Down to the Cover Art

 

“It seems my heart is made of tissue paper; I wish the world would handle it more delicately.”  ― Richelle E. Goodrich, A Heart Made of Tissue Paper A Heart Made of Tissue Paper      The title above is the title of my soon-to-be-released book of poetry. The completed manuscript was edited and approved for publication mid-June 2023. Shortly afterward, a copyright request was filed. So what are we waiting on now?        The artwork.        A book cover is in the works, including a few sketches for black-and-white illustrations to be printed below individual poems. I think the most challenging part, and probably the most time-consuming part, is deciding on a final cover picture. How do you narrow it down? And yes, the artwork itself takes significant time once the idea for a cover is decided.         What can you expect from this book of poetry? Eighty-six original poems penned by me. Be prepared for heartfelt verses you might relate to on a deep level as well as poems that simply make you smile. This book is divided into seven chapters, each chapter touching on a specific emotion experienced by the human heart. For example, the chapter titled TO LOVE includes a dozen poems about the emotions dealing with aspects of love. The chapter titled TO LOATH includes poetry touching on harsher experiences. There are seven chapters in all with a variety of poetic styles including sonnets, free verse, cinquains, haikus, and other forms of poetry. It is relatable poetry for the whole of humanity.        A Heart Made of Tissue Paper will be available for preorder soon (August 2023.) When it is released, the book will be available for purchase in kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble bookstores.        I hope you get a chance to read and enjoy my poetry, and if you do... please, leave a positive rating and a short review on Amazon and Goodreads. It truly does help sell more copies. Thank you in advance!  The Tarishe Curse, my latest book, was released last October 2022. If you have not found a copy yet, it is still available in kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. SUMMARY: "Vengeance is a monster of appetite, forever bloodthirsty and never filled."  --Richelle E. Goodrich Tarishe is a modest village surrounded by fortress walls meant to keep out one thing: werewolves. In truth, the wolves are scarcely bothersome and seldom seen excepting one night a year when a blood-red moon appears. This full Tarishe moon never fails to herald the arrival of an entire pack of hairy beasts, drawn to the village like greedy dragons to golden treasure. It is difficult enough to protect a young family in this world of dangerous creatures, but such a feat proves near impossible when an old witch bent on vengeance casts a curse that manipulates both heart and mind. The battle for survival is not only with a sword but an internal struggle to love those the curse has targeted for hatred, and to hate the one who through evil enchantment manipulates her enemy’s affections. How long will it take to learn that the old monster, vengeance, is insatiable? This Tarishe tale is a thrilling piece of fiction told from the Queen of Werefolk's point of view. What am I working on now?      Presently, I am concentrating on finishing the book cover and a few illustrations for A Heart Made of Tissue Paper.  Expect a pre-order date in July 2023.      While I have been creating original works of poetry, I have also accumulated new quotes and short stories for another book similar to Smile Anyway, which includes 365 original quotes, poems, and short stories for every day of the year. This upcoming book will be titled Hope Evermore.   Poem by Richelle E. Goodrich:  How does a tiny heart harbor so many clashing sentiments? One moment it is devoted. The next, purely disdaining. Weeping at tremendous heartache and then laughing, lighthearted, through the same tears. How can a heart rage so fierce as to boil blood while it turns to ice?     How is this done?     To love, hate, esteem, deride, rejoice, deplore, favor, resent—all of these and more swirling inside. This sensitive heart, so full and resilient, buoys up to the point of bursting and then deflates on a dime. It is a slave to whims and whispers. How is it that the human heart beats so wild and untamed?   —Richelle E. Goodrich, A Heart Made of Tissue Paper                                          —Copyright 2023 Richelle E. Goodrich _  _  ________________  _  _    As always, help out authors whose work you love by leaving kind reviews on Amazon, iTunes, Goodreads, BandN, Kobo, and other online book retailers. Your positive ratings and reviews help us sell more books. Thank you! Author Website #RichelleGoodrich #books #poetry #bookideas #readers #amwriting #RichelleEGoodrich #poet #author #writer #novelist

The Journey Continues in 2022

     Can you believe nine years have passed since I published my very first book, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue ? It was a dream come true that took two years of initial writing, then editing, followed by a cover illustration, and finally work with a publisher. I was elated the day I held the first printed copy in my hands. I was an actual published author! 

     Soon after, I turned to social media sites to introduce myself and my book to the world. It was great fun gaining new followers little by little over time. Since then, I have received messages and emails from readers about my stories and quotes, not to mention questions from fellow authors about their works in progress. This journey still continues, and it is an exciting one.

     Many quotes from my written works have been posted on memes and media sites for people to enjoy. Some of my quotes have been reprinted in various books including multiple versions of Chicken Soup for the Soul and in an Oxford Philosophy: Being Human course book. One quote was used in a Revlon ad magazine campaign, and another was televised on an opening scene of the tv program, Alone, on the History channel. That was a thrill!

     At the end of each year, I like to look back and compare my starting numbers with present-day numbers such as likes and followers from various places. Progress, even a little, is encouraging. I have learned to appreciate the steady increase in sales, online posts, and loyal readers. So here goes another year of reflection...

Nine years ago, 40 people liked my most popular book quote on Goodreads out of about thirty quotes posted at the time. 

Five years ago, my most popular quote reached 237 likes (out of 977 posted.)  

Today, my most popular quote on Goodreads has 393 likes out of 1,667 quotes posted there. I love it!

Nine years ago, 8 people considered my writing inspiring enough to call themselves a fan or follower on Goodreads. 

Five years ago, the number reached 149. 

Today, 240 people follow me as fans on Goodreads. Thank you!

Nine years ago, I started with 3 followers on Twitter. 

Five years ago, that number increased to 887. 

Today, I have 2,337 Twitter followers. Thank you again!

Five years ago, 13,552 visits were made to my author website. 

Today, my author website has had 20,660 visits (and counting.) Yay!

Five years ago, 441 people followed my Facebook author page, 397 followed me on Instagram, and 41 followed me on Tumblr. 

Today, 918 people follow my Facebook author page, 562 follow my Instagram page, and 208 follow me on Tumbler. 

     Slow and steady progress. I am grateful for it.

     From my first book published in April of 2012, eleven others have followed: a six-book series titled the Harrowbethian Saga; Dandelions, a novel accompanied by a short fairytale; and four motivational books that give readers an original quote/poem/story for every day of the year. Book thirteen will soon follow, a Hallows Eve werewolf adventure titled The Tarishe Curse. I have to say, this is my dream coming true, and I am grateful for every step forward.

    

     I want to add a big THANK YOU to all who have supported me in my writing endeavors. Thanks for purchasing my books, thanks for sharing my books with others, and thanks for leaving kind comments and reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and other websites where my books are sold. It really helps! 

     2021 was a difficult year in personal ways, and I did not get as much writing done as I had hoped. 2022, however, is a fresh chance to make new goals and put pen to paper. I suppose you could say... 

This year, I survived.

Next year, I will thrive! 

Happy New Year, all,

and best of luck on your own personal 2022 goals!

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Looking Back

   Six years ago, I published my first book. I'll admit, holding that smooth paperback copy in my hands, thumbing through the printed pages, was a thrilling experience. I could hardly keep from smiling knowing that every word comprised my own original story. 

     At that same time, I introduced myself on social media. I felt a burst of excitement with every new follower, and I learned to appreciate the slow and steady increase in book sales and internet posts and interviews and every other small event that helped me as a poet and novelist.  

Sometimes it is fun to look back and see how far you've come. Today, on the brink of a new year, it seems like the perfect time for such personal reflection. So here goes.

Six years ago, 40 people "liked" my most popular book quote on Goodreads. Two years ago that number reached 237 "likes." Today, my most popular book quote on Goodreads has 310 "likes."

Six years ago, 8 people considered my writing good enough to call themselves a fan or follower on Goodreads. Two years ago, the number reached 149. Today, 206 people follow me on Goodreads.

Six years ago, I started out with 3 followers on Twitter. Two years ago, that number increased to 887. Today, 1849 people follow me on Twitter.

Other accomplishments include 13,552 visits people have made to my author website, 441 followers on my Facebook author page, 397 followers on my Instagram page, and 122 followers on my Tumblr page. 

From that first book published in April of 2012, nine others have followed. 

I am grateful to all who have supported me as a poet and author. Thank you for purchasing my books. Thank you for leaving kind comments and reviews at Amazon, Goodreads, and other sites where books are sold. Thank you for telling your friends and acquaintences about my works. 

2019 promises to be a good year for writing. Slowly but steadily, I am moving closer to my goal of finding real success as a poet and novelist. Sometimes it is consoling to look back and clearly see that.

Happy New Year, all!


You can follow me on the following social sites:

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Twitter - https://twitter.com/REGoodrich

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/richellegoodrich/

Author Website – https://www.richellegoodrich.com

Author Blog - https://regoodrichnews.blogspot.com/

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Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Richelle-E.-Goodrich/e/B008A6A5W4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vu00_tkin_p1_i9

Ask the Author

     For me, the absolute best thing about writing is the time I spend in make-believe worlds where I share adventures with characters of my own design. It brings great joy into my days and often helps me cope with real life characters whom, unfortunately, I cannot shape to my liking with an enchanted ink pen.




     I'm inspired to write in a number of ways. I surround myself with pictures and objects that remind me of stories I'm working on, things like dragons, pirates, model sailing ships, glittering butterflies, and my favorite statue of two fairies embracing. One of the best inspirational tools for me is to simply daydream for a while. Soon enough, I'm reaching for a pen and notebook to write down the dreamed adventure.




     First, if you want to be a writer, then WRITE! Spend less time thinking, studying, researching, learning, worrying about the art and just write! Write a sentence, a paragraph, a page every day of your life—about anything and everything. Scribble out a poem, a quote, a set of instructions, a portion of a developing novel, a letter to a friend, and so on. Read your work over and edit it. Then set it aside for a while before reading and editing it again. The point is,writing and re-writing are the exercises for authors that lead to excellence.

     Secondly, READ everything. Read books, articles, recipes, blogs, letters, cereal boxes, and so on. Pay attention to the details that draw you in. Note what causes you to lose interest. Keep a journal of what you learn, and refer to it now and then.

     Thirdly, pick up a basic GRAMMAR book and memorize it; put that knowledge to use.

What Love Means

I stand in the night and stare up at a lone star, wondering what love means.  You whisper your desire—do I love you?  I dare say yes.  But my eyes drift back to that solitary star; my mind is plagued with intimate uncertainty.   

What art thou, Love?  Tell me.   

I contemplate what I know—the qualities love doth not possess.  Love lifts no cruel or unkind hand, for it seeketh no harm.  It shirks from constraints and demands, for tyranny is not love.  A boisterous voice never crosses love’s lips, for to speak with thunder chases its very presence from the heart.  Love inflicts no pain, no fear, no misery, but conquers all such foes.  It is said love is not selfish, yet it does not guilt those who are.  On a heart unwillingly given it stakes no claim.  Love is nothing from Pandora’s box; it is no evil, sin, or sorrow unleashed on this world.   

My eyes glimmer as the star I gaze upon twinkles with brightness I do not possess.  I recognize my smallness—my ignorance of the One whose hands placed that star in the heavens for me.   

He is love.  By His own mouth He proclaimed it.   

Again the whispered question hits my ear—do I love you?  I dare say yes.  But my eyes squint tight, wishing on a lonely star, wondering what love means. 

 

― Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway

Halloween Poems by R.E.Goodrich

In the spirit of All Hallows Eve, I dug up a few of my original short Halloween poems. I put some new verses in the mix to celebrate this spooky holiday. I hope you enjoy them.

A pumpkin lives but once a year

when someone sets its soul afire

and on that night it stirs up fear

until its flame is snuffed.

But e'en one night of eerie light is fright enough.

— Richelle E. Goodrich

Monsters excite us in this way or that.
They make our pulse thrum and steal lives from the cat!
They're frightening creatures, one peek and you'll see.
Yet life without monsters, how dull it would be.
Your tense, nervous laugh tells me you disagree?
— Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway

Witches cackle.

Goblins growl.

Spectres boo,

And werewolves howl.

Black cats hiss.

Bats flap their wings.

Mummies moan.

The cold wind sings.

Ogre’s roar.

And crows, they caw.

Vampires bahahahaha.

Warlocks swish their moonlit capes.

Loch Ness monsters churn the lake.

Skeletons, they rattle bones

While graveyards crack the old headstones.

All the while the ghouls, they cry

To trick-or-treaters passing by.

Oh, the noise on Halloween;

It makes me want to scream!

— Richelle E. Goodrich, Slaying Dragons

A Halloween flower,

if ever there was one,

would smell like an onion,

have thorns like a rose.

With charcoal black petals

and vines that entangle,

t'would grow under moonlight

in mud, I suppose.

— Richelle E. Goodrich

Treats and tricks.

Witch broomsticks.

Jack-o-lanterns

Lick their lips.

Crows and cats.

Vampire bats.

Capes and fangs

And pointed hats.

Werewolves howl.

Phantoms prowl.

Halloween’s

Upon us now.

— Richelle E. Goodrich, Slaying Dragons

 

Haunt an old house.

Ask for a treat.

Laugh like a witch.

Lick something sweet.

Offer a trick.

Wander a maze.

Echo a boo.

Exclaim the phrase—

Normal's unnatural on Halloween!

— Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes

The jack-o-lantern follows me with tapered, glowing eyes.
His yellow teeth grin evily. His cackle I despise.
But I shall have the final laugh when Halloween is through.
This pumpkin king I’ll split in half to make a pie for two.
— Richelle E. Goodrich

The coldest day in fall

is at the Hallows Evening ball

where ghoulish fun

avoids the sun

as monsters mingle wall to wall.

— Richelle E. Goodrich

Copyright 2016 Richelle E. Goodrich

Official Website for American Author, Richelle E. Goodrich

    My website has recently undergone a complete renovation, and I have to say I love it!  One of my favorite details is that on every page at the top border there is a stretch of forest behind the title.  It's no secret I have a thing for trees.  They are beautiful creatures and the best keepers of secrets.  So yes, I'm happy with the mystical forests that vary from webpage to webpage.  
    Other things you will find at my official author website include book quotes from my published works, vibrant cover images linked to summaries of each book, information about Harrowbeth and other nations on Moccobatra, a page for comments and questions, and a little blurb about me personally as an author.  Please, go visit my newly remodeled website at RichelleGoodrich.com and take a look around.  It's a walk through the forest, so don't forget to admire the trees!

The Devil's Rose

You would never take a rose from a beast. If his callous hand were to hold out a scarlet flower, his grip unaffected by pricking thorns, you would shrink from the gift and refuse it. I know that is what you would do.

But the cunning beast will have his beauty.

He hunts not in hopeless pursuit, for fear would have you sprint all the day long. Thus, he turns toward the shadows and clutches the rosebud, crunching and twisting until every delicate petal is detached. One falls not far from your feet, and you notice the red spot in the snow. 

The color sparkles in the sunlight, catching your curious eye. No beast stands in sight; there is nothing to fear, so you dare retrieve the lone petal. The touch of temptation is velvet against your thumb. It carries a scent you bring to your nose, and both eyes close to float on a cloud of perfume.

As your lashes lift, another scarlet drop stains the snow at a near distance. A glance around perceives no danger, and so your footprints scar the snowflakes to retrieve another rosy leaflet as soft and sweet as the first. Your eye shine with flecks of golden greed at the discovery of more discarded petals, and you blame the wind for scattering them mere footprints apart. All you want is a few, so you step and snatch, step and snatch, step and snatch.

Soon, there is enough velvet to rub against your cheek like a silken kerchief. Your collection of one-plus-one-more reeks of floral essence.

Distracted, you jump at the sight of the beast in your path. He stands before his lair, grinning without love. His callous hands grip at thorns on a single naked stem, and you look down at your own hands that now cup his rose. But how can it be? You would never take a rose from a beast. You would shrink from the gift and refuse it. 

He knows that is what you would do.

― Richelle E. Goodrich 

Copyright 2015 Richelle E. Goodrich