Artful Words from "Quirks of Art"

One of the themes in Dancing on Mars is living authentically.   I've found the heart to be a reliable compass for getting me to that place.  Doing what we love and recognizing that it makes our heart sing—maybe that's how we best serve in this world.

 Don't you love this message by Quirks of Art and posted by a friend on Facebook?

                  
What was it you did as a child that got your full attention, held your interest so deeply that the hours seemed like minutes?  What does that for you now?  What, if it's going to be part of your day—or most of your day if you're wise—gets you out of bed, filled with energy and enthusiasm?  Whatever that is would be what makes you "come alive."  Let's go get ourselves a big helping of that! 

Another Review!

Is there a 12-step program for authors who compulsively check their book page at Amazon?  I've recently heard that, after receiving 20 or more reviews, a book is placed in a more favorable position  with Amazon.  Whatever that means, it would be great to have 20 positive ones.  Fourteen at last count, so six more to go!  

I keep hearing from men (and about men) who have found the book an "instructive and enjoyable" read.  That's great news!  What's especially gratifying is hearing from readers who identify with what I've written and honor me by sharing aspects of their own lives; sometimes they tell me about "secrets" that have held them back, saying the book has helped them let go.   As the book trailer said, "When we share our stories, something always happens."  

Here's the latest review:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life, May 16, 2012

By 

yoadrienne -

This review is from: Dancing on Mars (Paperback)

Life comes down to a series of choices. To hold on, to let go, to forget, to forgive. Dancing on Mars gives us the joyful and reasonable approach to complex issues that we all experience as we go through life. The impact of this book will stay with you for the rest of your life. Every woman should read it!

Link to DANCING ON MARS at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_14?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=dancing+on+mars+by+lucinda+shirley&sprefix=dancing+on+mar%2Cstripbooks%2C260

Beautiful Advice

                       "While writing the story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
                                                                                        ~  Unknown
                       
                    (Whispers photo shared by All Things That Matter Press on Facebook today.)
                                      

Reader Reviews Are Important

What a gratifying thing to learn today—that Amazon reviews are generally respected as much those written by professional critics now.  The piece (sorry,  I've forgotten where I read it!) says that sometimes professional reviewers give first-time authors short shrift,  choosing not to review first books at all.  Also, the pros often select books that have won prizes.

On the other hand, "regular readers" usually give us their no-frills assessment of a book, regardless of whether it's a first book or prizeless.  Of course it's possible that a marketing company or publicist could post reviews just to pump up the numbers for a book.  Apparently that doesn't  happen often, and we readers have good radar for that.  We usually can tell a genuine book review from the marketing hype.  Common sense is still a treasured commodity among readers, don't you think?

The reviews for Dancing on Mars have been excellent so far, and I'm hoping to see a few more on the book page over time.  I get excited every time a new one is posted, as if my inner child has been on a chocolate binge!

Wishing you a great weekend that will allow some relaxation and reading time.

Arts on the Ridge Festival - May 5, 2012

If you've never visited the charming town of Ridgeway in the South Carolina Midlands, you deserve to treat yourself.  Dawn Hendricks of Java Nook Books invited me, along with other South Carolina authors, to sign books and visit with Festival participants.  Java Nook Books itself is worth a trip to Ridgeway, even without a festival going on.  This quaint, independent bookstore shares space with the charming Whistle Stop Cafe where I got some of the best sweet tea ever (perfect, not syrupy sweet).  I loved the vibe in there, so much it was tempting to stay inside.  Nevertheless, I dragged my sorry self back outside to the book table just in time to see a cousin I had not seen in decades!

Dawn was so gracious and helpful, she would have turned the heat down if she could have -- 94 degrees and no shade in sight.   I was impressed by the talented, and prolific, authors from around our State.  I shared a table with the lovely Mary Neal Kunsman, there with her memoir Loves Remembered.

My friends and relatives came from Winnsboro, Columbia, Fort Mill and Camden, and it was great seeing everybody.  Thank you all for being so supportive and for being so much FUN!
After packing up my gear from the Festival, I loaded my belongings in Columbia and drove the three hours to Georgetown.  I was eager to get home and see the Super Moon over the lake there and, truth be told,  eager to wake up in my own bed Sunday morning.   At my familiar Sinking Springs. You know what I mean if you've read the book!

Thanks, Dawn, for the invitation and for wanting to have Dancing on Mars on the shelves at Java Nook.  I'll get copies to you ASAP!

Sizzling Saturday in Ridgeway - May 5

                                       Dawn Hendricks and Java Nook Books - thank you! 

                                       Mary is very wise.  No, she's not Mary Poppins!

                                                     Welcome to the Sizzlin' South, y'all!