HAPPY NEW YEAR! My 2014 in Review!

Well, it’s that time of year again where we take a look back at our lives during the last twelve months.

A year is a long time however as I get older it seems to go by quicker. My mom was right.

This has been my year in review: 2014

In 2013, I left my job after eight years to pursue my dream of becoming a bestselling, full-time writer. I was scared but had been saying every year that “this was the year” and I had never done it. Year after year I watched as my dream kept getting farther and farther away from me.

Yes, I was afraid to leave my job, but I was more afraid of never seeing my dream come true.

So in December 2013, I did it.

In January, I was dedicated to becoming an author.

Proud Moments:

• WEEDMONKEY became a bestseller on Amazon, stayed on that list for almost a year and is still selling.
• I was ranked in the Top 100 Authors on Amazon Memoirs
• My short story GUARDIAN ANGEL appeared in Woman’s World Magazine.
• Had my second book signing at Turn The Page bookstore in Boonsboro.
• Two articles about me and WEEDMONKEY appeared in The Frederick News Post and The Herald Mail.
• Book DOWN CAME NOVEMBER was released
• I started writing a new column for the newspaper called PEOPLE WORTH KNOWING.

Amazon Kindle http://ow.ly/Av4Oe

Loss:

• April we lost Jade
• July we lost Harley
• October my cousin Leslie passed away after a long battle with Lupus

Friendships:

I unplugged from five people this year and have not looked back. Although at one time, these people meant something to me and their contributions to my life are not overlooked, I simply outgrew them for one reason or another.

• One was a woman I had known for about 15 years. Too much negativity and drama.
• Another was a woman I was becoming friends with through Toastmasters but in fact, she was only using me to further her own career. User, false friend
• Another was a woman who has been a part of my life since I was 14 years old. She was like a mother to me however instead of being happy for my success in life, she was bitter and jealous. Negativity, envy, drama
• Another was a young man who had also been a part of my life for many years, since he was nine years old. I loved him like a son but could no longer tolerate his drama and chaotic life. I was no longer a part of that world yet I was still trying to help him. Drama, negativity, ungrateful
• Another was an author and although I didn’t know him well, made a major mistake in our friendship when he insulted me after I had done everything to help him. Ungrateful

Once I pull the plug, that friendship dies and like any other death, I accept it and move on.

New Friendships:

• Two orphaned baby raccoons came into our life in 2014. We bottle fed them and gave them grapes and cat food. Oh how we loved them! They were sweet, gentle and so loving and I would hold them in my arms like a baby. They would even sit on the woodpile and when I walked by and held out my hands, they would jump into my arms and kiss me. Sadly though, as quickly as they came into our lives, they left. We have no idea what happened to them or why they disappeared but I pray for their safety and return.
• This summer we found a stray cat in the woods, took him in and named him Scottie. We never knew his story but he became a sweet and gentle housecat whom we love very much.
• I met my editor Susan Hughes who edited WEEDMONKEY for me. What a kind, loving and generous woman! I am so glad that we have become friends!
• We also became good friends with Amy and Chris from Ireland whom we met in Florida! While there we also become friends with another couple from Wales, Mill and Asha!

Change:

• Steve and I really began to work on the renovations of house and got down to the meat and bones of the structure. The house, my childhood home, was built in 1800 and man, does it need work.
• However I am grateful for the work that is being done, the new ideas being put into play and the love that Steve has given to this house that means so much to me.

Adventure:

• October … Steve and I went to Florida and visited Universal Studios, Hollywood Studios, Disney World, Animal Kingdom, Harry Potter World and had a blast! It was the best vacation ever!
• December … We went to New York City and made a dream come true for me! I got to eat pizza in Brooklyn and man oh man was it good! What a blast we had that day!

Bucket List:

Although I hate that term, it seems to fit when someone wants to do something in their life before they “kick they bucket” as they say.

• Went to go to Hogwarts
• Went to go to New York City, ate pizza in Brooklyn and went to a corner bakery in Brooklyn

We have more adventures planned for 2015 so stay tuned!

Thanks to everyone for their continued friendship and support! It means so much to me! ♥♥♥

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

http://www.lisavproulx.com

 

New Book Release-DOWN CAME NOVEMBER-Haunting memoir

From the author of the best selling book Weedmonkey comes the haunting story of a shattered life and the broken woman who was plunged into the depths of madness after tragedy destroys her world.

http://ow.ly/E4Bz2

On April 30, 2006, Elizabeth Frost lost her mother.

Three weeks later, on June 4th, her fiancé’ was killed on a construction site in Virginia.

A month later, on July 15th, her brother committed suicide leaving behind two young children who were killed in a car accident on September 18th.

Falling back on her ex-boyfriend she tries to rebuild her life only to find him dead of a drug overdose on October 31^st.

On November 4th, Elizabeth Frost came undone …

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

So Lisa, this is your 10^th book. What would you like readers to know about it?

Well, it is based on true events but I have written it with a twist.

That sounds intriguing, can you elaborate?

Let’s just say that everything in the book is true … almost.

Your last book WEEDMONKEY is an Amazon bestseller and ranked you into the Top 100 Authors on Amazon. Does this book have a similar theme?

Well, Weedmonkey was based on the life of my mother Victoria and took place during the Depression. Down Came November is based on tragedies that befell me after my mother passed away. Weedmonkey was her story, this is mine.

How long did it take you to write this new book?

It took me just a few months. I actually came up with the title about eight years ago. That’s how I do it. I come up with the title first then write a story around it.

In the book you talk a lot about a dog named Kurgan. Was he really your dog or was he a made up character?

No, Kurgan was the love of my life! He was a pure bred Rottweiler I got when he was just 10 weeks old and I lost him on March 12, 2013 when he was 15 years old.

Wow, that is old for a Rottweiler! Do you have any other pets?

Yes! I lost two dogs last year and two dogs this year. I now have one dog left, a black Rottweiler named Vladimir but his nickname is Vladdy. He will be nine on Christmas day. I have also several cats; Scotty, Midnight, Vinnie, Egypt and Fluffer.

What are you working on now?

Actually I have about 15 books in my mind to get started on and am working on my next one now. I try to stay focused and do one at a time but I have been known to work on two and three at the same time.

How can you do that? That sounds crazy!

It is, but I like to go back and forth to keep it fresh. However lately I have just been working on one at a time.

Do you have another job other than author?

I have been a feature writer and columnist for The Brunswick Citizen newspaper for 15 years. I am also a local artist who created Magic Forest Gypsy Stones which are bohemian and whimsical rock art.

Wow, you have so many talents! What did you want to be when you were a child?

I wrote my first story when I was about eight years old and always dreamed of being a writer. I also wanted to be an actress and a movie star. Then as a teenager I wanted to be a supermodel and marry a rock star! ☺

What advice would you give someone who wants to be an author?

Well, it sounds cliché’ but don’t give up. I’m serious. If you really want to write then write. I have often been discouraged and was just about to hang it up when Weedmonkey took off! Just keep at it, keep writing and keep promoting. Put in the effort and it will pay off.

What is the best advice you could give someone about using social media?

First off, you must engage with other people. Do not and I repeat do not get on sites like Facebook and Twitter and say Hey buy my book!!! People will turn off from you real quick! You must make friendships, build relationships, again engage, retweet them, like their pages and so on. It takes time but like I said before, put in the effort.

How important do you think it is to have an editor?

It is vitally important! Most writers are not editors and most editors are not writers but for some reason they fit together nicely. J I made the mistake of putting out one of my books unedited thinking that it was some sort of masterpiece or something. It got a lot of reviews and most of them were horrible! Bad grammar, poor sentence structure and so on. It made me sick! But at the time I couldn’t afford an editor. It was a catch 22. So when I could afford one, I hired her to edit it for me. Now I would never, ever send out anything without an editor, ever!

What if a new author can’t afford an editor? Like you said you couldn’t at first?

Check around, ask other authors, posts your requests, etc. I found one author who does editing on the side and at very reasonable prices. Also, you can offer trade. Work out something where you will promote her services if you get a discount. Oftentimes editors are willing to work with new clients on fees, esp if the editor is just starting out. Others are not and their prices are fixed. You just have to live and learn.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a Bohemian rocker chick with a goofy sense of humor. I am loyal and honest. I love to bake and cook and I love to spread positive energy to everyone I meet. I also believe in magic!

Who do most people say you remind them of?

Stevie Nicks! I get it all the time and I love it! ♥

Thank you Lisa for taking the time to speak with us today! Where can readers find your new book?

All of my books can be found on Amazon.

Here is the link to DOWN CAME NOVEMBER, thank you! http://ow.ly/E4Bz2

My website is http://www.lisavproulx.com

♥♥♥