THE MEMOIRS OF SUMMER RAY

I look above my computer to my shelf, where my entire Summer Ray book series is displayed. After my head injury in my early 30’s, my remembrance of it all and writing the story – is almost non existent. I simply have no recollection of it. This is due to the part of my brain that holds long and short term memories was impaired. If I try to think of a memory, I am hit with shooting pain. So, I have learned over the years, not to do that anymore. But if I have questions, I either look it up or ask someone close to me. I also take a lot of pictures – to the point, I am definitely annoying. But looking at old pictures, does help my memory.

I am always adding to my knowledge of the film and book industry. It seems like it changes often and there is also this need to keep up with the new updates. I think I do a pretty good job. But it can be tedious work. But that comes with the business. Just when I feel I got something right, nope! The format is leveled up. Which truly, is not a bad thing. It does make things more professional. It has taken me years to add an, “About The Author Juliana Love” tab to this website. https://thememoirsofsummerray.com/about-the-author-juliana-love/. I cannot stand talking about myself. In fact, I hate attention. But in this business, I am faced with it all the time and I just want to recoil back into my shell and hide.

I love just sitting in my office, typing away and not having to deal with the outside world. But when it comes time to meet my readers, or talk to investors – this is not a good thing. It is a whole skill level that I am trying to learn. Our Fiscal Sponsor Carole Dean of From the Heart Productions, www.fromtheheartproductions.com, did a podcast with a man named, Gary Hankins, who wrote a book titled, “The Power of the Pitch.”

Although, I have read this book several times, I am reading it again. It is true what the Bible says, “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) Meaning, just because I read this book over and over, it didn’t mean it was time for me to pitch those years I read it, because I didn’t. I do believe, however, that I need to get prepared as those times are coming and I had better be ready. But the hardest thing for me to do, is to talk about my work. I can talk about others and their work just fine. But when it comes to my own stuff, it feels really off. But if I don’t get it out there and do it, I may miss the help we need in getting this project into production. But some of this is working on my own personal brand. Which is a whole different thing. I don’t understand book signings and why people want me to sign my books.

Trust me! I fumble all the time at book signings. It isn’t that I don’t believe in my work or in the story of Summer Ray, because I absolutely 100 percent do. It is just, why is it so important that I sign the books? I am not a doctor, firefighter, police officer, in the military or even a stay at home mom anymore. I kind of cringe when I am asked to sign my books. But then, I am reminded of a quote from Stan Lee, “on the importance of storytelling!”

“I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic-book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: Entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it, they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you’re able to entertain people, you’re doing a good thing.“

One of our missions is to help people not, “go off the deep end.” If the story of Summer Ray is helping people to be entertained and understood, or found when they are lost, or welcomed when they feel cast out, then this story is a good thing because it points to the human need in all of us and that is love, acceptance, hope, and especially Light!

But I will always give God the glory for any good we do, because He is the one who is empowering us to continue doing it. If we can help people escape the outside world of darkness and just help them to step into our world of Summer Ray, for however long that is, maybe they will see the limitless possibilities of how truly amazing life can be. I almost committed suicide and had I done that, I never would of met my grandchildren. I never would have become an author. I never would have moved to Gettysburg. I never would have seen that life could actually get better. Hold on to hope and give God a chance! You have no idea what and who you will become if you give up! This is part of why we do what we do. We are wanting to help you in your journey as well.

God Bless You,

Juliana

References: www.biblegateway.com; https://www.rd.com/list/stan-lee-quotes/