"Djembe" Wins 2nd Place in International Art Tales Competition

It was my pleasure to learn that earlier this year, in May, my short story, Djembe, won second place in the adult fiction category of the annual international Art Tales Writing Contest for 2018, sponsored by the City of Ventura, California. Djembe was inspired by a photograph by William Hendricks entitled Tambor, taken in 2000.

I've been writing a lot this year while dealing with my mother's passing, a torn meniscus, returning to school, and other consuming events, but finally had a chance to share my story. I hope you enjoy it. 

Djembe is posted in the tab marked "Short Stories." Please let me know what you think in the comments section.

Halloween Giveaway - DEATH HOUSE

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Death House

by Carole Avila

Giveaway ends October 25, 2017.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

The Challenge of Blogging

Scheduling a time to blog? Writing on a routine and consistent basis? Ugh! That does not fit into going with the flow--writing the moment creative energy bursts forth in any given second.

For me, blogging isn't as easy as it seems because my heart lies in writing books. I can write, edit, and critique for hours on end, into the darkest morning hours. But blogging? Something about it seems so much more...demanding.

Committing to a blog is like committing to a marriage. It requires dedication, attention, consideration, honest communication, keeping things interesting. That's a lot of work.

It's almost safer not to write a blog. With a novel, I can take my time--days, weeks, months, even years to craft a great story. But blogs demand weekly, sometimes even daily, devotion. I am a devoted writer, but fall short as a blogger.

So I allowed myself to consider the difference between blogging and all the other writing that I do. 

It boils down to that ugly four-letter F-word that I despise so much because it has plagued every facet of my life--fear.

Fear says that what I write won't interest anyone. It tells me I'll bore my readers, lose the small numbers of followers I've managed to gather. I may write something that I'll regret years later. Fear points an old crooked finger at my inability to commit to a schedule. It reminds me of my lack of responsibility, and many other failings.

I am afraid (Freudian pun) to consider all the lost opportunities I've allowed fear to cause. It has always been my greatest self-imposed road block. Now I'm forced to consider what would happen if I tackled my fear. What security will I lose, what unknowns will I gain? The unknown is frightening. 

Fear requires vast amounts of time and energy to break down an iron-walled ego that has tried so hard to protect me in its feeble way. And listing those fears--what a long, long list that would be. (At least I could write it.)

Still, if I tackle my fears, I wonder if I'm proving something to myself or to others. Can part of my fear be the result of my constantly seeking the approval of others? Have I let my imagination rule me or is there something greater that I don't see?

Facing fear. Yikes! I'd rather blog.

"Shadows of Oranges" Wins First Place!

I'm thrilled to announce that my short story, "Shadows of Oranges," won first place in the adult fiction category of the annual Art Tales Writing Contest for 2016, sponsored by the City of Ventura, California.

Take a look at my work in the tab marked "Short Stories" and please let me know what you think in the comments section!

See What Lauren at Wonderless Reviews Says About DEATH HOUSE!

See What Amy's Bookish Blog Says About DEATH HOUSE!

Photo by Amy Rush Da Silva

Win a Copy of Eve's Amulet-Book 1!

You can win a free copy of my book, Eve's Amulet~Book 1, an entertaining paranormal romance adventure with a bit of history in the mix. Just follow my blog and answer the question below.

Romance goes hand in hand with gunrunning in the Old Southwest in this entertaining time-travel adventure! Mandy Ruhe is swept back in time to Texas, 1845, into the body of Carmena Lubber, owner of the Holiday Ranch. Mandy is caught up in the lives of the people on the ranch--their struggles and dreams. Torn between two men, she hopes that true love can triumph over time. But she may have endangered everyone after she encounters one of Mexico's most powerful and dangerous leaders. Trapped in the past, Mandy must find a way back to her own life before she messes up the future for everyone!

Answer the question below in the comment sectionfor your chance to win a copy of Eve's Amulet~Book 1!

What era would you go to if you could time-travel?

Hurry--contest ends April 10th!