Fifty Shades of Grey...The Controversy

I am always the last to know or at least to pay attention. Fifty Shades of Grey  came to my attention by author Lauren K. Pomeroy. She heard about it, checked it out on Amazon and found alot of mixed reviews. She opted not to purchase. It's a controvery alright. One star reviews are catching up to the five star ones.

Erotica is not my genre and Fifty Shades of Grey will not be added to my Kindle library (sorry E.L., nothing personal). The question is, will it be added to yours?

#1 on Amazon in both paper back and kindle is an impressive feat. Surprising when there are (as of today) 2,123 five stars and 1,448 1 stars. 509 are four stars, 345 three stars and  427 two stars (is this still considered poor?)


It seems E. L. James is getting equal shares of pats on the backs and dirty looks over her book. The first to a trilogy. Fifty Shades of Grey was banned in three states as of May 10th, Florida (my home) was one of them.

In an article from dailymail.co. uk, Fifty Shades was referred as "Mommy Porn"  Read here.

"Libraries in Wisconsin and Georgia are following the lead set by Florida after 17 outposts deemed the book "semi-pornographic".

Huffington post did an article about this and these were the reasons why Fifty Shades was pulled from libraries:

"Public libraries in several states are pulling the racy romance trilogy "Fifty Shades of Grey" from shelves or deciding not to order the best-seller at all, saying it's too steamy or too poorly written."

 Is this statement a fact or opinion? Those 1,448 1 star and 427 two star reviews out of  the 4,852 total customer reviews on amazon all think so and repeat the phrase. Poorly written or trash. One of those libraries in Florida was Brevard county library. They pulled the book on May 4th based on those statement, but by May 29th, Fifty Shades of Grey was put back on their shelves.
From Celebrity Circuit news (cbsnews)


Why was this?

It seems the library did so in response to requests from residents. Saying the library was against censorship and was reviewing its selection criteria. Did it also happen to be due to a petition? Yep...have you heard of Change.org?

Well it seems many felt the censorship of the book was wrong and illegal.

"Because banning books is wrong, no matter what the perceived content."

1,921 people signed that petition.

So again, will Fifty Shades of Grey be added to your library? Many say it shouldn't and many say it should. Love to hear your comments...

Thanks for dropping by!

Author Spotlight: Author Mandy Eve-Barnett- Rumble's First Scare

I just love connecting with authors and love discovering their books! Mandy kindly allowed me to spotlight her on my blog and I've had fun getting to know her. Thank you Mandy!

1. Where do you call home?  Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
2. What is the title of your most recent book? Rumble’s First Scare (www.dreamwritepublishing.ca)

3. What's your Genre? No particular one – I have published a children’s book and several pieces in anthologies, websites and newspapers. My current manuscript is a YA fantasy currently in proofreading and I also have two novels under review – one is an alternative future story and the other is based on reincarnation.

4. Plans for a next book? Is this part of a Series? My fantasy will be published as an e-book later this year. The Rython Kingdom.
5. Are you a self published author (Indie) ? No I have a local publisher – Dream Write Publishing (www.dreamwritepublishing.ca)

6. Who's your favorite author? I have lots. Stephen King, Kate Morton, Maeve Binchy, Melissa Marr – as you can see I have lots and an eclectic taste. I think that is why I do not have one particular genre.
7. Your favorite book? Oh that is so hard – I read several over and over but one does stand out – Ferney by James Long as well as all of Stephen King's.

8. What book are you currently reading? The Time of My Life by Cecelia Ahern, which I have nearly finished and will be followed by The Map of Time by Felix J Palma.
9. A book you would recommend? Ferney, for sure, all the Kate Morton books and all Stephen King’s.
10. How do you pick your books? Whatever strikes a chord when I read the blurb on the back to be honest. If it intrigues me I buy it.

11. Advice for other authors? Write for your own pleasure and not for ideas of best seller lists. Enjoy the process and your writing journey. Find others, who share your passion and grow your writing community for mutual support and encouragement.
12. Do you write under a pen name? Not really, I use my maiden & married name.
13. Where do you write? Mostly at my desk in the living room but I have written in cafes, libraries, sports halls and at friends houses. Anywhere I am allowed really.
14. What do you wear when you write? Now that depends on where I am but if at home comfortable clothes and my trusty cup of tea beside me.

15. Do you have a pet (s)? I have a dog but in the house we also have two kittens, five crested geckos, three leopard geckos and one red eyed crocodile skink! -Wow!
16. Favorite food? Seafood and pasta.
17. If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?  Terry Grant (Mantracker), Stephen King, Viggo Mortensen. - ooh, I love Viggo!

18. Of your characters, which one would you say is most like you and why? There are little pieces of me in several but not one definite ‘that’s me’ character.
19. What made you want to be a writer? I’ve always been creative – trying my hand at painting, drawing, sculpture, sewing, knitting – yes you name it I’ve tried it. But it wasn’t until I immigrated to Canada with a promise to myself to find a creative outlet just for me, did I stumble across a writer’s circle. That moment changed my life considerably. It propelled me on a journey of such passion and fellowship that I will stay until my bones turn to dust.

20. Any weird talent? Not sure if it is weird but I can write spontaneously to create a story from the smallest prompt.
21. A favorite quote? Detail makes the difference between boring and terrific writing. It’s the difference between a pencil sketch and a lush oil painting. As a writer, words are your paint. Use all the colors.-Rhys Alexander

22. What is the one thing you never go without? Tea ( English black tea not the flavored stuff!)
23. Your biggest influence? My dear friend and mentor, Linda J Pedley, who has encouraged, supported and enthused to make me a better writer.
24. Favorite TV show? I don’t watch much TV – I’d rather be writing – but currently I do take time out for Merlin, Heroes and Misfits.
25. A great blog you would like to recommend for others to discover? Just one, wow, that’s difficult. Wildhorse33 or I could be shameless and say mine –  mandyevebarnett.wordpress.com  - there is no shame in that Mandy!

 Connect with Mandy on Twitter
Learn more about her books at - www.dreamwritepublishing.ca
Writer's circle - www.wfscsherwoodpark.com

Thanks for dropping by and do pick up Mandy's adorable book!

5 Types of Platforms and 5 Surefire Ways to never get noticed...hmmm...

Jeff Goins, amazing writer of amazing advice gives 5 types of platforms and which is right for you.

1. Be the Journalist
Jeff says : "The Journalist builds his platform on asking questions". The only requisite is curiosity.

2.  The Prophet
"The Prophet builds her platform on telling the truth."  The requisite for this is a passion for authenticity.

3. The Artist
"The Artist builds his platform by creating art — whether it be music, painting, or entrepreneurship." The requirement is an eye for beauty.

4. The Professor
"The Professor builds her platform on facts and information." The only requirements is a longing to learn.

5. The celebrity
"Perhaps, the oddest type of platform to build and the most visible..."  You have to be famous for this one.

So which platform fits you? Which one will you build?
Read more of Jeff's article and learn in detail about these five individual platforms. Click here.


Ok now I'm gonna tell you 5 surefire ways to never get noticed. What?! Why on Earth would we want to go unnoticed A.D.?  I got this little tidbit from Problogger.net  and Steve Erry, guest blogger from thecodeofextraordinarychange.com. says "You need to leave a trace; you need to affect the world; you need to be in the light."

He then gives 5 ways how people stay in the shadows:

1. Don't pay attention to what matters
Steve wants us to remember "What matters to you is what counts. What matters to you amounts to a hill o’ beans. What matters to you is enough."

2. Don't stick your neck out
Steve says quit hiding behind the wall, he says : "You always notice someone who stands up when everyone else remains seated." So get noticed.

3. Don't show any heart
"Science and logic are good allies to have these days." says Steve, but don't forget to have a heart. He says "You always notice someone who weaves heart, honesty and vulnerability and into their actions."

4. Don't raise the stakes
"You always notice someone who’s willing to risk their world for what they believe." It's easy to not think hard or risk little,but is that what you really should be doing?

5. Don't Innovate
You don't have to do what's expected or what everyone else is doing. "You always notice someone who builds something surprising from what’s right in front of them."

To read more, click here.

Heard of Ray Bradbury? No? What about Fahrenheit 451? Ray has 12 bits of writing advice for authors (not just for the young)

1.Don't Start out writing novels
2. You may love them, but you can't be them
3. Examine “quality” short stories
4. Stuff your head.
5. Get rid of friends who don’t believe in you
6. Live in the library
7. Fall in love with movies.
8. Write with joy.
9. Don’t plan on making money.
10. List ten things you love, and ten things you hate.
11. Just type any old thing that comes into your head
12. Remember, with writing, what you’re looking for is just one person to come up and tell you, “I love you for what you do.”

Some interesting stuff. Read the details...click here.

Remember above all "Keep at it!"  At Making "Baby Grand", the novel (author Dina Santorelli's blog)  she wrote about author Siobhan Fallon (You Know When The Men Are Gone) whom she is currently interviewing and  asked her what advice she had for other authors. Siobhan said: “Don’t give up. Try to say things in a way only you can say them, and then just keep at it until someone notices. And eventually someone will notice.” Dina agrees.

Writer Advice: What last's in the readers mind...What lasts in the reader’s mind is not the phrase but the effect the phrase created: laughter, tears, pain, joy. If the phrase is not affecting the reader, what’s it doing there? Make it do its job or cut it without mercy or remorse.
ISAAC ASIMOV


Want some more great writing advice? Go to AdviceToWriters.com and they have tons for ya!
Good luck in your writing and platform building. I do agree with Siobhan and Dina...never give up!

Thanks for dropping in,

Author Spotlight- James Fuller Fantasy Horror Author

Author James Fuller kindly took the time to answer my questions to allow me to spotlight him on my lil' ol' blog and a big Thank You James! for that.  I've enjoyed getting to know him through his answers and know you will too. This Fantasy/Horror author has two books on Amazon for your reading pleasure. Fall of a King and Unforgivable Part 1.

1. Where do you call home? Kelowna, BC, Canada
2. What is the title of your most recent book? Unforgivable Part 1
3. What's your Genre? Fiction/fantasy/horror

4. Plans for a next book? Is this part of a Series? Working on book 2 of my Fall Of A King series and book 2 of my Unforgivable series.
5. Are you a self published author (Indie) ? I sure am.
6. Who's your favorite author? Have a few, Alan Campbell, R.A. Salvator and David Gemmell

7. Your favorite book? Scar Night
8. What book are you currently reading? The Dragon Prince series by Melanie Rawn

9. A book you would recommend? Wow that is hard, so many to choose from. But seriously Scar Night is something out of the pureness of amazing!
10. How do you pick your books? I read everything by authors I like and when I need to find a new author I actually pick at random at whatever cover seems to draw me in.

11. Advice for other authors? It is a tough world to get into, take advantage of all local events/media that you can, from there work out.
12. Do you write under a pen name? Sure don't. James Fuller is all me.
13. Where do you write? Mostly at home, or coffee shops.
14. What do you wear when you write? Clothes... most of the time...lol

15. Do you have a pet (s)? A dog, a leopard gecko, ball python, and a big evil looking spider - Ekk!
16. Favorite food? Coffee... that is a food right? Okay okay I love cherries.
17. If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you? Amy Lee, Edward Norton and Alan Campbell

18. Of your characters, which one would you say is most like you and why? Meath, and you'd have to read Fall Of A King: The False Prince to understand, I don't want to give anything away.
19. What made you want to be a writer? Not sure, I have always had a mind for creating an epic tale just ask my mom, I had some cunning stories to get myself out of trouble.
20. Any weird talent? I can stay up for 7 days straight and still function but I am a heck of a shot with my recurve bow at 70 yards.- Impressive!
21. A favorite quote? Nothing We Do Can Ever Be Unnatural, Because Our Will Is A Product Of Nature And Thus Natural.

22. What is the one thing you never go without? Visa...lol my hat.
23. Your biggest influence? My family.
24. Favorite TV show? American Dad
25. A great blog you would like to recommend for others to discover? Don't have one, I hardly ever read blogs.

Links to connect with the author:

 Jame's Facebook page 
 His Website
 Twitter


Thanks for dropping by and getting to know Author James Fuller!



P.S. Don't forget to click on Giveaways above and enter to win Emlyn Chand's Open Heart for the Splash into Summer Blog hop!