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Counting Down to the New Year!

Counting Down to the New Year, The Writing Life, Carolyn M. Bowen Author
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Quote of the Day: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” ― Dr. Seuss

This year, 2018, has been a fast year for me, pretty much. I’ve written two books and published one. My latest mystery-thriller will be released early 2019. And, you’re in for a BIG surprise! I can’t wait to tell you more about it. Keep watching for the cover reveal and blurb about the novel.

Mystery Novel Reviewers/Bloggers Wanted

If you’d like an advance ebook copy, complete the info below so I can email your gift code. Thank you!

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Here’s a little inspiration for your day!

Thank you for following my blog and connecting on social media. I appreciate your support. Carolyn M. Bowen

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Reflections From 2018

Quote of the Day: “We always see our worst selves. Our most vulnerable selves. We need someone else to get close enough to tell us we’re wrong. Someone we trust.” ― David Levithan, Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List

Refections from 2018, The Writing Life, Carolyn Bowen Author

Between now and the New Year take a break and reflect on the sights, sounds, and aromas you experienced over the past year. What are your favorite thoughts? Catalog in your mind the sweet memories of 2018.

Most all of us have goals we wish to achieve each year. What plans can you mark as completed for this year? Celebrate the milestones with friends and family. To you and your 2018 successes – cheers!

Refections from 2018, The Writing Life, Carolyn Bowen Author
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Life has its ups and downs and sometimes we have events in our lives that knock us for a loop. There are many facets to our lives like family sickness and deaths, business losses, relationship problems, and divorces to name a few that hit us hard.

Whatever you’re going through know that it can and will get better. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and reach out to someone when you’re feeling overwhelmed by your feelings. There’s free and confidential support just a phone call away. Talk to someone until you feel at peace again. There is promise in each new day. Believe it!

In my reflecting on the past year I came across a video that best represents my feelings. The worldwide celebration of Stand By Me |Playing for Change |Song Around the World! Like the song says, no matter who you are – you’re going to need someone to stand by you. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor – everyone needs someone to stand by them. Hope you enjoy this video with musicians playing and singing around the world. This video was produced by Playing for Change – connecting the world through music.

I hope you enjoy looking back at 2018. May all your dreams come true in the New Year! Carolyn Bowen

Thank you for following my blog and connecting on social media. I appreciate your support. Carolyn M. Bowen

Let’s Connect on Social Media!

These are a few of my favorite social media hangouts! Drop by and say hello!

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Quote of the Day: “Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder

It really is the most wonderful time of the year. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Thank you for following my blog and connecting on social media. I appreciate your support. Carolyn M. Bowen

Let’s Connect on Social Media!

These are a few of my favorite social media hangouts! Drop by and say hello!

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Love picture ideas? Me, too. Pinners Follow Here! I can’t wait to see what you’ve found under the Christmas tree. Carolyn

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The Days of Our Lives: Winter Solstice

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Quote of the Day: “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”  Dame Edith Sitwell

Today, December 21, 2018, is the winter solstice in North America, officially the shortest day of the year. We can look forward to the beginning of shortening nights and lengthening days after this astronomical event. As we celebrate tonight look to the sky and mark the occasion with the spectacular Ursid meteor shower and a full Moon.

What is the Winter Solstice?

The winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon that happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere. It occurs when one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt away from the Sun.

This rhythmic event is also called Midwinter, Yule, the Longest Night, and Jól. Celebrations include family gatherings, festivals and feast, dancing, and winter fires. Wikipedia

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For the long winter nights, download and read a mystery by Carolyn M. Bowen.

Attention Reviewers and Book Bloggers

My new mystery-thriller is coming out this winter. Interested? Enter your name and email address below to be one of the first to receive an advance copy. Thank you!

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Thank you for following my blog and connecting on social media. I appreciate your support. Carolyn M. Bowen

Let’s Connect on Social Media!

These are a few of my favorite social media hangouts! Drop by and say hello!

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Love picture ideas? Me, too.  Pinners Follow Here!

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Holiday Greetings 2018

Quote of the Day: “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” ― Hamilton Wright Mabie

Happy Holidays 2018, The Writing Life, Carolyn M. Bowen

Are you counting down to celebrating this holiday season? Excitement is in the air as we approach Christmas Day. Families’ traveling home for the holidays makes me feel warm and fuzzy. What are your Christmas plans?

Happy Holidays 2018, The Writing Life, Carolyn M. Bowen

How are you traveling this season? Whether by train, plane, or automobile always carry a great mystery read with you. Look no further than books by Carolyn M. Bowen for entertainment.

Mystery Book Reviewers Wanted

Carolyn M. Bowen, The Writing Life, books

Are you a book reviewer or blogger? Here’s a chance for the first glance of my new mystery available for pre-order after the New Year. Sign up here to receive your free ebook.

From my house to yours – happy holidays! Carolyn Bowen

Thank you for following my blog and connecting on social media. I appreciate your support. Carolyn M. Bowen

Let’s Connect on Social Media!

These are a few of my favorite social media hangouts! Drop by and say hello!

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Love picture ideas? Me, too.  Pinners Follow Here!

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The Long Road Home – Interview

Quote of the Day: “Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works.” Virginia Woolf

Carolyn Bowen Author (31)

Today I want to share the conversation I had with Jason E. Foss, producer of ‘A Dreamer’s Blog’ and the empowered-individuals.blogspot.

Jason wanted to know about my writing process specifically relating to my mystery thriller, The Long Road Home.

I hope you’ll enjoy the light banter and the behind the scenes writing of this novel and the up-to-date news about my upcoming new mystery.

Follow ‘A Dreamer’s Blog’ for interesting in-depth coverage of the writing life from your favorite authors.

Thank you, Jason, for the opportunity to share with your readers. This interview will be remembered as one of my favorite author experiences.  Carolyn Bowen

Where to buy The Long Road Home

The Long Road Home is available at your favorite bookstores!

Download and Read FREE with Amazon Kindle Unlimited!

Thank you for following my blog and connecting on social media. I appreciate your support. Carolyn M. Bowen

Let’s Connect on Social Media!

These are a few of my favorite social media hangouts! Drop by and say hello!

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Happy Moments – Author’s Delight!

Quote of the Day: “Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference. They don’t have to makes speeches. Just believing is usually enough.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Cross-Ties, Carolyn Bowen Author

Most authors live for those high-five moments when readers make you proud you’re a writer. I am no different and social media provides the perfect backdrop for hearing from your fans.

Earlier this week one of my fans tweeted about Cross-Ties novel making a connection between Onedin Line and Hornblower, exciting books, series, and movie.

Needless to say, I’ve been on cloud nine – or higher since then. Being compared with some great writers is an experience you’d want to have again, and again.

I want to say a special thank you to my fans. I appreciate your reading and reviewing my novels. For those of you who haven’t read Cross-Ties, this weekend you can download it for free from my website. I ask that you follow my blog so you’ll be the first to know the latest news and leave a review on your favorite platform. Carolyn Bowen

Cross-Ties Novel, Carolyn M. Bowen Author

 

Cross-Ties Limited Offer!

Social Media Hangouts!

These are a few of my favorite social media hangouts! Drop by and say hello!

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Brand Mania: Book Review – Say My Name!

Brand Mania: Book Review – Say My Name!
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Quote of the Day: Social media is changing the way we communicate and the way we are perceived, both positively and negatively. Every time you post a photo or update your status, you are contributing to your own digital footprints and personal brand. – Amy Jo Martin

Today I’ve reviewed an excellent book by Matt Bertram about building and maintaining your brand. He provides the big picture and the blueprint for attracting your ideal customer over time.

We need to understand and welcome the idea that everyone doesn’t fit into your fan base. Those who do will become a supporter and potential customer. And, that’s not all!

Now, with the right online tools and resources, you can monitor your brand and quickly take action to keep your brand in good standing without hurting yourself in the long run. This isn’t the time for “going to the mattresses” in godfather terms.

“Conversations among the members of your marketplace happen whether you like it or not. Good marketing encourages the right sort of conversations.” Seth Godin, Seth’s Blog

Note: There are many excellent monitoring sites on the Internet. For a start, you can Google your own and your business name and see what’s on the net about you. In addition, I personally use and recommend the monitoring provided by Mention and Google Alerts. Remember, to use your own name and keywords associated with your brand.

Build Your Brand Mania: How to Transform Yourself Into an Authoritative Brand That Will Attract Your Ideal CustomersBuild Your Brand Mania: How to Transform Yourself Into an Authoritative Brand That Will Attract Your Ideal Customers by Matt Bertram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bertram provides a step-by-step guide for developing an authoritative brand on the world-wide-web. His in-depth explanation provides a way to attract your ideal customer. You’ll learn how to filter out what doesn’t fit your business objectives. The end results will be the development of a cohesive plan to reach people interested in your offerings.

How do you handle unfavorable comments online? First, you need the best tools, and online resources to track communications about your brand. This seasoned digital marketer integrates the answers for what to do when confronted with the negativity that’ll soften the blow to your image.

If you want to become a trusted advisor or go-to person for a specific product or service, I highly recommend reading Brand Mania.

View all my reviews

I’d love to know about your experiences while branding your business. Leave a comment at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

Books, Carolyn M. Bowen, bloggingShopping for a special someone in your life? Whoever it is, we’re guessing they’d love a good book, because who doesn’t? Look no further than action-packed books by Carolyn Bowen!

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These are a few of my favorite social media hangouts! Drop by and say hello!

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It’s Not You – It’s Me!

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Quote for Today: “Just as you don’t need to be on every single TV channel, I don’t believe a brand needs to be on every single social media one in a big way.” – Shiv Singh

The new social marketing trends for 2019 are captivating. This one caught my eye with understanding behind the motivation. Put simply, there’s a rising desire for small businesses to cut back their social media posting across multiple platforms.

The reasons are persuasive for analyzing what’s working or not. Social media is time-consuming and is linked to depression for some users. Actively participating costs time and money that may be better spent elsewhere.

The time and resources to create and develop new products and the cost of doing business through these channels is a key point. The need to evaluate the return on the investment (ROI) for the monies spent creating posts, images, videos, etc. is crucial. For example, just because an influencer says there making sales with their storytelling online doesn’t cut it anymore. The proof is in dollars and cents. It has to be experienced for one.

Cross-Stepping MoneyFor example, have you encouraged folks to like your page on a social platform to find few ever saw your creative postings? That’s a dead-end to organic growth from your efforts. The caveat – is until you promoted or sponsored the post as an ad don’t expect growth. Then, the results will depend on the product, the precise targeting, and other demographic variables. And, only a small percentage will click through to become subscribers or potential consumers.

The dollars spent cultivating these type fan bases have been sucked into a dark hole never to be seen again. Take time to study and learn from others about what’s working and make changes as needed. Don’t waste your time and money doing the same old thing expecting different results.

Recently we learned Google+ was ending their social platform that according to some news reports was designed to compete against Facebook. I am sorry to see these changes but understand the reasons behind it. If something isn’t meeting the business goals – end it.

However, this is one of my favorite and largest fan bases. I welcome all my fans to follow my website blog for the latest news about my writing life. In the meantime, I’m staying to the end. The latest report is that Google+ Support will be cut off on December 11th and the app will shut down completely on March 12th, 2018.

I plan to continue evaluating where my advertising dollars are best spent across the web and what social media platform/s helps me achieve my goals. I’ll tell you more about my mistakes in marketing and one I’m correcting soon. Hint: Develop your own real estate.

You can catch me posting on my favorite social platforms daily. Why? Because of the friendships I’ve developed over time and the encouragement and mutual sharing of ideas. What are your social media marketing plans for 2019?

love-1100253__340Shopping for a special someone in your life? Whoever it is, we’re guessing they’d love a good book, because who doesn’t? Look no further than action-packed books by Carolyn Bowen!

Social Media Hangouts!

These are a few of my favorite social media hangouts! Drop by and say hello!

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Love picture ideas? Me, too.  Pinners Follow Here!

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Hello December 2018

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Quote of the Day: “December, being the last month of the year, cannot help but make us think of what is to come.” ― Fennel Hudson, A Meaningful Life – Fennel’s Journal – No. 1

The year 2018 will soon be a wrap as we welcome the month of December. This will be a busy time for there’s a lot to do before the New Year. Here are some of the holidays celebrated throughout the world. Happy Holidays!

December Holidays

  • Dec 2      First Sunday of Advent
  • Dec 3      Chanukah/Hanukkah (first day)
  • Dec 6      St. Nicholas Day
  • Dec 7      Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
  • Dec 8      Feast of the Immaculate Conception
  • Dec 9      Last Day of Chanukah
  • Dec 12    Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
  • Dec 21    December Solstice  (Season)
  • Dec 24    Christmas Eve
  • Dec 24    Washington’s Birthday
  • Dec 25    Christmas Day
  • Dec 26    Day After Christmas Day (State Holiday)
  • Dec 31    New Year’s Eve

What’s on your Christmas list?

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Shopping for a special someone in your life? Whoever it is, we’re guessing they’d love a good book, because who doesn’t? Look no further than action-packed books by Carolyn Bowen!

December Holidays, Carolyn Bowen Author, The Writing Life
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I share on social media daily. Hope to see you there, too!  Carolyn Bowen

Social Media Hangouts!

These are a few of my favorite social media hangouts! Drop by and say hello!

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Love picture ideas? Me, too.  Pinners Follow Here!

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