The Random Thoughts Of A C.E.O.

Inspired

2011-08-31T20:41:00.000-07:00

I'm inspired by many things. It could be hip hop music, a painting or one of my peers works. As a writer reading keeps the mind sharp. I do a lot of reading and now I'm jumping into new genres. Its fun reading something I wouldn't otherwise give a chance. Everytime I do I'm surprised and mad I shunned it in the first place. I've always been labeled as a thinker and rightfully so. I like survey my surroundings first before I venture into them. The other day I was thinking I could release my new book this week if I felt like it but it'd be premature. I don't want a good book. I want a great book. A piece of work that transcends race and is timeless. I admit its a daunting task but I'm up for it. Every bit a constructive criticism I get I take what I need from it and improve. If your goal isn't to become a better writer with every project I'm not sure what your doing. This project has sped up my maturation and I know my patience and going to pay off.

The Booksigning Chronicles 1st Entry (Harlem Book Fair 2011)

2011-07-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

Harlem, U.S.A. July 23rd, 2011 11:43 am

It is literally 100 degrees out there and I'm thinking why in the hell am I out here and not under an AC with a cold glass of lemonade? These books need to move.

Now the day before the fair I had to diffuse a crisis situation (with the help of my peoples of course). That morning along with Amore, one of my newest authors, and her publicist, China we were on the road in route to NYC.

When we finally arrived I couldn't ask for a better spot then the front of the book fair. We had a cooler full of water, a nice table set-up (courtesy of Amore) and we were ready.

Everybody that entered had to pass our table. I would say the first 30-45 minutes we were on fire. We got the bulk of our customers in the first couple of hours. The thing is 85 percent of the people who bought our books had to be enticed to come to our table. A general misconception is that you set up a table with books and smile and people will flock over. NOPE. I take pride in persuading a person to purchase my work. I don't have the recoginition yet of my peers (striving to get!)so I have to work harder to build a following.

2:39pm

By this time we've hit a dry patch and most of the people we see are "just browsing". Some of the responses to me:
"I only read female authors"
"I'm not buying anything today" (Then they come back pass our table with another book)
"I'll be right back"
"I'm making my first rounds"

My point is NO is alright to say. I can't possibly sell a book to every person. Some of the responses still were funny though.

3:58pm

My brother/marketing director/best friend/etc. is there now and he starts bringing people to the table and once someone is at the table there like a magnetic force that brings more people to the table. It basically started to pick back up.

For the final couple of hours our sales were staggered and we stayed right up until the last minute.

Overall I thought the fair was a good expirence. I first went in 2008 as an author and there were more authors and patrons that year and every year since then they both have declined. I'll continue to go as long as they have it. The great thing about going was I know what I was going for. I had a set goal and I hit it. I wanted to network with new people and put my brand out there. And if I can move some books in the process, I'm cool.

Sometimes it can be frustrating standing out there with the sun beaming down on you and customers passing you up but I'm thankful for the people who took a chance on me. Selling books is an artform that has to be praticed to perfection. You have to give that potential buyer a good reason to skip over someone to try you.

I met a few author's and saw some I haven't seen in a while. At the end of the day I was glad that one of my author's got the chance to go and expierence the book fair and we had a good time.
I even sold a few books when I got back home.

I couldn't ask for more.

-MQW

Side Note: I wish I could get my money back for that garbage Soul Food I had!!!!!!!!!

My 4th Novel

2011-07-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

In the midst of writing a father's struggle I stumbled across an untitled novel about 33,000 words in. My intial thought was just to try and get to about 60-65,000 words out of the novel. I thought on it a few days and scraped the whole book and started over. My daily goal is 1500 words or more. 1500 being the smallest word count I'd be cool with. As I make sure A Father's Struggle is smooth I'm going to be working on this project which will probably be the next novel released by my publishing company, 5ive Star Publications. As both of these projects are progressing I will have weekly updates. I'm even thinking about starting a blog about called the booksigning chronicles. I have plenty of funny stories to tell.

-MQW

The Road To A Father's Struggle

2011-07-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in a while because the book needed to be touched up. Now that I've completed the book it needs to be critiqued. The process of birthing a book is a complicated process because you want it to be well recieved. I could've put this book out a while ago but until its ready I can't release it. I will be posting excerpts in the following weeks to gauge interest. I'll also try to blog every other day or just more consistently. Until the next time.

-MQW

The Road To A Father's Struggle

2011-04-16T15:27:00.000-07:00

Well well well. Now I'm thinking of the acknowledgment and dedication page and there has been a plethora of people who made this book what it is. I read in one of my fellow author's books in their acknowledgment page that they weren't shouting out people that didn't even buy their first book. That hands down was the funniest one I read. They say it takes a village to raise a child and it applies to a book as well. I could've just thrown this book out there but I won't do something just to do it. Never. Now even as I'm tightening this book up I'm hard at work on my 4th novel. This acknowledgment page probably will be bigger than my first two books combined. Everybody involved in this process has been tremendous with their critiques and support and I know it all will pay off with the final product.

The Road To My Third Novel Part 6

2011-04-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

I've been slacking lately with my blog updates. I finally completed my sweep of the novel and now its up to the firing squad I've assembled to give me feedback. The firing squad is a combination of readers and reviewers whose opinions I respect. I'm so nervous because this is the reason you write. For people to read and now the cat is out the bag so to speak. I'll probably be on edge until I get some feedback. This whole experience has been great to just consistently write and write until I come with something I feel is enjoyable. I still can't believe I condensed my novel down to 18 words. Here it is:

Abandoned by his father. Forced out of his son’s life. Blindsided by betrayal. This is a Father’s Struggle.

-MQW

The Road To My Third Novel Part 5

2011-04-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in a few days and I was itching to type something. Writing is therapeutic because for however long your typing you can get away from the everyday struggles for a minute. Its been a few days since I attacked the keys on my laptop and I'm going through a little withdraw. I'm nearing the end of the manuscript and going through it non bias is fun because your reading it from a different perspective. I've had my coffee for the day so I'm ready to burn the midnight oil as they say. My goal is to get to 100 pages read and proofed. I'll be back to report how my reading session went.

-MQW

The Road To My Third Novel Part 4

2011-03-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

So this morning I was in bed debating if I was going to sleep a little longer or get up and get some work done. Then my phone vibrated and I got an email with my manuscript attached. I was happy to be working on it again. I went through the first 50 pages of the manuscript and if everything goes according to plan I should have this thing completed by next week. (Key word, should have). It is funny looking at your work like your not the author because as a reader your like that doesn't make sense or what the hell did they mean by that. I feel like work is never done and soon as you think it is you might miss something. It's key that you feel like you gave 110 percent and if you don't get back to work. Well I'm going to be right back at it tomorrow. -MQW

The Road To My 3rd Novel Part 3

2011-03-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

I have to really thank Shon Bacon because when we worked together I learned so many things through her posts: http://www.apooobooks.com/tag/the-write-life-for-you/ The great thing about messing up is growth is around the corner if you want it. I was forunate enough to go through growing pains in which I learned from. My goal is become a better writer, period. I went through my manuscript again (I try to look at it as often as I can)and found one lingering problem: Being Passive. I didn't understand what it meant but then i did my research and found that it was dragging the story down. So now when I get it back there has to be some line editing and I have to eliminate the passive voice. I'm confident I will get it there. Another thing that is paramount in a novel is to show and not to tell. Telling is easy because not much is explained in the sentence. Its a comfort zone that as a writer I fall into sometimes. But working on this novel I've made sure to develop my characters and to show rather than tell. Its an uphill climb but its sure as better than throwing crap out there! This is also a cool article and something that can be overlooked in writng: http://www.writingcentre.uottawa.ca/hypergrammar/msplmod.html -MQW

The Road To My 3rd Novel

2011-03-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

Its been pretty weird not working on this novel non-stop like I have been doing the last 6-7 months. I was going through some notes and I started this novel in September of 2008. I was amazed because I couldn't remember when I started on it. I've re-shuffled and re-arranged this thing so many times its not funny. I've edited out 18,000 words and it hurt to do that but it was a neccesary evil with the editing process. Currently it is being proofread and is in the final stage of editing before it is screened before its eventual release. This novel has bought so many things out of me because I've put literally everything into it. I shunned sleep, cut my phone off and stayed on the computer until it was done. I've read over it like 35 times which enabled me to make little adjustments which ultimately could make it better. I feel like this is my magnum opus so far. I still have a ways to go and hope that you will follow my journey!

-MQW

My 3rd Novel

2011-03-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

This novel has been two years in the making. It was more difficult to complete than my first two books because I have so much more knowledge now versus then. It's been a journey and I will chronicle the process until it is released. (Although I have no idea when the heck that is.) Constructive criticism has been my new found best friend. One of the areas I was lacking in was my development and I started to study some of our successful authors to get a feel for how they make the magic work. My goal was to get a gist of looking at my work from the readers perspective and not a defensive parent. Once you accept that your work will be criticized no matter how great it is then you'll be ahead of the game. I studied different writing techniques and found words to replace words I always fall in love with. Another one of my problems is using "modifiers". A modifier is like saying a pretty girl. Girls are usually regarded as pretty or like a big elephant. That's redundant. Or using the word 'that' and 'had' so much. This has been one big learning experience and the chronicles of my newest novel begin now.

I will have various updates so stay tuned.

Blogging

2011-03-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

Writing is like excercise in the sense that the more you do it, the more it becomes routine. The more you do the stronger you get at it. I'm going to try and blog at least twice a week and maybe more. As things develop within 5ive Star Publications I will have updates and sneak previews of our new books and/or short stories. I also will be posting things I've learned, think, saw, have an opinon on or just a random thoughts I have. I hope this is the start of a new and imnproved blog.

-MQW

Random Literary Thoughts

2010-04-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

Websites- How is it that author's don't have a website to take readers to? Or how is it that the website doesn't provide any useful information?

Booksignings- Three vital things: Have a sign of your book big enough to announce you and your book are there. Make sure your standing to greet your readers. They will appreciate it.

Advertising- Make sure that whoever you are advertising with has a following. You get what you pay for but you wanna get bang for your buck. Just make sure your marketing dollars are spent wisely. The main way self-published authors go under is jumping at every advertising chance. It's a great idea to weed out the questionable ones and go with the one that will produce results. If the advertising doesn't bring attention to you what's the point?

This Damn Literary Game!

2010-03-13T19:59:00.000-08:00

I was just sitting thinking about this game and how it's built. The sad thing is that we as authors dont support each other enough. I have had bad situations with certain people in this game and trust me I learned valuable lessons when it comes down to business. People pass them off as professionals and are 100% frauds. Your word is all you have and you will be judged by it. I'm all for us all AA authors to go as high as we can. I will say just make sure you do your research before you do business becuase there are phony people out there. But shout out to all the people who came at me real and never with a facade.

One,
-M.Q.W.

Allen Iverson's Troubles

2010-03-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

Posted by J
Let us remember that we cannot judge any man or his actions because we are not perfect beings, none of us. This man, the brand known as Allen Iverson has carried heavy responsibilities, business and personal, on his shoulders for years while living in a fishbowl, his life no longer his own. We will never know the level of stress and pressure this man lives under on the daily, nor will we ever be able to understand any of the methods he may choose to alleviate that madness. It is quite obvious he is in a bad place right now, so instead of showing shade while he is down, let us all send up prayers for him during this very difficult period of time. My best to you AI, hold your head and maintain.

I got this from a website that I frequent and I couldn't put it any better. I thought I'd post that because it hit home. I've been a fan since 95' when he was still at georgetown and still am. If he never plays one more game his legend is concrete. He's done some of the boneheadest things but at the end of the day he still is human and hopefully he can get his life together and in some functioning order.

-M.Q.W.

Lesson's Learned: Cheaper Is Not Better!

2010-01-12T17:14:00.000-08:00

When Entrepreneur first came out I called myself trying to cut corners and I thought that I could edit the damn book by myself.WRONG! That was because I didn't have the full concept of the editing of my work. Alot of times I went over sometimes then my eyes would decieve me because it's my work and it seems right. I ended all the sentences with periods didn't I. I was so wrong and it ended up being my downfall. What I did next with help of course is find a fantastic editor who helped my fune tune my craft. I took everything she threw at me because I needed it. I'm a better writer for it and I glad I stumbled out the gate so that I can become more aware of what I had to do to make sure that the book was as error free as possible.

When Is The Book Coming?

2010-01-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in a while and I at least want to do it at least every other day if not every day. I was thinking of the title of this post. Alot of times I think people take for granted that the production of a book is not some quick overnight type of thing. First things first you have to carefully construct the book or if you prefer to write an outline to prepare what your going to write. Then you have to pick the people you want to work with taking into consideration their schedules as well. There are alot of people that make a book come to life. There is alot that goes into it. It's not just slapped together bang boom pow. Presentation is everything and you are judged on it. I prefer to take it slow(now) until it is perfected as much as I could make it. I know nothing is perfect but you want to make sure it is close. To the author's out there next time someone asks when your book is coming out you tell them that it is a process!

-M.Q.W.

Short Stories and Sneak Peeks

2009-07-31T20:49:00.001-07:00

Dears Readers,
I am set to release the Entrepreneur series in early 2010. I will post excerpts along with sneak peeks of upcoming novels we will release. I will have a sneak peek of Entrepreneur in the coming weeks. I will also have sneak peeks of Lady Vicious: A Novel by Victoria Vanee Anderson, and another unnamed short story. I hope to unveil the book cover for Entrepreneur 2 in the coming weeks as well. Be sure to be on the look out for a short stories on our website coming soon!!!

-M.Q.W.

This Book Game

2009-05-07T16:12:00.000-07:00

Hello,
I wanted let everyone know that this journey into publishing has not been easy. There are alot hurdles to overcome and things to look out for. When I came into the game I didn't have anybody to look to for help. Now that I have a platform for my authors to speak I can show them through the game. i can provide them the services that weren't there for me. I made the mistake of thinking that a P.O.D. publisher was looking out for my best interest and it wasn't. They were interested in printing and not selling my book. I take responsibility for all those things I didn't research. I urge people to do research because it will benefit you in the long run. There are so many things after writing that many authors don't consider. My initial version of Entrepreneur was through a P.O.D. publisher and that was a huge mistake. Now that I run my own publshing house I can use my stumbles to hopefully help the next aspiring author.

-M.Q.W.