One Door Closes...Another Opens

I decided to keep looking over my old poetry and decided  to share another.  This one comes from 2011 as I approached my final days at one job before starting a new one.

One door closes…Another Opens

By Andrew Hess

Is it weird to be sad?

This road has finally ended.

It’s a joyous thought;

Yet brings tears to my eyes.

Those I’ve encountered;

Will slowly fade;

Making room for newer ones;

Embracing the new associates.

But long and behold;

They are never gone forever.

They will remain like the others;

Never truly departing from my life.

Instead they will merely visit;

Resurface when it’s their time.

Rekindle the friendships;

Living a new life together.

Then why so sad?

Am I afraid of the changes?

The idea of starting something new;

Has me feeling exhilarated.

In my heart;

I know I’m ready.

I can face the challenges;

That lay ahead.

Each day;

Each step;

Has me closer to my dreams;

Slowly making them a reality.

Big Things Coming

It's been less than a month since I released my third book, The Phoenix Blade: Project Justice, and it's been an interesting and fun ride since.  There are three big announcements regarding The Phoenix Blade.
1.  I will be conducting a book signing/launch event in Huntington NY at the Book Revue (313 New York Ave, Huntington, NY) at 7pm. 
2.  I will be on the Anthony Charles Podcast in the upcoming weeks to talk about and promote The Phoenix Blade.
3.  I will be going on my first Virtual Book Tour (which is in the process of being setup as we speak).

I wanted to take some time to share a few things since releasing the book. 

The first has been that nothing comes easy.  The things in life you want the most, you have to work very hard for. 

The second goes hand in hand with the first.  There is no such thing as an overnight sensation or success.  Actors/Actresses, Writers/Authors, Musicians, Producers/Directors, and Athletes have spent countless years trying to get where they are today.  It's taken me eight years just to reach this level in my literary career and it feels like I'm just starting. 

The third has been about self publishing and promoting.  The self publishing part is easy when you know where to go and what to use.  I suggest avoiding anything that requires you to spend a lot of money for their paid services.  If you need an editor or someone to read your work over, there are other options out there for less money.  I made this mistake once; on my first book, Chamber of Souls.  I used IUniverse thinking it was the least costly way to self publish.  They were helpful, but could not get the cover the exact way I wanted it without it costing more money than I already paid.  The cover still came out nice, but not the exact way I wanted it.  The next issue was in regards to royalties.  They only gave me 20% Royalties on any book sold on their website or on Kindle; which provided very little profit for me.  It was only until I purchased my books in bulk and sold them that I began making money.  The final issue was advertising the book.  They offered to help you advertise your book, but for another high end fee.  I chose not to use them again, but will still get a call almost every month for the last two years with them trying to sell me on one of their advertising programs or to get me to order more copies of my book.

Now I'm not saying you shouldn't go with them, I'm saying there are better alternatives to getting your work into the hands of your potential readers.  Since the release of my first book, I have put out two other books by using CreateSpace.  This site works directly with Amazon.com to help you publish your book for free.  The only times payment have been required were if I wanted to open up additional channels for distribution ($25), if you need them to design your cover for you ($399), and then when you need to buy copies of your own book to sell.  It is also free to publish on Kindle.  You choose what percentage you get on your royalties 30% or 70%. 

When you self publish, you handle the advertising for your book.  The best ways to promote your book are through LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, and PinYourBook.com.  There are also other ways to promote.  Blogging has become one of the best ways to get attention for your books, and finding other blogs to do guest posts on or author interviews. 

Anniversary of sorts.

While I was driving the other day, I listened to one of my interviews I did for the Anthony Charles Podcast.  In it he asked me when did I decide writing was my voice.  My answer was it had been six years since I decided to become a writer.  The interview was recorded back in 2011/2012 when my first book, the Chamber of Souls was released.  The interview made me realize that even in a year or two so much can change; writing styles, the way people talk, the way they dress, and the way they carry themselves in both private and public settings.  This can be easily chalked up to the events in ones life helping a person to grow, or a way of maturing. 

After six years of working my way into the writing industry, I felt like I was on top of the world.  I think everyone does when they reach a major accomplishment or goal in life.  But I quickly understood there was much more to learn.

It's been two years later, and this month makes it officially eight years since I decided to become a writer and starter the book that would change my life; The Phoenix Blade (Which I will give my readers more info on in the next post).  In the two years that have passed, I have found and connected with more writers and potential writers than I ever realized were out there.  People who have great ideas, or just stories from their past; itching to written and shown to the world.  A lot has been held back by them because they have been afraid to put themselves out there or didn't know what to write about or how to write it in the first place.  And for that I tell people to push yourselves to learn.  Put yourselves out there for people to see.  If you don't know how to do something, ask for help.  Linkedin is a great place to meet other writers and get their opinions.  Also take to reading more books about how to develop structure, characters, plots, and the specific genre you want to write about.

The thing that I have learned the most in the eight years of writing is that every moment I spent pouring my heart and soul into everything that I wrote and rewrote has been worth it.  Those moments of creating characters, venting into my poetry, working alongside with my brother, and talking to other writers and potential writers I wouldn't trade any of those moments for anything.  It is a crazy, hard working, and dedicated business to work your way into, but it has been one of the most rewarding and inspiring business to be a part of and I have only just begun. 

Knowledge is Power

I have been writing for years and still found something very amusing.  A lot of friends and co-workers always bought me gift cards for book stores, and then I tell them I'm not much of a reader.  They always reply, but you're a writer so you must read all the time.  To be honest I never really liked reading.  It always had to be something that catches my attention instantly or else I couldn't read it. 

About two years ago I started working with my brother and his wife.  A friend of ours told me reading was an important thing to do in life.  Without reading, you don't really grow as a person; especially if you are reading empowering books and not trashy magazines focused on following celebrities.  So I started to read a few books and two of my favorite books were the Mentor, and The Instant Millionaire.  Both dealt with working hard toward your goals and never giving up on yourself even in the worst circumstances.  If you push hard, you can reach whatever goals you set for yourself.

Now I know what some people wanted me to do with what I learned from those books, but I chose to apply it to my writing career instead.  I knew if I pushed myself and truly believed in me, I could start reaching my goals.  I am proud to say that I reached my first last year when I put out my first book Chamber of Souls.  This actually helped me in other aspects of my life.  I became closer with my family including both of my brothers, I pulled myself out of what appeared to be a dead end job and found a great opportunity with a company that has treated me wonderfully for the last year, and even found the love of my life. 

But as I sat in my brother's living room last night, we talked about how fast I caught up to him in regards to writing movie scripts.  He has been reading endless amounts of books on writing from people who have done the leg work in the past.  His writing has become better because of it and he has taught me everything he is learning.  So I decided if I can learn fast from him, why not start reading books on my own.  Share what I learn with those that can benefit from it; including him.  And who knows, maybe I'll put out a best seller sooner than I would have or sell a movie script faster, or help someone who is reading this do the same.

The point I'm trying to make with this post tonight, is do not give up on your writing, your dreams, or yourself.  You can achieve if you believe in yourself and do the work.  Push yourself and stay motivated.  And read something that's empowering; you never know what it might spark within you.

Poetic Beginnings

I've always had a way with words.  Ever since I was little my mother and even my teachers said that I write a lot better than I speak.  I would have to agree with the statement because it has always been easier for me to express my feelings in writing than spoken words.  In the past, when I needed to express myself, it was written in a letter or a constant rant of me venting my feelings.  At times they made sense and others were incoherent ramblings of a man who was frankly upset with everyone in the world including himself. 

I have to go back a little to my last semester at New Paltz.  During my creative writing class, my professor told us we had to write a poem for class and make it very descriptive; using minimal amounts of words.  I never wrote a poem that made sense and could rhyme, but my professor assured me a poem did not have to rhyme for it to be a poem.  To be honest I don't remember what I wrote but it was the first poem I wrote since deciding I wanted to be a writer. 

There were multiple times that year that writing poems put a lot of things in perspective.  It was 2009 and 2010 that brought on more of my poetic insights.  There were a few poems that were written in regards to a close friend of mine.  Who knew it would be a giant leap forward towards my first major literary goal.  So here is one of the first poems I wrote which was chosen to be part of my first book the Chamber of Souls (more to come on that).

Breathe

Lying on the sand,

The beautiful clear sky lets the gentle breeze flow over me.

The red hot sun radiates my body,

While my mind simmers with memories.

 

I’m reminded of my happiest times.

Driving around town, the music blasting, with the windows down.

One drive makes everything feel right.

My friends are all I ever needed.

 

A glimpse into the sun reminds me of our time together.

Waiting for the next adventure to begin;

You’ll jump at a moment’s notice,

But you never notice the one starring you in the eyes.

 

Now I’m here, unable move.

If I do I’ll die.

Wishing I had the strength to tell you,

But fear I never will.

 

The lights are fading fast.

There’s a shadow standing over me.

I notice her eyes one last time;

I love you.