Spill the Tea Tuesday: The Power of a Like

Today, author Connie Ann Michael is spilling the tea...

“You get followers by doing things people like so you’re popular with the world and not just in high school or your inner circle. You don’t know how many people don’t care about you until you get a like on your phone, and it’s addicting.”

-Students from church

I work with youth at church and have had a front row seat to technology in today's world, and the funny thing is, for the older students, they totally know how they are prisoners to social media--they just can’t stop. It reminds me of the saying, ‘if a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, did it makes a sound?’ If you post something on your Snapchat/Instagram and no one likes it, did it happen?

This generation has never been without technology, and their perspective on the world they are in is very different than the one I grew up in. Appropriate use of technology is foreign to them or maybe there just aren’t any rules. 

During our church services I watch as texts, videos, snaps, whatever…are sent across the room like a wave. They are literally all at the same place, sharing the same experience. 

I live very near Yellowstone National Park and see visitors who miss all the fun animals and thermal features because they need a selfie that will get them likes. Or that a goring by a buffalo will get them a million likes on YouTube. No one steps in to help each other because it will disrupt the video or the shot. There is an entire site available for people to just post pictures and get likes. These pictures have to get more and more inappropriate as they fight for the likes. 

I was on a plane with a group of middle schoolers and listened to a very serious conversation they had on whether or not they had permission to take photos of each other. They didn’t want candids of them going out without a chance to filter them. I was impressed they were taking the initiative but sad they had to. 

Personally, I cannot stand watching people taking selfies, but what really gets me is when people are talking into their phones, listening to videos, anything that brings the world inside their phone to my world. I have unwillingly been a part of conversations I want no part of, but I've been in the same aisle at the grocery store. Custody battles, therapy sessions, divorce conversations, you name it.

When did talking at your phone become a thing?

When did the amount of likes we get value or devalue an activity we do?

My son went in the Army five years ago, and when he was in holding, the lonely place they go before basic, all phones were taken away. The people with him went nuts. A small number even went as far as trying to commit suicide because they couldn’t handle being cut off from this cyber world. They were at a loss at being able to document their every move. It happens again and again when they deploy and all service is shut off. The value of a day has come down to how many likes we get.

I feel it.

I get wanting to know what is going on. I remember rushing home to see if the little light on the answering machine was blinking. BUT! This is getting ridiculous.

On the other side of the coin are those who are addicted to giving the likes. Those who hold the key to validation. I have students who can’t hear the buzz of a phone and not need to see what happened, even if it isn’t their phone. It drives them nuts that I have the ability to not check my phone for an entire day. The minute they walk out the door, they are back on and liking the posts they missed. Even my own mother, who is older, can’t not look if she gets a notification and is quick to send a like or a heart. Kids freak out if I take their phone before they get a chance to take photos to keep a streak going on Snapchat. They get mad if I don’t let them respond to a crazy post--it’s a give and take, and we need both sides to make it work. The glow of the phone is hypnotic, the anticipation of the thumbs up or the like is addicting. The waiting for instant gratification from a returned text can drive them to immediate thoughts of, ‘he’s ignoring me’. 

But we can’t live without them, right?

I have tried to adjust. I have tried to understand. I try not to yell for people within my vicinity to turn down the volume, but I can’t overcome it. I can’t stand the sound. I can’t stand the feeling of needing to be available all the time. I can’t stand feeling I need to filter my photos and post my daily life.

Misophonia, which literally means “hatred of sound,” is a condition that causes strong emotional reactions to specific sounds.

My friend said this is what I have, it’s just directly related to cell phones. I have a strong emotional reaction of wanting to grab a phone and toss it in the road and jump on it. But I think it is so much more. And the problem is, no one knows how to make it better.

So, for all the great things about our world and the technology we now have at our fingertips, we have become an impatient and very self-centered civilization. We spend way too much time looking at ourselves, altering our appearance so we look better than ever, and then trying to get people to like the fake person we are becoming. 

Connie Ann Michael was born and raised in the city of Seattle but after attending Washington State University she turned into a country girl and moved to a small...very small town. She has two teenage boys that provide countless amounts of material for her books. Her boys have left for college, and now she occupies her time playing with her three dogs, mountain biking, kayaking, and anything else she can do outdoors. Learn more about Connie on Facebook and Goodreads.

The tea has been spilled! Who's gonna clean it up? 

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

 

{GUEST POST}: 10 Things You Don't Know about Connie Ann Michael

Today I'm pleased to welcome my friend and fellow Anaiah author, Connie Ann Michael, to the blog. The second book in her Thousand Moments series, 1000 SILENT MOMENTS released a few weeks back, and so I thought it would be fun have her tell us a bit more about herself. So, here's Connie :-)

The biggest thing you probably don’t know about me is that I have been an author for about eight years. At one time I had three books out on Amazon and was busy promoting myself and then my publisher disappeared. Yep she disappeared and the authors had to scramble to get our rights back. I think in the long run it was for the best. It gave me a chance to look over the books and rewrite them. You see as you write more, you write better. So I hope they are better.  A Thousand Silent Moments is the second in the Thousand Moments series.  Now here are a few more things you may not know about me.

1. I have two college seniors
2. My son just registered for the NFL draft, he plays college football
3. I love to hike, kayak, or do anything outdoors
4. I love going to the movies
5. My secret talent is I can name a movie after only seeing a few seconds of it.  I have seen way too many movies
6. Reading is my favorite thing to do
7. I am a runner, a slow one but still a runner none the less
8. I have set a goal to climb three 14ers this summer in Colorado
9. I have a dog that looks like a gremlin after it gets wet
10. I write because I can’t sit still

Thanks so much for sharing all of that with us, Connie! Now, tell us about 1000 SILENT MOMENTS. (I had the pleasure of editing this book for her, and whoa! Have some tissues handy because this is one heck of an emotional rollercoaster!)

Only weeks back from the war, Emme “Doogie” Sawyer is in trouble. She struggles to fight the war in her head while also trying to build a relationship with Raven – who has recently returned from Afghanistan and taken up temporary residence in her house. Unfortunately, it’s hard to lock down the bad without cutting off the good. Soon, Sawyer begins to slip deeper into the darkness of the war she thought she left behind.

Running from his own mistakes, Raven tries to be the support Sawyer needs to move forward, but he soon discovers that in order to heal, they must rely on their faith more than they rely on each other. Raven takes Sawyer back to his childhood home, to where he hopes they both can find themselves and the faith they left behind.

Will they be able to find their way back to each other, or will the horrors of war and past mistakes destroy them for good?

BUY NOW: Amazon / Smashwords / Banes & Noble  

About the Author:

Connie grew up in Seattle but moved to Central Washington to be closer to all things outdoors. Married, with two college boys, she keeps busy kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, and hiking through the beautiful hills of the Wenatchee Valley. Growing up with a love of reading, the transition into writing seemed natural, and she can be found on summer days writing under the tree in her front yard, surrounded by her three dogs.

You can find more of Connie on her website, Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook.  

{BLOG TOUR}: Entrusted

I'm extremely happy to welcome Connie Ann Michael to the blog today. She's out touring with her new young adult book, ENTRUSTED. (I've edited this book -- fantastic!!)  One her characters, Solomon is here to answer a few questions about him, his family, and the girl he loves, Emma. So, without further ado...

Could you tell me a little about how you first met Emma?
Well, I first met her when she was created as the vessel, but she was a baby and I didn't know it was her, so I guess that doesn't really count.  I was pulled into her dreams for a while before I actually got to meet her face to face, and that was at the Tribal Center.  It was the first time we got a chance to actually speak.  I'm afraid I wasn't as smooth as I would have hoped and was kind of at a loss for anything to say and kind of stared at her.  She takes my breath away.

What did you think of her initially? Love at first sight?
The minute I was pulled into her dreams and stood by watching her interaction with Raven, I knew she had my heart.  It was most definitely love at first sight and even today...every time I see her, I fall in love with her again.

If you had to describe Emma in three words?
Well her name means all-containing, I think that is a good word for her and what her purpose is...or was. I would also say compassionate, she cares so much for other people that she often times forgets about her needs.  And finally I would say beautiful.  Inside and out.

What's the hardest thing you've had to face together?
Well, the entire story of Entrusted is the fight we had to go through to get her away from Raven.  That would be the easy answer.  But I am going to say, from my point of view, the hardest thing I had to face was trying to convince Emma it I was worth fighting for.  That she could love me and except my love in return.  She can be stubborn and it took a lot to get her to see she was worthy of my love and of the life we could have together.  There was a lot of history she needed to be caught up on.  History she is a part of but not aware of.  It will take time for her to understand her part in it. But, more importantly, I need to be patient and love her while she questions who she is and what we can be together.

Okay, so your brother, Logan. He's a big part of the story and a friend to Emma. Give us a little dish on him. Will he ever find his heart?
Technically, he would be considered our cousin in your world.  We do not share mothers.  But we consider him a brother so that is fine to refer to him as that.  Remember, in our customs I can't tell too much about another's gifts so I will talk more general about him. Logan is my best friend as well as brother.  He has always got me and doesn't put up with my shit, as he says, not my words.  Logan is a free spirit.  That can be seen by his description.  He doesn't follow the traditional ways with his hair or jewelry but that's just him.  He embraces the modern world more than the rest of us, which makes it easier for him to work with the youth of the tribes.  He says I'm stuffy and scare the kids.  I prefer reserved.  Ha ha. Logan has a quick wit and loves to laugh, but he had a rough childhood and uses his humor to hide what is really going on underneath.  He won't talk about it, but I know.  Just like he knows things about me the others don't.  We have a weird connection that way.  I think Logan is a necessary force to offset Josiah's negative energy.  If anyone should find his heart, it should be Logan.  He has so much to give and I think if he found someone they might help him heal from his past.  And to answer your last part of the question.  I think Logan will definitely have his chance to tell his story later.

What's next for you and Emma?
I wish I could say we ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after but that isn't the way life works.  We got a reprieve at the end of Entrusted and hopefully we can take some time to get to know each other without worrying about Raven, but he's coming back.  We haven't won yet and until he is destroyed he will continue to fight for what he believes is his.  But the Great Spirit is giving us a small gift of time before I must leave.  Our time here is up and we are going to be moving on.  Emma needs to finish her senior year so we will be separated for a short time. I am hoping I can trust the friendships she has formed to help her during our separation.  Nick has some history he is unaware of that I believe will come in handy while I am gone.  You'll have to wait for him to reveal that, however.  Life is never guaranteed, but no matter what happens Emma and I are connected. I have no choice in that matter.  She has my heart.  I love her.  I'll do whatever I need to to make her happy.

Blurb:

Thrust into a world of Native American legends about Skinwalkers and Ancient Ones, Emma Hunter finds herself in the middle of a battle for a heart holding great powers – A heart hidden within her.

Seventeen-year-old Emma wants what every teenage girl wants: a life that revolves around school, her friends, and a boyfriend who only has eyes for her. Little does she know that in order to get one, she must sacrifice the other two. After a series of events put into motion by Luke, the boy she thought loved her, Emma is kicked out of her group home and her school. Her best friend mysteriously vanishes and now she’s forced to move to a secluded coastal town, where she hopes to escape Luke’s obsessive control.  Instead, she finds her dreams invaded not only by Luke, but Solomon, a mysterious Native American warrior sent to protect her. 

But when Solomon shows up in her reality to explain he’s her protector, she soon learns that he’s so much more. As Emma struggles to understand what’s happening to her, she must also deal with her undeniable attraction to Solomon. Their connection is stronger than anything Emma has ever experienced before and now she must decide: can she trust him with her heart? And just how far will she go to protect it?

Add Entrusted to your Goodreads to-read list.

 

BUY LINKS:

 

Excerpt:

Slowly and deliberately, Solomon began to kiss my shoulders, turning me so he could run his fingers lightly over the bruises on my back. I could feel the warmth of his touch become more intense as he transferred the wounds of my body to his own. His kiss, his touch, sent shivers through me, taking all my worries and fears away. He turned me again and placed his mouth over mine for a long, soul-stirring kiss.

“I think you should watch those healing skills of yours.” I was breathless.

He smiled mischievously. “It’s my touch that heals. I thought I would try something different this time.” He continued to trail kisses across my shoulders.

“Well, I give this technique high marks, but have to wonder how the older men would like it,” I stuttered, trying to keep my thoughts coherent.

 I felt him smile against my bare skin. “I’ll reserve it for you.”

“Does it hurt you?”

“Not as much as it does you.” His hands moved softly over my bare arms. I watched the bruises appear on him, and then slowly fade away.

“But I can heal you here.” I ran my fingers over the raw sore on his chest.

“Yes,” the word caught in his throat. “You already have.”

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About the Author:

Connie Ann Michael was raised a city girl, but was converted to a country girl after college and now resides in a speck of a town in Central Washington State.  She is married to her former boss as she worked at the local Pizza place and has two college age boys that provide endless material for her books.  She loves the outdoors and can be found mountain biking, kayaking, or camping with her family.  Being a busy family, she can be found working on her newest novel while on long road trips.

You can find Connie on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Goodreads.

 

TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY!!

- 10$ amazon gift card

- 2 e-copies Entrusted

- 2 swag packs, which contain Entrusted stickers and bookmarks and an Entrusted charm necklace

- 2 swag packs, which contain Entrusted stickers and bookmarks and an Entrusted Ghost Bead Bracelet

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