The Random Thoughts Of A C.E.O.
I first put pen to paper in 2006. I enjoy writing, traveling, reading, quiet and food. (Especially food) I would love to be a contestant in one of the food network shows some day. Here is a list of books I've written: Entrepreneur 1 Entrepreneur 1 kindle version Entrepreneur 2 kindle version Entrepreneur 2
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Work Ethic
Monday, August 25, 2014
My First Book Tour
One of the biggest takeaways was traveling outside of your comfort zone.
So I went to the state of Maryland with my then girlfriend (now fiance) and two of my author friends.
Before our arrival a book club agreed to host me and one of the authors, Julia Press Simmons. I believe we were on our debut novels at the time. Fun times all around.
We expierenced every little roadtrip thing. We gorged on snacks and almost ran out of gas on the highway at one point. We got lost twice. None of us had access to GPS either. Eventually we found our way around the city and to our hotel. I had three signings in three different malls and all of them went better than I expected. I don't even think the stores where I signed are in existence anymore. (Which sucks)
The best part of the trip was the bookclub that hosted us. We set up in a room at a restaurant in Annapolis, Maryland and the staff there couldn't have been more pleasant. The women of the bookclub were hilarious. I enjoyed the fact that we had an in depth conversation about the books like the characters were real people. That time remains one of the best book expierences I've had so far as an author. I'm sure i'll have more memories, but nothing is like your first book tour.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Book Signings
Monday, August 4, 2014
Writing Groups
Thursday, July 17, 2014
My top 5 Pet Peeves (in no particular order)
We all have them. Sometimes I can't avoid them. I do the best I can to stay away and bam there they go rearing their ugly head. Here are my top 5 pet peeves. (In no particular order)
Room at the checkout counter
1. I should be able to type my pin without you over my shoulder. It got so bad once I had to tell a person to back up to give me the proper space I need to finish the transaction and grab my bags to leave. I admit I have space issues, but people have nerve when they and rush you out the way.
People who zoom around you to get to the red light
2. I get it. I'm not going the speed you want me to. Sue me. Then to put on a show and zoom by to get to the same light I'll be at right next to you? My oldest son laughs at me because when a driver does that I yell 'you win'! Supremely annoying.
Elevator crowding
3. Can I please get off the elvator before you try and get on. And what are you going to do? Run through me? Let me get off and then you can get on jerk.
Customer service at stores
4. When I need you to help you are nowhere to be found. Once I have everything I'm looking for all the store attendant's come out of nowhere. It's amazing to me. Or when I do get one to help they literally point to a section of the store and expect me to navigate with their version of assistance. Brilliant.
Holding the door open
5. I fashion myself as a gentleman. So when I hold the door open how come people go through the other closed door. I know it's not a big deal, but man is it annoying. I'm just saying I wouldn't do it to someone else.
These are mine. What are some of your pet peeves?
Monday, July 14, 2014
Ten random literary facts about me...
I have two author monikers: MQW and Marc Avery. I've been writing since 2006 and I love detective novels and pretty much anything that grabs my attention. Here's a few things you may not have known about me.
1. I used to write detective stories before I was in high school. I didn't actually start to write a detective novel until last year.
2. I got into reading because my mother told me one day I couldn't play video games. I got mad and went into another room and a book caught my attention. The book was Omar Tyree's Flyy Girl.
3. The first book I ever sold was to a barber at a barbershop I used to go to.
4. Usually when I do a book signing I eat fried chicken afterwards. I don't care where it's from either as long as its fried.
5. My favorite book of all time is Pretend You Don't see her by Mary Higgins Clark.
6. Every time I've stepped out of my reading comfort zone I came away impressed. One of the best books I read outside of my comfort zone was The Deal, the dance, and the devil by Victoria Christopher Murray.
7. The longest book signing I've ever had was 9 hours.
8. I've had booksignings where I sold one book or no books. I learned how to better sell them because of those instances.
9. I prefer to read at a cafe instead of at home.
10. Usually if I'm reading a book I know within the first couple of pages if I will like it or not.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Donuts and Chicken?
The chicken was seasoned perfectly and the donuts were cake soft. Neither had too much flavoring. They are both made fresh while you stand there. The only downside was the coffee. Sugar didn't help at all. The after taste was bitter too. Overall I would go back again. I just won't order the coffee.