Facebook and Twitter and Linkedin--Oh my!

Socail Media, who needs it? Odds are YOU do. Me too.

 

I hear and read about it all the time, and I try to absorb it and implement it. But trying to connect with them all is a nighmare and can (and has) lead to frustration, discouragement and wanting to throw up my hands and yell I CAN'T DO THIS!

It can be pretty scary stuff.

The key to getting started, I've learned, is to be judicious in selecting only a few KEY ones, those that will provide the best coverage and give the most exposure. Like the two biggies...Facebook and Twitter. When you get comfortable with those two, check into a few of the next ones like Pinterest, Google Plus, and Linkedin.

No, I'm not about to explain all the why's and whyfor's, how to get started with them, nor how to use them because I'm still trying to figure out which ones are doing me the most good.

I'll leave that up to one of my favorite 'Go-to' blogs maintained by Edie Melson, at www.thewriteconversation.blogspot.com to explain and educate. Edie is a veritable encyclopedia on social media. Her Monday posts, especially, are devoted to this very topic. I urge you to visit her blog, check out some of her posts—not just on Monday—and subscribe to her blog posts. Trust me.

That being said, or what I'm getting at, basically, is that as I continue to tweak and improve this blog, I'm thinking of creating a new 'page', listing links to my readers' blogs to Share the love. Hey...that might even be a good title for the page itself!

If you're interested in being on that page, send me your BLOG links by using the comments option below, or use the Contact Peg button on the navigation bar above (or click HERE)

Now, since I've not yet figured out a way to get all these embeded on this blog somehow, allow me to share MY social media links. Feel free to Like, Follow, Join, or whatever, (even ignore...I won't be offended) if you're part of any of these below.

• FB: facebook.com/pegphifer


• TWITTER: twitter.com/pegphifer@pegphifer


• PINTEREST: pinterest.com/pegphifer


• LINKEDIN: linkedin/in/peggyblannphifer


• GOOGLE PLUS: https://plus.google.com/+AuthorPeggyBlannPhifer/posts


• GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/pbphifer


• BLOG/WEBSITE: whispersinpurple.com


• AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://autIhorcentral.amazon.com/gp/profile

I'd love to have some interaction with you!

Author Sally Chambers Debut Release

I am so excited to be featuring—and helping promote—my friend from Florida, Sally Chambers.

Over the coming weeks, you’ll have a chance to get acquainted with Sally, find out what makes her tick, and some insight about this new book.

You’ll also be able to get inside the head of Lexi, the main character in The Stonekeepers.

And later on, you’ll get to read an in-depth review of this wonderful YA/NA book

Below is the brief synopsis of The Stonekeepers. Does it whet your appetite? It sure does me!

For the past eighteen years, Lexi Christensen has been sheltered from the truth, protected by a soft-cushioned life of normalcy, until the contents of an envelope link her to an ancient vow. All Lexi wants is to get out from between the vise grips of her suddenly protective parents, rescue an historic mansion before she leaves for college, and stop herself from falling in love with the man her best friend claims to love. But finding the envelope thrusts her into new choices . . . and new danger. Someone knows more about Lexi’s heritage than she does, wants what she’s found, and will risk her life to get it.

As her future twists into an incredible mission that propels her from her sand-ringed island home to a foreign mountaintop, she’s in a race against both time and danger. Her faith may be strong, but is God asking too much?

So here’s the schedule:

• June 24: Interview with Sally w/Giveaway


• July 15: Interview with Lexi Christensen w/Giveaway


• A date TBA: In-depth review of The Stonekeepers.

Help spread the word!

Tweetables:

[bctt tweet="Lexi Christensen finds an envelope. What does it mean? #fiction #YA #Sally Chambers #TheStonekeepers @sallychambers2" via="no"]

Featuring Pesto and Potholes by Susan M. Baganz

 

Poignant romance of two lost souls learning about the things that go wrong, humanity’s fault lines and how to grow and love again despite the potholes that inevitably crop up. Baganz manages to throw some laughter and joy into desperate situations in this debut novel. Read Pesto and Potholes for a crazy adventure that makes Italian food with a side of Ninja warriors seem natural.

--Lisa Lickel

Pesto & Potholes

by Susan M. Baganz

About the book:

Renata tries to escape her past and runs straight into . . . love.

Renata Blake has moved to the Milwaukee area to leave behind a painful past as a victim of abuse. She discovers a family like she’s never had before at Orchard Hill Church and is drawn to handsome Packer fanatic, Antonio. After all she’s suffered through, could she ever trust a man again?

Antonio DeLuca has a full life with his family, church and his job as chef and manager at DeLuca’s Cucina. Having been betrayed in love, he is afraid to trust a woman again. How would he fit her into his already full life anyway?

As circumstances draw them together and attempt to tear them apart, life becomes a combination of savory pesto and painful potholes as both Tony and Renata learn that with God’s help, and the support of a faith community, they can both learn to love again.

And maybe fight a few ninjas along the way.

PURCHASE

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

What COTT Voters Had to Say:

--Susan, I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to read your book. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

--Loving reading this, Susan Bagnanz.

--I'm so excited for you, Susan! Congratulations.

--Going to order this one today, Susan Baganz! Thank you for writing great books!

--Great job, Susan. Way to go!

--Great cover and great story premise, Susan Baganz.

--Excited about Susan's book. The title is so intriguing.

--Susan M. Baganz - I like the happy sound of this story!

--Sounds intriguing, Susan Baganz!

--Susan M. Baganz - You are doing great and your stories are so captivating! Thanks for writing and sharing your gift with others!

 

We don't often get excerpts from authors, so enjoy this one from Pest and Potholes!

Sunday was cold. The sun shined brightly, and Renata sat at church surrounded by more of the De Luca clan. Tony winked at her, and they worshipped together. She experienced such joy and freedom in the music and lyrics. This was the new Renata. Free. Joyful. Loved. What a difference from a year ago.

After church, she raced home to change into jeans, sneakers, a sweater and coat. She pulled on knit gloves to keep her hands warm and found a matching knit cap to put on her head.

Tony arrived to pick her up in his car and they went through the drive-thru at Taco Bell for something to eat. Renata laughed when part of Tony’s burrito dribbled onto his sweatshirt.

They arrived at Brown Deer Park early, and Tony suggested they take a walk over by a small pond.

“This is such a peaceful place.” Reverent awe filled her voice as she gazed about.

“Sure is, but watch out for the goose doo doo.”

“Doo doo? Is that an Italian term for poop?”Tony laughed, “No, that’s me trying to be more delicate since I am with a gorgeous woman in a beautiful place.”“Awww, Tony, you are sweet.” They walked side by side, not touching. Renata could see their breath in the air.“Edith agrees with you.”“Edith? My neighbor?” Renata stopped to stare at him.

“Yeah, the other night she gave me a kiss because you had neglected to do it for her.”

Renata laughed. “Is she my competition for your affections?”

“Are you seeking my affections?” He looked at her with one eyebrow raised.

Renata looked away. Her entire neck and head grew warm.

“You have no competition. No one can compare to you.” His voice was seductive to her ears when he used those words.

“Now you go too far, Tony. I’m not as perfect as you think I am.” She had to reign this in. She didn’t want to lead him on.

“Who said you were perfect? Surely not I.” He placed his hand flat on his chest.

Renata laughed and gave Tony a playful punch in the arm, but was quickly distracted. She pointed to the pond. “Look at the geese coming in to land. They look like they are waterskiing when they put their feet down.”

“Waterskiing geese. Now I’ve seen everything. What will you think of next, Ren?”

“I don’t know. I thought it was your turn to be absurd for a while.”

Tony reached out and tickled Renata. “Stop!” She laughed and started tickling him back and took off running into the grass. Tony ran after her and with his longer legs managed to catch her causing them both to fall on the leaf-covered lawn. Renata grabbed a handful of leaves and tossed them at Tony, and he returned the favor. Soon they lay there in the leaves giggling and gasping for a breath.

“It is beautiful out here.” Renata said. “It’s hard to believe this is Milwaukee.”

“It’s hard for me to believe my good fortune to be sharing this with you.” Tony looked over to Renata and reached to grab her hand to give it a squeeze.

Renata’s shoulder muscles seized at his touch. The touching, the laughter, and the sense they were alone in the world without any past or present or future to worry about, shook her. She needed him too much. No. She wanted him. She desired him. She looked at his face, so close to hers and imagined what it would feel like to kiss him. Stop. This has to stop. No man will ever love you. No man will ever see you as more than a plaything. The messages bombarded her.

The monsters were back.

About the author:

Susan M. Baganz chases after three Hobbits, and is a native of Wisconsin. She is an Acquisitions Editor with Prism Book Group, specializing in bringing great romance novels and novellas to publication. Susan writes adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical world-view.

Susan speaks, teaches, and encourages others to follow God in being all He has created them to be. With her seminary degree in counseling psychology, a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its craziness. She serves behind-the-scenes in various capacities at her church. Her favorite pastimes are lazy…snuggling with her dog while reading a good book, or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup of spiced chai latte.

You can learn more by following her blog www.susanbaganz.com, her Twitter feed @susanbaganz or her fan page, www.facebook.com/susanmbaganz.

Changing things up a bit

Oh, c’mon, no groans or grimaces, change is good, at least here.

The first change you’ll notice is the new blog header image. I love it. Of course, it’s Purple! … and it looks like a lot of sparkling gems. What do you think?

But that’s not all that’s changing. As you’ll note in the description above the banner on the right, my focus is on connecting Writers with Readers.

Next, I’m eliminating the COZY DEN category. All blog posts will have the same format.

The primary objective for Whispers in Purple is to spotlight writers, both new and established—and their books—in order to attract new readers.

So…

I have set up some new submission guidelines HERE.

In a nutshell, here’s what I’m trying to do:

There is potential for a three-prong spotlight for authors wishing to participate for some great exposure.

I will do,

1. An interview of you and promo of your book


2. An interview of your main character, or character of your choice, and promo of your book


3. An in-depth review of your book on the blog, plus a condensed version for Amazon and other sites where the book is available.


4. Each post will include at least one Tweetable link which can also be used on Facebook

NOTE: If you wish me to do a review, I must have it in eBook format as I can no longer read print books, darn it!

Thoughts? Suggestions? Comment below, I love hearing from you!

I’ve Got Mail! Oh, wait . . . where’d it go?

Computers – and all other modern-day electronics-seem to have become a necessary evil in our everyday lives. Most of us have at least one computer, some sort of tablet, and cell phones, all catering to the need for instant information and instant gratification.

This is not necessarily bad, mind you. The advantages far outweigh the the annoyances…generally.

We can bank online, eliminating the need for stamps, writing checks, addressing envelops, going to the post office..well, you get the idea, and the beauty of direct deposit is wonderful.

We can go online for research on just about everything without having to make a trip to a library.

And e-mail, oh my. Instant contact!  The people we communicate with often are alphabetically listed in your email program’s contact list. No running around looking for your well-worn paper address book. There’s no denying that all this stuff has its advantages.

It has also become the bane of my existence, especially E-mail. I work mostly on my 23” desktop computer because of its size. With failing eyesight, that’s my biggest blessing. I use my laptop when I want to take my writing elsewhere.

Okay, back to E-mail.

I use I use Outlook, part of my MS Office suite, and I love it! Until recently. Notice the title of this post?

I have multiple folders and sub-folders, each with a ‘rule’ that’s (supposed) to automatically sort incoming mail. Some I’ll check immediately and keep the others unread until I have more time to deal with them.

But lately those rules have become unruly. The other day I created a new sub-folder to save an email I wanted to keep, away from my main Inbox. After setting it up, I clicked on Move To, selected the new subfolder and POOF! it disappeared. Gone. I checked to see if I’d clicked on the wrong one, looking in other folders…nothing. It was nowhere to be found.

So instead of doing that, I simply did a drag and drop. That seems to be working okay…this time.

But what got my dander up today, prompting this post, was an incoming email I’d read, marked as UNread, because it had information I needed to follow through on but didn’t have the time to work on it. A bit later, I clicked on that unread email to open it. It did open but a second later it…vanished. Gone, never to be seen again. Not in my deleted items folder; not in a different folder; not in my recycle bin…absolutely G.O.N.E. And that’s not the first time this has happened. I’m one hair away from screaming.

Has anyone reading this ever experienced anything like this? If so, I’d love to hear from you.

Please share, I’m at my wits end.