My Writing Corner: A Journey into a Romantic Past

My Writing Corner: A Journey into a Romantic Past: When writers mix the past and present, that always gets my attention, especially when romance is thrown into the mix. That's the premi...

Immortals - The Series: Shoe Shine For a Dime and Poema de Marta

Immortals - The Series: Shoe Shine For a Dime and Poema de Marta: Shoe Shine For a Dime, is the novel of my mom's parents, a tale of migration, hardship, war, fortitude, and victory. Inspired by Her...

FIND YOUR GROOVE

Despite a few words (not that I don't use them), I recommend this video Writing Wihtout Rules and article: Bad Advice Boogie: Write Every Day By: Jeff Somers June 4, 2018.

Feeling closer to mortality I am deciding what's important, life for me is a car with four wheels and a cozy chair.

I can't write at will and specific times. Kudos to writers that write, locked in a specified place and time every day but it's not my best option. Our family is large and I am the wife, mom, and Gma; the nurturer, the budder, and fixer-in-chief. Haven't been able to switch places with my husband while I am in my authorship sepulcher. He is very helpful, I already do a lot of please look this over and or "edit for me and I will..." plus he has his own pursuits.

So, for me is more beneficial and easier for my familia to stop flagellating with " I must write every day, at a specific hour and place, no matter. Unless it comes with a box I can crawl into as if it were a time machine.

In this video writing is also:
1) Conceptualizing. Sometimes in the middle of the night, I wake and jot down a new concept, idea, conversation or dream. My protagonists talk and appear (and not in a set place or space box.
2) Reading. Oh, I grab time to pour over notes, articles, and stories where I can. When traveling, my husband always drives. A good thing, for the GPS, even to get me home, I end up lost. I read in bed when I can't sleep, or in my quiet chair when he's asleep, done tossing and turning, not just books but YES posts on SSM and other authors.
3) Thinking. That machine inside my head that does not turn off. I keep a pad or my iPad on my nightstand, where I can write a note with what fills in my mind, and that never happens on cue.
How about you? Have you found your groove?

Ta Ta for now. Below is a link to the video and an article from WritersDigest, a place I trust and love:
 I recommend this video Writing Wihtout Rules, and article: Bad Advice Boogie: Write Every Day By: Jeff Somers | June 4, 2018. 

One piece of advice that seems good but can do a lot of harm is the old classic 'write every day.' Jeff Somers explains why.

One Year, One Hundred Rejections: Brett Elizabeth Jenkins | WritersDigest.com

Thanks to sites such as WritersDigest.com and this article: One Year, One Hundred Rejections: Brett Elizabeth Jenkins | WritersDigest.com: Today's guest post from Brett Elizabeth Jenkins aims at a different type of goal than many writers might aim for: 100 rejections in one year!

That admirable authors undergo rejections helps me from not feeling alone in the rejection line. Even when I sink into feeling when as a child, limited by polio and slowed by dyslexia, I read curled up by a corner window in my bedroom or the attic of my grandparent's store; daydreaming of growing into a dancer, and writer. 

I did become a dancer and self-published the first book of my Immortals series The Sylph's Tale on Amazon and Boooks2Read. And a screenplay adaptation of The Sylph’s Tale or Ayekah the Damned on Amazon Studios.

Had a successful career as Program Specialist and Research Analyst and Counselor. Freelanced for CBS Sacramento Arts&Entertainment, Examiner.com, and Ex-In the City Guides. A few of my poems were published by Scruffy Dog, Editred, Poetry for Conservation and was poetry finalist, 2012 San Francisco Indie Publishing Contest and finalist in the 2017 Short Story Contest on Screen Craft. Completed ISA Screenwriting, the University of Iowa, UCD, extension, Poynter’s, Gotham, and Odyssey. Participate in Goodreads, Sierra Writers, Horror Writers, PRG and various others.

2017 ScreenCraft Short Story Contest Quarter-Finalists Announced - ScreenCraft

My Screenplay, The Sylph's Tale or Ayekah the Dammed, based on my book The Sylph's Tale,  was a finalist. 2017 ScreenCraft Short Story Contest Quarter-Finalists Announced - ScreenCraft: Listed below are the quarter-finalists of the 2017 ScreenCraft Short Story Contest, selected from over 1,400 submissions. Congratulations to these writers and thanks to all for submitting!  Stay tuned for the February...

Best Way to do Historical Research | Alliance of Independent Authors: Self-Publishing Advice Center

Hi authors, searching for useful sites I discovered this piece on ALLI with valuable advice on where and how to discover details when working on novels that reach back into the history. Enjoy.

Best Way to do Historical Research | Alliance of Independent Authors: Self-Publishing Advice Center

What the Heck?

There are tons of sources for writers published or on the fence.
For those newly published, like yours truly, to a book reviewed or bought is a major chore and ALL of us self-published authors need sources.
I found a source on Facebook, Writers Helping Writers and then I went to the webpage and joined, happy to get information without depleting my budget.
That's another thing:  the cost for most resources, classes or workshops, are ridiculous and writers, as I hear, unless they are famous bestsellers, don't have the funds to keep said sites fed and housed without doing without food and shelter.
What the Heck?

Another review!

Hi friends,
This makes eight reviews out of eight sales on Amazon, glad to share that there are more sales on Draft2Digital because its cheaper but no reviews.

Amazon: The Sylph's Tale
Draft@Digital: The Sylph's Tale

Also, Please visit at Marta C Weeks on Facebiook!

Doing edits on book two VIRGINS.

Top 5 Screenwriting Contests That Don't Suck | Screenplay Contests 101

FOR SCREENWIRTERS LOOKING FOR COMETITIONS: LOVED THIS YOUTUBE - TOTALLY WORTHWHILE - ENJOY.

101 Six-Second Screenwriting Lessons from Brian Koppelman - ScreenCraft

Best article I have read on screenwriting and writing anything. LOVE IT!

101 Six-Second Screenwriting Lessons from Brian Koppelman - ScreenCraft: Ken Miyamoto shares 101 of Hollywood screenwriter, producer, director, and showrunner Brian Koppelman's six-second screenwriting lessons.

Six Second Screenplay Lessons by Brian Koppelman (Vol I)

Great article on writing and publishing

Hi Friends, I haven't posted for awhile because I was busy doing edits on The Sylph's Tale teleplay, then I got a cold, and then a grandchild came to visit for a few days, always love that, it pulls me from my emotional and writing cave into the reality of what counts. 

Anyhu, just now I read this article on Poets&Writers and had to share it: Publishing Your First Book: Advice for First-Time Authors by Shelly Oria

THE PRACTICAL WRITER March/April 2018 - 

It got me out of the funk, and now I am ready to finish editing and re-submitting plus re-editing Virgins, book two of Immortals - the series. Reading Oria's open and frank commentary served me because it does not make the writer a slave to writing but how it honestly feels. Here are three quotes I love:

“I’m not shy by nature, so doing many events and going on a book tour, even appearing on TV, wasn’t the cause of my angst. I felt extremely vulnerable and exposed.” 

“is an experience that can mess with your head—regardless of how your book “does” in the world”

“There’s always something to be proud of and grateful for, and there’s always something that feels devastating. So don’t tell yourself that you’re feeling however you’re feeling because of this review or that event. You’re feeling however you’re feeling because publishing a book is kind of a fucked-up experience.”

Ta ta for now! 

Great news!

Hi, Friends of The Sylph Tale and Immortals - the series.

Check out my movie project at Amazon Studios: The Sylph's Tale or Ayekah the Damned.Follow this link: https://studios.amazon.com/projects/198760?ref_tag=emailProfile for Marta C. Weeks at Amazon Studios: https://studios.amazon.com/users/257322?ref_tag=email

Thanks for your support!!!

About The Sylph's Tale

The Sylph’s Tale

MARTA C WEEKS·MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018

The Beginning: In prehistoric times, when a virgin escapes into an Archangel's earthly paradise he is commanded: "Take your Eve" but damned to be a, Sylph, an immortal without a soul Ayekah. She, Haya, has special powers and a Mardi is her guiding spirit.

Excerpt: "I shouldn't have returned to Earth after, like a salamander, I slid into a river between a man and a virgin. Her screams and his grunts stirred in me new thoughts: What must it be to feel flesh on bones? The idea jolted me back to the sky.”

Amazon reviews are high but I agree with complaints that the book is too short. Yes, it’s a novella, but it had to come out first and alone; the only book in the series that takes place in prehistory. It introduces the Archangel’s purpose before he becomes Ayekah, how and why Haya is connected to her Mardi the eternal shepherdess and why is Ayekah’s love for Haya part of a higher plan. Book two, Virgins is in edits by a ruthless critic, my husband John, before other readers make final editing. Book three ROLO is underway. 
*Also: Completed the Teleplay, alternate title–Ayekah the Damned, currently available for submission.

Amazon, top customer reviews:

Carlo Fiore5.0 out of 5 stars,Verified Purchase “Great read. Unforgettable. Nephilim? Fallen Angels? Is this how it happened? The Sylph's Tale (The Immortals Book 1) is amazing. You will never forget it. A deep, meaningful tale, told from a unique perspective in a loving, enjoyable way. Read it now.”

Amazon Customer 5 stars, Verified Purchase “An intriguing and innova“ talent and An intriguing and innovative tale. Marta has talent and a unique story. I look forward to reading more of her work.”

BookAddict'sReviews, 4.0 out of 5 star, C Gallimore “Interesting Tale An interesting tale! I thought the romance was intriguing with the magic world. I found myself really caught up in the heroine's life and what she was going to do with her world turned upside down. The hero I liked, but wasn't as much invested in. I'd like to get to know him more in the next book!”

Booksprout, 4.0 out of 5, Nicole S, “I want to keep reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout, and am voluntarily leaving a review. If you don't like a book with religious stuff in it than this isn't a book for you. I'm not particularly interested in books like this but it had just enough paranormal and great character that I like the book. I think the next books seem to be heading into more of a paranormal instead of religious writing. I want to read the next book to see where this is heading.”

Booksprout, 4.0 out of 5, “I received a free copy of this book via and am voluntarily leaving a review. Good book. Enjoyable and entertaining book to read.”

Amazon, 5.0 out of 5, JoAnn “Unique insight into the mystical, I received a copy as a gift. However, I would like to review: This a wonderful unique view (at least to me) of the mystical life surrounding our nature. The imagery is remarkable and each paragraph pulls me forward to read more and more. First person narrative seemed to make me feel that it was almost real and not fiction. I eagerly look forward to Book II”

Booksprout, 3.0 out of 5 stars, Melanie “Short but interesting.I received a free copy of this book via and am voluntarily leaving a review. A very short but interesting story. It has a very interesting premise.”

When is best to release a book

There are no hard and fast rules as to when is best to release a book, but as per several sites, it’s best to publish a book as part of an event or occasion when you can promote it and according to several sources the recommended times are:

January – April: Romance, Self-help, Business books, Cookery

May-August: Adventure, Fantasy, Travel

Sept – Nov: Academic, Horror, Paranormal

Dec – Jan: Children, Cookery, Illustrated, Quiz, Dictionaries and quirky fun books.

A series is best to release between August and September.

I, as an anxious first-time author, wanted to publish my first book when it was ready; despite Amazon's recommendations that October is a terrible time to publish first-time books and the best time for Fantasy/Paranormal is in May.

Still, I have high reviews on Amazon but also complaints that the book is too short and I agree. However, The Sylph's Tale had to come out a fist and alone. It is the only book in the series that takes place in prehistory. It introduces the angel and the virgin, and even though the angel is damned for eternity, he starts to discover that their love was part of a higher plan. Also, I wanted to make it a Teleplay before publishing book two, Virgins and book three ROLO. 

Completed the Teleplay, alternate title–Ayekah the Damned. It’s getting looked at by my favorite reader (a ruthless critic) my husband John before I make final edits.

Marta C Weeks, is an author of fantasy, paranormal, speculative and historical fiction, poet, and columnist. Marta likes to share with others tips and articles about writing and social issues. She lives in Northern California and is the author of the Sylph's Tale, Book One of Immortals - The Series.