Errors in writing, the disclaimer.

I had an interesting  argument  conversation on twitter a couple days back that has left me thinking.
The general gist of it was, would you buy an Indie book if it wasn't edited by a professional editor.

I said yes.

I was told that I was wrong, sorta. The person I was having the conversation with originally was open enough to listen to my side. And we ended up agreeing to disagree on our opinions.
A listener however, decided to join the conversation, and they told me in no short terms would they ever buy an Indie book without an editor listed on the front page.
The funny thing about all this is, I do have some works that have been professionally edited. Not all mind you, but some.
So this person continues down the path of...If the work hasn't been through an editors hands, there is no way that it can be up to the standards they set for all books. No matter the cost. Free was even debatable.
I couldn't agree less on that one. It just so happens, I know some brilliant writers. Their skills at twisting words into excellent prose leave me weeping at times. (Okay, not really, but it sounded good right?)
I am the first to admit that I do need an editor.
English hates me.
However, I still do my BEST to put out work that is of good quality, and if/when someone points out an error that I missed, I am very quick to change it. I understand that this might lose me a reader here and there. That is a chance I have decided to take. I didn't just throw caution to the wind and toss my work out there for fun. I honestly spent a ton of time thinking about wiether to go Indie or not with some of my works.
Most of my readers come away with an appreciation for the story. Some have helped me improve my work. And one in particular just didn't like it at all.
The thing is, that is just how it goes.
My own personal library of books has errors in it. Some of those works have passed through countless hands before they saw the light of a book store, and they still have errors.
Now of course it is usually a single letter in a single word over hundreds of pages, while mine might be one error every couple pages. I don't know, I don't see my words, because I already know what I meant to say. It is a weird disease us writers get, Cantseewhatsinfrontofusitis I think it's called.
Where was I...
Oh yeah, I am not perfect, but I do my best, and as I continue to write I am getting better, and better.
However to be fair to those who don't know me, and who are grabbing my works with no prior knowledge of who I am, or how I write. I have added a disclaimer to all my non-edited works.
I hope that most look past the small errors (should there be any left) and see the story for what it is.
A good, entertaining, and enjoyable tale.

My Son

Sorry for the lack of posts, seems what with editing, trying to write, writing and general life problems I have let this blog slide a touch. My bad...

So what's new? Well my 5yr old son has just started his first sport. BMX Racing. He really loved riding on the track by himself, so we asked him if he wanted to try and race. Turns out he did, and he loves it. Just one minor problem, we may have taught him the life lessons of sharing, and helping others too well.
He has no real competitive drive.
Don't get me wrong, he likes going fast, but when he actually catches up to someone else, he doesn't feel the need to pass them. He just hangs out behind and rides casually, up...and down...the bumps.
So the real question is, as a parent that wants to see my sons name at the top of the list, do I push him to try harder even though he is perfectly happy where he is. Or do I just let him do his thing and keep coming in last.
Before you get after me, dear readers, I want you to know that I am happy no matter what he chooses. He is having fun and that is all that really matters, it's just more of a me problem. Who doesn't want their son to come in first after all?
I congratulate him regardless of how well he does. I offer him tips to go faster, in a positive manor, but in the same token I don't lie to my son. He asks if he won and I tell him nope, not this time buddy. Maybe next one...
Sometimes being a good parent is really hard.
Kudos to my wife who does this 24 hours a day.

And there is my boy waiting for his next turn to go. Yes, that is a pie plate with his number on it, next time he will get a real one.

Old Cars and New Tricks

There is one good thing to living in a small town, if you take a little walk it is usually pretty easy to get away from most of the things that annoy you. Our house is no exception. With a short and easy ten minute walk we can find a small beach on the side of a winding river. (Depending on the time of year of course.)
Along the way to that beach you travel down an old rail grade that has long since been decommissioned. The black sand is very prominent in the summer, but in early spring like it is now the area is alive with small blades of deep green grass. It in itself is a beautiful sight, but not the point of today's blog.
I have walked down this trail perhaps a hundred times in the last ten years. So many times now that I don't even often bother to look around and truly see what is out there.
Except for some reason this last time my eyes opened and I had a brief glance back in time. All from looking at this picture...

I don't know why I saw a glimpse of the past this time when I observed the wreck. But for some reason I had a flash of insight, or a vision of the past.
I saw a proud father standing next to a shining red car fresh off the lot. His family close waiting to climb inside and go for their first ride.
In a blur I watched the life of a car, and it's family as they all got older. It only took moments inside my mind, and a few feet along the trail, but as I kept walking past I began to imagine how this ruined frame transformed and became the pile it was on the side of the trail.
At that moment I had to stop and go back to snap this shot, my own family waiting as I did it. No questions asked, they already know I am odd in my own special way. For some reason I felt the need to mention this moment in time, yet I don't know why. Perhaps as I climb closer to my 39th birthday I am starting to think more about my past. The decisions I am making and the impacts they will have on my family. Until one day my own children are grown and our car is a pile of twisted metal in a scrap heap somewhere.

The Birthday Blog Hop!

Welcome to my little stop on the Carrie Ann's birthday blog hop!
First, of course, I would like to wish Carrie Ann a very happy birthday, and thank her for the chance to join in on this little adventure.
Now for the blog!

As some of my regular visitors might already know I am not one for planning out blog posts. In fact, most of my posts are done on a wing and a prayer. So having to come up with one purely about birthdays might be a touch tough for me. You know, planning ahead and all. However, never fear! As it would turn out my son's birthday is coming up only a few days before Carrie Ann's, and as luck would have it. I happen to like talking about my son!

On April 2nd my Son Nathan will be turning 5. As a father I couldn't be more proud of him. He is a smart, caring, and loving son. He is quick to learn, (he can already read basic words) and he follows along with his sister in all her schooling, matching her work most of the time. (even passing it in some areas)

That is a picture of him, to the right, at his sisters birthday in January. He loves to be the joker in our family and is always quick to try and bring out the laugh in everyone. I love my little man, and one day when he reads this post I want him to know all of you said a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Carry Ann, and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my son NATHAN!

In the spirit of keeping this blog short, I will now cut to the best part. As a prize to a random commenter on this blog I will be giving away not 1 book, but a total of 4 books! THE DREAMERS series by David and Leigh Eddings to be exact.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dreamers_(novel_series)
One of the lucky commenters below will find themselves enthralled in a series of stories told by one of the best authors in the fantasy genre.
Now for the personal part. I, of course, am an author as well. For those of you new to my blog you will find more than a few samples of my work posted here. However, if you wish to see some of the more polished, and proper samples of my work. You can find them here on Amazon and Smashwords. I would love for you to check them out, and if you find them interesting, perhaps buy one or two (or three of four). Now as a teaser...here is a photo the books you can win. Good luck!

If you wish to be entered in the grand prize for this hop, (who wouldn't?) All you have to do is...
1: Leave a comment here on my blog.
2: Make sure it has your email address in it. (You want to be contacted if you win don't you?)
And...what are you trying to win you might ask?
Well here you go!
1st prize is) A Kindle Touch (Yeah! How cool is that!)
2nd prize is) A $60 Amazon or B&N Gift Card (Shame you can't win em both and use that to load up that Kindle)

Really doesn't get much better than this folks! So, thanks for visiting, feel free to hit subscribe, or even drop in on my Facebook page and click a like. Happy hopping and...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CARRIE ANN!