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Angela M Caldwell

~ Author

Angela M Caldwell

Tag Archives: #dyslexic

An Unforeseen Author

11 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #author, #authors, #books, #debutauthor, #deubt, #dontgiveup, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #fangirl, #indebooksbeseen, #indiepub, #nevergiveup, #writers, #writetip, #writing, #writingproces

I didn’t grow up reading like many authors. I grew up on films. I loved movies and not just current films. I watched films from the black and white era, mysteries, musicals, and more. I made my parents rent the film The Labyrinth every time we went to the video store. (Some of you have never rented from one of those. They’ve become extinct.) Instead of reading stories, I was watching them. I learned about plot and character from film.

Even though I didn’t read much, I liked the idea of books. The first book I read, other than children’s books, was a Nancy Drew mystery. I sat in my room on a Saturday and read the whole book. After that, I didn’t read for a long while. But eventually C.S. Lewis and Frank Pertetti caught my attention with their stories. My lack of reading had to do with my endurance. I would lose my place on the page and daydream if I got bored.

To this day, I have difficulty finishing books if they don’t draw me in.

So how does a non-reader become an author?


There is no doubt I loved stories. I even earned a BA in video production, and became photographer as well. I’ve lived behind the camera for years.
But about 7 years ago, I stared reading young adult novels and I never quit. Over those years, I didn’t keep count of how many books I read. However, I read so much that it inspired me. And over two years ago, I started writing once again.(See my blog post: Why I stopped writing.)

Now, the girl who couldn’t focus long enough to read one book will release her first book The Last Order on Feb 3rd, 2015.

My biggest hope is not that people will love my book, although a few fangirls would be nice. Instead, I hope someone like me, who lost their passion for something they enjoyed, will find their way back and create something that surprises them.

 

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Parody of Shake it off, for writers only

11 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #author, #books, #dontgiveup, #dyslexia, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #grammar, #indieauthor, #indiebooks, #indiepub, #indiepublishing, #nevergiveup, #pardoy, #rejection, #shakeitoff, #writers, #writing, #writingproces

This was too fun not to share. Google an instrumental version of Shake it off and have fun with these new lyrics.

I don’t have the pipes to pull off the singing or I would have made it into a video. This was just for fun. No Haters…

But, we all already know what they do! So, shake it off.

 

WRITE IT ALL

I make a ton of mistakes. Got there in the wrong place.
That’s what people say…mmm mmm
That’s what people say…mmm mmm

I study grammar books, but they don’t help looks.
At least that’s what people say…mmm… mmm
That’s what people say….mmm…mmm

But I keep writing, can stop won’t stop writing. It’s like I got these stories, in my mind, saying you just got to write.

Cause the Editor’s gonna edit, edit, edit, edit, edit
And the agent’s gonna rep, rep, rep, rep, rep, baby

I’m just gonna write, write, write, write ,write. Write it all. Write it all.

The blogger’s gonna blog blog blog blog blog

The Publisher’s gonna pub pub pub pub pub

I’m just gonna write write write write write. Write it all. Write it all.
I never my miss hook. My betas love my book.
And that’s enough for me. mmmm-mmmmm
Yes, that’s enough for me. mmmm-mmmmm
I’m writing everyday. (writing everyday) My MC won’t go away (MC won’t go away)
That’s how my story goes, mmmm-mmm
That’s how my story goes mmmm-mmmm
But I keep writing, can stop won’t stop writing. It’s like I got these stories, in my mind, saying you just got to write. Cause the Editor’s gonna edit, edit, edit, edit, edit
And the agent’s gonna rep, rep, rep, rep,repI’m just gonna write write write write write. Write it all. Write it all.
The blogger’s gonna blog, blog, blog, blog, blog

The Publishers’ gonna pub, pub, pub ,pub ,pub

I’m just gonna write, write, write, write, write. Write it all. Write it all.

I’m just gonna write, write, write, write, write. Write it all. Write it all.

Write it all. Write it allWait. Wait. Wait.

Just think while you’ve been crying in your corner over there about your rejections, query letters, and agents who won’t read your story.

You could have been writing, the next best seller.

My twitter friend got a new agent.
She’s like “OMG!” but I’m just gonna write.
And the author over there with the new indie book says
Come on over girl and we can Write, Write, Write

Editor’s gonna edit, edit , edit edits, edit
And the agent’s gonna rep, rep, rep, rep, rep

I’m just gonna write write write write write. Write it all. Write it all.

The blogger’s gonna blog, blog, blog, blog, blog

The Publisher’s gonna pub, pub, pub, pub, pub

I’m just gonna write, write, write, write, write. Write it all. Write it all.

I’m just gonna write, write, write, write, write. Write it all. Write it all.

Write it all. Write it all.

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What ifs

15 Wednesday Oct 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #author, #authors, #dontgiveup, #dyslexia, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #grammar, #indiebooks, #indiepub, #indiepublishing, #nevergiveup, #rejection, #whatif, #whatifs, #writers, #writetip, #writing

what if
What if I never get published? What if I never get an agent? What if no one buys my book? What if someone hates my book and slanders me? What if all my twitter followers unfollow me, because they think the cover sucks? What if….?

Negativity is damaging to your creative juice, your muse, your mojo, whatever you choose to call it. And what ifs apply to more than writing. What ifs can really mess up your thinking.

whatifswillmakeucrazy

Every successful writer I’ve chatted with has something in common. They never gave up. They pushed past the negative what ifs, and keep moving forward. One writer in particular now comes to mind. She wrote for 20 years before she landed an agent and a book deal.  She kept writing, because she loved it.

So what if, these things never happen. If you love writing, it won’t really matter. You will write because it’s your air, and without it there is no breath. So today change your what ifs.

What if they love my book, even though I’m an indie author? What if readers create fan art. What if readers demand more? What if that agent loves my next novel? What if my twitter followers stick by me during the ups and downs?  What if my story can help somebody else keep writing?
What if…?

whatifsohwells

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THE YELLOW HOODS: Along Came a Wolf (Book 1) and The Hero’s Journey

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

#AdamDreece, #alongcameawolf, #angelacaldwell, #archetypes, #authors, #books, #BreadcrumbTrail, #dontgiveup, #dreaming, #dyslexia, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #freechapters, #happygilmore, #JosephCampbell, #monomyth, #Steampunk, #theherosjourney, #theyellowhoods, #writers, #writetip, #writing, #writingproces, #youngadult

On my resource page, you’ll find, The Hero’s Journey, or monomyth, which was devised by Joseph Campbell. The Hero’s Journey suggests the idea that all great stories have the same characters. When I started reading THE YELLOW HOODS: Along Came a Wolf (Book 1): An Emergent Steampunk Series by fellow twitter writer, Adam Dreece, I realized within the first few chapters his characters fit within the Hero’s Journey archetypes.

THE HERO: Tee
THE SHADOW: Andre LeLoup
THE HERALD: You’re going to have to read the book to find out.
THE MENTOR:Nikolas Klaus
THRESHOLD GUARDIANS: LeLoup’s henchman
SHAPESHIFTER: There is one
TRICKSTERS:The Cochon Brothers
ALLIES:Tee’s friends

Click photo to buy on Amazon

I really enjoyed Adam’s book because he has a knack for storytelling, and he followed Joseph Campbell’s archetypes by instinct.

Photo credit

Photo credit

 

What book or movie do you love? Does it follow the Hero’s Journey? If you’re a writer does your current work in progress follow this model?
My favorite example of the Hero’s Journey is Happy Gilmore.
Here are some links that use this example.

The Hero’s Journey-Happy Glimore Prezi

The Hero’s Journey-You tube video featuring Happy Gilmore

Young Adult written for everyone

Book 1 – Along Came a Wolf at Amazon, Amazon.ca, Kobo, Smashwords, The Yellow Hoods Store
Book 2 – Breadcrumb Trail at Amazon, Amazon.ca,  Kobo, Smashwords, The Yellow Hoods Store
3 Chapter free samples available
Blog: AdamDreece.com
Twitter: @AdamDreece

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*Leaps*

22 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #bookcover, #bookpublishing, #bookreleasedate, #books, #contest, #debutauthor, #deubt, #dontgiveup, #dreaming, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #indie, #indieauthor, #indiebook, #indiebooks, #indiepub, #indiepublishing, #nevergiveup, #publishing, #selfpublishing, #vote, #voting, #write, #writing

 

©AngelaCaldwell

©AngelaCaldwell

I’m going to become my own publisher. #indebooksbeseen After months of querying very few people, and waiting on decisions from full requests, I’ve decided to publish my debut YA fantasy novel on my terms. Well kind of, here comes the crazy, insane, ridiculous part.

I’m offering you, my followers and fans, some control over things. You’ll make use of your powers for good and vote on the release date, cover, and more. You now think I’m officially crazy. Welcome to the club.

one does not simmply publish on amazon2

I struggle making final decisions. I can’t choose favorites. But, you guys are very good at those things. And with your help, my book will be judged by the cover you choose! The fun will start next week with your very first choice-the release date.

I will choose 3 dates and give you reasons why I chose each date, and you will pick my release date by voting. Please follow this blog, my Twitter (I follow back awesomeness) , Goodreads or Facebook account to make sure you don’t miss out on voting.

And yes, I am officially hyperventilating. And want to thank you all, my writer friends, and avid readers who have already signed up to read a book that isn’t available. You guys remind me to be fearless everyday.

 

 

 

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Do you have the writing blues?

13 Saturday Sep 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #angelacaldwellphotography #LorenNeal, #art, #author, #authors, #ballandchain, #books, #dontgiveup, #dreaming, #dyslexia, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #editing, #figment, #grammar, #gustaveflaubert, #melindahaynes, #nevergiveup, #photoessay, #photography, #rejection, #thewritingblues, #writers, #writetip, #writing, #writingproces

What are the writing blues? I’m not sure. I just made it up. I wanted to address the blah I feel from time to time about my writing. You know when the passion and excitement seem to have disappeared and you don’t want to even open the story you’ve been working on? I’ve found out part of the problem. I’m not writing for me.

 

celebratewritinghayes

 

Maybe you’ve been querying and gotten a few rejections and it’s made you second guess yourself. Or maybe you’ve worked on a novel for over 2 years and you’ve become burnt out. Why is that? Art needs to be seen. Take my photography for example, I get the most joy when someone views a photo and it touches them. It makes all the hard work worth it.

 

©AngelaCaldwell from my photo essay Ball and Chain.

©AngelaCaldwell from my photo essay Ball and Chain.

 

But, with writing, it may be years before more than a few people read your manuscript. Writers want to be read. They write to share the stories, feelings, ideas, adventures, mysteries, and fears. 
What does this have to do with the writing blues? 

If no one’s reading your writing, that defeats your purpose, right? You wish to be read. And if you’re like me, you try to make people feel something or take them on an adventure. And if you’re constantly getting rejections to have agents or editors read your writing it’s like slowly taking all the air out of your balloon. Or for me it drains the passion from my soul.
How do you overcome the writing blues?

 

write for yourself quote

Write for you. Write what you love, a story that you can’t put down. Do not seek to follow trends or what’s popular. For me, that means I need to quit trying to please an imaginary person that may or may not read my work. However, what I need to do is make my story the best story possible. Sharing with trusted critique partners and beta readers to challenge me.

 

As for getting your work out there, develop a plan for your novel. Self-publishing is one option that many authors are considering. However, if you don’t want to self-publish you can join sites like Figment and share your work. Various writers on there will swap stories and give feedback. There are some really serious grammar people on there too, who are willing to contribute too. Figment is where I tested the first chapter of my novel. The feedback I received gave me the push needed to finish writing my the novel. Do not forget to be professional, no matter where you are talking and posting work. 

Have you ever had the writing blues? What do you think caused them and what changes can you make to protect your writing from joy thieves?

 

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It’s your story

28 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #angelacaldwellphotography #LorenNeal, #art, #author, #college, #dontgiveup, #dreaming, #dyslexia, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #hollywood, #photography, #rejection, #writer, #writetip, #writing, #writingproces

Fast forward to my college years, I’m studying Electronic Media Production because there isn’t much writing required. It’s how I chose to cope with my dyslexia. It was cameras, editing machines, teleprompters, and even a TV studio on campus. I hung with people from the theater program and helped on plays. My husband, Joe, saw me having a grand time and became interested in writing screenplays. Not a surprise, because he always showed an interested in reading and writing. In the evening, I would work at the theater and dream of making films. But, what was going to happen once we both graduated?

wik

My degree was in film and the technology, but the equipment I was trained on was its way out. At the time, we figured that our options were limited to either going to film school together, or moving to Los Angeles. After visiting Los Angeles we decided to pack up and head west. I got a little taste of working in the “business” while I was out there. I worked as an assistant for a talent agent, but that didn’t end well. I was on the night camera crew for a game show called CRAM. You can Google it. I also worked as a background actor, until I had to get a real job with a finance company. I never really tried to get another job working in the industry until I saw an ad to produce commercials. I took the job because I could work from home. I had 2 kids by this point. I ended up producing about 20 local commercials for tattoo parlors for about 6-8 months.

 

Click here to watch my first commercial: Southbay Tattoo

During this time, Joe was going through his own struggles while working with a couple of producers on different screenplays , but they never worked out. He also got a certificate in screenwriting. I always saw him as the writer and me as the one running the cameras. Sometimes I helped with story lines and ideas, but I never wrote anything. When I produced the commercials, he wrote the voice-overs. During this whole time I would wait on Joe to write a short film or come up with something we could make for fun. And before we moved back to the east coast, we sunk our money into a short film called Open Season. It was in a few festivals, good for our very first attempt at producing a short film. And you’re only as good as your next film, book, or art piece. Am I right? But as filmmakers know, it costs to make a film. It cost a lot and it takes an army.

©angelacaldwell

©angelacaldwell

LA was a bust for us because we couldn’t survive, raise a family, and be in the “business”. So when Joe’s father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, we chose to move back so we could spend time with his Dad. In some ways it felt like a failure, but it wasn’t. It brought new opportunities and we made a film the summer we moved back. Joe was hired as a teacher, and I was hired to teach photography, a position in program that lost it’s funding after the first year. We haven’t given up making our films and our next goal is a feature.

However, after all these years I realized I couldn’t wait on Joe anymore. I was putting too much pressure on him. For years, I had nagged Joe to write the story I dreamed up while working at that movie theater in college. I was so persistent. He used the idea in a screenwriting class through UCLA. Sadly, he never completed it. I still have the thirty pages he did write.

In March 2013, I began scribbling down the first rough chapter in a cheap college ruled notebook. Writing this story began stirring a passion in me. After so many years, I really wanted this story to be created. But, I had to do it.

Me, the girl who, at one point in her life, could not focus long enough to read through one page in a book without daydreaming was going to write. The girl who believed a lie and had run from the written word for years was about to attempt an impossible task.

But, maybe I wasn’t the same girl. I had now read over 100 YA novels, a key to writing. Day after day, I found myself drawn to write more, it was exciting creating a story in this way. For years, I had only worked with my cameras making films and taking photos. I had been writing about a month when Joe confessed he could never write this story, because it wasn’t his to write. “It’s your story,” he said.

My story? It was mine because I had the passion and the drive to create the characters and see it through to the end. Thank you, Joe, for saving my story for me.

A little over a year later I have about an 80,000 word manuscript. on its 15th draft or more. I’ve lost count. It’s out there in the query trenches, which encourages me as a storyteller. I still have the notebook with the first chapter I scribbled down, and all the little notes and papers that turned into a novel. And if I am blessed to partner with a press to publish this work, I will let you know. But, for now I’m writing. I’m writing the stories that are inside me. The ones that are intertwined in my life in mysterious ways only God knows. They are puzzles inside me, demanding to be finished. And I am driven to work on them until every last piece is in the right place.

What story are you called to write? The one only you can tell with your swirling thoughts. It’s your story to write. Now go write it.

Edited by Loren Neal find her on twitter @LorenNeal4

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Why I stopped writing

12 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 34 Comments

Tags

#author, #dyslexia, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #faliure, #grammar, #nevergiveup, #rejection, #writing

I had worked on this paper for weeks and today the verdict is in. We had done peer reviews and I had corrected everything they’d said. I’d gone to the library every day during lunch to worry over every word. This was going to be it; I had put tons of time and effort into to this one paper. I was going to get an A.

 

As my teacher returned the papers to us, I thought my heart would explode out of my chest. I knew my diligence would be rewarded. After all, I didn’t really try most of the time. I just showed up and received As and Bs; although, I did settle with the occasional C in extremely boring classes. Not this time. I had worked hard.

 

The paper landed on my desk with a thump. There on the front was a D-.

d-minus

That day I had believed a lie–that no matter how hard I tired, people would not see past my errors. Even worse, I could not see my own errors. I would never try that hard on my writing ever again.

 

I didn’t know it at the time, but my brain works differently. I can read a sentence or write a word, and believe it is on the page. I read words that are not actually on the page sometimes. I also miss words that are right on the page. This is a nightmare for a person who loves to tell stories.

 

You see, my mind plays tricks on me. I can go back to something I wrote, and it will be missing phases or words. My brain processes too fast for my eyes to keep up. There’s a wire loose.

 

In college, an English teacher realized it wasn’t just common grammar errors. She told me I most likely had Dyslexia. She wanted to help me, but I was diagnosed too late for help through the school. So, I avoided the written word, and studied video and photography instead.

 

steven-spielberg-dyslexia

 

After all these years of sloppy diaries, notebooks, pieces of stories, and a chapter here and there, I’ve chosen to write again. Will it be hard? Yes. Some people will never understand why I make so many mistakes. But, I am tired of being silent. I’ve found my passion: Writing.

book papers-small

Why did you stop writing?

 

 

Edited by Jessica Schmeidler

http://www.jessicaschmeidler.com/

 

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