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Post by bill on Apr 4, 2021 22:30:19 GMT
Sevitan - Published on Amazon this week. Had a couple of glitches with the presentation on Amazon but working with them. One is fixed. Waiting to hear about the other. I also found a couple of dozen places in the proof book where the paragraphs did not indent for some reason. Sent the list to Cat. She's making changes and getting me new files. Then I will order my copies of the books. I sold one copy already to someone I know. No sales yet on Amazon.
Three Blind Mice - I get proofs back this week and will send to my dad for a final proofreading. I sent an e-mail this weekend to the athletic director and baseball coach at Halstead High School to see if they wanted to do an event at one of their games. Since my story involves the HHS baseball team at the state tournament, I thought that would be fun. We'll see if they are interested.
Mystery 3 - I finally got some traction on this and back at it. I hope to get some writing done this week and get a complete draft. Then I'll have to tackle revision in earnest. I need to keep pushing so I can publish some time this summer.
PPWC - I have a couple of practice sessions these next two weeks getting ready to be moderator for the event. Still waiting to hear if I got a pitch and read and critique times.
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Post by Admin on Apr 7, 2021 0:54:24 GMT
I got my book on the Medicis in the mail yesterday. Rhonda recommended it to me to read for research on the Rennaisance era in Italy. I want to get more knowledgeable about where the origins of Lucky Donovan started. I think it will help me flesh out the setting and lifestyle of her origin story. It will help. As she moves through the centuries I will research different times and settings. It will help me see how she changes from insane to functional as well as how she comes to terms with ethics and morals.
I really want to get the first three chapters written and polished. I want to send it out to agents even though I know the full draft isn't ready. It takes such a long time to hear back from agents. I want feedback on the pitch and story concept as well as how my writing impacts a reader. I don't know that I'll ever go traditional. I'm simply too old but it would help me see if my writing has grown enough to be a traditional author. Just knowing would help me come to terms with where I'm at in this stage of my life. Its such a weird feeling. I still feel eager and excited to be creating but I also feel despair and sadness that I will not achieve my goals. So much of my life has been reaching and falling short.
I know I'm in a state of depression right now. I think its because of Joshua's birthday and not having Hank here for him. Josh talks with his eyes and I could see how much he missed his Dad and how stoic he is with his emotions. He's a rock of strength but it has to take a toll on him. He's sleeping too much. Lethargic and unmotivated. I need to change that.
As the one year comes up I'm struggling with loss and grief. Almost worse than when he actually passed. I think I've gotten enough distance to actually let myself feel when before I was suppressing.
I'll get through it. I always do. I started landscaping. I'm terrible at it but it makes me happy and the sunshine is good for me. Joshua will help once the weather gets warm enough for him to sit on the porch.
I'll go look for Sevitan and get a few copies ordered. I know Marilyn will want one. and I want one too.
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Post by bill on Apr 7, 2021 23:57:50 GMT
Thank you for the book purchase! I would gladly have given you one and saved you the shipping, but it's also nice to have the recognition count on Amazon. I am going to have to figure out online marketing to make this writing gig work, I think.
I'm sorry to hear you are struggling. I think it's only natural though, all you've been through the last 18 months or so. I wish I knew what to say about the age issue, but I understand because even though I'm younger, I already feel the urgency to make whatever time I have left count. I believe that's through writing, which is why I'm pursuing it so hard. I would encourage you to not see your value through what you accomplish. You have a gift of touching lives, and now you're in even more of a position to do so, and are doing so. Your house is a mini hub for family to pass through and that is already paying off. Even though I've only been a few times, it means a lot to have a bit more connection to family than I had before. What you're doing (being yourself and opening up your home) means a lot to a lot of people and I think it's awesome.
I think that after I get Blake graduated my schedule will open a bit that I can come visit more often. I enjoy every time, even (and sometimes because) when it's just you and I and Josh.
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Post by Admin on Apr 11, 2021 4:01:16 GMT
I think I'll probably call Hand in Hand and request a counseling session. I do think what I'm experiencing is because the one year is coming up. All those feelings that I couldn't process then are welling up now. I didn't have the luxury of letting down last year. I had to pull everything together and handle so much legal, medical, and family stuff. I'm able to process more emotion now than I was then but I have a feeling that I better get some help this time. Just somebody to talk to that is impartial. I don't have to guard my thoughts or my words from them.
I thought I'd come home and have time for me but I seem to be holding up things for everybody else. As I get closer to what I consider a crisis point, I'm not as stable and I risk letting lose and saying things to people that I can't take back. I see people wasting their time. Sleeping half their lives away when they could be accomplishing so much. It infuriates me to see the waste and yet, I'm not the person who holds them to their path. God is. I need to trust in His plan for others as well as trust in His plan for me.
I'm grateful for my house being a hub. I wanted that. Planned for that. I want to be a connection to family because I know what it feels like to lose people. Mom was our center and when she was gone, Marilyn took over. Marilyn can't do it anymore so I'm stepping forward and offering. I wish it wasn't such a struggle to get people to help me get the basement functional. Having work half done and redone and help walking off leaving jobs half done is infuriating me and adding to my stress.
I would love to have time to just sit and visit. The form from the investment accounts is almost done. When it comes we need to go through and see if I have everything. My biggest worry is trying to find all the expenses. I had big amounts of money moving through. Almost all of it going on land and house. But instead of keeping track of stuff, its spread all over. I do have the filing cabinet put together and the files bought. I'll start going through papers and putting them in their proper folders. Hopefully it won't take me too long.
I'm happy about your opening numbers on Sevitan. They looked really good. I often think if we could coordinate sales for the first day or two of your publication, we could rock the numbers. We have a huge family. If we spread the word on what days sales would be the most help, I bet you could break into the 100. Something to think about anyway.
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Post by bill on Apr 11, 2021 22:14:42 GMT
I think counselors have a needed role in our lives. I sure benefited from my experience. Definitely let me know when you're ready for help with paperwork. If you need an extra set of hands downstairs I can help with that, but if you need someone who knows what they're doing I'm not much help I only sold three books that first day, but it was enough to propel me to what, 588? Maybe if I dropped the price for a couple of days and made a push I could shoot the numbers up. Maybe I'll try that when Three Blind Mice arrives.
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Post by bill on Apr 12, 2021 1:49:50 GMT
Three Blind Mice - Got manuscript back from proofreaders, made changes, wrote blurb, and sent everything to Cat. I sent an e-mail to HHS AD and baseball coach but haven't hear back. I need to follow up to see if they are interested in doing an event. I started on the book trailer and hope to finish this week.
Sevitan - had some minor changes done after receiving the proof copy. Ordered my books yesterday. I signed my first copy because our library ordered one and already has it.
Mystery 3 - Got a lot of writing done. I nearly have a complete draft, though it's going to need a LOT of work. but I passed the 50,000 word mark. And I need to think of a name!
PPWC - Got my moderating assignment and did some practicing on zoom this week. Still have some more to do. I need to polish my first page for the critique session.
Marketing - I sent in an application for the UFO Festival. They are having it, but not the same way as in the past. I don't know how well I will do, but since I can visit family anyway I will give it a try.
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Post by Admin on Apr 12, 2021 4:11:08 GMT
I don't think you need to drop the price. I think you need to figure out who buys your books and send them an advance announcement. Ask them if they are going to purchase a copy it would be helpful to do it on the first few days of publication. You might be able to figure out a way to offer them an incentive. They use incentives for kickstarter and other sites. When I did book signings I had gift packets to hand out if someone bought a book at the signing. I used bookmarks and sometimes inventory from Joshua's art stock of cards. I'd rather use them for advertising than just sitting around gathering dust.
When createspace was active they had a way to create discount coupons. I handed the coupons out to people who came to the signings but didn't buy a book. It gave them a limited time to buy them at the discounted price. I don't know that any of that helped sales. Just some things I tried. I still think if we had a group of people that were going to buy the book anyway, if they bought at the same few days the numbers would push the book high enough so Amazon would help visibility.
I invested money in Goodreads. Enough to know that Goodreads doesn't help authors. Only readers. I bought some Amazon ads but they refunded my money and dropped my ad. It didn't get enough response. Hand selling was my most effective way to recoup my investment.
I think you're moving and momentum will grow. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your moderating experience at the conference. Next time they do it live, I will probably go to it. I get to see Rhonda that way.
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Post by bill on Apr 19, 2021 2:57:57 GMT
Three Blind Mice - I got everything finished with the files and have ordered my copies. I also sent the HHS AD and baseball and softball coaches an e-mail asking if they would be interested in doing an event at one of their home games, with games and prizes. I think it would be fun and would get me some publicity, but I don't know if they will go for it. If not, I might have to come up with another way to announce my release locally.
Mystery 3 - Got some good work - words written and plot issues brainstormed - complete and some notes on what I need to do next. With PPWC next weekend I don't know if I will make much progress here until afterwards, but I'm ready to dive in and focus as soon as I can.
A World Amongst - I rewrote my beginning and think the first page is much better. I have a read and critique on Saturday morning, so I'll get some input then. I don't doubt it still needs work. I also have a pitch on Sunday morning, and I'm going to pitch this, since it's the only story I have that is finished. I don't know what to expect from the pitch as I've never done one, but if nothing else it should be a good experience.
Three Blind Mice - I worked on the book trailer and am kind of close, but this has been a lot harder one to do, and I don't know when I will finish, but need to soon.
PPWC - starts on Friday afternoon. I've done all the moderator training, so hopefully all will go well! The conference will be different this year, but I still think it will be good. Can't wait for it to be back in person next year though!
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Post by Admin on Apr 21, 2021 19:15:03 GMT
I'll be thinking of you this weekend. Hope you end up full of renewed energy.
I did something today that I should have done a long time ago. I let Kara go. I told her I'd give her two weeks severance but I need to get agency help. She was not showing up on time and making her own hours. I need help at specific times for specific needs. I'll call the agencies in Emporia and see if I can get professional trained help
It will feel good to make my own schedule and not worry about being interrupted.
Hoping to have something productive to show soon.
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Post by bill on Apr 22, 2021 2:34:28 GMT
Oh, I'm sorry. That must have been hard to have to let Kara go. I hope you find the help you need!
It's going to be an interesting (and hopefully good) weekend. Lots of sessions I want to experience.
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Post by Admin on Apr 23, 2021 16:39:56 GMT
Got my storage shed placed today. Looks like a busy weekend ahead. I'm anxious to get a work time established. I'll work out some kind of schedule this weekend and begin it on Monday.
I hope you find time after the conference to update me on your experience. I think you're going to have an awesome time.
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Post by bill on Apr 25, 2021 0:17:36 GMT
Kind of a rough day today, emotionally. I received a rejection this morning on the romance story I had submitted several weeks ago. While it was positive and I can't argue with the reasoning, it stings a lot more than I would like it to, I can't life. I also did the read and critque and while I understand the feedback, if I did what they suggested it risks substantively changing my story. It's frustrating that there isn't time for a follow-up question because it leaves me a bit confused. Have to rebound quickly though, I have two pitch appointments tomorrow morning, and then moderating all afternoon.
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Post by Admin on Apr 25, 2021 4:08:09 GMT
the drawback of critique is you sometimes get somebody who changes your voice and your vision because they can't see yours. I used to experience that at art shows. I got a lot of blue ribbons but never could snag the best in show. Although the last show I entered I did get a best in show. but thats beside the point. I would follow the judge around and listen to her critique of my work and it never came. They would ask me what I expected. I got a blue. Nothing higher than that except the best in show. They couldn't tell me what I needed to do to improve my work to take it higher. It was incredibly frustrating and depressing.
I also know that frustration is what drives you toward perfection. Its the brass ring we keep reaching for. wins are nice but they don't teach us the next step. Only irritation, anger and frustration can do that. I just had a vision of an oyster being irritated by a grain of sand enough to create a pearl. We keep layering and adding and exploring until it all falls in place.
Get through the weekend. Absorb what you can. I suspect that in person would be so much more rewarding. I give you credit for doing what you're doing. I'm mostly a slug right now and wishing I could find my magic wand. so many people are disappointed in me for things I have no control over.
I'm heading over to Amazon to look at your new book.
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Post by bill on Apr 25, 2021 23:12:15 GMT
Thank you! I needed to hear everything you wrote. It is a part of the process, and a known one, but I will never get used to it, I don't think.
It was still a very good conference. I ended up with two pitches this morning. They offered some in the afternoon and I maybe could have had another, but I moderated this afternoon. Both pitches were positive. My first pitch I had one of the ladies who did my read & critique. She very much liked my idea and told me what I would need to focus on, but it wasn't a fit for her. I kind of knew that already but did it more for the experience.
The second pitch went even better. She really liked the idea and asked for a query letter and the first 20 pages. While I don't expect it to go anywhere because one she only asked for 20 and not the whole thing and two, my beginning is the roughest part of the story, it was a good experience and gave me a little umph to do the revision I need. I may look into hiring an editor for this if I can scrounge the money because I still think the idea is above my writing ability. I'll get there one day but I'm not there yet.
I missed a lot of sessions, but they recorded them and will have them all available for 30 days online, so I intend to catch every one I'm interested in. Most of the ones I saw were really good. It's definitely not the same as in person, but it was better than not having it like last year, plus I got it for free by moderating. So no complaints here.
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Post by Admin on Apr 26, 2021 4:41:35 GMT
Sharon threw an idea at me that I think I'm going to try. We were talking about our childhood and I had her laughing so hard and saying I needed to write them down. It reminded me that I started my writing career by writing articles for the newspaper. They were 600-800 words in length and they were humorous in the manner that the late Erma Bombeck used to write.
I've been wanting to find a way to do serials like the Grit paper used to carry. Every edition would have a few chapters. They did one mystery and one western. I didn't know where to post a serial but my website has been dead in the water. And I know that our goal is to funnel people to the website. I thought I could write a short article every week only take the stories from my childhood. I've been told over and over that our family is not normal. Well, thank God it isn't.
Hank and I used to read Pat McManus books. He was a writer for the Evening Post. His topic was his childhood and some of the characters he knew and they were slap stick funny. I'd like to figure out a way to share the life of a big family. I'm in the middle so I saw a lot of the what the older siblings saw but also the younger. I was the sister who hung out around Bill so I had the big brother experience. I want to lean toward tall tale but not in an unbelievable way but make the stories a tiny bit bigger than life. more entertaining without going overboard.
I'll probably have to email Rhonda for some input on how to do a memoir without fictionalizing it but also without giving it 'show the guests the family movies and hope you don't bore them to death.'
I could put the opening sentences on my social media pages to divert readers over to the web page. I'm also thinking of hiring Abbey and Chalino to manage my media pages. I'm hesitant to give them passwords to sites that have too much information but the webpage and the Facebook page and maybe twitter and Goodreads would be simple enough to start with.
I'll write a few articles and see if I can get the tone right and let it take off from there. If I get enough of them written I can bundle them together and offer them as a paperback or ebook. At least I feel a bit energized again and hopeful.
I'm glad you got positives out of the conference. I'd really like to go to another one but I'm not good at the virtual. I have too many pups and people that pull me away from the computer.
Can't wait to see you in person and really get caught up. Bill is supposed to come over here Thursday morning. I don't know when he will head back to Illinois. It will be good to see him. I'm going to pick Sharon up Wed. evening and take her home Thursday after Josh's doctor appointment.
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