Welcome to Day 1 of the “NO PEDIGREE” Blog Tour! @NonnieJules #RRBC #RWISA @4WillsPub
Welcome to Day 1 of the “NO PEDIGREE” Blog Tour! @nonniejules #RRBC #RWISA @4WillsPub
GIVEAWAYS: (2) eBook copies of NO PEDIGREE & (2) $5 Amazon gift cards! You must leave a comment on the author’s tour page and any other stop along the tour to be entered to win.
I’m excited to host the Blog Tour for Nonnie Jules. Please read on to find out her amazing experience in writing this book “NO PEDIGREE.” She has wonderful insight and advice for your book writing!
Hi, and thanks for dropping in on Day 1 of my NO PEDIGREE blog tour! I’m so grateful to Miriam for sharing her space with me today as I share how this story came about.
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THE ORIGIN OF NO PEDIGREE
On January 12, 2020, two words came to me in the middle of the night, by way of a dream. Whatever dream I was engaged in at that time, paused for a moment, allowing me to sit up in bed, reach for my iPhone and type ‘NO PEDIGREE’ into my notes. Mind you, because I’m an author, any thought that randomly pops into my head, has the potential to become another Nonnie Jules read.
The next morning, I rush into my office and create the book cover for NO PEDIGREE … again, I didn’t have the full concept of the story in mind at that time, but something was pushing me, almost forcefully, into the creation of the title and the cover.
Because my work schedule is so hectic between the editing work that I do with 4WillsPublishing and the two book clubs that I lead, the only way this book would ever see the light of day in 2020, was if I put it up on Amazon in a pre-order status; and since it had been a while since I’d published last, I was determined to do that immediately.
Now, you can put your book up on Amazon in a pre-order status without having the manuscript ready to go, but, I’m pretty sure you need a book blurb if you want any pre-order sales, so the next thing I did was stand in front of my computer to pound one out … and, if I must say so myself, it was (almost) perfect. Let me tell you why.
I would assume that when most writers plan their books, the concepts are front and center in their minds. Not so for me this time. When I began to write this short story, I didn’t have any clue as to the direction it would go in. I hadn’t given any thought to how it would begin, and I certainly had not any plans for the ending. I decided that the blurb I had quickly pounded out, would serve as my compass.
For most of us, the story is written first, and then the blurb follows. Working from the inside out this time, gave me a new appreciation for my backwards writing process.
When I’d get stuck in the writing, I’d return to Amazon and re-read that blurb. I did this time and time and time again throughout the writing of the entire story.
This worked so wonderfully well for me, that I have decided to use this process going forward with all my future books. Title, book cover, blurb – from those three very important elements, my stories will be born.
Faced with a self-imposed deadline of initially two weeks (what can I say, I like to challenge myself), I knew that I would have to steal the time to write, edit and proof this story many times over. Due to many different and unforeseen circumstances, I ended up changing that release date, not once, but twice. Finally, it released on February 18, 2020 – later than planned, but still a lot quicker than it would have, had I not used this process.
My advice to you … the next time a story comes to you in or out of your dreams, don’t wait until you have the entire concept mapped out to begin working on it – that can sometimes take years. Go on and dive right in, creating and designing all the other elements that will complete your book, and then let those elements serve as the tools you use to build a great read. Many who know me, know that I’m an action kind of girl. If I have an idea, I don’t want to sit on it – I want to act on it. I don’t like talking about things, I like doing things. This can be you, too.
The moral of this story is, contrary to popular belief, sometimes you do have to put the cart before the horse. The horse might be doing the pulling, but if not for the cart and the goods it’s carrying, what would the horse’s purpose be? Even if the cart isn’t moving, it’s still housing valuable and precious cargo.
BOOK BLURB…
Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Baylee never quite fit in… anywhere. She was taunted and teased because her clothes had no designer labels, and spit upon because her only pair of shoes had holes in the bottom. The butt of many jokes, she was excluded from all social activities, sneered at by the parents of her peers after school as she waited for the bus, watching them drive away in their fancy cars; assaulted in the most unthinkable fashion.
Having been born to a white father and a black native American mother didn’t make things any easier. In fact, that circumstance made her life ten times harder – until the day she made them all stand up, take notice, and regret every ugly word and deed they had inflicted upon her.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Hi, I’m Nonnie Jules – President & Founder of RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB {RRBC} and RAVE WRITERS – INT’L SOCIETY OF AUTHORS {RWISA}. As a writer who values the (polished) written word, it is my mission to help my fellow authors understand that their reputations as writers should be treated as rare treasure, and that the only way to be taken seriously in this business, is to ensure that your writing (no matter the forum) is impeccably written and well edited. If not, you’re just another “Joe” with a pen who was the first to raise his hand when Amazon asked, “Hey, any old Joe out there wanna publish a book? Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be good and there’s absolutely no hard work involved.”
FYI: If you don’t care what you put out into the world, you’re just a laughing stock in the literary community … and your name is “Joe.”
To learn more about Nonnie and how to connect with her, please drop in on her RRBC Author Page!
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Thanks for spending time here with me today, and Miriam, thank you so much, once again for having me on your blog!
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To follow along with the rest of the NO PEDIGREE blog tour, visit the author’s tour page.
If you’d like to schedule your own 4WillsPub tour to promote your books in similar fashion, click HERE.
A truly unique way to begin a book, Nonnie! But then you are fearless and can do anything. I can’t wait to curl up with this book!
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Hi, Patricia! I’m so glad you’re going to read it. I hope it is as enjoyable in the read to you as I found it to be writing it.
Thanks for dropping by!
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It’s always interesting to find out story ideas come to people. Equally interesting is when ideas come from our dreams. 💙 Thanks so much for hosting, Miriam!
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Thanks for dropping in, Mizzzzzz Marlena!
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It’s very interesting writing process, Mar. It’s my pleasure to host Nonnie’s tour! ❤
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Hello Nonnie and everyone including the host. I apologize for missing out on some of the tours so I am catching up. I have been so distracted about what is going on around me and tending to my handicap brother’s needs. I am stretched in different directions. But I can see that I’m the one who is missing out. What a wonderful tour Nonnie!
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Oh, I thought you might like this one, Ms. Shirley! Thanks!
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Thank you for stopping by, Shirley. No worries. It’s important to care for your brother because you’re doing something nobody else can do.
Nonnie has a great tour!
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I love hearing how this came to you, Nonnie:) It so wonderful when a story or idea comes in a dream and forces you to write it down the minute you wake up! What an amazing process doing the blurb and cover before the story. It really worked.
Thanks for hosting Miriam:)
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Yes, Denise. It was an amazing process. Many of us would love when it happens.
Thank you for your comment. My pleasure to host Nonnie!
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Thanks, so much, Denise. I’m glad you enjoyed the story!
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I love hearing how this came to you, Nonnie:) It so wonderful when a story or idea comes in a dream and forces you to write it down the minute you wake up! What an amazing process doing the blurb and cover before the story. It really worked.
Thanks for hosting Miriam:)
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This is a very interesting post, Miriam. I thought Nonnie’s writing experience for this short story was inspirational. I have never come up with the title, cover and blurb of a book before the ending before. I think I work quite back to front as I have my ending before I have my beginning. It is fascinating how inspiration is different for each of us.
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Hi, Robbie! Yes, inspiration hits us all differently, doesn’t it? Thanks for your support!
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Thanks for hosting NO PEDIGREE, today, Miriam. I’ve read this short story and some of the social issues which Nonnie handled with such straightforward candour is eye-opening and memorable. I hope you have a great tour, Nonnie!
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I agree with you, Maretha! Thank you for your visit and comment.
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Thanks for your kind words, Maretha! Greatly appreciated 🙂
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You’re welcome, Maretha. Thank you for your comment. 🙂
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Hi Nonnie, I like your author name meme -very creative. This story is great inspiration for not procrastinating!
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Yes, it’s very inspirational. Wendy. Thank you for your comment!
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Thanks, Wendy! That’s my new logo! Nonnie Jules and books go hand in hand!
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Hello! I enjoyed reading about how Nonnie’s story “No Pedigree” came about. The book trailer and blurb are also fascinating. I’m adding it to my TBR list. Thanks for hosting, Miriam! ❤
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Hi Vashti, thank you so much for your visit and comment. Nonnie has a fascinating story behind her story of No Pedigree. Thank you for your support. ❤
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It’s my pleasure, Miriam. Yes, I agree. ❤
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💖💐🤗
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Thanks so much for your support, Vashti! 🙂
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You’re welcome. 😀
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💖
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Fabulous book cover, trailer and blurb. “No Pedigree” is on my kindle and I’m looking forward to an awesome read! You’re sure to have a great tour! Thanks for hosting, Miriam. 🙂
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It’s great to have you stopping by, Bette. Yes, No Pedigree is very interesting. 😊
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Bette, I do hope it scratches your reading itch! LOL! Thanks for dropping by!
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Nonnie, your post is a nice glimpse into your creative process with “NO PEDIGREE.” I like your “backwards writing approach” and the utilization of your book blurb to serve as you compass in formulating the storyline.
Love you book trailer and look forward to reading “NO PEDIGREE.”
Miriam, you are a perfect host. Thank you.
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Thank you so much, Peggy. We all learned from Nonnie’s amazing writing process!
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Thanks so much for your support, Peggy! It’s so greatly appreciated 🙂
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Beautiful post, Nonnie. I have read your new book and enjoyed it a lot. Congratulations on your tour!
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Thank you for stopping by, Joy. I appreciate your comment to Nonnie’s book!
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Thank you, Joy! You’re awesome!
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Thank you, Joy. I appreciate your visit and comment.
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🙂 🙂
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Dreams herald some beautiful ideas to inspire and I dive in immediately. Nice to hear about your experiences Nonnie, you are a beacon of inspiration. Wishing you great success.
Thanks for sharing Miriam.
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Hi, Balroop! I agree – our dreams are filled with inspiration. This is the very reason I keep my phone/my tablet/pen/paper right next to my bed. When inspiration strikes, I’m ready to hit back – hard!
Thanks for the support!
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Thank you, Balroop. I kept my phone next to my bed also. Many poems were written in that manner.
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Thank you for your visit, Balroop. I appreciate your comment. Yes, dreams speak to us about something that hasn’t surface our consciousness, so it requires attention.
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I find it super exciting when ideas come in dreams. That is exactly what happened with “A Soldier’s Children.” I’ve never tried writing from the blurb, but it sounds like an interesting process. Best wishes for your tour, Nonnie, and thank you for hosting, Miriam!
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Hi, Jan! It was absolutely the best process ever! Every time I stumbled in writing this story, I went back to that blurb. And, although short, each time I looked at it, it appeared to be this huge how-to manual/road map for the story. I will spend so much time going forward on my blurbs so that I’m able to use them in this manner. It really was so helpful.
Thanks for the support, Jan! Awesome-tastic!
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Good to have you coming by and comment, Jan. It takes only once to find a new way of doing something successfully and I’m glad Nonnie found it. I came across at least one other author began with a blurb first and worked from there until her book is finished.
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You’re welcome, Jan. I could feel the excitement, Jan. Nonnie’s experience is amazing. I enjoyed reading “A Soldier’s Children.” In fact, my review is on Amazon and I’ve already written to review post which is scheduled for tomorrow – just a heads up. 🙂
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I am so happy that process worked for you. I have already read No Pedigree and loved it! I encourage everyone to read it. It’s a great read! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Yvette, for the support! You’re awesome!
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So glad to hear you’ve read No Pedigree, Yvette. Your encouragement is appreciated. 🙂
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Excellent post, Nonnie! I was fascinated by your unorthodox approach to writing this latest book. As creative types, we sometimes need to toss tradition to the wayside and blaze our own trail. For me, the final product is everything. How we arrive at that point is incidental. If the product is flawed, then we need to re-examine our process. This is a great read and I highly recommend it! I also enjoyed the book trailer which is well done! Thanks for hosting Nonnie, Miriam!
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John, your kind words are so appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to read and also review NO PEDIGREE. Any story that wakes you out of a dead sleep, is definitely a story that needs to be told. I was only doing what I was being guided to do, so “Hello, Baylee!”
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Yes, I agree with Nonnine, John. Her experience and any inspiration, enlightenment is worth the attention.
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You’re welcome, John. Thank you for your comment. It doesn’t hurt for people to try different approaches and find out which one(s) work for them as we all have different personalities.
I’m glad it worked out for Nonnie. The trailer is excellent.
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What a fascinating way to put a story together! I’m thinking that kind of pressure would be too much for me, but I’m glad it worked out!
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Hi, Sarah! I’m sure it wouldn’t work for everyone, but, it’s the kind of pressure that I need in my life. It got this job done so now it’s “my new way!”
Thanks for dropping in!
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Yes, Sarah, it’s amazing how it worked out for Nonnie. I’m good under the right amount of pressure. Setting a goal and deadline seem to help. But I can’t work at night anymore. It keeps me awake!
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Miriam, thank you so much for hosting me today! Thanks to all the support from your guests who have dropped in! Have an awesome day!
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My pleasure, Nonnie. Great to have you here!
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Awesome and fantastic review of Nonnie and her book No Pedigree, Miriam. The video too gave a short review, what is in the book. Thank you so much for this captivating share.
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Thanks so much, Kamal!
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Welcome Nonnie.
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Thank you, again! #HonoredToBeHere
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Welcome always.
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🙂
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🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️
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❤ 🙂
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❤️❤️🌷🌷
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Hi, Nonnie. I love going behind the scenes of books, so I enjoyed this post!
Thank you for hosting, Miriam.
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❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Isn’t it lovely, Rhani? I love to go behind the scenes of books also. Thank you for stopping by and comment.
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🙂 🙂
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Thank you for reading, Kamal. I appreciate you comment!
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Welcome always dear Miriam.
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🙂 ❤
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🌷🌷🌷🌷❤️❤️❤️
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❤ 🙂 ❤
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❤️❤️❤️🌷🌷🌷🌷
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