Alex G Zarate

As a writer, there are a vast array of resources to sort through. Some are useful and others waste time. These two channels are excellent for the content they provide. I recommend them both to any writer interested in having a reference to check for expert information and advice when crafting scenes, stories and characters. 

How Real Is It: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKfWL8IXgKBuonEBHu-lhO28bCinSqNv4

Georgia Dow: https://www.youtube.com/c/GeorgiaDow/featured

A new year with a few setbacks, some much-needed wins and plans for tomorrow.

There are many lessons to learn along our creative journey. I learned much in the five books I published and expect to learn much more in the years to come. In this episode, I talk about why I decided to work with professionals when it comes to cover designs and recommend my favorite for both quality and price.

The inception of each book is always unique. When I decided to move forward with making a series, I had to look at things a little differently and had all the more fun in the end.

It's been an age since my last podcast. Yes, there was a reason. I'm doing what I can to get back on my feet and will find a new normal in this adventurous era we are in. 

This year has proven to be just as challenging as the last one.  For this post, I discuss what I have in the works and my plans for the second half of 2021

It took a long time before I could afford an editor. From my first book published to the sixth, I continue to learn more, but nothing is as important as having an editor when it comes to improving our craft, honing our skills and growing as an author.

It has been an interesting journey so far.  This episode, I discuss the mistakes I've made along the indie (self-publishing) path.

I'm back from my hiatus and eager to continue sharing my works.  For this post, I discuss the ideas that led me to write Reflections In Darkness and the delay that kept me from it after Connections was released.  Ah, creative life...

As I look for more ways of promoting my books, I will continue to share. This post talks about Book Brush and AllAuthor. Both look promising and I hope in the coming year, I see growing returns on my efforts to advertise and promote my books.

We all have passions that we follow in our lives. I have several. This is how I began my passion with Photography.

Links to CJ Geisel book, web site and social media are below:

https://www.amazon.com/Lowcountry-Incantations-CJ-Geisel-ebook/dp/B07NF9LWR7

https://www.cjgeisel.com/

http://facebook.com/cjgeisel

http://twitter.com/cjgeisel

http://pinterest.com/cjgeisel

http://instagram.com/cjgeiselauthor

Sorry for missing my post date last week.  Zombie apocalypse delays and all.  Thankfully, I think things are back on track.  This post is on the adjustment to my work schedule and what my daily work is now covering rather than going to a workplace and sitting in a cube.

Like many others, I've faced dark moments in my life.  This post is on the elements that led to my depression and how I discovered the means of defying that trap moving forward.

My Supernatural Suspense novels were always an adventure for me to write.  When I got a chance to continue the series with a new beginning, I had to do it.  Tommy is now a teenager and I was excited to delve into the challenges he and his cat, snowy would face.  This post is on the thoughts and inspirations of the novel that sparked a new beginning for my fave Urban Fantasy series.

I have acquired many tools over the years as I continue to work on my writing, art and photography. For this podcast, I discuss the items I use today. I have included the Amazon Affiliate links for items mentioned below for anyone interested in looking them up:

Microphone: https://amzn.to/2O90O8J

Stand: https://amzn.to/3rpmE5R

Computer: https://amzn.to/3avbCW5

Monitors: https://amzn.to/2NWXr4o

iPad: https://amzn.to/3jgmgDU

iPad Keyboard: https://amzn.to/3oLVHI5

Mouse: https://amzn.to/3ttgOCk

Keyboard: https://amzn.to/3rjSAZx

There are many things in life that cannot be explained.  Some are considered supernatural and some are thought to be imagined.  This is how I met the love of my life and how it was love at first sight... from my point of view.

It was a long and strange year in 2020.  My plans for a busy and fruitful year did not happen as hoped but I finished my book, found a new publisher and managed to get my novel out before the year concluded.  A great experience, a new publisher and a new beginning.  Now on to 2021...

Universal book link to Reflections In Darkness:  https://books2read.com/u/b6KJPp 

At the beginning of the year, I set a goal for the books I wanted to read.  I stuck to my list as best I could, however, like the outlines for my own books, the path was not followed.  I hope everyone met much of their goals in 2020 despite the zombie apocalypse and I hope we all find greener pastures in 2021.  Onwards! 

Books I finished in 2020:

• · Starsight by Brandon Sanderson
• · Fall of Hades by Richard Paul Evans
• · Paloma by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
• · Diving into the Wreck by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
• · Death Without Company by Craig Johnson
• · #1 in Customer Service The Complete Adventures of Tom Stranger by Larry Correia
• · Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.
• · The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien

Books I finished that were not on my list:

• · Nameless Series by Dean Koontz 1-6)
• · The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis
• · Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (1-6)
• · Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury
• · The Science of Sci-Fi by Erin MacDonald
• · Power Moves by Adam Grant
• · Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
• · Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
• · The Sandman audio drama by Neil Gaiman

Books NOT finished in 2020:

• · Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.
• · Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia
• · The Forbidden Door by Dean Koontz.
• · The Night Window by Dean Koontz.

Books not on my list that I did not finish:

• · The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes by Leonard Goldberg
• · 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
• · The Grand Biocentric Design by Peter Ganim

As we continue to handle lockdowns, the need to preserve our memories, images and videos becomes more important than ever.  I had a few setbacks over the years with computers and backup external hard drives.  This resulted in my using two online storage services.  One Drive and Google Drive.  I discuss my reasons and results.

There are many movies that stand out in my life.  This is a recent animated movie I was very surprised to have liked.  As a storyteller and artist, I especially enjoyed the many little details provided for fans both new and old.

There are many different ways to share a story.  Some are on paper and others with e-readers.  Audio continues growing in popularity.  This episode, I speak on Audible.

The most rewarding part of my writing journey to date is how it has affected my outlook in life.  I don't see the struggles the same as others.  I choose to see them as changes in my life story.  I hope you can see the story of your life and the journey that has led to your own adventure.

I was away for a short while as I completed my latest novel.  Nevertheless, this green post will be the first I share in reviewing movies and books that have become favorites along my journey.  I hope you enjoy my review and and if you watched the movie, enjoyed the adventure we took part in over the years.

One of the achievements I've had in my life stems from drawing.  I remember the inspiration as a child, holding a coloring book in hand as I learned how to express myself and share my imagination.

Many people enjoy taking a drink or two at the end of the day.  Some overdo it and others know moderation.  I have always avoided alcohol and aside from one event in college, always will.  My reasons began back in my youth.

We make good and bad choices in life.  When your health becomes one of the wrong choices, change is your only option.  This episode is about my weight gain over the years and the reason I finally took it seriously, going on the Keto diet.

We've all begun the journey to learning new technology.  This is my recollection of how I first started using computers and what inspired me to seek technology in my creative works.

This is a recollection of how I started my passion for stories, reading and writing.  My apologies for the audio quality of this post.  I am breaking in a new app and microphone. (Yikes!)

My apologies for the delay in the latest podcast.  I was fleeing infected zombies, pyromaniac rioters and murder hornets while trying to discuss pleasant memories of my dad to make this podcast.  I'm now safely in my secret bunker, stocked with toilet paper and tons of canned goods so I can ride out the Martian invasion that may come at any moment.  (Now, what is the best way to open a can of soup without a can opener?)

This podcast is a recollection of my father and his active imagination, which I have inherited and have learned to appreciate in the most difficult times.  Always look beyond the world to the dreams you seek.  They are always there, waiting for you.

We all make life choices for different reasons.  Some choices lead us to new challenges and others lead to greater opportunities.  My decision to join the military resulted in a new path, new perspective and new purpose.

This podcast is a collaboration with fellow creatives who joined me in sharing words of encouragement: Rachel Payetta, Theresa Jacobs, Jim Keen and Christina Hamlett.

www.facebook.com/intuitivewritingcoach

theresajcbs.wixsite.com

jimkeen.com

www.authorhamlett.com

There are lots of subscription models for choosing online apps.  Some are useful and others are all hype.  Two that I prefer are Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft 365.

I took up Comic Strip creation back in college and the lessons I learned from the craft continues to influence my creative works to this day.

I have many favorite resources that I turn to when working on my creations.  Two that I have turned to on more than one occasion are on YouTube:  Scott Sigler and his series "So You Wanna Be A Writer" and Phlearn with the series "30 Days of Photoshop"  The first is great for any writer seeking publication and the tools needed to make writing a career and Phlearn is my go-to channel for questions on Photoshop.