Welcome to the first Wednesday IWSG blog hop, founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh, and constantly growing and expanding thanks to all the admins. Find the entire list of participants here.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
And this month's optional question:
It's holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?
I used to do a lot of catch up over the holidays when I was teaching full time. After I retired from teaching, I would usually take some break between Christmas and the New Year. Then I started watching my granddaughter full time, and now I'm back to working on the career I love during that time. I love being a writer despite all the set backs.
And since we're here to share, let me tell you about my latest set back. I've had 23 romance novels published by a small press in the last 15 years. After being in business for so long, my beloved publisher is closing. I won't share all the reasons, but I'm grateful for all this pub did for me. Now what shall I do with all those books that are no longer out in the world?
I've already been looking for a publisher who will take on my second fantasy series. The previous publisher who contracted this series also closed its doors. They published the first book and had completed edits on the second. The third and final book has only been edited by one person besides me so it has a way to go. Any suggestions on a publisher who might take on a series where the first book had been published before?
I know many of you have gone the self-publishing route. But I'd rather not unless I must. Despite the disappointment of losing my publisher, I'm figuring out where to go next. I did take one day to feel sorry for myself, but now I'm over it.
"Every strike brings me closer to the next homerun." Babe Ruth
In the past, my daughter and I always enjoyed watching those corny Christmas love stories that nearly every streaming service has. We laugh at the absurdly expensive apartments and houses some of the main characters have. The women are always super sweet, love Christmas and are usually employed, often self-employed, as bakers, writers, or tea shop owners. The men are always outrageously rich. Don't know why feel so entertained. Maybe we just love 'happily every after' during this joyous season.
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was really good. Still am shocked at the price of turkey. I hope you all could afford a feast.
Do you send out Christmas cards. I do but only because so many send cards to us. I try to cut the list every year. And of course, there's the growing cost of postage. Almost done Christmas shopping. Have a few things coming from Amazon.
Any publisher recommendations? Are you working hard at writing over the holidays? Are getting with family and friends over the holidays?
I wish the joy and happiness of the season.
"I cannot change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." Jimmy Dean
