Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Getting On With It

I'm done whining about my injuries. Time to get busy with all the work I'm behind on. Warm sunny weather if finally here so I'm off to finally get those flowerbeds in shape. It will probably be another week or two before I can to the heavy lifting but I can chop off the bulb greenery for now.



I can also sit back at my desk and get busy writing and putting together those blog posts I've gathered from the conference. Some will be on my blog but others will be on the IWSG blog. I know I mentioned it before, but I hope you're following the IWSG Twitter account also. Hopefully, you're already following us on Facebook.

I also am digging into that stack of books I want to read now that it's warm enough to sit on my front porch. A cup of coffee, my rocking chair and lots of birds to keep my company.

Here's a sample of the great links we've been sharing over on Twitter. From the Better Novel Project: 5 Times Katniss Nailed Deep Point of View.

From Flavorwire: Big Publishing is Not as Big Anymore.  The numbers don't lie but they can be confusing. I discussed this a number of times at the writers' conference last weekend.

And a good one from Writer's Digest: 10 Questions Writers Must Ask Before Quitting Their Day Job. I know that is the dream of many writers. A new one for me on this list but one that makes sense. Do you know where you'll get your healthcare if you quit the day job?

Some wisdom shared by The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Give your children too much freedom and you lose your own.  Russian proverb
The total weight of all the ants on Earth is close to that of all humans.

Today is my daughter's birthday. Just one long celebration month for her. She requested crockpot mac-n-cheese, a family favorite.

Did you find the stats about big publishing as interesting as I did? Thinking about quitting that day job? Are you worried all those ants will get hungry?


22 comments:

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I'm always interested in what's going on with publishing big and small. Regarding writers quitting their day jobs, I always think of Joyce Carol Oates, a prolific award-winning writer who continued working while writing. I think she might still be working, I'm not sure, or perhaps on emeritus status. I know she's still writing.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Some heavy ants.
Never wanted to quit my day job. Haven't written more than a few short stories since my last book, so that's probably a good thing.

Jo said...

Mac and cheese? Not for a special day thanks. You mentioned cutting back the bulb greenery. I thought you weren't supposed to do that. I used to tie mine up until they died off.

Pat Hatt said...

Yeah, can't quit the day job, first have to get one though haha some friggin heavy ants.

Nicola said...

Glad to hear the sun is shining and you're feeling a little better. Lemony Snickets quote made me giggle and it is so true. I'll be exactly the same - especially since there are so many great reads out there.

betty said...

Happy birthday to your daughter! That crockpot mac/cheese sounds good! Do you have a link for a recipe?

Good point too about writers or anyone working for themselves where they will get health insurance. That's one of the things that weigh on my mind when I'm trying to figure out my next job option.

Glad that the weather is warming up a bit for you to enjoy some outside time. Could be a good healing thing!

betty

Unknown said...

I just love reading on my porch! Lots of birds around here, too. Now that the weather is warming up I can't wait to get back to that.

@Kathleen01930 Blog

Maria Zannini said...

Try not to overdo it until you're completely recovered.

I need to get on the flowers too. I've let the weeds get away with murder.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to your daughter!

I've actually had a period where I had no day job and was able to focus on writing. It wasn't that great because I didn't have a lot of books out and the budget was tight so I couldn't spend money on marketing. It caused a lot of stress. Now I have a day job and just not having to worry about money is a load off that, while not as much, lets me write easier.

Crystal Collier said...

You know what that is? The decline? It's big publishers pushing the price of ebooks up to match the price of print books. That was the most boneheaded move on the face of the planet. But hey, they can deal with the fallout.

Happy birthday to your daughter!

Susan Kane said...

Yes, yes, and yes. But the 2nd one is cheating, as I have retired. And I write short stories. And my writing, because it is for my blog pleasure, frees me up to write with abandon.

J E Oneil said...

Those are some great links :). And happy birthday to your daughter. It sounds like May has been good to her.

Sarah Foster said...

I quit my day job but it didn't turn out so well. Now I have another day job, but I like it a lot more than the old one! Just wish I had been more productive on the writing front during the in between time.

messymimi said...

Many happy returns of the day to your daughter! My belief about ants is G-d made them to be the vacuum cleaners of the earth, so i'm not too worried about them.

No, i'm no where near able to quit my day job(s). Maybe someday.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I did quit my day job, but luckily my hubby didn't!!! Glad you're feeling better.

Juneta key said...

Great links. Happy reading. Liked the meme too.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

Juneta key said...

Great links. Happy reading. Liked the meme too.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

Patricia Stoltey said...

It's so hard to be laid up with injuries and know the inside and outside chores are falling behind. I wish you a fast, easy, and total recovery!

Unknown said...

health insurance is a big question. If you have a spouse it works, I think. Love the link on 10 questions to ask

The Happy Whisk said...

Happy birthday to your kid and happy reading to you.

Enjoy!

Shannon Lawrence said...

Off to read the stats. Great links! Health insurance is tough. I've heard a lot lately about issues with that. I know ours got more expensive.

A Beer for the Shower said...

Happy birthday to your daughter! Mac and cheese is STILL one of my favorites. That just never gets old.

In this day and age I don't think it's possible for a writer to do nothing but write as an author unless you're selling at least a hundred thousand books a year. I mean, you get about $1 per book, so just think of how many you have to sell just to make the salary you have now (and don't forget to withhold taxes from that).