I came across this blog entry by ysabetwordsmith about various ways of supporting your favorite authors.  You will be surprised at the number of options you have as a fan!  Here are the categories featured in this article:

1)  Buy what your favorite authors have published

2) Route money directly to authors

3) Promote and participate in events

4) Generate buzz or simply spread the word to your friends

5) Give feedback to your favorite author

These points are explained in more detail here:

http://ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com/159789.html


Support your favorite author to keep them publishing more frequently and to encourage them!  Writing is more difficult than you think; it is both a talent and discipline that needs hours of practicing and growth.  It means promoting your book (which involves an audience), going on tour to sign them, speaking, and possibly working another job to keep afloat.  It's a lot of work and authors also need feedback!  Buy new copies instead of used ones...start supporting what you love. There are also various sites you can join to see what your favorite author's new projects are and these sites allow you to give feedback to them directly (whether good or bad).  Many authors even allow their fans to give them ideas about new projects. This article was very informative and helpful to me, as a budding author myself.  I found this to be an interesting read.  ^_^

You Are An INFJ

The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience. You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. In love, you truly see relationships as an opportunity to connect and grow. You enjoy relationships as long as they are improving and changing. You can't stand stagnation. At work, you stay motivated and happy... as long as you are working toward a dream you support. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher. How you see yourself: Hardworking, ethical, and helpful When other people don't get you, they see you as: Manipulative, weak, and unstable

I would have to say this is pretty accurate! ^_^ I am definitely the more emotional, deep, and introspective type. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed my Spring Break so far! For some reason, I feel like there have been dramatic changes in my life and in my attitude; I feel like a new woman! This past Monday, I felt so much happier, upbeat, and motivated than I usually do. For once, I actually felt motivated enough to finish my homework assignments (I usually feel too tired to do them).  I feel mentally worn out from a long year of school though, needless to say.  I am glad that there are only five weeks left after this! ^_^  I am very excited about the upcoming wedding and I am considering getting my dress custom-made. I'm thinking Lavendar! ^_^

I found a really nice and classy cobalt top today with diamond buttons that I will wear to the rehearsal dinner. We found a steal at Michael's--a pre-lit wedding arch for $20 on sale! Not bad! We can always add ribbon and decorate it later.

Invitations are next on the list.

I look forward to having more fun this week! I am super excited about visiting my friend Jennifer tomorrow to watch some good anime and enjoy pizza. ^_^ That's my way of relaxing!  I strongly recommend watching the movies Atonement and The Witches of Eastwick. They are both wonderful movies. Jack Nicholson was very believable as the devil in the latter movie and there is this one scene with Veronica Cartwright that steals the whole movie! I swear I watched this scene five or six times and I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe! Good times! ^_^

Also, if anyone is interested in reading my novel so far (8 chapters and seven pages) feel free to leave a comment! I will send it to you as an attachment via email.

I wish everyone an enjoyable and relaxing weekend!