I took last week off from blogging and finally got through the third draft of my WIP. Which is no longer a WIP but is now complete and with my publisher. In the third draft, I found a good-sized plot hole. I don't know how I missed it when I was doing the second draft. Glad I found it and fixed it.
I put my tax stuff together a week ago also. It's ready to go for whenever we decide to torture ourselves and do it. If you're a numbers person and want to see if any writers were making money last year, here is an earnings report. It's complicated, but it does point out something that is often overlooked. If you look at print sales in general, the earnings are skewed by the sale of academic books. Textbooks costs are outrageous as any college student knows. If you look at fiction book sales, you notice that eBooks command a great percentage of earnings.
In good book news, I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday, and it was as packed as ever. I wish my are had independent stores that sell new books. All our independents sell mostly used books and only have new books when they have an author signing.
The outlining and world-building for my next fantasy series has started. Already have about twenty pages in a spiral notebook. It's going well.
I'm reading a lot and spent some time updating my Goodreads. I've really let it fall behind and that is not a good thing. Did some work for one of my writing groups. I also scheduled two appearances at local libraries. One in February and one in April.
"The only thing you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library." Albert Einstein
Speaking of the library, my granddaughter broke her first heart last week. A very cute and sweet little boy named Liam invaded her personal space. She pushed him away. Actually, she knocked him down and made him cry. Her dad, her grandfather, and four uncles were all very proud of her for standing up for herself.
I heard the rumor that Game of Thrones will return in April of 2019. Torture. But here are some funny Twitter moments from last season to make you smile while we agonize. Haven't heard any speculation on when Stranger Things might return in 2019.
Wednesday is a Blue Moon. A Blue moon is when a month has two full moons occur. There are actually two this year. This month and in March. Also, this Friday is Groundhog Day. If you don't know what that is, you're not missing a thing. It's really silly.
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein
I won't be posting next Monday but will be back next Wednesday for IWSG day. Do you keep your Goodreads account updated? Do you know what Groundhog day is? Do you think my granddaughter is being a bully at 10 months old?
Monday, January 29, 2018
Monday, January 15, 2018
Plugging Away
I didn't accomplish a lot of writing related things this past week, but I did get some things out of the way that I don't like to do. Such as:
Adding up my expenses and income from writing in preparation for taxes.
Polishing up a blurb and synopsis for one of my books.
Rearranging some things in my office do everything looks more organized. (Now I can't find some things.)
Cleaned out some cupboards with my granddaughter's help. Lots of noise. At least, she had fun.
Then there were things I did like that I worked on this past week. Such as:
Started the plotting and character descriptions for my next fantasy series.
Sketched out a marketing plan.
Organized some things for my writing group responsibilities.
Extended my workout time from 40 minutes to 50-60 minutes. Adding some intervals this week.
Adding up my income from 2017 was a dismal task. My sales numbers were really down last year. My publisher assures me this is true across the board for a lot of small presses and indie authors. I figure I have to try harder to make sure readers find me. Working on that though it's another thing that takes time away from actual writing.
"Do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of." Benjamin Franklin
Winter has mental issues. It's not sure what it wants to be. After ten straight days of sub-freezing weather, and some sub-sub-sub-freezing, it was in the 60's last Friday. Now, a few more days of cold, a little snow, and in the 50's next weekend. Make up your mind, winter, you s#&*!
Anne R. Allen had an interesting post about how the start of your book can kill your sales. I've heard most of them before, but from the manuscripts I've been asked to read by beginning writers, these suggestions aren't as well known as you might think.
Don't forget IWSG Twitter pitch party on Thursday. Wish I had something ready to pitch. Use the #IWSGPit tag and go find an agent of publisher.
I read somewhere this past weekend that people are so busy clicking on and reading about the political drama and the sexual assault and harassment news that they're not looking at or reading fiction as much. Seems to me that we need more escapism from the reality than ever. Everyday in the news, it's like 'What or Who said or did something stupid, arrogant, or dishonorable.' Crazy times.
"A great many people think they are thinking when they are actually rearranging their prejudices." William James
Are you ready for #IWSGPit? Is winter being a little crazy in your neck of the woods? Does all the insane political and celebrity news distract you online?
Adding up my expenses and income from writing in preparation for taxes.
Polishing up a blurb and synopsis for one of my books.
Rearranging some things in my office do everything looks more organized. (Now I can't find some things.)
Cleaned out some cupboards with my granddaughter's help. Lots of noise. At least, she had fun.
Then there were things I did like that I worked on this past week. Such as:
Started the plotting and character descriptions for my next fantasy series.
Sketched out a marketing plan.
Organized some things for my writing group responsibilities.
Extended my workout time from 40 minutes to 50-60 minutes. Adding some intervals this week.
Adding up my income from 2017 was a dismal task. My sales numbers were really down last year. My publisher assures me this is true across the board for a lot of small presses and indie authors. I figure I have to try harder to make sure readers find me. Working on that though it's another thing that takes time away from actual writing.
"Do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of." Benjamin Franklin
Winter has mental issues. It's not sure what it wants to be. After ten straight days of sub-freezing weather, and some sub-sub-sub-freezing, it was in the 60's last Friday. Now, a few more days of cold, a little snow, and in the 50's next weekend. Make up your mind, winter, you s#&*!
Anne R. Allen had an interesting post about how the start of your book can kill your sales. I've heard most of them before, but from the manuscripts I've been asked to read by beginning writers, these suggestions aren't as well known as you might think.
Don't forget IWSG Twitter pitch party on Thursday. Wish I had something ready to pitch. Use the #IWSGPit tag and go find an agent of publisher.
I read somewhere this past weekend that people are so busy clicking on and reading about the political drama and the sexual assault and harassment news that they're not looking at or reading fiction as much. Seems to me that we need more escapism from the reality than ever. Everyday in the news, it's like 'What or Who said or did something stupid, arrogant, or dishonorable.' Crazy times.
"A great many people think they are thinking when they are actually rearranging their prejudices." William James
Are you ready for #IWSGPit? Is winter being a little crazy in your neck of the woods? Does all the insane political and celebrity news distract you online?
Monday, January 8, 2018
Confidence in 2018
I read lots of plans and goals from my fellow writers last week. I'm cheering for all of you to reach them and maybe even accomplish more. Writers work in isolation, and that allows lots of doubts to creep in and join us at our keyboards.
When we're all alone, we tend to compare ourselves to the big industry success stories. We see those same authors with their big hardback releases month after month. Stephen King, Brandon Sanderson, and many others. And we don't see all the hard work that is behind their success because they're working in isolation also.
Even when we have success, a bestseller or a short story published, another rejection will sooner rather than later will appear in our inbox. Sharing those setbacks with other writers who all have similar experiences, helps us keep going.
Sometimes we get so down on ourselves that we can't even accept praise or good reviews. All that self-doubt gets in the way of our work. The discouragement slows us down. So accept that you know something about writing and the business connected to it. And don't be afraid to ask and share with other writers.
And that's all I have to say about getting your butt in gear and 2018 and set that keyboard on fire.
Bad news about 2018. Officially no new Stranger Things or Game of Thrones. My other most favorite show, The 100, isn't coming back on until April. The Good Doctor is back on tonight, but though I like that show, I don't mind if I miss it. Nothing to get excited on TV for months to come.
Shut the door not that it lets in the cold but that it lets out the coziness. Mark Twain
Other good news. the vicious cold weather has finally given us a slight break. Anything that gets out of the single digits is good. Also, this Wednesday, library reading group for my granddaughter starts up again.
"One kind word can warm three winter months." — Japanese proverb
My most recent dystopian romance is now for sale on Amazon. The Horse Tamer's Fiery Lady, Book #2 in Survivors of the Apocalypse, is now available on Amazon. Sometimes you write a book and just know it's one of your best. This is that book.
What is keeping you motivated this year? Ever feel like everyone else is having success and you're getting nothing but rejections? Have you been stuck in this deep freeze? Does TV offerings stink right now.
When we're all alone, we tend to compare ourselves to the big industry success stories. We see those same authors with their big hardback releases month after month. Stephen King, Brandon Sanderson, and many others. And we don't see all the hard work that is behind their success because they're working in isolation also.
Even when we have success, a bestseller or a short story published, another rejection will sooner rather than later will appear in our inbox. Sharing those setbacks with other writers who all have similar experiences, helps us keep going.
Sometimes we get so down on ourselves that we can't even accept praise or good reviews. All that self-doubt gets in the way of our work. The discouragement slows us down. So accept that you know something about writing and the business connected to it. And don't be afraid to ask and share with other writers.
And that's all I have to say about getting your butt in gear and 2018 and set that keyboard on fire.
Bad news about 2018. Officially no new Stranger Things or Game of Thrones. My other most favorite show, The 100, isn't coming back on until April. The Good Doctor is back on tonight, but though I like that show, I don't mind if I miss it. Nothing to get excited on TV for months to come.
Shut the door not that it lets in the cold but that it lets out the coziness. Mark Twain
Other good news. the vicious cold weather has finally given us a slight break. Anything that gets out of the single digits is good. Also, this Wednesday, library reading group for my granddaughter starts up again.
"One kind word can warm three winter months." — Japanese proverb
What is keeping you motivated this year? Ever feel like everyone else is having success and you're getting nothing but rejections? Have you been stuck in this deep freeze? Does TV offerings stink right now.
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
IWSG: 2018 #1
Don't forget the IWSG Twitter Pitch fest coming on the 18th of this month. It's bigger and better than ever. Wish I had something ready to pitch. Maybe by the time the next one comes around.
As usual, each year I make plans for what I hope to accomplish in the coming year in regards to my writing. I'm working on a new epic fantasy series. I'm just in the plotting stage but hope to get working on it soon. I finished the first draft on my latest romance novel and need to do the second draft with some major rewrites as the first order of business in 2018. After that, I already have the general world building for my next romance series figured out. I'm also looking for home for my fantasy series that lost its home with its publisher closed after publishing the first book of three. Those are my plans.
"Of a good beginning cometh a good end." John Heywood
On the personal front, I was disappointed (hugely) when my old knees said no more jogging last summer. Walking doesn't give me the same workout without putting hills into the mix. But those of you with bad knees know that going down hills is the worst. So I bought myself a mini-machine that is a combination of a stepper and elliptical. It takes up almost no space and I can move it easily. Love it so far though my calves complain every day.
Looking forward to more time with my grandchild this year. Also looking forward to the latest Avengers movie coming out in May.
I saw Amazon has come out with a water proof Kindle so we can all read while in the pool. Sounds good. On the less great front, I saw a statistic that claims that 17% of all eBooks have been illegally downloaded. That's depressing.
And happy days, after an entire year of missing it, in 2018 I'm using the Old Farmer's Almanac as my desk planner again. So get ready for some great factoids. Did you know that today at 12:35 am EST, the Earth reached perihelion, the point in its orbit when it's closest to the sun. Doesn't feel very close here in the frozen lands of Pennsylvania. Did you know that one quarter of your brain is used to control vision? And a group of frogs is called an army?
Wishing you all a happy and productive 2018. Have you made plans for the year? Would you like to have a waterproof tablet? Every heard of the perihelion? Ever seen one of those frog armies?
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