Before anything else, your book needs to be good. That means:
✔ Strong storytelling – Whether it's fantasy, mystery, or non-fiction, make sure your book has a compelling narrative.
✔ Well-developed characters – Flat characters = bored readers. Make them feel real.
✔ Good editing – Typos and plot holes will tank your credibility. Hire an editor if you can.
📖 My Recommended Reading (amazon affiliate links included):

• On Writing by Stephen King
•  Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody 

​Not everyone will love your book, and that’s okay. But your target readers will!
✔ Define your genre and audience—who will love your book?
✔ Research similar authors and see what works for them.
✔ Join Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and Discord servers where your audience hangs out.

Success in writing isn’t just about the book—it’s about you.
✔ Website & Email List – Have a simple site where people can find you and sign up for updates.
✔ Social Media – Pick one or two platforms and post consistently. Book updates, fun facts, or even memes related to your genre help.
✔ Blog or Newsletter – Share behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks, or insights about writing.
📌 Pro Tip: Engage with your readers. The more they feel connected to you, the more likely they’ll support your work!

📚 Traditional Publishing

• Query literary agents
• Submit to publishing houses
• Get rejected a lot (but don’t give up!)
• If accepted, you get an advance, distribution, and marketing help.

🖥 Self-Publishing

• You have control over your book, cover, and pricing.
• Use platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Draft2Digital.
• Invest in a professional cover, editing, and marketing.

🚀 Hybrid Publishing – Some companies help with editing and marketing but require some upfront investment. Research carefully before committing!

Even a great book won’t sell if no one knows it exists.
✔ Pre-launch hype – Cover reveals, ARCs (Advance Reader Copies), and teasers.
✔ Launch strategy – Consider promotions, ads, or even a virtual book tour.
✔ Reviews matter – Ask beta readers, bloggers, and early readers to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
📌 Pro Tip: If you go the self-publishing route, Amazon Ads and BookBub can be game-changers if done correctly. Do lots of research on your ideal audience!

• Your first book might not be a bestseller, and that’s okay.
• Many successful authors didn’t make it big until their third, fourth, or even tenth book.
• Keep improving your craft, stay consistent, and don’t quit.

The key to success? Persistence. Writing a book is hard. Selling it is harder. But if you’re passionate, keep learning, and market wisely, you will find your readers.
What’s your book idea? Maybe I can help you with brainstorming or strategy HERE!

Happy new year!
Winter has finally decided to show its face around here in Oklahoma. With single digit temps (Fahrenheit), frost on the windows, and cozy blankets comes the perfect excuse to hibernate with a good book. So, grab your favorite mug filled with a hot drink, curl up in your reading nook, and let's embark on a short journey through the best books to read during winter, each accompanied by a fitting soundtrack. 
This is the part where I tell you that this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. So, when you click on one of the book names and purchase something through that link, not only will you be helping the seller/author, but I will get a small commission as well!

1. "The Bear and the Nightingale" by Katherine Arden
Book: Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Russian folklore as Vasilisa battles dark forces in a snowy wilderness.
Song: "Winter Winds" by Mumford & Sons
Why: Because nothing says winter like winds and mythical creatures.

2. "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis
Book: Whether you've read this once, or a thousand times, nothing beats the magic that C.S. Lewis penned. Join the Pevensie siblings in the magical land of Narnia as they confront the White Witch's icy reign.
Song: "Mr. Tumnus" by Harry Gregson-Williams (from the movie soundtrack)
Why: Because, let's face it, we all secretly want a faun friend (and this soundtrack *chefs kiss*)

3. "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Book: Step into the magical world of a mysterious circus that only appears at night. Prepare for enchanting wonders and a duel between two illusionists.
Song: "Dream" by Priscilla Ahn
Why: Because every good circus needs a dreamy soundtrack, and this one is no exception.

4. "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
Book: Join the March sisters in this classic tale of love, sisterhood, and personal growth, set against the backdrop of New England winters.
Song: "Winter Things" by Ariana Grande
Why: Because even in the 19th century, they knew how to appreciate winter things.

5. "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey
Book: Set against the backdrop of an Alaskan winter, this novel weaves a poignant tale of a childless couple and a mysterious girl who appears in the snow.
Song: "Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson
Why: Because sometimes a winter's tale needs a melancholic yet beautiful soundtrack.

6. "The Mark of the Lion" series by Francine Rivers
Book: Immerse yourself in ancient Rome with this gripping trilogy, featuring characters like gladiators, strong-willed women, and a dash of political intrigue. It's like "Gladiator" but with a more divine plot twist.
Song: "That's How You Change The World" by Newsboys
​Why: Because it's the small, everyday actions that can truly change lives and the world.

And there you have it, a winter reading list that will transport you to realms of magic, adventure, and perhaps a cozy fireplace or two. Remember, the best books are those that not only warm your soul but also come with a soundtrack that turns the pages of your heart (IMHO). Happy reading, and may your winter (and 2024) be filled with the chills and wonder that only a good book and song can provide!

I hope this guide has sparked your imagination and provided a map to treasures fit for any fantasy enthusiast. Whether you're gifting to a seasoned wizard of words or a fledgling adventurer in the world of fantasy literature, the items on this list are crafted to add a touch of magic to their reading experience.

Remember, the best gifts are the ones that transport your loved ones to magical places. With these enchanting items, your fantasy book lover is sure to have a holiday season filled with wonder and literary delight. Happy gifting!

In the vast realm of social media, each platform offers a unique portal to connect with readers and showcase the magic of your literary creation. The key lies in choosing platforms that align with your book's personality and where your target readers dwell. So, fellow wordsmiths, cast your promotional spells wisely, and watch as your book takes flight on the wings of social media magic!

Below are two amazing books I recommend you read to improve your marketing skills!

Ah, the season of pumpkins, ghosts, and candy-induced sugar highs is upon us! I personally get very excited for any excuse to dress up in a costume. This year, my family and I will be dressing up as Scooby Doo characters. I was looking for comfortable clothes at the thrift store and stumbled across some outdated styles that would work perfect for Shaggy and Velma, and I totally lost control. I had to do it. Comfortable cosplay? Yes please!
Anyway, I also get super excited for Halloween because that's the time of year I get hundreds of people coming to my door, asking for a treat. As a Christian (and an extrovert), I love handing out candy and fun Bible tracts that give kids and grown-ups alike hope for the future, reminding them that they aren't alone, they have a purpose for existing, and they are so very precious. What better time to remind them that they can have a beautiful life, even after death, when they are literally surrounded by images of death and the afterlife? 
Halloween can also be a great time to explore the spookier side of Christian theology  and literature, and there are some hauntingly good books out there that I have enjoyed (even as I hid under my blanket from the monsters). So, grab your flashlight, prepare your best "I'm not scared" face, and let's delve into ten spooky Christian books that are sure to add a holy chill to your Halloween. I've also included songs with each book to enhance the eerie ambiance (ooOOooOOooH!): this is the part where I tell you that there are Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. So, when you click one of these links and purchase something, not only are you paying the author for their hard work, but you are helping me buy dog food and animal crackers!​

My husband, Steven, and I have a travel vlog!
​If you enjoy traveling, or like to watch other people travel and talk about cool places to visit, then our YouTube channel is for you! 
As Okie Dokie Explorers, we are advocating for the exploration of Oklahoma while actively enjoy God's beautiful creation in our state by exploring in it (and sometimes beyond it). We show you everyday adventures in rural, small town America, along with product reviews and travel videos. New video every Wednesday! (Usually... most of the time...)

In books and movies lately, we’ve mostly seen one type of strong female character — the ass-kicking kind. This has led to a slew of characters who are often one dimensional and less interesting than their side-characters (Legend of Korra, I am looking at YOU). Black Widow and Wonder Woman are cool, but women can and are strong in other ways. They don't all have to be martial artists. Some can sit at their computer late at night and write blog posts...

Many agents and publishers will claim they are searching for "strong female characters". However, I encourage authors to avoid using that term, especially in queries, as it has become kinda toxic. I mean, people never need to include the word “strong” to describe a male character, so why should we include it for a woman? Instead, SHOW us how strong your heroine is without actually using that word.
​
(Here's the part where I tell you that some of the following links are Amazon Affiliate links. If you purchase something through my link, I get a small commission which helps me pay the bills)

We didn't need to be told thatJane Eyre was strong. We watched her go through trauma after trauma and come out of it again, always determined to be a better person.
We didn't need to be told that Scarlett O'Hara was a strong woman. We watched her single-handedly pull her plantation from the brink of destruction.
We didn't need to be told that Princess Leia was strong. We saw that in her dialogue, leadership, actions, and choices, all which ultimately led to the rebels beating the empire.

What are the traits of a strong woman?

She has a big goal. Big, memorable characters have big, memorable goals. It's the author's job to place stumbling blocks and hazards at every turn that make it almost impossible for the characters to achieve their goals. The bigger the goal and the harder it becomes to achieve, the stronger your female character will have to become to achieve it. Learn more about how to write deep character goals here.

She has an enemy. This doesn't mean your character has to face a super archnemesis. It can be their own vices, such as addiction, self-sabatoge, mommy/daddy issues, etc. Whatever their adversary is, the meaner and more powerful it is, the better. Your protagonist’s strengths become clearer in the face of conflict and contrast where their ideals are put to the test and their reason for wanting to achieve their goal is truly brought into question.

She is flawed. Strong women are not perfect (Remember: disabilities don't count as flaws!) One of the most common problems I see is that the strong female character NEVER messes up. Even when she does mess up, it is always portrayed as an innocent mistake that she can correct and is forgotten, or it was really someone else's fault and she was being the better person and taking the blame. Or, worse yet, her mistake is actually the thing that ends up saving everyone. That is weak storytelling. Strong women in real life make terrible mistakes that have consequence and that haunt them at night for years to come. They screw up and they have big emotions that get out of control - they are not perfect. Thank God! I would feel terrible if every strong woman had her act together and never made any mistakes.

She learns. Every strong woman learns from her mistakes and changes so she does not repeat it. That's part of what makes her strong. Some have to repeat the mistake a couple of times more than others, but she ALWAYS learns from it. Don’t skimp on her emotional development. What does she learn? How does she change? How is she a different person now compared to the beginning of the story?

She is realistically beautiful. There are lots of different ways to be beautiful. Let your strong female character stand out by giving her physical attributes that mirror the real world. Remember that many women throughout history don't fit our modern definition of "beautiful" and yet have been called beautiful and strong because of their actions and choices (look at many female saints in the Catholic church, for example). She can be a beautiful soul without having a beautiful face, body, or hair.

Remember, it's all been done before. To write a character who is more than a walking cliché in heels, it’s important to approach her as someone you are committed to getting to know. Use a list like this to help you write a well-rounded character. If some of her traits feel similar to someone else, that's okay. Remember, we enjoy the familiar. Making her predictable and flawless is the part you should avoid. Let your character surprise you! The best characters sometimes have traits that seem unlikely but are spot on. For example, your character might be an upstanding officer of the law, but is married to a former convict who made her feel special, and she now is secretly plotting to steal someone else's baby after she learns she's barren (have you watched Raising Arizona?).
Take time to discover your character’s secrets, don't be scared to let her be imperfect, and you’re more likely to create a well-rounded character.

As someone who grew up with family members who had disabilities (dwarfism, blindness, amputation, etc.), and as someone who personally has severe hearing loss and is legally deaf, I often cringe at how people with disabilities are portrayed in books and movies. More often than not, we get no representation, much less proper representation. The kid who rolls onto the scene in a wheelchair with a chip on their shoulder is just... overdone. They are a flat character who gets used for "inspiring" and "tear-jerking" fodder. And they don't represent but a very small minority of those with disabilities. 
So, I'm going to give you 6 tips for how to properly represent people with disabilities in your writing and stories.

1. Remember We Are Human
As with writing any character, we are a complex human being first. We have strengths, flaws, desires, and struggles just like everyone else. A disability is not our only struggle. We have family dynamics, dreams, hopes, crappy days, good friends, and every other thing that human beings experience, along with the added struggle of a disability and the trials that come with it. Disabled people have lives just like everyone else.  Make their struggle complex and realistic, and not focused solely on the disability. Make the story about THEM, not their disability. They are not broken or abnormal, just different, the same way cat and dog people are different and have different struggles. 

2. We are not our disability
Just because you have long toes or short toes, you don't identify as a long or short toed person. In the same way, we have a disability but our identity is not that disability. That being said, here comes the tricky part: disabilities can affect every part of life, even down to simple acts, but those with a disability don’t even realize all the ways their disability affects them. More often than not, it is just our normal way of life. My great aunt with dwarfism could not reach the sink faucet without a stool, or sit on a normal toilet without steps. However, that did not define her. She was her own person with daily habits that were different from ours.
 
3. Do Your Research
If you want to accurately portray someone with a disability, you have to find out what living with that disability looks like. This means reading and watching things by people who actually have the disability and asking them if it’s okay to interview them. If they agree to be interviewed, listen to their response. They are the expert.
Also, not all disabilities involve traumatic experiences that leave someone in a wheelchair or missing an arm or leg, or leaving you deaf, as is my case. The Census Bureau found that 96% of people have an invisible disability. This means you can’t tell a person is disabled just by looking at them. Most don't use a wheelchair! People with invisible disabilities tend to get left out of novels, because they are harder to write, but they are literally the more common in the disabled world.
 
4. Stop "Curing" Us!
It sure would be nice if a fairy godmother could bippity-boppity-boop us into being "normal". But in real life, disabilities are not something that can be overcome. Disabilities aren't something that can usually be cured, or disappear, and people with disabilities don't achieve success "in spite of" their disability. Our disability is something we live with every day, like curly hair (my curly hair people know exactly what I'm talking about, lol). While it can be difficult and frustrating at times, we dust ourselves off and do what needs done to live our life. Also - heads up - there can be good things that come out of disabilities! Either way, the easiest way to avoid "curing" a disabled character is to not make the entire story about the disability. Make it about them, the person.
 
5. Make The Disability Clear As You Weave It In
Many writers want to add a disabled character for some diversity in their story, and that is great! However, many don't specify the disability because they are afraid of getting it wrong. So... the character might as well not be disabled at all. To avoid making your character say it out loud or wear a T-shirt that labels them, illustrate their disability through thoughts, accommodations, and dialogue. Remember, disabilities are not a character flaw. Accommodations can look like a character who sits down every time they have the chance, tilting their head to hear, using devices to open jars, or even special lighting in their room. Again, do your research, ask questions, and practice weaving it into the story you are telling. It's not our identity, but it is a part of our everyday life, so it should be a part of your character's everyday life too.
 
6. PLEASE Add Humor 
I’ve never known or met a person with disabilities who didn’t joke about it. We use it as a coping mechanism (some days you've either gotta laugh or you're gonna cry), as an ice breaker, and sometimes we use humor because - come on! - it's funny! Some of us make light-hearted quips about it, and some of us have a darker sense of humor. Whatever kind you are into, humor is a great way to break up your story. If you Google “X disability humor” you’re likely to find a few good jokes. Sift through them and find tasteful ones your character can use. And, as always, don't be afraid to ask the experts (those with the disability) if that joke would be funny or something they would use.