A Woman's Voice

 "A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult."  -  Melinda Gates, Philanthropist

I continue to struggle with finding my voice. Much of it has to do with self-doubt and allowing myself to be intimidated. The fear of making someone angry and the deep seated need to keep the peace, and that my silence will ensure it, controls me. I allow myself to be suppressed, even though I grew up full of questions about the world. I promised myself it would be different for me; sadly I failed at achieving that goal. I enable other people's insecurities and inferiorities into bullying me and controlling my actions. Silence is my accountability.

My voice is loud in my published books and short stories. In this, I am proud. When I write, I'm unleashing the voice. Expressions. Stories. Feelings. Thinking. Questions. Descriptions. Loud. Soft. 

While I continue to work on the latest book, the four below remain available. My voice is heard through the many characters waiting to tell readers a story. I appreciate all who have read them and listened to their stories. 

Williamsburg Hill. Daniel's Esperanza. Funny Pages. Billy's First Dance. All are available on Amazon or can be ordered through your local bookstore. The short stories, and eleven years worth of blog posts here are my voice. Mine. Once again, thank you to those regulars and those who drop in every now and then. Shout-outs, shares, recommendations, and recognition are appreciated.

Books...A Reminder

If you're looking for a book to read, please consider one of mine. All can be found on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions; any bookstore (chain or independent) and big box stores that sell books (think Target, Walmart, Meijer, Costco) can order them. I continue to juggle, trying to finish a play so that I can begin work on a new manuscript. Isolation has provided opportunity; motivation, however, hasn't been easy as distractions and worry hinder creativity. Thank you, as always, and for more information please view my website at www.veronicabatterson.com.

Updated Website

My website has finally been updated and I'm happy to share the link here. It contains info on all of my work, including my books, art and photographs. Please visit veronicabatterson.com and take a look. I'm pretty pleased with how it looks.

Books and Photographs

The first draft of my latest book, Williamsburg Hill, is nearly complete.  Since I've been focused on finishing it, less time has been given to blog posts and updates.  So this one is a little short and simply a reminder that I have books and photographs still for sale.

Daniel's Esperanza, Funny Pages and Billy's First Dance can be purchased through various online retail sites.  All can be found in paperback form and for Kindle readers on Amazon.  I appreciate all sales, and if you're interested in giving one a shout-out, please do.  Many thanks in advance.

I also have over 300 photographs on Fine Art America for sale in canvas prints, posters, framed and unframed photographic prints, greeting cards, canvas totes, t-shirts, cell phone cases, shower curtains, duvets and more.  Any purchase is given a 100 percent guarantee; if you aren't satisfied you can return the item(s) for a full refund.  Included here are some screen shots of some of my latest work, but you can visit www.veronica-batterson.pixels.com for higher resolution viewing.

As always, thanks for any and all support, purchases, reviews and sharing on social media. Word of mouth works wonders.  Now back to that draft...hope to have it finished in a couple of weeks.

Bookstock 2016 - Memphis Area Authors' Festival

As mentioned in my previous post, I will be participating in Bookstock 2016, the Memphis Area Authors' Festival on April 23, 2016 at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library in Memphis, TN. Sponsored by the Memphis Public Library, the event runs from 11am - 3pm. If you're in the area, stop by and say hello. I will have copies of all three of my books (Daniel's Esperanza, Billy's First Dance, Funny Pages) for sale. Over forty authors will be participating. Come out and meet us...it's sure to be a great day!

A Little Promoting...Again

It's time to take up some blogging space to promote. It has never been easy for me to dance that self-promoting waltz, but it's necessary to get the word out about the work: published books, updates, new photographs, sales and such.

I wish I could comfortably emulate some folks on Facebook who have no qualms about pitching themselves, but I can't and don't. Nearly every day, I receive a request from someone asking if I'd like his/her personal page. If I've forgotten I was even Facebook friends with you, I'll pass. I can't even bring myself to create personal pages for myself. Facebook has automatically generated four pages for me: an author page, and one for each of my books: Daniel's Esperanza, Funny Pages and Billy's First Dance.  I haven't done a thing with any of them. Imagine if I'd bombard all of my pals on Facebook with requests to like each of them.  You'd hear crickets chirping for miles! If only we could realize by helping someone, we might get a little help in return. So I've embraced a new rule with respect to those personal pages: I'll be happy to like a page, give it a shout-out, etc, if it's reciprocated. Buy one of my books, share it on Facebook and I'll like your page and share. Pretty simple, and if it's viewed as "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours", so be it. But, I digress. So here we go.

Fine Art America has changed its web address regarding personal pages for members. My address is now www.veronica-batterson.pixels.com and I have some new images up since the last time I shared here. Many different types of products are sold in addition to prints and posters: pillows, cell phone covers, t-shirts, duvets, tote bags and shower curtains. Check it out and please let me know if you make a purchase.

Books. All three are still available via several online retail sites, but I guess I would recommend Amazon over any of the other places. Simply put: it's the easiest, best shipping deals and most people already have accounts there. However, if anyone would like a signed book from me, let me know. I have copies, too, that I can sell. Daniel's Esperanza, Billy's First Dance and Funny Pages. Paperback and ebooks are available, and please share with me if you buy one. Feedback is appreciated, too.

Many thanks, as always. I continue to work on the latest, Williamsburg Hill, and will update here periodically with the occasional side-track of short stories, essays and thoughts.

Oswego Literary Festival 2015

Just a reminder that I'll be participating in the Oswego Literary Festival this Saturday, October 3, 2015, sponsored by the Village of Oswego Cultural Arts Commission and the Oswego Public Library District. The event runs from 9am - 1pm and will be held at the Oswego Public Library District's Oswego Campus located at 32 West Jefferson, Oswego, IL.

Copies of my books Daniel's Esperanza, Funny Pages and Billy's First Dance will be for sale; I'll be happy to sign copies and provide information on the current project (historical fiction manuscript in the works).

Many authors with books to sell with be there. Stop by and say hello to a lot of hard-working, creative folks. We're appreciative of the support!

Events Plus Sara Teasdale's Poetry

A couple of upcoming events this fall include some author fairs I've been invited to attend.  First, the Aurora Public Library's "Catch a Bunch of Authors" on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at the new Santori Branch from 2pm - 4pm in Aurora, Illinois.  I will also be at the Oswego Literary Festival, Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 9am - 1pm at the Oswego, Illinois Public Library.  I will be selling and signing copies of my books, Daniel's Esperanza, Funny Pages and Billy's First Dance at both events.  If you're in the Chicagoland area on those dates and are free, stop by and say hello.  Many talented folks attend these festivals.

Just a reminder, if ebooks are your preference, Daniel's Esperanza is now available for Kindle download on Amazon for only $3.99, and Funny Pages for only $4.95. Paperback versions of all three are still for sale, too.

Work continues on my new manuscript, Williamsburg Hill, and my goal is to finish the first draft by the end of October.  We shall see.

As I'm always searching for blog ideas, I thought I'd share some poetry by the late Sara Teasdale. Simple, powerful, moving are words I would use to describe her work. As always, thanks for reading this blog. I appreciate it very much.

I Love You
By Sara Teasdale

When April bends above me
And finds me fast asleep,
Dust need not keep the secret
A live heart died to keep.

When April tells the thrushes,
The meadow-larks will know,
And pipe the three words lightly
To all the winds that blow.

Above his roof the swallows,
In notes like far-blown rain,
Will tell the little sparrow
Beside his window-pane.

O sparrow, little sparrow,
When I am fast asleep,
Then tell my love the secret
That I have died to keep.

Thoughts
By Sara Teasdale

When I am all alone
Envy me most,
Then my thoughts flutter round me
In a glimmering host;

Some dressed in silver,
Some dressed in white,
Each like a taper
Blossoming light;

Most of them merry,
Some of them grave,
Each of them lithe
As willows that wave;

Some bearing violets,
Some bearing bay,
One with a burning rose
Hidden away —

When I am all alone
Envy me then,
For I have better friends
Than women and men.

The Look
By Sara Teasdale

      Strephon kissed me in the spring,

      Robin in the fall,

      But Colin only looked at me

      And never kissed at all.

      Strephon's kiss was lost in jest,

      Robin's lost in play,

      But the kiss in Colin's eyes

      Haunts me night and day.

First Draft, Research and Updates

I've started writing the first draft of the next book (I'm assuming it will be) and research has slowed its progress. Part of the novel takes place in the nineteenth century so something as minor as period clothing and common names used at that time are important. The small stuff matters.

Updating and staying involved with social media accounts are all-consuming, too, and take a little time away from the work. Kudos to those who can do it all well, but I'm not one of them. If you follow me or become one of my friends via Twitter (@VRBatterson) or my Goodreads account, for example, please be patient with me. I'm working hard so updates and interactions will come.

Also, please check out my artist website on Fine Art America. I add new photos there periodically and they offer great products. If you purchase any art of mine, please let me know. Take a look at Veronica Batterson - Artist Websites.

Don't forget my books, Daniel's Esperanza, Funny Pages and Billy's First Dance - all available on Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, BooksAMillion.com and many other websites. Any bookstore can order them. Continue to check in here on the blog, as well, for short stories, musings and further updates.

As always, thank you.

Yorkville Public Library - Author Fair

I've been invited to participate in Yorkville Public Library's first annual Author Fair scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2015 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Yorkville, Illinois.  It is one of many events scheduled over the year to celebrate the library's 100th anniversary.  If you're in the Chicagoland area on that date and have some free time, stop by and say hello. I will be selling and signing copies of all three of my books, Daniel's Esperanza, Funny Pages and Billy's First Dance.  Many other authors will be in attendance, too. If you can't make it to the fair and are still interested in some of my books, they can be found at the usual places such as Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com and booksamillion.com.

Also, I've added some new photographs to Fine Art America. Prints, pillows, cell phone covers and much more can be purchased from the images. Check it out at www.veronica-batterson.artistwebsites.com. Let me know if you make a purchase.

Thanks for reading. I'm working on a new short story that I hope will be ready to share soon.  As always, if you've read one of my books and liked it, please share the news. Reviews, shout-outs on Facebook and Twitter, plus word-of-mouth help so much. It's really appreciated.