A Travesty, I Tell You ...

While I'm taking a break from editing and revising my ebook, I've been reading posts that really pricked my heart. I agree with most of you about the indie publishing and the point of why indie is here for us. If the six major pubs are so great, why are authors or aspiring authors (like you and me) are going for indie?

I'll give you some lovely insights WHY going INDIE is good:

1. Creative control = liberty!

The problem with major publishing companies is, these companies ASSUME they know what the public wants. Granted, writing well and writing from the heart goes hand in hand. However, if we really think about this, I mean really think about this, what major companies are saying, "Our job is to lure you readers in, so we can make a profit off you because we give you what you 'want.' And we know you'll keep coming back for more because we know the majority of you will be sucked into what we suggest to you is a top quality read." In actuality, this is mind control. And telling the public we don't have minds of our own? Sounds pretty suspicious to me.

2. Freedom of Choice.

Thank heavens, we're not ROBOTS!!!! This is a relief that there is more than one option out here for writers and readers alike! Most of the negative reviewers aren’t giving new authors a chance. You can't BASE the writer's credibility off one BOOK. If there is more than one work published out there and an avid reader is following the writer, those are the reviewers you want, because he or she will be honest and he or she sees potential in you, and he or she appreciates you. If a writer definitely has potential to keep you wanting more, please don't discredit him or her because of one book you particularly didn't care for. It's just your opinion. The sad part about cyberspace, everything “appears” to be written in STONE!!! SMH (shaking my head).

3. The Internet is what we make it!

Thank GOD for digital age! There's always room for everybody! You can always reinvent yourself in the creative field (whatever it may be). As much as some people don't want to admit this, but technology shall continually increase beyond we can imagine or think. It's up to us to get with the game. There is nothing cute about being left behind--at all! If you don't know, ask or read. Educating yourself is important, no matter the walks in life, if we can read it; we can definitely LEARN IT and ACE IT!

4. Preferences

Hey, we all have them. It doesn't mean one is right or wrong. It's all how you perceive it. If seeing is believing, then I can't believe everything I see. I'm the type of person who loves to form an opinion for myself. I'm never afraid to try something new. Nonetheless, I will not be dogmatic if I don't particularly care for an item. As the old saying goes, most old school folks say, my parents were born in the '50s, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all."

This is very true. What we say does affect the other source and it depends on his or her genetics concerning personality. We all don't take things the same. It's very crucial to have a seasoned word. For those of you who don't know what I mean, a seasoned word is a word or message that suits perfectly according to the person of what he or she is facing in his or her life. Does the message benefit the person or discourage him or her? This is something definitely worth thinking about.

For example, I read one author's book (fiction romance, if you want to call it that) and it was one of those reads that made me furious. Why? You ask. One, the perception where the writer was coming from was narrow-minded and condescending. He believed if a black woman can't date a black man, she should become FAT, ALONE, and MISERABLE!!!! WTHUH???? It’s okay for a black man to date outside his race, but not a black woman? There is no logic in that whatsoever. Two, even though the writer has potential, I believe he should've reconsidered his content before having it published at a major publishing company. This verifies most of you who were saying about major publishing companies do sell crap even though it's edited. It's all about a matter of content, my lovely folks! Three, content is everything. Having substance in your work MAKES the difference. It doesn't matter what genre you write, as long as you have PASSION. A passion that flows so deeply within you, you know you are working your best to give readers what they want: an excellent read that reaches his or her soul! You're doing your job when you love what you do and you give the readers an exciting adventure through your craft. Basically, you're inviting them in to your world.

5. Sharing Your World

This is what we want to do. We want readers to take a minute from their usual realities and soak themselves in our writing world. Why? We're offering new insights in their lives by making them feel complete. Not everyone can be satisfied, but you're giving your readers something to remember you by. Most likely, the same ones who are supporting you will stay faithful to your work because they see your work is worth investing with their busy schedule. They don't mind taking a break when you, the writer, are giving them a great relief from their daily routine. Whether you realize this or not, you're touching your readers' lives in ways you can't possibly imagine. And this is a very good thing.

So, don't let anti-idie readers scare you! You’re destined to write. Whatever you need to get off your chest: say it! Writing is second nature to us. You know what you have to offer and you know why you are writing. Don't be discouraged nor be dismayed. Hang in there, my fellow authors. You have so much to offer and there is a world out there ready to read your craft.

Just my two cents ... I hope this shed some insight in your life. If so, I'm glad this message resonated well with you.