this blogsite before, but I'm putting a new spin on it. You all know by now that my first book is called Some Day Somebody. Maybe you don't all realize that those are words from the old song by Wilson Phillips called "Hold On", "Some day, somebody's gonna make you wanta turn around and say goodbye...until then, baby, don't you let 'em hold you down and make you cry." Those words got me through some mighty tough times in a really crappy marriage to a man who'd been sleeping around on me since year one of the 17 years I stayed with him. I felt like they wrote that song about me...FOR me. One day I did meet the right man and I was able to walk into a brand new life. When I wrote Sam and Carrie's story, I knew I had to use that phrase for the title. I flip flopped back and forth a few times, but always came back to it and I'm satisfied with the results.

It inspired me to use song titles or phrases for the rest of my series as well. "Last First Kiss" is a song from James Otto that didn't get radio play, but if any of you want to hear a good belly rubber, look it up...you won't be sorry. Book 3 is "Brown Eyed Girl" and who doesn't know that oldie but goody from Van Morrison. It was the perfect song for Tiffany and Red's book. Book 4's "Heaven In Your Eyes" is a line from a song I wrote for the book...one of two songs. Book 5 is "Green Eyed Lady" an old seventies song from a band called Sugar Loaf, I believe. It's about a green eyed, Creole, beauty named Angelique and her love triangle. Book 6 is "Sarah Smile" (Hall and Oates or that cutie patootie Jimmy Wayne) about an abused lady with twin babies, struggling to find happiness and self worth. I'm always listening and searching for titles for future books in this series.

So, I got to thinking...what would be the theme song to my life NOW...now that I'm happily married, and have been for almost 17 years to a man who is as faithful as the day is long...or short, depending on the season, now that our children have blessed us with ten grandchildren and another on the way, now that I'm seeing my struggles as a writer just begin to pay off. I've got a few in mind..."God Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts, "The Dance" by Garth Brooks, or me and Mike's wedding song, "Soul Provider" by Michael Bolton. But I've opted for a decidedly more 'upbeat' tempo from one of my favorite country singers, John Michael Montgomery. "Life's a Dance" is perfect for my current frame of mind in my life. Here are a few lines for those of you who may not be familiar with it. "Life's a dance you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, and sometimes you follow. Don't worry about what you don't know, because life's a dance you learn as you go." Perfect for a 53 year old, writing by the seat of her pants, Ass Cheek Angel...don't you think?

So here's the question fellow cherubs...what's YOUR song for this time in your life?

Love you all bunches and bunches!
Lori

P.S. I'm having injections in my lower back tomorrow around 11:00. Been experiencing major problems with pinched nerves so I'm hoping this helps me to feel better for the holidays. Say some prayers that it works, ladies!

Bigger is Better!

Hello Angels! I want to discuss size today. When it comes to men, does size really matter? Is bigger really all that better? Well ladies, speaking from experience, I've had one not so big, and one at the other end of the spectrum, and in my opinion, bigger is definitely better.

You see, as woman who's somewhat on the tall side at 5'7", I prefer tall men. What's that? Of course I'm talking about a man's height. What did you think I was talking about? Shame . . . shame . . . get your minds out of the gutter and pay attention, girls.

You see, my first hubby was a small man with an even smaller sense of fidelity. So, I dropped his unfaithful ass, and found myself a real man. A big ole man, a little under 6'3", with a big heart, that I could look up to in more ways than one. On December 3rd, Michael and I will celebrate 16 years of a marriage I haven't regretted for one minute. I think my hubby's large size and big heart are the reason I'm drawn to big men.


I love music - especially country music - and I often use the music as inspiration for my writing. I have several male country artists that I find unbelievably attractive because of their size as well as their voices. Who can resist the deep, sultry bass of Josh Turner, the resonating tones of Trace Adkins, and the sexiness of Blake Shelton and Keith Anderson.

So feast your eyes on my delectable collection of massive, male talent...every one of them well over 6' tall,and chock a block full of sexiness and talent.

Keith Anderson

Trace Adkins

Josh Turner









Blake Shelton












Chris Young


















Toby Keith








James Otto