Heading into A New Decade, New Blog and New Look

I have a new look for the next decade! And with this new look, I'll be having a new blog! This one will be retiring soon. So if you'd like to keep up with my posts, please follow this link to my new blog!

https://argrosjean-author.blogspot.com/

Christmas Eve's Adam

Today is the day before Christmas Eve. My sister and I used to call today Christmas Eve's Adam. It was for fun but it caught on between us. Of course, I think I'm the only one between the two of us who have continued using the title lol. It's still for fun but I like it. Why not? So to all who are reading this happy Christmas Eve's Adam to you and your family!!

Now on to business lol. I am still hard at work with The Dead Life. It is coming along. This has been the hardest book to edit, let me tell you. It seems like it doesn't want to be smooth for me, giving me challenge after challenge but whether it likes it or not, I will conquer this story and have it ready for your eyes and mind. Hopefully by March 2020. Once it is finished and ready to go, it will be released. Then I can begin writing Peterson Estate 5: Hellbound. That book is really going to be a challenge, not like the Dead Life. Before, all the books took place in Emily's castle (or the hotel depending on which book it was lol) but this one takes place somewhere else entirely. And it's surrounded by more evil than Emily ever encountered before. But she's got something on her side that she didn't have before............not going to share that because it would ruin it lol. Can't be giving up everything, you just have to read the series to find out the rest lol.

So once that book is finished (the series writes itself, I swear) I will begin editing that book then begin writing the first book to the Identity collection, and keep going. The first book to the Identity collection is Stolen which is a rewrite but in this new version there will be a new beginning and all the sex scenes will be removed with new "clean" scenes. This book can be read by young adults as well. I can't say there won't be any bad language lol. That can't be helped in some books.

So that's my plan for 2020. Other plans that have not been mentioned here will be shared through Instagram and Facebook so if you don't follow me there please do so. I am trying to be an open book to some extent. Some things must remain a mystery lol. That way you can be surprised and I so love surprises, don't you? That's why I love twists. They come out of no where and always seem to make sense when done correctly, at least to me. And you can't forget about my newsletters. I also share things there that can't be found anywhere else. So subscribe if you can. If you can't, send me an email to a.r.grosjean@hotmail.com and let me know you want a copy sent to your inbox on the first. I'll get you added right away.

So Merry Christmas to you and Happy New Year!!!!

Update in the Writing Realm........

First of all, I have officially finished the first round of edits for this book. I am so excited about that. Now I can take a little break and then get started on the next round! That's the round that really matters, where I really add some pizazz to the story and bring it home. Once that round is finished, I will polish the story and make sure I've fixed the errors from the previous rounds like spelling errors and the like.

I just want this story to be the best so far. And it is my first suspense on the list of genres that I've published so it's got to bring a bang.

This wonderful book is also finished and being put together by ACX so it can be purchased in audio format! Due to the holidays, this process is taking a little longer than I originally thought it would but at least it's done. I'm just waiting for them so I can get the price. I've always hated to wait but it is the one thing I have to do lol.

Liliana is new to narrating but I couldn't tell, listening to her. She has a sweet voice and she did such a great job bringing this story to life. I had so much fun working with her. She's more patient than I am, that's for sure! We have begun on narrating the sequel to this book, you know the one with the green cover. She will be narrating that one too. It will be released next year, around Feb, I think. That's the goal so if this book is enjoyed it makes sense to follow Diana's journey with the next book! There's only two in this set.

I have recorded 3 episodes now and I'm beginning to get the hang of having a podcast. It's so much fun too. Hearing my voice and not stuttering so much is a good sign that I'm actually improving. And that's a big deal. I honestly believe by next year, I will be ready to narrate my own book which will be The Dead Life! So that's something to look forward to. I want to be able to add emotion to that story and the best way to do that is by doing it myself. I think I have it in me to give this story that personal touch I really want.

I have been learning and I learned how to work the settings so my next episode isn't going to be so loud lol. I do have a volume problem with my voice so I'm trying to learn how to control that a little better.

So a run-down on the episodes so far. 1 is my introduction, 2 is Fantasy Portal and 3 is Romance Portal. See a pattern forming. I love portals because you can go from point A to point B in seconds just like Peterson Estate which has always been my favorite story. I've put more of myself into that story than all the others so it does hit home a little more for me.


So that's it for now. I hope everyone had great Halloween and was safe. Thanksgiving is slowly approaching. This month, I'm posting what I'm thankful for on Instagram and Facebook (my author page) so that's exciting! See you all there!!!

--A.R. Grosjean

Fiction Writing and The World of Imagination Podcast!

There is a new podcast in the Internet world! And it's all mine lol. I am new to this and am willing to give it a try. Come check out this bi-weekly show, starting with a short episode to introduce who I am and where I came from!

https://anchor.fm/argrosjean

https://open.spotify.com/show/2QT7Q6SqqRkcJfcGLGOQny

Above are the two places where you can find the podcast. They are also recorded as MP3 so if you're wanting something to keep, just send me an email at a.r.grosjean@hotmail.com and I will send you a copy. As each podcast is recorded, I will bring something new and a little insight to my writing, where my ideas come from and how the journey from that idea is born into a book.

Imagination is the key ingredient to my writing so I will share that concept as well in more than just one genre including Fantasy which is the biggest genre that I write. Of course, I can't tell you everything that will be included with each episode, you'll have to come listen for that lol. And I'm always open to suggestions, answering questions will be something to include in the future, so I will be depending on your comments and ideas in the future. So please come on over and take a listen!

Thank you and as always remember, dreams do come true!!!! Please, don't ever give up!

A.R. Grosjean

The Dead Life Excerpt.....Upcoming book for 2020

This is not the official cover for this book but it will look similar

I just wanted to share part of my next book, still in the editing process. There will be some changes done to what you're reading here but it does give you an idea of where this story will take you. Could you imagine getting a call like this? Hearing those devastating words, your child has been in an accident? I wouldn't want to hear them either. But Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds did and this story about their daughter's fight to survive! I don't think anyone really knows what a person experiences while in a coma but this is my thought. If you've had your own experience, I'd love to hear it. Thank you!!

Mr. Reynolds rushed to the phone as it reached its fourth ring. He grabbed the receiver from the wall-attached phone and answered, not expecting any particular person. “Hello.” His voice was calm, deep, and southern. He was a hard working farmer who never took a day off in his life. He was proud, took care of his family, and hadn’t a single enemy except for a few varmints living in the corn fields. He had rough hands to prove it. He started his family late in his life but he had no regrets. He held the phone against his ear as he pulled up his pants. He was beginning to lose a little weight and they were loose on him.

“Mr. Reynolds?” The voice wasn’t familiar.

“Yes, that’s me. What can I do you for?”

The voice on the other end of the line was very anxious with news any parent would dread. His only child was in an accident and she was unconscious.  She had found this phone number in her wallet in case of emergency. It was Mr. Reynolds’ idea and he was now glad he had told her to do that.

Mr. Reynolds’ voice shook as his hand began to tremble. Katy Lynne was his only child, how could this be happening to her? He glanced at his wife as she washed the dishes. She heard his voice and grabbed the towel, rushing to his side.

“What’s happening?” she cried out. She knew something was wrong but didn’t know what.

He wouldn’t answer as he listened to the woman’s terrible details. 

Mrs. Reynolds was a robust woman, in her fifties, and proud to be a farmer’s wife. She always kept her hair tied up in a bun to keep it out of her way when doing her own chores. A strand of hair always seemed to fall in all the right places. She pulled one strand back behind her ear as she grabbed the phone from his hand. “Who is this? Johnny, are you foolin’ around?” She listened to the woman’s news.  “We’ll be right there. Honey, go start the car. I’ll get directions.” She grabbed a small piece of paper and wrote everything down as he rushed out the door. She could hear the car’s engine as she scribbled everything down. It was late but it didn’t matter to her, she had to go see her baby.

Grouner Town was a few hours away but Mr. Reynolds shaved most of the time off by speeding. The old country roads were deserted at this hour. They passed the intersection where three cars were blocking the road and Mrs. Reynolds feared the worst. The sheriff let them pass, giving them directions to the town’s hospital. Her heart wouldn’t stop racing. And his hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

“Please, let her be all right,” she prayed repeatedly as the car sprinted down the street.

Mr. Reynolds parked the car, leaving the engine on as they both rushed inside.

“Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, your daughter is in surgery now. You may wait here.”

“Is she going to be all right?” Mrs. Reynolds asked.

“I’m afraid this is serious. I will keep you informed. Please, if you would have a seat.”

A young woman paced the floor in the waiting room as the parents entered. She was wearing a bandage on her right shoulder and her arm was in a sling.

“Oh, my God, Stacey,” Mrs. Reynolds cried out and ran over to her daughter’s friend.

“I’m all right, Mrs. Reynolds. The bullet went straight through. I’m so sorry.” Her eyes were swollen and red from crying. Stacey’s mother was sitting down in the corner, speaking to someone over the phone.

“What happened?” Mrs. Reynolds asked.

“We were on our way home from the university,” Stacey began to say. She turned and looked at Mr. Reynolds. “Sir, my dad is at the check-in station. He gave them as much information as he could but I think you’ll need to give them more.”

“Thank you, Stacey. I’ll be right back.” Mr. Reynolds left the room.

Stacey continued to tell Mrs. Reynolds the horrible ordeal that had occurred earlier in the evening. “The accident had already happened and we stopped to see what was going on. We didn’t know there was a man with a gun. He seemed so upset and he started firing at us.” Even though it had happened hours before, her voice was still shaking. She sat down to collect herself.

Mrs. Reynolds sat down next to her and held her. She looked over at Stacey’s mother, still on the phone. Her voice echoed in the empty waiting room.

The hospital was old and small but it served its purpose, housing the sick and dying. The small number of staff could be heard in the hallway, running here and there tending to the patients. Their footsteps echoed in the hall.

The waiting dragged on through morning. As the birds sang outside the window, a doctor walked into the room with both fathers.

Mrs. Reynolds stood up.

“Katy Lynne is out of surgery and she is in the recovery room.”

“How is she?” Mrs. Reynolds asked. Her voice was anxious and shaky.

“The bullet made a clean shot through the Occipital Lobe. Luckily it missed both the Basal Ganglia and the Cerebellum. We were able to remove the bullet but there was damage to her brain. We can’t be sure how extensive the damage is until she wakes up—if she wakes up.”

“What do you mean if she wakes up?” Mrs. Reynolds asked.

“She’s in a coma.”

Needed a laugh or two......

I have discovered a new website (well for me anyway lol) and I'm loving it lol. The picture on the right (above) is the original. I was able to cut out the background and give it another one. My husband is always being silly, makes me laugh all the time which I need so when he did this, I just had to bust out laughing. 

Suffering from depression, having someone who can make me laugh is almost like medication. It really does help. He also inspires much of my writing! He's Jack in Cursed Blood (both versions). In the updated version (Cursed Blood: Bloodline Curse), I did put more of his personality into the character. It made it more real for me and I loved how it turned out. I don't normally add the comedy scenes to my books because I'm not good at writing those scenes but it felt more natural giving Jack a sense of humor. He needed it lol.

Anyway, the website is call Pixlr and it's amazing. No software, it's all done online!

Anyway, I'm taking a quick break right now (getting back to editing my book The Dead Life shortly) and just wanted to write in my blog. I had to share something lol. The editing process is going a little slow since I am so far ahead of schedule lol. This book is going to be a little different than the others because it will be a little smaller (height and width). The books before this one were all 9X6 and they look good on the shelf next to each other. It got me thinking, maybe they shouldn't be all the same size. It gives them more depth I think so my goal is to make the next one smaller. Maybe it would stand out a little on the shelf next to my other books. I'm still learning lol. The size will be determined by the length of the story which is still unknown since it is still being edited. I'm looking to be working on these edits through to next year so we'll just have to wait!!!!!

--A.R. Grosjean

Hello, hello.......Hello

Hello, world of the Internet lol. It is me again lol. Just wanted to come by and bring some updates your way. I've been introduced to a few new websites and have been working with them. One is a site where you can take your book, or even part of it, and share it with others for free. And it's free to use which is totally awesome. Of course, you can pay into the site and get more features which is also nice for those who can invest. It is called Prolific Works. It is designed for free ebooks. I only have one book on there at the moment so I am testing that out. Guess we'll see how it goes. If it does well, then I could possibly include a few more books. It is suppose to help put the word out on books. I'm testing that to see if it's worth it.

I've been working hard at getting the Dead Life edited. So far the book is short but I'm not so worried about the length as long as the story is good, better than good--great. If you love a story, it shouldn't matter if it's short or long because when you reach the end, you're not going to want to leave the story behind at any length lol. Not every book has to be long and I'm fine with that.

Once this story is officially finished, I will begin perfecting the cover. I've learned a few things and wanted to give that a try. Then I will take a short break from writing and begin the next book. I try to take a few days between books when possible to get my head back on straight lol. Sometimes my mind doesn't let me do that lol.

Another update, I will be trying to work on Podcasts. That should be fun. The only thing I have so far is the Podcast Name and I'm thinking Fiction Writing and the World of Imagination. What do you think?

So that's it for now. I will see you next time, hopefully with more news on the Podcast. I've got a few other people I want to run that by as well so we'll see how it goes. So I will see you around, hopefully!

Thank you!!!

A.R. Grosjean

Audio Book, Mother of the Dragons

Have you ever tried listening to a book as you worked on projects or jogged down the street? I've seen people do that in movies but never really met people who have. I do know that the way people can listen to "books on tape" has changed. Books are no longer on tape. You can easily download them to our phones and computers. It makes life so much easier. I've even done it. The freedom to listen to a story anytime, anywhere is truly awesome. 

I'm not going to try to sell you anything, I try not to. I totally suck as a sales person lol. I would like to ask you to give audible a try though because it is really nice being able to hear a story. I remember telling stories when I was a kid. During a storm with the candles glowing in the background, stories tend to come to life. And then the lightning strikes and everyone jumps. I loved that part the most lol. I also enjoyed telling stories over a campfire. You know, when each person tells a part of the story and passes it on the next person. No one ever knows where the story will take you and it's so much fun. Listening to a story on "tape" can be just as fun. At least it is for me, especially when it's a book I wrote. Listening to the words I created in the order I wrote them down--there is truly nothing like it. And knowing that the narrator that you've chosen was the right one for that story is even better.

So, I do ask you this. Give Audible a chance and find that feeling of listening to a story as it unfolds right between your ears lol. At the bottom, I shared a link to my book. If you try audible, you can listen to my book for free. So there's no risk. If you like it, great. I have other books in paperback and e-book form you might like as well. Or you can try another audio book on their site. Even if it's not mine lol. If you don't like it, I truly am sorry. You can't know what you like until you give it a try. So please, give me a chance and listen to the words I created just for your entertainment. I don't think you'll regret it. Thank you so very much!!!!

Who knows, you just might find your next favorite author!!!!!!!

https://www.audible.com/pd/B07TXLSMKT/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-156836&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_156836_rh_us

Run Down on Events

I have been busy posting up a storm on Facebook and Instagram. Life is a little more simple since they are linked so I can post on Instagram and the same posting will appear on my Facebook author page. You are more than welcome to follow either accounts so see what I've been sharing about my life as a writer and behind the scenes as a normal person (wife, mother, and grandmother).

Facebook: facebook.com/argrosjeanwriter
Instagram: instagram.com/a.r.grosjeanauthor

Here is the schedule for those posts.......
August.....

Monday is family day
Tuesday/Thursday alternating is passion and hobby days
Wednesday is book day
Friday is "Life of an Author" day

Each post, I will share something about myself. Mid-week is all about my books (past, present, or future).

Some of my posts will be shared on my wall as well as other things like reviews I've had for my books and more. Of course, there will be much more on the author page and my newsletters. My author page is open to the public so if you just want to go in and take a look around, you are more than welcome to. If you like what you see, click on the like button or recommend it if you'd like for your friends. I'm always happy to see new reviews if you really like the page.

Thank you very much!!!!!

Same blog, New name!!!!

I thought I had to make a new blog to have the same name on the title as my author name (well the new name anyway lol). I found out just a moment ago that I could just change the name for this blog and of course, fix all the links. That is what I'm doing. Now, the original name is no more. I can leave that name in the past and move forward completely as A.R. Grosjean!

This was Amber Rigby Grosjean.................

This is A.R. Grosjean.....the author who writes at her own beat of the drum, chasing dreams of becoming the author who wrote the books sitting on your shelves.

The Dead Life

I have officially begun the next book which will be released in 2020. I will spend the rest of this year working on this book, taking my time to get the story just right because it will be different from all the books I've written before. That means I have to pay attention to what I'm doing lol. I can do that, that's not a problem. I always pay attention lol. I've decided to create working covers and would like a vote from you, my loyal fans. Whoever you may be (I love you!).

The final work will be close to what these covers look like. Placement of the picture and font will be different. This is just an idea. I'm still struggling to choose the genre of this story because it doesn't fit into the ones I have written before. This is not a romance. Fantasy maybe but it's more than that so I'm working on that lol. I'll be handing it over to my beta readers so it will be determined later. Sometimes, writers need help. I'm by far, no where near perfect and I'm still learning which means you will benefit from it lol. Each book will be a little better than the one before it!

So that's it for now. Just wanted to give you a little heads up. Please comment your opinion below. Thank you!!!!


A.R. Grosjean

The Next Book

I am happy to announce that I am ahead of schedule and my next book, Peterson Estate 4: The Great War, will be released in September 2019! I couldn't be more excited to see my series grow. And picking the cover was a battle. There were three choices that I liked but there was a scene in the book that inspired this cover so it ended up winning that battle.

I began working on the next book after this one--The Dead Life. The first few pages ran swiftly under my finger tips and is really making the story so much better than it was originally. I had finished it but wasn't happy with the story as a whole so I gave the story to someone for a look-over (this is something writers do lol) and was given a few great ideas to improve on the story. The version I'm going with was the one I liked the best. The idea just seemed to work better for this story and it seems to agree with me as the story is flowing from me. I'm loving it!!

The Life of an Author

I've always be creative, doing things differently even if it was just my way of doing it. And yes, I've been chewed out for it many times. But hey, if you have to copy everyone else, how are you supposed to learn who you are as an individual? Yeah, I don't know either lol.

I've been thinking outside the box before that became a catch phrase for Taco Bell (I believe that's the place who uses it lol). I was teased and bullied because I was different. And that same difference made those same kids like me in the end. When they grew up and saw the error of their ways, that is. And they all asked for forgiveness. It was long before that when I already forgave them so it was all good. At least they did ask, which made me feel better. Just the same, it will always be a part of me so the pain will never be forgotten. It shaped me into the person I am today so without it I don't think I would've become a writer or ever get published turning me into an author. So I do have them to thank for that.

I've always enjoyed crafts. I think growing up art class was my favorite. I wasn't the best in the class but I didn't have to be. I think that's what's so cool about art, even the worse pieces can be called "art" because it does force a reaction from the viewer (even if it is a bad reaction). It causes you to feel something and that's what's important. Of course, writing doesn't work the same way--you do have to be somewhat good at telling stories. I'm so glad that I do have that quality. I owe that to my imagination.

I like putting myself in the middle of some other place, even if it is make-believe. It doesn't matter if the place isn't real because inside my mind, it really is real. And that world is transferred onto paper which is awesome because now other people can visit my world and enjoy it's beauty from my own perspective. They can listen to the people in that world, experience their lives, and learn something new. The more I created, the more I fell in love with the idea of it. The more I loved it, the more I wrote. It is such a piece of who I am that I can't live without it! I am more than the writer but without writing, I am nothing. And after I'm gone, people can go on reading my words; living in the worlds that I created. How perfect is that? To be able to live on after you're gone? Other than art, how many professions are there that a person has that ability? Acting is a form of art, by the way lol. Teachers come and go, officers come and go. Their memories live on and those memories are cherished. But their ideas and thoughts vanish after a while. Artists, actors, and writers get to keep on moving people, angering them or making them laugh or cry. I get to be part of a world that get's to do that. It is so awesome!

When I write a story, I put myself in the shoes of the characters whose point of view I'm using. I see what they see, I feel what they feel. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I laugh. It does get embarrassing when done in a public place but it's part of life. I deal with it lol. When someone asks, I just tell them I'm writing and I lost myself in the story. And that usually springs up a conversation, I'm more than happy to have. It's amazing how many people never met a real author before and there are millions of us walking down streets, eating in restaurants, being neighbors. We blend in with everyone unlike actors who are always in the spotlight. We live normal lives, pay our bills, and try to do right by everyone else. Then we get to escape into our own little worlds where we make the rules. I don't want any other profession.

Being creative is the fun part of writing. Those rules change for each story, sometimes even in the middle of the same story. Gravity? What's that? Superman defied it. Who said a human can't become a spider? Surely not the creator of Spiderman. They made their own rules. And I made my own as well. And when that story is done, saying goodbye is hard because you devote so much yourself writing the places and people that you don't want to leave them. But the sacrifice is worthwhile because now you have a book and that book can be passed down from one person to another, read over and over, felt by thousands if not millions of people. And that is such a good feeling that you almost have to do it over again. I love that feeling. The accomplishment is big.

Then you begin a new story and you become attached to new characters and dive in fully to their new world; and the process starts all over again. You say goodbye, and then hello to new friends and foes. The cycle keeps rotating. Before you know it, you have a handful of stories and more fans than you know what to do with. But you don't stop writing because now you can't breathe without it. The need to put words on paper becomes who you are. And you like it. No, you love it.

And that my friend, is the life of an author.


A.R. Grosjean

My Next Book: Mother of the Dragons (Updated 2019)

UPDATE:
This book is now an audio! It is available on Amazon, Auduble, and ITunes! It is just over 5 hours in length and created on ACX which they priced at around 19$ due to the length. The narration is awesome! I've got my copy, do you?

Mother of the Dragons Audio

When my day begins and I first sit down at the computer, I do a number of things. First, I check my emails and take it from there. Then I check my sales for my books. Then I check a few other sites to see how things are going. This can take from 5 minutes up to an hour or so, depending on what I see. Then I begin my day with my writing or whatever else needs to be done. Today, during this routine, I saw that my audio was finally available on Amazon. So I had to get the screen shot of it lol. And of course, I like that someone can get it for free just because I want to be read (or in this case, heard lol). If someone happens to pay for it, awesome that's a bonus because it means I can get paid. But at least now the door is open so others can see my work which is why I'm a writer. So this is cool news for me. I love it that I'm able to have another way for people to get my stories and learn to love my work as much as I do!

So if you haven't heard my book, come check it out!!!

A.R. Grosjean

#motherofthedragons #audio #amazon