Just For Thought: Top 5: Why I Write During the Holiday Season?

So, I was having fun last weekend and started this post. It's a crazy time of year to try to add more to the to-do list. So, why not add words. Right? LOL!

The post is live over at The Challenged Writers. I hope you stop by and comment. :) Heck, even follow Jackie and I there. We don't post a lot, but looking to start having discussions about books and writing there periodically.

Thank you!

The Challenged Writers.

If I don't chat with you before then, Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas. Happy New Year!

Just For Thought: A Few Changes & What do you like here at My World...?

While doing NaNoWriMo I started thinking... I want more time to fix up these projects and work on new ones. I want to stretch my legs in a few new avenues as well. But, to do that I need to make time somewhere. I love blogging and sharing all that I read, in different ways. I love blog visiting everyone else too! So...I think it's time I ease up on some of the blogging things.

This will probably affect my responses here, but things grow and so shall we. I have discussion ideas for posts here and at The Challenged Writers blog as well - questions and thoughts on different aspects of writing and books. I hope you join me there as well.

I want to know what you honestly like here. What I should keep.

- I like doing the Sunday Posts as it groups everything from the prior week and what I got in the mail. Do you like this?
- I love the Mythical Monday author posts. I will be keeping this. I learn so many new myths and books this way.
- Tuesday Teasers - I think I'm going to let this one go. I'll do it if I have time, but for the most part I'll not be doing it.
- Who? What? Where? - I think I'm going to drop this one for the time as well.
- Throwback Thursday - I would like to keep this one as well, but you let me know. I love sharing the books I have sitting on the shelves that I'm desperately needing the time to get too.
- Freebie Friday - I don't usually find many freebies, and usually they show up on other blogs freebies. Although from time to time I do find a few others don't. *shrug shoulder* I don't know about it.
- Looking Forward To... - These are books I desire that are to be released yet. I don't know about this either.


I have several reviews lined up. They should last me a few months. So you should be able to get two reviews a week for some time.

What I'm keeping:
  2 Reviews a week
  Mythical Monday
  Throwback Thursday

I'm Definitely Stopping:
  Tuesday Teaser

Questionable Posts:
  Sunday Posts (I'm leaning toward keeping, but there will be minimal posts weekly now too.)
  Who? What? Where?
  Freebie Friday
  Looking Forward To...


What does all this mean? Is My World...in words and pages disappearing? No, it's not. I'm here to stay, believe me. I enjoy the interaction with readers and authors. But, I do have a few things I'd like to step into. I've been beta reading and enjoying that aspect of seeing manuscripts. I'd like to learn more about editing. I also have found a love in listening to Podcasts. If I'm offered, I might join in a few chats, we will see what happens there (I'll have to see about getting a mic and a better room to do so in). ;)

I'm here to stay, but there are more things on the horizon for us. Stick around!

Just for Thought: Lost...

Picture taken by ME at Linn Run, Ligonier, PA.

I seem to have lost my path. Or followed what looked like a path into the woods, and it wasn't a path just simply a misleading angle of light and vegetation growth. I don't know. I'm lost. I have been feeling I don't know anything about just about everything. (This has to be not true, or I wouldn't have a day job, but it's a feeling that's surfaced.)

I think my trouble arises from lack of mental stimulation. I miss conversations that challenge me to think, expand outside of norm. I had this friend in...middle school? (I think) who spent hours on the phone with me talking over anything and nothing. Once such conversation was the Earth being round. And what if it was square, and on we went to different aspects of all sorts of things involved. I'm sure many of you have done this when you were younger, and still do. This friend has moved away and every so often we find each other (usually Facebook now).

As I've grown older, *cough* I'm not that old, but as I've aged things have taken over that time I use to spend doing this with others. I'm happy to have my family and work, but miss the little things. It was always fun to share these thoughts with others, and discuss them. I learned from these chats - about me and about the true facts. Now-a-days, I feel cooped up and no one to explore with.

While I'm on this path, I think it's part of the reason that I'm not "playing nice" with others. My brain's not sparking. Even to think about real things beyond my regime of work and life. To learn about strange new things. Everyone around me has become caught up in the mundane runs of life. Yes, I know. It's needed. I've been rather wrapped up in it as well. Life has been crazy and very, very real this year. I need the release. So, I'm ripping that wrapping off. I want to live beyond the normal every day stuff. I want more. The magic that is buried underneath everything.

When I beta read with a few authors, I feel this surface again. They don't always take my thoughts of my specific ramblings into their work, but it's fun. This is what I love doing. Speculating about anything and everything. I want to do this more. Not necessarily by beta reading other authors items, but just talking out nothing and everything. I think this will help with my creativity and make me feel that I do know about something, even if it is the same thing I talk about. ;P

No, really. When I interact with others and talk about subjects I feel I might know about something. If I don't know about it, I still talk but learn while discussing. If I am learning, I *might* have a different view about it too.

Now...to find someone to talk about nothing with...

With all this in mind, I'm going to try a few new things around the web. I the opportunity to do some podcast discussions and some discussion posts on here and Challenged Writers. We'll see what comes as the New Year passes and time calms a bit.

Just For Thought...(15)

I didn't get the Just For Thought post up last week. Sorry.


We have the poll in for "Do you read the free books you get?".
There was 19 who answered in the poll on the side bar.  The answers fell as so:

• 2, or 10% - Always
• 6, or 31% - Mostly
• 3, or 15% - Never
• 8, or 40% - I'm stocking up for a rainy day

Thank you everyone that voted.  This was interesting to see.  I'm just like everyone else with Mostly and I'm stocking up for a rainy day. :)


Now onto a thought for today...


With all the free books, are the authors making the "best seller" list on Amazon this way?


I'm confused.  And I really don't know how it works with making the list.  How can someone be a "best seller" when they give their book away free? The next question is, are people reading it them?  We kind of see that answer above.


Okay, so Amazon has become the major big thing with all the lists of who's the top selling authors; Today, this Week, this Month, and Year.  So, are all the books that are free considered "top sellers" since people are downloading them?


And maybe it depends on if the book is free for only a few days to draw people in or if it is free for ever. Maybe that is the piece I'm missing.


If the free books are making the "best seller" list, it kind of sounds lopsided to me.  Free...Best Seller.... Um, I'm confused.  I can't seem to mix the words 'Free' and 'Seller' together in my head.


Then, if the books are free, does that mean people are reading them?  I know.  Like I should talk.  I spend money on amazing books, and I haven't read them yet.  But, I don't feel like I took advantage of a "free" thing to just say I have the book.  I paid for it, to help the money game keep going round.


Now I think I'm sounding mean.  I don't want to come across that way.  I'm just not sure.  If a book is free, downloaded because it's no charge, but not really being read, should it qualify to be a best seller?  Any ideas?


I know there are books free for only a few short days, and maybe those aren't considered here because that is a tactic to get you to look at the book, but should those days of free download be considered as "sales"?


I'm curious as to what you think.  I don't know much about the way these lists are figured.  I kind of have mixed thoughts about the free books and best sellers lists.  


Just a thought... ;)

Just for Thought (14)

Do you read the free books you get?

Amazon always has tons of books going on and off free.  Authors have books out there, everywhere, for free.  There are even novella's in series that are free.

I didn't know if you take advantage of the free book options when they are available.  And if you do pick up the free books, or novellas, do you actually read them?  I know we are all weighed down with books to series we have going and review books, so I didn't know if you got to the free books you've picked up. (if you even pick them up.)

I've picked up several free books, amazing sounding books.  And read a few of them, but many are still on my Nook to get to.  I do hope to get there very soon.  But I pass on several free books as well.  The reason, I feel like I'm taking advantage of the author and I won't get a chance to read the book to review it for them.

I know, there's no strings attached when the books are made free, but I know they are hoping you'll read it, love it, then review it.  I feel like I can't live up to that with all I have here on the shelves now.  And since I have a Nook, I don't pick up the free Amazon books.  I know I sit at the computer at work all day, I sit at the computer for about two hours at night with blog visiting, but I like to sit on a comfortable chair, curl up and read.  So I don't get the Amazon free books much as I don't like to read on my computer.

Then, with these free books... Do you pick books in genres other than you normally read in?  This is a chance to try something out you would never try otherwise.  It's a neat idea to experiment with new authors and books, even genre.

With trying a new genre or something out of your norm, do you then review it?  I'm always afraid to read different books for the fear I will not like it, and then lead to a bad review because it's not my normal loved style read.  Do you think that would influence your review because it's not you candy of reads?

Sorry to throw so many questions out at you.  I started thinking as I went and the mind got away from me.  I guess the first question is where I was starting... Do you read the free books you get?  Then review them?

Please let me know your thoughts.  And I've added a poll for those of you who don't feel like commenting. :) Thank you!

Just for Thought...

Small Press Anyone?

There are so many amazing publishing companies out there these days.  I was wondering if you stick to the big guns or dabble around with the small press as well.  Or even look at the small press publisher.  And if you don't dabble with Small Press books, can I ask why?

Me, I do both.  Although I enjoy chatting up the big hot selling books as much as the next person, I LOVE finding that new gem no one else has seen yet and screaming from the rooftops about it.  Yes, I've been doing that a lot lately.  I've found a few brilliantly bright-shiny books that others have not heard of yet.  And I enjoy showing them off to everyone.  And sharing the great finds with you as well.

We all have our genre of books we pretty much stick to, and love.  Mine is Urban Fantasy and Fantasy.  (Yes, there are deviations of these that I love too but for general purposes these are the main areas I read.)  And different presses specialize in different genre.  And some do a little of everything.  I've found one small press that fits my book loves wonderfully, and they have mystery reads and other genre as well but I'm hooked on their Fantasy and Urban Fantasy reads.  Amazing writing, story, and the editing is clean.

I like that the books are new and fresh in thinking.  Beyond the norm that the big publishers want us to have.  I like getting different books, new views, and voices.  Nothing wrong with the big publishers as I do love them, but we are talking Small Press here today. :)

But with the Small Press books it seems hard to find them.  First we don't know about the books as they don't get as much air time as the big publishers do.  Nor are they ones to be found on all the local bookstore shelves either.  They seem to be leaning toward ebook formats, but they do have printed books as well (so don't be discouraged!)  Most of the Small Press books are found out here on the web.  And ordering online.  (As you all know, ordering online isn't like it use to be, that dark secret that no one should know about or do because the end of the world will fall upon us.)  So for people who don't do online book searching don't know about these amazing diamonds hiding around the web.

Do you share with off-line friends the books you find by Small Press Publishers?

If you enjoy Small Press books do you have a small press you seem to have attached to?  Let me know who it is.  I'd like to take a look at their books as well, if they are in my genre of reading.

The Small Press that has caught my attention is Mundania Press.  I hope you get a chance to check them out. Really great stuff there.

I've also read a series from Ridan Publishing, and there is an author whom I've listened to a podcast from and enjoy that writes with this publisher, but need to try his books yet.  Ridan Publishing is still rather small, but looks like a good source for Fantasy and Science Fiction.

So, want to share your thoughts? 

Do you read Small Press books?  If not, do you mind mentioning why?  Do you share Small Press books with those not online searching the blogs?  What Small Presses do you gravitate toward?

Just For Thought (12)

Are we addicted to our characters; pain & torture?

lol.  Yeah, that sounds a little harsh.  But it caught your attention. ;D

I know, I know.  With out the characters being in emotional or physical pain or torment there wouldn't be a story.  Yeah, that is true.  But do you find yourself attracted to more action and fighting or to the emotional growing pains?

I, personally, am addicted to both.  There is an extreme in the pain, but watching the characters go through it and coming to an end show there is light at the end of the tunnel and maybe a chance of something good after all that misery.  The pages of a book go faster than the reality of real life, so it's nice to see there could be a silver lining somewhere.  Even if it is that your lover or best friend passes on, there is something else to be taken away from it if you try hard enough.

No, I know there wont be no magic fireball coming from a delayed arriving friend to save my life or a bird swooping out of the air who has been watching over me.  But I like my magical make believe. ;)  It's hard as life, in the big up front and real, doesn't end that way.  But at least someone can get the happy ending.

That's my quick thoughts.  Oh, I have plenty more to go with this but we'll get there as we get chatting in the comments.

So what about you?  Are you addicted to the pain and torment of your characters?  Which is the biggest hitter for you?

Just For Thought (11)

Ereaders?  What??

Okay, so this week I'm going to as the big question.  Ereaders?  What one to go with?  Do they all do the same anymore?

Let me start at the beginning.  So many of you are aware, Borders is closing their doors.  Shame really.  But to the ereader questions at hand.  I went to the store Friday night and bought books, but my husband noticed the Kobo readers were on sale for a nice price.  A friend purchased one before it was announced that Borders was closing and was told the Kobo was compatible with Barnes 'n Nobles Nook.  When she called Barnes & Nobles they didn't understand what she was saying.  So when my husband mentioned the price I immediately said no.  I would be limited to where I could get my books, and I get loads of books.  I was afraid even my review books would not be able to be open on the Kobo ereader.

But I got home and all weekend I've been thinking on this.  I'm not sure how these ereaders work.  Really, no idea at all.  I have the apps on my cell phone (god is it small) and on the computer so I can try playing with different models to see what I like.  Truth be told.... I can't figure the damned things out.

I hear people say PDF files (or books) can be read on them.  I can't figure out how to open pdf files on the versions I have.  So, if I can't figure it out and use it, I'm not going to spend the money on these things I can't use.

So, my questions fall back to the great community I love and trust.  You.  Can you please give me just a little clue?  I don't know if anything is compatible with anything.  Or if I should be able to do what I think it says I should be able to.  And can I do it on these stupid apps I have?  I want to play with these things and see what works.  So far I'm really not having luck.  I have the Kindle, which wont sink up my computer and cell phone at all, and I have the nook, and Kobo apps.  Will I be limited to who I can buy books from?  And will I be able to read my review copies sent from authors or publishers on it?  What formats are there and what is compatible with each other.

Yes, I'm naive when it comes to technology.  It's a wonder I can blog to tell you the truth. ;D

This technology is just all craziness I tell you!  It's taking over the world, one button at a time... lol.

Just For Thought (10)

Do you like a new twist?

I read different takes on the over all Fantasy genre.  Thanks to blogging, and meeting bloggers out there, I have learned there is soooo much more in the world of books.  Much more than I would have ever known on my own.  And it's growing.  Great!  I love it.

I read fantasy.  I love the traditional journey and adventures we go on.  I know what to expect.  And that is in part why I love it.  I know I love what I'm going to get.

I read Urban Fantasy.  Now this genre gives a little more leeway in what to expect.  But it has it's normal too.

Then I have found I enjoy reading dystopian, steampunk, and so many new aspects.

I know we (or I do sometimes) mentioning a book is the "traditional" sense of the genre.  And some mention that it was a boring read because it wasn't something new.  But, and correct me if I'm wrong or stepping on toes here, but isn't that why we love the genre we read?  I enjoy my books that are easy to predict as they are what I want.  What I expect.  Why I read it.  Part of the coziness for me is knowing what I'm getting because I enjoy it.  I know I enjoy it. 

Don't get me wrong.  I love the twists and new takes.  At the same time I love my classic feels, I love something new.  The twists that authors throw in there.  You know they take the norm and flip it around and turn it inside out to give you something new and exciting.

I wont fault an author for sticking to the 'traditional' feel of fantasy books or urban fantasy.  And I wont fault an author for making something wondrous out of a new idea or spin.  Both are amazing to me.  And it depends on the mood I'm in on which I grab when I'm looking for my next read.


**Please do not be offended by anything mentioned in the Just For Thought posts.  These are just brief thoughts to start a friendly chat on ideas.  You can comment if you would like to share your kind thoughts, or not. :) I understand either way.

Just for Thought (9)

How do you like your fairies?

Good or Bad?

I've been talking a lot about us and books; buying them, picking them, etc.  So I thought why not chat some on what we find inside.  And started with fey for the heck of it.

I've read a few different books where the fey vary from nice and tricksters to the mean and ugly.  How do I love my fey?  Um, I have to say both, lol.  To me fairies are always tricky and can error more on the bad side than good.  I guess in my mind they think they are being funny and tricksters.  But to the people they are doing this stuff to find them a little, or a lot, on the mean side.  To me the fey walk a grey line, and I enjoy that.  But it all depends on what stories and fairy tales you grew up with.  I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

So, what are your thoughts on Fairies?  Do you like them good or bad, and how do you see them?

Just For Thought (8)

Do you read on the fly?

I always have a book on me; okay maybe more than one, two or three?  But I never know when I'll be somewhere where I can get a few pages in.  I do prefer to read when I'm all comfortable at home and can make my notes with stickies and all.  I feel I can focus better there too.  In the quiet too.

But I'm always have my current reads on me at all times.  You never know when you will be stuck in the hospital for hours on end wasting precious time that could be with my nose in a book.  Hm.  But my question is do you find when you even have 5 minimal minutes, do you pull the book out?

I do.  Even when I'm at the grocery store waiting at the deli or at the register, they can be length times but sometimes they are only a few short minutes.  It depends on my mood and what book I'm reading.  I find there are times I start and just don't want to stop.  And there are times where I start and stop so much I feel it's affecting my impression of the book as I feel I'm missing details that should easily flow together for me.  And they would, if I hadn't started and stopped after a few tiny minutes.

So what about you?  Do you pick up the book when you have a few short minutes?  And do you think that affects your view of the book?

Just For Thought (7)

Do you read multiple books at one time?

We talked about getting books the last few weeks, so I thought we could chat on talking about them. :)

I use to have a hard time with reading multiple books at one time.  Actually I was afraid to do it as well.  In that I would forget what's happening when I come back to it.  But over the last year I seem to have mastered this very well.

The last year I've started reading books in sections and chatting about that section with others.  So, the chatting part has helped to keep the book fresh in my mind and ready to go with the next section.

But, with the exception on discussion reads I don't read more than one book at a time.  I like to devour the one book I'm working on.  Usually I get lost in the world, characters, and the plot to want to put it down and pick up another.  I WANT to finish the book I'm tangled up in before moving on to the next.  If it wasn't for discussion books I don't think I would read more than one at a time.

I know there are many people out there who might leave a book at work to read on lunch or break, one to read in the evening, and one on the nightstand to wind down with at bed time.  But, I'm a one book kind of gal.  I like to get through the whole thing at once.  Although, it does take me about a week to read one book with work and family stuff.  Maybe if I read faster I could leave one at work, on the nightstand, and one in the living room.

So what about you?  Do you read more than one book at a time?

Just for Thought (6)

Where do you purchase your books?

Online or Stores?

This has become a growing thought for me.  And a new thing as well.  I like to purchase my books at the local book store.  Call me goofy if you want, but I love going through the store and staring at the shelves.  The books are just wonderful things for me to look at.  I pull ones off the shelves, look at the covers, read the descriptions, and thumb through them.  This was one of the best ways to find that diamond in the rough for me.  I loved taking a book that looks good and sounds good and even sounds good from a paragraph or two from the inside, home with me.  One that I'd not heard of before.  And to mention I'm supporting the store to stay open so I can keep doing this.

But...

I've found I find LOADS of books that are NOT on the shelves, in which I would completely LOVE online.  Yep, you all have helped me find this and figure it out.  Thank you to all my online blogger friends and authors.  I now am starting to become an online purchaser.  I purchase from different publisher sites and book distributors as they carry the books my book store does not have.  I enjoy it!  And the idea of coming home to seeing the books on my door step waiting for me is wondrous.  This is a growing new for me.

I do still buy at the store or even order them at the store so the store gets credit and stays open, but I also purchase books they don't have online at other venues.  Wonderful places them all!

So what about you?  Where or how do you purchase your books?

Just for Thought (5)

How do you pick what to buy?

Last week we talked about that gnawing need to go buy books, even through you have plenty at home to keep you reading.  This week I'm curious how you pick the book to buy from that miles long WANT list.  Which ones do I buy now and which ones do I wait on?

I'm not sure how I do it.  I think in part it's what the store has on it's shelves as compared to what's on my want list.  That and for some reason I have books that just call to me.  You know, those ones you see and just can't quit thinking about no matter what books you read.  These are the ones that are destine to be in my presence. ;D  But I am to own and enjoy.

I've found I've had a lot of the 'destine' books as of late.  And they have been amazing reads too!  I love when this happens.  But these destine books have been ones I've had to order off line because the local Express book store doesn't carry them.  But I usually have a book in mind that has been calling to me for a while and if the store has it I pick it up, and sometimes even additional books grab my attention while there. ;)

So how is it you pick which books you are going to buy over all the ones on the WANT list?

Just For Thought...(4)

The Gnawing NEED to buy a book?

I seem to have this obsession when it comes to books.  I know many of us chat about all the time.  But it really is an addiction.  I have this gnawing NEED to run out and buy books.

I love to be surrounded by books these days.  I always have a book in my purse, hand, on my desk, everywhere with me.  I am also a VERY slow reader.  Some of you can read a whole 300-400 page book in just a few short hours.  Me, well it takes me all week and if nothing else a whole weekend un-interrupted.  So I'm slow.  But I have to buy books.  I always need a new book or three here.  But the sad part is I don't know when I'll get to the books I'm purchasing.  I buy three or several more, for the one book I got through.

I just love having them here and knowing I've got it for when I get to read it.  And I know what I'm doing is helping the great authors out too, so that's my excuse.

Oh, and when those days come that the world is coming to an end... well, I'll be found in my cave of a den with several books in hand, ready to hide out until my hero comes to save me. ;) lol.

So what about you?  Do you feel the gnawing and burning to go buy books?

Just For Thought...(3)

Purchasing...used books or new?  Or Borrowing?

I have found I'm a purchaser.  I love buying books and keeping them.  Yes.  I'm a pack rat.  I keep all my books.  Sounds crazy, but I do.  And of the books I read, I purchase them.  I could very easily go to the library, I do belong there, and borrow a book to read and take it back.  But I have an obsession with keeping the books.

So, I run out and buy my books.  And I've started buying many books online as well.  As there are books I want that are not in the stores or even online.  They are found on the Publishers site.  So off I go buying up the books. lol.

So what do you find you do?  Borrow or Purchase?  Just curious.  No right or wrong answers here.  It's just for thought.

Thank you.

Just For Thought...(2)

I'm curious of your thoughts... One day the mind was wondering, a lot. But I came up with a few thoughts, questions... what ever you would like to call them, for chats with you. I thought it would be neat to have a nice chat with you on different things in and regarding books. I don't think this will become a post for every week, but I have several thoughts here to start some chats. I do hope you will join in and share your thoughts.

Coupons, friend of foe?

Are coupons your friend or foe when it comes to purchasing?  Let me set the scene for you... Beginning of the week and I'm broke already.  Paid the bills, need gas in the car, and saved a few slim dollars to go to lunch with the ladies at work.  And trying to save move for the crap that keeps breaking or need.  I get a 40% or 50% coupon off at the local bookstore.  What do I do?

Now, I think I'm crazy to not take advantage of these insane coupons that are sent from the store.  I absolutely need these books.  I want them.  I'll read them, eventually.  And goodness what if they aren't there when I want them?  Geez, I would have to wait.  And best of all, I'm supporting my favorite authors all the way!  So I rush out with the coupon and buy books.  Just what the store wants me to do.

My excuse.  The things I needed to take care of where taken care of so what if I take the five or ten dollars and spend it.  I have no other vices.  Well, sure I do... shoes, and fun days out doing stuff...

But anyway, coupons they are both to me.  Friend and foe.  They drive me crazy and burn the hole in my pocket to go spend.  I love them!

What about you?  Do they fuel your weakened state with book buying?

Just for Thought...

I'm curious of your thoughts... One day the mind was wondering, a lot.  But I came up with a few thoughts, questions... what ever you would like to call them, for chats with you.  I thought it would be neat to have a nice chat with you on different things in and regarding books.  I don't think this will become a post for every week, but I have several thoughts here to start some chats.  I do hope you will join in and share your thoughts.

Violence & Young Adult Books?

Is there ever to much violence in Young Adult books?

I started pondering this as I keep going to back to the Hunger Games books.  Yes, I read it. I loved it. I suggested it.  Friends kids read it. And my twelve year old son is reading it.

But let me explain, as brief as I can.  I wanted nothing to do with this book when I heard about it.  I didn't think any YA book should be about young adults, children, killing each other for enjoyment of viewers or not.  Then a friend in the book world finally convinced me to read it.  I didn't find it so bad when I did read it.  I even mention in my review, as you know there is killing going on you don't really see it or witness Katniss doing it.  She is struggling with surviving, on her own, not out killing the other kids.  So, I was happy with the book.  And passed it on to friends and my son as well.

But, there seems to be so much "killing" in the world and on television for the young ones these days.  So, my question is do you think there is to much in books as well?

Maybe it's my selection in books, and Young Adult books, but I don't seem to see it on an overly done process yet.  Maybe you have read different books than I and have or have not seen it.  So, I'm curious about your thoughts on it.