Do you have a secret dream?
Why I write stories.
As I've hopped around, visiting 20 to 100 new blogs a day, I've met some truly amazing people. Your stories lift me. Your hopes and struggles resonate deep. Your willingness to open up inspires me.
And you remind me of the masks we wear. I'm a social butterfly, happy to flit from one place to another, light and jovial, quick with a goofy comeback, cheesy if you will. That's the mask most people see, and I like being that person. So then why am I writing stories that are intense, harsh, and definitely not cheesy?
When I write fiction, I take off the mask.
*gasp*
Being a writer allows me to express my understanding of the human condition without offending, or putting people on the spot. It allows me to see through other people's eyes and explore the deepest longings we all experience but rarely have the courage to voice.
I write to show that we are all people with unique hopes and dreams, precious, important, and needed.
So don't expect cheese in my books...although there are light moments and I may eventually branch into publishing comedy one day. (Shhhh!) Do expect to experience a range of emotions and come away knowing that even the most insignificant person among us is important.
Okay, rant over. To tie up the blog tour...
You can still win with the...
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| Image courtesy of Masai Mara |
For more than twenty years I've been dreaming of this magical day when my stories would finally be unleashed on the world. --And while that's a worthy and amazing goal, my blog tour taught me something I have a tendency to forget.
Why I write stories.
As I've hopped around, visiting 20 to 100 new blogs a day, I've met some truly amazing people. Your stories lift me. Your hopes and struggles resonate deep. Your willingness to open up inspires me.
 |
| Image courtesy of MahPadilha |
When I write fiction, I take off the mask.
*gasp*
Being a writer allows me to express my understanding of the human condition without offending, or putting people on the spot. It allows me to see through other people's eyes and explore the deepest longings we all experience but rarely have the courage to voice.
I write to show that we are all people with unique hopes and dreams, precious, important, and needed.
So don't expect cheese in my books...although there are light moments and I may eventually branch into publishing comedy one day. (Shhhh!) Do expect to experience a range of emotions and come away knowing that even the most insignificant person among us is important.
Okay, rant over. To tie up the blog tour...
RAFFLE COPTER WINNERS
Cohlina Mae: Butterman Time Travel Inc. signed copy
Elizabeth Barbarick: $25 Gift Card
Tammy Theriault: $25 Cheese
Leslie Rodriguez: Moonless
Kim Hong: Moonless
Steph Payton: Moonless
Cohlina Mae: Butterman Time Travel Inc. signed copy
Elizabeth Barbarick: $25 Gift Card
Tammy Theriault: $25 Cheese
Leslie Rodriguez: Moonless
Kim Hong: Moonless
Steph Payton: Moonless
You can still win with the...
Truth or Lie Game
OR
Mystery Sentence Game
(I'll give you a hint: look at the Excerpt # to figure out the word ORDER.)
But you only have until Sunday, December 8 at 6:00 p.m. EDT to enter.
Do you feel like you wear a mask?
Congrats on finishing up your amazing blog tour! It was one of the best I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI love to write dark stories too and worry sometimes that people will think I'm a morbid and depressing person. I'm really not, I swear LOL.
Aw, thanks Julie. --And I think that's why I'm so excited to get reading your books, because I can see our similarities in that regard.
DeleteI hope you take a day to rest and relax- you deserve it! =)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Rest? What is that?
DeleteI don't think I generally wear a mask. With me, what you see is what you get. For good or bad. lol
ReplyDeleteI like that. One of my best friends is like that, and that's why I love her.
DeleteLove this - "When I write fiction, I take off the mask." :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the book tour!
Thanks, Madeline.
DeleteI love the passion you have for writing! It's inspiring :)
ReplyDeleteSo is your optimism. =)
DeleteCongratulations to all your winners! I'm thrilled you had such a fulfilling blog tour. You truly deserve it.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks so much.
DeleteBet you learned a lot more than you thought you would with the tour and book release.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the winners.
And I won't expect cheese in your books as long as you don't expect anything really deep in mine.
You can say that again! Nothing like doing to learn, eh?
DeleteSo many ways to win! What a tour. I hope to read your book(s) one day soon!
ReplyDeleteI said it would be epic, right? ;)
DeleteTwenty years! Your journey gives me hope.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I don't always wear a mask... I try to be the same person across all platforms and in person as well. But you're right - I think I do explore a deeper range of emotions in stories. Though I could do better at that as well - always have to remember to raise the stakes!
I think we can always do better, no matter how well we've done. There's no such thing as a perfect book, eh? (Unless you didn't write it.) ;)
DeleteWhat fun! And it's great when *work* is fun.
ReplyDeleteIf it's not fun, why would anyone want to be part, eh?
Deletei definitely think the person i am is different than what i like to write. I like darkness and violence and all that stuff. But i don't think you'd know that about me if we met in person
ReplyDeleteLOL! I can see that. I think my friends might be surprised by the heaviness of my story, knowing what a light heart I am.
DeleteCongrats to the winners! It was an epic blog tour and a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad you were part of it. =)
DeleteIf I always wrote as myself, it would get pretty boring. Half the fun is writing as someone who is different from who you are.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your blog tour!
Thanks, Sarah.
DeleteWait, there's no cheese in your book?
ReplyDeleteWell, never mind then!
:P
I haven't read your book, Crystal, but I love your posts. Truly. They are uplifting. Funny. Pleasant to read.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on completing your tour.
Aw, thanks, seriously.
DeleteThat's so true. Exploring the human condition, taking characters to their limits and seeing how they come out of it. Its all very cool. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release!
Thanks, Kelley.
DeleteEveryone is significant. Have you seen the indie movie, Jeff, Who Lives at Home? It's about that. I talk about it a lot. Love that film. :) I do feel like writing lets me touch on me honest thoughts/feelings on things without really revealing myself. It's very freeing that way.
ReplyDeleteSeconded! I'm going to have to check out that movie. =)
DeleteAs a pre-k teacher I sometimes have to censor what I say (especially snarky humor) and in social gathering where I don't know many people well I also don't fully show my true nature. But then the pre-k teacher mask I wear is also genuine, it's just a different facet of me...just like my ghoulish writing is also truly me. I used to consider these masks but now I just see them as different aspects of one whole. ; }
ReplyDeleteTrue, true. My writer is also my deep talker--for when I get into late night philosophical conversations. It's a part that's always under the surface, I just have to delve deeper.
DeleteI love this post, Crystal.
ReplyDeleteI do the same when I write. I dare to see things through other peoples' eyes.
There is so much truth here...
Thank you!
No, thank you. =) Always so lovely to see you hear and hear...er, read your wonderful comments. =)
DeleteI wore a mask when I was working at times, but since I've retired I don't have a need for a mask anymore.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. ☺
Wahoo! Retire, toss the mask. Got it.
DeleteRemoving your mask is very brave. I can't quite do it, and it holds me back in my prose (not a problem with my poetry).
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Poetry is a little more freeing, eh? ;)
DeleteSo now that the tour's over, are you going to sleep for a week?
ReplyDeleteSleep? What is this mythical thing you speak of? *batting eyes*
DeleteYes, I think we all have an online mask. You deserve a rest after your blog tour and all the stops you set up.
ReplyDeleteHey, are you guys trying to get rid of me? LOL!
DeleteI think we most of us wear masks the whole time. We are afraid to be who we really are.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Jo. It can be terrifying to let someone see beneath. I think that's why writing can be so personal, and why rejection of your writing so devastating.
DeleteLooks like you're doing good on your dream :)
ReplyDeleteTheoretically. Come back and ask me again in ten years. ;)
DeleteMy mask is mainly for when I'm tired and I'd really rather be asleep... or eating chocolate ;)
ReplyDeleteA blinder, eh? ;)
DeleteThank you for sharing why you write. I always felt authors had this unique grasp at understanding human emotions. It's such a gift!
ReplyDeleteSome of us have to work for it a little harder than others. ;)
DeleteI am so happy for you! And your book is sooo good, and it's incredibly irritating that petty things are getting in the way of my reading! LOL
ReplyDeleteI do feel like I wear a mask, but I have no idea what's underneath it. Your guess is as good as mine...
Yay! *happy clap*
DeleteCheese. There's cheese hiding under your mask. Beware the shower. ;)
I know what you mean. These days, I'm less of a mask wearer, so my books are pretty close to what you get in real life too.
ReplyDeleteThat said, writing does have a way of bringing one's soul out into the open.
It's true. And people wonder why we're so protective of our work, eh?
DeleteI love stories that are intense and harsh, so I think it's awesome how your own work is like that! :)
ReplyDeleteAs for masks, I do feel like I wear one, especially online. Like, I usually try to be lighthearted in my posts, even if all I'm feeling is hopelessness. My own projects probably seem a lot like my mask at first until I eventually start unleashing all the dark bits, haha...
Hey, you fake it til you make it, eh?
Deletei sure do.
ReplyDelete=) Of the facial variety, right?
DeleteHow on earth do you manage to visit 100 new blogs a day? Masks featured heavily in my book 'The Afterlife of Darkmares'. The main character had a bit of a thing for wearing them as she was a professional dancer and did not want to be recognised.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't easy.
DeleteI love that title, and I'd do it--if I was famous. I'd totally wear a mask. =)
We all wear masks, and at times I feel I wear more than one. Which reminds me, it gets kinda hot under here at times. :D
ReplyDeleteOh and I'd love to read a comedy by you!
Aw, thanks Elise. When I write for adults, it's always comedy. I think we tend to take ourselves too seriously. Here's hoping one of two of those projects makes it out the door in the next ten years. =)
DeleteThat scared me a little. Like you read my soul. I too like to keep my real life light and rarely say what is really on my mind. Now, I would never call my stories dark...I do love a happy ending! But they are not all fun. So, I understand this and can relate!
ReplyDelete*high five* Sisters at heart, eh?
DeleteI love what you said about taking the mask off when you write fiction!
ReplyDeleteScary stuff, eh?
DeleteI don't really have a mask. what you see if what you get!! and yay! I won I won!! that's cheeeeeesy good!
ReplyDeleteBecause you are awesome! ;)
DeleteCongrats to the winners.
ReplyDeleteI like taking off the mask and writing what's really inside of me or what's on my mind at the moment. Also, I'm an introvert, and it feels great to socialize with writers, readers, and bloggers both online and in person.
It's easier, right? I'm 50/50 in that department, but it's been a while since I had to get out and talk to people face to face. I wonder if I'm any good at it these days.
DeleteCongratulations to the winners!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting, how we compare to the things we write. I am not a social butterfly at all, in fact I tend to be uncomfortable in social situations. (But I'm working on it.) ;) However, many of my characters are much better at the social thing. I can think about those witty comebacks, that in real life don't come to me until hours later. ;)
LOL! I completely get that. If only you could go back and edit real life dialog, eh?
DeleteCongrats to the winners!!!
ReplyDelete