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Post by bill on Apr 27, 2021 2:20:44 GMT
I think that's a great idea. I know a few years ago Sharon was writing stories from her past, including some from childhood. I hope she kept at it. I need to see her again, it's been too long! And yes, I need to make it up that way. I miss you guys!
Thank you for the book purchases! I've had several sales the last three days and I haven't even announced the release of Three Blind Mice.
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Post by Admin on Apr 27, 2021 14:13:50 GMT
I had a talk with Rhonda last night. She said the writing would be considered humor-non-fiction so that gives me an idea of my reader.
I have been making a list of categories. I'll take each category and jot down memories from each one. I should end up with enough topics to do at least one a week for a year. I decided that I need to break them into ages. My childhood, family history stories that we grew up hearing, and my adult life where I have numerous stories about illness, disability, caregiving, education, self-awareness the list goes on and on.
I'm going to get my new shelf cleaned up, spray painted and set in place so I have slots for all the different works in progress. Seeing the slots fill up with work should motivate me to keep producing.
Nyla said I should pitch some of my ideas to the local paper. I might but right now, I don't want the deadline pressure. I'd rather create and put up on my website and begin to rebuild momentum.
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Post by bill on May 2, 2021 21:58:27 GMT
I think approaching the paper is a good idea, when you're ready.
Three Blind Mice - I receive my copies of the book on Friday. I finished the book trailer today and published. Thank you for the share! I don't have any in-person promotions planned locally yet. My next event is Yates Center Days at the end of May.
A World Amongst - I sent a query letter and the first twenty pages to the agent who requested from PPWC. Oddly enough, while running on Thursday I thought of an idea to rewrite the first section and make it more of what the editors have been suggesting. Not sure yet when I will make get to it.
Mystery 3 - Got some work done on it this weekend for the first time in nearly two weeks. Now it becomes my focus for the next month. I would like to finish and have it to beta readers by the end of May. We'll see. I give myself less than a 50/50 chance of making that day.
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Post by Admin on May 5, 2021 19:04:43 GMT
I think I'll call the tax guy and request an extension. The investment guy still hasn't gotten my capitol gains thing back to me. I waffle between being a slug and being productive. My energy level fluctuates. I did start a drawing and I did begin working on the humor/non-fiction articles. but it's slow going. Jessica is back so the house will begin to look normal. Dixie is sick. Not sure what is wrong with her but it worries me. The puppy is doing good. Ornery but sweet. Kara is still upset with me. Not sure how to handle that one. Guess it will work itself out. Its on her side, not mine. Keep the momentum going. You're making progress. Fun for me to watch.
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Post by bill on May 10, 2021 1:29:59 GMT
Sorry about Kara, but you did what was best for you and Josh. I'm sure you bent over backwards to make it work for her, so she can only blame herself.
Vetrix/Earth - I had an idea for a book trailer so I put it together. I'm learning more about how to use the software and I think this is the best trailer. I don't know if will do me any good, but hoping as I build an inventory of trailers it will help visibility some day.
Toxic Intentions (my now working title for mystery 3) - I worked on it some this week. I'm really struggling to feel like I'm making progress. It's that icky revision phase and I constantly feel overwhelmed at the unanswered questions I have.
It doesn't help that busy at work and busy in life. I'm starting to accept that I am not ready to produce cozy mysteries as quickly as I would like. I'll keep pushing and maybe some day I will get there, but not now. I don't see how I get this one done in time to have a pool party to launch it. I am not one who likes the fast pace, but I've been running a hundred miles an hour since the first of April. Maybe after Memorial Day I can slow down a bit.
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Post by Admin on May 11, 2021 19:05:26 GMT
I called my tax guy and filed for an extension. This gives up time to make sure I have all the info. I'll get everything sent where I need to send it and try to get the office area functional
I'm still thinking about the articles. I'd like to write an article a day, or rather 5 articles a week. I can whip out six hundred words in about an hour. I see no reason not to do so. I have a new beta reader looking at my intro to the Lucky Donovan story. I want to polish the opening and send it out. I know agents always want exclusives but I'm too old to do that. I'll submit to three at a time and work on it while I wait. I'm not sure I want to be traditionally published. I don't like the idea of relinquishing artistic control over to somebody who doesn't share my vision of the character. But I would very much like to know if she generates as much interest as I think she can. I want her to be wanted not necessarily sign her over. I'll have to let God take care of the bread cast upon the water. My job is to toss it out there.
I haven't had time to look at the trailer. I will as soon as I can. I have a plumber on the way out. Crossing my fingers that he will take the job.
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Post by bill on May 17, 2021 1:54:41 GMT
Well, it's been a good week, although I didn't get a lot of writing done. Blake's graduated. Dad and Delores have been here since Wednesday, and may be here until Zach and Cole's graduation on Sunday.
I got some work done on Toxic Intentions, some good work, but not a lot. I'll keep plugging away, slowly.
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Post by bill on May 24, 2021 3:28:44 GMT
Tosic Intentions - I got a little done, but not much. Drove to KC today to celebrate Zach and Cole's graduation. Dad and Delores will be around another few days so I hope to get back to a more normal and productive writing schedule once they leave.
UFO Festival - I paid my fees this week. I'm contacting a t-shirt place to see about having t-shirts made. The fee for the festival is high and I'm hoping I can help cover some of the cost with alien t-shirts. We'll see if it works out.
YC Days - I will attend on Saturday, so not much writing done, but hoping for a good day of book sales!
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Post by Admin on May 24, 2021 14:09:54 GMT
Not a lot got done this week except the bathroom in the basement is all hooked up except for the shower. I need to tile the shower before it can be finished. The east rooms are very close to the setting up the guest bedroom. The other half of the big room will get the ceiling painted.
Rhonda and Jacob are supposed to come in the last weekend of May. I'll let you know for sure and if you want to pop over this way and hang out with us, you'd be welcome.
I bought some ink and am back working on my cartooning skills. I still need to get my plants in the ground. Simply too much rain to work outside but maybe today will give me a break.
Joshua is doing good. His procedures will be June 2nd. I'll be glad when they are behind us. Once the guest bedrooms are set up I can make the office/reading/guest room upstairs function better. I have a firm idea on how to do the built in bookcase but I need tongue and groove boards to get it started.
I hope life gets normal soon because I'm not handling things very well. I want a productive schedule.
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Post by bill on May 25, 2021 20:51:51 GMT
Yes, let me know when they will be here and I'll come visit if I can.
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Post by Admin on May 27, 2021 1:08:04 GMT
Rhonda, Sharon, and Jacob will be here tomorrow night. I think Rhonda wants to go to the Gridley cemetery on Sunday to put flowers on the graves. Sunday would have been Kathy's birthday. She has to go home on Monday because Jacob has something going on Tuesday. I just hope they don't drive through a lot of rain. The weather tonight looks unsettled.
I'm doing a lot of cartoon sketching this week. And finally getting my plants in the ground. I don't know if they will make it or not, but I'm giving it a try. The downstairs is very close to having its first guest bedroom. and the bathroom is functional. I'm beginning to get excited that it will be what I dreamed of it being.
Josh has a colonoscopy and endoscopy scheduled for June 2nd. I'll be glad to get past that. I'm not looking forward to his prep. I have a lady coming here on June 4th. She is a registered nurse and works out of the Smith Agency. She lives in Cottonwood Falls and I'm hoping to hire her to help with Joshua's personal care. We'll see how it goes.
I had somebody read my opening chapters of Bite Me and she liked it a lot and had some helpful critique of the opening chapter. It lacks description that the later chapters have. I'll have to go through it and make sure it fits my skill level that I have now compared to when I first wrote it. I just want structure and productivity.
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Post by bill on May 27, 2021 21:38:33 GMT
What is going on tomorrow evening? I'm tied up with Yates Center Days on Saturday.
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Post by bill on Jun 6, 2021 23:35:03 GMT
Summer of Fiction Writing - I signed up on Holly's website for this challenge in hopes it would help me focus. My goal is to revise Toxic Intentions in June, write the rough draft to the fourth murder mystery in July, and revise A World Amongst in August (plus write 1-2 Grim Reaper FF to complete my series of FF stories).
I spent an hour-plus yesterday planning out the rest of my year in writing. I have it set (subject to change, obviously), with December open. In short, I want to have the following complete by the end of 2021: write the rough drafts for Halstead Mysteries 4 and Vetrix series book 5, have A World Amongst and my middle grade horror story ready to query, and I want to publish Toxic Intentions, Grim Reaper flash fiction (maybe), A Christmas Parade Miracle (short story), and maybe Halstead Mystery 4 (not sure yet when I want to publish - may be next year).
Toxic Intentions - Got some revising done. I have a plan going forward, now I'll see if I can work my way through it and finish by the end of the month.
Christmas Parade Miracle - I sent the story to Dad to proofread. I contacted Cat and she is going to work on the cover. I would like to have published by the end of July so I can take it to Smithville Christian Family Day and start promoting.
* I spent three hours at the Halstead museum today reading some of the hospital history. I'm thinking of writing some of the history on my website, in an attempt to draw people to it who might have an interest in purchasing my cozy mystery book.
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Post by Admin on Jun 7, 2021 23:38:36 GMT
I love the momentum you are maintaining. I do think that is the crucial factor in making a living. Simply being prolific.
Abbey started working for me today. She's painting walls in the basement and will help organize the rooms. I'm hoping to have usable guest bedrooms by July first and the bathroom done.
The closer the house gets to being functional, the closer I get to having a work schedule for both me and Josh. I'm going to have to approach my weekdays as a job. both for me and Josh. Its hard when I have people moving around everywhere but if I can get Hank's kitchen turned into a multi-functional space I can take us in there and ignore everything going on in the rest of the house.
I have a lady hired to help with Joshua's personal care. She starts tomorrow and will be here twice a week.
So things are humming. just not the writing and art.
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Post by bill on Jun 8, 2021 3:36:36 GMT
You're making some good progress on the house and I can't wait to see it!
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