S.L. Vaden Author Buy Now

Author: S.L. Vaden

  • Free story on Wattpad

    Free story on Wattpad

    The Blood Guard
    “Every step he took to take down the conclave, he felt he was pushed back to the start of the long run. But he endured and kept going. No matter what happened, no matter what fate had in store, he would persevere.” – Anthony

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  • A writer goes by many names.

    A writer goes by many names.

    Writing is much more than putting words on paper or typing on a keyboard.

    As a writer, I’ve learned that many of us aren’t just one title. We are tellers of stories and creator of worlds that must be descriptive and original and have a vast vocabulary with good story flow. Writers must manage their time efficiently in writing, editing, proofreading, and researching. Characters must have depth, while the creator must remain flexible, adaptable, and have an eye for detail.

    All the while keeping up with social media, networking, advertising, blogging, and more. On top of it all is self-motivation, which can be a difficult task for any of us. But without it, there would be no story, no blog, nothing.  We are our own content creator, copywriter, researcher, proofreader, editor, blogger, time manager, social media manager, publicist, to name a few.

    We are also not our first drafts. Spending hours writing, editing, and creating. Being a writer isn’t just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle.

  • Poem of loss

    My heart sings for you. To come and stay. Never to stray.

    Why do those who are pure, leave us too soon?

    Why does the pain always stay?

    The song of your life echoes around me.

    Bringing back memories of loss and love.

    Will wishing bring you back?

    How can you be gone when my heart feels you so close to me?

    I turn to see a shadow of what was. Now only a living memory inside me.

    Can this truly be life?

    Love and loss?

    Tell me, is there a way to bring you closer?

    To bring you back from a place I cannot follow?

    How can your love remain when you are far away?

    Step by step I feel you next to me.

    Not even a shadow remains.

    But your memories will forever fill my days.

    – S.L. Vaden

  • Reaching out.

    To those having a hard time. Don’t tell them “everyone lives like that and you’re not the only one having a hard time.” Because the person knows that and those words don’t show you care or that you’re listening.

    For years I’ve tried to speak about depression. Not just for myself but others. Because it’s not something that should be hidden away in the dark to make others feel comfortable.

    Everyone needs someone to listen to them. To let them speak about what hurts them. Burying feelings and acting like they don’t exist only make them build inside us.

    Society views on depression is also not helping. The whole “get over it” “everyone feels that way” and “think happy thoughts” don’t help.

    People need to feel safe to talk about their feelings.

    So if someone reaches out to you and they’re sad or in a dark place. Listen to them and show that you care.

    Let’s help one another heal.

  • Dare to care.

    Dare to care.

    Dare to care for your neighbor

    Dare to care for someone of another race

    Dare to care for someone with a different background

    Dare to care for someone who doesn’t speak your language

    Dare to care for someone with a different religion

    Dare to care for the sick

    Dare to care for the needy

    Dare to care for the hurt

    Dare to care for someone you don’t know

    Dare to care by wearing a mask

    Dare to care by respecting another

    Dare to care by being kind

    Dare to care by speaking sweet words

    Dare to care by showing someone you love them

    Dare to care for the human race.

    Dare to care

  • The past is not your present. And your present shapes your future.

    The past is not your present. And your present shapes your future.

    For those who suffer from the pain of the past, from words that scarred, wounds that have never healed. This is for you, know that we are stronger than our pasts.

    What we do in the past can and does haunt us. But we are not who we once were. Your past self is a different version of you. Younger and inexperienced.

    Through the years, we learn, and a lot of what we learn is through our mistakes. And that’s how it should be—a learning experience.

    But many of us hold on to those mistakes and take them with us like luggage through life’s travels.
    This only weighs us down, making it hard to move forward.

    While we walk our paths, we see others moving faster, achieving their dreams, and we wonder why not us?

    The weight of the past can fog our minds and clog our hearts. Making thoughts muddled, and our hearts closed to new things.
    It’s like trying to run a race with the flu. Difficult. This doesn’t mean you won’t finish your race. It might just take longer, and things might end up being harder in the long run due to not letting go.

    I’m not saying forget. I’m saying, forgive. Forgive yourself for those past mistakes. Ones you can not take back, no matter how much you want to.

    Forgive those who hurt you and try to understand that they probably don’t even remember or think of what they did to you.
    This is hard not to pick at the scars of the past. It’s like shedding a layer of yourself. But when you do, you will be able to move more freely and breathe deeper.

    With the loss of the past brings a promising future.

    Let the present time be that—a present to yourself. One where you heal yourself and put past hurts behind. Find what brings you happiness. Concentrate on happiness, even the smallest things. Days will bring hardship but also joy, hold on to it, and never let go. Let it fill you and course through your veins.

    For your future and present self. Forgive and shed what weighs you down. You deserve a bright future. One where the past does not haunt you, but is like a history book to be visited only when needed.

  • Poems through the years

    Now available on audible, ebook – free on kindle unlimited and available on paper back.

    For more information got to – https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B084L786V9/ref=dbs_a_w_dp_b084l786v9

  • San Diego Public Library Local Author Spotlight – Legend of Zelkova: Umbras

    Listen to a snippet from my latest in the Zelkova series, Legend of Zelkova: Umbras. From the San Diego Public Library’s local author spotlight.

    Please take a look and tell me what you think.

  • Finding The Word Count That Suits You

    I’ve been asked by many people what word count do I set for each day or week.

    Even after five books, I still don’t set a daily word count for myself. I write more when inspiration hits. Which means my word count for a day could range from 0 to 3,000.

    Some people do better setting a word count goal. That helps them feel motivated.

    For me, it puts more pressure on than is needed. This doesn’t mean I don’t sit down and push myself to write. Because I do. It just means that I don’t put added pressure by word count.

    Weather you write a little or a lot, you should feel accomplished, because you have written.

    On days where you don’t write, that’s fine to. Use that time to rest, get inspiration and think of your next step.

    One thing I do advise everyone to do, is to take notes. No matter where you are, or what time it is. If an idea comes to mind, write it down.

    Another is to NOT delete your work. Even if you don’t want to continue it. It can serve for inspiration later on. Always keep your work, notes and all.

    And no matter what you get done, be proud of what you have accomplished. And how far you’ve come from where you once were. Even if that means half a step or a mile. Just keep moving forward and you will meet your destination.

  • Interview with S.L. Vaden by Allauthor.com

    This interview will show a deeper side of why I write. Please check out the full interview at https://allauthor.com/interview/slvaden, comment your thoughts. Here are a few samples from the interview. I hope you enjoy it.

    Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

    I lean towards being diverse and original. To push away from cookie-cutter and white-washed characters. To have worlds where they don’t have to follow the rules that are set for us in society. Such as how a male and female should or shouldn’t act or dress. Breaking the barriers that people set on each other, and on ourselves is what I want to break. Not just breaking the glass ceiling, but the walls that surround us all, keeping us inline to what society views us as. One of my poems even mentions something like this.

    How long did it take you to write your book, Iris Before The Storm?

    The writing process took about ten months. The editing part seemed to take almost as long but was only about four months. So, all in all, over a year. This was the shortest time span in which I had written and edited a book, and it’s also my second longest so far.