I am a life long writer of fiction – mostly short stories – and am now trying to push myself into the realm of the published and read. I live in the country just six miles from the small town of Franklin in Kentucky. For those of you not from around here the closet point of reference would be Nashville, Tennessee, which is sixty miles to the south.
Please take a moment to read my blogs, especially the short stories, and offer up your finest criticism. I am genuinely interested in what you have to say.
Also, I have recently self-published on Amazon. The book is called After Hours, a collection of short stories. I have posted the links below.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00413PZ6G
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00413PZ6G
If you copy and paste the link, they should work.
Thank you so much for following this blog.
Tim
Hi, Tim,
Thank you for your comment on my blog. It looks like you’re getting off to a great start in blogging. You can create more pages as well, and you might want to put some information about After Dark with some links to it. Your story Blind Date was good. Reminds me of a song from long ago. Keep posting! Listen to me who is so behind!
Reaching out to other writers is the key. You can acquire so much information.
Thanks again.
Mary
Forgive me for getting your Kindle book title wrong. I really did mean After Hours. So sorry.
Mary,
I will get both of these at the same time.
Thanks for taking the time to read the story and make the reply. It means a lot.
The book is on Amazon – Kindle Books – After Hours – Tim Keen.
I do certainly appreciate the reply.
Good luck with all, Tim. You might find some good ideas for publishing in Sunday Rally Dispatch at Jingle Poetry.
http://jinglepoetry.blogspot.com/2010/12/sunday-rally-dispatch-12122010.html
Keep on writing!
Jamie Dedes
Excellent blog, Mr. Tim! Do keep writing!
Thanks for the kind words and more importantly, for just taking the time to read what I have thrown out there.
As for the previous post where you so kindly offered assistance, what you have done is really all I can ask. Read what I write and tell me what you like or don’t like (reasons, please). It is all I can ask of anyone.
Thanks for the visit!!!
Enjoyed both stories. I hope you continue to blog.
Thanks,
Michael
booguloo,
I am glad you liked the stories. Merry Day After Christmas to you.
Thanks,
Tim
Hey Tim,
All success to you in your writing and publishing journey!
I relate strongly, having completed my first novel and needing to push myself in a similar direction. Also, my husband and I have a thing for country music and are super keen to visit Nashville 🙂
Cool to see Jamie here too – another gifted writer! I’ll get to reading more on both your blogs soon…
Happy writing!
Naomi
Naomi,
That is what I like to see, fellow writers coming to the site and giving me feedback. It is much valued and much appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim
Thank you for taking the time to visit my site…I like the stories you have posted on your blog and I look forward to reading more of them.
Hi Tim – ah, I thought I had subscribed to your site the other day…I must have been having a blonde moment (my excuse for everything).
Thanks for visiting my site recently and I look forward to reading more of your writing in the future xx
Thanks, Chloe. Glad to have you.
I’ve been through your part of the country a time or two as a truck driver. When I was a rookie back in 1999 I got a 53′ trailer and a long nose truck as my ride for a hotshot company. I was laid up in Richmond for two days at the time. The problem I had with that rig in Richmond was 1800’s style roads and a fire hydrant and telephone pole on every corner. I made it out of there but I can still remember to this day how white knuckling it was for me just trying to do that very thing!
Beautiful thorough bred farms though…My dad was trainer of the year in Oklahoma in either 1985 or 86. We raced all over the country but farms like those around you are truly something amazing to see. Take care!
I agree. I don’t live in Lexington, but I travel there quite often. There is nothing quite a picturesque as a Kentucky horse farm.
Tim
Sounds like you’re doing a great job of getting out there and connecting in the writing community, Tim. I’d be interested in hearing more about your Kindle publishing experience. My novel is with an agent but nothing is happening. I do believe e-publishing is where we’re going. I plan on leaving the first one with her for now and finishing the rewrite on the second…then I’ll see. I’ll be off-line for a couple of days (driving through the middle of nowhere) but hope to keep in touch.
I will certainly keep you posted on the Kindle experience. I can tell you a couple of things up front (I had a book for sale briefly and pulled it down):
On Kindle, you are your own editor. If you put the book up for sale, then you are the sole owner of the mistakes that are there. This is the reason I pulled my book down. I did not want to put an inferior product up for sale.
On Kindle, you are your own publicist. No one is going to Kindle in search of Tim Keen. In the articles I have read from people who have successfully self-published the one thing that is made clear is that the would be author must have a web prescence. You must reach out and make contact with other people on the web. No one goes to the store and buys and ebook.
You obviously have the second one down as I have already met you and liked your blog.
As for the first one, my recommendation is that you rely on a friend for you editing. Very few people are effective self editors. That is why we know the terms, whey there are writers…and editors.
Hop this helps.
So, you’ll try again with the Kindle later?
I’m so impressed at your web presence already. You started this blog in Dec. 2010 and already get 30 comments per post or more? What is your secret? Are you tweeting like crazy? Commenting like crazy?
I haven’t attempted to sell my two poetry books on Kindle or any other reader for a different reason: I simply don’t think poems are going to sell on an e-reader, or, if they do, I’ll be getting about 1 cent per poem. I’m not money hungry, but I think my poems deserve wider spaces, and perfect formatting (I’ve heard not all ereaders format them the way you intended them to look). So, I wait. I’m not saying never to the readers. I’m just…waiting till I figure out if it’s worth all the time I’ll put into the project. Meanwhile, my poetry work is available on Lulu, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, as a POD books and also as PDF e books, and my two nonfiction books are in Canadian bookstores.
Let’s keep comparing notes. I really mean it when I say I’m impressed with your following.
Heather,
The answer to the first question is yes. I plan to be back on Kindle very soon. I pulled the first version down to revamp it. I want to have it back up by the end of the month. I have a new short story that I feel pretty good about. It is currently in review by a friend of mine (I am a horrible editor). As soon as it is done, I am going to post the short story and put the book, which a collection of short stories, back on Kindle at the same time. Hopefully the short story will drive the traffic to the book.
The answer to the second question is a yes but I don’t know what my secret is. I do not tweet. I am not even on facebook. I just started out going on to different websites and commenting on the various blog sites that not only interested me, but I thought I would have something in common with. You and I have obviously connected very well and I am richer for it. If you are the only person I had met, I would have felt blessed. The following I have received befuddles me.
I have been absolutely amazed at the number of comments and the number of hits I have been getting. I do believe I am good at writing short stories, or at least I feel good about myself when I write them. I never thought I had anything to say that was interesting outside of them, though. On a whim one night, I deciced to toss a blog out there that wasn’t a short story, but my take on why I write. I didn’t have a plan other than giving people who visited my sight something to read. To my amazement, it has kind of taken off. To do something, anything, and get praised for it is an honor. Receiving the praise for doing the thing that is at the very core of being is so good that it is beyond explanation. I think you know something about that.
As far as what you do with Kindle, I can’t comment. I am not qualified. You poetry is available in so many venues and mine in none, that I can’t ofer advice.
I look forward to comparing notes. In fact, I crave it.
Keep on writing!
This is good advice, Tim, and I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me about it. My first novel has been workshopped and with an agent, so I hope that one’s in good shape. A writing critique group friend who worked as an editor has reviewed the second and I’m planning on working it in these next few months. Thanks again.
You have an agent and a friend who is also an editor in your corner. You also write very well. I should be getting advice from you, I think, not the other way around. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read and hear. Good luck with it all.
Tim
I agree with Heather as far as publishing poetry. I’m looking more at the market for novels. The market for first time novelists is dismal, according to what I’ve been reading.
I am so happy for all the comments. Thanks stopping by.
Tim
For liv2write2day– Trying to publish a novel for first time authors is dismal for sure, but not impossible. Don’t give up. It’s not an easy job, and it doesn’t stop after publication. Marketing is the hard part as well. Follow your dreams of being a published author. E-books are a big thing. That’s what I’m going for next time.
Mary
Hey Tim! Just wanted to stop by your site and learn a little bit about you. So neat that you write short stories… my boyfriend is actually big into writing, and wants to write a few short stories himself. I’m going to suggest your site to him! He actually has a blog/webpage too… ryanmcshane(dot)com.
I am glad you stopped by and thanks for the recommendation to your boyfriend. I will check out his blog for sure. If you like short stories, there are some in my blog.
Thanks,
Tim
I enjoyed reading you and will be looking forward to more 🙂 Thanks so much also for your kind comment on the photograph on my page, much appreciated !
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find something that intrigues you. I do love your post as well.
Tim
Just read through several of your posts and I find it amazing how creative one can be! Good luck on your writing journey 🙂
Thanks.
Tim
Thanks for the comment on my blog, Tim! Good luck with the publishing!! 🙂
Your welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Tim, your stories are AMAZING! Best of luck to your publishing! 🙂
Thank you so much! I hope it goes well. I am absolutely determined to make it work.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tim
Hi Tim, thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving a comment ~ it is very much appreciated and comes at a timeous moment for me. *Grin* I have always wanted to write fiction… however, just something I have only ventured to do a couple of times, which pieces lay forgotten somewhere in my hard drive. *Grin* I have always admired those who can write fiction, (which I read in obsessive quantities) and especially those who do it well, as you obviously do.
I hope you realise all your aspirations and are richly rewarded for your endeavours.
Have an awesome day, Mands 😉
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you found everything enjoyable.
Tim
Thank you for calling into My Gothic Realm Tim, I see that you are endeavouring to become a full time writer, although in my own humble opinion publishing one’s own work seems a tad drastic as with the many vanity presses out there these days that do not offer a realistic future as an author.
However after saying this I do wish you well in your quest, I have read a number of your added blogs here and you do seem to have a way with words, just continue your efforts and do try publishing your scripts through a well established publisher my friend as this will have a much better outcome, even if the road to success in this instance is indeed a little slower.
Be well now and do call by again if you are ever in the neighbourhood…
Androgoth
Just wanted to thank you for visiting my blog and invite you to come back many more times too. I’m a bit of a “wannabe” writer but mine -should I ever work on that “call” would be non-fiction since my interests are mainly history and family tree stuff and my grandkids and my ability to write dialogue (a much needed thing for fiction) is pretty slim! So, kind of limits me, ya know.) But I do love to read whenever I find the time and I will gladly check into your writings.
Looking forward to doing that later today!
Jeni Hill Ertmer
Jeni,
A writer is a writer and I am happy to be following your blog. Thanks for taking the time to respond and I hope very much that you like what I have written.
Tim
I’m really impressed Tim, keep on writing!
Thanks!
Tim
Tim: First of all, thank you so much for stopping by my blog! How on earth did you find me? I am in the process of a rather arduous undertaking of self-promotion. Rather distasteful to me, but necessary, as I am endeavoring to launch a free lance “career.” I am excited about your own efforts, and I will be downloading your book soon. I would do it today, except I just blew my budget on the first (of two, so far) collection of humor writing from the “New Yorker” magazine called “Fierce Pajamas.”
The third installment of “Jannick” hooked me from the start. I will soon catch myself up with the first two. It has left me wondering about what happens next, which is always the goal of a good writer – and, from the brief bit I have read, I believe you are! I love reading fiction. I would like to write it, and occasionally stretch my writing muscles that way, but I’m far from satisfied with my product so far. I lean more toward observational humor and memoir style, in addition to a variety of poetry styles – whatever comes to mind or strikes my fancy for the day!
I am highly interested in objective criticism as well. I wonder if you might be interested in an exchange of some sort? I am not an expert, but I know what I like, and I am not looking for a poetry expert – just someone willing to read and offer impressions! If this is of interest to you, give me a shout-out via e-mail at: paulatc@hotmail.com
In any event, thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to many more visits here, and to reading your collection soon.
I wish you enough. . .
Paula
Paula,
Thanks so much for taking the time to read the stories and even more for liking them. It means a great deal to me. I look forward to future conversations with you.
Tim
Best of luck with ‘Jannick’ Tim.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
I love visiting! Thanks for the luck.
Tim
hi tim im not a writer but really enjoyed reading your blog il def be back to read some more when time allows xxjen
Thank you, Jenny. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Tim
Thanks for visiting my blog today. I will return when I have a little more time to read some of your stories. Nice to meet you! Hugs, pat
Thanks for stopping by, Pat. I hope to be putting more out there later. I will be checking in on you from time to time. I love your work.
Tim
thanks for visit tim lovely to see you on my space glad you enjoyed music tracks have a great sunday sunshine here again how about you xxjen
The sun is out here, although we have had much needed rain here in the last couple of days. Gotta get about three hours or so of work out of the way and all will be well. Have a great Sunday yourself.
Tim
hi tim just called to read your poem im off to find out about after dark next hve a great week xxjen
Good to hear from you again. I hope you like what you find.
Tim
Thank you for your frequent visits to my pages and for your kind comments on my photos. It’s very much appreciated. I haven’t yet delved far back into your archives, but am looking forward to doing so. Thanks again.
You are welcome very much. The photos are awesome. Anyone who is reading this post who likes photos should go check out this blog.
Tim
Thank you for calling by Tim and I will be
venturing through your postings as soon
as i get an opportunity…
Have a wickedly fine
Halloween Weekend Tim 🙂
Androgoth
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find something you like.
Tim
Good to see you posting again. I enjoy reading your style of writing, it seems to flow effortlessly; but we know that’s not usually the case, is it? Thanks for visiting my blog today.
I like the idea that it flows effortlessly, but all of us that write know that it takes some work. Please come back when you have the chance.
Tim
Hi, should have read this part first as I said I did not think you were from the US because you said “poured her a large helping into a glass.” Perhaps it is a regional difference. I am from Florida…the southern part without transplants from snow states. We would give you a large helping of mashed potatoes and fill up your glass with beer. Isn’t it interesting how these little things give away differences? I get into trouble when I get phrases wrong here in Brazil, but Brazilians are quick to laugh and help me get it right. Writing is fun and I am always learning so much from it. hugs, pat
Pat,
It is likely just an error in my writing actually. I am not sure if the word helping is used in my context around here in southern Kentucky or not. I will have to pay a little more attention when I am talking to people.
On a side note, my wife and I have gone to Florida several times and we always end up on the beaches around the tourists and the snowbirds. I love it. It is a beautiful state. However, I have always wanted to go inland around the lakes, to the rural areas and meet the people who have grown up there. It’ll probably never happen, but it is something I would like to do. I didn’t realize that there was anyone in Florida that would even know was a “helping” was.
Thanks for the visit, Pat. Please keep reading. (I guess that is up to me and my skill as a writer, huh?)
I am just calling by to thank you for calling into my Space
and commenting, I of course will be returning the favour
and eventually getting here for a good read, to be honest
I am literally miles behind with everyone, but I will certainly
be browsing your past offerings soon Tim…
Have a great weekend 🙂
Androgoth
Thanks for the follow! Now my interest is peeked and I have started delving into your stories…which seem to be a lovely read! Happy New year to you 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find something you can enjoy.
Tim
I hope that your New Year of 2012
will be a most excellent one my friend 🙂
Androgoth
Thank you very much for stopping by my blog.
…and for following my blog.
My pleasure. Thanks for coming by as well. I hope you stick around and find something you like.
Tim
Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog! It’s always nice to meet another blogger!
Thanks, Debbie. I am glad you stopped by as well.
Tim
Hey Tim! How cool you self-published a book. I will have to check it out when I have a little more time. I appreciate you coming by my blog and leaving a comment. I’ll look forward to seeing you next week when I post photos from my New Orleans trip, which will, most likely, further your desire to visit. Go wildcats!
My husband has been to Franklin and says it is a beautiful town.
Cheers!
Hey thanks for stopping by and thanks for the Wildcats cheer. I think the little place where I grew up is pretty special. A lot of people down there in Nashville try to sing about what it is like to be from the country, but I grew up in it. I lived it. It was special growing up here and continues to be special as an adult.
Tim
Tim, you are doing something I wish I could do – write fiction. Most of my writing is based on my real life and I wish I had the creativity to branch out. My husband writes poetry and is working on his first self-published collection right now so I think that’s as close as I’m going to get! Best wishes to you in your authorly endeavors and I look forward to reading! ~Emily
Emily,
Thanks for stopping by. Keep on writing. It is creative even if you think you are writing your real life. Good luck to your husband. I hope to read those works soon.
Thanks,
Tim
Congratulations on your book Tim! I wish you lots of success with it! ~~ Tessa
Hi Tim…Happy to meet your blog too! You come back and look at “farm and ranch” pictures whenever you want. 🙂
I look forward to having some down time and perusing what you have written.
All my best…
~d.
Thanks. Welcome aboard. I hope you will come back and check out some of the stories.
Tim
Congrats on your book Tim!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I see that we share a similar reference point, as I am not far from Nashville myself 🙂 I’m going to take a look at your book on Amazon here shortly. Best wishes to you!
Thanks so much. I am glad to have met you. I hope you will visit again.
Tim
It is really an honor to nominate you for the Inspiring Blogger Award and the Sunshine Blogger award.
Please check on; http://meirozavian.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/nominated-for-awards/.
Congratulations!!!
Blessings,
mei
Hello Tim, thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Have a great week
You are welcome. I hope your week is great as well.
Tim
I’m mostly a poet – but through a writing prompt at http://flashyfiction.blogspot.com/
I’ve attempted a few short pieces that I’ve posted in their comments sections of the days I’ve written or here:
http://julesinflashyfiction.wordpress.com/
Thanks for stopping by. I’ve book marked your site, so when time permits I can visit again.
Happy New Year.
Thanks. I hope you do find time.
Tim
I’ll have to check out your book. My Kindle is always waiting for new things to show me.
I appreciate that. I hope you like it.
Tim
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Tim! I read the story you posted today ~ wow! I can’t wait to read your other stories.
Thanks, Jill. I hope you like what you read.
Thank you for dropping by and commenting. Good luck with your next endeavour. 🙂
You’ve got an extremely impressive blog, can’t wait to read more.
Thank you for remarking on my latest post “My Mother’s Daughter” and checking in with my blog. So glad you did, because now I’ve found your wonderful blog. How’d we miss each other all this time? I think we’ve both been blogging for 5 years. Cheers!
Thanks visit my blog this morning.
This is a nice “About” page, Tim. Wishing you huge success. Hugs.
Cool Tim! Nice to meet you 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Congratulations on being self-published – that’s quite an accomplishment.
I look forward to following this blog. It’s just great!
Thankin you so much for choosing to follow my humble blog! I will enjoy exploring yours. All the best to you in your writing!
Hi Tim, you’ve been blogging for a long time, I feel like a baby in comparison. Look forward to exploring and reading more of your blog, which looks great, and reading your short stories. Good luck with everything. Cheers and warmest wishes from Australia.
Hi Tim, thank you for coming by and following my blog. I look forward to exploring your site. Have a very nice day!! Steph
Hi Tim! Thank you for following me. 🙂 Good luck on your plans and I am looking forward to reading more of you.
Thanks for the follow. Best of luck with your book. I’m from central Indiana, so I can relate to your part of the country. We use to spend time at Lake Cumberland when I was a kid.
Thank you for following my blog!
Thanks so much for following ZimmerBitch and introducing me to your blog. Cheers, Su.
Nice to meet you, Tim 🙂 I just read one your short stories which was fantastic. I look forward to reading more of them and following your blog 🙂
Hi, Tim! Just stopping by to say thanks for visiting at my place, and the follow. Much appreciated. I enjoyed reading your latest posted story. 🙂
Hi, thanks for the follow on my blog! And congrats on self-publishing a book. I checked it out on Amazon. If I may make a suggestion: have you considered redo-ing the cover? I think if you had a more visually striking and smooth cover, it would attract a lot more readers 🙂
Jade,
Thanks for stopping by, checking out my book, and for the advice. I am soon to self-publish another and will take the advice to heart. Your suggestions are always welcomed.
If I can ask: I had one review and the reviewer had some concerns about the way his Kindle reader viewed it. Did you have the same troubles?
Thanks,
Tim
Of course you can ask, and I didn’t view it on a Kindle; I did however check out the preview page available on the Amazon site and just on that 1 page alone, I can see the same issues your reviewer mentioned. No paragraph line breaks so everything’s just blocks of texts with no white space to counter it, and I think the story itself might benefit from another editor. The sentences don’t flow as smoothly as they could 🙂
Good luck on your future work! Looking forward to it!
Thanks for the response.
Doesn’t Franklin have an exit off I-65?
Yes, two of them. Exit two and six.
Thanks for becoming subscriber. Happy blogging.
Hi Tim, thanks for dropping by my little nest. I’m squeezing internet time in the library at the moment but look forward to reading you posts soon.
I look forward to it as well. Sorry for the late response. I had some technical difficulty.
Hope you worked it out, Tim.
Jeni,
Thanks for stopping by.
Tim
Thank-you so much for visiting my blog and for the follow. I have read a couple of your posts tonight and will be back for more. Clare
Clare,
Thanks for reading.
Tim
Great blog! I’m a new follower and am looking forward to reading more!
Ena https://prettyplusandproud.wordpress.com/
Thanks for the follow. Sorry it took so long for me to respond.
Hi Tim,
Thanks so much for the blog follow. It has led me to your blog, which I am now following.
I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Happy blogging.
Nancy
Look forward to more posts. Thanks for the follow as well.
Tim
I watch that show all the time on pbs
Franklin barbecue
Love the show
Thanks for visiting
See you on the side of creativity
The Sheldon Perspective
Thanks for taking the time to visit as well.
Tim
Hello Tim, thanks for stopping by my Purpose-driven achiever blog and for following me. Most appreciated. I see you have been around the blogging world since 2010. I will be back to check out some of your posts. Meanwhile trust things are going well with your publishing aspirations.
I want to thank you for stopping by. As for the publishing aspect, I have a few hundred things to learn but am eager to do just that.
Tim
Thank you for following https://thecomfortablecoop.wordpress.com . I’m truly honored. I can’t wait to start reading your work!
Is Franklin close to Bowling Green? My mom used to live there.
Franklin is twenty miles south of BG.