As some of you know, I am releasing a suspense novel in January of 2023 - that's this month! I am ecstatic to inform you that I have created a website that links directly to my blog and social media accounts.
A blog for writers writing everything from history to suspense. Wife, blogger, writer.
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Further Updates on Wrenville
Monday, January 2, 2023
Data most apps collect
I was recently told that TikTok collects invasive data, but can we talk about how much data other apps also take? Truthfully every social media takes data from your devices and your own devices learn what you like and don't like. Let's talk about what data gets sent out from your device every time you log in.
Courtesy of versedtech.org |
So, I did in fact join TikTok to promote my future book, but one comment that sounded unlikely had me looking up if the Chinese stole TikTok data. There were articles about it, yet we all still sit on our social media platforms that also take our data. Really, we should be wary of all social media by that standard. The cold, hard reality is that we were made more for face-to-face contact than for online communication (although some of us prefer written messaging).
Why am I on social media after knowing it isn't entirely healthy? You're reading the reason. I couldn't do this without my social media. I couldn't promote my future book without my social media. It is the way of the future, whether we like it or not. It has good qualities that allow me to communicate with friends and simultaneously can waste my time if I sit and scroll (which is not good for your brain in the long run). It is a balancing act. There are good and bad qualities about this technology and media, but it just is without human involvement, which is to say it is good or bad based on what is done with it. Keep that in mind.
Apps taking data
Courtesy of cybersecurity.att.com |
Why Apps Take Data
There Are Laws
Courtesy of memegenerator.net |
Some Data To Prove You Are Being Tracked
Monday, December 26, 2022
dealing with DMs
I started this blog to get attention drawn to my writing career, not my love life. I seem to be getting a few more random DMs these days from people who didn't read my bio. Word to the wise, I am married. Today we're going to talk about how all of us should respond to the people who randomly DM us online.
Courtesy of YouTube |
People with a blog or any consistent online presence may get random direct messages (DMs) from strangers. Celebrities (of which I am not one) and other people with larger names get the odd letter or odd message at times. I didn't think having a blog, with a bio clearly stating I have a significant other, would lead to unwanted flirtation DMs, but here we are. I am not going to post pictures of these DMs for the sake of privacy and my unwillingness to humiliate others. I will leave the roasting to those YouTubers who do it for comedy.
Unwanted DMs
What you could do
The best option
Examples of unwanted texts
A Courtesy Message
I suspect my blog may or may not have attracted some of those DMs and for that reason, I am putting out a courtesy message. If you have questions about my current novel and want to DM me, state your business in the first message and I will respond. Family and friends are also free to DM me anytime. I am leaving this warning here for anyone who intends to DM me with anything flirtatious. The recent four messages I received and the friend requests from strange men seem to make this message necessary.
I will be straight with you. Do not direct message me if you don't have a writing career-related purpose or you intend to slide into my DMs. I have to be friends with you outside the internet or you have to clearly state your intentions for me to respond, especially if I don't know you in person. I will no longer be putting out courtesy messages individually. You should read my bio before you hit send because I am married. Consider this your courtesy message. Expect crickets and silence when you do hit send, and expect to be blocked if you start with any type of flirtation. Thank you for understanding.
Sources:
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/creepy-slide-into-dms-advice
https://www.shethepeople.tv/home-top-video/direct-messages-men-send-women-social-media/
https://www.bolde.com/dont-respond-guys-slide-dms-neither-you/
What To Do When You Receive Unwanted Sexual or Provocative Messages from Admirers – Phil Cooke
An Update On My Current Project
Hello! I don't know if you know, but I am completely finished with the editing process of my current project. I have been working on a suspense novel titled Wrenville for a year or more. Today you're going to hear an update on the entire project and what comes next.
Courtesy of shiq4.wordpress.com |
I went through the editing process and finally finished it at the end of this year. I intend to release Wrenville in January of 2023. Right now I am working on a marketing plan.
I intend to wait to release Wrenville in 2023 because I would one, like to enjoy my holiday season before jumping in with both feet, and two, need a plan set in place for the sake of my sanity. I would like to have some clear steps set before me prior to the novel's release. I will be creating a website and announcing the name of that website on a future blog post. Keep your eyes open for further updates amongst the rest of the blog posts.
Courtesy of coolpun.com |
There are a few ways you can help me promote my future published book and one of them is to subscribe to the blog, as well as find me on social media. After you do that, I would greatly appreciate sharing any and all social media posts I put out there. I need to get as many people to see my posts as possible. I am on TikTok as "theintroverteddetective" and I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook as Cathy Baker or Catherine Baker. Click here for a blog on dealing with DMs.
*I have gotten several direct messages that seem to be flirtations. Anyone reading this should know that I do not blog to get that attention, and furthermore, am married. I will respond to for-sure flirtations by hitting the block button. If you do direct message me about my current writing project please announce your intentions clearly. I do not have time to deal with flirtations and may not respond to you at all otherwise. Thank you for understanding.*
Aside from that warning, I promise that I am approachable as a human being. I am just tired of flirtatious direct messages that prove people didn't read my bio. I appreciate all of you that read my blog.
I will be announcing the coming of Wrenville on Amazon with a blog post, much like the future website blog post that will come before it. Today's update isn't long. I simply want to be clear and open with all of you who look forward to the coming of Wrenville. Some of you know how long I've waited to get this far on the project.
If you've read this far down, you deserve a sneak peek of the ebook cover and the synopsis.
The ebook cover of Wrenville Created by Cathy Baker using Canva |
Monday, December 19, 2022
Classic Christmas Movies
I know a lot of us have different ideas about what are classics. We love our Christmas movies in December. Let's look at the long list of good Christmas movies that all of us love.
Courtesy of Alpha Coders |
There are three categories that I'm putting them into. The first is directly Christmas related, which means it takes place on Christmas day or directly involves Santa Claus. The second is mostly Christmas related, which involves many Christmas-related themes most of the time. The third category is when Christmas is clearly just a background aspect that isn't a part of the main plot at all.
Directly Christmas Related
Mostly Christmas Related
Christmas is the background only
Monday, December 12, 2022
Charles Dickens and the poor
We all know Christmas Carol had the not-so-subtle message of caring for the poor, but did anything else in Dicken's collection share that theme? You bet. He made it a point to talk about the poor.
Courtesy of Evening Standard |
Today I'm diving into how Charles Dickens connects to the poor on the streets. We'll start by introducing the man himself and transition into his literary works and novels.
Charles Dickens
The Mystery of Edwin Drood Courtesy of Metro Times |
The Poor On The Streets
Conclusions
Monday, December 5, 2022
Origin of Caroling
You see caroling in every Christmas Carol movie, youth groups go caroling, and you hear Christmas carols all over your radio stations the minute November pops up (which annoys some to no end because it suggests Thanksgiving is worth skipping over). Do we truly know what caroling is? Let's find out.
1847 by Granger - courtesy of Fine Arts America |
Today I am researching where caroling started and how it became what it is now. I'll start with what it began as and go chronologically into what it currently is. Ready to go? All bundled up? Great!
Wassailing
Wassail at Amber Valley Vineyard Courtesy of greatfoodclub.co.uk |
Wassailing courtesy of Historic UK |
Today
https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Navigation/Community/Arcadia-and-THP-Blog/November-2018/The-Little-Known-History-of-the-Caroling-Tradition#:~:text=An%20early%20version%20of%20caroling,wishes%20during%20the%20colder%20months.
https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/christmas-caroler1.htm
https://www.thedailymeal.com/holidays/christmas-caroling-origins
https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/carols_history.shtml
https://blogs.jwpepper.com/caroling-caroling-the-history-of-caroling/